Chapter 30
Blaise looked over the final version of his contract and he couldn't feel prouder. It did everything Draco and Hermione had wanted. There was a clause that stated Lucius could not directly or indirectly harm Hermione in any way shape or form, but it was honestly tricky to get around but not impossible, but Blaise was always one for misdirection. If Lucius thought he was able to get around the Hermione clause he would be too cocky to look to closely at the rest. More specifically the very carefully agonizingly ironclad clause that is in place to truly protect everyone. In layman's terms it stated that Lucius could not himself, through a third party or any other way withhold anything that could or directly cause any harm to any person who was directly related to the Malfoy bloodline. It would appear that all of this was in place to protect Scorpius which was another carefully deployed misdirection. If Lucius thought that Draco was more concerned with his son's protection then Hermione's it would seem like Draco was getting his priorities straight. Now all he had to do was run it passed Draco and Hermione and if they agreed then it was time to face the dark dragon.
Blaise decided to treat himself to a nice meal paid for by Draco of course. He would just add it to his friend's bill. As Blaise started to get ready to go when he heard his floo go off.
"Mittsy!" Blaise called and the house elf appeared. "Do I have any other meetings scheduled for today? I thought I had cleared my schedule. "
"Don't worry about checking Mittsy. I don't need a scheduled meeting to come visit my dear ex-brother-in-law now do I?" Astoria's voice echoed from down the hall.
Blaise quickly grabbed the contract and hid it in one of his other case files. There was no reason for Astoria to find out about the contract and no reason for her to be in his house at all.
"What do you want Tori? I have no times for your petty little games." Blaise yelled back.
"Now now no need to be so testy Blaisy. I just wanted to talk to you about what is going on with my husband." Astoria responded as she entered his study.
"Look Draco is my best friend and you well you are you. I am not telling you shit so get out of my house and please make sure the door hits you on the ass on your way out." Blaise snipped at her.
"That is no way to talk to a lady Blaise I know for a fact that your mother raised you better. I am his wife for better or worse he and I will always be bond together through our son. I need to know if he's leaving me Blaise. I need to be prepared to fight for my son." Astoria explained in a cold calculating tone.
"Do you really want to lie to me Astoria? Do you think that I am as stupid as Draco was on his wedding day? Did you think I would never get my hands on a copy of your marriage contract? That I wouldn't read between the lines? Is that what you thought? Hmm?" Blaise demanded.
"What do you mean?! How did you see that?" Astoria screeched then her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. "Wow….he's really doing that? He's going to divorce me?! For what some mousy little bookworm who isn't worth the air she breathes?! AAAHH!"
"For the love of- SHUT UP WOMAN BEFORE I SLAP YOU!" Blaise bellowed.
Astoria instantly quieted and glared at him before sinking into a chair and starting to cry.
"Now you know what's going on Astoria so please save me the crocodile tears. You aren't sad he's leaving you for her. You care that he's divorcing you and taking away that title you fought so hard and long for. That title you trade your already dark and tarnished soul for. Was the contract drawn up after you forced Draco into bed with you? Or when you found out you weren't pregnant with his child. Or was it-, "Astoria's wide eyes jerked to his in sheer panic. "Oh-ha-oh that is rich! You slept with Lucius before Draco! God! You were willing to do anything for that name weren't you. As a Slytherin I must applaud the underhandedness of your whole scheme but as Draco's best friend I would love to run right over to him and tell him this whole sored affair. He wouldn't need to divorce you! He could, under pureblood law, have the whole thing annulled. But you know that of course."
"Blaise you cant do that to him! He loves Scorpius more than anything in this world and honestly I don't know which of them is the father. Lucius made this plan and it all went down in the same week. I never did a paternity test because it didn't matter. Lucius didn't want another child he just wanted to control Draco. Draco wanted Scorpius. Draco LOVES that boy more than I could ever have hoped my child would be loved. I am a terrible mother I know! But do you know why? Why I always expect perfection and lash out at Scor for every little infraction? Because he is the living embodiment of selling myself for nothing! I thought Draco would love me eventually. I thought I just had to get him away from that terrible woman and he would see that we were meant for each other but everyday we were together he grew to hate me more. So I resent my son for getting the love I never got. I hate him! And I love him…what mother does that? Tell him I will give him a divorce I will give him everything Blaise just don't take away the one person that truly full heartedly love Scorpius." Astoria pleaded.
"This right here Tori…this is why I am not telling him. You are a, well not a good mother but one who does love her child as much as she can. I won't tell him but you will give him an easy out are we clear. No resentment no fighting for custody just a nice clean break. Oh and another thing you need to actually spend time with your son. Stop think of why he's here and instead get to know him for who he actually is and I think maybe you can heal." Blaise stated.
"How can I heal when Lucius is controlling my life?! If I don't do what he wants he will tell Draco! I can't let that happen. If I can stop that secret from ever coming to light I will be able to hold my head up high and say that I was a good mother." Astoria was crying real tears now.
"I'll protect you and your secret Astoria. Not for you but for him. For my godson I will protect this. We're writing up a contract. If I put a clause in for you though I need your word, on your magic, that you will let this divorce go through and let Draco keep full custody of Scor. You will be a part of your son's life but you will not try and control his life. We've all had too much of that in our lives so lets spare our children the same fate, huh?" Blaise laid his terms in a cold lawyer tone.
"I promise on my magic." Astoria replied. "How about a toast? You still have that 40 year old Fire-whiskey? I think today is a day worthy of it."
Blaise nodded and pointed to the bar in the corner. Astoria smiled at him as she wiped her tears and grabbed two glasses discretely emptying a small vial into one before filling them with about 3 fingers worth.
"I want to see the contract as it stands now Blaise. You know I have a little experience with legal documents. I want to make sure we can slip my little protection undetected." Astoria said coyly as she offered Blaise the glass she hadn't poured the vial into.
"Does this look like my first rodeo princess I want the other glass. I know you always keep the fuller one to yourself. As for the contract well sorry hun, you are just going to have to trust me." Blaise gave her a dazzling smile as Astoria pretended to pout before handing over the drugged drink.
"Fine be that way but I do want to read it over before Lucius does." Astoria pointed out.
"For sure. I'll send you a copy as I am presenting him his. No double crossing me Astoria or I will make you live to regret it." Blaise growled.
"Of course. Salud," They clinked glasses and Blaise easily finished his drink in one swig but Astoria, ever playing the dutiful lady, just took a small swig of hers. "Oh and there is one other thing I wanted to talk with you about."
"What is that?" Blaise asked.
Astoria smirked up at him through her lashes and moved closer till her body was pressed against his.
"Have you ever wondered what it would have been like if you had married me instead of Daphne? I mean I know you wanted me over her but Daddy didn't think you were good enough. Do you ever wonder what you missed out on? I know I do." Astoria carefully trailed her hands up Blaise's chest before maneuvering him into a chair.
Blaise was shell shocked. Sure he always joked about sleeping with Astoria with Draco but he never actually planned on doing it. But now with her musky perfume permenating his senses and her lush body pressed against him he felt light headed. Wait- light headed his hand flew to his lips as he felt the darkness settling in.
"You two-faced bi-," The rest of his words were cut off when he passed out.
"Aw poor Blaisy always one for a good sob story. Hopefully this reminds you that no matter how pretty it may appear you never mess with a cobra." Astoria purred into his ear before starting to search for the contract.
'It's easy to make people believe you when you tell them the truth.' Astoria thought to herself as she foraged through Blaise's case files. Most people would search the safes, but Blaise never kept the real documents in such an obvious place. He was and always would hide what you were looking for right in front of you. After she found it she breathed a huge sigh of relief. This contract was her way out from under Lucius's clutches. One last job and she was free to run off where-ever she wanted knowing her secret would be safe. She could never be the mother Scorpius deserved but at least she could do this one thing for him. Finally, she could move on knowing she protected her son from the terrible course that lead to his life. With Draco Scorpius would want for nothing least of all love. She was making the right choice come what may she believed this was what she had to do.
After Aries calmed her down Gemini tried to talk to him about what had happened when she had looked for the memory, but Aries cut her off.
"I don't want you to focus on anything but getting better. It seems like anytime someone tries to get you to recall the memory your body reacts horribly. A seemingly harmless memory restoration potion made you relive everything you went through and before that when Pomphrey wanted to look into your mind you went catatonic and almost hurt yourself all over again! I don't want you to think about that night at all right now. You are still recovering and maybe I'm being selfish but I would greatly appreciate it if you would tell everyone who has questions to frell off until you are back in classes at the very least. Please just get better. It literally kills me to see you lying in this bed so hurt so just focus on getting better not what put you here." Aries pleaded.
"You mean figuratively and come on Aries you just want to copy off me in classes again right?" Gemini tried to joke but Aries just glared at her.
"Just get better you brat. I love you too much to see you lying in this bed next week because you did something stupid." Aries stated ruffling her hair softly.
"I'm in the hospital wing. What exactly do you think is going to happen? A medicine cabinet is going to fall on me? Please this is the safest place for me right now." Gemini pointed out.
"Yea well if anyone could get hurt just lying in their hospital bed it would be you. Alright I have to head to bed. Unless you want me to stay with you tonight. Just say the word." Aries said staring down at her.
"I'm a big girl Aries. Yea what happened was scary and am I nervous about being alone in here…yes but you can't always be by my side. I know I'm safe here and I promise to think only of the classes I'm missing and getting better. I love you Aries now go to bed before mom shows up and drags you to the Gryffindor common room by your ear like she used to do when we refused to go to bed." Gemini pointed out squeezing his hand.
"I'll bring you breakfast in the morning, alright?" Aries offered.
"That would be great! Could you bring Alec and Scor too. I'm sure they're both worried sick as well." Gemini asked her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yea I can bring them. I may have to apologize first but if you want them here then here they shall be," Aries replied sullenly.
"Apologize? Why do you need to apologize to them?" Gemini asked confused.
"Well I had just found out about Draco Malfoy being our dad and everything and I may have possibly taken my frustrations out on Scorpius…with my fists. He just showed up at the wrong time and I am sorry. I know you guys are close now. Hell he's our brother so I understand if you don't want me here tomorrow." Aries explained unable to meet Gemini's gaze anymore and tried to make a quick escape.
"Aries William Granger DO NOT make me get out of this bed!" Gemini exclaimed causing Aries to freeze. "Look at me Aries. You are my twin brother. My confidant and my rock. NO ONE could ever replace you in my life. Not even another brother. I love you, you big stupid lion."
At her words Aries burst into tears again and rushed over to hug his sister. Those were the words he had needed to hear. That he mattered. That no matter who else joined their family he would never be replaced in his sister's eyes. Finally, after his tears dried and Gemini gave him one last hug he headed off to Gryffindor Tower feeling about 20 pounds lighter and a genuine smile on his lips.
Draco and Hermione waited for Aries to leave before checking on Gemini again but she was fast asleep when they reached her.
"They are amazing Hermione. Both of them. The way Aries protected her and made us see sense…that boy is something else. You did an amazing job raising two wonderful kids. I'm just sorry I couldn't be a part of it." Draco stated as he gazed down at Gemini.
"We can't focus on the past now, alright? We don't get do over and honestly I don't think I'd take one if I could. If we did you wouldn't have Scorpius and I know you love that boy. People always say everything happens for a reason and I have to believe that Draco, now more than ever." Hermione said as she ran her hand against her daughter's cheek.
"We will find the people who did this Hermione and I promise you they will regret ever meeting Gemini when we do." Draco reassured as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"The people who did this will be lucky to ever see the inside of a jail cell. No one messes with my family and gets away with it." Hermione promised in a low lethal tone.
"There is something else we need to do to keep them safe. All of them. Scorpius, Aries and Gemini. We have to deal with my father." Draco pointed out.
"Do you think Blaise has finished the contract? I want your father out of the way so I can pour my whole focus into finding these monsters." Hermione replied.
"We can go check with him now. Do you want to ask Pomphrey to stay in the infirmary tonight?" Draco asked.
"No need to ask me. I was already planning on staying with Miss Granger and Miss Greystone. No one will harm them while I am here. You have my word." Pomphrey promised before settling down at her desk with a pile of medical files and her wand on the desk beside her.
"Thank you." Hermione said before grabbing Draco's hand and pulling him towards the floo.
Now that Hermione had something real and concrete that she could work towards that would protect her children she couldn't wait to do it. Finally she wasn't just the heartbroken angry mother of an attacked child, she was a fierce protective mother lion ready to take down any and all those who would endanger her cubs. As long as they could present the contract and force Lucius to sign it without looking too closely they could do this.