Chapter 14
Perfecting her own, personalized, mask...
"SCORP!" Ara called from one end of the hallway. He looked away from his conversation with Jayce, smiling inwardly as she dodged a group of fourth years and seventh years to hurry towards him.
"Hey Ara," Jayce greeted, and she nodded back.
"Jayce, sorry, but we can't talk now," she said hurriedly, grabbing Scorpius's arm and dashing in a completely different direction.
"Ara! What the-"
"Your mom's awake, Scorp. McGonagall told me to find you so we can go visit her."
"She's awake? But how?!" Scorp panted in between breaths as they sprinted to the Headmistress's office.
"Mom and Dad fixed her, I guess. We'll see. Come on!" she cried impatiently as Scorpius's pace dropped slightly.
"Fred Weasley!" Ara shouted as they approached the Gryffin statues. Once opened, Ara and Scorp tumbled up the stairs and into McGonagall's office, where Ara's mother was waiting.
"Aunt Alex, how's my mother-?" Scorpius began to ask, but Alex just gave him a small smile.
"You'll see," she said simply, directing the two first years towards the Floo. McGonagall waved goodbye as they swirled into the fireplace at St. Mungo's. Stepping out of the Floo, Scorp was surprised to see his mother talking to... Hermione Weasley? Rose's mum?
"Thank you, Alex," Scorp's mum smiled as she beckoned Scorpius to her side.
"I should be going. I have some paperwork to fill out before I go out with Chloe for some texting and scones-"
Alex giggled at Hermione.
"Oh, no, it's not like- ugh. Whatever Alex. Bye Astoria, I'll visit again tomorrow," Hermione waved before shouting her destination.
"She... you... but...?" Scorpius asked incoherently.
"We'll be outside," Alex informed Astoria, who nodded.
"Come, sit, Scorp," Astoria patted the side of her bed.
"I thought you and... Mrs. Weasley didn't get along..." Scorpius stated, looking confused at the fireplace.
"We didn't," Astoria affirmed. "But just now, we had a long talk and solved some of our issues."
"That's... good..." Scorpius said carefully. "I hope that means you don't mind my being... friends I guess with Weasley."
"Rose?" Astoria asked her son.
"Yup," he replied, popping the p.
"Tell me what I've missed out in the last few months."
"Well, on the train, Ara dragged me into the same booth as Weasley, the Potter boys, that Wood bloke, some Gold... someone, I think he was a Ravenclaw, and Lorcan and Lysander Scamander."
"Rolf and Luna's sons?"
"Yeah. So we all struck up a tentative friendship there. During the main feast, we received the news about Weasley's Dad's and your coma. Oh, by the way, I also got sorted into Slytherin. Ara, too. Weasley's a Gryffindor, go figure, and Potter's actually a Hufflepuff. A lot of the Ravenclaw folks were really angry that Ara wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw, but Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter has been keeping a close eye on her. Emelda's a Slytherin... I don't know if you care about anyone else."
"Not really. Go on."
"Anyways, after that, got my timetable, and I've got classes with at least one of us four-"
"You are one of the four, I take it?"
"What of- oh. Yeah, I mean of the other three. I've become pretty good friends with Jayce Boot, too. Anyways, we have this really cool DADA teacher - Professor Pucey. She's so bad posterior. She broke us up into skill groups, so Ara, Potter, Weasley, and I have gotten way ahead of everyone else. Halloween was awesome - oh, wait, I skipped something. We went to Mr. Weasley's funeral before that. But after Halloween and the first Quidditch match, which, obviously, Slytherin won, surprisingly with relatively few fouls. We learned how to cast our patronus. You should've seen McLaggen's. It was a swarm of planaria," Scorp snickered.
Astoria looked at her son closely. "Have you managed a corporeal patronus?" Astoria asked breathlessly.
"Yeah, mum. Watch. Exp- Oh I'm not supposed to do magic outside of Hogwarts yet, am I?"
"Go get your father, or Blaise. They know an old pureblood shield that prevents the Ministry from detecting it."
"Okay!" Scorpius said cheerfully, jumping off the bed to find his father. The two Malfoy men reentered the room. "Mum wanted you to cast up a shield so I can show her my patronus," Scorp explained.
Draco stopped in his tracks. "Your patronus?" he asked incredulously. Scorpius nodded exuberantly.
"Mine is really cool, though Weasley's tigress is... decent," Scorpius grumbled a bit. "Ara's dolphin fits pretty well, and I think Potter's koala is actually a perfect fit. Dad, would you do it already?"
Draco pulled out his wand. "Tectios Magus," he whispered around the room. "All right, Scorp."
"Expecto patronum!" Scorp shouted, and his silvery falcon began gliding around the room.
"That's beautiful, Scorpius," Astoria breathed. "Beautiful."
"I'm very proud of you, son," Draco said after getting over his initial shock. "Patronuses are not first year work. I'm surprised your DADA teacher is teaching it to you."
"It's because of Flint. They've sent out dementors, so she thought it'd be useful," Scorpius shrugged.
"Makes sense," Draco said affectionately, patting Scorp's head.
"Yeah. So DADA is really cool. Flying's easy, and actually McGonagall's not that strict as a Headmistress. Caymen and Lysander get away with all sorts of stuff, but she doesn't punish them really so long as it's harmless."
"She's really changed, hasn't she?" Astoria smiled nostalgically.
"I guess so. Oh, and you'll be happy to know that no one judges me too badly. McLaggen's said a few insulting things here and there, but I haven't been exactly... kind to him."
"Scorp," Draco admonished.
"What? He's really dumb, and aggravatingly so."
"And yet, he managed a corporeal patronus?" Astoria inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Well yeah but-"
"Don't be so quick to judge others, son," Draco warned.
"Your father is an idiot," a voice sneered from the doorway. "A bloody fool. All of the lessons I taught him - throws it all out the window! Well, perhaps you'll be more malleable," Lucius Malfoy sneered as he entered the room.
"Is... is that?" Scorp trailed off, whispering to Draco.
"I'm afraid it is, son. Meet your Grandfather," Draco grimly introduced, clenching his jaw in suppressed anger.
"Mr. Malfoy, I must say, you have perfect timing," Astoria said dryly. "It was perfect, waking up to your livid son. All because some imbecile decided to reenter his life."
"I would watch your tongue, Ms. Greengrass," Lucius snapped. "Draco, Draco, Draco, you chose this woman to bear the Malfoy heir. Another failure. Another disappointment. I'm sure a Crucio would only quicken your pain and death. "
"I'm a dead woman, so I don't have anything to lose," Astoria shot back.
"Your son. Your sister. Pain," Lucius ticked each off with a finger. "Your dignity. My dear, you have plenty to lose," he snarled.
"You're... you're dying... still?" Scorpius whispered.
"How unfortunate," Lucius grinned maliciously. "Mummy didn't mention that she'll be dead in a few weeks?" Lucius jeered.
"Out!" Draco demanded.
"I have every right to be here," Lucius spat.
"Malfoys don't play by the rules," Draco reminded his father, before silencing him and blasting the eldest Malfoy out of the room with a flick of the wrist. Alex, Blaise, and Ara rushed in quickly before the door slammed shut.
"Mother, tell... tell me you aren't dying," Scorpius pleaded.
Astoria gripped his hand. "I'm sorry Scorpius, but no one can fix me."
"No!" Scorpius's cry of anguish tore at everyone's hearts. He pulled his hand away from her grasp, backing away as if she were a dangerous animal. Draco made a step to approach him, but thought better of it as Scorpius's lip began to tremble.
"You said!" Scorpius shouted, rounding on his godparents. "You said you'd take care of her!"
"They did, Scorp," Astoria interrupted.
"FIX HER!" he ordered.
"We tried, Scorp. We did our best, and she's awake now," Alex said soothingly. "We were too slow, though. And I'm sorry, but there's nothing more we can do."
"Scorpius, look at me," Astoria said softly. He furiously shook his head, fighting back tears. "Scorpius," she said sternly, and he finally met her eyes.
"Stay with me? Will you stay with me for the time we have left together?" she asked, and slowly nodded, walking back to her bedside.
"Why couldn't we have gotten along before?" he asked sadly, sniffling.
"Well, we have similar personalities, especially in our stubbornness. We always butt heads," Astoria chuckled.
She grew more serious. "Scorpius, I know we never say it because we constantly fight, but Mummy loves you, you know?"
Scorpius nodded. "I love you too, Mum. Even when we scream at each other. I'm going to miss you!" he cried, openly sobbing.
Not a single eye in that room was dry.
"I don't get it," Harper said confusedly to Albus.
"Get what?" Albus asked, not bothering look up from his Transfiguration essay.
"Why you hang out with Malfoy. I mean, your parents are practically archenemies!"
"Well they are not, Albus said distractedly, shaking his hand out as it cramped.
"But he's really mean," Harper shook his head.
"Snarky, yeah but he never really says stuff that bad," Albus pointed out. "Sure he's an arrogant prat, but beyond that he's not downright cruel."
"He is to Horatio," Harper pointed out
"I guess you're right about that," Albus conceded after a moment. "He's not exactly pleasant to anyone besides Ara."
"So why bother spending your time with him?"
"Well, for one, Rose needs an ally. She doesn't get on very well with Clara and Amelia, so she prefers to banter with Scorp and hang out with Ara. Plus, he's gotten better, by hanging out around Rose and Ara, I guess. We kind of talked it over – our goal is to get him to be a generally well-liked bloke by the end of the school year."
"What on Earth gave you guys that idea?" Harper asked incredulously.
Albus grimaced. "Who do you think? The second years – including my brother. They like to gamble."
"I should've guessed that James would be behind this," Harper snorted.
"Sometimes I wonder why he wasn't sorted into Slytherin," Albus sighed, turning back to crack open his Herbology textbook.
"Well, if he's a gambler, he's got to be courageous enough to take risks?"
"Hmm. I think you're right Harper," Albus smiled. "Did you manage your patronus yet?"
"Nah. I don't know how you four did, and even Horatio. He was a big surprise," Harper answered.
"My dad's kind of prepped me for it, so it's not that new, I guess. Ara and Scorp have never confirmed it, but I get the feeling they've at least tried it before. Rose is Aunt Hermione's daughter – enough said. As for Horatio – I guess we just underestimated him."
"No kidding," laughed Harper.
"Ooh, I gotta run. James wanted to meet me right about now, and I don't know why. I'll be back before dinner, probably."
"See you Al" Harper waved as Albus hurried from the Hufflepuff common room and to the Room of Requirement, which had repaired itself after Crabbe's Fiendfyre. Entering the room, he was greeted by all of the second year boys he had met on the train, plus a few girls that he didn't know.
"Hey Albus!" Zachariah greeted cheerfully.
"Glad you got the message, bro," James said as he twiddled with some odd object. "I couldn't get ahold of Rose, and Ara and Scorp are gone, from what I heard."
"Gone?" Albus asked, furrowing his eyebrows. "Gone where?"
"Dunno, that Nott girl just said they went to McGonagall's/"
"D'ya want to hae me go find Rose?" Alden asked. "Why don't we jus' use the Marauder's Map? Whoever has it…?"
"Ooh, let me!" one of the girls said excitedly, bouncing her freakishly curly hair. "Accio Marauder's Map!" she called. In a few moments, the map zoomed into her hands.
"Nicely done, Melody," Zach cheered – sorry, Zachariah.
"Wait – you're not Melody Jordan are you?" Albus asked in awe.
"The one and only," she flashed a brilliant smile from behind her curls.
"Lee and Coach Jordan's daughter? Daaang," Albus whistled. "Your mum makes fantastic brooms. So does Jackson Finch-Fletchley's mum."
"Thanks," she giggled. "I guess you haven't met my friend yet. This is Leonora, Camille, and Hollyn. You know Lucy and Roxanne, of course, since you're all cousins." Each girl waved in turn as Melody handed the map to Alden so he could find Rose.
"So, why are we here again?" Lysander asked boredly.
"We need to plan something big for Christmas," James announced impressively. "Doesn't have to be a prank –" he added, glancing at Leonora's disapproving look, but was then promptly cut off by Lorcan's snort.
"Of course there's got to be a prank. It wouldn't be worth doing otherwise," Lorcan protested.
"Exactly," Lysander confirmed.
"Anyways, it needs to be big, but not be… extensively harmful to anyone," James continued.
"Depends on your definition of extensive," Caymen snickered.
"So. Any thoughts?" James asked, pulling out a piece of parchment and the funny item he was fiddling with to write down ideas, it seemed.
"Ice skating rink. Turn a whole bloody hall into one. And make it so that random people have the ice crack underneath them and fall into icy water," Lorcan stated easily.
"Enchant the mistletoe to hook up certain people?" Hollyn suggested.
"Ooh, what about those creepy snowmen from Doctor Who?" Melody asked.
Just then, Rose and Alden burst into the room, Rose panting. "Albus!" she cried. "Scorp, he needs us!"
Albus got up to his feet, following Rose as they dashed out of the room and towards the dungeons, into the snakes' lair.
When they reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room entrance, Rose groaned.
"Ara was helping Scorp and forgot to tell me the password. Shoot," Rose grumbled. "I guess we wait till someone comes out."
Probably, or we might be able to guess," Albus suggested. Rose shrugged.
"It'll pass the time. Pureblood," she directed at the blank wall. Nothing.
"Ambition?" Albus tried. "Self-preservation? Number one? My father will hear about this? Pride? Winning?"
Rose giggled even though the wall didn't budge. "Apples... Drapple! Green apples?" she giggled. Albus grinned.
"Scorpius has an affinity for oranges. Maybe... let's see, Scorange?"
The wall slid open, and both Rose's and Albus's jaws dropped. "Seriously?" Rose asked, desperately holding her laughter in. The two cousins stepped into the dark, elegantly furnished common room, surveying the black leather couches to the snake-adorned chandeliers above their heads. In a few windows, the lake water swept a green light all throughout the room.
"What are you doing here, Weasley?" a voice snarled. Rose turned to face Iridia von Loisson, the bit-witch, sorry.
"Looking for Ara and Scorp," she replied calmly, as Iridia got up from her green armchair next to the flickering fireplace. Iridia slunk towards them with a cat-like predatory crace.
"So, it's Scorp, now, is it? she taunted. "Should we tell pretty boy that Weasley the halfblood fancies him?"
Rose took a long breath to calm herself. "Bugger off, Iridia," Rose said, voice hardening.
"I don't take orders from halfbloods," she sneered. "What, Saint Potter's child won't even defend his cousin's honor? Sure is a reflection on how people see you, Weasley."
Rose was taken aback. Iridia was never typically this confrontational; usually Iridia would have just sneered and moved in the complete opposite direction.
Albus's expression hardened. He was just about to snap back at her when Emelda Nott came bounding through the entrance, stopping suddenly as she took in Iridia's snarl and the cousins' defensive stances.
"Rose-" Emelda interrupted before Albus could say something. "If you're looking for Scorp and Ara, they're probably up in my room," Emelda said quietly, grabbing hold of Albus's arm and directing them to the Slytherin girls' dormitory.
Albus was easily distracted by the lack of slides appearing as they climbed the steps to Ara and Emelda's room.
"How come boys can get up here?" Albus asked. "I thought every house had preventative measures."
Rose snickered after sending another glare at Iridia. "If you don't read Hogwarts a History, you won't get it. Have you ever tried it in Hufflepuff?"
"Well, no," Albus admitted as they passed several doors.
"Then you wouldn't have realized that it's just confined to Gryffindor. It was actually your grandmother's idea to prevent your grandfather from coming up to stalk her."
"Lily and James?" Albus clarified. Rose nodded.
"Seriously?" he asked, but before she could answer, Emelda pushed open the door to her room, and all conversation stopped.
After the age of two, Scorpius Malfoy had only cried once - when Ara had forbid him from ever speaking to her again after a particularly heated row. Since then, Scorpius did not cry. And yet, here he was, curled up in several blankets, hair sticking up and blotchy cheeks. He wasn't even in his school clothes - a cashmere sweater now peppered with tear stains. Ara was clutching his hand, silent tears dripping slowly. In Scorpius's other hand, he held a small, but detailed peacock ring.
Emelda froze. If there was ever an item that her aunt could not live without, it was that ring.
Rose tentatively stepped into the threshold, and gingerly sat down on Ara's bed next to Ara and Scorp, pushing away various tissues.
Albus approached the three, Emelda nearly collapsing behind him. Rose patted Scorp's hand, and he sniffed in response. "Scorp," she whispered. "We're here."
He nodded.
Rose didn't ask the numerous questions crowding to the front of her tongue. She calmed her mind, the questions about where he had been for the last few days, why he was crying, if his mum had died, if he was okay all clamoring to be voiced.
Albus didn't touch Scorpius Malfoy, or after any comforting words. He offered his presence, his silent support. Sometimes, words wounded, rather than healed. Sometimes, language failed us, and the crackling emotion communicated everything - everything needed to be said, and everything that couldn't.
Emelda had backed out of the room, feeling intrusive and melancholy as well.
The four students sat together silently on that bed for hours, skipping dinner and staying dangerously close to curfew. When it became clear that Rose and Albus needed to leave, they padded quietly to the door.
Scorpius locked eyes with the both of them, his eyes dry, but naked. He nodded, once, and the cousins smiled.
There are times when language fails humans, and their voices fall silent. There are times when another's mere existence is enough, knowing you are not alone in this world.
Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy had sworn he wouldn't attend his mother's funeral so young. And yet, here he was, breaking his own promises.
His father, clad in black robes, stood stiffly behind him, a hand on his shoulder as various faces blurred together, offering their condolences. As he looked around at the numerous sympathy cards and flowers, he recalled Ara's solemn observation from that morning.
"Why does it seem like the most beautiful things only occur as a result of the saddest?" she asked dimly, fiddling with her long, black dress.
When they had finally sat down for the service, Scorpius bit down hard on his lip to hold back his tears. Lucius Malfoy and his Nana Narcissa sat on his left, and Lucius gave Scorpius a harsh glare.
"Malfoys do not cry," he hissed, tempted to strike the boy. Scorpius felt his father stiffen next to him.
The Minister presiding over the ceremony - Mr. Curbaink, cleared his throat as the gathered had found their seats.
"The Malfoy and Greengrass families would like to thank all of you for coming to pay your respects. We are gathered here today to honor the passing of a wonderful young woman, who bravely fought a dark curse in an unfortunate incident."
Scorpius clenched his jaw, anger bubbling inside of him. The minister made it sound as if his mum had fallen down the stairs, rather than fighting a coma and tumor for months.
"Let us begin with a poem, written by Alexandra Zabini, a family friend of Astoria's," the minister cleared his throat once more.
"As I dance away from the land of the living,
I can touch the stars of success and the lily of love.
Don't shed a tear, for I am still here.
Dancing to the beat of heaven above.
You can still see me, if you look closely enough.
In the sparkling night sky, or the dandelion tufts.
You can still hear me, if you listen closely enough.
In the babbling brook, or the whispering snuffs.
As I dance away from the land of the living,
My memory lives on, my mistakes are forgiving."
The minister finished, pausing in the silence. "Now," he said softly. "Daphne Nott, Astoria's sister, would like to say a few words."
Daphne stood up, rebelling under Emma Greengrass's deathlike glare.
"I'd like to thank everyone here, for, for being here today," she stumbled over her words slightly, in her grief. "For coming to honor my sister. My sister," she chuckled sadly. "My sister always told me that since I was at the beginning of her, that she would be at the end of me. Alas, this was not to be.
"From a young age, Tori was Mum, when I was Dad. She had an impeccable taste for style, color, design, anything artistic or creative - that was Tori. But sometimes, unlike Mum, she would do the most ridiculous things to throw us all off, always pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable. Rebellious and innocent, that was my Tori.
"But as any child in the war... that innocence was sh-shattered. Her dreams haunted by the dead, ears ringing with the screams of the tortured. We were broken, Tori and I. But we healed, and she grew to be a beautiful, sophisticated woman. She was my very best friend, my confidant. And though we agreed to disagree on many occasions, she was always there for me. If you don't have your family, well, what d-do you have?" Daphne asked tearfully, looking at Emma. Scorp couldn't tell if his grandmother was even the slightest bit affected by Daphne's speech. "She grew, fell in love. Married and had a gorgeous son. She lived a good life, and had so much more to live, when it was cruelly snatched away from her. But she will live on, in our hearts," Daphne promised.
"My Tori will always be here," Daphne put her hand above her heart.
"Thank you," she finished, stepping down.
"Thank you for sharing, Mrs. Nott," the minister said solemnly. "Next we have..."
Scorpius zoned out, the black coffin swimming in and out of focus. The words blurred together, the songs clamoring in Scorpius's ears. Nothing was enough to penetrate his foggy mind.
His mother. His only mother. Gone.
She had kissed his forehead once, before exhaling and letting go. It only took one breath, and she was gone.
And now it was his turn to say goodbye. Aunt Daphne had demanded that her sister be buried in the Greengrass family cemetery, to which Grandmother Emma and Grandfather Griffin had was, after all, Emma's favorite child. The funeral procession marched outside into the snow, where Astoria would be laid to rest. The hole was already waiting, waiting to swallow up his mother. As the coffin was levitated into the ground, Emma and Griffin raised their wands and everyone followed growing the dirt on her coffin and meshing perfectly with he green grass that was somehow vibrant even in the snows of winter.
One by one, each person charmed an everlasting astoria bloom to decorate her tomb. Soon, everyone had departed, save Scorpius, his father, and their best friends.
Aunt Alex took Scorpius's hand, brushing back a stray hair. Uncle Blaise placed a hand on Scorpius's shoulders, before Araluen hugged him firmly.
Scorpius stood there, facing his mother's headstone, barely noticing his Godparents' leaving to comfort his father. Ara stayed steadfast, holding hands as Scorpius stared at the stone engraving. Beloved daughter, mother, sister, and wife.
One sentence. One name. Two dates. Three lines total. That was all that was left of an entire lifetime.
After a while, he broke his gaze and stared at Ara, his friend since practically birth. She was his light, guiding him through the darkness and out of it. Staring at the delicate snowflakes fluttering to rest on her lashes, Scorpius hardly noticed Hermione Granger taking his father's hand, much like Ara had done for him. The simple gesture was al the Malfoy men needed. To know that another felt their pain. To know another cared. To know that they were not alone.
The Greengrasses were holding a reception, but neither the Zabinis nor the Malfoys had the stomach for it, declining politely and stopping by Zabini Manor. Scorpius was the sitting numbly by a roaring fire in the living room, the light playing about the shadows on his face. Hermione knelt in front of him, startling him out of his trance-like state.
"Mrs. Weasley?" He asked politely, surprised.
She gave him a pained expression, and he immediately felt bad, without knowing what he had said wrongly. "Please, call me Hermione." Scorpius nodded, and then shook his head.
"It's too casual," he explained. "How about Miss Hermione?"
"That's all right. Anyway," she paused, offering him a rectangular green box. "This is from your mother. Seeing as her time was taken away from her, she wrote you letters for the major events in your life. I helped her charm it so that whenever you reach an event relevant to one of her letters, it will appear on her desk or someplace to get your attention."
Scorpius stared dumbly at the box, and then back up to Hermione. "I can see why mum was jealous."
"Jealous?"Hermione asked. "Of me?"
Scorpius didn't answer her, merely thanking her sitting deeper into his chair as he read the first letter. Hermione left him to give him some privacy.
Dearest Scorpius,
First and foremost, my boy, I love you. Although we were never very affectionate, and more often butting heads rather than agreeing, I will always love you and will always watch over you, no matter if I am dead or alive. I hope that my funeral wasn't too dismal; no child (I'm sorry, young man) should have to attend such an event at such a young age. Know that I will follow you, and that this is merely a temporary goodbye, not a permanent one.
Secondly, your grandfather Lucius is a nightmare - please do not take any of his advice without careful consideration. You know how your father made numerous detrimental decisions under Lucius's guidance, so be wary of that man. Avoid him, if at all possible.
I'd also like to explain some things, Scorp. You won't learn everything in this letter, but eventually you'll learn the whole story. Just be patient, my son.
Your father and I were never "in love." The pureblood tradition limited the marriage pool, and we had both fallen in love with people that we could not be with. The logical decision was to marry each other, especially since we could at least tolerate the other's presence. Make sure that your father heals, and make sure he knows I wish him to move on. Tell your father that he deserves his love, for he truly is a great man, Scorpius. It's just unfortunate that we weren't meant to be.
You'll understand why, later, but I want you to get to know Hermione Granger. Trust her, she's one of few that you should trust. Study hard, play hard, and live well. This letter will be one of many, so right now, there won't be much closure, I'm afraid. I hope to continue to be a presence in your life, even though I will not physically be able to live alongside you.
I love you, Scorp. You'll be hearing from me soon.
Love,
Astoria Greengrass Malfoy
Your Mother
Scorp tearfully folded up the letter, replacing the empty slot in the green box.
Astoria Malfoy may not have saved the world, but she was outliving death through the simple symbols layered onto sheets of parchment. Her entire lifetime, all ashes beyond a few dresses in a closet, three lines on a tombstone, a few pieces of jewelry, and a series of letters.
It was dismal, the shadow of a person after the body itself was gone. A memory, half-preserved.
AN: AND WE'RE BACKKKK! APs/SATs are done, and summer is coming! Want to say thanks to everyone for sticking with me this long (gosh 70K words already?!), and special thanks to those who have been reviewing all along the way, as well. Views in Kuwait and Ghana - YOU ROCK! In looking towards the future, since I didn't really have a plan for this story (just a random burst of inspiration), we're going to start the healing process and the Dramione bits, which will start to come in Chapter 15. I'm hoping we can get them together soon, and there are a couple loose ends to tie up (meaning Marcus Flint, Lucius Malfoy, whatever Narcissa's planning, and a prophecy that happened somewhere along the way). Anyways, no more than 5-7 chapters. After Chapter 15, there WILL be more action (fighting & romance). And obviously an Epilogue needs to happen. After that - it's onto the prequel (which is practically half-written)! No plans for a sequel, but the prequel is going to be both darker and hilarious. So keep an eye out for that, as well as the Malfoy's Mudblood, a Cinderella spin-off, which is a project I might continue if I get writer's block. Other than that, ta-ta for now! If you want something to happen in the next few chapters, leave me a note down there in the little 'review' box, because I'm just winging it for now.