Chapter 49. Jealousy
"It's me, my love," Lucius croaked, staring deeply into Astrid's puzzled blue eyes. She glanced around; her brows knitted together slightly. Reaching up she took Lucius' hands and pushed them away from her and drew her knees up protectively. Lucius' face turned from relieved to hurt in a second.
"Don't touch me." Astrid breathed, she crawled back as far as she could until her back hit the metal bars of her hospital bed.
"Astrid…" Lucius breathed with pleading eyes, he reached out to her but she flinched away.
"Where am I?" She asked looking around. "Where's Severus?" Lucius' lip twitched as she asked for the dark-haired wizard, a sting of pain stabbed him in his heart. He knew he deserved it, but she was hardly innocent either.
"You're at St Mungo's my love… you died, your heart… it gave in." He explained reaching a hesitant hand out to her knee.
"Don't call me that." Astrid breathed; her words had a knife edge to them. "I'm not your love." Lucius' face screwed up as he shook his head.
"No, of course you are, I love you Astrid, with every sense of my being." He pleaded, edging towards her. Astrid felt the need to escape, she felt like a caged animal, trapped in his presence. Quickly she jumped from the opposite side of the bed to the one Lucius stood at, and backed away slowly. The marble floor was cold against her bare feet. She was suddenly aware she was not in her gown anymore, but a mint green knee length hospital gown.
"No… you chose Narcissa, over me." Astrid exhaled shakily as she edged around the room, Lucius followed her movements carefully.
"You chose Severus." Lucius said firmly.
"No, I never did, I always wanted you… he was just… a distraction… a comfort." Astrid shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.
"As is Narcissa, just… a distraction." Lucius sighed as he approached her with his palms up, he felt like he was dealing with a cornered animal, he couldn't predict whether she was going to fight, flight, or collapse into his arms in sobs. He swayed towards flight.
"No, you've…. Replaced me…. with her! Everly called her mum!" Astrid yelled; tears slipped down her cheeks now as she pressed herself against the white hospital walls. She creeped towards the door, but Lucius stood in the way of her escape now.
"Allowing Everly to… make that mistake… is one of my biggest regrets Astrid, I should have never let it happen… but it can be fixed, all you have to do… is come to me, my sweet." Lucius pleaded, holding out his hand to her. Astrid almost was tempted to take it. But she was blinded by rage.
"You called me… a whore. You were cruel… and I died because of your cruelty."
"I never meant for that, Astrid… I'm sorry, it was a fleeting moment of jealousy and anger, Severus is my longest, closest friend, you hurt me tremendously…"
"And you me!" Astrid yelled as she made a break for it, but Lucius was too quick, he grabbed her from behind, wrapping a strong arm around her waist, the other pushing down her arms, securing them to her side. "No! no! Let me go!" She yelled, struggling against his hold.
"Astrid, calm yourself," Lucius spoke worriedly into her ear. "You heart… you need to calm down…"
"Get off of me, please!" She yelled, kicking at his legs and doubling over, attempting to free herself of his hold. Hearing the commotion Healers, came to the door, but spotting that it was a death eater trying to bundle the girl, they didn't intervene, too afraid of the consequences.
Lucius lowered himself to the floor, forcefully pulling Astrid down with him, he lifted her onto his lap and held her tightly, she fought at first, trying to push him away and kick herself free. Her fight eventually slowed as she drained herself of energy. Then, a man dressed in black pushed his way through the crowd of green.
"Malfoy," He called out, ready to assist his comrade he pulled out his wand.
"No!" Lucius held out a hand to the death eater, halting him, "Everything's fine, Avery… she's just… distressed."
Avery nodded at Lucius and turned to the crowd of healers.
"What are you all looking at?! Back to work!" He yelled; the crowd quickly dispensed and Avery walked away, looking over his shoulder briefly.
Astrid sobbed into Lucius chest, not by choice, by the exhaustion that made her collapse there, but his familiar warmth and scent soothed her despite the anger and rage she felt for him in that moment.
"There, it's okay," Lucius whispered as he petted her hair and drew her closer on his lap. "I've got you."
"Y-you promised you'd n-never hurt me," Astrid sobbed into him as she curled into his chest, "Y-you promised."
Lucius could practically hear his heart crack, what she said was true, and he knew he had failed her.
"I know, I know, my love." Lucius whispered into her hair, a tear slid down his face and dropped down onto her forehead. "I will do better. I will be the best fiancé… the best husband to you… I'll be there, and… anything you want... it will be yours."
"I want Everly… I want her now, Lucius." Astrid told him firmly through her sniffles.
"Okay, yes, anything for you my angel… let's go see her now, shall we?" Lucius pushed her to her feet as he pulled himself up with the help of the wall. Her legs trembled, almost giving way she fell into him, Lucius grabbed her with both arms, catching her and pulling her to him. "Can you walk?" He asked, looking down at her shaking legs. She nodded weakly. "Alright then, let's go."
Lucius helped Astrid into the lounge at Malfoy Manor, placing her down gently into the sofa.
"Tilly," Lucius called the house elf, who almost instantly appeared a few feet away.
"Yes Master Malfoy? Oh Miss Moody!" Tilly's face lit up at the sight of the young woman.
"Fetch Everly, be snappy about it."
"Everly is with the Mistress, Master." Tilly squeaked.
"I said fetch her." Lucius growled at the pint-sized elf. Tilly nodded and disapperated instantly.
"There see," Lucius cooed, sitting beside her he took her hand in his. "She will be here soon, and then everything will be as it should… the three of us, together." Lucius took Everly's cheek in his hand and dried off the wetness with his thumb, running it over her shining skin where the tears had only recently stopped running.
"What is she doing here?" A haughty voice asked from the double doorway. Lucius and Astrid both looked to see Narcissa stood with Everly perched on her hip. Her eyes bore into Astrid with hatred. Her jaw tightened, her red lips tightened into a thin line, wrinkling around the edges.
"Lucius? Why is she here?" Narcissa asked, raising her voice slightly. Lucius stood slowly and started slowly advancing towards his ex-wife.
"Narcissa, pass me Everly." Lucius told her, his voice was slow and calm.
"You didn't answer me, Lucius!" Narcissa hissed, taking a step back, "Why is she here?!"
"She wants to see Everly, now… please just hand her over, Narcissa." Lucius swallowed, he held out his hands palms up ready to receive his daughter. But Narcissa shook her head, her face twisted up, nose wrinkled.
"I'm not handing my daughter over to her, Lucius," Narcissa seethed, she pressed her hand to Everly's head and smoothed down her hair. Despite her weak, trembling legs Astrid jumped up to her feet, her fists clenched angrily.
"Your daughter?!" Astrid growled; her voice had a vulnerable tremble underlaying the anger.
"Narcissa, pass me Everly, now." Lucius ordered, firmly this time. Narcissa shook her head and took another step back. Astrid made a move but Lucius grabbed her waist and pulled her back, flat to his chest. "Don't make this harder than it has to be Cissy." Lucius tried to talk her down, but it only enraged his ex-wife more.
"Mother, what are you doing?" Draco asked as he slowly approached his mum.
"He's trying to take Everly away from me Draco," Narcissa whined as Draco stood at her side. Draco glanced at his father, then his eyes fell on Astrid, held against his chest, her eyes shined with worry, her teeth clenched and chattering
"Mother," Draco said sadly, her face softened as Draco looked her in the eye. But she furrowed her brows at him when he shook his head. "She's not yours to keep… you have to give her back."
"No, no I won't." Narcissa breathed stepping back in the corridor. She looked about at the faces that stared at her, their eyes watching her moves intently. Her jaw tightened and in panic she drew her wand, pointing it at Lucius and Astrid with a devilish look in her eye.
"Narcissa," Lucius warned holding out a calming hand. "Don't do anything stupid now."
"Mother, stop." Draco pleaded.
"No!" Narcissa yelled, she held her wand to Everly now, her hand trembling wildly. "I finally got my family back! I will not lose it again, not to her!"
A black clad arm reached out from beside Narcissa, pointing their own wand at her neck.
"Narcissa, lower your wand." Severus told her; his eyes flashed darkly.
"Do as he says, mother, please." Draco swallowed.
Narcissa obeyed, slowly lower her wand to her side, she closed her eyes and two tears escaped her eyes.
"Now, hand the child over Narcissa," Severus ordered calmly. She opened her eyes and looked at the child in her arms.
"I can't." She told Severus.
"You must." He told her firmly.
Narcissa inhaled sharply and grasping Everly with both hands she passed her over to Draco hesitantly. Draco took his sister quickly and instantly retreated with her to his father, and handed the child over to her true mother, Astrid.
"Oh, my gorgeous girl." Astrid cried into Everly's soft blonde hair as she planted kisses all over her sweet head. Draco stepped back with a deep sigh and looked to his mother apologetically. Lucius wrapped his arms around both of his girls, kissing Astrid on top of her head.
"It's not fair." Narcissa sobbed, pressing her hand against her red lips.
"I'm sorry Narcissa, it's the way it is." Severus sighed, lowering his wand he looked upon the three with sad eyes, he should've been happy, to see them reunited, but instead it pained him, hurt him. Angered him almost that she had seemingly forgiven him. "Draco, take your mother for some tea." Snape ordered.
"Yes sir." Draco nodded, lowering his eyes and pulling his mother away, she refused to move at first, but soon obliged, and allowed Draco to lead her away.
Severus allowed the little family to have a moment before voicing his annoyance.
"I thought I could leave her safely with you at St Mungo's Malfoy… Imagine my… surprise… when I return and find the two of you… missing." Snape drawled, despite his monotonous tone, he was clearly annoyed.
"She wanted to see her daughter Severus… I could not refuse her." Lucius said firmly. Severus' lip twitched.
"She should be in a hospital bed Malfoy… resting… not getting into more altercations. Do you want her to drop dead again?" Severus pushed, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Severus." Astrid warned, she held Astrid on her hip and cradled the child's head against her, stroking her soft blonde hair soothingly.
"Of course not, it wasn't supposed to go this way." Lucius snapped.
"Perhaps this is why you've fallen so far from the Lords graces Lucius… you never think things through!" Severus scolded.
"Severus! Enough! It was my fault!" Astrid interjected.
"No Astrid, let him have his temper tantrum." Lucius snarled. "Go back to your castle headmaster, you're no longer welcome in my house."
"Is it still your house? I hadn't realised." Snape sneered as he turned dramatically. "Come Astrid, bring the child if you wish." Snape called over his shoulder. When he didn't hear her moving, he stopped in his tracks, and looked over his shoulder. Astrid still stood with Lucius, his arm around her back gripping her waist.
"Astrid, come. Bring Everly. I've sent word to Madam Pomfrey she is expecting you shortly." Severus told her.
"She's staying with me, Severus." Lucius told his former friend firmly.
"And when the Dark Lord finds out she hasn't returned to her post, to me, what will you do then Lucius?" Severus asked, he slowly turned to the trio.
"I'll make my case, to the Dark Lord,"
"You do not have his favour, much less his respect." Severus warned. "He will tear her away from Everly and send her straight back to me, you know it." Astrid gulped, tightening her grip on Everly. "At least this way she can keep her daughter close, I will convince the Dark Lord to let Everly stay, Astrid."
Astrid looked up at Lucius, his eyes pleaded with her not to go, to stay with him, the three of them together. But Severus' words echoed within her, her stomach was in knots at the thought of losing her daughter again.
"I'm sorry… Lucius." Astrid choked, pulling away from his hold.
"No, Astrid, do not go with him… stay here, with me." Lucius pleaded; his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.
"I can't." Astrids voice trembled, "I can't lose her again."
"I can keep you safe, both of you, I will find a way." Lucius pleaded, reaching for Astrid's hand, but she pulled it from his reach and stepped back towards Severus.
"I'm sorry." Astrid told him, tearing up.
"When will I see you again?" Lucius choked. Astrid breathed in sharply.
"Gain favour with the Dark Lord… maybe then, he will let us be together again," Astrid whispered, stepping back towards her fiancé. Lucius ran his hand over her temples and down her face, resting it on her cheek, and he drew her into a deep, slow kiss. She kissed him back and eventually broke it off… pulling away. Lucius pressed a kiss to his daughters head and stepped away, taking a deep breath to give him the strength to watch them both leave.
"Astrid, we must go." Severus called to her. Astrid nodded at Severus, and giving Lucius one last glance over her shoulder, followed the headmaster towards the fireplace with Everly drowsily sat on her hip.
"Tilly." Lucius yelled once his beloved had disappeared off with the man, she had been cheating on him with. The house elf appeared at his side.
"Y-yes…. Master Malfoy?" She asked nervously.
"Tell Bellatrix to quadruple the bribes for the Snatchers, I will cover the cost, it's imperative that if they find Harry Potter, they bring him here, to us."