"The entire table?" Blaise asked as we sat in our living room a few nights after dinner at the Grengrass's. Amy had gone to Russia to see her parents for a week, so my Mate insisted we played catchup. After being stunned that Amy had been around longer than a week, the bloke turned the conversation to my problems.

"Yeah. Gravy spilled all over Father's robes."

The black wizard grinned. "Bet he was pissed."

"After Tori left, I didn't stay around long enough to find out." I figured that was the best decision of my life with how angry Crider looked. "I don't know whether to go talk to her or let her have some space."

"Let her decide." Blaise offered, sipping his Fire Whiskey. I nodded, taking a sip from my glass. He stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes wondering. "Draco?"

"Yeah Mate?"

"Are we close?"

I looked at him, a brow raised. "We've lived together since we finished Hogwarts. Why?"

The wizard sighed. "You're going to move in with Tori soon, aren't you?"

"I don't know, Mate. She's resisting it." I told him. Stubborn arse Greengrass!

He sat up and looked at me. "She'll agree eventually. Then you two will either get married and have the kid, vice-versa."

I watched him, surprised by the depth of this conversation. "Mate, I'm too drunk for riddles. Tell me what you're blubbering about?"

"What happens to me?" I sat up, stunned. Was he crying?! He laid on the couch, sighing. "I mean, you get the smart-arse, attractive reporter that makes a public embarrassment of you; she gets the narcissistic, workaholic bloke who can't seem to go a day without shagging her! What do I get? A new residence, an afternoon drink with you once a week and a Christmas card! But what about me, huh you git? I'll either get married, have a bunch of little butterballs and sell my bullocks to their mother or stay alone, shrivel and die! Either way, I'm screwed mate! And it's all your fault!"

I blinked, stunned."How much have had to drink tonight?"

"Nine bottles." My Mate told me, holding up seven fingers.

"Really? Well, I think it's time to take you to bed."

After I closed the door of the crying drunk, I sighed. Blaise was right... about some things. Astoria and I were moving quickly. Within the last three months we had managed to get pregnant, turn our parents against us, get her fired by making her employer jealous and gotten me suspended from my job for running off to Mexico for two weeks with the witch. If this much had gone on in such a short time period, what would take place in the next six months? Year? Seventeen years?

I moaned, remembering the mess with Potter. Though I didn't believe the story, I did have to agree with the prat on one term: somebody did believe it. I prayed to Merlin Forester was telling the truth at work. If not, I didn't know what to expect.

"Malfoy, she's far enough long where they won't mess with her until she's had your baby. Just leave it at that for now!"

At three o'clock I opened my eyes to the sound of someone appariating. I listened for a few minutes until my door opened. I pulled out my wand and muttered Lumos. I looked up and saw Astoria closing the door behind her, her expression calm and collect. "Hey Love."

"I didn't mean to wake you." I sat up and muttered Nox as she climb into my bed. The witch laid on me, wrapping her arms around my middle as she kissed my bare skin. "I'm sorry for deserting you Sunday."

"I left right after you." I told her, running a hand through her hair. Merlin, it was great to have her in my arms. "Are you okay?"

"I think." Astoria looked up at me, her cherry eyes shinning in the moonlight from my window. "You take good care of me, Draco. I'd call it spoiling."

"That's what you get for treating a bloke so good- ow, Tori." I playfully complained as she lightly hit me in the stomach. "You should have been a Beater."

"Travis once told me that after I rammed his head into a headboard while shagging. I'm joking, Draco." She added, giggling at my expression. The witch let go of me and sat up, straddling me. She looked down at me with a coy face. "I think this hormonal roll coaster has it's advantages."

Astoria unbuttoned her nightshirt and pulled it off, leaning over to kiss me. I sucked on her lower lip, her hair falling into my face. The scent of her shampoo filled my senses, hitching my breath. Seconds later, the light to my room turned on and I swore.

"Blaise, bloody busy here, Mate!" Astoria wrapped her hands over her chest, crawling off of me and grabbing my sheet.

"Sorry Tori! I think someone came into our house." The black boy told me, his eyes slitted from his oncoming hangover.

"That was me, sorry Blaise." Astoria told him with a blush. He looked at her in disbelief.

"You left blood all over the ceiling?"

I looked at Astoria and we both crawled off my bed, walking into the living room. Blood dripped onto the leather furniture from the bold word 'Traitor' painted on my ceiling. Our front door was off its hinges and I could see a blood trail leading to the hallway and disappearing. I walked toward the door, my wand drawn. I looked back at Blaise, who had his out to back me up. I walked into the hall and looked up and down, not seeing anything. My eyes spotted a blue object and I swore, seeing Lucan in the hall, covered in blood and green eyes glazed over. I backed against the wall and yelped as my back began to feel afire. I turned to face the Dark Mark.

"Draco, are you okay?" Astoria called. The moving image stared at me as Blaise walked out with her behind him. Her eyes fell on Lucans body and her jaw dropped. When the witch looked at the Dark Mark, she screamed.

***

"He's been healed." Father told me, looking the animal over. Astoria, Blaise and I sat on the couch of my cleaned up apartment. Father flicked his wand, cleaning the serpent off and levitating it back around it's owners neck. The witch sighed, grazing a hand across the animals body. She was still shaking but I was sure a Pepper-Up Potion would help with that. "He will need a few days of rest but he should be back to new."

"Good." The witch whispered. She'd redressed before Father had arrived with a lot of fuss over leaving Lucan. That bloody snake might as well have been her child. "Should we call MLC? Or Aurors?"

"I've had sixteen pranks happen at Malfoy Manor since the war ended." He informed her, flipping his long hair. "Trust me, they can't do much. Draco, has this happened to you before? Blaise?"

"No." Blaise and I both told him.

He nodded, looking at Astoria. "Your parents perhaps? They weren't servants to the Dark Lord, but their support was known."

"I don't think so." She told him, stroking Lucan in a motherly manner. She bit her lips, speaking shortly after. "What if this wasn't a prank? What if one of the Dark Lords servants is"-

"It wouldn't happen." Father assured her evenly. "Can you imagine the power that would take?"

"Point taken, Mister Malfoy." Blaise nodded, rubbing his face as he glanced at the snake. "Why was his blood used to do this?"

"I left him in the living room as I came in." Astoria told me, still coddling the reptile. Lucan mustered enough energy to crawl down her shirt. Blaise snorted. Father acted like he didn't see it. I didn't react, already use to the slimy gits actions. "He was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Blaise, I suggest you go to your mothers for a few days. Draco, you mother can prepare a room for you. Astoria, if you don't wish to go back to your parents after... your welcomed to stay with us."

I stared at my Father, not surprised by his hospitality. He was determined for Astoria to take my name, as she was carrying a Malfoy. No one messed with a Malfoy without receiving repercussions. Blaise apparited quickly and I packed some of my things. Astoria grabbed the bag she had come over with earlier in the morning. Lucan slid in the bag tiredly.

We took a quick pace to make it to the apparition point through the light snow, our cloaks on tight. Norman nodded to Astoria as we passed and she kissed him on the check as we departed. Once we were out of hearing shot of the doorman, I stood at Astoria's left side and Father her right.

"Draco, have you angered anyone lately?" I looked up at him, confused. "I doubt Blaise would only anger someone's who's girlfriend he has attempted to steal."

My Father wasn't a stupid git, just an aristocratic bastard. Then again, at times I could be also.

"Not unless you count Sebastien."

"Astoria?"

She shrugged. "My parent's, Daphne, Andy, you and Narcissa, every politician that I don't approve of in the city. Some even outside the country."

"In other words, you're following the Greengrass's social status." He sighed. "At least she doesn't have Pansy's intelligence level."

"Pansy has the intelligence of Lucan." I muttered, getting my foot stomped on. "Bloody hell, Tori! What was that for!"

"I know you and Lucan don't get along, but don't insult him while he's down." She told me matter-of-factly. I saw the snake glance up at me from her bag, too tired to do much. "See? You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"Tori, come one! Father, will you tell"-

"Don't drag me into this." He cut me off as we entered the apparition point. "Your mother is the same when talking about Henry and Heathcliff."

"Your Mother's albino peacocks?" I moaned at the similarity.

We were inside the Manor for a few minutes when Mother came down the stairs in her night robes, her forehead wrinkled with worry. "Thank Merlin you're okay! Astoria, how's the baby?"

"Good." Astoria told her. "Healthy too. I had my healers appointment yesterday. My blood pressure's a little high but I should be fine."

"Well, Sunday night didn't help matters any. I had Ursulina set up Draco's old room for you two. If you need anything at all, I've told her to be on call all night." Mother told us. "Now it's getting very late and I expect you two to sleep as long as you can tomorrow. Goodnight."

I led Astoria up the stairway and down the East Wing to my room. Two beds were set up for us in which Astoria pointed at and shoved together as I closed the door. She rubbed her face, sighing.

"This is all so crazy... I still think we should call MLC. Even Potter perhaps?"

"No." My voice was sharp. If Potter knew about this, he'd demand Astoria be put in his custody. The witch looked at me, a brow raised. "It's late, Love. Let's try to get some sleep before the sun comes up?"

She nodded. When we laid down, Astoria put Lucan on her hip and I didn't object. He had taken a hit that my Mate or I could have ended up receiving. Or worse, Astoria. Lucan's eyes were wide open as his owner snuggled into my side, drifting off. Throughout the day we both stayed wide awake the entire time. It was the first time Lucan had ever looked directly at me without his lids down.

"No bloody way!" Astoria looked through the picture album as we ate a late lunch in the dinning room. Lucan laid coiled around her arm, his eyes covered. Every time she flipped a page or spoke he would open his eyes, check the surroundings, then close them again. I sipped my tea, sighing. Watching this snake was making me paranoid. "You went to Francisca Floret's birthday with Mark Vermilion!"

"Yes, but don't ask me for details." Father told her smugly. "It's all very hazy."

"And before our marriage, therefore it doesn't exist." Mother smirked at him as she took a bite of food.

The brunette grinned, looking back at the photo. "Is it true, about his left hand?"

My father nodded. "Seven fingers, none with any nails."

"Merlin..." Astoria flipped a page, laughing. "Ah, Draco's baby pictures."

"That's actually Theodore Nott." She snorted, receiving a look from Mother. "What is so funny?"

"Nott cursed Davis my fifth year for being inappropriate towards me so I could help him learn nonverbal spells. The git was sneezing Bertie Bott's for a week! I get a Christmas card every year with a container of them."

Father smirked with humor. "You aquanaut yourself with admirable people."

"Or at least gits who don't want to fail classes." I stared as my parents smirked at this. They really wanted my ring on her finger, and putting up with her normally annoying chatter was something they would do for it. Astoria's expression contorted and she rose hurriedly. "Excuse me!"

"How much longer will she be doing that?" Father asked with a bored expression. "It's quit annoying."

"I had morning sickness until my fourth month, dear. Amy was up to seventh months with Daphne." Mother told him, looking at me with a hard look. "I'm surprised you thought to call us after you so rudely exited dinner Sunday. I never imagined my son would do such a improper thing."

So what did knocking Tori up qualify as? "I was worried about Tori, Mother. She didn't even come to see me until this morning."

"Where are you and Astoria relationship wise?" Father asked, getting to his point. "Have you thought about marriage? Or perhaps even moving in together."

"She's against both factors." I muttered, picking at my scone. That surely didn't please them.

"Doesn't your opinion matter in this relationship? That child is half of you." Mother snapped.

"If she's not happy, I'm not." I shook my head, giving up on the pastry. "Mother, I respect your concern, but the relationship I have with Astoria is at a delicate spot. Her parent's aren't exactly accepting"-

"They would be if you were married." Father stated.

-"and their family has a lot of unresolved problems"-

"I assure you, stability would open grounds for them to be resolved." Mother cut in.

-"not to mention issues about Astoria's loss of employment"-

"Why would she have to work, Draco?" Father told me, bewildered by the thought. "If you two would use common sense, she would never have to work"-

-"and the fact Sebastien doesn't approve of the relationship because of the way it started"-

"Draco, no one who matters cares about Astoria's seduction of you anymore." Mother told me as if we were talking fashion trends.

"You two really don't get it, do you?" I shot, frustrated. My parent's eyes slitted and I felt my skin began to burn. "We're not the most well-liked people, nor couple in Britain! I'm a bloody lawyer and she's an overly opinionated reporter that enjoys slinging mud at the political world! We're not the charismatic couple that everyone knows for dinner parties, they know us because they're swearing at us and hoping we die a painful death!"

If I wasn't disowned already, I should have been now. Mother rose and stormed out of the room, her face a frightening red. Father glared at me, his eyes sharp.

"I did not raise you like this, Draco. I have never let anyone speak to your mother like that!"

"Father"-

"No Draco, you want your own life, then fine. Have your own life." He stated, his teeth gritted. "Be sure to be prepared to listen to your child's misery when it comes home from school on the break, complaining of the embarrassment you two have caused it. My, what a fine life!"

He rose and stormed out as Astoria walked back out, our bags and cloaks in hand. She looked at me, her face level. "I heard from upstairs. Ready to go?"

I rose and took the bags as we walked for the gate, snow falling lightly. I was quit, my mind racing. What had just happened? I had never spoken to my parents like that, even when they had pushed me tot he limit. Astoria grabbed my hand in her gloved one.

"He's wrong, you know." I looked at her as her bleached hair filled with white. Her eyes warmed me in the frigid temperature. "We'll find a way to make this work without a rush wedding and forcing ourselves on each other, Draco. Our relationship has gone smoother than most persons in our position would, and it's a good sign. Let's go with our own route and see where it leads us."

We walked out of the gate and her words filled my head, making me sigh.

"You're something else, Love. You know that?"

"Besides the Slytherein Sex Goddess?" She laughed as I pulled her to me, nipping at her neck. I picked her up and spun her in my arms, taking the sound of her warm voice in. My parent's didn't understand how good I had it now, and hopefully they would someday. But for now, I was just fine with their arrogance.

***

"You want to know something I find absolutely hilarious?" Astoria told me as we sat on her cough, eating. "You were so worried about me being hurt by living here, and your place was the one attacked."

I rolled my eyes, finishing off my pasta. "Mocking me, Love?"

"No, just making a point." Astoria smirked, grabbing my plate and rising. "Ow, Draco! You prat, I'm the hormonal one here!"

She swore, rubbing her arse as she left the room. Lucan crawled up next to a vent, taking in the heat. A owl flew in at that moment, landing in front of me. I grabbed the letter and giving it a nut. I looked at the envelope, my blood boiling when I saw Potter's writing. I opened it, skimming the letter quickly.

'Astoria,

I have made further updates on the situation you are in. We know what happened at Malfoy's flat early this morning. I'll need to meet up with you at Sebastien Schwinger's Charity Ball to clear it up. He will invite you, trust me.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

p.s. When's Wathan getting a new political columnist? He needs a new one. Badly. Ginny agrees.'