It was a week before Christmas and Daphne had finally managed to corner me at my flat. Draco had gone back to work already and I decided to follow his wishes and stay at my home. Despite how annoying my sister was being, I was glad for the visit. It was probably the only think keeping me from slitting my neck from cabin fever.
"I assume Sebastien has invited you to his charity ball?" She asked as I folded laundry. The red head raised a brow. "No way, Draco's a boxer bloke now!"
"Yes, Draco's already told me he'd be dragging me to the hole." I snapped, rolling my eyes at her amazement. Leave it to my sister to be wowed by undergarments."I can't drink, won't dance because everyone there either hates me or sickens me, and have to compliment Schwinger!"
"This is why I'm waiting five years after I tie the knot to get pregnant." She reasoned, sitting up. "When are you going dress robe shopping?"
"I don't know." I told her, sour on that subject. I was starting to show, and I looked like a muggle blimp in progress! "Probably when Draco gets in. Why?"
"I want to go with you." She replied simply. I raised an accusing brow to her. "What?"
"You hate clothes shopping with me. We always argue over what stores to go to and you end up comparing it to choosing a poodle over a mutt."
The red haired witch shrugged. "Excuse me for wanting to spend time with my little sister."
"What's up your thermal, Red?"
Daphne sighed at my stern tone. She knew better than to argue my grouches.
"Mum and Dad are having their Christmas Evening Ball. This year's theme is 'Day and Night'. Anyway, they want you to come, and before you swear to Camelot and back, let me finish. Andy and I will be there with the entire community. It would help Draco's reputation a lot and you wouldn't want to deny his career growth, would you?"
I glowered at her. Did she have to know me so well? "I hate you."
"But you love him." She smirked, making me drop the shirt I was folding to glare at her. "What now?"
"Nothing, we just... haven't come to that point yet." I told her, feeling as if a brick had hit my face. She wasn't going to let this one go so easily.
"You're kidding me?" Daphne's eyes bulged. "Seriously?"
"We've only been together three months, Daph." I told her, picking my step back up. Had it only been three months? Lucan slid under my sister's silk robes, recovered from the attack at Draco's. Dirty bastard was getting action from sisters!
"But you're having a baby in six! And you two are so perfect together!" She argued. What was she, Cupid? And had she not witnessed the dinner at the Grove last weekend? We were far from bloody perfect! "You shag like you'll die if you stop, he gets you everything you want"-
"I don't ask him for much." I countered, feeling my stomach drop. I'd been feeling very guilty over that. Draco had found out I was behind in rent and covered the last two months since my Gringotts vault echoed now. I planned on hiring on with The Quibbler next week as a political conspirator writer to change that problem. Though the pay wasn't wonderful and the job would shoot my reputation dead, I was desperate not to have a Travis repeat. It had taken me a three years to pay that slimy prat back!
"You do love him, though?" She asked, watching me closely.
I sighed. "I care for him, but I don't know if it's the right time to use 'love' yet, Daphne. Don't beat the house elf before you own it."
"I think you two love each other and just don't know how to say it." The banshee shot.
"And I think your fiancée is an arse." This time she sighed. "Yeah, I figured that was another reason you were here. Until Andy sucks up his pride and, at least, apologizes to me, I refuse to even look at him!"
"You didn't have that attitude at the Grove." She shot.
"Mum and Dad have a longer track record with me than Andy. Watch it, he likes shiny object!" I told her as she winced, Lucan attacking the charm on her necklace. At least I knew I would never be knifed. I had decided not to tell Daphne about the incident at Draco's flat in fear Mum and Dad would find out. Narcissa and Lucius were so mad at us for not feeding into their 'Persuasive Luncheon' that I figured they wouldn't talk about us for six months. "How are the wedding plans?"
"Good. Abigale Joy and Stacy Clarence will be here in a week." She sounded sour. "Andy's Mum thinks he should be marrying you."
"That bitch...why?" I asked, trying to look stupid. A.J. would fry if the curtain came up before the two red heads were past the annulment date.
"She says you were much more on cue with his schedule... and that you were less materialistic." She sighed. "Mum says she doesn't know how to live with money."
So my parent's were still on board with her after Sunday? How bloody double-standard!
"They don't. Just ignore her though, Daphne. A.J. told me I was a cow with chops the size of Sweden the last time I met her. And S.C. kept calling me an office floozy because I highlight my hair."
"What are they, pilgrims!" Daphne shot, moaning. She thought they were bad now? Wait until A.J. saw her dress was strapless. A sharp 'Pop!' signaled Draco's arrival from work. He sighed, nodding to Daphne as he pulled his cloak off.
"Your fiancées paper replaced their columnist. Finally."
Daphne shrugged at his sneer. "Andy's doing it now. Gerard totally screwed it up and now he's trying to rebuild Tori's glory."
"Good luck with that. Unless he can send Justice Madelina Russo into tears while she's in court, he won't even compare." He snorted, walking over to kiss me. The blond's hand fell to my stomach and caressed it gently. I shivered at the contact. He'd been doing that a lot lately, and I wasn't quit sure how to react to it yet. "When did you want to go to Diagon Alley, Love?"
"And hour or so. My warden wants to tag along." I motioned to Daphne as Lucan slid around her neck, looking at Draco with his lids down. He nodded, pulling his tie off.
"Sure. We'll need to stop by Gringotts so I can cash my check and withdraw some gold. Daphne, watch your earrings. He tried to eat my tie clip yesterday." Draco walked out of the room as my stomach lunged. Daphne noticed my face and was about to speak when I cut her off.
"No, don't pull a Mum. Just... leave it be, Daph."
Three hours later we were walking through Diagon Alley while Daphne and Draco talking about the trophy wife of some bloke they knew from school. I followed them, trying to let them enjoy themselves. We had been to the three most expensive shops in this shopping area and my ego had quickly gone to mush.
"Oh Tori, there's Francynes! Want to try it? Draco, they have those new Italian"-
"Go ahead, I think I'll check out Flourish and Blotts real quick." I told her, walking away from them quickly.
Francynes had been the first store Mum had ever taken us to under the title as 'young witches'. I knew for a fact the prices there weren't much cheaper there than the other stores Draco and my sister were accustomed to going to. I had grown used to my lifestyle with a reporters pay, and when I couldn't even cover that, it wasn't the most glorified feeling on the planet. I was three steps from the book store when I felt Draco's hands on my hips.
"I never thought you'd get ride of her." He whispered as we entered the store, his voice warm on my ear. People glancing at us blushed and turned away as if we had the plague. I walked out of his hold, heading back tot he government section. I saw it was empty except for a law school kid skimming a cover. "What are you looking for?"
"There's a new book out by Clare Geraldine." I told him.
Draco raised a brow at me. "Who?"
"It's on the top shelf." The heavy wizard down the row told me, holding his book up. "She's outdone her- Merlin, you're Astoria Greengrass!"
Bloody-damn-Merlin and Morgana's child! "Yeah."
"Antony Washburn... wow." He shook his head, stunned. "I heard you aren't with the Prophet anymore. It's a shame. My Dad thinks your brilliant."
Washburn... I snapped my fingers as I levitated the book down to me. "Your father's Asher Washburn of the Todays Wizarding Politics Analysis?"
He nodded, smiling gently with his flabby cheeks. "Guilty. Have you found another paper yet?"
"No." I lied, not willing to tell the son of a God I was going to be writing for the Quibbler. Draco's hand ran through my hair. I saw his jaw clenched with envy at the attention I was getting. "Thanks Washburn."
"No problem." He smiled before I nodded and left. Once we were out of the store and back into the snow, I turned and glared at my bloke.
"What the bloody hell was that about?"
"What?" He shot, trying to look innocent.
"You realize how stupid you made me look in there! In front of Asher Washburn's son, of all people!" I snapped. What was I? A toy to fight over. The blond stared at me, stunned.
"Excuse me for trying to lighten this cloudy mood you've been in all bloody day, woman! It's not my fault you invited Daphne to shop with us"- "Don't you dare blame this on my sister"- "And excuse me for trying to keep sex-hungry college blokes off your arse"- "Have you ever considered that maybe he wasn't after my arse seeings how I'm a pregnant"- "And trying to figure out why you've been pushing me away"-
Lucan hissed from inside my bag, making me jump. I looked into it as he glared at me reproachfully. I glared back at him, rolling my eyes. Bloody men! Prats, the lot of them! I looked around and noticed people had stopped and begun to stare at us. I shook my head and stormed off, ignoring Draco as he called my name. I didn't pay attention to where I was going or who I was bumping into. All I really cared about was getting away from the source of my frustration. I ran into someone and jumped, apologizing. I froze when I came into sight with a crouched, one eyed witch.
"You better be sorry, you stupid slag!" She snapped, waddling away. I turned and noticed multiple odd characters looking at me with unpleasant looks. I also didn't recognize any of the shops.
"Hullo lovely." A wizard with a silver tooth and a thick, waist length beard walked up to me. "Lost?"
"Ah... yeah." Lucan crawled up onto my wrist, looking at the wizard darkly. Two men watching the meeting looked at him, pulling their wands out. "Sorry, he's a bit frisky. Care to tell me how to get back to Diagon Alley?"
"Figured she'd be a softy." A blonde, pale wizard with a hooked nose stated as he spit out chewing tobacco. Bloody vile! "What's a pretty thing like you wondering into Knockturn Alley for?"
"My Dad said to meet him here." I lied. "You know, it was nice meeting you. I think I'll go back now."
I turned to leave but the ring leader grabbed my arm, pulling me back and shoving me into a wall. I felt my back sting instantly from the impact.
"Did I say you could leave, slag?"
Lucan hissed again, on attack mode. I shook, shaking my head.
"Back off or I'll get my boyfriend, I swear."
"And who would that be, deary?" The wizard, sttaed, blowing he worst smelling breath I have ever encountered into my face.
"Draco Malfoy." The atmosphere suddenly changed.
"Prat, back off, that's Greengrass. I'd rather not deal with Lucius or Crider." The red haired wizard demanded, color draining from his face. My aggressor did as he was told, suddenly timid of me. "Sorry Greengrass, didn't quit recognize you there. How's the baby coming along?"
"Fine... I'm, going to go now." I turned and walked briskly the way I came, stunned. I knew Lucius had power, but I didn't think he was that powerful! I came out and saw Draco leaning against a shop, banging his head against the wall. "You look better when you're doing that on the headboard."
He looked over at me, his icy stare cautious.
"Is that suppose to mean you want to cause me bodily harm?" I walked over to him, shaking my head. Draco pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. "We can do this another day if you want?"
I shook my head, inhaling his cologne. "Let's go find Daphne before she spends Dad's retirement fund."
***
"Wow." I looked in the mirror and saw Draco staring at me from my bathroom door, just arriving to my flat from work. I smirked at him as I finished pinning my hair up. "How the hell I'm going to keep prats off you tonight is beyond me." I turned to him at a side view, motioning to my rounded stomach. "Point taken."
I rolled my eyes, turning to put on mascara. "Do you really need me to go to this thing?"
"Yes. Unless you want me to go with one of the other slags praising the ground I walk on?"
I snorted. Cockiness, eh? "How many is that? The two hermits that don't read Witch Weekly?"
Draco smirked, clearing stubble off his face with his wand. I finished my makeup and took a look in the mirror. My hair had darkened into a light brown and was being unreasonably cooperative in curling today. This was also the first day since Halloween that I didn't have any trace of a blemish on my face. I wanted to stab myself. Why was Merlin so bloody persistent on not giving me an excuse to skip this event!
"You're missing something." He glanced back at me, smirking. I raised a brow, fully aware I hadn't put my dress robes on yet. "Wait here."
Lucan slithered around the edge of my mirror, looking at me with a confused look. I shrugged, equally as lost as him. I was about to start my nails when Draco came back, ordering me to close my eyes. I felt a necklace graze my neck and moaned.
"Draco, you didn't?"
"Shh, hold on." He whispered, putting a kiss on my neck. I shivered as metal grazed my earlobe, his fingers slipping the earrings in gently. I felt the blond's free hand go to my stomach and he rubbed circles, kissing the other side of my neck gently. "Open them now."
I did, biting my lip. Long, delicate chandelier earrings hung from my ears. Gold and emerald stones glistened in the light as they moved when I turned my head. A long, gold locket fell down to my breasts. A delicate, trapezoid emerald was plated into the gold, surrounded by small, silver stones.
"It was my great-grandmothers. Goblin made in the late eighteenth century." Draco placed his arms around my middle, laying his head on my shoulder as we looked in the mirror at each other. The image would have been so appealing had the cost of the jewelry not been ten times my parents estate. "What's wrong, Love?"
I bit my lip as he looked at the reflection of my expression, remembering what Daphne had said earlier that day. He wouldn't understand my insecurity about this and I knew that.
"My, ah, stomachs acting funny. I need to get dressed if we're going to be on time."
The main hall at the Schwinger's glorious home was the same as I remembered seeing it when Dad dragged me to a convention while I was in law school. Draco and I appeared at the entrance with other couples who instantly began to socialize as we entered the grand doors. I noticed many politicians with their wives whom I had either been introduced to by Dad or slandered in the Daily Prophet. I caught eyes with Miss Fremont, the wealthy heir of the Berti Bott's fortune. I remember writing an article on how conveniently she'd had her third miscarriage while on vacation in a third world country. She saw me and stuck her nose up, waltzing inside. I snorted, remembering that she was close cousins with Parkinson.
"Yes, thank you for coming! Draco, you're here! And dear Astoria as well!" Frau Schwinger walked over to us, smiling. I'd only met her twice, but she hadn't changed a bit. The dumpy, German witch was my height with a bosom twice my current state. Her blond hair was streaked with silver and her bright, violet-blue eyes stood out boldly with her platinum dress robes. The woman hugged me, my stomach hitting hers. "Oh, you're glowing dear! How lovely!"
I pulled aback, blushing as I rubbed my stomach. I hope Merlin made my womb impact resistant. "Your house looks dashing!"
"Thank Camera, she's such a sweetheart. Well, go on in and get a drink! I'll see you two later!"
I snorted, looking to see Schwinger's secretary talking to Robert Duncan. I wondered if Frau Schwinger was aware of how many trips the witch went on with her employer. I remembered Andy telling me, according to the Honorable John Rasputin, that while they were in conference in Haiti, Schwinger always seemed to have Camera's lipstick on his shirt collar.
We walked into the ballroom and I almost ran for my life. I could smell wine, perfume and everyone in the highest ranks of Britain all together in a elegant and violin music filled room. Cut-my-bloody-wrist!
"Tori!" I turned and saw Daphne walking towards me in French robes, looking stunningly thin. Dam her to Hades! "Wow, you really are showing!"
"Really now?" I snapped, releasing Draco's arm as a judge for homicide motioned him over. "Go ahead."
"You sure?" I nodded and he left as I sighed. Daphne motioned to show she was also leaving me, her face bright with excitement.
"Everyone's here! Alice Fremont, Elanor Bulstrode, Pansy"-
"Bloody hell!" I moaned, feeling my stomach turn. If Parkinson was here, that could only mean -
"Astoria Greengrass."
I haven't seen Travis McLaggen in almost two years. And, as I stood in the middle of the most politically popular and prestigious Christmas party in the country, I could honestly say it was the worst day of my life. Worse then the night at Draco's flat, the fight at the Grove, my surprise pregnancy and my parent's disowning me all combined into one box.
"In the flesh." I looked around, trying to find a way out. Draco was laughing with his political bastards and Daphne was with her group, leaving me on my own. I made a reminder to cut shagging off and to take back vacation presents. "You look good, Travis."
I wasn't lying. Travis always was very handsome. I noticed he'd let a go-tee grow out since we broke up, giving the exotic features his Cuban mother had passed onto him a more mysterious look. It was similar to the one Draco had when he was thinking about something particularly hard. The prat walked over, his green eyes scanning me.
"You do too, Tori. You're glowing." I snorted, making him look at me. He would bloody know. "I mean it."
"Save it for your next interview with Witch Weekly!" He moaned, running a hand through his hair as I turned.
"Tori, please don't make a scene here of all places!" Travis grabbed my arm, twirling me around. Damn Merlin for my week upper arm strength. "Do you seriously believe I encouraged that article?"
"Let go of me or you'll regret it." I threatened, my voice low. Nobody seem to notice the confrontation and I couldn't decide whether that was good or bad. Travis released me, giving me pleading eyes.
"Skeeter never interviewed me for those articles, Astoria. That was all Pansy." I stared at him, the anger in me expanding at the speed of light. Yet I was unable to move. "Trust me when I say Gringotts was as pissed as you are about this. They gave me the option to decrease the liability or find a new job."
My brow raised at 'decrease the liability'. "You make it sound like you're divorcing her?"
He hushed me as people began to move to dance. Travis offered me his hand. When I refused it, he sighed. "Tori, please? Once dance, then you can cut my bullocks off and sell them to a hag."
My hand was taken before I could reject in once more. Travis put his hand on my waist as I caught sight of Daphne with Pansy, staring at me. The black haired witch stormed off, my sister looking at me with confusion. I rolled my eyes and motioned to Travis. She nodded, showing me five fingers. Daphne was giving him five minutes before she came to rescue me. That would give me enough time to absorb the pleasure of hearing about Parkinson's ruined marriage.
"So what's the deal with you and Malfoy?"
I looked up at him after a few minutes of cold silence, a brow raised. "I'm pregnant with his kid."
"That doesn't mean you have to be on his arm like a show piece." He told me as he spun me. I came back to him and Travis looked at the jewelry I was wearing. "I didn't think you were one to shag for money."
"Supposedly you weren't one for cheap slags and look where you are." I snapped. Travis seemed unaffected by my words. We waltzed as he took my earrings off, putting them in my robe pockets. I glared at him, enraged. "What the hell are you bloody doing?"
"You don't need Goblins gold to make yourself important. Everyone here already fears you more than Crider and it's not because you're on the arm of the third richest bachelor in the country." The song ended and Travis released my waist, kissing my knuckles. "Enjoy yourself, Astoria. You deserve it."