I hope this chapter moves a little quicker. Please enjoy this and let me know your thoughts! :)
Astoria and Draco sat outside on the veranda of the Greengrass's estate with her mother. The sun was warm, the air clean, and the flowers fragrant. The three enjoyed a cool drink as they chatted, mainly about five-year-old Scorpius. Mrs. Greengrass absolutely adored him. She had the whole nursery set up to please him with every kind of toy possible—he was thoroughly enjoying his time there. The proud grandmother sighed. "Who knows? Perhaps little Scoprius may have a brother or sister someday…?" she raised her voice at the end like a question. Draco and Astoria glanced at each other. "N-No, Mother. We're quite content with just one baby." she answered. The woman appeared disappointed. "Oh but Astoria, why? You and Draco are so beautiful—imagine a little girl with those looks!"
"You want a granddaughter?"
"Of course, dear! Every grandmother does! I'm sure Narcissa would agree with me."
"We can't have another child. But I do have two siblings. They could produce you as many girls as you'd like. By the way, where are they?"
"Daphne's on her way out here—she stopped in to get her art materials. She's really taken to realism now. She draws a lot too."
"And Bazel?"
"…He's out for a bit,"
Almost as if on cue, Daphne stepped outside and greeted them. She had in her arms a sketchbook and a few quills. Draco remembered her being quite the artist of the Slytherin house back at Hogwarts, often wondering why she hadn't been put in Ravenclaw with that creative talent. "Have you seen Scorpius around in there lately?" Astoria asked her sister. Daphne nodded. "I saw him carrying a big stuffed rabbit down the halls. He was talking about bringing it to a tea party, so I imagine he's back in the nursery now." she replied. Draco smiled. His son was so playful and intrigued in everything. Some more small talk went on. He really enjoyed spending time with his in-laws, mainly because they'd accepted him so readily. A person with his past and familial background was not so easily welcomed in the wizarding world anymore…
Mrs. Greengrass took a sip of her drink. "Daphne, I was just bothering your sister about having another child. Don't you think she should?" she went on. Draco felt Astoria let out an inaudible sigh of frustration from beside him. He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. Daphne didn't look up from her book. "I'm sure she probably would like to, Mother, but she simply physically can't." There's that Slytherin side. Always logical. Mrs. Greengrass huffed again. "Every grandmother wants a granddaughter though…."
"On the contrary, Lucius wanted an heir. One family just had to be lacking, and honestly, ours has more of a chance of making up for what Astoria didn't have." Daphne calmly refuted. Astoria stiffened slightly.
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Greengrass asked.
"Well, Narcissa and Lucius only had one son. So if they wanted an heir, Astoria was the only one that could give them that. And since her pregnancy was clearly an accident at the time—" Astoria clenched her jaw to keep from cutting in. "—it was imperative that the child be a boy. She wouldn't be able to have a second. It was a one-shot thing. But we have three children in our house, two of which can have as many offspring as desired. Well…I guess only one, considering Bazel is gone—"
"That's enough of that, now dear!" Mrs. Greengrass interrupted quickly. Astoria straightened. "What was that?" she asked. "What did she just say?"
"Nothing, dear! Nothing at all! She said she could give me a little girl because she can have more children than—"
"What did she say about Bazel?"
The silence that ensued told Draco that there was tension. Astoria's piercing blue eyes moved from her sister to her mother. Daphne had gone scarlet. Mrs. Greengrass was pale. Draco just kept holding his wife's hand, which was now rigid in his grip, and averting his gaze from any of the conflict. Tiny footsteps came hurrying across the stone. Scorpius giggled and clamored onto Draco's lap, still attached to the big floppy rabbit. "Look, Daddy!" he squealed. Draco wanted to answer, but his mouth had gone dry. Something was about to happen between the members of the Greengrass family, and he had a suspicion that it would be war; purebloods did not take secrets lightly. "Can I take him home?" Scorpius asked without a care in the world. "Y-You'll have to ask grandma. It's her house, her toys." he stammered. Scorpius looked hopefully across the table. "Please grandma?" he asked sweetly. Mrs. Greengrass was 'grandma' as Mr. Greengrass was 'grandpa'—however it was much more formally with the Malfoys. Scorpius called Narcissa and Lucius 'grandmother' and 'grandfather' respectively. But his cuteness never failed in winning either set of family over. Mrs. Greengrass smiled weakly. "Of course, darling. You can bring him home with you." she murmured. Apparently her mouth was dry too. Scorpius let out a little cheer as he slid off Draco's lap. "Thank you!" he called over his shoulders as he ran back inside the mansion.
Astoria was still staring hard at the women across from her. Daphne hadn't moved since she'd let it slip. "What did you say?" Astoria hissed, annunciating every word. Mrs. Greengrass nervously adjusted her neat updo. "We were only protecting you—"
"You already used that excuse when asked why you left me for dead after I was cursed." Astoria bit.
"…Darling, we know how sick you get when you're upset…and telling you just didn't seem like it would do you any good—"
"Where is he?!"
Astoria had never squeezed Draco's hand harder. He tried gently stroking her soft skin with his thumb in an attempt to tell her that he was there for her no matter what happened, but she was focused so intensely on the Greengrass girls. Suddenly Daphne broke down into screaming sobs. "We don't know where he is! He was sent off on a business trip to find new bezoars to cure those poisoned in St. Mungo's, but then he never returned! We heard from his every day for a month and he hasn't sent a letter now for seven straight weeks!" Mrs. Greengrass was sobbing too. Draco felt his mouth hanging open at this horrifying news—what if Bazel was dead? What if he was captured and held for ransom and money from his wealthy family? They would never know. Never. Astoria's jaw was set and her eyes were wide. She was paler than she had been in months, even years, really. Her grip slackened in his hand. "Draco," she breathed. "Get Scorpius. We're leaving." He wasn't sure if he should listen to her or not—should she really just leave during such a sensitive time? Mrs. Greengrass lunged across the table for her daughter's hand. "Draco, go!" Astoria gasped out, tears slipping down her face. He gingerly kissed her fingers, then hurried away from the scene into the house.
Panting nervously, he all but ran up the staircase and down the hall to the nursery. Little Scorpius was sitting at a small table with his stuffed rabbit, a toy dragon, and a big-eyed house-elf, pretending to pour imaginary tea for all of them. The house-elf was wearing a floppy hat like ladies in London wore. "Help yourself to a cake. I made them this morning," little Scorpius said sweetly, holding a plate of plastic cookies towards the thing. Draco wanted to smile at the sight. He really did. Scorpius definitely had Hufflepuff blood in him—wanting to be nice to everyone. He looked up innocently. "Hi Daddy," he said. "Want to play with us?" Draco bit his lip. "I would love to, darling, but we have to leave right away. Mummy wanted me to come get you now. Just please come here, come to Daddy, and I'll explain everything once we get home." he murmured gently. The house-elf stared at the man. Draco couldn't quite tell if it was because he was embarrassed at being caught dressed so foolishly or that he knew the reasoning behind the sudden departure. Scorpius frowned a bit. "But I was really looking forward to have tea with Miss Biscuit…." he said thoughtfully. Draco didn't know that house-elves could blush before, but he was completely positive they could after seeing the thing's reaction at being called its playtime-name. Draco reached for his son's hand. "I know, dear. But it's really important. I'm sorry. You'll just have to say goodbye." Scorpius picked up the big stuffed rabbit and took his father's hand. "Go on and finish without me, Miss Biscuit. I trust you'll keep the conversation alive with Mr. Firedragon." he said. Any other day, Draco would've pondered why his little boy was playing tea-party—but he knew that Scorpius was too young for games of good vs. evil and wizarding adventures. Of course the child knew of magic, but he didn't understand it yet. Draco looked behind him as they left the room. The house-elf still sat there, teacup rattling in its long fingers.
As they neared the veranda, shouting could be heard. Scorpius gasped a bit. "Is everything alright, Daddy?" he asked nervously. Draco gulped. "Yes, darling." he dutifully replied. He felt a tug on his sleeve. "Did Mummy fall down again?" Scorpius whispered. The only time the boy was around so much shouting and panic was whenever Astoria would become physically overwhelmed and faint. It didn't happen often, but when it did, it was frightening to him. Draco shook his head. "No, my sweet. Mummy's just fine. She's a bit upset over something though, and we must be very quiet and well-behaved so she doesn't fall down, alright?" Scorpius nodded and allowed for himself to be scooped into his father's arms. They stepped outside.
Astoria was standing up, leaning across the table. The other two women were sobbing endlessly and begging her to understand, say something, do something to help them. But Astoria was shouting. "I am not beneath any of you! I'm part of this family and I have the same rights as every other member!"
"Only trying to keep you healthy—"
"If you had told me, this could've been solved already! Draco works at the Ministry—all I would've had to do was tell him to get someone on it and Bazle could be home right now! They have special people, special organizations to rescue missing persons! But you didn't tell me, you didn't tell poor, frail little Astoria because she might not be able to take it! Look at what you've done now!"
Draco had never ever seen Astoria this angry. Even the one time they'd fought, she wasn't angry—she was more confused and sad. But this was a whole new level of rage. She wasn't even crying. "Please, Astoria!" Daphne cried out. "We only withheld it from you because we love you!" Astoria looked affronted. "Because you love me?! Draco's family has told me everything about them—including the pasts you so despise—and continuously keep me informed about personal things! They send me at least one owl a day inquiring about Scorpius, or asking about me, or telling me further facts about something published in the Daily Prophet; that's something you've never done! You barely keep in touch! And you only write to ask me to bring Scorpius to you—that's it!" Astoria turned her head slightly, and caught Draco standing there with the child in his arms. She pushed back her chair and went to him. Mrs. Greengrass let out a shriek of horror. "PLEASE!" she screamed. "Please don't just abandon your family when we're so damaged and broken!" Astoria whipped around, breathing hard. "Why?" she breathed. "You had no problem doing that to me."
With that, she turned and grabbed Draco by the arm. The two hurried off the veranda and inside. Astoria was struggling to get to the front doors, to just leave this place. Draco couldn't blame her. How could her family just constantly want to just cut her out like that? He understood their defense but it was weak—he would side with his wife on the fact that if they'd told her, he himself could've arranged for the Ministry officials to search for Bazel. Scorpius clung to him in fear; he'd never seen his mother so upset. Astoria grasped the handle on the huge doors. "GO!" came the shrill scream of someone that had followed them. They turned around. Daphne was leaning forward just a few feet behind them, fists clenched and face streaked with messy tears. "GO RUN AWAY WITH YOUR DEATH EATER SCUM!" she spat. Draco cringed. He'd never ever expected to be brought into this. Astoria let go of the handle and stormed towards her sister. No, please don't hit her Astoria! Please don't fight! Draco thought. But suddenly his beautiful wife froze as if she'd walked into a glass wall. Slowly, her hand went up to her chest—a heart pain. The curse. Draco went to her and took her hand. "Astoria, let's just go…" he begged quietly. He wondered if the words 'Death Eater' had anything to do with the spur of her disease. She struggled on her feet a bit, causing Scorpius to fearfully gasp. But Draco managed to pull her away and outside the doors. They safely Apparated back to their little cottage.
Once back home, Draco had his wife lay down in the quiet for a little bit. Little Scorpius obediently went into his nursery and drew with some of his crayons to stay out of the way. He was scared. Draco sat on the bed beside his sobbing Astoria in silence for a long time. It was hard enough hearing that brother may be dead, but to know that her family was purposefully keeping her separated from them (possibly because she married 'Death Eater scum') was extremely difficult for her to bear. Especially after they'd been so apologetic and loving for so long—it truly felt like the worst was over. But things were awful now. Things would need a long time to heal. Draco was quiet and let Astoria cry and shout things just to get them off her chest.
It was hours before Draco heard a startling crash resounding from the kitchen. Astoria raised her head weakly, but he hushed her, promising he'd go take care of everything. He kissed her lips and then hurried out of the bedroom. The cause of the noise shocked him. Scorpius had a big cauldron on the floor of the kitchen, full to the brim with milk and various floating pieces. He'd dropped a whole glass full of olives though. "I'm sorry, Daddy! I'm sorry!" he whimpered. Draco flicked his wand and magically repaired the glass. "I'm so sorry….I was only trying to help…" Scorpius sniffled. Draco knelt beside him and looked inside the cauldron. "What's this, darling?" he asked. The boy wiped his eyes tearfully. "Whenever I feel sad, Mummy makes me some warm soup to feel better. I just wanted to do the same for her!" Draco's heart instantly felt warmer. "Oh, my little sweetheart. You're too wonderful. You're such a sweet boy, so good." He pulled the tiny child into his arms. "I could never be angry at you for doing something so lovely. Here, why don't I help you make the soup and then you can bring it to Mummy. Alright?" Scorpius nodded.
Draco emptied the mess inside the cauldron and began again. He let Scorpius add the ingredients, then poured some into a bowl. The little boy proudly went into the bedroom. "Mummy?" he quietly asked. Astoria sat up a bit and wiped her eyes. "I brought you some soup to make you feel better. And here—I made you card but it's in my pocket. Daddy, can you hold this for a minute? Thank you," Scorpius fidgeted inside his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment decorated with all of his crayon markings. Astoria read it with tears of happiness in her eyes. She hugged and kissed her son over and over again, telling him how much she loved him. Draco put the bowl on her lap. She kissed him too, begging for him to forgive her appearance and behavior. All he could do was smile. There was nothing that could make him love her any less. The three sat together on the bed, enjoying the company of just their own little family, safe in their own house, where there weren't any secrets.