Thanks for the reviews, favorites, and follows! Here's the interlude, as promised. It picks up right after part one ended.

Thanks to BeanerWeasley and Iloveplotbunnies as always for being wonderful betas!

Interlude: Draco & Astoria

That night, as Draco and Astoria got ready for bed, they started to discuss their son and the girl that he had obviously fallen in love with.

"It was wonderful to finally meet Rose," said Astoria as she rubbed lotion into her hands. "It almost feels like we already knew her, since we've heard so much about her from Scorpius over the years, but it was good to meet her in person all the same."

"Yes, I thought tonight went well," Draco answered her as he settled into his side of the bed. "She's good for Scorpius. She's just what he needs."

Astoria looked at her husband and slightly smirked. "So you approve, then?"

Draco frowned a little. "I thought that was clear."

Astoria laughed lightly, patting her husband's hand. "I hope you know, then, that this means you'll have to get used to the idea of the Weasleys being your in-laws."

Draco groaned, leaning his head back against the headboard and closing his eyes. "Merlin, I suppose you're right. This will be awkward at best and painful at worst."

Astoria quirked an eyebrow at Draco.

"I don't have a problem with Granger, honestly," Draco began, turning his wife's hand over so he could hold it. "All Pureblood ideals were expunged from me years ago. She has proved her worth to the Wizarding world and then some. I don't think Potter and the Weasel would have lived out the war without her help, and I don't even want to think about how the war might have transpired if she hadn't been fighting for the right side.

"However, the Weasel is a different matter. As you know, my parents were never on friendly terms with the Weasleys, to put it lightly. Even if my parents had been on friendly or even civil terms with the Weasleys, though, I don't think Ron Weasley and I would have ever been friends. He was always much too brash and…uncultured.

"But for Scorpius' sake, I suppose I shall have to try to be civil," Draco sighed, resigned.

"Yes, you definitely will be. The two of you are grown men. Mr. Potter and you manage to act civilly towards each other, in spite of all that happened in the past. You should be able to act like adults—although I do think limited contact between you and Rose's father might be best for the time being.

"For my part, I'm looking forward to meeting the Weasleys. Hermione Granger-Weasley seems like a wonderful woman, and she's been nothing but gracious the few times I have spoken to her. I can't say I have ever met Rose's father, however," Astoria said.

"You're not missing much," Draco grumbled.

Astoria pinched his hand. "Ow, Astoria! What was that for?"

"What did I say about acting like an adult?"

"Yes, yes, my dear. Wait," Draco said, latching on to something that Astoria had said earlier. "You said I need to start getting used to having the Weasleys as in-laws—do you know something about Scorpius and Rose that I don't? You told Scorpius earlier tonight that you didn't think that Rose had already fallen in love with him, but that she was well on her way there. Are you scheming, Astoria?" He cocked an eyebrow at her.

Astoria grinned cheekily at her husband. After being with him for twenty years, she had adopted quite a few of his habits. "I might have stretched the truth a little bit. I have every reason to believe that Rose is just as much in love with our Scorpius as he is with her. We talked while we were in the garden, and I asked her how she and Scorpius had become such good friends when their rivalry was legendary. From Scorpius' letters home about their interactions and friendship, I had already figured out that she fancied him, but when she became so animated while talking about him in the garden, she confirmed without even knowing it that she is deeply in love with our son. I do think she is slowly figuring out the depth of her feelings for Scorpius. However, I think our son needs to learn to fight for what he wants. He enjoys a challenge—and Rose Weasley has always been his biggest challenge. I don't think it's a question of whether they will get together—I think it's a question of who will make the first move."

Draco smirked at his wife. "My dear, your Slytherin is showing," he said in a low voice. "Not that I mind…"

"Well, I did learn from the best," said Astoria lightheartedly.

Draco smiled at her but then sighed. "Just think—next year Scorp will be a graduate of Hogwarts and will begin his Healer training. I feel old," he grumbled, rubbing his thinning hair self-consciously.

"You're not old," said Astoria. "If you're old, then what does that make me? But I know what you mean," she said. "Time moves too quickly anymore. It seems like just yesterday that Scorpius was helping me in my garden…"

"That was yesterday, Astoria," Draco said.

"Oh, you know what I mean! It seems like just yesterday he was a little boy just starting to display his magic, then going off to Hogwarts, and now he's a man, getting ready to make his way in the world." She teared up a little at the thought of how quickly her little boy had grown.

"At least he is a better man than I was at his age," Draco said. "He definitely inherited the Malfoy pride—although with what he's already done, and has yet to do, his pride is more justified than the pride of any of our ancestors." Draco frowned but went on. "He inherited the Malfoy snark and cleverness, too, but he also cares about people—he got that from you, my dear. He'll make a fine Healer."

"Of course he will," said Astoria. "He's our son—he's bound to succeed at anything he does."

Draco squeezed Astoria's hand, turning to look at her. "I probably do not say it often enough, but I do love you, you know."

"I know," said Astoria quietly. "For all your faults, you've become a good man, Draco. Never doubt that I love you." She kissed him sweetly, quickly, before drawing away and settling back into the bed. Draco kissed his wife's knuckles before settling down beside her. He thought that he must be getting sentimental in his old age.

They said goodnight and turned out the lights. Draco was almost asleep when another thought crept into his mind.

"Merlin. Does this mean we'll have to meet with Granger and the Weasel? Invite them over, even?" Scorpius inviting Rose over had been awkward and difficult enough…

Astoria laughed. "One step at a time, Draco. One step at a time."

Hope you enjoyed! Were you expecting Astoria's scheming? What did you think about Draco's comments about Hermione and Ron? Please leave your thoughts on this chapter in a review-they keep me inspired! I won't know if I'm doing a good job unless you review!