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*Song Title comes from 'Lego House' by Ed Sheeran

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I sit on the edge of my bed in deep thought, my fingers folded. My robe feels heavy on my shoulders. Simon's moving around in the bathroom, and then the door opens. He's dressed in his robes from yesterday, freshly repaired, and his damp hair is combed back.

Simon wrinkles his nose. "I've never smelled so feminine in my life," he murmurs.

"Don't make such a big deal. I'm sure you've smelled like perfume before," I reply without thinking. Slowly, I turn around to see how Simon will react to my comment. He has a grave look on his face. "I'm sorry," I apologize quickly.

Simon purses his lips. "You still don't think any differently of me, do you?" He asks. I can't tell if Simon's upset or angered by what I said.

"No, it's not that. It's just… never far from my mind," I admit. "You said you loved me, but sometimes, I don't think you know what that means."

Simon crosses his arms. "How do I not?"

"You won't defend me in front of your family, you only like to buy me things, and you put me on this pedestal, yet you belittle me at the same time," I try to explain.

I can tell Simon doesn't follow me. "Excuse me?"

"Why do you love me?" I ask, changing the subject. "Honestly, can you give me one good reason?"

"Why are you so offended?" Simon questions.

"Because I know how it goes! You'll say you love me for as long as it's convenient to you. But if your father won't allow you back into his will because of me, you'll let me go without a second thought!" I answer.

Simon raises his eyebrows. "Do you honestly think so?" He questions, actually seeming surprised. I nod. "Is this what you think whenever a man says he loves you?"

"Only you," I answer.

"Why?" Simon demands.

"You sleep around! And I try to act like that doesn't bother me, but it really does! Why should I be any different to you? You keep saying I'm different, but I don't know why!" I've been with Simon a little more than two weeks and I'm already overwhelmed with the fear that he may cheat on me.

Simon rubs his jaw. "I can't explain why. But, when I look at you, I'm filled with this sudden urge to give you everything, and I have no idea as to why that is," Simon tells me.

"You're infatuated with me," I say simply.

Simon shakes his head. "I'm not a boy."

"But you've never been in love with a woman," I point out.

"I think I should be blaming you for how you make me feel, not the other way around. I can't control how anyone's treated you in the past."

I frown at Simon, as if he's accusing me of something. "I know that. And I'm very flattered that you feel the way you do, but-"

"There's always a 'but' with you," Simon mutters. I give him a look.

"But think about these things: your parents don't approve of me, I can't give you a pureblooded heir, and I have no idea how to be a wife. Considering all that, do you still want to be with me?" I question.

Now that I've put things into perspective, I'm ready for Simon to decline. He doesn't seem the type to make sacrifices for others.

"My brother has two sons," Simon says instead. "And you're already the perfect wife for me," Simon assures me, sitting down beside me on my bed.

"Your first wife was more perfect than me," I say quietly.

Simon shakes his head. "If that was true, we'd still be married. I want to marry you," Simon reminds me, putting his fingers gently under my chin.

"Don't say that," I chide him.

"If I don't marry you, I won't marry again," Simon promises me. "Will or no will."

"Don't say that either," I whisper.

"But I mean it," Simon assures me.

"What reason would you have to give up your family for…me?" I question. "What have I done to make you treat me like this?" Not once had I ever flirted with Simon or given him any reason to think I was looking for a relationship between the two of us. He's making it seem as if we have this burning, inseparable love for one another, when I'm not even exactly positive how I feel.

Simon looks ahead, deep in thought. "I wouldn't say you've done anything on purpose, but watching and listening to you, the loyalty and love you have for you family- and had for McKinnon too, admitted- was rather astonishing. I suppose I wanted to be treated that way as well."

I can't help but smile. That's the most sincere thing Simon has ever said to me. "Thank you."

"I haven't ever cared really what happened to any of the women I had an interest in, but I think of you all the time," Simon continues. "It rather frightens me."

I don't deny that Simon has feelings for me, but the fact that they've grown so intense so quickly alarms me.

"Why does it frighten you?" I ask.

Simon shakes his head in thought. "I feel as if you don't think the same of me."

How can I reply to that? I take a deep breath and shrug my robe closer to myself. "I do," I assure Simon. "Really, I care for you deeply, but I just won't allow myself to rush into anything. I can't."

"Why do you believe so firmly that we're rushing things?" Simon questions.

"I believe I am. Maybe you're at the place in your life where you're ready to be married again. You're older than me."

"Not by much," Simon reminds me.

"Still, you are. I don't have everything figured out like you do. I don't have a plan for my life."

"Didn't you plan on being married?" Simon questions.

I nod, and then shake my head. "I suppose I did at some point in my life, but I never put much value on marriage. It wasn't important whether I was married or not."

"What do you want for yourself?" Simon asks me. I'm surprised that he's interested to hear.

Despite Simon, I shrug. "I don't really know," I admit quietly. "I've never really had to know. My parents more or less approve all my major decisions."

"I would never treat you with such fragility," Simon promises me.

That means a lot to me. I really do want someone who isn't constantly suggesting to me how I should behave, or how I should pass my time, or who I should love, even.

"My parents see it necessary," I say. "They expect me to act like an adult, but whenever I try, I'm criticized for it."

"Only adults get married," Simon presses.

"Simon…"

"Isobelle, I know what it's like to be married to a woman I don't love. I wouldn't be stupid enough to make the same mistake again," Simon tells me. He does raise a fair point. "I could take you away from all your problems."

That sounds incredibly tempting. Simon may justbe the solution to more than one of my problems. "I can't…"

"You can," Simon corrects me, his hand caressing my cheek. "I want you to think for yourself. Don't let your family, or mine, or anyone else interfere. Think of yourself only. Do you want to marry me?"

I close my eyes and try to concentrate. I could be happy with Simon. He's been raised better than to treat me badly, and Simon really is a great man. He's respectable, has a nice paying job, and he loves me. Perhaps Simon may be a bit too secure in his gender role, but those things can be fixed. I could have a future with Simon.

"Yes," I whisper shakily. "I believe so."

Simon smiles at me, the first genuine smile of his I've ever seen. He kisses me deeply, and then his eyes lock with mine. "I'll take perfect care of you," Simon promises me.

"I'm going to hold you to that," I say quietly. "No other women, I mean it."

"I wouldn't dream of it." I hope that's the truth.

Simon tilts his chin to kiss me again. I pull back. "I want to wait a while," I tell Simon. "I want to wait until everyone accepts this, or as much as they can, and until we know each other fully well."

"Of course," Simon agrees reasonably. "I'd like to properly introduce myself to your parents."

"This morning was quite proper," I laugh, thinking back on it. Simon isn't amused. "Sorry. Besides, both my parents already know you."

"Still," Simon persists. "I want them to trust me with you. I'm sure you told them what you thought of me before we were on pleasant terms, and I want them to know that I now love you immensely."

"Maybe I should soften the blow first," I suggest. "For my mother at least." I can imagine Mum not taking the news well.

Simon raises his eyebrows in surprise. "You're going to tell them so soon?"

"I'd like to. If you're going to keep your word, I didn't think it was important when I said anything."

"No, it doesn't matter at all," Simon says, shaking his head. "I only thought you would have wanted your ring first."

I wrinkle my eyebrows. "My- oh, I hadn't even thought of that. I'm not too concerned with it, though."

"I could have it finished by tomorrow, however you want it to look. But I'd really like to propose to you, Isobelle. The correct way. I've never gotten to do that before."

I smile at Simon. He has so much, yet so much has been taken from him at the same time. "You have to do everything by the books, don't you? If you wanted to propose to me, then why did you ask me to marry you already?"

"I wanted to know you wouldn't refuse," Simon explains. I should have known. "Where should we go tomorrow? To dinner? And you enjoy art, don't you? I could take you to a-"

"Whatever you want to take me, I'll be happy with it," I assure Simon, taking his hand in mine. He really is being so kind to me, and in all of this, I've forgotten what I really need to speak with him about.

"What's the matter? You don't look pleased," Simon notices, frowning. "Do you not want this?"

I shake my head. "No, I'm very thankful for all this, but there's something else I need to ask you."

"You can ask me anything," Simon says. "What is it?"

I take a deep breath. "I understand completely if you can't, but I need to know if there's any way you can help."

"If I can help what?"

"A few days ago, my father told me that Astoria's become really sick, and she may die. If that's the case, I want Scorpius to see her before then. He can't do that without permission from the Ministry," I explain with a pleading look.

Simon puts his hand to his chin in thought. "This is a problem," he says under his breath. "It's much easier to get a 'no-contact' order than it is to lift one. Something like that could take up to two weeks, and that's assuming everything goes perfectly according to plan."

"We won't have that long," I tell Simon. "Please, I'm not asking for me. I'm asking for my brother. He deserves to see his mother at least one more time. Say you can do something."

Simon's silent for a long while, and I know that isn't a good sign. "Not anything of much help, I'm afraid. All I could do for you is see about lifting it, if that will even be allowed."

I didn't really expect Simon to be able to do too much. Still, I feel as if I'm letting Scorpius down immensely. "Well, thank you for doing what you can, " I say resignedly.

Simon seems troubled by my upset. "If there was any way for me to do more, I absolutely would," he assures me.

"I understand. It's not your fault." Simon checks his watch. "You can leave if you need to. Sorry for keeping you so long."

"I thought I'd stop by my home and change my robes before going into work," Simon informs me, standing up. "I'm expecting I won't see you again today?"

I shake my head solemnly. "No, probably not."

Simon bends down to give me a kiss before disapparating.

When I'm by myself, everything settles in on me. I've just agreed to marry Simon.

Looking into my parents' faces at breakfast is rather uncomfortable. From how Rose and Scorpius are regarding me, I can tell Nina's said something to them as well.

"Good morning," I say uncomfortably.

"It is, isn't it?" Scorpius agrees, waggling his eyebrows at me. Rose rolls her eyes.

"Has Simon left?" Dad questions, not mentioning anything else.

"Only a few minutes ago. We had a long conversation," I say cautiously, not wanting to say everything at once.

"What about?" Mum questions, turning her head. "Nina, wipe your hands. Don't reach; ask Hugo to hand you a napkin." She averts her attention back to me.

I look at my entire family. Mum raises her eyebrows in interest. "Simon and I discussed getting married."

All at once, everyone turns to look at me. Rose and Mum don't seem happy.

"So soon?" Mum questions, struggling to hide her disapproval. If the way she's stabbing her food is any indication, I'd say she didn't expect to hear this from me for a long time.

"We aren't getting married very soon, I don't think. But, I suppose Simon and I are-"

"Engaged?" Rose demands, her jaw clenched. "You're lying! Where's your ring?"

"Simon said he's going to propose to me tomorrow. He-we just sort of talked about things today," I explain.

Mum turns to address me again. "Isobelle, I believe Simon is a nice man, but everything you told me about him is rather alarming. I don't like how many women he's been with, and I also don't like how he thinks he can buy your love," Mum tells me.

"He doesn't think that, he just likes to show me that he loves me, with jewelry and things of that sort. I told him I didn't like it either. Simon knows how important it is to me that he stays faithful. He can do it," I promise Mum.

"Hermione, don't attack her. Perhaps this isn't a terrible idea," Dad says in my defense. I knew he wouldn't have a problem with it.

"Who was it that had a fit upon finding out Holden wanted to marry her?" Mum points out.

"Holden isn't nearly as mature as Simon," Dad reasons. "Simon also wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything with Isobelle. I know his family personally." Dad makes it sound like all his threats to hurt Holden are nothing compared to what he'll do to Simon if he doesn't treat me the way he should.

"How long have you been dating?" Scorpius questions. I can tell he's happy for me, but something else is bothering him.

"Not long enough to get married," Mum answers for me, frowning. I haven't seen her so upset about anything I've done in quite a long time. "Why would Simon want to marry you so quickly, Isobelle? Is there something you need to tell your father and I?"

I shake my head. There's nothing that I know of. "What do you mean?" I ask, completely oblivious.

Rose rolls her eyes. "My God…"

Mum gives me a knowing look. "What?" I ask.

"Isobelle, don't make me ask you…"

I wrinkle my eyebrows. "Ask me what?"

"Are you pregnant?" Mum questions, raising her voice. Even Dad seems surprised at her behavior. Mum's definitely the calmer of the two of them. "Isobelle, I'm so disappointed in you! Your father and I told you numerous times to be careful-"

"Careful with what?" Nina questions.

Dad shakes his head. "Nothing."

"You're having a baby?" Hugo questions. "Cool!"

"Not-"

Mum won't let me speak. "I should have known you were spending so much time with Simon for a reason! There's absolutely no other reason two people get married so soon! Don't look at me like that, I can't believe you right now. Draco, say something to your daughter!" She commands, talking a mile a minute.

Dad takes a deep breath and inwardly rolls his eyes. "What else is left to say? You've covered everything," he deadpans.

"Other than the fact that I'm not pregnant," I add helpfully.

Hugo and Nina look a bit crestfallen.

Mum lets out a sigh of relief. Perhaps if she let me speak she wouldn't have given herself a near heart-attack. "Don't ever scare me like that again. Why else could you and Simon possibly be getting married?"

"We love each other," I answer. "Why else do people get married?"

"Don't be smart with you mother," Dad chastises me.

"I'm not. I'm just confused. Are you upset that I'm getting married, or that I'm marrying Simon?" I question.

"A bit of both," Mum answers. "Isobelle, you know how I feel."

I furrow my eyebrows. What happened to Mum being the accepting one? "Well, Simon says he'd like to make an effort with the two of you, so I'd like you to do the same."

"Of course, I will. But you're moving entirely too fast with Simon," Mum says. "I don't like it."

"It doesn't matter what you like," I say tightly. "And it isn't as if I'm marrying him next week."

"When are you thinking of getting married?" Dad questions.

"I don't know, not very soon. If planning our wedding will be anything like yours and Mum's it won't be for a while," I answer. Their wedding was very beautiful, but I don't even dare mention Dad's wedding to Astoria. It was one of the grandest things I'd seen in my life.

"Belly, it should be on my birthday!" Nina suggests, smiling at me.

I shake my head at my youngest sister. "Sorry, but I don't think I'd like to share my anniversary with your birthday," I say gently.

"When are we going to meet Simon?" Hugo asks, looking to Mum and Dad instead of me.

"I'm not positive, but it will be soon. He had to work today," I answer.

"I met him!" Nina announces. "He was sleeping in Belly's bed!" Hugo and Scorpius share a look.

Mum gives her a silencing look. "Are you going to the Ministry today?" She asks me accusingly.

"Actually, no. Simon and I can stand to be apart if that's what you're implying," I answer bitingly. "Why can't you be more like Dad?" I never imagined I'd say that in my lifetime. Dad seems rather surprised to hear that, too.

"What are you talking about?" Mum questions.

"Why can't you just be happy for me?" I snap. "I thought you might appreciate that someone actually loves me and cares for me! Instead, you're being so negative!"

"You can't fall in love with someone over two weeks!" Mum argues.

"Well, I have!" I wasn't sure that I loved Simon, but now my urge to defend him says otherwise.

Mum shakes her head vehemently. "You aren't in love with him!"

"You can't tell me who I love!" I shout.

"I can tell you that you don't love Simon!"

I nod my head sarcastically. "Right, because you know that for a fact! You know everything, don't you?"

"If your father hadn't suggested that you be interested in Simon, you wouldn't have given him so much as a second glance!"

Dad puts his hand up in defense. "Don't blame this on me."

"That isn't true! I don't love Simon because of Dad, or you, or anyone else! I love Simon because he treats me as if he actually cares about me, and he's willing to take me away from all this! How could I love anyone more?"

"What about a few months down the road when you discover that Simon hasn't changed at all, and he cheats on you?" Mum questions skeptically.

I groan at Mum. "People can change, you've said so yourself! I think you should know more than anyone how terrible it is to judge someone!"

"I'm not judging Simon; I just want you to be careful!"

How can she say that she isn't? She can't be serious. "You are judging him! So you can understand when I'm with someone who scares me, but you can't give Simon the benefit of the doubt for loving me?" I demand.

"Hermione, she has a point," Dad says helpfully.

"Draco, stay out of this!" Mum says harshly. What the hell is her problem?

I take a deep breath. "There's no need to get mad at Dad for understanding me for once. It seems no matter what I do, I can't please everyone. Maybe I should just focus on myself. If I want to marry Simon, I will, and there isn't a thing you can do about it."

Mum sighs in defeat. "You're absolutely correct, Isobelle. I suppose I'll have to allow you to make your own mistakes, won't I?"

"Marrying Simon won't be a mistake. It's as if you want there to be conflict between him and I! Simon and I may have only been together for two weeks, but we aren't keeping secrets from each other!" I counter.

Mum opens her mouth to say something, and then closes it. I know I've upset her. The entire table is quiet. Sensing the tension, I drop my napkin in the middle of my plate and stand up. "Excuse me."

Mum and Dad don't say anything, but their eyes follow me out of the dining room. I'm so angry with Mum right now, I can't even believe her. Wasn't she the woman who, being a muggle-born herself, married an ex-Death Eater? She fell in love with Dad over the course of one summer, and they were married a few months later. It seems that she's forgetting all the similar choices she made and deciding only to chastise me for mine.

I feel like a stranger in Teddy's flat. I haven't visited since the day Holden caught us together, and I haven't cared to. But, I've been feeling so alone in my decision to marry Simon that I'm willing to reconcile with Teddy. I just need someone to talk to.

Teddy and I look at each other uncomfortably for a moment. He clears his throat. "Belle, I'm sorry," he apologizes.

"Don't be." Honestly, I'm past anything that Teddy and I ever did- or had- together. It was a stupid mistake, and I regret it deeply. The only benefit was that it finally got me away from Holden.

"Did you want to talk to me about something?" Teddy questions.

What am I supposed to say? 'I haven't spoken to you in a while, but I'm engaged'? I feel like that wouldn't be appropriate.

"I heard you broke up with Victoire," I blurt out. I wish I could take back what I said right afterwards.

Teddy nods solemnly. "I did."

"How did she take it?" I can imagine Victoire was absolutely devastated, but it was probably for her own good.

"Not well at all," Teddy answers, not bothering to go into detail. "It wasn't like I expected her to."

"It's understandable."

Teddy gives me that forlorn look of his. It makes me shift in my seat. "What about you? How have you been?"

"All right, I suppose," I answer slowly.

"Have you spoken to Holden?" There's a hint of hopefulness in Teddy's voice.

I shake my head. "No."

Teddy seems hurt for a second, and then quickly recovers. "Honestly, I thought the two of you would get back together," he tells me. "I guess we're both out of luck, huh?"

"Not exactly…" I start hesitantly.

Teddy raises his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

I twist the ring on my finger and look up at Teddy. Tomorrow, I'll have a new one. "Actually, I'm engaged."

Teddy looks at me blankly, his mouth gaping open. "I'm sorry, what?" He asks in disbelief.

"I'm engaged," I repeat. "I'm going to get married."

"Yeah, I gathered that much. But um, who are you marrying?" Teddy asks. He doesn't seem so much as he seems uncomfortable.

"Promise you won't be upset," I implore.

Teddy nods and gives me his word. "Just tell me."

"Simon Montague."

Teddy blinks a few times and he wrings his hands. His spine goes arrow-straight. "Belle, you hate him," Teddy says in a confused voice.

"I wouldn't marry a man that I hate," I inform Teddy bitterly. "Simon and I have been together for a little while now. We love each other."

"You know what kind of an asshole Simon is. He's probably using you."

The blunt tone of Teddy's voice catches me off-guard. "What could he be possibly be using me for?" I question heatedly.

"I don't know, sex-"

"Why would you say that?" I demand. "I'm not stupid enough to fall for that. And if that were the case, I don't think Simon would feel the need to marry me to sleep with me."

"I was just saying," Teddy says defensively. "It's just something to think about."

"I've thought about it a lot. Teddy, you never used to speak so badly to me about my decisions," I point out.

"Yeah, well I think we can both agree that the dynamic between you and I has changed," Teddy mutters. I couldn't agree more. Teddy used to be my best friend.

"If I want to marry Simon, you should be happy for me. Part of the reason I wanted to reconcile myself with you was because I missed that," I explain.

Teddy frowns at me. "So you pretty much just wanted the make up with me for some affirmation?" Teddy questions. When he puts it like that, it makes it sound as if I'm using him.

"Not only that, I just miss you. And I can't speak to Holden anymore-"

"So I'm second best?" Teddy questions, crossing his arms.

"What are you talking about?"

"You don't want to speak to Holden, so you come talk to me? You know I've broken up with Victoire, and you come and tell me you're going to get married to someone you used to hate!"

I don't understand why Teddy's being so childish. "My parents used to hate each other," I point out.

"Yeah, but Aunt Hermione's a lot smarter-"

"A lot smarter than me? Is that what you were going to say?" I ask, my fingers gripping the armrest of Teddy's chair.

Teddy shakes his head quickly, and I know that he's lying. "No, Belle, I only meant that she thought things out a lot better before she married your dad. Don't you think it's possible you're just marrying Simon to get over Holden- or me?"

I roll my eyes. "Teddy, there was nothing between us to 'get over'. We slept together a few times, I thought I loved you, but I didn't. You were just at the right place at the right time, and I think you know that just as well as I do. I think I've come out a lot better for it, though, so thank you."

Teddy seems offended by my words. "You know, the last day I spoke to you, I really thought about some things. I honestly don't think you're as innocent in all this as you seem. Maybe you did give Holden a reason to want to break up with you," Teddy shoots back, glaring at me.

I can hardly take him seriously. "What makes you think that?"

"How you're acting!"

"Please tell me, Teddy, how am I acting?"

"Like you're better than me and you can't do anything wrong! But maybe you aren't acting, because at this point you seem to believe it!" Teddy answers.

"That's ridiculous. What have I done to you, Teddy, to make you so angry at me?" I lean forward, awaiting Teddy's answer. "Are you really that hurt by the fact that I don't love you?"

Teddy doesn't answer. "You and Simon are perfect for each other."

"A lot better than you and I," I point out, narrowing my eyes at Teddy.

Teddy reclines in his chair. "Do you know what I think?"

"No. Tell me, please."

Teddy gives me stare that drives its way deep into my soul. "You think if you marry Simon, you'll be just as good as him, don't you? Because that's what you really want, isn't it? To be approved of? To finally be like the rest of your family?"

I shake my head. "I have no desire to be like you," I drawl.

Teddy shrugs. "That may be, but I really don't think you're all that different. You see, I think at times we both forget who should matter to us the most," he tells me nonchalantly.

I don't know how to reply to Teddy's comment, and he seems pretty satisfied with himself. He can't be correct, can he?

I glance upward as Dad walks into the library. "What are you doing?" He asks.

"I'm writing a letter to Teddy. Some words were exchanged, and I just wanted to let him know I regret them." After I came home from Teddy's I decided that I didn't want to go out with the rest of my family. Mum's terrible mood toward me and my anger at Teddy ruined things.

"The two of you got into an argument?"

I nod, setting my quill into its inkwell. I can't hold a conversation and write at the same time. "Earlier today. I thought we could fix our problems, that didn't happen. It only made things worse," I sigh.

"What were you arguing about?" Dad questions, taking a seat on the sofa opposite the desk I'm sitting at.

"The same thing as Mum and I. Do you honestly think it's such a bad idea that I marry Simon?" Hopefully Dad can be honest and give me some serious advice. It seems I'm in dire need of it at the moment.

"If Simon loves you as much as you say he does, and you don't have any doubts about his character, then marry him," Dad tells me. "Those are my thoughts."

I bite my bottom lip. "What do you mean if I don't doubt him? I'm sure you and Mum still doubt each other at times. I'm positive any couple would."

"Of course, that's true. But any doubts you have about Simon, you should be able to overlook if they don't ever change," Dad explains. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I nod. "Simon's proven to me how much he's changed, but everyone else seems to think differently. Are they seeing something I'm not?"

Dad shrugs. "That's difficult to say. Isobelle, I honestly believe that your mother knows you're perfectly aware of who Simon is. Her only fear is that if your relationship doesn't work out, you won't be able to bring yourself to leave him."

I want to say that isn't the truth, but I don't exactly have the best track-record against it. "Mum can't be a part of this marriage, though," I say instead.

"I think that's what frightens her. Isobelle, your mother likes to control things," Dad says.

"I had no idea," I deadpan.

I think I see the tiniest hint of a smile cross Dad's face. "I keep telling her that some things have to happen on their own whether she likes them or not, and I feel this may be one of them."

"How long do you think it's going to be until she starts speaking to me again?" I ask. Mum and I haven't shared a word since breakfast. She's made it clear she intends to keep things that way.

"I have no idea. She's brilliant at giving the cold shoulder," Dad reminds be. He's been on the receiving end of it quite a few times.

Dad doesn't talk for a short while and neither do I. Finally, I open my mouth to say something. "Marriage wasn't the only thing Simon and I talked about."

Dad seems interested to hear this. "What did he say?"

I sigh. "It isn't good. Simon's promised to do what he can, but it may take two weeks for Scorpius to be allowed to see Astoria. I told him we didn't have that long."

"We sure don't," Dad agrees solemnly.

"Have you considered saying anything to Scorpius to prepare him?" I ask.

Dad shakes his head. "I haven't wanted to do anything until it was set in stone."

"Well, what if Astoria does die and he has to find out elsewhere? He'll never forgive you."

"I know, Isobelle. I worry about that, too."

"I know it won't be easy, but maybe you should tell him," I suggest. "It may be the lesser of two evils."

Dad runs his hand through his hair. He appears to be the most conflicted that I've seen him in a long while. "You may be right, Isobelle. Honestly, that's what I'm afraid of."

(A/N: Hope you all liked the chapter! Leave a review!)