Chapter Title: Thoughts on Importance
Timeframe: August of 2007
Characters Involved: Astoria Malfoy (nee Greengrass), Daphne Greengrass, Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter
Point of View: Astoria, third person limited.
Notes: As this is in Astoria's point of view, the conversation among Harry and Daphne is not complete since she did not pay attention well enough. More so, with Daphne and Teddy's conversation. It's a running theme that Astoria seems to stay a little more on her thoughts than listening to what is happening around her.
Also, there is a bit of Daphne history there, though a lot of it is implied. If you would want a more detailed history of her, DM me here! :)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all its contents is owned by JK Rowling.
It was a Sunday, and like all Sundays since her sister moved out and became the family disgrace, Astoria was in Diagon Alley. Having lunch. With her disgraced sister.
That statement alone makes her want to bang her head against the table.
It's not like she doesn't like Daphne, no, that's the farthest thing one could ever come from the truth, no. It's just that she really doesn't like the rest of society's reaction to their weekly lunch dates.
Eye rolling, tutting, and worst of all, 'Why do you still see her, Astoria? You could be so much better without her dragging you down.'
If someone says that to her at the next gala, function, or gathering, she will cast a bone breaker at them.
Their throat, most likely.
"-the infirmary at Hogwarts is quite often overlooked, you know." Daphne tells her, seemingly unaware of the murderous thoughts her sister has for some individuals.
But Astoria wouldn't be billed as the perfect little trophy wife if she wasn't good at faking following conversations and keeping her face blank.
But Daphne is better. (She always has been, and probably always will. Astoria wishes her parents didn't match Daphne with Theo, then maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't be alone).
"You haven't been listening." Daphne says; no judgements, no inflections. She would've had Astoria's title if it weren't for Theo; a waste of potential.
Astoria sighs, smiling a little. "You caught me, but who would? I mean, I'd listen to your very detailed discussion of the Hogwarts infirmary, but maybe when Scorpius is a little older."
"Pay attention to the things that matter?" Daphne asks, only not really because she already knows the answer. She used to be like that; only listening to the things that will concern her, but she's not anymore.
Astoria thinks it's because she has been exposed to the muggles far too long. Daphne says it's because she's been exposed to reality, finally.
She doesn't know which to believe.
"Well, yeah." Astoria says, simply because she doesn't know what to answer. Daphne wasn't the same anymore; she still is Daphne Greengrass, embodiment of perfection at everything she does, whether it'd be Hogwarts, St. Mungo's, or the pure blood society, but at the same time, she isn't.
Somewhere between the day she married Theodore Nott and today, she changed, and Astoria has been having lunch with her weekly for years now and she just noticed this.
What else will she notice?
"DAAAAAAAAAPHY!" She heard a yell, about to ask around on whose child was it and would they please control it, she sees a mop of unruly black hair crash into Daphne's outstretched arms.
outstretched arms? Since when did Daphne ever willingly hugged a child? More so, since when did she let anyone call her Daphy? Even Scorpius had to muster the correct pronunciation of her name before she let him come near her.
"I missed you, Daphy." The child says into Daphne's shoulder, sort of like how Scorpius would do to Draco when he's been gone far too long.
"I know, little Kavik, I know." Daphne tells the boy, tilting her wand a bit. If Astoria would be any other person, she would've just let it go as putting it away of the child's reach, but she grew up with Daphne, she doesn't just move her wand lightly.
She must have cast a spell.
"Why weren't you there when papa had his birthday?" The boy says, moving away from Daphne.
Astoria blinks when she sees his features; angular and pale, with messy black hair and steele blue eyes. Greengrass blue eyes.
Astoria gasped, Daphne had a child? What? When? How!? Why was she not informed of this?
Daphne seemed to hear her thoughts as she turns to give her a glare, this makes the child notice her as well.
The child blinks, before turns flush. Embarrassed probably, then he gives her a half bow. An old pure blood custom rarely taught anymore, a sign of giving respect to his elders, but not necessarily his betters.
"I'm sorry to intrude your lunch, Madam Malfoy, but it's just that I haven't seen Miss Greengrass for quite a while that I had my emotions get the best of me." The child says to her, "Please, do accept my most sincere apology."
Astoria looks gobsmacked. Daphne looks proud. The child looks at Daphne and his spirits seem to uplift.
"Astoria, this is Teddy. Teddy, she is my sister, Astoria." Daphne says, her hand on the child's, Teddy's, elbow.
It was as if she were his mother and she was proudly introducing her child.
Astoria opens her mouth, as if wanting to speak but Daphne cuts her off.
"Teddy is the son of an old friend of mine, right?" Daphne asks Teddy with a smile.
Astoria blinks, Daphne looks and seems warm, an impossibility she once thought.
She looks at them and she sees something else.
She doesn't believe this Teddy is a mere 'son of an old friend'.
That's bullshit.
But, Teddy nods. "Yes, ma'am."
But, Astoria hears, "Yes, mum."
"Papa used to work with Miss Daphy, but he doesn't anymore." Teddy tells her, as if it helps in introducing himself.
But no, it just gives Astoria more doubts upon his parenthood.
"Teddy's also got a special talent." Daphne's tone was of boast, but underneath it was a warning; listen. This is important, Story.
Teddy nods, "Yeah. I'm a metamorphagus like my mother!"
His eyes change colour. Steele blue to forest green to bright yellow to cloudy grey.
Astoria blinks. Okay, that explains some things.
But not a lot.
"Teddy?!" came a frantic shout of a man from down the alley, and Teddy's hair seems to shift from unruly black to bright red for a moment.
"Teddy." Daphne says, only not really, because she's giving him a look that Narcissa usually gives Draco whenever he ignores Scorpius in favour of the Wizengamot.
"I told him I was just going to Floreans' but I saw you."
"Oh, little Kavik, come here." Daphne pulls him into a hug, and Astoria is kind of shocked, again because Daphne does not do hugs. Not especially to little children who are mere 'sons of old friends'.
"I'm sorry."
"Tis okay."
They stay like that for a few seconds and when they let go the man yelling for Teddy was already near hearing range.
Daphne looks at Teddy for a moment, as if she was studying him, memorizing because she might not see him again for a long time.
Then suddenly, Daphne yelled. "POTTER!"
In a flash, Harry Potter, in all his glory stood right next to them. He takes a look at them, immediately going for Daphne but he sees his mini-me standing next to her.
"Teddy," He whispers, as if thanking Merlin he saw the child.
He breathes an audible sigh of relief, before kneeling down and opens his arms. Teddy seems to understand as he circles their dinner table to hug his father.
Astoria was confused, since when did Harry Potter have a child?
"I thought I lost you." was whispered, and it broke Astoria's confusion. It was so heartfelt, like he truly thought he lost Teddy.
She never heard a simple statement uttered like it was a prayer. It made her wonder if ever Draco would ever do that to Scorpius.
Probably not. He'd just say, 'well, took you long enough'.
She feels her eyes get cloudy, this is not good. (Tears mean acceptance; she isn't ready to accept how things will happen).
"-for interrupting your lunch, Daphne, Madam Malfoy." Harry says, his tone clipped and formal. It unnerves Astoria a bit.
"No mind," Daphne tells him, "I missed the little squirt."
Harry opens his mouth to say something but Daphne dazzles him a smile; one of her full blown, heartfelt smiles that crinkle her eyes.
Astoria only received that smile once, when she was seven and flew a broom better than her.
She kind of envies that Harry Potter seems to be a regular recipient of it; judging by the lopsided grin he sent her way.
"It's cause you missed my birthday, right pal?"
"Yeah!"
Daphne laughs at them, "Sorry, but I had a shift at the pediatrics ward that time."
"You're always like that, Daph," Harry teases.
"Please, Haz," Daphne rolls her eyes.
Astoria blinks again. (She's been doing that a lot today). Daph? Haz? What? Since when did Daphne okay shortening her name? And since when did Daphne had banter with Potter?
Is she missing something here?
She must have spaced out because the next thing she knew Daphne already paid the bill.
"What?" she says.
"Hush, now Story." Daphne replies, telling her that whatever happened today will be the most she'll ever hear about it.
"Don't hush me, Daphne. What was that about?" she demands her sister, because this is ground breaking news. Daphne's showing interest in another man again, and a proper gentleman at that.
"Nothing, Astoria." she replies again, her tone closed off and melodic. Astoria knew she'd get nothing out of her now.
"Fine, don't tell me." Astoria huffs, standing up. "It's not like you don't tell me anything of importance."
Daphne chuckles at her statement, "Oh, sweetheart." she says as she kisses Astoria's cheek before she walks away from the restaurant.
Astoria wants to rip her hair off at the way her sister is acting; it's like she's ten again and is too little to play with her and Tracey.
She's grown up now; married and all.
But somehow, that doesn't comfort her one bit.
So, she leaves the restaurant and heads home. Maybe Draco would want to host a dinner party sometime this week.
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