J.K. Rowling created Harry Potter., et. al
Camnz painted this picture of Pureblood society.
Chapter Thirteen- Astoria's Return
Hermione was exhausted. Her mind kept shutting down. She dozed briefly when Gemini slept, then wearily called a house-elf to help her dress while the children ate dinner in the nursery. The house-elf fixed her dress, hair and make-up, and Hermione scanned her books on spells, charms, and potions. She understood Draco's anger, but she didn't understand the secretary at all. The previous Astoria had been the one to stray, not Draco. He genuinely loved his family, didn't he? It must be a spell.
When the House-elf pronounced Astoria ready for the evening, Hermione rose elegantly, but ended up throwing off her dress to feed the baby one last time before she left. She and the house-elf frantically rearranged her dress and smoothed her hair. Hermione gave Gemmie a small dose of potion for colic and instructed Penny to send a house-elf immediately if Gemmie needed her. She kissed each of her children goodnight and raced through the hallway, pausing at the top of the stairs.
A wave of déjà vu swept over Hermione as she recalled ten years ago, when she had descended the staircase for the first time to join Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa on their way to a pureblood dinner party. Just like ten years before, Naricssa wore a look of disapproval on her face.
"You're late," stated Narcissa in a flat voice. Lucius and Draco watched Astoria through narrowed eyes. Had the elder Malfoys read Magical Parenting Today? It seemed so. The tide had turned. Astoria was on the outs. She was trouble once again.
Hermione looked searchingly in Draco's eyes, but did not find anything reassuring. She placed her hand on Draco's arm and they side-apparated to Theodore Nott's manor. As they stepped inside, Draco placed his hand on the small of Astoria's back and ushered her to the bar. But when he noticed his secretary Suzette standing near Theo, he dropped his hand and left Astoria alone. What? Draco never left Astoria alone! Even when he had suspected she was meeting lovers on the side, he had kept his hand on her as if to make her behave. Was this an insult to his own wife? What had he said? He didn't want to be seen with her? Well, decided Hermione, two can play this game.
Narcissa and Lucius collected their drinks and moved away to greet friends; Astoria was left standing alone. No one came over. No one met her eye. This evening might be more difficult than she had anticipated. Fortunately, Daphne Greengrass glided over to speak to her, and Hermione was never more thankful to see Astoria's sister.
"So, dear sister, I see that you have once again made fools of your precious Malfoy family."
"Wonderful to see you too, Daphne. How is your son?" Astoria drawled.
"Charles is doing very well at Hogwarts. Your children, though-I feel sorry for the poor Malfoy children."
"How so? My children are delightful, thank you very much." Hermione considered Daphne's son and wasn't too worried about her own children.
"So delightful that you have decided to teach the rest of the Wizarding population how to raise their children like Muggles, hmmm? What a stain on Pureblood society!" Daphne hissed spitefully.
Daphne was kicking her own sister when she was down? She seemed almost gleeful. What a terrible sister. Had she forgotten Astoria's kindnesses over the past ten years?
"I have no idea what you are referring to." Astoria responded airily.
Daphne's voice grew louder, "Of course you know. You wrote the stupid magazine-Magical Parenting Today."
Astoria looked vague. "I'm sorry? What magazine?"
A crowd was gathering, not to speak to Astoria, but to hear what she had to say.
Daphne waved her wand and the magazine appeared. "This!" she hissed. "Don't tell me you know nothing about this!"
Astoria ruffled through the pages with a blank look on her face. "No, I've not seen it. How strange. I remember having our family portrait done. I can highly recommend the photographer if you need one. Jane Creevey. Cassie's dress is charming, don't you think?" And she tossed the magazine on the table, moving to another part of the room. Daphne followed, hissing insults. Several women trailed, hoping to glean some gossip.
When Daphne and her entrouage finished, Theo Nott joined Astoria and handed her a drink. "What are you trying to prove, Astoria?"
"Hello, Theo. What do you mean? I think my dress is lovely, don't you?"
"Why are you trying to introduce the Muggle world to wizarding families?"
Astoria looked blankly at Theo. "Why ever would I do such a strange thing?"
Draco watched from afar and had to turn away to hide his smile. It would never work, but she was doing her best, he had to admit. Maybe he should make his way over to help her out. He took a step toward Astoria, but his arm was instantly clutched by Suzette, who whispered that she needed an introduction to an important businessman in the other room.
Some couples lifted their noses and turned their backs when Astoria came near. The cold shoulder, the classic cut, Hermione smirked to herself. Others frowned and lectured her on her audacious journalism. Astoria listened politely and looked confused or bored.
Once she felt a hand squeeze her arm, and she turned to hear a whispered, "Thank you," as a young pureblood wife slipped by on her way to her older husband. She looked fifteen and her husband looked forty-five, but both could have been older.
Hermione was suddenly enraged. Who was speaking for those who had no voice? Who was speaking for the children married off without any say in the matter? Who was speaking up for the Muggleborn witches and wizards? No one! Now, Hermione had proof that at least one high society pureblood witch approved her message. Astoria had to lower her eyes to hide the glint of battle shining within. If there was one witch who needed her to speak out, there could be more. She was sorry that she had inadvertently caused the Malfoys grief, but she would never recant the message from Astoria Malfoy in Magical Parenting Today. Astoria lifted her head, breathed deeply, and entered the dining room regally, bored and unaffected by the stir she was causing.
At dinner, she was seated next to Blaise Zabini and his wife Cho Chang. Another former Slytherin whose advances she'd had to fight off ten years earlier. Draco should have been placed on her other side, but was apparently seated with Suzette across the table. How mortifying! Acting unconcerned, Astoria carried on a conversation with Blaise that was her best imitation of a dumb blonde snob. The Malfoys should be so proud, she thought vindictively. She didn't bother looking at Draco. If she had, she would have seen his lips twitch a few times.
Suddenly, Blaise's wife Cho leaned forward and spoke around her husband.
"Astoria, you sound like you don't know much about the new magazine, but I want you to tell whoever is in charge that I read it cover to cover today and loved it. It's exactly what we need. It's going to be very popular, I think. Would you consider a column by a pureblood witch on the proper etiquettes of pureblood society? I really think that would go over well. It would help me as a parent, that's for sure. I bet Narcissa could write it."
Hermione choked on her drink.
Cho continued, "And I have discovered the most exciting new magical toy in China that will be a hit with the young ones this year. It should be featured in the one of the next issues, maybe for Christmas."
Hermione blinked. Blaise rolled his eyes. Draco was all ears even though his attention was focused on Suzette.
"My dear, fashion is my thing, you know, but I can't imagine how those people got my name. Your new toy sounds fabulous. Send them an owl or something. I can't be bothered." But she looked into Cho's eyes and smiled. It was her first and only smile of the night.
After dinner, Astoria spent more time with the Zabini's and an old pureblood witch who was simply delighted that Astoria was speaking up for the powerless female elite. Astoria had a difficult time escaping her clutches. Unfortunately, it was Theo Nott who rescued her. She was grateful, but also very careful to keep him from maneuvering her into an empty room. Hermione felt very uncomfortable remembering that Theo was one of Astoria's old flings. Without Draco nearby, Theo might become annoying. Still, it was very kind of the host to look out for her even if she did occasionally have to step away from his straying hands.
Astoria left early to feed the baby and check on the children. Draco left a bit later with his parents and an invitation for the Malfoys to bring their children to a private dinner at the Zabini's. Some family heads had frowned disapprovingly at Draco and refused to acknowledge him, but several older witches had patted his arm and winked bright eyes at him to show their approval of his newest family venture.