Thanks to J.K. Rowling, to camnz, and to all the readers who have reviewed this story!
Chapter Eighteen- Deep Sleep
She was so very exhausted. It took every ounce of energy for Astoria to glide gracefully down the stairs. Draco glanced up at her, but his face was closed and his eyes were cold. His mask was on. Lucius and Narcissa were staying home tonight. She was glad. Truthfully, Astoria felt better about leaving the children home with someone other than the house elves. And she could do without more of her own family revealing their disapproval of her in public. Tears came unexpectedly to her eyes as she thought of the lost affections of her husband and mother-in-law. It hurt.
When she came to a standstill before Draco, he picked up her arm and placed it on his so they could side-apparate to the Parkinson's. Hermione looked sad and weary. Draco's heart softened a bit toward his wife. He didn't speak, but when they arrived at the Parkinson's, he kept his hand firmly on the small of her back and directed her toward the entrance. As in years past, Draco came alive at these parties and was the very picture of a smooth, polite conversationalist. Astoria listened carefully, knowing that the conversations were all part of a political game. She kept her aloof and bored mask on her lovely face. The magazine was not mentioned. Most of the elite ignored her, but she did receive a few nods from some witches whom she guessed must support her magazine. So, all is not as it seems in Camelot, she thought dryly. There was a difference of opinion about either women or Muggles in the pureblood social circles. Very interesting.
They greeted their host, Mr. Parkinson. He was aging and was attended by-Suzette? Astoria was quite surprised. She declined the drink that was offered to her since breast-feeding limited her alcoholic intake, and she noticed anger flash across Suzette's face. So Suzette had ties to the Parkinsons. Gloria was a cousin of Pansy's. Did all things bad come from this family? She shook her head thoughtfully, thinking that there must be a connection of some sort.
Draco was very friendly with Suzette. They discussed business and tasks for the week before moving on to gossip. Suzette was vindictive toward several guests at the party, and Astoria was again surprised. Obviously, this woman had lived a privileged life and seemed to know some of the guests intimately. So why was Suzette working for Draco? Something was off kilter here.
It actually pleased Astoria to be ignored. Appearing vacuous was relaxing, and she liked having Draco's hand at her back. After awhile, they moved from Mr. Parkinson and Suzette to speak with another couple. Draco whispered in her ear that he would like to dance with her, and Astoria's heart began to pound. To be in his arms again sounded lovely. They stepped toward the dance floor and Astoria's eyes teared up as his hand clasped hers and he pulled her close. She began to melt into him. They whirled and circled other couples on the dance floor. Many eyes were watching the Malfoys. What an entertaining show we are! Astoria thought with a smirk.
When they left the dance floor, Blaise and Cho Zabini seized Astoria, pulling her away from Draco to talk about their part in the magazine. She smiled at their enthusiasm and chatted for a few minutes, but returned to Draco when she noticed his disapproving glare.
She accepted a non-alcoholic drink from a waiter's tray. It was cool and refreshing. Astoria took a few sips and held the glass in her hand as they traveled the room to speak more politics. Many faces grew cold and hard when they looked grimly at Astoria, but she maintained her vacant look. Her eyes occasionally traveled along her husband's handsome face and down his elegantly attired body, and her lips curved slightly. Her longing for her husband was returning. When they returned home, Astoria might initiate some...reconciliation.
"Draco, I'm very sleepy. Can we leave the party now?" murmured Astoria after awhile. Draco appeared annoyed.
"I'd like to speak with the Minister of Magic. Can you wait?"
"No. I'm about to fall asleep right here and now. Can you get me home?"
"Are you feeling all right?"
"Yes, just very tired."
Draco helped Hermione out the door and side-apparated them home to the Manor. Hermione was leaning heavily against him, and Draco thought of levitating her up the stairs, but she didn't want help. She wrapped her arms around him and clung to him, breathing in the smell of his coat.
"I miss you so much, Draco. Will you stay with me?" Hermione asked sluggishly.
Draco smiled and lifted his wife to the bed, taking off her shoes, and pulling up blankets. He seriously thought of sliding in next to his wife and smothering her with kisses, but Hermione was already fast asleep, holding tightly to his hand. Draco transformed her dress into a silk nightgown, kissed her hair and closed the door quietly behind him as he left the room.
Before Draco went back to the Parkinson party, he decided to check on the children. All was quiet; everyone was sleeping. In the starry night nursery, Baby Gemini was fast asleep. In the boys' room, Leo had a thumb in his mouth and clung to his blanket. Orion seemed restless, rolling from one side to the other. Cassie couldn't be seen under her puffy comforter. Scorpius was very still. The light shone on his calm face. Draco felt so much love for his children. He wanted to do the right thing for his family. He didn't understand his wife right now, but he did feel that he should trust her.
Penny the house-elf was rocking in the chair.
"Childrens is sleeping, Master Draco," Penny reassured him.
"I see that, Penny. Thank you. How has Mistress Astoria been sleeping lately?"
"Mistress not sleeping good, Master. She need Penny to helps with baby."
"Hmm. Well, she is sleeping now. Try not to wake her, but do come get me if you need help."
"I wills, Master Draco," the house elf conscientiously replied.
"Mummy? Mummy?" called Cassie, patting her mother's face. "Mummy, wake up! Mummy? MUMMY!"
Cassiopeia began to cry.
Scorpius peeked in. "What's wrong, Cassie?" he asked. "Is Mum okay?"
"NO! She won't wake up! Scorpius, I think she's dead!" And Cassiopeia screamed.
In the blink of an eye, all four children plus the house elf carrying the baby shot into the room.
"Where's Papa?" Scorpius asked Penny. "Give me Gemmie, and you find Papa. Here Cassie, hold the baby while I check Mum."
But Cassie would not leave her mum. She cried great shuddering sobs and clung to her mother's face and hair and hands. She kept saying, "Mummy, wake up."
"Orion, will you take Leo to the blanket fort?" Scorpius asked.
"No, I want Mummy!" shouted Leo. Orion helped him scoot up on the bed. Soon all the children were surrounding Astoria Malfoy, touching their mother and giving her kisses. Scorpius was trying to be brave, but his face was filled with agony.
"Master Draco," panted the house-elf, "Mistress Astoria need you. Childrens needs you."
There was no response. The elf shook her Master, but he did not awaken. The house elf apparated back to the Manor and tried Mistress Narcissa.
"Que se passé-t-il? Of course I will come!" Narcissa Malfoy rose from her bed in alarm. She tossed her robe over her shoulders and ran from her wing of Malfoy Manor to the nursery wing.
When she arrived in Astoria's bedroom, the children were shrieking and crying. She and Penny moved them away and carried them to the nursery.
"You must stay here for a little while so I can find out what's wrong."
"Cassie, you must take care of your little brothers and sister. Where is Scorpius?"
But before she could turn around, Scorpius burst into the room with Harry Potter behind him. Harry checked Astoria all over, leaned in to hear if there was a heartbeat and to feel if there was a breath. He pointed his wand at Astoria and said, "Rennervate!" but it was to no avail. Immediately, he sent an emergency patronus to St. Mungo's. Within five minutes, Hermione was transported to St. Mungo's. Harry turned toward Narcissa.
"Where's Draco?"
"I don't know. The elf just woke me up." She spoke an elf's name; when Red appeared, she commanded, "Take me to Draco."
A minute later her Patronus flittered to Harry Potter.
Draco is at the Parkinson's Manor. He won't wake up.
Harry sent a Patronus to St. Mungo's to get transport for Draco. Then he looked for the children.
"Scorpius? Cassie? Where are you?"
"In the blanket fort," came a muffled voice.
Harry bent down to look, "Hey, this is great, kids. Who made this fort?"
"Our mum."
Harry crawled inside. The children were huddled with their arms around each other. Scorpius was bouncing the baby.
"This a great place."
"It's Aladdin's cave," Leo told Harry.
"Really? Are there riches and treasure?"
"Yes," Orion showed him the treasure chest with real galleons inside. Harry's eyes popped.
"Nice. Do you have a magic lamp and a magic carpet?"
"If you rub this lamp, it glows," replied Orion, "but there's no genie."
"If we had a genie, he could help Mummy," worried Cassie.
"Here is my magic carpet," said Leo, holding up his blanket.
"Mummy charmed it to fly," Orion informed Harry.
"Is Mum going to be okay?" Scorpius burst out, unable to keep quiet a moment longer.
"Your mum's alive, just unconscious. She just went to the hospital. And I think your father is going there too. Your grandmother will probably want to be there as well, so would you like to come over to my house?"
"Will Albus and Lily be there?" asked Cassie.
"Yes, and later James will be home for a visit. Sound good?"
"Can we go to the Burrow? I like the Quidditch action figures," Leo announced.
"Absolutely. Are you ready to leave now?"
The children agreed. They didn't really know Harry, but they knew his name and some stories about him. They knew that his bedroom used to be in a cupboard under the stairs. Their mum had told them that he defeated Voldemort. Their papa had called him "the Boy Who Wouldn't Die". They did know his children and were comfortable at the Burrow. Harry took Gemmy, while Scorpius gathered their small suitcases out of Hermione's extendable bag. He took Leo's hand. Cassie took Orion's hand. Then they walked downstairs with Harry Potter to floo to 12 Grimauld Place.