Summary: Scorpius knows he means the world to his family; but it came at a cost.

Rated: K+

Genre: Family

Warning Tag: References Terminal Illness

Wilting Flower

26th of August, 2017

Scorpius Malfoy woke as soon as the first hint of sunrays peered through his window. Today was already going to be an amazing day; one of the best in his life. His father had told him over supper last night that they were going to Diagon Alley, and Mother was coming, too!

Dressing quickly, he made sure that everything was almost on before he bolted as fast as he could to the door. Feet thudding loudly on the thick runner carpet that stretched down the corridor, Scorpius found the mouth of the stairwell and decided to get his leg completely through his trousers before continuing.

The vast manor he called home was so quiet in the early hour, but it didn't deter Scorpius to explore every nook and cranny it hid. It was all he knew, really; a playground, hideout, and he would even—with some hesitance—call it his friend. There were days where he spent hours talking to the portraits, the ones who didn't turn up their noses and walk away, that is, and loved the countless stories they could tell.

Today he wandered into the dining room where a marbled white and blue elf was wiping down the large table in the center of the room.

"Good morning, Dizzy," the boy greeted.

The elf paused in her cleaning to look at the young wizard. "Young Master, sir! Good morning. It's quite early, Dizzy wasn't aware..."

She paused, twisting the dust rag in her hands.

"Aware of what?"

"That Young Master would wants breakfast now. We still preparing."

"That's okay. I can wait," Scorpius assured.

Dizzy looked relieved. He never understood why she got nervous around him about certain things. The elf never wanted to give a proper answer, either. Oftentimes she would say she wasn't properly tending to her duties, which puzzled the boy because he always saw her working.

"Dizzy, could you take me to the kitchens, please? I'd love to watch you cook," he asked, having that look of child curiosity on his face.

"Oh, of course, Young Master! Of course!" She bounced over and offered a hand that he eagerly accepted.

He'd been to the kitchens countless times already, but never when the elves were there cooking. His father told him his presence would bother them while they worked, but Dizzy never seemed bothered when Scorpius talked to her as she scuttled about with her dust cloth, just nervous.

The lovely smells of breakfast filled his senses as the pair descended the steps. Dizzy offered him a chair before she went to tend to some eggs that appeared abandoned on the stove. Getting comfortable in the seat, Scorpius watched as the two other elves moved about; snapping their fingers to levitate a hot pan or to stir something in a pot, not noticing he was even there except for Dizzy. He always enjoyed watching magic at work.

Scorpius gave Astoria a gentle hug when he saw her enter the dining room, taking her hand from his father's to help her to her seat.

"Thank you, sweetheart," she said, giving him a light kiss on the top of his head.

"You're welcome, Mother."

He went to take his own seat opposite of her, elated to be able to see her across from the table again. Draco sat beside his wife, and his grandparents joined them soon after where Lucius Malfoy sat at the head of the table. Scorpius helped Narcissa Malfoy with her chair beside him before clambering back into his own. Everyone exchanged the morning pleasantries while it took everything the boy had to keep from bouncing off his seat with excitement. It wasn't every day the entire family ate together, and it especially wasn't every day that he would be going to Diagon Alley.

"Scorpius, you're doing the sparkling thing again." Lucius pointed to his grandson's shimmering hand.

Looking at his palm, he sheepishly wiped it against his shirt as if the magic would go away if he did that. "Sorry, Grandfather. I can't help it sometimes."

"Leave him alone, Father," Draco all but hissed out. "He can express his excitement how he pleases."

"It's a peculiar way to show it is all," Lucius remarked.

This was part of the reason why the family rarely dined as a whole. They always argued about something, and it distressed Scorpius to see them fighting. He could never figure out if they were talking about him in particular, or if it was about other things that were indirectly about him—like where he would attend school.

He knew everyone that surrounded him really cared and loved him, but it was overwhelming to feel like they were pulling him from all directions like children stretching the limbs of a stuffed doll to its breaking point. The boy's smile faded as he looked between his father and grandfather while they bickered. Astoria shared his expression.

"Will you two stop for once?" Narcissa snapped at the two Malfoy men, shutting them both up in a heartbeat. "You're upsetting Scorpius."

The witch gave each one a stern look before looking at her grandson. He gave her a little smirk in thanks, which she returned by giving his hand a light squeeze under the table. The food appeared in front of them at that moment, and the small family resumed idle—and civil—chatter. Scorpius focused on speaking to his mother, asking countless questions and telling everyone how he looked forward to seeing the newest broom on the market or all the pets in the pet store.

Watching Astoria throughout breakfast, he observed that she barely ate anything at all. Her skin didn't look so ashen today, but he knew that was the work of some very strong glamor spells. She would look at him from time to time and smile, but he could tell she was already very tired. He wondered if maybe she shouldn't come with, not wanting to cause her to struggle in public if it wasn't necessary.

However, he yearned for every second he was able to spend with Astoria. A particular memory he often reminisced about occurred somewhat recently when Draco had to be at work all day. This was something else that rarely happened.

13th of March, 2017

Scorpius spent the entire day with his mother in his parent's room, lounging about on the massive bed and eating whatever he wanted. The best part was cuddling with his mother to color or read until they dozed off to sleep.

During that special time with her, Scorpius could tell she was physically weak. Her hugs weren't as clingy, her hands shook as they held the books, and the smile that once sent sparks to her beautiful hazel eyes had long simmered out. Her laugh remained the same; he once told her it made the flowers bloom. The compliment made her entire week.

Worried for his mother, he wandered into his father's study that night and sat in the plush green velvet chair by the desk. "Father, why is Mother not getting any better?"

Draco Malfoy's quill stalled mid-sentence, the forming ink blot completely ruining the letter with no care from the blond. Placing it in the inkwell, he looked to his son that patiently waited for a reply. He had known the questions were going to start coming; he only hoped that they would wait just a little longer.

"She's been doing well these past several weeks," Draco recited; a response he gave to anyone who asked about Astoria.

Scorpius scowled at his father, clearly unimpressed at the half-hearted explanation. Draco felt like a fool using it on his own son; he was not stupid. He deserved so much better than that. He deserved to know. But explaining the inevitable to his son also meant that Draco would have to be reminded just how precious Astoria's time was with them, and that made his heart ache.

"Son, this sickness she has… it isn't a normal cold like the ones you get," Draco said slowly, trying to work out the best way to approach this subject without causing Scorpius to further worry.

"Why isn't it?" he demanded. "I see the healers come all the time, so why aren't they helping her?"

His father sighed; the concern his son held for his beloved wife was daunting.

"Your mother… she's had this illness for a very long time–"

"Longer than you two have had me?"

Draco stalled maybe a little too long, feeling guilty at the half truth he was about to say. "Yes. But no one really knows how to cure it yet, and until we can, she has to conserve her strength so she is able to spend more time with you and I."

"Oh," Scorpius sighed, lightly kicking his feet against the desk wall. "Is that why Grandfather yells at you all the time? About all the healers?"

The look that his father made startled the boy. He had never seen him so agitated. Draco quickly shook his head, making the face disappear in the process.

"Don't worry about that, alright?"

"Okay."

"Go get ready for bed, I'll be up in a minute to tuck you in."

Draco grabbed a new piece of parchment as his son scooted off the chair and slowly walked to the doorway. Pausing at the threshold, Scorpius looked back to see his father start the letter he was writing over. Draco was frowning, and that sight alone made Scorpius feel horrible for asking about his mother's condition.

26th of August, 2017

Scorpius stood close to his mother, who had draped an arm over his shoulder while the three waited outside the manor's gates for a carriage. Because of Astoria's frail state, Apparation, Floo Powder, and Portkeys were not an option as a means of transportation. He didn't mind though; the longer trip meant he got to spend more time cuddling his mother.

The clapping hooves of horses was soon heard approaching. Rounding the curve, the twin animals halted to a stop with a click of their driver's tongue and a pull of the reins.

"They're so beautiful," Scorpius commented, admiring the white geldings.

"Not quite as beautiful as your mother, though," his father said after helping her into the carriage.

Astoria quietly laughed, blushing from the compliment. "You can be too much sometimes."

Hanging out of the door, Draco called for his son. "Come on, Scorpius. We have a long trip ahead of us."

Tearing his eyes away from the horses, Scorpius climbed up the carriage behind his father and sat by Astoria. Placing her hand on his, she squeezed it and smiled at her son. For once in a very long time, the smile touched her eyes.

.oOo.

It was just before noon when they arrived in London. Scorpius had quietly sat alone and looked out the window through the last stretch of the trip. Astoria had fallen asleep against Draco, who was engrossed with work he brought along. The boy was mesmerized at the transformation of the landscape from countryside to bustling city.

The carriage finally came to a stop in front of a storefront that was easy to miss if Scorpius didn't notice the image of a cauldron on its sign hanging above it. Climbing out of the carriage first, he helped Astoria down.

"We're really here, aren't we Mother?"

"Almost," Astoria replied.

She guided her son through the narrow door and into a tired-looking pub while Draco tended to the coachman. Scorpius glanced around at the few customers scattered about and his nerves started seizing. He wasn't accustomed to being around strangers, and the realization that there were going to be even more had him start to spiral.

Scorpius froze in the middle of the room, suddenly unsure about Diagon Alley. Astoria took notice of his distress, gently guiding him to a more secluded area near the back exit.

His mother carefully knelt in front of him to make eye contact. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

The boy calmed some hearing her comforting voice. Seeing the concern in her eyes made him look to the floor; he didn't want her to be sad for him. "I'm okay."

A shaky hand cupped Scorpius' cheek, the subtle nudge signaled him to look up. "Everything will be alright. I'll stay with you through everything, I promise."

He nodded in understanding, only feeling a little bit better from his mother's empty oath. Astoria pulled him into a hug, kissing his temple when Draco approached.

"Is everything okay, 'Stori?" he asked, worry thinly showing in his eyes as he looked between the two.

"We're fine." she replied, mouthing the word 'nervous' to her husband so he understood.

Draco placed a hand on Scorpius' shoulder. "Let's get the boring stuff done first, shall we?"

Scorpius wasn't sure why his father thought getting measured for robes or buying books was boring—he found it rather fascinating if not a little overwhelming. All the witches and wizards that wandered about gave the family strange looks on occasion, but quickly went about their business when they caught the firm but not quite glare from Draco.

They stopped regularly so Astoria could rest on the benches scattered around the alley. His father took the opportunity to tend to an errand while Scorpius and Astoria rested; with permission.

"We can manage, love," Astoria encouraged, giving her husband a playful push with the little strength she possessed.

Giving her a peck on her sunken cheek and after a quick hug from his son, Draco disappeared into the crowd.

"Do you see him?" She asked her son with a hushed voice. Scorpius looked around and shook his head.

"Good. Let's go."

He helped his mother stand. "Where?"

"Somewhere your father wouldn't approve of."

Astoria brought him to Sugarplums Sweet Shop and told him to fill as many bags as he pleased. Ecstatic like a typical kid allowed loose in a sweet shop, Scorpius grabbed everything he could get his hands on while his mother sat at the small table by the window.

Once everything was paid for, Scorpius took the seat opposite of Astoria. He appeared almost as tired as her, but his was from the exhausting waves of emotions that rattled him with every heartbeat. He could see Astoria's glamor charms were fading; the lines around her eyes slowly returned and skin greying once more. She looked so fragile, like a wilting flower clinging to its last days of life by refusing to lose its color.

Opening a chocolate frog, it immediately lept into Astoria's hands.

"I suppose that one is yours." Scorpius said with a giggle, pulling the card from the box while his mother nibbled at the frog. "You got Potter."

"Better hide that one," Astoria said with a laugh. "What did you get?"

Taking the last bite of his own frog, Scorpius pulled out the collector card. "Oh… it's Dumbledore."

"Better hide that one, too," she said, slightly more serious this time.

"Does Father have a card? I'd want to collect them all if so."

"No he doesn't, sweetheart."

"Why?"

Astoria's expression went solemn, and Scorpius remembered that his family weren't exactly the most favored in their world. It was the major reason why he rarely went anywhere outside of the manor's walls and gardens; living in seclusion was just easier for them.

"What am I going to do with all this?" He asked, changing the subject while gesturing to the pile of sweets.

She perked up a little at this question, leaning over the table some to speak with a quiet voice. "Want to know a secret?"

Scorpius moved closer to her so he could hear, giving an excited nod in reply.

"Sweets, they always help you make friends. So be sure to offer some to the other children on the train, okay?"

He nodded again, but appeared anxious about the idea of school. "I don't know if I want to go to school anymore."

"Why is that, love?"

"I want to stay with you. Gran offered to school me at home, I heard her talking to Father about it."

"You shouldn't listen in on other people's conversations. That's quite rude of you." Astoria scolded.

"Sorry." Scorpius muttered, dropping his shoulders with a sigh.

He knew eavesdropping was not a polite thing to practice, but it was often the only way he could find anything out. Like how bad his mother's condition really was, or why his grandfather was always so angry about donations to Saint Mungo's Research and Development Department. Scorpius wasn't stupid, and he was growing tired of everyone acting like everything was okay.

No one asked him about school—it was simply implied. He'd have picked homeschooling in a heartbeat and been happy to learn from his talented family, but his father was pressured into sending him to Hogwarts by Lucius so he could be socialized. Scorpius didn't want to disappoint anyone by saying no when it was mentioned in front of him, so he said nothing. It was going to be difficult being apart from his mother.

"We will discuss that later, alright?" his mother offered, taking the bags of sweets and stowing them away in her handbag. "Let's go get some ice cream and wait for your father there."

Scorpius' mischievous smile returned; being gifted with a second treat made that bubble of excitement return. Grabbing Astoria's hand, the pair exited the store. Looking up at her as they walked, he gripped her hand a little tighter. The shadow that lingered in the back of his mind told him that her time was coming, but for now, he was going to cherish the time he still had with her.

Originally Written For:

Harry Potter Fanfiction Competition

The Houses Competitions

Word Count: (Per Google Docs) 2,944