Summary: Astoria planted a small orchard for each child lost. This time, though, she plants a fruit tree for the child at her side.

Rated: T

Genre: Family; Hurt/Comfort

Warning Tag: References Past Miscarriages; Implies Terminal Illness

Competition/Challenge Block:
Written For: The Houses Competition (Year 7); Monthly Challenges for All (Year 3); Hogwarts (Term 14)
Houses: Slytherin/Herbology; Standard (Picnic in the Orchard Image)

Hogwarts: Assignment 6; Healer Studies (#9: Write about someone with a green thumb (metaphorical or literal).)

MC4A: Sp Bingo (1C-Planting/Sowing); Ship Bingo (2D-Anniversary); Hunt (Rainy); Link; FPC (Not a Lamp; Ladylike; White Dress); Star (Wabi Sabi; Pocky Pockets); T3 (Terrarium); Demo (Corvid Brain); Demo (Machismo; Tomorrow's Shade); ICs (Short Jog (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Green Ribbon (Y); Rian-Russo Inversion; Ethnic & Present (Y); Ship Sails (Y); Zed Era (Y); Slytherin MC; Ravenclaw MC; Old Shoes (Y)

Word Count: 1,134

Beta(s): CupCakeyyy, shy-n-great

Where the Good Things Grow

It was a rather warm day for early spring, but the storm clouds that gathered in the distance threatened to swallow it with each hour that passed. Astoria busied herself in the small orchard she'd started in one of the fields of Malfoy Manor where an old pasture had long since been reclaimed by nature. The weather didn't bother her as she worked on tilling the soil of where a new fruit tree would be placed before the rain came.

Scorpius played in the grass with some toys nearby, not finding the appeal of playing in dirt like his mother was doing. From the time he could barely walk, he did, however, like to tend to the saplings with her; pruning, watering, and harvesting the few fruits that they produced each season, despite their youth. Sometimes only one or two respective fruits were found, and they never made it into the house because mother and son shared them right off the tree.

Today, Astoria was preparing a peach tree to be planted that Scorpius had picked. She made sure to put it beside the pear tree that had been planted five years ago in the spring after Scorpius was born. It was to symbolize his birth as well as the twin sister and daughter they had lost. Each tree that had been planted was a symbol for what she had lost, but also used as a reminder of how life can flourish. The very first tree planted seven years ago was an apple tree when they'd lost their first son in utero. It has since produced a handful of apples, which had been turned into countless pies, tarts, and apple butter.

The other two were a cherry and a plum tree for their two daughters they had also lost. They were still small, but they produced just enough fruit recently to enjoy freshly picked. Astoria looked forward to the day when there were enough cherries for a pie.

One of the other reasons as to why she wanted to plant another tree was because this day also marked her and Draco's anniversary. Scorpius had picked peaches because he and his father loved to have them with their breakfasts. She'd considered a grapefruit one as well, but decided to stick to the stone fruits in this patch and plan another area for the citrus ones another time.

When Astoria was satisfied with the depth of the hole she'd dug, she turned her attention to the giggling little boy nearby who was rolling in the soft grass.

"Scorpius, my starlight. Bring your watering can for the soil, please. Mama needs some help," she called, the breeze carrying her otherwise soft voice.

He got up from the impression he'd made in the grass and grabbed the little toy water can nearby. Toddling over to her excitedly, he held the empty can out for her to fill with the water-making spell.

"Remember to water it well around the edges," Astoria instructed as Scorpius started to fill the hole with liquid.

"Yes, Mama," he said, sloshing the water all around as best as he could. "I cannot wait for peaches. Daddy will love them, you think?"

She nodded. "Of course he will. We will definitely make sure you both get to share the first fruit from it."

"Yay!" Scorpius said, setting down the empty watering can to clap his hands. "It's ready for the tree!"

Astoria carefully grabbed the sapling nearby, removing the rucksack that held its roots in place. She gave them a little shake, agitating excess dirt from them before lowering the base into the hole.

"Perfect," she said, smiling as Scorpius squatted beside her as if to inspect the placement. "Would you like to help me bury it?"

"No, thanks. I'll watch."

She proceeded to fill in the hole with her son watching, patting it down well once it was completely filled.

"Time to give it another watering," she said, refilling his can with her wand again.

He proceeded to empty its contents, getting all of the fresh dirt properly saturated. They'd finished just in time, as Astoria heard Draco call them from the nearby gazebo nestled between a couple of very old dark oak trees. It was a perfect spot to overlook the field and freshly made orchard.

"Care for some lunch my little garden fairies?" he hollered, placing a picnic basket on the small table in the center.

Scorpius squealed, running through the grass and over to his father. Astoria collected the garden tools and tucked them away in the garden box, leaving them there for the time being as she soon followed the trail her son had made in the grass. When she made it to the gazebo, Draco had already laid out delicious-looking sandwiches with sides of fruits and vegetables that Dizzy—their house-elf—prepared for them. He had the tea cups prepared the way each one of them liked it and was in the process of boiling the water in the teapot.

"This is yummy!" Scorpius said, already tucking into his own sandwich. The mayo and mustard lined the corners of his mouth. "Dizzy is amazing!"

"She sure is," Astoria said, taking the seat that faced the orchard. "Wipe your mouth, sweetheart."

She offered her son a napkin before focusing on Draco.

"How was the meeting?"

He shrugged, pouring the water into each cup so the tea could steep. "Okay, I suppose. But let's not discuss that for now."

Astoria nodded briefly, not pressing him further on it. She took a sip of her tea and watched as the storm cloud started to slowly roll in.

"Might have to eat in a hurry before we get rained on," she pointed out.

Draco glanced at the sky before looking at the freshly planted sapling. "We should be okay for a bit. What fruit did you plant this time?"

Scorpius shushed Astoria before she could reply. A sly smile on his cute little messy face. "It's a secret, Daddy. You'll have to wait for the fruit to grow to find out."

He laughed, popping a grape in his mouth. "If you say so."

A distant rumble was heard, and not even a handful of seconds later, a very light mist of rain started cascading from the skies. The sun was still shining, making the scenery glisten and glimmer with dashes of rainbows.

"Mama, the rain is going to help the trees!" Scorpius said, pointing at the dark rain cloud. "Just like bees do!"

"It certainly will," Draco responded, eyeing the sky. "Might have to take this indoors."

"Probably best," Astoria agreed.

The three made for the manor after calling for Dizzy to help gather their lunch to take to the solarium instead. At least they could still enjoy nature from the safety of their home.