Violets

Violets.

Draco's first significant experience with the purple flowers had been when he was at St. Mungo's. He had been attacked by a group of people, leaving him with severe wounds. He ended up spending a week in the hospital. It had been a miserable experience–until his then-girlfriend, Astoria, came to visit him. She had brought violets with her and given them to Draco. This simple gesture had warmed him and made his hospital stay not-all-that bad.

Draco had prepared for the first time Astoria came over to the manor so she could meet his parents–an experience that didn't exactly go too well–by planting flowers in the garden that had been vacant for some time. One of the kinds of flowers he had planted were violets. He remembered her gesture and how it had brightened his day when he was in the hospital. He felt it had been his turn to present her with the same flowers when she came to visit.

On their wedding day, the flowers that were mainly present were violets. The room was practically blooming with the flowers. Astoria had even had some in her hair. She looked so beautiful then, and she had remained beautiful ever since.

Draco and Astoria always had violets in their lives: in their garden, in a bouquet on the kitchen table…. The violets were one of the many joys they shared. And so they remained present in Draco's heart.

Draco trembled as he walked up to the gravestone. He fell before it and laid down the violets he was holding. Tears were trickling down his face.

"Astoria," he nearly choked. "I wish–I wish–you were here…. I love you."