Moving In and Bonding

As the day approached noon, Astoria Malfoy nee Greengrass and Draco Malfoy stood in the dimly lit living room, their suitcases still by the door. They were finally starting a new journey - their shared journey together.

Astoria's eyes shimmered with tears as she glanced around the room.

She turned to Draco, her voice trembling. "I can't believe it's finally happening, Draco!"

Draco wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "We have to and we will move forward. We'll make this our own."

Astoria nodded into Draco, her tears staining his shirt. "I just...I wish Mum and Dad were here to see this. And Daphne!"

Draco brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "They will be watching over you from wherever they are! We'll call family and friends here to visit often." He smiled, trying to lift her spirits.

Astoria looked up from his chest and managed a watery smile. "You're right, Draco. We have a bright future ahead of us!"

"Yes," Draco said, holding her shoulders.

In the soft glow of the bedside lamp, Astoria and Draco settled comfortably on their new bed, having spent the entire day unpacking and arranging their things. Astoria's head, nestled against Draco's chest, rose and fell with each of his steady heartbeats. At this moment, the world outside their cottage seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. Draco's fingers traced gentle circles on Astoria's back.

The housewarming was a grand success. Lucius and Narcissa uncharacteristically displayed pride and affection for Draco and Astoria. The sight of them tearing up had made Draco and Astoria tear up too. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley accompanied Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger into the cottage.

"Granger, please make yourself comfortable. Yet again, I am sorry about what my aunt did to you." Draco apologized.

"It's fine, Malfoy. You have changed thanks to Astoria Greengrass. That is what matters. But, yes, in my lifetime, I would never want to see Malfoy Manor again!" Hermione said, leaning into Ron.

"I completely understand. Please make yourselves comfortable. All four of you!" Draco had said.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny congratulated him and Astoria before leaving. Half a dozen of Draco's colleagues at the Ministry in important positions visited and congratulated the couple in a businesslike manner.

Finally, both husband and wife had the privacy they needed for a long time.

Astoria had gone up to their room, while Draco shut the doors and windows firmly and followed her in.

In the morning, Astoria looked up from Draco's heart. The movement awoke Draco, who yawned and looked around.

"Draco, have you forgotten?" Astoria asked in surprise.

"What?" Draco's eyes widened as realization hit him. "Oh, right!"

"So, get ready, love!" Astoria nudged him.

As the sun began to rise, casting a warm golden glow over the countryside, Astoria and Draco quickly showered and had their breakfast and coffee. Then, hand in hand, they apparated to a familiar spot—the quiet lane where Andromeda Tonks's house stood. The quaint cottage, surrounded by a riot of colourful flowers, felt like a sanctuary hidden away from the rest of the world.

Astoria reached out and took Draco's hand, her fingers intertwining with his as they approached the front door. Memories of their last time here washed over them. Narcissa's crocodile tears and fakery, Astoria and Draco as frustrated newlyweds, Astoria furiously hurling Remus' and Tonks' possessions around after being treated like an old aunt and maid, her slipping and falling into Draco's arms, and finally the couple running away one after the other.

Astoria's eyes glistened as she remembered Draco seeking her out in the park but contrary to what she had expected, he had been patient and understanding with her that day. It had been the first time they spent alone time together voluntarily.

Astoria's hand involuntarily went to her belly. Knowing that she was thinking the same thing, Draco put his arm around her waist.

Just as Astoria leaned into his chest, the front door creaked open to reveal Andromeda Tonks. Astoria lifted her head as she joined Draco in greeting his aunt.

Andromeda's eyes sparkled with warmth as she welcomed them inside.

"Please, sit. I will bring Teddy." She said politely and went inside.

"Aunt Andromeda," Draco called out.

Andromeda turned, her eyes widening and watering. It was the first time a Malfoy had addressed her like family, without using honorifics.

"May - may I please use the restroom? I apologize for the inconvenience!" Draco reverted to his formal behaviour ingrained into him by his pureblood upbringing.

"My dear, you have no idea how happy I am to hear you address me as your aunt. You never needed to be formal with me in the first place. Consider this your house and make yourself comfortable! You too, dear!" Andromeda wiped her tears away. "The restroom is over there."

Draco felt a pang of guilt. His mother was only pretending and fooling Andromeda, but Andromeda seriously believed that the Malfoys would give up their old prejudices and become one with her again.

Trembling, he looked down. His unsaid words weren't invisible to Astoria. She squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead, "You are far better than those pureblood supremacists, Draco! I am here with you and will always be!"

Draco flashed her a look of gratitude and left to use the restroom. When he came out several moments later, his jaw dropped.

Astoria was no longer on the sofa. She sat on the floor leaning against the sofa. A baby with the exact shade and texture of her crisp brown hair sat on her lap giggling. He looked so much like the son of Astoria and him!

Maybe if the miscarriage hadn't happened, a boy or a girl younger than Teddy would be sitting between Astoria and Draco. His eyes met Astoria's watery eyes and knew she was thinking the same. They shared a quiet moment, a bittersweet smile passing between them. She remained in control and looked back at Teddy.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Draco approached Astoria and Teddy with fascination. While Teddy immersed himself in building blocks nestled against Astoria's bosom, Draco gathered him and Astoria in his arms, Astoria's brunette head sinking deep into Draco's large chest. Astoria flashed a smile and snuggled into Draco, holding Teddy protectively. When Teddy turned, his brown hair turned blonde to mimic Draco's hair. Astoria chuckled into Draco's chest, "He is so adorable!"

"Agreed!" Draco said. His wife was in his arms, he was making amends with his aunt, and bonding with his nephew. This made Draco's day!

Draco held Astoria close, a newfound sense of gratitude filling his heart. The couple had just invited Andromeda over to their house at lunch and she had promised that she would bring Teddy along. As Andromeda put Teddy to sleep on the bed, she joined the young couple with a look of concern.

"I have been meaning to ask you, but I never got the chance so far. It's about Last May. How are you both coping after... that?" She asked tentatively.

Draco's shoulders grew tense. Astoria lowered her head onto Draco's shoulder with a sob, her voice breaking, "It's been hard, Andromeda. With Draco, I still found support. My parents succumbed to Dragon Pox in June, and my sister, Daphne Greengrass succumbed to a blood curse rampant in our family for generations in September!"

Draco rubbed her arm, feeling his shoulder dampen. "Aunt Andromeda, perhaps you don't know. Mum and Dad are neither interested in giving up their old prejudices nor connecting with family such as you or Teddy. And ever since Astoria and I lost our child, Mum and Dad have been particularly nasty to Astoria."

"I am so sorry to hear that, Draco, Astoria," Andromeda said. "I guessed something like this. You both fought last time you were here, and Narcissa never contacted me after that day. It hurts, but I have learnt to live with the hurt. As long as Ted - my husband - was there, I had support. After his death, I lost my daughter and son-in-law in the Battle of Hogwarts. I have to be strong for Teddy and I will be. I am relieved that you both have each other."

Andromeda squeezed Astoria's hand. Astoria looked up at her with red-rimmed eyes and hugged her, "Sorry - sorry, Andromeda!"

"Don't!" Andromeda chided her. "You are the last person who should apologize, Astoria."

"It should be me," Draco said.

"No, Draco. You're as much a victim of these circumstances as Astoria is." Andromeda said gently. "I observed you both at my front door. I observed you both when you were with Teddy. Every time, a look passes between you two and somehow I understand what you're thinking."

Astoria nodded, "My child would have been a year younger than Teddy." Her eyes continued streaming.

Draco's shoulders had slumped, unable to say anything.

It took a while for him to blurt out, "It was a forced marriage - yes. But it's not like we wouldn't have accepted the child!"

"Andromeda, your sister and her husband tell nasty things about me! They abuse me often! That I am unfit and useless to be a Malfoy wife and a member of the pureblood society! That I should have died instead of my baby! As if my baby wasn't a fetus and I was myself unaware at the time of my pregnancy!" Astoria lamented. "And when Draco decided to move out, they accused me of being a golddigger who was after the Malfoy money and had performed black magic on Draco!"

Andromeda sat in shock, "I knew my sister, Narcissa, was deranged. But being almost deranged as Bellatrix, I did not know!"

She spat in fury and burst into tears, "Astoria and Draco, I apologize on their behalf!"

"No, please! You needn't apologize for their actions!" Astoria held her hands, shedding tears alongside her.

Andromeda pulled Astoria into her bosom and looked over at Draco.

"Come here, boy!" She extended her free hand.

Draco was shocked. He was raised with the pureblood belief that men don't show emotions and must always wear a mask of indifference.

"I can see it in your eyes. You are only a few years younger than Nymphadora - akin to my son! It's okay for boys to cry too!" Andromeda said kindly, her hand still raised.

Draco burst into loud tears and hugged his aunt. All his hidden emotions poured out onto her shoulder.

Astoria lifted her tear-stained face and rubbed Draco's back, her voice trembling, "Let it all out, Draco."

Wiping her eyes, Astoria pulled her husband into her arms. Draco sobbed hysterically against the crook of Astoria's neck.

"He needs support more than anyone else!" Andromeda sniffled, "I would give a piece of my mind to that genius who came up with the idea that males don't have emotions!"

"But - but..." Draco sobbed. "Do men cry?"

"Everyone does!" Andromeda said. "Your father wailed like a baby the day he married Narcissa. My husband wept like a toddler the day Nymphadora got her Hogwarts letter! Nymphadora and I have always comforted Remus Lupin during his outbursts - usually about James, Harry, or Sirius! Harry has cried hysterically after the events of the Battle of Hogwarts! I was personally there the whole time, offering support. I told you, I have to be strong for Teddy and Harry."

Draco mulled over her words as he wept into the crook of his wife's neck.

As Draco and Astoria left later that day, their hearts had become considerably lighter, as if a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders. They returned home in silence and sat on their bed.

Astoria leaned into Draco, her head finding its familiar place on his chest, as she said, "I am here, Draco. I hope you know that you can talk to me anytime!" Draco kissed the crown of her head and held her close.

"Thanks, Astoria. You should know. I have succeeded in opening my apothecary where I manufacture and sell powerful potions. I begin work the following Monday. My current job location is actually near Dumstrang and I will be using Floo Powder to travel to work every morning. Saturdays are holidays." Draco said.

Astoria nodded into his chest. "You and I will create a happy home, Draco. Far from all the hatred, prejudice, arrogance, and cruel selfishness!"

Andromeda Tonks carefully cradled little Teddy Lupin in her arms as she approached the charming cottage nestled amidst the trees in Elm St. Edmund. The morning sun dappled through the leaves, casting a warm glow on the cobblestone path that led to the front door. The sound of birds chirping in the distance added to the tranquil atmosphere.

Astoria and Draco Malfoy, standing at the doorstep, wore matching smiles as they welcomed Andromeda inside. Astoria's eyes lit up with joy at the sight of the adorable baby in Andromeda's arms.

"Come in, Andromeda! It's so good to see you," Astoria said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

Draco nodded in agreement, his eyes softening as he looked at the baby. "And look at little Teddy. He looks so excited!"

"You told me to come over in the morning and I did so!" Andromeda smiled.

She turned to her grandson, "Teddy, say hello!"

Teddy giggled, his hair turning brown and proceeding to blonde.

"He's been looking forward to meeting his Aunt Astoria and Uncle Draco!" Andromeda said.

"Naturally!" Astoria cooed. She gently reached out and touched Teddy's tiny fingers, her heart melting at his innocent gaze. "Oh, he's precious! Hello there, Teddy. Welcome to our home."

Andromeda carefully handed Teddy over to Astoria, who cradled him with utmost care. Draco watched, his expression softening further as he observed his wife holding the baby.

"Thank you both for inviting us. I thought it would be wonderful for Teddy to spend some time with family outside of our house, The Burrow, and Grimmauld Place." Andromeda said.

Astoria shifted Teddy to one of her hips and rested her head against Draco's chest, "Andromeda! You are both welcome anytime!"

Draco gestured towards the cozy living room. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. Can we get you something to drink? Tea, perhaps?"

Andromeda smiled gratefully. "Tea would be lovely, thank you."

While Astoria settled onto the sofa with Teddy in her arms, Draco went into the kitchen to prepare tea. Andromeda looked around the living room, appreciating the warm and inviting ambience of the new home.

When Draco returned with a tray of tea and biscuits, he took his seat next to Astoria, who nestled her head against his shoulder. Teddy gurgled and cooed, his innocent laughter filling the room with pure happiness.

"So, I know he is Harry Potter's Godson. But I want you to know, Andromeda, that Astoria and I will always be there for you, for Teddy." Draco said.

Astoria nodded against Draco's shoulder, "Absolutely, Andromeda!"

"I understand! Frankly, Harry is more than happy to know you both care so much about Teddy!" Andromeda nodded with a smile.

Astoria lifted her head, "You've told Potter?"

Draco's eyes had widened.

"Of course!" Andromeda said. "In fact, I would be surprised if the Wealsye did not know this right now! Teddy and I are part of the extended Weasley-Pottter family now! Everyone from Molly and Arthur to the different Weasleys and their life partners are involved in Teddy's life. He is no orphan! And I am so glad you both also want to be part of this large group!"

Draco leaned against the cushion, mulling over her words. He felt his wife bury her head in his chest, her voice muffled, "You heard that, Draco?"

"I did!" Draco nodded.

"I - I am so happy for Teddy!" Astoria sniffled.

"Indeed!" Draco said.

Astoria wiped her tears against Draco's chest and hugged Teddy, "You will have all the love and care in the world, Teddy! You will grow far away from... all that!"

"Thank you, Andromeda!" Draco sincerely said.

Andromeda shook her head, "Arthur and Molly. Harry and his friends. They're the ones you should thank."