Shared Losses
As the morning sun filtered through the windows, Draco's heart was heavy not with the physical weight of the petite brunette in his arms but with the knowledge that on this day, exactly a year ago, he had been forced to marry Astoria. She had also been forced into this marriage. The entire month between their wedding and Astoria's miscarriage on the second of May had been tense. After the miscarriage, which happened because of some dratted death eaters for some preconceived notions of his supposed expected loyalty to Voldemort, he and Astoria had had to face so many trials and tribulations, had dealt with misunderstandings and quarrels, and yet found themselves falling gradually for one another. Astoria had lost her parents and sister in a span of two months. She still had to study for her N.E.W.T.S. His parents had made life hell for her, so much that he shuddered to think how they might have treated Astoria during those two months he was securing a deal with the apothecary near Durmstrang where he currently worked.
Draco remembered the very first time Astoria rested her head against him. It was in that park the first time she and him had gone to Andromeda's house. Narcissa had treated Astoria like an old aunt and a maid. Perhaps that was the first time Astoria was treated in such a manner by the Malfoys.
Draco had been naive. He had decided to give it a shot. But when Astoria had became pregnant and their baby died in her womb, Draco had realized his mistake. Astoria had suffered physical and mental stress for months after the miscarriage. She was only a seventeen-year-old girl, still a student at Hogwarts. Draco should have known better, being older but even he was only nineteen at the time. He had blamed himself countless times before for his haste and the eventual miscarriage.
A muffled sniffle suddenly brought him back to reality. Looking down, he realized that he wasn't the only one sitting awake lost in thoughts.
Astoria pressed her face deeper into the fabric of his shirt, seeking refuge in his warmth. "I miss them, Draco. I miss our child, the life we could have had. And my parents... my parents and Daphne..." Her voice broke, the pain of loss weighing heavily on her heart.
"You are awake?" Draco asked in surprise.
Astoria chuckled, "You're still the same Draco from the park last year when you were surprised to hear I knew of you sitting beside me on that bench!"
Draco managed a weak grunt.
Astoria clung to him, her fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt as if anchoring herself to reality. "I never got to tell them about our home, about this life we're trying to create away from the darkness of our past."
Draco rubbed her back, feeling his chest dampening. He lifted her chin and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
Wiping away her tears, Draco said, "Today is our first wedding anniversary. Let us make it a happy occasion, regardless of the circumstances of our marriage and the events of the last year."
Astoria nodded with fierce determination, "We can do it, Draco!"
An hour later, Astoria and Draco strolled down the cobblestone streets to explore their new neighbourhood, their footsteps echoing in the quietude of the evening. Hand in hand, they witnessed the start of a beautiful day that seemed to urge them not to worry about their dark past.
Elm St. Edmund was a picturesque town, adorned with charming cottages, blooming gardens, and quaint shops. The air was infused with the aroma of freshly baked bread and blooming flowers, creating a delightful atmosphere. They passed by a small park where children giggled and played, their laughter filling the air with joy.
Astoria put her hand on her belly, "I am hungry, Draco."
Arm still around her waist, Draco looked up, his eyes landing on a roadside stall, named 'Enchanted Brews'.
Astoria and Draco found a corner table near a window, providing a view of the charming street outside. They settled into their chairs, hands entwined, and ordered two English breakfasts.
After their orders arrived, Draco lifted her hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "Every moment with you feels like a dream, Astoria. I love you."
"I love you too, Draco," Astoria replied, her voice filled with sincerity.
They enjoyed their food in comfortable silence and began walking along the picturesque countryside.
"Look! A river!" Astoria's eyes sparkled. "I challenge you for a swim!"
Draco shrugged, "Sure!"
With a wave of her wand, swimming clothes dropped into Draco's hands.
"You're welcome!" Astoria smirked, collected her swim clothes, stowed her wand, and strutted along to the river.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Draco ran after her. "It is cheating if you start before me!"
The water flowed serenely, with no care for human beings and their petty squabbles. Astoria and Draco kept their day clothes in a bag they conjured on a bench and dove into the water together.
"The first one to reach that bridge wins!" Astoria suddenly declared, and the couple swam across the river as the flora and fauna around them watched with interest.
When Astoria shook the water out of her eyes, Draco stood grinning and said, "I win."
"No, I came first!" Astoria said.
Draco shook his head. "A second after me."
"I have always been faster than all my friends at Hogwarts! It's obviously I who came first!" Astoria said.
Draco blew a raspberry. In mock fury, Astoria splashed water on him and said, "Cheater cheater!"
Draco began splashing water on her too. "Doesn't change the fact I won!"
"Eh!" Astoria splashed harder. Draco grabbed her close. "I'd like to see you try!"
Astoria giggled. "Well, I won!"
"Yeah? Prove it!" Draco said, intently gazing into her eyes. He slowly titled her and met her lips. She returned the kiss and melted into his embrace. The chill of the water and the warmth of each other made them giggle louder. The wind blew softly, as though approving with a smile.
A while later, Draco got up from the water and lent a hand to Astoria. She took it gratefully. Draco wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close as they walked back to the starting point. When they reached, Astoria lifted her cheek from Draco's heart as the couple dried themselves and put on their clothes.
"Let us go on a picnic in the woods, Draco!" Astoria pointed at the woods with a sudden inspiration.
"That is a lovely way to celebrate our anniversary! Good thinking, Astoria!" Draco said.
"We don't even need to go home to get our things! You get the ingredients, I set up the tent. You start the fire, I cook the food for us. Teamwork, Draco, teamwork!" Astoria said with glee.
They spent the entire afternoon collecting firewood, arranging food supplies, erecting the tent, setting up the fire, and cooking a simple meal.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the campsite, the couple finally settled down near the crackling fire. The quiet crackle of burning wood filled the air, punctuated by the occasional chirp of crickets.
Draco glanced at Astoria, a contented smile playing on his lips. "You know," he said, his voice soft, "today felt... different. In a good way."
Astoria nodded, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames. "It did. It's amazing how we managed to do all this together, without any magic."
Draco chuckled, his grey eyes meeting hers. "I never thought I'd be able to survive without my wand, but you've proven me wrong."
She nudged him playfully. "Teamwork, remember? We make a good team, Draco."
He reached out, his fingers brushing against hers as he intertwined their hands. "Yes, we do. And this helps appreciate how muggles manage without magic."
"This is what fascinates many of our kind - such as Arthur Weasley - about muggles! Muggles do so much without an ounce of magic! You saw Potter's muggle cousin explaining aeroplanes to the Weasleys, right?" Astoria said. Her smile faded, her hand reaching out to her belly, "On - on that day!"
Draco gripped her shoulder tightly, eager to keep her happy, despite his own sorrow. In a sincere tone, he began, "I never realized how much I enjoy spending time with you, Astoria. It's... refreshing."
Astoria felt her cheeks warm - both from her tears and from her blush - appreciating his honesty. "I feel the same way, Draco. It's nice to be with someone who sees beyond our families, beyond the expectations."
Draco pulled her close, her head seeking the warmth of his chest. They sat in a comfortable silence, the only sound being the occasional snap of the fire. The night enveloped them, and for a moment, they forgot about the wizarding world outside their makeshift campsite.
Draco's lips almost brushed against her ear. "Look at the stars," he said, his voice low. "They seem closer without the city lights, don't they?"
Astoria followed his gaze upward, the night sky a canvas of twinkling stars. "They do," she replied, a sense of wonder in her voice. "It's like we're a part of something much bigger, something magical."
He nodded, his grip around her tightening slightly. "Maybe we are, Astoria. Maybe we're meant to be here, right now, under this vast sky, discovering something new together."
Their eyes met, and in that moment, they understood each other without the need for words. The night continued around them even as their lips met. Her hands gripped the front of his shirt, his arms went around her waist.
The crackling fire, the serene river nearby, and even the flora and fauna seemed to pause and fondly watch as the young couple forged a connection that felt as genuine and timeless as the stars above.
"Happy Anniversary, Astoria!" Draco said against her lips.
Her giggles muffled against his shoulder, Astoria replied, "Happy Anniversary, Draco!"
In the early morning light, Draco and Astoria blinked groggily, trying to make sense of their surroundings. Dishevelled and covered in twigs, they sat up in their makeshift campsite, completely oblivious to their surroundings.
All they knew was that Draco's mother, Narcissa, had dashed towards them in a panic, her hair elegantly disarrayed. "Draco, darling, are you all right? What happened?" Her voice reached a pitch that only dogs could hear.
Lucius, not one to be outdone, hurried behind her, his concern etched on his aristocratic face. "What news do you bring, Draco? Perhaps another Dark Artefact?"
Draco exchanged a baffled glance with Astoria who looked pale with shock.
"Mother, Father, we just decided to have a little camping adventure. No Dark Arts, no dangerous creatures. Just a night under the stars." Draco said.
"A likely story! It's been a year since your wedding! Draco, you have planned everything in a way befitting the Malfoys!" Lucius nodded in approval.
Astoria chimed in, her confusion mirroring Draco's. "It's not a story. We really were celebrating our wedding anniversary here! We fell asleep and didn't realize it until now."
Narcissa's brow furrowed, "A camping adventure? Honestly, Draco, you couldn't have chosen a safer hobby? What if a wild creature had attacked you?"
Lucius nodded vigorously, his cane tapping on the ground. "Yes, my boy, you should be more careful. Camping is for Muggles, not Malfoys!"
Astoria stared, "Muggles or Malfoys, camping is for everybody who wants to enjoy a little outdoor picnic! But of course, we'll be more careful next time. I promise we won't let any rogue squirrels or menacing birds get the best of us."
Narcissa ignored Astoria, "No more wild escapades, Draco. You're a Malfoy, not a daredevil."
Lucius nodded in agreement, giving Draco a stern look. "Remember your heritage, son. We don't camp; we host elegant soirées."
Draco and Astoria shared a look, unable to decide whether to laugh or roll their eyes at Lucius and Narcissa's behaviour.
"Well, come on, then! Your mother and I planned an early morning visit not for nothing!" Lucius said impatiently.
"The least you could have done," Draco muttered under his breath.
"Is informed us about your arrival!" Astoria completed under her breath.
Even as some villagers from Elm St. Edmund gathered at the exit of the woods in curiosity thanks to Narcissa's scream, Draco and Astoria led the way for Lucius and Narcissa as if nothing happened.
Once back in the warmth of their new house, Draco and Astoria offered seats and coffee to the older Malfoys and sat down opposite them.
"You said you celebrated your wedding anniversary. How did it go?" Narcissa eagerly asked.
"Not now, Narcissa! Just get to business!" Lucius snapped.
"Lucius, I am talking business here!" Narcissa said.
"No, you're not! When is their next child?" Lucius demanded.
"I might agree with you that Astoria does not carry the charm of a Malfoy wife, Lucius. But I do not think we should keep reminding her or Draco about. the miscarriage!" Narcissa said.
Astoria's eyes welled up. She knew what this was all about, apart from the hurt from knowing she was not seen as having 'the charm of a Malfoy wife'.
"Don't tell me you are also going lenient on her like Draco is!" Lucius snapped at his wife and turned to Astoria with a glare. "Now, you listen here. After you lost your baby thanks to your clumsiness and carelessness, how many times have you done it?!"
An uncontrollable sob erupted from Astoria's throat, just as Draco returned from keeping the used cups in the kitchen sink.
"Astoria? What's wrong?" He asked, immediately sitting beside her and clutching her hand.
Astoria shook her head. "Your parents don't think I possess the grace of a Malfoy wife! Additionally, they're here to know when our next..." She placed her hand on her belly, her gaze downwards.
Draco looked outraged, "Mother! Father! Again?"
"Well, we got you married so the Malfoy line continues! It has been a year already! And it's not just us - her parents also wanted grandchildren!" Lucius crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, where did this sudden interest in Astoria's parents come from?" Draco snapped.
"All we ask is, it has been a year. Your first child is dead. Try for another!" Narcissa said.
Astoria's head dropped onto Draco's shoulder, her own shoulders trembling, "I wasn't careless and clumsy like you claim! It was a death eater attack!"
Draco put an arm around her, fury etched across his face at the insensitivity displayed by his parents. Lucius and Narcissa ignored Astoria.
But before Draco spoke, Narcissa huffed impatiently, "Fooling my only son with your crocodile tears and performing black magic on him for his inheritance is not enough, girl! It is a give-and-take thing! Give us grandchildren! Or at least allow Draco to remarry! But I bet you'd never do that!"
"Thank you for your time, Mother! Father! Now, if you two don't mind, Astoria and I would like no more company! The way outside is there!" Draco snapped coldly even as he felt Astoria shudder against him.
"Is this how you talk to your parents, Draco?" Lucius growled.
"Is this how you behave with your children, Dad?" Draco retorted. "Ruining your children's happiness whenever they manage to find it!"
"Fine! Narcissa, today's kids are so ungrateful!" Lucius stormed out. Narcissa spared Astoria a look of disgust and left.
Now, the room was silent except for Astoria's cries muffled into Draco's massive and sturdy chest. Holding her, Draco sighed, "I keep trying to keep you happy, Astoria. But I don't have everybody or everything under my control. I am sorry!"
Astoria shook her head, "I have never been interested in your money, Draco. Your social status, the Malfoy prestige and wealth, the dark history and artefacts - Nothing has ever impressed me!"
Feeling his skin dampen, Draco rubbed her back, "I am sorry for their behaviour and attitude, Astoria. Their views about you do not reflect mine, I assure you!"
Astoria wiped her tears against his chest, "D-Don't - don't beat yourself, Draco. You are far above these people!"
Draco ruffled her hair, her sobs filling the room as he tried hard not to break. Like Andromeda was strong for her grandson, Draco had to be strong for Astoria and himself. He swallowed his own tears and held his wife closer.