A Drastoria written for the one and only Aya

It was days like this that reminded Draco what was really important in life.

Draco and Astoria were going on a casual walk around the historical ruins of Merlin. It was something reserved for wizards only; however, up until recently, only purebloods knew about it. It wasn't a location that was publicly advertised. Draco had been told by his mother about it and had never intended to tell anybody that wasn't of 'pure blood' just like he had been told.

Two years ago, he had had a candid conversation with Potter regarding inequality. This place had been his example of why it wouldn't be easy for others to accept the new regimes that Granger was trying to enforce.

Potter had agreed with him that Granger's ideas were too ambitious for the world they currently lived in. Eventually, they found an okay medium, and this location opened up to more wizards than before. The rules regarding it loosened as well. However, it was still not able to be accessed by non-magical beings due to very old magic.

"I love how peaceful it is here," Astoria spoke, her hand squeezing his.

Draco closed his eyes gently and listened to the different array of bird noises surrounding them. It was great to get out into nature and listen to the natural sounds of the earth. "Very enjoyable," he replied shortly, unsure what else he could say on the matter.

Astoria ran her free hand over her swelled-up belly. "I want to bring our child here when it's born."

Images of a miniature Astoria running around made his heart swell in joy and his lips turn upwards. It was a great thought.

His hand tightened and he ceased walking to look at his wife. "Are you okay?" he asked, seeing her hand clenched over her stomach. "What happened?"

"Nothing, just…" She took deep breaths. Her shoulders slouched in relaxation. "Was just a little pain."

Draco noticed shadows getting closer but wanted to focus on his wife. Besides, it wasn't like they were in a war anymore, he had learnt to trust his surroundings again. "Let's get you to St. Mungos, just in case."

Astoria's hand was caressing her bump and she nodded. "Just in case, yes."

"Ready to Apparate?" he checked, not wanting to surprise her.

"No, don't apparate when she's pregnant," an older man intervened. "The squeezing sensation could be bad for the baby."

Draco almost glared at this unknown man but nodded regardless. He didn't want to upset his wife or the baby. His mind reeled with ideas of how he would get to St. Mungos safely. Would flying on a broom be safe? Where was the nearest floo? Should be Patronus for assistance?

He was leading his wife towards the exit when he noted that the same man was still with them.

"Can I help you?" Draco asked, wondering why he was following.

"I live just across the road, did you want to use my floo?" he offered.

Astoria clenched again, letting out a small sound of pain.

Draco nodded. "Yes."

The three of them made their way, with both men assisting the very pregnant woman, and made it out of the historical ruins.

The second they got to St. Mungos, Astoria had been whisked away and treated. Early labour; Apparating could have caused difficulties in this stage; why hadn't he heard about this before?

Draco gave anybody else apart from his wife any attention, however, he did manage a few words to the man that helped. It turns out that he was a Muggleborn who had lived in his house for nearly forty years and had always been denied access into the ruins until not long ago.

If the wizarding world was still as diverse and separated as it had been two years ago, there was a high chance that Draco would have Apparated his wife and potentially risk her and his unborn child's life.

Therefore, when his son was born into the world, he was thankful for equality and vowed to help make it more equal as time went on.