"I don't…" Amethyst wasn't sure what to say. She had planned to spend the entire Christmas break at Hogwarts, especially with the eradication plan. The Christmas break had always been spent at Hogwarts while she was student. She never cared much for going home, even as an adult she hadn't spent too many holidays in Godric's Hollow. Many holidays were spent alone, especially when she was traveling around Europe.
"Scorpius and I had decided over the summer that we would spend Christmas break at Hogwarts. Then we'd consider spending the New Year with the Potters. I'm sure Scorpius wouldn't mind if you joined us…" He watched her eyes. "If you wanted to that is." He tried to hide the disappointment in his voice, but he knew she caught it.
"Drake, that's not my hesitation. I would love to spend the holidays with you and Scorpius." She smiled a little. "Most of my Christmases and New Years were spent alone. As a child, as a student, and as an adult. When I spent the break here as a student especially. It was the summer months when I spent the most time with Aunt Violet and Uncle Tim." She paused to think for a moment. "Now with the eradication plan… the break is the best time to begin the process because there will be less students at the school."
"You need a break. Away from the acromantula problem. Away from work…" He stood his ground. "Not the whole break; just a couple of days. They can't expect anyone to work on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Two days, maybe three, just to get away and recharge… just us…" He hoped she would agree but was expecting her not to. "I need to talk to McGonagall about some things. I'll see you later." He turned on his heel and walked back towards the castle, leaving Amethyst alone on the Pitch. He didn't even have the energy to read the letter from Ollivander.
"…" Amethyst stood and watched Draco's figure get smaller and smaller. She knew he was right. She knew a few days away from Hogwarts would be good for her. She didn't know why she hesitated in answering, but at the same time, he hadn't really given her a chance to answer. She slowly made her way back to the castle and bumped into Hagrid in the courtyard.
"What's wrong?" He noticed the gloomy look on her face. Before he could say anything else, she flung herself into his strong arms and cried into his scruffy beard. "Woah! Hey, now. What's going on? Did Malfoy do something? 'Cause if he did…" Hagrid puffed but felt her shake her head. He relaxed a little, but knew something was definitely bothering her. Instead of pressing the issue, he just let her cry.
"Dad?" Draco was heading to his room after speaking with McGonagall when Scorpius approached him.
"Yes, Son?" Draco noticed the worried expression on Scorpius' face.
"Is Professor Abbott okay?" He paused before adding that he'd noticed Amethyst had been crying in Hagrid's arms for a while.
"Where?" Draco asked trying to keep his composure.
"Main courtyard. That's where they were right before I found you, anyways." Scorpius answered. Draco nearly sprinted towards the courtyard. Scorpius headed back to the Slytherin House knowing that if it was something he needed to know, his dad would tell him.
"Amethyst?" Draco approached Hagrid who was still holding Amethyst. He looked at the half-giant with a questioning look. Hagrid only shrugged. "Amethyst?" He called again, this time placing a hand on her back. All she did was turn around and bury her face into his chest. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and gently rubbed her back.
"She's been like this for a while now." Hagrid explained. "Hasn't said one word the whole time." He gently patted Amethyst on the head a few times before making his way inside the castle.
"You've been through a lot… it's about time you stopped holding it all in." Draco pulled her in tighter and rested his cheek on the top of her head.
"I'm sorry." Her voice was so soft and strained that he barely heard her. "I'm a mess."
"A lot has happened recently; you're allowed to be a mess. I'd be worried if you weren't." He pulled back to look at her. He used his thumbs to wipe the remaining tears from her cheeks before kissing her on the forehead. "If my suggestion earlier added to the stress, I'm sorry. I should have been more understanding of the fact that you are already overwhelmed." That realization had hit him after his talk with McGonagall. He was kicking himself for not realizing it before.
"It's not that. At least, that's the least of it." She took a deep, shaky breath. "It's been an emotional overload these past few days…" Draco squeezed her hands reassuringly.
"Things will get better. We just have to get through another month and a half before at least a break from students." Draco said.
"Honestly, a few days away from Hogwarts is starting to sound better and better." She rested her hands on his waist. "Not to pressure you or anything, but how are you going to respond to your mother?"
"At this point? As honestly as possible, especially about Pansy. She also needs to leave Scorpius alone and let him focus on his studies. I'm just worried what my parents may do to you after I tell them." He rested his hands on her shoulders. She smiled and shook her head slightly.
"After what we've already been through… I'm not worried. I doubt your father will try anything especially if he fears going back to Azkaban. If your mother really wants to reconnect or maintain a relationship with her grandson, do you think she'll risk it by going after his favorite professor?" She smirked. "After you send your reply, you could have Scorpius send a letter confirming our relationship. If he just happens to mention what he thinks about me, it may be enough to get her to back off."
"I'll talk to Scorpius before I send a response. I'm sure he'll for along with it." Draco laughed a little and then kissed her forehead again. "I almost want to see her reaction to Pansy being arrested. With Roberts also in trouble, they don't have their trusted solicitor to reach out to."
"I'm not looking forward to those trials in all honesty. I still want to be there, but it's not going to be easy. The sooner they're over with, the better." Amethyst took a deep breath. They headed into the castle, hand-in-hand.
"Hey! Dad!" Scorpius spotted them at the entrance as he was heading to the library. "I received another letter from Gran. She wants us to come home for Christmas…"
"I know. She sent me a letter too." Draco then explained what he and Amethyst had discussed in the courtyard.
"Tell me when." Scorpius didn't hesitate in agreeing to the idea. "Anything to get Gran to stop sending letters… or at least less letters." He shook his head.
"How often does she write?" Draco asked. He barely received anything, but he wasn't complaining.
"At least twice a week until I send a response. Then it drops to once a week. If I go more than two weeks without responding, she sends one nearly every day." Scorpius sighed. "Always asks about you, Dad. How you're doing, are you seeing anyone, why you spend all your time here instead of at the Manor…"
"Because she knows I won't tell her anything." Draco replied. "Guess I should tell her about taking the professorship…"
"Unload all of it all at once?" Amethyst asked.
"I don't see why not. Pansy's been arrested, I am currently seeing someone, I will be joining the teachers at Hogwarts permanently, we're spending Christmas at Hogwarts, and to leave Scorpius alone so he can focus on his studies." Draco listed the main points.
"Speaking of Christmas." Scorpius looked at his father. There was brief unspoken question which resulted in a slight nod from Draco. "I want to spend Christmas here at Hogwarts, but I would like to spend New Year's with Albus, if that's alright."
"Amethyst and I were discussing spending New Year's in Godric's Hollow. Nothing has been decided, but if Harry and Ginny don't object to you spending New Year's with them, I don't see a problem. You can take the train back to Hogwarts at the end of the holiday. We can take the Knight Bus from Hogsmeade if you'd like." Draco explained. He knew the unspoken question was about Amethyst's wand, which reminded him of Ollivander's letter in his pocket.
"I'll talk to Albus and let you know. I should get to the library, I'm late for a study session." He said before spinning on his heels and nearly sprinting to the library.
"I can send word to my aunt. Aunt Violet and Uncle Tim would probably love to spend New Year's with us. We could leave here on the 30th and come back on the 2nd. If that's alright with you?" Amethyst said as they walked through the hall.
"I think that's a great idea." Draco squeezed her hand.
"That will also give me some time to go through things at the house. Whether or not we move forward with the sale, I need to go through things." She watched Draco's facial expression out of the corner of her eye and noticed confusion flash across his features. "With the acromantula issue, the house is not high on my list of priorities. That's not to say you and Scorpius have to return to the Manor - my house is yours." She tried to clarify what she meant. She waited for any type of response, but none came. "I should go find Hagrid." She dropped his hand and started to walk about before turning back to face him. "…I'll just… see you later…" She felt the familiar sting of tears and quickly turned her back to Draco before he noticed - not that she thought he would at that point. It took Draco only a second to snap back to reality when he heard the strain in her voice, but it was a second too late because she was already half way down the hall. He hurried after her and grabbed her hand when he caught up.
"Amethyst…" When would he stop making her cry? When would he stop making her doubt? "I'm sorry. I honestly don't know what my mind went just then. Of course the house wouldn't be a priority right now. You don't have to worry about any of that, even if it meant me going back to the Manor." He pulled her into him and held her. "I keep messing up…"
"No." She shook her head. "I need to stop doubting and overthinking. I'm sorry."
"I guess we both have areas to work on." He smiled reassuringly and then quickly kissed her. "I should work on that response to my mother." There was reluctance in his voice.
"I'm supposed to be taking it easy today, but I do need to talk to McGonagall about tomorrow. I also need to find Hagrid still." She was also reluctant to be away from him since it was going to be one of the few days where they could spend a large chunk of time alone together. "I should also write my aunt about New Year's."
"Get some rest and I'll see you at dinner." He kissed her forehead and then headed for his room while she went to look for Hagrid.