Oh my gosh, guys. It's chapter fifty. Can you believe that?! As for the sweet intimate scene between Draco/Astoria: it will happen! Lol, Daniel was only there for the purpose of that scene. I promise I won't be going into the muggle OCs' POVs. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and of course tell me what you think! I absolutely live for your thoughts. Happy reading!
I don't own anything from Harry Potter.
Daphne slid her leg more tightly around the naked waist of the man next to her sleepily, rubbing her nose into his skin to itch the tickle there, sneezing on him.
"Did you just blow your snot all over me, woman?" Adrian's voice was thick with sleep, and Daphne wondered if she had ever heard a sexier a sound, even if the words that went with it were less than appealing.
"There was no snot you prat," she huffed, nuzzling her face his chest again. "Don't ruin the morning with your mouth."
"You seemed to love my mouth last night," he purred, trailing his hand down the curve of her spine and around her arse, causing her back to arch at the motion. "Especially on your sweet little cu-"
"Stop!" She hissed tiredly, biting down on his flesh hard, satisfied when made a sound of pain. "I won't deal with your vulgarity this early. Don't make me regret-" Her words were cut off with her loud yelp and her body jerked in shock as he brought his hand down much harder than playfully on the bare skin of her bottom.
She gasped angrily and twisted to examine her now reddening and stinging skin before squirming away from him, cursing him under her breath as she went to crawl out of the bed before he grabbed her by the hips and roughly pulled her back against the front of him, his hands roaming and rubbing up her body, caressing and squeezing her breasts.
"So you can hurt me but I can't hurt you, hm? Doesn't seem fair now does it, treacle? Don't go running off. I only just finally got you to let me touch you properly."
"How can you be so attractive and yet so terribly infuriating," she grumbled, closing her eyes at the feelings his massaging hands were forcing through her body, fighting a low moan. "If only you had a good personality to match."
Adrian gasped loudly in her ear, his hands stopping. "What? My wife finds me attractive? Careful there with the compliments, dove. I'm getting a bit embarrassed. I may even blush. You're right about my personality though, as it surpasses how fucking stunning I am. Pretty impressive, I know."
Daphne rolled her eyes, twisting in his arms to face him once more. "Could your head be any larger? My arse is still stinging by the way. Don't do that again. It's not funny if you do it too hard."
He tsked, frowning in concern as he brushed his hand gently over the hot spot of the flesh that he had struck, drawing soothing circles with his palm. It felt very nice actually, though she made no indication of the fact, not wanting him to notice her positive reaction towards his touch. "I'll fix it. You just need a distraction from it. Here," he said before he moved his hand to the opposite side of her arse, smacking that it just as hard as the first. "Now you can focus on this pain and forget the other. Aren't I always coming up with brilliant solutions?"
Daphne gasped loudly, shoving angrily at his chest to push herself away and completely off the bed. She scrambled to her feet, dragging the sheet with her furiously as she stalked to the bathroom.
"You're leaving me?" She heard him pout, an undertone of smugness in his voice. "I only wanted to help my poor wife feel better."
"Yes. I have to wash all of your residue off of me," she quipped, pushing the door shut to get into the shower as he laughed and made a comment about how much she loved being covered in his residue as she turned on the water.
"Adrian," Daphne started a few days later.
"Daphne," he mimicked in the same curious tone, checking his hair in the mirror as they prepared themselves for the party the Puceys were hosting tonight.
She was so tired of the parties.
"How many children do you want?"
".. Just the conversation a man wants to have before an event filled with sex, alcohol, and drugs."
"Right. About that. I don't really believe it's healthy for my children-"
"Your children? Is my dick not participating in the creation of the little brats?'
"Don't call our children brats," she said sternly. "When will they be expected to be present during these inappropriate parties? I'm alright with them going to the more tame events when you people actually decide to interact with-"
"You people? Rude. Very rude, darling. It takes a lot of energy to interact with your people, you realize," he said, raising his eyebrows at her.
"My people provide a more appropriate setting for children, and-"
"More appropriate for children? Are you fucking serious? Right, because teaching children to starve themselves, strip themselves of all humanity, not speak-"
"Stop cutting me off!" She huffed. "I don't want my children around such things so young."
"Well you're going to have to give a little, dove. I was always around it all, and look how perfect I turned out."
"Adrian," she said quietly, watching him with concern. "Please be a bit reasonable. I know your community has had problems with their.. Substance addictions. I just want my children to be alright."
"Our children will be alright," he replied, rolling his eyes. "Just relax. We will work it out when the time comes. Let's not plan everything detail by detail, alright? I just had to take on the responsibility of having a wife, let's give poor, exhausted Adrian a break."
"Let's not force Daphne to listen to her idiot husband speak in the third person," she said flatly. "I at least want my children to be around the same ages as my sister's-"
"Wonderful! I can't wait to decide when my life is consumed by drooling and screaming infants based on Malfoy's schedule!" He exclaimed, straightening his suit roughly, before snatching the letter from his waiting owl at the window.
"You're so testy today," she grumbled, crossing her arms. "You know that's basically the point of arranged marriage besides having a pretty wife to show off? So you can breed perfect children and continue your line?"
"No need to explain our world to us. I got it. One responsibility at a time please."
"You're older than I am-"
Adrian groaned loudly enough to drown out her words. "Daphne, beautiful, please shut up. Just close your pretty lips on this subject for a bit. I'm begging you. You sound like my mother."
Daphne let out an irritated breath and stared at him for a few moments, debating on whether or not to let it go. She turned to the mirror to examine herself, pursing her lips at how she had filled out since she had gotten there as she had been every time she looked at her form, trying not to panic at the added weight. She looked better, she was sure of it. Adrian was constantly telling her. She just had to keep telling herself that.
"Ah.. Malfoy says something similar that happened with our wards happened to his," Adrian said from behind her, causing Daphne to whirl back around.
"What?" She demanded, crossing the room over to him to snatch the letter from his hands to scan it herself. "Adrian.. This is getting scary. My sister.."
"Getting? What, because it was fun and games before?" He snapped, running a hand through his hair as he moved away from her.
"Don't get like that," she said warningly, frowning at his tone. "Don't get like that again."
"What? Don't like it when I actually take shit seriously? I thought your problem with me was that I'm not serious and brooding enough." No, she was actually growing to adore easy-going he was, though for some reason she just couldn't get herself to be a bit more expressive of her feelings even though she knew he deserved her appreciation.
"I don't like it when you act resentful towards me. As if it's my fault," she said bitterly, swallowing the threatening lump attempting to form in her throat.
She was finished crying in front of him all of the time, even she was getting annoyed at herself and how emotional she was.
"It's not your fault," he said dismissively. "We have to go downstairs."
"Is it wise to keep having these parties when things like this are happening?" She breathed incredulously. "Adrian, they attempted to get into our home, and it wasn't just something random now that it has happened at the Manor as well! What if one of them sneaks through with the guests? Merlin knows you don't keep up with a guest list and check them at the door!"
"I will bring it up to my parents. For now we aren't going to cower in a corner like the ancients are doing. We live, not hide."
"The ancients, as you so endearingly call them, have the right idea in reducing their own events to a minimum and going into hiding for the most part. You're taking a large risk-"
"Daphne," he said, his tone firm. "I told you I would mention it to my parents. Let that be enough for now, alright?"
Daphne took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. She didn't really want to spend too much time arguing with him, and he was a bit on edge. She didn't want to push him into something unpleasant for the both of them. "Alright, Adrian. Alright.. Let's go then."
"Good girl," he cooed, his expression lighthearted once more as he offered her his arm. Yes, she had made the right choice in dropping the issue. "Lighten up now. You'll get premature wrinkles and I may have to replace you with a teenage bride in a few years. Perhaps you need a pick-me-up, I have-"
"I don't want anything you consider a pick-me-up," she said dully, taking his arm. "Let's just go. I'm all too eager to deal with the whores that strut themselves around my home as if they own it."
"Adrian!" A black-haired woman cried brightly once they were downstairs, looking him up and down with exaggerated enthusiasm. "So wonderful to see you!"
Daphne raised her eyebrow, recognizing the woman as Violet Enderson, a woman who came from a family of known blood-traitors somewhat against their will as their ruined reputation had forced them to switch up their image to fit better into a different community when they were forced out of theirs.
Daphne's father's doing actually, if she remembered correctly.
"Friend of yours, Adrian?" Daphne asked, eyeing Violet.
"Definitely not a friend," Adrian snorted.
"Daphne! It's been so long since I've seen you, hasn't it? I must say I love the new look, almost didn't recognize you actually!"
"A friend of yours, love?" Adrian asked, turning to Daphne.
"No, but we've been acquainted."
"Well, I've been acquainted with all of you. It's my speciality to get to know everyone," she said, smirking as she lifted her drink to her lips. "How's your sister doing? I do miss seeing her."
"Small talk, Enderson? Not like you at all," Adrian told her, taking the drink from her hands to down it himself.
"You're right. Politeness doesn't suit me, just as it doesn't suit you. I just figured since I hadn't been to one of your events in a while, and since you've only recently returned from a long vacation of avoiding your duties as your parents' son, I figured I'd drop in and make nice."
"Aren't I lucky then?" Adrian gasped, holding his hand to his chest as if he were flattered. "Well, you can make nice with my wife while I go.. Over there, yeah?"
Daphne watched her husband's back dully as he left her with Violet who was regarding her with that both smug and intrigued look she always seemed to have stuck to her face.
"So, not really a Greengrass type of setting, is it?" Violet asked, looking around the crowded home.
"I'm not a Greengrass anymore, am I?" Daphne answered, her tone unbothered.
"I suppose you're not. Good choice, well I suppose it wasn't your choice, but still. I'm sure having a bit of fun is much more enjoyable than sitting around playing perfect all of the time, no?"
"I'm not sure, really. Ask your parents what they felt of their transition to a different community," Daphne replied, her tone feigning innocence as she tilted her head at her.
Violet raised her eyebrows, a bit of anger flashing in her eyes before she smiled. "Fair enough then. I can respect your attitude. Well, maybe Charlotte could tell us how hers went," The girl said, her voice growing even louder over the music as she turned towards the couple passing near the two of them.
Charlotte Blythe stopped beside her husband, Corwin Higgs, at the sound of her name, her eyes zeroing in on the source before her eyes slid to Daphne. Daphne had seen her only once since she had been married to Adrian as she had apparently been ill according to the Higgs, and when she had seen her Charlotte hadn't appeared to notice her. Before that Daphne had seen her at a few more general pure-blood events, but she seemed to always avoid her family. She definitely didn't appear to be the same girl as she had when she was younger and one of the most obvious options to be married into the more respectable families before she had slipped up and was embarrassed publicly by Daphne's mother. Daphne had never thought much of it, and she hadn't minded Charlotte as a young girl, but she knew Charlotte was never fond of her sister and Astoria had only been all too keen on mocking her when she had disappointed her family. Though Adrian and Terence were friends, she knew that the Higgs and the Puceys were one of the more obvious rival families of their community.
A cold smile crossed Charlotte's confident features and she slowly sauntered over to the two of him, her husband squinting at the both of them as if he were deciding on whether they were worth following his wife and participating in having conversation with. Apparently they were, as he followed his wife's actions, grinning as he examined Daphne. She hadn't had much chance to speak with Corwin, but she had definitely heard stories about him. It was interesting that both the Pucey family and the Higgs had taken wives from the circle she had grown up in, them both being in such competition with the other. She did know that the Puceys were considered more favorable than the Higgs, so that gave her a leg up.
For the the time being.
"Daphne. So interesting to finally see you here. I knew you that you were a Pucey now.. Well.. I've also heard some things about how well you've adjusted to being a Pucey, but.. Hmm. Don't worry. Things will look up for you I'm sure," Charlotte told her, an odd, cruel and elated look in her eyes.
"I wasn't worried," Daphne replied, smiling without warmth. "I'm glad to see that you look somewhat better now, not cowering at the sight of my family."
"Don't be absurd," Charlotte scoffed, examining her as her lip curled. "As if I would ever cower to a family who lost their son to a mudblood. Have you seen your brother since he was disowned?"
Corwin laughed in shock, turning on his wife with wide eyes. "Are you out of your fucking mind?" He hissed, a tight grin on his face as he looked between them.
The atmosphere quieted a considerable amount for being so previously loud after Charlotte spoke the words and Daphne felt as though the woman had dumped a bucket of ice over her. Never had another person mentioned Edric to her face since he had been disowned, besides Adrian respectfully in private, they were not meant to mention him, even these types of families knew that.
"What's wrong, darling? Have I hit a nerve?" Charlotte asked with mocking sympathy in her tone.
"There are some lines we don't cross, poppet," Corwin told his wife, grabbing her arm to pull her away from Charlotte. "We don't go pissing off the wrong families, and right now you're going for two families at once, neither of them I'm prepared to deal with. Actually, three if you count ours."
Daphne composed herself, stepping towards Charlotte. "It's interesting the way my family's leftovers is speaking to me. Have you ever considered learning your place?"
"Family's leftovers?" Charlotte repeated, her eyes flashing. "And what are you, Daphne? Your prized sister's husband's leftovers? Isn't that how you got here? Nothing but a cast-off."
"And how did you get here, love?" Daphne cooed, unfazed by her comment as she got close to the woman's face. "Won't you tell us?"
Charlotte sneered and stepped back. "I can assure you that it wasn't from a cheap shag in the broom closet with one of the most well known pure-bloods in our circle like a complete fool."
"It was an empty classroom, not a broom closet," Daphne corrected. "I did do that, like a fool, and yet-" Daphne stopped to look at all of the onlooking young girls who often threw her nasty looks in their jealousy, no doubt hoping for Charlotte to win this little spat against her. "I was scorned by my circle, but here I am. Getting the better of all of you without even trying. Now, why don't you own up to what you did, Charlotte? Why are you backing away from me now? Don't start something you can't finish. Are you afraid my father will destroy you as you've always been just so afraid of him? Are you still ashamed that you're so incapable of making your family proud that a mudblood got the better of you? That a mudblood ended up taking your husband? Careful, you might lose this one too if you don't behave." Daphne lowered her voice to a dark, mocking tone. "Perhaps I can make him beat you the same way your daddy beat you in result of my family's negative opinions towards you."
"Why am I not surprised that a fight breaks out only moments after leaving my life alone with you, Enderson?!" Adrian exclaimed, returning to loop an arm around Daphne's waist. "Is there a problem, ladies?" Though Adrian was looking at Corwin as he spoke.
"Absolutely no problem, darling!" Daphne said, smiling at Adrian widely. "I was just catching up with my old family friend! Oh, and addressing all of the lovely women who lost you to me." Daphne beamed at the onlooking women. "I think they are finally coming to terms that this is my house and they will never be anyone worth talking about. Unless Charlotte here doesn't learn to keep her mouth shut. Then they may have a chance at Corwin."
Charlotte was shaking with anger, every inch of her visibly upset and thoroughly bothered by Daphne's words. The woman seemed significantly smaller now as she backed down from Daphne. Corwin looked dangerously angry with his wife, and Daphne wondered if he really would physically harm her.
"Pucey. I'm hoping your wife doesn't want to bring any problems onto my family, or else we may not be able to remain friends any longer," Corwin said, his cheery voice sounding terrifying coated in ice.
"Corwin, mate, do try not to threaten me. Don't like that too much if I'm being honest. Makes me feel cornered, do you know what I mean? Nah, don't corner me, and don't let your wife attempt to corner mine again while in my house. Not for my wife's sake, but for yours. She obviously doesn't know how to handle herself," Adrian replied, tightening his arm around her waist protectively.
Daphne noticed the gazes of the women around her change, and where she expected fury she instead saw an irritated respect in some of their faces before most of them moved on with the events of the party, the volume of the room seeming to return back to normal.
"Come on kids, let's all get along," Violet sang and Adrian threw her a look before Corwin stepped back, his expression falling into a lazy, cocky expression once more.
"Yeah, Pucey. Let's all get along, alright? It was good to see you, gorgeous," he said, winking at Daphne. "I'm sure you and Char will warm up to each other. You have so much in common."
Daphne nearly scoffed at the thought of ever warming up to the bitch but smiled back, waving her fingers at Charlotte as her husband guided her away from Daphne and her husband.
"As much as I enjoy a good cat fight, let's not start out with the Higgs, alright?"
"She mentioned my brother," Daphne told him, shaking her head. "In front of all of these people. If I told my father.."
"No snitching to your father," he told her firmly. "Let's not go there. I feel like you held your own enough without needing to run to daddy."
Daphne rolled her eyes. "I never 'run to daddy'. I'm not Astoria." Daphne looked over to where Violet was previously, not finding her as the atmosphere dimmed even darker and the music thumped louder. "Did the Higgs leave?"
"Not likely. They're around. Corwin can be nasty, so be careful with him. At least be careful when I'm not around."
It was the early hours of the morning when everyone had gone, and the party had finally cleared. Daphne and Adrian were retreating to their bedroom when Rhys called them over, sounding worried.
"What, Nott? No salt for the wound? Haven't you come to scold me for defying you in front of your friends?" Freya Krat demanded bitterly, her face appearing shaken as Joseph Nott grabbed her wrist, pulling up her sleeve to find the gash there, examining it carefully.
He raised an eyebrow at her words, pressing his thumb down on the cut roughly and Freya hissed in pain, attempting to yank her arm away from his hold.
"Don't have any salt on me, but hopefully that worked well enough. It was your suggestion," he murmured, pulling a vial of potion from his pocket to apply to the cut.
"What are you doing," she asked weakly, watching him with eyes that were slowly losing their hardness.
"I hurt you," he answered calmly. "I'm healing you now."
"I disarmed you. I brought you to your knees in front of others. Why do you care if you grazed me with one of your spells? This little girl got the better of you, Nott. Shouldn't you be plotting with your mates in a corner about how to get back at me for my insolence?"
"I shouldn't have spoken about you like that, and Malfoy is unlikely to say anything after you humiliated him. It's not as if he will want anyone to know."
"Oh, so you're saying that you deserved what you got?"
"No. I'm not happy with you, but knowing you as long as I have I should have expected it. Just because I'm angry with you doesn't mean I want you hurt. It also doesn't mean that I'm okay with whatever the fuck just happened with Greengrass. Care to explain?" He asked, his eyes narrowing as he spoke the last words.
Freya looked away, allowing him to apply the potion to her arm gingerly. "I don't know," she said coldly before her face fell into something weaker. "I don't know," she repeated softly. "I just.. Gave up. I felt him in my head, and I just let him have what he wanted. I didn't want to fight it. I'm tired of everything. I'm tired of fighting. I don't want to fight anymore. I hate this world, and I hate being a witch." Her voice fell to a whisper near the end of her sentence, looking down.
Joseph froze, looking up at her with alarm. "You do not hate being a witch, Freya," he told her firmly, moving his head down to try to catch her lowered gaze before giving up and reaching for her chin, Freya flinching away before his hand took her face, tilting it up towards his. "Look at me. Don't say that, and don't act like you want to give up. It's fine. It will all be fine, do you understand? Hogwarts is almost over. You'll marry me, you'll leave your father and brother behind, and people like Greengrass won't be able to come near you like that again."
"But it doesn't matter. I'll still have to be around them. I'll still have to act civil with them for the rest of my life at those events I don't want to attend, have children and raise them in the same nonsense, teach my daughters that they only get to be one thing and that's a prize to a man, teach my sons to be cruel and conquer, and you.. You kill people. You kill people, Joseph. I don't care if they're not like us, they're still people. I don't like it. I don't like the thought of you coming home to me and getting in our bed after slaughtering human beings, or the fact that those horrible, vile men who aren't even like us will be in our home. They're savages," Freya told him, her voice thick with both disgust and sadness as she searched Joseph's eyes.
"You're acting as if I'm a monster, as if I kill for sport. I'm doing what I'm told, and I'm trying to make sure we are on the right side at the climax of the war that's only just starting. They're less than us, those 'people' you're pitying. Shut your mind down to them if you want to stay sane. Yes, perhaps our world means nothing, but when no one is around you can be yourself. I don't aim to conquer you, Freya. I never have. Our children don't have to be miserable, but we just need to survive, and I will make sure that we survive."
"All of us simply survive. I'm tired of surviving. I want to live, and I want to feel. None of us feel, none of us are in love. It's all a game. It's all business. No one is living, only breathing."
"We can grow to be in love," he said, rolling his eyes. "Since when are you the romantic type? If I knew that, I would have tried to stop seeing you as my best friend a long time ago and tried to see you more romantically." His voice softened and he dropped his hand, holding her gaze. "I do love you, Freya. I love you more than anyone, and I have since we were kids. You're my best friend; my family. I think that means a bit more than the idiots who go around snogging each other in the halls and making eyes at each one another during classes and calling themselves in love. I love you, and I always will. Unconditionally. Please just let that be enough, and let us get through this. I know you don't like what I'm doing, and it's not as if I enjoy it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to change or we have to change. We can live, and we can be happy. We have to make the best of what we have to work with, what other option is there?"
"Okay," she said softly after a while, her expression filled with a vulnerability that changed the look of her completely. "Okay, Joseph. I'll keep trying.."
"I'm sorry," he told her gently. "I'm sorry that you've never stopped hurting, and I'm sorry that I'm now someone adding to your pain. I'll do what I can to fix it. I want you to be happy. I've always wanted you to be happy. Just be patient with me for now I'm.. Stuck in something I have to work through."
"I know you don't mean it," Freya sighed. "And I don't know where I'd be without you and your family. You know I love you too."
"I know," he said, his lips turning up into a lighthearted smirk. "Look how nice I am. You acted like a crazy bitch today and I'm still healing the scratch I left on you."
The memory faded into another while sadness swept over Astoria as she was unable to control her mourning for the relationship her mother could have had, even it meant a different world for her family entirely.
Freya sat alone, the atmosphere of the Slytherin table seeming off in its buzz of gossip, the other Slytherins glancing at her as they huddled in groups. Joseph entered the Great Hall calmly, his pace slow has he took his time, ignoring the stares from his housemates. He stopped in front of the table where Freya sat, staring down at her with a level, emotionless expression before he dropped the paper he was holding down in front of her, his family's name and picture covering the front as their downfall was explained in the text. Freya looked up at him slowly, holding his gaze defiantly for several moments as she seemed to dare him to say anything to her. He said nothing as he held her eyes for several seconds before turning to exit the way he had came with the same calmness he had entered with, his head held high.
Freya's expression dropped as son as he left, staring down at the paper, seeming disconnected from herself. She didn't move for a long time, not attempting to eat or look away from the paper until Rhys Pucey came to sit beside her quietly.
"Freya," he said slowly. "I don't know what's going on, or why you did it. I don't care, and I've always been your friend before Nott's. Whatever he did.. Well, I know you didn't do this over nothing. You don't have to tell me. Just remember we are still friends, alright? Seeing as I barely remember what the Greengrass family looks like at all as I'm never rarely around those families I doubt we will be seeing much of each other after we get off the train, but that doesn't make us any less of friends."
Freya didn't reply or move until he got up himself, leaving her there alone.
Astoria looked down at her lap when the scene cleared from the room, her face gathered together in sadness and confusion. "I don't understand," she said to Draco who was saying nothing. "I don't understand what happened."
"Seems like your father happened," Draco drawled and Astoria scowled, tired of her husband blaming her father for everything though she couldn't find it in her to disagree with him completely. "And as much as your mother has oddly grown on me I have to say she's quite the traitorous bitch."
"I just want to know what he did," Astoria sighed. "Why won't this stupid thing show us?"
"It doesn't like to be told what to do, it just likes to show you whatever it feels like, I've found," Draco mused, taking the letter the house-elf gave him, skimming it.
His expression fell into something serious and he sat up properly, pulling out his wand to summon a parchment and quill to write a response. "What is it, Draco?" She asked, standing to go sit beside him, attempting to read the letter. "It's very late to be sending letters.." They were normally not up this late themselves, but they had been distracted by the Pensieve.
"The Puceys want to come here. They're afraid they will be attacked soon. All of the Puceys," Draco said, his voice laced with anxiety.
"Were they attacked again?" She asked, panic rising in her throat. "You're allowing it, yes? Draco, please tell me-"
"Of course I'm allowing it," he snapped impatiently. "Pucey is my friend at the end of the day, whether I actually like him much or not."
"And Daphne is my sister," she muttered, slightly offended he didn't include her when explaining his reasoning for allowing their stay. There were times when he seemed thoughtful and caring, and others where he seemed the opposite.
"That too," he said dismissively, standing to send the letter off.
When the Puceys arrived, Astoria stood to greet her sister in relief, but was taken off guard by her appearance. She blinked, examining her her sister's more than showy, glittery dress that nearly blinded her in its gaudiness, matching the same aesthetic Olena Pucey was presenting.
Her sister was truly one of those now.
"And I thought your outfit was horrid before," Astoria nearly groaned, shaking her head at her sister, hearing Olena Pucey mutter about Astoria being rude.
"So good to see you too," Daphne snapped. "It's not as if we were almost murdered or anything."
"Well of course," Astoria huffed, walking over to kiss her sister's face. "You know I've been so worried about you, but I do wish that you were wearing clothes."
"Thank you, Draco. We appreciate it," Rhys sighed. "We know it's late."
"It's probably better this way actually," Draco said. "If they are truly coming for top families now it will be better if we are together." Draco sat to write another letter, not bothering to greet the Puceys properly.
Astoria noticed Adrian's quietness, it was difficult not to when he always seemed as if he had something to say, and she frowned at him in concern before looking at her sister questionably. Daphne shook her head in response, looking at Olena who was eyeing the Manor with a frown.
"It's quite dark here, isn't it?" She asked.
"No need to complain about the decorations when they're allowing us to stay in their home for the time being," Rhys scolded her. "Be polite."
"Allowing us?" Olena gasped. "We're family!"
Astoria nearly laughed, knowing full well her husband would never see the Puceys as family, as he barely saw Adrian as a friend and didn't even acknowledge the fact that Daphne was his sister-in-law. After Draco sent the letter off, he began speaking with Rhys about his wards and the second attempt at them. Astoria focused her attention on her sister, pulling her to sit next to her as she searched her face, bringing her hands into her lap.
"Are you alright? I would die if anything happened to you. You should have been here from the start. I told Draco-"
"I'm fine, Tori. Do I look like I'm not alright? Adrian is a bit put out, but he's alright too," she murmured, tucking her hair behind her ear before smirking at Astoria, attempting to lighten the mood. "I saw Charlotte Higgs tonight. She's still a complete bitch."
"Yes, now that you mention it I do remember her having to stoop to marrying into a family like the Higgs," Astoria said, her smirk matching her sister's as she thought of the woman and her downfall. "I already commented on your appearance, so I won't answer you on whether or not you look alright."
"Like the Higgs," Olena repeated, looking at her husband before looking at Astoria. "You're too pretty to be so rude, child."
"I'm sorry Mrs. Pucey," Astoria said, smiling apologetically. "I forgot my manners it seems. Can I offer you anything? I can lead you to a room whenever your ready."
"Don't worry, Olena. She's always a bitch, but for some reason people can never see it. Glad she's being one in front of you so you can see it too and don't think I'm just being bitter," Daphne told her mother-in-law, giving Astoria a smug look.
"That's alright. I've met your mother before, Astoria."
"I'm nothing like my mother," Astoria replied to the woman, her eyebrows coming together as she leaned back slightly in offense, looking at Draco when he snorted loudly at her words.
"Don't blame you for being offended," Joseph Nott said, entering the room they were all gathered in with his son. "I don't think anyone wants to be compared to her."
"Joseph. So good to see you, mate. When was the last time we sat down and had the time to catch up with each other?" Rhys asked Joseph cheerily.
It was quite bizarre seeing the two of them in the same room after seeing the younger versions of themselves as friends at Hogwarts with her mother. So much had changed, and they had gone in completely different directions in life. Astoria wondered if Rhys felt sorry for Joseph, or if he was so faithful as Freya's friend that he felt he deserved what he had gotten. Joseph had done well for his family since the scandal, but everything with the Death Eaters had also taken a toll on his family as it did to the Malfoy family.
"Malfoy says it's best if we stay together, and I agree however," he paused, raising an eyebrow at the Puceys. "I'm not sure where the Puceys fit in, Draco."
"We fit in everywhere actually. We are a lovely family," Rhys said, nodding. "And we can't actually go anywhere outside of the homes of families being investigated thanks to sweet Astoria here. Trust me, Malfoy Manor is far from our first choice of safe houses." Astoria looked down with guilt, feeling embarrassed and ashamed that everyone was constantly recognizing her as the one who screwed the Puceys over. Rhys at least didn't seem angry with her, and the man always seemed calm which was a slight contrast to his son.
"Where is Sylvia? I haven't seen her in so long. I heard you two still do not get along," Olena asked Joseph, looking around for his wife. "Very sad. She's a beautiful woman."
"You heard correctly. Nice to see your English has improved," Joseph said slowly. "She's at her parents' again, as she has been going frequently. Safer really, as well as nice in that I don't have to put up with her."
"I think this is a terrible idea," Theodore said irritably, looking as if he was just woken up as his hair was all over the place in a frustratingly attractive way. "Seems like we are just making it convenient for them, rounding ourselves up like this."
"Then by all means, Theodore," Astoria said, smiling tightly at him. "You go back home and fend off the Death Eaters yourself. Perhaps call your mother home to join you."
Rhys whistled lowly, pulling his bottom lip back over his bottom teeth in a grimace that expressed awkwardness and Adrian snickered, seeming to gather himself together from his off silence, nodding appreciatively at her as Daphne tried to cover her laugh with a cough. Joseph raised his eyebrows, looking between the both of them. "Do you two need to be separated? What is this?"
Neither of them said anything, and Draco seemed to be ignoring the exchange all together.
"Well, is it all right if I stay, Astoria? Or are you going to imply that I should go home and be killed as well?"
"You can stay," Astoria sniffed, lifting her chin, avoiding Theodore's withering gaze at her.
"Well," Joseph expressed, sitting down. "It's certainly a first that anyone has ever held me above my charming son and suffering wife."
"You're right, Astoria. Nothing like your mother at all," Rhys commented, looking intrigued as he stared at the Pensieve that they had not covered as they usually did when they were finished with it.
"We were just watching the two of you through that. It's quite entertaining actually, that you're both here together now," Draco told him, nodding towards the Pensieve.
"Of course you have to note how well I've aged, I'm sure," Rhys replied, winking at his scoffing wife.
"Lovely," Joseph said, his lip curling. "I'm simply thrilled that two children have been spying on my life."
"We just watched the part where Freya exposed your family. It was a tragedy, honestly," Draco told Joseph, his tone bored and not at all sympathetic.
Joseph's jaw visibly tensed and Rhys leaned forward towards Draco. "Did you? Did you see what Nott did? I never found out. Sad how neither of my friends would tell me."
"Because it was my fault the crazy bitch betrayed my family," Joseph sneered at him. "How could I possibly forget, Pucey?"
"No," Astoria answered Rhys regretfully, ignoring Joseph, looking at the Pensieve with a sigh. "It's very frustrating. I suppose Mr. Nott would not want to tell us either.."
"Mr. Nott will not be telling you anything" Joseph snapped in his aggravation, glaring at the Pensieve. "Besides the fact that your mother was ungrateful and completely broke my mother's heart."
Olena exclaimed something loudly in her language in confusion as the Pensieve pooled another memory around them, consuming the room.
Freya, looking around twelve this time around, stood in the Nott fireplace, soaked in liquid that was filthy in result of using the Floo. Mr. and Mrs. Nott stopped talking to turn to stare at her in surprise, calling their son in worriedly.
"What's happened to you, darling?" Abigail asked as she rushed over to her, concern covering her face. Her head jerked back in surprise when she got close to her and inhaled the air around her, covering her mouth and nose with her hand. "You're covered in alcohol."
"May I clean up here, Mrs. Nott?" Freya asked, shifting uncomfortably, wiping the residue from the floo to reveal a bruised cheek, wincing at her own touch. "I apologize that I'm making a mess.. You told me to come and see you if I needed you, but my father has remarried so I'm not sure if the offer still stands."
"Yes, of course," the woman replied, helping her up the stairs, throwing her husband and son a sad glance.
"Son," Mr. Nott started, grimacing at the retreating females. "We do not put our hands on our women. To beat your woman is to beat your own pride, especially your own child. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," Joseph replied, looking up at his father and frowning before looking back at the stairs, looking upset for his friend. "I understand."
Novalie arrived at the home in which Edric and Ophelia Greengrass lived, examining the house with interest before knocking on their door. She knew Ophelia had rejected the job more than once, but the Aurors had sent her to attempt convincing the woman herself seeing as they both worked in the same field. She was definitely hoping for the best results, as it would be more than interesting to see the wife of the disowned Greengrass interacting with all of the people he had grown up with, the same people who had cast him off completely to never speak of him again.
Thankfully, it was Ophelia who answered the door because Novalie doubted she would get anywhere at all with Edric Greengrass himself. "Hello," Novalie told her, smiling and taking in her appearance. She was definitely not a pure-blood woman, expensive home or not. Still, she was beautiful, and Novalie could see the appeal. "I'm Novalie Eld. Is your husband home?"
"No," Ophelia said, frowning suspiciously. "Why are you looking for him?"
"Do suspect your husband unfaithful?" Novalie asked curiously, knowing she was being rude though she didn't mean the question maliciously.
"No," Ophelia replied coolly, narrowing her eyes slightly. "I'm allowed to ask why someone is looking for my husband, am I not? Besides, it is rare for someone to come to our home looking for him."
"I'm not looking for him actually. May I come in?"
Ophelia looked around, looking cautious now. "You make sure my husband isn't home and then expect me to let you in? I hope I don't look that foolish."
"No, it's nothing like that. I'm assisting the Aurors as a psychologist. They asked me to come talk to you about joining me," she told her, watching her reaction grow frustrated.
"I've already told them no," she said impatiently. "My husband won't allow it."
"Ah, well.. Yes. I know how pure-blood men are always in control of their wives," she expressed, nodding in understanding, waiting for Ophelia to reject the idea.
"He isn't in control of me," she argued defensively. There it was. "It isn't safe, and I agree."
"I understand," she repeated. "It's best to keep the marriage friendly instead of jeopardizing it by arguing too much."
"Again," she said slowly. "It's not just his decision."
"Why do you feel it unsafe? You don't have to interview Daphne Pucey or Astoria Malfoy if that's what you're afraid of. That is what you're worried about, yes? There are plenty of families you can assist with, and you do not have to use your husband's name in front of them," she told her, tilting her head.
"I.." She faltered. "I'm still a muggle-born."
Novalie laughed lightly. "Half of them believe me a muggle-born. You won't get hurt. I can see you don't want to let me in, but think it over alright? Ask your husband of course," she said the last part firmly, knowing by the expression on her face she had convinced her much too easily.
She was slightly disappointed. She was hoping the woman would be less guarded so she could ask her more about her marriage. She was very curious to know what their relationship and life was like. Ophelia was clearly sensitive about whether or not the man controlled her, but that could mean many things. She was also disappointed that she would have to keep her word on not bringing the woman around her husband's sisters, as that would be more than interesting to watch unfold. Painful no doubt, but fascinating, especially from what Theo had told her. She hadn't meant to act so foolish and aggressive towards Astoria, but she had panicked like an idiot when Astoria had recognized her name, and now she doubted she would ever be able to get anything worth while out of her now that the girl didn't like or trust her. Ophelia would definitely get past her polished facade, and Novalie wished it would make sense for the woman to come face to face with her, but she knew that it made none. She could understand completely why Ophelia refused.
"We are so happy that you are here.." Hermione started as she looked down at her clipboard, only a few days after Novalie had gone to convince Ophelia to join them. "Mrs. Hale? Mrs. Hale. I know it must be frightening for you to approach a situation like this, and I wish I had the time to talk to some of the muggle-born psychologists who were too afraid, but I've just been up to by ears in all of this mess. Novalie, many of the pure-bloods have grouped together at Malfoy Manor. Convenient for us I suppose, but also worrying since a lot of them have expressed concern that there have been attempts on their homes. Anyway, we will start there. Of course, though there a many of them all in one place there are still only a couple of Aurors assigned to the job. The sense that makes? I'm not exactly sure, but you can't expect much more from the Auror Department at the moment, can you?"
Hermione continued to ramble on and Novalie noticed Ophelia stiffen, her eyes widening in alarm as she began to back away, her mouth opening to protest as the male Auror took her arm and apparated her gruffly before she could say anything.
Did this count as Novalie breaking her word?