𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝕏𝕀𝔼𝕊 (ℍ.ℙ𝕆𝕋𝕋𝔼ℝ)

-1-

T.W: Following chapters mentions of death, suicide, depression and childbirth. Read at your own discretion.

Malfoys don't cry.

Malfoys are cold.

Malfoys don't associate with half-bloods and muggleborns.

Malfoys always win.

Auryn could almost recite all the rules by heart as she sat with her brother in St Mungo's, his hand in hers as he almost broke down completely. Astoria was induced into labor as the blood malady took a serious toll on her, and now they waited for his unborn son to arrive safely.

Narcissa paced the floor, her pale hair swinging elegantly as she walked. Draco looked worse for wear, his tailormade suit a tad too loose on his lean frame, his face stubbled, and his hair unkempt. Auryn was aware she didn't look so good either, but the three sat in tense silence as the minutes stretched on. Draco's grip on her hand grew tighter, his eyes clouded with worry for his wife and unborn son.

Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy would be his name. Draco wanted him to shine, to cast the dishonour of the Malfoys behind him, and have a bright future. She could faintly hear screams from the ward, and Draco burrowed his head into the crook of her neck, his body shuddering.

"Is it too much to ask for her to live, after all that we've been through?" he muttered, his voice thick with tears.

Auryn shifted to make it easier for him to lean his head on, as she stared worriedly into the wall. Narcissa was long gone now, intent on finding someone to inform them of what was happening.

Finally, a healer arrived.

Draco stood up hurriedly. "How are they? Are they okay? Are she and the baby safe?"

The healer sighed, something akin to disgust in his eyes. "Your son is alright, but Ms. Greengrass is worse for wear. She doesn't have long."

Draco's shoulders slumped, and he looked like he was dissolving into his grief.

"Can I see her?" he asked vulnerably, and the healer nodded, ushering them to the room.

The room smelled of blood and stale birthing fluids as they entered. Astoria lay tired, her skin pale, and her hands stained with blood from holding the baby. The sheets were cleaned by a nurse using the cleaning charm, but all Auryn could focus on was how lifeless her eyes are.

"Astoria." Draco reached out to her, pushing the hair from her face as he knelt by her side. She weakly gripped his hand, a small smile playing across the corners of her mouth. The scene was so painfully intimate that she looked away, her eyes now focusing on the small bundle that lay writhing on the crib near the bed.

He was a small, wrinkly thing with a tiny wisp of blonde hair tucked under a hat. He struggled to flail his tiny fists and legs around as he was swaddled in a blanket, and he showed his displeasure by crying, alerting the parents.

Draco reached out for his son, an unreadable look in his eyes as he gently took him into his arms. Baby Scorpius stopped struggling momentarily, greyish blue eyes slowly opening to see his father. Draco's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Auryn knelt next to Astoria, taking her hand into her own. The frail witch smiled at her and Auryn could feel a weak pulse in her delicate hands.

"Daphne will be here soon, along with Lillian and Judas." She promised, her eyes roving over the shell of a young and healthy girl with brown pigtails and a sunny smile just like her elder sister's.

Her heart ached.

Narcissa had entered the room at some point, and tears streamed down her face as she sat down next to her son, staring at her newborn grandson.