She || Drastoria

23 - Solitude

She had suffered his parents words like a dog being contented with a kicking. You can endure an awful lot, she reasoned to herself, when you know you'll be fed at the end of it.

Everyday she looked in the mirror and cradled her ever growing stomach with gratitude, knowing that she was doing this for Draco. Because even if Lucius and Narcissa didn't believe it, she knew he wouldn't be able to move on after her death.

This way he had someone, something to hold on to.

But something was going wrong, and she was afraid of letting Draco know, for she had promised him this pregnancy wouldn't make her weaker.

Yet... each morning she awoke, she struggled to open her eyes. Each time she tried to climb out of bed and go to the bathroom it was becoming more of a stumble and less of a stride.

She tried to hide it, desperately so. However, Draco wasn't blind, neither was he stupid.

"For fuck's sake, Astoria," he hissed, catching her in his arms as she collapsed halfway down the stairs one morning when she was six months into the pregnancy, "we're getting you to Dr. Zaius - immediately!"

But the news he delivered was grave, and, despite being prepared for it her entire life, the words were still a blow for Astoria to hear.

"I'm afraid it is the beginning. It is time to prepare for her care."

"YOU TOLD HER THE PREGNANCY WOULDN'T AFFECT HER HEALTH!" Draco was livid, his face tinged pink and his jaw set so fierce, Astoria could see a tiny muscle pulse along the ridges.

"And I stand by that." Dr. Zaius answered calmly, seeming quite unperturbed by Draco's sudden outburst. "It is purely coincidental that the curse has happened to strike now. We always knew there was a risk, Mr Malfoy. She is twenty-three years of age now, almost twenty-four. Although once the pregnancy is over she will regain some of her strength, I'm afraid she'll never be the same as she was before."

"But- but what about Healing?" Astoria said quietly, finally finding her voice which she'd lost in the shock. "I was going to resume my studies and look into a career-"

"Although I believe we would be blessed to have someone like you in our profession, Astoria," Dr Zaius said kindly, "I should think, under the circumstances, you will have enough on your plate with looking after the little one and yourself. I strongly suggest you save your time and strength for your family from now on."

A hand slipped into hers, long fingers entwining with her own. She glanced up to see Draco looking down at her, the anger now gone from his face, replaced by a sadness swimming in his eyes that made her heart ache.

"You need to come first, my love." His voice was strangled, pained. "Let me look after you."

Astoria gave a weak nod, closing her eyes, the reality of her shortened life hitting her harder than expected.

Dr. Zaius sent her away prescribing bed rest for the last trimester of her pregnancy, warning her that she'll need to have a Caesarean section, as the likelihood of natural childbirth would more than likely kill her.

Draco was onto it immediately, making sure she was booked into the best hospital with the best surgeons. In the meantime, he looked after her at home, pretty much going from husband to carer in the blink of an eye.

"I don't mind," he would vehemently reassure her whenever she got teary about being a strain on him. "You could never be a burden, Astoria. I love you. And I love our child."

He climbed into bed and lay with her every night, holding her tightly in his arms, her growing stomach meaning they had to now spoon.

She had a stream of visitors which Draco would have to constantly kick out when he felt Astoria was getting too tired, she herself always too nice to tell them to fuck off.