Always, Astoria

71. Disappointment

2004

It had been nearly two weeks since Astoria stormed out of Lucius' memorial service. She had been staying with Pansy and Theo and could not bear to look at Draco's face. She had never been more disappointed or infuriated with him before.

Draco apparated to the Nott Estate every morning and night to try and talk with her, but Pansy would not allow him through the door.

                     "Astoria! I need to talk with you! Darling, please!"

                     Astoria hid behind the corner of the foyer and watched Pansy stand in the center of the doorway not allowing Draco to pass.

                  "She does not want to see you. When she is ready, I am sure she will come home..."

                    "Astoria is my wife, Parkinson! None of this concerns YOU!" Draco bellowed out while attempting to shove past her, but Theo stood behind her.

                    "Enough is enough, mate. Go home, drink it off. Astoria will talk to you when she is ready, but now is not the time." Theo said assertively.

                    Finally, after more quarreling, Draco exited the door. Astoria felt her chest ache with grief, how badly she wanted to look into those gray eyes and have his arms around her, but he fucked up. Draco needed to learn that Astoria is not someone he can use whenever he pleases.

Astoria found herself wandering mindlessly through the halls of the mansion. Regarding the many pieces of art, the portraits, and the enchanted photographs that lined the wall.

She looked over the balcony to see Pansy and Theo embracing one another tightly and noticed how upset Pansy was. Her eyes filled with tears, and Theo scratching the top of her head.

Pansy kept muttering the words, "Why? Why did this happen?" to her husband, and Theo kept silent.

Astoria did not feel comfortable watching such a personal, intimate moment between a couple, so she excused herself to her bedroom balcony.

When dinner had concluded Pansy and Astoria sat in the formal living room and found themselves at the bottom of a wine bottle. Her head dazed, and her lips slippery with words. The same effect seems to be happening with Pansy, but more dark emotion seemed to have taken over her face.

"Tell me what's wrong." Astoria said while cocking her head at her friend.

Pansy shook her head, and a few droplets of tears fell from her eyes that she quickly brushed off with her finger.

"It's okay, you can trust me, I won't tell anyone."

Pansy scoffed and finished off the wine within her glass, and finally glared over at Astoria.

"It's not a secret, just a tragedy."

"Tell me anyway." Astoria said while showing to Pansy that she gained her full attention.

Pansy shifted in her seat and began to rim the glass with her fingertip. "Theo and I are trying to have child."

Astoria's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas. She grabbed Pansy's hand and granted her a large smile. "Oh, my Merlin that is wonderful!"

Pansy shook her head once more and more tears fell from her face. "Yes, it would be. But—" She paused and caught her breath.

"But...." Astoria questioned.

"This morning I had my third miscarriage. The baby was not far along, only a few weeks, but I had high hopes. You know what they say? Third times a charm."