She || Drastoria

32 - All Aboard!

Dear Mr Scorpius Malfoy,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress

*****

Astoria knew straight away that Draco wasn't pleased, that of all the owls they could have received, this was the worst one.

Her hands shook as she lowered the parchment, her eyes meeting her husband's steely grey ones.

"Draco-" she began, her voice weak yet full of determination, "we both know it's the best school for Scorp-"

"But it would mean relocating back to England," he said stiffly, the muscle in his jaw beginning to pulse. "And you've been doing so well here, what with the Druid's remedy-"

"It's all bullshit and you know it," Astoria interrupted, the weak coughing fit that followed making Draco wince, "the curse isn't going anywhere, no matter how many herbal teas and hours in the sun I sit. Look Draco, I fulfilled my promise and I gave it a try. I came here at your request, but now it's time to put Scorp first. He deserves to go so that he can live his full potential."

"But why Hogwarts?" Draco murmured, the light in his eyes dying, "it isn't the only wizarding school in the world."

"It's the best one, and you know it. And above all, it's Scorpius' destiny. He belongs there."

Astoria could see her husband was struggling. He wanted to put his wife and son's happiness first, but he was fearful at what cost.

"I can't risk losing you," he choked, pain etched on his features, "Scorp needs his mother... I need my wife."

Her heart breaking, Astoria reached a weak arm across the table, clutching her fingers as tight as her strength would allow her over his hand.

"Draco, look at me," she urged, her voice soft yet stern. She waited until he lifted his eyes, his sorrowful gaze upon hers. "I'm going to die whether we stay here or not. Please, let us give Scorp as much normal as possible. And here... he's lonely. He needs this. We need this."

The white-blond haired Slytherin opened his mouth as though he were about to say something, but he quickly closed it again as the kitchen door swung open.

"Hey Mum, hey Dad," their eleven year old son beamed, striding over to the kitchen island to grab an apple from the fruit bowl. "

Astoria and Draco both watched as he took a huge, crunchy bite into the flesh, his eyelids almost fluttering as he swallowed his first, blissful mouthful.

"Hey Scorp," Astoria said as brightly as she could muster, quickly laying down his Hogwarts letter, "any plans for today?"

Scorpius shrugged. "Nah," he said quietly, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Thought I'd just write a letter to Blaise about my shell collection."

Astoria's eyes briefly met Draco's. She did not miss the flash of resignation in his. They'd already subjected Scorpius to a lonely five years in isolation due to her health issues, and she knew they couldn't subject him to anymore.

Slowly, Astoria nodded.

"Son," Draco said, his voice almost breaking, "sit down. There's something your mother and I need to talk to you about."