As It Was *Complete*

66. Lost Yet Again

Astra had never before felt so at home as she did that Christmas with her little family around her. Draco's tree arrived right around the same time as the decorations and lights that Harry had ordered and so the rest of the evening was spent singing Christmas carols as they decorated.

It was Astra's first Christmas tree, although she didn't want to tell the others that. At the orphanage, they had a very small one which was set up already when she arrived home. It was always put up when the kids were asleep so that the lady of the house didn't have to deal with the kids. Then, when she spent the holidays at Hogwarts, it was Hagrid who had the task of decorating them with Professor Flitwick's help. At Eileen's the tree was always already up when she arrived.

So she was practically giddy as they hung the lights and ornaments. Harry, of course had ordered plenty of Quidditch inspired decorations. Tiny golden snitches and brooms hung on the tree as well as the Hogwarts crest and even little wands. Draco and Narcissa had beautifully hand painted ornaments with constellations and paintings on them. They were almost too pretty to actually hang and Astra was terrified that she would break one. Maddi and Esme had red, green, and gold traditional decorations which Astra loved and even Sirius had a few decorations to add to the mix. One being a black dog, another a werewolf and another a stag. These were sentimental and took pride of place on the tree.

Astra herself had bought a few from her last visit to Hogsmeade. She bought everyone present a fancy bauble with their names on them. She bought a few little star decorations and even managed to find a lily decoration which she wrapped up for Harry. All in all, when the lights to the tree were switched on, and the tree came to life, it was very overwhelming and Astra found herself becoming tearful at the sight.

It was her first tree and it was perfect.

They then, had dinner together before everyone headed off to do their own thing. Remus was putting Teddy to bed, while Sirius and Harry were locked in a very long battle of wizard's chess. Esme and Snape were still flirting in the corner and Andi and Narcissa were giggling like school girls with Maddi on the sofa after having opened a bottle of wine.

Astra was exhausted and Draco had insisted that he took her up to bed to get a good night's sleep before all the festivities began tomorrow, the day before Christmas Eve. She didn't even argue with him and he gently pulled her up off the sofa and made her hug and kiss everyone goodnight. She just wanted her bed.

So when she finally dove under the covers of her bed and Draco climbed in next to her and pulled her into his arms she gave a heavy but contented sigh. "I am so glad you are here," she whispered, her face against his neck.

"I am too," he smiled. "It wouldn't be Christmas if you were not with me to celebrate. And thank you for inviting my mother as well. I am glad she is out of the Manor for Christmas. It has become such a miserable place."

"How so?"

Draco bit his lip before answering. "It sounds a bit stupid and if you laugh I will bite you but it is as if ghosts from the war are haunting the place. It is deathly quiet and even gloomier than before. Mother has already mentioned that she wants to demolish the house and build something more open and bright but smaller. My father was not keen on the idea."

"Why not?" Astra said as she traced her finger along Draco's chiselled torso.

"That place has been in his family for generations and he said it would be an insult to their memories to change it in any way." Draco scoffed. "I think it's ridiculous and he just wants to be seen to have the biggest home in all of England. He even tried to say that it would be unfair to me as the Manor will one day be mine and my wife's."

Astra froze, her finger in the air and she looked a little stunned. She had never thought about the fact that Draco would inherit the Manor. It made sense as he was the only Malfoy heir but the thought of having to live there filled her with dread. Draco noticed.