Choices

Chapter 9

Info you need to know:

It has been a fortnight, and Astoria has just given birth to Scorpious Tanin Malfoy. He has his mother's hair, soft brown curls that were little more than peach fuzz. His eyes were a steely silver like his father, and he evidently had the same temper. Astoria sleeps peacefully in the hospital bed, and Scorpious is in the hospital's nursery.

Draco POV:

I walk quickly down the hall, as it has come to my attention that one of my patient's condition has changed. As I reach room 394 I pray silently to the heavens that he hasn't taken a turn for the worse. Not only would that hurt my reputation as 'The' doctor (I guess I really don't care about that as much) but it would hurt my very core of my being.

I anxiously opened the door and was immediately relieved. He was sitting up, meaning he had awoken from his coma. I tensed up again. What is he going to do when he sees that his doctor is.......well.......me?

I inch slowly forward, making little noise as to not startle him. He has his head down and his shoulders are slumped; he looks depressed. As I reach the end of the bed, he turns and looks at me. The face I see breaks my heart. He has bags under his eyes and he looks broken, like all the happiness in his life was suddenly gone. He replaced it with a facade, smiling. I put the image of his shattered face into the back of my mind. I'll have to think about it later.

"Draco! What a surprise. I didn't know you were a healer."

I smile back because his is contagious. "Surprise!" I say with a small shake of my hands.

He chuckles. I love it when he laughs.

I push the thoughts away, instead trying to focus on standard medical procedures. "Alright, how are you feeling?" I look up from the clipboard I'm holding. His eyes are a vibrant green, which stirs something deep within me.

"Uh, pretty alright I s'pose. Could be worse."

"That's good. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I.....I think I was in my office at the Ministry when......I.......um.....I don't know what happened."

Typical. "Well, the authorities assessed the situation and it says here you were blown back by reducto."

He looked at me incredulously. "What? Who would do that?"

"The perpetrator didn't leave any traces, so we have no idea."

There was a small crack in his smile, proving that the one before was actually genuine. Wait. He was really, actually, truly happy to see me? Hmm. Later Draco. Later.

I cleared my throat and shook my head slightly to get myself back on track. "Anyway, do you remember anything about your life? A spouse, kids, pets, etc."

"Yeah. I have a kid, Albus, and a wife Ginny."

I felt disappointment that he remembered his wife, but was happy to know he was going to be OK.

"Although," he added,"I'm not sure if things are working out OK." His face fell slightly and he put his head in his hands. "I just...I don't feel the connection I used to with her. I come home after late nights at work to see her on the couch, not paying attention to Albus who's crying upstairs. So then I help Albus and go to bed, just to do the same thing the next day. Frankly, it's getting repetitive and I'm sick of it. I just feel she's so self-centered at times and she's only with me because of my fortune. I really don't know what to do."

I stared at him. He just vented to me. Me. Draco Malfoy, The chosen one's nemesis. My heart swelled, then faltered. He probably doesn't realise who he's talking to. Now what do I say? On one hand I want to help him, but one the other I don't because then I have another chance. Faced with indecision, I simply nod. "I hope your falling out gets better." Or not.

He looks up from his hands. "Thanks."

"I just had a baby you know" I blurt out. Really Draco? Really?

Harry tilts his head slightly, displaying his interest. "Really? What did you name him?"

"Scorpious Tanin Malfoy."

"Why Tanin?

"It means dragon in Arabic."

"Oh! That's cool."

I was amazed how easily I was able to have normal banter with my former enemy. It felt.....good.

"I should be getting to Astoria now. She should be awake."

I could have sworn his face fell. Or maybe it was just my imagination because of how I feel.

"Oh. OK." Disappointment?

As I was walking out the door he said, "Hey Draco?"

I turned around, surprised at the use of my first name. "Yeah?"

"Can....can we be friends now? I'm sorry for not taking your hand in first year." Me too. "You were just being a bit of a git."

I smirked. "Just my charm, you know? And sure, I'd like that." More than you know.

"Cool. See you around then, yeah?"

"Yeah. See you."

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"Dr, she hasn't woken up yet."

"What do you mean?"

I'm walking briskly down the hall to my wife's room, as I was informed that despite their best efforts the nurses were unable to wake Astoria. I worry for her health. She should have woken up ten minutes ago.

I open the door and walk over to her bed. "Astoria?"

She does nothing. I look at her chest. Slight rise and fall, almost like she was asleep. Almost.

Instantly I knew she was in a coma. It can happen sometimes when a woman gives birth. I told the nearest nurse and she nodded, walking out of the room to tell the rest of the staff.

I walked to the side of her bed, held her hand and rested my forehead against hers. I did love her, honestly. Just not like I loved Harry. I lifted my head and put a gentle kiss on her forehead. I needed to go see Scorpious.

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I look into the crib on the far side of the nursery to see a pale skinned baby with curly brown peach fuzz. He opens his eyes and I see they are like mine, which causes me to smile. He blinks, opens his mouth in a yawn, and raises a tiny hand in the air. I put my hand in the crib, letting him hold my finger. He grips it tightly, and I want to cry because of this beautiful moment. I feel wetness on my left cheek and I rub my other hand over it. I guess I am crying a bit.

"Scorpious, my Little Dragon, I promise I will be the best father I can be. I know you don't understand this now, but my father was not a parenting figure to me, and I always wonder what it would be like to have a real father. He.....he's not alive now, which is good for you because you don't have to have a mean grandpa. You're going to love Gramm though. My mother was so helpful to me. I miss her. She's on vacation in the United States, someplace called Florida. She comes back in two weeks though, so that's exciting."

I realise I was talking to a baby that has no clue what I'm saying. I look at my Little Dragon and he's asleep. I guess my quiet ranting made him fall asleep. It's feels nice to know someone likes the sound of my voice.

I gently set his hand back in the crib and softly place a kiss on his forehead, my heart swelling with love for my son. Then I turn and walk quietly out of the room, smiling slightly. It's been a good day.