Two and a Half Men #9: All About Family
Title: All About Family
Rating: PG 13
Word Count: 2,600
Summary: Astoria comes to visit for Christmas and Harry wonders about his place in his little family.
Author's Notes: Written for slythindor100's Early Bird Challenge. Prompt 23: Christmas Cookies. Also written for dracoharry100's Christmas Challenge: Prompt 9: Blanket, Prompt 18: Christmas with the family, Prompt 11: Sharing hot chocolate, Prompt 27: Cuddling by the fire. This turned out a bit flangsty but I figured I owe Astoria Greengrass an apology, since she always turns evil in my fics.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. This was written for fun, not profit.
It was shaping up to be a brilliant Christmas. Harry settled down in his blanket, enjoying the warmth from the roaring fireplace. Next to him, Draco sighed softly and placed his head on Harry’s shoulder. Harry draped an arm around his shoulders and Draco smiled into his neck.
“Wonderful, isn’t it?” he whispered.
“Perfect,” Harry agreed. And yet, something still rankled. Despite the sense of contentment enveloping him, Harry couldn’t help how his gaze strayed to the kitchen every now and then. No matter how much he tried not to, he still found himself staring intently at the pretty, elegant witch bustling around in there and the little blond boy hovering around her.
“Scorpius!” she laughed as she pulled out a tray of perfect, golden brown cookies from the oven. “You’ll have to be more patient, mon petit.”
Scorpius stared up at her with serious, grey eyes. “Kay, Mommy.”
Astoria smiled and kissed his cheek before helping him up on the counter. “Would you like to help me cut them into star shapes?” she asked. “Be careful now, these are hot.”
Harry turned away from the scene of domestic bliss, trying not to feel too left out. Draco nuzzled against him again, apparently oblivious to recent happenings. “It’s nice having a minute to ourselves, isn’t it?” he murmured.
“It is,” Harry replied distractedly. “Hey, remind me again- why isn’t Astoria spending Christmas with Daniel?”
Draco frowned at the sudden change of subject; then shrugged noncommittally. “Daniel is spending the holidays with his daughters. Tori figured it was a good time to visit, she hasn’t seen Scorpius for a while so…”
“And just how long does Tori plan to stay?” Harry asked sulkily. He didn’t mean to sound so resentful, but he couldn’t help it. It was Christmas, for Merlin’s sake. Couldn’t she have visited in the summer or literally, any other time of year?
Draco raised an eyebrow, apparently catching on. “Harry, I asked you if you were okay with Astoria coming over for Christmas, remember?” he pointed out sternly.
“I know,” Harry muttered. “I just didn’t think…”
He hadn’t thought she would be so nice and pleasant and pretty. He hadn’t realized that Draco was apparently still fond of her or that their easy camaraderie would rankle so much. He had certainly not anticipated that Scorpius would hang on her every word and follow her around everywhere. Most of all, he hadn’t realized he would have to share his Draco and his Blondie with her and he resented it. He resented it very much. There, he said it.
“Harry.”
Harry scowled and slumped against the sofa, not liking Draco’s stern, exasperated tone either. Draco shook his head and leaned in, brushing his lips against Harry’s in a brief, affectionate kiss. “You’re an idiot,” he accused. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
“How could I not be?” Harry demanded. “Look at her, Draco! She’s so…good with him.”
His gaze wandered back to the kitchen. Scorpius giggled and stuck his hand in the jam jar, emerging with a generous dollop. Astoria laughed and ruffled his hair, cooing affectionately at him. Draco was watching too, and he grinned at the sight. Harry scowled as his boyfriend chuckled and wrapped his arms around him. “She’s his mother,” he said softly, running a gentle hand through Harry’s hair. “She loves him and they hardly ever see each other. Of course he wants to spend time with her. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t want you anymore.”
“Sure feels that way,” Harry mumbled miserably. Blondie hadn’t had any time for him ever since Astoria had shown up. It was hard not to feel rejected.
“Well, you’re just being ridiculous then, aren’t you?” Draco drawled. “Now stop pouting and be nice. She’s only here for a while. You’ll have Scorpius to yourself soon enough.”
“You too?” Harry asked hopefully. He didn’t like sharing Draco any more than Scorpius.
Draco laughed and pulled him in for a kiss. “Me too,” he promised. Slim fingers tangled in Harry’s hair, pushing him forward gently. Harry abandoned any and all further arguments as Draco’s lips pressed against his. Harry parted his lips and Draco pressed forward, alternating his ministrations with tantalising licks and nicks. Harry was feeling rather wanted after all, until…
“Well, don’t you two look sweet?”
Draco broke away abruptly- much to Harry’s displeasure- and smirked at his ex-wife. “Your timing is impeccable, Tori.”
“Oh hush,” Astoria replied, swatting his arm. Again, Harry bristled with irritation. They were just…so comfortable and familiar with each other. He had to school his expression when Astoria turned to him and smiled, showing off a charming dimple in her left cheek. “Don’t you worry, Harry,” she teased. “I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.”
“What? No!” Harry blurted, fumbling over his protests. Had he been that obvious? “We’re really glad you could make it. Really.”
“Both of us,” Draco agreed, with a smile. “It’s been too long, Tori. Scorpius missed you.”
Astoria smiled softly. “He’s growing up so fast. I can hardly keep up with him.”
“Well, he can’t get enough of you,” Draco teased. “I’ll give it about ten seconds before he comes looking for you.”
Scorpius made it in five. “Mommy,” he chirped, pattering over with a book under his arm. He made a beeline for Astoria, summarily ignoring both Harry and Draco as he proudly showed off his favourite story book. “Mommy, look!”
“I see, darling,” Astoria replied. “It’s lovely. Does Father still read you stories?”
“Arry,” Scorpius corrected.
“Oh, Harry does?” She sounded surprised. Harry felt slightly uncomfortable as she turned to him.
“Every night?” she confirmed.
Harry shrugged. “He won’t go to bed without at least one.”
“I see.”
Harry could have sworn she sounded a bit stiff about it, but then she smiled brightly. “Harry, why don’t you take Scorpius out for a while?” she suggested. “You could go sledding. Draco and I can finish decorating in the meanwhile.”
Harry wasn’t so sure about that but before he could say anything, Draco jumped in. “That’s a great idea. Scorpius, would you like to go outside for a while?”
“Kay!” Scorpius agreed, running off to find his shoes and gloves.
Draco grinned at Harry. “See? Problem solved.”
Harry nodded, although he privately disagreed. Now, he was handing Draco over to Astoria so he could spend time with Scorpius. It really wasn’t fair. He wanted both of them, and he didn’t care how selfish that sounded. This was his family too! But Draco was already moving towards the tree, laughing as Astoria whispered something to him. Harry glowered at their retreating backs. Suddenly, a small hand tugged at his trousers and Harry started, snapping back to attention.
Scorpius blinked up at him, holding out a pair of mittens. “Arry?”
Harry smiled warmly and knelt to help the little one with his gloves and coat. “Ready, Blondie?” he asked, adjusting the little boy’s hat. He looked so cute, all bundled up like that. Harry leaned over and pressed a fond kiss to the little blond head. “Let’s go make the biggest snowman ever.”
“Kay,” Scorpius agreed, slipping a small gloved hand in Harry’s palm and heading for the door. The last thing Harry saw as he closed the door was Draco and Astoria sharing a warm smile as they decorated the tree.
****
Later that night, Harry flipped through the latest issue of The Quibbler in an effort to distract himself. Even Luna’s spirited article on recent sightings of Crumpled Horn Snorkacks couldn’t cheer him up. He was restless and agitated and he felt like he was losing a battle he had no idea how to fight at all. Astoria was only half the problem. She would leave soon enough, and he could deal with that. What he couldn’t deal with was how much Draco and Scorpius seemed to like having her around.
Draco was certainly still fond of her. He teased her and shared inside jokes and they seemed to have a wonderful time together. And Scorpius wouldn’t let her out of his sight for more than a minute. It was just starting to feel like they were the real family and if that was true…then what was Harry doing here? Did…did they want her back instead of him? What if they did? What would he do if…
“Arry?”
Harry started and dropped his Quibbler. Scorpius yawned and rubbed his eyes sleepily, blinking at Harry and clutching his blanket. Harry was with him in a second, all inner turmoil shelved aside for the time-being. “Hey baby,” he murmured, gathering Scorpius up. “You should be in bed.”
“No,” Scorpius muttered, curling into him.
“What’s wrong?” Harry asked softly. “Can’t you sleep?”
“No stowy,” Scorpius informed him, raising his head to glare accusingly at Harry. Harry groaned. He had been so caught up with the Astoria situation, he had forgotten about story time. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “Do you want a story now?”
“Kay.”
Harry started to carry him back, when a painful thought struck. His heart clenched and he stopped. “Do you…do you want your Mommy to read you one instead?” he asked carefully. “I can go ask her to, if…”
“No,” Scorpius interrupted firmly, bunching his hands in Harry’s shirt as if to keep him in place. “Arry.”
Harry smiled tenderly and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Okay,” he whispered. “Let’s go.”
It took him less than a minute to tuck Scorpius in bed again. They settled down and Scorpius listened with utmost seriousness as Harry read aloud from Tales of Beedle the Bard. He giggled when Harry adopted different voices for all the characters and he demanded encores whenever Harry finished. It was the most fun Harry had had in a while, and he was more than happy to oblige. Sometime during the retelling of The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, Scorpius fell asleep, curled up in Harry’s arms. Harry smiled and closed the book, gently pulling the covers up and kissing him goodnight before leaving.
***
Harry waited until he was sure Scorpius was fast asleep before turning out the lights and padding back to the living room.
He stopped short as he realized his spot was occupied.
“Is he asleep?” Astoria asked softly, fiddling with her cup. The faint scent of hot chocolate wafted over Harry.
“He just wanted his story,” he replied.
“Of course,” she said softly. “A story from Harry before bed-time. I forgot about that.”
Harry shuffled awkwardly as Astoria made no move to get up and leave. Honestly, he didn’t know what to make of this woman.
She smiled easily and patted the couch. “Sit. I made you a cup.”
There was nothing else for it. Harry approached and sat down, accepting the steaming cup with a nod of thanks. They sat in silence by the fire, sipping their chocolate. Astoria’s brown eyes glinted in the gentle light and her brown hair fell over her shoulders in soft curls. Again, Harry was struck by just how pretty she was. He wondered if Draco ever thought about her. Did he ever wish he was still with her? That she had never left?
“I can hear you thinking all the way over here.”
Harry jerked out of his musings and turned to her, regarding her carefully. Astoria shrugged, meeting his gaze. “If you have questions, you can ask,” she offered. “I’ll be honest, Harry. You can expect that from me.”
“Why did you leave?” Harry cringed as soon as he asked the question. Merlin, it sounded wrong.
Astoria didn’t seem offended. “Do you think I’m a bad mother?” she asked evenly.
“No,” Harry replied at once. There wasn’t much he knew about her, but she certainly didn’t seem like a bad mother to him. She clearly adored Scorpius. She was fond of Draco. Frankly, they seemed like the perfect family and that’s what the whole problem was. Harry struggled with his thoughts, trying to find the best way to phrase such a personal question. “I don’t think that at all,” he offered finally. “I just don’t understand. You clearly love him…them, actually. I just don’t get why you gave it all up.”
Astoria’s eyes widened with surprise. “Harry, you can love someone without being in love with them. You do know that, don’t you?”
Harry shook his head, feeling more and more confused by the second. Why couldn’t he just get a straight answer? All he wanted to know was where he stood.
Astoria’s eyes softened. “No, I don’t suppose you do. You’re an all or nothing kind of person, aren’t you? You do things whole heartedly. No compromises.” She nodded, as if coming to some sort of private understanding. “Perhaps that’s what they needed- all or nothing.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“Draco and I were never in love. We liked each other, of course. We knew our roles and…we tried to do what was expected of us. The war had just ended, things were difficult. We were both looking for acceptance. I daresay that if we had tried harder, we’d still be together. You may have noticed that we’re still quite fond of each other.”
“I noticed,” Harry confirmed, trying not to sound too unhappy about it.
Astoria laughed and patted his hand. “Well, it wasn’t enough. Eventually, we grew apart. Nothing happened, per se. No big fights or messy divorces. We just figured that we needed to be with other people. I needed someone who would love me with all his heart and Draco…well, apparently Draco needed you.”
“But, Scorpius…”
“He knows Mommy still loves him with all her heart. He’s such a smart little boy.” She smiled and her eyes shone with such affection, Harry just knew she meant it. “I try to show him that every time I see him,” she continued. “I think he understands.”
“He loves you,” Harry murmured. “A lot.”
“He loves you too,” Astoria replied. “And no, it’s not easy for me...letting you be the one who gets to tuck him in and read him stories but the way I see it, my baby has one more person who loves him with all his heart. I suppose I can live with that. What do you think?”
Harry swallowed thickly, overwhelmed and slightly ashamed of himself for being so suspicious of this woman. She wasn’t a rival. She was a partner, one more person who had nothing but love for his family, and since when was that such a bad thing?
“I think I’m very lucky to have met you, Astoria,” he whispered, taking her hand. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Don’t thank me, Harry,” she replied, squeezing his hand gently. “Just promise me you’ll take care of my boys.”
“Count on it.”
“Well then, welcome to the family.”
Harry smiled, feeling lighter than he had in days. There wasn’t anything else to say, they understood each other. He settled back with a sigh, palming his cup of hot chocolate in his hands. For the first time, he found himself hoping that Astoria would come back next year.
****
Draco stirred sleepily as Harry settled beside him. Harry chuckled and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, pulling him to rest against his chest.
“Missed you” Draco mumbled. “Where’ve you been?”
“Just chatting,” Harry explained, stroking his hair gently. “With Astoria”
Draco groaned and buried his face in Harry’s shoulder. “Are you still sulking about her?”
“No,” Harry smiled. “We came to an understanding. I think we’ll be okay. All of us.”
Draco smiled sleepily and settled into his chest again. “Good. Because I love you, you wanker.”
“I love you too,” Harry whispered, gathering him up. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, content in the knowledge that this Christmas would turn out perfect.
After all, it’s all about family isn’t it?
Follow Up: The Punishment
Rating: PG 13
Word Count: 2,600
Summary: Astoria comes to visit for Christmas and Harry wonders about his place in his little family.
Author's Notes: Written for slythindor100's Early Bird Challenge. Prompt 23: Christmas Cookies. Also written for dracoharry100's Christmas Challenge: Prompt 9: Blanket, Prompt 18: Christmas with the family, Prompt 11: Sharing hot chocolate, Prompt 27: Cuddling by the fire. This turned out a bit flangsty but I figured I owe Astoria Greengrass an apology, since she always turns evil in my fics.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. This was written for fun, not profit.
It was shaping up to be a brilliant Christmas. Harry settled down in his blanket, enjoying the warmth from the roaring fireplace. Next to him, Draco sighed softly and placed his head on Harry’s shoulder. Harry draped an arm around his shoulders and Draco smiled into his neck.
“Wonderful, isn’t it?” he whispered.
“Perfect,” Harry agreed. And yet, something still rankled. Despite the sense of contentment enveloping him, Harry couldn’t help how his gaze strayed to the kitchen every now and then. No matter how much he tried not to, he still found himself staring intently at the pretty, elegant witch bustling around in there and the little blond boy hovering around her.
“Scorpius!” she laughed as she pulled out a tray of perfect, golden brown cookies from the oven. “You’ll have to be more patient, mon petit.”
Scorpius stared up at her with serious, grey eyes. “Kay, Mommy.”
Astoria smiled and kissed his cheek before helping him up on the counter. “Would you like to help me cut them into star shapes?” she asked. “Be careful now, these are hot.”
Harry turned away from the scene of domestic bliss, trying not to feel too left out. Draco nuzzled against him again, apparently oblivious to recent happenings. “It’s nice having a minute to ourselves, isn’t it?” he murmured.
“It is,” Harry replied distractedly. “Hey, remind me again- why isn’t Astoria spending Christmas with Daniel?”
Draco frowned at the sudden change of subject; then shrugged noncommittally. “Daniel is spending the holidays with his daughters. Tori figured it was a good time to visit, she hasn’t seen Scorpius for a while so…”
“And just how long does Tori plan to stay?” Harry asked sulkily. He didn’t mean to sound so resentful, but he couldn’t help it. It was Christmas, for Merlin’s sake. Couldn’t she have visited in the summer or literally, any other time of year?
Draco raised an eyebrow, apparently catching on. “Harry, I asked you if you were okay with Astoria coming over for Christmas, remember?” he pointed out sternly.
“I know,” Harry muttered. “I just didn’t think…”
He hadn’t thought she would be so nice and pleasant and pretty. He hadn’t realized that Draco was apparently still fond of her or that their easy camaraderie would rankle so much. He had certainly not anticipated that Scorpius would hang on her every word and follow her around everywhere. Most of all, he hadn’t realized he would have to share his Draco and his Blondie with her and he resented it. He resented it very much. There, he said it.
“Harry.”
Harry scowled and slumped against the sofa, not liking Draco’s stern, exasperated tone either. Draco shook his head and leaned in, brushing his lips against Harry’s in a brief, affectionate kiss. “You’re an idiot,” he accused. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
“How could I not be?” Harry demanded. “Look at her, Draco! She’s so…good with him.”
His gaze wandered back to the kitchen. Scorpius giggled and stuck his hand in the jam jar, emerging with a generous dollop. Astoria laughed and ruffled his hair, cooing affectionately at him. Draco was watching too, and he grinned at the sight. Harry scowled as his boyfriend chuckled and wrapped his arms around him. “She’s his mother,” he said softly, running a gentle hand through Harry’s hair. “She loves him and they hardly ever see each other. Of course he wants to spend time with her. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t want you anymore.”
“Sure feels that way,” Harry mumbled miserably. Blondie hadn’t had any time for him ever since Astoria had shown up. It was hard not to feel rejected.
“Well, you’re just being ridiculous then, aren’t you?” Draco drawled. “Now stop pouting and be nice. She’s only here for a while. You’ll have Scorpius to yourself soon enough.”
“You too?” Harry asked hopefully. He didn’t like sharing Draco any more than Scorpius.
Draco laughed and pulled him in for a kiss. “Me too,” he promised. Slim fingers tangled in Harry’s hair, pushing him forward gently. Harry abandoned any and all further arguments as Draco’s lips pressed against his. Harry parted his lips and Draco pressed forward, alternating his ministrations with tantalising licks and nicks. Harry was feeling rather wanted after all, until…
“Well, don’t you two look sweet?”
Draco broke away abruptly- much to Harry’s displeasure- and smirked at his ex-wife. “Your timing is impeccable, Tori.”
“Oh hush,” Astoria replied, swatting his arm. Again, Harry bristled with irritation. They were just…so comfortable and familiar with each other. He had to school his expression when Astoria turned to him and smiled, showing off a charming dimple in her left cheek. “Don’t you worry, Harry,” she teased. “I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.”
“What? No!” Harry blurted, fumbling over his protests. Had he been that obvious? “We’re really glad you could make it. Really.”
“Both of us,” Draco agreed, with a smile. “It’s been too long, Tori. Scorpius missed you.”
Astoria smiled softly. “He’s growing up so fast. I can hardly keep up with him.”
“Well, he can’t get enough of you,” Draco teased. “I’ll give it about ten seconds before he comes looking for you.”
Scorpius made it in five. “Mommy,” he chirped, pattering over with a book under his arm. He made a beeline for Astoria, summarily ignoring both Harry and Draco as he proudly showed off his favourite story book. “Mommy, look!”
“I see, darling,” Astoria replied. “It’s lovely. Does Father still read you stories?”
“Arry,” Scorpius corrected.
“Oh, Harry does?” She sounded surprised. Harry felt slightly uncomfortable as she turned to him.
“Every night?” she confirmed.
Harry shrugged. “He won’t go to bed without at least one.”
“I see.”
Harry could have sworn she sounded a bit stiff about it, but then she smiled brightly. “Harry, why don’t you take Scorpius out for a while?” she suggested. “You could go sledding. Draco and I can finish decorating in the meanwhile.”
Harry wasn’t so sure about that but before he could say anything, Draco jumped in. “That’s a great idea. Scorpius, would you like to go outside for a while?”
“Kay!” Scorpius agreed, running off to find his shoes and gloves.
Draco grinned at Harry. “See? Problem solved.”
Harry nodded, although he privately disagreed. Now, he was handing Draco over to Astoria so he could spend time with Scorpius. It really wasn’t fair. He wanted both of them, and he didn’t care how selfish that sounded. This was his family too! But Draco was already moving towards the tree, laughing as Astoria whispered something to him. Harry glowered at their retreating backs. Suddenly, a small hand tugged at his trousers and Harry started, snapping back to attention.
Scorpius blinked up at him, holding out a pair of mittens. “Arry?”
Harry smiled warmly and knelt to help the little one with his gloves and coat. “Ready, Blondie?” he asked, adjusting the little boy’s hat. He looked so cute, all bundled up like that. Harry leaned over and pressed a fond kiss to the little blond head. “Let’s go make the biggest snowman ever.”
“Kay,” Scorpius agreed, slipping a small gloved hand in Harry’s palm and heading for the door. The last thing Harry saw as he closed the door was Draco and Astoria sharing a warm smile as they decorated the tree.
****
Later that night, Harry flipped through the latest issue of The Quibbler in an effort to distract himself. Even Luna’s spirited article on recent sightings of Crumpled Horn Snorkacks couldn’t cheer him up. He was restless and agitated and he felt like he was losing a battle he had no idea how to fight at all. Astoria was only half the problem. She would leave soon enough, and he could deal with that. What he couldn’t deal with was how much Draco and Scorpius seemed to like having her around.
Draco was certainly still fond of her. He teased her and shared inside jokes and they seemed to have a wonderful time together. And Scorpius wouldn’t let her out of his sight for more than a minute. It was just starting to feel like they were the real family and if that was true…then what was Harry doing here? Did…did they want her back instead of him? What if they did? What would he do if…
“Arry?”
Harry started and dropped his Quibbler. Scorpius yawned and rubbed his eyes sleepily, blinking at Harry and clutching his blanket. Harry was with him in a second, all inner turmoil shelved aside for the time-being. “Hey baby,” he murmured, gathering Scorpius up. “You should be in bed.”
“No,” Scorpius muttered, curling into him.
“What’s wrong?” Harry asked softly. “Can’t you sleep?”
“No stowy,” Scorpius informed him, raising his head to glare accusingly at Harry. Harry groaned. He had been so caught up with the Astoria situation, he had forgotten about story time. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “Do you want a story now?”
“Kay.”
Harry started to carry him back, when a painful thought struck. His heart clenched and he stopped. “Do you…do you want your Mommy to read you one instead?” he asked carefully. “I can go ask her to, if…”
“No,” Scorpius interrupted firmly, bunching his hands in Harry’s shirt as if to keep him in place. “Arry.”
Harry smiled tenderly and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Okay,” he whispered. “Let’s go.”
It took him less than a minute to tuck Scorpius in bed again. They settled down and Scorpius listened with utmost seriousness as Harry read aloud from Tales of Beedle the Bard. He giggled when Harry adopted different voices for all the characters and he demanded encores whenever Harry finished. It was the most fun Harry had had in a while, and he was more than happy to oblige. Sometime during the retelling of The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, Scorpius fell asleep, curled up in Harry’s arms. Harry smiled and closed the book, gently pulling the covers up and kissing him goodnight before leaving.
***
Harry waited until he was sure Scorpius was fast asleep before turning out the lights and padding back to the living room.
He stopped short as he realized his spot was occupied.
“Is he asleep?” Astoria asked softly, fiddling with her cup. The faint scent of hot chocolate wafted over Harry.
“He just wanted his story,” he replied.
“Of course,” she said softly. “A story from Harry before bed-time. I forgot about that.”
Harry shuffled awkwardly as Astoria made no move to get up and leave. Honestly, he didn’t know what to make of this woman.
She smiled easily and patted the couch. “Sit. I made you a cup.”
There was nothing else for it. Harry approached and sat down, accepting the steaming cup with a nod of thanks. They sat in silence by the fire, sipping their chocolate. Astoria’s brown eyes glinted in the gentle light and her brown hair fell over her shoulders in soft curls. Again, Harry was struck by just how pretty she was. He wondered if Draco ever thought about her. Did he ever wish he was still with her? That she had never left?
“I can hear you thinking all the way over here.”
Harry jerked out of his musings and turned to her, regarding her carefully. Astoria shrugged, meeting his gaze. “If you have questions, you can ask,” she offered. “I’ll be honest, Harry. You can expect that from me.”
“Why did you leave?” Harry cringed as soon as he asked the question. Merlin, it sounded wrong.
Astoria didn’t seem offended. “Do you think I’m a bad mother?” she asked evenly.
“No,” Harry replied at once. There wasn’t much he knew about her, but she certainly didn’t seem like a bad mother to him. She clearly adored Scorpius. She was fond of Draco. Frankly, they seemed like the perfect family and that’s what the whole problem was. Harry struggled with his thoughts, trying to find the best way to phrase such a personal question. “I don’t think that at all,” he offered finally. “I just don’t understand. You clearly love him…them, actually. I just don’t get why you gave it all up.”
Astoria’s eyes widened with surprise. “Harry, you can love someone without being in love with them. You do know that, don’t you?”
Harry shook his head, feeling more and more confused by the second. Why couldn’t he just get a straight answer? All he wanted to know was where he stood.
Astoria’s eyes softened. “No, I don’t suppose you do. You’re an all or nothing kind of person, aren’t you? You do things whole heartedly. No compromises.” She nodded, as if coming to some sort of private understanding. “Perhaps that’s what they needed- all or nothing.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“Draco and I were never in love. We liked each other, of course. We knew our roles and…we tried to do what was expected of us. The war had just ended, things were difficult. We were both looking for acceptance. I daresay that if we had tried harder, we’d still be together. You may have noticed that we’re still quite fond of each other.”
“I noticed,” Harry confirmed, trying not to sound too unhappy about it.
Astoria laughed and patted his hand. “Well, it wasn’t enough. Eventually, we grew apart. Nothing happened, per se. No big fights or messy divorces. We just figured that we needed to be with other people. I needed someone who would love me with all his heart and Draco…well, apparently Draco needed you.”
“But, Scorpius…”
“He knows Mommy still loves him with all her heart. He’s such a smart little boy.” She smiled and her eyes shone with such affection, Harry just knew she meant it. “I try to show him that every time I see him,” she continued. “I think he understands.”
“He loves you,” Harry murmured. “A lot.”
“He loves you too,” Astoria replied. “And no, it’s not easy for me...letting you be the one who gets to tuck him in and read him stories but the way I see it, my baby has one more person who loves him with all his heart. I suppose I can live with that. What do you think?”
Harry swallowed thickly, overwhelmed and slightly ashamed of himself for being so suspicious of this woman. She wasn’t a rival. She was a partner, one more person who had nothing but love for his family, and since when was that such a bad thing?
“I think I’m very lucky to have met you, Astoria,” he whispered, taking her hand. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Don’t thank me, Harry,” she replied, squeezing his hand gently. “Just promise me you’ll take care of my boys.”
“Count on it.”
“Well then, welcome to the family.”
Harry smiled, feeling lighter than he had in days. There wasn’t anything else to say, they understood each other. He settled back with a sigh, palming his cup of hot chocolate in his hands. For the first time, he found himself hoping that Astoria would come back next year.
****
Draco stirred sleepily as Harry settled beside him. Harry chuckled and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, pulling him to rest against his chest.
“Missed you” Draco mumbled. “Where’ve you been?”
“Just chatting,” Harry explained, stroking his hair gently. “With Astoria”
Draco groaned and buried his face in Harry’s shoulder. “Are you still sulking about her?”
“No,” Harry smiled. “We came to an understanding. I think we’ll be okay. All of us.”
Draco smiled sleepily and settled into his chest again. “Good. Because I love you, you wanker.”
“I love you too,” Harry whispered, gathering him up. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, content in the knowledge that this Christmas would turn out perfect.
After all, it’s all about family isn’t it?
Follow Up: The Punishment