Family
Draco and Astoria POV:
Seven days later, Astoria and Draco were waiting outside the door of Abby and Luna’s new flat, a small emergency rental, still cluttered with half-open boxes and a few scattered pieces of furniture. The silence around them was heavy. Astoria tapped gently on the door, exchanging a worried glance with Draco.
—Mum? There’s someone at the door…’ whispered Luna in a frightened voice from inside.
—I know, my baby. It’s all right, I’m here,’ replied Abby, fragile. Astoria breathed.
—It’s us, Astoria and Draco,’ Astoria announced through the door. They waited for a few moments, but there was no answer.
—We know you’re there, Abby. We just want to know how you’re doing,’ insisted Draco, worried, looking at Astoria.
Finally, the door opened slowly. Abby appeared, her features drawn and exhausted. Astoria felt a dull pain when she saw her like that. Her concern for her was growing by the day. The flat was a mess, the boxes hadn’t moved and the air seemed heavy with anxiety.
As for Luna, she ran into Draco’s arms and he gave her a reassuring smile before suggesting that she go and play in his room and let the adults talk. Abby nodded softly, her heart in her throat, as she watched her daughter leave.
—How are you this morning?’ asked Astoria in a soft voice, holding back tears herself. She took Abby’s hand in hers, a silent attempt at support.
Abby squeezed her hand a little, but her face remained closed. Astoria sensed something deeper.
—You can come back home,’ Astoria suggested in a measured voice. It would be easier for you and Luna. Draco and I can help you. There’s plenty of room…
—No... Abby shook her head weakly, her eyes lost. No. We’re leaving. Away from magic. Away from London.
Astoria blinked in surprise.
—Are you moving?’ she asked, her tone alarmed. That meant…
—Yes, away from here… to Burford. Away from magic,’ Abby replied, tears threatening to well up. She seemed on the verge of breaking down again.
Astoria forced herself to remain calm, even though she could feel an anguish rising up inside her that was almost as strong as Abby’s. The weight of events, of Samuel’s death, still weighed heavily on both their shoulders. How could they approach this without rushing her?
—Abby, such a radical change… maybe it’s not the right time. Not so soon. She spoke slowly, searching for the right words, trying to avoid confrontation. She refused to lose Abby in this turmoil of pain and hasty decisions. But Abby shook her head more firmly this time, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.
—We’re moving out. It’s been decided. Samuel wanted us to be safe. Away from all this.
Astoria felt a knot form in her stomach. Moving away was dangerous, but she couldn’t say it.
—I know, Abby. I know… She felt her own eyes fill with tears as she thought of Samuel. But he wouldn’t have wanted you to be alone, with Luna, away from anyone who could help you. He would have wanted you to be surrounded.
Abby burst into tears, her voice breaking.
- He wanted us to be safe. Away from magic, away from danger. They killed him!’ she cried, her voice shaking with pain. Magic killed him, Astoria. How can I be sure it won't happen again? That he won't come for us?
Astoria felt a wave of panic rise up inside her. The pain in Abby's words was palpable, and she knew that no answer could really reassure her.
- Abby, you and Luna are safe here. She lied, but refused to add any more.
- No, you can't know that! Abby stood up abruptly, her hands shaking. I thought I was safe before... and they killed him.
Astoria forced herself to remain calm, although she could feel the tension bubbling up inside her. She took a deep breath and stood up in turn, trying to control the situation.
- I understand why you're scared, Abby. Really, I do. But running away from magic isn't going to give you the security you're looking for. Samuel... Samuel would have wanted you to be protected, but not by hiding, not by isolating you from everything.
The words hung in the air. Abby briskly wiped away her tears.
- Magic killed him! I don't want to live in this world any more. I won't let anything happen to Luna!
Astoria was about to crack, her words had no effect. She wasn't helping.
- I'm going to see Draco, we'll talk about it again,’ she said softly, preferring not to lose her temper. You're not alone, Abby. I promise.
She left the room, leaving Abby alone with her grief, and joined Draco in Luna's room. Draco's gaze fell on her, full of understanding. He knew that Astoria was doing everything she could not to break down.
- Problem. She wants to go back to Betfort, away from magic,’ Astoria explained in a few quick sentences. To protect herself.
Draco nodded gravely and rose to join Abby. He laid a reassuring hand on his wife's shoulder before leaving the room.
- Luna, I'm going to have a word with your mum. We'll be back soon,’ he said calmly to the little girl, a reassuring smile on his lips.
Astoria stayed with Luna, hiding her own sadness as she tried to smile. But the pain in Luna's eyes was so heavy that she almost collapsed.
- Everyone misses Daddy,’ sobbed Luna, clinging to Astoria's neck.
Astoria wrapped her arms around her, her throat closing, and whispered softly: ‘We miss him every day, my darling... Every day.
Draco approached Abby slowly, his heart heavy as he watched her cry silently. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, trying to give her some warmth in this storm of despair.
- Abby,’ he murmured softly. Let it all out. You're not on your own. We're here, you and Luna, you're family.
Abby snuggled closer to him, but her sobs only intensified the pain in her heart.
- Only because of Samuel!’ she cried, her trembling voice betraying anger mixed with immense sadness. I'm not like you!
Draco felt his heart clench even tighter. He knew how lost Abby felt, but he couldn't let her sink like that.
- It's not true!’ he exclaimed, taking a firmer tone, but gently. It's not personal, it's the grief, the fear, the pain. Abby, you're family, all family. We're here, always.
She looked at him, her eyes misty with tears, and he saw a glimmer of resistance in her gaze.
- I need Samuel! Abby's voice broke as she let out another wave of tears. Luna needs her father! I can't protect Luna here! It's my job to protect her! I can protect her in Burford!
Draco held back a sigh, aware that this conversation wasn't going to be easy.
- What about your job? Luna's school?’ he asked, trying to rationalise the situation, restraining himself from giving in to the emotion that was overwhelming him.
- I can ask for my old job back and... Luna will go to school there. Here... everything... reminds me of it,’ she replied, her voice breaking under the weight of her tears. The decision's been made, Draco. As soon as possible,’ she said.
She turned quickly to see Luna, who had just entered the room. At that moment, she tried to regain some composure, sitting up to reassure her daughter.
Draco felt more and more overwhelmed by fear for them. Abby's words echoed in his head, an alarm he couldn't ignore. He exchanged a quick glance with Astoria, who was watching silently, signaling that the decision had been made. He knew she shared his fear.
- The decision's been made, Draco. As soon as possible,’ she said, determined.
His stomach tightened in fear for them. He felt Astoria's gaze question him and he shook his head negatively. They exchanged that same fear for their safety, without Abby seeing it, by some miracle. Abby has made up her mind, he can feel it. He must contact the aurors, find an irrefutable way to protect them even from afar, even if Abby fled and isolated herself. Without her knowing.