The little good
Draco and Abby POV
Draco has come in with tea, joining his wife and Abby. The children are playing nearby.
- Is everything going well at St. Mungo's?’ asked Abby, after thanking him for the tea.
- Yes, everything's fine. The usual gossip. It all comes out in the open there.
- And the Telegraph?’ asked Astoria.
- No news there. I wanted to ask, do you think I could - look after Luna on Saturday evening, the twentieth? Harry and Ginny have asked me to go and see a play at the Palace Theatre.
The news surprised him, for the better. It's a step towards less isolation.
- Of course, yes. I think it's a good idea. He couldn't hide his surprise.
- Why your voice tells me it's not.
He didn't mean...
- No. It's a very good idea. It's a great idea to take some time for you. I'm sure the play will be great.
- It's still a strange reaction.
- I was... happily surprised by the request, just that. It's really good. He was making things worse, by the look on Abby's face, and was going to ruin everything. Panicking, he begged his wife, who has the words to get him out of this.
- It's essential to take time for yourself as parents. resumed Astoria. We'll look after Luna and you'll have a great evening. What's the show?
- I know that... she interrupted herself, in her head, because of her fault. Er... Grease.
- It's going to be fantastic. She took a second to think, also struggling to bounce back.
Unknowingly, Luna and Scorpius helped, coming over to offer Abby a board game. She agreed, taking her tea to go.
- I made it worse. Oh! This is not what I wanted. He said, honestly, once Abby had gone. She's finally agreed to get out of her bubble and I'm doing this.
- I didn't make it any better. It was... it's a little good, which I really hope sticks. I really hope it doesn't have the opposite effect. He read in her eyes that she was thinking of her brother, and the tears came, provoking his own. He moved closer, taking her for a hug.
- He was super good in those moments. He would never have let this happen. I miss him. He should be here. She sobbed.
- Yes. He nodded, making sure the kids or Abby didn't find them crying. 'We're doing the best we can, all of us. She dried her tears, not in front of the children.
They stayed in silence, comforting each other.
Saturday 20th.
Abby applauded enthusiastically, her hands almost aching from congratulating the actors. The play she had just seen had swept her away in a whirlwind of emotion and beauty, and she couldn't contain her enthusiasm. The smiles, the applause of the other spectators, the warm atmosphere of a successful evening... everything filled her with a rare joy. She exchanged impressions with a few people around her, still full of the energy of the show.
Once outside, Abby headed for her car, determined to get home smiling again, and perhaps hum a few tunes that were running through her head. She sat behind the wheel, inserted the key and turned. Nothing happened. The car wouldn't start. She frowned, checked the dashboard - she'd filled the tank, so it wasn't a petrol problem. She tried again, hoping that the engine would miraculously wake up. Still nothing. A sigh of exasperation escaped her; she realised that the situation might require a mechanic... but not until Monday.
She took out her phone to check the timetable for the night bus when Ginny present to the glass.
- Is everything all right?’ asked Ginny, who was about to leave with Harry.
Abby sighed and gave her a weary smile.
- The car won't start.
Ginny smiled compassionately, glancing at Harry.
- We can take you home.
Abby hesitated for a moment before replying:
- Thanks, but I had to pick Luna up from Draco and Astoria's... It complicates things a bit.
After a quick transplaning, they found themselves in front of Draco and Astoria's house. Abby knocked gently on the door. The door opened on Astoria, who was visibly surprised to see them.
- Abby! And... Ginny, Harry, hello! What are you doing here?
Abby explained the situation:
- My car broke down... so Harry and Ginny offered me a lift.
Astoria, smiling, beckoned them in. - Come on in! Some tea?
They sat down in the Malfoy's cosy sitting room, a steaming cup of tea in their hands. Luna was asleep. She had resigned herself to the fact that magic was not an option for getting home, and a taxi would probably take a long time. The idea shouldn't bother her any more.
Draco arrived in his turn, looking slightly surprised to see so many people in his living room, before his expression softened.
- Good evening,’ he smiled. What a pleasant surprise.
He approached Abby:
- Luna is fast asleep.
Abby nodded, returning his grateful smile.
- Thank you, Abby. My car's broken down, so I thought I'd take a taxi home with her.
Draco frowned:
- You can stay here tonight. We've got plenty of room. We'll see about the car tomorrow. How was the show?
- It was fantastic. You should see it,’ replied Abby, surprisingly more relaxed than she had imagined.
Draco smiled at her
- I didn't do it, Astoria did. She pointed to the invitation.
- He smiled. That doesn't surprise me.
She held back a laugh. They stopped their whispering, refocusing on the conversation that continued with Harry and Ginny. Quickly, the discussions became lighter, moving from the children to the show, from their respective activities to the little anecdotes that made them laugh.
She was surprised not to feel this sadness. When she's Astoria and Draco or even unknown couples, she can feel it, even if they have nothing to do with it. The worst thing is the stories, they always make her think of Samuel, even if there's no connection. He misses Samuel, as he does every day, but he'd be happy to see her live like this. Enjoying this impromptu evening, seeing a show. She thought back to that image of grief she'd heard once: a black circle that doesn't shrink, but which life surrounds and intertwines with, until moments of happiness manage to coexist with grief.