One hour
POV Abby and Astoria
Abby stood in front of her mirror, getting ready for an evening she had absolutely no desire to attend. Astoria and Pansy, like two accomplices, were giving her encouraging smiles, clearly determined to convince her.
—I don’t want to go,’ Abby insisted, crossing her arms.
—It’s going to be a good thing, Abby, just try,’ replied Astoria, patient but firm.
—No,’ she said, shaking her head, a half smile on her face. No. I have the right to say no. I won’t go.
—Come on, just a little effort. Two hours?’ suggested Pansy airily.
—Thirty minutes,’ replied Abby, arms folded.
—An hour and forty,’ tried Astoria, smiling.
—Forty minutes.
—An hour and a half?
The game continued until they finally agreed on an hour. Abby sighed, demotivated, but agreed willingly. One hour and she’d be off. She put on a simple outfit, feeling miles away from the festive atmosphere that awaited her.
As she entered the bar, the noise and crowd hit her hard, putting her on the defensive immediately. Next to her, Pansy gave her an amused glance and gently reminded her:
—One hour, Abby.
On the clock. Abby discreetly checked the time on her phone. She forced herself to smile and say hello, out of politeness, while repeating to herself that she was only there out of pity for her friends, who were desperately trying to get her out of her routine with Luna. But she loved this routine, this familiar, soothing cocoon. She would have preferred to be at home.
In her head, she heard Samuel’s soft, encouraging voice. She’s with Draco, Abby. Go out and enjoy yourself. You can do it.
She sighed, resigned.
—I’ll try,’ she murmured to herself, imagining Samuel’s smile. He should have been there, she thought with a burning hint of regret.
She politely declined the offers of a drink. She knew that if she drank, her emotions would run high and she might burst into tears in front of everyone. Time passed in slow motion, and she felt absent, detached from the conversations around her. She dodged attempts at interaction, looking for ways to escape.
When the group began to disperse, Abby found herself sitting with Astoria and Theodore. Astoria, true to form, stayed by her side, giving her worried glances.
—You can go and enjoy yourself. I know why I’ve been invited,’ replied Abby, resignedly. I’ve got forty minutes left.
—All right, then. I’m going to the dance floor, if you want to explore another area,’ Astoria said before slipping away.
Theodore, the most discreet of the group, had not tried to make conversation, which Abby appreciated. She began to think about some articles she had pending, taking advantage of the moment to occupy her mind.
—You’re looking for a way out, aren’t you? It was Blaise, who had just joined her with a mischievous smile.
—No... but I’ll take it if you’ve got a plan,’ replied Abby, smiling for the first time all evening.
—That bad? I’m offended. He laughed, shaking his head before leaving her.
She gave in and opened a game on her phone, ignoring two more requests to go dancing. She still had thirty minutes left. This is going to be a long time, she thought.
Suddenly, Theodore broke the silence.
—Did you know that octopuses have three hearts?
—No,’ replied Abby, surprised but amused.
—Well, it’s true,’ he added, before offering her another unusual fact.
—Seriously?’ she said, this time with a genuine smile.
—Yes, do you want another one? he quipped.
They exchanged a few unusual facts, and soon Abby turned to a subject she was more familiar with: art. She told him an anecdote about painting and a few facts about art and its history.
Time seemed to pass more quickly as they talked about artists and the books they had read. She finally relaxed, caught up in the conversation.
Astoria watched them from a distance, observing Abby and Theodore deep in animated conversation. Their exchange, centred on strange facts and art anecdotes, seemed to completely captivate them. At least she’s mentally here, she thought, trying to convince herself.
At her side, Pansy was also following the scene, amused.
—That wasn’t part of the plan,’ she commented, laughing.
—No,’ Astoria replied with a slight smile, even though she was still a little disappointed. But it’s better than it was.
—We should have thought of that,’ replied Pansy, shaking her head. Theo’s fun facts… a distraction like any other. Well, it’s not exactly the atmosphere at the bar, but…
—I’ll take it anyway,’ admitted Astoria with a touch of relief. At least Abby seemed to be relaxing, even if in an unexpected way.
Pansy gave her an encouraging smile.
—We tried, and you especially. It couldn’t have been easy.
Blaise joined them, visibly more sober than the others but ready to comment:
—He did it,’ he marvelled, looking at Théodore with a touch of admiration. He deserves a medal.
Astoria repressed a smile, her gaze softening.
—It’s not funny,’ she murmured, almost to herself. I don’t want Abby to feel alone. Samuel wouldn’t have wanted that.
Suddenly, a more animated sound of discussion rose up behind them. Lorenzo, obviously drunk, was getting a little too close to their table. Pansy frowned and said authoritatively:
—Lorenzo, stay away from their table.
Blaise, equally vigilant, added firmly:
—Other side of the bar.
Lorenzo burst out laughing, wobbling slightly with a glass in his hand.
—You’re no fun. Pansy, you surprise me. That’s the children!’ he mumbled before walking away, looking disillusioned.
—I’ll stay close to him,’ decided Blaise, deciding to keep an eye on Lorenzo just in case.
Pansy turned to Astoria.
—Are you all right, Astoria? she asked.
Astoria remained silent, trying to control the emotions surging inside her. This was a bad idea for her too, she realised, trying to swallow the wave of sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. Sensing her distress, Pansy drew her gently into her arms for a comforting hug. Astoria let herself go, appreciating this unexpected support. She would have liked to run away too, but she had promised herself she would stay for Abby’s sake.
—Do you want to go home?’ suggested Pansy in a gentle voice. Me or Blaise can…
—No,’ interrupted Astoria, stubbornly. It’s my plan. I forced her to come here, so I’m not going to give up.
Pansy shook her hand, giving her a sympathetic look.
—His death didn’t just leave its mark on Abby. We’re here if you need us, for anything, you know that.
Astoria nodded, a tear falling in spite of herself. Then another.
—I know…’ she murmured, wiping her eyes. It’s all right.
She pulled herself together and turned back to Abby with a smile that she hoped seemed natural. Abby, who had just got up to retrieve her coat, said discreetly:
—How did it go with Luna?
—Are you all right, Astoria? she asked.
Astoria remained silent, trying to control the emotions surging inside her. This was a bad idea for her too, she realised, trying to swallow the wave of sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. Sensing her distress, Pansy drew her gently into her arms for a comforting hug. Astoria let herself go, appreciating this unexpected support. She would have liked to run away too, but she had promised herself she would stay for Abby’s sake.
—Do you want to go home?’ suggested Pansy in a gentle voice. Me or Blaise can…
—No,’ interrupted Astoria, stubbornly. It’s my plan. I forced her to come here, so I’m not going to give up.
Pansy shook her hand, giving her a sympathetic look.
—His death didn’t just leave its mark on Abby. We’re here if you need us, for anything, you know that.
Astoria nodded, a tear falling in spite of herself. Then another.
—I know…’ she murmured, wiping her eyes. It’s all right.
She pulled herself together and turned back to Abby with a smile that she hoped seemed natural. Abby, who had just got up to retrieve her coat, said discreetly:
—How did it go with Luna?
Draco smiled:
—Perfect. We watched a film together, and she’s sleeping like a log now.
Abby gave him a grateful smile.
—Thank you, Drago. I had a great time tonight, you were right, Astoria.
Astoria made an effort to smile, answering mechanically:
—That was the point.
She walked Abby to the exit, then helped her get Luna into the car. Before closing the door, she whispered in a barely audible voice:
—See you soon.
Draco stood back and watched Astoria with concern in his eyes. He seemed to have realised that something was wrong. As soon as they returned, she quickly slipped away to their bedroom, mentally and physically exhausted. Once the door was closed, the grief she had held back for so long burst into muffled sobs. At last, she gave free rein to her pain.
A few moments later, Draco entered the room and immediately took her in his arms. Astoria let herself go, weeping for Samuel, for Abby, for everything they had lost. Draco remained silent, holding her gently until her sobs subsided.