Babe

I breathe through my nose heavily. All of the pictures from the mantlepiece. are stored in the boxes at my feet, ready to be magically transported to Theo’s house. Where hopefully we’ll burn them. Everything is cleared out of Malfoy Manor. I don’t live here anymore. I never want to step foot inside this place again. If I could, I’d burn it to the ground.

“I hope Hermione Gran-Malfoy will be very happy as the lady of the manor now. It is a great honour that I’m sure she will take in her stride.”

My words from the interview echo in my head. Is what I said true? No. But the world doesn’t need to know that. I smile to myself and walk over to the small table next to my bed. The newspaper sits on the bed, my picture beaming up at me. I watch the photograph give me a small smile and a wink before I pick up the paper and begin to read.

BREAKING NEWS!

Astoria Malfoy- now Greengrass- has given an exclusive interview to our reporter at the Daily Prophet, detailing the ins and outs of the infamous Malfoy affair. Readers will no doubt shake their heads and say, “we’ve heard this before, we don’t want to read about the Malfoy affair again.”

But they would be thinking of the wrong Malfoy. It has been revealed to us that Astoria Malfoy and Theodore Nott Jr. have been engaging in an affair for a YEAR. They regularly met at Malfoy Manor when Mr. Malfoy was away, visiting his now wife, Hermione Malfoy.

“He was never around,” says Astoria Greengrass calmly. “And when he was, he was distant and cold. He didn’t even want to try for a baby!”

We are shocked to hear of Mr. Malfoy’s mistreatment of his ex-wife. It seems he is far more content with his new mistress, though will this be a cycle that he repeats? It’s possible.

“I hope he has learned from his mistakes. His wife deserves that, at least.”

Ms. Greengrass seemed a little indifferent to our reporter bringing up the couple, but her words were kind. In fact, she gave the couple well wishes at their wedding only two weeks ago. “

They make a nice couple and I’ll be glad to see a happy family in Malfoy Manor.”

“You’re not staying?” our reporter asks.

“No no, that is their home now. I’m happy to give it up and start a simpler life. I hope Hermione Gran-Malfoy will be very happy as the lady of the manor now. It is a great honour that I’m sure she will take in her stride.”

She smiles and seems sincere and we at the Prophet cannot help but applaud her maturity. She seems to have forgiven as much as one can in this situation.

“So now, tell me about Mister Nott!” our reporter exclaims.

“Ah yes, well he is fiery, to say the least,” she giggles. “He swept me off my feet, not caring that I was married to his best mate. He said he simply had to have me.”

“And you were really having an affair as well, the whole time?”

She smiles coyly here, flashing a grin at our interviewer. “

I’ll simply say that when the happy couple moves back into the manor, they may want to make sure they clean some spots… thoroughly.” She giggles again here, and the interview ends.

Astoria Greengrass is set to move into Nott manor at the end of the month. Perhaps we shall see another wedding before too long? Whatever the case, we wish her the best of luck! She is clearly a woman of great strength, beauty, and charm.

I wave my wand lazily and the newspaper folds itself into my purse. I levitate that over to the boxes of photos and stand in my room, looking around for the last time. This is a bittersweet feeling.

On one hand, I hate this place. On the other hand, I survived here. At a time where I never thought I would. An idea strikes me and I leave my room quickly, walking downstairs to the kitchen.

The whole house is nearly empty and the kitchen is incredibly bare. I step inside and look over at the floor where not two months ago I was sobbing and crying. I remember every sinking feeling that came with living here, now all I feel is relief. I turn and exit the kitchen, feeling lighter than ever. But I stop as I pass the sitting room, empty of furniture that is now being moved out. Save for one parting gift. My eyes roam over the room and I think back to the memory that started this all.

“Astoria, sit down. We need to talk.”

I just stare at him.

“What do you mean you don’t want me anymore?”

“Look I just- you are wonderful Astoria. You are one of my closest friends-”

“Oh you have got to be kidding me! Just because we’re not Romeo and Juliet, you’re giving up? It’s us Draco, we got married BECAUSE we’re friends!” I cry exasperatedly. He grimaces.

“It’s not that Toro-”

“What is it then, the sex? Because I can give you more if that’s-”

“Merlin no, will you just please listen to me?”

I quiet and he finally speaks. “I’m leaving you.”

“No you’re not,” I say at once, standing up. “You can’t, the Pureblood laws prevent either of us from leaving for anything short of adultery. I hate to break it to-”

I stop. Because for the first time in months, he’s looking right at me. I have his full attention. Our eyes meet and I understand. He wants me to look at him because he’s telling me, with his eyes. A sick feeling settles in my chest and I just know.

“No. No no no no. You didn’t. Draco, tell me you didn’t!”

He hangs his head now, breaking our eye contact.

“I am so, so sorry Astoria. I didn’t ever mean to hurt you and I-”

“Who.”

“What?” he asks, confused.

“WHO??” I bellow, walking right up to him.

“Hermione Granger,” he says softly.

I grab the nearest vase of flowers and hurl it at his head. He deflects it with magic and turns to me, shocked.

“HOW FUCKING LONG?” I yell, searching for something else. I spot his empty tea cup and grab it. He has backed all the way across the sitting room.

“Toro please-”

“Shut up! Just shut up!! I hate you, I hate you, I HATE YOU!”

And then I break. I crumble as the grief overwhelms me. I wrap my arms around myself and attempt to hold myself together as I break. Crumpling to the floor, I sob. He makes no attempt to comfort me. I look up at him through teary eyes and manage a sentence through my sobs.

“What did I do wrong?”

“Astoria? Ri-Ri? You okay?”

I look around and see Theo walking up to me. I realise I’ve been staring at the empty living room for likely several minutes. I turn to him, smiling.

“Yes, just thinking about when he told me. I remember asking him what was wrong with me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Theo says without missing a beat. “You are perfect. And amazing. And beautiful.” He punctuates each complement with a kiss to my cheek. I smile and lean into him. His strong arms wrap around me and I relax into the feeling of immense safety and comfort.

“You ready to go?” he asks, holding out my hand and kissing it.

I take one last look around at the empty house. It’s time to say goodbye to this part of my life. And I’m ready. The living room is completely bare, save for one painting over the mantle. I take Theo’s offered arm and glance up at the portrait.

Red lips, blonde hair, and sultry eyes gaze back at me.

“Give her hell,” I say calmly. My portrait self nods and I grin. She flashes me a smirk and Theo chuckles.

“Come on tesoro, let’s go home.”

I turn on my heel and leave Malfoy Manor for the last time.