Anywhere Without You
Prompt: "I'd rather die without you." (December 11/22)
Suggested listening: Lana del Rey - Swan Song
"I'd rather die than live without you, Astoria." Draco clutched her limp hand. She was so pale.
"Don't be daft. You need to live. Live well. Raise our son in a house with love. Not a cold manor. "
"Anywhere without you would be cold." His eyes glistened with the promise of tears.
Astoria dragged the back of her hand against her husband's sharp cheek. She coughed, her throat closing up. "She looks at you, y'know. If you could find it in your heart to forgive her, or her to forgive you, maybe-"
"Stop right now. I care about you."
"Of course you do. I'm not doubting that. Whatever it was, it was a long time ago. And I want you to be happy, even without-"
"We'll talk about it another time."
But there wasn't another time. Soon Astoria got too sick to hold any long conversations.
Then she went to St. Mungo's.
As they lowered her casket into the ground, Draco stayed, watching. Narcissa took Scorpius back inside when it started to rain. He didn't look at anyone. He didn't make a speech. He didn't thank people for coming.
When he was soaked through, he turned around. The Minister of Magic sat on a rickety chair far away, drenched. Her eyes didn't meet his. But she waited.
And she would wait some more.
