Forty-One
February 4th 2018:
“Astoria?” Draco spoke first.
“Hello, Draco.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was here visiting Daphne when she got the news that Lyra was found. She informed me about everything that has been going on. I want to come see how you were.”
“We’re fine, now. Everything has been handled.” Draco walked over to her. “It’s good to see you, Tori.” He pulled her into a hug.
“It’s good to see you too, Draco.” She kissed his cheek.
“How’s Louis?”
“Oh he’s good. He’s still in France with the baby.”
“The baby?” Lyra asked.
“After our divorce, Astoria got remarried. Her husband, Louis and her adopted a baby a few months ago.”
“Congratulations.” Lyra said. She had secretly hoped she had a baby brother or sister.
“Astoria, this is my daughter, Lyra. Lyra, this is Astoria.’
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Lyra.”
“You as well.” Astoria and Lyra shook hands, gently. Astoria then turned to Hermione.
“Hermione, I was wondering if you and I could speak for a moment?”
“Oh, of course.” Hermione looked to Draco who took it as a sign.
“Lyra, I believe my mother should be here by now. I know she can’t wait to meet you.” Draco and Lyra left.
“Hermione, I would like to apologize for the part I played in ending yours and Draco’s relationship.”
“Please, do not apologize. Draco and I spoke. He cleared everything up. I know why he married you. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Hermione. I can’t say that I didn’t spend the ten years that Draco and I were married, feeling guilty. It’s nice to know you do not blame me. A part of me was prepared to be hexed or thrown out.”
“I never blamed you. It was only ever Draco that I was mad at.”
“I needed to hear that.” Astoria smiled. “My husband is a muggleborn. Even in France they know of the legendary Hermione Granger. He is a big fan of yours.” Hermione smiled.
“Tell him that I am honored. I would love to meet him one day.”
“We’ve talked about moving here to be closer to Daphne. If we decide to, I’d love to have you over for dinner.”
“I’m there.”
“So that’s Astoria?”
“Yes.”
“She’s pretty.”
“Yes he is. She is one of my closest friends. You don’t spend ten years married to someone without becoming close friends.”
“But you never fell in love with her?”
“No. My heart belongs to your mother. It always has and it always will.”
“Good. She deserves someone who is going to cherish her. You promise you’ll never hurt her again?”
“I promise.”
“Oh, Draco!” He looked up to find Narcissa walking towards them.
“Hello, Mother.” She threw her arms around her son.
“Are you okay? Did your father hurt you?”
“I’m fine. He didn’t do anything to me.”
“Is it true that he is dead?” Lyra felt a twinge of guilt in her heart as her grandmother asked after her husband.
“He’s dead.”
“Good riddance. The man that I loved, he died a long time ago. The man who did this, he was a shell of my Lucius.” Narcissa finally noticed the young girl standing next to Draco. “You must be Lyra.”
“I am.”
“You are beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“What would you like to call me?”
“Is Grandma okay?”
“It’s wonderful.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Grandma.”
“It’s nice to meet you, as well.”
“While I have you both here, I would like your permission to ask Hermione to marry me.”
“You promised to never hurt her again. As long as you keep that promise, you have my support. I would love for the two of you to get married.” Draco smiled at his daughter.
“Thank you, Lyra.” He looked at his mother. “Mum?”
“Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are an idiot. You don’t need my permission to marry her.”
“But I would like it. I did not do this right the first time around, I need to do it right this time. Her parents already gave me their permission. I would love yours, as well.”
“Yes, my son. You have my permission to ask Miss. Granger to marry you.” Draco hugged his mother.
“Dad, what happened to mom’s parents?”
“After you saved them, we brought them here. Right now they are at St. Mungos undergoing tests and treatment. They’ll be okay but they need some time.” Lyra nodded.
“Where is Miss Granger?” Narcissa asked.
“Astoria is here and she asked Hermione if they could talk. They’re in her office right now. We left to find you, actually.”
“And you have. Shall we walk back towards Miss. Granger’s office?” Draco nodded.
“So Lyra, how are you liking Hogwarts?”
“I love Hogwarts. I am on the Quidditch team, a seeker like my dad.”
“And your classes? Do you enjoy them?”
“Oh I do. I am top of my class, just like my mom always was.”
“How wonderful, Draco was also a very smart boy. Miss. Granger was alway ahead of him though. I heard about it during each break they had from school.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yes. He always spoke about how aggravatingly smart your mother was as a young girl.”
“Okay, enough. Please.” Lyra laughed as she noticed her dad’s blush.
“It’s okay. Percy says the same thing about me.”
“Who is Percy?” Narcissa asked.
“Perseus Nott, he’s my boyfriend.”
“You’re dating Theo’s on? How wonderful!”
“Yes, wonderful.” Draco sarcastically commented. “He’s too much like his father.”
“I bet that’s a wonderful thing. Theo was a very sweet boy growing up.”
“In front of you, he was.”
“Did he get a woman pregnant and then abandon her?” Narcissa teased. Lyra and her snickered as they walked.
“Firstly, Milli was five months pregnant when they got married. And secondly, I did not know that Granger was pregnant when I left.”
“It’s okay, Dad. I promise Percy is not like you or Theo in that department.” Before either Malfoys could respond, Astoria and Hermione walked out of the office.
“What wonderful timing we have.” Narcissa commented. “Hello, Astoria. How are you?”
“I’m doing fine. How are you?”
“Oh I am doing excellent. I just met my granddaughter.”
“And isn’t she lovely? I can see the resemblance she bears to you.”
“You flatter me.” Narcissa laughed lightly.
“I was just heading out, but I hope to see you all soon. Draco, think you could walk me down?” He nodded.
“I’ll be right back.” Draco held out his arm for Astoria to grasp. They walked towards the lifts together in silence.
“Hermione is just as beautiful as ever.”
“Yes, she is.” As they reached the lifts, Astoria pulled her arm from Draco and held both his hands in hers.
“Don’t screw it up this time.”
“I won’t. I promised Lyra.”
“I’m happy for you, Draco. You got everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“So did you.”
“Everything happens for a reason.” Astoria mumbled. “Here, this is for you.” Astoria reached into her pocket and held out a small ring box. Draco opened it and saw the centuries old, traditional Malfoy engagement ring. This ring was worn by every single Lady Malfoy in his family history. “This always belonged to her.”