A fresh breeze ruffled his hair and Draco Malfoy shivered, but it was not from the cold but from nerves. He took a great risk coming here, but it was all going to be worth it. Then he saw her, moving towards him gracefully in the most beautiful wedding gown he had seen. Astoria Greengrass gave him a radiant smile and all of his nerves went away.
The beach that they were getting married on was deserted. Apart from the two witnesses, it was just them and the Minister conducting the ceremony. Draco preferred it like this and cast a thought to Harry Potter and his wedding to Ginny Weasley which was full of people just wanting to be there to get on the front page of the Daily Prophet.
But Draco knew that Potter’s love for Ginny Weasley was as powerful as his own love for Astoria and Potter was surrounded by his loving in-laws who took him in and treated him like a son.
It was far more than Draco could ever offer him and it wasn’t the first time that he was jealous of Harry Potter - Something he was no longer ashamed to admit.
As they took their vows, Draco promised to treasure this moment forever. It was worth it defying his father and eloping with Astoria so that they could find happiness. His parents weren’t too happy with some of Astoria’s pro-muggle views and Draco had many rows with them regarding Astoria.
He knew that if they were invited to the wedding, they would make it uncomfortable for Astoria. As far as Draco was concerned, Astoria came first. It was the first time that Draco thought of someone other than himself. Astoria meant the world to him and she had made him the happiest that he had been for a long time. She taught him the joys that the world had to offer and she helped him move on from the war.
Almost everyone in the Wizarding world hated him, but Astoria never judged him. Whilst most people would frown at him, she greeted him with a smile and it was that smile that kept him going.
It took him a while to believe that he was worthy of her love, and the depressed and angry young man who had emerged from the Battle of Hogwarts was gone. Draco no longer followed his father’s Pure Blood ideals to the letter, something which irked his father, but Draco had been in his shadow for far too long.
Draco wasn’t marrying Astoria for convenience; He married her because he loved her and he was no longer going to let his father tell him what to do.
The Minister declared them bonded for life and Draco and Astoria met in a tender kiss. After they finished, Draco could see Astoria’s eyes sparkling with the happiness that he had in his heart for his new wife.
Hours later, they walked hand in hand across the beach. It was deserted, save for a few dog walkers and the sun was setting. Astoria wanted to watch it so they stood hand-in-hand watching the sun set beneath the sea and Draco thanked fate that even someone like him was allowed to find love.
It had been a day since Ginny’s ordeal in the Chamber of Secrets. Madam Pomfrey had insisted that she be kept in the Hospital Wing for observation and rest.
Her brothers had visited her in the morning. Percy apologised to her repeatedly whilst Fred and George were kicked out for making too much noise and Madam Pomfrey confiscated the toilet seat that they intended to give her.
Ron had visited her as well with Hermione Granger who told her that she didn’t blame Ginny in the slightest for her petrification and that she was glad that Ginny was safe. Ron was over the moon to see that Ginny was okay, but Ginny didn’t want to discuss what happened to her in the Chamber of Secrets.
“You alright, Al?”
Albus was jerked out of his daydreaming to see his dad standing next to him with two ice creams in each hand.
“Yeah, I was just thinking of something,” Albus said casually. “I’ve forgotten now.”
Harry gave his fourteen-year-old son a grin.
“Do you want an ice cream?” Harry asked and Albus gave his dad a big grin.
“Yeah!” he exclaimed enthusiastically, taking the ice cream from Harry’s right hand and Harry laughed.
They stood in silence, licking their ice creams for a moment. Harry noticed that they were at the perfect vantage point to watch the sunset. Harry mentioned it to his son.
“Yeah, I like watching the sunset,” Albus said. “It helps me relax.”
“You wouldn’t want some company by any chance?” Harry asked tentatively. He knew that his youngest son liked his space. But to his surprise, Albus smiled up at him and moved in closer, wrapping an arm around his father.
“Thanks, dad,” Albus said quietly. “It’s nice to have some company.”
“It’s nice that you’d want me around at your age,” Harry admitted. “Most sons your age would be embarrassed at the sight of their father.”
“No, it’s great having you around,” Albus said. “You should take the time off work more often.”
“I’ll try,” Harry said, rubbing a hand through his hair. “We’ve been quite busy at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I can’t take more time off.” Albus smiled up at his father again and melted into him.
“Thanks,” the younger Gryffindor said. “For the ice cream and for taking the time off. I miss you at Hogwarts and I appreciate it.”
“I miss you when you’re at Hogwarts too,” Harry said. “Your letters home keeps both me and your mother going.”
For a while, the pair of them were silent as the both watched the sunset.
“Is this a good time for you to let us use magic outside of school?” Albus asked suddenly, looking up at his father with a cheeky grin.
“Don’t hold your breath,” Harry snorted and their laughter filled the air.
Lily Luna Potter wanted a diary.
That's what she declared at breakfast one morning in front of a stunned Harry and Ginny. All of her friends at Hogwarts had one and it was unfair that she didn't.
The boys shrugged and went back to their breakfasts but Ginny was adamant that Lily wasn't getting a diary.
Lily said that it was unfair, Ginny was being harsh and that she didn't understand Lily’s desire to express herself. Ginny said that the way Lily was acting, she clearly didn’t need a diary to express herself and Lily wasn't getting anything until she apologised.
Lily stormed off upstairs and slammed her door shut and it was left to Harry to sort things out. Ginny was fuming and James and Albus didn't dare ask her what that was all about- they were not foolish. They instead asked Harry who hastily explained Ginny’s bad experience with Tom Riddle’s diary.
Harry explained in full to a sulking Lily in her room and Harry told her that Ginny didn't want Lily to suffer as she did; pouring her soul into something malevolent that in turn possessed and caused her to do terrible things.
After Harry’s explanation, Lily’s eyes filled with tears and she found Ginny in the living room where she was sitting down with her typewriter.
Lily rushed forward and tackled Ginny in the biggest hug she could give and apologised to her over and over again as she told Ginny what Harry told her.
Ginny hugged Lily back with all the protectiveness of a mother and told Lily that she didn't want her to make the same mistakes as Ginny did and that she was sorry that she had been a bit harsh; she loved her very much.
Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain.
Ginny told Lily that it would be far better for Lily to confide her problems to supportive friends that she trusts than a book that could have the potential to cause Lily harm.
Harry offered a solution; he had a spare journal from work that was strictly non-magical and it offered protection from any malicious witches and wizards seeking to cause Lily harm.
Lily was over the moon with the arrangement and Ginny was pleased that Lily would be protected. Lily promised to confide in her friends as well as the diary and she spent all day decorating it.
Harry cherishes his family until the very end,
Ginny is the rock on which they all stand,
Teddy is the son and brother they consider part of their brood,
James causes the laughter and the pranks,
Albus fights for those who don’t know how,
Lily is the sweetest of them all.
This is a revised edition of a story I had written a while back.
Can also be read here.
___
Scorpius always wanted to go to London ever since he had read about the capital in his history books; It was a city so rich in history and he was entranced by it.
He had begged his parents to take him to London but for some reason, his father was reluctant to go.
But finally, he was going. His father said that he had business to do at Gringotts Bank and Scorpius had asked Draco if he could go with him. Scorpius's mother suggested that they make it a day out together.
Scorpius asked if they could visit Muggle London as well much to his mother's delight, so the Malfoys ended up visiting the many famous landmarks of London where Astoria took many photographs of a beaming Scorpius standing in front of them.
Scorpius noted, however, that his father looked uneasy when they were out in Muggle London. He supposed that it was because of all of the Muggle cars and busses and the city was heaving with people, many of them taking photos.
Draco looked a lot calmer once they reached the Leakey Cauldron and they went out to the courtyard at the back of the pub where he took out his wand and tapped one of the bricks with it.
Scorpius got a shock when the bricks parted revealing to Scorpius for the first time in his life; Diagon Alley.
Victoire is the glue that holds them together,
Dominique is the one who keeps them in line,
Molly is the heart that keeps on beating,
Lucy knows all the rules,
Louis is the coolest of the lot,
Fred is the eldest twin, he comes up with the pranks
Roxanne is the youngest twin, she is fire and chaos,
James is the prankmaster and funniest of the lot,
Rose is the brains of the group,
Albus asks the questions,
Hugo has the logic none of them have,
Lily is the soul that keeps them going,
Can also be read here.
___
There was a sleepy, early morning silence and the dual carriageway was empty as a bottle-green car sped down it making two rabbits hop out of harm’s way. An argument was taking place in the back of the car.
“I don’t have a short temper!” Albus snapped at his brother who had spent the entire journey teasing him.
“Boys, give it a rest,” Ginny Potter said wearily.
“I told you Al has a short temper,” James said, grinning at Albus who was scowling.
“I DON’T!” Albus yelled causing Harry’s ears to ring and making him think that his eardrums had burst.
“That’s enough!” Ginny said firmly and the boys fell silent.
There was a strained silence for ten minutes and Harry regretted his decision to drive to the Burrow - They should’ve taken the Floo.
“Are we there, yet?” Lily piped up, craning her head around the front seats to get a better view of the road.
“Almost,” Harry said, the ringing in his ears subsiding.
However, James and Albus’s argument had distracted Harry and the turning for Ottery St Catchpole was approaching fast.
“Wasn’t that the turning?” Ginny asked as Harry sped passed it.
Harry felt as if he had left his stomach behind at the turning to Ottery St Catchpole.
“Yeah, I think it was,” Harry groaned, resisting the urge to swear.
