Canary Creams and New Yellow Paint - (DRARRY)

Chapter Eighteen

Scorpius has got his head completely up his arse.

For fuck's fucking sake. Draco stomps over the dark cobblestone street. It is cold, it is wet, and Potter's not here, even though he said he would be.

Draco tries not to examine which part is making him angriest.

Beside him, Astoria smirks, pulling her burgundy cloak tighter around her shoulders. "And you wonder where our son gets his temper."

He glares at her. She's looking particularly amused with him this evening, and a lot warmer than he is. Her black hair puffs up from underneath her earmuffs grandly.

"If I wanted a lecture, I'd be walking with my mother."

"Yet you're using me as a shield. How valiant."

"I could unleash her on you, too. Don't think I won't."

His mother's here, somewhere, though he doubts she'll last the whole evening. Her few years in Azkaban had done their damage. She is rarely well enough to leave the house.

It was a mercy he still isn't sure he deserves that he'd been spared. Just eighteen, they'd said. Should they ruin his life?

Astoria wets her lips, biting back a smile. "You forget that I like your mother."

"Can't imagine why. Nobody likes my mother."

"Except you."

"Except me."

"And Scorpius."

"Him too."

"Your father, when he was still with us."

"This is getting old fast."

"So was your father."

He cannot help laughing. "Merlin, you're horrible."

She loops her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder. "Are we there yet?"

"Why yes, this alleyway in the middle of nowhere, Muggle London was our destination."

"Carry me the rest of the way?"

"If you're so inclined as to be dropped in a puddle."

"Puddles are cold," Astoria complains.

"Mmhm."

"And I'm cold, so that just won't do."

"A shame, really."

"Yes, you were so kind to offer."

"That's what everyone says about me: how kind I am."

"That's why I married you," Astoria sighs dreamily.

"Really?"

"It's true. You saw me and you said, 'Now, who did something horrid enough to make your face twist up like that?' and I was love-struck instantly."

"Good God, I was charming."

"I could barely keep my clothes on."

He laughs and presses a chaste kiss to her head.

They're interrupted a moment later by Scorpius, who has jogged back from the front to meet them and is making all sorts of gagging noises.

"Can you two stop flirting — or whatever it is you're doing? It's ghastly. You're supposed to be divorced."

Astoria turns to Draco very solemnly. "Don't listen to him, darling. I think we're doing a wonderful job being divorced."

"Could not agree more, my love. Did you need something, Scorpius? You've got your statement for the press, right?"