Trigger warnings: none
***
Draco and Astoria woke up to the sound of their son crying.
''Oh my god...'' Astoria sighed. ''I don't have the strength to get up right now...'' she complained.
Draco chuckled, and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. ''Stay here baby, I've got this.''
Her lips arched in a small smile. ''Thank you, love. You're the best."
He got up from his bed and slipped on a fresh pair of boxers and a new pair of pajamas, before going to his son's room.
''Hey, hey baby, don't cry...'' he cooed as he took his small body into his arms. ''Daddy is here...''
Little Scorpius looked at him, when he heard his voice. He stopped crying for some seconds, but then he started crying again.
''What is it, baby boy?'' he asked worried. ''Let's change your diaper, shall we?''
Draco changed his diaper and dressed him up again, but he still wouldn't stop. Maybe he was hungry?
He took him back to their bedroom, holding him close against his chest. ''I'm sorry honey, but I think he's hungry.''
Astoria slowly raised up from the bed and rested her back against the headboard. ''I don't think so, it's too soon. He isn't supossed to eat for another two hours,'' she said, a little bit worried.
''Let's give it a try,'' he suggested.
She nodded in agreement and Draco gently placed him into her arms. Astoria tried to feed him, but the little boy didn't want to eat either.
''Should I be worried?'' she asked, now panicking. ''Do you think he might be sick or something?''
''I don't know,'' Draco mumbled, also worried.
He felt helpless; he had absolutely no idea about babies, so he didn't know what to do or how to react to situations like these.
Astoria slowly got up from the bed and started rocking him in between her arms, while pacing around the room.
But that didn't help either.
''Draco, he's not stopping,'' she almost cried in desperation. ''What are we going to do?''
He tried to think for a minute, until an idea popped up in his head. ''Give him to me,'' he said as he extended his hands over to her.
Astoria placed the crying blond baby back into her husband's arms. ''Follow me,'' he said to her, while also placing a soft kiss on Scorpius's hair.
She followed him down the stairs, feeling confused and worried.
But when she saw what Draco was about to do, she couldn't help but smile.
Draco sat down on the piano stool and while holding his son tightly against his chest with his left hand, he started playing a sweet melody on the piano.
Scorpius didn't stop crying right away, but as the melody went on, he started calming down, looking at his father with wide, brown eyes.
Draco couldn't help but look back at him with adoration, his skillful fingers still playing the same, beautiful tune.
Astoria couldn't get enough of the beautiful sight she was experiencing right now. She felt so lucky to have this amazing husband and that beautiful, healthy baby.
Little Scorpius was now slowly drifting back to sleep, but Draco kept on playing, until he was calm and asleep again.
''Draco...'' Astoria whispered, still mesmerized. ''That was wonderful.''
He smiled at her and kissed his son's little hand. ''Let's get him back to bed,'' he suggested, as he slowly stood up from the stool.
They went back to his room and Draco gently placed the baby back into his crib.
Astoria wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder, both watching their son sleeping peacefully.
''You are the best...'' she whispered.
''No, baby,'' he whispered too, as he placed a small kiss on her hair. ''You are.''
The sudden sound of the doorbell ringing, interrupted their serene moment.
''Are we expecting anyone?'' Draco asked.
''No, I don't think so,'' Astoria replied, as confused as him. ''But let's go and check.''
Side by side, they went downstairs to answer the door. Draco put his hand on the handle, slowly opening it.
''Theodore?'' he asked in surprise, when he saw his friend. ''What are you doing here?''
''Hey guys, sorry for bothering you at this time, but Draco, I really need your help with something.''
Draco looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. ''Is it something urgent?'' he wanted to know.
He really didn't want to leave Astoria and their baby all alone.
Theodore nodded. ''I'm afraid so. It can't wait,'' he admitted. ''Will you come?''
Draco sighed. ''Alright, let me get dressed first. Come in,'' he said, as he opened the door wider for him to enter.
Draco went upstairts to get dressed, still confused. What could Theodore possibly want?
What if it was something about Athena?
With that thought penetrating his mind, he started getting dressed faster and went downstairs again.
Theodore and Astoria were sitting on the sofa, laughing at something that he had said.
When Theodore noticed Draco, he instantly stood up from his seat.
''Are you ready?'' he asked, not able to hide the eagerness in his voice.
''Yes,'' Draco simply said. He then turned to his wife. ''I'll be back soon, love. If you need anything, please, send an owl to my mother. Okay?''
Astoria nodded and went to kiss him softly. ''I'll be alright, don't worry. Now, go,'' she smiled at him.
Draco and Theodore went outside in the garden, as Theodore took his wand out of his pocket.
''Will you tell me where the fuck are we going? What the hell is going on, Nott?'' he demanded to know.
''We will pay Harry Potter a visit,'' he simply said.
"What—"
Draco didn't have the time to utter another word. Theodore apparated the both of them to Harry's house and soon, they were outside of his door, ringing on the doorbell.
Draco couldn't find a logical explanation to what they were both doing here.
Was Potter already expecting them? Or was this was a surprise visit, for a reason only Theodore was aware of?
***
"They'll be here soon,'' Harry informed Athena.
''Oh my god...'' she whispered, feeling overwhelmed. ''I don't know if I can do this, Harry. I don't know if I'm ready to see him...'' her voice was shaking and her body as well.
Harry gently grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes. ''You can do this, sister. You are braver than you think. It's time for you to move on. You can do this. Okay?'' he smiled reassuringly at her.
Athena returned the smile and hugged him tightly. ''Thank you...'' she mumbled on his shoulder.
Harry didn't find the time to say anything else, because they both heard the doorbell ringing. Athena's eyes widened, both from fear and worry.
''They are here,'' Harry said. ''Are you ready?''
Athena nodded, even though she wasn't ready, at all. And she didn't know if she would ever be.
''Okay, then please, go to the kitchen. I will call out for you, when the time is right.''
Athena inhaled deeply, before leaving the living room.
No one else was at the house right now. Ginny had taken James and Albus over to Ron's and Hermione's house, to leave them all alone.
Athena went to the kitchen, and tried to listen, as Harry opened the door and greeted Theodore and Draco.
Her heart started beating faster in her chest, when she heard his voice.
It sounded like a melody in her ears. His voice was sweetly filling her heart, like warm honey.
''What is this all about, Potter? What's with all the secrecy?'' she heard him ask.
Athena placed her palm on her heart, trying to calm the rapid beating of it. She felt like it was literally ready to jump out of her chest.
''Malfoy,'' Harry calmly spoke. ''Me and Theodore have finally managed to discover what happened to Athena.''
Draco's chest immediately tightened as he heard those words. He almost started gasping for air.
''Draco?'' Theodore said, fully worried. ''Are you alright mate?'' he asked, looking at him with in fear.
Draco inhaled sharply, trying to calm down. Harry was looking at him, concerned as well.
''I'm fine,'' he gritted through his teeth. ''Speak up then! What happened to her? Where is she?'' he demanded to know.
Athena felt the rush taking over her, as the adrenaline was filling up her body and her senses.
She couldn't wait anymore and she certainly couldn't wait for Harry's cue.
She had to see him.
She had to hug him.
She had to touch him.
She had to see those ocean, blue eyes.
Athena wasted no time, as she left the kitchen, her pace faster than ever.
Draco didn't have time to react, as he felt a small, fragile body crushing against his chest. He stood there frozen, his hands stuck to his sides.
He felt the tears streaming down his face, while he stood there in shock.
He couldn't breathe anymore. He couldn't think clearly, as the well known, intoxicating scent took over his whole existence.
Athena was hugging him so tight, but he still couldn't comprehend if he was actually living this. He thought he was dreaming, while still being awake.
''Draco?'' she said in a soft voice, as she looked at him with concern.
She gasped at the sight of his icy blue, teary eyes. He was looking at her, like he couldn't believe she was actually here. His lips were semi open, as he was trying to remember how to breathe.
He had changed so much; he didn't have that boyish teenage face anymore. He was now a grown up man, with sharper face characteristics.
But still, he was the most beautiful person she had ever laid her eyes on.
They both stared into each other's eyes, not talking. Harry and Theodore didn't know what to say either.
''Athena?'' Draco finally managed to breathe out, while saying her name with caution. ''Is that... Is that really you?'' he whispered, unable to believe that she was here, alive.
She softly smiled at him and gently caressed his soft, blond hair.
Draco felt goosebumps forming on his body, while he was slowly realizing that she was actually here.
''Yes...'' she almost chocked on her words. ''It is me, love," she sweetly said, not able to find any other words to say.
Draco hesitatingly raised his hand and gently touched her soft cheek. His blue orbs were tracing her beautiful face, that he had missed so much.
''Oh my god... It really is you...'' he cried now.
Athena nodded. ''Yes, Draco. I'm here. I'm alive...'' she said in a steady voice.
''But how?'' he asked. ''How is this possible?''
''We will explain everything later,'' Harry promised. ''But now, we will give you some privacy. Theodore, come on, let's take a walk around the garden.''
Theodore stood there, looking at them in pain. He couldn't bear this image and the aching feeling that was forming in his chest.
Once again, it didn't matter what he did for her...
Because she was still madly in love with Draco.
But he had no other choice, than to follow Harry outside, not wanting anyone to notice that he was silently crying.
Draco couldn't take his eyes off of her. He was still caressing her face and her black hair.
His thumb softly traced the rapid pulsation on her neck, because he wanted to make sure that she indeed was here, alive.
''Why aren't you saying anything?'' she cautiously asked.
''I don't know what to say...'' he murmured, now finally looking back into her green eyes. ''All I know, is that I want to kiss you...'' he softly said, his eyes now falling on her lips.
Athena knew this wasn't right; she knew he had a wife and a baby at home. But she needed this, even if it was only for some seconds.
''Draco...'' she whispered, mesmerized by his presence.
His spine tingled up, as soon as he heard his name leaving her beautiful mouth. He cupped the back of her neck and brought her closer to him.
They both closed their eyes, as their lips softly touched, the contact instantly sending sparks all over their bodies.
Draco felt like the puzzle pieces, were finally getting back together. Those puzzle pieces, that he was so desperately searching all those empty years.
Athena wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. Draco's tongue found hers and they both moaned in pleasure and ecstasy.
They couldn't ignore the tension that filled the room around them. Draco felt himself desperately wanting to connect with her body. To feel her again.
But even though he was now hypnotized by her presence, he still couldn't bring himself to betray his wife. He couldn't do this to her. She didn't deserve it.
So he unwillingly pulled away, mastering all of his power. He looked at her again, his eyes full of love.
''I'm so sorry...'' Athena whispered, when she realized what they did. ''Your wife —"
''It's alright,'' he sweetly cut her off, as his thumb caressed her tear stained cheek. ''I needed this. I owe it to myself. Because I never stopped loving you, Athena...''
Athena felt her heart flying into her chest, but she was also feeling guilty. She didn't come here to ruin his life.
''Please, don't say that...'' she begged, her voice broken. ''It's too late for us now...'' she said hurt, as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Draco nodded, because it was true. It was way too late for them now.
"I know...'' his voice cracked as well. ''I'm so sorry I couldn't find you myself. If I had never left you alone at the Astronomy Tower that night, everything would have turned out differently.''
''Please, don't torture yourself with those thoughts...'' she pleaded him, as she kept caressing his hair. ''We are both grownups now. We can move on. Right?'' she softly smiled at him.
But Draco didn't want to move on. He didn't want to leave her.
But he couldn't leave his wife either. He still loved her, just not in the same, passionate way that he loved Athena.
''I'm so sorry,'' he said in a low mutter. ''When I finally find out who did this to us, they will regret the day they were born," he almost growled, feeling hate taking over him.
Athena slowly pulled away from him and took some steps back, even though this was killing her. She didn't want to stay away from him anymore.
But she had to.
''I will call Harry and Theodore back inside... They will explain everything to you.''
Draco nodded, even though he didn't want anyone else to be around. He wanted to be alone, with her.
Athena went to find Harry and Theodore, and the three of them came back some moments later.
''Are you ready to find out the truth?'' Theodore asked him, as he took the legal Time Turner that Harry had provided him with.
Draco looked at the magical device in confusion. ''Are you fucking kidding me, Nott?''
Theodore shook his head negatively. ''Not at all. You have to see the truth with your own eyes, in order to believe us.''
Draco's eyes flickered back to Athena, unsure if he should leave her all alone again.
But she nodded at him in reassurance. ''I'll still be here when you get back,'' she promised, smiling softly at him.
He looked at Theodore and Harry again. ''Ready?'' Harry asked.
Draco gulped before answering. ''Yes,'' he replied and went closer to them.
He then closed his eyes, waiting.
Waiting to get back to the day, that changed everything.
***
They finally met 🥺
What do you think it will happen from now on?
Please vote⭐️ and comment my lovelies ily all so much ❤️🔥