Trigger warnings: mentions of labor, blood, sickness, death
***
Athena woke up the next morning, with the worst hangover.
"Fucking hell," she groaned, her head pounding like crazy. "Why did I have to drink so much yesterday?" she whispered to herself.
She slowly stood up from her bed and went to take a shower. She felt a little better, when the water fell on her body.
She put on a pair of black jeans and a Christmas sweater, knitted by the one and only, Molly Weasley.
It had a green color that complimented Athena's emerald green eyes. It was actually a beautiful Christmas sweater.
She dried her hair and put them in a ponytail. And finally, she slipped a pair of black boots on and went downstairs for breakfast.
Athena heard voices coming from the living room. Maybe Ginny and Harry had some guests over.
Her face lit up when she saw Ron, Hermione, Rosie and their little one month old son, Hugo, who was in his aunt Ginny's arms.
But it wasn't just them.
Draco, Astoria and Scorpius were also there.
Again.
"Good morning," she mumbled, making all eyes land on her.
"Athena!" Hermione exclaimed and got up from her seat and went over to her, hugging her.
Athena hugged her back. "Hey, Hermione," she smiled as they pulled away. "I've missed you."
"Well, you haven't been back in two years," Hermione scolded her in a jokingly way.
"That's true," Athena slightly giggled, her eyes briefly landing on Draco's.
His blue orbs were literally eating her up.
Athena hugged Ron and Rosie and finally met little Hugo. He also had the infamous red hair of the Weasleys.
"Coffee or tea, Athena?" Ginny asked, as Athena sat down next to Harry.
"Coffee please. Black," she said and thanked her when she gave her the cup.
Everyone got caught up into their previous conversation, except from Athena and Draco. They didn't exchange any stares, but the tension between them was evident.
''Where is Dragomir?'' Athena asked Harry. ''Is he still asleep?''
''Oh, I forgot to tell you,'' Harry said. ''He had to go.''
''What?'' she gasped in surprise. ''But why?''
''Something came up with his family. He didn't tell me, exactly. He left this morning in a hurry. But he told me to give you this,'' he said and gave her an envelope that was on the table.
Athena hadn't even noticed it.
She opened the envelope, while still feeling Draco's eyes staring at her, burning her skin like two blue flames.
''Dear Athena,
Sorry I had to leave so early. But my family needed me, so I had to get back to Sofia.
I wanted to let you know that I had a wonderful time with you. And I was so happy to finally meet everyone.
Please let me know when you'll come back, so I can pick you up from the train station.
I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the holidays with your family. I was very excited to meet all of them.
See you soon,
Dragomir.''
Athena smiled faintly, while putting the letter back in the envelope. She was actually enjoying his company. She now found herself wanting to get back to Durmstrang to him, as soon as possible.
When they all finished their coffees and their teas, Athena helped Ginny take everything to the kitchen.
''I made some turkey sandwiches,'' Ginny informed her and showed her a plate full of them. ''You didn't even have breakfast. You must be hungry.''
Athena sighed in contention, drooling at the sight of the sandwiches. ''That's so true! They seem delicious,'' she said and grabbed one, biting on it.
Ginny smiled, as she took out her wand to clean up the dirty cups.
But a scream made her drop everything to the ground.
''Oh my god!'' Athena said in terror, dropping her sandwich back into the plate. ''Ginny!''
Ginny was screaming in pain, clutching on her stomach. ''Athena, I think... I think my water just broke.''
Athena looked down at the floor with wide eyes; indeed, there was some kind of liquid all over it.
''Oh my god!'' she screamed as well. ''Harry! Come here! Help!'' she yelled.
Harry rushed into to the kitchen, followed by Ron and Draco.
''What happened?'' he asked in panic.
''Her water just broke!'' Athena cried out. ''We have to take her to the hospital!''
''Come on honey,'' Harry tried to stay calm, as he took Ginny's hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. ''Let's get to the car.''
Ron rushed by their side, to help his sister. ''Come on, little sis, you can do this.''
Ginny nodded and the three of them walked out of the kitchen.
Athena stared at Draco for a second, who was looking at her intensely. She ignored him and went upstairs, to get Ginny's bags.
She then rushed out of the house, carrying the bags with her.
Ginny and Harry were at the backseat and Ron was driving. Athena sat at the passenger's seat and Ron started the car.
And soon enough, they were flying in the air.
***
''Draco, honey, what happened?'' Astoria asked when she saw her husband.
''They are taking Ginny to the hospital,'' Draco informed the two women, who gasped in shock.
''Did Ron and Athena went with them?'' Hermione asked.
Draco nodded. ''Yes,'' he simply replied.
''Is mommy going to give birth to little Lily?'' James asked.
Hermione smiled at him. ''Yes, James. You and Albus will have a baby sister!''
The two boys cheered, resulting into Scorpius and Rosie clapping along.
''We will stay with you until Ron and Athena come back,'' Astoria told Hermione. ''We can't leave you alone with four little children!'' she kindly smiled at her.
Hermione smiled back at her as well. ''Thank you, Astoria. You are very kind.''
Draco stared out of the window, as the snow fell onto the ground. The two women were having a conversation about their birth experiences, but Draco had only one thought on his mind.
Two emerald green eyes.
***
Ron and Athena were in the waiting room, both somehow relieved that they made it to the hospital in time.
''That was a close one,'' Ron chuckled. ''Hermione almost gave birth to Hugo in the car.''
Athena giggled. ''Really?''
''Yes!'' he said, as he smiled at the beautiful memory. ''Thankfully, we still made it in time.''
''I'm so nervous,'' Athena sighed, fiddling with the sleeves of her sweater. ''Ginny seemed like she was in a lot of pain...''
Ron nodded. ''It is painful, yes. But Hermione told me that when you get to hold your baby for the first time, you forget about everything. You are only focused on your little one.''
Athena smiled at his words. ''That's so sweet,'' she said, feeling emotional.
Her eyes almost teared up, when she remembered her baby. The baby that she never got to meet, because they took it away from her.
Athena didn't want to admit it, but it pained her to see Scorpius. Because that's how she imagined hers and Draco's baby would look like.
With sunny, blonde hair. And looking exactly like its father. But having his mesmerizing, blue eyes.
Her hand subsconsiously fell on her empty belly, that eight years ago, was the safe heaven of a small baby.
Ron saw her tears and he instantly knew what she was thinking.
He took her in his arms, as Athena silently cried on his shoulder. Ron was rubbing her back in a soothing way.
''I'm so sorry about everything that you've been through,'' he murmured. ''Did you ever tell Draco?'' he asked her.
Athena pulled away from her friend's shoulder, wiping her eyes. ''No. I didn't want to break him even more,'' she said, her voice barely audible.
''Don't you think he deserves to know?'' Ron wondered.
''Why? What difference will it make? His father is already locked up. He doesn't need to know. It's for his own sanity.''
''And what about your sanity?'' Ron contemplated. ''Why do you have to be the only one carrying such a heavy weight? He was the father. He had to know.''
''It doesn't matter anymore,'' she disagreed. ''He has his own life.''
Ron didn't say anything else. Because he knew that Athena, was somehow right.
***
''She's here!'' Harry happily exclaimed, waking Ron and Athena up.
They both jolted up from their seats. ''Can we see her?'' Ron eagerly asked.
Harry happily nodded. ''Come on!'' he gestured for them to follow him.
Ron and Athena went into the room calmly, both melting at the sight of a gleaming Ginny, who was holding a red haired baby girl.
''We finally got our ginger baby!'' she gleefully told them, making both Athena and Ron laugh.
''Hey, Ron,'' Athena nudged him.
''What is it?'' he asked her, still smiling.
''We have a niece,'' she said, her voice low, but still full of emotions.
Ron smiled even wider and looked at his sister again, feeling prouder than ever.
Athena hugged Harry. ''I'm so happy for you,'' he whispered.
''I'm so happy that you are here,'' Harry lowly said. ''When James and Albus were born, I had no one with me. And all I could think about, was having you by my side.''
''Oh, Harry...'' Athena tried not to cry again, but her voice was shaking. ''I'm here now. I will never leave your side.''
''I will never leave your side either,'' he promised and they both happily smiled at each other.
***
Athena and Ron were finally back home, both exhausted.
Only Astoria was still here, keeping Hermione some company.
''You're back!'' Hermione sighed in relief, as she hugged her husband. ''How did everything go?'' she asked them, Astoria eagerly waiting to find out as well.
''Everything went well, thank Merlin,'' Athena said as she plopped on the sofa. ''Lily Luna Potter is a very beautiful, healthy little girl.''
''I'm so relieved that everything went alright,'' Hermione said, while she and Ron both sat down.
''Where is Draco?" Ron — thankfully — asked, because Athena was also dying to know.
''Oh, he took Scorpius home,'' Astoria informed them. ''Draco has to go to work tomorrow, but I couldn't leave Hermione alone with four children.''
''Are James and Albus asleep?'' Athena asked.
Hermione nodded. ''Yes. And Arthur came and took Rosie and Hugo to their home,'' she informed Ron.
''That's good,'' Ron yawned. ''Because I really need to sleep calmly for one night.''
Everybody laughed.
''You can all go, I will manage,'' Athena told them. ''It's been a long day, we all need to rest.''
''Are you sure?" Ron asked. ''Harry won't be back until tomorrow morning,'' he reminded her.
''I know, but don't worry. The boys are asleep. If they need anything, I will be here. Go,'' she urged them.
''Alright, but send an owl if you need anything,'' Hermione strictly said, not leaving room for Athena to say no.
''I will,'' she promised, lightly laughing.
''Astoria, come on, we will take you home,'' Hermione offered and Astoria got up as well.
''Goodnight, Athena,'' Astoria smiled at her.
Athena couldn't help but smile back. ''Goodnight.''
The three of them left and Athena was all alone now. She went upstairs to check on her nephews, who were peacefully sleeping.
She smiled softly, as she closed the door and went downstairs again. She made her way to the kitchen, wanting to eat something. She was starving.
Athena ate two turkey sandwiches and filled a glass with red wine. She went back to the living room and sat next to the crackling fire, feeling more relaxed than ever.
She smiled at the thought of little Lily. She was really beautiful and looked a lot like Ginny.
When she finished the rest of her wine, she went upstairs to get some sleep.
And for once again, she dreamed of blue eyes and sunny hair.
***
''But why do you have to leave so soon?'' Ginny pouted, while holding little Lily into her arms.
Athena gave her a small smile. ''I really need to get back to school. Dragomir might be my friend, but he's a really strict professor, especially to the students of the Potions Program. I can't skip the classes,'' she sighed.
That wasn't the whole truth though. Tomorrow would be New Year's Eve and the Potter family would spend it at the Malfoy residence.
And Athena didn't want to experience that too. Leaving today, was the best choice for everyone.
Athena kissed little Lily and said goodbye to James and Albus, who were already crying.
''Come on, Athena,'' Harry softly urged her. ''You will miss the train.''
Athena hugged Ginny and followed Harry out in the garden.
In about ten minutes, they were at the King Cross Station. Her train would leave in fifteen minutes.
Harry hugged her tightly. ''Please, promise me it won't take you another two years to come back,'' he chuckled.
''I promise you,'' Athena softly said, as they pulled away.
''Alright, I will remember this promise,'' he warned, but then he smiled at her. ''You get in and find your seat, I will take care of your luggage.''
Athena nodded. ''Thank you, Harry. I'll see you soon.''
They briefly hugged again and then parted ways. Athena boarded on the train and found her seat by the window.
She didn't want to tell Harry that she never intended to come back again. This was the last time she would visit them.
Athena couldn't keep living her life like this, going back and forth. She finally needed some stability in her life. And she definitely had to stay away from him, finally.
The train started and Athena closed her eyes, as she mentally said goodbye to her homeland.
Goodbye to him.
Forever.
***
Another year passed. Athena didn't come back to visit her family. She decided it was for the best.
This year she would finish her Potions Program in Durmstrang and then she would leave Bulgaria.
And the next year, she would apply to Beauxbatons, as a Potions Teacher, if the position was free, of course.
Dragomir was aware of Athena's plans and he was devastasted. Because Athena would never give him the chance to prove how happy he can make her.
But he didn't want to restrain her; she was the only one who could control her fate. If she believed that Beauxbatons was the best choice for her, then so be it. He would be here to support her, in every step she wanted to make.
Athena had found a true friend in Dragomir.
***
Draco was living into a nightmare.
Astoria's health state, was at it's worst. Her blood curse had taken a huge toll on her.
She couldn't move her limbs anymore. She had spent the last four months in bed.
Narcissa and Vera, Astoria's mother, had both moved in their home temporarily, to take care of her and little Scorpius.
Narcissa was trying to stay strong for them, but there were also times that she would break down. She was so sad for her young daughter - in - law, whose life was slowly and painfully slipping away. She was sad for her only grandson, who would lose his mother so soon.
But most of all, she was in pain for her son. The misery in their life, didn't seem like it had any intentions of going away.
Her son was a tormented man, since the day he was born. His life was not easy, especially with having a father like Lucius Malfoy.
And at just seventeen years old, he had lost his first love, for eight years. And now, he was losing his wife.
Why was life treating her only boy so cruelly?
Narcissa wished she could do something to lift all that pain off of his shoulders, but there was nothing she could do.
Only to prepare him for yet another loss.
For his wife's death.
***
''How is Scorpius?'' Astoria managed to ask her husband, but her voice was just a soft whisper.
Draco tried to smile, as he kissed her cold hand. ''He misses you. Maybe you should let him see you, my love...'' he suggested, but with caution.
''No, please...'' she cried. ''I don't want him remembering me like this...''
Draco almost chocked on his breath, due to the sob he was holding back. ''Whatever you want baby... It's all up to you,'' he managed to form what seemed like a smile.
Astoria smiled back at him, with as much strength as she had in her. ''I love you so much, Draco. I wish we had more time...''
Now Draco couldn't keep his tears back, as he cupped her face. ''I love you too, my baby. I wish there was something I could do...''
''It will be alright,'' she tried to console him. ''You will have our son. You won't be alone.''
Draco felt pathetic; instead of being the strong one and try and comfort his dying wife, she was the one doing it for him.
He wiped his eyes. ''I can't do this without you...'' he mumbled.
''Draco... Please. Don't stay alone for the rest of your life,'' she almost begged him, making him look at her with wide eyes.
''What are you talking about?'' he inquired, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.
''I know you still love her...'' Astoria smiled softly. ''You never stopped.''
''But...'' he tried to say, but his wife's words stopped him.
''You don't need to hide from me... I can see through you. I know you love me, I can feel it. But it's not the same. And I can't blame you for that. She was your first love, my honey...''
Draco didn't reply, he just stared at her. He knew she was right.
''So, please, don't let her go again. Be with her. It's time.''
''Astoria, please, stop this...'' he whispered. ''No woman can ever replace you...''
She coughed. ''I'm sorry...'' she said, as she wiped her mouth with her hankerchief. ''I didn't ask you to replace me — I asked you to move on. To be happy with her. Please, promise me.''
''Promise you what?'' he asked her, his voice broken.
''Promise me you won't let her go again...''
Draco couldn't believe in his own ears. His wife was practically begging him to get back with his ex, right after she dies. To say he was shocked, would be an understatement.
''Astoria...'' he tried to say.
''Promise me, Draco. I want you to be happy. Please...'' a tear rolled down her cheek.
Draco nodded. ''I promise you.''
''I love you,'' she whispered.
''I love you too... Forever,'' he replied.
''Will you lay down next to me?'' she asked him.
Draco smiled at her. ''Of course.''
He got on the bed and brought her to his chest. Astoria closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat.
Her most favorite sound.
***
I'm a sobbing mess :(
I have no other words to say...
ILY all❤️
3 chapters to go... 💔