Title: Putting one foot in front of another

Summary: Draco must learn how to put one foot in front of another in the wake of his wife's untimely death. He has to find the will to continue to live not only for their son; but for himself also. He is blessed that he has a loving family whom support him in this time. Not just his son; Scorpius. But surprising through Harry; whom had married his sister-in-law; Daphne. With Harry's friendship and family relations also comes Ron and Hermione; the whole Weasley clan.

Rating: T

Categories: Family/Tragedy/Spiritual/Hurt/Comfort/Romance/Drama/Friendship/Suspense/Angst/Humor/Mystery

Notes: Scorpius and Albus are cousins; but they are as close as brothers. They both got sorted into Slytherin; while both James and Lily are sorted into Gryffindor.

Prologue

Harry rested his head on his wife's bare shoulder. He nuzzled into her neck as he just held her as she sobbed heartbreaking sobs. He had awaken to find his wife trying to sob silently. He had moved over the few inches that were needed to wrap his arms around her shaking body; and pulled her against his bare chest. Tears sparkled yet to be shed in his eyes as he pulled away an inch from her neck.

"I'm sorry that I awoke you." Daphne husked out between sobs.

"You needed me Daph." He brushed aside some of her sweaty hair from her face. "My soul couldn't be away from you."

Daphne turned around so she could face her beloved husband. Her right hand rose to gently stoke his right cheek bone. "I love you." She whispered. Her teary eyes staring into his wet ones. She watched as the tears finally feel onto his cheeks.

Harry rested his forehead against his wife's. "I'm sorry that I can't make this better for you." He managed to get out.

"I just can't believe that she's gone. That Astoria isn't going to be …." Daphne couldn't finish. She broke completely down. She felt Harry pulling her in to his chest; and she wept as she rested her left ear against his chest; just listening to his heart beat. Praying that her sister's heart was still beating …. that her sister's heart wasn't still for all time.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Draco stared out into the wet night. His forehead resting against the cool wet glass of the bay window of the living room. His chest was in a painful clench. Had been since the first moment that the Healer had told them that Astoria had in fact inherited from the blood curse from an ancestor. He recalled her telling him that she was very likely to have inherited this blood curse when he had just gotten ready to profess his love for her. She wanted him to know that she wasn't destined to live an long life. That she was giving him an out. That he had every right to no longer want to see or; or be seen with her. That she didn't blame him for walking away from her.

"Marry me." Tears rolled down his cheeks as he held out the ring towards her.

"Didn't you just hear what I told you Draco?" Worry was in her eyes as she kept her eyes searching his own.

"Marry me." He repeated with a smile.

"I can't do that to you Draco." She reached up to trace his jaw line. "I can't hurt you like that."

"Astoria the only way you can hurt me is by not returning my love for you." Draco's hand with the ring remained strong. "What you just said proves to me that you do love me. That you care for me. That you want what is best for me."

"How is my dying on you best for you?" Astoria backed away anger laced her face. Her arms folded tightly across her chest. "How is mourning me best for you!"

"How is living my life without you in it best for me?" Draco smiled. "How is not having your love for how ever long we have on this planet earth best for me?" He stepped forward once more. "Don't you see Astoria that it truly doesn't matter how much actual living time you have with your soulmate …. what matters is that once you are sure that you have met your soulmate …. then you will make damn sure that they remain at your side for how long God has for us to remain on the planet earth." He tearfully smiled. "Marry me."

"I can't." She whispered tears falling freely down her cheeks.

He moved forward and rested the palm of his right hand against her face. "Don't be afraid Astoria. Don't be afraid to live your life to the fullest. Don't be afraid to love your soulmate; to marry him. Don't be afraid of carrying and bearing a child." He whispered the ring still held up with a steady hand. "Live." He breathed.

Astoria's breath hitched in her throat. What she had told Draco she never told anyone ever … not her parents, not Daphne … just him. She told him because she loved him. She told him because she loved him enough to set him free. She told him because she loved him enough not to cause him pain when she had to live him; to never return on this planet earth. She loved him. She loved him.

"Live." He breathed once more. "Marry me." Tears rolled down his cheeks.

She pressed into his hand. Her right hand rose to touch his with the ring. "Yes I'll marry you Draco Malfoy" she sobbed. "God help me I can't live any longer without your love."

He pressed his forehead against hers. "I love you." He breathed against her lips.

"I love you." She breathed out.

Broken sobs burst through Draco's tight chest. "I love you." He whimpered as he held himself as he thought of his beloved wife whom had been dead for the past four months now.

End Prologue