InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Hey, Spielberg, one drink."

Daphne Cassandra Greengrass (daphnegreengras) wrote in rejuvenated,
@ 2008-03-31 22:13:00

[Who] Daphne and Astoria
[What] They discuss father's illness and other.. things.
[When] Today, tomorrow, we'll make it known.. later.
[Where] Greengrass Estate.

She was zen. Ice cold green eyes and a dark set of lips kept in a perpetual and firm thing line. This was Daphne, knowing that emotion shown to the wrong soul could turn against her. Already she had her named mentioned in the gossip section of the prophet for her strange stint in Hogsmeade and now there was a healer tending to her father that would certainly earn a pretty sickle for giving information about the Greengrass Heir's emotional status.

She was zen, cold, serious, she was business until the healer left. Then she was slumping in a chair in the drawing room, staring moodily into a fire that would soon bring her sister to her old home, Greengrass Estate.

"I'm already the chairwitch of the company," she muttered. "So, this really .. doesn't.. hurt us."
She couldn't finish the sentence without feeling a ball of pain in her throat where she was holding back sobs.

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

(Post a new comment)

thenewmrsmalfoy
2008-04-01 03:31 am UTC (link)

Astoria had always been close with her father, particularly after their mother had passed. To be faced with a situation like this was far more painful than simply receiving a note while at Hogwarts stating that he had died. Here, Daphne and herself were faced with watching him worsen and knowing there really was nothing he could do about it.

As she had promised, She had made her excuses to Draco and had bundled up Scorpius. If her father wanted to see them, than he was going to get what he wanted. She had hoped Scorpius would be able to remember him, but he was still too young. Perhaps by being around more now might help.

Holding him tightly to her, she stepped into the fireplace at her home and out of the fireplace in the Greengrass estate. Daphne had obviously been waiting. "How is he?"

(Reply to this) (Thread)

daphnegreengras
2008-04-01 06:14 am UTC (link)

She hardly moved an inch when Astoria and her son passed through the green flames. It seemed, for a moment, that she was about to switch which leg was crossed over which, but this never happened. Instead, she glanced to her nephew and blinked languidly at the child. It was as if Scorpius was just as entranced by her and she was by him and the staring continued for nearly a minute before Daphne uncrossed her legs and stood up.

"He's making jokes on his death bed. As usual." A stray tear trickled down her cheek and she swiped at it almost angrily. "He's been wanting to see you, what's been keeping you busy?" A stupid question, as obviously it was what was keeping Daphne busy as well: work.

Not to mention, Astoria had a child to care for... and speaking of, Daphne returned to gazing at Scorpius, though this time there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thenewmrsmalfoy
2008-04-01 02:09 pm UTC (link)

"Sounds like father." she responded, cringing slightly at the word death. She knew it was coming, she just wasn't quite ready to face it yet. She really didn't think she would be. She was positive that a small part of her had stayed away because if she didn't have to see it than she could believe it wasn't happening.

"Family and career obligations." she responded, the familiar sense of guilt that had been plaguing her since Daphne's letter returned as she said that. It was a poor reason, but that's all she had to stand behind.

When Daphne's gaze flickered to Scorpius, her own eyes followed her path. He was just as happy and smiley as usual, completely unaware to what was going on around him.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

daphnegreengras
2008-04-02 05:10 am UTC (link)

She wanted to say something to the child. She wanted to coo like most silly girls did to make a baby laugh, and she wanted to ask to hold him just so she could connect the child better, as a good Aunt might ask to do, but she ended up doing none of those things. She instead, turned on her heel and began walking toward the main hall that led to a stairway. He heels clicked loudly against the marble tiles.

"It's understandable. Chione, come here." A tiny female house-elf popped into view before Daphne and Astoria on the first step of the stairway. "Yes, mum?" asked Chione, in a strange accent befitting of a Greek.

"Does he wish to see her now?"

"Yes, mum, but not the child. Not yet."

"Fine. Alert me when he wants to see his grandson. Go on, Astoria. I can watch him for a moment." Now she held out her arms, ignoring the way Chione looked up to Scorpius and gave a nervous smile at the child.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thenewmrsmalfoy
2008-04-03 03:59 pm UTC (link)

Astoria followed after her, letting her eyes travel over the familiar frames that decorated the walls. She knew everyone of them, which ones she'd knocked off, which one had to have their frames fixed. As happy as she was now, she still missed the manor. It was home, after all.

She didn't interrupt the conversation between Daphne and the elf. Now that she was standing outside his door, she didn't know if she wanted to go in. She like the strong image she had of her father. She didn't want that replaced by this one.

She took a moment to glance between Daphne and Scorpius. For a moment, she held him tighter before finally giving in and passing the child to her sister. From here on out, she supposed she would have to ground herself. Once Scorpius was safely in Daphne's arms, she slipped into her father's room, not fully prepared for the meeting.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

daphnegreengras
2008-04-04 10:45 pm UTC (link)

It was pointless after all. The moment Scorpius was in her arms and just as Astoria slipped into their father's room, a voice full of a wheezing cough rumbled out, "No, no. Bring him in. You come too, Ducky!" Daphne sighed, stepped in and handed back the boy, who seemed to want his mother more anyways. "Certainly father."

Apollo, bedridden, was still looking mighty ferocious from his bed. Thinner and much more white in his hair, but he was always a large man and his voice was still very deep. "Is that my boy? Is that my little.. Scorpius? And where ..." he coughed, Daphne sat on his bedside and rolled her shoulders a bit. "where is Draco?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thenewmrsmalfoy
2008-04-05 09:37 pm UTC (link)

Astoria happily took her son back, even though she knew it would only be for a moment. It gave her something to do other than worry. Moving to the other side of the bed, she took a seat, allowing Scorpius to crawl over the soft sheets. "He's not so little anymore, I'm afraid. He's growing far quicker than I would like."

Where was Draco? That was a good question. Over the past week he'd been tied up in business obligations and she'd been tied up at the company. The only time they did get to see each other was when they were taking over Scorpius' care and late at night. "He's tied up with Business obligations, I'm sure you know how it is. Sometimes it's easier to track down a bezoar than it is to get a moment with him."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

daphnegreengras
2008-04-06 08:18 pm UTC (link)

Another cough was pushed out of Apollo's weakening body, and it caused the whole bed to practically rattle. He had to place a cloth over his lips to catch blood and yet, despite the obvious pain he was enduring, the old man smiled at the way Scorpius took to crawling and exploring. His smile grew cold when Astoria spoke of Draco.

"I remember.. being tied up," he grumbled. "Business, work, work, work. Your mother did not allow it, refused to let you girls be raised by house elves and nannies." He wouldn't dare say his daughter's relationship should be the same, but it certainly was implied. Daphne still said nothing and actually looked somewhat disinterested, even if her eyes glistened with tears.

"They tell me to get rest and I must say I need it. But if I close my eyes.. will they ever open again?" Daphne tsked and furrowed her eyebrows.

"Daddy, stop talking like that! It could all very well change if they find.."

"Find what? The perfect spell? The spell that heals all? Everyone dies, Ducky. Everyone. I am happy to join your mother. I merely wanted to see my children, and my grandchild, before this date with death. Astoria. You have a home, and these estates will belong to your sister, but we have a summer home in Kent that needs your touch, my darling. And the accounts shall be split evenly between the two. A special fund has been set aside for Scorpius. Daphne has the key for the vault. Now go. I have my resting to do. Give us a kiss good-bye, daughters." His words sounded harsh and raw and when he stopped speaking it was as if he were breathless.

Daphne leaned down to kiss his forehead, whispering something incoherent for him only, then she stood stiff and exited the room.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thenewmrsmalfoy
2008-04-06 10:09 pm UTC (link)

Astoria waited for a moment, frozen to the spot by her father's words. She didn't like the way he talked about death as though it were nothing. It was nothing when it was happening to someone else, not a part of your family.

She waited until Daphne had left before saying her own good-byes. Gathering up Scorpius she stood and moved around to the other side of the bed, where she sat down again. She shifted closer for a moment, before leaning down and placing a kiss on his forehead. Pulling back she didn't leave. She wasn't quite ready for that, despite his harsh words.

"Don't judge Draco so harshly, daddy." she responded, straightening the edge of the blanket that rested against Apollo's chest. "He reminds me of you. He takes good care of Scorpius and I. I'm happy with my life. You don't need to worry about us. I know how to take care of myself. You've taught me well."

Finally standing up, she leaned down to place one more kiss on his skin. "We love you dad. We'll come to see you again." She refused to admit she might not get the opportunity. Keeping her tears back, she smiled softly at him before leaving.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

daphnegreengras
2008-04-07 05:02 am UTC (link)

Daphne was waiting for her outside the room near the top of the main stairway. The same elf from before was hobbling up the stairs with a tray of tea for the master of the house. "Chione, make sure he takes whatever potions he must be on," instructed Daphne and the elf nodded as it went past.

"So. A summer home in Kent," her voice felt thin, as if it were to break at any moment. Cold as she tried to be, Daphne failed miserably. Tears scorched her hot cheeks and she wiped at them furiously, smiling strangely. "He's awful, talking like that, just awful."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thenewmrsmalfoy
2008-04-07 12:47 pm UTC (link)

"Yeah. A summerhouse." she responded, her voice flat. She could have cared less about the summerhouse or the money. That wasn't what she was worried about at all. She'd done well holding back her emotions, but Daphne's tears were threatening to cause her own to break past their barriers. Something she refused to do with Scorpius in her arms. He could already sense that she was upset and she didn't want to complete break down.

"You know how he is." She responded, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "He likes to be in charge. By facing it, I suppose he thinks he's going on his own terms."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

daphnegreengras
2008-04-10 03:09 am UTC (link)

"I have to go," the sudden need the vacate the manor was more than a physical need. It was a mental need. She had to vacate the premises of her mind. She had to get away from herself, that part of her that wanted to breakdown and cry as hard as a child with a freshly scraped knee. It didn't matter that it was her sister standing before her, Daphne just couldn't breakdown like that. She used to be able to years ago, but running the family business made her cold hearted.

She brushed past her sister without another word, without looking back, without a single explanation.

(Reply to this) (Parent)