seven—crowd

Astoria couldn't believe it. She sank down on the floor and closed her eyes while he knocked again.

She had wanted him to return, yes…but, no, she hadn't wanted him to return.

It was too much. It was pressing on her; she felt as though she was in a crowd—nowhere to go, unable to move.

He had stopped knocking, she realized after a while as she opened her eyes. The door was still closed. Should she open it? But what if he was still there? …and what if he wasn't there?

She took a deep breath and placed a hand on her stomach.

Her baby needed a father; no matter that Draco had done everything wrong. There was still a reason—he was their baby's father.

She opened the door and, thank Merlin, he stood there. She let him inside.