J. K. Rowling owns Harry Potter.
Written for The Great Prompt Challenge by bittersweet cupcakes4.
Character: Draco Malfoy.
Prompts: Moon, zero.
Inspired by Don't Say You Love Me, by M2M.
"Don't say it," whispered Astoria, her hands clapped over her ears.
"I just did," he patiently reminded her, "Because it's true. I love you."
She placed her hands strictly at her sides, fists clenched.
"You're only saying it because you have to," she replied.
"No, I'm not! Believe me, I love you, I truly do. How could I not?" he asked, fully prepared to list why he felt so, but Astoria wouldn't have it.
"Not listening," she taunted, clamping her hands over her ears again, mostly just to annoy him.
Draco started to reach for her arms, wanting to pin them behind her back, but abruptly stopped.
That was not the way to tell a girl you love her.
"You hardly know me!" she cried, putting her face in her hands.
Fighting the urge to fight back with a sarcastic comment, he drawled, "Six years! I've known you for six years, and now-"
"You barely looked at me until your parents told you about that arranged marriage crap!" she exclaimed huffily.
"What did you want to have this bloody conversation earlier? I was under the impression that you didn't want to be here."
"You are so annoying, did you know that?" complained Astoria.
"Yes," Draco replied, which earned him another glare. "Look at the moon up there," he instructed, pointing up at the sky.
"And..."
"Close your eyes, and think of a number no more than ten," he said, attempting to cover them himself before getting shoved away.
"Got it," she said, wondering what he could possibly be doing.
"If it's an even number, then I love you. If not, then...I'm doomed," he told her honestly, hoping that it would end up an even number.
"Er...Draco?" she asked, opening her eyes.
"What?"
"Is zero odd or even? It's right in the middle..." she trailed off, her cheeks flushing a little.
"It means that we're stuck in the middle, I think," Draco told her. "It means that you're confused."
She stood up, indignant. "Is that your subtle way of saying that I'm mad for turning you down?" she asked.
"No!" he said quickly, "Sit down, Astoria. I just meant that...you just aren't sure whether or not to believe me, I suppose."
She sighed, sitting on the grass again. "You're right. I like you, it's just that it's all happening so fast, you know?"
"Yeah," he said, trailing the tips of his fingers down her cheek. "Sorry."
"It's okay," replied Astoria, staring up at the full moon.
"For now," he added under his breath. "Until then..."
"Goodbye, Draco," she whispered, kissing him gently on the cheek before getting up to leave.
When she had left, he mumbled, "I really do love you."