Pairing - Draco/Astoria
"Why do you look so sad?"
Draco startled at the voice, turning quickly to see who had spoken. Astoria Greengrass stood before him, looking curious. He had never really spoken to her before, he only knew who she was because he had seen her with Daphne and they looked so alike.
"What reason do I have to be happy?" he replied, turning away from her.
She had found him sitting at the top of the Astronomy tower, gazing out at the stars with a forlorn expression.
"You're alive. It's more than can be said for a lot of people we both know."
"If you've come her to remind me that I was on the wrong side, you have no need. I already know."
"I didn't actually. I didn't even know you were here. I came her because I like to look at the stars when I can't sleep."
Draco nodded absentmindedly, he did the same thing, had done since first year. He scooted over a little, making room for her to sit down next to him.
"Thanks. So, why do you really look so sad?"
"My life is all screwed up, all because my father made some bad decisions. It won't matter to anyone that He threatened to kill my parent's if I didn't do as he told me to. All anyone will see when they look at me will be a coward."
"I don't see a coward. I see a young man who was forced into something he didn't want to do. You know, I used to think you were such an idiot, the way you would shout your mouth off about how good you and your family are, but now I realise you didn't know any different. You're a product of your upbringing, Draco, but you can change if you want to."
"How? How can I make people see me differently? They're all right, I am a coward."
"It won't be easy, and there will always be those who see you as a Death Eater, but to start changing, you need to know where you went wrong to begin with. I'll leave you to your thoughts, but Draco, I'm around if you want to talk."
She stood daintily, smiling warmly at him before walking away. He watched her go, and realised he didn't want her to.
"Astoria?"
"Yes?"
"Sit with me a while? Please?"
She stared at him for a moment, before retaking her seat beside him. They sat together for a while, in comfortable silence, looking at the stars. She startled him again, but as he looked down at the hand she had taken in her own, he smiled at her. The first true smile to appear on his face in living memory.
Written for the Duct Tape Competition - For Black Tape - Canon
Written for the Number of Your Pen Name Challenge - Draco/Astoria