This story will be a two-shot, one chapter is kind of in Astoria's point of view, and the second chapter is in Draco's. It will make sense once you've read the story, and I'm terribly sorry if it doesn't, but I stayed up all night making this chapter, and now I'm rambling…sorry.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

He was quiet; that's why she hadn't noticed him.

Astoria had woken with another nightmare. She remembered the day it was based on-I remember it too well, thought Astoria bitterly. She could recall, in more detail than she cared for, that day when Death Eaters had come to her house, asking her family to join their ranks. Astoria shivered when she remembered that Bellatrix was with them. How could she forget? The woman was terrible, or, as the Muggles would say, a witch.

How ironic, Astoria thought dryly as she made her way down the stairs. She didn't have the nightmare as much as she used to, but whenever she did, she came to sit in the common room. Creepy as it was, it comforted her.

Astoria had entered her small sanctuary, yawning, planning to curl up on one of the couches and think. That was why Astoria had been surprised to notice that her favorite place to lay on, the dark green loveseat, was occupied. Astoria had been startled to find Draco Malfoy, the popular Slytherin Prince, sitting in her chair and staring broodingly at the fire. Astoria had only paused for a moment before she began to move back toward the stairs. Maybe there was some spare homework leftover that she could do; Draco probably didn't want her there.

"You can stay."

Astoria froze, and slowly, she turned around. The voice was so soft-nothing like the typical loud one for Malfoy. Perhaps she had heard wrong. Peering through the shadows, Astoria was slightly startled to find Draco staring back at her.

"Pardon?" Astoria whispered. "Speak up, please. I didn't hear you."

Draco cleared his throat and spoke in a slightly raised voice. "I said you can stay."

Astoria's impulsive response was 'No, its fine', but as she looked at Draco, she wasn't sure if that was what he wanted. Besides, he did look lonely…

Draco was silent as Astoria crossed the room, settling into the small armchair across from him. His eyes slid away from her, and once again, they became focused on the fire.

"Are you okay?" asked Astoria. She looked at Draco in concern, ignoring the fact that this was Draco Malfoy she was speaking to, the boy who, the last time they had talked, was the end of last year. He had hexed her hair purple for accidentally stepping on his robes, and then had a laugh about it later. Astoria recalled he was particularly mean that year.

"I'm fine, Greengrass." Astoria felt her lips turn down slightly, but she didn't say anything. It was obvious he wasn't fine; more like the opposite with his pale skin, his worried and frighteningly stormy eyes with dark bags underneath, and ragged hair. The hair, Astoria thought, was probably the biggest difference. He had always kept it neat and groomed.

"Alright, Greengrass?" Astoria blinked and looked at him, glancing down from the hair she just realized she had been staring at. Draco's face held slight amusement has he watched her, having glanced away from looking at the green flames.

Astoria felt her cheeks give off a slight blush. "I'm fine, Malfoy."

Draco's lips curled into a small smile. "Lovely." He observed her. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"A while since what?"

Draco shifted in his chair, his eyes darting back to the green flames. Astoria found herself disappointed. His eyes were rather interesting to look at. "Since we've last spoken. The last time I talked to you, you were yelling at me for a hex I'd performed. I'm sorry about that, by the way."

"I forgive you," said Astoria. "My hair only stayed purple for a week, anyway."

Draco didn't say anything for a moment. His eyes were so focused on the fire, Astoria found herself staring into the green flames, trying to find what he was looking at.

"Don't," croaked Draco suddenly. Astoria looked away from the flames in alarm as he turned his head to look at her. Visibly swallowing, Draco repeated himself in a harsher tone. "Don't."

Astoria was confused. "Don't what?"

The frown that was already on Draco's face deepened. "Don't thank me, please. It will save you a lot of trouble."

"I can if I want to." Astoria immediately regretted the words as soon as the tumbled out of her mouth, but Draco didn't say anything, his face still stony. "Besides," she continued hesitantly, "that was a year ago."

"A lot can happen in a year. You'll regret giving me your forgiveness." Astoria was surprised when Draco kept his eyes trained on her instead of looking back into the flames. "Just give it a week, give or take." Draco laughed harshly. "Or maybe a day, you never know. I always end up messing up somehow."

Without realizing it, Astoria reached over to put a hand on Draco's arm. "Malfoy, what do you-"

Draco twitched violently, causing Astoria to jerk her arm back. She stared at the older boy, confused, feeling the hand that she had touched him with burn. She looked down at it curiously before it stopped. Hesitantly, she put it back in her lap.

"Please don't touch me," said Draco quietly. He turned away.

Astoria shook her head. "Malfoy-"

"Call me Draco." Astoria widened her eyes slightly. Something told her this didn't mean they were friends; he just didn't want to go by Malfoy.

"Okay."

Astoria felt frustrated with the blonde in front of her; couldn't he explain at least this? Astoria sighed quietly to herself. There was this situation with the war, her family…Astoria didn't know if she could deal with Draco doing this, too.

Draco turned back to face her with a sigh as if he sensed her agitation. "My apologies," he said, "but I'd really prefer if you-I hope you don't remind me repeating myself-don't."

"Don't what?"

"Both," Draco murmured. "Don't touch me and don't call me Malfoy." Draco fixed his eyes on a point past Astoria's shoulder, making Astoria shift slightly. She made no attempt to block him. There was another pause. "I'm sure you're going to ask why."

Astoria swallowed, and, trying to lighten the mood said, "I'm not really that predictable, am I?"

"Yes, you are," said Draco flatly, causing Astoria to wince. "And I'm not going to tell you why."

Impulsively Astoria asked, "Why not?" Draco raised an eyebrow. "…Sorry."

"You wouldn't understand," whispered Draco. Astoria had a feeling she wasn't supposed to hear him, and didn't say anything. She stayed quiet as Draco continued looking over her shoulder until his gaze finally broke and he went back to staring into flames. After a minute or so, Astoria stood up.

Draco didn't seem to notice; only when she had sat next to him did he react. Astoria watched as Draco jerked, but relaxed when he realized it was only her. Stowing away the wand that Astoria didn't realize he had pulled out he hissed, "What, in the name of Salazar Slytherin, do you think you're doing?"

"I'm trying to help you," Astoria replied simply. "Don't worry, I won't touch you."

Draco eyed her cautiously, and then suddenly he looked defeated. "It doesn't matter," he muttered. He turned his head again. "Do whatever you want. Everyone else does."

Astoria narrowed her eyes. "Look at me, Draco." When Draco didn't do anything she repeated firmly, "Look at me."

Grudgingly, the once arrogant Slytherin turned his head back around.

"There," he said sardonically, "happy now?"

"No," she said sharply. When Draco sighed she continued, "Listen, Draco, I know you're going through a tough time, anyone can see that, but please, can you stop moping, even for a moment? I give you my sympathy, but I can't help you if I don't know what the problem is."

A long silence stretched between the two, and just when Astoria feared Draco was going to leave he muttered, "I've done it."

"You've done what?" Astoria encouraged gently. She had a sneaking suspicion, but she pushed it away. Draco didn't need her to assume.

Draco kept his eyes locked with hers. "I'm one of them," he whispered, his voice breaking. Astoria didn't need him to explain to know what that meant. Reaching over, she wrapped her arms around him into a hug. "Oh, Draco…"

Draco tensed immediately, but after a few seconds relaxed and hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. Awkwardly, he patted her back. It was another few seconds before he realized she was crying.

Draco pulled back quickly. "What's wrong?"

Astoria looked at him through her tears. "I'm not crying for me, Draco," she said. "I'm crying for you."

"That's ridiculous," Draco scoffed, and for a moment, Astoria saw his old self before he quickly reverted again. Draco gazed at her anxiously, and Astoria had the feeling he didn't know what to do. That's odd, thought Astoria dryly. He doesn't know what to do with a crying girl, but then how is he always around Pansy?

Astoria sniffed and took a deep breath. "You're a Death Eater. No wonder you looked so upset. That arm I touched-was it-?"

"Yes, you touched the Dark Mark," he said sarcastically. "Good for you. I'm guessing you felt a burning feeling in your hand?" At Astoria's nod he continued. "Yes, well, you should be glad you weren't touching me longer. The Mark is charmed so that any non-bearers are burnt on contact. You only had it on for a second or so, though, so you're lucky."

Astoria observed him. "Who else knows?" she asked. Reaching her hand up, she wiped away her tears.

"Pansy knows," Draco began. Astoria made a face at the mention of the name, but let Draco continue. "So does Daphne…"

"My sister?" Astoria asked, surprised. She didn't expect that.

"Yes, Pansy tells her everything. My family, obviously, and anyone else that's one of them."

"I notice you keep saying them," said Astoria. "Not 'us'."

Draco's frown deepened. "Of course I don't say 'us'. You think-" Draco lowered his voice, "you think I wanted to do this? I was forced. I'm replacing my father."

"Is that why you don't want to be called Malfoy? Because it's your father's name, and you're replacing him?"

Draco laughed bitterly. "Among other things."

There was a short silence as Astoria mulled it over, trying to figure out what he meant. Wiping away the rest of her tears, she looked at the blonde next to hear. "Thanks for telling me," she said. "And I'm sorry for crying-I just-"

"It's sad? Life is sad, Astoria." He eyed her. "And…it's fine." His shoulders sagged. "I…needed to talk to someone…I know I overwhelmed you…"

"Your secret is safe with me," Astoria said earnestly. She smiled at him. "Don't worry, Draco, it will get better. As long as you didn't become one willingly. From what I understand, you were trying to protect your family, right?" Draco nodded slowly. "So you were doing it out of love. Not out of you being bad, Draco. You know Harry Potter, I'm sure?" Draco set his jaw and gave a curt nod. "From what I understand, he does a lot of things for love, too. I'm sure you don't like being compared to Potter, but I want to point out that-"

"Everyone likes him," said Draco dully. "Thanks, Astoria."

Astoria noted absently that this was the second time he had said her name. "That's not what I meant. Generally, people think of him as 'good', right? Because he's done all those things. And people generally think of you as 'bad' because you haven't."

"I've been a prat, I know it," said Draco.

"Well," said Astoria wryly, "at least you admit it. But now's not the time for jokes-what I'm saying is, you're not bad, Draco! If you'd done this out of hate and spite, then I have no problem telling you that you would be. You're doing this out of love, which is a good thing. Good things generally happen to good people, apparently, and right now, Draco, you're one of them." Astoria paused. "Your father-"

"My father did all those things, but I still care about him."

"Good! You're devoted. That's a good quality, and-my speech has gotten messed up, hasn't it?" Astoria laughed softly as Draco continued to stare at her. "But my point-"

Astoria cut off abruptly as Draco, who had progressively come closer, gently touched his lips to hers. Astoria was caught off guard for a second before she responded, kissing Draco back. Astoria was surprised to find his lips were soft and gentle, not rough like how she had imagine. Why did you 'imagine' how his lips felt, anyway? Nagged a voice, but Astoria didn't care. The kiss only lasted for a moment before Draco pulled away, looking as embarrassed as Astoria felt.

"I'm sorry," he said. "That was uncalled for-I really shouldn't have-"

Astoria silenced him with a look. "Its fine, Draco," she said quietly, surprising herself. Why wasn't she yelling at him or freaking out? Leaning over, she gave him a quick hug before standing up. "I guess I don't need to continue my speech?"

Draco smiled weakly.

"I take that as a yes." She moved towards the stairs before turning around. "Good luck, Draco, and goodnight. You should go to sleep, you really do look dreadful." She smiled at him once more before she began going back to her dorm.

As she ascended the stairs, Astoria marveled at how, in just one night, she might have fallen in love.

This took me over an hour to make. And don't leave reviews saying, 'Why? It was a quick read' or something, but I had to edit it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed chapter one. Sorry if I'm not making sense…I'm really tired. I'll publish this in the morning or afternoon. And sorry if this isn't good… :/ I had an idea, but I'm not the best at writing this kind of Romance. I usually write Fluff. Anyway, expect the next chapter soon!

~D