A/N- Okay, so this is my second fic and first attempt at a multi-chapter. It's about Astoria Greengrass, the girl who married Draco Malfoy. I think she's a very intriguing character because we know so little about her. She's two years younger than Malfoy, so the story starts at the beginning of the Trio's third year.

"What were those things?" a small, golden-haired boy whispered softly. Like the others, his cheeks were stained with tears.

"I'm not sure," a dark haired girl replied. "I'm so confused about everything!"

Astoria hesitated, then said, "I think my dad told me about them once. They're called dementors."

"Thosewere dementors?" The boy gasped, his eyes wide. "Those are the things that guard Azkaban?"

"Azka-what?" cried the girl. Both Astoria and the boy looked at her strangely.

"Surely you must know what Azkaban is," Astoria said slowly, disbelief etched in her eyes.

" I'm not sure about anything right now. My parents aren't wizards, you see," the girl admitted. Suddenly Astoria couldn't wait to reach the end of the lake.

"Wow," the boy gasped as the small boat neared the school. The enormous, black brick castle loomed over them, the light emitting from it both welcoming and terrifying. Astoria jumped onto the grassy edge of the lake at the first opportunity and quickly walked ahead. She wanted to get away from the girl.

As the first years trooped into the castle, they were met with a tall woman with gray hair pulled into a sleek bun. Though she had a slightly shriveled appearance, she gave off an imposing aura.

As Professor McGonagall explained the sorting process, Astoria looked around her. She didn't need to listen; her sister and parents had already explained to her the arrival process.

"Which House is the best?" the dark haired girl whispered beside Astoria. She gave an annoyed sigh; the girl had been able to keep up after all.

Astoria paused, then whispered, "Slytherin, but don't expect to be sorted into it."

"Oh," said the girl, looking downcast.

Astoria rolled her eyes, then said reluctantly, " Ravenclaw's not so bad either. It's a House that values intelligence."

"Oh," the girl said again, looking suddenly brighter. "What's the worse House?"

"Hufflepuff," Astoria answered immediately. "It's the House for the leftovers." A worried expression shadowed the girl's face, but Astoria did not offer any reassuring words. The first years were filing into the Great Hall. The Sorting was about to begin.

Cries of delight filled the air as the first years examined the ceiling. It was dark and cloudless, just like the sky.

"Wicked," the girl grinned. Astoria smiled too.

Their attention was promptly ripped away as Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. In one hand she held the longest piece of parchment paper Astoria had ever seen; in the other she held an old, patched hat.

"Adams, Liam!" the professor began loudly. The golden haired boy Astoria and the dark haired girl had shared a boat with quickly ran up to the stool at the front. The last thing Astoria saw on his face before McGonagall lowered the Sorting Hat over his head was a terrified expression.

The hat thought for a moment, then yelled, "RAVENCLAW!"

"That hat just spoke!" the now awe-struck girl whispered beside Astoria.

She quickly quieted as the next first year sat on the stool, a tall, important looking girl.

"SLYTHERIN!" cried the Hat.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The Sorting continued for several minutes, until finally McGonagall called, " Farley, Emma!"

"That's me!" Emma exclaimed to Astoria before hurrying to the front of the Great Hall.

Astoria could see the large grin spreading over Emma's lips even after the Sorting Hat slipped was slipped over.

Only seconds passed before the Hat announced, "RAVENCLAW!"

Astoria watched as Emma skipped happily towards her designated table, and was surprised to find herself smiling. However annoying the muggleborn had been, Astoria was still pleased that she was content.

There were only a few people whose last names ended with F, and soon Professor McGonagall was calling the Gs.

"Garland, Ryan!"

"Green, Sarah!"

"Greengrass, Astoria!"

Astoria shuffled to the stool, wincing as the Hat slipped over her eyes. Though she was uncomfortable with the many eyes trained on her, Astoria wasn't nervous. Her family had already told her which House she would be in.

"A quiet girl, aren't you?" Astoria didn't jump as she had seen so many other first years do when they heard the Sorting Hat whisper in their ear; she was prepared.

"Yes, very quiet. And intelligent, as well. Loyal enough…"

The Hat pause, before muttering, "Interesting."

"SLYTHERIN!" it called to the Great Hall.

A polite applause followed as Astoria walked to the table decked in silver and green. She searched for a moment before finding an empty seat next to her sister, Daphne.

"Congratulations, Astoria," Daphne smiled, giving her sister a brief hug. Then she grasped Astoria's shoulders, a serious tone suddenly in her voice.

"The dementors didn't give you a hard time, did they?"

Astoria brushed her cheek, which still displayed the ghost of tears, but shook her head. This did not fool Daphne.

"I'm so sorry!" she cried. "I know Mum and Dad told me to sit with you, but… well… I didn't know there would be dementors on the train!" Daphne looked sheepish.

"Look, please don't tell Mum about this. She'll have my head, I'm sure of it! Please, Astoria."

Astoria shrugged. "It's fine," she said softly, before turning back to the Sorting. She could feel Daphne beaming beside her.

The sorting continued for twenty minutes before the doors to the Great Hall opened, and three late students walked in.

"That's Potter and his friends," Daphne whispered to Astoria. "People say he fainted when the dementor entered his compartment. Fainted," Daphne snickered.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron quickly sat at the Gryffindor table before Headmaster Dumbledore began his welcome speech.

Astoria tried to listen, but most of her attention was focused on her growling stomach. Finally, Dumbledore finished speaking, and the feast began.

Astoria quickly filled herself to the brim with food as she listened to the chatter around her. Suddenly a great bout of laughter filled the air. Astoria looked up to see a pale, blond boy about the same age as Daphne performing an exaggerated impression of a fainting person. Across from her a pug-faced girl shrieked, "That's Potter!"

The Slytherin table howled with laughter. Astoria laughed too, but in the back of her mind she was remembering the horrible feeling she herself had experienced when the dementor prowled the train.

A/N- So that was the first chapter! Want to share your feelings about it? Feel free to review! I'm open to criticism.