Chapter 1: And Back Again
A.N: I always thought there was a serious lack of Draco/Astoria stories. So here we are! Enjoy!
Astoria Greengrass sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express quietly staring aimlessly out the window. She was headed back for what was technically her 6th year at Hogwarts. However, the war messed a lot of things up. The previous year, students didn't exactly get the best education, if any at all. And others such as the world renowned Golden Trio didn't get any schooling at all in that limbo year. Headmistress McGonagall offered last years' 7th year students a chance to finish their education and take their N.E.W.T.S. That meant there would be a small group of 8th year Hogwarts students. Astoria's older sister Daphne decided against going back to Hogwarts, she had found a job she really enjoyed, working for the Daily Prophet as an editor.
"Tori, did you hear me?" Astoria looked over to see her friend, Emilia waving in her face.
"Hmm? Sorry, what was that?"
Emilia looked slightly annoyed, "You did it again Tori. You should really start paying better attention. You can't keep zoning out whenever you want to."
"I know, I know." Astoria shrugged. She had been known to sort of "check out" from time to time. She found herself thinking a lot. She thought a lot more than her fellow Slytherins or so she assumed. The war was confusing for Astoria. Last year, Astoria became sort of acquaintances with Ginny Weasley. The girl was nice, friendly. Certainly not the typical picture Slytherins painted Gryffindors to be. They would talk on occasion. These talks led Astoria to question the ideals her parents had ingrained in her and her sister since they were born. The idea that muggleborns and blood traitors were inferior to purebloods. Astoria began to question it. She didn't dare tell anyone. All of her friends were Slytherins and they'd probably explode if they found out. Or at least they would have last year. With the war now over, Astoria wanted to make a decision for herself to be more vocal about her thoughts on the matter. She planned to see Ginny more and maybe befriend other students from other houses. She always hated how isolated Slytherin seemed to be from the rest of the school. This year, she made a promise to herself to change things.
"As I was saying, I heard the sex pack is coming back!" Amelia exclaimed, practically jumping in her seat. Astoria rolled her eyes. The "sex pack" as Amellia so delicately put it, referred to the Slytherin trio of Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, and Draco Malfoy.
"Really? You're gonna call them that too?" Astoria asked.
"C'mon Tori, don't tell me your mouth hasn't watered at least once around those guys." her other friend Mia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, my mouth doesn't tend to water around people. You two should probably see a healer." Astoria remarked.
"Say whatever you want, but you can't deny those are some fine looking men." Amelia stated.
Astoria just rolled her eyes again at her friends and turned back to the window. This year was going to be so different. She just hoped it might be a good different.
Draco Malfoy sat in a compartment with his friends Theo and Blaise on the Hogwarts Express. Why he decided to go back to Hogwarts, he had no idea. His father was in Azkaban, his mother away on business trying to keep the Malfoy fortune in tact. So really, he had nothing else to do. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he wanted a fresh start. The war and Voldemort really fucked with his head. He didn't really know where he stood in the world. No, he wasn't a Death Eater, but for the love of Salazar he wasn't some Gryffindor hero. No bloody way. They still hated him, he still hated them. That much hadn't changed. But he needed this. He needed one more year at Hogwarts to collect his thoughts and make a plan. He would also never admit this, but he missed his friends. They kept him grounded. They let him have a chance to mess around and be as close to normal as he'd ever be.
"Got some news for you girls." Theo exclaimed, breaking the comfortable silence.
Blaise and Draco sent him glares, but motioned for him to continue.
"I got myself a girl over the summer." he announced with a big goofy grin.
"Theo, you're mum doesn't count." Blaise joked, patting Theo on the shoulder. Draco smirked at the two.
"Ha. Ha. No, you guys remember Daphne Greengrass?" Theo asked, a sort of triumphant gleam in his eye.
"Tall blonde? Big mouth?" Blaise asked.
"That's the one! Anyway, things started getting real serious. Shame she isn't coming back to Hogwarts, but she got a real job. Something at the Daily Prophet I think." Theo explained with a smile on his face.
Draco listened, amused. He remembered Daphne. He vaguely remembered finding her a tad abrasive and annoying. But overall she certainly wasn't as bad as Pansy that's for sure.
"So, by serious… how many shags?" Draco asked.
"Endless amounts." Theo smirked. Draco nodded in approval.
"So, you guys are still together then?" Blaise asked.
Theo nodded, "Yeah, I was serious though about it being serious. I really like her. She did ask a favor of me though for this year."
"What's that?" Draco questioned, fidgeting with the window.
"She asked me to keep an eye on her sister. Make sure she doesn't get into any trouble and what not. I guess she started acting a bit more rebellious over the summer. She said Astoria's a 6th year I think."
Draco just barely remembered the youngest Greengrass. he wasn't sure he'd ever had an actual conversation with her. If anything, he remembers her as very quiet, very reserved.
"So you gotta like babysit her?" Blaise asked.
"No, just keep the boys away from her or something. I don't know. Daphne's just worried about her I guess. Can you guys help me just keep an eye on her?" Theo asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.
"Maybe… if I can shag her," Blaise responded. Which resulted in a punch to the shoulder from Theo. "Just kidding, sure man whatever."
Draco scoffed, no way was he spending his last year at Hogwarts babysitting Theo's girlfriend's little sister.
A.N: Hope you liked the start. I'm going to try to get a couple chapters up pretty quick and then move to weekly updates. Reviews always appreciated! Thank you!