Long time, no Astoria/Draco songfic! I promised you another one, didn't I? This follows "Rise Above This", making it Part 4 of my little series :). Sorry for the outrageously long wait; this one was just so difficult to get onto paper! "Careless Whisper" is one of my all-time favorite songs/covers by Seether. Hauntingly beautiful and heart wrenching, I felt this song was perfect for the next installment.

I've planned 2 more songfics to finish the series out, but I may throw in another one...possibly. It depends on what the music says to me.

Well I hope you enjoy the new installment! Reviews are love :)

-Jackie//xxArtemisxFowlxx

Careless Whisper
Part 4 of the Astoria/Draco Series

Pt. 1

It was the night of Daphne Greengrass's seventeenth birthday party and Astoria stood off to the side, contently watching guests arrive and greet her sister. That night Daphne truly did look stunning, what with her figure wrapped in a handsome dark green satin that complimented beautifully with her titan red hair. While standing next to her boyfriend Blaise Zabini, the two looked like a couple straight out of Witches Weekly. Astoria on the other hand was dressed more simply; she wore only a plain dark blue frock that her grandmother had purchased for her while on holiday. Though Astoria thought she looked pretty, she knew she was obviously nothing compared to her sister that night.

From across the room, she saw her mother Astraea beckon her with a finger as she busily talked to another wizarding family. Saying excuses left and right as she carefully combed her way through the crowd, Astoria finally managed to sidle over to her mother.

"You really have outdone yourself this year, Mrs. Greengrass. The decorations are simply beautiful," lauded the witch Astraea was talking with.

"Oh thank-you, but the entire idea was Daphne's." The two ladies laughed and before either could reply, Astoria gently tapped her mother on the shoulder. "Ah, Astoria," she said happily, turning around. "Could you please help the servants set the table? You know how they always manage to put the silverware in the wrong order, and if a mistake like that were to be made tonight of all nights--!"

"Sure, Moth—"

"Good evening," interrupted a young man's voice. Astoria turned to see Theodore Nott stroll up as the other couple walked away, a green bowtie the only color on his otherwise black dress robes. "Mrs. Greengrass; Astoria," he continued, nodding in turn to each respectively. Astoria greeted him with a confined "hello" while her mother extended her welcome.

"How is your grandmother Rose, Theodore? Fairing well with you in the house?" Astraea asked lightheartedly while her daughter remained silent.

"Yes, Mrs. Greengrass. She says she feels stronger," Nott replied, his smooth manners surprising Astoria; his language at school had always been on the vulgar side.

"How wonderful! Do give her my best wishes," Astraea replied.

"I shall," Theodore replied. "Would you like to dance?" he asked Astoria, surprising her even more.

"Well I'm actually helping Mother," she flustered.

"Oh it's fine, dear, I can handle it! Please, enjoy yourself," Astraea cut in while smiling at Theodore. It hadn't been the response she had hoped her mother would make, but Astoria knew she shouldn't have expected any different. Ever since she'd dated Draco Malfoy, her mother had wanted nothing so much as for her daughter to find someone else, someone more suitable. Though Astoria didn't really fancy dancing with Nott, she knew that it would be discourteous to decline his offer now, and even worse to face her mother later if she did. Giving a small smile, she took Theodore's outstretched hand and followed him to the dance floor.

They arrived as a Weird Sister's ballad was playing, the other couples around them swaying in time. Astoria awkwardly placed both of her hands in Nott's, unsure of where to hold. He gave an amused snort as he took lead, placing one of her hands on his shoulder as he gently held her waist.

"Didn't Malfoy ever—" Nott began but bit his tongue as soon as the words had rolled off. Astoria didn't say anything as color painted her cheeks pink, and he likewise flushed.

For a long time they danced in silence, both unsure of what to talk about. Astoria could think of no clubs he had been in, or if she'd even seen him at a single Quidditch match. She only knew his mother was dead and that his father had been imprisoned in Azkaban like Draco's; however, neither of those topics sounded like they would make for good party conversation. Instead, she turned to the typical question everyone asked after school term was over.

"So how has your summer been?" Astoria knew it was a weak icebreaker, and that if truth be told she didn't really care, but it was better than dancing in silence.

"Fine," he responded, as she guessed he would. "How has yours been?" Astoria brought up a few small events in hopes of sparking a conversation, but none of them seemed to interest him. She was beginning to wonder why he had asked her to dance at all and rather missed her quiet spot on the wall.

"So how has Pansy been?" she asked as a last resort, hoping that perhaps the thought of his own girlfriend would catch his interest.

"Parkinson?" Theodore snorted. "We've been apart for ages, Astoria, you know that," he said laughing. In fact Astoria hadn't known that, but as the song was ending she didn't want to prolong their talk and miss her chance to escape.

"Thank-you for the dance, Theodore," Astoria said, gratefully taking her hand out of his. Nott's expression, however, wasn't as relieved as hers.

"Would you care for one more song? Or we could go for a stroll outside if you would like," he said, gesturing towards the outdoor veranda. Redness nipped at the back of his ears, and Astoria finally thought she understood his real intentions now. Despite her thinking he was as dreadfully bored with her as she was with him, Nott actually seemed to like her.

"Thank-you, but I've promised to help Daphne. Perhaps later?" she lied.

"All right," he said, his drooping face showing that he wasn't fooled by her nice lies. Astoria turned on her heels and left, making her way through the crowd to the opposite side of the room. She took an empty chair next to the wall, hoping Theodore wouldn't see her hidden there.

A few more songs went by, and Astoria was still enjoying watching other guests dance and have a good time when a figure appeared at her shoulder.

"Good evening, Astoria," they announced formally, clearing their throat afterwards. That voice—her ears almost fell dead off the sides of her head when she heard it. Unbelieving, Astoria looked up bewilderedly to confirm her suspicions.

"Hello, Draco," she replied uneasily, apprehensive as to why he was talking to her after before, and wondering why she shouldn't just walk off from him then and there. His hands clenched and unclenched, the protruding Adam's apple on his throat moving when he swallowed nervously.

"Would you care to dance?" Draco voiced stiffly, but his tone was still rather smooth given the circumstances.

The first notion Astoria had was to ask him what never he had, asking her to dance after the hell he had put her through last year! However, the more she thought about it the less harsh his words from their little scene became, and the more unimportant her tears from before seemed. She could feel herself falling into the same trance she'd experienced when they'd first met on the train, and just like then she was powerless to stop it.

"Sure."

The same flicker of surprise that jolted Malfoy's features into movement raced through her own heart. Merlin, what was she thinking! He offered his right hand and she placed her palm in his, uncertainty starting to creep into her conscience when he pulled her from her seat. His touch was odd after so many weeks of cold separation, yet in the back of Astoria's mind, she knew a part of her had secretly missed the sensation.

I feel so unsure

As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor

As the music dies, something in your eyes

Calls to mind a silver screen and all its sad goodbyes

As another ballad slowly faded out with the Weird Sisters completing one of their singles, Draco silently lead Astoria through the crowd until they managed to find a spacious clearing. He turned to face her, cold fingers slipping over her as he placed a hand on her waist and reached for her fingertips. Though she was doing her best to avoid his eyes, Astoria could see him hesitate before he wrapped his fingers around hers. She placed her hand on his shoulder, barely putting any pressure in her nervousness. Looking over that same shoulder as if he didn't exist, Astoria could only catch a glimpse of his jaw line, the smooth edges racing back to his neck--a place she had kissed many times. The memories that flooded her mind made her face grow warm in a mixture of embarrassment and anger. The last place she wanted to be was in his arms, but yet she couldn't deny that it was also the first.

After what seemed like an eternity of silence from the band, music once again began to drift over the dance floor, and the couples around them began to sway. From the corner of her eyes, Astoria saw the muscles in Draco's neck constrict a little tighter as he began to lead her, their motions obviously strained compared to those of the couples around them. Astoria kept her vigilant lookout over his shoulder, adamant not to see those two grey eyes of his…the eyes she had mistakenly allowed to ensnare her.

As with Theodore Nott, there was no conversation. Very briefly the thought of asking Draco about his summer passed though her mind—but that was the last thing she wanted to know about. After the tragic murder that had taken place at Hogwarts last term, Astoria didn't want to hear about anything that he may have done over the summer; part of her still believed there might be a chance for him, and she didn't want that spoiled by the news of him committing any more murders.

But had he really been responsible for Dumbledore's death? That question had buzzed around in Astoria's skull all summer long, and yet she still did not have an answer. Her palms became slick with sweat though the room was comfortable, and for a split second she flicked her eyes towards his head. A flash of white was all she caught and she adjusted her grip uneasily. Was he really the murderer everyone thought he was, including part of her? Or had she been right during their time at Hogwarts, those days when she'd been sure he was no monster? Astoria didn't know, and perhaps…perhaps she was beyond caring for him one way or the other.

I'm never gonna dance again

These guilty feet have got no rhythm

Though it's easy to pretend

I know you're not a fool

Draco still couldn't believe what he was doing when he took Astoria's hand and led her to the dance floor, nor that she had agreed to let him. As he shouldered his way through the crowd looking for an empty spot on the floor, he couldn't help glancing down at Astoria's dark head. He'd always loved her hair, what with it being long enough for him to ensnare with his fingers whenever he kissed her and supple enough for him to bury his face in.

…Whenever he kissed her—Draco doubted if that would happen again.

He came to a stop when they finally had enough room, Draco turning slowly to face her. He reached a hand down to put it on her waist, losing his nerve at the last moment and hesitating. Malfoy quickly looked at her, but Astoria seemed completely oblivious as she looked out dazedly over his shoulder, never looking at his face. He grit his teeth and placed his palm on her waist while taking her right hand in his left. The Weird Sisters struck up another tune, their strident voices filling the hall. Everybody slowly began to dance once more, various couple's whispers barely audible in the low lighting.

Draco stepped off as lead, noticing that this was his first time dancing with her. She refused to look at him, her gaze directed adamantly over his shoulder as they swayed. He didn't know what to do; it wasn't like this had been a very well thought out plan of his to begin with. Malfoy could read it plainly off her face that she didn't trust him an inch, but yet here she was dancing with him.

"Why did I have to make such a show of dumping her? I could have made my lies a little more… gentle…" Due to the emotionless look on her face, Draco could only wonder about what Astoria truly thought of him.

"She wouldn't really know what I did that night—she wasn't there," he tried to comfort himself.

"Yes, because she's obviously the biggest bloody fool on the planet," his reason countered. Though he had been trying to block out all thoughts about Astoria since that night before the attack, Draco couldn't help but be overrun by the flood of his unspoken worries. Of course she didn't know what had happened that night on the Astronomy Tower; very few did…and one of them had taken the secret to their grave. Rumors—those would be the only information Astoria may have received.

Malfoy's stomach gave a lurch at the epiphany; just what twisted information had she been fed? He wasn't a murderer—but did she know that? Or had Astoria been told something else...?

Sweat slicked Draco's palms as he uncomfortably adjusted his hold. A murderer—no wonder she looked so bloody frightened of him! Dear Merlin, was there any chance for them now? Would she believe that it was Snape who had actually uttered the killing curse? Or would she ignore his pleas, forever hating and distrusting him for the rest of her life? Draco looked down at Astoria's dark head again. Her gaze had not flickered an inch from before.

Guilt and fear surged through Malfoy; what could he do?

Review? :)

-Jackie//xxArtemisxFowlxx