Finding You

Author's Note:Hello lovely readers! I hope that you're all doing fabulous! I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Tori; and I am so excited to be writing fanfictions again! I hope that you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy creating it. To those of you that read my other fanfictions, don't worry, I'll be updateing them soon! : )

I am sorry if there are some grammatical/spelling mistakes. I don't have a beta; and I know that it isn't perfect...but I thought perhaps someone would enjoy it. Also, this is my first chapter...and it's merely an introduction! I swear that this story will get much better and wayyy more entertaining! So please give it a chance! Trust me, once chapter three hits...things get very good!

Please review! Reviews are love...and my reason to continue writing. ~ Luvies, Tori

Story Disclaimer:This is my disclaimer for the duration of this fanfiction. Anyways, I own absolutely nothing and I don't know a soul. All of the characters belong to the awesome J.K. Rowling...unless of course, they're figments of my own imagination. However, the story line is all mine. Thanks so much!

Soon to be Forgotten

Before You Read the Chapter, Read This: Okay, I wanted to let you know this chapter is something that happened many years before my story takes place. And the second chapter is also an event that happened before my story opens. Sorry to delay the story, but this explanation is needed for you to not get confused or think that I will be writing a story about Draco/Astoria when they are young (because I won't be). Thank you for your understanding!

"Do I look pretty Mummy?" A small girl with coal black hair and large blue eyes asked as she twirled slowly in an ornate irradescent silvery-blue dress for her mother and sister's inspections.

"Oh, Astoria..." Mairead Greengrass breathed out slowly and happily, her eyes focussed on her small eleven-year-old daughter. "...You look absolutely beautiful darling." She smiled as she clasped a beautiful emerald necklace, a present from the Malfoy's, around her daughter's neck.

"Thank you." Astoria blushed as Daphne smiled excitedly at her little sister, trying to reassure her.

"Stori, everyone will be green with envy at how pretty and lucky you are! Only eleven, and you already won the approval of the Malfoy's!" Daphne cooed as she pulled her sister down beside her. "Draco is wonderful. Everyone loves him." Daphne grinned as Astoria smiled slightly. "I'm sure you'll adore him."

Astoria smiled at her older sister; and held her doubts to herself. She'd been around Draco enough times at parties and luncheons to know that he was spoilt and only charming if you happened to suit his needs or bowed down to him...neither of which Astoria was particularly good at. (Partly because she too was used to being treated like young royalty by everyone.) Besides the fact that Daphne's best friend, Patty or whatever her name was, worshipped the ground Draco walked on. And if she loved him that much, then Astoria was sure he couldn't be that great...

"Mairead, girls,..." A deep booming voice called from another part of the house in disgruntled agitation. "...We're going to be late!" Burnell Greengrass consulted his pocket watch irritatedly. Greengrasses were never late to anything, especially an event for their own child.

"Coming Burnell!" Mairead sing-songed with a smile as she pulled on a rose-colored silken shawl, and kissed his cheek at the bottom of the stairs. "No need to get so worked up, Dear. We have pleanty of time."

"Yes, well..." Burnell grunted as Mairead adjusted his tie, before taking hold of a silver handmirror along with his daughters and wife. It was much more dignified and cleaner to go to the Malfoy's by portkey than to floo.

"Burnell, Mairead." Lucius Malfoy smiled as he sauntered his way over to them, Narcissa and Draco at his side. "We're so glad you could join us tonight for the bonding." He sneered as Burnell shook his hand.

"As are we." Burnell said as his wife squeezed his arm softly. "We're glad to know that in the future our blood lines will be aligned, through Draco and Astoria." He smiled slightly in satisfaction as he assessed his youngest daughter. She had always been his favorite. She favored the Greengrass looks of pale snow white skin and soft dark curls. But her personality was that of her oddly-kind mother's...something he would never admit he was quite proud she had inherited. For these reasons, he had given Astoria the better match (in his eyes) over Daphne, whom he had begrudgingly promised to young Theodore Nott on his wife's insistance.

"Yes." Narcissa smiled as warmly as a Black-Malfoy could at Astoria. "And she looks absolutely lovely tonight, Mairead." Narcissa complimented as she and Mairead broke away from their husbands and headed for the manor.

Astoria walked timidly between Draco and Daphne, following their mothers. She felt like the bottom of her stomach was going to dissolve of nerves as they headed toward the forboding manor looming in the semi-darkness that surrounded them, while Draco and Daphne chatted as if she weren't even there...

"Draco, Dear, Astoria, wait in the library until we come for you." Narcissa ordered authoritatively as all of the guests filtered into a large study that had been set up for the night's occasion with chairs and all of the neccessities. After the bonding, the Malfoy's would host a huge party to celebrate the alignment of their family with that of the Greengrasses.

Draco held the door open for Astoria before shutting it behind them, and immediately lounged on a huge leather couch in the center of the room. "So, you're Daphne's younger sister..." Draco drawled as his lip curled slightly, and he assessed her.

She stepped towards him and smiled slightly. "Yes, Astoria."

"I know you're name." He said as if put-off by her response. "Clearly, since we've known eachother for years...not to mention the fact that we're being bonded together tonight." He sneered as disdain dripped from every word he uttered.

"I know that..." She trailed off with a slight frown, feeling stupid, as she fidgeted with the emerald hanging from her neck unconsciously.

"Ugh, don't start crying!" Draco sniffed in disgust, worry just barely seeping into his voice. His father would be furious if he made Baby Greengrass shed a tear. Salazar forbid, he marry into a family not as pure, old, or wealthy as the Greengrasses...

Astoria stood up straighter, angered/hurt by his words. "It's impolite to cry to strangers." She sniffed as she rubbed the smooth cold surface of the emerald...so similar to this house and these people...stiff, expensive, picturesque statues.

"Yes, yes it is." Draco stood languidly and approached her, his tall form towering over her small frame. "I believe that's a gift from my family. It belonged to my Grandmother." His voice was haughty as he lifted the necklace slightly with his hand, causing Astoria to hold her breath and watch him carefully.

"It's very beautiful..." She said softly as she watched his eyes flicker back up to her face. His close proximity made it hard for her to concentrate or be mad at him for his general unkindness.

"I know." He said with a self-satisfied smirk, before letting the pendant go. "It's sort of like a dog's collar..." Amusement laced his voice and he smirked at her from the arm of the sofa. "An outward sign for everyone to see that you belong to me. And for you to remember where your loyalties lie." His eyes sharpened before softening as the door clicked open and their mothers came in to lead them to their fate.

Astoria felt her blood go cool at his words. Would people really think she was his...property? Would he be allowed to date people all through school, yet be able to demand she stay single until he decided he'd grace her with his presence? In that moment, she decided that this would be the first and last moment she ever wore anything the Malfoy's gifted her, no matter how beautiful it may be.

"Don't worry Darling..." Mairead whispered softly into her daughter's ear, mistaking her blank expression, as they entered the crowded room.

Astoria nodded once imperceptibly as Draco took her hands in his. A nervous expression shone in his eyes, but only for a moment; and Astoria cast her eyes over his shoulder and began counting the designs of the fabric that hung on the walls.

He knew that from this moment on his future would forever be inextricably linked to the small girl's in front of him. As their father's raised their wands to complete the bonding, he squeezed her hands softly...because she was quite pretty and so young...and if he was apprehensive, he knew she must be terrified. He might very well give her hell every chance he got, but from here onwards he wouldn't let anyone else treat her any less than they treated him. Afterall, she was a future Malfoy...

As she felt the gentle pressure of his hands squeezing hers, she let her eyes drift over his handsome face. She couldn't quite figure him out. As mean as he could be, he also had a sort-of-kind side...albeit, a very hidden one. But still, she knew that it must exist as he gave her a slight yet genuine smile; and applause sounded throughout the room...

Please Review! Reviews are love! But, more importantly, if I don't get enough reviews I won't be continuing this story...