This is a sequel to another one of my Draco Malfoy/Astoria Greengrass sonfics titled 'Truth', which can be found on my profile. Very special thanks to MidnightBlack07 for the review that inspired me to write this! :) This is one continuous songfic, but broken into 3 parts because of the length.

I suggest listening to this song (The Road I'm On by 3 Doors Down) while you read. It's an amazing song! :)

-Jackie

The Road I'm On pt.1
Draco Malfoy Songfic (Sequel to Truth)
'The Road I'm On' – 3 Doors Down

She said life's a lot to think about sometimes
When you're living in between the lines
And all the stars they sparkle and shine everyday

Astoria sat on the edge of her bed, arms clasped around her knees as a storm raged outside her window. It was nighttime, the stars hidden behind masses of dark swirling clouds that loomed over the castle. The other girls were asleep, their snores muffled in their pillows. Astoria was alone, in both body and heart.

Her fingers trailed softly up to her neck, gingerly touching the ring that hung from a chain there. It was Draco's family ring, which he'd worn ever since he was thirteen. It was all Astoria had of him in the dark confines of her room, and as close to his hand she'd get to holding until the war was over. Tears seeped into her eyes and she let them run freely, the resulting wet streaks illuminating her cheeks with every flash of lightning.

Astoria's nose was beginning to run, causing her sniffles to grow louder as the storm progressed. Slipping off her bed as quietly as possible, Astoria shuffled into the bathroom and tore off a few sheets of toilet paper to dab her eyes. She knew it was pointless to try sleeping again; whenever her eyelids closed she was back in the classroom once more, Draco's soft lips on her mouth. Heartache had woken her and now because of it she cried, knowing it would be years before she could ever have that sensation again.

Her feet nimbly made their way out of the dorm and into the hallway. No noise came from her as she crept down to the common room, her heart choking her. A small glow came from the slowly dying embers in the fireplace, a cold chill entering the atmosphere. Not a soul was in there; all the other students were usually asleep by two a.m.

From the far side of the common room there came the noise of the door creaking open. Astoria retreated farther into the shadows of the staircase, hoping to keep hidden. Her chest ached when she saw a tall boy come into sight, his blond hair faintly illuminated by the embers' soft glow. Draco walked into the light, his face drawn and desolate. A waxy pallor seeped across his face as he neared the fire, taking a seat on the leather couch.

He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees, stressed hands running through his hair as he mumbled to himself miserably. Gone was the proud, austere Draco Malfoy that would sped his days lounging comfortably in the common room. Everything had changed.

Astoria observed all this from where she stood on the steps, ensconced in darkness. Her arms screamed to hold him and her lips urged to kiss him. Yet she stood in her place, completely motionless. It would only hurt both him and her more in the long run should she indulge now. Gripping the ring he had given her the other night, Astoria made a silent retreat back to her room.

He said life's so hard to move in sometimes
When it feels like I'm towin' the line
And no one even cares to ask me why I feel this way, yeah

Draco sat in the common room, his head buried morosely in his hands. Fingers disheveled his hair as he closed his eyes against his palms, and he could only envision Astoria running her hands through his hair, smooth lips pressed coolly against his like rose petals. His lips emitted a low groan as his lower abdomen throbbed. He was tempted to throw his head back and release his pent up frustration, but he held himself in place. Lifting his head from his hands, Draco wiped the tears that had formed in his eyes. His body was exasperated from the long hours spent in the Room of Hidden Things and it showed from the way his feet stumbled along the floor as he made his way up to his dorm.

It felt good to strip off his cloak and lay it across his trunk, his robes following suit. Once he was down to only his boxers, Draco slid into the cool silk sheets of his bed. He stretched his neck on his pillow, releasing stress. He thought of Astoria as he lay there, wondering what she would feel like entwined with him. He knew it was wrong considering they were unmarried and she only fourteen, but his mind played it out just the same. In the darkness, he felt his fingertips brush his skin.

When morning broke and the dark clouds faded to only a drizzle, Draco headed to the Great Hall. He knew he should have been making his way to the seventh floor, but he had to see Astoria. He had to know if she was handling it well.

Only a few dozen people were in the Great Hall that dreary morning, voices soft and tired. A mere eight people sat at the Slytherin table, none of whom Draco felt like talking to. Yet at the end of the table near the teachers' area sat Astoria alongside her sister Daphne. She looked worn, dark spots under her drawn eyes. Her expression was blank as Daphne talked, her fork moving food around halfheartedly on her plate. Draco knew he had to stop staring before he caught her attention, but his eyes wouldn't budge. Her head tilted upwards slightly and he quickly averted his gaze, moving to take a seat at the opposite end of the table. Only one other person was sitting down there, but she quickly folded the Daily Prophet she'd been reading and left when he sat.

Draco stared blankly across the table at a stone wall, not moving to put food on his plate. He watched Astoria from the corner of his eye and saw Daphne put a comforting arm around her. Part of him ached to see Astoria so downcast, yet a selfish part of him smiled, glad to know that she relied upon him and no other. His gut wrenched as the emotion took hold, battling with that part of him as guilt seeped into his conscious.

He pulled out of his reverie to look down the table, betrayal rising in him when he saw Zabini, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott sitting away from him. Their heads were close together while they cast discreet glances at him as they talked. Draco scowled, glaring at the wall. Some friends he'd made during his six years at Hogwarts! They all saw the stress and worry creasing his face, yet not one made any move to comfort him. Only Astoria, but he'd forbidden her to.

Though the Great Hall was growing crowded, every seat close to Draco was vacant. People were afraid of him.

"As the should be," he mentally growled, a snarl twisting his lips, "I'm a monster." He angrily shoved away from the table, intentionally knocking into a few first years who'd been standing nearby, too scared to take the only vacant seats next to him.

They saw him as a monster.

Please review with constructive criticism :)

-Jackie