Astoria's POV: Draco's 6th year/Sectumsempra
I finish adjusting my uniform and pull on my Slytherin robes before I sit down on my bed to pull on my shoes. I pull my book bag over my shoulder and push my hair back turning to leave the empty dorm room. I head to the common room and scan the room to find any of my friends but more importantly my boyfriend. I spot his white blonde hair nearly hidden in a leather winged back chair off to the corner facing his friend, Blaise Zabini and I notice that they are playing a game of Wizard's chess. I make my way to them and slide my arms around Draco's shoulders from his side pressing a kiss to his cheek as I sit on the arm of his chair.
"Hi, handsome." I whisper in his ear and grin when the tension in his body relaxes turning his head to kiss my cheek. I smile and look at the chessboard noticing that the two of them are fairly close to winning on either side but I can see a move. "Knight to E5."
I smirk watching as Draco's green knight walks over to the silver knight of Blaise's and stabs him with his tiny sword leaving his king unprotected, thus letting Draco win.
"Bloody hell, mate I hate your girlfriend." Blaise says and sits back in his seat with a sigh looking up at me with a smirk. "Greengrass."
"Zabini." I say with my own smirk and Draco places his hand around my waist squeezing my gently.
"She helped me beat you so, I love her." He says and grins up at me resting his other arm on the armrest lazily.
"Oh so that's how I earn your love, huh?" I ask teasingly and drop my book bag to the floor turning more into him.
"There are other ways." He says and sits up to kiss me softly cupping my cheek.
"Alright I'm out of here if you two are just going to snog." Blaise says and stands quickly from his chair walking away from us.
"Perfect." I grin and start to get up motioning to the chessboard. "Want to play?"
"I'd rather have you in my arms." Draco says grabbing my waist to pull me across his lap hugging me close to him. "What have you been up to, love?"
"Studying for my OWL's." I answer and laugh when he tugs me into his lap sighing.
"You're studying too hard and they aren't for another couple months." He says wrapping one of his arms around my waist the other rests across my lap and his hand lands on my hip. "They aren't that hard."
"Says the boy that took his already." I say with a sigh and lean into him when he rubs my back drawing me closer to him.
"I thought I was your man." He says in his playful tone that I hardly ever hear anymore and I feel his hand on my hip tighten making me bite my lip.
"Mm but lately my man hasn't been around." I say with a pout and stroke his hair back a bit shivering when his hand trails up my side to tuck a bit of my hair behind my ear.
"I'll make it up you soon, darling I promise."
"I know you will." I say and press a kiss to the inside of his left wrist knowing that just below the cuff of his sleeve is his Dark Mark. "Has it been hurting lately?"
"I know I've told you not to worry about me." He says stroking my cheek with his thumb and I can see the sadness, anxiousness and overall weariness in his blue grey eyes.
"I know I've told you that it is my job to worry about you, my love." I say and his thumb moves to wipe away my sudden tears that I didn't realize had appeared looking me in the eyes.
"And that is why I love you so much." Draco says and leans his forehead on mine holding me close to him.
I smile softly and lean forward to kiss his cheek but he turns his head to capture my lips in a heated kiss drawing me even closer to him. I tangle my fingers in his hair as we kiss glad that his chair is in a dark corner of the common room and that most of our Slytherin house is at lunch. I sigh in content when I feel Draco's hand slide under my school robe to rest on my side just above my hip and we both deepen the kiss our bodies knowing each other so well after nearly two years together. I bite my lip as he trails his kisses down my jaw and stops just below my ear making me shiver. I gasp very softly when he nips my skin and I pull back slightly looking at him.
"Too much?" He asks and gently strokes a bit of my hair pecking my lips when I feel the heat of a blush rise to my cheeks. "Hey, it's okay. I shouldn't have."
"No, it's just w-we never have gone very far…" I say and fix my gaze on the collar of his white uniform shirt biting my lip nervously.
"Look at me, love." He says and lifts my chin up our eyes locking almost immediately while his thumb trails under the edge of my bottom lip. "We don't have to do anything until you—no, until we are ready."
I slowly smile knowing that no matter what Draco would make sure I felt safe and when we were ready to be together, it would be perfect. I lean forward to kiss him softly and when I pull away we both smile at each other. I adjust his loose tie and slowly get out of his lap making sure my uniform is straight.
"Want to get some lunch with me?" I ask and grab my book bag from the floor looking at him as I lift it to my shoulder.
"I need to get my potions book but I'll meet up with you." Draco says and stands from the chair reaching forward to tug the silver chain out from under my shirt that has a heart pendant from my first birthday we were together. I watch as he hooks his finger on the ring he gave me the following year, a few months ago and he sighs looking at me. "You aren't wearing it…"
"I just forgot to put it back on after Care of Magical Creatures this morning." I say as I reach back to unclasp the necklace and let the ring fall into his palm and fix my necklace back pulling my hair out from under it.
"Allow me." He says and takes my left hand in his sliding the silver band on my ring finger the single round emerald stone glinting in the light. "One day you'll have a better one."
"You say that every time we talk about or look at my ring." I say and stand up on my toes to kiss his cheek. "I'll see you in the Great Hall, love."
"I promise to be quick, darling." He says and presses a kiss to my forehead turning toward the hall that leads to the boys dormitories.
I smile a bit and turn to walk up the stairs that lead out of the Slytherin common room and head up to the Great Hall remembering back to the beginning of the school year when he gave me the ring…
I smile as we stepped back into the castle after going to Hogsmeade for a perfect dinner at The Three Broomsticks and had taken a long walk through the late September fall air.
"Come on, I want to give you your present." Draco said and pulled me with him up the grand staircase lacing our fingers together.
"And where are you taking me?" I asked and followed his lead up the stairs biting my lip as I realize that we were headed to the Astronomy Tower. "Are we going to star gaze?"
"Possibly." He said with a grin as we pass a few students in the halls on their way to their house's common rooms and we kept climbing the stairs.
I gasped as we got to the top, which was lit by the soft glow of a few candles surrounding a blanket and couple of pillows. "Draco, when did you do this?"
"I convinced your sister and Theo Nott to help." He said and turned to me grinning proudly as he tugs me toward the blanket.
"You actually got Daph and her boyfriend to do something other than snog for me?" I asked and we both sat down on the blanket beside each other his hand not letting go of mine. "Wait, is that my present?"
"Ha ha, no." He said and leaned forward to kiss me softly tucking a curl of my hair behind my ear. "You know I love you, right? And that whatever happens through this war I fear is coming, I will do everything to protect you and take care of you."
"Of course I know that, love." I said and nuzzled into his touch sighing softly.
"There are so many promises that I've made to you since we started dating and I have made even more after getting this bloody mark." He said looking me in the eyes and took a deep breath. "Promises of always protecting you, being there for you when your upset or hurt, taking care of you, bringing you your favorite tea even if it taste awful—"
"You hardly gave that tea a chance!" I interrupted him and nudge his chest laughing as he pulled me closer to him.
"And most importantly promises that I will always, alwayslove you." He said continuing on as if I hadn't said anything and leans back on his elbow taking a small box out of his pants pocket.
"D-Draco, what is this?" I asked staring at the small velvet box my mind spinning at the thought that he is going to propose right now and my heart started to pound.
"This is a promise ring." He said and opened the black lined box revealing the simple emerald ring as he held it out to me. "I know that this seems silly but it's my way of reassuring you that no matter what, we will survive this war."
"It isn't silly but it is too much, love." I said and could feel my left hand shake when he took it in his own as he slid the ring on my finger.
"One day I'll give you one so much better than this." Draco said and kissed my knuckles pulling me closer to him.
"Is that your way of saying you're going to propose to me?" I asked and we slowly lay back against the pillows cuddling close together.
"Yes." He said simply and I put my lip my mind drifting off to my imagination to what our future will look like one day.
"Hey, Astoria!" Someone calls as I enter the Great Hall and I turn to the Slytherin table seeing my friend, Claire waving at me. "Are you alright? You seemed to be in a daze just then and almost ran into a Ravenclaw."
"I was just thinking." I say and come around to sit next her pouring myself some pumpkin juice in one of the golden cups on the table. I take a sip and push a bit of my hair back out of my face taking a few bits of chicken onto my plate. I pile on a scoop of cheesy potatoes and grab a vine of grapes popping a couple into my mouth. I talk with a few of my friends while all eat and make plans to study together tonight around the large table in the common room. I agree to go with Claire to grab a few extra books from the library and meet everyone else after dinner.
I look up to see Draco walking and he gives me a signal that he's going to ask one of the professors a question and I nod. I watch as he his steps start to falter and follow his line of sight to Katie Bell, a Gryffindor that he admitted only to me accidently cursing through Madam Rosemerta at the Three Broomsticks by the use of the Imperius Curse. I remember hearing Katie's screams from six months ago from just barely touching the cursed necklace that was intended for Dumbledore himself and I shudder at the thought of Draco succeeding with his task. I focus again on my boyfriend and quickly scramble to get up from my seat grabbing my bag as Draco turns to rush out of the Great Hall. I bite my lip as I reach to grab his arm just outside the doors and he turns to look at me his blue grey eyes looking more panicked then I have ever seen.
"Chai tea." He says and grabs my head kissing my forehead. "Stay away from me."
"Draco, no. Talk to me. What's going on?" I say gripping his arm but he quickly jerks it from me and looks me in the eyes. "Please, Draco just talk to me!"
"Stay, Astoria!" He says in a harsher tone than he usually uses with me making me think of his father and I watch his back until he turns down a hall toward the lavatories. I stumble back until I hit the stone wall behind me and take a few shuddering breaths as I blink back my tears. I frown as I see Harry Potter rushing to follow the same path and turn down the same hallway that Draco did. I run my hands through my hair and grip it just behind my neck trying to think of what I should do.
If we are ever in a dangerous situation together and I tell you to run, promise that you will. I remember Draco telling me that night in his bedroom but my heart squeezes at the thought of him getting hurt or worse and I did nothing to help him. Whom could I ask that Draco would allow to help him in a dangerous situation? Crabbe or Goyle? No, definitely not them. Blaise? He could be useful at fighting if things turn that way. One of the professors possibly? I peek around the corner to look at the head table in the Great Hall and scan the chairs questioning which one would be most helpful.
"Snape!" I whisper to myself when I spot his usual seat is empty and quickly run to his office that is still in the dungeons, despite him finally getting the position as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I knock on his door and let myself in before waiting on his answer. "Professor, I need your help!"
"Well, Miss Greengrass there are better ways than just demanding my help and barging in my office." The old potions master says and stands up behind his desk looking at me angrily.
"I am sorry, Professor but I didn't know who else to come to." I say quickly and step closer to the desk biting my lip.
"What is it you need, Greengrass?" He asks and steps around his desk toward me.
"I-It's Draco…he ran off from the Great Hall and Potter followed him. I-I have this feeling that something horrible is going to happen." I say and can still feel my heart pounding in panic for Draco.
"And you want me to go help Malfoy based on his silly little girlfriend's feeling?" Snape asks with a sneer and I feel a sudden burst of anger at his condescending tone.
"I know that you and Mrs. Malfoy have an agreement to protect her son and I have no problem letting her know that you refused to help him when I can tell he needs it." I say crossing my arms over my chest and stare up at the Head of my House in a challenge to defy the rules of his Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa.
"Where is he?" He asks after what seems like eternity and I breathe a sigh of relief.
"I saw him walking around the first floor turning near one of the bathrooms." I answer and quickly follow him out of his office to walk up to the first level of the castle making our way to the hallway where the bathrooms are. I suddenly recognize this as Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and hear the spells being yelled by my boyfriend and the Boy-Who-Lived then see water start to come through the doors into the hall. I hear Draco cry out a curse but is cut cut off by Potter exclaiming a word I've never heard before and then there is a splash on the hard floor.
"Stay here, Miss Greengrass." Snape says in forceful tone and I can see the worry on his face making me immediately fear the worst.
I clutch a hand to my heart and fight back a sob as my mind races with the deadly possibilities that could have happened to Draco on the other side of the door. I chew on my lip anxiously and get out my wand just as Potter rushes out of the bathroom stumbling when he spots me looking incredibly shocked and guilty. I grip my wand and turn to walk into the bathroom my knees going weak as I see Draco lying on the wet floor with blood streaming from his chest.
"No!" I cry out and quickly stumble forward to kneel by his side opposite of Snape, who mutters a song-like spell dragging his wand tip along Draco's chest.
"I-I told y-you to stay away." Draco chokes out gaining my attention again and grabs my hand weakly.
"You know I couldn't…" I whisper shakily and grip his hand in both of mine looking down at him to see him grimace as the blood he lost starts to flow back into his body. I frown as his already weakened grip slacken even more and watch as he falls unconscious looking up to Snape. "Will he be alright?"
"Eventually, yes." Snape answers and stands to levitate Draco's body with his wand above the floor looking to me as I stand. "Madam Pomfrey will be able to help him more."
I nod slowly understanding that he is taking him to the Hospital Wing of the castle and I follow with Draco's hand still in mine. I ignore my dripping robes and the whispers of the students we pass in the hallways as we go to the other side of the castle. I shudder as we enter the large room with beds that lined both walls and Madam Pomfrey points to a bed quickly looking Draco. I step back when she tells me and watch as she opens Draco's shirt summoning a bottle of Dittany with a flick of her wand dropping a few drops on to his pale chest.
I stir awake yet again worried about Draco and sit up in my bed the other girls in the dorm quiet from sleeping peacefully unlike me. I rub my temples and draw back the coverings on the left side of my bed carefully slipping from bed to step into my slippers. I grab my wand from my nightstand and carefully sneaking past the other beds to step into the hall. I mutter 'Lumos' under my breath and the tip of my wand lights up as I walk toward the common room planning to just read something to distract myself from my anxious thoughts. I walk over to the table where my friends and I planned to study this evening before Draco was cursed by an unknown spell and I stayed by his side until I was practically forced out. I start to pick up a book and notice that I am trembling from the events that happened today.
"Astoria?" I hear someone say and spin around to see my sister standing by the stairs that lead to the dormitories.
"Daph…" I say and we both quickly rush to each other hugging tightly as a sob catches in my throat. "Shhh…it's okay, sis."
"I-I'm just so worried about him…" I choke out and she gently leans back to look at me wiping away my tears.
"I know and I wish I knew what to tell you." She says and looks at me with the kindness that mother shows in private but with father's green eyes that we both have.
"I need to go see him." I say with a shudder and cross my arms over myself biting my lip.
"Go, I'll cover for you." Daphne says and I hug her tightly suddenly very grateful that she has always been there for me in the past few years instead of when we always fought in our younger years.
"I owe you one." I say and grip my wand as I turn to leave the common room shushing the portrait of Salazar Slytherin as I step through the door. I keep my wand light down low as I walk quickly through the castle toward the Hospital Wing glad that all of the portraits are fast asleep and used to the Slytherins sneaking around. I open the door as quietly as possible putting the light out on my wand glad for the moonlight coming through the tall windows and see that Madam Pomfrey's office is dark. I close the door and make my way to Draco's bed seeing his chest rise as he sleeps peacefully. I quietly move a set of curtain dividers around his bed to hide that I'm here and bite my lip as I push my hair back turning to him.
"'Storia?" Draco whispers his voice sounding a bit slurred and he starts to sit up.
"Whoa, don't sit up." I quickly whisper and come to sit on the side of his be beside his hip taking his hand. "I just needed to see you, love."
"You're going to get in trouble." He says quietly and slowly reaches up to stroke my cheek looking up at me tiredly. "But I am glad you're here."
"Yeah?" I ask and lean into his touch so happy to feel it closing my eyes.
"Come here, love." He says and slowly scoots himself to the edge of the bed tugging me down beside him covering my mouth gently when I start to protest. "You aren't going to hurt me besides I need you with me."
"I love you." I whisper and carefully lay on my side next to him resting my arm across his stomach under where I know the cuts are. I yawn letting my head rest gently on the top of his shoulder and feel his lips brush my forehead as I drift off to sleep.
