Astoria & Draco
Chapter 2
Finally it's the holidays! Astoria was so excited but her mood was dramatically decreased to a zero in a time span of 0.1 seconds when she remembered that she had to attend her sister's engagement party.
Her mother picked her up at the station and together, they apparated back to their house. Astoria had always been in favour with her mother's decorating style of their house. Their home could be described as a Victorian house with white curtains with elegant wood furniture and chandeliers. Their house looked much like the Carson Mansion from the outside.
The Greengrass weren't very wealthy but they weren't poor either. Francis Greengrass worked hard to get where his family were and Astoria's parents never spoilt her and her sister, always reminding and teaching them to be humble. And that was one important thing in life that Astoria will never forget.
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Upon reaching France a few weeks later, The Greengrass was one of the many guests who were invited to stay at The Warrington's cabin which was located near their vineyard plantation.
Long the journey, Astoria expressed her deepest congrats for her sister. It's amazing how people changed just by falling in love and Astoria wondered when will it be her turn. A part of her was cynical about the idea while another part of her longed for it.
It was finally the night of the party. Daphne decked herself in a beautiful white gown, already preparing herself for her wedding day whereas Astoria wore a black satin gown. The two sisters had always been a contrast. Daphne had golden hair with fair skin and brown hazel eyes whereas Astoria had dark black hair, olive skin and dark blue eyes.
"Why are you dress for a funeral? It's an engagement party for Merlin's sake." their mother asked her, wearing a sapphire blue dress.
"Oh mother! Let her wear what she wants. It's not a big of a deal." Daphne replied heartily. Marguerite gave a long sigh and waved her arms expressly, "Fine! You're old enough to know what you're doing. Now if you may excuse me, I have house full of guests to attend to very shortly."
With that, their mother left the bedroom and went down stairs, looking for her husband and future in-laws.
"Aren't you scared?" Astoria asked her elder sister suddenly. Daphne brows furrowed in confusion by her sister's question.
"Scared? No. Is there a reason for me to be?"
"It's just...Things are changing too fast for me. One moment we're in Hogwarts and now, you're getting married...." Astoria paused, "I don't think I'm ready for this... The real world."
"Oh don't be silly! Astoria, you're only 17 for Heaven's sake. You have your whole life to live and there's no need to rush into things. Go out and have fun, get a career even. Just remember that one day; you WILL meet that special person. Like I did with Christopher, though we are both still young, I really really want to marry him despite what people say about us."
At that moment, Astoria noticed how much her sister had changed. She was no longer that prissy, whiny, bitchy bully; Daphne had matured into a sincere young lady. What her sister said did touch her heart and made her believed that one day, she will find her own happiness. But tonight, she will celebrate Daphne's.
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The party was a grand one and almost everyone Astoria knew was invited. Some were distant relative and some were her old schoolmates.
"I can't believe how many people are here for you." Astoria asked her sister in amazed.
"Nah, I think they are here for the free food and drinks."
Astoria laughed and looked back at the ballroom, scanning the crowd to find more people that she was familiar with when suddenly Daphne grabbed her arm.
"Dear Merlin, is that Draco Malfoy?"Her sister asked in anticipation. Astoria turned her gaze to the direction her sister was gesturing to.
"Why yes, it is him." She murmured, taking in the sight of the infamous young man. He stood at 6 foot, towering over almost everyone in the ballroom. His hair still blonde as ever, combed with a parting to the right; allowing the fringe to fall near his steel grey eyes. Beside him was a brunette who was slightly shorter than him.
"Is that Pansy with him?" Daphne asked excitedly, not being in touch with her friend for a long time. Astoria grimaced hearing that name. Pansy had not always been pleasant nor was civilized towards her back in school.
"PANSY!" Daphne called out and headed towards the couple while dragging Astoria with her.
Years ago, she didn't want me following her. And now, she's dragging me like a doll.
"OH MY GOD! Daphne! It's been so long." The two friends embraced each other, smiles on their faces. Astoria didn't know they were genuine friends, because you can never tell since everyone in Slytherin were consistently backstabbing each other; trying to be the better one. It was hard to find true friends in Slytherin even though they were your allies.
"You remember my little sister. This is my friend Pansy and her..."
"Fiancé...Draco Malfoy. " Pansy injected, gesturing to the young man who was standing beside her, smiling like a fool.
"Bonsoir Monsieur Malfoy, Ça va ?" Astoria asked politely.
Daphne gave a dry laugh and said, "She sometimes think she's French ever since she completed learning the language few months ago."
"Intriguing... Ça va bien. A pleasure to meet you." Draco replied, taking her hand and placed a kiss on it. Astoria gave him a coy smile and released her hold from Draco.
"I'll leave you three to catch up." Astoria said, gave a curtsey and left, not wanting to be in the presence of people who were unfriendly to her during their school days. The way Daphne said 'my little sister' burnt her heart subconsciously.
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Astoria went to the dessert table filled with Cakes and assortments of petits fours. She scanned the room, looking for someone to have a conversation with as she was growing bored of standing alone by the food. It made her feel pathetic in a way.
"ASTORIA!"
She heard someone called out her name; she turned around and saw her parents with a striking black lady and a young man.
"AH! Here's my youngest daughter Astoria. Astoria, I would like you to meet Mrs Zanbini and her son, Blaise.
"Pleasure to meet you." Astoria greeted the guests courteously.
"My my...What do we have here? Such a pretty little thing..." Mrs Zanbini said, reaching out and stroked her cheek softly, as though Astoria was a cat. Mrs Zanbini held her stare at the young girl before her. With eyes so violet, it did scared Astoria quite a bit.
"I heard that you are graduating Hogwarts the next semester, with distinctions may I add. I'm impressed. "
"Thank you Madame. It's all I ever wanted, a completed education which is very important in searching for a career afterwards."
Mrs Zanbini chuckled," Well well, it is good to see such bright, ambitious young woman. Unlike some few who would rather look for....opportunities." she gestured towards Pansy who was across the room. "But what right do I have speaking of this?" She continued. "I was married 7 times and each husband dropped dead before the first month or so." She joked.
Astoria didn't know whether to laugh along with her or not. Telling people about your dead husbands as a joke was not within the norm.
"Blaise dear, would you mind being Miss Greengrass's companion this evening? The poor thing looks bored out of her mind." Mrs Zanbini said, breaking the soon-to-be awkward atmosphere.
"I'll be delighted to." He winked at Astoria and led her towards the dance floor.
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Blaise was a gentleman. He was polite and amiable, and not forgetting a great dancer. It was interesting how they can dance and converse at the same time, not caring about the people around them. Astoria discovered that they both shared the love of poetry and Blaise was quite a poet himself. He told Astoria how he was planning to write a book of poems and make it big as a poet/writer. As they were getting to know each other a little better, someone interrupted.
"May I cut in?"
They both turned around and Astoria's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes you may." Blaise replied. "I'll talk to you later." He whispered in her ears before stepping aside and left the dance floor.
Astoria turned back and looked at Draco as he took a bow and offered his hand to her. She took it and he sharply pulled her close to him. Their body touching each other as he snaked his arm around her waist.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"You should already know my name." She replied demurely.
"What is your name?" he insisted again.
She leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear, "Astoria Greengrass."
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