I'm so sick of the way
That you lead me on
But I apparently have no self-respect
Thought I was stronger than this

She remembers her first day at Malfoy Manor.

It was a Tuesday evening, around five o'clock. Even though the mansion itself didn't have any clocks and she couldn't see how on earth they kept time (maybetheydidn'tbelongtothisearth), the Malfoys were a stickler for punctuality and always turned up at the right time, maybe even earlier.

They weren't married yet. There were still a few more days to go, afewmoredoubtstoironout. Till then, she was just Astoria Greengrass, and she was standing in the hallway.

It reminded her a bit of Hogwarts. There was that grandiose quality about it, the high ceilings, the golden frames with ancestors that scowled and whispered. But it was cold, so cold, and she waited, and listened.

"I'm sorry we couldn't come earlier, Mother," she heard his voice saying, in a room a few doors down from her. The door was closed, but the air was so still she thought she could hear anything. Maybe even his thoughts. "I picked Astoria up right after work."

"After the marriage it will be alright, Draco," an older woman's voice replied. Astoria wondered for a moment if she would sound like her soon, someday. Old, hallowed, resigned, reigning. Like a queen who is used to gilded hallways and empty hearts. "You will stay in the West Wing?"

"Of course." Something in his voice changed, and she wondered what was it about this house that made him act the way he did. Or maybe it was their engagement; Draco was certainly not the beguiling charmer he was during their days at Hogwarts.

She realized it soon enough, of course. He hated everything about this place. He hated the stuffiness, the portraits, and most of all he hated that room at the entrance which tingled with fear and blood and stifled screams.

Maybe- just maybe- he hated her too.

Thought I knew better than to jump head first
Into what I knew
Was solid ground
And it ain't goin' nowhere when I come down
Thought I knew better than that
But I just keep goin' nowhere
Nowhere fast