Chapter Two
"You're late."
Astoria rolled her eyes with a sigh, pushing the door closed before turning to face her sister. Daphne hurried down the wide staircase towards her, her dark blonde hair already perfectly coifed for the party that evening, looking furious. Astoria glanced at the large grandfather clock, visible through the doorway of the sitting room to her right, and realized she was much later than she'd first thought. After spending a good chunk of the morning in bed with Draco, she'd rushed home to quickly shower, pull on a pair of jeans and a simple sweater, and then she'd hurried to her parents' estate to help with the preparations for her sister's engagement party that evening. She'd truly hoped everyone would be too preoccupied to notice her absence. Apparently not.
"Well?" Daphne demanded expectantly, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Astoria. "Where the hell have you been?! You were supposed to decorate the ballroom with Pansy!"
I was a little busy having a quick shag with the man your best friend is obsessed with. "I slept in," Astoria said simply, knowing the truth would be a bad idea. "I'm sure Pansy was more than happy to do it without me. I'll go get the garden ready."
Daphne heaved an exasperated sigh. "Fine, whatever," shed said with a dismissive wave of her hands. "Be sure you're ready for the party. Seven o'clock sharp, Tor. No excuses."
"I know, Daph," Astoria nodded. "I'm here, aren't I? I'm not going anywhere."
Giving her a curt nod and a tight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Daphne spun on her heel and hurried off, calling for her fiance, Adrian. Astoria took a deep breath, reminded herself that it was her own fault, that she could have left Draco's earlier and only been fashionably late, and then started towards the back of the house. The party was to start out on the back terrace, with cocktails and mingling, before it moved inside for dinner and dancing, and it was Astoria's job to make sure the decor was up to her sister's high standards.
As she walked past the swinging door that led into the kitchen, Astoria could hear her mother's voice as she berated the group of house elves preparing the evening's menu. She picked up her pace, hurrying down the hall, hoping to avoid her mother as long as possible. A little further down the corridor she attempted to sneak past her father's office, where she knew he'd be sitting behind his desk working until moments before the party started.
"Astoria," his voice rumbled just when she thought she'd made it past unnoticed, "Where do you think you're sneaking off to?"
"The garden, Daddy," she answered, turning around and sticking her head in the doorway. "I promised Daphne I'd help decorate."
"You also promised you'd be here a few hours ago," her father reminded her with a deep chuckle, climbing to his feet and moving around the desk. "Get on over here, young lady. I've missed you!"
Astoria smiled and moved further into the office, hugging her father tightly. "You saw me just a couple weeks ago."
"Seeing my baby girl every couple of weeks isn't nearly often enough for this old man," her father grumbled, pressing a kiss to her cheek before letting her go. "How are things?"
"Things are good."
Her father leaned back against his desk and crossed his arms over his large stomach. "Astoria."
"Really, Daddy," she assured him, "I'm good."
"I read the papers, you know," he told her. "I know you and that boyfriend of yours broke up."
Astoria sighed and looked away. "You didn't like him anyway."
"No," he agreed, "But I know you did. Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's not a big deal," she shrugged. "I should really go get the garden ready for tonight."
"Whatever you say, Princess," her father said, "But when you decide you want to talk, you know where I am."
"Yeah, hiding in your office while I'm stuck dealing with Mom and Daphne," Astoria smirked. "You big wimp."
Her father's laughter followed her back out into the corridor as she continued on her way to the back garden. She could hear her mother's voice growing louder, meaning either she was getting angry with the help or she was about to emerge from the kitchen, and, knowing her mother certainly would not drop the breakup as easily as her father had, she hurried outside before she could be noticed. Though she was coping just fine with her recent split from a beloved quidditch player, she wasn't quite ready to discuss it at length with her mother. Or her sister, for that matter. That conversation could wait until after Daphne's engagement party. Which she was dreading with every fibre of her being. It would be an evening full of people Astoria couldn't stand, asking her questions she didn't want to answer, and she very seriously not looking forward to any of it.
"I should have stayed in bed," she muttered, taking her wand out of her pocket and waving it in the air, starting her decorating duties by casting a warming charm over the terrace. "With Draco."
"Mother, I'd really rather not go."
"We were invited, Draco. We've got an obligation."
"You've got an obligation," Draco corrected. "I don't feel any sort of obligation at all."
Narcissa Malfoy gave her son a pleading look. "You said you'd come with me," she reminded him. "Your father refuses to. I can't go alone, Draco."
Draco turned to gaze at his father, who sat in his favourite chair, busying himself with the latest edition of the Prophet. "Sure you won't reconsider?"
Lucius Malfoy arched his eyebrows without taking his gaze from his paper. "Positive."
Draco rolled his eyes, turning back to his mother. "I'm not going to enjoy myself."
"I know," his mother smiled brightly, "But I will. Does that not count for something?"
Draco chuckled despite himself. His mother beamed, pressed a kiss to his cheek, straightened his tie, and then spun on the spot and disappeared with a pop. Draco quickly loosened his tie, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside, causing his father to chuckle softly to himself, before following his mother. She noticed his missing tie immediately, and clicked her tongue in disapproval, but said nothing as they started up the drive towards the Greengrass Estate. Daphne Greengrass, a girl Draco had been at Hogwarts with, was celebrating her engagement to Adrian Pucey, another fellow Slytherin, and when they'd received their invitation to the party Draco's mother had insisted they attend. Draco was dreading the evening with old friends he hadn't spoken to in years, but he knew his mother was excited to mingle with the 'high society' again, so he hadn't fought too hard.
As they reached the front doors of the expansive house, comparable in size and stature to the Malfoy Manor, the large oak doors swung inwards magically. Draco's mother smiled at him as they stepped inside. He returned the smile despite his growing sense of discomfort. Oh, how he hated social functions. He did enjoy seeing his mother happy, though. A rare sight since the war nearly five years previously.
"Ah Narcissa, Draco," Albert Greengrass boomed, hurrying forwards to greet them. "No Lucius this evening? No matter. Welcome, welcome."
Draco shook the man's hand politely. "Mr. Greengrass."
"So formal," the man said, leading Draco and his mother towards the back of the house. "Please, call me Al. Ellice is just through here. Daphne and Adrian, too. I'm sure they'll be pleased to see you, Draco."
"They must be so excited for the wedding," Draco's mother said happily. "Have they set a date yet?"
"Not yet," Mr. Greengrass replied, stepping out onto the terrace and bringing them over to his wife. "Only a matter of time, though, I'm sure."
Draco stood by quietly while his mother and Mrs. Greengrass hugged and kissed the air on either side of each other's faces. After a few moments Daphne and Adrian appeared, greeting Draco excitedly. Draco congratulated them both, giving Daphne a quick hug and shaking Adrian's hand. He remembered them both from Hogwarts, remembered them hating each other, and found it interesting that they seemed so happy together now. They stood chatting contentedly for a few moments until the couple got pulled off by new guests wishing to congratulate them.
"Our youngest daughter, Astoria, is around here somewhere," Al was saying when Draco tuned back in. "She's not overly fond of parties, so I'm sure she's found someplace to hide out until dinner."
Draco responded with a small smile before excusing himself politely, intent on finding himself a drink. The youngest Greengrass has the right idea. Draco decided that he would grab a fire whiskey from the bar at the far end of the terrace, and then sneak off into the woods to wait out the cocktail hour. A few people greeted him as he moved through the guests milling about, and he responded politely but curtly, not bothering to stop and chat. No one stopped him. When he reached the bar and ordered a double shot of his favourite amber liquid, he scanned the guests, wondering which of his fellow Slytherins had decided to show up. He spotted Pansy Parkinson standing with a group of girls near the door and groaned, hoping she hadn't noticed him yet. The moment he had his drink in hand he hurried down the steps of the terrace, towards the treeline, praying that no one—Parkinson in particular—followed. As soon as he reached the woods the temperature dropped a considerable amount. Clearly the warming charm they'd used on the garden was only intended to warm the area the guests were meant to be. He sipped his fire whiskey, grateful for the burn it left in its wake, warming him as he walked through the quiet woods.
After a few moments, Draco came across a small clearing and found he wasn't the only person seeking refuge from the party. He paused at the edge of the clearing, gazing at the petite woman who stood near the center, warming her hands over a small fire she'd conjured. She wore a purple dress this time, had her hair pinned up loosely, and stood with her back to him, but he recognized her instantly. Of course he did. How could he not? He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since she'd left his flat that morning.
"Fancy meeting you here, sweetheart."
Draco joined her by the fire, eyeing her with a small smile. Tonight's dress was much less revealing than the one he'd last seen her in had been, yet she seemed, if possible, even sexier. It was a deep, rich purple that fit her snugly in the bust, then flowed to just above her knees in gauzy, feminine layers. Her dark curls were pulled back and pinned in place, though a few stray strands had come free and framed her pretty face. Her blue eyes glittered at him brightly in the warm firelight. Draco had to fight the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her perfect pink lips.
"Draco," she said softly, gazing up at him in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I was invited," he replied simply. "What about you?"
"I have to be here," she told him, her eyes returning to the fire. "Familial obligations and all that, you know."
Realization suddenly dawned on him as he remembered Mr. Greengrass' comment regarding his youngest daughter. "Tori," he said slowly, "Is short for Astoria, isn't it?"
"Mmm," Astoria nodded, sipping a glass of champagne he hadn't noticed before, "You catch on quick."
"Astoria Greengrass," he smiled. "You're Daphne's younger sister!"
Astoria frowned at the fire.
"I definitely prefer Astoria," Draco continued, and he truly did. He wasn't a fan of nicknames. He found them juvenile. Astoria was a much prettier name, much more suited for the gorgeous woman beside him. "You'll forgive me if I choose to refer to you as such from now on."
"Now you see why I insisted on the secrecy last night."
"I don't, actually," he replied. "It wouldn't have made a difference to me."
"Oh really?" Astoria glanced up at him, disbelief obvious in her pretty blue eyes. "You would have taken me home and spent the night with me had you known who I was?"
Draco nodded. "Happily."
Astoria laughed softly. "I doubt it," she said. "I have a successful career as a writer. I have a weekly column in the Prophet. I have fans who read everything I write. My ex is one of Britain's most famous quidditch players. Yet all anyone in this circle sees me as is Daphne's little sister. You wouldn't have thought of me as sexy and mysterious last night. You would have seen me as your friend's baby sister. It would have been far less exciting."
"You're wrong," Draco said, grabbing her waist and pulling her close, gazing into her eyes. "You're selling yourself short. You are sexy as hell, Greengrass or not."
Astoria took a shaky breath, and Draco felt a smug sense of satisfaction. Suddenly the tables were turned, and he seemed to be the one with the upper hand. He smirked and dipped his head to kiss her, enjoying the taste of the sweet champagne she'd been drinking. She melted into him, her drinkless hand clinging to the front of his suit jacket tightly. Draco's free hand slid up her back and tugged her hair free from its confines, tangling his fingers in her soft, dark curls.
"Draco," she murmured, pulling away breathlessly. "We shouldn't."
"I disagree."
"Of course you do," she smiled against his mouth and pressed a quick kiss to his lips before stepping out of his grasp. "But I don't want you having the wrong idea about me."
Draco wordlessly took the champagne flute she held out, watching as she fixed her hair. "I don't believe I do."
Astoria gave him a look. "I slept with you, an almost complete stranger, last night," she said, taking her drink back when her hair was pinned back once more. "You think I'm the type of girl that just falls into bed with random men."
"Is that what I think?" Draco frowned at her. "Because I'm pretty sure I thought you were a beautiful woman who was just as attracted to me as I was to her."
Astoria was silent a moment as she withdrew her wand from a hidden pocket on her dress, waving it and refilling their glasses. "Okay," she said slowly, "Just as long as you know that I'm not that girl. Last night was a rare occurrence. A onetime thing."
"Brought on by…?"
"Inebriation?" She shrugged with a small smile. "Recent breakup. Sister's engagement. A number of factors, really."
"So I was, what, a means to an end?"
Draco was surprised at how much the thought annoyed him. One night stands were a regular occurrence for him. He enjoyed them. Preferred the anonymity over getting to know a woman. Yet the thought that Astoria had seen him the same way he generally saw women bothered him.
Astoria gave him an apologetic look. "I wasn't looking for anything serious last night," she said softly. "I just…I needed…not serious."
Before Draco could respond, the sound of musical chimes met his ears, announcing that dinner was about to be served. Astoria glanced in the direction of the house, and then back at him, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. Without saying anything she extinguished the fire with a wave of her wand and started leading the way back up to the party. Draco followed silently, going over his emotions in his head. What did he care if Astoria saw their night together as nothing more than a one night stand? It wasn't as if he'd been on the hunt for something serious, either. In fact, he'd wanted to stay as far away from serious as possible. He wasn't the serious relationship type. He should be relieved that Astoria was on the same page.
Why, then, did the thought of simply leaving it at that have him so upset?
