When Astoria felt the compression end and could finally blink she eyes she saw they had apparated in front of a house. But it wasn't just a plain old house; it was more like a large Manor. Her family Manor was a rather large one, but it certainly didn't compare to the one they were currently walking towards. She blinked, making sure her surprise didn't show on her face. The last thing Astoria needed was to look surprised when they had literally just arrived. Already though her mind was considering the possibilities of where they were. Surely if she was having dinner with his parents he would have warned her, right? Draco wouldn't have just thrown that upon her, right? She had her doubts though as they walked up the drive, the butterflies in her stomach getting worse and worse with each step.
As they walked closer to the Manor she started to hear the faint sounds of music, the music only becoming louder and louder with each step they took. Her curiosity over what was in the house was overcoming her nerves about the same thing. Astoria could only guess it was some form of a party that was in the house. But a party for what Astoria couldn't quite figure out yet. Luckily her questions were about to be answered. When there were about ten steps from the door Draco looked down at her, finally explaining.
"This is an engagement party." Astoria's eyes widened slightly before Draco added, "Not for us, but for my friend Blaise Zabini. He was forced into an arranged marriage kind of like us, but his mother is making a bigger deal out of it than ours seems to be. It was requested that I bring you, but it isn't a formal party, and you don't need to impress any of these people. So just try to relax and have fun." A small smile came to Draco's face as he looked down at her, waiting for some form of a reaction.
Astoria briefly nodded in response, still not sure what to think at the moment. She was relieved that the party wasn't for them. Astoria couldn't imagine what she would do if her parents had forced her to do something else she wouldn't want to do. But she was slightly sad that others were being forced into something similar to what Draco and herself were being forced into. Even worse was that his mother was making a bigger deal about it, to the point of throwing a party. Who knew what else his mother would put them through before they were actually married? It was with a sigh that she walked up the steps to the house with Draco, putting a smile on her face when the door was opened.
There stood Blaise Zabini along with, who Astoria assumed was his soon-to-be wife, Pansy Parkinson. It slightly surprised her to see the pair of them together. She still remembered how Pansy would follow Draco around like a love sick puppy dog while they were at Hogwarts. At that moment Pansy didn't look anything like she did at Hogwarts. Instead she looked completely happy, beaming at the two of them while Blaise kept his face typically blank. The smile on Astoria's face mimicked the one on Pansy's, expressing congratulations and well wishes before being ushered into the home, and into the party. Oh and what a party it was. They had managed to snag the popular band the Weird Sisters, they had an open bar (since all attending were over the legal age), and plenty of other people they went to school with were dancing around the room.
Some she wasn't surprised to see, like Nott and Goyle. That group had gone to Hogwarts together, having shared a dorm room throughout the years, so it made sense that they would be there. Though there were some she recognized as being in other houses when they were at Hogwarts, and she even thought she might have spotted a Weasley in the corner, which one though she couldn't be too sure. She hid how surprised she was to see that. While after the war they had, for the most part, settled their differences they still didn't spend any social time with them. With in no time she seemed to be passed from person to person with Draco by her side, each offering their congratulations and good lucks. Sounds of both amazement and sympathy were ringing in her ears in no time at all.
Apparently there are many others in the Pureblood community that have had their marriages arranged by their parents. From what Astoria could gather though none of them were happy with the situation, making her glad it wasn't just herself that wasn't happy with the news. By the time they made it to the other side of the room they had managed to see everyone, Astoria letting out a slow sigh of relief. She had assumed that she would probably experience a night similar to this but she hadn't been prepared for it to be so soon. She still wasn't completely comfortable with the idea of her marriage so to hear everyone congratulating her was slightly odd.
Astoria walked over to the bar in the corner, Draco following behind her. She ordered some mixed drink, not really sure what she pointed to on the menu. She just knew she wanted something that would calm her thoughts and there was nothing better than a drink to accomplish that at that moment. After taking a rather big drink of the pink concoction Astoria set it back down on the bar. The combination of strawberry, banana and something else still on her tongue. Perhaps she should remember what this drink was, it was quite tasty. It was then she turned to see Draco still standing behind her, waiting for her to compose herself. She took a few steps towards him, saying softly, "I'm sorry, it's just a lot to take in."
Draco shook his head, "I understand you don't need to apologize. If you need to we can go now, I just had to make an appearance." He told her softly. Astoria thought for a moment, debating what to do. She really did want to leave, but she knew she shouldn't. This was part of the Pureblood society, making and holding up appearances. Astoria had a feeling this would be what she would be doing for the next year, watching her friends and schoolmates go through the same things she was. She would certainly have to attend more, so she had better get used to it. "No, I'm fine. We can stay a bit longer." Astoria finally replied, letting a small smile come to her face to hopefully show she was sincere about her words.
She quickly turned back towards the bar and picked up her drink, downing the rest of the drink in her glass before ordering another and taking that around with her. Astoria didn't intend on drinking it, but she had it more to have something to do with her hands. She let Draco lead them a little bit away from the bar, but not in the middle of the crowd. There were still many people dancing in the middle of the floor while others lingered along the edge like they were. Almost out of habit it seemed Astoria was taking small sips of the drink in her hand as her eyes watched the couples dancing. As she watched her eyes recognized numerous others in the crowd. Even Daphne was there dancing with her husband, much to Astoria's surprise. While she knew she should probably go talk to her sister she just couldn't convince herself to move from that spot.
Astoria was distracted as a waiter came by to take her now empty glass and hand her a new one. She took it without questioning though she didn't remembering finishing her previous one. Those two drinks though certainly had her feeling good. It was then that she felt comfortable enough to leave Draco's side and head to her sisters. While she didn't dance she did give her a brief hug before letting her return to her dancing. Astoria took her time heading back to Draco, seeing him speaking with Goyle and Blaise. She took sips of her drink as she socialized with a few other girls she went to school with. Soon she was standing in front of Draco who was alone once again. By that point she had finished her third drink, Astoria feeling slightly unstable in her high heels.
She let Draco lead them as they walked back past the bar Astoria carefully set the glass down on the bar before heading to the back of the room. Astoria had a rather tight grasp upon Draco's arm. She knew she was probably leaning onto him more than she should, but she didn't want to chance trying to walk on her own and falling in front of all these people. That would be more mortifying than leaning on Draco currently was. It seemed that Draco knew she had had one too many drinks, because she realized he was leading her slowly towards the door, bidding people goodbye as he passed them. No one stopped them on their way to the door and soon they were standing in front of Blaise and Pansy once again.
Once they had bid the engaged couple good-bye they were allowed to leave the house, Astoria breathing a huge sigh of relief once they were a safe distance from the house. "Well that was more than I was prepared for this evening." Astoria finally said, allowing Draco to walk with her down the road. Draco softly smiled before saying, "I know, I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to worry about it more than you needed to. The party wasn't a big deal, it was just something I had to go to, and I needed you to go with me." She felt Draco shrug a shoulder at his words.
Astoria didn't say anything in reply. She understood why he hadn't told her, because he was right in assuming she would make a bigger deal about it than she needed to. But she still didn't like not being told about such things. It just isn't fun to be caught off guard in her opinion. At least if she had had warning she could've mentally prepared herself for the party and all the people she would see. "I understand Draco, just next time; please tell me where we are going, so I can maybe not be so overwhelmed next time." Astoria finally said, noticing her words slur just slightly. That must have been one heck of a drink that bartender gave her.
"I'm sorry for drinking so much; I know that isn't very lady like." Astoria said softly, concentrating on her words so they wouldn't slur. Her mother had always taught her that a lady didn't drink, so for her to be slurring her words and unsteady on her feet wasn't a good thing. Draco quickly shook his head, "Don't apologize, that's what I get for not giving you any warning." He told her as they continued walking down the street. "I would apparate you home, but it's not safe with you so uncoordinated at the moment. It's a short walk to my house, then a little further to yours. Once we get to mine we could always use the floo network to send you home, but that might not help either. It's up to you."
Astoria thought about what options he told her, silently agreeing that they shouldn't apparate. The last thing she needed was to splinch her drunken self and she was sure that would be what would happen if she attempted to apparate at that moment. But she didn't think she should use the floo either, because she agreed with Draco, the spinning certainly wouldn't help either. "Let's just make it to your house then we'll go from there." She finally said, before she thought of something, "Is it your house or your parents' house?" Astoria asked quietly, not sure what she wanted the answer to be.
"It's my house. Or more like one of the houses my family owns, but I'm living in it. I just needed to get away from my parents after everything that happened." Draco replied quietly, not elaborating on why he needed to get away. She could only imagine why he needed to get away from his parents home and wasn't sure whether she wanted to know that answer. Astoria didn't question his answer, instead letting him lead her up the drive of a modest home. She carefully looked up, first noticing that it looked more like a cottage than anything else. But it was big if it was going to be compared to a cottage.
Draco lead her through the front door and she was greeted by cool shades of blues and greens, turning to the left she found the living room, to the right a dining room, with the kitchen behind that. She let herself be lead into the living room and over towards the couch. Astoria sat down upon the couch slowly, watching as Draco sat beside her. She watched as he flicked his wand, causing tea to appear on the coffee table in front of them. With another flick of his wand a fire started in the hearth in front of them, illuminating the room softly. Soon she was being handed a cup of tea as Draco picked his up, leaning back against the back of the couch.
Astoria too leaned back, cupping the tea. She took a few sips, letting the warmth sink its way down to the base of her stomach. After taking another sip she set her cup down on the table before leaning back again. Her stomach still felt unsettled, her head even more so. She let out a slow sigh before speaking, "Draco, I don't think I can floo home, or apparate. I'm still too queasy." She spoke quietly, not meeting his eyes as she said this. Astoria was so ashamed of herself for drinking enough to get this way, it wasn't like her. Draco however put a hand on her arm, causing Astoria to look at him.
"It's fine, I understand. Do you think you're the only person who got a bit carried away? I have a guest room upstairs, even with its own bathroom. You can sleep in there for the night and I will be down the hall if you need anything." Draco quietly said. Astoria could see the sincerity of his words in his eyes, that being what caused her to slowly nod to agree with his words. Draco leaned forward and set his tea down before standing up, offering a hand for Astoria to take. Astoria carefully placed her hand in his, slowly standing up. She watched as Draco waived his wand once more, vanishing the cups of tea.
She let him lead her into the hall and up the small staircase, Astoria concentrating on each step she took so she wouldn't fall backwards. At the very top Draco gestured to the door right at the top on the right. Astoria pushed it open as Draco spoke, "Here you go, the guest bedroom, the bathroom is through that door over there. I'm sure if you dig through the closet you could find some of my mother's old nightclothes. Her and father used to stay here years ago. I will be down the hall in the other bedroom if you need me ok? Sleep well." Draco told her, giving her a kiss on the cheek before turning, going to the door down the hall.
Astoria walked into the modest size room, looking around her. She didn't think this night would have lead to her this moment, but here she was. Astoria sighed as she looked around, not sure really what to do first.