happy late holidays! hope you like sadness and being sad. :)
Draco woke up that morning to the soft sound of rain pattering around his flat. Once the haze of sleep left him, his first thought was of Astoria. How was she? What might she be doing? Was she thinking of him just as he was of her?
He often wondered if he made her heart jump the same way she made his. It was not a feeling he was used to, but he didn't think he would ever get tired of it. His parents would surely call it puppy love, but just the sight of her could make his day.
He began magically brewing himself a cup of coffee while daydreaming of when he might see her again. He thought briefly that maybe he should be embarrassed of how love-struck he was over a younger girl, but he would picture her glittering smile and he wouldn't care anymore.
He didn't particularly feel like going anywhere, allowing himself a lazy Sunday. He passed the time tidying up a little, reading, and even attempting to teach himself a few dishes. He was glad to be on his own, but he sorely missed having a house elf.
Night fell, and he sat down on his leather couch and sipped some tea, flipping through an old alchemy book. He was just considering drafting a letter to Astoria when he heard a soft knock at the door. He paused, unsure as to whether he had even heard it at all. He rarely got visitors.
Draco was just about to write it off as a trick of the rain when he heard the knocking again. He stood up and looked down at himself, suddenly insecure about his appearance. He straightened his long-sleeved tee and dark lounge pants, carding his fingers through his hair and heading for the door. He cracked it open, surveying his visitor with suspicion.
As if she had answered his silent prayers, Astoria was there on the other side. Her hair and clothes were damp, and her face was marked by a few pink splotches. Her eyes were glassy and red, and she was sniffling.
"Astoria, hello," he said, smiling and opening the door wide.
She didn't return the gesture. Instead, she looked down at her shoes and let out a shuddering breath.
Draco's smile fell. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly. She shook her head minutely, still not looking at him. He put a tentative hand on his shoulder and gently ushered her inside, mentally kicking himself for letting her stay out in the rain as long as he did.
He led her to the couch with his hand on the small of her back and sat down close to her. She wrung her hands in her lap, looking at anything but him. His stomach tingled with dread. She had surely come to break off their relationship. He took a deep breath and swallowed, steeling himself for the inevitable.
"Astoria?" If she was going to do it, he didn't want her putting it off. Best to get it out of the way and let him begin to get over her. She finally met his eyes, a few tears leaking out. Then, she flung her arms around his neck and held him in a tight embrace, sobbing into his shoulder.
Surprised, he wound his arms around her and pulled her close. He was now less sure that she was here to break up with him, but that wasn't much of a relief to him. What could have her coming over in the rain unannounced and reduced to tears. He had never imagined her in such a state. Whenever he was with her, a smile seemed to be permanently etched upon her features.
His heart was breaking as he held her. She wasn't supposed to be this sad. He wished she would tell him why, but now was not the time for talking. She could tell him later, or not at all. What mattered most was keeping her close as she cried, and everything else came second.
He leaned back with her into the couch cushions. Her sobs had quieted, back to sniffling occasionally. Her hand was on his chest, fingering the neckline of his shirt. Draco rubbed his thumb up and down her arm, unsure of what to say. It was getting late, and they would have to go to sleep at some point. Astoria's eyelids were already drooping.
Content as he was to remain like that with her forever, he knew it wasn't practical. Eventually, Astoria's eyes closed fully and her breathing evened out. Draco smiled wistfully and watched her sleep for a few moments. Her face was more peaceful, as it was supposed to be.
Slowly, carefully, he put a hand under her legs and carried her bridal-style toward his bedroom. She stirred, but otherwise showed no signs of waking. He set her on the side of the bed he doesn't sleep on and covered her with a soft blanket. He brushed some hair from her face and made to set up a bed for himself in the living room, but Astoria's hand on his wrist stopped him.
"Stay," she whispered, almost too soft to be audible. Draco blushed madly, but the look on her tear-stained face left him no room for negotiation.
Words failing him, he nodded, and climbed into bed, keeping a respectful distance from her. He heard her sigh comfortably, and she buried her face into the fluffed pillow. He rolled over to face her, and she was facing him, too. Her hand was resting perfectly in the middle of the distance between them both, almost like an invitation. Closing his eyes, he placed his hand atop hers and gently squeezed her fingers. He heard her sigh happily, and they both drifted off to sleep.
hmm... i wonder what she could be so upset about... leave a review and let me know what you think! thanks to all the guests who have been reviewing as well. i wish i could pm you, but just know i appreciate all of your support!