Chapter 7- Growth
Disclaimer: I have not ever owned Harry Potter, I do not own Harry Potter, and I won't ever own it either.
"Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet."
― Plato
UPDATED: 2 JULY, 2016
The summer holidays had passed prettyquickly. Margaret was overjoyed when both her angels were back home and in front of her all the time. She wanted her children to know how much she missed both of them but she couldn't really do anything about that. So she was satisfied by just making them eat way too many things all day. Even though Astoria and Orion did not like seeing their mother labour in the kitchen all day, they loved her cooking. Cepheus was also very happy seeing both his little warriors back home. It was a bit lonely when their home was only occupied by Margaret and him but they both indeed enjoyed the peacefulness it brought with it.
Astoria had gotten the time to finally confide to her parents in person about how she actually felt about Slytherin. She couldn't hide the brutality she went through in the first few weeks of school from them. Cepheus was easily able to connect with his daughter on that matter. He was also bullied until he finally found his feet and emerged as a big hearted Slytherin, which was very rare. Astoria became one of those rare people as well. She had a big heart and was nowhere near like those rowdy pureblooded bastards.
Astoria had been writing to Neville all summer. He told her about his holidays which had been as boring as hers. Neville had come to her house five or six times and she enjoyed every minute of it. She showed him around her house and around town. Whenever Astoria went to Neville's, his grandma used to tell her about how she thought that he was a squib but was quite surprised when she saw that he indeed had magical abilities.
Astoria also wrote to Ginny, occasionally. Ginny told her about how excited she was to finally attend Hogwarts. Astoria was happy that none of them had shunned her because she was a Slytherin and Ron surprised her most by saying that she was the only Slytherin that he would ever be able to tolerate.
Astoria had woken up early to go to Patrick's house. Patrick was quite startled to see Astoria almost about eleven months later and had surprised her by kissing her left her cheek.
"What was that for?" Astoria said with a confused look on her face, trying to avoid her cheeks from getting red.
"I don't know, I just missed you," Patrick said confidently.
"Oh… oh! Alright… It's just my new school. It's brilliant and I am so sorry that I wasn't able to write to you at all. There were just some bullies who made it difficult for me to comprehend anything but how to run from one class to another and then there was Draco Malfoy, bloody prat I tell you, who was a total pain in the arse and then I met Neville and he…."
"Wait! Neville? Draco? Who are those people?" Patrick asked.
"… oh Neville is my best friend and Draco is my enemy. I mean I never had an enemy in my entire life and then suddenly life throws one at me," Astoria said, waving her hand in the air.
"You should stay away from that boy, Draco. He is bad news," Patrick said as he sat down on the grass, in the park next to his house.
"He is. And you know there is a group of girls, Pansy's group and…"
"Hey, Hey! I don't want to hear anything about your classmates anymore," Patrick extended his hands towards her, beckoning her to sit on the grass, "So now you sit next to me and tell me how have you been?" Patrick said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she sat next to him.
Astoria blinked multiple times, not understanding this change of behaviour. "Are you sure? I might just bore you to hell."
"I don't care as long as I can sit next to you and admire your beau….stories," Patrick said.
"Oh, alright. I missed you, Patrick," Astoria said as she ruffled his hair.
Patrick blushed. "Me too."
"So, as you know my parents decided to send me to the same school as my brother…" They spend the next hour talking simply about that. Astoria hated herself for lying to Patrick but she couldn't tell him secrets like that.
Astoria returned home at about seven o'clock. She was a bit surprised by Patrick's behaviour and decided to ask her mum about it. As she entered the kitchen she saw her mum cooking chicken, its aroma spreading all over the kitchen, and Orion writing a letter. 'Wait why is everyone acting so weird? He never writes a letter to anyone except for mum and dad,' Astoria thought. She shook those thoughts away from her mind and walked towards her mum.
"Mum Patrick's acting weird," Astoria said as she sat on the kitchen table, next to Orion.
"Oh I know, he has a crush on you… And obviously you realized that today. My god Astoria that poor little boy has been trying to charm you since the first day you met him," Margaret said, sighing.
"Mum, how did you know that?" Astoria asked.
"Are you really that blind Tor, even I knew that!" Orion spat, not looking up from his letter.
"Shut up!" Astoria snapped, picking up an onion and throwing it towards him. Orion looked up at her, anger filled in his eyes. He was about to have a wrestling match with her when their mother stopped them.
"No fighting in my house! Orion go and finish writing the letter for your girlfriend…"
" Orion has a girlfriend! Now isn't that precious," Astoria spat.
"My god you are annoying. No wonder you were sorted in Slytherin. Poor Neville..." Orion yelled.
"Enough! Orion, honey please take the ink and parchment in the living room and finish your letter. Now, what was your question darling?" Margaret asked calmly.
Astoria glared at Orion before turning back towards Margaret. "How did you know that Patrick has a tiny crush on me?" she asked.
"Oh, Astoria! I am your mum, I know everything. When you'll be a mum one day then you'll know too," Margaret smiled.
"Mum! I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon."
"Pity! I wanted grandchildren."
"Mum!"
"Sorry! So how is the boy who you complain about a lot? What's his name? Ah… Draco, right?" Margaret said, grinning at her.
"Mum I hate him and he is pathetic and obnoxious and…"
"You know sweety there is a type of relationship where there is a very-very thin line between love and hate. Is the relationship between you both is of that kind?" Margaret.
Astoria stared at her mother in disbelief, "No mum, absolutely not!"
"Fine, sorry! Forgive for thinking like that and now help your poor mum in setting the dining table."
"All right! But just for you." Margaret nodded and kissed Astoria on her forehead.
The second year had begun and Astoria found herself sitting on the Hogwarts express after two months. Neville had found her sitting alone in a cabin and joined her. They sat together and chatted away while eating a full box of Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans. Astoria had bought the 25# edition of The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the mad muggle, for Neville.
"You didn't have to buy me anything Astoria," Neville said.
Astoria smiled, "I know I didn't have to but I wanted to."
Neville squeaked like a little girl and started reading the comic then and there. Astoria was happy. Everything was going great, Malfoy hadn't troubled her since she got on the train, Neville liked her gift and she was not afraid of anyone anymore except of course, Professor Snape. Her thought process was interrupted when Hermione came and sat on the seat opposite to the seat occupied by Neville and her.
"Hermione is everything okay?" she asked.
"No! Everything is not okay because I searched all over the train but was not able to find Ronald and Harry anywhere. Where are they?!" Hermione exclaimed.
"How can they not be on the train? They have to be on the train because if they are not then where are they?" said Neville, looking up from his comic.
That question was later answered at the feast when everyone was talking about Ron Weasley and Harry Potter arriving at Hogwarts on a flying Ford Anglia. Astoria couldn't believe what she had heard and she thought it was absolutely brilliant and seeing the envious expression on Malfoy's face was just the cherry on top to an amazing day.
Next morning as Neville and Astoria sat in the great hall eating their breakfast Ron and Harry entered the Great Hall.
"Hey! Are you both alright?" Astoria asked.
"Yeah!" both Ron and Harry said together.
Astoria and Neville stopped eating and looked up to see a large number of owls circling around the great hall to deliver packages. Neville got a package from his gran and Ron, well he received a howler. It was pretty brutal, 'Poor Ron,' Astoria thought.
The worst thing about second year was that Malfoy had become more arrogant than first year. He had his control over most of the Slytherin's which luckily did not include Astoria. It was a big surprise for Astoria when she heard the shocking news from Neville that Draco Malfoy was the new Slytherin Seeker.
"What the hell! Please tell me that you're joking Neville?!" Astoria yelled. They had been sitting in front of the black lake, under the tree where they became friends.
"I am not joking at all Tor," he said.
"No! This can't be happening, now he will become cockier than ever. THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!" Astoria shouted, she got up and started slamming her head against the trunk of the tree. Neville had to literally pull her back with all his force before she seriously injured herself.
"Don't you think that you are over-reacting Astoria?" Neville questioned her.
"Oh! Yeah! Sorry!" she replied, taking a leaf out of her hair.
"And he called Hermione th-tha-that pathetic word..."
Astoria's mouth dropped open and she looked at Neville in disbelief, "What does that bastard think of himself? I'm gonna…"
"Astoria why are you so angry? Calm down please," Neville said while patting her back.
Soon it was Halloween and everything begun to go very bad. It all started when everyone was heading back to their respective common room when they all stopped at a corridor. There was a large puddle of water on the floor and something was written on the wall.
THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.
There was a dark shadow beneath it and when Astoria realized what it was she leapt backwards, stepping on the person's shoes standing behind her. Mrs Norris, Filch's cat, was hanging by her tail from the torch bracket. Everyone was just standing there, in the middle of the corridor, staring at the wall until someone finally broke the silence.
"Enemies of the heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!" said Malfoy. His face was lit with happiness like the lights on a Christmas tree.
After that everyone else were asked to go back to their common rooms except Harry, Ron and Hermione. As Astoria entered the common room she grabbed Malfoy's robes, preventing him from going to his dormitory.
"What is your problem, Greengrass?" Malfoy snapped.
"What did you mean when you said, 'You'll be next, Mudbloods!' ?"
"You're smart, aren't you Greengrass. Figure it out yourself," Malfoy smirked.
"Aren't you in danger?" Astoria asked.
Malfoy grinned, "Why would I be in danger? I'm a pureblood. I don't know about you." Malfoy smirked again and went towards his dormitory.
Astoria was scared. She told Neville about her insecurities and he tried to make her feel less scared than she already was. He understood Astoria very well after being her friend for almost a year now and knew how to calm her.
Astoria had also noticed that Ginny was quite distant. She didn't even talk to her. They had known each other for years and now she acted as if Astoria was a stranger. She just kept writing in her diary, all the bloody time.
It was the day of the Quidditch match everyone was so eagerly waiting for, Gryffindor Vs. Slytherin. Astoria as always was sitting next to Neville surrounded by all the other Gryffindor's. During the first year they actually threw dirty looks at her but now everyone knew that no amount of them raging can make her go and sit in her side, she didn't feel that she was the out of place but she felt that she belonged where she was. Or she was now not bothered by everyone's opinion of her.
As the Gryffindor Quidditch team players walked out onto the pitch, they were greeted with a roar of noise, mainly cheers, from all the three houses except Slytherin. As the Slytherin Quidditch team players entered, they were greeted with boos and hisses. Astoria was one of the people who actually booed at the Slytherin.
"How does it feel to be a traitor to your own house?" Neville asked, laughing heartily.
"It's the most amazing feeling in the world. Believe me," Astoria grinned as she looked up at the sky, covered with dark grey clouds.
When Astoria heard Madam Hooch's whistle, she tore her eyes off the sky and looked at the players. She spotted Malfoy hovering at one end of the Quidditch pitch as he continued to search for the snitch. 'Maybe Malfoy did work hard to get into the team, maybe he practiced the whole summer on his Comet sixty before his father bought him the new Nimbus 2001. But what are the odds of that happening,' Astoria thought. 'He really should start doing things on his own and not rely on his dad's money too much. It's his life, if one day his family ever goes bankrupt, he might have to make money by dancing in the London Underground tube station. Maybe then I would actually pity him. Shit, focus on the game and not Malfoy's poor future… Focus, Focus and Focus.'
As Astoria looked back towards the Quidditch pitch she felt something drop on her head. She looked up and realized that it was starting to rain. Heavy droplets of water fell, soaking all the Quidditch players and all the audience from head to toe. Astoria was enjoying herself, she loved rain; she was feeling every drop of water falling on her face. She took a deep breath, taking in the atmosphere around her and was now ready to cheer and shout at the top of her lungs.
In the end due to Malfoy's stupidity Slytherin's lost. He was so busy laughing at Harry that he did not even see the snitch floating next to his ear. Harry ended up in the hospital wing because of Professor Lockhart. Astoria bought Harry some muffins from the kitchens, which he really appreciated.
"Thanks Astoria," Harry said.
Astoria smiled at him and said, "No, thank you."
"Why?" Harry asked as he sat there confused by her response.
"Well, you kicked Malfoy's arse today. Now he will just shut up for a few days. A big relief for me," Astoria grinned.
Harry grinned too and said, "It will always remain a mystery to me, you know. How did you got sorted in Slytherin because you are definitely an odd one."
"I don't know myself. Hey, I should go or Madam Pomfrey will murder me. Bye Harry, take care."
A few minutes, she entered the common room she saw all the members of the Slytherin Quidditch team shouting at Malfoy. She stepped closer to see what all that was about when she heard Marcus Flint.
"What the hell Malfoy! The snitch was just next to you but you were too blind to see it. Am I right?!" Flint yelled.
"It wasn't my fault. I promise next time that won't happen," said Malfoy stammered.
"It better not because if it does then you're out of the team," Flint said as he made his way up his dormitory.
Astoria noticed that everyone else had already left the common room. Only Malfoy sat by the fire looking at the wall, as if he was trying to find something. She slowly moved towards him and sat next to him on the couch, though a few centimetres away.
"Are you okay?" Astoria asked.
"I'm fine Greengrass! Now get the hell out of here!" Malfoy snapped.
"I was only trying to help. Stupid Malfoy! Can't you understand when someone is trying to help you?!" Astoria snapped.
Draco simply turned to look at her. As he saw her he smirked, "It's all your fault. If you just had sat with your own house and actually cheered for the correct side, I wouldn't have been distracted by you as you played in the rain like a stupid kid."
"I love rain," Astoria said, looking at the fireplace. "And hey! Don't put the blame of something you couldn't do on me."
"I don't mind rain actually," Malfoy said sadly, looking back towards the wall.
Astoria was astonished; Malfoy was actually disappointed in himself, who would've thought that this day might ever bestow upon Earth. It was a miracle. "You know, you are not a bad seeker. You are satisfactory, you just need more practice. A lot of it. Try to concentrate on the game and not on irritating Harry."
"Says the person who was cheering for Gryffindor," he said.
"Fine! You want to be like that then I am going to leave you alone to sulk. Good night… no bad night, yeah… oh shut up Astoria," she yelled as she ran towards her dormitory.
Malfoy sat in his place getting irritated by Astoria. 'She is so bothersome. Why can't she be more like Pansy? Who cares about that bitch!' he thought. As he got up to finally head to his room he realized that she was right. He had to work on his game. He shook his head in order to remove all the thoughts coming to his mind about Astoria.
"Bloody Greengrass!" Malfoy spat rolling his eyes as once again thoughts about Astoria had taken over his brain.
The rest of the year passed by really quickly. It consisted of parts where Neville and Astoria simply couldn't stop laughing when Malfoy tried to butter up Professor Snape and parts where they couldn't believe what they had heard. The most surprising was when Hermione was attacked.
The professors were working very hard as they continued to brew a potion from Mandrakes to revive all the students who had been petrified. It was later that they heard the news that Ginny was the one who had opened the Chamber of Secrets because Voldemort had managed to enchant her.
Ginny was sent to the hospital wing so that Madam Pomfrey could heal her wounds. As she exited the room, she saw Astoria and Neville standing next to the door, talking in hushed voices. Astoria turned around to look at Ginny who had her head bowed down.
"You alright, Ginny?" Astoria asked.
"Why are you both talking to me after what I did?" Ginny said.
"Because we are your friends. Right, Neville?" He nodded. "Even though you have been ignoring me all throughout the year I…"
"I wasn't trying to avoid you Astoria it's just that…"
"Ginny! Hey, it's alright. Let's just forget all about it, okay. Now everything is fine." No sooner did she finish her sentence than Ginny hugged her. Astoria was speechless but she hugged Ginny back. It was nice to know that a person who didn't talk to you for an entire year still considers you her friend.
This marked an end to Astoria's second year and she was back home. As usual Margaret went into overdrive and prepared her signature dishes for both Astoria and Orion, three times a day. Cepheus made both his kids learn horse riding because he never got a chance to learn it and also because it would be good skill to use in the future.
Astoria had thought that these summer holidays would be just like previous years where she helped her mum sometimes in the kitchen with Orion, Cepheus taking them to an amusement park, writing letters to her friends, visiting Neville's home and spending time with Patrick. But she was wrong because as her thirteen birthday arrived she felt herself getting angry at little things. She had a number of mood swings and she wanted to be alone all the time. She got fed up one day and went to ask her mom the reason behind it.
"Astoria it's all very normal. Don't mind this feeling too much. Your body is changing, it's all part of the process of you becoming a beautiful young woman. Frankly speaking, I hated that phase. I had acne all over my face and I used to get irritated so much. Your grandma and I used to have a lot of fights on what type of clothes I should wear, how to prevent attracting too much male attention and how to be yourself. I wanted to rebel but never got the courage to do so. But thankfully both Orion and you have inherited your father's genes on that and believe me he was very calm and cool minded at this stage which is good... for me at least. Now, why don't you go and try to sleep its getting quite late."
Margaret was right. Within the next month Astoria grew taller than she already was. Her skin did not turn up like her mother but like her father, it got a bit oily occasionally but nothing too major. Her black hair was longer than before though it became harder for her to manage it. Everyday she thought of chopping them off but she just didn't have the courage.
Astoria went to visit Patrick, after a year break, and to her surprise he had grown up too. He was taller than her and now had great teeth due to the regular dentist appointments.
"Astoria Greengrass, is that you! You look even more beautiful than before," Patrick complemented her.
"Shut up!"
"What! I can't even complement a pretty lady?" he exclaimed.
"No! You can't," Astoria said.
"Well I will do that, anyway."
Astoria was grinning from ear to ear.
"I really-really missed you Tor," Patrick said, blushing.
Astoria grinned, awkwardly. "I missed you too."
Later that evening during dinner, Cepheus looked much tensed. Margaret had noticed this and asked him the reason behind it. He sighed and told them about the escape of the mass murderer Sirius Black. The entire ministry was in a state of panic.
A month later Astoria was boarding the Hogwarts train again. Orion had dragged Astoria to sit with him. It was like a nightmare for her, looking at her brother as he shamelessly flirted with his girlfriend and he was not even bothered by the fact that his little sister was sitting in the same compartment as he was. She just had had enough when both of them started kissing and Astoria ran out of the compartment to look for Neville.
As she was walking she heard someone's voice, a person who she had pledged to stay away from, Malfoy. She saw him open a compartment door a few feet away from her. "Well, look who it is, Potty and the Weasel." She ran back towards Orion's compartment to avoid Malfoy. As she entered Orion and his girlfriend, Becky, broke apart to see who had interrupted them.
"Astoria what the hell are you…" Orion said.
"Orion listen to me…" Astoria said. But before she could complete it Orion picked him little sister up and put her outside the compartment and closed the door after mouthing the words 'Come back after ten minutes'.
She gaped at her brother as he went back to kissing Becky. "Pathetic," Astoria thought. As she turned to go towards any other compartment she unfortunately collided with the beast.
"Watch where you're going you... Greengrass! Didn't see you there," said Malfoy, smirking.
"Shove off Malfoy I have to go… somewhere else," said Astoria.
"Alright! Oi Greengrass, I was thinking why we aren't on first name basis, may I ask? We're Slytherins after all," asked Malfoy.
"Because you're a prat Malfoy and I'd rather kill myself than call you by your first name," Astoria spat.
Malfoy smirked, "Oh come on Gre… Astoria, you very well know I'm not that bad."
"I know you have a motive behind this. But I let you win Punk!... Umm... But I guess we can do that... ummm…" said Astoria. 'What was his name? What the hell Astoria? Think! Think! Think! Dammit, I'll just ask him,' Astoria thought. "What was your name again?"
Draco's eyes were wide in disbelief. "You forgot MY name! That's just preposterous. You know what forget what I just said Greengrass," Malfoy went away muttering, "Bloody Greengrass."
She returned to Orion's compartment, smirking to herself. Suddenly the train stopped. "What's happening? We haven't reached yet, then why are we stopping?" asked Becky.
"I don't know," stated Orion, looking outside the window to check for signs of any kind of movement.
Everything went cold; it felt as if no happiness existed in the world. Suddenly they saw something passing their compartment, a hooded figure, a Dementor. All three of them sat very still as it passed them. After a few minutes everything went back to normal. "What was a Dementor doing here?" asked Astoria. "I think it's looking for someone, they guard Azkaban so probably a prisoner," said Orion. "Sirius Black," stated Becky. Astoria and Orion nodded in agreement.
Astoria got off the train and ran into Neville and Ginny who were both looking for her. "Where were you?" both of them shouted.
"Sorry," Astoria muttered.
"Come on now or we'll miss the carriages," Ginny said. They all ran towards one carriage and sat into it.
The next day as all three of them sat in the Great hall eating breakfast they heard a loud noise coming from the Slytherin table where everyone was laughing at a little act set up by Draco and Pansy.
"He is such a coward but in front of his followers he acts like he is not scared of anything. Evil prick!" whispered Astoria to Neville and Ginny.
"Which extra classes have you taken?" asked Neville as he started applying butter to his toast.
"I have taken Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy." Neville nodded.
As breakfast ended and their first class was about to start, Astoria stuffed her mouth with bacon before taking off. She heard Neville yell that he'll meet her in Care of Magical Creatures class.
After lunch, she met Neville standing next to a tree waiting for her and they together walked in the Forbidden Forest. Malfoy, with Crabbe and Goyle, was walking behind them and he continued to insult Hagrid without any fear of being heard. Astoria was hoping that if both, Neville and her, walked very quietly then Malfoy won't notice them but whatever Astoria hopes for, always opposite happens to her.
"Don't tell me Greengrass, is Longbottom your boyfriend because you happen to spend a lot of time with him. It's quite a shock to me really, I thought you could do a lot better than that Greengrass..."
"Do you even think before speaking Malfoy... Oh I'm so sorry I forgot that you don't have a brain to think or understand, so let me make it very clear Malfoy JUST STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM US and even if I was dating Neville, well let's just say that it is none of your business," said Astoria with a smug grin plastered on her face
"Well I just have to say that you have a very bad taste in men," Draco said.
"Maybe because good men like you are so bloody kind hearted and perfect and thus have no time for unimportant beings like myself... You know what, just think whatever you want to because I really DON'T CARE!"
"Feisty! Didn't your parents teach you how to be a lady who specialises in the study of mannerisms?!" Draco smirked.
"Not really. It's only for little girls like you who will one day grow up to be useful assets to their husbands..."
"What the...!"
Neville grabbed Astoria's hand and led her towards the other side. "Leave it Astoria, it's just a waste of time," Neville said. They reached a kind of paddock. There was nothing in there.
"Everyone gather 'round the fence here!" Hagrid called. "That's it - make sure yeh can see - now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books -"
"How?" said the cold, drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. Astoria couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Eh?" said Hagrid.
"How do we open our books?" Malfoy repeated. He took out his copy of The Monster Book of Monsters, which he had bound shut with a length of rope. Astoria had tied her book with a rope too and she was quite hesitant in opening her own book.
"Hasn' - hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" said Hagrid, looking crestfallen. The class all shook their heads. "Yeh've got ter stroke 'em," said Hagrid, as though this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Look -"
Hagrid took Hermione's book and showed the class how to open their books.
Astoria stroked it and finally was able to open it. Neville was still struggling though. Astoria tried to dust off the dirt sticking on Neville's cloak as he had fallen while opening his book. Astoria heard Draco mocking poor Harry, again and this time he had reached a new low.
They now looked towards the paddock and saw a dozen bizarre creatures, Hippogriffs. Hagrid started explaining to them all about Hippogriffs and their behaviour. As usual Malfoy wasn't listening and Pansy was listening intently to whatever he was saying.
Harry was the only one brave enough to go near them. But this was something which was not tolerated by Draco Malfoy. According to Astoria, that was the best Care of Magical Creatures ever.
"I think I am in love with Buckbeak," Astoria whispered in Neville's ear. Neville couldn't help but laugh.
But Astoria's happiness was only short lived because soon enough she found herself standing outside the hospital wing, on Snape's orders, to deliver Malfoy his homework assignment. Astoria groaned to herself as she entered the hospital wing and saw Malfoy lying on a bed, clutching his arm and a smirk playing on his face.
Astoria dropped his homework on his bed near his leg and said, "Here is your bloody assignment."
"Easy Greengrass!" Malfoy said.
Astoria simply rolled her eyes. "You are such bothersome idiot! You are only pretending to be hurt, I know," she scowled.
Draco smirked, "As I said, you need to learn the correct way to talk to patients."
She looked all around the room to find that none of his so called friends were there. "Where are all your friends?" she asked in a bored tone.
Draco simply shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, probably in the common room. Why? Did you fancy seeing anyone here so you could snog the hell out of him?"
"What type of friends you have? They don't not even bother to visit you when you are in the hospital wing, maybe Malfoy has a bad aura which only attracts lame people," she said.
"You're here," Malfoy stated, looking directly into her eyes.
Astoria stared at him in disbelief. "You are one weird boy. Anyways, you look fine… and I should take my leave now."
"Asto…." Before Draco could say anything, she waved at him and walked out of the hospital wing. 'Did I make her uncomfortable,' Draco thought. He shoved all those ideas out of his head and started looking at the rolls of parchment kept next to his feet.
With Dementors floating all over the school, Sirius Black entering the castle and the flight of the fat lady, every student was in a state of panic. When the portrait of the fat lady was attacked by Sirius Black, everyone had to assemble in the Great Hall. All the members of each house had occupied a particular corner of the Great hall. Astoria was stuck with her sleeping bag next to the insolent prat, Malfoy. They hadn't acknowledged each other after their meeting in the Hospital wing. Pansy was furious because her sleeping bag was not next to or near Draco's.
As Astoria tucked herself in the sleeping bag, she noticed Draco glaring at her. She felt uneasy with his deep grey eyes staring at her. He didn't have his smirk on his face but he did look like a ghost. She was scared, that was quite obvious because she was literally shivering. She didn't at all look like the confident Astoria that she always was. Draco, as a matter of fact, had noticed this.
He placed his arms behind his forehead and sighed. Astoria was trying her best to understand his strange behaviour since the day she had a small chat with him in the hospital wing.
"What do you reckon will happen?" Malfoy asked in hushed tones.
"I hope they can find Sirius Black before any other incident takes place."
"You're right. Father will not be happy about me sleeping on the floor, these kind of thing is for peasants like you."
"Yeah... true, very true," Astoria spat, rolling her eyes. She just drifted off to sleep after that, not wanting to irritate her already worried mind over a conversation with Malfoy.
"Night, Greengrass," Draco said, knowing already that she wasn't listening.
The Quidditch final had arrived soon, Gryffindor Vs. Slytherin. It was the match everyone was looking forward. Astoria and Neville as always sat together, cheering Gryffindor. Both of them were holding the banner 'LIONS FOR THE CUP'. Like last year Astoria booed for the Slytherin team. When Draco had walked on the Quidditch pitch, he looked directly towards her. It was like he already knew that she was sitting in that place.
Gryffindor had won, it was a close call but the Lions were the best. There was no doubt in that. Astoria and Neville rushed towards the place where Harry was holding the trophy. After chanting for Gryffindor for a few minutes, she looked towards the Slytherin team. They were heading towards their changing room, disappointed. She excused herself from the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Rawenclaws and headed towards the changing room.
She saw Malfoy leaning against the tent, his head bowed down and she could hear someone sobbing. 'Is Malfoy crying?' Astroia thought. She slowly walked towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, Malfoy," she spoke very softly.
He flinched at her touch. She quickly removed her hand and stood right in front of him.
"You effing little bitch, you think crying will give the win? Of course not! You should've known what you had gotten yourself into after bribing your way in the team," she snapped.
"I am not crying. I am overjoyed that we lost even after hours and hours of practice," he snapped back.
"Well then work even more hard the next time. Crying is the last resort anyone should stoop to. It indicates that you have given up. I thought my mortal enemy wasn't such a softy. Come on Malfoy, don't be too hard on yourself. So you lost, big deal! It's not the end of the world."
She heard someone calling her name and sighed. "Look I gotta go. But you can't just give up this easily. I am not saying because I want to be your friend or anything like that. I am just kind to people who cry in front of me. Take care, maybe spending some time with your shitty friends and insulting me in the common room, with everyone watching, will ease some of that pain." She punched him softly on the shoulder before running towards the castle.
Draco kept looking at her, trying to comprehend what had just happened. There was one thing that he could not deny about Astoria, she was an intelligent girl. He had to punch his own chest and accept that reality.
As the year ended something had surely changed. But that something was not realized by either of them any time sooner.
"Have you met that Patrick guy, dad?" Scorpius asked.
"Yeah! Your mum and I went to his wedding in New York. He was kind of surprised to see me because your mum had said many bad things about me. But it was nice there. And you know the best thing that Astoria told me in our hotel room there.."
"What?" both Emily and Scorpius asked.
"That she was pregnant with you, Scorpius."
Scorpius and Emily grinned at each other.
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