Chapter Seven:

Never go, never hide, you and me, you and I. If you let my soul out, it will come right back to you.

When the door to her bedroom finally opened, Astoria nearly jumped. Though she had been watching the door for almost an hour, its opening was still a surprise. She watched as Draco exited the room, wearing what he had on the day before. His hair was damp and Astoria wondered how she hadn't been able to hear the water running.

"Sneaking out are we?" Astoria stated lazily as she stood up and brought her now empty mug to the kitchen sink. She watched out the window as she waited for Draco's reply. When it didn't come she turned and found him staring at her, "What?"

Draco's eyes roamed her body before moving to her eyes, in all their years together he didn't think he'd ever get used to how much emotion her eyes showed. Always full of life, no matter the situation. It wasn't until later in their marriage that he stopped being able to read the emotions in her eyes, and later still when he realized they only had one: exhausted.

He watched her still, even after her second question. He had so much to say, so much to apologize for. Not just last night, but everything. He didn't know where to begin, or how to even say it. Draco watched as Astoria's eyes searched over his face, she could always tell when he was in distress.

"Astoria, look," Draco began, settling himself down at her kitchen table. "What happened last night, it wasn't planned, okay?"

Astoria raised an eyebrow, planned? Did he honesty think that was something either of them had planned? Did he really think that she had planned it?

"I know, it was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened." Astoria said, sitting down across from Draco. She pretended not to see his wince when she said what had happened was a mistake. She had heard what he had said last night, she only wishes that she were as drunk as he thought she was.

Though he had winced, Draco nodded. He was with Hermione, and she was apparently with Ron- Draco pretended that information didn't hurt him. And why should it? A voice asked him, you left her.

"So we both agree then?" Astoria asked, watching Draco carefully. "We won't speak of this, to anyone- And it doesn't change anything, right?"

Draco watched Astoria, letting her words run through his mind. In many ways, it did change everything, but he knew that wasn't what she wanted to hear. Astoria had finally, finally! moved on. At least it looked that way to him, and what was the Muggle saying? If you love something, let it go? Well, then this was him letting her go. Nine years of being together, seven years of marriage- all of it. Gone.

Done.

It's for the best, Draco thought. And with that he nodded, "Right. Nothing's changed."

Except everything, a voice whispered which he promptly ignored. With a small smile, he bid Astoria goodbye and promised to pick Scorpius up at normal time on Friday.


A/N: Short chapter because I feel bad for not updating in, like two months. Sorry about that by the way. Life had just been really, really busy. I've graduated high school, so yay! Also, I don't know when I'll update next, maybe later this month, maybe next month. I never claimed to be frequent.