Astoria trembled. She was so disoriented, with no recollection of the past afternoon other than a blurry image of a figure with a wand pointed at her. He had been dangerous.
The figure she'd spotted across the room inched toward her. "Do you remember who you are?" he asked softly.
"My name is Pansy. No, that's not it. My name is Daphne. No, no that's not it either." said Astoria, her voice shaking. "I… my name is…"
She paused. So many names were rushing through her head. She closed her eyes, trying to put faces to the names. "My sister is Daphne. So that can't be me."
She opened her eyes and peered at the figure. He'd stopped approaching her. His eyes looked at her with despair. "Please, keep trying." he said. "You'll remember, you have to remember."
Astoria looked at him confusedly. Who was he, and why was he alone with her in this room? Where was everyone else? She shifted her gaze to the fire. So warm, unlike the snowstorm she'd just been in. She perked up as fuzzy memories rushed into her mind. She looked back at the boy.
"My name is Astoria. I was out in the snowstorm. I must've stayed out too long and passed out from the cold."
She closed her eyes again, fighting to make the blurry images floating in her head clearer. She heard the footsteps of the boy inching closer to her.
"Did you see anyone out in the snowstorm?" he asked gently.
Astoria looked at him. He was now standing in front of the fire, peering down at her. "I was alone. No one was with me."
He let out a sigh. Astoria couldn't tell if it was out of relief or sadness. "I don't think we've met before, what is your name?" she asked.
He looked away. "Draco." he muttered. "I have to go."
He rushed out of the common room. Astoria watched him leave, curious about the boy who had helped her remember. She stood, and felt a slight pain in her abdomen. Astoria's eyes widened as she recognized the sensation, and prayed it wouldn't come again.
Draco kept his distance from Astoria throughout the rest of the holidays. He had to forget about her, and she couldn't get close to him again. He couldn't risk it. The world seemed to have lost its color. Every day, he'd wander up to the Room of Requirement, practice with the Vanishing Cabinet, and then return to the common room. Sometimes he'd see her walking by. She rarely paid any attention to him. He was once again, completely alone, with no one to turn to.
As students piled into the common room, eager to chat with one another about the holidays, Astoria discreetly unfolded a letter she'd read several times since receiving it on Christmas. It was from her parents. She felt so alone, especially now as all her peers barely gave her a glance. Astoria gave a small smile as she again read the familiar words.
Our Dear Astoria,
We miss you so much. We wish we could've brought you with us to America. Daphne is
doing very well here in New York. According to her, this city is bustling with magic. We all went to that popular musical you wanted to see, Phantom of the Opera. We adored every moment of it, and we can't wait to take you to the London production someday. Daphne has asked us to stay with her in New York for a while longer. She hasn't given specifics, but we trust her and her judgement. We'll write you when we're on a flight back home to you.
Love,
Mum and Dad
She carefully folded the letter and placed it in her pocket. She was glad her sister had gotten her parents out of London, far from all the dark magic and danger.
"You read that often. Is it from your parents?" asked a nearby voice. Astoria turned to see who spoke, and saw Draco, shyly gazing back at her.
"Yes. My parents are with my sister Daphne in America. I wish I could be with them. But it's better that they're as far away from here as possible."
"Why do you say that?" asked Draco.
"Oh, I wouldn't want them to get hurt by dark magic."
"I'm sure they can handle themselves. There's nothing to fear if they're Slytherin wizards. I assume they are, since both you and your sister were sorted into Slytherin."
Astoria giggled. "My sister and I actually think they would've been Gryffindors if they'd gone to Hogwarts."
The words slipped out before she realized what she was saying. Draco stared at her, slowly putting together the pieces. He stood and grabbed her arm, dragging her into a nearby corridor.
"What are you doing? You're making a scene. I never said my parents weren't wizards," she said unconvincingly, and in hindsight, rather stupidly. Her saying that only further confirmed his suspicion. His brisk pace quickened even further. He pulled her into a remote corner of the dungeons, and slammed her against the wall, covering Astoria's mouth before she could cry out.
"I don't know how hard you hit your head, Astoria. But you cannot say things like that, especially when you're talking to a Slytherin. She could scarcely hide her terror as she struggled against his firm grip.
"Your parents are muggles, aren't they?" he whispered hoarsely. "You're a mud… muggleborn."
Astoria nodded, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. Draco's grip on her loosened, and she stood, shaking, in front of him.
"So, now what? I'm already an outcast as it is. You can tell everyone about me, it won't hurt me."
She knew this wasn't true. She knew that Deatheaters hated muggleborns. She had been carefully concealed all her life, because her aunt, who did have magic, knew it was a dangerous and cruel world for a wizard with muggle parents.
Draco stared at her, as if he couldn't comprehend what had just been said. "Astoria, you can't tell a soul. I won't tell anyone either. Just don't let something like that slip again." he muttered.
"You're the only one who knows. Ever since I passed out in the snow, so much of my mind feels...damaged. I hope I can trust you." replied Astoria. Draco backed away, offering a small nod, and strode away.
