Draco looked over himself in the mirror. He had not worn his dress robes since the Yule Ball. He had not believed until now how much the years showed on his face, granted, now wearing the silver tie and links Daphne and Goyle had given him, he looked grown. But more than that, he could see the beginnings of haggard lines, worry creasing his brow. He sighed. The handle clicked and he turned, seeing Goyle in his fine black robes, looking more massive and intimidating that ever. They looked at each other for a long moment before Goyle grinned sheepishly.

"Just like old times, eh?" He said, pulling two glasses from behind him. Draco watched as he poured two heavy fingers of firewhiskey. Even at the bachelor party, Goyle had barely had a drink.

Goyle handed him the other glass.

"To Crabbe." He said gruffly, looking away from Draco toward the floor. Draco felt a tembling in the pit of his stomach. Crabbe should have been here. He would have said something idiotic about them looking like a gaggle of girls in their dress robes. Just like he had the night of the Yule ball. Draco swallowed, but even so, his voice shook as he raised his glass.

"To Crabbe." The clinking of the glasses sounded hollow, and the two men drank deeply. Goyle shook his head, as though trying to rid himself of the memories.

"Well at least you're here." He smiled, pounding Draco on the back and almost knocking him to the floor. Draco laughed hollowly, wishing Astoria were there to muss his hair or to hold his hand. She was in the next room, with Daphne and Pansy. Theodore Nott walked into the room, looking at the two men questioningly before spotting the bottle of firewhiskey.

"For courage, eh?" Theo said, laughing and taking Draco's glass, pouring himself a large drink. "Nervous, Goyle?"

Goyle shook his head, but his brow was creased with worry. Draco could sense his tension, and it seemed Theo could too.

"Well don't be, mate. Daphne's a top notch girl." Theo winked. "Still don't know how you managed that."

...

Draco stood between Goyle and Theo at the end of the aisle as the snow fell softly around them. Mrs. Greengrass was already sobbing in the front row, and Mrs. Goyle reached over and patted her knee awkwardly.

A beautiful sound, like bells of pure silver moving in time, began to permeate the room. Goyle looked over at Draco, his eyes red, and Draco nodded, giving him a tight smile. The procession was starting.

Pansy came first, in her long silver gown. She stared into Draco's eyes as she moved down the aisle, and he tried not to look at her. Seeing the witch coming toward him, her eyes hungry, he felt a shiver of revulsion. Then there was only Astoria.

Draco felt that he heard the whole room gasp. Her hair was clipped back, with silver beads decorating the glossy locks. The silver of her dress seemed to flow over the ground. She was flushed in the cold, prettier than he could have imagined possible. She caught Draco's eye and he grinned, and unthinkingly he grinned back. The soft blue moonflowers of her bouquet reflected in the white hollow of her throat. She moved to the other side, then the music changed, a deeper, warmer bell ringing out.

Daphne was lovely. Her hair was piled high on her head, and her dress seemed to glow, whiter even than the snow. The gown had clearly cost a fortune. Draco saw Goyle take a shaking breath at the sight of her, and reached out, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. Goyle smiled, never tearing his eyes away from Daphne.

The Ministry wizard muttered over them, waving his wand over Daphne and Goyle's clasped hands. Draco looked over in time to see Astoria wipe away a stray tear. She was staring at her sister, her eyes bright.

Then it was done. Draco took Astoria's arm, leading her after the couple down the aisle.

"Are you alright?" He whispered.

Astoria nodded, "It was perfect." She whispered. "All that planning, and it was absolutely perfect. She looked so beautiful." She whispered.

Draco leaned in. "Not as beautiful as you."

Astoria laughed, wiping at her cheeks again. Daphne and Goyle were busy greeting the guests, while sweet music began to drift from the ballroom, beckoning them. The party made their way into the warmth of the room, seeing the ceiling, hanging with silver draperies, whirling over them like moving stars. Astoria moved to a small table with Draco, but just as they were about to settle in, Daphne looked up, waving Astoria over. Astoria gave Draco a small shrug as she went to her sister. He watched her moving over the dance floor, almost in time with the music.

He looked up as a woman sat across from him, momentarily startled.

"Pansy?" He said quietly.

"Hello Draco." She purred, leaning into the table.

"What do you want?" He looked after Astoria, seeing her caught in deep conversation with Daphne. Pansy took his cheek in her hand and turned him back to face her.

"I was merely passing. It's been quite a while since I've had a chance to talk to you alone." She simpered at him, and Draco stared at her, hardly believing her boldness.

"I must say, my feelings were quite hurt after that little girlfriend of yours pulled that nasty trick on me." She said slowly, trailing one finger across the table toward him. Draco leaned away from her.

"You should leave, Pansy." He said, his face dark. She pouted.

"Now, Draco, I'm only hear to give you some friendly advice." She leaned further across the table, only inches away from him, her silver dress was moving dangerously low. "Your Astoria Greengrass, well, she may seem like a good little girl, but I must assure you she is not." She dropped her voice to a whisper. "There's a lot you don't know about her, Draco, and I would watch myself if I were you."

"Stop." He glared. "Just stop, Pansy. I'm happy. Leave Astoria alone."

Her eyes narrowed. "Well I would," she drawled. "But I feel it's my duty, as your friend to warn you that while you may be oh-so devoted to your little romance, Miss Astoria certainly is not." She smirked. "Ask her about the Weasley boy. They were getting very cozy the other evening."

"Excuse me." Astoria's voice came from behind them. Draco sighed in relief as Pansy moved back from him, he eyes sliding to Astoria. For a moment she looked furious, but then her face smoothed into polite disinterest as Pansy stood.

"Let me know if you ever come to your senses, Draco. I'll be waiting." Pansy said, giving Draco a silky smile before sweeping quickly past Astoria. Draco looked after her a moment, then turned back to Astoria, who looked slightly amused.

"Did I interrupt something?" She asked, her eyes twinkling.

"She's just trying to stir up trouble." He muttered.

"Let me guess, she's trying to lure you away from me. For your own good, I'd imagine."

Draco looked her over. She seemed completely unperturbed by Pansy's presence at the table now. Somehow it seemed unnatural.

Draco glanced at her, worriedly.

"Astoria...may I ask you something?"

"Of course."

He swallowed. "What do you do, I mean while I'm at work? Pansy said something, and well...I realized we never really discussed it."

Astoria's face drained, she looked at him seriously.

"Draco, do you trust me?"

He watched her face, she looked terrified. "I do." He said slowly.

She closed her eyes, "Then please trust me when I tell you that I cannot answer that."

His eyes widened. "But-."

"Draco." Her voice was hard. He looked at her, her dark eyes boring into him and he nodded slowly.

"Excellent." Just as quickly as her mood had become serious, she was light and jovial again. She pulled him to the dance floor.

That Weasley boy.