A/N: I am actually getting towards the plot... thank god.


It has been a few days after the werewolf incident.

I sat on my secretary chair, and went over the aftermath.

I wonder if I am suitable person at all, if I am capable of anything that was thrown in my way.

I could not think of any other way to make up of this mess. Recently, I've been avoiding Malfoy and Zabini. I've been also avoiding my mother.

I could only imagine the fury that Coronus Nott is capable of when he found out that his only son has been turned into a werewolf.

I shuddered at the thought. I couldn't think of another reason or another way in which I am able to escape this vicious circle. This is more than anything that Hagrid is able to pull up. I've been a more trouble maker than Hagrid.

This makes me feel even worse.

Thank god Malfoy didn't let me do any work today. I just sat on my own desk and did some paper work.

Until it came.

I heard a huge bang on the front door of Hades, and then appear the actual Mr. Nott, who was absolutely furious.

He took no time having trouble to find my desk. Then he walked towards me and said very clearly, "did you loose my son, and caused him to turn into a werewolf?"

I was so intimidated by his presence, that I got scared and almost on the verge of crying.

Before he could speak, the Malfoy door opened with a loud BAM! And Malfoy walked out, looking very polite, with a smile on his face.

"Dear Mr. Nott. My father has always been asking about your health." Draco said softly.

"Tell him he is very kind." Nott said, irritated.

"Certainly." Draco said, "What business do you have here, Mr. Nott?"

Nott pointed to me, and said, "I need to ask this girl a question."

I shuddered.

"Well." Draco said slowly. "I am sure you have something better to do than to interrogate my fiancée."

"…."

If I wasn't already terrified of the situation I would actually speak up against it.

"Fiancée?" Nott asked, obviously beginning to weight in his options.

"Yes." Draco said with confidence, "I am sure, any damages were done is able to be made up with whatever amount of financial…"

"Do I look like I am poor, you arrogant little boy?" Nott asked, raged.

"I assure you, Mr. Nott. I have no intention of implying it. As you have known, I practically grew up spending summers in your summer house. It is not easy to forget the luxury lifestyle you live in, if you may pardon any faults or accusations I fling to your way, please forgive me. They were all unintentional."

I stared at Draco in almost a dreamlike way. He's so capable and independent, I always knew that, but for the first time today I actually encountered it.

Nott seems to unable to find a suitable punishment for me. Then he said coldly, "I wish for her to be sent to Azkaban."

I shivered.

Draco played with his pen, and asked softly, "is this your only conclusion, Mr. Nott?"

Nott said with force. "She turned my son in to a werewolf. I think it is suitable for her to be sent to Azkaban."

I have never encountered a dementor. But based from stories of my siblings and friends, apparently it's not a thrill. Imagine being in that kind of situation for every single day, and every moment of it.

"Dear Mr. Nott." Draco chuckled a little, and then said seriously. "I am afraid it is not Astoria who set the werewolf on to poor Lucas. There is a conspiracy involved. As you know it is not quite a full moon that day, and the werewolf captured is refusing to speak of the man behind the screens. Maybe you could head down to the interrogation unit and help with that situation."

Nott narrowed his eyes at me, and then said, "it seems that you are determined to protect her until the end."

Draco laughed; he walked over and then wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "It's only natural, to protect ones fiancée."

Nott seems irritated, "Can't the girl speak for her self? Is she mute?"

"Sir." Draco said with respect in his voice, "If you want to settle another way, I am glad to impose on calling to the elder purebloods and have a council meeting. But as you may know, the last time we had that was when Voldemort rose to power."

Nott said coldly, "I am well aware of that. Mr. Malfoy. May I also suggest that the first time I saw you; you were even able to speak."

"Fortunately I am able now." Malfoy said.

I shivered again. He felt it, and took my hand and squeezed it slightly.

I leaned against him, unconsciously realizing I was hoping for him to be my shield against everything that was thrown towards my way.

"Fortunately indeed." Nott simply said, and then turned his back against us, and walked down the halls.

Draco still held onto my hand. I buried my head in his chest for a long time.

Then after a while, he said in a quiet voice. "We are going to have dinner together."

"Who?" I asked.

"Me, you, Blaise, and the Potters and the Weasleys."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Potter is on this case. He is the lead in investigation in which wizard that set the werewolf on Lucas Nott. Granger is the head of Regulations of Magical Creatures."

I nodded quietly.

Draco kissed my forehead, and said, "It's going to be fine."

I believe him.


I feel more and more intimidated by the minute.

In front of us there is Blaise, Harry Potter, Neville, and Ginny. Draco sat quite close to me, and I was so nervous I couldn't bring myself to look up to everybody in present.

It felt sort of like a mini little student reunion. Class of the awesomest.

Harry Potter mainly asked me some questions about the incident. For example, if I know who Lucas Nott was, and if I noticed he was gone and stuff.

After the questions, came the dinner. Ginny and Neville chatted happily, Zabini and Malfoy exchanged conversations, and Harry Potter was talking to everybody from time to time. I, on the other hand, began to cut up my steak to the point of mincing it.

"I might have mentioned that Astoria is about to become the future Mrs. Malfoy." Draco said while taking a sip of his wine.

I sighed, and made no comment.

Ginny Weasley looked at us, and said cheerfully, "congratulations!"

Draco said thank you, and rose his glass.

We toasted.

Harry narrowed his eyes at Draco, and said, "Malfoy. Is this decision that you made… did you make it before or after this incident?"

"After." Draco said.

Harry was about to open his mouth to speak, but no word came out. So he ate his mushrooms.

I stood up, and excused myself and ran to the washroom.

I sat on the toilette, and wanting to cry.

How can there be financial payments? The Greengrass family is about as poor as a church mouse. Our finances have collapsed after Dad left. Mother went crazy with gambling addictions, and Daphne is of no help at all.

Even if Draco had said that we are engaged, how is it possible for me to repay him after what he did for me? I seriously doubt that I can be his maid forever.

I feel so cold.

Then I heard a knock on the door.

"Astoria?" Came a soft voice.

I was startled. I opened the door, and saw Ginny Weasley.

"Hello." She said, smiling slightly.

I stared at her, even when her stomach is slightly bloated, she still looks so wonderful.

"Mrs. Potter." I said, quickly averting my eyes.

"Haha, please call me Ginny. All friends do."

I forced out a smile slightly.

"Astoria, this is nothing compared to the troubles we have been getting to nearly a decade ago."

I shuddered.

"Astoria. You should know that this is not your fault. Since you clearly told the students to stay in groups, and Teddy told me this is not their first time ventured into the Forbidden Forest, so even if it comes to a ruling the court will go in your favour."

"I couldn't afford to go in to court." I said softly.

She smiled, and took my hand.

"If it's any financial penalties you are worried about, it's silly. In fact, despite Harry's annoyance, didn't Malfoy already say he would rather settle this financially?"

"But I am not his fiancée!" I whispered. "He just made it up to save me!"

"Things happen for a reason, dear." She said merely. Then chuckled at the thought, "maybe I will be able to go to your wedding with my newborn child."

I ignored the first part of that sentence. Then said with interest, "What are you going to name… him or her?"

"If it's a boy, I think James. Naturally. If it's a girl… I think… Lily Luna."

I said, "I think Lily Luna is a perfect name."

Ginny smiled, and said, "Thank you, now come on, Hermione came."

As we reached the table, I saw Hermione and Ron Weasley.

This day just gets weirder and weirder.

Everyone at the table looks somehow way more appealing that I am. I wonder if it's the fact that they all have been through so much, being the main characters of participating in the battle of Hogwarts. By then I was not even old enough to utter a repel spell.

"I'm sorry we are late." Hermione said to Ginny and me.

Ron, on the other hand, was ordering endless amount of food on the menu.

I smiled at her, and not trusting myself to speak, and sat down next to Draco.

"So, Granger." Draco said lazily. "How was the interrogation of that werewolf?"

"No thanks to you." Hermione said angrily. "Did you suggest Coronus Nott to barge in to my department to interrogate the creature?"

"I may have hinted it." Draco said, not avoiding the accusation.

I pulled on Draco's robe slightly.

He leaned in and said, "Yes, love?"

Everyone present was staring at us, so I said lamely, "I lost my appetite."

Draco smiled at me, and said, "if you feel unwell, let me take you home."

I stuttered, "but… but everybody is here…"

"You can leave if you are feeling sick." Hermione said, "We can take care of it here."

I looked at Draco, who was already putting on my jacket for me,

My eyes glanced at everybody present, and then I said an almost inaudible thankyou.

They smiled, and Draco merely tilts his head towards Blaise, who nodded in exchange.

As we were about to leave, suddenly Ron Weasley said, "Malfoy, you are treating us, aren't you?"

I turned around, and saw him stuffing himself, while waving his hand in the air. His wife looks embarrassed, whereas his other friend and sister just look very indifferent towards his behaviour.

Something about him reminded me of the person that I once was when I was never plagued by the harsh reality of the world.

I burst to laughter, and aware slightly that everyone was staring at me.

I couldn't contain it. This laughter just went on and on and on, this situation wasn't hysterically funny or suitable, but I simply laughed and laughed.

Until my laughter turned into a fit of giggles, Draco then patted my back, and let me finish.

"Let's go, Astoria." He said, "I am glad at least something made you laugh today."

I nodded with tears in my eyes.

He turned to Weasley, and said, "As for your question, I believe Blaise has the sufficient fund for this dinner."

Blaise simply raised his glass as a gesture.

We turned around; I heard Ron Weasley muttered, "Ignorant spoiled rich git, he never change…"

Hermione was scolding her husband, "well, that was rude!"

"What? I simply asked if he would treat me. I think I will order more if he…"

"Ron!"

"What? This is a free meal!"

Draco sighed, and said, "ignore him."

I just lay my head on his shoulder, and letting myself absorb his warmth.