Chapter 9

Astoria avoided Draco all day Tuesday and it was only when Draco was packing up little sandwiches for his picnic with Daphne that he realised he hadn't seen her since Monday night, he immediately regretted not talking to her. He dumped the sandwiches in the picnic basket then ran upstairs, intending to at least just say hello, Draco hesitated, his hand raised ready to knock on her door, from inside the room he heard her breathing quietly and lowered his hand. He felt terrible, the only time he had felt anything close to this was the aftermath of the battle of Hogwarts when he had been sure that his family would end up in Azkaban, he walked back downstairs leaving Astoria to sleep, trying to hide his emotions.

The picnic basket sat ominously on the kitchen table, reminding him of the task in hand. Draco mentally slapped himself, he had to focus, he was a Malfoy, lying and hiding his feelings was in his blood, it was what Malfoys did best. He pulled out his wand and levitated the picnic basket from the kitchen. The rest of the occupants of Malfoy Manor slept peacefully on as he opened the door and walked out into the weak September sunshine. Draco decided to walk, he was early and a walk would give him time to clear his head and get his feelings in order.

Astoria awoke late that morning with a hollow feeling in her stomach, like someone had reached in while she was sleeping and removed her internal organs. Then she realised why and a powerful wave of jealousy swept over her. Astoria wondered why she wasn't crying and all of a sudden she realised she had no tears left, she had to do something.

Meanwhile Draco was trying to look amused at something Daphne had said, even though he hadn't been listening, he took a sip of finest Goblin made wine and checked his watch, he had been sat in the same place for an hour and a half.

"Are you alright Draco?" Daphne's voice cut in interrupting his reverie.

"What. Yes. Of course, I'm fine," he replied, smiling graciously at her.

"You just seen a little distracted," She said, concerned, laying her hand on top of his.

"Sorry."

"It's fine," She said quietly. Then she leaned across and kissed him, Draco closed his eyes and found himself wishing it was Astoria, Daphne's kiss was too eager and tasted of cucumber, and if there was one thing Draco couldn't stand the taste of it was cucumber.

Daphne pulled away and smiled shyly at him.

Draco was a little taken aback after Daphne's kiss, she looked at him nervously, he smiled reassuringly and she relaxed a little. They finished the last of the sandwiches, Draco couldn't help wondering what Astoria was doing, he reached for the ring in his pocket and looked at the girl in front of him, she obviously liked him a lot. Could he spend the rest of his life with her? If Astoria had no feelings for him then he would have to.

"Daphne…Will you…"

Astoria dressed quickly, she had to find Draco, before he proposed. Lucius and Narcissa were sat round the kitchen table reading the daily prophet when Astoria ran in.

"Have you seen Draco?" She asked breathlessly

"He left, over an hour and a half ago, Why?" Narcissa answered

"I just wanted to wish him luck. Do you know where he is?"

"No, sorry."

"That's ok, I'm going to go home today, try and patch things up with my parents."

"I'll tell Draco when he gets home," Narcissa said, then she added "Good Luck."

"Do you mind if I use your Floo, it's easier to get all my things back."

"Go ahead," Lucius said "It's been nice having you here Astoria."

"Thank you sir," Astoria said smiling as she left the room. Her smile dropped as soon as the door closed, Draco had gone, over an hour and a half ago. It was too late, Astoria was going to have to watch her sister walk down the aisle and marry the man she loved. Worse Daphne would ask her to be a bridesmaid. Astoria staggered up the stairs. She could never see Draco again, the pain would be too much.

"Greengrass Manor," She managed to utter as she dragged her things into the fireplace.

"I'm going to have to go," Draco said to Daphne "I have to be back at work."

"Oh," she said a little taken aback "When will I see you again?

"Soon," Draco said as he gathered the picnic things.

Draco appeared outside Malfoy Manor his parents were waiting for him when he walked through the door.

"So," Lucius said impatiently. Draco ignored him and looked directly at his mother.

"I didn't do it. I couldn't"

"Why not Darling?"

"It didn't feel right. I'm going to wait till my twentieth."

"That's two weeks away," Lucius said.

"I know." Draco said bluntly.

"We'll have a party," Narcissa said, an idea blossoming in her head.

"Whatever," Draco said distractedly, noticing someone was missing "Where's Astoria?"

"She's gone," Lucius said "She was looking for you this morning but you'd already left."

"Oh…Well I have to go to work. We'll talk about this later."

Draco dumped the picnic things on the ornate hallstand then turned and left, his parents watched him go with unreadable expressions.

Draco walked into his office and looked out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of Astoria, but her office was empty, he wondered where she could be, his parents said she had gone, he had assumed that that meant she had gone to work. Unless she had gone home. Draco dropped his head on the desk, he felt ill. Astoria was gone. He had to get her back. He had to tell her how he felt. He would do it tonight.

A/N: Sorry about the short chapter but I wanted to end it here because chapter 10 is going to be BIG (Plus I had no more ideas) Thank you to all my reviewers J please continue to review because it makes me feel special and I do a little dance every time I get a good one.