Astoria

Chapter 9: Dinner (2001)


It wasn't long until Draco and Astoria were not seen without the other at different socialite events. At first, people were weary of the pair, afraid that Draco would corrupt innocent, demure Astoria. But after a while, it was very much the opposite effect; Astoria cleaned up Draco's act and made him more approachable.

Astoria was a non-biased ear for Draco to vent to about what had happened several years ago. Thankfully, she did not hold any of what he did against him. Besides, according to Astoria, Draco was a lovely young man who wanted nothing more than a quiet existence. Draco had an interest in collecting dark magical objects but that did not concern Astoria; she knew it was just a hobby, just like his fascination with Alchemy.

Draco has been over the Greengrass household countless times, but not once did Draco take Astoria to see his family. He truly loved the Greengrasses because of their tolerance for Muggleborns and liberal views on Muggles. It was quite refreshing.

Astoria begged Draco to bring her over to meet his parents, but, rightfully so, he was hesitant to oblige. But things started to get serious within the year, so Draco reasoned that it was only a formality.

But Astoria knew how prejudice his family was, especially his father. As much as she wanted to be respectful, she wanted to change their minds about Muggleborns. After all, they were not as bad as the Wizarding World made them out to be.

"I know you're excited," Draco warned her. "But I want you to remember that my mother and father are not like your family."

She touched up her hair in the foyer mirror. "I'm aware. We won't have any problems." She kissed his cheek. "I promise."

"Seriously, don't provoke him."

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," she reassured him, touching his hand. "Unless your father provokes me."

Draco gave her a skeptical look, to which she chuckled. "I'm joking," she said to rid him of his worry. Honestly, she wasn't sure if she was joking. The last thing she wanted was for Draco's family to think she was disrespectful. She prepared to the best of her ability, going off of what she knew about them from her parties. Then again, she always ended up avoiding them because she didn't want to deal with their conservative opinions.

The Malfoy Manor was dark, a drastic contrast from the white peacocks strutting about the front garden. Astoria was rather impressed, but gave Draco a cheeky grin.

He blushed. "My father has an eccentric taste."

"I see that…"

Draco placed his hand on the door knob, but did not open the door. He took a deep breath in and let it out fast. Astoria thought this was a bit odd but put a hand on his shoulder for support. He glanced down at her, not smiling, but somehow she understood him.

They were greeted by their House Elf, who looked completely submissive and frightened in his potato sack of a garment.

"Master Malfoy, sir," greeted the House Elf with a very low bow. "May Hokey take your cloaks?"

Still stunned at how grimy Hokey appeared, Astoria allowed Draco to take off her cloak and throw them to the poor thing. Her House Elf, Cleo was always clean and proper. Her family would never let their Cleo look like this.

Draco grabbed her hand and led her to the parlor, where Mrs. Malfoy was lighting the candles on the crystal chandelier. With a cough from Draco, Mrs. Malfoy turned, surprised. Her face simply lit up with happiness. "Oh, Draco!" her voice aired with sophistication. "I didn't hear you come in." She hugged her son softly, while Astoria stood there awkwardly.

"Hello, mother," he greeted. When they parted, he put his arm around Astoria's small waist. "I'd like to introduce you to Astoria Greengrass."

"Yes, of course," smiled Mrs. Malfoy, eyes sparkling. "We've met before, but we've never had a chance to talk."

Although she got a terrible vibe from Mrs. Malfoy, Astoria curtsied. "That obviously has to change. It's wonderful to see you again, Mrs. Malfoy."

Draco's mother nodded politely, lips pursed together. "Please, sit," she gestured to the couches in the parlor. "Lucius should be down in a moment."

They all sat down, but Mrs. Malfoy got up once more. "Would anyone like a drink? Brandy? Scotch? Wine?"

"I'll take a scotch," said Draco.

"How about you, dear?" Mrs. Malfoy turned to Astoria expectantly.

"Wine, if you please," she smiled.

Mrs. Malfoy busied herself with the drinks at the bar, while Astoria took in her surroundings. "Your chandelier is marvelous, Mrs. Malfoy," she commented. "Is that Goblin-made glass crystals?"

"Well, you have a good eye."

Astoria could sense slight disdain in her voice, but couldn't quite detect what for. She accepted her glass of wine as Mrs. Malfoy sat down with her own generous amount.

"I've been trying to find a replacement since our old one broke a few years back," she said nonchalantly, and sipped her wine. Draco tensed up at her statement.

Astoria smiled. "Well, you have found the crème de la crème, that's for sure! Back home, we had one imported from China, cooled from the embers of Fireball Dragon flames. Mother insisted we place it in our observatory. She is obsessed with Asian Culture."

"Your mother has told me all about her time in the Magic Embassy," Mrs. Malfoy conversed. "We have been meaning to keep in touch, but things got in the way, I suppose."

"Yes, we've been spending a lot of time as a family."

"So Draco has told me."

Draco sat there quietly, bouncing back from the pair of smiling women. Astoria knew Mrs. Malfoy was playing a one of her favorite socialite games. Little did Mrs. Malfoy know that Astoria was skilled at conversation. Astoria wasn't going to be stumped.

Their pointless banter halted when Lucius Malfoy walked in. They all stood out of respect. Mr. Malfoy looked older and paler than Astoria remembered. His hairline was receding and his skin wrinkled at the corner of his eyes and mouth. Despite that, he upturned his chin and the light caught only his eyes.

"Hello, father," Draco said strongly, a sound of conviction that Astoria has never heard from him before. It surprised her. He shook his father's hand.

"Lucius, Astoria was just telling me about her family's time in Peru," Mrs. Malfoy caught him up.

Astoria curtsied politely. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Malfoy."

He gave a short-lived smile and said, "I hear your family loves to travel." He walked over to the bar and fixed himself a drink, which prompted everyone to sit back down.

"Yes, sir," she said, and put her hand on top of Draco's calloused one. "I was just explaining how my father found a rare magical plant from the Peruvian Amazon. It's said to help heal seemingly incurable curses."

"And why would your father go to Peru searching for this rare magical plant?" The suspicious way Mr. Malfoy glanced at Astoria made her feel quite uneasy. Thankfully, she played it off well.

"It was a happy accident. A discovery that could help us pay for those new gold-encrusted curtains my mother has been eyeing from the Living Magically catalogue."

"Astoria's parents consider themselves connoisseurs of the medical art." She knew Draco was only trying to brag about her, but that was one thing she'd rather keep private for now.

Her face grew hot as Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy's inquisitive eyes were on her, but her quick wit saved her once again. She took a sip of wine, then answered, "As you know, the Greengrass family is known for their apothecarial discoveries. We have a knack for it."

Mrs. Malfoy smiled. "Of course."

They all took to their drinks to fill the dreaded silence. Astoria was losing the game, but if she was going to be scrutinized so closely, she could bring it right back to them just as easily. She had promised Draco that she'd behave, and so far, she has kept her word. From what she had already gathered from his mother, she was insecure and cooped up in a house that she profusely busied herself to represent the Malfoy name in a brighter light than it has been in the recent past. Astoria had heard about Mrs. Malfoy's older sister, and wondered if they had ever reconnected after the war. After all, the new renovations meant that Mrs. Malfoy was out of the house more. What else would give her a motive to go out without her husband, who refused to show his face so much anymore?

Mr. Malfoy was the easiest to read, although he wanted to appear stony. Ironically, that gave him away completely. Astoria surmised that the old man wanted to remain somewhat a mystery, despite his trial back in 1998. She knew he never truly forgave Draco for speaking against him, causing his reputation in the Ministry to completely diminish. Astoria understood that Mr. Malfoy would want to cherish the dignity he had left, even if that meant it would only be welcomed in his own house. He was an intimidating man, and yet, he was the most vulnerable.

They were interrupted by a small cough from the parlor entryway. "Dinner is served," Hokey croaked.

They retired to the dining hall, where a magnificent roasted duck had been prepared. Draco mirrored his parents' in waiting for Hokey to push their chairs from under them to sit down and encouraged Astoria to do the same. She couldn't help but feel bad for the poor thing as she watched as Hokey struggled to hoist the party's chairs in place. He arrived at her chair, already sweaty and out of breath. She helped the tired House Elf hooking her foot to one of the front legs and pulling along. She sat down before he could push her fully into her seat. "Thank you, Hokey," she said.

Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy stared blankly at Astoria. Draco put his head down.

"No need to thank the help, dear. Hokey was just leaving," said Mr. Malfoy quietly. They all waited until Hokey bowed himself out of the room and for Mr. Malfoy to eat first.

"You know, Mr. Malfoy," Astoria started, picking at her food. Draco's head remained down. "My House Elf, Cleo, is like part of the family. We make sure she's well-kempt and comfortable."

"I have no doubts that Hokey is not comfortable."

"Did you know about that new law being passed soon-?"

"Astoria…" Draco whispered.

"About how we have to pay our House Elves from now on?"

Mrs. Malfoy chugged back the rest of her first glass of wine and conjured up a second, full glass.

Mr. Malfoy chuckled. "And what are House Elves going to do with any currency Wizards give them?"

Astoria shrugged, cutting into her duck. "I wouldn't know, but it's a great sentiment for all they do for us, don't you think?" She knew she was reaching dangerous territory, but she couldn't help it. Their House Elf's terrible state struck a chord with her. She would never let Cleo look like that.

Mr. Malfoy glared at her. "Draco never told us you were such a liberal."

Astoria was quite taken aback by the comment, so she sipped her wine to gather her thoughts. She already lost the game, and there was no way to turn this around unless someone else changed the subject.

"She's not a liberal, father," Draco interjected.

"Then what is she?"

Astoria put her fork and knife down. "Excuse me? 'What is she'?"

"Astoria, please…" Draco begged. This was highly escalating into a nightmare.

"No, Draco. I want to know what your father meant."

Lucius nonchalantly cut his duck. "I merely meant that something must've happened between the time you and your sister left Hogwarts and now. Was there a reason your parents decided to hide you from the rest of the world? Maybe because of your associations with that Mudblood friend of yours…"

Now that hit Astoria in the face more so than any other passive insult directed toward her that night. "Torrance Blood was more of a Wizard than anyone I know! Quite frankly, your prejudice against him and the rest like him is the reason why he's dead." There was no stopping her now, not even Draco attempted to stop her. "If you haven't noticed, Mr. Malfoy, you have lost all respect from the Sacred Twenty-Eight by your own hypocrisy and bigotry. I could just be your biggest asset to gain some of that respect back, but instead, you question my social status. You have no right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm not feeling quite well." She threw her napkin down and made her way out.

Draco called after her, but she was already out the door. She stood there frozen on the porch, breathing heavily, head and heart pounding. She heard the door open and turned to see Draco before her, eyes wide.

She was shaking. "I've never done anything like that before."

He shook his head, still looking at her in awe with beady silver eyes. "That was… No one has ever stood up to them like that before." He caught her trembling, frail hands in his. "I think I love you."


A/N: Yes! The Drastoria fic lives! I hope you enjoyed and have a great Halloween! But also, pay your respects to the OGs... RIP James and Lily 333