Astoria was almost relieved to see Draco open the door. While she hadn't expected him to open the door she was glad to see a familiar face. She could tell from the look on his face that he, too, was stressed about this dinner. When they reached the door he didn't give any hint about his thoughts, instead giving them a welcoming smile before speaking.
"Welcome, come in. Dinner's almost ready, we will wait just in here." Draco said to everyone, gesturing to the parlor just inside the door.
Everyone quickly made their way into the dimly lit room, casting glances over their shoulders occasionally. There were enough shadows in the room to set everyone on edge. Judging from the looks on her families faces they were certainly more aware of their surroundings than normal. Astoria hung back slightly, letting her family walk in front of her, so she could walk with Draco.
"Is everything ok?" She asked him quietly.
"For now." He tensely replies, before turning back to the room of her family. "I'm sorry for the wait, the house elves haven't fixed this large of a meal for a while, so they are a bit frantic." Draco gave a small smile. Her parents nodded in understanding though neither of them spoke. As Draco turned back to Astoria his smile faded slightly. "Are you ok?" He asks her quietly, a slightly look of concern crossing his face.
Astoria nodded, "For now." She gave him a smirk, earning one back for the use of his words back at him. At that moment though a house elf came to the door, announcing dinner was done. Astoria looked at Draco, "Isn't your mother here?" Draco began to lead the family out of the parlor and down the hall towards the dining room, "She's probably waiting for us." He said carefully, obviously not wanting to tread that topic quiet yet. Astoria didn't say anything; instead looking over her shoulder to make sure her family was following them.
No sooner had they walked through the dining room doors then she heard someone speak. "Oh! Welcome Greengrass family! I'm pleased to have you in our home!" Astoria turned her eyes upon the speaking, seeing the familiar face of Narcissa Malfoy. While she had only seen the woman once or twice in her life her picture had been published numerous times in the Prophet during the war. It was Astoria's father who answered however, taking charge of the Greengrass family, as always.
"The pleasure is ours Narcissa! We are delighted to have been invited into your home, and even more honored given the circumstances." As her father spoke everyone made their way to their seats, Astoria being careful to sit beside Draco and her sister. Her nerves kept her mind from wandering towards the possibilities of who all had sat in that chair, instead glancing around the large room. Draco held her chair for her, causing Astoria to focus her attention back to the table. Once they had all sat down and the house elves served the first course of Split Pea Soup, Narcissa decided to speak once again.
"Oh it is given the circumstances that I am delighted that you had accepted our marriage proposal." Narcissa said, Astoria watching as Draco looked up at his mother, narrowing his eyes slightly at her. Judging from his mothers next words she noticed his look. "Don't give me that look Draco! Everyone knows that after the war you had issues you had to work through, everyone did, that's public knowledge." Draco closed his eyes at that point, as if praying for his mother to quit talking, only she didn't quit talking, she continued on, Astoria noticing there was already a half empty glass of wine on the table in front of her. "There's nothing wrong with you having to seek help after everything you were forced through dear. After the war you jumped at every noise, screamed at every shadow, hexed every bystander. It was really for everyone's own good that you sought help."
"Mother, we don't need to discuss this. My history certainly isn't the topic of this dinner." Draco finally said, cutting across his mother intake of breath, keeping her from speaking further. Astoria's eyes traveled around the table, everyone watching this exchange with different looks upon their face. Shock, anger, embarrassment. Everyone's faces seemed to show a different reaction to this revelation, everyone except Draco, who had kept his face blank and cold. Astoria was still trying to process what Narcissa had just said. Draco had been in such a bad state of mind after the war that he had to seek help. Like, mental help? Astoria wasn't sure, and she wasn't about to bring the topic up again. A bit of anger flared in her for having not known this sooner. Though she couldn't help but wonder whether that may be her fault since she hadn't asked any questions yet.
No one said anything as the next course of Fire-Roasted Steak was served. There was almost a heavy air hanging over dining room, creating an awkward silence almost all the way through dinner. Dessert was almost finished before Draco finally spoke again. "After dinner if you all would join us for a drink in the parlor, I believe my mother will explain her reasoning for dinner this evening." Narcissa nodded then, her face still wearing the same expression it had after her slight rant earlier, although her wine glass was now empty.
Once the dessert plates were taken away everyone left the dining room, heading back towards the front of the Manor to the parlor. Astoria kept her mind as blank as possible, not wanting her thoughts to wander back towards Draco. She knew the last thing she needed was to show anger, not until they had left the Manor at least. Soon everyone was sitting around the fire, a cup of tea in their hands though no one was drinking it. "Well, now, isn't this nice." Narcissa started, almost as if she was trying to break the awkward silence with essentially another awkward comment. No one spoke though, allowing Narcissa to continue speaking.
"I invited you here for a few different reasons. I wanted to get to know the family my only son was marrying into before the actual wedding arrived. I also wanted to thank you for giving our family this opportunity. Since the war ended not many families are too keen on keeping ties with us. Lastly, I wanted to offer you, Astoria, this tiara to wear on your wedding day." Astoria watched as Narcissa picked up a box off the parlor table, handing it carefully to her. She took it from her hands, setting it in her lap as she opened the aging box.
It was a beautiful tiara. Silver, with diamonds, pearls and emeralds mounted in the intricate pattern. The largest stone was dangling from a point in the middle. At that moment the last thing she wanted to think about was what she would wear to the wedding, but she couldn't just remain silent. "It's beautiful Narcissa. I would be honored to wear it." Astoria said finally, knowing she couldn't refuse the offer. Closing the lid on the box she looked up to see Narcissa smile before she spoke again.
"I wore it at my wedding, just like my mother before her and her mother before her. It was originally in the Black family, though now obviously in the Malfoy family, until you give it to your daughter to wear at her wedding." Narcissa almost seemed to choke up then, quickly taking a breath before adding. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm quite worn from this evening. Draco will see you out." And with that Astoria watched as Narcissa Malfoy left the parlor, her footsteps echoing on the stone floor in the hallway.
Draco cleared his throat then, before speaking, "I thank you all for coming this evening, though I apologize for my mothers' earlier outburst." He stood up then, doing the proper goodbye handshakes and kissing of the cheeks. Soon her family was walking out the front door and down the drive, leaving her alone with Draco for a moment. Astoria turned to him, not sure what to say, but knowing she had to say something.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Astoria asked him quietly.
Draco gave her a look, "Didn't you hear my mother, it's all public knowledge. It's just not something I want to talk about."
Astoria arched an eyebrow at him, not appreciating his cool tone of voice. "Don't give me that bull. You can't keep things like that from me. Public knowledge or not, I don't tend to believe what I read in the papers, so it's up to you to correct those rumors I hear." With that she walked out the door, tiara box in hand, without another word, leaving him standing at the door. He didn't try to stop her, much to Astoria's dismay, Astoria quickly making it to the end of the drive in time to apparate home with her family.
She didn't dwell in the foyer once she arrived home, quickly bidding her family goodnight before going up to her room, slamming her door in frustration. The last thing she wanted to deal with were questions from her parents and looks of sympathy from her sister. Astoria went into her bathroom, determining a bath would be the perfect solution for her confusing thoughts. She carefully set the tiara box on the counter before turning the hot water on, pouring some soap into it to create bubbles. Quickly she stripped her dinner clothes off before sinking into the warm water with a sigh.
Much to her dismay though she couldn't quit thinking about the earlier dinner. Astoria knew she honestly shouldn't be surprised to hear that Draco had to seek help. There were many people who spent months in St. Mungo's because they weren't able to deal with the trauma of the war. Judging from what Narcissa had said Draco had been one of those people, although obviously not able to admit it. Astoria was glad he finally did seek help if it was a severe as Narcissa had described. But why hadn't Draco told her? Now that she was alone she realized it couldn't be considered common knowledge as to why he was at St. Mungo's. That would be considered personal business and wouldn't be published, although the fact that he was there probably was published. It just frustrated her that Draco didn't feel like he needed to tell her he had to be treated for severe mental trauma after the war.
Once her water ran cold she dragged herself out of her tub, drying herself off before slipping her robe on. She vaguely considered drying her hair so it wouldn't be a wreck the next day, but that idea left her mind once she left her bathroom. As she walked to her bed she saw a piece of parchment lying on her pillow, her eyebrows furrowing at the sight. She slightly hesitated as she picked up the parchment, quickly unsealing it and reading through the message...
Astoria,
I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just hoped my future wouldn't be affected by my past. I'll explain everything when the time's right.
Draco
...Astoria re-read the message several times before tossing the parchment onto her nightstand and lying down upon her bed, her cat already curled up in a ball waiting for her. As she petted her Astoria realized an apology wasn't exactly what she wanted from him. What she wanted was to be trusted enough for the truth, which judging from his brief and vague letter she hadn't earned yet. As her eyes slid shut that night she wondered whether she would ever earn his trust, her stomach twisting at the thought. Would she go through her life married to someone who couldn't tell her everything? Astoria had hoped that wasn't the case, although now she wasn't so sure.