Astoria could honestly say that she was not a nosy person. Never had she entertained gossip in her home, and hardly ever did other's people's problems interest her. Perhaps this trait made her seem cold or aloof, but the girl simply did not have the time or sympathy to care about situations not pertaining to her own life.

No, Astoria was most certainly not a nosy person, which is why it surprised even her when she found herself hidden behind a heavy and ornate tapestry in the hall of her sister's mansion, listening to the conversation of Theo and Pansy whose whispers transgressed into something a bit more heated.

"He's coming tonight. Is there anything else I should know?" Theo asked so clearly Astoria found it was no wonder she'd stopped to listen.

"I told you all there was to know, I swear," Pansy answered, sounding remorseful for once. "I'm so sorry, love."

It was quiet for a moment, and Astoria feared she'd been caught or at least that they were done talking and were on their way down. She would need to leave as quietly as possible. Straining to hear more, she cursed herself for not keeping her wand handy, otherwise she'd have used a silencing charm on herself. The clack of her heels against Daphne's floors would surely give her away if she fled now. But she soon realized a discreet exit strategy was not necessary as the couple, it seemed, or rather sounded like, were making up. Theo grunted in his brutish way and with a feminine sounding pant, Astoria heard a door open and close, and then nothing else.

Figuring it was safe to come out from under the tapestry, she tiptoed to her room where Daphne was waiting to help her get ready.

"What took you so long?" she inquired, lining up different jewelry choices against the gown Astoria was to wear this evening.

"I sort of got stuck eavesdropping on Theo and Pansy's conversation."

"Naughty!" exclaimed her sister with a gasp. "Well, how is the estranged couple making out?"

"They're making out just fine, as in literally. I think they went in for a quick shag just now."

Daphne made a face. "Remind me to burn those sheets," she said.

Astoria fingered each piece of jewelry, finally choosing a pair of dangly, crystal earrings and a matching necklace. "It was so easy for him to just forgive her," she said as an afterthought.

Daphne came around to her sister and rubbed her back. "Draco will come around, Astoria; don't worry." She smiled before adding, " Now, let's make you so divine the prat won't know what to say."

~0~

When a proud looking elf alerted Astoria that she had a guest and would it be all right if he was let in, she was curious to say the least. Of course, when Draco sauntered in, that curiosity amplified and fused with confusion. The party would not begin for another two hours. What could be the purpose of arriving earlier? She was suddenly very grateful that she had thought to get ready sooner. She knew she looked fantastic in her floor length snow-colored gown. Perhaps Draco would take notice as well.

"I was not expecting you so soon," she said when he sat in a chaise by her vanity. "Is everything alright?"

He shrugged a little, his hands in his pants pockets. "I thought it'd look better this way."

She nodded her head in understanding. He too seemed to comprehend that Slytherin society watched their every move. Astoria remained silent, waiting instead for him to steer the conversation into its next topic.

"I thought we could get our stories straight, you know, with us leaving our honeymoon early."

"I've told everyone you had a work emergency," replied his wife nonchalantly.

"That may appease our friends, but not my parents," he said thoughtfully. "There has to be something else we can tell them."

Astoria mused inwardly on the lengths they were going to fabricate some lie just so everyone else's minds would be at ease. But did anyone care about them two? About their honeymoon being cut short, being so strained and so unhappy? Did Draco care how she felt lying to everyone about what really happened?

Feeling bold, Astoria sat at her vanity adjacent to the chaise Draco was occupying. "How about the truth?" she challenged, lifting her curled hair and pinning it strategically about her head.

Her attempt to fluster him was so transparent, the blond thought amusedly. If only they could be frank with everyone; it'd certainly entail less brainstorming.

"You'd be comfortable revealing the truth to all of our friends and relatives?" he countered, his thumb supporting his chin and his forefinger touching his lips.

She sighed. "No…how do you know your parents are coming, anyway?"

"I don't."

"Then we'll just go with the work thing. No one will care as long as we behave as newlyweds."

"I suppose you're right," Draco agreed, watching her slip on a pair of sparkly, crystal heels. He seemed to just notice her appearance. "Is that what you're wearing?"

"Yes. Why? What are you wearing?" She was suddenly very anxious.

He gestured to his body, indicating he would escort her tonight as he was now. He never needed to do much with his appearance to get everyone's attention anyway she reflected as an afterthought. He would always be the most handsome in the room.

"You look…very beautiful."

"Oh," Astoria replied timidly. "Thank you."

"Of course," he shrugged again. "I'll be seeing you downstairs." He stood up and made for the door.

"Yes. Goodbye."

~0~

Draco stood beside Astoria the entire night, arm around her slender waist. Together they looked like the perfect couple. They socialized, shared exaggerated stories of their honeymoon, their plans to go back (a tidbit Draco slipped into conversation after Marcus Flint blatantly made a pass at Astoria), and even managed an affectionate nuzzle or peck on the lips (gestures Astoria secretly basked in). Draco was simply phenomenal at convincing his friends of how happy they were supposed to be. So phenomenal that Daphne pulled her sister aside to ask if they'd buried the hatchet.

At times when they separated to chat amongst their own sexes, she caught her husband peering at her from a distance with a stare that set her body ablaze with want and need. She didn't want to confuse any of it however with the act they were putting out. Draco made it very clear what he felt about her that last night in Turkey, although she couldn't quite shake his compliment from earlier either. Was it possible for him to call her beautiful and still feel nothing but platonic if not neutral feelings for her? She hoped she was not reading into these things too closely.

"Your parents are here," Astoria whispered discreetly, as she made to caress his cheek. He played along, smirking as if she'd just told him she wasn't wearing any underwear.

"I'll go first. Stay here."

She nodded, feeling worried. Theo and Pansy sat across the room, hardly talking to anyone but each other. They were leaning towards one another, Theo's hand on Pansy's knee. Occasionally, they would assess the party scene before delving back into their private world.

"They look chummy," remarked Daphne as she draped an arm over Blaise's shoulder. She sat on his lap, stroking the back of his head soothingly.

"Yes, they do," she agreed thoughtfully. "What do you think they're talking about?"

Daphne's eyes dashed across the room, blue eyes squinting to make out the words their lips formed so urgently.

"Can't tell. Hopefully, they aren't planning on fucking on my sheets again."

"Daphne!" Astoria gasped.

"Really?" Blaise asked, searching for the couple now. She gave him a mischievous wink, confirming the statement. Blaise looked to Theo again, impressed.

"What about you and Drake?"

"What about us?" Astoria sighed, searching now for Draco. She spotted him, his back turned to her, but someone else managed to catch her eye. Narcissa Malfoy was listening to whatever it was Draco was telling them whilst watching her daughter-in-law's every move. Astoria smiled warmly, acknowledging her other mother, her mentor. Did she suspect them? Was Draco telling her now? Would he tell them at all?

"You know, are you two…?"

"Not yet."

"If you'll excuse me," came Blaise, removing himself from "lady conversation." Daphne playfully swatted him in the arm, allowing him to kiss her deeply before he was off to chat with his cousins. Her sister seemed awfully randy tonight; then again, she had begun drinking before the rest of them.

"He's clearly still interested. I don't care what you say, I saw him kiss you earlier. I saw him touch your arm, and—

"He was acting," Astoria assured her. "We both are. None of it is real—

"And I saw him watching you when you were talking to Tracey Davis about her new baby, so what do you have to say about that?"

Astoria looked towards Draco, who seemed to just be making his way over to her again in his purposeful stride.

"I don't know, Daph!" she exclaimed, feeling exasperated. "Maybe he wanted to see the look on my face when someone else mentioned they'd got pregnant and how happy they were about it."

"That's not—

But Astoria had had enough, and needed to pay her respects to her in laws who had just waved her over. She held up her hand to silence her sister, feeling weary from all of the positivity and hope Daphne tried to instill in her. Dreaming Draco would take her back as easily as Theo did Pansy would do her no good. Things didn't just work in Astoria's favor whenever she wanted them to, a lesson she'd had to learn the hard way.

"Astoria," Narcissa said softly. "Don't you look just perfect." She embraced the younger witch tightly, and for a second, Astoria thought that nothing had changed between them. Her idol still cherished her.

"Draco, why don't you and your father get us some drinks," she suggested not so slyly.

Draco looked to Astoria as if relating a warning to her in secret, the same communication technique she'd witnessed between her sister and Blaise. And though the look was something fierce and desperate and strained simultaneously, her insides fluttered and flopped, simply ecstatic to be someone kept in Draco's confidence, even if that secret was their already failing marriage.

Lucius remained tight-lipped and followed his son towards the bar, squeezing Astoria's arm in greeting before leaving the women together.

"Tell me everything," breathed Narcissa dramatically once the men turned away.

"Didn't Draco already?"

"Yes, but I know when my son is lying to me. Is everything all right? Did he not perform—?

"Mrs. Malfoy!" Astoria interrupted, avoiding eye contact because she knew if she looked into Narcissa's beseeching eyes, she'd spill everything. "No, Draco was perfect. He is perfect. Us leaving early, it was all my fault." She bit her lip, and her downcast eyes peeked upwards to inspect Narcissa's reaction; the news seemed to catch her by surprise.

"Nonsense," she shook her head. "I'm sure—

"No, it's true. It was all me, and under any other circumstances, I'd share it all with you without hesitation, but—

"But?"

Astoria considered her next words, opening her mouth to speak and then closing it again. She looked around her before finally saying, "If Draco didn't think it imperative enough to tell you, then neither will I. I'm very sorry, Narcissa. I hope you understand. Please know that we're working through it, and please, please don't interfere. You know how Draco is; it'll only make matters worse if he thought I'd told you, and I really, really want to fix what I've done."

The older woman didn't seem at all pleased with Astoria's request, and quite frankly, she was a bit perturbed about her daughter-in-law not confiding in her, and even further, about whatever it was she'd done to her son, but Narcissa could honestly say that she trusted the girl. She cared for her, for her son, their happiness, so she would not press her further.

That didn't necessarily mean, however, that she would not meddle. True, she did know her son. She'd only had to deal with his obstinacy all throughout his childhood and adolescence, but she also knew that her stubborn as a mule child often needed a good push, a little help, a little tough love. Mother always knew best, and this time should be no different. With that final thought, Narcissa stepped forward, gathering the petite young woman in her arms, whispering assuringly, "Alright, heart. Don't worry. Everything will turn out just fine, you'll see."

~0~

"So?" Draco implored when he returned to Astoria's side, playing the part of the dutiful husband expertly, pushing a stray curl behind her ear. To the present company, the small act may have been construed as a gesture of endearment, but Astoria knew better.

"I didn't tell her anything."

"That's good."

"For now," Astoria added, motioning with her head behind him. "She's staring at us again. Dance with me?"

Draco took her hand without a word and spun them around so that he was facing his mother. He smiled half-heartedly at her, hoping that his false cheeriness would placate her. The gesture went unnoticed, however, as the Malfoy's newest house elf—yet the oldest one alive Draco had ever seen—came ambling towards his mother, standing on his tip-toes to whisper into his mistress' diamond adorned ear.

"What do you suppose that's about?" Astoria asked softly as he spun them again, just catching the scent of her mimosa perfume and swooning secretly at its aroma.

"I haven't the faintest clue," he said, sighing. The last platonic thought that passed through his mind was about Astoria's sister, Daphne, talking with his mother. The rest of them were about his wife, and more specifically, how good she felt in his arms tonight. Just the feel of her was arousing, and he couldn't withhold squeezing her to him a bit more tightly.

She swayed with him a few more minutes as the tune turned slow, her pure white gown just skimming the floor. He was reminded of their wedding night, of the little lace number she couldn't wait to take off. Was this the purpose of her attire this evening he wondered? To remember the Astoria that hadn't deceived him yet, the virgin, the doe-eyed little princess his mother adored? Whatever its intention, it was working.

Maybe he missed her, craved her, because he'd grown used to her over the past few months before and after the wedding. He'd always been one to get attached his father always noted with an air of disdain and disappointment. Could this be the explanation for his sudden flux of feeling toward his wife? That he missed her because her presence was familiar and comforting?

"Mind if I steal her away a moment?" came Daphne, looking anxious. Astoria lifted her eyes to his, a small smile playing along her pretty lips. A secret smile, a promising one. One that said, "I wouldn't dream of leaving you."

"I'll find you after," she said instead, following her sister to where the drinks were.

"That looked like it was going well," the blonde exclaimed impishly.

"It was. Something's got into him, I think. I can't place it," said Astoria, trailing off, lost in her own thoughts.

"A drink to celebrate?" suggested Daphne with a look of hesitance for some odd reason.

"Cheers!" cried Astoria, lifting the proffered chalice to her lips.

"To love," said Daphne as Astoria downed the cherry red substance.

"Wow," gasped Astoria. "That was…"

"That was…?"

Astoria couldn't quite explain the taste of this particular drink. It was unlike anything she'd ever tasted and it made her feel so…good. It was like drinking sex, like her every nerve was aroused, toyed with, teased, but not satisfied.

"Astoria, how are you feeling, love?" asked Daphne warily.

"I feel…that was delicious. What was it? Where's Draco?" Astoria inquired, her body alive and humming with anticipation.

"I-I don't know what it was exactly. Some birthday drink the barman must have concocted for Blaise's special day, you know these—"

"Wow," the brunette breathed again, touching her hand to her chest where her pulse had accelerated.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"I just need to find Draco," Astoria repeated with a trance-like stare ahead.

"He's there with his mum." Daphne pointed to her brother-in-law behind them, holding the exact cherry red drink in his own hands, although he didn't seem to be drinking any of it.

Astoria handed the empty chalice to Daphne. "Excuse me, sister." She made her way over to Draco, eyes cast forward, eyes meant for one person in the entire room. Eyes met by another pair of stormy orbs, the clang of his empty chalice to the ground not in the least successful in tearing their gaze apart.

They met in the center of the room, and for the first time that night, Daphne watched as the two relaxed completely before the other. When they closed the space between them and kissed their first genuine kiss of the night, Daphne knew she was successful.

"It worked," said Narcissa from her side.

"It did," agreed the younger witch as they watched the pair sneak away from the party.

"Care for some for you and Blaise? I did ask Lucius to remind me to get him something for tonight, but of course, he forgot."

"We don't need it, but trust us, this was gift enough. I'm happiest when my sister is happy."

"And I when Draco is. I hope you don't think me a mad and manipulative mother-in-law after tonight. I just know that your sister and my son are perfect for each other, and nothing should get in the way of their love."

"Agreed. But you better get rid of that before they catch on," Daphne suggested, nodding toward the potion bottle in Narcissa's hand and removing an identical bottle from her purse.

"Of course." With a pop, an elderly house elf appeared, relieved Narcissa of the evidence and popped away again.

"That's that," said Narcissa wiping her hands of the situation.

"That's that."

Well, hello there!

This has got to be the longest chapter yet for this story, but I thought it'd be a wonderful treat for not updating in forever. (I'm so sorry about that by the way.)

I hope you all enjoy it, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Until next time!