CHAPTER 11: A dragon was missing.

Severus' legacy to Draco was, of course, top secret. And, like all top secrets, it spread faster than gun powder. In a couple days, everybody knew the Malfoy heir was also the Snape heir, which gave place to a lot of insane rumours to circulate around the school about the deceased Potions master and Mrs. Malfoy. Obviously, nobody had the guts and death wish to tell Draco. Not that he needed anyone to tell him, though. Not that he cared at all. That day, he ignored Daphne's incendiary looks from the other end of the table as he listened to Blaise and Astoria arguing about some muggle rock band.

-How do you even know a muggle band, Blaise? –he frowned at his friend.

-Well, I… -Blaise turned pink on his cheeks- Remember that girl I told you I met two summers ago, in the French Riviera?

-Vaguely –Draco shrugged. Blaise's conquests were tremendous in number.

-She was into… This kind of stuff.

-I thought Astoria here was the only pure-blood witch to listen to muggle music –he smirked and received a scowl from the girl.

-I never said she was a witch, mate –Blaise laughed.

Fortunately, Narcissa had done her job with Draco and taught him exquisite manners at the table. Otherwise, he would have spat the pumpkin juice all over the table. Once he had swallowed precipitately, his jaw dropped. Blaise gave Astoria a funny look, and the girl smiled and shook her head.

-You… -he repressed the word 'fuck'. He was in the company of a lady, after all. A very weird lady, he must say. But a lady- You've been with muggles?

-Oh, you should have seen THAT muggle –Blaise gave him his infamous smirk.

-Here, listen to this –Astoria handed Draco an ear-phone.

He looked at the tiny plastic piece as if it was a bug. She put one in her ear, to show him what to do, and he mimicked her gesture. A loud music immediately invaded his brain, and he wrinkled his nose.

-What the hell what that?

-That was Avenged Sevenfold, my friend –Astoria laughed.

-Jesus Christ, Blaise, the things you do for a fu… -he stopped himself.

-For a fuck –the girl finished the sentence-. Malfoy, it's me you're talking to. I'm not going to get offended.

-So you seriously listen to this all day? –he couldn't seem to understand.

-Pretty much.

-What is the point of having a guy continuously growling at your ear? –he grinned.

-Ha ha –she rolled her eyes-. Repress your language, young man, you're in the presence of a younger lady.

-That is true. What happened to us, Blaise? –he looked at his friend- We used to rule this fucking house.

-Yeah. Chicks at our feet.

-Uh-huh. Now we have a little bat following us around.

-Oi! –Astoria reached over and smacked Draco on his head, probably harder than she had meant it.

-Stop abusing me! –he whined- Just because you're tiny doesn't mean I cannot hex the hell out of you!

-I'm not THAT tiny! –she growled.

She regretted the sentence immediately when Blaise's shameless eyes settled on her chest and evaluated her small breasts. She glared at him.

-Finished?!

-How often do you get mistaken by a guy? –he smirked.

-I'm not sure. And you?

This time, Draco could not help it and choked on the pumpkin juice he had just swallowed. God, he liked that. He had been a little nervous because of the Ball that was to take place in the evening. Obviously, he had no partner. Out of solidarity, Blaise hadn't asked anyone so Draco wouldn't be the only one without a girl. They were not surprised to hear that Astoria was also going by herself. She had never attended the Ball dangling from a guy's arm.

-By the way, Astoria… -Blaise's tone warned the girl about the question he had yet to formulate.

-No, she doesn't have a partner either –she rolled her eyes.

-Well, isn't this perfect? –he smiled- Two single guys, two single ladies… Am I the only one here who can count?

-Keep dreaming, Zabini –she cracked up-. I've never seen her dance with anyone.

-You will tonight, Astoria.

-How the hell can you be so confident? –she frowned slightly.

Blaise leant back against his chair and gave her his incandescent smile which more or less meant something like: 'How the hell can I not?'. Alright, she admitted to herself that Blaise was probably the closest thing possible to a top model. She only had to watch him walk around the halls to notice how girls stared at him; he was hard to ignore. Even she had found herself setting eyes on his long legs or muscular chest. It was, of course, very disturbing whenever that happened, and she would have taken three rounds of crucio before confessing it. Long story short, Blaise was pretty hot.

-I just need to know one thing –he said, leaning forward again- What colour is her dress?

-Red.

-Of course –he smiled and winked at her, playfully.

She had to smile back at him. After that, she checked the time and decided she was going to be late for Charms if she didn't move her arse in that precise moment.

-Gentlemen –she got up-, I'll see you tonight, then.

-Definitely –Blaise smirked as Draco waved goodbye slightly.


-Stop insisting!!! –her scream echoed throughout the bedroom.

-Fiiiiiine!

Luna laughed as she saw Helena glare at Astoria. The latter would not allow her to pin her fringe back so her eyes could be completely visible. Helena looked, as expected, totally delicious, with her red strapless dress which fit her like a glove and her high heeled silver stilettos. Her wavy hair was up in a delicate chignon and she had spent at least an hour doing her make up. Luna did not look half bad herself. She was wearing that horrible yellow dress, but had at least allowed her friend to do her hair and make up, and was wearing a very natural shimmering pink on her eyelids and lips. She looked like a doll. Neville was going to love it.

-You're done, then, Luna?

-Yes.

Both girls stood up and gave each other approving smiles. Astoria frowned, from a distance. She always got grumpy when she had to attend those kinds of gatherings. Helena had tried with all of her efforts to make her change into something a little more appropriate, but Astoria was wearing the same clothes she had put on that morning: a black zipper hoodie, a black short skirt, her belt with spikes, green and black striped knee-high socks and her army boots.

-Not even the shoes? –Helena pleaded at her.

-No.

-God damn it…

Astoria looked in the mirror behind her. Yeah, she did look kind of pathetic, but it was not like a strapless dress and nice shoes could fix it. She checked her make up: dark green eye-shadow and black eye-liner. No black lipstick this time, though. She thought it looked a little too dramatic for her taste.

-Hi, Neville –everyone smiled at the sight of Luna blushing.

-Hello, Luna, you look gorgeous –he dared to say.

Helena raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Neville was, in fact, trying his hardest to behave like a total gentleman. Maybe he was not the guy she would have picked, but Luna seemed perfectly happy to take his arm and walk into the Ball room with him. Astoria sighed at the sight of the crowd. Almost immediately, she felt a hand on her shoulder:

-It's not going to be that bad and you know it –Helena said.

-I know, but don't leave me alone, okay?

-I won't.

Astoria knew her friend meant it. As they walked in, keeping their heads up, she felt, once again, how all eyes were fixed on Helena. People didn't even notice her, walking right by the hottie's side. She should have been grateful for that, and she was, actually. But a tiny part inside of her also wished to be looked at with that kind of admiration at least once in her life. They found a peaceful corner and started drinking punch, observing the couples that passed by, swirling.

-Good evening, ladies.

Before she actually saw Blaise, Astoria was already smirking. Yeah, he was in for a treat, that night, using his sensual extra-elegant voice. Damn, he looked good. Helena had to fight the instinct of dropping her jaw at the sight of him. He started giving her conversation, displaying his multiple seduction weapons. Draco kept some distance, and eventually sat down at a table with Astoria, who looked bored as ever. They exchanged meaningful looks as a couple who were making out passed in front of them, trying to follow the music with their feet as well as their tongues. They laughed at a time. Draco sighed.

-If I had known how much funnier it is to simply laugh at the dancers, I would have never attended this thing with a partner.

-It's alright; you've given me quite a repertoire of funny moments.

He faked a glare as she laughed, and wondered, absently, what those piercings would feel like. Draco had no time to reflect on the thought, because a slender figure blocked his vision of the dance floor. Daphne had decided to use all the artillery that night: her new, haute couture emerald dress revealed more than it covered. She was obviously not wearing a bra, and her whole back was uncovered; the dress began at the same spot her butt did. She gave her sister a dirty look before focusing her attention (and upper front body) on Draco.

-Don't you want to dance? –she gave him the same look a professional would have given her sweaty client.

-Not really –he shook his head.

-Why?

-Because I'd much rather stay here –when he saw she approached the empty chair next to him, he hurried to add- with Astoria.

-What? –her expression changed abruptly.

-You heard me, Daphne –he threatened her with his silvery eyes.

Daphne cleared her throat and stood straight as a pin before turning on her heels and walking away, swaying her hips as if saying 'Look what you're missing'.

-You can go if you want –Astoria said.

-I don't.

-Are you sure?

-Completely. What I said was true.

-Why?

-Hell if I know… But it is true.

For the first time since she was a kid, she couldn't hold his stare and averted her eyes from his. A couple seconds later, Helena approached their table, with a stupid smile on her face.

-Uh… Listen, Astoria… -she bit her lip.

-You go and dance with him –Astoria rolled her eyes-. It's about bloody time.

-You sure you don't mind? –she asked, before smiling back at Blaise, who was also waiting for Astoria's approval.

-Fuck, Lena, I'm not your mother, go and have some fun!

-Thanks! –the girl kissed the top of her head before walking off holding Blaise's arm.

Astoria noticed Helena was wearing a red flower in her head, a natural rose. She told Draco and he made an 'Aah' sound. That was why the boy had wanted to know Helena's dress' colour. God, he was good. As she laughed, her eyes wandered across the room. There she was. She spotted her sister, looking straight at her and making comments which made the rest of her bitchy friends laugh. They all were giving her the stink eye. Astoria's black eyes narrowed down to slits as she felt her insides boil with rage.

-Delenda est Cartago (A.N. Cartago must be destroyed).

Draco chuckled once he followed her eyes and realized what was going on. He couldn't agree more. As he stood up, Astoria looked at him. She was not the only one, several pairs of eyes did the same. He extended his arm, offering Astoria his hand. She blinked a couple times before she actually understood what was going on. 'What the fuck', she thought. Draco Malfoy was asking her to dance with him. In public. At Hogwarts. She saw how her sister's eyes seemed about to bulge out of her face and smiled at the sight. When he took his hand she was actually surprised that her own looked so small inside of his. Draco led her to the dance floor with a flourished move, as if he was trying to show her off.

-That was unnecessary –she muttered, after every Slytherin girl had given her the most deathly glares.

-Au contraire, it was totally necessary –he smirked.

-You are aware you're dancing with the school freak, right?

-You're not a freak, Astoria –he said, seriously-. You just dress very fucking weird.

She followed his metallic eyes down to her legs and stopped on her stripped long socks. The girl had to laugh at his face. It was actually a nice thought: dozens of girls were in that exact moment, wishing to be in her place.

-Just don't step on me with those shoes or we're both going down –he commented.

-Don't worry, I won't –she nodded, with a smile.

As they swung across the room, they found Blaise and Helena, who would not believe what their eyes were seeing. Draco and Astoria laughed at their faces. After some meaningful looks were exchanged, they drifted away to give the couple some space. Not even a minute had passed, when Astoria told Draco to look at them. They were already exchanging saliva, which was the first time ever for Helena (at least, to Astoria's knowledge).

-I don't know about her, but that's definitely good for him –he whispered in her ear.

She almost jumped when she felt his breath so close. It did trigger past memories that she did not want to bring back; but it also made her feel something new and different, which she attributed to her hard-working hormones. All of a sudden, she was more aware of the fact her left hand was still in his right one, and Draco's left was firmly placed at the small of her back. Short as she was, she barely reached his shoulders, and she was eye level with his chest. Her eyes widened when she discovered herself trying to find a gap between his shirt buttons to see a patch of naked skin. Fortunately, when she thought she was about to faint, the song finished.

-Do you want to go outside? –he asked her, concerned- You just got paler.

-Yeah, maybe it's better –she nodded, happy to leave the dance floor.

He escorted her outside, and led her across the garden, holding her by the arm, just in case she got dizzy. She breathed deep inside and immediately felt better. He relaxed a little bit when she gave him a reassuring smile. Soon, they found a solitary bench. The night breeze was cold, but, since Astoria was still wearing her hoodie, they both were okay with it. They sat in silence, admiring the full moon.

-That was a first –she commented, on the most casual tone she was able to reproduce.

-Was it really that bad? –he smirked.

Astoria didn't answer, and looked at her boots instead. He wondered what the right words to say next would be, but was not sure of anything anymore.

-Are you alright?

-Yes –she answered too quickly.

-Why don't I believe you? –he grinned.

-Because you're a pompous idiot, perhaps? –Astoria snapped.

-Wow. Sorry –he held a hand up.

-No, I… -she bit her lower lip, nervous- Don't pay attention to me. I just.. I don't know what's wrong with me tonight.

-You don't? –his eyebrow rose.

-I'm… Not sure. Okay?

-When was the last time you had any kind of physical contact with a guy? –he asked, out of random. Had he used another tone, she would have immediately slapped him, but in this particular case, he did sound quite concerned.

-If you take out the times I've kicked someone's arse… Well, that one time, you kind of hugged me when you came back from Azkaban.

-And before?

-Nothing.

-Nothing? –his eyes widened, and he realized that he had just forced her (nicely, yes, but forced her after all) to establish physical contact with him- I'm sorry, why didn't you tell me you didn't want to dance?

-Because I did want to dance with you –her voice was barely a whisper now.

-Why?

-I… I don't know, okay?! –she threw her hands in the air- Because I wanted to know what it felt like, to dance with a hot guy and have everyone around wishing to be me! It doesn't happen very often. That might have been my last chance ever.

-What are we talking about, Astoria? –he placed a hand on her shoulder, carefully.

-I have no fucking idea! –okay, he was starting to get worried; she looked like she could start crying at any second- I have no idea what the hell that was, I just know that I liked it and that really scared me, okay?!

-You mean that you like me? –he spoke softly.

-I… Guess so –she covered her face with her hands-. I'm just so scared.

-You're scared of me.

-I'm not sure. Maybe.

-Do you trust me?

-I trust you more than I trust most people, yeah –she nodded.

-Well, then, can I just try one thing?

-O… Okay…

Draco scooted closer to her and looked her in the eye. It was painfully obvious that she was scared to death about what had happened and what was yet to come. As slowly and carefully as he could, Draco brushed her long fringe off her face and placed his hand against her cheek. She tensed, but didn't back away. He looked into her jet black eyes once more before actually leaning in to kiss her. Their lips met quickly, but firmly, and he finally felt the unknown touch of her lip rings. That was it; he pulled away. She opened her eyes and blinked once, with a confused expression.

-So? –he asked her.

-You just kissed me.

-Uh-huh –he smiled.

-Never do that again –she said. His expression changed radically.

-Why not?

-Because it felt alright –she shivered.

-It's supposed to feel alright –Draco tilted his head to the side.

-No, it's not –she frowned-. Not for me, I mean.

-You like me, I kissed you. It's normal.

-I don't care if it's normal or not. It can't happen again.

-Why?! –Draco exploded.

-Because that's all you're going to get! –she yelled in his face- I'll never be able to give you anything else, and don't try to tell me you can live like that.

-You can try to fool yourself as much as you want, Astoria –he made a face-. But you like me, and I like you, and there's nothing we can do about that.

-Since when do you like me?!

-I have absolutely no idea –he shrugged-. One day it started and I couldn't help it. If you're too scared to go ahead and try it out, that's fine. But don't blame me for it. At least I've been honest with you.

-Thanks for your sincerity –she spat.

-I'm sorry I hurt you. That was really not my intention.

-Leave me alone –she simply said, bringing her knees to her chest and bracing herself.


The Ball was already over when Draco crossed the hallway, fuming mad. His long legs took even longer steps towards the teacher's offices. He did not want to go to the dorm that night and face Blaise. He didn't want to face anyone, except for maybe, a cold shower. He didn't hear the steps behind him until he was in front of Severus' office, looking for the key in his pockets. He didn't have to turn around; Daphne's perfume was obvious and recognizable.

-What the fuck do you want?

-What do you think? –she took a step closer.

Draco opened the door with a soft click. He didn't even bother to murmur the spell to light up the candles in the room. Without previous warning, he yanked her arm and dragged her inside the dark office. She gasped, excitedly. Daphne tried to reach out to him, but found no response to her caresses whatsoever. She thought a little conversation would heat things up and got up on her tip toes to whisper in his ear:

-Did you have fun with my sister?

For a second, nothing was heard, but silence, and then she felt his hand grab a fistful of her curls and pull her head back until she whimpered. Her eyes were not used to the darkness yet, and she could not see his face while he ordered:

-Shut the fuck up.

Her tone froze her, and for the first time, she realized she was not safe in the same room as he. A little too late. She squealed as she felt him push her against the wall. She hit the shelves, and immediately recognized the scent of old books. It smelled like the library. She felt Draco rip her dress at the back of her neck. She wanted to get pissed off at him for ruining a many-thousands-pounds dress, but could not say a word against it. The silky fabric slid down her body without a sound. She couldn't see anything yet. It was not the first time they had sex, and it probably wouldn't be the last one, seeing as he always had to, eventually, resort to that kind of whore. She heard a zipper and arched her back in anticipation. She wasn't wearing any underwear. 'Of course not'. Draco waited for at least five seconds. That was time enough for her to decide if she wanted to stay or leave. Her answer was clear when she whispered his name with bliss.

-I told you to shut the fuck up.

Those were the last words he said to her. As expected, she didn't dare say anything else, and limited her expressions to simple utterances. Once he was finished with her, they could both see in the dark, and, as he breathed heavily, Draco realized he was even more frustrated than before, for the back in front him was missing a dragon.