October 31, 2002
Hogwarts Astronomy tower
Professor Malfoy had never been a morning person. Her eyes wanted to close, but she forced them to remain open.
She groaned quietly in annoyance. Setting a telescope at each desk was easy work, but at such an early hour, on a foggy Scotland morning, it was not a fun task.
Once everything was set up, Claire apparated back to her office. When she arrived, she jumped, her best friend Astoria Greengrass was sitting on the desk.
"Tori?" Claire grinned. "What are you doing here?'"
"We need to talk," she said, hopping off the desk. "Want to sit?"
"Sure," said Claire, "breakfast doesn't start for another half hour…we have time."
Astoria nodded. She sat down on the couch while her friend sat in the chair across.
"So what do you need to talk about?" Claire asked.
"Well…" Astoria paused, and then pulled a ring out of her pocket.
Claire's eyes widened, and she gasped.
"Tori, are you engaged?"
She nodded.
"With Daphne gone," she replied, "I want you to be my Maid of Honour at my wedding."
Claire got up hugged her best friend, but she quickly let go. Astoria had left out some minor details…
"Wait!" Claire exclaimed, "Who are you marrying? Why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend? Tori! I know we haven't seen each other as much, but you couldn't owl me? What the hell? You didn't have time for a quick owl? I owled you when I started dating Blaise! You couldn't return the favour?"
"Claire!" Astoria exclaimed. "Calm down! I can explain!"
Claire sat back against the couch and took a deep breath.
"You'd better explain."
"Okay," she sighed. "We started dating two months ago, but it went really well so we starting moving really fast. I didn't tell you because I didn't know how you would react."
"Alright…" Claire thought, trying to take it all in. "But why would you be afraid to tell me that?"
"Because you know him." Astoria bit her lip, and Claire looked at her curiously.
"Someone we went to school with?"
"No," Astoria shook her head. "Well…he did go to our school, but he was a few years ahead…"
"Who?" Claire asked.
Astoria shrugged, which only irritated Claire.
"Tell me!" she begged.
"Start guessing," said Astoria. She decided to have Claire guess for two reasons: One, because she couldn't spit it out herself. And two, because it would be fun see Claire's face when she actually found out.
Claire groaned.
"Oh fine," she muttered.
"Let's see…not Goyle?"
"Eww! No way!"
"Tracy Davis?"
"No."
"Terence Higgs?"
"He's already married."
"Oh."
"Keep going…"
"Um…Lucian Bole?"
"No."
"Peregrine Derrick?"
"No."
"Carl Warrington?"
"Nope."
"Tori, just tell me!"
"You have to guess, Claire."
"Was he a Slytherin?"
"Yes."
"How many years ahead?"
"I can't tell you."
"Tell me!"
"Fine, Claire…three years."
"Are you sure it's not Goyle?"
"NO!"
"Well, it better not be Blaise!"
"OF COURSE IT ISN'T BLAISE!"
Claire paused for a moment. Crab was dead—it wasn't Goyle—not Davis-certainly not Blaise…
"Astoria," Claire asked slowly, "Are you marrying my brother?"
The dark-haired witch smiled, obviously trying to hold back a laugh.
Claire's mouth widened more than it ever had.
"Is this some kind of joke, Astoria?"
She shook her head and put the ring on her finger.
Just as Claire was thinking of how to respond, the fire turned green. Blaise stepped out and looked at both of them.
"Did you know about this?" Claire pointed at Astoria while she glared at he Potions Master.
"Yes. Draco told me not to tell you."
"Does Draco know about us then?"
"Oh no," Blaise replied, "he still doesn't know."
Claire sighed in relief, but moved her glare to Astoria.
"How the hell did you decide to date my brother?"
"He asked me out," Astoria replied. Her grin became larger—Claire was in shock.
"He asked you?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"Cause…I'm hot."
Claire laughed at this. Not because Astoria wasn't attractive…she was. She just wasn't very modest.
"Draco wants to talk to you…he's at Malfoy Manor with you mother right now."
Claire calmed herself down and looked up at the clock. They still had twenty minutes.
"Come with me, Blaise."
"To tell Draco?"
"Yes, if he gives me a heart attack today, I want to give him one as well."
Author's Note
Hi everybody,
Please read and review as usual. I hope you are all enjoying your summer!
Sincerely,
Bellastrange51
