I personally like this one a lot better than yesterday's; what do you think?

Thanks for all the loveliness, readers & reviewers :)

-Jackie

Moments Remembered

An Astoria/Draco Drabble series

#14 – Maniac

"Draco, I don't know about this," Astoria said nervously as she wiggled her feet that were now dangling above the ground.

"You'll be fine; just hold on tight. I'm an excellent flyer," Draco boasted while placing a hand protectively over the ones she had wrapped around his middle. Astoria bit her lip as they started to easily glide forward, her feet brushing over blades of grass that were still covered in the morning dew. Draco began to tilt the broom upward, and she shivered a bit as they climbed into the air.

"I can't believe you've never flown before," Draco called over his shoulder. "And to think you call yourself a witch!'

"I-I-I don't like heights," Astoria stuttered as the ground spread out beneath her eyes as they drifted upward. A breeze made them sway and Astoria let out a terrified squeak, digging her face into Malfoy's back as she squeezed his waist tighter.

"Not so tight, Astoria; I can hardly breathe!" She loosened her hold a little, but still clenched her face against his robes. She couldn't help but notice that he smelled awfully good.

"Just don't look down and you'll be fine. Look, you can see the sun starting to rise." Astoria opened her eyes cautiously and looked over his shoulder (but not at the ground!) and saw rays of light peeking over the edge of the world. She had to admit that it was beautiful and perhaps worth the height.

Draco turned one shoulder back so he could face her. This now made her only able to clench onto the back of his robes with one hand, being forced to grab the broom with the other. Astoria had to fight to keep herself from hyperventilating.

"Just hold on with your legs, and let go," he said. She looked at him as if he were an honest-to-Merlin maniac.

"Draco, I can't—."

"Just try it for a second and I'll leave you alone about it," he promised. Astoria seemed to be biting her lip in half from so much pressure, but she slowly unclenched her fingers from his robe and lifted her other from the broom handle. She took slow and steady breaths as she sat up, hands held cautiously before her. She smiled.

"This isn't so bad," Astoria said, but too soon; she accidentally looked down and saw the ground hundreds of feet below. Her vision started to spiral and images of her falling to her death plagued her mind. She lunged forward into Draco's chest, rocking the broomstick since he was unprepared for the shift.

"I don't like this, I want to get down; get me down, Draco, please!" Astoria blubbered into his chest like a little girl as she clenched her eyes shut over the tears that were beginning to well.

"We're fine, Astoria, we're fine; plus there's one other thing my mates said was worth trying on a broom," Draco said as he held them steady once again.

"Just don't make me let go," she whimpered.

"Don't worry; we'll be closer." Astoria opened her eyes and looked up into his face, catching the familiar gleam in his eye. He began to kiss her, slowly moving his arms until they were wrapped around her, hoping she wouldn't become terrified from the change. She did tremble a bit in his arms but remained calm nevertheless. Astoria ended up being so good about it in fact, that Draco actually pulled away first, figuring it would be best to leave before she lost her mind over the height again.

"It's getting a bit cold up here; we should probably finish this on the ground."

"But I don't want to go down," she said, shocking him. "Your friends were right; it is better up here." Astoria gave him another kiss to prove her point. As she pulled away, however, another wind rocked the broomstick. She instinctively dove forward again, grabbing him for support.

"Oh what was I thinking? Get me down from here!" She cried into his chest. Draco chuckled under his breath and slowly began to lower the broom once again.

I'm personally terrified of the thought of falling, so I can relate with Astoria on this one! haha

-Jackie :)