Chapter Twenty-One

Draco paced the length of his room over and over, causing his head some slight dizziness. Since he left school a week ago, all that he could think about was the way Hermione - Granger - was clutching at Potter in the abandoned classroom. The way she was - she was never that way with him. She seemed almost needing, almost as if she needed Potter the way that she would never need him. Draco inwardly cursed himself for allowing his hopes to reach such high peaks.

Of course Potter will always win at the end of the day. He was the bloody savior of the wizarding world, after all. Children everywhere have and will always know his name. His life was legendary, and nothing Draco has ever done would eclipse that. Not to anyone, and certainly not to Granger.

Something bothered him about it all though. Why would Ganger let him believe that he even stood a chance? Draco scowled at himself.

There was a soft knock on his bedroom door. The blonde wizard straightened his back and walked over to answer it. Narcissa Malfoy stood just outside, a soft smile gracing her features.

"Mother?" Draco greeted her.

"I have just come to ensure that you are ready for the evening." She told him.

He nodded. He was as ready as he was ever going to be.

"Very well," she responded. "I'll see you downstairs for dinner then."

"Of course."

He watched as his mother retreated down the hall before closing his door. Draco groaned. Tonight, he would be formally introduced to his intended, Astoria Greengrass, and her family. He sat down on the edge of his bed, recalling how this even came about.

Draco let out a small yawn as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. Still in disbelief over Granger's actions the evening prior, he was glad to have woken in his own home, engulfed in his own sheets and isolated from everyone at Hogwarts. He rubbed at his eyes, hoping that the holiday would bring him at least some brief comfort. Yes, comfort was what he needed right now.

He turned his head at the sound of a pop! to see his house elf standing at the foot of his bed.

"Master and Mistress Malfoy request the young Mister Malfoy's presence for breakfast." She quietly told him.

"Very well," he nodded in acknowledgement. "I'll be down in a short while. Thank you, Mipsy."

With another pop! his house elf disapparated from his room. Draco supposed it was time to face his parents anyway. It was a shock his mother had allowed him a few hours' peace. He got out of bed and gathered his things to take a quick shower before breakfast. The young wizard wanted to wash away all traces of the night before.

Once he was ready, Draco descended down the stairs and met both of his parents in the large dining room. A buffet full of his favorite breakfast dishes was laid out on the table. Draco took his seat across from his mother and began filling a plate with various breakfast foods. He had missed home.

"Good morning, Draco, my darling." Narcissa said as she sipped her tea.

"Good morning, Mother. Father." Draco said, not once looking at the pair of them.

"What are you doing home?" Lucius asked.

His son feigned confusion, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean? It's the Yule holiday."

"Yes," Narcissa chimed in. "Of course. But we were under the impression that you wouldn't be joining us here at the manor this year."

A barely audible sigh left Draco's lips. Of course they would think such a thing, it's not as if he corresponded with any of the communications that they had sent him. A small bit of guilt crept up his spine.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I changed my mind."

Lucius looked at him with a stern expression plastered across his face. "Is there something going on that we should know about?"

Draco sat still for a moment. It wasn't as if he would be able to blurt out that he's been fancying the most famous muggleborn in all of Wizarding Britain, and that he'd caught her snogging her best friend. Instead, he merely shook his head.

"Very well then," Lucius said with a smile. "It's good to have you home, son."

Narcissa shot her son and husband a look with complete adoration in her eyes, a small smile playing at her lips.

"Well, should we take care of more pressing matters?" She said.

"Perhaps his first breakfast home isn't the best time Cissy," Lucius cautioned.

"Nonsense. It's the perfect time. I'm sure Draco understands."

Draco watched his parents engage in a conversation as if he were not there. "Sorry, take care of what matters?" He finally queried.

His mother looked at him, still smiling. "Well your betrothal, of course!"

The young wizard dropped his fork onto his plate, causing a loud clatter to echo throughout the room.

"I am not betrothed." He calmly told his mother.

"Is it the Greengrass girl? Does she not appeal to you? There are plenty of other witches that we can make arrangements with. That Parkinson girl -"

"I do not wish to make arrangements with anyone." The young blonde informed her.

Narcissa's face fell. "Draco, darling. Surely we have raised you with better manners than that. You will not interrupt your mother as she speaks again, do you understand?"

Draco felt his cheeks burn as anger crept inside of him for being reprimanded. Surely his mother would understand how archaic arranged marriages were, even if she was able to eventually find love on her own. He nodded once, feeling like a five-year-old.

"As I was saying. If you feel that the Greengrass girl is unsuitable, we would be happy to find someone else." She continued.

"Actually," Draco said as he lightly coughed. "I was hoping to marry a witch of my own choosing. Eventually."

"You know your duties as the sole heir of the Malfoy estate." Narcissa reminded him, as if he needed any reminder.

"I do," he responded. "But does that mean I must participate in an arranged marriage? Perhaps I would be able to find a suitable witch on my own."

She nodded, though Draco highly doubted that she was hearing him.

"I'm sure you could," she said in a falsely encouraging voice. "But your father and I have found a suitable witch, by any standards."

As suspected, Narcissa wasn't hearing what her son was saying to her.

"Actually," Lucius finally spoke up, "I see no reason why Draco should not be permitted to at least voice who he finds to be a worthy suitor. He will be tied to her for the rest of his life, after all."

Draco and his mother looked at Lucius with equally shocked expressions. The young wizard couldn't believe what he had just heard uttered from his father's mouth. His mother was probably shocked just the same, with a small hint of betrayal in her eyes. She was most likely disappointed that Lucius did not stand by her words.

"This family," Narcissa began in an uncomfortably low voice, "Has been through enough. Our name has been dragged through the mud and back, we have had to bear our shame for all to see. I will not stand for my son to tarnish what small pride we have left to our name."

"Narcissa, times have changed, my love. If Draco thinks that he may be able to find someone better suited to him, who are we to stop him?" Lucius countered.

Draco was absolutely floored by what his father was saying. Never in his short life had he ever imagined that it would be his father of all people siding with him on this. Not only that, but that it was his mother who needed convincing. What happened to the fragile, frail, understanding woman who always showed him every bit of kindness? When had she hardened in her soul so much that not even her son's happiness could sway her?

"I will not stand for this!" Narcissa exclaimed, rising to her feet. "Tradition is everything to us, everything that we know. Why should we turn our backs on that, over some silly ideas arisen from a war we should have won?"

With that, the usually elegant and classy witch stormed out of the room, leaving Lucius and Draco speechless.

Draco stared at his plate of untouched breakfast, completely having lost his appetite. He just couldn't believe what had transpired. It was like his entire world shifted in a matter of hours. Granger was traipsing off with Potter, his mother had turned into some unwavering blood purist, and his father - his father of all people - was actually agreeing with him in terms of an arranged marriage. Was this a dream?

"Well," Lucius coughed out, effectively drawing Draco's attention to him, "Perhaps it might take some convincing to get your mother to come around."

Draco snorted. "I just don't understand her right now."

"Maybe not, but would it be absolutely impossible for you to at least try to humor her ideas?"

The young Malfoy looked at his father, studying his expression. Lucius actually seemed genuine. His face held a soft expression, his eyes almost pleading. Draco offered nothing in response, he just stared at his father.

"In the end Draco, your mother and I just want you to be happy. She might not be going about it in a way that you like, but she just wants what is best for you."

"How would an arranged marriage make me happy?" He couldn't help but ask. He wasn't actually expecting an answer, he just wanted to throw it out there.

Lucius smiled at his son. "It worked out for us, as you know. I'm not saying marry the Greengrass girl. But perhaps you could at least meet her?"

Draco shrugged. He didn't really care to meet her, but he also didn't need this added stress in his life. Unbeknownst to his parents, he'd already corresponded with her. The idea of their betrothal weighed heavily on his mind. He just didn't want to have to commit to it right away.

"I suppose." Draco responded.

A pop! of his house elf's appearance pulled Draco away from the memory.

"The guests of honor have arrived. Young Master Malfoy is needed in the drawing room," she squeaked out.

"Very well. Thank you, Mipsy." Draco told her.

As she disapparated from his room, Draco gave himself once last glance in the mirror. His black suit was tailored to fit his athletic frame exactly right, his hair was neatly slicked, and there was not a single thing out of place. Exhaling slowly, Draco headed out of his room and down to the drawing room to greet the guests.

Astoria Greengrass was remarkably beautiful, there was no use in denying that. She wore an exquisite violet gown, that hugged her petite frame in all of the right places. Her hair hung down her back in effortless curls and the little makeup she wore did wonders to accentuate her features. She flashed Draco a shy smile as they made eye contact.

"Ah, there's our dear boy." Lucius observed, grinning, as Draco walked over to the guests. "Please meet William and Eleanor Greengrass, and their lovely daughter, Astoria."

Draco politely shook William's hand and nodded in greeting before turning to his wife to shake her hand as well. He then looked at Astoria, took her hand, and kissed the top of it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said with his signature charming smile.

Astoria flushed crimson at Draco's display of affection. She offered a small nod at the wizard before reluctantly pulling her hand away.

Narcissa smiled as she looked on, before interrupting the greetings with a small cough.

"If you'll all follow me this way, please." She said as she waved towards the dining hall. "Dinner is served."

Draco allowed Astoria and her parents to walk ahead of him into the other room. Even with how angry he was with his mother, he couldn't help but admire her timeless taste and gracious hosting abilities. The dining hall was decorated with various silvers and a touch of green. She never failed to impress her son on such an occasion. Draco pulled out a chair and helped Astoria take her seat before taking his own next to her.

A buffet featuring prime rib as the main entree was spread across the table.

"Would you like some potatoes?" Draco asked Astoria as he began to make her a plate.

She nodded in agreement and graciously accepted the meal offered to her. Draco gave her a smile before turning to serve himself. The dishes before him was giving off a delicious aroma and though he knew to mind his manners, he did feel a bit famished today.

"So Draco," Astoria's father addressed him, "Lucius tells me you've elected to return to Hogwarts."

Draco nodded. "Yes, sir."

"How are things this year? Are they still promoting all that muggle rubbish as part of the curriculum?"

So it's going to be that kind of evening tonight, Draco thought to himself.

Before he could respond, his mother spoke up. "Well you know Minerva is the headmistress now. She's always had such loose morals, it would be asking too much to request that she leave the children out of it."

"It's a shame, really," Astoria's mother chimed in. "Our girls have been enjoying themselves at Beauxbatons this past term."

"Which of course, could change if we have ourselves an understanding." Mr. Greengrass informed them.

Draco felt like this dinner was surreal. Their parents were talking about them as if they weren't there at all. He supposed he should be used to it by now, they have done it since he was born. Everything in his life was decided for him before he was even conceived. But he was just sick of all of it now. He could feel himself tensing up, years of built up anger about to overflow when his father spoke.

"Such a lovely dinner that Mipsy has prepared tonight," Lucius said.

The members at the table nodded in unanimous agreement. Draco was partially glad for the change in topic, but truthfully there was nothing more that he wanted to do than to leave right at this instance. Of course, having been raised with the manners that Pureblood families insist on instilling in their newborns, he sat idly by as the elders participated in political chat that he didn't care for.

Just as dinner vanished and dessert was presented, Draco felt something on his leg and jerked forward.

"Draco, darling, are you alright?" Narcissa looked at him, eyes filled with concern.

The young blonde peered down at his leg, just as Astoria slowly removed her hand from his person. He slightly reddened.

"Err… Yes, mother. I'm fine." He mumbled.

His and Astoria's parents took that as fact and resumed their conversation while they ate pudding.

Astoria reached over once more and brushed her hand along the length of Draco's thigh, sending a chill up his spine. He turned to look at her only to find her bearing what he assumed was supposed to be a seductive grin. He wasn't sure if he was turned on, or if he should be disgusted that this girl was advancing in him so quickly when they had just met.

"What are you doing?" He whispered to her.

Instead, she said nothing to him as she flashed him another one of those smiles. He shook his head at her. She was being so inappropriate for dinner. Draco felt completely out of his element. He hadn't expected any witch to ever be so forward.

Feeling flushed, he let out a sigh before interrupting the conversation taking place. "May I be excused?"

His mother shot him a look that he couldn't quite decipher, but if he had to guess, he would guess that she wasn't exactly pleased.

"Of course, son," Lucius told him, giving him an encouraging smile. "Perhaps now would be a nice time to show Miss Greengrass the library."

Draco was feeling eternally grateful for his father until he heard that last bit come out. He inwardly groaned, but turned to smile at Astoria as if nothing was wrong. Arising from his seat, he stood behind Astoria's chair to let her know he would be helping her. Once she began to stand, he pulled her chair from behind her and offered her his arm. All his life he had to do things that were less than pleasant to him without showing any indication of it, and tonight was certainly no different. He led Astoria away from the dining hall and upstairs to the library. He never uttered a single word on the way there and luckily, she didn't either.

"Well," Draco sighed, "this is it." Catching Astoria's frown, he asked, "do you like to read?"

Tilting her back, Astoria let out a small laugh, so different from Granger's— no. He quickly banished the thought and turned to the witch besides him as he watched her walk further into the library.

"Enough with the formalities." Astoria quickly turned to face him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "What's your deal?"

"Deal?" Draco asked, confusion taking over his features. "What deal?"

Sighing, Astoria walked over to the sofa near the fireplace and Draco followed, taking a seat on one of the armchairs.

"You don't want this." Astoria stated. "I can see it in your eyes you want nothing to do with me."

Running his fingers through his hair, Draco nodded. "I don't. I want to marry someone I love, not," he waved a hand between them, "some ridiculous marriage contract."

Flinching at the comment, Astoria nodded slowly. "I see."

Narrowing his eyes, Draco watched her shoulders tense and her face expression hardened. He didn't want to hurt the bloody witch's feelings, that wasn't his intention, but he felt like he needed to be honest with her. There was no point in pretending with her. He did feel some guilt for, what, he wasn't so sure. It wasn't as if they were long time friends or even a couple. He wouldn't know why she would seem bothered by his comment, she hardly knew him. Unless she was one of those twats after his money.

"That's fine," Astoria commented with a bright smile on her face, breaking Draco from his thoughts. "We can be friends."

"Come again?" Asked Draco.

"Friends, Draco." Astoria said slowly as if she were talking to a ninny. "We can get to know each other."

Internally rolling his eyes, Draco nodded. "Sure, why not?"

"You know your duty to your family, why suddenly voice your opinions?" Asked the witch in front of him. "It's how it's been for years. You enter a betrothal and you are obligated to stick with it."

Snorting, Draco leaned on his knees, making eye contact with his betrothal. "Listen, Astoria. I don't have to explain myself to you or to anyone for that bloody matter."

"Touchy, touchy." She teased, smirking. "You know, if we're going to try to at least be friends—"

"You're idea, not mine."

"—we're going to have to get to know one another." Tapping her finger against her chin, Astoria smiled. "Never have I ever?"

"No."

"And why not—"

"No," Draco growled under his breath.

That game was a hard no for him. Not only did it remind him of that bushy haired Gryffindor, but it seemed like a memory he was not ready to replace with anyone else. They drank and laughed without a care in the world and for once, Draco felt like he didn't have to hide who he truly was.

"Okay…" Astoria sighed. Sitting back in her chair. "You aren't the only one who doesn't want to go through this you know."

Draco looked up, eyebrows raised.

"You don't think I want that as well? To fall hopelessly in love with a wizard or muggle who can sweep me off my feet and shower me with love and adoration? I want that too. To grow old with a man who will love me unconditionally. To dance in the rain, travel the world and just be… free."

Staring at her in shock, Draco asked, "muggle?"

"That's not the point." Astoria snapped. Sighing wistfully, she looked towards the fireplace, a dazed look in her eyes. "I don't believe the prejudice ways my parents believe. I am my own person and I will choose my path."

Shaking his head, Draco spoke up. "If that is the case, why are you going along with betrothal?"

"Daphne."

"What about her?" Asked Draco.

"She brought shame to the Greengrass family." Chuckling, Astoria shook her head. "You see, Daphne has fallen pregnant. With a muggle."

"No." Draco whispered unbelievingly.

Not in a million years did it ever cross his mind that Daphne would hang around non magical people. How was it even possible for her when she needed an escort whenever she left her home. Not only that, but Daphne Greengrass was as bigoted as he was back in school. There was no way she would have hidden that from him. Right?

"Yes." Is all Astoria had said.

"But… how?" Draco asks confused. He hadn't seen or heard from Daphne since the war and now that they were talking about her, he was surprised Pansy hadn't kept in contact with the witch. The two were inseparable.

Shrugging, Astoria studied her nails. "Blaise."

"Come again?"

"Blaise Zabini also attended Beauxbaton. They took off before the year even started." Astoria stated nonchalantly.

Draco shook his head. "Blaise isn't a muggle."

Astoria looked up and smirked. "No, but his mother's fifteenth husband's son is."

Draco leaned back in his chair, chuckling. "I forgot how Ebony Zabini marries whoever is filthy rich. Either they be wizard or muggle."

"And this one happens to be a muggle." Astoria giggles, covering her mouth.

Draco smiled, "so Daphne and Blaise just took off?"

Blaise was one of his best mates in school. It saddened Draco to know that he hadn't kept in touch with him. After the war, the Zabini's disappeared. They've only written a handful of times to one another, but they've should've done a better job at keeping in contact. Blaise was a friend he didn't want to lose. Maybe it wasn't too late to send him an owl to see how he was doing and what he has been up to.

"Yeah, we've received a letter from Daphne late September." Astoria cleared her throat. "You see, my parents adore Blaise. When Daphne would take off and hang out with him during the summer hols, my parents didn't mind. Of course, she was chaperoned, but Daphne was a Slytherin for a reason. She had her ways. She fell pregnant and left school the beginning of October, Blaise going along."

Clearing her throat, Astoria spoke clearly and loud: "oh, William! Our sweet baby girl has married a muggle! Whatever shall we do?! The Greengrass name will fall from the humility!"

Draco burst into laughter, along with Astoria who kept mimicking her parents.

"A muggle, William! A muggle! We are cursed! The gods are after us!"

Wiping a tear from laughing too hard, Draco asked, "You still keep in contact with one another?"

"Maybe." Astoria smirked, still giggling. "Maybe not."

Chuckling, Draco shook his head. "But that doesn't explain how you got roped into being in this arrangement."

"Maybe another time." Astoria smiled, lifting her finger and showing off a golden band that turned a bright red. "Our parents are on there way up here."

Just on cue, their parents entered the library.

"Oh, dear. You must not go around alone without a chaperone! Have I taught you anything!" Mrs. Greengrass chided.

"But, mother." Astoria placed a hand on her chest. "If we were chaperoned, Draco and I wouldn't have been able to snog one another until our lips become chapped!"

"Astoria." Her father warned.

Rolling her eyes, Astoria turned to Draco with a brilliant smile. "Until we meet again, Draco Malfoy."

Draco nodded. "Astoria, it was a pleasure meeting you." He turned to her parents. "Mr and Mrs Greengrass. A pleasure as always. Please send my regards to Miss Daphne. It's been awhile since I've spoken with her."

"Oh, well." Mr. Greengrass cleared his throat. "She's been busy with school, but I will send her your hellos."

"Please see that you do." Draco smiled. "Good evening."

Without another word, the Greengrass family left the library, leaving Draco alone with his parents.

"I'd say that went rather well," Narcissa said with a smile on her face.