A Pleasant Surprise

"Astoria!" someone called as Astoria stepped off the train and onto the platform. She looked around, stunned, until she spotted a familiar blonde waving at her.

"Draco!" she cried happily, forcing her way through the crowd towards him. "This is a surprise; I thought you were still in Sardinia!"

Draco pretended to reproach her. "Come now, Astoria. Why would I pass up on a chance to see my girlfriend?"

Astoria giggled and embraced him. "Why indeed," she murmured. "You know, it still feels kind of weird. This time two years ago, I couldn't stand to be in your company for more than ten seconds."

"I told you that you would change your mind," Draco answered. Astoria raised her eyebrow at him. "What can I say? I can be very persuasive." Astoria smirked.

"When you want to be," she muttered. Draco chuckled and led her out into Kings Cross Station.

"So, did you miss me?" Draco asked cheekily. Astoria grinned.

"Nope," she answered quickly, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. Draco pretended to be offended.

"You didn't? Not even a little?" he pouted. Astoria giggled and shook her head.

"Why would I miss a spoilt brat like you?" she asked in reply, still giggling. Draco smirked.

"You need to watch your tongue, little girl," he murmured into her ear. "Malfoys don't take kindly to insults."

"Is that so?" Astoria asked, now grinning. "Well, I should tell you, Mr Malfoy, that Greengrasses don't take kindly to threats, however subtle they might be."

Draco chuckled lightly, before leading Astoria out into the open air.

"Oh, that reminds me," he muttered as he began rummaging through his pockets. "I bought you something while I was in Barcelona a few weeks ago. Now, where did I put it?"

"You probably dropped it, knowing you," Astoria replied, eyeing him suspiciously. What was he up to?

"I hope not; it cost me a bloody fortune," Draco sounded slightly agitated as he kept searching. "Ah, there it is!" he exclaimed, pulling a small gift box out of his right pocket. Astoria made a playful grab at it, but Draco pulled it out of her reach. Astoria glared at him.

"Well, that's not very nice!" she pouted. "You buy me a present, but won't give it to me?"

"I'll give it to you, Astoria, but you have to promise me something first," Draco said seriously.

"And if I refuse?" Astoria asked playfully. Draco snickered.

"Well, call me arrogant, but something tells me you won't be able to resist," he replied.

"Arrogant," Astoria muttered cheekily. "Come on, Draco. The suspense is killing me," she teased. Draco opened the box, but before Astoria could see what it contained, he slipped his hand inside and removed it. With one swift movement, he grabbed Astoria's right hand and slipped a ring on it.

"You have to agree to spend the rest of your life with me," he said, before crashing his lips onto hers, hard. If Astoria was shocked by this bold action, it did not show. She reached up and wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling him closer. Finally, after almost a minute, they pulled apart.

"Agreed?" Draco asked cautiously.

"Agreed," Astoria muttered, unable to conceal her euphoria.

There. Not as romantic as I'm sure you guys would have preferred, but in my own defence, Draco Malfoy is hardly the romantic type.

BTW: Just to avoid confusion, the next chapter will skip forward to just before Lucius is due for release.

That's all from me for now. Enjoy :P