Chapter 55
Astoria's Invitation

(Astoria's PoV)

Saturday evening, the Great Hall at Hogwarts was filled with students. There were rumors that Headmistress McGonagall was going to announce something that evening, and everyone was excited to hear what she had to say. Astoria was sitting at the Slytherin Table eating, and reading through a chapter of her Advanced Potion Making book. The previous day she had failed to make a passing version the lying potion, Mentiraserum. Professor Slughorn had given her extra homework, asking her to do an essay on the differences and similarities between Veritaserum and Mentiraserum, and when it is essential to use both.

"Slughorn was really harsh on you yesterday, Astoria," a voice said on the other side of the table.

Astoria looked up. Garrett, her partner in Potions class, was looking at her. She was surprised he was talking to her. They had never talked outside of Potions class.

"It's okay," Astoria said, shrugging, "I was distracted with the potion. Made a few mistakes."

"One mistake, Astoria," Garrett said, "You added a rat's tail instead of a Flobberworm. They look similar and have the same texture. Anyone could have made the same mistake."

"We learned the differences in ingredients a long time ago," Astoria said, "That can hardly be to blame. I just wasn't paying attention."

Garrett opened his mouth to speak, but frowned and looked back down at his chicken leg. Astoria shrugged and looked back at her book.

A sharp ding interrupted Astoria's concentration and she looked up at the Professor's table, as did everyone else in the room.

"Righ'," Hagrid said, "Professor McGonagall woul' like ter make an announcement."

Professor McGonagall stood up.

"Thank you, Hagrid," she said, then turned to the students. "There have been rumors going around that I have arranged a surprise announcement for this evening. I will now say those rumors are correct. As everyone knows, in the coming weeks, you'll all be studying for your End of Term tests. I wish you all luck on those. I'm sure they will be very exhausting and troubling. So, I have given all of you something to look forward to for the last day of term. On the final Friday morning before term ends, I invite the First through Third Years to come and enjoy an early Christmas party here in the Great Hall."

The First through Third Years cheered.

"Fourth through Seventh years, I haven't left you out," McGonagall said. "Because, on the same Friday, in the evening, I am inviting the lot of you to the Yule Ball that will be taking place here that evening."

The Fourth through Seventh Years cheered loudly. Professor McGonagall put her hand up.

"I've announced this early so that you can prepare for it and be dressed in your best that evening," she said. "I hope that all of you will be on your best manners. Thank you."

Professor McGonagall smiled and sat back down in her chair. Students around the Great Hall starting chatting animatedly again, and most of the older students were talking about the Yule Ball. Astoria grinned to herself. She'd have to ask Professor McGonagall if she could invite somebody from outside the castle. As she was thinking about how much fun she'd have with Draco, she heard Garrett clear his throat across the table. She put her book down and looked at him.

"So, the Yule Ball, huh?" Garrett said, "Should be fun."

"Yes," Astoria said, "It should be."

Garrett nodded and looked back down at his food. Astoria smiled and looked back at her book.

"Er... Astoria?" Garrett said, in a small voice, "Would you –?"

He sighed and blushed.

"Hmm?" Astoria asked, turning a page of her book, "Did you say something, Garrett?"

"Would you – you know," Garrett stammered, "Er – would you be interested in coming to the Yule Ball with me?"

Astoria's eyes widened, and the words in her book became blurry. She hadn't even been aware Garrett had taken a fancy to her. Though... it did explain a few things. Garrett had rushed to sit down with Astoria at the first Potions Class of the year. He always sat across the table from her in the Great Hall. And it did explain why he might have been avoiding her other than during Potions Class. He must have been shy around her.

Astoria looked at Garrett, who grinned at her.

"Oh," Astoria said, "Er – I'm sorry, Garrett. I'd love to – but – you see, I'm planning on asking somebody else."

Garrett's grin suddenly faltered and disappeared.

"There's another student you fancy?" he asked, "Okay. I should have seen that coming."

"He's not a student," Astoria said, "He was, but he graduated last year. I'm planning on asking McGonagall if I can invite him for the dance."

"Oh, so you've been going with this guy for quite a while," Garrett said.

"Yeah," Astoria said, "Quite a while."

"Oh," Garrett said, "Okay, that's cool. Brilliant."

"I'm sorry," Astoria said.

"It's fine," Garrett said.

"You're a wonderful guy, Garrett," Astoria said, "You should ask someone else. I'm sure there are quite a few girls who would love to go with you."

"Yeah," Garrett said, "Yes – maybe I'll do that."

"Good luck," Astoria said, smiling.

Garrett nodded and looked back down at his food.

After dinner, Astoria walked over to Professor McGonagall, who was still sitting at the Professor's table.

"Er – Headmistress?" Astoria said.

Professor McGonagall looked up.

"Yes, Miss Greengrass?" she asked.

"I was wondering," she said, "well – the person I want to ask to the Yule Ball. He's not a student – well he was last year. I was wanting permission to ask him to come to the Yule Ball."

Professor McGonagall gave a rare smile.

"May I ask who this particular gentleman is?" she asked.

"Draco Malfoy, ma'am," Astoria said.

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows at Astoria, and Astoria wasn't sure of her answer. She then smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Miss Greengrass," she said, "You have my permission to invite him."

"Thank you, Headmistress," Astoria said.

"You're welcome," McGonagall said, "Good evening."

Astoria grinned and happily walked out of the Great Hall and headed for the Slytherin Common Room. She wondered what Draco was doing at this moment, and how excited he would be to receive her invitation for the Yule Ball.

-
(Draco's PoV)

Astoria probably would have never guessed that, at that moment, Draco was currently hiding out in a small cave near Hogsmeade. He had been living there ever since the day after he had left Hermione in the Shrieking Shack. He had stayed at the Hog's Head for the rest of that day, but he didn't know what he was going to do next. He had thoughts of going back to his and Pansy's house, but how would he explain his actions about why he broke the eavesdropping mirror? He had done it so Pansy wouldn't eavesdrop on Ron and Hermione anymore. He had already planned out the whole conversation with Hermione in his head, before he talked to her. If she was going to talk to Ron about their conversation, Draco didn't want Pansy to hear them. So he had broken the mirror to make sure.

The morning after he met with Hermione, he went back to the house. But what he found, he did not expect. The house had been barricaded by protective enchantments by the Ministry itself. When he had looked inside the house, it was completely empty. Something had happened at the house, and now Pansy was no longer there. At first, he thought of returning to Malfoy Manor, but his parents would have asked questions he couldn't answer.

Plus, if anyone came looking for him, he didn't want to be there. He didn't know how Ron and Harry would react to him confronting Hermione, nor if they could convince the Ministry to call off the search for him.

He had thoughts of searching for Pansy, or going to Daphne and Blaise's flat in London, but those thoughts were wiped out thanks to his actions in Hogsmeade the day he found that his old residence was now vacated...

Flashback:

Draco apparated back into Hogsmeade, wondering what he was going to do. The house that had been his home, though not a particular one, for the past month was now vacant and quarantined by the Ministry of Magic. He refused to go back to his parents' house, because he knew they would ask questions, and he couldn't answer them. He decided he would just stay in Hogsmeade for now. Aberforth Dumbledore wouldn't mind if he rented a room for a while. He needed the service to fuel his retirement funds.

Draco decided he would think over what to do, over a good meal. He went to the Three Broomsticks and took a seat. Hannah Abbot walked up to him.

"Thought you'd be gone already," Hannah said, "Hogsmeade Weekend is over."

"Decided I might stay around here for a while," Draco said.

"What can I get you to eat?" Hannah asked.

"Fish and chips," Draco said, "And a Butterbeer."

"Coming up," Hannah said.

Draco thanked Hannah. He then stood up and walked over to the men's restroom. A couple of minutes later, when he walked out, he saw Pansy Parkinson walk into the Three Broomsticks. Draco did the first thing he could think of... he bolted back into the restroom. He then opened the door slightly.

"Hey, Abbot!" Pansy's voice said, "Have you seen Draco around here lately?"

It was a very tense moment for Draco. Did Hannah know that Draco didn't want to talk to Pansy right now? Or would she reveal to Pansy that Draco was in the area.

"Haven't seen him lately," Hannah said.

"Thank you, Hannah!" Draco whispered.

"I know he was here for Hogsmeade weekend," Pansy said, "You must have seen him then?"

"Oh, yeah," Hannah said, "Yep. I saw him on Saturday. I know he rented a room at Aberforth's bar for the night. But haven't seen him since."

"You better be telling me the truth, Abbot," Pansy said.

Draco heard the door to the Three Broomsticks open and close, and he chanced walking out. He could see the back of Pansy's head as she headed up the street for the Hog's Head. When Hannah saw him, he nodded and put a finger to his lips.

"I'll take a rain check on that meal," he said in a low voice, "Thanks for lying to her."

"It was easy," Hannah said, "Never liked her too much."

Draco grinned and walked toward the door of the bar. He looked up the road, and saw Pansy turning toward the direction of the Hog's Head. Draco walked in a quick, but stealthy pace toward the Hog's Head. When he arrived, he ducked under one of the filthy windows and listened for any voices.

"... seen Draco Malfoy lately?" Pansy's voice said.

"Er..." Aberforth Dumbledore's low voice said, "Yeah... yeah, I have!"

Draco narrowed his eyes.

"He said he was off to the Shrieking Shack or something like that," Aberforth said.

Draco grinned. Aberforth must have appreciated Draco's business to do a straight up lie like that. He heard more footsteps and then bolted around the corner of the building. He stood up against a wall and peered around it. Pansy was walking toward the direction of the Shrieking Shack.

"She is not going to give up, is she?" Draco whispered.

He thought about what he could do. He could apparate away, and hope Pansy didn't find him. Or he could confront her and find out what she was doing.

"Ah, to hell with it," Draco said.

He waited until he saw Pansy disappear down the path to the Shrieking Shack, then followed her. He managed to stay behind Pansy without her noticing him. She walked toward the Shrieking Shack, and over to the front door. Pansy pointed her wand at the door, and it opened. She then disappeared inside.

Draco thought about what he could do. He wanted to confront her, but he needed to surprise her. As he was thinking of what to do, Pansy walked out of the shack, and the way she was going, she was walking right toward him. He knew it was now or never.

He took his wand from his pocket and stepped out into the open.

"Hello, Pansy," Draco said.

Pansy's eyes widened when she saw him.

"Happy to see me?" Draco asked.

"I've been looking for you," Pansy said, "Daphne's not very happy with you. She didn't take you coming here to meet up with her sister very well. Also, she wants to know why you broke the mirror. I'm a little keen on finding that out myself too."

"Worried I will have seven years bad luck or something?" Draco said, "How sweet of you. Breaking the mirror was an accident. It fell off the table and shattered. Sorry that I didn't tell you before I came here. Guess I had too many thoughts on my mind. You know... I went by the house earlier. Did you have a touch of bad luck?"

"Had to get out of there," Pansy said. "Potter and Weasley were coming, and we were out of Polyjuice Potion."

"Way to go," Draco said.

"Daphne wants me to bring you back to her," Pansy said, "Are you going to come quietly with me?"

"I don't know," Draco said, "I kind of like it out here. Change of scenery from that cramped old house we've been in."

"You realize if you don't come with me," Pansy said, "Daphne will tell Astoria what you've been doing."

Draco narrowed his eyes. He twirled his wand in his fingers.

"Oh, the shame Astoria would feel if she found out," Pansy taunted. "Her perfect man... back with the bad guys again. The poor girl would have quite the broken heart over it."

"Don't talk about Astoria like that, Pansy," Draco said.

"Or you'll do what?" Pansy said.

Draco smirked.

"Stupefy!" he yelled.

"Protego!" Pansy said, waving her wand,

"Expelliarmus!" Draco and Pansy both said.

Their wands both left their hands, and met in the middle, then hit each other and fell to the ground. Draco and Pansy raced toward their wands. Draco dived toward his and picked it up, then rolled out of the way. Pansy bent down to pick hers up.

"Stupefy!" Draco yelled.

The spell hit Pansy head-on and Pansy fell over, stunned.

Draco picked himself up off the ground and walked over to her. He stared at her and wondered what he should do with her. He then realized he had only one choice. He had to make sure Pansy forgot about him being here, or talking to him. But could he remove the memories clearly enough without hurting her? He had never done the spell before.

He pictured in his mind what he wanted Pansy to forget and pointed his wand at her.

"Obliviate," Draco said.

Pansy's eyes, open, though unseeing, went blank and out of focus. Draco knew his spell had worked. He decided he would leave her there and let her wake up on her own. The Stunning Spell would wear off after a while.

He walked away from Pansy, and weighed his options. He needed to hide somewhere where nobody would find him. He couldn't go to Hogsmeade, because he was sure somebody would look for him there. He then realized the perfect spot. There was a cave that he, Crabbe and Goyle had gone to when they had explored a path during one of their trips to Hogsmeade. It would provide the perfect shelter while he thought of something else to do. He went to Hogsmeade and bought some groceries that he could easily prepare using a fire, then headed for the cave.

Flashback ends...

Draco had been in the cave a week now. It was peaceful, though it reminded him of the boring solitude he had at the safe-house. Ever since he went to the cave, he had been back in Hogsmeade twice, to wash up and get a few more supplies. He figured he could live there for a while, though he knew the risks involved.

Ever since he had stunned Pansy, he wondered the repercussions it would cause him. Had Daphne contacted her sister yet? Had she revealed everything about him? He hadn't gotten another letter from her yet. He was sure her owl could find her in the cave.

Then, suddenly, just as he was thinking of Astoria's owl, he heard a hoot in the night... and it was very close by. He walked out of the cave, looking around, and a roll of parchment dropped at his feet. He looked down at it, then picked it up and looked up in the air. Astoria's owl was flying around in a circle above him.

"Am I glad to see you!" Draco said, "Stay here a minute."

He returned inside the cave, then took his wand from his pocket.

"Lumos," he said.

He then read Astoria's letter:

Draco,

Sorry I haven't written for the past week. Been extremely busy with homework. I have so much that I am so tired when I go to bed. But I had to write you today. Guess what! Professor McGonagall announced tonight that there is going to be a Yule Ball on Friday, the 18th of December... my last day before Christmas break. Can you please come and enjoy the night with me? McGonagall gave you permission to come. Please say yes!

Love you,
Astoria

Draco grinned. The Yule Ball... dancing with Astoria. He could see it now. His eyes sparkled at the thought. He dug into his supplies and found a quill and ink. He then wrote on the bottom of the letter:

Astoria,

I accept your invitation. Of course I'll go with you! See you then. I've been pretty busy myself. So if you don't hear from me, don't worry. I'm completely fine.

Miss you. See you on the 18th. Can't wait.

Draco

Draco walked back out of the cave and called down the owl. He then attached the note to the owl's leg. The owl flew off. He watched it until it disappeared into the night. He then walked down the path from the cave. Ever since he had come to the cave, would take this walk every night.

At the end of the path, he could see Hogsmeade in the not-so-far distance, and then Hogwarts far behind it, the lights in the castle twinkling in the night. As he did every night, he wondered if Astoria realized at that very moment if he was thinking of her, and he prayed that she never found out about the misdeeds he had done over the past couple of months.

December 18th. The Yule Ball. Could he really stay in the cave and around Hogsmeade until then? As he gazed toward Hogsmeade, he nodded to himself. He would, at least, attempt to stay there. If only for Astoria.

-
This chapter was a little short, but I only wanted Astoria and Draco's part in this.

By the way, if you are wondering. The cave Draco is at is the same one that Sirius was hiding in, during the Goblet of Fire book.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!