A/N/ So I was at the hairdresser's and then it started to rain, so I felt compelled to write this. It's Draco/Astoria, I've recently decided I love them, so bear with me. Oh, and sorry if it's kinda sappy and cliché, but I really felt like writing sappy stuff. Oops?Also, the Title Goddess was not agreeing with me today.

Title: Dancing in the rain

Summary: It hasn't rained in forever, and Astoria decides that dancing under the downpour is a good idea.

Word count: 952

Genres: Romance

Characters: Astoria M., Draco M.

FOR HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

House: Ravenclaw

for august auction:

Day 26 / Auction 2: Dancing in the rain

The sky cracked and the rain started to pour down. It was particularly black sky, a sky that might've once reminisced the sky that accompanied the Dark Lord's mark but now was simply the signature of a large thunderstorm. It had been sweltering hot for the past few days and increasingly heavy before finally, the clouds were ripped apart and delivered their wrath upon the Earth. The rain wasn't that light spring drizzle, refreshing and slightly bittersweet but a real downpour, with gallons of water cascading down to earth in long dashed lines.

"Oh my god! It's raining!" Astoria Malfoy was sitting at the window of the sitting room of Malfoy Manor where she had been idly drawing a flower on a tiny piece of paper.

"Didn't you notice the sky go dark?" her husband, Draco Malfoy, commented as he turned the page of a book.

"Psh, the sky didn't go dark per say, just more like, it got ready to cry upon the Earth." Astoria giggled. "Oh, I've had a brilliant idea!" And she got up and out her chair before Draco could say another word.

Draco followed her doubtfully as she crossed the threshold and the entrance of their home without even pausing before running out into the rain. Merlin's beard! Astoria was only wearing a lift cotton summer dress and no shoes!

"Astoria! Come back! You're going to catch a cold!"

"Nonsense!" She just laughed at him and enjoyed the rivets of water splashing into her face and dripping down her neck.

"But, your illness!"

"So what? Screw the illness and come with me!"

She looked so happy running around in the rain, her feet getting incredibly dirty. Draco mumbled and began to take his jumper and shoes off, knowing that there was no possible way he was going to be able to convince his wife to come back in, except if he went there himself.

Astoria had always been so light-hearted, so happy and uncaring, almost like a child. But this freedom of spirit, the levity was exactly what Draco loved and needed. His wife was perfect after a life of obligations and pressure she was like a fresh breeze. He loved her dearly, but sometimes her behaviour led her to doing slightly rash things, like rushing outside in the rain despite the fact that she was suffering from a blood curse that mainly targeted her lungs.

The sky was still crying just as hard as he crossed the puddles in the lawn to meet his wife.

"Isn't it lovely?" she laughed, as droplets of water pearled on her eyelashes.

"Astoria, love, you need to go back in," he tried to coax her.

"Nonsense! Besides, we haven't had rain in so long, just enjoy it."

"I can hardly enjoy being drenched to the bone. Besides, it's ruining my clothes."

"Please, I know you hate those trousers."

"Doesn't mean I want to ruin them!"

Astoria simply laughed, a lovely bubbly sound.

Draco could feel the mud under his feet, uncomfortable and gooey, and the rain beating down upon his face. The sky was slowly getting lighter and lighter. Surely it would be over soon and Astoria would want to go back in soon.

"Look, it'clearing up, can we go back in now."

She just rolled her eyes. "No, of course not! We are staying till the rain is over!"

"Who said I was staying?"

"You know very well that you're going to stay with me."

"You're lucky I love you so much."

She just giggled.

"Besides, what are we going to do while we wait?"

"Can't you just enjoy the rain for what it is?"

"No!"

Tsk, so impatient!" A pause, then: "I know! Let's dance!"

"Dance?" Draco echoed.

"Yes, can't you hear the music of the water?"

"No?"

She sighed and smiled: "Then I'll just have to teach you to listen to it, then."

The rain filled the silence that followed the exchange, before Astoria huffed and said: "Well, aren't you going to invite me, it's etiquette for a gentleman to invite a lady!"

"You're seriously going to apply etiquette right now?"

"I'm still waiting."

"Fine." Draco rolled his eyes: "Would you do me the honour of this dance, Miss?"

"It's Mrs, just so you know," she corrected and he smirked, "but of course."

He took her hands and placed them on his shoulders before, putting his own around her waist, and they pressed their bodies together, wet cloth against wet cloth, Astoria's dark hair stuck to her face instead of the careful up-do the elves had spent an hour on that morning.

Together they twirled around in the rain, Draco enjoying the sound of his wife's heartbeat against his own, and the sall inhale and exhale as they muddied their feet. Astoria seemed to be perfectly content, closing her eyes and smiling softly to herself.

After a couple of shuffles, Draco whispered: "You know, I still can't hear it."

"Then shut up you goof," she murmured from where her head was buried in his chest, not looking up.

So he too shut his eyes and listened to the sound of drops hitting the Earth, and the sound of Astoria almost humming some bizarre tune, until Draco realised she was singing to the music of the rain.

In perfect bliss, they continued to dance, enjoying their moment of peace.

The sky began to brighten, and brighten until suddenly, almost out of nowhere, the blue reappeared, just like the previous days, but with the added freshness of a recent rainfall.

"I believe this song is over," he said.

"Then I guess I must thank you for the dance, sir."

"You are very welcome. Come on, let's go back inside."