Written for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments) Term 14 and Quidditch League: Wigtown Wanderers as Seeker

Hogwarts Assignment 9: Etymology - Task #3: Dict- (from the Latin word "to speak.") Prompt: Write about someone who has trouble speaking their mind.

A.N.: Thank you, Angel, for the amazing piece of dialogue. You're brilliant

Word count - 358

The restaurant was beautiful, and no doubt very expensive. Draco's reputation may have been in shambles, but his pride? Absolutely intact, and Astoria knew that better than anyone else. He would hold his head high, his back straight and keep the superior look on his face, but Astoria was the only one that felt how tightly he was holding her hand every time they were out in public.

As they sat in the corner table, Draco's squeeze gave way to a soft caress over the table. They were celebrating their first anniversary as a married couple, and Astoria was radiant. She knew how much they went through to get to this point, and she would cherish every little detail.

Except for the onions on her plate.

"No," he said as soon as he caught a glimpse of the look on her face. "You have to do it yourself this time."

"Please," she pouted. "Just this once."

"Astoria, you need to start making your own complaints. If you don't like something, you need to speak up."

"I do speak up. To you. And then you take care of it."

That was the gist of their relationship. Draco didn't mind complaining about things that weren't perfect, because he didn't care if people thought he was a prick. They already did, anyway. Astoria, on the other hand, hated the thought of bothering someone, so she delegated to Draco that task.

"Well, I won't do it anymore. You need to step up for yourself."

Astoria crossed her arms, and stared at her plate. Draco knew what she was going to do a second before she actually did it, but he wasn't fast enough to stop. With a mischievous smile playing on her lips, she used her fork to push the onions onto his plate.

"That is most improper, Astoria."

"Well, you can go and properly eat it, then."

Draco held back the loud laugh that built up in his throat. That was the woman he married. Outspoken, sassy and always with the snarky comebacks, and if he had to eat an extra portion of onions to keep her happy, he absolutely would.