Chapter 2 The Morning After

Sunlight flittering in through a window woke Astoria from her deep slumber, her irises unable to withstand the blinding assault. She sat up slowly, blinking away the tiredness in her eyes, but as she sat up against the headboard she realized she was naked, and the blanket fell away to expose her bare chest. She quickly yanked the blanket up again, covering herself, and it was only then that she heard the snores coming from the man with whom she shared the bed. A mop of red hair peeked out from beneath the blanket but he was otherwise obscured from view. The events from last night came back to her in full force, their abruptly concluded dinner, apparating back to his apartment and the furious love-making that lasted until close to midnight when they both fell asleep in each other's arms; way too tired to last another round. Astoria quietly stood from the bed, fetched her discarded bra, knickers and dress and headed into the bathroom. Ron was still fast asleep so she figured she'd get her turn in the shower now before he woke.

Astoria stepped across the cold marble floor of the bathroom, leaving her lingerie and dress hanging on one of the racks and stepped into the shower stall. She cast a quick warming charm on the shower head and set her wand down on the sink, allowing the water to be brought up to temperature instantly. Switching on the shower head, she sighed happily as the warm water soaked her blonde curls and cleansing her mind and her body as it cascaded down the latter. I fucked Ron…what does that make us? Just…colleagues? Friends who messed around? Friends with benefits? Boyfriend and Girlfriend? Where the fuck does this leave us? Thoughts swirled through her mind like the water draining beneath her feet. Everything was so confusing…everything went by so fast. Apparating back to his flat…then the kissing, the snogging, groping, a brief moment spent on foreplay then making love.

She sighed at the memory, how complete and whole she felt in that moment, how safe and loved Ron made her feel. She wasn't the most experienced when it came to physical manifestations of love, having only been with Draco before and saving herself for him before that. Many boys had tried their luck with her, all except Draco and now Ron had failed. Her first time with Draco hadn't been otherworldly pleasant compared to the stories her roommates had regaled her with, but it wasn't awful either. Draco was considerate, but it just didn't feel…right. Ron on the other hand, he ravished her, worshiped her like a goddess and pleasured her in so many ways she didn't know were possible. She sighed happily at the memories she made last night and the goodnight kiss that sealed their evening of love. She rinsed the shampoo from her hair, stepping out of the stall and cast a drying charm on herself. She took a look in the mirror and upon seeing her tousled hair, directed her wand upward and smoothed it down. She slipped on her undergarments and then her dress and headed out back into the bedroom. Coincidentally, Ron appeared to be waking at long last, the sun was high in the sky after all.

"Good morning," she greeted, standing in the doorway as she observed his still naked groggy form.

"Bloody hell!" Ron shouted, scrambling about the bed in a bid to cover himself. "You could've at least given me a warning," he said, covering his nether regions with his blanket.

"We need to talk," was all Astoria replied with, she gazed at him appraisingly for a moment then inclined her head out the door towards his sitting room.

"Right," Ron conceded, nodding. "Yeah…yeah we need to do that. Give me five?"

The blonde snorted and shot him a withering glare. "With how you're smelling Weasley—" pausing to give a disdainful sniff, "take fifteen instead. I'll be waiting in your sitting room."

Ron nodded, waiting for her to leave before finally standing from his bed and grabbing a change of clothes from his dresser. While Ron took his turn in the bathroom, Astoria padded out into the hall and towards Ron's sitting room. She groped into her dress pocket for her wand and withdrew the familiar Cedar wood wand and pointed it at a kettle, with a muttered heating charm the kettle began heating itself to boiling temperature and she set about preparing some tea for the two of them. Fifteen minutes later, Ron had entered the room, looking tired and even a slight bit grumpy. Probably because he had to wake so early on a weekend. Astoria mused. If there was one thing she knew about Ronald Weasley, it was that he ate like a Hippo and that he slept like a baby.

She tilted her head towards the sofa and the tired Ron walked into the room and plopped himself down on the sofa heavily. "Mornin'" he muttered, wiping at his eyes as he greeted her.

"A good morning indeed," Astoria replied, smiling.

"We have a lot to discuss Ronald," she went on as she poured out two cups of Earl Grey. "I want to know where we stand."

Ron accepted the cup and saucer with a grateful smile and took a sip, letting the warm liquid rouse him from his groggy state of being. "I think that depends on you 'Tori," he replied, peering at her over the edge of his cup. "What do you want?"

Astoria swallowed her sip, and the set the saucer and cup down on the coffee table. "I think my intentions were quite clear last night Ronald Weasley. I want to start a relationship with you beyond the platonic one we've shared. In addition to that I also want to fuck you—"

"I'd gathered that," Ron replied, laughing slightly at her bluntness that was worthy of a Gryffindor.

"And I want to see if there can be anything more between us…beyond the physical intimacy we shared and beyond our preceding platonic relationship. I want to see if you and I can—can be together…in essence," she paused, sighing heavily. "Now you know what I want, the question is what do you want?"

"I would have thought that would be obvious 'Tori, I think you should know what I want," Ron replied, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so. "I've been going on dates for the last three months not just for the sake of dating you know…I was hoping to find someone. Someone I could settle down with and hopefully build something with."

Astoria's breath caught, her eyes widening in understanding and she silently nodded for him to go on. "I…am willing to give this a go. To see where this takes us…and to see if we—" he gestured animatedly between the two of them, "can become an us, to see if we can work…you know?"

"So what does that make us then?" Astoria asked in a breathy sigh.

"Boyfriend and Girlfriend?" Ron ventured, his tone bordering on optimistic, hopeful—even.

Astoria drained the rest of her cup and set it down atop the glass table for the final time, she didn't even bother to hide the seductive curl of her lips and the predatory gleam in her eyes. "I like the sound of that Ronald," she said softly, prowling closer to him on the sofa.

Still wearing her dress from last night, she straddled his hips, "I like the sound of that very much."

"I thought you might 'Tori," Ron replied, his hands palming her thighs through her dress. "And I would be lying if I said I didn't like it myself."

Astoria leaned down, her cold, petite hands cupping his lightly stubbled cheeks as she leaned ever closer and kissed him. Ron occupied himself with holding Astoria firmly in his lap and let her take control of the kiss as she ravaged his mouth. The minty scent of his toothpaste that she'd appropriated, and the earthy scent of the tea coming together in one heady mixture that he couldn't get enough of. He felt her hands on his shirt, tugging it free from his trousers, but just as she was successful, Ron groaned and hoisted her off his lap and set her down on the sofa.

"We should stop," he murmured, his words being swallowed by her lips. "Otherwise…we'll never get anything done and we'll be stuck inside all day."

Astoria pulled back slightly and chuckled, "as much as I hate to admit it…I think you're right Ronald," she replied, smirking as she planted one last kiss on his cheek and scooted off his lap.

"I think I'm going to head back to my flat now," she announced, getting to her feet. "I've still got some more paperwork to file away from the last case and I think I need a nap as well if I'm being honest.

"The Michaels case?" Ron asked knowingly, in reference to the raid he, Astoria and several other Aurors had conducted earlier that week.

"That's the one," Astoria replied, nodding. "I still have yet to file all the applications for the stowage of the artifacts we found."

"Do you need some help with that? I don't think you've filed a permit for that sort of thing yet have you?"

Astoria gave him a smile but shook her head. "I think I'll be fine Ron. It's one of those things you have to learn on your own isn't it? All the paperwork and filing reports and all that…it wouldn't be proper for me to ask someone for help over something so mundane."

Ron gave her a sheepish grin, his hand rifling through his hair as he did so, a mannerism he'd picked up from Harry. "Well…Harry and I kinda helped each other on that when we were both trainees. We agreed to split each other's paperwork and to collaborate on it," he said sheepishly. "But don't tell Robards I said that! He'd have my head and have me sacked if he ever found out Harry and I wrote our reports together," he added quickly.

"Don't worry Ron. Anything you tell me…my lips are sealed," Astoria replied, still smiling fondly at him. "Still. I have plenty of work to do so I'll be off now," she added.

Ron nodded. "The offer still stands if you need help though," he repeated, his tone bordering on hopeful.

"I appreciate the offer Ron, I really do. But…this is something I should be learning on my own. Thank you though," she replied, her tone conveying her gratitude.

"Actually…next weekend I'm going back to Greengrass manor to have dinner with my parents. Daph is bringing Theo along as well and I don't have anyone to bring yet…I was wondering if—"

"I don't know if that's a good idea Astoria," Ron said warningly. "I mean…If I'm being honest, I'm not the biggest fan of your folks…you know where their allegiance lay in the last war."

"I do," she replied softly. "But they want to make amends, they've been doing charity work and contributing to Granger's Muggleborn rights group did you know? And—and they didn't try to weasel their way out of the reparations they owed and the—"

"I know, I know, believe me…I know, Astoria," Ron said tiredly, cutting off the building tirade. "I just mean that—that well…some old habits die hard, I know they're trying to do better and I like that," he gave her a sincere smile, one that he hoped conveyed his attitude. "Believe me, I like the fact that they're trying to better themselves…but there was once a time when they would have actively cheered for my death and for their champion Voldemort—" Ron pointedly ignored the blonde's visible flinch, "to win and conquer our world and the Muggles."

"Please Ron?" Astoria asked, not even trying to mask the pleading in her tone. "They've been trying to change…they really have, and I—I think that in time they will become people you can respect…they've already taken the lead on paying the—"

"I know they have Astoria," Ron said, his head rolling forwards in his hands as he groaned. "You've only mentioned it a million times so I'm well aware of how much your parents are paying to the repatriation fund and to the muggleborn rights funds alright?" He said tiredly, shooting her an exasperated glance. "Don't get me wrong…I appreciate what they're doing and how they're trying to help Hermione's cause…but not everything can be solved with money. Their views, their opinions…they must change too and they can't just let endless coffers do the talking. Do you know what I mean?"

"But they have changed Ronald! They have, I know they have!" Astoria insisted, her blue eyes wide and pleading. She shifted around Ron's Oak wood coffee table and dropped to her knees between Ron's legs, grasping his hands as she did so. "They—they speak of Granger as if she's a—a savior of sorts and they love the work that she's doing!"

"Answer me this honestly Astoria, no deceit…no lies," Ron said sternly, "do you truly believe your parents have changed…that—that they're no longer the people that actively wished for the death or subjugation of all Muggles in the British Isles…or are they simply donating money that they have no need for and have no way to spend to get the ministry and the ire of the public off their back. Answer me honestly, because I know when you lie to me."

Astoria gripped his hands tighter and pulled her gaze up to meet his. "They have changed Ronald…they really have," she said quietly, her eyes not leaving his for even a second. "They've met with Granger… and many other Muggleborns offering support beyond financial, even lending our name—the Greengrass name to back their cause. They want to be better and they are trying—and most of all, they want to thank you for changing their little girl and turning her into a woman they could be proud of. They love you Ron and they've been dying to meet you."

Ron smiled then, a true smile, his gaze fell away from hers and focused on some indeterminate spot on the floor beneath him. He could tell she was telling the truth, that or she had somehow morphed into an Occlumens of such talent she'd rival even Snape.

"I believe you," he replied at long last, after a moment of silence. "I'll—I'll give them a chance, 'Tori; but if they give off one snide remark…or one more comment about my family or my wealth then I swear I'll—"

"I'll hex them for you," Astoria growled defensively. "They won't do that Ron…but if they somehow were to insult you…then they'll learn firsthand all the neat curses that I've been taught by you."

Ron snorted at that and shook his head. "I taught you three spells at most 'Tori. Your family library probably had half the number of books that Hogwarts does on curses and hexes for all manner of things."

"Ah…but only a handful of those books in our library contain curses that are legal by modern laws you see?" She countered confidently. "I mean…could you imagine the scandal, the youngest of the Greengrass family, an auror as well; arrested for using illegal curses on criminals? Oh the horror!" She exclaimed in fake outrage.

Ron chuckled at that, "you raise a fair point," he conceded as he relaxed back into his couch. "Alright then so what's your parents' floo address? Oh and tell them to open up a connection for me as well."

"Greengrass Manor, Sussex." Astoria replied simply.

"And when is this get together happening?" Ron asked.

"Next Sunday, dinner. I can always drop by here first and we can floo over together if you'd like?"

"Sure. And might I ask the attire for such an occasion?"

Astoria chuckled lightly at his words, amused at the sudden adherence to formal Pureblood-speak. "Casual. It's just a get together amongst family, Ron. Nothing more serious than that. If you want to wear Robes or muggle…the choice is yours. I still think you look delectable either way."

Before Ron could open his mouth again, Astoria was leaning down towards him, lips parted and seeking his out. He smirked and greeted her in a kiss, that didn't last as long as either of them would have hoped for. She smiled sheepishly at him and inclined her head towards his vacant fireplace. "I've got to go Ron…I promised I'd meet with Daph today and I've got some paperwork to catch up on. I'll see you at work tomorrow?"

"How about you come over for dinner tonight?" Ron asked, his tone hopeful. "Harry and Ginny are coming over here for dinner actually… so if you want to come as well it'd be great, I'd love for you to meet Ginny so I'd really appreciate it if you could come too."

"Are you cooking?" Astoria ventured, with a raised brow and a tight-lipped smirk.

"Good god no!" Ron exclaimed, scoffing at the notion. "You should know me better than to think I can operate anything beyond a toaster in the kitchen!"

"If that's the case then I accept," Astoria replied, smiling. "What time should I be over?"

Ron pursed his lips, "perhaps Six Fifteen? You know that bakery across the street from your flat?"

Astoria nodded knowingly, "you want the Black Forest Cake again don't you Ronald Weasley?" She finished, well aware of what the redhead was getting at.

He grinned at her sheepishly, "if it isn't too much to ask…of course."

Astoria chuckled, her light, lilting laughter making Ron's heart soar as the soft sound reached his ears. He fought to keep the soppy grin off his face lest she see what a lovesick fool he was. Astoria smiled knowingly at him, eyes twinkling away with understanding and mirth. "Of course it isn't too much to ask. After all…you and your Black Forest Cake, are an inseparable duo if I ever knew one!"

Ron scowled and rolled his eyes, then folded his arms across his chest. "Get out of here Greengrass, weren't you saying something about going back to your flat to catch up on your paperwork and then rest?" He paused, a smirk forming on his face, "because Merlin knows we had very very little rest last night didn't we?"

"You're such a git sometimes Ronald, honestly," Astoria huffed, a cute pout on her lips.

Before Ron even had a chance to respond, she withdrew her wand and twirled it in her hand as she spun on the spot, in a crack and a flash of light, she was gone. Astoria popped into existence in her flat and immediately headed into her bedroom for a fresh change of clothes. Scourgifying and then drying her clothes after last night's 'activities' only did so much as far as cleansing went and so she changed into a fresh set of clothes, she spent the morning sorting through her paperwork for the Michaels Case. She worked through the morning, making some good headway on her paper work and eventually, it was time for lunch. Astoria put aside her papers and levitated them over to her desk in the living room, but just as she was doing that, the floo roared green.

Her head perked up at the noise, "Ron? Is that you?" She called out.

Moments later, her question was answered as a lone figure stepped out of the floo and no it wasn't Ron, but her sister Daphne. "Tori? You home?"

"Daph!" She cried happily, leaping out of her chair and rushing across the room to hug her elder sister.

Daphne Greengrass, still an inch taller than the already statuesque and above average height Astoria eagerly returned her hug, smiling as her younger sister embraced her. The two sisters hugged it out in the middle of the room for a long moment, basking in a familial embrace before pulling back and eyeing each other appraisingly, the green eyes of the elder sister eagerly searching out for the blue of the younger.

"How've you been?" Daphne asked, eyeing her sister and up down. "Your date went well?"

"It was wonderful Daffy," Astoria replied, her tone dreamlike as her eyes glazed over with a far away look. "Honestly…I think it was great and we really hit it off. I had an amazing night."

"Did you now?" Daphne asked with an amused arched brow. "Something tells me that you might have hit something else as—"

"Daphne!" Astoria cried, "that's not funny! I'll have you know that Ron was a perfect gentleman and we had a perfect date, the best in a long time," she said primly.

"That's good to hear," Daphne mused, she moved to sit on the couch and Astoria did the same, the two sisters shifted so they were half-way facing each other. "So tell me all about it then," Daphne prompted, her green eyes betraying her eagerness to learn of her sister's date last night.

"We went to an Italian place…muggle, which Harry had picked out for us. The food was pretty good but the real highlight of the night was the company Daph. Ron was such a gentleman and I honestly loved every second of it."

"So you two got along well then…Weasley wasn't being a prat as per—"

"He's not a prat! Honestly, Daffy, he's so much better than what we thought at school. He's a really great guy!" Astoria insisted.

"Yeah…sure he is."

Astoria rolled her eyes at her older sister's antics and tossed her hair over her shoulder as she reclined into the couch. "Speaking of Ron…he'll be coming home to the Manor next weekend for dinner with Mum and Dad. I would've invited him to today's get together if they were here and we were still planning on meeting this week…but he's finally accepted and he'll be coming next week!" Astoria exclaimed, unable to keep her jubilation at Ron finally deciding to meet her parents from her tone.

"So he's finally agreed to meet them," Daphne asked dryly, shooting her sister a meaningful look.

"Yes! It took some…convincing, but he wants to give them a chance and give mum and dad the opportunity show they've changed."

"That's good…" Daphne said slowly, as she twirled a strand of blonde hair around her finger. "Still…he has a ways to go before he earns my approval—" Astoria scowled at her older sister, but her glare had a minimal affect on the more composed and calm Daphne.

"I would have thought he'd gain your approval when he saved my life," Astoria retorted, daring Daphne to respond.

"He did gain some approval. But I can't approve of the way he treated us…all Slytherins actually when we were in school. Honestly, he was just the worst and—"

"He's changed," Astoria interrupted, cerulean eyes narrowed on the relaxed visage of her elder sister. "Just as I have. The both of us have."

"I know that," Daphne replied, her town dropping an octave yet softening. "And I am grateful for that too…but Tori…don't you think it's a little soon to be getting together with someone so soon after Draco? I mean…with Weasley at least he was three or four months removed from his relationship with Granger. You on the other hand, had only just broken up with Draco two weeks ago… the fact that you moved on so quickly could raise questions…" Daphne's voice trailed off into silence as the statuesque blond witch suppressed an involuntary shudder at what those questions may entail or imply about the speed at which Astoria moved on.

"Well if they have questions Daph…I say bring them on. I have nothing to hide, nor does Ron. We love each—"

Daphne had the nerve to scoff, her scoff followed by a hearty chuckle. "You can't be serious Tori…love? Surely what you're feeling is some crush on the man who's saved your life…I think you're exaggerating your feelings just a little bit dear sister."

Astoria frowned at her and shook her head in firm denial of her assertion. "He may not love me yet Daph…but he cares for me. He helped me become a better person and stopped me from being the annoying upstart brat that I was…just as I helped him better himself. I. Love. Him. Daphne. I really do. Why do you think Draco and I weren't working?"

Daphne's sea green eyes widened slightly, gazing at her younger sister in astonishment. "You broke up with Draco because of Weasley?"

"No," she said tersely. "I broke up with Draco because we had differing interests and some irreconcilable differences. I like both Draco and Ron…and what I had with Draco was nice while it lasted…but Ron and I, I just feel like we just mesh…you know? Like how you and Theo are."

"You're comparing Theo, my boyfriend of three years to Weasley whom you've known for eight months and only been 'dating' for less than a day," Daphne said drily, shooting her sister a disbelieving glance that spoke volumes of her skepticism of her comparison. "I do not believe that is an apt comparison at all. Astoria."

"That's not when I meant Daph," Astoria replied. "Remember how when you got together with Theo in sixth year and you said he's like no other boy you'd ever met? How—how he values you for who you are…not for our name, nor your looks, but for Daffy, the nerd that loves Muggle pop songs and—"

"Enough Astoria I get your point," Daphne said, cutting her off before she could recount some of her more "distasteful muggle interests" according to Elena and Cyrus Greengrass that was.

"But do you see what I mean?" Astoria continued, shooting her sister a pleading glance. "Theo loves you for who you are, baggage, whacky interests, beauty, wit and all that Daph. Ron is the same! He just—he just gets me so well and we have so many common interests and beliefs Daph it's honestly insane. Draco was nice and we always got along well but I just don't have that connection with him like you do with Theo. Ron just understands me…and values me for who I am so much. Surely you understand that."

Daphne sighed quietly and sank into the soft cushions of Astoria's plush couch. She held her sister's gaze and gave her a wan smile. "You know I'll always be there for you Tori. Always. If you really—really think he's the one for you…then you know I'll support you on this—" Astoria's smile brightened and she opened her mouth as if to say something but her sister's raised hand prompted her lips to seal themselves shut once more. "If you truly think…Ron, is good for you, then I'll back off and observe from afar. But if I think he's hurting you…or the two of you aren't good for one another I will make my opinion known. Understood?"

Astoria merely rolled her eyes and huffed out a sigh. "Fine. I assume you'll be at Mum and Dad's for dinner next week once they get back right?"

Daphne nodded.

"Well then you'll be seeing him then. And you'll be able to see just what a wonderful guy he his and maybe you'll get off my back about your reservations about him. You don't know Ron like I do."

"I only want what's best for you Tori…and if Ron is truly great for you and both of you are over the moon with one another then I'll happily be proven wrong for your sake."

Astoria smiled gently at her older sister and gave her a gentle hug in thanks. "I promise you Daph…what you have with Theo. I will have with Ron. I love him. I really do."

Astoria felt her sister's lips twitch upwards into a smile against the fabric of her robe-clad shoulder. "For your sake Tori…I hope you're right about him and that he truly is good for you."

Astoria pulled back and gave Daphne a cheeky grin. "You'll see Daph. Just you wait. He's already agreed to give mum and dad a chance and come over for dinner next week…to me that speaks volumes over how much he's changed from his old 'snake equals bad' days."

"I guess we'll find out soon enough won't we dear sister," Daphne remarked wryly.

"I already have found out Daffy," Astoria said primly. "But it is only a matter of time before you do too."

The two sisters lapsed into more familiar and welcoming territory then, swaying away from the topic of Astoria's recently platonic turned romantic relationship with Ron and towards work and other more mundane things. Astoria put a kettle on and the two sisters both divulged how work had been for them past week and how they foresaw their jobs going into the near future. Daphne talked about her job, regaling Astoria on how the family businesses had been faring under her supervision these past few weeks, and telling her of her work in helping liaise with the Post war repatriation funds to all the families affected and broken up by Death eater attacks. Overall, Daphne had been very busy this past week, having multiple meetings with numerous Wizengamot and Cabinet officials to discuss proposals for the Greengrass family to take a more active role moving forward in the Repatriation efforts to Children orphaned or affected by the war.

Astoria then had her turn telling her sister of life as a full time auror and the raid on Barnaby Michaels' manor. Naturally, Astoria couldn't divulge the specifics of the raid, only that it went well, they had accomplished what they had set out to do and that the paper work in lieu of the raid was a bitch. Daphne laughed heartily at that, before responding that if she thought Auror Paperwork was bad enough, then she should try her hand at running the Greengrass family businesses. Astoria wrinkled her nose in distaste at the notion and shook her head, saying she much preferred the action over sitting behind a desk, a sentiment her sister preferred in reverse. Before long though, it was time for Daphne to leave since she was scheduled to catch up with Theo over lunch. Astoria bade goodbye to Daphne as she vanished through the floo with the former promising the latter to Ron a chance when she'd finally meet him for the first time come their parents' family dinner next week. Daphne gave her a reluctant nod to look past her history with the Gryffindor if he was willing to the same and then vanished into the green flames.

A/N: Hope you guys reading enjoyed this short update on the immediate aftermath of Ron and Astoria's first date. JSYK, I'm going to try and stay away from fanon personas of Daphne since she's a well fleshed out fanon character and try to characterize her in my own way. So the 'Ice Queen' persona and all that will be thrown out the window for this story. I've kind of pictured her as a book smart Slytherin who harbored some blood supremacist views yet also secretly admired some aspects of muggle culture. As far as Astoria goes, her fanon persona is far less fleshed out than Daphne's and so I have a lot to work with on that front. She'll practically be an OC of sorts since there's so little to base her off of in canon. As far as Ron goes, needless to say he's gotten over his anti-Slytherin prejudices as a result of working with Astoria and her gaining his trust. While he's endeared himself to the younger of the Greengrass sisters, it's fairly evident that he doesn't get on that well with Daphne so that'll be an interesting confrontation to write.