"I'm trying out for Quidditch," I said as I sat down across the table from my sister at breakfast the next morning. Despite the fact that I feel like sometimes she hates and is annoyed by me, she insisted that we have breakfast every day together, whether that be at home or Hogwarts.
"Astoria, no," she commanded with her dark eyes.
"But Justin Winters switched houses and a position as a chaser on the team opened up and I think I can do it!"
"No!" she barked, "You are not doing it!"
"What is she not doing?" a deep voice piped in. We both turned to look. Draco Malfoy stood towering over me.
"Nothing." Daphne spat. "She's doing nothing."
He sat down in the seat next to me. "Well that's awfully boring." he looked a little too smug. "I must say it's very cute to see the little Greengrass family eating together every morning. It's so sweet it's almost disgusting. Are you going to eat that?" he pointed at my apple, but then still took it anyway. "Thanks love." he winked at me and then took a bite.
"No go ahead take it" I said sarcastically.
"So what is young Astoria not doing?" Draco took another bite and looked at my sister.
"Go away, this doesn't concern you." she spat.
He was unusually calm for someone who was being so rude towards him. "On the contrary, I am a prefect, and you two are causing a ruckus at the table, annoying those around so it is my duty to find out what you two are disagreeing about and fix it."
Daphne looked like she wanted to punch him and I resisted the urge to laugh.
"Daphne won't let me try out for Quidditch." I blurted.
Daphne now looked like she wanted to punch me. "Why not? The Quidditch team is great, I'm on it."
"She can't play, and she knows that."
"I could at least try Daphne."
"No! You can't, you physically cannot and plus you don't even know how to play Quidditch."
"Well I could teach her, give her some pointers, help her out." Draco offered, unusually generous for himself.
"No, she can't do that! Her body wouldn't be able to handle it."
"Daphne, I'm the healthiest I've ever been I can do this! Just at least let me try!"
"No! You're the healthiest now, but this will set you back again! Astoria your days are numbered and the more you push it the worse you will get and the sooner you will die."
I felt the tears rising towards my eyes, the rage, the furry, I was so tired of her using this against me. I stood up, ready to flight. "You don't think I don't know that? I live with myself every day! I know my limitations, I know my fate, I know what I can and can't do, but I might as well live it out now instead of sitting around waiting for that fate to come. I want to die having done nothing. I decided a long time ago not to let this curse ruin my life. I'm living my life and doing what any normal human would do. You have tried to control me for too long. I'm trying out for the Quidditch team and nothing you say will stop me."
I hadn't realized I was shouting until I saw all eyes on me. I was already over the day and it had barely even started. So I ran out of the dining hall. I ran until I reached an alcove on the seventh floor, away from everyone and everything. I knew I could get in trouble for being up here, but I wanted to be alone. And then I cried.
I was cursed, and nothing I did would fix it. I have always been frail, weak, and small. I am always cold and some days sick. I did nothing to deserve this but former fates take hold over others. The Greengrass family always knew this was a possibility but it has been hundreds of years since it happened, and we assumed it died out...until it got to me.
The blood malediction I was cursed with was passed down from an ancestor who was given the curse from a witch he betrayed. And there's always the slight chance it will resurface in the victims descendants. It hasn't occurred in over a hundred years in our family, and we were sure it died out. That was until I was seven and I broke my foot and it took more than just an elixir to fix it. This curse has given me many limitations, but I have always refused to let it stand in my way. I wanted to be normal. I had worked so hard and the doctor even said this was the healthiest I've ever been. I was determined not to let this illness stand in my way.
"I know she won't let you play but there's no need to cry about it."
I jumped at Draco's voice, I didn't realize he had been following me.
"That's not what I'm crying about." I wiped my eyes. "I'm not some weak little girl who can't take my sister's wrath. I've lived with it all my life."
"Then why are you crying?" he asked, stepping closer and wiping a tear from my cheek.
I pulled away from his touch. "Because she's right. I can't play. My body would not be able to physically withstand it."
"Well then we'll train you, and get you ready. I will help you."
"But it's much more than that." I sighed, sitting down on the window's edge. "I have a Blood Malediction, my body is frail and weak, I would never make it through a whole game."
"You don't look frail to me. You look strong. Just as strong as the girl who told off her sister in front of the entire student body."
I buried my hands in my face remembering the embarrassment. He grabbed my hands and pulled them away from my face. "That face is too beautiful to hide, and besides, I'm going to help you. I am going to help you make it through one try out session."
"Draco I don't kno-" he put a finger over my mouth to shush me.
"There's someone coming" he stated.
"I can't get in trouble, my parents will kill me."
"I can get you out of this, just trust me" he smirked, and cocked an eyebrow, "and go with it."
The footsteps grew louder. As they came closer, about to turn the corner, Draco grabbed my face and pulled it towards his and kissed me hard and fast. At first, I froze shocked at what was happening. But as the footsteps got closer, I realized what he was doing. He was saving me. So I closed my eyes and very awkwardly kissed him back.
"What is going on here?" Snap's monotone voice made me jump and I quickly pulled away from Draco. I could physically feel my face turn red.
"I was just helping Ms. Greengrass find her class," Draco said with a smirk.
"Well considering she's been here for four years already, I'm sure she's capable of finding it on her own, and I know that because she is only a fourth year and none of her classes would require coming up here, nor do yours Mr. Malfoy, considering this wing in off-limits to the students. That'll be ten points each taken away, as well as Ms. Greengrass, I will be contacting your parents."
"Professor please-" he cut me off
"And detention for both of you, due to Ms. Greengrassess need to talk back." He turned and started to walk away.
Dread washed over me, I could just imagine what I was going to get for this. "Don't worry," Draco said. "I'll fix it, love." He then gave me a quick peck on the cheek and raced after professor Snape. And I was left dumbfounded.