Author's note: Not sure if the followers got an update notification for the last chapter, I didn't. Probably a glitch. Anyway, hope you enjoy...

"Astoria, wait here." He hooked his arm around her stomach preventing her from moving forward. And because it was Astoria, he added. "Silently. Don't draw attention to yourself."

Draco had walked quickly towards the potions classroom with Astoria. He told her about the ingredients involved in the potion, ingredients he had no intention of buying or scavaging for in the Forbidden Forest. Talking about potions was setting him at ease- good mood at ease. Merlin, this was scary.

Astoria could see the reason for Draco's sudden attitude change right over his shoulder.

"Draco, it's a frizzy-haired mudblood, not a dragon I'll survive."

"I'll be a minute at the most." He told her sternly. He peered through the half open door expecting that sidekick Weasel to materialise beside Granger. She was holding a book to her with one hand and stirring a cauldron with the other.

Astoria grinned widely. Draco shifted uncomfortably at the sight. She had suddenly grown a few inches. "You're becoming protective of me-"

Draco grumbling curses stepped into the classroom. He closed the door firmly behind him. He wouldn't think about what Astoria said because it wasn't true. It was a lie.

Granger immediately looked up. Her eyes narrowed at him but her book stayed protectively in front of her.

The door to the potions classroom clicked open again. Astoria stepped in happily falling into step with him. She scowled at him. "Did your mother ever teach you not to slam the door in the face of an elegant young lady?"

Draco hissed. "Honestly, you are worse than a child. I told you to wait."

"It'll be faster with the two of us looking." Astoria raised an eyebrow at him.

Granger made a coughing noise at the two of them.

Astoria flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Merlin knows I will catch the end of breakfast. Do you know the ingredients?"

"Yes, Astoria, sweetheart." He said through gritted teeth. He didn't want to breathe the same air as Granger, speaking in front of her was driving his patience to the edge.

A Death Eater raised his wand. Draco jumped back, his mother's wand ready and pointed, but the Death Eater was too quick. Violent wand movement. Jab. A bright blue light came from behind. It stung Draco's eyes. His body suddenly felt too heavy. The Death Eater was curled up on the bloodstained ground like a sleeping cat. 'Get out of here, Malfoy.' 'Why did you keep saving him, Harry?'

"Draco," Astoria tugged on his arm, bringing him back to earth. He was now standing in the store cupboard with her. He blinked, clearing his head. There was a light coming from Astoria's wand and her wand free hand was in his. "Wormwood, right? I remember you saying something about that."

"Wormwood," he murmured back.

"Sure, we don't need the book?" She poked him with the tip of her wand. He jolted, fully awake now.

"No, I make this potion all the time for my parents." He pressed his lips together. He shouldn't have said that. Too many details, information she could tell everyone, the ministry could take advantage of that-

"Great. So I won't end up in the Hospital Wing poisoned." Astoria scanned the second shelf. She poked around the dusty glass containers and jars with her wand.

Draco picked up a vial of crushed cloves from the third shelf. "Every potion's ingredients list makes sense after a while. The ingredients connect together. That's not wormwood, Astoria- that is."
Several minutes later, Draco and Astoria walked out of the store cupboard each balancing three ingredients.

"I told you, you needed my help, Draco, darling." Astoria fluttered her eyelashes at him.

"There's this thing called magic, Astoria, so no I did not need your help," Draco walked quickly to the door.

Granger's eyes were boring into him, he could feel it. It was making him sweat. Reminding him of every bad thing he had done during the war. He didn't have a choice. No one would leave their parents and the only life they knew for the strange possibly 'evil' side of the war. But that didn't matter to anyone.

He was nearly safe and out of Granger's eye line when Astoria opened her mouth again, he should've seen this coming.

"Is there a problem?"

Draco frowned thinking she was addressing him. He turned and immediately wished he hadn't. Her nose was up in the air and her eyes were squinted in hatred at Granger.

"None," Granger replied airily. She raised an eyebrow at Astoria.

"Keep your eyes to yourself then and that look off your face. You don't know what you're asking for, Gryffindor."

Granger looked shocked.

Draco was shocked.

Astoria looked quite pleased with herself as she strutted out of the classroom. "Draco, hurry up we haven't got all day." She called over her shoulder.

Draco, completely forgetting about Granger, jogged after Astoria. "Was that necessary?" he asked, once he had caught up with her in the corridor.

"Was what she was doing necessary?" Astoria cornered. She suddenly stopped walking and faced him.

Draco sighed. "I prefer nowadays to do my unnecessary insulting in the shadows."

"The potions classroom has plenty of shadows."

Draco couldn't help himself. "You're becoming very protective of me."

Astoria gave him a shy smile. "I like you."

Draco raised an eyebrow at her as a silent response.

"No one else in this house would make this potion for me without asking questions or asking for galleons. And you still put up with me even though I shouted at you which I'm sorry about."

Draco nodded, his face was starting to feel hot. "Potion then."

Astoria put a hand on his chest to stop him from stepping forward. "And you," her voice was very soft now. Draco had to strain his ears to hear her. "Went into that classroom for me even though it made you uncomfortable."

"Right." Draco nodded again, his face was red now.

"That's why I went in with you even after the door-"

"Astoria?"

"Draco?"

"We should start on that potion." He said, looking everywhere but at her. She came closer to him stepping entirely into his personal space. "You look tired."

"Wait," she put a hand on his shoulder. She kissed his cheek again, longer and harder than the last time. The jars in Draco's arms clinked together. When she pulled back there was a lipstick print in the shape of her lips on Draco's cheek.

She didn't say anything and Draco kept his thoughts to himself. Focus on the potion, he told himself.

Author's note: Thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting. I'm delighted to see other fans are interested in Draco/Astoria. Next chapter is going to be cute but steamy... thanks again!