Thanks for the review! I was really happy!

3rd January, 2001

10.00 am

~Draco~

Draco frowned as he fixed his coat and got ready to apparate to work. He would win-over the pretty Ravenclaw with relative ease, he realised. Then, wondered if it was all that easy. Astoria was anything but the normal. She always managed to surprise him with her actions and reactions. Especially since she was Daphne's sister.

Daphne Greengrass had been famous in the Slytherin house for being too eccentric and, for having too many friends. Although Astoria was no where as close to crazy as Daphne, she was just as mysterious and puzzling. At least, she was to Draco.

1.00 pm

~Astoria~

Astoria sighed as she made her out of Gringotts bank. After walking out onto Diagon alley, she apparated home and began looking through the apartment. Soon, she had a pile of clothes on the bed, a few books she'd managed to salvage from the wreck of her home and picked out a small bag from the closet. Soon, she had managed to pack.

By the end of lunch, Astoria was bank in Gringotts bank and stared at Bill Weasley, who was staring at her.

"Are you sure about this, Astoria?" Bill asked. Astoria nodded firmly.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley" she said, "I'm ready for this"

"Alright, then" he said, and gave instructions as to what she needed to do.

7.00 pm

~Draco~

Draco frowned as he apparated to the outside of Astoria's flat. He stared at her flat from the road, and wondered why the lights were out. Then, he thought, may be it was just a charm. He pulled up the coat to his ears and stuffed his hands into the coat pockets, wondering why Astoria was taking so long.

After waiting a full twenty minutes, Draco was fed-up. Instead of running up to the flat, he apparated right into the living room and found himself standing in a relatively empty room. The furniture was all there, but the room seemed devoid of anything alive. Draco frowned.

"Ria?" he said, and then called out loudly, "Astoria?"

No reply. Not even a shiver. Draco scowled, wondering what the girl was thinking.

He looked around the apartment and found nothing. The clothes were gone, as were the books on the rack. Draco sighed, wondering if now was a good time to give up. He groaned and sat down on her sofa, his head in his hands.

A "pop" woke him from his reverie. Draco looked up and noticed Daphne standing there, frowning.

"She's really gone" Daphne informed him.

"What? Where?" Draco asked, standing up quickly and seizing Daphne by her arms, and pushing her back into the wall.

"Rome" Daphne said, wincing, "I got an owl a few minutes ago" Daphne informed, trying to free herself from his grasp, "It was from Tori, said she was going to Rome"

"Rome?" Draco repeated. Daphne nodded, finally free of his clutches as Draco acted like the drama queen he was.

"Gringott's transfer" Daphne said, showing him the owl that had arrived. Draco took it from her hands and read it through.

Daphne,

Sorry for the owl, but I don't have much time.

I'm going to Rome. A transfer.

Sorry I didn't have time to tell you in person.

It's urgent and I'm already running late. Take care.

Lots of love,

Astoria

P.S. It's because of Malfoy.

"What's this, 'It's because of Malfoy'?" Draco asked. Daphne shrugged.

"May be you finally pushed your limits with her" Daphne suggested, "I told you she doesn't like to be pushed. It just slows her down"

"I didn't push her!" Draco declared, "May be just nudged her a little" he added weakly, feeling foolish. Of course, she was gone. He'd pushed her.

"It doesn't say when she's coming back" Draco noted.

"Maybe she isn't" Daphne said, "She doesn't come home to Greengrass Gardens until I claim it to be a life-or-death situation for me. And even then, she's only mildly willing"

Draco groaned, sinking into the sofa. He had never met anyone who would contradict him in such a manner. At least, since third year at Hogwarts. And Astoria wasn't even a Gryffindor.

8.00 pm

~Astoria~

Astoria smiled as she walked down the small cobblestone paths in Venice. Although she had told Daphne that she was going to Rome, she was, in truth, due in Venice.

And although Daphne was a wonderful person, she was awful as an older-sister figure. Astoria might as well have grown up as an only child with all the help Daphne gave her when she was young. But, Astoria was thankful for one thing that Daphne did give: comfort. Whenever she was around Daphne, Astoria felt as if there was not a care in the world. She felt at ease and didn't worry as much. But, she did worry. Quite a lot, in fact. But, with Daphne around, the time and intensity of the worry drastically reduced. Astoria sighed happily as the city of canals soothed her senses, opening up her mind, heart and soul to newer things.

After finding a small hotel, Astoria sat down by the canals, eating her dinner while basking in the love the city had to offer.