Disclaimer: I own Maxwell the chameleon and Astoria's personality!
7th January, 2001
10.07 am
~Astoria~
"Good morning, Astoria" Bill wished her as Astoria walked in. Astoria groaned and put a hand on her forehead.
"Bloody hell" she cursed, sitting down in her seat, her head still in her hands. Bill frowned.
"Hung-over, Astoria?" Bill enquired.
"Yes" Astoria whimpered and then winced. Bill sighed.
"Why don't you take the day off?" he offered. Astoria shook her head.
"I need to work it off" Astoria insisted. Bill sighed.
"At least have some hang-over medicine" he suggested, "I'll ask Ron to fetch it, he's right outside" he added and then went out for a few minutes.
"It'll be over soon, Astoria" Bill promised, his hand on her shoulder, helping her recover.
"Mr. Weasley, I'm such an idiot" Astoria admitted, "I got upset and drank like there was no tomorrow" she added, "And now, tomorrow's here and I have a huge, splitting head-ache, making me wish I'd apparated to the Norway rather than home" she whined.
Bill patted her shoulder until Ron Weasley arrived with a small vial of the said hang-over medicine.
It was the most potent thing on the planet. And it was George Weasley's own creation.
"Here you are, Bill" Ron said, handing it over. Bill took it from Ron and handed it to Astoria.
"This better work" Astoria said, taking a swig from the vial.
A few moments later, she took another, and another followed a few moments later.
By the time the vial was empty, Astoria was feeling much, much better. She looked up at Bill.
"That really works, Mr. Weasley" Astoria admitted and then, noticing Ron for the first time, frowned.
"Ron's my brother" Bill informed, "You know, the one that eloped and married in Paris?" Bill added, making Ron turn red with embarrassment.
"Of course, Mr. Weasley" Astoria said, "Pleased to meet you Mr. Weasley" Astoria said, smiling at Ron, "And, congratulations"
"Thanks" Ron said, "I guess" he added, feeling silly.
"I guess I better get back to work" Astoria said, turning to the stack of papers on her desk. Bill nodded.
"Sure, Astoria" he added, "Are you positive you want to stay though? You can always take the day off" he suggested. Astoria shook her head.
"No, Mr. Weasley" Astoria said, "I really like working here. It's much better than staying at home" she added.
"Alright then" Bill said, grinning, "I'll leave you to it" he added and began to walk away.
"See you later, Astoria" Ron Weasley said, waving to her. Astoria waved slightly before turning to her work.
10.16 am
~Draco~
Draco arrived at Gringotts' bank just in time to catch Astoria smiling and waving to Ron Weasley. Draco ignored the dirty look the Weasley gave him, instead, walking briskly up to Astoria, to ask her out.
"Astoria" he called and Astoria looked up swiftly, her eyebrows drawn together and a gleam in her eyes.
"Malfoy" she said, sneering. Draco did not know Astoria could sneer.
"You look angry, why's that?" he asked, sitting down in front of her, trying to look formal and uninterested. Astoria sighed and turned to Bill Weasley, who was standing a few feet away, mentally begging him to come save her.
"You are a prick" Astoria informed Draco, when Bill smiled at her encouragingly, "And your friend Zabini's a prick too!" she declared. Draco stared at her with disbelief.
"Are you serious?" he asked, "Zabini's been head-over-heels in love with your crazy sister for three years now, Ria" he informed, "You're blind to not see that!" he declared. Astoria glared at him.
"Look, Malfoy, you don't work here" Astoria said, "I do, so let me work in peace. I don't want to be thrown out for misbehaviour" she said sternly, in an ice-cold voice.
Draco glared at her.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily" he told her, "I'll meet you in our regular place. Five. Don't be late, Ria" he said, stood and left.
10.23 am
~Astoria~
Astoria glared at the back of Draco's head as he stalked off. Bill came to her table and watched as she turned miserably to her paper-work.
"You have some long-over-due vacation days, Astoria" Bill said, tempting her, "You can go ahead and take them" he said.
Astoria looked up at him.
"The problem won't be solved by taking days off, Mr. Weasley" she admitted, "I'm losing my only family to some Slytherin prick who picked on muggle-borns for fun" she said, "And I hate that"
Bill smiled at her warmly.
"Say, Astoria, you're free tonight, aren't you?" he asked. Astoria looked up.
"Why?" she asked. Bill grinned, noticing her cautious look and let out a chuckle.
"Why don't you come for dinner?" he suggested, "Tonight's George's last night as a bachelor, we're going to pick on him until midnight" he said, "It'll be fun"
Astoria smiled.
"Picking on George sounds like fun, Mr. Weasley" she admitted, "But, I don't know. Isn't this sort of a family issue?" she said. Bill grinned.
"My dear Astoria" he said fondly, "You might as well come. Fleur's been dying to meet you" he said, "As is Victorie" he said, grinning. Astoria smiled. She knew Fleur from the Triwizard tournament, and Astoria only had the pleasure of seeing Victorie, the pretty blonde half-veela daughter of Bill, in pictures.
"You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Weasley" Astoria said, sighing. Bill grinned.
"The party will be grand. You can meet the whole family" Bill said. Astoria smiled.
"Yes, sir, Mr. Weasley" she said, "I will be there!" she said. Bill grinned and let her get back to work.
4.56 pm
~Draco~
Draco paced in front of the cafe opposite to Astoria's apartment. He was early.
He frowned, let out a breath and looked for Astoria up and down the road.
All day he hadn't been able to calm down. He'd been fidgeting in his chair, making meaningless trips to the elevators and had enough coffee to keep him awake through the weekend.
Draco sighed heavily, his breath forming a misty cloud that then flew through the air in the cold winter breeze. She was late. The waitress from the cafe noticed him and smiled a little. Draco nodded in her direction and then looked up and down the street again. A few moments later, Astoria walked out of her apartment building, pulling her jacket closer and glaring down at him.
"You are annoying" she stated, walking past him into the cafe, making him turn and follow behind her.
Astoria sat down and took off her jacket, the radiator in the shop warming her. Draco sat opposite her and did the same.
"What's with you today?" Draco asked, frowning at her.
"I'm hung-over, you prick" she said, "And I'm going to be late for a reunion if you don't hurry the hell up" she added. The waitress came by to take their order.
"I'll have a small cup of this Madagascar fine chocolate" Astoria said, "Small, as in this much" she said, showing the right side with her hands. The waitress nodded.
"Would you like chocolate syrup on that, miss?" she asked. Astoria frowned.
"On a cup of chocolate ice-cream? Are you bonkers?" Astoria asked. Draco flinched as Astoria's voice rose a few decibels.
"I'll have an iced tea" Draco said, smirking at the waitress, a little proud of Astoria's temper. The waitress hurried away, glancing back at Astoria, who shot daggers at Draco.
"I'd like to know why you called me here, today, Malfoy" Astoria said sternly.
"Go out with me, Astoria" he said. Astoria stared at him, her eyes narrowing. When Draco refused to look away or bat his eyelids and maintained eye-contact, Astoria grinned.
"On one condition" Astoria said, a sort of evil grin on her innocent face, "If you survive the wedding tomorrow"
Draco frowned.
"The Weasley wedding?" he asked, suddenly cautious and unsure.
Astoria grinned and nodded.
"Yes" she informed him as the waitress brought their order cautiously, trying very hard not to piss Astoria off, "George Weasley's getting married tomorrow"
Astoria smiled a little at the waitress and dug into her cup, not once looking up at Draco while she devoured the small innocent cup. She looked up when she was done.
"I'll stop by the Tavern inn at 10 o'clock" she said, "If you're there, I'll give us a shot, if not, we can just be the maid-of-honour and the best man at my sister's wedding and be done with it without this avoidable mess" she added, stood, threw a few muggle bills on the table and left the cafe.
Draco frowned when he noticed the bills she had thrown. He picked them up and pocketed them and then sipped his tea, thinking about her proposition.
One measly, Weasley wedding and he had the chance to make Astoria fall in love with him. Were the odds finally in his favour? he wondered.
5.27 pm
~Astoria~
Astoria frowned as she stared at the Burrow from her broom. Although apparating was much faster and easier, since she'd never seen the place before, Bill had written down instructions for her to follow to fly there. Astoria frowned and looked down at the small piece of parchment that had lead her there. Was this the right place? She wondered, landing in the dirt-road and unmounting her broom, staring at the muggle contraption parked in the way. It was blue and looked like it had lived through hell. Walking as far away from it as possible, Astoria made her way to the building that had way too many floors. Astoria rang the doorbell and waited.
A surprised Ginny Weasley opened the door.
"Astoria Greengrass?" Ginny asked with disbelief. Astoria smiled sheepishly.
"Hello, Ginny" she said, "It's been a while"
Astoria knew Ginny Weasley because Astoria had clung to Luna Lovegood during the year of the Battle of Hogwarts and since Ginny and Luna were classmates, Astoria had got to know Ginny quite well. Not too well though. Astoria liked staying as aloof as possible.
"Come in," Ginny invited, "Bill told me you'd be here. Although, I must say, you're quite early" she said.
"Sorry about that" Astoria said, "I thought I'd be flying farther, but it turned out to be a short ride" she admitted. Ginny grinned and nodded towards Astoria's broom.
"I guess anything's close on that" she said, grinning. Astoria grinned, proud of her Firebolt.
"I guess so" she said, as Ginny lead her to the family room.
Most of the Weasleys were already there. Molly Weasley, the matriarch walked around the room like the busy-body she was and enquired into everyone's needs and reprimanded them if necessary. Arthur Weasley sat by the fireplace in an arm chair, talking busily with Harry Potter, who was standing by the mantel, listening to Arthur with a smile. Ron and Percy Weasley, the two already married ones, besides Bill, were having an intense discussion at the coffee-table, about an article in the paper. Bill was the first one to notice Astoria arrive and he smiled warmly at her. Astoria coloured a little.
"Astoria, you're here" he said and the rest of the heads turned. From the other door walked in a tall, beautiful, blonde woman, carrying in her arms a large bundle. With her was a brunette with a mess of curly locks.
"Astoria!" Fleur Weasley cried, rushing to Astoria's side.
"Fleur, nice to meet you after so long" Astoria said, smiling at her and then looking down at the bundle of joy.
"Victorie?" Astoria enquired. Fleur nodded and grinned, proud of her beautiful daughter.
"She's beautiful" Astoria claimed, looking at the child in Fleur's arms, not once attempting to take her into her own.
"Do you want to hold her?" Fleur asked. Astoria looked at Fleur with wide eyes.
"You'd let me hold your daughter?" Astoria asked, surprised. Fleur grinned.
"Don't make me sound like a monster, Astoria" Fleur scolded. Astoria shook her head vigourously.
"I was referring to myself as one?" Astoria admitted, still too scared to touch the little girl, in case Astoria broke her. Fleur frowned.
"That's even worse! Considering how you're the only one who talks to my little sister like she's a person" Fleur said. Astoria shook her head again.
"I talk to Maxwell like he's a person too" Astoria claimed, stepping back to avoid having to take Victorie into her arms. Maxwell nodded from his place on Astoria's shoulder. Bill grinned as he watched the two women fight over trivial matters. The rest of the Weasleys now began to take notice of Astoria Greengrass and by the time Fleur had forced her only child into Astoria's arms, they both realised they had an audience.
"Uh, hello?" Astoria said, surprised by the attention she was getting. Victorie giggled in her arms. Astoria's eyes widened and she looked down at the baby, wondering what was wrong.
"I've never seen anyone be so cautious of a child" Bill admitted, chuckling at Astoria. Astoria glanced at him.
"I'm not cautious of the child, Mr. Weasley" Astoria claimed, "I'm scared I'll do something unforgivable to her"
Bill grinned.
"Guys, this is Astoria that I was telling you about" Bill said, patting Astoria's shoulder. Astoria looked up to smile a little at the family.
"That's Percy, Ron and Harry" Bill introduced one-by-one, "Arthur Weasley, my father, Molly Weasley, my mother, Hermione Weasley, Ron's wife and you seem to know Ginny pretty well" Bill introduced.
"Pleased to meet you" Astoria said, smiling a little before turning back to the child in her arms, "Astoria Greengrass" she added after a moment, looking back up,
"Thank you for having me over" she said. Bill grinned and took Victorie into his arms so that Astoria could hand Molly the bottle of red wine she'd brought over.
"It's old wine from Rome" Astoria said, "The oldest, is what they told me" she said. Molly took the bottle and looked it over.
"You didn't have to, dearie" Molly claimed. Astoria smiled.
"I couldn't come empty-handed now, could I, Mrs. Weasley?" Astoria asked rhetorically.
"How's your hang-over now, Astoria?" Ron asked, trying to be familiar.
"All gone, Mr. Weasley" Astoria said.
"You don't have to call Ron that" Bill claimed, playing with his daughter while watching Astoria interact, "He's barely two years older than you" he added.
"You can call me Ron, it's fine" Ron claimed.
"Right, Ron" Astoria said, frowning a little.
"So, where's George?" Astoria asked, looking around. Bill grinned.
"He's out. He'll be back by dinner-time, you can relax till then, get to know the family" Bill suggested, leading her to the couch between him and Fleur and sitting her down. Astoria fidgeted and looked about frantically as Bill handed Victorie back to her to hold.
"Next time, Mr. Weasley" Astoria said, looking up at Bill with frowning eyes, "Remind me to turn down your dinner-invite" she said, making him laugh.
"Astoria, you make me laugh" Fleur claimed. The guys standing took their seats and as if trying to recall the girl from their school memories, frowned in her direction.
Astoria, ignorant of their gaze, stared intently at Victorie, watching for any and all moves the infant made.
After failed efforts, Hermione, being the brave Gryffindor she was, started the conversation.
"What house were you in, Astoria?" Hermione asked, making Astoria look up, "I don't remember seeing you" she added.
Astoria smiled a little.
"I'm a Ravenclaw, one year Luna's junior" she informed. The Golden trio, plus Percy nodded, as if it were normal that they didn't remember her, seeing as Ravenclaws were shy and also because she was two years their junior.
"So, you started working for Bill soon after you finished school?" Percy asked. Astoria turned to him and nodded.
"Yes, sir" she said, "Mr. Weasley's an amazing curse-breaker" Astoria added, her face bright and happy.
"You embarrass me, Astoria" Bill claimed. Astoria turned to him with a grin.
"Don't say that, Mr. Weasley!" she said, "You know you're amazing! Why else would the Goblins let you work for so long!"
"The Goblins keep me because I work for half the price that any Goblin would ask for" Bill claimed.
"But, they've been planning to kick me out for quite some time" Astoria said. Bill frowned.
"Who told you that?" he asked. Astoria frowned.
"I heard it from one of those treasury-goblins" she admitted. Bill groaned.
"You weren't supposed to find out about that until next week" he admitted. Astoria shrugged.
"I don't mind, Mr. Weasley" she said, "I was getting bored of working anyway" she lied. Bill looked at her as she looked at his daughter, who looked back at Astoria with wide eyes.
"She likes you" Bill claimed as Victorie giggled in Astoria's arms. Astoria smiled a little.
"I don't think I'll want kids, even when I'm older" Astoria claimed. Bill patted her head, like one would a little child's.
"Too bad" he said, "You'd make a good mother" he claimed. Victorie yawned, prompting Fleur to take her from Astoria's arms.
"I'll put her in bed" Fleur informed Bill, who smiled and nodded and watched as his wife walked away, carrying their only child.
"So, Astoria" Harry Potter said, a little uneasily, "How do you know George?"
Astoria looked at Harry for the first time, properly.
"George saved me from the poachers when I was 11" Astoria admitted, "Since then, we've found ways to help each other out" she admitted, shrugging, "At least, until he decided to leave Hogwarts" she admitted.
The others nodded. Astoria shrugged again, trying to convey that it didn't matter to her all that much.
"Don't cry" Bill prompted. Astoria cracked a smile.
"It's not a sad thing at all, Mr. Weasley" she informed. He nodded.
"But with you, Astoria, I never know when you'll start crying of joy" he said. Astoria smiled at him, showing her teeth.
"By the way, Mr. Weasley" Astoria said, remembering the "promise" she'd made with Malfoy, "Is it alright if I bring a guest to the wedding?" she asked. Bill grinned and nodded.
"Sure" he said, "Who're you getting?" he asked.
"Malfoy, I think" she admitted.
"Malfoy?" Harry asked, "As in Draco Malfoy?"
Astoria turned to him and nodded.
"You were in the same class, so you must know him" she said. Harry frowned. Although his relationship with Malfoy had risen above enemies, they still weren't friends.
"How do you know Malfoy?" Hermione asked. Astoria frowned and shrugged.
"My sister was in his class" she admitted, "And a Slytherin to boot. So, I guess" she mumbled, shrugging again.
"You have a sister?" Ron asked. Hermione elbowed him for being too obvious.
"Daphne Greengrass?" Astoria informed uncertainly. Hermione's eyes widened.
"The girl who was friends with everyone" Hermione said. Astoria smiled and nodded.
"That's Daphne alright" she admitted, grinning.
Hermione whispered something to her husband, who then whispered it to Harry. Both boys looked at Astoria uneasily.
"She's not going to come tomorrow, is she?" Ron asked, looking like he might regurgitate at any moment. Astoria shook her head.
"Uh, no" she admitted, "She's not really comfortable around so many Gryffindors" she added. Hermione nodded, as if understanding.
"She's a good person" Hermione said, "She was the only girl who talked to me in first year like I was a person too" she admitted. Astoria nodded.
"Yeah, she gets that a lot" Astoria said.
"So, why is Malfoy coming with you?" Bill asked, leading Astoria back to where they'd started.
"It's a test, Mr. Weasley" Astoria said, "If he passes, I told him I'd go out with him" she said, scrunching up her nose, "So, I'm hoping you'd help me fail him?" she asked, looking up at Bill with pleading eyes. Bill grinned.
"Sure" he said, "You guys help out too" he said, turning to the other four. They nodded enthusiastically.
"So, what's the criteria for failing?" Percy asked, looking forward to picking on Malfoy.
"If he snaps, he fails" Astoria said, grinning. Now, the five others realised why Astoria was a Ravenclaw from a family of Slytherins: she had an evil smile.
7.03 pm
~Astoria~
Astoria smiled as she saw George walk in with his fiance. If it was possible, Angelina Johnson looked better than she did in school. She was tall and athletic and her caramel skin just glowed. George Weasley was surprised to see Astoria there.
"Astoria!" he said, as Astoria walked up to congratulate Angelina.
"Hello, George" she said and then, turning to Angeline smiled.
"Congrats" she said. Angelina smiled, as if remembering Astoria.
"Thanks" Angelina said, then frowned, forgetting Astoria's name.
"Astoria Greengrass" Astoria offered.
"Astoria" Angelina said. George frowned.
"What're you doing here tonight, kid?" George asked, slinging his arm on Astoria's shoulder with relative ease and no apparent embarrassment. Astoria smiled.
"Mr. Weasley said we were going to pick on you 'till midnight" Astoria admitted, "How could I let up on that opportunity?" Astoria asked rhetorrically.
George grinned at her and ruffled her hair in a familiar way.
"Angelina" George said, turning to his fiance, "Astoria's the girl I told you about!" he claimed. Angelina's eyes widened.
"Oh! Really?" she asked. George grinned and nodded.
"Yup, yup" he said, nodding silly.
Astoria looked between the bride and groom with a quizzical expression and raised eyebrows.
"What are you talking about?" she asked. George grinned and leant forward to her ear.
"I told her about how you bribed me into taking you to the Yule ball" George whispered in her ear. Astoria coloured bright red and looked at Angelina with wide, unblinking eyes.
"And you're ok with that?" Astoria asked with disbelief. Angelina smiled warmly.
"You're a smart kid, Astoria" Angelina claimed, "And were one back when you were twelve too, as George claims" she added.
Astoria laughed a fake laugh.
"Very funny, you guys" she mumbled, "I wonder if Mr. Weasley called me so George could tease me until midnight" she added. George grinned and hugged her.
"Thanks for coming, Astoria" he said, pulling away. Astoria smiled. For the first time, in a long time, Astoria felt as if she belonged.
11.37 pm
~Astoria~
"You can sleep here" Ginny said, showing Astoria into a small room with a make-shift bed. Astoria smiled gratefully.
"I could just go home and come back in the morning" Astoria said. Ginny grinned, taking the other bed in the room.
"Don't say that! George would be upset seeing you leave!" Ginny claimed, "I'd be upset too" she admitted, adding.
"Thank you, Ginny" Astoria said, a little uncertainly as she sat down on the bed and rolled around until she was comfortable.
"You know, I doubt Malfoy will show up tomorrow" Ginny said, "But, I feel as if he will. He was asking around about you in the Ministry a few days back too" she said.
Astoria frowned on hearing that. That little ferret Malfoy was snooping around and gathering info about her. She didn't like it.
Astoria grunted in response to Ginny's statement. Ginny laughed.
"Well, I'm glad you're here" Ginny claimed, "I mean, other wise, I'd be the only unmarried girl at this wedding" she said. Astoria smiled a little. No matter how silly the reason was, she was wanted here. And that made her feel glad.
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