CHAPTER 7: We're even now.
Soap and water dripped from her inert arms onto the floor. She was not breathing, nor blinking, nor thinking. As if she was paralyzed. From where he was standing, Draco couldn't see her face; just the long bangs of raven hair covering its side. After a couple seconds, he wondered what the hell he was supposed to do. 'Probably shut up next time', he thought, angry with himself.
-Astoria? –he asked, uncertain.
No answer was heard, and he walked up to her, carefully, until he could actually see her face. Her eyes were transfixed in front of her, empty. Her mouth was closed into a tight line. She looked considerably paler than she had before. He called her name out loud again, a little more preoccupied now. This time, it seemed to cause an effect: she blinked. Once. Twice. Before Draco knew what had happened, her right hand had shot straight up and grabbed him by the collar of his white shirt, pulling him down so his face was in level with hers. He didn't even have the time to say something.
-If you ever –she gave him the most vicious look ever directed at him- say a word about this again, I will sneak into your dorm and kill you in your sleep.
Had it been another student to say that to Draco, he would have simply laughed in their face. He had met Voldemort himself; a threat like that sounded ridiculous to him. Except when Astoria was the one talking. Her black irises were now dull as ever, and she looked like she was about to bare her teeth. Which was not something Draco would have liked to confront. He was not really scared; it took a lot more to scare him nowadays. However, the fact that he knew he had hit the right spot should have made him feel glorious; a smirk should have been on his face. But he just nodded instead. 'What the hell', he thought, 'it's the least I can do'.
With a harsh movement, she let go of his shirt, and dedicated a couple seconds to glare at him while he straightened up again. Damn, she had a temper. She turned her back to him and faced the pile of dirty cauldrons once again. For a moment he thought she would dip her hands in the soapy water as if nothing had happened. But instead, she muttered a curse word (a pretty nasty one, he had to add) and casted a spell to magically clean the recipients. As she walked up to the door, she heard what she already knew was coming:
-You know if you get out of here now he'll know you've used magic.
-Shut up, Malfoy.
-Whatever –he shrugged and went back to work.
A small smile couldn't be prevented once he heard her sit on one of the desks and light a cigarette. The smell of chocolate invaded his nostrils once again and he thought that this time, he preferred enjoying it from a distance. Astoria checked the time and bit her lip. There was still one hour left. After three minutes of silence, she started wondering if Malfoy was simply unconscious of the threat she had given him, for he kept washing and rinsing and scrubbing as if nothing had ever happened.
-What the hell is wrong with you? –she muttered, apparently to herself.
-Come again?
-You act as if everything was alright.
-Everything is alright.
-I just threatened to kill you.
-In the event that I spoke about that again. There is no possible danger, seeing as I will never bring up the subject.
-Why not? –she frowned. Most people she knew would have killed to know a secret like that.
-Why would I?
She didn't know what to answer. He was actually a very disconcerting character. During all those years, they had probably never crossed more than fifty words. She had been one of his admirer's little sister. A "dikey" little sister, on top of that. Not that he ever paid any attention to her. Or vice versa. Astoria was actually too busy criticising people like him with her friends. Draco embodied all those Slytherin attributes that she found so repulsive. Sure, she was in the same house, and if the Hat had put her there, it was for a reason. She was, after all, sly, cunning, and extremely clever. But she had absolutely no interest in whatever games of power and domination her companions were so fond of.
Eventually, Draco looked at her over his shoulder. She held his stare, impassively. As she exhaled smoke slowly, he smirked, as if saying 'You're not that scary'. She glared at him and watched as he finished rinsing the cauldron he had been scrubbing for the past five minutes. He then proceeded to dry his forearms with some rags that hung from a nail, but since he had not rolled his sleeves up, his shirt was soaked again.
-You should seriously roll them up –she nodded at him-. I know what's there, I'm not going to say anything.
-I really don't think I would feel comfortable, Astoria.
-That is the point, though. You made me feel uncomfortable without reason.
-If I do –he rolled his eyes back-, will you forget I ever mentioned that?
She nodded, a spark in her jet black eyes, which made him sigh and switch his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. His fair blond hair brushed his eyes as he looked down at his forearm. Slowly, he rolled the wet fabric up, until the Dark Mark appeared before their eyes. Astoria's eyes widened at the sight. It was, surprisingly, horrible. She had never seen one before, and always thought it would be just like a tattoo. And had she been a muggle, she would have probably mistaken it for one. But she wasn't. There was something strange about it, a special malignant aura that could not be ignored by any witch or wizard. Suddenly, she understood the reality that haunted every day of Draco's present and future life: he could never again let anyone see it. Nobody would want to work with him, get attached with him or help him. He was a Death Eater, and just like the Marines: once a Death Eater, Death Eater forever. A pang of guilt jabbed her in the stomach and she wished she had never asked him to do that.
-Satisfied? –he asked.
-I guess…
- I still think it's more discreet than your dragon –he joked.
She laughed, and a puff of smoke escaped her lips. She reached into her jeans' pocket and handed him the packet of cigarettes. He looked at it, hesitatingly. She shook it, insisting for him to take one. Eventually, he gave up and tried to hold one of the slim black cylinders as gracefully as she did. It was probably the only thing she ever did with elegance.
-We're even now –she sentenced, as her lighter burnt the tip of Draco's cigarette.
He sat next to her, and rested one foot against the desk in front of him. She tried to imitate him, but failed; her legs were way too short. His chuckling elicited a glare from her, which quickly faded away. After a minute, he could inhale without coughing his lungs out, and thought that, even though the taste was quite revolting, smoking wasn't so bad. It helped pass the time.
A few weeks passed. Everything seemed to go back to normal, and the year was more or less similar to the past ones. Astoria and Draco never talked again since her second detention. They were supposed to ignore each other, after she had supposedly rejected him; but the truth was, they didn't have much to talk about, anyway. Astoria had regained her status as 'Major Slytherin Dike' in the eyes of most people at Hogwarts, which was actually satisfying enough for her. As long as no one got close enough, she was fine. She had been a little concerned at first about Draco blabbering her secret away, but, since she had never really confirmed it, after a couple days she realized he wouldn't tell anyone. Well, maybe Zabini. But Zabini was usually as discreet as a mouse, nothing to worry about. It was, nonetheless, uncomfortable, to find him in the hallways or the common room.
That was the first weekend at Hogsmeade. Luna, Helena and Astoria enjoyed it thoroughly. Luna bought half of Honeydukes. Helena insisted on scanning every clothing store in the town, and, obviously, ended up carrying several pairs of bags during the rest of the trip. Afterwards, though, it was Astoria's time to make her friends suffer, and dragged them to a music store where she talked about bands and styles and metal for what seemed like hours. She was mostly into muggle bands, which didn't make it any easier for her friends to understand what she talked about.
In the pub, with their butter beers in front of them, they warmed up and talked about everything they had bought. Helena displayed in front of them several items which Astoria found morally reprehensible: high heels, red lipstick, lacy thongs… She enjoyed tormenting Helena about her tastes, and she suspected Helena actually liked upsetting her by showing her new acquisitions. As she had feared, the never-ending subject came up.
-So, do you girls have any dates for the Ball? –Helena asked, taking a sip from her butter beer.
-What Ball?
-The Christmas Ball, Astoria. The one we're supposed to attend every year since we started first grade?
-Oh –she grunted-. That one. Yeah, I'm going with Cormac McLaggen, didn't you know?
-Oh, I don't think that's a very wise choice, Astoria… -Luna said- Apparently he gets pretty sticky with girls.
-Luna –she glared at her-, I was joking.
Helena laughed at both their faces. Very rarely did Luna get Astoria's sarcasms, and it was very funny watching those moments.
-Do you have a date, Lena?
-You know I don't date. But… They'll all wish I did when they see my new dress –she snickered like a little girl.
-God, you're a bitch… -Astoria shook her head and laughed- What about you, Luna?
-Well… I don't have a date yet.
-Do you have anyone in mind? –she gave Helena a mischievous look- Like… I don't know… Neville, for instance?
-Oh, I don't know… -Luna turned red on the cheeks.
-He hasn't asked you, yet?
-No.
-Maybe you should ask him –Helena nodded-. He's a tad too shy to do it himself.
-Or maybe he just doesn't like me at all.
-Are you kidding, Luna?! Come on, let's ask him –Astoria turned around and yelled- Oi, Neville!
Neville had been sitting with some Gryffindors, including the Golden Trio. Everyone looked at her as she motioned for him to walk over to their table. Hesitatingly, he did.
-Hey, girls. How are you?
-Fine! –both Helena and Astoria sang at the same time.
-So, Neville, I was wondering… -Luna looked down at her shoes.
-Actually, Neville, she was wondering if you were going to ask her to the dance.
-Astoria! –Luna became as red as Neville.
-Oh, I, uhm… -he seemed to become smaller by the second- Well, yeah, I was actually going to ask before, but you girls never leave her alone.
Both girls laughed as loud as they could. Luna's eyes widened, in surprise and delight. Neville's eyes were suddenly glued to the tip of his sneakers. Astoria moved a little to her side so Neville could sit in front of Luna, and patted the seat, inviting him to do so. He sat down, still flushed.
-So –he cleared his throat-, Luna, will you be my date for the Ball?
-Sure, Neville –she smiled-. I'd love to.
Neville smiled back and sighed, relieved. The four of them made a toast for the Ball, and drank their butter beers.
-Hey, Neville! –Weasley called from his table- What are you doing mate?
-I'm just… Talking –he raised an eyebrow.
-You don't sit next to filthy Slytherins.
-Fuck off, Weasley! –Helena yelled at him, slamming her glass down on the table.
-Oh, how cute, the dykes defending each other! –Ron screamed right back.
By then, the whole pub was staring at them. Harry held Ron's arm, and tried to tell him, without words, to shut the fuck up. Hermione glared at him; she was not very fond of Astoria, but knew it was better not to mess with her. Astoria nodded towards the door and her friends got up to leave the pub. Everything would have been more or less alright if Ron hadn't insisted on making comments about the girls' sexuality as they walked out.
-Ron, shut up! –Neville said, astonishingly.
-You know, what, Lestrange should have killed you instead of your brother –Astoria said, calmly, as she stepped out of the pub-. Fred was a thousand times better than you.
Ron froze in his seat and silence overcame the place as the girls walked out. Astoria was about to light a cigarette when someone shoved her hard against the wall. She had to admit, Ron Weasley was kind of big. Especially compared to her.
-Don't you fucking dare talk about my brother! –he yelled in her face.
Out of nowhere, a pair of hands grabbed Ron's shoulders and pulled him off her as the other two girls screamed bloody murder. Zabini faced Ron with a completely peaceful expression on his face, as if he was playing chess instead of starting a fight.
-Leave her alone –he said, with a face-. God, Weasley, why don't you pick on someone your own size?
-Like you?
-Now that you mention it… -he smiled.
-Where's your boyfriend? You're not going to fight me all by yourself, are you? –Ron spat, venomously.
-Not really. I bet Astoria here could take care of you. Like she did last time.
By then, most Hogwarts students had left the pub, anxious to watch another fight starring Ronald Weasley and Astoria Greengrass. Astoria smirked at Blaise's words and Ron's embarrassment. Everyone remembered how she had kicked him in the face at the beginning of the semester. Hermione started tugging at her boyfriend's shirt. No one had ever seen Zabini fighting, and she preferred it that way. Eventually, Ron looked away from Blaise's smiling face and snorted.
-Go fuck yourself –he whispered, almost inaudibly, before walking away.
-You alright? –Blaise asked Astoria once everyone was gone.
-Yes. Not like I couldn't handle him myself.
-I never said you couldn't –he smiled.
Slowly, she forced herself to smile back at him. They had never been close or anything, but Blaise had been one of the most supportable Slytherins ever. He was calm and never spoke too much, which was very rare amongst their house's students. She looked around for Draco, but he wasn't there. Which was quite weird, since lately he had been clinging onto Blaise for dear life.
-I get the feeling you're going to need help carrying all those bags –Zabini directed at Helena his electric smile.
-Thanks, Blaise, but I'm okay –Helena smiled brightly as ever-. Astoria and Luna here can help me.
-You're going to deny me the pleasure of your company? –he raised an eyebrow.
-Of course not –she laughed-. You can come along as long as you don't try to carry my bags for me or buy me drinks or open doors for me.
-Well, if I might say a word… -Astoria grinned evilly at her friend- I'd much rather have Blaise carrying your new high heels and lace lingerie.
Helena's glare was enough to shut her up, but the grin remained plastered on her face for hours. Blaise's face went red as he couldn't help trying to peek into the bags Helena was carrying.
-Don't even think about it –she said, between her teeth.
A couple laughter fits after, they started heading towards Hogwarts. Zabini told them he had been by himself during the whole day, and after that Helena couldn't refuse to accept him into their group. Eventually, he convinced her to carry two of the bags, so everyone would be carrying the same amount.
-Geez, I'm starting to get in touch with my feminine side… -he whined.
-That's funny, huh, Astoria? Two dykes and a fag –Helena joked.
-Hey, what am I? –Luna complained, as she swung Helena's bags back and forth.
-Uh… Neville-sexual, I guess –Astoria confirmed.
Two of the girls laughed. One boy's eyes went wide as windows and the other girl went red and didn't speak for the rest of the day.