CHAPTER 8: Midnight encounters.
Draco wasn't there at dinner time either. Blaise sat by himself, and Astoria, for a moment, hesitated. She could sit right next to her sister, like she always did, not out of affection, but out of habit. But she decided she didn't feel like it, that night. Blaise seemed surprised when she sat in front of him, but accepted her gesture with a warm smile. Half the people at the other end of the table stared at her.
-Maybe that wasn't the smartest of moves… -he commented.
-Pff… Who gives a fuck –she started eating at her normal speed-. By the way, mate…
-Yes?
-Thanks. You know, for saving my arse before.
-But I thought you could handle him all by yourself… -he smirked.
-Well, to tell the truth… He's grown up since last year –she smiled slightly-. The first time I caught him off guard.
-It was still awesome –Zabini nodded.
-Thanks –she laughed-. So, where's Malfoy? I haven't seen him all day.
-He had to go somewhere.
-Okay.
-You're not going to ask anything else?
-No. Why would I?
-Uhm… Let me see… -he propped himself on his elbows and took a look at her chest- Yes, you do have tits.
She smacked him on the forehead, playfully, and thanked God that no one had heard that. If they had, her reputation as frozen-hearted Marine would have shaken.
-So, tell me… Does Helena like me?
-I don't know.
-Come on, you must know something… -he poked her foot with his under the table- Am I attractive enough for her? –he made a funny face.
-You're attractive enough for Gisele Bundchen, mate.
-Who's that? –he frowned.
-A very hot muggle model.
-Wow. Was that a compliment? Miss Greengrass, I'm appalled!
-Okay, no more talking about Helena. Sorry, missed your chance –she shrugged.
-Oi, come on! Tell me!
-Mmm… Nope –she grinned.
-Has she said anything about me?
-Yes, yes, she has said things about you! –Astoria rolled her eyes- She thinks you're hot, like the rest of the female population in the school. But if you want my honest opinion, don't expect anything from her.
-Why not?
-Well… I've known her for six years and all she does is talk about guys… But she has never dated one. And by dated I mean, nothing. Zero –she raised one eyebrow-. If you know what I mean.
-Are you serious? A woman that gorgeous!
Astoria sighed. If only a guy would ever say something like that about her. 'Oh, God. I did not just think that!'. But she had.
-So Cormac was lying?
-Cormac? –she squinted.
-Last year he said they had… You know.
-What? McLaggen?? Ew!! He wishes…
Blaise shrugged and they stayed in silence for a couple minutes, until a loud splashing sound was heard from the other side of the Great Hall. As Zabini turned around, smiling already, he confirmed his suspicions when he saw Cormac McLaggen covered in pumpkin juice, looking around for the guilty wand like a maniac. Laughter filled the room, and nobody noticed how Astoria put her wand back in her pocket.
-Goodnight, Astoria –Pansy said, as she drew the curtains around her bed.
-Goodnight –it was kind of funny how her own sister wouldn't say anything but Pansy always said hello, thanks and goodnight.
She hadn't even rested her head on her pillow when she realized she had left her Potions book in the common room. With a groan, she got up and left the dorm, as quietly as possible, so she wouldn't wake anyone up. When she walked into the common room, she noticed someone had left the fireplace burning, and walked over there with her book under her arm to put out the fire. She hadn't seen Draco sitting right in front of it, staring into the flames with vacant eyes. She gasped and dropped her book on the carpet, which was fortunately thick enough to muffle the sound.
-For fuck's sake, Malfoy, you scared the shit out of me…
Draco did not answer. He didn't take his eyes off the fire either. Astoria frowned and realized something was wrong. His face was stone-like, his breathing inaudible; but his fingers clawed the seat's arms so tight his knuckles were white. She placed a hand on his arm, hesitatingly.
-Draco? –she called his name, softly.
She felt the tendons in his arm tense up at her touch, but that was the only apparent change he experienced. She called him again, and this time, he blinked. She knelt to be on eye level, and felt like he was looking right through her. He was somewhat conscious of her presence there, because she heard him whisper two words.
-Get. Blaise.
-Alright, don't worry, I'll go get him right now –she rambled, confused.
She ran toward the boys' dorms and knocked on the first door she found. A grumpy third grader opened the door and stared at her while rubbing his left eye with his fist.
-Where does Zabini sleep? –she asked, harshly.
-Geez, I thought you were a lesbian…
-You're one word away of getting your balls cut off. What is Zabini's room?!
-Last door at your left… -the boy closed the door, suddenly in a rush.
She knocked loudly on that door. Another guy opened, a seventh grader this time. He looked down at her with antipathy and raised one questioning eyebrow.
-I have to talk to Blaise.
-He's sleeping now.
-Wake him up, then.
The guy snorted and started closing the door, but she kicked it open. Fortunately enough, she had put on her boots before going to the common room. The guy held back a scream.
-What the hell are you doing?!
Two other guys stared at her from their respective beds, from under their respective blankets. She recognized the black mass of hair and pointed at him:
-Zabini. Out. Now.
Blaise blinked a couple times but noticed how serious she was. He jumped off the bed at once and followed her outside, not even bothering to put on any extra clothes. She almost had a stroke when she turned around and found he was just wearing black pyjama pants which hung kind of low.
-What is it?
-It's Malfoy; he's in the common room. I found him sitting the- Hey!
Blaise started running cutting her off at midsentence. She followed him into the common room and watched him talk to Draco, shaking him softly. Slowly, Draco started reacting and responding to Blaise's actions. Astoria observed them, feeling extremely uncomfortable to be witnessing the kind of intimacy both friends shared.
-Astoria –Blaise called her.
She approached them, dubitatively. Draco had thrown his arms around Blaise's neck. It wasn't a hug, it was as if he was just trying to hold onto someone. Over Draco's fair –haired head, Blaise looked at the girl:
-Stay with him for a while. I need to go get something.
-O… Okay –she nodded, while gulping.
Not without effort did Blaise manage to get Draco off him. She tried to keep her eyes off his body. Not like she was attracted towards him (not at all). But she had to admit he looked like a Calvin Klein model. She heard Draco whimper and occupied the place Blaise had been filling: kneeling in front of Draco, trying to calm him down. She guessed he would not try to touch her, but she guessed wrong. His breath started speeding up, and she was horrified to discover he was starting to have a panic attack. She started worrying seriously when he brought his hands to his head and pulled his hair. That was not very Malfoy-like. She placed her hands on his arms and tried to make him stop, murmuring soothing words. Finally, he lowered his arms and looked her in the eye for the first time, acknowledging her presence. All of a sudden, his eyes didn't seem as metallic as usual.
Blaise couldn't help but snicker at Astoria's expression. It seemed as if she had just seen a ghost. Draco clung onto her as he had held onto Blaise. Her black eyes had never been that wide. Seeing as Draco was a little bit calmer, Blaise forced him to lean back and get off her. He looked confused.
-There you go –Blaise unwrapped a piece of dark chocolate and broke it into little pieces.
He tried to shove it into Draco's mouth, but the blond refused. Blaise grunted and held him by the jaw with his left hand as he forced him to eat a piece of chocolate. Draco chewed as if it was raw steak. Once he was done, he looked a little better. He breathed out, exhausted. Blaise sighed and wiped Draco's bottom lip with his thumb, absent-mindedly. Astoria saw it. She saw how Draco snapped out of his slumber and stared at his friend, and how Blaise's eyes widened in sudden realization and his hand withdrew rapidly. For a moment, she thought they were involved. And then she saw the immense sadness in both pairs of eyes, grey and brown and discarded the thought. Blaise rested his chin on his fist, observing Draco. Once he was convinced he could survive without him, he looked at Astoria, who still felt like she should have not been there.
-Could you watch him for a while? I gotta go to bed.
-Uh… Sure… -she nodded, uncomfortable.
She got the feeling Blaise needed to stay away from Draco for a little while. The boy placed a hand on her shoulder and gave Draco a very meaningful look before leaving. She bit her lip and approached Draco, as she heard Blaise's footsteps fading away in the corridors. She took a chair and dragged it until she could sit in front of Draco. She did not feel like kneeling on the floor again. Of course she was not the first Slytherin girl to get on her knees in front of him, but she had absolutely no interest in repeating the action. Pansy and Daphne could take care of that matter themselves. She sat in front of him and observed him for a second: he was looking at the flames once again, but not with the insane fixation he had before.
-Why the chocolate? –she asked, when she thought he looked conscious enough.
-It's the dementors. Chocolate makes it easier.
-The dem-? Oh, you went to Azkaban, didn't you?
Draco nodded weakly.
-You went to see your parents?
-Yes –he ran his hands across his face-. And I'm not setting foot in there ever again
-But... They're your parents...
-No, they're not. They're just walking corpses now.
Astoria bit her lip with force. What could she possibly say to comfort him? She had heard horrible stories about the place and the creatures that supervised it. And to think she had been buying CDs while he went through that horrific experience. For the first time in her life, she pitied Draco Malfoy.
-Go to bed, Astoria. I'll be fine.
-But Blaise said...
-I'll be fine –he glared at her.
-Don't give me that look! –she gave him the stink eye- I'm just trying to help.
-If you want to help, leave me alone.
-I will once I make sure you're going to be alright.
Draco snorted angrily. That was the last thing he needed; but she seemed determined to stay and babysit him. Fortunately, nobody else came along. That would have been too much. They sat in silence, observing each other, until Draco had to laugh.
-God, you're annoying.
-Well, if I left you here alone and tomorrow they found you hung from a lamp Blaise would rip me a new one... –she grinned.
-Yeah... –he sighed- Good old Blaise...
-By the way, uh... –she felt awkward just asking- What's up with Blaise? I mean-
-I know what you mean and that is none of our business. If he ever wants to talk to you about it, fine. But don't bring it up.
-Okay... –she frowned.
-I'm afraid I've been clinging onto him a little too much –Draco said-. The poor kid needs a bit of space.
-Yeah, looks like it –she nodded.
-Sometimes I think he's too good for Slytherin.
-Yeah –she snorted-. Tell me about it.
-That's true –he smiled half-heartedly-. You're not a very typical Slytherin girl.
-Why? Because I don't wear my thong up to my ears? –she rolled her eyes, eliciting a soft laugh from Draco.
-I guess you could say that.
-I should have been in Ravenclaw. Everyone thinks so. But apparently I'm not smart enough.
-Who cares about what a stupid hat thinks?
Astoria laughed. He had to admit, he was staring to like their neutral conversations. It gave him a break from his usual routine and also helped him to not annoy Blaise so much. God knew the kid deserved a break every once in a while. On the other hand, she was fairly surprised to find out he was actually kind of nice when his defences were down. She told him about her day at Hogsmeade, trying to distract him from the memories of Azkaban. When she got to the part containing Weasley, he sighed:
-I'm afraid I finished a rumour by starting a new one.
-It's okay, I don't mind.
-What kind of girl doesn't mind being called a lesbian?
-Ehrm… A lesbian? –she laughed.
-Oh! –his eyes widened- I'm sorry!
She laughed out loud, amused by his sudden reaction, and shook her head.
-I'm not really a lesbian –she grinned-. But your face was priceless.
-Ha ha. Very funny, Greengrass.
-No, but seriously, I don't care about what people think of me.
-Then why did you get so pissed when they thought we had something?
-Mathematics, Malfoy. If the Slytherin Sex God had done it with me, then all the other idiots trying to be you would have tried to follow your example.
-'Other idiots' implies I'm the primary idiot, doesn't it?
-Well, when you're in 'Sex God mode', yeah.
-What mode am I in now? –he laughed.
-Uhm… 'Cry-baby mode'? –she moved away when he tried to poke her with his foot as punishment.
-No, seriously, you don't feel threatened by me?
-Not really.
-At all? –he raised an eyebrow.
She shook her head no, knowing the direction he was driving the conversation towards. Very subtle, very Slytherin-like.
-I thought that maybe after… You know… -he waved his hand.
-You're the last guy I'd be worried about.
-How come? –the idea of a woman finding him inoffensive was a new concept to him.
-You can have any girl you want. It's not like I have to worry.
-Besides, I get the feeling you could kick my arse for trying anything with you.
-Well, yeah… Weasley is definitely bigger than you.
-For both our sakes, I'll pretend that sentence didn't have a double meaning.
She frowned, confused. It took her a while to get it, and when she did, she snapped:
-Ew!! That's disgusting!
Draco laughed at her offended reaction. She shook her head violently.
-Never again mention something like that! I have a very visual mind and there are things I cannot help picturing!
-So I guess tonight you're going to be dreaming about a certain naked redhead? –he grinned wide. Astoria glared at him viciously.
-Since it looks like you can take care of yourself, I'll be going to bed –she got up-. If I have nightmares tonight, it's your entire fault.
-My bad –he held up one hand-. Goodnight, Astoria.
-Goodnight, Draco.
He watched her leave and sighed, relieved somehow. Blaise had left the chocolate there, and he finished the remaining pieces. It was very dark and bitter, but it did suffocate his anguish a little bit. He snuggled into the comfortable arm chair and thought he was probably going to spend another night in the common room. By the fireplace.