The bright morning sun shone through the grimy window in Draco's tiny flat. He awoke, but didn't open his eyes, fearing that the night before had been a dream. Reaching out, he felt her body next to his, and he smiled to himself. Draco's eyes opened, and he looked upon the sleeping form of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her eyes fluttered and opened, beautiful, warm brown. A smile crept across her face.

"Good morning." She said quietly.

Draco leaned forward, and kissed her gently. "You're so beautiful." He said.

Hermione laughed and sat up, pulling the blankets around her body. "I can't believe I let this happen." She said shaking her head slightly, but a gentle smile remained on her face.

"Do you regret it?" Draco asked, sitting up as well.

"No." Hermione said without hesitation.

Draco smiled, leaning forward to kiss her again. He ran his hands gently through her hair, as she placed her hands on his waist. They kissed for a few moments before Hermione broke away, swinging her legs to the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry," she said, "but I really do need to go. I shouldn't have stayed the night."

"Don't leave yet." Draco pleaded, moving around to sit next to her.

"Draco," Hermione started, but he cut her off.

"At least let me make you breakfast." He said, grabbing her hand in his and giving it a soft kiss.

"Alright," Hermione laughed, "but just breakfast."

Hermione sat on the small couch as Draco moved around the kitchen, frying eggs and ham.

"What's she like?" Hermione asked suddenly.

"Who?" Draco said, barely looking up from what he was doing.

"Astoria." Hermione said, and Draco paused.

"Why?" He questioned.

"Just curious."

Draco laughed a little. Hermione was always curious.

"I just want to know that she'll be able to make you happy." Hermione said a little softer, looking at her hands.

Draco looked up at her. "She can't." He said. "She's not you."

Hermione looked up, locking eyes with him for a moment, before he continued preparing their breakfast.

"Is she nice at least?" Hermione questioned again. "Is she interesting?"

Draco paused. He honestly didn't know the answers to her questions.

"I don't really know her." He said finally.

Astoria closed the bedroom door quietly, and crept down the hallways to the library. Draco was asleep, but Astoria was restless, and still felt strange sleeping in the same bed with a man she barely knew. They had been married for four days, and they had yet to be intimate with one another. The kiss they shared during their wedding ceremony was the furthest they had gotten. Astoria didn't mind though. She was young, and had only been out of Hogwarts for a year before she found herself being forced into a marriage that her parents had set up for her. At first, she was upset that her parents would put her in such a position. But they explained to her that her marriage to Draco Malfoy would give her life-long security, and that it was her duty to marry a wealthy, pure-blood man. Astoria, knowing that she had no choice, and having never been in love, convinced herself that she would not miss something she had never experienced, and conceded to the marriage.

Astoria sat in the library, in front of the fireplace, a book open on her lap, though she wasn't reading it. Instead, her thoughts wandered back to her new husband. She thought about the first truly honest conversation she had ever had with him. The only honest conversation they had shared before tonight. It was on the day of their wedding, and she had seen him, sitting alone in the garden outside the hall. His face was in his hands and he was unmoving. Curiosity overwhelmed her, and she snuck out to join him.

As she approached him, she cleared her throat softly. Draco quickly wiped his face with his hands and looked up.

"Are you alright?" Astoria asked.

"Of course." Draco said, looking around. "but...I don't think you should be out here."

"Oh right," Astoria said, and laughed a little. "Bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding."

Draco didn't respond, but just looked down.

Astoria took a tentative step closer. "Though with us barely knowing each other, I doubt if our marriage isn't doomed from the beginning." She smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

Draco cleared his throat, and stood. "We should probably get inside." He said quietly, not looking at her.

As he took a few steps forward, she placed her hand gently on his arm. "Draco," she spoke quietly. "I hope that we can both put our best foot forward in this venture, despite the fact that I may not be what you were hoping for." She paused. "Perhaps I'm a bit young...and a bit plain."

Draco looked up. "You're beautiful." He said, realizing that she was indeed very young, and that this marriage must be a difficult thing for her as well. "I'm lucky to have been matched with someone as beautiful as you...but...I'm.." He couldn't get the words out. He looked away in embarrassment, as his eyes filled up with tears.

"Oh." Astoria said quietly. "There's someone else isn't there?"

Draco nodded apologetically.

"I'm so sorry." She said as she placed a comforting hand on Draco's shoulder. "You must care for her very deeply."

"She's my very best friend...since I was a child." Draco said without hesitation. "I love her."