Over the next few weeks, Draco and Astoria began spending more and more time together. Draco was beginning to feel the hopelessness lift from his chest, as he realized that Astoria was in fact very kind, and quite funny. They spent their days in the garden, or in the library, just talking and getting to know one another.

Draco had bad days too. His temper would get the best of him, and he would shout at her to leave him alone, or lock her out of the bedroom so that he could lie in his own misery. Even when this happened, Astoria was patient with him, and she never shouted back. And the weeks turned into months.

Astoria arrived home, late in the afternoon from a visit with her parents. The house was dark, except for a few embers nestled amongst the smoldering ashes of what was once a fire in the living room fireplace.

"Draco?" Astoria called, but she did not receive a response. Glancing at the fireplace, she noticed a newspaper crumpled and smoking on the edge of the hearth. Astoria moved forward, picking it up and shaking off the charred pieces. She straightened out the paper, and saw Hermione's face smiling back at her, accompanied by Ron Weasley. Hermione was dressed in a beautiful white dress, her hair pulled back, small curls hanging around her face. It was a wedding announcement. Astoria sighed, tossing the paper back into the fireplace.

She knew what this news must be doing to Draco. Over the past few months, Astoria had come to see just how unstable the war had left her husband. He had been at the midst of the Death Eater circle from such a young age. Draco had spent countless nights in terror as the Dark Lord resided in his home. He was expected to complete an almost impossible task of murder, and the pressure of it had caused him to experience more than one emotional breakdown. Draco had told her of how he had watched his aunt torture the love of his life, and the feeling of complete helplessness and guilt he felt as he cowered in the corner and did nothing to stop it. When the war ended, his family was disgraced, and Draco hated himself more than ever. He was forced into a marriage that he didn't want, and now, just as he was starting to get better, the only woman he ever loved marries another. Draco was emotionally unbalanced. Even the smallest thing could set him off.

Astoria heard him before she saw him. His sobs echoed through the hall, as she climbed the stairs tentatively. Draco was sitting on the floor at the end the hall. His knees pulled close to his body, and his head down. His whole body shook as he tried to steady his emotions. His wand was clasped loosely in his hand.

"Draco?" Astoria said quietly as she took a step towards him.

"Leave me alone." He snapped back at her.

"Draco, please..." She took another step, and saw his hand tighten around his wand.

He looked up at her, his cold gray eyes filled with heartache and anger. Astoria's heart broke a little at the sight of him.

"I said go away!" Draco shouted as she continued to move towards him, and a few sparks shot from the end of his wand. Draco stood, and took a few angry steps towards her, but she did not step back. "Go!" He yelled angrily.

Astoria reached out and placed a hand softly on Draco's arm, and at once, she felt his muscles relax beneath her touch. She took another step closer, and Draco tried to move away.

"Please..." He said, his voice weaker and more desperate this time.

However, the moment Astoria wrapped her arms around him, his anger was extinguished, and he broke down once more. His wand fell to the floor, and he clutched the back of her shirt as his body shook against hers. Draco's whole body was exhausted, and Astoria, being much smaller than him could not support his full weight, so she lowered them both to the ground, where they sat in each other's arms, as Draco cried.

"Come on," Astoria said finally. "Let's get you to a bath. It'll make you feel better."

She looked down upon Draco, who's head was resting on her chest as she leaned against the wall behind her. His sobs had quieted, and his eyes were closed, but his breathing was still ragged and distressed. Helping Draco stand, they walked together to the large master bathroom, where Astoria drew a hot bath. Their master bathroom was right off the bedroom, and almost just as large. The back corner of the room was taken up by a tub almost four times the size of a regular one.

As the room slowly filled with steam, Astoria looked around to see Draco standing there, his eyes slightly unfocused. She took a step towards him and began to unbutton his shirt. When she reached the final button, she slid the fabric off his shoulders and let it fall to the ground.

"Come on," she said quietly, giving him a little shake. Draco seemed to become more aware of what was happening, and finished removing the rest of his clothing. He climbed into the large bathtub, and sunk into the hot water.

"There," Astoria sighed as Draco closed his eyes. "Now just relax."

"Wait," Draco said as Astoria turned to leave. "Please don't go...I just...don't want to be alone right now." He glanced at her awkwardly, but she gave him a gentle smile, and sat down at the edge of the tub, her hand taking hold of his.

After a few moments, Draco spoke again. "Come sit with me." He said gesturing to the tub. "Get in."

Astoria hesitated, but by the look on Draco's face, she knew he simply needed to feel close with someone. She stood up and removed her jeans, and shirt. Standing there in her underwear, she glanced awkwardly at Draco. He turned away, allowing her privacy to remove her underwear and climb into the water with him. The tub was large enough that they could sit without even touching each other, but Draco took hold of Astoria's arm, and pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her small frame. She laid her head on his chest, surprised by how well their bodies fit together. Astoria could hear Draco's heart beating, and it saddened her to know how broken he was.

Draco felt comforted by Astoria's presence. She was gentle, and compassionate, and Draco couldn't deny how beautiful she was. He unconsciously began to move his hand softly over her back, as he allowed the realization to truly sink in, that this woman was his wife. They had been married for four months now, and he hadn't truly allowed himself to accept it. Many women would be angry at a husband who was still in love with someone else. But Astoria never once invalidated his feelings for Hermione. She allowed him to talk freely of his love, and offered him support in his anguish. Draco brushed a piece of hair from Astoria's face, and she looked up at him. Without thinking about it, Draco leaned forward, and kissed her gently.

"Thank you." He said quietly.

"For what?" She questioned, slightly surprised by the contact of his lips on hers.

"For taking care of me." Draco replied.

Astoria smiled gently and sat up a little. "I'm your wife." She said. "That's my job."

Draco leaned forward and kissed her again, a little more firmly. He pulled her closer to him, encouraging her to kiss him back. The closeness of their bodies was a comfort to Draco, and for just a moment, he didn't want to feel alone. Draco's hands ran over Astoria's body. The unfamiliarity of her was sort of exciting to him, and he realized that in their four months of marriage, he had yet to see her completely unclothed.

Pulling Astoria to her feet, Draco stood. He pulled her close to him and softly kissed her neck. Though her hands slid around his waist, he could tell that she was slightly tense. He couldn't blame her though. They had never engaged in any sort of physical intimacy before, and he hadn't exactly been the friendliest or easiest person to live with.

"Just relax," he whispered in her ear as he pulled her out of the tub and into the bedroom.

Astoria had a delicate frame, and Draco took in her full beauty as he lifted her gently into their bed, her long dark hair settling softly around her shoulders, her bright green eyes sparkling up at him. Her beauty was so different than Hermione's. As Draco kissed her, he felt her hands in his hair. She ran them over his shoulders and down his arms, as his hands explored her body, preparing her for more.

Astoria let out a soft gasp as Draco entered her, and their bodies soon found a rhythm. It was not the same as it was with Hermione. There was no urgency, no immeasurable passion, but it was calming, and pleasurable. There was no awkwardness, or discomfort, as Astoria expected there to be. When their bodies broke apart, and Draco lay down next to her, Astoria took his hand in hers. Rolling toward him, she placed a small kiss on his shoulder before closing her eyes.

In the late light of the moon, Draco looked over at Astoria, sleeping soundlessly. Decidedly, he would need to make the best of this marriage. This unfamiliar woman was his home now.