September 2; Great Hall
Draco slid into his seat at the Slytherin Table in the Great Hall. Looking up for the first time, he noticed numerous students staring at him, only to turn their gazes downwards when they noticed him staring back. He pursed his lips and began to survey the Hall before him, trying to ignore every single student.
The staff table was full this year. However, McGonagall sat in the Headmistress's seat this year, which wasn't very surprising. What was surprising was the smile on her face; in Draco's seven years at Hogwarts, he had never seen her grin so freely. Two to her right sat a tall, dignified man with a shock of blue hair. He was laughing loudly as the female teachers fawned over him. Draco watched him turn his hair from blue, to yellow, to blue again. A metamorphmagus, realized Draco. Probably the Transfiguration teacher. Many of the female students looked at him dreamily as well, some had their faces scrunched up in concentration in hopes that maybe they could change their appearance at will, too. Frankly, anyone was better than McGonagall.
Draco scanned the table for the new Potions teacher. He saw Hagrid, the great oaf chatting with Professor Flitwick. He saw the ever crazy Trelawney staring out into space, her hands moving through the air. She promptly hit the pretty blond witch sitting next to her. That's probably a new teacher, Potions perhaps? The new Potions teacher turned on Trelawney and scowled, her lip curling in annoyance. Feisty, thought Draco. I might have fun with this one…
Defence Against the Dark Arts. The job was cursed, and after the war, Draco wasn't too sure if they would hire someone new, or even consider continuing with the course. And yet, at the very end of the long staff table, sat another witch. She was tiny, her delicate face over powered by the locks of dark, black hair that fell over her shoulders. Her eyes were a dull grey, staring at the student body through the slits she had narrowed them to. A shiver ran up Draco's spine when she locked eyes with him, he cringed at her gaze and looked down into his lap, her icy glare reminding him too much of his father.
Only one position to fill, Muggle Studies. He scanned the staff table again to no avail. No professor, no subject. Not that it affected his in the least. Muggle Studies? Draco would have never considered the course. Not in a million years. He thought about it once two years ago, mainly just to piss off his father. He had never gone through with it, though, and now he wondered why.
On the other side of the Great Hall, the Gryffindor table erupted into laughter. Potter laughed loudly, clutching his sides, joined by the Weasel. Granger sat there, shaking her head, a smile on her face. All of the new Gryffindor Eighth Years had returned to school. Along with all the Ravenclaws, a handful of Hufflepuffs, and some Slytherins. The only Eighth Year Slytherins that sat at the table were Pansy Parkinson, her face tight while stealing fleeting glances at Draco; Millicent Bulstrode, looking as round and ugly as ever; Some raven haired boy that Draco had really never talked to; Theodore Nott who was chatting it up with Tracy Davis; Draco Malfoy himself; and finally Blaise Zabini. Blaise Zabini, who was staring shameless across the Hall at Astoria.
A feeling that Draco didn't particularly like bubbled up inside him. He turned over to Blaise and slapped him on the back of his head.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" Blaise asked incredulously.
Draco nodded towards the Ravenclaw table, "You're drooling. Close your mouth; you don't have a chance with her anyways."
Blaise raised his eyebrows. "I'd like to see you do better," he said snidely.
"Is that a challenge?" asked Draco calmly.
"You decide, Draco. Just don't screw up with this one…" replied Blaise, going back to staring at Astoria.
Draco looked away from his friend. Apparently, Blaise had taken to speaking in riddles and Draco would have nothing of it. He turned his attention to the front of the room, and heard many students do the same. McGonagall stood at the podium in front of the Staff Table, hands neatly folded and her eyes ablaze.
"Welcome students, new and old, to Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry. We welcome you to a year of learning and a year of growing," she said, her voice resonating through the room. All chatter ceased at that moment, the hall growing silent.
"You will notice a few changes this year. For one, the unfortunate loss of one too many good witches and wizards." The new Headmistress hung her head in tranquil silence, many of the student followed suit.
"On a brighter note, we have welcomed back the Seventh Year students from last year as a onetime new year addition. They will be attending classes with the Seventh Years where possible, and they should be respected as you would your professors," she said, gesturing to the four House tables.
"Along with new students, we have gained quite a few new professors as well." A few of the student's ears perked up visibly, eager to learn the names of the new professors. A fresh batch of teachers to torment; new meat.
"For Transfiguration, Professor Cambiare will be taking my place," she said, and as she spoke, the new male teacher stood tall. His hair flashed different colors, eliciting a gasp from the student body, as he took his seat again, a smile on his changing face.
"Professor Mélange shall be the new Potions teacher." The pretty blond witch stood and the male population of Hogwarts erupted into hormone induced applause. She smiled sheepishly before sitting down again, as the last few wolf whistles died down.
"And lastly, Professor Scuro, our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
As the new professor stood, many of the Hogwarts students looked down into their laps, a few scattered applause here and there. A chill ran through the hall, however, and caused a shiver to run up many spines.
"Thank you, Professors," said McGonagall. "Now, all the old rules are still in place, and Mr. Filch would like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is exactly that – Forbidden." Many of the older students laughed at this, while the First Years grinned nervously.
"In light of last year's events," she continued. "Hogwarts is now a place of unity. No more will our school be divided and no more will war be waged in our halls. Hogwarts will not tolerate any act of discrimination, belittling or unfairness within these walls. Now more than ever we should realize that we are all the same; all equal. And anyone who does not adhere to those rules will be dealt with accordingly, and trust me when I say this students, you do not want to know how it is dealt with."
Many of the students were nodding happily, brightened to know that they would no longer be teased. Draco sat motionless, head turned down, listening attentively.
"Oh that note, a new room has been added to Hogwarts. The Unity Common room can be found be the Kitchens and is accessible to all students at any time save for after hours. There will be no password, so do not abuse this privilege."
"And now students, enjoy the feast!" she finished finally, spreading her arms wide. The noise level instantly increased tenfold, as kids of all ages dug into the hoard of food placed before them. Draco was content to just sit and eat quietly for the remainder of dinner only getting up when all the students were dismissed.
First years followed the Prefect down to their own Common Room, and just when Draco was about to head the way too, a hand grabbed his shoulder, causing him to whip around in surprise.
It was Astoria, and she stood there with a bemused smile on her face, "I didn't scare you did I?"
"Of course not. I never get scared. What do you want anyways?" he asked her rather rudely.
"Well, we haven't given the Prefects their schedules yet, so patrolling is up to us tonight. Hermione and Martin already left," she informed him quietly, taken aback a little by his tone.
"Martin?"
"The other Head you dolt," she quipped. "Now come on, we have an hour to patrol and then you can go rest your pretty head."
She skipped away happily just before Draco could grab on to the back of her robes. He clawed at the air in front of him, but felt nothing. He seemed to be feeling that a lot lately. This, he found, made him profoundly sad, which was better than nothing. And this sadness, he found, made him practically run after the blond girl racing ahead before him.
When Draco finally caught up to her, she looked at him through her lashes, a dazzling smile on her face, "Wow, you're slow. Packing on the pounds, Draco?"
Amusement played out on his face subtly. "If you're insinuating that I'm fat, you are sorely mistaken. You've just never had the pleasure of seeing me naked."
"Ew, I'm not one of the drooling girls that worship the ground you walk on. But if you're ever looking for a quick shag, Pansy is always free," replied Astoria, disgust high in her voice.
Draco's face scrunched up as if he had smelled something rancid. For some reason the very thought of Pansy repulsed him when he was around Astoria. Sure, Pansy was great for a one time fling, but Draco found himself yearning for something solid, something absolute. He was tired of faking and hiding his feelings, he didn't care for the numbness he induced on himself, either. Emotion was weakness, and if that was the price Draco had to pay, then he would pay it.
"Whatever," he told her. "How much longer is this going to take?" They had been at this for what seemed like forever in Draco's mind.
"Not too long, Princess. Just under an hour left," she told him. Draco happily ignored the comment about him being a bloody Princess and continued to drag his feet along behind Astoria.
After a few minutes of silence, Astoria spoke up, "Anyways, where should we head to now?"
"Anywhere but the dungeons," Draco said quickly.
"Why? Afraid your friends won't like me?" She teased him, poking his ribs.
"No, I'm afraid of the opposite actually," he said, thinking of Blaise. "I'm afraid they'll like you a little too much."
Astoria's eyes went wide at the hint of jealousy she heard in his voice, "Well, they can't really help it, can they? All you Slytherins are so infatuated by my charm and good looks."
"Sometimes, I just want to strangle you out of sheer annoyance."
"Then why, pray tell, are you still here?" she asked, her head cocked to the side.
Draco thought about this for a moment. Why was he still here? It wasn't because he liked her. Draco supposed it was because he had nothing better to do with his time. That, and the fact that he really didn't agree with anyone else.
When Draco told her this, she laughed softly, "Don't worry, Draco darling. I won't leave you." Draco felt something in his chest warm when she said this causing him to tug uncomfortably on his school robes and place a hand on his chest, feigning a cough.
Astoria smirked, "What's this? Draco has a heart, how cute. I always thought yours was two sizes too small."
He looked at her oddly, raising his eyebrows, "Excuse me? Two sizes too small?"
"Oh, that's right, you're as pure as pureblood can get. It's a saying from one of my favourite muggle books. Like, how should I put this…It's about a scrooge who stole Christmas, but then a little girl made him give it back and his heart grew, get it?"
"I suppose…" he said, wondering who Astoria would be in this story. "You are so bloody weird, how do you know about muggle books?"
"My family wasn't exactly against them. My mum liked to read me their books sometimes," she told him offhandedly. They rounded a corner and walked the next hallway in silence, until Astoria stopped in her tracks.
Draco bumped into her back, brushing up against her lightly. He cleared his throat, "What was that for, you klutzy witch?"
"Shh, listen. Do you hear that?" she said in a whisper, hold up a finger to his lips.
"No, I don't hear anything…" he murmured against her fingers, sending a quick chill up her spine.
"Listen closer, you idiot. Don't you hear the giggling?" she insisted, whipping her hand away from his lips. His very perfect, sculpted lips…she thought.
Draco listened closer, and sure enough she was right. Whispers could be heard a little ways down the hall, followed by giggles and more shushing. He smirked, time to have some fun.
"I think we should go break up the party," he drawled, practically racing to the door, excited to give someone else hell for a change. The giggling came from behind an unknown portrait hole protected by a sleeping knight in a picture. He pried the door open and stepped through it, Astoria following close behind.
Two younger students sat in an armchair across the room, lips working in a frenzied fashion, writhing around like eels. The girl lifted her head up, "Are you sure we won't get caught, Anthony?"
The boy scoffed in response, "Of course not, nobody knows where this room is anyways."
The girl nodded eagerly and just before she could dip her head down again, Astoria called out, "Spoke too soon, lover boy."
"Oh shit," said the boy. The girl slapped him on the arm and proceeded to yell incoherently at him.
Draco rolled his eyes at their antics, and when Astoria looked at him he made a whipping motion and nodded at the boy. She, however, didn't find it amusing.
"Listen guys. I won't give you detention because whatever she's going to do to you will be ten times worse, but ten points from each of your respected houses," she told them bemusedly.
They stood there, looking at her, dumbfounded. Draco took control of the situation, "That means beat it, sods."
The duo scurried out of the room, and Draco laughed for the first time in a while. His laughter was stopped when he heard the portrait hole slammed shut. Astoria walked up to the door and gave it a useless tug. "Its stuck," she informed Draco nonchalantly.
Draco shook his head in disbelief, "Watch and learn, let a real wizard handle this."
He pointed his wand at the door, "Alohomora." Nothing happened.
Astoria leaned against the wall and smiled smugly, "Oh, please continue." She waved her hand at the door, motioning for him to try again.
"Alohomora," he tried again. When the simple spell didn't work, he rolled up his sleeves and tried something new.
"Confringo. Deprimo. Diffinido. Evanesco," Draco fired spells left and right, but nothing seemed to work.
Astoria looked at him strangely, "Did you really just try to blast the door open?"
"Well, what do you suggest we do?" he said, throwing his hands up in the air. Then, he took of his school robes, leaving only his white button down shirt due to the growing heat.
"I suggest we wake up the knight in the portrait and see if he will let us through," she said simply, pushing past Draco and leaning forward, towards the picture.
She prodded it with her finger, "Wake up, please."
The little knight in the picture stirred and looked up at Astoria with wide eyes, "Oh, bon matin, mon cher."
"Oh, how cute. Bonjour, but it's not morning, we were hoping you could let us out of this room," she asked him kindly. Draco wished she would speak to him that way.
"Oh, non. It cannot be done, mon petite. You see, I am to let no one in or out of this room after hours. Je suis tres désolé," he told her solemnly.
"What? You just let two students in not too long ago!"
"Ah, but you see, ma douce, they were in love. It was my duty as a knight and a Frenchmen to let them in," he declared sweetly.
Draco saw Astoria falter under the knight's intense gaze. He took this as his queue to step in, "Listen you git, I have no time to be stuck in this dump of a room. So let us out before I Evanesco a very important part of your male anatomy."
"Hostility will get you nowhere," said the knight, before walking entirely off his portrait.
"Malfoy, look at what you've done!" Astoria screeched. She sat down on the couch near the door.
"It wasn't my fault. The bloody arse was an idiot," he defended himself. "And since when am I Malfoy?"
"Since you made our only hope of escape leave!"
"Oh calm down, Greengrass. If worst comes to worst, we can sleep here tonight," said Draco subtly.
"I'm sure you wouldn't mind that, but what is this room anyways?"
Draco looked around for the first time. Around the walls the banners of all four Houses hung, along with a roaring fire place and several comfy looking chairs. "I think we're in the Unity Common Room. How corny."
"I happen to think it's a great idea, and if it's so corny, we should leave. Oh wait! We can't because you upset the lovely knight!" she wailed dramatically, burying her face in her hands.
"Oh please, I didn't want to see you make gaga eyes at him all night long. You looked like you were about to snog him," he told her heatedly, taking a seat beside her on the couch.
"Snog him? He was a bloody picture!"
"Oh right, who would want their first time to be with a painted picture?" he said venomously.
Astoria reeled back, hatred glinting in her eyes. She was about to vanish his most important male anatomy if he didn't shut up. And then, she got an idea.
"You're right, Draco. I don't want my first snog to be with a portrait," she said with a pout. She scooted over on the couch so their legs were touching. She placed her hand on his thigh.
"What do you say I take you up on that offer of seeing you naked?"
Draco choked in surprise, but it was a short lived emotion when Astoria began to unbutton his shirt tantalizingly slowly. He licked his lips in anticipation, and locked away his screaming conscious in the back of his head. He held her elbows gently as she pushed his shirt off of his shoulders, her nails slightly raking over his skin. She traced patterns on his naked flesh and bent to kiss his shoulder.
She climbed up onto his lap and Draco grabbed her hips, pulling her down so she was straddling him. He moved his hands to the small of her back and smirked when she arched it. The arch, however, caused her to press against him and Draco groaned low in his throat.
Astoria was breathing heavily and she realized her head was swimming with contradicting thoughts. She had planned to play him hot and cold, and then put a Body Binding Curse on him, but she found herself lost in the moment. On one hand she wanted to stop, on the other, she wanted to snog him senseless. She made up her decision when her soft hands ran over the hard muscles of his chest and stomach. Being a Death Eater does your body good, she thought wickedly.
"Astoria," mumbled Draco half heartedly. Once again he ignored what little morals he had and grabbed her around the waist, reaching up to kiss her…
And then, the portrait hole flew open.
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