September 2; Unity Common Room
Astoria leapt of Draco's lap and landed in a heap beside him. Her hair was a mess, and he was breathing heavily. She peered over his shoulder slowly, "Draco, what was that? Who's there?"
Draco opened his mouth to answer, but he was abruptly cut off by their favourite little knight, "Bravo, mon petit inseparables. That was magical."
"I don't understand…" muttered Astoria, still clutching onto Draco's shoulder. She could feel his body rise and fall with each breath, her fingertips tingled slightly. Draco sat as still as stone. A marble statue reminiscent of a Greek God; high cheek bones and lashes that brushed them with each blink of an eye, sculpted lips and intense grey eyes set on an aristocratic face. Astoria sighed sadly.
"I told you I would open for lovers. I simply must, it is dans mon sang," he replied dreamily, hands clasped in front of him.
Draco stood up quickly, eyes ablaze, "Lovers? Do we look like lovers to you?"
"Ah, yes, you do. If that was not love I don't know what is! The heat, the passion, c'est incroyable," he cried, flailing his hands about the portrait.
Draco turned to Astoria and stared at her intently. She shrunk under his gaze and stepped meekly off the couch. Draco watched as her long legs unfolded from underneath her. They landed on the floor soundlessly, and she walked lithely to the front of the portrait hole. He watched her blink her eyes slowly and turn her head in his direction, her tiny nose set in the middle of her symmetric face, her cupids bow pronounced and smooth. He yearned to see her with some expression on her face, but she walked stone cold out of the room muttering an awkward goodbye.
Draco covered his face with his hands and exhaled loudly.
"I think you have hurt her feelings, mon fils," he told Draco gravely with a sad nod of his head.
Draco sneered at the knight, "What do you know? You're just a portrait, you don't feel love; you're paint on canvas for Merlin's sake!"
"I know more than you, that is for sure. The girl, she is sensitive, even though she does not seem like it. You made her feel triste. She does not like to feel this way," said the knight with an air of wisdom.
"And you could tell all this by looking at her?" Draco demanded.
"Oui, oui. Of course I could," he said simply.
Draco stomped through the portrait hole. He flipped the off the knight, "Sod off."
"Wait!" called the knight as Draco walked away, gaining his composure. "The real question is have you ever felt love?"
Draco ignored the knight's distant calls and he continued to walk determinedly down the corridor. His eyes darted from side to side, searching for the Ravenclaw girl. He finally found her walking aimlessly down a third floor hallway. Her hips swung from side to side and Draco found himself entranced.
"Stalking me now, are you?" she called calmly without turning around. She stopped in her tracks and waited for the blond to catch up to her.
"No, I don't stalk people. They stalk me, there's a big difference," he said easily, trying to lighten the mood.
"Whatever, Draco. I'm tired, can I go now?" she asked him. Draco couldn't help but notice how defeated she sounded.
He was about to tell her she could go and then instead grabbed her wrist, "Wait, don't go yet. I just wanted to say…sorry." Draco mumbled the last part of the sentence and took an extra precaution in covering it up with a cough.
"Say that again," she commanded.
"Astoria, don't make me say it again. Just say you forgive me," he said in annoyance. Sorry felt so foreign on Draco's tongue; he had never felt the need to say it. Until now. Astoria brought out many firsts in him.
"There's nothing to forgive," she said nonchalantly.
"What about…the common room?" he asked her incredulously. "You can't say nothing happened in there, Astoria. I still have the scratch marks if you want proof," he said reaching his hand up to pull down the material covering his shoulders.
"No," said Astoria firmly, stopping his hand. "I know it happened. I'm just saying there is no need to apologize for something you and I don't regret."
Draco nodded his head and his face turned into his usually haughty expression, "Not like it will ever happen again." He, however, grinned after his comment and cocked his head to the side hoping she would catch his teasing tone. Draco thought she missed it completely.
Astoria smiled sadly, "Goodnight, Draco." Then, she walked away, eyes wide and filled with what Draco thought were tears.
"I don't regret it…" he whispered after her. But she didn't hear him.
~!~
Astoria wiped away her fake tears and smirked to herself. She bounded to her common room and dashed up the stairs taking them two steps at a time. Flinging herself on her bed, she reflected the events that had just transpired.
She played good, that was for sure. Of course she got caught up in the moment, but her hormones were to blame. Astoria had Draco Malfoy right where she wanted him, comfortable with her and a little bit softer.
It was only a matter of time before she snagged him completely; on her own terms. She would prove her friends wrong, Draco would want her.
The player himself had just entered her complex game. Only she knew the rules. Only she could win.
September 3; Ravenclaw Dorm
Astoria wiggled beneath her covers, her eyes slowly peeling open. Light poured into the room through the open bay window, so she pulled the lush blue covers over her face sighing contently. Bustling could be heard in the room.
"Astoria, get your sleepy arse up!" said Mimi, marching over to Astoria's bed and yanking off the covers. Astoria shivered slightly, grumbling under her breath before stretching lazily on her bed.
"What time is it?" she asked, finally sitting up in bed.
"Almost seven, breakfast will start soon. You better go take a shower before Helia wakes up, you know how she likes to use the hot water," Mimi told Astoria, her voice becoming affectionate when she spoke of Helia's fondness of scalding hot showers.
Astoria trudged over to the bathroom that the three girls shared along with their two other roommates, Stacy and Marcia. She undressed quickly and stepped into the shower, revelling in the feeling of hot water against her chilly skin.
She exited quickly and dried herself off with a fluffy navy bath towel. After dressing herself in school robes and fixing her hair with a Quick Dry spell, she left the bathroom and walked over to her bed, lying face up staring at the ceiling.
Upon seeing Astoria leave the bathroom, Helia rushed in like a field mouse trying to escape the jaws of an owl. Astoria shook her head bemusedly, wondering how she had become friends with the strange girl.
Mimi sat opposite of Astoria, magically charming her wild hair into perfect ringlets. She stared intently at Astoria, but remained quiet. Wicca purred loudly and jumped onto Astoria's lap, arching her back to be pet.
"Stop staring at me, Mimi. I'm not going to combust spontaneously," said Astoria, without getting up, stroking the cats soft fur.
"I'm not staring, I'm merely…curious," she replied slowly, carefully choosing the right words of accusation.
"Curious? Why? We've only been here for a day, I haven't done anything interesting," Astoria said defensively, trying to put on an air of casualness.
"Then why, Astoria darling, were you not in your bed last night by midnight?"
"Well, I am a Head, for Merlin's sake. I was out patrolling," Astoria pointed out.
"Really?" Mimi smiled. "Who did you go with?"
Oh hell.
Astoria clasped her hands together, a nervous habit. "I went with Draco," she said, sticking her chin out in defiance.
"Ah ha! I knew it!" cried Mimi, pointing an accusing finger at her friend.
At that point Helia exited the bathroom, "What's all the ruckus about?"
"Astoria was fraternizing with the enemy," said Mimi, before Astoria could even open her mouth.
"I was not fraternizing with the enemy. Since when is he my enemy? He's never given me the time of day!" replied Astoria indignantly.
"Oh, Mimi, cut it out with all the dramatics," Helia reprimanded the red head. Mimi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, mumbling a sorry.
"And Astoria, don't listen to Mimi. She doesn't know anything-"
"Hey!"
Helia ignored her, "Anyways, what did you do with him last night?"
Astoria got off the bed and placed Wicca on the floor. "Well, we patrolled, busted two kids, got looked in a room and nearly snogged."
Astoria wouldn't give her friends the satisfaction of seeing her sweat. She smiled to herself as a light bulb went off in her head. Time to play him cold, she thought deviously.
Then she walked out of the dorm room leaving Helia smirking triumphantly and Mimi gagging.
September 3; Great Hall
Draco walked into the Great Hall for breakfast with Blaise, who was currently grilling him about last night. Draco's lips remained sealed and on them a grin was plastered. Blaise groaned in frustration and sat down with a thud. Theo turned his head towards his two friends and gave Draco an earnest look as if to say, don't entice him. The voice of reason that one was.
Upon filling up his plate, Draco stealthily glanced about the hall, looking for the blond Ravenclaw. He spotted her sitting across the room, by herself. She was making her way through a stack of pancakes, chewing thoughtfully. Draco stared at her harder, hoping she would look this way.
He was highly disappointed when his view was obstructed by none other than Pansy Parkinson. She stalked across his field of view, throwing him a sad pout to which Draco replied with a roll of his eyes. She sat on the other side of Blaise, Millicent walking close behind.
Draco resumed staring at Astoria, trying to rid his mind of the pug faced Pansy. She had cornered him in the Slytherin Common Room this morning, complaining about how they never spent time together anymore. Draco proceeded to tell her that she should get used to it considering they weren't together. She took this harshly of course, Draco didn't know why; he thought he had put it rather nicely.
At least I don't have a conscience, he thought. Otherwise I might be tempted to apologize to her. The very thought of Pansy sent him gagging. All he could think of were soft fingers on his shoulders, followed by the sharp rake of nails…
His thoughts were interrupted by a shrill cry of joy coming from somewhere to his right. He turned his head slowly, not exactly interested. That is, until he caught sight of where the cry was issued from.
Pansy looked down at her plate gleefully, on it was a tiny pot, and in the pot was a silver pansy dyed green at the tips. Draco felt genuinely sorry for the poor sod that sent it to her; he would never here the end of it.
"Oh, Draco! It's perfect!" cooed Pansy, launching herself at Draco's lap.
Draco's eyes went wide, "What the bloody hell, Pansy. Get off me!"
She ignored him plainly and showered his face with sloppy kisses. "Draco, that was the sweetest, most perfect, loveliest thing anyone has ever done for me!"
"I didn't do anything, you stupid witch! Didn't our talk get through your thick skull this morning?" he asked her, finally succeeding in shoving her off his lap. By this time, half the Great Hall stared in their direction.
"Don't be that way, Draco. I know you sent those flowers and that poem. I never pegged you for the romantic type!"
"Poem? What poem? he asked her.
She pulled a piece of paper out of her school robes.
"Roses are red,
Pansies are silver,
When you're with me,
I can't help but quiver."
She finished with a smile and threw her arms around Draco's neck. He pushed her off, "Do you really think I would write something that stupid?"
This time it wasn't Pansy who answered.
"I always knew you had it in you, Draco."
He turned around in his seat to come face to face with Astoria. She was laughing, her whole body shaking.
"You," he said, his eyes seething.
Astoria stopped laughing, "Best be off, then."
And she raced out of the room, leaving Draco stumbling after her for the second time. He began to think this would turn out to be a regular occurrence; him following her like this. When he saw her leaning against a wall, giggling to herself, he suddenly realized that he didn't mind running after her so much. After all, he loved a good chase.
Draco sauntered over to Astoria and crossed his arms over his chest. She looked up at him and snapped her mouth shut, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Bloody hell, what was that?" he yelled, throwing his arms up in the air. He smacked Astoria in the nose with his flailing hand.
She clutched her nose and scowled at Draco. "Ow, what was that for?"
"That was an accident. Wait, no, it wasn't. It was on purpose," he decided.
She remained silent, then pulled out her wand and muttered a spell under her breath, bringing down the swelling.
"Jerk," she mumbled.
He looked at her and rolled his eyes, "I hope it hurt."
She opened her mouth to retort, but instead wrapped her arms around his neck. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and hitched one of her legs around his waist. He could feel her breath tickling his skin and he closed his eyes in pleasure.
Just as he reached up to stroke her back, an ear splitting scream came from somewhere down the hall.
"Why, Draco?"
Pansy stood at the end of the hall staring at Astoria and Draco. Their position was incriminating enough for Pansy, but if it was up to Draco, their lips would be much closer. She screeched one more time and turned on her heel, racing down the hallway.
As soon as she turned the corner, Astoria dropped her hands from Draco's neck. "You're welcome, I believe that's the second time I've saved your arse."
"I don't need saving," he told her. Not even he believed himself.
"I beg to differ. So, do I get a medal or something?"
Draco smirked as an idea popped into his head. She wasn't the only one who was allowed to play dirty. He placed his arms on either side of her head and leaned down so his face was mere inches from hers. He was pleased to see that her eyelids fluttered and her breathing rapidly increase.
"Tell me why you did it," he asked her, his breath running across her lips. She noticed he smelled like mint. She breathed in deeply.
Astoria shook her head weakly, "I thought you needed some help getting the cow off your back…"
She was slurring her words, as if his mere scent was like a drug. He grinned again and brought his face closer. He ran his nose up her jaw line and rested it behind her ear.
"Thanks," he mumbled into her ear.
"Wow, I didn't think that word was in your vocabulary," she whispered, mostly to herself.
"Well, I'm just full of surprises, aren't I?"
And then he kissed her, full on the mouth. She responded instantaneously, gripping his shoulders and moving her lips in time with his. His arms snaked around her waist and held her tight against him.
He didn't mean for it to be like this. He had meant to kiss her and then pull away. Kiss her than leave. Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss. Kiss. He couldn't think of anything but Astoria, her lips on his, her hands on his shoulders. She clouded his thoughts and it scared him.
Suddenly, she pushed back on his chest. She smiled coyly and cocked her head to the side. "How about we go get our time tables, shall we?"
She slipped from the cage his arms created and skipped down towards the giant Great Hall doors. Draco was left with his arms empty, and his face twisted in confusion. He slammed his fist into the wall. He would have to get creative with this girl.
September 3; Great Hall
Astoria held her timetable in her hands, staring down at it intently.
Advanced Potions, Double Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology and…Muggle Studies?
When did I take Muggle Studies? Astoria had nothing against muggles, but she didn't remember discussing Muggle Studies with McGonagall last year. It must be a mistake, she thought finally. Astoria began to walk towards the professor table, hoping to straighten things out. Little did she know, half of the student body was waiting for the same answer.
"Professor McGonagall? Can I just ask you a question?" asked Astoria, holding out her timetable.
"Ah yes, Astoria. How can I help you dear?" she replied with a smile.
"Well, I was wondering why Muggle Studies was put on my timetable, I didn't pick it..."said Astoira. She was getting more uncomfortable by the minute.
"Yes, I'm glad you brought that up. Sonorus," she said, pointing her wand at her throat.
"Students in Seventh and Eighth Year, please, quiet down. I'd just like to point out an alteration made to your timetables. Muggle Studies has been added to your classes because we feel that ignorance and misunderstanding leads to hate, and that is something that is not to be tolerated," she told the students. They erupted into murmurs and groans, not very well concealed. She was met with blank stares.
"That is all," and then she left the Great Hall.
Student stood around blinking in surprise. This is going to be one interesting year, thought Astoria.
Draco, on the other side of the hall, was thinking the exact same thing as he fixed his gaze on the blond Ravenclaw.
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