September 4; Infirmary
I'm sorry.
Astoria stirred in her bed, groaning quietly. She reached up groggily with her hand, eyes still closed, and hissed at the sudden upsurge of pain. Cool hands pushed her wrists down so that they rested on her stomach. She cracked her eyes open and promptly shut them, not particularly enjoying the onslaught of light.
"You're going to have to open your eyes sometime," someone to her right murmured.
Astoria scrunched up her nose and spoke in defiance, "No, it's too bright."
She heard the person sigh, and then shuffle slightly around before muttering something under his breath. "You can open your eyes now."
One eye opened slowly, then the other followed suit. She blinked several times before noticing that the room was indeed darker, adding to her comfort. A ghost of a smile played at her lips when she realized who sat beside her. Draco sat, slumped in his chair, to her immediate right. He looked frazzled, she observed and she was quite happy to notice that his hand was still resting on her stomach.
Astoria must have stared at said hand too long because Draco snaked his hand away a moment later. She frowned slightly and turned her head away from him.
It was he who broke the silence, "How are you feeling?"
She turned her head in his direction again and started at him incredulously. "You're joking, right? How do you think I feel? You nearly seared my hands off!" she scolded him, her voice steadily rising in volume.
Draco opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by the fiery blonde, "And don't you dare say it was an accident, Draco Malfoy, because if you had been paying attention this wouldn't have happened."
Astoria forgot herself for a moment and started to gesture wildly with both hands. She yelped sharply and laid them down to rest.
"You shouldn't move your hands," he told her dryly, rolling his eyes at her.
"For once, Mr. Malfoy, you seem to be talking with some sense!" said Madame Pomfrey, who came bustling out of her office. She handed Draco a glass bottle that seemed to be filled with some thick, sticky substance, then she deposited bandages into his hands. Conjuring a bowl from thin air, she told Astoria to place her hands in it before gently pouring in another liquid, this one colored silver.
The effects were immediate and Astoria sighed in relief as she saw the tissue on her hands re-grow.
"Don't sound too happy yet, my dear. The deep tissue has yet to heal, and this is where Mr. Malfoy comes in. I'm sure he'd be delighted to coat both your hand in that slave he is holding, and then bandage it up," Madame Pomfrey pressed, staring at Draco pointedly. "Twice a day for two days, starting now."
He shrugged, "I suppose so."
Pomfrey smiled and bade them goodbye, shuffling back into her office.
Astoria pursed her lips and tried to heave herself off the cot with out the use of her hands. She struggled for a moment before slinking back down defeated. Draco shook his head at the dejected looking girl and smirked; he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into an upright position.
"Thanks," she muttered.
"Well then, stick out your hand," he told her reluctantly. He uncorked the bottle, and being very careful with her hands, poured a small amount of the thick liquid onto it. He rubbed it in softly before bandaging it up with the gauze.
"Have you ever considered a job as a healer?" Astoria asked him as she collected her things from the side table.
"No," Draco answered. "Too many ungrateful patients."
Astoria laughed at his quip and tried to shoulder her school bag with difficulty. It was swept out of her hands by Draco and deposited onto his shoulder. For the third time today, Astoria was dumbfounded by his kindness.
"I guess we should head to class, where are you headed to?" she implored, following him out of the room.
"Advanced Potions."
"What a coincidence, so am I," she stated happily.
What happened next surprised the Ravenclaw: Draco didn't have a snide comment to make. He walked in silence beside her, staring straight ahead. For a while, Astoria was comfortable with the dead silence, but after a good thirty seconds, she began to worry.
"Hopefully, I'll stay fully intact this lesson," she goaded him playfully.
He only grunted in reply.
They reached the potions class and took their seats at the back of the room together, where Draco continued to be distant and cold. She listened to the new teacher babble on about toad heads or something or other, but Astoria continued to watch the Slytherin boy seated beside her.
Astoria didn't know what hurt more; the throbbing of her hands, or the dull, almost nonexistent, sting in her heart.
September 4; Potions Room
Astoria cringed at the sound of Professor Melange's voice. A huffy French accent (which was so obviously fake) laced her every word. It was, in fact, truly cringe worthy, her voice so sickeningly sweet, it made the Ravenclaw want to vomit. Or claw her own eyes out, but alas, that was not possible, due to the bandages wrapped around her burned hands.
Ow.
The dull throbbing continued in a consistent rhythm. Thump. Oh, how lovely, now the blonde bimbo teaching the class bent over. Thump, thump. Boys all over the room started unabashedly as she searched in the low lying cupboards, wriggling her arse a bit too much in Astoria's opinion. Thump. Merlin, she's finally up!
"Amortentia!" the Professor shouted excitedly, clutching a tiny little bottle in her hand.
"Oh, good Gods…" Astoria muttered, tucking her hands under her arm pits, sliding down lower in her seat.
"Excuse me, Miss? Do we have a non believer?" Asked Melange, incredulously from the front of the room.
From the back of the room, a certain Slytherin perked up considerably. He smelled blood; fresh, female cat fight blood. He smirked, placing his bets on Astoria over the busty Professor.
"Well, I mean no disrespect, but shouldn't love form on its own? Why use a potion to aid love?" Astoria argued, quite annoyed with being put in the spot light.
"Sometimes, dear, men – and women – need a little…push in the right direction. And if it's in the form of a potion then so be it," lectured Melange, clearly equally annoyed with her much too practical student. Suddenly, she had an idea, "Come here, quickly now!"
Astoria stomped to the front of the room, keeping her arms crossed defensively. The Professor grasped her shoulders and turned her to face the class. She stuck the tiny vial of Amortentia under the Ravenclaw's nose. "Take a breath, my dear. What do you smell?"
The student rolled her eyes, but breathed in none the less. She was surprised to find that she thoroughly the smell. "I smell…broom wood, and pine needles. Oh, and something fresh, like mint. It's quite pleasant actually."
The Professor smiled smugly, as if she had known this all along. "And that is the smell of love, Miss. Get used to it, because I predict you'll be getting a lot of it."
Happy to have finally satisfied her teacher, Astoria walked back to her seat, indefinitely happy then she had previously been. The scent warmed her heart and she found herself taking deep breaths trying to catch the ruminants of it.
What she did not know, however, was that Draco was sitting back in his seat, mind whirling. He rode brooms, he realised, and pine trees had always been his favourite. He even used mint soap to clean his body. Draco smiled to himself. He, on the other hand, had smelled fresh citrus - oranges mainly, the distinct odour of a cat and new parchment paper.
He would bet his dashing good looks, that Astoria smelled like oranges.
September 4; Inner Workings of Draco Malfoy's Mind
Potions class came and went, leaving Draco in a funk.
When was the last time he had truly smelled a girl? Sure, it was a silly question, mentally slapping himself after asking, but now it seemed so significant. He had never gotten close enough to a girl to memorize her smell. He found himself longing for a bloody smell to haunt him in his dreams, and he hoped that when he reached the Great Hall for lunch, he would smell oranges.
September 4; Inner Workings of Astoria Greengrass's Mind
Potions class came and went, leaving Astoria in a funk.
What did Draco smell like? She assumed it would be of some pompous cologne, or some ridiculously expensive soap. Just like him to even want to smell filthy rich. Yet, what she had smelled was something pure, something so pleasant she found herself really bloody sad to have left the Potions class. She hoped that when she arrived at the Great Hall for lunch, the smell of mint would leave her be.
September 4; Great Hall
Mimi stared at Astoria, practically burning holes through the poor girls head. The girl opposite her simply gazed into space, a glassy look in her eyes. Her food was untouched, and her lips set in a thoughtful pout. Mimi nudged Helia in the ribs. "What's wrong with her? Bad sausage, you think?"
Helia merely shook her head knowingly, nodding over to the other side of the Great Hall, where one certain Draco Malfoy sat. Upon his face was the silliest grin Mimi had ever laid eyes on. What bothered her more was the fact that he was glancing at a certain Astoria Greengrass. The look of adoration on his haughty (albeit God like) face was painfully obvious.
Mimi mentally counted the Galleons she had with her, for she was sure she would lose her little bet with Helia.
"Damn…"
September 10; Inner Workings of Draco Malfoy's Mind
Several days passed, remaining uneventful for the Slytherin boy. Sure, he had tormented a few first years, spent some time with Blaise, and successfully avoided Pansy, but he had yet to talk to Astoria. He noticed her hand were healing nicely; she recently took off the bandages and took to walking around with a slightly pink hand exposed. He felt bad, really he did, and the knowledge that he was the one that hurt her unnerved him.
After this realization, he promptly drowned his new found conscience in Fire Whiskey.
The fact that he felt remorse was a strange occurrence in Draco Malfoy's life, and the fact that he actively went out of his way to bump into the blond Ravenclaw was downright nutty. At first, Draco accepted his change in attitude without question, yet, when brought to light by Blaise, he submerged himself in denial. Denial so fake that it made Pansy's chest seem real.
So now, it was a regular part of Draco's day. He shared Advanced Potions and Charms with her on Mondays and Wednesdays, then on the other days, they shared Muggle Studies. After said classes, Draco was often found brooding in the hallways, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ever elusive Astoria.
This made him tick.
His annoyance remained fully intact, until one day, while sitting in the library at an ungodly hour; he saw a flash of blond.
And for the first time in Draco's life, his heart, for he did indeed have one, skipped a beat.
September 10; Inner Workings of Astoria Greengrass's Mind
Much to Astoria's great distress, she found herself animatedly avoided a certain Slytherin. Sure, she normally jumped at the chance to annoy the poor boy, but lately she had run in the opposite direction when she saw him coming. Something didn't sit right with her; she didn't like the feeling of him being so close to her. She worried she was becoming too emotionally involved, becoming too soft.
She blanched at the thought.
Her friends took little time in positively assaulting Astoria with funny little quips of their own. "Where's your boyfriend?" they asked innocently, eyes as wide as a does.
She wanted to tell them to bugger off, or to shove their heads somewhere quite unpleasant, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Because, truth was, she missed him, even if just a little. No one could keep her on her toes like he did. What had started out as a game had turned into something more. In all honesty she was tired of toying with him. Like a cat playing with her mouse for too long, she simply wanted to eat him. Figuratively speaking of course.
So when Astoria sat in the library, at a perfectly reasonable time, she was surprised to find Draco Malfoy making his way towards her.
September 10; Library
He sauntered over slowly, making sure to look as uninterested as possible. He threw in a few glances at the book shelves for good measure, and kept his eyes trained on the floor. But when he stumbled on a forgotten book, his head snapped up. Draco Malfoy did not stumble, and curse the girl who did this to him!
He looked upon aforementioned girl, and all his previous feelings dissolved. Not only was she turning him into a klutzy oaf, she was also turning him soft. Damn.
She sat there, perfectly perched on a red arm chair, book propped open on her lap, and a peach in her hand. Occasionally, her green eyes would flicker over to his before directing them down to her book again. She obviously didn't want him to know that she noticed him. This made Draco Malfoy smirk.
He finally settled himself opposite her, in an atrocious yellow arm chair, and decided to simply stare at her until she acknowledged him. Her resolve was formidable, because not only did she not look at him, but she was successfully causing his blood to boil at the same time. She was good, so very good.
He decided to speak first. "So…"
Not his most charming conversation starter, but it would have to do.
She slowly raised her head and widened her eyes, as if surprised at his presence. "Well, hello there."
Astoria then waited for him to reply, book now closed. Draco, for one, was ridiculously tired of playing these games. He knew that she was too, even if she didn't admit him. For the first time in his life, yet another first, Draco truly cared for someone other than his mother. He liked her, he bloody well did, and by Merlin's pants he would have her!
This was all so absurd, all this pretending they were doing. He liked kissing her, he liked being with her, and he definitely liked touching her. She felt tiny in his arms, soft and pliant under his touch, and his stomach stirred at the thought of having her for his own.
To hell with false pretences.
"Listen Greengrass, I know this little game we're play and-"
"Game? What game?" she asked, quite innocently. She brought the peach to her lips and took a tiny bite out of the fruit. Draco stared transfixed as her lips moved over the peach, making a popping sound when they disengaged themselves. He gulped.
"You know perfectly well. And to tell you the truth-"
"Draco Malfoy tells the truth!" she interrupted yet again, taking another, bigger bite of the peach.
Draco was highly frustrated.
"Astoria, I just want to say that-"
"Spit it out already!" she teased, talking a little too loudly for the library setting. This was the last straw on the camel's back.
Draco was poised, ready to yell at the infuriating girl in front of him. Here he was, trying to confess his feelings for her, and all she could do was interrupt him! That insufferable, ungrateful, beautiful, terrible, heinous- she took a bite of the peach. This time, the juice ran down her chin, leaving a trail of sweet liquid from her tantalizing mouth to her perfect neck.
Reason be damned, if she wouldn't listen to him speak; maybe he'd have to show her. Draco scooted forward in his seat, until he was positioned directly in front of the girl. She sat frozen, waiting for what he would decide to do. He dipped his head slightly; his lips level with her throat. Tentatively, he reached out with his tongue, licking the peach juice off her smooth skin.
Astoria went rigid, but made no move to stop him. He nibbled his way up her neck, all the way to her chin, kissing her lightly there. He couldn't tell what tasted better – Astoria or the peach. She was breathing irregularly now, her eyes half closed. He smiled against her skin and moved his lips just under hers…
"Draco?" she breathed questioningly. Her hands slowly moving to his chest, whether to push him away or pull him closer, he would never know.
"Shut up," he growled, it was his turn to do the interrupting. Losing all discretion, he captured her lips in his own.
And she shivered.
He kissed me. He bloody well kissed me!
Astoria reeled in shock, bringing her slender fingers to rest on her lips. They tingled a bit, not a wholly unpleasant feeling. She turned her head away from the boy in front of her, closing her eyes. Her insides were a mess, completely turned upside down. For once in her life Astoria Greengrass was at an utter loss for words. She wasn't sure whether to feel upset, or flattered, or happy; all she felt was confusion so strong it made her want to gag.
Not that the kiss itself was gag worthy, on the contrary, it was nice, really lovely. This revelation made Astoria mentally kick herself. This wasn't supposed to happen! She wasn't supposed to like it. This was all a game, a terrible, terrible game, and she wasn't going to be the one to lose.
"Astoria?" mumbled Draco; he was quite concerned for her well being. Occasionally he was known to throw girls into a stupor just by kissing them.
"What?" she snapped, turning her full attention to him once again. Her eyes were burning. He gulped.
"Like I was saying," he continued on as if nothing had happened. "I don't really know how to say this, I mean I'm not very good at this whole confessing ordeal...I just want you to know that I-"
"No! Please don't say it!" Astoria all but shouted, waving her hands in front of his (highly confused) face.
"Don't say what? That I like-"
"Draco! Stop!" she screeched. The huffy librarian shuffled her way over to the two teenagers, glaring daggers at them.
"Out," she ordered simply, a shaky finger pointed to the exit.
Astoria collected her books quietly, dropping her unfinished peach onto the arm chair. She flipped her blond hair over her shoulder and stalked out of the library, leaving a horribly perplexed Draco in her wake.
Before leaving, Draco crept over to the arm chair, picked up the fruit, and took a large, satisfying bite.
September 10; Slytherin Dorms
An hour or so later, poor Draco Malfoy lay face down in his bed, curtains drawn. He was sulking like a child, but he didn't care at all. He was livid; this was why he didn't deal with girls. More trouble than they were worth. He preferred to snog them and leave them, shag and go, date and dump. Not confess his feelings; that was for sissies who couldn't snag a girl if their life depended on it.
Yet, he couldn't help but feel disappointed, which was at least a feeling that he was familiar with. He was used to feeling disappointed; life had beaten that emotion into him at a young age. He hadn't expected Astoria to act as she had, truth be told, he had expected to snog a little bit long. What he had wished for, however, was that she would have reciprocated his feelings, maybe admit to liking him too.
He was fully aware of the game they played, skirting along the edges of a real relationship. Neither of them was good at this, whatever this was. They were both independent people, reluctant to let anyone too close, themselves included. He wondered what it would be like to have a proper girlfriend...
And at that thought, he snorted, turned over, and fell into a fitful sleep.
September 10; Ravenclaw Dorms
Meanwhile, Astoria paced around her room like a caged tiger, fingers still touching her lips. Her two best friends watched her in silence, thrown off by this erratic behaviour.
"Come on, Tori. Just come out with it, what happened?" Mimi pleaded, having had enough of Astoria's pacing.
Astoria stopped, feet rooted to the floor. "He kissed me!" she yelped out finally.
"So?" Helia and Mimi said together.
"You've kissed before, what's the big deal?" asked Helia, not exactly grasping the point.
"No, you don't understand. This wasn't just a kiss. It was a bloody kiss, a real kiss, because he felt like it, not because we were trying to mess with each other," Astoria explained frantically. The more she explained it, the more real it became to her.
"Oh, well that changes things. Did he say anything? Or simply waltz in, kiss you and promptly leave?" Helia wondered out loud, chuckling a bit at her own joke.
"I think he was trying to tell me he liked me. I can't be sure though, I kept cutting him off..." Astoria blushed at the last part, decided to take a seat on her bed.
Her two friends look contemplative, staring at each other, seemingly having a silent conversation.
"Hey, Tori, do me a favour?" Mimi requested suddenly.
"What?"
"Go check if the hallway is clear, I have a weird feeling..." continued Mimi, all the while gently guiding Astoria out into the main hallway.
The second Astoria was out the door; Mimi shut it firmly, smiling widely. "Go find him, Tori. You know you want to."
Too lazy to argue, Astoria dragged herself down the hall, a steady stream of curses flowing from her mouth.
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