Important Note; So, many of you may notice the changes that this story has undergone. All I have done is put many chapters together, because I felt like it read easier that way, and if you think otherwise, I am sorry. I hope you still enjoy this story, as there are only three to four chapter left. Thank you so much for the support, and please review :)
September 20; Forbidden Forest
"What was that?"
Astoria whipped her head around and scanned the tree line for the offending noise. Draco gripped her hand and kept a cool composure.
"Dementors..." he whispered eerily, and snickered when Astoria shivered and hit him hard in the arm.
"I swear, Draco, if I make it out of here alive, I will name my first born Scorpius!" she shuddered.
"Why the look of disgust? I think it's a great name," he implored, a look of utter confusion on his aristocratic face.
Astoria looked at him, eyebrows raised, as if he had just sprouted a second head. "You're so daft, it's a horrible name!"
The noises grew louder, and at that very moment, the wind chose to howl through the barren trees. Twigs and branches crunched underfoot as whatever was lurking in the woods drew closer. Astoria clutched Draco's arm, squeezing the blood out of its circulating pattern.
Draco's face turned ashen and he attempted to pry his appendage away from her claw like fingers. "Astoria, love, how am I supposed to protect you if my wand arm is numb?"
She nodded in understanding, and a warm feeling spread through her body at the sound of his pet name for her. Her lips tightened and she made the mental choice to buck up, even if she was scared out of her wits.
"Come out! Show yourselves!" she yelled from her spot on the forest floor.
Draco clamped her mouth shut with his own hand. "Oh, Merlin, you really have gone mad..."
Voices drifted towards them;
"Did you hear that? We're not the only ones here..."
A distinct thud was heard, as if someone had just been hit.
"Of course I heard that, but I don't want to lose the game either, so shut up."
"Ronald! Don't be so rude!"
Astoria visibly relaxed at the revelation of who was blundering around in the woods, but the blond boy beside her cringed and rolled his eyes. "Honestly, you have got to be joking..."
"Draco, listen to me. Do not do anything stupid, I know you all have your differences, but you can't risk getting in trouble, considering present circumstances," she pressed gently, forcing him to look at her.
He nodded, "I'd rather face Dementors. Do you think it's still too late for them to show up?
She pointedly ignored his question and instead busied herself with staring forward through the underbrush. Really, she didn't mind the company that they were about to have; she liked Hermione and her kind smile, she like Ron with his red hair and quick wit, and she definitely liked Harry and his brave spirit. Astoria could understand why Draco wasn't particularly fond of the trio, but she thought it was a bit silly to continue holding the grudge. She figured that if they let go of past differences, they may actually be friends, after all, Draco and Harry were practically the same person, albeit a little different.
They were brash, passionate, and stubborn; and she figured that those were the very reasons why they butted heads so much. If there was one thing she wanted for Draco more than anything, it was for him to clear his life of hate, because he really didn't need it anymore.
Across the way, three figures emerged into sight. Two boys followed Hermione closely as she led a clear way through the forest. She occasionally looked behind her, whether to check if they were keeping up or to check if they hadn't gotten distracted, Astoria didn't know, but she found that it brought a smile to her lips.
"Oi, 'Mione, how much farther?" Ron bellowed from his spot behind the curly haired witch.
"Until I say we've gotten far enough. I am not losing this game simply because you have no sense of direction or self preservation," she admonished him curtly, and continued on her way. Hermione failed to see that she was making a beeline course straight for the Ravenclaw and Slytherin shacked up near the hollow of the tree.
"Self preservation? Hermione, I have self preservation, which is exactly why I don't want to be here," the red head piped up, glancing around with shifty eyes.
"Give it up, Ron," Harry sighed.
At the sound of Harry's voice, a shudder ran up Draco's spine, and it was not a pleasant one either. It was his turn now to lace his fingers with Astoria's and squeeze. She cringed, but let him hold on, because this was better than letting him take out his frustration somewhere else.
"Hey, I think I see someone. Is that...Astoria? Oh, it is!" Hermione said, a pretty smile gracing her face.
"Bloody hell, they've seen us. Think I can apparate?" Draco asked her lightly, but not really joking at the same time. Astoria silenced him with a look.
The trio trotted up to face them, and it appeared as if Hermione had given her boys the same advice Astoria had given Draco just moments earlier. "Hello, Astoria. Hello, Ma-Draco," the bushy haired witch said cheerily, catching herself at the last second, determined to be a good example of behaviour.
"Hey guys, what brings you to our neck of the woods?" Astoria asked, pun fully intended.
"Well, the boys here didn't want to come anywhere near the forest, but I convinced them." The two girls shared a laugh at the expense of the boys. A stone silence fell over the company, as Harry and Draco eyed each other venomously, and Ron, Hermione and Astoria stared on awkwardly.
Finally, Hermione nudged Harry in the ribs, and he winced. "Alright, I'll do it!" he told her begrudgingly.
Draco smirked. "It's nice to see that the Almighty Saviour can still be brought to his knees by Granger."
"Forget it, Hermione, I am not apologizing to this git!"
And it seemed like the world had stopped for a second, and all members of the sordid party stared at each other quietly. History was about to be made, because, if Astoria had heard correctly, Harry Potter was about to apologize to Draco Malfoy.
Or maybe she was going nutters.
"Apologize? You? What have I done to deserve such a great honour!" Draco cried sarcastically, waving his arms regally through the air. Astoria nudged him in the ribs.
"Yeah, my sentiments exactly. Now, Hermione, can we go since your little make up plan didn't seem to work?" Harry asked, his back already turned to walk away from Draco.
"Damn it, Harry!" Hermione screeched, stamping her foot on the ground. Everyone in company cringed. "The war has been over for six months! This animosity between you two needs to stop right now, it prejudice like this that got us into the war in the first place. Now, apologize and move on with your lives."
"I don't want an apology from him," sneered Draco, taking Astoria's hand into his.
"This is madness, Draco, he saved your life. Stop this..." Astoria pleaded, shaking him. As much as she lov-liked him, this needed to end right now. She had a feeling that once this was all dealt with, he could truly move on with his life.
"And his mother saved yours, Harry," reasoned Hermione. Harry turned to face Ron, who, during the whole exchange, was looking down at the floor.
"As much as I hate him, I just want this all to be over," stated Ron with a shrug of his shoulders. Harry groaned in exasperation and made a sharp turn towards Draco.
"Listen, Malfoy. I'm not going to apologize, because we've both done stuff we're not proud of, and this does not make us mates or anything, but I think we should call a truce. Agree to disagree?" offered Harry. Astoria could picture the metaphorical white flag waving.
"Cease of arms, yeah, I get it. This doesn't make things better, and don't think I'm going to stop making fun of you, Potter," pointed out Draco, his face softening.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Draco," smirked Harry. Hermione and Ron looked like they had just been ripped out of their skins,
"Right, Harry," shot Draco before he reached out with an open palm, ready to shake hands. You can't make deals with a fist, Astoria realized, and she had never been prouder of anyone in her life.
The five students looked at each other silently, taking in what had just transpired. This was it, then, this was the end. There would be no more fighting, no more sneering, just tolerance and something like acceptance. Hermione smiled at Astoria, and the blond returned it in kind. Things would be better now, she was sure of it.
"Found you!"
Everyone was broken out of their silent reverie by the loud cry that came from behind them all. Dean stood at the edge of the tree line, a triumphant smirk on his face. This look promptly turned into one of utter scandal when he saw who the five students were. "You were the last ones," he stuttered. "I found you..."
Astoria flashed a bright smile. "Sure thing, Dean, give us a minute!"
Dean walked away in a daze, humming quietly to himself.
"Well," Ron said. "This is too weird for my liking, and I may go bloody mad any second now, so, I'm leaving. Let's go, Hermione, Harry."
"Right, see you guys later!" shouted Hermione as she was led off by the two boys.
"Don't count on it," muttered Draco under his breath, hoping Astoria didn't hear. She heard, but she didn't really care. They walked hand in hand out of the forest, a content air around the happy couple.
"I'm so proud of you," admitted Astoria quietly, sending a warm smile his way. He squeezed her hand in return.
"This is all your fault," Draco said simply, staring at her with blazing grey eyes.
Astoria reeled, and she could almost feel the steam rising out of her ears. "Excuse me? My fault for mending a broken bridge? My fault for helping you? I am going to murder you Draco Malfoy..."
He laughed lightly, stopping Astoria in her tracks and taking her delicate face into his hands. "Its you're fault for driving me completely insane."
She smirked, "I'm going to take that as a compliment."
"You should. You know, I've always wondered, are you, by any chance, part Veela?" he asked tentatively, watching her face to gage her reaction. To his mortification, she laughed, long and hard, clutching at her sides.
"You're so stupid sometimes," she told him endearingly, touching his cheek before running off towards the castle.
"So is that a yes?"
But his cry was lost on the wind and her tinkling laugh.
September 23; Somewhere in Malfoy Manor
"They've become closer, Lucius," the women informed him, taking her seat in front of him. "They are inseparable, and I am led to believe he cares deeply for her."
Lucius laughed quietly. "I don't believe that Draco has cared for anyone in his life, although, this is a rather fortunate revelation. Are you certain he will do anything for her? Anything to save her?"
"Of course, I believe he would."
"Good," replied Lucius, turning to face the roaring fireplace. "Anything else of importance that I should be informed of?"
"Uh, yes, actually there is. Rumour has it that the Greengrass girl and Granger have made Potter and Draco apologize to each other. It seems as if they have come to the agreements of a truce..."
Lucius turned in his seat, his eyes flashing dangerously. "A truce?"
"Yes, a truce," confirmed Helen Scuro.
Lucius smirked. "Perfect. Have Draco on my side and take out pesky Potter all at the same time. How fortunate for us."
"Fortunate indeed," echoed Helen, before raising from her seat and placing a tender kiss on Lucius's cheek. "All we need to do is send the letter."
And in the light of the fire, his face twisted into a sneering smile.
September 25; Charms Room
Draco sat at the back of the Charms room, hand intertwined with Astorias'. Her eyes were trained forward on the stocky professor in the front of the room, however, her heart fluttered like a tiny bird in her chest because of the soft feel of his hand in hers. He could feel her pulse through the heel of her palm, and he couldn't help but realize he had never been closer to anyone in his short life.
"And that, is how you perform a Patronus Charm!" finished Professor Flitwick with a brandish of his wand. "Now, pair off and practise the charms, please. I am positive it may take a while for you students to grasp this concept fully, so don't be discouraged if you do not get a full Corporeal Patronus on your first go!"
Astoria turned to Draco and grinned. "So, who's going first?"
"Go ahead, I don't want to burn your hands again," he teased, motioning to the empty space behind them for practice.
"You're humour is just great," she deadpanned, rolling up her sleeves and taking out her wand. A look of concentration on her face. She shut her eyes and let the memories flow through her. Happy ones, joyous ones, ones of love and hope and laughter. Of her mother, and her father.
Of Draco.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A wisp burst forth from the tip of her wand; wings and a beak could be faintly made out before the wisp dissolved into thin air. Astoria stood a little bit disappointed with her first attempt at the charm. She thought for sure she had it, she had done everything the professor asked and she couldn't understand why a wisp had come out of her wand. A bloody wisp!
"Hey, that was pretty good," praised Draco upon seeing the look on his girlfriend`s (yes, that`s right, girlfriend) face. Truth be told, it was a really good effort, and with a bit of practise, he was sure she would get it.
"Shut up, you go."
She was obviously still sore, so, being the great boyfriend that he was, he listened to her and went on with it. HE thought of one thing really, and that one thing was her, letting her beautiful face fill his mind to the brim.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A smooth black raven emerged from the tip of his wand, and he smirked in triumph. This was not the first time he had produced a Corporeal Patronus, but it was the first time he had been truly happy while doing it.
"Well done, Mr. Malfoy!" shouted the stumpy professor. "The raven; cunning, arrogant, and intelligent. I'm sure you would agree?"
Several of the surrounding students laughed, even Astoria let out a good chuckle at his expense.
"If the shoe fits," he offered lightly, shrugging his shoulders. "You go again, Astoria."
"I don't want to," she refused, crossing her arms much like a child.
"Don't be such a child, get up and do it," he admonished her, pulling her to her reluctant feet. She huffed and stomped in front of him, holding out her wand once more. Draco could see she was having a bit of trouble conjuring up a happy emotion now that she was all bitter and upset. He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her thin waist.
"Come on, Tori. I know you can do it," he breathed into her ear before placing a gentle kiss on the shell. He felt her shiver and knew he had gotten to her.
"Expecto Patronum!"
This time, A figure emerged from the end of her wand and took flight around the classroom. It was a beautiful bird, medium in stature with a wide, elaborate plume. Its beak was tiny and its wings large, grazing the tops of everyone's heads as it passed in graceful flight. Astoria broke into an elated squeal and turned to hug Draco.
"And Ms. Greengrass! What a beautiful Patronus! A Bird of Paradise! Beauty, magnificence and uniqueness. Excellent job!" said Flitwick before wobbling off to someone else.
"Now that is something I can agree with," whispered Draco, holding Astoria to his chest. "What did you think about this time?"
He was rewarded with the rare sight of a blushing Ravenclaw, and just before she could open her mouth to speak, a first year scuttled into the room providing an apt distraction.
"Uh, sir? The Headmistress would like to see Draco Malfoy in her office..." stuttered the boy, wringing his poor hands in front of him.
"Very well, Mr. Malfoy, you are dismissed," allowed Flitwick, waving his hand towards the door.
Draco nodded and bent down to kiss Astoria on the forehead. "I'll see you later," he murmured before exiting the room amidst the burning stares of his classmates.
September 25; Headmistress's Office
"Sit, Draco. Have a sweet," said McGonagall from her seat behind her ornate desk.
He did as he was told and took a seat in front of the Headmistress, his eyes down cast. "So, Professor, what am I being called in for?
"A rather pressing matter, your mother has requested your presence at your home. There seems to be a family emergency of considerable proportions. We have secured a portkey to transport you and Ms. Greengrass to Malfoy Manor at six o'clock in the afternoon tomorrow," she explained firmly, studying Draco with her keen eyes.
A million questions ran through Draco's head. What was this family emergency? Why was his mother sending for him? Why was he to bring Astoria? Did his father know? He wanted to burst with every unanswered thought, but he assumed that all would be answered tomorrow, so he would just have to wait.
"Thank you, Professor, is that all?" he asked her politely.
"One more thing, Draco," she said as he was rising out of his chair. "Do be careful, I have a rather uneasy feeling about this, but I am sure you and Ms. Greengrass can handle this."
Draco nodded tersely as a warm feeling of gratitude spread throughout his body.
"Meet in my office, tomorrow at five fifty, please," she reminded him. "Good day, Mr. Malfoy."
And on that note, he left, eager to find Astoria and share the news.
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