Here's Chapter 3 my lovely readers! Thank you for the amazing reviews and I will definitely improve my writing! :3

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any affiliations! :D All goes to JKR

Chapter 3

"SLYTHERIN!" the Sorting Hat yelled from atop Astoria's head. Her eyes flew open, relieved and triumphant. Things would be all right for her after all, no fear from her mother or disappointment from her father. With a large smile, Astoria took a seat beside her sister and Lauren and sighed happily. She had done it. The first step in creating a better future for herself.

Astoria's first year of Hogwarts went by nicely, she excelled in almost all subjects and was an excellent flyer. In fact, some called her the next Hermione Granger, amidst the snickers of her fellow Slytherins. However, near the end of the year, there was an incident with Draco Malfoy. Astoria ran through the fourth floor corridor, nearly late for her Herbology. Blindly, she bumped into someone and immediately stopped.

"I'm so sorry, I'm in a rush. Here, let me help you," she gasped, stooping down to help the person pick up their dropped things. However, when she looked up, it was into the cold grey eyes of Draco, who was sneering at her.

"You spilled ink all over my bag and books, Baby Greengrass. What are you going to do?" he sneered, crossing his arms. Astoria scoffed and picked all the things up, angered by his rude manner. She shoved the books into his arms and scowled, rather adorably, in his opinion. Draco did not allow himself to be drawn in by the girl and stared right back.

"I refuse to clean anything, your manner displeases me. I am not your house-elf, and I am not ever going to be someone of that use to you." She said coldly, keeping her green eyes trained on his. She could not help thinking how handsome he was though, and was thankful that Draco was not a mind-reader.

As she readjusted her bag over her shoulder, she laughed and said," I'm sure you can fix it yourself. You're always bragging about your charms skills anyways aren't you Malfoy?" He glared at her and pointed at his books imperiously. Astoria raised a brow and turned on her heel, walking away.

Draco stood in the middle of the hall, watching the prissy little girl leave. "How can anyone put up with her? I do feel sorry for the man destined to spend his life with that little bitch," he thought disdainfully. He wrinkled his nose as he looked down at his ink-stained books and ripped bag. How dare she leave without correcting what she ruined. Lazily waving his wand, Draco repaired his bag and cleaned off his books before proceeding to Potions.

It was unsaid, but after that small incident, the pair harbored a lustful hate for each other and would snap at each other every chance they got.

Astoria sped through her second, third, and fourth years with ease, but being tormented by Draco and his cruelty hurt her. He would call her names and play mean pranks on Astoria, and sometimes he would go too far in the battle of wits. When she got home for the summer before fifth year, she was sick of Draco and wanted nothing more than to never see him again. Of course, that was unavoidable as his mother and her mother were steadfast friends with no prospect of breaking their alliance.

One week into summer break, Astoria came into the drawing room with a book in her hand. She had grown into a beautiful young woman, with silky dark curls and large innocent green eyes. She possessed grace and poise, and was lithe as a feline. Admittedly, Mrs. Greengrass was actually satisfied with how her younger daughter turned out and was cooking up betrothals in her sharp, ruthless mind.

Mrs. Greengrass and her husband sat on a chaise talking quietly with Daphne and they all looked up as Astoria came in. Astoria grew suspicious and sat on her usual window seat, looking out onto the gardens as she opened her book.

"Astoria," her mother called, not looking up from her embroidery. Astoria looked up, a bit annoyed at being bothered.

"Yes, Mother?" Astoria glanced up from her Pureblood genealogy book at her beautiful mother, an eyebrow raised. Her mother looked back at her with wondering eyes.

"I have been thinking of matches for you. And I think I have settled on one," Mrs. Greengrass said, returning her focus to her embroidery. She smiled triumphantly, and sighed happily. Mr. Greengrass stepped out warily and Daphne shot a worried look at Astoria.

"Mother…who is it?" Astoria breathed, her eyes not leaving her mother. There were many possibilities, but marriage was not high on her list even though she could get the highest Pureblood bachelor easily.

"Draco Malfoy!" Mrs. Greengrass exclaimed. She was proud of herself for procuring such a strong, smart match and was in triumph. Astoria's eyes widened and she cried out.

"No! Mother you can't!" she yelled, standing up. Her book fell to the parquet floor with a loud thud as she stared at her mother, her hands shaking. No, it couldn't be. Not him out of all people. If he tortured her so easily, imagine being his wife. Astoria shuddered and closed her eyes, hoping she was dreaming.

"Oh hush Astoria. Don't dishonor us. You are marrying Draco, and that is final. The Malfoys will be here for dinner tomorrow and you WILL be presentable," her mother snapped in a low, dangerous hiss.

Astoria bit her lip and charged out of the room, up the stairs, and into her bedroom. As she went towards her desk, she knocked over many items in anger as her vision blurred over in a screen of tears. Her life was basically over, being betrothed to Draco. Hell, they couldn't stand each other, why would they ever be joined in matrimony? A sob escaped Astoria's lips as she fell into the plush armchair by her desk, and she rested her head on her arms as tears soaked the silken sleeve of her dress. It could not be real. She hated Draco, hated him. It was mutual on both sides and this cannot be true.

The sky outside the large windows darkened and Astoria stayed where she was, wondering how this all happened, but a small part of her mind was conscious about how Draco reacted to the alliance…and she did not know why.

Soo..review? :) Feel free to suggest things as I am fairly new at fanfiction writing.