Chapter 8
Days and weeks passed and somehow, the link between Astoria and Draco seemed to solidify into a mutual friendship. The pair of them were puzzled at the unfolding friendship and it was a pleasant surprise to Astoria, who remembered being so distraught when she found out that her future was destined to be spent as Mrs. Malfoy. After that day in the garden with Draco, she made an effort to be more bright and cheerful, as she saw that the prat himself was working to make the marriage less of a hassle on them.
Perhaps she would never admit it, but Astoria liked how they were. Draco would owl her small tidbits of interesting events that happened, such as his hair turning pink from tainted water in the shower, or being pushed into a puddle of mud by Theodore Nott, which illicited delighted giggles from her. Who would have thought that the pair that always quarreled would end up so chummy? Not Draco, and not Astoria.
Draco found that he had taken a liking to the beautiful creature, doubtful as he was in the beginning, and he silently appreciated her cooperation in letting him be a better person around her. He had more common sense than people would have ever thought and already established the knowledge to himself that befriending this girl who would be his wife would benefit him to a high extent. It was nice to actually talk to someone, considering the events happening in Draco's life, what with the Dark Lord's return and him being expected to carry out his duties; nevertheless, that was of no importance when he pertained to the matter of his engagement.
He realized that this betrothal was a light in the darkness, a candle that was lighting his way through everything else and whenever Draco sat down to write to Astoria, he felt peace. It befuddled him, and he spent hours wondering how so many years of opposition against her could be turned the other way so quickly. The tides have turned, he thought, and he did not know which way they would go now.
On a particularly warm, beautiful morning, Draco sat at the tastefully carved mahogany desk in his large bedroom, fine quill in hand and a pretty, silver-wrapped package beside him. Inside the parcel was an item of great value to the Black family and the Malfoy family, and it was to be Astoria's. He had spent hours in the cavernous family vaults, just to choose another piece of expensive heirloom to present to her as the Bonding gift. After much hunting, Draco had settled on a charming emerald necklace that had belonged to his grandmother, Druella Black; somehow, the minimalist piece reminded him of Astoria's fresh beauty and radiance. His elegant writing hand glided along the thick parchment as he articulated the words from his mind onto paper, the slanted, thin, and neat writing looping and swirling across the page in fine calligraphy that could make a girl jealous:
Astoria,
As you may have known already, our bonding is this Thursday evening, the 17th of August and I'm sure you're nervous as I am. Just saying...heads up, yea? If I can get through this, you probably can, Little Greenie, so do me a favour and don't act as if the monster under the bed has embodied itself in me when I stand beside you that evening! I joke, but there you go, a little encouragement. To be honest, writing this to you might have eased me a bit too. Accompanying this missive is a necklace that belonged to my maternal grandmother Druella, and ito wuld be lovely to see this adorning that neck of yours that evening. You would look quite enchanting with it, I'm sure, and I've had the emeralds polished to perfection. I will see you then.
Draco.
Folding the letter carefully, Draco eased it into the cream envelope and quickly tied it to the leg of his owl, Hermes, before sending off the handsome bird. The tall blonde flopped onto his bed and groaned, overladen with all the happenings that seemed to follow him.
The afternoon of August 17th approached quickly, and Astoria Greengrass had been spending days rushing all over the house and panicking. She had so much to do and so little time, helping to plan her bonding, that she hadn't realized it was the day until her mother had enquired about her gown.
"Oh Merlin! I've forgotten the date, everything, I'm such a klutz!" squeaked Astoria, throwing her hands to her face and closing her eyes, feeling quite stupid for not even realizing that the day she had been working at was actually there. Daphne smirked and stood, pulling her sister up and tugging her up the stairs to begin preparations. Everyone had been too busy to notice even the smallest things, it seemed.
The gown had once again been ordered from Madame Aubertine in Paris, the same seamstress that had concocted her emerald gown, worn when meeting Draco and his parents. Somehow, the silver gown was even more beautiful, even if it was understated and simple. By itself, the piece was minimalist and neat, but once Astoria donned it, the dress was ethereal and elegant, exuding an innocent air. She looked like an ice princess. Her lustrous curls were done up into a tousled bun, with tendrils of floaty hair rising like a halo atop her head and emeralds sparkled at her throat; somehow, she couldn't take her eyes off the old necklace. It was a timeless, heavy piece that was like a symbol on her, a symbol that signified that she was Malfoy's and only his. Druella's beautiful jewels were handled with timid care, and Astoria feared ruining the necklace, with it's beautiful twists of white gold and the small emeralds weaving across the thin chain.
The distinguished Pureblooded scions of Wizarding society began to fill the ballroom of the Greengrass estate, admiring the ice sculptures and the huge overfilling vases of white roses that covered the marble floors. The chandeliers sparkled with a warm light that lent a heavenly aura across the monolithic, round room, with it's large windows and many balconies and mezzanines. The ceiling, painted with Roman goddesses, seemed to glow with a light that beamed down on the inhabitants of the room, and the elegantly clad members of the Houses of Malfoy, Nott, Parkinson, Perks, Carter, and other ancient families spared many glances toward the double staircase that led from the upper floors down into the ballroom. They were hungering for a glimpse of the girl deemed worthy to next bear the title of Mrs. Malfoy, yearning to have a chance to point out her flaws and pining for reasons to assure themselves that a better candidate could be chosen.
Draco knew though. He knew no other Pureblood girl that could quite compare to this young woman, and he stood beside the two families that would be linked, wondering how Astoria would look. Draco Malfoy had dated many girls, and gotten to know many girls and he realized that if he were to choose out of all the Pureblood girls, only Astoria Greengrass would be tolerable. She possessed it all: wit, charm, intelligence and cunning, but without the simpering attitude. She could still be polite and tastefully elegant without making a spectacle out of herself. He did not know why butterflies fluttered in his stomach and why his palms were sweating to profusely, but he knew one thing for sure: this wouldn't be as bad as he had surmised from the beginning.
As Astoria stood behind the pair of carved doors that would lead her into the scrutiny of ancient Wizarding society, she knew this would be quite an evening. She felt beautiful, like she could do anything, and for once, Astoria did not feel fear. She was now in the stage that would surely decide her whole future. After this Bonding, it was done. And how eternal was the word 'done'?