A/N: So...an update! I lied, I'm sorry D: but here we are. I had some major writer's block and procrastination, combined with school. No-no's and I hope the continuation of that cliffhanger makes up. :) Please review. I will not post the next chappy until I get 10 reviews, I seriously need the assurance that my readers are still there ._. With that note, let the show go on!

Disclaimer: Same as the other chapters :P I'm not Jo.

Chapter 9

Stepping out onto the marble landing, Astoria was momentarily blinded by the room that was ablaze with with warm, inviting light. Opening her lush green eyes, she saw crowds of people beyond the marble railing that separated her from them; elegantly dressed men and women dripping with luxurious materials discoursing and mingling into the scions of society, the beautifully patterned travertine floors under their feet. Standing at the end of the wide staircase was Draco, who gave her an encouraging smile before casting a grudging glance to Pansy Parkinson; the girl in question was sneering rudely behind her lace-edged fan to a group of equally spiteful girls. Beside the group of Pansy's friends was Astoria's friends, who were being led by Lauren Selwyn and Irina Carter in loudly praising Astoria's accomplishment of being matched with Draco.

The pug-faced girl was flaring in anger, and Lauren's lip curled in satisfaction as she looked up to see her beautiful best friend peering at them. Lauren had been Astoria's friend since they met off the train in first year, and the beautiful raven-haired girl had turned into an intelligent seductress with all the worthy Pureblood men following her in lust. Not that she had any intention of giving into their proposals of course, as Lauren harbored a torrent of feelings for Blaise Zabini, who was in the corner of the room charming a young lady. Astoria covered a laugh and turned toward the stairs, beginning to feel nervous fear for her descent.

Her resplendent gown of divine silver trailed behind her in tufts and bursts of feathery tulle as she gracefully descended the elegant staircase. Astoria was careful not to let her satin heel get caught in the dress, lest she fall and humiliate herself, giving Pansy a reason to truly goad her. Her small feet found solid ground, and she allowed Draco to take her pale hands in his gloved ones with a greeting smile, before letting her eyes drift momentarily.

As her green irises roved around, she took in the blood-red roses that cascaded over the top rim of 3-foot-tall crystal vases that were strategically placed around the ballroom, and the radiant fairy lights that were expertly looped around the monolithic pillars that supported the heavenly painted and caved ceilings. Silvery moonlight beamed into the hall, mingling with the warm, flickering light of the thousands of candles in the chandeliers, casting an illuminating sheen on Astoria's flawless, glowing face and bare shoulders.

Draco gave a small, soft smile down at the beautiful girl in front of him, realizing he wasn't even the least bit nervous about the Bonding at all when he had thought his life was over, when he had first heard of the arrangement. He had judged Astoria and mistreated her, not letting himself see her as another human being. Funny, right? Draco Malfoy giving someone a chance...

But he did. As he let her look into his mind, he truly saw the light that burned in her gorgeous eyes and her down-to-earth personality and he loved it. The shining light in her eyes was something that Draco would never want to see extinguished because it something that completed her. It made her whole and it made her who she was. As he looked at her, the blonde knew that he could live with her beside him, forever.

Gently caressing the back of her hand with his thumb, Draco winked at the beauty and murmured, "Let's kick some arse."

Astoria bit back a small giggle before she looked up into the cool grey eyes that bore into her emerald ones. The irises that normally showed nothing but cold indifference held a fiery passion in them...one that no one had ever seen before. All her pent-up nervousness seemed to melt away, simply by just looking up into his features. The spiteful glances of Pansy Parkinson and the murmurs of the discoursing crowd were blocked out and for the first time, Astoria thought, 'I love him.' A sudden, fierce storm hit her mind and heart, as she realized how much he had grown on her. She was pulled from her reverie and he took her elbow and led her to a space that was reserved for the bonding.

An aging wizard called Arcturin Wellesley and their fathers would be the presiding ones over the Bonding, which was frighteningly similar to an Unbreakable Vow. Astoria's mind was blissfully at peace, as she executed the orders of the presiders smoothly. Her hands linked with Draco's to form an X when seen from above; their fathers' wands were touched together as her father firmly recited, " Ego vinculum vobis ad Draco Lucius Malfoy." I bond you to Draco Lucius Malfoy. A violet jet of light erupted from the tip of Mr. Greengrass' wand and looped itself around the couple's joined hands, a beautiful sight. Mr. Malfoy drew the tip of his wand from Draco's hand to Astoria's, reciting, " Ego vinculum vobis ad Astoria Lumina Greengrass." A silver jet of light repeated the process of it's violet counterpart, creating another net around the hands of the betrothed, and a third and final wand was added. Arcturin Wellesley tapped both wands of Mr. Malfoy and Greengrass, uttering the words, "A ligare contractus. Aeternum."

The violet and silver fused and erupted into a spray, misting over Astoria and Draco, who both watched with owlish eyes, their eyes meeting in an intense moment. The silent moment after the final step of the Bonding was broken by appluase and shouts of congratulations, and that was the end of solidarity and the beginning of a new existence for both Draco and Astoria. "Forever," Draco whispered into her ear, causing goosebumps to prickled across her exposed neck. The words resounded.. forever...forever... Forever.

:D How was it? Like it? Love it? Detest it? Write a review! 10 reviews for a chapter 10.

Much love,

Tori.