Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I'm just playing in her world.
A/N: To clear up any misconceptions with the last chapter, Draco doesn't love Hermione or think she's pretty; blood loss literally made him delusional. And Hermione was merely keeping him awake because, with the exception of Voldemort, I can't see her wishing death on her worst enemy. Thanks for all the feedback, readers, especially my best friend Allie, who was the only person that had the guts to admit that Little Arrows wasn't up to my usual standards. ANYWAY... For those of you have been asking, I will get round to using your quotes eventually. I've updated my request document thing, and I'm forcing myself to only use quotes from there for a while, so the next several chapters should be request-centric.
For: AccioWeasley, who is a complete and utter sweetheart. She sent in the quote (along with another hundred. Haha xD).
Title: Watching
Genre: Romance? o.0
Rating: K+
Warning: N/A
Pairing/Character: Draco/Astoria, Aberforth
Word Count: 529
Draco entered the Hogs' Head, hood pulled above his head, hands in his pockets, cold feet shuffling across the wooden floor towards the bar where Aberforth, still fighting strong in old age, was cleaning down the dusty wooden serving area. The pub, as usual, was practically empty and scarily quiet, but Draco had somehow taken a liking to it. He'd been visiting it for months, every day at five in the afternoon until seven. He spent the entire time sitting silently in a corner by the window with no one but himself and his thoughts as company.
He pulled out his numb hands, the fingertips red from the cold, and placed two Sickles on the bar.
"Usual?" Aberforth grunted. Draco nodded. "Lemme' finish cleaning and I'll bring it over to yer. Same place?" Draco nodded again and shuffled to his corner, settling into the chair closest to the fogged up window. He took of his coat and wiped at the window with the sleeve of his jumper, leaning back in his chair when satisfied. He rubbed his hands together, cupping them and breathing into them, doing anything he could to warm up. He glanced at his watch. Ten past five.
He looked out the window and waited patiently for a couple of minutes. And then there she was, reluctantly stepping out of Zonko's and into the winter chill. Her sleek, black hair blew around her as she walked against the wind, pulling her coat tight around her. Her cheeks were red from the cold, her nose darker than Rudolph's. As she made her way towards the Hogs' Head, each step leading her closer, Draco's heart beat faster.
A slam on the table made him jump, and he looked with wide eyes into Aberforth's face. He stood there, hands on hips, shaking his head as if disgusted with Draco. Draco slid his Butterbeer along the table, towards him, welcoming the warmth as he frowned at the elderly man.
"Take it from an old spectator. Life's not a spectator sport. If watchin' is all yer gonna do, then yer gonna watch life go by without ya," Aberforth said roughly.
"Excuse me?" Draco asked, confused as to whether or not to be insulted.
"I'm tired of ya using my pub as a place to spy. Yer like a little kid, you are. If ya like the girl, talk to 'er! It's not like yer don't get enough chances. But yer just watch and let 'er go day by day. Make a move, boy."
"I don't like her!" Draco protested.
At that moment, Astoria Greengrass entered the pub, and Draco's heart leapt. Could he really do it? Could he really confront her, talk to her, get to know her? Could he really have a future with her? There was only one way to find out, and he knew it. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and crossed the room, not allowing his nerves to overpower him as he started to talk.
"Hi," he said. "I'm Draco."
"Take it from an old spectator. Life's not a spectator sport. If watchin' is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch life go by without ya." - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
A/N: ATTENTION READERS! I have a question for you guys. I had an idea to expand "Once Upon a..." to a trilogy, consisting of Once Upon a Quote, and two others similar, one using lyrics and one using quotes from everyday conversation/interviews/etc. However, I've been 'advised' a couple of times to start taking in lyrics, because they're good quotes. I had a conversation with someone a while ago, inbetween the posting of Chapter 49 and 50, and - sorry, I can't remember who you are - we discussed making the would-be trilogy into one big collaboration, letting lyrics and everyday conversation be used in Once Upon a Quote. I am quite happy to do this, but I'm also quite happy to make it a trilogy. However, it's more likely that I'll get started sooner if it's all in here. So, this is where you come in, faithful, lovely, beautiful readers. I'm going to let you make the decision for me. You have a few choices, naturally.
1) You want me to turn Once Upon a... into a trilogy of quotes from movies/books/TV/etc.; lyrics; and everyday conversation/interviews/etc.
2) You want me to compile it all into Once Upon a Quote.
3) You don't want me to expand it at all, and keep it how it is. No trilogy. No big compilation.
What you have to do is simple. Contact me in some way, shape or form (Reviewing is easiest, naturally). In your message, leave #1, #2, or #3, depending on which option you prefer (obviously). If you have a different idea, tell me what it is, and if I like it, I'll consider it. I'll keep a tally of your responses, and decide in a week or so.
Thanks, guys, for everything. Love you all ^.^