Astoria pulled Draco's hand as they walked along the path to her childhood home, she made soothing circles with her thumb on the back of his hand as he fidgeted with his coat's button.
"Tori, is this really necessary? Why can't we just send them an owl about it?" Draco whined.
"Draco we have been putting this off for days now. Let's just get over with the announcement." Astoria said firmly.
"TORI!" Daphne screamed from the door, as she came running to the newly engaged couple. "It is so good to see you!" She said hugging her younger sister.
"Daph, you saw me two days ago!" Astoria said rolling her eyes.
"Yes, and I saw the big ring too. Father is going to have a field day." Daphne chirped happily, giving Draco an evil smile.
"Astoria, I really think I should go." Draco said hurriedly.
"You stay where you are, Malfoy." Astoria said giving him a glare. "Our father is the most reasonable man, you will ever meet. Now come on."
"I won't bet on it." Daphne whispered to Draco, as she walked beside him. "She has been Daddy's little girl, she gets what she wants and you are the one who is planning to steal her. I would keep my wand ready if I were you."
Draco nodded, trying to look like the epitome of the self assured man he was trained to be. However, his heart thumped in his chest as they entered the Greengrass family home and walked towards the drawing room.
Astoria's parents were already sitting in the room with Theodore Nott. Daphne beamed at her husband and moved to sit by his side as Astoria went ahead to greet her parents. Mr. Greengrass was a jolly looking man, with a round belly and warm eyes, he came around as a father Christmas figure. But the resemblance to Father Christmas ended there, Greengrasses were famous for their temperament and duelling skills. Both Astoria and Daphne were very skilled duellists and Ethan Greengrass was famous for grievously injuring his opponents. Guinevere Greengrass on the other hand was slender and regal, with chestnut brown hair and brown eyes. She looked as delicate as Daphne did, but had a spine made of steel. Rumor was that she was the only worthy opponent Ethan ever met, that they were equally matched as far as magical skill was concerned.
Draco looked at the inmates of the room and realized he was in the presence of 4 very skilled duellists and one very manipulative duellist, Notts were nothing if not manipulative.
"Mother." Astoria said leading her mother to Draco. "You remember Draco Malfoy of course."
"Oh! Of Course I do, dear!" Her mother exclaimed, extending her hand to Draco.
Draco took her hand and kissed it lightly before murmuring, "Mrs. Greengrass. It is a pleasure to meet you again."
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, dear!" Mrs. Greengrass said with a soft laugh, "Do come and sit. I believe you have already met my husband."
Draco shook hands with Mr. Greengrass and sat on the couch right across the elder Greengrasses. He distinctly heard Daphne murmur "This is going to be fun."
After all the niceties were exchanged and tea was served, Mr Greengrass got straight to the point. "I believe you are courting my daughter, young Malfoy?"
Draco choked on his tea, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Astoria get up from his side, to join her mother and sister on the other side of the room. Theo got up to leave too but Mr. Greengrass asked him to stay where he was, as he was now a part of the family and would not be excused from important family matters.
"Well?" Mr. Greengrass asked impatiently.
"Ahem." Draco cleared his throat. "Yes, I am courting your daughter, Sir."
"You are infamous with your affections towards women. Is that not true Theo?"
"Adolescent indiscretions should not be held against someone's character, Ethan."
"I would like you to say the same for your daughter some day." Mr. Greengrass said, "Now, as we have established, you have not always had the best intentions with women. What are your intentions as far as my daughter is concerned?"
"I would do nothing to dishonour her, Sir." Draco said, "I intend to marry her."
"You do? Are you asking me for permission? What would you do if I say no?"
Draco didn't dare peek at Theo, but he was sure that Theo was trying hard to hide his smirk.
"I am sorry to break tradition, Sir. I know I should have come to you first but I have already asked Astoria and she agreed."
Mr. Greengrass stood up so quickly, Draco was sure he would have upset the table in front of him, had it been anywhere nearer.
"Mr. Malfoy," he said politely, though his eyes glinted dangerously. "If you don't mind, I would like to have a word with you, outside."
"Of course." Draco said standing up.
"After you then."
Daphne rushed to Theo with her mother and Astoria in tow, as soon as she spied her father and Draco leave.
"What happened?"
"Err… Draco told your father that he has already asked Astoria for her hand in marriage and that she agreed."
"HE DID?" Guinevere Greengrass shrieked. "and you agreed? Oh Tori!" she exclaimed, pulling her daughter in for a hug.
"When did he ask you?"
"Two weeks ago."
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
Daphne rolled her eyes. "She wouldn't have said anything for a long time had I not caught her with that ring. Look at it, it's beautiful!"
Mrs. Greengrass grabbed Astoria's hand as Theo glided away from the conversation, he could still hear the excited squeals from his mother in law and wife about the beautiful ring. Women! He thought shaking his head, as he walked to save the groom to be from certain death.
"So, how did he ask you?" Daphne asked. "You never got around to telling me about the proposal."
"It was perfect!" Astoria said with a grin. "We were at the park with Teddy, and Teddy took me for a walk and asked me to please marry, Draco and I turned around to tell Draco about it, and there he was on his knee with the ring."
"So, no romantic dinner, wine or dessert or just the two of you?" Daphne asked.
Astoria shook her head. "Mother, that hardly looks proper." Daphne said with a pout. Astoria shook her head, Daphne loved the little things that Theo did for her, it was a reassurance of his love for her but when it came to anybody else's life, she believed that grand gestures were a mark of love. She had criticised Harry Potter for proposing to Ginny Weasley at a private dinner.
"Daph, it was perfect." Astoria said, rolling her eyes at her sister's weird logic.
"Are you sure about it my dear? I mean he really did not make any efforts for the proposal." Mrs. Greengrass said.
"Mother, I know all of us believe that a romantic date and a planned proposal is the proper way to go about it, but honestly, I realized the person is much more important than the proposal. Draco loves me and I love him and in that moment everything was as it should be. I loved it."
"Well, if you are happy then I am happy. So, when are you planning to have your wedding? I would say spring is a good season."
"Winter mother, Winter weddings are the best." Daphne piped up.
Astoria groaned. "I will elope." She whined.
"You will do no such thing, young lady." Her mother said, glaring at her. "You will not rob either me or Narcissa from the opportunity of planning the wedding of the year. Leave everything to your sister and I, it will be perfect. Does Narcissa know?"
"Not yet, we thought we will inform you before we inform her but I am pretty sure that Teddy must have blabbed about it by now."
"Well what do you expect from a five year old?" Daphne asked. "Don't you remember, you got Theo and I in so much trouble for holding hands when you were five."
"Back then I thought all boys had cooties. I remember kicking Draco's shin when he teased me that soon enough I would be holding someone's hand too."
Daphne laughed. "That was such a good day, Draco had thrown up a full blown tantrum; he was such a prat when we were young."
Astoria grinned. "Theo was no better, neither were any of us. Merlin, we were such monsters back then."
"Glad you realized that, my dears." Their mother said with a laugh.
"Don't you think we should go rescue Draco now, we do need the groom for the wedding." Daphne said after a moment's silence.
"Yes, they have been gone for a long time." Astoria said anxiously, looking at the door.
"Relax, I don't hear anything being blasted off, they are just talking. They would be back soon."
"That really assures me mother." Astoria said sarcastically as Daphne and Mrs. Greengrass laughed.
"How dare you?" Mr. Greengrass thundered as soon as Draco and he entered his study.
"I am sorry Mr. Greengrass, I meant to ask for your permission first, but-"
"- But what? How can you even for a moment believe that you are suitable for my daughter?"
Draco stared at Ethan Greengrass, dumbfounded.
"Don't look at me like that, Malfoy." He snapped, "I saw the wreck you were a few years ago. I can see it in your eyes even now. You might pretend to be a normal functional man, but I can see how empty your eyes are. How can you even believe that you will be able to keep her happy when you have not slain your demons?"
"I-"
Mr. Greengrass held his hand up, silencing Draco effectively. "I have already made that mistake with Daphne once. She convinced me that Theo would help her deal with the horrors of the war because of what they had been through. But look at them now, still afraid of moving ahead, still afraid of being happy. My Daph, is at least attempting to move on, at least she is trying to create a future, but Theo refuses to move on and is pulling her back with him.
I will NOT let that happen to my Tori. I am already dealing with the emptiness in Daphne's life, I will not allow Astoria to go through it too. I know my daughters, Daphne never complains, and I can't complain either, Theo gives her the love and respect she deserves and she is happy but there is something missing in her life and Theo refuses to acknowledge it. It hurts her, I can see how wistfully she looks at children. Tell me Malfoy, and tell me honestly, do you think you are the most appropriate suitor for Astoria?"
"No." Draco said simply.
"So, you know why I cannot give this matrimony my assent?"
"I understand your concern, Sir but hear me out before you make your decision."
"What is there to be said? You agree that you are not the best for my daughter."
"Yes, I might not be her best option Sir. But if you ask me honestly, no man deserves someone like Astoria. I cannot promise that our lives will not be difficult, I have witnessed and lived through more horror than what Theo and Daphne have faced. But that is what has helped shape me as the man I am today. Yes, I struggle with the horrors of my past, but your daughter is my strength. Your daughter has the soul of a healer, not many people realize this, but she heals whoever she touches.
Her warmth, her ability to hold on to her innocence after whatever hell she faced, her indomitable spirit that flares up to protect the condemned, how can any man bind that? Sir, I know you fear that I would chain Astoria and clip her wings, but she is a force of nature. She frees me, I can never bind her to me, she chooses to stay with me and I would always keep it that way.
I cannot promise that we won't face tough times, but I assure you, that I will love and cherish her through good and bad because she deserves nothing less. I cannot offer you anything more than my devotion for her."
"You really do love her?"
"More than I ever imagined I would be capable of loving someone."
"Your father will not approve. You know he thinks of us as blood traitors."
"That does not really matter. If he loves me enough, he would agree; even if he doesn't, I would still marry her."
"It would be a scandal. A Malfoy, defying the will of his father."
"There is a first to everything, Sir."
"I believe there is young Malfoy."
"So, do I have your permission?"
"Let me talk to my wife and Astoria first. I am not saying no either."
"That would be good enough for me, Sir."
"Good. Now why don't you wait in the drawing room with Daphne and Theo, while I discuss this matter with Guinevere and Astoria."
"Sure, Sir."
Draco sat with Theo in the drawing room. Astoria had insisted for Daphne's presence in their father's study.
"Draco?" Theo asked.
"Hmm…"
"Do you think that I am being unfair to Daphne?"
Draco looked at Theo carefully, "How much of it did you hear?"
"Not much, just a few lines before your monologue."
"I don't know, Theo. This is your decision to make."
"But a child? I know Daphne really wants a child, but I don't know; why would I want to burden an innocent child with the sins of its forefathers?"
"Like I said Theo, the child could choose to not carry the burden and pave his/her own path."
Theo nodded, thoughtfully.
"Wait a minute, you heard my monologue?" Draco asked suddenly.
Theo smirked, "Maybe."
"How much of it would reach Blaise?" Draco asked with a groan.
"All of it."
"That would make his year. I gave him such a hard time about Tracey."
"What are friends for?"
"True."
A laugh from the corridor made the two men turn towards the door. Astoria walked in, hand in hand with her father and beamed at Draco. Daphne and their mother followed behind.
"Like I said young Malfoy, you are not the best option for my daughter, but she chooses you and she has convinced me to agree with her choice."
Draco couldn't believe his ears. "Thank you, Thank you so much, Sir."
"Welcome to the family, Draco!" Daphne exclaimed, pulling him a warm hug.
Astoria fell back in her bed at her apartment as Draco planted a soft kiss on her neck.
"So, today was not so bad." Astoria said.
A hum was the only response from Draco as he continued to kiss her neck. Astoria giggled before pulling his face to hers for a kiss. As happens with most couples that are madly in love with each other, one kiss leads to another till a chain of events follow. Draco rolled off Astoria sometime later before pulling her in his arms.
"Let's tell my mother tomorrow. Aunt Andromeda is visiting; she would likely not hex any of us with Teddy around."
"Draco!" Astoria said swatting his shoulder, "Your mother is one of the sweetest women I have ever met."
"You haven't met her then. This is the same woman who boldly lied to You-know-who. You think she is not dangerous?"
"No. She is a sweetheart. I like her a lot. She was always so kind. Your father on the other hand, scared me to hell."
Draco laughed. "You have it all wrong. My father only looked scary, my mother actually is scary. Not even my father dared her anger."
"Really?"
"Yes. My mum rarely gets angry, but when she does, you just won't know what she would do. She once locked him in his study because he forgot my birthday due to some business trip."
"I am sure you must have thrown a tantrum about him forgetting your birthday."
"I didn't. Grandfather had taught me early on that business was important, that the business paid for our good life. So, I figured father was working extra hard to get me a very expensive present. Only he got me nothing from the trip and that's when I threw the tantrum."
"Oh, you poor child! The horror of living the life of a spoilt, rich brat."
"Is the pot calling the kettle black, Miss. Greengrass? If memory serves me right, wasn't there a certain little girl, who set fire to her own birthday cake because she did not get a rainbow coloured hippogriff she had asked for."
Astoria laughed. "You remember that?"
"Of course, I do. I thought you were absolutely crazy to ask for a rainbow coloured hippogriff. I mean Hippogriffs are proud creatures, they hate to be domesticated."
"And of course, it is possible that a rainbow coloured hippogriff exists." Astoria added with a smirk.
Draco gave her a look before pinning her between himself and the bed and kissing her soundly, "That's your punishment for being such a smart mouth." He said breathlessly.
"I think I should be a smart mouth more often then." Astoria said with a smirk.
Draco rolled his eyes, "It's always there on your mind, isn't it?"
Astoria grinned at him, "You are so good at it; how can I not think about it?"
"And they accuse men for thinking about it all the time."
Astoria laughed, "No, women are sneakier about thinking about it."
Draco laughed before kissing her eagerly, Astoria protested as he pulled away. He grinned at her pout.
"I love you." He said softly, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear before losing himself in her soft warm body.
AN: Please do read and review! I know, their relationship is a bit too fluffy! :P
But I like them, I try bringing in the angst but somehow, it just doesn't happen with them.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to leave a review or add this story to your favorite/follow list, if you like it enough that is.
Happy reading.
Much love,
The fishes