Astoria
Chapter 4: Candy (1996)

It was really rare to see Draco alone these days, but Astoria surmised that it was because of his father being taken to Azkaban for being a Death Eater. He was really holding himself together, especially with people talking about him now and not in a good way. He wasn't acting like himself, or like he used to, but Astoria wasn't really complaining. But it was still concerning. She had half a mind to talk to him because he seemed very troubled, but what would it hurt?

Astoria sat down on the seat opposite Draco. "Sickle for your thoughts?" she tried. Draco lifted his head to acknowledge her presence.

"I don't need another Greengrass attempting to figure me out."

Disregarding his rudeness, Astoria continued, digging in her pocket. "Mum always says to win someone over, offer them sweets." She threw Draco a Cauldron Cake. He was very surprised by her immediate act of kindness. But nevertheless, he closed the newspaper, sat up, and began eating.

"This is not what your sister did a few days ago."

"Did she interrogate you or something? She can be so nosy sometimes."

"She was wondering whether or not I was cheating on Pansy. I suppose she wanted to see if I was available again."

Astoria scoffed. "Not everything is about you, you know?"

Draco was surprised by Astoria's comment. "I suppose not."

They stayed in silence for a little bit, then Astoria couldn't help asking. "What's up with you?"

"Pardon?"

"I hear things. People have noticed a change in you."

Draco shifted in his seat and unconsciously covered his left forearm. "Well, if you haven't noticed, the Daily Prophet is defaming my family name, so I'm sorry if I'm a bit on edge."

"Is it true?" she asked quietly.

Draco considered her for a moment. "Not all of it."

Astoria nodded, still pensive. "You're not like how you seem, are you?"

"Like I said, I have a lot on my mind."

"No, I mean, you'd like a quiet life."

"Wouldn't you?"

"I have a quiet life," she said, straightening up. "You seem to have made your life complicated."

Draco scoffed, offended. "I didn't make my life complicated. The whole bloody world made my life complicated. My family. This sodding school. And when I finish what I started, everyone will regret they ever crossed me."

"What are you finishing?"

Draco realized he had said too much. Maybe he should just take refuge in that abandoned girl's bathroom again…

"Never mind. I have to go." He got up, and started for the exit of the Slytherin common room.

"For someone who is supposedly quiet, you are really talkative." And he was gone.

Astoria never told anyone of this encounter with Draco, but she definitely saw more signs of him trying to conceal his true self, like she saw that night. It annoyed her that someone who wished for a quiet life could be so self-righteous and pretentious.