For the Hogwarts Forum
Roald Dahl Event (Coughable Items: Write something set in the hospital wing)
Love in Motion (DracoAstoria)
Word Count: 483
A strange crinkling sound draws Draco out of his sleep. With a groan, he sits up, confusion blurring his mind as he takes everything in. He's in the hospital wing. Flickers of Quidditch practice flash through his head, and he's almost certain he'd fallen at some point.
But the most confusing sight is the brunette girl perched at the end of his bed, nibbling a Chocolate Frog. It takes Draco a moment to place her, but it dawns on him. Astoria Greengrass, Daphne's little sister.
She shifts her gaze away from her snack, offering him a smile. Melted chocolate dots her lips. "Good morning," she says brightly. "Daphne sent these. Hope you don't mind I had one… or five."
Still confused, Draco glances at the small pile of wrappers at the foot of his bed. "What-?"
"Do you need anything?" she asks sweetly, finishing the Chocolate Frog in one great, swift bite.
"What happened?" he manages.
"Bludger bat slipped. Your head happened to stop it," she explains. "Flint was livid."
Draco leans back, sinking back into the the comfort of his bed. Cautiously, he presses a finger to his head, feeling around until he finds a tender spot. Wincing, he hisses.
"Cracked skull," Astoria adds.
"Pomfrey tell you all this?" he asks skeptically.
He doesn't even know Astoria. Sure, he's seen her around in the common room, but they've never spoken until now.
"Flint did," she answers, grabbing another Chocolate Frog. Draco wonders how someone as tiny as she is can manage to eat so many sweets without getting sick. "Well, he told Daph. I think he fancies her."
Draco nods but doesn't answer. His head still pounds from the aftereffects of his injury. He's certain the Healer has already treated his wounds, but he's still sore. Maybe Astoria's chatter should bother him, but he finds her presence surprisingly comfortable.
"Has anyone ever told you you're cute when you sleep?" the younger Slytherin asks between bites of the chocolate.
The question catches Draco off guard. He peers up at her, unsure if he's heard her correctly.
To his surprise, Astoria doesn't seem to become shy at his lack of reaction. She finishes the last of the chocolate and climbs to her feet, gathering the wrappers. "Just an interesting fact," she offers, tossing the trash into a bin. "Much more pleasant than the arrogant sod act you have going for you."
Before Draco reacts, she winks at him and turns, walking away with a sway of her lips. Draco watches her retreating figure, absolutely gobsmacked. Only when she disappears through the door can he bring himself to speak. "I'm not arrogant..."
Still, despite the strangeness of the encounter, he finds himself smiling. He makes a vow to himself that when he gets released from the hospital wing, he's going to find Astoria Greengrass and show her he can be cute when he's awake too.