Astoria would have been a lot more upset at leaving Draco for Christmas had it not been for the fact that the day before she was meant to leave, she had received a letter from her mother explaining that they would be spending the holidays at Malfoy Manor. Since Astoria didn't travel easily with her condition, she was supposed to go with Draco directly from school before the rest of the Greengrasses arrived the day before Christmas. It was a fine excuse but Astoria suspected that her parents didn't want to deal with her condition right now, not when they were planning a wedding and had to prepare Daphne for a proper holiday with her in-laws. She supposed that her feelings would have been hurt if it weren't for the fact that she now had an excuse to spend several days with Draco without having to worry about her sister. Several days almost entirely alone, because Draco told her that his parents usually left him alone unless there was some dinner party or soiree he had to attend.

When she showed him the letter one very late night in his bedroom, he was silent for several moments. She worried he was unhappy with the circumstances until he wrapped his arms around her and swung her in circles several times. "I take it you're happy then," she giggled.

"Happy? I'm bloody ecstatic! Nothing sounds more wonderful than Christmas with my love." And then he kissed her.

Now, they were riding in the carriage, each of them looking silently out the window. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, nor was it an angry one. Actually, she was rather pleased with him lately. He had been a perfect gentleman on the trip—not allowing her to carry a single bag, purchasing her (and her sister so it wasn't suspicious) some sweets from the trolley, opening every door for her. Draco was always a gentleman but lately, it had seemed as if he felt he had more to prove.

Maybe it's a sign, a voice in her head chimed. Maybe he's finally found a way we can be together. She sincerely hoped that was the case, though a more logical side said that it was probably just lingering jealousy from the party not long ago. He still hadn't gotten over the fact that she could have landed on someone else, blaming Mattheo entirely too often for a bottle that landed exactly the way he wanted. But she liked his jealous side so she put up with it, even if it was a little ridiculous.

When they finally pulled up to the gates of Malfoy Manor, Astoria gasped. It was beautiful. Long rows of neatly trimmed hedges, white rosebushes where wandering albino peacocks strutted about the grounds. A large, dark house that elegantly touched the sky with three tall stories. She had never seen Malfoy Manor, never seen any other pureblood home. Or, at least, she had been so young when she received her diagnosis that she didn't remember any she saw before it.

"Your home is lovely," Astoria murmured, pressing her forehead against the cool glass of the carriage window. Carriages weren't often taken in the Wizarding World, though wealthy purebloods did occasionally. But with Astoria's condition, travel became long and difficult. Carriages were the least straining on her.

Draco smiled and leaned across to squeeze her hand. "Your home someday."

She wanted to believe him. She truly did. But he was still Daphne's. His ring was still around her neck. How could she forget that?

They pulled up to the front of the home and the driver opened the door. Draco stepped out first and Astoria followed before stumbling rather ungracefully on the stairs. His hand immediately wrapped around her. "Caught you," he whispered slyly.

She blushed and dusted off her skirts as he helped her right herself. "Thank you. I suppose those few hours have made my legs a little numb."

"I know how we can get them moving again." When Draco winked at her, Astoria hit his arm. He chuckled under his breath before offering his arm up and leading her to the door. "Relax, my love. Just a bit of harmless flirting."

"With your fiancee's sister," she hissed back. Draco rolled his eyes but before he could respond, a butler opened the door and beckoned them inside.

"Draco!" A smooth voice called from the foyer. The sound echoed around the large, marble room. This home is much larger than Greengrass Estate. Sometimes, she forgot how much richer the Malfoys were than any other family. Well, there were the Blacks but they were gone save for Evelyn and she wasn't even technically a Black anymore so Astoria supposed that the Riddles were the richest now. But looking at the grand home, she could hardly tell that the Malfoys were second. It was like she was standing in a palace.

Draco grinned but he didn't let go of her arm. "Mother, this is Astoria Greengrass. I believe you've met before."

Narcissa smiled brightly. It seemed genuine, which Astoria was thankful for. Narcissa was one of the most elegant women in pureblood society. She didn't know what she would do if Narcissa didn't approve of her. "Astoria, darling, how lovely it is that you are here. I trust your trip went well and that Draco was a gentleman through it all."

"Yes, ma'am, he was lovely." Internally, she winced. In their eyes, he's Daphne's. You have to be more careful. "As is your home."

Narcissa laughed. "You have excellent manners, Miss Astoria. You flatter me so. Come. Let me give you a tour."

Draco transferred her arm to his mother's and Astoria couldn't help but feel colder without him. As Narcissa led her through the foyer, Astoria stole a glance back at him only to see him smile at her reassuringly. "I love you," he mouthed. She just blushed and turned back to Mrs. Malfoy.

Narcissa, true to her word, showed Astoria around the lovely home. She showed her the large grounds—even though it was a tad cold to walk through them—the library, dining room, drawing room, den, and corridors before ending in the grand ballroom in the East Wing. That room was her favorite. A large room surrounded by mirrors and elegant chandeliers, it made the one in Greengrass Estate seem like a hovel.

"Wow," Astoria breathed as she walked around the grand room. "Do you host many gatherings here, Mrs. Malfoy?"

Narcissa scrunched her face, her blonde hair whipping behind her shoulder as she did. "Narcissa, please, and I should have liked to but my husband doesn't care much for parties. Perhaps the next Mrs. Malfoy will plan more." The older woman glanced at her and Astoria had to remind her quickening heart that she was talking about Daphne.

"Daphne cares for parties even less than him so it seems doubtful."

"Do you enjoy parties, Miss Astoria?" Narcissa's nose was upturned, her eyes studying. Does she know something I don't? Her look was... odd. Uncomfortable. Unnerving. Astoria didn't know what it meant.

She smiled to cover up her nerves. "Yes. I adore them. I love the dancing and the revelry, the beautiful gowns and the music. I should like to host a great many of them someday. I've even—" She stopped herself from revealing too much, though Narcissa caught her slip up.

"You've what, child?" Her voice was too gentle, too encouraging for Astoria to ignore.

"I've even planned my future wedding. It's all in a binder in my room just waiting for the day." That was putting it mildly. If she wanted to, it would take only a few weeks to pull it all together. Astoria had been planning it since the day she was born. White roses, green accents. A grand ballroom for a reception that lasted for hours, a large church ceremony to accompany before. Perhaps it would be a grand three-day affair, though she would need a rich husband for that.

"And would you like to get married?"

"Oh, more than anything." The words slipped out of her so casually that she hardly had time to stop it. "Daphne would say that it's not very feministic of me but I would love nothing more than to spend my life taking care of a home and starting a family with the one I love."

"Have you ever been in love, Miss Astoria?"

That studying look was back on Narcissa's face. Astoria blushed under the weight of it. "I'm... I'm not sure."

Narcissa's eyes narrowed on her but before Astoria could question it, a deep voice sounded from behind her. "Did you enjoy the tour, Miss Greengrass?"

And just like that, Astoria watched as Narcissa's eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth as if the pieces of some puzzle had finally clicked into place. "Oh, Merlin," she whispered under her breath, her eyes studying Astoria like she was an entirely new person in front of her. She just looked at him with confusion before peering up at Draco, who was gazing down at her with the softest grey eyes she had ever seen.

"Hi, Dray," she said softly under her breath.

"Hi, my love," he murmured back.

Narcissa gasped under her breath—drawing both of their eyes back to Draco's mother—before she plastered on a grin that seemed knowing. What is going on? "Well, I suppose I better find Lucius. Draco can show you to your rooms and bring you down at dinnertime. It was lovely spending time with you, Astoria. I do hope I see you again."

When she left the room, Astoria sighed in relief. "Why was she acting so odd?"

Draco frowned. "I don't know. Probably some woman thing, who knows? You act odd when it's your time of the month."

She lightly slapped his arm. "Whatever do you mean?"

He grinned. "Oh, don't be mistaken, my darling. I adore it. You are much clingier and needier, which is splendid for me, who likes to be clung to and needed."

Astoria just rolled her eyes and took his outstretched arm. "Perhaps it is you that is odd, Draco Malfoy."

"Perhaps. Then again, we are all fools in love."

"Pride and Prejudice? Mr. Malfoy, are you a romance reader?"

He scoffed. "Please. I just read what those imbeciles said to their ladies so I can do better."

Astoria smiled and squeezed his arm. Draco led them to the West Wing of the home before walking into a bedroom. "This," he drawled, "Is your bedroom."

Then, he led her to the room across the hall. "And this," he grinned as he looked around the clearly boyish room decorated with silver, green, and Quidditch memorabilia, "is where you'll be sleeping."

"Draco! Your family is—"

"Down the hall?"

"And my family will be—"

"In another corridor?"

"My sister should be—"

"Far, far away from me?"

Astoria huffed with exasperation. "How will you explain us having an entire wing to ourselves?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "No one is expecting anything to happen between us so they won't question it. They will think I am wanting to get to know my new 'sister.'" His arm wrapped around her waist and he pulled her closer, his hot, minty breath cascading over her face. She shivered under the sensation.

"And you will be—"

"Kissing and holding the most beautiful girl in the world?" He grinned. "Perhaps pleasuring her if she can manage to stay quiet."

Draco's hands began to travel downward before reaching the hem of her dress, pulling the skirts upward agonizingly slowly. His hands traveled methodically up her thighs, making her gasp with pleasure. "Draco..." she breathed. "We shouldn't."

"Oh but, darling, we very much should," he purred as he got down on his knees. "I haven't tasted you in two days. That is far too long."

She giggled before it turned into a slight moan as his breath hit her core. "Now who is the needy one?"

"Me," Draco grumbled. "Always me. I need you so much, my love. I will not be ashamed to admit it. I need you more than I need air."

And then his mouth descended on her.

Astoria's hands curled into his white-blond locks, mirroring her toes in her slippers. Draco's tongue deftly moved through her folds, soaking up all of her juices as he stroked and pleased her. She gasped when he started to pay special attention to her clit.

"Draco," she moaned as a finger swiftly entered her, working in rhythm with his mouth to satisfy her. "Draco, Draco, Draco."

"Shhh," he hummed against her core, the vibrations sending tingles up her spine. "You have to be quiet, my love, so I can pleasure my girl without interruptions."

Astoria bit her lip, tightening her grip on his scalp when a second finger entered her. "Such a good girl," Draco purred when she held back a moan. "You're doing so well, keeping quiet for me. Those noises are mine, baby girl."

She clenched as his finger curled inside her, hitting a spot that had her seeing stars. "You feel so good, darling. So so good. This pussy is mine, Astoria."

"Oh, Merlin, Draco."

He took his mouth off her, still never stopping the rhythm of his fingers as they pumped and twisted inside of her. Draco gripped her chin and grinned. "Don't say his name. Don't say any name but mine. This is between us, pretty girl."

"Y-yes." She closed her eyes in pleasure, only to have him thrust almost painfully into her.

"Look at me." She obeyed instantly. "Good girl. I want to see the look in your eyes with you come for me."

And when his thumb pressed into her clit, she did. Astoria gasped and gripped Draco's shoulders as waves of euphoria rolled over her. As soon as she came down, Draco grinned. "Caught you, my love. Now come on. We have hours before dinner."

. . .

Draco had to admit, he was a little nervous for this Christmas at first. Not necessarily because of Astoria—no, having her there was fucking wonderful—but because of everyone else. His mother could be overbearing, his father cold, and then there was the matter of her family. His fiancee. Her neglectful parents. Yeah, he was worried.

But, fuck, the holiday was perfect.

Something happened on the tour that changed his mother's attitude. She looked at Astoria with some peculiar expression, her eyes always darting between them. She would beam when Astoria walked in on Draco's arm and he caught her on more than one occasion stealing glances between them. Narcissa was acting odd but every time Draco tried to ask her about it, she would just shrug and say, "Mothers know things, Draco. Things their children don't always grasp yet."

Some stupid damn riddle, one he didn't care to try and figure out. He was just glad his mother appeared to adore Astoria. He told Astoria that she did earlier but seeing it in action was different than saying it.

And even more surprisingly: Lucius loved Astoria. With the way he looked at her, Draco wouldn't have been surprised if Lucius called Astoria the daughter he never had.

Draco's father was... complicated, their relationship even more so, especially as Draco got older. Lucius, while always nice to his son, could be cold to others. He worried that his father would treat Astoria in the same way.

They first met at the cocktail hour before, where Lucius eyed Astoria's tight grip on his arm questioningly. He barely said a word, just studying her while Narcissa asked Astoria loads of weird questions, like if she wanted any children (she did) or where she would honeymoon (the South of France, conveniently where the Malfoys had a home).

But when Astoria meandered to the piano and played a delicate sonata, Lucius was hooked. Not just by Astoria's talents—though she did have many—but also her grace, poise, beauty, and charm. Astoria was kind, intelligent, and soft, all things his father seemed to admire.

It was nice at first and Draco felt relieved that both of his parents loved the girl that he loved.

Until he realized that he would have to spend the rest of his holidays fighting with them over her.

Narcissa was constantly asking Astoria to help with something around the house or offering her advice in planning her upcoming debutante ball, giving Draco the excuse that she had lovely taste and that Narcissa had always wanted to help a girl plan her debut ball. And if she wasn't doing that, then Lucius was asking Astoria to go on a stroll around the grounds with him. Draco was going insane. Though he still spent every night with her—wonderful nights, he might add—it simply wasn't enough.

On Christmas Eve, Draco had had it. He finally pulled Astoria into their room—yes, their room, because everything that was Draco's was hers too—and brought her to his lap. "Draco, what are you—" But she was cut off by his eager kisses. Hungrily, he moved his mouth against her, relishing every drop of her sweet taste.

Astoria pulled away and cupped his cheek. "Dray, I have to go help your mother."

He thrust into her pelvis and she gasped. "Or you could help me with something." His cock was straining at his pants. Nights with her simply weren't enough to satisfy him. He needed a lifetime of Astoria Greengrass.

She smiled. Merlin, she was so beautiful. How could she make such a simple day's outfit seem like the most radiant thing in the world? As she looked down at him with those beautiful green eyes, he wondered if he spoiled her enough. Perhaps he should do it more often. Yes, that seemed right.

"If I don't go, your mother will come looking for me."

Draco pouted and threaded his fingers through her hair. "But I miss you. I don't see you enough."

Astoria giggled. "You see me every night."

"As I said: not enough."

Her lips turned upward while her hair cascaded around her face. A goddess. An angel. Mine. "My family is coming today. I can't. But when we're back at Hogwarts, we have a few days before the ball. I can spend all of them with you."

He smirked. "Promise?"

"Promise. Now," she wiggled on his lap, which definitely didn't help his erection, "Let me go."

Draco groaned. "Fine. But you're making up for this," he gestured to his bulging pants, "Later."

Astoria grinned. "It's a deal." She kissed his cheek before darting out of the room.

Astoria Greengrass. You will be the death of me.

. . .

The rest of the holiday was rather uneventful. The Greengrasses apparated just in time for dinner, Daphne looking rather bored the whole time. Astoria noticed how Lucius and Narcissa didn't seem particularly eager to spend time with Daph like they were with her. They probably just figured they would see more of her later.

Draco avoided his fiancee as much as he could, much to Astoria's happiness. Whenever the two of them sat by each other, they looked as if they were speaking of homework or something else more dreadful. Astoria's parents didn't seem to notice, though she wondered if Draco's did from the knowing looks they were giving each other. Maybe they have an inside joke. She didn't know. They were acting odd.

She spent every night in Draco's room, curled up in his arms as if she belonged there. Draco was right; no one seemed to care that they had the wing to themselves, though Narcissa made a teasing remark about it once. Still, Astoria didn't look into it.

Her parents hardly spoke to her, spending most of their time with the Malfoys trying to iron out the details of the wedding. Daphne refused to speak of it until a later date and no one expected the groom to care about little things like flowers so most of the conversations went nowhere. Narcissa would occasionally ask Astoria what she wanted in a wedding, though the younger sister just assumed the woman was being polite.

Many times, Daphne would go off into another room before disappearing for the day until dinner. Astoria wondered if she might be apparating somewhere, though she didn't know where. It wasn't as if she had a lover, right? No, Daphne is engaged. Though, so was Draco and he spent every night holding another woman.

Love was weird sometimes, Astoria was realizing. Very weird. What had once seemed black and white— if you love someone, you marry them and that was it—now seemed like it held various shades of grey. Draco loved her but he couldn't be with her because he was engaged to her sister, who didn't seem to care at all about the betrothal. There were at least twenty different shades there, most of them she couldn't decipher.

Christmas morning, the families exchanged presents awkwardly. Draco received loads of gifts from his parents, Daphne received books from theirs, and Astoria received just a pouch of galleons since her parents hardly seemed to pay attention to what she liked. Draco gave his fiance another book—and he handed it to her so stiffly that Astoria wondered if his hand might break off—and Daphne gave him... well, nothing. Later that night, Draco gave her one of the prettiest bracelets she had ever seen, loaded with emeralds and diamonds. Her favorites. She gave him two tickets to the upcoming World Cup, which he insisted he was going to take her to. She just smiled and shook her head, knowing that her parents would never allow her to go somewhere with such excitement. Not when it could affect her condition.

Yes, the holiday was nice. Calm. And before they knew it, Draco, Astoria, and Daphne were all riding in the carriage back to Hogwarts. The two eighth years talked about their upcoming exams while Astoria just listened. Sometimes, Daphne tried to bring her into the conversation but Astoria just smiled awkwardly and didn't say anything beyond simple polite words. She was third-wheeling her sister and her kind-of boyfriend. How grey was that?

When they reached King's Cross, Daphne lumbered out of the car and over to the trains, leaving Draco to help Astoria out of the carriage. Sparks flew between them when he grabbed her hand, making her stumble. Again. "Caught you, my love."

And Astoria hoped he always would. She hoped that things would always be this lovely. She hoped that maybe someday, things wouldn't always be so grey.

Longer one! Hope that makes up for the solid break in updating but I swear Tom's story is almost done and I have a little bit until I start Mattheo's (it's up June 1st for those who are wondering!) so there should be more updates. Luv you all xx