For Diagon Alley Adoption Centre on the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry Forum.
S.S. Stellar Legends
— Astoria and Draco —
"You're going on a date with Draco Malfoy?" Daphne asked, her voice pitching up with surprise. "But why?"
Her younger sister frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She seemed to ignore Daphne's question, instead choosing to focus on threading her fingers through her hair, gently pulling apart the few knots that plagued it.
"At school, you always said he was arrogant," Daphne continued. If she was annoyed by her sister's lack of response, she didn't show it. She barely seemed to notice it. "And he certainly doesn't seem less arrogant now, always parading in front of the press."
Astoria's lips tightened, and Daphne's heart momentarily panged with guilt. Perhaps that hadn't been fair to say. After all, they both knew there was more than arrogance to Draco's recent public appearances. Donating to small businesses affected by the War, volunteering at owl shelters, making public speeches denouncing the few remaining Death Eaters on the run. The Malfoys were on a mission to rebuild the family name, and they weren't being subtle about it. Daphne wouldn't have been surprised if she'd opened the papers one day and seen snapshots of a staged romantic date between Draco and some poor Muggleborn girl.
"School was a long time ago," Astoria finally said, her tone steady. She turned away from the mirror and shifted her attention to her wardrobe. She sounded thoughtful when she said, "I think he's changed a lot. We all have."
"I think you're too kind." And before Astoria could narrow her eyes and argue, Daphne added softly, "You've always been the best of us."
It was as much of an apology as Daphne could offer.
"Look, Daph…" Astoria hesitated. She turned to look at her sister, gnawing at her bottom lip as she considered her next words. "I know it's a bit odd. I know I said all those things at school and…well, I don't think I was wrong. But I really do think he's changed. He's not like that any more."
"Oh god. You like him."
"Yeah. And I think he likes me too. I can't explain it, but I've got a good feeling about this."
Daphne sighed. There was no fighting it, then. She conceded by saying, "The blue dress looks best on you. You should wear that."
"You think?" Astoria immediately plucked the dress from its hanger, holding it against her body. At her older sister's hum of approval, she beamed. "Thanks."
"Any time."