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Astoria returned home and found that all the lights had been turned off; which meant that everyone had gone to bed. She quietly tiptoed up the stairs and entered her and Daphne's bedroom; thankfully, Daphne didn't hear her come in. Astoria began to change into her nightgown, but accidentally tripped over a stool. Daphne sat up quickly and turned on a nearby lamp.

"Astoria, is that you?" asked Daphne, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Yeah, it's me." said Astoria.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm changing into my nightgown."

"Changing into...Are you just getting in?"

"Well, Mrs. Malfoy needed me to help her clean up the mansion."

"That is what a wand is for; now, why did you really stay?"

Astoria finished changing and then crawled into her bed; she leaned over and turned off the lamp.

"Fine, keep your secrets. I just hope you finally told Draco how you feel."

Astoria turned onto her side. "I didn't." she whispered.

"What did you say?" asked Daphne.

"I didn't tell Draco that I have a crush on him." said Astoria.

"Why not?"

"It's not important. Let's get some sleep."

Daphne shrugged her shoulders and the two soon fell asleep.

The month passed quickly and soon it was January 1st and Astoria returned to Hogwarts; she was glad to be back, and really enjoyed seeing her friends, but she couldn't get Draco out of her mind.

One day, as Astoria was heading to the dungeon for her Potions lesson, she saw that some of the students were looking at her and whispering to one another. Suddenly, her best friend and housemate, Violet Spelling, grabbed her by the arm and took her straight to the library.

"Violet, what the bloody hell is going on?" asked Astoria.

"Like you wouldn't know: everyone is saying that you're Draco Malfoy's girlfriend." whispered Violet.

"What? Why would anyone believe that?"

Violet sighed. "Because, Alliyra was at the Malfoy's party and she saw Draco dancing with you. So, Alliyra told John, who told Peter, who told Samantha, who just happens to have a big mouth, and now..."

"All of the school believes that I'm dating Draco?"

"I've tried to stop it, but no one is listening to me."

"Let them believe what they want to believe. It's not true. If anyone tries to ask me about it, I'll be honest."

"Astoria, Draco didn't really dance with you, did he?" asked Violet.

"Yes, but nothing else happened between us."

"Then why do you look as if you did want something to happen?"

"I'm going to be late for Potions."

Astoria left the library, but Violet was hot on her trail. She followed her all the way down to the dungeons, and finally was able to stop her.

"Violet, I don't have time for this. I have to get to class."

"All I want is an answer: Do you have feelings for Draco?"

Astoria gave a frustrated sigh. "Yes, I like Draco. I like him alot, but I don't love him. I can't love him."

"Why not?" asked Violet.

"Because he doesn't love me."

Astoria brushed past Violet and continued towards her Potions classroom.