It was Saturday, the day of the opening for the Malfoy Wing of St Mungos. The opening was to be at 6pm with drinks and canapés to be served. With any luck I can go out and get a proper meal afterwards.
I had just slipped into my warm bath when I heard the doorbell chime throughout the manor. Sighing, I got out of the bath and quickly put on my bathrobe. I was the only one home as Mother had gone to see Aunt Andromeda and Scribble and Jinks were out doing the shopping and a few other errands.
"Coming' I called as I rushed down the stairs and to the door. Taking a moment to catch my breath and making sure I was sufficiently covered up, I opened the door. Standing before me was a beautiful witch in a long, black cloak.
"Astoria? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to change your mind, Drakey."
"I'm not going to change my mind, Astoria."
"Well then how about letting me in for a minute? It's cold out here."
"Fine. Warm yourself by the fire in the drawing room then you can floo yourself back home." I held the door open and let her walk past me. "First room on the left. Now if you excuse me, I have to get ready."
I quickly turned and headed back to my room. I had just entered my bedroom and I was starting to undo the tie securing my bathrobe and massaging the tension out of my neck with my free hand, when I felt a soft pair of hands start to pull at the knotted belt.
"Astoria!" I cried pulling free and turning to face her. "What in Merlins name do you think you are doing?"
She giggled and slipped the cloak of her shoulders and stood before me in a pair of black stilettos and a tiny, sleeveless, low cut, black dress that barely came to mid-thigh.
"I thought you could use a little persuading, Drakey." She started walking towards me, slowly so I could keep looking at her. "I want you, Draco. I want to be yours. And I know" She said as she had seen my jaw drop "That you want me too. All of this" gesturing to her body "could be yours. I could make you so happy Draco. All you need to do is say you'll marry me."
"Astoria" I said coldly, turning away from her "Put your cloak back on and floo yourself home."
"You don't mean that, Draco." I could hear her starting to remove her dress behind me.
"I do mean it, Astoria. Leave now before you embarrass yourself. I am not going to marry you and nothing you can offer me will change my mind."
I heard her pick up her cloak and slam the door. Sighing I returned to the bathroom and finished getting ready.
Two hours later I was standing at the waiting room of St Mungos with Pansy in tow. Pansy was wearing something similar to what Astoria had worn earlier today, short, black glittery around the bust and flowing loosely down her thighs, stopping well above the knees. I was barely paying attention to her chatter about French boutiques and incompetent house elves or whatever it was she was going on about because my eyes were searching the room for Hermione.
I spotted Astoria chatting in a corner to a group of young wizards, all wide eyed and nodding stupidly to whatever she said. She was wearing a glittering robe, mid-thigh, long sleeved. I caught her eye and she turned her back on me, allowing me to see her robe was missing a large section in the back.
I rolled my eyes and kept looking before my eyes came to rest upon Hermione. She was wearing something in the style she had become known for recently - elegant, simple and with a touch of embroidery. She was in a plum, one shouldered sheath robe that stopped just on the knee. The one shouldered part was covered in silver sequins in the shape of a bow. She was also wearing the small silver butterfly brooch I sent her.
"I just need a word with the Minister, excuse me Pansy." I said and walked off before she could reply. I quickly made my way over to Hermione, a smile playing across my lips. We had been owling back and forth all week, talking about our interest and my childhood. I was almost at her side and about to mention something we had owled about before I remembered she still didn't know I was her Wolfy Wizard.
"Waiting again, Granger?" I asked casually.
"Spying on me again, Malfoy?" she countered. "I thought you were here with Parkinson?"
"My mother has ordered I attend the event with her. She didn't say anything about socialising with her at the event."
"A loophole." She smiled wryly. "Very sneaky and very Slytherin of you. Not that I mind you annoying Pansy, but surely there is someone else you can talk to or bother?" She questioned.
"Possibly, Granger, but I want to talk to you."
"What could you possibly have to say to me?" She replied shortly, her eyes challenging me.
"Just that...”
At that exact moment the Minister called for everyone’s attention and started his speech. I was kicking myself for blowing my chance when I was called upon to make a speech of my own. As I ascended the small platform I saw Viktor Krum quietly take my place besides Hermione and whisper in her ear. She nodded and left the room with him.
I composedly finished my speech and waited for her to return for an hour with no success. Facing defeat I was about to leave when I saw them walk back in, chatting to each other and smiling. Where had she gone with him? I wondered.
Seeing Krum leave to talk to Arkie Alderton I made my way back to her.
"Enjoying the opening?" I asked fighting to keep my voice even and casual.
"I'd enjoy it more if... Never mind." She cut herself off quickly, clearly annoyed that she had revealed more than she intended.
"If what? You can't just leave something like that hanging, Granger."
"It's nothing." She insisted.
"It's not nothing or you wouldn't have mentioned it." I pressed.
"Perhaps I should have made my meaning clearer. It is nothing to do with you, so never you mind." She emphasized.
If it's about the Wolfy Wizard then it is everything to do with me. I thought angrily. "I noticed you waiting before, Granger. Did your date not show up?" I inquired, trying to sound disinterested instead of mocking.
"I was expecting to see someone here, yes. But they are not my date and nor are you. You’re not even my friend, Malfoy so I think this conversation is over." She finished, turning from me and walking away.
"I was just trying to figure out why you'd be here alone." I paused and continued in a lower voice "I read the article about you last week. Weasley is an idiot." I called to her.
She turned sharply towards me. "And you aren't? Go back to your date with Pansy, Malfoy and leave me alone."
Knowing it would be no good to force the issue I left her and glared when Krum came back and smiled at her, watching her smile back in return. I decided I'd had enough for one night and left for home even more despondent than when I had first arrived. It's like she erased any memory of me kissing her.
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