Who: Astoria Greengrass Finch-Fletchley & Draco Malfoy When: Thursday, May 18th, Afternoon Where: Hogsmeade, Three Broomsticks Rating: Low Summary: Draco and Astoria talk about things and their friendship
“And then I said: Bollocks! Forget the damn peacock, I’d as soon adopt a Nundu.” Draco turned up his nose as he held his cup aloft as he walked along, recounting a definite traumatic experience in his life. Was it about the Dark Lord? Nope. His Aunt Bellatrix? Not a chance. His father’s pressure when he lost to Hermione Granger in some academic contest? No. It was when someone approached him about some breed of white peacock with sparkling white feathers that some breeder just knew the young Malfoy would appreciate because that was their thing, right? WRONG. Draco had hated the creatures ever since he could remember. And when he was chased as a child…well, his mother held the birds in as much disdain as he did….
The day was beautiful. The air rarified and clear. Even with living in London, Draco wasn’t entirely comfortable with muggle places and understanding how they even worked. So instead? It was Hogsmeade. Why? It was all magic. And, from Blaise’s party, it was something Astoria missed. The ease of that atmosphere? And while true, there were plenty of places to be, including the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley, the quiet of this place and the familiarity of what it meant were easier to enjoy.
Astoria laughed at Draco’s comment. The very idea of anyone adopting a Nundu was amusing but particularly Draco. “Now that would a be a statement,” Astoria replied. “Those peacocks are menaces.” She had to add. Sure they looked pretty but any time she recalled attending the Malfoy manor she was hesitant to get too near.
Astoria walked a little closer to Draco. Enjoying his presence and company. The beautiful day of Hogsmeade took her back to her days in school. It had always seemed similar then. Though perhaps that was the point. There was a different energy in the magical world than the muggle. Something she never really noticed before till living there. Or perhaps it was something she was making up in her mind. Something she was feeling because it was a change and not one she had chosen. She couldn’t quite gather the Ministry’s thoughts in pairing her with Justin.
“I really should come here more often, it is nice here.”
Draco paused a moment and looked at Astoria with a smile as she named his enemy a menace. “I could not agree more,” he said as they continued walking and he simply listened, nodding along to her words. “Do you think so?” He quickly clarified, “ -- that you should come here more often. Not whether or not my father’s peacocks belong in Hades, because that much is true….” He half smiled from behind his drink. Warming. Helping him avoid having to use a charm at the moment for comfort.
“I don’t find London so bad,” he tilted his head. “There’s plenty to do. And it’s easy enough to get around in, at least to the places I want to go. I’m still confused outside of the wizarding landscape, and I do miss the country….” But compromises had to be made and if he was going to do something entirely different with his life? Well, this seemed like the quickest and best way to simply deal with something that wouldn’t be any easier by taking it slow.
A little giggle escaped as he mentioned his father’s peacocks belonging in Hades. She really did agree and wondered why his father liked those peacocks so much. Perhaps a question for another day.
“Yeah, it isn’t so bad. I always have somewhere to go on lunch break, so there is plenty to do,” she agreed with Draco. “I guess I just miss Hogsmeade. I haven’t really returned much since graduating. I have some good memories here.” Though Draco was right there was lots to do in London and it was easy enough to get around. It had been the focus of where she was since getting her job, at least the wizarding parts. London was definitely busier and maybe the hustle and bustle was not her speed.
“I guess we can always go out to the country so we don’t have to miss it too much.” Astoria smiled at him. “I’ll get used to living in muggle London. Just a transition.” And honestly it was the first time she was really out of the shelter of her family and friends. Which, she had never really noticed she had until she had been placed in the new experience. “It is all new life experience, isn’t it?”
“You know what’s strange?” Draco turned to Astoria and stopped on their path to look at her with a half bow, as if he were sharing something conspiratorial. “So do I.” He smiled then and offered her a friendly arm before continuing on their way. “Hogsmeade…our time at Hogwarts….” It was hard. So hard in those latter years. “None of it was easy. And it’s something I still feel like I’m sorting out truth be told.”
He cast his gaze down and his face scrunched up a little bit as he considered, “Yeah, there’s been a bunch of new experiences…for a lot of us. First the War, now this Curse…it’s like, at this rate, when does it end?” Draco sighed and suddenly wished he had something a little stronger in his cup than hot cocoa. “I always knew my wife might very well be picked out for me or should I say…strongly suggested. But this…what’s happening to us…I suppose it’s what we must do.”
A glance to Astoria and another side smile, “I think your sister might be the very one to grab this whole thing by the horns and somehow come out on top.”
When Draco had stopped so did Astoria. There was part of her that was pleased to hear him say so do I. It felt like perhaps she was part of the reason. Those times may have been complex and difficult but she still looked fondly on the time getting to know Draco and others. Taking his arm she listened with a polite mhmm to signify she was listening. “It is understandable you are still trying to figure it out. What you experienced I think even an adult would still be taking the time.” Astoria thought people needed to give themselves more credit as they all were only teenagers when it all happened.
“I know what you mean. I felt much the same. My husband would be picked out for me or if I chose myself extremely scrutinized for whether he was right and told no if he was not.” Astoria gave a heavy sigh. “I never expected for the Ministry to pick if for me and my parents have no say.” Astoria was sure they did not approve of the muggleborn she was married too.
“But yes, Daphne will be the one to come out on top. I feel she always has the strength to do so. More so than I do.” Astoria spoke in a way it was clear she looked up to her sister. “I just wish I had half her strength. Maybe it would make it easier.”
“Extremely scrutinized,” Draco emphasized with a sideways glance before focusing forward again. “Forget your parents, your sister would be the first in line to run him through his paces. If, by some miracle, he made it through her initial gauntlet then there would be the rest of us and frankly we can be a little…much. Though we’d give the bloke a fighting chance,” he sighed as if were a chore to even consider, clearly exaggerated as underscored by the amusement in his blue-grey eyes. “I’m sure you would have chosen wisely. So less of a problem.” And he meant that as they turned down another path that would be more than a little familiar.
He drew her arm tighter as he shook his head, “Don’t do that to yourself.” Draco stopped again and turned to face her fully. “You are quite strong. Maybe you don’t know it for some reason, but I’ve learned to recognize different kinds of strengths. And what you have? It reminds me of my mother’s,” he said simply. Then gestured before pulling open the door to the Three Broomsticks, “Care for a Butterbeer? For old time’s sake.” Or anything else she wanted for that matter, flexibility was something Draco was striving to accommodate. It was a work in progress.
It was amusing but he was right. Her parents wouldn’t be the difficult ones to impress. It would be her sister and her friends. If any bloke could get through all that he was likely worthy of her. Or she would at the very least hope so. “You’re right, you lot would be the tough ones and Daphne particularly.”
Astoria felt seen with Draco and like he understood her. The draw of her arm tighter affirmed that just as his comments about her. Maybe he saw something she didn’t really see. It felt like a good compliment to be compared to his mother. Though she hoped she didn’t remind him too much of his mother. “Now that is very kind.” Maybe he was right. She was probably stronger than she knew, she was handling this experience alright so far.
“I would love a Butterbeer,” she smiled. “Just like old times, not sure when I had one last.” Particularly here of all places. A familiar experience and of goods times when she was young. A memory of hoping her would ask her to get one with him on a Hogsmeade visit.
Draco chuckled, “You say kind…I say factual.” And as he led her inside, he half bowed and then straightened himself up to his full height. Once Astoria crossed the threshold, he came up beside her again and gestured to a nearby booth. There wasn’t exactly much of a crowd at the moment. Plenty of seating. Quiet atmosphere. The cozy warmth that Draco remembered and sent a pleasant shiver up his spine. “I’ll be right back,” he promised.
Draco went up to the bar rather than wait for a server and ordered a pair of Butterbeers that was handed over to him in fairly short order. Sliding into the booth across from Astoria, he set her’s down in front of her before taking up his own. “I suppose it’s all a moot point now though. You have Justin. And until she kills me in my sleep, I suppose I’m stuck with Hermione.” He took a long sip of his drink. “I can only hope your work is going well in comparison?”
Astoria slid into the booth seat watching Draco as he went over to the bar. She felt a little silly sitting there with the familiar butterflies. Just like she had before. Astoria hoped she could squash any lingering feelings, but it was proving difficult.
As Draco returned sliding into the booth across from her, she beamed pleased he was back. She pulled the butter beer towards her. He was right, it was a moot point. The warmth she had quickly turned to concern as she spoke of Hermione. “It’s okay, we don’t really interact much.” Astoria took a sip of her butterbeer. “Is it really so bad with Hermione?” Concern in her voice. She made to reach forward to touch his hand in a reassuring gesture but then pulled it back thinking better of it.
A lift of his eyebrows and a definitive tilt of his head is his initial answer to her. “Let’s see…she’s changed my soaps because her feline is allergic, our home is practically divided in two in nearly every conceivable way, our check in visit with the Ministry went so ravishingly well that we’ve been ordered into counseling, and -- oh!” He leaned forward as if imparting some delicious news, something so phenomenal it can only be shared in a conspiratorial manner between the best of friends, “The real treat -- she quit her job after she claimed the Minister was listening to gossip about her and questioned her on that rubbish Gossip Witch drivel.” He wrinkled his nose but visibly relaxed at the simple touch.
“So bad? I suppose it could be worse. Exhausting? Absolutely,” he confirmed without hesitation. “If anything it’s just…strange.” Draco looked thoughtful behind his next sip of Butterbeer. “Add in the Falcons season taking such an odd turn. It’s like the entire world has gone mad,” he frowned. Their mounting losses have certainly contributed to Draco’s more surly mood. “Still, I didn’t drag you all this way simply to listen to me pratter on. This was all about allowing you to get out and relax. No pressure. No expectations. Blaise’s party was one thing, but there were enough people there you may have barely known that made it just a tad bit uncomfortable.”
“Wait, wait,” Astoria looked very shocked and perhaps a bit perplexed. “She quit her job because of the Gossip Witch?” Even as she spoke the words it made less and less sense. Sure, she could see her dividing up the house even if it was completely unnecessary but quitting her job over something so trivial. “I really have no words. I can see why you classify it as exhausting.”
“You aren’t prattering on, by the way. I like listening to how things are going on with you.” Astoria reassured him. “But it is nice to get out. I feel like I don’t want to disturb or disrupt Justin’s life. Not that I am aloud person by any means normally.” Astoria just felt like she was a guest in his home or something like that. “And you are right, Blaise’s was uncomfortable. Meeting all his friends without him there. I shouldn’t have gone.”
Draco sighed and nodded, “...apparently.” He leaned back a little as he considered his words. “Everything is so absolutely complicated.” He took another long sip before setting down his Butterbeer cupped between both hands. “Meeting with a therapist now to figure out moving forward with our marriage has been…enlightening. Though it’s seemingly accomplished the impossible -- we’re actually talking.” And even strategizing and making decisions. “It’s baby steps if you will, but we’re trying not to act like ghosts to each other in our own home.” A feat not easily accomplished and perhaps even the Ministry would see as progress.
An arch of an eyebrow is Draco’s initial response, “Don’t be ridiculous, you belong wherever you choose.” He hesitated a moment, “And you’ll get there with your -- with Justin. We’re all having to make adjustments but don’t say you shouldn’t have gone…I would have been bored to tears without you while everyone else socialized on the arms of their spouses or otherwise got to know each other. Mentally? It was nice to have a night off. And wasn’t so bad at that, but Blaise doesn’t have it in him to throw a less than entertaining party.”
“I am glad you are talking, as you say baby steps.” Astoria took a sip of her butterbeer. Trying her best not feel a bit jealous of Hermione’s position. It was the way it was and she had to deal with that. “I hope so, with Justin. I just feel like it is very difficult situation.” She sighed as she looked into her butterbeer glass she cupped with her hands. “We just come from different backgrounds.” It felt like an easy way to say, she was pureblood and he was not. Though Draco was in the same position, wasn’t he.
“It was nice to spend time with you, and Blaise does throw a good party.” She smiled in agreement. “We should try to get together more,” she added. “I like time with you.” Though perhaps she was pushing it when it came to how the Ministry might see that. But they were allowed to have friends, weren’t they?
A smile had been playing across his lips, but then it seemed to falter and shift slightly as his gaze narrowed in on her face. Draco drew in a breath and opened his mouth before he shut it again, a slender finger tapping lightly against the side of his drink. “It feels a little unreal how all of this is going…almost as if the Ministry couldn’t have made this more difficult if they tried.” He took another long drink, focused, listening. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “We should all spend more time. Besides, there is plenty more to do than simply sit around, drinking, and complaining about the state of the world.”
Even so, it did help Draco clear his head, regroup, and think of what he really wanted as handled all of this -- as a Malfoy, he was used to being caught between a rock and a hard place. He was also to finding a way. And lucky him, he was living with a witch nearly as stubborn as he was, “Just remember, Astoria -- you deserve to be happy and, different backgrounds or not, I want you to find it,” he lifted his drink to her.
“Yeah, there are plenty of other things that drink and complaining about the state of the world.” Astoria agreed. “Which we should do. But this has been nice.” It had been a welcome distraction if she was honest.
When Draco said he wanted her to find happiness she smiled. “I want to find it to, I just didn’t imagine my marriage would be like this.” Astoria tried to smile and took another sip of her drink. As she placed it back down she looked at Draco. Half tempted to tell him what she had hoped but she knew that would be extremely complicated.
“What did you imagine for yourself?” Draco asked almost automatically. He leaned forward a bit over the table, clearly invested in the answer. He’d often thought through similar things himself. Who would he be without the Dark Lord having come into his life? Where would he be if not for this Curse? It was an interesting thing to consider really -- and one he might not do outside of a chosen few.
“I want to restore my family name,” he reveals then, sharing as he’s asked her to also share, drumming his fingers still. “My father -- he made mistakes. My mother hasn’t deserved dealing with the aftermath of all of this and if I can…I want to do what is necessary to see the Malfoy name regain what we lost from the war.” There was more than one reason he had agreed to this ‘experiment’ and he intended to see what he could do.
What did she imagine for herself? Astoria watched as he leaned forward as he seemed invested in the answer. Astoria questioned whether she should be honest. But Draco had always been honest with her. Did he not at least deserve to know what she was thinking, of what she had thought. “It’s silly,” she said as she leaned forward. “I had always imagined you,” she said as quickly as she could. Get the words out before she could tell herself know. She felt the heat in her cheeks. She knew she was blushing. It would be very evident on her fait colouring.
“But not much we can do.,” she said. Without thinking she reached out and touched his hand again that held the glass. “You are restoring your family name, which is a good thing. I think many of our families made mistakes. Actions of one impacting many. I think it is honourable to want to change that.” Astora looked at Draco feeling she should have said nothing. He didn’t need to know her feelings or thoughts on what she had hoped for over what position they were now in.
Draco smirked, “I can rest assured that whatever it is? It’s not silly.” But her next words made him pause. Blink. …blinkblink…. It’s almost like his brain stopped and restarted in the time of those slow blinks as if he was expecting her to finish the sentence or say something else, perhaps a light hearted joke. He breathed, “Huh.” Really, eloquent, Malfoy. Draco clears his throat and seems about to say something but when he glances up at her soft blush, his lips spread into a smile instead.
He turned his hand palm up underneath her’s, his thoughts slowly coming back again into some manageable jumble, “I -- “ He nodded then, “Thank you. I know out of anyone, you would understand.” There’s a moment’s hesitation then, “Maybe, we should get going. I’ve already settled up at the bar, so we can leave whenever you’d like.”
Astoria met his smile with her own and looked down at his hand underneath hers. She gently drew a small circle in his palm before pulling back. “Yes, we should probably get going.” Astoria nodded. “Don’t want any gossip about you being someone other than your wife for too long.” She smiled as she spoke but there was a little bit of disappointment or pain in her voice.
What remained of his butterbeer was completely forgotten. Draco chuckled lightly as Astoria nodded to him and he finished off his tankard in one final draught. “Oh, I think that gossiping hag will never tire of treating our names like rubbish and making shit up,” he wrinkled his nose once again and sighed. “Sorry, it’s annoying enough she makes comments on our lives. That you would have to worry about being seen with me shouldn’t be one of them.” Still, he didn’t want to tempt fate. “You – “ Draco shook his head, “You don’t have to worry. While I may be considered a problem, I’m…trying. My wife is a hero, though she hardly seems immune to the slander. I won’t see you fall prey to any nonsense on my behalf.”
She wanted to believe him that it would be fine and she had nothing to worry about. She didn’t want to land either of them in trouble. But as he talked like this she felt like she agreed. It should not be something she worries about. “You’re right,” she nodded. “It shouldn’t stop us from seeing each other,” she paused, “we are friends.” Though she said it she knew it wasn’t just that. “But let us not tempt fate further and get out of here. The trip down memory lane has been wonderful.”
“It has been,” Draco inclined his head and stood, adjusting his waist coat he glanced around their immediate area. It was oddly pleasant. Though he shouldn’t be that surprised. The stress of everything recently was greater than he anticipated until it snuck up on him and then he felt tension ease that he hadn’t even known had been there for so long. He offered his assistance to help Astoria to her feet. “I already have everything settled…let’s head back to London on the promise not to let too much longer pass before we do this again.”