The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

70. The Heart Never Lies

The rest of the evening passed surprisingly peacefully.

At least as peacefully as an entire school sleeping in the Great Hall under Auror supervision could possibly be.

Students slowly settled into their makeshift beds. Teachers patrolled. House-elves delivered hot chocolate.

Goose eventually fell asleep halfway through reading his book and had to be carefully lifted into a blanket by Sloane.

For a few hours, everyone almost forgot there were murderous gargoyles somewhere in the castle.

Almost.

The only real disruption came much later in the evening.

Astoria Greengrass.

After receiving what could only be described as a spectacular dressing down from Professor McGonagall, she finally emerged from the Headmistress's temporary office looking thoroughly annoyed.

Unfortunately, she was also feeling rather smug.

Astoria had spent the last hour convincing herself that despite the setback, she had achieved something.

Yes, the potion had failed. Yes, Draco had shouted at her. Yes, she might be facing disciplinary action.

But she'd still managed to kiss him. More importantly, she'd done it in front of Sloane. Surely that had caused damage. Surely that had planted doubts. Surely Sloane and Draco were arguing right now.

Astoria couldn't imagine any girl forgiving that.

So she walked through the Great Hall with her chin held high.

Ignoring the dirty looks. Ignoring the whispers. Ignoring Theo's particularly threatening glare.

She made a point of walking past the corner occupied by Draco and Sloane. Just to enjoy the fallout. Just to see the damage.

Instead she stopped dead.

Because Draco was kissing Sloane. Not a quick kiss. Not an awkward kiss. Not a kiss from somebody trying to apologise. A kiss from somebody completely, utterly and hopelessly in love.

Astoria stared.

Draco smiled against Sloane's forehead afterwards. Then said something. She couldn't hear it. But she could read enough lips to understand.

I love you.

Astoria's stomach dropped.

No.

No, no, no.

That wasn't how this was supposed to go. She had been certain. Certain. Her stunt should have caused a fight.

Tears.

Drama.

A breakup.

Not this.

He loved her?

That plain little nobody?

Astoria's jaw tightened.

He wasn't supposed to love her. He was supposed to be hers. Her parents had promised they would speak to Narcissa. They'd discussed courtships. Future arrangements. Expectations.

Astoria always got what she wanted.

Always.

Yet somehow Sloane Sage had taken the one thing she wanted most.

Let's just say Astoria returned to her still-unassembled cot bed feeling very sorry for herself indeed.

The following morning arrived far too quickly.