As It Was *Complete*

24. Truth Hurts

Turns out Sophie had a lot to say, and Draco also got a slap across the face the next morning when he ended things with her. Not that it had anything to do with Astra.... Sophie was just dead annoying!

Nevertheless, Astra kept her head down and did not speak of their 'date' to anyone, no matter how hard Pansy begged. Not that Astra knew what to say. They had shared a pleasant evening together, but that did not make up for all the name-calling and sarcastic comments that Draco made to her.

Astra ate quickly and practically ran out of the hall to avoid anyone trying to guess that she had anything to do with the breakup, which was still going on at the Slytherin table. Astra was trying to be respectful and not listen but when Sophie began talking about bedroom antics, and Astra was blushing furiously, she decided to make a quick getaway.

And lucky for Astra, Snape was waiting for her in the entrance hall. "Good morning," he said nodding, before looking over her shoulder at the commotion. "Am I to assume that you had something to do with that?"

"Merlin, I hope not!" Astra said shocked. "I would hate to be the cause of heartbreak or a break-up."

"You stay here," he said rolling his eyes. "I better go and defuse the situation." He stormed off his robes billowing behind him as he went and got Astra wondering if she could convince him to wear something other than black for a change...although she very much doubted it.

There were a few more shouts before Sophie came running out of the room, her hands clenched and her face a very deep shade of red. She caught Astra's eye who gave her a half smile, almost feeling guilty even though she did nothing wrong.

"You!" Sophie bellowed. "Did he dump me because he is matched to you?"

"Sorry what?" Astra asked.

"Draco, he just dumped me and -"

"Oh I am so sorry! I had no idea. I thought you two were a nice couple." Astra said smiling.

Sophie faltered. If this girl stole Draco then why would be saying how nice he and Sophie were together? "We were! And then this morning he says he changed his mind."

"I am sorry Sophie, how horrible. Maybe you two could talk and work it out?" Astra offered. She didn't want to be responsible for this. If Sophie liked him this much then maybe they do belong together.

"He made it pretty clear I am not worth it," she sniffed. "A word of warning, if he does try anything with you, you should know that when you left the table yesterday he spent a good two hours or more laughing at your expense."

"He what?" Astra gasped although she wasn't exactly surprised.

"He said you were a homeless good for nothing wench who should just do everyone a favour and leave school before the matching thing could really begin. He said you were pathetic and crazy if you thought that you and he could ever work. That he doesn't date, broken, orphan, penniless losers."

"Sounds like him," Astra huffed.

"I laughed with him because I didn't know you, but even you deserve better than that. His friends all laughed with him. That one girl Maddi got annoyed but didn't say anything other than changing the subject. But Draco would keep on and on about how you -"

"SOPHIE!" Draco snapped standing in the doorway of the Great Hall fuming looking between the girls. "Haven't you caused enough drama for one day?"

"Someone should tell the girl what she is getting into," she said, not with malice towards Astra. In fact she smiled as Astra. "No girl deserves to be treated how you treated her yesterday. I actually think she handled herself well. Better than I would have." She turned to Astra again. "Just be careful." She said and then walked off with her friends following her down towards the dungeons.