As It Was *Complete*

39. Are You A Vampire

"Mine?!" Astra gasped as the little ferret snuggled up to her neck, waggling his fluffy little tail.

"You are giving her a ferret?" Draco laughed.

"I need someun to look after him fer me. He is only a little thing and with the others n me job he isn't gettin the attention he needs. So when your dad told me ya liked ferrets, I asked McGonagall and she said you could have im." Hagrid looked very pleased with his decision when he saw how the little thing adored Astra. Draco too.

Astra thought she might cry.

"So what do ya say?" Hagrid asked.

"What am I going to name him?" Astra squeaked to Draco who laughed again.

"Whatever you want love," he answered. Her smile was infectious. It lit up the while room.

"So is tha a yes?"

"Oh Hagrid, thank you so much!" Astra leant up and kissed his cheek. "I have always wanted a little companion. I've just never been able to afford one until now. Tell me, what does he eat?"

"I find kitten food is the best thing to feed them as it contains all the proteins an vitamins they be needin. He will eat little an often an needs access to fresh clean water. They also like raw meat an bones. But not cooked bones coz they can splinter."

"OK," Astra nodded taking in all the information but already planning on checking the library for any books she could find. "Thanks Hagrid."

"My pleasure. I am glad he has someone to look after 'im. You can take the cage for 'im ter sleep in." He picked the small cage up and handed it to Draco to carry. "Best get 'im up ter the castle as it's gettin cold."

"Hagrid, we have loved this," Draco smiled. "Thanks for allowing us to spend our date here."

"Anytime," Hagrid said as they headed off again.

Astra wrapped her robe around the tiny ferret in her arms to keep him warm. He snuggled up against her, closing his eyes. "He looks a fluffy newborn baby," Draco chuckled opening the castle door for them to step inside.

"He is a baby," Astra reminded him. "I wonder how Hermione and Maddi will react to having a roommate?"

"You could always keep him in the apartment?" Draco suggested. "That way they can't say anything."

"That's not a bad idea. I want him to have more space, that cage is not big enough. At least if I have it in there, I can have as big a cage as I want." She smiled. "Thanks Draco."

"So have you thought any more about what we were talking about?" Draco asked as they headed up the stairs.

"About what?"

"Well we were talking about us...and keeping all this private." He said quietly watching her for reaction.

"I told you," she said not wanting to fight but wanting to be honest with him. "I don't really understand but I respect your wishes and I will do it for you." She smiled at him.

They entered the dorm, which was quite full but they headed past everyone, particularly quickly past the Golden Trio on the sofa. Harry went to stand up. Astra saw Ron out of the corner of her eye, not even lift his head from the paper as he pushed Harry back down.

She needed to remember to give Ron a kiss when she next spoke to him.

She rushed upstairs and into the dorm, which thankfully was empty. Draco disappeared into his room and came back a second later. With a little pouch in his hands. He hesitated in the doorway and she smirked. "Are you a vampire? Do I have to invite you in every time?"