As It Was *Complete*

82. The Two Laurie's

Do you ever just get annoyed at someone and yet you cannot pin point the reason for being so upset or unhappy? Well that was Draco and Astra. They were polite to each other, smiling and cuddling, but both were lost in their own thoughts.

After that, Astra had to literally kick Maddi and Blaise out. They wanted to cancel their honeymoon and stay with Astra believing that she needed support. But she didn't. She found that space to clear her head was just the thing she needed.

Draco was being very quiet. He spent most days playing cards or reading. On the Wednesday before the ball, Astra had decided to head to London to get herself a dress for the ball. Draco seemed happy at the idea of her going shopping and even offered to pay for her gown. An offer she kindly refused. She had a voucher from Pansy anyway as her Christmas present so she didn't need anything.

"Who is going with you, shopping?" her father asked over the breakfast table.

Astra frowned. "Oh, em...no one? Narcissa and Andromeda are at the Manor getting ball stuff done. Maddi and Blaise are on Honeymoon and everyone else is at The Burrow."

"And Draco?" He asked looking between the couple.

"Draco doesn't have to come shopping. I am sure he would be very bored," she laughed.

"Draco is meeting a friend in Surrey for a drink," Draco said not actually looking up from where he sat on the sofa reading.

This was news to Astra but she didn't want to say anything. "I am fine on my own. I don't plan to take too long and then I will be home to make dinner."

"Why don't I take you?" Severus offered although Astra could tell he really didn't want to go.

"You are sweet," she smiled. "but I will be quick." She picked up her bag. "I promise I will be absolutely fine on my own and if I need assistance I will orb you." She kissed Severus as he headed off to his room and then turned to Draco. "So you won't be here when I get back?"

He set his book down and looked at her sheepishly. "Em...no I won't. I will be heading in about 15 minutes." He looked a little worried about how she would respond.

"No problem. Well I am heading now so have a good time love," she reached up and kissed him. A kiss which he deepened by pulling her into him. Not that she minded at all. "I love you. Have fun with your friend."

"Does it bother you that I am going?" he asked not able to read her face.

"Not at all. Draco you are allowed to hang out with your friends. And if you get too drunk and need me to collect you, just let me know. I don't need you getting splinched."

"Na, it won't be messy. Just a quick one to catch up," he shrugged. "I'm not even in the mood to go but I promised I would. I haven't seen him since the 4th year. He was a Drumstruang student I got friendly with, Nikolai Petrov. I would ask you to come but he is a bit -"

"Draco, babe, you don't have to explain. I like that you have friends and you don't need to share them all with me. Blaise and Theo are more than enough," she giggled as he smirked.

"Two idiots. Sometimes I feel bad that you have been subjected to their idiocy."

"I love them both like brothers. You go and enjoy yourself. Will you be back in time for dinner? Or should I maybe not wait up for you?"

He couldn't believe she wasn't pressing him for details or wanting to come with him. Usually with girls he was...well entertaining the idea of...they would harass him about where he was going and who would be there and needing to be in his eyesight all day every day. But Astra wasn't like those other girls. She was....different. Special but different.