Moving Forward (Drastoria Fanfic)

Chapter Four

Astoria's POV: the day after the Battle of Hogwarts/Malfoys return home

I wake with a groan on my lips as I feel the soreness all over my body and open my eyes shocked to see that I actually did not dream being brought here late last night. I very slowly sit up biting my lip to hold back a cry as my ribs ache at the motion and look around the slightly dark room. I spot my wand on the bedside table nearest to me and reach for it to point it at the fireplace igniting the dying embers glad for the warmth in the cool room. I then point it to the drapes watching them open to let in the light of the grey morning and I squint to see the clock on the mantle that reads that it is just after seven. I quickly do the math in my head to figure out that I have slept for nearly a day and a half but deep down I know that my body needed the rest because of everything I have been through.

"Draco?" I call out my voice hoarse from lack of use and turn my head to the bathroom door that is cracked open assuming he's in there. After a moment without any response, I toss the grey blankets back slowly lowering my feet to cold dark wood floor and stand up to walk around the four poster bed at a snail's pace. I push open the bathroom door to see that it is empty and frown as I turn to leave stopping when I catch my reflection in the mirror. Most of the skin on my face is covered in a greenish yellow of healing bruises and the cut in the corner of my mouth has dried blood on it. I sigh and find a washcloth in the cupboards to run it under the hot water tap holding to my lips as I walk out of the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a piece of parchment under the edge of the silver picture frame that holds a picture of me and recognize Draco's writing on the paper.

We've been summoned to Hogwarts where Potter has been spotted. I fear that this is the end. Stay in the manor, rest, recuperate.

I love you.

                                Stay safe.

                                    Draco

A cry of despair chokes me and I feel my heart hammering in my chest as I reread his words to me that could be the last I hear from my boyfriend of the last three and a half years. I stumble to catch myself on the post at the end of the bed as my head spins and tears make my vision swim my heart shattering as I think about losing Draco. I feel under the neck of my shirt to clasp the heart pendant with the promise ring in my hand and a sob rips through me sinking to the floor. I curl up against the corner of the bed envisioning the school I think of as my home as a battlefield and shudder at the thought. I bury my face in my hands and ignore the pain throughout my body from all the abuse that I have suffered from by the command of the Dark Lord by the hands his deranged followers, Amycus and Alecto Carrow.

I wipe at my tears with the end of the dark green sleeves that I recognize as Draco's, which makes me sob even more and look down to the black pajama pants I have on with a sigh. I slowly raise my hand to grip the bedpost above my head and use it to get up groaning as my body aches at the movement. I take a deep breath wincing as the muscles in my torso protest and grab my wand to leave the room. I know the longer I stay in this bedroom, where I have so many fond memories with Draco, will be darkened by my worrying thoughts and heartache over my boyfriend possibly not returning to me. I start down the hallway in the direction of the main staircase that will lead downstairs and remember the last time I stayed here during Christmas two years ago.

"You little bitch!" My father hissed at me bending down to slap me again and I could feel the pain just under the cut along my cheekbone.

"Father, stop!" Daphne shouted and quickly moved to kneel behind me helping me back away from our drunken father. "She didn't mean it disrespectful!"