Draco Malfoy Book two Imprisoned Feelings#Wattys2016

Chapter ten A Malfoy Christmas and Gifts

Draco's P.O.V

We made it back to the castle and I was seething on the inside Potter had interrupted me just as I was about to win this little cat and mouse game with Astoria's feelings. He wanted to talk about his problems which would have been fine under any other circumstances but that was most certainly not the time. Astoria had regained the advantage in our little game and it was back to square one. I was relaxing in my room when a knock sounded at my door, after opening the door my eyes meet with Astoria who had a sheepish look. She then crossed her arms and said, "May I come in?" Its times like these I'm really glad I have a clean room. My tone was soft as I said, "Sure no problem, is something wrong?" She sighed and said, "My parents want me to spend time with them over the break so I can only stay with you a day and a half. I'm sorry about this." My tone was full of mock heartbreak as I said, "You have wounded me deeply by turning my invitation to spend the holiday with me " She huffed and said in an annoyed tone, "This is hard enough as it is, I don't need you to joke around right now.I hope your mom won't be too upset." I smiled and said, "You have family matters to attend to, she can understand that. Are you all packed and ready to go?" She smiled and said, "Ready for departure quidditch captain."

That was now one of her favorite jokes, since Flint quit the rest of the team thought I would be the best team captain. To be honest though the promotion was probably due to the fact that I was the only who had an IQ above twenty. I pulled my trunk off the bed and said, "Well lets get moving my mom is pretty excitable she's like a fire cracker and she will be wondering what's taking so long. Dumbledore has given us use of his flue network, so that cuts out the hassle of travel." She smiled and said, "What's wrong afraid of the hard work that comes with travel?" I smirked and said, "I know you didn't just accuse me of being lazy." She gained a smirk that mirrored mine and said, "I would never do something that shallow" Oh how I longed to kiss that infuriating smirk off her face, that look that said, "I'm the queen of the world." Which is true she is the queen of my world and she uses that power against me sometimes.We walked to the headmasters office and left via the flue network and we were transported to Malfoy Manor. The sound of heels clicking against the hardwood floor caught my attention and then the bone crushing hug came and a warm voice said, "Draco I'm so glad your home and you brought Astoria with you" She turned her blue eyes to Astoria and said, "You look beautiful as always my dear." She the wrapped her in a bone crushing hug as well and I think I just heard a rib crack. Then heavier footsteps caught my ear and I knew that this welcome would be anything but warm.

My father stopped in front of us and said, "Draco I would say I was glad to see you but your marks as compared to that mud-blood Grangers marks are lacking so try and work harder. " Right after insulting me he turned to Astoria and took her hand he then gently laid a kiss upon it and said, "I don't believe we have had the pleasure of meeting, I'm Lucius Malfoy" A shiver went up Astoria's spine and I could tell she wanted to pull her hand away, but she said, "It's a pleasure to meet you my name is Astoria Greengrass, your son is quit brilliant by the way." He simply scoffed and walked her into the living room to begin the questioning.
My mothers neatly manicured hand landed on my shoulder and she said, "Draco could you help me in the kitchen, I set all of the house elves free and the hired help won't be here until tomorrow. My mother only asked me to help when she had something important to tell me. It was usually something she didn't want my father to hear. We walked to the gigantic kitchen and set to work on the dinner roast and she said, "Draco I know she's muggle born and I just want you to know that I accept her." A snot escaped me as I said, "Do you think my father will be as lenient, I know he won't, so mum what made you like muggle borns."

A sigh escaped her as she said, " I never did hate muggle borns in fact there was a very handsome boy named Constantine Corelli, he loved me very deeply and as much as it shamed my family to say so I had feelings for him as well. But as you know the pure bloods always get their way. I was forced into an arranged marriage with your father and that was the end of any further romantic notions I had. The one good thing that came out of the mess was you though and I'm glad Astoria has been able to change your perspective. You must really care about her Draco" A smile appeared on my face as I said, "You have no idea mum, she is everything to me. Their is one little problem however, she doesn't know that I know she's muggle born." My mum quirked her perfect eyebrow and said, "Why not?" A sigh escaped me as I continued to chop vegetables and said, "I want her to tell me on her own, that will signal that she trust's me completely. I want her to feel safe and I want her to know I'm not leaving simply because of her blood status" Mum smiled and said, "I'm proud of you son thank you for giving her a chance."

We returned back to the living room and my father stood and said, "Narcissa this girl is truely amazing, she is intelligent,skilled, beautiful the list goes on quit frankley. I have owled her parents with a request of betrothal, in short son your going to be getting a fiance to replace miss Parkinson." I saw the horrified look on Astoria's face and who could blame her? Arranged marriage is an awful thing it romoves your ability to choose your significant other. The only thing it brings is misery and heartache. A letter materialized in my fathers hand and the smirk on his face said everything.

He began to speak in a grandiose way and said, "Miss.Greengrass's parents have approved of the union the date has been set for the day after her graduation. Isn't it exciting!" Astoria stood and said with mock excitement, "That is amazing, I think I'm going to take a walk before dinner please excuse me." My father left us and mum said,"Draco dear go after her and make sure she can find her way back for dinner and I will talk to her family about the arranged marriage and try and have it anulled. I nodded my head and set off after Astoria.

I followed her out into the flowet garden,mum always made sure the garden was full of beautiful flowers. Astroria had walked to a Gazebo covered in moonlight bells, they are a rare flower that glows under the light of the night sky and remain closed during daylight hours. The silver light danced across her face and made her look like a varitable nymph and the serene look on her face made my heart jump. She pulled me out of my daze by saying, "Well are you going to stand there all night or do you have something to say." I took a seat by her and said in a soft and honest way, "Astoria I'm not going to force you into anything you mean to much to me. I will get the arranged marriage cancelled." She smiled and put her hand on my face and said, "Thank you Draco that means a lot to me" I smiled and said, "Oh, I almost forgot your present" I pulled a silver box wrapped with black ribbon from underneath my cloak and handed it to her. She wasted no time opening this one.

She light up like a light and said, "Draco this is beautiful, the little dragon charm on it is adorable. Are those real emeralds in its eye sockets?" I nodded and said, "There is also an inscription inside" She looked inside and read out loud, "This property of Astoria Greengrass, the dragon tamer and friend to the gold and silver trio." She hugged me and said," This is the best gift I have ever gotten thank you so much."

We walked back inside and arrived at the dinning table then all of a sudden the fireplace flared up and out popped a medical witch. She scanned the room and said is Ms. Greengrass here its an emergency her sister is gravely ill with dragon pox." Astoria put her hand over her mouth and said, "Oh, my god take me to her. I'm sorry about this Mr and Mrs Malfoy I'm sorry Draco. I really have to go. My parents were both very understanding and I said, "If you need anything at all owl me." She gave me a quick kiss in the cheek and ran toward the fire place with the witch from St.Mungos and flued away to the hospital and once again I was left on my own for Christmas. It wasn't a very happy year at all so far but maybe when we got back to school things would look up. Then again knowing our luck it would be apocalypse now yep that sounds like the more likely scenario. The only thing I can do know is just hope everything will be alright.