Choices

Chapter 12

Draco's POV

I'm home after another long day at work, sitting on the couch with Most Potent Potions on my lap and a fire blazing in the hearth. If you're wondering why I'm reading a dark arts book, it's because I need to research lasting effects of dark potions when used on top of a spell. Very trying work, I dare say. But it must get done for the health of my patients.

Daphne Greengrass is to arrive soon, I'm letting her stay here while Astoria is in her condition. I really don't want to be here, not really. Harry has a Wizignamot Party right now, and is probably making a beautiful speech written by Granger. I want to be there.

I'm disrupted out of my wistful state when I hear a crack and a knock at my door. I walk over and open it. As soon as I do, Daphne dramatically falls on top of me, almost making me lose my balance.

"Oh, Draco, how can you deal with such a tragedy as this?" She cries into my shoulder.

I peel her off of me and sit her on the couch. "I am a doctor, you know. I have seen worse things."

She takes out a kerchief and dabs at her teary eyes. "I am dreadfully sorry, I'm having trouble controlling myself at the moment." She closes her eyes and breathes. The way she's acting, you would think Astoria died. She opens her eyes again. "Thank you for the kind gesture of letting me stay here while I deal with..." she takes a deep breath and let's out a strangled cry. "My apologies. I can't even say her name."

"Would you excuse me for a moment?" She nods and I walk outside. I apparate to the field behind my house and laugh. Not a little chortle, but a rolling-on-the-ground doubled over kind of laugh. That woman is so dramatic! A thought occurs. What if Harry had been the one who was in Astoria's condition? My laughter turns into hysterical sobs. I suppose I understand now how Daphne is feeling. C'mon Draco, be a little more sensitive, I chide myself. I'm such an insufferable git. As much as I tried to change and be a better person I'll never be rid of that horrible Malfoy attitude.

I lie feeling helpless, hopeless in the grass. Tears stream down my face as I realise that Harry could never love me, even if I really am changed. Harry....no. Potter. If I want to get through the test of my life I must remain unconnected, distant. Calling him Potter can do just that.

I feel....nothing, now. I stand and with a blank stare apparate back to my front stoop. I open the door and see Daphne asleep on the couch. I sigh. Every time she comes over, she acts like she owns the place, sleeping wherever, leaving her things around. Honestly, she has so much of her belongings here that maybe she does live here. I tiptoe quietly to my room, change into pjs, and fall asleep.
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I'm being shaken awake. "Draco, wake up." A lilting voice says, right by my ear. I roll over and see Daphne laying next to me. Out of suprise I jump, get tangled in covers and fall off the bed. She laughs lightly, gets off the bed and proceeds to help me get out of the tangle of sheets. "My my, you do seem to get yourself in these pickles often." I roll my eyes, my face red in embarrassment. "Pish posh Draco, you know you do." I glare at her and she laughs again. "Well, when you're done with your situation I have breakfast ready downstairs." She holds her hand up in a little wave, wiggling her fingers as she exits the room. I will never understand that woman. I get dressed and go down after her, smelling a wonderful breakfast. At the table sits Daphne, who wistfully looks out the window at the endless green woods. She turns to me when she hears me walk in and smiles. I look next to her. A plate full of food, just for me. I still don't understand this woman. I sit and eat until I'm full, then take a sip of the drink she had gotten for me. "Thank you Daphne, that was....." I trailed off as I noticed her eyes. A striking blue, like the sky reflected on ice. Her hair tumbles down her shoulders in dark brown curls, and it bounces slightly when she moves. I am entranced, watching her. So much like Astoria, but different. I reach out and touch her cheek. It's soft, warm and a rosy color. I bring my other hand to her other cheek and pull her face towards mine. My lips meet hers, soft and light. She smiles through the kiss, and I feel satisfaction that I made her happy. We break apart. I grow slightly disappointed, I had wanted to stay like that forever. Daphne, oh Daphne...

She waves her hand in front of my face and I blink. "Draco, I thought you liked Harry?" Who? Who's that? Something stirs within me, and it feels...wrong. But I quickly dismiss it and say, "Whoever that is, how can I when you're the only one I want?"

She smiles at me, a bit evilly. I smile back, because I love her.