DRAPPLE ~ THE ELITE

Chapter 6

Written by H

 The reality that Malfoy was down to the final two Elite set in. He was suddenly very anxious, he would have to make his decision very soon. Hermione or Astoria the Apple? He decided he had to visit Astoria. He was so sure about Hermione in the moment they had, but now his mind was back on Astoria. Maybe it was her aura that lured him in. Maybe it was her crisp green skin. Either way, he was desperate to see her. Draco wandered the halls, keeping a low profile. It was midnight, and Draco feared getting caught.As he was walking the halls, he heard stressed whispers coming from a corridor. He put his back to the wall and listened to the conversation. "Dobby, you know that I have Mrs. Norris, I'm taking her to the ball," Filch said. "But what about Dobby?" Dobby whimpered. "You can come eat sandwiches with me, Dobby. That should make you feel better," Filch grunted. "Okay, Dobby is very happy now," Dobby exclaimed. Malfoy shook his head. If he was honest with himself, Filch and Dobby were not true contenders. Hagrid had chosen all of the selected, Malfoy had no say in it. He needed to narrow it down to The Elite, and he didn't know what to do. Not a single Slytherin other than Snape was in The Selection (Hagrid's doing) and so Draco kept the most entertaining ones around. Draco didn't know until later that Hermione had personally requested of Hagrid to be added into The Selection. Hagrid didn't support the ship, but he supported Hermione. Malfoy had already chosen Hermione, from the very start. But now there was Astoria the Apple. Malfoy had a plan, and he was going to tell Astoria. On his way to the corridor where he last saw her, Malfoy caught a glance of young Longbottom and Looney Lovegood. They seemed to be deeply in conversation, and to Draco it seemed like they were also deeply in love. Malfoy rolled his eyes and made his way to the deserted corridor where he first met Astoria. To his dismay, she wasn't where he had last left her. Just as panic was setting in, he heard her voice. "Back for a visit, Draco?" The apple drawled. Malfoy spotted her, on a dusty windowsill. "Astoria! I have so much to tell you!" Malfoy plopped himself on the floor so that he and Astoria were at eye level. "Mm, go ahead and tell then." Astoria the Apple said, flirtation obvious in her tone. "I assume you've caught wind of The Selection?" Draco asked breathlessly. "Duh," Astoria replied. "Well, I asked for you to be added to the Selection. My request was accepted and now you're one of The Elite. Only you and Granger are left. And... before I make my choice, you know, as to who I take to the Yule Ball, I thought I should ask you if my feelings for you are mutual?" Malfoy said all of this in such a hurry, he hoped Astoria had heard everything. It seemed so, for her delighted gasp echoed in the abandoned corridor. "Oh Draco! Of course... I-" Astoria the Apple trailed off. "You have feelings for me," Malfoy asked. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, yes. I do. I have feelings for you." Astoria said. Draco could have kissed her, but seeing as she was an apple, he wasn't quite sure how to do that. So, he just sat there for awhile, beside Astoria the Apple. "Hold up, how did you know what my middle name was?" Malfoy asked, realizing he had never told her his middle name. "Oh Draco, when you're in love with someone, you make it your business to know everything about them." Malfoy was sure that if Astoria had the ability to smirk, that's what she would be doing right now. He just grinned. Astoria the Apple was in love with Draco Malfoy.