Draco, now changed out of his robes, looked a little helpless as he watched the girl sitting in the chair with her head bowed, swinging her little feet.
The reason for his helplessness was simple—this scene felt familiar. If he remembered correctly, Pansy had once sat across from him in almost the exact same way, and the ones responsible for arranging it had been the very same adults who were now chatting happily downstairs.
The difference was that back then, Pansy—spoiled by everyone around her—had been far more arrogant and domineering. At their first meeting, she had bristled at Draco's cool indifference, lashing out like a little tigress.
It wasn't until later that she came to truly understand the real Draco...
Astoria, however, was different.
Though still young, the grace of a pure-blood upbringing was already evident in her—quiet, dignified, and elegant. At the same time, she hadn't lost the curiosity of a girl her age. The way she snuck glances at Draco added a playful charm to her poise.
As the host of this room, and understanding his parents' intentions, Draco knew it wouldn't do to remain silent. Even though the girl before him showed no sign of discomfort or impatience, he straightened, placing his hand over his chest.
"Draco Malfoy. Welcome, Astoria Greengrass."
He gave his family name and performed a flawless aristocratic bow. Though it carried a touch of distance, this was the etiquette expected of wizarding nobility.
Astoria, in turn, lifted her skirt slightly with her small hand.
"Astoria Greengrass. It's our first time meeting, but I've already heard so much about you from my sister."
"Sister?"
"Daphne Greengrass. She's also a second-year Slytherin."
"Is that so..."
Draco studied the girl's long lashes and pure, innocent look, momentarily distracted and puzzled.
He had no recollection whatsoever of this Daphne Greengrass, despite being in the same year as him.
In truth, if Daphne had shared her little sister's charming dimples, Draco thought he might have remembered her.
As he looked at Astoria's smiling face, dimples showing, the thought crossed his mind again...
...
He didn't know exactly what Daphne had said about him, but judging from the sparkle in Astoria's eyes, it certainly hadn't been anything bad.
And her next words confirmed it.
"The youngest captain in Hogwarts history, the so-called Prince of Slytherin, the hero who defeated the Basilisk—my sister goes on and on about you like she's gone mad."
"..."
Compared to her earlier demure demeanor, Astoria's slight pout and complaint made her seem far more real—and much more fitting for her age.
Her eyes, brimming with curiosity, clearly wanted to know more of the story.
But after finishing introductions, Draco behaved as though nothing had happened, calmly picking up a book and reading, as if he hadn't heard a word of her praise.
Astoria, her golden hair gleaming, didn't get angry at being ignored. Instead, her curiosity only grew. Her gaze lingered on Draco, trying to figure out whether he was teasing her or deliberately dismissing her.
After all, the very fact that she was here at Malfoy Manor, sitting alone with him, already said a great deal. There was no way he didn't understand that.
Naïve as she still was, Astoria had been reminded by her father before coming, and teased with envy by her sister, so she more or less understood why she had been brought here.
It was, after all, one of the ways pure-blood families drew closer ties—and, if necessary, prepared for something more.
For pure-blood aristocracy, maintaining lineage meant intermarriage between their finest heirs...
Although this meeting didn't mean anything definite, Astoria hadn't expected to be so thoroughly ignored. Blinking her bright eyes in surprise, she thought:
What a strange and mysterious boy.
That was her very first impression of Draco.
...
Confirming that Draco really wasn't going to speak, Astoria turned her curiosity on the room itself. It was supposed to be a bedroom, yet it looked more like a library.
"So many books... and they don't look like they're just for show."
She stole another glance at Draco, who was focused on his reading, and realized he wasn't simply daydreaming. It felt unbelievable, yet at the same time entirely natural.
If it weren't so, he wouldn't have become the constant subject of her sister's admiration. And she certainly wouldn't have been sent here under her father's watchful eye.
Thinking of this, Astoria peeked at him again.
Seriousness had always been a quality that drew others in—especially when paired with Draco's naturally handsome face.
The way he flipped a page, his pale-gold hair catching the light, that quiet focus mixed with an air of mystery... anyone with eyes to appreciate beauty would have been captivated by the scene.
Just then, a sound from the corner startled Astoria out of her daze.
Crack!
The sharp noise of apparition.
"Dobby, did you find it?"
"Yes, sir, Dobby found the book you asked for. Dobby will never let his friend down."
Dobby appeared, carrying a massive book, thick as a brick.
Astoria's eyes widened. She hadn't expected to hear the word friend from the mouth of a House-elf, nor did Draco look the least bit inclined to scold him for it.
Knowing how most wizards treated House-elves, this made her glance at Draco with fresh curiosity.
Because of that, she failed to notice the book Dobby was holding.
It bore no title and looked ordinary enough, but on closer inspection, the aura of dark magic clinging to it was unmistakable.