Astoria's P.O.V

Poor Hermione this was the thought that raced through my head as I sat on the couch and watched Draco and Blaise bicker back and forth about quidditch maneuvers, they were not very concerned about the baskalisk . Then again why should they be, they were both pureblood's. I have to keep my guard up though because I have no such spotless lineage. I was adopted by a pureblood family even though everyone believes I was born into it. My thoughts were interrupted when my sister came bounding into the room and said, "Storia, you need to come with me we have to talk now."

She grabbed my hand and dragged me off to my private room and literally threw me on the bed. She waved her wand and placed a silencing charm on the room, she the walked over and sat next to me and said, "How are you holding up?" My tone was shaken as I said, "I'm scared Daph, it probably knows the truth about me." She pulled me into a tight hug and said, "We can get a guard assigned to you for protection" My tone was a bit stronger as I said, "Thanks sis but I already have the best body guards in the world, they are sitting outside about to kill each other over quidditch but there is no one I trust more. Besides if you get me a body guard people will start to get suspicious of my lineage. I'm not leaving Slytherin until I change things."

She looked at me with a gentle gaze and said, "Storia you probably should have picked Gryffindor your too brave for this house" A giggle escaped me as I said, "Well I think I'm going to wish the two glorious silver quidditch players good night. Have a wonderful rest of the night sis." She stood up fixed her ebony hair and walked out of the room like she owned the place, stuck up occasionally that one is. My steps carried me back out to the common room where the argument had shifted from quidditch to why unicorns don't like men. Those two scare me sometimes, I cleared my throat and said, "I'm turning in for the night guys do you need anything?" Draco eyed me curiously and said, "What did your sister want other than to gossip about me, that woman always spins such horrible tales about me. The way she tells it makes you think I'm a bloody mass murder or something or that I run around snogging every female that walks these hollowed halls. You should have heard the rumor she started about Professor Snape and I she insinuated that we shagged in the broom closets." That was one of the most disturbing things I had ever heard it looks like I am going to have to have a talk with my sister. I finally managed to gather myself and say, "She just wanted to tell me about this new guy she liked. Well if you don't need anything goodnight guys see you tomorrow morning."

There was a chorus of goodnights and sleep well. Before I closed the door to my room the sound of Blaise's accented voice caught my attention and he said, "Wait so you and Professor Snape in the broom closet was just a rumor?" Then a familiar drawl sounded out and said, "Of course you bloody idiot now shut up before I hex you!" This brought a smile to my face as I contemplated on my very dysfunctional family. After turning in for the night dark images began to assail my mind and glowing eyes haunted my dream scape and right as the beast was about to bite my head off I awoke in a cold sweat with my heart pounding against my chest. It felt so real and then my ears caught the sound of faint hissing and scratching and something wet began to drip on my head, I dared not look upward because there was a vent right above my head and that thing was most likely right above me. My instincts kicked in at the right moment for something came crashing through the vent and hit my bed breaking it.

There was no thinking involved it was all instinctual as I raced out of the door and slammed it behind me. Then I ran smack dab into Draco's door and fortunately he came and opened it I dashed past him and dove under the covers of his bed and started to shake uncontrollably and tears began to roll down my cheeks. He dashed over and pulled me close and said, "Astoria what's wrong, you have to breath. Look at me and take a breath, just think of me and breath." I finally managed to calm down and then I wrapped my arms around him and said, "It was terrible Draco the baskalisk broke through the vent in my room I almost didn't get away."

He wrapped his arms around me and started stroking my hair and said, "It's alright just let me call Blaise so he can go get Professor Snape. I connected our wands with a charm while you were explaining about the baskalisk all I have to do is concentrate on Blaise and his wand will alert him if either of us need him." Sure enough Draco's wand began to resonate a faint glow and shortly after Blaise came running in the room clad in a pair of pink bunny pajamas and matching house slippers and said in a menacing tone, "Alright who or what needs to die" Draco's voice was calm as he said, "Blaise go fetch Professor Snape and tell him the monster from the Chamber of Secrets just attacked Astoria in her room." It took Blaise a minute to process this since he looked like he was still half asleep but as soon as it clicked he was off like a rocket that ate too much sugar.

Draco continued to stroke my hair and whisper sweet nothing's in my ear it made me feel so much better and his bare skin that looked like it would be cold to the touch was actually unnaturally warm. Wait bare skin then it clicked Draco didn't have a shirt on, Merlin's bloody blooming boxers. Despite this revelation I felt no need to push away instead I snuggled closer into his bare chest and listened to the reassuring beat of his heart. Then Professor Snape came bursting in the room followed by Professor Mcgonagall and said in his usual cold tone, "Are you alright Ms.Greengrass?" I nodded and said, "It's in my room Professor" He nodded and said, "Minerva you stay with the children I'm going to have a look" She nodded and sat down beside us and began trying to comfort me and Blaise sat down as well and took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Professor Snape swept back into the room and Professor Mcgonagall said, "Well Severus what do you think" He looked at the two of us and said, "I think Ms.Greengrass is lucky to be alive, her room is completely destroyed, whatever it was crushed her bed. I think she should stay with Mr.Malfoy for the time being while we get her room back in livable condition, if Mr. Malfoy has no objections that is" Draco shook his head and said, "No she can stay with me." The Professors then swept out most likely to inform Professor Dumbledore. Blaise pulled me into a tight hug and kissed my head gently and said, "If you need anything princess just focus your energy on the charm Draco placed on your wand and I will come running to your rescue like the knight in shining armor I am."

Draco pulled me out of Blaise's arms and back into his own and said, "More like the knight in shining bunny slippers and pink pajamas, good night Blaise." Blaise puffed up but said no biting remark instead he simply said, "Good night Draco, good night Astoria don't let the baskalisk bite" He then closed the door behind him and Draco and I were left in silence. It was quiet for a few moments but then Draco broke the silence and said,"So how do you want to do this, I can sleep on the floor if you want" He was being selfless my influence was working wonders. My tone was desperate as I said, "Maybe we can sleep together tonight, that thing really threw me for a loop" He laid down and then pulled me down so that I was facing away from him. He then wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him and said, "Are you alright with this?"

A dark blush crept up my cheeks and I said, "Yes thank you for letting me stay." He simply hugged me a little tighter and said, "You have been a true friend and that's all I could ask for so anytime you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." This made a smile grow on my face as I traced patterns on his arm muscles when he started the year he had been a scrawny little thing but now he was starting to build muscle because of quidditch. My voice was soft as I said, "Good night Draco" My eyes closed and I fell into a peaceful slumber free of any serpentine monsters.

The magical alarm clock began going off and pulled me from my slumber but I knew we had to be up early today was Slytherin's rematch with Gryffindor. It was going to be a wild game, my bed buddy began to stir beside me and mumbled, "Astoria we have to figure out how your going to get dressed" I simply sat up and grabbed my wand. I gave it a wave and one of Draco's school uniforms transformed into the female version of the uniform.

He clapped and went to take a shower after he was done we both got dressed and walked down to breakfast together, we finished eating and went to the pitch. Draco chuckled and said, "Aren't you going to kiss my broom for good luck?" I shook my head and then placed a kiss on his cheek and said,"Thats for good luck, since last time I kissed your broom and you had a crash. Maybe by kissing you on the cheek you will have better luck well I'm going to get a seat,good luck. With that he walked into the locker room. It was going to be a fantastic match.