Draco was fucking fuming.

That bloody Potter had been eavesdropping yet again.

It so happened he had Potions first thing, and Draco didn't know how he was going to stop himself from drowning Potter's head in a cauldron full of Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent.

Draco spent the whole lesson glaring at Potter as he somehow came top of the class yet a-fucking-gain.

"Oh dear," Slughorn said, peering into Draco's cauldron, "isn't this supposed to be a clear purple? It looks more like cat sick."

Draco felt his jaw twitch as he heard a loud guffaw coming from Potter's direction. Oh how Draco wanted to throw his failed potion over that book which Potter clutched so smugly to his side. Preferably with Potter still holding it.

Draco stormed out the second the bell went, throwing Potter the filthiest look he could muster.

Instead of continuing on to his next class, Draco went straight to the dungeons, needing to speak to Snape at once.

"Sir," Draco called, having caught Snape, just as he was about to disappear into his classroom.

Snape paused at the door, his beady black eyes glittering curiously into Draco's.

"Be quick, Draco, I have a class to teach." Snape snapped briskly.

"It's about Astrid." Draco explained, and saw that Snape's eyes immediately softened, before he brusquely opened the classroom door and stuck his head through it.

"Get out your books and turn to page three hundred and ninety four. I expect each and every one of you to have written two rolls of parchment explaining the differences between an Animagus and a Werewolf by the time I get back!"

He slammed the door shut behind him, cutting off the sounds of protests from within. "To my office," he ordered Draco, "now!"

"Potter knows, sir," Draco said, once they'd stepped inside Snape's gloomy little office. "He overheard you telling me who Astrid was from underneath that damned cloak! And he's already been threatening to tell everyone."

Snape looked at Draco silently. He showed no flicker of emotion, and Draco couldn't tell if this news upset him or not.

"It's just his word, though," Snape said slowly, tapping a long white finger on his lips, "he has no proof."

"Please, sir, let us just explain to Astrid-"

"No!" Snape barked, making Draco jump slightly, "it is imperative that she doesn't find out!"

"I can't keep lying to her! And Potter knows - she's already asked about the things he has been saying, and I've had to deny everything!"

"Listen, boy!" Snape snarled dangerously, banging a fist on his desk, "there is more at stake here than just the cost of a silly little teenage romance!"

Draco flinched, he didn't like Snape belittling what he had with Astrid like that. "If you will, sir," Draco breathed steadily, "but she is more to me than anything else in the world. And I cannot bring myself to keep lying to her!"

Snape surveyed him for a moment, his black eyes seeming to penetrate his mind. Draco knew immediately what he was doing.

"You love her." Snape simply stated.

"As I said - more than anything."

"Then you must not tell her. She must never know that she has family connections within the wizarding world. The truth could destroy her. She must think she's been born into an ordinary Muggle family."

"What are you talking about? She was. She had a Muggle mother and a Muggle father. Why would it destroy her finding out that you're her uncle? Surely this is a good thing? It means she doesn't have to return to that evil shit of a father!"

"Don't be an idiot, Draco! What would the Dark Lord think if I took in my Muggle niece?"

"Lie! Say she's half-blood - like you!"

Draco noticed something flash in Snape's eyes. "It's- it's more complicated than that. Draco, she needs to go back into the Muggle world. It's too dangerous for her here. I'm currently making enquiries to find a new home for her, one with parents who will treat her well."

Draco's heart stilled. "What? I thought you were helping us!"

"I am helping you!" Snape sneered, "If you love her then you'll want her to be safe. You and I both know that soon enough - thanks to your efforts - this will be no place for a Muggle!"

Draco threw his hands to his head, wanting to scream in frustration. He knew Snape was right. But he couldn't bear to part from Astrid - to let her go. He just couldn't.

"And, Draco," Snape continued, "I'll know if you've told her. Aunt Bellatrix may have taught you Occlumency, but I'm still able to read the girl. And the second you do that, I will have her immediately removed from the castle before she can start asking questions, and I will make sure you never see her again. In the meantime, I suggest you continue to keep her safe until I find her a decent home back in the Muggle community."

Draco felt sick as he walked the various hallways back up to the seventh floor. He was desperate to see her, to hold her in his arms. The thought of her being taken away from him was terrifying.

"Draco!" Astrid cried, running to him and throwing her arms around his neck. "I didn't expect you back yet, lunch isn't for another hour."

"I skipped Charms," he murmured, pulling her body tightly up against him, inhaling the scent of her dark, silky hair. "I missed you."

"It hasn't even been two hours, we used to go whole terms without seeing one another," she laughed, her bright blue eyes twinkling up at him.

Draco's heart squeezed at the thought of her not being here, of how long it could be until when or even if they would be together again once Snape had found her a new home.

"Draco, is everything okay?" She asked him, fear lacing her voice.

He nodded, hating himself. The worst thing was, he couldn't tell her. He couldn't tell her a damned thing, or he might risk losing her altogether.

"Lay with me," he whispered hoarsely, suddenly needing desperately to be as close to her as possible, "I need you, Astrid. I need you right now, so much. Lay with me and be with me."

She looked up at him, her eyes widening in surprise. It was clear she understood his meaning.

"Of course, Draco," she breathed, and he observed with relief as the surprise in her eyes faded, and desire took over, "I want nothing more."