It was with a heavy heart that Draco continued to work on the cabinet.

He knew that successfully fixing it would mean the end of Astrid's hideout. He had no idea what this would mean for her. Or for him.

He also knew that this is exactly why Snape was planning alternative arrangements for her. But he couldn't bear the thought of her leaving his side to go somewhere where he couldn't protect her.

He could only hope that the poisoned mead would work, but as January turned into February and Dumbledore was still very much alive, he was losing hope.

In the meantime, he made sure that he made the most of their time together. He stayed every night in the Room of Requirement with her, often making love, savouring every part of her beautiful body, every heavenly sound she made and every glorious feeling her touch conjured.

He never left her side when she left the confinement's of the Room, making sure to sit with her at meals. And he always kept a wary eye out for Snape, holding his breath every time they crossed paths, ready to stop him from taking her away.

"Did you hear?!"

Draco rolled his eyes as that silly Bones girl excitedly greeted them at dinner one Saturday night, on the first day of March.

"Hear what?" Astrid asked, taking a seat next to her, Draco immediately taking the seat beside her, sitting as close to Astrid as he possibly could, looking furtively around him for signs of Snape, or even Potter.

Draco watched in disgust as Bones shoved a sausage in her mouth in the most undignified way possible. Didn't her parents ever teach this girl table manners?! It was almost as revolting as watching Weasley eat.

"Ronald Weasley nearly died!"

Draco rolled his eyes again - it was hardly news. The bloody golden trio were always dramatically nearly getting killed and always came out fucking fine.

It was most irritating.

"How?" Astrid asked idly, leaning forwards across the table to help herself to some roast chicken.

"Apparently he drank something in Slughorn's office, and it was poisoned!" Susan squealed.

Draco dropped the spoon he was using to ladle a potato. It cluttered loudly back onto the platter, causing everyone around them to look up at him in surprise.

Astrid's eyes met his in mutual horror. She understood the significance of this as much as he did. Grabbing his hand shakily under the table, she turned back to Bones.

"Wh-what was the drink?"

Bones just shrugged, "something to toast his birthday I think. It's his seventeenth today."

Draco's heart sank. It had to be the mead. Fucking Weasley.

Just then, Snape entered the Great Hall, his hair and cloak billowing dramatically behind him, his black eyes immediately boring into Draco's as he came to sudden halt. Draco immediately closed his mind, not wanting Snape to read it.

His hand tightened in Astrid's as he saw Snape turn his focus on her. Draco felt a horrible twisting sensation in his stomach, despite knowing that Astrid knew nothing to give away.

"Are you okay?" Astrid murmured in his ear, her warm tickling breath causing shivers to erupt down his spine.

He kneaded her fingers in his, wishing already he could take her away and back into the safety of the Room.

"I'm fine," he murmured back, his eyes glancing warily back to Snape, who had now - much to Draco's relief - turned his attention to the staff table.

Draco found he could barely eat. He noticed Astrid just poking at her food too, barely seeming to listen as Bones kept rabbiting on about what a fucking hero bloody Potter was for saving Weasley's life.

"Come on," he drawled quietly into Astrid's ear, "let's go."

She didn't need convincing. As soon as they stepped out of the hall, into the Entrance Hall, she turned to him, her blue eyes looking fearfully up into his.

"We nearly killed someone else," she said, her voice quivering.

Draco cupped her face, resting his forehead upon hers. "It's okay, Astrid, nobody died."

Besides, he thought - but didn't say out loud - it was only a Weasley. As far as he was concerned there were too many of them in the world as it was.

"Feeling guilty about something are we?"

Draco hissed. Potter was striding towards them, a huge, angry scowl on his face. Draco instinctively pulled Astrid behind him, keeping a protective stance in front of her.

"I know it was you!" Potter spat, shoving his face right in Draco's.

"I don't know what the fuck you're on about once again, Potter, so just get out of my fucking face right now before I land you one." Draco snarled, his hand twitching, ready to grab his wand in an instant if needed.

"I wouldn't go throwing threats about if I were you, Malfoy," Potter spat, "it just makes you look like you've got something to hide..."

Draco's blood ran cold as he watched Potter's eyes flick behind him to Astrid, a small smile tugging at his lips as he did so.

"Stay away, Potter," Draco growled warningly, desperately trying not to show his panic.

Potter scoffed, not taking his eyes away from Astrid, "Oh don't worry, Malfoy, your secret's safe with me... for now."

"Why can't Harry just leave us alone?" Astrid shook, once they reached the safety of the Room. "I hate him!"

Draco looked at Astrid loving her more than ever. He pulled her to his chest, kissing her deeply.

"Don't worry about Potter," Draco assured her, leading her over to the bed, removing his clothes as he did so, "he's nothing but an interfering git who gets his kicks from nosing in other people's business."

He laid her down, peeling her clothes off slowly, kissing every inch of her pale skin as he did so, making her tremble and beg for him.

"What's going to happen, Draco?" She asked afterwards, as they lay panting breathlessly on their backs, gazing up to where the cabinet loomed accusingly above them. "What's going to happen to me?"

Draco's heart twisted, and he reached across, gathering her body to him, kissing the top of her head as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck.

"I'll look after you, I promise," he murmured.

Although how, he didn't know.