Chapter 53: 4-3

Astoria is skilled at brewing tea. And—truth be told—she has quite the sweet tooth. She could likely give Professor Lupin a run for his money.

"I wasn’t aware of your preferences, Maria, so I prepared a bit of everything."

The table she gestured toward truly did have "one of everything." Strawberry cream cake, chocolate cake, cheesecake, chiffon cake, Cauldron Cakes... for an afternoon tea, it was overly decadent and quite a spread.

"...Last time, wasn't it just tea?"

"I was planning to be your enemy then."

"Ah, right."

"That hasn't changed... but Maria and I are friends now."

She must have put a lot of thought into how to treat me in her own way. Astoria’s eyes wandered anxiously over the cakes, as if wondering if she had made a mistake. For now, I reached for a piece of chocolate cake nearby.

"I’m not a picky eater, really. To me, preventing starvation is more important. But, yeah... I do like chocolate."

"Chocolate is rich in nutrients. It is also ideal for minor healing. It is perfectly suited for warding off hunger. It is quite a rational choice."

"...You're surprisingly well-informed."

I took a bite with my fork. The moist sponge and the smooth chocolate coating melted mellowly in my mouth—delicious. It tasted exactly like a "noble’s" dessert.

"Yeah, it’s great. —So, why the cakes?"

Astoria hesitated for a few seconds before answering in a small voice.

"...Draco-niisama told me long ago. He said, 'If there are sweets, you can become friends.'"

—That phrase.

I remembered a slightly unusual best friend of my beloved son, and a rather strange, playful song. He used to sing it sometimes, off-key, dragging Albus into it.

If there are sweets, we’ll surely be friends—

He had said he learned it from his mother. Ah—so this was it.

"Of course, I considered asking Draco-niisama about your tastes, Maria. But that felt... frustrating, somehow. So I decided to find out for myself. ...Is this the correct way to act as a friend?"

Scorpius may have looked like a miniature Draco—ironically, exactly like the Draco of right now—but I was now certain his personality was undeniably like his mother’s. In other words—quite eccentric.

"There are no 'wrong answers' when it comes to friends, Astoria."

She asked such an adorable question that I couldn't help but laugh.

"...That is a difficult concept."

"Have you never had friends before?"

"No."

That’s not something you should say with your chest puffed out so proudly, Astoria. Though I suppose I’m one to talk.

"In any case, the time I have to live is short, so I never felt the necessity for them."

"...And now?"

"...It is a little bit fun."

The wall of stiff, formal words finally crumbled. That moment was so precious. ...I can see why even Draco couldn't just leave her be.

"So Draco wasn't a friend?"

"That would be far too presumptuous. Draco-niisama is—"

Astoria paused to think, her restless fingers stroking the rim of her teacup.

"Draco-niisama is the light for me. He was a lonely person... but he is a sly man, letting an outcast like me into that loneliness."

"...Yeah, I understand."

We have a habit of being helplessly drawn to things like that. To loneliness, or the darkness...

Even Ginny was like that. Ron once said he always expected Ginny to be sorted into Slytherin.

"...It’s frustrating that you understand. He was my Draco-niisama alone. You really are unfair, Maria."

"Astoria... you’re still misunderstanding that."

"Maria."

Astoria cut me off with a sharp, clear voice.

"Maria, you are unfair. ...You won't even let me hate you. —Both of you are so unfair. I suppose that makes you a bit of a match."

I stood up. I couldn't stand seeing the "young girl" side of her peek through bit by bit. She was only eleven—such a normal girl.

I moved around the table between us and stood by her side. I was overcome with the urge to hug her, but thinking that might be rude to Draco, I settled for gently patting her head. Her hair was soft. Just looking at her, you could tell how much she was cherished.

"You should just be 'unfair' too. It’s okay to want things, Astoria. Don't give up just because of your life (life span). You’re the only one who can heal his loneliness."

"I can't even bring myself to blame you, can I?"

"You can blame me all you want."

"I can’t. Because you... you’re a terrible person. You're a good person. It’s horrible. I wanted to hate you."

"Astoria..."

"But it's fine. I’m glad Maria is someone who won't let me become an even more unpleasant girl. ...No matter how much I am swayed, I am still your enemy, and as long as I care for Draco-niisama, that will not change. However—for anyone other than Draco-niisama... I suppose I wouldn't mind being your greatest ally. We are friends, after all. And since this is my first time having a friend... I shall show you favoritism."

Looking at Astoria putting on her best haughty front, I leaned down to her eye level and beamed. I tried to give a refined smile, but my cheeks just ended up twitching with joy.

"You really are... so cute."

"I take great care with my appearance."

"I mean your appearance too, of course. The more we talk, the more I like you. What about you?"

"............Next time, I shall prepare some delicious chocolate treats."

As Astoria turned her head away, I finally doubled over with laughter.

"—And that’s what happened just a moment ago."

"Wait. I’m confused by this unexpected ambush."

By our usual spot near the lake, Draco was clutching his head. Harry had likely snuck off to Hogsmeade, so we were probably the only third-years left at Hogwarts.

I wondered for a second if he stayed behind out of consideration for me and Harry... but no, probably not.

"I’m starting to feel uneasy about letting you meet Astoria..."

"Where did that come from?"

"...You like Ginny, don't you?"

"Well, obviously."

Draco went silent, then shook his head wordlessly.

"—No, I don’t trust you."

"Huh?"

"You have a history of this. What do you think of Astoria? Spit it out."

"Are—are you seriously doubting me in 'that' way?! Are you an idiot?! She is certainly a wonderful girl—far too good for someone like you—but—"

"Exactly! She is a magnificent person! So it’s not strange at all, is it?!"

"Everything about this is strange!"

We shouted at each other until we were both wheezing for breath. My throat stung from the cold air. Draco still looked entirely unconvinced.

"Fine. I get it. I see it clearly now. You turn into a complete moron the moment Astoria is involved. I understand perfectly. I suppose I lose my head too when it comes to family."

"Yes, exactly. To be a Malfoy is to be utterly foolish for the one you love."

"Don't worry. I’m devoted to Ginny alone. I’ll say it as many times as you want."

"That’s irritating in its own way, so stop it."

"You’re being completely nonsensical..."

Now it was my turn to clutch my head. To think I’d be subject to such a ridiculous misunderstanding—though, I suppose I understand. People become narrow-minded when it comes to their most beloved. I know the feeling.

"She is a wonderful person. She has always saved me. Just having her exist by my side was enough. ...That was all I needed."

"...I suppose so."

"I know her beauty better than anyone else in this world. No one... can compete with that."

Seeing Draco look so uncharacteristically vulnerable made my skin crawl with shyness, so I instinctively smacked him on the back.

"That’s not like you! Isn't the whole point of being a Slytherin having the cunning to achieve your goals by any means? Are you going to lose your nerve at the critical moment? This is why Hermione says your pride is only skin-deep."

"That’s a low blow, stop it."

"Then stop making that face first. You coward."

I pulled hard on his pale cheeks. Draco pinched my hand in return. When I swatted him away, he immediately grabbed my wrist. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before we both drew our wands.

"You’re so quick to get physical. Didn't Granger teach you that's unrefined?"

"Well, Malfoy and I have always had a 'punching and kicking' kind of relationship."

We glared at each other while still gripping each other's hands—then pfft! We both burst out laughing at the same time.

"Exactly right."

"How ridiculous."

We laughed until our stomachs ached, eventually tripping over our own feet and tumbling onto the cold ground together. At least there wasn't any snow yet.

"...What do you really think of Astoria?"

Draco didn't hesitate.

"I love her. She... she allowed me to find the light."

I narrowed my eyes at the dazzling brightness of the clear winter sky.

"I can guarantee it. —You two really are two of a kind."