A/N: Well, to say the last two weeks were interesting would be no exaggeration. First, my computer stopped working altogether, had to be taken in (leaving me with a great deal of separation anxiety), and I received it back joyfully, only to find that all of my programs and personal touches were nowhere to be found. Life brings all kinds of funny little twists, hm?

Disclaimer: It's been four months since I've last written. Do you think Jo can stand to spend that much time away from a pen?

It is Not Self-Seeking

“One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two – oh! Sorry, sorry….”

Astoria sighed. It hadn’t been the first time someone had tread upon her small toes that night. She was beginning to think that she was cursed.

Just two dances prior, Miles Harper nearly tripped her with his overly-exuberant waltz, and about three or four dances before him (the poor girl was beginning to lose count), Malcolm Baddock and his too-long robes had made the fast-paced foxtrot rather difficult.

Yet, Astoria held her head high, and continued on like the brave soul she was.

Until now, that was.

The night was a lovely one, and the ballroom looked dashing. The sparkling chandelier had been shined, the tables arranged with elegant place-settings, and the dance floor scrubbed until it shimmered. Her parents had pulled out all the stops for this night, in the hopes that their youngest daughter might find her perfect suitor.

So far, however, all Astoria had managed to find was a one-way ticket to a long foot-soaking, later that night.

The girl looked upward hopelessly, praying that somebody, anybody, would take pity on her, and rush to her defense. But alas, sister Daphne remained deep in conversation with her sandy-haired fiancé, Father was paying rapt attention to whatever his business associates were saying, and Mother was of course, right by his side, feigning interest.

Not sure how much longer she could last, she tried in vain to think up an excuse as to why she might have to leave when –

“Pardon me, may I cut in?”

Both Astoria and her current dance partner (she believed his name was something along the lines of “Richard”) looked up, startled, he from his deep concentration in counting each and every step, and she, from the sheer shock of someone possibly answering her unspoken prayers.

That was, until she saw who stood there.

Draco Malfoy cleared his throat once again, “Well…?”

Just as she was about to decline, her partner let go of her immediately and answered: “Of course, sir…go right ahead, sir” as though Draco would threaten him with bodily harm if he didn’t.

Draco took hold of Astoria and began spinning her back into the third waltz of the night.

“You know, you really don’t have to do this,” Astoria started, embarrassed that someone who wasn’t exactly prized for their reputation would turn out to be her savior.

The blond man didn’t speak for several moments, before saying quietly, “I know.”

“Your face will be splashed all over the morning Prophet. I know you don’t need any more publicity.”

“I know.”

“…and yet, you still want to dance with me?”

He glanced down at her with those gray eyes of his, “Greengrass?”

She swallowed. “Yeah?”

“Just shut up and dance.”

A/N: Review please, please, please! I love to hear what you guys have to say!

Next up: "It is Not Easily Angered."