Wot In The Harri Potter?

9 - Veganism

A/N: so sorry for the long wait, I've been without internet due to moving house and life has been chaotic this past week!

*****

"So, Dray agreed that veganism is the only way from now on."

I force a smile as I accept a vegan French Fancy from the proffered cake stand that Astoria has proudly presented me.

She watches me intently as I take a bite. I chew, keeping my smile etched on my face as I try not to spit it straight back out again.

"Delicious," I lie, when I eventually swallow it.

I mean, I know I must not tell lies (cheers Umbitch for putting that permanent reminder on the back of my hand in case I forget). But surely the odd white lie is allowed?

We are in Malfoy Manor's rose garden, soaking in the sunshine as the five of us sit around an elegantly laid table sipping tea.

"Tory has taught us lots about making the world a better place, hasn't she, Draco?" Narcissa beams as she reaches for a neatly cut cucumber sandwich.

I glance up at Draco, who simply nods, his plate of afternoon vegan delights sitting before him, untouched.

Picking up my teacup, I take a sip, grimacing at the unpleasant aftertaste the soya milk leaves in my mouth.

"Dray doesn't like it either," Astoria says, watching me carefully, "he prefers to take everything black nowadays, isn't that right, Dray?"

Draco still says nothing.

"So, when is the wedding?" I ask, desperate to fill the awkward silence which has ascended upon us.

"We haven't actually set a date yet," Astoria confesses as she picks at a crumb on her plate, "but maybe we can begin to discuss this soon?"

She casts a hopeful look in Draco's direction, but he remains sitting stiffly, staring off into the distance.

Narcissa, however, clasps her hands together. "What a wonderful idea! Perhaps we can lock something down in August? It's the best time for sunflowers."

"Oh, I adore sunflowers!" Astoria gushes, "think how lovely they will look in a bouquet! And August usually has such lovely weather, if not a little too hot on occasion."

As Astoria and Narcissa continue to discuss the merits of marrying in August, I reach over and help Lily - who has smeared vegan butter all over her face in her attempt to eat her cucumber sandwich.

"Here," Draco says, passing me a napkin, "I think she may need this."

I glance at him, offering him a small smile. But the way he is looking at me only makes me glance away again.

"It will be a vegan friendly menu, of course," Astoria continues, "no animals shall be harmed for our wedding day."

"Bill and Fleur had a hog roast at their wedding," I say, smiling fondly at the memory which is also tinged with pain.

"A hog roast?!" Astoria exclaims, looking utterly horrified, "do you mean to say that they slaughtered an entire pig to feed their guests?!"

I freeze, realising my mistake. I don't miss the derisive snort coming from Draco's direction.

"Well- um-" I stutter, feeling my face flame as I try to save the situation. "They had other options too. I recall there being egg and cress sandwiches."

Astoria's fork clutters to her plate, the silence that follows almost ringing ominously in the air.

"Eggs are unborn babies," she breathes, her small voice trembling. "Those poor innocent chickens."