" ' Don't play hard to get, play hard to forget.' "

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does

A/N: So I decided to post another chapter! You probably won't get the next one til Monday!

~O~

The warm week had flown by like a breeze and it was already Friday. Every Friday Hermione would work at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. She would check in to see if the workers were doing okay, if anymore ice-cream orders needed to be taken care of, and if there was any breeches of trouble.

Hermione arrived at the Parlor, to see the place already beautifully lit and three customers getting there dose of morning ice-cream.

"Tessa!" Hermione exclaimed cheerfully, as she reached the counter.

"Hermione! It's good to see you today!" Tessa, the second top person in charge of Fortescue's, said happily.

"Same to you. How's the Parlour?"

Hermione made her way through the counter entrance to get behind where Tessa was.

"Oh the usual, kids coming in to buy some ice-cream, adults coming in to take the stress out on some Calm-Down Cherry Ice-cream. That reminds me! We've run out of Vanishing Vanilla and Sparkling Strawberry Shortcake. Will you be able to order some more?" she asked, in a bubbly voice.

"That's great and sure, I'll fill out the orders now." Hermione said, with a smile.

Hermione walked to the back office door, where she placed her work bag down and sat in her comfy chair. She pulled out two orders forms and began filling in the details. The door opened to her office and a smiling Tessa was present again.

"No one's out there," she explained, "The doorbell will ring if someone walks in. So, Mione, how's life?" she asked with a cheesy smile.

Hermione grinned back and set the two orders aside.

"Oh nothing new. My departments got the usual weird reports on creatures and what not. Hmm, oh but tomorrow... You know Theodore Nott right?" Hermione asked nonchalantly.

"Oh boy I do! He's a gorgeous man. Sometimes he comes here you know! Ooh, are seeing each other?! Why didn't you tell me!? You lucky little witch!" Tessa gushed excitedly.

Hermione gave her an amused snort and shook her head. "Tessa, no!" and Hermione broke into an airy laugh, "We're just friends, anyways, he invited me to a party tomorrow night, I guess that's new."

"And what's wrong with Theodore Nott! Lucky you." she cooed.

Hermione sat there smiling and thinking when an idea popped into her brain. I haven't asked Ginny yet and Harry will probably say no anyways!

"Tessa, do you want to come with me tomorrow? It's just Theo said I could bring somewhere but I don't think that person would he able to, so?" Hermione asked ambiguously.

Tessa's eyes widened and she gave a large grin. "Yes please!" and than the Ice-cream Parlor doorbell rang, "Oh I'll get that. Thank you so much Hermione!" she said, before scurrying out.

Hermione grinned. She called for her owl, Sparrow, so that her ice-cream orders could be dealt with straight away.

Excellent, I won't be so lonely at the party tomorrow night now.

~O~

The grouchy eating bin was so full it couldn't take anymore of the parchments that it had to dispose. Draco threw parchment after parchment because he couldn't concentrate on his review for the haliwinkles from Greek.

Damn this job! Stupid reviewing! I'd rather play around with these ingredients!

Draco was also frustrated still over Astoria. He had taken out one of his favourite drinks, elderflower wine, and was drinking shot after shot, while doing his review. His secretary, Nicolette, left a copy of the newest Witch Weekly at her desk and sneakily pinched it from her. He found an article about himself and Astoria. He felt humiliated & frustrated.

Draco Malfoy & Astoria Greengrass: not-so-perfect ending!

Astoria Greengrass, 21, was seen in Wizarding New York with a new man! Or perhaps just a new male wizard friend! But nonetheless, it wasn't, of four years boyfriend & recently fiancé, Draco Malfoy, 23.

As I caught her in the lovely magical New York, I had gotten a few good quotes from there relationship. She's stated that, "Draco & I are no longer engaged or involved with each other," and I asked her why she had moved to New York abruptly. Her response was, "I've been dreaming of going to New York for a while, but I got a good scare when Draco proposed to me.. I just thought I wouldn't be able to live life some more if I was tied like that. I wanted to broaden my career in the beauty industry and make more American wizard & witch companions. I'm just not ready, sorry."

Well that's that! We've had no response from Draco Malfoy, and no news reporter can get through Malfoy Inc.

Miss Greengrass was seen spending her time, walking the many streets of Wizarding New York with accompanied friend. She had entered Lady Apple's Elite Beautifiers store and many more, delighting the New York witches & wizards. How is Draco Malfoy now? Only reports from, is that he's been looking as brooding when he was seventeen. Is the Malfoy heir alright? Astoria Greengrass seems to be living her dream, but is Draco Malfoy still moping after his only dream!? Well, Mr. Malfoy, as the muggle saying goes, they're are plenty of fish in the sea! And many witches would gladly take Astoria's Place!

He had glared thoroughly at the photo of Astoria walking happily across Times Square with a fairly handsome looking wizard and than, at a photo of them together being ripped apart.

Stupid article. Stupid news writer. I'm not even moping. I don't give two shits about bloody Greengrass.

"Mr. Malfoy? It's six o'clock. You can go home." Nicolette informed.

"Thank you Nicolette," he gritted out, before muttering as she left. "Bout bloody time."

He gave a tired sigh, picked up his suitcase and strode to the fireplace. I hope Theodore's inviting some ladies. I need to get my bloody head out of this mess, away from Astoria. A few hook-ups and I'll be back to the old Draco.

~O~

"You're going where?! And you didn't invite me!"

"I'm sorry Ginny, but if Harry found out who was holding the party, I think he'd wouldn't let you come. He doesn't want you around Slytherin's.." Hermione apologized.

"Oh mosh with Harry! He doesn't have to know. I'm disappointed in you Hermione," Ginny said, giving a sigh. "Alright so you want me to help you get ready?"

"Yes please, Ginny. I promise I'll tell you the details at dinner tomorrow." Hermione amended.

Ginny gave a small smile and a sigh and began doing Hermione's hair. Hermione beamed back.

It was Saturday already, just after eight. Ginny had arrived at Hermione's flat to find out she was going to a party, one where she had to mingle!

"So.. are you and Theodore perhaps.. seeing each other?" Ginny asked deviously.

"Oh Ginny, no, no... I mean he has dropped hints a couple of times... but I'm pretty sure he's just messing with me. Like most of the workers that are familiar with me, do." Hermione said simply, with a small smile.

"Really? Dropping hints? You know Hermione, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Theo. And he didn't turn out as dark as his other Slytherin fellows. I approve of him. And, what I heard, from Luna, who was told by Padma, who got it from Cho, who was unbelievably on speaking terms with Pansy, that Theo's mother is dating a gorgeous French muggle-born man. Seems like an accepting family to me!" Ginny gushed enthusiastically.

Hermione let out a guffaw of laughs before speaking. "Wow, Ginny. That's really nice to know... I just don't see Theo like that, is all."

"That's okay, I'm just making him sound better. You don't have to go for him. Okay! Make up time." Hermione swung around on her high top chair, so that she was facing Ginny.

She ran a hand through her hair to find it superbly smooth and in somewhat kinky curls.

"You know Ginny, no weird colour combinations okay. Don't make me look like a divination gypsy."

"Oh no! You wouldn't want to look like that!" Ginny giggled.

"Don't worry. I'm going to do a brown smokey eye look, now close your eyes!" she ordered.

Ginny worked elegantly on her eyelids, her waterline, eye lining & eyelashes in slow, savoring time.

"Okay open," Ginny said, holding up a mirror, "Do you like it?" Hermione's face lit up and she gave an awed smile.

Her usually dark chocolate eyes had brightened and appeared a dazzling ochre colour.

"My eyes... they look amazing Ginny! Thank you!" "No worries Mione, now go put on the clothes you're going to wear. I want to see if I'll be in awe this time." Ginny prompted cheerfully.

"There muggle clothes... I hope he doesn't mind. You can't specifically wow people in robes unless it was a ball or something." Hermione explained, getting up to pick up her outfit.

"Who cares? Go on, get changed!"

Hermione headed to the bathroom and shut the door. She began to strip and put on her outfit that she had proudly picked. She wore a mint bustier, that stopped mid belly, so it was showing off some skin. She matched that with an almost black but mistakenly emerald tinged high waisted skirt that stopped mid thigh. She decided to play safe with her foot attire by wear white embellished sandals. She than hooked a choke like necklace around her neck with a large opal dangling. Hermione gave her self a quick look in the mirror and smiled. I feel... beautiful. Something I haven't felt truly in a while.

She stepped out of the bathroom, to hear Ginny clearing up her belongings. "Oh there you are, finally done. Took you long eno– Woah."Ginny stopped and gave her a once over.

"A bit too much?" Hermione squeaked.

"Too much?! Merlin no, you look, what do you guys say? Fit, Hermione! You look fit!" Ginny answered cheekily, running to her and eyeing her more carefully.

Hermione gave a snort and choked giggled. She than looked Hermione in the eye.

"Ok Hermione, promise me you'll have fun at this party. Let loose! Break a few rules. Kiss some boys–"

"Ginny!"

"What? Have a bit of Firewhiskey. Just promise me enjoy yourself. Ronald's a fool for letting you go. I don't know how many times I've told you that, but you're nothing like Sarah."

Hermione gave a happy sob.

"Oh Hermione, you'll ruin your make up!"

"Sorry Gin! You truly are amazing." Hermione said, before pulling her into a hug.

"Anything for you, Hermione. You deserve someone special, you've been single ever since Ron." Ginny hushed, smiling sadly.

"I'm not single just cos of Ron. I'm just too busy–"

"And you know that's a lie, you're free weekends and you finish early on Tuesday afternoons! You know what? You should be leaving now. Go on, isn't Tessa meeting you at Nott's place?"

"Mm, I'll leave in fifteen. Tessa's coming here. Want to see the television Gin, while we wait?" Hermione asked, nonchalantly dismissing her 'single' rant.

"Sure."

~O~

"Alright mate, when Hermione arrives, make sure Draco is looking in that direction. That's where the guest fireplace is. Also watch him carefully, see if his breathing hitches, or stops talking or just starts ogling. We'll make sure we get our twenty galleons." Theo planned cunningly to Blaise.

"Okay I got it. Man, Draco won't know what's coming for him! This is going to be a fantastic party!" Blaise exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in enthusiasm. Theo nodded in agreement.

The party had already started to play with half of his guest arriving already. Both Blaise and Theo stood waiting for Draco's appearance into the room, and if just on cue, Draco walked in.

Both men grinned at each other, in good luck, before turning to Draco. Hello twenty galleons.

"Draco, looking fine. Glad to see you're here!" Theo greeted.

"Thank you Nott. Hello there Blaise." Draco nodded in greeting; Blaise nodding back.

"Right, well you wait here with Blaise. I'm just going to check on the other guests." Theo said dismissively, with a knowing grin pointed at Blaise.

Theo left Blaise and Draco, swiftly towards the West Wing, where the visitor fireplace was found.

"So Blaise, seen any good looking witches around tonight? Think I might get my game on." Draco drawled slyly.

Blaise grinned a knowing smile, before shaking his head in an nonchalant way. He drew his eyes mischievously around the room.

"I have Draco, unfortunately I can't let my eyes wander too much, as Cho is here." he replied, pointing in the direction where Cho was standing, with a couple of gossiping witches. Draco gave them a heart-throbbing smirk and wink before looking away.

The witches had all been looking in there direction blushed furiously, as they had just been caught staring at Blaise & Draco. More over to the newly single Draco. Blaise decided to take matters into his own hands, and grabbed Draco's arm to pull him over to the West Wing, where Theo had disappeared.

"Anyways mate, how was your day today?" Blaise asked conversationally to past time.

"Terrible. Bloody reporters owling me for a response on Greengrass..." Draco than ventured on to a story about one of the many owls he received.

While Draco talked absent-mindedly, Blaise watched the West Wing entrance. He than spotted Theo coming, with his eyes wide and his head jerking furiously before turning back inside. Alright she's here. Blaise than nodded and gave a fake laugh to whatever he was saying and paused directly at the entrance of the West Wing.

The first thing that happened, was Blaise let out a low groan and his arm on Draco's went limp. Draco hadn't noticed, until he realized Blaise wasn't even responding to him anymore.

"Blaise, mate? Are you listening? So than, after she sent me an irriating permission letter; I fucking owled her a Howl– Hello there." Draco flatly pause, his eyes following the direction of Blaise's.

Draco didn't notice Theo or the girl beside the drop-dead sexy woman who just arrived. His eyes diverted to her sleek legs that went for days, her bouncy dark emerald skirt, to the skin between her skirt and top, than resting at the alright peak of her chest and finally pausing at her happy, chattering mouth.

Blaise, who finally snapped out, looked over to see an ogling Draco Malfoy. Draco had licked his lips and shoved his hands in his pockets to assess the woman walking in. Blaise gave a chuckle and looked over at Theo, who also was looking at Draco, with a winning smirk.

Theo's hand than moved to her back, to steady Hermione. The girl beside Hermione was smiling faintly and she looked just as eye catching as Hermione. Theo had also rested his hand on the other girl to steady there direction. They than paused further down the hall, still noticeable to Draco & Blaise.

Blaise decided it was time to snap the blond from his hard stare. He gave him a teasing rub in the ribs with his elbow.

"Oi, Draco. That'll be twenty Galleons each, thanks." Blaise countered, mischievously.

Draco, dumb-founded, blinked for a couple of seconds at Blaise than back at the eye-catching woman that was supposedly Granger. He than jumped in recognition and his face turned into a lethal scowl.

"You mean that's.. that's Granger?!" he exclaimed, horrified.

Blaise just gave him a smug smile and a curt nod.

Well, wow. They weren't joking. Granger does clean up nicely and leave you speechless. Where's she been ever since?

~O~

A/N: Mwahaha! So Draco and Hermione are in the same room together. PLEASE, please, please, with Viktor Krum's on top (hehe) review (good or any mistakes) & tell people about my story! Yaaaay! :D