Back in the living room of the Malfoy Manor, Mrs. Malfoy sat elegantly on the couch, reading the Daily Prophet. The headline read "Major Greengrass Heartbreak, by Rita Skeeter."

Draco walked in kissing Mrs. Malfoy on the cheek. "Well I never took you for a Skeeter fan."

Mrs. Malfoy chuckled and said smoothly, "Well, how else would I know what's going on in your life? I never would have thought that girl wasn't marriage material. How did you meet her again….ah yes, at a party."

"Well, I thought I finally found a woman that actually enjoyed my presence, but it turns out, she really just liked your presence. And yet I'm the bad guy," Malfoy said, smiling to himself. "Mother, did you get a chance to read my proposal?"

"Oh, yes. You wanted to gain the family inheritance now didn't you? Well, whatever could you use the money for? You know I would get you anything if it is reasonable. "

"I need the money so I can make improvements to the company! I'm tired of continually asking for your approval on changes, and having you decide over it for a month. Don't you think that I am responsible enough to make my own decisions now? I'm not a baby."

"Consider a marriage proposal and I'll consider your proposal."

Malfoy groaned. "Mother, no! You are stonewalling my career just so I can get married?"

Mrs. Malfoy stood up. "Your father wanted your life to have meaning, and so do I! You have a huge fortune at your fingertips that you refuse to even attempt to claim. It's just a marriage! Most men are afraid of marriage, I know your father was, but they still do it."

"Most men don't have to rely on a marriage to claim their inheritance," Malfoy grumbled.

"Most men don't have an inheritance."

"I would be happy with a paycheck and some respect for the work I do."

"It's easy to respect someone who is mature and stable."

"Oh, so it's mature and stable to get married to someone you don't love because you'll be punished if you get married to true love?"

Mrs. Malfoy sighed. "It cannot be that hard, Draco! You know your soulmate isn't someone whom you've already dated, and that eliminates a huge percentage of the population already! Have fun at your party." She walked away with an air of superiority while Malfoy glared at her retreating figure.

"Hey, Candace, it's me. You have your body wrap in thirty minutes, and your tanning at the same place. I'm going to drop your dress off at the salon and you're going to get your hair and nails and makeup done. The ball starts at 8:00 PM, do not be late and you need your stocking!" Hermione said slowly as if to a child. She then waved her wand, sending the elegant otter away with the recording of her voice. She waved it a second time, levitating all the boxes of decorations from the storage room to the front of the house.

Meanwhile, Draco and Blaise just finished an intense training of Quidditch, with sweat dripping down their foreheads.

"Man. by the way you were flying, I'll bet your mom refused your proposal," Blaise said, panting from the workout.

"It's time for things to change Blaise," Draco said, slipping off of his broom and grabbing it.

Blaise copied Draco and chuckled, "Well, the guests are going to arrive in a couple of house, so you better get your suit and tie."

Draco sighed and said, "I'm not talking about the clothes, I'm talking about the public break-ups followed by an arguement with my mother followed by punishment and work. I'm sick of this cycle. What am I doing wrong?"

"Hey, I've known you since forever man, and you seem to date the same woman over and over and over again. Do you even know what you're looking for in a woman?"

"Well, if I found her, I'd just...know. That's why she's so hard to find."

"And that's because you have a long line of beautiful women who throw themselves at your feet, telling you whatever you want to hear, and that's blocking your way! Which, as you best friend and personal assistant, I do not mind at all. Some of those ladies really have nice figure."

Malfoy chuckled and hit Blaise on the chest.

Blaise chuckled too, but then got serious. "Draco, the woman of your dreams may be deeper in the crowd. Just keep looking."

Draco looked at Blaise, then grinned. "Thanks, mate."

Deciding it was too hot to wear a shirt, Draco then slipped his shirt off, revealing a well defined six pack. He jogged back to his house, then WHAM, ran right into Hermione.

"OhmygodI'msosorry," Hermione squeaked. She looked up and nearly fainted. Holy shite he is one sexy man.

"No, it's fine," Malfoy said with a grin. "So, how does everything look?"

Hermione widened her eyes and stuttered, staring at his chest.

Malfoy was confused for a second, then realized she was staring at him. "The party, Granger," he drawled.

Hermione blushed mentally slapped herself. "Um, yea, uh, perfect, ha, yup…you're gonna love it...uh….Igottagobye," and she sprinted down to the storage room.