Brunch went by quickly for Hermione. As expected, Ginny was on Hermione about dating again. "You haven't dated anyone since you and Ron broke up", the ginger witch quipped.

At this, Ron caught Hermione's eye and smirked. "Gin, I'm just focusing on work right now", Hermione started, "I'm only 21". A trend among wizards was to marry and bear children at a young age, something Hermione never quite understood.

Harry and Ginny themselves had gotten married right after the war, when Harry was only 18, and Ginny 17. And now, they were discussing children!

"So, you're going to Malfoy's engagement stag?" Harry asked her.

Hermione's breath caught in her throat at the mention of his name. "Actually, I was hoping I could go with Ronald, as friends", she said looking over at her friend.

His ears tinged pink and he said, "Oh...well I kind of already asked someone".

"Who?" Hermione, Ginny, and Harry said at the same time. At this question, the redhead's ears went full red.

"Padma Patil", he said.

"Oh", was Hermione's response.

"I'm really sorry, Hermione, I didn't know you'd want to go together".

"Oh, nonsense, it's really fine!"

Hermione meant this. She was happy for her friend, and hoped things would work out between Ron and Padma. She knew they hadn't spoken much since the night of the Yule Ball their fourth year, and had recently reconnected.

Ginny looked at Hermione. "We have to find you someone, too!" she squealed.

"Hermione sighed, looking at Harry for help. He gave her a helpless look, indicating he knew nothing would stop Ginny.

"What about Cormac?" Ginny asked.

Hermione gagged. "No, thank you", she told her friend.

Ginny put her finger on her chin and made a face of concentration. "Hmm, what about Dean Thomas?" she asked her.

While Dean was attractive, Hermione couldn't deny that, it would be too weird since Ginny had gone out with him in their Hogwarts days.

"No, Gin, seriously, it's fine" Hermione told the other witch firmly.

"Mione, please let me do this for you! Ohh, there's this new auror that works with Harry and Ron and he's absolutely delicious" Ginny said.

Hermione thought about it. Ginny did have good taste in men, and she didn't want Draco to think she couldn't get a date.

She looked over at her two best friends as if to ask their opinion. "Are you talking about Carter", Ron asked his sister.

She smiled and nodded.

"Oh Carter Beaumont", Ron started, "Mi, he's perfect for you!" Harry nodded in agreement.

Hermione choked on her drink. "Carter Beaumont, the French bachelor?" she said skeptically.

Hermione had heard of him. He was wealthy and halfblood, and much like Draco Malfoy, a total womanizer. He was France's most eligible bachelor, even though he didn't reside there any longer. He had lived in England for the greater part of his life, but went back to France during the war.

He was also, as Ginny had stated, very delicious.

"That's the one", Ginny said. "Now, I know what you're thinking, Mi. I know the tabloids like to paint him as this womanizing wizard, but he's not. He's actually very sweet and kind". Hermione mulled over it for a few seconds. She smiled at her friend and said, "Fine, I guess I'll go with him, if he wants to". Ginny squealed and told Harry and Ron to figure that out.

"We have to get dresses!"

Hermione bit her lip. She had been thinking of wearing a dress she had in the back of her closet. She had never worn it, and it was beautiful. The only thing was he had gotten it for her. She decided to wear it anyways.

"Actually, I have something I'm going to wear already. But, I'll go with you".

Ginny nodded and flicked her wand so that all the dishes landed in the sink. She kissed Harry and then the two girls were off the Diagon Alley to find Ginny a dress.

Draco's day went by quickly, and soon he was getting ready for this dinner. He put on a white button up shirt and tucked it into his black slacks. Next, he put on some cologne and let his hair free, falling into his face a little.

Once he was ready, he flooed to the Manor.

Astoria and her parents were already there, as were his parents. Also joining them was Astoria's sister, Daphne, and her husband, Theo Nott.

"Astoria", Draco said, kissing her hand.

She smiled back and said, "Hello, Drake".

He greeted Lady Greengrass next, then his mother, then Daphne. He shook hands with the Greengrass patriarch and then Theo.

"Now that we're all here, we can sit down" Narcissa said.

"I wasn't sure you'd make it on time, Draco. According to your mother, you were a bit...preoccupied when she came to see you last night" his father drawled. He looked into his father's menacing eyes. He knew they'd have a talk about Hermione later.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss anything this important" Draco replied back to his father.

Over dinner, they talked about wedding preparations, as well as the final preparations for the engagement the following night. While the women chatted away about that, the men discussed more pressing issues, like the new Minister of Magic.

After dinner was over, Draco, Astoria, Daphne, and Theo went out into the gardens.

Theo and Daphne had snuck away. Draco looked in the general direction they went in and sighed. He wondered what it would be like to marry someone he truly loved. He thought about Hermione for a split second, but then shook his head. No, he wasn't in love with the muggleborn witch. He had developed some type of feelings for her, though. After all, they had been sleeping together for three years.

He was brought out of his thoughts by Astoria.

"I'm excited about the ball tomorrow. I've just received the most gorgeous dress, darling".

Draco smiled tightly. "I can't wait to see you in it".

Draco knew the younger witch was infatuated with him. In fact, she had been since the Hogwarts days.

He liked Astoria, he did. He just didn't want to marry a pureblood airhead. He thought about what would happen if she found out he had been stepping out on her. She'd be devastated. This realization almost made Draco think to not seduce Hermione at the ball.

But then he thought about her hot body, naked, and writhing underneath him. This thought made him hard, and he had to think of other things to bring his erection down.

He knew that as a pureblood woman, Astoria was a virgin. He just couldn't imagine sleeping with the blonde, no matter how gorgeous she was.

Before he knew it, they had made a full circle around the gardens. Astoria had been talking about the wedding, but as he hadn't been paying attention, he just smiled at her and nodded. The Greengrasses and Notts gathered their things, said goodbye and headed out.

Draco was about to head out as well, when he heard his father say, "Draco. My study. Now". Draco walked into the study, his father following close behind him.

"She's just a good fuck, father", Draco said before his father could even get a word out. His back was turned away from his father.

"Just as bloody well, it ends. You are in no position to be stepping out on your wife, Draco" Lucius said.

Draco scoffed, "Why not? You did".

"This isn't about me, son. Besides, there is a clause in the marriage contract which prohibits infidelity", Lucius said with a smirk.

Draco turned around to face his father. "What?"

Lucius just nodded his head, his smirk strengthening.

He looked over at the door, as if to dismiss Draco. Draco slowly walked out of his father's study, and said goodbye to his mother.

He flooed back to his apartment. He'd have to be loyal. It wasn't something that would be hard, he didn't want to sleep around. No, he only wanted to sleep with one witch. He was furious at his father for adding the clause.

This just meant he had to be with Hermione as many times as he could before he got married.

So, not entirely happy with this chapter, but that's fine. Hope you guys enjoy it!

Carter Beaumont. I'm thinking of all the fine men he should look like, and so I'm having a poll:

Should he look like:

Alex Pettyfer, Theo James, or Stephen Amell

Also, you guys can write in someone who you'd want it to be. I'm trying to make it someone who would look good with Emma Watson :)

XX,

Gracie