Rita Skeeter with the detail from this year's Yule Ball held at the Great Hall – the arrival of the beautiful yet reclusive Lady Hermione Granger has sparked the interest of some of the community's most eligible bachelors. Indeed, Lady Granger has quite a few handsome men on her arm the other night. First of course, her "friend" Count Harry Potter - of course, he is one of the richest wizards in the pureblood community although his mother Lady Lily Evans soiled the roots with her Muggle status. The Lady's escort was a member of the Durmstrang Corps., a man by the name of Sir Viktor Krum. The shock of the evening was not from Count Draco Malfoy's courteous and chivalrous behavior - which our wild recluse despised - but instead from the clumsy and awkward behavior of one Count Ronald Weasley. Why would the Lady waste her time on such a hapless fool when she had the choice of three other eligible bachelor. The Lady is seventeen but by eighteen must be married or bounded by contract or else she will lose her fortune? Who will she choose and is she playing "hard to get"?

"Insufferable woman," grumbled Hermione at her desk during her lunch hour the next day. She had had a grand time at the ball but she knew that missing a day would cost the company so she went back to doing what she knew best: taking control of the company's finances and deciding what to publish and firing a few people who were worthless.

"I thought you didn't care what she said," said Luna, eating her sandwich.

"I don't," argued Hermione. "But I can still have an opinion of her."

"Opinions mean you care," said Luna. "Which is why your opinion of Ronald is quite high."

"Oh for the last time - "

"Which reminds me," said Luna, using her wand to deliver a stack of notes to Hermione's desk. "These came for you today during your conference meeting with the board. I thought you'd might like them."

"Shall I read them allowed?" asked Hermione. Of course, Hermione knew the answer: Luna always saved the more personal, gossipy, and worst notes for the lunch hour so they could read them allowed and have a laugh. It made Hermione feel like she was a regular school girl, even though her guilty conscience usually got the best of her.

"If you wish," said Luna, affirming her answer.

Hermione opened the first note which was to her surprise and chagrin, Count Draco Malfoy.

"What does he want?" asked Luna.

"We'll see," said Hermione, unfolding the porcelain colored parchment

My dear Lady Granger,

It would seem as though the Yule Ball at your lovely godmother's place was in the distant past. If my presence seemed a bit too overwhelming for you at the time, I offer my deepest apologies. However, please let it be known that I enjoyed the company of your presence even though our time together was short. I only hope we may encounter each other in the future. Even though you were born under the unfortunate position of your status, I am fond of your charms and beauty.

With sincere tidings,

Count Draco Malfoy

"So...he likes you?" asked Luna.

"I'm sure he might," said Hermione. "However, I also know that the Malfoys would love to have access to the largest publishing company in the world, so it could purely be all business."

"Read the next note," said Luna.

Hermione picked up the yellowed coarse paper and realized it smelled a bit like chocolate. She smiled to herself as she read the note.

Hello Hermione,

You have no idea how happy I am that you came to the ball. I'm sorry that Malfoy was such a prat, but life moves on (that's what Ginny keeps telling me). Anyway, so I'm not going to try to be lovey-dovey and mushy in this note, so here it goes: there's a Quidditch tournament next Saturday with the Chudley Cannons against Holyhead Harpies. I know you're not a Quidditch fanatic like me, but how about it?

Let me know!

Ron

Hermione smiled and felt giddy again. Why did he make her feel like this?

"You love him," said Luna in her sing-songy voice.

"I do not," said Hermione, firmly. "I just think it's sweet that he treats me like his...friend." Does he really see me just as a friend?

"So, will you go to that Quidditch tournament with your friend?" asked Luna, a faint smile on her face.

"Yes," said Hermione. "Yes I will. And we'll have a marvelous time!"

"Now, Lucius, remember what we agreed..."

"I understand, Your Darkness," said Count Malfoy to the hooded figure in the all crimson and brown room of Riddle Manor. "Draco understands as well. He is still wooing the little Mudblood, but she is a feisty one."

"Feisty or not, he will marry her," said Lord Voldemort. No lord was feared more than Lord Voldemort in the community. There were rumors circulating that his mother was a Mudblood, and that Lord Tom Riddle was conceived out of the effects of a love potion, and that he had been the one who arranged the deaths of Count Harry's parents after they were trying to uncover his dark plans. All of which were true.

"I understand, Your Darkness," said Count Malfoy. "But as long as Draco fulfills his role in the bargain, no harm will come to him?"

"He is not a baby anymore, Lucius," said Lord Voldemort.

"But he is my only son," said Count Malfoy. "If anything were to happen to him..."

"Which is why you must make sure that Lady Granger marries him, no matter what," said Lord Voldemort.

Count Malfoy gulped in fear. Despite Lord Voldemort (he despised the name "Tom", which sounded too Mudblood) having a lower status than the Malfoys, he was feared in everyone's eyes. Only Count Malfoy understood the measure of his powers and refused to let his family fall from favor from him. That was an automatic death sentence, like what happened to Count James and Countess Lily Potter, nee Lady Lily Evans...

"I will have power," said Lord Voldemort. "I will have control over the community. They think they can just shun me because of my blood? Because of the Ministry I have to live alone in my home, this prison! Well, no more...once I will control of Hogwarts and the publishing company, I will be able to take over the Ministry. Just think of the books we can publish...defaming that imbecile Fudge! brainwashing idiots like Umbridge! Then of course, I will reclaim the secrets from Salazar Slytherin that lie underneath where Lady Granger sleeps at night...yes, yes!"

And as Lord Voldemort began to cackle, Count Malfoy stepped back into the shadows, convincing himself that this is better than the alternate.