A/N: First of all, I would like to thank my readers for being so patient. I know that you all have waited for ages for this chapter. I am just glad that I have been able to get it out to you. I am preparing to move half-way across the country, and will not be able to make another update until July at the earliest. Keep your fingers crossed that my move goes well. Enjoy!

After several years, and several books, Devin Alexander was one of the most successful authors in the world. Each of his books had graced the bestseller lists of several major cities, including the New York Times. At this point, Draco imagined that Hermione had undoubtedly read his books. The question was, had he changed the events enough so that she merely suspected a coincidence?

"Devin?" The slight man asked.

Draco looked up. He hadn't realized how lost in his thoughts he'd become. "I'm sorry, Stanley. I drifted away for a moment. Could you please repeat that?"

Stanley smiled. He was used to his client's idiosyncrasies. "As I was saying, Mrs. Pembroke had been inundating the office with requests again."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Requests for what, pray tell?"

Stanley sighed. "She wants you to make an appearance at her annual fundraising ball."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And why the bloody hell would I do that?"

Stanley laughed. "Only, because she has placed this office on its last nerve."

"Then why don't you tell her to bugger off?" Draco asked.

Stanley sighed. "Devin, Mrs. Pembroke is the largest contributor to Children's Charity. She wants your appearance at the ball to help her raise money for her pet orphans."

Draco glared at Stanley. "I don't see how anyone could keep another human being as a pet."

Stanley was shocked. He hadn't meant to offend his prized client. "Devin, look. I'm sorry. Sometimes I shoot off at the mouth."

Draco nodded and motioned with his hand, indicating that the matter had been forgotten. "Just how many phone calls has she made?"

Stanley slumped into a chair. 'The last count was three hundred and fifty two."

Draco placed his finger on the bridge of his nose. It was time for him to stop hiding anyway. Eventually, someone was going to see him. It was probably just better if he controlled the circumstances.

"Alright."

Stanley looked aghast. "Alright, what?"

Draco smiled. "I'll do it."

Stanley grinned from ear to ear. "This office thanks you!" Stanley pressed the intercom button on his desk to contact his secretary. "Alice, get Mrs. Pembroke on the line."

Draco couldn't help but laugh when he heard the secretary yell "Thank God" before Stanley released the button. It was going to be an interesting ride.

The night of Mrs. Pembroke's soiree', Draco couldn't help but be nervous. It wasn't as if he could step out at the last minute. Doing that would only make her continue calling his agent, and there was nothing worse than an irritated literary agent, or so Draco had been told.

He straightened the bow tie of his Armani tux and gave a last glance in the mirror. Everything was perfect, even the contacts he wore to hide the unusual sheen in his eyes were in place. He could only hope that the event wouldn't last into the wee hours of the morning.

Hermione stared at herself in the mirror. The only reason she had promised Penelope that she would attend was that somehow, Penelope Pembroke had managed to get Devin Alexander to agree to attend. She had met Penelope only a few years after graduating from Hogwarts. The elder woman was a caring soul, though a bit batty in her old age. They had met in the romance section of a small muggle bookstore, both having reached for the same Devin Alexander novel…

"Have you read him before?" Hermione had asked.

That was all it took to begin their friendship. While Hermione herself spent her time working in the censorship offices of the Ministry of Magic, she had still managed to revel in the fact that she managed to read an equal amount of wizarding and muggle literature.

It had turned out that Penelope had read an advance copy of the first Devin Alexander novel and was simply there to purchase the book in its final published form.

Hermione and Penelope had exchanged contact information and Hermione was sent home to read what Penelope had called "the saddest love story she'd ever read." Hermione hadn't been disappointed. Now she owned all seven of Alexander's books. To a certain extent, all Hermione wanted to do was meet Mr. Alexander. Some small part of her idolized him as the perfect man, but she knew that was simply a juvenile fantasy.

And now, here she was, preparing to lay her eyes on the more sensitive man she could have ever imagined. She placed her mother's pearls around her throat and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She had wondered why Penelope had talked her into the little black cocktail dress, but now she saw why. The dress flattered her, made her eyes bright and her hair seem vibrant. She smiled. Hopefully, the evening would be fun.

Draco glanced around the ball room. The muggle version of "a little get together" was rather similar to the "small" parties that were thrown for various reasons throughout his childhood at Malfoy Manor. A great fire roared in the fireplace. Somewhere within the room a pianist was playing softly, the din of conversation all but covering the music.

Suddenly, Stanley tugged at his sleeve and pulled him away from his thoughts.

"Devin?" Stanley asked.

Draco turned and found himself faced with a sophisticated blue haired matron bedecked in ivory silk and pearls.

Stanley cleared his throat, regaining Draco's attention. "Devin, allow me to introduce the famed, Penelope Pembroke."

Draco flashed his patented charming smile and bowed to the old lady as he had been taught years before.

"My you are a fancy one!" Mrs. Pembroke exclaimed. "With that charm, I'm surprised that you keep yourself hidden."

Draco laughed. "Perhaps I feel that it is better to be mysterious?"

Mrs. Pembroke smiled. "Stanley darling," she said grabbing Draco by the arm, "you don't mind if I borrow him for a moment?"

And like all old women who think they own the world, she dragged Draco across the floor without waiting for an answer.

Draco allowed himself to be led. To be honest, he found it most amusing. He was sure that the old biddy was certainly about to introduce him to some crumpet. He could hardly wait. This girl was destined to be the ugliest creature in the world. Probably a girl with the teeth of a stallion.

Mrs. Pembroke stopped. Draco looked down. Standing in front of him was an absolute vision clothed in black silk.

"Mr. Alexander, I would like you to meet a dear friend, Miss Hermione Granger."