The following week was fairly uneventful...Georgiana had received an owl from Adrian Pucey asking if the could meet for tea the last Sunday of October and reluctantly, Georgiana had written back and agreed to the date. Another owl had been delivered Saturday morning at breakfast, one in which she didn't recognize, but apparently Draco and his friends in Slytherin had, if the looks on their faces were any indication.

The greater sooty owl was black, and had dark eyes that were beautiful...and seemed to be quite friendly as it hooted at Georgiana playfully as she offered it a piece of bacon before flying off and out to the owlry.

Opening the letter, Georgiana's eyes widened as she read over the contents of the letter...

Dear Georgiana,

I hope it is alright that I address you as such, seeing as we did have the brief opportunity to speak last Saturday. I wanted to send you a quick note to say that it was really nice talking to you. It's not often these days that I get to have such a genuine, simple conversation. Spending time with the Wizengamot I swear, it's like it needs to have its own language, but I do enjoy it if for no other reason than I get a good laugh every day at how ridiculous some of these old Purebloods are...but I digress...

My lunch with Professor Slughorn was eventful, and he went on and on about you...it was rather endearing. I think if the man was 50 years younger, he might've actually tried to openly court you. As I'm writing this, you can't see the appalled grimace on my face...but it's there nonetheless. (I hope you've already eaten your breakfast too)

I hope I don't seek to offend you by stating that I've always admired your Gryffindor bravery. I remember back during your third year, how you were always so passionate about helping magical creatures. Do you still have your half-kneazle...I think Crookshanks was his name? That cat was brilliant...he used to follow me around the dungeons...and out on prefect patrol that year...like he was looking for something. I'd often wondered if he ever found what he was looking for...

But on to the point of this letter...I was hoping that perhaps you might like attend Professor Slughorn's Halloween party on the last Saturday of the month with me. He invited me, and well...I thought it might be nice to have at least one person there I could talk to...and I really did enjoy talking to you this past Saturday.

My owls name is Leontes...don't laugh...but I have a great fondness for Shakespeare and well...there you go. I think it's why I'd always noticed you back during your first years at Hogwarts. Hermione...the beautiful and virtuous Queen of Sicily.

Leontes will remain in the owlry, awaiting you reply with hope...

Terence Higgs

Hermione read through the letter several times and found herself smiling despite herself. Terence was very funny...and if what he'd said was true...Crookshanks had taken a liking to him...Crookshanks hadn't liked anyone...even Harry.

Terence was a fan of Shakespeare's works...and that thought made her smile and blush a bit. She had always adored Shakespeare's works...as did her mum...

So lost as she was in her thoughts, Georgiana didn't notice Draco staring at her nor Ginny's look of interest.

"Georgie..." Ginny patted her friend on the arm as she said her name in concern. Georgiana's eyes met her friends and she shook her head in embarrassment.

"Sorry, Gin...I just got a very interesting letter from someone unexpected."

Ginny nodded. "Everything alright?"

"Oh yes..." Georgiana smiled apologetically as she handed Ginny the letter and watching her friend's eyes widen and she chuckled at the words of the page.

"I remember Terence Higgs a bit. Slytherin, Pureblood, rather a decent chap and a fairly good Seeker. He played fair too...I don't think I ever saw him play anything other than a clean game. He was friendly with Fred too...from what I remember."

Georgiana listened with interest and sighed. "We talked briefly last weekend. He seemed very genuine and nice too."

Ginny smirked knowingly. "You should accept his invitation. There's no reason not to...right?"

Georgiana gave her friend a dubious look before her eyes looked over at the Slytherin table and she could see Draco talking to Blaise about something. "I don't know."

"Georgie, your grandmum wants you to keep your options open. I still can't believe my git of a brother is taking you to a Quidditch match for your first official date...but that's Ron for you."

"It's fine Ginny. Besides, Viktor is supposed to be there and I would like to see him again. Maybe Ronald is just trying to show me that he's matured...and his emotional range has progressed beyond a teaspoon."

Ginny's laugh echoed through the hall, garnering the attention of more than a few interested set of eyes. "Well, we can always hope."

Standing up and grabbing her coat and beaded bag, Georgiana winked to her friend and headed out of the Great Hall...towards the owlry. When she found Terence's owl, she attached a quick note and sent Leontes back to his owner with her reply.

Walking down the steps, Georgiana was met by Draco, who was waiting for her at the bottom.

"Good morning Princess."

"Good morning Draco."

"Everything okay?" Draco asked evenly, but his body seemed a bit tense.

"It's fine. I got an owl from Terence Higgs...I spoke with him briefly last Saturday before our date near the Hogs Head. He was meeting with Professor Slughorn for lunch. He asked to escort me to Professor Slughorn's Halloween Party at the end of October."

Draco nodded and offered Georgiana his arm as they walked back to the castle. He had recognized Terence's owl when it has dropped off the letter for Georgiana...and he was understandably confused as to how Terence Higgs knew Georgiana. Hearing her story, it made his confusion ebb, but Draco realized that he'd likely have another suitor for Georgiana's affections...which made him irritated, but he couldn't show his witch that...not exactly.

"Did you accept his invitation?"

Georgiana smiled impishly. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Draco chuckled softly, loving the fire of his Princess. "You're welcome to tell me, love...or not. I won't beg, if that's what you're wondering."

"Not yet anyway."

Draco laughed out loud genuinely for the first time since he could remember. "You're a minx."

"And you're jealous...despite trying very hard not to be which is endearing in its own way, I suppose."

Draco cocked an eyebrow in challenge. "Should I be jealous? Would you prefer it if I was?"

"That's a loaded question and one I'm not sure I should answer in all honesty."

"And why is that, love?"

"Because you're enough of an arrogant prat as it is, if I give you an honest answer, it's just going to serve to make you an ever larger one...and I'm not sure the world needs an ever more arrogant Draco Malfoy."

"You wound me, Princess." Draco smirked. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you didn't care."

"Ah, but you do know better."

"Perhaps...and perhaps I need a reminder, since I'm not going to see you today and apparently I'll have your attention even more divided for the foreseeable future..."

Georgiana place her right hand over her heart in a gesture of mock distress. "And what kind of reminder would you require of me to offer redress against such a grievance, my Lord."

Draco's grin became a bit heated as he did a quick survey of their surroundings and finding them alone, pulled Georgiana against him and captured her lips with his.

He had intended to keep the kiss relatively chaste, but the minute his witch sighed in pleasure and opened her mouth in submission, all bets were off and Draco instantly plundered Georgiana's mouth with his as he deepened the kiss with a growl of need.

Georgiana grasped Draco's hair in her hands as she responded instinctively to the kiss, her stomach swarming with those damn butterflies and her head swimming with desire as every nerve ending in her body ignited in want. Kissing Draco was like lighting a match and watching it burn...it was heat and flame...raw and unyielding in its intensity and left her craving more...

For Draco, he simply couldn't imagine ever wanting anything more than the witch in his arms...she was light, warmth, sunshine wrapped in an exquisite package of perfection and he simply was lost in her...everything about Georgiana just felt right...

After a few minutes, Draco forced himself to pull back with an unhappy groan...while Georgiana chased his lips searching for more of his kisses...placing a few final sweet kisses on her lips, Draco tilted his forehead against his witch's and breathed her in...and when he finally opened his eyes...it was to find blackened sapphire ones staring into his with all the passion he was sure his own were showing in equal measure.

"Should I apologize?" Draco whispered so quietly, Georgiana was almost afraid she didn't hear him correctly.

"Why?"

"For taking liberties."

"I wasn't complaining Draco...on the contrary...I think I was a most willing participant."

Draco smirked softly. "Yes."

Georgiana's face took on a look of confusion as her eyes asked the question her lips couldn't form words to.

"I'm jealous." Draco answered the unspoken query. "I'm trying to be supportive of what needs to be done, but I can't help but feel jealous. I'm not proud of it, and I can't change it love..."

"I know." Georgiana whispered with feeling. "Believe me, I do understand."

Draco sighed and the nodded before pulling back and taking Georgiana's arm back in his and resuming their trek back into the castle. "I believe you do. Are you going to go with Terence to Slughorn's Halloween party?"

Georgiana sighed and then nodded once. "I'm trying to follow my etiquette training and Terence seems like a nice enough bloke, but I can't say I really know enough about him one way or the other."

Draco nodded. "He's not a bad bloke...his family wasn't under the same scrutiny as many of the other Slytherin Pureblood's during the war. That being said, Terence was never close to anyone in our house either. Kept to himself mostly...the only person he seemed to befriend was Roger Davies."

"Fleur's date to the Yule Ball?"

Draco nodded. "They were only a year apart, so yeah. Roger is a solicitor now, from what I understand. Quite a good one too. Terence works in the Ministry, mostly with the members of the Wizengamot...which I'm sure he's told you. What he might've failed to mention was during the war...he worked directly with Mafalda Hopkirk...who was Delores Umbridge's assistant. So just be careful, alright. I know you and Umbridge had a rather volatile history and I'm not sure how much contact Higgs had with her during the war."

Georgiana's eyes widened in shock as she hissed out with disgust at the mention of the vile woman. "He didn't mention that."

"I wouldn't have." Draco offered firmly. "Doesn't necessarily mean anything either...but it's definitely something you should know."

Georgiana nodded in thanks. "I appreciate your telling me Draco."

"Of course." Draco smiled placatingly. "Have a good time today with Weasley...you didn't mention where you were going."

"Quidditch match."

Draco looked a bit shocked, and it made Georgiana smile inwardly. "I'm sorry, you're voluntarily going to a Quidditch match on a date? Did you lose a bet?"

Georgiana smacked Draco's arm in mock irritation, but he only chuckled at her show of annoyance. "No, I didn't lose a bet. Ronald thought it might be nice to go and see Viktor playing for his new team."

"Ah, I had heard that your Bulgarian bon bon was now playing locally for a team...I'm not sure if that's mature of Weasley or just ignorant of Weasley...but no matter. Enjoy the game and try not to act too bored or irritated."

"I'm sure I'll survive." Georgiana rolled her eyes at Draco impudence.

"Well, maybe the Quidditch gods will smile down upon you today and the game will end in under an hour."

Georgiana sighed. "Wouldn't that be a blessing."

"You can only hope, love."

"You're a prat...you know that, right?"

Draco shrugged, completely unrepentant. "But I'm your prat, Princess."

"So you keep telling me."

"And I will keep telling you for as long as you wish me to."

"How is it you can be so endearing and so pompous simultaneously?"

Draco winked. "It's a rare gift, love. One every Malfoy man has in abundance..."

"You're sure it's not a curse." Georgiana quipped back playfully.

"Perhaps you might ask me again this time next year?"

"Why that long?" Georgiana asked curiously.

"Because I might actually have a proper answer for you by then."

Georgiana's laughter filled the hallway leading back to the Great Hall as the two Head Students walked arm in arm...without a seeming care in the world.