A/N: I do not own the Harry Potter characters; I just love the books!

"Well, you two certainly had a lot to talk about." Draco pointed out as he and Blaise watched Hermione and Ginny walk away from the Manor. Blaise looked at Draco pointedly.

"You always knew that we got along. What, are you now jealous?"

"Humph. No, I just…" Draco paused. Why did he care so much about who Hermione talked to?

"Hermione is such a great girl. I was always surprised by her and what she could do. She can do so much more than magic you know." Blaise stated as the two men walked back into the manor.

"Really." The two men walked in silence for a bit. "So, what are you doing here? London's a bore without me?" Draco joked.

"Of course! Now that the world's most eligible bachelor is gone, there is no good gossip! It's just news about what new trend Ms. Josephine Baker is setting." Draco laughed.

"How is Josephine?"

"Pinning after you, of course! And I don't blame her – not after the way you left her." Draco knew that Blaise was aware of how annoying Josephine was, but was still curious about what was being said.

"The way I left her? What is she saying?"

"Oh, you know. That you told her that she was the only one for you and that you were to be married and then – poof! – you up and leave for your country estate. And of course, it didn't help when she found out that Hermione Granger was here."

"That's not how it happened at all! That girl just wanted to use my name to get her position in society! What a liar." Draco paused. "What does Hermione have to do with anything?"

"You know how jealous Josephine gets. She wants you back and figures that Hermione must be trying to steal you from her."

"But Hermione and I haven't talked since Hogwarts!"

"You know girls."

"So, how long are you going to mooch off of me this time, mate?" Draco asked.

"Hmmmm, how long can I get away with? I was thinking about staying for about a week, but I might stay longer with Hermione and Ginny around. They are very fun girls." Blaise said which a gleam in his eyes. Draco nodded, but didn't say anything. Blaise let it drop. He knew that Draco was trying to deal with forces that went against him as a handsome, wealthy man. It always made him pity Draco while growing up.

Since Draco was handsome and wealthy, people right away assumed that he was a spoiled brat. Because of this, people would always talk about him as though he despised everyone who was not rich and a pureblood. By the time that entered Hogwarts, Draco himself believed what people said. While it only helped to secure the image that was created around him, Blaise knew that it was not really Draco. Draco really didn't care whose someone's family was and if they had money. At Hogwarts most students looked the same. And Hermione showed that you did not need to have a witching past to be a great witch.

Blaise always thought that was the main thing that drew Draco to Hermione. He entered Hogwarts with the belief that people pressed onto him – that he didn't care for non-pure bloods since they were inferior witches. But Hermione was the brightest witch at Hogwarts – much more than most pure bloods. He credited Hermione with bringing him back from that evil mindset that was tearing him apart inside. Of course, he could not show it to anyone – his reputation was too strong. But Draco felt it and it gave him a sense of peace.

Draco even tried once to talk to Hermione, as a normal acquaintance, but by the seventh year her impressions of him had been set in stone. She flatly rejected his advances and later he heard that she thought he was just trying to get into her pants. Blaise talked with him about that situation and, while he was unable to comfort Draco, he was able to get Draco to focus on his studies enough to graduate as top in his class (tired with Hermione, of course).

Looking at Draco, Blaise decided that perhaps Hermione was part of the reason why he choose to come back to his family's estate. Thinking of how he could help Draco show his true self, Blaise came up with a great idea.

"Draco!"

"Yes?"

"Why don't we throw a party?"

"A party? What for?" Draco did not see any reason to invite more gossip about him into society. He had had enough with Josephine.

"To celebrate your homecoming to this wonderful, ancestral estate!" Draco didn't look convinced. "Come on Draco, it'll be fun! When was the last time you had a party that you actually enjoyed?"

"What about unwelcome guests?" Draco pointed out, thinking of Josephine.

"It can just be for people who live in this town." Blaise quickly replied. "You handle most of the property around here, right?" Draco nodded. "This is a great way for them to get to know you. I don't think many know much about you – only that you are rich and so good looking" Blaise joked, batting his eyes. Draco laughed.

"Ok, ok. We can have a party. Are you going to plan it?"

"Of course! Leave it all to me! We'll have music and games and drinks and a wonderful buffet…"

"Ok, it is all up to you – don't screw it up! I don't want people here to think that I am an awful party planner."

"Ok, I'll lie and say that you planned the whole thing." Blaise laughed.

A few days later Hermione and Ginny received the following invitation:

Mr. Draco Malfoy cordially invites your presence

at a Carney Estate Ball to celebrate the Malfoy

return to Reimashire.

Please enjoy an evening of dancing, drinking

and mouthwatering dishes at the Carney Estate on

May First at Eight o'clock in the evening.

Formal attire is preferred.

A/N: Ok, this chapter is a bit shorter, but I have updated a day after the other one was posted! Yeah! Please let me know what you think!