Draco Malfoy, the richest and most sought after wizard in the current wizarding and muggle world for that matter was currently faced with a huge dilemma. His mother was regularly on his back. She wanted him to someday, more like very soon, bring home an eligible misses and not one of the constant bimbos with boobs bigger than the size of their brains. He had finally given up on finding his own bride and was trying to convince his mother that bachelorhood was suiting him just fine. She was not fooled and had already tried to set him up with thirteen girls. Sadly, in Draco's mind, none of them were that girl. Draco actually had a vague idea who that girl was but he had squashed all hopes on that conquest after the last battle.
His father was killed and so were all but five death eaters. Draco was smart enough to know that blood meant nothing and it all had to do with magical ability. With the help of Dumbledore, he was able to keep his mother safe after his decision to join the order fresh out of Hogwarts. His desired conquest however was still his biggest rival no matter how much he changed for the better. Although they had become friends? No more like close acquaintances because they had bickered like a married couple. Draco wouldn't have minded the married and couple part. Having not seen her for more than two years now, Draco knew Hermione Granger had managed to steal his heart and not even know it.
"Draco dear? I know you said you wanted to shower and stay in tonight but I thought since tonight is the eve of your 22nd birthday we would go out?" Narcissa Malfoy, a forty-year old widow who still managed to look stunning, asked as she patiently waiting for Draco to accept. Draco was skeptical, the following evening his mother had insisted to hold a ball in honor of his birthday and Draco knew better to argue with his mother when it came to social functions held at the manor, but Narcissa seemed a put out from his lack of enthusiasm for tomorrow. So Draco knew what he had to do.
"Of course mother, just give me a few minutes to get ready and we can apparate to where you wish for us to eat"
"Oh Draco! Thank you! I was thinking we could dine at that restaurant you love so much in Diagon Alley?"
"That would be perfect. I'll meet you in the parlor in 15 minutes," Draco replied and quickly made his way to his closet to pick out something to wear. His current attire of just a towel probably wouldn't sit well with his socialite mother. Within 10 minutes Draco was looking extremely attractive and made his way to the main level of the mammoth five story Malfoy Manor.
"Mother shall we leave now?" Draco asked when he saw his mother waiting for him on one of the newly acquired brocade sofas.
"Of course Draco." With a pop both remaining Malfoys, one by blood and the other marriage, apparated to Patronus, a swanky wizard restaurant known to wizarding royalty as the place to be.
"Table for two, Malfoy," Draco told the hostess who was currently batting her lashes at him much to his mother's dismay. Draco supplied the hostess; with the name tag Serena, with the famous smirk known to make hearts melt, well according to Witch Weekly's description of Draco's best trademark in this year's "Hottest Bachelor of the Year Award".
"Draco, please refrain from making eyes with the hostess it's not decent," Narcissa chagrined Draco once they were seated. Draco's mind however was elsewhere. He had just since a flash of distinct red hair accompanied by a mess of black hair and a set of locks he immediately recognized as his past and hidden infatuation. Draco saw that Hermione was headed towards the restroom after excusing herself and he quickly made his way towards the restrooms as well.
He waited stealthily till she came out six minutes later and managed to look as if he had come out of the men's at the same time.
"Excuse me," Hermione quickly replied and then looked up to see whom the body she currently was pressed up against. Looking up Hermione saw, much to her shock, a set of very familiar bluish grey eyes looking at her with surprise. "Draco?"
