I've just finished the sixth chapter and for once I won't leave writing the next chapter to the last minute. If this entire story has not finished by November, chances are that I'll be preparing for my upcoming exams. Thanks guys and I really appreciate your patience!

The graduation came by as expected, yet Astoria's examination results took everyone even herself by surprise. Her achievements that consisted mostly of Exceeds Expectations did not go by unnoticed with her fellow students and staff members. She received Acceptable grades for Potions and Divination, but she did not mind as she disliked those particular subjects anyway. There were no obvious surprises when she found an 'O' written next to her Muggle Studies results.

Days before her year's graduation, Malcolm broke off their relationship on good terms. He did not provide a very detailed reason but Astoria knew well enough to keep silent or break their friendship as well. The only explanation she could come up with was that they were starting to act more like friends than an actual loving couple.

"We're better off as friends." he simply said, not going any further.

Astoria sent even more surprises when she moved out of her parents' home just two days after her graduation, leaving her sister secretly humiliated with herself as she remained living in the Greengrass household. She found cheap, yet comfortable hospitality in a small flat in London. What she loved most about her new home was the balcony just outside her bedroom; it overlooked the majority of the city and the sight was even more beautiful to take in during her lonely evenings.

One week had already passed since her first visit to the balcony and she was rushing in her heels across a rainy evening in London. Visibly frustrated with herself, she wondered why she did not bother to bring an umbrella and the leather purse she held over her head was not helping her at all. The rain suddenly picked up and was throwing itself down below where Astoria let out yet another irritated groan. Had she known it was going to rain that evening she would not have chosen her high-heeled shoes to wear as it interfered with her running. As she neared her destination, her heel slipped on the wet path and she fell onto her side and rolled onto her stomach.

"Great!" she shouted and hit the side of her fist onto the ground. She had just bought that coat and now the moisture that formed on the fabric clung onto her now cold skin. Breathing out a loud sigh, her emotions left her and she let the heavy rain pour down on her. When she closed her eyes, she no longer felt the rain sinking into her. To her confusion, she opened her eyes and looked up to find a young man holding an umbrella over her.

Offering his hand, Draco asked, "Are you alright, Miss Greengrass?"

Still staring at his face, she took his hand and he helped lift her to her feet. "Yeah. Thanks, Draco." she looked down at her clothes and attempted to squeeze them dry with her hands.

With his free hand, Draco pulled out his wand. "Allow me." he said and Astoria froze. He muttered an almost-indecipherable spell and pointed his wand at her. A warming sensation flowed through her entire body and her clothes dried up instantly. Smoothing the fabric on her coat, she was satisfied that even the clothes had warmed as well as her body.

"Thank you, Draco."

"You're very welcome, Miss Greengrass."

"Oh, please," Astoria said politely, "call me Astoria. I mean, I don't call you Mr Malfoy. O-or you could call me Tori if you like."

"Hmm..." Draco thought about it like as if her first name was foreign to him. "I've always liked the sound of your name."

She smiled and nearly noticed the slight twitch that had appeared on Draco's mouth. Still holding the black umbrella over their heads, he pushed his wand back into his pocket. He squinted upon realising a certain difference in Astoria.

"Last time I remembered, you had straight hair."

Astoria patted her blonde locks and nodded. "Yes, I've been practising a hair-waving charm recently." She nervously looked away from Draco's face and absent-mindedly asked "What do you think?

"It's lovely." he replied truthfully and gave a brief pause. "So, where are you headed off to?"

"The Leaky Cauldron," Astoria said. "I could use some elf-made wine right now."

"Would you like me to walk you there?" Draco's question had caught her by astonishment. "I think I might buy myself some Firewhiskey."

Astoria shrugged. "Okay!"

Draco held out his hand in front of her and she innocently took it. The umbrella sheltered them both from the peltering rain as they both ambled across the stone path. Even though the drying charm's warmth was beginning to wear off, holding Draco's hand was enough for Astoria to stay warm as she was unknowingly forming a blush on her cheeks. When they finally stood at the pub's entrance, like a gentleman, Draco slowly swung open the door and politely guided her in while he followed and closed the door behind him.

The Leaky Cauldron was less crowded than usual which surprised even the employees whom were humming to themselves. Tom was wiping the bar counter as usual when Draco approached and leaned his arm on the counter's edge. He patiently waited for the landlord's attention which eventually came.

"Mr Malfoy." he acknowledged him in a voice of hidden disdain. "How may I be of assistance, sir?"

"Well," Draco began. "I would like a glass of Firewhiskey and a glass of elf-made wine for this fine, young woman." he gestured to Astoria.

She took a few steps towards him in a look of modesty. "Oh, you don't have to, I can pay for myself-"

"It's no trouble, Astoria." his lips formed into the first genuine smile she had ever seen. In fact, she was not even sure if whether or not anybody had seen him smile. It was beautiful, she thought. Why couldn't he pull out a nice grin every now and then?

She suddenly shook those dreamy thoughts out of her head and looked up at the patient young man. "Okay..." she said, dumbstruck.

After handing him a handful of sickles, Tom immediately pulled out two glasses of the ordered drinks and handed them to Draco. He looked at Astoria and jerked his head towards the table beside the nearby window where she sat down on one of the stools. Draco carried the two glasses and placed them onto the wooden table. Astoria thanked him and took a small sip from the shiny wine glass whereas Draco practically threw down his Firewhiskey. After letting out a sigh, he started a conversation.

"How has life been treating you?"

"Fine. How is your job at the Ministry?"

Draco shrugged. "Not bad at the moment. Well at least I can't complain." he took another sip of his drink. "If I'm not mistaken, I saw you performing with the choir down at Hogsmeade."

Astoria blushed. "Yes, that's true." she said modestly.

He was about to ask her further about her singing ambition, but then restrained himself. He watched her take another gentle sip at her wine and straightened his back.

"Listen, Astoria," he began. "Would you like to go out sometime?"

Although she showed no emotion, Astoria was more surprised than she ever was before. Draco, she thought, was asking her out! She did not know where to begin.

"Are things not working out between you and Pansy?" she cringed every time she said that girl's name as the image of a pug always appeared in her mind.

"No."

Her mouth twitched and she stared into her drink like as if there was a portal beneath the liquid. Draco brought his hands together on the table and continued.

"Meet me down in the country." he announced. "Down at Flowing Fields where the big pine tree is. We'll probably be exhausted by the end of the day but I promise you, you will love this date!"

Astoria looked up from her glass and met his eyes with an interestingly emotionless stare. Draco was close to jumping in confusion as he was worried that he may have said something wrong.

"Tori?" he continued to look confused by her expression.

After a few seconds of silence, she took a breath and spoke.

"I haven't said 'yes' yet!"

Draco just stared at her, dumbfounded and attempting to figure out what to say next. Every time he opened his mouth, he found that the words he needed to say were not coming out.

"I'm just kidding around," Astoria stated. "Of course, I'll be there!"

He breathed a sigh of relief. "So...Thursday?" he managed.

"Thursday, it is."

Phew! I'm exhausted and I can't believe I've managed to write eight chapters already! (Sighs) Thanks, guys for reading this and thanks again for your reviews!