The week had gone rather quickly for Draco. He left the manor at half past six and apparated straight to Tori's house, having arranged a car from the ministry to pick them up from the Greengrasses. What was meant to be an evening out for him and Astoria had turned into a double date somehow, if you could call it a double date. He had made amends with Nott and Blaise but Goyle said although they could write to each other, he wasn't ready to renew their friendship. Tonight, Blaise(who worked in the department of mysteries) was bringing Daphne along to the Christmas party, so the four of them were going to be sharing a car.

It was as Richard let him and Blaise into the house that his breath was taken away. Astoria turned to face him with the smile that he had grown accustomed to, her brown hair tied up into an elegant bun. She wore a sleeveless chiffon mint maxi style evening dress with silver glittering gems along the v-neck collar and along the waist. She matched the silver of the dress with silver tear drop earrings and a tear drop shaped pendant on a silver chain. Draco couldn't find the words to describe how mesmerising she was.

The four got into the car and the chatted until they reached the visitor's entrance to the ministry. They all squeezed into the phonebox and dialled, each taking a badge and pinning it to their clothes before they descended down into the ministry atrium. They were each given a glass of champagne and Draco introduced Astoria to his colleagues in the trade department, whilst Blaise took Daphne off to dance.

"Happy Christmas." said a familiar voice behind him.

He turned, hoping that he was dreaming. He wasn't, Pansy was stood in front of him. She had opted for a pale pink puffy sleeved knee length dress with her brown locks curled into ringlets.

"Happy Christmas Pansy." Draco replied coldly.

"I heard you were here with the little Greengrass, are you two an item now?" Pansy sneered.

"It is none of your business who I do and do not date Pansy."

"She certainly has feelings for you."

"So what if I'm dating her? We broke up Pansy, get over it."

"Prove to me that you're over me, prove to me that there is no hope for us." Pansy challenged.

Draco felt a surge of anger, for he knew all to well that Pansy knew that he wouldn't back away from a challenge. He glared at Pansy before scanning the room for Astoria. Spotting her helping herself to another glass of wine, he marched up to her and set the wine glass on one of the round tables. Tori raised an eyebrow at him quizzically.

"Forgive me for what I'm about to do." Draco whispered, caressing her cheek affectionately.

"I don't-

She didn't get the chance to question what he meant for she understood what he was talking about the moment he closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her; kissing her sweetly. Astoria shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed Draco to slide his tongue into her mouth to kiss her passionately. Draco was surprised that every time his lips moved with Tori's that there was something there, like a spark. The weight of her in his arms and the smell of her perfume were pure bliss, and he found that he didn't want to stop kissing her just yet.

He smiled against her lips as he felt her hands run through his hair and he kept on arm around her waist and moved his other hand to cup her face. Draco continued to kiss her for a few moments longer before letting go of her in order to allow her to catch her breath. Astoria was silent as her breathing began to become even once more and she looked at him in confusion.

"What was that about?"

"Pansy provoked me and used you as her weapon of choice."

Astoria looked behind him and smiled to see that Pansy's face was one in horror. She smiled even wider when she saw the Parkinson girl rush off to find her date. She turned back to Draco, and he was disappointed to see that she was no longer smiling.

"Did that mean anything to you?"

He felt stunned.

"I enjoyed it immensely."

"So despite what it was about to begin with, you enjoyed it?"

Draco nodded, "I apologise if I have offended you Astoria, I didn't seek to make you feel used."

"It's fine Draco, I'm not keen on the idea of being used but to be honest the girl drives me up the wall. She's constantly moaning how you broke up with her to my sister whenever she visits our house and hates the fact that you've been seeing me so much so to see the smug smile wiped off her face gives me some satisfaction."

Draco smiled and gave her back her wine glass before helping himself to another and the two continued to talk about various things and laughed at stories the other told and remembered things from their childhood. It was when Daphne announced that she was going out with Blaise and left the Ministry that Draco checked his watch and asked if Astoria wanted to go home. When Astoria yawned, Draco took her hand and led her outside via the visitor's entrance to the car to drive them back to the Greengrass residence.

He didn't feel the slightest bit awkward when Tori rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep. He merely wrapped an arm around her to hold her close and to keep her warm. After all, she had held him and slept in the same bed as him during their visit to Rome. Why should he feel awkward? It felt nice to have her this close to him, even if she was just his friend.

Before he knew it the car pulled to a slow stop outside of the Greengrasses house and he gently shook Tori before getting out of the car. He held her hand to the door and was surprised to see that she didn't immediately go inside.

"Thank you for tonight Draco."

"It was my pleasure."

"I'll write to you soon." she smiled and went to turn back into the house but turned when she felt his hand close gently around her wrist, causing her to turn back to face him.

"I didn't tell you how beautiful you looked tonight."

Tori blushed, "It's a bit late to charm me Draco."

"I'm not charming you, I'm telling you a fact."

She chuckled slightly, "Goodnight Mr Malfoy."

Draco leaned in closer, finding himself unable to fight the urge. He closed his eyes once more and kissed her, still surprised that the spark he had felt the first time was still there. Tori moved her lips willingly against Draco's and pulled away after two minutes. She bade him goodnight once more and entered the house, shutting the door lightly. Draco turned away and smiled to himself, loving the tingly feeling on his lips in the aftermath of his kiss with Astoria Greengrass.