November 2001

Straightening his jacket and tie for the last time, Draco knocked on the front door to the Greengrass house. It was already dark and the street lamps glowed a low orange along the street; some even flickering a little. The hand that had held a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates moved to place the roses in his free hand and he gulped nervously. It was Astoria's nineteenth birthday tonight and she believed that she was going out for a family dinner with her parents, brother and sister. That was actually a cover in order for Draco to surprise her by taking her on their first date.

Ever since August, the wizarding public had begun to acknowledge that he wasn't as bad as they had originally believed. Rita Skeeter had gotten wind of the Lethifold attack and how he had saved The Chosen One from being suffocated to death. The gossiper had written an article in the Daily Prophet and ever since, he had people coming up to him saying they admired his courage. He felt he was finally in a place where he could put his past behind him, having sorted his life out now.

The door opened and an aging Neil Greengrass invited him into the house. Draco didn't remove his jacket, for he knew that Tori was getting ready and would be down in a matter of seconds. He couldn't wait to see her face, wondering if she would be surprised to see him here on her birthday. He was considering himself lucky to have a chance with Tori, she was beautiful, brilliant(having graduated from Hogwarts at seventeen, as the Ministry were still trying to repair the damage to the castle that had happened during the war. Students for the time being took their OWLs in fourth year and their NEWT's in the sixth, just until the castle was restored to it's former glory) and was the most kind hearted person he had ever met. She made him become a better person and he wanted her in his life for the rest of time, for if he ever felt bad again all he had to do was look at her to be reminded that she saw through it.

He chatted to Daphne and Richard as he waited, mostly talking about the Quidditch world cup that was to take place next year in the Sahara desert. It was as Draco was asking Daphne how her relationship with Blaise was going when he heard Tori coming down the stairs. She entered the room and took Draco's breath away. She wore a slytherin green evening dress with no sleeves and a silver wrap, he had forgotten how much the slytherin colours had suited her. Her eyes widened in surprise and she turned to her mother.

"Is Draco joining us tonight?"

Jemima smiled, "Tori, tonight it will be just you and Draco dining out."

"I don't understand." Tori replied, turning her attention back to Draco.

"Happy Birthday Tori." Draco handed over the flowers and chocolates to which she felt her heart beat faster in her chest at the gesture.

Neither said anything as Neil led the two of the out of the house and they stood in the orange lit street. Tori knocked on the door and when her father answered it, she gave him the flowers and chocolates to leave at the house. Once the door was shut again, the two walked a little down the street in an awkward silence until Astoria decided to end it.

"What is tonight about Draco?"

"Celebrating your birthday." Draco replied with a frown.

"I know that, but I mean are we celebrating as friends or as a couple? I know I said that I'd wait for you-

Draco silenced her by covering her mouth with his own and kissing her passionately. Tori slowly placed her arms around his neck and her fingers ran gently through his growing blonde hair and held his lips to hers as his tongue met hers. Draco had wanted to wait until the end of the night, to make this her most favourite birthday, but he had sensed that she was having doubts about their discussion in Paris all those months ago.

He released her after a few minutes, breathing heavily; he didn't know now how he had ever gone without realising how great Tori would have been for him. All he knew now was that he couldn't be without her in his life, that he needed her and couldn't picture himself with anybody besides her.

"Well I guess I have my answer."

Chuckling slightly, he wrapped his arms around her waist and replied; "You ruined my plan but I couldn't have you wondering where the evening was going to go."

"You've kept me hanging a long time and although I understood your reasons why and didn't hold that against you; I have to say that this is what I've always wanted."

"I see you now Astoria and I'm not looking away."

Tori stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek before the two of them stopped, Draco took a strong hold of her hands and apparated the two of them to one of the restaurants in Saliuna Alley. Draco stepped in, taking her hand and the waiter led the way to their table, but they were interrupted by a certain ex-girlfriend of Draco's.

"You're here with the little Greengrass?" Pansy sneered.

"Pansy, you know my girlfriend Astoria."

His ex's eyes narrowed jealously as Draco moved the two of them around her and followed the waiter to a secluded part of the restaurant. Tori's heart melted when she saw a candlelit table for two with rose petals on the white table sheet. She turned to Draco with a warm smile, knowing that it wasn't going to leave her face anytime soon.

"You did this for me?"

Draco nodded and kissed her hand, "You're everything to me Tori and I meant what I said to Pansy, you're my girlfriend assuming you want me to call you that."

Tori nodded as she sat in her seat and Draco in his, this was turning out to be the best birthday that she had ever had.