A/N: Thanks to Starrnobella for the beautiful prompt post in Dramione FanFiction Forum (FB): Little black dress; Red rose; "Welcome to the broken hearts club"; Disaster. Thanks to my sister for beta duties and to my son who came up with the name for the restaurant :)


Title: The Broken Hearts Club

Rating: T

Hermione looked at the embossed invitation one last time before taking a steadying breath as she slipped it into her clutch. Running her trembling hands over her little black dress she scruitinised herself in the mirror, her eyes narrowing as she smoothed non existent wrinkles from her dress. "This is going to be a disaster" she told her reflection, as she struggled to resist the temptation to shed the dress in favour of her familiar worn out Gryffindor pyjamas.

Grabbing her shawl from the chair at her vanity, she groaned internally, as she realised she had little choice; Ginny would only keep trying to set her up on dates if she did not go to this ridiculous function.

Slipping into the private dining room of the exclusive restaurant, 'The Ivory Wand', she handed the maitre d' her invitation wordlessly, following him into the low lit room with its ornately carved furniture, crisp linens and brightly polished silverware. Settling herself nervously into her chair, she placed the long stemmed red rose on the table, symbolic of her membership to this exclusive club. Glancing around, she squinted in the dim light as she tried to discern the faces of the other members.

A suave gentleman entered the room from a side door, flashing his charming smile as he made his way to the centre of the room. "Welcome to the Broken Hearts Club. I hope you have a wonderful evening" he smiled, as a small chime sounded. From somewhere in the back, the gentlemen filed into the room, each taking a seat at a table. This was speed dating at its most eligant, the membership to the club exclusive and based on recommendation only, the most important criteria being that each member had experienced heartbreak and was ready to find their soul mate. After her soul destroying breakup with Ron, Ginny had recommended her to the club established by her former school friend, Luna.

Looking up, she smiled at the gentleman who sat down in the seat across from her. As he spoke she assessed his potential: Good looking? yes. Interesting conversation? mildly. Similar interests? Not really. Last book he read? Not since school, and even then, not if he could help it.

The chime sounded again and he moved on, much to her gratitude. Four gentlemen followed in his wake, not one coming anywhere near her level of expectation. She surreptitiously glanced at her silver wrist watch as the last gentleman sat down. Looking up, she sucked in a breath as the blonde wizard sat down, flashing her a charming smile.

"Hallo, Granger."

Her earlier nerves flooding back as she stuttered her reply, her tone lifting in question at the end. "Malfoy?"

He seemed unnaturally at ease as he began his practiced monologue, explaining his failed marriage to Astoria Greengrass, life as a single father, and, most surprising of all, how he had attended muggle university, obtained a degree in law, and was working towards completing a legal internship at the Ministry. He paused, noting her expression which grew more shocked as her eyes widened, his own twinkling with delight as he took her in.

He leaned forward slightly. "Listen, this is ridiculous, and you and I both know that we are never going to find our match here of all places, so how about we both sneak out of here now and head to the Leaky for a far more relaxing conversation over a drink?" he proposed.

She glanced around the room, knowing the rules of the club required them to complete the six rounds of 'dates' before handing in their cards and to leave early was to forfeit membership. Suddenly she felt a rush of adrenaline as she reminisced over past memories of rule breaking, a wicked smile gracing her full lips.

"Ok" she whispered.

Allowing him to grab her petite hand, they hurried from the room, slipping out the door unnoticed. Hand in hand, they ran down Diagon Alley, her soft giggles drifting on the wind, melting his heart, the melodic sound healing the fissures within.

Despite his earlier declaration to the contrary, maybe he had found his match in there afterall.

.