Draco had stared at the switch for fifteen minutes before courage found him and forced him to press the tiny button. He checked the bouquet again, it was quite exquisite, arranged by his mother and made of flowers picked from her own garden. He waited nervously for what seemed like an eternity for Astoria to open the door, only that the person smiling threateningly at him from the door was Daphne Nott.

"Hi, Draco." Daphne said smiling sweetly from the door. "Do come in, Astoria would come along in a while."

Draco's voice died in his throat as he silently entered Astoria's living room. "Do sit." Daphne said as she plopped down on a couch facing him. Draco was forced to sit on the couch behind him. They sat in silence for a few seconds before Daphne came straight to the point. "So, why didn't you tell me that you were taking Astoria out on a date when you met us for dinner on Monday?"

"I-" Draco's voice came out strangled, everyone knew how protective Daphne was of her family, he cleared his throat. "I didn't really know that I would be taking her out on a date. I asked her out on Tuesday and I haven't met the two of you since."

Daphne nodded, thoughtfully. "You are not a bad sort." She stated plainly, "But you treat my sister the way you treated Pansy and I promise you, I will make your life hell."

Draco nodded, "I do believe that we are not 16 anymore, Daphne. I would never dream of hurting your sister."

"DAPHNE NOTT! YOU BETTER OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW!"

"Oh shoot!" Daphne muttered before getting up hurriedly.

"You locked her in?" Draco asked incredulously.

"Of course I did, I needed some time to talk to you without interruption."

"Didn't she know that you have locked her in?"

"Of course not, she was getting ready. I didn't think it would take so much of time." Daphne said opening the door.

On the other side of the door stood Astoria Greengrass in all her anger induced glory.

"Daphne Theodore Nott-"

"Oh hey Tori, look Draco is here. I guess I would leave the two of you alone." Daphne said hurriedly before pushing Draco towards the door and disappearing into the kitchen.

Astoria blushed, embarrassed that Draco had to witness such a scene.

"Hi." Astoria said blushing deeply, as she shyly tucked her dark hair behind her ear.

Draco smirked. "That was really funny. I think Daphne is going to live under a rock to hide from you."

Astoria grinned. "Shall we?"

"Yes." Draco said before remembering the bouquet in his hands. "These are for you."

"Thank you." Astoria said, receiving the bouquet gracefully before she started sneezing uncontrollably.

"Astoria, are you alright?"

"I am fine-" *sneeze* "Excuse me. Let me ju-" *sneeze* "Excuse me again. Put these-" *sneeze*

"Maybe you should sit down first." Draco said, as he noticed the sudden reddening of Astoria's cheeks and nose. "Looks like you are getting down with a cold. Let me call Daphne for help, while I go make soup for you." He said before calling out for Daphne.

When Daphne entered the room Astoria was still holding on to the bouquet of white lilies and sneezing uncontrollably, she looked up at her sister with watery eyes. Daphne pulled away the bouquet from her, setting it up on the table before summoning a vial of an anti-allergic potion.

"You are allergic to Lilies?" Draco asked eyes wide.

Astoria nodded, trying to regain her normal breathing and composure.

"I am so sorry." Draco said sounding horrified, "I had no idea. Are you alright? I think you should rest, we can reschedule for later this week."

Daphne smirked at Astoria who glared back at her sister before turning to Draco.

"No, no. I am fine. Let's go." She said standing up and brushing her dress.

Draco looked at Astoria, with her red cheeks and nose and watery eyes, she looked beautiful just the way she was, his stomach fluttered pleasantly. He smiled at her before taking her hand and apparating to a lane near her favourite restaurant in muggle London.

"How did you know about this place?" She asked beaming at him.

Draco rubbed the back of his neck. "Ginny Weasley kind of dropped in the hint to me when I was visiting Teddy and she was babysitting him." Astoria nodded with a smile before tugging at Draco's hand and pulling him in.

Dinner was wonderful, conversation flowed effortlessly. Astoria and Draco were equally matched at intelligence however their core personalities balanced each other out. While Draco more often than not was a withdrawn man who was not very expressive but aware of a person's reactions, Astoria was a very passionate speaker as well as a good listener. It was much later in the evening, as Draco escorted Astoria to her doorstep that he realized that it had been a long time since he had been so at ease with someone. He was looking forward to meeting her again.

"I had a lovely time Draco. Thank you." Astoria said, turning to smile at Draco. He smiled back.

"So, will there be another date?" He asked jokingly.

She laughed, "Why don't you owl me about it? I guess I will see you tomorrow at Andromeda's place."

Draco grinned at her. His eyes bulged out in surprise when Astoria stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight Draco."

So, another lousy chapter. But pileeeeez read and review. Happy Reading.

Love,

The fishes