Finally the semester had ended. Draco had just taken his last exam and was currently in his flat beginning to pack, for he would be spending his semester break at his parents' house.

Draco was reading a letter that had just arrived for him not too long ago. It was from his mother. She was reminding him that the New Year's Ball was approaching and that he should make arrangements to have his dress robes done. She also said he might want to consider bringing a date as well. Draco sighed, the New Year's Ball was held at the Malfoy Manor every year and every year ever since he was 15 his parents insisted he bring a date. This was just their underhanded way to set up a match for him,

When will you take a wife? The Malfoy line must continue! his father's voice echoed in his head. He had no qualms about getting married but Draco knew for a fact that he was picky. He wanted a marriage among equals; he didn't want just a pretty face that would give him an heir. Lord knows he'd dated bunch of girls that belonged in that category and he couldn't bring himself to respect such individuals. All they cared about was material items as well as boosting up their pedigrees by going out with him. He didn't want a woman like that, he wanted someone who was intelligent, witty, and who could hold a decent conversation- someone like Aurora, who was genuine.

There you go thinking about her again! He scolded himself.

Ever since her birthday the two had been spending some time with each other. Every Friday they would go to the café and simply enjoy each other's company. They didn't talk about much, in fact they hardly even talked at all. A majority of the time he was studying and she would be engrossed in the book he had gotten her. They had an interesting rapport- well, at least to Draco it was interesting. He was used to females blabbing on about topics he hardly cared about. Aurora would engage in some sort of conversation with him but then would go back to reading her book.

"Mr. Malfoy! You still haven't packed yet?!"

Draco knew that voice. "Mr. Malfoy is my father Wyatt. I am simply the young Master, and would you care to tell me how you got in here in the first place?"

"Well Master Malfoy, you left the door unlocked." Wyatt walked up to his friend and snatched the letter out of his hand, "What's this you got here? A letter from mommy?"

Draco sighed and shook his head as Wyatt began to read.

"Oh right! The Ball is coming up, I need to find myself a date! What about you mate?"

"What about me, Wyatt?"

"Well clearly you can't go alone, you need a date, and it even says it here. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Not a clue, Wyatt. I would prefer to go alone but seeing as how my mother would never accept that, I don't really have a choice now, do I?"

"What would Madam Malfoy do if you didn't bring a date?"

"Madam Malfoy would pick a date for me, that's what would happen. And honestly I'd prefer not to have my mother pick my dates for me. I hate these types of occasions because every time I bring a date the girl automatically thinks that we've become an item or something."

Wyatt began to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"You know what you should do so you don't have that problem?"

"What?"

"Just hire an escort for the night! It'll be perfect! She'll just be your date for the Ball and then afterwards…" Wyatt smirk at his friend suggestively.

Draco looked at his friend flabbergasted, that he just suggested that option to him. "That is disgusting, Wyatt! Do you honestly think I would let a prostitute-"

"Escort!'

"-into my father's house! Good lord, and have her meet my mother! God no! Also, I don't believe in having sex if I have to pay for it. I'm not that desperate."

"Calm down mate. Jeez, it was just a joke. I know you're above doing such a thing. Oh, and when was the last time you had sex?"

Draco scowled at his friend. "Why does that matter? In fact why do you even care!? You don't see me asking you about your sex life."

"Well you haven't been in the best mood lately, so I couldn't help but wonder. If you want to know, the last time I got shagged was a week ago."

Draco smirked. "Was she expensive?"

Wyatt chuckled. "Are you suggesting that I got an escort?"

"Well Wyatt, you seem fond of them."

"Haha mate, very funny. Now come on out with it, when was the last time?"

"At the beginning of September before I came to America, one of my old girlfriends decided to give me a 'proper' goodbye."

"Two months? Well that's not so bad…Well aside from the subject of shagging, you need a date for that Ball."

"And so do you, Wyatt."

"Yes, but unlike you, I don't mind my dates."

Draco rubbed his temples in frustration. "You know what Wyatt?"

"What?"

"It's time for you to leave." Draco stated as he looked at his watch.

"Why?" Wyatt whined.

"Because I have to meet Aurora soon."

"Ah! I see you're growing quite fond of my girl, you've been spending a great deal of time with her, no?"

Draco's cheeks began to turn red. "So! What of it? She's just a friend!"

"No need to bite my head off, I'm only teasing. But you know if you're really dreading the fact that you need a date, why don't you ask her to accompany you?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Ask Aurora to go to the ball with you. Like you said, she's a friend, right? And I'm sure she considers you a friend too now that she prefers your company over Beatrice's."

"And how would you know?"

"I know this to be true because she said so herself. But anyways, both of you would have a mutual understanding that you two would just go as friends, and nothing else."

Wyatt did make a good point; the only problem was Draco was beginning to believe that he was starting to like Aurora as more than just a friend. Also he knew that his mother would love nothing more than for him to be paired with the daughter of Emmanuel and Ophelia Pontellier.

"Well I guess I'll give it a try, but to be honest Wyatt, she doesn't seem to be one for parties."

"You never know unless you ask."

"Fine, fine. Now get out, I have to go."

"You know Draco, for someone who grew up in a high standing family you are so rude!"

"Well, Wyatt have you ever considered that you tend to bring out the worst in people?"

"Nonsense!"

Draco walked to the entrance of the flat and opened the door. "Good- bye, Wyatt."

With a huff, Wyatt strolled out. He turned to get a last word in but Draco simply smirked and shut the door in his face.

Aurora sat in her usual spot right next to the window. As she patiently waited for Draco to arrive, she pulled out her sketch book and decided to sketch a young lady who was sitting not too far from her. Normally while she waited she would read, but seeing as how she felt as if her brain was fried from taking her last final, this was a much better way to relax.

"Still drawing, I see."

Aurora knew this voice, and it wasn't Draco's. "What do you want Cesare?" she asked, not bothering to look up.

"Is that how you treat you friends nowadays, Rory?"

With a huff of frustration, Aurora looked up at the young man who was currently disturbing her. Cesare Seccante was an international student from Italy, and Aurora had the displeasure of meeting him at the holiday party that was held on campus right before exams began the previous year. At first she didn't mind him much, she even thought he was good looking; with his thick dark locks, his tanned skin, and chiseled face. But as the party progressed she learned that he was arrogant, with a head full of hot air. One thing she absolutely couldn't stand in a man was arrogance, especially when he had no right to be.

"Excuse me, last I checked we aren't friends, so please address me by my proper title. We're nowhere near good enough terms for you to address me so informally."

Ceasare chuckled. "Well, well Aurora-"

"Miss Pontellier." Aurora corrected him abruptly.

"You're as feisty as ever I see."

"I'm going to ask you again, what do you want?"

"Nothing, nothing. I would like to be honored with your presence." His brown eyes met her green ones.

"Get lost." Aurora scoffed.

"Why?"

"Because you irritate me."

The pair were locked in a death stare when Draco entered the café. He spotted Aurora immediately and took note of the young man that was standing in front of her. It didn't seem like they were having a friendly conversation; in fact, judging by Aurora's body language as well as the look on her face, she seemed agitated.

"Is there a problem here?" He asked as he stepped between the two.

"Who are you?" Ceasare asked.

Draco turned to face the Italian man and cocked his head to the side. "Well sir, seeing as how you didn't give me your name first, I'm not obliged to answer."

Ceasare smirked. "Okay then, I am Ceasare Seccante. And you are?"

"Draco Malfoy. Now, if you don't mind me asking, what business do you have with Miss Pontellier?"

"I don't see how that's any of your business."

"Well, you see, that's where you're wrong. Miss Pontellier happens to be a good friend of mine and it appears to me that your presences disturbs her. If you do not wish to tell me why you chose to aggravate her, that is fine, but I must ask you to leave."

Ceasare looked between the two. He didn't want to make a bigger spectacle then he had already, and people were beginning to stare. "Very well. Miss Pontellier, I bid you good day." He turned and exited the café.

Draco took a seat across from Aurora. "Who was that guy?"

"That guy is the biggest asshole-excuse my language- you will ever meet on this campus."

Draco chuckled "I don't think I've ever heard you swear before."

"I try not to make a habit of it. It's not very ladylike." She smiled. "Thank you for getting rid of him."

"What did he want?"

"He wants me to go out with him, but Cesare is so damn persistent so he won't take no for an answer."

"Really? You've rejected him before?"

"Oh yes, he's asked me out a few times in the past and my answer was always the same 'no', but he can't get it through that thick skull of his. Also he's a notorious philanderer." Aurora rolled her eyes. "I could swear that I see him with a new girl every week. I can't stand that guy! He's so arrogant, he thinks he's God's gift to this Earth."

"You know I used to be like that, used to think I was all that." Draco said quietly.

"Really? I never would have thought, you seem so down to Earth; reserved, even."

"Yeah, I guess you can say that I grew out of it. A few events in my life kind of gave me some perspective."

"What happened?"

Draco hesitated, he didn't want to tell her what had happened during the Second Wizarding War. In fact, he would sometimes still suffer from nightmares of the events that he had witnessed.

Aurora noticed Draco's discomfort. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uneasy."

"It's okay. So I take that this Cesare bloke is simply not your type." Draco said, changing the subject.

"Precisely."

"And just what is your type, my dear?"

Aurora smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I'm curious, and honestly Aurora, you intrigue me. What do girls like you seek in a male partner?"

"Girls like me?"

"The intellectual kind. You spend more money on books than you do on clothes, and I find that interesting."

Aurora gave him a puzzled look.

"I mean interesting in a good way!" Draco said immediately.

"Okay. So, my ideal man will have to be highly educated, of course. He has to be someone I can talk to..." Aurora paused and began to think. "You know, this is a hard question. I don't know how to answer it."

"Well, why you don't think about any past relationships that you've had and think about things you liked and didn't like."

Aurora allowed a small smile. "I don't see how I can do that since I've never been in a relationship before."

Draco was genuinely perplexed by this revelation. "You…you've never been in a relationship before? You've never had a boyfriend!?"

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, no, I'm just surprised is all. I mean, how have you been able to avoid men for so long?"

"Have you met me? I try to avoid human contact as much as possible."

Draco laughed. "So you're telling me that you're doing it on purpose."

"I guess you can say that. But honestly, most of the males that I've met weren't worth my time. What about you? Have you had girlfriends? I'm sure a guy like you must have had a few girlfriends."

"Yes, I've had a few." Draco smiled sheepishly "But a majority of the girls- or, in fact, all of the girls I've gone out with weren't really what I was looking for. Most of them just wanted to go out with my because of my family's status, and sometimes so they could brag that they're going out with Draco Malfoy." He muttered, "Dumb cows."

"Wow. Well, that's not very nice."

"The cows comment or the girls?"

"The girls, of course!"

"Yes, I went out with girls who weren't nice."

"Well that's unfortunate, I think you're a great guy!"

"Thank you, I think so too." Draco stated playfully "And I think you're great too."

Aurora chuckled. "I doubt it, you're just being nice."

"No I mean it, I like you."

"Thank you. I'm going to miss you over the holidays."

Draco thought that this was the most opportune moment to ask Aurora to accompany him to the Ball.

He cleared his throat. "Speaking of the holidays, I have something to ask you."

"Oh?"

"You see, my parents hold this New Year's Ball every year, and every year they pester me to bring a date. I was wondering if you would like to accompany me." He paused. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go with me, and we can go as friends."

Aurora pursed her lips. "You want me to be your date? Why?"

"Well, I consider you to be a good friend. And because I really don't want to go with a girl who thinks she's going to be the next Mrs. Malfoy."

"What?! Are you serious? Do they seriously think that just because you asked them to accompany you to some event that you're going to marry them?" Aurora was shocked that anyone could be so foolish.

"You'd be surprised."

"Well, in that case they certainly deserve to be called cows, and let's save you the trouble. I'll go." Aurora smiled at her friend and he returned the smile.

"Splendid, I'll make arrangements so that you and your family can spend the night at the Malfoy Manner."

"My family?"

"Yes, they come every year. My parents are good friends with your parents, as you know."

"Oh, right. Well, I think it should be fun."

Draco was both relieved and excited at the same time. Aurora had agreed to go with him, which at least took the pressure off of finding a date. And in truth, he enjoyed her company. He may actually enjoy the Ball for a change.