A week later

The board of directors over all the Alchemy Centre's called Draco in for a meeting. "We have received a very detailed letter about your great success with the Curse-Breaker Miss Hermione Granger. Such success deserved recognition. You will have your own office and be director over this facility Mr. Malfoy. You will not be required to brew Universal Solvent potions, unless you desire to do so. Although your skills are the best at it; perhaps it is time someone else put forth the effort learning to make it as superbly as you have done so." An older gentlemen told him. The room was mostly filled with men who had the appearance of age seventy to early hundreds. Grey hair, black robes, long beards, overall the kind of persons that typically didn't gather in one place without good reason. Surely the Goblins of Gringotts didn't go out of their way to recognize his assistance. This must have been Hermione's doing. Clever woman.

"Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate your offer and accept it." He told them simply. With the meeting adjourned he found himself that afternoon remodeling and furnishing the director office to his liking.

. . . . . . .

As Draco disapparated, Hermione decided to do the same. Just as it had been for the weeks prior to Draco's arrival, the ruins of Tanis were quiet and lonely. She looked over the walls of runes, trying to see if there might have been something she missed. It wasn't until she reached the end of the final line did she figure something out. Just by chance she happened to try reading the runes backwards. Some words spelled in runes spelled something else when read backwards. Not every rune grouping backwards spelt anything, but there were enough words to make sense. Translated they said, "underneath the circle of stone lies the sleeping king."

She could hardly contain her joy. The circle of stone must have been referring to the platform where they brought back the Djinn. Sure enough she discovered king Xerxes.

One week later

"Are you sure you really want to leave us? You have been quite the asset to Gringotts. Surely a raise and perhaps other benefits are in order considering your success on your most recent mission." A goblin that was barely taller than Hermione's knee socks tried talking her out of resigning. "I'm sorry Grillnap, my mind has been made. I start my new position next week. It's been an enriching experience and I thank you for the opportunity to work for you." She handed the goblin and envelope containing her resignation letter. "And thank you again for giving Mister Malfoy the credit he deserved for helping me."

Grillnap took the letter begrudgingly, glaring up at the former employee. "Out of all the wizards and witches that I know, you by far are the most peculiar."

"I hope you mean that in a good way." Hermione smiled, grabbing her coat and headed to the door.

"Of course, Miss Granger." His mouth turned up into a toothy grin.

'I might have to check out one of these places Draco suggested since I have a week before I start my new career at the Ministry.' Hermione thought to herself, looking over her notebook where she wrote down his holiday suggestions.

. . . . . . .

A month passed since he had gotten his promotion to become the director of the Alchemy Centre in Egypt. Back in England it was autumn time and Hallows Eve soon approached. He remembered the many pleasant festivities of his childhood before going to Hogwarts for this particular time of year. He decided to return to Malfoy Manor for a quick weekend visit. He sent Aquila to inform his mother of his arrival for dinner on Friday October 30th. He sent a note to his Aunt Andromeda and Cousin Teddy to join them at Malfoy Manor for dinner that night as well.

Once he reached the mainland, apparating into the manner was most efficient. The manor was decorated for the holiday. Autumn colors adored the walls and carved pumpkins floated in the air on display. The smell of pumpkin spice cookies hung in the air. He found it odd nobody was around to greet him. Perhaps he was late? He checked the time. No, he was right on time; as he stated in his letter. He called out to the house elf, Mimble. "Welcome home Master Malfoy. I am to tell Master Malfoy to join Madam Malfoy in the dining hall immediately. Shall I take your luggage to your room Sir?" Mimble offered.

"Yes." Draco replied and with a snap of the elf's fingers Mimble and the suitcase were gone. Straightening his black suit tie, Draco headed to the dining hall. Much to his surprise he came upon the sight of not his 3 immediate family members, but the head of the Greengrass family and an unfamiliar face of the one the Greengrass daughters. He had expected Daphne to be present since her family was; that was not the present situation. "Good evening everyone." He greeted formally and Narcissa stood up. "Welcome home Draco. Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass sent and out just after yours arrived about having a meeting. I found it pertinent that we all do so together. This is their younger daughter, Astoria." She introduced and the young woman stood up.

She had straight, dark brown hair; the top of which was pulled back into a bun. The longer locks cascaded down passed her shoulders. Definitive cheek bones and ivory toned skin. Her sleeveless black dress designed with an elegant v-neck shape that complimented her figure in a classy manner. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Draco Malfoy." She said reaching out her hand, to which he grasped carefully and placed a chaste kiss upon her knuckles. "The pleasure is mine, Ms. Astoria Greengrass." He said formally and assisted her back into her seat before taking a seat of his own next to his mother.

Mimble had an excellent spread of food, but he found that his curiosity was stronger than his hunger. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this evening? He asked of the Greengrass family. "Astoria requested this meeting out of desire of courtship to you, Draco Malfoy." Mrs. Greengrass answered.

If Draco hadn't resisted the urge to eat he probably would have choked. At least this way he kept a dignified appearance even though the information was a bit straightforward, but not entirely unexpected. This was how pureblood families stayed within marrying someone from the sacred twenty eight. They sought an audience with the desired or potential candidate for the possibility of marriage. If both individuals agreed than dating began right away. During dating if the couple decided to seek out new marriage prospects no harm of reputation befell either family. However, once the couple was engaged that was viewed as courtship, which was taken rather seriously as a precursor to marriage and generally frowned upon if marriage was not followed through in a timely manner.

"Well Ms. Astoria Greengrass, I can't imagine what your sister Daphne told you about me that would rise such a desire." He remarked, looking over at the young woman across the table from him. She was only two years his junior. He had never spoken with her personally while they were at Hogwarts. By the time she arrived as first year and he a fourth year, things were complicated. "She hasn't told me anything. I would like to find out for myself who you are beyond the dashing exterior." Astoria responded lacing a compliment within her bold statement.

That brought a smirk to his lips. Yes, he decided he would like to date this woman. He wasn't interested in dating anyone else. Well not exactly…more like there wasn't anyone else interested in him besides Astoria. "Bold statement. I think I may like you already. I propose a toast…" he stood and raised his glass of champagne,

"To tradition and progression"

"To tradition and progression" They all agreed.

Draco took a sip then sat down and began to eat. Astoria began to speak, "Speaking of tradition and progression Draco, how do you feel about muggle-borns with magical ability being viewed as unacceptable witches or wizards in our society?"

The whole room seemed to freeze as they waited for his answer, himself included. "What rubbish ideology. Don't you agree?" He replied. The smile on her face said it all.

. . . . . . .

"Well have you tried sending him an owl?" A concerned Ginny asked Hermione over tea. Hermione sat across from her, holding onto the babbling baby James on her lap as he played with a tea spoon. Hermione sighed, "Technically, no. I really don't know what it is I want to say. Actually the more that I think about it, partially the reason I felt attracted in the first place was because I was lonely and unsatisfied with my relationship with Ron." She reached for her tea and finished it off. She sat down her cup and let out and exasperated groan.

"You should try dating someone else! That way you can be sure if what you're feeling for Draco is genuine or product of a bad situation." Ginny suggested. The thought of dating intrigued Hermione, but she had her reservations. "Maybe…I'm just…I don't know." Ginny stood up and went over to sit next to her friend, taking James off her lap. She placed a hand on her knee and looked Hermione in the eyes. "Hermione Granger, you are a catch. Ron and you weren't compatible enough to make it work as a couple. You just need to find someone more compatible to you."

This made Hermione smile, "Thanks Ginny. Alright, I'll give it a try. Do you have anyone in mind?" Ginny's face lit up with a glow that radiated with the thrill of being an impromptu match maker. "We are having a Hallow's Eve party tomorrow night. Harry's co-workers are invited, sans Ron, since he resigned as an Auror and works with George at the shop. So are a few of my associates. You should come! If there is anyone you want to invite you are welcome to do so." Ginny suggested.

The next night

The Potter's house was decorated to the nines for their party. Hermione was fashionably late after struggling with picking out an outfit to wear. She finally went with a black pantsuit. It was a costume party, so she decided to be something horribly scary: a lawyer. When she arrived, Harry was chuckling about something with his uncomfortable looking cousin Dudley. A few other guests were around mingling with one another. Some Hermione recognized and some she didn't. Most of the guests were dressed in business casual attire, rather than costumes.

Ginny rushed from the kitchen carrying a plate of party snacks to put out on the serving table in the living room, before she rushed over to greet her friend. She was dressed as a cornish pixy, blue as could be. "Hermione! I was worried that you wouldn't make it. But now that you are here, I have someone I want to introduce you to. Come on!" She wrapped her arm around Hermione's and pulled her towards the back patio where people were getting fresh air.

"Ginny, at least let me get a drink first?" Hermione protested. Ginny called out for Harry to bring Hermione a butterbeer. A moment later Ginny and Hermione were walking up to a mountain of a man (but not half giant like Hagrid). He was a towering two meters tall and had hair black as jet. He was dressed in nurse's scrubs that looked so fantastic on him, any girl would claim herself feeling fevered just for the chance of him to check their temperature. "Hermione, this is Jon Malier. He is the newest keeper for the Falmouth Falcons. Jon, this is Hermione Granger."

Jon bowed and gave a smile that could have melted butter. "It's an honor to meet the amazing Hermione Granger. Myself and my younger siblings are muggle-born, so your success and abilities have given them hope. As well as admiration from me." Hermione couldn't help but blush. "That's very kind of you to say, thank you."

"I thank you. Being the most accomplished muggle-born at Hogwarts in the last century, and perhaps ever, is commendable. Plus your admirable efforts towards the sufferance of house elves, you truly are an inspiration!" His smile really suited him.

This remark on house elf welfare sparked a series of conversations between the two that lasted the entire evening.