Two months has passed since Draco and Astoria had begun dating. He really liked her. She was forward thinking, especially for a pure blood. She had no fear of judgment in regards to how anyone else thought about her. She wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind on matters. She was content with the idea of being a mother, despite the possibility of the Greengrass family blood curse shortening her lifespan post birth of a child. Hearing this Draco appreciated her candor, but wasn't certain if having a child was worth that risk. It was a topic they decided to return to at a later time if it became necessary. They had even discussed the possibility of living in Egypt as to keep his career location the same. She had visited him there several times over the course of their dating and was growing fonder of the idea of living away from England for a while.

Every so often his mind would drift back to thoughts on Hermione. He wondered how she was doing. Perhaps she really had taken that sabbatical from work and was now traveling all over the world? Where was she now? How many new friends and experiences had she made for herself? He had no doubt she could do anything she put her mind to. He would get this pressing feeling to send her and owl, but he always hesitated to even begin. He had no idea what to write within such a letter.

Then Astoria would visit or he would visit her and all thoughts of Hermione would be temporarily suppressed. He remembered the first time he kissed Astoria, ever so sweetly. It was chaste and pleasant, yet it felt like it was lacking something. He convinced himself it was lacking something because he was out of practice. It had been several years since his time at Hogwarts with Pansy Parkinson after all.

As promised he was spending the New Year's Eve holiday with Astoria. He found it odd that she had requested they meet at Malfoy Manor so early in the day. He knew his mother was spending the morning with his aunt and cousin. He had no idea what Astoria had planned for them to spend their New Year's Eve holiday celebration. He was enjoying a cup of tea in the library when Mimble announced Astoria's arrival. Draco wasted no time hurrying to the main hall to greet her. She looked stunning as usual, but a bit formal for his expectation of them going out to dinner or perhaps a high class New Year's celebration party. She wore a black pencil skirt, with a sky blue blouse, and a black blazer jacket. Before she said anything he could sense something was amiss. "What's going on, Astoria?" he asked her, his voice sounding concerned, but also getting straight to the point.

"Draco…I wish to dissolve our dating relationship." She said also getting right to the point. It was one of the attributes he appreciated of her, but at the moment it kind of hurt. "Did I do something wrong?" He asked still in a bit of a shock. "Goodness, no. Not at all, Draco. I really like you. I really do. But that's just it. I don't feel anything more for you than that. We made a sincere attempt; now it's time for both of us to move on and find not just someone we like, but someone we love." She explained, reaching out to take a hold of his hand into hers.

He nodded, glad that she did all the talking so he didn't have to admit he had been feeling the same way. He lifted her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly in a very formal manner. "It was a pleasure getting to know you Astoria Greengrass. I wish you the best of luck in finding love." She leaned forward and placed a gentle chaste kiss on his cheek. "Same to you, Draco Malfoy. Farewell." They took a step back from each other and within a final look of goodbye she apparated from view.

He stood there for a moment, letting what happened sink in. Her words playing over in his mind, 'find not just someone we like, but someone we love'. Suddenly Hermione Granger came to his mind. It was such a strong impression; he would have thought it was a spell, except he knew that was impossible. Suddenly he knew exactly what he would write in a letter to her. He rushed to the parchment, quill, and ink in his study. The letter he wrote read:

Greetings Hermione,

Remember that favor you owe me? Of course you do. It's not like you to forget anything. Well, it just so happens that I have a favor to ask of you, but it must be done in person. Where are you?

-Draco

He sealed up the letter in an envelope with in and the Malfoy family crest pressed upon it. When he was a moment away from calling for Aquila, he remembered that it would be much faster if he sent the message to her verbally with his patronus instead. He found that more fitting and did so, since she was the memory he required in order to cast it.

Now all he had to do was wait.

. . . . . . .

Hermione sat at home, going through her collection of sappy romance movies. She didn't find anything that might lift her dour mood, so she went to her record collection. She put on the usual 2112 album. That usually put her in a better mood. It seemed like the best option, nothing else seemed to jump out at her.

As the overture began, she went into her kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine. It was her day off, being New Year's Eve and all. She had gotten all her chores and errands done, and now she wanted to relax. Her three other attempts at dating others since Jon had all gone awry somehow. 'It's not your fault. Remember what Ginny said about compatibility; they just were not of high enough compatibility for you.' She told herself with a sigh as she sank into her sofa and wrapped herself in a blanket.

After a few sips of wine she closed her eyes and imagined that she was riding a horse on the way to the temples of Syrinx, bobbing her head along to the rhythm of the music. 'Such a fantastic group, I ought to see if I can find more of their albums in the record shop downtown.' She thought to herself. Before she knew it, she had finished her glass of wine and was figuring it was probably pathetic and miserable to ring in the New Year alone when Ginny apparated in. "Hermione, I'm so sorry. I've not been the best at this whole matchmaker endeavor." Ginny felt terrible for Hermione. In retrospect setting up blind dates with associates she knew wasn't the best idea. Hermione sighed. "It is fine. I know you were just trying to help." She gave her friend a hug and everything felt less depressing for a moment.

"So…have you thought of writing 'him'?" Ginny asked Hermione. Hermione knew what 'him' she was referring to. "I've thought about it…I don't know what to say. Me, Hermione Granger, not knowing what to say. Call the Daily Prophet, there's a headline for them. What could I say? 'Dear Draco, I've dated several guys, but none compare to you? Dear Draco, I need you in my life again? See? Nothing seems to come out right." Hermione concluded, offering Ginny a drink which the young witch declined on account her and Harry were going to do so later that evening.

Hermione looked at Ginny with a solemn gaze. "I kind of wish that he would write me or something…." A look came over Ginny's face, the kind of look that only her friend would recognize that signaled Ginny didn't want to respond because what she had to say wasn't what wanted to be heard. "What's with that face? Do you know something?" Hermione demanded.

Ginny grimaced, "I didn't think you would hear the news in the entry level of your newly pursued career in the Magical Creatures department of the Ministry of Magic. It is more like gossip really…"

"Ginny, what is it?" Hermione was nervous, terrified of what time come out of her friend's mouth next. But she didn't get to hear it. A moment later, a silver wispy Asian dragon flew down her chimney and rested at her feet. Hermione recognized it instantly. It was Draco's patronus! The dragon's mouth opened and Draco's voice came out. It was music to both their ears, as Ginny really didn't want to vanquish her friend's hopes.

"O Merlin, I thank thee." Hermione whispered. Ginny would have asked what she said but Hermione was already running into her bedroom looking to change into something nice. As she dressed, she evoked her patronus and gave it her response. "Yes, of course I remember said favor. I'm at home if you wish to speak with me. Door is open." She sent off the silver ferret and it rushed out the bedroom window.

She came out of her room in a sleek black dress that she'd been saving for a special occasions. It was a scoop neck and went down to her knees. A bit of enchantment made it shimmer no matter how one looked at it. Ginny looked a bit shocked that Hermione even had such a sexy dress. "You know, if you had worn anything like that on your dates, I'm sure they might have turned out a bit better." Ginny commented.

"I highly doubt that." Hermione reasoned in return. She figured it would have caused more trouble. This was a dress reserved only for special occasions. She couldn't remember the last time she wore it in truth; but held no hesitation in wearing it now in anticipation of a certain visitor. "And what excuse do you have for wearing it this evening?" Ginny challenged.

Ginny had a point. It was very uncharacteristic of Hermione to wear something like this. She was more of a function over fashion kind of woman. "I was…I was just about to get ready for a party I had been invited to at the Ministry." It wasn't a lie. Ginny had known her father half heartedly complain about not being invited to the ministry New Year's Eve parties. Suffice to say the Weasley's always had plenty of family around to have one in the comfort of their own home. Hermione even had the ticket to get in on her writing desk in the den. All the necessary proof if her friend persisted further. She hadn't intended on going; especially not alone.

"I suppose that works. I better get going before I get in the way." Ginny gave a wink. "Good luck Hermione." She said and with that apparated out of sight; leaving Hermione alone to wait for Draco.