Draco was just about to finish his breakfast when an owl swooped down in front of him and landed in front of Pansy. It had a large brown package tied to its leg and seemed to be exhausted from the trip.

Curious, Malfoy looked up to see what it was and who sent it.

Pansy eagerly grabber the package and unwrapped it to reveal a silver box with intricate designs and emerald studs around it.

The owl hooted but she ignore it as she carefully examined the box. The owl hooted again and she waved her hand at it furiously.

Nox came to her and whispered something in her ear just as she was about to lift the lid. Pansy quickly wrapped it back into the brown paper and stuffed it into her bag as Nox dropped a few gallons into the pouch around the owl's leg. Then they both walked out of the great hall hand in hand.

Malfoy was not jealous. In face he was glad that Pansy found a boyfriend, now she would stop throwing herself on him all the time, especially in front of Hermione. But he was curious to know what was in the box which they payed in gallons.

At the thought of Hermione, Malfoy shifted his focus on her. She was reading the daily profit and chewing on some toast as she ignored Harry and Ron who sat on either side of her and were discussing something about quidditch with some third year students.

Malfoy wished he could take Hermione to Hogsmead that day. But he knew that she would never agree for as long as she was with Ron.

Someone cleared their throat next to him, it was Zabini Blaise. He and Malfoy weren't very close in their previous few school years but with Crabbe dead and Goyal imprisoned with his family, Malfoy had hoped to see more of Blaise.

Unfortunately behind the facade of friendship, Blaise seemed to hate Malfoy. He kept his distance and would only speak when spoken to. Except today, when he came and sat next to Malfoy at breakfast.

"Hey." He said

"Hey." Malfoy replied.

"So it's Hogsmead weekend." Blaise said with a small smile and Malfoy nodded.

"You going?" He asked.

"I'm going with Daphne Greengrass." Blaise said with a huge grin on his face.

"Don't forget to let her talk, once in a while." Malfoy joked and they both laughed.

"Why don't you join us." Blaise said.

"Nah, it's ok." Malfoy said with a shrug. "Three is a crowd anyways."

"You should come, mate." Blaise insisted.

"Maybe Greengrass has a sister." Malfoy said with a laugh.

"She does." Blaise said seriously. "She is just as beautiful too! I'll go find her and ask her is she can join us."

"I was just joking!" Malfoy called after Blaise but it was too late. He already jumped off his seat and went searching for his girlfriend's sister.

Malfoy was not particularly interested in dating anyone because of his feelings for Hermione, even though he knew nothing could happen between them but he was so glad to be on speaking terms with Blaise that he was prepared to see where it would lead.

Malfoy finally had something to look forward to today. Hogsmead and a date.

*******

The Greengrass sisters were waiting at the entrance to the great hall, dressed in matching lime green robes.

Malfoy half heartedly followed Blaise towards them.

"Draco, you know Daphne." Blaise said. "This is her little sister, Astoria."

Malfoy couldn't help but notice how beautiful Astoria was. His hand jumped up to shake hers almost too enthusiastically.

"It's so nice to meet you." Malfoy said, smiling from ear to ear like a child.

Astoria on the other hand did not look very happy. She reluctantly returned the handshake.

"Shall we go then?" Daphne asked, nervously glancing at her sister.

They walked in pairs towards Hogsmead. Astoria was quiet as she looked around avoiding to look at Malfoy, while her sister and Blaise chatted away, arms intertwined and shoulders touching.

"Where do we go?" Malfoy asked, now bored and all excitement replaced by irritation because of Astoria's cold behaviour.

"Let's get something to drink." Blaise suggested as they went into a Madam Puddifoot's tea shop.

The shop was decorated for Halloween. Floating candles and bats covered the ceiling. Drinks were served in cups shaped like skulls and pumpkins.

Malfoy, Blaise and the Greengrass sisters took a table near the window. While Blaise and Daphne were holding hands over the table and giggling, Astoria stared fixedly out the window leaving Malfoy to awkwardly take a stab at starting a conversation.

"So this is your first trip to Hogsmead?" Malfoy asked Astoria.

Astoria raised her eyebrows. "I'm a fifth year." She snapped.

"I'm sorry." Malfoy said, going red. "I thought -"

"Let's get something to drink." Daphne said getting up suddenly. Blaise stood up too, they both did not seem to notice the tension between Astoria and Malfoy.

Once they disappeared to get drinks Astoria slammed her hand on the table to get Malfoy's attention.

"I am not here to chat. Back off my sister." She growled.

"What?" Malfoy spluttered in surprise.

"This is not a date." Astoria said coldly. "What do you want with my sister."

Malfoy did not reply immediately, he just stared at her with his mouth open.

"What would I want from your sister? She is dating my best friend! That's all." Malfoy said.

Astoria narrowed her eyes.

"I know who you are." She said. "I know you are a death eater."

Malfoy's heart sank. Not this again! He was tired of people talking about the past.

"Look." He said leaning forward and lowering his voice. "I made some decisions I am not proud of, but I just want to have a normal year now."

"How selfish could you be?." Astoria said. "People died! Peoples lives were ruined because of you and your beliefs."

Malfoy had enough, He stood up suddenly.

"Is that why you agreed to this date? To insult me?" Malfoy said angrily.

"What's going on?" Blaise asked as he and daphne came back to the table.

"I'm sorry mate, I can't do this." Malfoy said before he stormed out of the shop.

Malfoy sat alone next if the fencing at the shrieking shack. He was upset and was trying to pull himself together.

No girl in her right mind would date him now. Now that he was branded a death eater and the dark side had fallen.

"Draco." Somebody sang behind him. Malfoy looked around and saw Pansy waving at him from the shrieking shack.

He groaned but it was too late, he was seen. He decided to go find out what she wanted.

"Hey Pansy." Malfoy said dully.

"Did Nox send you here?" Pansy asked. "I'm so glad you can join us."

"No I was just hanging around." Malfoy said, taking a step back.

"Why don't you join us anyway." Pansy said. "I know you will enjoy this." She gestured going into the shrieking shack.

"Maybe some other time. I'm meeting Blaise now actually." Malfoy lied and walked away quickly.

Hogsmead was not fun anymore. He quietly ignored everyone else and began to walk back to Hogwarts. His head was down so he did not notice the group of people walking towards his right.

"Back to the castle?" Hermione called out. "Join us."

Malfoy stared at her in surprise. She spoke to him in front of Harry and Ron? Malfoy joined them, his heart dancing.

"Thanks." Draco said.

"Where are your bodyguards." Ron said with a smirk. Malfoy saw Hermione step on his foot and suppressed a grin.

"I just managed to get away." Malfoy replied and Hermione smiled at him. He smiled back feeling grateful for Hermione.

There was awkward silence until they had reached the Hogwarts grounds.

"We are going this way, see you around then." Harry said gesturing the way to Hagrid's hut.

"See you." Malfoy said.

"See you later." Hermione said while Ron ignored him completely and started walking away.

He could tell Ron was angry about something but he was over the moon to be on speaking terms with Hermione in public. Maybe he did have a chance to ask her out on a date?

Maybe?

*******

Hey guys!!

Say hi to Astoria, according to JKR she is Malfoy's wife..... But things don't look good for them now. Especially because Malfoy is pining over another girl.

Do you think Hermione would date Malfoy? What would happen to Ron?

I hope you are enjoying this book!
Leave a comment below to let me know what you think.

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