The Dating Game
Prologue

Hermione Granger gave a deep sigh at her friend's words.

"Seriously, when are you planning to start dating again, Hermione? It has been almost a year since you and Ron called it quits."

"Thank you, Harry, for your kind words. I have no intentions or plans concerning dating."

"Are you sure it's not because you might still harbour some feelings for Ron?"

"Ronald Bilius Weasley and I are finished. It was the worst match of the known world and plain stupid for anyone to think we could've matched intellectually, emotionally or sexually. Or have you forgotten his little stunt, accusing me of being frigid, during the busiest time of Friday night, IN A FULL BAR? He can count himself lucky that I ever spoke to him again!"

"Okay, Hermione, calm down. I know Ron can be thick about these things. But, you really should date. Go out! Have fun. And not just with me, or Ginny's going to end up killing us."

"There's no need for you to get your relationship in trouble on my account, Harry! I'm a big girl, well maybe not literally, but I can find my own dates. Or I can just call Malfoy and invite him over for a beer, sports chat and bitching about things."

"Sports? Bitching?" asked Harry. "Things?"

"You know. Bitches. Quidditch. Exes, the sort."

It still gave Hermione great satisfaction that the former adversary of all things muggle originated had finally given up on her nagging, and gotten himself a cell phone. It made him reachable almost anywhere, anytime as long as he was in range.

"Do you think it's wise to do that with Malfoy?"

"What?! Don't be a hypocrite! Malfoy attended your wedding! He's one of your best mates now! Ginny adores him, and were she single, Molly would try to-"

Harry mumbled something under his breath.

"What, Harry? Don't mumble."

"He is a player."

Hermione couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Player? Draco has not once looked at me as a woman, or asked me out or anything that might indicate otherwise. Come on, why would he? I'm one of the guys, like furniture. He can have anyone and he's proving that, by having them all one by one. Lately he has preferred brunettes. We are just mates. He sort of uncannily fills the gap left by Ron." she mused.

"Sure!" Harry thought to himself. Maybe Ron had acted like an ass and he clearly didn't appreciate Hermione, but Hermione was stupid as well for believing Malfoy could have no interest in her, or that no man ever had nor could. So she wasn't the most beautiful woman in the room, but she was pretty enough with her long, wildly curly hair and dark chocolate eyes that sparkled with mischief and intellect (whenever she raised them from her books). Harry didn't want to think about her body, as Ginny would slowly torture him to death if she'd see that on his face, and she would. Harry was sure Hermione's body was alright enough.

"Come on, why won't you let me hook you up?" Harry whined, feeling a bit emasculated.

"Please! Hook me up with who? I know all the 'eligible' wizards you know."

"Aha! Not EVERY one!" he claimed, thinking fast.

"Oh yeah? Who is this guy you're talking about then?"

"I don't want to give out his name yet."

"What does he do?"

"He works at the..." Harry ended his sentence with another incoherent mumble.

"Where was that, Harry?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"He plays quidditch. But he loves to read."

A quidditch player? Nice going, Harry, he scolded himself. But he really couldn't have suggested he worked at the ministry, could he! Hermione knew everyone there, as that was where she worked, with potions.

"Uh huh. And what does he look like?"

"Umm, good I suppose. But I'm a guy so-"

"Dark, blonde..?"

"Somewhere in the middle. What's with the twenty questions? Will you agree to meet him or won't you?" Harry snapped frustrated before she could ask him more questions he couldn't answer.

"Alright. One date. Don't expect too much." she warned.

"I never would. I'll let you know when I get the date sorted."

"Fine. Can we change the subject now?"

ooooo

"Hey, Draco! Glad I caught you! Have a minute?"

Draco Malfoy had to brace himself not to screech like a girl. Harry's head was talking to him in the fireplace of his bedroom.

"Potter, what are you doing?! I could've been entertaining."

"Who cares! This is important. Can I come in?"

Draco shrugged, and in a second or two Harry Potter was standing beside him. Draco felt uncomfortable having a guy in his bedroom, so he immediately suggested,

"Want some coffee?"

"Yes! Yes. Good idea." Harry cried, having been thinking the same.

After awhile they were sitting in Draco's living room, coffee mugs in their hands.

"So. What was so important?"

Harry sipped some coffee, trying to phrase his thoughts.

"Well. Do you happen to know any brown haired, all around nice quidditch playing wizards?"

Draco stared at his mate. Despite having decided not to, Harry hurried to explain himself.

"I wanted to fix the lovelife of a friend, stupid me. One word led to a sentence and soon I had fixed her up with a non existent brown haired quidditch player who likes to read."

Draco burst out laughing.

"Potter, Potter. Don't tell me he also has to own a cat called Minnie and he likes quiet evenings at home?"

"Funny. I'm happy that I got away without actually naming him. It would've been so much easier to find a brown haired quidditch player who likes books, CALLED ERIC."

"True. I'm sure I could think of someone. Who is this date for, anyway?"

"Hermione."

"Granger?"

"We know any other Hermiones?"

"Suppose not." Draco admitted.

"She's really grating on my nerves. She never meets anyone new, she's always at work or at home reading a book, and if she won't change her ways she'll end up like..like...McGonagall! All my love to Minerva but she ended up horribly lonely. I want more for Hermione. Ron acted like an asshole towards her. She should date, fall in love, have little witches and wizards..."

"Or squibs." suggested Draco. He might be reformed, but he was still...well. Himself.

Harry glared at Draco.

"Please. No child of Hermione's, magically inclined or not, could ever be called a squib."

"Maybe not, unless she takes the Weasel back."

Harry didn't bother to correct Draco's name-calling. Besides, what came to Hermione he couldn't really claim he disagreed, could he?

"I sincerely doubt that. So, you'll arrange her a date?"

"I said I would!"

"Good. Thanks for the coffee. I have to go now before Ginny misses me..."

Draco coughed something that sounded a lot like "whipped." Harry smiled undisturbed and continued "Let me know when you have the date and the quidditch player. I'm blind and mute to your jibes, Malfoy. I have a new wife, she is the most beautiful woman in the world, and she loves me. So there!"

Ginny was beautiful, but she wasn't the most beautiful. Not in Draco's opinion.