Summer was ending, and Hogwarts prepared for the 2003-2004 school year. Sixth-years Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Mattheo Riddle, Astoria Greengrass, and many others were fifteen and would turn sixteen during the year (in 2004), while seventeen-year-old Daphne Greengrass returned for her eighth and final year.

On the last day before classes began, Hogwarts held it's annual conference between students, parents, and teachers. In the Great Hall, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy laughed with Alexander and Emma Greengrass. The four had been inseperable best friends since birth, and later Lucius married Narcissa while Alexander married Emma.

Long before Hogwarts, Draco and Astoria had attended the same prestigious English and French schools. They had always noticed each other and secretly developed innocent crushes, but never spoke. Both hid the fact that they were pure-blood wizarding children, since magic could not be discussed in the Muggle world.

Everything changed when letters from Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall arrived. At eleven, they were shocked to discover that the familiar child from school was also going to Hogwarts. Draco never knew the girl he had admired was a Greengrass, and Astoria never knew the boy she liked was a Malfoy, despite knowing their families were close allies. From the moment they recognized each other again, both developed tremendous crushes, yet for five years they only exchanged glances around Hogwarts and never found the courage to speak.

Nearby, Draco stood with his closest friends - Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, and Mattheo Riddle - while Daphne Greengrass joined them easily, being one of Draco's closest friends and knowing him better than almost anyone.

A few steps away stood Astoria Greengrass. Though she and Draco had silently fancied and admired one another since childhood, fate had never given them a proper conversation. Dressed in elegant old-money fashion, with golden jewelry, black heels, silky/clean/clear and shiny chocolate-brown waves, makeup: mascara, red lip tint and clear lipgloss, blush and concealer, and Mademoiselle Coco Chanel perfume, she stood beside her mother and sister.

Then the adults called everyone over.

As Draco approached, his grey eyes met Astoria's.

Everything else disappeared.

For a brief second, neither spoke. They simply stared.

Draco, usually composed, arrogant and confident, found himself speechless. Astoria felt her heart race. Their eyes remained locked, and it felt as though they had somehow known each other forever.

Blaise raised an eyebrow.

Theodore smirked immediately.

Mattheo noticed the expression on Draco's face and nearly laughed.

Daphne simply smiled, already sensing exactly what was happening.

And so, on the last evening before sixth year began, beneath the floating candles and the enchanted ceiling of Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass met properly for the first time.

Neither knew it yet, but neither would ever forget that moment.