Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me. I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe.
A/N: My interpretation of Draco might seem a tad OOC but I like it to believe it is what Draco would have grown up to be. Constructive criticism is welcome, I am barely an amateur writer. Hopefully, you won't find any grammar errors as I checked at least 6 times! Read and please Review? Be kind though, this is my first foray in the world of writing. And now on with the story.
Chapter 1
"You need a Mrs. Draco Malfoy. ASAP"
"And you are fired." came the prompt yet decidedly grumpy reply from the blonde three time winner of Witch Weekly's most eligible Bachelor who was currently slouching unattractively in his high backed leather armchair. It was ridiculous advice and the matter-of-fact tone it had been delivered in did not do much to help his already foul mood. Draco Abraxus Mafoy, CEO and Chairman, of 'Malfoy Inc.' did not appreciate being told what to do, especially when the course of action suggested was distasteful to him.
"You won't fire me." Blaise Zabini quipped sporting an easy grin, "I am far too valuable, your CFO and one of your best mates. Speaking as both, I can see no other way around this. We both know how important this particular deal is for us. Nathaniel Walken is as old-fashioned as they come. He isn't going to hand over the reins to his teamto somebody who is portrayed as the modern day Casanova however a lucrative an offer you provide him with! Don't.", he said stopping Draco's tirade, "I know your personal life has no bearing on how you run your company but this man upholds family values and will draw a connection between your failure to commit in your romantic liaisons and your attitude towards work. So if you do want this chance as much as you seem to, I would suggest you produce a Mrs. Draco Malfoy soon or at the very least a fiancée if a fake wife is too daunting a prospect for you."
A loud sigh escaped the morose blonde as he got off the armchair and walked towards the fireplace, listlessly poking at the dying embers with the poker as his mind raced to find a solution to this problem which was plaguing his mind. Nathaniel Walken owned the 'Appleby Arrows' and held the quidditch team close to his heart. He had started his career playing reserve keeper for them nearly 4 decades ago and now owned and managed the team that had stood at the top of the league for close to 6 years now. The only reason he had opted to sell out now had been his declining health and the lack of interest his only offspring had shown towards the team.
Eight long years it had been since the fall of Lord Voldemort. A shiver went down his spine with that thought. 8 years, a good part of the first two had been filled with social ostracization as a result of his family's association with the aforementioned psychopath. He had fled once Potter and Granger had cleared his family's name, his mother now stayed in a small cottage in the south of France and his father had perished of what could only be called post-traumatic stress while under house arrest. He had spent the two years flitting between the muggle world and the magical world learning how a company worked and had started off with a small two room office space with only Blaise for support. It hadn't been easy, any successful business required trust and that wasn't something that couldn't be associated with a former death-eater easily. His potion company had been on its last legs when Potter had swooped in and once again saved his arse by publicly acknowledging his support for 'Malfoy Inc.' which immediately brought in a stream of wary customers. In 3 years 'Malfoy Inc.' had gone from a two person collaboration to a Multi-National Corporation with stakes in nearly every sector. And he had extended a hand of friendship to Potter which had been accepted in no time. Today he was a regular guest at Grimmauld Place and could even show up at the Burrow once a month for Sunday Bruch without wands being drawn. Hell, he thought, the very idea of contending for ownership of the Appleby Arrows had come from the new Mrs. Potter.
His quick mind traversed every possible route and landed at the same dead-end that he had been facing for quite some time now. Zabini was right, however much he hated to admit it. Winning this negotiation was going to take a lot more than quick thinking, clever strategy and his trademark never-say-die negotiation skills. His overflowing coffers weren't going to aid him either. He had been backed into a corner and he needed to come out victorious. In a week he would be flying to his summer mansion in Italy for a month long vacation. He had heard through the grape vine that Walken was vacationing in Italy and wanted to grasp the opportunity to influence the man's decision. He wanted this deal and if a wife was what he needed to achieve it then so be it.
"I need a drink, you want one?" he asked, opening the cask of Ogden's finest that was placed in his study in Malfoy Manor for situations exactly like the one he currently found himself in. He handed Blaise his drink and returned to his inspection of the fireplace as if hoping a phoenix would burst forth from the glowing embers and provide him with answers. Since nothing of that sort actually happened, he settled for schooling his features to depict the resignation he felt and faced Blaise whose face reflected the same emotions. He set his glass down and leaned back into his chair, "Let us be clear on something Blaise. This arrangement will only be temporary, I don't intend on tying myself down to somebody for life just because of one deal. So to put it in perspective, I don't need a wife – I need someone who will pretend to be my wife for the duration of these negotiations after which we, as in my wife and I, will separate due to unavoidable circumstances. Are we clear?"
Blaise Zabini could not help the smirk that he now sported as he nodded, Draco was approaching the prospect of a committed relationship with the same fear that one would feel while standing at the edge of a high cliff with certain death looming ahead. He failed to understand where this reluctance to commit came from considering all of Draco's peers who were committed were deliriously happy including himself and Pansy. Deciding to tackle that problem at a later date he gestured for Draco to continue hoping that some solution could be decided upon before having to give up this dream deal once and for all.
"So now the question becomes who." Draco pondered setting his crystal glass on the desk before him.
"How about that bint you were seeing till last Thursday? April Something? The one who models for our fashion house? Should I ask Pansy to send her up tomorrow?" prompted Blaise.
Draco chuckled, "And have every conversation reduced to whether my hair is a natural blonde or how many calories are there in anything I consume? Besides, I don't want this to be somebody I would see socially. I don't want my female companions thinking marriage is ever an option, even a fake one at that."
"How about Astoria then? She would jump through flaming hoops if it meant another chance to see you."
"No!" came the quick reply. "I don't want to drive myself crazy voluntarily by spending any more time than absolutely necessary with her! And we don't need someone like her. We need someone smart, educated, witty, simple, elegant but not snobbish. She needs to be able to converse about things other than the weather and the latest trends in wizarding robes. Most importantly she needs to come across as someone who couldn't give two hoots about my money."
"And where are exactly do you intend to find a female with these exceptional qualities?" demanded Blaise, quickly going through every female of his acquaintance to see if she matched these qualities. As he was answered only with silence he raised his eyes to find a contemplative Draco whose eyes were fixed at a picture on the mantelpiece. He followed Draco's line of sight and his eyes widened as he realized exactly who Draco was considering for the role. She was the perfect choice he realized but an extremely difficult one. He reached out for Draco's glass and poured him another drink. He would need it. He left the room, stopping at the door to turn towards the contemplative man who had on a strange demeanor and silently wished him good luck in this endeavor.
Draco downed the drink in one go and looked at his watch. It was 10. The Quidditch match at the Burrow was scheduled for later today at 6. He resumed his inspection of the girl in the picture as he awaited 6 'o clock with uncharacteristic anticipation.
The girl frowned at his miniature version in the picture as the picture him smirked at her. It had been clicked at last month's Ministry Ball. It featured his friends -the term still surprised him after all these years - the Potters hugging; Ronald Weasely with his arm around his fiancée Padma Patil; Longbottom looking sheepish and Loony Lovegood kissing him; Blaise and Pansy making googly eyes at each other; Adrian Pucey and Daphne Greengrass; and himself. And of course, the petite girl who was now rolling her eyes at the picture him, the object of his scrutiny - Hermione Jean Granger.