Summary –
AU Hermione and Draco were to be betrothed. It was the deal of money, not love. That had always been the intention, the joining of two major heirs to fortunes, who would conceive an heir. But if it was all about money, then why was Draco getting so protective and jealous of this mystery person Hermione met every night…was he falling in love, which wasn't the plan, or was he just being possessive?
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Chapter 1 – First Impressions
It was time. Hermione was going to find out who her parents had betrothed her to. She wasn't sure who he would be exactly, but it was definitely going to have to do with business, not love. This marriage would be all about money. Her father didn't care that she was a true romantic at heart. All he cared about was – that's right, money. He was a nice man, strict, tough but deep down, under the metal exterior, he was a good father.
This deal was all that Hermione could think about all morning. She couldn't believe that she had actually agreed to it. She thought that her decision was probably because she didn't want to let her parents down. It was all about keeping her head up, and producing a male heir, that would carry on the fortunes that both her and her future husband would inherit. All Hermione's childhood, she had dreamt about meeting her prince charming, and that he would sweep off her feet and carry her to a fairy tale castle. Or they could ride a dragon, she wasn't picky. But that was the main thing, to meet her true love.
"Darling, it's time to come downstairs," Hermione heard her mother call out, from the spacious living room below.
"I'll be there in a sec." she responded, and quickly went to her dresser. After checking herself in the mirror, and making sure she looked respect, she put on a shade of light lipstick. Smoothing down her pale blue robe, she headed downstairs.
"You look appropriate." Her father approved, nodding his head. It was in his opinion that his daughter needed to make a proper first impression to the Malfoy family, to earn their respect. He didn't want his daughter becoming one of those women who was left at home to look after children, while her husband went over seas with mistresses.
"When are they coming?" Hermione asked politely, her eyes switching between the door and her hands nervously.
"They should be here in five minutes." Her mother, Victoria Granger said, "I hope you and the young gentlemen will get along fine, and there will be no hurry for you to get married."
"Yes there will," her father interrupted, "I'd like you to be married in at the most six months."
"Six months," Hermione repeated quietly, "But father…"
"Yes Richard, that seems like such a quick time," Victoria cut in, "She's only a young girl. I would prefer if they had a year."
"That is not my decision to make." Richard said, his voice deep. "I shall discuss such matters with Mr Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" Hermione whispered, surely not…
"Is there a problem?" her father asked, clearly warning her to say no.
"Of course not," she added quickly, "No problem at all."
Hermione had known Malfoy for quite a while now. They first met at a formal dinner, but she had thought of him to be a playboy. He seemed to flirt with the superficial girl next to him, and never knew when to stop. She often chatted about him with her best friend, Amanda Freyer.
The doorbell rang, symbolising the arrival of her new fiancé. The maid, Elaine went to answer the door, and Hermione just watched on in curiosity. In stepped a haughty, important looking man, which had to be Lucius Malfoy. He was the son of the famous Astin Malfoy, who had founded Controlled Infirmity, also known as CI, the still very popular and successful medicine industry of Britain. Hermione's father was a well known associate of the company.
Hermione however, was successful by herself. She had made her own shop called, Chaste Indulgence. Her father told her to sell the place, so she could be the dutiful wife, but Hermione refused. This was the one thing she had done by herself, without the help of anyone. It was her freedom.
"Hello Richard." Mr Malfoy said courteously, "I hope your family is well?"
"We're fine, and you?" Mr Granger replied in the same tone. "This is my wife Victoria, and my beautiful daughter, Hermione."
"Hello Miss Granger." Lucius said, bring her hand to his lips in a polite gesture. "Have you met my son Draco?"
As Hermione looked into his eyes, she saw a flash of arrogance. Something inside her stirred, if there was anything she despised in a man, it was arrogance. "No," she said tightly, "I haven't."
"Pleasure." Draco rasped, also bringing her hand to his lips, but instead of it being a quick polite gesture, he paused, and still took hold of her hand.
Hermione tried to yank it away with as much lady like manner possible, but found he had a tight grip. "Do you mind?" she hissed under her breath, tugging with her strength.
"No, I think your hand fits nicely into mine, wouldn't you think?" he said, smirking slightly, still holding on tightly.
"I wouldn't think so." She sniffed, her head held high.
"I think it would simple to tell you both that you are betrothed, and that you shall marry in a month." Lucius said evenly, his eyes taking in the sight of this girl with his son.
"A month?" Hermione said, gasping slightly, "But Mr Malfoy…"
"No but," he said gently, but firmly. "I think it is best that this is as quick as possible."
"Since it was your decision." Draco muttered under his breath, but no one except for Hermione heard.
"Lucius, I think it would be better to at least allow them six months." Richard started, but stopped after he saw Lucius gaze.
"Six months? Absolutely not. Three at the most."
"Done," Richard said, agreeing. Inside, Hermione could feel her chest tightening. Her father had just sold her off like some trivial deal. But Hermione laughed inside, that was what this was though. A deal with money, she was going to spend the rest of her life with this person, who she knew nothing about, except he possessed qualities she detested. Arrogance, and flirtations with superficial, dim witted girls. Why were males like this these days?
"We're going to get married in three months." Draco sarcastically muttered to her. "Isn't that excited my darling?"
"Cut the act you moron." She muttered right back. "Why out of all people am I stuttered with you? Screw first impressions, you are arrogant, and that's enough."
"So you like arrogance?" he asked cockily, sending her a sexy look, which got nowhere.
"Arrogance is one of the qualities I detest the most." She stated, shooting him a look of death.
"They seem to be getting on fine." Lucius observed to Richard. "They'll be producing us an heir soon."
"They sure will be." Richard smiled, for he had been hesitant at the beginning, not sure to put his daughter into an arranged marriage.
Victoria heard this, and it was all she could do to stop herself from slapping her husband. Was he that blind and stupid? She knew that her daughter would dislike Draco Malfoy in an instant. Victoria had met Draco on certain occasions, and he played the perfect gentlemen. But she had seen him with girls, and he went through them fast. She prayed that her daughter didn't get stuck with a man that would run away with mistresses.
"Why don't we leave you two alone?" Richard offered, and Lucius mildly concurred. Victoria had no choice, but to go to the kitchen, and help herself to a rather large glass of brandy.
"You do know that we have to produce an heir don't you?" Draco said placidly. "I hope you know what that means?"
"That I have to sleep with you?" Hermione said airily. "Of course I know what it means, but that doesn't mean I'm going to comply."
"What?" Draco's face paled. "My father will kill me if you are not pregnant shortly after we marry."
"Well that's your life, not mine." Hermione said smoothly. "The way you die is none of my concern."
"You can't just stand there and say that." Draco said quickly, before covering up his worry. "You're concerned about me more than you've ever been concerned about anyone else."
"I wouldn't count your chickens before they hatched." Hermione said, shooting him a distrustful look. "You are the last person I want to do anything sexually with."
"Well then that's just going to be too bad." He said roughly. "I don't care what it takes, but you are going to fall pregnant in three months."
"I think that's my decision to make." She said squarely, containing her cool on the outside. Inside she was steaming with anger. How dare this man come into her life demanding her to enter his bed!
"No, it's our decision." He said harshly, before taking a deep breath. "Look Hermione, I don't want our marriage to be like this."
"Then don't let it. Let me make my decisions, and you make your own." She said angrily, before turning her back to him, signally him to leave.
He didn't pick up on the signal though, or chose to ignore it. "I will make my own decisions, but you have to agree to them."
"I don't think that's possible. And I couldn't possibly get pregnant anyway, simply because I have to look after Chaste Indulgence." Hermione said determinedly.
"Your shop? You can't be serious." He exclaimed, barely keeping his tone in control. "I thought you sold it."
"I would never sell it." She said proudly, "It is my pride and joy, the only thing that gives me my freedom."
"Because you and only you made it?" he mocked, "Aww, that's so sweet, Miss Granger has her own thing, and wants to keep it." He changed his tone to demanding. "That's too bad, if you are going to be my wife, then you shall sell it straight away, and take on the role that looks after the children."
Hermione gave him a disbelieving stare, chilling vibes radiating from her body. "There's only one problem with that Mr Malfoy."
"And what would that be Miss Granger?"
"We don't have any children."
He took hold of her arm, "That's going to change isn't it though?"
Before Hermione knew it, Draco had pulled her into a quick and heated kiss, covering her lips in his. She could feel herself reluctantly letting him caress her and take control of her, before she snapped out of it. Wrenching herself away from his mouth, she stared at him open mouthed, while she watched him lick his lips.
"How dare you…"
"Oh come on, tell me you didn't like that." He mocked, arrogance gleaming in his eyes.
That was the last straw for Hermione. There was only one thing that she told herself to do. SLAP.
