Draco Malfoy was in a predicament. Everything in his life had been going so smoothly lately, his mother had recuperated from her illness and was living back at the manor, Malfoy Industries was set to be the top money making machine for that year once again and Draco had finally been able to put the past behind him. True there were those few who still would not look him in the eye or those that sneered at him as he passed them on the street but overall the wizarding world had returned to normal, five years after the war and most of them just wanted to forget and get on with life, which Draco was more than happy to do.
Draco had not had a mind altering change in him after the war, he still believed that the purebloods were the elite and although he didn't seek the death and anihalation of the muggles anymore, he still believed them inferior. He was still the same vain rich pure blooded arrogant man he had been his entire life, and enjoyed it immensely. He had never asked forgiveness for any of his crimes nor had he made any comment when his father had been sentenced to Azkaban for the crimes he had committed. He showed the world nothing of himself except for a cold indifference, which is how the daily prophet had reported his demeanor at Lucius Malfoy's funeral a week ago.
Draco did not know what they had expected of him, tears? Draco Malfoy had only broken down once and he would not do it again not even for his father. He had done his duty well, thanked the guests for attending and stood by his mother as she mourned but through out it all, it was only a feeling of relief that he felt. The great dictator of his childhood was gone and Malfoy Industries was finally his, and with it all came freedom. At the age of 22 Draco Malfoy would finally be free to do what he wanted in life, as head of the Malfoy family there was no one who would ever have power over him again. That was of course until his father's Will had been read and Draco discovered that his father had proved him wrong.
"What?" Draco asked calmly, believing that he had somehow zoned out and had heard something entirely different to what Albert had just said.
Albert cleared his throat clearly very uncomfortable with what he had to do. As the Malfoy family lawyer he had had to deal with the volatile men of the family for generations, but had never become comfortable enough in their presence, especially when he was the bearer of bad news.
"Lucius Malfoy has bequeathed you his entire estate including his board seat at The Ministry which, since the war has been a purely financial one" He knew he was beating around the bush and cleared his throat once again. "However all of this is dependant on your marriage to a muggle born"
Draco exhaled sharply standing up so fast his chair went flying backwards.
"Draco" Narcissa rose too, placing a restraining hand on her son's arm.
"Why on earth would my father ask such a thing?" Draco roared ripping his arm out of his mother's hand, leaning over the oak desk.
"Well ..." Albert once again cleared his throat, and started sweating profusely. "You see he wrote you and Narcissa both a personal letter which I was to deliver after the reading of the Will, it is so that you can understand"
"Understand that my father who stood neck to neck to someone who wished to wipe out the entire muggle race wants me to marry a muggle?" Draco sat back down, composing himself.
Albert had blanched at the mention of the dark lord and had looked around his office, as though The Ministry might spring in at any moment.
"Draco please calm down, i'm sure there is more to this" Narcissa spoke softly her gaze coming to rest on the lawyer, encourging him with a smile to continue.
"Well you are to be married for one year at least, there must be a ceremony and the said individual must reside within Malfoy manor and take the Malfoy name" Albert raised an eyebrow at Draco as if expecting another outburst from the young man, when none was forthcoming, he continued.
"There will be a spell worked on the estate to ensure that you do not simply bribe someone into marrying you for a year. The said individual must do so of their own free will"
"Albert, there are not many muggles who would marry a Malfoy" Narcissa said softly, lost in thought.
"I'm sorry Narcissa, but those are Lucius's conditions, as I have stated before I am to give you and your son a personal letter which I have not been privileged to read, which he felt would explain everything"
Draco suddenly stood up, causing Albert to nearly faint.
"Thank you Albert, you have always been a faithful servant to my family" Draco did up his jacket, extending a hand to the now shaking lawyer, it was evident the meeting had been called to an end.
"Thank you Draco" Albert shook the young man's hand, carefully placing two envelopes inside his grasp . "I am only sorry that I could not be of more assistance to you today"
Draco nodded, handing an envelope to Narcissa before guiding her to the office door.
"Thank you Albert" Narcissa managed before her son ushered her out of the office.
The old man exhaled the breath he had been holding since the boy had entered his office that morning, he was glad he would not have to deal with Draco again.
Hermione did not know how she managed to get talked into having dinner with Ron time and time again. Every time she accepted, it always turned into a 'lets fix Hermione's life' dinner where Ron and his wife Lavender Brown, suggested ideas for improvement, namely eligible bachelors. Tonight was no different; her entrée had not even arrived when Ron began the onslaught.
"So Hermione, how's work been?" he asked casually.
"Perfect, i'm hoping for a promotion at the end of the week the minister wants to see me" Hermione replied, glowing with pride.
"That's wonderful Hermione!" Lavender beamed placing a hand over Hermione's.
"It would be nice if you had someone to share it with" Ron replied as casual as ever.
Hermione sighed; here we go again she thought.
"I do have someone to share it with, my friends"
"Now Mione don't get all poopy on me, i'm only saying it would be nice if you had a partner that's all" Ron took a sip from his wine shooting a look at Lavender that Hermione caught , making her realize that they had been planning something.
"My colleague at Havishmans is such a lovely man, Hermione, he's single, has a steady income, loves children" Lavender smiled.
"Thanks but no thanks, I'm not some lonely spinster in need of a husband guys, I enjoy my life and proud of who I am, why doesn't Harry get this much attention, he's single" Hermione asked hotly.
"Because Harry is not single, he's simply not married" Ron clarified. "Ginny and he just haven't worked anything out yet, which after all he went through is understandable"
Hermione shook her head, she was sick of the same old excuses from Ron about Harry. She knew what Harry had been through, of course she did, she realised that his entire family had been destroyed, as well as a dear friend, but she had been through a lot too. No one though, excused her single status based on what had happened in the war, the eventual disappearance of her parents, the nightmares that had taken hold of her ever since, no her situation apparently came down to the fact that no one wanted her.
"Please Ron I was looking forward to having a nice dinner can we drop this?"
"Alright Hermione, but promise to think about Lavender's suggestion ok?" he asked her.
"Yeah ok" Hermione replied knowing she wouldn't.
The entrées arrived and Hermione used the excuse of eating to simply nod her way through the rest of the conversation which was purely about Ron and Lavender and the child she was carrying.
"Oh my" Lavender suddenly stopped mid way through a gushing rendition of Ron as a father, causing Hermione to look in the direction to see what had been able to stop her.
"It's funny how they are able to show their faces" Ron muttered, displaying a look of utter disgust.
Hermione discreetly watched as Malfoy directed his mother to a booth, one hand on her back ,seemingly the same doting son he had always been.
"Yes well I'd rather not talk about them either" Hermione was sick to death of having Draco Malfoy chats with her friends, she was sure Malfoy was not spending time with his inner circle discussing them.
"I'm actually rather tired" Lavender said softly, clearly put off by the arrival of the Malfoy's.
"We best get you home then" Ron wound an arm around her shoulders, placing a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm tired too, thanks for dinner it's nice to get out once and a while" She knew she sounded like the pathetic lonely woman they believed her to be, but so be it.
"Well if you met someone..."Ron insinuated.
Hermione quickly stood rummaging in her bag for her purse, she was so done here.
"Don't worry bout it Hermione, we'll pay" Lavender offered, having stood so she could give Hermione a hug.
"Thanks, my shout next time" Hermione returned the hug , making a quick exit before Ron had a chance to say anything further, and making sure her gaze did not fall to the booth where the silver haired man and his mother sat.
Draco watched from beneath eye lids the golden girl as she walked towards his booth, not wanting to chance her noticing him. She still dressed prim and proper he thought to himself, her hair was still curly though tamed, her walk was different however. She walked with much more confidence then she had, though the war would have changed her greatly.
"Draco" Narcissa chastised noticing he hadn't been listening to her.
"Sorry mother I just noticed an ex Hogwarts student"He apologized, turning his full attention back to his mother.
"You mean Hermione Granger?" Narcissa asked softly, eyeing him carefully.
Draco simply nodded.
"Asking a muggle to marry you will be difficult enough without asking her" Narcissa said carefully, reading her son's thoughts.
"Unless she stood to gain something, everyone has a price mother" He replied curtly taking a sip of his whiskey.
"Not that one, you know what happened to her in ..."
Draco cut his mother off, not wanting to be reminded of that afternoon.
"Yes mother but if you haven't forgotten it's been five years, i'm sure she's entirely forgotten about the entire thing"
Narcissa shook her head; her son's arrogance surprised even her sometimes.
"All I have to do is find what she wants most in the world and give it to her. I'll send Albert out for a little investigation" Draco said, careful to keep his voice down as the weasel and his wife walked past, knowing the red head's eyes were on him the whole time.
"Yes that's fine Draco, but it's not just her you'd have to contend with, there are her friends as well" Narcissa retorted having noticed Ron too.
"It's not school anymore mother I'm sure she has a mind of her own." Draco was already mentally dictating the letter of request he would send Albert regarding Granger.
"If you manage this Draco, i'll be the first to congratulate you" Narcissa managed a smile, it would be interesting and highly entertaining to watch her son be turned down, by Hermione Granger.
