"Mr. Malfoy!"
Lucius stood up. "Miss Granger," he nodded.
"I..."
"Miss Lovegood didn't tell you?"
"No, no she didn't. She goes by Mrs. Lovegood-Weasley these days."
"Have a seat."
"I don't think—"
"I think so. Even if we're both rather surprised, this is a good restaurant, and I'm afraid that I've already ordered our drinks. Why don't you try something? The Palace has rather palatable foods that you might want to try."
Hermione narrowed her eyes and took the opposite seat.
"I had no idea that you were interested in marrying, Miss Granger."
"I had no idea that you were interested, Mr. Malfoy."
"Call me Lucius," he said, rather abruptly.
"Eh?"
"In return, I shall call you Hermione," he said simply.
"H-hey!"
"Hermione, then, why this interest in marriage?"
She ground her teeth, "Well, I'm going back to the Hogwarts reunion in less than a week. I know everyone is going to show up with their wives or husbands, and I suppose I want to, too. Plus, these days I'm lonely."
Lucius looked thoughtful, "Lonely?"
She cast him a suspicious look, "You're not going to make any snide comments, I hope."
"No, no."
"What about you, Mist—Lucius?"
His lips quirked. "I supposed I am, too. After my divorce, the manor has gotten rather quiet."
"Oh. Let's get straight to the point, I don't think this arrangement will work."
Lucius was intrigued. He had had wanted to say the same thing, but to be rejected by this mere slip of a girl was insulting.
"Oh, and why is that?"
Her wide eyes blinked, "Surely you don't mean to say that this will work? I know that you're in the Weasleys' good graces now, but that doesn't mean that I approve of you, or that I have to befriend you. I don't understand what Ginny and Luna were thinking, setting up this blind date, but you must agree that we're all wrong for each other."
He felt himself smile. "Give us ten days."
"Ten days?"
"Allow me to court you every day for ten days to act as lovers, as husband and wife, and if you do not agree then I shall leave you alone."
"I must say that that is completely idiotic? Why should I do that? What do I have to gain?"
"What do you have to lose?"
Hermione wanted to burst out, My reputation, but she kept quiet, and said, "Fine. I'll humor you and your ten days. However, I still wish to go to the reunion. It is in six days. I suppose you shall accompany me?"
"I shall."
"Fine then. I shall leave first; I must speak with Ginny and Luna."
Lucius clicked his tongue, "Not now, not after you've promised to try the food. And if you should leave now, I cannot count this as the first day."
Hermione, without realizing, smiled.
"Okay."