Chapter 2

"A merger."

Although both CEOs were opposites in nature, at this moment, both bore quite similar perplexed expressions. However, it was Draco Malfoy who recovered first.

"Not to insult your intelligence, granted that it has saved my arse a couple of times in the recent years, but I don't want to go into business with a company that is out to ruin mine. I believe you need to get back to your books and think of a better form of bloody damage control." He was not a relatively patient man and although he never let his emotions show (at least in the recent years), at this moment, he couldn't help but show his anger at the news.

Howard Wells, his head advisor as well as his two colleagues blanched in fear at the look their boss gave them. "Um, actually sir, Mr. Malfoy…" He never stuttered he was one of the best corporate lawyers in London, not to mention 10 years older than this man but there was something deeply unsettling about an angry Malfoy… especially this Malfoy. His eyes would flash with this barely contained rage coiled with black lines of power and he prayed to all the deities for protection. As of this second the line, "Kill the messenger" was resounding in his head and he was quivering with fear. He was aware of the more than business rivalry that Malfoy Industries had with Waldorf Corporation, and he knew that his suggestion would further quell the inner beast lying within this man before him. However, he swallowed his fear and just prayed as he suggested their plan of action. He cleared his throat to gather some courage. "Mr. Malfoy, we believe that a merger with Waldorf Corporation is the way to go."

The three lawyers reflexively flinched at the glare they received from the young man before them as he stood abruptly from his seat. It was funny how a man of the young age of 24 could render a couple of 30 something year old senior partners in a prestigious firm, to the point of cowering in fear. It was of no surprise though considering Malfoys had that tendency to unsettle every person that crossed their path and usually Draco reveled in the power but right now it did nothing but annoy him further. It may have been six years since he and Granger spent more than five minutes in a room together, let alone had a conversation, although those were more of arguments rather than idle, civilized chit chat, but one thing was sure, the deep seeded resentment he felt for the Gryffindor priss was the same as it was six years ago. Add the fact that she was the head of his rival corporation did nothing to build bridges between the two.

In a low voice, while leaning on his desk, he stated menacingly and slowly enunciated each word, "Either find an alternative solution or find another job." With that, he ordered the three out of his office as he slumped down on his chair defeated. Bloody hell! How am I going to get out of this one?

The only thing consoling him now, as he looked at the city from his office, was the fact that Granger was experiencing the same headache he was. He smirked at the thought.

Hermione rubbed her temples trying to grasp the gravity of the situation. "A merger, Peter?" she asked wanting him to elaborate. "Why would I want to merge with a company who wants to destroy mine in such an underhanded and manipulative manner?"

"I believe you are talking about the Asian Corporation." He replied.

"Of course I am, who did you think I was talking about?" She asked skeptical.

"Well, you did use that description about a certain blond man more than once in the past." He replied good naturedly while giving her a small smile.

"That's true about Malfoy but that is not the point here, the point here is how we are going to solve this problem." She replied snappishly. She didn't care if he was trying to lighten the mood, the company she had nursed for the past years was slowly crashing and burning and she couldn't accept that.

"Hermione, I have worked with you for the past 4 years and you have portrayed great maturity and calmness needed in business at such a tender age." He replied patiently trying to ease her in to their form of damage control. "But for you to salvage this company you must act quickly. A merger with Malfoy Industries-" She interrupted him but he silenced her with a hand gesture. "A merger with Malfoy Industries is the best possible solution. Imagine with your backing and his combined you'll surely create a solid company that will provide venues for more investors."

Hermione played around with the proposal in her head and realized that in theory, it was a brilliant plan. Going over the stocks, investors and such of Waldorf Corporation, if combined with Malfoy Industries, would result in a formidable merged company.

However, one thing Peter failed to consider in his plan was the fact that the two CEOs of these multibillion British pound (approximate worth in muggle currency) would sooner bring each other to an early grave than cooperate. That's not even involving their very explosive history.

Sure, their business feud was considered legendary but very few people knew how deep their competition and adversity ran. Many times she was thankful that people misconstrued her derogatory insults concerning the blonde heir as just a way for her to release her frustrations at the fact that their rival company had outdone them in sales for a certain period. Very few cared to delve further into the exact nature of their relationship, not even the reporters who were much more interested in stories about an illegitimate son and a billionaire playboy gallivanting about town with a different beautiful model-like woman each night. She was quite relieved actually, that these reporters, although doing their research on her schooling never made the connection to her long-standing animosity with the Malfoy heir. With sensationalism so prevalent she couldn't afford them jumping to any conclusions about a "secret, torrid love affair". That would just cause big problems that she wouldn't be able to handle.

The only person in Waldorf Corp. who knew how bad her relationship was with Draco Malfoy was Peter. It was quite ironic, now that she thought about it. The one man who knew how she truly felt for the heir was the one suggesting she form a merger with him. With that, it got her thinking how desperate he, no, they were for a solution that would work. It showed how much he believed in the proposal but she couldn't go through with it. Her abhorrence for Malfoy aside, she had to think about Damien. She had protected him all these years and she didn't want Malfoy doing anything hasty to keep his family pure. Granted, he had joined their side, she still knew he still elevated himself among others because of the years of brainwashing he had received from his father. No, she needed to protect Damien. He would find out that he had sired a son without his knowledge and that would lead to some very, very bad consequences.

She wanted to tell Peter the real reason why she was declining but she couldn't. No one knew of Damien's true father, not Harry and Ron, or even Ginny. With a firm resolve she politely declined the offer.

Peter gave a weary sigh at her negative response and said with a plea, "Please Hermione, I know that you and Mr. Malfoy haven't the best relationship but I beg of you, please reconsider this merger. The first drafts are being done as we speak and the board has been informed and they are in favor of it. But you need to agree, as owner of 51 of the company. If we don't act quickly, Waldorf Corporation and Malfoy Industries will be bankrupt in 8 months, a year if the smaller ventures can keep it afloat longer."

Hermione rubbed her temples while emitting a strangled sigh. She was torn. If what Peter said was true thousands of employees would lose their job world-wide in less than a year. "Give me a while to think about it Peter." She replied tiredly.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and walked out of the office. He turned around and gave her a tired smile and said, "I'm really glad you're at least considering it. Thank you, Hermione."

Jenna peaked inside her boss' office to find her deep in thought while staring blankly at the city. It had been two hours since Mr. Watson left her office looking worse than ever. She wrinkled her forehead trying to find out what was happening when someone started tugging on her skirt. She looked down at the blonde haired chubby little boy at her feet. His gray eyes were staring at her. "Just wait for a second, Damien. I'm going to see if your mummy isn't too busy."

"Okay, Jenna" he replied with a cheeky smile. He then turned to the direction of the seats in the waiting room and walked over to it. He sat down and waited patiently. Jenna gave Hermione credit. She raised a very well disciplined boy all by herself and very few could do such a thing while balancing a budding career.

She took another look at the brunette woman and coughed trying to break her out of her reverie. Hermione then snapped her attention back at the present to her and asked surprised and perplexed, "Jenna?"

"Damien's here from his day care?" She kind of ended the statement in a tone that made it seem like a question, giving her boss the opportunity to continue her thoughts.

"Oh well let him in." Hermione replied while brightening up at the thought of her son. Jenna then turned around and returned a few seconds later with her pride and joy. He immediately let go of her hand and ran to his mother with glee. She welcomed him with open arms and dug her face on the crook of his neck smelling in his scent. She hugged him tighter flashing back to her thoughts a couple of minutes ago. She closed her eyes thinking about her love for him. He started giggling and talking about his day and she smiled as he recapped what happened between him and Christa's brother. She smiled at that and pulled back. Oh, how she loved him so much. He was probably the only good thing Malfoy ever did and although she had her regrets about that night, she would never be able to give up her little Damien.

Neither noticed the assistant disappear out of the room as Damien continued his story about what really happened. She wiped off the white mustache on top of his lip with her finger as he got to the part about his ice cream trip. "Mrs. Donovan bought me ice cream and I put sprinkles on top. Mum, you should have been there!" He said gray eyes twinkling. She kissed his nose and then said softly, "Try not to give Mrs. Donovan that much trouble." He just gave her a wicked grin reminiscent of his father when he masterminded a devilish prank back in her Hogwart's days. "I'll be good, mum. You don't need to worry."

Hermione just stared at her son lovingly and suddenly made her decision on what to do about the merger.

The next day Draco Malfoy walked slowly to his office trying to quell his raging headache. He got an important call from his assistant about an impromptu meeting at 9 in the bloody morning and the fact that she wouldn't tell him who it was, was doing nothing but further his anger. Normally, he would be up early and an early meeting wouldn't bother him as much but last night he got fairly sloshed due to recent developments. The worst thing was he couldn't even wait for a brew of the anti-hangover potion because he had to get to his office as soon as bloody possible. So instead, he nursed a steaming cup of coffee from the coffee shop on the first floor.

He pushed up the shades and glared menacingly at his assistant. She may be one of the more competent ones but right now she was damn near being fired. Her cheerful smile fell as she saw his glare and went back to work. He would usually hire his assistants based on their looks and how fast he could get them into bed. He just lucked out that the one in his employ right now was one of the smarter ones. She was going to get a verbal lashing later on, he mentally noted. "She's already inside, Mr. Malfoy."

He just growled in response causing her to flinch. He disposed of the styrofoam cup and hid his shades on his breast pocket and braced himself for the meeting. What he saw when he opened the door surprised him. There stood Hermione Granger with a white folder, dressed in a black designer suit.

"I believe, Malfoy that we have some business to discuss." With that he closed the door and went to his desk.