"Good, Miss Granger, you will begin 'training' Draco beginning tomorrow. Draco, I believe your Mother is waiting for you at The Manor for lunch. Miss Granger, please sit back down. I have another matter to discuss with you," said Lucius, as Hermione began to stand to leave the office.
Perplexed, she re-took her seat, and stared at the patriarch of the Malfoy family, wondering what the old man was up to now.
Draco said nothing, having learnt at a very young age that his Father's requests were actually commands. He walked out of the room, well aware of his Father's eye on him.
Once Draco had left, and the door was closed once more, Lucius turned towards Hermione, and spoke. "That went rather well, don't you think?"
"It did. I didn't expect him to readily accept working closely with me, or taking control so early after his return."
"I could say the same for you, Miss Granger."
She gave him a pointed glare. "You could have at least given me a hint of your plan, Mr Malfoy. You aren't old enough to be at the point of retiring. Why are you really leaving?"
"Simple. Because I can. I don't want to work anymore, Draco has the professional requirements to take over, and I can always count on you to step in if he messes up."
"What if we screw up?"
"You won't. You haven't ever yet, and you won't in the future. Between his sense for business and your skills in dealing with people, this company is going to thrive immensely. Now stop doubting yourself, and lets get to the reason why I asked you to stay back."
"Which is?"
"I need you to look over Draco in another aspect."
Hermione said nothing, simply raising an eyebrow, waiting for Lucius to continue.
"I want you to find him a suitable wife, that too within the next year."
"WHAT?" Hermione stood up. "I am not a bloody matchmaker! Or a babysitter. See here, Malfoy, I may have agreed to forgive your son, and help him in the business, but finding him a wife? No, that is not in my job description or interest. I don't even know any pureblood witches. And I am pretty sure your son can find someone on his own."
"Miss Granger, sit down," Lucius said, calmly.
After two minutes of deadly glares and frantic pacing, Hermione settled down on the sofa. She tended to get quite defiant when angry.
Lucius chuckled and walked over to the sofa.
"Please listen to me. The Malfoy inheritance comes with a time limit. The heir has to be married before the age of 31-the onset of the middle age, per say- or the inheritance gets passed on to the next of kin, in Draco's case, his second cousin. The Manor, the money, the company, all will get taken away from our family if he doesn't marry by next year. And the Malfoy family charter doesn't specify that the partner must be pureblood. It could be any single lady. Preferably with two brain cells to rub together, and not with Draco only for our money. You know you're the only one who could possibly achieve this in the short time limit."
"Why can't he do it himself?"
"Miss Granger, he's been back in the country for barely a week now. And honestly tell me, how many witches would actually consider being with Draco considering our history? You may have forgiven us, but you know there are many who still consider us to be criminals. Your word for him will really help along the process, and I promise, I will make your helping worthwhile. I'll ensure your charity donation fund is increased to 1.5 million galleons a year, and I'll promote you into the board of directors, so you don't have to keep submitting proposals for all the PR work. What are your thoughts?"
"What has Draco said about this marriage issue?"
"The thing is, he doesn't know. At least I don't think he does. I know he won't accept the terms, stubborn headed that he is. He will believe it to be too binding, and would consider giving up the fortune rather than being stuck in a loveless, materialistic marriage. If you agree to help, it would have to be discreet, not letting him know the ultimate goal. If you don't, I would appreciate it if you kept this to yourself. What are your thoughts, Miss Granger?"
"Increased funding for the house elves?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Yes, absolutely."
"Board of Directors?"
Lucius nodded.
"No more running around, convincing the board to approve the proposals?"
"No."
"Can I think about it?"
"Can you let me know your decision by tomorrow's lunchtime?"
"I'll try, Mr Malfoy."
The next day, Lucius Malfoy received an unsigned letter at noon. It simply said, I'll do it.
He chuckled, as he placed the letter in his drawer.
(A/N: Fast update, and a longer chapter. Yay! :D These were only the build up chapters, and you now have an idea of the plotline for this story. Don't worry, there's going to be a lot more fighting, banter and surprises along the course of this story. As always, feel free to leave any thoughts so I can know what the readers are feeling. Thanks for reading. )
