A/N: Hey, I'm back. School's over for the summer which leaves me a lot of time to write, so I've written another chapter for you. I did it really quickly, so the transitions and whatnot might not be the best, but you'll have to forgive me for that. I liked writing this, and again, not a lot of Hermione/Draco interaction, but just enough. There will be a lot more going on between them in future chapters, but I don't like or want to rush in, so I guess I'm easing in instead. Well, enough of my babbling. I hope you enjoy, and please leave a review. Ha, almost forgot to mention my penname change. It's no longer Gallaz, but Salle. I changed it because I wanted to make my penname more me, I guess. Well, anyway, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own… basically nothing.

YOU'VE GOT 0 MESSAGES

By: Salle

Summary: "Draco, I just want you to know that as your mother I have always loved you. And again as your mother, I will continue you to love you, perhaps a little bit more, especially since Miss Granger will humiliate you in court." (Loosely based on Laws of Attraction.)


Chapter 4: Truce and Negotiations

Ring, ring.

Ring, ring.

"Ugh. Bloody phone."

Ring, ring.

"Shut up."

Ring, ring.

"Go away"

Ring –

"Stop calling and get your crazy arse back to bed!"

Click.

Ring, ring.

"Bloody hell!"

Ring –

"What!"

"You certainly have a way of greeting your friend, Hermione Granger."

"I'm glad that you approve, Ginevra Weasley."

"My, my, aren't we in a foul mood this morning."

"Well, I think you would be too if someone called you at the crack of dawn."

"Foul mood indeed."

"Don't expect anything less."

"Oh, cheer up, Hermione."

"Can't."

"Why not?"

"Because it is bloody 5:30 in the morning, that's why not!"

"Now, now. Careful not to burst a blood vessel."

"…"

"Hello? Are you still there?"

"Yes, unfortunately."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Was there a reason you called, Ginny?"

"Mhm."

"Then may I ask-"

"Ask away."

"-what exactly that reason might be?"

"I figured the answer would be pretty obvious. Well, it should be anyway. In fact, he might just be under your covers."

"…You called to interrogate me about my date?"

"Give the girl a thousand galleons."

"And you couldn't have waited for the sun to have actually risen into the sky?"

"Well, I planned to call you at seven, but my curiosity got the best of me, and my fingers just started dialing your number."

"…"

"So…?"

"So what?"

"For a brilliant girl, you're rather daft sometimes, Hermione."

"And…?"

"Oh, for Merlin's sake! I want to know how your date went!"

"What's there to know?"

"Everything."

"Could we narrow 'everything' down, Gin?"

"How is he in bed?"

"Never made it that far."

"Oh… That was 'everything' right there going down the drain."

"Anything else?"

"Oh, yes. How about a thank you and some gratitude?"

"You're just full of odd requests today, aren't you?"

"Well, I think I deserve it."

"And for what exactly?"

"Finding your date."

"…Er Ginny? You sure you're alright?"

"Just peachy."

"Gin, my mom set me up on that date, not you."

"Oh, but that's where you're mistaken."

"Excuse me?"

"I replaced your original date with Oliver Wood."

"WHAT?"

"Yup, you heard me, Hermione. Harry, Ron and I did a little switcheroo and did some matchmaking of our own that outdid your mother's and of which Lavender Brown would be proud."

"You did WHAT?"

"Are you unhappy with our choice? Because if you are, I would gladly take him off your hands."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because your mother has horrible choice in men. No offense to your mother… or father… or you…"

"Oh, don't I know it."

"See, you agree with me. I was right to do it."

"I agree that my mother doesn't have the nicest taste in men, but it doesn't excuse your interference in my love life, something that I had always strictly told you was off-limits to you, Harry and Ron."

"You might be scolding me now, but when you get a load of the bloke that was supposed to be your date, you are going to be worshipping – yes, worshipping – the very ground that I walk on."

"…How bad was he?"

"Pretty bad. Not as bad as the guy who proposed on the first date, but worse than the guy with the 'pet' anaconda."

"Hmm…"

"Mhm…"

"Oliver's nice."

"Oh, good. Glad that worked out."

"Yeah."

"So, are you going to start filling me in, or not?"

"…Not."

"Hermione!"


"Draco Malfoy. Hung over. Say whatever the hell you need to say. Bugger off."

Beep!

"Draco, it's your father. I want you to contact me as soon as you get this. There is much to go over regarding this divorce. And as a side note, I am going to have to request that you change that disgraceful voicemail of yours. It dishonours the Malfoy name and hearing it makes me cringe at the very fact that I had raised you."


Wizmail – NEW MESSAGE

To: Ferret

From: Hermione Granger

Subject: …

Malfoy,

I suppose we can't ignore each other forever, however unfortunate that may be. Anyway, I figure that we should meet with both your parents present to try and work this out without going to court. It won't be easy seeing as your mother has her heart set on resolving everything in court, and digging out every knut out of even your father's pocket change. I'm willing to call a truce for the time being because this whole thing requires two level-headed people who aren't about to jump at each other's throat.

I hope that you agree that this is the way to go,

Hermione Granger


"Holy Merlin."

"What is it this time, Malfoy?"

"Zabini, you've got to come and take a look at this. Here, on my Wizberry."

"God, Malfoy if it's anymore of that Muggle porn, I am not interested –"

"No! It's Granger."

"Bloody hell! Granger's in a porno movie?"

"NO! What the hell is wrong with you this morning, Zabini! This has nothing to do with porn, or Granger in porn. It just has something to do with Granger. She's sent me a Wizmail."

"Oh, now you've got me intrigued. Give it here."

"Granger's actually calling a truce, Malfoy?"

"So it would seem."

"I guess that means no showdown."

"…"

"And here I was looking so forward to seeing one."

"It could still happen."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed."

"Look, I should get going. I have to meet my father in fifteen minutes."

"And you're just going to leave me with the breakfast bill?"

"I paid for the drinks last night."

"But I'm letting you stay at my flat until you can find a decent place of your own."

"You also offered."

"Because I'm such a good friend."

"…"

"…"

"Well, you ate more food than I did, Zabini."

"You drank more coffee than I did, Malfoy."

"This is ridiculous."

"I agree."

"So you'll pay, then?"

"No, you will."

"Why is it me that always has to pay?"

"Because it's a Malfoy thing to do and because you get to flaunt your wealth among us more ordinary people."

"The Zabini's have their fair share of wealth."

"But no one compares to the Malfoy's."

"…Fine."

"I knew you'd see it my way."


Ding, dong.

Ding, dong-

Ding, dong.

"Oh, hello there Master Draco! Pebbles is very please to see you, sir! Oh, yes indeed! I have missed you something terrible, sir."

'Hello there, Pebbles."

"Oh, you must be wanting to see Master Malfoy. Pebbles can't believe he had forgotten, sir! Master Malfoy told Pebbles this morning you would be coming, and he had completely forgotten. Bad, Pebbles! Bad, bad, bad, Pebbles!"

"Pebbles, now really, there is no need for any of that –"

"But Pebbles has let you down, Master Draco. He could never forgives hisself!"

"Really –"

"Terrible, ugly, horrible, stupid Pebbles!"

"Pebbles, enough!"

"…Oh, forgive Pebbles, sir."

"Could you just tell me where Father is?"

"Yes, of course. He's in his study, sir."

"Thank you."

"You sure are welcome, Master."

"Draco, finally, you've arrived."

"Yes, sorry about that. I was a bit held up."

"Changing your voicemail, I hope."

"Yes, that was included."

"Good to hear. Now, let's get down to business. Is there anything you need to tell me? Anything from Miss Granger or your mother?"

"Father, you know I can't discuss what Mother and I discuss. There's just too much of a complication in that. However, I can tell you that Granger had wizmailed me this morning, and it seems Mother is not about to let you off the hook that easily."

"And I suppose the prenuptial wouldn't be valid anymore?"

"I'm afraid not."

"…"

"Honestly, I think you screwed yourself over from the moment you started this sleeping around business, Father."

"Thank you very much, Draco, for the much needed support."

"And Mother has a reason to be angry."

"Yes, you always did favour your mother over me."

"Well, that doesn't matter anyway because I am your attorney and not Mother's. Look, Granger doesn't want to court, and neither do I because let's face it here; if you and Mother meet in court, it isn't going to be a pretty sight. Personally, it's probably best to avoid any bloodshed, and the best way to do that would be through negotiations."

"I will not negotiate, Draco. That is out of the question."

"Father, let's be reasonable here."

"No, there's nothing to negotiate. All of this – this house, the Malfoy fortune – everything was created through my efforts. Your mother had no part in it."

"Father –"

"Don't ask me to be reasonable, sensible or anything for that matter. This isn't like sharing crayons or toys, Draco, we are talking about my life."

"…"

"Don't just stand there like a fool. Are you willing to go along with my intentions of going to court or not?"

"…"

"Draco!"

"Do I really have any other choice?"

"No."

"I didn't think so."

"Good. I'm glad we have an understanding."

"I hope you don't come to regret this because this decision of yours could result in you losing everything."

"I'm confident in your abilities, Draco."

"I wouldn't be too sure."


Wizmail – REPLY

To: Beaver

From: Dignified Ferret

Subject: RE: …

Granger,

My father can be a stubborn bat sometimes, and he had chosen today of all days to be one. He is refusing to negotiate, and he won't budge from that. Look, all I can say is that I tried. I think you should still try to get my mother to consider negotiating and settling this out of court. She's more sensible and agreeable than my father. And in the meantime, I'll wear my father down and try to get him to see things from a different angle.

-Malfoy

P.S. I accept your truce, however ridiculous it may sound.


"Negotiations?"

"Yes, Narcissa, negotiations."

"No."

"No?"

"Yes, no. I will not – absolutely not – negotiate with—him."

"You can say his name, Narcissa."

"How could you possibly even ask me to negotiate with him, Hermione?"

"I know Luci –"

"Don't finish –"

"Lucius has hurt you, I know, but there's a better chance of you getting what you want through negotiating with him. Going to court and putting this all in front of a judge would be a little risky on your part, don't you think? I mean suppose the judge is a man, and doesn't see or understand the wrong doings of your hus –"

"Ex-husband."

"Yes, I'm sorry, soon-to-be ex-husband. But anyway, back to my point; what if the judge just simply doesn't see I your way? What then?"

"Look, that's for us to worry about later. All I want – all I care about right now is getting revenge and hurting him the best I can."

"But –"

"I know you're trying to help, Hermione, and it's greatly appreciated, really. However, this isn't just about talking it out; it's about thorough bashings and beatings. Perhaps you wouldn't understand my need to do this, but I don't think I can just ignore it."

"No, I think I understand."

"You do?"

"Yes, I think I do."

"So, negotiating is out of the question?"

"Not entirely, but for now, yes."


Wizmail – REPLY

To: Dignified Ferret with a Pale Arse

From: Beaver with Brains

Subject: RE: …

Malfoy,

Although you were right and your mother does have more sense than your father, I'm afraid that she isn't about to surrender herself to the idea of negotiations. I guess all we have left to do is bring this about to court, and pray that your parents will finally come to see what's best for both of them. I only hope that that will be soon.

Also, I hope you know that this truce we called isn't a friendship of any sort.

Hermione Granger


Wizmail – REPLY

To: Ugly Beaver with Brains

From: Gorgeous and Dignified Ferret with a Pale Arse

Subject: RE: …

Granger, Granger,

I never considered this ridiculous truce a friendship, so don't worry. Besides, if we were friends, how well would we stand up to each other in court?

Malfoy

P.S. And by the way, in the case in which my parents don't come around, I wish you luck because I'm not about to go down without a fight.


A/N: There was the fourth chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a review because that's really what inspires me to write. Leave some constructive criticism or ideas for me because they are always helpful when it comes to writing this story and improving my writing as well. Again, thanks for reading.

Love always,

Salle