A/N: Hey guys, I'm not dead, just been sick.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nor do I make money from this fic.
February 5, 2009 London, England - Hermione's Flat
Hermione was sat at her kitchen table, surrounded by papers and notebooks, a pen in her hand, and a calculator close by. She was running figures, comparing prices, and, most importantly, double and triple checking the funds in her bank account.
Draco was at work, and for that, she was thankful. She was anxious about doing this behind his back, but she wanted it to be a surprise. He'd told her that his father was willing to help them buy their house, and she'd accounted for that. Running the numbers, though, was just making her more worried. She ran a hand through her hair, staring down at the page in front of her, when a knock sounded at the door.
She took a deep breath, preparing herself to get up and open the door, when she heard a key slide into the lock, and Harry's voice rang out.
"Hey, 'Mione, hope you're hungry!" He called, closing and locking the door behind him.
"I'm in here, Harry." she called, relaxing when she saw him enter her little kitchen.
Harry grinned as he dropped the bags on the counter. He looked over her table, frowning. "What's all this?" He asked.
"I've been running some numbers. Draco wants to buy a house together, but he's at risk of losing his job if Hannah and Neville sell the pub. So, I was doing some digging to see if I could come up with a solution to that." She told him, looking at the bags on the counter. "You brought me dinner?"
"Wait, Hannah and Neville are selling the pub?" He asked. "And of course I did. Haven't heard from you. Figured you probably haven't eaten either. That and my children are driving me up a wall."
"Ah, the joys of parenthood." Hermione smiled at him. "Yeah, Hannah told Draco and Seamus last week when I was visiting Draco. He's really worried about it, but I got an idea. It's crazy, but it might work."
"You're going to buy the pub." He said with a grin and handed her a plate of food he had just made up.
"I'm going to try to buy the pub." She corrected. "I don't know if I have the funds, or, even if Draco has interest in running it. I'd be able to help a little, but it'd be mostly up to him."
"He loves that place, if I'm honest. How much are they asking for it?" He asked. "Surely your stipend will cover it? It did for the Longbottom's."
"It took most of Neville's and nearly all of Hannah's stipend to get the place when they bought it, and they've increased the property value since then. They've put some work into it. Then we'd have to figure in the first month's stock, utilities, and make sure all the licensing to sell alcohol is still valid. It's gonna be a pretty penny, and I'm not sure I'll be able to swing it by myself. Draco barely makes enough to support Scorpius and himself." She sighed, running through the numbers again quickly.
"What about Lucius?" He asked, crossing his arms on the table and looking her over.
She frowned. "He's supposed to be helping us buy our house. I don't want to impose further. Besides, he hates that Draco works at that bar. Says it's unbecoming of a Malfoy."
"Well, I mean it is technically your house. And did you say he doesn't like Draco working at the bar? Well, I'm sure he'd be damn proud of his son for running his own business." Harry shrugged.
"You might have a point." Hermione said, perking up a little. "I'm going to get a business plan together and go talk to Lucius about this tomorrow. I've gotta act fast, before they sell to another buyer." Hermione said, excitedly.
"Why don't you mention you're interested?" He asked. "They may hold off on selling it to anyone else."
"I talked to Hannah the other day, that's what gave me the idea actually. She told me they'd give me a week or two to see if I can do it." Hermione said, looking up at the calendar on the fridge. "I think I'll know for sure by Monday. At least, I hope so." She murmured, then shook her head as though clearing it, looking down at the plate of food Harry had handed her. "Thank you for thinking about me, Harry. I hadn't even thought of eating."
"See. It'll all work out." He nodded, leaning back in his chair. "And of course I thought about you. You're my best friend, the Aunt to my children. I figured, since I hadn't heard from you, you probably forgot to eat."
She grinned sheepishly. "You know me too well."
February 6, 2009 Wiltshire, England - Malfoy Manor
Hermione stood outside Lucius's office, nervously, clutching a folder with all her outlines and business plans tucked neatly inside. She'd talked, briefly, to Narcissa, but Scorpius had been particularly needy this afternoon and she hadn't been much help. She was anxious about the whole business, but she took a deep breath, deciding it was now or never. She knocked on the door, determined.
"Come in!" He called, setting down his quill. There were numerous ledgers and papers stacked around him, and he looked a little flustered.
Hermione opened the door, coming into his office slowly before closing the door behind her. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy." She said, uneasily.
He looked up at her with a smile. "Hello, Hermione. And what brings you here, today?" He asked. "I didn't realize you were coming to visit. I would have prepared a little better."
"It was rather sudden," she said, smiling at him. Some of her anxiety melted away as she took a seat in front of him. "I wanted to talk to you about a surprise I'm planning for Draco."
"Oh?" He asked. "And what might that be, Miss Granger?"
"The Longbottoms are selling the Leaky Cauldron, which means he's at risk of losing his job. I know how much he loves that place, and how much it means to him to have a stable income to support Scorpius. So I expressed to Hannah that I'd be interested in purchasing the pub. The only problem is, I've barely got enough money in my vault to cover the cost of the building and the first month's utilities, let alone inventory and other startup costs. I haven't told Draco yet, because I don't want to get his hopes up if I can't make this work, but I think he'd do an excellent job running a business like this." She told him, feeling more confident with each word.
Lucius met her eyes and stared her down. He raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure Draco's told you I'm not very fond of his job at that pub in the first place. It's not fit for a Malfoy." He said, lacing his fingers together on the top of his desk. "As far as I'm concerned, losing his job is just the push he needs to move on to better things."
"Better things like running a successful business?" Hermione asked. "He basically runs that place, Mr. Malfoy. He knows it like the back of his hand. It wouldn't be the same without him. He'd have a pre-existing consumer base, and he knows how to keep his customers happy. Not to mention," She said with a weak smile, "It'd really help him to clear the family name. That means a lot to him, you know."
Lucius studied her for a moment before speaking. "Why do you care so much about my family name, Ms. Granger? I thought you didn't put much stock in such things."
Hermione was quiet for the space of a few heartbeats. She hadn't thought about that; why did she care?
"Because you and Draco put a lot of stock into it." She told him, finally. "And that's important to me, especially if Draco and I…"
"Get married?" Lucius asked. "Yes, I'm not particularly pleased with the idea of having a muggleborn as a daughter-in-law, but Draco's right. You are more than your blood status. And your consideration for my son and his future is a testament to that." he said.
Hermione nodded. "I've put quite a bit of thought into this," She told him, placing the folder in her hands on his desk.
Lucius picked up the folder, flipping through it and skimming over the papers inside. He was quiet for a moment, reading over a couple pages more in-depth. He sat the folder down, looking up at her.
"Ms. Granger, this is impressive. I've had professional business managers turn up with far less than this. I do feel that Draco would do excellently in running the pub, but if I am going to help the two of you in this, I have one stipulation."
"What would that be?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"I want you help him when it comes to business matters. You've got a head for money like I've never seen. Draco knows his way around money, knows when to go for the cheap and when to spare no expense, but I don't want him to be in this alone." Lucius smiled. "The two of you would make a great team."
Hermione grinned. "I can do that. I suppose I'd better talk to him."
"Yes, you'd better." Lucius said, closing the folder and handing it back to her. "Come see me when you talk him into it."
Hermione stood, nodding. "I will. Thank you, sir."
February 7, 2009 London, England - The Leaky Cauldron
Hermione had just gotten out of a meeting with the Longbottoms regarding her interest in purchasing the pub, and the reliance she had on Draco's willingness to run the place. Draco was, of course, working in the pub below, and they'd suggested talking to him then and there. She was nervous that he'd decline, but she knew he had every reason to want to do this.
She headed downstairs and sat at the bar, nodding to Seamus and waiting for Draco to finish up a patron's order. She rested her elbows on the counter and placed her head in her hands, sighing.
Draco frowned at her, heading over to her. "What's wrong, love?"
"I've just been visiting with Hannah and Neville. Looks like they've found a buyer for the pub." She sighed.
His face fell. "Any word on our jobs?" Draco asked softly, looking over at Seamus.
"Well, it depends." Hermione said. "Draco, how much do you like it here?"
He frowned, then looked over the pub. "It's become like a second home." Draco told her. "I'd do anything to stay here."
"Anything?" Hermione asked, a slow grin spreading on her face. Draco's frown deepened.
"What are you playing at, Hermione?" He asked, crossing his arms.
"How would you like to run the bar, Draco?" She asked.
"I already run the bar. I'm the general manager, love." Draco rolled his eyes.
"You're not understanding me," Hermione sighed, exasperated. "The buyer that Hannah found? That was me, Draco."
He stared at her for a moment, blinking a couple times. "You- what?"
"If you're willing to help me run the place, I have the finances to take over the bar and handle the first month or so of rent and expenses." She told him.
"How?" He asked, skeptically. "You don't have that kind of money."
"I almost have enough. I actually went to you father and he looked over my business plan. He agreed to help us under the condition that I help you run the place." She said.
"You went to my father?" He asked, his eyes widening. "And he said yes?"
"I made a rather convincing argument." she smiled.
"Hermione, if you got my father to agree to something like this without using an Imperius curse, you're truly a force to be reckoned with." He grinned at her. "I never expected this. I'd have never even dreamed that owning this place was a possibility."
"You were stressing out about income to support Scorpius. I saw a way to eliminate that stress. I took the opportunity and ran with it." She told him. "So is that a yes?"
"That's a hell yes. But only if I get to keep the best damn barkeep I've ever trained." Draco said, looking over at Seamus and raising his voice a bit.
"I'm the only damn barkeep you've ever trained," Seamus called. "What's all this, then?"
"You're not losing your job, after all." Draco grinned. "Hermione and I are buying the pub."
"That's the best news I've gotten all week!" Seamus said. "Congratulations, you two." He beamed over at them.
"Suppose we'll have to talk to your father tomorrow, then make all the arrangements and things Monday." She said.
"I love you, Hermione." Draco said suddenly, looking into her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"I love you, too." She murmured. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
He leaned over the bar and kissed her gently. "See you tomorrow."
With that, she hopped off the stool, heading home for an early bedtime. She had a big day coming up.