AN: Thank you all so much for the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Only Draco and Ginny could make Hermione feel as if her kitchen was a boardroom.
Both of them took their places in the chairs across from Hermione. She offered to make them some tea, but they showed no interest. They were focused on a mission, not pleasantries. Even their attire emphasized this point. Draco wore his pressed gray business suit, which Hermione noted must have been worth more than she would make in a year. Ginny's emerald dress would have been perfect for a television ad. Her purple clutch appeared to have been bought yesterday. It made Hermione embarrassed to be in a yellow sundress which she'd had since she'd begun the university.
"Ginevra said you were considering seducing Uncle Severus," Draco's voice was as impassive as if he was discussing a routine business merger. Had he forgotten they were discussing his godfather, the same one who had saved the Wizarding World more times than anyone could count?
"Seduction is a strong word, but yes, I am willing to go on a few dates with him," Hermione answered, wondering if the temperature had risen a couple of degrees. "If that leads to more, then so be it."
"Ginevra indicated you had moral qualms about cultivating a relationship with him."
"I will admit that dating him isn't something I envisioned myself doing. Then again, I never envisioned only agreeing to go out with someone for money."
"But?"
"But," She took a shaky breath. "I think Ginny is right. This is the one way for all of us to get what we want."
"I agree." There was a hint of a smile on Draco's face.
"I just have a few questions," Hermione began.
"Yes?" The smile evaporated.
"First, did Ginny tell you how much I owe Gingott's?"
"I did," Ginny replied.
"And the price doesn't bother you?"
"No," Draco answered.
"But it could bother your father."
"How so?"
"If your father is the problem, won't he know that you are paying me an exorbitant amount of money to the bank, a debt you don't owe?"
"First of all, who said your debt was exorbitant?" Draco smirked.
"It's half a million galleons, certainly more than I can pay back."
"It's nothing I couldn't pay off right now if I didn't feel like it."
"Won't Lucius suspect something if you give the bank that sum of money?"
"I make investments on a whim with far more money than that, and really that's what this is," he paused for emphasis. "An investment."
"So, you're willing to pay off the whole debt now?" Hermione felt a weight being lifted from her.
"I will pay half of it if you agree to this plan." He replied. "Not a galleon more, not a galleon less."
"But I've agreed to help you…"
"And you haven't delivered anything to me yet."
"I promise you I'll date Professor Snape. I'm as good as my word," Hermione replied.
"Are you as good as your word, or will you agree to this, watch me pay off your debt, and then fail to follow through due to your supposed moral qualms?" He folded his hands.
Hermione would've been lying if she said the idea hadn't occurred to her.
"If you agree to this, I will pay half your debt as a token of good will. The other half will not come about until I get the results I want."
"How will you know I've given you the results you want?"
"When my father is convinced that Uncle Severus loves you."
"I have to convince Lucius that Professor Snape is in love with me?" Her eyes grew.
"No, Uncle Severus do that on his own," Draco replied.
Hermione's skepticism must've been obvious, for Ginny chimed in, "Lucius and Severus periodically have drinks. If your name starts coming up enough times he'll catch on that my godfather may be interested in you."
"And what if I cannot entice Professor Snape to feel anything towards me?"
"First of all, he's Severus to you now," Ginny replied.
"He doesn't want me to call him that."
"Which is why the second he allows you to call him that is the second he begins to convince Lucius he sees you as more than an obnoxious know-it-all."
She twisted her lower lip.
"Second of all," Draco cut in, "If you have tried everything and Severus isn't taking the bait, then you can help us find someone who will go for him. I'll still pay off the debt if he falls in love with her."
"Can't I just help you find someone for him and you pay off the debt now?" Hermione asked.
"This has to look natural," Ginny replied. "It has to look like love has organically grown between you two."
"A woman coming in just to see him is too obvious," Draco said.
"But coworkers fall in love all the time," Ginny added. "Especially if they live in close proximity to each other."
"That makes sense," Hermione conceded.
"But you don't need to worry about failure," Ginny replied. "Once you begin pursuing Severus, he won't stand a chance."
"I highly doubt that," Hermione replied.
"I'm telling you, he won't be able to resist you."
"Well your brother certainly found a way to resist me."
"Snape isn't like Ron though."
"He has more refined taste," Draco cut in.
Hermione choked back a laugh. She had seen refined pureblood women on the covers of tabloids. None of them were bushy haired know-it-alls.
"Just have faith in yourself," Ginny gave her a soft grin. "You've got this."
Hermione stared at her.
"You can do this," Ginny repeated.
"Fine, let's say I agree to seduce Professor…."
The looks on Draco and Ginny's faces were warnings for her to change her terminology.
"I mean Severus. I need to seduce Severus," Hermione replied. "Is there a time table this for all of this?"
"I'd like you to do it within the year," Draco replied. "But realistically, you have until the goblins decide they want their money."
"That could be tomorrow."
"Not if I tell them you're doing a favor for me and that the rest of my payment to you is forthcoming."
Hermione bit her lower lip.
"It's Malfoy money," Draco continued. "Unlike your word, it carries real weight."
"So it does," Hermione muttered.
A tense silence fell amongst the negotiators.
"What if in the middle of this seduction you decide you do not want to date anyone? Will you still pay off my debt?" Hermione asked.
"If you can seduce Severus, then yes," He replied.
"Why would you pay me?" She asked.
"Because as odd as it sounds," Draco's voice was quieter. "I would like to see my Uncle Severus happy."
"So you're putting him in a position where he could have his heart broken due to some game you two are playing with Lucius?"
"He'll be happy for a time," he argued. "At least as happy as he's been since the war ended."
"The pain may not be worth it."
"Or perhaps the experience both of you gain will be worth more than either of you could imagine," Ginny replied.
Hermione strongly doubted that, but given how few options she had left she was better off pretending to believe every word Ginny and spoken.
"So I ask," Draco began. "Do we had a deal?"
"Do I have a choice but to take your deal?" Hermione asked.
"Of course you do," Draco answered. "You just have to consider how else you'll pay off the goblins if you refuse to help me."
"I have few other options other than this." Hermione's throat constricted.
"Then we have a deal?" Draco extended his hand.
"We do." Hermione took his hand and shook it.
"Great." Draco reached into his pants pocket with his free hand. Then, he pulled out a check book. "Ginny?"
She reached into her clutch and pulled out a golden quill and silver ink pot.
He released Hermione hands and took the items from Ginny. Then, he began writing out a check. "I promise you Hermione, you won't regret this."
She already did.