~ Saturday

Hermione was up early, she found a nice navy blue skirt and matching blouse in her closet. She packed the last of her stuff in her bag for the week. She stomped down stairs to the kitchen, to find Ginny having a coffee.

'Well here's to a horrible week to come,' toasting Ginny's cup. 'Well I'd better go and see who the lucky man is. I'm gonna leave my bag here, so I can tell you who my lucky match is.' as she flooed out. Upon arrival the witches were ushered to one side of the hall where tables had been set up with a curtain draped over the tables to block the view of their matches, at least there where dividers between the tables so everyone had privacy for the reveal.

'Please find your place card and have a seat and we will reveal your date in a few minutes.' a voice announced. Hermione found her seat. Nervously sat waiting the curtain rose and sitting across from her was.

'Sir? You are my match? You didn't veto me? As I am a mudblood.' she spat.

'No, Miss Granger, my time in Azkaban has given me a new outlook on life, and would be proud to have you on my arm and in my bed.'

'How much did you pay for your chance to meet me, Mr. Malfoy?'

'Well I did not, I only asked to be on your list. Unlike Yaxley who paid thru the nose for you to be able to skip this whole processes but I heard Harry vetoed his name immediately. I guess being the chosen one has its privileges.'

'You asked? After what you have put me thru you think I will choose you?'

'I can guarantee your future safety and happiness.'

'Why do you need to provide safety? And who's to say I'm not already happy with my life Mr. Malfoy?'

'Well Mr. Yaxley was furious you rejected him after paying for your hand in marriage. Just for future reference there are at least 3 hexes that I know of, on him that if your name or any reference of you crosses his lips he will regret it, and as to your happiness I was just going to make sure you have everything to your heart's desire, Miss Granger.'

'Well I guess the hexes does sound like a good idea but my happiness does not rely on the money in anyone's bank vault. I have enough money to keep me until I am old and grey, I will be looking for compatibility and love for my future. So if you could provide that then I will give you a chance to prove yourself, Mr. Malfoy.'

'I will do my best.'

'Well I need to run home to get my bags, so meet you out in front of the fireplaces in ten minutes?'

'That will be suitable to me. See you in ten minutes.' with that they separated. Hermione went to the hall of fireplaces, to floo home.

'MALFOY!' she yelled as she stepped out at Grimmauld Place. 'Malfoy asked to be one of my matches?' as she snatched up her bag, Ginny gasped.

'Oh Hermione, I'm so sorry, Maybe your week won't be so bad.'

Hermione flooed back to the ministry to find Malfoy waiting.

'Ready, Miss Granger? And just so you know the front room has totally been remodeled. I needed to get the bad memories out of the house.'

'Miss Granger, this will be your room, my room is at the end of that hall and I have a housemate, and that is his hall over there. I will give you time to relax before dinner. I will be down in the study I have a few papers to read. And this is Tinky, she will assist you in anyway needed. Yes, she gets paid and has a day off each week.' as Tinky bowed to Hermione.

'Miss I will put your things in the drawers for you.' Tinky said as her ears twitched.

'Thank you Tinky, I will be down in a little bit Mr. Malfoy.'

'Well if we are to date for the week then you should call me Lucius, please.' as he bowed his head to Hermione.

'Yes, I think that will work for me too. So Hermione.' as she turned to go to her room. A large light blue walls, a big bed, a beautiful bath room, with a large tub and shower. On either side of the bed were French doors that went to the balcony, with a view of the grounds. On the far wall a large bow window with a reading seat, that was large enough to lie down and read.

'Well Tinky at least there is a nice place to read.'

'Oh miss there is a full view of the back pasture from that seat.' as she ran over to pull the shear drapes back and point out the horses grazing.

Hermione spent some time unpacking her personal items, then ventured down it to the rest of the mansion. She found her way down to the study. Lucius was busy over some papers and didn't even notice her entry. Hermione started to look at some of the books to see if she could find something to read while she waited for Lucius to finish up. About an hour later he finally looked up. After one of the house elves popped in to announce dinner

'Oh there you are, ready for dinner? Got almost all of this,' waving at the pile of papers in front of him. 'done.' as he got up for the walk to the dining room.

'How was your afternoon?' Hermione ask.

'Oh fine just trying to get some paper work done so we can go for a picnic tomorrow.'

'Oh that will be nice.' as Hermione finished dinner.

'Can I escort you to the library?'

'Yes please,'

'I will be back in a few minutes.' as he continued to his study.

Hermione gave up waiting at 9 and went off to bed. She stopped briefly outside his door, he was busy writing.