Chapter 10:

Harry paused at the door to Malfoy's room even as the nurse kept ushering him in. The nurse was a young woman, barely older than Harry, clad in her professional attire. She had apparently been summoned straight from St Mungo's and was an expert in dealing with Poisons. She had single handedly treated Malfoy and ensured that he was no longer in fatal danger. She had patiently recounted to Harry that this wound may take over a year to heal but as long as he took his potions, he would be fine.

So when Harry wanted to clarify if Malfoy was lucid enough to have a conversation, he felt awkward and out of his depth as he enquired. "Is he err.. loopy?" The young nurse stared at him in confusion. "Do you mean to ask if he is in his senses?" she asked, slight amusement flickering over her face as Harry nodded in confirmation. "He may still be a bit loopy but it should wear off in the next few minutes" she responded formally although the slight upturn of the sides of her lips gave her real emotions away.

With a small smile and a tight grip around his wand, Harry opened the door and entered the room. There was a single unfamiliar Auror positioned in a corner of the room away from Malfoy, who lay on a oversized hospital bed. He appeared to be wearing a thin blue sack as his only clothing and Harry couldn't help wishing that it was at least long enough to cover his knees. The Auror straightened up and pointed towards a stool by Malfoy's bedside. Harry gingerly walked towards a still lying Malfoy wondering if perhaps Malfoy had fallen asleep. He was definitely wrong. Malfoy was awake, furious and definitely a little bit loopy.

"Potter. How nice of you to visit me again. Who have you brought this time to murder me?"

Harry noticed the Auror pull out a notebook and start taking notes. Wonderful, they weren't even trying to be subtle with their spying anymore, he thought to himself.

"Potter, I'm talking to you!" Malfoy raised his head, hissed in pain and stretched out his hand towards Harry instead. "Where's Granger? I would rather talk to her right now. She has more brain cells than you and Weasley combined." He turned towards the Auror and barked, "Greg, bring me that newspaper." The Auror rolled his eyes and got up. As he handed the newspaper to Malfoy, he added, "My name is not Greg, for Merlin's sake." Malfoy paid him no attention, instead propping himself up on some more pillows that he made "Greg" arrange. Then when he had deemed himself comfortable enough, he turned back to Harry "Were you ever going to tell me that I wouldn't actually die because of your complete incompetence?" He waved the Daily Prophet that described Hermione's inheritance from Dumledore's last will, angrily at Harry. "Were you ever going to tell me that Granger was my back-up option?" His face darkened as he turned towards Harry. "But given that you picked Missy, perhaps you were trying to murder me."

Harry huffed silently. He had promised Hermione that he wouldn't lose his temper with Malfoy and he meant to keep the promise. But when Malfoy in his drugged state, decided to show Harry the scar that his Sectumsempra curse had left on his body, Harry put his hands up and blurted out. "Malfoy, you're kinda right. About us messing this up" he mumbled the last part softly. "Look, Hermione's drafting a speech for the press at the moment and we are taking you back with us now once we sign the deal. Cool?"

Malfoy stared at Harry for a long minute, his face blank, devoid of any emotions. "Why would she agree to this" he finally asked, his tone neutral. It was only because Harry knew Malfoy so well that he recognised Malfoy's question to stem from curiosity. Harry knew that this may be his onlychance, "You first, how do you know Missy and why was she trying to kill you?"

Malfoy closed his eyes and leaned his face towards the ceiling. "It's a pretty long story." He turned to "Greg" and shouted "Greg! Can I get something to eat around here? Apple pie, would be good too!" Greg rolled his eyes and got up mumbling, "I'm not your personal assistant, you know" as he headed out of the room. Harry quickly used the opportunity to look for any spells or magic objects that may be recording the conversation and cast a Muffliato just in case, recognising Malfoy's need for secrecy.

"Travers had a bastard daughter...Missy with some Squib and he brought her over to my Manor after our sixth year...like a sacrifice lamb, to gain favour with the Dark Lord." Malfoy's face contorted, as he recalled the memory. He wanted to offer her to the Dark Lord, to be made the youngest ever Death Eater. She was a dumb kid, who only ever yearned for her new found father's approval and so was willing to do anything to prove herself. She had no idea what it meant...being a Death Eater." Harry didn't fail to observe the similarities between Missy and Malfoy here, but he stayed quiet, not wanting to disturb Malfoy's flow.

"So she was more than willing to become a Death Eater, but the rest of them..." Malfoy faltered here, drawing one hand over his face. "They just wanted to have fun at her expense and the Dark Lord, he let Yaxley give Missy, her initiation task. Yaxley he set her up for failure. He asked her to..." Malfoy almost retched at this point. "It doesn't matter, what but... this was meant to be a suicide attempt and if Missy succeeded, then... I guess she would be initiated. They chose a time when all the Death Eaters, including Travers was away. Only I was in the house and so I persuaded Missy that I would do the task for her, since it was so dangerous. She was different then, young and impressionable. She looked up to me, I suppose she fancied me and I used that to persuade her to wait in the gardens that evening until I bring back the evidence of the task."

Greg came back at this point holding an apple and a glass of water. "Your apple pie, your highness" he snapped as he kept them by Draco's bedside. Malfoy looked at the apple and shook his head. "I can't eat solid things now." He pointed at his injured chest and continued "How about some soup?" Greg's eyes darkened. "I know what you're doing here but we will also be questioning you later." With a dramatic turn, he left the room, making sure to shut the door extra hard.

Malfoy shut his eyes once again and said, "So why is the smartest witch to have ever lived, agreeing to this stupid deal? I answered one of your questions. Now, it's your turn." He waited patiently for Harry to answer, making it clear that he would not be continuing his answer unless Harry replied.

"Because she is a good person. She's not going to let you die. You can relax Malfoy. And for that matter, neither will I."

Malfoy scoffed. "Sure, but no one is good enough to sign away their lives to their bully."

"Well she is. I don't know what to tell you."

"If you aren't going to answer my questions seriously, I don't know why I should" Malfoy growled, opening his eyes and facing Harry with a scowl.

Harry scowled back and stared Malfoy down, but eventually he broke and responded "Someone's obviously trying to kill you and we need to get you out of here. She's agreed to this so that we can get you to safety first. But after..." Harry trailed off, not wanting to say too much in case of eavesdroppers.

Malfoy's scowl changed to a smirk. "Smartest witch that ever lived. I suppose if anyone can hep get me out of this..." His smirk grew as he let the rest of the sentence hang in the air.

"Your turn, Malfoy" Harry sighed. While he was glad in a way that Malfoy knew they were going to try and get out of this deal, he felt a little like he had lost any leverage he may have had over Malfoy. Harry reluctantly realised that he had preferred it when Malfoy was terrified that he was going to die because no one would marry him.

"Right, Missy... So basically, I persuaded her that I would do the.. task.." Malfoy made a disgusted face as he mentioned the word task. "I left her waiting in the garden and released the peacocks and swans to keep her company. So that when Yaxley returned, he saw Missy feeding and playing with the birds instead of doing the... task. I told the Dark Lord, that Missy was just a child with no concept of reality and that she didn't have it in her to kill Muggles to become a Death Eater."

"And Voldermort just believed you?" Harry asked, in disbelief at the nature of the initiation task.

"Well, you see, I actually attempted to fulfil my task of killing Dumbledore, so yes, he believed me. Travers was demoted to Snatcher monitoring duty and Missy was asked to leave and go back to her Squib mother."

Harry bit down his anger at the mention of Dumbledore. After all that was the only reason he was here. Dumbledore truly believed that Malfoy was not truly evil and Harry had personally witnessed Malfoy's failure in completing his 'task'.

"So, if she was this naive and innocent girl, why did she turn all dark and try and kill you?" Harry, kept his voice low and business-like.

Malfoy didn't respond. At first Harry thought he was being a jerk as always but then Malfoy let out a soft undistinguished snore which betrayed the fact that Draco Malfoy had fallen asleep mid-conversation. Harry retrospectively wished that he had asked the pretty nurse how long Malfoy would be awake instead of questioning his 'loopiness'.

Hermione was editing her second draft of the press release speech when she heard a commotion at the end of the corridor. She quickly snatched her things and stealthily crept towards the source of the noise. She could hear raised voices and a loud shuffle that betrayed some movement. Wand raised she followed the sounds that seemed to emanate from one of the rooms on the right at the end of the corridor.

"..when you knew I would be occupied...Farringer, there will be...official enquiry immediately...on the authority...almost killed by an assassin..."

Kingsley must have returned from Paris and he was raising hell at Farringer. That much was obvious. Still she treaded lightly, not paying any attention to the aurors standing around. But before she had taken a few steps, the door flew open and an irate Kingsley stormed out. With purposeful strides, he barked orders at the Aurors stationed outside as he made his way towards Hermione.

When he caught sight of Hermione, however, his countenance softened and he let out a soft sigh as he stopped by her side. "Are you alright Ms Granger? I am so sorry about everything. I had no idea that such conspiracies were afoot and that too right under my nose. I'm incredibly relived that Mr Potter and you remained unhurt."

Hermione managed a tight smile. "Come, let's sort this mess out", he continued and strode purposely towards Malfoy's room. Kingsley walked past the door that Harry had entered through, instead choosing to tap out an elaborate pattern on the opposite wall with his wand. Hermione had lived in the wizarding world for 7 years but the sight of the wall disappearing and the emergence of a pulley-style elevator still took her by surprise.

"After you", Kingsley moved away and helped Hermione get aboard the metal contraption, which creaked and swayed haphazardly beneath her feet. She grabbed onto the nearest handle that was floating in front of her which proved to be a wise decisions because the minute Kingsley got on, the make shift elevator plunged several feet into the distance with absolutely no warnings, before swaying left and speeding across the abyss. It finally came to a screeching stop in front of a gigantic lynx headed door. Kingsley cheerfully pointed Hermione towards a bucket, "in case of nausea" he added, before dismounting.

The door opened to Kingsley's voice and led them straight into his office. "Is Harry with Mr Malfoy?" clarified Kingsley, offering her a seat on one of the plush leather couches.

Hermione nodded, "Minister, was Farringer..."

"Please Hermione, Let us wait for Mr Potter and. Mr Malfoy to join us. I should never have trusted the Councillor."

They didn't have to wait long as suddenly with a loud rumble the wall opposite Hermione crumbled and the room expanded to open into a provisional hospital room. Malfoy appeared to be asleep on the hospital bed, drooling over his pillow in a very un-Malfoy-is undignified way while Harry stood by his side, wand outstretched, confusion etched all over his face.

"Hermione! How did this just open..what? Kingsley? Why are we in your office?"

"Perks of being a Minister I suppose, my office can be connected to any room. This way, we will have more privacy though."

Kingsley paused for a second and took a look at Malfoy. He ushered Harry towards a green cushioned chaise lounge and sat himself next to him.

"First, I would like to apologise to both of you. Today could have been a disaster if not for Mr Malfoy's quick thinking and both your exert wand-work. You should have never been in this position and I should have never trusted the Councillor. Of course I would apologise to Mr Malfoy too but I think it may be better to let him rest now. I was purposefully detained in Paris and the events of today were deliberately kept secret from me. So I would like to assure you that there will be a major enquiry into everything that happened here." Kingsley looked truly remorseful but they could see the anger simmering beneath his eyes.

Kingsley turned to look at Hermione, and continued "Hermione, I will handle the press. For now, shall us discuss the terms of the contract. Farringer informed me that you will take on the responsibility of Mr Malfoy. Is that correct?"

Hermione wrung her hands nervously, briefly glanced at Harry and then nodded.

"We are completely safe here. No one can overhear us. Speak your mind." Kingsley gently encouraged.

Hermione threw Harry another glance and when he bobbed his head in affirmation, she said "Well I suppose he may be safer anywhere else than the Ministry right now and I will sign the deal but... I intend to find a way out."

She paused to look at Kingsley's reaction. He was listening seriously and he nodded before adding "And I will aid you in whatever way possibly, informally of course."

"I read the reports and the court documents. Malfoy has a year's time before he needs to be married which gives ample time to find a loophole or identify any evidence of fraudulent judgement" Hermione spoke hurriedly.

"True", Kingsley confirmed, "although, I would advise you to focus on identifying a loophole. This is a centuries old deal which has always been highly subjective to interpretation. On the other hand, attacking the decays and termites in the Ministry is an arduous but not impossible job, however it may take well over a year which is the time you have."

He summoned 4 copies of identical blue files that he passed over to each of them. He placed Malfoy's near his bedside after noticing that he was still fast asleep. He then summoned a small vial with a memory strand floating inside.

"Mediwitch Flora informed me that while Malfoy has survived, his wound could take well over a year to heal. That is truly unfortunate. But, she managed to retrieve his memories of the assassin Missy Travers formerly known to us as Margaret Jones. So at least we can find out more about her"

Harry choked, "You're kidding me, he was being so annoying about sharing his memories."

Kingsley smiled, "I suppose it might be because of the history you share. On the contrary, mediwitch Flora told me that he was more than happy to give her the memories. But I will see them later" he added, placing it on the table. "Let's focus on your contract. Why don't you both go through it and identify areas that you may want to chnage" he added, pointing to the blue files.

Hermione was seized with a curiosity to know more about Missy but she gave her assent and opened the file. Harry got up and moved closer to Hermione. "Two minds are better than one?" he offered weakly.

It was several minutes later that Hermione shut the file with a loud snap and turned to Kingsley. "I'm fine with it except for sections 3 and 5. I want all of section 3 gone. The Ministry cannot dictate Malfoy's...well how many children he should have or his fidelity etc."

Neither Harry nor Kingsley failed to notice her purposeful avoidance of using the term 'sex' nor her insistence on calling the offspring as Malfoy's and not her own.

"And in section 5?" Kingsley enquired. Hermione got the impression that after the events of today,

"I want a clause added that if Harry were to find someone else to satisfy the deal with Malfoy, instead of me, the contract should modify the responsibility to that person and absolve me of this liability."

Kingsley looked a little uncomfortable. "That may be a bit harder to push through especially since there will be a public announcement regarding Mr Malfoy and you."

Hermione shook her head. "This is something I insist on, Kingsley."

"Do I get a say at all? Given that I just freaking saved your life?". Harry, Hermione and Kingsley swiftly turned their heads to stare at a sleepy looking Malfoy. He had raised his head, putting weight on his forearms and stared straight at Hermione.

Harry looked like he had completely forgotten about Malfoy while Kingsley emotionlessly watched him. Hermione was the first to recover. "This clause helps you too Malfoy. If you meet someone you like that satisfies..."

"Merlin's pants. Don't try to sell me that crap. I agree about section 3 but no clause in section 5" Malfoy leaned back against the pillows and closed his eyes.

Hermione got up and stormed over to him. She glared at him, pointed to the blue file by the table and said, "you haven't even read the file. Why do you insist on being difficult?"

Malfoy snorted, "because you've done my homework for me. Now, can I please go home?" he turned his head towards Kingsley.

"You little dung beetle, why would you want to be tied to me? What if we find someone who you could actually love or at least not hate?"

"Someone like Missy, who kills me so that I am no longer your problem?"

"Actually, once you sign the contract, your life gets tied to the other persons. If one dies before you are married, so does the other."

With a sarcastic smirk, Malfoy remarked "how poetic, also.." he looked up at Hermione's still hopeful face, "no dice, no clause."

Hermione stifled a scream as she tightened her fist around her wand. "But why? You hate me!"

Malfoy rolled to his side slowly, and looked Hermione in the eye "I am not going to be marrying for love Granger. This is a fucking deal to get me out of Azkaban. Why would I care?"

Hermione took in a deep breath but before she could say anything Harry burst out "Malfoy, there are some women out there who don't care that you face is pointy or that you're an evil cockroach with a stupid tattoo. If we cannot find a loophole.." Kingsley stared at the blue file pretending he wasn't listening in on the conversation.

Malfoy sat up now with great difficulty, and rearranged his gown, unaware that he had just accidentally flashed Harry. "That's exactly why I only want Granger. Why would I want to be married to some stupid pigeon brained Mud.." he paused suddenly his eyes subconsciously flashing to Hermione's scarred arm. With a giant gulp he continued "... I don't want to be bound to anyone and Granger's the only one who hates me enough to want a way out and smart enough to find a way out and so, I insist on NO CLAUSE" he exclaimed before sinking back into his pillows with a soft groan.

Hermione stared silently at Malfoy for a few seconds. Then she spun around and asked Kingsley, "alright where do I sign?"

Author's note: Thank you so much for reading. Please leave reviews. It's been a difficult few months with the lockdown and the pandemic chaos, so sorry for the crazy delay. I hope i can post a bit more regularly now. Next up will be some action scenes at the Manor as the plot progresses and plenty of slowburn Dramione. Please review and sorry for any grammatical errors. I didn't really proof read today.