He watched her every move as she closed the distance between them, Hermione noticed, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck begin to prickle and stand on end under his scrutiny. She didn't feel comfortable in his gaze and she was a little unnerved by the way he just kept right on staring at her.

"Malfoy," she greeted him with a nod when she stood a little over a meter away from where he was still leaning on the statue.

"Granger," he replied in a voice that was neither hostile nor welcoming.

"We should join the line," Hermione told him, seriously, "They're calling girls whose first name starts with 'F' right now, so it won't be long before they call me."

"What did the Minister have to say?" he asked rather than moving.

"That they've got other incentives in place for anyone who has a kid, though to a lesser extent if it's not with their proposed match. And that unless both parties consent, neither gets anything," Hermione answered, staring at him and unsure why he was being so familiar. It was unnerving to have him asking her questions like she was just any old person.

"Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy?" a wizard's amplified voice called, indicating that they were both about to find out a lot more.

"Here," Hermione shouted back when Malfoy didn't say anything as he pushed away from the statue.

"Excellent, right this way, if you please and we'll see what we can work out, eh?" the wizard said cheerily, disabling his amplifying charm and shuffling off down the hall. Hermione studied him from behind in an attempt to keep from thinking about having Draco Malfoy walking along behind her. The wizard was short and round, with a mop of brown hair on his head. His robes were rumpled at the back and his hair slightly mussed, as though he'd been running his hands through it in frustration.

"Are you on the Board that approved this idea?" Hermione asked him as he led her and Malfoy into a small office and waved his hands towards the pair of chairs in front of his desk.

"I am indeed, Miss Granger. My name is Barnabus Cuttleworth and I'm on the Advisory Board to the Minister."

"So you're one of the idiots who thought it would be a wise idea to dispense with blood mania by pairing known rivals?" Malfoy asked rudely, dropping into the seat next to Hermione and staring at the small wizard with loathing.

"You think it will be ineffective?" Barnabus Cuttleworth asked, not looking at all put out by Malfoy's furious tone.

"I think you're all barmy," Malfoy retorted.

"Be that as it may, we have an offer for the two of you. Should you choose to enter into our Agreement, you will both be compensated for your contribution to the Wizarding Population, as long as you keep to the terms of the contract," Barnabus began.

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, one foot jiggling in irritation at his chipper tone. Beside her, Malfoy was glaring at the wizard.

"Do share these terms, Mr. Cuttleworth," Hermione prompted when the man began to eye them both, looking a little nervous, "By all means, please tell me what you think I'll want in return for shagging Malfoy and having his kid."

Barnabus cleared his throat, looking rather nervous indeed when he picked up on the veiled hostility in Hermione's tone. Hermione wondered if the man was aware of the great dislike that existed between herself and Malfoy.

"Well now… As you rightly state, your end of the bargain does consist of the two of you partaking in intercourse and conceiving life," Barnabus told them, clearing his throat again, "In addition to that, the two of you would be required to share living quarters for the length of the pregnancy. Since you are both returning to Hogwarts this year, you would be required to take residence in one of the new additions to the castle that the Ministry has built for this purpose, allowing the two of you to live together."

"You expect us to live together?" Malfoy scoffed, "Harmoniously?"

"We do indeed. You would be required to share quarters and a bed for the duration of Miss Granger's pregnancy. This is required in order to foster respect for one another and in order to ensure you can effectively work together, as two people must when raising children. In addition to that you must meet a list of requirements, as per these guidelines," he paused to pass them both a pamphlet with a list of tasks they must complete together, "This involves the planning of how things will work when the baby arrives and other such details."

"And in return for this preposterousness?" Hermione asked, feeling a little queasy at the very idea of sharing a dwelling and a bed with Draco Malfoy for any length of time.

"Ah yes. You are incentivized to do so. Now, Mr. Malfoy, I believe that your parents are currently in Azkaban prison for harboring You-Know-Who in your place of residence, in addition to aiding and abetting in the kidnap of several people and creatures, and the murder of several more. Is that correct?" Cuttleworth asked Malfoy, whose jaw began to tick with anger and whose hands clenched into fists.

"It is," Malfoy replied curtly, his voice resonating his anger.

"In return for fathering a child with Miss Granger and providing for that child into adulthood, the Ministry is willing to allow your parents to be released from Azkaban Prison in favor of living out the remainder of their sentences within the walls of Malfoy Manor, where they would be required to check in on a weekly basis with a Ministry official. Rather than continuing to live in cells in Azkaban, they could return to the familiarity and comfort of their home. I've been asked to pass these onto you," Barnabus said, handing Malfoy a handful of pictures and reports detailing the health and sanity of both of his parents.

Hermione caught sight of one of Narcissa Malfoy, her usually prim and tamed hair wild with curls Hermione hadn't expected that showed the woman bore more resemblance to Bellatrix than Hermione had thought. She was dressed in the ragged uniform of all Azkaban Prisoners, black and white striped jumpsuits far too thin to contribute to keeping the prisoners warm. Her pinched face bore an expression of manic distraction, the animation of the photo displaying the woman looking over her shoulders and around her cell fearfully as though she was surrounded by demons only she could see. Her eyes were sunken and she looked ten years older than she had even during the Final Battle.

When he flipped to a picture of Lucius, Hermione caught the way Malfoy closed his eyes in horror at the sight of his father. The man's long blonde hair hung lank and greasy about his face. He had dark circles under his eyes and he looked to have lost all sparks of life. His grey eyes were empty, lifeless and the man looked positively despondent. He sat against the wall of his cell, striped uniform soiled and ragged, hanging off his emaciated frame pitifully. There was no indication that he was aware of his surroundings at all. He simply sat and stared at something outside the picture. In fact, he was so still that Hermione had to squint to ascertain it was even a magical photograph and not a muggle still-shot. She could only tell the difference because she could see the shallow breaths coming from the man in clouds of steam, indicating the temperature when the photo was taken was cold as best.

"Those are pictures taken of your parents three days ago in their cells. The reports detail their current level of overall physical and mental health if you're interested," Barnabus said, and Hermione suspected the man was prodding Malfoy despite the way the blond's hands had begun to shake, "Now, as I said. Should you agree to this contract, we will be happy to release your parents into the Wiltshire Manor and to provide them the care they desperately need."

Hermione felt the urge to hex the little man when Malfoy's hands clenched into fists once more, crushing the files he'd been given. He knew exactly how bad his choice of words was and he knew that the more he pushed, the more Malfoy would be inclined to sign the contract.

"Now then, Miss Granger," Cuttleworth said, turning his beady little eyes on Hermione a false smile curling on his lips, "We are of course willing to incentivize you into this contract as well, would you care to hear our terms?"

"I'm beginning to suspect that I have little choice in whether or not I hear your terms," Hermione replied coldly, "However, I will warn you now that if you continue to use such abrasive techniques to attempt to sway myself or Malfoy into agreeing to this contract, I will not hesitate to dedicate my fullest attention into seeing you and all on the Advisory Board brought to ruin. Is that clear?"

"There is no need for threats, Miss Granger," Cuttleworth said, though he paled considerably at the tone in her voice and the serious expression on her face.

"I would say the same thing to you, Mr. Cuttleworth. And I find the notion of suggesting that unless Malfoy agrees to this contract, his parents will not receive the medical care they obviously need, to be a threat," Hermione informed him icily.

"Not at all my dear, it is simply a statement of fact. As prisoners in Azkaban for several severe crimes, Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy are not currently eligible for any better treatment than two meals per day and a bucket within which to pass waste that is emptied once a week. These are the only requirements regarding the health and wellbeing of criminals. Whether they require more or not is no concern of the Ministry's."

"You ought to be very careful about what you say, Cuttleworth," Malfoy's voice was low and far deadlier than Hermione's had been. Cuttleworth paled further and Hermione felt goose-pimples of unease prickle along her skin at his tone and his expression. She didn't doubt that Malfoy would kill for his parents.

"Well then," the man cleared his throat again, shuffling some papers on his desk, "Miss Granger, for your cooperation in this matter – meaning your consent to perform coital acts with Mr. Malfoy with the intention of falling pregnant and carrying the baby to term – the Ministry is willing to dedicate several renowned Healers to work on undoing the Memory Modification charm you performed on your parents last year, allowing them to recall that you are their daughter in addition to bringing them back to Britain to provide continued care until they are returned to normal. These are for you."

The man handed Hermione a file filled with pictures taken of her parents going about the lives they were living in Australia. Strolling on a beach, working in their dental practice there. She felt her heart squeeze when she came across one of her mother and father sitting on a picnic blanket in a park. Her mother's gaze was focused on some children at the edge of the frame, a strange expression of longing on her face, as though she yearned for her own child – though she wasn't supposed to recall she had one – and perhaps even for grandchildren.

"In addition to these allowances, the Ministry is willing to offer each of you the sum of fifty thousand Galleons if you agree to the terms and agree to share the parenthood of a child," Cuttleworth told them both, staggering Hermione with the unexpectedly high sum.

"Why?" Hermione asked, sliding the pictures of her parents back into the file and focusing her attention on the Board member once more.

"Why?" Cuttleworth asked blankly.

"Yes, Mr. Cuttleworth. Why? Why is the Ministry so interested in seeing this particular match come to fruition? I doubt you are offering such a lump sum of money to every pairing you've matched up for this crazy idea. I also doubt that the others will be offered such incentives. And I want to know why. I've spoken to the Minister, so I understand that many of the pairings are designed to overcome blood mania and old grudges, but I want to know why in particular you want this to occur between myself and Draco Malfoy."

Hermione eyed him across the desk, feeling Malfoy's eyes on her as though he wasn't sure what to make of her questioning.

Cuttleworth sighed.

"It has been determined that of all the people selected to participate in this experiment, the two of you are the most influential within the public eyes. You, Miss Granger, are a heroine of war, renowned for your brilliance regarding magic and your knowledge of well, everything. Similarly, Mr. Malfoy, you are well-known as being a pureblood elitist with radical views on how those not of pure magical lineage should be treated, and you are considered a leader of sorts among your peers who share some of your views. As such, a pairing between the two of you goes a long way towards convincing the rest of the wizarding world that the horror of the War can be overcome; that known enemies can grow to be friends, lovers, and parents together. By requiring a child in the mix, the experiment is safeguarded against regression. It is unlikely that either of you will turn on the other when doing so would be emotionally harmful to your child."

He paused to allow them both a moment for that information to sink in and Hermione felt a growing sense of dread regarding the outcome of the Ministry's plan.

"As such, you are correct to assume you have been offered the highest incentive for your cooperation."

"And if we refuse?" Malfoy asked quietly.

"Then nothing changes. Your parents remain in Azkaban, hers remain unaware that they have an eighteen-year-old daughter. You both go about your lives as you always intended to do, dating whoever you choose, living as you see fit. And that is that."

"What are the precise terms of your contract?" Hermione asked, her voice dropping to little more than a whisper.

"This is a copy of the contract you would be required to sign," Cuttleworth handed over a legal document for her to read.

"Participate in sexual intercourse in the traditional way to achieve conception," Hermione read aloud.

"As opposed to what exactly?" Malfoy asked, looking alarmed.

"As opposed to test-tube babies cooked up in a lab and planted in my uterus," Hermione answered, glancing at him sideways and seeing his expression of horror as though he was picturing some mad scientist laughing manically over a baby-shaped monstrosity.

"Merlin…" He breathed as though he required strength to even continue with such images in his head.

"Share a dwelling and a bed for the length of the pregnancy. Contribute to the health and happiness of the other parent in any way possible. Provide love, care, and all material requirements to the child until he or she comes of age. Build at least a cordial friendship with the other parent of the child to effect harmonious parenting as the child grows."

"Basically be nice to each other from now on and raise a kid," Malfoy summarised.

"That is the general idea, yes."

"And what about everything else?" Hermione asked of both men currently in the room with her, "I mean, what happens when the kid is born? Does one of us raise it alone while the other has visitation rights? Do we fight over custody of the child? Does it traverse between two different homes? Forced to live the life of a broken-home kid as though we're both irresponsible and unable to cooperate? Forced to deal with being the half-sibling of any other children either of us might have with people we prefer over one another? Is it really ok to ask that we put a child through all that for the sake of a quick fix to latent war hostility and blood mania?"

"That is the beauty of parenting, Miss Granger," Cuttleworth told them both seriously, "If you agree to this, all of those questions fall to you. You will be responsible for the life you bring into this world. You will be responsible for the happiness and well-being of your child. It is up to the two of you to decide how you will raise him or her; to decide if you can build a relationship with one another that fosters a stable home environment for your child."

"I see what you're doing," Malfoy cut in suddenly, "You're trying to set us up as a couple by forcing us to face decisions about the child as a team. By having us live together until the kid is born, you're hoping we'll grow to fancy each other and that we'll want to raise the kid sharing a house, possibly ending up married."

"The Ministry is not forcing you to do anything, Mr. Malfoy," Cuttleworth retorted, "You are not required to sign the contract. You are encouraged to, via personal incentive that will be afforded you should you choose to do so, but you by no means have to sign the document. If you prefer you can leave this room and never speak to one another again, fall in love with whomever you see fit and start a family with them; or perhaps follow some career of your choosing. There is nothing at play that demands you agree to the terms and undertake this experiment. We will not force you."

"But if I don't my parents to rot in Azkaban, slowly going out of their minds and withering away to nothing for the rest of their lives," Malfoy sneered, "As though that won't force my hand?"

"Ah, but therein lies the beauty, Mr. Malfoy. Your parents are criminals who are paying for their crimes. Without this offer, they would remain in prison. If you choose not to accept. They remain in prison, just as they would've done without the offer. And as has been noted by the Prophet, these incentives are not bribes to get the two of you to have a child together. They are simply a reward if you choose to do so."

"How exactly do you expect this to work?" Hermione asked before the men could continue arguing.

"Whatever do you mean, Miss Granger?"

"Well, it's one thing to stipulate in your contract that we have to shag with the intent of knocking me up, but it's entirely another in practice. We don't fancy one another. We aren't attracted to each other. And I've found attraction is conducive to effective shagging. Imagine how awkward it would be," Hermione laughed with just a hint of hysteria beginning to set in as she glanced at Malfoy, "Imagine it. You and I locked in a bedroom, staring at each other, knowing it's supposed to happen but way too unsettled by the notion to achieve anything."

"She's got a point," Malfoy agreed, glancing back at Cuttleworth, "You're traditional ideas for conception only mean shagging right? I mean, I can get blind drunk first right?"

"As long as coitus takes place, you can do whatever is necessary for that to be so," Cuttleworth said and Hermione felt nausea when the man hid an amused smile, "Am I to assume by your questions that you are both considering the idea?"

Hermione bit her lip, looking away from the Ministry wizard and away from Malfoy. The truth was that she was considering it. As horrifying as it seemed and as nauseous as it made her feel, Hermione desperately wanted her parents back in her life. Some small part of her lamented that they would never want her to sacrifice her dignity and her morals for the sake of shagging a man she considered her enemy and allowing him to father her child. But the rest of her just yearned to have her Mum and Dad back. To breathe in the peppermint and warm leather scent of her father's embrace. To feel her mother's hands tucking stray curls behind her ears and asking her about her newest discoveries. To taste the biscuits her mother baked every October and taste the wine her father brewed every summer.

The loss of them in her life had affected her more profoundly than she had ever realized it would. Growing up having parents was something Hermione had taken for granted. She'd appreciated them, of course, but she had never realized how much they truly meant to her. She had never stopped to think about what life would be like without her mother's floral perfume and without her father's soft humming. About how it would feel to have Christmas and her birthday come and go without a warm hug and a happy smile. Without having those two people in her life who would love her no matter what she might do.

Tears burned in her eyes as Hermione thought of how much she missed them. The place beneath her breastbone ached with how much she yearned to see them again and have them know who she was and how much they meant to her. Pursing her lips, Hermione felt the first tear trickle from her eyes and down her cheek. Opening the file of pictures she'd been given of her parents she felt more tears well up in her eyes as she looked at the one of her mother's expression of yearning for the indescribable again.

She was startled when she felt a cold touch against her hand and looked up quickly to see Draco Malfoy offering her a clean handkerchief. She stared at it for a moment, noticing that his initials were embroidered on one corner in silver silk. Hesitantly she took it from him and dabbed it at her eyes, catching the tears before any more could trickle down her cheeks.

"Thank you," she whispered without meeting his gaze.

"How long do we have to decide what we want to do?" Malfoy asked Cuttleworth, both he and Hermione electing not to answer the idea about whether or not they were considering the deal.

"I can give you until August 31st to make your decision. We need to know before you return to Hogwarts for your final year, in order to properly house you at the school."

"Alright," Malfoy said, "I'm going to assume we can each have a copy of this contract to read over before we make a decision?"

"Of course, by all means, take one. Take your time to consider your options. We don't want any bad feelings from anyone over this. If you need time to think about it, take it. Discuss it with each other. It does affect both of you, after all," Cuttleworth said, handing them both a copy of the contract that they would be asked to sign in order to collect their incentives.

Hermione stared at Malfoy in concern when he held out his hand towards her the way one would request a dance, offering to help her to her feet and escort her out of the room. She eyed him uncertainly, unsure what to do. After all, she was very seriously considering the deal being offered to the pair of them and it would require she do a lot more than take his hand. She would have to touch him and allow him to touch her. She would be the mother of his first child. Transferring the file of photos, her copy of the contract, and the handkerchief he'd given her to her other hand, Hermione hesitantly placed her hand in his and let him help her to her feet.

"We'll be in touch," Malfoy told Cuttleworth as he led Hermione from the room without letting go of her hand.

"Where are you taking me?" Hermione asked when she noticed the way he kept hold of her hand even as they approached the main entrance where most of the matches were still waiting to speak to someone about their deal.

"We need to discuss this deal Granger," Malfoy told her, "And since I doubt you're about to invite me into the house you share with Weasley and Potter I assume we will have to do so either at my house or somewhere else."

"You think I'm going to let you drag me off to Malfoy Manor after what happened there?" Hermione asked him seriously, choosing for the time being to act like an adult rather than lashing out like a child and hoping he would do the same.

"Well if you don't want to go there, then where do you want to go to discuss this matter privately?" Malfoy demanded, glancing over at her. Hermione wondered if he felt as strange about holding her hand as she did about having him hold it.

"Somewhere that those bloody reporters won't find us," Hermione decided quickly, "I know a nice place in muggle London."

"Then lead the way," Malfoy instructed, surprising Hermione with his willingness to cooperate and to venture into muggle London with her. Glancing around the room, Hermione wondered if it would be ok for her to simply apparate.

She regretted the action immediately when her eyes clashed with the sight of Ron Weasley standing around alongside Pansy Parkinson waiting to speak to someone about their incentives. His blue eyes cut through her like ice and Hermione immediately regretted not having pulled her hand away from Malfoy.

Ron was going to think the worst. He was going to think that she'd already agreed and that she was about to go off and let him shag her until she was pregnant. Pansy Parkinson didn't look any more thrilled about Hermione's hand inside Draco's than Ron did. Part of her wanted to go over and explain, to snatch her hand away from Malfoy and somehow wake from this nightmare. But she couldn't do any of those things. All she could do was glance at Malfoy to make sure he was ready to Apparate before she closed her eyes and turned on the spot, transporting them both away.