Debt to the Devil

Chapter 2

"You wouldn't have remarried, would you? You haven't dated openly since the funeral. It shouldn't be too difficult to arrange for the world to think you've decided to settle down again. We'll just say that we were keeping our relationship quiet. Which is true, if you don't elaborate on what our relationship was. All I need is someone to marry and have children with, other than that we'll live together as friends. Our marriage would make for a good political match, and it will take care of your debt." Draco sat back in his chair, waiting politely for the information to kick in.

Hermione couldn't actually say that she was surprised. She had learned years ago that Draco loved to do what would shock his audience most. An alliance of a pureblood Slytherin and a muggleborn Gryffindor, who had been enemies since their first year at Hogwarts, was certain to provide an endless store for gossip mills. She wasn't even particularly upset at his assumption that marrying him would be acceptable payment for services rendered. Draco was first and foremost a savvy businessman who drove a hard deal, and Hermione had worked with any number of his kind since opening Lady Peacemaker Consultants ©. Her only qualm about agreeing to his suggestion was about a little bundle, which Draco was unlikely to be aware of.

"I have one hesitation. It may affect your offer." Hermione set down her tea carefully on the low table in front of the grouping of armchairs.

Draco raised a brow. "What could possibly make me change my mind?"

She half laughed. "Oh, you might be surprised."

"Pleasantly so, I would hope?" His inquiry was genial.

"I convinced Ron to try for a baby before he became to ill. I was being selfish, I realized that later, but I still went through with it. My daughter is over a year old. She is the main reason I don't date; it isn't because I'm playing the grieving widow. Credit me with a little more strength of character and taste."

She was horrified to note the small tinge of bitterness that crept into her voice. 'It isn't Ron's fault that he became sick. No the only person I blame for that is Albus Dumbledore. He's the one who cast my husband in the path of battle; he knew the potential consequences.'

Draco gave her a surprised glance. "It isn't like you to give into self-pity, Hermione. Do you mind being a mother? You do realize that that is the whole point of this conversation? Let me repeat myself: I require an heir."

Hermione shook her head to clear it. "You aren't bothered that I already have a daughter? A Weasley daughter?"

Incredulously: "Of course I don't hold that against you. I'm the one that got you involved with the Weasel in the first place. That would be hypocritical, even for me."

She found herself giggling helplessly at his blunt assertion of hypocrisy; his casual self-awareness combined with his disregard for what faults he had in abundance was irresistible. It amazed her that her mood had swung so dramatically with just one comment from her one-time sworn enemy.

"I'd forgotten how much fun you can be to be around, Dray. You were correct; I shouldn't have been so quick to judge. Why on Earth should it bother you that I come with a pre-packaged family and the accompanying emotional baggage?" Her tone, though teasing was also dry.

Just as he took a breath to respond the door crashed open and a figure loaded down with several boxes of paper work stumbled inside. "'Ony, I've got those files you requested for the Vermosas account. I'm sorry about being late this morning. I had a few too many last night and had a little trouble moving back into the realm of the living."

Zacharias dumped the boxes onto the floor by the desk, before rising to address his excuses to the empty desk chair. Startled he whirled around, and promptly looked horrified by the realization that he was interrupting an interview. "Oh, Merlin, I'm so sorry! Monique was on the phone with a client when I came in; I never thought to interrupt to find out if you were in a meeting."

Draco Malfoy turned in his chair to get a good look at the intruder. "Oh, hello, Smith. Good to know you've learned to enjoy yourself more than the Hufflepuff code traditionally allows. Though a little Fire Whisky goes a long way, eh?"

Zacharias Smith stared in disbelief at the unlikely individual seated across from his Gryffindor boss holding a coffee cup and looking utterly at ease. "Malfoy! What are you doing here?" He turned to Hermione, "What's he doing here. You're enemies! You don't have tea and coffee, at your relaxed business corner of your office, with a Malfoy. You just don't."

Hermione exchanged an amused look with her old friend. "Draco and I have been friends for years, Zach. We gave up all that political posturing long before graduation. In fact, I started seeing Draco as of six months ago."

"You never said anything! How could you not tell Monique, Harry and I that you're dating Malfoy?" Zacharias looked justifiably perturbed over this rearrangement of floor stones beneath his feet.

"Actually we're no longer dating." Hermione began cautiously.

"Thank Circe! I'm so relieved you came to your senses; but that doesn't explain why you two are getting cozy during office hours!"

"What I was trying to say, Zach, was that Draco came by to propose this morning. I was about to give him a reply when you burst in here. So if you don't mind, I would appreciate a little privacy with my guest." Hermione's voice was firm.

"Don't feel like you need to let him down easy, Hermione. I'll be right outside the door if you need any help escorting the Slytherin ex-Death Eater out the front door." Without waiting for a response Zacharias trotted back out the way he had come and closed the door softly as he went.

Hermione turned back to Draco, "You were saying?"

"I want you to marry me. I don't care if you have one or ten daughters by Weasel or anyone else; I think we'll get along. Say yes and I'll take care of all the details."

Sighing Hermione leaned forward. "I must be mad, but yes, I'll marry you. Just one question, though: any chance I can get you to free your house elves as a wedding present to me?

TBC