2. Leaky Cauldron 3.05
Hermione hurried up, she was running late but she didn't mind much. She really didn't want to see the ferret. When she entered, she saw him sitting in a table at the corner. He looked exactly the same, maybe a bit older, and he had a very bored expression. She smiled wickedly, he must be annoyed that she was late.
Draco was waiting for Granger to come, it was five minutes past three and the witch still didn't show up, if he didn't know better he would think that she was doing it on purpose. He had thought over the proposition to make her and he was sure that she would accept.
Hermione approached the table and faked a smile. "Mr. Malfoy, sorry I'm late." He watched her for a while, she was shifting a bit uncomfortably under his gaze. What was he thinking? He then smiled seductively "It doesn't matter Miss Granger, please have a sit and call me Draco." she eyed him suspiciously. What did he have in mind?
Draco checked out the Gryffindor witch, yes, he thought, there is some work to do on her but after I clean her up, she can perfectly play her part. Now let's start with the show and using his charm, invited her to take a sit.
Hermione took out her quill and a parchment and after they both ordered a drink she started to ask him many questions. He was very confident in his answers until Hermione asked him "So, Draco do you like your position at the Ministry? What are your plan for the future?"
He smiled, but his smile didn't reach his grey eyes "Well, Hermione to tell you the true I like the job a lot but I don't know if I want to maintain the position for long. As for my plans for the future" he then put a strategic sigh "I must admit that I would like to enjoy my life as a bachelor but my mother has different ideas."
Hermione stopped writing and eyed the blond wizard "What does she have in mind?" Draco was smirking, just in his mind though, he was leading her right where he wanted "She would like for me to get marry and have children. As you know I'm the last Malfoy and there is need for a new generation." She smiled at him "Have you got any witch in mind?"
He paused for a moment, in order for his next words to sunk in quicker "As a matter of fact, yes, I've got someone in mind" she looked curious, although she was trying to feign indifference "And who is she?" he finally allowed himself to smirk "It's you, Hermione."
Three, two, one "What? Are you mad?" she shouted and she got the attention of the few people in the pub. Draco smirked "Lower your voice Hermione. We don't want everyone listening our conversation" she was angry "Explain yourself Malfoy" he laughed "Now we are back to Malfoy then?"
She started to pull out her wand so he took her hand in his one "Now, Hermione give me the time to explain myself. As I told you I want to enjoy being a single man for a few years but my mother is bothering me. So here is the deal, I take home a witch that she doesn't like and she will agree to give me more time."
Hermione was listening very carefully "And I would be that witch." He saw her mind starting to work so before she would leave or hex him, he added "You may be wondering what benefit you will receive from this little plot." She nodded "Well Hermione, you will be seen with me and I could procure you whichever job you want at the Ministry."
She knew that he could get her a job but her pride was stopping her to agree that it was a perfect plan for both. "I'm not on sale Draco." He smiled at her "Hermione, I'm not offering to buy you. The job should be yours because you deserve it. I'm just pulling some strings and you will be doing me a very big favour in exchange."
Draco knew that she would give in but he was pleased that she had still the temper to fight him. "If I accept and mind you I'm not yet saying that I do, I want to know what is expected from me and I'm not going to sleep with you." Draco looked at her with amusement "No offence Hermione but I don't need to convince a woman to sleep with me."
She had the decency to blush, indeed Draco Malfoy was handsome and with the additional bonus of being rich and famous he had really just to pick a random witch between the many. Wait, did she just said that he was handsome? She must have eaten something wrong at lunch. Yes, that was the only sane reason she could think of.
He let her do some thinking, after all she was smart and she would see the benefits. She sighed "Ok Draco I accept your offer. And I'm sure I will have a lot of time to regret it" he smirked "Now, now, Hermione I'm confident you will enjoy it as much as myself. I can't wait to see my mother's face when I'll tell her I'm going to marry a muggle-born Gryffindor journalist witch."
She frowned "Your mother won't try to Avada me, right?" he laughed "Don't worry she wouldn't risk Azkaban, she is a Slytherin she will be very cunning in her desire to get rid off you. I believe you are intelligent enough to keep up with her."
Hermione sighed for the hundredth time, "So, care to share the details with me?" And they stayed there discussing the plan until four o'clock, when they both had to go back to their own office. "Then Hermione I will meet you at the entrance of the ministry at seven. We will need a lot of time for your makeover and I'll have a reservation on my names at the restaurant for nine-thirty." When he disapparated she thought that she really was in for a hell of a week.
AN: Thanks for reading.