"Hello baby girl." Hermione smiled at the sound of her father's voice on her answering machine. "I was wondering if you were free to grab a bite." Erasing the message, Hermione called her father back.
Ten minutes later Hermione and Herald were sitting in an old Irish Pub named O' Malleys. Eating the daily special.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Hermione took a sip of her coffee.
"Well their's a clause in the contract, Lucious added it, without our knowledge." Herald knew it would be difficult to convince Hermione, but he would do his best.
"Oh?" Hermione looked skeptically at her father.
"Well apparently, you have to act like a true couple. Sleep in the same bed, eat occasional meals together, inform each other of where your going. That kind of stuff." Herald took a small bite of his sandwhich.
"Thats ridiculous. There's no way to konw wether or not we do." Hermione looked unbelievingly at her father.
"Then how am i able to bring it up? Look, Hermione. I dont like it anymore than you do. But everybody's life is at stake here. Not just your mother and I's, but your's and Draco's. Please. Just follow the contract." Herald saw it in his daughters eyes. The momentary flash of fear. He knew he had his daughter hooked. He felt bad lying to her, but he knew it was for the best. He saw a quality in Draco, that suited his daughter.
"Oh this is just great." Hermione slammed her cup down, and looked out the window. "Does Draco know?" Hermione looked back quickly.
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"Mom? What are you doing here?" Draco looked up from his book, he had heard her enter, and was surprised she was there.
"Draco your not following the contract. I guess im to blame, for not telling you all of it, but your breaking the rules of the contract." Narcissa leaned herself against the door frame. "Your father added into the contract something about you and Hermione sleeping in the same bed, eating with each other, letting the other person know where your going." Narcissa walked to the couch as her son snorted in disapproval.
"I dont have to answer to her." Draco scrunched up his nose, returning to his book.
"Oh yes you do." Narcissa laughed at his childness, "She's your wife, Draco." Narcissa said more seriously.
"Not by choice thats for sure." Draco didnt even look up from his book.
"Regardless. She's the only wife you've got, and a damn good one at that. Your obligated to follow a certain set of rules, many people's lives are at stake. So please, Draco, try." Narcissa looked to her son for acknowledgement.
Draco sighed heavily, "Oh all right. Fine." Draco closed his book and walked out, leaving his mother to show herself out.
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Hermione returned home late that evening. She had decided to stop by the burrow to catch up.
Walking through the front door, Hermione's nostrils were filled with the smell of something rich. Following the scent, she found herself in the kitchen.
To her surprise, she discovered Draco stirring a large pot. "What's all this?" Hermione asked, aband-
doning her coat.
"What's it look like? It's dinner." Draco flipped a knob, turning off the stove. "Sit. Dinner's ready." Draco had transfered the noodles into a serving bowl and poured sauce ove the top.
"It smells great. What are we having" Hermione grabbed a cup of tea and sat down.
"Breaded chicken and Fettuccini." Draco inhaled the smell of the food.
Italian, my favorite." By this time Hermione had relinguished her distaste for Draco, and took a large portion, then glanced at Draco.
"What?" Draco cocked an eyebrow in confusion.
"Did you get the speech to? Because i find something suspicious about it." She confessed this while inserting a small bite of chicken.
"I did, but i didnt find it to be odd." Draco dismissed Hermione's concern, stabbing at a piece of chicken.
"Well how are they supposed to know if we sleep in the same room, or if we've told each other where they've gone. I dont know. Maybe im being paranoid." Hermione seemed to be debating wore with herself than Draco.
"Their experienced wizards. They find ways. Besides, they're just trying to make our lives easier.
Prepare us for those kids we're suppose to have. I dont mind their intervention." Draco shrugged, again dismissing Hermione.
"You just called me Hermione. Thats the first time since we've been married that you've called me that." Hermione inadvertently smiled.
"Well there's no sense in me calling you Granger, because you arent anymore. Although i've had a hard time not calling you a mudblood." Draco admitted, and Hermione knew he was pushing buttons.
"I'll bet. Old habits die hard." Hermione took another bite, raised her eyebrow along with a smile.
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"No, you heard right. He made dinner, for us." Hermione was lying in the grass, talking on her cell phone
"So do you think he's changed." Ginny asked already knowing the answer.
"I honestly dont know. I mean, i think his mother put him up to it. She's affected him a lot. Its kind of weird, but, he's sort of a mama's boy." Hermione giggled thinking of her Slytherin graduated husband.
"Why do i hear chirping? Did he suddenly go out and buy you a bird too?" Ginny asked scornfully.
"No, im roaming the terrace darling." Hermione made a poor attempt at sophistication.
"Ahhh. Well, as much as i'd love to continue our chat. There was just an explosion in the basement. I'll call you later." Ginny hung up before Hermione could say anything.
Walking back to the mansion, Hermione had time to think. She thought about what her father said. She wanted to believe him, but something in her gut told her to think otherwise. Somehow her mind had wandered to Draco, in the house, cleaning the kitchen, and she went inside to help.... much to her surprise.
