RAWR. Ming here (: I found evidence that I haven't been very correct with my dates. So I changed a few here and there. Enjoy!

Chapter 3: 50 Galleons worth

"Good morning. I do hope that I have not intruded in your sleep at 8 in the morning. I have a question which I hope you can answer as quickly as possible." Hermione rubbed her eyes and gave a loud yawn. She was stilled dressed in her pyjamas. Making an instant coffee, she combed her messy hair and tied it into a loose chignon. A small piece of parchment had popped in front of her along with a small black owl. Apparently, the person had decided to go with the faster messaging Apparating owls.

Reading the note quickly, she pulled out a quill and dipped it into a small pot of ink beside the kettle. "Good morning to you too. I just woke up. Shoot your question." Hermione scribbled hastily. Her eggs would be burnt if she weren't careful. Flipping her eggs casually over in the frying pan, she twiddled with her hair. A reply popped up next to her head.

"Thank you for your co-operation. I am a father looking for a baby-sitter. May I ask, do you think it is possible if I came an hour earlier to your house just to confirm some enquiries that I may have? If it is too intrusive, I will appear at nine."

Hermione scrunched her nose up. This person really must have a long list of questions to ask then. Besides, she had some particulars for him to fill up. An hour wouldn't kill her would it? It was only 7 anyway. An hour to change and have lunch, yeah, it was okay.

"Sure. I'll see you at eight then." Hermione replied and tapped the owl lightly with her wand to make the owl disappear to its owner with a poof. Chewing thoughtfully on her slightly rubbery eggs, she wondered what she could do with the extra money. Maybe a new bag she's been wanting from FCUK, or maybe those boots she saw at Prada. What about that Jigsaw suit? Hmm, choices, choices.

Over at the Malfoy Manor, chaos was being let loose. Draco, silly enough to give Ben an entire box of Fruit Loops and a toy, had his house upturned into a big mess. It was as if Ben was an equivalent of fifty hunger-crazed chimpanzees. There was a cracked lamp lying low on the floor, the cushions were scattered all over the house, and one had even found its way into the toilet bowl. The couch was lumpy for too much jumping over a soon to be six year old child, and the lights were becoming dim from constant on-and-off activities in the span of 10 minutes.

Draco sighed. Propping his head on his right hand, he wondered whether the baby sitter he just owl-ed would be able to handle Ben. Already, he had tried four of them yesterday in the afternoon. One had practically broken down after half an hour, and that was in the Manor. Another had stormed out of the manor with scratches on her arm. The others were just as disappointing.

Draco blew a random strand of blonde hair out of his eyes. This girl was his last hope, if she didn't work out, he might have to send Ben to the boarding school. The will didn't say anything about the boarding school right? Until Ben was 11, he would be staying in the Manor. Maybe, just maybe, the boarding school wouldn't be such a bad idea. He can be like the muggles and study Math-ticks, and Senesce. Then Ben would learn more than an average wizard. It would be good for him right?

With a small pop, Eros, Draco's black owl appeared. Small and compact, Eros was the most appropriate Apparating Owl that Draco had found in the Weasley's shop. He was quite delighted to find that he had snagged the only black owl that day. He just didn't want an outrageous orange or pink one that he saw some girls carrying. Tied securely on Eros' leg was the reply from the babysitter.

When he had first written to her, he hadn't expected a reply that fast. Her words were small and neat, whilst Draco's was a thin slant, and usually in green ink. Surprised that she was awake at seven in the morning, especially on a Sunday, he had replied almost immediately, hoping that he had not seemed to eager. The reply he received was a simple "Sure. I'll see you at eight then."

Smiling slightly, Draco ran a hand through his hair and almost fell asleep with his face in his coffee. Another hour…just one more hour…I've been up since 6. I haven't slept more than 6 hours for the entire week, give me a break, Draco thought, willing Ben to stop his loud shouts and screams.

"Ben! Stay still! Please, please, for your uncle. Stop fidgeting and stop clinging to my jacket! AGH! NO BEN! NOT THE FLOWERS!" Hermione heard muffled shouts and then silence. Hermione heard a tentative ringing of the doorbell. She had expected it. Almost all the wizards that visited her wasn't sure whether the doorbell was going to bite them if they touched it, except Mr Weasley who was so amused by it he pressed it constantly until the button jammed up.

Hermione brushed the invisible fluff off her sweater and faced the door. Breathing out slowly, she twisted the doorknob and smiled. "Hi! I'm—" Hermione stopped short. In front of her, her flowerpot had cracked and soil had spilt over the doormat, and behind the mess stood a small blonde child smiling genially, and holding the child's hand was an embarrassed looking blonde young man who she found very familiar.

"Uh, I'm really really sorry about this, Miss. Ben is quite hyper and he kicked the plant over," the young man apologised. Hermione gave a wide smile and with a flick of her wand, cleared up the mess. "It's alright, really. It's easily fixed. Come in, come in," Hermione said as she ushered the two of them in.

"Wow!" was the first word uttered by the young boy as he entered the apartment. He immediately rushed towards the toy train he spotted near the window. Soon, he was absorbed in his imagination. Hermione smiled and walked towards the kitchenette. "Tea or coffee?" she asked.

"Coffee would be fine. No milk, one sugar please," the young man replied. Hermione nodded and whipped out the coffee maker. "Have a seat please," Hermione waved her hand at two plush black chairs behind the bar. "I'll bring it over in a moment."

"Thanks, Ms, uh…"

"Granger."

"You sound very familiar… have I met you before?"

"I think it was at the park yesterday morning," Hermione smiled and brought the two cups of coffee over to the man. Whipping out a pen and a few sheets of paper Hermione asked the first question on the top of the paper, " Name, sir?"

"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." Hermione choked upon hearing the name and spilt the hot coffee down her front. "Shit," she swore. "Is my name that amusing?" Draco asked surprised, " Here, let me help you with that." Taking out a handkerchief he walked towards Hermione, only to find her backing off. "I'm fine, I really am," Hermione said quickly, with a flick of her wand, her sweater was clean. Taking it off, she revealed a white polo tee.

"You sure I don't know you?" Malfoy asked sceptically, "it seems I've seen you even before yesterday."

"No kid, Malfoy," Hermione replied with an edge in her voice.

"Are you sure you're okay, Ms Granger?" Malfoy asked again, " Wait… Granger. Granger, you say. You're not related to Hermione Granger are you?"

"I am Hermione Granger," Hermione snapped.

"Crap, you? Granger?" Malfoy choked.

"I kid you not, Malfoy."

Draco laughed. "Granger? A baby-sitter? You've got to be shitting me! I thought you would end up being the head of some Ministry quarters! And now you're a baby-sitter? Damn, I thought you were made of better stuff Granger." Hermione rolled her eyes, "What do you want? What are you? Oh wait, you don't have to answer that. You're an Auror."

"Yes I am, and you're just a baby-sitter. God Granger, get a life!"

"Sod off Malfoy, I'm here to look after your kid. Whose kid is this anyway? Parkinson's?" Hermione hissed. Draco looked momentarily stumped before replying icily, "Go to hell bucktooth. It's my cousin. If you want to know, I practice safe sex. I don't go round laying any girl I get my hands on. I have high expectations. I don't lay just any Mary, Jane, Anne."

Hermione laughed this time. "You? Are you sure? Rumours were you laid almost every girl in Slytherin." Draco scoffed, " No shit. I didn't okay? I'm pretty clean myself. So are you here to interview me or my love life?"

Hermione flicked her hair and shuffled the papers, "I'll just skip question 2 then. Questions 3, Do you have any— What Malfoy?"

"What's question 2?"

"Your personality. But I think we both know what your personality is. Probably along the lines of jerk, egoistic, blah de blah." Hermione rattled on.

"No I'm not, I am a sincere, polite gentleman," Draco replied hotly. Hermione grinned at Draco, "Yeah, and I am the Queen of England." Draco shrugged his shoulders. Hermione wrote down in the questionnaire: Big head ego that thinks one is the perfect gentleman, sarcasm dripping heavily.

"Question 3: do you have any STDs?" Hermione said clearly, " State." Draco spluttered and stared angrily at Hermione, " NO, I do not, Granger! Who do you think I am? The male version of a slut?" Hermione shrugged and left the questions blank.

"Question 4: Do you have any allergies to food, medication?"

"No."

"Question 5: Do you practice good oral hygiene?"

"Yes."

"Good. Okay. Next bit is about how well you know your child."

"He is not my child! Be damned Granger! This is my cousin's child!" Draco hissed angrily at Hermione. Hermione nodded with a flat smile and carried on, " Does your child respect you?"

"How would I know? I tell Ben stuff and he says okay and the next thing you know, he's gone."

"Short attention span. It's okay for kids his age. Questions 7: Does he behave?"

"Yes, he's okay. Just a bit hyperactive."

"You've been feeding him food with too much sugar. Question 8: Does your child eat the correct types of food? E.g. enough vegetables etc."

"Last time? I don't know. But he's a pretty healthy kid. Even though we've been eating take out for the past one week."

"Mm. That's okay I suppose. Does he eat vegetables? Like coleslaw? Or the stir fried Chinese ones?"

"Yes. He likes them actually."

"Okay. That's really good. Question 8: Have you ever beaten the child?"

"No!"

"Don't have to get so huffy about it, ferret. Question 9: Does your child enjoy company?"

"I think so. He gets on pretty well with the kids at the park."

"We'll find out later. The next few questions are on your personal particulars. Question 10: How old is your child?"

"Going 6 I think. His birthday is June the 14th."

"Pretty soon huh. When is your birthday?"

"August the 9th."

"Last question: is your child allergic to any food or medication?"

"Uh… I'm not really sure. I don't think he can eat prawns though."

"Okay. You're done!" Hermione plastered a big smile on her face and stuck out her hand. " You can go now and leave Ben here!" Draco shook his hand lightly and replied stonily, "How can I trust you that this kid is going to be taken care of well?"

"You can stay," Hermione sighed.

"I'll stay for an hour. I have work to do."

"Fine. But there won't be a lot of children until nine plus."

"Fine. I'll stay till nine plus. Plus, I'll make a wager with you, Granger."

"What? And why?"

"Why? Because I don't trust you. Yet. You might end up like the other four baby-sitters I interviewed yesterday. The longest one lasted was an hour. How are your skills going to be any better than theirs?"

"Because I care? And fine. What's the bet?"

"I bet you a dinner that Ben won't last the hour."

"Sure! Tell you what. It's 8.30, when the kids start coming in around 9, we'll see how Ben lasts okay?"

"Deal. If the kids get along with Ben, you win. If even one, I mean one; muggle-born kid starts crying because Ben won't share the train or whatever, you owe me a dinner. And it's a 50 galleon one. Got it?"

"It's a done deal, Malfoy. Prepare your wallet for tonight. I've got a dinner with Ginny and you're going to be paying for it." Hermione grinned and walked to Ben. On the way, she gave her wand a few casual flicks and transfigured most of the apartment's furniture into lurid green, pink, blue and yellow furniture. Most were made for children and there were a lot of toys and books lying around.

Hermione cast a spell over the kitchenette so that nobody under the age of 5 could enter. She flung open the curtains and let the natural warm sunlight spill into the room. Draco sat on the now lime green plush chair and drank his black coffee. Eat my dust Granger.

An hour later, Draco got out of his seat. The 'playroom' was noisy from the happy shouts of children, racing each other from one end to the other. Some children were quietly reading books; others were playing with the toys. Ben was happily content with his toy train, occasionally talking to some of the other children. Ben was happy. And Draco felt his wallet become lighter.

"So, where's my money?" Draco heard a triumphant voice from the opposite chair. Hermione was grinning mightily, her cheeks pink from the exercise of running around to help with the children.

Draco grudgingly took out his wallet, and kept it again, almost immediately, a cunning smile on his face. "Okay, I admit it. You're good Granger. You've got 10 little snotty beasts happy under your wings."

Hermione glared at him nastily. "They aren't snotty beasts. They are good children. They hardly ever fight, and always say please and thank you. Even your mum can't have trained you that well."

"Au contraire Granger. My mother did a good job bringing me up. And anyways, keep my family out of this." Draco said curtly. "Where's my winning?" Granger asked.

"With me. For now. I'll pay for your dinner. I will personally go to the restaurant and see that my 50 galleons are wroth it. I am not giving you 50 galleons to be splurged on boots or whatever. That's the deal. 50 galleons on a dinner, no more, no less." Draco smiled.

Granger stared at Draco stonily. This idiot was certainly a jerk. The bad thing was, he was a cunning jerk, making these bets trickier than she thought they were.

"Hermione! I can't believe you actually got us into the Blue Lotus! I've been wanting to get in here for ages!" Ginny hugged Hermione. Hermione smiled at the red head. She had gone to see Dean to get this favour. And boy, was his deal hard. For this 'favour' she had to put in a good word for the restaurant in the Prophet. What was more surprising was how Dean Thomas had ended up being one of the best chefs in London.

Hermione had changed into an asymmetrical burgundy top, and a black skirt. Hermione pointed Ginny to her hearth. With a flourish of green powder and a yell of 'Blue Lotus!" the both of them disappeared through the Floo Network.

Ginny landed in the Blue Lotus' hearth with a loud thump on her behind. Rubbing it sorely, she got up and found herself facing about a dozen other men and ladies. Apparently, the Blue Lotus' hearth was just outside the entrance of the restaurant. Hermione soon came out but landed not so gracefully on her feet. Wobbling a bit, she patted off as much Floo powder as possible before eventually pulling out her wand to clean the rest off.

"Are we going in yet?" Ginny questioned Hermione. Hermione nodded and pulled her friend's hand. A waiter soon led them to a table inside one of the quieter areas. Their menus floated from under the table and were laid out beautifully. Opening the menu, Hermione scanned the prices. Good. If they both ordered the noodles, and a martini each, there would still be enough for a dessert. "Oh yeah, Ginny, I'm on a 50 galleon budget. You think you can manage that?" Ginny spluttered, "50? That's way more than I need!"

"I meant as a total."

"Oh." Hermione shook her head and looked through her menu again. Eventually, she tapped the table with her wand and spoke into it. " I would like a dry Martini, the duck and lobster uh…thing? It's number 97, and the herbal soup please. Thanks!" Ginny followed suit and they both relaxed in their seats.

The surroundings were quiet even though it was full of people. The panels were a dark brown with intricate Chinese carvings on it of roses and phoenixes. The wallpaper on the top of the ceiling shone with bright blue lotus and sparkling clear water. They moved around in never ending cycles, giving Hermione a headache. The lights were dim and the old Shanghai music drifted around the area like a wispy cloud.

Their martinis arrived shortly and as the liquid touched Hermione's lips, she knew she deserved this. After so many months, she had finally been able to relax and drink, not slurp, not choke down, a good martini. Not only that, she didn't have to worry about the bills or the taxes, with Ben, everything would be much better.

Ginny eventually broke the silence with a hushed whisper, " Hermione, is that a paedophile there? He's playing with a kid." Hermione craned her head to the right and saw a young blonde boy happily bouncing on the cushions in one corner. Next to him was a young blonde man, calmly patting the boy's head and smiling. When he caught sight of Hermione staring, he raised his glass of wine to her and gave her a snide smile.

Hermione rolled her eyes and was tempted to send a hex over. "That's Malfoy. As in Draco Malfoy." Ginny giggled a bit and looked at Hermione. "How'd you know?" Hermione sighed, " He's not a paedophile. That blonde kid over there is his nephew. His parents died in a car crash so Malfoy is in charge of him. I'm starting to baby-sit the kid from tomorrow onwards from 9 to 7. Tres cool huh?"

Ginny kept the shocked expression on her face for the rest of the dinner. When they were eating the delicious mango pudding from dainty china cups, Hermione pointed out, " Malfoy is paying for this dinner, by the way." Ginny almost choked on the chunk of mango. "Why?" she spluttered. "I bet with him that I was a good baby-sitter," Hermione smiled genially. "Come on Ginny. Let's go. The bill's on Malfoy today. Didn't know he was such a gentleman!" Hermione laughed. Interlocking their hands, the two walked out of the restaurant.

Over on the other side. Draco mentally slapped himself for the fifth time in the evening. He couldn't find a baby-sitter fast enough to look after Ben, so he decided to bring Ben. Mistake number one. When he came to the restaurant, he had to get Ben food that he would eat. The second mistake was he forgot the time he was supposed to be at the Blue Lotus and got there an hour early. Mistake number three. Draco had forgotten that Ben couldn't eat shellfish. When he had ordered the lobster bisque, Ben had scoffed the lot and eventually spent about half an hour in the toilet retching. Mistake number five, he couldn't control Ben and he started jumping on the cushions. He almost had to leave. And the worst mistake he could make that got him into so much trouble was he had bet with Granger. Damn you Granger.

Read and review yeah! Didn't expect myself to do this anyway. Very impromptu! Ming.