Draco Malfoy had sent Hermione Granger a note. It simply said to be at the Three Broomsticks, and to sit in the booth in the back. Hermione Granger couldn't help but grin. Either he knew her well enough to know that she'd take the back corner, or he figured she'd be smart enough to do it without prompting. It wasn't like Harry or Ron were... punctilious enough to specify - but Hermione would have. She hated when her plans went sideways because of someone else's stupidity.

Draco Malfoy showed up three minutes later than Hermione did. As she'd been perfectly on time, she did think he wanted to sit on the outside of the booth. And so this was the case. Draco sat down beside her, and ordered three butterbeers. Madame Rosmerta took one look at the two of them and smiled, cautiously. "Keep an eye on him for me, will ya?" she asked Hermione.

"Of course," Hermione responded, smiling thinly.

"She can't actually expect me to want to poison someone, can she?" Draco Malfoy asked, and Hermione could see his nonchalant affect start to waver.

Fortunately, she knew the answer to that one. "One learns not to expect anything from Slytherins, seeing as they're capable of anything and everything." She said it in her most arch voice, attempting to imitate Narcissa Malfoy, and only at the end wished for some tea to sip demurely.

"Your vote of confidence does my house much good, unnecessary though it may be." Draco Malfoy said.

The butterbeers arrived, and Rita Skeeter tottled in the door, in those enormously high heels and dragon lady makeup - red lipstick, black mascara, and blood red nailpolish. "Draco, my dear!" She squealed, dashing over to them. Her face nearly froze when she saw Hermione, though. Then her eyes started flicking back and forth between both of them. "Business associates?" She asked, taking a calm seat, and donning her composure like a shield.

"Quite," Draco Malfoy said, and Hermione was glad to let him talk.

Rita started to pull out a quick quotes quill, and Draco put his hand on top of hers, "No, I don't think that will be necessary." he said in a low voice that held a surprising amount of strength.

"Why did you call me here, then?" Rita advanced, a slight crinkle in her eyebrows the only sign that she was puzzled.

"I wanted a meeting off the books, off the record," Draco Malfoy said firmly.

"Funny place for that," Rita said, smiling widely. "Rosmerta loves to gossip."

"You'd know," Hermione said quietly, and Rita's eyes flicked over at her for just a quick second.

Draco continued, as if neither of them had interrupted, "I hope we can come to an arrangement, one that will be lucrative for you."

Rita looked over at Hermione, and, as if she hadn't a care in the world, "I like the sound of this one. Why couldn't you have been paired with this charming young gentleman, rather than those two lunkheads you've mistaken for friends?"

Hermione only barely bit back words to the effect of Rita's venom was not confined to the written word.

Draco's mouth thinned into a semblance of a smile - he was always going to like someone insulting the Golden Trio, wasn't he? "They do say carrots get more compliance than sticks."

Hermione said, lightly, "Of course, we do still have the stick. In case of ... irregularities."

Without looking at Hermione, Rita smiled. "Tell me more about this proposal of yours."

"We intend to make the news worth reading again," Draco Malfoy said, "Without those exaggerations you are so very fond of."

Rita leaned forward, and said, "What are you planning to do?"

Draco Malfoy said, "All in good time. I've long maintained that your writing shines best when you aren't exaggerating, of course."

Hermione said, "What we need is fair journalism, coverage that's not twisted and not exaggerated."

Draco Malfoy continued, "But is to our benefit."

Rita frowned, "What's in it for me?"

Draco, "If fame isn't enough by itself, allow us to contribute to your fortune. We'll read and review every article before you take it to print, and in return, you will be adequately compensated for your time."

Rita nodded, "This does seem reasonable. You don't want an exclusive contract?"

Draco shook his head, "That would be unfair to you, though I will ask that any work you do that mentions either of us, is something we can vet before it hits the papers."

Rita smiled, happily. "You have yourself a third partner then. What are we doing?"

Hermione Granger smiled, a very toothy smile, "Ending the practice of slavery in Great Britain before it begins."

Rita whistled, lowly, "You don't think small, either of you... I'm very glad you came to me first."

Draco Malfoy said, "You do have the best reputation in Great Britain." Hermione muttered something that was undoubtedly uncomplimentary to someone, and thus not worth listening to.

The meeting broke up shortly.

[a/n: Leave a review?]