Borrowed Hearts

Summary: 'You know how you like to make up stories sometimes honey? Well this is going to be just like that. We're going to pretend for a little while.'
Based on the Christmas movie by the same name.
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own the rights to neither the Harry Potter books nor the movie Borrowed Hearts
Author's Note: I am so insanely pleased with the response I got for the last chapter! I'm so glad you all are enjoying it! I've been working really hard to keep the chapters coming for you guys. They might be a bit on the short side but that's only cause I'm trying to get them out as fast as possible and to write any more pages would take me longer. Anyway, Chapter 9! I'm not sure how I feel about it… Draco seems a little OC to me in some parts but I tried my best to keep them as close to cannon as possible. Let me know what you think!

UPDATE: I'm reloading this chapter because for some reason it seems to not be loading correctly for everyone. Not sure why that is. If you still cant read it let me know guys!

Chapter 9: Extended Stays

The next couple of days went by with minimal amounts of problems. Amazingly to both Blaise and Draco there were very few slip ups and Del Campo seemed to remain in the dark of anything odd going on.

During the day, Draco and Blaise escorted Del Campo around the business, discussing plans and negotiations for the merger. At night, the three retired to Draco's home where they would dine with Hermione and Josie who Del Campo found charming.

Yes, everything was going to plan, except for Del Campo's night owl tendencies. Every night as Draco and Hermione retired to bed, Del Campo would be sitting in his usual chair in the library reading. He would look up to bid them both a goodnight before watching as they entered Draco's room together.

Being a wizard came in handy on many occasions, particularly when one had to sleep on the floor in his own closet. No magic, however, can quite compare to the comfort of ones own bed, a comfort that Draco was sorely missing. Add that to the stress he was under in acting out this little masquerade of having a family and Draco had never been more exhausted or sore in his entire life. He had never before been so happy than he was the day that Del Campo left to return home to Spain.

Draco walked through the front door of his home, relieved to have the days events done and over with. Just then, Josie whizzed into the room on a toy broom, laughing happily. As she zoomed past him, Draco reached out and grabbed the broom by its tail end, causing her to stop abruptly. Josie looked up at him, anger apparent on her small face at having her fun ride end so quickly.

"That's an awful big toy for such a little girl," Draco said, forcing a smile down on her. "You might break something."

"I'll be careful! I promise!" Josie replied, zooming off once more before Draco could stop her. As eh turned the corner the end of her broom came dangerously close to knocking a vase over. Draco gritted his teeth.

Hermione entered the room, dressed in her normal muggle attire of jeans and a tshirt with her hair pulled back into a ponytail once more.

"Where's Señor Del Campo?" she asked as she spotted Draco.

"Blaise is seeing him off," Draco replied, listening anxiously for the sound of breaking glass.

Hermione nodded. "Well, we're all ready to go. Josie, go get your things!"

Josie zoomed back into the room on the broom, skidding to a stop in front of Hermione and Draco.

"But mommy… we can't go!" Josie pouted.

Hermione shook her head. "No arguing! Now get upstairs and get your bags!"

Josie frowned but climbed up the stairs none-the-less. Draco and Hermione watched her go before turning around to face each other awkwardly.

"Well… Here you go…" Hermione slid the slim wedding band off her finger and held it out to Draco.

"Thanks." Draco reached and took the ring from her. It was still warm from the heat of her body. He paused for a minute, searching for the right words to say.

"You were great," he said finally. "You both were."

Just then the front door opened and in walked a slightly nervous looking Blaise followed closely by none other than Señor Del Campo. Draco hastily shoved the wedding band back into Hermione's hand who turned away slightly so that she could slip it back on without being noticed.

"Great news everyone!" Blaise declared, glancing warily at Draco. "Señor Del Campo has decided to stay until negotiations are finished!"

"Of course, that would mean extending my trip another two weeks," Del Campo explained with a smile. "As long as that's of no inconvenience."

Draco opened his mouth to reply but Blaise quickly cut him off.

"Of course not Señor! As I told you before, 'Mi Casa Es Su Casa'," Blaise insisted. He shot Draco a look, warning him to behave himself. Draco glared and him but closed his mouth.

"We would be honored to have you stay longer Señor," Hermione spoke up, glancing at Draco for some kind of clue as to what to do.

"Yes, of course we would," Draco replied, smiling. "Would you just excuse us for a minute? My wife and I need to go check on the meal for tonight in the kitchen."

Del Campo nodded his acceptance as Draco grasped Hermione's arm and led her down to hall and through the kitchen door. Once inside, Draco loosened his grip on her arm.

Hermione spun around, glaring angrily at him. "Our deal was for two days!"

Draco sighed, running a hand through his silvery blonde hair. "I'm not any happier about this than you are but we're kind of limited on options here."

"No," Hermione corrected. "You're limited on options here. Josie and I have no obligation to this any longer. Our contract with you is up!"

"So what you're going to take Josie and leave? Oh real nice Granger! Don't forget to wave to Del Campo on your way out!" Draco glared at her dangerously, his anger rising.

Hermione, however, did not back down. "So just make up a story! Tell him Josie and I went out of town to visit my family for a bit! You seem to be good at making up stories!"

Draco bit back a smart remark, willing himself to cool down. As much as he hated to say it he needed Hermione to stay and yelling at her was not the way to go about it. He slowly counted to ten in his head in an attempt to regain control before speaking once more.

"Listen, I know this isn't what we talked about but if you and Josie walk out right now he'll start getting suspicious as to why I'm not with my family for the holidays," Draco explained as coolly as possible.

Hermione gazed at him, her anger ebbing away but you could still tell she was unsure.

"I'll pay you 5,000 more galleons if you promise to stay," he added.

She pursed her lips, considering the offer.

"10,000" she said finally.

"10,000 galleons!" Draco shouted, causing the staff to glance up at him. He glared at them before lowering his voice once more. "You're out of your mind!"

Hermione shrugged and began walking toward the door to leave.

"Alright! Alright!" Draco called out, frowning slightly. He could feel the beginnings of a migraine coming on. "But you and Josie stay for as long as it takes!"

"Fine." Hermione turned around and held out her hand to shake. He took it grudgingly, trying to remember that this was all for the sake of business.

"I hope you know what you're doing Malfoy," she added, staring at him intently in a way that reminded him freakishly of McGonagall.

"Don't worry, I do," Draco insisted.

Hermione nodded and headed for the door once more to inform Josie of the news before she was halted by Draco calling out once more.

"Being we'll be together for the next couple weeks you should… er… probably start calling me Draco too."

Hermione turned to look at him.

"Just for the sake of acting," he added.

"Alright then…" Hermione said, looking at him strangely. "Draco…"

Author's Note #2: So ends Chapter 9. In chapter 10 we get into some good stuff… We get more Hermione/Draco interaction. More of Josie. AND we finally discover just who Josie's father is. I'm going to try and get the chapter up soon but until then please review! Much thanks!