A MALFOY ALWAYS GETS WHAT A MALFOY WANTS

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

RATING M+ for explicit scenes. I hope you all enjoy.

Peony Periwinkle is of my own imagination.

Chapter 5

Minister of Magic Harry Potter announces new law.

This was the headline that was splashed across the following morning's paper. Ginny turned to her husband after reading over the article.

"So who do you think you'll hear from first Ron or Hermione? You're going to have some rather unhappy supporters you know? And Hermione... well actually while she'd not normally support this maybe it will finally give Ron the nudge he needs to ask he to marry him."

"It'll be Hermione we hear from first, as for Ron proposing to her well I was sort of hoping that, he just better get the paperwork in on time. If he doesn't Gin well then maybe it's time they go their separate ways – I know it's not what you want to hear Gin but she deserves more."

No sooner had Harry finished speaking than whoosh could be heard coming from the fireplace in the other room, the couple looked up in anticipation of their guest.

Hermione had taken to reading the Daily Prophet again after the war on two accounts Harry was minister and Ginny was a writer for them in the Quidditch off season. But today she was wondering why once again, why hadn't Harry told her. Sitting down at the table she laid the paper out to read it properly.

The Daily Prophet July 19th 2000

Last evening the minister announced a new law for all unmarried witches and wizards between the ages of 20 and 25. Wizards will have until Sept 1st if they wish to put forth a claim on a witch they are currently dating. All single witches and wizards after this date will be matched according to a secret panel.

One must feel incensed that the ministry has taken upon itself the decision of who should marry who and put a time limit on such as well. It can be said all is fine for him since he is already married but does he not even care for his friends? Neither of his friends Miss Granger or Mr Weasley who helped him in defeating Voldemort are married and although it is well known that the two have been dating since before the end of the war, Mr Weasley was in fact seen looking rather comfortable with Miss Periwinkle at the new Italian restaurant 'L'amore é Bello' – one could speculate as to what sort of business it really was. Does this mean that the minister is happy to interfere in Miss Granger's life and have her matched with another wizard? What does this mean for their friendship?

Hermione frowned at the Prophets lack of decorum in going off subject and reporting Ron's alleged transgressions – who knew what was going on with him, she continued to read.

What is our world coming to when the ministry goes to such lengths to interfere with our lives, is the ministry heading back to what it was before the war with its secrecy and corruption? When asked why he felt a law such as this was necessary this is what he had to say;

"This law is not something I have taken lightly, at first I was against it but from views I have received it will help more than hinder – in some circles there is still segregation and families are refusing to allow their pure-blood children to marry those they want especially if they are not pure-blood. By having this law in place once a couple is matched the engagement begins and the legalities are the same as betrothal therefore parents won't be able to do anything to interfere with the marriage. Some parents won't like this but if we are to secure a future that is fruitful then we need to take steps to ensure that. I'm sure both Miss Granger and Mr Weasley will understand this as well as many others – That is all."

The minister made no other comments but we were told that application forms would be arriving to those of you effected, let's just hope that you are paired with someone you are attracted too and can get along with. Reported by Hazel Woods.

Hermione sighed unfortunately she could see the pro's and cons of this law and as much as she hated the idea maybe it would give Ron the push he seemed to need to propose to her she thought – it was time they got married everyone did … well everyone except for Ron. For as long as they had been dating he always said one day they'd get married but these dalliances she suspected he was having or as he often told her 'business meetings' were in fact something else entirely. Maybe now was a good time to talk to him.

Ron on the other hand smiled when he read briefly over the article not because it meant he'd have to get married in fact that didn't even seem to register in his brain it was because his name had been mentioned, he didn't even pay head to the mention about him and Peony Periwinkle he could get his way around that since as far as he was concerned Hermione was gullible enough she always believed him – well except for the Lavender incident she'd actually caught him then but he needed his needs met and just because she insisted on staying a virgin till she got married it didn't mean he had to abstain. All his lovers oddly enough had, had flowery names they seemed to satisfy him the most he'd had one night stands with other witches but it was the flowers that kept him interested maybe it was the sexual innuendoes that went with the names like deflowering and in full flower. His current flower Peony was exceptionally good, he hadn't thought anyone could have been as good as Pansy and the only reason that was over with was because she didn't like being one of the many she knew she'd never have him all to herself so she decided enough was enough, Ron of course hadn't cared he had enough to keep him busy. As he read over the paper Peony straddled his naked lap, he slid his free hand absently up her thigh to her hip as he slipped into her, as she rocked against him he told her what the paper had said about the marriage law.

He looked at her when she stopped "so what are you saying Ronny – where does this leave us?" she whined, he shrugged

"I honestly don't know, I enjoy being with you but you know I have a girlfriend who now with this law I should be marrying, I always said I would."

She nodded "So I wonder who I'll marry? Are we going to continue this after we are married to others?"

Ron was quiet for a moment "let's just see what happens hey?"

Again she nodded; he hugged her and rubbed his hands up and down her body kissing her as she started to move against him once more.

Draco sat alone in the dining room at the manor his mother having not appeared yet. He waited impatiently for the Daily Prophet he wanted to see what they had to say about the new law. As he worked through breakfast the paper arrived and his breakfast was temporarily disregarded. It was so typical of the Prophet to take things and twist them around. They were doing a good job of making it sound a lot worse than it really was and they were putting it all on Harry as if he was the one who came up with it. It didn't upset him that he didn't get credit as such for it, it was an idea that was already there and not something to be directly connected with since it was going to draw some negativity. He thought that they would have listed the guidelines, he didn't know if the mention of the a good thing or not, guess he'd find out at work next week when the paperwork was getting sent out or at least when the matchings happened. When he read about Ronald Weasley and Miss Periwinkle he felt a mixture of hatred for the wizard who was obviously cheating on Hermione and happy because that meant he was sure that Weasley wouldn't submit the paperwork. He really wanted to go to her now but knew that he had to keep his distance if his plan was to work. It was funny much he'd changed because the old Draco would have interfered – he would have there putting negative thoughts into her head about said boyfriend. While he was sure everyone would be saying the meeting was innocent he was sure that it wasn't – after all Draco himself knew how promiscuous but he hadn't taken her up on her offer. All he had to do was be patient which for Draco Malfoy had become a lot easier over the last few years.

"Ginny...Harry..." came Hermione's voice. Ginny went to meet Hermione followed by Harry.

"Good morning Hermione"

"Good morning Ginny, Harry sorry I'm here so early"

"That's alright we knew you'd be here as soon as you read the article" Hermione nodded

"You know me well, but Harry I'd like to know why you didn't tell me, some indication would have been nice" she spoke frankly,

"I'm sorry..." he said walking towards her but she turned and sat down. "...I just didn't know how to tell you. So what's going through that brain of yours? Are you here to yell at me, telling me what a terrible idea it is?"

"No not really, I admit it's not the best solution but I can see where it would be beneficial to many couples. The question is will this benefit me or not?"

It was Ginny who answered "it should, surely this will give Ron the nudge he needs to propose."

"...And then there's this business with Miss Periwinkle" Hermione finished asking with eyebrows raised.

"I'm sure it was just a business meeting" Harry exclaimed trying to sound convincing - though he wasn't so sure himself. Sometimes he wondered what went on in his friends head.

"Don't worry he'll propose Hermione, we'll be organising your wedding within the year" Ginny said excitedly.

Hermione couldn't help but smile at her "well I should get going and leave you two to enjoy your weekend."

"Okay, we'll see you later Hermione" said Harry giving her a hug once she'd stood. Once Ginny had hugged her she let through the floo to enjoy her weekend. She was to meet Ron for lunch in Diagon Alley at 1200.