Chapter 2

This time it was Hermione who apparitated to Harry's flat.

"Harry! Open up" knocking on the front door.

After a couple of minutes a sleepy looking Harry Potter opened the front door. He was only wearing boxers and didn't seem to recognize Hermione at first glance.

"Oh, it's you. Come in."

"Oh geez, thanks for the warming welcome"

"Its 7:30 in the morning Mione. What are you doing here?" He said while walking to the kitchen and, doing a non verbal spell, preparing coffee.

"Its 8:27. And by the looks of it you haven't read the news. But first, aren't you going to put some clothes on?"

"You're practically my sister; I don't care if I look like shit. And no, I haven't read the paper. Did Malfoy publicly insult you or something?"

"On the contrary, he didn't deny the marriage" said Hermione like it was the most normal thing in the world, then sipping from the cup that had been placed in front of her.

"You're joking right?"

Hermione only raised her eyebrows, as on cue Harry went running to the door to fetch the paper.

"That son of a bitch!"

"I actually like Narcissa. She saved your life you know." Evil smile.

"Did I ever say you should have been sorted in Slytherin?"

"All the time Harry. Now, about this thing..."

"Is he nuts? Why would he say that? What's he gaining from all this? Are you sure you didn't marry Malfoy?"

"Thanks for interrupting me, as usual. AND no I didn't marry Malfoy, AND I have no clue why he would not deny the marriage, BUT I'm sure going to find out. That's why I'm here. I need you to give me his address."

"No. That's classified information."

"Classified? I'll give you classified. You have 10 minutes to get me his address. Text it, that way you get to use your phone other than texting nonsense to Gretchen."

"I do not text nonsense to her! Did she say I texted nonsense?"

"Actually I didn't even know you were texting her. Nice to know you are. At least you're having some type of human interaction other than ogling her all the time."

"I do not ogle her!"

"Of course you don't. I don't know how she hasn't noticed that your nuts about her, it's practically written all over your face."

"Does everybody know I like her?" hand scratching his head "don't answer that."

"I think she still thinks you like Ginny."

"What? No?" replayed Harry with a genuinely surprised look "why would she think that? Ginny's engaged to Dean! And besides Ginny is practically my best friend, apart from you, of course, I couldn't date her, it'd be like dating a sister."

"Well, maybe cause you were nuts about Ginny when we were kids, golden couple, and all that rubbish. All I know is that she was pretty uncomfortable yesterday. Obviously she wouldn't say it, but I know her. Don't worry I told her how you and Ginny texted each other and decided to come together."

"I'm starting to think she's related to Luna. I mean who could be that oblivious?" Harry took a seat on one of his living room sofas.

"Well I think you are getting a little rusty. What happen to the womanizer I once knew? War hero extraordinaire, who discarded women as if they were dirty clothes" With a mocking grin still on her face, she sat on the couch facing him.

"haha. Very funny. You know damn well that's not true. You of all people should know not to believe everything you read on the Prophet."

"I know."

They keep quiet for a couple of minutes. Each immerse in their own world.

"This sucks. It's been so long since I was the target of gossip. Not since Ron."

"Yeah well, I'm already used to it. Have you read the latest one: Harry Potter and Dumbledore. The true story behind the teacher's pet"

"Wow, that's farfetched."

"You think? It's got its own molesting theories. It's even got me psychoanalyzing all my conversations with Dumbledore. I tell you, not nice."

Small smile from Hermione

"So, getting back to the topic at hand, why do you want Malfoy's address?"

"Look, I just want to make my own press statement, if he won't deny this than I will. But I can't really do that until I know that Malfoy won't go suing everyone. Oh, and with everyone I mean Gretchen's pretty little ass."

That got Harry physically uncomfortable.

"Just give me two minutes. I'll get you the address"

"I knew you would."

#$%

'That was fairly easy. I mean, I know I'm head of magical creatures and all, but that was way too easy.'

Not five minutes ago Hermione had shown up at Malfoy's manor, or Draco's manor, as it was called. The elf at the door had immediately shown her in, and had excused his master for not being home. When she asked him where he might be (not really expecting an answer) the elf had told her the name of the restaurant were Malfoy was having lunch. He had even offered to draw a map.

So obviously she was now feeling like she was walking straight to a trap.

'La Scarpetta' reading the small sign on the entrance of the restaurant. She had stopped just in front of the door, blocking the way in and out.

'This is definitely a bad idea. I mean, so he let it slide. Maybe he is tired of dignifying every gossip with an answer. I mean who would believe we are actually married. It's Malfoy for crying out loud. Draco Malfoy. I mean, yeah he was once on the dark side, but he switch sides (right at the end that git, but he switched!) and helped us win the war; which I'm really not that confortable admitting yet'

'Besides, I mean, look at me' She unconsciously did a double take at her dress, settling an imaginary wrinkle 'I'm simply the bookworm Granger, and he is the hottest bachelor of the wizard world.'

By now she was practically convinced she should just turn around and leave.

"Excuse me, are you going in?" a very familiar feminine voice said from behind her. She didn't need to turn around to recognize the owner; Lavender's high pitched voice was unmistakable.

She took a couple of steps in, not daring to turn around. Maybe Merlin would help her this time and Lavender would just walk in without a second glace.

"Is that you Hermione?"

Fat chance. She just remember Merlin hated her.

Hermione slowly turned around. Daggers shooting from her eyes.

"I knew it was you the moment I saw that bushy hair of yours! So how's the husband?" She even managed to squeeze a little giggle between sarcastically charged sentence.

"Lavender, I'm not really in the mood. Could you just go? I don't have time for this" Taking a deep breath.

"Oh come on Mione! You know is all fun."

"Don't call me Mione"

"I mean who would believe you were actually married to Draco Malfoy of all people. I don't know why that Lecler girl told me that lie. I mean its Draco Malfoy for crying out loud, he wouldn't even do a second glance at you. I mean look at you."

"And what exactly is wrong with me?" she knew she shouldn't have dignified the comment with and answer, but the words were already out of her mouth the moment she caught the mistake.

"What's wrong with you? For starters you're old"

"that.."

"and your hair is a total mess"

I hand to her hair trying to flatten it a bit.

"and your sense of style? I mean, who helps you dress? Your gramma?"

"I.."

"I know you are desperate and all but come on, Draco Malfoy? Couldn't you just find someone a little bit more realistic? Maybe Neville or someone as pathetic as you." saccharin smile on Lavender's face.

"Lavender I swear to god that if.."

"Honey. Oh there you are."

Hermione felt an arm encircle her waist, and the scent of expensive cologne fill her senses. 'oh God, no no no no no'

"come on, your lunch is getting cold."

She pressed her right hand's fingers to her eyes not daring to look the man that had an arm possessively wrapped around her waist. Why should she, when she already knew who it was.

"wh.. i.. what?" said Lavender. The nervousness and disbelieve clear in the phrase. "Is this a joke?"

Ok so enough is enough.

"Yes of course darling." She gave Malfoy the sweetest smile she could conjure "I was just saying good bye to Lavender here. I don't think you remember her, she went to Hogwarts with us." Turning to Lavender and giving her a dismissive look, then turning once more to Malfoy with a look of total adoration "Don't blame yourself if you don't , she was not all that popular."

Oh well, if she was going down at least she was going down singing!

#$%

Malfoy on his part was very amused with how things had turned out. Come to think of it not even he could have imagined that things would turn out so great.

He had told Pip what to say IF Granger showed up, which he didn't expect her to do, well not so soon anyways. So he felt quite pleased when he received the text messaged from Pip telling him that 'the packaged had been delivered' (Pip had turned into a spy movies fan after Malfoy had given him a TV for his last birthday).

His delight double when, on his way to the bathroom, he saw granger walk in and then it tripled when he saw Lavender Brown right behind her. It was common wizard knowledge that Hermione Granger detested Lavender Brown; after all, the blond bimbo had been the cause of her breakup with the Weasel.

What were the odds? Merlin loved him so much.

Obviously prior interrupting anything, he listened a bit on the conversation. And Granger, being the proud Gryffindor she was, had played out exactly as he wished.

Now, a couple of lies latter, Granger was bluntly staring at him, and he was not going to interrupted her, so he keep staring back, huge smile on his face.

#$%

She had looked at him expecting an answer but had only been granted a huge smile 'since when did Malfoys smile?' it was the first time she had seen him, face to face, in 10 years. He had changed, not much, but he had change. He looked more, more, more manly now. 'uhrm grownup'... in all the right places. He was even more breathtaking in person that on Witch weekly.

Ok she confessed, she read witch weekly, so what? All the witches were reading it! Sue her! And yeah, ok so she knew who Malfoy was dating and not; I mean, he was always in Witch weekly! ALWAYS! And yeah maybe, and just maybe, she had a small, tiny, minuscule, infinitesimal platonic crush on Malfoy, which didn't mean anything cause she only considered him a bit cute. And come on! Who wouldn't! ? he was THE hottest bachelor in the wizards world.

Her face had started to turn read from her train of thoughts.

"haha very funny Hermione. Who did you polyjuiced? The Lecler girl? You know that's punished by law now?" The evil sweet smile returning to Lavender's face.

All Hermione's self-control had drained from her body. She couldn't and wouldn't stand this bitch any second longer! Oh yes, she was going to give her a piece of her mind! To hell with work ethics and moral code!

"You know miss Lavender, for a gold digger such as yourself, you don't really know how to spot fake from genuine." Draco said first.

Hermione's mouth hanging open, deer eyes from disbelieve.

"I think you should work on that. Come on Love, I don't want you to lose your appetite listening to the likes of her" He took Hermione's hand, and much to her surprised kissed it. Then doing a small nod to Lavender, he pulled Hermione to their table.

She had followed dumb, baffled with all that had just happened. He had dropped her hand the minute they arrived at their table and pulled her chair for her to sit, then sat on the opposite chair.

"So" he took a sip of wine "that was fun". Evil grin gracing his face once more.

Her senses slowly kicking in.

"What bloody hell just happened?"

She could see the amusement in Malfoy's face. He took another sip from the glass and then carefully placed it on the table. The smirk still in place.

"I don't know. You tell me, my dear wife."

"you just made Lavender think we are really married!"

"If you don't remember correctly you played along"

"I... I... I was confused!"

"Right. Well we just had a bit of fun. Nothing to worry about". He dismissed the topic and signaled to a waiter. The waiter was immediately by his side.

"Yes sir?"

"Could you bring the lady a risotto ai frutti di mare, and pour her a glass of the Chardonnay".

"Yes sir. Right away"

"What if I was allergic to sea food?"

"Well you're not. So let's enjoy the meal."

"I can't believe this is happening, let's just... ok, well... urghh" She organized her thoughts, and reran the speech she had prepared on her way to the restaurant. "Malfoy what do you think you are doing?"

"Apart from having lunch I don't quite understand the question. Do explain yourself Granger. Years have been good to me, but they have yet granted me the gift of seer."

"I mean, Why didn't you deny our marriage to the papers. Why the no comment act?"

"Oh that."

"yes that."

Soundly breathing out (a very non Malfoy like action, on Hermione's standard) he took another swing at the glass.

"I felt it was not necessary. Everybody knows you and I are not married. So why waste time giving explanations."

"Well you wasted I lot of time explaining to the world you were not married to Pansy. Why stop now?"

For some reason she could not fathom he found this comment amusing.

"Aren't you the fan? I never took you for one of my groupies."

"Don't flatter yourself Malfoy. I'm not in the mood."

"Yes. You do look tired; little bags under your eyes and all. Didn't you sleep well?"

Hermione unconsciously ran her hands under her eyes and then combed her hair with her fingers.

"I kept receiving hate mail every five minutes from your real groupies. Quite disturbing at 3am and... Ah! You are not changing the subject! Do answer my question!"

Malfoy smirked again. He took one more sip from his glass and then wiped his mouth with the napkin.

"Well, as you may know, miss Lecler's allegations baffled me as well. I know it was mostly alcohol induced, and one could not blame miss Brown for her common mistake on interpreting your nickname for Hubilda as an endearing designation for your husband. So, as any business man would do, I looked for my gain in all this misunderstanding."

"What? Wait, what? ok. Back up just one second."

"Oh don't tell me you have become brain sluggish miss Granger."

"No! I understood perfectly what you said, I think. I just want to clear things out one by one."

"Fair enough."

"How did you know it was Lavender who leaked the story? Wait, don't answer that. How did you know Gretchen was drunk?"

"I have my ways. One should not drink while working, clients tend to get nervous, don't you agree Granger?"

"Is that a threat?"

Malfoy only looked at her with raised eyes.

"She never drinks, ok. EVER. I could count with one hand the amount of times I've seen her drink in ANY occasion."

"That is nice to know. After all, she caters most of our events."

"Is that another threat?"

"Aren't you sensible today" Draco signaled the waiter to come forward. The waiter had been standing a couple feet apart, not wanting to interrupt the conversation.

"Your wine madam."

"Thank you" The minute the waiter left the table she took a large gulp of wine.

"Sorry I needed that."

"As long as you don't become addicted as well."

"For crying out loud Draco, Gretchen is not an alcoholic and neither am I!"

She could see the amusement in Malfoy's face.

"What are you smirking about now?"

"you called me Draco. I like it."

"You are doing this on purpose, aren't you? To get me off topic. It's not going to work. Let's just, lets continue, ok? Where were we? Right. Why is this beneficial to you?"

"what exactly?"

"People thinking we are married."

"Let's say that being married at this precise moment wouldn't hurt my business."

Something clicked in Hermione's head. Surprised she opened her eyes wide and took a good look around. She was in the middle of an elite restaurant surrounded by members of society. She could see members of the most prominent families all over the tables. Some were blunt enough to look at them without discretion. At that exact moment she heard the click of a camera, and she knew she had just walked into the lion's den.

"You planed this."

"Well I didn't plan the whole miss Brown thing. That's to your own credit. And to be fair I didn't even know you were going to show up today. I hopped, but was not really sure."

"Why?"

"Because I need more time. It's not like I'm going to lie and say the allegations are true, but I might as well benefit from the rumor mill while its running and stall this as much as I can."

"Why don't you just get married, for real?"

"why haven't you gotten married Granger?"

"It's not that simple."

"Ah. Right. Perfect answer. I think I'll use it as well. It's not that simple."

"What do you gain from this? Does this have something to do with your stocks going down?"

At this Malfoy slightly stiffed. It was barely undetectable., but she noticed.

"It is, isn't it?. It's because you're not married, no stability in the company."

"I assure you that Draco Corp is as stable as ever."

"I know, but your pureblood investors think that if you're not married by the age of 20 you are mostly unreliable."

"18"

"what?"

"if I'm not married by the age of 18"

"Funny. Here I was thinking I was the one with the expiration date."

"You are."

"What?"

"Expired. You should have gotten married, at the most, 5 years ago"

"Thank you Malfoy, that helps."

"What happened to Draco?"

"..."

"Anyways. Here is my proposition. We stretch this out just a couple of days, and then I announce we are just friends, and it was all a little misunderstanding."

"We are not friends."

"We could be."

"..."

"Come on, I'm not that bad. I've cleared my name, as Blaise puts it."

"Not a moment ago you were passing subtle treats concerning Gretchen."

"It was a joke. The Lecler allegation would never stand on trial."

"Oh wow, so it's not that you wouldn't sue her if needed, it's just that it won't stick."

"Tomato-Tomato" (pronounces differently) "Look Granger, I'm only asking for you to bear with me for a couple of days. It's not like I'm asking you to marry me or anything. We could just hang out a couple of times, spice up the rumors. In return I would give you whatever you want."

"You're nuts."

"You're the one that started all this! You and your little friend! Not me!"

Hermione could contain the small laugh thinking how Malfoy sounded incredibly childish.

"And besides you are the one getting all the free publicity, after all I AM this year's hottest bachelor"

To her surprise he said this with a playful smirk.

"You're too cocky for your own good"

"Come on, I'm only joking... a bit. There must be something you want. Isn't there anything that you want? Anything at all?"

"well..."

"yes!"

"you can add childish to the list."

"I hopeful child."

"whatever."

"what is it that you want?"

"its nothing. Forget it, I'm not doing it"

"Come on Granger! Where is your sense of adventure! It's only a couple of dates! Besides, you'll have fun! I'm a fun guy!"

"you're not."

"Well ok, I'm not. But I could be. I mean, I get invited to all variety events."

"which you never attend"

"Again with the groupie comments."

"Malfoy!"

"Just tell me what you want ok, it's just a couple of dates. I can't believe I'm actually begging. This is ridiculous. You know what, just forget it. You are right; I should just marry one of the gold diggers and be done with it, I mean who am I to think I should wait until I find true love, who am I to believe i actually deserve true love..."

"I want you to free your elves"

"YES! Wait...What? !"

"I want you to free your elves"

He stared at her for a couple of seconds and then just started laughing out loud. Not really caring that people from other tables were looking at him strangely.

"I'm serious!"

Laughing continued.

"Malfoy! stop it, I'm being serious here!"

"you haven't changed a single bit, have you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"No pun intended, swear. It's just that you could be asking for jewels, money, house, a… I don't know! an island! I can buy you an island you know? Instead you ask for my elves freedom."

"I don't want an island."

"You never know, maybe one in the Caribbean; or I could get you a promotion; buy you a house."

"I would like to be promoted all by myself and I love my apartment."

"I bet is small. A really small apartment. I bet it's not bigger then one of my living rooms."

"Malfoy"

"Draco"

"What?"

"If we are going to do this, you should call me by my first name."

"Right. Well, Malfoy, if we are going to do this you have to accept my terms. And I want you to free your elves."

"Look, my elves are..."

"I don't want to hear it ok. That's what I want. No comments, no retorts. Deal or no deal."

"You sure you don't want to hear me out?"

"No"

"You sure you don't want anything else. Anything."

"Nop, nothing. That's it."

"Ok. So, just for the record, I'm going to state that I tried to explain and you wouldn't let me. Do remember that in the near future, when I try and free my elves" I little chuckle escaping.

"I don't know why you find this so funny."

"Oh but I do."

"What?"

Pretty please! Do review, review review!

Love, Seida