The Deal

Molly Weasley looked at the Evening Phophet with a mixed expression....

The heading read: MALFOY SPEAKS

On the cover Draco Malfoy grinned candidly and whispered something to Hermione's left ear. The simple gesture spoke volumes. They looked natural together. As a mother, Molly felt good about Hermione's expression . Hermione looked down and nodded .The couple was engrossed in each other. It was a happy sight.

It was three weeks since the Celebrity Marriage Law Campaign and the Potter- Granger- Malfoy Triangle Scandel. The Wizarding Community was turned upside down and mass protests were cited regarding the Harry-Hermione- Malfoy issue and finally the Deputy Minister of Magic,

Ronald Weasley , addressed the Press and confirmed that what Hermione Granger meant that day was a purely scientific approach and she had no intention of breaking the sacred bond of marriage. She only offered to be a ovum donar in case her best friend Ginny Weasley Potter and the Legend Harry Potter failed in their future attempt of parenthood through IVF and surrogacy. Learned people immediately praised Hermione Granger for her benevolence while the general people lost interest in the gossip. What entertainment could a boring scientist cum healer give to people by the prospect of ovum donation?

But the very next day, she made the headlines again. This time the news shook everyone. Even Molly Weasley.

Hermione Granger was caught on lens dropping a mini Malfoy to Kindergarden. And the kid had her eyes. The whole Wizarding Community was turned upside down.

How did she hide so big a truth for so long?

Gossips and speculations were flying everywhere but both Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger refused to give a byte on that.

Even today, no one was able to find out the details.

But from her own understanding Molly Weasley knew there was something unnatural about the incidence. She had asked all of her kids, Harry and even Hermione. But all she got was a confirmation that Minerva Ginerva Malfoy was the biological daughter of Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger and the mother daughter duo lived with Narscissa Malfoy. Simply put, Hermione was Granger just by name. In reality, she was already a Malfoy.

Arthur repeatedly asked Molly to let go of her concerns. But she just couldn't let her mind rest.

She took out her reading glasses and focused on the news keenly with the hope of finding some more information from the Newspaper.

Apparently The Prophet got a byte from Draco Malfoy who disclosed to The Daily Prophet that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger were already engaged and marriage date will be finalized soon. However he strategically dodged the issue of their child and diverted the topic towards benefits of genetically superior coupling and the biologically enhanced capabilities of children from such parents.

" Cunning Fox", Molly Weasley mumbled as she closed the paper and threw it to one side.

***********************************************

Draco looked nervously at Hermione before he slipped the ring on her finger.

Did she blush?

May be not.

Hermione was not the one to blush.

He cleared his throat and spoke,

" Can I check if it works?"

Hermione didn't nod. Instead she stretched her hand and interwined their fingers.

Draco looked at her in astonishment.

"And I thought girls are shy", he said to himself mentally .

The next moment he focused on her Mudblood wound. It looked normal.

Hermione tip toed on her toes and kissed Draco on his lips. It was just a peck but still Draco felt weird.

Still no deterioration.

GREAT, thought Draco. If she continues experimenting this way, getting laid won't be afar.

As if reading his thoughts Hermione said, "Awesome, we can now try it. Will you mind if I take it all the way to see if I can have the next child naturally? I didn't like IVF. It was painful."

Not that Draco had any problem taking things ahead, but he was mentally not aligned with Granger. He needed more time.

Hermione sighed.

She could read his silence.

She too wasn't very eager to do the deed, but Missy was sick and she needed to conceive fast. The so called engagement ring was a family heirloom of the Malfoys that Draco used as a charm against the mudblood curse.

It took him three weeks to come up with the end result, yet, he wasn't sure if it would work. Apparently it did. Now he had to wait for the part he was anticipating.

Draco knew she was not being transparent. He really wanted to know her process of thinking, her emotions and the reason for existence of Missy. Hermione Granger was not a mother material. Neither did she care for living. Narcissa could have believed she cared for the stupid spousal curse or the mudblood curse, but Draco was not to be fooled that easily. He refused to believe she didn't have any hidden agenda. But what could that be?

At this moment, his emotions were complicated.

This was a person he literally saw growing up from a girl to a woman. This was a mind he fascinated. This was a character he envied. Yet, he was not ready to take the next step.

Something was stopping him.

He knew, everything rested on him now. Yet he was not ready. Hermione remained silent for some times and spoke, " If you are not ready, tell me. I will not mind another painful session. But I need to save Missy and time is ticking Draco. "

Draco looked up and then he saw it.

As if a big boulder was lifted from his heart.

He knew it...

He just knew it....

The mudblood wound had turned black....

He smiled and pointed to her wrist.

" Let's make a deal Granger. You tell me about that, and I will give you what you want...."