Doing Whatever It Takes Ch.4 (Harry Potter)

Read Chapter 3 here

A/N: Patron Request

Hermione knew she shouldn’t be doing this without Harry’s permission. Still, she felt it would be better to ask for forgiveness after the fact.

Since Parkinson met his end quite explosively, Harry kept her under a closer watch. It was nowhere near when he discovered what she did to Ron, but Hermione realized that her callous disregard for what she did to Parkinson might have spooked Harry.

That was why she decided to meet Malfoy without his knowledge. Besides, there was a good chance Harry might even agree with what she was doing.

“Granger… I didn’t expect this visit,” Draco eyed her warily, wondering who he insulted to deserve this. He had no proof that Hermione was responsible for what happened at that gathering, but Draco had learned to go with his gut instinct.

“Draco,” Hermione said with a smile, making Draco’s heart skip a beat in terror, “I have an offer for you. How about we talk inside?”

Draco didn’t want to let a woman with the aura of his late Aunt Bella into his home, but he wasn’t sure he had a choice. With visible reluctance, Draco stepped aside to let Hermione enter.

“It’s a little light on the decorations, isn’t it?” Hermione commented as she looked around the manor. It was a miracle that Draco had the Malfoy Manor still in his possession. Plus, it was restored after what happened to it during Voldemort’s return.

“Simplicity is sometimes the better choice,” Draco replied without missing a beat. He knew that Hermione was needling him about having to sell off most of the family’s possessions.

Hermione hummed in thought before deciding to move on, “I’ve noticed that you seemed to have been reformed in the past few years.”

Draco stayed silent as he led her to the sitting room. That was one way to say he had been sidelined by his old faction.

“Honestly, they’ve been a right headache for us these days. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve had to put up with when dealing with them.”

Draco could only nod, hoping Hermione would get to the point before Astoria realized she was here. The last thing he wanted was his pregnant wife to meet this woman.

“So I was thinking,” Hermione took the seat offered to her, “Wouldn’t it be great if someone sane took the lead. That’s when I thought of you, Draco.”

Those words should have been exciting, especially since Draco had reason to believe that the woman sitting in front of him had the power to make it happen. However, Draco learned, with a significant personal cost, that you never make deals with the devil.

And Hermione was very much a devil in his eyes.

“Granger,” Draco paused when Hermione gave him a look, “… Hermione, I don’t think I’m up to the task. Even though they might claim to be about blood purity, they care about gold the most. Which I have none of.”

“A small issue I can take care of,” Hermione waved off Draco’s excuse, “What I need to know is if you’re willing to be that sane man we desperately need. You will be rewarded greatly, Draco.”

Draco had to stop himself from quivering in fear at those words. That was the pitch the Dark Lord made to his followers before leeching them dry of any usefulness. And as if it couldn’t get any more terrifying, Astoria chose this moment to waddle into the room.

“Draco? I didn’t think we were expecting a guest,” Astoria had a hand on her swollen stomach when she saw Hermione, “Oh! Ms. Granger, what a surprise!”

Hermione had to admit that Draco had done well for himself with Astoria. She was certainly an upgrade over Pansy in looks, but more importantly, it seemed that they had actual feelings for each other. The latter was evident in how Draco jumped off the couch to support Astoria until she could sit down.

“Mrs. Malfoy,” Hermione made a deliberate pause, “Sorry, I think of Draco’s mother when I say that. Do you mind if I call you Astoria?”

“As long as I can call you Hermione,” Astoria replied brightly.

“Gladly! I really hate formalities after dealing with it all day,” Hermione laughed, “Hopefully, Draco will agree so he has to suffer with me.”

“Oh?” Astoria glanced at her husband curiously, “Agree with what?”

“I was hoping to get Draco to help us with a troublesome voting bloc. I understand why he’s hesitant, but they’re getting unruly.”

Astoria shifted uneasily in her seat, not wanting to say anything out of turn. One reason Malfoy Manor could stay in Draco’s hands was because of Astoria’s father. Since she had insisted on marrying Draco, her father didn’t want his youngest daughter to be homeless and gave them funds to secure the manor. But it came with conditions.

One of those conditions was that Draco couldn’t be active in the Wizengamot. Damien Greengrass had been too worried that the likes of Harry Potter would make his youngest daughter’s life miserable.

But Astoria knew her father had never thought that Harry Potter’s witch would personally ask Draco to get involved.

“This…” Astoria hesitated, “Could Draco think about it? I don’t want him to get too busy at this stage of my pregnancy.”

“Of course,” Hermione nodded, “I don’t mind if he takes a month or two to mull it over. When we get an answer, I want Draco to have no doubts.”

Astoria looked relieved but didn’t notice that Draco seemed visibly tense.

Hermione made some small talk for a few more minutes before having Draco send her off.

“You’re starting a lovely family, Draco,” Hermione said as she stepped out of the manor, “My offer will help you return to your previous standing. Think of the better life you’ll be giving your wife and child. Don’t make a mistake because of some ridiculous fears.”

“I won’t,” Draco replied before waiting for Hermione to leave the property. The second he saw her apparate, Draco shut the door and rubbed his brow. Maybe he looked too deep into what Hermione had said, but that last sentence almost sounded like a threat.

[Break]

“I completely understand, Lucas,” Harry said in commiseration, “It must be hard being one of the few level-headed members.”

“You don’t know the half of it, Harry,” Lucas Avery sighed as if the world was on his shoulders, “I want to make sure we won’t have the same panic I felt when the Dark Lord was in power, but some insist on it.”

That Harry very much doubted. He has it on good authority that Lucas Avery and his Death Eater uncle were getting swimmingly. But he didn’t reveal that to the rat that acted like they were on the same side.

“Well, you have my support on this. I’m glad a man like you is fighting for Lord Parkinson’s spot.”

Avery’s smile somehow grew wider at Harry’s words as he relaxed into his chair. “For the good of the people, of course.”

“Hmm,” Harry gave Avery a slight smile, “As it should be.”

Before the farce could be prolonged, Hermione burst into his office without warning.

“Harry! You won’t believe it!” Hermione was so focused on Harry that she didn’t notice Avery’s presence until Harry cleared his throat in warning.

“Oh!” Hermione’s broad smile dropped off her face as a more contained look replaced it, “Pardon me, Lord Avery.”

Just when Avery was about to greet her, Hermione rudely interrupted him, “Do you mind leaving us alone? Lord Potter and I need to speak privately.”

Harry raised an eyebrow at Hermione’s abruptness and hid his amusement when Avery’s face turned red.

“… Of course,” Avery said with a stiff smile, “Thank you for your time, Harry.”

After Avery left, Hermione narrowed her eyes, “Since when did that pillock call you by name?”

“Since the pillock wanted to make nice and get my support,” Harry said with amusement, “And honestly, I’d be happy if he didn’t muck up everything like Parkinson. If that requires me to act like his friend, then so be it.”

“Luckily, you won’t need to,” Hermione declared, “I found the man that can do the job.”

“Really?” Harry was doubtful, “And where exactly did you find him?”

“Malfoy Manor!”

“Draco Malfoy?” Harry blinked in surprise, “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.”

“That has something to do with his agreement with Damien Greengrass, but I think you’ll be hearing a lot more of him soon.”

“Alright, Hermione,” Harry reclined in his chair, “You say Draco is the man for the job but did you forget what he did to us?”

How could Hermione forget? Draco had sold them out to Bellatrix, causing Harry to show his fangs for the first time and reducing the mad witch into a puddle of flesh.

But Hermione was sure Harry wasn’t talking about what she remembered the most.

“I know perfectly well what he did,” Hermione ran her hand over Harry’s tense shoulder, “And that’s why Draco is perfect.”

When Harry still seemed unconvinced, Hermione didn’t hesitate to climb on the cushioned chair and straddle his legs.

“He’s a coward, Harry,” Hermione whispered into his ear while pressing herself into his body, “Draco will be easy to control. Someone who can bring the Wizengamot in your palm without anyone knowing.”

Harry did like the thought of that. Taking forcible control of the Wizengamot, even if it was for the good of the people, would undoubtedly sour his reputation. And reputation was one of the reasons that even people like Avery tried to be polite to Harry. It was a significant source of unofficial power.

Plus, there was another reason that Harry was considering it.

“What about his wife? She was a Greengrass, was she not?” Harry’s hands gently rubbed Hermione’s smooth thighs, “How would she factor into this?”

“From the little we know about Damien Greengrass, I doubt Astoria holds much sway in anything,” Hermione said with a frown, “Then again, that man is mostly a mystery.”

Harry laughed, “Sounds almost like you admire him.”

“He’s hiding something, I know it,” Hermione had an uncharacteristic pout on her lips, “I’ll find what it is eventually.”

Harry couldn’t help but kiss that pout away, interrupting Hermione’s oncoming rant.

“MMPH!” Hermione’s voice was muffled by Harry’s kiss until she pulled away, “Priorities, Harry! We’re having a serious talk!”

“Fine, fine,” Harry let Hermione have her way, “I guess Draco wouldn’t be any worse than Avery. But I have to find a way to give the ferret some gold to control the rest of the pricks.”

When Hermione didn’t change her expression, Harry dryly asked, “And I assume you already have a plan for that?”

“Amnesty for most of Draco’s crimes. We can easily make up acts of bravery during the war and call for the reversal of the fines levied against the Malfoy Family,” Hermione said confidently, “Being who we are, there wouldn’t be too many questions asked, and even if there are, it’s a simple task to come up with fabricated memories or witnesses.”

“Well, it seems you have everything ready,” Harry commented, “It wouldn’t hurt to give this a try. Avery would be the only block here, even if minor.”

Harry swore he felt Hermione quiver in excitement, and he most certainly noticed the glint in her eyes. Quickly speaking to cut off Hermione’s thoughts, Harry ordered, “No. I want Avery alive and well to serve as backup.”

Harry had to resist laughing when Hermione started to pout again. When he kissed her while sliding his hands from Hermione’s thighs to her peach-shaped bum, she didn’t stop him from going further.

[Break]

“… and that is why I ask this chamber to reconsider the decisions made against Draco Malfoy.”

Harry gave the Wizengamot a nod before retaking his seat. Getting Malfoy back his wealth couldn’t be done just by a pretty speech, but this was the start. The next step would happen after a week when all the members had enough time to read his proposal.

Though there was a chance that this could fail due to the man Harry was trying to exonerate, it would be some surprise if it actually did.

Neville was a man who believed in justice, and with what Harry presented, the Longbottoms and the votes that were tied with them would approve. The fence sitters led by Greengrass would surely do the same since Draco was his son-in-law.

The only real question was the remaining votes. The one informally called the ‘Dark’ faction. Being that this was Draco Malfoy, they should approve this, but with all the in-fighting happening right now, it wasn’t a sure thing. Especially since anyone with a brain would realize that Draco getting back his wealth and lordship meant that House Malfoy would soon take back the leadership.

Luckily, Harry didn’t need them. Neville and Damien were enough when combined with the votes that Harry himself controlled.

“Harry,” Neville greeted as they left the chamber, “I didn’t think I’d ever feel gratitude for something Malfoy did.”

“I know,” Harry grimaced, not particularly liking that he had to trick a good friend, “Without Malfoy, Hermione and I might be lying dead in some unmarked grave. Even if Malfoy’s a massive prat, he did the right thing… the hard thing when it really mattered.”

Neville grunted in agreement, “It’ll be a clusterfuck. Malfoy coming back. The Dark Faction is a proper mess right now, and he’ll whip them up into shape in no time. We’ll have to deal with their shite.”

And Harry hoped that really did happen. It’d be a boon to have Hermione slightly less murderous when there isn’t a nitwit trying to mess with her plans.

“What can we do?” Harry said with a shrug, “If I didn’t do this, it’d be just as bad when the Ministry was vilifying me.”

“I suppose so,” Neville said with a sigh, “Forget it. Hey, remember to come for dinner next week. Susan misses Hermione something fierce.”

“You mean Susan misses Hermione when she doesn’t have more work because of it?”

Neville met Harry’s smirk with his own and laughed before walking off with a wave.

Harry chuckled before he saw Hermione’s signature hair in the distance. As he walked toward his love, Harry marveled at how lucky Neville got with Susan. A witch with tremendous… assets would be the polite word. But not just that, Susan also came with the prestigious Bones name.

Harry would be jealous if he didn’t have a witch that was even more impressive.

“Hello, love,” Harry smiled as Hermione craned her neck for a kiss, “There were no problems. Just like you predicted.”

“Of course,” Hermione said with her nose turned up, “I’m rarely wrong, Harry.”

“Hmm,” Harry agreed and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, “And you know what. I think you deserve a reward for being right.”

Hermione grinned when she found that Harry had apparated them into their bedroom.