"You are not seriously going to go ahead with this? Are you out of your fucking mind?"

"It's good money," I shrug, a smirk playing at my lips, "and I get to shag Draco Malfoy. Win win."

"YOU WILL BE SELLING YOUR BABY!" Ginny screams, her eyes practically bulging out of her head.

"I don't care, I don't like babies. All they do is cry and shit. No offence," I gesture to the one-year-old in her arms, "James is cute, but I am so glad I do not have one of him at home."

"And what about Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asks as she pours tea from a teapot into four cups. "What if you fall for him in the process? Or he does for you?"

"Pah, hardly!" I scoff, throwing my head back with a laugh. "It's all going to be very Handmaid's Tale by the sound of it, but without the wife present. I bet we barely undress for the occasion. He always seemed pretty formal at Hogwarts despite being hot. God, do you remember that year when he walked around in a suit like some Ministry stiff? And from what Astoria tells me, he isn't exactly making her scream in the bedroom department. Poor cow."

"Harper!" Ginny scolds, "you cannot go around saying things like that!"

"Why not?" I smirk evilly. "She pretty much said it herself. I bet he even apologises when he cums."

"Can you please not talk about Draco Malfoy cumming!" Ron groans, throwing his toast down on his plate in disgust. "I'm trying to eat my breakfast here."

"Oh, shut up," I snicker, "I bet you will be the first to ask for details once we've done the deed."

"Are you sure this is wise, Harper?" Hermione asks as she places a cup of tea down in front of me. "Like Ginny says, you'll be giving up your own child."

"Relax all," I shrug, "he hasn't even agreed to it. According to Astoria he's been sending hordes of witches away, not wanting to have sex with any of them. I have yet to pass that test."

"What is wrong with him?" Ron scoffs. "His wife has literally given him a free pass and he's sending them away? I'd be jumping on the first witch that..."

He trails off at the sight of Hermione's fuming face. 

"Uh-" he nervously tugs at his collar, "I mean, I wouldn't even dream of making love to anyone who isn't my gorgeous wife."

I raise my eyebrows at him, smirking, as Hermione angrily whips his plate away, toast and all. "For that, Ronald, you can sleep in the spare room tonight."

"But Harper's in there!"

It's true. After I got kicked out of my flat, and refused Ginny's offer of moving in with her and Harry, she reached out to the only other member of her family who still likes me after what my father did: Ron.

"Oh, well that should suit you down to the ground then seeing as you are so eager to jump on the first witch I send you to bed with!" Hermione yells as she slams the dishwasher shut.

"Hey, I have standards!" I holler. 

"You were literally caught screwing the chef over a tin of baked beans!" Ginny scoffs.

"Yeah," I shrug, "but he was hot."

"Are you saying I'm not?!" Ron cries. 

"I'm saying you are more Hermione's type," I say diplomatically. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a very important appointment to get ready for."

*****

Since this meeting is supposed to be about me getting Draco Malfoy's motors going, I thought I had better dress the part. So, I select a pair of very tight jeans and a black blouse - buttoned down to reveal a peek of my red push-up bra. Applying a coat of red lipstick, I blow a kiss in the mirror.

Ron comes in and gives a wolf whistle, before quickly looking guiltily back over his shoulder in case Hermione had heard.

"I'll take that as a good sign," I mutter, giving myself the smallest sprint of my favourite perfume. "Well, wish me luck."

Ron shakes his head. "I can't believe you are going to let a Malfoy impregnate you. I say do the world a favour let them die out."

"Oh, please, with our combined looks, we are going to make the most beautiful baby known to mankind."

"If he says yes." Ron reminds me.

"You mark my words," I say, sweeping a hand over my curvaceous figure, "he aint gonna say no to this. You'll have your spare room back in no time."

"You know we don't mind you staying with us, Harper," Ron says kindly, his usual carefree manner suddenly turning sincere, "no matter what your father did, you are still my sister's best friend, and I care about you. I know Ginny and Hermione have told you enough times, but I haven't said it yet: please don't go and sell yourself like this. Especially not to him. Stay here and we can help you find a job and eventually a place of your own - but there is no rush. You don't have to do this, Harper. You cannot put a price on your body."

His words touch me so much that I cross the room to give him a hug. He hugs me back and kisses the top of my head.

"It's really sweet of you to say those things," I say, smiling up at him. "But I'm going to do this. I want to do this. It's the only way I can afford to get my home back. And then maybe Dolores will come back from Australia, and it can be like the old times again."

A sadness flickers in Ron's eyes, and I know what he's thinking. Nothing any of us can do can make it be like the old times again. 

The war destroyed too much.

"I understand," he says sadly. "But just know, you've always got a home here with me and 'Mione."

"Thank you, Ron. I mean it. But I'm a tough girl, I know what I am doing."

His heavy sigh tells me he doesn't quite share my confidence.

******

I find my heart beating unnaturally fast when Astoria greets me at the door of the manor and says, 'He's waiting for you in the drawing room."

As I follow her through the manor, Astoria explains that I need to go in alone.

"He likes to check them out without me present." she says, suddenly looking anxious as she bites her lower lip. "I do hope he says yes finally. I am beginning to lose all hope that I'll ever have a baby."

"I'll try my best," I promise her. And, to show that I am dedicated to seducing her husband, I pop open another button of my blouse, revealing even more cleavage.

She beams, her eyes widening as she stares down at my chest. "Wow," she whispers, "if that doesn't do it..."

We reach the door to the drawing room which Astoria immediately knocks on. A commanding voice shouts: "Enter."

Astoria mouths me good luck, as I slowly open the door and nervously step inside. 

The room is dark, and my eyes adjust in time to see a white-blond haired figure rise from an armchair by the lit fireplace. Taking a deep breath, I slowly walk towards him, making sure to subtlety sway my hips. His grey eyes almost seeming to flicker as they reflect the glow of the flames.

I have never actually spoken to Draco Malfoy before. He was always otherwise occupied with Harry Potter dramas in the year above me. So, I am feeling a little apprehensive, wondering exactly how I should greet him.

"Uh- hello," I say as I stop a few feet in front of him. "I'm Harper Sn-"

"I know who you are." He says, promptly cutting me off. "My father used to speak very highly of your father."

I don't really know what to say to this. Not now that both our fathers are languishing in Azkaban together. I suppose that's something we have in common already. Could come in handy for the pillow talk.

Unlike his wife, Draco Malfoy is not very forthcoming with conversation. I stand, feeling rather awkward as his eyes slowly roam up and down my body, his mind clearly pondering if I am worth taking to bed or not.

"I assume my wife has explained fully as to why you are here?" he asks in a bored, drawling voice. 

"Um - yes, I think so," I say, wondering if I should be clarifying any details. "I'm pretty clued in to what I am applying for."

His eyes suddenly pierce mine. "She wants me to have sex with you. Do you think you could do that?"

I am surprised by the question but try not to show it. "Well, I have done it before, if that's what you mean?"

He continues to stare at me, saying nothing.

"Um- is there anything else you'd like to know about me?" I ask, suddenly feeling very self-conscious of his piercing gaze as his eyes continue to survey me with quite an intensity. 

"No. My wife deals with all of that. Clearly she is happy with you, or else you would not be standing here in front of me right now."

"Oh, okay." God, this is so awkward. I wonder if he is expecting me to turn around or something so he can inspect my arse. 

After a few more excruciating moments, he suddenly speaks.

"You can leave now."

What? I blink, feeling an unexpected whoosh of disappointment. Does this mean I haven't passed? I want to ask him, but I find him way too intimidating. So, I meekly thank him and turn around and leave. 

Astoria is waiting for me outside in the hallway, her expression hopeful and anxious. I shake my head, and her face immediately falls in disappointment. I suddenly feel bad for letting her down. And I feel bad for me, for losing the chance to get my home back.

"I really thought he was going to say yes this time," she sighs, her body sagging. "And I really liked you. I could see you producing me the perfect child."

"Aw, thanks," I beam, touched at the compliment. "If it's any consolation, I was hoping to give you a child, too."

She links arms with me as she walks me to the front door. "I would very much like it if we could be friends." Astoria says, "I don't really have any, and I am losing hope of ever having a baby. Draco is being so-"

A door opens behind us, and Astoria and I stop in our tracks and whirl around. The black suited Slytherin strides out of the drawing room, a determined look upon his face as he moves steadily towards us. He stops in front of me, his eyes piercing mine with a startling intensity.

"When can you start?"

*****