There is a lot to prepare before the conception.

Firstly, I move my things out of Ron and Hermione's and into the manor. Both Ginny and Hermione begging me to reconsider. 

"You've not thought this properly through," Ginny implores as she tries to snatch my trunk out of hand to prevent me from leaving. "Giving up your own child - it's going to break you."

"Listen to her, Harper," Hermione says, tears in her eyes as she places a protective hand on her own pregnant belly. "There is no amount of gold in the world which would make me give up my baby, and she hasn't even been born yet. Please say you will at least think about it. Talk to a professional, or someone who has done this before. Don't go making any hasty decisions which you will surely regret."

But there is no changing my mind. The Malfoys have already drawn me in. Astoria was in literal tears of happiness when Draco declared his decision to use me as a surrogate. She insisted we celebrate and popped open a bottle of champagne, telling me to enjoy it as drinking alcohol will not be permitted once we begin trying.

Draco had not joined us. He disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared. But I did not mind. It was, after all, a little awkward.

"Tomorrow you will see Marge, my wonderful specialist," Astoria explained. "She will take all those messy tests to confirm everything is in order. And then it's good to go!"

"Will I not need to be ovulating or something?" I ask, my mind thinking of the charts and ovulation tests that both Ginny and Hermione harped on about endlessly when they were trying to conceive with their husbands.

"I fear if we make this too complicated, then Draco will change his mind." Astoria confessed. "Just let him do what he has to do. Remember, be sexy. We can go shopping for some enticing lingerie, you know - get you dressed up in something to really get him going. Oh, this is so exciting!" 

I cannot believe she is excited about me seducing her husband. It is just so unbelievably weird. But the happiness radiates from her, as though I am already pregnant. It is clear she wants this more than anything in the world.

And so here I am, moving my things into the room Astoria has had made up for me. The entire room is bigger than my entire flat was. It feels so fucking good to be back living in the lap of luxury. Astoria gives me my promised monetary gift and I feel a fluttering of happiness at being able to go guilt-free shopping, thinking of all the clothes I can buy. 

"Of course, we will pay for all your maternity clothes when it comes to it," Astoria explains as she picks out a scarlet red and black corset in the middle of an Ann Summers shop. "Oh, surely he will love this. What about a pair of handcuffs, or do you think that will be overkill?"

"Um- is any of this necessary?" I ask, my mouth suddenly going very dry at the thought of Draco Malfoy handcuffing me to a bedpost. "Won't it be better if we just keep it... simple?"

"I know, I am being so silly!" Astoria gushes, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Of course it should be simple, it's just sexual intercourse. I'm so sorry, I really don't expect you to swing from the chandeliers for my husband. I just want him to want to do this, to want you."

The couple next to us stop talking and give us a strange look. We quickly move away, Astoria tossing the corset aside and hopefully also ideas of whips and chains.

We arrive back at the manor, and I am summoned to Marge's office. She confirms all my tests have come back clear and that I am ready to begin my part in the process. I am then joined by Draco himself while Marge actually tells us how to have sex. 

"The best way, of course, is full penetration," she barks, pointing her wand to one of her many detailed diagrams on her wall. "Missionary is the best with penetration from the top to ensure sperm is deposited at the opening of the cervix." She glances at Draco. "Remember, boy: stick to that move when you feel ready to ejaculate."

Horrified, I dare steal a side glance at Draco who is sat stiffly in his black suit, his expression stoic.

"And for you, Miss Snow," Marge says, turning her attention to me, "keep flat on your back after ejaculation has occurred and place a pillow under your lower back to keep them swimming in the right direction. Fifteen minutes should do the trick."

"Um- is that... all?" I ask when she falls silent, looking expectantly from me to Draco. 

"Restrict ejaculation to every other day to ensure a good deposit. Stick with these simple rules and you will get pregnant in no time. Now off you go and enjoy."

She dismisses us and we walk out of her office in silence. I have no idea what I am supposed to say to him. It is just all so fucking awkward. 

"So," I say, swinging my arms by my side as we find ourselves walking in the same direction, "when shall we, um... start?" I inwardly cringe at my question. I am making it sound like we are simply about to work on a homework project together. I am so mortified; I cannot even look up at him.

"I'll stop by your bedroom tonight at ten o'clock. Does that suit you?"

I nod. "Sure, it's a date!" I say a little too enthusiastically causing Draco to give me a funny look. "Or- not..."

I trail off as he continues to look at me funnily.

And then, like the rude dramatic twat he is, he suddenly turns on his heel and walks away in the direction we just came without even a goodbye. 

At a bit of a loss of what to do, I decide to go for a wander about my new, temporary home. I wonder if I will bump into Draco's mother? I have yet to meet her. I wonder what she thinks about me being hired purely to procreate with her son. Will she approve? 

I catch Astoria downstairs with her luggage, clearly ready to move out while I shag her husband to kingdom come. She greets me with a smile and open arms. 

"Oh Harper, darling, I shall miss you so very much!" She pulls me to her and her sweet scent fills my nostrils. "Still, I will be back at the end of the month for the pregnancy test and then we can have so much fun preparing for the arrival. I promise you, darling, I will not let you lift a finger during the entire pregnancy. Draco will have done his job by then, and I will do the rest."

Let's hope Draco will have done his job.

"Where will you stay?" I ask, stepping out of her embrace to beckon down at all her bags. 

"At Mummy and Daddy's. Daphne is back from her honeymoon next week, so I won't be short of company during the excruciatingly long wait. Oh, I do hope it works," she sighs, clasping my hands in hers. "I so want it to be you."

"I hope it works, too. For you," I add, because I mean it. I really want to give Astoria her dream.

And I really want my home back.

She beams and then lets go of my hands to hug me again really tight. "Well good luck. I hope my husband is gentle with you."

I hope he isn't. 

*****