Falsity

Part 3: A Mutually Beneficial Offer

The man had been easy enough to find as he was quite fond of staying in his new, smaller office whenever possible, clinging fastidiously to his last remnants of authority. Now, nervously twittering his fingers on his chair, he wondered what exactly this was going to cost him. Ever since losing his lofty position, he had been afforded less and less respect. As he was now being thrown into what could possibly be the scandal of the century, it was likely he would never come out clean.

"Councilman Fudge, we have brought you here to discuss the events of the night of Mr. Lucius Malfoy's 44th birthday. Do you agree to answer our questions honestly and to the best of your ability?"

"What...Of course, of course." And the questioning began, and Fudge mumbled and stumbled through the embarrassing answers as well as he could.

"What was your perception of the relationship between Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy on the night in question?" the Auror asked from his list, without bothering to look at the profusely sweating man.

"Goodness, me...They appeared rather taken with each other, honestly. At first, I assumed it was just her role as a...as a...as an entertainer."

The Auror looked up questioningly.

"What changed your mind?"

"Miss Helen, I mean Miss Granger, summoned us back to the lounge. She then proceeded to...to...to dance what she called 'hip dance' or 'belly dance' or something of the sort."

"And what did you think of this new show?"

The former minister reddened further with embarrassment, and the Auror could only guess from that and his incoherent stuttering that he was appreciative.

"What struck you about this new dance that made you question the bond between Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy?"

The examinee was silent as he gathered his thoughts and fought to lower his blood pressure. As his cheeks regained their former coloring, he began in a mildly self depreciating tone.

"I admit I'm not a perceptive man." He rightly ignored the Auror's snort. "But it would have taken a blind man not to notice the link between them during that dance. It felt wrong to watch, so very wrong, an intrusion into something that should have been personal." The Auror snorted again. "She only had eyes for him, and he for her. I suspect something of an intimate nature might have occurred had Severus not flipped his chair or Spontaneous not spilled his drink."

The Auror wanted to giggle at the thought. Having been a student of the mentioned Potions professor, he found it hard to believe that something had disconcerted the harsh man so much.

"They were so open with their expressions. Miss Helen looked so very...curious. Curiosity is a dangerous thing, mind you, but it fit her quite well. And Lucius...he must have been dreadfully out of practice as it was painfully easy to read him. Even I could see his mind ticking away, plotting..."

-----

The devious spark in his grey eyes had not softened even after the commotion caused by his pitifully incompetent guests.

Staring at the woman still swiveling in front of him in the spangled skirt and brassiere, he saw past her uses as entertainment to other possible, and vastly more exciting, applications.

Just noting the effect she had on several notoriously upper class wizards was enough to make his Plot further take shape. A woman like her on his arm at the right events, and he was sure to climb his way back into society's good graces. Her lack of notoriety would only add to her media appeal. If he played his cards right and kept her past, whatever it might be, silent, the papers would speculate, and the gossip would grow to monstrous proportions. And this would have to make him look better because everyone knows any press is good press.

He neglected to consider his experiences with the Daily Prophet that had condemned him in the first place.

Now, he only needed a way to persuade Helen to go along with his scheme. While he could always pay her, he was a rather greedy man when it came to his fortune. Better suited for his mind was the idea of blackmail.

Recalling their earlier conversation, he figured that this little show she was putting on was not something she wished to be widely known. A woman who sells her body, or even the sight of her body, for a night in exchange for some payment is generally a woman with a secret. This allowed him several possibilities. He could try to determine exactly what her payment had been to estimate her cost, or he could just assume that her family would be horrified to know of their daughter's exploits. Also, he could do a combination of both. Altogether, it was a tempting prospect and he really needed to speak to her in private.

It felt good to plot again.

As the sparkly clad woman approached him, he took the initiative and pulled her back into his lap. Then, with all the dignity and politeness befitting his station, he bade his guests adieu.

"Gentlemen, get out."

Sensing the birthday boy's impatience, all present immediately took their leave, bidding both host and entertainer good evening. When it was down to Malfoy kin and one scantily clad young woman, the elder Malfoy offered up a toast.

"To the best birthday present a man could get." Sounds of agreement and sips of wine followed.

"And to possibilities," he continued. Speculative looks and longer drinks.

"Possibilities, father?" Draco inquired as he fell back into his seat.

"Possibilities, Draco. Our present social situation is a disgrace to our ancestors."

"And how would you rectify that, sir?" Hermione inquired curiously as she once again arranged herself onto her patron's lap.

"You, my pet."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. You are the key."

More than a little skeptical, she raised a brow and looked at him with all her inherent bossiness.

"And how, exactly, am I the key?" she demanded. While she failed to notice that her uptight stature only made certain feminine attributes more prominent, Lucius did not and smirked gleefully.

"I humbly request your company at an upcoming event or two."

"What if I am otherwise engaged?"

"I am sure you could be persuaded."

"How so?"

"Tell me, Helen, are your parents aware of your activities this night? Your family and acquaintances know of your other...talents?"

The simultaneous bleaching and blushing of her face told him exactly what he needed to know. However, he missed Draco's similar response.

"I propose a deal, my pet. Allow me to escort you to a few select events. Play the beautiful, charming maiden opposite me to the gullible public. As compensation, I spare your family certain humiliation."

"Not that I am not...um...flattered by your request, but I simply cannot afford it. Dresses, shoes...I have none of these things..." Seeing his speculative look, she amended her statement. "At least nothing worthy of being in your presence."

Her compliment laden words worked as he took this into consideration. While inwardly he was cursing spending money on something other than himself and direct family, he figured that the better she looked, the better he looked, and therefore it really was going toward him after all.

"Very well. I will also provide wardrobe, necessities, and a suitable allowance." Certain that he had made a quite respectable and completely undeniable offer, he sat back and waited for her to accept it.

Hermione retreated far into her mind as she pondered the offer. On the one hand, she knew how incredibly stupid it was to make a deal with a Malfoy, her present situation case in point. On the other hand, think of all the benefits! First and foremost, it would keep Lucius from digging into 'Helen's' nonexistent past. That in itself made accepting the offer plausible as she was not about to let the dangerous man discover her true identity. The damage he could cause to her reputation, using only the truth, could be insurmountable. With several apprenticeships on the line, she didn't want to risk it. In addition, this was a chance to learn first hand all about Lucius and the illustrious pureblood culture. How could she, student extraordinaire, sanely pass up such an offer? And as if that wasn't enough, he was even going to pay her for the trouble.

In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she convinced herself that not accepting the generous proposal would be utter stupidity. Yes, yes, she was quite sure that dreadful things would happen should she object, and thus it was with almost complete confidence that she turned toward her benefactor and resolutely replied in the affirmative.

Lucius smirked happily. Draco paled further, only beginning to image all the consequences of this deal.

"But," she added before they could seal the agreement. "I require at least two days notice before I am needed so that I may make arrangements. My schedule is free most evenings and weekends. I am a busy girl, as I am sure you understand."

"Of course, my pet. It's only... fair." It felt slightly wrong to say that word and to hear him say it. "And how shall I keep you informed?"

"Draco should be willing to act as my liaison. Give any information or items intended for me to him, and he will ensure they reach me at my current residence."

Draco gulped nervously. Now they were including him in this farfetched plot? Merlin, this was getting complicated. All he'd wanted was for his father's self esteem to be raised. He'd never imagined that tricking his schoolmate would turn into this.

"Draco, are you in agreement?"

"Yes, father," he answered with false cheer.

"Very well then. I shall contact you soon, my dear Helen. There is an event scheduled for this coming Friday that I will require you for. I will send Draco the details as well as your attire. Should you need me, send word."

"Yes, sir. Until then?"

"Until then, my pet."

Always the gentleman, Lucius took his time helping his guest into her cloak before leaning in with the intention of stealing a kiss. However, she proved her worth once again as she neatly avoided him, instead only receiving a peck on the cheek. Half irritated and half interested, he let it go with the knowledge that she would be all his in a few days.

After all, there was more to his Plot than he had let her know.

-----

"And so the deal was made?" the Auror questioned smoothly.

"Yes. And so my life became a bloody mess."

The Auror raised an unapologetic eyebrow. It was not appreciated.

"Oh please," Draco drawled. "Don't you dare give me that look. Do you know how difficult it was keeping all those secrets? First and foremost, I had to keep Granger's identity secret from father, else he punish me. Then, I had to keep the deal secret from everyone else. Father let me in on his plans to seduce her so I had to keep that secret. Snape knew who she was, but didn't know about the deal, so I had to come up with an entirely different story to tell him once 'Helen' started appearing in public. I find it bloody amazing that I pulled it off for so long."

The Auror huffed in retort.

"Not to mention, this was not just my father and some woman. This was my father and my annoying classmate. How would you like it if your father courted someone your own age? While you were still in school, no less?"

The question produced the proper effect as the Auror blanched.

"That's what I thought," Draco said smugly. After all, at least his father looked younger and his new step mother older than they actually were, thus making it a bit more acceptable. Most people weren't that lucky.

-----

The next morning, Draco received information on Helen's first 'mission'. That afternoon, Hermione sent her acceptance of the terms. By evening, she had received partial payment as well as a package containing several of the most beautiful, if old fashioned, outfits she had every laid eyes on. Whatever worries she had about accepting the deal faded as she basked in the happiness that only expensive gifts can bring.

Unfortunately, Hermione had never been particularly girly. Thus, when she decided it was practical to try on one of the robes, she found herself increasingly frustrated by the garment's lack of cooperation. While she had been prepared for the extensive studying she would be required to do in order to prepare for her new role, she hadn't thought that knowledge would be needed for something as simple as dressing. Apparently, she had been wrong.

She needed help, and she wasn't quite sure where to get it. After all, it wasn't as if she could just ask any of her friends, or even her female classmates for assistance. Gossip was something they specialized in, and they would immediately want to know what the dress was for and who had given it to her. It was quite the conundrum.

Deciding to delay the robe issue until after she had completed some research on culture and manners, she gently stowed away her new apparel and headed off to the library. Scouring a section she had not visited since her first year, she picked up every guidebook and manual on proper witch etiquette that she could find. The old tomes were dusty, something she hadn't expected, but then, most pureblood witches were taught these rules in their own homes. Hands-on training did seem more effective so she made a note to peruse the Room of Requirement later.

Hauling the stack of books to the check-out desk, she waited while Madam Pince fastidiously went through the process. It was all business as usual until the librarian actually took note of the titles. Lifting the copy of Madame Propio's Rules of Etiquette, she looked pointedly at the nervous student.

"I do believe this is not your standard reading material, Miss Granger."

"No, um, it's just that...Ginny and I made a deal to have an upscale celebration when I graduate, and I want to be sure no one thinks I'm improper..." Hermione had picked up on the art of lying early in her life. Friendship with Harry made it a necessary skill of which she was often grateful.

Madam Pince suddenly felt a stir of pity. It was quite the odd sensation as it had not occurred in quite a long time. Perhaps it was because she identified with Hermione that everything that followed came about.

"Books will only bring you so far in the art of decorum. To truly understand, you need a Madame."

"But who? I do not know anyone like that. All of my friends have terrible manners, and I can't afford to hire anyone."

Hermione saw something she thought she'd never see. There was a most definite sparkle in the aging librarian's eyes that almost frightened her and would have had she not been in the presence of so many ominously sparkling eyes in the last few years.

"Miss Granger, if you agree to help me close the library every night I will help you learn the secrets of polite society."

There was a second of dumbfounded astonishment before a smile spread across Hermione's face. Agreeing quickly, she made arrangements and settled into her customary corner to study until closing time.

It was rather amazing, she decided. Just a week and a half ago, her biggest worry had been procuring ingredients for a potion. Now she was chin deep in secrets and scandals, and she was enjoying every second of it. Things had been dreadfully boring since Voldemort's fall, after all, and a girl needed her hobbies, even if those did include becoming an older man's escort.

Of course, everything could fall to pieces around her. It was plausible, likely even, that somehow this would harm her in the end. But she had never one to back down from a challenge, and pretending to be a stripper pretending to be a member of the upper rung of society had to one of the most impossible challenges she had faced to date. It was all a matter of Planning, and that was something she was undoubtedly good at, provided a suitable motive.

There was no way she was going to let anyone say that she wasn't the equal of a pureblood after this. Really, it was Muggle-born pride that demanded she prove herself by going through with the deal.

At least, that's what she told herself.

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