Asking

"Hello, Potter, Weasley. Let's get to the point here, shall we?"

"Yes, Malfoy, lets. What is it you need our assistance with?" Ron was nearly drooling in anticipation of Draco owing him a favor.

"Let me start with the reason for the favor before I ask for it. The Ministry of Magic has decided to pass a new law. I doubt you've heard it yet, even from your father, Weasley. They're passing a Marriage Law to replenish the wizarding population and to eliminate Purebloods."

"How are they going to 'eliminate Purebloods'? They'd have to kill us off!" Ron couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"No, Weasley, they'd have to force 'us' to marry Muggleborns or Half-bloods. That's the new law, all Pureblood witches and wizards must petition for a Muggleborn or Half-blood to marry by their twenty-first birthday. If they are already twenty-one or older, they have one year to make their petition. If the Pureblood doesn¢t submit a petition by the appointed date, he or she will lose the right to practice magic. If a Muggleborn or Half-blood is not petitioned for, they will be matched by the Ministry with the same penalties as Purebloods for refusing."

"By Merlin! That's barbaric! They can't possibly pass this law can they?"

"They can and they will. The Ministry assumes if there are no blood differences, there is less chance of a new Dark Lord using You-Know-Who's method of gaining followers."

"Sadly enough, they're probably wrong. Equal blood status wouldn't prevent another Voldemort."

"Why do you say that, Potter? Wasn't blood purity his big problem?"

"Not really, self-hate was his real problem. He was a Half-blood who hated his Muggle half."

"Bloody hell! He was a Half-blood? Preaching all the crap he did? Oh, I'd love to tell that to some of his followers. They'd all have kittens!"

"You didn't know, Malfoy? Oh, he was definitely half-blooded, his father was a Muggle. But, we're getting off track here. What does all this have to do with you needing our help?"

"I have a Muggleborn in mind to petition for but, I don't think she's going to be very receptive to any advance I might make. Since she's your best friend, I want your help to court her."

Harry and Ron's jaws both hit the ground in shock. Of all the things in the world he could have asked them for, help to 'court' Hermione wasn't just last on the list, it didn't even exist on the list!

"Bloody hell! You can't be serious, Malfoy! You hate Hermione, she hates you. Why in Merlin's name would we help you 'court' her? So you can kill her as soon as you've got her? What kind of stupid gits do you think we are?"

"I assure you, Weasley, I am quite serious and I have no desire to kill Hermione Granger. As for intelligence or the lack thereof, well, you don't really want me to answer that question."

"Ron, calm down for a moment. Malfoy, why Hermione? You could pretty much have your choice of witches."

"Correct, Potter, but I have very specific requirements for the witch I am going to marry. If I'm going to be forced to marry, I want a witch whose intelligence at least matches mine, I want someone who has a strong mind, strong heart, and the will to be my equal. I want heirs who will have a mother who loves them. I don't want some simpering fool to wait on me hand and foot; I have servants for all that. I want someone who wants me for me and not for my fortunes, or my homes or any of the other ridiculous reasons that certain witches want me. And, if you two gents can help me get a chance, I think I can have all of that with Hermione."

"You are serious. You really want Hermione and not to torture her?"

"Quite right. I don't fancy living my life in a war zone. I do believe we've all had more than enough of that to last a hundred lifetimes. No, I want an equal, and I refuse to settle for less. She's my equal, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to make her my wife as well."

"You could have easily just petitioned for her and had her as your wife. You didn't have to come to us."

"She wouldn't be my wife then. Oh, she'd be legally and magically bound to me, but, she would hate every minute of it. She'd be miserable and she would make me miserable too. Even if I could find a way to make her like me, she'd still resent not having a choice. You're her friends; can you honestly say she'd be happy in a forced marriage?"

"No, mate, she wouldn't."

"Alright, you've convinced me. I'll help you, Malfoy. But, if you ever hurt her your best choice would be to Avada yourself before I can find you, or else you'll wish you had."

"I'm in too, but, the same goes for me. Remember I have multiple older brothers who will gladly help me or Harry if you cause Hermione one minute of grief."

"Understood. And...thank you." Once again, so as not to push his luck, Draco made a hasty exit.