The Good Life

Chapter 5

It had taken a day and a half to catch and capture Jordan. Most fugitives took at least three or four days. Jordan wasn't very bright. He seemed to think that fleeing the country was enough. When Draco and Peyser levitated him into the Spanish Ministry, there were shudders all around. The Minister's Enforcers were feared everywhere they went. It probably didn't help that their mark had obviously been the brunt of more than one cutting curse, the jelly legs jinx (which had yet to be lifted), and probably a few others that weren't so obvious. He also was covered head to toe in bruises and had a broken arm that fell disjointedly down from his body.

While Draco and Peyser filled out all of the paperwork to take Jordan back to England, they talked amongst themselves about Draco’s dilemma and how he was intending to stay a few more days and try to get information of any women who could help him and Hermione out. At the next desk over was the secretary to Spain's Senior Undersecretary of the Minister, Jorge Ruiz. Jorge just happened to be listening intently to the conversation and felt the need to cut in, telling Draco that he might know someone who could help. While Draco was rather leery, he knew that his time was running out and agreed to meet Jorge at a nice restaurant later that evening, after the man would have had time to talk to the mystery woman.

It was at eight o'clock that evening when Draco met Jorge and another man at a high-class wizarding restaurant. The second man was at least six and a half feet tall. He was broad chested, and an overall big man, but it didn't look like he carried much fat. His face was handsome, with heavily lashed dark eyes and a welcoming smile. He was introduced to Draco as Selestino Gutierrez, the Undersecretary to the Minister.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Senor Gutierrez," Draco said, solidly shaking the man's large hand.

"And you as well, Mister Malfoy; though if you would, please call me Selestino."

"Certainly, Selestino, as long as you call me Draco," came Draco's smiling response as the three of them sat at the table. They made small talk for a few minutes, but when their drinks showed up, they got down to the business of the meeting.

"So, Draco, I understand that you are looking for a pureblood young woman to carry your heir instead of your wife. May I ask why?"

"Well, you see, my wife is sterile, and even if she weren't, she's a muggleborn, so we wouldn't have children together anyway. In order for my parents to agree to the marriage, we decided that I would take a pureblood as a mistress to carry my heir. It's been five years and they're getting antsy, particularly my father. Therefore, whenever I come to another country for work, I spend a couple days to try to see if I can meet anyone who would be willing to do this for me. I haven't found anyone that is suitable as of yet."

"I didn't think that marriages between purebloods and muggleborns were allowed in Britain," Selestino observed.

"We're the only couple to be allowed the privilege; it was a reward for excellent service to the Minister on both of our parts. My wife is the highest-ranking muggleborn in our Ministry." At this, both men looked impressed, and maybe just a tad bit scared. They knew all about the Minister, and were rightfully curious to what a muggleborn could have done to be given the opportunity to marry a pureblood in the new British society.

"May I ask why none of the women you have spoken to were unsuitable?" Draco was almost surprised at how well the man spoke English, the words pleasantly amplified by his accent.

"Some of the women didn't understand that while they would be allowed in the child's life, my wife will be the one raising it with me, not them. Others seemed to think that I was looking for a reason to leave my wife and they wanted me for themselves. Then there were a couple who would have been perfect, but were annoying beyond belief."

"And you are not looking to leave your wife?"

"No. I love my wife very much and we will be married until one of us dies." Selestino nodded at this answer.

"In that case, I do believe that I can help you. I have a daughter, Esmerelda. She can be quite ... willful. She does not want children because she would rather not have to deal with them. She likes children, but she doesn't not want to be responsible for one herself. But she is my only child, as my son died in infancy, so my line can only be carried on through her."

"Ah, I understand," replied Draco. "And she would agree to this arrangement?"

"The fine details would have to be worked out, but yes, she would."

"When would I be able to meet her, to be sure that there aren't any major personality clashes?"

"How about now?" Selestino suggested as he held up his hand in the air, giving a short wave with two fingers. Immediately a young woman arrived at the table, gracefully sitting in a chair that appeared next to her father. No more than twenty-five, she was breathtaking with her creamy olive skin, long black hair that surrounded high cheekbones, a small straight nose, sultry lips, and entrancing brown eyes. She was taller than Hemione by good three or four inches, and it looked to be all in her legs. She was slim and curvaceous. Considering her looks, coupled with her blood, she could have had her choice of men, had she wanted to settle down.

"Draco Malfoy, I would like to introduce my daughter, Esmerelda. Esmerelda, this is Draco Malfoy," Selestino introduced. She reached a dainty hand over the table, and Draco took it to his lips.

"Very nice to meet you, Esmerelda."

"Please, call me Esme. It's nice to meet you, as well, Draco," she replied, her voice lilting with the accent from the romance language that was her native tongue.

After dinner, Draco and Esme were left to their own devices. They went for a walk around the city, Esme pointing out interesting details. By the end of the night, they decided that she would come home with him after they hammered out the details and signed contracts with her father the next day.

Aside from a physical attraction, Draco thought that Esme was a nice person to hang around with. He enjoyed her company and he thought that Hermione would as well. His parents would just be happy that he would be bringing back a pureblood woman to bear his heir.

Draco gave into every demand from Selestino, as none were unreasonable. The contract they eventually signed said that Esme would carry at least two children from Draco, one child as the Malfoy heir, the other as the Gutierrez heir. Esme would be helped financially for the entire duration of her time in the Malfoy home, and while she would not legally be the parent of the children, as that right would go to Hemione, she would always be welcome in the lives of her children. Any children born of the affair would spend at least one month in Spain with their maternal family every summer until when it would be their choice.

That evening, they left for Malfoy Manor, and an elf would arrive a few hours later with her things.

* thanks to Esmerlda Snape, for the use of her name, and Orchid Rain, who helped find a name for her father. Selestino apparently means 'one who is heaven sent'. And always, the wonderful beta BuffyXO. also to my lovely reviewers, kayy enn, silverserpent (it was close to your request, lol), and alabaster.