A/N:  *Sniff, Snff*  I finished Temptation!!!  I can't believed it, I've grown so attached to it.  Anywayz, I immediately started on this Fic.  I need a Romantic Comedy to keep me happy; my other story's far too depressing. (referring to Love Was Not Enough)   I really hope that you like this fic, it's been nagging me to write it for quite some time.  I know, you're going, "A draco/hermione, again?"  The matter of the fact is the Dracos and Hermione's in each of my stories are very different, so it's not as tedious writing about them as it may seem.  The Hermione in this story will be much more feisty than the one in Temptation, (I always wanted to give her a bit of a backbone), and this Draco will be (hopefully, I haven't written him yet) a bit nicer.  (He's more rakish in this one than truly evil, but I'll still keep him in character."

Summary:  After Hogwarts, Hermione Granger, aspiring healer a spell-creator, becomes Prof. Morwena Morgana's protégé. However, her meddling mentor has some other lessons in mind, and with some help from a little red book, Hermione may just end up marrying  - Draco Malfoy???

Disclaimer: Of course, all the characters (except for Prof. Morwena Morgana-Malfoy) belong to J.K. Rowlings.  Furthermore, this story was inspired by the novel How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn.  Some ideas and characters were stolen (Prof. Morgana is very much like Lady Danbury), and certain chapters may be pastiches of said book (especially the prologue).  I would like to acknowledge these influences here and now, and will not repeat it in later chapters (unless I directly copied something).  J.K and J.Q, please don't sue me!!

(this prologue is almost an exact copy of the later part of Chapter 1 of How to marry a Marquis.)

Rating: I'm putting R, just to be safe, since this is a Romance after all.  I'm really trying to improve my love scenes, but I doubt that the ones here will get much better than the one in Temptation.  However, be forewarned, whilst there was only really one 'Love Scene' in Temptation, there may be many in this one, and they might get as descriptive as the ones in Romance Novels, but I'm not sure yet. 

How To Marry a Malfoy

By Me (Romantic Fool)

~Prologue~

"Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judas . . ."

Hermione quietly cleared her throat and looked up with hopeful eyes.  Was Professor Morgana asleep yet?  She leaned forward and studied the older lady's face.  Hard to tell.

" . . . and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar, and Phares begat Esrom . . ."

The old lady's eyes had definitely been closed for some time now, but still, one couldn't be too careful.

" . . .  and Esrom begat Aram, and . . ."

Was that a snore?  Hermione's voice dropped to a whisper.

". . . and Aram begat Aminadab, and Aminadab begat Naasson, and. . ."

Hermione closed the Bible and began to tiptoe backward out of the drawing room.  Normally, she didn't mind reading to Professor Morgana; it was actually a wonderful opportunity to get to know more about her new mentor.  However, the new potion in the Manor's healing room was calling out to her, and Hermione was eager to get back to figuring out how to make it work.  Perhaps a little more beetle eyes, Hermione thought, or may be some tarantula poison.  Just thinking about it made her fingers each to write down some calculations in –

Thump!

Hermione nearly jumped out of her skin.  No one knew how to produce more noise with a cane and a floor than Professor Morwena Morgana.

"I am not asleep!"  Professor M&M's voice boomed.

Hermione turned around and smiled weakly.  "So sorry."

Professor Morgana chuckled.  "You're not the least bit sorry.  Get back over here."

Hermione suppressed a groan and returned to her straight-backed chair.  She liked Professor Morgana.  She truly did.  In fact she longed for the day when she could use age as an excuse to carry on with Professor M&M's signature brand of outspokenness.

It was just that she really needed to get to that potion, and - 

"You're a tricky one, you are," Profesor Morgana said. 

"I beg your pardon?'

"All those 'begats.'  Hand chosen to put me to sleep."

Hermione felt her cheeks grow warm with a guilty blush and tried to phrase her words as a question.

"I don't know what you mean?"

"You skipped ahead.  We should still be on Moses and the great flood, not that begat part."

"I don't think that was Moses with the great flood, Professor."

"Nonsense.  Of course it was."

Hermione decided that Noah would understand her desire to avoid a protracted discussion of biblical references with Professor Morgana and shut her mouth.

"At any rate, it matters not who got caught in the waterfall.  The fact of the matter is that you skipped ahead just to put me to sleep.

"I … ah . . ."

"Oh, just admit it, girl."  Professor Morgana's lips spread into a knowing smile.  "I admire you for it, actually.  Same thing I would have done at your age."

Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed.  She picked up the Bible and said,

"What portion would you like me to read?"

"None of it.  Bloody boring, it is.  Haven't we anything more exciting in the library?"

"I'm sure we do.  I could check, if you like."

"Yes, do that.  And don't you dare step into the potions room tonight!  I said that the answer will come if you take your mind off the potion, and I'm never wrong.   So go.  Oh, and do let that cat into the room, it's scratching the door."

Hermione wrinkled her nose at the idea of letting Crookshanks in.  Since her arrival at Morgana Manor, Crookshanks had taken a complete turnabout and had abandoned her for greener pastures – more specifically, Professor Morgana.  With the amount of sweets that her Mentor had stuffed down Crookshanks' throat, Hermione was amazed that it could still walk, let alone reach up to scratch the door. 

"Crookshanks,"  Professor Morgana cooed, "come to Mama."

Crookshanks lifted his furry head, tried to focus his slightly crossed eyes, decided it wasn't worth the effort, and settled back down on the rug in front of the room.

"I have a treat for you."

The cat yawned, recognized Professor M&M as his primary source of food, and hopped up.

"Stupid cat."  Hermione muttered as her former pet stopped, stared at her, and went on his way.

"You're such a sweet thing."  Professor M&M rubbed her hand against his furry belly.

"That isn't a cat," Hermione said.   "It's a poor excuse for a rug."

Professor Morgana raised a brow.  "I know you don't mean that, 'Mione Granger."

"Yes, I do."

"Nonsense.  You Love Crookshanks."

"I loved Crookshanks."

"Well, Crookshanks loves you."

The cat lifted his head and Hermione would swear he stuck his tongue out at her.

Hermione stood, letting out an indignant squeak. "That cat is a menace.  I'm going to the library."

"Good idea.  Go find me a new book.

Hermione headed for the door.

"And nothing with 'begat'!"

~~~***~~~

Hermione selected a few novels, then pulled down a collection of Shakespeare's comedies.   A slim volume of Romantic poetry joined the pile, and then, just as she was about to cross the hall back to Professor M&M's drawing room, another book caught her eye. 

It was very small, and bound in quite the brightest red leather Hermione had ever seen.  But what was most odd about the book was that it was sitting sideways on a shelf in a library that gave new meaning to the word "order."  Dust wouldn't dare settle on these shelves (This was probably because of the dust repelling charms put there), and certainly, no book would ever lie sideways.

Hermione set down her pile and picked up the little red book.  It was upside down, so she had to flip it over to read the title.

How to Marry a Malfoy

(Tips written by someone who had succeeded in snaring one of those slimy gits)

By

Morwena Morgana-Malfoy

Hermione gasped.  Morwena Morgana-Malfoy?  How could that be??!  She was pretty sure that Professor Morgana's husband's name was Titus Morgana, not Titus Malfoy.  He was a very respected member of the Wizangamot and the Ministry of Magic, which was why he was not seen very often at Morgana Manor.  However, when she thought about it, Titus Morgana did have the characteristic Malfoy platinum blond hair and grey eyes.  And, he was quite rich, and . . . Oh Merlin, Professor Morgana was actually Professor Malfoy???

Thump!

"What is taking you so long, girl?  Oh . .  that!"  Professor Morgana said as she spotted the book in Hermione's hand, her face a perfect picture of astonishment and innocence.

Hermione looked up, her jaw dropped, unable to say anything.

Professor Morgana, thumping her cane in her wake, approached her and took the book from her hands.  She let out a little chuckle.

"My my, it has been quite some time since I've come across this.  One of my earlier writings, before they became convoluted with bat's eyes and lizard's gizzards."  She said.

"Professor M . m . m"

"Oh, pish posh.  I'm still Professor Morgana to you, always have been.  My maiden name, you see.  Didn't let him keep his name when he married me, that pure-blood obsessed arrogant brother of his.  What's his name?  Lucius?  Titus didn't feel like changing back after his brother was imprisoned in Azkaban, too many annoying relatives.  Of course, by then, the Morgana name was as established as Malfoy."

"You married a Malfoy?"  Hermione finally spluttered out incredulously.

Professor Morgana gave her a sideways glance.

"Come come, girl,  You spent your years in school with my nephew, what's his name?  Start's with a D.  Daniel?  No.  David?"

"Draco.."  Hermione whispered.

"Ahh.. Yes.  Never could remember that name.   Doesn't matter.  If you've met one, you can't deny that they're the most attractive creatures on the planet.   Well, they would be, if some one could cut out their tongues, but one could never have everything in a man.  Any how, those broad shoulders and silver eyes, turns a girls legs to mush, or can you deny that."

Hermione was about to give an emphatic nod!  Of course she could deny that!

"See, you agree with me.  Well, I snagged myself one of them, the better one, if you'd take my word for it - somewhat less pompous than his brother, I suppose.  Not a bad husband too, when he's around, and fantastic in bed, if you know what I mean."  Professor Morgana gave Hermione an evil grin.

Hermione made a sound somewhere between a choked laugh and a cry for help.  She didn't know exactly what the last bit was referring too, but she didn't want to find out.

"Well, I was young, and I wrote that book, just for the hell of it.  More like a short story about me and Titus than a guidebook, but pretty accurate if you ask me.  You know what, why don't you read it?"

Hermione gulped.

"Uhh . .. I, not that I don't want to read your work, Professor Malf . ..Morgana, but I think I'll pass."

"Why girl?  It's a short book, won't take too much time."

"Well, I have no intention of ever marrying a Malfoy, so it's of no use to me." 

"Of course you're not supposed to read it in order to marry a Malfoy, you knuckle head.  The book will just give you a better idea about what you'll have to put up with for the next couple of months."  Professor Morgana said. " And it'll give you a pretty clear picture of what I was like when I was young, which you might want copy, seeing as how you want to follow in my footsteps."

Hermione coughed.

"I want to follow in your footsteps as a healer, professor."

"Of course.  That's what I meant."

Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes.   Arguing with Professor Morgana was like taking a roller-coaster ride through La-la land.

"What did you mean when you said that it would help me get a better idea about what I'll have to put up with for the next couple of months, professor?"  She asked, phrasing her words as carefully as possible.

"Oh, haven't I told you?  My nephew, Draco Malfoy, will be coming over to stay with us for a couple of months.  Need some help from him regarding a private matter.   Doesn't bother you, does it?"

'Of course it bothers me!!" Hermione screamed in her head.

"See, I knew you wouldn't mind.  Now, come along.  Read me something by that Shaking person, what's his name?  Starts with a W."

"William Shakespeare?"  Hermione suggested weakly.

"Yes, that Shaking person.  Come on girl, and take that book with you, nice bed time reading.  Could teach you a few tricks, if you know what I mean."

Disclaimer:  Again, characters come from J.K.  Ideas/story/some of the words come from Julia Quinn.

A/N:  Ok, do you want me to continue?  'Cuz if you don't review and tell me that you do, I might not.  I need encouragement.  Lots of it.    Lol, just kidding.  But reviews would be nice.