Draco stopped, turned around to face Hermione, crossed his arms, and said, "You can have the books, but it's not without its losses if I print them out..."
Hermione rolled her eyes and called her out, "You're asking for a reward again... What can you possibly lose? It's just something from your magic bag, at most a few thoughts."
"Oh, right, it's about thoughts," Draco continued, picking up where he left off. "The more books I publish, the more energy I expend, and the more easily I feel tired. To continue stimulating my intrinsic motivation, I need positive feedback from the reward system."
"Tell me, what reward do you want?" Hermione conceded.
"It's a pity we haven't started our wedding night yet, otherwise, with so many positions, my wife, you could give me so many more rewards..."
Hermione's face flushed red, and she yelled, " Draco Malfoy! What are you thinking about all day long?!"
With that, she angrily shoved the books into the otter-shaped magic bag and zipped it up with a whoosh.
He declared through gritted teeth, "I'm going to strangle you right now, you bigmouthed bastard! Go ahead and try to run away!"
"Only a fool wouldn't run!" Draco sprang into action, turning and dashing down the mountainside, shouting as he ran, "The enraged Miss Granger is trying to murder her husband!"
Hermione grabbed her bag and chased after him, her curses following closely behind. "I promise I won't kill you! At most, I'll cripple you!"
The two chased each other from the mountainside to the bottom. Hermione was exhausted, her hands on her knees, bent over, slightly out of breath. Strands of hair on her forehead were stuck to her cheeks with sweat, and her cheeks were flushed from running.
She glared menacingly at the man ahead who wasn't even out of breath, while Draco stood calmly a few steps away, a smug smile playing on his lips. He scoffed, "Already tired? It's only been a short distance, Miss Granger. Looks like I can't let you just read books all the time; I'll have to get you some exercise."
Draco rubbed his slapped arm, chuckled, and wasn't annoyed. He just looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"Stop talking nonsense." Hermione took a few breaths, her breathing becoming easier. She said sternly, "You better tell me what reward you want, or I'm going to the library to study. It'll be a bit of a hassle, but at least I won't be being controlled by you, you bastard."
That's what they say.
But Hermione didn't think that way at all. With better ways to acquire knowledge, why would anyone bother going to the library to copy things down?
Draco didn't beat around the bush and directly stated the conditions:
"A bath for two."
"No way!" Hermione's expression was resolute. "You're this unrestrained when you're fully dressed, what will you do when you're practically naked in the shower?"
"Don't rush to refuse, honey, listen to me..." Draco calmly coaxed her, then offered a promise, "I promise I'll only touch you, I won't cross that line. And this is just the basic reward... there's more DLC to come."
That last line was the bait, and Hermione really fell for it:
Curious, he asked, "What's the DLC?"
Seeing that she had taken the bait, Draco's lips curled into a smile as he explained, "It's about the follow-up content. For example, when we go to the Ilvermorny Library again, we can try to apply for permission to enter the Restricted Section Restricted Section. Once we're inside, I'll scan it—and then you'll have the entire mobile library!"
Hermione was smitten.
This offer is indeed very attractive. If she could really acquire the books in the Restricted Section, she wouldn't be limited by time and access restrictions anymore, and could consult those precious ancient books and materials anytime, anywhere. This deal shouldn't be a bad one.
After observing Hermione's changing expression, Draco knew she was wavering. "So? Aren't you tempted?"
But of course, she wouldn't agree so easily; otherwise, how could she negotiate the price?
"It's nothing special," Hermione said nonchalantly. "Even without the Ilvermorny Library, I can still go in and look things up, take notes slowly, and learn just fine."
"... unless--"
Hermione has left herself some room to maneuver...
Draco was immediately delighted, thinking to himself that things were looking promising.
Draco felt as if the steamy, romantic bath was almost within reach, and his mind began to conjure up images of it:
Warm water slid down her fair back...
Draco's Adam's apple bobbed, and he continued asking:
"Unless what?"
"Unless—you treat all new good content as DLC updates in the future, and don't ask for extra rewards every time,"
Draco was rapidly calculating in his mind.
If you think about it carefully, what part of his wife's body hadn't he taken? He just wanted to try something new.
Don't let the young wife's current shame fool you; once Pandora's box is opened, she'll have no say in the future.
But before their wedding night, the couple ran out of new things to do, and it seemed like there was nothing left to do...
However, the idea of taking a bath together still tantalized his desire...
"Okay," Draco agreed, "But DLC development also requires creative passion, so we'll have to add some conditions."
"What additional conditions?" Hermione asked, looking at him warily.
Draco grinned wickedly, "You'll have to provide DLC content for your future wife too. For example, after the wedding night, she'll be completely at my mercy, and she'll have to do whatever I want with her."
"You scoundrel." Hermione blushed.
However, she was quickly calculating in her mind: it wouldn't hurt to agree, since there were still several years until their wedding night.
When we get to the bridal chamber, I'll unilaterally terminate the cooperation, and then I can manipulate Young Master Malfoy again... I'm a genius!
Hermione's lips curled up at the thought.
Draco interrupted her reverie, "What are you thinking about? You're grinning so lewdly—are you imagining me putting you in some kind of difficult situation?"
"Pah, shut up!" Hermione was jolted back to reality by his words, her cheeks flushed again, and she spat at him. "Only a filthy scoundrel like you would think about such nonsense!"
So, honey, do you think it's okay?
Hermione feigned hesitation, paused for two seconds, and then reluctantly said, "... Fine, I'll agree to that for now."
"Deal!" Draco smiled with satisfaction. "Just tell me what books you want; they're too heavy for your otter bag."
"Knew."
"Let's go home." Draco put his arm around her waist.
As soon as they finished speaking, the two disappeared into the winding mountain road of Mount Greylock in a slight distortion of the air, leaving the North America Wizarding World and reappearing in their villa.