Chapter 1: Ici, enfin, je repose…
This could not possibly be happening.
Hermione slammed her perfectly manicured hand down onto the smooth hardwood surface of the table, making several board members jump at the impact. She almost smirked at their reaction. Well, at least she still intimidated a few people.
"What do you mean you're shutting down the museum?" she nearly seethed as her gaze quickly darted between the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and several of the more prominent board members that were staring back at her with a mixture of defiance, amusement, and boredom.
"Due to the state of the current economy, the Ministry has had to make a few budget cuts," Kingsley started, his voice strained. His brown eyes begged at Hermione to not cause a scene.
She restrained herself from jumping across the table and strangling him. "So, stop holding so many galas and balls and let the Wizarding World keep the one art museum and cultural institution of worth that it possesses." She shook her head in disbelief, "You can't possibly be serious. Do you realize how much history our collection has? It's the only method in which the public can access the very foundations of the beginnings of magic."
"Yes, while that may be true, the public is simply not interested," Aldous Greengrass snapped shrilly. "The visitor attendance rate has been at its lowest in years and the museum is over 500,000 galleons in debt simply from this fiscal year. The Ministry can no longer fund this disaster."
Hermione exhaled loudly, clenching her fists tightly around her sides, "What exactly do you plan to do with the collection then? We have over 400,000 objects. You can't mean for them to collect dust in storage."
"Sell it."
Her head snapped in the direction of the voice. She narrowed her eyes at Caius Flint who simply smiled innocently back at her, "Even you have to admit, Ms. Granger, that the only people that seem to be interested in Wizarding art these days are private collectors who would be falling over themselves on a chance to get their hands on a Turner or a Drummond."
"It is precisely for that reason that I believe we have to keep the museum open to the public. For the past seven years, I have worked to acquire some of the rarest and best examples of Wizarding art that have previously been locked in the private collections of the Wizarding aristocracy. Such monumental works should be displayed for all to see not hidden away in a private parlor in Hertfordshire!"
"I admire your passion, Ms. Granger, I truly do," Caius responded calmly, his tone negating his previous words, "However, while you may have the aspiration to share these works with others, it is evident that others are simply not interested. It is in the best interest of the Ministry, the museum, and even yourself to shut down the museum. If you truly wish, I am sure the Ministry itself can be convinced to purchase a few, select pieces that can be displayed in a small gallery within the Ministry building."
Hermione was almost positive that her nails were breaking her skin and that the palms of her hands were bleeding as she merely glared at Caius, barely containing her anger and outrage. He was belittling her education, occupation, purpose, and person without a care. She knew that, without a doubt, if she agreed to his offer the Ministry would not only retain complete control of what would be purchased and displayed, she would essentially become a puppet, subject to their every whim. In addition, she knew that they would only choose pieces that fit the message the Ministry wanted to promote. That meant nothing provocative, contemporary, international, or done by a woman. In addition, the medium would be constricted to either painting or sculpture. It would be completely bland and homogeneous. She almost visibly cringed at the thought.
She would rather have no museum at all than that. The artwork deserved better. She shook her head adamantly, "I won't let this museum become a mere form of propaganda for the ministry," she spat. "You have to give me more time. I can fundraise and I promise at least half the amount owed by the end of the fiscal year."
Kingsley smiled encouragingly and looked around at his fellow board members, hoping that they would agree. They simply stared back at him with blank and stoic faces. "I think that's a fair offer."
"The end of the fiscal year is in a month, Miss Granger," Aldous stated, "Do you really believe that you can raise 250,000 galleons in that time?"
"Why don't you let me worry about the minor details?" Hermione sneered back before she crossed her arms, "Do we have an agreement?"
Kingsley looked around the room as many of the board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats. It was obvious that they didn't want to appear to defer to her in any way possible but it would be incredibly unfair and unnecessary of them to deny this one offer. Most of them knew that it would be nearly impossible for her to raise that type of money in the given amount of time anyway. Those who would actually feel sympathy with her cause would not be able to give much money and certainly not enough to cover half the debt. Those who could actually give that much money were mostly sitting in the room right now and Kingsley knew clear and well that they would not give Hermione a single sickle no matter how much she begged.
"You have one month, Miss Granger," Caius said coldly before he abruptly stood up, adjourning the meeting and walking briskly out the door.
Hermione watched as a few more members trailed out of the meeting room, giving them polite smiles. Kingsley nodded at her and she returned it with a nod of her own before she sat back down in her chair, letting out a huge sigh and running her fingers through her hands. What the fuck was she supposed to do now?
"Granger."
Her eyes snapped open at the voice and almost immediately, her mood soured even more. "Mr. Malfoy," she said coolly, "How can I be of assistance?"
About six years ago, a short time after Hermione was promoted to the position of director, Draco Malfoy replaced his father as member of the Board of Trustees of the museum. Hermione had been shocked and strangely impressed by the news. He was the youngest member to be on the board for over a century. She knew that it was most likely due to the influence of the older Malfoy but at the same time, he was more than qualified for the position. A few months after he joined, the museum received an anonymous donation of over 200 paintings. Hermione remembered being absolutely flabbergasted at the size and quality of the donation. These were works that had never been displayed in a public forum and were thought to be lost to time. Some of the more important objects included the wand of Salazar Slytherin, the only portrait done of Salazar Slytherin—which had previously been rumored to be a myth, sixteen landscapes by JMW Turner—a famous painter both in the muggle and Wizarding worlds, and a porcelain dragon egg—said to be the only one of its kind.
With these works, Hermione was able to organize of the most successful and talked-about exhibitions in the museum's history. Years later, however, with limited funds and constant budget cuts, the museum's attendance rates dropped immensely and Hermione's relationship with the board became more strained. She had tried her best to bring in visitors and made a valiant effort in collecting and acquiring impressive works all on her own accord. However, it wasn't enough.
People were not interested in spending money on viewing art when they could save up and buy a ticket to a Quidditch game or a Ministry gala where they could rub shoulders with the rich and famous of the Wizarding world. Art was simply not a priority and thus, Hermione Granger was left with her current situation and no saving grace.
If she donated all her life savings, it would barely make a small dent in the debt. She knew she could ask Harry or Ron to help and chip in but their Auror salaries did not pay much and Hermione didn't have the heart to ask Harry to dip so deeply into his inheritance especially not when he and Ginny were expecting another child in addition to the two they already had.
She let out a sigh and looked up at Draco wearily.
"I have a proposal for you."
She quirked an eyebrow, gesturing for him to sit down across from her which he promptly did before she spoke, "Please enlighten me."
"I will give the museum 4 million galleons to start. After paying off the debt that should be more than enough to cover the operating costs and exhibitions for the upcoming year. In addition, I will give the museum 2 million galleons every year for five years which should be a firm foundation to help the museum get back on its feet."
Hermione stared at him in shock, consciously reminding herself not to drop her mouth open as she blinked a few times, unable to formulate a response. She cleared her throat, her eyes narrowing, "And what do you expect in return?"
"I want to direct one special exhibition a year that is completely under my control, no approval necessary from you or the board. I also expect to be fully involved in the running of the museum. You will, of course, keep your position as director but effective immediately, I will be your superior. All decisions regarding the museum must first be approved by me."
"Anything else, my liege?" Hermione asked sarcastically, her temper getting the better of her.
"A kiss," Draco replied simply, leaning close into her.
She could feel the heat emanating from his body and she struggled to calm her heart rate and breathing. She could smell him: a mix of mint, musk, and fresh laundry. He was smirking at her. God, could she be more obvious and creepy? He was making her the most absurd offer of her life and while she should be slapping him upside the head in offense, she was sniffing him like a dog.
What was wrong with her?
"A kiss?" she repeated dumbly, "What?" She mentally berated herself. Of course, it was this demand that she chose to focus upon instead of his previous declarations that he essentially wanted her to hand over the reins of the museum and her job to him on a silver platter with a smile on her face.
"Granger, you can't possibly be so prudish that I have to explain to you the details of what it would involve," He looked at her impatiently before he stood up, handing her a card. "It's a portkey to the Manor. When you have made your decision, whisper my name and it will activate. The offer only lasts a week."
Without another word, he exited the room, leaving her to stare at the empty space where he was sitting only moments before.
What just happened?
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Author's Note: The title of this chapter translates to: Here, at last, I rest… It is what is written on the tombstone of Élisabeth Vigée-Le Brun, the most famous woman Rococo painter of her time. Also, I know that 500,000 galleons doesn't seem like much but if you convert it to muggle currency, it is over 5 millions dollars and 2.5 million pounds. 400,000 objects in a museum's collection is pretty sizeable though not enormous. For reference, the Art Institute of Chicago owns 260,000, the Louvre owns 380,000, the Met owns 2 million, and the British Museum owns 7 million.
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