July 21
"Draco, darling, are you ready to go? We need to leave now if we want to get to Gringotts before lunch," Narcissa sang out as she crossed the wide foyer, seemingly oblivious to the various Death Eaters coming and going. Draco picked invisible lent from his sleeve as he nodded to his mother, joining her side. The striking pair continued into the floo room, his mother chatting excitedly about their plans for the day. It was Draco's birthday and they were going to Diagon Alley to celebrate. Draco seemed bored with it all as he reached for the powder. He just nodded along to whatever his mother said. He offered her the powder. Thanking him, she climbed in and shouted her destination. Draco paused in the fireplace, taking a last look around the empty room before he followed.
He met Narcissa in the small floo room of the Opal, a fine dining establishment owned by Narcissa's close friend Celeste Zabini. Narcissa detested the Leaky Cauldron and refused to use its public floo to enter the Ally. It was always crowded and noisy, with the smell of stale alcohol and smoke lingering about. The quiet bustle of the Opal was much more to her liking. She called out a greeting to Celeste as they made their way to the front door. They would be returning later for a late lunch before returning home. Narcissa took Draco's arm and they strolled down the cobbled street. Neither one spoke, as their thoughts turned to other things. Gone was the relaxed gaiety of earlier. Their faces were set in grim determination. They took their time, taking care to do some window shopping lest a bad report reach the Dark Lord.
At last, the white marbled building loomed before them. They hastened up the steps. Before Draco could open the door, Narcissa pulled him to the side. She stared up at him. Her little boy, turned 16. She lifted a hand to brush back his hair as memories of his childhood rushed through her head. She took his hand and gazed into his bright silver-grey eyes, the Black eyes, she thought. Though he hid it well, she could see the fear and determination in them.
"Are you sure, my little Dragon?" she asked, though she knew the answer. In answer, he lifted his hands and cradled her cheeks before giving a brief kiss to her hair. Her eyes shut, burning with tears. She wanted to cry. To rage. To hit something. To make them feel as bad as she did. Love, guilt, regret, happiness, rage all tangling in her heart, clenching so tightly she could hardly breathe. But, as usual, she could do nothing so she merely smiled, took his arm again and continued inside.
After stating their business, they were shown to a small room. A large circular table dominated the center of the room but a small buffet table on the side boasted an array of beverages and finger foods. Already seated was a familiar dark figure. Severus Snape looked up when he heard the door open. Upon seeing his godson, he leapt from the table and crossed the room in three short strides. Ignoring niceties, he embraced the shorter teen and was unsurprised when the tight embrace was return. In the privacy of this room, with the knowledge that no magic could spy on them and knowing the goblins were too mistrusting of wizards to share in the dealings of their customers, the trios true colors revealed.
"You must be sure, Draco. There is no way back from here if you proceed down this path," Severus said, feeling the trembles. So young, Severus thought, to be so burdened. Draco shut his eyes and pulled Snape closer. He let the unfamiliar feeling of being lovingly held wash over him. Calming him, centering his thoughts back to why he was going through with this.
"I must do this. Father has led us astray and I have to fix it. But I can't unless I know you will stand with me. Please, Severus." They stared at each other for another moment before Severus nodded. Relief flooded the young man's face. Severus was shocked to see how much his approval meant to his godson. He had always loved his godson, but had secretly held him to the same standards of Lucius. May the bastard rot forever, Severus thought as he continued to hold the man's son. They soon separated and he turned to greet Narcissa. The two adults shared a long telling look.
Times were about to get more troubled and it would be up to them to support Draco. Merlin knew no one else would. Their thoughts ran parallel, each wondering how Draco would come out of this situation when- not if- the Dark Lord was destroyed.
They sat and helped themselves to the refreshments. They made small talk but soon were quiet as thought turned to the matter at hand. The atmosphere itself seemed to thicken with the tension. It was interrupted by the arrival of Blodrak, the family's personal overseer. He sat a thick file down on the table before settling himself across from the young heir. Blodrak had overseen the Malfoy estate for nearly one hundred years. He had been witness to the downward spiral of the family.
The affairs of wizards meant nothing to goblins but recent events had caused some… concern amongst them. He was one such goblin that was trying to get some preemptive strikes going to prevent his species from being obliterated should certain wizards claim rule. He knew that the Goblins were integral to the economic status of the wizarding world but he worried that Voldemort was not sane enough to remember that. So few wizards or witches had stirred themselves to do anything more than whisper behind closed doors in hushed tones. However, he was intrigued by the young man before him.
"Mister Malfoy, I believe you are here to claim headship of the Malfoy family. You cite your father's life sentence in Azkaban as reason. Today is your birthday, the day of your majority." Draco gripped the arms of his chair.
"I am." Narcissa stifled a small cry and Severus closed his eyes. Blodrak and Draco ignored them, having eyes for only each other. The goblin was hard pressed to suppress the gleam of triumph. At last, a wizard- and such a young one at that- was taking a stand where grown wizards cowered in terror. It did not surprise him that it would be their heir from the richest and most powerful family. That it was also the darkest family did.
Blodrak nodded and laid a large heavy scroll in front of him. An heir to a family could claim the headship when he turned 16 if he had a valid reason. Usually, the reason was because the father or grandfather had passed away. A life sentence in Azkaban as well as insanity could be used or if the current Head stepped down. It wasn't used often and it had never been done in the long time Blodrak had been with the family. The Head of Family was so powerful a position that families would flounder for decades until an imprisoned or insane Head passed away- usually by way of poison but that wasn't important.
"A drop of your blood is all that is required and you will become the Head of Malfoy House." He held out a small silver dagger. Draco grabbed it and held it above his hand. He wavered, looking at his mother. She gave him a watery smile and nodded. She would support him in this as she had in all things. He turned to Severus. A proud look crossed the older man's face. He reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. Narcissa's hand fell gently on his other shoulder. Drawing on their strength, he pricked his finger. No one breathed as they watched the small drop of blood fall to the parchment.
The effect was immediate if less climatic than he had assumed. A small flash of light and a ring appeared before him, bathed in a silvery light. He reached out to touch it and pulled back. He watched in amazement as the silvery light shot up and several images hovered above the ring. Six coat of arms.
"As Head, you now have full stewardship of the six Houses. The crest on the ring will change depending on the matters at hand. The Malfoy crest will be the dominant crest, otherwise. Malfoy house currently has 18 seats in the Wizengamot. House Malfoy holds 5 and Black holds 4, Houses Weasley, Lestrange, and Grey have 2 each, and House Prewitt has 3. Houses Black, Lestrange, Grey and Prewitt are all considered defunct. House Weasley, as you know, has living family members but the houseship was purchased by Scorpius Malfoy, your great grandfather when Bilius Weasley failed to pay taxes. When you put on this ring, you will become the official head of Malfoy. All rights, privileges, protections, and services to all under the Malfoy clan fall to you. Do you fully understand and accept these provisions?"
Draco nodded. He stared at the small ring on the table before reaching out and taking it. He slipped it on his finger. It hung loosely before adjusting to fit. He gasped at the surge of magic, unprepared for the onslaught of knowledge from six different houses, even if five of them were considered defunct. Wards, locations of family housings and holdings, even knowledge of hidden objects.
Severus held out a small vial of headache potion which Draco gratefully took. His head was pounding. The potion only took the edge off but it was enough to let him focus back on Blodrak. They were going to need to go through all accounts and so would be here for a long while. Blodrak sent out for more refreshments as they turned their attention to the individual accounts. Hours passed as they delved into the vast workings of the Malfoy estate. Draco was glad that his godfather and mother were by his side and could help him make decisions. Their combined experience made the process easier.
He started by cleaning up the businesses. Any with even a hint of criminal activity was dissolved. He added support to some and decreased it in others. When he was satisfied, he turned to the contents of the vaults. He made some notes as he perused the lists. Finally, he stood, handing a parchment to the goblin. The manager paused as he read it, surprise showing on his face. It was difficult to surprise a goblin and yet here he had been shocked by the young Lord twice today.
"Blodrak, please institute all the changes we talked about as soon as possible. I would like to set up another meeting for later this month to see how the changes are doing. Please make the arrangements."
"Very well, sir. I shall owl you with the arrangements."
"Thank you. Now, one last thing, may I get a withdrawal from my vaults? 300 in varying amounts should be a good start." Blodrak spoke to the goblin at the door quietly. The goblin slipped out and returned in minutes. Blodrak took the small bag from him and turned back to the group.
"As Lord Malfoy, you are now able to carry a money bag. This bag is linked to all your vaults. You simply state the amount you need and which vault it should come from. Do not worry about anyone else being about to have access. It is goblin made and it protected from such acts. Also, should you misplace it, it will return to your person." Draco smiled his first smile of the day and thanked the goblin profusely. The goblin bowed and bid them good day. The small group left, feeling in better spirits. They knew dark and hard days were ahead but the horizon seemed to have lightened for them, however slight it was.