1Standard Anti-Litigation Charm: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

AN: Thank you to all readers and reviewers. I hope that I earn your praise.

Chapter Two

Over the next two weeks, Draco's strength returned quickly and he learned to deal with his increased magical abilities and his senses. Like Lucius, Draco could perform some magic wandlessly, but his transformation gave him new facility, was a bonus that Draco exhibited with glee, to the consternation of his mother and the house elves. The increased sense of sound and smell were difficult to deal with at times. As a result, his diet changed slightly, and he could no longer tolerate his father's cologne, much to Lucius' irritation. The other noticeable changes were physical. Draco had always been attractive, now he was almost unbelievably so. In mere days he had gained the height of his father and now boasted a broader and more muscular physique. The planes of his face became more angular and square, losing the pointed chin and nose. His already pale skin, took on the muted luminescence of alabaster.

As he studied himself in the mirror, he snorted in rueful mirth. 'If only I looked this good in school, I would have had more fun…really lived up to that Sex-God title…now it will be wasted, as the only woman I will fully desire will be my mate…' Although Draco was not looking forward to the lack of company, he still hoped that it would be some time before he found the woman destined for him. Getting married young was something he was dreading ever since he found out he had been betrothed to Astoria Greengrass on his sixteenth birthday. At twenty, he still felt he was too young to "settle down".

Head Auror Shacklebolt had called Lucius to have Draco stop in to give his account and memories of his attack in Diagon Alley. The Malfoy scion finally felt recovered and stable enough to venture into public. As soon as he entered the Ministry building, he was overwhelmed by the scents of so many people nearby. He exerted his control as much as he could so he did not stumble to the nearest corner so he could take his suppressant potion. 'Cannot believe I forgot to take it before I left…then again, I did not realize it would be this bad!'

After a few drops of the potion, his senses were dulled to what they had been before his change, and he walked towards the lifts with his head high and the Malfoy Mask on.

He gave his account to Shacklebolt, as well as the best description he could give of the hooded and filthy woman who bit him.

"You were bitten by a Veela? How are you not dead?" the dark-skinned Head Auror asked.

"That was a concern," Draco said, quelling a smirk. Draco then revealed his distant Veela ancestry, and the fact that it finally counteracted the venom he was given.

"Looks like it did more than just counteracted it, Malfoy...I remember perfectly what you looked like before. You went through the change, did you not?" Kingsley asked bluntly.

Draco's face gave away nothing; however after a few moments of the Auror's intense study, he gave a slight nod. "After you are done here, you can go down to the liaison's office…they're just a couple of floors away."

"I do not need to see anyone. I am perfectly fine," the young Malfoy said in clipped tones. He finished his statement to the Auror.

"Your father's review should be in a few months. It has been nearly three years. I shall be submitting my own report to the Wizengamut. You can tell Lucius that as long as there is no trouble in the near future, not that I anticipate any from him, he should have no worries." Draco thanked Shacklebolt, and went back toward the lifts. As the lift made its way to the main floor, he caught a whiff of a mildly sweet yet spicy scent that reminded him of a bakery in Paris he always dragged his parents to when he was a child. His mouth watered slightly. Shaking his head and thinking that someone was just enjoying a treat, he got out of the lift and made his way to Diagon Alley. Due to the incident, he never actually retrieved the books he ordered from Flourish & Blotts.

He picked up the three volume set of History of Ancient Arts he had waiting, and made his way down the Alley towards the new café. He was still hungry often, and it was lunch time. He took a seat outside so he could enjoy the fresh air and skim through a book while he ate his sandwich.

"Well, well…if it isn't the Ferret," came a voice attempting a smooth drawl and failing.

"Well, well…if it is not the person who lacks the creativity to come up with anything new since fourth year," Draco said, his drawl impeccable as he set down his napkin and looked up at the group approaching him.

He saw Ron, beginning to turn a horrible shade of puce, as well as Harry Potter, a gorgeous, slim blond woman, and what had to be another Weasley, judging by the hair. The woman had tilted her head and was regarding Draco intently.

"Malfoy," Harry said, giving the blond man a slight nod. "Potter," came the reply and an identical nod.

"Heard you were in hospital. Alright now?"

"Perfectly well, as you can see," Draco said with a smirk, spreading his arms so the group could take in his immaculate appearance.

Harry looked his old rival over. He felt that something was different about the other wizard's appearance, but shook it off and turned to his group. "I don't know if you remember Fleur, she was the Triwizard contestant from Beauxbatons, and this is her husband, Bill Weasley."

Remembering his manners, Draco rose and bowed to Fleur, and shook hands with Bill, all the while wondering how a Weasley could get a beautiful, part-Veela to marry him. Wait…part-Veela! The woman was now looking at him with shocked, wide eyes. 'Damn…she knows somehow…'

"Monsieur Malfoy,.." Fleur began and cut herself off when she saw Draco's eyes flash silver. "Er, zat iz, I am pleezed to zat you 'ave recovered."

"Merci, Madame Weasley," he responded with a polite nod.

"Malfoy, I heard that you had top marks at Hogwarts, and my branch is always looking for new talent…what are your career plans?" Bill asked politely.

"Presently I am heading all of the Malfoy interests in my father's until his reintroduction to society later this year. After that, I still plan to work for the family company. Who are you with?"

"Oh, sorry," Bill said with a sheepish grin that crinkled the scars on his face, "I head the curse-breaking department at Gringotts. As I said, we're always looking for new talent, especially those who would be free to travel in the field. I got transferred to the main office when I married, not that I'm complaining about it," he said with a grin and a wink at his wife. "You're not married yet, are you?"

"No, thank Merlin," Draco said with a smirk. This statement earned him another intent look from Fleur.

"When you meet ze right woman, that will change," she said with a knowing smile.

Ron stood there fuming and grabbed Harry's arm to stomp off toward the Quidditch supply shop. Draco just shrugged and smirked at the childish display and said his farewells to the other two Weasleys. He turned back to gather his belongings from the table, missing the curious glances sent his way by a part-Veela.

The next day, the house elves announced a visitor to Malfoy Manor. "Who is it, Tibby? Did they give a name?" Mrs. Malfoy asked as she arranged a flower display in the sitting room.

"No names, just that theys from the liaisons office, Mistress."

"Draco made no mention of going to the Liaison Office yesterday…very well, escort them to this room and notify the Master and Draco. Have some tea sent, as well."

"Yes, Mistress," the elf said, bowing, then popped off to run its errands.

Moments later, the elf led a tall man into the sitting room. Narcissa was standing in the middle of the elegant room, awaiting her guest with all the cool aplomb of a Malfoy, although she was very curious and anxious about why the Ministry would be sending a liaison agent to her home.

"Welcome to Malfoy Manor. I am Narcissa Malfoy," she said crisply.

"Reginald Hardwicke, Ma'am," he said with a small, courtly bow. "I have come from the Veela Liaison Office to meet with your son, Mr. Draco Malfoy," Hardwicke said, scanning the file in his hands. Narcissa discretely studied the liaison agent. He was tall, somewhat lanky, with dark blonde hair and Wedgewood-blue eyes. Most would consider the man attractive; however, Narcissa was rightfully biased in such things. Very few beings could compete with the Malfoy men when it came to looks.

"May I ask what this is regarding?"

"Ma'am, I believe that I should wait for your son before I start discussing anything. I…" he said, halting when the Malfoy men entered the room. Lucius entered the room with a measured and commanding stride. Although he no longer had the position and power he once enjoyed, he was still a force to be reckoned with, and it was evident in his every movement.

Standing before the visitor, he arched one perfect golden brow.

"Sir, as I introduced myself to Mrs. Malfoy, I am Agent Hardwicke, from the Ministry's Veela Liaison. I am here to meet with your son, Draco, as it has come to our attention that he exhibits considerable Veela traits. I was sent to verify…" he said, breaking off when he finally noticed Draco standing behind his father. Hardwicke's jaw dropped as he scanned the young wizard's face.

"Mr. Hardwicke? I demand to know your interest in my son? Hardwicke!"

"Forgive me, but it is quite extraordinary…you must understand how excited the community is! Males with any Veela blood these days are still less than half at the most due to all the intermixing with humans and the fact that pure Veela are only female…for there to be a nearly pure Veela male is a wonder! All the matriarchs cannot wait to meet you!"

Draco arched a brow, neatly imitating his godfather Severus' famous expression, and glanced over at his mother.

"You did not mention you stopped by the liaison yesterday," Narcissa said, leveling a questioning look at Draco that held a tinge of rebuke.

"That is due to the fact that I did not, Madam. I went to speak with Shacklebolt, only. In fact, I am quite curious as to how they know of me. The healer stated that he would not release my name, and what information I gave to the Aurory would not be disseminated while an investigation is going on."

"You were spotted in Diagon Alley yesterday, and recognized for who and what you are. We were then contacted, as, like I said, a near-pure Veela male is unique, and you are quite valuable to the Veela community at large. In fact, I…"

"What is your meaning, Hardwicke? Valuable? My son will not be objectified or used by anyone," Lucius snapped out; his blazing eyes and thinned lips the only outward signs of his anger.

"Of course not, Sir…I..I only meant that the leading families, the matriarchs, they will all be anxious to meet with you and see if you would be compatible with any of their lines. If you would find your mate among them…your children, if you mated with another of Veela descent, would have some of the strongest Veela blood in centuries. Nearly all pure Veela are extinct; there are only a few ancients remaining. The rest of the community is mostly half-bloods. Surely you can see their interest?"

"Why must everything comes down to blood…. Merlin," Draco said, closing his eyes wearily.

"It is only curiosity, Mr. Malfoy. Due to the nature of mate-bonding, there can be force or coercion in any way from outside sources…not that there would be regardless. They simply want to meet you," the Ministry agent said meekly.

"How would these meetings take place?" Narcissa asked.

"Actually, there is a gathering of sorts next month, in France. The agent that was supposed to be your contact left just yesterday and is over there now, overseeing everything. For that, I apologize…she handles things better than I do," he admitted sheepishly. "It is a meeting of the matriarchs, heads of families, and a ball and reception, to allow all the unmated to mix and mingle; hopefully sparking quite a few bonds."

"That does not sound too horrendous, Draco," Narcissa said softly.

The youngest Malfoy struggled to hold in a snort. His family was quite aware of the fact that he hated parties of that sort. Business-related receptions were one thing; people typically were formal and professional at such gatherings. Balls were another matter. Although Draco loved attention, especially of the female variety, there was only so much twittering and small-talk he could stomach.

"Send the details by owl, Mr. Hardwicke. If my son will attend, he will let your office know," Lucius said, turning his body sideways and gesturing to the door. The man knew a dismissal when he saw one.

"Yes, Sir. Mr. Malfoy, Ma'am," he said with a bow. Tibby was already by the door, waiting to escort the official out.

The Malfoys were silent until they heard the great front door close. "That was enlightening," Cissa said.

"Ugh…I really, really do not want to go…" Draco muttered, already fearing his father's response.

"Unfortunately, I do think it would be best if you do attend. Perhaps you will not find your mate; however, the opportunity to meet these matriarchs will do much good for the family. Several powerful and notable families from the continent are known to have Veela ancestry. For the business alone, it would be beneficial to establish contacts."

"Always thinking with the pocketbook," Draco said with a smirk.

"Always thinking about this family's survival and future, you cheeky brat," Lucius said with wink.

"Fine," the younger man huffed out as he sat on a couch. "I shall go to France, be wined and dined, set up things so we shall fill our vaults even more, and be surrounded by gorgeous, half-Veela girls. Why do all the wretched tasks fall to me?"