AN: Rowling owns Harry Potter. I hope you guys leave reviews so Id be able to improve my story to suit your liking.
Draco Malfoy was approximately six feet tall. An impressively imposing figure. He considered himself to be in the middle of the division between youth and maturity.
His hair stayed as blonde as it had ever been though he now wore it in a messy cut softening the hard lines of his face. As per usual, he wore clothes fit for a runway show and was just as nice looking in about anything. He knew he looked good. He was brought up by his father with a constant reminder that he needed more than just looks to succeed. With that in mind, he also never failed to use the assets he had to serve his purposes.
In his younger years, his father taught him varied subjects all inclined in the dark arts. He was trained to be everything a Malfoy was expected to be. And he despised every minute of it. At the height of Voldemort's reign, Draco's transition from a Slytherin bad-ass to an unexpected hero, was triggered when his mother was almost killed by his father twice to prove his sworn loyalty to the crazy half-blood.
From then on, he fought with the very people he was taught to despise to gain his own freedom, as well as his mother's; the only family he had left. Until Hermione happened.
He shook his head as he tried to listen to the conversation going on in front of him. He knew he shouldn't dwell on thinking about her but his mind wasn't capable of holding any distractions long enough to keep the thought of her from popping up again. Where the hell was she? It had been 6 years, yet his memory of the girl was as fresh as if everything happened yesterday. 6 years, yet not one soul has been able to point to him her whereabouts.
After 7th year, the year since she disappeared. He had used every means to find her, however he was always unsuccessful. His hopes of finding her never wavered even when faced with the everyday disappointments caused by her absence.
Her friends had always been his constant reminder of her and seeing them without her hurt him more than he would let on. His friends understood that Hermione was always a sore subject, where they would explicably steer clear from, with him around. For that, he was thankful. He knew it was selfish of him, knowing that like him, his friends was also hurting... maybe even more than he was. Considering they were also practically her family for years, but he couldn't bring himself to talk about her without the raging depression that would follow. He loved her. He never felt like the Draco Malfoy he used to be without her.
Guilt weighed him down everyday. He was hurting but he knew it wasn't near the hurt he had caused her years ago. He swore that he would find her, and find her he will. He knew she couldn't hide forever.
June 20, 2011/9 am - Malfoy Conference hall
Draco Malfoy was having a bad day. He studied the visual presentation in front of him and rolled his eyes for probably the thousandth time in the last 5 minutes. He was already starting to think of satisfying ways to torture each of the unsuspecting idiots; who call themselves his executives.
'If you lot could bring me a 5 year old, I would strongly suppose that said child wouldn't have a hard time comprehending this lousy excuse of a presentation.I am also quite convinced that the tot would probably find the things that you are spouting as interesting as listening to a sedating lullaby." He drawled out fighting to contain his rage as he examined the occupants of the room that had gone completely still. 'Do you people even do anything else around here, other than busting out your butts waiting for me to sign your damned paychecks? Oh yeah, well how about I strike a PROPOSITION, you pretend to work while I pretend to pay you." he sneered.
'Malfoy corp. cannot afford to take on new projects at the moment. So far, all of the projected budgets you presented are numbers the company can not risk to lose. Our hands are tied to more important investments this season, so I suggest you take these propositions back with you and work on revising it until our next monthly conference, by then, we may reconsider.' explained a ruffled Cormac Mcllagen to appease his glowering boss. 'For now, let us all look into the weekly status graphs.'
But Draco was far from being quelled. He was frustrated, disappointed, and positively furious. He could feel his temper seconds away from completely slipping.
'Tell me about our rezoning petition in Switzerland?' Everybody froze.
'Sir, The Swiss government decided to hold the petition until...' a tall, scraggy girl wearing tight fitted robes,whom he vaguely remembered from advertising, tried to explain. Upon seeing the chairman's glowering expression she immediately stopped and inched her chair further away from the head table.
Everyone flinched as they heard the unmistakable booming clap of a hand slamming on a wooden surface.
"What. The. HELL. Happened. to. The. Geneva. Petition?' he roared. Nobody dared a vocal response. 'Answer me! NOW!'
Everyone started to shuffle their papers and speak all at once. Another boom.
'Mr. Malfoy, sir. The rezoning petition we filed for Geneva last week was put on hold by the Swiss government. We contacted our inquiries but we were informed that these affairs should be settled in the Land Zoning Commission in Berne. So one of our representatives was sent to investigate. He called this morning before the meeting started and reported to me what he discovered.' Terry boot, a senior executive of the Legal department, braved the wilds.
'And?' Draco snapped impatiently. 'He was told that our petition was already passed under the scrutiny of the commission. Oddly, they suspended the deliberation and claimed that the land area needs further assessment. An insider also told him that at this point, the clearance we need for our petition to take effect would most likely be denied.'
'What? I reviewed the petition myself, there was not a single requirement we missed.' Terry handed everyone a copy of the said documents. Draco stood up and walked over to the floor length glass windows framing an expansive view of Diagon Alley while slowly reviewing the files.
Terry flipped over the pages as he continued, 'Exactly. Michael Corner suspected foul play so he snooped around and found that someone was indeed blocking our grant. Apparently, somebody else has taken a liking in the exact same land area and the properties nearby, and it was rumored that that same someone plans to maintain the industrial zoning level of the area, in which case the government is highly in agreement with, against our commercial zoning.' Terry looked up to his growling boss, 'But the good thing is that our grant has yet to be issued a rejection, which means, we can still resubmit our petition.'
Draco cursed under his breath. He realized, with sudden insight, that someone was trying to break his deal. 'Do we know him?'
'Im afraid not, Draco. Corner is trying to dig up everything he could as we speak, but he told me that our mystery competitor is effectively hazing his, or probably their, identity. To make matters worst, he suspects that they know about us.'
Draco listened to his stilted words barely controlling the urge to break the glass in front of him. 'Any leads?'
'There are only rumors and speculations. Corner has already investigated on each and every single name he came up with, but he couldn't be too sure in sorting out the pursuits of their individual investments, whether or not they are tied to our deal or even just minor involvements.' Terry related worriedly.
Draco ran his hands through his silky blond hair in frustration. He couldn't believe someone was trying to cross him. He was well aware that business was all about war and power, but he just couldn't accept the fact that someone would dare cross him using the underhanded techniques he was well acquainted with. Techniques he so often utilize to further his means.
He sighed, 'I want everyone to be very vigilant in handling our respective transactions, especially those done internationally. Try to find out as much as you can about this deal. We cannot afford to lose a project of this magnitude. Try to equip yourselves people. Because as of today, we are teetering over a brewing war against a faceless foe.'
June 20, 2011/ 5 pm - Apollo country club
The end of the war prompted a fresh start on a lot of things. The infrastructures weren't the only things that were affected by change, but also the strong prejudiced views of the people.
Consequently, the wizarding world started the adaptation of muggle lifestyle, as evidenced by, the newly added buildings, malls, amusement parks, leisure centers and even glamorous hotels and resorts that are scattered all over the magical community. Not to mention, the revisions made at the home of the heroes themselves. London. Diagon alley. Hogsmead.
With this, friendships were established and strengthened. Even long time conflicts were slowly appeased. All in all, one could say the wizarding world was slowly trying to heal herself.
Just like all other premier clubs, Apollo, was known for its prestige and intense exclusivity even before the war. In this fashion, the desirability of the club's membership rooted from the social standing one acquires upon admission.
So it is not much of a surprise to find one Harry Potter inside the club lounging about a perfectly decorated room, with plush oriental carpets covering a polished wooden floor and paneled walls, adorned with the ornaments of Hogwarts' founders.
'Have you seen the papers lately?' Harry asked no one in particular. 'Hand me the prophet, Harry!' Dean Thomas, a fellow Gryffindor demanded, then proceeded to peruse over the headlines.
'You mean those things about the Atherton's? Yeah, Anthony designed The ATHtrium, I would assume all of you are familiar with it? their new building? so I kind of just heard it from him.' Theodore Nott replied while desperately trying to roll his sleeves.
He immediately stood up and ran as both sleeves spontaneously caught on fire. "Blaise Zabini, you foul git!You could have incinerated me!' he thundered as he chased a smirking Blaise around the room.
Nobody cared though, as this was a usual occurrence inside the lounge. Squabbles were not uncommon inside the club, and more often than not, Blaise and the Weasley twins were usually found in the middle of it.
'And your whiney ass point is?'
'Dont let me catch you, or I swear to Slytherin's grave, that I wil crush your inards to pieces!'
'Geez man, such gruesome picture, you really should halt your obsession with crushing anything that resides in a human's internal anatomy you know. I mean, its not healthy, or at least, keep it to yourself when you're fantasizing about it' Blaise taunted as he dodged a curse hurled inches pass his arm. He was about to dodge a second curse when he stumbled on the new comer at the door.
'Drake, your back! How was Las Vegas? You didn't get married, did you?' he tried to ask but was muffled as he was struggling to free himself from an angry Theodore.
'Same old Las Vegas. Yes, in fact, as we speak, my wife's en route inside a package with a big bow.' Draco rolled his eyes as he sat down.
Everyone chuckled. 'Oh Drakie! You know how I truly feel miserable when you're away...its almost as if...almost as if you never left.' at this, everyone cracked. Blaise exaggeratedly sniffled, as one of the club's attendants helped him up and handed both him and Theo new bath robes. 'Shut up, Zabini' Draco countered as Harry handed him his drink.
'So you heard about the Athertons?' Harry asked again. 'I received an invitation to the gala they'll be holding. You guys have received the same invites, haven't you?'
'I got mine this morning, my mother was practically bursting with excitement, you know, with all those rumors surrounding their famous heiress.' Blaise sighed. 'From what I heard, she went to hogwarts with us.'
'Really? So we might know her already. Seamus gave me my invite personally so I asked him about their new CEO, but even the man didn't have a clue with regards to the identity of their new employer.' Dean Thomas informed them still holding the news article. 'Its as big a news inside the workings of their company, as it is outside. Damn! but this girl looks familiar. She looks awfully like Hermi..." He immediately trailed off as he realized what he was abut to say.
And just like that Draco's cool demeanor swiftly reverted to a cold and calculating one. The tension around the group grew so thick it was almost palpable. 'Oh you know how unreliable these things are, just last month, I didn't even notice that it was my face splattered on the front page' Harry hurriedly covered.
'I dont fancy any parties at the moment.I have more important things to accomplish than play tea, in a show and tell party ,nothing would interest me there.' 'On the contrary...' Theo began.
'If you say for business ventures, new opportunities, and what not, I should tell you that I have enough to last me a life time.' He downed his shot of FireWhiskey.
Theo smirked and looked straight at Him, 'As I was saying, You would want to be there, mate. Have you forgotten Malfoy Corp.'s biggest rival 6 years ag...' Theo was cut off again when a certain Ginny Weasley opened the door with a loud bang. 'Hey Little Red!' 'Shut up, ZABINI! Do not talk to me until you arrange me that interview, you despicable blab!' Ginny glared at Blaise then beamed at the rest of the gathered group.
'6 years ago. Correct. As a matter of fact, dear Man of the year, it has everything to do with you.' Ginny interrupted as she walked inside the room and busied herself in preparing a drink as she continued, 'This year,Quill and Ink magazine, has awarded Malfoy Corp. with the title of the most outstanding business performances for the 6th time, as such, you should also remember that up until 6 years ago, Malfoy Corp. has never shared the award with anyone since the death of the legendary proprietor, Ignatius Atherton, of Atherton and company, or as it is now called, the Atherton Consolidated Industries.' Ginny grinned as she finished her drink and swept out of the room yelling, 'Parkinson! Where, in Merlin's name, are you? We're late! That fat hippogriff will surely kill me if I don't get you there on time!'
Everyone looked at the empty doorway silently. 'Was that a threat?' Draco asked blankly. Harry chuckled as he stood up, 'Something like that. I hope you'll be joining us tomorrow,mate. At any rate, that social event has its substantial significance. The funds they can raise from the gala would go to the different war charities, so I encourage you guys to be there, because god knows how much those charities need a couple of your millions.' he chuckled again.'And in your case' he pointed at Malfoy as he downed his last drink. 'It's always good to know who you're up against.'