Chapter 1: The Return
Draco Malfoy stepped out of the fireplace into the great hallway at Malfoy Manor. "Dippy?" he called casually. There was a gentle pop as a house elf appeared before him.
"Yes Master Draco?" Dippy bowed.
"Mother and Father will be arriving shortly. Is everything ready?"
"Yes Master Draco," the elf nodded, "everything is as you requested."
"Good," Draco almost smiled, "thank you."
"Is there anything else, you is needing sir?"
"No thank you Dippy. I'll call if I need you," Draco walked into the living room and took a seat near the window to wait for his parents. He saw a copy of the Daily Prophet sitting on a side table. He made a grab for it and read the headline: BOY WHO LIVED MADE HEAD AUROR. Draco couldn't bring himself to be jealous of Potter. They had both done well for themselves. He carried on reading.
On the fifth anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts Harry Potter has been promoted to the position of Head Auror. Many say the job had his name on it, following his defeat of Lord Voldemort five years ago. Generations of Potters have filed the Head Auror role; most recently Charlus Potter, Mr H. Potter's grandfather. Charlus Potter was the Head of the Auror office during the first wizarding war.
Draco stopped reading as he heard his parents arrive through the flo network. He stood up and made his way into the hallway, leaving the paper behind.
"Ah Draco," Narcissa Malfoy smiled, hugging him tightly.
"Hello Mother," Draco nodded. "Can I get you anything? Perhaps some tea?"
"No Draco," Narcissa chuckled, "thank you son but I think I just want to sit down." She led the way into the living room that Draco had recently vacated. She took a seat and picked up the paper that Draco had been reading, "so Potter is doing well for himself. I heard he married the Lovegood girl."
Draco looked surprised, "I thought he would still be with the weaslette."
"Ah," Lucius laughed, "you have no idea."
"What do you mean father?" Draco asked.
Narcissa had turned to the gossip page of the paper, "Mr Potter and Mrs Weasley broke up two years ago."
"Oh," Draco frowned, "how do you keep up with British gossip?"
"I subscribed to the Daily Prophet of course," Narcissa told her son as if it were obvious. "Mr Potter got married a year ago and if I am correct his wife recently had a baby boy."
"Didn't they call him James, love?" Lucius asked.
"I believe so. James Sirius Potter," Narcissa nodded.
"What about the Weaslette?" Draco asked.
"Engaged," Narcissa replied.
"To whom?"
"Blaise Zabini."
"WHAT?" Draco couldn't believe it.
"The world has changed, Draco," Lucius laughed.
"What else have I missed?"
"Well… the other Weasley – Roland? Roger is it?" Lucius said.
"Ronald Weasley," Narcissa corrected her husband with a giggle.
"Ah that's it," Lucius nodded, "he married Miss Granger. They have a son. What's his name Narcissa?"
"Hugo," Narcissa told him. "Although there have been rumours for months that they are getting divorced."
"Well, they did marry far too young," Lucius frowned, "almost straight out of Hogwarts."
The three Malfoys fell quiet for several minutes before Draco spoke up, "why are we back here?"
Both Narcissa and Lucius frowned at their son but only Lucius answered, "you know why we're here son. We need to improve the business' standing in the UK."
"Yes but why do we need to live here to do that?" Draco brushed down his Armani suite.
"Because we felt that it would also benefit the family…" Narcissa told him.
"How?" Draco pressed.
"The Malfoy name went through the mud after the war. We need to remake our place in society."
"Why?" Draco frowned.
"Because it is where we belong," Lucius was growing irritated, "the future Malfoys deserve to live in their family home instead of hiding away like petty criminals."
"How do you intend to mend the damage caused by the war?" Draco asked.
"Well," Narcissa looked at her husband briefly, "we thought that you could get married."
"Of course you did," Draco laughed bitterly. "And who am I to marry?"
"Perhaps Astoria Greengras?" Narcissa offered, "She was always such a nice girl."
"And her family managed to keep their distance from the war."
"She's rather dull, though. Don't you think?"
"Well, she's never read a book in her life," Lucius smirked.
"If you can think of anyone better…" Narcissa began.
"I don't bloody want to get married," Draco told them.
"Draco!" Lucius scowled.
"Sorry father," Draco frowned, "but seriously I don't think this is the answer."
"You have a year to find yourself a bride or we will be approaching the Greengrasses," Lucius told him.
Draco shook his head, "if you wish it." The twenty three year old stood up, "I'm going to go to my room."
"But Draco," Narcissa complained, "we need to discuss our return to society."
Draco turned to face his mother, "we merely need to be seen. Let's go shopping in Diagon Alley tomorrow."
"That's your idea of a grand entrance?" Lucius laughed.
"No. I just don't think we need a grand entrance," Draco said before leaving the room.
The next day, the Malfoys sat eating ice cream in Diagon Alley, "are you sure about this Draco?" Narcissa asked nervously.
"Yes."
"Why?" Lucius frowned. "It hardly suggests prestige."
"Exactly – we return humbly because we intend to earn our place in society."
"But I'm Lord Malfoy," Lucius complained.
"In the old order that was enough but not anymore."
At that moment Blaise Zabini exited a shop across the road with his fiancé, noticing the Malfoys for the first time. "Drake, no way!" Blaise bounded over excitedly, "when did you get back?"
"Just yesterday," Draco replied, giving his old best friend a brief hug.
Ginny stood off to the side somewhat awkwardly until Blaise introduced them, "you know Ginny Weasley, of course? We're getting married next month."
"My pleasure, Miss Weasley," Draco shook her hand pleasantly.
"Malfoy," Ginny nodded, "why don't you join us for dinner this evening? We have a few guests coming round – it's bound to be an interesting evening."
"Do you think that's a good idea, princess?" Blaise looked concerned, "it's going to be very awkward as it is."
"Exactly; Malfoy's presence can't make it any worse, can it dear?"
"I suppose not," Blaise laughed, "see you at seven, Drake. We live at my mum's old place. She's moved in with her latest husband."
Draco smirked, "alright, see you tonight."
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