Harry tranquilly walked into his office room like he had no doubt in the world with his hands in his exclusively tailored Auror robes. He sat down on his plush red chair behind mahogany desk. He folded his hands together, placed them upon his desk and looked up to a sneering Malfoy who sat across him.
"It's half past nine, I've been waiting an hour for you." He spat out.
Harry leaned in closer to Malfoy and whispered, "You work for me and you come here at your designated time. I come here whenever I please."
Malfoy launched even closer to Harry over the desk, completely invading his personal space.
"How am I supposed to work with you when you never turn up and always leave five minutes after?"
"We're aren't working together, I'm mentoring you. You're supposed to really solve this case."
"How are you mentoring me? You're barley even here!"
"Malfoy, this job requires many things. If you're ever to get it, you will realise it entails intelligence and initiative. I'm sure you'll be able to find clues on your own or do you need me to spoon feed it to you?"
Harry rose from his desk and crossed over to the other side of the room. He was about to turn the door handle to leave when, "Where are you going?" Malfoy blurted out.
He to rose up looking both confused and angered.
"I have business to do," Harry replied simply.
"See this is what I mean," he looked down at his wrist watch, "not even five minutes this time, what a complete outrage."
"Malfoy, I'm sure you can manage without me."
"So you're not even working on the case?"
"Yes, I am and that's what I was going to do right now before you rudely interrupted me."
"Why do you keep all your findings a secret and under the weather? We are supposed to be working together!"
"No, I'm solving it just in case you aren't able to. If you can't do this alone how are you going to become a full pledged Auror?"
With that Harry left the room leaving Draco speechless.
Potter definitely didn't trust him, Draco thought. He wasn't so sure before, he thought that after the war there was at least less tension between them especially since Potter testified for Malfoy at court. He retired to his room to think of his next move.
"Uhh… Harry dear, what are you doing here at this hour?" Molly asked embracing Harry in a tight but warm embrace.
"Just decided to pop in,"
"Ginny's not home at the moment I'm afraid dear,"
"Umm.. I'm not here for Ginny."
"Oh sorry dear, both Ron and Hermione are out too."
"Actually I came to see you,"
"What? Really?" She said feigning clear and utter confusion. Between work and fame Harry barely ever had time to hang out with Hermione and Ron; nevertheless, the rest of the Weasley family.
"Yes, no jokes here."
"How about you take a seat down there and I'll bring in the tea and biscuits so we can have a good old chat." Molly said frantically and a tad anxiously.
Harry became slightly suspicious, "oh no it's okay I'll come with you into the kitchen. I don't want to disturb whatever it was that you were doing prior to my coming here."
"Alright then," she said and Harry was sure there was a hint of fear. Fear for what though?
Harry followed Molly through the living room into the over-stuffed but comfortable kitchen. Sitting at the dining table was Peter and next to him sat Teddy, listening attentively to Peter as he read some book to him.
"Hey, Teddy! What are you doing here?"
"I'm staying here until Grandma gets better."
"Why what's wrong with your Grandma?"
"She's very sick."
Molly then slowly grabbed Harry and pulled him away out the kitchen, "Andromeda, is terribly ill, saw this morning she dropped young Teddy out our house and admitted herself in ."
"How sick?"
"She looked quite unwell, but wasn't sure what was causing her the pain. She thought she should get whatever it was checked up and cured if possible."
"Why didn't she just drop Teddy off at my house?"
"Harry, she didn't want to cause you any trouble."
"What trouble?" Harry muttered angrily.
"She knows what a busy life and tight schedule you work to," Molly said calmly in order to calm Harry down.
"I could move somethings around and distribute some of my responsibilities to take care of Teddy. After all he is my godson."
"I'm sorry Harry but I don't know exactly why Andromeda decided this, you will have to bring this issue up with her later when she feels better."
Harry just looked away, what was the use? No one trusted him anymore with personal matters, they all treated him like a stranger or a guest.
"How about you stay for lunch, Peter's here's well, so you'll have some company and can spend time with Teddy."
"Thank you but no, I just remembered I have some other matters to attend to. However, thank you for the kind offer." With that Harry turned around and apparated out of the Weasley house.
Draco had thought hard and long last night of what he could do. He couldn't continue to aimlessly sort files and read through documents of the case, he had to get up and do some real action. Action that would contribute to finding the cause of the death of Nicholas Keating and his murderer. And the place where he knew would be the best place to find any clues was Gringotts Bank.
Nicholas Keating was the owner of the bank, making him the wealthiest man in the wizarding world. That was reason enough to be murdered. While adding to that he was one of the most powerful men, and all his power came from the bank, it was clearly the place to investigate.
Potter was still not in the office by 11 so he approached Robert Holdsworth the other head Auror.
"Are you purposing to further investigate Gringotts Bank?" Holdsworth inquired Draco in his office.
"Yes,"
"You do know that it has been thoroughly searched before numerous amounts of time?"
"Yes, I am aware of that but I am seeking your permission to look through Keating's office again. I'm sure there must be something that can link to the murderer." Draco implored hopefully as to not have his proposal rejected.
"For example?"
"Documents?"
"Containing precisely what?"
"Bank statements?"
"That's not very revealing."
"How about inheritance?" Draco blurted suddenly. "Keating was from a muggle family that was far removed from his wizarding blood family. That could be a basis for murder, I mean that a muggle-born removed from wizarding society suddenly acquired the biggest and most powerful inheritance. This could surely anger much of society"
"I suppose…" Holdsworth took out a form from one of his drawers and handed it to Draco. "Fill this out and give it to me later, I'll give you a search permit allowing you to examine your designated area."
Draco turned to leave until, "wait, just a minute." Holdsworth took a paper off a pile on one of his cabinets. "This is an invite to the Ministry Spring Solstice Gala, on this weekend, you'll be able to make it, right?"
"I'll have to hold you to that."
"Try to come though, it's the perfect opportunity to make connections with other colleagues in our department and in others."
"I'll think about… But thank you for the form."
"That's fine, just fill it out as thoroughly as you can, otherwise I won't be able to grant you permission."
Ringing the doorbell to the grand manor, he glanced around taking in the picturesque scenery surrounding it. Rolling green meadows at the back, with little brooks and streams flowing here and there. While wild colourful flowers scattered around the estate.
Finally a butler opened the door.
"You are?"
"Mr. Potter from the Auror Office in the Ministry, I'm here to talk with Mr. Clermont on some affairs."
The butler wordlessly stepped aside allowing Harry through and lead him to a study on the second floor of the manor. It was all quite imposing, every room and space in the manor seem to be furnished with the utmost high end furniture, sculptures, paintings and decorations.
The particular study in which the butler lead Harry to seemed to be little to never used as the bookshelves behind the dark oak desk with plush velvet red chairs empty besides a few folders and sparse number of books gathering dust in a corner on one shelf.
Already seated behind his desk was Mr. Clermont, wearing newly pressed black robes and a smile of great confidence and comfort.
As Harry approached him he stood up and held out his hand for Harry to shake in a warm manner, "Mr. Clermont thank you for your time."
"No, that's fine."
Harry sat down on one of the chairs and adjusted himself into a comfortable position, this might take a while or a few seconds.
"I know I have interviewed you before, however, last night I was thinking and realised that I need to know more about the dinner party. Who was there? What happened? After all, besides being found in the alley way, this was the last recorded place that anyone witnessed Mr. Keating."
"What would you like to know first, then?"
"What was this dinner party being held for?"
"It was just a formal gathering of higher-class wizards, occasionally an upper class wizard holds a dinner party and we all attend. This time I held one at my manor."
"Was there a specific part of higher society that you invited or were they all from your social circle?"
"All that attended were from pure-blood families," Clermont said without shying away at his blantant distancing from other blood wizards.
"Then what was Keating doing at the dinner?"
"Oh, I invited him."
"But he's not of pure blood, his blood status seems to be the complete opposite of your other guests."
Clermont looked around irritated as if Harry was so stupid to ask those questions. "Keating is obviously an exception to that, he has recently been associated with higher pure-blood circles due to his powerful status."
"Was there a particular group of people he conversed with for the majority of the night?"
"No, he was glued to a chair whilst people drifted up to him and tried to create conversation with him. He may be powerful and wealthy but that most certainly doesn't change by any means his confidence and social skills.
"I'm sure you have attended other social events where Keating was present, so did you notice anything out of sorts?"
"Unless his incompetence and inability to fully engage people, then no."
Harry realised that was a difficult man but that didn't affect his cool composure, yet he knew this was pointless. Clermont had no information on him that was of any use. He was too self-contained and interested in the facades of people to notice anything worth noticing.
"This shall do, I can you please write down the names of all the guests that attended your dinner party or house on that night. I want the name of every person that came, even if it was a man delivering a bottle of wine."
Draco Apparatted to the front stairs of the Gringotts Bank, he could go no further with Aparraition but manual walking. The bank was indeed impressive, of course it was. It was the Gringotts Bank, the largest bank in England and perhaps even Europe. The floors were white marble veined with black and navy blue quartz, the stone pillars also seemed to follow this pattern while the ceiling was painted a crisp white, with not a crack or flake of paint peeling off to the naked eye. The whole appearance of the bank at first glance and on the first floor seemed perfect, new and secure.
Though Draco knew that this was not the case. The Malfoys had a large vault dozens and dozens, maybe even a hundred floors down from the ground floor. The lower the vault was located, the higher the security protection as the most precious vaults full of abundant treasures, heirlooms and gold were kept there. Even though the security protection was high, the vaults themselves were dark, black and mysterious. Dusty and cobwebbed from the lack of maintenance and infrequent visits. But maybe he was wrong, as that's how he remembered them last. He hadn't been to the Malfoy vault in a couple years now, things could've changed like most things had now. None of the Malfoys had gone into the vault after the war, they were forbidden from doing so. In fact, the whole vault was now closed off and removed from the Malfoy name, now under the Ministry, all the treasures and wealth belonged to them. This was one of many punishments and so-called compensations they had to pay for being an active and fierce part of the war against the Ministry and Death Eaters.
Draco didn't hate it, it actually made him feel more normal, having to now rely on himself instead of his status and money which gave him the power to get whatever his heart wished for. However, even that wouldn't be enough to fix all the damage caused by the war that was brought upon the wizarding world because of people like him. But he knew one hundred percent that his father would be writhing in anger and fury at the thought of his precious wealth, now in the hands of the enemy. That is if he wasn't mentally impaired from Azkaban.
Nevertheless, it wasn't his past experiences that whispered to him, this calm and perfect façade of control was completely wrong but the knowledge that the owner of all of this, was dead. That the murderer could strike again and any of these employees could be next, though only ignorance reflected from their eyes.
Clearing his mind of distractions, Draco strode towards the front reception. Believing that his work was most definitely more important than any question or complaint the receptionist would soon hear, he barged through the queue of impatient customers, unaware of the daggers stared into him and muttered foul language directed towards him.
Ignoring the customers that seemed to be tethering towards exploding in fits of rage and complaints, she turned to Draco. "Yes, how can I help you?" The receptionist asked him calmly with a wide smile that somehow reached her eyes. Draco wondered whether her face ever hurt from having to keep it plastered on and never letting her true emotions overwhelm her.
"Direct me to Keating's office."
She looking confused and was about to reply politely to the seemingly amusing request, before Draco slapped down his identity and search permit with a bang.
Her face still keeping a calm composure due to years of valuable experience, "I can't do that, it is out of my abilities. But if you go to the fifth floor using the elevator to your right over there, go down the first left corridor and knock on the fourth door, you'll find a nice lady that can help you." As soon as she finished she turned to the next customer, Draco had to snatch away his papers before the customer barrelled into him.
Together with his papers he headed towards his destination through impatient people, stairs, corridors and multiple rooms, in what seemed a heartbeat. The door to the room he was pointed towards was closed so Draco was unsure of whether the occupant was still inside so he gave a loud knock to the door.
The door opened to frazzled women holding a dangerous number of documents in one arm that looked on the verge of collapsing.
"Ms. Maleficent is through there." She said simply without directing a questioning look towards Draco and went straight out of the room without his identity or purpose.
Draco assumed she was an over-worked secretary and turned back around. It seemed this office room was its own floor disregarding the fact that the level was already consumed by many rooms. The receptionist never mentioned which room the lady would be in, or was the supposed secretary it?
Whilst Draco pondered the most quick and efficient way to knock on each door when a sound of something sharp stabbing the marble resonated through the room. He turned towards it finding a woman walking towards him.
She stopped half way between them, "Mr. Malfoy please follow me."
Wordlessly he went after the mysterious woman, she had her hair turned up into a tight bun with what seemed a fringe pulled the side all with not a hair out of place, whilst her robes looked the expensive and tailored kind.
"Mr. Holdsworth contacted me a few moments ago addressing your arrival for the further search of Mr. Keating's office."
"First of all who are you, the secretary?" Even though Draco said this out aloud he knew it was as false as saying his father was anything but a pure-blood.
"No the Chief Executive Officer of the Gringotts Bank, and secondly what?"
"CEO," he raised his eyebrows looking impressed.
"Yes a woman like myself can reach a high and honorific position as this, is that a surprise Mr. Malfoy?"
"No, absolutely not." Someone exactly like this popped into his head, Hermione Granger, it was a given she'd end up somewhere like this if not better. Both sure of themselves and irritating.
"Now that my identity is clear to you, I must say that I think there must be no heed in further investigation of Mr. Keating's office, it was searched thoroughly before of course."
"Wait, how are you the CEO, isn't Keating?"
"No, he's just the owner. The difference is I make the decisions and carry them out however with the permission of Mr. Keating. Similar to the relationship of the Muggles President and General, the General has all the military knowledge yet they can't take action without the President's approval. Understand?"
"Who is the owner now, then?"
"That is still unknown."
"You must know, you are the highest ranking officer in the bank, the closet to Keating!"
"Yet, even if I did, I couldn't tell you, the information is confidential."
"Ms. Maleficent, there is a loophole to your proposition though, I must know the heir. The heir is likely linked to the murder, that is the wholesome reason I bothered to come here."
"What effort! I have heard the advances your Aurors have found in the case, like you have so many leads to cover. The only reason you're back here is because you're at a dead end with nowhere to go but backwards."
"That was before I got involved with the case."
"I hope so Mr Malfoy because I don't like having my time wasted, time is precious." She stood up and went around her desk towards the front door of the office. "Well, are you coming or must I pinpoint to you the clues that will link you to the murderer as well?"
They arrived at Keating's office, whilst Maleficent unlocked the door, Draco peered around to see anything abnormal. The room itself was large like all the rest he had seen, a grandfather clock sat against wall, sliver curtains draped themselves over the windows allowing no sunlight, a picture of some kind was hung up on another wall and a plain oak wood desk sat atop tiled marble floors. It was plain and extremely empty, completely lacking character or likewise inhabitancy.
"Mr. Keating rarely used the room."
"Then, where did he work?"
"If he did, it was at home or any other place apart from the bank. To the bank he visited as rarely as to his office. Very hermit-like he was, crawling into his shell when approached, mono-syabllic answers that sounded more like grunts and eyes that never looked up from the ground which I know may sound judgemental as the marbled tiles are exquisite; however, not an excuse for poor behaviour and communication."
"May I go in?"
"Of course, you go on with your business. I have plenty to attend to anyhow."
"Don't you need to supervise me?"
"Then, I would bring in a guard, I'm a CEO, remember? Although, I wouldn't go in there regardless, I wouldn't want to touch anything. You would jump on me and shout from the top of your lungs and accuse me of murder just because my finger prints were found on an object, just like on those Muggle television programs. I am aware of your abilities and long list of false accusations from the past."
Draco just sneered at her, he for sure wasn't one to jump to conclusions without believable evidence.
"Go on, take out your detective magnifying glass and brush. Search for finger prints and the like." She gave out a giggle.
"You do know that this is all serious? Anyway why do you watch Muggle television, it is quite poisoning for the brain."
" I read a comparison of our Aurors to those documented in Muggles shows. Time should not be so recklessly spent. However, addressing the first issue, in all seriousness, you won't find anything here. You are wasting time, but then again you're all incompetent, like you would find the murderer." Finally turning around and leaving Draco dumbfounded at where to begin and the realisation that maybe Maleficent was right, the room was completely empty, like it was cleaned to the brim and everything was emptied.
Yet, he couldn't just admit that he was incompetent, the arrogance in him kicked in. He needed this job, he needed to prove to Potter how he was independent.
Scanning the room, his eyes landed on the painting or so he thought. It obviously wasn't a painting, that was clear from the doorway. Maybe he should get his eyes checked. As he approached it, he decided it must be a certificate of a diploma or degree from a Muggle institution or something.
Pulling on his latex gloves, he rifled through cabinets and drawers to no avail. A few blank scrolls left tow wither, empty ink bottles and pens were in a drawer. The rest empty. Maleficent was correct, the office appeared as if the owner cleared out and abandoned it at least 3 years ago, not 2 weeks from this Saturday.
The bookshelves were equally unoccupied. Deciding the only other option was crawling around on his knees, in the hope of something at all, however trivial. Running his hands through the carpet, for the jab of any object.
Suddenly the stab of pain ricocheted of his thumb and index finger. Blood was sliding down his gloved fingers. Examining his fingers close he found wedged in two pieces of glass. After slowly removing them through gritted teeth, he removed his latex glove to direct a simple healing spell to the slits in his skin.
Draco looked up to find himself under the framed document of sorts. With closer examination, the surrounding area of the portrait was scattered with small shards of glass. Standing up, Draco realised he had just found what he had been looking for originally. With his ungloved right hand he removed the framed document proclaiming Keating as the owner of Gringotts. Slightly running his left hand over the document, the frame was devoid of the glass casing except for a few shards which were still stuck on the frame.
Looking down at the carpet, it seemed the glass was from the framed portrait. You didn't need a genius to work out that, though maybe the next part of the mystery. The document was dated a few days before Keating's benefactor died and signed by both. Nothing about that seemed irregular. Supposedly an approval stamp of red ink had been pressed on top of Keating's name and signature. This was a bizarre place for a stamp of approval, as the signature should have been clearly visible. Dried blood had pooled at the base of the document on top of the bottom of the frame. The stamp didn't appear to be from a ministry cabinet or the bank's board of directors, the whole design was foreign. The many elements were quite difficult to differentiate.
This document seeped importance and wouldn't fail to bring some new information. Draco walked considerably fast out of the office yet maintaining a speed that wouldn't bring any attention to him, so he wouldn't be deviated from his new task.
Apparrating to the Appariation point in the Ministry, Draco sped through the doors of an open elevator to the Auror Department. Though an anxious feeling slowly started to filter through his emotions as he remembered Potter's attendance. This turned to impatience and he was getting ready to boil over if Potter wasn't in his room.
To his dismay and anger he was correct, he wasn't there and he was one hundred percent sure this time as the office was unlocked and Potter didn't seem to be hiding under any desks even though that sounded more like him than Potter's annoying Gryffindor traits.
Draco decided to find Holdsworth instead and turned to leave the office when he felt himself smash into something. Thinking it was a wall, he quickly clambered up hoping no one else saw his stupid - and to them hilarious -blunder. "Malfoy, watch where you're going." Harry said while bending to retrieve his scattered papers. Though it seemed like the wall was Harry.
"Where have you been?"
"I don't need to ask you where you have been as it's clear you have no sense of respect nor authority. Though you could enlighten me on what you were doing in my office."
"Yes, I was looking for you whilst you did your reoccurring disappearing act again."
"You could have just knocked and obviously realised that I wasn't in my office." Harr said giving Draco a pointed look. "I was printing out some photos taken of the crime scenes, by the way."
Draco swiftly snatched them out Harry's hands.
"Just what are you doing with those? Don't damage them, they took up all the ink."
Draco swerved around to keep Harry from grabbing them back. "Is this Keating's office?"
'Yes, how do you know?"
"I did a little investigating there just a while ago."
"Did you find anything? Of course not, otherwise you would be jumping up and down in glee and gloating in my face."
"When were, these taken?" Draco asked while spreading the photos out on Harry's desk and taking a seat to thoroughly scan them.
"Just after the murder was reported and we arrived at his office." To his seat at his desk while watching Draco disapprovingly as he examined each photo intently.
"There's something missing here."
"What is it?" Harry sighed languidly.
Draco abruptly stood up and gathered the photos into a neat pile. "I came to address you about the same issue, though it would be much more productive if we went there first."
"What nonsense are you blabbering about Malfoy."
Draco glared at him, "I found something noteworthy in Keating's office."
"Which is?"
"Better to see with your eyes."
"Even though we have photos taken from every angle in his office?"
"Yes, because it is missing from the photos. Look, Potter just come and will show. It's not that difficult nor time consuming."
Harry sighed dramatically, "fine, just let me get the file."
"I already took it."
"Your file was just a summary."
"What?" Draco spluttered indignantly, "You gave me a summary that was utterly useless, and kept the absolute file, away from me. Obviously, you are intent on failing me"
"I am intent on no such thing, Malfoy. If only you inquired about it as any fool would realise a case such as this wouldn't be a few pages of indistinct information." Before Draco could deliver a suitable retort to that, Harry strode out of the office.
Holdsworth knocked on the door, "the dried blood revealed a DNA match with Keating."
"Therefore, the blood from his slashed wrists must have been used for the seal." Concluded Harry.
"If you had given me the whole file I would have been able to draw the comparisons myself, you know."
"Well, that is irrelevant now as you seemed to find an extremely useful connection, Draco, good job. So what's next?" Holdsworth said.
Harry looked at Draco, silently giving him the permission to voice his impression, not that Draco needed it.
"If only the seal was more distinctive or pronounced, from there an individual or group can perhaps be identified."
"That sounds reasonable though difficult at this stage, I believe." With that Holdsworth walked out Harry's office, leaving Harry and Draco to the next tough task.
"Do you wish that the murderer had slashed Keating more?" Harry asked in a provoking tone.
"They may as well have. The images from the file suggest that the wounds on his wrists were deep and plenty of blood loss had occurred. This may have led to his death."
"No, the blood loss was immense; however, the Killing Curse delivered him his end."
"That isn't clear though."
"Keating's body was assessed, and the results revealed his cause of death to be the Killing Curse."
"Draco, we don't have anything scheduled for Saturday night, yes?"
"I don't know," he replied lucidly, without even a glance.
"Is there a dinner party or something I've forgotten about for this Saturday, that we are supposed to attend?"
Draco looked up from the image of the Keating's inheritance to Astoria across from him with a pointless novel in her hands.
"I'm not bound by anything to attend those pointless dinners and certainly won't mind missing one. Only due to your annoying pestering that I do."
Astoria giggled drily, "You know the point of those drab dinners with hosts that are barely able to conjure up a conversation lest dance. We need to get back in society and retrieve our social status."
"It's the Malfoy name that has been tainted, not yours."
"All the more you attend, then. I will soon be marrying you and adopting your name and I'd like to still be connected to high society."
"Perhaps you should consider another partner." Draco muttered as Astoria narrowed her eyes at him.
Ignoring Draco's last retort, "I'll simply take that as a no." Dropping her book on her chair, without a word nor gesture, she left the library and Apparrated away.
Draco let out a sigh, he did indeed have a formal event this Saturday. Not a dinner party rather a Ministry Gala. He would only be attending to make an appearance and perhaps talk with some higher officials adding some good credit to his name and reputation in the department. The invite did state they could bring a partner, yet Astoria was beyond the ideal partner for an event such as this. She would drag him to every Ministry official and try to strike up a conversation whilst also flirting subtly but noticeably enough. Her behaviour disgusted him, and was something he'd rather avoid in front of his future colleagues.
Changing his attention from the Gala, he went back to examining the seal. If the seal represented an organisation, it would most likely contain dark wizards, yet Draco could hardly recall a similar seal. Not that Draco had been affiliated with any Dark wizards deeply, his Death Eater "membership" was due to his father and he had barely any connections to the others Death Eaters.
He realised that working with Potter would be extremely grim, as Potter obviously still didn't trust him. Trying to gain Potter's trust would be difficult to gain as having an alliance with Keating most certainly didn't help his record.
