The Simple Favor

Disclaimer: JK Rowling own's the rights to the characters in this story. The plot of this story is loosely based on the ABC show Scandal created by Shondra Rhimes.

Draco could feel the sun beating down on his now slightly tanned skin as he walked down one of the street that was considered old town hand and hand with Astoria. It had been six months since the Minister elections in England, and they found themselves on a little island that was nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Golf of Mexico.

When they had first left England they had traveled to the Big Apple like he had told Theo he would, they had gotten lost in the city but soon came to realize that New York was to similar to what they had just left behind. When they had ventured into the Wizarding world in New York he found himself searching the face of every dark haired witch he came across. It was not uncommon for the Minister of Magic to travel to America for business. Draco realized that coming to New York had not been the distance he needed, he was surrounds by things that were all to familiar to allow the distance to be of any true help.

Three weeks after arriving they had set out again, this time for an island that many could describe as the end's of the earth. Key West had the small town charm so many sought when they wanted to escape. After the arrival they had been able to secure a small small cottage off Whitehead street. Because there was no Wizarding community on the island Draco found it easier to let go of the things tying him to London. They were truly in a world all of their own cut off from what was going on back in London.

He was still in contact with Blaise and Theo, they were his oldest friends after all. Blaise kept him up to date on the goings on at the office, and how his mother was fairing in Draco's absents. Theo mainly wanted to know know how Draco himself was doing, and was very careful not to talk about Hermione or the ministry in his letters. For this Draco was grateful for, he wasn't sure if he could bare to hear news of Hermione and what his leaving had done to her. His desire to know was to too great, and if he did know he wasn't sure if he could stop himself from running back.

Draco still struggled with the fact he had allowed Astoria to come with him. He had made it very clear before they left he would never be able to give her what she truly sought from him. She had brushed this aside of course and damned that he take her with him. At first it had been hard not to seek comfort from her, even though he knew, just like he couldn't give her what she wanted or needed, he knew she couldn't be who he wanted her to be. As the weeks dragged on though he had allowed her to keep him warm at night, he was a man after all, and she was all to willing to allow him to take his comfort.

It was a sunny Sunday at the end of August, and they had been wondering the streets for several hours enjoying the comfort of each other's company. "I was thinking we could have dinner at Chico's this evening. I have been craving Mexican." She said as they turned down Caroline Street making their way back up to Duval.

"Whatever, you want." This was his usually response when he was lost in his own thoughts.

"We should also go to the store, we are running desperately low on supply's for the week."

"We can stop on the way back from dinner."

"I heard from Daphne." She had become uncomfortable with the silence. He had learned over the last six months she hated when the conversation lagged. He suspected she knew that when that happened he was lost.

"Oh." Was all he said.

"She and Terry are having a baby at the end of December."

Draco snorted at this "I don't think Boot knows what he is in for, if the child is a girl."

"She asked when I would be coming home."

Draco stopped walking bring her to a stand still with him. "I am not ready to go home yet."

"I know that." She said sadly.

"Are you ready to go home?"

"Not without you."

"Astoria." He began to say, but she held up a hand to stop him.

"I know what you said Draco." He could tell what she wanted to say was that she had hoped, still hoped that he would change his mind. He knew that he would never change his mind. He had thought bitterly once, that in a different world he would have been able to love Astoria the way she deserved.

He couldn't deny that he had become very fond of her, and that perhaps there was a small part of him that did in deed love her. But his heart remained firmly in Hermione Granger's hands. He didn't think any amount of time and distance was going to change that.

As promised he had taken Astoria to Chico's Cantina for dinner that evening. It was perpetually hot and humid out so they dined inside in the hopes of escaping the heat that waited them outside.

When dinner was done, they had stopped by the local market to pick up the few things they would need to get them through the week to come. When they returned to the small cottage they had retired to the front porch. A tumbler of whiskey in his hand and a glass of wine for her. He had been devastated to find that he would be unable to get Ogden's Old Firewhiskey. The man at the local market had assured him Jameson Irish Whiskey would more than do the job. It was no Ogden's but the man had been right it did the job.

In the distance they could hear the tell tail signs that the night life had started to pick up on Duval Street. When they had arrived it had taken some getting use to the never ending party that took place every night. Now though it was just part of the island's charm. Some nights when they felt a little adventures they would wonder over to Duval and join in on the party, tonight though they felt like staying home.

"I was thinking we could go to the beach tomorrow. The weather man said the rain would hold off for a few more days."

"We should take advantage of the quite, before the island is flooded with the snow birds. I hear come October they start to flock in from the north."

"Snow bird's?" She questions with a slightly confused look.

"According to Hale, that's what they call the northern's who travel south for the Winter." Hale was their neighbor he was nice enough older gentlemen who had lived here since he was a young boy.

"American's and their odd sayings." She shook her head with a laugh.

"It does take some getting use to doesn't it?"

"Yes it does."

Draco caught sight of something in the distance, it was an owl. In the five months they had been here the only owls they saw were those delivering letter's from Daphne, Theo and Blaise. What was unusual was today was Saturday. Letter's from home would normal arrive on Monday or Tuesday. Draco stood as he watched the owl fly closer and closer before it landed neatly landing on the porch banister holding its leg out for Draco to take the neatly tied scroll.

Taking it Draco ripped it open with trembling hands. A feeling of dread settled at the pit of his stomach. Scanning the note quickly before turning to look Astoria.

"What is it Draco?"

"It's Greg. He's been killed." The words came out in a whisper. One of his oldest friends had died.

...

When they had arrived back into London there was a chill in the air, which made Draco long for the sunshine that they had left behind. It was with great trepidation that Draco had left their small sanctuary behind to return home, before leaving he had promised Astoria they would be returning once the funeral had been arranged. Draco was the only thing Greg had had left in the way of family, and felt that the responsibility to give Greg a respectable funeral.

His mother had made sure the house elves had been by the London flat to clean and ready the place for them, for which he was thankful for. They had only been back for thirty minutes before his fireplace roared to life and out stepped Theo, dusting off his ministry robs before looking up to find Draco standing by the large window. Astoria decided then would be a good time to go and visit with her sister. She said a quick hello and goodbye to Theo before disappearing into the fire.

When they were alone Theo moved over towards the window. "Hey mate."

"Hello Theodore." Draco greeted but not turning away from the window.

"It's good to see you, even if it is under horrible circumstances."

"I am not back." Draco said turning to look at Theo. "I will be here long enough to lay Greg to rest, and then we are leaving again."

"Blaise said you would say that."

"I'm not ready to be back mate."

Theo walked over to the drink cart Draco kept by the terrace door and poured them both a glass of Firewhiskey, before going back over to Draco and handing him one. "Have you gone native? I read online locals are called conch's."

"You are only a conch if you were born there."

"Draco how much longer are you going to be gone? From the looks of you, I don't think any amount of distance is going to do what you hope for."

"I can't come back Theo."

"Can't or won't? Look mate, when I thought this was going to be some sort of holiday, or making up for never doing a gap year I was all for it. You have been gone six months. You refuse to be let in on the goings on here at home, when was the last time you had talked to Greg? Your oldest friend died, and I bet you can't even tell me the last time you spoke to him. Blaise is barely keeping his head above water at the office. He isn't you Draco. And what about Astoria, how did she figure into all of this?"

"I can't be me anymore." Draco nearly shouted at him. "If I could just stop being me, maybe I could..." Theo knew what his friend couldn't say.

"It doesn't work that way and you know it." They stood in silence for a long time. Draco knew Theo was pissed at him. He had let his life spin out of control, he had been so busy fixing other people, people who didn't always need to be fixed. Somewhere I along the way, he had failed to noticed he needed to fix himself.

"For the record I didn't ask Astoria to come with me. She asked me to take her with me, and I was very clear when I told her I couldn't give her what she wanted."

"You aren't being fair to her, we both know the longer you stay away, the more hope she is going to have."

"I know that." Draco hung his head with shame.

"Then do something about it."

"Theo I do care for her, she's gotten under my skin. I just..."

"My advice, when you leave this time don't take her with you. Shacking up with her has only but a band-aid on the wound. Time and distance will do you no good if you allow yourself to be distracted." Theo drained the rest of his tumbler before setting it down on the sideboard. "Blaise and I will meet you tomorrow morning at the church in Godricks Hallow, we have a meeting with the Priest."

Theo was almost to the fire place before Draco's resolve failed. "How is she?"

Theo stoped and turned back to look at his friend. "She has dealt with the last six months with the kind of grace that only Granger could manage. She has her good days and her bad. She is fine Draco." When Draco didn't say anything he turned back around and walked into the fireplace where he was swept away by green flames.

...

Just past six an owl delivered a note from Astoria explaining she would be staying the night with her sister and Terry. It had been six months after all since she had seen Daphne and he couldn't blame her for wanting to take the time to catch up with her. That or she feared the worst about their return to England and what being back would do to him. She did ask him to meet her for lunch the following day at the Leaky Caldron, he scribbled a reply before sending it with the delivery owl.

He had phoned Blaise to let him know they had made back to London alright, before promising the Italian wizard he would meet him in Theo in the morning.

The night was still young when Draco decided to go for a walk around the city to clear his head. Grabbing a coat from the rack Draco made his way out into the chilly September night.

Having no destination in mind he just started walking in the direction of Charing Cross, for a Sunday evening Draco noted the streets of London were bustling with Muggles. He couldn't remember the last time he had taken the time to just take in the beauty of the city. He was suddenly over taken by the feeling of being home,

after awhile he stepped into a coffee shop trying to warm up a bit. He had forgotten what true colder weather felt like. On his way out of the shop he was brought up short by the sound of his name.

"Malfoy." It was Potter.

"How in the hell?"

"Pansy put a tail on you the moment you left your flat." Potter said simply, as if this sort of thing happens regularly.

"That witch has no boundary's." Draco mused. He knew he should be pissed but it was Pansy, here she was trying to interfere again but he didn't have it in him to care.

"Theo did try and talk her out of it." Potter said.

"Pansy listens to no one."

"Isn't that the truth."

"What is that you want Potter."

"Since you are back I was hoping I could ask you for a favor."

"I am not back."

"Ok, well before you leave again I could use a favor."

"Potter I don't know if you have noticed but I am out of the favor business. I am merely here to say goodbye to an old friend." He started walking away, but Potter followed.

"Look Malfoy I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important." Draco stopped again and turned back to look at the boy who would not die.

"Is it for her?" He asked.

"No, and it's not for Weasley either."

"Fine out with it then."

"An Auror by the name of James Mathis is being accused of killing his wife."

"Ok."

"I don't think he did it."

"Your head of Magical Law Enforcement, why can't you do something to help the guy?"

"I can't get involved. The new lead Auror will think I am undermining him."

"And who would that be?"

"Ron." Draco turned and started walking away again. "I said the favor wasn't for him, I didn't say he wasn't involved."

"I'm not interested."

"It's a man life on the line Malfoy. Ron has found a suspect and he isn't looking any further. I know in my gut Mathis didn't do this."

"I am not a lawyer." Draco said simply continuing to walk, Harry right behind him.

"You are a lawyer, you just don't defend people in the courts. Look I'm not asking you to represent him, all I am asking is that you prove it isn't him."

"Still not interested."

"Don't you want to stick it to Ron?" This got Draco to stop walking. "This is his first big case since taking over the Auror office. If Mathis is proven innocent it will be an embarrassment to him, because he looked no further than the first suspect."

"I would think you would want that honor after everything he has done to you're best friend."

"I haven't spoken to Ron for month's outside of family gatherings. And I would love nothing more than to see the smug look wiped off his face, but it can't be me."

"Why not?"

"It just can't be me."

Draco narrowed his eyes at him, "You plan on running for Minister when Hermione's second term is up don't you?"

"It's the next step isn't it? Running for Minister. Besides someone has to see to it that her hard work wasn't for nothing. You don't get elected by railroading colleagues though, and this would be doing just that."

"So you need a favor."

"I need a favor."

"Fine I will do it. Where is this Mathis being held?"

"At the Ministry, he hasn't been formally charged yet."

"Get Pansy to get me a visitors pass for tomorrow."

"I'm not sure she is the one to ask."

"Fine Theo then. I have a meeting in Godricks Hallow in the morning. After that I will be in to see Mathis."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me just yet." Without another word Draco turned on his heels and kept walking.

...

He had been in Godricks Hallow just like he had promised his two friends. Draco wanted to roll his eyes at both of them, it was as if they feared him disappearing if they just so much as blinked. He had told them both a proper goodbye, he wasn't sure what their problem was.

The funeral would be held Wednesday at noon, Draco had said noon was appropriate seeing as Greg's favorite time of day was lunch. When they had finished up at the church they headed over to the little pub just across the way to grab a bite.

"I heard you ran into Potter last night?" Theo said after they we all seated.

"Yeah the annoying bugger used Pansy's tail to find me."

"Tail?" Blaise asked.

Theo laughed but explained "Pansy didn't trust Draco not to seek out the Minister, so she put a tail on, so they could try and stop him before he got to her."

"You didn't though?" Blaise asked.

"I went for a walk, and the closest I came to her brownstone was 20 blocks away."

"What did Potter want?" Blaise asked still out of the loop.

"A favor"

Blaise looked to Theo, who nodded his head.

"I thought you said you weren't staying." Blaise said as the waitress set their drinks in front of them. They all thanked her and ordered their food quickly.

"It is just a small favor, I will be done with it before the funeral, after that I will be on my way." He turned to look at Theo "Did you get my visitor's pass?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card. "Do you know how hard that was to get without Pansy knowing? I'll tell you, it was near bloody impossible. Tell Potter he owes me one now too."

"What do you need a visitors pass for?" Blaise felt very out of the loop.

"You heard about that Auror who is being accused of killing his wife?" When Blaise nodded he went on. "Potter doesn't believe he did it. He has asked me to look into it."

"I thought that was an open and shut case." Blaise said confused "Besides he is head of department why can't he look into it?"

"Because politics can be a right pain in the ass sometimes."

Their food arrived just then, digging in quickly the conversation of Potter and his favor forgotten.

When they were done Theo got to his feet and headed to the bar to pay their bill. Draco and Blaise made their way to the door and waited for Theo to join them. Draco looked down when he felt a vibration in his pocket. He pulled out his small cell phone to see the name on the display. He cursed as he hit the green buttons and brought the phone to his ear just as Theo joined them.

"Hello." He said into the phone.

"Where are you?" It was Astoria "I thought we agreed to 12:30."

"Astoria, I completely forgot. Something's come up."

"How could something have come up in the last 12 hours?" She was forgetting to whom she was talking to.

"I ran into Potter last night, he needs a favor. I am getting ready to head to the Ministry with Theo and Blaise."

"You are going to the ministry of Magic?" No one could have missed the frostiness in her voice.

"Yes, for Potter's favor. Look I am going to be busy from now until the funeral service more than likely. Why don't you stay with your sister till then, get caught up with one another."

"Draco."

"Yes."

"Do you still plan on leaving after the funeral?"

"Yes of course, it's just a small favor for Potter."

There was silence for a moment while Astoria processed this "Call me later." was all she said before the line went dead.

Draco looked up to his friends after tucking the phone back into his pocket. "So shall we go?"

Blaise and Theo both looked at another and shook their heads. Their poor friend didn't know it yet, but he wasn't going anywhere no matter what he told himself or Astoria.

Author's Note: I hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter. I always love hearing from the reader's please leave a comment!