AN: Just to clarify, in the last chapter when I said that Erik was a muggleborn, I thought it was understood that his real father was a Muggle and his mother was a Halfblood, her own father being a muggle. If that wasn't clear I'm sorry.
Song: The Mess I Made by Parachute
Chapter Nine – The Mess You Made
*Draco*
The second I walked into the manor, Astoria came running from the kitchen, smoothing down her wayward strands of hair and skirt. "I thought you weren't going to be back until tomorrow. Are you hungry? Dara can make you something. Or we could go out if that would better suit you." She prattled on as she hugged me.
I patted her back before holding up my hand, effectively putting a stop to her rambling. "Astoria this is my first night home in some time and already you're badgering me. I have a lot of business to catch up on and phone calls to return. I will be in my office for the remainder of the evening and do not wish to be disturbed." I said before calling Cali to retrieve my bags. When the small elf arrived, I instructed him to place my things in the spare bedroom in the west wing near my office.
Astoria let out a small gasp and wrung her hands before asking why I was moving out of our suite.
"There is no need for you to pretend like you don't know what is going on here. You know that I am looking to dissolve our marriage so I don't think it appropriate for us to continue to share living quartets." I called out over my shoulder as I ascended the stairs.
She came running after me, throwing herself around my leg. It was a desperate attempt; one I would not fall for. I wrenched my leg out of his grasp and continued but Astoria wasn't willing to let it go so easily.
"Draco, why are you acting this way? You had that ridiculous friend of yours come here and spy on me, constantly asking me questions. And he leers at me. He shows up unannounced and leers at me. He will find any excuse to be near me."
That got my attention. I whirled around and gave her an incredulous look. Blaise was my best friend and despite my feelings towards Astoria she was still my wife and I knew that he would never disrespect that.
"Astoria, you lied to me ad had my father assist you in said lie. You have lost five children and never bothered to tell me. That is what the divorce is all about. It's about you lying to me. Now I'm going to my office and I neither want nor need anything from you. As far as I'm concerned, we are already divorced."
The next day I made certain I was awoken before Astoria to avoid another uncomfortable situation. Dara prepared my breakfast while I showered and dressed in a navy blue suit. As I ate, I went over my schedule for the day.
As expected, Erik Graves declined to run the American offices after his break up with Hermione so I offered the position to Susan Bones, my previous Vice President. She graciously accepted, and I knew with her at the helm of things, it wouldn't be long before the company would be up and running.
Today would be her last official day so my first meeting was with her. From there was the company-wide meeting to introduce Hermione to everyone. The last meeting of the day would be with the R&D department to discuss the progress they made while I was away.
Once I was certain I had everything, I apparated to the office.
I landed softly in the atrium where I was greeted by Haley.
"Good Morning, Mr. Malfoy. I received all your messages and yes all of today's meetings are set, the first with Ms. Bones at 9. Headmistress McGonagall has called for a governor's meeting. She wants to do it sometime next week so I told her you would send word later today. She also wanted to know when she can tell the students to come in for the interviews. Last thing, your father has sent three owls, requesting to speak with you."
I stopped walking and asked her to repeat the last thing she said. She looked over her notes before replying, "Your father wants a meeting. He wouldn't say what it was in reference to only that it was urgent."
I nodded and directed Haley to send word that I would speak with him tomorrow after the hearing at the Ministry before walking into my office. I took my seat and let out a breath before jumping into my work day.
Promptly at 9, Susan and I went over her new contract and duties before signing all the papers to make everything official. I gave her free reign over the hiring and formation of the company only having to adhere to the standard I set forth about its employees upholding the same ideals and principles as Hermione.
"Thank you again Susan and remember to send me the weekly progress report once everything is in order." I reminded her before filing the papers away.
"Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger has arrived." Haley announced from the doorway.
"Send her in." I responded.
The second she walked in, I wanted so badly to kiss her luscious lips and christen my desk with our love. But this was our workplace and I would have to keep things professional. At least until we were alone. So the second Haley left, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her desperately.
"I missed you." I murmured as we broke apart. She nodded and expressed her disdain for the situation we were currently in.
"I know that it's a temporary thing but tomorrow cannot come fast enough. Is Blaise certain that Astoria doesn't have anything up her sleeves?" she asked.
"He's certain. When my father was so quick to offer the compromise, I knew something was up. So I asked Blaise to write the contract. Now I'm glad that I did. It will be over very quickly."
Hermione nodded before putting on her business face and asking what was on the agenda.
"First is a tour of the building then the meeting before I let you familiarize yourself with the R&D department."
*Hermione*
I followed Draco to my office where I met my assistant, Tobin McCallum. He was among the crop of students Draco hired right out of Hogwarts upon their graduation. Tobin was particularly skilled in Charms and assisted the Marketing department with their research. I gave him my instructions as to how I would like my office set up while Draco whisked me away to the next floor.
After I met what seemed like every single employee, he and I sat down with the department heads to discuss the Summit and the American offices. When we finished, I was left to conduct a meeting with the R&D department who were making great strides on the tablet due to the idea I came up with. The department head, Padma Patil, informed me of their projected completion date.
"We're hoping to have it on the shelves before the students return to school but it's more likely that we will have it available for purchase sometime in October. After the prototype is created and is in working order, we can begin mass producing them."
"Ok, I'll have Marketing and Advertising work on some ad campaigns. Just send them a photo of the completed tablet so they can incorporate it as well. Tobin, see if we can start generating some press around it now. Sort of a coming soon thing. Contact the Daily Prophet as well as Witch Weekly about ad space and get back to me." I commanded.
I worked right through my lunch, discussing the best way to inform the wizarding world of the tablet. Tobin supplied several ideas that revolved around using the prototypes as a display for the more popular stores in Diagon Alley.
"We could have a product demonstration a week before the students are to return to school. It will generate plenty of free press and have them intrigued. Just think of all the parents and students that will see it when they are shopping. This way, when the product is finally released, everyone will be scrambling to get one for their children once they know what they do."
"We could even give one to the students we sponsor!" he added, getting excited.
I jotted the plan down so I could present it to Draco at the next staff meeting before tackling the final bit of business on my agenda.
*Draco*
The end of the work day came all too soon and I found myself with nothing to do. I didn't want to go back to the manor to be hassled by Astoria more and I couldn't do the thing I wanted most. So I decided to get a jump on my plans for tomorrow by speaking with my father about his part in the deception that led to my marriage.
After my parents moved out, they took up residence in a smaller manor house in the countryside. I apparated onto the grounds before using my key to let myself in. My presence was announced by one of their house elves to both my parents who had retired to their parlor having only finished dinner just before I arrived.
"Well this is a pleasant surprise Draco. What brings you by? And why isn't Astoria with you?" My mother chimed as she embraced me. I kept my eyes on my father, certain that he had heard the news and was refraining from greeting because of such.
"She's at the manor; I can directly from the office. Father and I have something to discuss."
My father looked up from his paper, arching his eyebrow at me. "We do? I wasn't made aware of such. Narcissa, why don't you excuse us as it must be important."
"No Mother, I want you to stay. I want you to know what your husband has done." I stated, holding my ground. My mother looked at both of us, noticing the tension floating in the air.
"Lucius, what is he talking about?" She asked, the smile upon her face slowly faltering.
"Do you want to tell her or should I?" I sneered. My father stood and walked over to the bar cart to prepare himself a drink. I painstakingly waited for him to reply. When he finally did, after spending a full minute mixing his drink and taking a sip, he gestured for me to continue.
I let out an exasperated sigh before stating that I was divorcing Astoria on the grounds of misrepresentation.
"But you knew all about that didn't you father? After all, you're the one who supplied her with the fertility potion and helped her fake the first pregnancy. You did all of this just to prevent me from marrying Hermione. That's why you were so eager to offer that bullshit compromise and my inheritance."
"Lucius, tell me you didn't." My mother pleaded but she knew it was the truth. He sat there, swilling his drink, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. My father brought the glass to his lips and finished the rest of the amber liquid before rounding on me.
"Of course I did. I wasn't about to let him throw away everything we worked so hard to give him over a muggle born. Malfoy's do not associate with their type and would never think to betray their blood by stooping so low as to marry one. You were given the best of everything from day one Draco. You were always so spoiled. All you had to do was continue on the path. But no, you were willing to tarnish the Malfoy name over some fling." He spat, his eyes ablaze.
Before I realized it, I pulled my fist back and punched my father square in the jaw. He stumbled back and fell against the sofa, my mother shouting at me. "Hermione was never some fling for me. She loved me and I loved her. With her I became a better person. But that didn't matter. None of it mattered to you because you couldn't see past her blood. Do you know what I got with Astoria? What being married to a pureblood got me! 5 dead children! It got me 5 dead children. Kids that I didn't even know about because my wife kept her condition and their demise a secret from me."
Hearing that, my mother snapped her head in my direction, shaking her head no. There was nothing in this world that she wanted more than a grandchild and I desperately wanted to give them to her. I pointed my finger at my father and nodded.
"Yes Mother. Because of your husband's lies, Astoria miscarried at least 5 times. I can't even… I can't stand to look at him. Mother, if you want to get your things, you'll stay at the manor with me and Astoria."
My mother looked back at my father before standing and holding her hands out for me. When she was close enough, she grabbed mine and pulled them up to her chest, preventing me from getting away. She didn't have to answer; I could see it in her eyes. She was staying there with my father.
"Draco, my son, please. Try to see this from your father's point of view. How would it have looked if we were to tell Astoria and her parents that you were breaking the contract to be with Hermione Granger? You know what that would have done to the family name. I'm sure he kept it a secret because he thought he was doing what was best for you."
I jerked away from her violently, unable to believe what I was hearing. "What was best for me? He thought being with her was what was best for me?" I shouted unable to believe that she was actually trying to rationalize my father's actions as something that would benefit me. I calmed down and smoothed my hair and regained my composure.
"Tomorrow, Astoria and I will be going to the Ministry to get the marriage dissolved. When it is, I will be moving in with Hermione and I am going to marry her. And I will not care how it looks or reflects back on the Malfoy name. And as for the two of you, you can live the rest of your days here and think how your actions caused you to lose your only son."
I turned and left, putting as much distance between myself and their apparent arguing. When I reached the apparition spot, I felt at peace knowing that I had removed the some of the poison from my life.
The next day, despite how it may have looked, I went to see Hermione before heading into the Ministry.
"Draco! What are you doing? I thought we agreed-" She started in on me but as I kissed her, she forget all coherent thought.
"I know but I needed to see you. I woke up today and all I could think was how I desperately needed to see you."
She blushed and looked away, still refusing to believe the affect she had on me.
"You'll see me tonight when you're properly divorced and we can stop hiding. Not you need to leave or else you will miss your appointment." She warned, glancing at the clock.
"I will see you here tonight, as soon as the work day is over and not a minute later. We have to celebrate." I kissed her once more before apparating to the Visitor's Entrance of the Ministry.
"Calling to order the matter of Malfoy vs. Malfoy. Now if this is correct, you two are married and Mr. Malfoy is seeking a dissolvent from his wife on the grounds of misrepresentation?" the elderly wizard read off before looking down his glasses at Astoria and I.
Blaise stood and nodded, explained the situation flawlessly and providing the copy of the contract that was filed with the Ministry offices. I snuck a glance at Astoria and for a brief moment felt sorry for her. She said nothing, sniffling quietly as her representative tried to argue the same claim she explained to Blaise.
"Ms. Greengrass, at the time, was informed by her future father in law of the arrangement in the presence of her parents and was made well aware of the contract details. At a later date once she and her parents had time to go over the contract, the issue was brought up and she was promised the wedding contract would be changed to reflect her inability to produce children."
"I understand that but that is not the contract that is bearing her legal signature. The one here is and that is the one that was filed. I'm sorry but I have no choice but to rule in favor of Mr. Malfoy. Now it says here Mr. Malfoy that you are giving Mrs. Malfoy your Manor and all properties contained within as well as the disclosed amount in the contract for the children she failed to produce."
I got up and looked right at Astoria as I replied, "Correct. Despite our marriage being based upon a lie, I won't be so cold hearted as to leave her with nothing to show for it. I want nothing to remind me of it."
The Marriage Ceremony Official nodded and jotted it down before declaring the marriage officially dissolved. I thanked Blaise and packed up my things before leaving out the courtroom, eager to return to work.
Astoria caught up to me outside and with red rimmed eyes and shouted, "How can you think so little of me, Draco? I didn't marry you for the money. It was for love."
"If you truly love me Astoria, then you wouldn't have lied to me."
AN: Next Chapter will bring back Ron!
