a/n It took me forever, I know! I am so so sorry - my final's papers were due the end of the month because of Easter break! Wish me luck.

Always take care,

love, Γ

The Unity of Opposites

Chapter Twenty Eight

Treasure

He was walking slowly down the busy street. Secretly he loved watching those people walking around, having no clue about what was going on in the world, the dangers, the hate, the pain.

All of them looked happy, pure even. There were people who you could wish a good morning, you could talk in a regular basis, even form a friendly connection. But to him, those people would be just good for staring from afar.

He didn't want to fool himself with their happiness, with their perfect flawless life. He didn't want this kind of poison in his life - this kind of imaginary reality that could only widen greater his already big hurt-hole.

If it was wrong for him, he didn't know, and if it was right, he didn't want to admit it. He simply wanted to stare them having an illusion of a better life - at least for them, he said to himself.

His grip tightened around the cotton grocery bag he used to carry around. It was bigger than the one he had some months ago, but much lighter. He liked the idea of protecting the environment. When he was younger, he used to say it to his father too - but those were different times, much more different than the ones he lived now.

He went around the circled square with the stone fountain that in the summer time they opened the lights that were placed inside of it and the water coloured up with blue, yellow, purple and red.

A warm breeze hit his wrinkle face and he smiled to himself. The warm weather was everything he ever wanted. He loved the warm wind, that was playing around with the green leaves of the tall trees, making a sound of perfect symphony. He adored the bombing sun, big and shiny hiding behind the trees, making it look like Christmas lights were decorating them.

It was a different time - a time where all of these, were simply enough to make him carry on with his life, to fill him with hope and relief.

Now, not even the memories of those carefree days seemed to help him. His tired feet stopped him from walking. He rested some of his weight to his walking stick and he took a big breath, enjoying the beautiful spring day.

The thought of his still cold house didn't seem to bother him that very second as his eyes closed, wishing he could be back to France as a teenage boy, in the tree farm of his father, watching the delightful sun, setting down deep in the horizon, creating new colours every day.

''Good morning, Mr Theo. Long time, no see.'' the old woman called and he opened his eyes to see her.

''To you too, Mrs Claire.'' he slightly took off his hat and continued his walk, following the road to the small prick-dressed street.

He wanted to buy some bread. And if he was lucky, a biscuit. He passed by the church of Ilmashive, not even daring to look at the tall steeple, then by its small park, heading left to the second prick-dressed street that was full with stores.

He could feel his heart beating faster with every step he was taking. He had to visit the bakery since his son came back - and it was quilt that held him away, not only from the bakery, but from the whole town.

A guilt he held in his heart for so many years. A guilt that older him too soon. Because, having his son away from him was better than having him here, scratching opened wounds and firing memories of a time he could never forget.

He walked closer to the bakery, his walking stick helping him step on the sidewalk as a motorbike sounded from across the street. His eyes fell inside the small coffee shop.

He looked at the man watching him and his brows rose - it was him. The one who was walking in circles outside their house for the past days. A warlock, he said to himself, as his gaze travelled from his face to his walking stick.

He took his hat off, revealing white hair. The woman behind the counter nodded at him having a rather big smile on her lips and he smiled back, putting his hat on his head.

Wasn't it about time someone was looking for them, he asked himself and he carefully stepped down the sidewalk, crossing the street and going to Johey's Bakery, cowardly opening the heavy door.

The ring of the bell always made him think of courts, trials and justice. It had the same sound, the same length of the tune. It was not a joke that was bringing shivers to his old body. And why wouldn't it? It was something that he should have heard by now, shouldn't he? Wasn't he the one covering his son's actions?

Perhaps if he was in jail, his guilt would be much lighter than now, maybe he would sleep without nightmares, without regret and tears. The smiling face of Johnny made him smile too, as he rushed to walk out of the back of the store to see who was it.

''Hey Mr Theo! Still looking good!'' he said, smiling kindly to him. He looked at the young man, sighing. He looked just like Johey. Tall, lean but not muscular, kind green eyes, kinder smile.

''Here for the weekend I assume?'' he asked, taking his tired eyes off the young man.

He laughed and he clapped his hands twice to clean the flour from them. ''I graduate, Mr Theo! Last year!'' Johnny said, looking at him with kind eyes.

''Congratulations are in order then. I shall say, I remember the day you left for London, as if it was yesterday.'' he said and the man smiled again. ''How is your grandfather, John?'' he asked and at once the smile gone from his face.

''Haven't you heard? He passed away, in February.'' he said with brows together, still missing his grandfather.

''I am sorry, son.'' Theophile said and he looked at his walking stick.

Death. He had thought of it too many times the past year, and now, seeing it taking away every single one of the people that built this small town, could only bring him sorrow, and jealousy. So much jealousy. He had thought of the day he could finally rest forever as if it was a dinner party and he had to plan his outfit.

''He was at the last stage, Mr Theo.'' Johnny said at once seeing the old man's face getting troubled with every passing minute. ''We couldn't do anything.'' he added, smiling down at him but he didn't see him.

He too was sick, he too had to die - he cursed his son under his breath who was keeping him alive with every way possible. He wanted to feel flattered, he wanted to feel immortal, be he wasn't - and he wasn't supposed to live any longer.

The time that dared to call his, had long gone now. And if he wanted to bring much more depression in his mind, he didn't spend it well. Well, at least not after his late twenties, right?

''To live and remember him, dear Johnny.'' he mumbled at last, raising his head and looking at him nodding kindly. ''May I have my favourite breads please? And those biscuits too?'' he said, looking at him with a child's smile.

''Are you sure Dr Norman allows you to eat sugar Mr Theo?'' Johnny asked as he walked behind the counter to help him put the breads in his bag.

''To my age, son, a bit of mischief is what keeps us alive.'' he said and he heard him laughing. ''Take care, Johnny.'' he said and opened the door to leave.

His eyes landed at the coffee shop again. The man had already been gone. Maybe he understood who he was, maybe he will meet him at his way home - maybe he could offer him a way to greet death.


He looked at his suit. New, black slacks, with shining oxfords on his feet. Torso dressed in a black shirt - was that a necklace around his neck? His hand rose to touch his stern. A thick chain around his neck almost felt like a heavy weight of responsibility ready to choke him.

What is it? His eyes though felt unfocused and closed them. He felt it with his fingertips - round, something carved on top of it. Was it a locket necklace?

''What do you see?'' the voice echoed, making him turn around. The room brightened up around him as if there was a shade covering it from his eyes before.

He knew who was talking, he knew what was about to happen - it was the same dream. The same fucking dream. ''What do you see?'' his father asked him again - this time, Draco's eyes looked at him. Long black robes covered with white stains. Draco frowned. He had never seen his father wearing anything dirty.

''A connection.'' he answered, looking at his father's eyes, grief filling his heart and tears making their appearance.

''What more?'' he asked, watching his face muscles harden.

''A connection.'' he repeated, feeling the grief growing up as if it wasn't there before.

''What more?'' he asked, his features faded away, as if he was never there.

He was walking. In a forest, maybe near a river? He felt he had been here before. He started to run. Not knowing why for, he was feeling scared as if it was a person - a person breathing in and out on his neck.

''Father!'' he yelled, knowing that he will not going to be here and save him. He ran faster. He knew he was being hunted, but he didn't know from whom. He saw a tree falling down and he jumped over it, leaving it far away from him.

He watched a small field with sunflowers, a wide circled area. His feet froze him and his eyes rose high. The sun was blocking his view and he rose his hand, placing it on his forehead.

A tower? He should climb it. He felt his hands against the rocks that were forming the tall tower - but it was endless. And then a shout. He was falling, down, down, down -

He sat in his bed, his left hand grabbed her thigh at once. He looked at the peaceful room of his loft, some shy sun shines busting cowardly inside.

He ran his fingers through his hair. Cold sweat was giving him the chills. ''Draco?'' she called him and he loosen up his grip on her thigh. He felt her sitting up behind him, resting her body to her knees and curling her arms around him.

Her head found its place next to his, her chest gently pressing his back, making him relax more with every breath he was taking. It was not surprising he couldn't find himself capable to sleep alone.

And it was not surprising she was always there making sure that he did. And it felt good, knowing that she was there, next to him. His hand rested on hers.

''Sorry for waking you.'' he said with a husky voice.

''It's alright.'' she said, not even thinking of asking what he saw in his sleep to make him grab her this tight. She was still feeling the pressure on her thigh burning her flesh.

She gave him a kiss on the base of his neck. She was afraid. And concerned. He couldn't have a decent sleep these days - and the way he was screaming sometimes, well, it could easily take her hearing away.

But she didn't dare to say anything - she knew how hard it was for him to open up for family issues. It was hard for him to show his needs and Hermione respected it.

As if he noticed her worry, he took one of her hands and kissed it, threading his fingers to hers. He took a final big breath and untagged her arms around him, to lay down and take her in his hug.

It was too early in the morning to wake up and she was too worried to leave her alone. She rested her head on his chest, placing a hand on his still fast beating heart.

She didn't know if his dreams were about his father, or about anything else, but she knew that there was something on his mind - something that soon enough he will share with her. She just has to be patient - it was a rather delicate issue, wasn't it?

She was looking at him with those eyes that made him feel special, but in his heart that very moment he felt frightened. He was feeling a closure somewhere at the end of their path reaching out to them, desperately needed their attention.

An attention that Draco couldn't give right now - he craved for time and silence, he craved for a moment at peace but he couldn't have it. He knew he couldn't have it. He hugged her tighter, not knowing what else to think, to say or even to do, rather than this small act of affection. He closed his eyes without noticing it.

But she didn't dare to do so. She just looked at him. His sometimes relaxed face now being perfectly frowned, thinking whatever was troubling him. She put her hand on his face, knowing that he was not asleep.

''Is it getting worse?'' she carefully asked. She wished he wouldn't snap and leave as he did two days ago when he woke her up screamingly calling his father without a breath.

He looked at her. Eyes brown resting in his, searching for something that he wanted to hide from her - his own worry, his own fear. Perhaps his own pain too. There was simply not time for this. There was not time for being weak. It was not right for her, he had to be strong, he had to end that stupid story and let peace finally rest both of them.

''I do not know.'' and he meant it. Because the past days his dreams were weird. It was starting with his father, it was ending with Draco dead, or dying. He didn't want to tell that to her. He didn't want to put that picture in her mind. He didn't want to put that fear in her heart.

He just wanted to be here, with her. She ran her fingers into his hair, pushing them away from his face and kissed his stern. ''I am here you know. If you want to talk about it.'' she said with a small voice, looking at him.

But his eyes looked away, feeling exposed to her that second. She knew it. She knew how difficult it was for him to talk about this stuff, but it was not a bad thing to tell him, was it?

He pushed her hair away from her neck, watching her skin radiating under his touch. He leaned forward, kissing her forehead and she smiled, putting her ear on top of his beating heart until they fell asleep.


He carefully untagged himself from her, watching her small watch on his nighstand. Almost eight in the morning. He was still feeling his eyes heavy, but he couldn't delay it any longer.

Adrian had begged him to go to the Enterprise for the past days and he simply threw his letters away, not wanting to be in the same place where his father used to be all the time. Perhaps a small renovation would be good.

He stood up, losing his pants and underwear and walked to his bathroom. Hot water started to run down his body, relaxing his tensed muscles. He took a big breath, blocking the thoughts of his dreaming world.

He didn't want to think about it - he didn't want to admit that those dreams were pointing something to him, but did he knew it? Did his mourning allow him to understand it?

Stepping out of his shower, he covered his hips with a towel and walked to his bedroom - her slim figure on top of his bed managed to make him even more relaxed. A sudden desire to sleep again next to her filled his body, but he had to resist.

Everything was moving forward. Everything. Enterprise was growing up fast, his Ministry days seem to reach to an end, even the Wizarding Museum started to have wins the past week.

Everything needed control and attention. Everything. Including Granger - she needed his whole attention. She didn't ask for it, he simply wanted to give it. He dressed himself, looking at her. He knew that he hadn't offered her any type of pleasure the past week, but she, she was still there, with him. That meant something, right?

If it was any other witch, she would run away, daring not to look back. But her, she was there, defying all of his temper, his mood, his close character, everything that he did, everything that he was - she was there, simply because she liked him.

He wanted to smile, but he just watched her pink cheeks, her slightly apart lips, her soft curls on his pillow. He fixed his tie and he threw his blazer on top of the bed, walking to her.

He placed a soft kiss on her lips, watching the edges curling up a little. He smiled. He liked the way she was showing her affection. He understood now, that her yelling meant care, her actions meant care, her constant presence meant care.

And all that for him - it really was a special feeling. She opened her eyes and looked at his grey eyes taking in every detail of her sleepy face. ''This brings back memories.'' she said with a small smile and he did the same.

''Are you alright?'' she asked, looking at his slightly tired face.

''Always.'' he assured her, knowing that she won't believe him entirely. ''I will be gone for a while. There are things needing close attention.'' his voice was low, as if he didn't want to mess up with her just waking up mind.

She nodded, understanding what kind of things he was referring to and she put her hand on his chin, caressing his cheek. He looked at her, eyes warm and a bit worried. He kissed her forehead and forced himself to leave, knowing that he could stay there and watch her if he didn't have some kind of self-power anti-Granger protection.


Malfoy Enterprise he read the big label that was prideful standing on top of the pilotis with bold letters. A sudden twist made him tighten his jaw and stop his feet, as his eyes were stuck on the two words, as if it was the most unusual thing in the whole world.

A burden made his shoulders stiffen. A burden he had never felt before. His breath came out slowly - there was a small voice in his head telling him that everything will be alright, but he was feeling a small fear growing up. A fear that was making his heart beatless - motionless.

He was carrying the whole Malfoy Family to his shoulders now - money, business, press, funds. Everything was in his hands to handle, in his mind to extent, in his self to keep the family name alive and strong. He took a step back. He was too young for this - he was too young to have this kind of responsibility. Hadn't he already taken it?

No, he said to himself closing his eyes and taking a big breath, trying to convince himself that his father is still in Azkaban - trying to trick himself that there was someone who could watch after him if he messed up. Maybe that was not a good idea - at least for today, no, he said again to himself, forcing his eyes to open and see the big entrance of the building.

''Everything is alright.'' he mumbled to himself, fixing his blazer and making sure his hair were perfectly combed backwards. The first step towards the door came hard, but the second and the third were much easier.

Ten, nine, eight, he started to countdown, holding his breath. Eyes rose, gasps sounded as his feet drove him bigger to the reception lobby with the sitting area. He shouldn't care, but he could see the small fear in their eyes, the sadness in some, the relief in others.

He didn't blame them - his father was a fair employer, but he was a ruthless one when it came down to business. He was competitive, he wanted to be the top - and he was.

Enterprise was now running financial projects from the wizarding science development industry as Draco suggested, to real estate and construction plans. It was so much bigger than the small company his great great grandfather, Ophious started.

He wondered if he could trust himself more and start some of his own plans he had for the Enterprise now that he was alone. ''Mr Malfoy.'' the man behind the reception table greeted and Draco nodded once, walking straight to the wide hallway, leading to the elevator, right hand hidden in his slacks pocket, rubbing the base of his family ring.

It was the first time in his life that he was feeling so unbearable awkward he came to notice, and he wondered if he would keep feeling that way every time he would walk those halls. Maybe it will, he sadly said to himself.

At the end of the hallway and just before the dark marbled wall with several golden elevator doors that looked like phone booths, his eyes caught sight of the opened space next to his grandfather's silver marble portrait, on top of a dark tall rectangle stand. Next to that, there was another one empty, waiting for something to be covered. His heart started to beat fast. It was not going to be easy - he cursed himself for not preparing his mind for what was about to follow.

He walked towards his personal elevator. The doors opened wide and the old man rose his eyes to meet his. ''Draconis!'' the old man greeted carefully watching Draco's stiff body as he fixed his glasses.

''Good morning, Mr Galatius.'' he greeted with a relieved sigh, as his picture there was simply enough for Draco to feel relaxed. ''Office, please.'' he said to the man who was operating the elevator, and looked at him putting his hands on the tall helm.

As he was growing up, Mr Galatius was allowing him to drive the private elevator, briding him with green-appled taste candies, the one his grandfather was giving him every Friday noon, after his piano lessons in order to accompany him for some hours in the Enterprise.

He looked at the man, kind eyes, soft smile on his lips as if he had been born with it. He looked as if he had no worries in his life, no pain, no fear. He wondered if people could be like him - happy.

The smile of Hermione came to his mind and he felt his cheeks burning. He knew he can be. Maybe he could get old next to her, face full of wrinkles, but eyes full of happiness. ''How old are you, Mr Galatius?'' Draco asked after the last sudden turn.

''Old enough to remember you coming here with your grandfather.'' he admitted never losing his concentration.

Draco smiled to him, but he didn't see him. Maybe that was for the best. He felt the elevator's force slowing down and he fixed his blazer feeling a bit out of character - or maybe he was hoping to see his father's pleased expression behind his desk as he was signing formal documents.

Maybe he should have seen his father for a last time - he couldn't remember his face before he died. He couldn't remember him smiling, screaming, being angry. He couldn't remember his father alive.

Only the laying man in the coffin. With his starving features, giving the impression of someone else. With his once sparkling hair, being short, lifeless. The only thing that made Draco sure that it was his father the one he identified that day in St. Mungo's, was the same mark he had to his forearm.

''Draconis?'' he called him, making his mind snap out of it. He felt cold metal touching his back. His eyes fell to the old man. His happy eyes were looking at him with worry.

He took a big breath, wishing he had laid down next to Granger and sleep, but the opened doors of the elevator pointed out the task of the day. ''Everything is going to be alright child.'' the old man advised him and Draco looked at him. ''Just breath.'' he nodded, straightening his torso and breathing in pridefully.

He heard the doors closing behind him and the man disappearing from his sight. The wide area was welcoming him. He slowly walked down the hallway, his eyes meeting the woman behind the beautiful mahogany desk.

She was standing, waiting for him to step closer, but his eyes stuck on the right side of the room as a new leathered sofa was decorating the entrance of his office with two tall lamps with yellowish colour coming out of them.

He couldn't remember those the last time he was there, but then again that was two weeks ago so he didn't care much. It took him some time to realize that he was just standing in front of his office's doors.

He turned to his left, watching her sadly smiling to him - he hated pity. She might notice the way his eyes turned their nostalgic gaze to a dangerous one and she sighed, taking her eyes away from him.

''Mr Malfoy, my - ''

''Thank you Thalia.'' he rushed to say, not wanted to hear those words again. He examined her face for some seconds - he had never done it, hadn't he?

She must be three, maybe four years older than Draco, but her features were pointing out a younger age. How did his father say it? Managed to organize his paperwork in less than a day. And she never said a bad word for anyone.

He took his eyes away from her and looked at his feet. ''Would you mind calling Pucey for me?'' he asked missing the way her cheeks burned up - was that a new carpet? he asked himself closing his eyes, knowing that he might be thinking stupid things, and his hands rushed to curl around the knobs of his double doors to open them.

He frowned at once, his arms falling to his sides. ''What happened in here?'' he asked never letting his eyes leave from the room, angrily looking at his secretary.

''Mr Pucey came with the Zabinis some days ago. He said it was a gift for you.'' she said sending the calling to Adrian.

Draco said nothing. He simply nodded, walking inside the room and closing the doors behind him. His eyes wandered around the new room, not believing that he was in the same room as the last time he was there.

The three big windows in the left side of the room, were now a single big one, almost covering the whole wall, as heavy dark coloured curtains were as each side. In front of it, a big, dark marble desk, dressed in some modern kind of a lamp on one side, two frames next to it, ink and quill holders. Another dark brown leathered chair, matching the other two in front of his desk.

They had enchanted his previous bookcase, enlarging it and placing it to the wall and of course putting an armchair in front of it. He started to hate leather now that he was seeing it too much. A tall stand beside it, filled with firewhiskey and carved glasses.

Another bookcase, with a long slot in the middle, perfectly fitting a two-seat sofa. He looked at the shelves - awards, winning plates, Wizarding art pieces, personal books, the costume made marbled dragon that was slowly moving his wings and tail - he wanted to hate them, desperately.

But he simply couldn't. He looked at his feet again - heavy, rich carpet that he didn't even want to step on it. He walked towards his desk, his fingertips feeling the fine leather of the chair pleasant.

He pushed it back, sitting and watching in front of him, the last Malfoy Family portrait, inside a beautiful wooden frame, decorating the empty wall above the sofa. ''Those fuckers - '' he said, but he shut his mouth, noticing that the painting was mugglefied.

He smiled. Those fuckers indeed. He watched his father standing proudly next to a sitting Draco, his one hand on his tall walking stick, the other on his son's shoulder. Next to Draco, his mother - her hand gently placed on his other shoulder.

He could still remember the day they had that portrait painted. He was told to wear the Malfoy ring and he refused. He said it was his father's, not his. But his father looked at him and took off his ring.

He took his son's hand and put it on. At once, a silver with black ending light sealed his finger forever. You are a Malfoy, his father told him smiling at the sealing of his finger, a Malfoy, who will bring greater honour than anyone else in this Family. It might seem as a burden, a heavy and prideful one, but remember, at the end of the day's light you only know what it truly means. Two days later, his father ended in Azkaban.

His eyes fell from the family portrait to his new desk that he was sure he paid. He wanted to laugh at the thought as his fingertips ran through the surface of it until his eyes fell to only one of the frames holding an actual photo.

He took it in his hand, smiling at the memory. It was some days before his wedding. He had announced that he will move to Cisily forever and Draco kidnapped him for a week.

That photo was taken a day before they returned, wasn't it? They were so drunk when Adrain suggested a Quiddtich game and somehow they all agree. Was it then when we agreed to the Saturday games? he asked himself looking at Blaise in the middle with Draco on one side laughing at something Blaise said, and a smirking Adrian in the other side, who was shaking his head repeatedly.

It must have been when Adrian finished with his financial studies and started to work on the Enterprise. What the hell they said to him that made Draco laugh this hard?

''Blaise said, after him I was the next man-whore.'' Adrian's voice sounded and Draco rose his eyes to see him leaning in the opened now doors and holding two folders in his hand. Draco laughed again remembering it as if it was yesterday.

''He was not wrong.'' he said after a while, watching him walking inside and leaving the folders next to him.

''Yes, and after a year you outshined all of us.'' he mocked sitting in one of the chairs in front of him.

''Excuse me! Witches were lining - ''

''No, no, no, don't blame it to the witches, you wanted that bright, intelligent stupid mind of yours to stop screaming making women scream your name. It's different.'' he said, laughing and Draco rose a brow. ''Who would think that a Granger could do the trick after all.'' he smirked looking at Draco narrowing his eyes, his gaze hosting a familiar dangerous shade.

''Were you waiting for this moment to come and throw your vixened comment for long?''

''Only the pleasure that I feel could tell you.'' he winked at him and Draco left the frame in its place. ''Well? Do you like it?'' he asked before Draco could hex him.

''Thanks.'' he simply said, his gaze changed to an embarrassed one.

''Should I call you, boss or you are a simple man wanting to be called master or even your highness?'' he mocked again watching Draco's lips curling up a little.

Adrian felt relief and he looked at his hands. He had never felt stressed before, or any type or worry, but the days before the funeral, his friend's face, his empty eyes were enough to make those unusual feelings busted inside his heart.

He watched him taking the top folder and opening it. His eyes ran among the written lines and he grabbed a quill to sign. He didn't know what else to do than push him to be here and focus on his work.

Maybe it was not fair for him, but he knew how his mind could suffer if he continued staying in the lost, dark corner of his grief, not challenging his brain enough to move pass some obstacles - he has seen him losing his mind back at Hogwarts, when a task had been given to him.

He rushed to forget Draco's unconscious body in the suite of the wizarding hotel he owned, bottles of alcohol around him and Muggle pills still in his hand and mouth. He knew how weak he could be when he was letting his grief and regret get to him.

The look on Draco's face when he was trying to catch up with Granger in the main staircase of the Manor came to his mind - he had a need, a powerful one that faded away when she put her hand on his. He could feel it - as did Blaise.

''What is that?'' Draco asked, opening the next folder.

''Five potential buyers for the Daily Prophet.'' he said, snapping out of his thoughts. ''It costs you too much, mate. Lose it.'' he advised and Draco nodded.

''Just give it away to him.''

''Gift it away? Just like the donations to St. Mungo's?'' he asked with a smirk that was more of a horror smile.

''Prophet served me well, I do not care about it anymore.'' he said, watching the buyers and then Adrian's cold smirk on his face. ''Do as you wish.'' he said and watching him sighing.

He took the third folder laughing at him who rushed to grab the buyer's list and prepare a meeting with them. Investments, was written out of it and Draco cleared his throat before meeting Adrian's eyes.

He reached the inner pocket of his blazer and he took out a folded piece of paper. He looked at his friend frowned face, trying to guess his say about it, and he gave him the parchment.

Technology, Transportation, Energy, Adrian read and looked at him with rose brows. Each word had at least four companies' names. He looked at Draco's blushed face and then back to the parchment. He laughed a bit, still frowned. ''Apple? You want to invest to an apple farm?'' he asked, reading it again just to make sure.

''For everything I wrote you is that the one you chose to wander with?'' Draco rose his own brows. ''It is a company executing in communication.''

''Oh, you don't say!'' he faked his amusement and looked at him through narrowed eyes, ''How do you know about these? Was it Granger's idea?'' Adrian asked him with narrowed eyes.

Draco's cheeks burned out more and Adrian looked at him amused. Last time he looked like this, he had just lost his virginity and was too embarrassed to tell them.

He cleared his throat and shrugged. ''Granger has this weekly subscription to this newspaper called Financial Times and the business's articles along the investment's are rather educated.'' he simply said as if it was the most normal thing.

''I see.'' he hid his smirk putting the folded parchment in his inside pocket. They looked each other for the longest time until Adrian took a big breath, swallowing his pride, ''Can I have a copy?'' he carefully asked and Draco had to bite his tongue so he couldn't laugh.

''Sure.'' he said, knowing that he had intrigued his mind way too much.

He sat back in his chair, watching Draco's hand signing some more papers. He could see that he was not as bad as he was after the war, but that didn't stop him. ''It is time for my difficult question. You ready?'' he said, looking Draco's eyes, raising from the last parchment and looking at him.

''It is really not time for - ''

''Are you alright?'' Adrian asked again and Draco's lips shut.

He looked at his old friend, his eyes full of worry searching his to find some kind of a weak spot. He knew he would have one if Granger was not there for him. He knew he would not be here today signing these papers, wearing clean clothes, having a chat with his old mate.

Maybe sharing some stuff could be a good thing, he pointed out to himself and he looked at his signature - big, calligraphic, perfect. His name was a burden, but he was not going to let him define him, not anymore.

How did Granger say it? We define our worth? Well, he will be the very best version of himself. He had too. He didn't know what else to do, he didn't know if there was going to be a way back if he stay in the dark again.

He looked at the worried eyes of his friend again. Even if he was not going to admit it out loud, he loved them, both Blaise and Adrian. He deserved their friendship.

Adrian's question had been echoing in his ears. He didn't want to put any extra suspicion on him. ''Yes.'' he said at last and nodded. ''I - '' his words gone and Adrian nodded. Thank Merlin he nodded. He didn't know what to say to him if he kept pushing him.

''If you ever need anything..'' Adrian nodded to him again and Draco did the same.

He thanked his friend for his fast thinking - he didn't know what he could do if he kept pushing him. His temper worked faster than his mind in times of weakness. He signed the monthly payment of his employees.

''You two make the weirdest combination.'' he smirked watching Draco's eyes narrowing. ''But I am impressed. Pretty great that she can handle you this fast.'' he added watching him blushing a bit.

He knew he couldn't hide from Adrian, either Blaise. He tried to hide his teenage enthusiasm by repeating one employee's monthly salary too many times in his head. ''You looked like an old married couple.''

''What do you have to fuck everything up?'' he asked, feeling bothered with his sudden laughter.

''I am known to be ruthlessly realistic. People love me because of it!'' he protested having a smirk on his lips. ''But if she is what you want, I am there for you.. two.'' he looked at his feet, feeling his own cheeks burning up a little.

Draco's eyes stuck at the quill in his hand, his mind brining back her face, again and again, sometimes smiling, sometimes reading as he was playing piano, her eyes as he was reading to her, her giggles, the way her flesh feels under his touch, the way her eyes looking at him, the way her voice sounds when she talks about something that she loves.

''She is really different.'' Draco said with a small voice, and as if his mind snapped out of a dream, he looked at his old mate,''I feel - it is like, I am tip toeing whenever I am with her.'' he added, not knowing why he was confessing what he was feeling - that was not him, wasn't it?

It didn't stop him though, and he looked at Adrian confused - and he was too confused. ''It is like.. '' he took a big breath, feeling his frustration growing, ''.. she doesn't want anything for me, anything, but yet, she expects the world.'' he confessed with a nod. ''What is that?'' he asked losing his breath.

Adrian snorted a laugh and shook his head, ''I don't know!'' he said knowing exactly how his friend felt.

''I am trying to remember a time before her, before her bright insufferable self drill her way into my life and I cannot. I cannot!'' he confessed again, feeling his chest lighter. ''It is not making sense! I even sound senseless.''

''No.'' Adrian said, shaking his head. Draco looked at him frowned. He expected to get mocked, but he was looking at him understanding. ''It sounds like a beautiful, slowly growing up world.'' he took the second empty frame next to the one holding the photo with his friends. ''Perhaps this one can be filled with that world?'' he suggested placing it closer to Draco and taking his folders in hand, leaving his office.


She opened her eyes, feeling the silky fabric on her bare arms pleasantly familiar. She found herself tangled in the dark coloured blanket that was covering his bed, head resting pleasantly against his pillow, his scent all over her body, clothes and hair.

She stood like this for a while, memorising the nameless feeling and smiling. Even if she wanted to tell herself that she shouldn't feel this euphoria, she couldn't hide it, not when she was alone at least, and her mind could bring back all those feelings that found a shelter in her heart.

Because yes, she might be worried about him, but if she wanted to think about their common courting was not a bad thing, right? It was not a bad thing to feel this way.

She blinked sometimes, not wanting to fall asleep again, even if the past days her sleep was not long. At least Draco's was, when he was not dreaming that is. She frowned, thinking that today they were a week in the death of his father. She wondered if pushing him to go to the Enterprise today was not a good idea.

But the numerous letters of Adrian suggested something else. And Blaise said to talk to her about it. Maybe she should wait for a week more. Maybe two. ''Draco?'' she called him and when she took nothing in response she thought a change of scenery might be a good thing after all.

She rubbed her eyes, sitting up on the big bed and watching the peaceful room around her, ready to host another day. She smelled the spring weather busting inside the half opened window. She looked at her watch, nine in the morning. She guessed she had the time she needed to open her own mail and do her own work.

But the light pop made her frown - ''Hermione?'' she heard the loud voice of the Minister calling her.

She stood up at once, walking down the long hallway to go to him - bright light was covering his troubled face. ''Kingsley.'' she said with a sigh. She had to see him in a while - a day or two before the funeral if she recalled correctly.

She walked towards him, shoulders tensed and eyes tired, full of concern. She noticed the way his featured held a hard expression, nothing she had seen before, at least to him. Deep wrinkled were shown greatly around his eyes and mouth.

She looked at his hand, the morning Daily Prophet rolled in it. His eyes fell to it too, and he extended his arm to give it to her. ''Thanks.'' she mumbled as she read the front page about the new program for the health Department.

She frowned, waiting to see something about Lucius Malfoy death - not going to admit her bother about the Prophet's silence about it, she cleared her throat and she looked at the Minister standing still in the middle of the living room.

''How is he?'' Kingsley asked as if he read her mind - he wanted to her she could see it in his eyes. As did his friends who were bombing him with letters all week, as did she, who was not leaving from his side easily anymore.

She looked at him curiously as well and only dared to nod. She didn't know what to say, because she didn't have the slightest idea. She knew he was mourning, with his own way, but she didn't know how was he feeling about it. ''He is not perfectly well, but..'' and her lips touched each other not wanting to hear herself saying that she couldn't understand his grief.

The cold marble was calming down her feet and she looked at her bare flesh against the floor. She felt her heart beating fast thinking that he might take a while for him to recover from the sudden lost.

It was bold of her to believe that he might be alright after his passing - bold and stupid. And of course fucking selfish. But she didn't dare to say it out loud - she didn't dare to think why she was being that selfish all of the sudden.

''And you?'' Kingsley asked, making her take a big breath and look at him confused. Honestly, he was the first one asking her how is she. But it didn't bother her. It was completely perfect not telling anyone how she was feeling.

She just nodded at him. She didn't know what she was feeling either - it wasn't sorrow, it wasn't grief. If it must have a name it should be only worry. And that worry was there for Draco.

Draco, she thought of him, taking a big breath and reminding herself that she should stop behaving like her mother. She frowned at the realization - maybe that was the reason why he was not that affected towards her anymore? Was she crowding him? Was she pushing him away with her company? Maybe that was the reason why he hadn't touched her for the past week?

Why couldn't she remember the last time he kissed her? He kissed her forehead this morning, her hands some nights ago - she frowned, thinking that she waited for him in bed after the funeral and looked at her feet again. Maybe he needed space? Or some time alone? Why hadn't she thought about that before?

She felt her frustration growing - was she fan-girling Malfoy as those younger girls back in Hogwarts when they nicknamed him Slytherin Prince? Was she adopting a fifteen year old Pansy alter-ego?

A small panic started to fill her lungs with big doses of air. Was she becoming some kind of a pet-friend? Always there in need? Always want to help no matter what - am I a friend with benefit? she asked herself widening her eyes and turning around to leave the living room without noticing the curious face of the Minister.

She forced herself to stop thinking about it, but then she gasped at the thought of her sleeping in the same bed with him without his say. ''Are you alright?'' Kinglsey asked and she rushed to turn around to see him. He frowned as she was a little pale. ''What are you thinking?''

''Yes. Draco is not here.'' she informed him, trying to put her mind in order - he told her he is running towards her, he said he doesn't want to stop - maybe she was trying too hard?

What am I thinking? ''Do you have an hour to spare?'' Kingsley asked, still frowned with her odd behaviour. She looked at him making her thoughts fade away. She sighed focusing her eyes on him, repeating his words in her head. Kingsley only consulted her only when he didn't know what to do, or what to think, she said to herself. She looked back at him again - this time she saw the worry in his eyes too.

But it wasn't a worry for Draco, either for Hermione. It was a worry that held deeper strings. Has it been a week since Steele gone? she asked herself. ''Sure.'' she agreed as if she knew he was waiting for them to return to the Ministry.

''I need, assistance, and an overly observed eye.'' he said at last, making Hermione's fears only grow bigger.


His desk was covered in jars. Four lines of them, placed from biggest to smallest with the piece of parchment in front of each one of them, writing the side of the forest they belong. Every jar had a label - kind, possible years of existence, day of collecting. She watched carefully every single one of them, until her eyes fell at the jar holding the Asphodel.

Cowardly she took it in her hand, watching upclose the plant adapting to the new environment and she frowned at its freshest and alive sight. She looked at Kingsley, who had risen a brow to her - he had noticed it too, hadn't he?

''Only butterflies and bees on the South side?'' she asked Steele and he nodded walking next to Kingsley behind his desk.

She looked at him, eyes clean, skin a bit brighter - did the time off in the countryside turned him into a different person? Her eyes fell back to the jars not wanting to lose her time with him, remembering the way he spoke to her when they were back at the Museum.

She straightened her body, but her eyes were not leaving from the jars. Something was bothering her. She had a feeling, an instinct that always proved her right. She knew two things - first, the wizarding power of the Nehones managed to grow those strong potion ingredients, and second they were dumped.

If Nehone's Herbology knowledge came from ingredients such these, it only meant that his magical power grown fast as a kid. He looked at the concerned face of Kingsley - he thought of it too.

Of course he would - wasn't he who learned about his Herbology passion from one of the Families Nehone tricked? That was not good. That was not normal.

''That's not normal.'' she repeated to herself, but she didn't lower her voice too much.

''You think?'' Steele snorted, leaning on the wall behind the desk, moving the huge painting frame a bit as he did so.

''You are ruing my painting.'' Kingsley said and everyone's eyes met as if the words were cursed and they expected some kind of an explosion.

Silence fell among them as the eyes of everyone moved to each other, waiting for someone to speak, waiting for something to happen. The distant sound of the watch in her arm was echoing in the room as if it was the tiking of Big Ben. She didn't dare to move. As didn't they.

Steele met her eyes and she frowned a little at his curious gaze - he was intrigued wasn't he? She looked at Kingsley, who was clenching his jaw as if he was eating a gum. She ran her tongue in her lips and cleared her throat. ''It's not only me, is it?'' she carefully asked and both men looked at her petite figure in front of them.

They didn't speak. Steele rushed to move his gaze from her and looked at the paper cup in his hand with the black coffee he was drinking. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know if she was ready to hear it.

He cursed Draco for his feeling towards her - wouldn't it be much easier if he had no feelings? If he had never fallen in love with her? This case would end faster, maybe much more painless than it will going to end.

''I can only recall a figure, male one, maybe.'' Kingsley said at last and Steele rose his eyes to them.

''I remember darkness, several emotions too.'' Steele said and looked at Hermione, who nodded and moved her eyes from him. She couldn't remember anything.

She wondered what was Draco remembering but she couldn't just ask him about it - not now at least. ''He opened the Stone.'' she said with a small voice wanting to make sure that the idea was not crazy to be real.

''Your observation kills me, dear lioness, honestly.'' Steele rolled his eyes making her frowned. He rose his cup to his lips and took a long sip, finishing the beverage and smashing it in his hands.

''Are you sober?''

''Haven't you seen me before?'' he asked, raising a brow to her.

She looked at him amused crossing her arms under her chest and shrugging. ''First time I met you, you were drinking coffee with firewhiskey blaming your Muggle nature.'' she smirked watching his lips curling ever the slightest.

''Sounds like me.'' he nodded, watching her opening her mouth to speak but not doing it.

''Steele.'' Kingsley's voice warned him dangerously and he just smirked, pushing himself to walk in the middle of them.

He fixed his leather jacket and he looked at the jars on top of the desk. He was impressed with her surprise and relieved with the outcome of his trip. A trip he would do again - but that was something he wouldn't say to them.

Hermione sighed and his eyes rose her impatient face waiting to hear something from him. She will regret it, he thought as he was measuring up his words, but fuck it, he said to him. She was the one he is running after and the unfolding of Nehone's story fell to someone else's hand.

''I believe the forest is an illusion.'' he brutally said as if it was a good morning. She looked at him, surprised, then amused, then ready to laugh - he narrowed his eyes when she did so.

''And what kind of an illusion that is?'' she asked when the laughter faded away and she was simply amused by his comment.

''Think about it lioness. You have powerful potion ingredients. How else they could grow unless the magic coming from the spell tricked them to appear there?''

''Are you saying that the Exilers Supervisors created a whole forest for their cover, with cities building around them and people casually walking inside of it thinking that it is just an excellent flora for hiking?'' she confronted him with a bit of annoyance in her gaze. ''Do you honestly believe that the then Minister would agreed to something like this?''

''Of course he would! And it did happen.''

''I believe they grew because there were magical beings in the area.'' she reasoned with him but he snorted.

''In the area there are no wizarding being. I am telling you, the forest is an illusion.''

''If it was, there has to be a portkey or an enchanted - well, anything leading to their house.''

''I was hearing a river that I never saw.'' Steele offered and Hermione looked at him dangerously. ''And they say there is a cave - ''

''Maybe there is a rabbit hole too. Are we in a fairy tale edition of our case?''

''Well, you have fallen in love with the Prince charming - ''

''Steele.'' Kingsley warned him and he shrugged looking around him.

''Even if we accept this stupid - ''

''Hermione!'' Kingsley warned her too.

''- version of their house being magically transformed into a forest, how could they allow it? Everyone knows what danger a magical forest can hold.'' she nervously laughed again, wanting to forget the possibility of it. ''Especially when it is near Muggles.''

''They wanted the easy way and there it is. In front of you. Welcome to Wizarding World.'' Steele said, pointing at the jars.

''And who tells me that the stupid house is indeed there and forest it is not just a cover? An easy way to be driven there for a dead end?''

Steele looked at her impressed and smiled to her. ''You would have been a great Auror, really.'' he said with a nod and looked at her small body. ''If there is smoke, there is fire lioness.''

''I can not find the papers of her exile. Eartha's.'' Kingsley said with a sigh, making them turn their attention to him. He looked at them, shaking his head and tightening his jaw sometimes before sighing. ''Either the papers existed, but someone took them and perhaps destroyed them - ''

''Or they were never there.'' Hermione added and looked at him.

''My money is in the first one.'' Steele said nodding at him once.

''Mine too.'' Hermione said at once, looking at her hands. The thought of the forest being an illusion somehow started to feel real - or perhaps more real than before. She closed her eyes not wanting to think of how many lives could be at risk if they will not stop him.

His crazy mind along with a Heather Stone was not a good combination - at least a combination she cared to witness. ''Maybe we can unspell it - ''

''Do you side with me now?'' Steele surprisingly asked with rose brows.

''We have to stop him before it is too late.'' she said with the most honest eyes, making Steele feel a bit of a sorry for her.

''I tried.'' he confessed, giving her a paper with spells. Once again, she looked impressed with his job. That's why Draco trusts him so much.

She looked at him with worried eyes, a bit of fear hidden well behind it. He felt his heart beating fast. He didn't want her to worry about it, not only because he might like her as a person, but chose not to show it, but mostly because he knew how one can feel in a case like this. How lonely or even trapped. How needy for a closure. He knew that - and now he could see it to her.

He wanted to say to them that he will go back to make sure that the man he saw was Damien Nehone's father but he didn't. He simply looked at her fallen face and thought of the shared feeling she had with Draco.

He cursed his sentimentality and the conversation he had with Kingsley about her involvement in the case. He cursed his adrenaline addictive self and the rush he was feeling every time he was getting closer to a new target.

Clearing his throat, he took his hat off the seat he threw it this morning and he started to walk out of the Minister's office. ''Where are you going?'' he heard Kingsley asking, but he took no answer.

Even if he wanted to say to himself that this story will not end with blood, he asked himself whose lost will be harder for anyone? Hermione's, who is going to be greater than any other wizard dared to imagine? Draco's, who has just turned his life around? Or his, who has already lost everything he ever cared about in the world?


The wide hallways made him feel small - always had been always will be. He didn't know why he was feeling that way - was it the tall ceiling? The endless tallest than himself frames of the previous private Law Enforces hanging on the walls as if they were made to be there? The long carpet with blood-red colour? He didn't know.

But he was feeling small - insignificant almost. He looked at the people with the Law Enforcer emblem. Cold eyes and intimidating gazes were travelling along his sculpture face.

He wanted to smirk, but he thought that it wouldn't do the trick to them, so he simply walked down the long hallway, heading to the man behind the wide table with the numerous switches and small lamps on it.

Draco watched him playing with the switches of the offices as if he was on autopilot. He frowned, thinking that this was what internship in the private Law Department looked like - he found it troubling if not unfair.

He patiently waited for the man's eyes to meet his, but he couldn't even find himself talking to the busy sitting man before finishing his job. He didn't know if he would even hear him as he was wearing some kind of ear covers - ''Can I help you?''

His eyes looked at Draco with annoyance and he rose a brow. ''Malfoy for Onterplone.'' he said at once and the man looked at the turned off switch of the office 1131.

With a rushed move he switched it on and he pointed with his head the hallway behind him. Draco nodded without noticing his own bother and he walked back pass the wide table, crossing down the rest of the hallway, until the single old but still shining elevator's door shown at the end of it.

Those people were much more intimidated than the Gringgots workers, Draco noticed and he grabbed the floated quill, writing down the Lawer's office as he stepped inside. The sudden fall and turn made him grab the holder in the back as his stomach made a weird twist. He didn't have much time to think about it, as the elevator stopped at once, revealing the door of the office he was being expected.

A forced sprayed sounded above his head and he rose his gaze as small drops of aroma felt on his face and he closed his eyes at once. He felt his stomach relaxing and he opened his eyes to see the shut door waiting for his knock.

He stepped out of the elevator, smelling like fucking chamomile and he fixed his blazer, making sure the Malfoy emblem was standing proudly on top of his heart. He knocked the door and he took a big breath, remembering why was he here for. Chadwid Onterplone Draco read his name on a gold display. He wondered why his father's Lawyer asked him to come this quickly, but then, why wouldn't he? He was expected to be chosen as Draco's private Lawyer too, wasn't he?

He could hear parchments turning and heavy breathing. He knocked again, but there was no answer. He looked around him, making sure that no one was there to see him putting his ear on the surface of the door. He frowned, remembering that the man in the reception had turned on the visitor lamp. He knocked again - this time the door unlocked and opened ever the slightest. ''The first time only needed.''

Draco heard him saying with a sigh and he opened the door to see the old wizard sitting behind a desk, completely covered behind piles of parchments and ink holders. Three white quills were writing in front of him and three more were writing above him. He cleared his throat waiting to be guested inside.

''What cannot you - Draconis!'' the old man froze behind the piles, as his eyes widened at the sight of Draco standing a step away from entering his private office. His tired eyes fell from the stormy grey eyes of his and landed to his family emblem, proudly showing off on top of his hand-sewed blazer. ''Welcome!'' he said, standing up at once, the quills stopping their writing and resting on top of the parchments. ''Welcome.'' he repeated as if he didn't want to believe in his presence there.

Draco frowned at the way his eyes lost its connection to his. ''Come, please.'' he waved him to come closer. Draco walked inside, his eyes scanning the book-crowded room. ''Did expect you much later, but you are here now and it is that, that is matter.''

With a sudden pop, two chairs appeared in the middle, and a small coffee table with two empty mugs. He offered him a seat before sitting opposite from him. ''What would you like - ''

''I do not really have much time.'' Draco confessed, looking at the man losing his colour - some pink appeared in his cheeks. ''Maybe some other time.'' he nodded and the Lawyer did the same.

He looked at him for the longest time making Draco frowned at the rare feeling of exposed sentiments coming out of him. He wanted to take his eyes away, but there was something bothering him so very much - and it wasn't that this office looked like Granger's back in the Ministry.

Mr Onterplone had the strangest eyes filled with concerned and a hidden need to not be here at that specific moment - he cursed himself for knowing how easy was for people to show some feelings, or is it just him who simply could understand them?

''Congratulations may I say?'' Mr Onterplone said with a forced smile on his face that made him feel weird again. ''With your father's passing, Abraxas's trust funds, vaults and estate belong to you.'' he said with a small annoyance that made Draco wonder if it was because of the money or because of his sudden appearance in his office. ''The Black Family's vaults and estate are now yours as well. Except Narcissa's dowry and estate's name.'' he sighed, watching Draco's eyes searching for a reason behind his odd behaviour and not actually listening to his words.

''You are now the richest being in the Wizarding World.'' he nodded putting his hands together. ''Or perhaps the Muggle World as well.'' he added, looking at his hands, slightly trembling.

''Is everything alright sir?''

''This letter is yours.'' he said, opening his shaking hand. ''A personal one.''

An envelope with the Malfoy stamp was resting inside of them. Mr Onterplone extended his arms to reach Draco's personal space, lowering his head like taking a small bow. Draco frowned, taking the letter in his hand and reading his name - he didn't know his father was the writing kind of man but then again did he even knew him at all?

His eyes met Onterplone's again, who rushed to look at the empty coffee table. ''He did not change his will, everything is yours.'' he said with another forced smile. ''The Blacks funds will stay along with your mother, Narcissa Malfoy until her passing, and then those too will be yours.'' he nodded, glancing the room. ''Your mother has already taken - ''

''Are you sure - ''

''Draconis.'' he called his name and looked at him scared. Too scared. The way his eyes rested on him made him shiver a little. He was nervous. And anxious. He had a fast beating heart and Draco knew that he was feeling scared because of him.

He wanted to tell him that he had nothing to be scared of and even if his father might be quite the fearful man he was not like him and he was not intending to cause him any trouble by changing Lawyers.

But the look in Chadwid Onterplone's face made Draco think again of what he wanted to say to him - maybe he was not scared of him? The old man sat back in his seat and closed his eyes in defeat. There were small drops of sweat on his forehead and he had to open two of his shirt's buttons so he could breath better.

Draco made to stand but the look on his face told him otherwise. He was breathing from his nose and letting all the air out of his mouth - he had seen Granger doing that when she wanted to relax. He wondered if he was the one causing him anxiety?

''Us, Will Lawyers and Holders, we have a secret vault in Griggots, where inside of it, there are other vaults, holding each lawyer's name, where we held our clients most precious objects.'' he said with one breath and Draco looked at him concerned, as his whole face turned to red.

He watched him closing his eyes and opening again - he wondered how he could carry him to St. Mungo's if something happened to him, but slowly, with every breath he was taking, his natural colour returned.

''The day of your father's funeral, the Will's stamp - his Will's stamp unsealed, making me order your presence here. Although, your father's Will was not the only thing I should give you this fine morning.''

''Besides the letter you mean?'' Draco frowned, feeling a small tension gathering in his shoulders.

''The letter is nothing, compared to what is next.'' he admitted, this time looking at Draco's eyes full of sincere heat. ''In your father's vault, in my Lawyer's vault, there were two, highly important items that now belong to you.'' he added with a nervous smile on his lips that made Draco shiver more. ''Gringotts workers say they do know how it happened, or when it happened - ''

''What happened - ''

'' - and I believe them, Draconis, I believe them, because nothing had ever been stolen from a Lawyer's vault before.'' Mr Onterplone said with widened eyes, and Draco rose his brows in surprise.

''Stolen? What was stolen?'' he asked, trying to keep his shock hidden from the old man.

''When the Private Law Department first operated, it was the trust funds of your great grandfather Ophious Malfoy that opened our business. He was the one thinking and believing the idea of the Lawer's vaults in Gringgots, it was his spell that keeps it safe, his magic that made it happen.''

''Tell me what was stolen!''

''You have to understand Draconis, everything was built around it. Around the main vault. It is impossible for someone to know where it is - ''

''I am losing my patience, you don't want to see me - ''

''A book!'' the man yelled, looking slightly more terrified than just a moment ago.

Draco's eyes looked at him amused. ''A book?'' he said with a raised brow, ''I think I can live without a book - ''

''You do not understand!'' he yelled, not wanting to believe what he had just heard him saying. ''Draconis, you have to understand!'' he spoke again, losing his breath and his colour, his eyes almost widened more than before as Draco frowned. ''It was not an ordinary book - do you think Ophious was a fool? He created the enchanted vault only because the risk was high. He could never trust anyone than himself!''

''Sounds like a Malfoy - ''

''Do not dare mock your ancestor! He is the reason why you are standing here!''

''I do not even know what my ancestor hid under your care - a care that simply screams for attention as it is your vault that ruptured. You are not in a position to tell me what or what not to do, especially when I ran your small company you call successful.'' he looked at him dangerously and smirked as the old man's eyes scanned his face to see if he was kidding. It was all that Draco wanted to confirm his earlier thought.

''If Ophious Malfoy chose to invest in you, you belong to the Malfoys until I say otherwise, so I would advise you to stop behaving me as such.'' Draco looked at him with meaningful eyes and a tight jaw, feeling his blood boiling under his chest and his own breath catching up his chest, desperately need to cause him an anxiety attack.

''What was the book about?'' Draco asked again, this time more calmly as if there was something in the feared eyes of sir Onterplone.

''It was something sacred, it was the begging and the end.'' Onterplone said and took his eyes off Draco. ''The very first book of magic, the very first book of enchanted life on earth.'' he sighed as if there was no more oxygen in the room. ''I do not know how your great, great, great grandfather had it in his possession when he first arrived in Wizarding London, but Draconis, it was the book of Primis Lamia. Her book.''

Draco looked at him, then his hand holding the letter, then his cufflink shining under the morning light that was busting inside the crowded room from the window on his left. A light pop sounded as an echo in the room and the table hosted a wooden trunk inside an ivory teeth cage with a weird slot at the top.

He looked at him in time to see him putting his private wand inside his pocket. He could feel a small pressure from his dressed with the Malfoy ring finger and he looked at his hand. There was a dark light, almost invisible but yet strong. He turned his hand to a fist looking at it. Then the slot. The eyes of the old wizard was resting in him as if he was waiting to see what would happen - as if he was not sure about its context either.

Draco laughed in his head thinking about the multiple way he could end the first Private Law Enforcer Department if the trunk too was empty, but the magic coming from his ring as a hunger or maybe grave made him forget about it and place his ring on top of the teeth cage. The was small electricity that started to burn his hand, slowly raising up to his wrist and elbow, reaching his heart and fasten its beats.

One by one the teeth opened up, revealing the simple trunk. It was not a magical one, Muggled, Draco thought and he looked at the man in front of him. His eyes were never leaving from it though. Draco rushed to open it feeling the pressure from him greater than it should be.

His brows frowned. A small sacket with several memory jars were on top of it. He took it in his hands, examined it for a second or two thinking to whom it might belong. His eyes fell to Onterplone who looked rather relieved. Draco rolled his eyes, leaving the sacket aside. He didn't have time for him - not now at least.

A small dark wooden box guarding the Great Emerald, the custom made wedding ring of his grandmother Astra, two thick piles with Muggle bonds from all around the world, another pile of real estates original contracts and construction plans, the first chain of the Time Turner along with its secret design, and a child's toy.

He frowned again. He cowardly took it in his hands. A silver rattle. His rattle. He could still remember it - the decorative handle with the loop, the glassed filigree floral ball that was spinning around. That was his. That was his toy. Why was a toy being around million of galleons? Was it a joke?

''Where was the book?'' he asked with one breath, trying to realize what was going on. ''Was it not in here?''

''In a hidden vault, deep down the grounds of Gringotts, covered by spelled doors and riddles and - ''

''Clearly someone unspelled them - ''

''I am sorry child!'' the wizard yelled at Draco and looked at him in pure shock. ''I am sorry.'' he looked at his hands, not wanting to look at him anymore. ''Every year the codes were changing, different spells were covering its entrance. After the war, after his imprisoning.. I thought it was going to be safe there.'' he confessed with a shaken voice, his eyes now closed. ''Merlin knows the secrets and prospects of that book holds Draconis, and now, now it is been holding by the wrong hands.''

Cold sweater was running down his back - the words sounded familiar, too familiar. Glimpses of conversations he had with Kingsley and Granger popped in his head. He started to feel his brain numbing down, his eyes hurting as he forgot to blink for the past minute - he could feel his jaw hurting as his teeth were pressed hard with each other.

The Stones were created by the Primis Lamia, Pharris's words echoed in his ears as the wounded body of the potion master was standing in front Warlock that Friday night - Weasley's trial. He felt cold sweat running down his spine - a shiver made him straighten his back and look at the old man who's eyes were trying to find something in Draco's.

''Are you alright Draconis?'' he asked him with a calm voice ready to stand up from his seat and go to him - but Draco's eyes looked at him dead in the eye.

''No.''