"Sir, Mr. Weasley is requesting to see you." Draco grimaced. When was it that life had changed so much that he needed to associate amicably with Weasleys? Sighing, he motioned his secretary to allow the former Auror in.
"Weasley, I thought these companionable visits would cease once you sobered up enough to realize who it was that you were really talking to." To his credit Ron simply grimaced instead of coming back with the comment he was tempted by. Malfoy, no matter how reformed, was still a git in his book and would likely remain that way. But this was important and involved Hermione's safety and as such he would not allow Malfoys rotten disposition to affect him.
"This isn't exactly a social call, Malfoy, I don't exactly consider you a best mate, but I have come across some information that I think might be important. You need to listen to this." Draco frowned, then motioned the redhead to continue. He wasn't sure what Weasley could have found out that was so bloody important, he played professional Quidditch for Merlins sake, but he had learned never to turn down even possible sources of information.
"I was at an after party after the Match with Bulgaria last week; it was full of the rich and useless, like usual, but this time Karkaroff was there."
"The headmaster of Durmstrang, that Karkaroff?" Ron nodded. "Interesting, go on."
"Yeah, I didn't get that one either, except he seemed all cozy with the Bulgarian ambassador, who was also there. We all know from the Order that Karkaroff was a relatively high placed Death Eater, we just could never get the Bulgarian government to prosecute him, so I decided to have a bit of a listen. Old habits, I guess. Bloody good thing I did. They were discussing Shackelbolt, and where some of his policies are coming from. They were discussing how easily ideals fell to political realities, and if they had realized how simple it would be they would have abandoned Voldemort years ago and simply gone into politics. They said Shackelbolt had learned that quite quickly and now one of his closest advisors was one of them. He said, 'that vicious git has more lives than a kneazle. To think he made it out of Azkaban and even got MacNair to take the Kiss. I wonder how long before he removes the thorn in his side that his son has become? Maybe he'll get the little mudblood he's been parading around first. That will throw the whelp off balance enough that he'll be easy pickings.' Now, you tell me, doesn't that sound like your father is alive and out to kill both you and Hermione?"
Draco wanted to argue. He wanted to say he'd seen his father take the Kiss, shouting imprecations and loyalty to the Dark Lord to the last moment. Shouting…he paused. Shouting? That wasn't Lucius, was it? Lucius, even in the height of fury would never reduce himself to shouting, the angrier he was the quieter he became until his voice was nothing but a cutting hiss. If you had to lean closer to hear him that meant violence was about to erupt. He had never thought about that, never even considered questioning it. MacNair had been sentenced to the Kiss too, and he was a lout, loud and brutal. It made sense. Once the Dementors had been replaced with human guards corruption in Azkaban had run rampant. With Lucius money and connections a few vials of polyjuice would have been simple to acquire. The more potent variety that held the look for several hours, even in death would have been no obstacle. So, get MacNair to take his place, die as a one of Voldemorts highest ranking Death Eaters, the crazy git would have loved it. Then polyjuice oneself as a guard, walk out, and there you were. Had there been any disappearances of guards around that time. He knew there had been, several were killed by Death Eaters still on the loose, some bodies were found, some weren't. It made sense. He noted that Weasley was watching him and sighed.
"What?" Ron shook his head.
"So, do you know what you'll do?" Draco barked a laugh.
"Well, first I'm going to the Manor and pull his portrait out of the basement and see if it's active. If it is we'll know he's dead. All our family portraits are like the Hogwarts headmasters portraits. If the old bastard is alive, then I suppose I'll need to find him and kill him before he gets to Hermione and I. It's a complication that we did not need."
"You know, as a former Auror and a citizen I'm obliged to report that you have said outright that you intend to commit a premeditated murder." Draco saw a dark humor in the redheads eyes and snorted.
"Shall I get you a two way mirror to facilitate the process?" Ron smiled.
"No, actually I was going to offer my help. Hermione used to be a good friend, nearly a sister. I ruined that and I know it, but if I can help save her life I will."
"Redemption Weasley, really?"
"I know, 'Griffyndors!', right?" Draco smirked.
"Exactly. But as a Slytherin I don't turn down resources. How do you think you can help me?" Ron took a deep breath and nodded.
"I still have the training book for the investigators listing every procedure the Aurors have in place for detecting certain magics and spells, identifying killers and collecting evidence. I also know where the Minister keeps his personal files. My girlfriend is in the Department of Magical Records. She can get any files you want. She's already agreed to help."
"You've talked to her about this? Who is she?"
"Luna Lovegoods cousin, her name is Pamela Marks. She went to Beauxbatons; you wouldn't have known her. Luna is one of the only people who stayed loyal to Hermione, even after all these years, and she told Pam the whole story years ago, the Order of the Phoenix, the Horcrux hunt, the murder of Dumbledore, she knows all of it and hasn't said a word in ten years. For the record she didn't think even your sentence was fair. As much as I'd like to say otherwise, hell, neither do I. But you're still a git."
"Thank Merlin. I don't think I could stand having a Weasley in my fan club. That being said, when Hermione makes me throw my hat in the ring for Minister when the campaigning starts in a few months do I have your vote?" Ron barked a laugh and shook his head.
"You really are a piece of work, Malfoy. Yes, I'll vote for you simply to get Shackelbolt out. I think you're nuts to want it, though. The real power isn't with the minister, he's just the front man for the special interest groups. Nope, you really want power, be the head of the Wizengamot. Now, there's a position where you can get something done." Malfoy sat back and blinked. Merlins knobblies, out of the mouths of babes and fools. There was no possible way he could ever become the head of the Wizengamot, the thought itself was ridiculous, but he thought he knew who could.
"Weasley, do you know know if Amos Diggory is still alive?" Ron blinked at the question but nodded.
"Yeah, he's head of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, why?"
"I think I have the beginnings of a plan, a most Slytherin plan, in fact."
"If someone else has to be the Head of the Wizengamot, then at least you can be the neck, eh? How do you aim to get Diggory in?"
"I don't… That's where you come in. You and that convenient werewolf brother and Veela sister in law. Do you think it would be very difficult to get William interested in politics?"
"Not if you interest Fleur first, and I think I can help with that." He snorted suddenly and then vigorously rubbed his face with a hand. "Just feature it, me working hand in glove with a Malfoy. Sometimes I think I picked a hell of a time to stop drinking."
