Draco 22 August 2017
The headline on the front page of today's Daily Prophet: Ultimate Meeting of Wizarding Power Families
Spotted in Diagon Alley yesterday were the top families of the Wizarding World, sitting down to lunch.
Malfoy, Potter, Weasley, and Zabini families all enjoyed, what we can assume to be a very influential and somewhat intense lunch after a joint shopping trip for the upcoming Hogwarts First Years - Rose Granger-Weasley, Albus Potter, and Scorpius Malfoy.
The only member of the party, some say up to 30 people large, to comment was Pansy Zabini (nee Parkinson) who had this to say, "In a recent business trip for Malfoy Industries, Draco [Malfoy] ran into an old classmate Hermione Granger-Weasley where at some point the topic turned to their families and how both had children that would be attending Hogwarts this term. It was suggested that the two families, and the Potters who also have a child who will begin this year, meet up and have young Scorpius meet some of his future classmates. The children hit it off well and we all had an eventful lunch together. Nothing really, just families bonding together over their children going to school together and reminiscing over our years and antics at Hogwarts."
Was that all that took place behind closed doors? One waitress, off the record, commented that Mrs Granger-Weasley was holding the newest addition to the Zabini house - Esmeralda Zabini who was born earlier this month - and making a fuss over the little one. Draco Malfoy is said to be the Godfather to the young Zabini, yet the Prophet has yet to learn who the Godmother may be. Can it possibly be Hermione Granger-Weasley?
"Draco" my bride calls upstairs as she sips her coffee, "tell me that Pansy's on the payroll in some way."
"She's not dear, unless you count the obscene amount that Blaise brings home. Why?"
I can hear her laughing as I come downstairs and join her in the kitchen. "Because, she is a master of spinning a story. The quote she gave to the Prophet makes it seem like nothing possibly occurred."
"Well my love," I explain, "she was the division head of MII's PR department before deciding on having a half dozen children with my COO and best friend," leaning down and kissing my wife tenderly on the crux of her neck.
"It shows. The only thing that can be perceived as 'scandalous' is me holding a newborn Zabini baby. And what politician wouldn't want to be caught holding a baby? Nothing even about our discussion with Minerva." She winks and gives me a coffee infused kiss right back.
"Love, either we need to set our alarm clocks earlier, we need to give up morning sex, or something else. We can't always be late to work." I grab her arse and pull her into me. "And I am not ready to give up just yet. I am not a quitter."
"Neither am I," she says in that hot, throaty voice of hers. "Alarm set for - what - 2 hours earlier?"
"Well let's see - there's the bed, the shower, the daily fails of getting clothes on… yeah I would say 2 hours should suffice."
"And at breakfast, can't forget breakfast," she starts to unbutton my shirt as I reach for her zipper on her dress.
"I can't forget breakfast" came out as a low growl. "Most important… of the … day…"
Not much was said after that until Rose and Scorp came down for breakfast and saw our clothes tossed aimlessly around the breakfast bar and both screeched and ran upstairs. But by then the kitchen was - um - as Muggles say 'christened' and my wife and I were unapologetically late for work. Again.
Honestly I don't know if Rebecca, my wife's assistant, minds her coming in late. She usually could cover for Hermione easily, and the amount of work my wife does, it really doesn't matter if she came in late or not. She is the best and the Ministry is lucky to have her.
And if they didn't appreciate it, hell I'll hire her on the spot, double her pay, and institute flexible - just like her - work hours. She could have the choice of jobs - except Blaise's. I abuse Blaise too much and love it. I think he loves it too, in a sado-masochistic way. Pansy also implies it spills over to their bedroom - I keep trying to block the image out and she keeps throwing it in my face.
It's about time for some turnabout. Well eventually at least. Right now I just enjoy spending every intimate minute of every night and morning with my wife. I had enough of Pansy yesterday, even though I do care for her in an annoying sister way.
"Darling, remember no coming into work. And no flowers or anything delivered. Especially after today's headline."
"I will only come on official business and darling, as much as I would love see all of you" I completely leer at her proudly, running my fingers over all her luscious curves, "for lunch or something, I probably would have to go to a different department. There are a couple of contracts having hiccups, including the hemi-final games, and two magical construction jobs. Oh and your least favorite people on the other hemisphere are coming to my office to convince me to do their bidding. Theo wants to sit in that meeting just so I don't hex them for putting you in that crappy hotel room."
"Your day sounds as hard as mine," and my tempting witch is not so subtle as she reaches down and flat out grabs my schlong. "Tonight we might just need to release some stress."
"Mrs Malfoy, you're terrible. If I had known this in school, well our family probably would be bigger than the Zabinis. But I love you for it, every, single, minute" I pause between the last words emphasising them as my hands reach deep in her arse, separating those perfectly tight cheeks.
"Dad tell me you're decent. And mum. I would like to enjoy breakfast before 10 today or having it come up on me."
"Yeah mum, please a little decently. Do I need to call Auntie Ginny?"
And we are assulted yet again by the tweenagers: Scorp and Rose.
"Rose Weasley, trust me, I can tell you things about Aunt Ginny that makes what Draco and I do look tame." I lean back on the breakfast counter that my wife's perfect naked arse was just seated with a questioning look. "And she'd probably be very happy for me."
"EEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW! MUM that's not right!" My stepdaughter yelps from the upstairs where I think she has barricaded herself in her room.
"Rose, just so you know, don't ever sit next to my Aunt Pans and Uncle Blaise. If you haven't caught on by the number of kids…" the next thing out of my son's mouth sounds similar to a cross between gagging and vomitting.
"Darling," I look at my bride, "I think our work is done for this morning. You need to go to work anyways. Give Harry, Tony, and Kingsley my best." I give her a kiss on the top of her head before shooing her to the floo.
"We're not done with this." She says before stepping into the fireplace.
"We never will be, love." I retort as she disappears in the green flames.
I look up the staircase the nearly separates the foyer and living rooms and the dining and kitchen. "It's safe now kids. There's breakfast on the table." I see the four legged child come bounding down the stairs ahead of her person, and make a flying leap at my face. "Padfoot, some warning please dog. I swear you are my cousin Sirius from everything my mother described."
Hugo trudgingly follows the dog, "Mum keeps saying that too. Did you know Sirius like she did Draco?"
PROGRESS! He's calling me Draco pretty consistently now. It only took two Mr Mal-Draco which really sounds terrible, and now we have just Draco.
"Afraid not. He didn't like the Blacks. He could see beyond all their nastiness. So he became friends with your Uncle Harry's dad and left my family. But my mother has stories of when they were young. I guess Sirius was quite a piece of work and his animagus of a dog fit him." I look down at this mutt as she looks at me bemused, like she understands every word better than I do.
"So were you the neighbor that Padfoot kept running away to in Rio?"
"That is true. Silly girl. Room service was delivered to your mum's room and I was leaving my room across the hall and I got pounced by this ferocious beast. The only way I could get her to calm down was to give her my steak bone from the other night to gnaw on. Then I guess I bought her friendship because she kept slipping out." I'll leave the actual first encounter with the mutt out, when I carried my bride to her hotel room after our spontaneous wedding.
"Why didn't you show mum the one room, the one with the locked door?" Rosie questions about the little house tour yesterday - which for all intents and purposes seemed to go pretty well.
"It is a surprise for your mother. My gift to her. Last night wasn't the best time to tell her, and I am not going to tell her with all your uncles looking for some reason to hex me." The uncles, including Percy, are supposed to arrive at the Weasley house around lunchtime and start boxing stuff up to bring here. And just before dinner, which this time I'm smart enough to have catered, their wives and children will be here to unpack and help make this less of a designer showcase piece and more of a comfortable home. Harry knows the surprise for 'Mione, so he'll help me with it. There might be more people in this house today, with just the Weasley clan, than the fire marshal would be comfortable with.
When in bloody hell did I become so reliant to Potter and the bloody weasel clan?
"Scorp is there anything that you need from the flat, other than the basics?"
"Yeah… almost everything. The furniture can stay, but the music, clothes, books, my other guitars that all needs to come dad."
"Furniture stay - everything else go. Got it." I look at the other two, "you guys? Are you wanting to order your uncles around or just give them a list?"
"I like ordering them around, especially uncle Percy." Rose quips. I'm liking her more and more.
"I will help them because I don't really know." My amazing wife told me about the picture that she needed to remove so that the aura of the room met with Hugo's approval. I find it strange that the one holding on the tightest to hope that his father returns and makes everything like it was, had to have the one item that obviously reminded him of that time removed.
"Well we'll put a couple of your uncles to help you. Your mum said that Charlie and Bill need to carry the books you ladies have."
"I think it might even be too much for them. There are a lot of books. And I love my bookshelf Draco! Is it unlimited or is there a weight limit or something?"
I chuckle, of course she loves the expandable bookshelf. "Thank you Rose, your excitement has confirmed that they will go into production. Each section can hold either 90 kg or about 15 - 20 books depending on their size and if they are hard or soft back. Let's just say it's 15-20 of your mum's books."
"Got it. So mostly by weight. Could you imagine how many more books the library at Hogwarts can hold with those. Oh mum will be jealous."
Note to self: Donate a few hundred of shelves to Hogwarts library as a thank you present for letting the kids out of school.
"Okay so you are going to the Potters until your uncles arrive. Then Hugo and Rose, you're taking all except Harry to your house to get packed up. Harry is playing liaison and going to direct them here. Scorp, there is a team already at the flat getting some of the necessities together. You'll need to get them access here with Theo." I hear the fireplace roar to life, "Nott if that is you, your timing is scary good."
"Sorry mate. Just trying to be punctual and get the boss to work on time."
"Be nice with the Potters. Especially Ginny."
"And Al, Uncle Theo." Scorp chimes in.
"Ginny will hex you to Antartica; Al is Scorp's best mate." I explain to the only other Slytherin lingering in my house currently. My how I am going to be constantly surrounded by Gryffindors.
"Greaaaaaaaaat. Another round of Draco and Blaise. What the world doesn't need now."
"Shut it. So quick intros - Theo, this is Rose and Hugo. Rose, Hugo this is Mr Nott."
"Hopefully you'll be fine with calling me Nott, Mr T, Uncle Theo, whatever."
"Who in bloody hell calls you Mr T?" I look at him like he has lost his last marble.
"One of the new hires, a Muggle-born named Matthewson. He showed me some of the Mr T and A Team telly shows. I pity the fool…"
Yep he lost the last marble. "Kids behave please. I have to run to work. I'll see you later tonight. Oh Theo, caterer will be here about 2 to set up. The women should be here about 4-ish. I shouldn't be much later than that."
"Got it boss."
"And Theo."
"Yeah boss?"
"You behave too."
I feel more comfortable in my office with Blaise bemoaning on the phone, and Trini running the floor.
"Hello darling, how was the mandatory vacation?" I beseech my favorite administrative goddess.
"I'm keeping the clothes," is all she says.
"Fine by me, we got them for you especially."
"We need to talk."
"Okay… what about?" Hearing 'we need to talk' come out of any woman's mouth is never really a good thing, and not the way I want to start my relaxed morning thanks to my wife.
"Your office. Now."
"Yes ma'am." I follow the very demanding, but beyond exceptional senior administrative manager into my office, where she proceeds to take my chair behind my desk. "Um," I look around "this is still my office right? I didn't sign my company away when I gave you a new wardrobe?"
"Don't be ridiculous Draco. I'm nervous. I have something to say, but I don't want it to interfere with work or anything."
"It is always best if you just spit it out."
She takes a very deep breath and I can see her mentally stabilizing herself. "Theo and I are in a relationship."
"THANK MERLIN! Finally! Never thought the two of you, but you both needed something outside work." I open the door to my office and call down the way, "BLAISE break out the good stuff Trini has a boyfriend."
I hear a crash and he's rushing out. "No? Really?" I nod. "YES! Trini, we love you and I was almost at the point of signing you up for one of those Wizard Match sites."
"BLAISE! Someone get me my rubber band gun!" She takes a deep breath, "You're not worried?"
"Absolutely not. Two people I trust explicitly, finding each other. Let's just say it must be in the air or water or something."
"Thanks boss."
"I just need you to do me one thing." She nods. "Have him lose the Mr T nickname. I don't know what it's from but it sounds stupid." I give her a quick hug. "We do all love you and only want you to be happy. If it is Theo, then he's a lucky bloke. Now will you let me know when MACUSA gets here. Oh and have them wait. Like an hour or two."
"Revenge is a dish best served cold."
"Chicago in the winter cold in this case."
"Got it. They will see the icicles growing on the windows before they see you."
"And this, my dear, is why we love you. And only want the best for you."
My day flew by, even the trip to the Ministry was doubly productive. My meetings went over and I was able to have a nice chat with Kingsley while making the MACUSA arse wipes wait longer. All our contracts were cleared up, usually that is the case when I walk into the department that is holding them up and ask to speak with the troll in charge of them. I guess the Malfoy name still has some clout at the Ministry. Maybe it will bring down a level of fear when my wife officially takes it on.
"Kingsley, pleasure running into you this morning." I chip when we pass in the atrium.
"Business or pleasure today Draco?" He looks me up and down with the double entendre on the tip of his tongue.
"All business. Couple of contracts being held up by some random trolls. Nothing that a visit from me didn't manage to rectify."
"And that's your only business today?" I nod, slowly but I nod. "I expected something more after reading about the power lunch held yesterday. And I'm offended that I wasn't invited."
"With all due apologises sir, it was just a casual thing for the children's sake. It was actually pretty calm, considering all the people there."
"Anyone in particular?"
"Pansy Zabini. Known that woman way too long. She has a mouth and a wand that are both vicious. Also I must say my ex wife was surprisingly well behaved."
"Well if there is ever another power lunch, I would love to be invited. Even if it is just to sit back and watch the show."
"Noted sir, but I must be off. I have some members of MACUSA waiting my arrival back in my office and as much as I am wanting to see them wait and sweat, it probably has been long enough."
"Draco, please be nice. We are on shaky terms with them at the moment."
"I know, probably better than most considering. But still their recent stunt is reprehensive. And what they want to talk about is shit if you ask me."
"I just wanted to remind you. May I see you later this week, possibly a social call?"
"I will look to add something to the book. If not this week, maybe next. After the children go to school."
"I most likely will be at the station to see the students off. So many families this year with children going to school that hold high regards in our community." He adds sighing.
I understand, names like Weasley, Granger, Potter, Malfoy just to begin, all going to school. We are names of the history book now, it is unreal. Our children are going to read about our first year as the trio fought a professor hosting Voldemort through the Battle of Hogwarts. Will they really understand that it was their parents and family members depicted on the pages of the books we just bought? Will Scorpius be able to live down our family legacy, even that which hurt his stepmum?
Kingsley probably had the meeting with Minerva yesterday before we ran into her at Diagon Alley to go over this. I feel my chest close up. There goes my high that I've been running on since the beginning of the month.
"Hopefully we can see you before then Minister, but I need to take my leave," I shake his hand and leave for my office again. This time burdened by the name on the building, my name.
My life was planned for me. I was a Death Eater by my father's doing. I was to marry a pureblood witch and raise a family and run our family business. I didn't have a say in what I was to do, or how I was to do it. It was expected of me. Because I was born Draco Lucius Malfoy, the last of the Malfoys and honorable Blacks. I was expected to pass these traditions onto my children.
My life changed when I saw her. All my life plans changed; they were thrown out the window. It may have decades before I was able to hold onto what I always was drawn to, like a magnet. It was an unstoppable field; no matter what was thrown at me to hold me from her, it only pushed me further from the plans that were predetermined for me. She changed me.
Now I walk into the empire that is mine, the one I built from the ashes that were left to my name. It is mine. Generations before me of Malfoys have no claim to this. Nor should they. It was my breaking free of the tightening grip of the hate and pain to create this out of love, determination and backbreaking hard work. It is why my father's cloak remained at the Manor, a reminder of sins of the past. It was a constant reminder to excel for the good, for the plans I make not the ones laid out upon my birth - hell my conception.
"Trini, any news?"
"You have people waiting in your office Mr Malfoy."
"The ones we were expecting?"
"Yes sir, the Americans."
I give a curt nod to her, she is on her 'professional/dealing-with-arse-wipes behavior', as I go check in with Blaise.
"Kingsley was upset he wasn't invited to lunch yesterday."
My best friend snorted out his coffee. "Did he understand what it was about?"
"Of course. I expect she told him already. Oh all the contracts should be signed later today and forwarded to our office."
"Wow, Draco Malfoy did actual work. Not just pressing the flesh. All innuendos included."
"We are drawing lines. I don't visit her at work, no deliveries, etc. Keep it professional." He snorted another sip of coffee, "keep this up mate and you'll give yourself a sinus infection from hot coffee."
"Who said it was hot anymore?" he snickers. "You're really behaving? You were so close to her office, you could almost touch her, smell her perfume, and you behaved? So unlike the Draco Malfoy I know."
"Know that my promises to her usurp any predetermined behaviors of mine." My best friend across from me mentally debates this, finally nodding in approval. "Now do you want to be there when I hand the Americans their arses on a silver platter? And can you check in on Theo, he wanted to be here for this."
"Please Drakey-poo." I could slap him for calling me that. "I need some entertainment today. I was wondering if it was going to be a boring, drama-free day. I should have realized with you in the office, that was the last thing on the agenda."
And we proceed to hand the Americans their arses. You have three Slytherin men, all high powered in their own fields - business, security or just randomly threatening people, and management - who are pissed at you for injustices you have done to one of the members of their family, and you should expect hell to rain down.
We got out of 4 of the 5 shit contracts, all our Los Angeles projects will be streamlined, and I have a feeling that the 'America Incident' will be shoved into some pidgeon hole to never been seen or heard of again. I am finally clearing my ledger with Saint Potter.
By the time we shoo the blasted Americans out of the office it is 3:30pm.
"What the bloody hell can I do to keep myself busy before 4? I don't want the redhead onslaught to begin any earlier than necessary. I actually like breathing."
Blaise looks at me as he shuts my office door. "Theo we should talk. Put some boundaries out there. Know that we both love you like a brother, but this is Trini we are talking about."
"Ah yes, the infamous 'Slytherin if you fuck up' speech." Theo knows it well. He gave more than a few of them, including the one to Blaise when he and Pansy started as an item. "I know. This is Trini. No one hurts her without major pain. I think Manila showed that I was willing to do anything for her. If Potter hadn't got to that sorry excuse of a snake before me, he probably would be dead. But I have to give Potter kudos for a right adequate punch to the face. I am giving him lessons in mixed martial arts starting next month. Tony is already starting."
"At least we are all on the same page. I would hate to have to replace you Theo." I chime in. Because if it came down to choosing between Theo and Trini, she would always win.
"Noted. Now, should I see if there is any part of your house that is not invaded with redheads? When I left the women were starting to show up and made a makeshift nursery in the dining room I think."
"They are all older, there aren't any little people anymore. At least I bloody hope not."
"True, but the older ones are starting to reproduce. It doesn't seem to end with the weasel clan."
"Hey my cousin, from what I gather, is involved with a Weasley girl." Am I defending them? Hell, my wife is turning me into a bloody Gryffindor. Blaise had something more on his mind, but I could see him trying to bite his tongue. "Spill Zabini, what is bouncing around your head?"
"I am just thinking back to yesterday. Your wife seemed keen on not letting Esme go. It was the same look Pansy would get before she would corner me asking if we should try again."
I must have gone slack and pale. Okay truth be told, paler. Because both jumped up to my side.
Then I felt the smile break the shell of my face. "You think? Maybe?" I push the thought down to the recesses of my brain, that hole that holds my hopes and dreams. Though they have been popping out and becoming reality, I can only hope right now. We are still in the 'inform those around us' stage and tonight might be dangerous.
By the time I get home it is ten minutes after four. Theo beat me by 20 minutes and was calming a situation already.
"Hermione, you do know who he works for?" I hear a foreign Weasley - must be Charlie - in a heated discussion with my wife. "And the Malfoy brat is here too? I get that he's friends with Al, and I might just have to sit him down, but what is what with this change? I know Ron put you through hell, but turning your back on the family?"
"Charles Weasley, I did nothing of the sort. If anything you need to talk to your sister. I have had to depend on her more with everything that has gone on."
I step through the fire place looking at all the faces immediately glaring at me. I see Harry, and think this is probably the best time to update him on the America Incident.
"Potter, a word, preferably outside." He nods and the two of us head to the outside gardens as I hear more yelling take place inside. "Should I worry about that?"
"Ginny and 'Mione have them under control. If not they'll be hexed in a few minutes." He relaxes as he takes a look around. "I just want to say, this is perfect. Rose and Hugo love their rooms, the house is so - well - not what I expected from you. It's warm, inviting, family focused. I might have you redo our house."
"Thanks but I have a designer. I told her what I wanted - pretty close to those words actually - and she came up with this."
"What about the extra bedrooms upstairs?"
"Guest rooms for now."
"For now?"
"You saw her yesterday. Blaise commented on it this afternoon." I take a deep breath, "But small talk isn't why I called you out here. You're cleared in America. They won't be after you for perceived crimes or anything. If you want to take a vacation or have business, you're cleared."
"How? When?"
"This afternoon, I threw it in as part of some negotiations. Think nothing of it. I am still in debt to you."
"Not according to your wife or mine." I see his eyes become - humble maybe? "Thank you. What about Ron?"
"To them, as well, he's dead. All blame would have been on you. If he shows his face, that is another story."
He nods. "It's a shame we can't tell them inside what you just did. It might ease their minds."
"I'm willing to fight for her. I'll always fight for her. It's what you do when you love someone like I love her." I take a breath, "now I guess this snake needs to face the lions den."
"You have the support of three very determined and proud lions right now."
"Potter, I am trying to get out of your debt, not drown in it."
"You never were in my debt. Not from the moment you came with us to Manila. You showed your true self then, and any possible debts - now or in the future - were erased."
"How noble of you Potter, but by record I will owe you for a long time. Now I guess I need to face the rest of the lions." I say with a deep breath trying to steady my nerves as I face a house full - my house full - of Weasleys.
