Maks and him were standing by the fireplace in the sitting room off of the dining room. It had been changed a bit and the table he could see through the glass paned French doors was different too. The panelling and floors were the same but the walls were a warmer light blue than they had been before. It wasn't as comfortable as her sitting rooms upstairs but it was better than before. Again he decided to ask her to do the rest of this place. Also to ask her why she hadn't done it. Surely she didn't love this. The table was the best part. Smaller and an oval instead of a rectangle. Two of the chairs looked like tall stools with backs and he assumed they were for Soren and Teddy. They usually ate in the dining room by the kitchen, which was totally different than it had been.
He had been told this was semi formal and raised a brow. This was the least formally run home he had ever been in. She had scoffed at him and gone to change. Then she had come down the stairs in a black dress. It was modest in what it showed, though sleeveless. Coming to her knees but the heels and the half pulled back curls had been enough for him to stiffen. His whole body had tightened and it had taken him a minute to trust he wouldn't grab her. Which was disconcerting but it explained the sidelong look he had gotten from Maks when the click click of her heels was heard.
Now she was standing beside Ginny Potter and looking at something in a magazine. They were waiting for Malfoy and his mother. That was the whole of the guest list and he had pushed her to do what she normally would have. Usually this weekly get together was here and between six and ten people. That was all he really knew and she had offered several times to move it or not be offended if he wanted to leave. He didn't. He wanted to see them as they were. Doing the things they normally did and to know if he could do it too.
The floo chimed and Hermione looked away from Ginny and her eyes caught Andromeda's, where she sat with Potter and two boys. They were reading books and each adult had taken a turn. Actual polite behaviour was expected at these dinners. Soren had told him they had to be like 'gent men' at dinners like these. Apparently they got cookies after and usually the two boys were taken for a fly in reward. He would think about the why's of this later.
Then she watched the door open and Narcissa Malfoy enter. The witch smiled at each of them until him. Her smile didn't fall but it wasn't as genuine and he blinked before looking to her son. Who was grinning like an idiot at his witch. She looked as if she wasn't sure what he might say and her eyes flicked up to his for a second before back to the tall blonde wizard.
"Hello Draco." She offered and all of them were watching her uncertainty with interest.
"Granger. Hello everyone. Rowle it's good to see you in your own house. Maybe you can stop her tyrannical exploits." The grin seemed honest and he shook the man's hand when he did the rounds.
"Other than hopes for the end of my reign, what has that look on your face." Hermione asked and Potter made a huffing sound that might have been a laugh or might have been exasperation. He just watched Hermione. Then she stood a bit straighter and looked to him. He didn't know what she meant and then her eyes flicked to Maks beside him.
"Dinner is ready. If you would." Maksim's polite tones answered the question and he tried not to be upset that he hadn't understood. Siggy had alerted her, or some other elf had. A few minutes later they were seated around the table. No one on the ends it seemed and everyone was looking at Malfoy, who was ignoring them and stirring his soup.
"Can't play with food at dinners." Teddy pointed out to him and everyone chuckled. The mood was broken and Thorfinn watched the byplay around the table. Maks was watching Hermione mostly and he wasn't sure if it was curiosity or something else.
"It's done Granger. Potions Quarterly is ours." He watched Hermione blink and then smile widely.
"At the risk of inflating your ego further, I am impressed. That was much faster than we expected." A quick glance showed that no one else understood completely either.
"I brought both contracts." Hermione's smile fell at that and she shot the blonde a look that said much. None of it good.
"Draco." His mother spoke warningly but the wizard just kept his eyes on Hermione.
"Not now Malfoy." He could see that she meant it and assumed the subject would be dropped but the wizard just put his spoon down.
"You're out of time witch. I've been waiting and asking. Now it's here and either you can sign those papers or I just bought another company with Rowle." His words were a challenge and instead of meeting it, she looked down. Then she looked up and it was at him. He just met her eyes and waited. Bought companies with him. Then he understood that she had used at least one more thing he had left for her. This was her thing then, he wouldn't interfere. She didn't like it but looked to Draco, who hadn't looked away from her.
"This is not the time for this. You can keep the whole company if this is some power play to force me into something. We can speak of this after dinner if you want. There are enough here to fly without your help." It was polite but cutting and Malfoy sat back at that. Then looked to him and there was frustration there.
"She hasn't said anything? It's been nearly a week." He asked and Thorfinn thought that over.
"Not about you or companies. We've got a son and he's taken up most of our attention." He didn't look to Hermione to see what she thought. Not wanting to show Malfoy that he didn't know. Potter and Ginny were laughing with the boys and Andromeda and Narcissa were speaking quietly.
"He makes a fine excuse." That was grudging but seemed sincere. "There are many who wish the little guy and her were waiting at home for them." This was a jibe and the four of them knew it. Hermione nearly hissed at the blonde and Potter shot her a look.
"Maybe Hermione's right and this should happen after the little ones aren't around." Maks said. At that Thorfinn noticed Soren watching them and he smiled at the boy. So did Hermione, and at that he turned back to the conversation about gross bugs.
"Granger. I can't not talk about it. The last three were so we could do this. Come build an empire with me." The last was entreating and she scoffed. The tension having dissipated some.
"The last three?" Maks asked and in a tone that meant he didn't know the answer and wanted to. Right now.
"Charms Today, Runes; Anthologies, and The Arithmetic." Draco answered and Thorfinn watched Hermione. There was something on her face when she caught his eye that said something he liked. Which he didn't like. If it was Malfoy she was doing it with.
"Why the big four journals?" He asked and Hermione smiled at him. Oh yes there was something there.
"It all combined and worked out because I caught her on a bad day." Draco began as if it were a fairy tale or something. She groaned and turned pink at that. Interesting. Everyone was listening now and the boys were drawing on a piece of parchment. The second course having just finished.
"You didn't answer when I asked why she started taking over the world." Potter pointed out and Ginny agreed. Even Andromeda nodded. Maks looked riveted. Taking over the world.
"I've been saving it for this day. Granger will only be this embarrassed once and it's my gift to Rowle upon his homecoming." The grin looked genuine but there was something in the grey eyes. Something interesting.
"Draco." Hermione nearly pleaded and then closed her mouth. Her glance at the blond was sharp.
"It was a warm spring night last April and I had come here to plead for a date to the next gala. Mother was encouraging me, firmly, to take Parkinson. To this day I do not understand why but Granger was the only witch I thought might appease my mother. Who delights in singing her praises to all who might not fully appreciate them. Her elf, he is yours Granger, don't give me that look. Her elf directed me to the paths behind this pillar and I dutifully wended my way through them. Certain my only hope of reprieve was somewhere in the shadowed evening." He wasn't the only one who chuckled through out that and they all began the main course.
"A princess Drac?" Soren asked and he nodded firmly.
"Exactly Soren. A princess. So off I went to find her and though I looked high and low, I seen nothing of the fair maiden. I even checked the benches incase she had fallen asleep under a book. Alas, it was not to be. Eventually I used a point me spell and followed it off the path. At the smell of smoke I became alarmed and wondered why the elf hadn't mentioned that the princess might need a knight to rescue her." He indicated himself and then teddy broke in.
"Did you bring a sword uncle drac?" He asked as if this were a real possibility.
"I was in full armour Teddy and it turned out to be needed. When I finally reached her, basically in the wilds out there it was a sight to behold." At that he stopped dramatically and Thorfinn watched Hermione colour further.
"The Princess was dressed as a peasant and surrounded by destruction and debris. As I carefully moved closer I wondered what hellish creature she had come upon. Then I watched her conjure a disgusting looking statue then catapult it into the air and blast it with what looked a jet of ice. The explosion was phenomenal I assure you. As I approached closer the silence instead of noise was confusing and then I entered her wards. Most of her words are not to be repeated in company. The next statue seemed familiar, excepting the grotesque facial expression, and her words explained the situation. Avery, Selwyn, and Flint were being blown up in effigy." All of them laughed at this and Hermione calmly continued eating her chicken. Only her pink cheeks giving away her unease.
"Granger. What are you doing woman? It was brave but I hadn't thought myself in danger from the fair maiden. Then her wand and attention turned to me and I wondered if her trusty elf would save me if I called him. 'These brutish pig headed patriarchal idiots are ruining my life and this country. They don't understand anything about compound interest or fixed pay scales. Trying to take my son's trust fund is the last straw. The very last.' Then it was clear what had been happening and what she meant. I suggested she dress herself appropriately and we plan revenge. I left with a date to the gala and a business partner with no Gryffindor compunction for fair play or notice of their imminent demise." With that he raised a glass to the witch and she smiled such a saccharine sweet smile that his immediate thoughts were of removing her from company and that dress. Smearing her perfectly charmed lipstick.
"That explains a few comments made to me about guarding my financial security." Maks put in and they all laughed, even Hermione.
An hour later he was in a formal sitting room and he was sure that it indicated something. Maks had come with them and the boys were flying with the Potters. Ginny having assured him that she had appropriate clothing and would be careful. As if Hermione's acceptance wasn't enough. He had just smiled at her and she relaxed significantly. It wasn't the first time he had met her since returning but he could tell she wasn't sure of him.
"This room makes your reluctance clear Granger. What is the problem?" Draco spoke as soon as the door closed behind the witch in question. She was looking at him, not the man speaking and he just held the eye contact. Not concerned at all and trying to show that to her.
"The original seed money, it was mine." She admitted after looking away from him. This was news to the blonde and he showed it clearly.
"Then what is the problem? And why didn't you keep it?" He asked and Thorfinn wondered the same. Trying to understand what she had done. Maks caught his eye and gave him a look that said something about the witch.
"The dismissals." She answered and Draco gave her a huff. Thofinn just watched the stubborn tilt of her chin.
"Granger." He began and she held up a hand to stop him.
"Don't do that Draco. It took only a few months of you being out for everyone to toady to your privileged arse. The Malfoy heir returned, barely blemished, to the bosom of the boys club. Not even you offered me support then. No one did. I was left alone with everything. The fines were worse for us than you. Two had been marked and even if Rowle was a fucking prig, Finn didn't have a sob story or a mother to plead for leniency. Didn't have Harry or me invited to speak of his small acts of mercy. His heir wasn't old enough to claim his inheritances as separate from the family finances. He only had me and what the goblins and another damn paper could do." She was breathing heavily by the end and didn't look at him. He watched Malfoy shift uncomfortably against the wall he was leaning on. The three men stood around the room, leaning on the walls, but the witch stood on her own in the middle.
"That doesn't mean you can't take it. Or this at least." He spoke quietly and she scoffed.
"Is that your version of an apology. Tossing me a bone or something. Let's give the little witch a pat on the back and ignore why she did it. Again. The money stays in the Rowle vaults. Finn can sign the agreements or not, if he doesn't it stays in Soren's vaults and he can decide what to do next. I made sure the seed money stayed in the business accounts and everything else was funnelled back in. We had a lot. It was a lot that needed fixing and I couldn't trust my daddy's team of crooked bankers to sort it out, shift it around for me. Our tax brackets are at least five percent higher than anything I've seen you list. I notice that the demand for financial transparency wasn't on your parole terms." Her voice was as dry and sarcastic as he had ever heard it. He thought about what she had said and what it meant. Even with the forms and agreements he had set up, there was no paterfamilias to advocate. No way for her to fight for fairer terms or even be represented. Unless others did it for her. It seemed they hadn't. This one hadn't offered even.
"No one?" He asked, his tone was a bit rougher than he would have liked with Malfoy here, and at that she turned to him. Her eyes were apologetic and she looked unsure. Then her gaze hardened and she gave him a nod.
"Little cub." It was all he could do, all he could say right now. Another way she had stood alone and done her best. She smiled a wobbly half smile at him and he knew she was trying to reassure him.
"What is your gross additions to the little man's coffers?" Maks asked and Thorfinn looked at him. They all did. It wasn't a polite question and she didn't answer it, only looked back to him.
"That's family business." Then she shot a glance at Malfoy. Making it clear he was who she meant, not Maks.
"175,000 or so is what we have made together Rowle." Malfoy offered and no one looked to him. He just looked at her. She looked to Maks and then back to him.
"I've got it all laid out at Gringotts so you can see. When you are ready." The last was firm and he just gave her a single nod.
"That's substantial." Maks responded to Malfoys number and the blonde scoffed.
"I want her to start a firm with me. Combine what we have bought together. She understands muggle finance and how to use it. Some of the money changes accounts three times before it is funneled into profits and a portion back into each company. Stock markets are what they are called, instead of a single owner you buy portions of the company and the market decides their worth. There's more but it's interesting." That last was an admission and the witch rolled her eyes at his still evident prejudice.
"I don't want to run a company with you. Rowle might though." The words were firm and Maks scoffed. He chuckled at the appalled look on Malfoy's face.
"I doubt it." Malfoy's words were dry and Hermione shot him another look.
"Don't do that. He isn't stupid. I'm so tired of this. It's Finn's house and his money. His son and his birthright. All I am is a witch with just enough power to stop things from crumbling down. Not even enough to decide what to do with those things. I hope. I hope he turns around and surprises all of you. Everyone who has undermined and dismissed me. As if he didn't think through what he was doing. Didn't trust me to make decisions. Even you. Little comments about what he would think or what I would do after. It is after now and I'm still standing. This family survived the wars and the blatant attempts to take advantage of its underage scion without a sacred twenty eight guardian. Don't patronize me or him. How do you think I had those all important pieces of paper Draco? No one asked me really. Even Harry didn't. He had the same lessons you did and a father with no desire to keep his son from having any of the power and influence." The last was a cheap shot at the blonde who looked hurt for a second and then deflated.
"Granger." Malfoy spoke consolingly and maybe even apologetically. Maks was watching him. He could feel it and he was sure that if he hadn't had all those lessons she had just mentioned, he would be blushing at her praise.
"That's enough." He spoke into the charged silence, seeing Hermione's shoulders tense and knowing she was reaching the end of her tether. He liked to know it's length and back in the day at school, this was when he would have acted. When she was teetering on the brink of losing her temper. She could be pushed around then. Corralled into things and he wasn't letting Malfoy do it now. Her whiskey eyes met his in thanks and she turned to the door.
"Send the contract to Macallister as usual and don't try anything Draco. I'll force a sale. Or Finn will after we sign those papers. Your Mother won't be pleased to have news of our financial break up grace the front pages." With that, he thought it was a threat, she walked to the double doors and opened them both before walking back the way they had come. No doubt to find their son and calm herself.
He met Maks eyes after she had left his line of sight and the calculation was there. Malfoy pushed off the wall and took a step toward the door before it closed at his wandless gesture and sealed.
"Let's have a whiskey and you can say all the shit you want to. To me." He spoke evenly and Maks moved to the liquor cabinet.