AN: Kia: I am a bit of all three. I worked as a botanist until a month or so ago when I got a new job working to cure diabetes in a research lab. I love all animals and have a cat, dog, and rabbit. I stick mostly to detailing plants just because the getting 'rat livers' for potions is fairly self explanatory and also just kind of sickening. Also #Heressomedamnpeace! I should note that both boys are merely side characters in this fic.
Draco spent a proper weekend of boyish debauchery with his friends. After his weekly visit with his mother he even invited them back over for dinner. She had a good day and that put him in the spirit for hosting. Much better than last week's ordeal.
"I say we expand to Russia next." Theo responded over a glass of amber liquid. "It's a sound market, with weak infrastructure. Not only is there want, there is need."
"No no, Japan. The market there is much more attractive." Blaise responded as he nibbled on the cheese set that Pinky had placed on Draco's desk.
"Attractive women don't make profit, Blaise." Theo huffed as he took another sip.
"Not with that attitude they don't." The man smiled charmingly as Draco rolled his eyes. Blaise would eventually acquiesce and Theo would start them up in Russia making sure to plan a visit to scope out Japan as well. It was days like this that made him feel on top of the world.
The argument was interrupted by the familiar green flames of the floo. His heart stammered, afraid a bushy-haired woman was about to roll out of his fireplace. He risked a glance at his watch. No messages. He sighed in relief as the flame burned down, Granger never came over without notice, even if he didn't afford her the same courtesy. As a matter of fact he hardly ever would have noticed her coming if she hadn't kept leaving her blankets about.
"What's this then?" Theo jumped up from his chair eagerly and scrambled over to the ashes. He picked up a medium sized jar, stopped with a chord of cork, a dinner plate sized packet and a small letter.
"Ingredient delivery probably." He responded, knowing full well he had not ordered anything recently.
"Oh really?" Theo questioned with an all to dangerous grin. Without hesitation he tossed the letter and parcel to Blaise then uncorked the jar.
"Opening someone else's mail is a crime in some countries." Draco offered trying to appear nonchalant. There was really only one thing it could be.
"Not this one." Theo smiled as he gently dipped his finger in the black sanded contents of the container. With a curious sniff and light tap to his tongue he jumped back as if he had been burned. "Bloody hell, that's Dragon scale!"
He threw back the rest of his firewiskey, something Draco doubted actually reduced the burning. "Told you. Stop putting random things in your mouth before it kills you."
"It's potent too. I've never seen it so fresh." Theo commented in between sips. Meanwhile, the rustling of paper indicated that Blaise was sticking his nose into Draco's business as well. The boy let out a slow whistle as he uncovered the package. Examining it for a second before tossing it to Draco.
Now this was unexpected. He knew he would get a cut of the scales and bones but had not expected anything else. Carefully removing the brown parcel paper, he uncovered a midnight black span of fabric. Velvet? Fur? Leather? No it felt softer. He realized it was dragonhide right around the time Blaise had started reading the note.
"Draco,
We are so grateful for the stalk. I know you have changed her life and I am a bit ashamed to say that I took some as well for my own personal needs. I have attached the dragonhide as an additional show of my gratitude. I hope you can make it over tomorrow or tonight so we can work on the bones."
Draco blessed his lucky stars she had not been stupid enough to sign the note. Noting nothing too revealing in the note he sighed and took a sip of his coffee. When he glanced up, both boys were staring at him with devilish grins.
"Looks like Skeeter finally got one right." Blaise responded smugly.
"I mean she was bound to at some point." Theo commented to the air. "It was really a numbers game."
"Pardon?" Draco questioned as he unfolded the deep black dragonhide. It was an expensive and very sizable chunk of the sample they took. More than enough to make something wearable. He was going to need to contact his tailor.
"I told you he had a woman Blaise." Theo responded smugly.
"Two from the sound of it. When are you going back to 'work on the bones' Draco?"
"Please," Draco coughed as he finally caught their meaning. The note was certainly vague, it had to be. But really, they were certainly making something out of nothing. "It's just an order is all."
"Uh huh," Theo responded standing up and cracking his knuckles. "Well, we're going to need more information with that."
Draco rubbed his head, it was going to be a long night.
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"Are you insane?" Draco questioned as he stormed into her living room. He spun around before finally locating her at her window sill.
"In general? No." She continued to stroke Crookshanks who had barely opened an eye in acknowledgement.
"What kind of note was that?" The blonde boy roared as he stalked over.
"A thank you note? I understand you aren't a muggle but we tend to send them when we receive something to be grateful for."
"That's not what it looked like to Blaise and Theo!" He shouted as he shook the note in question above his head.
"Well what did it look like to them? I had sent it to your study as previously instructed." She responded tartly.
"They think it's a love letter!" He said, shoving the parchment at her and scaring off the cat with a hiss. "A clandestine affair."
"Okay ew." She responded automatically and immediately felt guilty by the offended look on his face. "Sorry. I meant no way. Even reading it with that in mind it's a bit of a stretch."
"Well what am I supposed to tell them?"
"What did you tell them?" She risked a glance at his arm, clear of any angry red welts. He obviously didn't tell them the truth.
"That it was from a pair of twins in Nova Soctia." Draco hung his head with a sigh.
"Nova Scotia?" Hermione questioned as she tried to remember anything remarkable about the little state halfway across the world.
"I panicked! What would you have done?" He spat as he crossed his arms. She thought for a moment.
"Old rich lady. One with more money than company?" She suggested with a shrug.
"That-" He started with indignation only to have his face fall as he began to process it. "Is actually not bad."
"Thank you. Well if you are done with your tantrum I was actually about to message you anyway." She brushed the blankets she was nestled in away and made her way over to her armchair. A bottle was placed conspicuously at the center of the otherwise empty coffee table.
"Isn't it a bit late?" He questioned as he relaxed enough to sprawl possessively on the couch. His couch at the point really. Not that she would tell him that.
"It won't take long, I just wanted to show you something." She floated the bottle toward him and met his speculative glance with a confident one. She could back track. She could tell him to forget it and to go home. But, Luna had slept without fear for the first time in years. Neville had even said he planned to thank the Slytherin next time he visited. Actually thank Draco Malfoy. Molly Weasley was knitting the devil a jumper at that very moment. "Don't drink it."
He simply unstoppered and sniffed it instead. He seemed to process for a moment before narrowing his eyes in suspension. "What are you implying, Granger?"
"Pardon?" She responded slightly taken aback. She had expected a lot of different reactions. Annoyance, indifference, arrogance. Suspicion was an odd choice.
"This smells remarkably like a potion of endless sleep. I'm not sure why you think I would need it." Potion of Endless Sleep. The potion that caused the famous fairy tale. A coma inducing potion that once served as a way to silence figureheads until their affairs could be put in order. It looks like she just gave Malfoy an assassin's weapon.
"Oh no! No, no! I am so sorry. That's not what it is." She hastily stumbled over her words as she tried to explain. "It has a similar base of bat wing and herda helix but it uses focusing agents including peppers and flax to better control the- oh dear I'm rambling aren't I?"
She blushed as the blonde man nodded with an amused smirk. He was clearly enjoying the show. "No please continue, I think the tinderbox you call hair is about to catch."
"Ugh!" She growled only half regretting moving forward with it. "So I know you're about to get really busy for the holidays and so we may not have time to work much. And well it's my potion."
"Clearly." He responded eyes darting to the three eyed cat carved on the cork stopper.
"I meant it is an Elixir of Lucidity." She huffed. She was at least placated a bit as the man sat up straight staring at her confusion. "I was thinking you may want to do something with it."
"I must admit that I haven't had much time to play with it. Bigger fish and all that." She remained silent as he actually sussed out the meat of her offer. The confusion morphed to something close to shock before it was schooled back into the classic smug half smile. "You want me to market it? A bit low on cash, Granger?"
She shrugged helplessly. What was it about Sytherins? Everything had ulterior motives, no one could just be nice. "I want nothing. I know you have the recipe but it's yours to do with as you please. Market it. Develop an addiction to it. Shove it in the back of your closet and forget about it. Whatever."
"Oh." He at least had the good sense to look sheepish and a bit honored. He should be. Master's never release their name sake potion recipe until they die, sometimes not even then. It was an extension of trust that she did so, charging him with maintaining the integrity of the potion. Thus her status as a Master. Not that she particularly cared about it. She was just sick of the potential of the elixir hanging over her like a sulking teenager. It was his problem now.
"I am sure you can use it to make someone's life happier." she offered with a helpless shrug. "Better than it rotting away on a shelf."
"Uh, thanks Granger. I-"
"Don't." She held up her hand to immediately stop him. She didn't think she could handle genuine gratitude from him. "I just didn't want to buy you anything. I know it's early but, Happy Yule."
"I didn't get you anything." he responded as he fingered the red ribbon melted into the wax.
"I don't want anything. Just have a good Christmas, okay?"
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It came the next morning, as it always did on Christmas eve. When the bell above her mail basket rang she felt her heart sink in dread. She hated the holidays.
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The week before Christmas was an affair when you were a known bachelor with no family to speak of. Draco had received no less than 13 invites to various gatherings and Blaise had certainly received double that at least. Theo was currently tinkering with the Elixir of Lucidity, trying to figure out just what its limits were. The two of them knew better than to interrupt him until tomorrow when they would forcibly drag him out.
It was at one of these gatherings he spotted the perfect gift. It was actually an ornament on the hostess's tree. The room tinkled with the sound of glass swaying in the breeze. The tree itself was fairly standard, a thick evergreen base with wax candles floating at the tips of branches without burning. The real magic was in the ornaments scattered around the tree. Impossibly delicate glass figurines carved in various forms danced in and out of branches, catching the flickering light before disappearing again. The one that caught his eye was easily missed, curled up deep near the trunk, nearly impossible to see. A simple but beautiful enchanted cat.
"Aren't they gorgeous?" The hostess questioned with a drawl. He vaguely recognized her as someone he made specialized and very discreet anti-wrinkle potions for. She looked no older than 30 but Draco knew her to be at least 120.
"The cat reminds me of a colleague of mine." He responded graciously.
"Oh that nasty thing. Every year we pull them out of storage and I want to smash it into the ground. All it does is hide and claw at people. Every time I throw it away it comes back the next year." She responded with a dismissive wave. "I would hope your colleague is much more amendable."
"Not by much." He offered with a grin. "Where did you find it? I think I will pick one up."
"No no, take this one I insist." The woman snatched up the little glass kitten with more force that it looked able to take. "These are from my great grandmother so you will never find another set. This way you have your cat and I can be rid of the blasted thing."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries before she was inevitably called away to her duties. Draco eyed the small kitten as she rolled around on his palm, chasing unseen mice.
It's only fair. He told himself. She started it and I refuse to let her pull ahead of me.
With more care than necessary he wrapped the small cat in his pocket square and made a point to swing by before the next party.
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When he had arrived at Rowana's Cell he was deeply surprised to find it empty. It of course made sense she would be out spending the holidays with whoever she counted as family of course. After all as far as he could tell, no human other than himself ever came to visit the workshop. He understood that the volatile chemicals and astringent smells weren't exactly set up for a tea party, but if he could manage, then that African Seer could choke back a cup of English Black and comment on the drapes.
As soon as he stepped out of the floo, a light glow kicked on in the corner. Shoved directly to the right of the floo was a charming little Christmas tree. It was somewhat a shock, considering when he had visited yesterday the corner was empty except for a few discarded boxes. He had every intention of leaving the mewling kitten on her desk but this was a much better option.
With a nod of gratitude for his luck he moved closer to examine the tiny evergreen. The thing could barely be considered a bush let alone a tree. It only just hit his hip at its tallest point. He figured it may have been all she could send for through the regular post. He had seen her get mail before but only by letter. She was remarkably touchy about her floo address and even magic couldn't squeeze an adult fir into an envelope.
At the base there was indeed the shredded remains of a bright red casing, peppering the floor. The thick emerald boughs were delicately laced with snow, small flurries maintained by thick white clouds near the trunk. Miniature gas lanterns speckled the branches, illuminating the tracks that circled around the small shrub. As if called, a model version of the Hogwarts Express rounded the back of the tree, producing a thick tail of smoke. In spite of its size, it was quite beautifully done. His mother would have approved. He gave a low whistle of appreciation towards the skill Hermione must have had to create such an intricate charm with so many moving pieces. He unwrapped his kitten and let it crawl into the tree. Much happier to have it's own domain it roamed the branches, batting at the swinging lanterns. He was smiling as it rolled down the slope of a branch only to catch itself on the one below it. As the final car of the track rounded the bend he saw it. A small scrap of red ribbon embroidered with a deep gold trailing behind the car.
Merry Christmas. -Love Harry
He was still watching the thing flutter around the opposite side of the tree as Hermione exited her bathroom, her hair flicked with bright colors of paint.
"Oh, Hello Draco." She said as her eyes met his. She glanced down at her rainbow smudged robes and shrugged with a smile. "Sorry I am such a mess. I hardly expected you. You really should message me first."
"Happy Yule Granger." He responded pulling himself back up to full height. "I was just dropping off your Yule Present." He twitched his head toward the tree.
"I told you not to get me anything." She whined but wandered over to join him. She instantly noticed the cat, mingling amongst the grander magic of the tree. She stuck her finger close to him which he batted away playfully. "He's cute, reminds me of Crookshanks."
The both stared at the train as it rounded the thick base of the tree before beginning it's upward climb.
"So where are you coming home from?" He questioned as he tried to force the conversation to casual. "Crazy party?"
"Hm? Oh. No." She tickled the kitten's stomach as it rolled on it's back purring. "Rainbow Canyon. Those feathered serpents enjoy mud quite a lot."
"Er… Granger?" Draco questioned as he watched her gaze adoringly at her present. "Not that it's exactly my place to ask. But what are you doing here."
She stiffened. "I live here Malfoy."
"I mean, it's Christmas Eve. Don't you have some place to be?" He slid his hands into his pockets as he watched her, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.
"Not a huge holiday person."
"Could have fooled me. Between this and Halloween." He responded as he followed her gaze to Potter's note.
"Any chance you'll let it alone?" She questioned as she straightened.
"Maybe if you ask nicely." He wandered over to his couch and lounged upon the ugly thing taking solace in it's comfort. He would probably just leave if she asked. He didn't have any particular interest in all of this.
"Don't have anyone to spend it with." Her voice was neural and flippant. Like he had asked about her preference of wine.
"Luna?" He questioned as she settled in her armchair, staring at the softly burning floo. He hadn't realized how dark the place got when the lights were down. Or perhaps he had just forgotten.
"At Neville's estate. I don't want to intrude."
"Cat bitch?" Not that he could blame her for avoiding the snippy seer.
"No and be nice. Honestly." Hermione pulled her legs up into her chair, crossing her arms over them.
"Dragon boy?" Surely the mother of the world would be happy to have her third wayward child join in on the celebrations.
"Dragon's don't take holidays." She muttered.
"The rest of the ginger clan?" He questioned as she pulled herself tighter. She didn't bother responding. He heard the Hogwarts Express sound its horn behind him.
"Hermione?" He nearly jumped as she glanced at him. She looked deeply uncomfortable and terribly alone. A feeling he remembered all too well. "Why don't you talk to Potter anymore."
Her gaze steeled as he waited for her answer. After a moment he broke it, choosing instead to stare at her ever familiar ceiling. He had intended to leave, but he was shocked to find he didn't really want to. He was quite comfortable and the quiet respite from the uproar of conversation and music was so unlike the Christmases he had always known. It was a good few minutes before she sighed.
"How do you know we don't talk anymore?"
"Ran into him at the ministry a couple month's back. Man is terrible at interrogation." He stated simply.
"He didn't-"
"Nothing official." He shook his head lightly drawing his eye's down to meet hers. She was frightened. "I didn't tell him anything."
"Thank you." He simply shrugged.
"We just drifted apart is all."
"Why?" She flinched and he felt a bit guilty. But then again, she didn't have to answer if she didn't want to. He wasn't holding a veritaserum to her lips.
"You know how you are not okay? And how I am not okay?" She responded unknotting her legs. He nodded more because it felt like it was the right thing to do, rather than argue with her. "Harry, Harry is okay."
"Hm." Draco responded trying to maintain neutrality. He certainly didn't sound that okay when he was threatening Draco.
"He's got a wife and a career and a cute little dog named Lolo… We weren't the same anymore… So we just… drifted… I always intended to go back... I just.."
"Sure." He understood the premise of course. There were some things you just didn't need detail on. Somethings you didn't ask about just because you didn't want to know. Some things you let the people deal with on their own, even if they were doing it wrong. More out of habit and guilt than anything else he asked the question that was hanging in the air. "Why you're not okay?"
"I think I have every reason not to be don't you?" She responded viciously. He felt himself physically shrink back at the truth of the statement and returned his gaze to the ceiling, keeping his mouth shut. After a breath she sighed.
"Why are you here?" She asked, her voice thick with accusation. He tried not to take it too personally. Instead he cocked his head toward the tree.
"Your present. Didn't want it to be late so I snuck out between parties."
"How difficult it must be to be a social pariah." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes. He allowed himself a smirk.
"Can't all be shut-ins, Granger. Someone has to fuel the gossip rags." He rearranged his arms, folding them behind his neck.
"Well you should get back to it then." She responded returning to the slightly annoyed witch he had grown accustomed to. "Wouldn't want a young journalist to miss out on her scoop."
He scoffed loudly. "I would hardly call Rita Skeeter young by any measure."
"Is that horrid woman still alive?" Hermione questioned pushing herself up from the chair. "Remind me to tell you the story about her and a jar."
"A jar?" He questioned cocking his head to the side with a devilish grin. That did sound amusing.
"Another time. You should go, they'll miss you." He stood, staring at the young witch as she waved the lights on to a glow. She looked so small in such a huge space. Like she could slip through the floorboards and disappear.
"You could come with." He offered, almost immediately regretting his statement when she whirled around. He was prepared for some sort of hex, but instead was just met by a perplexing look.
"Takes the heat off me for a while. We could dress you up. Mystery woman arrives with London's three most famous bachelors. Who is she? Where did she come from? Blaise would be so put out to not be the center of attention."
She relaxed, giggling into her hand. "While that does sound amusing I am quite tired. Plus I am covered in clay."
"Tomorrow then?" He offered haphazardly. He was thoroughly shocked as she actually seemed to consider it.
"I don't know."
"Do you really want to spend Christmas, sitting in the dark feeling sorry for yourself?" He questioned with obvious disdain. Pity was bad. Self pity was worse still. She watched him for a measure. Her eyes scanned him for… anything he supposed. Trickery, malice, judgement. He relaxed his stance and let her watch, she wouldn't find anything.
"Alright I suppose. As long as I don't know anyone there." She responded slowly, like she was afraid he would take it back.
"Please. I don't know if you were aware of this Granger. But I don't usually associate with your circles." He scoffed and was rewarded when she relaxed, falling into a soft smile.
"Alright, alright. Now get back to your party before your friends come looking for you." She waved him off like a proper mother hen chiding her chick. "You better not be drunk when I arrive tomorrow."
"Eight? My study?" He questioned.
"Fine whatever. Now shoo, I have work to do." Draco nearly leapt into the floo, casting a glance at the now much sadder Christmas tree once more. He was developing a habit of taking in strays. What was one more, really?
World building with Om
Elixir of Lucidity
A rather rare potion created by one Miss Hermione Granger. This potion allows for lucid dreaming, that is to say it allows the dreamer to control the dream around them. There was a good amount of potential in this potion before it's creator fell off the face of the earth with it's recipe. Very few bottles remain.
Magic little Christmas
Christmas is a much more subdued holiday in the wizarding world compared to in the muggle one. However, purebloods are always looking for a reason to party. The enchanted ornament is made of crystal and spelled to move and act like a real cat. It is also spelled to find it's way back to storage in case it gets lost. Harry's tree is time sensitive magic. When the caster is not present and has not locked a spell in place as is it only last as long as the magic used to create it does.
Timeline update
Christmas time obviously. This whole situation started mid august/ early September.