As ever thank you for the continued reviews, follows and favs. I do hope you are enjoying this and that I am keeping you at least a tiny bit distracted.

As always apologies for ANY mistakes whatever they are, but I hope you continue to enjoy...

Lucius Malfoy had known Julius Nihil for many many years. Whilst they hadn't been what you might call close friends or kept in touch with any great regularity since the first wizarding war, they had been very friendly in their younger days and certainly knew enough about each other. It was without a doubt one of the main reasons why one Dark Wizard had come to the other for help now. Lucius wasn't aware that his old friend was a practicing legilimens but then things could have changed in the intervening years since they had last seen each one another, he was proof enough of that. Lucius couldn't however be certain about any working for him, Sandor Sirron or Vesper Drax for instance.

When the former Death Eater had first been approached to work for the Ministry of Magic and Ralph Messervy in particular, he had made many changes to his life and his lifestyle. First and foremost he had made sure his magical skills were a lot sharper than he had allowed them to become, including those of the dark arts. It had been easy to become lax and complacent, especially at a time when he had nothing much to do all day. Since joining RM, Lucius had honed his own magical abilities to perfection, becoming the formidable wizard people had always assumed that he was. He had even added a few new strings to his bow or spells to his wand as it were.

His late sister-in-law, the deranged Bellatrix Lestrange had instructed her nephew in the art of occlumency in order to keep his mission to kill Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore a secret. In the years following the Second Wizarding war, Draco had imparted his knowledge and his considerable ability to his father, it had brought the two much closer together, closer probably than they had ever been in fact.

It turned out that just like his son, Lucius was actually quite adept at the practice, it was a skill he'd wished he'd acquired years ago; it would have come in very handy especially with the Dark Lord. It was one of the particular magical skills he had sharpened since working for RM, feeling it could prove just as useful now. Having not complied with Julius Nihil and dealt with Hermione Granger as he had requested, that was never more in evidence. He silently thanked his only child as he joined Julius Nihil at his table for breakfast. The mission du jour was to quite simply get through the next hour or so without any problems.

"Good Morning Julius. I trust you slept well."

Lucius spoke first, seating himself comfortably with the older man. He rested his serpent headed cane against the arm of the carver chair and placing a napkin in his lap, summoned a house elf.

Lucius Malfoy's days of being the simpering, cowardly submissive were a long way behind him. Those actions had cost him so much in the past, including his self-respect and at one point his son. That was never going to be something that repeated itself, not any of it.

"Aah Good Morning Lucius. I did indeed." The grey haired man cast his bespectacled eyes briefly in Lucius direction, offering him a half smile.

"A very fine establishment you have hear and exceedingly comfortable beds. I cannot remember when I last slept quite so soundly."

A house elf appeared, even wider eyed that it was Lucius who had called for him.

"Tea" The blonde man snapped in his old contemptuous arrogant tone.

"Julius would you like anything else?"

The older man shook his head, dabbing his thin lips with his own napkin.

The house else vanished with a pop.

"That and of course knowing that you have dealt with our little problem."

"Just as you requested Julius"

Lucius kept his responses succinct with minimal conversation, hoping the other man wouldn't want him to elaborate in any way. The blonde wizard had never been one to volunteer information readily, so the older man would see nothing amiss and wouldn't be prompted to ask further questions.

The house elf reappeared, placing a pot of tea on the white linen covered table. He went to turn the cup around in the saucer but was impatiently shooed away.

Lucius noticed a slight sneer on his so called friend's lips as he raised his own cup of black coffee to them, very strong black coffee Lucius deduced, the pungent aroma filling his nostrils.

"Good" He said officiously, savouring the dark liquid as if it were a fine cognac.

"Some of us have gone decidedly soft over the years, changed our ways of thinking. I knew that would not have applied to you.

A smirk lifted Lucius lips as he poured milk and tea into the cup. His mind going down a rather different route to the one implied by his second breakfast companion of the morning. He certainly hadn't gone soft, not when it came to Hermione Granger.

"Indeed it doesn't" Lucius concurred in all truthfulness.

"I have to admit I was a little surprised that you counted Hermione Granger of all people amongst your friends".

This was one question, remark, which Lucius had anticipated and was well prepared with his answer, again a quite truthful one as it happened.

"For all intense and purposes Julius I am a legitimate businessman now, a very successful one at that, as you see."

The fine bone china all but rang as Lucius caught his spoon on the rim, accentuating his point to perfection.

"Business makes for strange bedfellows, but you must keep everyone happy, or at least be seen to."

Behind those dark rimmed glasses, Julius Nihil's hazel eyes glinted knowingly

"And some bedfellows, whatever their heritage and background are a lot easier on the eye."

The lecherous smirk on his face made Lucius' stomach churn.

But again the blonde concurred, he had no intention of going into his relationship with Hermione any further but his inferences to Julius Nihil remained truthful at least and kept him on safe ground.

"Indeed they are, it can be hard to swallow these days."

A little warmth invaded his lower body at his well-chosen words.

"Just who you are expected to get along with, be nice to, work with even, but it has its advantages. As you can see Julius, it serves me well and does me no harm. As long of course that true friends know where your allegiances lay."

Lucius Malfoy had honed more than just his magical abilities since the war. Grovelling and schmoozing had always been attributes the former Death Eater had possessed in abundance. But these days he really did have the Slytherin traits to use them all to his advantage and for his own gains, financial and otherwise. That legitimate businessman could also put on an exceptionally good front, be it through gritted teeth or in genuine pleasure. This was definitely the former.

"Once Grand Slam in implemented." Julius said lowering his voice, so as not to be overheard.

"Those allegiances will be well rewarded my old friend and you will not have to put on a front for anyone."

Not so many years ago Lucius Malfoy would have rejoiced at such words, but now as his face sneered in complicitous delight his stomach churned once more in disgust.

"Tell me Lucius." Julius Nihil said slowly his hazel eyes flittering about the all but deserted room.

"Does your son share your thinking, or is he all for the new ways?"

It was an odd question for the older man to ask especially now and Lucius wondered for a moment what had prompted him to ask it. Why he would suddenly mention Draco, his mind racing to the last time that he would have seen his son. Perhaps he was looking to recruit him into his nefarious plan, his blue grey eyes followed Julius' line of sight.

"Draco!" He exclaimed rising from the table and greet his only child.

"What a lovely surprise. I didn't expect to see you this weekend."

He clamped his young offspring warmly on the shoulder.

"I don't want to interrupt." Draco offered politely

"Nonsense." Julius stopped him abruptly.

"Your father and I had concluded our business for today and were just passing the time of day. Please join us." He offered, gesturing for the younger Malfoy to sit down.

"Thank you Sir."

Draco pulled out a chair from the round table and seated himself between his father and the other man.

Lucius summoned another house elf.

The same wide eyed creature returned to the table, his saucer like eyes, morphing into dinner plates as he was confronted with two Malfoys this time.

"What would you like Draco?" His father asked.

"Just some juice would be fine, Pumpkin."

Just like his father there were no pleasantries or polite words, his tone just as clipped and rudely indifferent.

Lucius waved his hand dismissing the house elf once more, it returned moments later with the chilled juice only the vanish again having placed it carefully before Draco.

"The last time we met Draco, you couldn't even walk."

Julius Nihil peered over the top of those dark rimmed glasses he wore, taking in the obviously much older Draco Malfoy.

"I'm sorry Sir, but I don't recall…"

Julius Nihil interrupted Draco again, this time with indifferent mirthless laughter.

"But of course you don't."

The grey haired man did not introduce himself to Lucius' son nor did Lucius himself do the honours.

Delighted as he was to see his son, Lucius was more than a little apprehensive. He didn't really want him knowing about his association with the other Dark Wizard and he certainly didn't want Julius Nihil thinking that he could potentially drag his son down the same path as him. Something else also occurred to him, Draco encountering his old school nemesis. Right now however he would have to focus on his reacquaintance with Julius Nihil, or rather him not reacquainting himself.

"I thought you were away this weekend." He said lightly, keeping the topic of conversation away from anything theoretically incriminating or threatening.

"You know what it's like father plans change."

His son's tone was flippant as he took a sip of his juice, typical Draco.

Any further chit chat was curtailed by the sound of a chair scraping across the polished wooden floor, as Julius Nihil rose from the table.

"I would like to stay and chat, but I am afraid further business calls, and I must leave."

Lucius breathed an inward sigh of relief; this was one issue resolving itself quite simply without any intervention. Although certain the grey haired man did have business elsewhere he was equally as certain that he really didn't want to stay and chat. He and Draco both rose from the table too.

"Stay." Julius said, his words sounding like a command to two well trained dogs.

"Enjoy some breakfast"

"You are my guest Julius, both as the owner of this establishment and as your friend it is only polite that I see you out."

Like dinner at the hotel, formal breakfast was served in Blades, unlike in the evenings however, to create a fresh start of the day ambience all of the blinds and curtains were retracted. There were one or two other guests enjoying a culinary start to the day, all of whom were seated close to the windows overlooking the spectacular grounds. As the three of them walked across the room. Lucius mind had already moved on to the next thing, ensuring that his son did not encounter Hermione, certain that would cause more sparks and aggravation than a defective wand.

"Draco why don't you go to my su…Office, I will be along in a few minutes."

Lucius had no idea how long Hermione's meeting with RM would take, but she would of course floo directly back to his suite. She might decide to take another shower or even a nap. Draco finding Hermione Granger naked in his shower or worse still in his bed would take far more explaining than having breakfast with a Dark Wizard who was a wanted man on several continents. Placating his only child was definitely not the mission of this day!

The younger man nodded as they continued to walk, escorting Julius Nihil to the door, Draco politely stepping in to open it for the other two.

Lucius looked at his son, giving him a strange smile as he bid Julius Nihil goodbye and left in the direction of Lucius' office come study here at Firefly.

"An excellent and very productive party all around Lucius. I will be in touch soon." Julius said without preamble.

Lucius inclined his head. "I look forward to hearing from you…"

Before he could say another word his friend apparated, to his room or somewhere else he had no clue. Right now Lucius Malfoy had other things on his mind.

He found his son in his office just as he had suggested. He looked quite at home and unperturbed by Lucius' breakfast companion, or that he had been asked to wait in here. The younger blonde was relaxing on a small chesterfield sofa his long legs stretched easily out, his feet resting on a small stool, as he thumbed absently through the latest edition of Magical Hospitality which had been on the table. Lucius closed the door firmly behind him with a quiet click, locking automatically. His fingers wrapped around the cool silver head of his cane, of his wand which he slowly withdrew from the ebony housing and pointed it at his reclining son.