Black Stained
Chapter 27: What's happening in England?
The sun had only just risen, but Draco Malfoy was already up and about. Even though he only had to be at the ministry in another two hours, his morning was packed with work. Securing the house was one of the things he was constantly worrying about. With nasty reporters or biography writers trying to get any word from him and even going so far as to find ways to trespass on the Malfoy estate.
Only yesterday he had come home after his trip to Romania and found one sneaky reporter climbing the trees surrounding the gate. Whatever his plan might have been, Draco was furious and made sure the guy had left before going inside and resting.
Right now he was reading documents on his 'probation' and rules surrounding it. His short trip to Romania hadn't gone unnoticed by the ministry and they were bound to ask him about it. He knew he should have asked for permission first, but the situation seemed so dangerous he had opted to pull some fast strings and leave immediately for the remote country.
He finally reached the part he thought could shed some more light on his questions and flipped open accompanying law books.
Softly one of the house elves came in and placed a steaming cup of tea on the only empty place of the desk. With a quick glance Draco saw who it was.
'Thank you, Pobrey. Have the wards been checked yet?'
'Yes master Draco,' The house-elf responded bowing his head slightly,' all is well. Would master like Pobrey to take breakfast up to the study?'
Draco looked around the study, at the mess and piles which seemed to grow every minute. Sighing he shook his head. 'Thank you, Pobrey, but I'll come downstairs to the kitchen in a moment.'
With a last bow Pobrey left. Draco watched him go, remembering having asked the house-elves to stop with all the bowing and curtsying. But as Pobrey had told him several times now, it was part of being a house-elf, the force of habit too strong. Draco hadn't wanted to order them either, so left it to their own will.
Turning back toward the papers in front of him he focused his mind again. The rules of his freedom refrained him from leaving the country, more so without even asking permission. He then turned to the old law books he had opened. One of which showed a chapter about allowances and the others about specific punishments. The chapter about allowances told him he, in his position, would only be excused from leaving the country without permission if he could prove it absolutely necessary for the safety and health of a or multiple person(s) including himself. This would have to be proven with supporting physical proof and a statement from the person(s) in danger.
Draco racked his brain trying to come up with a reason for him to suddenly leave, but nothing in Romania could possibly help him. Only the truth would work, but he knew he had to keep Aral hidden.
He turned toward the other book. It gave vague descriptions of forms of punishments and didn't give Draco a clear view of what was to come if he didn't show any proof.
It did however point out that it most of the time depended on the judge himself.
After reading some more and studying the scripts Draco knew the consequences would be between sitting in jail for a couple of days or paying a fine.
The latter would be most convenient, but he was willing to sit in jail too if that meant keeping Aral's secret. It did slightly scare him, though. Because he knew, him sitting in jail would leak to the press, which would derail his social status. Again.
His eyes already tired from reading so much, Draco slammed the books shut and went downstairs. Breakfast already neatly placed on the worn kitchen table.
The rest of the morning Draco spent anxiously checking wards and spells and chatting with the house-elves.
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'Harry? Harry! It's almost nine o'clock, you're gonna be late!' Ginny called out to Harry, who was still in the bathroom. A muffled, incoherent response sounded.
Ginny shook her head, laughing silently. Today she didn't have any training so she could sleep in a little. Harry usually had to get up later than she did.
Ginny could hear Harry coming down the stairs and turned round to look at him. His hair was perfectly wild, his cheeks a little red from rushing, and his robes an absolute disaster. But Ginny loved this sight anyhow.
Giving Ginny a kiss on her cheek Harry rushed for the floo powder. It wasn't his favorite way of travel, because of all the dirt and ash clinging to you afterward, but it was his only option now.
'Make sure you don't get beaten up too much at training, love.' Ginny smiled.
'But always winning can get boring, I need to entertain myself some way.' Harry grinned. 'I'll see you tonight?' He asked stepping into their fireplace.
Ginny thought for a second. 'I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it back in time. I'm visiting Hermione today at Hogwarts, but it won't be until later this day, because she's got classes in the morning and wanted to study a bit first.'
'We'll see then.' Harry shrugged and waved goodbye, before very clearly speaking.
'Ministry of magic, Auror department.'
Green flames erupted and Harry disappeared.
First Ginny finished eating breakfast and read the paper. After doing some house chores she decided she wanted to stop by at the Burrow. She got ready and left Grimmauld Place.
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As usual Hermione was taking notes in class, the only difference was that she was alone with the ancient runes professor. Since Hermione was the only eight year student to study this subject.
'Professor?' Hermione asked re-reading her notes. 'If I understand correctly objects engraved with runes are driven by the wizards or witches intentions. When the original spell caster dies these spells live on on their own and fade over time. But what about objects created solely by a wizard or witch. Is it bound with their lifeline?'
'Great question, miss Granger.' Professor Babbling had to think for a moment before she answered. 'When an object is engraved with runes and casted with spells it keeps its original form too, it is only enhanced. So it decays too. Only in very rare instances have runes and spells kept existing without the object or the spells weakening. But those are from the old Magick.'
'Such as the sword of Gryffindor?' Hermione suggested.
'For example.' The professor turned to walk back to her desk. 'Creating something out of thin air is - in my opinion - impossible. There will always be a source for the material used. It could be conjured from a different place or from around the caster. Therefor the object will always be bound by earth's rules and perceptive to decay. But it depends on the used material how long it and its spells will last. That's why there can be so much difference in quality between the same items.'
Hermione nodded, understanding. Only she couldn't help but wonder about items such as the sword of Gryffindor. How they could stay so strong for so long.
'Thank you, professor.' She said, noticing it was time for her next class.
She cleared her table and put her books back in her bag. Before she could step out of the classroom professor Babbling called her. Curious, Hermione walked to the front of the class. The professor looked at Hermione, deep in thought. She opened and then closed her mouth. As if in doubt. Hermione's curiosity only grew.
'What is it professor?'
'Would you be interested in working on a special project?'
This sounded interesting.
'What does it entail exactly?'
'My wife works at the ministry at the Runes and Symbols department. They received a rather interesting object. But because of shrinkage and the object not being their highest priority it's gathering dust. They offer these kind of objects to younger students, mostly so they don't get in the way. It might be an interesting object to study. It would let you study the workings of decaying material further.' Professor Babbling explained, pushing her rounded glasses further up.
Hermione considered the offer. She was ahead with all her studies and she didn't have as many classes anymore as before. It would be nice to do a further study on the subject. Ancient Runes and complicated spellwork were her favorite subjects, after all.
'I want to accept your offer. Only I have to know where I am going to have to work on it and how much time I'm putting in this project. With the last exams coming in a few months I can't work on it too much.'
'How much time you spent working on it you can decide for yourself. I would have to write the ministry to confirm a formal invitation. Considering they usually only allow students who have an apprenticeship at the ministry itself to study ministry owned objects. But I believe they would make an exception for you.' She smiled at Hermione, then turned to draw up an official letter.
Hermione could only give a tight smile back. She knew most of time she received special treatment because of her 'War Hero' status, but she wanted to be judged by her skills and accomplishments as a witch.
'I'll let you know when I get any word from the ministry.'
Hermione thanked the professor and left for her next class. Looking at her watch she remembered Ginny would be here at around 3.30 P.M.
'Two more hours to go.' Hermione sighed contently.
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At the service desk at the front of the Runes and Symbols department was a middle-aged wizard seated. Draco knew him well. He was always working at the front desk in the morning and made sure everything ran smoothly at work.
'Good morning, Cransby.' Draco greeted him with a smirk.
'Good morning to you too, Malfoy.' Cransby replied sitting up a bit straighter and grinning. He pivoted his chair toward the mailboxes, shuffled with some papers and then handed Draco his mail.
'Got some work related documents and one from the big chief there,' he said, while simultaneously rearranging papers and writing some notes.
It was a very loaded job with various tasks and loads of arranging and writing, but Cransby Draco had to admit was an expert at it. Draco shuffled with the letters until he saw the one from 'the big chief'. The chief was the older witch running this department. A crazy old bat, but sweet enough. They refer to her as 'the chief', but Draco had no idea where it came from. Without using his wand he opened the letter with a neat slicing charm. Quickly he scanned the paper.
Mister Malfoy,
It has come to my attention that your work on decaying runes and symbols is becoming a very interesting and valuable research.
I would like to offer you access to some of the more complicated and rarer items we have in our storage. This way you can study on an object of your choice, furthering your research.
I can't meet with you today, but if you want to go ahead and see the storage for yourself beforehand you can use this letter at the entrance to access.
Make sure Phillips joins you.
Thursday you can come to my office between 13.30 and 15.00 to discuss the arrangements.
Sincerely,
Madam Miraphora Mina
Draco was surprised to receive the invitation. He had wanted to start working on a solo project for months now. His excitement must have been written all over his face, because Cransby leaned forward on the counter.
'Did you get a raise?' Cransby laughed.
Draco looked up and gave a small smile. 'No, better.'
Cransby gasped. 'Did it say you get to go out on a date with me?'
Draco laughed at that and put the letters in his pocket.
'Unfortunately, the news isn't that great.' He smirked back at Cransby.
'Such a shame,' Cransby said, with an exaggerated pouty face.
With a last laugh Draco turned and made for his office at the end of hall. Madam Mina, or the chief, said he could meet her on thursday which meant he had three days to check out the storage and decide which objects he wanted to use for his research. Plopping down in his chair he waved his wand to conjure some pen and paper. Before he could start writing down important details and certain terms his research would entail he opened the other three letters from his pocket.
One was from the ministry indeed notifying him that they had noticed his sudden trip abroad and that they would soon come visit for a detailed explanation. Draco immediately passed it to the bin.
The second was from an unknown name. But when he opened it and read the first sentence he threw it right after the other letter in the bin. Some no-name writer wanting to 'shed some light on his ''besmirched'' reputation'.
No thanks, Draco thought with a sigh.
The last one he almost again threw straight to the bin, but reading the first couple of sentences made it clear she was not a writer. It was from one Britney Fenugen.
Mr. Draco Malfoy,
First I'll have to introduce myself. My name is Britney Fenugen and I work at the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary, which you might remember from your visit last weekend.
But that's not really important. What's important is that I have become great friends with Aral Potter.
I recognized you at the Sanctuary and couldn't help but notice you seeming to know her very well.
Right now she is going through some tough moments. I want to help her, but don't know how to.
That's why I am writing to you. To ask you about her and if you could help me understand her more?
I would really appreciate it if you could write me back.
Thanks a lot!
Sincerely,
Britney Fenugen
Draco frowned. Britney Fenugen seemed sincere enough, but she came out of nowhere. A great friend of Aral? He knew Aral to not be very open and inviting to friendship. After sitting back for a moment he decided to write back to this woman. After all, Aral being so far away complicated their situation. He couldn't very well keep disobeying the ministry. Having another helping hand on the other side would come in handy. Carefully he constructed a response. Giving away little to no information about himself or Aral. He only wrote that he indeed was close with the witch and thanked the woman for offering help. He had to approach this carefully though. If this woman turned out to have different motives it could get ugly. That's why he suggested they should chat face to face. Because he didn't want to explain the whole probation thing to this strange woman he simply asked her if she was able to come to England soon. Rereading it, he approved and sent it.
Certainly not aware of what was happening in Romania. Nor of Aral's complicated state.
