Threadbare and Full of Holes
Chapter One: The First Time in Four Years

Disclaimer: Most characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Summary: Five years after graduating from Hogwarts, things have changed for two former students, and things are about to go way over their heads.



He stared disgustedly at the other man's shoes. How could so much have changed in such little time?

A mere five years ago, the other other man had been quidditch captain and bound to go on to a greater life; what a snobbish brat he had been. And yet, the change that took hold over the now careless blonde was not really all that surprising. Five years ago, he himself had been best friend of the quidditch captain of another house, always lurking in the more famous boy's shadow for the most part. Then, his family had finally acquired money, and his life had taken a turn for the better.

Apparently, this was not the case with the blonde sitting across from him, but Ron had no been expecting to be sitting in an extravagant apartment; everyone in the wizarding world knew that the Malfoys had been forced to pay the ministry for damages done during the Dark War. By the time they had managed to pay off most of the debt, Lucius hung himself. Leaving nothing for his wife or son. Instead, Ron felt smuggly proud when upon entering the dingy apartment he found it a squalid reck.

The blonde man lay in an awkward position. His feet dangling over the back of the couch that must have been blue once. His head hung over the deeply depressed cushion. The center of the couch was so far sunken in that the man's head almost touched the ground. Almost. His hair however, left small streaks in the dirt that littered the floor when he moved his head. He had not gotten up to welcome his guest, instead shouting for whoever it was to come in. Shock overtook him when it was his house rival that stepped through the door that was barely attached to the hinges. The redheaded man, who looked appalled at the door as it whined on the rusty hinges, had undergone many changes since the last time he had seen him four years ago.

It had been under embarrassing circumstances that that meeting had occurred. He and his filthy whore of a mother, who had taken to sleeping about for money and seemed to enjoy it, had come to make the last payment to the Ministry of Magic. On their way out, he and Ron had bumped into each other. Already then, it was evident that Ron was on his way to a better life. His robes where less dowdy and more acceptable. Where as, Draco had gone on a reverse; his robes no longer splendid with intricate designs. Oh, how he loathed his father. They had said nothing to each other, merely walking on if they had never known one another.

Even when Ron had entered his grimy apartment, he still had not stirred from his spot on the couch. Well, well, well, Draco smirked, although it did not reach his eyes. What have we here?

Ron looked at Draco as though he was a speck of dirt, and after a reproachful glance about the room. He sat down in a chair after performing a cleaning enchantment on it without Draco asking and still said nothing. His eyes ran across the room. After all the years of torment from Draco about his families wealth, or lack there of, it was ironic to be sitting in the same room as the man he had seemingly switched places with. Oh, yes, Draco bit. Please, do sit down.

Don't mind if I do, Ron said. Draco shifted on the couch. In the process, he ungracefully kicked up some dirt, which Ron swore under his breath and glared at the dirt as if daring it touch him. Draco nearly chuckled. There was the boy he had tormented as a child, but he was a boy no longer. With his manhood had come many changes that left him with an impressive person.

The dirt settled down, and Ron looked a bit more at ease now that it no longer threatened to soil his clothing. Smoothing out his pristine white shirt, lest it wrinkle while he sat, he looked at Draco. Measuring him up. Finally, he spoke, I've got a business proposition for you.

Draco responded, only mildly interested as he pulled a bruised fruit from one of the recesses of the couch. The last job offer he'd had had left him in a worse state. Although, he could use some extra cash, and Weasley looked as if he was throwing it around these days. Straining his memory, he tried to recall what it was that the crimson haired man was doing these days as he bite a chunk out of the pear.

You'll work under my conditions, Ron said, casting another disdained glance about the room.

Which are? Draco asked, spewing bits of pear everywhere.

Ron's eyes flashed momentarily, a fragment of pear narrowly missing him. First, you move out of this apartment, into a more suitable one, Ron hesitated waiting for the other man's reaction.

Draco dropped back into the position Ron had found him in earlier. His hair causing the dirt on the floor to fly up slightly before settling back down. Ah, easier said than done, Draco said uninterestedly. For you see, Draco said making eye contact with Ron's cool blue eyes as his arm swept above him. I have no fucking money, and therefore a more suitable apartment, he winced before continuing to talk with is mouth full of his fruit, is out of the question.

I figured as much, Ron articulated. Which is why I'll be paying for your apartment. When Draco's eyebrows rose, Ron proceeded, You'll need a new wardrobe of course. Something to take care of the doubtless shitty one you have now, but we can take care of that later. You'll be available whenever I need you. If you have any prior arrangements with someone to meet for a night I need you, then you're too cancel them, or the deals off.

Fair enough, Draco said, spewing more chunks of pear everywhere. They still failed to hit Ron, but then Draco was not aiming for him or anything in particular. Others before Ron had said the same thing. And the pay?

Five hundred galleons a day. Then as if on a second thought, Maybe, six hundred. It all depends on how good of an actor you are. If you slip up once during the business proceedings, then the deals off, and you only receive 400 a day for your services. I'll pay you weekly.

Holy shit, Draco whispered. Then, gulping down another bite from his pear, he asked, Will the apartment rent be taken out of my pay? He was now suddenly enraptured by the offer,which was what Ron wanted. Granted 500 galleons a day was not particularly wonderful pay, it was undoubtedly better than what he was receiving now, which was close to nothing.

Ron smirked, No. The money you receive is for you to spend as you wish. Do an extra good job, and I'll throw in some bonus money. You'll need it after our business is done. I'll not be requiring your services in six months, so this will be a relatively long business deal for you no doubt.

What is this business that I'll be doing for you? Draco asked, one of his eyebrows cocked. He worked in several fields of business these days. All his pitiful means by which to earn enough money to get by, which he was just barely doing.

Ron said, standing to pull a roll of parchment from his midnight blue pinstriped pants. Is contained in these papers. You must agree to do everything outlined in this, you'll sign you signature on the bottom if you agree.

Draco took the parchment from Ron's outstretched hand, and glanced at its contents. He took another bit from the quickly diminishing bruised fruit. He appeared a bit uneasy.

All you'll be doing is what is outlined in those papers, Ron said noting the change in Draco's attitude. Nothing more, nothing less.

Draco relaxed a bit. Ron was asking a bit much if he was honest, but he was offering a pay higher than any other before him. How long do I get to decide?

Four days. I'll be back on Thursday by noon. If the papers aren't signed by then, then I'll assume your answer is no.

Why me? Draco said, more chunks flying from his mouth again.

By god, man! Learn some manners, Ron chided as he ducked a larger chunk of pear. It made Draco uneasy to see such a malicious emotion twist the other man's face.

Finally, Ron answered, because, you wouldn't dare to reveal our business to anyone. You have much to gain by accepting my offer. And with that, Ron strolled from the filthy apartment, confident that Draco would agree to his terms.

Authors Note: Why, hello there. I see you've managed to read this, and I sincerely hope you'll take the opportunity to review this and let me know what you think. If you found any typos, then please do let me know. My spell checker is definitely not within light years of being perfect, and I don't have a beta-reader.
Anyway, about this story. I can't give away too much, but if you have any questions then I'll answer what I can. Lets see if I can answer before their asked though. Ron is the keeper of the Chuddley Cannons now, and Draco, well poor Draco. His career will soon be revealed, or rather discovered. Although, I'm sure many are fully capable at taking a stab at what he does for a living. This story was inspired by a song called by Wheatus. There's one clear reference to the song, and another not so clear reference. The next chapter will deal with Draco's decision concerning the business. Also during this next chapter I'll also be revealing to you what it is that Ron has requested of him. Thanks for reading this story! :)