Chapter 1: Building of an Empire
While following the direction of Jacques Beauvais, Draco had liquidated all his Gringotts accounts into English currency and transferred the funds to a bank in London where he could meet with a financial planner friend of Jacques' to talk about investments and possibly even a business venture. Jacques had become a sort of mentor to Draco for the muggle world. They had come across each other on the Internet as Draco was doing some research on Da Vinci and sent a bulletin requesting to meet with an expert. When he received an email from Jacq (Jacques surname to friends), Draco was intrigued by his distaste for the religious community. The two became fast friends while discussing the role the Priory of Sion and the so-called miracles in modern society. They had even taken a sabbatical to Rome, so that Jacq could show Draco some of the Priory's early supports works, but magic never entered the conversation until Draco had a slight slip of the tongue.
One day they were walking through the Leonardo da Vinci University library in Paris when Draco made a comment about how his mother had a fondness for da Vinci's art but his father deplored the idea of anything muggleborn. Jacq, of course, turned to him quizzically and asked if he was in fact a pure blood. As soon as this exchange took place a whole new aspect of their relationship was born and their discussions of the Priory took an interesting turn. Open to the idea of sharing more aspects of his life and intentions, Draco was ecstatic at the prospect of telling his new friend his whole life story, including the vendetta against the Golden Trio. Jacq, in turn, began taking Draco to meet several of his special friends and to unusual meetings, which seemed to occur in the most ancient and sacred of places. Draco had, in fact, stumbled upon the Priory faithful of current times. With this, a new phase of his life was born and the Priory opened doors for Draco that he thought were closed forever.
With all of his assets liquidated, Draco had opted for the development of a new company that would eventually catch the attention of the Ministry of Magic and thereby force their hand to deal with the new Draco Malfoy. His company was to be a pharmaceutical company that would use magical potion beginnings to champion new drugs and build him a financial empire along with presenting some new cures that would unnerve the magical community. The plan, which was carefully observed by the Priory, was sheer brilliance on the part of Draco and the others. The Priory understood that Draco had his own motives, but also realized the potential it had to break down more barriers for them as well.
------
Most of the Priory's early exploits into medicine had focused on things that they thought would gain the muggles' trust and loyalty – the treatments and cures for ailments and disease, but the standards for the global acceptance of such things required the list of all ingredients used and years of research and testing. Draco, however, in a moment of sheer cunning had suggested appealing to something muggles and wizards found much less foreboding – their vanity. He proposed that they make the focus of the company should be to develop products and treatments for anything related to appearance as it was a hugely successful market and very lucrative. Everyone wanted to be young, beautiful, thin, and physically appealing to others, so why not capitalize on their narcissism? And in a moment of reverie he also thought of the perfect name in tribute to his fallen mother, Narcissa.
Within two years, Narcissa's Cure was the world's foremost distributor of personal care and beauty products. They had pioneered the weight loss industry with a highly effective weight loss regimen which did not require a change in diet or exercise called the Dragon's Fire and their second best seller was an age defying cream called Time Turner. The consummation of these and the company's other products did ultimately catch the attention of the Ministry and Draco began to notice some colorful characters showing up at some of the functions in which he was in attendance. He also began to notice some interesting editorials appearing in the Daily Prophet about the 'dangers of taking one's outward appearance too seriously' and 'the company's primary owner is still suspected of shady dealings, so buyers of their products must act cautiously'. Seeing these things elated Draco for two reasons: one, they've given him the best publicity by cautioning people against such products; and two, he knew that soon the ministry would resort to any lengths to gain access to him and his company. And who would they send but their most trusted and reasonable witch, Hermione Granger, head of the Magical and Muggle Relations department.
He had seen an article in the Daily Prophet six months after graduation, congratulating her on her new appointment to the position after skillfully managing cover up all the aftereffects of Voldemort's reign of terror and the final battle, which had not gone unnoticed by the muggle community. She performed widespread Memory Charms on those exposed and helped the injured parties regain their original forms with the greatest of ease. She was also heading all efforts to keep magic secret from the muggle world for their own safety, noting the damaging mental effects that the muggles had after trying to deal with the concept of magic and religious freedoms. The introduction of the magical community confused the devout believers of millenia worth of religious teachings. They couldn't seem to see the correlation between God and Magic, because if Magic was real then what were the miracles that had fueled their faiths for centuries? It was agreed to keep the magical community hidden based on her research and subsequent findings. Once again, her high intelligence had paved the way for Draco's current lifestyle and success like a ripple on the waters of a lake.
Harry and Ron had inevitably also gone on to Ministry positions as well, based on their individual performances during the final battle. Harry became an Auror to protect the innocent and was playing Quidditch part time in England. Ron had relocated to the Americas to open a new division of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, where he also attempted to mend his broken heart following his break up with Hermione. They had broken up because Hermione had chosen to put her career before their relationship. The Daily Prophet reported on the annual reunion of the trio for the memorial services held for those who perished in the final battle. They gave their lives in an attempt to thwart anyone from attempting such liberties in the future. Although separated by time, space and interests, the pictures of the three of them in the paper looked as though they were still devoted to each other and each other's happiness. This only served to fuel the rage in Draco each time he saw it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Hermione arrived at her office early on a Monday morning, she was greeted with a message to get in touch with the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley, for an impromptu meeting regarding Draco Malfoy and his company. She had been doing research on the company and its products for months but hadn't turned up a single piece of evidence of wrongdoing on Malfoy's part as of yet. Although she believed that there was something more to what was going on than just a profitable venture, she could not find a single clue as to what it may be and was getting more and more frustrated. Grabbing the thick file relating to the case, Hermione headed to the lift to go to Mr. Weasley's office to meet with him. While in the lift, she decided to review her materials so she could answer any questions he may have with ease. No matter how many times she looked over the papers, she was always haunted by the fact that all appeared to be completely normal. Something was wrong, but what could it be?
At the door to the office, Hermione once again closed the file and walked in to see a large group of witches and wizards crammed into the reception area, waiting for something or someone. She strolled up to his secretary, Avery Thomas, and asked her to let Mr. Weasley know she was there and told the woman she would sit and wait until he was free. Avery, a woman in her mid twenties with long flowing ashen blonde hair, which she always wore up, and piercing aquamarine eyes, was wound up tighter than the Energizer Bunny today and simply waved her off and picked up the phone to let the Minister know Hermione had arrived. In the five years Hermione had known this woman, this was the first time she wasn't greeted warmly, which told her that something major was up. It wasn't more than a few minutes before Hermione and the rest of the group in the waiting area were called into the office to have an emergency meeting.
Once in the office, everyone instantly picked up on Mr. Weasley's disheveled appearance and a growing sense of anxiety surrounding him. The first order of business was brief introductions of everyone in the office and Hermione realized that it was all the Department Heads located here in London. What could be so big that everyone needed to be there, she thought to herself. That answer came swiftly and soundly following the pleasantries.
"I called all of you here for this meeting because we have uncovered some new information on Mr. Malfoy that I believe requires our immediate attention. We have been tipped off that he is about to introduce a new product that could cause serious repercussions to the wizarding community and we need to come to an agreement as to how to proceed," he began somberly.
"What is it, Arthur?" Rufus Janesko, head of the Department of Dark Arts Containment, inquired.
"Rumor has it that he is working on a formula to allow the transfer of someone's mind to another body. It would be marketed as a solution to the old or the sick to trade bodies with supposedly willing donors," was his reply.
"And how could he possibly expect to promote this without everyone in the world not thinking he was completely crazy?" Hermione piped up.
"Well, perhaps it's because he has found an ancient Dark Potion that would actually make it possible and, as we all know, if he can produce proof that he can do this, there will be people lining up to pay top dollar to do so," Mr. Weasley explained dramatically.
"Are we sure that the informant is correct with this information?" she reasoned.
"No, that's why we are all here. We need to get someone in there and find out what is going on," he further revealed.
"Do you have anyone in mind or may I volunteer?" she offered.
"Actually, that was my initial plan, should you agree." he stated.
"Fine, how shall I do this?" she asked.
"I was thinking that you could approach him under the premise of wanting to work with him on a proposal to unite the wizarding and muggle worlds through the support of his company," he suggested.
"I'll get to work on the details and get in touch with his office to try to set up a meeting right away." she countered and began to leave the office.
"Be careful, Hermione. You're one of best and brightest, but I also believe that Malfoy is too – except he has a history of being dangerous to boot." he stated as she left.
The last comment puzzled Hermione as she went back to her office. She was racking her mind to try to remember anything that Malfoy had done that was dangerous outside of childish pranks and snide remarks. She couldn't come up with any, so why would Mr. Weasley say such a thing if it weren't true? Maybe he, like the rest of the wizarding world, had tried and convicted Malfoy solely on the basis of what his parents had done? Throughout extensive investigations into Draco and his family, they had never turned up a single shred of proof that he had anything to do with Voldemort or his plans. So why was everyone so against him? Hermione hoped that with this operation she could convict or clear Draco Malfoy once and for all.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Draco had arrived at his office late this morning because the ceremony last night had run late and he had trouble getting out of bed. There had been a tremendous celebration for him as it was announced that Narcissa's Cure had grossed over 100 billion dollars in US currency and they now topped the Fortune 500 list of money makers. Everything was falling into place nicely as far as the Priory was concerned, but Draco was getting anxious about his own plans. Although he knew that the Ministry was keeping an eye on him, they hadn't made any effort to contact him or to infiltrate his operations. As he sat in his office that morning, he began to brainstorm some more risky options to jumpstart the Ministry into action. Five long years had passed and it was time to get the ball rolling for the downfall of the Golden Trio.
A smile began to spread across his handsome but normally stern face as he envisioned the three of them losing everything they had worked all their lives for. But even sweeter would be the look on their faces as they realized who was behind it all. A familiar voice on the intercom in his office jolted Draco from his daydream. Parisa, his secretary for the last three years and the daughter of one of the Priory heads, announced that he had a call from the Ministry on line one and asked if she should put it through. Well, he thought to himself, the stars have shone in his favor once again. This was the phone call he had been waiting for but one surprise was still in store for him.
"Go ahead and put it through, Parisa." Draco commanded.
"Draco Malfoy speaking, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Malfoy," said an astonishingly recognizable voice, "this is Hermione Granger. I am working for the Ministry of Magic, and I wanted to arrange a meeting with you to discuss a business matter. Would you be interested in meeting with me?"
This was just too good to be true. The fools have handed her to me without so much as the vaguest clue of what they have done. "I remember you, Granger, quite well in fact. What sort of business matter would prompt you to need a meeting with me?" he asked coyly.
"Actually, your company's ventures have presented the magical community with a gracious opportunity to unite the two worlds. I realize that I have been against this in the past, but that was only because the circumstances at that time called for damage control. Your company has opened the door for the magical world to show how much good we can do, would you agree?" she replied.
Ever the negotiator and voice of calm and reason, that was Granger's claim to fame. "I do believe we have a great deal to offer them, but my track record with the ministry is rather strained. Are you implying that they no longer believe that I am a threat but, dare I say, an ally to the cause?" he questioned.
"Listen, I will be happy to answer any questions you have, Mr. Malfoy, but I'd rather do it in person as I have always deemed that you can read people better face to face rather than by phone. Would you please meet with me?" she pleaded with a slight strain peeking through. Control yourself Hermione, she warned herself, he's just trying to bait you as always.
Begging doesn't come easy for you, Granger. "The Ministry made my life hell and accused me of atrocious crimes against my fellow witches and wizards without an ounce of proof. I had to flee from my home and everything I'd known for my entire life. The only thing I'd known, to be honest. Now that they want my help, I must confess I do not feel inclined to grant it," he goaded her.
"It's not the Ministry that is asking for this; it's me. I am the head of this Department and this is my idea and project, not theirs. As you well know, I do not make accusations without cause and I never even so much as hinted that you were guilty of anything more that being a selfish, arrogant and hateful git. But, having said that, I also admit that you are intelligent and have created a monumental opportunity to do something that could benefit so many more than just yourself. My ideas have not been well received by most of the Ministry but, as I have said before, this is my department and my project. So, will you put aside childhood differences and meet with me to work with me on this?" she prodded him.
"So, let me get this straight. You are on a rogue mission to work with the enemy and put your career on the line for this one project? That's quite a leap of faith, even for a Gryffindor like yourself." he surmised.
"Yes, well, as I explained, I do believe in this and your abilities and ideas. Now, I ask again, will you meet with me to discuss this in more detail?" she pressed.
Her passion greatly intrigued Draco along with her declaration that she never believed he was guilty of the crimes he had been accused of. Guilt by association may be her crime as well, but even if she hadn't led the attack on him, she was still his key to revenge against the other two. For the first time in almost eight years, Draco was looking forward to dissecting the puzzle that she is, was and always will be.
"With such a passionate plea, how could I refuse? I am free for dinner tonight; shall I send a car for you?" he offered.
Hermione had to stop to consider the proposal for a moment. She wanted to meet him at his office so she could leave when she chose to, but he was already guarded with her and this may prove to lighten his defenses if she acceepted. Torn between the two choices, she finally succumbed to her instincts and agreed to be picked up.
"That's fine. Would like to pick me up at my home or from the Ministry?" she inquired.
"Due to past circumstances, your home would be more appealing." he stated honestly.
"Alright, my address is #10 Carmandy Court here in London. What time shall I be ready?"
"Eight o'clock."
"Thank you for you time and I shall see you then." she finished and hung up before he could say another word.
After stopping to absorb this turn of events, Draco grinned whole-heartedly and then called to Parisa to come to his office. As the coffee-haired woman of about twenty-three entered the room, Draco ordered her to make dinner reservations at the Petus in London for eight this evening. He also instructed her to cancel all appointments and engagements for the next week and to arrange hotel accommodations at the Berkley, as he would be staying there. He made his own travel arrangements, then left to go home to pack. The next week would make or break a five year old plan of attack.
