Author's Notes: When I originally typed this story up, the chapters were longer. When I made the decision to post them, I broke the chapters up into smaller chunks. Partially to allow the readers to read them quickly, (Hey now, admit it. You like small chapters so you can catch up on the other twenty fics your reading. ) and to allow my beta reader and I more time to edit the next chapters. This story is also divided into two sections, the one you just read and the one that you'll begin reading with this chapter. So, thanks for sticking around so far, there is more fun, angst and perhaps a surprise or two yet to come. And just a quick reminder; "All's Well That Ends Well" is the third installment in my Shakespearean Arc series. Characters and relationships from the previous two, "Much Ado About Nothing" and "A Winter's Tale", will show up. If you aren't familiar with them, they are up, you might consider reading them, otherwise you might be lost. Thanks for all the support so far, everyone's been great.
Chapter 14
5 and ½ years later
--------------------------Draco Malfoy glanced out his window at the chilly late autumn morning. Sipping from his coffee mug, he ran over the list of things he needed to do today. It was Sunday; time to tidy up the place for the coming week. Heather was visiting with friends in town this morning. She'd mentioned something about plotting and Draco decided it was best not to ask. Over the years he'd learned it was better that way, it saved what sanity he had left. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he glanced at the breakfast dishes. There weren't that many, they could wait until after lunch. Right now the New Zealand fall was calling to him, reminding him that he hadn't finished weeding the garden yet. Taking another sip of coffee, Draco silently cursed the unwanted grasses."Hi Daddy!" A chipper little voice called as Cassiopeia Malfoy entered the kitchen. Turning, Draco watched his daughter pull open the refrigerator. "Is Gran gone to her meeting?""Yes. She won't be back until this evening." The little girl nodded and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice. Hefting it up on the kitchen table, she left it there as she ran to grab the stepstool. Draco wandered over and opened the cupboard, retrieving a glass for her"Thanks Daddy," she said as he handed it to her. "After breakfast can I go out and play with Lisa?" Draco raised an eyebrow. Lisa was his boss' ten-year-old daughter. They lived across the street and Lisa was fond of dragging Cassiopeia along on her adventures. "We're going to play Croc Hunter in the woods." The little girl continued pouring her orange juice. "We want to catch a kiwi.""You have lessons today Cassie," Draco pointed out taking the pitcher and putting it back in the fridge. Cassie pouted.
"Curses again?" She asked. Draco nodded. "But I studied curses yesterday."
"They're important," he replied, looking down at her. She grumbled unhappily and reached for her juice."I know, but I want to play," she muttered, lifting the glass to her mouth."Humor Daddy, someday it may save your life." Cassie frowned. "How about I make a deal with you Snapdragon. You can play with Lisa this morning, within sight of the house, while I clear out some of the dead brush from the garden. Then after lunch, you sit down and study." Draco waited as his daughter thought it over."Okay, it's a deal!" She downed the rest of her orange juice and ran out."Cassie, don't forget your coat!" Draco called after her, watching her black braids swing back and forth."I won't Daddy!" The back door slammed as she hurried outside. Draco smiled, setting his empty coffee cup by the sink. I better get outside quick before she gets too far. Heading to the front hall closet, he pulled out a pair of worn work gloves and his leather jacket. Opening the door, he stepped outside and caught sight of a familiar face.Nodding, Draco waved hello to his boss and neighbor, Nash Fa'avah. The older man waved back as Draco walked over to him. Nash and his wife, Trina, were both half Maori and came from magical families. He owned a landscaping firm in Aukland, which was fairly profitable with a large cliental that ranged from homeowners to businesses. The business did everything, build and maintain gardens, trim hedges, plant trees, lay sprinklers and build walkways.Five years ago, Draco and Heather had received word that they'd be allowed in New Zealand. They'd left Australia and rented an apartment in Aukland. Their money was running low, leaving Draco with no option but to find a job. Swallowing his pride, he'd applied for positions that involved little skill. His abilities as a wizard weren't going to help him in the Muggle world. Heather had coached him on how to act Muggle and what sort of questions might be asked at an interview. Fa'avah Landscaping was the fourth job he'd applied for. Nash took a shine to him immediately, for some reason Draco still didn't understand, and hired him as a custodian. Nash needed someone to keep the offices clean while he and his crew were out in the field. It was hard, dirty work, but Draco needed the money.
"The girls went that direction." Nash pointed around back towards the woods. "I reminded them they were to stay close.""Thank you," Draco replied, checking in the direction his friend had indicated."Well, I must say that raise I gave you has come in handy." Nash said casually, brushing a strand of black hair behind his ear."Since it helped me rent this house, yes." Draco suspected the raise had more to do with Trina wanting them to live closer than his actual skills. When she wanted something badly enough, she usually got it.Nash chuckled. "It's certainly better than that flat you were in before.""That is very true.""I'm sure the temptation to 'remodel' with a little magic was hard to resist.""You have no idea," Draco replied. Sticking his hands in his pockets he silently thanked Merlin for preserving him through that first year.He'd worked hard, despite feeling that the tasks were beneath him. House-elves normally performed janitorial work at Malfoy Manor. Heather kept reminding him that he wasn't in England anymore and that they were supposed to be hiding. Draco had little choice but to keep working. He'd been taught, from an early age, that Muggles were beneath him. Now he was working side by side with them. What was worse was he was the lowest ranking person at the firm. It gnawed at him. There were times Draco wanted to quit, or simply use his magic, but he didn't. Cassie's well- being was his main concern, so he kept his grumbles to himself. At least he was being paid to clean up messes.The first paycheck had been a surprise to Draco. Part of him hadn't expected to be paid at all and the other part was expecting coinage. He'd never seen a check before and wasn't sure how it translated into Muggle money. After talking to Heather, they headed for the nearest bank. With some effort, they set up a savings and checking account for themselves. Slowly over the next several months, they began to pick up other nuances of Muggle life. They bought a microwave, learned how to operate a computer and Draco took driving lessons. Heather socialized with the women in the apartment complex in an effort to make them appear as normal as the next Muggle family. Life began to settle into a comfortable rhythm.
"So," Nash began, breaking up Draco's memories. "What have you got planned for today?""Weeding the garden before Cassie's lessons," Draco answered, turning back towards his house. Nash nodded and followed him across the road."I just got some experimental fertilizer from my cousin. If you'd like to try some, I'd be more than happy to share."Draco stopped and eyed him dubiously. "Is this the same cousin that sent you experimental 'Gnome-be-gone' spray?""Yes," Nash said hesitantly."The stuff that caused the plants to turn neon pink for a week?""Yes," Nash answered, clasping his hands behind his back."That man should be banned from anything relating to plants." Draco continued on around back of the house, Nash still following him."That's what Trina says. At least he never took up landscape designing. Can you imagine the things he'd do?""I'd rather not. I've heard about his gardens. Too many dangerous plants and no eye for placement," Draco sniffed. His friend shook his head. There were days Draco was glad Nash's cousin lived on the other side of the island. The man was nearly as dangerous as the Weasley twins were. Trina had forbidden him from her house apparently after he brought some new strain of Viper Vine home. Houseplants should not try to poison children."Your eye for placement though," Nash said, stepping over a length of garden hose left out. "Is impeccable."Draco smiled.