Author's Notes: Okay, I've gotten many questions as to where is Harry. Now, rest assured, he IS coming. As I mentioned earlier, this is a VERY long story. Just because we're on chapter 15 doesn't mean we're near the end of the fic. Far from it. (We're talking a story I've been working on for two years and takes up two files on my computer. Yes, I know that's crazy, but I never claimed I had any sanity left.) I've tried not to give away anything that would ruin it for you. I wouldn't have put it as a Draco/Harry if Harry weren't going to be an important part in it. He just hasn't gotten on the scene yet because this story is from Draco's point of view. But he IS coming. When? If I told you when, it'd spoil the surprise now wouldn't it? :)
Chapter 15Draco heard a groan from the inside of Nash's office. Rapping on the door with his broom, he heard his boss say 'come in'. He gave the man a nod and headed straight for the windows. Setting his bucket of cleaning supplies down, Draco glanced at them. There were fingerprints all over the windows again. Nash's little five-year-old daughter must've visited yesterday, because they weren't like that when he left. Draco had been working at Fa'avah Landscaping for nine months and was getting tired of cleaning up messes.
Taking out his spray bottle, Draco gave the window a squirt of cleaner before beginning to wipe it down.
"This isn't going to work," Nash grumbled aloud. Draco heard him rustle the papers on his desk. "He's not going to like this."
Draco didn't have to guess too much about what his boss was upset about. It was all any of the landscapers could talk about.
The company had recently hired a new designer for a remodeling project. It was a large contract that would put the company in the red for the remainder of the year. An influential man in the area wished to have his entire yard redone as an anniversary gift for his wife. There was a problem though, and it all stemmed from their new designer. He had good credentials, but not a lick of aesthetic beauty. His previous three designs had been turned down flat by the homeowner; from the sounds of it this one would be too.
"Does he even understand the budget we're working with?" Nash hissed. Draco doubted it. From what little contact he had with the man, he considered him a fop. Most of the staff shared Draco's feelings and wished they hadn't hired him, but Nash had been desperate at the time. His main designer had gone on maternity leave three weeks early.
Windows clean, Draco slipped over to Nash's desk and reached for the garbage can that sat by it. As he bent over, he caught a glimpse of the plans. The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
"What is he thinking? That will look atrocious," Draco spat. Realizing his error, he scrambled to apologize when the older man nodded.
"That's what I think," Nash replied frowning. "I'm all out of ideas too. Have any suggestions?" He pushed the plans at Draco.
Hesitant at first, he slowly began pointing out a more attractive design that would suit the client and his home. Drawing on his memories of the gardens around Malfoy Manor, he carefully sketched out something that was more Traditional European than Modern Abstract. His boss nodded and listened carefully to each suggestion.
Once he was done, Nash dismissed him from the office and Draco continued on his regular duties.
"Malfoy," Nash called as Draco clocked off that evening. "How much do you know about plants?"
"I passed herb..er botany at my school," he replied unsure of what the man was getting at.
"Close enough. Right now I have a problem. I have a designer who doesn't understand how to function outside of a classroom and a custodian who doesn't have the credentials, but certainly has talent." Nash folded his arms across his chest. Draco swallowed, unsure what was to come next.
"I think you have lots of potential Malfoy. I want you to start working as my assistant to the designers. I showed your idea to my lead designer and she agrees that our client will like it. Tomorrow morning, report to my office and don't bring the mop." Nash slapped him on the back, leaving Draco in shock.
At home that evening, he told Heather everything. Shaking her head, Heather laughed. This was the best news they'd had since Cassie had started crawling. This meant a raise and more money that could be diverted to Heather's shopping fund.
The shopping fund was for the purchase of magical books. Mainly Dark Arts, but Charms and Transfiguration were also mixed in. They felt that they needed to be prepared; the threat of Lucius finding them was still very real. So far they'd been lucky, but how long their luck would last, they didn't know.
"I'm thinkn' o' goin' ta Kopu Street tomorrow after ya get home," Heather said, snatching Cassie away from the lamp cord she was pulling on. "Pen Qwills is havin' a sale on their Charms books." Kopu Street was Aukland's version of Diagon Alley with its shops and restaurants and a branch office of Gringotts.
After they'd arrived, it hadn't taken Heather long to find the wizarding center. She insisted that Draco keep out of it for safety's sake. They didn't know if Lucius had sent a spy there.
At one end of Kopu Street, it crossed Meremere Avenue. Meremere was a darker section, but the best Dark Arts shops were there. Summing up her courage, Heather ventured in there every so often to see if they had anything worth her time. Draco was impressed she went to such lengths, but Cassie was worth it.
"Okay," Draco said as Heather handed Cassie over to him. The baby reached up and grabbed a hold of his shoulder length hair. Yelping, Draco pulled her fingers out of his hair. "No, bad Cassiopiea. You don't pull Daddy's hair."
"Maybe ya should think about trimmin' it," Heather suggested.
Draco shook his head. Several of the younger guys at work were wearing theirs long and Draco thought it might help him blend in more.
"Anyway, this is great news. I hope ya like ta work outdoors, 'cause that's what you'll be doin'." Heather waved and wandered into the kitchen.
"It can't be any worse than what I'm already doing."
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"Making you an assistant to the designers was the second best move I ever made," Nash commented as they came to a halt in front of what was supposed to be a garden.
"What was the first?" Draco asked, gazing at the work in front of him.
"Hiring you. Besides needing another wizard in the company, I got an excellent designer."
Draco chuckled. After four years, he'd worked his way up to being one of the top, well-respected designers at the company. Several of the new hires looked to him for guidance. Plus the increased pay had helped him finally rent a house in a location suitable for practicing magic.
"Although," Nash pointed out, kicking at the dying grass. "If you'd mentioned you were a wizard sooner, I wouldn't have made you a custodian in the first place."
The blond narrowed his eyes at him. It was still a bit of a sore spot between them, but it didn't bother either of them as much as it had. When Cassie turned a year old, Heather finally decided they could handle a small shopping trip into the city. Lucius' shadow wasn't nearly as a threat as it had been, so Draco had agreed. The little girl had marveled at everything, clinging to her father the entire time. They were about to leave when Draco felt a hand on his shoulder. Instinctively jerking free, he spun and snapped his wand out ready to spell the Death Eater. Except it wasn't a Death Eater, it was his startled boss.
The men stared at each other for a moment before Draco lowered his wand. Nash apologized for scaring him before launching off into a tirade on informing your employer you're a wizard. Thankfully Trina interrupted them, warning Nash he was making a scene in the middle of the street. He stopped immediately. Both families adjourned to a café so that they could discuss matters privately.
Once Nash and Trina heard their tale, they offered to help. Trina was a personable kindhearted woman who loved causes. The Malfoys and Madame O'Toole became her new pursuit. She called in all sorts of favors to have family and friends teach them spells that only the Maori had access too. In a battle for survival, a jinx the adversary didn't know could save a life. Thus, they'd been learning Maori for four years. Cassie was getting to the point where she could speak and read it fluently. Draco was extremely proud of her.
"So what are your plans for the garden?" Nash inquired, pulling out work gloves he'd hand in his back jeans pocket.
"Not much right now. Cassie informed me I must have a birdbath." "Ah, so they can lure the elusive kiwi from the forest, no doubt," Nash teased. "The girls are obsessed with finding one." Draco shook his head.
"I know and I blame your child for it," he said firmly as he put on his work gloves. Glaring down at the tangle of dead plants, he decided it was time to start.
"Yes, well." Nash coughed attempting to make himself seem as innocent as possible in the matter. "Need some help?"
"Did Trina leave you at home alone?" Draco asked coyly getting down on his knees. Grabbing one clump of grass, he yanked it out and shook off the dirt from the roots.
"With orders to clean the house."
"Which you are avoiding."
"Exactly," Nash stated kneeling down and helping. Draco chuckled. The two of them worked until an excited squeal came from the woods.
"DADDY! WE CAUGHT A FROG!" Cassie's voice rang out. "COME SEE! No Mister Frog! You can't do that!"
"I think that's our cue." Draco muttered dusting off his hands. Nash nodded and the two jogged in the direction of the little girl's shouting.