Disclaimer: This is totally for fun. JK Rowling really owns everything.
Author's Note: So here I am, yet again. Let me warn you ahead of time, there won't be immediate vicious karma reprocutions( MissKaitou) right away but you will see it interated into the story. Special thanks to KittyKat for seeming to get exactly what I was putting through! yay! Also,I jump around with how Xan refers to time in the beginning of the chapter and I hope it won't be too confusing.
Chapter One: Office Space
You know your life has changed when you have to smoke in private. Yeah about that fourth or fifth time you coop yourself up in a small space so no one sees you lighting a cigarette, you know you have shifted ranks.
In my case, I went for two weeks without a cigarette. Two weeks! Yes, Xan Marlow, pack a day girl went two weeks cold turkey. Unintentionally mind you—I was in Azkaban; there wasn't exactly a vending machine handy.
After those two weeks though, I had one smoke and then nothing for about a month. I didn't even have time to sleep so again, it wasn't by choice. Then for about . . . four months I went up and down between streaks of cold turkey and puffing every second I was alone. It took me a while that I started smoking in the first place because of my schedule, seems only natural that now that would be what regulates the habit. However this last month or so has been a steady, once a week wind down. I really don't have any other time for it. It has become something I only accept of myself when I am utterly alone. Preferably in a closet.
Moving back to my original point, when I step out of this closet, I not only realize how much my world has changed but how much the world has changed. Yes, the big one. You see, back in June, Voldemort was offically pronounced dead. They even sold copies of the certificate! Though I didn't request details (which for some reason were far too easy to get). But you know the drill. Harry Potter is pronounced a hero, so is Granger and Weasley, yada yada yada, life goes on.
In other news, Cornelius Fudge is planning on resigning at the beginning of the new year. Oh god but if I go into him, I have to explain about that whole fiasco in March. You know, the one where slytherin students were arrested? Well, if I am going to tell it at all, I might as well fully explain.
Fifty students were taken out of slytherin house and only 2 actually made it to Azkaban for something (not quite) completely independent. Draco Malfoy and myself were th only ones to see the inside of a cell. Me; for charges of corruption and harboring a criminal and Draco; for having his name on the same envelope as me.
Needless to say, the entire governors board and upper class wizarding society, had a fit. Dumbledore nearly was forced out of the school. The finger pointed at Cornelius Fudge however, who had, after the attack in Hogsmeade was "connected" to me, ordered the aurors to search my stuff, (amazing they found the dorm empty) but the letter surfaced and you know the rest. We were out in two weeks and Fudge has been apologizing ever since. He desperately doesn't want to lose his job (he's a power whore) and the I swear he would tap dance if I asked.
Speaking of connections . . . I found out what really happened. It was prison information and that is always trustworthy. I am completely serious. So apparently, Malcolm was going to be hallowed out and controlled by deatheaters. That didn't exactly pan out, since the boy killed himself, so they wanted the aurors to find the letters and do all the shaking up of the students, hopefully creating enough distraction so that they could get inside the castle. That one didn't work out either. How could Voldemort resist and opportunity to kill the boy-who-lived when he walks right into their grasp (Hogsmeade). But whatever, I really, really have tried and put that period of time behind me.
Students eventually went back to school, like they always do. Blaise has kept in touch with me these past months. Draco didn't want anything to do with me after Azkaban and it never occurred to Theo that he had anyone to write to. House politics and student teacher relations were awkward up until the big finale (Potter and Voldemort). Blaise himself wrote that he was "busying himself with the usual suspects". Read between the lines and he was writing that he was fucking everything that walks to try and get his groove back. Granger did a number on him but honestly, I am past caring about that sort of thing. Theo and Draco became quite vicious with the quidditch team but other than that, nothing too important.
I always thought Draco was compensating and when we landed a cell together in the scariest-place-next-to-hell, I discovered I was right. He was scared out of his bloody mind. So much so that he demanded I share a bed with him so he wouldn't get arse-raped. Well, his theory worked. They actually had to someone specificully guard us so that we wouldn't have sex.
Oh and do you remember in third year when Potter fainted from the dementor? Well, he had a fucking right to! Those things . . . I don't want to talk about it actually. I had a joke about Draco but I was scared to. I went through a loop. Angry, scared, angry—I can only have one dominant emotion in order to make my life work.
Draco went back to school, of course. He could now play the tough-guy card and undoubtably was comfortable reclaiming his place as the most lusted after boy in school. Until of course this business with Potter. Yes, I am sure that got his knickers in a bunch when everyone was praising "Saint Potter" yet again. God, that boy was entertaining. But that stays between you, me and the closet. I can only be focusing on a single Malfoy at the moment and identifying with the lesser one messes with you mentaly.
Then there is me. Ah yes, your lovely narrator who is important enough for bodyguards yet forced to smoke in a closet. I myself didn't go back to school. Oh no, in fact, when Draco was returning to Hogwarts Lucius and the car stopped by hotel where I was staying, offering me a ride.
I handed him a notice of merger refusal.
It worked out smoother than I had planned. It seems after the Azkaban fiasco, Lucius wasn't too keen on having his son shack up with me either, but you could tell he was pissed. I calmly and articulately laid out my reasoning at the formal meeting the next day and that was that. Lucius Malfoy still owns the businesses that are apart of everyday business so he isn't exactly a far figure.
Everyday business. Well yes, that is my life. A lot has changed since the way I used to do business however. It all started in Azkaban. Without nicotine, with dementors and basically lifeless, I was refocused and have spent the past six months building back Marlow Enterprises. My fortune. My livelyhood. By god the work is enough to kill someone.
In fact it did. One of my four uncles died of a sudden heart attack—stress related, you know—and I was left in the middle of a mess of corporate reorganization and three uncles who desperately wanted their piece. So with a stroke of genius, that ironically came to me in this very closet, I put them each in charge of a branch of the company, meetings are now done tri-weekly, board style and decisions are still mostly coming from me. I approve anything. Mostly because my uncles are blood-suckers and I need the power.
Oh, another important part of business I discovered, are the people at the bottom. When I upped wages and actually made a couple visits to my outlets, I was extremely surprised by how popular I became. And by popular I mean powerful. Public relations has definitely been an increasing strong suit.
God, look how fucking boring I sound. Six months has been six years. But I asked for it. Kinda. Still… Draco plays the easy heir while I work like a dog and smoke cigarettes in a closet. I wonder what would have happened if my father hadn't killed himself. Oh bloody hell . . .I know I am soaking up way too many fumes when I start going along this train of thought.
I stepped out of the closet and took one last drag of my cigarette. "Miss Marlow!" I quickly dropped the bud and whisked it back into the closet with my foot before shutting the door.
"Yes, Marilyn?" I turned to my secretary the pinacle of composure. Yes, I have a secretary. There are perks to spending every moment of my life at this company.
"I was thinking that for your birthday we could go to Diagon Alley together."
I stared at her. I wanted to show how fucking dumbfounded I was. But I didn't because I am the boss. "Why were you thinking that?"
"Your afternoon schedule is completely free and getting out of the office would do you a lot of good. You are in here twenty-four/seven!" I wanted to argue but that was probably merely because I haven't argued with anyone in a really long time. I don't remember agreeing to her offer but I must have because the next thing I know, I am walking down Diagon Alley in business robes and Bruno (my bodyguard) trailing us.
Marilyn and I have a strangely informal relationship despite the formalities we use. She asks the oddest personal questions. Such as, "Will you be spending tonight with your boyfriend?"
I snorted a laugh and rolled my eyes (very business faux pas by the way). "Honestly, when will you believe that I do not have a boyfriend, nor a lover or anything like that at the moment." I can take a lover anytime but I have a company to run.
"I don't understand how you avoid Lucius Malfoy's charms," she said, fanning herself. "The man is gorgeous!"
"I think the fact that I am the same age as his son, is what keeps my paws off of him," I said sarcastically.
"My god Miss Marlow," she said shaking her head. "When you relax you certainly become . . ."
"A smart-ass?"
"Well . . . yeah."
"Don't worry, I won't fire you for stating the obvious." It was true. I rarely got a chance to be sarcastic or relapse to my smart-ass old self. I suppose I revert back subconsciously when I know I have an environment safe enough to do so. It's complex but as long as the balance doesn't get disrupted, I'm fine.
"Miss Marlow, fancy meeting you here," I turned around to meet Lucius Malfoy just as he waved off Bruno.
"And you, Lucius," I said instantly going back to business mode. "What brings you to Diagon Alley."
"I could ask you the same question," he said with a grin that made Marilyn squeal and me want to barf. "I am here because Draco is gathering his supplies for his last year of school."
I followed Lucius' eyes and speak of the devil, Draco was coming out of the store. When the young Malfoy saw me, his eyes widened briefly (do I really look that different?) before settling back into a cool nod. Talk about awkward . . .
"You didn't answer my question," Lucius said, doing his best to disguise the superior tone in his voice.
"My secretary wanted to talk me out for the afternoon. The office was getting stuffy and my schedule is clear."
"Lovely," he looked Marilyn up and down.
I myself, looked Draco over. He had gotten taller since you-know-where and his hair seems (if possible) more blond. Suddenly his face twisted into a sneer. I quickly followed his gaze and froze.
Harry Potter.
I stared at him for a few moments before I noticed he was staring right at me. Bollocks. You know he has gotten handsome but that fact was miniscule compared to the urge I had to not flee the scene. I calmly whispered to Marilyn that I was going to go to the bathroom and would meet her and Bruno shortly. I bid Lucius and Draco adieu and quickly walked away. I didn't dare turn and look to see if Wonderboy was following me. I dashed into the nearest store and began riffling through my pockets. I really, really needed a cigarette.
I found one and quickly lit up only to be scolded by someone whose voice didn't sound any older than mine. "You can't smoke in here you know." I looked up with a sharp remark right on the tip of my tongue. That however, evaporated when I saw who was speaking.
Granger.
"Well fuck me," I didn't actually mean to say that outloud but there was no getting around it. "Funny seeing you here. It's been a good long time, Granger." I didn't mean to start up a conversation but it just happened.
"Marlow," she said, shifting into a defensive stance (and tone). "Prison seems to have given you nice business robes."
"You wound me, Granger. And all I did was say hello."
"Shouldn't be running back to your job or something?"
"You make me sound like a hooker.
"Pretty bloody close."
I laughed. This sudden conversation made me realize just how much I missed her. Ew. I just said I missed a gryffindor. What is wrong with me? I must have been smoking in that closet for too long.
"Hermione! Guess who I just –"I turned around and fuck me, there was potter. "Hey," he began shifting awkwardly. "You uh, never responded to letter."
I gave him a long stare as I took a drag of my cigarette. "Perhaps your owl got the hint that I have nothing to say to you, Potter."
"You should be happy he cared enough to send you a letter," Granger said sharply. "Do you know how much trouble he could have gotten in –"
I raised my hand. "I get it, Granger. Precious boy of the Order wouldn't dare fraternize with someone occused of aiding the former Dark Lord. Now that all of that business is behind us, it still doesn't change the fact that I have very little to say to you."
Pushing past him, I almost went out the door when Lucius walked by. "Bollocks," I cursed and hit the deck. Granger and Harry looked at me like I was crazy.
"He is gone now, you know," Granger remarked.
I got up and dusted myself off. "Now if you will excuse me, I really must be getting back to the office." God, I sounded like such a snob.
"Wait!" Harry protested grabbing my arm. "Can I at least talk to you."
"There is nothing to talk about," I said, struggling to get my limb back.
"Yes there is!"
"Fine," I hissed. "Can we do it somewhere where people aren't eavesdropping?" I glared at Granger.
Wonderboy thought for a moment before grabbing my hand. "I know the perfect place." He pulled me through the store and out the back door. Granger shouted saying she would meet him later.
He lead me quickly out the back door and onto a street I didn't recognize. Pulling me quickly around people as though it was some race against time, I thought he was making it his mission to make me feel like an idiot. I don't do this! As much as I was screaming at myself, I have to say my curiosity was a bit inspired by what he thought so damn important. Doesn't change the fact that I still hate this guts though.
Finally, wonderboy stopped at a door (rather dodgy looking one at that). He knocked twice and said some ridiculous phrase about mischief. Must have been a password because the door opened and he pulled me inside.
The door shut and we were consumed in darkness except for a bit of light feeling in from far off. A door perhaps? "Just what in the sodding hell do you think you are doing, Potter?" I snapped. I couldn't see a bloody thing except for the light that seemed way far off. "I agreed to talking not being abducted to some storeroom in Knockturn Alley."
"Would you please relax," he was obvious annoyed, either at me or whatever was keeping him from getting light in this room.
"Why because I've had sex with you wonderboy, that hardly means I trust you," I snapped. "I am leaving before Bruno and Marilyn have a fit."
"Who's Bruno?"
"My bodyguard," I said sharply as I focused on moving straight towards the light.
Suddenly I tripped and fell forwards. I screamed and my hands barely held my face away from the floor. It wouldn't have been so terrible, I could regain my composure after that scream but the problem at hand was that I could not move. Worse, it sudden felt like things were crawling on me.
I bloody lost it. I started screaming my head off.
I only got about two good screams out before a hand clamped over my mouth and I heard Harry's voice muttering an undoing spell. He pulled me upright with his hand still over my mouth. "Now can you calm down and talk to me?"
"Can to stop being a prick?" I said into his hand. I was so worked up it was ridiculous.
"Is that a yes?" I nodded. "Alright," he removed his hand.
"Can you tell me one thing before we start?" I asked.
"Sure."
"Where the hell are we?"
"The storeroom of the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. Fred and George Weasley's jokeshop."
"Oh merlin," I rubbed my temples. I felt so dirty.
"Alright, first of all," wonderboy began trying to be serious and professional. "What happened?"
"What do you mean what happened? A lot of things have occurred since I last saw you."
"And I don't have the faintest idea what they are!"
"What are you talking about?" I asked with a roll of the eyes.
"We snogged in the hallway until we were caught by the aurors, then I don't see or hear from you until I find a letter in Hogsmeade addressed to you and Draco. I picked it up and was going to find you when I was attacked by deatheaters! Aurors then sent Ginny and I to be with Dumbledore in the Great Hall. Then you burst in with Zabini, yelling something about your father and Dumbledore's morality before an auror knocked you out with a spell. You disappeared after that! Nott and Zabini came back. Malfoy came back. What happened to you?"
"Aside from nearly going bloody insane?" I said coldly, suddenly much more angry. "I went to Azkaban because of you and then after two weeks, I got the opportunity to truly lead my father's company. I really don't see what else there is to say, Potter." So it had been Wonderboy who had tipped those aurors off with that bloody letter. How it got there, who knows but –I am trembling with bent up rage.
"Now if you will excuse me," I carefully got to my feet. "Please let me out of here."
"Wait! Don't you have any questions for me?" I heard him get up as well.
"Should I?"
When I got back to the office, I had someone waiting for me. Professor Dumbledore. Never expected to seem him again. I hope it didn't show. "Professor," I greeted. "I am sorry you had to wait. What brings you here?" I was very careful not to let my personal distaste for the man show in my voice.
"Miss Marlow," he nodded. "You have done very well."
"Please," I said. "Let's go into my office."
I sat behind my desk as Dumbledore took a seat. "Now," I began. "What brings you this far out of you way?"
"Oh no, it's really not out of my way at all," he spoke lightly and waved off my words. "It's a pleasurable trip. But I am here because I need to ask for a favor."
"A favor? It depends."
"I would like you to come back to school, Miss Marlow."
I stared at him and tried to hold back my laugh. It came out anyway, in a hiccup form. "I don't mean to be rude, Professor but I really don't think finishing my formal education would change anything." I gestured around my office.
"You never know, Miss Marlow," he said a twinkle in his eye. "Please do consider it. You can always tell your board it was too give your leadership a less desperate appearance."
"My achievements in the last few months were hardly desperate."
"I am not putting them down, Miss Marlow. But you can't deny they were made in desperation. And," he continued as he rose from the chair. "Wouldn't it be nice to tie up all our loose ends and bury all our skeletons." He smiled at me. "I can see myself out."
Once he was gone I blew air out sharply and searched the drawers for my carton of cigarettes. For the first time ever I lit one in my office. Go back to school, was he fucking insane?
Then I started to actually think about it. I analyzed my actions, words and emotions from today, hoping they would give me some sort of clue.
And they did.
Despite how much I wanted to ignore the obvious, everything pointed to the same thing. I had unfinished business at Hogwarts. Even if it was purely psychological. "Fuck," I cursed.
I was going to go back.
So I pulled a piece of paper from the corner of my desk and began to scribble an explanation I could give to the board. Iwas completely nutters.
Author's Note: A lot of narrative, I'm sorry for that but I promise this part of the story is going to be more about relationships, romance and humor as Xan goes back complete her last year of school. But how will all that happens mesh with her other responsibilities? Sounds like I am advertising. Oh well, sorry this took so long to get up and running, I hope it was enjoyable. See you all soon!