Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did I would be touring the world signing autographs. Every day. For the rest of my life.
Yup, that's right, 20 pages, chapter 6 was, but it wouldn't all fit so now it's chpts 6 &7. So you've got 2 chpts for the price of 1!
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He burst through the door four minutes after class had started and slid into the seat next to Pansy.
"As I was saying," said McGonagall, glaring at him, but only slightly, "the NEWT's will take place in eight days. For those who are still recovering, or thinks they are not up to taking them so soon, another test will be administered towards the end of summer. Now let's continue our transfiguration review. Please copy these notes down."
Draco pulled out his parchment, quill and ink, and dutifully copied down McGonagall's words that were displayed on the board. The room was silent except for the scratch of feather against paper and the sound was slowly lulling Draco to sleep. He shook his head roughly and noticed that many others in the advanced transfigurations class were having the same difficulty, so it was with genuine interest that the students observed the black express owl that had just flown through the open window.
The owl flew straight to Draco who relieved the owl of its burden. The animal immediately left the way it came and Draco stared at the letter, reading the name of the sender, Mr. Barlow Cripes, Paracelsus' Inc.
"Mr. Malfoy, I trust that this is of the utmost importance?" came McGonagall's sharp voice.
"Yes, Professor," said Draco.
Her eyes were disapproving, but she didn't say anything, so Draco quietly opened the letter, feeling the gaze of twelve curious students.
Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,
You have Paracelsus' Inc. deepest sympathy on the loss of your Father and Mother. It truly is a tragedy that none your age should bear and let me personally give you my condolences, but also my respect for continuing Malfoy Enterprises.
I am sure you are aware that for many years now Malfoy Enterprises has been a great supporter of Paracelsus' Inc.; indeed, your financial backing has been a great benefit to my company, and I am positive that Paracelsus' has been a large profit for ME as well. Imagine my surprise than when I hear that you have decided to withdraw your support. It is truly unfathomable, but in moments of our deepest grief we often make decisions that are hasty and swayed by our emotions. To put it plainly, Paracelsus' Inc. is an excellent source of revenue for Malfoy Enterprises and only a fool would give my company up.
Lucius Malfoy always held Paracelsus' in the deepest regard for our work and was always willing to fund our projects. I'm sure he would hope his son would do the same. I understand that this is a trying time for one so young and I am willing to overlook your recent owl should you so desire.
Sincerely,
Mr. Barlow E. Cripes
Draco stared at the letter, a cold smirk on his lips. 'Only a fool', was it? He pulled out a clean sheet of parchment and began to compose his reply. There was a squawk and another letter was dropped into his lap. He looked up in time to see the back of an express owl disappear. McGonagall glared at him. He opened the letter bearing the title R.T. Mordrad, Mordrad & Sons.
Lucius,
What the hell is this? Is this some sort of joke? Who in damnation is Draco?
Well someone's behind the times, thought Draco, snorting at the letter.
"Mr. Malfoy, what exactly is this? Some sort of emergency?" asked McGonagall impatiently.
"Some sort of emergency," Draco agreed.
She frowned disapprovingly at him but before she could speak again his cell phone went off. The students and teacher jerked, looking around for the source of the electronicized melody, then staring at Draco as he swore, pulled out his phone, and flipped it open. He glanced at the caller ID.
"I have to take this," he said, getting up and walking out of the room, McGonagall's demands falling on deaf ears. Once the door was shut he hit the answer button.
"Draco Malfoy," he said.
"Draco, what the hell did you do? I'm getting an owl a minute form five very pissed off companies wanting to know exactly who is this crazy kid running the company and if he's out of his mind pulling out of their companies like that!"
"Hello to you to Bernard. How's Mrs. Shey doing?"
"Draco, this is not a social call."
"It had better not be," said Draco, tugging at his hair and turning around. "I just walked out of my Transfiguration class."
"This isn't a joke, Draco. Do you know how powerful these wizards are that you just slighted? No, more than slighted, even more than insulted. You basically spat in their faces and now they are out for your blood. And I have to deal with it! Seriously, you – Damn! That's Cripes on the other line. Again."
"Let me talk to him."
"What?"
"You heard me, let me talk to him. I made the mess, I'll clean it up."
"Draco, you're just a kid, you're in school, these are dangerous men, you don't know what you are dealing with."
"Mr. Shey," said Draco in his voice that was more deadly than Lucius' because it was vastly colder and infinitely less readable, "I have just given you a direct command. Need I remind you who is running this company? And need I remind you that the late Lucius Malfoy was more dangerous than any of these men put together, and that I was the one responsible for his death? I will only ask you one more time, put Mr. Cripes on the line. Now."
"Yes, sir," said Shey quietly. There was a click, followed by silence, then Shey got on the line again. "Here's Mr. Cripes." Another click and an oily voice came from the speaker.
"Hello, do I have the honor of addressing Draco Malfoy?"
Draco grimaced, but made his voice light and unconcerned. "Yes, this is Malfoy."
"Ah, Draco, dear boy. You have my deepest sympathies in-"
"Yes," said Draco interrupting. "I received your owl just now."
"Oh good. So tell me, should I indeed look over your last owl?"
"Why would I want you to that?" asked Draco, as if honestly confused.
"Well, because you obviously did not truly mean it."
"Impossible," said Draco flippantly. "If I did not mean what I wrote and then sent, then I would have made a mistake. And I do not make mistakes, now do I, Mr. Cripes?" His tone turned threatening towards the end.
There was a slight pause, then "You're making one now, Draco. Malfoy Enterprises has long supported-"
"Yes, yes, I know," said Draco, completely bored. "Long time supporters, however, I believe that I sent you a list of reasons of why I was withdrawing ME's financial investments, and unless you were incapable of reading, it should be apparent just why I am pulling out. Now tell me, Mr. Cripes, can you read?"
"Yes," said Cripes acidly.
"Good, so then I shouldn't hear about you harassing my lawyer, now should I?"
Silence.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cripes. I didn't hear you. What did you say?"
"No," came a stiff voice.
"Good. Now if you don't mind, I have a class I have to get back to."
"I swear, boy, you will regret this. No one goes up against Paracelsus' Inc. and wins."
"Actually, that's Mr. Malfoy."
"What?"
"As I am the head of Malfoy Enterprises and as I am of age, you will address me as Mr. Malfoy. So instead, your rather poor attempt at a threat should be 'I swear, Mr. Malfoy, you will regret this. No one goes up against Paracelsus' Inc. and wins'. And that brings us to another revising needed in your statement. You see, Mr. Cripes, I am not a person you should trifle. I do not take lightly to threats, nor do I like your attitude towards myself and my company. As of now, I am watching you and your little 'corporation' and if you dare raise one finger against myself or what is mine, you will regret the day you did not heed my warning. Remember, I am a Malfoy. As of now I am the most powerful Dark Wizard and should you test my strength, you will be broken. Can you comprehend this, Mr. Cripes?"
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco smirked. There was fear just barely detectable in the oily voice now. "Good. Now I have work to do." He pressed the hang up button and returned the phone to his ear. "Bernard? You still there?" he asked, surprised that his voice was shaking slightly.
"I'm here, Draco. I listened in. That was, that was-"
"I sounded like Lucius," said Draco realizing why he felt so sick. "I sounded exactly like him, but I don't want to be like him."
"No, you did the right thing Draco. If you want to run this company, you have to take charge of it and not back down. What you did was establish that you are not a push over, you showed him that you are in control of it. And he will spread the word that you are not to be messed with, that you are not afraid to use your power. You did the well."
"Maybe I made a mistake," said Draco. "Maybe I'm not ready to take over Malfoy Enterprises."
"I had my doubts, but when I heard you take on Cripes just now, I knew you were ready for this. You will do well, and you're not one to give up."
Draco felt the corners of his mouth turn upwards involuntarily. "Thanks, Bernard."
"Anytime, Drake. Now you'd probably better get back to class."
Draco chuckled but his laughter still held the cynical, mirthless quality he had gained when he was a child and that cold edge had never completely left.
"Yeah, McGonagall looked like she was going to murder me. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye, Draco."
"See you." Draco hung up the phone and turned, but pulled up short. A cat sat in front of the door, staring at him with large unblinking eyes, its tail tapping the floor, the way one would tap a foot impatiently.
He gave a patented innocent smile as the cat slowly transformed into a severe looking McGonagall.
"While I will not murder you Mr. Malfoy, I will accompany you to see the Headmaster at the end of class to discuss your choice of extra-curricular activities. Now come inside and finish up."
He followed her inside and ignoring the curious stares of his classmates and went straight to work to make up for lost time.
He waited for McGonagall to straighten up the room at the end of class and then led the way to Dumbledore's office. He let her say the password as he didn't know it and made a face when she said "Skiving Snackboxes" although his grimace was more for show than any dislike for the Weasley twins. They rode a revolving stair case up and she knocked on the door.
"Come in, Minerva," called Dumbledore.
She opened the door and he followed her in, raising his eyebrows at Harry who was occupying a rather ugly, chintz armchair in front of the Headmaster's desk. Harry shrugged, looking rather unsure as to why he was there.
"Ah, Draco, I was hoping Minerva would bring you by. Please have a seat."
Draco sat in the chair next to Harry, who raised his eyebrows back at him. Draco shrugged as well.
"Albus, could I talk to you for a moment, outside?" asked McGonagall.
"Of course," said Dumbledore, smiling brightly, his blue eyes twinkling. "If you'll excuse me gentlemen, I'll be back in a short while. In the meantime, help yourself to the lemon drops on my desk, if you so desire."
Dumbledore and McGonagall left, closing the door after them. There was an awkward silence.
"So, out of the infirmary?" Draco asked, even though the answer was apparent. The silence was disconcerting.
"Yeah, just now. And then Dumbledore wanted to say something, don't know what though."
"Oh," said Draco.
"You doing okay?" asked Harry.
"Yeah, I'm good," said Draco.
"That's good," said Harry nodding. They trailed off into uncomfortable silence once again. Suddenly McGonagall raised her voice outside the door.
"Albus, he was bragging that he was the most powerful Dark Wizard alive at the moment!" Dumbledore shushed her and their voices became indistinguishable once more.
Harry looked at Draco oddly.
"This guy, Cripes," said Draco defending himself, though he didn't know why because he didn't care what Potter or anyone on Dumbledore's side thought, or did he? He shook his head to clear his mind and continued. "He was threatening my company, so basically I was threatening him back."
"You have a company?" asked Harry.
"Family company. I inherited it today, and decided that I needed to pull my investments out of a few shady businesses. His was one of them, and I don't see the big deal anyway. I am the most powerful Dark Wizard as of now, but seeing as I BLOODY REFUSED THE DARK LORD I SHOULDN'T BE UNDER BLOODY SUSPISION ALL THE BLOODY TIME!" Draco shouted at the door. It wasn't really his fault he snapped, after all, he was just recently orphaned and had killed his own father and led half of his classmates and friends to their deaths by rebelling against the Dark Lord, whom he had been trained to follow and serve for his entire life. He slumped into the chair, which really was comfortable, and blinked back against a sudden sting in his eyes. He began tugging at his hair.
"Life sucks, doesn't it?" asked Harry, slouching as well.
"That's an understatement," said Draco, sullenly.
"I mean, this Voldemort dude kills my parents and then because I survived suddenly it means that I am this wonder child that everyone expects to save them all, when I'm freaking scared that I may not even pass my NEWT's. Then I do go and kill Voldemort, and suddenly I can't walk two steps without falling over because some link that was forged when he bloody killed my parents was severed. I'm forever going to be the weak and fragile Boy-Who-Lived who spends his days getting pushed around a sunny garden in a wheel chair with nurses fawning all over me, asking 'Oh, Harry, can I get you something' while they're whispering behind my back 'Such a brave, brave boy, he doesn't deserve this'. Well, THEY CAN GO TO HELL!"
Harry sighed and shifted further down.
"Did that help?" asked Draco.
"Yeah," said Harry, surprised. "It really did. I should do that more often."
"Why do you think I'm always yelling at younger students? It's even better when you're yelling at people."
"Huh, maybe we should try it on Dumbledore," said Harry.
Draco smirked. "I'd rather go for McGonagall. I don't think yelling is going to phase Dumbledore much, can't you just see him now?" He adopted a perfect mock up of the Headmaster with his knowing smile and twinkling eyes. "My, what big voices you have. Perhaps you ought to have a lemon drop to suck on so your throat can recover."
Harry grinned. "That is exactly what he'd say! I can almost picture him saying the exact thing." He looked at the dish of lemon drops on the Professor's desk and then got up and took one.
"What are you doing?" asked Draco.
"He said we could have one," said Harry, "and it just occurred to me that I have never taken one."
"So?" asked Draco.
"Well, maybe this is the reason he's so smart."
"Because he eats candy? You're saying to be as smart as Dumbledore we need to eat the lemon drops?"
"Exactly," said Harry seriously. The two exchanged looks then burst into laughter, Draco with his cynical edge to his. "Take one," Harry encouraged. "Haven't you always wondered what would happen if Dumbledore talked to himself?"
Draco hadn't, but now that he did, it was an interesting thought. So he got one as well and they sat back down, examining the sweets and then popping them in their mouths.
"So, feeling Dumbledorish?" asked Draco.
Harry snorted and nearly choked on the candy. "Who knew that candy could be so dangerous?" he asked, once his coughing stopped.
"Why else do you think they give them to children?" queried Draco, mimicking Dumbledore again.
"Ah, indeed a good question, Albus 1," said Harry, also getting into a Dumbledore façade.
"Why thank you Albus 2," said Draco.
"Perhaps then we should ban all candy at Hogwarts."
"Then we would go out of business."
"How so, Albus 1?"
"Well, obviously parents are sending children to Hogwarts, where they can buy their own candy, in hopes that the child will choke on their candy but then the parents can not be blamed for the death of their child, because it was the child's candy."
Harry looked at him, and then the two burst into laughter again. The door opened on their hysterics and the two tried to stifle their snickers but failed.
"Well, it's good to see you two getting along," said Dumbledore, which successfully quelled their amusement and left them looking at each other rather strangely. "Back to business, shall we?" asked Dumbledore chuckling at their expressions. "The reason I wanted to talk to you was because we are holding funeral services here for teachers, students, Order members, Aurors, and Death Eaters alike. The Death Eaters will have a service Friday and everyone else on Saturday. We will be having families and friends of the deceased staying with us, they will be camping on the front lawn. The reason I am telling you this is because I want you both to speak a piece at both ceremonies."
"Both?" asked Draco.
"Yes, you will be speaking a dedication for your army on Saturday, and as you had many friends and family siding for Voldemort, I though that you might like to say something. If you didn't want to-"
"No, it's fine," said Draco.
"Ummm, what am I going to say at the Death Eater ceremony?" asked Harry.
"Thank Merlin it's over and I'm glad the bastard is dead?" asked Draco. Both Dumbledore and Harry gave him a look. "Fine, how about how good triumphed over evil?"
"That would work," said Dumbledore.
"Oh," said Harry. He frowned. "Isn't that rather cliché?"
"Completely," said Draco. "It suits you."
"Thanks Malfoy," said Harry.
"Anytime Potter."
"Alright, Harry, you can head down to class now."
"Thank you, Professor," said Harry, getting to his feet. Draco watched him, noticing that he took four steps before he had to lean on the door for support.
"Do you need help getting to your room, Harry?" asked Dumbledore.
"No," said Harry. "I'm fine." He left the office and shut the door behind him.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, Minerva tells me that you have entered a new chapter in your life by starting a company."
Draco looked around at the mention of his Transfiguration's teacher wondering where she went.
"Minerva had papers to grade so she went back to her class," said Dumbledore. "Now, how about this company of yours?"
"I didn't start it, I took it over since Lucius, well, since they are gone now. I couldn't just sell it, so I decided to run it," said Draco.
"Ah, a very large undertaking Mr. Malfoy, however I can not have you interrupting class with your phone calls and owls."
Draco nodded. "I don't have to go to class-" he began, but Dumbledore stopped him.
"Yes, you do, otherwise this is not a school, but we can compromise."
"How so sir?"
"How would you like your very first office?"
Draco stared at him. "Sir?"
"There is an old office that is not in use on the first floor in the hallway by the stairs. It is a hidden office, to get in you must say the password to the suit of armor. The password is evalesco. That word means to grow strong, to prevail, very fitting don't you think? Anyway, so you may use the office as long as all of your owls are kept there as well as your cell phone. Agreed?"
"Yes, sir," said Draco. "Thank you sir. Is that all?"
"No. I need to speak with you and Miss Granger. As you are the Head Boy and Girl you will have additional duties to perform with all of the services and memorials. And speaking of the Head Girl, here she is. Come in, Miss Granger," Dumbledore called.
Hermione entered the room and took the seat next to Draco. "You wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes. As this is the location of the final battle, we are having services for the dead and so many witches and wizards will be staying on our front lawn. This is sure to be a bit chaotic, so I ask that not only do you patrol the halls at night, but also the lawn to make sure that all students are in their rooms, unless of course they are staying with family. I also ask that you help us direct arriving wizards and witches to the plots they have been designated. I realize that this is quite a lot to ask of you since you are also studying for NEWT's, but your help is most appreciated."
"I'm honored to help sir," said Hermione.
"Good, now than any questions?"
"Actually, yes," said Hermione. "My parents are coming up and their not magical. I was wondering if we were having a designated area where parents who are non-wizards could stay where they wouldn't feel quite so overwhelmed."
"Ah, an excellent question," said Dumbledore thoughtfully.
"You could put them in the empty classroom on the first floor," said Draco. "Of course, it's not the most friendly of atmospheres but we could have Pansy fix it up. She's going into interior design and she knows how to stretch rooms out to make them bigger."
"And an excellent suggestion," said Dumbledore. "What do you think, Miss Granger?"
Hermione nodded. "It sounds good."
"Very well, then," said Dumbledore. "You two are dismissed for supper. I'll see you there."
"Bye, Professor," said Hermione.
Draco inclined his head and the two went down the stairs and to the dining hall. Draco went straight to the Slytherin table and told Pansy what was going on. She liked the idea of trying out her skills though she was a little unsure of what to put in the rooms for decorations for the Muggles. Draco told her to talk to Hermione on that.
Dinner was just about started when Harry came in rather slowly, accompanied by Ron who was ready to catch him if he fell. Immediately the students jumped to their feet and applauded wildly, the Slytherins included. Draco smirked as Harry went bright red and tried to wave them to stop. By the time he reached his seat, even the tips of his ears were scarlet. Draco felt a smile tug on his lips as he cheered for the savior of the wizarding world with the rest of the students, and for one split moment, they were completely united.
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So, I really wasn't planning on writing this much back story, it was supposed to give an account of the final battle and then skip straight to six years later when England goes through a depression, but these things just kept coming to me. But I think after this, there's only going to be one more 7th year chapter, and then it will go to what it says in the summary and Ginny will finally be appearing more.
Please, please, please Read and Review. I want to know what you think, so I know how to write better.