Chapter 1 – The Manor

Molly, Lupin, Tonks, Moody, Figg, McGonagall, Shacklebolt, Bill, Charlie. They were all seated at 12 Grimmauld Place except Arthur. The new Ministry of Magic was running late. They were still tired from fighting.

The table was concealed with Molly's tear-stained handkerchiefs and the blueprints of houses that belonged to Death Eaters before their, well, deaths. A piece of parchment sat in front of Lupin, the ink still drying.

Crabbe Manor

The House of Doyle

Gibbon Hall

Malfoy Manor

Parkinson Manor

Zabini Manor

A poof and Arthur stood before them, sliding his wand into his robe pocket. "Where are we?" he asked, patting his wife's back before sitting down beside her.

"Discussing the destruction of their homes," stated Lupin dryly, nodding toward the list before handing it to the eldest Weasley.

"Malfoy Manor is on the list?"

"Yes sir."

Arthur sighed. "The boy; he helped us though. Is it fair to take the only thing he has left after Voldemort killed his parents?"

Moody spoke up. "We all know that Malfoy Manor has more dark arts than all other death eater homes combined. We can't leave that open for anyone to find. It should be destroyed with the others."

They all knew he was right. It was too risky.

"The manor can stay. We'll take all things dark and suspicious."

----

"Absolutely not."

Arthur leaned forward in his seat. "Son, this is not a question. The entire estate was going to be destroyed, but because of your work during the battles, it was saved. This is the only way it can be."

The younger wizard leaned back into the chair nonchalantly, as if he could care less if the entire estate was burned to the ground. They both knew better. "You can take every shrunken head and Hand of Glory out of here, but you will not touch the library. It is a part of the family. It will not be altered."

Arthur knew the young Malfoy was as stubborn as his late son and that he would see to it that he got his way.

"Mr. Malfoy, what are you planning on doing now that school is over?"

"I have no plans."

"What if you were put in charge of the Ministry's new Dark Arts Council? You would study and research the dark arts, which we know that you, along with Ms. Granger, are quite good at after your work in the war. You could keep the library for research purposes."

"Me? A death eater's son working on a dark arts council for the Ministry?" He laughed humorlessly.

"Your father and I were coworkers."

"Yes, when Crouch was in charge. You, on the other, have no ulterior motives."

"Draco, there are aurors outside waiting to raid the house of all dark possessions or to destroy it. Make your decision quickly."

The blonde eyed him carefully then stood and threw the large rug between them to the side.