A/N - Hello everyone. Many thanks to those who followed, favorited and reviewed. Kisses!
There was a review asking about how everyone was alive, I apologize for not specifying this is an AU. A total and complete departure from canon with regard to story lines. A bit more will be explained in future chapters. Short version is Riddle never started his plot for world domination, he decided to go a different route that didn't involve murder and mayhem. So everyone who died because of him simply isn't dead in this world.
Have a wonderful weekend
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"That went better than I expected." Hermione lifted a glass in the air and clunked it with those in the room. She turned to Sirius who seemed quite pleased with himself, "Where did you pick up the Shakespeare?" Slapping James on the back, Sirius turned with a rather hurt expression. Lily snorted and waved Sirius on, she wanted to know the answer as well.
"I'm a man of varied talents and hobbies Hermione." Harry and James began laughing so hard no one could hear Sirius. In a totally expected move, Lily silenced both her husband and son. With a wave she pointed at Sirius, he began again, "At one time, I was heir to this ancient and noble house. My instructions included everything a good pureblood son would know. I'm aghast you thought me so simple to not have studied the Bard." Regulus shook his head and handed Remus a glass, if Sirius got going again the day would feel never ending.
Sirius stopped as if that was enough, he smiled until he knew Hermione wasn't going to drop it. With a scowl and dramatic sigh, he admitted to the secret, "Remus has the complete anthology and I heard you two talking about how you didn't love some of the plays and felt they were over the top. I thought I'd check out what cousin Will did after getting kicked out of the family. Seems he really had a way with words. Although I do like my versions better. A lot of his work is super depressing." Hermione blinked and turned to Regulus.
"Yeah, a squib, it shouldn't be too much of a surprise if you think about it. The various potions used are totally magical. Hell, Macbeth has actual witches in it, I think they were our aunts. Family rumor is one was actually Will's mum, I guess he was a bit upset about her getting him kicked out of the family. The ritual from the play is one we did back in the day but I've not taken the time to confirm the identity of the characters. Why did you ever think he was a muggle once you knew our world existed?"
"I…I guess you're right and I shouldn't be surprised. But why isn't it documented anywhere, Shakespeare is hugely successful in the muggle world. He is considered the gold standard for playwrights." Hermione looked to those in the room and then turned to Draco in suspicion.
"Nope I didn't know, I swear Hermione. But to your question, you answered it. He wrote in the muggle world in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century. Why would the magicals of that time care? In fact, Shakespeare wasn't successful in his lifetime really, I mean yes he had his patrons and wrote some stuff to get on the good side of Lizzy, but it wasn't until much later he gained the title of the Bard and everyone believed him to be a genius."
"Ok, you're right. I get it. I guess it worked out for us today."
"Yes, it did, so let's get going before Mum makes her way here." Hermione smiled and hugged her friends, they would be expected to visit but it wouldn't be anytime in the near term. The couple gripped the portkey and left the townhome on Grimmauld Place in London for parts unknown.
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Lord Malfoy Married!
In a shocking turn of events, this reporter and anyone in Diagon Alley yesterday morning learned of the apparent mystery marriage of Draco Malfoy. There is no word yet on his wife, but we at the Prophet will not stop until we discover the truth (see pages 2 and 3 for a comprehensive list individuals who may be the new Lady Malfoy along with photos of each). Requests for copies of the marriage license at the Ministry have been blocked by the new citizen privacy law. It now makes sense why Lord Malfoy was so vocal on the law passing.
As expected, the new Lady Malfoy will takeover all the duties carried out until recently by the Dowager Lady Malfoy. The Dowager Lady Malfoy will no longer hold any responsibility for the Malfoy family and enters her retirement with the announcement (see pages 8 and 9 covering the highlights of Narcissa Malfoy's time as the Lady Malfoy, including the years she commanded the role as the Dowager Lady Malfoy after the death of her husband, Lucius).
It appears the sudden change in her status is due to her role in the negotiations related to the now dead betrothal reported yesterday morning. Draco Malfoy, who assumed his role as lord in secret shortly after his seventeenth birthday, is in a unique situation as both the head of the Malfoy family and heir to the Black family.
This reporter reviewed the traditional laws and discovered when marriage contracts are initiated they must be approved by the head of the family. While the parents may do the actual negotiations, they cannot occur without the heads approval (see pages 14 and 15 for the most commonly overlooked rules and loopholes).
In the case of Lord Malfoy, neither house head was aware of the contract. Comments heard from Lord Greengrass gave the impression he believed the approval was already received and entered into the negotiations in good faith (see page 4 and 5 for the history of the Greengrass family).
Not only did Lord Greengrass enter into the negotiations believing all approvals were received prior to beginning the discussions, his poor daughter had no idea her future was no longer assured. In such a state, the young woman burst from Pansy Parkinson's 'A Mostly Bridal Affair' wearing a sample wedding gown (see pages 10 to 13 discussing Miss Parkinson's surprisingly successful shop providing the modern witch the most up to date and trendy styles, additional shots of the hottest gowns for the coming season, and contact information in order to schedule your consultations).
While the gown Miss Greengrass wore yesterday may be the most trendy, all photos have been modified significantly to maintain her dignity (see page 6 and 7 for photos of the dress from yesterday and also some additional shot provided by Miss Parkinson from the design house).
Your intrepid reporter will keep searching to provide you, my loyal readers, the most up to date news on this and all other important stories.
Pansy flipped through the paper and was quite impressed with the free advertisement she received, "You did really well Glitter. She must be petrified of you." The elf smirked and shrugged, "You and Hermione are a dangerous pair. Good thing you both love me." The elf nodded, she really did love her Miss Pansy and would continue to ensure the bug lived up to her promise. And if not, the elf had very little remorse for ensuring Miss Hermione's promise was fulfilled.
"The bookings are already filled for the next two months before and maybe more now the story has been released. The designers be notified we will bes needing many samples in the coming weeks." Pansy nodded and looked through who would be in the shop that day. "Good things they all be magical and don't actually need the months we tell the customers."
"Agreed, the longer it takes, the more special."
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In the weeks since Draco's departure, Narcissa Malfoy stewed in anger thinking about what happened that Saturday. Trying to pinpoint where it all went wrong. She growled looking around the cottage where she now resided. Her thoughts drifted to that black day.
After leaving the alley and arriving at Draco's home, as he refused to live in the Manor, she finally forced her way in only to find it totally empty. The elf did a good job in packing because the home was completely bare, nothing to evidence it was home to her son for the last seven years. When she approached the floo, she found its history wiped clean and disabled, making it impossible for her to use to return to the Manor.
In a huff, she lifted her wand to apparate only to discover her inability to do so from the home. She returned to the Manor via the closest public apparition point. The point was a twenty-five minute walk and on her arrival home she found the Manor also emptied of everything except for the few items personally belonging to her. She simmered at the fact Draco planned the entire thing, the missing jewels clenched it. Since she couldn't do much at the moment, she planned to set up a watch to see what witch was wearing her jewelry.
Due to everything that occurred, Narcissa decided to take a rest before she made any additional plans on getting herself reinstated as Lady Malfoy. When she went to lay down on her bed and found herself unable. It was then Aster, her personal elf, appeared, "Master Draco has told me to move you to the house of your choice. The Manor is to be locked up." Aster finished packing all of Narcissa's belongings while the woman sputtered in anger.
"What do you mean?" Aster blinked handing Narcissa a letter and continued to follow the instructions from the Malfoy head. After reading the note, Narcissa's anger only spiked higher. She was not only removed from her roles as Lady Malfoy, but Draco kicked her out of the Manor. The homes he offered were nice, but nowhere near as impressive as the Manor. "What if I refuse to move into one of these homes?"
Aster let out a weary sigh, "The Master says you don't haves to, but yous not living here. He said the choice be yours but you needs to think careful." Aster packed the last item and waited for Narcissa to make her decision. Aster believed Narcissa would take one of the homes, especially since the Master would make sure Black House didn't give her anything.
"I'll go to Reg and he will fix this. Of all the ridiculous notions," Narcissa stalked to the floo and called out Grimmauld Place only to be blocked. Stepping from the floo she found not only was she blocked from the Black home but the floo was now disabled. "What in the name …" Narcissa's complaint paused when she heard and owl tapping on the window. "Aster, if you would, please."
The owl looked at the elf who shrugged and wiggled her gnarly fingers toward the letter. The owl huffed but lifted its leg and allowed Aster to remove it. Seeing the seal belonged to Aster's former house, and where her mistress was trying to go, Aster passed the parchment to Narcissa.
Narcissa screeched in anger and stomped away toward the only apparition point on the large grounds. She spun away with an angry sounding crack of magic. Aster shook her head and picked up the letters Narcissa dropped. Looking at the options again, Aster made the obvious choice and left to get the Mistress's new home ready.
Returning to the present day, Narcissa stood from her chaise lounge and decided it was time to increase her demands to the DMLE. She looked at the parchment options and decided her daily stationary must not be making the necessary impression, "Aster, I will need some additional parchment." She handed the elf a single sheet of what she used when she needed the recipient to understand their place.
Aster looked at the sheet and kept her sigh to herself. "How much?"
"I would have hoped to have a response by now, but apparently weekly letters are not sufficient. I will be sending them more frequently. Explain I will be sending daily missives and if I run out, it means I need to find a new supplier. That should ensure they provide you a sufficient amount." Narcissa flicked her hand and pulled her quill from the stand. Aster left.
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Kingsley looked at the assistant for the DMLE when she entered her office, "She's actually in the building this time or another letter? Maybe she sent a howler this time?" This wasn't the first time the Narcissa Malfoy tried to dictate the priorities of the DMLE in the almost six months since the well publicized departure of her son. And also of Hermione Granger, though no one seemed to notice that fact yet.
"She's out there and distracting everyone. It's probably her plan honestly, but some of them really need to get me their paperwork and won't with her carrying on as she is." Melanie growled in frustration, some of those reports were already late.
"Send her in then. I'll take care of it." Melanie turned to leave, "Oh, after she's in here, tell Harry it's about time and have him be ready for when I call him." Melanie nodded, she'd been in this role for over a decade and didn't care about what secret plans were in place. Her only desire was to get reports that were timely, well written, timely, on point and did she mention, timely.
Narcissa strode in the office of the head of the DMLE expecting him to already have the answer, "I'm sorry Mrs Malfoy, we don't have time to search for a person who left on his on volition. Maybe you should try sending him a letter." Narcissa narrowed her eyes when this man called her Mrs Malfoy, she had a title. At moment, that wasn't her most pressing concern.
"Your role is to keep British magic safe, obviously someone either imperioused or is pretending to be my son. Draco would never do any of this on his own and I demand someone look into it." Kingsley was not at all impressed with Narcissa Malfoy and her self-important sense.
Pressing a button, Kingsley turned toward the little speaker, "Melanie if you would please send Inspector Potter to my office," and he stopped talking. No reason to engage the woman anymore than was needed, plus Kingsley suspected she'd put on more of a show with a bit longer to simmer. Over five minutes later Harry arrived with a notepad and quill. "Thank you for coming so quickly," Narcissa huffed, quickly is not the word she would use. The two others in the office ignored her, "It seems Mrs Malfoy believes some level of foul play occurred with her son and wants us to investigate."
Harry continued to take notes and at Kingsley's pause, the younger man looked to the woman with an expectant expression, "Obviously even you are aware of what transpired in the Alley with my son. After exhausting my own connections, I am unable to find him. It has become glaringly obvious he has been taken by someone who wishes to access the Malfoy vaults."
Narcissa paused and a look of sheer horror crossed her face, "Or to destroy everything held dear by my family. You must find him for his own safety. Everything the Malfoy and Black families have obviously are at your disposal." Thinking her magnanimous offer would suffice, Narcissa perched on the only remaining chair holding her linen handkerchief to her quivering lips. The crests of both her houses embroidered on it and visible. She waited impatiently for their agreement.
Harry held the silence for a few extra moments. He thought how he would play this for months, actually longer. Ever since Hermione explained the plan she and Draco expected to need to him and Kingsley, Harry started to prepare, "Have you looked in the muggle world? I assume your magical contacts are rather widespread."
Blinking at the rudeness of the question, "Of course I have not, why would he be in the muggle world? He's been raised to understand society and his role in it." Harry removed his glasses and took to cleaning them as a way to drag out the conversation and give Narcissa time to think on what he said. He looked up when she pulled in a startled breath, "Unless, oh no, my son has been taken to the muggle world! It's obvious as no one of respect is able to traverse that place. He's been so alone and scared. He wasn't raised to survive in such a horrible place. How do you plan to search for him now?"
Kingsley was having an out of body experience really, this was playing out almost exactly as Hermione and Draco said. Those two were scary together. Kingsley promised the pair he'd assist them, "We have specialists on staff who are experts in the muggle world. Something like this will take time as I doubt Lord Malfoy is still in the UK. Whoever took him, obviously planned this and would have him in the most unlikely of places."
Leaving Narcissa to stew, Kingsley turned to Harry, "Get Agent GM involved and provide everything we know, including Mrs Malfoy's suspicions." Harry smirked as he looked at the parchment, Agent GM would get a laugh out of this.
"Certainly Director, I'll get on that right away. I believe she and her partner finished their most recent project last week." Harry left the office and didn't feel the least bit guilty about it. Kingsley got the big galleons and title, he can get her to leave.
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Agent GM sipped tea with a sad little sigh and read the latest dispatch from her office. Or should she say, her former office. "Finally got the report? Surprised it took her this long to press the issue," Agent GM's partner leaned over and began to read the document. "Poor bloke is being held captive in the muggle world without the slightest idea of how to return to the safety of the magical world. Must be some sorta spoiled git really."
Harry snorted at the pair, "Went to school with him, totally a mama's boy who wouldn't have known how to do anything without his wand and elf. Probably dead by now," Agent GM glared at Harry and shook her head. The man ignored her and continued with his phony analysis, "Maybe he's being kept captive for ransom or something. They'd need him alive unless the mysterious wife is involved and now is draining the vaults of everything."
"Interesting angle, may need to talk to goblins at some point," Hermione Granger-Malfoy hummed before putting the report down. "She actually said what you have here? No modification on the wording to make it funnier, this is verbatim?"
"No exaggeration, I have my memories and also Kingsley's since he was in there alone with her for a bit, it's why I'm here today. It took me over a week to get on Kingsley's calendar for him to give them to me. He sent a memo saying I needed to speak to him before I wrote up the meeting." Harry smiled at the report, "To the timing of her visit, she's been sending letters everyday for the last two months which was up from the weekly letters. Kingsley and I suspect her arrival was supposed to scare us."
Draco rolled his eyes, "That makes sense. How long after we left until she sent her first missive?"
Harry's faced scrunched up, "Three days I think. At least I don't know of any arriving before that, though it was only Tuesday. Her connections were awfully quick in not finding you. I honestly don't think she even thought about the muggle world until I mentioned it and then the story just spun. It was riveting to watch really. She was less than complimentary when she talked about how you'd never be able to get home."
Draco shook his head, "I was able to do stuff without Kitmu or my wand. That was a low blow Potter, I was a spoiled prince who rarely got to leave the grounds of Manor. What was I really to know about the magical world, let alone the vast wasteland that is muggle Earth?" Draco blindly waved his hand toward the lush yard behind the house where he and Hermione now lived.
"Leave him alone Harry, I'm serious." Hermione pulled the second stack of papers from the folder and read Kingsley's comments and thoughts. "I like the way Kingsley has this playing out. If this were a real case, he's right it would take years with absolutely no clues to anything. Has Narcissa gone to the press yet?"
Swallowing his coffee, Harry nodded, "Yeah Glitter stopped by the office before I left to catch the portkey. She said Skeeter requested Glitter to be present when Narcissa was there. Apparently our dear reporter has a fear of printing something inaccurately now." The smirk running across Hermione's face made her friend laugh.
"Anyway, it'll go to press tomorrow and will pretty much mirror what she said to Kingsley. Obviously he's also aware now and is figuring out the best response. Narcissa is going to accuse the DMLE of aiding the villains who are torturing her poor baby boy in some Merlin-forsaken muggle cave. I guess not all dragons desire to live in squalor. By the way, the dragon quote was said to Kingsley after I left."
"Fine you're right Hermione, my family is apparently the most overdramatic lot of people in the entire world." Draco huffed as he finished reading everything Harry brought with him. Pouting like a small child, Hermione rubbed his back.
"It's fine baby, we'll just make sure this little one has some different role models." Hermione placed Draco's hand on her as-yet flat stomach. They discovered the pregnancy a few days earlier. Needless to say Lord Malfoy was quite chuffed with himself. Harry's eyes popped and Hermione turned to him with a smile, "Yeah, really early days yet. But he's in there."
"I'm super happy for you both. I can't wait to meet my godson." As a horrified look crossed Draco's face, he turned to Hermione who refused to look at him. "Anyway, I'll not let anyone know, with Narcissa out of the Manor and Regulus renovating Grimmauld, there aren't any family tapestries to make an announcement. Once the reno job is closer to being complete, I'll pull Reg to the side and give him a heads up. Sirius doesn't like that room anyway with his mum's portrait still there."
Draco leaned back and pulled Hermione into his arms, he'd deal with the thought of Potter being his son's godfather later. He already had a few thoughts on ways to mitigate whatever Potter may try to teach Scorpius. "The tapestries are certainly an interesting piece of magic. Seems they can hide many secrets the families don't want getting out." The other two in the room turned to the blond man who was now obviously plotting. "For the short term, we don't have to worry, nothing will appear until Scorp's birth on either, so a good seven to eight months."
"Scorp? We named our son already?" They'd not discussed it yet and Hermione didn't remember Draco ever mentioning it.
"Yeah Scorpius, I've always loved the name, I know he won't be head of House Black, I thought if you let me name him, you can name our next. That child will inherit the Black line. Reg is working to make sure a daughter can inherit the family going forward. And if he can't get it done, I can do it. Either way that goes and regardless if our second child is a son or daughter, that child will inherit the title." Draco leaned in and kissed Hermione hoping she'd agree to his plan. Plus it allowed her to follow the Black tradition, or chuck it into the dumpster.
"We'll talk on that later. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, just tabling." Harry wasn't sure which way his friend would go, probably depended on her mood when they got around to discussing it. "But, what are you thinking about the tapestry Draco?"
"Oh yeah, anyway, it's possible to really mess with them. I mean to the point where very few people actually know the truth. When you get home Potter, talk to Reg alone and ask him about my Aunt Bella. She's on the tree, but that's it. Do not say anything in front of Sirius." Harry took some notes and looked up again.
Both of the former Gryffindors watched Draco with a questioning gaze, "Not important at the moment, anyway say Agent GM asked about her after starting the investigation, he should figure out it isn't important right now, but that I wanted him to remember it. He'll probably not actually tell you anything about her. When we have you tell him about Sco, —" Draco paused, "— tell him about our son, he'll know what I need him to do."
"Nothing bad?" Hermione questioned her husband.
"Nope, it'll be something he needs to do anyway because Mum is going to press the issue once Agent GM discovers the possibility of the dirty, evil magic-less people forcing me to sleep with my wife and procreate. An heir to both families growing up influenced by the muggle world would be unacceptable, but more importantly to her, away from Mum's control and influence. She'll flip and to prove the inaccuracy of the report, Mum will demand Reg to show her the Black tree."
Hermione blinked, "But I'm on there listed as your wife!" She remembered how excited Reg was when he showed Hermione her place on the tapestry. She was shocked when she and Draco returned from their honeymoon and Reg immediately pulled her to the room before giving her hugs and kisses. After being released by Reg, Sirius appearing weeping and then handed her a glass of champagne, before pulling it back to make sure his nephew wasn't already growing. Remus smiled and congratulated the couple again before holding Sirius until the man's tears stopped.
"Settle petal, when Harry mentions Bella to Reg, he'll make sure whenever Mum appears all she sees is me." Draco's words drifted off as his expression shifted to more speculation, "Maybe a faint line from me to where my heir's portrait will be. Before going too far on that idea, I need to work out my thoughts on it and if we give her any confirmation on your delicate condition."
Having discussed everything needed for the moment, the trio left the home and gave Harry a guided tour. Everyone in their small circle aware of the plan would gather for the holidays next month and Harry wanted to gloat about seeing everything before them.
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