A/N: Yay! Just two more chapters left after this. The remaining chapters will be uploaded on Wednesday August 19 and 26. And then I have a one-shot that I'll upload in the last quarter of the year. My intention is to begin uploading chapters of the sequel sometime in 2021, A Courtly Romance. The one-shot bridges the two projects.

I'm also working on original fiction if that's your jam, and that's going to be my focus after this decade-long fan fiction project. (It's actually written better than this IMHO.) I'm looking for Latinx and Chicago-based beta readers. Check out my profile or send me a PM for more details.

Anyway, without further adieu... Chapter 26 of HGMM.

26. The Next Right Thing

Finally, the day was here. Bottling day. It was mid-April, and Draco couldn't believe that he had actually done it. The gold liquid shimmered in the small cauldron. Professor Slughorn had even stopped by the shop to determine the quality of the brew and had been deeply impressed with what Draco had accomplished.

"It looks mighty fine, my boy," Slughorn had said in early March. "One more month and it should be done brewing. I'd love a bottle when you complete it." He said this last part with a wink and while nudging Draco.

Ten vials. That's how many Draco was able to fill, and the tenth was a touch shy. That could be Slughorn's, Draco thought. One for Belle, one for me. Six for his boss. That left one more vial.

His mother. He wanted to give it to her.

Separating the vials, Draco placed the half-dozen for his boss in a container and brought them to the front for inspection. The apothecary looked at them thoroughly, even sniffed the liquid of one of them. "They look good. And Slughorn said they met his standards?"

"Yes, sir," Draco said. "How much will you charge?"

The apothecary considered him for a moment, glancing from the vials to the rest of the potions he had on his shelves. "Probably 750 galleons. Why?"

"I know my usual cut is ten percent of the potion's selling price, on top of my salary," Draco said. "But this potion was an outright bugger and took intense time, attention, and focus for six months. I want thirty."

"Thirty percent per potion?"

"Yes, sir."

Stroking his chin, the apothecary looked at the six vials in front of him. "That's still a profit of more than 2,000 galleons for me when these all sell. I'll probably charge 850 galleons per potion instead. All right, you have yourself a deal, Malfoy."

"Thank you, sir," Draco said, with a curt nod.

The apothecary looked at them with a smile. "What are you going to do with all that money? That's about six months of expenses for a single lad like yourself."

Draco shrugged. "Probably invest it."

"Good choice. Well, I'll see you on Monday, lad. Take good care of yourself. And the rest of those vials," he said with a wink.

HP*BATB*HP*BATB*HP*BATB

Later that day, Draco took the Floo to the Three Broomsticks, the slightly smaller vial for Slughorn in hand. He had placed the vials for his mother, himself, and Belle in his flat under special wards and protections. He wanted to wait until the right time to take his own and didn't want anyone else locating it or taking it from him.

Slughorn greeted Draco at the side entrance and brought him into the castle. "How are you doing, m'boy? How's the potion?"

"Bottled and ready for you, professor." Draco rummaged through his robes and pulled out the vial. "What do you plan to do with it?"

Chuckling, Slughorn tucked the vial inside his robes. "We'll see. I know a fair few people who would pay a pretty penny for this. Or would do a favor for me in exchange for this potion."

Draco didn't respond. He certainly had his own ambitions, like winning Belle over and investing shrewdly enough not to have to work by the time he was forty, but putting the Felix Felicis on the black market wasn't the kind of thing he'd be willing to do anymore.

"Professor McGonagall wanted to speak with you while you were here," Slughorn added. "Is it all right if I call her in?"

"Why does the Headmistress wish to speak with me?" Draco asked coolly.

"She has a proposition for you, Draco. I told her you were brewing a fantastic batch of Felix Felicis the last time I saw you, and she was impressed."

"Very well. I do need to return to the shop soon, though," he lied smoothly. "So make it quick."

Slughorn nodded, tossed some Floo Powder in the fire, and stuck his head in. "Minerva?"

A few seconds passed. "Yes, Horace?"

"Draco's in my office if you'd like to stop down and chat. He needs to return to Diagon Alley, so if you could stop by right now, that would be ideal."

After a moment, Slughorn pulled his head out of the fire. "She'll be down shortly. Scotch or whisky for you at all, m'boy?"

A pang went through Draco's heart. "No, thank you."

"Suit yourself." The potions professor poured himself a drink in a crystal glass, took a swig, and smacked his lips. Ah, that pineapple flavor gets me every time."

Before too long, Professor McGonagall entered the Potions Master's office. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy. It's been awhile."

Draco had forgotten how much he disliked the Transfiguration teacher growing up. She was strict, and unlike Snape, she was fair.

"You wanted to speak to me, professor?" he asked.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy. I was wondering if you would consider accepting an appointment with Hogwarts."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Can you tell me more about this appointment?"

"This is Professor Slughorn's last year," Professor McGonagall said. "We're looking for a new potions teacher and a new Slytherin Head of House to start in August. Many Slytherins still feel prejudice from many comrades, and as of yet, we haven't found any leads. Professor Slughorn is currently the only Slytherin on staff, so it would be ideal if our new potions teacher could fill both roles."

"The perk to the job, my boy?" Slughorn asked, with a wink. "You still have time to brew commission potions on the side, especially if you're single, like I am." He took another swig from his glass and smacked his lips noisily.

Draco felt irritation rising in him and did his best to keep it in check. He liked his flat and living situation, and being a Hogwarts professor would be a pay cut. Still, it was prestigious. "As Head of House, would I need to live on-campus, professor?"

"That would be preferable," McGonagall said. "When I was married, I did have a cottage in Hogsmeade. If there comes a time where you have a partner or want to build a family, we could easily discuss the logistics."

"I'm not very good with children," Draco said coolly. "I think I'll pass."

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy," Professor McGonagall said. "If you do change your mind, please let us know. We're looking at other candidates, but none of them have the impressive resume that you do. After all, you were the only student in your year to receive an O on your NEWTs in Potions when you came back after the Second Wizarding War, and you've continued to work in the field since then."

"What's your real hesitation, m'boy?" Slughorn asked, taking another sip from his tumbler. "I thought you'd be great at it. You remind me so much of Severus. Besides, if Occlumency were ever a class, you certainly could teach that, too, just as he did."

A pang went through Draco, but he pushed it down. "Yes, my godfather was quite the gifted Occulmens," he said neutrally. "No, if you'll excuse me, I need to return to Diagon Alley."

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Yes, yes. Thank you for your time, Mr. Malfoy; we do sincerely appreciate it. Again, if you change your mind…"

"I know where to find you," Draco said coolly. "Thanks, professors."

With that, Draco walked out of the dungeons and began heading toward the entrance to Hogsmeade as fast as he could. The castle was filled with too many challenging memories.

HP*BATB*HP*BATB*HP*BATB

After leaving Hogwarts, Draco returned to his flat to fetch two of the remaining vials of Felix Felicis. Out of one, he took a short gulp, enough for three hours. And then he grabbed the second vial, locked up the two he still had—the partially consumed one for him, and the other unopened one for his mother—and headed toward Flourish and Blotts. It was nearing five o'clock, and Belle would be leaving the store soon. His gut told him he would arrive at the perfect moment.

Sure enough, Belle was still there, and she was gathering her things. When she looked up to see Draco at the counter, her eyes widened. "Draco," she breathed. "What are you doing 'ere?"

Tell her the truth. Be matter of fact, a quiet voice directed him. Be honest.

Draco pulled the vial out of his robes and extended his palm. "This is for you. Felix Felicis. Liquid luck."

Her thumb and forefinger extended, Belle gently grabbed the vial from him. "It's beautiful," she breathed as she looked at the vial. "Zank you."

You're welcome, the voice prompted.

"You're welcome," Draco said genially. "Save it for a special day, or spread it out. It'll make everything effortless, and it will all go your way."

Now leave.

And because everything the voice said made perfect sense, Draco smiled and turned to go. As his hand was on the doorknob, he heard a cry.

"Wait!"

Draco turned and saw Belle looking at the vial, biting her lip.

"Yes, Belle?"

"Will you have dinner with me tonight?" she asked, walking toward him. "I was about to leave, and well… I sink I owe you after 'ow I treated you during our luncheon some months ago. I was still upset from everything that 'appened, and… and…"

Be charming. Forgiving.

"Dinner would be lovely," Draco said smoothly, touching her gently on the elbow. "Why don't you grab your things, and we'll go to Le Magnifique? My treat."

Belle seemed stunned. "You're—you're not angry?" she asked, tentatively.

"Why would I be angry? I was a right arse to you."

"You were," Belle admitted, but she looked at him curiously. "You've changed since I last met you. You're… charming. Generous."

A genuine smile covered Draco's face. This felt… good. Natural. Right. And Felix just made it so easy. "Shall we?" he asked, extending his arm.

Belle nodded and grabbed her things, wrapping her arm around his.

At dinner, Draco continued to follow the subtle promptings of Felix, or his intuition. Or his wiser self. Whoever it was knew what they were doing. Draco easily and effortlessly smiled, and touched her hand and was charming. Belle smiled back at him, tucked her hair behind her ear, and even blushed and looked down a few times.

He had her. This was what he had wanted for so long.

As they got to the dessert course, though, he could feel the potion wearing off. The cues of what to do became subtler, and then nonexistent. Then Draco realized: he was alone. Felix wasn't helping him anymore.

"What would you like for dessert, Belle?" he asked, stiffening into his habitual posture.

Belle tilted her head to the side and frowned slightly, but looked back at the menu. "I don't know. What would you suggest?"

"The chocolate torte is…"

…delightful.

"…acceptable."

Her frown grew. "Well, if it eez only acceptable, zen I sink I shall pass." She scanned the menu once more and set it aside. "Unless zair is some-sing zat you would like to share?"

That would be nice.

Draco's lip twitched. "We could share the apple cinnamon cheesecake?"

Nodding, Belle leaned on the table. Her body positioning was different, but Draco didn't know what to say to make things less tense. They were having such a good time, and now there was this awkwardness.

"Draco," Belle said finally, after they had sat in silence for a couple moments, "what are you most afraid of?"

Losing you. Looking like a fool. My father.

"Nothing," Draco said, his back now rod-straight.

Belle sighed. "You're doing it again. I should 'ave known zis could not last."

"What couldn't last?" he asked coolly.

"Your vulnerability, your charm and wit. Your openness."

Tell her the truth. Tell her everything. Let go of your pride. This is your last chance.

And while Draco had ignored his intuition the last two minutes since Felix wasn't there anymore, he faintly heard the last bit about this being his last shot with Belle. Because he could read it and see it in her face. While he was less experienced as a Legilimens than he was as an Occlumens, he could still hear and sense general thought patterns, especially if someone wasn't taking the precautions of protecting their thoughts like he usually did.

How badly do you want her? a voice asked.

I brewed bloody Felix Felicis for her, Draco responded angrily in his mind. Isn't that bloody well enough?

After taking a sharp inhale, Draco folded his fingers and looked at Belle. When he saw a couple tears at the edge of her lashes, he exhaled. "This is hard for me," he said. "I'm doing my best, and it's also undoing a lifetime of habits. So I'm going to ask for your grace and patience for this next bit."

Belle looked up and into his eyes. The sincerity, depth, intensity… she remembered that look when they had kissed the first time, when Draco had smashed his lips into hers and she had been breathless. She reached up and brushed her fingers against her lips. "Okay," she said. "Go on."

He took another deep breath. "I care deeply about you, and really you were the reason I left my parents. Because you were right… I was being a coward. So, I left my parents with the galleons I had lying around, and started renting a flat and working as an apothecary's assistant, working my way up. I debated for weeks about whether or not to go into Flourish and Blotts that first time, and once when I almost did, I had a rose for you."

He took a deep breath. Now that the floodgates were open, Draco wasn't sure he could stop. He plunged on.

"After the time we had lunch, I realized I needed to change in some big ways. I threw myself into my work, and I worked my way into a new position, brewing more advanced potions where I was getting better financial compensation. I started mending things with my mother, and now she and I have Sunday dinner every week. My father still elects not to come.

"I began brewing Felix Felicis because you said that you said that you had access to money through Potter if you needed it, and I figured this kind of magic was the one thing I could give you that he couldn't. Really, that few people could. It's a dastardly challenging potion, and it required six months to brew. But knowing I could give you something that precious, mend things, maybe impress you, it was worth it. And then, using my vial, hope I didn't screw things up.

"I took a small portion of my own vial before coming down to meet you, and that's what supported me with being more open, charming, willing. The potion guided me with letting down my defenses. Because even being around you as much as I have, as much as I care about you, my pride is a deeply-rooted practice. Keeping up my walls is an instinct I have to fight every single moment. And often, I don't. I've made strides, and I still have a long way to go before I'm there.

"So, all of this is to say, Belle, that I care about you a lot. I've changed my entire world because of you. I've become a better man because of you. And I… I love you."

Complete, Draco stopped speaking and folded his fingers again, holding his breath, waiting for her response.