Chapter 13
I smiled nervously as he continued to stare me down, never uttering a word as he began to move. My breathing hitched, my back colliding into the counter as his long legs brought him inches from me. Towering over me I had to tilt my head in order to look at him properly; his eyes were still a molten grey as he continued to grin at me.
"Dra-"
I whispered, unable to bear the silence before his lips crashed into mine, his arms gripped my shoulders, pulling me into him. Why did he have to be such a good kisser? My arms wrap around him, keeping him locked in our embrace shivering as he deepened the kiss, trailing his arms down my body until they gripped my waist. Want and desired poured off of him as his lips claimed dominance over mine in need. I moaned softly as he trailed kisses down my neck hitting a soft spot, making my head tip back. I stared up at the ceiling, wondering if I had died and gone to heaven.
Stopping momentarily, his eyes searching mine as we both were left panting and flush faced. I couldn't believe how exhilarating it felt to just snog a man…or maybe it was the alcohol affecting my perception. He brought both of his hands to my face, gently pulling me in for another passionate kiss before pulling away again.
"God. I've been wanting to do that." He remarked huskily as he let go of my face.
"What took you so long."
I replied with a smirk to rival his own before pulling him by his shirt and into another kiss, before he had a chance to respond. I didn't need him to speak. I knew his feelings the minute a groan escaped his perfect lips and his hands once again explored my body. Dimly I was aware of guiding him towards the living room until his legs hit the couch. I pulled back just long enough to shove him. He collapsed on the couch, chuckling at me before his quidditch reflexes kicked into gear and he reached out, pulling me on top of him. Straddling him, I was lost once more in heat of the moment.
"Ow, shit!" Draco yelped.
He pulled away and started digging into his pockets as I slid off him, wondering what the hell was going on.
"What is it?"
"I set an alarm on my wand for when I needed to go pick Scorpius up." Draco remarked before shoving his wand back into his pants pocket.
Glancing at him, I couldn't help but grin in amusement. His face was flush, his clothes wrinkled and his hair disheveled from fooling around. Not to mention the noticeable bulge coming from his pants…damn. The alcohol had long since worn off and I could only assume I looked similar to him. Glancing down, my shirt was twisted and the tank top under the blouse bunched up around my chest. Fixing my shirt I finally glanced back up at him to see he him in a similar state of rearranging himself.
"Is it really time already?" I asked surprised. It felt like no time had gone by since he pushed me up against the counter.
"I guess so."
He stated finally focusing on me as a ghost of smile began to form as he leaned in, pulling me into another heated kiss. God this man! I returned the kiss with equal passion, knowing we shouldn't keep dragging this out. We pulled apart once again and a groan escaped him as he traced circles on my thigh.
"I really don't want to leave yet."
"You have to." I urged knowing that his son was more important than this new development.
He groaned and began to stand up, casting a charm so his clothes were no longer wrinkled. He glanced down at me and grinned holding his hand out to pull me up off the couch. Taking his hand, I let him pull me up until I collided with his chest, my hand splayed out against him.
"I'd like to continue this another time." Draco murmured, his face deep in my hair as he placed chaste kissed on my neck.
"I'd like that too."
He pulled me in for one last kiss before stepping into my floo and disappearing for the night. I stood there for a while, staring stupidly at the empty fireplace with a cheesy grin on my face.
…..
Monday morning felt as if I had just gone to bed or ran a marathon in my sleep. I tossed and turned and my stomach was all in knots; in anticipation on what work would be like since Saturday night. Stepping out of the floo I fixed my clothes in a nervous habit as I greeted Kerry and we exchanged idle chit chat about our weekend.
The floor was quiet as usual and I headed straight for my office, glancing down the hall to where Draco's door was. Wondering if he was behind the door or away from the office today. Flicking the lights on, I went about my usual routine hoping it might help me focus. With a coffee in hand my nerves vanished and I finally stood in front of our dry erase board contemplating our next move. The first is to have a meeting with Blaise and Draco regarding the employees that could be involved; then making Draco realize we needed to start moving in on what Gringotts- specifically the MCH Department can provide for us. A knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Morning Blaise. You're here bright and early." I remark as he stepped into the room.
"It'll be a good morning in two hours when I should be coming into work than at this ungodly hour." Blaise retorts dropping into a chair and the folder in his hand dropped on the table.
"It's only 8 a.m., 6 a.m. would be an ungodly hour."
He rolled his eyes, "I'm here because I was told you like to be here early. Draco and I, with the help of Kerry of course, have a list of who we think might be a potential suspect."
"That's great!"
I took a seat next to him and pulled the folder closer to me. The first thing in the packet was a piece of parchment that had a list of four people and underneath was a copy of their HR papers.
Penelope Petterson
Matthew Nealson
Jeremy Scott
Beatrice Wolf
"Anything in particular on why these four made the list or is it all included in the folder?" I question glancing up at Blaise.
"Petterson is related to the Parkinson family, Nealson is a distant relative of the Carrows, Scott and Wolf were both previous employees here before Draco took over. Kerry said she found out some gossip that both are a little disgruntled about the direction Draco is taking the company." Blaise responded, studying his nails.
"Of course they are both older so it was argued that it could just be a case of not liking change in general and nothing to do with keeping with the Pureblood standards of business."
I nodded as I shuffled through the sheets, "Either way, this is good. I'll look through their files and see what you guys came up with. I'm hoping to convince Draco that we need to really move on talking with the MCH Department."
"How so?" He remarked finally glancing up and focusing on me.
"I met with a guy who works in there and he told me the department keeps 7 years' worth of records. We would be able to go back and see if this lines up with what we've found. On top of that their papers will have the details to where this money was sent too. While it might send a red flag out there, we potentially have the culprit just in grasping distance."
"Do you know who we have to talk to in order to get access to those files or is it all in one location that wouldn't raise too many eyes if we went there?"
"If Draco gives me the okay, I'm going to talk more with my secretary and see what she knows about where it's housed and whether anyone can get access."
"Sounds like a plan. If you need any help just let me know."
"Sure. How's everything else going with you?"
"Can't complain. Although that night with Lavender is biting me in the ass now."
I laughed, yes of course it would. "Why do you say that?"
"She been stalking me ever since! I don't remember her being a clingy person back at school." Blaise grumbled, clearly annoyed at the outcome.
"Clearly you didn't know her at all then. She was very clingy in school…obsessive really." I shuddered, reminiscing about when Ron and her dated for a bit.
"Damn."
"Did you tell her you are not interested in a relationship?" I ask.
"I did. I sent an owl and she still doesn't get the picture."
"Good luck with that."
I laughed lightly as he glared at me before stalking out the door to presumably his office. He never should have hooked up with her. Taking the folder I headed back to my desk with my coffee to look deeper into the HR files.
Top of the list was:
Penelope Petterson, a second cousin to Pansy Parkinson and has been working for the company for roughly 3 years. Her background is that she went to school in France before her internship at a wizarding bank in Paris. Once the internship ended she started working here. Her HR file did not include any notes from her boss. Blaise wrote on a piece of parchment that in was common knowledge that her family wasn't really involved in either wars with Voldemort but in private they believed in the cause.
She could be a potential threat but it seems unlikely.
Matthew Neaslon, according to his file, he was hired just around the time Draco took over the firm. According to Draco or Blaise's notes, he's a distant relative of the Carrow's but didn't recognize the family name as followers of Voldemort. Early in his career there is mention of problems related to in house where he has had multiple meetings with his boss over the years. Went to Hogwarts and is in his late thirties.
He didn't seem to be a threat at all, just unfortunate on who he was related to. I decided it could be safe to take him off the list.
Jeremy Scott, has been working for the company since the mid 80's, working specifically in the investment side since the beginning. There were a few incidents of issues, where management had to speak with him but nothing major. According to the boy's notes Scott should have Pureblood ideology just for the fact that he was hired when Draco's father ran the company. They couldn't place the name so he could have supported Voldemort but was able to keep out of limelight as far as choosing a side. Rumors note that he has been outspoken about Draco taking over but how he now runs the company. With references stating that Scott has publicly noted that Malfoy is just a few steps away from collapsing the Company.
I rolled my eyes but marked that he could be disgruntled about the way things have been run with Draco and he had the possibility of having been a lackey, to someone else who is a known Voldemort supporter.
Beatrice Wolf, also has been with the Company since before Draco and so the percentage increases on having Pureblood ideology. Draco marks that there have been low man on the stick in Voldemort's supporters that had Wolf as their last name but he wasn't positive there was a connection. She has moved up in the ranks before settling in Investments a year or two before the War broke out. She has a good work track record but there are rumors that she has been known to be against the way Draco runs the company.
It's possible that she could be a problem or it may be a case of an old employee who doesn't like change.
Taking a fresh piece of parchment dipping the quill into ink as I scratched the three remaining names in rank of who I thought seemed the most suspicious. Standing up I went over to the board and clipped it alongside the sheet showing the most recent withdrawals. Could all three or just one of them be involved? Hearing the door click open I turn to see who was coming in.
"Draco. Good morning." I remark in surprise.
"Morning."
He returns shutting the door and walking over to me. He had a soft smile on his face and I couldn't help but feel nervous about what he would say. We hadn't talked since he had to leave to take Scorpius home. Opening my mouth once more to keep the conversation going, I gasp as I'm pulled into a kiss the minute he reached me. Pulling me roughly against his chest, I was wrapped in his embrace and the cologne coming off him left me weak in the knees. Burying my hands in his hair as I returned the kiss, nipping at his bottom lip before finally pulling away to glance at him as he groaned. He looked down at me with lidded eyes, the space between us so tight I could faintly feel the vibrations of his breathing.
"Well that was a very unexpected but a pleasant, 'Good Morning'." I murmur softly as I tried to get my breathing to steady.
"My thoughts exactly." He remarks before pulling me in for another passionate kiss, his tongue seeking entrance and claiming control.
Pulling apart to catch our breath I couldn't help but laugh at how his hair was now all over the place compared to when he first stepped in. His lips red and slightly swollen he continued to grin at me as we tried to control our emotions. "Morning." He remarked huskily.
"Morning. How was the rest of your weekend?"
"It would have been better if I was able to get away to see you. However I want to talk about something else right now." Draco began motioning me to take a seat next to him.
"Sure, what's on your mind?"
He takes a seat allowing his legs to brush up against mine as he reached out to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. Once I again I couldn't help but wonder how we got ourselves here.
"You are." He began before trailing his eyes over me, "Preferably with less clothing."
I couldn't help the flush that rose to my cheeks or the sudden fire that ignited in me with each word he spoke. Damn. He really knew how to get a girl riled up in the least amount of words. He winked at me as he pulled my hand into his as he started to make idle circles in my palm.
"You must be pretty sure of yourself to say that. Do you always come off that confident?"
"Only when I know it's the truth." Draco began pausing momentarily before asking, "Would you like to go to dinner tonight?"
I quirked an eyebrow in surprise. I was not expecting him to be so straightforward, "Sure."
"Good. I'll come and get you at 6 tonight." Draco explains, his eyes searching mine.
"Sounds like a plan."
He shook his head, tugging on my arm in order to get me to move closer to him. I smiled and allowed him to pull me into him, glancing down at his lips before locking eyes with him. I leaned in, placing a soft kiss on his lips. Feeling one of his hands on my upper thigh and the other buried in my hair as he returned a more gentle, affectionate kiss. It had been awhile since I enjoyed just the simple pleasure of making out with a guy and I smiled up at him when we pulled away.
"We really need to work."
"Hm, but this is much more enjoyable." Draco whispers, hovering over me as he started to trail soft, butterfly kisses along my neck.
My eyes fluttered closed, enjoying the sensation of his soft kisses, relishing the feel of his stubble tickling my skin at the same time. Groaning I gently pull on him before this escalated farther… and at work no less!
"Draco. As much as I'm enjoying this, we really do need to work."
"You're probably right." Draco finally admitted pulling away and running a hand through his hair.
"Blaise stopped by this morning, dropping off the list you guys made. I narrowed it down to three but what did you think of them? Did one stand out as a problem?"
"We talked about them and I felt that out of all of them, I leaned towards the two older employees that were here when my father still ran the Company, especially since the one has been rumored to be making comments."
"Very true. How do you want to handle them? Should we bring them in to question them or do you want to move on with gaining the paperwork from the MCH Department?"
"We'll hold off on questioning them at the moment. I have them under surveillance while at work to see if anything turns up in what they're doing here. Go ahead, talk to your secretary and see what you can find out before saying anything to the MCH Department."
I nodded thoughtfully, scribbling notes down as he talked, "Okay I'll send Claire an owl now and see what I can find out today. So, Blaise tells me he's getting stalked by Lavender?"
Chuckling in amusement, "Yes, he does know how to pick them."
"I told him that he should have pulled one of us aside that night; she has a history of being a bit of a stalker."
"As much as Blaise acts like he hates the stalking, he's always had a thing for dramatics. I wouldn't be surprised if they hooked up again. Anyway, I'll leave you be. I have a meeting with a potential client so I'll see you tonight."
Pulled in for another lingering kiss, Draco said goodbye before leaving me in my empty office. Wondering how I would able to concentrate before my hot date. Ginny and Hermione are going to kill me for not telling them everything that's happened. Maybe I'll wait to see how the date goes and then I'll tell them? Like the date is going to go bad, ha. Sending them both an owl asking about their week/weekend plans so that maybe by the time we figure out when we'd be meeting up it'll give me some more time.
After lunch I received an owl back from Claire explaining that if I wanted my own records held by my Gringotts account then I can just go to the basement files of Gringotts and I would be shown my files. However if I wanted to look at a business account's files I would need the main account owner to be present. All of this I could do without needing express permission from the MCH Department. This was all great news, being able to view the files and it seemed the least possible way to tip someone off. Now all I had to do was get through the day.
