Chapter 17

By the time we got back to the office we both had tunnel vision in wanting to get to who was responsible. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as we apparated back to where our offices were located. That was a good sign I thought to myself, running a hand through my hair. I waited as Draco grasped Blaise's door handle and threw the door open, eliciting a string a curse words from the inhabitant.

"What the fuck!"

I strolled in after Draco and found Blaise glaring at Draco who had just made himself comfortable in a chair, while Blaise had his wand extended out in front him and a vain was pulsing on his neck, "I could have hexed you to the next century!"

"But you didn't." Draco replied in a cool fashion, waiting for Blaise to calm down once more before we told him the news.

He grumbled underneath his breath and sat down once more, peering at the two of us, "I assume that there was a reason for the two of you to come barging in."

"We found more answers." I remarked glancing at Draco to see if he wanted to take the lead.

"More importantly we know when it started."

"Well. Are you going to tell me?" Blaise grumbled.

"The money began to pull from one of the companies side accounts June of 1996. Which was before I took over; meaning either my father knew about this and didn't want to inform me of this little stint or he didn't know about it. Either way it hasn't stopped since then."

Blaise nodded thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair before finally responding, "I would assume we are going to start pulling our records from June 1996 to see what we find. Is the money getting sent to the same account that we found though?"

"It's the same account number." I replied.

"Wouldn't the MCH Department be able to supply the information to the name associated with that account, since hypothetically someone at the company would have to authorize it." Blaise questioned.

That was a brilliant question, "Yes. They should indeed have that information. However we wanted to come back here. Pull what was done that month or the month before and see what we come up with. Plus I'm going to get copies of the Daily Prophet and see if that might give us a clue to what was happening-"

"If it this started with my father than there is a very good chance that these withdrawal had to something to do with what happened June 1996. Once we figure out more I have a feeling I'm going to have to take a trip to Azkaban." Draco finished, glancing between the two of us.

"Damn."

"You're telling me. I have meetings lined up this week but talk to Kerry and have her get the files from May and June of that year and send them to Eva's office. The two of you can start going through it. I'll help between clients." Draco starts, beginning to rise and ending further conversation.

Blaise only nodded and began writing on a piece of parchment, who I suspected was for Kerry. Standing up as well, I followed Draco's lead out and shut the door behind me, "I'm going to owl Headmistress McGonagall, I'm sure Hogwarts Library would have old copies of the Daily Prophet."

"Good." Draco began, turning around as we stopped outside his door, "I think we'll have to cancel lunch until later."

"I was going to say the same thing." I remarked shuffling a bit, "Everything is just starting to come together. It'll probably sound strange but - I almost don't want to take a break. In case there's another stall in our research."

He nodded in agreement, "No. It doesn't sound strange at all. I agree. We should get more done while we can before anyone gets tipped about our digging."

He leaned in for a light kiss and we both went separate ways. Hurrying my steps at the thought of someone already getting wind about us showing up at the MCH Department and asking for records, I quickly shut the door. Striding to the desk I set out to writing Headmaster McGonagall about getting access to the library. Once the owl took off I went off in search of lunch with a mental note to stop in at my office at Gringotts.

…..

"Eva, you're alive!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at Claire's bluntness. Has is really gotten that noticeable?, "Hello Claire, how are you?" I ask as she fell into line with me as I opened my office door.

"Better now that I see you showing your face." She began, shutting the door to turn to me, "Grootpan has been shooting daggers at everyone on the floor and he'll be wanting to speak with you. He wants you on a new assignment but he's getting stopped by Malfoy."

Inwardly groaning, I realized life wasn't getting easier, "Malfoy is stopping him?"

"When Malfoy had come in to sign papers Grootpan was making notions on putting you on other work and Malfoy wouldn't stand for it. Said that the agreement was you would work solely on his portfolio." She began taking a seat and glancing over at me, "Grootpan was furious but with one iconic Malfoy glare Grootpan kept his mouth shut. Work has been steady and others seem to be enjoying their chance to grab work that was usually for Jacob and you."

"Any news on Jacob? Is he in today by any chance?"

"I believe he's out at the moment for a lunch meeting but he's supposed to be coming back. I've gathered your mail and anything I didn't think urgent I left here on your desk instead of sending it over to the Malfoy Company."

"Great, thank you Claire."

"No problem."

She left me to my work, leaving the door cracked as I glanced down at the teetering pile of mail that would soon collapse and spill onto the floor. Perfect. Just what I need after the high of this morning. More paperwork and rubbing elbows, groaning I set a pace to put some sort of order to the type of mail that littered my desk. A tapping at the window, jarred me out of thoughts and I found my work owl sitting on the ledge of the window.

Once letting her in she allowed me to remove the note before going back to her open cage. Ripping the seal, I unfolded the note:

Ms. Edwards,

I was surprised to be hearing from you after such a long absence although the rumor is that you're doing quite well for yourself. Regarding you request. Indeed, Hogwarts Library does have copies of the Daily Prophet. You are more than welcome to come and peruse anytime you wish.

Sincerely,

Headmistress McGonagall

Perfect. Scribbling a note back that I would be coming in the hour, I went to have another message sent to Draco and Blaise updating them on where I would be if they needed me. I also needed to remember to get in touch with Ginny and Hermione. If word got out that I was on a date and it was before they heard it from me I would subject to interrogation.