Chapter 20

"Based on the newspaper headlines I have a running list of what I think are prominent dates that could have a direct reflection to what is going on with the Company. My theory is that the day the Ministry was broken into and Voldemort was seen." I began pacing around a wooden table with a shine that your reflection could be seen.

"Did anything I gave you correlate to that day?" Blaise chimed in, glance down at my list, shifting through parchment where you could see my sprawling handwriting that made neat columns.

"Yes, from your paperwork we can show a change in the way Lucius was doing business."

Blaise perked up, "Are you referring to the notes put in his ledger?" When I nodded my head he trailed on turning to Draco, "In your fathers ledger in June there's a note he scribbled as a reminder. Stating that he need to organize some type of failsafe for the future."

"A failsafe?" Draco questioned, eyebrows slanting forward creating creases, "A failsafe for what?"

"Not sure." I remark taking a seat across from him, "I was hoping you might shed some light on what happened when your father failed his task."

He leaned back in his chair, eyes winced shut. In what I assumed was him reliving the past. I could only imagine what might have gone on. Luckily for him we were at school but after he walked away from me at the hospital wing, we weren't on speaking terms.

"I wasn't there right after it happened since we were obviously in school at the time." He began his chair squeaking as he regarded me, "After you told me that my father was there that night. I knew that he must have been ordered to be the one to organize the attack and since he obviously failed, the punishment would be severe."

"When I went home for the summer it was obvious that our standings in Voldemort's ranks were not as sturdy as it once was. Normal punishment for failing would depend on the severity but always involved the Cruciatus Curse. Not only that but there were attacks that my father was left out of because of his failings. I never was part of our family business at the time and my father never spoke about it in front of me."

"Perhaps, the note was in reference to your father beginning to worry about if he would be able to stay in Voldemort's good graces and was hoping to set something in place; for what I would assume is the chance that Voldemort did in fact kill him?" I suggested, taking a seat on the hard back chair, there had to be a something that could connect the two.

"Maybe but who knows what was going through my father's mind. There's a possibility that, that note has no real connection to the business at all but to something else that obviously was on his mind."

"We're not getting anywhere." Blaise piped in, "If anything we are just making assumptions. Shouldn't we focus back on what we do know and what we can do?"

He was right of course, it was no use continuing to debate this, "What do you think we should be focusing on?"

"I believe we should be going back to those ledgers. Those are solid evidence of what has been going on. Let's dig farther into it." Blaise urges, the lines on his forehead creasing as he glanced between us.

"We could look into what the MCH Department has on where the money was sent to and if it was always the same account?"

I point out, glancing at the two of them for their reaction. We would eventually need to go back and track all of this and maybe it would give us another hint to Lucius' note. They both nodded in agreement and we hashed out a plan. I would head back to my Gringotts office and get in contact with, Mr. Hurchilde, my contact at the MCH Department. Blaise would continue my work of comparing the dates of newspaper headlines to those of the Companies, while Draco met up with the security people who were still keeping tabs on the people we thought could be linked together.

Scribbling a note, I watch as it folds up into a paper airplane and takes off to Hurchilde; pacing in excitement. We would certainly be getting some answers now that Draco was allowing us to dig deeper into what the MCH Department could supply.

"I see you decided to show your face around here." I turned to see Jacob shutting the door to my office, "I know that you're a big shot now but you shouldn't forget about the rest of us. Where have you been?"

"Hello to you to." I chuckle, pulling him into a hug, before settling into the navy cushioned chair, "Where have I been? Working my butt off at the Malfoy Company. Where have you been?"

"That's my girl." Jacob praises, "I've been kissing ass to Grootpan." He explained eyes rolling with his mention of our boss.

"What is the news regarding that Bulgarian Account?"

"With lots of groveling, I was able to get Grootpan's secretary to spill the beans." He began, lowering his voice slightly, "It's true; they are looking to set up a relationship with Gringotts. I took Draco's advice and I looked into previous notes on accounts established with Bulgarian firms. They're pretty ruthless and they've walked all over previous handlers who couldn't give them exactly what they asked for."

"It sounds like a difficult job. Are you still planning on pursuing this deal?" I ask, worry blooming at the pit of my stomach.

"I am."

"Well, be careful. It sounds like they could be very difficult client."

"I will, I've been dropping hints to Grootpan all week. His secretary states he already had a portkey made for the travel and is scheduled to meet with them soon."

"All right then. Keep me posted on how it goes and if you need anything?"

"Sure. Now what about you? You've been basically been kidnapped by Draco Malfoy; you're never in the office now." He teased, although his eyebrows furrowed in concern.

I smiled lightly, "It's been crazy, it's a huge job and since Draco basically forbid Grootpan from giving me other work, I've been at the Malfoy Company, familiarizing myself with their investments and the group that usually handles the day to day stuff."

"It sure sounds like you have your hands full. I hope this turns out for the best, you know Grootpan won't wait much longer before he puts something else on your plate." He advices, standing up and brushing his slacks off, "Well I'll leave you be but let's grab drinks sometime."

As we finished a note shoots into the office and lands on a pile of unsorted mail residing next to me.

Miss Edwards,

I am more than happy to accommodate you. I shall have the documents sorted and the appropriate ledgers sent to your office.

Hurchilde

Perfect. Writing a hasty note back to him as well as to Draco and Blaise, I take a moment to gather my thoughts. Things have been moving fairly quick and it felt as if I've been running a marathon.

Two hours later a runner came with the documents as I settled down at my desk and started shifting through it. Blaise had responded back and had given me the dates I wrote down for events during the war and the date we had for when the money began to be pulled. The ledgers showed that in May nothing additional was requested for the Companies portfolio.

We had all the original documentations, both from Gringotts and each specific investment; as well as the approval paperwork from the Ministry. Nothing in the Malfoy Companies file showing a change or request put in during May.

Rubbing my head, it had taken most of the afternoon to just get to through all of May. The Malfoy Company was a huge business and as such their investments were no different. They had several large accounts that held the revenue and the money the family had put into the company. After that you then had to go through several ledgers of small printed parchments, documenting each investment and all the necessary approval forms. I had lunch sent to my office so that I could simultaneously eat while I began to go through June of 1996.

Could it be? I lean forward, squinting down as I skimmed over the document. Mother of - this certainly had to be what we had be searching for!