How Draco Malfoy Finally Became a Slytherin

AN: The title is accurate, but if you are looking for a lot of Draco, this isn't it. Just give it a try and you'll see. This is in the same world as the Goblin Entreaty. A review I received said they couldn't see Harry working with Draco, and that got me thinking about what would it take. This is meant as a one-off to get me writing again. If there is interest, I could see picking it up with Draco's specific experiences as well. Otherwise, I've learned to develop my outlines more, and am working on those to finish my other stories. Hope you enjoy. I am responsive to reviews and improving, but flames don't help any of us. Thanks!

Narcissa Malfoy paced around her elegant study, designed to intimidate and awe, idly straightening the already immaculate room in shades of green and silver highlighting dark mahogany. As if the house elves under her supervision would have it any other way. Idly, she considered how many more times she would be able to enjoy this room. Hopefully, if Harry Potter was the young man he had so far proven to be, it could be saved for the Malfoy family for generations. She paused at the window to look out at the gardens, where she and Lucius had enjoyed strolling in the evenings with some nice wine.

She sighed, looking at the vista. Lucius. Such a complex mess. He'd been killed when being shipped to Azkaban to be held for his full trial. Her husband had held a few too many secrets, bribed a few too many officials, to be allowed to tell his tale during the post-war clean up. Oh, the official story was he drowned after a faulty ward allowed him to slip into the stormy sea unnoticed, the ship tossed and turned precariously. That would take some rare magic given the weather reports of a bright, sunny, calm day! Some of her so-called "old friends" had even suggested that the guards simply opened a small opportunity for him to "do the right thing."

No, Narcissa knew better. He'd promised to return to her, to build something new and restore his promises to her when he had wooed her in the first place. Of course, it wasn't until the charm she was under from her own wedding vows, thanks to the lovely Black and Malfoy families!, broke that she even knew something was amiss, such was her status in that world. Why would she ever want to return to that life? No, she would never let herself be subjugated again, but "her" Lucius, as she thought of her husband without the Dark Lord's influence, well that man she would have loved to have back. She was used to loneliness now, though.

It wasn't until a trip to Borgin and Burkes that her fog had lifted. That day she'd been bumped so rudely by aurors shaking down the shop was now one of the best and worst of her life. She'd been pushed into a warded box, which had been tossed and broken open as she'd fallen onto it, right onto the Talisman of the Conciliator. The artifact removed all the spells on a person; thankfully she'd taken the time with her appearance and not relied on glamour spells that day! But it had snapped the power over her senses, and she was suddenly awash with all that was happening to her family, what Lucius was and her son, her baby! She'd barely managed to get out of the store and apparate, no clear goal in mind only to find herself appearing in front of 12 Grimmauld, her childhood home. Of course, she couldn't see it but she knew it was there. She'd fallen behind a tree, crying as she lost control for the first time in over two decades.

That night, when she got home, she found out that her baby boy was now a Death Eater with a mission that would get him killed. Lucius was no help given the condition the Dark Lord had left him in, so she'd cringed and gone to Bella. Her now totally insane sister. Bella had just said it was a great honor! So she'd gone desperately to Severus, who'd she forced to promise to help. She'd been thankful to get away from Bella after that, and her mocking of Severus, the only man helping her; there was no longer any semblance of her sweet big sister. No, that girl was dead and something else wore her body now.

And that was when Narcissa finally began to plan. Her brain fog was now gone. Oh, she was still married but the vows were now regular vows, not magical ones ensuring her complete and mindless devotion. Idly she realized she was lucky to not be like her sister. No doubt Bella had the same charms, and that her fate and craziness were where Narcissa was headed. Thankfully Lucius was a better man than Lestrange. She shuddered.

Narcissa's first step was to organize and stock safe houses, places to get away. Her baby was safe at Hogwarts for now, as much as could be given how much trouble he and her husband had gotten into. She let that be. There was nothing she could do there but trust Severus and for some reason, she did.

She then started a drastic campaign against her husband. Lucius needed nursing back to health but also to his senses. She continued a yearlong front that won him back from the Dark Lord. It had been one of her most dangerous games, as at any moment if he'd turned on her, if anyone had planted listening devices she'd missed, if anyone drugged her, got in her mind, or noticed she was not behaving as she should, she would be dead or worse.

She sighed, thinking back on that quiet war in her own house, the whispered arguments, the research into the Dark Lord's past, the slight shifting of the wards to protect and grow her family. In the end, it had worked. Then she'd approached Draco, who spouted about the Dark Lord's magnificence as if stating the sky was blue.

Lucius may have run wild under the Dark Lord during his first rise, something she'd been appalled to learn about given how quickly it had corrupted her sister but by the time she knew for sure, let herself truly acknowledge what she had worried about idly, it was too late and then she was bound under her own vows, locked. So was Lucius in a manner; once marked, there would be no escape. Could be no escape. The Dark Lord could not afford any appearance of weakness. It had been her worst nightmare, watching his sister driven deeper and deeper into craziness. And then cut off from her other sister, at Andi's choice but Narcissa wouldn't have dared to have tried to approach her for risk of someone going after Andi. And Lucius with his brainwashing of her own baby! Draco…

Her own baby was like a bull in a china shop thanks to Lucius and his friends. He'd followed all the pureblood ways in assuring he could raise his son as he liked. She'd trained Draco in every possible comportment when he was young, from finance to manners and comportment. He was such a sweet boy at the time. Perhaps a bit proud, but damn it he was a Black! Of course he was! Perhaps Draco's only sense of cunning after Lucius got hold of him was hiding from his own mother just how far Lucius and his friends went in the brainwashing of her son. She thought back to when she found out about his role on the Inquisitorial Squad, having seen his badge. She cringed at just how uncunning he'd been as he bragged about his actions.

Unfortunately, with Draco's inability to protect himself and his mind, they'd had to leave him in the dark of their intentions, and she'd had to listen to her own baby spout the Dark Lord's bile. Then the Dark Mark had once again twinged Lucius' arm, had started to grow from ash to black again, marking the Dark Lord's unfortunate return. Lucius had had to go, but this time to protect his family.

Well no more! She was still trusted enough to be able to save Harry Potter's life and get access to the castle to sweep Draco away from the final fight and get him to safety. Success! But then the final part of her plan fell apart as the bastards killed Lucius just as he was finally prepared to do some good again. Which left her in the difficult role of correcting and shaping Draco in the short window she had left before he ascended as the new Lord Malfoy. A generous donation to the goblins gave her some time, but not much.

Thus, Harry Potter. He'd spoken up, much to her shock, to protect her family in the quick trials held immediately after the war. The much deeper probes, the ones that were hoped to dig into underlying malfeasance in the Ministry, were just now beginning. But the young man had declared herself, Narcissa Malfoy, as someone who played a critical role and saved his life. Well, no one was willing to go directly against magical England's hero although some of her "old friends" had tried to cross her more subtly.

That didn't mean there weren't costs to the Malfoy's. While Lucius never got his long trial into all his misdeeds, just being a Death Eater had been enough to wipe out the Malfoy holdings and require the selling of Malfoy Manor to boot. And that was when the letter had come, a beacon in her dark moments of wondering what to do. Harry Potter had asked if she needed anything, and she'd taken one of the most difficult steps a daughter of the Black family could take; she'd asked for help.

She didn't remind him of the life debt nor did she beg; he'd already helped her, saved her son and tried to help Lucius. That account was already square. No, she simply asked him for his help as an adult, as someone she respected. She needed help to keep Malfoy Manor in the family if she could, try to reclaim something of the name rather than let it die as with the reputation Lucius had cemented. And then she'd mentioned cryptically that she had one extra boon to ask of him in one month's time if he was willing. It was a long shot, but critical if the Malfoy name was ever to be swayed, well perhaps not to the light but at least to the grey. One month. That was all the time she had left anyway.

She gasped as two owls flew into her view over her gardens. This could be her answer. She recognized the eagle owl from Gringotts and hesitantly took the letter from it first. She sighed and sank into the chair at her sitting desk as she read their news; the family Potter had covered all the Malfoy debts and the house now was safe under Lady Malfoy's protectorship. Tears slowly fell from her eyes, and she used a wrist handkerchief to idly wipe them away. The young man had been better than she'd hoped for or than the Malfoy family deserved.

A secret part she hadn't known was there eased as she realized suddenly, for the first time in a very long time, she was pleased with the head of the Black family. She had been frustrated it wasn't Draco, but she could admit that as of now it was better under Harry, who would do wonders. Why couldn't Draco have been friends with Harry instead of being brainwashed for the Dark Lord's service? She'd find out soon enough…

She looked at the second owl, which sat and regarded her patiently. The beautiful barn owl had one of those intelligent faces, as if it was measuring her. She didn't recognize it, though. She scanned the letter, even though the wards would have done that, and satisfied it was safe, took the letter and gave the owl a small treat from her desk. It hooted curiously.

"No, no. I'll send reply once I've had some time. You can go back now."

Another hoot and an almost shrug from the wings had the owl back in the air. She sliced open the latter to see Harry Potter's signature first. She smiled softly; she already knew now from the goblins that he had come through on her first request! She just hoped he would also help and let her do her part. She checked her clock, not that it mattered. She hated being late, but for this letter she would be. She scanned it quickly, then again a second time more carefully.

My Dear Lady Malfoy,

I hope by now you know that I have covered the last remaining fines the Ministry wanted to try to recover from your house. I must admit I find it offensive how fast the Ministry was to try to take your home. I am afraid I did mention the subject, discretely, to Kingsley and my barrister, as I did try to get it placed in your name, but evidently that isn't something you can do. Yet. Why things go to male family members only, if they exist, perplexes me.

Anyway, I am happy to meet with you in one month's time, or sooner if you would prefer. I have some gaps in my education I think you would be best to help cover, particularly as a member of House Black. Andromeda has been very helpful, but without your permission I did not mention our correspondence. I think, my lady, family is important and perhaps there is a bridge to be built there? I hope I do not overstep. See what I mean about needing some education?

I shall leave you to your plans, but I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

She sat back, digesting all that the young man had said. That was a Slytherin letter! He indicated a close relationship with the Minister, but clearly the Ministry was not yet under control or else Kingsley wasn't going to force it, yet. The use of a barrister could mean he'd looked for legal solution, or that his trouble with the goblins was not yet resolved. How had he managed to pay her if he hadn't fixed that? It meant there was a plan at least. She wasn't sure of all that went there, but whether the fantastic tale of an unleashed dragon was true or not, it was clear Potter had issues there.

Further, he'd formalized her continued ties to the Black family and implied strongly that Andi had been added back to it! All that apart from responding to her and suggesting a meeting where they could formalize ties even more, which would strengthen her image of…well, she'd never pass as a light witch, but certainly remove much of Voldemort's stain. She'd need to take advantage of that sooner than later, as Harry had many other avenues to exploit should he so choose, but perhaps wasn't seeing them. Who'd have taught him the intricacies of the Wizengamot or ICW, after all? That could work well…

But first, she had, HAD, to get her son straightened away, as the darkness threatened to eat away at him. His sulking and petulance needed to stop, as did his idealized version of his own father, although thankfully Voldemort had taken care of much of that himself.

She carefully folded the letter and warded it as well as made it inconspicuous with a Notice Me Not charm. Her reply would need to be soon and carefully measured. She walked down the steps to go outside with her a small glass of Riesling, heading for the entry to the grounds where her guests were about to arrive.

She stepped quietly to the end of the garden and followed the path to the gate. There, she idly pruned and pulled at the ivy that stood inside the gates, prepared to spell them open once she'd checked over the arrivals. With a flash, the first arrival landed, a pair of blonde-headed young women, clearly the Greengrass girls. The older, Daphne, she knew well from seeing at different events with Draco; the young woman took in the surroundings rapidly but without so much as a flicker of movement on her face. The younger, Astoria, was less able to keep the practiced detachment of her sister, looking around rapidly and almost clapping in excitement when she saw the white peacocks in the distance. Narcissa idly waved them to move aside to ensure the apparition site was clear, although Daphne was already moving before the movement started.

Just short moments later came a tall young man flourishing an emerald traveling cape; Narcissa realized she wasn't the only one training her son, as Blaise's mother had clearly worked with him on that since she last seen him. Finally, a staid young man who arrived in a crouch and with wand out; Theodore Nott had reason to be concerned she realized. Wanting to take the pressure off him, she quickly flicked her wand to open the gates.

She stepped forward and made a formal greeting. "Welcome Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, Blaise Zabini, and Theodore Nott, welcome to the protections of this house for the duration of your stay."

She felt the wards flicker to acknowledge her statement, and as hoped, young Theodore relaxed, stashing his wand as he stepped forward and nodded in appreciation. Zabini followed, and then the two Greengrasses. The older stiffened as she crossed the wards, though, as did Zabini. Greengrass's younger sister looked like she had been stung as she stopped and watched her sibling carefully.

"Theodore, if you wouldn't mind, could I have just a moment with your friends here? If you wouldn't mind waiting over by the fountain we will join you momentarily."

The brown-haired young man shrugged and nodded as he wandered over to the fountain, whose waters would thankfully mask the conversation she was about to have. Thanks to the wards, he wouldn't be able to cast anything to detect what was said. Narcissa turned to the others, carefully releasing one of her extra wards.

"There, you should feel the effects of the compulsion ward gone now. My apologies, and of the House of Malfoy. The reason for it shall become clear during our conversation. I ask you not mention it now or during your time here. What you choose to do with the information about your friend," her eyes shifted idly to Nott, "is up to you."

Hesitantly, Zabini shook his head in acceptance. The younger Greengrass looked puzzled, like she was trying to think hard, but after a few moments gave it up but remained calm as she watched her sister. Daphne Greengrass looked placid, a face of disinterest locked on her but her eyes remained unfocused. Narcissa watched her approvingly; it was clear the girl was cataloging everything she felt from the wards and comparing it to her own protections. That was a Slytherin. When the girl finally nodded and eyed Narcissa warily, the Malfoy matron smiled softly and waved for them to follow her. It was clear the girl understood the information offered about Nott's lack of defenses as well.

Without conversation, she led them to her study and had them take seats, the Greengrass girls beside each other on a loveseat and the boys on opposite ends of an ornate couch in front of the fireplace. Narcissa sat primly in her favorite chair by the fire. With a snap of her fingers, her house elf Tibby arrived.

"Drinks and a charcuterie platter please," Narcissa said as she flicked a small fire to life in the fireplace.

Daphne looked suspiciously at the fire and then eyed Lady Malfoy warily again; Narcissa just raised an eyebrow in response. The girl grabbed the suddenly present wine glass in front of her and raised in it mock salute before frowning even deeper. She grabbed and held her sister's hand by her side suddenly, and watched as the two boys both drank and began to nibble on their plates. She shot Narcissa a look of deep loathing.

Satisfied, Narcissa softly called Tibby again and said, "I believe a Shiraz for the young ladies; take their Cabernet's away please."

When the new drinks appeared, Daphne repeated her motions and this time raised her glass to Narcissa and then sipped but still with deep suspicion.

"So where's Draco?" asked Nott, oblivious to the interplay as he caught up with Blaise. "I thought he'd be with us."

"I know how busy young people can be," Narcissa said, "so I'll get right to the point. This meeting is about Draco rather than with him. My sincerest apologies for any confusion."

"Just what is this meeting for, Lady Malfoy?" asked Blaise.

She sighed. He and Nott had drunk enough. Combined with the wards, it should be enough to start the ball rolling. "This meeting is about why my son is not a Slytherin and understanding how that came to be."

Daphne's lips pursed in a moue of initial surprise but that was all she gave. Astoria looked interested. Zabini twisted his wine glass idly, clearly thinking and remembering his past. Nott though, spoke up.

"I'm not sure I understand the question. He was the leader of the Slytherins, and thus a reflection on, and example for, us. From the fourth year and on, even when we weren't the senior class, he was in charge. Ask Crabbe and Goyle. Or Parkinson. They'd know and tell you."

Narcissa nodded, mollifying the youth momentarily. "I'm sure they followed him. That doesn't make him a true Slytherin. At least the three of them had a goal and worked for it, making them more Slytherin than my son. Perhaps without much cunning or stealth, but it wasn't required of them because of the lack of the same in their object of focus. Draco adores mindless followers, evidently. Or did. I am currently helping him see the situation differently and of how valuable true powerful allies can be rather than sycophants."

Nott seemed to be processing and Blaise gave a smile that wasn't much more than a grimace. Daphne nodded softly, though, approvingly. She tipped her wine glass subtly, watching Lady Malfoy's response. While the woman never looked over at Daphne, Lady Malfoy still smiled softly and nodded as she continued her other conversation. Daphne chuckled to herself, realizing now just what kind of training Draco was undergoing. She almost felt sorry for the boy.

Blaise by now started talking lowly. "It is true that Draco did not use his own name to cultivate power, but he did manage it."

"Oh?" asked Narcissa in faux surprise. "And just how did he bring the other houses into his cabal?"

"Uh…"

Daphne chuckled, but held back from saying anything yet. She'd never seen Blaise so paralyzed. He hadn't processed enough yet that Mrs. Malfoy had been completely open about her intentions, while not being open about her means. Openness to disguise subterfuge. A true Slytherin at work. If anything, combined with Blaise's own support of Draco's approach, it spoke completely to Draco's failings.

Lady Malfoy put down her glass and placed her clasped hands in her lap. "Perhaps it would be better if I asked some simple questions. What was his first approach to everyone in your first year, when you first went to the train, boats, and sorting. Before you knew who would be in your house and your immediate vicinity for coalition building. How did he react? Who did he attract."

Daphne listened carefully to Nott and Zabini as they detailed Draco's failed attempt to collect Harry Potter, and then his record over the years at Hogwarts. The two tried to support Draco's efforts, but Daphne could clearly process the undercurrent she was sure Lady Malfoy was hearing, about his sticking within Slytherin, creating resentment among other houses, and lording his superiority about.

Astoria followed Daphne's lead and stayed quiet, but it didn't tell the whole story of the unsure boy she'd seen when the mask fell, but she'd promised to never mention those moments, and hadn't, even to Daphne. Covering up for insecurities had make him act more like a Gryffindor in one moment, Hufflepuff the next. But there was no way Draco was even in Daphne's league when it came to cunning and ambition. Even Astoria wasn't, and she had taught Draco a few pointers.

When the boys eventually ran to their conclusion, Lady Malfoy thanked them for their time and offered use of her floo. Nott quickly did, and the fire flared green with just a soft tinge of turquoise around the flames. Blaise, with a deep bow and flourish, missed it and followed moments after, and fire flared similarly.

When both boys were gone, Narcissa held up her hand to forestall Daphne's request.

"I know, you will want to walk out the front gate, Ms. Greengrass. I'm sure you have detected every ward and potion I have used. The floo powder had a mild clearing potion with a touch of absinthe potion. The boys won't remember much of the conversation we had, but won't feel like they are missing anything either."

Daphne gasped softly in spite of herself. "I've never heard you could combine anything with floo powder."

"Oh dear me. That is true. Could be family magic. Or it could have been the ward structure of this particular fireplace. Hmmm," Narcissa held a fingertip to her lips. "I am ever so forgetful…"

Astoria snorted, drawing a glare from her sister, but it was funny! She tucked her skirt under her and perched back on her seat as Lady Malfoy asked them to sit again for a few moments.

"I am assuming your Head of House has been lax in ensuring the basics have been taught and you were trained in these things at home?"

Daphne nodded slightly. "We were trained at home, but there is a guide that still circulates…"

Narcissa clapped her hands softly, fingernails shining in the light. "Ah, good to know the Witches' Way is still working for the lady snakes." Narcissa had added a few extras of her own research to that book after some unwelcome advances. The runes ensured nothing could be shared from the book, so every girl had to learn it herself but it was a life saver.

"Indeed." Daphne agreed, wondering if her own actions in forestalling Nott's overtures based on the book had caused Nott some lost brain cells. It could account for his poor performance today. She asked, "So I take it your treatment of us today was what you are having Draco do every day, and you wanted to see if his abysmal performance, forgive me, is based on his own failings or his schooling?"

Narcissa smiled as she sipped her wine. "No need to forgive. Draco was trained in these things from an early age, but the Dark Lord lacks subtlety. When he left my care for Lucius', much was lost. I am trying to regain it."

Daphne nodded, and breathed deeply before adding. "Before he becomes Lord Malfoy, I assume." It was a touch presumptuous to speak so, but surely this was why Lady Malfoy had brought her here. Daphne decided the best route from here on out was to prove she was just as Slytherin as Draco's mother.

The older woman smiled and leaned forward. "It is so nice to speak with someone who understands, isn't it?"

Daphne nodded. It was but it could be exhausting if it didn't come naturally and you weren't in practice. Thankfully, Daphne was a fish in water.

"So, how long do you have?"

"One month," replied Narcissa. "Everything in the house is now set up as a test for Draco. To get food, to get to sleep, he sure as seven hells isn't getting off the estate without some better performance. There are traps everywhere, poison in the food with different levels of subtlety. Questions to answer correctly to get a shower, food, access to room, even a book or his broom. He is getting grilled on all the finance work I did with him when he was younger, the houses of Gringotts and goblin families, and all the history you should have gotten in school. He's mapping the Wizengamot seats and trade affiliations. You really should be forced to revise these things in school but Albus never wanted those without pureblood to feel left out. As if these things wouldn't be important to the them as well!"

Daphne nodded. "I quite agree. We were well schooled on them at home, and mother and father required me to revise with Astoria every other week at school." It was a small admission, not a true trade of information, but Lady Malfoy was giving a lot of information in response to her requests. Maybe there was something worthwhile there. All this caused her next response to be much less cunning than usual.

"How can we help?"

Mrs. Malfoy's small clap of hands and smile assured Daphne she'd made the right call, and that Lady Malfoy knew that Daphne was lowering her own walls momentarily.

With a touch of pride, Narcissa admitted, "It is difficult to keep tricking him in new ways, to engage as if I am someone else over and over with no repeat. He is learning. So if you could help for one month, provide him and challenge him with different social scenarios. We can get polyjuice to make it more convincing if needed. What would you need in return?"

Daphne thought for a moment, turning and looking at her sister. It wasn't as if Astoria wasn't plotting and thinking just as much, but knew her role as younger sister in this setting. While Draco had been an utter ponce in school, Daphne knew Astoria liked him, much as she tried to hide it.

"First option," Daphne responded, watching as her sister's eyes grew wide.

Narcissa stopped short, mind whirling. The right of refusal for courting? That was not something she'd expected to be on the table. Daphne would eat Draco up and spit him out for the first few years, and by then it would be too late for him to ever develop a good relationship. "I'm afraid I don't think Draco would be a good fi…oh."

She noticed the sisters' shared look. "That's interesting. Yes, that could work nicely. Miss Greengrass, you and I should definitely chat some more. I think I can work with that as an acceptable option based on some time together. However," she paused, thinking, "that leaves you without, Ms. Greengrass."

"I can manage," the young woman said softly.

"Perhaps. And yet, an idea offers itself."

Uh oh, thought Daphne, alarm wards going off in her head. She'd seen that look on her own mother trying to set her up. The next question, though, would throw her so totally off kilter, including spilling her wine glass, that it would cause Astoria to laugh hard enough to be in tears for years and years to come. It's not every day, though, that someone's mother tries to set you up with a boy from a different family.

With a look of certainty, Narcissa slid to the front of her seat and asked in a low voice, almost conspiratorially. "What do you know of Harry Potter?"

"Um…"

Narcissa, pulled her wand and a pad of paper flew to her eager hands. "Yes, yes. You would be perfect for him and he will need your skills. Help me train Draco in his logic and cunning, like you did today with wards and poisons, thinking about what is being said and reading between the lines. The boy needs non-stop help. Miss Greengrass, Astoria if I may, helps with comportment, dancing, meals. I will take finances and politics, and between us, we can have him ready in a month."

Daphne looked over at Astoria warily. What had just happened?

Narcissa didn't stop, "And in return, Astoria gets first refusal with Draco, with an option out on both sides as we'll get to know each other over this month. We'll know more about making it formalized by then. And I promise to help you in your pursuit of a match worthy of you, Ms. Greengrass, Daphne. We will help my son be ready to see the benefits of working with Harry Potter, and what better way than if you yourself have seen just how much value the young man has? Hmm. Good, good. I'll be back in touch as soon as I can. Just initial here that this is our working plan…"

Daphne looked slightly glazed at Astoria, who nodded happily. Daphne rolled her eyes; of course she was happy. She passed her wand over the parchment, reading it carefully. She'd learned contracts and tricks over the doll table with her mom, and this really wasn't much. There was nothing that would cause trouble if invalidated or violated, just a good faith agreement of intent. Daphne realized the Malfoy family was about to get an overhaul to move significantly more to the light while not moving too far.

In spite of a lot of people's best efforts, that is where her family had remained. And now Harry Potter, having stepped up for the Malfoy's and ignored the criticism, was more interesting than ever and moving to the Grey as well. Something interesting was afoot at Gringott's, according to rumors, but she was sure the Man who Conquered would find a way to support a family. Daphne could herself if it came to that; she was already co-signer and associate head of her family's House and businesses. Hmm. Was she interested? She had to admit she was. This had promise.

She reached down and signed the paper below where Lady Malfoy already had. "Draco's not going to know what hit him." She giggled softly.

"Oh, he won't. This morning it was a simple trip ward outside his door."

Lady Malfoy's deadpan made Daphne finally crack and start to chuckle. The three women started to laugh together just as Draco opened the door and peeked inside.

He slowly edged back out and softly closed the heavy door behind him before turning and sliding down it, wondering what could be happening.

"Uh oh."