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Chapter Sixteen: Marriage Contracts

Harry shook his head no and started his inspection. He looked around the room. He took in the changes made to accommodate the work area for meetings. He saw Hermione sitting at her desk and eating lunch. Harry took note of what books were out. He used a few different charms during his inspection.

After he finished, he turned to Draco, "Sorry for all of that, just some requirements…"

Draco nodded. Hermione finished up her lunch and started cleaning up the trays. As she was levitating the trays to the kitchen the floo lit up and out stepped Draco's first "possibly problematic" meeting.

Draco stepped forward and observed his guest. The man was one that Draco had known his whole life. He was a childhood "friend," if you could say that. The man looked around the room, a slight sneer crossed his features as he saw Potter standing to the right side of the table. He looked disgusted when he spotted Hermione sitting at her desk, with headphones in and reading in her book.

He turned back to Draco and extended his hand, "Good to see you again mate."

Draco shook his hand and lowered his voice, "Shall we have a seat and get started Marcus, or would you rather be disrespectful to my friends."

Marcus Flint looked slightly alarmed. "No offense intended; I was just surprised to see the Golden Girl here, and surprised you just called her a friend."

Harry simply stood in place and watched the exchange. Hermione flicked her eyes at the two men, she had her headphones in, but the music was paused.

"She is my friend and you will be respectful, or this meeting will quickly be concluded." Draco motioned to the table.

The two men sat, and Draco pulled out his prepared documents. "We are here to discuss, your family's business and the Malfoy Industries' interest in the stock and financial backing. Are you now in full control of your family's company?"

Marcus nods, "Yes, since my father was sent to Azkaban. I have been in control for almost two years now. Since I was not involved with the DeathEaters."

A little jab at Draco. Draco gritted his teeth. "That is good for you. Now, I have pulled your employee records, a list of your business dealings, and a few events I have questions about. We will be going over these before I make my decision to continue funding Flint Trades."

Flint glances at the list nervously, "Draco, mate you know we don't need to do all of that, I thought this was just a re-signinng. Our fathers never had any issues."

Draco smirks and leans back in his chair, "True, but as you said, your father is in Azkaban as is mine. So, that doesn't instill a clean business slat in me. As you so kindly pointed out, you were not involved with DeathEaters, or dirty business. I have made it my goal to help reform unsavory business or distance myself from said businesses."

Marcus looks at Harry and wiggles in his seat. "So, if a company your family has been working with for years doesn't follow your guidelines and," Marcus uses air quotes, "Cleans up, then what?"

Draco smiles, "I cut all funding effective immediately. All projects shut down. My goal is to help clean up the filth our fathers and the like left behind." Draco stands, "Now, are you up for some changes, or is our meeting concluded?" Draco takes a water glass and takes a sip.

Flint looks at Potter and then back at Draco. Flint licks his lips and slowly stands up. Draco raises an eyebrow.

Flint reaches for water, he takes a big drink, "Alright, I am in…but," he looks at Potter, "There are definitely some umm trades we need to stop."

Draco nods and sits, "Good, we can turn them over to Auror Potter by the end of our meeting. Shall we begin?"

Flint nods and sits again. The two men start charting the trades that need to be stopped or possibly further investigated, for larger crime circles. Harry joined in for some of the conversations. Draco took extensive notes.

Hermione shifted in her seat and drinks some of her water. She turns on her music and tries to focus on her research. In her head Hermione was asking herself, how in the world was that sexy. He was just holding a business meeting. Hermione focused on the patterns she found in lone wolves and pack wolves.

At 4:30 PM Draco shook hands with Flint and walked him to the floo. Flint nodded and entered the floo.

Harry was standing again, "That was intense, and I was not expecting to leave with more cases. Not that I am complaining, some of the names you got are on our list at the office. Is that how all of your meetings go?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders and starts putting away papers and pulling papers from another file. He glances up at Harry, "It depends on what the meeting is about. I have two more meetings today that you will have to be present for, will you be the normal Auror babysitting me?"

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "More than likely it will be me… the other choice is Ron and I don't know how well that will go. He might accompany me sometimes, but he is also working a lot with George. Pansy is softening him up a bit towards you. They have been on two or three dates now."

Draco nods and pulls out to set of files. He places one of the files in front of Harry. It was a portfolio of a man named, Bruce Bulstrode "Both of these meetings should be short, but it will depend on the temperament of the men I will be meeting with, the next meeting should be fine it is with Millicent Bulstrode's father, Bruce Bulstrode. She has asked me to buy her out of her Marriage Contract. She is supposed to marry an American bloke, named Daniel Fults. However, she has told me that she is in love with a half-blood in Ravenclaw."

Harry was looking through the file. It was a full profile of the man's interests, properties, and a basic phycological profile. Draco then pulled out another contract and a notary stamp.

"He acts big and bad, but he loves his daughter and wants her to be happy. So he should be no problem." Draco pulls the file back and hides it, he slides the next profile over to Harry. "Now, the second meeting might not be as easy. I ask that you do not intervene unless you feel it completely necessary."

Harry looks at the next profile. Florian Greengrass.

Draco nods at the file, "Mr. Greengrass is not a fan of mine. I ended the Marriage contract with his eldest daughter, Daphne, in our 4th year. He was very angry, I soothed some of the issues with a large payment for breaking the contract, but he wanted my family name to build up his family. Now, Daphne is my ex and is apparently up to something, and I might still end up married to the witch…This meeting is to buy out Tori's Marriage contract. She is a friend of mine and I am almost positive she is in love with my best friend, Blaise."

The floo lit up at 4:45 and a large man with dark hair stepped out. He quickly shook Draco's hand and took a seat. Hermione had moved to get another book from the shared bookshelf. Mr. Bulstrode watched her but didn't say anything.

"Alright, Draco what is it you wanted to meet about concerning my girl, I know you have no interest in marrying her." Mr. Bulstrode said plainly.

"Good man straight to the point, then I will be blunt as well. Milli has no interest in marrying the American bloke and she is my friend and I do not want her to be forced into a loveless marriage. I want to buy out her contract." Draco says handing the proposed contract to him.

Mr. Bulstrode looks at the contract and frowns, "Look, Draco I know my Milli is your friend but you and I both know she got her looks from me and I don't want her to end up alone. That is why I got her contract put in place five years ago."

Draco smiles at the man, "Did you know that she has been dating a fellow here at Hogwarts in secret for the last year and a half. The main reason she has not said anything is that he is a half-blood and she thought you would disapprove. If you want her to be happy let her be with the man she has fallen for, if I ever have a child that is all I would want for them."

Mr. Bulstrode looks back at the contract Draco sat in front of him. "I just want my girl to be happy, is the half-blood a good bloke, he treats her right?"

Draco nods, "Treats her like a queen."

Mr. Bulstrode slides the contract back to Draco. "No need for you to spend your money boy, I will break the contract. Tell my Milli to write me about this boy. Thank you, son, for caring about your friend."

Mr. Bulstrode stands up and shakes Draco's hand again. He exits through the floo and Draco grins. He quickly writes a note and sends Zeal off with it to find Milli. Draco then tears up the contract he had for Mr. Bulstrode. He pulls out a list and a blank contract for his next meeting.

"Potter, that one was easy…this one will not be," Draco said looking back over the profile for Mr. Greengrass. "Hermione, I hate to ask… but would you mind going upstairs. He is very much against Muggleborns and I worry…"

Hermione picked up her stuff and kissed Harry and Draco both on the head. "I like Tori and I want this to work for her, I will make myself scarce. Good luck."

Harry grabbed Hermione's arm before she walked off. "You might want to heal that before Ginny sees." Harry chuckles pointing to a hickey on her collarbone.

Hermione pops him on the arm, "I will but you know very well she is going to ask anyway. Don't mess with me Potter, I have heard entirely too many stories about your adventures."

She then makes a face and goes up the stairs. Crookshanks follows her with a loud meow like he was saying me too.

Harry shakes his head and turns back to Draco. "What time is the next meeting?"

"5 O'clock, and he will be right on time. I need you to do me a favor…can you ask the house-elf for a glass of brandy…I can't drink but a glass of brandy for Mr. Greengrass will put him in a better mood." Draco asks somewhat uncomfortably.

Harry looked at him oddly, "Why don't you ask for one?"

Draco looks up the stairs and back down ashamed, "Hermione is helping me, I have a bit of a drinking problem, and the house-elves will not give me any type of alcohol, and if I smell it, I might be tempted to have a glass."

Harry only nodded. The two men sat in silence, at 4:58 Harry asked the house-elf to bring a glass for the new guest when he arrived. The elf nodded and popped away.

At exactly 5 O' clock the floo lights up and out steps a man with long dark hair and a pinched face. He flicked the ash off of his shirt and stepped further into the room. His eyes locked on Harry.

He took two steps forward and extended his hand, "Florian Greengrass, it is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter."

Harry shook his hand, "It is Auror Potter at the moment, sir. I am just here to oversee a few of Lord Malfoy's meetings. Please don't let my present bother you."

Harry watched Mr. Greengrass sneer at the use of Draco's title of Lord. Draco noticed too.

Draco stepped forward. "Good evening Mr. Greengrass, If you would like we can get started. I know you are a busy man and don't want to keep your beautiful wife waiting for your return home. You can have a seat here. A house-elf will be here with refreshments in just a moment."

Florian Greengrass looked at Draco. He took his seat, Draco did the same, and Harry stood by the table.

"What is it you want Draco? I know you do not intend to marry Daphne, and Astoria has a very lucrative marriage contract. Are you willing to offer more for my little princess, you do know she hasn't been with anyone else if that is more your type. I know Daphne is damaged goods. I understand why you didn't find her suitable to be the next Lady Malfoy." Florian said with a grin.

Draco had to fight the look of disgust that wanted to creep onto his face. "Yes, I am glad you understand my lack of satisfaction with Daphne. My mother did not approve of the arrangement after meeting her. My mother has now seen the error in the way of the marriage contract, as have many other prominent in wizarding society. I am wanting to speak to you about Astoria's marriage contract but not for myself. Astoria and I have been friends for a few years now and I know that she would prefer to marry for love rather than…"

Florian laughed and takes a drink of his brandy, "It doesn't matter what she wants. She is my child and she owes me. She will marry who I say. Now, if you want to pay for her hand then that can be arranged. We have many offers at the moment," Florian smirks, "but I am sure you could top all of the other offers. Come now Draco, wouldn't you like to know you are getting a tight little pussy, no other man has so much as touched those sweet breasts of hers. You could even frame the bloodied sheets. I still have mine from her mother."

Harry bites his tongue as he looks straight at the fireplace. Draco grits his teeth and glances at Harry.

Draco leans forward and locks eyes with Florian. "If I wanted Tori, I could have her, you would love to have me as your son-in-law. You know that I am not here to play a game with her virginity. I want to buy out her contract, give her the freedom to marry who she wants."

Florian stands and shakes the table. "Then I get left with nothing! No one to provide for my child, my wife, and myself. Astoria is MINE! She owes me. I will have what I DESERVE!" Florian's face is reddened as he glares at Draco.

Draco stays in his seat, "I understand Mr. Greengrass and that is why this is my 1st offer. It will ensure everyone in your family is well. If however, if you are not happy with the offer, we can discuss more."

Draco calmly hands the offer over to Florian. Florian takes the paper and reads over it. He smirks at part of the offer. He rereads the paper 3 times, glancing up at Draco twice. Draco sits and waits.

Florian sits back down at the table. "This is very nice Draco, but what will it do for me in twenty years when this is all gone?"

Draco looks thoughtful for a few moments, "I can add a share of Malfoy Industries. That will only grow with time."

Florian starches his chin. "I also want box seats for all of the Quidditch championships until my death."

Draco stands, waves his wand and the contract starts writing itself. "We have a deal, Mr. Greengrass. Am glad we could work this out in a civil manner." The contract finishes. "Please sign here, here, and here."

Florian grabs the quill and quickly signs it. "Pleasure doing business with you Lord Malfoy." Florian grins and walks out the floo.

Draco sits down and rubs the back of his neck. Harry leans over and reads the contract. His eyes widen, "Wow, Malfoy, that is what you will give up for a friend. I can't wait to see what you give up when you do fall in love."

Draco looks at the half-drank glass of brandy, "If I ever get the chance Potter."

Draco stands up and the glass vanishes. Hermione walks down the stairs. She walks in front of Draco and hugs him. Both Draco and Harry exchange an odd look. Draco slowly wraps his arms back around her.

Hermione steps back, "Draco you are a good friend." She hugs him again. Hermione turns and kisses Harry on the cheek. "Ginny is on her way up and if you leave before she gets up here you might lose a limb.