Disclaimer: I don't own J.K. Rowling's universe, I just like to do really evil things with her characters, on occasion.

Chapter 9 - Seat of Power

It was raining again. Ordinarily, Theo didn't mind the rain, even though his view of the city was admittedly better when the skies were clear. That the rain had settled in shortly after his meeting with Hermione was at best a coincidence, but once again it suited his mood, and he wasn't sure he ought to approve of the weather, in that case. Such thoughts had a way of getting to one's head, and he needed to keep his head out of the clouds, so to speak.

His office took up a fairly large corner of the top floor of the building, and both outside walls had been fitted floor-to-ceiling with the same spell-reinforced glass that took up a wall of the boardroom. He'd hired a professional to decorate the interior, and the end result was tastefully posh and slightly intimidating, much like Theo himself; in spite of this, he rarely took meetings in his office, preferring the elegant and impressive boardroom when he needed to deal with someone publically. His office was reserved for himself, and it was a retreat where he could review reports in peace, fine-tune his many plans, and, if one listened to Blaise (which Theo made a point of only rarely doing), to brood.

The door opened to admit Blaise, one of a handful of people allowed to disturb his peace (the very short list included Tracey as well as Theo's secretary-of-the-week). His tie was loosened, his shirt slightly askew and his hair somewhat mussed, and he was looking distinctly put out. "Time for a new one," he said, gesturing toward the door to indicate the unseen secretary's desk. "She's starting to get clingy."

It was true, Theo reflected, he'd held on to this most recent secretary longer than was usual. He wasn't going to say as much to Blaise, however, and instead regarded his friend with a level stare. "Why are you here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Blaise replied mildly, settling himself in one of the chairs on the other side of Theo's desk. "How long has it been since you went home for the night?"

"Who made you my fucking nanny?" Theo snapped, his eyes narrowing to a glare.

"You did," came Blaise's reply, his eyebrow arching in silent amusement. "It's why you put up with me. Mother-henning you incessantly is how I get my revenge for it."

Theo continued to glare silently for several moments, and then Blaise smirked, completely disarming his anger. "I really hate you sometimes," he sighed, turning his head back to the window.

"Hasn't exactly been a picnic for me, either."

Blaise's tone had Theo looking back at him with an incredulous snort. "Since when? You did volunteer for this, after all."

"Free will's a bitch," Blaise agreed, with a nod. "At least this way, I can blame everything on you."

"Which is precisely what we agreed to." Theo sat back, regarding his friend carefully. "What's really on your mind, Blaise? If this is about Hermione again, you can save the lecture."

"Go home, Theo." Blaise's smirk was gone, his expression for once sober almost to the point of concern. "Have a decent meal, sleep in a proper bed."

"I've slept in a proper bed," Theo hedged, glancing past Blaise to the leather couch he'd been transfiguring the last few nights.

Blaise snorted. "You're not helping anyone, least of all yourself, with this behavior. As a matter of fact, you're acting like a spoiled child, and it's damned irritating. Especially since I'm supposed to be the immature one in our dysfunctional relationship."

"We're not that dysfunctional," Theo protested, rolling his eyes as he looked back at Blaise.

"I beg to differ," Blaise replied, critically examining his fingernails rather than look directly at Theo. "Our brotherly dynamic was shaped and molded and carefully crafted according to your design, it's not exactly what one would call normal, Theo."

"The fact that I want to kill you at least three times a day is absolutely normal," Theo hissed at him.

Blaise smirked, looking up to meet Theo's gaze across the desk. "Only thrice daily? I'm losing my touch."

The joke caught and held, and Theo felt himself smile in response. "I've been busy," he admitted.

"You don't say," Blaise drawled. "Look, if it will appease what's left of your conscience, I'll stay here tonight. You go home, let the elves pamper you, get some proper rest. I'm tired of listening to the blasted things whine about your welfare."

"That explains things," Theo said drily, smirking. He did, however, heave himself out of the chair. "Fine. If there's the slightest change, though..."

"...I'll be sure you're notified immediately," Blaise finished, waving a hand dismissively. "Yes, yes."

Theo started toward the door, then paused, turning back with a wicked grin. "Oh, and call down to Human Resources, let them know I'm in need of a replacement. Feel free to give the girl her walking papers, though."

Blaise's eyes narrowed, but he returned the grin, his expression almost wolfish. "Such a hardship, dismissing your staff. I'll be sure to make good use of the opportunity."

"I have every confidence you'll handle it as only you can."