Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter One
Sipping the last of his fourth brandy, Draco solidified his decision. He would return to London with the hard earned title Prosecutor of Fraud and Criminal Matters affixed firmly to the front of his robes.
/*/
After the symposium, it had taken Draco another five months to clear up his cases and other responsibilities. As a last gesture of good will, Draco had worked doubly hard to find another rising star to replace him in the firm. Which he had.
/*/
During his last night in Switzerland, Draco celebrated with the mates he had met over the last five years. The group included several female colleagues including Beth who had tried to initiate one last night of sex. After Draco's polite refusal, Beth had given him a kiss on the cheek, said a reluctant goodbye and left even though the celebration was still in full swing.
The next morning, Draco woke to find himself inundated by a parliament of owls at his window with well wishes and cheeky gifts attached to their legs. Then, assisted by a large dose of Grand Pepper-up Potion. A firmly resolved and fully sober Draco Malfoy had closed up his flat, Apparated to the Portkey Office and caught the first of two Portkeys which would land him back in Wiltshire, England.
His last thought before grabbing his Portkey had been. Thank you Switzerland. I'm the better for having been here.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^/
Returning To His Roots: Chapter 2
So here he was at Malfoy Manor. Back where it had all started. It was eerie how quiet it was in the Manor. During the last five years, Draco had become used to the chaos associated with being around his Swiss mates. Although they were home this week, his mother and father weren't at the manor very often. Lucius was a very busy wizard these days and Narcissa usually went where her husband went. Draco had spoken briefly to his parents and had been relaxing before dinner when Blaise had shown up.
Draco now knew he had made a great faux pas while speaking to Blaise. How could he have known, especially with the contentious meeting he'd had with Hermione Granger and her minions, that the Wizarding world he had known no longer existed.
True, he had spent years in Switzerland where racism was non existent, but he thought Britain would remain as class sensitive as it had always been. Purebloods had always been in charge. Muggleborns, Mudbloods and Halfbloods were hardly thought of as people. That's what he'd been taught. That's what he knew. That's how he assumed it would always remain. In the entire five years he'd been away, his mother had not once mentioned the state of Wizarding Britain. But he hadn't asked either. In his mind, no matter who had won the war. Purebloods would always be in charge.
Staring at himself in the floor length mirror on the back of his closet door, Draco let out an irritated sigh. Before stepping out into the new world, he would have to find out what was what and who was who. Had he not been so snippy with Blaise, he would have had the entire British Wizarding hierarchy down by now. Apologies were in order. He had information to secure.
/*/
Draco knew he had to owl Blaise. The sooner he got back into his mate's good graces, the sooner he could arm himself with facts. To that end, Draco wrote out a conciliatory message then called one of the Manor owls.
Draco didn't know if Blaise would be in any mood to answer the owl, but he waited.
While waiting for Blaise to reply, Draco thought about what he had to do. In order to fit in, he would have to get with the program. He would have to do what he had been doing in Switzerland over the last five years which meant treating people as his equal. This would be a daunting task considering his attitude and beliefs when he had left Britain.
Draco was fairly certain not many would be chuffed to see him back. He was a memory. A bad memory to most of London. It would be hard to overcome his former reputation, but he was certainly going to try. If he couldn't win people over with his new attitude, he would use his hard earned credentials to secure a place in the business world.
Draco was deep in thought when the floo in his bedroom lit up and he looked up to see Blaise step out for the second time that day.
/*/
Without preamble, Blaise made a semi sarcastic remark. "I gather from the tone of your message you are now prepared to be amicable."
Draco stood extending his hand pulling on his best Malfoy smile. "You have gathered right mate. I was way off base and would like to extend my utmost apology for my crass remarks. I have been away for a long time. I had no way of knowing how much things had changed. I am back to Britain for good and will need your guidance to traverse the current waters. Will you assist me?"
Draco wasn't the only one with a trademark smile. Blaise put on his most charming Zabini smile before replying to Draco. "So you need me then? Picture that. Draco Malfoy needs my help."
"Let's not go overboard Zabini." Draco taunted still sporting a smile. "I do not need your help. I am requesting your help. There is so much I don't know about London. What I do know wouldn't even fill a thimble. If you are available, perhaps you will have dinner with my parents and I. After which, we can discuss the comings and goings of present day Wizarding London. What do you say?"
Glancing over at Draco's closet, Blaise asked if he had time to go home to change into a more formal outfit not wanting to appear before Lucius and Narcissa underdressed.
Having been mates for years, Draco realized what Blaise wanted. Gesturing, Draco nodded in the direction of his closet telling Blaise to use a set of his dress robes instead of Apparating home and back.
"Thanks mate. I see a set of navy blue robes that will do quite nicely. If you don't mind, I'll take a quick shower before dinner."
"Fine with me Blaise. Make it quick. My parents expect me downstairs in twenty five minutes."
Blaise was in and out in ten. The long time mates smiled at each other. Two of the best dressed Purebloods in London, together again.
/*/
Dinner was interesting. Lucius and Narcissa were pleased that Draco had decided to come home and even more pleased he had connected with Blaise. Although Blaise hadn't mentioned his high standing in the business world to Draco, Lucius was well aware of Blaise Zabini's sterling reputation throughout Wizarding and Muggle London. Blaise was just the person who could assist Draco as he assimilated back into their world.
The dinner conversation mostly revolved around Lucius questioning Draco about his plans. The only thing Draco could tell his father was he planned to put his credentials to good use.
Lucius glanced at Blaise before making his next remarks. "Well son. As a prosecutor, you'll be in decent company. Hermione Granger returned to London last year and has set up a law office. While her practice is not part of the Ministry per se. Her firm is located within the Ministry and is therefore the firm most utilized by the Wizengamot. I understand she has positions available even as we speak. Perhaps that's a place to start."
Nervously clearing his throat, Lucius addressed the elephant that had suddenly appeared in the room. "I know you weren't on the best of terms with Miss Granger when you left five years ago. However, this might be the perfect time to make amends."
Make amends? A knot formed in Draco's stomach. Blaise had tried to tell him about Hermione Granger. Now here was his father basically telling him the same thing. Even with his exemplary references, Draco knew he was literally fucked if Hermione Granger was the person he had to convince of his good intentions.
Blaise realized how uncomfortable the conversation was making Draco. Turning the conversation away from Hermione, he jumped in. "Since he has been away for so long, Draco and I have planned to discuss his options after dinner. He has explained a bit about what he's been doing in Switzerland. Which in turn has given me some ideas I want to share with him."
In this instance, Narcissa was faster than her husband in picking up on the fact Blaise was trying to turn the conversation away from Hermione Granger. Before Lucius could belabor the point, Narcissa gave Draco a small smile as she asked Blaise about his mother.
Through all this, Draco quietly ate his dinner seething not only over the fact his future might lay in the hands of the miserable bitch Hermione Granger, but also that his father and Blaise were discussing him as though he wasn't at the same table. Draco wanted to counter with some remarks of his own, but what he had in mind would not have gone over too well. Instead, he joined the conversation introducing another topic altogether.
Directing his question at his father, Draco jumped right in. "You haven't made any mention of the Malfoy Holdings. How are things going with the companies?"
Narcissa held her breath as she watched her husband redden slightly wondering if their son was being vindictive. Everyone in London over the age of twenty knew the Wizengamot had seized all but one of Lucius' British holdings and several foreign companies as well during his trial.
Narcissa stared at her son, but could not find any evidence Draco was being anything but forthright. Perhaps he really wasn't aware of what aligning himself with Voldemort had cost his father.
Placing his napkin beside his plate, Lucius took several seconds before answering his son.
Both Blaise and Narcissa shifted uncomfortably while Lucius formed his reply, knowing most people wouldn't dare question Lucius about matters such as this. Lucius may have reformed, but he hadn't lost his Malfoy temperament or his need to appear infallible.
"Trying very hard to control himself because he was addressing his son, Lucius cleared his throat twice in quick succession. "Your mother spirited you away from London before I went to trial so I will keep that in mind as I respond to what I would consider an impudent question from anyone else."
"Lucius." Narcissa said quietly reaching out to touch her husband on the arm. However, with one glare from Lucius, Narcissa had hastily removed her hand.
Draco sat eyes locked on his father while Blaise wanted desperately to be anywhere other than the Malfoy dinner table at that moment.
Locking his own eyes on Draco's, Lucius answered in a cutting tone. "The Malfoy Holdings, which by the way would have been your inheritance, were unceremoniously taken away from this family. I was allowed to keep Malfoy Investments as the Wizengamot saw fit to allow me a livelihood. I was also allowed to keep one holding in France. The justice system thought their decisions would break me, but alas, a Malfoy will never be caught with his trousers down."
Turning slightly toward Narcissa, Lucius begged her forgiveness for his crass words before continuing his low key rant.
"Our Gringotts vaults are many and full even though initially, the Chief Warlock tried to seize those as well. Luckily, the Gringotts Goblins do not bend to threats and refused to give information regarding our vaults. So. We may be real estate challenged, but we are still the filthy rich Malfoys. In fact, while you worry about career choices. Your personal vaults contain enough Galleons and other treasures that preclude you from having to take any mundane position. If you want to make your mark, do it in the Malfoy name. Create your own business. Perhaps then it will be the Granger witch coming to you rather than the other way round. This topic has begun to bore me. Unless there is something else you would like me to rehash Draco. This discussion is finished."
Clapping his hands together, Lucius called out sharply for dessert.
/*/
No one moved after Lucius finished speaking until Draco spoke up. "My apologies father if I have broached a topic that upsets you. I did not know the penalties imposed on you other than your sentence in Azkaban. I do not sit here and pretend to understand what you went through. To be perfectly frank, I was feeling around to see if there could be a place for me in one of your companies if other avenues didn't pan out. I will make my own way. It's the least I can do."
Ah. An obedient son, thought Lucius. "No harm done Draco. It is my hope you will bring the Malfoy name back into prominence no matter the way. Now let's tuck into these lovely floating islands with caramel sauce. Missy prepares them like no other can."
/*/
The rest of the meal had gone well with nothing more generic being discussed than desserts, house elves and the newest craze of patterned robes which Lucius despised.
/*/
Lucius didn't invite Draco and Blaise to his study for after dinner drinks, but neither wizard was offended. They had matters to discuss and the sooner the better.
Thanking Narcissa and Lucius for a lovely dinner, Blaise stood and excused himself from the table with Draco doing the same except he walked around the table to shake his father's hand and kiss his mother's cheek.
Climbing the stairs together, Blaise joked in a low voice. "Well that wasn't awkward at all. Not only will I have to bring you up to speed on what has developed here over the past five years. I will also have to get you up to speed on your family as well. Let's get to your rooms before you put your foot into anything else."
Draco frowned at his mate's back thinking how full of himself Blaise had become. Rushing to keep up with the retreating Blaise, Draco remembered that his mate had always been full of himself. As had he. Nothing had really changed on that front.
/*/
Narcissa watched her husband. He may have convinced Draco everything was alright, but she knew her husband. Discussing the loss of his companies took a toll on him and probably always would.
After dinner, Lucius had gone to his study and had two drinks in quick succession before heading to their wing. Following behind Lucius, Narcissa found him in the process of selecting robes.
Narcissa sat on the side of their bed waiting for Lucius to explain why he was laying out robes. However, Lucius chose to ignore her, choosing a shower over explaining anything. So she asked. "Do we have plans for this evening I've forgotten about?"
Stopping in mid stride, Lucius turned to Narcissa with furrowed brows. "Is that a rhetorical question Narcissa? Because you know our calendar like the back of your hand. We do not have a function this evening, but I have an appointment. I will not be gone for very long. Entertain yourself with the fancy catalogues that have become so important to you lately. Order something. I may not have my companies, but I do have Galleons enough to support my wife's habits. Excuse me"
Narcissa was furious. She recognized the state Lucius was in. Since being released from Azkaban, he had changed. Where he used to sit and fret in his study with drink in hand before being imprisoned. He now found it necessary to leave her and the Manor behind for a few hours to regain his center of gravity.
Lucius was discreet. So even though Narcissa had used her little ways to check on her husband's whereabouts when he left the Manor. It had come to nothing. She did not know where Lucius went and dared not inquire any further. She suspected he got together with Severus so they could rant together in private. At least, she hoped that was where he went.
Lucius was dressed and away within thirty minutes. She could feel the tightness in her husband's body when he leaned over to kiss her cheek which made her all the more apprehensive of his destination. Her husband needed release. Why he wasn't seeking it from her gave cause for concern. As a Malfoy wife, she knew better than to question certain things. Lucius would return to the Manor and to her bed. Of that she was sure.
With a resigned sigh, Narcissa summoned a house elf and requested wine. While waiting, she pulled out one of the many catalogues to which Lucius had referred and began to browse. Anything to keep her mind off her husband's unknown destination.
/*/
Draco and Blaise were still in the midst of a conversation. Draco had explained to Blaise about his run in with Hermione Granger at the conference in France mentioning the thug like behavior of Terry Boot. Draco also alluded to the fact he had been quite sharp with Hermione over the course of the exchange as well.
Blaise had run his hand through his short cropped hair now realizing why Draco had spoke of Hermione with so much animosity when they initially spoke. Blaise had gotten to know Hermione quite well over the last five years and was quite surprised by what Draco had shared. Then again, maybe he wasn't surprised. Hermione was hell on wheels when prosecuting criminals. Perhaps she still considered Draco a criminal because he had fled England before amends could be made.
Blaise did realize one thing. Hermione Granger wouldn't be hiring Draco Malfoy anytime soon or maybe ever, unless he could step in and negotiate a truce. But it would be up to Draco whether he wanted an intermediary.
"I understand how upsetting it must be for you as a Malfoy to have to address someone, especially a witch, who doesn't respect you. I can see any meeting between you and Hermione going badly wrong. If I may make a suggestion. Hermione and I have mutual respect for each other. I'm sure she would be willing to meet with you if I asked nicely."
"If you asked nicely?" Draco questioned with a scowl on his face that had raised his eyebrows into the stratosphere.
"Come on Draco." Blaise said crankily cutting across Draco. "Perhaps it was a poor choice of words, but I'm sure you get the gist of it. A road will have to be paved between you and Hermione before any meeting takes place and I have offered to do it. As loathe as you are to hear it, having a good, well decent, rapport with Hermione will make it a bit easier to blend back into London society. It is up to you."
The scowl remained on Draco's face as he digested what Blaise had said. He was feeling like the loser Hermione had accused him of being.
"On the other hand," suggested Blaise. "Your credentials are exemplary. You not only excelled as a special crimes and fraud prosecutor, but you also have a title in criminology as well. You have choices. With your accomplishments, you would make an extraordinary TS."
"TS? What in bloody hell is that?" Asked Draco.
Blaise smiled to himself. He had caught his mate's attention. "The TS stands for Truth Seeker. The Office of Truth Seeking (OTS) is a fairly new department which is run along the same lines as the Department of Mysteries. Private and a bit secretive if I do say so myself. A Truth Seeker is authorized to enter any crime scene even before MLE or the Aurors. He or she evaluates the crime scene, gathers evidence then brings it all back to the office to be examined in private."
Draco liked the sound of it all. "If the TS does all this, what is left for MLE and the Aurors?"
"Ah," said Blaise summoning a bottle of Ogden's from the table pouring himself a drink. "That's the thing. After the war, Kingsley and the Chief Warlock wanted an extra level of security for magical citizens, so they decided to reassign certain duties and add a specialized department. Aurors still chase dark magic cases and MLE chases common criminals. Sometimes the two departments work in tandem. However, they do not collect evidence or interact with the crime scenes in any way except to arrest, contain and transport prisoners back to the Ministry."
Draco broke out in a genuine smile. "There really have been changes."
"Yes there has." Blaise replied before continuing his explanation. "There was a bit of dissension in the ranks when Kingsley and the CW first spoke of implementing the changes, but it was a done deal so employees either fell in line, applied to other departments or resigned. That was about a year ago, Things have finally begun to settle down. It just so happens that like the Prosecutors Office, the OTS is also looking for agents. Being a TS may not be as glamorous as being a highly visible prosecutor, but it is seen as three times sexier. Or so I've been told."
Blaise sipped his Ogden's giving Draco time to put things into perspective.
Draco swallowed the last of his drink before commenting that becoming a TS was one way to get around having to beg Hermione Granger for a position. Draco's words trailed off as he realized applying for any job at the Ministry would mean going through Kingsley Shacklebolt. He would be exchanging one of his detractors for another.
Draco voiced his thoughts to Blaise who understood Draco's concern and answered accordingly. "In my estimation, Kingsley has shown himself to be a firm, but fair Minister. You were absolved of all charges. Kingsley will not have a problem with you as long as you are forthright with him. I believe he will be impressed with what you have done with your life as well. We can request a meeting with Kingsley and see what comes of it. You don't have to make a decision this minute. Think about what I've said. If the idea appeals to you, we will move forward. What I'm about to say may not be proper as I consider Hermione a friend, but if you do join OTS, it should take some of the wind out of her sails."
Draco let out a unseemly guffaw remembering how Blaise had jumped to Hermione's defense earlier.
"What can I say?" Blaise remarked with a laugh and a shrug. "Slytherin boys are meant to rule the world. A warning mate. If you ever become friends with Hermione, do not repeat what I've just said. She'd probably have us arrested."
Draco could barely refill their glasses he was laughing so hard. Once he had controlled his laughter, Draco raised his glass to Blaise before leaning back to savor his whiskey.
"It all sounds so simple. I do wonder what Kingsley will think when Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy turn up at his office door inquiring about a position in his elite, new department. We'll probably be laughed out of his office."
"Are we back on this subject? I thought you were going to take some time to reflect on your choices. You're over thinking things mate. Anyway, I'm pretty sure Kingsley hasn't ever thrown anyone out of his office. And I'm very sure he won't throw us out."
"That sure of our welcome. Are you?" Draco asked staring down into his fresh glass of Ogden's. "You must have become a wizard of great importance in the last five years."
Blaise let out a chuckle. "Have you forgotten mate? You and I have always been wizards of great importance. However, in this case. I do have a firm leg up."
Feeling more like himself than he had all day, Draco moved his head up and down in agreement. "Yes. We were that. Wizards of great importance."
"Glad you agree mate. There's one additional reason I'm sure Kingsley won't throw us out."
"And what is that?" countered Draco.
Rising from his chair, Blaise grabbed his own robes and headed to the bathroom to change back calling back over his shoulder. "I have been Head of OTS since its inception."