Chapter 1
You LIED!” Lucius Malfoy’s voice rang through the manor. The sharp sound of skin striking skin followed.
It had been a few days since the “release” of Lucius. Following the war, dementors weren't as frequently used. Something about reforming the justice system. Making Lucius' escape quick, and painless. Mostly.
“I had to!” Narcissa cried from the floor. Using an elbow to prop herself up and cradling the forming bruise on her cheek. “Draco will forever be my priority over YOUR ridiculous Dark Lord,” she spits at his shoes.
Lucius scowls and stalks over to her, raking a hand up the back of her head and gripping as much hair as his fist could. He lifted her slowly, moving in close to her face.
Narcissa winced and hissed, grabbing at his hand.
“If I do recall, he was your Dark Lord as well. But I see our vision has been compromised by that boy, once again,” he sneers before snapping his head to the door.
“CRONLY” he howled out. A small, scrawny house elf appeared by the door in an instant.
“Yes Master?” the small elf asked.
“Fetch the boy.”
Draco's POV
My hands shook walking up to that water closet. The one all wizards used to get to the Ministry. What if it wouldn’t let me in? What if I was barred from the ministry….
The two years since the Battle at Hogwarts may have been enough time to fly under the radar. But it didn’t make me feel any less anxious walking up to the entrance.
I stood in front of the loo just like the man before me, praying to whatever higher power that I didn’t set off any alarms or worse. My hands felt clammy as I place them on the hanging handle.
“Come on then!” a voice groaned from behind the stall door.
A jolt flew down my spine, and I took one deep breath before pulling the chain.
I was in. All the anxiety melted away as I continued forward with the large crowd.
Easier to go unnoticed, but I didn’t let my guard down. I wasn’t about to be caught unaware in this place.
Finding the elevator was simple enough, Auror Headquarters shouldn’t be much more difficult. I kept my head down, took the elevator to Level 2, and followed the robed-covered individuals out and to the left.
I walked for a bit, ebbing and swaying with the crowd. Auror headquarters was less than 10 paces by now.
The entrance was within reach, I barely brushed the door handle before I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“I’d know that mop of hair anywhere,” a succinct yet velvet-like voice cooed. I glanced over my shoulder, that head of brown curls was unmistakable.
“H-hello Granger,” my voice stuttered a bit. I was here to do one thing, and now I had to deal with Granger.
“It’s actually Granger-Weasley now,” she corrected. “I’m surprised to see you here. I wouldn’t have pegged you for the reporting type.”
“Just needed a new identification card..what are you here reporting?” I should have ended the conversation then and there. I was already taking too long.
“Just dropping off lunch to Ron and Harry,” she held up two sacks from some muggle shop I assume.
“That’s nice, well I’ll let you be on your way. Don’t want to be on the business end of a hungry Weasley and Potter..” I mumbled out opening the door for her.
She smiled before nodding, never thought I’d live to see the day that Hermione Granger would nod, let alone smile at me. She walked through the door and I followed after.
This meeting needed to be quick. I couldn’t waste any more time. I looked to the directory on the wall and found Robards office number and quickly made my way up a set of stairs. Avoid as many interactions as possible.
The door was cracked open when I approached but still tapped softly on the door with my knuckle, for propriety's sake.
“Come in,” a grumbled voice spoke from behind the door.
I pushed the door gently and closed it swiftly behind me.
“Ahh, Mr. Malfoy! I hope you didn’t have much trouble getting here,” Gawain stood and walked toward me before holding a hand out.
I shook his hand sharply, “Mr. Robards, I was hoping we could-”
The man kept a hold of my hand and placed the other on it as well, shaking vigorously. “Can I get you anything to drink? Coffee? Tea?”
I stammered a bit, “Tea would be nice…but I -”
“Madeline! Two Teas please,” he called over my shoulder.
He finally releases my hand and gestures to the leather chair in front of his desk. Before he can even sit down, a tall red-haired woman sets a silver tray with a matching kettle and upside-down cups on the desk.
“Thank you, Madeline,” Gawain nods and she quickly leaves the room.
Gawain proceeds with pouring us each a cup, before handing me one and pushing the sugar bowl toward me.
“Now Mr. Malfoy, I was surprised to receive your message. What is it you would like the Aurors assistance with?” he sipped at his tea, he hadn’t put any sugar in at all. How can he stomach the stuff?
“I was actually hoping we could help one another…” I dropped 3 cubes into my own cup and stirred before sipping.
“With what exactly?” he raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
“My mother…I need to guarantee her safety now that my father is back in the picture” I stated matter-of-factly.
Gawain sighs and sets down his cup, “I’m sorry Mr. Malfoy, my Aurors have all been assigned. We're so short-staffed I can't even keep up with the escapes from Azkaban. I’m not sure I can do much to-”
“I have the location of every Death Eater your Aurors are looking for. You can spare somebody.”
Gawain stares wide-eyed, jaw slightly falling.
“I can give you one now and more once my mother is safe.”