Chapter Text
After the trials, Draco had gone to France. London had too many ghosts and the press hounded him wherever he went. He had only managed to escape Azkaban because of testimonies from Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. Draco had thanked them once the Wizengamot gave their decision and promptly left for his family’s home in France.
He was able to get an apprenticeship with an old potions master, Goldsworth, working in his apothecary and helping him brew potions. Draco was surprised at how easy getting the apprenticeship was. He had been hopeful he could get something but realistically he thought he would have to spend his days holed up in the house with nothing to do but think. He had walked into the apothecary one day and the next he was working for the man.
Goldsworth treated Draco like the son he never had. One Sunday a month, they would have dinner together and Goldsworth would tell Draco stories from his youth. He listened without judgement when Draco told him about the war and the part he played and he helped him work through some of his emotions. Even after two years Draco felt like he didn’t quite deserve the man’s kindness and charity. He had worked through a lot of his guilt but some days were harder than others.
One such hard day was the day Goldsworth told him his plan to retire and give the store over to Draco. Draco had refused at first but Goldsworth was insistent. The old wizard refused to hear otherwise and told Draco to do what he wanted with the store but that he would like to receive a share of profit to live off of. Draco decided he would have more than enough to live off of. It was the least Draco could do to repay the man.
Goldsworth’s talks of retirement is what pushed Draco to finally reach out to his father. His father somehow managed to avoid Azkaban, something about how Azkaban wasn’t up to snuff anymore, and instead got five years house arrest. Draco was surprised Malfoy Industries didn’t have their hand in potions considering it could be quite lucrative.
By the time Draco reached out to him, it had been close to two years since he had left. He told his father of his plans to return home and how he wanted to speak to him about adding the apothecary business to the family. The two of them discussed when Draco would return and when they could meet. With a time and date settled, Draco was able to finish his apprenticeship and gain a Mastery in potions.
~~~
When Draco’s portkey dropped him just outside the manor’s wards, it was nearing dinnertime. With the end of his apprenticeship, he and Goldsworth had a small going away/retirement party. The old wizard signed over the ownership at lunch and gave Draco a special equipment set. Goldsworth told him he’d be waiting to hear from Draco, making him promise to write.
Draco had packed what he had brought to the house away and caught a scheduled portkey. His suitcase was light with a feather weight charm and he approached the wards with slow steps. The manor looked vastly different, more like the place of his childhood than it had in years. In her letters, Mother talked about renovations but he didn’t know they were so drastic. The gardens were more beautiful than they had ever been, beautiful flowers blooming along the cobblestone path.
Once he passed the second set of wards, there was a faint pop before a familiar elf appeared before him. Mipsy had been his personal elf his entire life, and had cared for him since he was a baby until he had left for France.
“Master Draco has returned! Mipsy is most happy. Dinner has been served, you must join Master and Mistress.” The little elf snapped her fingers and Draco’s suitcase disappeared. She slipped her little hand in the space once occupied and began leading Draco to the dining hall.
As Draco let himself be led through the familiar path, he noted the stark difference in the manor he had left. The dark walls were replaced by whites, creams, and light colors. There were beautiful landscape paintings mounted. The lightning was much brighter than he remembered, creating a more serene feeling. It was almost an entirely different place.
When he arrived in the dining room, Mipsy announced, “Master Draco has returned.” As soon as Mipsy popped away, Narcissa had vacated her chair and was quickly crossing the room to him. “My dragon! I didn’t know you were coming home!”
Mother pulled him into a tight hug. Stunned, he didn't respond. She hadn’t hugged him or been so open with her emotions since his third year. Awkwardly he reached around to pat her back. “I thought Father would have told you.”
Mother pulled away from him and ushered him towards the table where his father still sat. “Lucius did no such thing. If I had known I would’ve made sure I was free tomorrow but I have brunch plans. I suppose I could reschedule, I’m sure Miss-”
“There’s no need to cancel Mother,” Draco took his seat next to his father and across from where Mother had been, “Father and I have business to discuss tomorrow.”
Mother took her seat once again, a smile on her face. “I see. In that case, we can all catch up over tea tomorrow. My friend wanted to meet with Lucius after we returned.”
Next to him, Father chuckled and the sound caught Draco off guard. He couldn’t remember the last time he heard his father make such a noise. “It’s nice to see you, Draco. Your presence has been missed.”
Salazar’s tits. His father didn’t say things like that and when was the last time he referred to him by name. He started to feel more than a little uneasy.
“It’s nice to be home Father.” It was truly. He had missed his mother despite her constant correspondence.
“How was France? Didn’t you stay at one of the Black family homes?” Lucius returned to his meal as he spoke.
When Draco had sat down, a plate appeared before him. He wasn’t particularly hungry but he didn't want to offend the elves either. “Yes I stayed in the countryside house. I set up the Floo to the apothecary I worked at.”
The conversation continued in that vein for a while, how he enjoyed France, what he did, how he enjoyed working. It was a surprisingly civil and pleasant conversation. He wondered if his portkey had dropped him in some strange reality. Part of him was waiting for the other shoe to drop and the other hoped this pleasantness lasted forever.
Once the food was cleared, Mother spoke up. “Now Draco, the friend I have coming with me tomorrow is very special. Please be kind to her.”
There it was. Of course there was a reason his parents were acting like this. He had been expecting a more tense environment. They wanted to butter him up before setting him up. Salazar, they worked fast. It had only been a week and a half since he told his father he was coming home.
“I’ve just come home and you already have someone in mind to marry me to?” Draco sat back in his chair.
Mother waved her hand dismissively, “Oh no, this witch is not for you to marry. Though I surely wouldn’t be opposed. No, she has been my friend for two years now. We met again at a charity fundraiser. I think you’ll quite like her.”
So in other words, ‘it’s not written down but I’d very much like you to marry her’. Draco felt annoyance rise in his stomach. He refused to marry some dull pureblood just to please his parents. Had they learned nothing from the war? He would not have his choices taken from him again.
“It would be quite nice to keep this witch in our family. You know her, Draco, you went to school with her.” Lucius spoke in agreement with his mother.
Anyone his father liked was likely not someone he wanted to be around for long. “That doesn’t help. I’m sure anyone I went to school with would want to keep a wide berth from me. You know with the whole let Death Eaters into the castle thing.”
His mother flinched, “All the same we don’t expect you to marry her, we just want you to be nice.”
Draco occluded his annoyance away and nodded. Perhaps he could make some excuse and be gone before his mother returns tomorrow. He excused himself then and returned to his rooms.
~~~
Draco fell into a fitful sleep that night. He tossed and turned before passing out sometime around midnight. Once he awoke, he had two hours before he was due to meet his father. While he got ready, he went over the details he wanted to talk about. Lucius had already agreed to adding the business but they had to discuss the more minute details. Draco would do his best to deflect any questions about the witch his mother had mentioned last night. He was curious who his mother had ‘befriended’ but any questions might be mistaken as interest.
He knocked on his father’s study door a few minutes ahead of their meeting time. Once he heard his father’s affirmation he entered. At dinner last night he hadn’t taken a good look at his father. Standing before him now, he scanned his features. This was the father of his youth, his skin was no longer sickly and his face no longer gaunt. His posture was straight and his hair was healthy. This was the man Draco used to want to impress.
Draco took a seat without waiting for his father’s approval. His father’s study was untouched by Narcissa’s renovations. The only difference was the lack of dark objects on the bookshelves. They were replaced by new books and to Draco’s surprise there were some muggle titles among them.
“Right on time Draco. I’ve drawn up a contract to consider, let’s go over it.”
Over the next hour or so, the two of them debated the details of the contract. All Draco had been adamant about was continuing to give Goldsworth a hefty share. Draco was to be CEO and would have authority on the recipes the potions used. He’d have to find a supplier.
“I do have a question. How could we go about giving out free wolfsbane?”
Draco paused. Since when did his father give a fuck about werewolves? Draco’s thoughts turned to Greyback and he fought the gag. Not the best introduction to the species. Though he supposed he knew Professor Lupin first and he was quite fine.“Well either the Ministry pays for the supply cost or a supplier might increase the cost of other ingredients and give the wolfsbane for free.”
It was a nice idea in theory. Something life-saving for some shouldn’t cost so much. It was a big debate in the Potions community. But he knew that the old bats in the Wizengamot would rather die than part with more of their money.
Lucius nodded like it was the answer he had expected, “So it would be better to get the Wizengamot to agree on paying for it. That would mean a raise in taxes, which will be like pulling teeth.”
“You’d be better off actually pulling teeth to make that happen.”
Lucius snorted, “You might be right. But the Malfoy name hasn’t lost all respect. We’ve gained a fair bit since the war.”
Draco hoped it was not with the same people as before the war. Having their respect didn’t do them much good when it mattered. Draco changed the subject, “Why the sudden interest in werewolves? You never cared before.”
“Your mother’s friend has become a friend of mine and she has some rather progressive views. She has rather shown me the light if you will.”
Draco’s curiosity only increased. Who was this witch that had seemingly captured his parent’s attention? Had she done it with the intent to get to him? How much longer did he have until brunch was over? How could he get out of the manor before then?
“Speaking of, talking with this witch over the past two years has led me to some revelations.” Lucius shifted uncomfortably in his seat, “I wanted to apologize for the choices I’ve made. I thought I was doing my duty to you by teaching you certain ideologies and beliefs. It is clear I was wrong. I hope someday you can forgive me.”
What in the name of Merlin? Was Father ill? That would explain a lot. Certain ideologies and beliefs? Gods, this man had hit him with his cane when he returned in second place to a muggleborn after his first year. Draco had told him that he was wrong because Granger was a muggleborn and she was really smart. He had expected her to be dumb and ugly yet she was none of those things, far from it actually. He had received a beating for it.
Lucius must be dying of something incurable. This witch had made his father realize that? Did he mean it or was it the sickness speaking? Did it matter really? You weren’t supposed to be too hard on the sick.
“Father, are you feeling alright? If you’re dying, you can be honest with me.”
Lucius stared at him for a moment before a deep belly laugh erupted. Draco stared at him, feelings of panic increasing by the second. His father should be in St.Mungo’s right now, not discussing business with him. Father was reigning himself in when a bell sounded off. His father stood, adjusting his robes. “Come Draco, that’ll be your mother.”
Mother and some witch that they both liked. Draco was in hell. He followed his father out of the study. Could he come up with some excuse to leave? Perhaps he could go find Theo or Blaise. He had written to them a few times and knew that Theo was unemployed and living off his substantial wealth. He knew he would be free to save him from any marriage talks.
Before he knew it, he was following his father into the Floo room where two women were laughing boisterously. He had never heard his mother laugh like that. Draco stayed by the door as his father moved closer to the two witches. While Lucius greeted Mother, Draco’s attention was on the witch dusting Floo powder off her clothing. Her curly brown hair was unmistakable but he must be. He must have hit his head at some point.
“Granger.” He didn’t mean to speak but he did.
At the sound of her name, the witch looked up at him with shock coloring her features. She looked different. She had been pretty before but now… Granger was the witch his parents were so taken with? The woman his father had said he would like to keep in the family. Perhaps this wasn’t so bad. His father’s questions about wolfsbane made more sense now. Granger always had a heart as big as her hair.
“Hermione, you know Draco.” Lucius gestured for Draco to come closer which he did rather slowly feeling as though he were in a dream, “He just returned home last night after completing his Potions Mastery.”
Hermione? Draco had the feeling that he was being sold off. Is this how witches felt? It was a bizarre new feeling. And again, Hermione? How had his father gotten on a first name basis with Granger before him?
She smiled politely at him, the sight jarring, “That’s wonderful Draco.”
Draco? His heart rate did not increase when she said his name, no of course not- it was only unexpected. He supposed with three Malfoys, calling him Malfoy might’ve been a bit strange. Narcissa put her hands on Granger’s shoulders, “How much longer until your Ancient Runes Mastery is finished, darling?”
Darling? What the hell was happening? Granger looked unperturbed by Narcissa’s endearment when she answered, “Oh I just have my practical next week and then I will be finished.”
“Isn’t that just wonderful?” Narcissa squeezed the witch’s shoulder, “Do you have time for tea? I was hoping you might join us. I can have Fitz make your favorite lemon tart.”
Hermione looked from Narcissa to Lucius with a hopeful expression, “I was hoping to speak with Lucius first but I suppose I could join after?”
Lucius smiled, oozing a charm Draco hadn’t seen from him in years, “Yes of course. I actually have information you might like.”
Lucius held out his arm to Granger, who took it like second nature. The two chatted more than amicably as they vacated the room. Draco wasn’t still sure he wasn’t in some coma. When the door closed he turned on his mother.
“Mother what is happening?” He felt like he might pass out.
Narcissa walked past him towards the door. “Let’s move to the sitting room, my dragon.”
“What is Hermione Granger doing in our house, talking with Father like they are old friends?”
Narcissa delicately shrugged her shoulders, “You know your father has always wanted a daughter.”
A daughter? His father and Hermione Granger. Draco had spent so much time occluding Granger away during his life to keep her from his father. Draco bit down the curse threatening to fall out of his mouth. He took a deep breath, “Mother please.”
Draco followed his mother as she walked out of the Floo room and towards the sitting room he knew they usually used for tea. “In your letters from school before everything, you mentioned Hermione quite a bit. And then after the war started, I’m not sure if you remember this conversation as you were quite inebriated, but you mentioned her in a more personal manner. So after the war, I decided to give you a little help. As it turns out I actually quite like her and so does Lucius.”
Has his mother gone barmy? She must’ve. He was already certain his father was quite sick but on top of that his mother had gone off the bend. His schoolyard crush that he expressed as hate and a conversation he didn’t remember were the reasoning behind all this. “Mother I think you are mistaken-”
“Draco, I’m your mother. I know you quite well, I know when you like a witch. Though if those feelings are of the past, I could direct her to Theo, he’s been more vocal about his interest. He is like a son to me so Lucius and I would still get to keep her.”
His mother breezed into the sitting room that was already set up for tea. A tea service and trays of finger foods were sitting under a stasis charm waiting for them. Mother took her seat in a plush recliner and Draco landed across from her, stunned.
“Theo? You can’t do that, he changes girlfriends like he changes his clothing. Granger deserves better.”
That being said, Draco could recall his friend’s eyes following the witch throughout school. There was always a bit of a wistful expression on his face when he did so. Over time it turned from wistful to plain sad. He didn’t look at other witches the same way. They never outright said it to the other but it was obvious. They were both just two teens with eyes on the same witch neither could ever have.
“Well then you shall have to get to her first. I wouldn’t insult her with a marriage contract so you’ll have to court her the hard way.”
“Mother I didn’t-”
She cut a glare at him while she prepared their tea, “Do you or do you not fancy Hermione? A witch like her will not remain free for long.”
Draco gulped. His mother’s glare hadn’t lessened at all in two years. He wondered if she ever turned that glare to Granger. She looked a bit like Aunt Bella when she did it so not likely. “Yes.”
“Perfect. Now we can move onto the next part of the plan.” He caught his mother’s smile over the rim of her tea cup.