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Draco Malfoy ([info]bd_draco) wrote in [info]beyonddark_rpg,
@ 2007-07-11 17:47:00
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Entry tags:* july 2005, - complete, draco malfoy, theodore nott

RP: Trust, what an elusive thing
Date: 11 July 2005
Characters: Draco Malfoy, Theo Nott
Location: Escapism
Private/Public: Private
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: Theo and Draco discuss a few decisions they have made
Completion: Complete

After the fight with Severus, Draco hadn't felt like doing anything. He knew that Severus was too stubborn to talk to him, and Draco was too proud, beside the fact that he was right so he shouldn't have to apologise anyway. Therefore, they had reached an impasse. This made for a bleak future. With all of that going through his mind, he had no intention of seeing Theo. He sent an owl, saying that business had taken him out of the country and he would not be at escapism.

Postponing the meeting was only a temporary solution. Draco couldn't avoid Theo forever. Moreover, curiosity and his innate need to verify what Severus had told him made him want to talk to his school mate. So when the night arrived and he saw Theo arrive to Escapism, Draco was ready for whatever might come.


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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 15:11 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo was not happy about the postponement of the meeting with Draco, but maybe Draco calming down would be best. At least he'd managed to calm Blaise down (or so he thought, it was hard to know with him) and if nothing else his meeting with Bill...well that couldn't have gone any better.

Seeing Draco nod at him and move to the back of the club he himself followed, just nodding briefly at the witch who was hostess when Millicent was off. A new one, he noticed. Draco took a seat, and as he came up to the table he himself took the opposite one, ordering a Campari from the waitress who asked. Not that he really cared, but it would be too obvious, and draw too much attention if he did not seem to be there to enjoy himself.

As she left, he turned to look at Draco. He hid it well, but did not look to be in any better mood today. He could feel he had a deeper understanding on why the man was angry, but he still didn't like it.

Really Draco should have given him the benefit of a doubt and asked him before making up his mind. Yet he hadn't, and as annoyed as Theo was over that, an angry Draco was a potentially dangerous one - and that needed to be handled.

Not bothering with the mask for once, he just started out bluntly, knowing that sometimes honesty was the best approach. 'You know, Draco,' he said softly, cutting the crap and getting to the point. 'You could ask for the circumstances of my decision.'

There was no accusation in his voice, or even in the words, just a plain statement. He hoped Draco would see that he was trying to be honest - and give him the chance to ask if he did want to know. He had nothing to hide in this case - he'd done what needed to be done to protect himself, and Draco - and in a way Severus too. Maybe there could have been other ways, but at the time...no he couldn't have taken the risk of exposing all three of them. He'd done what needed to be done.

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 15:23 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco put up the privacy spell, because he had no intention of letting anyone overhear this discussion. His staff was made up of Aurors, and they would report anything even remotely connected to the Death Eaters or even Severus.

He had expected a lot of lies with the right amount of rhetoric; he certainly wasn't prepared for what sounded like honesty. He wasn't sure he liked it because at this point he would have preferred the lies just to prove that he'd been right.

Think long term, Draco. The voice in his head sounded too much like Severus, and Draco shut it up quickly.

"You could have trusted me enough to tell me before hand instead of a morning summon with a mysterious message," Draco replied calmly. "It's amazing what can be done when working together, but you never liked that, did you? The problem is that when you work alone and then something happens people are unlikely to trust you, which usually doesn't matter, but in these times, trust is a precious commodity."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 15:41 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo couldn't argue with that. He knew that Draco was right when it came to trust, but then he'd not expected Draco to draw quite so many conclusions based on things other than fact. He had expected him to trust him enough to talk to him first - to ask him.

He might have thought differently had he known all the facts, but at the time he had not.

Instead of arguing that, however, he simply looked at Draco, nodding slightly. 'Perhaps I could have. But at the time... I'd just found out I'd been watched, in my own home, inspite of having taking every precaution I could think of with the specific purpose of avoiding just that. I also knew that Rodolphus had been suspicious enough of you to mention your name in connection to seeking out spies just a few weeks earlier. I could not be sure of him not watching you - in fact I was quite sure that he was.'

He paused, knowing that Draco was confident in his own protections. He had been too, before the dinner with Rodolphus and Padma. Nevertheless he went on, just as calmly. 'I also knew he had others investigating Severus, others that would have come to the same conclusion, with as much proof of his action, only possibly doing so while connecting him to you. Not to mention me failing in such a case if they had succeeded would have brought suspicion on me as well. All three of us could potentially have been exposed, hurt or killed.'

'Besides, I had some hope that Severus would not fall into my trap at all, but instead provide me with proof - however false they were - about his loyalty to Rodolphus. There were several holes in the trap I designed. Severus chose to take the risk of ignoring them. When he did I still warned him before even telling Rodolphus.'

'Could things have been done differently? Possibly. Was I willing to take the risk? No, frankly I was not.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 15:55 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco looked at Theo with eyes wide. "You really don't know Severus, do you?" What a stupid question! Of course he didn't, no one really knew Severus, only bits and pieces. "You didn't leave him anything, Theo, not the way Severus sees things."

He stopped when the waiter came back with their drinks, and thanked him, before returning his attention to Theo. "Screw him over again, and uncle Rodolphus will be the least of your worries," he said calmly. "Having said that, if you don't, we can work together to actually get out of this fucking mess alive. Someone suspects that we are helping Severus. He claims to have proof." He hadn't intended to share this information, but he wanted to know more about Theo's own plans and the only way to do it was to give something in return.

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 16:17 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
'Maybe not, but I did try,' Theo said calmly. 'I did not wish to expose him, Draco. It was not my choice. You don't tell Rodolphus no in these cases, and you know that.'

'I did not go to you because I though the risk of us both being found out was too high. I did what I thought I could at the time. Right or wrong we'll never know now, but that was my thought at the time.'

He waited while the waiter served them, then listened when Draco went on. 'I think the risk of me betraying him now is quite low Draco. Even without the vow I'd be screwed if I did. I warned him, Rodolphus would not forgive that easily - if at all.'

Besides he had more invested in Severus being alive - but that he neither could nor wanted to talk about.

At Draco's next comments however, he rose an eyebrow. How the merlin fuck could anyone? 'Who?' Theo asked, his voice cold, more convinced than ever that his actions of working alone had been right. 'And do we know what proof he could possibly have?'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 16:38 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"I didn't expect you to say no to him," Draco answered back, rolling his eyes. "I know you aren't suicidal nor am I asking you to become, but you could have been a little more creative."

Why was he even trying? Oh yes, because he actually had some hope for Theo, but Severus had said it over and over that Theo would always be a mediocre spy because he wasn't willing to take risks. Draco still wasn't sure if in the long run that was a good or bad thing.

"Unless you're working for uncle Rodolphus, in which case you could technically expose the rest of us, while my dear uncle does what he must without giving you the details," Draco pointed out. "Theo, for every action there is a possible explanation to support either side of the equation. Still, I do think uncle Rodolphus would be more impressed if we kept our names out of that list." He might have to contact his uncle after all, show faith in his ability to capture Severus, propose solutions and see what information he could get in the meantime.

"I have no idea what type of evidence nor where it might be hidden. I am working to see how to remedy the situation." He'd just have to get friendly with Rosier's wife and see what he could find. "Don't worry, I need that evidence gone as much as you do." Probably even more. "Care to share what you're doing with Damian, and don't say nothing because I don't believe for a moment that the man has the brain or initiative to organise anything that could save his skin. Brainless murderers, the lot of them. Blaise will get so fucked when this war is over. He's made his preparation, my arse. If McGonagall wins, he'll end up in jail for the rest of his life, and if my uncle wins, well, we all know how well my aunt keeps her pets. He'll be dead before turning thirty." He looked up. "Where was I? Oh yes, you and Damian."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 17:04 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
'Perhaps, perhaps not. It's a bit of a moot point to discuss though. What is done is done.'

He would have laughed at Draco's next words, if he didn't think Draco was being serious. 'And I know this has obviously damaged your trust in me, but I would not sell you out. I do try to keep not only mine but my friends' back safe in this war. Which was why I spent the afternoon trying to smooth things over with Blaise.'

'And don't give up on him yet, just take it easy with him.' He looked up from his drink to meet Draco's gaze. 'He should never have been invited to that meeting, Draco. He joined out of his own free will, not like the rest of us. He might be persuaded to think otherwise, but not that way.'

He took a sip of his drink. 'He won't do anything now, I've made sure of that. And, we'll keep working him, slowly. By the end of the war it will be different.'

'As for Montague...' he paused uncertain of how much to tell. He had refused to even tell Verity and he really did not want to give Draco an idea of how smart Montague really was. Still Draco had offered information, so he had to as well.

'I'm giving him options. And a way to protect himself should the list ever come out. I can't give you details, not if I want him to trust me and right now that is crucial. Then again, you shouldn't have too much trouble figuring it out, but at least I haven't betrayed his trust when you do.' He sighed. 'I might add that Verity has asked several times and so far I haven't answered her either - nor do I intend to though I think he is less than wise not to tell her himself.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 17:15 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco pouted. "You really want the war to go on for that long. It's getting rather tiresome, and I don't fancy waiting longer just because one of our friends is too fucking stupid to get his head out of his arse." Really this was absolutely ridiculous. He'd been living under some sort of threat for ten years, and it wanted to end.

"Theo, if he hadn't been invited and he had found out, then it would have been much worse, and while I trust you not to talk, I don't trust Damian and Miles to do the same. I'm not even saying it because I think they'd actively betray us, but because we're different. We've being playing a different game. We've never talked about our accomplishment, except for the ones we want to be public. They compare jobs likes it's their Quidditch stats," Draco said, knowing that the reference probably didn't mean as much to Theo.

"Speaking about talking too much, I think Damian was less than wise to tell her about being a Death Eater. The stupid bint came to my house to find out if he was involved instead of sending a simple owl or an elf, all because she wasn't talking to him at the moment and was worried. You never know what she'll do if she gets too worried." While talking, he thought about Theo had said. It had to be something that he could find out through Severus (if they were still speaking) or through McGonagall, either way it couldn't be that terrible, unless again this was just one more way to hurt McGonagall. He'll have to speak to her and Severus. "I'd say that the least he tells Verity the better."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 17:33 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
'Of course I don't want it to go on, Draco. The sooner it's over, the better, but right now it doesn't look to be over anytime soon.'

He leaned back in his chair, pondering Draco's words. 'Well you know Bletchley better than I do,' he settled on saying, not completely keeping the scowl off his face. Merlin knew what Draco saw in him. He knew one thing though - Montague, when he wanted to, could keep his mouth shut.

'I know your opinion of Verity isn't high, but she was entitled to know. It's her safety too. If that list gets out, her life is affected as much as his will. The fact that she has never ever associated with Death Eaters in her life doesn't matter then.'

'And she wouldn't have come to you if I was at home. But she's used to having me to run to, and she knows we're friends. She would not have gone to anyone else.'

He knew Draco would never understand, but he also knew Verity could be trusted. She sometimes acted irrationally, but the number of things she'd hid from others in her life, things people like Draco knew absolutely nothing about - her father, her bloodstatus, her brothers... Besides, in all the years that had passed, she'd never once breathed a word about what was the real reason he hated Miles Bletchley - and why he'd never forgive or forget. Still he could hardly tell those things to Draco, and in the end it didn't matter.

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 17:48 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco snorted. "Yes, because Miles was the unreasonable one, right? You know it would be nice to know what he did so we could end this stupid animosity. We really don't have time for it." He took a sip of his drink, and looked at Theo when he put the glass down. "You have to admit that he acted with class when you confiscated his wand at your wedding. I would have made your wedding memorable, and not in a very pleasant way."

He sighed when Theo spoke of Verity. "Look, if it's an arranged marriage, she's entitled to nothing. In fact, the less she knows the more she'll be able to isolate herself from the entire family. If she were smart, she'll tell everyone that it is just an arrangement and that she wants nothing to do with him. The problem is that she doesn't know what she wants. It's always like that with her. In one sentence she tells you how much she doesn't want this marriage, and in the next she's talking about monogamy and love. That's just insane."

He leaned over. "To be perfectly honestly, it's the reason she annoys me so much. She'll talk like she's this independent woman full of knowledge, and then she turns around five minutes later and sounds like a scared little girl, and maybe these games work with others, or maybe she can keep her mask up longer with people who aren't me, but to try and pull that crap with me, when I've been doing it for much long and much better, makes me want to hex her on principle, even when she's right. I'd respect her a lot more if she really played the Slytherin woman, pretended not to know anything and not be interested and not try to play with the big boys, because the problem with that is that when things get tough, she runs back to you. If she wants to play, then she has to be ready to be crushed like everyone else, and she will because she doesn't have the knowledge, connections or sang froid necessary."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 18:00 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
And here he had thought Draco was being reasonable - now clearly he was insane. 'When I did what?' he asked, his face for once betraying him completely. 'Draco what is in that drink? I do not confiscate wands from people.'

He then remembered something that Draco had said at the meeting. 'That was what that comment was about? I thought...' that you were losing your mind. 'I don't know what I thought,' he settled for, shaking his head and gathering himself.

'And Verity is confused at times, but she knows more and can manage more than you give her credit for. But then I don't expect you to know them as you don't know her. I do, and I know she runs to me, but that's because I yell at her when she doesn't.' He smirked. 'I know you will never understand, but I've told you once that she's like my sister. You don't turn your back on family.'

'As for the marriage they'll sort it out. And Verity can say what she wants, Montague makes her happy. For that reason alone I'm willing to help him come out of this alive and with his reputation intact.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 18:12 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco raised an eyebrow. "How many times did you get married? Actually never mind that since clearly one wasn't enough with you. You love her so much that you needed multiple wedding. However at your wedding, you, actually one of your house elves took Miles's wand. Tell me you wouldn't get insulted if I tried the same on you."

He waved his hand. "Never mind Miles's wand. We can't go back and change things, but you should consider the fact that he didn't cause a scene like a sign. Maybe you could possibly get over whatever it is that you have against him, and if whatever he did is so bad, then ask for reparation and let's get it over. I don't enjoy playing mediator. People should cater to my whims, not the other way around."

Draco sighed. "Maybe you should stop yelling then. After all, if she thought that coming to me when you were away was a reasonable alternative to simply owling her fucking fiancé, then she's becoming a bit more dependent than necessary, and considering her addictive personality, I'm not sure it's a good thing." He smirked. "Well, if they are happy, then they might leave the rest of us alone. I wish them a long and childless life together, because I am afraid of any offspring they might produce."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 18:55 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo ignored the comment about love, not feeling the need to explain himself on that accound for Draco, he did however wonder what kind of lie Bletchley had told Draco.

'I did nothing of the kind! The only thing I told the house elves were to make sure Bletchley cou-' he stopped himself in mid sentence, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'to make sure he couldn't hex me or Padma...well I guess they made sure. Stupid ruddy elf,' he muttered.

'Why did I ever bother trying to reason with any other elf than Mimsy? She's clearly the only one who knows how to handle things properly and discretely.'

'But as you said, it doesn't matter. As for getting over anything that will never happen. Not even Montague is stupid enough to ask that of me and he's friends with the man. And before you ask, no, I won't tell you.'

Honestly, there were four people knowing what had happened, he intended to keep it that way.

'Besides, there is no need for you to play mediator. Just keep us separated and we're fine. I don't have any intentions of hexing the man on sight so you have nothing to be worried about. In a meeting, he seems to follow your lead anyway, so just listening to you and ignoring him would do just fine.'

'And how about I just tell Verity not to go to you with her problems? Then you won't have to care.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 19:04 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco laughed. "You really didn't know, did you? Well, that makes me feel a little better. I was starting to think that you had lost your mind and your manners completely."

"Fine, don't tell me, but there must be something he can do to make it up to you. In fact, does he even know why you're angry with him?" he asked after a beat, realising that every time they talked Miles seemed unsure of why this animosity had even started. Knowing Miles, he probably had never paid attention enough to realise it. "But fine, except if something truly serious happens and I'm not around, I'd like for you to help him if you can. He probably wouldn't come to you anyway, but in case he does, I'd like to know that you wouldn't at least consider helping."

Draco shook his head. "No, don't tell her that. I mind her stupidity, but I don't want her to overreact and think that she can't never come to me. I'd never refuse help for something serious, and I'd help both her and Damian. Tell her to keep her 'I'm God's gift to earth' attitude in check around me and we're fine."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-11 19:36 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo rolled his eyes while. 'Of course I didn't, I do have manners. And had I asked Mimsy there would have been a spell preventing him from hexing people. Which he wouldn't have noticed had he not tried. It wouldn't have been the first time it's been used.'

'Honestly, I'm starting to think Mimsy is the only smart elf out there.'

Draco's next suggestion almost made him laugh, though there was no mirth in the laughter. 'If he doesn't know then he's taken more bludgers to the head than I thought,' he said with a snort. 'Even I don't think Bletchley is that big of a fool.'

He frowned at the mere thought of helping Miles, the thought of letting him get in a heap of trouble much more appealing. 'I don't think you realise just how much I hate that man, Draco,' he said coldly, memories a bit too close to the surface for comfort. He closed his eyes and pushed them down, returning his gaze to Draco's.

'But fine, for your sake - provided that it's doable without risk to me or those I actually care about. I think you'll understand that will not risk myself or others for a man I hate.'

'With that said, if he doesn't hex me or try to kill me and if it's within my grasp, then I won't deny him my help. Though if it ever comes to that, you'll owe me one huge favour on the other end.'

He nodded at Draco's next comment, grateful in a way. 'I appreciate it, and I'll talk to her about it.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-11 19:47 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco smirked. "That's your mistake. You think that beasts have a brain. I assume that they are nothing more than things, and they can seldom disappoint me. In fact, they even pleasantly surprise me on occasion."

He shrugged. "How do I know what Miles knows? Very difficult considering that I don't even know what it's about, and this is Miles we're talking about. What you consider a grave insult is not the same for him. Bad mouthing his Quidditch skills is probably worse than hexing him. However, I do understand your point, and I'm talking only in dire need and I'm not available."

Draco nodded again. He had no wish to see Verity or Damian harmed simply because they weren't the smartest. "You know me. I'm a true humanitarian, or so Potter keeps telling me."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 02:13 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo laughed. 'Well you'll have to remember that I've been spoiled with Mimsy my entire life. She has skills, brain and a common sense that surpasses quite a few humans.'

At the comment about Bletchely he only shook his head. 'I'll remember to bad mouth his Quidditch skills more often, then,' he joked. 'And this is more than an insult, Draco.' Actually he was quite sure that a man doing anything of the kind to Draco would not have been alive for long. Actually, the only reason Bletchley was alive was becauase he hadn't had the power to kill Bletchley then - or the wish to anger his godfather later.

He smirked at Draco's next words. 'How reassuring for the rest of us.' He took a sip of the Campari before turning more serious again.

'Now how about adding benefit of the doubt to the long list of your virtues - at least when it comes to your friend?' he asked quietly. 'We could do serious damage to each other, and to others Draco. We can't ever let it get to that or we're both screwed.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 06:09 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Draco tilted his head. Sometimes he truly didn't understand his friends. "I was spoilt by my parents," he said without any accusation, more with the realisation that it wasn't so for most of his house mates.

He raised a hand. "Fine, I won't press." He might have to ask Miles what he did that was so horrible and find a way to fix this mess. If he could put up with Verity's stupidity, Theo should find a way to live with Miles's less than calm reactions.

"Admit it, you agree with Potter," Draco said smiling. "I spend my life helping the poor and helpless. Although some days, I wish I could help getting them access to some brain power," he admitted.

Draco turned to Theo. "Look, I'm tired of this bullshit war. I was recruited when I was barely sixteen, Theo. Given a job that Voldemort couldn't do, and yet, I still managed to do what he failed: get the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. I truly wish that we could have peace if my uncle wins, but you know that would never happen. Never. Even if we destroyed everyone in the Order and all the Aurors, the killings would become internal. The paranoia and fear would start to raise, the hunt for the Muggleborns would start and then the Half-bloods, and when there is no one else to hunt we turn on each other. That's the way fear works." He smiled. "You think uncle Rodolphus has the right goal, and that's good. You also think you can play all the sides, and again very good, but see it's different if you play all the sides, but truly work for one, but 'twhen you aren't, but the benefit of the doubt becomes harder to exist. Pick a side, Theo, and then cover you tracks in case the other wins, but you need to pick a side or sooner or later you will be screwed by both sides."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 07:03 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo snickered. 'The one commodity you can't find on the black market. Wouldn't it be great if you could?' he asked with a smirk.

At Draco's next words, however, he stayed silent, turning them over in his head before responding.

'The trouble is,' he said calmly. 'That there is no side but ours that I can get behind.'

He met Draco's eyes. 'I know the war can't end with Rodolphus winning, I have no illusions to that. Rodolphus's will always overestimate the power of violence and fear, and never understand that people will always fight for their freedom.'

'However, I also know that the war can't end with McGonagall getting her way and exposing us all to muggles. Not only would there be risk of panic among the Muggles, but there are just too many people with too little brainpower would never stop fighting, who would think that the best way to preserve our way of life would be with hexes and murders. And frankly I don't like that scenario any better as I still see no hope for peace.'

'The only truly sane side in this is Ogden's, and yet there we have the massive incompetence of former ministry and the Aurory to consider. Not to mention that the man hasn't been seen in public in months and that he rather seems to be hiding behind McGonagall's robes.'

He sighed. 'In the end the one thing that matters to me is that we come out alive - and that our way of life survives. I want this war to be over as much as you do, I want to start a family and live without the worry of who I can and cannot trust. We do want the same thing here, Draco.'

'I don't know, maybe some stability in people's lives would make it easier for Ogden and McGonagall's sides to come together. An economy that works, and a working Ministry and a charismatic Minister with a clear agenda to gather people.'

'The problem is that there are few ways of getting any of that without it being a target for Rodolphus. The bank, maybe, if we could get enough purebloods and Death Eater supporters to actually put their fund in there, as well as make Minerva and Ogden agree to not confiscate those means. At least then Rodolphus would benefit from not tearing it down. But a ministry will always be a target, and without it there is no co-operation. If my information is correct, the last battle seems a brilliant example on how disorganised McGonagall and Ogden are in comparison to Rodolphus. Without organisation they don't stand a chance.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 07:38 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"If it were in the black market, we'd own all of it," Draco answered sarcastically, but then he paused. He'd been toying with the idea of talking to Theo about the future and it never seemed like a good time, but now Theo had created the perfect opportunity by defying Rodolphus. "Define ours, Theo."

He cast the privacy spell again, stronger this time because they were skating on thin ice now. "The way I see it, we're too smart for uncle Rodolpjus to keep us alive. You know that if he wins sooner or later we are dead. Godson, nephew, in the end they mean nothing, and that's not even considering my aunt's distrust for everyone. However, there is no way in hell that I will let McGonagall sell us out to the Muggles. I don't look forward to a witch hunt, because then we're back to Voldemort's days, when our only solution is to kill them all. Ogden... as you said, the man is clearly too weak and not charismatic enough."

Draco shook his head. "None of them can succede. We need the Lestrange out of the way, but then 'we' need to take over. We, our side, the Slytherins, the purebloods, the reasonable ones. Why do you think I'm courting all the sides? I think even Potter dislikes the idea of revealing ourselves to the Muggles, that is one powerful statement."

Draco smirked. "You're right, we need a stable economy and political system. Our fortune, my need for fame, our connections, we can create that stability."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 08:56 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
'Ours?' Theo asked, leaning back as Draco reinforced the privacy spell around them, waiting until he was done. 'You, me, people who are and think like us. People who has been raised like us and know to value our lifestyle - and who has the sense to realise that Wizards and Muggles should be kept apart.'

He listened while Draco talked, the wheels in his mind spinning fast to keep up to see where Draco was going - and to see the perks for himself. When Draco was done, he smiled.

'This is not some small feat, Draco, what you're talking about will take years.' He paused. 'Nevertheless, I do agree with you - and might have had some thoughts in those directions already.'

'When I was in India, I tried to get the goblins there to move Padma's money here, where she can access it. A reasonable request one might think, however the goblins flat our refused to move it to anything that wasn't a bank - even though they clearly have the means to do so without even breaking a sweat. If they do sweat that is.'

'It's a sad thing when you see a country like India is more developed in some areas than our own.' He leaned back again. 'We need a bank, and by chance...I just happen to know a man that might help us with that, one with the right connections, or so I'm hoping. As long as we could gather money from Death Eater supporters - and use that to convince Rodolphus that a bank owned by one of us should not be a target, that would be doable.'

He took a sip of his drink before going on. 'A political system and a leader will take longer time, however. Not to mention that we cannot put someone in charge that we're not willing to have turned into a martyr. Not at this time. And I know what you're thinking Draco, but now would hardly be a wise time for that.'

He smiled. 'After the war, I'd gladly give you my support and help. Now though, we need someone who will do our bidding, who we can lose should he or she be killed, but who will still be charismatic enough to gather people. Who that could be is another thing, that needs to be carefully thought of.'

He stopped meeting Draco's gaze as his tone became serious. 'One thing you should know, is that as much as I want this war over, I am not willing to betray Rodolphus at this time. One day he'll move against me or you or any of us and then I'll reconsider, but until then I won't do it. Bellatrix, Rabastian, anyone else I'm fine with, but I will not betray Rodolphus until it's absolutely necessary. Someone will have to one day, I know that, but I am still living in the hope that it won't be me.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 12:55 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"I always say that if you have to do something, do it big," Draco replied, and once again Severus's warning about big risks and large pay-offs came to mind. "Most pure-blood families are moving everything to Muggles institution. It might be worth to look into a hybrid, something that has a connection to the Muggles while being able to deal with wizarding banks throughout the world. The only problem is that we might need Ogden to speak to the Muggle prime minister, and the man is so useless."

He thought about possibilities, and it seemed absurd how only days before he was thinking that he should be happy with sex and parties. He loved this, the adrenaline, the possibilities. He grinned. "I bet, there are many families that would love the opportunity to have a stable economy again. Some we could ask personally. I'm sure Verity and future husband wouldn't object. We'd still have to deal with Don, but I don't think it would be a big problem. Pucey, William Cornfoot, the Rosiers. It'd be nice to get someone on the other side too. Longbottom is certainly a possibility."

Draco chuckled. "I'm thinking that Odgen is the perfect man for the job at the moment. Let McGonagall win, he'll be seen as too weak to continue and then I have every intention on stepping in. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have other candidates ready in case something happens."

He stared at Theo, and put a hand on Theo's shoulder. "And you should know that this is already a betrayal. He won't take it kindly if he learns of your ideas. Be careful, Theo, because what you consider betrayal isn't the same what he or aunt Bella consider betrayal, but I understand your point. No poisoning his food while he's at dinner with you," he said cheekily, although he still thought that it wasn't such a terrible idea.

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 15:17 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo smirked, this was the part of Draco's company that he enjoyed, having someone to throw around ideas with. 'There might be others who have those connections, we just need to find out who knows people in the right places. It shouldn't be too hard, and again, I think I know whom to ask.'

'Verity and Montague will of course agree, and I swear Verity could persuade Don that the sky is green and the grass blue if she wants to. Blaise is a possibility if Rodolphus agrees to the idea and we have Higgs to add to the list. Longbottom is a good idea, and I think I know a few others on that side worth talking to. We do need Rodolphus to agree not to move against a bank first however, and for Minerva and especially Ogden to swear to leave funds alone even if they belong to Death Eaters. That's the only way to know that it won't be attacked, and something tells me the goblins won't look too kindly on us if that happened again.'

'We'll see what candidates we can drum up for the in case situation, but honestly, if Odgen doesn't step up someone must be more of a leader to people. Someone need to organise things.'

He nearly rolled his eyes when Draco put his hand on his shoulder. 'Of course I know what he would think. If he found out half this stuff we'd both be dead, but we both know what I meant and anything else is semantics. And I will hold you to that, you know,' he added. 'Now Bella on the other hand...well I'd never have her for dinner so that wouldn't even be an option. I prefer to keep her away least she'd get ideas. She likes me far too much for my liking.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 15:33 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"I want to see uncle Rodolphus soon. It's been a while since I've been up there, not that I miss it, but it's good to make an appearance. I plan to let him know that I'm making arrangements to keep my name off that list," Draco said. "After all, there are some benefits to hiring so many Aurors, and of course the name will be erased when it's in the hands of the Aurors, because I know how efficient my uncle is and I'm certain that he will get his just revenge on Severus." No one said that he couldn't kiss arse under the right circumstances.

"I can bring up this idea, mention that I want to speak to Ogden as well, but won't do so without his approval." Draco leaned back. "I might as well test the waters since he knows that my support to the cause is connected to my wealth. At least only one of us is on his shit list. No sense in both of us being there." That and the fact that he wouldn't have a problem coming out on the side of the Order when the metaphorical shit hit the fan.

Draco grinned. "You and aunt Bella, that's a very...scary image. I'm sure your lovely bride would be so very happy to hear that. Of course the fact that she likes you doesn't mean that she won't hex you. After all, she likes her men to be more... how should I put it... mindless, murderous puppets?

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 16:32 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
'Now that might be a road I would not mind wandering,' Theo said with a smirk. 'And see that was what I meant when I was talking guarantees. With Rodolphus permission to pursue taking names of the list, then he would not be surprised when they're not there. It's the whole take them off and try to explain it should it become known that I am not willing to do,' he said.

'And mentioning this idea would be good I think, though I'd prefer if you left talking specifics to me, at least for now. If you wouldn't mind, of course.' He smiled.

'There are a few things I need to explore and find out before we can move on this - contacts, possibilities... I'm going to do some research on the bank in Provance when I'm going there after your wedding,' he said, just rememberering and looking up.

'Oh I didn't tell you I'd be gone, did I? Well me and Padma be in France for two weeks. Owls will be able to reach me and if there is anything I'll Apparate or portkey in again. Might be good for you to know.'

'Anyway, I had plans to look into a few banking issues while there, and this definitely speeds things up.'

'And when that is done, the two of us needs to sit down properly and decide how to do this in more detail. Who does what and when and takes on what role. Now I don't really see you as a bank manager. You'd grow bored within a week, not nearly enough attention.' He smirked. 'But as you always were the famous guy, where I prefer the behind the scenes role that shouldn't be too hard. You as minister, me running the only bank in the country. We'd have all political and economical power tied to us and the people we'd put in position. If we added a newspaper to the list, the first one to come out after the war is over...' he smirked.

'I think I like this version of the future,' he said relaxing in his seat, his mind already spinning with ideas and thoughts. Well until Draco mentioned Bella and he allowed himself to shudder.

'Could we not discuss your aunt? The less I see or hear of her, the happier I am, and that's just a horrible thought. Can't we keep to discussing us taking over the world instead? It's so much more fun.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 16:43 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"You didn't seriously think that I was just going to rely on my uncle's good graces. I was waiting for someone to pick up on the fact that I thought he would appreciate it if our names stayed clean, but of course, three of the people present think that Quidditch plans constitute scheming." Draco smiled. "You were too busy trying to figure out why I was so pissed off, which by the way, it really had nothing to do with the meeting. Bad timing, I should have rescheduled."

He shook his head. "Feel free to take the lead on this. In fact, there is no need for me to mention this at all if you don't want to." He shook his head. "And please explain to me how do you manage to stay away for so long? I start getting antsy after a day."

He smiled at the idea of a newspaper. "Yes, I keep thinking of the newspaper and it simply isn't the right time, and no, I wouldn't want to run a bank, but I wouldn't mind a position on the board, for my wife, of course. It wouldn't look good for the minister to be involved in a private matter." He raised his glass. "To taking over the world one business at a time."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 17:05 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo smirked, relaxing. Yes, perhaps he should have picked up on that, but the meeting had gone sour too quickly. He really had been busy trying to figure out Draco's mood, and keeping Blaise's in check.

'Get Rodolphus permission and I'll happily have all our names removed, and I can already answer that Montague would agree to that. If not I'd persuade him, and I'll persuade Blaise as well.'

'I'll see what I'll find out, it might be best to come to Rodolphus with a fully thought through proposal, one that will sound as if it benefits him.'

When Draco asked him how he managed to stay away he only laughed, thinking of several ways, most of them involving Padma naked. 'I'm not just lazying about you know - well I was at a part of the honeymoon, but I had to cater to Padma too.' Not that he'd minded in the slightest. Well maybe he'd missed this just a bit. But then she'd been brilliant at distracting him.

'Other than that there was the move of the library, learning what her businesses are about, the visit to the plantation and mines she owns.'

He nodded. 'You're right about the newspaper, we need to wait until the war is over. We'll let Bole set it up, keep it from coming out, then buy it from under his feet when he's done the work.' He paused, and smiled. 'Of course Tracey should be on the board, she'd be perfect.'

He'd want Montague as well. The man was smart, understood bookkeeping and behaved as if he had no brain. He'd be perfect. He'd not tell Draco that yet though, or he'd already start to wonder. For now, he'd let Draco too think he was stupid.

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 17:19 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"I will, and I can't imagine anyone complaining when it's being done with uncle Rodolphus's blessing. However it still is out of my hand. You need to arrange that with him." He clapped Theo's arm. "But don't worry, he won't ask for your first born; he truly despises children." Even if he couldn't help but helping them.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And you couldn't cater to her in your own house?" He shook his head. "Nevermind, I know I'll never be able to be away for too long. I can't be isolated; it bores me out of my mind. I need-" He waved his hand toward the room. "This, I need to be surrounded by people."

He looked at Theo again. "When you come up with names for that board, think about the other houses. We want it to look impartial."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 17:31 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo nearly laughed. 'I have a feeling the price is going to be steep either way,' he said. 'Though if it's too steep I'll just find another way. I'm resourceful enough.'

'And there are people in India, you know?' Theo said with a laugh. 'Besides, you know people has never been as important for me as it is for you.'

'Impartial? Of course,' Theo said with a smirk. 'How's Bill Weasley for impartial?' he then asked, watching Draco's face for a reaction. 'And no, I haven't gone insane, I know the man is a Weasley. But he's surprisingly clever, skilled at his job and have the connections. We'll never get the goblins to agree unless we have someone they already trust involved.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 17:46 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"I don't know. He might want more from you, simply because you can, but generally speaking, I think he wants to be left alone and see who's smart enough to take precautions." He smiled fondly. "He says he hates it, but he'll always be a teacher. He'll take this opportunity to see if he can show a few people the errors of their way, except for Miles. He dislikes Miles even more than you do."

Draco thought about it for a moment. "I was going to suggest a Weasley, maybe one of the twins, they've done well in business, but I didn't think you'd want to be associate with them. The Wolf boy is a good choice, and Tracey has promised to hex me if she hears me calling them like that, but really Wolf boy, Dragon boy, Head boy, the Twins, the Weasel and the Weslette. They are perfectly good names." Even though he hadn't called Ron or Ginny that in a while; he didn't fancy fighting with his own head of security. "Bill Weasley is a solid choice with the goblins. Now you need a token Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Cornfoot is supposedly very good with the practical part of business, although I'm not sure if Pucey let's him out of his sight."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 18:08 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo laughed. 'I'm sure he'll want more from me,' he said, remembering the last price he'd had to pay. Not that he did not look forward to the challenge.

'And I always thought he was a good judge of character - though I doubt anyone dislikes Miles more than me.'

He scowled when Draco mentioned the twins, just shaking his head. 'You had to mention them? I give you Fred, but George is the most irrational brat I've even had the displeasure of meeting. And isn't dreadful that I actually know their names?'

'Wolf boy? I think he'd hex you for that,' he said with a smirk. 'And yes, he is a good choice - actually he's the only choice.'

He pondered the next issue with care, drumming his fingers against his lips. 'Stephen would be good, he's clever, though I'm not so sure he'd be interested, but of course we can always ask. Boot is too naive, Padma too close, the other girl, Sophia, too stupid, which should be a contradiction seeing how she's a Ravenclaw. What's the redhead's name? Morag? Though she works for Ogden so that might not be wise. We might just have to think of that one a bit before deciding.'

He paused, then frowned. 'If we need connections with Muggle banks we need a mudblood, as horrible as that sounds. Granger is smart but obnoxious...maybe the Puff? Let him or her deal soley with the Muggle world connections? Are there even any Puff's around these days or did they all get themselves killed?'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 18:28 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"Romilda Vane, Millicent, even Severus. You are in very good company, Theo," Draco said. "I don't know what's wrong with all of you. He's... he's Miles. Great beater, great flying, and always willing to let me have my way. What else could you want? That reminds me, if you speak to Damian, tell him I want to get a team up. I want Potter to get his own damn team ready and we can finally do something fun as long as I can convince all Miles not to kill Potter while in the air."

Draco just shrugged at Theo's reaction. "They might be brats, but they are successful, even if they tend to spend a lot of time at the shack from what Ron tells me. The Cornfoots do a lot more business with the Muggles than we do, always have, even before the war, but as I said, they seem attached to the hip. You can have Padma, but you still need another Ravenclaw. Boot wouldn't leave Hogwarts, and MacDougal is too unpredictable."

He shivered when Theo mentioned Granger. "Not the Mudblood. She might be smart, but she had no common sense. Even after years, she doesn't understand us. There has to be someone else, some Hufflepuff with muggle parents. We had a few when we were in school, and I think the Hufflepuffs have bravely embraced their Muggle roots and left us to fight a war for their survival."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-12 18:46 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
'And that tells you nothing about his character?' Theo asked, shaking his head. 'Why can't you just play with him, use him and leave him out of the important parts?'

He shook his head. 'And I'll tell him, though if you tell Bletchley he'll find out soon enough anyway.'

'I doubt successful part is due to the idiot one. He has debt over his ears and was nearly beaten to death because he cannot pay.'

'We'll find a Ravenclaw, somehow. There has to be more than Stephen among the pureblood families that has been sorted into that house. We'll just have to look to years above or below our own. But there is no need to decide that now.'

'Fine not Granger then, we'll have Bill make her do some footwork if needed, use her mind but stay clear of her sense. And we'll find a Hufflepuff with muggle parents for the board. And again, we can take our time. This won't happen over night and it's important to get this right.

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-12 19:04 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"I-" He was about to say he liked Miles, but that sounded stupid even to himself. Draco shook his head. "I don't know, Theo. I see something there that hasn't been tapped, potential. I know all of his bad habits, I do, but still... I can't quite put my finger on it, and I don't mean on his arse," he added grinning.

"I'm not actually using him, which is scary. Miles isn't high enough in the ladder to give me information I couldn't find some other way. I admit that he's pretty enough to make for a lovely pet, were I so interested, but I'm not. I think he can be a good father, and a good Slytherin. He just need to see things properly. I don't think his father ever cared enough to show him, and the Bletchleys aren't really known for their loving and caring manners." He shrugged. "If I'm wrong, I've wasted a few hours of my life. If I'm right, then we get another family back to where it should be. As I said, I true humanitarian."

Draco nodded. "We might need more than that. If you want a bank powerful enough that the Goblins will trust and that it will supply all British wizards, you'll need a board with about fifteen people. You can't have one Ravenclaw, one Gryffindor and one Hufflepuff and twelve Slytherins, even if that sounds very nice. I'm sure we'll figure it out though."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-13 01:00 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Oh crap! Draco actually cared. Since when did he start caring so much about people? Still Severus he could understand, Miles was just...unnerving.

'Needless to say I don't agree with you, but I won't argue with you either. I'll just stay far away from him and count on you to keep him off my back and out of trouble.'

Unless he did something stupid involving Romilda, because a promise was a promise.

Theo nodded, thinking. 'When the time is right we'll make a list, put down positions, name how many we want from each house, try to fill the spots with as many people from pureblood families as possible, preferably rich pureblood families. Then we add one or two mudbloods - as few as we can get away with and still look impartial. How does that sound?'

'And in the meantime, I'll look into things when in France, then talk to Bill Weasley when I return. The more work we can have him do for us the better - then we can concentrate on the parts we're good at. The contacts, the board, the politics.'

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[info]bd_draco
2007-07-13 07:27 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
"Not many do, Theo, but I'll prove all of you wrong. I'm very good at that. In fact, I've already started." He thought about Miles agreeing to let Severus clean up Bletchley Manor. There certainly was a health dose of self-interest, but it was calculated self-interest and that's what Slytherin were supposed to do."

Draco grinned. "That plan sounds perfect. Let a Weasley do the real work and we rip the benefits. It works here, too. Ron is actually brilliant and he's managed to convince all those Aurors to come and work here on a part-time basis. Saves me a lot of trouble."

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[info]bd_theodore
2007-07-13 10:21 (link) DeleteFreezeScreen
Theo smirked at the thought of the plans ahead and let the smirk turn into a smile as he took his nearly empty glass in hand. 'I have a feeling the next few months is going to be quite interesting,' he said, watching the red liquid for a moment before turning to Draco.

He raised his glass. 'What was it you said? To taking over the world one business at a time?' He smirked. 'I'll definitely drink to that.'

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