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Tweak says, "Cranial infarction!"

Theodore Nott (bd_theodore) wrote in beyond_dark,
@ 2008-09-20 21:05:00

Entry tags:

* september 2006, - complete, draco malfoy, theodore nott

Date: September 20, 2006
Characters: Theo, Draco
Location: Malfoy Manor
Private/Public: Private
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: Theo and Draco have breakfast (at noon) and discuss the latest decree and how to move from here

It was nearly noon when one of the Malfoy elves appeared in his quarters to inform him that breakfast was served. For a moment, Theo was considering staying put, as he had been up for hours already, but then he remembered that he hadn't had anything to eat at all, and figured he might as well eat now.

Besides, there was no more job to be done up here.

Since the funeral, or rather since the attack, Theo had done little but work. Every waking moment he tried to keep his mind off the one place it tended to go if he had nothing in his hands, nothing to think of. So instead he did his books, twice, contacted everyone he could to make sure all his businesses were running smoothly, which of course they were, and inspected orders for the building of the bank, which of course were all in order too.

The only business actually needing his attention was the one he refused to look at – Padma's. No that he left in the hands of others, not knowing if they did a good job or not. Not caring either. Anything to keep looking at what he had never had to pay attention to before.

No, with Guilian and Lisa both out of his hands at the moment, there really wasn't much that needed his attention – other than Nathaniel, who had begun looking around for his mother at all times, at times crying without stop when she wouldn't come. Theo handed him off to Mimsy at those times, returning to the work that didn't really need to get done. He sometimes wondered how long this would last. How long before Nathaniel found her absence normal? How long before he forgot that she had ever been there at all? Would it be days, weeks, months? How long did a child of only eight months remember? Did he even remember her now, or did he just sense that something was different from before?

Pushing all such thoughts out of his head, Theo focused on the present instead, dismissing the elf and heading down to the dining room to meet Draco.

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 02:27 pm UTC (link)

"Good morning," Draco said in greeting as Theo walked into the dining room. "May I say you look horrible? I'd suggest sleep if you'd listen. Waking up before eleven on the weekend is barbaric in case you didn't know." Of course, he was still at the club at five in the morning, and would be home in time to feed Scorpius before going to bed as the sun came up.

"Have a seat, Theo. Eat something. The house elves are starting to wonder if they have forgotten how to cook since you barely touch anything." Of course Draco had made sure that they kept an eye on Theo.

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bd_theodore
2008-09-20 02:36 pm UTC (link)

Theo pondered ignoring most of Draco's quibs about his sleeping patterns, but decided there was no point. He did sit though, taking a cup of tea as the thought of food made him feel nauseous rather than hungry.

'I didn't know you worried so much about your elves' feelings,' he said before taking a sip. 'And I do sleep, at night time, when you insist on working.' He knew Draco too well to buy into his act of the lazy pureblood, he could hardly believe that others did. Of course one of the reasons he knew how late Draco worked was because he didn't sleep properly at night, but that was needless to mention. It wasn't as if he wasn't trying.

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 02:40 pm UTC (link)

"I'm absolutely filled with grief because of their pain," Draco answered with a tiny smile. "Granger is trying to give me a humanitarian award for my empathy with such creatures."

He waved a hand. "Hogwash, I do not work. I spend my nights gossiping with a few friends, hardly work, although it's no fun lately. The only subject people can discuss is Umbridge. She seems to be upsetting more purebloods than she realises."

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bd_theodore
2008-09-20 02:53 pm UTC (link)

Theo smirked at the joke, where he would normally have smiled. It was more than he'd done for other reasons than the thought of revenge since Padma's death, however, though of course he did not notice the change himself.

Only practise kept him from rolling his eyes when Draco said he didn't work. Of course he worked. Gossip was work when you were Draco Malfoy. Besides, Theo didn't think for a moment that was the only thing Draco was doing at the club every night. Not that he said anything.

'Have her latest decree upset anyone?' he asked instead, forcing himself to a piece of fruit, leaving it half eaten on his plate. 'I'd think most purebloods would be happy to get rid of the werewolf from the position - though of course it should have been us to remove him.'

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 03:22 pm UTC (link)

"I have to admit that most people are still upset about the Muggle one more than the dark creatures one. Really, doesn't she know what we want to make our less than legal deals without contacting the Ministry first? In fact, we don't want to contact the Ministry even for the legal deals," he said, feigning grief. The truth was that he was enjoying seeing so many purebloods complaing about not being able to see Muggles.

"They are happy about Lupin, which reminds me, we need to have a board meeting and soon. The board can't be seen as disobeying the law, and it takes the responsibility off of us." He drank some of his tea. "And now, Severus can't even complain that he gets the job," he finished, grinning.

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bd_theodore
2008-09-20 03:28 pm UTC (link)

Theo would have been amused had the situation been any other, and once more he smirked slightly. 'We need to contact the rest of the board, then. Harry and Neville and a few others before the others, get them on our side already from the start - which shouldn't be hard considering Severus is in the Order.'

This he could do, this was thinking, planning, plotting. It was using his mind which kept it occupied from thinking about other things. He took another piece of fruit, then saw it was a raspberry and put it down with a frown.

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 03:36 pm UTC (link)

"I've already spoken to Neville briefly about the Ministry job, but didn't say anything about this. It might just be the right time to talk to them, and we're really doing it for the school and Lupin. We all know that if he stayed and she tried to arrest him, it'd put the Order and the Aurors at each other's throats and that's not good for business."

He leaned forward and stared at the other man. "Is this going to help or not, Theo? You can step back and let me do the work, or you can get out and do something. Don't get me wrong, you can stay here as long as you want, but even with Uncle looking for you, never leaving the manor will drive you crazy. Come down to Hogsmeade with me today, see people, arrange a few meetings."

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bd_theodore
2008-09-20 03:47 pm UTC (link)

Theo wasn't sure where the sudden change came from, Draco was not one to normally show such concern for his well being. Then again, his well being hadn't really ever been in question before, so what did he know?

He never hesitated in meeting the other man's gaze, much too practised to falter even now. 'I'll come with you,' he said calmly. 'I have no intention of stepping back from work.' He picked at a scone, not buttering it, but slowly eating it all the same.

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 03:55 pm UTC (link)

"That's not what I said, Theo. I don't mind doing the work if it works best. I'd rather not have you out there if you can't concentrate. It's the best way to get yourself killed," Draco pointed out.

"Your little boy needs you to stay alive. On the other hand, pretending to live isn't going to be much use to anyone." Maybe he was being harsh considering that Padma had only died recently, but the quicker Theo got over it, or at least the quicker he learnt to push it into a corner of his consciousness, he was putting himself and everyone at risk. "Do you have everything settle for Nathaniel? Guardianship, trusts, you need to think of that too."

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bd_theodore
2008-09-20 04:02 pm UTC (link)

Theo's surprise was starting to turn into annoyance. He didn't like being patronised and he was far from a fool. His mind still worked just fine.

'Of course all that is set up,' he said with a snort. 'It has been since he was born.' though in all honesty having Montague as the boy's guardian while he was in a coma might not be the wisest thing. Then again, there was no one on this earth that would love him more, or care for him more dearly, than Verity.

'I have no intention of dying, and I am not a man of large risks,'(the exception being forcing himself into Rodolphus' mind). 'I will go with you and I will be perfectly capable of focusing on work. Besides, we both know that some on that board respond better to me than you - just as others respond better to you than me. It's stupid not to play to our strengths.'

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 04:08 pm UTC (link)

"Things change, Theo," Draco said patiently. "I'm sure you made arrangements, but things are different now. It's not a theoretical dilemma, and whoever it is needs to be ready to take on uncle Rodolphus, not many people have the courage or ability to do so."

Draco smiled. "No, I didn't think you were planning on dying, and yes, we work best together, but we won't have the meeting today. I'm trying to tell you to take things at your own pace. I'm sure I can get the board to agree even if you decide not to come."

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bd_theodore
2008-09-20 04:20 pm UTC (link)

'Perhaps not, but when it comes to my son's guardian I need to think more long term than this war. I assume I can trust that you would not deny my son the same protection you're offering him now, just because I was gone. Verity would not try to remove him from a place where he is safe while there was still danger.'

He took another sip of tea, the heat surprisingly enough making him feel better if not good. 'I will come,' he said simply. I prefer to keep working.' He more than preferred it, he needed it, desperately.

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 04:28 pm UTC (link)

"Oh God." He couldn't help but groan at the choice. He thought that it was a short sighted view no matter what the objective was. She couldn't raise weeds as far as Draco was concerned. "I'm not having that woman roam free here. I promised to be nice to her, but that doesn't mean I like her. Nathaniel can stay here, but not her, besides, she has plenty to deal with twins and a comatose husband."

Draco nodded. "Fine, then you're more than welcome to join me any time you like. IT's not like you'll blow your cover now."

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bd_theodore
2008-09-20 04:35 pm UTC (link)

'I never expected you to approve of my choice, but even you cannot deny that there are few people - if any - who would love my child more dearly,' Theo said with a shrug. 'And I doubt very much she'd ever want to move in here. She will understand what is best for Nathaniel though, and that his safety comes first.'

'Not that it will be needed,' he then added. He would not allow anything to happen to him. Not now. Not while Nathaniel still needed him.

'How soon do you think we can put together a board meeting?'

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bd_draco
2008-09-20 04:57 pm UTC (link)

"I-" He understood the dilemma only too well. Theo had made his success by being insular, the opposite of Draco who'd have his pick of people to bring Violet and Scorpius up if need be. In fact, there was a list in his will just in case of people's death. "All right, you might have a point, although I bet Pansy would love to do it and she has more brains and courage than Verity." And she had Potter - Harry to keep them safe if need be.

He grinned at the thought of the meeting. "I'm free on Monday."

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bd_theodore
2008-09-21 12:06 am UTC (link)

Theo leaned back in the chair. 'Pansy might, but Nott traditions are what they are and there isn't a way even I can break them, they're too magically cemented. The person chosen need to be married - technically it's Montague who is the child's guardian, not Verity, though that is a moot point at the moment.'

'You're perhaps right that I should prepare a list of others just in case,' he agreed however, though he wondered who'd he'd trust enough. Pansy would undoubtedly love his son, but she was alone which made it hard. Draco was a good option for Nathaniel's safety, and he would more than likely treat him well, but would he ever learn to love him? Blaise was a death eater, and he doubted father material. It wasn't an easy thing to decide.

'Monday will be fine,' Theo then said, nodding. It was just enough time to gather the people that needed to be there, but not enough to let them get ideas of their own.

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bd_draco
2008-09-24 02:31 pm UTC (link)

Draco nodded, although it still sounded like stupidity to him. You could always play with traditions. They might not have the manor, but everything else could be dealt with. Nathaniel could be raised at Pansy's and take possession of the house when he reached adulthood. Draco certainly trusted Potter more than he would ever trust Verity and Monty.

"Perhaps you should. You never know what could happen." Draco liked to plan for contingencies, even though he planned to stay alive for a long time.

"I shall send owls, then. Now, let's finish breakfast, and we can go down to Hogsmeade." Hopefully, it'd improve Theo's moods.

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