MALFOY, lucius. (lightofbadfaith) wrote in an_ill_wind, @ 2009-08-12 14:56:00 |
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August in Diagon Alley always meant one thing, without fail: crowds of families getting ready for the new school year. Doris smiled as she watched the excited children and the teenagers who were pretending to be blasé by it all but would still lit up when they met one of their friends, like these two giggling girls on her left. Parents alternated between checking their list and their kids, trying to keep everything and everyone under control. Merchants were busy but smiling, for the Hogwarts' school supplies lists meant good business for them. Doris wasn't there for Hogwarts supplies, of course, but she still enjoyed the back to school shopping atmosphere. It reminded her of her own visits here with her parents and siblings, their awe at everything they were discovering. It was easy to spot the Muggleborns and their families and she smiled fondly as she watched their astonished expressions, mirroring her own years ago. They were entering a whole new wold. Her grin faltered as she thought of the state of this world they were entering. Wizarding Britain was at war and the government itself was promoting insulting laws that would discriminate against Muggleborns like herself and those new students whose Hogwarts letter had been the first contact with the magical society. She was angered by it all, even now days later, and she held unto the hope that people wouldn't let it happen, would fight back. She had to hope so. She was about to enter in the apothecary when she recognised the man coming out its door: Lucius Malfoy, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. Pasting a polite smile on her lips, she saluted him. "Good afternoon, Mr Malfoy." Lucius was not a huge fan of crowds, especially of school children. He couldn't imagine how he was going to have to be here when his son was old enough for school, among all these common people. He might as well get used to it. Really, he knew he would love his son (He already did), but fatherhood would not mean that he would find a new appreciation for someone else's child. That was about as likely as Lucius becoming a muggle lover. Today, he wasn't here for Hogwarts supplies either. What he was at Diagon Alley for was to restock his potions supplies at the Manor, check out the newest books, and see what new stock Quality Quidditch Supplies had to offer. If he had time, he would look at a baby boutique further down the Alley, but he would likely refrain from buying anything without his mother or Narcissa with him. While he possessed a certain amount of ability to plan for the nursery, he wouldn't make any decisions without the two women. At this point, he was ready to head to Obscurus Books. He had a bag full of potions that would restock his home supply as he exited the apothecary. The sound of a voice startled him a bit, but what could he expect? He had known that visiting a crowded Diagon Alley would garner him more than a bit of attention. He was the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, after all. "Ah, Miss Crockford." he said, recognising the News anchor. Shifting his cane to his left hand, he offered his right, smiling politely. "Good afternoon, indeed." Doris hadn't been sure if the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic would recognise her - politicians met so many people in their career, and she was not a senior news anchor yet, so she hadn't had the chance to interview him as often as her senior colleagues. It was a pleasant surprise that he did recall her and her smile grew from polite to sincere, though it didn't last and returned to merely polite as she remembered the awful bill that his government was proposing. She wanted to ask him about it, but wasn't sure it would be wise, for neither of them were here in any professional manner and he could very well be annoyed with her for questioning him during his free time and retaliate by refusing her interviews later on. "My congratulations on completing the DMLE reshuffling, and with it the entire Ministry's" she said instead, beginning with something safe. "It was quite a task." Lucius prided himself on his ability to remember a face and a name. It came in handy, especially with his current position. If he was to climb not only the society social ladder (not that there was much higher that he could get) but also make "friends" in the political side, it looked impressive for him to remember members of the press and others of similar stations. As arrogant as he was, Lucius knew the importance of being charming and friendly in public. "Thank you." he said, his rather fake smile widening for a moment. "It was quite the feat, but also quite necessary. In order to accomplish most things, the Ministry has to be a well oiled machine. With the reshuffling, I think we will all find that more tasks will be accomplished faster." The lines were well practiced, as he had to say them quite frequently lately. Still, his voice was completely conversational and that smile was still on his pale face. "I have no doubt," Doris said, and she was honest. The Ministry had always been a huge machine set in its way, bureaucratic to the bone, and slow to move around. Degreasing it could only help, in her opinion, and she hadn't seen anything too drastic in the changes made. When the only complaints you received were in regards to Gobstones, you could call it successful, in her book. "You've already begun tackling other matters, now that it's done. The new bill that was proposed last week will be put before the Wizengamot very soon, won't it?" She couldn't help herself, the urge to bring up the marriage bill had been stronger than any caution. The bill. Of course. He had received more than enough questions about it here and there. "Ah, yes the new marriage bill." He laughed, in a friendly way. "Of course now that things are in order, it is time that we go into action." He shifted his bag in his hand. "It will do wonders, if the Wizengamot approve. It will ensure that all marriages are made in good faith. It will aid in muggle partners being recognised in wills. Most importantly, it will ensure that the Statute of Secrecy is not being violated." He said nothing that hadn't been said before, but he was no fool. He would not reveal anything that Rodolphus had not deemed necessary to be revealed. "It is nothing more than another measure Minister Lestrange is taking to help our wizarding community in any way possible." He smiled brightly, making his support for Rodolphus obvious. Doris fought to keep her distaste from showing on her face as Mr Malfoy explained the wonders that this new marriage bill would do. "The Statute of Secrecy must be enforced, of course," she began, appearing as though she agreed with him, "but aren't there already measures in that regard? Weren't they efficient?" Careful to keep her tone neutral, she continued, "I must admit that I'm curious; has there been many issues with wills and with marriages that were not made in good faith?" "Oh, certainly there are already measures in place, but one can never be too careful when it comes to the well being of our community, yes?" he said, idly turning his snake head cane in his hand. "As for the issues with wills and marriages, there have been problems in the past. I assure you, the Ministry would never try to fix something that isn't broken, Miss Crockford. If the Wizengamot sees fit to pass this bill, there will be numerous positive measures taking place to ensure that a happy way of life can take place in this country." Doris would have rolled her eyes if she had dared, but this still was the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, no matter what stupidly ridiculous claims he made. "Of course, sir," she merely said. "We should find out soon what the Wizengamot does, shouldn't we?" She hoped that the so-called wise members of the Wizengamot would know better than approve such an outrageous bill. They were their best hope - their last one, really. "Very soon, indeed." he said with a smile, knowing that within the next few days, a decision would be made. He saw a flicker of Miss Crockford's disapproval, but he couldn't say that he really cared. As long as it passed it didn't matter what anyone, even a reporter, thought as there was nothing they could do about it. Glancing down at his watch he looked back up at her. "I fear I lost track of time, Miss Crockford, but it has been lovely speaking with you." he said, settling his cane in preparation to head off. "Good day, and good luck with your career. I do think you will go places." That is, if she continued without making accusations against the Ministry and his society. With a friendly nod and smile, he headed toward Flourish and Blotts. "I did as well, I'm sorry," she replied, knowing that she had been lucky he had accepted to talk to her this long. His congratulations surprised her, and she thanked him as was expected. "Thank you, sir, that's kind of you. I hope that you are right," though only on this topic, she silently added, still angry with the whole marriage bill issue but careful not to let it show. "Good day to you as well, sir," she said, nodding with a polite smile in her turn. She remained immobile for a short moment as she watched him go, her mind still replaying their conversation, before she shook herself up and entered in the apothecary, returning her thoughts to the list of potions she needed. |