InsaneJournal

Will was in full proper pureblooded son mode. He was dressed in his newest robes appropriate for the occasion, more business formal than anything, but still appropriately well dressed for tea, his smiles were polite and respectful with just a dash of charming, and his posture was proper. It was a one on one meeting with Narcissa Malfoy, he had to be at his best. Yes, they were related, his father had been a cousin of hers, but Will knew better than to rely on that or slip into complacency and make some gross faux pas. The closest thing to familiarity had only been with him insisting that William was preferable to anything more formal. This was a family connection he had to re-earn rather than make any assumptions about, and he had no intentions of messing it up.

He pocketed his small notepad and quill back into his robes after jotting down a quick note and gave Mrs. Malfoy a polite smile. "Thank you for taking the time out for tea, ma'am. I know it was a tad out of the blue." He thought it had gone well, at least by his estimation, and he had a few ideas they talked over about WICCA and the Prophet to work off of. All in all it had been a slight gamble that had been worth it, he thought.

Narcissa smiled and tipped her head in acknowledgement. She strongly suspected given her conversations with Cosmo and Pansy that William wanted more from this meeting than just a story for the Daily Prophet, but to his credit, he had thus far kept conversation on point. "You're welcome." She knew what he wanted--to bring his family back into glory--and Crispin Bulstrode's comments about his interest in Cambina had her curious. She took a sip of her tea as she contemplated the best way to approach the question.

"Now that we're done with business, why don't you tell me about yourself? Lucius and I were friends with your father before he tragically passed, but I'm afraid we haven't kept up well with you and your sisters." It was all said very delicately, of course, almost as though it had been the Malfoys fault for not maintaining ties rather than the Rosier's fault for falling out of favour.

Narcissa Malfoy was not a woman you had one meeting with and expected to do you significant favours, Will wasn't that naive. But he needed an excuse of some sort to move up from being on terms of only brief words during events. Bringing his family back up required patience and planning and even the small moves could help down the line.

"Perfectly understandable, there are a lot of people to keep up with, one can't have the time for them all." William took a sip of his tea and gave a discreet flick of his wand to reinforce the privacy charm about the table. "Well...I've been fortunate enough to work for Mr. Mulciber at the Prophet, and work my way up from the bottom to staff writer in the last couple of years. It's been a wonderful experience thus far, quite the variety of people and opportunities you run into."

Narcissa needed more than that if she was going to evaluate Crispin’s suggestion. Thus far, William had been nothing but proper and polite, but proper and polite wasn’t enough. She needed to know what he wanted in life, what his politics truly were, and how dedicated he would be to the people who would lift him up. His work history told her none of that.

She smiled encouragingly as she set about teasing the information she really wanted out of William. “Yes, but I could find that by reading your staff bio. I want to know about you, William. What do you do for fun? Are you seeing anyone? Are you looking to move up at the Prophet? Don’t be shy.” Deeper questions could be asked later, but that would give her an idea of where to start, at least.

William smiled back, the smile a tad bit more relaxed to give some indication that business was done and he was alright with the more personal direction this went. He of course hadn't answered her initially with details, preferring to give a general answer and see what she wanted more specifically. Besides, to launch into himself in some depth without any direction to guide him would look presumptuous. Now he at least had some idea what to go off of.

"To be honest, even my off-hours time is related to work somewhat. One doesn't get ahead by being complacent, which I find too many people are want to do." For a moment there was a bit of a spark in his eye and his smile had a bit of a smirk to it. He thought she'd understand, the Malfoys hadn't maintained their status by sitting back on their money, to get ahead and stay ahead, one had to be working at it.

"While I do enjoy my work at the Prophet, I'd be lying if I said I'd be satisfied staying where I was." He had to be a little careful here, since he knew Mr. Mulciber knew Mrs. Malfoy well, but holding back here didn't seem wise either. "With the recent shakeups from the election, I thought that, in terms of timing, now would be ideal for turning my attention in that direction. There's more space and opportunity to move up there, and the Ministry as a whole has had some...less than ideal policies in the last years that could stand to be changed. I'm sure Mr. Mulciber knows of these interests, and I have said that when I had anything concrete that I would always inform him."

Will paused and took a sip of his tea. "But to answer your last question ma'am, no I'm not really seeing anyone at the moment. I will have to focus on that more at some point, but I thought it best to work my way up so I had more to offer when the topic of marriage prospects came around."

“It is an ideal time to move into the Ministry.” And an ideal time for the Death Eaters to get someone in there. If William proved to have the politics they hoped, he would be ideal. “What part of the ministry are you looking to get into?” His ambitions there would tell her how useful he could potentially be, and it might provide a good opportunity for Fletcher to speak with him and evaluate without him realizing what he was being evaluated for.

Narcissa raised one elegantly groomed eyebrow at his comment about not seeing anyone. “That’s not what I’ve been told. Crispin Bulstrode mentioned you had been spending quite a bit of time with his daughter. Are things not as serious between you and Cambina as Crispin believes?”

"To start or down the road? I don't believe where you start is important as where you plan to end up. I have an in into the Department of Magical Accidents, and while not my first choice it does have some useful skills to teach." Will didn't see any reason to hide much of his career ambitions here, with other people it was prudent to pick and choose if they worked in the Ministry, but she didn't and he doubted she wanted his censored or tailored answers for this one. "Longer term I was aiming for International Magical Cooperation, I think it offers more opportunities as a department and could be a good stepping stone to more. I confess that I was eyeing the Wizengamot for after that. There's a lot of influence to be had in many departments in the Ministry, but I feel that those two are where the effects are most...tangible.
It seems many of the Wizengamot's members tend to arrive from the DMLE but I'm sure you'll understand, ma'am, why I don't see that being the most successful route for me." It was a reference to his father's death, and of course the fact that even if William did decide to try and stomach a job in the DMLE (which would take great effort), they wouldn't let him get far with a last name connected to the old regime of Death Eaters.

After speaking, he paused to take a sip of his tea and raised one eyebrow at the mention of the Bulstrodes, mildly surprised at it coming up. Of course he knew now that Crispin knew of him, he'd invited him to dinner earlier after all, but that Narcissa Malfoy would take note of something like that surprised him somewhat. But it was also...interesting, especially given what Crispin had spoken to him about and Bina's recent attempts to get closer to purist society and Mrs. Malfoy. "I don't believe he thinks things are...serious, especially knowing his daughter who is not...prone to serious relationships. But yes, I do know her rather well, she's my usual source in the DMLE."

Narcissa nodded at William’s career aspirations. She certainly did understand his reluctance to get involved with the DMLE, given the tragic way his father died, and there were certainly advantages to both the DMAC and the IMC. “Of course. I am certain you can find success on a less conventional route.”

As for Cambina… “I happen to know Miss Bulstrode is not as against serious relationships as she might have suggested.” Narcissa leaned forward conspiratorially. “She has asked me to help her find a husband.” Of course, Narcissa was certain it was a ploy on Cambina’s part, probably because she suspected certain things about the Malfoys and their friends, but it also presented an opportunity Narcissa wasn’t going to let pass by.

At her leaning forward, Will leaned slightly forward too, carefully putting his teacup down. Though at the reveal it took most of his years of putting on a facade to prevent himself from snorting outright. Closer to her father's crowd was it? What a decidedly Slytherin way of doing it. He had to admire the opportunistic nature of it, even if he didn't think the excuse held up.

Will managed to keep his face a level of polite skepticism, one eyebrow raised. "How interesting, ma'am. I would have to say that while I believe she claims so...I would be very surprised if it were the actual case." He liked Bina, but he had no respect for her work. Getting closer to the purist crowd, claiming to want a husband, being frustrated with the lack of leads at work? It all supported what he'd told Crispin at dinner, he wasn't sure of what her plan was exactly, but it certainly seemed like she was using this avenue for leads. Liking her or not, William certainly didn't see why he would let an auror try and get one over them.

“I would be as well.” Narcissa smiled, pleased that William wasn't falling for Cambina’s ruse, despite his apparent fondness toward her. “However, it does present an interesting opportunity. If she were… fond of someone with the right politics, perhaps he could draw her in the right direction… particularly if he were the person I suggested she wed.” She had no doubt that Cambina was planning to draw things out as long as possible, to use the engagement and Narcissa’s hand in it as an excuse to get closer and find out who her friends were, but Narcissa wasn’t going to simply let that happen.

Now Will picked his teacup back up so he could use a long sip as an excuse to give him time to think. He didn't turn his eyes away from Narcissa, but it was clear his mind was going a mile a minute, sussing out ideas and seeing how this new info could be useful. It wasn't lost on him what she was implying, and even though what Bina had said at lunch had implied she was on the market...he hadn't thought about himself on the possible suggestions list. The Doge side wasn't ideal, yes, but to that downside there were a lot of possible upsides that could be to his advantage if he did things right.

"That's true, but I would say it would take more than just...fondness for this person to draw her in the right direction," Will said carefully. "Such a person would need the right resources at their disposal to manage such a thing." It wasn't just money he meant, it was information, connections, the ability to manipulate situations to their advantage. Bina was stubborn and rather secretive, she wouldn't be convinced of things by just words and fondness. She was even difficult when it came to talking about her frustrations with her current job. It was clear to Will that if anyone wanted to manipulate Bina, it would take a broader scope and more than just one person.

“Resources could be arranged for the correct person, especially if he could tell us what resources he would need.” Narcissa couldn't say anything more without speaking to the other Death Eaters first. William seemed the ideal candidate to get what information they could out of Cambina Bulstrode and it would be an ideal way for him to prove himself, but they had to be certain of his politics first.

She could, however, evaluate how he would proceed if given the assignment. “What sort of resources do you think could be most beneficial?”

Will took another thoughtful sip as he ran through possibilities in his head. This opportunity was still new, he hadn't fully had time to mull it over yet so he had to think on his feet here. "First and foremost, information is always vital. She has her own reasons for her recent...interest in respectable society, so such a person would need to know what moves she's making there. I would think the key would be coordination among parties interested in...drawing her in the right direction. Access to older sources, archives, would be important I believe if one was to navigate her mother's side of the family and have an idea about where her DMLE work was leading her." Prophet archives he'd found valuable in the past, and he'd even used them to look up Crispin Bulstrode before meeting with the man.

"It would also depend on what public reasons she would give for a...change in heart towards marriage. I imagine she might go with seemingly sincere ones about settling down, perhaps use practicality as a reason to those who know her better, say it's to get family off her back about it, I'm not sure. But publicly it'd be in everyone's best interests to make it seem sincere, so whoever is picked...would need to be put in a position where they would be at least a somewhat appropriate match for the Bulstrode heir." Both financially and socially. Both the Doges and Bulstrodes were well off, and with Bulstrode being on the sacred twenty eight it would look odd if she married much below. A good name alone wouldn't necessarily be enough to sell such a match, he'd insist.

Will paused again before adding the last part, since it was rather vital but also an issue he was running into currently. "Lastly, I think the correct person would need a way of setting up situations, should the need arise, of having her be...slightly more satisfied with her job once more." He took a sip and looked over the rim of his cup at Narcissa meaningfully. This would all be useless if they couldn't keep Bina in the DMLE. "An Auror who catches nothing doesn't tend to want to be an Auror for very long."

“Those are some very good ideas, William.” Narcissa smiled widely, the genuine one that very few people ever saw. Williams ideas weren’t just good, they were excellent, and they confirmed the suspicions she had discussed with Cosmo. If the others agreed, William would be the perfect person to get inside information from the DMLE. “I will certainly take them into consideration with… whoever I suggest to Cambina.”

She stood then, confident she had the information she needed for the moment. “Thank you for the tea, William. I’m afraid I must go now, but I am certain I will speak to you again.” She hoped that they would be able to further discuss the plan he outlined for Cambina, but if nothing else, he was friends with Pansy, and she would see him in that capacity.

Will had of course never seen her smile like that before, but he didn't need to have seen it before to know that it meant approval and that he'd done well. Will smiled back, equally wide and more genuine than his usual polite charming smiles. "Thank you ma'am, I'm glad they might be of help." Of course nothing would be confirmed on a first meeting, but he was already starting to see how he could have this work to his advantage, because of course he wouldn't do it unless it benefited him in some way too.

He stood up when she did, offering his hand again to shake again. "It's no trouble, thank you for coming, Mrs. Malfoy. I'm sure we'll speak again. If possible, could you mention to Ms. Doge that I'll be contacting her for an interview? I'd rather not catch her unawares."

Narcissa took his hand and shook it firmly. “Of course. I will ward her this evening.” As she took her leave, she paused. “Oh, and William? I suspect you may be hearing from some of my other friends soon. Please make yourself available.” With that, she walked out of the tea shop, leaving William alone to ponder what she’d meant.

"Thank you. And of course, I'll be sure to leave myself free when it comes up," Will smiled back as she left. What he'd be contacted about remained to be seen, but as far as he was concerned this was a promising sign.