Lavender

location: Hermione’s office at the Ministry status: open !! 

Stress wasn’t an uncommon factor in Hermione Granger’s life. It was something that she’d dealt with for as long as she could remember. She always stressed over minor details. She was a perfectionist. She paid attention to the fine details. She was a know-it-all and that made her insufferable. At this point, she was sure that she’d heard it all. When she’d set her sights on the position of Minister of Magic, she estimated the stressors that would come along with it. The long nights, the early mornings, the tough decisions that would have to be made. She had calculated the stressors, but it was that and so much more. 

She came into the office early. Before the sun had risen in the sky. Or maybe she’d never left the night before. The hours were seeming to drag on and there didn’t seem to be enough coffee in the world. Hermione read over the fourth proposal in a row before the lines began to blur together. Cup of coffee in one hand and a quill stashed somewhere in her hair, she looked up to find someone standing in her doorway. Where was her secretary? Hermione made a mental note to speak to whomever it was this week. 

“Can I help you?” She asked politely, despite the slight annoyance she was feeling. It was just the stress talking. Being interrupted during her work day wasn’t anything new. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” 

Hermione was clearly not Lavender’s favorite person, in fact Lavender might say it’s Hermione who causes her the most stress. Usually, Lavender wouldn’t be able have just waltzed in here but with the secretary not here and Lavender was passing her office anyway, Lavender knew to seize the chance. 

Lavender plotted a stack of papers that were tied together that she was carrying onto Hermione’s desk and was glaring. 

Zacharias made a face as his sarcasm flew right over her head. Fucking hell, she really was into Weasley, if the constant face-sucking hadn’t been enough of a hint. And how tragic it was that they were separated! Real Romeo and Juliet shit if he’d ever seen one. (Not that he’d ever actually read Romeo and Juliet, but it was the principle of the thing.)

“What’d you two even do? Get caught shagging in the prefects’ bathroom?” He was only messing with her, though he also wouldn’t entirely put it past them, all things considered. “Actually, y’know what, I’m just dying to know about that date you’d planned. Help a lad out, will you? I never know where to bring my dates.” A bald-faced lie, but he doubted he’d be losing any sleep over it.

“Why are you cleaning? It’s not like Sprout’ll be able to tell the difference anyway. But if you wanna pretend to be a house-elf for a few hours be my guest.” He readjusted himself on his seat, making sure he wouldn’t accidentally fall down – which would not be the first time, embarrassingly enough.

.

Lavender face grew red but answered confidently, “Actually! It was a closet! Perfectly acceptable way to get caught okay? Why are you even here.” she said, swishing her hair behind her back. 

She grew excited, “Well today I was promised that it would just be me and Ronnie and he was going to take me to Madam Puddifoot's on a proper date! He was going to pay and everything, which I don’t need of course because I have my own savings but isn’t it so romantic when a guy pays like that? Like he wants to take care of me!” she squeaked. “I bet you haven’t paid for a date for any girl, Smith,” she giggled. “Then! We were going to go take a romantic stroll behind the shops, maybe a little snogging...” she said almost shyly, “Then meet Parvati at the Three Broomsticks! A perfect date!” she declared.

Yurika laughs alongside Lavender, her eyes already wandering around to the nearest display of fresh flowers, noting the many varieties that Noltie seems to have in store today. She spots thistles and the usual roses. A row of daisies at the back. Freesias and gardenias inside one huge vase. There are even some poinsettias that might work as decoration for the centre of the table. Choosing the right flower pairings will surely be a delight for her and Lavender. 

“Exactly. Shouldn’t he welcome us?” she jokes with Lavender and raises her brow, “At this point, we are loyal customers of the shop and we bring him so many Galleons every time we visit. So rude of him to not be here when we come!” Picking up a light blue candle from an elaborate display, Yurika takes a sniff of the scent, noting that it smells faintly of vanilla and amber.

“And I did read your letter,” she looks back at Lavender, “I like the silver idea but I’m not sure about the red. Are you thinking more blood red or maroon?” Yurika cocks her head to the side slightly, putting down the candle. She and Lavender have been planning parties together for so many times that at this point, they’re bound to always have at least three disagreements over decor and twelve disagreements over catering choices. “I saw this really lovely blue a few days. It’s very soft and slightly dreamy, it can really soften any room. I was thinking of pairing silver with that and maybe one more colour?”

Right as she finishes her sentence, Noltie finally appears from a back office or some other room inside the store, carrying a plant almost as big as he is. “What is that plant?” she asks Noltie before moving once again to the space next to Lavender to answer Noltie’s question, “Well, it’s a Christmas party. Or it’s supposed to be. But you see, we don’t want the usual Christmas party decorations. They’re boring and overplayed. We’re willing to go avant-garde.” At this, she shoots a look at Lavender, wordlessly asking her what she thinks of the idea. They’ve talked back and forth about the party before but it’s not uncommon for the two to change their minds over things at the very last minute. There’s a reason after all as to why Noltie dreads their visit to his shop.

“Oooh,” Lavender said excitingly, “A nice blue for Christmas? Bold and I love it!” She said, beaming. 

Lavender matched Yurika’s serious tone and nodded along side with her, effortlessly. “Yes pleasee don’t show us anything that looks boring or overplayed, we want something new okay?” She glanced at Yurika before at looking at Noltie, “Yes do you have anything that seems like it would be in a dreamy that’s also blue?” she asked, still sold on that idea depending on what was available. “Maybe we can pick a third color from what flowers he can show us,” she said, directed at Yurika, gesturing. 

Noltie looked between both of them, trying to remember everything that was just told to him. “Oh yes- I’m sure we can figure out something,” he said, chuckling nervously. “This... actually is a Mammoth Touch-me-not-” he said gesturing towards the red leaves and big bulb, “The leaves look a little like tusks and the name is from the way it can make you a little itchy- not too dangerous surely...” he reassured. 

Lavender looked at the plant he was holding curiously, “I’m sure some people going to our party would enjoy that... and interesting idea- instead of a dream- it would be a nightmare!” she said chuckling. 

Noltie looked between them nodding, “Well I do have this blue flower that has a- well” he went back into the backroom and came back with a smaller plant which he was correct had a big bright blue bulb. “This might do the trick. It’s called  Ouflerry and if you-” he poked it and the bulb seemed to pulse and shoot out some white smoke like a cough. Noltie looked pleased and looked between the two girls for a reading. 

Noltie’s Botanical Novelties is the stuff of dreams. It’s the one shop in the whole of Diagon Alley that Yurika most loves to frequent. 

The place is kitschy and quirky, and it’s filled with flowers and decorations of all colours and patterns. It’s the perfect store to get all your party needs, especially ones for a party inside someone else’s mansion and who the owner of the mansion hasn’t actually said yes to. It’s probably also she and Lavender’s most frequent meeting point. They’ve shopped at Noltie’s countless times that even Noltie is sick of them at this point. Good thing that they’re not sick of Noltie yet.

Apparating to the shop’s front door, Yurika takes a peek inside, immediately spotting Lavender amid the flowers. She opens the door and saunters inside, smiling brightly. “Lavender Brown! Good to see you again.” She wanders over to where Lavender is standing, giving her a quick customary hug before looking around the shop once again. When she fails to spot Noltie, the shopkeeper, she turns again to Lavender, raising an eyebrow. “Where’s Noltie? We called ahead right? Shouldn’t they be here?”

Lavender smiled warmly, hugging Yurika. “You too!” she replied. 

She followed Yurika eyes, nodding disappointingly. “Yes quiet strange, we did call ahead and you think he’d know to be on time for us, his favorite customers,” she said with a little chuckling. 

“Did you get the owl of some of my ideas? It’s so hard deciding if we go all red/green or just silver/gold or maybe a tasteful silver/gold with just a splash of red, hmmm choices,” she mused. 

@yurikahaneda & @everlastinglavender november 15 Noltie's Botanical Novelties 

Lavender was looking around the Botanical Novelties. The shop was displayed in the typical magical way, where all of plants would be on top of each other and Lavender knew a good deal of knowledge about plants and she even had trouble figuring out which plants were together or not. These big blue flowers Lavender was looking at right now had these interesting vines full of pointy leaves cascading down from the flowers but she couldn’t tell if they were attached at all. She mused it could be bought together anyway and set up that way. There were signs all over saying “DO NOT TOUCH” in scribbled handwriting so Lavender was hesitant to feel any of them as usual. She was going to tear her eyes away from this big blue flower because she thought she heard the door open and hopefully that meant Yurika came in. 

Seeing families gather at the shops in Diagon Alley gathering their school supplies brought back a rush to Dean. It had been ages since he thought about his own first trip to Diagon Alley, securing a wand from Ollivanders and gathering his school books like all the other First Years. As kids peered through the window into Broomstix, he was reminded of when he first pressed his own face up against the glass, admiring the latest and greatest broom model of its time. It provided him with a strange sense of comfort, knowing that no matter how many years had passed, some things never change. He left Broomstix with an uncharacteristic pep in his step. He secured a job there, and while it paid significantly less than his work as an Auror, it also required less of him, and Dean never wanted much. Just enough for rent and a place to keep his head down amongst all the chaos of the current world.

He shut the door behind him, bidding the shopkeeper a farewell before making his way through the crowd back home. He walked past the old flat he used to share when he first graduated Hogwarts. The windows were just as shabby as they were twenty years ago, but it seems as if the current occupant has tried to create a home there by having some plants in the window–something Dean at eighteen never had the patience for.

He supposed he got caught up in the memories and didn’t notice when someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around, a bit puzzled by what he saw next.

Could it be? He supposed it had been a long time since he had seen his dearest friend, Lavender Brown. He tried to visit her at St. Mungo’s after her…accident, but he wasn’t allowed. It seemed no one was. So Dean wrote her letters, constantly asking his old friends if anyone had heard from her, but no one had. Half of him thought she may have died at some point. She carried the same features he remembered, the same sparkle in her eyes. “Lavender Brown? Dear Merlin, Lav! I-I can’t believe it. It’s so good to see you,” his grinned widened, he couldn’t remember the last time he smiled so widely. He felt like a kid again. But she also carried something else on her back. “And who is this I see?” He gave the boy a tiny wave and a big smile.

She smiled at him, happy the first words out of his mouth were her name, he seemed to be in a good mood and she realized his voice hadn’t changed at all. Maybe deeper since they were kids but not any different from the last time she knew him. “Hey- Dean, is it?” she joked, her face betraying how happy she was too as it broke out in a grin. “I’m so happy to have found you just wandering around! I heard you left! Is that true?” She asked, looking around, “Do you have anywhere to be? Please lets get some lunch!” 

She grinned as she tried to look behind her but couldn’t see Juniper well, so she grabbed his legs lightly, “Oh this is Juniper! He’s my whole world,” she said lovingly. “I think he might be asleep...?” 

It was clear Juniper was not asleep just exceptionally quiet and looking at Dean with his big brown eyes. His tuff of black hair spread out against his head, his hair almost being as big as his head itself. “gAAA,” he said, stretching out his hand lazily for a moment as an almost wave, since Dean was looking at him. Then Juniper laid his head against Lavender’s once more. 

Lavender’s mind was trying to recall what else she had needed from Diagon Alley but her mind wasn’t grasping it. She cursed in her mind, realizing she really should be writing these things down. She always berated herself for not remembering something and she still hasn’t gotten the hang of simply carrying a notebook with her to jot down. She guessed she’d be able to tell her house elf, Mliffy, to be able to get anything she needed but then why would she have tried to remember to get it herself if it was something that Mliffy could have easily gotten? She sighed, lost in thought, feeling the slow breathing of Juniper on her back as she wore him in a carrier while out lately. He seemed to love it, enjoying his time resting on his mum, he was so still Lavender wondered if he was asleep. 

When suddenly, Lavender gasped. She saw a tall dark skinned man who looked so familiar, that Lavender couldn’t believe herself. He looked a little fuller, the clothes were different and his skin definitely had some wear from age,  but it was him. Dean Thomas. Her stomach instantly dropped, guilt filling her with dread but there was something else in her- hope? She had been burned before for reaching out to some of her older friends, they couldn’t understand how she was now. Dean, her greatest friend after Parvati, might- well. She was going to try- 

She moved past a few people, sliding between wizards until she reached out her hand and put her hand on Dean’s shoulder, tapping him lightly. What if she was wrong? It wasn’t Dean? Or worse- what if Dean refuses to speak to her? She knows she didn’t keep writing to him and she didn’t read a lot of the last letters he wrote because she just couldn’t stand it- but now she was in a good place and willing to answer questions. She just hoped Dean felt similiar and not mad at her. 

“Hey,” she said shyly. 

Detention Chamber | Zacharias Smith & Lavender Brown 1996 Closed starter for @everlastinglavender​

Polish the fucking candelabras. Zacharias had no idea how that was supposed to teach him ‘responsibility’ and ‘respecting the rules’ and whatever other nonsense his Head of House had decided he needed to learn, but at least she hadn’t stuck around. Some sort of a Herbology emergency, she’d said, and it was a testament to how worried she must’ve been that she didn’t even nag when he’d rolled his eyes. You’re a good boy, Zacharias, had been all she’d said in a tone remarkably similar to the one his mother liked to use whenever she caught wind he’d caused some trouble. It brings me no pleasure to have to keep you here while your peers are out in Hogsmeade, but it’s not up to me. Maybe next time don’t leave your room after curfew? I’m sure whatever you need to do will still be there in the morning.

It wasn’t anything he hadn’t heard before, really. In fact, he was pretty sure he had her little speech memorised by now. Still, that didn’t mean shit since he’d ended up in detention anyway. And apparently the rest of his dear classmates had made sure to put on their best Saint Potter faces and be on their best behaviour because the Detention Chamber was almost empty save for him and Weasley’s girlfriend. Just fantastic.

As soon as Sprout left, however, Zacharias made himself comfortable, feet up on the empty desk in front of him, hands clasped behind his head. He had no intention of doing anything but relax for the next couple of hours, maybe even take a nap, though before he did that, he couldn’t resist taking a jab at Brown. “Should I be expecting Weasley to come on a dashing stallion to bust you out from detention? A real knight in shining armour, that one, by the way. Congrats.”

Lavender let out a pathetic weep, so distraught at the thought of not only getting caught snogging but also not being able to go to Hogsmeade with all of her friends and Won-Won. How are they suppose to get married if they can’t snog in piece? And cleaning was not one of Lavender’s strong suit, especially doing it the muggle way. She didn’t know how muggles lived like this!

She whined, looking over at Zacharias her lip in a permanent quiver. “I wish!” she said, huffing as she stopped the motion of her cleaning the bottle of the candle’s holder. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Ron as she look away from him lost dreamily in those thoughts. “Yeah! He really is, he would if he could!”

“He’s getting detention with Professor Flitwick so we’re apart,” she said sadly. “I had a beautiful date planned out today! This is awful oh-” she looked at him, frowning.

How Does the Bellwether Stand Today?

Once upon a time, the Malfoys had been an integral part of Hogwarts business. There had been a Malfoy on the board of school governors for generations – almost since the board was founded, some few hundred years ago. That had ended in 1993, when Lucius’s attempt to use the Chamber of Secrets to kill a Ministry bill he didn’t like had not exactly backfired, but had certainly caused some unwanted repercussions for them. He had had every intention of reclaiming his seat once the fervor died down in a few years…but then the Dark Lord had returned, and the Malfoys had fallen into first one disgrace and then another. There was no chance of Draco reclaiming the position now and little chance of that changing in his lifetime, or even that of his son. The Malfoys were quite simply not welcome at Hogwarts.

That didn’t necessarily mean their money wouldn’t be…but that didn’t necessarily mean that Draco wanted his money going through Lavender Brown to get there.

He leaned back in his chair, attempted to affect an air of calm that he did not feel. “Yes…well, I suppose I’m left with just one question, then.” How to phrase it that wouldn’t have Brown lunging across the table for his throat? Draco folded his fingers together on the table in front of him, a gesture that both made him look thoughtful and more importantly had the added benefit of placing his hand very close to the wand holstered in his sleeve just in case. “What is the British Wizarding Front’s purpose in serving as middle-man for these donations? And why,” he asked, meeting her eyes firmly and trying not to think about the beast that hid behind them, “approach me for such an endeavor? Your people don’t like me.”

He could have been talking about her childhood friends, about the other creatures who shared her Curse, or about her husband and their current political allies – the statement was true regardless. And perhaps the only person that all three of those groups liked less was Draco’s father…so why was the BWF also taking his money? Draco desperately needed to know.

Lavender resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the ‘just one more question’ attitude, why were so many purebloods so dramatic? Luckily the questions Draco was asking were easy to answer but she wondered what’s really going on behind his thoughts and why he seemed so afraid to give money, it seemed less about the game of numbers like some of the people she would get money from, it came from a different place for Draco. 

Since he leaned back, Lavender instinctively moved closer over the table, leaning against the table slightly as if Draco was telling an interesting story. 

“Well, I am not a part of British Wizarding Front technically,” she said giving a little laugh, “even with the whole our Lavender, they seemed to nickname me,” she said smiling a little smugly and moving joyfully in her seat as if it was a funny question. “I’m a lobbyist first and foremost to get money where it is needed to go.” 

How Does the Bellwether Stand Today?

“Yes…I suppose we must,” Draco said, but his smile felt thin and hollow even to himself. Something about her reaction struck him as…off. Was he reading too much into it, because of what he knew about what the war had done to her – what she’d become because of it – and could not imagine ever being so sanguine about a similar fate himself? Or was it because he wasn’t used to someone who fought for that side being so blasé about his part in it when talking to him? Of course, most of the people who had fought alongside Potter and Granger weren’t now serving as a mouthpiece for the British Wizarding Front…

Draco couldn’t deny being intrigued by Lavender Brown’s about-face; it was part of the reason why he’d come here today instead of brushing off her offer…instead of giving-in to his (utterly reasonable) desire to stay as far away as possible from all things like her. He had wanted to look her in the eye and see what she was going to say, to see if he could gauge whether or not she believed it. The war had changed everyone, yes…but while Draco had had his eyes opened to the idiocy of the bigotry he had grown-up believing sacrosanct, in Lavender’s case the change made less sense. How does one go from risking one’s life to defy a Dark Lord and stand-up for Muggle-borns to helping to lead the British Wizarding Front? It was…intriguing.

Her reference to his “getting into the business of being a supplier” was less so. “No,” Draco said shortly. Was she fishing, did she know something? Or was it an innocent question? Draco didn’t know, and that ignorance was distressing. “No,” he repeated more smoothly, “I don’t see any reason for someone to try and exercise that sort of strong-arm control. The Hogwarts matron is perfectly capable of deciding what serves the students best, of determining how to spend their funds. There’s no reason for some outsider like me to meddle with that. Besides,” he forced a smile, “can you imagine a more tedious business expenditure than middle man supplier? All that effort to get something from one place to another, and then you don’t even use it yourself…no thank you. I’ll leave that sort of tedium to the people who can’t afford otherwise.”

She smiled brightly at Draco’s answer at not wanting to be a supplier. “Well great! So does this mean you will contribute financially then!” she said, phrasing it less like a question. 

She nodded, “ I can’t say I was ever much gifted at potions so I can’t imagine the feeling you’re describing but I understand it. No need to fret and worry about every little detail, it would be very micromanaging.” she agreed.

“I think I’ll take my advice from the people I pay to give me it, but thank you,” Hermione replied evenly. She wouldn’t take the bait - she wouldn’t! Lavender was clearly angry about Hermione answering her and yet Lavender was the one who spoke first! The logic of some people would never make sense to her. Lavender, while a bit much sometimes, had been an alright person in school. She’d even fought with Hermione in the Battle of Hogwarts! What had happened to her to move so completely to the other side?

“Excuse me,” Hermione huffed. “Forgive me for assuming that someone speaking out loud would be speaking to the person next to them. I can be on my way, then, as you clearly would like to show yourself as mad.” She turned to move away when Lavender spoke again. “I’m not sure why I’d discuss my platform or the Ministry with you, Lavender. You can read about it in the papers, just like everyone else. Good day.” She turned to leave once more - she’d simply spoken and Lavender had attacked. Her few hours off wasn’t worth this conversation. 

She snorted, “That’s what all politicians do, isn’t it? Pay for positive answers. No wonder your don’t understand the other side at all...” she said, chuckling slightly. 

She frowned, annoyed again and put her hand on her hips a bit childishly. 

Outdoor Cinema, Carkitt Market | Zacharias Smith & Lavender Brown November 10th, 2020 Closed starter for @everlastinglavender​

Zacharias still had no idea how Brown managed to convince him to watch a stupid muggle film with her. And sure, he hadn’t necessarily seen it, but he couldn’t imagine anything with a title like Love Actually would be a cinematic masterpiece. Now, Star Wars, that he would gladly watch. It’d been one of his mother’s favourite films and Zacharias had to admit, despite his rather limited experience in the area, it was a fucking good film.

But no, instead he had to suffer through this like some sort of love-starved teenager trying to live out their weird-ass dreams through fiction. He rolled his eyes, suddenly reminded of how disgustingly sappy Brown and Weasley had been. What had he gotten himself into, fuck’s sake.

“I still don’t understand why me,” he commented as the opening credits rolled around. “Plenty of other poor bastards you could torture but no, had to be me.”

Lavender had been smiling so much her face hurt. She giggled at his words and hushed him. “Oh come on,” she said in a low voice. “This is going to be fun!” she nudged him as she began to watch the film. “I promised I’ll go to you with any film after this, okay?” she commented, “I just want someone I can actually talk to about this!” 

She squeeled quietly as the the first music starts to play, “Who knew muggles could make these picture stories like this,” she exclaimed. “I bet you’ll like this more then you know, Zachary,” she said. She knew she was going to sit next to someone who was going to complain the whole time but Lavender decided it was worth it, she had seen the movie five times already. 

The brunette is leaning against the cobblestone wall, quill in hand as she scribbles into her notebook. Victoire was on her day off from work, the one time of the week where she could take a break from the busy office of the Daily Prophet and have some time for herself. Today she had decided to pay her youngest sibling at Hogwarts a visit, a much needed escape from the incessant activity in her daily life, mainly because of the headlines the newspaper was making. Although the streets of Hogsmeade are arguably busier than what might qualify for a peaceful afternoon, she’s more than grateful for a change of scenery and a chance to get away from London.

At the sound of a voice, the young witch glances up from her notes slowly.  “I’m sorry, come again? The four of swords?” Victoire’s eyebrows furrow in confusion as she halfheartedly attempts to follow along with her string of words. While not completely familiar with the practice, she knew enough to understand the general concept. “How accurate are those tarot card readings, anyway?” She asks, attempting to sound as respectful as possible. “Do you find that they always give true predictions or is it just more general statements that you can apply to different parts of your life?” Genuinely curious now, she tucks the notebook into her robes in an effort to provide her undivided attention. “You really think your tarot cards could predict something like this?”

She looked surprised someone was talking to her but then realized someone was willing talking about tarot cards she couldn’t help but smile. Most people’s voice edged on confusion or disbelief even though it’s a real actual study of magic but Lavender didn’t let it get to her. 

“Tarot readings are quite accurate, what makes them not accurate is when people don’t do the proper steps in the right order before reading them and then people reading them wrong. Tarot cards are an ancient magic but they don’t just spell out their meaning for you which is why some have doubts of it’s legitimacy.” 

“I don’t think I’ve ever done a reading where it’s really general, it’s not like horoscopes but tarot readings technically aren’t for predicting the future, it’s more used for guiding you to the right decision or to learn more about yourself. Sometimes it means it can predict the future! But only if it pertains to the wizard... so I got the four of swords which generally indicates you should rest. It’s a picture of a wizard in an armor laying down with four swords above him about to strike but he’s peacefully on a tomb so it’s also tied closely with sickness, with it’s aggressive swords like a sickness and you as the wizard who can be protected if you just lay in bed and get better...” she said, rambling on about tarot as only Lavender could. “Is it clear? I can show you the card if it helps, I always keep a deck on me.” 

How Does the Bellwether Stand Today?

St. Mungo’s had been an excuse; yes, Hogwarts purchased a fair portion of their potions from the hospital – or had, at least, the last time Draco had looked into that sort of thing – but there really wasn’t a conflict of interest. Yes, his son attended the school where some of the potions he brewed might end up (unlikely, given that he was generally only called in to consult on the difficult cases, not to do the grunt-work of mass-producing basic brews) but any mention of a possibly connection with Hogwarts make Draco leery; he had jumped to the first excuse he could think of to avoid the subject altogether, but he probably should have thought about it a bit longer first because it wasn’t a very good excuse, was it?

“A service to the school,” he repeated, his voice as thin as his smile. “I’m not so sure that Hogwarts is interested in receiving any more services from me than it already has, anonymously or not.” Letting Death Eaters into the building (not to mention a violent werewolf!), causing a headmaster’s murder, being complicit in the destruction of an ancient magical chamber within the castle, Cursing one student and poisoning another…no, there wasn’t a lot that Draco felt that Hogwarts wanted from him these days but distance. He’d been sorely tempted, in fact, to send Scorpius to some other school – but he’d wanted to give his son the best chance in life he could (not that that was saying much, given the baggage with which he’d saddled Scorpius) and that meant a Hogwarts education less for the education it offered, and more for the social chances. Getting to know his peers when they were young enough to possibly not hate him on sight – or surname – was an invaluable chance; if Scorpius had come back to Wixen Britain fully grown and fresh from a foreign education, he’d never have stood a chance of being anything but Draco Malfoy’s son. As it stood, he’d be stuck trying to claw his way out of the pit of that connection forever…but at least he had a chance. At least he had friends. Albus and Rose meant more to Draco than he could possibly express…

Draco shifted in his seat, forcing his concentration back to the matter (to the creature) at hand. “I admit to some confusion, however. Are you looking for money, or are you after ingredients themselves? Because while I could certainly purchase the latter and then donate them, I’m not a supplier.” Brown couldn’t possibly know of his wife’s connections – could she? It wasn’t as though Astoria dealt in potions supplies very often anyway, and Hogwarts had license to purchase Untradeables without Ministry oversight; they didn’t need to shop though the Syndicate. But if Brown was just fishing for information or access, and using Hogwarts as an excuse to broach the subject, however… “Would it not be easier for Hogwarts to simply buy directly?”

Lavender shrugged slightly, “They didn’t give me any sort of list of banned contributors,” then she looked seriously at Draco, looking into his eyes. “The war was hard on everyone, we just have to continue with our lives and make amends when we can,” she said before sighing and turning back to her more default happy demeanor.