For All I've Done

I can do that, sure. [ she smiles brightly ] I’ll take that as a compliment. Oh, yeah, before I forget– not that I would; I’m very good with the whole memory thing– but the Minister wanted to talk to you. Soon-to-be former Minister? I don’t know what to call him. 

Perfect. [ he nods ] Take it however you will. [ his interest is piqued ] Minister-until-proven-contrary works perfectly fine. Do you know what he wanted to talk about?

This was a bit of an impulse trip, sorry. [ she perks up ] Really? Can I?

It’s good we keep the manor well stocked then. [ he chuckles ] Of course. He’s napping right now, but we can still peek in.

“…i’m pretty sure I know what i’m doing, thanks. Done it a thousand times”

They don’t seem very – very fussed about it. I trust them more than you. 

They should be. Especially considering the last time I saw you, you attacked me. Does your employer know you attack ministry officials at the drop of a hat?

He nods. “It’s a risk that has to be taken,” he says, before nodding. “I’ve got those; I knew you’d ask.” He places a folder on Lucius’ desk. “Sure they will,” he agrees. “But they’ll actually be arrested for it too.”

I’ll look over these at my earliest convenience. [ he slides it to the right side of his desk without looking at it ] So a travel ban will arrest poachers after the fact? You can’t bother to catch them before?

He nods. “I’ve mentioned it to Mrs. Goyle, yes,” he says. “They should know that they’ve been treating a mudblood like a beloved employee. It’s disgusting.” He raises his eyebrows. “You enjoy her presence, though?”

“And what did she say?” The young man seemed to like to fight every battle instead of picking the ones worth it. “Jealous are we, Severus?” Lucius asked, quirking an eyebrow. “If you must know, I enjoy having a secretary who actually does her job.”

Why would I need one? [ he smiles a little bit ] Congratulations. It’s a good name. 

[ he shakes his head ] I guess fine. Haven’t heard anything, so I assumed that meant you were preoccupied with Draco and everything that’s been going on.

Why does anyone need a boggart? [ he looks at the trunk as if he’s keeping a secret before looking to garrick again ] Thank you. I think it suits him well. [ he nods ] And giving you space to decide for yourself.

Good to know. I’ll try and resist, though, as tempting as it is. I did come for other reasons than your food, though. Is there anything I can do to help  out you and Narcissa?

If you give me warning, I can always have a meal prepared. However many courses you may want. Though, now that we have you here, we should introduce you.

[ she nods, saluting at him ] Yes, sir. [ she flicks her wand, and the notes float off the desk and flutter in a neat little line back over to her desk out of the room ] I’ll bring them back later, then? [ she nods ] I’ll make sure she stays solidly not here. I’ve managed to tweak my schedule a bit so I shouldn’t have to be gone, but I’ll be sure to find someone less… annoyingly bubbly. I like to think my bubbly is endearing. 

[ he raises an eyebrow at the salute, but lets it slide as the notes make their way out ] Later is perfect. Over lunch I can take a few. [ he nods hesitantly ] Your bubbly is something. Tolerable. You don’t pull together office fruit baskets. That is appreciated.

“I will take a second doughnut if I want to and no one can stop me.”

As were you with your useless information about your son. Have you just been bragging to everyone that comes in here?

I don’t really care about your time. It’s simple: mine is worth more. I’ve been receiving a lot of note and congratulations. I haven’t had to really bring him up on my own.

This is my job, don’t really have a choice. I d-do like to eat and live in an actual building.

I don’t know if this shop can handle you as a liability. 

Thank you, that’s how it should be. I wish you two all the best with that one, your child is going to be more spoiled than either of you combined.

I couldn’t agree more. On both counts. Any child of mine deserves no less than being ridiculously spoiled. Hopefully you’ll have some hand in that.

Ah. [ he releases the paperweight immediately, and makes sure that it settles before he looks back at lucius ] I’d rather avoid boggarts, if possible. Not that seeing Atticus doesn’t sound lovely, but… [ he grimaces, and shuffles for a moment before he looks over at lucius ] I’m just here to say congratulations. I heard you have a son now. 

No one wants to come face to face with a boggart if they can help it. Though at least you know where to find one now if you need one. [ he looks from the box to garrick ] Thank you. I do. His name is Draco.

Pristine, though I did get some new gel pens. Purely for personal notes, don’t worry, but they’ve got glitter ink. I’ve gone through these, though, and notated them for you. I can clear away some of the rest of this, if you want…? Those– [ she points to one of the little piles ] –are all personal notes from people in the office saying congrats. I talked Wanda, your temporary secretary, out of getting you a fruit basket, that seemed like the right thing to do. You don’t seem that fruity. 

[ he sighs ] Personal notes can be set away until end of day. I’ll bring them home and read them. I need space to work. There’s a large amount of paperwork to catch up on. [ he pauses and runs his hand over his face ] Thank you for avoiding the fruit. Let’s not bring Wanda back as temp. Find someone else to handle the position if you have to be gone again. Preferably you will not.

“Well she shouldn’t be hiding from the Goyles. She’s tricking them.” His lip curls in a bit of a sneer. “But she’s still a mudblood. How can you support your views and be fond of a mudblood?”

“I assume you’ve already talked with the Goyles?” He asks, a curious lilt to his voice. “She is and I never said I was fond. She has connections. I see possibilities.”