(Iceland)
"What do you think, Pup?" Sirius asked from their vantage point in the hotel they were staying at for the next couple of days. It turns out they weren't going to Paris they were really going to Iceland, to throw off any would-be assassins who wished them harm. Stating Paris on the platform was just to plant a false lead.
Looking over the small magical village, snow gently drifted down from above. "It's beautiful," he whispered, allowing a rare smile to spread across his features as he watched a couple of kids have a snowball fight with enchanted snowmen whilst their parents watched on.
"Yeah, you don't get this in England, just a lot of rain," his uncle joked good-naturedly.
Sighing, "It's a shame really," causing his godfather to look at him in question. "That we're only here for a couple of days. I think I could get used to this," he said, gesturing at the village.
"Well, we can always come back here next year," Sirius offered. "Or we can always move here, and you can just be homeschooled instead. It's not like we can't afford the tutors," his godfather replied. "Besides, the witches aren't half bad here either," his godfather's eyes tracking a nearby witch.
Considering the suggestion seriously for a moment, it was a very appealing idea to just leave all the drama of Magical Britain behind, but he would also be leaving his friends. Sure, he could make new ones, but it wouldn't be the same, plus his current friendships were all beneficial. "It has its merits, but Britain's my home."
At that statement, his godfather burst into laughter, his voice echoing out, causing some people in the alley to look up at the madman his uncle was. "What?!" he demanded angrily, wondering what he said.
Wiping away a fake tear, "I always considered you a cold-hearted brat, but you do have a heart—it just takes some ice to melt it," causing his godfather to laugh even more at the joke. "So are you and Greengrass dating? Both of you are similarly icy."
Ignoring the stupid remark, he stepped back into the room to sit on the sofa, enjoying the heat of the log fire. "Ah, come on, don't sulk."
Knowing that he was sulking just a little bit, "I'm not," he answered back. "I just don't have anything to say. Besides, Daphne is in contract with Blaise," he offered in explanation as he took a meat pie from the nearby silver tray resting on the mahogany table next to the sofa.
"Oh, I didn't know." Taking a seat on the other sofa, "I thought that was the reason for the Greengrass family's increased interest in us," his godfather confessed.
"Maybe, but the contract is only in the first stage, so a couple of years down the line it's possible. But their interest is probably just business interests at work.
Between the two of us, we own something in almost every sector of the British magical economy or will soon, now that we are properly managing our interests. We lost a lot of ground in the last two decades with the war, and then your imprisonment, and my previous guardian's mismanagement and thievery," he answered, giving his own opinion. "Either way, that's a lot of indirect influence in the backrooms of politics.
Plus it's not just one faction we have business deals with we're pretty diversified. It wouldn't surprise me if we had at least one mutual business interest with almost every current Wizengamot member. I think I have two with the Greengrass family currently, in the ingredients and potions sectors," not being able to answer accurately off the top of his head.
"Probably more soon, as I've got a business proposal that the Greengrasses are ideally suited for."
"Yeah, good point," Sirius admitted. "I think I'm going to start ending some of the legacy business relationships with a number of the darker families mainly the ones that I know for a fact were You-Know-Who supporters, or were outright marked Death Eaters. I don't want anything to do with that trash. If I am going to stay neutral in the Wizengamot for the next decade, I think it would be better for us anyway."
He thought over his godfather's plans. "Yeah, despite our recent successes we are too exposed as a family. We have no real allies in government, and if we push too hard, everything could fall apart. On the business side, it's a risky move; we will have to talk to both of our account managers about that, because it could have unforeseen ripple effects on our possible allies, and we could lose them as a result. We would have to warn them in advance, plus that way it hurts the targeted families more if several of their trading partners break their deals and thereafter trade exclusively with us," he stated, thinking over the risks but seeing the chance at profit.
"However, I don't have that particular problem; my ancestors were pretty light-sided with their business dealings, with some neutral dealings as well. So I'll mainly be consolidating my assets for the next half a decade, getting it all in order for the most part whilst I get my education, as I can't do much whilst I'm stuck in Hogwarts. I'll leave it to Bloodmoon to manage, with you overseeing it. But most of all I want to reopen the Potter Docklands," he admitted.
"With that up and running I'm no longer exclusively bound to the British markets. Plus that way I have another area to expand into, rather than encroaching on another family's controlled sectors. Hopefully that way I won't upset anyone local at least."
It really was one of the fundamental problems with the British magical economy—it was held firmly in the control of various monopolies all run by different factions and guilds from the 16th century. Everyone had their entrenched and fortified place in the system, to a point, and as long as the Ministry got their gold, they didn't care that the economy stagnated, with new ideas and players stifled or brought down.
"Yeah, I was wondering when you were going to do that," Sirius replied as he walked over to a bottle of brandy. "That's going to step on a few people's toes, you know. Plus you risk making overseas enemies."
"Yeah, but the docks should have been repaired and rebuilt as soon as the war was over, but they weren't and we lost all our business in that sector. The effect of that has rippled into others, increasing expenses. Before, the Potter family could just import anything they needed using their own docks and ships rather than having to pay all the middlemen their fees. Plus the docks have been in Potter hands since the 11th century, and it's a matter of pride. Besides, everyone will think it was your decision, not mine after all, I'm just a second year, you're the Lord," he argued.
"Thanks for that, more wands pointed at my back," Sirius grumbled.
"You said I was a cold-hearted brat I might as well earn that little title," he said with good humour. "On that note, I've been meaning to bring this up, but the Aurors stationed at the school are useless. And both of us are going to have some powerful enemies who would wish us out of the way or dead. I think we need to consider recruiting some private security of our own, rather than relying on the Ministry."
"Hmm," Sirius stated whilst drinking his brandy. "I guess a couple of bodyguards could be useful. Plus it will help me sleep better at night. But be aware it will be seen as a weakness on our part; the implication will be that we can't protect ourselves."
Seriously considering Sirius' statement, he answered with a sceptical, "Maybe."
"The Headmaster will be overseeing additional wards being constructed at Hogwarts over the holidays, by the way. However, most of them are going to be anti-Animagus wards the whole school is going to be covered in them soon," Sirius offered from his chair.
"That's good to know," he said, feeling a small measure of comfort whilst making a note to keep Rita out of the school for the foreseeable future.
"Yeah, at least the wards around my room are close to unbreakable. Hogwarts' defences are most impressive," he thought, just how fast his rather crude Animagus capturing net ward had recharged, almost like it was being helped along by something else.
"Hogwarts protects her own," Sirius said firmly. "Do you still believe Lucius is behind the opening of the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Yes, I have faith in my Agent's skills," he replied, having total faith in Rita in this regard. "I'm just wondering who the person in the school controlling it is. We were checking on anyone with links to Slytherin and the surname Riddle. The last time the Chamber was opened a Tom Riddle was involved, who at the time was a Slytherin and the Head Boy, along with Hagrid. Frankly, Hagrid may love dangerous beasts, but he would never intentionally hurt someone," he stated, certain that Hagrid was innocent.
"Ah," several minutes passed in silence. "I think I might have to start attacking Lord Malfoy's interests."
Taking a sip of the Honeybrew beer, he thought over his godfather's statement. "I suggest you wait," he stated seriously, not wanting to get caught in the crosshairs. "If you start attacking him too soon, you will scare away potential allies, who won't want to get caught between you and the Malfoy family. Wait a couple of months at least, gather allies, and then show them how they can profit from attacking Lucius' interests.
Need I remind you that the Minister just happens to be good friends with Lucius, so don't be surprised if you come under a Ministry investigation or two. However, I happen to know a couple of potential allies already who would love to see Malfoy fall. First, the Greengrass family, and second, the Bones. I bet Madam Bones would love to see Lord Malfoy fall from grace, just so that she could finally investigate him without interference."
"Besides, if we're lucky, we won't even have to attack him. From what I've heard, Lord Nott already is. And the Headmaster knows Lord Malfoy is the mastermind behind the Chamber. Let them hit him first and you may only have to finish what is started, and watch him get thrown in your old cell for his involvement in the Chamber."
"Yes, that would be a rather fitting punishment," his godfather's smile turning darker at the thought of the Death Eater warming his old cell. "And without the head of the family, it all falls apart. Cissa is no Lucius she won't be able to hold the sinking ship together, as everyone turns into vultures over the Malfoy family assets. The best she could do would be to find another Lord willing to shelter her and her son."
"We could always invite them back into the family," Harry offered.
"Why would we do that?" Sirius inquired.
"Because we would gain control of the Malfoy seat and fortune through Lady Malfoy until Draco comes of age, anyway. It's an option. Not that I would want to share a house with the annoying idiot, but that would surely upset Lucius from his jail cell, the knowledge that his vote and money is being used for the betterment of 'lesser stock.'"
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