The Prince

The Prince- Chapter 1

5 June 2001

Mr. Malfoy,

In accordance with Standard Wizarding laws, your personal Gringotts vault, as well as any properties entitled to you, are now available at your leisure.

Please keep in mind that although at twenty-one (21) you are well past legal Wizarding age, a great deal of your properties govern over either Muggle or Wizarding villages, and in some cases, a combination of the two. Therefore, only the strictest enforcement of these particular properties must be done if you do not wish to cause any problems.

Regarding your personal Gringotts account, at the time that you have received this letter, all monies within total four hundred million (400,000,000) Galleons; not including the properties you have recently been given control of. As for the main Malfoy family fault, all assets within have been frozen by the Ministry due to your parents' involvement with the Dark Lord. While it may be said that the war is over, and your family did provide useful information to capture other Death Eaters, the Ministry is in the process of checking all artefacts within the vault for any remnants of Dark magic. We, at the Ministry, understand that your parents' will stated that you would inherit everything upon their death, but we feel that these measures would be in not only your best interest, but in the entire Wizarding world's best interest.

You will, of course, be notified once the Ministry has done a thorough enough check of all items within your family vault.

We, at the Ministry, apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you, and if you have any further inquiries regarding any of the previously discussed matters, do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your time and patience, Mr. Malfoy.

Best regards,

Blaise Zabini

Department of Financial Services

Draco crumpled up the letter in disgust.

"Dear god, when did Blaise become such a tool?" he asked to no one in particular.

* * * * * * * *

Six months later

"Master Malfoy, your visitor is here."

"Good. And right on time, too. Leave them in the atrium, Fizzy," Draco replied, his eyes never leaving the paperwork on the desk before him.

"Yes, Master," Fizzy stated, as the tiny elf was waved away.

Draco let his head drop once the elf was gone; the dead weight bobbing from side to side, ridding him of a crick in his neck.

He stood, raising his arms above his head, stretching, feeling his muscle fibres slowly rip in his back and abdomen.

Maybe he could do some laps in the pool after this meeting was over. He needed a way to relax.

Draco entered the atrium, noting that the woman he was supposed to be meeting with was currently studying a clump of calla lilies and narcissi; the white of the flowers matching the white of her blouse. His eyes roamed across the plane of her body - from the black heels she wore to the crimson waves spilling over her shoulders and onto her back.

Crimson waves?

"Ginny?"

The woman whipped her head to the side at the sound of Draco's voice, eventually turning around to face him.

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy. It is so lovely to see you again," Ginny said, smiling.

Draco inwardly cringed. Her smile looked forced. Of all the people his realtor had to recommend, it just had to be her.

"Please, call me 'Draco'," he stated, walking toward the tea table in the centre of the room.

"Mr. Malfoy, I always use proper conduct when dealing with my clients. I'm only here to do my job, not become your next conquest."

Ouch. One, Ginny. Zero, Draco.

Ginny took her seat opposite him, pulling her bag into her lap. "Now, what exactly did you have in mind for your flat?" she asked, taking a sketchpad and pencil out of the bag.

"I want it to be completely different from the Manor and my other properties. Nothing too ornate; simple with a Slytherin colour scheme."

"Of course."

"Did my realtor give you any information regarding the flat?"

"Only the dimensions and the fact that it was previously owned by Ms. Pansy Parkinson before her properties were confiscated by the Ministry."

"Then you understand why someone such as yourself was hired."

"Yes, no one should have to suffer with that much pink and lace."

"Indeed."

Ginny spent the next five minutes jotting down notes and drawing rough sketches of designs.

They were the longest five minutes of Draco's life.

Her body posture was stiff and on the defensive, like that of a cobra poised to strike.

He knew she hated him; he was surprised that she even agreed to work with him. He was a complete and utter bastard to her back at school; she was a saint for dating him.

Draco was vaguely aware of how her sketchbook had made its way to his side of the table, but there it was, along with another surprise: Ginny was hovering over him, pointing out her ideas and explaining the layout of his new bedroom.

"So, Mr. Malfoy, what do you think?" she asked. He detected the slightest hint of excitement in her voice. It was rare for him to see or hear someone be so passionate about their job. He had to repress a smile.

She was looking at him in anticipation. Then it registered that she had asked him a question. Her close proximity made his mind akin to molasses in consistency. He had better answer, for her eyes flashed in irritation.

"Oh, yes; it's wonderful. When can you get started?"

"Never, Mr. Malfoy." Apparently, he had responded a bit later than her temper would allow. "Lest I forget that you have more important things to do than associate with a lowly, inferior Weasley." She snatched the book from the table, stuffing it into her bag before stalking out of the room.

Draco jumped out of his chair, taking advantage of his long legs to catch up with a furious Ginny.

He grabbed hold of her wrist, "Ginny, please don't leave. I really do appreciate your help. I wouldn't hire you if you weren't the best." He made an attempt at a smile.

She glanced down at the hand latched around her wrist, prying it away in disgust, staring at said wrist as though his touch marred the ivory glow of her skin.

She slowly lifted her head to his level, making eye contact with his slate-coloured orbs. "If you ever do something like that again, I will make sure that the Ministry is provided with some very useful information about the location of your parents and their friends."

Damn. He knew he shouldn't have trusted her with that.

"Don't think I have forgotten about out previous relations, Mr. Malfoy. The only reason why I am even working with you is your realtor is a good friend of mine." He watched the grace behind a movement as simple as tucking a crimson strand behind her ear. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Malfoy, I have an important meeting to get to."

And like so many other times previous, she was gone.