Drug of Choice

Chapter 2

Life As You Know It

As long as we are lucky we attribute it to our smartness; our bad luck we give the gods credit for.

- Josh Billings

Draco Malfoy sat down on his large leather sofa with his head in his hands and a heavy sigh on his lips. His hair hung over his face, wonderfully gray eyes hidden behind his hands. It had most certainly been a long day.

If it were not for the fact that he still had so many things to do, he would take himself to bed and be done with it all. But that, however, was not the case. It was only one in the afternoon and there were still many more chances for his day to grow worse.

He still had to make a trip to St. Mungo's in order to check in on his mother; for she had become lonely in her old age and frequently found herself in the company of healers.

Draco had done his best to keep her at her home in Malfoy Manor, but she had fought him tooth and nail that she would not have strange people in her home when there was no one else about and she lacked the strength to protect herself and possessions. But that, in the end, was Narcissa Malfoy.

As much as he loved his mother he did not have the time to make it to the Manor every day. He visited her on an average of twice a week. Blaise also took the time to drop in and see Narcissa. She love having company, it didn't madder who it was just as long as she got the chance to entertain someone.

Draco had suggested that she move into a smaller home, hoping that a smaller space would make her feel less alone. That idea did not go over well at all. Narcissa had refused to seek to Draco for days, though she was quite eager to relay messages to him through Blaise.

Draco felt the urge to shower before he left for St. Mungo's, but time pressed down upon him so he settled on a change of cloths.

Draco realized that he had been sitting on the sofa drifting off to sleep when he jerked awake and made his way to his room before he had the chance to doze off again.

Draco stepped into his overly large walk in closet and flicked on the light. A large assortment of wizarding wares and muggle attire hung on bars or lay folded on shelves.

Considering it was a warm day out and Draco was going to be visiting is mother he chose a simple button up black shirt with a collar and loose fitting khaki pants.

It was nothing fancy, but he believed that his mother would approve.

Draco had lost all urge to be best dressed a long ago and didn't feel that he should have to adopt tastes that were no longer his to please his mother. She could live with it and all would be well.

Draco peeled off the light gray button up he had worn earlier that day to the office and put on the new one in its place. His sticky black trousers soon followed and were replaced with the lighter ones, items being transferred from one pocket to another. The discarded clothes were tossed into the hamper and forgotten. Brown shoes were pulled onto his feet and he was out the door with out a second glance.

Just as soon as he hit the sidewalk he was gone in the blink of an eye.

St. Mungo's was crowded when he arrived in the corridor to his mother's room. The door was open so he let himself in and shut it silently behind him.

"Hello, Mother." He said quietly walking up to where she sat in a chair that faced a fake window.

Narcissa rose quickly, seeming startled by her son's voice. "Draco, dear. I did not here you come in. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" she asked with a smile.

"Mother, you know I always visit you when you're here. How are you feeling?" he asked while leading her back around to her chair and sitting her down.

She did not look at all her 47 years. Her hair had not grayed and still had all its beauty, as well as her features. There were almost no wrinkles on her perfectly shaped face and her sparkling gray eyes shown with all the ferocity they did in her youth.

"I'm feeling fine, Draco. How are you? Are you getting enough rest? You look worn," she fretted.

Draco couldn't help but smile at her concern. She would always put him first, no matter the case. She could be missing a foot and if just one of Draco's hairs were out of place she would have the ministry on it in a heartbeat.

"Yes, Mother, I am fine. It has just been a long day and there is more ahead. Do not worry about me."

"You know I can't help it. Don't try to get me to give up because you and I both know it is a worthless attempt."

"Yes, Mother. When do you wish to leave?"

"I would like to stay a few more days Draco. The Healers believe it to be the best thing for me."

Draco couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips. It happened like this every time. She would come in then refuse to leave the next day when everyone knew that she was just fine. The healers were well aware of this by now and allowed it just to humor her. Draco knew they would tell her that they wanted to keep her over for a few nights and then release her in three or four days telling her she was the perfect bill of health. It seemed to make her happy so Draco allowed it.

"Very well, Mother."

"What do you have planed for today, son?" she asked with genuine curiosity.

"I have a property to show at four and an interview with Witch Weekly at five."

"Witch Weekly?"

"Yes. Wizarding Britain's Twenty Most Eligible Bachelors."

"Again? That magazine is a bunch of rubbish. It's the same thing every year. Draco, when are you going to find someone who interests you? What happened to that wonderful Sandy woman you were dating.

"There was nothing with Sandy Mother," Draco did not want to talk about that terrible woman with his mother of all people. "I know the magazine is a waste of time Mother, but it is good for business, you know that. Doris has promised me that there is going to be a twist this year."

"What do you mean by twist, dear?" Narcissa dropped the Sandy conversation.

"I do not know, Mother, that was all the information I have been given."

"Well, why didn't you push for more?"

"Because, Mother, I do not care."

"No, you never seem to."

"I will stop by in the morning, Mother. I must be getting back to the office."

"Very well, Draco," Narcissa said bring herself out of the chair to hug her son. "You take care."

"Yes, Mother, you too," Draco said into her hair as she hugged him. He kissed her on the cheek and turned to leave. "By the way, what is all the fuss in the hallway for?"

"Something about a dragon, dear. Leave the door open on your way out."

"Yes, Mother. Goodbye."

With that Draco was back in the bustling hallway, apparating to the office.

Draco took in the sight of his employees, all sitting in their cubicles with wands out and phones pressed to their ears. It was a wonderful site.

"There you are, sir." said a small brunette woman as she handed him a cup of coffee.

"Lisa," Draco greeted with a nod of the head after sampling his coffee.

"There are a few messages on your desk, sir."

"Thank you," Draco said politely to his favorite employee.

Draco thought Lisa was a wonderful worker.. She had left Hogwarts three years ago and was doing all she could to support herself, her parents having turned their backs on her when she told them she was having a baby.

Draco normally did not care to hear about his employees' home life, but three years ago Lisa had answered his job ad in such an odd manner that he had no choice but to listen.

A slight smile crawled onto his lips when remembering the bizarre way she approached him. He had just finished locking up the office and was heading to a small coffee shop across the street when he heard the voice of a young frantic woman screaming at him to not go anywhere, though her words were a bit harsher at the time,, and that was what he did.

He had stopped on the other side of the street to watch this woman, with a child in her arms, run toward him the best she could. When she reached him, she handed over her baby and bent down to tie her shoe. Draco couldn't help but think that it was odd for a woman to just hand over her child to a complete stranger.

When Draco brought this up he found himself being yelled at by an extremely irate woman. She spilled her life story there on the sidewalk for Draco and all the while Draco continued to hold the baby. She was hired on the spot and since then had not missed a single day of work. Though, from time to time in the past year she could not find a babysitter. When that happened, Draco would be amused for the day by a three-year-old little girl that would cling to here mother as she stormed throughout the work place trying to keep things in order.

Draco recalled the several times his mother had attempted to place him and Lisa together. Draco secretly believed that Lisa would rather gouge out his eyes with a blunt object than kiss him. Draco thought on that for a moment and decided that he would rather remove his own eyes than kiss her. Their relationship was an odd one; not quite personal, yet not quite business either. It was something that Draco did not want to think about for long.

Draco entered his office and took up one of the parchments that lay on his desk. It was a letter form Doris telling him that his interview had been changed to four. Draco sighed and picked up the other, which insisted that Draco change the time of his house showing to three due to family problems. Well, Draco thought, maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all. He would be able to call it an early day if all went well.

The clock on the wall said two o'clock. That gave him enough time to place the call telling his client that he would be able to move up their appointment an hour and would meet him at the location soon.

Draco could have sworn that the person who had set up the original appointment had been male, but supposed that the woman he had spoken to had been the man's wife. He wished that there would have been a name attached to the letter because Draco was having a hell of a time trying to remember it.

Draco had been keeping himself busy, toying with the idea for a wonderfully large home he planned to build on land he owned in Dover. It worried him, though, because he could not see himself living in that particular home but wanted to build it none the less. He had plans for it, he knew, but what they were he was not yet sure of.

Time passed by quickly as Draco waved his wand over the blueprint parchment. He continued to add unexpected rooms here and there doing all he could to make it functional, but original, like all of his other custom works.

With a quick glance at the clock Draco noted that it was time he got going. Leaving his office, he made his way outside and apparated to the sale sight.

Draco wished that he could remember the name of his client. He rarely showed the houses to his customers personally; more often than not the task was left to his staff. This client, however, had asked for the best. Lisa had turned over the customer to Draco, knowing good and well he would hate it when all was said and done.

Draco approached the property he was meant to be selling. Seeing no one about he decided it was about time he had a smoke. Smoothly, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, removed one cancer stick and placed the pack back into his pocket.

Try as he might, Draco knew he would never be able to give up the habit he had picked up so very long ago. Each drag seemed to be a blessing from above. From time to time Draco almost felt as if he could live off the feeling of it alone.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Draco heard a male voice ask from behind him.

"Yes," Draco answered before turning around to face his client.

Draco about choked on the cigarette between his lips. Standing before him was someone he had never thought of seeing again in all his life.

"Mr. Potter."