The entrance was just as grim and forbidding as ever. The wards opened for Draco, Astoria and Olivia, the Malfoy wards as well as the Ministry ones. All the protection was necessary, Lucius was still on probation and the family still needed extra protection from their numerous enemies.
The house-elf bowed the visitors into the reception room. Narcissa was genuinely welcoming. Olivia didn’t need any more than a Legilimens touch to be sure.
“I can’t tell you how happy your proposal made me. The only person to be persuaded is, of course, Lucius. The latest episode with Draco and the aurors convinced me that the feud has to be finished.”
“Can I put something into the plan at this stage?” Astoria always commanded respect, particularly when everyone knew they needed help.
“What we need is a transaction, something that will give Lucius something he wants, but he can only get it by giving us what we want. Now, what does Lucius want right now?”
“More firewhiskey.”
“More elf-wine.”
“More galleons.”
“They’re all good answers. Let’s analyse them. To get more firewhiskey Lucius needs what?”
“More galleons.”
“To get more elf-wine he needs what?”
“More galleons, the Malfoy house-elf doesn’t make elf-wine.” Narcissa was amused.
“The answer then is what?”
“More galleons!”
“How are we to do that, he won’t take a bribe, bribes from wizards can result in obligations which Lucius would be reluctant to burdened with.” Narcissa spoke carefully.
Olivia took over. “There is a business proposal which could be put to him. The Malfoy estate has five thousand hectares of wizarding land which can be used to grow magical crops for potions and at present no one is working that land.”
“That’s right, how did you know about that?” Narcissa was clearly surprised by the revelation of Malfoy family insider knowledge.
“Since we revived Greengrass Potions we have been setting up contracts with wizard farmers including the ones who used to rent Malfoy estate lands. They are all renting land from other owners or have been able to buy their own magical titles to other farms.” Olivia paused as if waiting for more comments, then carried on.
“We haven’t found anyone working on the Malfoy estate. They haven’t even asked for a new lease. The Malfoy estate, I’m afraid, has a terrible reputation for raising rents and then refusing to pay to protect and improve the land.”
“That was Lucius, he kept all dealings between him and the tenants secret. I knew he was running the estate into the ground. There was nothing I could do. The authority over the estate is all with Lucius.” Narcissa was letting a lot of bitterness come into her normally cool voice.
“We, by we, I mean Greengrass Potions, have a deal to offer Lucius. We have a wizard farmer who could revive the Malfoy estate and get it to start earning galleons for you. The rents will not be high, the farmer will protect and improve the land himself so that the Malfoy estate will not have to pay anything. Lucius will get a steady income. All he has to do is find the start of the Malfoy-Weasley feud and remove the Malfoy side of the problem.”
Narcissa went to collect Lucius from his hiding place. It took a while but eventually a haggard and worn Lucius shambled into the room. He collapsed into his usual chair. “Olivia, Astoria, and even my loyal son Draco. How are you Draco?”
“I am well father. You look ill.”
“Thank you, Draco, but I already know that. Azkaban isn’t what it used to be, at least I have survived, and I still own my own mind. What have I done to deserve the pleasure of your company?”
“I want to discuss the future of our family in the wizarding world. I have a new life working at Imperial College and I still want to be able to walk down Diagon Alley without being arrested. The Weasleys will not leave me alone. I need this feud to stop, as soon as possible. I need you to search through the family journals, find whatever started the feud. The war is over for most wizards but not for me. You have to lift the curse our ancestors made to start the feud. You have to stop the Malfoy side of the feud so that I have a chance of a decent life.”
The infamous Lucius Malfoy sneer was back. “This is all about you is it? You don’t have the stomach for dealing with inferior muggle lovers like the Weasleys, so you want me to get you out of it. You are a muggle lover yourself now, living as a muggle, rejecting every principle that the Malfoy family has kept for centuries. Why should I accommodate you? Tell me that Draco, why should I do anything? What’s in it for me?”
Olivia stood, walked to Lucius’ chair, and handed him a sheet of parchment. “This, Lucius, is a reason why you should. It is a magical lease agreement for your potions fields, the farmer who is interested in taking the lease is going to pay you a set fee for three years with an option for a further three. The Malfoy estate will not be required to invest in any improvements. The farmer will do it all himself. The farmer will not agree to the arrangement unless Greengrass Potions agrees with all the legal and magical constraints. There is already a supply agreement in place between us. The farmer is already supplying us from other farms he manages.”
Olivia returned to her seat. “Lucius, you will have to lift the curse, otherwise there will be no lease and no money for you.”
The rage flared in the pale face. “I will not agree to this! Get out! Get out! All of you!”
“That was excellent.” Narcissa whispered to the conspirators as they went out of the front door. “He will agree to it within a week.”
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