32"You seem kind of down today, Harry. Everything okay?" Bill asked, taking a seat beside the younger wizard. Harry nodded, chewing on his bottom lip as he placed his book down, turning to look at the eldest Weasley child.
"I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with my life," Harry admitted with an embarrassed flush, making Bill snort at the blunt answer. "During my years at Hogwarts, I had this pressure to be an auror. After everything though…" He watched as Bill's expression went stormy, a flash of anger behind his eyes. "It was expected of me to want that, so I didn't fight back against it when the time for career paths came up." He took a breath, shaking his head.
"In all honesty, I wasn't prepared enough to give it enough thought. By the time career paths came up, I didn't have long to make my decision. I didn't even know what half the jobs on the sheet were." Bill sighed, gently running a hand through the ebony hair.
"Trust me when I say this, Harry. You weren't the only one who was lost. Purebloods and the half-bloods that were raised in this world had years to make up their mind. Those raised in the muggle world though?" Bill shook his head. "You all were thrown to the wolves. If it were up to me, I would make an entire career path as a mandatory class for the first three years." Harry listened, his eyes widening.
"Merlin, Bill. That's a great idea." The elder Weasley smirked a bit.
"I like to think so." He teased. "But seriously. I think it's something Hogwarts desperately needs. Muggleborns are already at a disadvantage when they enter this world, but it's only made worse when they aren't given adequate resources about the available jobs." Bill leaned back on the sofa, looking at him fully.
"So," The ginger began, tapping on one of the numerous books on the table. "Is there anything in particular you're thinking about? I saw your NEWT results, Harry. You could literally do anything you want." Chuckling, the younger glanced at a few of the books spread out on the table, chewing on his bottom lip.
"For starters, I can tell you what I definitely don't want to do," Harry admitted. "Besides being an auror, I don't want to be a professor either. Even though everyone said I was a great teacher, it's not something I can picture myself being satisfied with." Even if Hogwarts would always be his first home, he had lost too many people there. It was filled with bloodshed and pain, despite the wonderful memories he made with his friends there. "I also don't think I want to work at the Ministry in general, besides when I'm in Wizengamot."
"Working in the Ministry is overrated," Bill stated immediately. "Don't get me wrong, the jobs are important, but it's not the only thing available. The ministry always bored me when I was young. I wanted something different." He admitted with a small chuckle. Harry bit his lips, thinking again.
"I…I think I have an interest in what you do." Harry admitted with an embarrassed flush, eyes widening when Bill let out an excited whoop. He turned to him in surprise, mouth agape as Bill chuckled loudly. "You're excited about that?"
"I didn't want to say anything to impact your decisions, but I've seen your skills. Being a curse breaker comes naturally to some, and I can tell that you're one of them as well. I've seen your magic react to other magics. Mine does the same thing. It was part of the reason I followed this career path."
"I don't even know the first step to take on becoming a curse breaker. I don't know if I want to work at Gringotts though."
"There are so many opportunities besides Gringotts. I am partial to them, of course, but you have other options. Being a curse-breaker doesn't necessarily mean you only break curses. I've been called in for simply adjusting wards or transcribing runes. I know you could do any of these things, Harry. I've seen your talent."
Harry groaned, leaning back on the sofa we well with a huff.
"You're really selling it strong, Bill." He admitted. "I've always liked Runes and Wards. And I do have a lot of experiences with curses," Harry snorted to himself, thinking about the dark curses he had dealt with all his life. "What's it like working at Gringotts here? I know it must be a change for you." Bill hummed, shrugging.
"Being stationed in Egypt had the merits of all the tombs, which was quite an adventure. There were dozens and dozens of tombs ready to be opened and explored. I was often sent to retrieve the gold and return the treasures to Gringotts once they were cleared from curses." He paused. "The only temples we had clearance to go through were the ones that were known as magicals. If there was a tomb of unknown origin, we weren't allowed to enter."
"What did Gringotts do with the treasure you found?" Bill smiled softly.
"It depends. If it was of Goblin origin and was stolen, they were allowed to keep it. If not, it was sent to the vaults of the families associated with the temples." Bill explained. "They have a spell to determine which family line received it." Harry hummed in intrigue, nodding.
"As for being a curse breaker here, they have me working on improving their wards currently and applying new runes. Some of the carvings are showing their age, so I've been reapplying those and adding new magic to it." Harry couldn't deny how wonderful that sounded.
As they continued to discuss the practicalities of curse-breaking, another thought entered Harry's mind.
"You know, for all that curse-breaking can do, I am surprised there aren't more around here. Especially in Diagon of all places." Harry commented, feeling Bill tense with excitement beside him. "Can you imagine a shop that takes in cursed objects and breaks the curse for you? I think it could be useful." He spoke softly, mostly to himself. "Or a shop that specializes in wards too. Like consultations on how to fix them or a person to go in and check them."
"Harry," Bill grabbed his shoulders, eyes wide and earnest. "You just hit a gold mine of possibilities. Please, take time to think this over, but I would gladly help you if you're wanting to do that." Harry gaped at him for a moment, but after a moment of letting his own words sink in, he realized just how badly this was something he wanted to do.
"I…you would want to do this with me?" Harry asked slowly, looking unsure. "But you're with Gringotts?" Bill merely laughed, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, I could just as easily become a freelance for Gringotts. The pay is nice, but what you're describing?" Bill sighed in reverence, running a hand down his face with a large grin. "It's something I've always wanted to do too. To have the possibility of interacting with multiple cursed objects and family magics is something any curse-breaker would want. I've wanted to teach more people about the art of this job." Harry was reeled in, his green eyes looking intently at the man beside him.
"That's another thing the shop could offer. Have a class open for anyone on certain days so that they can learn the craft as well." Bill groaned, throwing his hands up.
"C'mon, Harry. You're giving me way too many ideas here! How can you expect me to-"
"Bill's Banished Curses." Harry cut him off. "I think that has a nice ring to it. Maybe that one could focus on breaking curses and the offered classes. And a building beside of it could be called Potter's Renewed Runes and Wards, which focuses more on creating or adjusting runes and wards. Obviously the shops would be connected, but I think Banished Curses would flourish more if it had the opportunity to teach classes as well."
"Please tell me you're being serious, Harry." Bill was practically shaking with excitement. "Because if you are, I already have a lineup of curse-breakers that would be more than eager to work for us."
"Bill, I am being serious, I think…I think this is something I want." Harry admitted. "Oh! And we could even have mail-in requests. Where they send in their objects or send a request to have someone come in person." He laughed when arms were wrapped around him, hugging him tightly.
"We could sell specific quartz as well. For people just starting to get into wards, they would need some sort of quartz to help channel their magic." Harry felt his eyes widen at that, nodding along. "Specific chalk and carving materials as well, for those who want to practice runes."
"I can't believe we're doing this," Harry chuckled to himself, feeling lighter. "And I also have some people who would be happy to help us. Remus loves runes just as much as I do, but he can never apply to jobs because of his condition." He breathed out.
"Well then, I think we already have part of our staff," Bill spoke with a grin.
"Hello, Lucius." Harry smiled at the man. "Thank you for inviting me," The older wizard nodded, leading the other into one of his studies.
"Wizengamot is in a few days. I wanted to inform you of a few of the laws that will be discussed on the day you join." Feeling grateful, the younger nodded with a small thank you. "I know you are already aware of Lord Fenneck's proposal. However, I have recently become aware of a proposal that Dumbledore intends to place." The dark expression on Lucius' face made Harry frown, stomach-churning in an unsettled manner.
"It's going to be bad, isn't it?" The twitch of Lucius' jaw gave him away.
"He is seeking to issue a ban regarding the practice of Samhain in this country." Harry's lips parted in shock, anger coiling in him at the sheer audacity. He shook his head incredulously. "I've been told he is planning to use it as dark arts propaganda."
"Then I will make a motion to have the ban dismissed, even if it will be my first day," Harry replied cooly, to Lucius' surprise and hidden delight. "Samhain is a day to celebrate the dead. We honor them and the upcoming future. Just because it has been associated with death does not mean it is evil." Harry frowned deeply. "The wheel is important to our culture."
"I am surprised you know so much about the wheel," Lucius mumbled. "From what Draco discussed, Samhain was replaced by the muggle holiday, as well as Yule." Harry nodded at that, looking away for a moment.
"Hermione read anything she could get her hands on, but it was Ron who taught us about the Wheel," Harry spoke with a bittersweet look on his face. "It might come as a surprise, but the Weasleys still follow the old traditions too. They celebrate both the muggle way and the magical way. They've taken pieces of Yule and pieces of Christmas to make it something unique. Same with Samhain and Halloween."
Lucius listened with rapt attention, unable to hide his interest. Doing something like that was almost unheard of among the purebloods, but he couldn't deny the merits it had. To take something old and make it new again? It was something he could respect and potentially understand.
"The old ways are important, but I do admire the Weasley's rejuvenation of our beliefs," Lucius spoke up. "Not many would think to do that." Harry nodded in understanding.
"They probably feel like they shouldn't have to give up their beliefs, and I understand that. It's got to be difficult having your traditions ignored in favor of the muggleborns. There needs to be a balance, or at least tutoring on the traditions, in order to let them decide which they want to follow." Harry paused, remembering the conversation he had with Bill the other day.
"There's a lot of things that need improvement. Had it not been for Hermione, Ron, and my own desire to learn about the traditions, I don't think I would have been able to find information on it. The books at Hogwarts are limited on information regarding the wheel, which sets Muggleborns up for failure from the beginning."
"Once the board of governors is reestablished, I plan on rectifying this through Wizengamot." Harry titled his head at that, his mind reeling.
"I thought that it was the headmaster who had the ability to decide what to teach. They have the power to choose what it is taught, don't they?"
"Partially," Lucius admitted. "There are certain courses that are required universally, such as the History of Magic for the first three years. The Bill I plan on proposing will give the Board of Governors complete control over what is taught, and who is hired." Harry snorted, nodding immediately.
"That's a great idea. Hogwarts needs an overhaul after this last war. It doesn't help that Dumbledore employs professors that are subpar as well." Harry shook his head, thinking about Trelawney. "There are professors there that the Board would immediately fire if they observed them teaching."
"Draco expressed the same when he was a student," Lucius agreed, a hint of a smile on his lips. "With the Dark Lord gone, I can return to my duties there as well." Harry nearly grimaced, already imagining the pressure Lucius must have felt from the Dark side. Had they expected him to use his position on the board to hire Death Eaters as professors? It wouldn't have surprised him if it were true.
Perhaps they wanted to try and kill him at the end of the year, like so many of his former professors had.
"If the proposal goes through, Bill already has an idea for a new curriculum to be added," Harry confessed, missing a gleam of interest in Lucius' eyes. "I was talking to him the other day about the way Hogwarts handles its career paths and how lacking it was. He believes in adding a mandatory career path class for the first three years."
He looked into the wide gray eyes and smirked slightly, realizing he already had the other wizard hooked. He resisted the urge to chuckle and instead spoke up again to sell the point even further.
"When the time for career paths came up, I had no idea what I was doing. I had only heard of a few of the jobs on the list, and the rest were foreign to me. Even Hermione was unaware of some of the opportunities. Muggleborns and the half-bloods that were raised in the muggle world like me were utterly lost. We didn't feel like we had enough information to make a good decision." As he finished his talk, he observed the gleam in Lucius' eyes brighten even more.
"That is a wonderful idea," Lucius admitted immediately, a thoughtful expression lingering on his face. "I think it's a good idea even for pureblood children. They might know the careers already, but looking at them deeper will help them decide what they truly want." There was a strange expression on the older wizard's face as he said this, and Harry would have missed it had he not been looking.
Harry didn't know how to describe the look. It was solemn almost, with a hint of disappointment. He tilted his head slightly, looking at him with a frown.
"Is everything okay?" He spoke softly, giving a small smile when Lucius peered at him. "Sorry, uh." Harry rubbed the back of his neck, fighting off an embarrassed flush. "I could be wrong, but you looked unhappy for a moment." To his surprise, Lucius chuckled softly.
"You aren't incorrect. The conversation of careers made me think of Draco," The man turned, waving his hand over his forgotten teacup. Soon, steam started to rise as it heated back up. "My relationship with Draco has worsened over the past three months. I wish there was more I could do to help him," The usually poised man let out a small sigh of displeasure. "However, he does not seem to be willing to help himself," Lucius admitted with a grimace.
"How do you mean?" Harry inquired, looking pensive at the older wizard's words, growing more concerned.
"He lacks ambition and motivation to succeed," It was as if those words were hard to say, and Harry felt a pang of sympathy for the other.
But Harry understood what the other wizard was referring to. It was something he had witnessed often in his time at Hogwarts. He could practically hear the overused My father will hear about this ringing in his ears.
"That was the other reason as to why he left, wasn't it?" Harry had a feeling there had been more to that conversation from a week ago, but he wasn't expecting this. Lucius nodded, taking a moment to form his response.
"I want to see him succeed on his own merits, not because he is a Malfoy," Lucius spoke with honesty, tone strong and unwavering. Harry swallowed hard at that, unused to seeing the man so passionate. "Draco has always had…disillusions with the family name, and I know I am partially to blame for that. He didn't realize until later that it was a part I was playing,"
"When did you tell him?" Harry asked, curious. It was something he had been wondering about since he discovered Lucius was a spy.
"After he learned occlumency. It was right before his sixth year." There was a beat of silence. "I didn't trust him with the reality until then." Harry nodded, starting to understand the picture more. "Even after learning the truth, Draco still expected everything to be handed to him." Harry nearly flinched, already imagining the conversation.
"I imagine he must have had a hard time envisioning life outside of Hogwarts," He understood that when he was younger. After his fifth year, it had been easier imagining life outside of Hogwarts, away from the headmaster. "For the students who had a relatively normal experience, I guess I can understand to an extent. But," Harry trailed off for a second. "I don't think anyone did towards the end. The war touched everyone." He paused again.
"Honestly, it surprises me that more people my age haven't stepped in to help much. I've seen some help rebuild, and I know some returned to Hogwarts to finish their classes, but the others…" He seemed to hesitate. "I know Draco needed space, but I would have thought the loss of his friends would have been an incentive for him to want to change things." It had been for him, at least. Lucius withheld a sigh as he nodded, looking displeased.
"Whenever there was a problem Draco couldn't solve, or a problem that required more work than he initially thought, he avoided it. He's always had a bad habit of running away from his issues instead of facing them up front. When he was faced with the reality of all the work it would take to fix our government, he fled." Harry frowned to himself, catching the glimpse of disappointment and pain in Lucius' expression, the hurt becoming more obvious.
Even though he was not a father, he knew that any good parent wanted their child to succeed and wanted the best for them. To have your child run away instead of taking the initiative to succeed and improve was a hard thing to deal with.
"I'm sorry," Harry mumbled softly, looking into the striking grey eyes with his own green ones. "I know this must be hard for you to talk about. Thank you for sharing it with me," When those striking grey eyes seemed to soften for him, Harry felt an odd flutter in his chest for the briefest of seconds.
"I can't deny that you are easy to talk to. You have a keen mind that not many at even my age possess," Harry felt himself flush at the praise, lips twitching into a barely-there smile. "I certainly wish Draco possessed one like yours," Unable to stop his amused snort, Harry shook his head.
"I don't know about that. When I was younger, I had a problem with authority figures…still do somewhat," Harry added as an afterthought. "He might have caused your lovely golden hair to gray far too early," Lucius was unable to stop from chuckling at the answer, taking a sip of his tea to ignore the warmth that rose to his cheeks.
" A defiant Draco would have certainly made my job more difficult." The man agreed, taking another sip of his tea. He seemed to sigh as he spoke up, "As difficult as this is to say, I would have feared Draco's ability to function in Wizengamot," While Harry gazed at the man, the younger began to understand something important. He felt like an idiot for not seeing it sooner.
There was so much more going on.
"He's no longer heir to the Malfoy Lordship, is he?" Harry said, hating the subtle way Lucius seemed to deflate. He would have missed it had he not been looking for it.
"No," Lucius admitted slowly, placing the saucer down carefully. "After watching Draco run away from the problems around him for the past two years now, I knew it would be disastrous to leave the Malfoy seats for him. Wizengamot requires assertive individuals who aren't afraid of facing problems and finding ways to fix them." Harry could see the pain in the silver eyes, and he immediately reached forward, wanting to remove the pain. His fingers gently squeezed the pale forearm, green eyes bright.
"For what it's worth, I think you made a hard decision, but ultimately the right one. With everything going on right now, this society needs all the help it can get. If no one steps in now to help, when will they?"
Subconsciously, Lucius gently touches the hand on his forearm, thumb carefully ghosting across the knuckles.
"You're certainly going to change things in a few days," Harry grinned at the words, green eyes gleaming.
"Well, not just me. I forgot to tell you, but the Twins claimed the Prewitt Lordship, and Bill claimed the Weasley Lordship. They all plan on aligning neutral," Lucius smirked at the devious look in Harry's eyes.
"That will take many by surprise, especially those in the Light faction. The Weasleys have always been thought to be some of the most devout Dumbledore supporters. Aligning neutrally can prove otherwise,"
"After everything that happened, the Weasleys have nothing but hatred for Dumbledore. I know they're looking forward to blocking anything he proposes," Lucius chuckled softly, unaware that he was still gently touching the hand on his forearm.
"I and countless others are looking forward to that,"
"I'm glad you'll be beside me to see it," Harry grinned at him and Lucius felt his chest explode with warmth, his lips twitching into a genuine smile that very few had ever seen.