Chapter 86: The Grey Bank Ball II.

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Little Tree - Grey Bank

Johnathan Grey

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The conversation between the four of us flowed easily at first, with Sirius even cracking a few jokes here and there about my speech. It was also nice of Remus to somewhat loudly speak about how nice it has been for him to be given the Werewolf Ring. He would have been better off keeping it to himself for now, in case people don’t take well to the rings and still treat werewolves like dirt, but he seemed to want to pay me back in a way by adding some extra advertisement. 

“Careful, Grey. You’ll have every Ministry and government in the world wanting to kidnap you for themselves after that speech. Lock him up, ship him overseas, ‘Exclusive Healer Lord, limited edition!’” Sirius joked, causing us to chuckle alongside him. But his expression gradually sobered as he leaned in just a fraction, lowering his voice. “In all seriousness, John, pun fully intended… I wanted to discuss something with you. Later, when you’ve got the time.”

I allowed my gaze to sharpen slightly as a knowing look settled on my features. “I know.”

Sirius blinked. “You… know?”

Of course I did. Hindsight may be twenty-twenty, but foresight was a whole other beast. The fact that I was able to see every word written on the letter was frankly insane. If old Palpy weren’t sticking to the ‘rule of two’ doctrine, he would have been unstoppable with a group of seers telling him exactly how battles would play out.

He’d have been able to save himself two Death Stars.

I gave Sirius a reassuring nod. “You’re right. It wouldn’t have taken long. But I already know what you want to talk about.” Confusion creased his brow until I added quietly, “...I've been keeping my ears and eyes wide open.”

Realisation flickered in Sirius’s face as his eyes slid across the ballroom, landing on the Malfoy mother and son duo, standing elegantly near a cluster of the ‘dark’ faction. Following his gaze, I added, “Go on. Call them over. I haven’t seen the fake little dragon in a few months, and it’ll be good to catch up with an old classmate again.”

The kid was trying to hide his nerves so much that it was actually being counterproductive. He now looked more like a robot trying and failing at acting like a real boy.

Sirius sent me a quick, grateful smile before turning and lifting a hand to gesture his cousin’s over. Heads turned as Narcissa and Draco crossed the floor, impossible to ignore with everyone focusing so much on our conversation.

When they reached the group, Narcissa inclined her head elegantly toward Sirius. “Lord Black. It is good to see you well.” Her hand rested lightly on Draco’s shoulder as she practically drew him forward. “Allow me to introduce my son, Hier Malfoy, Draco.”

Sirius almost winced at her formality as he waved his hand dismissively, allowing his familiar grin to return. “Oh, drop the titles, Cissy. We’re family. Just Sirius is fine, or Siri, as you used to say.”

Narcissa’s eyes softened a fraction at the reminder, though her posture remained regal as she sent him a barely perceptible nod.

Turning back to us, Sirius gestured in turn. “And this is Lord Johnathan Grey, Remus Lupin, and Harry Potter.”

As we gave them nods and smiles of greeting at our respective names being called, Draco’s pale eyes flicked between us but seemed to be trying not to linger his gaze on me, though his knuckles whitened faintly where they brushed against his robes. Meeting snake-face was clearly still getting to him.

Narcissa inclined her head, with Draco following her lead while carefully schooling his tone. “It is a pleasure to meet you all, and congratulations on the successful endeavour with the bank, Lord Grey.”

I gave them both a polite nod before my gaze shifted to Narcissa, wanting to set some things straight with her now while she was here. “I hear your husband has been missing for a few weeks now.”

Draco’s posture stiffened ever so slightly, but Narcissa’s calm was unshaken. At least externally. I could still feel her emotions in the Force just fine as her lips curved almost dismissively. “Lucius has simply been… occupied. I’m sure he is busy with work and obligations.”

I allowed my eyes to linger on her expression, which screamed the implication of her husband's ties with Voldemort’s dealings, before I inclined my head. “Of course. Still, in case something has… happened to him, I will see that an account is set up for you and your son. Consider it a safeguard. The Ministry has been whispering fears of his health and well-being, and it is better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.”

My next words were softer, though my expression left no room for doubt. “Provided, of course, that you are willing to sign a contract with certain stipulations.”

A knowing look flickered in Narcissa’s eyes as she acknowledged the layers hidden in my words, inclining her head gracefully. “That is rather… thoughtful of you, Lord Grey. I thank you for the consideration, though I remain certain my husband will be fine.”

My faint smirk carried enough irony to let her know what I thought of her words. “Of course, Lady Malfoy.” I sent her a knowing wink before turning to Draco with a friendly smile, letting her know I was on board with the blonde boy’s ‘mission’. “Tell me, Draco,  how has your summer been? Picked up any new spells?”

The tension in the boy’s shoulders seemed to bleed away at the change in subject. “Yes, a few new curses, mostly. Father said it was best to focus on—” He hesitated for a moment, but pressed on. “—practical magic in my free time, as everything else would be covered by Hogwarts anyway.” After a quick glance at the boy-who-lived, he added, “Though I’ve mostly been flying on my new broom.”

Wanting to get some fresh air away from the serpent, no doubt.

“That’s because flying is actually fun,” Harry said with a grin, more comfortable joining the conversation after seeing me and Sirirus speak with them without any animosity. “Better than memorising a dozen curses we never get to actually use. Well, not unless you plan to start duelling.”

The corner of Draco’s mouth twitched, but whether in amusement or challenge was unclear. For a moment, though, it felt less like an arranged introduction and more like three boys speaking on equal footing.

I could see Sirius watching with his characteristic smirk before he turned back to Narcissa. “You should come by Grimmauld Place one of these days, Cissy. It’s been far too long. Andromeda would be glad to see you again, and young Draco for the first time as well.”

Narcissa seemed to hesitate as her composure momentarily shifted at the name of her sister, sending me a quick glance before speaking. “I… will have to see how things go. Free time is… uncertain these days. However, I will inform you when I am next able to visit family.”

Sirius leaned in just a little as Harry and Draco started talking about potentially joining duelling competition, his grin softening but still edged with teasing warmth. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll have more than enough free time for family.”

Turning to them with a knowing look, I added. “You should set up the meeting in a few weeks.” I smiled. “I’m sure you will have more than enough free time by then.”

The Lady of House Malfoy raised a brow, going to speak, but was interrupted by Madam Bones’ approach, with the crowd parting instinctively due to the sheer aura of authority alone, leaving her a path between her and me.

“Lord Grey,” she said. “Allow me to congratulate you on this achievement. To establish a bank of this scale in the magical world… it is a feat few wizards have even attempted since the goblin treaty was signed, none of which succeeded, or even came close.”

Again. Sabotage, most likely. It was the only thing that came to mind as to why they failed. With how much money some of the noble families in the wizarding world, the only other thing that could have stopped them was probably an affliction of high-grade stupidity.

I returned her steady gaze with an easy smile, inclining my head slightly in thanks. “Kind words, Madam Bones. It certainly helps that I discovered how to work Goblin silver, and that I was able to heal so many diseases. Without those, it would have been far more difficult to match the goblins’ market share.”

And wasn’t that a surprise to most during the speech. None had asked me how I did it, but the people handing out catalogues of what could be purchased have yet to complete their rounds, and said catalogues are probably the biggest things keeping people from mobbing me. 

Bones raised a brow slightly, pressing her lips into the faintest line of sceptical amusement. “Perhaps. But you didn’t charge for any healing what-so-ever, and I am quite sure you would have managed it regardless. Magical ability and intelligence such as yours need very little in the way of assistance.”

Ah yes, buttering me up.

I allowed my smile to linger as I slightly nodded my head in polite acknowledgement without adding another word, indicating she can move on. The buttering was getting to me. 

Bones, reading my lack of input for what it was, gestured toward the young witch, whose first name shall never be said out loud, at her side. “I hear you even helped Nymphadora here during her final year at Hogwarts.” Tonks straightened a little at the mention as I gave the Head Auror a light nod.

“Only a little. A few duelling lessons, some basic knowledge. Nothing that would have made much of a difference to her assessments.” I smirked at the older girl before glancing at the scarred man with the wandering eye next to her. “I’m sure she would have done well with her mentor regardless. She is a good student, after all.”

Tonks’s grin widened despite my modesty compliment, though she stayed tactfully silent, while Moody let out a low grunt as his magical eye swivelled to lock onto my shorter frame. “Doubt that,” he rasped. “The girl turned up with more skills than any apprentice I’ve had in years. Someone drilled those into her before I got to her. Did her a load of good that.”

 “A wise man once said, ‘constant vigilance’,” I shrugged, ignoring the amused pan of Nymphadora’s eyes from me to her mentor at the mention of his catch phrase. ”All I tried to do was sharpen hers.”

Moody’s scarred face twitched into something between a smirk and a grimace. “Aye. At least now I know how you walked away from the mess in France.”

That remark drew a few sidelong glances from nearby dignitaries, who leaned in just a little closer, intrigued at the implication and added gossip value. However, I only let the corner of my mouth twitch upward in a smile that never quite gave away much of anything. “And what makes you think I had anything to do with it?” I asked rhetorically. “I’ll have you know, I had some bodyguards with me.”

I could almost swear Moody’s magic eye rolled in a way that could only be described as sass while the other stayed locked onto me, but no one would believe me if I told them.

Not wanting to be rude, I turned slightly, gesturing to the group. “Allow me to make introductions. Madam Bones, this is Lord Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and heir Harry Potter. And of course, Narcissa and Draco, the Lady and heir of House Malfoy.”

Harry, having already met Nymphadora, gave her a polite smile. “Nice to meet you again, Tonks. And nice to meet you as well, Lady Bones.”

 “And you as well, Heir Potter,” Amelia nodded politely before gesturing to Moody. “As you already know, Nymphadora,” she ignored the look she got from her subordinate and carried on like she couldn’t hear the growl the girl was making, “this is Senior Auror Moody. One of our best.”

“Wotcha, Harry,” She gave him a lazy two-fingered salute before tuning to the others, somewhat pausing at the Malfoys. “It's, er, a pleasure to meet you all.” 

Moody just nodded and started surveying the area, almost like he was hoping something would pop off.

As Sirius, Harry and Nymphadora began catching up, with Sirius grinning as he teased her about her clumsiness during duels, Narcissa stood beside them, neither looking too interested or revolted at the though of being close to one with her blood status. Noticing this, Sirius leaned slightly toward her while Harry had the metamorphmagus’ attention. “Yeah, we really should gather properly. The Malfoys, the Blacks and the Tonks’, it’ll be brilliant."

There was a flicker of hesitation in Narcissa’s eyes, but she inclined her head, almost imperceptibly.

Allowing the two to converse, or outright ignoring their conversation entirely, Amelia Bones fixed me with her gaze once more. “Forgive me for being blunt, Lord Grey, but I prefer clarity over games, and I hear you do as well. Has anyone approached you tonight about… politics?”

I glanced around the ballroom, letting my gaze deliberately pass over the clusters of politicians, each of them whispering, watching and waiting for their turn to whisper in my ear. Then I turned back to her with the faintest arch of my brow, complimented with a smirk touching my lips as my silent answer. “Rest assured, Madam Bones, while I’ve been approached for many things this evening, you need not worry about the British Ministry. You are the first to approach me with anything political.”

The Head Auror's eyes did the same brief glance across the room before landing squarely on Fudge's bowler hat-wearing waste of space, who was red-faced and whispering furiously with his entourage. The less said about Umbridge's bright pink outfit, the better.

Bones drew a breath, ready to speak further, but I cut in, wanting to keep things short and to the point. “Yes. To your request.” Her brows rose slightly, probably wondering if the Flamels or Dumbledore told me all I needed to know, but I pressed on. “You may request the use of my castle for any fundraising events you see fit for the foreseeable future. The Aurors need as much as they can get if we want to see our people safe. We will discuss the finer specifics later. For now, consider it secured, along with funding.”

My words seemed to have caused several Ministry members within earshot to stiffen in place as I felt jealousy and cunning pouring off them in the Force. It was kind of funny how Amelia waited for one of Fudge’s crannies to walk over to him to relay what I had just said with a smirk, almost laughing at Fudge’s face as it reddened further while tightening his jaw and shooting an irritated glance our way. Or more specifically, at the pompous-looking Lady of House Bones looking down her nose at the man.

Not one to leave a dragon waiting too long for an answer, Amelia inclined her head in genuine gratitude. “You have my thanks, Lord Grey.”

From beside her, Moody let out a snort, muttering under his breath just loud enough for us to hear. “If only politics were always that quick.”

As Amelia walked away happy, with Moody in tow, Fudge finally mustered his courage and waddled across the floor. The crowd parted reluctantly, with several amused eyes following him, obviously due to being part of Amelia’s camp. His polished bowler hat sat awkwardly in his hands as his entourage whispered frantic advice with each step. They held back a little to allow him to speak with me un tethered, though.

“Ah, Lord Grey!” Fudge said loudly, a bit too loudly, as though sheer volume might drown out the whispers of what he considered a significant ‘humiliation’. With a forced chuckle and an overdone adjustment of his cloak, he extended a sweaty hand, beaming. “What a grand event! Quite extraordinary, truly. A marvel, a marvel indeed.”

Naturally, I took the Minister’s hand with a firm, business-like grip, offering nothing more than a polite nod. I wouldn’t need to do anything to the man to embarrass him. He had a talent for doing that himself. “Minister Fudge. I’m glad you could attend.”

Fudge chuckled nervously, flicking his eyes toward Amelia, who now spoke with Moody and some other dignitaries across the room. By the looks of it, they seemed to be trying to garner some favour from the woman who had garnered my own.

Barely withholding a wince at the sight, Fudge puffed himself up, eager to reclaim whatever ground he thought he lost. “Yes, well, of course! An occasion of such… historic significance simply could not be missed. A new bank, a new era, and, dare I say, an opportunity for closer ties with the Ministry of Magic. Naturally, we are always interested in supporting ventures such as yours, provided that they, ah, operate in accordance with Ministry standards.”

There was a beat of silence. Several nearby guests, foreign dignitaries, investors, and envoys, leaned in ‘subtly’, hanging on every word of our exchange.

I curved my lips faintly. “Standards, Minister? That is good to hear. Because Grey Bank already meets standards far beyond those who seem to give the Ministry a bad name. But, I definitely plan to make things better where I can.”

A few chuckles rippled through the crowd, which caused Fudge’s smile to waver, but he quickly rallied, attempting another tack. “Of course, of course! But as Minister, I must think of… partnerships. It would send a wonderful message if you were to consider formally aligning with the Ministry. Symbolic, you see. A matter of unity!”

Ah. Trying to weaponise public perception. He was probably going to have Rita conduct a smear campaign in a way that would give him plausible deniability, but I had Grindelwald handle such matters as well. So, he will only find himself disappointed… or dead. Probably both

“Minister, this bank was built for unity, that’s why we have gone so far to give opportunities to werewolves, vampires and many other magical creatures that had been mistreated in the magical world.” I tilted my head, studying Fudge quietly, long enough to make him feel uncomfortable. “Grey Bank exists to ensure people are not forgotten, left behind, or crushed by old systems. If the Ministry wishes to align with that vision, you are welcome. If not…” I let the words trail off.

The silence stretched, and more than one guest smirked into their champagne glass as Fudge’s cheeks flushed scarlet. He bobbed his head rapidly, which caused his hat to wobble comically in his grip. “Yes, yes, of course! A… a most noble vision indeed. Quite right, quite right! I, ah, I shall speak with my department heads immediately. Yes. Absolutely.”

Unfortunately, watching the grown ass man give me a jerky bow and all but scurry back to his entourage was less amusing than I thought it would be. As he retreated, Sirius leaned in, muttering under his breath with a grin. “That was bloody brilliant. Knocked him flat on his arse. It's a shame his hat didn’t slip out of his grip.”

The others tried to hide their amusement at the Minister’s treatment, making it look like they were still in their respective conversations, but I caught a glimpse of Remus’s lips twitching as he tried to smother a grin. Across the room, Amelia Bones allowed herself the smallest of satisfied smiles, even going as far as lifting her glass as her gaze flicked from me to the retreating Minister.

“Well, if you’d excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” I took a breath as I gestured over to Astoria Greengrass, who was giving me puppy dog eyes from across the room, much to the embarrassment of her sister and the amusement of her parents. “I do believe there is a little girl trying her hardest to convince me to conjure a magical wolf for her to treat like a horsey.”

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“This matter will not go uninvestigated.”

— Cornelius Fudge.

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Hello There

Mostly dialogue in this one, but he’ll be dealing with the Diary in the next one.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original character and ideas. All credit goes to their respective owners.

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Thank you for reading.

As always, stay awesome.

Until next time, Light's out.