Chapter 8

Draco's assumption had been spot on.

The Black inheritance issue got pushed up three ladders until it finally landed on the minister's desk.

The current Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was happy when his subordinates checked the legality and it turned out Draco Malfoy was really rightfully the new Lord Black now.

The minister thought, since Lucius got his hands on the Black fortune, his donations would be even more generous in the future.

Eagerly, Fudge wrote to Lucius that evening, mentioning his help with the bureaucratic procedures and congratulating Lucius for finding a way and finally securing the Black fortune for House Malfoy.

...

Draco and his parents were enjoying a quiet and harmonious dinner, when Flobby suddenly popped into the dining room.

„Master Luscious, an owl just arrived for you."

Flobby presented the letter to Lucius, respectfully with both hands.

Lucius gave the house elf a dark look, just out of habit, no other reason, and received the letter.

Lucius was a busy and well-connected wizard, so it wasn't unusual for him to receive letters during dinner.

The Malfoy Lord first skimmed the letter cursorily.

Then Lucius read the letter again, this time with all of his focus.

Afterwards, Lucius loosely kept the letter in hand and started staring at Draco in shock and incomprehension.

„What is it, Lucius? Are you alright? Is it bad news?"

Narcissa wondered, when she noticed her husband's strangeness.

Wordlessly Lucius gave her the letter.

„Is this true, Sweetie? Are you really the new Lord Black?"

Narcissa asked her son disbelievingly, after she had read the letter thoroughly.

„Yes, mother."

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Draco confirmed calmly, without even looking up from his dinner as if it was a mere trifle.

For him, it actually was just that.

„Whaaat? But how is this possible?"

„It's an ancient Black Family law. If the designated heir doesn't take up his lordship within a decade after the loss of the former Lord Black, another family member with sufficient pedigree can claim the inheritance."

Provided that they got their hands on the Lord Ring, convinced the artifact spirit and received its acceptance, but Draco left that part out.

„Really? This is the first time I'm hearing about something like this. It's unbelievable."

Narcissa remained skeptical until Draco let her examine the Black Lord Ring closely.

When Narcissa confirmed the ring's authenticity, Lucius broke his silence.

Lucius laughed.

He still had some questions, but what Lucius felt the most right now was happiness.

It has been his long desire to absorb the Black Family assets into the Malfoy Family.

Now, the Malfoys had not only taken the Black Family's former political position as the leader of the Traditionalist Faction and loudest voice in the minister's ear (or at least heaviest weight in his coin purse), they also got everything else, too.

„That's great, well done son. With full control over the Black Family businesses and shares, the Malfoy Family business can grow to completely new heights. Finally, we have completely overtaken the Greengrass business. All thanks to you, son. How did you learn about this great law? And why didn't you tell us sooner?"

Lucius was really curious about this.

„Father, I plan to manage the Black Family separately from the Malfoy Family as long as I'm not Lord Malfoy."

Draco didn't enjoy crushing his father's dream, but he wanted to make sure to avoid misunderstandings.

„What? Don't be ridiculous. You are still going to school. You can't manage the business. When you graduate from Hogwarts, I will start teaching you..."

„I'm going to hire a manager."

Draco stated, interrupting his father.

„Why don't you just let your father manage it, instead of paying an outsider for that, Sweetie?"

Narcissa wanted to help and get her headstrong (spoilt) teenage son to see reason.

„I think, it wouldn't be appropriate to order father around. Or to fire him, because he didn't follow my instructions..."

Draco's words were meant more humorous than serious, but that didn't mean they weren't true.

Regrettably, they made Lucius assume that Draco planned something stupid with the Black business.

But Lucius would've probably thought that anyway, no matter what Draco said, especially since it really was in line with the young Draco's character.

Lucius loved his son dearly and doted on him very much.

He was just beginning to realize that maybe he had doted on Draco a little too much.

„Draco! What are you planning? I hope you are not thinking of selling some of the business and buying a quidditch team."

Lucius knew his son, and he definitely wouldn't allow him to destroy the Black Family businesses, chasing some flights of fancy.

„Nothing like that. You will see, it will be great... I'm done eating now and I had a long day, so I'm going to my wing. Good night."

Draco wanted to leave this conversation, because starting a discussion about this now wouldn't lead anywhere.

„Draco sit back down, I'm not done talking with you yet."

Lucius ordered sternly.

„I'm sorry, but I don't want to continue talking about this now. We'll talk about it another time."

Draco said while leaving, not turning back.

„Draco!"

Now Lucius was getting angry.

„DRACO!"

His son ignored his calls and just walked away.

Lucius made to follow him, but Narcissa stopped him and talked him down.