𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐑

Part 1

Title: This Means War
Author: razra_eizel
Summary: researcher and Potions Master Draco Malfoy gets involved with Auror Potter and Auror Longbottom in more ways than one as they work together to solve a mass food poisoning case that turns out to be not as simple as they thought
Rating: PG-13
Length: ~19100
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Neville/Draco, past OMC/Draco
Warnings/Switching? non-canon compliant, OOCness

This Means War

“Malfoy,” a tall man called as he peeked into the basement where the potions lab was set up. “Shacklebolt wants you. Something about the newest case involving potion poisoning or something like that.”

Draco looked up from the bubbling cauldron he was watching and turned to his assistant. “Parker, watch the potion for me, would you?” he said. “It’s done so you only need to wait until it thickens. It should only take thirty minutes or so.”

Parker looked up from his clipboard and nodded. “Sure, Boss. Have fun with Carter.”

Draco shot a glare at the grinning man and walked out of the lab to catch up with the man who called him earlier. The walk back to the head Auror’s office was awkward at best and everyone they passed stepped back as if they were suffering from something contagious.

“So, uh,” Carter cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, “how are you holding up?”

“Oh, I’m good,” Draco answered with a strained smile. “Perfectly dandy, even. I’m doing great. Really,” he added with a lopsided grin.

“Yeah?” Carter asked with a grin of his own. “Well, I suppose since you’re not bitter about us anymore, I ought to tell you that I’m having an engagement party this weekend, and I’d like you to come.”

Draco’s heart clenched and he felt like throwing something at Carter’s head—be it his own fist or the nearest potted plant. He stopped himself in time and stared at Carter’s awkwardly grinning face and shot him another awkward grin.

“Sure, I’ll be there,” Draco said, then quickly looked around. “Oh, look! We’re here already. Time sure flies when we’re having fun, doesn’t it?”

Carter patted Draco’s shoulder. “See you then, Malfoy.”

Draco watched the tall man go and bit his lip. He would be lying if he said he was fine, but what good would it do to be upset at someone who didn’t even care?

Giving in to temptation, Draco cast a quick spell to make the words ‘I’m a jerk, kick me!’ appear on the back of Carter’s robes before he turned around again and knocked on Shacklebolt’s office.

“Auror Shacklebolt? You asked for me?” Draco asked from outside.

“Yes, come in, Malfoy.”

Draco opened the door to the room and saw Kingsley seated behind his desk reviewing case files. The two seats in front of the desk were occupied by two Aurors—he could tell from their robes and Draco looked around awkwardly to find where he should stand.

One of the Aurors, the taller one, turned to look at him and shot him a smile before getting up. “Come have a seat,” he said, motioning at the chair he had just vacated.