✔ᵉⁿᵍˡⁱˢʰ Stuck in the Past [Grindelwald]✔

25

Well, well. I remember well the day when your parents sat here on this chair waiting for me to choose their future house. I see intelligence and ambition in you but not only that. Who of the two you are more like, however, only time will tell. I recognize much of both in you. And as it is also the case with your parents and almost, in your whole family, the choice is clear and should not be a surprise for you anymore. I can only give you one thing for your future path. Blood ties can be as unyielding as they are eternal. Love overcomes hate, loyalty overcomes betrayal. It is the chosen bonds that illuminate our path. For a man's true destiny is revealed only at the end of his journey. Well, you have waited long enough for this, and it is time to join your family, as your parents already did. Slytherin, little Malfoy.

Slytherin.

As if it were only yesterday, and yet years had passed in the meantime.

Much had happened, some things had changed and the time of change was far from over. This should only come.

Some things will be a formative event and prepare for the future, certain ways.

Before the start of the seventh school year, there was a small event that the entire wizarding world was eagerly awaiting. The final of the Quidditch World Cup. Ireland against Bulgaria. Whereby the final itself and the sport itself was pushed far into the background. Smile, be nice and shake hands with everyone, at least only with those who are important enough, because the right contacts are unspokenly decisive for your future. That, and no other way, was how Gillian knew her father. Wonderful. Contacts or not, but what good are contacts unless the interest is there?

When they arrived at the pitch of the 422nd Quidditch World Cup, there had long been a hustle and bustle that was growing larger by the minute. And the closer Lucius, Draco and Gillian got to the stadium, the volume of the crowd increased accordingly. Wizards and witches from all over the world had come together in one place, just to experience and celebrate this one game together. Without any quarrels between the different nations.

According to the estimates of the two departments of the London Ministry of Magic, Magical Games and Sports and International Magical Cooperation, the expectations were one hundred thousand witches and wizards would watch the game live in the stadium today. A proud sum that had been collected through ticket sales and also remained, even if all costs were deducted. To the delight of the ministry.

"Oh, look at you. Moreau, you here too?" amused at running into certain people, Gillian stopped on the metallic platform, approached the railing and looked over at the dark haired man, "Since when have you been interested in Quidditch?"

"Since I was pushed into house team selection by a Malfoy in fourth year," Hunter replied with a shrug, leaning body first against the metal railing on opposite side and crossing his arms on it from where he looked to Gillian who was half a meter away from him, "Shouldn't you be at the Ministry doing an internship there instead of wasting your time here having fun?"

"What good is an internship at the Ministry when all the important people, here, are gathered in one place?" the sentence could have come from her father, Gill thought, propping her hands upside down off the railing, "You know my father. Where are you sitting, anyway?"

"Not far enough away from all the Ministry people, I'm afraid," the dark-haired man replied matter-of-factly, glancing down the gap that lay between him and Gillian, "And where will you be staying?"

"Right by the ministry people. Minister's box. By personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge," Gillian replied with false enthusiasm and had to start grinning after Hunter started chuckling, "Wow, I really just sounded like a Malfoy didn't I? No wonder why Draco is so popular. I'd find it too exhausting in the long run. By the way, you look like crap. What's wrong?"

"Your lack of subtlety dearest Gillian is always nice," lack of subtlety is not what Gill would call it, but, not beating around the bush or just getting to the point, which should be nothing new to Mareou, "family. As I'm sure you know, there's nothing more stressful than family. All good honey."

"And I was wondering what girl was keeping you from sleeping at night," Gillian quipped in a noticeably better mood than she was ten minutes ago, laying her head down as she watched her opposite, "You could have come over, as you know. At least spend the last week with us. Although, your parents aren't much different than mine. Doesn't make much difference, then. One week, then it's back to Hogwarts. The joy is great."

"Especially when I consider who our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be," to date Gillian hadn't given a thought to who would succeed Lupin after he left involuntarily, thanks to his little werewolf problem but now that Mareau brought it up she became curious, "Oh, you don't even know? And you want to be a Malfoy? Shame on you. My dad's colleagues weren't too thrilled when they heard who Dumbledore picked. What would you expect from a......"

"Stop bragging, Draco," Lucius's voice interrupted the conversation, causing Gillian to close her eyes directly and let out a self-pitying groan because it was so Draco, "You can save it with them."

"I guess I'd better be going," with the corner of her mouth pulled down, Gillian pointed at her father and brother and hastily boxed Mareau's fist as a parting shot, "I'll see you around."

No question, Gillian loved her family, but there were now days when she wished for a less elite kin. Not to mention many a completely dysfunctional member. Someone like Draco enjoyed all the perks, privileges, and whatever else the Malfoy name had to offer. Without this name, he could not afford to do some of the things he did. Daddy would handle it, no matter what. Always.

Shortly before entering the ministers' box, Lucius gave Gillian one last penetrating look of warning and that she should not forget that the coming hours could well be decisive for her future, which immediately made Gillian put on the desired smile. It wouldn't be twenty minutes before the corners of her mouth would be numb from the incessant smiling, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the false good humor.

And it wasn't all that would define this day.