Wizarding World One Shots (Discontinued)

Arthur Weasley x Lucius Malfoy pt3

The circus surrounding Arthur's flying car incident was even worse than Lucius initially imagined. Everyone wanted to accuse him of intentional exposure, whispers of Grindelwald's agenda even reemerged, and it overall was a disaster. Every day he wondered how Arthur was holding up. He of course was used to quelling heat from the Ministry, but Arthur didn't seem the type to be in hot water often.

A week into it, he sent Arthur a note of encouragement. Since Narcissa had admitted to reading the letters he received, he addressed it merely 'A.'. He decided, grimly, if she was in fact reading his notes to Arthur, he'd claim to be having an affair with Narcissa's estranged sister, Andromeda. She wouldn't even be able to verify it since they hadn't spoken in almost two decades.

After sending his owl off with the note, he decided he couldn't wait any longer to see Arthur. He'd pay the Minister a friendly visit confirming this school year's Board of Governors, of which he was the chairman. It was on his list of obligations anyway, and Hogwarts had been in session for a week, so the timing would be appropriate enough.

He improved his appearance and rubbed on some cologne. Assessing his reflection, he felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety. What if Arthur doesn't even want to see me? He thought, tucking a hair back into place. He'd barely nodded to him on the train platform and while he'd seemed lustful in the Leaky Cauldron, perhaps Lucius had just imagined it? There was only one way to find out. He smoothed his robes for the fifth time and took a long, deep breath to calm down.

Arthur's heart lightened when he saw the familiar handwriting among his mail. He'd been getting more post than ever before as news spread he'd been the flying Ford Anglia's owner. Fortunately, the majority of it was being sent to his office and not the Burrow; otherwise he'd never hear the end of it from Molly. The post mostly was howlers, though a few uncomfortable "Glad to see someone taking a stand. Keep up the noble work." messages had come from some purebloods Lucius had introduced to him at his party.

Arthur slid apart the blank wax seal eagerly, hoping for a follow-up from Lucius' fourth note with a meeting date and time.

A.-

Thinking of you during this difficult time. I wish I could do something to help, but given my reputation, I would likely only make things worse. Hang in there.

Yours.

Arthur shoved the note in his file with the others. Hang in there?! He thought. That's all he can offer me?

He rubbed his face, exhausted from all the unwanted attention and utter lack of sleep. Molly was speaking to him again, mostly to berate him, but she'd admonished him to the couch. It was too lumpy and too short to afford a comfortable night's rest. He'd barely slept a wink all week, which had not been helpful during the two inquiries he'd faced the day before. He'd told Molly they went fine, but he didn't have a good a feeling about either of them.

A new memo flew at him then and Arthur caught it before it could fall in the pile of letters.

Arthur,

Please come see me in my office as soon as you can. Quite urgent.

With all the best regards,

Cornelius Fudge, O.M. (First Class)

A heaviness moved through Arthur as he felt certain he was about to be sacked. How could he possibly face Molly without a job? They had already used up the small inheritance he received after his parents passed a few years ago to set up Bill and Charlie and to replace the range and oven. And to buy the Ford Anglia. Arthur thought glumly.

"Excuse me, do you have ears? What floor?" the lift operator asked, and Arthur realized he'd already made his way from his basement office to the lifts. He felt quite separated from his own body at the moment.