Draco Malfoy Gets a Life Coach

The Ultimatum

I walked into the atrium at the Ministry at half eight, thirty minutes before my scheduled meeting. I wasn't punctual as a courtesy to others, it was more that I was conscious of the reputation my family name had garnered, and had taken to adopting a variety of polite habits just to stick it to all the prejudiced bastards who didn't know how to lose a grudge. Pissants.

One of the terms of my year-long probation following the war, was that I must assist with a variety of experimental projects within the, get this, Muggle Liaison Office. A back-handed extra punishment directly from the mind of Granger, no doubt.

Just as I was nearing the end of my year-long term, it was requested that I remain on staff for an additional six months past my end-date. Of course, I'd refused. I'd be damned if I had to spend one extra minute of my life enduring glares, gawps, and sneers from every blessed face turned in my direction, day in and out. Not to mention the work itself. It seemed Minister Shacklebolt was suddenly keen to re-write the International Statute of Secrecy, in a clear bid to solidify his elongated run as Minister now that the second war was finally over. It wouldn't be enough for him to simply pick up where Scrimgeour and Thickness (puppet though he was) had left off. No, he'd needed to make a name for himself.

His plan was simple: allow muggles in certain high-ranking positions at a variety of institutions to gain knowledge of the Wizarding World, in an effort to strengthen Wizard/Muggle relations, and put an end to the enmity that most witches and wizards of a certain age still held firm against their hearts. Indeed, they'd all been forced to keep their less than positive opinions of muggles hushed up, but were certainly not restraining themselves in their homes. It would logically follow that their children would still receive the brunt of their passed-down prejudice, and before we knew it, 3WW would be underway. First Grindelwald, then Voldemort, it was only a matter of time before the next crackpot megalomaniac made a bid for power, and Kingsley had been hell bent on beating whoever they were to the punch.

It was admirable, to say the most.

Personally, I thought he was barking. Darkness and evil would always find a way, like a flower through a crack in a paving stone, only drastically less innocent and beautiful.

I truly did not think it mattered either way. If we wizards succeeded in forming amicable ties with a handful of muggles in high places, would it truly make any difference? I could not quite see how, and yet, I'd kept my mouth shut and my temper in check for eight long months. Well, sort of. I'd let it slip for a moment when Kingsley had sent Granger (of all people!) to talk me into remaining for an additional 6 months past what was required. Sure, she was in charge of my probationary period with the Muggle Liaison Office, but still... of all people!

*Three Days Earlier*

"It will look good for you, Draco, staying on past the required date. And we both know how you like to prioritize appearances. "

"Jumped up mud- muggle born."

"I heard that."

"A slip of the tongue. And since when are we on a first name basis, Granger?"

She looked casually over at the window in her office as if she couldn't be bothered to respond to what I'd said. Her ears turned pink, however. Got her.

"Look, Malfoy, this next project will require longer than a 4-month commitment. We've been assured, it'll make no difference if it ends quickly, it's just the nature of the engagement. It would be like knowing a potion needs to rest for a month and choosing to move ahead with it after a fortnight."

"What concern is that of mine? Put me on a different assignment then. One with a shorter time constraint."

"There aren't any others at the moment, Malfoy, so you see our predicament."