The Greedy Frog
patreon
HP: The Salazar's Heir Chapter 29
🕑 Added 2024-01-24 15:51:56 +0000 UTCChapter 29: A Business Proposal
[Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire]
Nobles loved tea.
That was one of the few stereotypes that held true.
Most wizarding nobles didn't go for coffee; it was only when there was no other choice that they considered the beverage.
“The tea has a rather sweet aroma to it,” the boy who was specially given an invitation for a visit commented, “Despite adding no sugar, it has a sweet taste, almost like the sweetness from honey.”
“The tea was a gift from a friend of mine,” the man who had to get special permission from Hogwarts to invite the boy over said. “He grows it under special conditions in a small land purely imbued in magical energy.”
This made the boy smirk, “Isn’t that a waste to serve that rare of a tea to just a student.”
The man with his long blonde hair neatly combed back gave out a light laugh – a fake laugh.
“I couldn’t have served anything other than that,” he explained, “I believe you had grown up drinking tea far more exquisite than this. So, this is merely an attempt to present you with something you might like, Heir Slytherin.”
Sebastian, the boy who was asked by Dumbledore if he wanted to visit the Malfoys, and the boy who immediately said yes, nodded.
“I cannot say that I haven’t,” he answered, “However, it still is one of the finer teas that I have had here.”
Sebastian was already informed that the lord of the Malfoys, Lucius Malfoy, was doing his best to try to get in contact with him. And most times, Dumbledore shut down all approaches.
However, now that Fudge had given him the path to revive his house, Sebastian just couldn’t let go of that opportunity.
Especially when the opportunity came knocking to him.
‘The difference between an heir of a noble house and the heir of arguably the most influential house in all of magical Britain is truly vast.’ Lucius couldn’t explain how impressed he was at seeing Sebastian. ‘How can a child of such age carry himself in this manner?’
At one point, he felt ashamed as he tried to compare his son with Sebastian.
He knew that Narcissa treated Draco like a prince, but due to all the undivided love and freedom the boy was given, he lacked the very basic qualities of a prince.
He needed Draco to be smarter, to be better if he wanted to stand any chance at forming a beneficial connection with the heir of Slytherin.
“I met with your son,” Sebastian said, which instantly made the lord of Malfoy freeze.
He knew that Sebastian had absolutely no good impression of his son, yet he also knew that impressions were things that could be improved.
“He is a foolish child,” Lucius said, “Him being the only son resulted in him getting all the attention and freedom one could attain, and that seems to have been a mistake from time to time.”
He tried to show Sebastian that he was aware of his son’s stupidity and arrogance.
“However, I believe that he will be able to see the world better and understand it better if he was with you,” Lucius showed a rather pleased expression, “He might be bad at taking decisions, but he is a fast learner, so I believe if he became friends with you, he would most certainly improve himself.”
Lucius wasn’t stupid. He hated talking badly about anything related to him with others. And Draco was his son, so it was insulting to speak in a demeaning way about him. However, he knew that it would be idiotic to play ignorant to his son’s actions.
He hated talking badly about his son in front of others, but if that led to him securing a connection to one of the ancient wizarding families, he was all for it.
“Well, he really didn't seem that interested in being friends with me,” Sebastian laughed. “He did show interest at first, but that soon changed as I hung out with a few others.”
“As I said, he is foolish,” Lucius said, aware that his son messed up. “But as the heir of Slytherin, you must be aware that most Muggle-borns are interested in trying to exploit the pure-bloods for power and fame. So, while he is a fool and his wording must have been horrible, he meant you no harm.”
Draco was a fool, Lucius wasn’t.
Lucius was shrewd.
“He just wanted to warn you, as you had been away from the world of nobles for so long, so he thought you might have forgotten,” Lucius’ words were faker than his smile. “He didn’t want you to be taken advantage of.”
Lucius was extremely careful with his words. Even to him –a man that could read the ministers like an open book– understanding Sebastian was difficult.
Sebastian was an entire mystery to him.
He was a child, but he talked and acted like an adult. But then, he did notice some childish habits from the boy.
Like his addiction to the sweet and sour gummy bears.
He enjoyed the tea that kids his age didn’t usually enjoy, his posture was perfect, and his face was hard to read. But his hands also repeatedly went to the bowl of gummies, which amused Lucius.
“I don’t have any enmity with Draco,” Sebastian clarified, “He is annoying at times, but unlike Harry and his friends, I do not consider him an enemy or even as a rival.”
Lucius, at that point, didn't know whether to feel happy or insulted.
He was happy that the heir didn't straight up hate his son, but it also felt insulting that he didn't even see the boy as someone that could pose a threat.
‘But is he wrong.’ Lucius thought, “That is a relief.”
It was.
It meant that there was still hope that he could make his son befriend Sebastian. Even if not a friend, he could find a way for Draco to be close to the heir.
And as he felt relieved with that realization, he decided to move on to the next topic.
“I heard about your situation,” he said, this time making Sebastian more interested. “About the support you need from the Sacred Twenty Eight.”
This situation was the total opposite.
This was when Sebastian needed the Malfoys.
“The Slytherin’s established most of what makes the Sacred Twenty Eight,” Sebastian said, “From the lands they own to the position they hold, it is because of the Slytherins and the other three founding houses.”
Lucius laughed, “True. Even this land is one that our ancestors ‘bought’ from the last descendants of the Slytherins who were in dire need of money.”
Lucius noticed the little frown that Sebastian showed.
"The Sacred Twenty Eight, especially the Malfoys, respect the Slytherins to an unimaginable amount. However, it is to be mentioned that we do not 'owe' the Slytherins anything," the lord smiled, this time not a fake one. "What the Malfoys have acquired is through their wealth and powers."
Sebastian clenched his fist, but he made sure not to show his emotions on his face.
"And I am grateful that you have helped the worthless descendants that deserved to rot," Sebastian said, keeping a calm expression. "You helped people that you shouldn't have, trash that ruined the house of Slytherin and trash that deserved to be perished. However, they carried the name of Slytherin, and as such, I am grateful that your family helped mine, even if they didn't deserve that help."
"We just did the humane thing," Lucius said, "Helping the 'unfortunate' ones."
Sebastian nodded, barely holding onto his calm look.
"And since your house has been 'kind' and 'helpful' to ours, I want you to help the house of Slytherin once again," Sebastian said, "Of course, definitely not for free. If anything, for that help, I will pay more than what is supposed to be given."
Lucius smiled, realizing that he could not be on the losing end when receiving from the House of Slytherin.
"I am listening," the lord said, interested in what the heir was willing to offer.
"Firstly, when the next ministry meeting is held, I want the full support of House Malfoy," the heir said. "And there is something else that I want."
"Which is?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"A portion of land from the Malfoy estates."
This immediately made the lord of Malfoy frown, "I hope that you know that the Sacred Twenty Eight do not sell their estates."
"I do," Sebastian assured, "But the payment for the land is greater than anything any wizard or businessman can offer you."
Lucius wondered what could be as valuable as the lands of the Sacred Twenty Eight.
"I have heard of how you maintain your wealth," Sebastian said, taking a gummy. "And I must say that it is one of the few things that is possibly a reason some of the Sacred Twenty Eight looks down on you."
Lucius immediately frowned, "I do not care what others think."
It was a lie, and Sebastian caught onto it.
"Everyone does, Lucius. To us, the Royalties, our face is everything," Sebastian smiled, "You are one of the most respected families in all of Britain, yet a little step back has been your dealings with the Muggle world and the history of how you earned your wealth."
The wealth of the Malfoys was originally granted by William the Conqueror, and they grew with the countless generations of shady businesses done with Muggle royalties.
"Even now, despite being one of the richest families, you do not have a business that you can be proud of."
Lucius stared at the heir with a frown.
"What do you mean…"
The heir grinned, "How about you establish a business with me? One where your name is on the forefront?"
"What kind of business?" Lucius asked, finding the idea of working together with a child quite ridiculous.
"A potions business."
"Hah," Lucius chuckled, laughing at the childish idea. "There are countless old families doing the same, and it is not a business you cannot enter easily. And even if you do, there is no way that people would prefer the potions we provide over the ones that are already being sold and trusted."
Sebastian grinned, "Oh, but they will."
"And how do you expect us to do that?" Lucius asked, failing to remember one thing.
One very simple thing.
"The current potions are popular because they have good effects, are trusted as they are sold by old families, and are easily accessible," Sebastian grinned, "But do you know what has better effects, is older than the oldest potions, and is easily accessible for me?"
Lucius stared at him, curious. "What is that?"
And when Sebastian finally answered, Lucius realized the scale of treasure that the young boy held. Treasure that could outshine anything being sold in the current era.
"Ancient Potions."
Potions that were grander than the grandest potions of the modern era.
"A business that sells ancient potions for rates of modern potions."
And potions whose popularity both the purebloods highly underestimated.
__________________________________________________________________________
[[A/N: We will be moving onto the events of the first book in just a moment.
As for Malfoys, they are quite interesting to me. So, I want to expand their story –same with other pure blood families which we will explore soon.
Draco at the moment is a character that I have plans for. He is quite different in the movies as compared to the books. He is well liked in the movies but you all know that he is quite the deranged fuck and I am quite positive that Rowling did not plan for him to be as well liked as he is in the movies –especially by the women.
So, just wait for the future chapters. Especially since the House of Slytherin is about to be rebuilt.]]
