Closer

***I've got a short chapter for you. I promise the next one will be lengthy and filled with many ups and, unfortunately for Hermione and Draco, many downs***

Chapter Fifteen

Twenty-Four Hours Later

Japanese culture had always fascinated him. Much of his ruling had a heavy influence from feudal Japan and the Yakuza – a notorious gang famous for criminal activities. Relocating to the Far East had been an easy decision. He needed both time and distance, both of which were in abundance. The only flaw in his plan was control. Leaving Great Britain meant relinquishing a large part of his power to a lesser being, a lesser wizard. In this instance it was Lucius Malfoy, his beta, his second in command. But recent activities revealed cracks in the foundation of their partnership.

The Dark Lord carefully studied the parchment before him. It was written with haste, that much was clear, and it bore the signature of one Draco Malfoy. His trust for the Malfoys had always been strong, given the inherent nature of their clan and the unyielding fear from which they bent the knee. He had them in the palm of his hand – or so he thought.

Images of young Draco had been circulating the press. Wealthy Pureblood marries Muggle-born woman. Malfoy unites with Potter’s closest confidante. Is it a publicity stunt or is it love? In his mind it was all rubbish. He knew from the very beginning that there was more to this marriage, but that’s what troubled him most. It wasn’t black and white. It was all a mystery, a mystery he had every intention of unraveling strand by treacherous strand.

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