Soleil

“Mr. Malfoy?”

“Lucius, please. It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Weas—”

The stricken look on Hermione’s face registered with him before his faux pas.

“I’m sorry… I should know better. Please accept my most heartfelt apologies Ms. Granger.”

“It’s q-q-quite alright,” she stuttered out, reaching for the clean linen handkerchief he offered her, “I’m growing used to it.”

“Join me at the bar?”

Offering her his arm, the owner of “Soleil” escorted the young woman to a stool at the bar, retreating to the bartender’s location as she seated herself.

Desperate to reestablish his influence on the wizarding community after the epic failure of his former “leader” — the half-blood maniac known as Lord Voldemort — Lucius let Draco talk him into opening the hottest club in Europe. From his office above the main lounge (invisible to patrons thanks to a complicated disillusionment charm), Lucius watched and eavesdropped on the movers and shakers in the new world he had to navigate. 

A few months into the unprecedented success he’d prayed Merlin would be merciful and the place would burn to the ground. He hated the cuisine (“Asian fusion”), hated the music (”Weird Sisters” and similar noise), hated the dance floor (vertical sex in a public venue) and hated its success (400,000 galleons a month net profit). Four years in and the place showed no signs of failing.

For most of those four years he and Draco managed the record keeping necessary to reveal theft and pilfering. However, with Scorpius’ birth — the sought-for result of a long and arduous pursuit — Draco no longer wanted to keep the topsy-turvy hours and life of a club owner. Lucius shouldered the burden alone for months until an idea came, one catalyzed by a conversation overheard in the bar…

“Your preference?”

“Just water, please.”

“Come now, you’re in one of the most exclusive clubs in the city.”

“In Europe. You’ve rewritten the rules on profitability according to Wizard Enterprises magazine.”

Genuine appreciation for her intellect spread across his patrician features.

“Your reputation in our community is well deserved. When did you finish your program in Arithmancy?”

“Actually,” she explained after a sip of water, “I read for that and Medical Potions at Wizarding University of Britain. Potions are my passion so I accepted the job at St. Mungo’s.”

“For which I am grateful — thank you for helping my family; we love Scorpius.”

She almost gave him a true grin. The one she did provide hinted at her usual upbeat nature.

“He’s a Malfoy, that one. Bright, mischievous and disarmingly handsome. Always trying to get at my biscuits.”

She laughed in memory of his grandson’s antics and Lucius noticed the slight relaxation in his shoulders. Her ability to put him at ease probably made her a damn good healer.

“Anyway,” she sighed, “Ron and I thought arithmancy would give me more control over our life and my schedule — especially being married to an auror. I’ve been trying to switch careers for the last ten months. Not sure what I’ll do now; Ron paid most of the bills while I built the business…”

“Consider me a client. Can I get you something else?” he queried, aware of her empty glass, “How about a Gran Treacle?”

“No, no… I really shouldn’t under the circumstances.”

“Nonsense. How can you assist me if you have no idea of the quality I purvey?

“I shouldn’t indulge, Mr. Mal—”

“Lucius.”

“Lucius.” she corrected herself while gazing on him. The bar owner watched as the most brilliant witch of her generation rewrote her mental notes on the wizard in front of her.

She must be beyond desperate…

Ignoring her protest, Lucius whipped up a tumbler of something reddish and smelling fruity but not overly so on either count. Pleased with the outcome, he sat the container before her and stared, daring her to deny his hospitable gesture.

Nodding in thanks, Hermione sipped the mixture hesitantly.

“This is wonderful! What is it?”

“Peachy Lychee — wait!” he reacted to her attempt to push the tumbler away, “I’ve substituted peach-flavored seltzer for the schnapps and lychee syrup for the lychee liquor. The vodka remains in its bottle for this version. Completely virgin and completely safe.”

“I can see why you’re successful — you adapt quickly.”

“A necessary survival trait. Now that we’re both satisfied, let’s get on to my needs. I am drowning in financial paperwork. Draco and I barely kept up and now that he’s stepped back from this prison he talked me into I find myself in need of saving.”

“What services do you require?”

Be careful, Ms. Granger; you’re talking to a Malfoy and a Slytherin…

“To start, I’m almost two months behind in posting to the accounts. Can you assist me with that?”

“Certainly. What time would you like me here?”

“No — I’ll duplicate the books. Once you’ve made the updates we can compare. It will provide an opportunity to assess your work.”

The Gryffindor accepted the necessity to prove her skills.

“I normally charge —”

“All my professional staff are under contract. I find it provides a measure of security for them.”

“And for you as well, I’m sure. Harder for them to betray corporate secrets and intellectual property.”

“You remind me of Cissa. Only other woman I ever met with a head for business…”

Hermione’s features softened as his eyes took on a hazy, watery shine.

“I heard from Draco. I’m so sorry, Lucius.”

“Given your recent challenges,” the bar owner spoke softly, “I’m sure you can appreciate that it can sometimes be overwhelming...”

Slow tears leaked from the corners of his eyes.

“Yes, I can…”

Tears dripped from her nose and cheeks onto the burnished metal surface of the bar.

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Suffering Bastard

1 1/2 oz rum

1 oz overproof rum

3/4 oz Orange Curacao liqueur

1/2 oz orgeat syrup

1 oz fresh lime juice

2 oz fresh orange juice

Shake all ingredients well and strain into an ice-filled double old-fashioned glass. Garnish with slices of orange and lime, and serve.

Peachy Lychee 

1 1/2 oz Vodka

1 oz Lichido Liqueur

1 oz Peach Schnapps

Splash of Grapefruit Juice

Slice of Fresh Peach