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The Devil's in the Details

Chapter Two

Lily tried not to stare. The gala she'd left only minutes ago had been littered with handsome men cutting a dashing figure but she'd never seen a man dressed as sharply as Draco Malfoy. She blinked. Well, this was embarrassing. Hadn't she just spent most of the afternoon mocking her father's "groupies"? And here she was, doing the same thing herself. How pathetic. She straightened her shoulders and confidently took the chair he'd gestured toward. There would be time to appreciate the man's style later. Right now, she had to make a good impression despite the fact she'd basically gate-crashed the interview.

Draco arched an eyebrow and shut the door behind him. Considering the girl who'd walked in before him, he made his way around the large table and sat back in the leather chair. He rested his chin upon his fist and stared at her, sitting before him. Glancing down on his desk for a moment, he read her name off the piece of parchment laid flat for him.

Moira Davis.

He brought his eyebrows together. Something didn't fit. As far as he recalled, the Moira Davis on his list was supposed to be the only daughter of one of his former House mates.

Tracey Davis had joined the Ministry of Magic as an Unspeakable two years after the Second war had ended. She had never married but she had adopted an orphan from Phoenix House and he was fairly certain the child didn't have the vibrant, fiery auburn hair falling around this girl's face. There weren't any other Davises he was aware of and as Senior Managing partner of one of the most successful Wizarding Law firms in England, little escaped his notice.

Casting an eye over her critically, he noticed her large hazel eyes, cream-and-peaches complexion, and open smile. Simply put, she was beautiful and the slightly arrogant tilt of her lips told him she was well aware of it. On a man, the expression would look cocky and smug. Somehow, she managed to make it work for her and make it look attractive. She wore a very tasteful black cocktail dress, far too fancy for an interview though.

"Who are you?" He asked bluntly. Stunning or not, he didn't appreciate being made a fool of. By pretending to be someone she was not, this was exactly what this girl was doing.

Lily took a deep breath and bit her lip, much in the manner of someone caught doing something naughty. "My name is Lily Potter. I graduated from Hogwarts Law School with honours this year."

Draco clenched his fist tighter. His spine stiffened the minute he'd heard her name. A Potter. It explained the hair but it did not explain her presence before him. What the devil was a Potter doing in this suite?

Lily watched him carefully but was surprised and more than slightly impressed to find no reaction. The lack of any response on his face raised his esteem in her eyes instantaneously.

"Indeed." He turned up a corner of his mouth. "Well, excuse my bluntness but what are you doing here Miss Potter? You were not extended an invitation to attend these proceedings."

"Your sign outside welcomes all graduates from Hogwarts Law School." She replied immediately and suppressed a shiver as his steely grey eyes narrowed slightly. Apparently, he did not agree with her point.

He reached out and minutely adjusted the sheet of parchment sitting in front of him. "I will be frank with you Miss Potter. There is a reason why my firm holds interviews for new associates here at Balthazar's, instead of queuing up at your campus like all the other law firms you've heard about." He stood and circled around the table.

Lily watched him warily. Her meticulous nature had her recalling every scrap of information she had read or gathered from conversations overheard about him. Truth be told, not much was written about him in the papers. Draco Malfoy had, very cleverly found a way to avoid being in the news.

He stopped at the window, overlooking the hotel's meticulously managed gardens. "Our clients are very exclusive. They are accustomed to a certain lifestyle and they expect nothing but the best from their firm. We are paid outrageous sums to ensure our clients' will is done. So you can imagine, the people who work here are just as exclusive. Each person in this firm has been handpicked. Every employee is special. The hours are long. The work is complicated. There will be times when tough decisions have to be made. So, tell me, Miss Potter, why should I allow you to remain here, when it is obvious to me you do not belong?"

Lily drew a deep breath. "You're looking for special people for work for you, Mr. Malfoy. I'm the best. I am one of the top three scorers this year. The hard work and the long hours don't rattle me. I thrive on challenges."

Draco shrugged. "If you're so brilliant, why not work for the Patils? They are the biggest firm in Wizarding Britain. And for that matter, why don't you join your aunt's office at the Ministry. Surely, working with the Head of the DMLE, should be challenging enough?"

She pursed her lips.

Draco narrowed his eyes. Obviously, he'd hit a nerve. He suppressed a smirk. Getting under people's skin was always amusing.

"You're right." She shrugged. "I can choose to work anywhere I wish. They'll welcome Harry Potter's daughter with open arms."

Ahhh. Therein lies the problem. Draco perched on the table and crossed his arms over his chest.

She shook her head, staring down at her hands, folded in her lap. "But I don't want to simply be Harry Potter's daughter. I want to be me. I want to be recognised for who I am." She sighed. "I want to be more than my name. I want to be recognised and celebrated for the things I do, not for what my father has already done, and is still doing."

She looked up at him hopefully. He, of all people, should understand her burning desire to step out of her father's shadow.

Draco watched her shrewdly, trying to size her up. She wasn't lying. And despite his initial decision to show her the door, he found himself considering hiring her. Of course, if he took her as his associate, sooner or later, he ran the risk of falling into Saint Potter's orbit; a circumstance he was not keen upon. But then again, hiring Potter's daughter was guaranteed to annoy the unflappable Head Auror no end. What would Potter's reaction be when he found his precious daughter working for the very people he could never hope to catch because their lawyer was unbeatable?

Oh, the possibilities were endless. Her claim to be the best could be confirmed easily.

He smirked suddenly. "Do you think you could handle the pressure?"

Lily nodded. "Of course. I told you – I'm the best you'll find."

Draco lifted one corner of his mouth. "So you claim. But, outside that door are some of the best law students to graduate this year. Why should I hire you instead of one of them?"

Lily lifted one shoulder nonchalantly. "You could. I guess, it's nice to know how the other half live. You can definitely hire someone else, and then regret it when they let you down."

Draco laughed at this. "And you won't?"

Lily stood. "I know I won't."

Draco remained where he was, watching her for a few moments. Finally, after what seemed to Lily like an eternity, he straightened and walked to the door. Sticking his neck out, he beckoned to Pansy.

Pansy hurried to the door. "Yes, Draco?"

He leaned close to her. "Send the others home Pansy. I've found my associate."

X

Lily took a deep breath. She straightened her shoulders and smoothed her skirt down. She'd taken over an hour to get dressed this morning. After discarding at least seven outfits, she'd finally settled upon a dark navy pencil skirt with a pristine white shirt and fitted navy blazer. Her hair was in a neat knot at the back of her head. She chose not to wear any make-up save for a light gloss on her lips.

She had dolled up for the gala and ended up attending an interview. This time, she put only the cards she wanted noticed on the table.

"Doors won't open themselves." An amused voice spoke up behind her.

Lily jumped. She glanced behind her to see the lady with the short black hair and bright red lips from her interview smile widely at her. She smiled hesitantly. "Hi."

Pansy grinned and walked past her, pushing against the large wooden doors leading into a chandelier lit lobby. "Hi doll. Hurry up now, you don't want to be late on your first day."

Lily followed her quickly, gaping at the massive hallway. "But I'm not late."

She didn't dare look away from Pansy for too long. The hall was paved with gleaming white marble with three large chandeliers. The light of thousands of coruscating crystals danced about in the hall. If she got left behind here, it would take forever to figure out which of the gleaming doors she had to try before she found her way again.

Pansy laughed. "If you're going to survive being Draco's associate, you need to be here one hour before him, so you can read up the instructions he left for you the night before and have an answer ready for any questions he might toss your way." She navigated the way effortlessly. Stopping at a golden elevator, she stepped in and pressed the button for the fourth floor as soon as Lily stepped inside.

"Got it."

Pansy continued. "You should also find out which cases he's working on currently and do your homework on them."

Lily nodded. "Got it."

"Draco gets the difficult clients because he's such a charmer. But don't let it fool you. The charm wears off the minute he steps into his domain. Once in his office, the kid gloves come off and the claws come out – never forget that."

"Understood."

Pansy quirked an eyebrow up. "And find out which mistress he's currently on the outs with. Comes in handy from time to time."

Lily nodded. "Got it – wait, what?"

Pansy laughed uproariously. "I like you, doll. You and I – we'll get along just fine."

X

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Next chapter – Draco hands Lily her first case. Scorpius makes his appearance and Harry finds out where his darling daughter is working.