Ok, yes, I haven't finished the last one - and I will! But this was dying to be written...

Yes, it is actually HP/DM: for once...

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter One

Hundreds of lights flashed as Draco Malfoy strode through the Atrium. Every reporter in Britain seemed to have turned out to see him, and he couldn't restrain the smirk drifting lazily across his face.

He'd only apparated in to Heathrow's Wizarding International Depot half an hour ago, and already he was some sort of celebrity. His meeting with the Minister for Magic was no secret – his application to become Britain's new Head of National Finance had been quite public, and he'd read the imported Daily Prophet with glee.

It seemed that his application from half-way around the world had set rumours flying. Draco had left England to work as a financial advisor for Gringotts International over in the United States, and no-one had really heard of him since. This meant that wild tales had been fabricated by reporters back home, and Draco had been front page news in England for the past month.

The beautiful creature on his arm was certainly a great source of interest for the photographers. Svelte and elegant, with high heels clacking on the marble floor, Draco's mysterious partner was clearly inspiring new rumours with every step. If they only knew who it was...

The two of them had met in a Las Vegas club – Draco having a casual drink after a long day working with the wizarding casinos, his paramour dancing sinfully around a pole in the middle of the sunken dancefloor. Everyone standing around or drinking could see every body in the lowered area, and the brunette had instantly caught Draco's eye. That night had changed everything, was part of the reason Draco was even here now...

Why was he here again? His thoughts quickly returned to the Minister as the man in question came to meet him. Unusual, certainly – most interviewees met the Minister in his office. But since this was Draco Malfoy, since there was so much media hype...

It had shocked Draco slightly to realise who he would be working for. The differences between them were plain, and always had been. Draco had always looked the part of prominent official – but the current Minister for Magic never had, and hadn't changed.

He was wearing jeans. Clearly designer (probably Hugo Boss), but jeans nevertheless. He wore a simply white shirt, no tie, brown leather shoes – and a tailored tawny robe in defference to his birth.

Draco, however, was immaculately stylish. He too wore a white shirt – but with a white silk cravat and silver pin. Over this was an emerald green satin vest, a clear referrence to his old house. His black trousers were tailored, pressed, and emphasised the gleam of his polished black leather shoes. His robe was black too – but double-breasted, high collared and lined in black satin. All topped off with a black silk top hat and the traditional Malfoy cane. The perfect aristocratic figure.

Neville looked nervous. As well he should, really. He'd been rather nervous about even agreeing to the interview! But it couldn't be denied that on paper Malfoy had been the best candidate, having worked extensively in the financial sector ever since Hogwarts (with the goblins no less!) and experienced both working with judicial figures in financial cases and with government officials (he'd even worked for the US government for three years!). And now he was back, looking every bit the pureblood Lord Neville knew he could never be, and quite clearly acting the part of the perfect Ministry Head. Great. Things didn't look up when he noticed the gorgeous figure next to his former bully – knowing Malfoy, she wasn't just a pretty face. Luckily he managed to pull his best 'confident Minister' face, and escort the pair upstairs to his office.

He didn't see the grin the mystery person shot him as they left.

~~~69~~~

"So, um, you're back for good?" Neville murmured, his eyes darting nervously towards the silent brunette every two seconds.

"Well, that depends. Do I have a job?" Draco's reply was obviously blunter than Neville had expected, since the look of surprise escaped before the Minister had time to reel it in. Draco sniggered slightly under his breath, and Neville nearly lost his composure. Honestly, it had been years! How could Malfoy still inspire this childish response? For Merlin's sake, was he a war hero or not? Neville squared his shoulders, looked the enemy deeply in the eyes, and still ended up answering:

"Um, sure?"

Draco Malfoy just smirked at him for a moment.

"Good. I'll need to hire an assistant – from what I've heard my predecessor had some incompetent chit straight out of Hogwarts. And the office will need a make-over – I've seen photos, and quite frankly it's a mess. Also -"

The brunette placed a hand on his arm, and he instantly silenced. Neville had to admire that power: what he himself wouldn't give to be able to restrain Malfoy with a simple gesture.

"Well Longbottom, nice as this has been, we have to get going. Lot's of House Elves to boss into unpacking our things, making our dinner – you know how it is." Of course Nev, you know – not. You haven't had a House Elf in your life, let alone the likes of the Manor's army. Neville couldn't stop himself from cringing a little at his own 'inferiority' as Malfoy and his partner swept from his office.

Honestly, what had he been thinking?

~~~69~~~

The Manor was slowly warming up, and Draco grinned like a shark as he let himself slink down into the opulent couch, mink rug across his knees. Really, this was the life: fire going, elves serving him his dinner, a glass of brandy... Draco, Lord Malfoy, was back and loving it.

His lover stood in the doorway, admiring the view. This really was Draco in his natural habitat, and it was good to see him here instead of their old penthouse apartment back in America. It had never been Draco – expensive, yes, but knowing Draco so well, since he wa eleven... well, this was Home.

And now they were back in England, things were about to get interesting.

Let me know what you think; reviews are my life.

Thanks for reading, hope you liked it :)