ORDER ONLY: Private Message to George and Fred

[alt_pansy]

Well.

Here goes.

I've asked for Lucius's blessing to continue. If he won't give that to me, I've told him I'm willing to withdraw from partnership, as long as he stops his current attempts to ruin the business. Well, I didn't say it like that, of course. But it's there.

You may have to pay me back.

I'll make sure that it's over a long enough amount of time that it wouldn't cut into our your profit margin.

If it means he'll leave off and give you a chance to succeed, it's something I've got to be prepared to do. And I figured that your having to pay me back would hurt you far less than having both your business and your mum's business fail because of Lucius's anger at me.

I'm sorry.

I hope it works out.

I'll let you know what he says.

Comments

[alt_gredforge]

Wait

What

Sorry, we've been up to our ars elbows in owl orders. We see you wrote to Mr Malfoy before telling us what you were going to say.

Not to be rude or anything, but we gotta ask: why are you asking for his blessing? He isn't your guardian or your trustee, right? Is it that you've known him longer than you've known us? Are you having doubts about the business, or are you wary of crossing him? Is the stuff he's doing to thwart us scaring you?

We want you as our partner, and we think that together we could build this business in brilliant ways, but we don't want to force you into anything you're not willing to do. We understand that he's family. But don't be in a hurry to make it easy for him to shut us down. Because you know that's what he's trying to do, don't you? Why should he win playing dirty tricks like that? Like getting inspectors to bang on the doors at night when you know that hardly ever happens to new businesses? Like the friendly little warning visit we got from his protégé, Virgil Crispin?

Like what he got Percy to do to Mum?

We'll pay you back if that's what needs to happen, and we swear there'll be no hard feelings. And you're part of the Order, no matter what. But just stop and think about what it'll be like when you have all your money back and Lucius Malfoy is willing to smile and pat you on the head again. He'll be that much more sure of you, that you'll never ever slip off the chain or step out of line without his say-so. In fact, you'll never step out of line at all. Is that really what you want?

Mom talked about not letting him win with divide-and-conquer, remember?

[alt_pansy]

First of all, I'm not like Percy.

I'm not doing this for him. Or for me. I'm doing it for you.

I want very badly to stay on as partner. I'm glad to hear that all this nastiness with Lucius hasn't spoiled you to the idea. I honestly enjoy working with both of you, and think you're brilliant, and want to keep it up.

The reason why he's doing all of this is to teach me a lesson. And he couldn't care less about your financial future as long as I learn it properly. And I'll be damned if I let him destroy you and your mum just so he can show me how powerful he is.

So I'm calling him on it. And part of that involves showing him lesson learned and showing him just how sorry I am and how important he is, and another part is giving some ground.

You're thinking about it like a battle. But it's not. It's a dance. Or a chess match where he has my queen cornered, and most of the pieces on the board, so I have to sacrifice a knight so we can breathe again.

And if that knight is my partnership, but he backs off, it's worth it.

Slytherins don't fight like Gryffindors do. But that doesn't mean I'm not fighting with everything I've got. Please don't think I'm working against you. Or that I care about the money.

And there's more to it than that.

Pretty much the only thing I'm good for in the Order is my connections. I can't afford to burn bridges we might still need.

I need to keep my connections, and use my position. And if I have to kiss Lucius Malfoy's arse to do it, I will.

[alt_pansy]

And he's written back.

Right now he's cautioning against my giving up partnership, so it seems as though there's more lessons he wants to teach me. Either that, or he's trying to bluff me or test my resolve. I'm still sorting it out.

[alt_pansy]

...It's complicated.

[alt_gredforge]

No kidding.

Don't forget: chess is war, too. Just a little politer.

[alt_pansy]

That's pretty appropriate, actually.

I'd call what we're currently doing a battle of excessive politeness. Which is far better than what we were doing earlier. And makes it just a bit harder for him to up and do something that directly interferes. Not that he'll stop, mind.

Anyways. He's told me he's had no part in interfering, and I've let him know that I know what he's done.

All very politely, of course.

[alt_gredforge]

Huh. Well, you know him better than we do. That's good news at least, that you're still our partner.

[alt_gredforge]

You're doing this for us? That's just

We're going to have to think about that a bit. We're grateful, of course, but we hope a sacrifice like that won't be necessary.

Don't forget, we're used to being poor. It doesn't scare us. We don't mind living on the premises (once that permit business is straightened out), and we can live on beans and toast, even if Mum will fuss about it.

Also: you're worth more to the Order than just your connections. That's nonsense. You've got grit, and you're not a half-bad flyer, and you have good ideas. Hey, you've even taken the CCF first aid course.

Not to mention, you're our friend.

[alt_gredforge]

Not to be maudlin or sentimental or anything.

[alt_pansy]

Naturally.

[alt_pansy]

And don't get that sappy, gents.

It's for the Order too, you know. Mrs Weasley's business plans helps the Order, and your inventions do too.

Although it is rather nice of you to say anyways.