FIC: From the Desk of D. Malfoy [Draco/Neville - G]

[hpraremod]

Title: From the Desk of D. Malfoy
Author/Artist: reeby10
Prompt: #219 for candamira
Pairing(s): Draco/Neville
Word Count: ~1100
Rating: G
Warning(s): none
Disclaimer:Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thanks to BE for the plotting help and beta!
Summary: A series of correspondences between Draco and Neville, from the beginning of their business relationship until it turns into something more.




***

17 August 2003

Dear Mr. Longbottom:

I have been given to understand that you are in the business of supplying exotic and hard to procure plants. My potion shop, Venenum, in Diagon Alley is opening shortly and I find myself in need of some plants that I have as yet been able to procure for myself. Please find enclosed a list. Recompense is negotiable, but I’m sure you will find my offer more than satisfactory.

If you are able to arrange for the delivery of these goods to my place of business, please return an answer at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
D. Malfoy
Potion Master

***

19 August 2003

Dear Mr. Malfoy:

Thank you for your interest in working with my company. I can easily fulfill the list of requests you provided and will have them at your store by next week. An invoice will be included at the time of delivery for the cost of the products, plus expenses. Payment may be sent with the return owl or made at Gringotts whenever it is most convenient to you.

I look forward to doing business with you again in the future.

Sincerely,
Neville Longbottom
Master Herbologist, Magizoologist
Owner, Longbottom’s Rare Plants

***

25 August 2003

Invoice
Longbottom’s Rare Plants

Mr. Draco Malfoy
Venenum

Payment may be returned by owl or paid to Neville Longbottom account via Gringotts. For complaints or returns, please send an owl within three days.


Amorphophallus bulbifer, 5 bulbs…...3 Galleons, 7 Sickles
Awaypili, 13g leaves…...13 Sickles
Brillantaisia lamium, 25g petals…...2 Galleons, 16 Sickles
Solanum pimpinellifolium, 4g…...8 sickles
Zephyranthes primulina, 2 bulbs…...1 Galleon

Expenses…...2 Galleons

Total: 10 Galleons, 10 Sickles

***

3 February 2004

Dear Mr. Longbottom,

As per my last letter, I would like to set up a regular order for Jasminum azoricum. The quality from the last batch was far better than when I ordered with Herba in October and as such, sales for my anti-aging potion increased twofold for January. I’ve already sent instructions to Gringotts for a bi-monthly deposit to be made to your account. Let me know if that arrangement will work for you.

I also wanted to thank you for the Australian Beach Cherry you sent in the last order. The fruit is delicious and it has really brightened up the storefront. I’ve not had the opportunity to research more on the potion possibilities for the plant, is there any chance you’d be available for a meeting later this week to discuss it, perhaps by Floo?

Sincerely,
D. Malfoy

***

12 February 2004

Dear Mr. Longbottom,

I very much enjoyed our discussion yesterday, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Perhaps you might join me for dinner later this week as a thank you? There is a delicious Ethiopian restaurant that’s just opened at the other end of the Alley which I think you’d really enjoy

Let me know if you’re free.

Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy

***

23 April 2004

Dear Draco,

Unfortunately I’ve been called away to a greenhouse in New Zealand on an emergency, so I’ll be unable to make it to our lunch date next week. I’m very sorry to be missing it, I was really looking forward to continuing the discussion from our last meeting. Perhaps a raincheck? It will be my treat this time.

I’ll owl you when I’m back in the country.

Neville

***

14 July 2004

Mr. Malfoy,

We have received your reservation for a table for two for the night of the 30th. We will be delighted to hold the table from 6pm until 9pm for you and your date.

Please see our hostess when you arrive and she will direct you. If you require any other considerations for the birthday celebration, such as decorations or holding gifts, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Best Regards,
Basil L. Kingfinch
Proprietor, Amare Restaurant

***

11 October 2004

Neville,

My assistant said you came by yesterday. I’m afraid I had some matters to attend to at the Ministry on short notice, so I just got back to the shop. I don’t remember that we had a date for yesterday, I hope there isn’t anything wrong?

Always,
Draco

***

12 October 2004

Draco,

I’m sorry for worrying you, it’s nothing, really. I was just in town for awhile before leaving for Cairo, and I wanted to see you. It seems like we keep missing each other since we’re both so busy and live so far apart, even without all the travel I do. I’ve been thinking of moving back to London and setting up my homebase there and I was wondering… Would you like to move in together?

Yours,
Neville

***

21 January 2005

Nev,

Dinner tonight after work? I’m cooking. There’s something important I want to ask you.

Love,
Draco

***

28 January 2005

The Daily Prophet
Engagements

Malfoy-Longbottom

Draco Malfoy of Wiltshire, England, and Neville Longbottom of London, England, announce their engagement.

Mr. Malfoy is the son of Narcissa Malfoy née Black. He is the owner of Venenum, a potions shop in Diagon Alley. Neville Longbottom is the son of Frank and Alice Longbottom. He is the owner of Longbottom’s Rare Plants, a mail order herbology and magizoology shop. They are both 1998 graduates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The wedding will be at 5:30pm on 21 June, 2005, at St. Therese’s Botanical Gardens in Avon. The couple plans to reside in London, England.

***

7 February 2005

Dear Mr. Malfoy:

As requested, we have included a pamphlet with our most popular destinations, as well as a list of more exotic ones that you indicated might be of interest. Once you have selected a destination or destinations, we will make reservations for any suites, restaurants, and other activities as directed. Travel is available via broom, carpet, and portkey to most locations.

Please let us know how else we might be of service in making sure your honeymoon is the most special time of you and your spouse’s lives!

Regards,
Hortencia Junderbeast
Receptionist, Smithywick’s Magical Trips

***

21 June 2005

Certificate of Marriage
Ministry of Magic, London, UK

This certifies that Mr. Draco Malfoy and Mr. Neville Longbottom were united in marriage on this day, the 21st of June in the year 2005.

This ceremony was witnessed and celebrated by Mr. Blaise Zabini and Mr. Harry Potter.

Officiated by Blanche de Guinneve
Vice Minister of Marriages

***

22 June 2005

Notice

Venenum will be closed from the 22nd to the 30th while the owner is out of the country. We are sorry for any inconvenience. The shop will open as normal on 1st July.

Emergencies can be addressed by owl to Corbert Washtyn, assistant shopkeeper.

Comments

[capitu]

Awww, that was so cute! I loved to see their relationship moving like this, all the things that didn't say but were clearly implied, the switch from that formality of 'Mr Malfoy' and then "Nev" and the announcements! Just such a happy read.

Loved it, super sweet. :D

[reynardo.livejournal.com]

Awww! Epistolary love development = love!

[segundite.livejournal.com]

This is such a clever story. I love the way you employ both familiar and formal writing to weave together something that's both intimate and detached at once. It's incredibly well done, and you capture such distinct voices in the letters. Great read!

[abyss-valkyrie.livejournal.com]

My goodness,that must have taken plenty of skills and time to write,seriously!I'm amazed at the format,very unique 'fic' here. Haha,that honeymoon destination letter was so good with its 'honeymoon is the most special time of you and your spouse’s lives!' line! I got this warm feeling when they started getting less and less formal with time,kind of like how you feel when you find old love letters of somebody unknown in your attic...not that I have,but I'd love to!

[ladyofsd.livejournal.com]

It's amazing how much letters can covey, and there's something so personal about them, too. Great job, MA!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_melodic_/]

Oh this was so very lovely! Their relationship was so sweet and believable and I love the way you presented it through letters. Really wonderful work MA!

[gracerene]

That was just lovely! The formatting here with the letters and announcements was such a fun concept and I thought you did a great job using them to show the evolution of their relationship. Really sweet fic! :D

[castilian9.livejournal.com]

This is so perfect, the story develops so well.

[myfirstisfourth.livejournal.com]

That was delightful! I do enjoy Draco and Neville together and seeing their progression here is wonderful. Very much as you imagine it could happen with the two of them. Well Done MA! :-D

[alisanne.livejournal.com]

Aww! Lovely.
Sweet way to show the evolution of their relationship. :)
Well done!

[articcat621.livejournal.com]

So sweet! I love letter!fics :D a wonderful way to tell their story <3

[candamira.livejournal.com]

Love this! More squee on AO3! ♡♡♡