Chapter 76: Meeting important and not so important people... again.

Chapter 76: Meeting important and not so important people... again.

"Potter!"

Tom heard a whiny voice full of outrage as he walked hand-in-hand with Natasha towards the Ministry Box alongside Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys.

Turning his head, his eyes fell upon... Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

"Is that a puffed-up ferret?" Tom exclaimed in surprise, getting the attention of the newly appointed ferret and his family.

That definitely didn't endear him to them and when Lucius noticed who said that, his eyes slightly widened as he subconsciously gripped his cane, glaring at Tom.

He had spent the last few days trying to find out information about the ingrate only to find nothing!

"I said that out loud, didn't I?" Tom hummed when he noticed the attention of Malfoys on him.

"Pretty much. Yeah." Natasha chuckled, playing along.

She really was the best sidekick Tom could wish for.

In response, Tom nonchalantly shrugged, "Oh, well. On another note, hello again, Mr. Unfaithful." He gave Lucius an easy-going smile, making the man growl and miss how Narcissa pursed her lips at the admission.

But Tom wasn't done yet. He then looked at Narcissa and his smile turned a bit more pleasant, "And you too, beautiful." He winked, pissing Lucius off even more while Narcissa's eye slightly twitched.

Having both her husband and son insulted to their faces and then being complimented by the impudent unknown man was definitely a surreal, odd, and new feeling for her, and for a second, she had no idea how to react. Nevertheless, she still gave Tom a small polite smile in return for the compliment. As was proper.

Natasha, on the other hand, gave Narcissa an interested once-over when she noticed Tom's wink, her eyes narrowing in thought.

Lucius barely refrained from drawing his wand at the impolite upstart bastard! Not only did he come out of nowhere and didn't know his betters but he also dared to flirt with his wife!

"You-!" Lucius was about to snarkily scold Tom while sneering all around but Tom was intent on proving his lack of manners because it was fun.

Instantly interrupting Lucius, Tom turned around with his entire body, making it obvious he fully intended to ignore whatever the blonde man had to say next, and started to usher Hermione and Harry forward. "Let's go kids. The mad broom sport waits for no one. You can have your pissing contest with the unfaithful junior later, Harry."

They quickly left the flabbergasted and enraged Malfoys behind, followed by the bewildered Weasleys while Harry incredulously stared at Tom as if he had just done something incomprehensible.

"That was brilliant!" Ron exclaimed, his eyes sparkling in glee. The boy no doubt already counted this one as 'his' victory over Malfoy junior.

Tom gave the ginger boy a small smile and eye-roll, "The trick in pissing these pompous and refined snobs full of manners off is to quickly throw them off balance, insult them, and walk away before they can gather themselves to react."

Alas, Arthur decided this was not something Ronald should be hearing, "Tom, I'd appreciate it if you didn't teach my youngest how to be a..." He suddenly cut himself off, looking for a way to say this politely to not offend Tom.

But Tom only chuckled, "Fair enough, Arthur."

"Please, don't be so surprised, Minister." Tom approached Fudge in a jovial manner, "It's her gift."

Fudge turned toward Tom, his eyebrows furrowing in irritation and he was about to rebuke Tom with some cheap excuse as he didn't yet forsake his attempt at making 'friends' with the temporary runaway Harry Potter, but Tom, for the second time this evening, took the initiative and spoke first.

"I am Thomas Prest. From what the goblins say after I deposited some of my wealth into Gringotts, I am now one of the wealthiest men in Wizarding Britain, Minister." Tom gave Fudge a knowing smirk when the man's eyes brightened up and became more inviting the second he heard that. "I just thought it would be prudent to introduce myself to such an important political figure of this community." He then offered a handshake to Fudge.

"Ah, yes... yes! That's only natural. Welcome, Mr. Prest." Fudge exclaimed in delight, shaking Tom's hand, Harry Potter completely forgotten for a moment. "I am happy to meet you. Maybe we should schedule a private meeting in my office at a later date? I am sure we have a lot to talk about."

Well, nobody could accuse Fudge of being slow on the uptake when his own benefit was involved...

'The greed is indeed strong in this one...' Tom inwardly mused. 'Good for me, I guess.'

If he could get Fudge on his side... read, payroll... that would make many things much, much easier in the Wizarding community. It was definitely far from a solution to all of Tom's problems but it was a significant step forward.

Unfortunately, politics were an important part of every faction or country, mundane or otherwise, and Tom had to play these games if he wanted to have an overall easier life.

"That would be lovely." Tom nodded, politely replying to Fudge's proposal. Sadly, he could see from the corner of his eyes Lucius Malfoy entering the Ministry Box and as expected, Fudge brightened up like a Christmas tree upon seeing the pompous man.

Lucius quickly approached them and looked affronted at Tom, opening his mouth...

But Tom once again spoke sooner, waiting for the perfect moment to cut Lucius off just before he was about to speak only to infuriate him some more, "I will leave you two to your talks. I wouldn't like to be insulted by Mr. Malfoy just because he is insecure about his position as the wealthiest man in Britain now that I am here. Have a good Quidditch match, Minister." He excused himself.

"Ah, yes. Thank you." Fudge replied in small dismay, realizing there was some tension between this new wealthy man and his long-time associate Lucius.

Tom had accomplished what he wanted so retreating was fine. Trying to be pushy in these matters was not very productive. Now that Cornelius Fudge knew that Tom was very wealthy and open to 'discussion', he should seek him out himself. That would both allow Tom to enter into these talks with a higher standing and give a good first impression.

Now it all depended on the man's greed.

Just as Tom was about to turn around and leave, Lucius grabbed his forearm, "You will get your due soon enough, Prest." He furiously gritted out.

"You are rude, my good man." Tom loudly exclaimed, attracting the attention of almost everyone in the Ministry Box, "I was perfectly polite to you so far and I understand your pride must be hurting but I would have never thought a man of your standing would suffer from such profound anger issues!"

Lucius could only silently seethe and flush angry red as he let go of Tom's hand, realizing he was not in a good position right now and if he pressed, his reputation could suffer.

Unfortunately for him, nobody except his family and some poor blood traitors and mudbloods saw Tom insulting him. In this situation, he really looked like the aggressor.

Tom silently chuckled, and under the flabbergasted look of Fudge and the furious glare of Lucius, he nonchalantly walked towards his seat, ignoring both of them.

Oh, he didn't forget to smile and wink at Narcissa once again as he was passing her either.

And who knows? Maybe Lucius could off himself with a heart attack before he became a problem if pushed enough?