Anyone knows what kind of job Malfoy sen. actually has? Some kind of department head?

 

I would asume that he just manages the Malfoy fortune and rubs shoulders with the politicians. I cant imagine him holding down a job on a regular basis.

 

He's typical gentry. He's rich enough to live off of his fortune without having to work a day in his life.

 

A socialite for sure, he uses his wealth to influence the powers that be and was on the board of govourers at Hogwarts.

On the topic of Lucius, I cannot for the life of me understand why Rowling redeemed him. He was a murdere and freely used the unforgivable curses. Perhaps his wealth enabled him to simply say 'sorry, wont happen again' and walk free from commiting the most henious crimes in the wizarding world

 

Hmm.. I would have thought that he would hold at least some kind of official position within the ministry. Makes Fudge all the more stupid for playing his lapdog...

 

My guess is that he's invested in a lot of different business, or the Malfoy family owns a number of business that he oversees. I would hedge a guess that their investments/business ventures extend to the continent as well.

And with friends and connections within the Ministry (and other ministries, if the Quidditch world cup is to be believed), then he's just like any other businessman who enjoys certain perks: a tax break here, a discount there, insider information (or whatever amounts to such in the wizarding world)) - all of which mean he doesn't have to spend his wealth just as often as he amasses it.

Finally, the Death Eaters (and Knights of Walburgis before them) probably had that mafia thing going on:

Pro-Death Eater businesses: "Ah, Mr. malfoy, you know your money is no good here!"

Anti-Death Eater business: "Ah...M-M-Mr. Malfoy, it's on the house, sir." (Read: Don't kill me/my family)

Anti-Death Eater business with backbone: Dead. Or soon to be.

All of these scenarios are very light on the Galleons, no?

 

Mhh.. You've got a point there.