milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Draco was sitting to the back of the bar, watching. Even asking for simple tea was a chore. Been bringing his own supplies for some of it. Just until this tofu nonsense was sorted out. Watchful eyes for some key people in fact. That month extension was almost up. And he still owed debts to people.

Happy Christmas indeed.

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Draco glanced up, grey eyes peering back.

"Evening, Father," he replied with civility. Easy to keep up such appearances when one's been trained since birth practically.

Easy. But not fun.

"And how does this evening find you?"

Not fun, but necessary. A way to have order and control.

"Rather well. And you?" Draco remarked evenly.

"I am."

Which is good enough.

"Tis the season."

"Hmmm?" Draco glanced around, "Oh yes, it is. I wouldn't recommend the eggnog or most orders right now."

"I have heard."

Lucius Eyes the signs.

"And do you have any plans for the time?"

Draco shook his head, thinking of recent notes.

"Not anymore." Seemed rather sullen about something.

"You had some?"

Curiously.

"Just possible ones." But that was unlikely to happen now. She had gone home. Right around the same time as...

"It's nothing. Things have changed."

He then added, "Speaking of such, you saw the note? About Mother?"

"Yes."

He reaches inside his robe, then pulls out a medium size pouch.

"This, is for you. For the Holidays."

Oooh, gifties. Gimme.

Ok, he can be dignified. But you know that's what was going through his mind as he accepted the pouch.

"Thank you, Father." Manners were all important, even if they were usually lip service. Well, except here. And not that he could get away with being anything but sincere usually.

It's money, of course. And a ring, with the Malfoy family crest.

"You are welcome."

Draco immediately put the ring on, briefly tracing the contours of it set in metal. The money would be mostly set aside for possible plans in the future.

"You are old enough now, and responsible enough, it should be yours."

Draco studied it for a moment. But wait that meant...? His head lifted, and he studied his father's hands for a moment.

"I'm not sure if I understand exactly."

"Surely you have some idea."

If he didn't, he wouldn't be a Malfoy.

Draco looked it over thoughtfully. He was a man now. It was his turn. To restore honour and esteem to their name.

And because...

"I have to be the one to carry on the name. The one to survive..." Another glance toward his father.

"Have you spoken to the Dark Lord since...? Since that order?"

"He has not spoken to me."

Lucius gets his orders from Crabbe now. What indignity.

As to the other, well, he's not contradicting his son. His only child.

"Probably waiting for me to surface," Draco studied the ring a moment longer before his hand closed in a fist. The metal stood out against his white, white knuckles.

"Can wait forever for all I care," he coldly spat out.

"They know about this place."

That, in itself, is a scary proposition.

"From Uncle Rodolphus and Aunt Bellatrix I suppose."

Draco replied, "Doesn't matter, taken measures. They know about this place, but not all of it. Or anywhere else."

"From myself."

He raises an eyebrow at Lucius.

"I have been here for years longer then you."

And his father was still loyal, or was then.

"Of course."

He then glanced up, "How much does he know?"

"Everything up to about six or seven months ago, relevant."

Doesn't know about Salazar then. Or possibly the House.

"What about people, places? I suppose he would know I'm here."