Chapter 1 – Vignettes of Draco's Relations

Chapter 1 – Vignettes of the Minister of Magic[Minuet by Boccherini]

The Thrill of Victory

To the east, with long silent strides broken only by the rhythmic clicking of his dragon's head cane, the young Minister of Magic with his head tilted slightly upwards, strode through the halls of Hogwarts: a tall sinewy, striking figure with ice blue eyes on a handsome visage that reflected fewer than his thirty years. From beneath an emerald green beret, long straight silver hair and an emerald green velvet cape flowed elegantly behind him in the brisk October breeze. The sea of students parted giving him a wide berth from either fear or respect, not that it mattered to him which. An Auror of smaller stature with dark hair and eyes, slightly schoolmarm looking tried desperately to keep up.

A few days prior, with the blare of metal music from the opening band, Draco wandered backstage, hoping to meet Locust Swarm. Unexpectedly, he spotted his seven-year-old son Sev receiving lessons from the lead guitarist, on what had to be a stolen guitar. During his early childhood, Sev would drum with sticks but Draco hadn't realized how much his son's interest had grown until he saw him play. Unable to blow his own cover, he became Sev's unknown guardian angel. Per Harry's new rule, if the Minister went somewhere public unescorted, on purely non-minister functions, he needed to don a disguise due to possible terrorist attacks.

Upon his return to the Ministry, he ordered an inventory audit to verify the missing guitar from the Muggle Affairs Department and they discovered a missing broom from Confiscated Materials as well, affirming Scorpius' interest in flying. In the meantime, Hermione investigated the events at Hogwarts along with the potions' inventory at home. Purposefully, Hermione delayed informing the headmaster thus allowing Sev to remember the concert day as one of his most enjoyable.

The next evening, as he combed Hermione's near Rapunzel hair, they discussed the boys' behavior. "I had them take a Muggle IQ test and they're geniuses by not only wizard standards but by Muggle as well. Scorpius is stronger in logic skills while Severus is more creative."

"I thought as much. I knew you made good breeding stock."

She giggled with that comment. "Well, I guess you're in charge of discipline since they fear your punishments more than mine. Funny, they are so well behaved and mannered most of the time that people even remark how lovely it is to have them around. Instead of childish idiotic behavior, they pull these elaborate schemes that they think they can get away with."

Draco suddenly stopped combing her hair and leaned her back so he could study her innocent face. "Unfortunately, the breeding stock has passed along her penchant for shenanigans as well."

"You can't put the blame for this on me. Besides isn't plotting and scheming the Slytherin way and even moreso the Malfoy way."

"Yes it is but getting caught is the Gryffindor way, entirely." While he she looked at him crossly, he laughed heartily. "Remember your school years." That remark made her more perturbed which made him laugh even harder.

"I remember them well." Grabbing her wand, she darted into her dressing room and brought back a red box. As he continued to laugh, she whisked her wand and leather straps levitated out and tied him to the bedposts. "You're getting punished for them, naughty dragon." The events that followed that night brought a smile to his lips.

The Agony of Defeat

To the west, in another hallway, with their heads down and shoulders hunched, two tall, slightly lanky, Slytherin boys with long silver hair, the taller with wavy and the other bone straight, trudged slowly to their doom. Both started Hogwarts early in an accelerated program where they attended for one month each semester until they were of age to start regular classes. Once they did, they could take their finals early and enjoy shortened school years with extended weekends. Their parents, especially their mother, delighted at the news. Scorpius, now eight, helped his brother Severus, now seven, who struggled slightly with the class.

"Sev, this isn't fair. Its Mother's turn to punish us," remarked Scorpius. Once they figured out the punishment pattern of how Father and Mother alternated, they planned their pranks accordingly. Since Mother lessened their sentences with time off for good behavior, they ensured the major heists fell in her domain. Of course, the ultimate goal was to not get caught but planned as if they would. Sometimes they would pull an innocuous prank to deliberately get caught by their father if they had already planned a major one in advance so it could fall in their mother's domain. "I counted on every contingency. Everything went exactly as I planned it so how did we get caught?"

"Who knows? When Father interrogates us, lift your head a little, look really sad and pout a little. Like this." Sev pursed his bottom lip slightly.

"That only works on Mother and even then we still get punished just not as severely," Scorpius countered.

"Maybe if the two of us do it at the same time it will work? Besides, what do we have to lose?"

"Alright Sev, I doubt if it will work on him. On the bright side, he can't throw us in Azkaban; Mother wouldn't allow it."

"Not until we're older," Sev gloomily commented.

Ever since he could remember, Severus Malfoy loved music while his brother enjoyed flying. With the two days a week their father brought them with him to the Ministry, they figured out the bureaucracy of the organization in order to achieve their goal. Months ago, they stole a guitar from the Muggle Affairs Department along with a broom from Confiscated Inventory. Without any formal training, Severus taught himself a few chords and eventually a melody. To cover for each other Scorpius would tell everyone they were flying together on their flying carpet Tarooj, leaving him to practice his music and Scorpius to try daring stunts on his stolen broom.

Through a contest, Severus won tickets to see Locust Swarm and get a private lesson from their lead guitarist. Without hesitation, he abused the Malfoy name when they saw he was too young to be a winner. The ordeal left him with one problem: skipping school. As usual, Scorpius hatched a plan to resolve the situation. First thing the morning of the concert, he feigned illness excusing him from classes. That afternoon for the nurse's follow-up, his brother feigned illness after swigging some Polyjuice potion to become him: one of several potions they nicked from home before leaving for school. The day after his return, the headmaster somehow found out he faked a cold.

Though both boys had already received school detention, they dreaded their next punishment far more: Father. As they waited in the Nostalgia Room, both looked at the old photos of prior students at Hogwarts. When they saw the picture of Father during his first year, both boys almost flipped.

"Sev, you and Father could be twins," Scorpius said with laughter.

"You looked quite a bit like Grandfather but with Mum's eyes," Sev quipped.

"It is a burden the Malfoy men must endure: being the best looking wizards of our class," Father announced from behind, making them jump. "Was it worth it?" He closed the door while his Auror bodyguard waited outside; a new policy Harry Potter enforced.

"That depends on our punishment," Sev replied putting on his most heartrending face ever. Both boys waited until the door fully closed before hugging Father per the 'dignity in public' decree.

"Stop the pouty faces. You know I don't fall for that. Besides, pouting is undignified." After hugging them back, Father grinned ear to ear. "I'm quite proud of my creativity this time." Both boys hung their heads looking remorseful. "First, let's go over why your plan failed. By the way, I am furious over this incident."

"We don't know why it failed," Scorpius volunteered. "Everything went according to plan."

"Gives you something to think about doesn't it?" Both boys nodded and braced themselves for their sentence.

"First you stole inventory from the Ministry. Your punishment for that is to file a few stacks of paperwork without the use of magic: correctly or else." While Father paced, both boys lowered their heads more. "Secondly, you stole from our potions supply closet. For that, you will write, by hand, the ingredients and instructions for twenty innocuous potions that I have chosen. Third, for feigning illness while perfectly healthy, you will jog around the outer perimeter of the mansion for two laps. Your mother will pace you."

Both boys woefully looked at each other and nodded. "Yes, Father."

Suddenly, they jumped with fright at the monsoon of volume and force that followed. He pointed his finger angrily at Severus. "DON'T YOU EVER GO TO A PUBLIC FORUM LIKE THAT OR TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF HOME OR HOGWARTS AGAIN WITHOUT PROPER ESCORT!" He then pointed to Scorpius. "FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, THE SAME GOES FOR YOU!" Sev saw fear in Scorpius' eyes as well; the only time he ever did was when Father bellowed. "You could have been kidnapped or killed for being the sons of the Malfoy family, of the Minister or of a famous author." Father snapped his fingers and pointed furiously. "Look me in the eyes so you know I mean business." Instantly, their heads jerked up. "For travelling by yourself," he yelled as he pointed at Severus. "And for engineering it so he could," he yelled as he pointed to Scorpius. "Grandfather has generously offered to escort you around the school grounds for two days to ensure your safety. While under his authority, you will obey his every word and he won't let you out of his sight for a moment for an entire 48 hour. If it ever happens again, it will be for a week and will increase each time thereafter."

As they looked at each other, their jaws dropped open and their eyes widened. Whenever, Father promised a ghastly punishment he followed through since the family honor backed his word. They had already tested him a couple of times and failed. "No," they said at the same time in the whiniest voices they had. Both boys buried their heads in his cape.

As instructed, Scorpius pleaded with his father and pursed his bottom lip. "We won't ever do that again. Please Father, have mercy."

"Can Grandmother guard us instead? Please." Sev clutched his father's cape where he had buried his face, glancing up with a doleful look in his eyes, ensuring his bottom lip trembled profoundly. "Have mercy on your own flesh and blood!"

"Malfoys do not beg nor do they show mercy. Punishment begins this weekend. Your grandfather will join you Monday here at Hogwarts. However, I will lessen your sentence if you can figure out how you could have accomplished your goals without getting into trouble. Once your sentence is complete, we'll discuss matters further Sunday afternoon."

"How did you find out then," Sev asked.

"Because I am your father and I will always be one spell ahead of you." He hugged his sullen offspring goodbye. "Though I punish you, I still love you."

Encouragement

That Sunday after completing their punishment, both boys entered their father's study. Knowing they would spend two days with their grandfather at his finest, Draco kept the filing minimal and the potions simple. "Have you figured out how you could have avoided this?" They shook their heads. From behind his desk, he removed a guitar and broom. "You could've simply asked. Both of you will have two hours worth of lessons on weekends starting next weekend. Next month, once you're out of school, you will have longer and more frequent lessons."

They hugged him. "Thank you, Father. You're the best."

That Monday, Grandfather dutifully joined them at Hogwarts and so began their two-day adventure. For two days, they behaved impeccably while not one other student came within fifty yards of them but none snickered anywhere within earshot. Moreover, all the students in their classes behaved as well. However, they learned to exude the famous Malfoy arrogance at Grandfather's insistence. They proudly strode with their heads slightly tilted upwards at all times. Every lapse of that behavior, no matter how slight, brought two hours dignified walking practice while reciting all of the family traditions, privately within the Room of Requirement.

Saturday, promptly at ten in the morning, Scorpius joined Draco on the grounds of Malfoy Manor both with brooms in hand. They practiced sharp turns with increasing speed using trees and other natural objects in a pseudo obstacle course. "Father, I can go faster."

"I know you can but I want you to practice more so you'll be safe. Don't worry, I'll train you to be the best seeker ever. Next weekend we'll go faster." During their next break, Draco started to pour some Earl Grey tea for them both. "I wish I had packed the Oolong instead."

With a smile, Scorpius removed a flagon from his pack and poured for them both. "Sweetened with honey and a touch of lemon," he remarked.

"You always seem to know." Affectionately, he wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "By the way, I appreciate how you fly with Astrum on Tarooj. I know it's not something you want to do."

"You're wrong, Father. She's my little sister and I want to look after her."

"You're a great kid, always looking after your siblings." Draco presented several tickets to see one the Irish Quidditch team practices the following month. "I'm taking you and your brother next month. You'll be up close and personal so you can get the entire team's autographs. Just stay out of trouble until then."

"I will." Scorpius grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you so much Father."

The following Sunday afternoon, sensing a piercing pain from Severus, Draco grabbed his wand and called for him. Scorpius ran through the house calling for Severus as well, sensing his agony through their fraternal bond. Then Draco noticed Narcissa's broom missing though she didn't take it. Outside the mansion, Draco listened using his veela abilities. Within the woods, east of the house, he heard the faint cries of his son. After apparating nearer, he tracked him down. Next to a smashed broom, Severus laid crying with two broken bones protruding from his arm. "Severus, other than your arm, does it hurt anywhere else?" He didn't want to risk aggravating any internal injuries.

"No," Severus sobbed. With revulsion in his eyes, he continually looked at the sickening wound.

"Sev, close your eyes and focus on my voice. You're being very brave." Then he cradled his son and apparated into his bedroom. "I'll be right back." Quickly, he retrieved some numbing and healing potions. First, Sev swallowed the numbing potion. "Close your eyes while I set the bone." Thankfully, Hermione insisted they take an extensive first aid course; figuring two boys would inspire each other into all kinds of trouble. The setting didn't need to be perfect since the potion would take care of the rest.

"Scorpius," he called.

"I've got mum covered, Father."

Knowing Hermione, she would appear in the fireplace his study. Through the veela familial bonds they could sense injury if painful enough.

"How much trouble am I in?" Teary, Sev's eyes pleaded.

"Sev, I'm not even thinking about that now. I'm just glad you're alright." Once his injury healed, Draco wiped away the blood while his son continued to shed tears. "Why did you take a broom?" Severus' bottom lip trembled while he sniffled. "Please tell me," he said in a soothing tone. "Whatever you tell me, I won't get angry." Both boys knew he could detect lies so they never bothered.

"I want to fly like Scorpius," he tearfully confessed.

"Why? You have a talent for music and your music teacher says you're exceptional with only two lessons behind you." Severus hadn't shown any particular interest in flying other than riding Tarooj, their flying carpet. While Sev had been shown a couple of basic maneuvers, he never tried racing in the woods which is what Draco was sure he did in order to have smashed the broom so badly and sustained such an injury. Cheerless ice blue eyes silently stared back at him. "Tell me, everything."

"I wanted you to be proud of me like you are Scorpius," he confessed tearing up.

"I am proud of you. Why do you think I'm not?"

"Because I can't fly like him and become a seeker like you were. He's the son you wanted not me." Now tears poured from his eyes.

As Draco looked down, he saw the mirror image of himself as a child when he sobbed because he thought his father wasn't proud of him for receiving his trophy at flying camp. Though first in his age group, he didn't get the overall flying award. As a child, making his father proud and winning his love was all that mattered to him. When he thought he didn't have it, it broke his heart. Indeed, it made him a total prat during his childhood.

Though Draco practiced strict discipline with his children, this time his son deserved compassion. Though compassion didn't come to him easily, with his family it did. Lately, he had worried that disciplining his children might make them love him less. Against his shoulder, he felt the moisture of Sev's tears amongst a few poignant whimpers.

"I am proud of you and I love you." Then he looked his son in the eyes who still seemed doubtful. "You are very special to me. Grandfather named your brother while I named you. I named you after a war hero and the best teacher Hogwarts has ever known who happened to be my most favorite teacher ever. Do you know why I named you after him?" Sev shook his head. "Because when you were born, I wanted everyone to know how special you were to me." With that, a slight smile crossed Sev's face but he still sniffled.

When Draco thought about this recent turn of events, he understood why Severus felt the way he did. For two hours a week, he privately taught Scorpius how to fly since he could teach him. On the other hand, he hired a music tutor for Severus. Though only two hours a week of private time between him and his eldest son, they tipped the scales of love and pride to Scorpius' favor as Severus perceived them. Indeed, his father's affection and a mere two hours of a week of his time meant more to Severus than his music. In turn, that meant more to Draco than most everything else in his life.

"Sev, I envy you that you can play music. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be able to play but I don't have the talent. Instead, I can only appreciate it. Since no one in the family loves music like we do, I was wondering if you wanted to sit with me for a couple hours a week and listen to CD's and learn about Muggle music. We can attend some concerts together until you're a teenager and dread spending time with your father."

Sev laughed at that comment. "Concerts would be great. What are CD's?"

"I'll be right back and show you." He apparated into his study and grabbed a CD player with some of his favorite CD's Hermione's parents bought for him when they learned of his love of music. Once he returned, he showed them to Severus. "I enchanted this Muggle CD player so it will play in our world." He showed Severus how to load a CD. "This is Oomph; one of my latest discoveries. What do you think?"

"They're great."

"Later we'll listen to some Elvis. Do you want to listen to CD's with me for a couple of hours a week?"

"Yes, Father." After Sev hugged him tightly, his tears completely dried. Seeing Severus eyes light up like Christmas by just promising to spend time with him, Draco realized that he was Severus' hero just for being a father.

Sometime in November…

Within the governor's office, now with pictures of an additional generation of Malfoy adorning its walls, both Malfoy men enjoyed their breakfast of Crepes Suzette while Draco poured his father some tea. "As head of this family, I shouldn't have to sneak out of my own home to avoid prison food and my morning torture."

"It's called a healthy diet and exercise so we can keep you around for a very long time but a treat every now and then can't hurt."

"I'm 54 years old. My wife shouldn't be dictating my diet and my children using medieval torture devices."

"Yes Father and you look like you're in your mid forties still and mother looks even younger. I'd hardly call weights torture devices. Besides, be glad Hermione only has you jog with her and Mother. The Pilates hurts worse. You'd better eat just in case mother pops in for a surprise visit." Both enjoyed a side of bacon first.

"Father, I talked to the boys and explained what Half-Bloods and Mudbloods were. They asked because some derogatory remarks were directed at them when they were in school last." As he sipped his tea, Lucius shifted slightly while he stared at the table. "I also told them about Voldemort and the Malfoy's involvement in the matter. I explained that we were misguided and have since changed. They now know about Death Eaters and your prison stay. Better they find out from us than from their peers. " With that, his father's jaw muscle tensed visibly. "You'll need to speak to them. They have questions."

"Now they won't respect me as head of the family," he bitterly stated.

"They respect you and obey you without question. Though they stick together which usually makes them impervious to bullying, I overheard Sev say that if anyone picks on them, they'll say their grandfather will handle the situation because he single handedly defeated over a dozen Death Eaters without a wand and he's not afraid to go to Azkaban."

With a devious chuckle, Lucius' mood lightened. "Very well, I'll speak to them tonight." A slight smile crossed his face. "Now that Sev cut his hair, I have to remind myself that it is him running around and not you. He certainly is a character."

"That he is. First, he creates the schemes. Then Scorpius plans them. They're honing their skill, which worries me. Soon my punishments won't be enough." Smiling Draco ate a few more bites. "I told them that my Malfoy tradition will be to create a family prison cell in Azkaban where each male Malfoy upon the age of eighteen will serve two years as a way to pay it forward. That seems to have worked for now." Lucius momentarily glared at him but he smiled back in jest. "Hermione believes Sev cut his hair as homage to me once he realized that we could be twins. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

"Indeed it is." With that, his father looked at Draco's long silver hair, familial wardrobe along with his cane and smiled. "Since you're bringing Astrum to the office with you on Monday, I'll babysit her from 1PM to 3PM. I'm having a late lunch and business meeting with the editor of Mode et Société that I wish for her to attend. I'll take care of her for the rest of the afternoon."

"No need. She's so well behaved and stays out of trouble unlike the boys." Seeing the rather perturbed look on his father's face, he changed his mind. "But then again, since she speaks French so fluently thanks to your lessons, I guess it would be a learning experience for her."

Draco smiled as he thought of his four-year-old daughter, Astrum with her silver hair that had Hermione's curls, his eyes, and Narcissa's face with Hermione's pixie nose. Mentally, she took after Lucius, inheriting his superb linguistic skills with Hermione's cleverness. As for personality, she was vivacious, inheriting his charm without his obnoxiousness. Once she hit puberty, he planned to get her a magical chastity belt no matter how much she objected.

While the Nor'easter blew outside in the wintery mix of sleet and snow, inside the Malfoy home, the scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air. Dinner preparations began while Narcissa added the last of the Black family's secret blend of mulling spices to the cider and wine. She jumped when her son snuck behind her. "Merry Christmas Mother"

"Happy Christmas, Draco."

"You're going to love your present," he said with a wink. Suddenly before her a large bright red envelope with Asian lettering in gold all over it appeared.

"You're father still hasn't wised up to our scheming."

"Mother, you deserve to travel. Just because Father is so particular about everything being exactly as he likes it and has been everywhere already, doesn't mean you shouldn't get to do what you want. This way he can't refuse, especially since Tinkey will travel with you ensuring everything meets his standards. Just let me know where you to go before your anniversary since refusing a present from his son would be an insult."

"Very true. By the way, the boys' teachers have said they're looking forward to seeing them in February."

"Thank you for coming up with a program for them. With them being home a little more often, Hermione won't miss them as much. You should see what we got them: for Scorpius a full Quidditch set, for Sev a grand piano and my little girl an Abraxan colt. I can't wait for them to see them." As he kissed her cheek, Narcissa smiled to herself.

Covertly, Draco moseyed down the hall to ensure the boys didn't sneak a peek at their presents. I have a fantastic life. Ever so briefly, a man with a thin face and long hair in the hallway mirror watched unnoticed, before fading into oblivion. He thought the Minister had a fantastic life as well, one worth stealing.