The first touch of silver was appearing over the horizon as Draco recapped his ink bottle and put away his quill.

He leaned back in his chair and swept a lock of hair off his brow. It was a few minutes past five in the morning, and he was definitely ready to go to bed. But despite the ache in his temples, he knew that there was still work to be done.

He stood up and brushed shreds of parchment off his shirt, but finding a jacket and slipping it on. The fire had been on in his study, but he knew that the air outside would be crisp and chill. The Malfoy Manor was always chill - its gray stone walls slightly dingy throughout the year. He made sure all his desk drawers before locked before leaving the study and looking for his mother.

He found her in her morning room, which she used to write letters and attend to other frivolous, family-related matters. Despite the early hour - and despite the fact that he knew she hadn't slept a mite - Narcissa looked fresh and lovely. She was dressed in an ivory gown with a fawn-colored wrap pulled over her narrow shoulders, and a pale amber stone gleamed at her throat. She had a wad of bills in front of her, and was perusing them carefully.

She glanced up when Draco entered, and her face softened slightly. 'You look tired, darling.'

'I've slept as little as you have. Were you here the whole night, mother?'

She nodded, and then gestured towards the bills. 'I've been going through them time and again. But there still isn't anything new.'

Draco was silent for a moment, and then he pulled up a chair and sat down beside his mother. He took her cool, bony hand into his own. 'Are the expenses in order?' he asked, quietly.

She nodded. 'Exactly as they were when he was here. But the bills are clear, no markings or prints whatsoever.'

'We don't know that they actually are bills,' Draco said, hesitantly. He was sure his mother had reached this conclusion as well, but that didn't mean he wanted to say it out loud.

His mother paled slightly. 'I know,' she said, after a pause. 'I've tried veracity spells, but they repel all kinds of magic - so that we shan't be able to trace them, I expect. But Draco-'

She broke off and he nodded. 'I know,' he said, 'I'll write out the checks anyway. Dorian can drop them off.'

Mother and son were silent for a few more minutes. Narcissa's eyes were clouded over, as though she were looking at something far away. Her index finger moved back and forth over the edge of her son's palm, drawing comfort from the familiarity of his skin. Then, she said, 'Will you go to bed now?'

Draco shook his head. 'I can't possibly. I have to go to his house.'

Narcissa's face whitened. 'Has he asked you?'

'Yes. Some things cannot be said via owl - even if the letters are charmed.'

'I don't know if it is wise.'

'I don't see that we have an option. Mother, I think he just wants to discuss business, but he'll also know that you'll be alone in the Manor, save for Dorian and the house elves. I want you to barricade yourself into your room, and put spells on the Floo. Open the door only when I return.'

She nodded, and then her features softened once more. 'You're not a child anymore,' she said, quietly.

Draco smiled dryly. 'I don't think I ever was,' he replied.