Arithmancy Assignment: Write about somebody travelling, for an example; travelling abroad, vacations, driving, apparating or even time travel.
Life Lessons
Narcissa Malfoy nee Black was determined that her son would not have the same sheltered background she had when she was growing up. It was with this in mind that when Draco was old enough to understand the world around him that she started taking him on educational field trips.
The trips started off small and local. Knowing that her son learned easily if he was interested in the subject, one of their first trips was to Gringotts. This served a dual purpose – Draco would become familiar with those who managed the family accounts at an early age and he would learn how to properly interact with the goblins. First impressions went a long way with those of the Goblin Nation and she still cringed whenever she thought about how she first reacted to her personal account manager when they were first introduced when she was ten. It took five years before Rocktooth spoke to her directly again and seven years after that before he forgave her.
Rocktooth was impressed that Lady Black (he still called Narcissa by her maiden name as he held no respect for the man she had married) wanted to start her heir's education in managing his estate early. Rocktooth personally taught the Malfoy heir himself beside his own son, Stonethumb. The lessons started off small as not even the goblins themselves expected their young to grasp how to maintain a fortune at four years old. What was learned was proper etiquette at Gringotts, proper etiquette between banker and client, and basic Goblin history. Draco enjoyed the lessons because if he and Stonethumb behaved during their lessons, their reward was riding the carts down to the vaults.
When Draco was seven years old, he entered the Muggle world for the first time. The purpose was to go shopping for a wardrobe so he was properly attired for the day school his mother enrolled him in. Once enrolled, Narcissa learned that the muggles went on field trips also and she made sure to sign the permission slip so her son could go. Her personal favorite was the class trip she chaperoned - during a multi-day trip they visited the Tower of London, the British Museum and Hampton Court Palace. It was the first time Narcissa saw for that muggles weren't so barbaric after all.
The educational field trips did not end once Draco entered Hogwarts. During the winter holiday season, Narcissa made sure that Draco learned something new. In a letter to his mother, Draco informed her that muggles did a sport called 'skiing.' It sounded dangerous to her (going down a snow-covered hill on a pair of sticks on one's feet did not seem safe), but she decided that once she applied a sticking charm to the skis, her son would be fine. Narcissa soon found herself on a pair of skis once Draco told her it was like flying on the ground. After a few false starts and a couple of minor tumbles, Narcissa learned that Draco was right.
When Draco turned fourteen, he started taking business investment trips. One such trip took place while in Germany with one of his muggle friend. Due to this friend's connections, Draco was able to take a tour of the Mercedes Benz Company. Once consulting with Stonethumb, Draco made some investments in the automobile industry, gaining a profit for the both of them. Draco's interest in automobiles did not stop there. Once Draco was of age to do so, he learned how to drive a car. Draco wanted to legally to drive a car in Britain and therefore, once he was deemed ready by his instructor, he made a trip to the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency. After failing the test two times (and seriously considering using a befuddlement draught on the person administering his road test), Draco finally was able to pass the test. Draco bought himself a custom made emerald green Mercedes to celebrate his accomplishment.
Before graduating from Hogwarts, Draco received a letter from his mother.
My Dearest Dragon –
I am proud of the many life lessons that you have learned. Not all of them occurred in the classrooms of Hogwarts, but they were important nevertheless.
As a young child, you learned how from Rocktooth not only financial matters, but how to communicate with those different from you with respect.
While in the Muggle world, you learned how to appreciate their culture and how it was similar to our own.
The dictionary gives the definition of traveling as the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, (which you have done) but in your case, it's a bit more than that.
You have travelled a path that few of your ancestors have taken – a path of self-discovery, of not letting expected traditions rule your path.
You could have rebelled against what I was trying to teach you. You could have listened to your father. I am so glad that you didn't.
Your future is so much more than what I expected it to be, my son. Keep learning, my heart.
Keep travelling.