Chapter 10

Dinner with Gemini Black went well, at least from Draco's perspective. The old matron was attended by one of her grandsons a weedy man that was Lucius' age. He was completely forgettable, and Draco was left wondering if that was a talent cultivated for subterfuge, or a natural result of living in the shadow of a witch who was worth more than most nations.

Gemini was surprisingly gracious, warmly complimenting the décor of the penthouse, the food, the behavior of their staff. She flirted and charmed, cooing over Draco's youth, looks, and potential. She promised that his cousins would all be calling upon him soon to properly introduce him to New York society, and to give him some proper relief from the "old foggies."

The after dinner sherry and digestible consumed, Gemini and her grandson departed through the apartments front door, rather than apparition. Draco thought it odd, but only for a moment.

"Upstairs, in the library, now boy." His father's voice was icy, and a glance at his face showed barely controlled rage.

"Now Lucius," his mother began, a thin hand placed on Lucius' forearm.

"No," Lucius pulled away from her imperiously. "Join us or not, but the time for shielding the boy is done. He must learn his place."

Draco couldn't help it, he laughed. "Shield me?" Instead of moving towards the stairs towards the library, he walked to the ebony bar and poured himself another drink. "Since when have you shielded me father?" Draco down the drink in one swallow before pushing up the sleeve to his suit, his Death Eater tattoo an angry mar against his pale skin.

Draco's glass flew from the bar and smashed against the wall. He felt himself being driven to his knees, body contorting in pain.

"Impudent boy," his father hissed. Draco could vaguely hear the sound of his mother weeping. He gritted his teeth and focused his will, driving himself back to his feet. His cold blue eyes, slightly glazed by the pain glared into Lucius'. The older man broke his gaze and Draco felt the crushing invisible grip release him.

His father's voice started again, vaguely detached. "Do you understand the import of tonight's dinner? We have been welcomed," the word dripped with scornful mockery, "into New York. But we are not to be equal citizens of the magical society, nor the peers and rightful leaders that is our birthright. We are to be tolerated. A curiosity, and a cautionary tale. Gemini was all courtesy, such polite condescension. She has thrown us a bone though Draco, and that bone is you. You are to be afforded unfettered access to the family. You are to be our mouth-piece, our public face, our redemption and rebirth."

Lucius had been walking closer to Draco throughout his speech. Yet, Draco was still surprised when his arm was caught in his father's vice like grip. "And what do you do on your first dinner? You show up with altered hair? Platinum hair is a defining genetic traits of a pure-blood Malfoy. Everyone in my family has it. It is a mark of pride, of status, of heritage, and you, insolent, ungrateful chit, dare to dye your hair before such an important meeting. To what end Draco. Do you want to renounce me now? If so, be done with it, and I will turn you out now. It would be no better than you deserve. You failed the Dark Lord so many times, I should not be surprised that you would actively seek to fail me."

His fingers had been continuing to dig into Draco's arm, and now, Draco found himself caught in the curse again, on his knees before his father. He gasped out, "I am sorry, I didn't think…" The pain burned across his skin in waves, never becoming so intolerable as to allow him blessed oblivion. He panted, "Please, father, forgive me." He hated himself for saying it but he needed the pain to end.

As quickly as it started, it was gone, and Lucius fingers released his arm. Instead they moved to Draco's hair, running the golden locks through his fingers. As he did so, the color fled, leaving it gleaming white in its wake. "Very well then Draco, you are forgiven. But remember son, you must always be thinking here. You are a Malfoy, and I expect you to always behave as one."

His manipulation of Draco's hair complete, Lucius turned to face the tear streaked face of his wife. "Of, Narcissa, do pull yourself together, there is no need for hysterics."

At his words, Narcissa did stand taller, her face grew harder. "Later Lucius we will have words, but for tonight, I have had enough of you. Do not show yourself to me before morning." She disappeared at that, a faint trail of sparks and the linger smell of rose water the only trace.

Lucius sighed, and turned to Draco as if their recent interaction had never occurred. "Avoid marrying a passionate women son. They make the best lovers, but they will never let you forget any perceived sin. I shall have to sooth her before there will be any peace." He disappeared then too, a vaguely acrid scent wafting on the air behind him.

Draco poured another drink. Well, that is a new one. He rolled his shoulders testing his muscles gingerly, stretching skin that had felt on fire. Surprisingly, there was no echo of pain, no twinge of damage. If he imagined hard enough, it would be like the surprising incident never occurred. But Draco could see his reflection in the mirror above the bar, and the golden tan and sun-kissed hair were gone, replaced by alabaster skin and silvered hair. The physical badge of Malfoy as clear as the dark tattoo still visible on his arm.