p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"One minute he was delicately hovering over the death head moth with a shaking hand, squinting in concentration as he prepared to mount the newest addition to his collection. The next thing Stevos knew, he was being towed out of his room and towards his father's study. He had been rudely hauled from his chair without warning but unlike his siblings Stevos knew better than to question or struggle against his father. He would be given the opportunity to have his say but the fact that Lucius had even entertained the thought of physically coming to fetch one of his charges led Stevos to believe even letting out an extended breath without prior permission would not end well for him. Instead, Stevos did his best to keep up with his father's long strides despite the awkward angle he was being held at, attempting to block out the frustrated breathes he could hear from above and instead trying to recall the correct finger placement for Liszt's La Campanella, following the melody in his mind and trying to pinpoint exactly when and why his piano tutor whacked his knuckles and made him start from the beginning every few minutes. Despite not being at school now he was back for the holidays, his workload would explode and Stevos suddenly had flashbacks to his most recent musical failings and how to avoid a migraine and abused hands following every session. There was more to being under the Malfoy's strict tutorage schedule than etiquette, politics, potions, finance, history, languages, duelling and debate; there was dance, music, singing, equitation and other more trivial areas in which the finest tutors were sourced and results of the highest calibre were expected. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"This soon became the least of Stevos's worries as Lucius hauled open the door to his dreaded study and shoved Stevos inside./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Do you care to guess as to why I have summoned you here?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Less summoned, more dragged" remarked Stevos as he smoothed himself down./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Lucius raised a warning eyebrow before throwing a creased manila envelope at his son. Stevos dodged it instinctively before taking the envelope and himself to the chesterfield sofa by the door. He flicked through the contents, pausing to scrutinise each photo, his face remaining emotionless. "Tell me, what do you see, boy?!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Stevos flicked through the images again before tucking them between his thigh and the sofa. "It would appear to be Master Zabini engaged in a series of sordid acts with a gentleman who greatly resembles myself. The boy clearly has a taste for the finer things in life". /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Lucius's eyes grew dark as he surveyed his son's chesire grin. "I am not amused Stevos. Have you no concern for how your selfish actions impact anyone else? Are you so self-absorbed that you do not realise the gravity of this situation?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""How does this affect anyone but me? I don't see you hiding in the backdrop" – Stevos flicked through the pictures again, it illustrated his point but mainly it allowed him to avoid his father's murderous gaze./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You know full well this would destroy the Malfoy name if these photos got into the wrong hands"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Well then, it's a good job they did not" replied Stevos stiffly with a sigh before crossing the room and threw the envelope and it's contents into the fire. They shrivelled and burned but Stevos didn't watch, he couldn't bring himself to watch the only evidence of his relationship turn to ash. "Are we done here?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You may go, we will resume this conversation at a later date". /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Stevos nodded in response, sniffed, and turned to leave. "Father?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yes?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Good night"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Good night, my son" replied Lucius warmly as he watched Stevos slip from the room and close the door behind him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The boy was clearly upset, Lucius had expected him to be upset but for very different reasons. It was likely that the improper relationship Stevos had carried on with had ended. He knew now that it as more than rebellion, Stevos had really cared for the Zabini boy. Lucius wouldn't pretend that he approved, but he cared for his son and it hurt him to watch him leave so defeated. It wasn't unusual for Stevos to leave the study as such but that was a necessary evil and by Lucius's own hand. Lucius knew pain could be a particularly good teacher, but what would Stevos learn from this? Nothing. The sight of his heartbroken firstborn made him want to apparate straight into Zabini's front room and wring his arrogant little neck in front of his harlot of a mother. Lucius's nostrils flared. He poured himself a glass of deep ruby port before retaking his seat and pinching the bridge of his nose to calm himself. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He would have to punish the boy, of course he would, but he had to tread carefully. Stevos mustn't be allowed to think that it was because of his condition. Lucius had taken every opportunity to voice his disapproval but they had come to an understanding; as long as Stevos wed to a suitable applicant, sired heirs and kept his private life out of the public domain then he could keep as many lovers as he wished, he could convert an entire wing of the manor to a play house for his male consorts. Lucius didn't care as long as his duties were fulfilled, not a soul knew of the arrangement and that Stevos was happy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Unknown to them both, Lucius and his son sat in identical positions, Lucius in his study and Stevos in his chambers, both nursing a much needed nightcap. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""What do you want?!" growled Stevos as he looked up to pin his godsister with a turbulent glare. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I think I am probably in trouble so I was hoping I could lay low in here for the night?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""The defences have already been breached god sister, but you do as you please so I may as well be accommodating". Heredis threw herself on the bed with a grin before scrutinising her god brother's crestfallen expression. "Ah, so you have already been visited by the esteemed Lord Malfoy?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""The very same"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Why are you so angry? I mean, you may wallow in self-pity for a while but you're never one to become enraged by your father. That's my gig". Stevos permitted a half smile to blemish his scowl momentarily./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Not him. This gorgeous bastard"./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Heredis unravelled the compact ball of paper before smoothing it out on her knee. "Oh Merlin's shattered kneecaps. Why the hell would you pass this around like a fucking holiday snap?! Obliviation required!"./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Stevos glared at the eleven year old who was clawing at her eyes dramatically; "You shouldn't swear"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You shouldn't swear" she mimicked with a scathing glare, "emHonestly /emgod brother, emthat's /emhow ridiculous you sound!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Enough Heredis. Shut up and show some respect or leave. I am not in the mood for your childish mimickery"./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Heredis puffed her chest out and planted her hands on her hips, "I am not in the mood for your childish mimickery". /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"His god sister did not acknowledge his warning glare so he set his glass down with a sigh, grabbed her elbow and pulled her down onto the bed, looping his arm around her waist and pulling her into him so that she couldn't get away. "What in Merlin's name do you think you ar- OW Stevos, Ste-, Let me g- AH you little sack of, FUCK let me g- AH g-g-, p-LEASE, godBROTHERRR". Hearing her voice change from accusatory to mild fear about the situation she'd laughed her way into, he released her. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"As heir Stevos was permitted to punish his siblings but he never had and he wasn't about to start now, he was just so sick of Draco and Heredis always trying to get under his skin (rather successfully). Heredis had tumbled onto the floor in her haste to get away; "I can't believe y-"./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Stevos held up a hand to silence her, reclaiming his half empty wne glass. "Stay or go, I don't care either way, but I am emnot/em in the mood for company. emYou have been warned/em"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""emI'd say!/em I was only trying to cheer you up!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Untrue, care to try again?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Fine, whatever. It was funny, I misread the room"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hmmm"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""So are you going to sit here and mope all night?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""That is the plan, yes"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Like all night, forever?'/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""One night is hardly forever, Heredis. Save the histrionics for dramatic arts"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""But I emAM /emdramatic arts, Stevos!"./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Stevos couldn't help but chuckle at her enraged façade. His god sister was an annoying little shit but she wasn't all that bad to have around. As long as she wasn't in a foul mood, playing the fool or was convinced life as we knew it was over (a bi-hourly occurrence for Heredis), she was easy, undemanding company and would happily sit in silence or amuse herself. Even father permitted her to frequent his study at her leisure as she really was not that intrusive, of course he would pretend he didn't notice her and she was polite enough to maintain the pretence, sneaking in on cats feet and keeping to herself./p