Being a Malfoy wasn't easy. Being a Malfoy that makes his father proud takes a considerable amount of effort. It is disappointing to announce that this didn't happen often, according to all the portraits of past family members.
Ethan had spent a day talking to the portraits after he had asked his parents a question about some family history at brunch one morning. His mother had been the one who suggested starting with Nyx Malfoy.
The boy had known it was a bad idea from the expression of horror that his father had taken on when his mother had said the name. Now he was stuck listening to his ancestor talk for hours on end. He wouldn't be surprised to learn that the sun had already set and he had missed dinner.
Nyx Malfoy was a lady of many words when she was alive, and as a painting she somehow had gained much more to talk about. How she managed to continue talking so long without stopping was a mystery. A bigger mystery was why, despite the amount of times people have thought about it, no one had yet torn down her portrait and shredded it to tiny strips.
Of course, it figured that the few times she stopped to let him talk, he said the wrong thing. He had somehow mentioned that Draco had rewritten the Malfoy Code of Conduct due to the Fifth Generation rule and Nyx had been so thrilled, she demanded Ethan read some of it to her.
Surely it would be wrong of him to decline, so he muttered a quick Accio! charm and the book landed in his hands.
The portrait raised an eyebrow at the book and sniffled, "That is the new book? Young Malfoy, surely you jest."
Ethan blinked. After a moment he cleared his throat slightly, "Er...I jest not."
"It looks as worn as when my husband was charged with holding onto it!" she exclaimed.
"Father says that it's because of all the archaic charms on it."
"Draco Malfoy is a lazy imbecile," Nyx said quite calmly.
The boy was tempted to mention that his father thought Nyx was a stupid bint, but bit his tongue.
"He could have just as easily enchanted it to look new after putting on the Eternity Charm. Any idiot can do that," she sighed. "Maybe you'll turn out better than Lucius Malfoy's son."
It was that moment in which Loki, the portrait located next to Nyx, had had enough of his wife's voice and interrupted, "I think Draco turned out fine, my dearest wife. You always spoke so well of Lucius and look how he ended up. The man didn't even get a portrait. It's a disgrace."
"I blame Draco and Narcissa for leading his father to his decisions." Nyx replied vehemently.
Loki tilted his head slightly, "Woman! Are you daft? Lucius didn't listen to anyone! Had he listened to his wife every once in a while, he probably would have been better off. Not to mention- alive today!"
"Hush! Both of you, cease and desist your ridiculous bantering. The child knows nothing of this, and I feel Draco should tell him what happened when he deems the boy old enough.," interjected yet another ancestor in the painting across from Loki.
Nyx scowled at no one in particular, "Calypso, darling, interrupting others is so very rude."
Ethan had remained silent through this whole exchange and only now had come up with the idea of exiting the hall now. He had never liked hearing people argue, and this was no exception. He had almost reached the corner when Nyx shrieked that he come back.
Without second thought, he dashed around the corner and ran directly into someone.
Draco caught his son before he fell and smiled slightly, with a raised eyebrow in polite enquiry, "Really, Ethan, you don't need to carry the Code with you all the time."
Ethan nodded. He remembered what Nyx and Loki had said about Lucius, his grandfather, but decided to ask about it later. Right now he wanted nothing more than to get out of there.
"Dad, can we go?"
"I have to see Loki, first, since I'm already here. Points to him for being married to Nyx when he was alive, and now in death he has to deal with her, too," Draco whispered as they turned back into the hallway with the portraits.
"Draco Malfoy!" Nyx screeched. (Ethan winched and sympathized with everyone who came into contact with her unexpectedly.) "Read us some of the new Code that your son speaks so fondly of.
"I actually have to be headed off. I have a meeting with the Minister of Magic in a few minutes. I'm sure my son will be thrilled to read a section for you, Nyx."
Having said that, he quickly walked off shooting an apologetic look at his son before he disappeared.
"You may continue wherever you wish, young Malfoy," Loki commented before his wife managed to get another word in.
With a glare after his father, he opened the book and started reading aloud.
Section 3: Business Conduct
i. Regarding others
Rule No. 1. Always wait to be asked.
Volunteering makes your motives look suspicious. Any dolt can see that this is not a good thing. Especially if your motives really are not the best...which, let's be realistic: You're a Malfoy. It's not likely your motives are to become a Saint. You're an evil bastard by association, if nothing else.
Rule No. 2. Answer only the question asked and make them prompt you for more information.
Technically, as a Malfoy, you needn't tell anyone anything if you don't wish to. The fact that you are answering a ridiculous question of some bastard of lower status not only earns you more admiration, but also gives you the right to be as vague as the questions itself. Ex. "What is four added to seventeen?" You may simply answer, "A mathematical equation." It is through no fault of your own that the inquirer was not more specific.
Rule No. 3. You must answer to no one.
A bit of an add-on to Section 3, Article i., Rule No. 2 (see the rule above, for Merlin's sake). Others should know, without even being told, that you are there because you want to be, and you are doing something because it is your choice to do so.
Rule No. 4. A position at the Ministry of Magic is preferred.
Although, anything in the Wizarding world would be great, really. (Except: Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee. No one must know we have a fantastic sense of humour!) No silly muggle occupations, either. Seven years at a Wizarding school and you take a muggle job? Embarrassing for the family, really.
Rule No. 5. The female Malfoy will not conduct business directly.
The Malfoys pride themselves on everything from blinding blonde hair, to gorgeous looks and unlimited knowledge. However, we are a bit of an old-fashioned family and therefore, the wife will never be seen directly conducting outside business of any kind apart from spending money to make herself look even more stunning than she already is, unless completely necessary. However, she is free make any and all financial and business decisions out of the public eye.
Rule No. 6. Do not anger the Swiss.
Nothing good will come of it. Switzerland is a lovely country, and they have some of the loveliest chocolates. (And we Malfoys do love our chocolate truffles.) You should also be aware of consequences that other countries could pose for angering them— The Germans, without thought, may want to wage war on you. The Japanese will surely aim for Malfoy Harbour in Ireland. Poland, well, you probably shouldn't talk to them at all as they seem rather unstable and can hold grudges for a very long time. The Americans will probably set a certain Reverend Jessie Jackson on the family. Mexico will seem friendly enough, offer you plenty of tequila and then, rather unexpectedly, will shoot you with one of those muggle things– except these will have a much more intricate design on them. Italy will set one of their many Mafias after you. Promoting stereotypes? Perhaps But, it's quite possibly true. Therefore, keep your enemies to a minimum, please.
Rule No. 7. Should a Malfoy owe a life debt– you are expected to pay it back whatever way possible.
Whether this be by money, your first son, whatever it is, take care of it.
Rule No. 8. If you can't win through the usual methods— cheat
Anything to get what you want.
Rule No. 9. Malfoys should always seem as if they are working harder than everyone else.
Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself with the title of Minister due to this. Although, really, being Minister is such a bother. Don't let that be your goal. You have very little control over all. You'll regret it later. Make something of that. If you are offered position of Minister of Magic, perhaps you could decline, and suggest your enemy be given the position, instead. A grand speech should be done, as well. The papers will honour you for doing such a thing and your popularity can only grow. However, this is merely a suggestion. Should you ignore this, and accept the position of Minister of Magic, don't fuck it up.
Rule No. 10. Insist others go before you.
This will be taken as a generous act. However, that isn't the motive behind it. Letting others go before you, will give you the chance to learn from their mistakes. Or, if they are ahead of you on a path and suddenly fall, you'll know to omit that part of the path so you don't meet the same unfortunate end.
ii. Regarding self
Rule No. 1. If you are incorrect about a certain detail, simply nod in understanding.
There is no need to issue any apologies. If possible, and done subtly, you may easily get rid of the correct opposed view to make you feel better. However, be advised that you should rarely, if ever, be proven wrong.
Rule No. 2. It is only stealing if you get caught.
Of course, the best course of action here is to not get caught. Being a Malfoy, this shouldn't be terribly difficult.
Rule No. 3. Act as if you know exactly what's going on— even if you haven't got the slightest notion.
It wouldn't look very good if someone were to find that you, the latest of the Malfoy line, are a blubbering idiot. This is because you most certainly are not! If you are asked for your opinion, you've no obligation to reply. Tell them that you're undecided at the moment and maybe if they modified their idea, you'd think about it.
Rule No. 4. Refrain from uttering generic statements when you are otherwise at a loss for words.
These instances could turn out to be very embarrassing. The best way to avoid these is to not know any statements that could fall under the 'generic' category. Really, though, save yourself the embarrassment and save others from thinking you're possibly an idiot.
iii. Important note that deserves a Roman numeral of its own
Maintaining supreme power in business.
"Knowledge is power. Power is money. Money is power."Greed is self-perpetuating. Despite what we are taught about greed, in one way or another everyone is greedy. Our family has no limits when it comes to money and knowledge. So, in turn- we have a great amount of power. Still, to be successful in business you must consider the way those lesser than us think. You must think- how can they survive in a system based solely on the will to have power? "Power is money." This is the roughest and the most ingenuous way of earning and maintaining power. This simple rule of social hierarchy easily throws away those with no money, and still you are faced with opponents of high class. So how have Malfoys maintained supreme power over so many years? Illegal Enterprises. Well done.
Ethan managed to finish before one in the morning only due to Loki finally hitting his wife over the head with a candlestick. The boy was sure that had someone written down all of Nyx's comments and critiques, they would have formed a book of their own, and possibly bigger than the Malfoy Code of Conduct let alone the onesection he had just read.
When he finally got to his room, he dropped the book onto his desk and dropped down into his bed only to, once again, land on a somewhat solid object. Tiredly, he pulled it out from under him and muttered a charm to light the candles in his room.
What he had landed on was a leather satchel full of coins. He looked at the short note attached to it written in his Dad's handwriting.
Ethan-Hopefully our ancestors didn't bore you to death.
I've enclosed fifty galleons, and my sincere apologies.
Your father,
Draco Malfoy
Author's Note: It was much too difficult not having a plot of some kind while writing. Hopefully it didn't drag. Let me know what you think!
