3.
At the ripe age of twenty-seven, Draco Malfoy had no idea why he came to New Orleans. But as soon as his foot touched the dirty remnants in the dark alley between abandoned pubs and nightclubs, Draco felt oddly comfortable.
It made sense, though. The Malfoy name came from France — Parisian royalty, in fact. When the Commoner-Uprising in the 18th Century hit Paris, the Malfoys took flight for their lives. Some made their way to Britain, of course, while others would tempt the fates in America.
Apparently, according to his mother, several of France's wizarding royalty had stumbled across the land that would eventually be known as New Orleans. This was some fifty years before the Uprising. But America was never considered an appropriate home for a royal family of distinguished blood and rearing. It was home to savages and criminals.
But the American Malfoys – who had long since changed their names to Malfaires – found success in America, especially in New Orleans, where their blood had intermingled with Muggles, Muggle-born, and even Sèvis Gine priests who worshipped spirits and animals. Whereas the British Malfoys were revered by the darkest of wizarding circles and feared by the rest, the Malfaires were admired by most all Americans, magical or otherwise.
Politicians.
Scientists.
Teachers.
Doctors.
Actors.
In a room full of billionaires, you couldn't throw a stick without hitting a Malfaire, the daughter of a Malfaire or the lover of a Malfaire.
In simpler times, Draco would be envious.
But these weren't simple times.
Walking down Poydras Street with his dragon in tow, he had found a forsaken restaurant tucked away from the main road. The front doors and the walk-in freezer had been locked, preventing anyone from entering and taking its contents. But Draco wasn't 'anyone' – he was a wizard and neither door could resist a well-placed "alohamora". Magic further thawed and cooked the meats therein.
Dragon ate better than he had for weeks, almost taking a finger or three off of Draco when he handed him strips of turkey and chunks of beef. When they left the restaurant, Draco left a pile of cooked food in front of the door and masked it with a complex impromptu spell that hid it from the senses of man and insects, only to be smelt or seen by dogs and cats.
There was no one here, anyway, no humans, at least. But still, he figured it was a courtesy that Dragon would appreciate, were he able to comprehend such things.
Before they left the building, Draco heard the faint remnants of music. He realized that he had been hearing it – just barely – ever since he stepped foot on Louisiana soil. But now, it was louder, though only slightly. He looked around and saw a snow globe on the counter by the cashier's register.
Wandlessly, he magic'd the globe to him. When it touched his flesh, he felt warmth and heard the music more pronounced. The words "glass moon" was carved along the wooden base of the orb. For the first time, Draco truly felt the magic of the land around him...
... the magic of New Orleans.