Pale in the Shadows

Part I Magick in the Air – Chapter 4 Shining Stars

About: I really wanted to play with the idea that there's more to purebloods (or some purebloods) than meets the eye.


'It's an owl, dear,' Lucius sat on the far end of the dining table, his attention mainly focused on the paper he held, International Business, Trade, and Magick.

Narcissa nodded, rising to an alabaster statue of a coiled serpent on the mantle which was glowing a faint green. Placing her hand on it, she let the magick of the Malfoy wards fill into her being, she could sense the forest with its ancient magick that surrounded their house, and she felt the patient hovering of an owl. Focusing, she felt outward testing the owl's magickal signature before bending the wards to let the bird in. Releasing her hold on the statue, she gently rubbed the ring she had connecting her to Draco. 'It's from Hogwarts,' she said, about to head out of the dining hall to fetch her son.

'Let Dobby get him.' Her husband carefully set the paper down, glancing at the window which the owl flew into and, much like a bubble, popped through as though it were nothing. The windows had been a creation of Lucius's grandfather and much of the reason the Malfoy family would never fear being in debt. 'I have something I need to speak to you about concerning another message that I received before you woke.'

Nodding, Narcissa snapped her fingers and with a pop a tiny humanoid creature appeared in front of her wearing a gritty wrap about its purplish skin. His bulbous watery eyes stared hesitantly up at her as he sniffed. 'Yes, Mistress?' His voice was high-pitched and squeaky. 'You summoned for Dobby?'

Raising an eyebrow, Narcissa took careful stock of the house elf with his long pointed ears and crusted face. 'First, would you fetch my son from the woods? Something has arrived for him. Lastly, please take a bath, Dobby, and send for your aunt.'

She watched as the elf winced. 'M-My aunt, Mistress? A-Are you certain about this?' Flushing he bowed. 'Not to be disrespectful.'

Narcissa raised an eyebrow. 'Yes, I believe Dalia will be required for a time, and she helps ensure you care for yourself.'

'As you wish, Mistress. I shall go fetch Young Master first then.' With that the elf popped out of existence leaving Lucius and Narcissa alone.

Lucius snorted. 'I see you already know the kind of news that I bear then. As usual, you are a pleasure, dear. Care to share how you found out?' Rising, he came over to her, pressing his body to her and wrapping Narcissa in his arms. 'Or should I try and guess?'

Cocking her head, Narcissa gave a teasing smile, bringing her fingers to under his chin, tickling it. 'Little mysteries in your life will make every second more interesting. Besides, you know I will never use what I learn against you, dear.' She leaned forward and kissed him, gently. 'As it is, you'll be late if you don't leave soon.'

Cupping her face in his smooth hands Lucius leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers. 'Already packed, my dear. And of course I wouldn't trade you for anything. You are an enchanting delight.'


He had found the faerie circle sometime the prior day in the depths of the forest marked by toadstools. Draco sat cross-legged outside of it, watching as the aura in the circle shifted and changed; the aura molded in greens and teals suggesting that the faeries were earth-based. Smiling, he pulled out amulets of rosewood setting them outside of the circle. Focusing, he allowed his mind to wander further until he could see the faeries gaining tangible form. There were only three of them—two flowers spirits and a dryad of oak.

It's enough, he thought. Draco could tell that his eyes had changed colour as the Malfoy blood in him swelled. The earth faeries responded to the empathy that ebbed off him, seeking the strange aura that called to them. Smirking, he began to mutter a chant, slowly pulling out a dagger, he sliced his hand over the amulets letting the blood poor over three of them. 'I contain and bind you in the name of the sea and the name of the stars.' The circle of toadstools began to fade away as the spirits were sealed into the amulets. As they were sealed, the blood shifted into runes, marking them. Sighing as the magick and swirling auras faded away, Draco carefully wrapped his hand with a bandage.

Rising to dust off the grass that had collected on his spider silk tunic, Draco stooped to grab the amulets and tucked the dagger into his boot sheath, pleased with himself. He had read about the sealing magick in one of the Black family books, and figured combining the powers inherent of a Malfoy would make the process easier. Smirking, he turned to head home but was stopped by a popping sound and the appearance of Dobby, the family's house elf. Bowing until his bulbous nose nearly touched the ground, the elf rose with a pleading look. 'Young Master Malfoy, your mother wishes to see you.'

Surprised, Draco frowned. 'Did she mention why?'

'Something about an arrival, Young Sir. Certainly I can teleport you there if Young Master wishes.'

Sighing, Draco shook his head, running his fingers through his platinum hair. 'No, I will walk. You're message is passed.' Walking past the elf, trying to ignore him, the boy headed for the manor curious why his mother was calling for him. Perhaps she knows what I've done? he thought as he walked through the forest, slipping the amulets into his pocket.


The door to her workroom creaked open almost an hour later and Narcissa looked up from her potion making, relieved her son had come to her after the brewing had finished. 'I was beginning to wonder if Dobby had gotten sidetracked again.' She breathed deep the magick that radiated off her son; it was refreshing like laying out in a field on a moonlit night. 'You smell of earth and stars, Draco. What have you been doing?' Shaking her head with a wry smile, she muttered, 'Oh, never mind. It's no matter.'

Draco nodded, keeping his hands tucked behind his sleeveless tunic, his face unreadable. 'Yes, Mother. By the way, Dobby mentioned something having arrived for me?'

Narcissa, motioned to a scroll on her worktable, which her son grabbed tentatively with a bandaged hand. Raising an eyebrow, she said nothing as he opened the letter watching as familiar rolls of yellowed paper pulled free. She knew what the familiar emerald ink would say, but still took warm comfort in seeing her son receive his first Hogwarts letter. Narcissa warmed watching her son's grey eyes light at his obvious acceptance to the school his forefathers had gone to for generations.

Removing her dragon hide gloves, she went over and kissed her son on the forehead, running her fingers through his soft hair. 'I'm glad to see you happy, Draco,' she whispered. Pulling away, she smiled warmly at him and received the same smile in return. Gently she tapped his nose with a finger. 'When would you like to fetch your supplies?' Narcissa had long awaited the day she could take her son for his first school things. Despite the tutors and teachings she had paid for Draco to go through, she strongly hoped that Hogwarts would give him a normal childhood. Most of Draco's contact with children his own age had been political and some part of her ached for him to find someone who genuinely would defend and care for him as a friend.

'Why not that Wednesday you have to pick up Father's order?' he suggested. 'It would save time.'

Smiling, she nodded. 'Very well, and very thoughtful of you. Oh, I forgot to mention, your father has been called away for business. He will be in Japan until the middle of August. I'm sorry, but he couldn't say goodbye before leaving; however, he told me tell you congratulations on your letter.' Draco simply nodded with only a flash of disappointment in his stormy eyes, and went back to reading through his letter, a casual smile on his face.

I wonder my son what schemes you have started, Narcissa thought mildly as she eyed his bandaged hand. You are brilliant, but still have much to learn in the sea of secrets we must tell.