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Chapter 2: Draco Malfoy

It was not the two beautiful and well-gowned ladies that attracted the attention of all, except for Nott Sr., who didn't even bother to glance. Everyone stopped their talks and turned their attention to Lucius' only son, who was dressed in his expensive black suit. Lucius smiled lightly and walked towards his son, and upon reaching him, he hugged his son shortly and patted his shoulder, "Welcome back, Draco."

"It is good to see you, father." Draco was slightly taken aback by his father's sudden gesture, nevertheless he appreciated it. He looked around and saw the people surrounding the great hall and murmuring something to the person beside them.

He wondered what they were talking about, but dismissed the thought when his father's voice boomed around the hall, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! I have the honor of presenting to you my son, Draco." After Lucius introduced him, the guests applauded. At the mentioning of the name exclamations were heard, Mr. La Rue forgot to pay his respects to the Ministry worker he was talking to and approached the young man, looking him from head to foot. The young man himself was engaged in exchanging greetings with all in the group, not that there was anything grand about him except his mourning garments in the center of the brilliantly illuminated room. Yet in spite of them, the remarkable features of a Malfoy, and his graceful movements breathed forth his youthfulness in which both body and mind equally developed.

"So you are Draco Malfoy!" La Rue exclaimed joyfully, "welcome back to your hometown, young man." Draco bowed and said his greetings to him as well. Nott Sr. rose on his sit and stared fixedly at the young Malfoy. "Indeed, welcome back, Draco. Unfortunately, my son, Theo, won't make it here for the dinner." Draco only nodded in understanding about his old mate and friend, the younger Theodore. The older Nott shook his hand firmly. Draco slowly extended back his hand from his, looking greatly surprised and shifted his attention to his godfather who was patiently waiting to welcome him.

"Good evening, Draco. You are finally home."

"Godfather, it is finally nice to see you again. How are you?"

For a first time in a while, Severus smirked, "I am tired, but other than that, I am well."

The younger wizard's lips upturned into a slight smile. Amongst all people in the group, he was looking forward to meet again the only man he trusted, not that he didn't trust his own father, but Severus had been there for him ever since he grew closer to the Potions master. He wasn't much of a father's boy, Draco himself.

Severus told Draco to mingle with the other guests and that they'll talk about certain things in somewhere private when he's already settled. He nodded and Severus excused himself for the night, despite Draco's protest for him to stay, he just said he needed to get up early for tomorrow.

Draco found himself alone in the center of the room. His father, nowhere to be found, seemed to disappear. He saw one that may introduce him to the ladies, many of whom who was watching him with interest. At first he hesitated but after a moment, approached them in a simple and natural manner.

"I guess a proper introduction is necessary," he began, "but allow me to overstep the rules of strict etiquette. I have been away for over six years in my hometown, the place of my heritage, and upon returning, I cannot suppress the admiration and refrain my respect to its precious ornaments, the ladies." After he said to them his words of flattery, he flashed to them his warm smile. But none of them actually paid attention nor replied. Slightly embarrassed, he was thinking to oblige himself to retire. Once again, he found a group of men, and upon seeing Draco approach them, they arranged themselves in a semi-circle.

"Good evening, gentlemen," he addressed the five of them "it is a customary in Germany when a stranger finds himself at a gathering and there is no host to introduce him to those who are present, that he gives his last name and introduce himself. Allow me to use that customary. Gentlemen, I am Draco Abraxas Malfoy y Black."

The group of five gave their names, more or less, unimportant here.

"My name is…" one of them said dryly, and made a slight bow.

Draco nodded in appreciation to them, "it is my pleasure to meet all of you, gentlemen."

"I hear that you write poetry, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Ah, yes, you are right."

"May I know… or we rather," he gestured to his group, "the reason why?"

Draco cleared his throat and buried his hands in the pockets of his black slacks, "The reason why is because of the inspiration I get from the brave people who sacrificed themselves for their freedom against slavery."

They looked at another, clearly looked impressed. The same man, his dark hair slicked back, stepped closer to him and said in a tentative voice "how come you have stopped writing?"

Draco was more surprised that he knew about this, his blonde eyebrows knitted, "you have read my works, sir?"

The man, for a moment, hesitated but nodded anyway, "I may have."

He looked at the stout man before replying, "to answer your question, I haven't stopped in writing but publishing them, yes."

Travelling in several countries was Draco's great escape from Wizarding England. The Dark Lord has reigned himself in the Ministry and controlling them for over eight years now. And to escape the dreaded situation, he decided to study abroad. Not that he was a coward. Declining the Dark Lord's order for him to join the ranks wasn't an easy decision itself. His mother, Narcissa Malfoy, agreed with him to go far away from their place and young Draco promised when he returns, he will help raise up the Wizarding England to put it in a safer state. It took a lot of persuasion to his father to let him travel, for Lucius insisted him to join their master's forces. He said that it will cost their lives if he will refuse, but with Narcissa's soothing words and encouragement that she will find a way to restore their reputation and lives to the Dark Lord, Lucius finally agreed. He wanted what's best for his son, granting one wish for him wouldn't hurt.

Draco first travelled in Greece, where he studied philosophy and medicine. He wrote several essays that were now featured in some books about philosophy. When he ventured to the muggle world in Greece, he learned about the wars between the land and the Ottoman Empire and the enemy's empire conquering most of the plain islands in Greece. Fascinated, he wrote his first poetry, "Their land to conquer, My land for freedom."

Greatly pleased but not sure how people will say about it, he let the other muggle scholars read his poetry. They were moved and encouraged him to write more. One night, before he went to bed, he tried again to write another. Thinking about England, his family, the people, he got his inspiration. The next day, he owled it to his godfather then let the scholars to read it.

He gave permission to his godfather to publish the said poetry, but under an anonymous name. He would receive owls from Severus about the feedbacks from people and that it was greatly exhilarating. From then on he started to write for more and publish it.

However, nowadays it's a challenge for his writings to get publicly distributed even though it is unclaimed. It seemed that these kind of works are like a propaganda against Riddle. So the Ministry banned any kind of "propaganda" and burned all of its remains.

The stout man slowly nodded, "I understand that. The Ministry has got ears everywhere now. You must be careful at all times. Anything suspicious against you… you will find your fate at the end of his wand." He said in a low voice.

"Yes, I have been warned."

The man gave him a strong pat on his shoulder, "But I did enjoy them, young man. Great job."

Draco couldn't be more grateful about the older man's appreciation, "Thank you, sir. I am glad that you were pleased."

With a parting excuse, the man went away from the group.

A dark Italian man with a smiling face, came at that moment almost running. He went directly to Draco and stopped in front of him, "It has been a while, mate."

"Blaise?"

"The one and only!" his childhood friend smiled widely, "Well, don't tell me you have forgotten about me?"

Draco grasped Blaise's hand and shook it, "how can I forget you? We've been friends since we were still in our nappies."

Blaise groaned, "oh don't make me remember those times." He wasn't fond of his baby photographs his mother kept in an album.

Clearing his throat to change the subject, he said, "Mother told me to ask you for lunch tomorrow. We have some catching up to do, mate." He smiled, and rubbed his hands.

"Thank you," Draco smiled warmly at his invitation and his amiability, "but I will be leaving for London tomorrow."

"Well, that's unfortunate. Then it will be on your return."

"Dinner is served." A house elf announced, and the guests began to file out toward the table.