3rd of August 1995

Rain pattered audibly against the windows, which were still shuttered because the family was not yet dressed. They breakfasted in night clothes and dressing gowns at the weekend.

A single raindrop fell from the end of the House Elf's nose. "Please, sir. A young man it is. For the master. Sir." The House Elf cowered appropriately.

Draco looked to his father with open curiosity; Narcissa glared into her own reflection in the silver coffee pot in her hand.

"Some Ministry business, no doubt," Lucius said. He tied the chord on his gown tighter. He did not ask the Elf show in the visitor, but hurried to the front door himself.

There stood Percy, a few steps down, looking exhausted, dishevelled and soaking wet. Lucius stepped outside, cast a quick Impervius on himself, and pulled the door closed behind him. He stopped himself from hissing a "What the hell are you doing here? Don't ever come to my home." He reminded himself that the affair had not yet begun and the boy did not yet know that he should behave like a mistress.

"I'm so sorry to disturb you so early in the morning, and on a Saturday, too, Mr Malfoy. Lucius. I didn't know where else to go. I've been walking around London killing time for hours. Am I still too early? I'm so sorry. I've got nobody else to talk to. I don't know what to do." Percy was trembling; he looked as though he hadn't slept.

Lucius thought for a moment that he would take him inside, dry him off, give him breakfast. Then he thought better of it.

"You must tell me everything. We'll go somewhere quiet." He stepped down, took Percy's sodden sleeve, and Apparated them both.

As soon as they arrived, Lucius cast drying spells on Percy and then sat him on an opulent, velvet-covered sofa.

"This is my London apartment," he explained. "Meetings can go on late sometimes and this means that I don't have to wake everyone in the Manor when I come in. It also makes a good rendez-vous point for resolving more confidential matters." Narcissa was squeamish about having Muggle bloodstains at the Manor, for example. Also, the wards here were set to prevent Auror monitoring of Death Eater gatherings. Lucius hoped that Percy's mind would travel to other, more personal uses to which the flat had been put, however.

"It's very tastefully decorated," was all that Percy said.

"Now," Lucius said soothingly, seating himself beside the young man. "Tell me what has happened."

Percy swallowed. "I've fallen out with my father. I've left home. I have nowhere to go. I'll have to find a place to live. We had a terrible argument."

"You were so happy when I saw you yesterday. You were all ready to take home your good news about your promotion. What on earth did you disagree about?"

"I don't understand it either." Percy looked into Lucius' face. "It was about the promotion actually, about my new job. I thought he'd be proud. I've always wanted him to be proud of me, but he never is. Even when I became Head Boy, he was more interested in Ron's friend Harry, and the twins' stupid jokes. This time I was really pleased with myself. I don't mean to sound arrogant but -"

"You'd done really well, you'd achieved something important, through your abilities and hard work. You have every right to be proud of that."

Percy stared at Lucius for a moment and drank in the praise. Then he sighed. "I don't know why, but right away he started undermining my satisfaction with my new position. He claimed that Minister Fudge was trying to spy on him through me, that it wasn't a real job, or I hadn't got in on merit, and that I shouldn't accept it. I lost my temper."

"Of course you did."

"I said all sorts of dreadful things to him, about how he's failed the family because he lacks ambition. That sort of thing." Percy rubbed at his eyes. "And now I'm going to have to go back and apologise and hope he and the rest of them can forgive me."

"Nonsense!"

"What?"

"Did you believe those things you said about Arthur? Because to me they sound rather perceptive. It's difficult to see a situation sometimes when you've been brought up in it. You've shown great maturity."

"There are so many of us, that's all. Because Mum kept trying for a daughter. But then he was offered all these better paying positions, and he never would take them, because they weren't interesting enough. But it's expensive, having so many children. We never had anything nice, or went anywhere nice. All our clothes were second hand, and half the meals were eked out of leftovers ..." Percy pressed a hand over his mouth. He blinked. "I don't know why I'm telling you this. I've never told anyone this. I've always been loyal to the family."

"And have they repaid that devotion?" Lucius asked seriously.

"I was so happy, that's all. I don't understand why he had to take that away from me." Percy's eyes shone. He looked away.

"Don't be ashamed of your emotions, Percy. You're tired. You need to sleep." Lucius put a hand on Percy's shoulder. "You ask why your father isn't being supportive, but I think you know. You want to be loyal to him, but that's not reciprocated, is it? You are an exceptional young man, born into – forgive me for being frank – a mediocre family. You entered your father's profession and surpassed his achievements in it within a couple of years. Of course he resents that; he is jealous, Percy. It's a difficult thing to face, for him as well as for you. He has to find excuses for the way he feels, so he has tried to belittle your accomplishment, to put himself back at the centre of your situation by claiming that the Minister is trying to spy on him." He grasped Percy's other shoulder. "You did the right thing, Percy. You can't apologise now for telling him the truth. He has failed you all your life. An ordinary man like that can't be expected to understand an extraordinary son like yourself."

"Really?" Percy gazed back, rapt.

"If I was your father then I would be very proud of you. I would support you and enable you in everything which you tried to do." Lucius held Percy's gaze for a moment. "I'm very glad that I'm not your father, though."

Percy looked furious and hurt. Lucius could picture him in a screaming row with Arthur. Lucius held the pause for another couple of seconds.

"Because you make me want to do things with you which would be inappropriate between a parent and a son."

Percy's expression changed instantly. First he was shocked – pale skin, big eyes – and then aroused – his skin coloured and his eyes darkened. Then Lucius kissed him.

Percy kissed back almost immediately. His hands found Lucius' waist, tentatively over the silk. Lucius ran a hand through Percy's clean, soft, thick hair. He pushed inside his mouth with his tongue. Percy gasped surprise, then moaned pleasure. After a few minutes, Lucius pulled away.

"I should go," he said.

Percy, who looked adorable with the skin around his mouth reddened and glistening with saliva, whimpered a protest.

"You are tired, and I am expected by my family to join them for breakfast. You can stay in this apartment for as long as you like. I want you to think of it as your home."

"I couldn't possibly."

"Now, no silly bourgeois objections. I have the future of Wizard-kind at heart. You are important to it. I intend to nurture and pamper you so that you can achieve your full potential. Come," he stood and pulled Percy to his feet, "let me show you."

They strode across the plush carpet to the two gilded doors at the far end. Lucius waved his cane at one door and it sprung open a little way. A large four-poster bed was visible. "That is my bedroom," Lucius said. He pointed his cane at the other door. It opened fully, revealing wardrobes, mirrors and a chaise longue. "And this is my dressing room. Which is quite ridiculous. It shall become your room. You are to furnish it in any way you choose. The bathroom," he pointed to a door further into the room, "adjoins the two rooms."

"But this is your -"

"I am a grown man. I can robe myself in far less space than this. You will need a House Elf, of course. A mind like yours should not be subsumed by domestic trivia. I will send you one when I get home. Not immediately, though. You are exhausted. Sleep. I will return on Monday to see how you are settling in. Owl me if you need anything in the meantime."

Then Lucius pulled Percy towards him for one last, deep kiss before he Apparated away.