Family First Chapter 8: December 23
Disclaimer: I do not own anything
Warning: Discussion of the spanking of preteen boys
AN: The wonderful Jasper's Mom has offered to beta for me. She's been kind enough to go back and beta all the previous chapters. I want to give a huge thank you to her
Beta'ed by: Jasper's Mom

Errol flapped his wings in a desperate, erratic manner. It didn't take too much longer for him to land on a nearby balcony. The poor elderly owl had been flying for what felt like forever. He had been tasked with delivering the Mistresses' letter to the old man who smelled of lemons. Errol had done his best to fulfill the daunting task. When he first arrived he had tried to place the mail directly in the man's hand. Some sort of magic wall had prevented his approach of the man. Being experienced at mail carrying, Errol had decided a different approach would be necessary. This time, instead of approaching the man directly, he would place the letter in the man's rooms. Somewhere it could be easily seen. And yet this approach had been blocked too. This time the magic wall had zapped the tip of his wing, making it sore. With that he decided that he was no longer going to deliver the letter to this man. He obviously didn't want to be disturbed. Mistress seemed to think that it was necessary, but necessary or not, such disrespect could not be tolerated. Lucky for him the balcony he had landed on was home to a delightful young girl. She was kind enough to feed and water him, and provided him with a room for the night. In return Errol decided to gift her with the important letter. He had no use for it, and perhaps the girl could deliver it. The young girl had little interest in the letter, and it ended up with all the families other mail, on the kitchen table. The next morning when the girl's father found the letter not addressed to the family simply tossed the letter into the fireplace, never to be seen again. When Errol returned to the Burrow Molly Weasley was certain that Dumbledore was aware of the situation, and working to find a solution. Dumbledore remained blissfully unaware.

Breakfast had been an unusually quite affair. Narcissa was distracted, by the details of the upcoming ball. She was desperately trying to think of all the details she may have forgotten. While her mind whirled coming up with list after list, her body looked as if someone had shut it down. She sat still and stared at the wall opposite of where she sat a void look in her eyes. Lucius was looking at a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of him. Every so often his nostrils would flare and his mouth would twist into various different shapes. Harry wasn't sure if the man was angry about what was being printed, or if he just found it unbearable to read. Hermione was also reading the paper, flipping from story to story rapidly. Harry and Draco had both abandoned their breakfast in favor of making faces at each other and occasionally attempting a kick under the table. Daphne and Blaise both seemed to be almost falling asleep over their plates. Honestly Harry was surprised that Draco wasn't right there with them. Lucius and Narcissa had gone to bed Erroly, with strict instructions not to be wandering the halls after 10:00 pm and to be in bed asleep by midnight at the absolute latest. It had been nErroly 3:45 am when Severus had come up from the Potions lab in the basement (which for some reason none of the children were allowed in). The three pops and the almost growled order to 'Get to bed' had woken Harry.

It hadn't taken very long for everyone to decide that they were done with breakfast. Lucius quickly agreed to Draco's request to go flying. Narcissa walked, rather slowly, towards her study, counting on her fingers, lips mumbling words. Both Daphne and Blaise decided to head back to their respective rooms, in hopes of catching a few more hours of sleep. Harry and Hermione decided to wonder some of the paths outside. Something quickly put a stop to that plan though.

As they passed the ballroom the most extraordinary sight met them. Several elves occupied the ballroom, each skillfully working together without talking to one another. Tablecloths, table liners, napkins, plates, cups, silverware, and bits of decorations were flying about. An idea struck Hermione as random ideas often do. Why wander about outside, when she could help decorate. It was something she did with her parents every year, it was fun. Besides, the poor, overworked elves obviously shouldn't have to do everything on their own.

It didn't take much to get Harry on board with the plan. Unfortunately it took much more to get the elves to agree. Eventually, after the children repeated several times that they wanted to help, the elves did agree to let them decorate a smaller, more private room.

It was a good two and a half hours later when Lucius walked in the room. Blaise and Daphne had woken, and decided to take a walk down to the stables. Draco had naturally decided to go with them. So Lucius, fresh from his swim with his son walked into quite the sight in the sitting room.

Fairy lights, all different types of candies, ornaments, wreaths, and jars and bowls filled with all different sorts of glitters and paints were strewn about the room. The two children were throwing glitter, both at the tree, and at each other.

"What are you doing?" Lucius didn't sound upset, just somewhat confused.

"Decorating the tree… and the rest of the room." Hermione had a faint pink blush on her cheeks, slightly embarrassed at acting so childishly.

"Really? It appears as if you're decorating each other, instead of the room. But that's not what I meant. Perhaps I should have phrased my question better. Why are you decorating? We have house elves to do such things."

"But we wanted to decorate ourselves."

"Why?"

"Because it's fun." Now Hermione sounded confused.

Lucius and Hermione looked at each other in confusion, each trying to understand the other's point of view. As Harry stared at them an idea struck him, and in a very Harry-like fashion, he didn't think about it too long before he acted. Shiny bits of sliver glitter rained down all over Lucius. Harry hadn't meant to do that, not exactly. The older man glared, staring directly into the boys eyes. Harry felt his own eyes widen, and he took a step back. At the exact same moment Lucius took a step forward, towards the boy. Before Harry realized what was happening, green glitter was raining down on him from the air.

"Mr. Malfoy?"

"I suppose, as the host, I should assist in decorating."

Not even half an hour later Narcissa, trying desperately to distract herself from the last minute party planning, walked into an utter mess. To be fair the tree was utterly gorgeous, and the table toppers that the little group had made were perfect. She walked over to her husband, who looked as if he had played a Christmas tree as some point.

"Lucius" She reached up to his hair, snagged a piece of tinsel, and held it up for inspection.

"Yes Love?"

"What are you doing?"

"Perhaps it would be more effective to show you?" Lucius quickly took two steps back, towards a bowel of blue glitter.

"Lucius Abraxas Malfoy…Don't. You. Dare."

"I'm afraid, my dear, that it must be done. So sorry." Harry had never seen an adult move so fast. Narcissa was through the door in a flash, running down the hall, Lucius hot on her tail.

The two adults did eventually return. Narcissa was covered in blue glitter, but her mouth was sporting a self-satisfied smirk. The children could see exactly why when her husband walked in the room. He was covered in blue, as if someone had dunked him in a giant vat of blue paint. Red candy cane stripes went from his feet to his head.

For a moment Harry wasn't sure if Lucius could see the new look he was sporting. He didn't act as if he could. He wasn't exhibiting any embarrassment, or any other particularly strong emotion.

"You look lovely Lucius." Narcissa couldn't help but gloat a bit.

"Don't I? Of course I always look handsome, but this particular shade of blue really is my color. Perhaps I'll wear it to the next Wizengamot

meeting."

"Lucius!"

"I know Love, it would clash horribly with the room. Perhaps the ball though…. It would be lovely with the color theme.

The rest of the day continued on similarly. Just before lunch Severus walked in, eyeing the glitter wearily. He asked to take the Slytherins out to Diagon to shop for Christmas presents. The man was even kind enough to ask if Harry and Hermione would like to accompany them. They both declined, and everyone took a brief break for an informal lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup. Immediately after, the group of four started decorating another room.

Not long before dinner they finished the second room. Narcissa turned to the children.

"Thank you. That was a wonderful way to relieve stress and keep my mind off of the last minute details."

"You've never decorated the house for Christmas before?" Harry himself had never decorated either, but that was beside the point.

"No, I was always taught that any menial labor was elf work, including decorating. I simply never would have thought to do it myself."

"Why have elves do it when it's so much fun?"

"When you're at Hogwarts, and you write letters to someone, you have your Owl deliver it, correct?"

"Yes."

"It makes more since that way. Owls can get deliver the letters quicker than you could. It's more efficient to have the owl deliver the letter, while you get something else done. Owls are better suited for the task of delivering letters than you are. I was taught the same about elves. My parents always taught me that elves could do the work quicker and to a higher quality. As for it being fun, how would someone know that until they tried it?"

"Good point. I never thought of it like that before."

"Alright." Lucius looked at his watch. "It's almost time to start dinner. Draco, Severus, and the others should be back by now. We should all go get cleaned up."

"Yes Sir."

"Yes Mr. Malfoy."

"Dinner in half an hour."

Narcissa and Lucius were the only ones at the table, but Harry could hear the click of shoes walking down the stairs. Lucius still was covered in blue, but he had removed the red stripes. Both Malfoy's were glitter free, and how they managed that was beyond him. Harry had taken a shower, but all the water seemed to do was make the specks stick all the more. Hermione seemed to fair slightly better, but she was still covered in the stuff. Lucius silently laughed a bit at them before pulling his wand out. He swished it in a clean elegant pattern and repeated the motion a second time. Harry felt the magic dance across his skin.

The glitter rushed off, speck by speck. Harry was mildly surprised at the amount of glitter that came out of his hair. Two spheres of glitter floated in front of the children, before Narcissa waved her wand banishing the glitter.

The Slytherins and Severus arrived not too long after the others took their seats. All the chatter about who bought the best presents came to an immediate halt when they landed eyes on Lucius.

"Did Narcissa help you achieve your new look." Severus beat out Draco as the first to speak.

"Indeed she did my old friend. Perhaps we'll help you. I'm sure a bright, happy yellow would go smashing with all those dark teaching robes. Bring a bit of sunshine to the dungeons."

"No thank you I much prefer my normal skin tone."

"Ahh. More fun for me then."

"Father?"

"Yes Draco."

"That's… rather strange, wouldn't you say?"

"I prefer to think of it as individualistic. No one else will be showing off blue skin, unless they are a smurf, or water nymph. Humm. Perhaps I will have to differentiate myself further." Draco looked slightly worried at what his father would come up with.

"That's alright Lucius dear. We didn't invite any smurf's to the ball, and we don't know and water nymphs."

"Good."

Severus had a thoughtful look on his face. "You know, this reminds me of that time you were in 6th year."

With that the conversation took off. Lucius held the children captive without effort, telling countless stories of the adults in Hogwarts. He started with his and Narcissas first year in Hogwarts. He went on and on about classes, teachers, events, and pranks. About half way through dinner Severus had to take over, as Lucius and Narcissa had graduated at that point. Lucius interjected with rumors he had heard at the time. Harry couldn't help but laugh at some of the things his father and his friends had done. All of the trouble the strict, rule loving potions professor got into surprised Harry. Severus Snape hadn't always been rule loving.

As the children were walking out of the room after dinner, Lucius called Harry and Draco back. Naturally the other three children also stopped to wait for their friends (and if they were a bit curious about what was going to be said, who would ever know). Severus walked over to the three children gathered by the door.

"Thank you Narcissa, it was lovely as always."

"Your most welcome Severus. You know you're like family."

"Lucius."

"Severus, we'll talk later, after the children are in beddy-bye land."

Severus turned as all the children started to protest at the wording of that statement. He ushered Hermione, Daphne and Blaise out the door, shutting it with an almost silent click.

Narcissa stood, walking out of the room, and shouting out for an elf as she closed the door. It was almost silent in the room for a moment, before Lucius started talking.

"Please sit." As Harry followed the polite order, he wondered what he had done this time to get in trouble.

"Neither of you are in trouble. Yet. I wanted to give you fair warning. I know that you do not get along. Taking such things into consideration you have not been asked to endure each other's presents, with the exception of meal times. However, this ball tomorrow is an important event. You will both be there, if I have to drag you through the doors myself. You will both behave while you are there." He held up his hand in a universal stop gesture when the children began to speak. "Hold on, you will both get your chance to speak. Now, I understand that not only is the ball something that 11 year old boys are not interested in, but being in the same room is not something you would welcome either. However part of growing up is learning to work with people you may not particularly like. Not only is this ball tradition, but it's also important to your mother and me. So you will at least be civil to each other, or better yet, pretend to be best friends, even brothers, for at least the duration of the ball. You will not make yourselves look like fools that cannot behave in a civilized manner. Part of this ball is showing off your children as young adults. Insulting each other will make you look like 3 year old children who cannot control yourselves. It would also make your mother and I look like dolts who raised uncontrollable children.

If you choose to misbehave not only will it be unpleasant for everyone involved. Our guests who normally enjoy the ball would be disappointed to have to put up with the ridiculous behavior. Your mother and I would be disappointed, embarrassed, and sad. You two would get a spanking. No excuses, no objections. Regardless of who started it, or what he did. I will take you to a private room, and spank your behind and make no mistake, if you make a scene on the way I will not hesitate to swat you. Is that understood?"

"Yes Sir." Harry responded immediately to what he had come to know as a promise from Lucius. It would be all over the news if someone saw him swatted by Lucius. The Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, all the tabloids that he had never heard of. The last thing he wanted the whole wizarding world to know is that he got spanked.

"Draco?"

"Yes Sir."

"Good. Do either of you have anything to say?"

"No Sir."

"No Papa."

"Alright. I'm sure you both will make Narcissa and me, as well as yourselves proud. You should probably go ahead and get to bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day. I'll be in to say goodnight soon."

That night, after Lucius had said good night Harry was staring blankly at the wall. One part of the lecture kept playing over and over in his head. Lucius had said 'It would also make your mother and I look like dolts who raised uncontrollable children.' Children, not child. His Children.

AN: Sorry for the slightly short chapter, and the huge wait. Real life has been crazy. special thanks to all those people who have PM'ed and reviewed me.

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