Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

MALFOY HOLDINGS

Lucius entered his son's office. "Draco, as we have no meetings today, I would like to take care of that small issue with Drake."

Draco looked up from the ledger he was examining. "What exactly did he do?"

"He disappeared while your mother was attending to Angelique in Madam Malkins Robe shop. I was at Gringotts," Lucius informed him.

Leaning back in his chair, Draco smirked, "Where did you find him?"

"Borgin and Burkes," Lucius answered simply.

Draco immediately sat up straight. "What? That's in Knockturn Alley."

"I am aware of where the store is located, Draco," Lucius replied disdainfully. "All the more reason that the boy needs to be punished for his wandering; I fear that he may come to harm if it continues."

Draco could not argue with Lucius' reasoning and cautiously enquired, "You would like to go to the Weasley's?"

"I was rather hoping you might bring Drake here. I would like a private chat with him concerning his behavior."

"I can floo Ginny if you like; perhaps she could bring him in."

"Yes if you would."

Draco stood from his chair and walked over to the fireplace. Picking up a handful of floo powder from the marble canister on the mantle, he threw it into the flames.

"The Burrow," he said clearly before his head disappeared into the network.

Once the swirling had stopped, Draco found himself looking out of the fireplace in the kitchen of Ginny's family home.

"Oh, Draco, you startled me," Ginny exclaimed, a hand coming to her chest.

Looking precariously at the large ladle she was holding in one hand, Draco asked, "What are you doing with that?"

"Well I was about to stir the soup I have simmering."

Draco glanced around the hearth his head was floating in and, indeed, found he was hovering above a cauldron of boiling soup.

Grinning cheekily he shrugged, "Sorry."

"It's okay, so do you miss me that much you can't wait until this evening?"

"Yes I miss you; I especially missed you last night."

"Really?"

"Really, but that's not why I Flooed."

Looking a little disappointed, she responded, "Oh?"

"Father asked me to see if you could bring Drake in; we have a small disciplinary matter to discuss with him."

"Oh, Draco, I can't. Katie went into labor early this morning so I'm babysitting Alastair."

"Can't your mum look after him," Draco asked, trying to place the name of the child with a face.

"Mum's with George and Katie. You could come here."

"Damn. Look, is it all right if I come and get Drake? I think father wants to do this on his own turf, so to speak."

"All right, but why would Lucius feel the need to be on his own turf to discipline a four year old?"

"It's a mind game thing; Father is an expert at them and being on his own grounds gives him the upper hand immediately."

Ginny sighed; she would never understand the male psyche and their incessant need to prove themselves more powerful than the next. "I see. What time will you be here?"

"Give me fifteen minutes, okay?"

"All right, I'll try to have Drake ready."

"Thanks, love, see you soon." Draco's head disappeared from the fireplace.

Ginny gave the soup a quick stir before heading outside to fetch Drake and get him cleaned up enough to visit the offices of Malfoy Holdings.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Is she able to bring him?"

"No, I'll have to pick him up; apparently one of her sister's-in-law has gone into labor, so Gin's sitting the older child."

Lucius sneered, "Hasn't that family bred enough red headed fools yet."

"Apparently not."

"When can you collect him then?"

"I told her I'd be there in fifteen minutes."

"Good. Perhaps you can offer to keep Drake for the day. Ginevra obviously has as extra child to care for and it would be easier for her if Drake were here. It would not do the boy any harm to begin learning about the family business."

"I'll see what she says."

"Good. Well then, I assume you will bring the boy directly to me when he arrives."

"Of course, Father."

"I will see you then."

When Lucius left his office, Draco cleared his desk, retrieved his cloak, and Disapparated. Arriving on the back porch of the ramshackle house, he let himself in the back door to a room full of noise and children.

Alastair stopped in his tracks, staring at Draco with wide eyes. The red-haired toddler looked as though he were ready to scream.

"Daddy," Angel squealed as she hurtled toward him.

Relaxing immediately, Alastair remembered who the strange blonde wizard was as soon as Angel opened her mouth.

"Uncle Draco," the two-year-old shrieked, causing Draco to wince as if in pain.

"Hello..." Draco paused and wondered, what is this kid's name?

"It's Alastair, Daddy," Angel told him while rolling her eyes.

Draco tried to look indignant, "I knew that! Hello, Alastair."

Smirking, Angel looked at her father, "You did not."

"Hey princess, where's your mummy?"

"Upstairs trying to get Drake dressed in his robes," she nodded wisely.

"Is he being difficult?"

Angel gave Draco a knowing look that said it all: when was her twin not giving someone grief over the clothing they wanted him to wear.

"I think I'll go and see how your mum's getting along." Giving his daughter a wink, Draco made his way upstairs.

Draco could hear Drake arguing with his mother from the stairwell.

"Drake, please, your father will be here any minute; now put your robes on."

"NO! I'm not wearing them. I want to stay in these."

"Drake, you have to the count of three to start changing your clothes or I'm going to take my wand to your bottom."

"NO! They're poxy!"

"One... two... three."

"NO!"

"Come back here."

Drake ran from his room into the hall. Unfortunately for the little boy, he ran straight into Draco, who effortlessly picked his kicking son up and walked into his bedroom.

"Draco," a very harassed looking Ginny sighed.

"Lose something?"

"I was hoping to have him ready to go, but he's being less than co-operative."

"So I heard."

Draco had walked over to stand directly in front of her with a still squirming Drake in his arms; he bent forward and placed a chaste kiss on Ginny's lips.

"Why don't you go downstairs and let me sort Drake out?"

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely, besides I have to make sure he's dressed appropriately for the office - you can imagine how his grandfather would react if he weren't," Draco winked conspiratorially at Ginny.

Smiling devilishly, she agreed, "Oh yes I should imagine that it wouldn't be pleasant at all."

"I won't wear them," Drake stated angrily from his father's arms.

Seeing Ginny begin to form a reply to her son's impertinence. Draco interjected, "Gin, go, I'll handle him."

Draco waited until Ginny had left the room and could be heard making her way down the stairs before closing the door to the small bedroom and placing Drake on his feet before him.

"Right, I believe these are the robes your mother selected for you, are they not?"

"Yes, but I'm not wearing them - they're poxy and I look like a prat."

"You'll look like a bigger prat going to the office dressed like you are now," Draco reasoned. "Take a look at my robes."

Draco turned around in front of his son ensuring that he got a full view of the business dress robes he wore every day to the office.

"Now, you'd look pretty silly walking into our office dressed like a street urchin, wouldn't you?"

"Does everyone dress like that?" Drake asked skeptically.

"Yep, everyone."

"Oh... Well, I guess I could..." the little boy somewhat reluctantly agreed.

"Good."

Once Drake had been convinced that dress robes were a necessity for the office, he was dressed and ready to go in no time. He was still not happy wearing the fancy clothing and could still be heard mumbling under his breath as they entered the kitchen about the unfairness of the situation and how poxy he thought he looked.

"I think we're ready to go," Draco said.

"How did you... without blood shed?" Ginny stood gaping at her perfectly dressed, if not happy, son.

"With the Malfoy charm, there's no need to get violent with Drake," Draco smirked.

"I wasn't talking about his blood being spilt."

Draco chuckled, "There's no way he's going to get the better of me."

"Oh really?" Ginny quirked an eyebrow at him and tossed her head in Drake's direction.

Drake was standing by the back door pulling ferociously on his dress robes and mumbling to himself about the indignantly of wearing such items.

"Drake," Draco had only to growl once and the little boy's hands immediately dropped to his sides.

Staring insolently at Draco he muttered, "Are we going yet?"

"Oh yeah, I'll take you to your grandfather when you're in that mood; I'm sure he'll appreciate it," Draco informed him casually as he watched his eye's grow large at mention of his grandfather.

So he's worked Father out, Draco smirked to himself, better now than later.

"Daddy, can I come too?" Angelique asked sweetly.

Looking down at his daughter's face, Draco immediately felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, your grandfather needs to talk to Drake about what happened on Saturday." He watched as her lip quivered a little and quietly added, "Between you and me, I don't think it's going to be very pleasant -- your grandfather is quite angry at Drake."

"But I still want to come. I want to see Grandfather."

"And just who is going to help me look after Alastair?" Ginny asked. "Plus when the babies arrive, don't you want to go see them straight away?"

"Oh yeah I forgot," Angel said thoughtfully. "It's all right, Daddy. I'll stay and help Mummy."

Draco bent and picked her up, giving her a kiss before putting her back on her feet. "Good girl."

Taking Ginny into his arms, he deliberately made a show of kissing her thoroughly before walking to the door. Draco smiled smugly at a scowling Drake and then grabbed his hand to lead him out to the back porch.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco took Drake directly to Lucius' outer office, sitting him down in a waiting chair. "You wait here and I'll let your grandfather know that you've arrived."

"Yes, Daddy."

Draco nodded to Lucius' secretary as he passed and entered his father's lavish office.

"Father."

"Draco, you have Drake with you?" Lucius looked around Draco.

"Yes, he's waiting out there," Draco replied tossing his head toward the door.

Lucius rose from behind the enormous desk, "Good, well why don't we get this nasty business out of the way?"

"Umm... yeah, sure."

"Is there something bothering you?"

"Angel. She asked to come, and I had to say no," Draco exhaled heavily as his hand ran through his hair.

Lucius smirked, "Ah she made you feel guilty."

"Yeah, and she didn't have to try that hard at it, said she wanted to see you too."

"Well we'll select something special for her, and you can deliver it tonight when you take Drake home, or we can have it delivered to her."

"Mmm..."

"She will get over it, son."

"Yeah, I know she will, but after the look she gave me, I wonder if I will."

Lucius chuckled, "You will too. I guarantee it."

"I hope so."

"I'll fetch Drake and we can get down to business."

Lucius crossed the room and walked out to the waiting area for his private office. Drake was sitting sullenly in the chair Draco had put him on, plucking at his dress robes absently.

Lucius looked to his secretary, "I do not want to be disturbed."

"Yes, sir."

"Drake - come."

Drake looked up at his grandfather and shuddered involuntarily when he saw the austere expression on his face.

"Yes, Grandfather."

He hopped down from the chair and followed Lucius into his office. Drake did not miss the look of sympathy the secretary gave him; it made him even more apprehensive than before. Lucius closed the office door behind Drake with a resounding bang that seemed to shake the boy's little frame.

Smirking contemptibly, Lucius continued to usher Drake into the office. "Come, Drake, in front of my desk," he snarled as he walked confidently around the desk and took his seat.

Drake wandered slowly over to stand directly in front of his grandfather's desk; his father was sitting on a visitor's chair on one side of him. When Drake looked at him, he noticed that Draco's expression was unreadable. He had schooled his features perfectly; even his eyes were blank in a way that frightened the young wizard - he knew he had no friends in this room at the moment.

Lucius scrutinized the boy before he began harshly, "Drake, we have a serious issue to discuss."

"Yes." Drake couldn't help but look to his father for endorsement.

"Do not look at your father," Lucius snarled as he leaned over the desk.

Drake's lip began to quiver, "Y...yes, Grandfather."

"You remember why you are here?"

Drake nodded his acquiescence.

"Good - I told you on Saturday that I would speak to your father before dispensing your punishment."

Drake nodded again to show he understood.

Lucius smirked; he knew he had the boy frightened - he hoped this experience might curb his disappointing behavior once and for all, leaving the need for harsh punishments behind. He certainly did not enjoy taking on this role, but seeing as it was he that Drake had misbehaved for, he felt it was essential to handle this himself, rather than pass it over to Draco.

Draco was watching his son's reaction very closely. He knew first hand how terrifying his father could be from a child's point of view, having been on the receiving end of quite a few lectures and punishments from Lucius. At this point, Drake was frightened to the point where he was just visibly shaking, and his lip had begun to quiver, yet he had not let a single tear escape -- yet. Appearing impassive was becoming more difficult as his father continued, although he had warned Lucius that if he went too far he would, without hesitation, step in to protect his child.

"I have a special room in the dungeons that I feel maybe helpful with the punishment I have decided upon, shall we?"

At the mention of the dungeon room Draco's eyes grew wide; he had thought the room had been dismantled years ago, but apparently not by the look on Lucius' face.

Lucius gracefully rose from his chair, picked up his snakehead cane and walked to the door. "Drake?"

Drake walked slowly to the open door, not hesitating when he drew level with his grandfather. He continued to the outer office door and waited there nervously.

Draco rose from his chair hurriedly and walked over to Lucius. "Father? That room - why is it still here?"

"I simply have not taken it apart yet."

"I do not think that it is appropriate to take my son down there."

"Draco, do you honestly think that I would harm the boy?" Lucius enquired condescendingly.

"I... no," Draco sighed heavily; he did not know what to think.

"I only mean to scare him, show him what I'm capable of if he does not behave."

Draco took a deep breath; he didn't know what to do - Ginny would not like what was in that room and if Drake told anyone of any importance it would mean raids on all Malfoy properties again.

"I will not harm him; he is my grandson," Lucius assured him. "Did I ever harm you?"

Draco looked at him tenaciously and quirked an eyebrow.

"That was unintentional - you should have never stepped in front of the house elf when I was punishing it," Lucius conceded impatiently.

"Very well take him down if you must, but how do you intend to keep his mouth shut?"

"He is your son, it will not prove difficult," Lucius sneered. "I suggest you remain here."

Lucius moved to where Drake was still waiting, took him by the hand and walked out the door. Draco stood in the doorway and watched as his father led his small son away to the personally known horrors of the Malfoy Holdings dungeon. Still torn by his decision, he ran a nervous hand through his hair.

"It's all right dear, Mr. Malfoy loves that boy dearly," the secretary assured in a motherly tone.

She had been Lucius' secretary as long as Draco could remember and probably knew more about the Malfoy family than anyone else. Most importantly, the Malfoy patriarch trusted her implicitly; to Draco, she was like a spinster aunt who fussed over him at every chance she got. She was well aware of what was going on and where young Drake was being taken. Over the years she had seen Lucius drag a much younger Draco, usually kicking and screaming, down to the dungeon room many times for punishment. He had always come back in good health and she was not concerned for Drake's well being at all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lucius walked with Drake's hand in his all the way to the bottom of the building that was Malfoy Holdings. They had attracted quite a bit of attention, in the way of looks, as they walked through the corridors together. The employees had enough sense to wait until the head of the company was well out of ear shot before gossiping with their neighbors about the identity of the small boy and where Mr. Malfoy was taking him, all had noticed that he did not look in the least bit happy. The final consensus was that he must be the Malfoy heir given the similarities in appearance. A few of the older employees were familiar with the dungeon, but were too cautious to mention anything of it just in case word filtered back to the Malfoy elder, and he decided to put the room to active use once more.

Approaching an old wooden door that might have once been a lightwood but had darkened to black with age, Lucius muttered a password Drake could not hear, for the beat of his own heart was filling his ears to capacity. The door swung open of its own accord to reveal a dark dank room made of stone.

"In," Lucius grunted as he gave Drake's hand an extra tug, merely for effect.

Drake could not suppress the squeak he emitted as he was tugged through the door into the cold stone room. He was trying not to look around, but found he couldn't help it, having never seen any of the things that were in this room before.

Lucius had cast an illuminating charm on the wall sconces, giving the room an eerie quality. Scattered around the room there were many things that looked scary to Drake; lots of them had chains and there was one wall with different types of whips, bats and other things he could not fathom.

"Come along, Drake, I am going to show you around."

Drake cautiously followed Lucius further into the chilly room. He was walking toward a particularly nasty looking apparatus made of old wood: it had three holes in the top bar, and on the legs near the floor, there were chains with rusty manacles on the ends.

"Do you know what this is?"

"No, Grandfather."

"You have never seen one, even in a story book?"

"No."

"Well why don't I show you how it works," Lucius suggested in a tone that could have been mistaken for generous, if not for the circumstances.

Drake eyed the apparatus carefully before hesitantly agreeing, "All right."

"Come here."

Drake wandered over to stand in front of the structure. Lucius flicked his wand and the top bar split in half, opening up from one side, Drake could here the old hinges complaining.

"Well step up, boy."

Drake sidled a little closer, but not close enough to appease Lucius it seemed, as he reached out and grabbed the trembling little boy by the shoulder, bringing him flush with the wood.

"I did say I was going to show this to you. Now, place your hands here and rest your neck in the larger hollow," Lucius directed.

Drake, who did not dare to defy his grandfather at this point lest his punishment be increased, did as he was told. As soon as his neck came in contact with the wood Lucius placed his gloved hand on it, effectively holding him in position. With another flick of his wand the top closed over him, trapping Drake instantly.

Drake's eyes grew wild as Lucius bent to his grandson's feet and placed a manacle around each leg.

"Now do you know what this contraption is called?"

"No, Grandfather," Drake replied in a very small voice.

"It is a stock and it is generally used for restraining people who require punishment." Lucius was watching Drake's expression very closely. He was surprised the boy had not yet started screaming; he looked as though he wanted to though, and that intrigued Lucius, any child of a similar age would have given into the urge well before now.

Lucius moved around to the wall containing the whips and other paraphernalia that was available. Selecting a particularly large whip, he strode around to stand in front of Drake again, ensuring the boy had a good view of the tool.

"Do you know what this is, boy?" Lucius brandished the whip in front of his eyes.

Drake looked petrified as he choked out, "A whip."

"Correct," Lucius drawled as he cracked the whip right in front of his face, causing Drake to involuntarily recoil, not that he could move away at this point.

Lucius sneered at him, "And do you know what I use this for?"

"No," Drake squeaked.

Lucius was astounded; the boy had still not broken, and he was running out of options.

"If I remember correctly, this particular whip last graced your father's bare backside after he ran off from your grandmother while shopping in Diagon Alley."

Drake emitted a strangled sound. At last, Lucius thought the sound would escalate, but then there was no more from the little boy secured in the stocks. Becoming increasingly frustrated with Drake's refusal to break, Lucius walked around behind him. He held the whip high and brought it down just in front of the little boy's vulnerable bottom, smirking with satisfaction as Drake let loose a howl of fear and tried to draw himself further into the restraints to avoid the whip that had yet to make contact.

"Are you not going to take your punishment like a man?" Lucius snarled at him. It would not hurt to string him along for a little longer, just to enforce the position he was in.

Drake was so terrified now, he was incapable of audible speech; instead, all that could be heard were howls of terror. Lucius remained behind him for a short while, listening to him attempting to beg his way out of a whipping. Finally conceding to himself that the boy had more than likely had enough, he strolled around to stand in front of him again. Seeing Lucius standing before him, Drake began to pull backwards in a desperate attempt to free himself. Lucius flicked his wand and muttered the incantation to release the binds holding Drake.

He was pulling so hard that when the restraints loosened, he went flying backwards, landing on the cold stone floor. He scooted backwards on his bottom to get as far away from his grandfather as he possibly could.

Lucius smirked at him and strode across the floor to stand over the small boy.

"Stand," Lucius growled.

Drake seemed almost unable to follow the order; his backwards movement had all but ceased, and his gaze firmly fixed upon the wizard above him.

Growing impatient Lucius reached down and yanked his grandson to his feet. As soon as Drake's feet touched the floor, he resumed his retreat, backing up until he was against the wall and Lucius was standing uncomfortably close.

Lucius bent forward, making certain he had eye contact with Drake. "Now you are aware of what I am capable of, and if you ever run off from anyone while on an outing again, you can be sure that the whip will not miss."

Drake stared into his grandfather's mercury eyes; he was shaking profusely and was unable to control his loud weeping.

"Do you understand?"

Drake could only nod.

"Good, now I suggest you pull yourself together so we can rejoin your father."

It took Drake quite sometime before he was able to regain any control over his emotions. Once he had, Lucius took his hand again and began to lead him out of the vile room.

"You will not speak of this little discussion to anyone."

"Yes, Grandfather," Drake answered quietly.

Lucius smiled; he doubted Drake would ever cross him again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The employees of Malfoy Holdings were very careful not to let Lucius see them casting looks of pity at Drake as the pair made their way back to the top office. They all noticed that the young boy had been crying and were in no doubt that their ruthless boss had punished his grandson in some barbaric manner.

Draco was pacing in his father's office when Lucius and Drake reappeared in the doorway.

Looking carefully at Drake, he spoke to Lucius, "You were a long time."

"What house was his mother in at Hogwarts?"

Frowning Draco did not understand what bearing Ginny's old house had on present circumstances, but he answered anyway. "Gryffindor."

"I thought as much," he said, then added quietly as he sauntered into the office, "Foolish courage."

Draco merely arched an eyebrow at his father, imploring him to explain, but it was greeted with a barely visible shake of his head.

Lucius looked up once he had taken his seat behind the desk. "Perhaps you could escort Drake to the bathroom; he needs to wash his face. I have a few things to clear up, and then we can show him around the building."

"Very well, I'll take him to my private bathroom. We shall see you soon," Draco readily agreed, as this would give him the opportunity to check that Drake was all right without Lucius breathing down his neck, and perhaps influencing Drake's answers with his presence. "Come on, Drake, we'll go to my office."

Draco led his small son to his office down the corridor, nodding only to his own secretary before closing the office door firmly behind Drake.

"Come and sit down over here first," Draco indicated toward an overstuffed couch.

Drake sidled over to it and climbed up at the far end. Draco watched him as he turned on the long chair and sat down, waiting almost nervously.

Draco walked over and took a seat close to Drake. "Are you all right?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure? You can talk to me about anything you know."

"I can't, Grandfather said."

"I see - well, you know, I don't think he meant me."

"He said not to anyone."

Sighing heavily, Draco had to hand it to him; he was certainly keeping his mouth shut this time. "Look, talk to me, Drake, and I promise I won't tell him; there's no way he could find out."

Drake looked skeptically at his father. He was torn between wanting to spill all that had happened in the dungeon and keeping his mouth shut, fearful of crossing his grandfather lest he follow through on the promise of physical punishment.

"Come on, Drake, he won't find out that you've spoken to me, and if he does, I will forbid him to punish you."

Drake looked hopefully at Draco. Could he really forbid him to be punished?

"Drake, I'm your father; you only receive punishment if I okay it."

The little boy's eyes widened at this comment. His father had okayed his punishment, and now he was asking him to talk to him about it?

Draco watched the fearful expression intensify on Drake's face and wondered, only briefly, what had provoked such a reaction before he realized what he had said.

Mentally kicking himself, Draco took a breath and attempted to formulate some form of explanation.

"Drake, I - I want to know how my father punished you. I did approve of some form of punishment because you did misbehave, but there are only two people who know what went on in that room, and I want your version of events."

Drake took a deep shuddering breath. "There was a stock, I think that's what Grandfather called it, and he... he locked me in it." Taking another deep breath he willed himself not to cry. "And he got a whip from the wall..."

"What? Oh Merlin, Drake, he didn't whip you, did he?"

"No, Daddy, but he nearly did. I felt my robes move when the whip went past."

A sigh of relief escaped Draco. "Thank god, anything else?"

"He said that if I ever ran off again, the whip would not miss next time," the little boy mumbled in an unsteady voice.

"Mmm... so he didn't actually hurt you at all?"

"No, Daddy."

"But he did scare you?"

Drake nodded his concurrence ever so slightly. Draco took a moment to think carefully before he continued.

"Drake, you must be careful not to cross my father. While he loves you very much, he would not hesitate in punishing you for any wrongdoings, and his punishments are harsh - not something I want you to experience. Promise me that you'll do your best to behave from now on?"

As Drake looked up at his father, a single tear slid down his face, "I promise, Daddy."

"Good boy, come here." Draco pulled his son into his lap and sat with him for a quite while in silence.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sometime later, Lucius entered Draco's office without knocking, immediately surveying the scene before him; Draco was still sitting on the couch with Drake in his arms.

He frowned his disapproval over his own son's actions. "It does not look as if Drake has visited the bathroom yet."

"No, Father, he has not; we were just having a chat."

"I see," Lucius smirked, causing Drake to shrink against Draco.

"Drake, why don't you go and wash your face? When you're ready, we'll take you for a look around the company," Draco suggested gently.

Draco waited for the bathroom door to close behind his son before standing to face Lucius. "You scared him."

"I believe that was the objective of the exercise."

"Not like that, he's truly afraid of you now."

"I will make amends before the day is through - that is the reason I suggested that the boy spend the day with us."

"You actually think he will be receptive to you - you can't buy your way into his life, he's not Angel."

"I am acutely aware of whom I am dealing with, Draco. He is strong willed, but I am stronger."

"Father, I would hate for you to ruin your relationship with Drake because of stupid pride."

Lucius sneered, "Pride - It would do you no harm to have a little more."

"I sincerely think that you have enough for both of us, Father," Draco drawled in return.

"You will learn, perhaps too late, it is not healthy to bend to a child's every whim, and it is better to punish once harshly, than to punish many times ineffectually."

"Well I certainly hope that you are right."

"I am right, Draco - trust me; he will come back around, even if he is frightened of me at the moment. Besides, it does no harm for Drake to be a little worried about what I may be capable of - it may just help to curtail any further misadventures."

"You want to hope that he doesn't mention his little discussion with you to his uncle or godfather; they are both Aurors."

"He is a Malfoy - he will not divulge family secrets."

"You hope."

Drake opened the bathroom door, "Daddy, I'm ready."

"Good. Why don't we make a start then?" Draco responded, looking to his father questioningly.

Lucius smirked, "Yes let's."

The three Malfoy wizards walked out of Draco's office, beginning their tour on the uppermost floors of the building. Lucius introduced Drake to all the departmental managers and some other employees who were favored by the Malfoy patriarch. All were overly polite to the little boy and with good reason; it would be his company to control one day.

After taking lunch in a small restaurant, Lucius insisted on finding a gift to appease Angelique. Following much discussion, the three wizards ended up standing in the jeweler's store, pouring over some very expensive pieces.

Lucius picked up a platinum charm bracelet; fingering its delicate decorations, he noted that each was adorned with a blood red ruby.

Lucius looked contemptuously at the shop assistant. "I would like this with emeralds in place of the rubies."

"Of course sir, would you like me to make the arrangements?"

"Yes, go ahead, and while you're at it, add the Malfoy family crest to the charms."

"As you wish sir."

"I will pick it up this afternoon."

The shop assistant blanched, but agreed to have the bracelet ready that afternoon.

They spent the afternoon completing the tour of Malfoy Holdings, meeting more overly polite people and shaking more hands. Drake was getting a little tired of all the stares he was receiving, and he could tell, for the most part, the people were only being polite to him because of who his grandfather is. He was very happy when his father announced that it was time to go home.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco apparated Drake and himself onto the back porch of the Burrow then let both of them in the back door. Draco was immediately struck with how silent the house was.

"Drake, I don't think anyone is home."

Drake took off in the direction of the staircase. "Mummy is probably upstairs."

"Maybe," Draco muttered thoughtfully.

A few minutes later, Drake returned to the kitchen, "Mummy's not here."

"Perhaps she went to the hospital," Draco suggested.

"Are you going to stay with me, Daddy?"

"How about we go back to the Manor and wait there?"

"But how will Mummy know where I am?"

"I'll leave her a note," Draco informed him. "Now, do you know where the parchment and quills are kept?"

"I think there's some in the drawer over there."

Draco walked toward the drawers Drake had pointed at and opened each drawer in turn until he found the implements he was looking for. Taking a seat at the kitchen table, Draco smoothed the parchment out and dipped the quill into the inkbottle.

Dear Gin,

I presume you're at St. Mungo's, don't worry about Drake. I'll take him back to the Manor and see to him for the evening. Floo me when you get in, it doesn't matter what time.

Love,

Draco

Recapping the inkbottle, Draco placed it on the corner of the parchment and laid the quill across in the hope that someone's attention would be drawn to the short missive, and Ginny would not be worried about Drake's whereabouts.

Smiling broadly at his son, Draco mused that this was really the first decision he had really made on his own concerning either of his children, and it felt right. "We ready to go?"

"I'm ready."

"Good, let's go then."

They walked over to the back door, but paused before opening it when they heard two distinct apparation pops. Hearing the doorknob rattle, Draco pulled Drake out of the way as Ron flung the door open to admit Pansy.

"You great prat - you nearly knocked Drake off his feet," Draco attacked as soon as the red-haired wizard came into full view.

Ron frowned at the tall blonde, "What?"

"Did it not occur to you that someone could have been standing behind the door about to leave the house?"

"Nope, considering no-one is meant to be here."

"Drake, come on, I don't have the patience for dealing with this imbecile today. Pansy," Draco nodded a greeting toward the raven-haired witch.

Draco went to move out the door, but Ron's hand shot out and grabbed his arm.

"And just where do you think you're taking my nephew?" Ron growled.

Draco glared at his old enemy. "I am taking my son to my home, seeing as his mother is not here."

"Well I'm here now, Drake can stay with me," Ron responded as he released Draco's arm and postured importantly.

"I think not."

"I'm telling you, Malfoy, if you take my nephew anywhere there will be trouble."

Quirking an eyebrow at his foe, Draco grinned coldly. "Trouble? I rather think that you are the one who may be expecting trouble if you try to stop me leaving with my son."

Draco took another step toward the door.

"I'm warning you, Malfoy."

"Ron, I really think..." Pansy started, but was promptly interrupted by Draco; it seemed as though both men had forgotten her presence in the room.

"You can warn me all you like, Weasley; it's not going to make an ounce of difference - I am taking Drake to my home for the evening. He will stay there until his mother advises me different. I have left a note for your sister on the table - see that she gets it," Draco's temper was rising rapidly as he sneered at Ginny's older brother. "Drake, come along."

Drake moved closer to his father. He had heard the tone in his voice and was not silly enough to disobey him when he sounded exactly like grandfather at his worst.

Ron reached out and grabbed Drake's hand. "You're staying here with me and your Aunt Pansy."

Draco drew his wand and held it to Ron's head. "Unhand my son now," he said in a dangerously low voice.

Ron turned slowly to look Draco in the face; he had been trained for such circumstances, but with Drake in the way he could put any such training into practice. Instead, he released the little boy's arm, seeing a taunting smirk drift across Draco's features. As he obeyed, Ron could not contain his reaction.

Having not moved his hand all that far away from Drake, he lunged forward, quickly ducking simultaneously to go under Draco's wand, and pushed the little boy out of the way, at the same time drawing his own wand, promptly stepping back to give himself some room.

"Ronald Weasley," Pansy screamed at him.

Ignoring the screeching woman, Ron never took his eyes off the blond wizard who had been first to draw his wand. "Come on, Malfoy - you want to duel?"

"You are going to pay for that, Weasel," Draco growled through his teeth.

Although he desperately wanted to check on his now crying son, Draco kept eye contact with the man challenging him. He did not want to duel inside the house and certainly not in front of his son in case it turned nasty, but at this juncture it seemed he did not have a choice.

Ron sneered at him from his position a short distance away. Draco was astounded as he watched the Auror - he could almost see the thought process going on and was not at all surprised when the wizard yelled, "Stupefy."

Easily side stepping the stunner, Draco quickly retaliated. "Expelliarmus."

"Protego. Rictusempra."

"Protego. Petrificus Totalus."

"Protego."

"Incarcerous." Thick ropes flew from Draco's wand and flung themselves around Ron's form, trapping him effectively. Draco did not stop there, "Expelliarmus. Petrificus Totalus."

Ron's tall form fell to the floor like an extra long plank of red wood and Draco sauntered over to stand above him.

Sneering meanly as he held his wand to the chest of the fallen Auror, he growled, "You know, Weasel, I've had just about enough of you. How about we finish this right now?"

Ron's eyes were moving wildly from side to side; it was as if he could read Draco's mind.

"Avada..."

Pansy stepped forward and took hold of Draco's wand, directing it away from her boyfriend. "Draco, put your wand away. You do not need to go that far," she told her old friend evenly.

"Quite the contrary, Pansy. I'm sick of this prat and I fully intend to end my misery."

"Draco, really, using an unforgivable on an Auror -- do you actually want to spend your remaining days in Azkaban, that is, of course, if Harry doesn't kill you as he's arresting your sorry butt."

"Pans..."

"Look, just take Drake back to the Manor. I'll let Ginny know where you are."

He sighed heavily, "All right."

Draco walked over to his still sobbing son, picked him up and left the house, Disapparating as soon as his feet hit the back porch.

Arriving almost instantaneously in the entry of the Manor, Draco kept Drake in his arms as he walked through to his mother's winter parlor. Lucius and Narcissa were already on their feet and moving toward the door as he entered the parlor, having heard Drake's weeping.

"What happened?" Lucius demanded.

"A run in with Ron Weasley; he pushed Drake across the room. Mother, would you check him over and perform any healing charms necessary?" Draco explained briefly as he gently placed Drake on a chair.

"Of course, darling," Narcissa swept over to her grandson, her wand drawn by the time she got there.

"Where is Angelique?" Lucius asked harshly.

"With Ginny, as far as I know. We got to the Burrow and there was no one home. We were about to leave to come here when Ron and Pansy showed up."

Kneeling before the chair Drake was sitting on, Narcissa looked very closely at the little boy. "Drake, darling can you tell me where you are hurt?"

"My arm and my leg and my side," Drake pointed to each painful area on his small body.

"All right, darling, I am going to run my wand over you just to check exactly what the damage is."

Drake nodded and wiped his nose on the sleeve of his robes.

Narcissa passed her wand over his body and used her knowledge of healing charms to help ease his pain. She was pleased to find no broken bones; it seemed to be mostly bruises and perhaps some shock.

Narcissa smiled warmly at her grandson. "Do you feel better now, darling?"

"Yes thank you, Grandmother."

"Wonderful, well I think perhaps we will get you into a nice warm bath, then we can have some dinner. I understand you have had a very busy day at work."

Narcissa drew herself up and held her hand out for Drake to take; he looked up at her, his eyes brimming with tears.

"I want my Mummy," he choked out as his tears began to fall again.

Draco was immediately at his side. "Hey, Drake, I'm here and your mum will Floo us as soon as she gets home, okay?"

"But she won't if she's angry with you for dueling with Uncle Ron."

Draco smirked, "Yes she will, even if it's just to yell at me."

"Mmm... she likes to yell when she's angry."

"Yeah I think it has something to do with the hair."

Drake frowned at his father not understanding the reference to his mother's hair.

"Go with your grandmother and have your bath."

"Yes, Daddy."

Drake took Narcissa's hand and allowed her to lead him from the parlor.

Lucius waited until he was certain that Narcissa and Drake were out of earshot before turning back to Draco. "There was a duel?"

"Yes," Draco sighed and proceeded to give his father a detailed explanation of the events that had transpired since he left the office.

Lucius had listened in silence for the most part, but could not contain his concerns a moment longer. "You were going to Avada him?"

Draco ran a hand through his hair roughly, "Yes, but Pansy stopped me."

"In front of Drake, you were going to kill his Uncle?"

"Yes, go on, Father, tell me how stupid and irresponsible it was - I lost control," Draco yelled in frustration.

"I was merely suggesting that perhaps it would have been prudent to send the boy to another room."

"What?"

"And it is always a good idea to make it look like an accident or a natural death, thus avoiding Azkaban."

Draco merely shook his head in disbelief at his smirking father.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Drake did not eat much at dinner despite Narcissa's attempts to cajole him. Lucius had told her not to fuss so much over the boy - he was probably just tired after the full day he had endured, and he was proven to be correct; it was not long after the family had settled into the parlor for the evening when Drake's head began to droop.

"Drake, time for bed, say goodnight to everyone," Draco told him softly.

"I'm not tired yet, Daddy."

"Yeah, that's why you're falling asleep sitting up. Come on, say goodnight."

"Yes, Daddy," Drake grumbled as he got off his chair and dutifully went to each of his grandparents in turn, bidding them goodnight.

Draco waited by the door patiently as his son took his time saying his goodnights, and then led him upstairs to his suite.

"Daddy?"

Draco was adjusting the blankets around his form. "Yes."

"You don't like Uncle Ron very much, do you?"

Draco blanched, "Umm... it's a bit complicated between your Uncle and me."

"Why?"

"Things happened a long time ago, before you were born, and I guess neither of us are willing to let them go at this point."

"Oh."

"Are you right now?"

"Yes."

"Good, well I'll see you in the morning then."

"Goodnight, Daddy."

Draco turned and walked as far as the door.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Drake."

"You nearly used Avada on Uncle Ron."

Draco cringed; he briefly wondered how his son knew about an unforgivable before realizing that the boy was still waiting for an answer. "Yeah, it was a bit silly of me."

"Yeah."

"Where did you learn about such a curse?"

"I heard Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron talking about it once."

"I see," Draco responded, making a mental note to warn the two Aurors to be more aware of who could be listening to them when they are discussing such matters.

"Goodnight, Daddy."

"Yeah, goodnight, Drake."

As Draco closed the door to the bedchamber, he almost walked into Lucius.

"Ginevra is waiting to speak with you in the parlor."

"She's here?"

"No, Floo call."

"Thank you, Father," Draco said as he rushed downstairs.

Lucius very carefully cracked Drake's door open and stood in the doorway watching his grandson drift off to sleep; a warm smile gracing his chiseled features.

"Gin."

"Oh, Draco."

"Were you at the hospital this afternoon?"

"Yes, Katie had an awful time of it."

"Oh... umm... she's all right now?"

"Yes she's fine and so are the babies."

"Babies?"

"Twins, Pippa and Scarlett."

"Girls, well congratulate her for me."

"I will."

"I just put Drake to bed; he had a pretty full on day."

"Yes, Pansy filled me in."

"Yeah... look, Gin, I'm sorry, I lost control - it was a very poor example to set for Drake."

"Yes it was, is he all right?"

"Yeah, he's fine."

"Pansy told me about Ron pushing him."

"Oh yeah, mother took care of his bruises. I think he was mostly shocked."

"He would have been. He's never really seen a proper duel before. He's only seen the boys having fun. Pansy said it got quite intense."

Draco frowned, it was as if she didn't know that he had almost killed her brother, but she would have to know; he could not imagine that the Weasel would have kept quite.

Swallowing heavily, "I nearly killed him."

Ginny smiled slightly, "I know he told me and I'm glad you told me."

"You mean I'm forgiven?"

"I didn't say that. I'll give you the same treatment I gave Ron when I found out what had happened, but that will have to wait until I see you and when I'm feeling less exhausted."

"Why don't you go to bed then, love?"

"I want to. What about Drake?"

"He's fast asleep. I'll bring him back on my way to work tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"Now you should go to bed, witch; you look terrible."

"Yeah I will... Oh, there was an owl waiting for Angel when we got home. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"

"Well, sort of, Father sent her a bracelet because she had to stay home today."

"Draco, I took a look at the bracelet, it's... It's real."

"Of course it is."

"But she's just..."

"Let her enjoy it, Gin; he took a great deal of care in selecting that for her, and he insisted on having the family crest added to the original design."

"I'm just afraid that she will lose it."

"Don't be, it wouldn't matter if she did. Father would just replace it."

"Draco..."

"Shh... Goodnight, love."

"All right, goodnight, see you in the morning."

"Bright and early."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*