Passed Around Dark Lords

57

"Mr. Riddle, while I do appreciate your work in ensuring my son does not do anything untoward, I must have a word with Abraxas and Draco alone," Draco's mind spiraled. Surely there could be no good reason that the Patriarch wished to speak with him alone...but his mental spiral was quickly stopped when he realized what they said. They had called Draco their son. Something about that, well he was not sure how he felt about it. Sure, it was true...in this weird, twisted thing that was going on, but it was not as if it was the entire truth. Lucius was his father, and would always be his father, Draco knew better than to think otherwise.

"Of course, Sir, I am just glad that Draco is okay, I will take my leave, Draco, I will wait for you outside..." Draco nodded, a smile pulling at his lips despite his mental turmoil as Tom left. He was grateful that, despite the possessiveness, it was clear that Tom did care for him. Yes, it was in a rather inappropriate manner, and more like Draco was a toy or possession than a human, but that was not something Draco really found concerning. He was used to that sort of love, but at least Tom seemed to give more of a shit if Draco was hurt. Tom was similar to his father in that he hated when others hurt him, Draco wondered if he would react the same and brutally punish the one that did the harming. He was certain whatever his Great-Grandfather had in mind was not pleasant.

"Draco," The Patriarch's voice pulled Draco from his musings instantly, causing him to stiffen slightly at being addressed. He had forgotten, momentarily, and it was a lapse in judgement that could not happen again. Not with the dangers he was currently facing.

"Yes, Sir,"

"I have received your letters," Draco blinked, uncertain where this conversation was going. Of course the Patriarch had received his letters, they were meant to go to him? Unless...There must be something wrong with the letters. Draco lamented, his mood diving downwards in a split second, magic curling around his fingers. Did I fail to address it properly? Or perhaps there is a different way that I was supposed to write? I am not sure, I was just following the rules! Surely there was nothing wrong...right? I was following what i was taught to the absolute letter!

"I see, Sir. Did...I write improper? I can fix it, simply let me know how you wish to be addressed, I did not..."

"Draco," The voice cut his musings short and he sat on edge, head down, fingers slightly trembling from anxiety. I made sure that everything was proper...He was fighting tears at this point. He had done everything that would be expected of him from his station, and he simply could not understand what was wrong with what he had done. The Malfoy Patriarch pulled out the thick stack of letters, and Draco felt himself flush at Abraxas' wide eyes. It was a large stack, to be sure, but Draco was nothing if not obedient, and Lucius had always demanded at least one letter every week, so for the last two months that was exactly what Draco had done. One letter, every week, sent on the Saturday to be delivered Sunday morning. Progress reports, and anything else of necessary import. Draco was not entirely sure what this patriarch deemed important, which had caused him to be a bit anxious. Oh dear, could it be that I failed to report something, and now they are displeased? The nerves did not go down, despite Draco's trying to swallow them away. It merely made the tremble in his fingers worse, so he entwined them and pulled tightly. "I am not angry, let me be clear. Nor am I disappointed, but I do have to say that I am concerned."

"Concerned, sir?" He felt baffled. So far from what he was expecting. Not angry? Not disappointed? If he was not angry and not disappointed, then why were they speaking on this? Concerned? What was there to be concerned over? Draco had done what was expected. Sure, he was not stupid, he knew that Lucius' demands were a bit...strict, after all Zabini and Nott never wrote their parents nearly as much, but he was a Malfoy.

"Yes, the...to put it bluntly, the content of these letters. They are very formal. Now, I understand that you were not raised by me for the last sixteen years, but even then...this is a level of professionalism I would not expect from anyone, much less a sixteen year old. You do not need to call me Patriarch in your letters. You may simply address me by my name, or, when you feel more comfortable, as father. I know things have been rough, and while I did not expect to have a second son come out of nowhere, you are here nonetheless, and I want you to know I do intend to do right by you." Draco just stared at them, unable to keep his eyes to himself now.

"Sir, I am...I am rather confused. I do not understand."

"That much is clear." Abraxas' muttered words caused the Patriarch to glare at him over Draco's head.

"The other thing, my dear, is you do not need to report to me like this. I am not going to exert that much control over you. If you want to write me a letter, you are more than free to do so, but you do not need to report everything you have done down to the minute details. I will say, I am impressed with what you have managed to do to increase your profit margin, and you have proven yourself incredibly fiscally cunning and capable, but you do not need to inform me every week." Draco felt totally wrong footed, and he could feel the very bones of his body shaking from panic. "I also want you to know that if you do not do well, I was never going to punish you. Certainly not if you miss a week report."

"But Sir, isn't this simply expected?" Draco could not help but ask, and he quickly wished that he would have kept his mouth shut at the look the Patriarch gave him. "Never mind, I understand your sentiments. Thank you for clarifying." They sighed, heavily, and Draco could not help but think that he had done something wrong.

"Your class starts soon, correct? Defense I believe. Why don't you go to class, with Abraxas, and your friend Mr. Riddle, and I am going to continue speaking with Headmaster Dippet as to what I expect. This will definitely not go unpunished, and Draco, if something like this ever happens again...you have my full permission to curse them, but nothing deadly, alright? Within reason."

"Yes, sir," Draco felt almost giddy at the thought. He could protect himself without having to worry. He just had to get his trigger senses under control. It was definitely a new development, and he was not too sure that he liked it.