Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Fifteen

Dechuange came for dinner. Everyone was delighted to see him. Lord Lurie had not had many dealings with him; it was stunning to see the change that came over him. He was relaxed; his laughter sounded genuine which made it even softer. He was much nicer; there was no hint of sarcasm or anger. It might have been the first meal where Lord Lurie and Draco didn't exchange a single ironic or heated word.

Dechuange told them about a school his father was building. It was to be the first academy open to students from all backgrounds. In other words it was free. Francis was surprised at this; education was something you worked hard for and paid for, that's what they had always been taught. The mobile Sunday schools that would occasionally stop in The Lab was to give them a taste on what they were missing out on, Francis had loved school and used to mourn that they couldn't afford it, before she had met the Luries. The parents of Bugshout Way just about managed to send their eldest to the cheapest school, which was called Tiggs' Primary that taught students up to the age of eleven, which was plenty for the shopkeepers' kids.

"It's part of our new innovation. But I won't explain what the school is for." Lord Lurie smiled knowingly.

"Oh please do, Lord Lurie. I have no idea. Father refuses to tell me and I am exasperated with him." Dechuange gave a low sigh.

"Well..." Lord Lurie hesitated.

Dechuange flashed him a pearly white smile. Draco stifled his laughter.

"It's to put the children with abnormalities in. Until we know what to do with them. Ages three to twenty. Euria only starts institutionalising them at six, but I think that's far too late. A five-year-old girl the other day made a pair of wings and flew into space from her back garden. Claims to have spoken to angels and...Lucifer himself." Lord Lurie narrowed his golden eyes.

"That's just a silly story, father." Draco rolled his eyes, "She's just a little girl, telling tales and her mother should know better than to encourage her."

"It's true it's still being testified by the Guard but I heard the girl myself. Anyway, it's my job to come out with how to deal with cases like this. The school gives me time. I'm looking at Euria's system but I'm not sure it will work for us. They seem largely to only have one type of unnatural condition, whereas we have hundreds." Lord Lurie continued, unperturbed.

"Excellent. And what are you thinking of doing with them at the school?" Dechuange congratulated him softly.

"Well, they're being sent to the Hall thick and fast. We've got any strange creatures in lock down there and are shipping them out to Information Units for investigation. I don't think we'll ever know really what they are. We may just have to follow Euria's example and kill them."

"Kill-"

"Father." Draco warned gently, "Don't talk of things that are nothing beyond theories."

"Of course, Draco." Lord Lurie sighed.

"Don't be harsh on yourself, Tiberius." Dechuange smiled at him, endearingly, "And I completely agree with you, Draco. I do not wish to get things worked up or to pry into private affairs."

"I think that's exactly what you wish." Draco laughed. "But there is a line."

"I see it and I toe it." Dechuange chuckled.

"Oh boys! You've made dinner awkward now," Marie sighed, smiling blushingly at Dechuange, " It is nearly over however, perhaps in a moment we can retire to the sitting room and the children can entertain us?"

"What an excellent idea, Darling." Lord Lurie enthused, "I haven't heard Draco play in years." He looked at his son.

"I suppose I can play a little on the piano." He sighed.