16 Greeting Guests

International traveling in Wizarding World wasn't heavily monitored or regulated, so there weren't many things to do in order to prepare for the trip to France, apart from packing the clothes. However, that was also done by house elves, so Draco only had to sit comfortably on a sofa, while Missy, his personal elf, brought out different outfits. With a nod or a shake of his head it was decided, whether the clothes were approved or rejected.

Needless to say, Draco felt very comfortable - sitting lazily and drinking tea, while others did all the work, was how a life should be lived to begin with.

'This 'packing' business is sure tedious,' he thought idly.

After an hour of 'rushing' and trying to remember whether he forgot anything (he would be too lazy to call house elves in France if he did leave something behind), Draco went downstairs, where his parents were already waiting.

"Did you pack everything, Draco?" asked his mother. She came forward as soon as she saw him, and started to fussily check his clothes. "You should have slicked back your hair, it wouldn't do to make a bad first impression on your grandfather."

Draco rolled his eyes and batted away his mothers hands, which were already reaching for his head.

"Narcissa, leave the boy alone," his father finally deemed it right to interject. "Let's go, we don't want to miss the portkey's timer, it would be too embarrassing to go to the Ministry for a new one."

With those words the whole family gathered around a silver paperweight, in shape of an owl, which acted like a portkey. Draco was a bit exasperated at the thought of wasting money on showing off how even the family's portkeys were expensive, however he didn't say anything and obediently touched it with his index finger.

In few seconds he felt a tug at his navel and a sucking force, grabbing his whole body and delivering it to another location. With a loud cracking sound three people appeared at the entrance of a sunny house, which was almost as big as the Malfoy manor back home.

'POP'

A house elf wearing neat uniform with large cursive 'M' inscribed on its breast appeared.

"Welcoming Lord Lucius, Lady Narcissa and young master Draco," said the elf in a surprisingly correct way as he bowed low. "My name is Olly and I is the main elf. If guests need anything, please ask. But right now Master be waiting in the drawing-room."

The family of three was quickly ushered into the house by the serious elf, who acted like a butler. As Draco followed behind his parents, he curiously looked around.

The house had huge windows through which plenty of sunlight entered the rooms, making them seem light and airy. The furniture was of classic contemporary design, mostly done in whites and purples, making the place seem more modern, compared to the Victorian styles Draco was used to back in Britain.

Draco thought that his grandfather would be more traditional in his decoration preferences, however it seemed that it was not the case. The man came here to spend his retirement and the atmosphere in the house was very suitable for relaxation.

Finally, the group, led by the house elf Olly, reached the drawing-room, where the Malfoy senior was already waiting. Abraxas Malfoy aged well: he didn't look to be almost seventy - his face seemed to be free of wrinkles and worries. With his short white hair and shortly trimmed white beard, as well as piercing blue eyes casually observing his guests, as though able to read their minds, Abraxas Malfoy gave off an intimidating and regal impression. Before, Draco thought that Lucius was the most intimidating and proud man he knew, however today the boy felt that his horizons were broadened.

"Father," Lucius greeted the intimidating wizard with a half-bow. His wife also followed and gracefully curtsied.

Draco was startled for a moment - he was too busy observing the Malfoy Patriarch to remember that he was supposed to perform a greeting. He quickly gathered his wits and, as a junior showing respect to his senior, performed a full bow while holding his hand on his breast, where his heart was.

"Grandfather," he politely said, his tone even and not betraying any emotions, as though he wasn't spacing out just moments ago.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence while the oldest wizard in the room observed his younger generation thoughtfully. Finally, he turned his attention to Draco.

"Boy! What has my son been teaching you?" were the wizard's first words.

Draco was once again startled. He felt a bit stupid because he couldn't quite grasp what Abraxas meant by asking this question. Did he want to know which subjects Draco was studying? Or were his words sarcastic, expressing dissatisfaction with Draco?

Seeing the boy's confusion Abraxas turned to his son and daughter-in-law. Lucius, seemingly aware of what the old wizard wanted to know, released a quiet sigh of resignation and replied, "Draco is only learning the theory right now, we didn't think that his core has grown enough for magical practice. And Narcissa was worried about him being too young to..."

Draco's father didn't manage to finish his words when the old wizard stood up and interrupted, "Do you want a useless son, who only knows how to spout nonsense and show off?! It's good that he knows theory and, knowing you, learned finance, maybe even some politics... However! Our family reached this position not because we had money or could influence people with words! The boy has to train his magic and body, because only with magic power can he really stand at the top of the Wizarding World!"

Abraxas was visibly agitated. Draco was surprised at the contrasting image the wizard displayed. When they came in, the man had been sitting on a large couch regally, but now he was pacing back and forth, lecturing his son in loud voice. And he wasn't finished yet.

"Lucius, I know you hated those lessons when you were a child. However, you reached the Inner Circle of the Dark Lord's followers not only because of our family's political or financial resources, but also because of your personal power. You were trained since young to fight and you don't lose out to your peers, be they mudbloods or purebloods, when it comes to your magic power. You cannot let the boy lose opportunity to be great - you know that this is the critical age, when the magical core grows and develops the fastest."

"After Draco's eighth birthday we planned to get him a training wand," Lucius began his protest. Narcissa was quietly standing at the side, knowing better than to interrupt.

"A training wand! What use is it, apart from learning to rely on a crutch at a younger age!" Abraxas criticized without stopping for thought. "He has to learn how to cast critical spells wandlessly! Wandlessly! What will he do with a training wand if he accidentally loses his wand in the future?"

Lucius wanted to protest, however, his father quickly decided before he could interrupt, "I will train him in the future!"

Draco's parents were a bit unwilling, however, they couldn't win the argument with the old wizard. Draco didn't say anything because he felt that his grandfather's words were reasonable. He was also excited to practice actual magic and not just learn the theory of what magic was or how it works.

Seeing his son's excitement, Lucius felt that he was still immature. Draco would find out what harsh training and exhaustion, when you don't want to ever leave your bed, means soon enough. When Abraxas said that he will train Draco, he meant not only magic but also sword and body training too. Abraxas was an excellent wizard - he could duel using both, magic and weapons, so his opponents had to be careful not to let the wizard get close to them while keeping up with his spells.

In the Wizarding World weapon training was considered outdated and unnecessary. Of course, it was only because most witches and wizards were lazy - if they could just attack and defend with magic, why should they learn to dodge or attack with physical weapons? They were also influenced by muggleborns, many of whom considered swords and daggers to be barbaric. So less and less people trained their bodies and practiced handling weapons as time passed by.

But those who practiced dueling with weapons and wands were considered to be top duelists and even in dueling competitions, the category of weapons and wands was considered as the main event. So between Terry Drugel and Antonio Grandas, whose competition Draco observed back in Winterfield township with Susan, Terry was considered to be a stronger duelist. Antonio could be viewed as his equal only when it came to dueling with the restriction of using magic and nothing else.

When Abraxas didn't hear any opposition to his declaration of teaching Draco, he sat back down on his couch with satisfaction and casually indicated for his guests, who stood at the entrance during the whole conversation, to sit down.

When Olly brought tea and snacks, the topic shifted and Abraxas listened with interest about Draco's life, Lucius' political struggles and Narcissa's chatter about Britain's society news.

The day passed peacefully.