Before his wife brought their son down, Lucius quickly sent Old Nott a letter from the hall, arranging to meet the next day.
Even now, he was still puzzled. Since when had the Dark Lord trusted Old Nott, a lunatic interested only in torture and murder, so much?
Draco arrived in the hall looking anxious. Seeing that his father was all right, he let out a sigh of relief.
Keeping his expression stern, Lucius told Draco to follow him into the study.
Then he got straight to the point.
"Make sure you remember everything I'm about to say!"
Though puzzled, Draco hastily nodded.
Alone in his bedroom earlier, he had carefully thought over his father's advice. The more he considered it, the more sense it made.
His father truly was wise enough to rival Shawn.
Lucius's heart was filled with guilt. Draco was so young, yet he already had to shoulder responsibilities. He had failed him as a father.
But this was also Draco's destiny.
Lucius carefully pinned a brooch bearing the Malfoy family crest to his son's chest before speaking in earnest.
"Draco, follow Shawn faithfully from now on. Whatever you might be thinking, you must show loyalty-even if he orders you to kill someone."
Lucius waved a hand to cut off his son's attempt to ask a question, then continued.
"There's no time for you to work out what irreplaceable role you can play at Shawn's side. I'll tell you directly."
"The Malfoy family invaded England from France alongside William the Conqueror. Yes, what you asked about in your earlier letter is true. Our family did once serve as court mages to Muggle royalty."
Draco's little mouth fell wide open again. His jaw muscles were beginning to feel strained from everything he had heard that day.
Lucius sighed.