Onstage, Lucius snapped open his folding fan.
"As everyone knows, this is the Year of the Horse. As a member of the renowned Malfoy family of the Wizarding World, I have rather mixed feelings."
Draco played the straight man.
"Dad, what's wrong? It's the holidays."
Lucius sighed.
"Back in the day, I worked for that noseless fellow, slaving away like a beast of burden, with my life hanging by a thread.
"Then I quit and joined Professor Holmes's Marauders Power Company. I thought, surely now I could finally stand tall as a human being?"
"Of course. You're the sales director now."
"Sales director, my arse!"
The corner of Lucius's eye twitched.
"Now I slave away like a beast of burden for Professor Holmes! And I have to be a prize racehorse at that! Slow down even a little, and down comes that Avada performance review.
"I've spent half my life galloping along without a moment's rest!"
The audience roared with laughter.
Scorpius looked up innocently.
"But Grandpa, Grandpa Douglas said that as long as we work hard, he can live a better life!"
The entire audience instantly exploded with laughter. Lucius's face turned green, and Draco hurriedly clapped a hand over his son's mouth.
"Children say the darnedest things! Don't take it seriously! Anyway, turn the M in Malfoy upside down, and you get W. What does W stand for? Win!
"Turn it sideways, and it's E, for Earn!
"With such an auspicious meaning, our horse-named family is sure to gallop to success and make a fortune in no time this year!"
"Bravo!"
Lee Jordan led the applause.
"Well said! No wonder you're the Wizarding World's top wage slave!"
After the Malfoy family left the stage, countless golden sparks suddenly burst across the sky.
The Weasley Twins charged out on