Chapter 9
Abraxas had just returned from visiting Cecilia Rosier, who was also hosting several other heirs his age. Good connections, as his father used to say. Abraxas emerged from the fireplace in the southern part of the hall. He was passing by his father's office when he heard voices.
''That's a good offer, your little projects are safe, you're buying my silence and some nice time,'' his father said.
''Interesting, please give me a few days to think about it,'' said a female voice with a distinct foreign accent.
''Of course, such a beautiful lady deserves some time.'' the father clearly opened the cabinet, it must have been the second one from the right, with the drinks.
''Goodbye, Hyperion,'' the woman replied and started to walk to the door, and Abraxas quickly hid behind the stairs.
He saw the back of the figure. Waist-length dark hair and a dark coat, she walked slowly to the fireplace, where she took a handful of powder and said the words 'Diagon Alley'. Abraxas came out of hiding and straightened his robe.
Mistress. He never admitted it to himself, but he always knew his parents' marriage wasn't perfect. His father liked to be alone with different women, and his mother stayed with relatives. Abraxas promised himself that when he married a suitable pureblood heiress, he would keep his oath of loyalty to her...
Traditionally, the Malfoys gave the bride a potion so that she would give birth to only one male heir. It was a very old and unknown formula. The idea was for the entire estate to remain in the hands of the sole heir. Although there was an antitodum in case... the heir died prematurely.
Abraxas sometimes wondered if his father's mistresses had other children, if he had brothers or sisters... But he never dared to ask. He couldn't do this to his respected mother.
When Abraxas heard that his father had left the study and headed towards the dining room for an afternoon meal and reading of letters... Abraxas was overcome with a strange desire to explore the study, even though it was forbidden. However, he wanted to find out something about his father's new lover.
He quickly entered the room, which had no security measures on it - his father always activated it only after dinner.
There were two glasses on the table. One was untouched and the other was filled to the brim. Father.
Abraxas noticed the papers on the front of the desk.
Detective Erniss's investigation, the werewolf bill, then he saw the third paper... In elegant handwriting was the report that Lady Sigyn was the woman who ran this wonderful shop... Abraxas adored her. All these toys were much better than any he had ever owned - she has a relationship with some muggle family. Abraxas shuddered. He knew what that meant. Blackmail. He didn't like Muggles and always heeded his mother's warnings, but he knew that the Malfoy fortune came from playing on Muggles. No wonder someone wanted to repeat it. However, his father found out. It was she...Lady Sigyn. And his father blackmails her... to become his mistress.
Normally Abraxas wouldn't do anything. But he knew how his father felt about his lovers...heartbreak at best, worst...
That would mean the end of toys. No more showing off to his friends. No more wonderful Quidditch sets. No more wonderful Slytherin decorations.
No, he won't allow it. This woman couldn't break down. He must somehow stop her father's plot, but how... Her apprentice... He seemed smart, and Abraxas remembered the rumor that he had seriously injured one of his employees with accidental magic. He needed an ally who knew Lady Sigyn's movements. He couldn't let his father destroy his position. He's already started building it with these great things and he has no intention of losing. He's a Malfoy.
He also needs Fenwick, he liked to read law books and old treatises. Maybe he'll come up with something. Abraxas quickly ran out of his father's office, trying to be quiet. He quickly went to his room, where his owl - Ifrenemis, was sitting proudly and waiting for tasks. Abraxas sat down at his desk and began quickly writing a letter to Fenwick. Let's hope that Seramina Nott didn't take him to another exhibition today... then there would be a chance for a quick answer.
When he finished, he quickly tied the letter to Ifrenemis' leg and opened the window.
He pulled out some more parchment and began writing down everything he needed to remember about the plot. He has never handled such a complicated case. But he had seen his mother do it at her parties. Just be inconspicuous and strike.
Abraxas felt a little guilty for going against his father who told him that Malfoys should protect each other. But the more important lesson has always been - don't let anyone destroy your influence.
Anyone. So his father too. Abraxas gained a completely different position thanks to such toys, many heirs who distrusted the Malfoys slowly began to trust him, for example the twins Irena and Sebastian Longbotton. They were usually very anti-Malfoy. And at the party, the three of them were playing the new Quidditch game, and Irena was furious that Abraxas won two rounds. It was an advance in contacts and influence. And he couldn't let his own father sabotage it with his affairs. He can have any lover, but not the woman who is the source of Abraxas's influence.Abraxas had to be strong. He was a future Slytherin. He couldn't afford to lose his influence. It was the first time in his life that he would contradict his father and he was nervous, but it was the right thing to do. It's about protecting his interests.
Abraxas took several of the small brooms from his kit and set them to automatic circulation, watching them move as he tried to calm himself down.
He was a Slytherin and any Slytherin would do this.