I'm so glad this got remixed for the DD birthday celebration, because it gave me an excuse to read it -- don't know how I missed it before! I really love how you've developed the relationship between Lucius and Draco here, how Draco takes what he thinks are crumbs of affection, but how Lucius has politics and strategy in his mind the entire time. Very poignant with an edge of bitterness; also, hot hot hot like burning!