"Hm," he grunted noncommittally, sniffing a little anxiously and trying very hard not to fidget. He didn't know how to handle these sorts of shows of emotion. It reminded him too much of his sixth year at Hogwarts. His assignment. His mother wailing at Lucius's feet when she'd found out.

It's an honor, his father had said stiffly, but all Draco could remember now were his mother's tears.