Despite what he'd been saying this did sting slightly. The only sign he gave that the admission had phased him at all was that his lips drew slightly tighter, but if what Nico was saying was true Domitian was sorry for it. Not because he thought his son needed to become an animagus in order to succeed in life, or to prove himself, but because of what an experience he would lose out on. Domitian was fiercely proud of his animagus form (not least because of the connection to the maternal branch of his family, though he wouldn't admit as much out loud), and the nights he spent prowling as a jaguar were a refuge for him. The same feeling of uncomplicated freedom should have been Nico's birthright.

"Then don't," he replied firmly. "Pretend it bores you. Make them think it's too easy for you. Put on whatever facade you like."

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