Pulling his school cloak tighter as he carefully made his way towards the Forbidden Forest. He'd passed along the message to his cousin. As soon as he'd gotten the reply from the Dark Lord, Silas had jotted a quick note stating time, place, and saying it was an order. He was sure the older boy would know exactly who had called the meeting and what it was about. Silas had only been able to give his.cousin a look when he'd slipped him the note as the passed each other in the halls. Just because they were Prefects together didn't mean he was going to change his seeming behaviour or habits.

After doing a round at the castle for his patrol, Silas had made for the forest. Not wanting to be late yet not wanting to be early. Late would get him pain from the Dark Lord. Early would get him a possible brush with death from a creature in the forest. Silas was a teenager that was quite content with the danger he was already in without adding anything else. Which was why despite the dress code the Ravenclaw was wearing hiking boots.

Every crunch of the leaves and snap of broken twigs had the Lestrange heir on edge. How could he not be? It was the second time he would be meeting with the Dark Lord and his first experience hadn't been a pleasant one. There was also that lingering threat the man had implanted in Silas' mind. He hadn't forgotten and doubted the Dark Lord would have. Silas had technically found what he'd been tasked. However since it wasn't doable at the moment he doubted that it qualified as accomplished.

Eyes continually moving, Silas stopped when he reached where he was told to come. He hoped that Draco would be on time and that neither of them incurred the Dark Lord's wrath. Curiosity made him wonder if it would be just the three of them.

When he’d received the note of the Dark Lord’s summons, Draco had been angry and frightened at the same time. He wasn’t sure if the wizard had heard of the spectacle he’d made of himself at the recent party, and he wasn’t sure whether the man would believe that Draco had truly done as he was told and broken things off with the evil man’s niece. It was hard for the blonde to decide what would be better for him. It was clear what he was supposed to do, yet he knew the Dark Lord had certain expectations. Did he actually expect Draco to challenge him for the girl? But he’d threatened the use of the damned Obliviator, and Draco wasn’t willing to wager Sky’s mind on a bit of luck.

No, he’d act the part of the broken hearted, since he was pretty much there anyway. After all, even if they weren’t out of love, they had to play the part for the public, and that meant much less time with his little snake and more time thinking about how easy it would be for her to come to her senses and realize how worthless he really was. She’d smack him if she ever figured out he was thinking that way, but he didn’t much care.

As it was, the blonde Slytherin perched in the tree that he’d fallen out of back when he’d first seen his girlfriend’s secret form. It was a fond memory, though this time he was much more careful about not falling over. Instead, he remained on his branch, watching for anyone showing up to this little soirée. He wasn’t left to his own thoughts for long, as his cousin soon approached the area and Draco found a grin growing on his lips. Sure, they were about to be in a world of hurt since they’d yet to come up with a solid plan to get the man into the castle, but they could have a bit of childish fun before it, couldn’t they? After all, neither boy had really had a childhood so it was better late than never, right?

Without further thought, Draco pounced from the tree and landed a little in front of his younger cousin, hoping he’d at least scared the boy a bit. ”So, are you ready to stare into the eyes of the devil and smile? Wait. Scratch that. Staring into his eyes is as dangerous as staring into Dumbledore’s. You haven’t done that, have you?” Draco thought back to the time the Headmaster had cornered him in the Astronomy tower and he’d felt the familiar poking at his mind. Good think he was used to shielding his mind all his life or he’d have been found out ages ago.

Draco worried about his cousin even if it hadn’t always showed. He actually cared about the kid, especially when they were getting along and working together, which seemed to be the case since they’d gotten it all out in the Armoury that fateful day that he’d cracked his skull and they’d come up with the vanishing cabinet in the Come and Go room plan. For some reason Draco enjoyed the older term for the room. Sounded more… mysterious or something. Whatever you called it, that room was the perfect place to hide a secret way for the Dark Lord to get into the damned school.

”Do you know if your dear mum happens to be coming with him tonight?” the blonde asked, trying to sound cool and collected, but shifting his gaze a bit nervously. He didn’t much look forward to seeing Bellatrix any time soon. If their ‘Master’ was mad at him, then that woman would be vicious. He didn’t much desire to lose his manly bits again, much less something worse.

His cousin raining falling from a tree scared Silas so that his heart sped up. Seeing who it was his eyes narrowed in anger even if he had to admit it was something he would have done. Had he not been anxious and going through his mind and telling himself to give nothing away. Checking his reaction, which was to curse his cousin to Hades and back, Silas stared. What did he say? Had he done that with Dumbledore? Eyes going a fraction wider before he clamped down on his turmoil and racing thoughts. If he were the type inclined to panic he would have done so.

Silas knew what his cousin was referring to. Just as he knew Draco had had lessons against that sort of thing. Silas hadn't and wondered what he would have to do to get his cousin to teach him. Not that he wanted the blond poking about in his head, but he doubted that he could learn the skill from a book. It would be best he keep from meeting the Dark Lord's eyes then.

Paling slightly at the question of his mother attending, je shot a scowl at Draco. Why did he expect Silas to know? Just because she was his mother didn't mean he was privy to her comings and goings nor her plans.

"There is no telling. I'm quite curious about that myself." Giving his cousin an amused look a dark smile shot to his face. "Still hoping that she'll take you under her wing?"

The forbidden forest. It had been a number of years since the tall wizard cloaked in a glamour to hide his snake like appearance had walked amongst these eerie old trees. So rooted into the ground one could nearly hear them speaking to each other if they paid enough attention. It was one of many reasons why the forest was forbidden. There were more dangerous reasons, of course, and Tom's alert dark eyes peered around as he stood waiting, invisible to those who were to meet him.

The Dark Lord's presence could usually be felt or sensed, as dark and powerful as it was. There in the forest however everything was dark and it cloaked his aura which allowed for him to go unnoticed even further than just invisibility could. He stood silently as first one arrived and watched, unmoving, as he climbed into a nearby tree. Tom could nearly here the thoughts racing inside the young Malfoy's mind, that was how clearly they were etched onto the aristocratic face that was so like the boy's father. His eyes shifted when the second arrived cautiously, eyes darting here and there as every rustle of the leaves and creak of a branch had him on edge.

Tom found this almost amusing seeing as he would be the scariest thing in the forest that night. He kept himself concealed, awaiting the final members to show. He had come alone, not one of his followers with him. Bellatrix had offered of course but Tom needed her to focus entirely and solely on her task. Observing the one who was her son now, he thought perhaps he should have invited her along. The Dark Lord was sure she would have found the conversation between the two cousins interesting.

Patience was not a virtue Tom had ever possessed and waiting while the two boys bantered like imbeciles did nothing to his thin amount of patience he did possess. Such fools these boys were to be talking so freely about such intimate details that no one should hear. Did they take for granted that they were in the forest where no student should wander? Did they not understand that in the silence their voices carried? Irate already because of the missing links, the pure idiocy of the two young wizards who ought to have known better made Tom narrow his eyes until they resembled slits and he dropped the spell concealing him from their vision. Not a second later and a crucio left his lips and wand aimed at the Lestrange heir.

Silas paled dramatically seeing that they were not alone. Possibly hadn't been from the beginning. The only reason that anger and betrayal didn't leap to mind was Draco's words earlier. That was all he had time to register before his world narrowed considerably. Pain exploded in his body so intense and consuming he was unaware of falling to the ground body contorting and convulsing on its own. It was as if every fiber of his being was lit with an unending searing pain. Silas had electrocuted himself once while looking over an associate's gadget when he'd sneaked into the mundane world. This was worse than that but the only thing remotely similar.

When he was released from the curse, Silas couldn't move. His limbs still spasmed and twitched from the residual effects. His breath came in huge gasps that hurt his throat from which an unwanted scream had been dragged from. Shutting his eyes and giving into the anger and hatred was not an option. While he couldn't move with the stabbing pains shooting through his arms amd legs, he'd be damned if he was going to be taken by surprise again.

They'd come to tell the sadistict bastard they found a way for him and instead the mad man had to uphold his threat from the bloody train station. There was grattitude. He could have shown his thanks by showing leniency. Silas wondered though if this was punishment for some other perceived wrong or if it just tickled the man's fancy to torture someone to show he was in charge and could and would cause you pain.

He was about to answer with a definite ‘no’ when the curse came at Silas and Draco felt his chest tighten to a point that he could hardly breathe. He thought about doing something, anything, to stop the cruel man from hurting his cousin in such a way, but knew it would be worse for both of them if he did that. Instead, the blonde stood there gritting his teeth and reminding himself to breathe as he watched his younger cousin writhe in pain.

When the Ravenclaw screamed, Draco closed his eyes and winced. He couldn’t help it. If the Dark Lord decided to punish him for this show of compassion, so be it. He knew the boy wasn’t nearly as used to such punishment as he’d become, and he silently wished it was him lying on the forest floor, gasping painfully in a heap. The younger boy didn’t deserve this. He hadn’t been the spoiled sod Draco had, even if he was a sarcastic prat to most of the world. He was a decent kid all and all. He wasn’t damned yet. What gave this man and the woman who birthed Silas the right to condemn him?

He was pulled from his thoughts by the arrival of his older cousin. The boy looked excited, which seemed strange to Draco. Sure, he was sadistic as all hell, but Draco knew he also had a lot to fear. He was at a point where he should be taking the mark and he’d likely be held to a higher standard with the man before them all. It looked like he realized this as his gaze fell and his arms crossed. So, all the cousins were on the same page then. Fear and loathing. Such was the life of a Death Eater’s son, right?

Draco looked to their ‘Master’ and knelt on one knee, bowing his head and muttering. ”M’lord, you spoil us with your presence. There is good news to share, however, as Silas and I have discovered a solution to the task you assigned us. Our apologies that we kept you waiting so long, but it is ready for your Halloween plans. Also, we are having a costume ball. No one will be recognizable, and an extra student or chaperone would surely go unnoticed as well,” he suggested, hoping the man wouldn’t see it as him overstepping his bounds. At least he’d have taken the focus off of Silas for long enough that he could get himself together after the curse. Maybe the two of them getting along wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Skyler didn't consider herself a fool, but sometimes even she could admit she was rather foolish. As she easily slid out of the common room unnoticed, the brunette told herself this was not one of those times. The teen was as prepared for what she was about to do as anyone could be, and having kept the contact, the time, and the place hidden from everyone except herself, Skyler was positive no one had caught on. And though Harry knew her plan, he also didn't think much of this part, and she was sure he wouldn't have expected it to take place so soon. Draco was a different matter altogether, and if she didn't return to the common room tonight in perfect condition, she would have a hell of a lot of explaining to do.

Those thoughts the girl pushed aside as she snuck out of the castle and onto the laws, pulling up the hood of her hoodie as she crossed them. Sky was sure that no one would see her, and once she fell into the line of trees that edged the Forbidden Forest, the girl ceased to exist at all. In her place, now slinking through the foliage that littered the ground with practiced ease and the natural stealth of a dangerous predator, was a jet black panther. Like always, it was impossible to tell where she ended and the panther began when in that form.

Nyx's extraordinary senses were especially helpful, ears pricking and picking things up that her human self could not. Her nose picked up scents like second nature now, even when in human form, but it was especially overpowering when the brunette became Nyx. Skyler moved swiftly and silently through the forest, completely on guard. She could feel the hair that ran along her spine stand on end the closer she got, and the panther picked up four distinct scents, three of which she hadn't expected.

Cautiously, she paced closer to the small clearing, and barely contained the irritated hiss that threatened to break free. What the hell were they doing here?! This was not part of the plan!! And the only plan B she currently had was improvisation, as she had been relying heavily on plan A. She stayed in the cover of the low bushes and darkness the forest provided long enough to get a grip on things.

On the inside, the girl winced when the Ravenclaw of the three boys was hit with the Cruciatus Curse, remembering her own time under that spell. She watched and she listened intently, only long enough to hear what Draco said. It was enough to hopefully turn the situation around for her and she shifted from panther back to girl in seconds, and she strutted confidently and haughtily into the the clearing.

There was no hesitation in her stride, no fear in her eyes or on her face, and she held her head proudly as she joined the three boys, not bothering to glance at any of them, though she positioned herself a good few steps out in front of them as she came to a halt, a smirk curling her lips. It was her demonstration that she was not there to be as a follower as the other three were. "Hello Uncle. It would have been nice to know we would have company."

The brunette greeted the man before her, eyes narrowing slightly. She knew why she hadn't been warned, but was sure that as long as she kept her eyes and mind off of Draco she would be ok. And he would too. While her stance was casual, her muscles were tensed. She wasn't going to be caught off guard again by him. But just because she didn't show it didn't mean she wasn't a ball of pent up fear and nervousness. She knew what was at stake and forced herself to remain calm and not give into those emotions.

Her smirk widened at the wizard across from her. "I delivered your message. And me and Potter have come to an alliance of sorts." Sky paused for a moment, allowing that to sink in because it was a vital point. "We also managed to uncover your plot to get into the castle, and Malfoy's and Lestrange's plan has a couple of flaws in it. Mainly me and Potter. We're in agreement that you're not getting into the castle until we've been made fully aware of the entire plan."

Skyler might look and sound like she were suicidal, and if she had been anyone else, she was sure she would probably end up dead within the next ten seconds, family or not. As it stood though, her own deal with her uncle and the fact that she aligned herself somewhat with Harry provided her protection that had her nearly grinning. Her uncle needed her to get to Harry, but he wasn't going to get to her friend without showing his hand. This time around, she was holding the cards. "Got to protect all the kiddies in the castle after all." The teen added on almost cheekily. Toeing the dangerous line that she was had adrenaline pumping her veins like never before, and she knew she needed to reign herself in a bit before she pushed last the point of no return.

"Fools!" The angry hiss carried in the clearing after he stopped his torture of the youngest Lestrange when he felt the boy had screamed enough and his eyes narrowed to slits on the older one who was finally making an appearance. Another curse was on Tom's lips but he found it interrupted by the Malfoy heir who took it upon himself to speak and thereby gaining all of the dark wizard's attention. "Do not try to fool me Baby Malfoy with your cheap tricks of false greetings." The man sneered threateningly.

He found himself raising an eyebrow and his eyes flashed between the Malfoy boy and the youngest Lestrange, his thin lips curling in a dangerously sadistic way. He wondered how soon it would be that the Malfoy heir would realize he might have just sold out his cousin, and Tom's eyes filled with a murderous glint as they fell back to the youngest boy. "How very, very, interesting." He commented and his tone was one that promised death while he addressed the youngest wizard.

"Do you not agree, Silas," Tom's voice caressed the name in a deadly fashion, "that your cousin's," He sneered while he hissed the word with venom, "words are at odds with your own?" The man paused and his intense gaze moved between the two, looking for a reaction that would give them away. He did not know what they were playing at and he would kill them without a second thought if they were putting his plans in jeopardy. "After all, your letter gave the distinct impression that your success in this task relied upon an extension of time."

Tom's nostrils flared in his growing anger. He had dealt with his fair share of deceivers and manipulators enough to know when he was being purposefully toyed with and he was prepared to make an example out of the child of his most devoted follower if he continued his dance of playing both sides. "That was only a taste of what you will receive should your meeting with the old fool of a headmaster be anything less than in my favor."

His sneer was almost permanent now. These wizards knew no loyalty. Knew not what they were working to achieve. Tom would love to punish them for being so inadequate if it weren't for the fact that the blame did not lie with them alone. Surely the three before him had some level of intelligence they were not showing but the true blame laid with that of their parents, himself, and Dumbledore. His frustration was mounting with how far the disloyalty and lack of pride in his ranks went but though Tom was no longer a mindless killing machine he would still kill without hesitation should he believe his target a threat to anything he worked towards or considered his.

His focus shifted when the final invited member strolled into the clearing without a hint of shock or fear on her exceptional face and with a confidence and pride that could very well end up rivaling Bellatrix. Tom's gaze found the Malfoy boy's face to judge his reaction. The man wanted to know if she had heeded his warning or if he would have the obliviator playing tricks on her mind. If she hadn't heeded his warning she was doing a good job of hiding it because she didn't so much as acknowledge the other three wizards.

His dangerously glittering eyes narrowed and he hissed harshly. The nerve of the sneaky little minx of a witch! His wand hand flexed around the wood it was wrapped around itching to put her in her place but he had to rethink the action for the first time. Their agreement put her in a higher place than anyone else in his ranks and she was not yet in them and from her words Tom gathered that she wouldn't be anytime soon. Not by her own free will.

Tom approached her and his dark eyes stared intensely into those strangely colored ones. There was fear. He could taste it on his tongue but the witch did a good of keeping her emotions in check and keeping him from seeing anything she didn't want him to. It wasn't infallible however and he saw her plans as clearly as if he had made them himself and needed not to hear her speak what hadn't already been said. She would be his crowning jewel when he was done with her. "Such pride and confidence you have young Skyler, for someone with so much to lose."

The man stepped back and his eyes observed the four who had gathered. Each had been chosen for a specific reason and each would play a vital role in the future. Yet only one showed the capability to play in the dangerous game they were in. The others were playing to just survive. This one played to conquer and it was an intoxicating notion to Tom.

Now that he knew her plan he quickly dissected it and tried to find a hole but for now even he had to admit it was a well thought out conceived idea. The man was aware that in previous years this would be reason enough to kill the witch, this was not previous years. Tom had always been a wizard who valued intelligence, cunning, and perseverance. Pride and courage. He was not a man who admitted to defeat. He was a man who could admit to a well played turn by an opponent in a chess match.

"Potter's tenacity for getting in my way is enough to ensure your plan will work. You will tell him he has no cause for concern for the students of Hogwarts. I will be entering the castle for the purpose of training and educating my future followers as that cannot be trusted to their parents." His sneer was back with an intensity it hadn't had before showing his disdain for the older generations who had neglected to educate their offspring. Something he now had to correct himself because none of them could be trusted to do so.

"As for the ceasefire, I am prepared to extend that to your wishes. Yours' and Potter's loyal subjects and allies shall not fear from me or my death eaters. Until our meeting during the holidays." Tom considered it a small price to pay for gaining Potter as an ally which was what he was working towards and the young wizard was a nuisance in the worse sense of the word. Regardless, the Dark Lord could not afford to alienate the young man any further than had already been done over his years of insanity.

The dark wizard was using this to his advantage, showing a side to himself that had not been seen since he was a little older than the four accompanying him. Tom was no idiot and he knew fear was not going to win this war for him. Fear did not grant the respect he both required and deserved. He was a true leader but in order to lead them he need them willing to understand and follow.

This brought his full attention to the eldest Lestrange boy. "Your father has assured me you will be prepared to receive the Dark Mark this summer. Your task is to draw up a list of those both worthy and useful as candidates to recruit when the time comes. Discretion is advised. Dumbledore has more than one way of knowing things he should not and his spies do not escape even the slytherin common room. Do not make the mistake of taking this task lightly. It is more important than you could understand and do not discriminate. If you bring me a list of only slytherin purebloods I will not be happy and your lack of intelligence to understand direction will see you in pain."

He waited long enough for the boy to give an indication he understood or to ask a question should he have the backbone to do so and then his eyes fell onto the youngest cousin again. "You asked me about a family with the surname Faye. There have been several death eaters with that name. None of which I value to the point I have any qualms about killing them. Should their offspring get in your way you will let me know. I will make sure Bellatrix handles it. Now, you're meeting with Dumbledore. Explain. And do not test my patience or get yourself killed by mocking my intelligence." He warned with a threatening flick of his wand.

Dimly, Silas was aware of the other two showing up but bit back a whimper as his body slowly got used to the agony. When Draco spoke he wanted to strangle his cousin. Did he not know that he was contradicting what Silas had written to the Dark Lord? In trying to 'help' he was actually hindering and going to get the Ravenclaw killed! The bloody cabinet was far from being ready! Maybe with the two of them they could get it ready and that was why he asked for time. Better to have more than not enough.

Getting to his feet he winced with the movement, his body protesting. Smoothing out his clothes and running a hand through his hair to dislodge any leaves or dirt. "A simple miscommunication, m'lord."

Shooting a look at his cousin to not help, Silas almost shrugged but caught himself in time. "I asked for more time because I am unsure of the state exact condition the item is in. It had an...accident and needs to be repaired. Draco might be more skilled at deducing the time it should take. I appologize if it seemed we were trying to deceive you. That was not our intent."

Swallowing thickly as he shivered and stamped down on everything to clear his face since he didn't want to misstep at all. Silas squared his shoulders since from what he'd learned it was possible that he might have been approached before he preempted it by sending the request. Knowing that it was a promise, the teen suppressed a shudder. He did not wish to feel another Cruiatus. Thinking quickly, he tried to find a way that his visit was in the man's favor.

And how lovely, Draco's yank of a girlfriend was also here. This was just becoming better and better and did the blasted woman have to go say something that would anger the man when his ire at the moment was focused on him?! Anger was quickly flooding Silas' system which he kept a hold of. Silas hadn't told anyone about the damn cabinet except Draco nor about the task. The blond must have blabbed to the girl. Eyes narrowing he hoped they both died slow deaths and plotted them even while betrayal burned away at him. However his shoulders did ease a bit when the Dark Lord was no longer looking at him but at the girl who Silas swears should have been put in Gryffindor.

Stuffing all his emotions into that box in his mind, Silas could not afford to let them affect him or for anyone else to see how he truly felt. He did feel a bit of excitement as well as resentment when the Dark Lord said he would said his mother to take care of the people. In his own mind, Silas basically took that to mean that since the family was disposable, he could do what he wished as long as he made sure none of it linked back to him. Not allowing the sadistic smirk to show, he neutrally looked at the man who was waging war on the wizarding world.

Biting back all the sarcastic comments he wanted to make, Silas settled for glancing at the wand then over the man's shoulder. Back straight as if he was reporting since he was in a sense, he stated, "During the Headmaster's speech at the start of term, I read between the lines. I decided to find out if it was true or if he was only offering his hand to the 'Light' or if this invitation was because of someone bearing the surname Riddle."

Silas didn't even glance at the girl and kept going. He already knew no matter what he said he was likely going to be feeling another round of pain. Even so, he kept most of his suspicions to himself about that meeting. "I've never spoken to the man before and wished to do so. I was curious how he got so many people to follow him and what it was exactly that compelled them to do so."

Draco hated the way the man called him a baby, as if it was his title. He also hated the fact that his girlfriend had suddenly appeared in the gathering, and she apparently had known she’d be there. He hid his shock and interest behind a bored, smug scowl. If all the ‘lord’ could offer him was some mocking remarks about how he was lying with his greeting and throwing his cousin to the wolves, well, Draco didn’t have much to give him either.

Silas had been an idiot to not warn him about the extension he’d asked for, since the blonde was still under the impression that he had to save face and convince their ‘lord’ that they would be prepared to deliver their task on time. Now he looked like an arse and his cousin looked like a liar. This was so not going well.

And of course, Skyler had to open her mouth and start spouting off at the man. Jeez. Was Draco going to have to gather the pieces of his girlfriend and his youngest cousin once this meeting was through? He wasn’t so sure either would survive the wrath they were incurring. He stood silently, listening to the words exchanged and wondering how the hell he might save the idiots surrounding him. Of course, Leyton would probably get himself shoved into that group soon as well. And where was that damned brother of his? Draco was sure he would have been summoned too. Maybe Luca would saunter in soon and take all the attention away from the rest of them for a bit.

For the time being, all the blonde could do was scowl and wonder how his life had come to this. Groveling in a forest while his girlfriend who wasn’t supposed to be his girlfriend egged on one of the strongest and darkest wizards in the world. Yeah. That was just where Draco wanted to be.

Sky was careful not to show any interest in any of the others. Her face was blank for the most part, and she tried to keep her mind just as blank. But she could recognize the intruding force pulling at it and did her best to keep things she didn't want known well hidden deep within her mind, refusing to drop her gaze or back down in any way.

The brunette was sure the boys considered her an idiot. And probably rightly so. But they couldn't know the things that had come to pass between herself and her uncle, and Sky knew to show any kind of doubt at this point would be considered a weakness she could not afford. It wasn't that she had a death wish, or that she were suicidal. It just wasn't in the teen to consider her fear in anything she did. She felt it, but she continued on in her reckless ways anyways. Always with what she considered was a well though out plan, of course.

She had to fight to keep the grin off her face, but even then a smirk appeared on her lips. Skyler - 1. Uncle Tommy - 1. Her plan had worked better than she could have imagined, minus the fact that she only had until Christmas to get her ducks in a row. That could prove problematic. Especially since she had no idea what that meeting would be about or how it would end.

Sky also had no way of knowing whether he was being truthful about his reasons for entering the castle. At the same time, she didn't see any reason for him to have lied about it, especially when she was technically speaking on Harry's half and she knew her uncle needed at the very least to stay on neutral ground with the Chosen One. She pushed that aside for the time being until she could speak with her friend about it. On the inside she winced.

Harry wasn't going to be pleased she had kept this a secret. And neither was Draco for that matter. The brunette would much rather pick a fight with her uncle than deal with either boy after this meeting. Her mind was working overtime, already considering possible routes to take now that she had accomplished what she had come for. All the while though her eyes followed the man's form and movements, her body tensed to spring if necessary.

With half her mind on her own plans, Sky continued to pay attention to the rest of what her uncle said. The Lestrange's were a powerhouse on their own. That definitely deserved some thought and consideration. And Silas needed help desperately before he got himself killed, but she couldn't think of anything at the moment. She decided maybe he could be approached after this. If he even survived that long.

"Lies!" He hissed out, spitting the word with venom and sending another round of crucio at the the fool of a young wizard who seemed to think trying to hide the truth from him was a good idea. That had never been and would never be a good idea. The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed to a dangerous point.

He was at the end of his patience with the teen and because his anger had been tested it took very little concentration to torture him. "Fool! Do you think me incapable of seeing through your attempts to keep the truth from me? Your manipulations and plans to dance on both sides of the line will only get you killed!"

Tom sneered at the youngest male, the killing curse on his lips. What use did he have for such an idiot boy? He cared not for the whimpering fool who saw himself clever enough to undergo a meeting with Dumbledore and think he came out on top, and who thought himself intelligent enough to stand before Tom himself and feed him lies.

The only thing that kept the boy alive was the arrival of his older cousin, who he also put under the cruciatus curse for a long moment. The dark wizard was through playing nice with the group of teens. If they wanted to push their luck with him then he would show them why those who did ended up dead.

"Ah, yes. The true Lestrange heir. I shall need to talk to Rabastan and Rodolphus. We do want someone worthy in that place. Bellatrix had assured her son was, but I find him to be an unworthy little parasite." Tom was angry, with very good reason. He had given the boy a simple task with his cousin and at first chance he slips off to Dumbledore who no doubt knew about it now. The object of getting into the castle was to train them. To provide them knowledge they didn't have about things they shouldn't even be trusted with.

Their parents had all vouched for each and every one of them. That they could be trusted once they understood. Yet one had already betrayed not only him but his family as well. The youngest Lestrange was putting each of his cousins in danger along with himself, because he fancied himself a grand manipulator. Apparently he did not know he had fallen prey to the best manipulator of all.

"You have ten seconds to remove yourself from my sight before I take your life young Silas. That is the most mercy I will show you this night. Your life, is your mothers. Be warned. Bellatrix enjoys to play with her food." Tom hissed at him, dismissing the boy before he did indeed kill him. He wouldn't take that honor from Bella. The Dark Lord had no place or tolerance for traitors in his ranks and if the young wizard wanted to throw his lot in with Dumbledore then it was better to draw the line now between him and the others.

His sharp eyes watched the youngest male take his leave as he addressed the Malfoy heir. "You will finish your task with the help from your eldest cousin. You will need to be extra cautious. There is no telling what Dumbledore found in your idiot cousin's mind, or what your cousin told him." The Dark Wizard now had an extra problem he did not have before. This frustrated him and his wand twitched again in his hand.

Tom's wand slashed through the hair and another crucio was shot, this time directed at the blonde boy. "Rumors have reached my ears Mr. Malfoy, regarding you. I do not allow my own death eaters to harm my niece. Did you think I would allow you to?" He hissed, his anger apparent. After a full minute in which he enjoyed every twitch and sound leaving the Malfoy boy, Tom ended the torture. "Leave. All of you." He hissed coldly and his tone silky soft and deadly. "Except for you, young Skyler."

It took Skyler every ounce of control she had to stay put and not defend Draco. Or Luca. Neither boy deserved such treatment or punishment. She supposed Silas didn't either. They were only teenagers for Merlin's sake!! The only thing that kept her from completely breaking her plan was the knowledge that if she interfered it would only make things worse for the boys in question.

Her uncle saw them as his followers, not hers. Yet. Soon, that would be clarified, and she wouldn't stand by and watch them be tortured. By anyone. The brunette was determined to make even a touch to a single strand of either boys' head punishable by death. That night had gone far in the way of making that happen. Unfortunately, her good luck seemed to vanish, and while the rest were dismissed, Sky was commanded to stay.

The teen did her best to not allow the panic growing inside of her show in any way as Leyton collected his brother and Draco. A very bitter and dark resentment built inside as she watched them leave. She felt more alone than ever in that single moment, and that didn't help ease the panic at all. Now, she was alone in the forest with a dark wizard who looked like he wanted to do nothing more than take his frustration and anger out on someone.

While the smarter part of her brain realized that it was a good thing the boys had escaped any further wrath, and was grateful that they had all gotten to leave alive, the other part of her was pissed that none of them had enough balls to stick by her instead of just leaving her there with this dangerously angry man. Bloody snakes. No damn backbone, the lot of of them.

Skyler struggled to get the panic seizing her under control, not willing to show just how terrified she was at the moment as she faced the man who was her uncle in some form or other. Pushing the outright terror she felt aside as best she could, the brunette looked at the man with indignant rage flaring to life in her vibrant colored eyes. The commons to stay behind gritted on her nerves no matter who he was, and no matter how afraid she was. Before she could stop herself to even think better of it, her righteous anger had her lashing out with a vengeance. "I don't take orders from you, or anyone else. I will come and go as I damn well please and if you want to kill me for that now's your chance because you'll never get a better shot and I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees."