Long slender fingers gripped the acacia wood in a tight hold. Eyes that were full of conflicting and warring feelings were narrowed at magical item that was not behaving as it should. Why wasn't it perfoming what he requested? Jaw clenched, the prefect felt his control wanting to slip. That wouldn't do though. To give in to such a disdainful display that would shame himself.

His magic had been behaving...irregularly. If it deigned to work at all. He hadn't been doing anything differently. With what had been happening, the only courses he was having little trouble with was Potions, History of Magic, and Ancient Ruins. He would run out of luck if they got to the warding process. If his poor performance in the classroom kept up along with him unable to do any practical work, Silas was likely to lose his Prefect badge and fail his exams. He would have to go through fifth year once more. That was unacceptable.

The one blessed relief in this whole matter was that his head of house did not try and get him to confide in him. Realizing that Silas would not do such a thing, and would try and fix the problem himself. Or maybe it was all Ravenclaws? Whatever it was, he was thankful for it. Alone it would have to be. It wasn't something to write home about.

Dropping onto a seat and letting his head hit the desk, left arm dangling still looslely clutching his wand, Silas sighed. He had to figure out what was causing his magic to backfire or stutter out. "What is wrong with me?"

Skyler was exhausted. That was the only word for it. Between balancing friends and enemies, a boyfriend and an Alpha, school and Quidditch, the extra training she was taking on from both Sid and Felicity, and it was a wonder she even found time to eat, much less sleep. There were often days where the teen did forget such trivial things though, as she often skipped meals lately to spend the time doing schoolwork she had let pile up, or to practice the spells she managed to completely botch while in class.

All of this meant that the brunette's days started early, and ended well into the night. And even then, nightmares haunted her enough to the point where even if she did fall asleep, she could always count on waking up not too long after, covered in a cold sweat and a scream on her lips. It happened often enough that she had resorted to casting a silencing spell on the hanging around her four-poster to keep the sounds private. She already had enough to deal with without adding on the entire house whispering about her nightmares.

Of course, she only had them when she actually managed to fall asleep, which in turn only managed to happen when she was given no choice because of her lack of it. But even if she managed to get into bed at a relatively decent hour, it was then that her mind reeled, all of her concerns, and worries, and fears chasing each other around in her head in a never ending vicious cycle that kept her awake. There was also the added factor that the Slytherin was slightly afraid to fall asleep. Not just because of the nightmares, but because of the real, true, living and breathing reason for them.

Sky never let on just how badly Parkinson had scarred her, and there were some scars that weren't as visible as the ones made by that cursed dagger of hers. Ever since that fateful day, the brunette was afraid to sleep, for fear of waking to the feel of a blade carving into her skin again with her unable to move or defend herself. For fear of waking up to find herself in that same vulnerable and helpless position she had been in. It was both her greatest fear currently, and her greatest weakness as well. And it was starting to show as the lack of sleep was becoming apparent in the dark rings circling her eyes.

During the day, she could pretend it never happened, and even pretend she held no fear of the older Slytherin witch. During the day, she could pretend it had no effect on her. But at night, when she was alone with only her thoughts, it attacked her. The teen knew it was only a matter of time before either Draco or Harry or one of her other friends noticed the exhausted look of her, but for now she was doing a well enough job of hiding it along with few pounds she had shed from her already small form thanks to her lack of eating normally.

So it was with a big and tired yawn that the brunette entered her History of Magic class, and as she was rather early in arriving to it she hadn't expected to spot anyone else there yet. She was surprised to see one Silas Lestrange already in attendance, and the girl hesitated a moment, not sure whether or not to approach the Ravenclaw. She knew she probably should, even though what she really wanted to do was drop into a desk and take a nap while the ghost of a teacher droned on about goblin wars.

In the end though, she decided to take the chance provided her, seeing as they were quite alone thanks to arriving early and it was probably the only time they would be. Though, they didn't exactly have a good history when alone with each other, given their last run in, but Skyler liked to think she was a bit more informed now, and therefore more likely to hopefully demonstrate more patience instead of using her wand. Having seen the treatment he had received from her uncle, and now knowing who exactly his mother was even if she didn't know the woman personally, had helped the teen add two and two a bit.

There was also the fact that she did feel kind of bad for her actions the last time they had come face to face with each other. Really, he had caught her at a bad time, and his attitude hadn't helped matters. She could only hope that didn't end up the case here, but based on their history of coming to verbal spars, she didn't set too much by store of that. Sighing in resignation, Sky proceeded to drop into the desk next to the boy, giving him a curious look even though she was certain he couldn't see it, seeing as his head was on the desk.

"I'd say aside from your annoying habit of talking in circles all the time and your less-than-stellar attitude nothing much is wrong with you, but then, I doubt you were asking my opinion anyways." Though her words could be taken as insulting, she supposed, her tone lacked any real bite or venom to them, and there was a playful spark in her tired, violet eyes as a smirk curled her lips while she leaned back in her seat to stretch her legs out under the desk, taking a relaxed and casual position in the chair she sat in.

Silas didn't have to look up to know who that voice belonged to. The yank's accent was very different and distinctive as much as that french kid. That particular tone always belonged to this girl though. Whenever they crossed paths it was with that same attitude. It was a shame that the younger Ravenclaw had ruined what could have possibly been an association or even a friendship. Until of course she ended up in the snake pit and seeming to have proved some rumors he'd heard true. She was one of those kind of girls. His lip curled up in a sneer but just as it seemed like the barb was missing from her comments, he couldn't really muster up the energy to spout any vitriol at her.
 
Eyes narrowed as he sat up, Silas wanted to swear and curse that it had to be her that came in when he'd allowed himself to not be the epitome of a Pureblood. If he was near his mother she would hex him for having bad posture and allowing others to see it. Old habits died hard however and he replied with just as much heat as the Slytherin. "Can I help it if your brain shorts out and can't form complicated thoughts?"
 
Slipping his wand into the holster on his arm, the Ravenclaw was thankful that this was History of Magic and not a class that required 'wand waving'. If it was one thing that Silas had learned from his upbringing then introduction to his mother, it was that you never showed anyone a weakness. Potential or otherwise. One of the last people that he wanted to show that he was having trouble controling his magic, was the yank. Anger and burning humiliation still seethed throughout his veins from the last time he'd seen the girl and her uncle. His dislike of the girl kept growing and mutating into something that was bordering on hatred. It seemed that she was a spanner that kept getting tossed into the works causing everything to go pear shaped. She was a variable that he was beginning to loathe.
 
She was exactly like Potter. Everything she did, everyone knew about. She had her own little fan club and those that hated her on principle, just like Potter. The two infamous students were even dating if the rumours were true, which he didn't doubt. It was fitting that the two ended up together. Part of him had wondered if she was part veela the way she got the male populace to follow her around. Her, Weasley, Potter, his cousins both Malfoy and Lestrange, they all wanted to make him scream with anger. There were other darker thoughts that were becoming more and more frequent as time went on.
 
"As for your opinion, I wouldn't ask it since it rates about as high as the number of disasters that Longbottom causes just by existing." Eyes hard, Silas resisted the urge to give into fantasizing about the many ways to cause someone pain.
 
Giving her a once over he inquired, "What's wrong with you? He could have tacked on an insult about her leaving her quarters to meet up with certain wizards, but he really didn't want to go into that territory. It was also because he really was curious as to what could cause the seemingly infallible Slytherin to look basically run down and like shite.

Skyler couldn't contain the snort at his words even if she tried. "I wouldn't dream of blaming you for that." The teen replied good-naturedly, forgetting for a moment just who she was talking to. Though, she doubted even if she thought twice about it her reply would be any different. Aside from the fact that the boy's words seemed to lack the same venom her initial ones lacked as well, he couldn't have been closer to the truth.

With the lack of necessities such as sleep and food, her mind was definitely short circuiting. It probably wasn't a good thing either, considering all she was involved in, not to mention responsible for. Things were piling especially high on the brunette, and she didn't really have the leisure to let her brain take a break. There was too much at stake, no matter which way one sliced it, so having a lazy mind that didn't want to work wasn't going to cut it.

So the Slytherin forced the wheels in her head to start turning as her gaze looked over the Ravenclaw in the seat beside her. Were they really so different? Skyler found herself thinking back to that first time she had met the boy, and thought that, perhaps they weren't. Thinking even further on what she had learned since arriving at Hogwarts, she had to think it even more so. And maybe it was one reason they didn't seem to be able to co-exist very well. But even if they were completely different, there were definitely some parallels shared between them, and the situations they were in.

The teen wasn't one to really hold a grudge, instead seeking revenge. But neither was a course she wanted to take in regards to Silas. Mostly because their previous spats were childish at best, and just plain stupid at the worst. And to be completely fair, Sky knew she hadn't been in the complete right either time. She would be the first to admit that often times her impatience and temper got the best of her and wasn't a good combination for decisions. Atleast, not smart ones anyways.

Therefore, Skyler wasn't above admitting when she was wrong. But she had to wonder what the point would even be to do so, when the Ravenclaw looked at her as if she were the bane of his existence. So she wasn't very surprised that her opinion mattered so little to him, given the way he seemed to view her and their past meetings. One didn't have to be in his head to see the dislike on his face. But where normally the teen would feel some kind of need to defend herself against whatever made him so opposed to her, she was simply too tired to do so.

Instead, the brunette shrugged her shoulders uncaringly, a tugging on her lips, causing them to curve up into a small grin in spite of herself. "Sounds about right. I'd be disappointed if you ever did, as that would deny me the pleasure of receiving your cutting remarks instead." Was the playfully sarcastic remark she provided back for his efforts. It wasn't that she enjoyed being disliked, but by this time in her school career she was getting rather used to it. One couldn't please everyone, and Sky wasn't going to let his offensive behavior or comments towards her get under her skin like before.

"Interesting question you would ask, considering I'm sure you can come up with atleast ten different flaws and failings about me before even starting to think." The Slytherin answered with a roll of her eyes, though a knowing smirk curled her lips. She wasn't going to attempt to make the boy like her. If he hated her, then he hated her, and that was easily enough accepted. The teen wasn't sure exactly what reason he had to feel such an extreme dislike towards her as he appeared to, and she was sure she probably didn't want to know either. But at the very least, she could respect the boy for not pretending otherwise.

"I guess the real question would be what isn't wrong these days. Especially given recent joint meetings. Along with others you weren't present to witness. I'm inclined to think you would understand that in one way or another." Sky was honest with her response, even if she didn't go all out and give details. There were plenty of things the teen had to say to the Ravenclaw sitting next to her, and this was a perfect leading opening for what she had to say to him. But she was still a little apprehensive about bringing up the subject entirely. Regardless, the words were already out, and there was no time like the present to see where the chips would fall between them. While the teen was sure there probably wasn't any way for the pair to be any kind of friends, the last thing she needed was another enemy to add to the ever growing list she had already acquired. She could only hope it wasn't too late to fix some of the damage done.

As she talked, Silas had to give noncomittal hums to a few of her comments. His calculating and brown eyes never leaving her, assessing her. Suprise was what he felt whens he'd admitted that he was right. Of course she had to do it in her own way that came off as joking. His own mouth wanted to quirk into a smile but he didn't allow it. This was why he had followed her into the store in diagon alley rather than leaving her be like he would have done had she been anyone else. Her witty and sarcastic comments.
 
Yes, he could come up with more than a dozen just off the top of his head what he found so irritating aobout her. Silas had almost fell for the bait and replied, but he kept his own council, eyes narrowing. One of his many flaws was that he had insomnia which led to his irrational behavior at times. He had been trying to get that under control and had learned to an extent how to control and check his impulses. The years of sleep deprivation had become almost normal and his brain had adjusted to working on so little sleep. Still, it wasn't as if it was healty and his brain let him know by failing him at times. Such as his rashness in some cases.
 
At the reminder of the meeting with the Dark Lord, Silas felt that darkness flare up inside of him. All that negative emotions became like liquid lava coursing through him. Eyes glinting, he allowed his face to go deviod of all emotion, hiding his thoughts as he stared at the Slytherin. Silas didn't need to be reminded that he wasn't present for certain meetings nor that there were likely to have been others. Whether it was before or after his dismissal by the Slytherin's uncle, he did not know nor did he particularly care anymore. After he had calmed and had had time to think, Silas had decided that his being a survivor trumped what side he would be on. He would not only survive this mess, but he would live while doing so. If that meant that he would have to flee and appear a coward, then so be it. There were many types of courage and cowardice. He much preferred the saying, 'Descretion is the better part of valor'.
 
"Having personal problems are you?" He asked giving nothing away. "Paradise not how you imagined it would be?"

It was such a shame that the yank had changed so much since he'd first met her. He supposed that learning that your uncle was a homicidal maniac bent on world domination would do that to you. She was a pawn that would be caught up in this war just as suredly as all the other children that were from Death Eater families. Just as all magical children attending Hogwarts were. The only question was, did these pawns realize the potential they held or were they actually sheep and just waiting for their shepheards to come collect and direct them? Which would the Slytherin be? A sheep or a pawn? Would she stay a pawn or change into something else?

Lazily as if he had no concerns at all, he propped his arm on the desk, chin on hand as he thought about her last statement. "'In one way or another', huh? I suppose I would, but what would it matter to you if I did or not?"

Skyler watched in a sort of fascination as the Ravenclaw's face closed off completely, leaving nothing behind save for a blank mask which was devoid of any and all emotion. While the teen was getting used to seeing such things, especially with purebloods, and especially given which house she resided in, it never failed to captivate the girl.

Like always, the brunette found it intriguing, and oddly enough, admired the fact that people such as the boy before her could close off their emotions so quickly and with what seemed to be such little effort. It was a useful trade to have, though Sky wasn't nearly as disciplined as necessary to be able to pull it off. The Slytherin witch could pull off disinterest maybe, or even impassiveness, but even then, the vibrantly colored eyes always churned with emotions, usually giving her away. So for the most part, she didn't bother with masks such as the one the boy had on now.

It wasn't like she cared if people saw her emotions, as the teen was relatively good at controlling them for the most part. It wasn't like the rest of humanity didn't feel the same emotions she did, even if not for the same reasons and such. It was normal to feel things. It was a human trait. She supposed though, for some people, such as the Lestrange she sat next to, those emotions could be used against them. Could be a weakness of the highest sort. Sky knew this, because she had fallen victim to her uncle because of her own feelings.

But the teen was perceptive, so even though she couldn't get any insight as to his emotions and/or thoughts, it wasn't hard to relate the closing off of his face to her mention of their meeting in the forest with her uncle. And that alone gave away plenty enough, even without being able to try and read his emotions and thoughts. Clearly, the meeting was a sore subject with the Ravenclaw. Not that Sky could blame the boy. It hadn't exactly been a cup of tea for her either. Though she supposed he hadn't been around to see that part play out.

At his questions though, Sky couldn't help but laugh, his emotionless words having her shaking her head in an amused manner. Odd, that his lack of feelings should provoke them within her, but she supposed stranger things have happened. Hell, she had witnessed stranger things happen. "Nothing about my life these days is very 'personal', as everyone seems to know more about it than I usually do. And as far as paradise goes..well, paradise, by definition, is an idea, one concerning a place of perfection. There can be no such thing in a world of imperfection, filled with imperfect people."

Skyler replied easily enough, shrugging her shoulders with a bit of a grin as she looked back at him. "So aside from the fact that I would hardly refer to anything about life as paradise, I'd have to say that things are rarely what we imagine them to be. I'm more likely to think that sometimes they're worse, or better, than we imagine them. And on some occasions, some strange mix of both." The brunette was aware that this was a rather 'in general' sort of response, but considering she didn't really see what in her life he referred to as 'paradise', even sarcastically, it was the best she could offer him as an answer.

To Skyler, it made it seem like the boy had preconceived ideas regarding herself as a person, and her life. No doubt fueled by the many rumors circling Hogwarts that starred her and the spats they shared. While it did anger her to know that she was most likely being judged in such a way, by that time it was something she was getting used to. It certainly wasn't the first time she was being judged, and she was positive it wouldn't be the last time either.

Instead of dwelling on that fact, the Slytherin turned her attention to his next question, not phased by his non-concerned look. She knew him atleast well enough to know he wouldn't give anything away anyways, and for one, she didn't really think he had anything to give away that would be very helpful in anything she was currently tied up in. For another, Sky wasn't in to using people's emotions or problems against them. While the boy's actions seemed a bit paranoid to her, she couldn't really fault him for it, given his family and background, and given hers.

With a soft sigh, Skyler leaned back in her seat, meeting his gaze with her own, an honest look in them. "It matters because, the way I see it, we're all pretty much in the same boat. And despite our..differences, I don't take pleasure in seeing what happened to you happen. You may not care whether I do or don't, and that's fine. But I was hoping you would understand the significance of my own spoken piece at that meeting, and that I've managed to buy all of us a bit of..breathing room, so to speak."

It didn't come out exactly as she had expected it to, but her tone was truthful, if soft, and in the end, she had managed to tell him what she needed to. Of course, there was probably more to be exchanged in the form of words between them, as she wouldn't expect him to not regard her with suspicion. She could only hope that at this point, he would understand and except her explanation for her actions should he ask for one.

When the Slytherin had mentioned the meeting in the woods, the first thing Silas had wanted to do was lash out. So he had even if he'd done so without emotion which brought about her misunderstanding his insult or so it appeared to him. While he my be closed off and keep mostly to himself, he did have eyes, ears, and a brain to reason with. Searching through her answer and her amusement, he puzzled over it but only arched his brow in contemplation. He had nastily wanted to inform her that if she wanted to keep her personal life to herself then she should employ what had the hat sorting her to Slytherin. They were reputed to be 'sneaky', something clearly lacking in the common generation of snakes. It only proved hia theory. The sorting hat was on a bender when it sorted his yearmates.

"And yet people continually strive for perfection and continuously disappointed in the unrealistic ideal." His lip curled briefly in humor that didn't reach his eyes. It was a harsh reality yet people were made to hold out for such unrealistic impossibilities. Such as the upper echelon in both societies.

As for her answer to his sarcastic paradise question, he voiced nothing in answer. Partially due to the fact he didn't particularly care about her indiscretions with the male student pooulace. He was of a mind that as long as most things didn't interfere with him, he wouldn't bother with them. When events and things begin to leak over into his own 'personal' life, that was when he paid attention and assessed the threat level. Silas would try and figure out how it would hurt or damage him and if it couldn't be avoided, then to lessen the impact anyway he could.

Anger, fury, resentment, the almost hatred, and so much more had the muscle in his cheek twitch. 'All in the same boat?' They were hardly that. If they were then they would be either working together to save themselves or finding a way to lighten the load. Which in a way happened. Silas had been the first tossed overboard.

"Breathing room," he repeated softly tightly holding onto his emotions so they wouldn't spill out. Yet, he even so a bit of incredulity saturated his words. "Breathing room? And what I had tried to do before was what? Before my cousin," the word was laced with venom, "decided to 'help'."

Because Draco had to scratch an itch and the girl had decided to bed the ponce, here they all were. He did have them to thank for something though. To realize that he couldn't assume or rely on people just because they were 'all in the same boat'. Look how well that turned out with Malfoy. Two crutiatus curses and being discarded. That was fine though. Silas wouldn't make the same mistakes. He at least knew you didn't discard a tool just because you're displeased with it. You find another use for it even if it wasn't the original purpose of the tool.

"Before you, tried to help," he spat out. "I recall your little speech princess, and before you go about stabbing people that can be allies. You might want to inform them they are one or of what is to come."

Misinformation is all it takes to bring things crumbling down. Shutting his eyes to calm his seething rage and to keep from trembling with it, Silas breathed until he could shut the valve to his emotions down. It was hard with not only being a teenager, a Lestrange, and a wizard to top it all off but all three. At least he had been. A teenager he would still be for three more years unless his mother decided his life was forfeit. He had yet to owl her or have received a reply to the Dark Lord's threat. Again him being a Lestrange was at his mother's mercy. Silas wouldn't doubt she could have his father disown him. As to the last... His hand clenched and caused shame to flow through him. What good would he be if he didn't have magic? The muggle world was vastly different if the same on levels.

Silas may keep his information and words to himself, but he didn't throw someone to the dementers like Malfoy and the yank had done. Why should he trust someone even marginally who did such a thing? Why should he ally himself to such people? They made it clear that he would have to choose his own way. Maybe he should thank her. He had been on the fence about siding with the headmaster, the Dark Lord, or Potter. But seeing as how Potter and the yank were working together and disliking her methods, that ruled them out. The Dark Lord, whom Silas had thought much more of until their meetings he had with him was no longer an option. He had yet to decide about the headmaster but now he had a new path he might pursue. One which might be unavoidable if his magic wouldn't stabilize.

Skyler's eyes flashed with anger and annoyance spat his words at her in a venomous tone. He was insufferable, and he was completely unwilling to admit his own faults. It seemed to her that all the youngest Lestrange wanted to do was blame everyone else for his misfortunes. Unfortunately for him, the brunette was hardly in the mood to take the blame for someone else's idiotic choices.

"You are awfully quick to blame others for your own mistakes Lestrange. After all, you were the one who asked my uncle for an extension in time and then neglected to share that information with Draco, and that cannot be blamed on anyone but yourself." She replied cooly, gaze narrowing on her fellow year mate. Sky was aware that this was far from how she had hoped things would go, but then again, things rarely went that way anyways. "And as I'm sure you also blame Draco for me knowing about your little task, guess again. My uncle told me about it."

The boy was just irritating and infuriating to deal with all around. It was like he didn't have a shred of decency in his entire being, and like he was so intent on being bitter and self-pitying to his own life and circumstances that he failed to realize he wasn't the only one dealing with the same crap. Atleast he had had years to adjust to this crap and to come to terms with it somewhat. She had just been thrown into the mix with no understanding and no one to turn to.

He sat there judging everyone else, acting as if he was the only one who had any right to be angry or bitter or resentful. As if he somehow had it worse than anyone else. Was he the one being treated and judged like some social leper because of his last name? Possibly, given his last name was just about as notorious as her own. Was he the one who was getting carved up with daggers by psycho witches? No. Was he the one taking risks in order to try and save all their damn necks? No. Was he the one who had paid the price for it working? No. She had.

He was selfish, and he was a coward for not accepting he was at fault for his own decisions and actions, and Sky was not going to allow him to use her as a scapegoat. If he wanted to be bitter and resentful and self-pitying, that was his deal. She could just as easily be the same. The difference was that she would rather accept that this was the hand she was dealt and play the cards she held to the best of her ability. "Stab people that can be allies?"

Skyler laughed without humor, shaking her head, though her anger was still clear in her violet gaze as she looked at the boy. "I would need to trust you to consider you an ally, and I wouldn't trust you any further than I could throw your sorry ass." She retorted, bristling at his reference to her. "Let's get one thing straight Lestrange. I don't like you any more than you like me. In fact, I can't stand you. You act like you're the only one who has any right to be pissed about the way things turned out. Well guess what? You're not."

The Slytherin had had it with the Ravenclaw, sick and tired of his holier than thou ways and the way he seemed to blame her for everything that went wrong. "You weren't supposed to be there. None of you were. You think if I had known you all were going to be there I wouldn't have told you all my plan? You might not have if you were were me, seeing as that looks like how you go about things, but it's definitely not how I am. And secondly, the only reason I hadn't approached you or your cousins beforehand was because I wasn't about to go to any of you with false hope and not a sure thing. I had to make sure the plan wouldn't fall through before offering it to any of you as an option."

The teen turned away from him, looking down at her desk top with a glare that might have burned a hole in it. Her tone by this time was just as venomous as his had been, the girl indignant at his assumptions about her.. He was a complete hypocrite, judging her for not sharing her own plans. As if he could be trusted to know them before they were in action. He probably would've taken them straight to her uncle if she had mentioned them to him beforehand. He expected trust and respect but gave none in return, and did nothing to earn either. "If you want to go it alone because you believe, stupidly I might add, that everyone else is just trying to throw you to the wolves, then that's on you. You expect everyone else to come to you with things, instead of taking the initiative to find things out yourself, and then blame everyone else because you don't know what's going on. It's a two way street Lestrange. If you're not being told something, common logic tells you to ask about it. I'm not going to kiss your ass just because you want to use me as a scapegoat because you got yourself in hot water. I'm just trying to offer you a way out of that hot water. It's up to you if you want to stay in it or not."[/color][/color]

The muscle in the teenager's cheek twitched, the only evidence of his mounting anger and the minute slanting of his eyes. How was he to have predicted that Malfoy would go against the nature that Silas had come to know the last dozen years? The Slytherin had always done anything to save his own skin, sacrificing whomever in his way as long as he got what he want. After shagging the yank he was suddenly a sodding Gryffindor! Yes, it was his fault for not realizing that his cousin would do anything to get what he wanted. Or to think Malfoy's odd behavior would halt once on the train. His mother's punishment must have addled the blond's brain. It was the only explination for the personality change.

"I did the right thing!" He icily defended. "I had to do something! He was more interested in getting into your pants as soon as he could then the task. So excuse me for trying to prolong my life!"

While he'd been questioning and searching to see if that slytherin had been telling the truth about that cabinet, something Malfoy should have been doing instead of chasing a bird! One that was related to the Dark Lord. His cousin truly was a masochist. And this bloody yank! She just came strolling along as if this had been a game. She had been ignorant of how things worked, didn't bother to learn. It was the same with the Muggleborns and why they were scorned. She was ignorant and tried to force her ways upon them disrupting everything! So yes, she had to learn you tread careful within the snake pit as well as sycophants. He'd heard about her altercation with Parkinson.

That was another reason why he'd been furious and still seethed. She had been foolish. If you were going to challenge someone you should know them first. If you knew your enemy it was easier to predict how they would think and use it against them. She didn't do that. She, Potter, and Malfoy were all charging in with the finesse of a bull in a china shop. And yet because he had tried to learn whom his enemies were, he was punished and tossed away. His cousins who were beneath him were flocking to her as well. It was almost ironically funny. His mother had killed the black sheep of the Black family. And here it was that her own son was now the black sheep of the Lestrange and Black family. His cousin Sirius had opted for Gryffindor while he chose Ravenclaw.


While he'd done what was required, what had been demanded of him, his findings weren't even acknowledged. He had been forcibly recruited but he'd done what he could. At her laughter his eyes slanted a bit more. How he wished he could just curse her like her uncle or his mother would. Only he didn't even know if his magic would obey him or his wand. He sneered at her comment about trusting him. From what he'd witness of her, he wouldn't trust her. He would never acknowledge her as a leader.

"Really?" His tone was sarcastic and mocking. "I would have never known I was forced there by your pillock of a fuck toy! I was content to sit this out and let you lot go at it."

He'd asked for time and got a summons as a response. Did she think he was like the other sheeple that wanted to join the ranks? While he may yet not know where his loyalties lay, he did know some of them which were only known to him. He saw no reason to voice it to her of all people.

"False hope?" He laughed, head thrown back, shoulders shaking. That was funny! He couldn't stop laughing and had to clutch at the desk or risk toppling. When he coukd breathe his smile was false, anger still burning in his eyes. Lips twisting a bit maliciously. "You won't get far thinking like that. You'll lose your soldiers."

'Hope'. That was what people said inspired them. Kept them sane or emboldened them. Even false hope would have given her little army enough life to psyche themselves up. The other end of the spectrum was despair. That was what she gave them instead.

"No!" He snapped suddenly furious and wanting her to understand. "I expect nothing. I don't wish them to come to me. I have no desire to be a leader. I know I am a pawn. That's the difference between us." Just as he knew a pawn could turn into anything if used correctly.

His cold smile grew as his amuement did. Did she really buy that? If you weren't told something he had realized it was for a reason. Plausible deniability. Not being able to rat out your fellows like what happened when his parents were sent to Azkaban. How her head of house had been accused and many more. "I only ask if it doesn't make sense or I need more information."

As for his cousins, it had probably been done on purpose by the Dark Lord. Having the Lestranges there. Making them compete for his amusement. Knowing that there was strain there because of the inheritance conflict. Did the yank know about that? That it seemed that like everyone was trying to take everything from him, so he was allowed and vindicted to feeling the way he did.

Turning away from her and facing the front he wondered what it was like. Her thought process wgich led her to this. He was in it from the moment he had been conceived. From the time he was born, his guardianship being transferred to his Aunt Narcisaa and his parents' incarceration. He grew up learning his families history and what was expected of him. But she didn't know he hated anything remotely resembling a collar. He did not follow blindly. Silas may have chosen Ravenclaw but he was very much as Slytherin as his family. He had constantly been looking for other options. His choices had been the Dark Lord, the headmaster, or Potter. Potter was quickly dismissed after the yank began recruiting her male harem and that disasterous Truth or Dare game. Just as she had been. As for Dumbledore or the Dark Lord... Both had dismissed him as inconsequential.

Skyler had to work to keep both her temper and magic in check the more the Ravenclaw spoke. So often these days were both dangerously close to exploding, and the irritating boy was no help on top of everything else that agitated both. The teen had to ask herself why she had even bothered approaching him. Why she even cared about saving his worthless skin. Of course, he was Draco's cousin, and she supposed that could be passed as the full reason. But when she though about it, she knew that wasn't the only reason.

The brunette had done a lot of thinking over the restless and sleepless nights she had been having, and though most of it ended up being the same thoughts, worries and concerns circling in her head like vultures ready to pick her apart, there was one thing she had come to learn, an idea that she couldn't help entertaining, even if only in her head. She needed help, and the kind of help she needed was the kind of help that, after really thinking on it to the point where she could get past the offending nature that was the boy sitting beside her, he had already tried to give.

It was only then that Sky really understood how very typically Slytherin the Ravenclaw actually was. At least, from what she knew about Slytherins and him both. Which, she had to admit, wasn't much. Only a fool would deny he was intelligent, which was what the birdhouse was known for. But it was the type of intelligence he demonstrated that was more snake-like. He didn't seem the type to want to know things just to know them and say he did. He seemed more the type who looked for things he could use, and that was where she needed help.

While it pained her to admit it, even to her own self, the teen knew that regardless of how unfair it seemed or how pissed off it made her, this was the situation she was in, and if she was going to come out alive in the end, she had to be willing to admit her own weaknesses and faults. One of which was that she truly was a failure of a Slytherin, and while she had all the traits that typically made one a snake, she had a hard time honing the skills she naturally had to make it in the snake pit with little to no bites from the others. Ultimately, it was her need to survive warring with her need for independence, and walking the line between the two was getting more and more difficult as the days went by.

Of course, none of this even mattered really, seeing as they couldn't even get past the fact they'd both been wrong in some way or other. She was all prepared for admitting her own mistakes, but it was abundantly clear that he couldn't, and that was more annoying and offending than anything else, because he had no problem calling her out on hers. He was a hypocrite in the worst way, and it irritated the hell out of her. "I never said you did the wrong thing. Do you even listen to what people say, or do you have selective hearing? All I said was that it was your own fault you didn't tell Draco. And I suppose it's partially his as well, for not being there for you to tell, but don't go blaming me for him not being around. You can blame your other older cousin for that."

Skyler replied with a colder tone, having had it with getting the blame for everything and then having to shoulder the consequences for it all. Sure. It was entirely her fault that Draco decided to shirk his task. Who cared if she didn't know he was. It was entirely her fault that he didn't want to be with Parkinson. Who cared that she wasn't even around when he made that decision. It was completely her fault that he had been sneaking around with his cousin doing who knew what for who knew how long, therefore cutting down the time he should've been spending elsewhere. Who cared what that meant for her. No, so long as they all had someone to blame for all the wrong in their own lives...

The teen's violet eyes flashed dangerously at his reference to Draco as her 'fuck toy', hitting a nerve that had her fingers itching to draw blood from him with the claws threatening to extend from them, and for a split second, she could imagine doing it. But she took a small breath to regain herself, reign in her rage and keep her hurt from showing, though it was barely enough to keep it under control. "Whatever you think you know about me, you really have no clue, so I suggest you watch how you talk about my personal life, especially when you don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about." Her tone was soft, and eerily calm, like that which comes before a storm, and the warning and threat in it was clear. He couldn't have known just how badly that stung, considering that the real truth of the matter was that the blonde in question had meant the world to her, and in the end she was the one who felt like the fuck toy.

But Sky wasn't going to give him that satisfaction, and kept her pain at the remark hidden, and provided him no clearer information on the subject than that he was wrong. She didn't need too, and the brunette hardly felt it necessary to explain anything about her own personal life to him, or anyone else. It was personal for a reason, and if he was any kind of smart, he would keep his big trap shut about things he clearly didn't have heart enough to ever understand.

His laughter only further agitated the brunette, as it was clearly mocking in a cruel way. All the while the teen kept her burning gaze on the desk in front of her, gritting her teeth while he had a laugh at her expense while she struggled to keep ahold of her barely there control. Instead of focusing on his cutting words, Skyler focused on smothering the rage she felt burning away at her insides. Utilizing what her mother and grandmother taught her, the Slytherin put on a carefully constructed mask of indifference, hiding the pain, hurt, and anger beneath it. Those things could be dealt with at a later time, and would only make things worse at the moment. It was clear the boy was taking out his inner frustrations and anger on her, and the Slytherin wasn't going to repay the favor. She was better than that.

It was a relief to find that once she had closed herself off to the emotions, it was easy to focus instead on what he said, rather than how he said it. It was easier to push aside his mocking tone, and the bite to his words, and in the end, the teen merely shook her head at him. "My soldiers?" She replied quietly, gaze drifting off to the front of the room, irony filled smile tugging at her lips as she chuckled lightly. "I'm not building an army Lestrange. All I'm trying to do is get myself and everyone else out of this alive, and I'm doing the best I can. Unlike you, I didn't grow up with this mess. Expecting it. Living it. I'm not you, or Draco. I came here and got thrown in, and was expected to either sink or swim. So I'm terribly sorry if so far my best isn't good enough for you, and I'm sure you'll excuse me for not caring what you think or say about me, as both are completely biased at best."

Rolling her eyes, the teen shook her head again. It was ironic really, that he judged her so fully not knowing anything about her. Of course, if she were being honest, first and second impressions for both of them hadn't gone very smoothly. But hadn't she been prepared to admit her fault in those? And all he wanted to do was attack every piece of her he could. He hated her, and she got that. She could even understand that he pretty much hated her for everything she stood for, if he even knew what that was, which was doubtful, considering he seemed to know only secondhand information about her, and the rumor mill wasn't exactly kind to her. But the truth was, at least she stood for something, and had made that decision on her own, regardless of what anyone else said or thought.

[color=green]"Just so you know, you're wrong. About a lot of things, but mostly about that being the difference between us, because I don't want to be a leader, and I'm not trying to be. But I don't have the luxury of choosing, because I can't be a pawn, and sit back and watch while people get tortured in front of my eyes when they didn't have to because I could've done something to prevent it. All I'm trying to do is give people a choice that doesn't involve being tortured to near insanity or dying for something as stupid as a miscommunication."

Skyler's tone was hard, and cold, but her face remained indifferent, her eyes distant. He wasn't running on full mental capacity if he thought she wanted any of this. If he thought she didn't already know that it was going to take more than luck to make it out of this in one piece. What he knew from years of this war and going to school with all these people, from growing up in the midst of it and being taught, she was trying to master in between everything else she was doing to try and stay alive. But instead of even giving her the benefit of the doubt and a chance to prove herself, he just counted her out.

"Do you think for a second that I don't already know that I'm in a position where any mistake, big or small, could mean the difference between life and death? You're not the only one trying to survive, but the real difference between us is I'm trying to keep people other than myself alive too. I'm trying to play catch up with the rest of you while at the same time taking crucios. Don't presume to think you know anything about me, because from what I can tell, you know nothing. And most likely won't, since you seem content to sit on your pedestal and judge everyone based on your own bias misconceptions and skewed reality."

Silas merely sent a blank look at the girl for the comment about his cousins. He'd heard the rumors and didn't care to varify them. Partly because he believed them. As sick as it was, and much as he disliked and looked down on his Uncle Rabastan's twins, Silas had admired Leyton. The Slytherin took what he wanted. If he wanted something, he got it. It was above the weak way Draco had tried to go about the same. He didn't know much about Luca as Leyton had always been labeled the bigger threat.

Yes, he'd been wrong. He had learned from it and would not be repeating that mistake. It had cost him and he'd lost. While he was slightly cracked, he wasn't so far round the bend to know it would be insanity to expect a different outcome if he did the same thing over and over again. She didn't need to know that he'd admitted it to himself. One did not show weakness while in the company of others. Especially while vulnerable.

Vidictive satisfaction showed for the tiniest fraction when he saw the reaction he'd gotten at the slight towards Malfoy. A thrill went through him which he'd stifled. That whole situation was something of a gordian knot that he did not want to attempt to figure out. Nor was he going to go about it the Alexander way. But he felt giddy at her declaration and underlying threat. A threat that Silas knew Skyler was fully capable of fulfilling.

While he only gave a grain of salt to most rumors, Silas did not stake everything on them. He judged by what he saw and experienced first hand. What he knew of the girl was what he'd gathered through his altercations with her, her influence upon others such as Malfoy and Potter. How she'd behaved at that disasterous attempt of a 'party'. How she looked now and the fact she hadn't gone to cut open another vein. He supposed he should count himself lucky she hadn't gone fora n artery or he would have taken that as an attempt on his life and acted accordingly.

The girl was sarcastic, had a quick wit, and smart. While she may not admit it, she was quick to judge as well. She had done so to him in the quidditch store. Just because he said he wasn't against hitting a girl, it had been delivered as a warning. He did not hit people for being annoying brats! Yet, the yank had decided then and there that he would have. And he'd responded in kind because as soon as she'd known his blood status there was that look. It had infuriated him. The first person he could have befriended on his own merits. And that pipsqueak had to go and push buttons that didn't need to be pushed.

Then to find out she wasn't on holiday but a fellow student. He'd seen Draco's interest and had to fight the childish anger, jealousy, and resentment when it appeared she returned it. Draco was a bigger and more egotistical prat than he was. And yet once more it was the ponce who was deemed worthy. At the time Malfoy had yet to show a backbone and rely on more than threats of Lucius' clout.

As a favor he'd gone to her. To see what she knew. Finding her lacking in basic knowledge had him irritated but what got him angry was her dismissal. Silas had warned her. She hadn't heeded him in her stubborness to do things her way. She didn't want his advice and she had paid for it. If she had listened or bothered to learn about their culture, how the European magical world was, it might have been avoided. Did she never wonder why Slytherins never ventured by themselves but traveled at least by twos?

Yes, he'd been disapointed and shocked to find Malfoy and her had slept together. Silas had meant it as a barb when he'd insulted Draco in the armory. The blond's reaction told him it wasn't speculation. The teen had wondered why he felt like he did upon the discovery. It was because he had hoped she wouldn't be like the other girls who tried to get into the beds of those with Pureblood names. He had found her as entertaining as much as infuriating. She was able to do what no one else had been able to. She made Malfoy grow a pair and stand on his own two feet.

Bringing his hands atop his desk, his right index finger ran across the scar on his left wrist. He hummed an affirmative at her comment. Eyes taking on a calculating look as he gazed at her. Whether she knew it or not they were her soldiers. Skyler could dress the phrase up any which way she chose. It wouldn't change the fact that the truth was these students were hers. She had the charisma and power. She had a reputation and if she wanted to, which was a toss up at this point in his assessment of her, she could use her surname.

"Could have fooled me." Anger spent, Silas regarded her with a sombre expression. Ignoring how much he wanted to sneer at his cousin's name. He had to bite down his snap back about she had done it to herself. He had tried to help her and what he got in return was the scar on his wrist. Mockingly, he raised his shirt cuff so it was visible and arched a brow. His only accusation to her tirade. Didn't bother to point out the same could be said on her end about him. A bit of approval did force a hint of a smile. Now if only she could apply that on a broader scale to include her minions.

Brown eyes darkened before Silas' mouth quirked. Was that a jab at him? A return for insulting her precious Malfoy? Point for point. Placing his cin on his hand he contemplated what she was saying, reading between the lines. Hearing what wasn't spoken. Too drained to bother with how annoying her last bit was. Like she was any different? He saw and knew enough. Yes, he was still learning about her while at the fringes. Which was why he knew something she didn't. The benefits to being on the outside looking in.

"Disregarding the fact that you're as much of a hypocrite as I am,". He flashed her a look that stated he knew but didn't care that he himself was one. "And know even less about me than I do you. You've stated why you are a leader and have an army. Acknowledged or not. Whatever you want to call them."

While he disliked the fact that Riddle had thrown away what could have been not friendship, but at least acquaintanceship; he loathed Potter more. So this actually put him in a rather better mood. Hopefully, she would listen to him this time. Maybe she would also understand why he didn't 'go to someone'. Maybe he'd been waiting for the right person to confide and trust in. That he could acknowledge and follow. As of yet, there was no one he would play soldier for. To die for at the drop of a hat. It was one thing to be loyal, but another to be blindly so. Like so many of the puppets and sheep in the wizarding world.

"Hear me out before you curse me or decide to ignore my advice. Again." Wording it in his head he hoped he could get the gist of it out before she attacked him. If she did, she'd learn about his basically being a Squib. He could lie about not defending himslef but she would know it was a lie from their first meeting.

"You don't want to be a leader. But you are not shirking the duty. As you said, you are thinking of everyone, not just yourself. Or those that are in your circle." His tone clearly stated he didn't understand why she would do such a thing. If their positions were reversed, he would not have considered her into his equation.

"By your appearance you actually care. And from what I do know from observation, and you've said yourself, you're actually trying to find a way."

Now how to voice the next bit without her tearing into him? She'd been upset about Malfoy, how would she react to his words against Potter? He found that particular relationship very amusing. The wizard 'savior' and the Dark Lord's niece. While Skyler would have made a perfect Gryffindor, he had to admit that these dealings with her uncle and Potter gave at least a little credence to why she was a Slytherin. He supposed that she would like the truth. Truth as an observer rather than his 'skewed' version.

"Potter couldn't lead his way out of a paper bag." Hmm, maybe he wouldn't be able to voice his opinion without his irritation showing. Settling his shoulders he continued. "He doesn't have the charisma you do. He doesn't know how to talk to people, despite his fan club."

Silas' first introduction to Potter was during the Heir of Slythrin fiasco. He hadn't been impressed then and his opinion of the Gryffindor had only declined steadily since. Potter had clout, respect of wizards because of his name and parents. Yet he used none of it. And let his name be ruined and run through the mud. He chose his allies poorly, and when it came to it,a selfish pillock and not that smart. He could dress it all fancy and claim it as selflessness when it was ignorance, luck, and favortism.

"He only thinks about himself and on occasion his "friends". He doesn't look at the wider picture only what's in front of him. His rivalry with Malfoy is case in point. He is blind to anything that doesn't fit his views."

His eyes glared daring her to make a remark of how it sounded as if he was talking about himself with the last comment. "People will only follow him as long as he's in good standing with the press. He can play leader all he wants, but it doesn't do any good if you don't have a brain. Or leadership ability. And a teacher does not a leader make."

He smirked. Riddle as Potter's brain was verry funny. With their alliance people would look not to Potter but Riddle. He would wager the broom his mother gave him on that. Potter was still a puppet. He had yet to become a real boy. Although it did seem like he was trying to be one.

The moment he rolled back the cuff of his shirt to display the scar on his wrist and her curious gaze at the action realized what exactly he was showing her was, Skyler reached over and grabbed his arm, pulling it to her for a closer look and not even thinking about his reaction or the face that she was sure he wouldn't like her touching him in any way. The look of impassive indifference that had been on her face was replaced with what could only be described as shock and horror as she gazed at what she had done to him. Merlin. She had scarred him.

For most people, it wouldn't be so surprising, or revolting, to know they had done something like that to another person. But Skyler wasn't most people. And even if there was a small flash of satisfaction in her eyes as she observed the scar on his wrist that she herself had put there, it was quickly replaced with remorse and guilt, and disgust. Disgust at herself.

The brunette knew firsthand what it was like to have a scar, and to be reminded every time you saw it what had happened that had you walking away with it in the first place. To be constantly reminded of the person who had managed to give it to you. It was a constant reminder of defeat and failure, and even if that wasn't truly the case, it was how you felt when you saw it. Skyler knew, but she, of course, had her own. And it wasn't something she would wish on anyone.

Merlin. Was she really like Parkinson? Without thinking, the Slytherin ran a finger over the mark she had created on the boy's wrist. Sure, she had dark thoughts sometimes, and yea, she was plotting the ultimate revenge for Parkinson. But that was different. Wasn't it? The older snake deserved it for what she had done! There was a huge difference between what Parkinson had done to her, and what she had done to the Ravenclaw. She hadn't meant to scar the guy! But that didn't really matter did it? Because the end result was the same. It was no wonder the boy hated her, if he felt even half as strongly towards her as she did towards Parkinson...

"I'm sorry." Skyler apologized, her tone remorseful as she pushed his arm away gently, averting her gaze, too ashamed of her own actions to meet his eyes. "I know it hardly makes up for a daily reminder, but I am. And for the record, I would've apologized for it whether you had the scar or not. I already regretted my actions that day.." The teen trailed off, shaking her head slightly, knowing an apology could never make up for something like that.

"If it's any consolation, and even if they weren't by your hand, I've got my own. Though I suppose if you want to deal some yourself you can either get in line or take your best shot. Everyone else seems to be." The Slytherin told him with bitterness in a dark murmur. Part of Skyler felt she deserved what she had gotten and was getting. The other part was sick of being a target and was often enough lately prepared to return the favor.

The line between being strong and protecting herself and being who she naturally was was becoming thinner and thinner with every passing day, and together with everything else it was waring the female down. Sid had warned her there was no turning back, and that those things she had considered her better traits were lost when they had begun their training. When she had begun to think like a predator in order to keep from being prey. But Sky had been determined not to lose herself in it, though at times she felt like deep down she knew it was only a matter of time before something pushed her over the edge.

Everyday was a fight to control the urge to just let go of everything she was, and it wasn't easy. The worst part was she had no one to express this to, because she knew what they all would say if she did. There wasn't anyone who could understand, and besides, everyone else had their own problems and bigger things to deal with. No one needed to deal with hers, and she was convinced that she could continue walking the line, no matter how thin it got. She had to.

"The truth is, I wanted to say sorry about that for a while, but, well, you know. You're not exactly the most approachable person in the world. And well, I've been busy too, but I guess neither of those are really good excuses now that I've said them out loud..." The brunette trailed off sort of unsurely and awkwardly, tilting her head at him. "You tried to help me. And though it was in some completely ridiculously backward way, and though you clearly lack the social skills to make it actually seem like you're trying to help, I eventually realized it. And I appreciate it. So thank you. For trying to help in a completely unhelpful way."

So maybe she had rambled a bit. And had possibly given the Ravenclaw license to mock her for a good long time, if not for the rest of her life. At least she had gotten out what she had needed to say, and that's what really mattered. And in true Skyler fashion she had managed to add in a barb at the end. A hint of her trademark grin flitted across her lips at that thought, even as she kept her eyes on the desktop in front of her.

The teen would have liked to point out that at least she wasn't actively a hypocrite, unlike him, and that she didn't know when she was being one and as soon as she realized she was she aimed to fix it, unlike him. But the look he sent her told her he didn't care that he was one anyways, which took the wind out of her sails, and she ignored the topic completely, choosing to remark on the more important things rather than argue with him over who was the bigger hypocrite and why. "Army? What army? Are you completely mental? I have friends. Like..five. That isn't an army. And it doesn't matter either way because I'm not a leader. Most of the people here either hate me or fear me. People don't follow people they hate or fear willingly, and I wouldn't force anyone, even if I was a leader. Which I'm not."

Skyler said this in a tone that said this should have been obvious to the Ravenclaw, though she nodded her head in acquiescence to hearing him out. Of course, she couldn't resist rolling her eyes at him. He was never going to let that go. The brunette was itching to tell him that it helped when you know the person trying to help you was actually trying to help. Not hinder and sabotage you. Fortunately, maybe for both of them, he started talking again, and it was clear by his tone that he didn't understand her reasoning behind what she was doing.

Shrugging her shoulders gracefully, the teen kept her eyes on the desktop, not bothering to look over and see the mock in his eyes that would most likely be there when she said what she was about to say. "It's petty to let anyone suffer just because they dislike me or I dislike them." It was true. Just because people didn't like her or because she didn't like them didn't mean they deserved to be left to die or be tortured. Except for Parkinson. She was a special case. The point was, people weren't obligated to like her, nor she them. But everyone was entitled to a life, and to live it how they wanted. That was how she saw it anyways, and it might have sounded a little naive, but Skyler was anything but that.

The Ravenclaw was perceptive, she would give him that. The brunette couldn't help but snort at his remark about Harry not being able to lead his way out of a paper bag. It wasn't that it was funny, really. It was just the upfront way he said things sometimes was in stark contrast with his constant, and infuriating, way of speaking in circles. The teen would say this for him though. He never sugarcoated stuff, and it was something she could respect her year mate for. Though her immediate response was to open her mouth and defend her friend, and current boyfriend, Sky closed it again. She had promised to listen, and to hear him out. So she would.

The Slytherin would have loved to make a snide remark about how Harry wasn't the only one who was blind to things that didn't fit his views, but instead decided against causing an argument that would likely lead to a migraine or spilt blood and gave a surrender motion with her hands to his pointed glare, even though she did grin a bit knowingly. This, of course, was followed by shock, as he have her something akin to a compliment. At least, she thought so. One could never really tell with Silas, but she supposed it was as close as one would get. Though it sort of came at the expense of her friend and boyfriend, so she wasn't all too sure if it was a good thing.

She mulled over his words silently for a moment or two, trying to consider them not from a friend's point of view, but from an unbiased point of view. She had to admit he had a point. Harry was rather...judgmental. She had been an the end of that particular trait already once or twice herself. He also had did have trouble with seeing the big picture, and unlike Sky, if he didn't like someone or if they didn't like him, he hardly found them worth the time to be seen as useful or helpful, or even worth speaking to. The current conversation with Silas was proof enough that the brunette could put her own personal feelings aside in favor of the bigger picture. Harry didn't operate the same way.

But what was the point of any of this? Regardless of what Silas was saying, Harry was a leader. He was the leader. Skyler was just...well, she was like a co-captain or something. She'd have been fine with the Gryffindor being the only leader, if it wasn't for the simple fact that the teen simply didn't do well when it came to taking orders from other people. When it came down to it, she would rather be responsible for making her own choices and decisions rather than carrying out someone else's. And strictly speaking, the Slytherin didn't trust anyone else to make choices for her. She was also much too stubborn to let anyone tell he what to do or how to do it.

"Even if you're right," she started out slowly, choosing her words carefully, "me and Bolt work as a team. What one lacks, the other sort of makes up for. For instance, if he doesn't see the big picture, I do. So what exactly is your point to all this?" Skyler gave the boy a curious look, wondering just which can of worms she had opened this time.

To say that he was surprised would have been an understatement. His only reaction to the apology had been an arched brow. If there positions had been reversed he knew that more than likely there would have been no apology. Because at the moment that it had happened he would have meant to cause harm. Just as she had. Unlike her though, he would not have regretted his actions. Unless it somehow ended up negatively such as his decision to withold information from his cousin and not explaining the situation satisfactorly. As for her scars, he'd heard about that. While he believed that Riddle needed to learn a lesson, he wouldn't have given a lesson that resulted in something like that. What Parkinson had done was petty, cruel, disgusting, and unbecoming of not only a lady, an aristocrat, but it was actions like that that gave the Purebloods a bad name. Acting on jealous insecurities.
 
"I think I've already had mine, thanks." He replied not interested in the slightest of showing her that he would't be able to attack her even if he wanted to. It wasn't something that would win him any favors either. There were too many people that would bay after his blood if he so much as touched the girl even with her permission. Silas would rather avoid any more scars and bodily harm than he'd already received this year. Saying sorry also admitted to wrong doing. It was a weakness.
 
He did have to disguise his small laugh at her admitting that he'd tried to help her. He agreed that he wasn't he most sociable person so his social skill were lacking. Even with all the ettiquet classes that he was put through, he disliked most people so rarely spoke to them let alone interact with them unless he had to. Silas had caught her comment and thought for just a moment it was almost like when they'd been at the quidditch store. They'd traded sarcastic comments and slight jabs at each other. Although then it had been in fun whereas since then it had been meant to hurt.
 
Actually considering her question that was in all likelyhood rhetorical rather then an actual question, his lips twitched. Should he answer that one? It was a question he had wrestled with more than once and had not only him but other questioning his sanity. There was not only Lestrange blood flowing through him but Black as well. And well, his mother's side of the family wasn't exactly known for being sane. Maybe she didn't want an honest answer to that? He was sure that someone had already voiced their doubts to her about his mental status. He shrugged lazily. "That's how most soldiers start out viewing their commander. They need to know that their commander will enforce the rules and not let them get away with insubordination. It begins with either fear or hatred which might in time morph into grudging respect."
 
It was obvious that the girl wasn't going to admit that the Gryffindor was a lousy leader and should be relegated to the common ranks. Either that or set up as a puppet head like the wizard world had already done to Potter since he was a toddler. Giving the Slytherin a look he sighed. This would get them nowhere. It wasn't likely that she would see what he was driving at. Nor was she the type to acknowledge something until after the fact. She was too emotional in regards to the Gryffindor. Narrowing his eyes he wondered if that was how his mother had viewed him upon their first meeting. That would explain why he'd come up lacking. And he admitted that he'd let his anger get the best of him. Just as he did with the Slytherin.

"Just becareful that it doesn't get you killed because you're allowing Potter to stay in the postion that he doesn't deserve. As far as I've seen, he's not someone I would ever follow."

Nothing the Gryffindor had done had shown leadership qualities. Oh, training others but allowing his grudge against all thing he considered evil (Slytherins) was not a proper leader. If he was, he would have set aside his dislike for the house and invited them as well. The hat had said they needed unity and Silas did agree to a certain extent. Something that Riddle obviously believed in from her little gaggle of followers. Another example was that she was willing to extend an apology to him and even told him at the begining of their conversation that she was willing to try and prtotect him as well. Someone that she disliked and had good reason to hate. Her little Gryffindor wouldn't have done the same. In fact, not once had he ever apologized to anyone he'd wrong save Granger and his tag along that wished he were Potter rather then a Weasley.

"I suppose that's my point. If you allow Potter to continue to pretend to be king, he'll cause more damage than if you have him step aside."

If Skyler were surprised by the lack of response to her apology or thanks, she didn't show it. To be honest, the teen hadn't expected any reaction really. Her short time at Hogwarts and her brief encounters with the boy told her not to expect much from him aside from what she were currently getting. Of course, currently he was at least being somewhat civil. When one compared it to their previous meetings. So that in and of itself was quite a miracle, and, Sky hoped, a step in the right direction.

The brunette also knew, from her time that summer spent with both her grandmother and mother, that he would view her apology as a weakness. It was something they would always disagree on. The Slytherin witch didn't find it weak to admit when one was wrong. She viewed it as a strength. Not only did it mean she had a conscience (no matter how twisted it was becoming), it meant she was fair, both to herself and to others. People who didn't admit when they were wrong ended up like Dumbledore, and her uncle. They started out knowing they were wrong about things, but considered it a weakness to admit it to anyone but themselves, and so pretended otherwise. Eventually, they started to believe their own lies. Believe that they were actually right. They became cold, heartless monsters who new nothing but power because they refused to admit they had faults for so long that right and wrong blurred and eventually ceased to exist for them.

Skyler had no intention of ever ending up like that, and so if some had to consider her weak for it, so be it. The teen believed and knew otherwise, and besides, everyone was weak, in their own ways. No one was without faults, or weaknesses. People like the Ravenclaw beside her were only fooling themselves by thinking they hid the fact that they had them from everyone else. Not to mention that someone who owned up to their faults and weaknesses stood a better chance of being prepared for when someone attacked those particular traits than someone who pretended they had none. It was the number one rule of any battles, war, or fight. One always went for the weakness. You exposed your enemy's weakness and attacked it relentlessly and ruthlessly. But Skyler knew better than anyone that even a weakness could be a strength.

Cocking her head at the boy, she mulled over his words. She supposed there was truth enough in them. After all, it was that exact idea that was currently steering her campaign to gain control of Slytherin house. Most of her house's members did fear her, and with good reason, though they hardly knew that. The teen would admit that mostly they feared her because of who she were related to, and likely because one word from her could have their families tortured or killed. For now, that would work, and she would use it. It would get her to the top easily enough, but staying there would be a different story.

The turning of those tides had been after Parkinson's attack on her, and it had been then that Sky had begun to notice the rift. It was clear that Parkinson's actions had been a source of disgust with the others of their house, and the brunette knew why. It was why she had begun to consider requesting the Ravenclaw's help in the first place. If she were going to claim the so-called throne in her house, she had to learn how to play the game by their rules. Before deciding which ones to bend and break. After all, she were a halfblood, and had more to prove. Especially when one considered she had been thrown into the ring with the most prominent of the next pureblood generation.

"Grudging respect. Even enemies can have that for each other. You and I are case and point. Not to say that you have any respect for me, but I do have some for you. People that follow out of fear are twice as likely to stab you in the back. It's a good way to get to the position of leadership, but not the smartest way to continue if you plan on keeping it." The teen replied eventually, her tone rather thoughtful, and soft. Loyalty was not bred off of grudging respect, and loyalty was essential for any leader. Especially one who had enough enemies without having to worry about those who shouldn't be. Of course, there were always people who would turn on you. It was all about limiting that number.

His words regarding Harry might have elicited an angry reaction prior to that meeting, but now, Skyler had to take them into consideration. She knew that there were others who would feel the same way the boy seated next to her did. Most, if not all, of the Slytherins felt the same way as Silas when it came to Harry, and they didn't have even grudging respect for him. Though she hated to admit it, even if just to herself, if it weren't for the fact that she was the co-leader of their faction, there wouldn't be a single Slytherin on their side. That was how little respect the Gryffindor garnered from Slytherins, and she knew that if he were told that, he would take it personally, instead of trying to understand why.

Though he had faced a lot of of things no one else had, it was abundantly clear that he triumphed only due to sheer guts, a lot of luck, and a lot of times, Granger's narrow minded brain. Not to mention other outside help that always arrived just in time, but that could always be categorized as luck. Silas was right. Harry wasn't leadership material. Yet. But the Gryffindor certainly had the potential to be a great one. But the world was full of sheep who would flock to just about any shepherd, ergo, Harry had been dubbed 'the Chosen One'.

"It's not up to me whether he steps down or not. It's up to the people who chose him as a leader in the first place." Skyler finally said, her response rather diplomatic. She considered leaving it at that, but soon added on, "I know there are people who will always follow Bolt blindly out of loyalty, regardless of whether that's best or not. That's a mistake I won't ever be making. Mostly because I'm not one of his followers, and that has always been clear, but also because I'm not afraid to step on his toes when it's necessary."

The teen meant what she said. Harry was one of her best friends, and her boyfriend. But that didn't mean that she would simply go along with whatever he thought was best or what he thought should be done. She had loyalty to him, yes, but she also had loyalty and duty to herself, and to those who depended on them. This war was now just as much hers as it was his, and she would make sure they were all on the winning side. Even if it mean putting the boy-hero in his place. After all, it took more courage to stand up to one's friends than it did to stand up to one's enemies, and in that way, the Slytherin had more courage than any Gryffindor.

Her views on respect had him silent; not because he believed it, but because he was thinking that this was another thing that they would not agree upon. Silas did have respect for the Slytherin, but it wasn't as if he could tell her that. Nor did he believe that if someone respected you that they wouldn't betray you. Fear sometimes was the better option. Make someone too afraid to betray you despite what they are promised in return for their betrayal. Then again, there was the whole 'trust' that had to be part of this respect thing. You could respect a leader, but at the same time you shoudln't trust them. Leaders betrayed their followers as often as followers betrayed their leaders. Maybe Riddle would find that lesson out on her own one of these times Potter went off and did something stupid without caring about the consequences to those that followed him.

"I'm betting the boy wonder doesn't see it that way. He likely thinks you're a groupie as well." Some were only following the Gryffindor because they thought he was powerful rather than bordering on the line between average and below average. That was the part of the problem with the wizarding world and one of the reasons that Silas despised Gryffindors mostly on the spot. They were brought up to not think for themselves and to be bigots. Granted, Death Eater children were brought up with a skewed view of things as well, but they learned quickly enough (or the smarter ones did) that they had to adjust their views and choose their own allies by themselves rather then what they were told by their parents. It was just unfortunate that the entire school system starting with the teachers was to lean in favor of the bigotry and favor those that didn't question anything but went with the crowd. During school they were fed and shown by the faculty that Gryffindors were what one wanted to aspire to be and that Slytherins were what they considered the worst. Hufflepuffs were viewed as too 'innocent and hardworking' to ever side with a Slytherin and Ravenclaws, well, they were always a coin toss. "How many of your 'group' are really yours and how many are his? And does he realize that some of those people are only in his little entourage because of you and if you ditch him, they will follow you, not him?" There was a cruel smile on his face as he asked this question.


Giving the Slytherin a curious look he had to ask, "Does this mean we have a sort of truce, Riddle?"

Skyler blinked, taken aback by the remark, before finally wrinkling her nose in distaste. Harry couldn't possibly think something like that. Especially considering she didn't even know who he was to begin with. Especially not all the Hero and Chosen One crap. She certainly didn't start hanging around him because of that, and he knew that. And the brunette certainly didn't go around gushing about him and all his supposed victories. She would admit out loud that it seemed more or less that Harry had some kind of weird balance of good and bad luck. And a long track record of rather dumb decisions, most of which, from what she knew, had been made spur of the moment with no real thought put into them.

The Slytherin witch was some strange mix of that and thinking ahead. Or maybe she just had a quicker and cleverer mind than the Gryffindor. Perhaps she was just more capable of separating emotions from things. It could be a mix of a lot of different things, but one thing she knew for sure was that Harry couldn't ever possibly lump her in with the those who just went along with him in everything. Even if for no other reason than the fact that she always made it perfectly clear she didn't just go with the crowd. It was always apparent Sky was someone who thought for herself, and she was never comfortable with people making choices for her. The teen were too independent and stubborn for that. Sometimes too much for her own good.

"Well that's one bet you'll be losing. And how many times do I have to tell you? They're not mine. I'm not their leader. I'm just...the one who makes plans...and comes up with ideas..." The brunette trailed off, knowing she probably sounded as stupid to the Ravenclaw as she sounded to herself. And he really didn't need her to give him anymore reason to mock her. So maybe she were a natural born leader, but only because she couldn't stand the idea of following others. But generally, she just walked alone. She didn't expect people to follow her, or want them to. Definitely not in that sense.

But when she considered his actual question, she knew he had a point. Any Slytherin in their group would likely abandon Harry if she did, that was for sure. But he had a pretty strong lock on everyone else. He was Harry Potter after all. He had an entire background to fall back on that worked for him if a split like that ever happened. Skyler just had...charisma, brains, and a last name that worked to her advantage sometimes. Either way, hopefully they would never have to really figure that out, and she took the time to roll her eyes at the other fifth year for even bringing up the idea and didn't bother with a response, instead meeting his curious look with a slightly surprised one on her own face, before slowly a smirk curled her lips. "Well...I suppose it wouldn't kill me to at least try to tolerate you."

Her words were teasing, but more in the way the brunette would tease a friend. There was no venom or bite to them, and that playful spark was back in her purple eyes. Did she trust the Ravenclaw? Not in particular. Did she count him as a friend? She couldn't say she did. But...there was something there at least. Something that had been ruined that day in Diagon Alley that she thought maybe deserved a second chance.

"Keep telling yourself that and maybe you'll actually believe it one of these times," Silas stated with an amused smile. Obviously she knew and understood that she had just described what a leader did and whether she wanted to admit it or not she was the defacto commander of her little band of misfit toys. If Riddle wanted to dress it up and pretend she was just the strategist...that was her prerogitive.

His amusement grew and his smile became a bit more genuine at the girl's answer and the tone in which it was delivered. That was a bit more like how they had first started off when he'd thought he might perhaps have a fun conversation then he usually had with peers his own age. Pretending to think over her words he shot back, "Definitely not kill, but perhaps give you an ulcer. Or a headache as we butt heads alot and can only agree to disagree. on some subjects." Such as their belief in how one was brought up and their whole argument that devolved when they were discussing santa clause.

However at her use of wording, he couldn't help but compare another witch saying something similar about tolerating him and his mood turned sour for a moment before he banished it. He was not going to allow things to get in the way of keeping this truce and have it go south. Trying to keep things light he added with a playful air, "Just don't think I'm going to join your band of misfit toys."

There were many reasons why that would not be a good idea. However, Silas wasn't against associating with certain people in her group. At the moment he wasn't quite sure where he stood with a few of them, and most of them he didn't know or associate with as they were older then he and more Draco's lot than his own. As he stared at the girl that was the cause of a lot of the upheavel in the castle this year, a surprising feat seeing that Potter was usually the culprit. Being who he was, Silas had to know, and made sure that only his curiosity was evident when asking, "How exactly did you do it?" Knowing that he should probably clarify he tried as best as he could to let her know what it was exactly he was curious about. "Get people to go against their natures and change?"

"Humpf." It was all Skyler offered in return to his words, slumping back against her seat as her shoulders sagged a bit from the feeling of a weight being lifted. Of course, they weren't best friends or anything, Merlin no, but at least they were...something other than enemies? So maybe there wasn't an exact definition for what they were or anything, but it was better than what it was before. Which was hostile and volatile. The teen didn't know about him, but she could definitely use less of those two things in her life at the moment.

The Slytherin ran a hand through her messy waves of long, dark locks, rolling her eyes at him yet again, though she couldn't help but snort as amusement danced in her eyes. "Yea well, that's why potions were invented. Did you know there's this great one for headaches? Works wonders. Amazing invention really." Her sarcasm couldn't be lost on the boy, but it was definitely more along the lines of friendly banter, versus cutting. That was the thing with Skyler. She easily managed to be rather charming with her generally playful disposition and humor. And unlike most people, the teen found it just as easy to be openly playful with just about anyone, not just the people she counted as friends.

Which was likely why her group of friends was so wide and diverse. Much too curious for her own good, Sky was too likely to consider someone to have something to offer by way of interesting things to learn or know to ever just cross someone off. The Ravenclaw beside her was case and point of that, because even when she detested him, her mind still reeled with curiosity about who he was and why. Someone like Harry, for instance, could call the boy beside her a jerk and never question why Silas was the way he was or anything, or even consider the fact that there was a reason for him being that way aside from him simply wanting to be, but Skyler were the exact opposite. She considered the possibilities, and used what she knew about the person to do so.

For the Slytherin, people were just far too interesting in essence to simply not take the time to give a closer look. Not only did the teen like to learn new things, but she greatly enjoyed actually understanding them. It was why she were such a people person. People, by far, offered the most to learn, and every time she learned something new about someone, no matter how big or small, it was like unwrapping a gift, and only served to intrigue her all the more, because every new fact led to more questions. While most people didn't invest in others until they were sure they were worth investing into, Skyler automatically invested in people, and often times did so without realizing it. But she never regretted it. And often enough, she learned a lot about herself along the way. To the brunette, it was worth the time. She wouldn't really say it was worth the effort, because for her, it was rather effortless to show interest in people and befriend them.

"So I guess as long as I keep myself stocked up on those, we should be ok." True to form, the witch's lips curled up into her trademark smirk, though her eyes continued to shine brilliantly in that playful manner of hers. The dynamic change between them seemed to do wonders for her previously tired and downcast mood, and it showed. Had she really stopped to think about it, Sky might have considered the fact that it was the Ravenclaw's doing. But currently she were busy rummaging through her bag, clearly searching for something until she paused long enough to give him a mock-indignant look. "I resent that remark. I'll have you know I stopped playing with toys many years ago, when my mother deemed me too old for them."

The Slytherin informed him with a resentful tone, clearly disagreeing with her mother's verdict on that particular issue. Had her arms been free, it was likely the girl would have crossed her arms in defiance. As it was, there was a slight pout on her face. At least, until it hit her that that's all she had left of her mother. Memories. Never again would she get to disagree with the woman again. For a fleeting instant, Sky's face crumbled in pain and sadness, but it was gone so quickly it was likely one might think they imagined it.

Recovering quickly, the teen bounced back, renewing her search through her bag. "And regardless, I don't consider people, toys. Toys are made for entertainment and amusement. It's their purpose in life. People are much too complicated and complex for that to be their main purpose." Her words were absent, giving the impression that they hardly took any thought at all before spilling from her lips. Which was pretty much the case, as she was more primarily focused on retrieving her sugar fix from her bag, hand stretching into it as she grasped around the bottom. "Aha!!" She exclaimed, pulling her arm back out and revealing a handful of assorted suckers grasped in her fingers, victorious grin spreading across her lips as she took her pick and held the rest out to the Ravenclaw for him to choose from.

But her grin faded into a confused frown as her eyebrows drew together in thought while she tried to understand his question. Technically, it wasn't hard to understand. It was rather straightforward really. But then, it didn't make sense to give her credit (or blame her) for people changing. "I'm not quite sure what you mean really. I mean, I do, but I don't. Because I didn't do anything. In my limited experience, you can't change someone. They have to do it themselves. Besides, did you ever think that maybe it's not that people are changing, but more like they're showing their true colors, sort of? I mean, this place revolves around conforming, and putting people in a figurative box. Or houses, as it may be. No one actually wants to be labelled something and forced into a box."

With a slightly awkward shrug as she unwrapped her own sucker and popped it in her mouth, completely unconcerned with the fact they were in a classroom and a bit concerned that maybe she had rambled a bit more than necessary, Skyler cocked her head at the Ravenclaw. "Sometimes I think people just need someone to tell them it's ok to be...just them, and not what everyone else wants or tells them to be. So I don't think I can take credit for anyone being who they are. If anything, I was sort of a catalyst maybe, and I'm not entirely sure it's a good thing, all things considered."

A slight smile on his face, Silas shook his head in wry amusement. She would have to respond that way wouldn't she? The fact of the matter was, he knew about headache potions long before he ever came to Hogwarts. His Aunt Narcissa likely had stock in the product which Silas would habitually filch for his own private store. Dealing with blondes seemed to always cause his head to hurt. In a droll tone of voice he replied, "Yes, it is, isn't it? I'm sure that you yourself have invested in the potions."

It was nice that he could actually say that now and not have the witch automatically bite his head off assuming he was firing an insult at her. While not aware how she felt about how they interacted, he for one was tired of always having to be on guard. Not that he wasn't usually, but it was nice to be able to allow some of his mask to slip and just be. It wasn't as if he'd purposely started to hide himself, it just became second nature. Just because he didn't run around with a smile and he was more prone to frowning, add in his lineage and most assumed the worst and believed that he was an evil psychopath with a vindictive streak, cruel humor, and a sadistic personality. With the last name Riddle, he was sure she could relate once she had stepped foot on European soil.

Her next words caused him to laugh a little even as he gave her a contemplative look. It could have been a slip of the tongue or maybe he was reading too much into it, but it did cause him to wonder. The way she had worded it... "Have your own supply already then, do you?" There was no judgement in his tone or in expression except maybe perhaps understanding and being able to relate.

"You're never too old for toys. You just change what type of toys you play with that's all." It was out of his mouth before he could stop it and he winced inwardly at how that sounded. He'd never really had toys or really had an interest in them turning to his family for amusement; doing and saying things to see what would happen. He did flinch when she made her next statement that responded to his about the different toys as you age and what he'd been thinking. Relieved that she was distracted he did startle when she pulled something out of her bag.

Brows drawing together as she spoke, he tried going over that statement and decided he did to a certain degree, think along the same lines as she. "Yes, but I still don't think it's people themselves. You can want to change, but you sort of need a spark for that and many times that's another person. Without them, you'd still be stuck in the same rut."

Giving his head a short sharp nod, Silas silently agreed with her last statement. Since he knew that he had found that out himself recently. Things were very confusing still, but some of it was becoming clear to him. Trying to get away from the seriousness and perhaps having like she stated, showed his 'true' self, Silas gave her a mock smile even though his eyes showed his suppressed laughter. "I still say you 'bewitched' them."