‘I will not kick Father’s stupid birds… I will not kick Father’s stupid birds… I will not kick Father’s stupid birds…’ went the mantra of one Draco Malfoy as he strode across the darkening lawns. The sun had just set behind his family’s home, and the young blonde had no desire to be anywhere near the place. He was frustrated enough that he’d almost punted Lucius’s prized white male peacock, but it wasn’t as satisfying when the man wasn’t even there to scream at him for it.

No, Lucius had to go and attack Potter and friends last year and ruin everything. Why he couldn’t just keep his identity secret… wasn’t that the point of the bloody masks? So now Draco was stuck without his father, in a similar situation to what his prat cousin had previously been in. It was true Draco’s father had failed him in a lot of ways, going so far as to not properly prepare him for his Lord’s servitude, but Draco loved the man, and now he was gone for who knew how long.

The boy threw himself down in the grass beneath one of the tallest trees on the property. It was a spot he frequented to read and think. His mind was centered on his Aunt Bella and the boy who stole all of her attention. Silas. Draco wished he could push the kid off the Astronomy tower. Better yet, he wished he’d done it back in the Ravenclaw’s first year so he never had to endure so much of the prat. The blonde wanted his aunt to pay attention to him. He wanted the special training, the angry concern. Why couldn’t she have been his mother instead? They were much more alike than her and Silas. Draco huffed, laying back on his hands and staring into the tree’s dark branches.

His mother had been beside herself since the arrest. Who could blame her, really? Draco had grown so tired of her crying that he barely even saw her anymore. Fact was, the boy avoided pretty much everyone at this point. He was mad at his aunt, murderous toward his cousin, and exhausted with his mother. Who else was there? Pansy? He’d forced her away after she tried to make out with him right after his dad was charged. The inconsiderate pug needed to learn her place. Zabini? He was somewhere in Italy at the family villa. Draco almost wished he’d taken him up on his invite to join.

All that left were random Death Eaters, and Draco had no desire to talk to them. It wasn’t as if he was invited to talk to the Dark Lord or anything productive like that.

That was another thing that bothered him. Sure, Draco wasn’t quite of age yet, but he was sixteen and he hadn’t even had an audience with the man he wanted to pledge his very soul to! He wanted the damn mark already. Why was this so much to ask for? Maybe his father had ruined it for him- tarnished the Malfoy name by getting caught in the act. Draco didn’t know how he could possibly undo that and prove himself worthy of his Master’s mark. He groaned, feeling utterly defeated.

Cold grey eyes snapped open at the sound of approaching footsteps, and Draco grasped his wand. “Who’s there?” he sneered.

Ever since receiving the letter earlier he had been in a bit of a contemplative daze. Mind going back and forth arguing with itself. The letter was still in his pocket and weighed heavier then the parchment it was made out of. Silas had been both thrilled and full of dread at the same time. Walking usually helped him while he mulled over such things. He had not expected to come upon his cousin. The decision of whether or not to vacate the area and leave the blond to himself was taken from him. He'd been heard and so had to answer. He could of course leave the older boy there and ignore the question pretending that he had not heard.

"Who else would it be?" came the sarcastic reply unbidden from Silas' lips. "There are only three other people at the moment it could be."

One of these days Silas knew he would push his cousin too far but the Ravenclaw was sure that today would not be that day.

Halting within normal speaking range but far enough away that he was not within striking reach. Despite the thread from his mother, Silas was still prone to wear muggle atire. Hands in the pockets of his sleeveless hooded jacket, Silas gazed at the blond waiting to see if there would be a retalliation.

Draco’s irritation rose when he heard his cousin’s sarcastic voice. Oh, how he wished he could curse the idiot without getting himself killed. Alas, this wasn’t an option, so the blonde merely glared at the younger male with malice in his eyes. “Showing off your Ravenclaw brain?” he hissed, noting the distance at which his cousin had stopped. He was a smart boy then. With the mood he was currently in, Draco wouldn’t have been able to hold back a punch if the boy had come much closer.

There seemed to be some unease about his younger relative, and Draco wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to pick at it. “What’s wrong? Been busy disappointing Auntie Bella?” His gaze grew dark as he flicked a lock of platinum hair out of his face. If only the boy knew how lucky he was to call that amazing woman his mother… Draco would never meet Bellatrix in muggle clothes and with such pathetic achievements to boast of.

If only he could show his aunt his skills in the dark arts. She’d surely be impressed, since she knew how little help and training he’d had. But no. She was focused on her precious offspring. The fool who was giving Draco a migraine.

“I saw the new broom,” he spat, trying to actually get along a bit. Maybe he could convince the boy to practice flying with him and then accidentally knock him off his new broom. “Fancy. Does it mean Slytherin will have a new birdy to beat on?” Okay, so Draco wasn’t exactly good at getting along. So sue him. Silas was just too easy of a target! It was like picking on Potter! Plus, the jabs were vastly improving his sour mood.

He smirked at his cousin, wondering how the boy might react to his next question. “So, when are you getting your tattoo to match Mummy’s?”

"Why is it that whenever anyone uses common sense or half their brain, it suddenly becomes brilliance to everyone else?" Silas replied back with boredom fighting back his annoyance. It was becoming a habit. One that he was sure would not cease anytime soon. People were want to continually remind him that he was a Ravenclaw as if he would forget that small fact.

Cold anger flashed briefly before his custom half smirk/grin made it presence upon his face. Looking at his cousin he let his smugness breifly show through. It was not often the shoe was upon the other foot. Nor in a case whereupon Silas could take advantage. There was something he and his cousin shared. The constant disappointment of a parent. "Well, you would know all about disappointment wouldn't you, Draco?"

Curiosity had Silas stay rather then leave after his barb. Unknowing how he would be on a broomstick he said notging. The only flying he had done was during his first year for the lessons if you could call them such. As it was there was no denying that he would have to try out for the team.

The subject matter of his parents had always been a bit of a sore spot with Silas. It would have been, in his opinion, better if he had been left to an orphanage. Unknowledgable about the identity of his parents. He grew up with their names and deeds. Learned more upon his entrance to Hogwarts and the reservation in which some of his fellow Ravenclaws first regarded him with. Eye muscles twitching one slightly, Silas gave a cold stare at the blond. While not eager for the chain and yoke to be placed around his neck, Silas wasn't about to bite the hand that fed him. He would rather have everything thought through first. See if he had a third option or a back door. Silas was unwilling to do anything before carefully considering his actions.

While angry he was not about to lose his cool in front of his cousin. That would bring him too much shame. All he had to do was remind himself that compared to his mother, Draco was an ameture. Still, he picked his words with care. "Why deny you the right of getting one first? You shall be of age this year?"

For once there was no mockery, jest, or sarcasm in his voice or body language. The Ravenclaw was completely serious. "Its a tradition and expected that the elder receive the honor first. Or to be the one to have the higher honor bestowed upon him. And for the younger to strive to meet that goal." Giving a small smile at his cousin he asked, "Is it not so?"

Bellatrix stood a few feet from the scene, made invisible by the shadows of the tree she stood under. She stayed silent, wanting to see how this played out for a while. It was clear the two boys were so focused on each other they were completely unaware of their surroundings. This had a sneer curling her lips as she watched the cousins interact.

It was interesting how opposite the two turned out to be. Even in appearance there was such a stark contrast between them one might never guess they were related. Draco with his blonde hair and impeccable (and no doubt expensive) wizard's robes. Silas with his dark hair and muggle attire. Draco was spoiled and whiny, whereas Silas was moody and brooding. It nearly astounded Bella how easily she could pick apart their personalities after so much time, but it was all so clear in their very demeanors and words.

Draco was a Malfoy and had been raised as such, that much was clear. And yet Bella noticed that for all the Malfoy money could buy he lacked in the things that Silas seemed to make up for. If one could only meld the two together they would make a formidable wizard. However as they were two separate wizards they had a few was that needed to be perfected, one of which was beginning to irritate her as the talk turned to the Dark Mark.

They should be more aware of their surroundings! Should have noticed her there, not ten feet from them, by now! Imbeciles! The both of them!

Bella decided to play a game she was certain she would be the only one who would appreciate. She silently raised her wand and shot a spell at each of them. It was a complex spell that was aimed to hurt only what was most dear to all purebloods. Their pride.

Bellatrix made her entrance with every haughty air she possessed, coming forth from the shadows with as if she had just suddenly appeared from thin air and sneered down at the pair of girls she had turned the boys into. "I had come to deliver news to you both only to find you arguing like a pair of school girls, so I thought this would make the look complete."

The blonde barely bit back a curse at his cousin’s comment. He did not disappoint his father. At least, not on purpose like Silas did with Bellatrix. By this point Draco was fingering his wand as if he might snap the bit of wood in his rage. Of course, he would be more careful with the precious instrument. The talk of their taking the mark was enough to relax his fingers and bring his cold gaze to his cousin again. “Fair enough,” he said simply.

A little confusion flashed behind his gaze as the younger boy spoke to him without any bite behind his words. It seemed the serious topic actually sobered the two a bit. “Well, yes. I will be taking the mark first, of course. Tradition will be followed as expected,” he stated. The Slytherin wondered again when he would get the honor. For once he wished he was closer to his cousin so that he might confess his impatience in the matter. He was getting worried about the whole thing. What if their Lord didn’t want to give him his prize before they left for Hogwarts? Draco didn’t know if he could deal with that disappointment.

“You could never be as honored as me, dear cousin,” he sneered with mockery in his silver eyes. The touching moment was over and Draco was back to his normal disdain for his cousin. He stood, moving closer to the other boy while fighting the temptation to poke him in the chest just to prove his own superiority when he felt a sudden change come over his body.

There was a sort of tingling. An odd sensation that raced over him from toes to scalp, and he felt sudden… changes. He was shrinking a bit, growing shorter as his limbs shrunk and his muscles grew less defined. He felt a certain other change that made color rise to his cheeks, which never happened in a normal day. Draco felt suddenly weak and vulnerable and… emotional. He looked over toward his cousin and gasped at what he saw.

“You’re a girl!” he screeched, pale hands flying up to clamp over his own mouth. His voice was a higher pitch and held a softer quality than normal. He even noticed that his lips felt fuller as his hands rested on them. What the hell was going on?

His answer came when his aunt stepped into the light, looking as if she was quite pleased with herself. Her words hit the blonde like a punch to the gut, and he felt his eyes fill with liquid. Was this really what it was like to be a female? It was exhausting trying to control all these feelings! “Aunt Bella!” he wailed, stomping a feminine foot and attempting to keep the overly large robes in place over this new petite form. “Undo this immediately!” As soon as the words left his lips, Draco gulped. He knew better than to order his aunt to do anything. He was going to be in big trouble now.

He bowed his head, grimacing at his lengthened hair as it fell about his face. “I… I mean,” he stammered, “please, Aunt Bella, lift this hex. We’ll stop acting so foolishly. Please, tell us this news.”

His attempt to throw his.cousin off gaurd seemed to have backfired. Yes, he'd Draco when he went serious but the moment hadn't lasted long and the prat came back to himself. Silas was never more thankful that they were only related through their mothers. Or that he was younger than his cousin. He had yet to learn all the details to help him come to any satisfying conclusions on the matter. Maybe if he could sneak a look at one of the meetings? Oh, but he wanted to know about the other side as well. Just out of curiosity of course.

Eyeing his cousin warily as the blond came closer he felt a spell hit him. Eyes going wide, he was about to turn, almost certain who had done it when he frowned. Silas felt uncomfortable as suddenly his clothes seemed uncomfortably baggy amd loose. His hands went to clutch desperately at his pants that seemed as if gravity was just too much for them. His eyes had been drawn to his hands which were more slender and smaller. Looking at them in horror he snapped his head up to stare at his equally shocked cousin. Who was now a girl.

"Thanks for stating the obvious," he reorted acidly with restrained anger. His voice wasn't the tenor it had been but was now an alto.

Humiliation and shame seemed to be his mother's favorite form of entertainment. Something that Silas was getting used to. It didn't lessen it any. And with this femal body he felt himself shamed doubly so. He refused to cry and show how much this infuriated and devastated him. Gripping bis pants tightly so they wouldn't fall, Silas started in surprise at Draco's behavior. If circumstances were different, he would have laughed.

Silas refused to say anything as he wasn't aware of any foolish behavior. Unless you counted his not leaving his cousin alone when he'd come upon him. He would have crossed his arms if he could. His mother already had a low opinion of him and he was not going to lower it further.

He just stared at his mother wondering what she was planning. She could have sent an elf to fetch them. Instead she had come herself. His eyes narrowed just a fraction. "We've learned our lesson, mother."

The reactions of her son and nephew were priceless. Bella laughed gleefully at her nephew in particular. She often thought he would have made a better witch than wizard. Many things about the boy might be disappointing but his reaction to finding himself a girl was not.

All laughter died from her lips as soon as he rounded on her, demanding she change him back. Bella, true to form, reacted before she was consciously aware of it. From the tip of her wand burst the light of the unforgivable curse that most believed to be her specialty. Bells would not tolerate disrespect from either brat. Her lips formed a cruel smirk as she held the cruciatus on her own nephew for only a few seconds.

Bellatrix wasn't eager to be done with the punishment but she knew the Dark Lord would not be happy if she got carried away so she ended the curse abruptly before the madness could take hold completely. If that we're to happen she could very easily kill both boys and not regret it. She sneered at the pair of them nastily. "And you speak of wanting to take the Dark Mark." She spat with disgust. "You would be dead before you came close from what I have seen."  

Her tone dripped  with disdain and she stared with large dark, cold pits for eyes, piercing them with her look.  That was when she noticed her son's clothing. Dark eyes became slits as she narrowed them on Silas, ignoring her nephew for the moment as she turned her wand on her son. "What is the meaning of this?" She indicated his choice of muggleware in a deathly quiet voice that served as warning he was on dangerous ground.

There was no helping or hiding his natural reaction to stiffen at the sight of his mother's wand drawn and pointed at them. Silas braced himself and was taken aback when the curse hit not he, but his cousin. His dark eyes stared at the blond while under the influence of the Cruciatus. Just as he hadn't been able to look away when the elf had been tortured, so it was the same now. The darker side of his curiosity wanting to be satisfied, noting how it was the same or different from the twitching elf.

Until the hairs on the back of his neck rose alerting him to the stare of his mother. Lifting his eyes from the form if his cousin to the dangerous Death Eater he swallowed. His gaze went from the wand to those cold dark unforgiving eyes. Shivering the tiniest bit, Silas licked his dry lips. He hated how his voice sounded like as this girl his mother transformed him into.

"They are all the clothes I have. Draco's would hardly fit as we are different body types and Uncle Lucius' would seem as if I was trying on my daddy's clothes." His expression clearly stated what he thought of that idea. The muggle clothes had been bought with his own money he'd made making and taking bets at Hogwarts. That place was a treasure trove of betting pools.

"I haven't left the property to be able to have gotten any since we spoke last. I have no account in which to draw funds to send an elf to collect clothing in my stead."

The fear was easy to see for anyone who knew what to look for. It was in the small shiver and the tiniest bit showed in his eyes. Bella soaked this up like one might soak up magic. The taste of fear in others sparked something to life in her. It always had. Bellatrix enjoyed being feared and relished in it. But a very small part of her had been intrigued by her son's obvious curiosity in the pain and torture of his cousin. Bella

The elder witch allowed her son to give his explanations without interruptions. The more she heard the darker her heavily lidded eyes became. There was a storm brewing in them and her silence was like the calm before that storm hit. Bella may not be capable of loving anyone but that did not mean she hasn't cared enough about her only child that she had not established plans for his future. Ones that were supposed to have enacted by her sister and her husband.

Bella had set up a sort of trustfund for Silas, one which Narcissa alone besides herself could enter. One that had been set up to provide for him and to make sure he was raised properly. Trained properly. But that left the question as to why he didn't simply shrink some of his cousin's things. Ah. That ridiculous rule of Dumbledore's.

Everything clicked into place neatly in her cunning mind and Bella dearly wanted to curse someone into misery. For a brief moment she considered her nephew as a target but dispelled the thought before it could grab hold. Being girls would have to serve as enough punishment for now. She didn't have time to be playing with them now that these issues needed to be seen to. "That will be rectified tonight." She stated in the same deathly tone. "For now I have brought news to you." Bella sneered at the pair again. "The both of you."

The witch pointed her wand at them again. "Remember how you feel right now. How much more difficult it is to keep your emotions in check. How much more inferior you feel for being a female." She spat at them knowingly . " This is the only training lesson you will receive from me. The rest will come from the Dark Lord." An unforgiving smirk curled her lips as she easily turned them back to their normal states.

Draco was ready to yell at his cousin for being a prat, but instead he felt himself crumple to the ground as he fought to hold back a tortured scream. His aunt had just used an unforgivable on him! The woman really was amazing. It was difficult to focus on his admiration of the evil woman when he was convulsing on the ground, grunting with the pain and the effort of holding back more embarrassing noises. Then it stopped.

The pain was still there, in his bones, making him feel weak and exhausted, but it was just the lingering throb from the curse. His aunt had lifted the Cruciatus and was now focused on her own son, leaving Draco to pant on the floor, relishing the attention he’d gotten from the Death Eater.

He listened to the conversation as he recovered, lifting himself to a seated position. Draco had a feeling his mother was going to have words with her sister later on. At least he wouldn’t have to deal with the blubbering blonde. Let Aunt Bella try and wake the woman up. Draco was tired of it.

As the spell was lifted, the young Malfoy bowed his head before his aunt. “Thank you for this less, Aunt Bella,” he said softly. He then focused on what she had actually said. “Wait, the Dark Lord?” His grey eyes shot up to her face as he looked on with shock from his position on the ground. Was this true? He was going to train with the Dark Lord himself? How did he earn such an honor? How on Earth could he ever show his gratitude? He was completely lost for words as he stared at his aunt. The bringer of the best news the young man had heard in his whole life.

"Thank you, mother." Silas was relieved that he wasn't the target of the woman's ire. He did not want to be the one his mother would be seeing to. Leaning his body away away from the pointed wand he kept himself from scowling. This was one punishment he was sure to never forget. Not only because of the nature of it, but because his cousin had also been punished. Combined with it being the first time he had seen the Unforgivable on a person.

Giving said cousin a surprised and inquiring curious look, Silas filed that information away. Apparently he was a masochist. Of course one could only thank the mad woman after being tortured. To say anything else was likely cause you to be tortured again. Gaze returning to his mother when she informed them of the Dark Lord's interest, he didn't dare allow himself to react. Not while she was there. Nor Draco. The blond had just gotten his hearts desire.

As his body resumed its male configuration, Silas stretched his shoulers back and flexed his hands. Now that he no longer had to hold his trousers up. Once again his hands found themselves in his jacket pockets. His fingers encountered the letter and the Prefect badge. Curling his fingers around it he gripped it tightly. First the broom, then Prefect, now the interest of the Dark Lord. It was as if everything was happening quickly to some unknown tune.

"Thank you for considering us worthy to be considered for tutelage."

The boys thanking her let her repress the urge she still had to kill someone but she did not give them the privilege of a reply. Her son's muggle apparel was not helping. It only served to anger her further though she could not blame him entirely for it. That only served to anger her even further.

Again her wand pointed at her son and this time she transfigured his disgusting muggle clothes into wizards robes. They were black and not flashy like Draco's. Bella could not be bothered with details at the moment. She narrowed her eyes in warning. "You will wear wizards robes from now on. I will make certain of that."

That problem being taken care of for the time being the witch sneered at her nephew who was on the ground like a common insect. She looked like she wanted to squash him. "Yes, the Dark Lord Draco. And don't make the mistake of thinking I deem you worthy of such an honor." She spat to the pair her words full of venom. Beneath it was the undeniable disappointment.

Locked away hidden from view was a burning jealousy. Even she had not received the honor so young. This was what fueled her extremely violent mood. Bella knew it was a good thing the Dark Lord wanted to train her heir and that of her sister's. No honor greater could be given within the Death Eater ranks. And it was unprecedented. But Bella was just hateful enough to be jealous of her own son and nephew for having earned it so young without doing anything to earn it.

They were unworthy in her eyes and had proved nothing. She would not allow them to forget that for a second.

It was clear that Bellatrix found both of the boys utterly unworthy, which made Draco want to prove himself to her all the more. Or perhaps grovel at her feet. Either way.

Rather than groveling, however, Draco pulled himself to his feet and bowed before his aunt. “I will never forget how I have disappointed you,” he said softly. It truly hurt him that he had proven himself so unworthy of his aunt’s attention. He just wanted her to dote on him, to care for him. Even if it was to punish him until he better fit the mold of a true Death Eater, it would be perfect for him. The attention he so craved.

But no. That would never come to the lonely blonde. Instead, he straightened up and nodded to his aunt and cousin. “In that case, it would seem important to prepare myself for the upcoming encounter with our Lord. If you two will excuse me.” He turned with a flourish of his pristine robes, striding away from the family members while his mind raced.

He was going to train with the Dark Lord himself. That meant he would take the mark soon, right? Of course, he was ignoring the fact that he would be training with his cousin, but that could be worried about later. For now, Draco had to prepare himself for the meeting ahead of him. Whenever the man called, he would be ready. This was such a great honor; he would be foolish to screw it up.

As he made his way back to the house and his own quarters, Draco had to remind himself not to kick the stupid peacocks again. They really were such easy targets. Not for the first time, he wondered why in the world his father insisted on having the stupid birds.

When the wand was once again pointed at him, Silas held his head up keeping his gaze locked unflinchingly on his mother's. When his clothing changed, he bit back a frown. Transfigured clothing never felt right and would always revert back. The question was not if but when. Keeping from flinching at his mother's tone he burried everything except the anger. That he let simmer as he disected what was and wasn't said. She did not find them worthy, but the Dark Lord did. Or found them useful. There a was a major distinction between the two and Silas wasn't sure which one worried him more.

Glancing at his cousin as he related his disappointment, Silas' brow furrowed. A bit of anger and a tad bit of hatred flashed. The blond had a mother already so why was he trying to intigrate himself with Silas'? He could understand if it was to get closer to the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord but something told him it was more personal. And Silas hated that. He'd always been a tiny been envious of his spoilt cousin. And now when he finally had something of his own, Draco had to try and weasel in and try and take it from him.

Watching Draco leave it was the first time Silas really had wanted to send a curse at the blond's back and despised Dumbledore's rule about magic. Biting the inside of his cheek until he tasted the metallic coppery tang on his tongue, Silas remained silent. He would not allow Draco to steal his mother's approval. Unlike the blond he didn't care if he wasn't loved. There was more important things that something as fickle as love. Glancing at his mother he waited for her dismissal not really wishing to earn,her ire for a second or third time. He knew that he was the inferior subordinate.

"Make sure you don't forget." She snapped at her nephew with narrowed eyes giving him no reprieve from her anger. She was disgusted by his actions and did not hesitate in making it known. Bellatrix knew Draco could not be blamed entirely himself. Lucius and Narcissa shared the blame as well. Especially Lucius who was one of the more prominent Death Eaters much to Bella's disgust. She could see he had taught his son nothing more than to be a spoilt, whining, snob. Much like Lucius was himself. "Or I will personally see to it you don't forget." They were dangerously soft spoken words filled with promise that she sent to his back, not bothering to comment on his leaving before being dismissed. Bella's wand twitched eagerly but she refrained from shooting the spell at his back. She didn't want him to miss out on the punishment that was sure to follow should he take the same liberty with the Dark Lord.

Not to mention this gave her a reason to let loose on him the next time she saw him. Which she knew would be soon enough. She had a frightening dark look of expectancy on her face as she turned her attention back to Silas. At least he knew better. Bella had to admit, if only to herself, that he showed much more promise than his cousin. This made her the slightest bit proud about not having a complete failure for a son but he would need to be pushed. Hard. Not eased into it like a pitiful child like his cousin. Maybe Draco was the key to unlocking Silas's darker side. There definitely was no love lost between the two and Bella was especially good at preying on and playing on other's emotions.

"I am sure I do not need to express to you the danger it is to your good health should you continue to dress in any form ofmuggle attire after tonight." She spat the word out as if it left a bad taste in her mouth. Which it did. Other than that she offered no other words to her son and with one final sneer she brushed past him in all her dark glory and fury. She had a sister to deal with.