Archimedes and Draco cleaned up in their rooms, Malfoy Manor had plenty so there was no need for them to share, changed into the outfits their mothers had picked out, and made their way to the drawing room.
"Why must we meet with Dumbledore anyways?" Draco asked grumpily as he tugged on the collar of his Slytherin green dress shirt; the shirt was new so it felt stiff and itchy.
"Because our mothers don't want us blowing up the house again with our erratic magic." Archimedes explained as he gave his own collar a tug; his shirt was identical to Draco's except it was silver instead of green. "And Dumbledore has offered to give them a list of tutors that might help us learn control before we get our Hogwarts letters. But he insisted upon meeting with us, in private, first." He rolled his eyes. "Mother was less than thrilled by his request."
Draco frowned. "I still don't see why we can't go to Durmstrang. Mother complains that its too far away yet parents aren't allowed to visit Hogwarts so whats the difference?"
Archimedes had heard this argument several times already but that didn't mean he didn't agree. "I'm told they don't even teach the Dark Arts at Hogwarts." He pushed open the drawing room door and entered. "How can you teach Defense against the Dark Arts and yet not the Dark Arts themselves?"
"Because you don't need to know one in order to learn the other." Dumbledore answered having heard the conversation.
"You're early." Draco pointed out dumbfounded then shook his head. "I mean welcome to our home sir."
"But you'd be better prepared if you knew them both." Archimedes was caught off guard just like his cousin but was used to rolling with the punches. "You must be Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts." He stepped up to the man and offered his hand. "I've heard a lot about you." It wasn't a lie. He had heard a lot of things just nothing good.
Dumbledore accepted the offered hand, shook, then released. "I'm sure you have my dear boy." His eyes were twinkling madly even though he too had been caught off guard. Having observed the boys in the air and then briefly on the ground he hadn't gotten a good look at them. But now that they were standing right in front of him he could seem the eerie similarities to their parents. While both boys held themselves with arrogant entitlement Draco's posture was stiff and formal while Archimedes' was relaxed and calm. Other than that the boys were complete opposites in looks. Young Malfoy had blonde hair that was bordering on white, inherited from the Malfoy's no doubt, while his aristocratic features and grey eyes had clearly come from the Black's. Young Lestrange on the other hand had wild black hair and eyes the color of violets reminiscent of Blacks of the past while his aristocratic features were more those of the Lestranges than the Blacks; though he could see flashes of the Blacks in his mannerisms. His appearance was disconcerting since it meant that some form of blood adoption had taken place almost surely breaking any link he had to the Potters. "I'm sure your mothers have told you why I'm here?"
Draco nodded his head stiffly. "You're going to offer suggestions on who should tutor us in controlling our magic. Do our mothers know you're here?"
"Of course they just left." Dumbledore replied in his best grandfatherly voice. What he didn't mention was the earful he received from one untrusting, suspicious, Bellatrix Lestrange. "Would you care to sit? The most delightful house elf brought me a pot of tea of which I would like to share with you." He motioned towards the chairs arranged in a circle in the very center of the room.
Archimedes sneered at the mention of the house elves. "A house elf delightful? I highly doubt that. Its like talking to a pair of socks except with socks you get more intelligent replies." He sarcastically replied.
Dumbledore's sparkle seemed to dim just slightly at the boys cruel words. "House elves are highly intelligent beings with feelings that can be hurt just like you or I."
"I don't like being compared to an house elf sir." Draco answered stiffly. "It makes me feel dirty."
It was becoming increasing clear to Archimedes why his parents despised the man. He could easily feel the magic radiating off him but just because one had great magic didn't mean one was great. "You wanted to meet with Draco and I before giving our mothers the list, why?" He enquired.
"Though I knew the Malfoy's had a child I had yet to meet him and I was completely unaware that the Lestranges had one. Call it an old mans curiosity." Dumbledore answered. He poured himself a cup of tea then two more. "Come, come, have a seat!"
Draco was the first to take the before offered seat and cuppa but he didn't drink; one didn't become a great wizard by being stupid or so his father always said. "So you wanted to meet us for the sake of meeting us?" To him it sounded like a rather lame excuse.
Archimedes sat but refused the cup outright. Growing up he had been taught first by his father and then reinforced by his mother that accepting anything from a potential enemy wasn't acceptable.
Dumbledore sat the spare cup down and took a sip of his own taking a moment to study the pair again. "Perhaps I had other motives than the one I stated but I did not lie when I said I wished to meet you."
"Why?" Draco asked as he sat back in his chair ever so slightly. "Whats so special about us? Do you go around meeting all the children that will someday attend Hogwarts? How do you get any work done?" It sounded like an innocent line of questions but in reality he was showing that he didn't believe him at all.
"I think…." Archimedes started then paused. "I think you are lying sir." It was said with such seriousness that there left little doubt about who's child he really was. "Something about us seems to fascinate you, that much I'm certain of, but it's more than that." He tilted his head to the side almost like he was trying to look into the old Headmasters very soul. "You find it odd that the Lestranges have a child? I'm not the only one." He revealed. "Not that I have any siblings mind you. But Uncle Rabastan has a child, a son, same age as Draco and I. Unlike my parents he is unsure if he wishes Eldeos to attend Hogwarts and has no desire to return to England until he has made up his mind." It gave him great satisfaction to see Albus Dumbledore out of sorts. He pushed himself to his feet. "Now this meeting is over. If you have anymore questions you may speak to our mothers or if you so wish you can wait for our fathers to get home." With that said he left the room without so much as a glance back.
Draco couldn't help but smirk at his cousins brashness. In the months that he had known Archimedes he had learned one thing and one thing only about his cousin; that he did what he wanted to when he wanted. It was a sort of independence that his Aunt Bellatrix encouraged quite frequently. And while his Aunt treated his cousin like an equal his Uncle Rodolphus treated him the complete opposite and it didn't escape his notice that Archimedes didn't seem to mind. Shaking his head he pulled himself from his thoughts and stood as well. "I'm sure one of the lovely house elves can show you out." With that said he followed after his cousin.
"That could have gone better." Dumbledore mused making no movement to leave. Instead he just sipped on his cooled tea and pondered what he had just seen and heard. It was clear to him that out of the two it was Archimedes Lestrange that needed the most help controlling his magic. He could feel the magic coiling around the youngster like a snake ready to strike. Young Mister Malfoy on the other hand was more than likely unconsciously keeping his magic in some semblance of control probably due to some sort of training he received when he was a toddler; most pure-blood families trained their offspring young so that they'd have better control over their magic when they were older and better able to use it. Perhaps he even had some sort of binding on it until he turned eleven and received his Hogwarts letter. If that was the case then both boys would need to start controlling their magic now so that they'd be able to handle it later. He already had several names in mind to offer as tutors all of which were loyal to him and the cause. Sitting down his almost empty cup he stood and allowed the house elves to clear away the tea service. One thing was nagging at him as he moved over to a window that overlooked the grounds to await the return of two dotting mothers. Who was Eldeos Lestrange? And why had the boy offered the name so haphazardly?