"Talking"

"Parseltongue"

Chapter 9: More Birthdays and Meet Draco

Once outside they split up into two teams with Alex on one team and Draco on the other, both boys playing seeker. The game lasted for several hours forcing Courtney to order food for all out on the pitch under the game so that the players could fly down, grab a bite, and then rejoin the game again. The game ended when Harry finally started to take the game seriously and caught the snitch.

After the game everyone headed back inside to clean up before dinner. An hour and a half after the game ended, everyone was once again assembled downstairs in the private dining room with the portrait of Tom Riddle back at the head of the table with an empty seat to its right and Damien to its left. Alex sat at the foot of the table with Draco at his right. The rest of the Elite filed into seats in between their lords. Dinner that night was a formal and quiet affair. The conversations scattered around the table were held between seat neighbors only and were filled with light, meaningless small talk. The only conversation of significance was the one between Alex and Draco. The two of them spent their time getting to know each other better, sharing favorite foods, Quidditch team arguments, what's going on in the wizarding world and Alex told Draco little bits about what he could expect in the coming months. By the time desert was done, the beginning of a friendship was formed.

Dinner ended when Tom left his frame. When the frame was empty everyone else stood to allow Alex to leave. Alex got up and motioned for Draco to follow him out. When they reached the door they were stopped by Damien's voice. "My Prince, please remember that you still have lessons tomorrow."

Alex turned to look at Damien and said, "No, I don't believe I do. And seeing as today is Thursday, I don't believe we shall begin again until Monday. Also, Draco will be attending classes with me, and you will teach him what he needs to know then, the fact that he may or may not be as advanced as I am will be something you will have to figure out on your own. Do I make myself clear?"

"Of course...My Lord."

"Good. Goodnight everyone."

"Good night, milord"

1 Year and Several Months Later...

"C'mon Alex, lets go flying." Whined Draco.

"No, go fly by yourself if you want to fly so bad" replied Alex without even looking up.

"Aww...C'mon you've been in here for hours, it would do you some good to get out."

"Are you suggesting that I can't take care of myself, that I don't know what my limits are? That I don't know what's good for myself?" Asked Alex in a deceptively calm voice.

"No, and you know it." Stated the now slightly wary Draco. "You know I'm just looking out for your best interest and I can't understand how you can stand to be in the library for hours on end, especially when your so bloody good on a broom."

"Flatter will get you everywhere and nowhere Mr. Malfoy." sigh "But, you are right in one sense, wait a minute for me to finish what I'm doing and then we can go flying."

"Yes! Thank you lord!" yelled a now thoroughly thrilled nine-year- old Draco Malfoy.

"But of course, I can be human too" smirked the Dark Heir who was promptly given a playful shove by his companion.

"Shhh! We can't be heard, that would spoil it." Hissed Alex.

"Of course not oh magnificent one." Whispered Draco sarcastically.

"Oh your just whining because this was my idea, but if we're caught before we have a chance to pull it off, I'll make sure the blame rests entirely on you shoulders."

"You wouldn't!" Gasped Draco in a horrified voice.

"And why wouldn't I? Oh and you'd take the blame like the good little boy you are too."

"Says who?"

"Don't you remember the last time I tried to pin the blame on you even though it was obviously my fault and you denied any involvement?"

Flashback

"But Damien, I swear I wasn't anywhere near the accident. You can ask Romulus. I was talking to him about our last class and looking for some extra reading on the muggle second Muggle World War."

Damien turned to Romulus and asked, "Romulus, is what he says true?" Romulus looked first at Damien's cold look, then at Draco's pleading face before finally looking at Alex. When he met Alex's eyes, Alex minutely shook his head 'No'. Indicating Romulus's response.

Romulus, knowing better than to anger the just turned nine year old, replied to Damien's question with a firm "No, he was not."

At this Draco's face fell and half in shock he stared at the floor as Wayne walked up to him. "You know why you are being punished Draco?" "Yes" "Crucio". Draco held in his screams as he fell to the floor, the curse was held for a minute before it was released. Gasping for air Draco laid where he was until the room was cleared and the only people remaining were Damien, Draco, and Alex.

Damien looked down at Draco before turning to Alex, "Was it worth it?"

Alex too looked at Draco, and without answering Damien he walked over to the boy who was still lying on the ground. "Do you know now what you were punished for Drake?"

"N...no...no I d...don't" gasped the poor boy.

"It wasn't for my accident, that didn't merit anything more than an hours extra work with Courtney in her science lab. No, the reason Wayne cursed you was because you denied what I said was true. You denied me."

"But...but what I said was true, I wasn't there."

"Your right, you weren't there, you were with Romulus, but you should never indicate that I am wrong or that what I say is false in front of others. It is something that only we should know; something that you should confront me with privately. Didn't you notice how Romulus denied your alibi? Why do you think he would do that?"

"I...I don't know. He says we should tell the truth whenever possible."

"And he's right, but the reason he denied you was because I wished him to. Do you understand now?"

"Yes, I think so. I was punished because I contradicted you in front of the others."

"Very good. With just me, you, and Damien its one thing but when the others are around you must remember your place. It will be good practice for when we're older."

End Flashback

"Ok, ok, I get your point." Relented the blonde boy.

"Good, I can't wait until they wake up tomorrow." Both boys smirked as they headed back to their rooms to get some much-needed rest.

AN: (Background) Romulus and Remus separated soon after they're father was killed and they were bit. The werewolf who bit them and then raised half by his sire and pack and half by the then Tom Riddle took in Romulus. Remus was also accepted into the pack, but one day he was kidnapped by a 'light' side supporter and adopted. His new family loved him but hated the wolf and taught him to suppress it rather than embrace it.

Damien is more of a mentor than a father figure. Alex's "second father" would most likely be the portrait of Tom Riddle in the dinning room.

As for Jason...the godfather thing is more honorary than anything else. He was picked because he is very good in almost all areas of magic and would be the most suited should Alex ever have to disappear with only one person to go along as a guard. The naming as godfather also gives him an extra ability to protect him.

Only one family member will be in the Elite. Right now Bella is still happily going crazy in Azkaban and will be part of the Inner Circle, Sirius is sitting in depression in Azkaban, and Lupin is denying his werewolf heritage.