The Shadow of Silver

Chapter 2

When I got to the kitchen, both Sirius and Remus were watching the television- our only television. It was a requirement to have a TV, even if we didn't have enough money to pay for extra channels. Which, in fact, we didn't. But there was one channel that was pre-installed. That was the channel with all of the announcements and things like that.

I wondered why it was so important that I watch this. With a glance at the clock, I realized that it was midnight. What was so important?

I learned soon enough.

"...sorry to wake everyone up, but there is a very important announcement to make." the reporter said. I think I was meant to know his name- Every citizen was meant to. But who gives a damn? I just wanted to go back to sleep. "As you know, as soon as each child of the royal family comes of age, there is a Selection. Our great king Lucius Malfoy found the love of his life in his Selection, as did his father before him..."

The next few minutes were the announcer droning on and on about the history of the Selection. Who cared? I wouldn't be impacted by this... Only girls were going to go. Cedric, nor I, had sisters, so couldn't I go back to sleep? When I asked Sirius, he shook his head.

"They said that everyone has to be present for the announcement," Remus answered for him, and Sirius smiled at him. How could they be so lovey all of the time?

"Fine. But as soon as it is done, I'm going to sleep." I muttered and turned my attention to the bright lights of the screen. Finally, the reporter got to the actual announcement.

"We have some changes this year. I believe the prince would like to make it himself, so please welcome His Highness Draco Malfoy, prince of our beautiful country Illéa!" he clapped, and the audience, I could see, rose and clapped out of respect as well. 

Then the prince stepped up. I could admire his features in the privacy of my own mind. He was lithe but built. His eyes... They were grey, as were Cedric's, but... They were a different kind. Cedric's was the color of the sky before a storm. The calm before the storm. Except, with him, there was never really any storm. 

The prince's eyes... They were molten silver. The phrase "silver lining" came into my mind. As if he was a negative situation that needed someone to find a positive outcome in. 

His cheekbones were higher and sharper than what should have been legally allowed, and his hair seemed to shine brighter than the heavens.

I wanted to say that I hated him, but it was instilled into my mind that I couldn't think such a thing, even if it was just in my mind. So I couldn't say that. But I knew that he was a downright prick- Placed in his position, with a silver spoon stuck in his mouth since birth, who wouldn't be? And he was so detached in all of the interviews, and so and such. Maybe he had to be, maybe he was doing it because he had to...

But more likely was that he was spoilt. I felt bad for whoever ended up with him. 

I noticed, even though I didn't want to, that his eyes looked troubled, yet overtly honest and alert, instead of the regular distant and carefree. 

"I have something to say." his voice trembled ever-so-slightly, and I could have been mistaken, but his eyes flickered to his father, and... Were his hands shaking? What the hell was so important? "As you have been informed, the Selection will be different this year." No. I had been hallucinating. His voice was as steady and clipped as usual, and he was looking straight at the camera, eyes once again superficial and hollow. "Instead of inviting the females to the Selection, as has been done for generations, the males are the ones being invited this year."

What did he mean? Was the Selection not for him then? Was there another princess? I didn't understand...

But then the television clicked off on its own. The program was done, and yet I was still staring blankly at the screen. I didn't understand. It was like I was a little kid, and I was watching my mother and father being taken away... I didn't get it then. I was powerless, just another face in the ground...