Growing up Pureblooded

Partner in Crime

Sirius and Draco ended up playing one-on-one Quidditch that afternoon, as everyone else was fawning over Aries and his new wand. Cassiopeia retold the story over and over again, and even Lucius didn't seem to be able to pull himself away. Abraxas, Pollux, and Arcturus were ecstatic. When Sirius and Draco had finished playing and began to head back in, the fuss had yet to subside. "Poor Aries," Sirius said to Draco as they watch Aries through the window. "He looks miserable in there." "I don't know why," Draco replied "He should be used to all the attention by now." "I think he would rather be out here playing Quidditch with us," Sirius responded. Draco rolled his eyes, "Of course he would; That's what is so frustrating." Sirius looked at Draco curiously. "What do you mean?" The blond boy laughed mirthlessly, "Aries has had the entire family fawning over him ever since he came to England. Any normal boy would get a big head over it, and you would be able to hate him with a clear conscience, but Aries is different. They treat him like he is Salazar Slytherin reborn, but he treats me like we are the same. He thinks the fact that every expects him to be the next Dark Lord like it is some enormous joke." Sirius raised an eyebrow, "What do you think?"

Draco sighed, "I think it is terrifying," he replied seriously. "We head a book about Grindelwald, and Aunt Cassie starts crowing about how Aries will kill twice as many Mudbloods as he did. Aries runs into a garden snake at Grimmauld Place, and Great-Granddad makes him give a parsel tounge demonstration for an hour. He throws a Quaffle inside and breaks one of Mum's vases, and all he has to do is ask Granddad about some obscure point in Magick Moste Evile, and he is out of trouble." "You're jealous," Sirius observed. Draco scoffed, "Not about that rubbish." "What about then?" "I'm jealous about the Squibs," Draco said after a pause. "They really care about Aries, and they don't care whether he grows up to be the true Heir of Syltherin or a Curse Breaker for Gringotts. The only person who I have that treats me that was is Aries." He glared at Sirius. "That's why I expect you not to let him down, Uncle Sirius. Aries needs more people who love him for who is is, not what he is, or what he might be."

Sirius grinned and gestured at his nephew. "It looks like he already has someone like that." Draco shrugged. "Someone has to keep an eye on the fellow. They'll eat him alive." He paused. "I worry about him though." "What about?" Siruis questioned. "Mostly that they'll all turn out to be right," Draco responded. "I don't want Aries to be the next Dark Lord." "Why's that?" Sirius asked. "It's not that I'm a muggle lover or anything," Draco said hastily. "I'm all for the purity of the Wizarding race, same as anyone." He chewed his lower lip. "But when I hear them describe the things they hope he'll do...." He sighed, with a slight shiver. "I don't want him to turn into some kind of monster." He set his jaw firmly. "And I promised myself on his eighth birthday that I would stay beside him and not let that happen." "We're on the same page then," SIrius said with a chuckle. "Are you willing to take on a partner in crime?" Draco smirked. "Why not? I'm tired of working alone." Sirius laughed and tousled his nephew's hair. "You're a good lad, Draco." The blond boy grinned. "You're not so bad yourself Uncle Sirius."