Growing up Pureblooded

Breakfast

The next Monday morning, Aries woke much earlier than usual, feeling exceptionally well-rested and full of energy. He summoned Kreacher to draw him a bath, and allowed himself to linger in the hot water a bit longer than he ought to have done. Once clean and dry, he dressed himself in his school robes and set about hiding his scar. Cassiopeia had shown him a few semi-permanent cosmetic charms: they were hardly powerful enough to deceive the likes of Dumbledore or Voldemort, but, seeing as both of his principal adversaries already knew the truth about his identity, Aries thought they would do very nicely. As extra reinforcement, he cast a Notice-Me-Not Charm on his forehead, then made his way downstairs.

Draco was already sitting at the table when Aries came into the breakfast room. There were dark circles beneath his bloodshot eyes, and Draco, who was not usually shy about his meals, was only nibbling at a piece of toast. Aries sat across from him and piled several rashers of bacon, a few heaping spoonfuls of scrambled eggs, a couple of tomatoes and a few slices of black pudding onto his plate. Kreacher poured him a cup of tea and a tall glass of icy-cold pumpkin juice.

Draco arched an eyebrow and smirked faintly. "Hungry?" he asked wryly. Aries's mouth was already full, so he could only shrug in reply. Draco snorted, and resumed picking at his toast. Sirius shuffled in, still wearing his bathrobe and looking utterly exhausted. "Morning," he mumbled, and sat down at the table. Aries swallowed a mouthful of eggs. "Good morning, Dad," he said. Draco said nothing, but kept staring at his toast.

Sirius yawned widely as he accepted a cup of very strong tea from Kreacher. He drank it in silence, then stood up and stretched. "It's time for you two to be off to school," he announced. Draco nodded and left the table, but Aries grabbed another handful of bacon before he got up. Sirius laughed and ruffled the boy's hair. "It's nice to see your appetite's returned," he said. "What can I say?" Aries replied as he walked into the drawing room. "I'm a growing boy, and I didn't eat much last week." Narcissa was waiting for them in the drawing room. She and Sirius gave both boys hugs – though Draco responded a bit stiffly to Sirius – and the boys Flooed to Remus's office.