The atmosphere in the great hall was the same from when he'd been a boy, well the first time anyway. Tom wasn't sure how it happened, all he knew was that the night he tried to kill the baby, his magic had rebounded off the child and back at him. Before he disappeared, he had seen a piece of his soul place itself in the infant. But that wasn't the point, it seemed like time had reversed itself. He was once again a student at Hogwarts, the difference, Dumbledore was now the Headmaster. However, he was a second year, thankfully he didn't have to go through the sorting again. Not that he would have ended up in any other house but Slytherin, being the founders heir and all that. Turning away from the head table, he watched as Professor Mcgonagall led the new first years into the school, though he was really looking for one particular boy. Tom was disappointed to see that the blood traitor and muggleborn were surrounding him, that would definitely be changing when he got a hold of his precious horcrux.
Tom tuned out most of the sorting, he only cared about where Hadrian ended up. He needed to distract the boy, make sure he got into Slytherin somehow. He heard the P's start so he turned to the front.
"Parkinson, Pansy."
The pug-like girl stepped forward confidently, Tom smirked upon seeing a future Death Eater, Parkinson's girl would go far.
The hat chuckled before announcing, "Slytherin!"
The house clapped for the girl, seeing as her family had been in the snake den for as long as they'd been established. He watched her sit next to the Malfoy heir, grimacing at the way the other Slytherins deferred to whatever the insolent brat wanted. That would definitely have to change, once he had his horcrux beside him.
"Potter, Hadrian."
He must have spaced out, because the sudden silence drew his gaze, as he watched a shy boy step up to the chair. Tom made sure to stare at the younger boy, until finally catching his gaze and holding it. Nodding slightly to the boy and even smiling softly, though no one else would get the same treatment. He felt warmth when Hadrian returned his smile with a timid one of his own. He'd have to help the boy with self-esteem, weren't his relatives spoiling him?
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat barked.
Everyone in the hall jumped before starting to whisper to each other. But Tom just smiled encouragingly, before motioning the boy in the seat beside him. Basically ignoring the rest of the hall in favor of talking to his walking horcrux.
"Hello, my name is Tom." He smiled politely.
The other boy looked at him shyly. "H-hello, I'm Har-harry P-potter. It's n-nice to meet y-you."
Tom inwardly grimaced, what had cause the small boy to act like this? "Are you alright? You don't have to be afraid of anyone here. We are all Slytherins, and we take care of each other."
He noticed Hadrian looking over his shoulder before folding in on himself, as if he expected to get hit. "Everyone keeps looking at me, and i don't want to be more of a freak than i already am."
That one word seemed to freeze Tom in place, especially since he was intimately familiar with it. "Had-"
"What are you doing in this house Potter? You should just go back to your blood traitor friend and his mudblood girlfriend." A voice sneered from behind Tom, making Harry flinch away from them.
Tom could hear other students at their table agreeing with the Malfoy heir, making their own snide remarks. It was pissing the second year off, making his magic go crazy. However, he noticed the flaring of his magic seemed to calm Harry, made him almost look drunk on it. He would have fun teaching the boy everything he knew, before claiming him as his own.
"What was that you insolent brat?" Tom snarled, before standing to face the younger blonde.
"How dare you! When i te-"
"Tell your father? Is that all your good at? I would be ashamed to have you as an heir. Can't think for yourself, or solve your own problems when you try to start them. How pitiful, though i believe that i will notify your father for you, would that be adequate?" Tom sneered in a diplomatic way.
"Who do you think you are?" The blonde sneered back, not paying any attention to the veiled threat Tom had just layered against him.
"Thomas Salazar, the heir of Slytherin. Charmed, Mr. Malfoy. Now, what is your problem with Hadrian?" Tom almost smirked when he felt his carissime grab onto his robes.
"He rejected my offer of friendship over that blood traitor. You shouldn't let him hang all over you, he's pathetic." Draco leveled his sneer towards Hadrian, causing the boy to whimper and bury himself in the back of Toms robes.
Tom hissed, before turning to look at Hadrian. "Did you really turn him down, Paulo Anguis?"
Hadrian shook his head, "I w-was going to be friends, but then R-ron butted in. H-he rejected the offer. I-i'm s-sorry." By the end, his voice was shaking so much, he could barely get any words out.
Tom stared at Hadrian for a moment, before wrapping his magic around the boy. "Well, there you have it Mr. Malfoy. I would suggest, that you rethink your approach when addressing Hadrian from now on."
With that he sat back down next to the anxious eleven year old, leaving most of the table stunned that the Slytherin heir would stand up for a half-blood, but knew better than to question him. Most of the table respected the young wizard, who was a prodigy in his own way, and they wondered what Hadrian would be like. The silence dissipated soon, and the hall filled with the excited chatter of students, but Tom only had eyes on the fidgety figure next to him.
"Are you alright Hadrian? You haven't eaten anything." He commented softly, not pulling anyones attention to them.
The boy fidgeted more before whispering, "Freaks don't get food."
Tom had to clench his fist as he kept his raging magic locked within himself, though he noticed the younger boy flinching slightly beside him, therefore making him calm down. "You aren't a freak Hadrian, do you understand?"
Said eleven year-old just shrugged, "How can i not be? What else is there to be, for someone like me."
A dark, but soft chuckle left Tom. The boy was like a blank slate, just waiting to be molded, and Tom certainly had plans for the boy. "You can be anything you want to be. Your a wizard now, anything is possible. If you ever need anything, i'd be more than happy to help you, if i can. We are friends now, correct?"
Tom knew it had sunk in when the boy shot up, a look of hope clear in his eyes, the paulo anguis was so easy to read. And though Tom knew it was low and slightly petty, he would use any means necessary to enthrall Hadrian and make sure the boy stuck by him. No one else was allowed to have to him.
"You want to be friends with me?" the reply was timid in nature, almost as if the speaker was afraid it was all a joke.
"Of course, why wouldn't i?" Tom asked haughtily. Honestly, the boy was making this entirely to easy. It was almost as if the boy was starved for affection, of any kind gesture and apparently touch was apart of that, with how tightly the boy was clutching his robes.
"Uncle Vernon told me freaks weren't allowed to have friends, and Dudley always bullies anyone trying to be nice to me, or they all tell lies so people think i'm a degenerate." The confession made Tom's blood boil and he wanted to curse someone very badly.
"Is that your family? Are they like us?" Tom bit out.
Hadrian flinched again, but not as bad this time. "It's my Aunts family. They are normal people, they hate me. Anytime something freakish would happen-" the ravenette cut off abruptly, shivering in memory of something.
Tom sighed. Muggles, oh how he hated them, moreso now than ever before. But at least he had a good starting point for his paulo anguis. He would groom the boy to rely on him, and never want to disappoint him. "Well, we are the same. Apart of noble bloodlines with unique gifts, so eat as much as you can. I'll help as much as you'll let me. I hope we become great friends."
Hadrian stared at him for a moment, before smiling softly and nodding. Piling small portions of everything onto his plate, before eating. Tom watched for a moment before looking towards the front of the hall, where two of his Death Eaters were sitting, staring at the boy next to him. He would have to talk to them, let them know he was alive and well, that Potter was not to be harmed under any circumstance. Should anything happen to his horcrux he would be greatly displeased. He would need to gather the other items in which he placed pieces of himself, he would gift most of them to Hadrian over time, as small courting gifts. Plus he knew that the presence of his other soul pieces would bring some comfort to the small boy, since he held a piece himself.
"I'd like to be friends. I've never had one before." A soft voice stated beside Tom, drawing him from his thoughts.
A smug smirk graced his face for a second, before something softer replaced it when he turned towards Hadrian. "Of course, it'll be my pleasure. Would you like me to walk with you to the dorms after dinner?"
He had wondered if Hadrian would be able to walk with the rest of his year without becoming a stuttering mess. It was something they would be working on, no doubt a side effect of being raised by abusive muggles.
"You don't have to." came the boys reply.
Tom just sighed, "Hadrian, i want you to be honest with me, always. I won't ever be mad at you for speaking your mind. You are safe here, however i will be most displeased if you lie to me. In return, i promise to always be truthful with you." Well, as truthful as he wanted to be, it wouldn't do to eventually mentally scar the child with some of the things he would be doing.
"Alright. Please come with me." the tone was soft, almost fearful of rejection.
Before Tom could reply, the headmaster stood and everyone quieted in order to listen to him better.
"Now that everyone has eaten, and has socialized, there are a few things that need to be discussed. Mr. Filch has asked me to inform everyone that the Forbidden Forest is absolutely off limits to every student, along with several other places and items which can be found on his door. The Third floor corridor is also off limits to all students, who do not wish to die a most unfortunate death. Now, Prefects please show the first years to the common rooms, and we will see everyone for breakfast tomorrow!"
The Great Hall erupted into activity as two students from each table stood and gathered their first years. Tom stood and waited for Hadrian to join him, smiling to himself when the small boy clung to him, using him as a shield of sorts from everyone else. Tom didn't understand why this action pleased him so much, made his magic hum smugly. But it was a step in the right direction, Hadrian was seeking protection and comfort from him. All Tom had to do was use that, and make it second nature to the small Ravenette. As they walked at the back of the pack, Tom shared small facts or funny tidbits with his horcrux, feeling a sense of pride when he was able to pull a happy or positive response from the timid boy.
However, Tom noticed the easy-going nature between them dissipated as soon as they stepped into the Slytherin Common room. It was filling with a few snakes from each year, and all the new firsties. Apparently his paulo anguis disliked crowds, or people staring at him. Though he could see that most of the gazes were curious, only a few were hostile and he would enjoy dealing with them personally. No one would hurt his paulo anguis, Hadrian Potter was off limits to everyone in the great house of Slytherin.
Before Tom could say anything to calm the smaller boy down, the Prefects called the first years attention to the front. "Alright, settle down everyone. There are a few rules that you must be made aware of. Number one, we are Slytherins, this means that the other three houses don't like us much. So, don't go anywhere by yourselves. If you have a problem with another Slytherin, address it in the Common room or privately, do not settle disputes in view of the other house. We are united. Number two, if you feel the need to bully someone, be Slytherin about it. Don't get caught, don't leave evidence that could lead back to you. Number three, if you have any questions that your housemates can't answer, feel free to ask a prefect or head-boy/girl. And finally, if you are being bullied or abused please don't be afraid of bringing this up to someone. A prefect, a professor or our Head of House, we are all here to help and guide you."
As soon as the two had finished speaking, the Common room door opened up and their head of house walked in. Tom saw the moment he registered the second year standing beside the smaller first year, a look of hate and disgust aimed at the ravenette. Tom knew he'd need to have a discussion with Snape about the boy, he would not allow the older wizard to bully his consort-to-be.
"Have they been informed of the rules?" The professor asked.
"Yes professor Snape." came two replies.
The dark figure turned towards the small group of first years, sneering in disdain. "I am your head of house, Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master. I expect you all to behave properly outside of these walls. I expect passing grades from all of you, and if i hear so much as a negative remark from the other professors regarding your actions, you will not like the consequences."
Though Tom knew it was meant for the first years, the Professor was staring directly at Hadrian, causing the smaller boy to flinch and cling tighter to Tom while hiding himself from view. That final action decided that tonight, his potion master would be reminded of his place, even if he was trapped in his twelve year old body. Without another word from the taller man, he spun and exited the room through a side door. Everyone dispersed, with a warning that first years would be going to bed by eight.
The Slytherin Heir grinned as he dragged the smaller boy towards a plush Emerald chaise lounge, before reclining himself on it, waiting for the ravenette to do the same. However he was surprised when to boy sat himself on the floor, back rigid with five inches of space between him and the furniture.
"Hadrian, you can sit on the chaise with me, if you'd like." The pre-teen spoke gently, knowing that the younger boy was like a skittish animal.
Hopeful green eyes stared back at him, before dulling slightly as a shudder wracked his body. "Freaks aren't allowed on the furniture. Uncle Vernon will beat me if i touch something for normal people."
Even though it was muttered, Tom heard it all and it made his blood lust rise. "Hadrian, you are not a freak, remember we are all the same here. We all have magic, your muggle family is the worst sort. We are gifted with powers that they could only dream of, i don't ever want to hear you call yourself a freak, do you understand?"
Hadrian was staring at him wide-eyed, unsure why the sudden thought of disappointing this boy made him hurt. But he nodded all the same. "I-i'll try, Tom. P-please don't b-be made at m-me."
Tom smiled softly, how easy it was to manipulate the small child with a few kind words and actions. Now for the final piece, "Oh Hadrian, I'm not mad at you, I am however disappointed."
The older pre-teen watched with sadistic glee as the smaller boy flinched from his position on the floor, his head facing the floor in what Tom would guess was shame. He also took notice of the small shaking in the boys shoulders, and assumed that the boy was crying. Tom let Hadrian wallow in the self-depreciating despair of shame for a few minutes before schooling his features and kneeling down beside the younger boy, it was time to give the boy something to grab onto, some kind of hope.
"If you are a freak, then so am i. Do you think i'm a freak, Hadrian?" His voice soft, compelling.
"Your the first person to be my friend." Hadrian flushed a slight pink, probably from embarrassment.
Tom smirked to himself, "Then don't disappoint me."
Hadrian nodded enthusiastically, before yawning suddenly. The stress of the day seems to have caught up with the smaller boy. "I promise Tom."
Tom allowed the younger boy to curl up against him, even allowed his magic to curl around the ravenette, who just sighed in contentment before relaxing completely. He could feel the other Slytherins staring at them in wonder, knowing exactly what had just happened, even though they couldn't hear the conversation. Gathering the too small body, he moved them up onto the chaise, letting the boy settle before motioning over one of the older boys that he knew would be loyal to him.
"Yes, my King?" Marcus Flint bowed to the heir, sneaking a glance at the smaller body curled into him.
Tom sighed, even though he knew that others would be interested in his paulo anguis, he didn't have to like it. "Please settle Hadrian in my room, and keep an eye on him. I need to have a word with Professor Snape."
Flint nodded, gently gathering the smaller boy to him, and made his way to the second year dorms. Once Tom could no longer see them, he stood and left the common room the same way Snape had. It was time to put his Death Eaters in their place, and set some new standards. Starting with Severus Snape.