Chapter 9: Distinct

Glass doors with the Jaguar Logo were the only things separating him from the elegant cars on the showroom floor. A smirk curled his lips, Lucius boasted about his cars but he knew full well the aristocrat didn't have the same amount of money he did. The wizard paused and looked at the boys, he knew he could enchant the car to fly, but honestly he didn't want it to, he had a feeling she would move better on the road and it would be a shame to lose such elegance, she was crafted to own the road and he'd be damned if anyone changed that. He looked down at Harry and Draco, "Let's get a closer look," he said simply as he pulled open one of the glass doors with a brass handle.

He watched as Harry's jaw hit the pavement and he looked wide eyed at Tom, "No way," he whispered. Tom arched a brow and asked, "What?" He was used to swiping plastic cards and getting what he wanted, he loved the power he could wield and money honestly wasn't an object. "It's just, I've never even seen these types of cars, and now to be a room full of them," Harry stammered. Draco chuckled as he placed a hand on Harry's back. The blonde was more than well versed on the perks of wealth. "Harry, just enjoy," Draco whispered.

Tom walked into the white dealership, beautiful cars sat before him in black, white and red. He smiled as he stopped before a beautifully waxed Jaguar, he could see his reflection in her hood, her sensual curves, and that sleek body screamed for attention. While he wasn't a fan of the flashy red he loved how close to the ground she was, she didn't roll across the road, she hugged it. His eyes flickered to the center of the room, sitting on a block was perhaps one of the most beautiful cars he had seen yet. Draco and Harry seemed to think the same thing as the three walked over to the hottest and fastest Jaguar yet, the F-Type R.

The wizard stood before the car with a smirk plastered on his lips. All he could think was Severus would have a heart attack. Red eyes traced the curve of her body, she was fierce a true animal waiting for him to let her loose. She was both wild and unassuming at the same time. Unlike most cars, this car was dangerous, she felt dangerous but sophisticated, she wasn't childish or flamboyant like a Lamborghini. His fingers tingled, he ached to wrap his hands around the steering wheel and put his foot on the gas.

He slowly walked to the side and noticed even the door handles hid from view, making for a smooth finish and less drag, meaning he could drive even faster. Tom practically moaned as he looked over her beautiful lines, "May I help you?" asked a rather nasally voice, it was high pitched and snapped him out of his car educed day dream. Red eyes flickered over to the woman on the other side of the car, she was in a bright red dress, and tall heels. She had dark brown hair, a pair of hazel eyes and curves which most would consider attractive. She was frozen as she looked at him, he had a feeling she was in shock, clearly she hadn't expected someone like him to walk in.

It was no secret that most of the cars in this bracket were bought by older gentlemen who were graying and looked more as though they were trying to turn back the clock. He smirked, in many ways if he looked his age he would be one of these men. The only issue was he still had his charm, "Good afternoon, I was wondering what you could tell me about her," he said smoothly. His hands were in his pockets and he looked even more relaxed. "It's not exactly child safe," she said hesitantly as she looked at the boys. Tom chuckled, Draco looked mildly insulted and Harry, while Harry was still in shock that he had even entered the dealership.

Tom nodded, "I'm well aware, but come now, you can't deny us our indulgence," he said smoothly as he walked around the car and stood before her. Shamelessly her eyes roamed over him, he knew it was a great decision to wear the tight gray jeans, her eyes hovered on his groin and he suppressed a chuckle, she wasn't his type. She bit her bright red lower lip and replied, "Of course, boys will be boys." Tom smiled and chuckled a bit, she had no idea just how fast some of those brooms could go, if she knew they even existed.

"This is the Jaguar F Type R," she said with pride, "550 horsepower, with a top speed of 300 km/h." Tom turned his attention to the car before him, this wasn't a car for a weak driver, "Sports Suspension with Adaptive Dynamics, a configurable dynamics system, Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by braking," she continued firing it off. He looked over at her, he really wanted to get behind the wheel. He tuned out most of her prattling until she said, "and switchable sports exhaust with quad exhaust pipes." His head snapped up, as he stared at her in shock, "Oh yes she doesn't only purr, she roars," the sales woman said with a smug grin. Desire to drive the beautiful car before him wasn't existent any more, it was quickly replaced by the primal need, he needed to drive it.

Tom looked at her and walked toward her, he flashed a charming smile and stood beside her. His eyes fell on the car once more before he looked at her. She was decent looking, he liked something with more muscle and not a high pitch voice, darker and far more mysterious, but he could work with her. He tilted his head to the side and asked, "Mind if I take her out for a test drive?" She blinked at him owlishly as Tom slipped his hand through his dark chocolate hair, the product had made it stiff but he knew full well it would bounce back. She licked her lips and asked, "Which one?" Tom chuckled as he folded his arms and glanced back at the car, "The R, I'd love to hear her voice," he added quickly before looking at the boys. Draco was turning green with envy and Tom winked, he was going to drive her.

"It is quite remarkable," she said smoothly. Tom nodded as he looked into her hazel eyes and replied, "I have no doubt, she is rather distinct, I just hope she sounds it." The boys looked at Tom wide eyed and she chuckled, "Oh trust me, she does." Tom chuckled as he tilted his head toward the boys, "Can they hear her, before we make our get away?" he asked. The brunet blushed brightly, and nodded, he could tell she was attempting to collect her thoughts.

"Certainly, they will have to stay here during the drive though," she said smoothly as she pointed at the boys. Tom didn't like the way she treated them but had a feeling he wouldn't get a say. He nodded and remarked, "Naturally, I'd rather have you in the passenger seat anyway." She gasped audibly before blushing a little, "You know quite a great deal about her, it's only fitting," he added. She swallowed before stammering, "I-I'll let the boys in the back know," before vanishing from view.

Draco glared at him, his silver eyes were hardened and he was shaking his head, he knew he had just charmed his way into a test drive, she wouldn't have caved if she didn't find him attractive. She returned quickly with the keys, "Alright, I have one in the back, I just need to see your license," she said simply. Tom took out his wallet and showed it to her, "Okay Mister Riddle, follow me," she said happily. He nodded as he followed her, he was careful to walk in measured steps, he didn't have to rush, he was the Dark Lord after all. "Of course," he said simply, "After you." She blushed once more; clearly she wasn't used to someone like him.

They walked out the back door with the boys in tow, sitting ready in the lot was a beautiful titanium white Jaguar F Type R coupe. "I'm Natalie by the way," said the woman after a moment, she smiled nervously, giving away the fact that she purposely wanted him to say her name so she could hear it spill from his lips. "Pleasure, Natalie," he said as he walked over to the passenger side. She hit a button on the key fob and he watched the door handle pop out of the door. She looked confused for a moment as Tom opened the door for her, "Thank you," she whispered before slipping into the seat and handing him the keys.

Tom rounded the car and slipped into the leather driver's seat. He loved the way it contoured to his body; it was snug, supportive and utterly seductive. He quickly started the car, he felt a shiver run through him as he heard the engine purr to life. "There is a switch here," she explained, "That allows for you to really hear her." Without further explanation she flipped the switch and he listened to most exhilarating sound he had ever heard, her roar. He smirked as he felt the power surge through the beautiful car and he noticed the expression on the boys' faces. He quickly put it in gear and pulled away from the dealership. A shiver traveled down his spine as he felt his heart race, she handled like a dream as he wove through traffic and quickly shifted. It was smooth, and he loved the sound of her growl. With each time he tapped the clutch he was moving even faster, "I'm so taking this home," he moaned as he flicked his directional and took another right.

His red eyes fell on the woman beside her, he had nearly forgotten about her, clearly she was too preoccupied looking at him. Natalie was watching him, her mouth was open and she was in awe. Tom chuckled, he had been driving for decades, of course he could do this, "It certainly changes everything," he whispered, "Brace yourself," he said as he shifted, Natalie's fingers curled around the edge of the seat. "These little men, this small world," he began before gliding around a corner, "This gem in the middle of shimmering seas," her eyes glazed over, "This earth," he breathed before shifting again pushing the car even faster, "This world," he breathed.

Tom grinned mischievously as he shifted with grace, he was certain at that moment this car would give Severus a heart attack. No matter what he did, he was bringing the car home in British Racing Green. Natalie looked dazed as he down shifted and turned into the dealership. Her dress was ruffled and lips parted, she looked as though he had just had a round of sex with her. She looked over and licked her lips, "Whoa, I've never had someone drive like that," she whispered. Tom smirked, he had a feeling no one had ever shown her what it was like to really drive. He put the car in park, the boys were standing there drooling on the sidewalk.

"I'll take it," said Tom firmly, Severus was going to have a heart attack and he knew it.

~~WL~~

Lucius quickly sat up once Dumbledore was gone, the room seemed to spin and he clutched his head, this was a disaster. The blonde noble gripped the desk as he bowed his head, desperately attempting to get the turbulent thoughts in his head to subside. He wanted nothing more than to hold his family close, Harry was family now, the boy had been through enough but Dumbledore wanted to cause even more harm. The Malfoy patriarch closed his eyes for a moment when he heard a soft hiss, "Lucius, you should speak to your wife," said a familiar voice.

Gray eyes opened and he looked down at the frame on his desk, it was occupied by Salazar once more, he was slowly becoming more and more accustomed to the Founder's visits. "I can't, Dumbledore is probably having my office watched, I don't want her harmed, I don't think I can live with myself it anything were to happen to her," he said slowly. His chest ached just thinking about someone hurting her, "So you are going to sit idly while a man threatens your family?" sneered the man in the frame.

Lucius shot the wizard a glare, "No, I don't know what to do," he hissed in frustration, "I'm not you, not everything is as clear to me as it is to you." He growled as he flopped in his chair in a rather inelegant way and leaned his elbows on his desk. He sighed before pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes and muttering, "I don't want to loose them, Narcissa, Draco, Harry, Tom, Severus, I can't think of life without them." Lucius was never a sentimental man, yet, he couldn't stand the notion of losing his new found family.

"Lucius, sometimes the best moves are the boldest," Salazar said slowly, "You have to choose between releasing the boy into a life of pain or causing your family pain. It's never simple to do the right thing." Lucius slowly moved his hands away from his head and folded his arms on his desk, he looked down at the grain of the wood and whispered, "I'm not strong enough to take him head on." He knew he never would be, he wasn't like Tom who was more than equal in skill and power.

"Don't fight him like a Gryffindor, what house do you belong to?" asked Salazar lightly. Lucius looked up at him and replied, "Slytherin." The founder smiled and tapped his fingers against the desk in the image. It was then that Lucius realized what the next step was, "Warn them and there has to be something I can use in the Hall of Records, something that can help us find the chamber," he said quickly. He needed blueprints, he needed the castle blueprints, if there were changes to the castle they had to be noted. The only issue was because of the castle's magic things often moved. "Salazar, did you make blueprints of the castle?" he asked.

The founder sadly shook his head, "It's been too long since we mapped it, unless," he began and paused. Lucius sat at the edge of his seat and looked at the founder who was clearly attempting to remember something. "I remember Minerva raving to Slughorn years ago about four boys getting in constant trouble and always seeming to be able to avoid being caught," he commented. Lucius was quiet as he searched his memory for a hint of who they might have been, "They often bullied Severus."

As if lightning had struck him Lucius nearly shouted, "The Marauders! James, Sirius, Peter and Remus!" Salazar stared at him in confusion a question was forming on his lips when Lucius explained, "Those four made Sev miserable, the pranks, one of them nearly killed him. How could they get away with those pranks?" The founder held his hand up, his eyes narrowed as he asked, "What did they do?" his voice was dark and filled with anger. Lucius froze, he had heard that tone only once before, from Tom, when he had learned of what was happening to Harry. It was cold, unyielding and murderous in nature.

The Malfoy looked at the portrait and replied, "Sirius knocked Sev out and took him into the Forbidden Forest, he was nearly killed by a wild animal. We couldn't find him for hours, he still doesn't like the woods and avoids venturing into them when he can." Salazar began to visibly shake, anger was rolling off the portrait in waves, and soon the frame began to do so. "A student was nearly killed by a prank by another student! How could the Headmaster be so negligent? What was the punishment?" he hissed.

"Nothing, they were never caught, everyone said Sev was simply breaking the rules. Sirius never confessed to it and Severus never forgot," Lucius said softly, his eyes were locked on the now cracking wooden frame, he had never seen a portrait angry, not like this at least. Usually portraits would scream till they were beyond words, yet Salazar managed to shake the frame. "NOTHING WAS DONE?" he roared, "Incompetence!" Lucius held up his hands and watched as the founder cursed in parseltongue. Lucius flinched, he still remembered the injuries the Potion's Master had sustained thanks to the event, both the mental and the physical.

"Sir, it's in the past, right now we need to figure out just how they managed to do things and not get caught," he stated firmly, the portrait complied with a silent nod. He ran his fingers through his hair before remembering the mumblings of Remus, "A map, they made a map! Now I just have to find it," he said slowly. If he could use the original blueprints and the map, he would be able to figure out what areas would likely house the chamber and ultimately locate it as well as Salazar's library. "Now you have to find it, it's been a very long time since they were in school," Salazar mused.

Lucius nodded and looked at the portrait, he still needed a way to keep Harry safe, this would only work long term, they needed security now. Drummed his fingers on his desk when his eyes fell on his lordship ring, the answer had been there all along, "I have to go, I think I just figured out how to protect Harry a little longer," he said rapidly as he jumped out of his seat. He didn't wait for Salazar to bid him well, he was already moving out of his office and rushing toward the Legal Hall.

Unlike the Archive, the hall was far more his speed. If he remembered correctly from the days of his schooling to become a solicitor there was a clause that could help them. He just had to make sure it was still valid. Wizards tended to write laws that contradicted one another, and never really voided a law, it was simply pushed further and further away from mind as new laws were developed. Lucius opened the doors to the Hall and looked at the other Solicitors, he had forgotten how calm it was compared to the chaos of the Archives.

In a sea of other witches and wizards he glided with purpose, what he needed was buried deep in the hall, and while the others usually stayed with in the last 200 years, he needed something far older. Lucius strode past a young wizard struggling was a cumbersome tome, he could feel the eyes of his colleagues on his back as he walked through. He had grown accustomed to the glares of hatred after announcing his affiliation with the Dark Lord all those years ago. In his opinion it didn't matter if he was allied with the Dark Lord or not, it was none of their business what his beliefs were, all that mattered was that he was skilled at his occupation.

He opened a pair of large doors which separated the Hall, unlike the archive which was free flowing, the Hall was broken into sections with walls and doors. He slipped into the new section and noticed a few wizards toward the front, he still wasn't far enough it. He had to go deep into the heart of the Hall to find it. After crossing the second threshold he found himself standing in an abandoned section. He could see the dust on the shelves and noted that they hadn't even bothered cleaning the space since no one ventured this deep.

Black robes swept against the dusty floor as Lucius walked through the stacks, it was dimly lit and he notice the number of spiders making their homes amongst the volumes. His gray eyes glided over the spines of the tomes, most of them were leather and a few were plant fiber. He stopped before the era of Merlin, these were all scrolls. Finally, he was where he had to be. Lucius looked at the tags which hung from the strings wrapped around the scrolls, they were labeled with years and nature of the law.

Unlike the tomes in the front of the library, older laws were longer, more specialized and each law took up a large portion of parchment. These laws were forged in a time where chaos was common and the law was the only thing keeping society from collapsing in on itself. They were the first laws, the oldest of them all and the most sacred. Many had been forgotten with time, while others had been paraphrased and reworked to suit the times.

He stopped before the date, he wrapped his fingers around the edge and pulled out a rather thick scroll. A once green ribbon, was tied around the girth of the scroll. The wizard quickly freed the scroll from its confines and began reading. Like many of the older scrolls the original case was presented, then the ruling and finally the law that was often added later.

"Winter Solstice, Year of the Pendragon's Wrath,

The during the waxing moon of the first month of winter a fire was set to the Estate of Lord Riddle. The mansion was reduced to rubble and only the scion survived. There is no one else able to take the child in these turbulent times,"

Lucius read and paused, Riddle, the Riddle line had both been in jeopardy then and existed. "Just how old are the Riddles?" he asked as he looked up, he knew there were old lines but this was too much of a coincidence. He continued reading the scroll only to notice the penmanship change, it was no longer the firm calligraphy of a scribe but the elegant and rather soft calligraphy of a different quill entirely.

"The scion of the line has been left without a home, and while I wish to offer my own, it is impossible to do so. For fear that I would strip the scion of his rights, he is to be sent to his relatives, despite their harsh treatment of the boy.

"He was found several days ago, beaten, starved, and near death. Only his magic was sustaining his life. The family in question claimed this as an act of discipline, even though it is clearly an act of abuse. We are unable to separate the scion from the remaining family."

Lucius continued to unwind the scroll and noticed the ink again had changed color, this scroll was longer and the writing again was just as tender and passionate. Clearly the individual was attached to the young wizard in question.

"The scion has come of age, however has called for a vote. He proposes a new law to protect future scions:

A scion of any family, regardless of age, has the ability and right to seek refuge in another house in cases of dire duress. Be it from death of the family, cursed members, to abuse and neglect, the scion as final member of the line and future Lord, has the right to select a house to serve as guardians.

The Guardian House must provide written codes stating they will not take advantage of the scion, provide protection and approve of their selection.

The House in question then has 1 year to either adopt or send the scion away. Adoption may only occur if there are no remaining familial bonds or evidence of abuse is provided.

Approved and Sanctuary Clause extended to women as well."

Lucius looked at the law, they had documented the evidence he was happy to have thought of doing so. He looked at the law and continued to open the scroll, only for his eyes to widen, at the bottom of the scroll was the signature of the one wizard whose word was absolute. He was holding a scroll with a law penned by Merlin himself. The soft and elegant writing belonged to one of the most powerful wizards in history. His jaw popped open as he looked at the date the law had been approved.

Gaunt, the surname was a powerful one, and now even more powerful when allied with that of Merlin on the same scroll. Lucius slowly tied the scroll back up and slipped it into his robes, now all he had to do was make sure the law hadn't been labeled void, if so he would have to keep looking. Although the law stated they could provide protection, there was always the fact that many people considered himself and his family Death Eaters, meaning they would object to their offering of sanctuary to the Potter scion.

There was only one other person he knew who would be able to tell him if the law was still valid, Madame Bones. Even if she was a judge who was known for supporting Albus, he also knew if he provided enough evidence she would swing his way. He would worry about the castle blueprints later, this was far more important, it was the difference between a happy and healthy family, and a dead one.

~~WL~~

The class was oddly silent as they began adding ingredients to their caldrons, already Severus knew just how few students would succeed in crafting a passable brew. From a single glance he knew 10 students had destroyed their caldrons, 9 made a low grade acid, 2 had transformed a simple salve into poison and 1 student was close but it would be a weak excuse for a burn lotion.

Black eyes lifted from the page he was reading to survey the room, he looked over at a young man with his head over a caldron and immediately recognized the fumes. With the flick of his wrist he placed a shield over the caldron and growled, "Finnegan step away from the caldron, 10 points from Gryffindor."

The Irishman stared at him in confusion as the contents of the caldron burst, sending noxious fumes into the air. The stench of sulfur assaulted his already delicate sense of smell and he sighed. "Did you read the directions? It stated to add the moonstone in the form of powder, not chunks," he hissed. He crossed his arms and glided toward the now cowering Gryffindor, he was certain that both Harry and Draco wouldn't have made the same error. "Why is this so?" he asked broadly and glared around the room. The Slytherins on the other side of the room were smiling with glee.

To this day he didn't understand why Albus paired the Slytherins and Gryffindors together, the pair fed off one another like piranhas. He was tired of the battling between the two, it only made classes so much more challenging to teach. It was fact that Slytherins worked beautifully with Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs were far better paired with Gryffindors.

He looked down his nose at the trembling bow, "Well?" he asked tiredly. He turned to his own house, disgusted in part by the way they were grinning and mumbling. He would deal with them later, they were well aware of his policies. "By adding the powder it dissolves entirely within one step while large chunks take far longer and as a result the use of Carvina Root will interact with the chunks. Causing a volatile reaction before the powdered horned worm can fuse to the moonstone making it less volatile," he drawled, not a quill was out and he asked, "Why aren't you writing this down?"

In a flash every student had a quill between their fingers and was scribbling away, he sighed as he called for a piece of chalk and began writing directions for their homework on the board, "I would like 15 inches of parchment on the properties of moonstone and it's proper preparations in potions," he stated, "Do include the compounds which it shouldn't be added to as well as the exceptions and the ingredients which reduce it's reactivity to triggers in potions."

He heard a universal groan from the Gryffindors and the Slytherins were mumbling about the famous stupidity of a Gryffindor, unfortunately they didn't realize he knew none of them had managed to produce a successful salve. "Bottle up your work, clean your spaces and get out," he instructed as he glared at the group. He was itching to get out of the school, it was Friday and he couldn't wait to get back to Malfoy Manor. He listened to the students put various ingredients away when his house elf appeared. He looked over at the young elf who was smiling a little and holding out a piece of parchment.

Severus accepted the piece of parchment from Sage and the elf nodded before popping away. He suppressed a growl, he had a feeling it was from Albus, he looked down at the note and paused, it wasn't from the Headmaster.

Meet me at the gates of the School, after your class is out. I have something to show you. I'm sure you'll love it.

TMR

The note was from Tom, he would know the penmanship any where, he felt his stomach drop. Tom was daring to go near the school, then again the wards had allowed him in the first time, he had a feeling they hadn't alerted the Headmaster to his appearance outside the gate. The Potion Master hummed as he tucked the note away in his long black teaching robe and folded his arms. Tom wasn't the type to do unusual things, yet here he was at the gates of the school.

The clamor died down as the students left the room and he looked at the spotless desks, they knew better than to leave things out in his space. He didn't like contamination, it was bad enough he had to work in the dank dungeons where the air no doubt had mold. Severus slipped out of the lab and into his private chambers. He slipped out of his teaching robes and into a pair of jeans with a v-neck black sweater. Muggle clothing was something he had learned to appreciate from Tom, then again the man's suites were worth as much as most of his cauldrons.

He quickly put on black oxfords and a black belt. With a bag slung over his shoulder and his hair tied back in a leather strap he was ready to go. He smiled as he left his chambers and dashed through the halls, all of the students were long since in classes and he had already asked for the ability to leave the campus. He continued down the stairs, only for Flitwick to spot him, the Charms Professor simply smiled and continued walking. It was one of the few things he liked about the Head of Ravenclaw, he didn't ask questions.

Severus walked out the doors and made his way across the grounds. He was accustomed to walking and didn't hear the click of hooves against the path. He turned around to see a horse with the Hogwarts crest on it's saddle pad. He paused and looked at the stunning animal, it was jet black and bowed it's head to him. Severus lifted a weary palm and touched the animal's muzzle, "How?" he asked curiously only to look over the animal, he had a feeling the castle sent him. He looked at the beautiful stone construct and smiled, perhaps the castle was looking out for him.

The Potion's Master quickly jumped onto the horse's back and began trotting toward the gates, he had ridden horses many times at the Malfoy Estate, but none of them had such a smooth gate. He enjoyed the feeling of the powerful animal moving as the familiar iron gates appeared before him. As they drew closer he noticed a sleek green car on the other side with a young man leaning against the side in jeans, a soft shirt and a rather nice blazer, the black jeans hugged his every curve and his arms were crossed. His chocolate brown hair was spiked wildly and he was sporting a pair of gold framed aviators.

Severus pulled the reins back and quickly dismounted. "What are you doing here Tom?" he questioned as he opened the gates and slipped through them. Only now did he see the car in all it's glory, car wasn't an accurate term for it, it was more of a work of art. In British Racing Green with camel interior, was a sleek Jaguar. His mouth dried out as the man leaning against it tossed the keys. "Want to go for a spin?" he asked with a grin.

Black eyes widened as his lips parted, "You, you didn't, you bought it?" he stammered, suddenly his usual eloquent tongue was gone and what remained was a stammering man faced with a machine that sent a chill up his spine. "Of course I did, come on, let's go for a ride," Tom said flirtatiously, Severus swallowed. He could handle Lucius, the demands of the Headmaster and all the Snakes in his house but when it came to Tom he wasn't dealing with the norm. There were no rules to Tom except one, go with it. Tom was his own man, he always had been and there wasn't any changing it.

"Sure," he replied as he placed his bag in the boot and looked over at the smiling Dark Lord. Severus could tell he was in for a ride, Tom opened the door for the man before circling the car and slipping into the driver's seat. Severus gasped as he listened to the engine roar to life, it was only now he realized that the Jaguar had been sleeping, "Oh trust me, that's not the most impressive part," he stated as he reached down and flicked a switch. The purring wild cat quickly transformed into a roaring one, Severus felt his pulse soar as Tom put the Jaguar in gear and pulled away from the gates.

"Whoa," whispered Severus in awe as he tentatively touched the dashboard. Tom chuckled and shook his head, "She won't bite," he mused as he shifted the car and began slamming through the gears, rapidly pulling away from the building. "The boys?" asked Severus only making Tom's smile broaden. "I took them out already, Draco looked terrified he was clinging to the side of the car, Harry was grinning, the boy certainly loves speed, he'd be a hell of a seeker," Tom said simply as he took a turn and got onto a paved muggle road. It was there Tom really opened her up, Severus smiled as Tom dropped the windows, the sun was out and the day flew by. "How was teaching?" asked Tom curiously. The Potion's Master sighed and replied, "The same as always, dreadful. I'm not sure what's more irritating teaching Hufflepuffs who are clueless or Gryffindors who are so brave their morons?"

Tom chuckled and shook his head, "Same as always, it really never changes," he pursed his lips before commenting, "I heard about Potter's Aunt and Uncle, we need a plan of action," Tom shifted again and Severus felt the Jaguar move with grace under Tom's control. He felt strange watching the wizard drive the muggle car, "What did you have in mind?" asked Severus. Tom smiled as he shifted again, "Adoption. I want to adopt him. It's the only way to keep Albus away, the issue is I'm supposedly dead," he stated. Severus hummed as he thought about it and realized Tom would need a job and the like. He had money that wasn't the issue, the issue was no one knew who he was.

"I have an idea, it's a long shot but it could be in our favor," he stated. The Dark Lord looked over at Severus curiously, "Teaching at Hogwarts, we need a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Strout is leaving," he stated. Severus had always wanted the post but had a feeling Tom would flourish under it and with him there he would be able to protect Harry when he entered school the next year. Tom slowed a little, his expression was contemplative, "There is the issue of my non-existent resume," he stated. He was doing the speed limit, it was obvious that the man needed to think.

Severus hummed until he remembered what Lucius had said the other day, "The Archivist, she can help us, the only thing is since you are a Riddle we can re-launch you in society," he stated. Tom shifted the Jaguar again and began to pick up speed, he drummed his thumb against the steering wheel and replied, "I'm a wizard not a rocket, besides is that really the best idea?"

Lucius was the most knowledgeable in this area and Severus felt as though he were grappling at straws. He sighed and closed his eyes, he had no idea what he was doing, "I don't know, I just know if you want to get into Hogwarts by claiming your right as scion to the Riddle's you should be able to get the Ministry on your side," he mused. Tom slammed on the breaks abruptly causing the Potion's Master to lurch forward and grip the side of the car for dear life. He glanced over at the Dark Lord who was grinning from ear to ear, "Let's take it a step further, I'll get on the Board of Governors and work in the Ministry, Lucius stated they need officials and what better than a newly realized Lord?" he asked.

The idea was loose but Lucius had worked with less, "Do you think that will work?" he asked curiously, he had no idea what Tom was thinking. Tom quickly shifted again and replied, "Oh yes, in fact it will work out beautifully." Severus smiled, Tom always did make a rather large impact and with the Jaguar he was beyond Distinct. He knew Riddle had the makings of a Ministry Official and Professor but the question was how far would he go to keep the boys safe. He watched the road blur as Tom drove at break neck speeds, the Dark Lord now had a goal, and those who got in his way would be damned for attempting it. It was a well known fact that Tom would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.