Chapter 2
"Oi, boy! Come on now before we're late!" Thomas Marvolo Riddle, or Tom as he preferred Harry to call him, called for the young boy that had been living with him for about a year now.
The now, 8 year old Harry, ran down the stairs of Riddle Manor. He took them two at a time, a casual grin on his face. This last year had been the best of Harry's short life.
Tom had kept true to his word, and he had shown Harry the world of magic. Harry was fascinated by it all. As the year went by, Tom read him almost every book in the Riddle library, and he even let him read some books of his own. Tom showed Harry different spells, and even taught Harry how to control his developing underage magic.
As soon as Harry had moved in with Tom, he had thrown a small fit when Severus had tried to grab him when he was playing in the gardens and he had levitated Severus in the air on accident. Harry was shocked by this, and he was even more hysterical when Tom came out to get him.
It had only been a month into Harry staying with Tom, and he was worried the man was going to hurt him, or worse send him back to the Dursleys and his brother.
Tom, however, surprised him, and he comforted Harry telling the young boy that he did his first act of accidental magic. Solidifying that boy was in fact a wizard. After being calmed down, Harry was excited by this news and all but demanded Tom teach him more about magic.
The Dark Lord was a good sport, and he taught Harry certain wandless spells that he could use and practice. Teaching him as much as he could within the short year, they had together. It had enticed and intrigued Harry, and he learned everything he could as quickly as he could.
Tom was quickly becoming the father figure that Harry had always wanted, and so it was no surprise that when his birthday came around and Tom asked the young boy what he wanted, the boy had stated:
"I want to be your son officially. I no longer want to be Harry Potter."
To say the Dark Lord wasn't both surprised and excited at this request would be an understatement. He worked quickly with Harry's request and set up a meeting on Gringotts to officialize the adoption. He had Severus and Lucius set it up for him. He then made the announcement to his inner circle that he would soon have a new heir. He had his inner circle inform the outer circle, and everything was set in motion soon after.
And that was how they ended up here. They were about to floo their way to Diagon Alley and head to Gringotts to make Harry's adoption official.
Harry grinned up at Tom, "I'm ready to go," Harry said. Tom merely rolled his eyes as he knelt down to fix Harry's robes. The young boy looked a rush mess, it was honestly amusing.
"As my son, you'll need to learn to present yourself better," Tom told the boy as he tried to fix the mess that Harry called hair atop of his head.
"I'm 8," Harry deadpanned.
"You should still know how to dress yourself," Tom said simply as he rose to his feet, "Now you're set," he said, "Come," Tom turned to head to the fireplace. Harry quickly followed after him, trying to keep up, "Now, remember you must speak the words clearly, okay?"
"I know I know," Harry rolled his eyes as he stopped next to Tom.
"I'll go first and I'll wait for you, alright?" Tom said.
"Why can't we just apparate?" Harry asked with a small frown as he looked up at his father.
Before Tom could answer, someone else spoke up, "That is a good question, my boy," came the nasally tone of Harry's second favorite person after Tom.
The young boy quickly spun around and grinned at the sight of Severus Snape, standing there with the same blank expression on his face as usual. But anyone who knew the man, could also see the slight flash of happiness in his eyes and the softening of his gaze at the sight of Harry.
"Sevvy!" Harry said as he immediately ran towards the man. Severus was quick to scoop the boy up into his arms, giving a roll of his eyes. But again, there was that flash of happiness within the dark orbs.
"Hello, boy. I see you are ready for your trip to Gringotts," Severus said as he looked at Harry.
"I am," Harry nodded his head quickly.
"Severus, I didn't know you'd be joining us," the Dark Lord said to his second as he looked at the potion master.
"I figured someone would need to watch after Harry while you took care of the official business of the adoption," Severus drawled casually.
"Right," Tom hummed as he nodded. The Dark Lord knew the truth, however, Severus was as smitten with Harry as Harry was with him.
It was no surprise to Tom. Severus had a way with Harry from the very beginning, without even knowing it. At first, Severus tried to avoid Harry like a plague. Harry reminded Severus too much of James and Lily Potter. James, who had been his enemy, and Lily, who had once been his best friend. It terrified him how much Harry was like Lily in personality whilst also looking like an exact replica of James Potter.
But Harry had wormed his way into the old dungeon bat's heart, and though he would never admit Severus adored the boy.
"Can we go now? Please," Harry whined softly as he looked from Tom to Severus and back again.
"Of course, let us go. Since you both would rather apparate, Severus, you can apparate Harry there yourself," Tom suggested.
"Alright," Severus nodded once, and with the pair were off with a pop, Severus holding on tightly to Harry as a side passenger.
Harry was in awe, as usual, when they arrived in Diagon Alley. It was his fifth time being here, maybe sixth. However, it still left him in awe every time the young boy was here. It was filled with bustling witches and wizards, the shops full of books, robes, candies, magic, and more.
It was so wonderful.
"Come on before we are late," Tom huffed as he led the way through the crowd of wizards and witches. Severus trailed along after him, still holding Harry on his hip.
"Sev, Sev can we get ice cream, please," Harry asked eagerly once he spotted Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, a small frown taking over his features.
"Not yet, my boy. We have to finalize your adoption first. Then after perhaps, we can sucker your father into getting you a cone," Severus promised the young lad. Harry pouted, but he nodded his head as if he understood.
It didn't take them long to reach Gringotts and once they arrived, Severus set Harry down on the ground, causing the boy to pout even more. His pout turned into a small smile when Severus grabbed his hand and led him inside after his father.
Tom made his way straight to the first goblin he saw, "Hello, Thomas Riddle and Harry Potter here to see Blackfoot to finalize the blood adoption," Tom said to the behind the pedestal. The Goblin looked down at Tom then Harry, and then Severus. He grumbled to himself before waving his hand.
To Harry's astonishment, another goblin appeared right there next to the pedestal. This must've been Blackfoot. This one looked at the trio before he grunted, "Mr. Riddle, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Snape. Right this way," Blackfoot turned and he led the trio down a set of stairs, and to a private stone chamber.
In the chamber there was one singular table, with a dagger, three sheets of parchment, and a quill and ink set.
"Have you chosen a name for the boy?" Blackfoot asked as he stepped towards the table. Tom stood on the other side of the table, opposite Blackfoot. Severus and Harry stood behind Tom, Harry hiding behind Severus's robes.
"I have," Tom started with a nod of his head.
"Well, what is it?" Blackfoot questioned as he looked at Tom.
"Sebastian Thomas Riddle," Tom stated confidently. Harry perked up at the sound of his new name. He would no longer be considered Harry Potter when this was all over. No longer Harry, but Sebastian. He liked it.
"Right. Powerful for a powerful young wizard," Blackfoot said as he looked at Tom, he held the dagger out to the man, "Bring the boy forth. Cut his hand, then cut your own. The both of you will need to drop a drop of blood onto the parchment."
"Come here, Sebastian," Tom used Harry's new name to get him used to it. It took Harry a moment to come forth, forgetting momentarily about his new name but Severus ushered him towards Tom calmly.
Tom knelt down so that he was leveled with Sebastian and he took Sebastian's hand in his own, "This will hurt, and I am sorry for it but once it is done. I promise we can go and get some ice cream and new books, alright?"
"Okay, Father," Sebastian nodded his head stiffly, tears already springing into his eyes. But he refused to let them fall. Tom always told him not to show weakness in front of those that weren't family, and Blackfoot was not family.
"Good boy," Tom said, and he gently sliced the dagger through Sebastian's hand. He made a small cut, nothing too big not wanting to alarm the boy. Then with his guidance, Sebastian dropped his blood onto the first piece of parchment.
Severus quickly scooped the boy up into his arms and wrapped a handkerchief around his hand as the boy sniffled, but refused to cry, "Such a strong boy. Good job, Sebastian," Severus praised as Tom cut his own hand and dropped his blood onto the parchment.
"Alright, now state your names and say "Accept the blood adoption," and we will continue on from there," Blackfoot stated.
"Repeat after me, Sebastian," Severus whispered softly to the boy, still sniffling in his arms.
"I, Sebastian Thomas Riddle, accept the blood adoption," Sebastian stated clearly as he wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his robes.
"I, Thomas Marvolo Riddle, accept the blood adoption," Tom said.
There was suddenly a flash of light, and Tom quickly turned to check on his newly adopted son. And his eyes widened at the sight before him. The boy who once looked like a spitting image of James and Lily Potter, now resembled Tom in most places. Instead of James Potter's wild hair, Sebastian's hair was straight and fell into his eyes. And instead of Lily's green eyes, Sebastian's eyes were swirls of green and black, with a hint of red. His features were stronger, resembling a young Tom more than a young James.
"What's wrong with me?" Sebastian frowned deeply, "Why can't I see clearly?" He whined softly.
"Here," Severus grabbed Sebastian's glasses and he pulled them off, "Better?"
"Yes, thank you, Sevvy," Sebastian grinned brightly. And it also appeared that the boy had gotten Tom's brilliant eyesight.
"Now, who will be the boy's Godparents?" Blackfoot asked as he looked at Tom, causing the Dark Lord to look away from his son and towards the goblin, "State your name and the names of who you are assigning as his godparents."
"I, Thomas Marvolo Riddle, name Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy as his godfathers as well as Bellatrix LeStrange and Narcissa Malfoy as his godmothers," Tom stated confidently.
"Me?" Severus gaped at Tom, his eyes widening in alarm.
"The boy adores you, and you and Lucius are the only ones I would trust with his safety if something ever happened to me," Tom nodded once as he looked at his old friend.
"I thank you for your trust, My Lord," Severus bowed slightly. Tom merely waved his hand before turning to the goblin. The goblin was waving his hand over the parchment that held their blood and the blood was writing out the new certificate of adoption for Sebastian Riddle.
Personal Information
Original Name: Harry James Potter
Biological Father: James Potter
Biological Mother: Lily Potter née Evans
Godmother: None
Godfather: Sirius Black
Adoptive Name: Sebastian Thomas Riddle
Adoptive Father: Thomas Marvolo Riddle
Adoptive Godmother(S): Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix LeStrange
Adoptive Godfather(s): Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape
"And it is final," Blackfoot said as he handed a copy of the first parchment to Tom, a copy to Severus and he would keep the original one in the files at Gringotts.
"Thank you for your time, Blackfoot. Please, take 200 galleons from the Gault Vault for your service," Tom stated.
"I thank you, Sir," Blackfoot bowed slightly. Tom nodded once before he turned to take Sebastian from Severus and lead the way out of the Gringotts.
"Can we get ice cream now?" Sebastian asked once they were clear of the private chambers. Severus snorted from his position at the Dark Lord's side while Tom rolled his eyes silently.
"Yes, brat. We can get ice cream now."
Sebastian Riddle grinned happily as he wrapped his arms around his adoptive father's neck. Tom merely rolled his eyes once more but tightened his hold around his son's waist as he led the way out of Gringotts.
Severus watched the scene, a small smile appearing on the Old Dungeon Bat's features. There was no doubt in his mind that Sebastian Riddle would be spoiled rotten by the Dark Lord. Especially being his only heir. Yes, Sebastian Riddle would want for nothing. Spoiled by the Lord and his followers for all his life.