Chapter 26
April Dates
It was a sunny day during the first weekend of April. Castor Warbeck was feeling very good about himself. He had wonderful plans for a wonderful boy, and he couldn't wait to set them into motion. The Gryffindor stood in front of a mirror after a shower and admired himself.
He was taller than the other Gryffindors in his year, as well as better built from his daily running. He smiled at his developed pecs and abs, rubbing his hand slowly down, moaning softly as he imagined Jasper's hand instead of his. He smirked as his hand moved further down to where an impressive bulge waited flaccid in his underwear. "My baby is in for it," he chuckled to himself and began to dress. Since it was the weekend, he didn't need to be in his school robes, so he took extra effort to make sure he looked his best.
Since it was getting warmer, Castor chose a short-sleeved buttoned shirt that was a light blue, over which he had a black waistcoat. Both paired nicely with the black pair of pants he chose, and he spent ten minutes working on his hair before walking out. "Warbeck, what has you so happy?" one of his dormmates asked.
Warbeck just smirked at him and winked, "Nothing, just a beautiful day. Going to spend it with a friend, see ya." He hummed to himself as he walked across the Gryffindor common room, getting looks from girls as he did so. He ignored them all, his head too full of songs and Jasper.
The cute little Slytherin was easy to find for Castor. He and his group always sat at the same place at the Slytherin Table for every meal. The Gryffindor made his way into the Great Hall and smiled when he saw his prize as expected. He felt a little sensitive about walking to the Slytherin Table, however, he kept his head high as the people around him whispered. The other Slytherins all stared and glared at the dark-skinned Gryffindor, but he did not care. Instead, Castor just stopped in front of Tom Riddle and his group and smiled. "Good morning," he said.
"Morning Castor," Harry Peverell said happily, "how are you?"
"Doing alright Harry," Castor smiled, "however I was wondering if I can talk with Jasper for a moment? Privately." He looked towards Tom. He picked up quickly that Riddle was the leader, and he would need his permission of taking away a member of his inner circle.
Riddle nodded and Jasper gave Castor his beautiful smile. The Slytherin left the table and walked a small distance away from Castor in order not to get any suspicion. Together, the two walked out of the great hall looking like just friends.
They kept their distance as they exited the entrance hall and went outside where, thankfully, there was nobody. Castor closed the distance between them, kissing Jasper, "Hey baby," he purred.
"Hey," Jasper blushed.
"How about later today, you and I go on a walk together?" Castor suggested, keeping the distance between them nonexistence as he held the Slytherin to him.
"Won't people see us?" Jasper blushed.
"Don't worry about that, babyboy," Castor purred, "Do you think I would ever do anything to make you feel uncomfortable?"
"No Sir," Jasper blushed. "I don't."
"Then how about it baby?" Castor asked. "We'll walk and I'll sing your troubles away." A soft smile developed on Jasper as he looked up at his boyfriend.
"Okay," he whispered softly.
"That's my babyboy," Castor said, kissing Jasper once more, his hand moving to hold Jasper's waist as Jasper wrapped his arms around Castor's neck. The Gryffindor pulled Jasper, so that he was holding him fully, and moved to sit down on a nearby bench. The two still kissing the entire way.
Castor's arms moved to hug Jasper as the Slytherin's legs wrapped around himself, sitting comfortably in his lap. "So babyboy, how was your week?" Castor asked. "Were you a good boy?"
"Yeah, I was," Jasper said, "I've been a good boy in class and did everything I was told."
"Good boy," Castor smirked. "Mine was boring, I couldn't hold you."
"Well I'm in your lap now, Castor," Jasper purred.
"You are indeed, babyboy," Castor said, thrusting his hips. Jasper gasped and smiled, thrusting back gently. They started kissing again, Jasper's hands moving to Castor's face as they continued thrusting against each other. They separated, Jasper's tongue sticking out slightly as a defined line of spittle connected their lips. "You excited babyboy?" Castor chuckled; his cheeks flushed.
"Just excited for our date," Jasper winked. He kissed Castor once more and moved away, grinning. "I'll see you after lunch?" he said.
"Sounds good, babyboy," Castor smirked, and he watched Jasper skip happily away. Jasper couldn't help but smile broadly as he returned to the Great Hall. He sat down just to see Castor walking in, going to the Gryffindor Table.
"Good news?" Tom asked, looking amused.
"A little," Jasper hummed, "Oh! I'm going to be with Castor during the afternoon."
"That's fine, we had no Knights business planned until later this week," Tom said. "Which reminds me, Rosier, are the older students giving any trouble?"
"Xavier is moaning about returning to us in our group," Rosier started, he looked down to see Mulciber, who was sitting with the other seventh years. "Most accepted us easily, Mulciber's … fiancée was actually singing your praise to the girls," he said carefully, glancing at Harry.
"It's fine, you can talk about her," Harry shrugged.
Rosier nodded. "Funny enough she is actually being helpful in making us sound extremely agreeable with those still on the fence. They all did bow to you, my lord, however, there are still some in all years that do not know exactly how to respond."
"What of the first and second years?" Tom asked.
"They are both completely sold," Orion Black smiled. "Alphard and I talked with them."
"Good," Tom said shortly. He nodded and frowned, "And the others?" he asked.
"As we said before, most of the House already accepts us," Abraxas Malfoy said smoothly. "From the sound of it, it seems that we do not need to do anything specific or give special speeches to bring their loyalty to attention. Their friends are talking to them about it, pressuring and convincing those who are still doubtful."
"Excellent, then we can start focusing on the other Houses, I believe," Tom said. "Perhaps Ravenclaw, or shall we be bold and aim for Gryffindor…" He hummed thoughtfully and frowned. "It seems I lied to you Jasper, there are still many Knights business, however, Harry and I will mostly conduct it. We will simply pick our next House, understand Harry?"
"Okay, yeah," Harry nodded. He smiled at Jasper, "Good luck with your date," he said. Breakfast went by quickly, and the group stuck together in the Slytherin dungeons during the morning, relaxing or doing homework. Lunch went by in the same manner as Breakfast, Tom talking to himself, muttering thoughts and plans that somehow connected. Jasper left earlier than the others, and Harry watched as Castor left the Gryffindor Table five minutes afterward.
"Where do you think they went?" Harry asked Tom almost ten minutes later as the school left the great hall. They followed the crowd before breaking off, heading outside instead of going down to the dungeons or up the stairs to the library. It was a beautiful day, and fewer students surprisingly went outside to enjoy it.
"The Ravenclaws are the more intellectual of our students," Tom began, "however the Gryffindors are all about bravery and loyalty. Having just one supporting the Knights will be a huge support, as well as proving that we are trustworthy to the other two Houses."
"Yeah, that's true," Harry hummed, "or we can talk about having a date at Hogsmeade next week."
"Date? Why would we do that? There is so much to plan," Tom said dismissively. Harry stopped and crossed his arms.
"Maybe because we're dating?" he suggested. "Whatever happened to being role models to others? Or hell, never hiding our relationship. The school already knows that I'm a poof—and that you and I are dating basically. So we might as well show that—"
"You're talking nonsense, we are at a delicate stage! We have the Slytherins under our control and now we must move again while we have momentum and prove that the Knights are an Inter-House collaboration!" Tom said frantically.
"You do not need to think about this every second of every day," Harry said, disappointed. "You told me to keep you in line, so here I am. Next weekend, we will not even talk about any Knights plans or business at all. We will be two teenagers going on a date, and that is it."
"Pet!"
"No," Harry interrupted. "I am tired of you putting your lofting goals and plans before us. It is becoming an obsession, it's not good for you."
Tom stopped. They were at the edge of the courtyard now, just about to go off into the grassy grounds. "Obsessed? This is not an obsession Harry—you are an obsession, my obsession! I do this for you, my pet, my love, my Peverell! Everything I do is for you."
Harry shook his head, "Then do this for me," he said. "One weekend when we're just normal teenagers. Not future dark lords, not people out to change the world, just Tom Riddle and his boyfriend Harry Peverell. Please?"
Tom stared at Harry for a moment before sighing, "Alright," he said, "Next week, I'll take you to Hogsmeade, and better yet, today I won't speak another word about our plans."
"Thank you," Harry smiled, he looked around and kissed Tom's cheek, "I love you," he said simply. Tom just smiled smugly and pulled Harry to his side. "Come on, let's go for a walk," he said.
Harry smiled at the idea and allowed his hand to fold into Tom's, the two walking away from the castle. The grounds were clear, and it was slightly odd to Harry, seeing it so barren without Hagrid's hut by the edge of the Forbidden Forest, or the Whomping Willow, in whose place stood only a small tree. It was a nice day, and Harry was thankful to be alone with Tom. He enjoys being with Tom in Slytherin's study and the room of requirement, yes, however, there's something different about being outside. Being in public where people could see them, having the sun shine down on their faces, and feeling the soft spring breeze through his hair. It felt like they were real, a real couple, and not a dirty secret like Xavier tried to have. It made Harry smile and relax into Tom.
They did not need to talk, nor did Harry want to if he was honest. He just wanted to just be in the moment, walking with his boyfriend. They walked along the castle walls, taking a leisurely pace. Harry's eyes looked around the grounds, mentally noting how different it all seemed and felt compared to what he knew from his old present. Meanwhile, Tom just faced ever forward, glancing at the walls every now and again as if mentally testing them. The couple stopped when they heard a soft tune. Harry looked around and pointed towards trees in the distance, under which they saw two boys laying down against the tree trunks. Harry grinned and put a finger to his lips, pulling Tom so they silently snuck towards the pair.
Unsurprisingly, it was Castor and Jasper. Jasper was lying on Castor's lap, smiling, and moving gently as Castor sung, his fingers combing through Jasper's hair. It took Harry a moment to realize that Castor was singing one of the songs that Mrs. Weasley loved from his sister. It sounded a little better in his opinion, listening to Castor singing it instead of from Mrs. Weasley's old radio.
This feeling's utter bliss
Yet something seems amiss
Like a Dementor's Kiss
You're consuming me!
And now you've torn it quite apart
I'll thank you to give me back my heart!
'Cause, you charmed the heart right out of me!
But I need a heart for loving thee
So give it back, together we
Can love till forever!
"I have to admit, he's a very good singer," Tom whispered. "He has Jasper like putty in his hands."
Harry gave a soft chuckle and smiled, "They look good together," he said. "Do you think that's what people see when they look at us?"
"This moment of bliss? No," Tom said sadly. "They see a waste. The purebloods will always be obsessed with producing heirs, as if that were the only definition of marriage and love, producing offspring. And since we are both men, we cannot, no matter how hard we've tried."
Harry gave a sad hum. "Have you ever thought about that?" he asked, "having children."
"Not particularly, why would I?" Tom said. "We're still teenagers Harry, and besides it's impossible."
Harry gave a defeated sigh and watched the sweet couple. Castor finished the song he sang and kissed Jasper sweetly before moving on, singing a song Harry also recognize, "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love." The two stood for a moment just listening before Harry turned to Tom.
"Would you mind if I go talk with Professor Slughorn? I have a couple of questions I want to ask him," he asked.
Tom shrugged, "I don't see why not," he said. They gave the couple one final glance and turned away, leaving them in their private, secret bliss, and returned to the castle.
They found Professor Slughorn in his office. He was reading a book while eating from a crystal bowl filled with crystallized pineapple. Harry knocked on the office door as they walked in, "Professor?" he said softly.
Slughorn looked over his book and smiled, "Peverell! And Riddle! What can I do for you boys? Come in, come in!" he asked, putting his book down.
"I had a question for you, sir, a theological question," Harry said, walking in. "About potions."
"Of course, of course, have a seat, I am always happy to support curiosity," Professor Slughorn smiled. "Especially when it comes from two of my most favorite and skilled students! Now don't let Dippet hear I'm playing favorites, though." He chuckled.
The two teens walked into the office and sat in the two chairs in front of Slughorn's desk. The professor offered them both pineapples, which they both politely refused. "So, what would you like, boys?" he asked.
"I know that there are antidotes for poisons and other potions to counteract the effect of other potions," Harry began, "however, these are only for curing or counteracting. I want to know if there is a way to completely reverse a Potion's effect so that it actually does the opposite of what it was meant to do."
Slughorn was silent for a moment. He looked from Harry to Tom, "Is this more independent studying?" he asked in a seriousness that Harry never saw before.
"Lighter," Tom answered.
Slughorn sighed. "That is a difficult question to answer Harry, what exactly do you mean by reversing a Potion's effect?"
Harry thought for a moment. "If there was a potion, a poison, that would make the drinker infertile, could it be possible to take the same poison and experiment with it so that instead of making the drinker infertile for life, it can give back their fertility or make a person who is normally infertile, fertile?"
Slughorn hummed thoughtfully, his eyes having an excited spark. "I see," he said. "That would be dangerous, very dangerous if you are working with the same potion—and the more potent or strong the potion or poison is, the harder it would be."
"So, it's possible?" Harry asked. "To take the infertile poison and turn it into a fertility potion that is just as powerful as the poison?"
"Yes with extreme hazards, obviously," Professor Slughorn nodded. "However I do not see why either of you would be playing around with fertility potions and the like."
"I'm just using it as an example, sir," Harry said smoothly.
"Then yes, it is certainly possible," Slughorn chuckled, "Peverell, I knew you had a knack of potions but to see such an interest and curiosity! Why I remember when I was your age and was similarly curious! And there were multiple students who had the same knack and some of my old friends! Why Fleamont Potter, such a nice chap he is, both he and his wife can, unfortunately, use such a potion you're talking about. Been trying for years to get a child." Slughorn shook his head before remembering himself. "Oh yes, well anyway dear ol' Fleamont had a knack and interest in Potions and he is actually the creator of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, believe it or not! Hopefully, I'll never need to use it," Slughorn chuckled, patting the top of his head. "Quadrupled his fortunes he did with that hair tonic! Never saw a brilliance like his."
Harry just nodded; however, he couldn't hide the smile that caused his brain to work. "How would you start this process, sir?" he asked, "Of reversing a potion's effect."
"Well, let's see," Slughorn muttered, looking a little shocked to be interrupted from his reminiscing. "You will first need to find the opposite ingredients of the base used in the original potion. For example, with Belladonna essences, which can be found in any potion-making kit, you would want to use a sweet or lively substance like butterscotch or even peppermint sprigs."
"I see," Harry nodded, "Theoretically, what then would be the opposite of dangerous and rare ingredients? Like, say, basilisk venom or fairy wings?"
"You like your tricky questions, don't you?" Slughorn chuckled. He took a pineapple piece from his bowl and ate it as he thought. He ate another, and then two more before he could give Harry an answer. "Those two are opposites already, however, the contents of fairy wings are more beautifying than life-giving, which is what you will need to completely reverse and counteract the deadly properties of a basilisk's venom—and this is not even going into the improbably of finding a basilisk and obtaining its poison!" Slughorn gave a laugh which Harry and Tom politely and awkwardly joined. "No, I think if we are talking improbabilities, phoenix tears would be the best ingredient to counteract a basilisk's venom."
I could have guessed that, Harry thought briefly.
"As for fairy wings, why a hag's hair would work wonders I believe, or even a banshee's hair, those are a little easier to obtain," Slughorn nodded.
"So to start we would need to find the opposites of the ingredients," Tom said, speaking for the first time.
"If you would want to boil it down to simplicity, yes, however, if a potion is using basilisk venom, then I would not dare want to imagine how difficult, let alone dangerous, making the counter potion would be," Slughorn said.
"But if it does happen if there was a poison that uses basilisk venom and makes the drinker infertile, and you use phoenix tears to craft it's counter, would it work? Even on someone who is fertile or barely fertile?" Harry asked.
Slughorn laughed, "Harry m'boy if you actually manage that why I think you can even make a male pregnant!" He laughed at the obscurity and the two joined. Harry thanked Professor Slughorn and stood up to leave, Tom following. "Boys! You come and visit any time you are passing by," Slughorn said cheerfully, "anytime you have a question."
"We will," Tom promised and the two left. Tom waited until they were almost a full floor away from Slughorn's office before turning on Harry. "Don't tell me you are planning on actually trying this," he groaned.
"You said it yourself," Harry said. "Purebloods and people like them will always see our love as worthless and wrong just because we can't have children. If we can get a potion that can make even males fertile enough to bare children—"
"And add another thing onto our never-ending list?" Tom demanded.
Harry frowned, "I wasn't going to do this now, or alone," he said. "I know that a potion like this would be completely out of our skills, no offense my lord."
"So what exactly are you planning, my little snake?" Tom asked.
Harry smiled innocently and stretched, "Well, while we are with our dear friend during the summer, I am sure we will meet a few professional potioneers. They might be useful to us, as well as open up connections to get rare ingredients."
Tom smiled approvingly and kissed Harry's cheek, "You are too smart, my little snake," he said. He pulled Harry towards the stairs, leading upstairs. "I think we had enough sun and socializing with others," he said. "Come along Harry, your Master wants to play with his little pet's hole."
Laughing and blushing, Harry allowed himself to be pulled around, getting comfortable into his subspace by the time they reached the Room of Requirement, happy and eager to please his Dark Lord.
A/N: It's nice to remember that they're just teenagers before the world decides to come crashing with reality.