AN: Just to tell you all that my main language is not English, but please give me feedback and what I need to improve, thank you!
Disclaimer: This work of Fanfiction based on Harry Potter universe. All recognizable characters, plots and settings are exclusive property of J. K. Rowling. I don't own anything jus my OC's
AN2: ACFANL will be updated soon, these is just another idea I had, I hope you all like it.
AN3: Sorry for my absence, I was not in the mood to write, as you all can see I'm more a reader than a writer, thank you for your patience.
Chapter 1 – Prologue.
Gruntings of pain echoed through dark room without a stop, furious blows landed on bone and skin making nasty sounds that could be describe as hours of hitting, of torture.
"Where is he?" A strong breathless voice yelled demanding answers.
"F-fuck y-you!" Stammered in weak and sobbing voice, pain clearly could be heard in his voice. Another two hits on the victim before stopping
The silence only bronken by the inhaling and exhaling of both individuals in the dark room. The torturer a man with bloodied fists and the victim also a man boud to a chair.
After a moment, hearing that the assailant made a stop to catch his breath, the brave but foolish victim spat. "You will never find him Potter, we will avenge the Dark Lord." He cackled.
"Where?" With his voice low and dangerous Potter asked the man again.
"Fuck you, you worthless mudbl... " He never finished when suddenly a green light iluminated the dark room showing the green eyes of a very angry Harry Potter.
Looking at the now dead man the last Potter ran a hand through his hair and sighed in disappointment. "Useless." He spat at the corpse.
For a brief second he stood there facing his work, before turning on his heels and heading towards where he came.
After some steps he could see light coming from a small crack in a door a little above him, knowing he was in the basement.
The light also iluminated the now grown boy, looking a lot like his father with his black hair and green eyes thanks to his mother only now a beard adorned his face showing a mainly charm.
Harry groaned a little as he walked up the stairs, he didn't know how many time passed since he started his 'interrogation'.
After Voldemorts death, Harry tried to make a life for himself, but the only thing he knew was battle, survival, fight dark wizards, kill. Initially he joined the aurors, but the rules and his need for catching the remnants of Voldemorts army made him do things he hated. But Harry deemed nescessary for his friends safety ando f course... peace of mind.
Reaching the top of the stairs he opened the door to find the same hallway that he once passed to reach where he was.
Following the same path he walked towards the entrance only to find a small change in the room that leads towards the front door.
Kneeling in the ground with his face buried in a corpse that stood near the exit was a boy what Harry tought to be between ten-years-old.
The boy sobbed and cried what Harry presumed to be the mother of the boy, the woman he first killed when he invaded the house.
Harry gazed at the boy with cold eyes, in the deepest parts of his mind he felt sorry for the boy and disgusted with himself, but the woman reacted when he first got there, Harry came looking only for the man but the woman was brave enough to curse him and yell promisses of revenge in the name of her Dark Lord.
When he first got in the house he didn't see any signs of having a child there, so he only could lament about the boy's fate.
Harry stood there looking at the scene for a minute before walking towards the exit, when he passed the boy Harry hoped that he would stay quiet, but the venomous tone and the noises of nails screeching wood made him stop and close his eyes for a moment.
"I will kill you murderer, filthy blood murderer." The boy hissed, anger, venom, distaste, hate all bad emotions echoed through the house.
Pain could also be heard in the boy's tone but still Harry didn't care, for him the boy was a Death Eater spaw still he would not kill a child even if he new the boy would hunt him down when he got older. Even if this boy could turn into the next Dark Lord.
Inhaling deeply, Harry continued walking ignoring the boy when he opened the door he stopped. "This is a warning boy, the fate of your parents were their choice. If you are so adamnt in avenge them, so be it." With the cold wind coming through the open door Harry then made a move to turn around and give his worst cold glare he could muster. "I'll be waiting for y..." Harry couldn't finish, his breath was caught in his throat, his face turned pale and he began to sweat.
"Potter." Harry shivered at the voice, standing in front of him, pale skin and snake like face was Voldemort himslef. The Dark Lord stood there aiming his wand in his direction.
Harry froze, his mind processed the image in front of him too late. "DIE!" Green light burst through the Dark Lord's wand and reached making his eyes shot open.
Harry Potter gasped for air, looking around he was not in the strange home anymore and Voldemort was nowhere to be seen only a woman in uniform stood there with a worried face making him confused.
Gathering his memories he could tell he was just dreaming or rather having a real nightmare, he looked around still in shock trying to assess the situation.
Harry now remembered he was in a train to London, the so called nightmare was mixed with real memories.
He remembered the torture, the woman and the boy, he was coming back home after hunting down the remaining followers of the Dark Lord.
Suddenly a voice caught his attention. "Sir? Excuse me... sir?" The woman that was in front of him caught his attention. "We arrived, sir."
Shaking his head, Harry looked grogily at the middle age woman and asked confused. "W-what?"
She gave him a polite smile. "Sir, we arrived at our destination. Are you alright?"
Harry nodded and looked around one more time before groaning and puting his fingers in the bridge of his nose. "R-right. I apologize..." He glanced at the woman, but stopped talking when he saw her look of understanding.
Nodding to the woman he got up and walked towards the exit, Harry dind't bring baggage, after all magic could do wonders and he knew it was a short time trip.
Sighing heavely Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, The-Man-Who-Won and the Dark Lord's Vanquisher now stood 6'1 tall with a badly shaved beard still mantaining the messy black short hair but now it hid his lighting scar. Honestly, he could be mistaken for a beggar or a street thug if not for his fancy clothes. The former boy was now a twenty five year old young man.
After the war, Harry tried to settle down, but his life of grief, pain, and death didn't let him settle down, didn't let him have a normal life, after he graduated from Hogwarts Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley married, but didn't last long Harry divorced her three months later saying that he couldn't have a normal life.
Honestly, his life only went to the depths of darkness after that, initially he joined the aurors but the laws, corruption and seemly the way the things were handled made him want make justice with his own hands and with his own rules, so Harry dedicated his life to hunt down the remaning followers of Voldemort. Until the last he would not rest.
Sighing Harry yawned and began to walk towards the exit, he finally would take rest for a few days before return to hunt down a man that've been bodering him for some time.
The chilly wind of the winter hit his neck skin when he stood at the train doors, Harry looked around grunted 'home sweet home', watching his step he went to move when he stopped abruptly.
"Hermione." He greeted the woman stoicly, who was standing in front of him with a frown on her face.
"Harry." It came out almost as a whisper.
Harry looked at her in the eyes, he couldn't place exactly what she was feeling but he knew it was nothing pleasent.
Hermione Weasley neé Granger didn't change much, she still looked like the nerdy girl that stood confident and smart as ever. She was wearing the misnistry uniform and that made Harry wary, he knew exactly what she was here for.
Harry then glanced to her left to see his best mate, Ronald Weasley. "Ron." Again, it was a emotioneless greeting.
Ron now stood tall like him and suprisingly he gave an aura of maturity and autority, Ron joined the Auroros the same time as him but he wanted to make a carrer of it. Ronald din't bother to greet him back.
The married couple stood in front of him but diferently from his companion Ron had his wand draw at his side ready to act, Hermione stood more relaxed but still wary of him.
Harry could not contain the smirk on his face, 'good' he thought, he was not to be taken lighly.
"What you two doing here?" Harry asked nonchalantly, not bodering by Ron's animosity.
"We're here to take you..." Ron didn't finish because Hermione didn't let him.
"RON! We talked about this already, let me do the talk." She admonished him with a fierce glare.
Ron huffed and nodded grumbly, with one last glare towards Harry he waited for Hermione to take the lead.
Harry was not fazed, he only waited for them to speak. After several moments he started to lose patient, he knew Hermione wanted to talk but he also knew she couldn't find the exactly words to do so.
"Look guys, I'm tired, if you want something, get to the point." He ended with a heavy sigh.
He could see the frown on Ron's face deepen. Hermione took a deep breath gathering her last bit of courage and spoke. "You know why we are here Harry." She said softly and indeed he knew. "This... this can't keep going, Harry. You're committing crimes."
The stoic face of Harry Potter sudenly change to one of annoyance. "Crimes Hermione? Against murderers, rapists, dark wizards? The very own scum that made my... our lives a living hell. The same very fucking people who robbed my life." He snarled at her. He knew she didn't deserve this, but Harry was tired, tired of people telling him what to do.
"Even so Harry. What the Aurors are for? These things you're doing are their jobs." She insisted but he did not budge. "You even broke borders to go after them, you know it's a international crime." She explained. "Not only you brought problems to yourself but for the hole England as well." For some reason, the sad look she had on her face made him angry.
"Bullshit, and you know this Hermione. The corruption of the ministry is visible and disgust me how the remnants of Voldemorts followers are out there, free to do everything they want." Harry snarled making both of his friends flinch at the Dark Lord's name mention.
"Please Harry you're not alright, let me help you." Hermione took a step foward.
Narrowing his eyes Harry glared at the woman. "What do you mean by that. I'm perfectly fine Hermione."
"Are you? You go to a foreign country to kill two people and left their child there to die." Ron grabbed Hermione's hand stopping her from going foward and sneered at Harry. "You stuck in time Harry. In the past months you are acting like a punisher, as you call it, but all I see is a murderer."
Harry's anger flared. "And what do you know Weasley, you're not the one to be hunted down by a Dark Lord all your entire childhood, you're not the one with the umwanted attention for being something you're not, you're not the one being manipulated and robbed of your life." Harry yelled at his friend who stood still in place while he glared back.
"Remember that woman you kill two months ago?" Ron asked making Harry ponder and search the answer in his mind. He killed a lot of people in these past months. "The one living near the Gaunt shack?" Harry remembered, middle age woman he has been invastigating her for months before concluding she was a Death Eater.
"Yeah, what of it?" Harry asked confused.
"She was an unspekable, we've been trying to go after the same targests as you. For months she worked undercover while trying to track down some dark wizards. But you are a bastard. You killed an innocent, Potter." Ron explained in an heated tone.
Harry looked at Hermione for confirmation and she gave a slow and sad nod. "Fuck." He cursed.
"So you're here to arrest me?" He asked for confirmation.
Before Ron could say more, Hermione glared at him. "Harry, I... I got some leverage in your behest against the ministry. You could get a trial and be under house arrest."
"House arrest?" He could not believe in what he was hearing. "Hermione, I can't spend time in Azkaban or house arrest, there are still some bastards for me to hunt down out there." He just could not.
"Please Harry, let me help you... you need help." Hermione insisted
Shaking his head in anger, Harry strode foward not caring for Ron sudden movement of his wand who was stopped by Hermione. "Stop Ron... I said stop." The first time was a warning, the second she snarled at her husband.
By the time she stopped glaring at Ron Harry was moving past her, giving her one last opportunity. "What about Teddy?" It was a low blow, and she knew it.
Harry froze in place, yeah Teddy his godson. "What about Teddy?" He asked carefully and slowly with his back towards Hermione.
"Some weeks ago Ms. Tonks had a health problem and had to be placed in St. Mungos... " She did not finish.
Harry turned around his face filled with concern. "And what about my godson?"
"He's in good health, but a little depressed lately. Me and Ron, Fleur, Molly even Draco sometimes come to take care of him." She explaind making Harry flinch and his throat constrict making the air inside it impossible to get out. "But Teddy's always asking after you, he misses you very much."
Harry knees started to grow weak, what he been doing all these years, how he could forget his responsibilities, at least all he could do was take care of his godson, but no, he failed not only everyone but himself, but deep in his mind he couldn't stop blaming his shit of a life. Evntually he looked downcast and spoke. "Alright Hermione you win. What now?"
Suprise crossed Hermione's face for a second before turning into a big smile. Ron on other hand was still looking at him suspiciously. Ron waved his hand and three more man appeared from the crowd. "Deliver your wand. We will scort you home and then you will go to trial."
Harry looked at Ron for a second then nodded and slowly draw his wand moving to deliver peacefully.
When he finally delivered his wand a sudden movement between the populace made Harry froze. The Death Eater he was hunting for months, was there grinning wickedly towards him, he like a rat he was, walked among the aurors, Harry looked around he had no wand, no time, no hope left. His body moved on his own. 'Forgive me Teddy, I was a very bad Godfather.' "Hermione, look out."
Hermione was shoved out of the way by Harry giving her the sight of the attacker, she embraced herself. The last thing she heard, and saw was and Avada Kedavra and the nasty green light that come with it.
A little disoriented she shook herself from the ground and looked around to be horrified. Harry Potter, her best friend was lying on the ground emotioneless. She couldn't believe the image in front of her, for a second she tought he was still alive but when his body started to turn into a black mist he yelled. "Harry... HARRY!"
Harry's hole life passed through his eyes, the suffering he took and inflicred on others, before all went black his mind went through his mistakes his hunts as he called, he was so preocupied with a new Dark Lord's ascension that he did not saw his own actions, the actions that made him the next Dark Lord more than anyone else. Regret it was what he felt before darkness enveloped him and the last thing he heard, a scream from Hermione.
1933, Wool's Orphanage.
Tom Marvolo Riddle tried his hardest to keep his attention on the book and ignore the kids who where annoying him, saying mean things to him, mistreating him. Unfortunatly it wasn't only the kids but the adults as well, they ignored or treat him like he was the worst thing on the world.
He hated this place even in his seven-years-old of age he knew hate, pure undeniable hate. Blinking instinctively as the children threatened to hit him, his eyes blinked trying to fix the unrecognizable words in the book, he could not read while these pests continued to bother him.
As he got more annoyed, he couldn't help but wish these gits were dead. And that is how it generally began.
When he gets under some high levels of mental stress... things happen. That's why he is hated, treated like he was some kind of freak and called the child of the devil.
When it happens, the kids left him alone while scared of him, but then Martha or Ms. Cole came shouting at him doing the exact opposite what they shouldn't do.
But in the end, they finally left him alone in his room to let him read as much as he wanted.
As the hours passed an uncharacteristic silence made him uncomfortable, it was not rare to this happen but when it happened, he knew something was wrong.
Putting his book aside he got up from his bed and went to his door as quiet as possible, it was mid afternoon on a winter day.
Opening his door slowly he looked at the hall to see nothing nor anyone what was very strange indeed.
Muffled voices could be heard in the orphanage's main hall, his curiosity getting better of him made him spy his new objective.
When he quietly sneaked through the corridor and reached the hall he could see some other kids hiding while watching one of the employee's talking to a man.
He couldn't hear what they were saying but the expression on the female employee said that something positively happened.
Getting a closer look at the man standing there all he could describe was… rich. The man standing there proud and regal with a stoic expression screamed wealth and confidence.
Tom was getting even more curious now, he really wanted to know what they were talking about so with a little reluctance he decided to go further into the hall.
When the voices got audible for him to hear. He was surprised.
"Are you really sure about this, sir?" The woman spoke with hope inher tone.
The man looked at the woman stoically, but Tom could see the annoyance dancing in his eyes saying something akin to 'are you really asking me that again?'.
"Yes... miss. I assure you that's my choice." He assured her maintaining his polite tone.
The woman nodded her head slowly and lift her arm motioning towards the corridor that leads towards the rooms. "As soon as we have your basic information we can proceed and you can talk with the children."
The man's eyes glanced towards where she was motioning and caught his eyes. For a second he panicked
Tom stared at the man for a long moment as the man stared at back. Unfortunately, the woman also seemed to notice him.
"What are you doing here dev... boy." She hissed in a low and menancing like voice. Her entire demeanour changed when her attention was back to the man. "My apologies sir, children these days are quite the rebels." She gave him a weak and fake chuckle.
The man though, he did not seem amused, rather he seemed more annoyed at the woman's remark. "It's no problem ma'am." His voice was not cold but not friendly either.
When Tom was being urged to get out by the look of the woman's eyes, he did not expect nor did the woman for the man approach him and smile kindly and ask. "What's your name young man?"
Tom stared at the man frozen in place, it was the first time he saw that kind of smile. But even the smile being disarming as it was, almost breaking his shields, he did not answer instead he stared at the man suspiciously. The man's bright green eyes also smiled at him but what made him uneasy was the way the man portraited himself in a confident, wealthy and dangerous manner.
But the woman had to meddle in the conversation and break the moment between the two. "Answer him ... boy."
Tom glanced at the woman almost giving her a mean look, instead he kept staring at the man whose smile didn't falter.
"Tom, sir. Tom Marvolo Riddle." Tom said narrowing his eyes a little.
For a brief moment he could see a shift in the man green eyes, Tom didn't know how to describe it, but it was strange almost a mystery.
"Well, it's nice to meet you Tom. My name's Harry Peverell, pleasure to be of acquantaince." He intoduced himself in a polite but serious manner.
"Are you here to adopt one of the children." Tom asked rhetorically still curious about this man.
The man, Harry Peverell raised his eyebrows and nodded his head slowly. "That's correct... and you are here to be adopted, aren't you?" He also asked rhetoracally making Tom gulp in weird manner while nodding his head.
The man seeing his expression chuckled a little and stared directly at his eyes. "Tell me Tom Marvolo Riddle, what do you think of the ideia being adopted? Do you want it?"
Tom froze, he briefly glanced at the woman behind the man who had a shocked expression on her face but the were hope in her eye, the hope of not seeing him again made him angry.
"Why would you adopt a devil like me? Didn't they told you stories about me?" Tom asked a little frantically raising his voice.
But the man stood unflinchingly still smiling kindly at him. "Devil... why they call you a devil?"
Tom was going to answer if not for the woman. "Excuse me sir, but this boy he has some peculiarities, he's the sapwn of the devil, a freak... " she never finished.
"I'am talking to Tom, miss. Please be kind and wait for your turn." The woman closed her mouth a little frightened at the mans's gaze and Tom stared at the man with wide eyes the at the look on his eyes at the mention of 'freak and devil.'
"So, why they call you things like... freak and devil?" The man asked.
Tom again stood silent for a minute contemplating if was wise to answer, but he had nothing to lose so he replied. "Things happen when I'm upset, angry or they randomly happen and that's why everyone here call me devil."
The man furrowed his eyebrows. "And what exacly happens?"
Tom gave him a look not knowing how to respond. There was a silence before the man approached him and stood almost next to his ear and whispered for only him to hear. "Magic?"
Tom's eyes widened like saucers but quickly went back to normal before the man could stare into his eyes again.
Tom raised a fake eywbrow "Magic don't exist." He said whispering.
The man smirked and chuckled again. "Is that so? Why don't I teach you then?" The man then turned to the employee. "This boy, it's him I want to adopt."
The woman opened and closed her mouth several time while Tom was gobsmacked by the annoucement. "I-I...A-are you sure sir? What the boy said is true... he's the spawn..." again she shut her mouth when the man scoffed angrily.
"Like I said woman… I'm sure." Tom never saw any of the emplyee's so afraid of someone before.
The woman nodded rapidly and stuttered again. "E-excuse me then sir. I will call Ms. Cole and get the paperwork. W-we will need your basic informations." She said turning around and what Tom could decribe as 'runned for her life.'
Silence once again ruled the hall. Tom glanced at the man who seemed mumbling under his breath ptobably cursing this wreched place.
After a minute he saw the man relax and say. "I mean it. Magic is true. You're a wizard juat like me."
Tom opened his mouth to say something but decided otherwise and kept quiet. The man seeing this said. "I promisse you young Tom, it's true. And I know you belive it."
"I'm not really caring if magic exists or not right now, what worries me is why you want to adopt me." Tom inquired stoically.
"We're are similar, Tom. Very similar. You stand here while being mistreated for something you still haven't control with. I... I lived in a cupbord and treated like a mere servent to people who hated me, only because they didn't understand magic. The big difference is that in here people don't belive in magic... my reelatives knew it existed and hated me for it." The man said somberly. "Of course there are other reasons. I can't offer you an anwser to you right now, Tom."
Tom looked at the man in a new light, have he been really mistrated, like him? Unfortunately his supiscions were still making him aware of the man.
"Why we don't do this Tom, you go there see if you like it and if you don't I will help you find a place that satisfies you. What I don't want is you to stay here with this... people." An unfamiliar warmth spread through his body as he stared with wide eyes at the man. Is he being serious?
"Why? Why are you doing this, sir? I don't understand." Tom almost shouted.
There was a silence before the man replied. "Because I want to and I know a kid like you deserve better." Tom couldn't decribe what he was feeling. A mix of confusion, fear, curiosity and the strangest... hapiness. "And please call me Harry, sir makes me feel old." He finished with a chuckle.
Tom tried to say something but his emotioms were blocking his words, he felt his eyes moisten and his confusion grow. He never felt so vunerable before. Even when the kids were bothering him. Soon Ms. Cole arrived with the woman in tow.
"Are you mister Peverell?" Harry nodded. "You are the one wanting to adopt the... boy."
"Tom, Tom is his name. And yes, that's correct." Once again Tom felt a weird sensation at being deffended by the man before him.
Ms. Cole scowled but said nothing, instead she motioned for him to follow and for the woman to lead Tom back to his room. "Please follow me mister Peverell. Gretha please escort... young Tom to his room and help him pack his belongings.
Before the man could disapper with and he be led to his room, Tom called after the man. "Thank you mister and I believe you."
In return the man just smiled reassuringly.
Tom was in his room for almost an hour already and Harry was yet to come. Packing his belongings didn't take even five minutes, and before the woman left he got a distasful coment from her, then he sat on his bed and waited and waited. Frustration and anxiety got better of him and he couldn't help but to 'shoo' his hopes away.
When he was almost giving up, convincing himself it was just a dream the door of his room suddenly opened showing a scowling Ms. Cole "Get up boy. Mister Peverell is awaiting you."
For a moment he involuntarily sighed in relief but he didn't move, still pondering if was a good idea to go with this man. "I said to get up, it's finally time for you spawn of the devil get out of here. I'm glad there some dumb people out there wanting to adopt you."
Tom sighed and gingerly got on his feet and started walking towards the unknown and it excited as it frightned him, unsure of his future ahead of him but he had no choice right he was still a child.
When he got to the hall he saw Harry Peverell standing there with his hands on his trench coat pockets while looking pensive.
"Mister Peverell? Congratulations both of you, you know are a family." She called Harry her voice stoic and showing indifference.
Harry ignored the woman and looked at Tom. "Are you ready Tom?"
Tom nodded meekly and steped towards the man, the winter breeze making him shiver a little.
"Farewell, Ms. Cole." Harry said while walking away Tom following soon after.
"Thank you mister Peverell , from getting this boy out of here." Ms. Cole called after them. Tom could hear relief on her voice.
Tom glanced at the man to see him scowling angrily. "Don't mind her." The older man assured him. "So are you're ready to meet your new home?"
Tom was still uncertain what to feel, what to say and what to think about all of this. But the smile of the man in front of him made Tom belive in his words. "Relax Tom, I promise you that from today onwards you will have everything you need. Food, shelter, education even the magic I promisse I'll teach. Even a family to call your own if you want it. If not, we can be friends." Warmth again spread through his body. "Tom, you will not be alone again."
"But why?" He was still doubting after everything. How could he not.
"I have a lot of reasons, ones that I told you before and others that you may find on a later date. But know this, my intentions are pure and I want the best for your wellbeing."
Tom couldn't do anything more, so he hide his face and gave the man a slow nod.
After aminute of silence he look up again to see the man smiling kindly. "Are you ready?"
Tom tilted his head "Ready for what."
Harry chuckled. "Well… to telport to our home."
Tome's eyes widened. "T-teleport?"
Harry took an object from his pocket and reached for Tom to touch it. "Just hold on this. It's called Portkey, it's one of many forms of Wizarding transportation."
A little hesitant Tom reached for the object and with simple words coming from Harry's mouth they vanished appearing in front of a big house... no, a big manor.
"Welcome to your new home. The Peverell Manor." Tom heard Harry annouce but his eyes were still blurry in discomfort. Before Tom could yell at Harry he saw the manor and gasped while at the view before him. A big manor at the center, a lot of green surrounding the building and he could see a grove not far from there.
"C'mon let's meet the family." Harry said cheerfuly.
Tom slowly componsing himself walked towards the big double front doors while inhaling and exhaling deeply. This is it, the unkown, the thing he was afraid of. But there was no coming back now, because in that one hour he stood in his room thinking he decided he would give this man a chance… a chance to prove himself different from the others.
Harry opened the doors to be greeted by a hall with twin stairs leading to the next floor, Tom looked around to see if he spoted someone, but there was none, the manor was dead silent.
Harry started to walk towards a corridor leading to many parallel rooms on the first floor. He walked through the hallway until they got in a pleasent and spacious sitting room filled with fancy furniture and a fireplace.
Looking around he spoted a girl sitting in one of the couches sitting in a straight and ladylike manner reading a big and old looking book.
Harry cleared his throat while staring at the little girl with amusement in his eyes.
Upon hearing the sound he made, the girl looked boringly at Harry, spotting it was him, she quickly stood up and walked gracefully, but quickly towards them, she approached them with a stoic and emotionless face that imressed Tom. Looking more closely, Tom could describe her as a very beautiful girl, with straight, shiny black hair, delicate but striking features, and her eyes were beautiful, the right being green and the left being violet.
When she stood in front of Harry she put her little hands and arms in front of her and gave a small curstesy bowing her head. "Welcome father."
Harry's smile widened turning into a full grin. "Afternoon Lylli. How are you? Enjoying your book?"
Even though her expressionless face looked perfect, Tom could still see the faintest of smiles on her face and a pink hue on her cheeks when she looked at the man in front of her, clearly showing her happiness. "I'm quite well father, thank you. The book is ... adequate, maybe a little old-fashioned to say at least."
Tom was impressed by this little girl, she was younger than him and she spoke like that, is it because of magic? He would have to find out. He had never met such a polite child in his life and if Harry was really her father, the respect she was showing him was to be surprised with.
"Did you already finished with your studies?" Harry asked.
" Certainly father, it was quite taxing at first, but after I understood some of the basics I could finish without a problem." Yes this girl was very smart for her age, Tom concluded.
Harry seeing he gone sidetracked, looked at Tom and then at the little girl again.
"Lylli this is Tom, Tom this is Lylli my oldest daughter."
The girl turned towards him all the happy expression vanishing to return the perfect expressioneless one. She stared at him for a moment seemnly apraising him as she looked up and down, he was not at his best, but her expression give him nothing to guess what she was thinking.
After a minute she bowed in a ladylike manner and introduced herself formally. "Greetings, my name is Lyllian Lycoris Peverell, first of my name. I'm Lord Harry Peverell first born and heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell, it's a pleasure to meet you Tom."
Tom stared at her bewildered with such politeness he gulped a little not knowing how to respond. Looking pass the girl, he could see Harry hiding his smirk but the amusement on his eyes were very visible.
"I-I'm Tom... Tom Marvolo Riddle. It's a pleasure miss Lyllian." Tom stammered a little between words trying to be as polite as the girl in front of him.
Tom saw the girl suddenly look thoughful. "Riddle, are you Half-blood or maybe a mud..."
"Lyllian." Tom was startled at the sudden shout coming from Harry, he didn't know what the girl was going to say or what she was talking about but it made Harry angry and he scolded her.
Tom saw the expressioneless mask broke instantly after she heard Harry scold her and her eyes got very wide. She spun on her heels quickly and bowed to the Harry in such manner that impressed Tom.
"Forgive me father, I didn't mean it." She said fearfuly while she shook herself a little.
For a moment Tom waited for the hit to come but it never came. He saw Harry's hand slowly reach for the girls head then he started to stroke her hair slowly.
"It's okay Lylli, come here." Harr embraced his daughter lovingly. She hugged him back not making a sound.
"But father, I was disrespectuful..." she even tried to dig her own grave but Harrry was faster.
"Sush now baby girl. I shouldn't let you alone with your grandmother and great-aunts, I swear they are bad influence." Tom heard him mutter.
"If it's your wish father, I shall not meet them again." The girl said with conviction and respect while still hugging him back.
Harry chuckled. "It's quite an offer daughter, but if I do that your mother will be displeased."
The girl was silent for a momemt. "I'm sure mother will understand and respect your wishes, you are the Lord of this house after all."
Harry snorted while breaking the hug, he stared at his daughter's heterochromatic eyes. "You're too intellingent for your age do you know that?"
"Thank you father." She gave an almost unnoticeable smirked, then she turned around and faced Tom her face changing to normal. "I apologize for my words, they were unpleasent and disrespectful. It was a commentary unbecoming of my status." Then she bowed to him in apologetic manner while he stood there stunned.
Harry seeing his discomfort looked at the girl and said. "Lylli could you please call a familly meeting in the living room, please."
The girl Lylli, straightned herself then gave her father a little curtesy before leaving. "As you wish father."
After she left Harry led Tom to the living room, a place smaller than the sitting room, the one they were before, but still very fancy and comforting. There he sat with the man who explained some basics about the wizarding world.
Tom was even more surprise when out of nothing a small ugly creature apperead out of nothing after being called by Harry. These creatures were called house-elf Harry explained, they served but were not slaves as Harry warned, they turned the life of a wizard or witch much easier with they abilities and willingness to work. So they should be respected as well.
As they talked about various magical creatures the elf popped again but now with the refreshments that Harry asked for, but Tom was to entrances with the conversations to enjoy the biscuits and tea that the elf brought.
Then Harry started to talk about the manor, especially his library and the surroudings of his manor, but in the case of the grove he had to be careful because there a lot of magical creatures living there, including unicorns, yes unicorns existed.
For a long time, Tom Marvolo Riddle wasn't so excied as he was right now, altought he didn't show too much.
Sudenly the door opened, and a black missile came fying towards the man making him strumble on his sitting position. "Daddy!" It even screamed.
The missile was another little girl younger than Lyllian but she had similar hair and features a little softer though. Altough her eyes were grey in color, her hair length stood on her shoulders and flyed back and forth while she scremed and giggled while Harry tickled he little girl.
Laughing as hard as she could with a big smile on her face she screamed. "I give up daddy, please." She stammered between her giggles.
Harry stopped and hugged her close. "How are you my little princess?"
The girl pouted cutely. "I'm not a princess, I am a witch." She then grinned hapilly. "The best witch ever."
Tom saw Harry chuckle and give her a small smile. "I have no doubt you are, but you are and always will be my little princess."
"But I don't want to" She whined and pouted cutely again.
"Alright, alright." Harry then pointed at Tom. "C'mon then, introduce yourself."
The little girl glanced at Tom and like the first girl he met she gave a little bow in curtesy and shyly said. "I'm Phoebe." She said looking at her feet. Harry gave the girl a disapproving look so she straighned herself and said. "My name is Phoebe Peverell, it's nice to meet you Tom." The man smiled and nodded kindly at the little girl.
Tom looked at Harry questionally but he shrugged and urged him to introduced himself. "I'm Tom Riddle."
Harry then looked at the girl and said. "He's your new brother."
The girl shyness vanished instantly as she looked at Tom with bright and wide eyes filled with mischief. "Seriously?"
Tom awkwardly nodded after a minute of silence making the girl bounce and giggle hapilly, to say the truth Tom felt welcomed by the little girl.
As the girl giggled, hurried footsteps could be heard approaching, after a moment a woman ran into the room breathlessly, she looked to be in her mid-twenties, Asian, well dressed, but not as fancy as Harry or the children, and she looked exasperated "I'm sorry Lord Peverell, she runned when Lyllian announced about your arrival." She said looking at the man before glancing a Tom, for some reason he felt connected to the woman.
Harry smiled at her and said. "It's fine Nagini, you don't need to worry. Here let me introduce you to Tom Marvolo Riddle, he will be living with us from now on."
The woman now named Nagini looked back at Tom and bowed like the girls did. "It's a pleasure young Lord."
Tom's cheeks flushed at being called that, but he bowed to her as well. "I'm Tom, It's nice to meet you miss Nagini." He said as politely as he could.
Then righ behind the asian woman another appeared. "Don't stand there blocking the path girl." She said sernly.
Nagini jumped in place but moved quickly out of the woman path. Tom looking more carefully at the woman could see a woman on her late fifties, auburn hair turning gray, even if it was almost unnoticeable, brown eyes, little frackles on her face wearing fancy clothes as she carried a baby in her arms, who was sleeping soundly.
The woman then bowed to Harry. "Lord Peverell, Lady Lyllian told me uou called for a meeting?"
Harry smiled at the woman and nodded. "Ah yes Agate, here let me introduce you to Tom Marvolo Riddle."
The woman glanced at the him and he could see realization flash in her eyes. "The Gaunt boy?" It was almost a whisper but everyone could here. Her question only left him confused.
Harry nodded and the woman bowed to him as she introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Agate Cornillac of the Noble house of Cornilllac. I'm Lord Peverell assistant."
Tom again bowed to the older woman still bewildered with the welcoming respect they were showing. Warmth once agan spread to his body. He never felt so welcomed before.
Tom then looked at the baby in her arms, Harry noticing this went to introduce the little baby. "Tom meet my youngest Elladora Peverell and little Ella meet Tom Riddle your new brother."
The baby said nor did nothing because she was sleeping. But mentally Tom said It's nice to meet you Elladora as he smiled at the toddler.
Then the door opened again for Tom, entering the room was one of the most beautiful woman Tom ever saw, he even gained a little blush on his face, even tough he did not understand why his heart seem to get faster. She seemed to be on her late twenties. Her beautiful black hair was on an intricate bun, she used jewelry all over her body, wearing a fancy black dress that showed her perfect curves. She also has sharp features that highlighted her aura of authority, her eerie violet eyes shoned confidence and knowledge.
Tom saw her look around the room, she wans't even bothered when her eyes landed on him or anyone in the matter, but when her eyes landed on Harry her face lit up and she smiled beautifully making her even more gorgeous. "My love." She exclaimed as she walked gracefully towards Harry and kissed him passionately in front of everyone, Tom blushed and averted his eyes spotting another female figure standing near the door.
There standing in guard like manner he saw another girl in her early twenties, auburn hair, brown eyes just like the older woman Agate, but with some minor differences on her features altought they were very similar. She was wering something different from the others though, but he didn't know why.
"Tom?" His head snapped at Harry's direction his blush already gone. "Tom, I like you to meet my wife.
The woman glanced at Tom with an air of superiority as she seemed snobbish but her voice told him differently, it was not snnobish but stern, demanding and motherly. "Tom Marvolo Riddle, half-blood…" She said in a thoughtful tone but not surprised on seeing him. "I am Lady Lycoris Peverell neé Black. Wife of Lord Harry Peverell and Lady of this House. As you arrived today and you need time to adjust, you can call me Lady Peverell, Madam or Miss. My name is exclusively to come from my husband lips only, are we understood?" She then turned to her husband. "Are you sure about this Lord husband?" She asked in a much sweeter voice.
Tom saw Harry smirk at his wife and suddenly making him gape. "Of course Lycoris, I told you this already, I want to help him." Harry Peverell hissed, just like him… he could talk to snakes. "Tell her Tom, that you just visiting for now." Harry glanced at Tom then at his wife again his smirk widening at her confused face.
Tom strumbled on his feet but after a minuted he also hissed making everyone minus Agate to stare at the boy in shock. "Yes, thank you for your hospitality Madam"
Lyllian that was sitting near her father had her eyes wide like saucers as she stared at Tom a little startled
Silence reigned the room before Lycoris desentrangled herself from her husband and stared at the boy seriously. "I see…" Then she glanced at the others. "Well then, welcome to the Peverells, Tom Marvolo Riddle. I expect great things from you, as a member of this family now is ubecoming from you to know and follow the rules of this house while live under this roof... but they can wait for now."
"Thank you, Lady Peverell." He said in appreciation respecting her tone and her words.
Harry then glanced at the girl standing near the door and motioned towards her. "Tom, that's Heloise, Agate's daughter she's works as a bodyguard for us Peverells. Heloise also has a brother but he's attending his last year at Hogwarts this year."
Tom tilted his head. "Hogwarts?" He said slowly.
Harry grinned. "It's a school for Wizards and Witches like us, you will attend too."
Tom could see Harry was excited but he was cut off by Lady Peverell. "My love? Sorry to disturb your fun, but… a letter arrived earlier today."
Tom could see his face changed suddenly. "From whom?"
Lady Peverell looked a little relucant to say, but after a minute she sighed and answered. "Dumbledore."
An uncomfortable silence invaded the room making Tom shift in place awkwardly.
After a moment Harry turned to Tom and said. "I'm sorry Tom, but you will have to be escorted by someone else today, there are urgent business I must attend. Do you think you will be comfortable with Nagini and Lylli while they show you the house?"
Tom could see stress come to Harry's face, so he nodded politely. He really didn't see problem for others to show him the house. "Alright then, Nagini could you and Lylli show young Tom the house, please?" The two nodded and bowed simuntaniously while everyone waited for the Lord of the house to exit the room with the Lady in tow. "Here's a tip, start with the library." Harry said while walking towards the door.
When he opened he paused and glanced above his shoulder. "I hope you feel comfortable Tom, I meant it when I said we can be your family now. So, take your time and if you need me, just ask for an elf or you can come looking for me. I will always be avaible for us to talk. And of course, I will be teaching you about magic and our world, so be prepared" He grinned at him knowing about his excitement.
And with that Lord Harry Peverell or for Tom known as his adopted father, exited the room leaving Tom with a new world for him to explore and new people for him to meet.
Unknown to the entire world the fate of everyone changed and the future shifted promising unpredictable events.
AN: Again, my main language is not English, but please give me feedback and what I need to improve, thank you!