Hello everyone! I know from the last chapter many have thought the Light side had no political power compared to the Dark side. Let me clear some of the confusions up here :
1. I have made it clear more than once that this law was a very important one for The Dark Lord, he had been preparing for it for too long and ready to achieve it even if he had to play dirty.
2. Many of the manpower from the Light side was compromised due to the Imperius and Confundus working.
3. Dumbledore had, as usual, taken the stupidest way to approach others about his suspicion and without any proof. To be honest, even in the Canon (in the Order Of Phoenix books) we all saw Dumbledore thinking that only his words will be good enough for the people like Minister of Magic and Daily Prophet, even when he could have easily ask Harry to supply the memory of the Dark Lord's rise and broadcast it.
He has a Pensive and he uses it to save his first meeting with little Tom and all his creepy little stalking views, but not to plan how to reveal the truth! What kind of 'Leader of the Light' with centuries-old experience does that? He also could have issued his own memory of Barty's Veritaserum confession, he ignored that too. Honestly, am I the only one who notices how stupid and thoughtless most of his actions were (especially when he is not planning Harry's demise)?
Thanks for your time! Enjoy the next chapter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Narcissa wrapped her winter travel cloak tighter around her as she made her way towards the Floo connection of Malfoy Manor. It was 03:51 am and she needs to catch the Floo at 03:57 to Slytherin Manor and then at 04:00 to Slytherin Castle. As she stopped in front of the Floo, she pinched a bit of Floo powder and waited, knowing both Floo opens for exactly 30 seconds. The Dark Lord might seem too paranoid, but she knows that better safe than sorry.
"Mother?"
Narcissa stopped, her eyes widening as they found her son standing near the door, and not in his sleepwear - she noted.
"Draco? What are you doing up so early in the morning?"
"I could ask the same for you," Draco crossed his arms over his chest and pouted, "I've noticed you always go somewhere every Saturday this time, but you never answer me. So I decided I will go with you today."
Narcissa widened her eyes. Of course, Draco could feel the Wards shift. Lucius has made him the Heir when he performed his first accidental magic. How could she forget that?
But the real problem is a bit different. As much as she wanted both her children to meet, the Floo permits only one person whose Magical signature has been keyed to it. So even if she wanted, Draco couldn't go with her. And the child is too stubborn to accept it. Maybe if she gives him some half answer, he will back down and give her time to convince their Lord to let the children meet?
"You can't go with me, at least not today, please listen," She raised her hand, "Where I am going, only my magical signature accepts the entrance. You will likely be caught up in the wards and it will be a very painful experience until the Lord of the property comes and relieves you."
"Then so be it, I don't care," Draco stomps on the ground, "But I want to know what you and father have been hiding!"
"Oh, Draco," Narcissa sighed, "Maybe I will tell you about it when I return," She proffered when she felt the Magic spike. The Floo is opening. "But I can't let you go at your whim, as it is not of fun and frivolity."
Draco felt the Floo getting connected as well, making him rush forward, ignoring Narcissa's alarmed cry.
"Draco! Stay back, you inane child!" Narcissa admonished.
"I am coming with you!" He said as he gripped onto her robes tightly.
Narcissa was torn between split-second decisions, knowing she has less than one to decide. She has no idea if their Lord will even be in the Castle. And if so, there is no guarantee how he will react to some juvenile tantrum. He might be indulgent for his own child, and Narcissa is not willing to find out if it is the same for her son as well, the chances are extremely low as the said child didn't even owe fealty to him.
"Dobby!" She called out unrepentantly, decision made, however unsatisfactory it may. She can't miss the Floo and therefore little Adrian because one of her sons is being unreasonably stubborn and obtuse to learn about the other.
"What Dobby can - " She cut the Elf off urgently, "Dobby, take Draco to his room right this moment." The poor Elf might suffer the consequence, but it will survive. She will come and tell him some of the truth later on.
"WHAT? NOO - " Draco was about to turn and escape, but couldn't avoid the House-Elf magic. Narcissa, not wanting to test Draco's insistence and any other trick he might have in his sleeve, immediately threw the powder at the Floo and stepped in hurriedly.
She breathed in relief when she stepped out from the Floo in Slytherin Castle. For a second, she thought Draco will end up in the Castle wards and her Lord might let him. She dusted the invisible wrinkles off her robe and straightened, marching towards the room her Lord allotted for the lesson.
As usual, when she reached the room, little Adrian was already there, patiently waiting for her. But the sight of him today made Narcissa stop in her tracks and stare at him amazed.
The child wearing his customary clothes and robes is a familiar sight, what not usual was the traces of white powdery substance on his whole face, rosy cheeks, and raven hair...is that oat flour? It seems like he had been playing with flour before her arrival and when she came, he cleaned his hands and robes - not knowing his face was covered in it as well - and then came running to sit here like a good boy.
"Good afternoon, Aunt Cissa," Adrian beamed at her.
"Good afternoon, Adrian. Can you give your father this vial when he returns?" Narcissa asked as she pulled a crystal vial with single blond hair inside. Adrian made an affirmative sound and saved the vial inside his pocket. Narcissa nodded and collected her hands, before looking at him amused, "So, what were you doing before I came?"
"Napping," Adrian's eyes were wide and innocent. That sneaky wee Slytherin - Narcissa thought fondly. She would have fallen for it if it wasn't for the flour on his face.
"Really?" Narcissa deadpanned and conjured a mirror, "Then you wouldn't know where it came from, would you?"
Adrian frowned at her accusation and glanced at the mirror, then immediately went wide eyes and stuttering.
"Oh! Ugh! Mama! Why you didn't tell me?" Adrian complained blushing as he furiously rubbed his cheeks off the flour.
"Mama?" Her heart pumping as she immediately looked around, maybe she will finally learn who is the woman who seemingly married their Lord, and believed to be the bearer of her Godson? The one 'wife' everyone thinks has been incapacitated because of some 'unfortunate accident'?
But there is no one! Nothing, not even a peep of another woman or anything, except for the hissing sound coming from the giant Viper which resembles...cackling? Does a snake can even laugh? And why would it laugh out of blue?
But more importantly, whom did he address the title for?
"Er..it's..it's her!" He immediately pointed at the giant saw-scaled Viper coiling near the fireplace, "She did it when I was sleeping." Narcissa glanced at The Dark Lord's familiar again and rolled her eyes, before blinking when she saw the viper doing the same. Hold on - did the snake just rolled her eyes? Are they even capable of doing that?
A doubt entered her mind, and not for the first time she wondered - does the snake understand English?
Narcissa saved the information to ponder on later and focused on her Godson, and just raised her eyebrow. Did he literally use 'the cat (snake in this case) did it' excuse and thought she will believe him? She might not understand Parseltongue to ask the said snake, but that doesn't mean she is obtuse. She has eight years old at home as well, though Draco tends to blame the Elves for everything.
Under her patient but firm stare, Adrian deflated like she knew he would and blew a raspberry, "Fine, I was baking."
Narcissa flicked his forehead as a reprimand for blowing a raspberry. "And why you were baking alone? Where is your father?" That news was most definitely not 'fine', as eight years old shouldn't 'bake' alone!
"I was not alone, mum was there, Bailey and Cece were also overseeing everything. And please don't tell father, it's a surprise for his birthday tomorrow."
The 'mum' word caught her off guard again, though it was surpassed by the fact that this child was baking and arranging for his father's surprise birthday party. It's their Lord's birthday tomorrow? How come she never knew it? Knowing their Lord has a birthdate is...honestly unexpected and made Him more...mortal.
"That's nice to know." She said lightly as she blinked her astonishment away.
"Anyway, she wants me to ask your assistant to bake the cake." Little Adrian talked before she could ask him anything else, like who is his mother. "But I have baked just fine before, no one had assisted me then!" Adrian added his complaint promptly, and it was not directed towards her, so Narcissa guessed it was addressed towards his mother. But there was no one else in the room, not a single magical signature. Is his mother wearing something like an invisibility cloak to hide? But if so, she would have heard the other side of the conversation or felt their Magical signature. But there are no other sounds except the crackling of wood and hissing of the snake.
And Narcissa may or may not be freaking out a little now, exactly what kind of 'accident' this woman sufficed? And is it some genuine accident?
"Okay fine!" Adrian pouted as retort at whoever was talking, not realizing how much this was starting to agitate his Godmother, and grinned up at her, "Mum says you're a good cook and you can teach me some baking charms so I wouldn't need a microwave?"
Narcissa blinked rapidly, processing the information that Little Prince's 'mother' actually knows about her, at least enough to appreciate that she is a good baker. But how? Is she...a ghost? Well, at least she has surmised why his 'mama' consciously 'forgot' to inform him about the flour on his face, she obviously wanted Narcissa to discover him baking alone and help him. If anything. Narcissa is now sure about one thing, this woman is truly incapacitated to some point and that is to make sure her son is safe when he's baking. Probably she is a ghost and only her son can see her? But her Lord said incapacitated, not dead!
"Er, yes." Narcissa blushed for stuttering, "I mean, of course, I can teach you. I don't know what a 'microwave' is but I can teach you how to bake magically."
"Wow okay, so do you mind if we learn about that today?"
"Of course not. But have you used your Wand before today?"
"Yes, Barty has been teaching me some basic shield charms. I even sent Avis Opungo at him for pranking me today, he charmed my shoes to tie the shoelaces every time I walk and trip me!"
Narcissa inhaled sharply at that. If someone did this to Draco, he would have bemoaned extravagantly and dramatically then demanded their punishment, while Adrian took the prank as it is - a harmless joke and retaliate right back with what he knows, instead of demanding his father to do something! The difference between the boys is truly startling! It makes her - Hold on just a second. Did she just hear an eight-year-old used Avis, a sixth-year NEWT level charm? And then paired it with Opungo? "Adrian, who taught you to conjure living objects and how to set them off on someone?"
"Er, I read about it? But I learned the Opungo from Barty." Adrian looked at her, puzzled. "Then I tried it and it worked."
Narcissa rubbed her eyes, muttering under her breath. While she definitely admired how Barty teaching him the Opungo backfired on him spectacularly, how can the foolish wizard let the child perform such advanced spells at such young age? So long before his Magical Core has matured? Does he want the child to undergo some severe case of Magical exhaustion? Narcissa sighed tiredly and knelt before her godson, grabbing his arms, "Adrian, I am really impressed and proud that you read about all the spells and charms and can perform them so easily, but promise me, you will never perform such highly advanced spells on your own? You're still too young, your Magical Core is not matured enough for using Wand so frequently. You may suffer the Magical exhaustion."
"Don't worry, Aunt Cissa," Adrian grinned up at her reassuredly, "Father has already made new rules that I must practice spells only in front of father or any other adults that father has approved. And father has dictated me to keep the Wand on me all the time and use it if I am stuck in a situation I don't like. Father let me use only Magic for an hour followed by using Wand for an hour a day and then make me take naps afterward. And I tried the Avis and Serpensortia in front of father yesterday."
Narcissa nodded, using both the raw and Wand-based Magic for a limited time under strict observation followed by sufficient rest is something she can agree with. Regular use of Core with the proper intervals for replenishment might even be healthy for the maturity of his Core, as one's Core is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. And she knows, however mischievous and sneaky Adrian might be, he won't disobey his father. He is acquiescent to his father's rules and cautions and follows them religiously, (Maybe knowing Adrian would have died if it wasn't for his father made him admire Him and follow everything He says so scrupulously?) something Draco is severely lacking which is why they haven't bought him a Wand yet, keeping all his lessons strictly theoretical except for potions. Maybe she can also start a new practice routine for him and confiscate the Wand later to make sure he's resting adequately?
"Good. Let's go to the kitchen then?"
Adrian beamed, then leaped on his feet and dashed out from the room, the viper who had taken upon itself to follow the child around is rapidly uncoiling itself. Well, at least little Adrian has found a dedicated protector in that snake! Just before it went towards the door, it turned abruptly and Narcissa quickly took a step back, not wanting to agitate the man-eater snake, and met with its unblinking yellow beady-eyed stare.
There was an unnerving glare in the giant viper's eyes as if the snake knows Narcissa is still wondering about Hadrianus's mother and now silently challenging her to contest the child's right. Trust the Dark Lord's snake to comprehend human behavior.
Narcissa panicked inwardly. Looks like the snake can see Adrian's invisible 'mother' as well, and has not approved how she reacted around her.
"I mean Little Prince no harm, I swear." Narcissa blurted out hands raised, not knowing if she is talking with the seemingly invisible and silent woman or the giant viper... or why she would need to speak this aloud. She has been agitated about the snake after Lucius told her about how he had witnessed it squeezing someone to death with its deadly muscles, and then proceed to eat them whole.
The giant viper gave a little huff and a single nod then turned and rapidly slithered out. Narcissa let out a shaky breath as she processed the irrefutable evidence she just received.
The blasted snake understands English.
Hadrianus glanced at the bucket to find it almost full of all the winter berries he gathered, so he put the wooden berry-picking rake on the ground when Cody, the head House Elf in charge of the gardens and plants appeared on his side.
"Hey Cody, thanks for teaching me how to select the best berries," He grinned at his little friend as he accepted the bowl from her and put a fistful of hollies in it for snacking while he gave the rest to her.
"You is welcome, Little Master." She accepted the bucket full of berries and immediately left for the kitchen so Cece and Finn can make some Winterberry trifle for the Little Master for desert, saving some of them for the icing for the matcha green tea and pistachio cake Little Master has baked for Master Dark Lord's birthday. Normally she would never let Little Master work like some of them, but Little Master insisted on learning it, and they can never say 'no' to Little Master when he asks so nicely, so she taught him and let him rake while she kept an eye on him.
"Hey, mum," Hadrianus said as he popped a berry in his mouth, "Can we go say hi to the babies?"
Nagini sighed. Ever since Hadrianus discovered a nest of occamies he had been insisting on visiting them. ":You do realize they're on the middle island of the river?:"
":Yes, but they're also inside the ward-line, and you'll be with me!:" Hadrianus insisted, ":I will be fine.:"
":If something happens...your father is going to be angry!:"
":Nothing will happen, come on, mum!:"
Nagini sighed, knowing very well that arguing with her stubborn son is a lost cause, ":Very well, let us go.:"
":Yes! Thank you.:"
Hadrianus shifted into his green mamba form and they both jumped on the river water to swim across towards where he knows lies the occamy nest. On reaching the nest, Hadrianus shifted back and made a quick detour to nearby bushes to grab some grasshoppers and stunned them, then put them in his pockets.
":Hey Aodh! Hello everyone! How are you all?:" Hadrianus grinned as he approached the nest where one male adult Occamy Aodh and four Occamy babies are coiled up and making a racket, probably hungry and waiting for their mother Enda to return with food.
":Noble Speaker! You are back!:" Aodh hissed in greetings.
"Speaker! Speaker!:" ":Speaker! We're hungry!:" The babies cried out as they reached out towards him, tiny wings flapping rapidly.
Hadrianus grinned and pulled all the unconscious grasshoppers from his pockets, making them yell in happiness as they all fought to eat their share.
":Thank you, Noble Speaker.:" Aodh hissed as he accepted his own share: A stunned juicy rat.
":How is Enda, Aodh?:" Nagini asked as she raised her head, and delicately put another stunned rat on their nest, ":This gift is for her, she gave birth to many healthy hatchlings.:" The Occamies had been very territorial when Hadrianus had first discovered their nest, but their frequent visits and all the foods he and Nagini brought for them had to wear them off slowly.
":Ah, thank you, O giant mother serpent of Noble Speaker, my mate will be pleased.:"
"You're welcome.:"
":Have you named them yet?:" Hadrianus asked, curious as the babies tried to climb on his arms and he let them, smiling softly at them.
":No Noble Speaker, they will be named after their first successful hunt.:"
Hadrianus nodded, glancing back at the babies. They hang around for few more minutes to talk, mostly Hadrianus cooing at the babies and complimenting them, they truly are the most beautiful creatures among every creature he has met. The turquoise-colored skin with teal-colored feathers was glittery and emits rainbow shades under Sunlight. Truly gorgeous creature!
Hadrianus grinned at their preening and caught them more grasshoppers when suddenly he felt a mysterious sensation of Ward tingling. It is a curious sensation he never felt before. It was as if...Mother Castle is trying to catch his attention. Hadrianus frowned and focused on the feeling when he realized it has turned into something of a tug. Is Mother Castle trying to tell him to go somewhere?
":I am sorry pretties, I have to go somewhere,:" Hadrianus put the babies down and they all curled up in the warmth, content and comfortable, hissing in thanks.
":Mum, follow me, the Mother Castle wants me to go somewhere,:" He said as he gave in to the tug, hissing the Occamies goodbye and promising more treats when he will come to visit them again. His mum hissed in agreement and chased after him. The tug continued even when they reached the river so Hadrianus turned into his mamba form and followed, his mum closely trailing.
When they reached the other side of the river, Nagini tensed, ":Hatchling, you realize where are we?:"
":Near the Ward-line border, I know. I am just - Oh boy!:" Hadrianus ignored his mother's hiss of alarm as three demon-like cats emitting throaty grovel high pitched sound at them.
":Stay still, mum. It's just the matagots.:"
":Just the matagots?:" Nagini let out a strangled disbelieving sound.
":Completely harmless unless provoked, and being shot offensive spells.:" Hadrianus agreed, he learned everything he could find, especially about the residences of Mother Castles.
":Did you deliberately forgot 'extremely territorial'?:" Nagini asked dryly as she carefully noted them for any signs of aggression. She will strike out and kill them before if they even try to pounce on her hatchling. But they're not being aggressive yet, as they have probably seen them coming from the Castle. The same castle that they think of under their territory.
":Pffft it's fine.: Ah, thanks, Casey. Just what I needed." Hadrianus thanked the House Elf in charge of animals and offered the dried fish that arrived on his palm towards the matagots. Mother Castle is still tugging at him, and he needs to follow.
The matagots gave a curious mewling sound and sniffed, before approaching him. Nagini tensed beside him but didn't say anything as she watched them move like a hawk.
Matagots approached him and gave him a little sniff, Hadrianus put the dried food down on the ground letting them smell him once more, then decide they're not interested in him anymore as they turned their attention on the food. They obviously recognized him as the child of Mother Castle.
Sparing another second to make sure they're truly not after him anymore, Hadrianus slowly back away then turned and give into the run once again, Nagini following him. They ran for another half a minute along the border of the Ward-line, before screeching to a halt when the tugging stopped. Curious, Hadrianus looked around carefully when his sensitive hearing has picked up a wounded mewling and he could smell some blood in the air.
Following the smell and sound, he reached near the borderline to find a large butterfly-looking creature with a wolf-like skull panting on the ground, unconscious, bleeding and hurt. Hadrianus gasped and ran towards it. It clearly has a broken wing and a large gush near the abdomen which is bleeding.
":Hatchling no! It looks dangerous.:"
":But it's hurt.: Bailey? A bowl of clean water, healing pastes, and blood replenishment potions. Quick!"
"Here they are, Master Harry." Bailey bought them hurriedly.
"Thanks, Bailey, now help me clean the debris!"
Hadrianus and Bailey worked together to clean the debris and heal its wound using the nice little healing charms that Aunt Cissa taught him when he cut his finger in the knife while trying to smear the cream on the cake they baked an hour ago, watching the gush stitched up and healed magically. Thank Merlin Aunt Cissa caught him baking! Or else he wouldn't have learned it! He doesn't know if the Wish Magic would have done it as nicely. Hadrianus quickly fed the poor creature a half vial of blood replenishment potion. He knows Uncle Severus has upgraded the potion to make sure it works on non-humans too, as long as they have some magic. And Hadrianus can already tell this creature has magic blood.
":What is this creature?:" Nagini was confused as she watched her Hatchling and the Elf working on it.
"It's called Swooping Evil, mum, and it has a broken wing. I do not know how to mend a broken wing. Any ideas, Bailey?"
Bailey whirled her ear pitifully, "Bailey is not knowing, Master Harry, but maybe Casey knows?"
Before he opened his mouth, another pop sounded and an old House Elf appeared, looking disapprovingly between the hurt beast cradling on the lap of Little Master and the mentioned wizard. Sometimes she does share the feeling of exasperation with her Master Lord on Little Master's antics. Why he must disregard his own safety like this?
"Casey, Hi!" Hadrianus gave her a guilty grin, "Do you know how to mend broken wings?"
The older Elf sighed and shook her head, "Casey knows if the swooping evil returns to its cocoon, every hurt will be mended automatically."
"Oh?" Hadrianus perked up, learning a new bit of information. It hadn't been on the books. Maybe because they didn't know how to catch one alive, tame it and learn? "How do I help him return to its cocoon form?"
"He would need to be conscious, he will do it himself."
Hadrianus hummed, thinking about how to wake up the unconscious swooping evil. He hardly thinks a simple rennervate will work, given their skin is spell repellant.
":Careful, Hatchling, it smells like a predator,:" Nagini told him as she coiled near him, ready to defend him if needed.
Hadrianus nodded as an idea formed in his mind, he pressed his hand on its wolf-like skull and pressed his Magic in it, citing his Magic to enter its head with a clear command 'Wake up!'.
Hadrianus watched as the dark eyes blinked open, and the white snout rose from his lap to stare at him, the air scented curious, wary, anger, hungry, and pain. The frightened gasps of the Elves suddenly reminded him that the creature in front of him is an encephalophage. Oh, Merlin...! What he had done? He could hear his mother cursing from behind. Nagini may not know what the creature does, but she obviously recognized the hostile stare-down of a predator who now considers her son as prey.
"Um, good boy?" Hadrianus blinked up at it, staring at the wolf-like skull, wondering if there would be any wolf or maybe dog-like behavior in it.
The swooping evil's face twisted, the sharp tooth barring into a ferocious snarl and it screeched, trying to flap its uninjured spiked wings and attack him. Hadrianus yelped and grabbed its face with both hands and try to hold it as far as possible from his brain, ignoring his mum's angry hisses as she tried to lunge at it and the Elves' alarmed cry. "NOOO! Bad boy! Down boy! You're not allowed near my brain! I have only one!"
Abruptly the swooping evil stopped flapping its unbroken wing and struggling, going as far as docile in his hands as it stared at him with wide disbelieving eyes. Then swiftly shrunk into a small cocoon to hang from Hadrianus's left wrist.
Hadrianus blinked at his wrist where a green spiny cocoon is hanging from a thread. What just happened?
"Um, the creature has claimed you as his human, Little Master." Casey's disbelieving voice broke him out of his stupor.
"Me?" Hadrianus gaped at her, "Why me?"
"Because you claimed it, Little Master. And it's Magic accepted that and acknowledged you saved its life. Or else it wouldn't have obeyed you."
"I claimed him?" Hadrianus's stare now turned incredulous. "When?"
"When you made your magic enter his body to make it obey you."
"I - wow, okay," Hadrianus said resigned, blaming it on the bizarre world around him and less than exemplary decisions he made in response. He was about to defend himself - saying something like he needed to save its life when he felt the Floo flaring and telltale sensation of his father returning home. Hadrianus perked up at once, a seemingly dangerous beast hanging from his left wrist momentarily forgotten. His father had been busy for the whole day, and he had missed him. "Father's home! Bailey, can you bring me and mum to the Floo room?"
A quiet pop later, Hadrianus dashed forward and collided with his father who was brushing the ashes off his warm cloak, earning an 'Omph!', "Father! I missed you!" He muffled yell from where he had buried his face in his father's leg, hugging it tightly.
Marvolo chuckled and picked up his son in his arm, accepting the warm enthusiastic hug, and kissed his forehead on his lightning bolt scar. He had been a tad worried when he noticed in the Wards that his son approaching the borderline and then felt a spike of distress from him. But he seems unharmed and happy enough, so he saved it to investigate later, they have some works to do now.
"Hello to you too, my little Prince. Did Narcissa come today?"
"Yes," Hadrianus lit up and pulled a vial from his pocket, "She told me to give it to you."
"Good. Did you have your dinner?"
"Yes, father."
"Good boy. Now, I want you to go and dress up nicely and warmly, put on the grey robes."
"Okay!" Hadrianus said happily and dashed out as soon as his father let him down. When he returned wearing the robes he had asked him to, he paused on the gate to gape when he noticed Lord Malfoy standing there, instead of his father. When did he arrive? Hadrianus frowned at him and then realized the person may look like Lord Malfoy, but he smells exactly like his father and the scar gave the distant tingle, proving his suspicion. After all, he knows very well that looks can be deceiving. Besides Lord Malfoy always scented scared and extremely wary in front of mum! (Though sometimes Barty smells scared in front of Aunt Cissa - but only when she threatens him, and his mum never did anything to Lord Malfoy, so why he would be scared of his big cuddly sweet mother is beyond Hadrianus's guess.)
"Father?"
Marvolo smirked. That's the beauty of Naga. You can use glamour or Polyjuice to look different, but you can't hide the smell of your blood from a species that greatly depends on their smells. At least now he is sure his son will never be fooled by Polyjuice and glamour.
"Are we going for an undercover mission?" He asked excitedly at the prospect of a new adventure. His father always brings up the best adventures.
"Yes," Marvolo smirked as he looked at his son with a calculating gaze, wanting to learn what else he can deduce.
"Okay, so aunt Cissa has a son or daughter? I am presuming a son, and maybe my age? Probably that's why she always catches on me so quickly."
"Indeed." Marvolo chuckled, before producing the photo of Heir Malfoy, "Draco Malfoy. Now, remember, his personality is majorly based on superiority and confidence."
"So act like an arrogant snob, got it." Hadrianus nodded as his father snorted at his words. He studied the photo then focused on changing his appearance. His hair lightened and beautiful green eyes turned silver. His father transfigured the Slytherin Insignia on his robes into Malfoy insignia, then looked critically at his son and then smirked. Without the smell in his blood and their soulbond vibrating with life, he wouldn't have believed him as anything but Draco Malfoy.
"Good, now let's go. Don't forget it's almost 8 in the morning in Britain," His father informed him as he checked his son's warm robes to make sure it's enough for the little Mamba.
Hadrianus followed his father to their Floo to go to Slytherin Manor and then grabbed his father's hand who apparated them directly in front of a tiny, grubby-looking pub.
"What is this?"
"Leaky Cauldron, come." His father steered him inside and they entered. Hadrianus noticed an old and bald toothless bartender glanced up from where he was moping the counter.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. What I can get for you?"
"I would like to use the Floo," His father said in perfect imitation of Lord Malfoy as he paid him 2 knuts. The bartender accepted it and offered him a bowl full of Floo powder. His father took a pinch and nodded at him stiffly, before turning towards the Floo. Hadrianus noticed the Floo is not as well cleaned and shiny as they had at home, and remembering the role he is playing, he made his face twist into open disdain and sneering.
His father threw the Floo powder in fire stating clearly, "Ministry of Magic, main hall."
As they stepped out from the Floo with a soft whoosh, Hadrianus noticed that they were standing at one end of a very long and splendid hall with a highly polished, dark wood floor. The peacock-blue ceiling was inlaid with gleaming golden symbols that were continually moving and changing like some enormous heavenly notice board. The walls on each side were paneled in shiny dark wood and had many gilded fireplaces set into them, one of which they had come out. Probably because it's so early in the morning, the place is not packed with people. Halfway down the hall was a fountain. A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. The tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a Centaur, a Goblin, and a House Elf. The last three were all looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard. Glittering jets of water were flying from the ends of the two wands, the point of the centaur's arrow, the tip of the goblin's hat, and each of the House Elf's ears.
Hadrianus stared at the statue with distaste. He can believe the House Elf, but who in their right mind thought a Centaur and a Goblin would look at a Wizard adoringly? Narcissistic and blind people!
"I hate the statue." Hadrianus declared. Marvolo snorted, of course, he would. Though his love for all the creatures runs too deep to not want to immediately cast a bombara at it.
"So do I. Come."
As they passed the fountain Hadrianus saw silver Sickles and bronze Knuts glinting up at him from the bottom of the pool. A small, smudged sign beside it read:
All proceeds from the Fountain of Magical Brethren will be given to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
Well, at least they had some sensible bones in them, Hadrianus thought warily as he followed his father toward the gates into the smaller hall beyond, where at least twenty lifts stood behind wrought golden grilles. Hadrianus followed his father towards one of the free and open lifts. He noticed several witches and wizards who recognized 'Lord Malfoy' either nodded at him in acknowledgment or simply turned their heads in open disdain. Hadrianus bit the inside of his cheeks to stop himself from snickering. Lord Malfoy sure has some enemies!
His father wisely ignored them all and approached the lifts, and pressed the nearest down button and a lift clattered into sight, the golden grilles slid apart with a great, echoing clanking, permitting them entrance.
"Hold on to me."
Hadrianus immediately grabbed his father's legs as he noticed his father pressed on the number nine button, the grilles closed with a bang, and the lift began to descend, jangling and rattling.
"Whoa!" Hadrianus yelped as he tightened the hold on his father's leg as if his life is dependant on it as the lift sped up at once.
"Department of Mysteries," said a cool female voice when the lift stopped, making Hadrianus peek from where he had hidden his face in his father's legs.
"Come."
Hadrianus let go of his father's leg and followed him outside, looking around curiously. The walls were bare; there were no windows and no doors apart from a plain black one set at the very end of the corridor. And there were a couple of Unspeakable standing and talking to each other in a whispered voice. When they stepped into the hallway, they stopped their conversation to look their way, waiting patiently when they realized Lord Malfoy intended to talk with them.
"What can we do for you, Lord Malfoy?" One of the Unspeakable spoke up when they approached them.
"Unspeakable Rookwood, I am here as a representative of Hogwarts Board of Governor," Marvolo said in imitation of Lucius's voice as he pulled the sealed letter from his pocket, the letter containing the petition and official permission from the Minister.
Augustus Rookwood quickly read them through, nodding when he finished, "We have heard about this new proposal Lord Slytherin suggested for Hogwarts, and we had been waiting for the permission. We will contact Lord Slytherin to talk about the course details and schedules later, once we decide who will be amenable to teach." He put the parchment back in the envelope and saved it in his pocket.
"Thank you," 'Lucius' inclined his head at that.
"Anything else?"
"Yes, I am hoping to give my son a tour to the Hall of Prophecies, he wishes to know if there is any prophecy regarding him."
The Unspeakable snorted at that, "Not impossible, there are hundreds of them being created and destroyed every month. Come, I will take you, but make sure not to touch any Prophecy that doesn't belong to you."
"Of course."
Unspeakable Rookwood ushered them towards a large, circular room. Everything in here was black including the floor and ceiling — identical, unmarked, handle-less black doors were set at intervals all around the black walls, interspersed with branches of candles whose flames burned blue, their cool, shimmering light reflected in the shining marble floor so that it looked as though there was dark water underfoot. There were around a dozen doors here.
"What are all those doors for?" Hadrianus can't help but point out.
It was the Unspeakable who replied, "They are the entrance to several chambers, like Prophecy Chamber, Time chamber, Death chamber, Thought Chamber, Dream Chamber, and many more. You will learn if you become an Unspeakable when you grow up, Heir Malfoy."
Hadrianus had blushed when it was not his father who replied, but the name 'Heir Malfoy' reminded him he was Undercover here, so he has a role to play. So he straightened up, standing tall and proud beside his father, and rose his nose in the air, reminding himself of Dudley as he did so, "Thank you."
The Unspeakable's lips twitched as he opened the door of the Hall of Prophecy for them, "When you're done, close the door behind you and say my name, I will escort you out."
"Thank you." 'Lucius' nodded as he leads his son towards the room full of the beautiful, dancing, diamond-sparkling light and the door closed behind them. Hadrianus closed his eyes to a slit, letting his eyes became more accustomed to the brilliant glare he saw clocks gleaming from every surface, large and small, grandfather and carriage, hanging in spaces between the bookcases or standing on desks ranging the length of the room, so that a busy, relentless ticking filled the place like thousands of minuscule, marching footsteps. The source of the dancing, diamond-bright light was a towering crystal bell jar that stood at the far end of the room.
Hadrianus ran after his father as he seems to know where he was going, grabbing his father's hand impulsively, "What does an Unspeakable do, father?"
"They are, what you can call a researcher. They research and study different branches of Magic."
"Oh, so Wiggle version of scientists?"
"Indeed."
"Cool, I want to become one too, father."
A slow smile took place on his father's face, "If you wish for the same after you grow up, then, of course, I will allow it."
"Thank you, I will," Hadrianus voiced earnestly, making his father hum.
"Here it is," His father said suddenly as he stopped in front of a shelf.
"What is it, father?" Hadrianus asked as he craned his neck as much as he can, but still can't see.
Noticing his little son pulling at the leg of his trousers, Marvolo picks him up and pointed at the very heart of the bell jar. Hadrianus read the yellowish label affixed to the shelf right beneath the dusty glass ball. In spidery writing was written date of some nine years previously, and below that:
S. P. T. to A. P. W. B. D.
Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter
Hadrianus unconsciously tensed at the name, turning his head to look at his father questioningly.
"Father?"
His father hummed.
"I am not - "
"I know. That's why I am here." He said as he closed his fingers around the dusty ball's surface. Remembering the Unspeakable's warning, Hadrianus tensed up, but relaxed when nothing happened.
Marvolo dusted it off as he stared at the glowing orb in his hand, the reason for everything that transpired in the past decade, though he is glad it had happened, he has gained his son because of it. He had expected it to feel cold, but it did not. On the contrary, it felt as though it had been lying in the sun for hours, as though the glow of light within was warming it.
"Let's go home."
_
Hadrianus watched as his father let the orb fall on the ground of the Study room where they are sitting in their respective seats. The orb falls on the ground, the glass shattering, and a pearly-white figure with hugely magnified eyes rose into the air, Hadrianus could see its mouth moving and a cool, dreamy voice spoke up,
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."
Hadrianus blinked around midway to bite into the winterberry trifle, then turned to look at his father, concerned and worried. Either must die at the hand of the other? But he doesn't want to die, neither he wants to raise his wand against his father.
Besides his father is immortal, where is the point in that?
Marvolo must have noticed his worry, so he waved it off with a dismissal way, "Don't worry about it, the Prophecy has been fulfilled, you have already 'vanquished' me when you were someone who born as the seventh month dies."
Nagini agreed with him, ":True, and it doesn't say you have to keep doing it.:"
"Yes, besides, you're now someone who has been born at the dawn of a new year, Magic has accepted you as my son in blood, flesh, and soul. No one can say otherwise."
At that, Hadrianus relaxed back at his bean bag, and bite into his trifle. Marvolo smiled he took a dainty sip of his tea. "So, now that has been out of the way, tell me, what have you been getting up to the whole day, child of mine?"
Hadrianus widened his eyes when he suddenly remembered the small cocoon he had hidden in his robe pocket and choked on his trifle. He gulped audibly, "You're not allowed to get mad."
For instance, his father's smile vanished and suspicion and concern entered his face, "What did you do?"
Harry bit his lip, contemplating his options as his father's eyes narrowed into slits, carefully testing the boundaries between concerned and livid.
"See… here's the thing - "
"What. Did. You. DO."
Begrudgingly, and while wincing rather heavily, Hadrianus attempted to give his father a short overview of the five hours, obviously keeping the news of baking cake hidden.
"You did WHAT?"
Hadrianus made a strangled noise, staring with obvious dismay at the man as he sputtered, trying to find the right words. "I - In my defense, I couldn't just leave it there! It was hurt and bleeding!" His mum was enjoying him getting scolded too much, so asking her for help was out of the question.
"Do you know what else it is? An encephalophage! You, however, carry the same brain within your skull which it feeds on!"
"That's beside the point!"
"That is the point!"
"But - " Hadrianus wanted to argue for his new little pet, "he was hurt!"
Marvolo took a shuddering breath and then become eerily calm as he took a sip from his cup.
"You're grounded."
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