~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "My Lord, according to the Healer's report, Bellatrix is not taking her punishment of revoking her right to meet with The Dark Prince truly well." Lucius spoke up as he followed his Lord out of His office after leaving Draco and Hadrianus to talk in His office, "She even attempted to Confund the Healers into believing she has recovered. When caught and was questioned by Narcissa, she had apparently broken down and confessed that she had assured The Dark Prince that she will aid him with some experimentation with webs and ropes." Lucius said, his voice betraying the confusion he felt, Narcissa had been amused while reporting the particular information though he didn't understand what kind of experimentation a child, like Hadrianus, with barely any adequate Magical Knowledge needs to do, and why webs and ropes are necessary for it, "She claimed that this punishment is dishonoring the vow she made to her Godson, My Lord."
Marvolo's eyebrows almost flew past his skull before remembering their detour to Muggle Bookstore and Bella agreeing to help him become the 'Wiggle version of Spiderman'. It amused him to see Bella so desperate, this is the first time a punishment appeared as a true punishment to her. Physical pain is not the only way to hurt someone. Especially to a being with such a high pain tolerance like Bella (The others being Barty and Severus. While Severus has high pain tolerance as well, Barty is almost the same level as them through his sheer determination). She didn't even react much to Lord Voldemort's Cruciatus. Maybe next time he went to the Headquarters, he will inform her the sooner she listens to the mind healer and gets healed, the earlier she can meet with Hadrianus and help him research all the Wigg - ahem, damn it, Hadrianus! - Magical version of Muggle fictions. Maybe hint about the childhood trauma Hadrianus went through, even The Dark Prince is seeing a Mind Healer might urge her to do the same.
"She also mentioned to Narcissa that she would have preferred if you had Crucio'd her instead of that," Lucius continued as they made way towards the upper level of Dungeons. The comment made Marvolo amused. He knows that Bella doesn't care for physical pain, having an incredibly high pain tolerance. This is exactly why he chose this punishment, it will get her to behave. After all, he knows exactly where to hurt someone to maximize the suffering.
"Then Narcissa ought to inform her that she must get better fast." Marvolo is torn between wanting to stop them from getting into new trouble and intrigued himself to see the outcome of this research. After all, this spell could be very useful. And if this is what his son needs to keep himself busy and out of trouble, he would let him do it. After all, it's much better than chasing after man-eater creatures and either adopt them or coerce them into adopting him!
"Yes, My Lord. I believe that's what Narcissa has told her."
Marvolo nodded as he pressed his hand on a particular place on a seemingly unassuming wall, and the surface melted away to reveal the entrance to Dungeons.
"My Lord, I brought the files of possible tutors of Geography, Mathematics, and Pureblood Laws and Regulation for The Dark Prince, as per your order, My Lord, And Lord Nott has volunteered to teach him about History and Basic Economics." Lucius informed as he followed his Lord inside the dimly lit Dungeons.
"Perfect, leave it on my Office before you leave, though I would like it if it's you who teach him the Laws, Lucius," Marvolo informed as he stopped in front of a particular cell, looking inside with mild disgust.
Lucius inwardly smiled in triumph, "It will be my honor, My Lord." Maybe sometimes he will also bring his son and give lessons to both so his son has more chance and time to spend with The Dark Prince. He had heard the Longbottom boy had the privilege to become The Dark Prince's study partner of potions and he absolutely refused to lose The Dark Prince to a Light Wizard. "My Lord?" Lucius asked when his gaze fell on an unknown foul-smelling wizard locked in the cell in front of them. Marvolo followed his gaze and smirked.
"Mundungus Fletcher, member of the Order," He informed the blonde, watching the understanding gleam enter his pale grey eyes.
"So he must have access to the Potter Manor!" Lucius nodded and looked back at the unconscious wizard in mild disgust, "Seems like he is not unfamiliar with piracy, My Lord."
"You would be right in that judgment," Marvolo said, gazing at him musingly, "Though I am not convinced that he will be competent enough to do it." While he had lost his body, not only his empire had fallen apart but half of his Inner Circles and Elites had gone and got arrested or killed themselves. While rescuing his arrested Knights is not much of a hazard, creating different identities of each of them and some more is the one that is taxing.
The best way had been to alter their personal information of the memory stone of Ministry. The memory stone is the one that stores pieces of information on every person that is under Ministry scrutiny and investigation. If it had been only ten of them, he probably wouldn't have to bother about it. But he had gained at least fourteen more followers and many of them were imprisoned for few years, some half a decade. If he can misplace their data from the memory stone, it will update and replace all the information on Ministry papers automatically without them having to change every one of them and risk exposure. Not only that, Marvolo had learned the memory stone gets activated bi-annually by the Aurors in presence of the Head of DMLE, updating everything Magically. So he needs to misplace the information directly on the stone if he wants the changes to be permanent.
When the information is misplaced and some more, along with the chaos that is the Unknown cause of death of every one of them, with obviously some thorough Obliviation and distracting with so much work pressure on the head of DMLE, he can give most of his new followers a fresh background without making them lose their Inheritance. Let it be their own cousins who had not been on the record of memory stone before Marvolo could get his hand on the stone, or maybe their own children!
Marvolo knows Ministry is too confident in the security of the memory stone to not actually having any protective spell on it, except on the surrounding chamber. While Marvolo is confident that he can bypass the wards by creating a tunnel wide enough for a single person to enter and alter the information stored in the stones, the only entrance of the chamber is also secured by a special lock made by the Unspeakables, and only a pair of specific keys together can open the lock. One of them being in Fudge's chamber, which is easily accessible because of barely renowned wards protecting the hidden pocket behind the bookshelf behind his desk. It's the second key that arose the problem. Dumbledore has it.
Marvolo sighed remembering the old coot. He had at first thought it to be in Hogwarts. Clearly, Hogwarts is a place where Dumbledore could keep it safe. But his spies soon found out it's not in Hogwarts, but at Potter Manor, the Order Headquarter.
Look at the old goat's meddling! When it came to the safety of his objects of Prophecy, he made them stay in the least safe place cottage house in Godric hollow under the protection of barely any good wards other than Fidelius Charm. And now the key is in Potter Manor? It would not be as easy to break into Potter's ancestral home as it had been in Godric Hollows, given the Manor is under layers of ancient wards which would have taken even him a considerable amount of time to weaken enough to give him entrance.
But he doesn't want to raid the Order Headquarters, it will give them the proof of his return, which is the last thing he wanted at the moment.
"What can I do to help you, My Lord?" Lucius asked as he turned to Him, straightening up, ready to serve his master.
"Lucius," Marvolo said shrewdly, "As you know, the second key is in Potter Manor, and Fletcher is under my Imperius. I am assuming he will be capable of taking it or at least copy it." He said, sighing, such a pity he had to depend on someone as disgusting as him, "Now I need you to conjure the image of the key so I can install it in his memory."
"Of course, My Lord," He said, before conjuring the image. Marvolo waved his wand, and the conjured image slid through the air before falling on the unconscious wizard's head like a speck of dust and vanished. After that, he Obliviated and Confunded Fletcher and turned one of the stolen rings on his finger into a one-way Portkey that will take him to the Knockturn Alley, his usual sojourning place. He will only think he got drunk and fall asleep on the road.
"In case it doesn't succeed, we need to forge another plan, Lucius," Marvolo said, looking back at him as they made a way back to his office where the children are talking. He had felt a spike of anger and distress coming from their bond before it was gone within seconds. His son is getting better at controlling his emotions and Occlumency. He needs to go investigate what cause him anger. "It is truly important to misplace those data from the memory stone for the future of our Knights. Keep trying to find a way to get the key. Have Macnair take a look to make sure there are no other wards than we have on the list that you need to look into." Walden Macnair had been one of the best ward-breaker among his rank, taught personally by him.
"Yes My Lord," Lucius inclined his head.
"Collect hairs of some of the other members of Order, someone who has access and usual guest of their meeting. And double-check the Wards of Potter Manor as well. Take Macnair." If needed, he will sneak in his Creature form and then use Polyjuice. But before that, he needs the list of Wards to ensure his presence won't alarm them.
"Yes, My Lord," When Lucius realized they're returning to his Lord's office, he felt safe enough to give the next news. Lucius knows his Lord is going to lose every bit of control of his temper hearing the news, no matter how sane he has become. But hopefully, seeing the Little Prince will soothe his anger. At least enough in front of his son and Lucius won't be receiving Cruciatus for delivering the bad news.
"My Lord," Lucius swallowed dry, and just before they were about to reenter His Office, Lucius informed, "Using the new monitoring charms you have enforced on the Headquarter, our Knights had discovered three spies in the Outer Circle and Octavius Pepper from Inner Circle. But before our Knights could catch them, somehow Pepper had guessed what's happening and escaped." Thankfully they're all bound to oath via their marks so Pepper can't tell anyone about the return of their Lord without losing his life.
His Lord paused near the gate when He heard that, and Lucius knew He is furious with the way His Magic acted. But given he is not under Cruciatus yet, Lucius realized His Lord is somehow controlling His rage because of His son and patted his own back for the perfect timing and saving himself from the pain.
At the news of betrayal, Marvolo's mood had darkened, and he had almost seen red. But he had to stop himself from lashing out at Lucius. Because first, Lucius is just the messenger, and secondly, Hadrianus doesn't need to hear Lucius's tortured screams. Lucius is innocent in his eyes and Merlin knows if the child has another flashback of witnessing innocents getting tortured, which he doesn't want to happen. He had worked too hard to make him bury all those memories under layers of Occlumency barrier, he doesn't want to test the Shields so quickly. But he needed an outlet.
Marvolo took a deep breath and threw up few more layers around his mind, containing his rage. No, after everything is done, he will go to the training room and let the rage burn out. Not now. The traitor has already escaped, but now if he goes after Pepper, their cover will be blown. No, he will wait for the perfect opportunity to deal with him.
"I see," Marvolo replied, his voice soft and quiet.
The sheer practice of Shields stopped Lucius from reacting. Dang, their Lord is beyond pissed. Fury is radiating from him in waves.
"My Knights are all have become fainéant and incompetent to let a traitor escape," His Lord added musingly, "Looks like I need to check their skills and schedule for their further training."
Lucius winced inwardly. While their Lord is a highly skilled mentor, he is also a pretty harsh task giver and doesn't tolerate languorous and laziness. Looks like there will be a major reshuffle among the ranks of Outer, Inner Circles, and Elites very soon - given after the war, most of them are out of practice. Some of them have also produced a protruded belly and round figure because of inactivity.
Thankfully Lucius doesn't have to worry about himself, either for Severus. After all, they're placed in Elites Knight, and not only for their pretty looks or birthright!
As they entered the office room, both Marvolo and Lucius were surprised to find only Draco Malfoy sitting there.
"Where is my son?" Marvolo frowned, looking around the room. Did Hadrianus leave to fetch some toys or something?
"He left," Draco said, turning his nose away arrogantly, "He even had the impudence to reject my friendship, father," he instantly complained to his father, his voice borderline and mild whining, which would have been much worse if he was in the home. Draco had never been so insulted when the stupid Mudblood had the audacity to reject his friendship, friendship of the Malfoy himself! But he hadn't dared to say something, he would deny it to his dying breath and he had never been so scared when the Mudblood let his Magic go and it surrounded him, pulsating angrily around him, as if ready to pierce his skin like some sharp knife. And the way his eyes glowed, Draco had a feeling they could have light up a dark room!
And that alien-looking creature, what was that? He never even saw its picture in any books, and that thing is his familiar? That's not fair! Not even he brought his pet yet! And he is a Malfoy! He is so bullying his father to buy him something more vicious than that thing, whatever it was. Then he will see who wins the next time, that Mudblood, or the Malfoy Heir.
And then the stupid Mudblood went and talked in Parseltongue. He almost had a heart attack hearing that, even before he saw the massive snake that had sneaked up to him. How? A filthy Mudblood like him should never have that ability! It's not fair!
Marvolo's already sour mood darkened immensely at the words. He knows Hadrianus is not someone who will reject a friendship, he would forgive you even if you try to kill him. Look at him and his current familiar. So there must be something more to the story. Intrigued, Marvolo reached out his Horcrux bond, quickly analyzing it, and realized his son has been containing a panic attack by enforcing his Shields, ready to fall apart as soon as his Shield wavers. The revelation was enough to send his control up to the edge of snapping.
His son's bottled-up emotions need an outlet, as does his own.
And he knows a perfect candidate for that. After all, Draco Malfoy is not innocent in the eyes of his child.
"Follow me," Marvolo demanded, before turning around, marching outside his study towards his son's room where he can feel the child is residing at the moment.
Behind him, Lucius had become paler than he already is, reaching the same conclusion as his Lord. He may not spend much time with the child but he has heard from Narcissa enough to know Little Prince is too kind to do something like that, like outright rejecting to befriend his own Godbrother. But he definitely knows a child who could rile up a saint with nasty insults and make him commit murder. Lucius glared at Draco, furious, which had him paled drastically, before turning to run after his Lord, wishing to find out what happened himself.
Lucius knows his son must have been the one who scared the other child off. He told the child that he needs to behave properly, even hinted to him that this is very important for his future, but looks like his stupid son wasn't Slytherin enough to pick up the clue.
Lucius is now cursing within his mind to give him the bad news before this, knowing very well that while he had not been at the receiving end of his Lord's foul mood, it had been changed into a rage and his son will be at the receiving end. He glared at his son, he is so revoking all his privileges if he has ruined his chance with The Dark Prince.
Draco paled under his father's glare, never having his anger directed at him before. He had been brooding this ever since that stupid Mudblood left. But when he finally thought that he had the opportunity to complain to his father, instead of putting the Mudblood in his place, his father only glared at him. Draco had never been so perplexed and frightened. Father had never glared at him before, gentle reprimand in the privacy of their house, sure, but never glared in a public place like this. Something was amiss. But what?
"Crucio!" Lord Slytherin had snapped and Draco had been so surprised to hear it aiming at him, despite all the instincts telling him to run, he had been frozen when the red beam hit him, making Draco realized first-hand why the Curse is called the most powerful and sinister spell among all. The pain was so intense, so all-consuming, white-hot knives were piercing every inch of his skin, his head was surely going to burst with pain; he was screaming more loudly than he'd ever screamed in his life. It was pain beyond anything Draco had ever experienced; his very bones were on fire; his head was surely splitting along, he wanted it to end... to black out... to die.
And he felt like he had been under it for an hour, it stopped. The relief was spontaneous, even though his body still felt like on fire. Draco had stared in his father at the utter betrayal. Why would he let someone cast that blasted Curse on him and not stops him or punishes him? That was supposed to be at least lifetime imprisonment for using that Curse. But father didn't even look up when that Wizard threatened to kill Draco. All for that Mudblood!
He had honestly thought it was the end of it, but then Mudblood had to go destroy the last of his dignity, humiliating him by giving such a horrendous look. Draco had been both scared and impressed by the control of Magic he had, he was not even using his Wand! Draco regretted bringing his own, he should have thought about it. From now, he is not going anywhere without it, even if he doesn't know any spells.
When they finally return to the study, his father levitating Draco as he had refused to even lookup in utter shame, a potion was thrust in his hand. Draco had been half tempted to throw the vial away, but one look from his father, he had accepted it and drank it. It relieves the effect of Cruciatus - Draco had realized when the lingering pain of his body was soothed and he could breathe better.
"Make him sign this, Luciusss."
Draco shivered at the cold cruel hissing tone of the wizard in front of them, glancing up to see it some kind of contract. A blood quill was thrust in his hand and Draco was instantly wary. Father had already taught and warn him to not sign to anything, especially with the blood quill. And he is making him sign whatever the Wizard has brought? No, he is not signing that.
"You will sign it, Draco," Lucius said, his icy cold eyes bore into his son demanding obedience when he noticed the defiant expression, "It's a secrecy contract." While he is concerned for his son, Lucius's patience wearing thin fast now. He never realized how stupid and spoiled Draco had become. How he is going to survive and serve The Dark Lord if he keeps this up? Well, Draco is now getting all his privileges revoked, including the right to claim the Heir room and Heirship rings. What good are they if lose him and will have to find a new Heir?
Draco saw the look on his father's face and automatically straightened up, his mouth snapping closed while scoffing inwardly as he picked up the contract with reluctance. What secret they could have? Admittance that they truly are the family of Mudblood and not the Pureblood wizards as they pretend they are? Draco has already figured that out. But he is not stupid enough to outright say it, not wanting to writhe under another round of Cruciatus. Face flushing red in furious anger, his grey eyes bore into Lord Slytherin with a promise of retribution. He wasn't supposed to have to compete with a Mudblood family here.
Judging by the tightening of the eyes of the wizard in front of them, he probably had heard his thoughts. Dang, that one is a Legilimens? A family of Mudbloods has Legilimens and Parselmouth and superb control of their Magic? That's so unfair!
Wishing to get this over with so he can return to the safety of his home and research in their Library to de-hex himself, Draco quickly signed the contract with his neat penmanship. Just as he did it, something happened to the Lord Slytherin, he noticed from the corner of his eyes and his eyes snapped up. The grey eyes met the red eyes and cat-like slits for pupils, skull-like face, snake-like slits for nostrils, chalk-white skins.
Holy Mother of pearl! It's The Dark Lord!
Without wasting another second, Draco passed out dramatically.
Lucius resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose at the utmost embarrassment. Even his Lord looked like holding back from doing the same.
"My apologies, My Lord," Lucius bowed deeply as he cast a silent rennervate at his son. Draco woke up, confused for a moment, before noticing his father bowing, scrambling up to do the same. At least, some sense has returned to him.
"Luciusss," Lord Voldemort sneered at the blonde pair, He is already regretting snapping his control and Cruicoing the brat in front of his precious child, it's a miracle that his son's panic attack has not been triggered, maybe because of the closeness of Kin in the air had stopped the child Naga from having a flashback? He needs to look into the matter. "I don't even know if I ssshould punisssh him for hurting my ssson with sssuch offending wordsss, or punisssh you for raisssing sssuch an insssolent brat and then sssterilize you ssso you don't produce any more waste of oxygen and pollute the World I am working ssso hard to build."
"My Lord," Lucius fell on the ground, "Please punish me. It was my fault." He shouldn't have brought Draco without making sure that he will behave.
The Dark Lord snapped: "Crucio!"
Lucius screamed as he fell to the ground just in time The Dark Lord erected the silencing charm. Draco flinched, terrified to see his father being tortured in front of his eyes.
"Do not interrupt me, Luciusss." Lord Voldemort said as he stopped the curse, "Yesss, it wasss your fault that you raisssed him in sssuch an incompetent and prejudiced way that he thinksss he isss better than anyone becaussse he wasss born Malfoy. But that doesn't excussse his behavior to my ssson, where he knew that Hadrianusss isss Heir Ssslytherin. And becaussse of that, dessspite my pledge to my ssson that he will never be hurt anymore than he hasss, he ended up being hurt again, twice in the sssame week. And I do not appreciate disssruption to my vowsss, I thought everyone already learned that from Bella," The Dark Lord sneered down at the blonde and pale morons near his feet, "Clearly not."
Lucius had dragged himself up from the floor and on his knees. The Dark Lord clearly doesn't wish to punish them unnecessarily anymore, judging by how quickly he ended the curse. "M-my apologies for my son's behavior, My Lord," Lucius said respectfully, "What do you suggest me to do, My Lord?"
"Tell him to grow up," The Dark Lord relaxed back into his throne, "Tell him to ssshow hisss bettersss sssome ressspect even in the privacy of his mind. Hisss wordsss certainly sssound like he hasss had a long habit of demanding you do thingsss for him. A habit and foolish prejudice you need to help him break. Because if you don't, it will be in my handsss to teach the future Lord of Malfoy Houssse how to ressspect his eldersss and bettersss. You wouldn't want that to happen, Luciusss." Lord Voldemort warned him.
Lucius shivered when he realized exactly how his Lord will 'teach' him. "He will be punished and taught all the lessons adequately, My Lord." He vowed, ... It's the matter of survival of the Malfoy line now. Clearly, it's the last ever warning He has given them.
As Lucius scrambled to stood after consuming the Cruciatus relief potion, The Dark Lord spoke up again, "I hope that you now know it isss a futile attempt to desssire a betrothal contract between my ssson and your ssspoiled brat, Luciusss."
Lucius blushed deeply, obviously, He knew what he wanted, "Yes, My Lord," Grasping his son by the back of the neck, and squeezing, warning him from saying anything else. "Please excuse us, My Lord, I think my son needs some alone time to process this," Lucius stated and at His dismissal, he gripped the back of his son's neck tightly before leading him through the Office room to the Floo.
"Father!" Draco protested in deep embarrassment, utterly humiliated feeling like a little child being scolded.
"Do not make me silence you, stupid child." Lucius retorted, anger evident in his voice.
Draco finally went silent, sullenly leaving with his father, trying to keep up with his long quick strides.
Lord Voldemort sighed tiredly, his Dark Lord façade melting away as he stood, aiming to detours his son's room to make sure the child is doing fine. He was a bit guilty of losing control of his already borderline murderer-Esque temper when he found the Malfoy Heir had the audacity to hurt his son with those words. He had already been in a foul mood hearing the news of betrayal. No matter how sane he becomes, betraying is still a touchy subject for him.
While Hadrianus is not new to witness his father torturing others in front of him, and Marvolo had kept them less bloody than what he had to witness with Bellatrix. The other saving grace that stopped his son from having a flashback was that he didn't know that exactly how it hurts someone to have a Cruciatus Curse aimed at them, given he had kept all the books containing Dark Arts hidden from his son's reach.
Hadrianus had witnessed Nott crying after falling on the ground. Later that day, when he asked the child why he was so subdued he found that he was guilty of hurting him so much that Nott had cried, so Marvolo had to explain that all the Pureblood heirs are spoiled, they don't have such high pain tolerance as Hadrianus. Where Hadrianus didn't even react much over broken bones, they would cry their heart out to something as trivial as paper cuts. And Hadrianus had believed it. So that's why the child had thought was that it's just Draco being a spoiled Pureblood brat - he had already seen the proof with Notts.
Marvolo had identified everything that trigger his son's panic attacks, like raised voice at him, 'boy', 'freak', and banned them in his home and near him. He had also made Hadrianus practice the Occlumency Shield almost all the time, he had been aiming to suppress the memories to make sure they are deep inside some long-forgotten corridors of his mindscape, to stop the flashbacks, panic attacks, and nightmares ruining his childhood. Hadrianus is doing much better without the recurrent panic attacks, even he had been amazed by his adaptability.
He is already enough proficient to hold the shield, with the almost four-hour-long Mind Healing session with Dr. Welsh following the day of the trauma, his parents constant present around him, of family elders and kin in the air (he hadn't let his son out of his sight for too long or allowed too much distance between them, knowing it will keep the Naga instincts calm, which is why Hadrianus had been following him to Manor and Headquarters) and obviously, not to forget their Horcrux bond that had been a very important part to help him monitor his son's mental health. He is now thankful that he had already gone through all the troubles to place himself as the comfort zone in the child Naga's mind.
There is no way he is letting any of his trauma let in the way of his son's Magical growth. This age is very important for the growth of his Magical Core. And if he somehow unconsciously keeps suppressing his Magic because of his trauma, it's going to affect his spell casting in the future. This is also why he kept the child too busy to dwell on what happened that day, both physically and mentally. It resulted in him getting so tired that he falls asleep within few minutes of falling in bed.
Marvolo sighed as he walked through their private wings, the soothing melody of a piano from the record is still coming from his son's room. When Marvolo arrived in the Heir room, he noticed Hadrianus was standing beside his table staring at a small wooden crate which Marvolo recognized as the litter box of Azure, his Manchineel wand in his hand. He had probably activated the self freshening charm of the box after Azure is done with it, letting the litter clean on its own. The said Swooping Evil is now hanging on the left hand of Hadrianus, clearly content and purring happily. As soon as it noticed Marvolo, it immediately dived and turned into a cocoon to hang from his wrist. Marvolo rolled his eyes, clearly, the Swooping Evil is still wary of him, afraid that he will separate him from his human.
Marvolo evaluates their bond and realized the outlet was enough for his son to calm down enough, thankfully he doesn't have to worry about possible flashbacks. Nagini had been doing a fine job of distracting him with music and sketching. Marvolo is again thankful for the Mind Healer. Dr. Welsh had been the one who had advised him to draw and sketch. His first advice had been to use a diary, but Marvolo can't let his son have a diary and write all his secrets where it could be unsafe if fallen on an unwanted hand. So sketching it is.
Watching his son exacting vengeance has been glorious, though Marvolo wished his son had more bloodthirst. At his son's age, Marvolo had perfected the Imperius and Cruciatus through wish magic, though he didn't know what exactly he was doing until he read about it in Hogwarts. Marvolo knows probably Hadrianus will be able to cast them as well, if pushed enough in the right direction. He knows he can, he had tasted him if his core is capable enough to cast high-level magic. The child was able to cast Avis and Serpensoria, even if it took several tries and the child had almost collapsed afterward. But he did.
And Marvolo was appeased with it, he is not aiming to train his son in Dark Arts so young. No, he was content with the routine practice of magic he had made for Hadrianus. He will not let the child repeat all the mistakes he made in his youth by jumping headfirst into Dark Arts. Dark Arts come with a price. When the child reached a certain age, he will have the greatest Dark Lord of the time to teach him Dark Arts.
Until then, Marvolo will create a world in which no one would ever be forced to limit themselves to meet others' standards of normality. Hadrianus is a raw genius, his magic was untouched by prejudiced views of Light and Dark. It was accepting, all-encompassing, and Marvolo wanted to keep it in its purest state.
"Nagini," He addressed the Maledictus in the room, "I have to return to the Ministry for a meeting, so you must be the one to welcome Lady Longbottom and her heir." As much as he hates to leave his son, Severus will arrive in an hour and the child will be busy with his class and his friend. So he will be fine.
Nagini nodded, letting Tom convert her into her human body. "Bailey?" She called as soon as she was converted, "Bring the scar removal ointment for my son."
Her hatchling was supposed to apply them every day and he forgot it today. Well, she is not letting that happen, she will do it for him. Hadrianus obediently opened his robes and shirts, keeping them on the bed, and turned around, letting his mum take care of his scars, starting with his back where it is the worst.
Severus had brewed an advanced scar removal ointment that was supposed to remove all his old scars and grow new skin underneath. Though the nasty ones in his back might not heal fully, even with Magic. Thankfully Hadrianus being a Naga and having to shed his skin bi-annually will also increase the chance that all the scars will come off with his molting one day.
Or so, Marvolo hoped. Despite scars being badges of honor and some BS like that, he hates each of them on his son's skin other than the lightning bolt one on his forehead. He will do whatever he can do to remove them, though both Severus and Narcissa had confessed that some of them are so deep, they might be permanent.
Unable to watch the signs of burns and whips on his son's skin anymore, Marvolo was about to turn and leave but paused when Hadrianus spoke up. "Father, can I ask you a question?"
Marvolo looked at Hadrianus, eyes narrowed, "If it's one of your absurd wonderment..."
"It's about the Piece of Cakes!" Hadrianus stomped his feet on the ground, pouting, cheeks red. Why does everyone run from his questions? Especially when they're the ones who encouraged him to ask questions on the first place!
Seriously, adults are so weird!
Marvolo quickly raised privacy charms around the three of them. He doesn't trust the Manor's privacy enough to talk about his Horcruxes, after all. "What about it?"
"How did you stop my scar from hurting?"
"Horcruxes require a final, simple ritual to solidify the bond between the soul fragment and its container. It's not a spell per se, but there's an incantation to focus the soul's energy. I realized that you being my unintentional seventh Horcrux I never completed it, which I did as soon as I learned about it."
"Huh! When? I never noticed."
"You were napping," In his lap, to be exact. He had done it on the child's birthday, right before the meeting with the Hogwarts Professors. "However, our Horcrux link has created soul bonds. This is why we can feel each other's emotions and presence, since we're sensing what was essentially our own soul, or at least part of it."
"Wait," Hadrianus blinked, "So it means mum, me, and you are soulmates?" At that, Nagini paused for a brief second to glance at Marvolo, surprised, before resuming rubbing the ointment on her hatchling's scarred abdomen. While she had been Tom's Horcrux longer, she had no problem with it as her hatchling did. Until today, she merely thought her snake form is dulling the effects. Neither did she realize that the Horcrux bond has created a Soulbond among them. She felt quite flattered that Tom had chosen her to be tied in a soulbond. She idly listened to her hatchling as he continued, "How's that possible? I mean, I understand about you and mum, but me? Isn't parent-and-child being soulmates sort of… weird?"
"Mayhap you referring to the silly love-tales humans like to indulge in. But no, soulmates are those with karmic ties to us that follow us across lifetimes; they can be our relatives, our lovers, our friends, and even our pets or familiars. Soul bonds were even more notoriously rare than blood bonds purely because they couldn't be made between any two people. They required an uncommon level of compatibility to be made successfully. And the Horcrux bond between the three of us made us so."
Hadrianus's mouth opened in a small 'o' as he listened to his father talk. "Oh, I see. Thanks for telling me, father! Get back soon!" Hadrianus called out when Marvolo turned back.
"Keep practicing your shield," He said in reply as he left.
Lucius slammed the door of his cellar, the new bottle of firewhiskey in his hand. Face still red, embarrassment and humiliation coursing through him, which is why he had decided to drink himself to stupor until Narcissa arrived from St. Mungo's Hospital. She was supposed to accompany them to Slytherin Manor, but there had been an emergency patient whom Narcissa couldn't ignore. So Lucius had to take Draco, leaving Narcissa who went to St Mungo's.
Lucius sighed as he poured the liquor in his glass up to the brim, drank it and relaxed in his study, pouring another. Quite honestly, this day has been exhausting. He never wanted to see Draco under the Cruciatus curse for insulting both the Dark Lord and The Dark Prince, and that was only because The Dark Lord had been exercising caution in front of his son, otherwise, it wouldn't have stopped there. Especially when he was still seething after the news of betrayal. Lucius groaned and swallowed the whole glass in one go, then poured another.
Lucius is not sure how long it has passed before he felt the Floo flaring up, and Narcissa returns. He waited for the siren to come to meet him in his Office, probably vibrating with excitement to hear news of her son meeting her Godson. At the reminder, Lucius gulped down the rest of the liquor in his glass. That's how Narcissa found him in his study.
All smiles vanished as soon as Narcissa's eyes fall on her husband, her heart sinking, the hopes of her son and Godson getting along vanished. Despite Lucius's beliefs, she had a doubt that it may not go well without proper supervision. "What happened?" Narcissa asked, eyeing the almost half-finished bottle on his desk with suspicion.
"Don't even ask," Lucius growled, his hands rubbing his face, "I had never been so humiliated! I wish you were there to control that oaf of your son!"
"Oh, so when he misbehaves, he's my son?" Narcissa asked sardonically, stopping Lucius from pouring another glass of firewhiskey, and took a seat beside him, "Talk, Lucius."
Lucius sighed and proceed to explain everything to a horrified Narcissa, who pressed her face in her hands in disbelief and appalled. She can't believe her son would say something like that to her Godson! How could he do that?
"I wish our Lord didn't stop us from informing Draco of their true identity." Lucius sighed, rubbing his temples in sheer frustration. It would have made things much easier.
Narcissa looked away, playing with her wedding bracelet, "I believe that our dear Adrian asked for a friend without the influence of our Lord, which is why He did that." She sniffed, her eyes misting. Oh, how she wanted her boys to get along. How she's going to face little Adrian after this? What if all her progress with little Adrian declined because of this?
"Love, please don't cry," Lucius said, stalking over and wrapping his arms around her. He hated when she cried, there were only a few instances in their marriage when she had, not including the day Draco was born, of course, they had been happy tears. When she found out she could have another child she'd been so heartbroken she had cried for days. He had almost joined her but remained strong, almost stoic to the point.
Narcissa sniffled few times, before composing herself. No, she won't let this ruin her chances. She will have a long talk with Adrian to make sure he doesn't come to hate her for this. But first, "Let's go find Draco and talk to him."
Lucius hummed and sighed, chugging a sobering potion and making sure he's composed before they went to the library where Draco is searching for a way to de-hex himself. At the entrance, Narcissa paused to stare at Draco, surprised. Oh, right, he forgot to add the details of what The Dark Prince did for retaliation.
Draco was wearing an oversized robe to cover most of his skin, though the colorful polka dots were revealed whenever he is raising his hand to pull a book or in his face. He was also wearing a hat and continuously pulling them as if not to take any attention on his donkey ears, but the action is bringing more attention to his ears and the hideous shade of hair. Narcissa suppressed her laughter and went towards her son who was reading something in a book and waving the wand at himself to no avail.
"Mother!" Draco hissed in anger and humiliation to find her trying to stop laughing.
"You look different, Draco." She supplied, helpfully, making the child grit his teeth in anger.
"De-hex me," He demanded.
Narcissa sighed, "From what I know of Hadrianus, he probably didn't even use a spell for it. It's his pure magic that is sustaining it, you must let it wear off. It will probably take a day or two. The lesson is necessary for you to remember never to badmouth your own Godbrother." Narcissa said, her voice borderline threatening as she stared at him in disappointment.
"That's going to take months, our Lord had taught him a charm to repel any counter," Lucius informed from behind, which turned Draco even more red in anger.
"That Mudblood should not even have that ability of wandless Magic or Parselmouth. Why would The Dark Lord father a Mudblood like him?"
"Draco!" Lucius snapped as Narcissa gasped in outrage. "If you want to stay the Heir of Ancient and Noble house of Malfoys, you will cease insulting The Dark Prince at once! Or else you'll be punished, starting with revoking your right to the Heir room!"
Draco paled at the threat. "You wouldn't do that!"
"Watch me," Lucius growled, "Why would I call someone my Heir who doesn't recognize the power and a golden opportunity that has been offered to them in a silver platter, instead of doing something spectacularly stupid that could result in losing their lives?" He said, coldly, his patience was on the edge, "Even after I gave you all the hints that I wished you to win the Dark Prince's heart so I can finally merge the Malfoy with Slytherin line?"
Narcissa gasped and gawked at Lucius, she wasn't privy to that particular scheme of her husband, "Lucius?"
Lucius sighed, dejected, "Yes, Narcissa. I wanted that. But I guess my dream is now well out of my reach. The Dark Prince doesn't wish to associate with Draco, even The Dark Lord has ordered to never bring him to meet with The Prince. And to be completely truthful, I don't blame them!"
"As if I would want to do anything with that Mudblood," Draco muttered petulantly.
"That's it!" Lucius snapped, his patience snapped "Your punishment starts right now. Nippy! Shift Draco's stuff from the Heir room to one of the lower levels of the guest rooms and lock the Heir room. And no sweets for the whole month." He ordered and Draco blanched, now realizing the gravity of the situation, he hadn't thought his father will actually do it. He had never raised his voice on the child before.
"Mother," Draco pleaded at her.
Narcissa could see that Lucius was seconds away from snapping himself, but she also knew Lucius had never harmed his son, either through magic or using his fists. So Narcissa caught the hands of her husband, trying to calm him, "Let me talk to him, Lucius," She said, before looking at her son, "Why would you think he is a...Muggleborn?"
"Because he was too quick to give some Muggle references!" Draco exclaimed, frustrated. How come his parents do not know it? Or maybe he had been pretending in front of them?
Narcissa sighed, shaking her head, wondering what kind of Muggle reference Little Adrian gave this time, after all, Draco would be the last person to understand his reference...unless he confessed them to be a Muggle thing? But even so, if Draco acted that way in front of Adrian as well, then she can understand Adrian's reluctance to spend time with him. After all, he was just recovering from his own childhood abusers who looked down at him at every chance they got.
"Just because he read some muggle books doesn't make him a Muggleborn, Draco. Even I had to read muggle books during my healers' internship, are you going to insult your mother next then?"
Draco's eyes bulged out in surprise, appalled, "Why would you associate with that filth willingly?"
"Draco, just because they have no magic doesn't make them any less. In fact, you should know that because they don't have magic, they invent other methods to get their works done."
"But they're Muggles!" He spat the word with disgust and venom. "They're inferior to us Wizards!"
"I am not asking you to suddenly start worshipping them or something like that. All I am saying, they're human too, just like us. And not all Muggle stuff is bad, they have something good that we can learn from, just like we do with the Light Sect. Yes, they're prejudiced against anything that they don't understand, but so is the Light side. It's a usual human characteristic to fear the unknown, to scorn the different and unfamiliar people, the change. And our World is changing as well, our stagnant Wizarding culture is finally on move, changing to bring back glorious days and also modernize it. So you'll do better if you let go of your own prejudiced thoughts along with your father," Narcissa narrowed her eyes at Lucius who had his brows furrowed in thought. "And I will bring some books that will tell you what Muggles can do to this day without an ounce of magic. Maybe one day you'll realize not to underestimate them but actually, be wary of them. Maybe that's when you will finally have someplace under our Lord. Until that happens, you will never meet neither The Dark Prince nor the Slytherin Castle." She decided.
"It's such a shame that even the Nott Heir has done so much better than Malfoy Heir when he met him and was granted visitation to The Slytherin Castle," Lucius muttered, making Draco widened his eyes. Theodore? He has permission to visit The Slytherin Castle while Draco, the Heir of Malfoy family doesn't? Does that mean that son of The Dark Lord lives in the Slytherin Castle? How?! Why?
"Why he must have everything?" Draco whined in protest, "He even carries his wand at his person."
"He already had those talents inside him, our Lord only helped him unlock his abilities. And if you promise to use your wand properly with enough rest in between, you could have it as well." Narcissa said. "Perhaps it's time you come out of your superior fantasy and focus on the real world." Narcissa nodded at Lucius who looked determined, "Your punishment will be held until you learn the lesson." Draco widened his eyes, horrified.
"I really hope this humiliation is all you need to realize your mistake and not repeat them, Draco."
Narcissa stood, followed by Lucius, leaving their son deep in thought to think over what she said.
_
Neville was both worried and excited about his new potion tuition, he hadn't expected to have potion tuition before Hogwarts. And he is thankful to Adrian to give him the opportunity. Even his gran had confessed that she thought Adrian was just being a child and invited him to the tuition on a childish whim, but not even she thought he will act on his promise and ask permission from his father and his tutor to add Neville.
Neville arrived in the Slytherin manor with Augusta via side-along apparition. He promised them to connect the Manor's Floo with Hogwarts' Gryffindor Head's office before the next week's lesson, so Neville can come on his own next time.
As Neville appeared, he found himself at the entrance of the Slytherin Manor. There was a smooth cemented road that leads to the Manor, and on both sides of the road, there was a beautiful lively garden. And on the cemented road, he found his friend trying to roll on a plank with wheels, his face contoured with concentration and he is holding a magical rope that is guiding him, his head, elbows, and knees were covered in some padded protective caps and hats.
"What is this?" Neville asked.
Hearing his voice, Hadrianus's head snapped up to find his friend in front of him. Because of that, he lost his focus and yelped as the roller skateboard sped up and escaped from beneath his feet, making him scrambled to the ground then groaned, cheeks red in embarrassment.
"It seems I am going to embarrass myself every time we meet, Nev."
Neville laughed at his friend's misfortune but stopped remembering his gran is here, and offered him a hand and pull Hadrianus up.
"Are you okay?" Augusta asked, her eyes roaming on the child's body, concerned. The boy has grown up at least a foot since she last saw him - which surprised her. It had been hardly a month! Was he taking some potion or natural growth spurt? Augusta remembered how tall his father is and realized it must be natural.
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you," Hadrianus flashed her a grin.
Augusta nodded and blinked when her eyes fall on a young beautiful lady that came up to them, her eyes locked at the child as if making sure he is okay, as the said child ran after the speeding skateboard to pick it up.
"Lady Slytherin-Peverell?" She guessed easily, noticing the similarities of their eyes and similar delicate built.
Nagini glanced and smiled at them. "Lady Longbottom," She greeted, "Pleasure to finally meet you. Please, call me Nagini."
"Pleasure is mine, Nagini." Augusts nodded, "You can call me Augusta. I am happy to see your recovery is going well." No child ever should lose their parents or witness them being incapacitated, unable to interact with them. It's the cruelest form of torture.
"Thank you, I am doing much better now, though I still have to rely heavily on Magics and potions," Nagini smiled. "However, I wished to speak to you about something."
"What can I do for you, Nagini?"
Nagini flashed a smile at the boys who started a conversation among themselves and focused on Augusta, "I know this is rather uncouth of getting ahead of myself and say this, but I thought that it might be prudent to let the boys have a sleepover tonight. They can get to know each other."
Augusta raised an eyebrow, she hadn't expected this offer, "Oh, it's alright. Think nothing of your bluntness. However, I haven't brought anything for him to wear tonight, I will owl them, then?"
"It's okay, ma'am, Heir Longbottom is just a child. I will have him change into my son's clothes and tuck them in and bring your grandson safely back to you in the morning. I will have my husband connect the Floo as soon as he returns tonight."
Augusta smiled, "Oh, that's very kind of you, Nagini. Just say, 'Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor House, Office room' it will lead to my Floo. Thank you."
"No problem, Augusta. Enjoy the rest of your day."
"Thank you and you too. Bye boys, see you tomorrow, Neville."
The children waved their hands as Augusta apparated away.
The boys skipped the rest of the way, excited, following Nagini like ducklings to their potion lab.
"Here, children," Nagini said, opening the door, it is one of the child friendly safest potion labs with every kind of protective wards that Marvolo had prepared solely for Hadrianus's tutoring. "If you two behave, you will get treats after the class is over."
"Thank you for indulging me, Lady Slytherin-Peverell." Neville flashed her a grateful smile.
"Oh, none of that, little one. Call me Auntie or Aunt Nagini, you're like a second son to me."
Neville beamed happily. No one has ever told him that, it touched him. "Danke, Auntie. Call me Neville."
Hadrianus froze midway opening his helmet, turned to his friend, surprised, "You're learning German?"
Neville grinned, "I just started learning it, still not as fluent as you."
Hadrianus beamed back, "You'll get there." He returned the helmets and knee and elbow caps to his mum who left with them and his skateboard. The ingredients and knives sets are locked on the shelves and only Severus can open them other than Marvolo, so she doesn't have to worry about the children getting in trouble.
"What is that?" Neville asked as soon as she left.
"Roller skateboard," Hadrianus informed as he took his seat, "I need to learn how to skate."
"You need to?" Neville raised an eyebrow at his taller friend.
"Yapp."
"Are you sure? It looks dangerous."
"Not dangerous," Hadrianus shook his head, "Just harder than I thought...but I will learn it over time. It's one of the things on my ever growing bucket list." Father had easily agreed to buy him the roller skateboard when he asked, in fact, he encouraged him to practice at least twice a week, something about help with his equilibrium and composure. But he had to promise his father that he won't neglect the safety measures and his helmet and elbow and knee caps.
"What is a bucket list?" Neville frowned, having never heard of it.
"It means wishlist."
"And your wish list is to learn that?" Neville widened his eyes. He hadn't even seen or heard its name before. Is it something like a German thing?
"Yes," Hadrianus nodded. He had wanted to learn it ever since he had seen some cool kids from Wisteria Walk, the neighbor of Private Drive doing it.
"That is a Gryffindor move you know," Neville grinned at his friend, causing him to make a funny face.
"No, it's not!" Hadrianus protested.
"Yes, it is!" Neville was too amused.
"Oh come on," Hadrianus complained, "Slytherin can be athletic too! if not, no one other than a Gryffindor would participate in Quidditch, Quapaad, or anything."
Neville snorted, but he guessed he did has a point.
"So, what else you're learning apart from German?" Hadrianus asked.
"Um, you already know I have Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Theoretical Magic, and Dance tutor, I am learning History, Social Studies, and Herbology on my own, and gran has been teaching me the Laws, Business and about Longbottom Estate. I am also learning German on my own, what about you?"
"Well," Hadrianus shrugged, "I already told you that I am learning Dance and Baking from my Godmother, my Godfather Barty has been mostly teaching me History, Geography and sometimes Charms, but now he's busy in Hogwarts so father has just appointed Geography, History, Laws, Economy and Mathematics tutors. And obviously, potions. And my other Godfather is teaching me Creature Language, my father is teaching me about our Estate, guiding me to control my Magic and whatever else I ask."
"That's nice," Neville said, stomping the jealousy out of himself, he wished his Godparents came to meet with him and teach him as well, but they don't have time for him. Being parents of Boy-Who-Lived is probably too important for them to spend some time with him. Not even his Godbrother Jim wants to spend time with him! He had thought there must be something wrong with him as they don't like him, maybe because he can't produce enough accidental magic. But Hadrianus had proved him wrong, not only he exchanged letter with him everyday, he even requested his mum to ask permission from gran for a sleepover! He never had a sleep over with friends before and he is really excited for it! "I wish I had someone to guide my Magic." He changed the subject when Hadrianus turned to look at him, curious, "Adrian, they say Snape can get very nasty," Neville was pale and his hands trembled slightly. "Is it true?"
"Nah," Hadrianus said with an airy wave of his hand. "He'll leave you alone as long as you work hard and are prepared for his classes. Between the two of us, we'll manage it. Besides, we won't be brewing potions today."
"We won't?"
"No, I was on the ingredients and their properties and reactions and I am pretty sure Uncle Sev will make me go through it again if you weren't here. But now you're here, I think he will start with all the safety lab procedures and importance of handwashing, hygiene of equipment and table, and how to channel the magic through your hands and into your ingredients and stirs. He did it for me on my first class and I think he would do the same for you as well, and make me revise everything with you. He is a Mr. Perfectionist, you see." Hadrianus flashed him an assuring smile. This is one of the reasons he likes Uncle Severus, he reminds him of his father with his strict no-nonsense behavior during lessons and perfectionism.
"I did read the book that he recommended my gran for me," Neville said tentatively, trying to draw strength from the fact that he had prepared for the class. "Hold on, did you say how to channel Magic?" All confidence was immediately thrown out of the window as he swallowed deeply.
"Yapp, he says that overcharging magic or negate it entirely could result in ruining your potion or sometimes exploding." Hadrianus was about to babble more but stopped when he noticed how pale Neville has become. "Are you okay, Nev?" Hadrianus asked, worried.
"Adrian," He confessed truthfully, "I am not sure if I can do that, my Great Uncle Algie thinks I am Muggle. I couldn't even produce a Lumos properly after trying for an hour!" He said frustrated, his hand going to his pocket where Hadrianus realized was his wand. He didn't even twitch in surprise, father has told him that the Heirs of Ancient and Noble Houses carry their Wand as soon as their Magical tuition starts, though not all of them buy them a Wand suitable for themselves, they get their own Wands at age 11. Even Theo had his father's Wand with him when he came to play with him.
"Muggle?" Hadrianus frowned at him, "You mean, Squib?" Neville nodded, "Well, he's wrong, I can clearly feel your Magic."
"Really?" Neville asked, completely delighted, "You can?"
"Of course!"
"But, then why I can't do any spells properly? I didn't even produce enough accidental magic, you know! My Great Uncle Algie thinks - "
"Neville," Hadrianus interrupted him stopping his depressing rant, a hand on his shoulder to calm him down, "I know it really hurts when the people you think as your family is mean to you for something you have no control about, but trust me, it doesn't mean that you're at fault. Maybe you need a teacher who will show you how to do it, and Uncle Sev can do it. Just keep faith in yourself, okay?" Hadrianus smiled and gave his pale friend a friendly nudge with his elbow which made him smile. "By the way, does he sneer at you, or smile?"
"Sneer and insult."
"Oh, that's just his way to say hi." Hadrianus waved his hand dismissively, "Don't take it too hard. Trust me, if you ever catch him smiling at you, that's when you should run." He ended the sentence in a stage whisper, shuddering a little as he remembered Uncle Sev smiling sardonically at Barty before verbally tearing him off into a new one.
Neville blinks in astonishment, "Really?"
Hadrianus shrugs, "Well, its my observation that all adults are pretty weird and never follow any logic, but I guess he's not bad for an adult!"
"Who's not bad for an adult?" A baritone voice rang from behind the boys, making them startle.
"Holy cow!" Neville yelped, falling on the floor. He hadn't heard him coming at all. Hadrianus snickered at his comical look and offered him hands to pull him up, "Oh, we were talking about a certain superhero with bat-like features."
Severus raises his eyebrow and Neville coughed to hide his laughter and looked away, looking both terrified and amused. "Maybe writing lines will make you rethink of opinion on the said superhero?"
"What?" Hadrianus yelps. "I take it back, you're most terrifying, horrid, bipolar Snickerdoodle."
Severus rolled his eyes while Neville looked at Adrian, torn between applaud for his friend's courage to say that to his face or go hide in some deep dark hole, taking the moron with him. Hadrianus caught his friend's concerned glance and mouthed, 'See? Told you, adults are weird.'
"Oh, and this is Neville, but you know him, I guess." Hadrianus beamed at his friends who flashed a small wobbly smile at his enthusiastic friend, his excitement is almost contagious.
"Hello, Professor Snape."
Severus glanced at Neville. If the situation was different, if he didn't know about his Lord's mentality and sanity, he would have placed himself as a biased abuser and bully the child for being the son of two frontlines Light fighters, as he needs to place himself as the supporter of Dark Sect. Barty, Bellatrix, and the twins had been imprisoned in pursuit of the boy; so if he didn't know about the different situation, he would have been forced to pick on him even more so than Potter.
But now he knows that his Lord is back to his stability, has different goals, and hopes for a better future. So it was safe to be more lenient on the boy. He can be better. After all, no one has to know how he behaved with them in private. That doesn't mean he will ruin his notorious reputation in public though!
"You can call me Uncle Severus in private, Heir Longbottom."
Neville looked surprised, then gives a wobbly smile, his shoulder relaxing a tad. "Then please call me Neville, Uncle Severus."
Severus nodded and then proceed to give a short speech about his course schedules and telling them as this is Neville's first class, they will revise the safety lab procedures and the importance of hygiene before touching any ingredients, given they could react with the traces of other ingredients left in their hands. Just like Hadrianus had predicted.
He also informed the children that they might need several classes to make them understand the fine difference between dicing versus mincing and crushing versus pulverizing and other such things. "We will follow a different curriculum than what you'll learn in Hogwarts." He told them.
The children didn't react to his words. They both knew that all their private tutors never teach them the Hogwarts curriculum but the other basic bits of knowledge that they need to learn, even Barty refused to teach Hadrianus about the Charms and Spells he will learn in Hogwarts, something about they will get bored when they go to there.
Severus also tells them that if they can keep up with him for the classes, he might take them with him next time he went to collect potion ingredients which were met with cheers. By the time he is finished, both boys looked determined to do their best so they can earn the promised reward.
Severus smirked and swept across the room and to one of the shelves to bring the goggles and other protective measure he had saved for the children. When they're older, they will learn the protective charms, until then, goggles and gloves it is.
"I have a question," Adrian said as he watched him move.
"No."
Hadrianus blinked at the blatant refusal, "Why?"
"Adrian, it's far too early to be assaulted with your absurd questions!" Severus sighed as he kept everything on the table.
"It's not absurd! I have been searching for it in the Library but couldn't find it! Father said only you can answer it the best."
Severus paused. Hadrianus has a question that he has been searching in the library for an answer to and even asked their Lord? Maybe it's not something usual ridiculous, then. Maybe something potion-related?
"Alright, what is it?"
"How do you do that swooshing thing with your cloak?"
Severus paused and looked back at the child, that was the only sign of bewilderment he allowed to be seen, "...what?"
"You know, the thing, when you turn or leave a room and your cloak sort of... swooshes?" Adrian said, his hands waving around to justify his questions.
"...swooshes?"
Neville was now staring at Adrian with an incredulous look, and for once, Severus had to agree with that expression. He already regrets letting Adrian be so comfortable with him to bombard him with his ludicrous questions. Did he honestly ask this to their Lord? Merlin, even he can't tell how their Lord had would have reacted to this. But his only saving grace is he asked it to their Lord, and mercifully not Barty or any of the twins. They would never let him live this down.
"Yes. How do you do it?" Hadrianus is either ignoring his friend's exasperated looks or hadn't noticed it at all.
Severus had to take a moment to recover before going back to a more serious tone of voice and replying, "If you study and learn well, maybe I'll teach you how to do it yourself in the future."
Hadrianus beamed at that. Neville seems to be torn between relieved that Hadrianus hadn't been punished for that question or laugh at the incredulity.
Welcome to the club, Longbottom.