They had been standing on both of the Wardstone for seven days now and still has hours to go before it was complete. A team of ten of the World's renowned Ward Masters and Mistresses is working with them diligently, investigating the sequences of runes and existing wards, reapplying and strengthening them while Lord Slytherin stood as the primary Anchor, with the Headmaster of the school as the secondary. When the Headmaster resigns, it would shift automatically to the next most deserving one in the line. The four Head of Houses also agreed to anchor some of the warding for their respective Houses and dormitories, as well as the Inter-House Common Houses to decrease the pressure from Lord Slytherin and the Headmaster. It was to ensure extra protection for the children and be alerted in case of emergencies. The Deputy Headmistress was supervising and coordinating them.
It took the Team the whole week during which Hogwarts and its inhabitants experienced odd occurrences. The torches and candles along the walls would periodically die out or flare up, depending on whether the wards were being removed or strengthened. The corridors and aisles would change and move around restlessly, assembling and altering the interior before settling in. The portraits would become baffled, finding themselves hanging in places they would swear they were not supposed to be, but eventually, forget about it. The house elves would occasionally get stupefied and dizzy for a few moments before shaking off the feeling and returning to work, i.e., preparing for the upcoming school year. For a period of an hour or two, the castle appeared to be in pristine condition to the non-magical eye, before fading back into its apparent decayed state, and finally, when the specific wards were put into place, it vanished entirely from the eye of every non-magical being, including the Muggle technologies like Satellites and camera!
After all, they do not want those self-proclaimed Historians and Archeologists to become interested in the Castle and try overthrowing the Muggle Repellant charms! The children deserve safety, they are the future!
It had taken hours of arguments for Marvolo and the team of Ward Masters to get Dumbledore to agree to their plan of disappearing the Castle from Muggle's eye completely. Dumbledore's insistence over the Muggles would do no such things, as if they are helpless and ignorant children, grated on Marvolo's nerves. He had to ultimately use his position as Lord Slytherin to threaten Dumbledore's job to get him reluctantly to agree. Marvolo hadn't wanted to do it in front of the team and the Professors, not wanting to stain his hard-earned reputation as a charming and polite gentle-wizard, but the old fool left him with no choice. They already had wasted hours on whether they should allow Hogwarts to be completely Sentient or not, before that particular topic even started!
While he inwardly agreed with some of Dumbledore's points about the danger of having a Sentient Castle, Marvolo knows it was not the problem here. He already had the experience and knowledge, he had studied it extensively and knew what could make a Sentient Castle rebel against its occupant and start manslaughter, the majority of it dependent on the Anchor's own Magical stability and sanity, as well as the Wards of the Castle. Between him and Dumbledore, Marvolo was certain nothing would happen.
Apparently, the explanation had not sat well with Dumbledore. Understandable, given Dumbledore 'knows' he is Lord Voldemort!
Thankfully, Marvolo had already known that Dumbledore would never allow it, after all, he was just that predictable! And Marvolo had already prepared several counter plans. He had studied the team's plan and design, and subtly maneuvered and manipulated it to make sure 3 of his people are included in the team when it was being formed. Marvolo had already issued an order for them to not suffocate the Castle with unnecessary pointless wards and keep an opening for her to gain full Sentience and be able to make decisions for herself, despite the outcome of the meeting. With the Founder's blessing, he would encourage Hogwarts to reach her full potential. No doubt Dumbledore was expecting him to add his own spells to do so, which was why he was keeping such a sharp eye on him. He obviously hadn't expected Marvolo to have friends and followers beyond the border of Britain!
Hogwarts has shown the signs of what she could become and Marvolo would not let a meddling old fool bind her freedom.
Marvolo smiled a bit as the humming of the Castle increased around them with each layer of wards being placed, and the magic surrounding Castle seems to vibrate. The room practically pulsed with power and each member of the team felt the hairs on their arms stand on end. Soon the ward stone glows brighter and brighter, and everyone had to cover their eyes with their hands or arms to protect themselves. Then the light exploded in multicolor rainbows and the walls of Hogwarts glowed, then a huge dome started forming, surrounding the Castle.
Whoever was standing on guard outside the Wardline watched in amazement as the powerful and spectacular ward rose surrounding the whole Castle and Forbidden Forest, and then joined at the top, forming a huge dome that became visible to the naked eye for a few seconds, before disappearing. Marvolo smirked, removing his hand from the Ward stone.
The wards are already in place, now Dumbledore couldn't do anything!
Albus narrowed his eyes when he noticed Tom's brief smug smirk. What was that? Why would he smirk like that? Did Tom put up something Dark in Albus's school without Albus knowing, again ?
Albus peered over his half-moon glass spectacles to study the other Wizard. He couldn't have cast anything without Albus noticing, then what was it?
Albus slowly stroked his white beard and watched as after the Wards were placed, the team took Tom's attention and they started to discuss something, while Albus ponder about his choices. All his contacts at Ministry Education Board had been dismissed because of that stupid wizard. Tom had given a lengthy interview to Rita Skeeter of Daily Prophet and it had been published on the front page, showcasing all the weakening of wards of Hogwarts. To correct this, foolish frugal Fudge had issued an order to the Head of Department to investigate the issue of the Hogwarts system and wards herself and get a team to do whatever they think needed to be done to bring Hogwarts to the approved list of ICW level. Fudge even opened a fund system, asking for everyone to donate for the betterment of the future of Wizarding World. Albus hadn't believed it for a second, so sure that Fudge was taking all the donations for himself. But all his contacts and spies confirmed that it was not Fudge, but Lord Slytherin himself who was in-charge of the donation vaults.
Albus almost had a heart attack when he heard it, he very much would have preferred Fudge's greedy paws to be in-charge of the money, over Voldemort.
But now Tom was proving he was not using the money for his own use, or for war. But for Hogwarts' betterment. Acquiring a team of ten members, each being World's renowned ward masters couldn't be cheap!
This is why now Albus was in dilemma. Did he truly make the grave mistake of thinking of an innocent man as Voldemort, and driving away an important person, who could have been a powerful ally when Voldemort returns? Was all his gut feelings really that wrong?
Albus had been keeping an eye on him, and he had felt his power while anchoring the Wardstone. While he was powerful, he was not as powerful as Voldemort had been, and neither did his magic feel as oppressing and dark, after dribbling in Dark Arts so deeply. He felt... more grey. And complete, not as broken as Voldemort had been.
Is he really Morfin's grandson, and not Merope's boy? Is he truly not the Tom he knew, the most powerful wizard of the time, and the half-blood orphan boy who had made the entire Slytherin house and later the dark Purebloods bow down to his power, the second coming of Grindelwald?
Or is it all a devious plot of a mastermind? To make him question his own decision and leave him so baffled that he couldn't think clearly? Because in that case, Albus hated to admit that Voldemort was succeeding.
But if so, how would Tom hide his magic, the darkness, and allure of it? Is there a Dark spell to hide one's magic? To hide the feel of how dark and broken it truly is?
Dumbledore had no idea, and he hated not knowing, not being in control. But he had vowed to get to the bottom of it, and he wouldn't stop until he did.
Bella giggled, watching her husband strut around in his new teenage body and shamelessly pose in front of the mirror in his open robe. Rodolphus and Rabastan - no, Reynaldo and Reylan just returned from the Diagon Alley after showing off their faces for the last time in summer, as from tomorrow, on September 1st, the school will start again. The de-aging potion they took was scheduled to wear off any moment now.
Their Master had suggested this idea to roam in Diagon during the holiday months and explore the public places in their early teenage body, maybe occasionally use Confundus on a people or two into thinking they had known the twins since they were toddlers, so when they would start their third year in Hogwarts from next year, people would 'recall' them and gossip would spread about how the twin sons of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange had been around since they were kids, long before their parents had died in Azkaban.
This was one of the many suggestions their Master gave to counter any arguments Dumbledore may starts, declaring them to be the dead Death Eaters. Their Master is really intelligent and thoughtful, and Bella loved how much He cares for them. She especially loved all the suggestions Master had for her, and she was already making plans on how to stage her 'discovery'!
Reynaldo sighed wistfully after posing for an hour, and flopped on the couch, "Oh, the joys of youth!"
"You sound like having middle-age crisis!"
"Yeah, but since it's a bit difficult to tell which part of my life is middle, I decided to call it an ongoing crisis!"
Bella threw her head back and cackled. Oh, how she missed her husband's senses of humor for those last dreadful years, when they had been nothing but husks of their previous selves!
"I wonder what would Dumbly do when he sees you two." Bella tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Surely he'll realize who we are? He knew about our Master on the first meeting!"
Laughing, Reynaldo nodded. "That son of a bi- I mean, son of a biscuit ," He quickly corrected when he remembered their Lord will ground him like he did with Barty and wouldn't let him come near The Dark Prince if he continued to speak no-no words, "likely will, Bellsy. Proving it, on the other hand, will be nigh on impossible, especially since the Ministry's updated records will only solidify our existence. The Dark Lord does love to play games with the old goat; He's just playing on a different battlefield now. And in my personal opinion, Master is rather enjoying their daily squiggles and making Dumbledore squirm!"
Bella snorted. Their conversation then traveled to their future plans and about their Master's promise on providing them with as many babies as they want after they 'finish their Hogwarts schooling'. Bella couldn't wait to experience the Hogwarts days again, only worrying over nothing but the classes and homework, making new memories, and spending more time with her little Godson without anyone interrupting them. Also, it would be not only them who would be able to spend quality time together, Reylan would be able to woo his paramours as well!
"Speaking of which," Bella remembered, "While you were gone, I just secured a date between Barty, Sevy, and Raba- er, Reylan even if the first two didn't know it's a date." Reynaldo snorted at his devious wife, "Though, I wonder how they'd manage, with Reylan being twelve years old in the school. At least in our case, we both will be teenagers. Barty also took the de-aging potion, right? So he's what? Twenty-three?"
"Yes," Reynaldo frowned, "Severus is the only one with his true age of twenty-nine. Wow, I never thought they would have the forbidden student-teacher relationship in Hogwarts! How… scandalous ! Dumbledore would have a fit!"
Bella threw her head back and laughed wholeheartedly, her curls bouncing wildly, "Is that why you two chose to be students? To satisfy your brother's fantasy?"
"It was mostly Reylan's idea, yes." Reynaldo rubbed the back of his neck with a disgruntled face, he didn't need to know that ! "Wow, you're right! It must be some of his fantasies. I couldn't believe he had such a kink to have it with not one but two teachers."
"Well, they'd certainly keep Dumbledore busy! But I wonder if Sevy would agree to do it. He is, after all, the spy! My mind healer would say that they'd need to have a proper 'talk', whatever that means."
"Er, they will come around over time, you know how they are, probably fake their death and run away if you try to get them to sit down and talk about feelings." Bella snorted, aren't they all ? "Besides, it's not like Reylan is a real teenager, he is still twenty-eight and Severus knows it. I hope they would start exploring their... kink when the potion wears off. Merlin, I need a drink!" Reynaldo stood, padding over to the cabinet and grabbing a bottle of firewhiskey. The discussion of the relationship between his seemingly twelve-year-old twins with two of his adult professors is certainly not a conversation for sober people.
"Speaking of faking death - we'll have the teen years to relive. You'll go through puberty again? No second thoughts?"
Reynaldo winced as he poured more firewhiskey for him and his wife. Thankfully, the de-aging potion that they're taking is temporary. Only two drops for four hours, which is what they had taken today. A full vial will work for two days. Their Master was insisting they make sure the potion never wears off while in Hogwarts, and requested Severus to increase the potency. Last they heard, he had a breakthrough and made it last a week, using mostly Barty as his personal guinea pig.
It would be a royal pain in the arse to stay a teenager and go through puberty after getting used to the adult body. Then again, there are certain perks to being a teenager.
"And witness my hot teenage wife's glow up a second time? Heck yeah! I'd do that any day!" Reynaldo wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, making Bella raise one of her perfect eyebrows.
"So you think I am fugly now that I am aged?"
Reynaldo chuckled and emptied his glass, then grabbed Bella's hand to pull her on his lap, "Of course not." He nuzzled her neck, making her giggle, "You're always beautiful, you've aged extraordinarily well and become graceful, but no one can argue that your teenage version was hot!"
Bella shook her head, smiling fondly, "Sneaky Slytherin!"
She turned and climbed on his thighs, and threw her hands around his neck "Let's see what to make of this graceful wife of yours, then."
Reynaldo chuckled, "Getting a bit touchy-touchy with twelve-years old, Bellsy? How scandalous! What would our Master say?"
"Shut your hole and kiss me already!" Bella groaned. She absolutely didn't want to think how young her husband looked at the moment, instead focus on how soft his skin felt! She was already fretting how she couldn't see him for the whole year from the next year!
Reynaldo grinned, "As my queen wishes!"
Reynaldo's fingers curled around the back of Bella's neck, holding her close. He wrapped his other arm around her back and turns both their bodies to press him against the couch. Bella was, as usual, incredibly responsive, the moment her back makes contact with the couch she groaned, and arched up against her teenage husband, legs parting slightly so that one of Reynaldo's knees can slip between them.
The potion took this precise moment to wear off and Reynaldo filled out in his robe having nothing on under it, making both of them laugh, before Bella groaned as Reynaldo caught her lower lip between his teeth and sucked it greedily.
Being heavily involved with each other, they missed out on the Floo getting activated but snapped back to reality when a young voice squeaked out, "EEEEEEEEEKKKK!"
They quickly turned to look at the Floo to find, in the green Floo flames, the wide-eyed Little Dark Prince staring at them with absolute horror.
"Oh for fu-" Reynaldo cursed under his breath as Bella quickly pushed him away, fumbling with her robes and pulling them, covering her body and trying to make it presentable while flushing deep red. Never in her life, did she imagine she would be caught redhanded by her little baby walking on them.
"My baby!" Bella cried, approaching the fireplace, trying to will her blush away.
"Uh...Wh-why are you eating each other's face?" The confusion and disgust on the innocent face were so adorable that, for a moment, Bella felt like hugging and squeezing the child, kissing and cooing over him.
Reynaldo turned red wanting to laugh, so Bella kicked him and turned to her little Godson with a smile, "We were not 'eating' each other's face, my baby! What are you doing here?"
"It looked like you were!" Hadrianus pointed out, ignoring her last question. Apparently, he is not as easily distracted, unlike other little brats. Who is Bella kidding, of course, he was not. Her Little Az was so unlike the other brats, and always so intelligent and smart! Just like his daddy!
"No, we're not, what are you doing? I thought you had some sort of ritual to attend?" She thought Cissy and their Lord were performing some sort of ritual for The Dark Prince's health, or was it complete already?
"Well, they just finished and woke me up, and sent me to get you until he returns home. I wanted to see if you were free to teach me something, but you were busy eating faces so -"
Reynaldo started, "Little Prince, when two people love each other -"
Bella quickly stomped on her husband's feet. "What the hell Roddy, you're seriously not thinking to give a nine-year-old 'The Talk'!" Bella hissed angrily at her stupid husband as Reynaldo squealed, grabbing his feet and dancing around the room in pain earning a giggle from Hadrianus. The Healer was very strict on what was a big no-no in front of children.
" Reynaldo , Bella, Reynaldo . And no swearing in front of the baby. How, do you suggest, are we explaining that to him, then?"
Bella sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, suddenly understanding all those times she witnessed Cissy head-desking and muttering under her breath. Not that she would trade the feeling with anything else. She would rather be walked on by her little Godson and future children several times than lose them forever to a realm beyond reach. Bella took a deep breath, then looked at the child waiting patiently on the Floo flames.
"Az, it's something… personal… that people do to someone they love." Merlin, she would need to talk to the Mind Healer and ask for advice on how to explain it to him!
Hadrianus looks disgusted and a little green, "Do people show love by eating and biting their faces? Yakk! That's disgusting! What about the germs?"
"Oh for the love of - " This time, Bella really wanted to smack her head on the wall, "We were not eating each other's face, okay? You will uh, learn it when you - when you grow up, Okay, my baby? I will teach you myself, I promise. But when you're at least, say, thirteen. Not before. Is that okay, my baby?" Thirteen is an acceptable time for children to learn about that, right? Bella was betrothed to Reynaldo by the time she was thirteen, so it should be good enough. Merlin, she really needs to talk to that blasted Healer. Even she couldn't deny that they were good, and dead useful for something like these.
Hadrianus gave her a look that told them he clearly thought them to be mental, "Right." he said before his young and pretty face disappeared from the fireplace.
Bella covered her face in her hands and screamed loudly into it. That was the most mortifying experience of her life, and she had been up to many shenanigans in her life, so that was saying something. Never in her wildest dream, did she envision being walked on by her little godson, the child of her Master, The Dark Prince!
"Bellsy, my love, while I wholeheartedly agree with you, I must urge that we run after your chaos-master Godson before he decides that cannibalism is an exemplary way to show love and bites our Lord."
Bella threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh, just imagining the scene and wondering how her Master would react to such 'affection', "Yeah, we should go. Merlin, it's so embarrassing!"
"Well," Reynaldo winced, rubbing the back of his neck, "At least now we have something new to add to the no-no list. Swearing and making love anywhere other than our bedroom is a big no-no. Let's start the practice with our baby Prince."
Bella snorted, but agreed with him. They quickly changed and get themselves more presentable, no need to go visit Slytherin Castle and torture their baby's nose with the smell of alcohol and sex, even though The Dark Prince had already caught them at it. Making sure they look presentable and had their wands, Reynaldo summoned the new box of chocolate frogs and then stepped into the Floo.
"Welcome to Slytherin Castle, Sirs." A house elf appeared in front of them, "How may Davy be of use?"
"Where is my baby?" Bella demanded.
"Little Master Prince be in his playroom in the family wing."
They went to the family wing, walking on the familiar road to the playroom even though they idly noted the corridors changed, again. But by now, they were used to it, accepting that Slytherin Castle was a Sentient Castle and liked to change their appearance periodically. As they opened the door of the playroom, they noticed the tiny owner of the room was climbing backward on the spiral slide of his toy castle that they gave him for his birthday, and there were no adults around. Their Master's snake was the only one looking over the child, her head raised high as the child's height and observing him carefully.
They grinned, knowing Little Prince absolutely adored his toy castle and the slides. It was such a joy to find the child enjoying their gift.
"Anyone here up for some chocolate frog?" Reynaldo asked as he casually strolled into the room.
As expected, at the name of chocolate frog, Little Az quickly turned around, his eyes lit up and excited. Neither of the adults was prepared or noticed that, just as his focus was shifted, the sticking charms he was using on his hand through Wish Magic were canceled and he slipped.
Hadrianus shrieked as he slipped. Given he was climbing backward on the spiral slide, when he slid down, most of his body weight came outside of the slide, making him topple out of the slide.
Bella and Reynaldo gasped, their wands already in their hand as they both cast several the cushioning charm on and around the ground, making sure the child was properly cushioned. But all that was for naught.
Their master's snake, apparently having watched Hadrianus closely, moved quicker than any of them and slid directly beneath the falling child, catching him into her coils. Hadrianus immediately latched into the huge coils, stopping his fall from the height, his legs wiggling around until he has wrapped them around her coils, hanging upside down like a koala hanging from a branch of a tree.
The snake then slowly and gently put the child down on the sand pit, her tongue flickering madly.
Bella and Reynaldo lowered their wands, impressed. They knew the snake was very intelligent and smart than a normal snake should be, and seemed very protective over Hadrianus, but what it did to save the child is beyond the capability of intelligence of the snake. They exchanged a glance, both wondering the same thing. Did their master somehow share his intelligence with his familiar?
After gently putting him down and making sure the child was okay, the snake then turned to stare at them. While snakes barely had any facial expression, Reynaldo could swear it glared! Both Bella and Reylando took a step back, involuntarily shuddering under the murderous glare. Damn, the snake had their master's glare! Is it even a real snake, or some kind of Animagus? A choked wheeze left Reynaldo at that mere idea. That would be highly disturbing, and coming from him that was saying something!
"My baby, are you okay?" Bella asked, as the snake finally turned her head and focused on fussing over the child, her tongue flickering madly and hissing. While Bella was not honored to understand Parseltongue, she could swear the hissing sounded pissed off. And it was never good news for anyone in its path when their Master's snake is pissed off!
"Little Az, you might want to come to us, slowly, make sure not to disturb it," Bella said, fingering her wand and eyeing the snake. While Adrian is Parselmouth and no doubt has some control over the snake, they know that even without being a man-eater, its venom is deadly and the beast runs on instincts. Who knows when Az will startle her and she might bite him out of instinct? Parselmouth or not! She would rather kill the snake and suffer her Master's wrath than witness her baby being hurt again. She WILL NOT lose her baby anymore, and this time, she will aim to kill anyone or anything that harms her baby. She wouldn't play with them anymore and let them have a chance to hurt her baby, consequences be damned! She would accept Azkaban for life if that means her baby would live.
"Disturb what?" Hadrianus finally looked at them after getting up from the sandpit where mum put him down and started fussing. He knew from his experience that it is best to let mum finish her fussing to her heart's content and scent him to make sure he's alright, his words will never be enough. When he finally turn to the others, he noticed how pale they both were as they looked at his mum as if she will strike them out anytime.
Unknown to them, Nagini watched Bellatrix with a thoughtful look on her face. She noticed how she was fingering her wand which has the same green light as her hatchling's eyes, and knew Bellatrix would strike her if she thinks Nagini is hurting her baby. And this earned the crazy witch a point in Nagini's eyes. She would do decently, looking after her hatchling when they are both in Hogwarts.
"Not fond of snakes?" Hadrianus grinned. "Aren't you supposed to be Slytherins?"
"Not after seeing her eat someone whole," Reynaldo admitted. Yes, it had been a traitor, he hadn't cared about the idiot but the sight had been rather disgusting.
"Wait really?" Hadrianus asked, eager to know more. "Are you sure? It has been her?"
"You'll probably see for yourself some time," Reynaldo grimaced.
Hadrianus stared at her, then hissed at the snake, who hissed back. Obviously, she said something funny because Little Az burst out laughing. Bella and Reynaldo exchanged another glance, not knowing how to handle the situation. It was clear to them that the child doesn't recognize the danger he was in.
Hadrianus grinned at his mum's disgruntlement and mumbled over how she should eat them next time for calling her 'it'. He wanted to inform his Godmummy that Nagini is not a normal snake but actually a woman under a curse, his mum, but he refrained, knowing his mum doesn't want anyone to else know. Hadrianus understood that, and respected mum's wish. No one likes to flaunt their weakness like that.
Reynaldo noticed out of the corner of his eyes how tensed Bella was, and how tight grip she had over her wand as she watched the snake like a hawk, the unnatural green light on the wand's pointer telling Reynaldo she has a Killing Curse right on her lips, waiting to be released. He has to distract them, something that would lead the child away from the beast. Recalling something he had in his hand, Reynaldo quickly raised the box of chocolate frogs in the air, and waved, "Anyone interested?" and Hadrianus perked up immediately.
"Me! Me!" Hadrianus raised his hand in the air and bounced excitedly, his big green eyes glowing and face alight. Reynaldo chuckled and hold it out for the child, making him dart towards them and snatch the box out of his hand. Hadrianus tore the wrapping of the box, catching the frog before it could escape and bite its one of the back legs. He chewed on the chocolate, grinning, "Thwankew, Uncle Roddy, and Godmummy Bella."
Reynaldo suddenly realized exactly how his dear wife felt while being called by The Dark Prince. The child had already been distracted by the Agrippa card that he found in his chocolate card.
"How are you feeling?" Reynaldo asked, noticing Bella finally calmed down after Little Prince was safely away from the man-eating beast, "We thought you were going through some health ritual? Are you okay?"
"Surprisingly good," Hadrianus shrugged as he swallowed the chocolate, "I never knew what I was lacking until I woke up after the ritual was complete! I feel strong and healthy, my magic feels free and cheerful. I didn't even know my magic was sad before today." He bite the head this time, viciously cutting down its squirming and croaking. For some reason, his Inner Mamba feels really good and content when he eats a struggling chocolate frog.
"That sounds excellent." Bella decided, slipping her wand into the holster.
Reynaldo was intrigued, "You were asleep the whole time?"
Hadrianus nodded, "Father said he needed my magic to be stable and undisturbed, and me being asleep would be the best option to do it."
Bella and Reynaldo exchanged another look. So it was a ritual that doesn't need the recipient's active role, merely the calm presence is enough. Unfortunately, that still doesn't narrow down to exactly what ritual their Lord had performed for Little Prince.
Bella narrowed her eyes and gave Reynaldo a pointed look to let it go. She trusts her Master with her life and would never question what He did, if He decided it was good, if her baby feels good, then it was good enough for her.
Reynaldo sighed and nodded at Bella's insistence, and let it go. "So, Little Prince, what did you want to learn?"
Hadrianus perked up when he remembered it, "Can you teach me dueling?"
The question gave the adults pause as they looked at the child's face full of hope. Oh, what they wouldn't give in front of that face, but unfortunately, that would be a bad idea, at the moment.
"Little Az, your father has already promised you to teach dueling when you're at least ten."
"I know," Hadrianus stomped his feet, "but I don't want to wait one more year."
"He is not delaying your learning if that's what you think," Reynaldo said, raising his hand when the child started to protest, "No, just listen to us first. I am aware of our Master's teaching methods, trust me. We've been there. It is a good idea to let him set your pace. He knows you the best, if he thinks ten is the best time for you, then we trust him. Too much, too quickly would lead you nowhere. If I am correct, he is making you master the very basics at the moment."
Hadrianus frowned at them, not understanding what they were speaking. So Bella took over, "Little Az, speed, and stamina are the basic foundation of a good dueller. Our Master is making you go through Martial Arts and other exercises, right? It means he is building your body and making sure your foundations of speed, strength, stamina, and equilibrium are at acceptable levels. When you pass that level, then, and only then, Master would begin the tactic training. He wouldn't be pleased if we interrupt His lesson plans, and we would never do that, as it would do you more harm than good."
"Oh," Hadrianus was thoughtful, "So I need to focus on mastering my speed, stamina, strength, and equilibrium, right?" That explains why his father was encouraging him to practice skateboarding more often and even brought him a broomstick, he never knew his father has been building up all the things needed for a good dueller.
"Yes," They nodded firmly, "Trust his instructions, He only wants what's best for you."
Hadrianus nodded. He never knew this because his father never told him, but he understands now. Hadrianus inwardly vowed to practice them more religiously, and follow his words. He had witnessed Godmummy Bella and Barty's dueling, he knew they were super great. If his father trained them, and they followed his father's pace and instruction, then it's good enough for Hadrianus.
"Tell you what," Reynaldo offered, "I heard Barty had been teaching you martial arts, and I know your Godmummy Bella promised to teach you knife throwing and blade combat when you're ten. How about I teach you some cool trick, and it's a part of Martial arts. Do you want to learn?"
Hadrianus perked up, his attention properly caught by the word, "Cool trick?"
Reynaldo took several steps back and conjured a six feet long and thick stick, and Bella conjured two seats for herself and her godson, beckoning the child to take a seat, mindful of the man-eating beast that was coiled up on a rug near the other corner and watching them. "This is called Bō. What I am about to perform is called Bōjutsu, an ancient Japanese Martial Arts technique that involves staff fighting. Just watch and see yourself."
The movement began slow, careful, and with a fine precision until Reynaldo found his balance and loosened his muscles. It didn't take him long to pass through the step and soon he was moving, spinning and twirling, slashing, swinging the staff faster and faster until all that was seen was a blur that twisted and turned in a confined space. Oh, he loved playing with his beauties! How he missed them during the days of Azkaban, and since getting out of there, he had been practicing and brushing up his old skills. It took months but he eventually got there, and the satisfaction had never been so sweeter!
By the time he finished his drill, Hadrianus was not sitting with his Godmummy anymore, but standing and staring at him with wide eyes, and Reynaldo could swear there were stars in his big otherworldy green eyes.
"That was sooo cool!" The child breathed.
"I know, right?" Renaldo flashed a smug and victorious smirk at Bella who rolled her eyes, "If you practice enough, you can even learn the sword, knife, and spear spinning! But that's for when you're older than nine. Maybe eleven?"
"Teach me, please please pretty please with a cherry on top!"
Reynaldo smirked, bowing, "As my Little Prince wishes."