Chapter 10: Wolves and Plots
A few days later, Severus Snape came to visit Voldemort in his study. They had some matters to discuss about Hadrian.
"My lord" acknowledged Snape.
Voldemort nodded, wondering what they had to discuss. Severus had called this meeting unexpectedly and he was left contemplating what he desperately wanted to say.
"I need to know your plans regarding Dumbledore and Potter. Dumbledore hasn't yet noticed he was missing from Privet Drive but he is bound to go looking for him soon. His birthday is in only a few weeks and the Order is going to be sent to retrieve him. I need to know what I should tell Dumbledore when he asks if you have Potter" Severus explained.
Voldemort brought his hands together on his desk. He sat in contemplation. He had forgotten about Dumbledore recently with all the excitement of rescuing his son and then the Lestrange brothers.
He knew that something would have to be done about Dumbledore if Hadrian wanted to return to Hogwarts to finish his education. He may despise Dumbledore's very existence but even he acknowledged the power he held. If he wanted to, he could make Hadrian's school years very difficult, not to mention his political power.
If Dumbledore found out that he had been housing Hadrian, then he wouldn't be welcomed back at Hogwarts. He could always go to Durmstrang instead but the traitor had been replaced by Travis Woodlock, who disagreed with many of their ideals. Woodlock was more neutral than anything and supported Dumbledore politically.
But, on the contrary, Hadrian could be sent under his true name and none would be the wiser about his former identity as Harry Potter. After all, who would suspect that Hadrian Noir Slytherin was in any way associated with Harry James Potter?
With that in mind, Hadrian could in reality attend either school. But Hogwarts would offer him the protection only an heir of the founders would receive. This would help protect him against Dumbledore and he could keep an eye on the school. He would just need to get the Slytherins to accept him.
Voldemort looked at Snape searchingly. He would need to entrust his son's care to one of his most favored followers. Severus was someone he could depend upon but his strengths lied in potions and advising.
"I will send Hadrian to Hogwarts. He will go as a home-schooled child who wanted to experience schooling surrounded by children his own age after his mother's death. You will tell Dumbledore nothing of Harry Potter. It is better to leave him uncertain on his precious Golden Boy's whereabouts. Hadrian Noir Slytherin will make his appearance as the heir of Slytherin. You best take care of him. I am entrusting him to your care while at school and you will not disappoint me." Voldemort stated.
Snape nodded. His lord really cared about his son and it seemed he would ensure Hadrian was protected at all costs. He would have to make sure to keep the brat happy and safe while at Hogwarts. It wouldn't do to fail his lord.
At that Voldemort dismissed Snape with a careless wave of him hand. Snape pivoted and with robes billowing, exited the office. Voldemort rolled his eyes at the dramatic actions of his favorite potion master. Severus had such a flare for dramatics.
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Meanwhile Harry was spending time with his two suitors in the gardens. They had decided to go for a walk while the weather was nice. As they walked towards the center of the gardens, Harry grasped onto Rabastan's hand in excitement. He had just spotted a pixie.
Harry pulled Rabastan along in pursuit of the mythical creature. He had read about pixies but had never seen one in real life. As they continued following the creature, they were led to a small clearing.
A sudden noise caused Harry to jump and press himself to Rabastan's side, seeking comfort. Rabastan smiled. He was glad that Harry felt safe with them and unconsciously knew that they would protect him.
Rodolphus drew his wand and angled himself so he was in front of his brother and Harry. He surveyed their surroundings with shrewd eyes. Directly opposite him, an adolescent wolf came tumbling out of the brush. He wobbled on unsteady legs as he drew closer to the small group.
They could see that his side was drenched with blood. Harry felt tears fill his eyes as he saw the clearly injured and vulnerable state of the young wolf. He had always loved animals and would commonly nurse them back to health while trapped at the Dursleys. He had wanted to be a veterinarian before Hogwarts. But that dream had been ruthlessly crushed when the Dursleys found out. They would never let him go to veterinary school and he wouldn't be able to afford it anyway.
But upon his arrival to the magical world, he learned that there so many creatures he didn't know about. His first few weeks of school were spent in the library learning all he could about different magical creatures. His favorite so far was kelpies. It fascinated him how these shapeshifters were able to look like humans and lived in the water. After the disaster of the Triwizard Tournament, he discovered a love for swimming. Before that, he had never learned how to swim and always feared drowning. But now he loved the feeling of being in any kind of water and the freedom kelpies had as water spirits was fascinating to him. Meeting one was his greatest wish after finding a family.
As he watched the wolf, he knew that he had to help him. The poor creature had to be in so much pain from his wound. He released Rabastan and slowly walked closer to avoid startling the wolf. So far the wolf hadn't noticed them but he did not want to unintentionally frighten it.
When passing by Rodolphus, he tried to grad onto Harry to stop him from getting any closer. But Harry shook off the offending hands and crept closer. The brothers watched paralyzed at harry approached a dangerous animal. They knew that wolves were capable to severely harming people and an injured one was sure to be even more territorial.
A few feet from the wolf, Harry stopped and held his hand out. By now the wolf had noticed the three males and bared its teeth threateningly.
But Harry was not discouraged and instead kneeled on the ground. He kept his hand out and waited for the wolf to approach. The brothers watched wide eyed and fearing for Harry's safety as the wolf grew agitated.
The wolf paced back and forth, uncertain of the humans surrounding it. But after several tense moments, the wolf slowly trotted forward. Upon reaching Harry, the wolf tentatively sniffed his outstretched hand. A smile bloomed across Harry's face at the obvious trust being placed in him.
Apparently, he passed the wolf's inspection because he was subsequently tackled to the ground.
"Harry!" the brothers called in alarm. They were worried that the wolf was attacking him.
But they relaxed when they heard laughter coming from the boy lying on the ground. The wolf continued to lick Harry's face with a wagging tail. As Harry attempted to push the wolf off of him, he heard a whine of pain. Oh no! The wolf was still injured.
Slowly he sat up and inspected the injury. The wolf whined and laid down. He covered his face with a paw. Harry couldn't do anything for him here. They had to travel to the manor to find bandages.
With that in mind, Harry stood.
"Come on boy. You have to follow us so I can help you. Let's go to the manor okay boy?" Harry gestured with his hand for the wolf to follow him.
The brothers watched amazed as the wolf seemed to understand and stood to follow Harry back to the manor. At that, Harry turned to the brothers uncertainly.
"You don't mind if we go back, do you?" Harry asked shyly.
The brothers shook their heads.
"Lead the way sweetheart" Rabastan answered.
Slowly the trio walked back to the manor with a wolf trotting excitedly next to Harry. Every so often, the wolf would brush against Harry's hand to receive a pat.
Soon they reached the entrance to the manor. Harry stopped, uncertain if his father would allow the wolf inside. He bit his bottom lip anxiously and turned to Rodolphus.
"Dolphus, will my father be angry with me for bringing Murdock inside?" Harry asked childishly.
Rodolphus startled at the nickname but found he liked it.
"Who's Murdock, darling?" he asked.
"This is Murdock of course." Harry gestured to the wolf.
The brothers glanced at each other in confusion. When did he have time to name the wolf?
"No sweetheart, Murdock can come inside. The house elves will take care of any mess he makes." Rabastan answered.
Harry nodded uncertain. He turned towards the door and opened it cautiously. He waited for any protest from the brothers and upon seeing none turned to Murdock.
"Come on Murdock, you can stay in my room" he exclaimed happily.
Murdock wagged his tail happily and immediately trotted inside. Boy and wolf traveled happily to Harry's room where Murdock sprawled on top of the rug. The brothers grimaced at the white rug was slowly stained with blood.
Harry disappeared into the bathroom to gather supplies. When he re-entered the room, he was holding a small pail of water, soap, a wash cloth, and lots of bandages. He placed the pail next to Murdock and slowly cleaned the wound.
Murdock whined in pain but made no move to escape or harm Harry.
Once cleaned, Harry wrapped the bandages tightly around Murdock's side and put all of his supplies back in the bathroom.
The whole time the brothers had watched silently as he tended to the wolf. They were ready to interfere if needed but were pleased to see the wolf remained docile. If the wolf stayed then Harry would have protection if they ever weren't there.
Upon returning from the bathroom, Harry climbed onto his bed to read one of his books on creatures. He had raided the library his first day here and could be found reading in the afternoons.
Once he was settled under the covers, Murdock jumped onto the bed to lie beside him. He burrowed himself next to Harry and watched the brothers. When Rodolphus tried to approach, Murdock growled threateningly. This was his human and he wouldn't let anyone hurt him.
Rodolphus backed up in caution and looked towards Harry. The wolf seemed like a good idea originally, but now that he was being prevented from seeing Harry, he regretted saying it would be alright to bring him inside.
Harry looked in between Rodolphus and Murdock. He calmly reached out a hand to pet the wolf.
"It's okay. Dolphus won't hurt me." Harry soothed.
Murdock ceased growling but continued to glare at the brothers. This human was his now and he would keep the brothers from his human for as long as he could.
"Goodbye, my love. We must meet your father to discuss business and warn him of your wolf." Rodolphus said with a slight glare at said wolf. He did not forget how he tried to keep him from Harry.
Harry nodded and waved them off. He was impatient to start his chapter on manticores.
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The brothers approached Voldemort's office door. Rabastan knocked and waited permission to enter.
"Enter" Voldemort commanded.
At once, the brother made their way into the spacious and intimidating office. It was done tastefully in all dark colors. Voldemort sat in a large leather backed chair and seemed to be looming over them even though he was sitting.
The brothers gulped and in union said, "my lord".
Voldemort nodded in greeting.
"Report" he commanded.
He was still annoyed at the brothers from taking away his child, but after seeing Harry days prior and receiving the warm embrace from him, his anger had cooled. He was no longer angry with the brothers but maintained the façade to discourage them from ever hurting his son. After all, it was fun to watch them squirm.
The brothers relayed their day spent with Harry and updated him on their current missions. They were tasked with gathering information from the surrounding werewolf packs and negotiating with other various creatures. So far, they had convinced the giants and trolls to join their ranks and were working on swaying the werewolves and veela.
Once they got to mentioning Murdock, Voldemort narrowed his eyes in thought. He was very amused when hearing the wolf's reaction to the brothers and couldn't help but smirk when they told him how the wolf threatened them. He may just have to let the wolf stay if it would keep the brothers in line while he wasn't there and also protect his son. A wolf was a worthy companion for the Dark Prince.
Voldemort smiled. It sure would be entertaining to see the wolf keeping the brothers in their place. He still was not happy with their relationship but it seemed he now had a supporter. He smirked evily. Yes, the wolf would do nicely. Maybe he could even train it to growl whenever he sees the brothers. He would have to reward him soon for protecting his son from the brothers' advances.
