Author's Note:
So life has been... interesting. I left an abusive relationship I was in for over 7 years, I'm rebuilding my life with my 6 year old, I was sick with covid for 3 weeks and I've been dealing with terrible side affects and I'm dealing with breast cancer again, so that's fun... This chapter is entirely not what I had originally planned in my schedule, in fact, none of it was on the planner I made for this fic. So whoops. The plot bunnies also struck me and I've been working on a GOT/HP xover that is over 10k words currently for the one shot. The muse is terrible and subjective.
Chapter 8:
Harry wouldn't deny the feeling of pure satisfaction once she had opened the newspaper to reveal a shocking story buried three pages in involving Lord Alderton's daughter being sponsored by Lady Amelia Marchbank, a long-time house ally to the Alderton's. For those not in the know, it would simply seem like Lady Marchbank was sponsoring her as allied houses sometimes did, for those that knew the truth, however, it brought a different light to the idea that should you try and harm a child, even one under your own house, that retribution would be coming swiftly. It might have been seen as a simple passing moment, but to that girl, that child, Harry couldn't help but think about what she had saved her from - what ignorance had almost cost her. It proved, once again, why she was pushing for the reforms in the safety of the children and why she wouldn't give up, no matter what.
She couldn't deny the small smirk that grew, it had seemed like her well-placed hints with the gathering she had attended the week previously had helped. She had a sneaking suspicion that during the next Wizengamot meeting, either or maybe even both Lord Alderton and Lord Tremelett would be stepping down and allowing their Heirs to take over. She was mildly curious who had been the heavy force that had made them fold. She was personally betting on either Lord Black or Lady Montague, both seemed to be the type to hold blackmail against all of the houses just in case it was needed. Lord Black seemed more the sort to send one of the many vassals he had under his protection to do his dirty work, while Lady Montague seemed more the type to frighten the lord's in person, in their personal sleeping chambers.
She enjoyed a sip of her tea at the kitchen table, reading through the rest of the useless drabble of articles before she folded up the newspaper and put it to the side of her meal. "Sipsy," she called softly, smiling at the quick answer of her personal elves' appearance at her side. "Would you mind terribly getting me some parchment and a quill? I need to write a letter."
"Sipsy brings it to you now, Mistress." Within a moment, the elf popped away only to reappear a few seconds later with a roll of parchment, an inkwell, and a quill.
"Thank you Sipsy, I'll write it quickly, would you mind sending it off with Hatshepsut?" The Peverell Lady asked, rolling the parchment out on the table once one of the other elves had cleared her breakfast dishes away for her.
"Sipsy be happy to do so, Misses."
Harry took a moment to think about what she wanted to say before she began writing out her letter.
Mr. Curtis Bletchy,
May Magic bring you good tidings and good health,
I have had a most wonderful idea for a business proposal that I hoped you would be willing to assist me with the start-up and fine details on the planning of such a thing, as I have noticed a deplorable amount of articles lately in the Daily Prophet that leaves me woefully disappointed with the current offerings on news that is delivered to the people. Considering we currently only have one newspaper for all of the citizens in our wonderful nation, I find myself disconcerted with the lack of intelligent articles being published and I hope to rectify this matter promptly.
Would you be a dear and begin the process of starting a new newspaper company for me? I was thinking 'The Spell-bound Spectator' is a good name, no? I hope that you will assist me in my endeavour to start this enterprise up. I will reach out to my contacts to see who is interested in purchasing shares for the company, I believe that it will be snatched up most swiftly.
Perhaps we could find some youth who have been unable to find employment after graduating from Hogwarts that have stellar grades? I have noticed a distinct lack of children being able to succeed in our life from those whose parentage may not be considered pure. It would perhaps help stabilise some of our precious citizens into having worthwhile careers.
I have been thinking perhaps, it might be time to locate an assistant for myself. Do you have anyone you could recommend for me? Trying to keep up with all of this paperwork has been exhausting and I find myself unfortunately busy with social obligations, leaving myself with very little time to myself. If you could find someone who would be an asset to myself, I would greatly appreciate your input in the matter. Perhaps someone interested in starting their own house, or who would wish to possibly become a vassal under Peverell?
On top of that, I need a personal healer that I can have on call for in the future. Is there someone that you find highly pleased with their performance or their reputation? I wish to offer them a contract upon availability. I will take whoever you can recommend to me, as I trust your judgement on their skillset.
How goes the prep work for the Sanctuary? Have you received any word from Ms. Marianne Cooper regarding her being the Headmistress for the property? I quite enjoyed my interview with her and wouldn't mind proceeding with her taking the mantle. If she assents, please proceed with the process for her position and getting her established at the property along with our complete plans for the Sanctuary post-haste.
I hope these tasks prove not too draining on you. I've enclosed a receipt from Gringott's to you, go treat yourself to a little vacation on me.
Lady Hariel Peverell
Harry was quick to fold up the parchment in an envelope before addressing it to the address she knew her personal lawyer was typically at, his home office. Once the ink had dried, she handed it off to the patiently waiting Sipsy who bobbed a head in accepting it before she disappeared to go give it over to the Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Hatsheput, an owl that Harry had come into the possession of after being removed from an elderly witch with an owl hoarding problem, all forty-eight owls the witch had, had been removed and taken to a rescue until they could be adopted out. When Harry had been browsing for a replacement owl, she had found herself greatly amused by the haughty nature who had refused to listen to any of it's handlers. The owl was finicky on who it liked and typically would peck anyone who tried to have her deliver a letter unless suitably plied with bribes in the form of sausages. Harry couldn't deny that she was appreciative to have another owl companion, even if her heart still sometimes hurt in thought of her beautiful snowy owl.
Though the witch won't deny that prideful attitude of the owl made her laugh whenever she witnessed her turning her nose up at any perceived slight and was picky about what offerings she accepted. When she was feeling particularly spiteful, she would make sure to inform Hat personally that she was free to act as she pleased when she delivered it and the little comments in the replies she received from those who had upset her about how… enthusiastic her owl was, always brought a smile to her face and never failed to amuse her.
The reply to her letter arrived two days later delivered by Auron, Bletchy's personal owl, whose letter was removed by the ever devoted Sipsy. Harry was quick to open the letter and scan through the contents after Sipsy ran through the usual detection charms. It never hurt to be too careful even from people she trusted, one never knew if something had happened along the way. She had learned that the hard way back in her fourth year when some witch had thought that she was taking the glory away from Cedric Diggory and had mailed her a cursed letter that would have landed her in St. Mungos for weeks.
Lady Hariel Peverell,
May Magic bring blessings of goodwill and successful endeavours upon you and yours.
The Spell-Bound Spectator is in the works now. I spoke with the Head of the Business department of the Ministry and got the paperwork fast-tracked. You should be receiving the paperwork that needs your signature to finalise it all in the next day or so. Progress from there will be swift. I reached out to an acquaintance of mine, Mr. Nigel Steward, who has an amazing repertoire as an activist journalist who has been covering the War Efforts on the muggle side. He said he would be delighted to schedule an interview with you regarding him being the Head Publisher for the newspaper. He even had a few suggestions for reporters that he has either appreciated their work, or has even written a few articles with, so I am more inclined to reach out to his recommendations post-haste. I've enclosed his contact information in the next sheet.
Regarding an assistant, I believe that to be a wonderful idea for yourself. I've attached three separate people that I think would uniquely fit your views and plans for the future. Do let me know whom you end up going through, so I can begin the paperwork for a non-disclosure agreement (a wonderful new sort of paperwork that I can find myself backing easily when it comes to protecting your assets, I can tell you more about how I want to implement it at our next meeting). Regardless, I am pleased you are taking action in this manner as I was beginning to believe that you were getting in over your head with how much you are taking on. Hopefully, having an assistant will help you manage your time in a more convenient manner.
Healer Anastisa Greengrass is the eldest daughter of Lord Greengrass - she has graduated with honours and has been serving in the Spell Damage Ward of St. Mungo's recently as she hasn't enough experience to be considered for the other wards yet. I have heard very promising remarks about her future and I believe that she would be a wonderful addition to your collection.
You will be quite pleased to find that Ms. Cooper has agreed to the position and has already signed the required paperwork to begin establishing the layout of the Sanctuary with the Sanctuary's personal lawyer, Mr. Cuthbert Wilson. They are planning to host a meeting on the Twenty-Third of the month if you are able to attend to go over finances, reports for the future, and basic guidelines.
My gratitude to the Peverell family, I enjoyed a wonderful trip with Blanche to this fascinating beach in America in Florida. We greatly enjoyed the several days we spent relaxing. In a surprising turn of events, we discovered that Blanche is pregnant with our first after she ate a bad batch of oysters during our vacation. Blanche is hoping you will be free for tea sometime soon to visit with her and discuss non-work related things as she has a small request to make of you.
Looking forward to our next meeting,
Curtis Bletchy
The days passed quickly, with meetings and letters flying in and out of the manor with great speed. Hariel suddenly found herself busier than she expected with meetings abound between her Gringott's representative, arranging the comfort of Charlotte's parents, hiring a tutor and adjusting the contract she had with Mrs. Teague to also include etiquette for Charlotte, the interview process for an assistant as well as attending several luncheons with different Ladies of high standing. It was absolutely exhausting and Death's Mistress could feel the pulse in her forehead growing with each new frustration that arrived through her window.
Taking a moment to get through the more pressing mail that she had put off the day before, in her day filled with meetings and discussions and thinly-veiled compliments and double-edged words, she took a deep breath as she sat in her study at her desk and looked down at her parchment. Once she felt more suitably calm, the witch began to write.
Lord Ragnok,
I am pleased with the results of the testing that you have produced so far, please consider a donation of a thousand galleons to the goblins involved in the process as a measure of my happiness with how quickly it is proceeding. If you need anything further from me, I am only a letter or floo-call away.
To that note, I think you will be pleased to hear that I have accepted a young witch to be sponsored by my family. Her name is Charlotte Evergreen and she is one child that I would love to include in the test the next time I visit Gringott's, of which, I would like to schedule an appointment for Sponsorship for her and setting up an allowance vault for her as well. I will have Mr. Bletchy mail over the sponsorship paperwork when I speak with him tomorrow. I am available next Thursday evening or Friday morning for an appointment, please let me know what will work best for your schedule so we can get that accomplished and out of the way.
May your enemies falter under the weight of your might,
Lady Hariel Peverell
With the first written, she folded it up, placed the wax melt over the seal and stamped it close before placing it off to the side in her 'Out' box of outgoing mail and pulled out a new parchment sheet to begin her next letter.
Healer Anastasia Greengrass,
I hope this letter reaches you in good health. You may have heard of me, and I do apologise for writing to you quite out of the blue but I have heard very promising remarks and received a glowing recommendation about you from my solicitor that has me hoping you were in the market for private clients. If you would like to come by my manor for tea sometime, I would be most obliged by your consideration. I am free the following Tuesday at half past ten in the morning if it suits you.
I look forward to making your acquaintance,
Lady Hariel Peverell
She sealed the letter quickly before it joined the previous one in the pile and continued on to the next letter she needed to write.
Ms. Eytelia Reynaulds,
I would like to preface my letter by saying that I greatly enjoyed our meeting on Wednesday and it is my great honour to offer you the position as my personal assistant beginning effective on Monday. Mr. Bletchy will be sending you the acceptance paperwork shortly, once it arrives, please sign accordingly and send it back to him so he can file it for you.
I look forward to working with you,
Lady Hariel Peverell
Harry found herself unexpectedly busy over the next several days between sitting down with Eytelia and going over a list of current projects she had, what projects would take precedence over others, what she was allowed to handle herself, whose correspondence she had to pass over as priority as well as other fun things. It seemed, as she entrenched herself more with the politics and her businesses, the more correspondence she received - having someone who could sort through her mail for her (how she received anywhere from twenty to thirty letters a day was beyond her) and reply to all of the non-essential letters that she didn't need to know about and then sum up everything that she needed to know when they got together once every morning to go over the schedule for the day.
Freeing up so much of her time with the skillful hand of Ms. Reynaulds had given her more freedom to pursue her endeavours with the Sanctuary and the Spectator. Already, with the assistance of Curtis, she was able to find a nice building along one of the other alleys that had needed a new tenant. The price was reasonable for the area and besides herself, she had managed to get Lord Black and Lord Nott to invest in shares in the newspaper. She still held majority rule over it, but it had certainly helped having them to help her start it up.
Lady Hariel Peverell,
May Magic bless you and yours upon this day,
I've attached Charlotte's new medical records to the letter so that you may keep a log for her file. I declare your ward of good health. I will set an appointment with Ms. Reynaulds to follow up with her booster shots as well as to schedule a check up for your Heir. If you need me in an emergency, I've attached a pendant that I have warded that will alert me so that I may come to your aid.
It was a pleasure to assist you,
Healer Anastasia Greengrass
Tea time with the Ladies proved to be an eventful afternoon, filled with backhanded compliments, barbed words, and by the end of the three-hour party, it left her physical and mentally exhausted from the double-speak alone. While she would consider the party a success, considering that she had at least held her own against ladies bred and trained from birth for this kind of behaviour, it still was absolutely taxing on her. She was almost thankful that she didn't need to join the tea parties more than a handful of times throughout the month, being an extremely busy witch.
She was also thankful that with Eytelia's help, she was able to make her schedule conspicuously busy during the normal time that the tea parties were held, making it so much easier to avoid it when she could. After all, no one could fault her if she had a business meeting or a luncheon already scheduled with a dear old friend from another country or she was busy attending to House matters.
Eytelia was a blessing in her ability to turn away those who were more pushy to make time available to them, and in fact, she even went out of her way to purposely schedule people months in advance, leaving her two days a week for the socialising, one dedicated to law efforts and the Wizengomat and two for business pursuits. But for now, she thought, relaxing onto her sette in her parlour, a cup of hot chocolate in her hand, for now she would rest - and tomorrow, she would conquer the world.
Mr. Curtis Bletchy and Mrs. Blanche Bletchy,
Congratulations to you on your exciting news! I would absolutely love to meet with you shortly. I'll have my new assistant Ms. Eytelia Reynaulds write to you to set a time that works for both of our schedules so we can sit down and catch up and you can tell me all about how your vacation was and how you came to find out you were expecting.
I look forward to visiting,
Lady Hariel Peverell
Sipsy considered herself a very good House Elf, and even if she hadn't - Mistress Harry had made her stand in front of a mirror and say it ten times a day until she finally believed her. The Lady was unlike anyone that Sipsy had ever served and she considered herself the luckiest house elf ever to get to be her personal elf. Some part of her was a tiny, tiny bit jealous that she didn't get to serve the Young Master but another part of her was also happy because Mistress Harry let her even boss her around.
Sipsy could count on numerous occasions when Mistress Harry would be so busy that she would forget to eat, or not know what to wear. Mistress Harry most definitely needed the guiding hand of Sipsy or she'd not make it far, Sipsy knew. That is what made her a good House Elf, she took care of the one person who loved with all her heart and soul. Sipsy had to usually nag her beloved lady to remember when mealtimes were, or when she needed to get ready for bed, or when she had an appointment that she had to look her utmost best.
Although, the kindness and gentleness that Mistress Harry radiated certainly made every struggle, every lecture worth it when compared to how useless her lady would be without her Sipsy to take care of her. Sipsy would wholeheartedly, and honestly, say that without a doubt, she was the luckiest elf of them all.
Dear Joseph and Shirley,
I wanted to inform you both that I have contacted my bank to begin the process of the official sponsorship of Charlotte as well as preparing her allowance vault in my bank for future use. Once I have an appointment time set, I will coordinate with you for a time that would work best for when I would pick her up as well as drop her off back to your new abode.
I hope you are all settling in well in the home, and know that Charlotte always has a room in the manor if she wishes or if you need space for a night or two. I have arranged for one of my personal healer's that I have on call to come and visit the three of you to begin starting her magical shots to give her greater protection as well as to begin inoculating you as well. The last thing I want is for someone to get sick by something that could have been easily preventable.
If you require anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am not only here for Charlotte, but also for the two of you as well. The moment I decided to sponsor her, I considered you under the protection of the House of Peverell. On a few of your personal items that I had delivered to the home, I had the Peverell crest embroidered on it as a symbol that you are under my protection. If something were to ever happen, please inform me immediately.
I will see the three of you for tea soon once you are settled in.
Hariel
Eytelia Reynaulds was the second daughter of Stefan Reynaulds, a muggleborn and Anaya Reynaulds nee Young, a halfblood. She had been in Hufflepuff during her years of school and despite most of the others of her circumstance - she had continued to study her required classes throughout the year, though parsley that they may be because of the war. But she had been a dedicated student regardless. While the wizarding world was more conventional and futuristic in it's regards to the equality of men and women (a witch and a wizard were considered equal), it was still a classist society - and blood played a very big part of it.
Her parents were considered low in wizarding society because of their parentage but they were considered upper crest among the muggles because of their wealth. It proved to be an interesting distinction. Her older sister, Natalia, had been a Ravenclaw two years above her and a Prefect and had decided to marry her Hogwarts sweetheart and settle down almost immediately upon graduating. Eytelia - or Lia as she asked everyone close to call her, had no thoughts on marriage or kids quite yet, she wanted a career. Unfortunately, with the war going on the muggle side, it left little safe for her to accept a position of employment and she had been stonewalled on the magical side unless she wanted to help a shopkeeper in Diagon Alley.
At least, until she had been sent a letter, a letter that changed her world because it offered her a chance to prove herself. When the interview had ended and she had gone home, Lia had thought long and hard about the witch for a long while, some part of her had recognized that this was a woman who could, who would, change everything about the world around them, simply because she could, because she felt like it. When the offer of employment came through, Lia hadn't been able to stop herself from cheering. The hope that had begun dwindling had risen full force - and as a condition of employment, written in her own contract, offered by Lady Peverell herself, that she was free to pursue the library at her leisure and that she would be under the protection of the Peverell family. The pendant she had been mailed, was hefty in weight and full of magics filled with protection and security.
Lia had a feeling that not even the Minister carried such protection around him - and Miss Hariel had given it to her without expecting anything in return, had simply requested she wear it for her protection and to make Miss Hariel feel better about her safety. Lia considered herself a smart girl - she knew that not every employer was so eager to give out rune-coated jewellery, even for a personal assistant, without expecting absolutely nothing in return.
She had spent a few days before her employment, pondering over the situation, pouring over her previous runes' textbooks to confirm that all of them inscribed on her amulet were for protection only and had had to come up to the conclusion that Miss Hariel cared deeply for the people she considered hers, was entirely possessive of them too. The coat of arms decorating her House Elves uniforms, stitched lovingly in the outfits worn by those employed by her in their accessories, practically soaked in her familial magic - Miss Hariel was one who never let it be mistaken for anything else, if someone was hers, they were hers and no one else's. There was something soothing about belonging to Miss Hariel, something that had her magic relaxing within her, as if everything would be right within the world as long as she followed Miss Hariel - and that had been even before her oaths to her.
Lia couldn't help but be proud of her day to day accomplishments, she could see how Miss Hariel had been almost drowning in all of her day-to-day activities and at least this way, she was able to remove a large load off of her shoulders. So many menial letters or requests she could answer for her, turn away those who had no business bothering her, and just generally make life a little more organised and a little easier for her lady, why would she count that an accomplishment any day and consider it a day well spent.
Ms. Hariel Peverell,
Thank you for everything that you have given us. I've always known Charlotte to be an exceptional young girl but to know, to have peace of mind that what she has is natural, is a blessing in my heart. She has been over the moon since finding out and I've caught her many a time reading after I've put her to bed all of those books you gave her.
Mrs. Teague stopped by to begin lessons for Charlotte and I found myself so lost so quickly on all that she was teaching her. I am so thankful for the opportunities that you are offering my child. Another woman, someone who introduced herself as Healer Greengrass stopped by the other day as well. She gave us some wonderful pamphlets that contained information about all of the inoculations that she was giving Charlotte as well as some things to look for when it comes to "magical" illnesses. She gave Joseph and myself a check up as well and found us both to be in good health. I cannot thank you enough for going above and beyond in assisting us, and we will never be able to repay you for all that you have done for us.
Would tea on Thursday afternoon work for you? Joseph will be at work but I am available then. If there is a time that works better for you, please let me know so I can accommodate your schedule.
Kindest regards,
Shirley
From the head of the table, a pair of mismatching silver and blue eyes stared hard at the forms of the people sitting across from him who quaked in their seats. It was such a normal occurrence nowadays, that Lord Gellert Grindlewald couldn't help the smirk that spread across his face as the man in the middle attempted to keep his focus on the table in front of him and not on the wizard across from him. His little spies had come with some knowledge that immediately elicited the curiosity he had to grow in leaps and bounds, after all, the family he had been hunting down for an age had finally revealed themselves - and in British society too. "Tell me again, one more time, about this new Lady Peverell, and don't spare a single detail."
Tom,
I have some great news! I decided to hire an assistant so that I can manage my time easier between my Wizengamot duties, my Lady duties and the business proposals that I have been dabbling in, Ms. Eytelia Reynaulds has been a fantastic addition to the household and I cannot wait for you to meet her. I think you will find that she is highly competent in her skillset.
Lia, as she prefers to be referred to, has been so helpful in managing my time, I have decided that we are going on vacation during the summer! I was thinking we could visit South America - one of my business contacts wants to have a meeting together regarding assistance with a [insert magical snake here] and they need assistance with communicating with her. I figured it would be a great opportunity to go on vacation, especially with the war going on currently with the entirety of Europe and it will give you a chance to try out your Parseltongue. Once you get home, we will spend a week or so in the house before we head on our trip. I believe we will be gone for about two weeks. There will be plenty of time to be back for the Litha celebrations, which, I am pleased to note, we will be hosting!
I managed to secure that away from the Parkinson's, so prepare for pouting from their child as I have heard that he tends to throw tantrums when he doesn't get his way. I will have Sipsy deliver some letters to you so you may pass invitations along to your friends and acquaintances. The good news for us hosting is that because we are a part of the Grey party, we may have quests from all three factions - which will make things simultaneously more difficult for us and incredibly more fun, don't you think? I've included the guest list of families that will be invited regardless, so if you want to personally invite someone, please do so.
Mrs. Teague will be preparing some hosting etiquette lessons that you can complete with her via mail and during the first few days before our vacation she will give you a few personal instructions to ensure that you feel comfortable assisting me host the event. If it at all makes you feel better, she has even assigned me homework in preparation for the party! I thought that I was done with homework years ago, but when Mrs. Teague informs you that you need to study, you listen.
When Ostara comes around, I'll need you to come home for the holiday, we have a few items to note that has been brought up to my attention regarding our previous vassals and whether or not we plan on renewing their oaths with us, and/or if we wish to bind new vassals to our name. It is something that will take us a few days to discuss, so please make sure to keep the holiday clear of plans so we can give it the attention it deserves.
I hope school has been keeping you busy and that you are enjoying your year. If you need anything at all, please inform me immediately. I look forward to your reply,
Harry
Curtis Bletchy gazed absentmindedly at the multitude of paperwork scattered around him, almost all of it relating to the one and only Hariel Peverell. Since gaining her as a client, he had slowly begun transitioning the other clients he managed to other lawyers in the firm. She kept him truly busy - and for once, it wasn't because his client was getting in trouble with the law. He could enjoy the fact that she was so fastidious even if it gave him more work to do simply because of the challenge she presented. Every single day, he found himself constantly working on some new avenue or idea that had sprung in her mind.
He most assuredly earned his paycheck he received - and the bonuses she threw his way certainly helped keep him and the missus happy. Their latest dinner together had Blanche asking if Hariel would be willing to be their child's godmother as Blanche had developed a fond friendship with her Ladyship in the previous months with tea time together at least once a fortnight, if not an actual meal. Hariel had positively beamed at the offer and had humbly accepted before offering him a gamely look before throwing even more work at him by requesting a trust fund set up for her godchild.
Curtis couldn't help but sigh, she had looked so proud of herself by throwing him under the bus because Blanche's request merely meant more work for him, although he found himself not angry in the slightest. One couldn't find a better godparent than the Lady Peverell herself, even his own brother being the godfather paled in comparison to her Ladyship. He found himself gazing at the stack of paperwork in front of him again and rubbed away the oncoming headache forming, now if only he could convince her not to start up some new business or get into some kind of shenanigans for the new week or so and let him catch up on paperwork, ones that he couldn't foist off on an intern at that. He had just gotten back from vacation and he was already looking forward to his next one.
Lady Hariel Peverell,
I enjoyed our last outing together immensely, you are a wonderful dinner companion. I hope I am not being too forward in my request, but I acquired some tickets to the opera being hosted in London and I was wondering if you would care to join me for an evening out to witness the show.
If you are amenable to it, please let me know so that I may secure dining reservations before the show.
Humbly yours,
Lord Nicolas Nott
Time passed both slowly and quickly, as it was inclined to do so, Tom thought, days seemed to drag along, and yet, if he looked back on the previous handful of months, they went quickly with no regard for how much he wished that he could control the pace that they went. School was simultaneously more busy than ever before - with more expectations on him than he had anticipated, becoming the Heir to Peverell, being acknowledged as the Heir of Slytherin had many trying to curry his favour in ways that being the top student had never brought him.
The amount of times he had found spiked candies or sweets being offered was at an all-time high and he was almost thankful that Harry was unaware of how many attempted to subvert him. He had a feeling that she would show that dangerous, terrifying side of her that he knew hid deep inside her, like a beast caged, just waiting for the opportune moment to strike and maul any who came near.
He wondered, privately, what it said about him that he found himself so utterly content with the prospect of living with a witch that he almost didn't doubt that she could burn the world down around her if she had not but the inclination and desire. And for all her predatory habits masqueraded by her geniality, he never once felt scared in her presence. Instead, he would feel her magic cradle around him, claiming him as her own, protecting him, soothing him. He supposed that this is how a parent was supposed to feel, it was certainly a unique feel to it. Even from the distance from the manor to the castle, he could feel the blessing she had bestowed on him tingling lightly under his skin. He didn't know what magics she had casted upon him, and when he had inquired, she had merely winked and had stated, "Sometimes, it's best not to know."
He'd taken those words to heart though, and had been exploring in the rare free time he had. His ancestor had helped create the castle, had poured magic into it and had built it from nothing. It gave him a sense of pride, something that belonged entirely to him and that while he may not have done it himself, he had powerful magics in his blood, and that was something to be proud of, for certain.
It's while he is exploring that he comes across a series of hidden little details: a carving of a snake under a portrait that was a grandchild of Salazar Slytherin and only spoke in Parseltongue, a hidden cache of potions that only reveals itself when he hisses the word, 'open', two separate secret passageways (one leading from the common room to the kitchens and a second that leads from the hospital wing to the dungeons). It is several weeks into exploring on the rare occasions he is free, and mostly while he is on Prefect duty, that one night while patrolling he stumbles upon a couple that he deducts points from a boy in Ravenclaw and a girl in Gryffindor who had decided that the girl's bathroom on the fifth floor make for a great spot to get handsy. He can't help but scoff, eyes full of disdain as they hurriedly get dressed away and flee the bathroom.
It is as he is turning to leave that he notices the decal of a little serpent on the sink facing him and his head tilts to the side curiously before he glances back at the door, ensuring that the couple has indeed left before he talks a step closer, one hand coming up to brush against the indentation and hisses, "Open."
Author's Note: So, yeah, the story isn't abandoned and I actually do have the last several chapters figured out. Just, it's taking me time. I try to fit it in when I have the energy or the time to write, which hasn't been a lot lately. But everyone's kind words, motivational thoughts and the well wishes I've received have made me cry so much, I cannot thank you all enough.
Worst case scenario, if something were to happen to me, I am not leaving anyone hanging, in fact - my best friend has a list of my log ins and which stories will be updated with whatever information/pieces are already written to update on my behalf. So never fear! You will get your endings. I love you all, stay safe out there folks.
Fun facts! Non-disclosure agreements first began popping up in the 1940s, though there is no record of the first one used, this is when they first began becoming prominent.
