Chapter 8 – Courting Eileen
A/N: FYI – this is an AU, I will deliberately change events from canon, as I see it fit. Myrtle Elizabeth Warren (Moaning Myrtle) has still died in the accident with the basilisk on the 13th June, 1943, it wasn't planned or used to empower an Horcrux as Tom never used this ritual in his schooling days. The diary is still a normal magically protected Diary. She came crying into the bathroom after the bullying of Olive Hornby, never realising that Tom was in it and talked to the Basilisk, which he had met some weeks ago.
He didn't framed Hagrid, but Headmaster Dippet had the Half-Giant already mistrusted after he had unknowingly endangered other students and himself with secret trips to the Forbidden Forest and even trying to raise Werewolf-cubs under his bed. Hagrid was on probation and as they found the Acromantula it was the last straw to expel the young student.
They couldn't explain what killed Myrtle, as even Tom couldn't be sure how long she was in the bathroom, before he found her dead body in the first toilet stall near the entry. He had talked at the sink with the basilisk, who was solely focused on Tom, therefore it was a mystery for them as well.
Newt Scamander had pledged for leniency for Hagrid – so that he could learn a trade and even finish his wizarding studies under his guidance. Headmaster Dippet caved in, but Hagrid's first wand had been broken during the expulsion ceremony, as it was usual for anyone, who had been forced to left Hogwarts before gaining his OWLs.
Should you be expelled, after gaining your OWLs- normally your wand would be broken publicly in the Expulsion ceremony, too – the Ex-Student was allowed to gain a new wand after proving him/herself to their probation officer. In Hagrid's case he was send to Newt Scamander to work as his apprentice and to learn, why he have to be more careful with his love for animals.
Newt Scamander and Headmaster Dippet became his new heroes and as he later learned that even the Slytherin Head Boy Tom Marvolo Riddle had tried to argue for giving him a second chance, instead of expulsion, he began to see the Slytherins in a new light and vowed to protect any Slytherin student, that would need his help, should it be possible for him to do so.
He may hate his paternal father and grandparents, but decided not to kill them, as he didn't want to be like them, instead he opted for a more subtle way of action and to ruin them legally. Tom Riddle Senior had been married to his mother and has known she was pregnant with his son, before he left them. She may have tricked him with a love potion, but he had a duty for his son and heir.
Augustus Prince is more than willing to support his future son-in-law in that endeavour and to prevent other young wizards and witches to repeat such mistakes. This will be discussed in front of the Wizengamot in August 1945 to finalise legal standards for home-schooling magical offspring.
Lord Prince had left the young couple alone, after they had discussed the last points of their courting agreement. The courting process would be stretched over 10 years. It was rather unusual to have such a long period, but it takes into account, that Eileen was 4 years younger then her future husband and it would take pressure from the young couple.
Both could finish their schooling and even achieve a mastery in that time. As Lord Prince has agreed upon Abraxas' suggestion to take the young Lord Peverell-Slytherin-Gaunt under his wing. To learn Politics and Law from Lord Prince would be very helpful for Tom, while he got the chance to focus on his own future.
He had already spoken about this with Eileen and with Lord Prince as well, during their meeting. They would need a magical orphanage or the option for suitable surrogate parents for magical orphans. The statute of secrecy would only be a farce, when you led those youngsters in the muggle world, where anything could happen to them.
Tom didn't have any happy memories at his time in the Londoner Orphanage. Sure he had learned a variety of skills, e.g. how to take care of babies and toddlers and how to compete about the attention of adults and potential adoptive parents.
Eileen was a rather shy young woman, who would like to become a Potions Mistress and specialised on children and healing potions. As Tom had asked her, why she would like to combine those, instead of becoming a Healer for small children at St. Mungo's she had astonished him with her reasoning.
"It would grant us more time for us and our own family, Tom.", whispered Eileen in his ear. "And I would like to have at least 4 children with you – two boys and two girls, my lord husband."
Tom had fallen from his chair and looked wide-eyed at his future wife.
"F-f-four children, Merlin's … - how should we manage that? I'm not so good with children, Eileen.", stuttered Tom perplexed.
"Together we can manage everything, my Lord Husband. Trust in me, Tom.", smirked Eileen as she helped him up. Her female chaperone Walburga coughed into her handkerchief, sometimes it really was necessary to throw the men out of their comfort zone. Or use a sharp weapon to whip them into shape. Maybe she could convince Dorea and Euphemia to accompany her to the armoury later. They need to stock up on new training weapons, as future lady of their respectable houses, they have to know how to defend themselves, their children and their estate, when their husbands are absent. She wouldn't say no to a nice javelin or even some throwing knives, after all House Black had trained the female heiresses quite well. And in accordance with the old Spartan traditions, which they still honoured and celebrated today.
"Would it be possible to eat and to drink something, Eileen? Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop would be ideal for this occasion?", suggested Tom. He may not be a huge fan of pink or fluffiness, but he would endure it, just to make her forgot his ungracious colliding with the floor, after she had told him how many children she wanted to have with him someday.
"I would appreciate this very much, Tom.", replied Eileen graciously and linked her arms with his, as Tom lead her to the Tea shop. She know that she had caught him on the wrong foot and probably throw him out of his comfort zone as well, but she didn't care.
As her Soulmate he would either learn to deal with it or struggle, before he had proven his worth to her father. And she had no problems to take him down a peg or two. Even as he had confirmed his Lordships at Gringotts, this was only the start of his new life.
Tom would need to find out, who belongs to his different lordships, who was a vassal, who was a family member and of course, how should she forget, which sort of ordeals did he have to pass, before he got the full access to the ancestral homes. He owned even a ¼ of Hogwarts, they would have asked for an entry to the older archives to determine, if this includes a seat on the board of Governors and on the Wizengamot.
Augustus Prince would take him under his wing and taught him the basics, was any heir of one of the older families needs to know, or he would bring shame upon his house. Knowing her father as well as she did, Eileen smirked slightly, Tom would have to work harder than before to prove that he was a worthy candidate for House Prince.
The group had chosen their seats and order to eat and drink, before Eileen broached the most important topic on the agenda of the day. The courtship would influenced their social and daily life quite strongly for the next few years. Yes, they had already agreed on the basics, but it was necessary to have a more direct approach to this topic.
"Tom, I want to talk with you about our courtship. Or to be more specific, your expectations for our future relationship, what sort of gifts would be acceptable as well as the chaperoned meetings between us during the next 10 years.", began Eileen confidently.
"As you wish, Eileen. I do have to prepare for my NEWTs, even with my Lordships and the vaults, that are now open to me, there is no guarantee that we would survive this blasted war. It is possible, that I get the order to fight for Britain, because my birth was registered in the Muggle System. Many nations are involved, when you follow the news and it is rumoured that the muggle governments are working secretly on much more dangerous weapons. They would send me abroad and I don't know when I would be able to contact you – Owl-post would be too dangerous, my Princess.", replied Tom calmly.
"I understand, your academic achievements have priority, as they can make or break you, Tom.", nodded Eileen. "Nevertheless, you should plan enough time to relax into your study plans or you'll be going to regret it."
"I appreciate it, very much, Princess.", answered Tom, unconsciously hissing the last word in Parseltongue, but he had always got a slight lisp, when confronted with the letter s, but most of the time, he could manage it quite well. Only when he was agitated, did he slip nowadays. He had tried to reign it in, according to the old coot, he was already devil incarnate, no need to give him even more ammunition.
He would never admit it freely, but he enjoyed to spend time with Eileen. He didn't have to wear any masks in her presence and she have a sarcastic wit, at least a mile wide and a brilliant mind. He could really count himself lucky, that her father had allowed them to proceed with the courting. But this meant at the same time, that he have to prove himself worthy to Augustus Prince, or he would lose this valuable support, guidance and assistance.
Both had a lot of fun as they talked about a variety of topics including the courtship and as Walburga subtlety touched her wrist with her index finger, Tom nodded once, he stood up and kissed graciously Eileen's hand.
"I have enjoyed it very much, my dear ladies. May you grant me the honour to invite you to a special dinner on the 15th October, Princess? After all this is a day, that should be celebrated, when you can spare a bit of your time for me.", smirked Tom.
Eileen laughed heartily, she shouldn't be to surprised that her future husband, as memorize her birthday. She kissed him softly on his cheek and replied politely:
"They pleasure would be mine, Lord Slytherin. Goodbye, Tom.", and left together with Walburga the Tea shop."
Tom left a few minutes afterwards and had been greeted by his friends, Orion and Cygnus Black. He couldn't understand, why she would give him any time of the day, but he swore to himself, that he would do anything in his powers to protect Eileen and their family. And anyone who would be stupid enough to attack them, couldn't expect any clemency at all.
