Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own it. Anyone want to buy the rights to HP for me?

A/N: *is cackling excessively*

Reaching Through Time

Chapter 22: Return to Hogwarts

"I thought the healer said Harry wasn't a seer."

One of the first things Tom had done as soon as they had made it back to Malfoy manor was send a letter to Abraxas with the request that Abraxas start looking into a few things. Tom hadn't put too many details in the letter, in case the letter was intercepted, but he put just enough in so his adopted brother would know how important the request was.

So when Tom and Harry returned to Hogwarts the following Sunday Abraxas had already pulled as many books on prophecies, seers, nature spirits, and magical sensitivity as he could find. He had even convinced Slughorn to give him access to the restricted section.

"He's not." Tom was reading through one of the books Abraxas had handed him. "He's sensitive. I don't

think the prophecy came from him."

In fact Tom was positive the prophecy had been a product of the magic that had overwhelmed Harry. Sometimes Harry did have prophetic dreams, but only when Harry had been exposed to a large amount of magic.

Tom was surprised Harry didn't have more prophetic dreams what with him being at Hogwarts.

"It's pretty obvious the prophecy is about Hogwarts." Abraxas and Tom had had this conversation several times in the last few hours. "And about you two. I mean you two have an unbreakable bond now so that part of the prophecy is true."

Tom rolled his eyes as Abraxas began going over what they already knew again.

They'd already established that there were several types of prophecies. The self fulfilling ones, the unbreakable ones, and the ones that could have multiple meanings.

They were sure the prophecy Harry had been an unbreakable one since the 'bond made that will not break' had already happened.

Not to mention the whole 'battle through time'. Harry was a time traveler even if he was anchored to the past.

But what really confused Tom was the whole part about them being masters and making a new future. The future wasn't something that was easily changed. Harry had traveled back and forth for years and nothing obvious had changed.

Which brought up the entire argument that everything was meant to happen and that their futures were predetermined. Which would contradict the prophecy.

Tom groaned and he rubbed at his temples as a headache formed. Time travel was such a confusing and convoluted subject and full of so many theories that it might as well not exist with how little was actually known.

"Let's put the prophecy aside for now." Abraxas set the scroll he had been reading down so he could pick up an old map. "I really think we need to know more about the lake you found."

Tom wanted to curse at Abraxas. The last thing he wanted to talk about was the lake. The entire experience had shaken Tom and he had, once again, been reminded that there were forces in the world well outside his control.

He needed to get stronger.

He needed to know more.

"Certain locations are hot spots for ancient magic. In ancient Greece there was a temple built around a spring that was said to give prophetic visions." Abraxas grabbed a book and searched through the pages until he found what he was looking for.

"The oracle of Delphi." Tom glanced at the book Abraxas was holding out to him.

"You think this lake was like that?" Tom asked with an arch of his brow.

With a huff Abraxas set the book down. "I don't know. You said Harry didn't drink the water. There was no steam or fumes?" The Malfoy heir desperately wished he had been there to have witnessed everything with his own eyes.

Tom shook his head as he reached over to turn the page of the book Abraxas had set down. "No. It was cold. Dry."

Abraxas considered Tom's answer for a moment. "And a nature spirit came up out of the lake?"

"Yes Abraxas. It came out of the lake and led us out of the cavern." He'd told Abraxas the story at least a dozen times by then and Tom could feel his patience snapping.

His adopted brother didn't seem to notice Tom snapping at him or his degrading control of his patience.

"It...it could be a magical nexus then." Abraxas chewed at his lip for a moment before picking up yet another book to search through it. "Like the lake surrounding Avalon. There's just so much magic there that it messes with time and space."

"Whatever it is I'm not likely to go back anytime soon." Tom hissed as he glared at the the book Abraxas was trying to show him.

What Tom wanted to know was how he was going to protect Harry. After what had happened at the lake Harry's sensitivity to magic had grown exponentially.

Harry had almost passed out when they'd made it back to Hogwarts and he was currently resting in the hospital wing.

"Tom." Abraxas sighed softly and closed the book quietly. "Whatever is going on, we'll get past it."

The Malfoy heir was well meaning and Tom knew that, but it didn't stop Tom from wanting to snap and snarl at his adopted brother.

Tom needed to vent some of the tension in him, but how?

"I'm going to the Room. Send for me if Harry needs me." Tom ordered as he stood up and left Abraxas behind in their dorm room. He didn't even bother to see if Abraxas had accepted the command or not.

The younger students that were the common room quickly scattered when Tom made an appearance. His expression was calm, but everyone could feel his magic swirling in agitation around him in the air. Tom's followers, the ones that were present, quickly lowered their eyes in submission and respect.

The Slytherin students let out a collective sigh of relief when Tom was gone and the entrance to the common room had closed.

"What the bloody hell happened while he was gone for a week?" One of Tom's followers asked Alf, the only person from Tom's inner circle currently in the common room.

Alf shrugged and pretended to not care about what was going on. "It is not our concern Avery. If we need to know what's going on, Tom will tell us."

Tom was their leader and he was a bloody good one in Alf's opinion. The man was almost always composed, he was terribly intelligent, his aspirations were phenomenal, and it didn't hurt that he was quite handsome and charming. Alf was sure Tom Gaunt would be an important figure in the future.

And Alf would make sure to be right next to Tom as the man ascended to his rightful place of power in their society.

Avery huffed at Alf's response and when Abraxas joined the group he quickly jumped at the Malfoy heir to try and get answers. Alf just shook his head and rolled his eyes. Abraxas was Tom's second in command and would never let any information slip.

After casting a quick tempus, Alf stood up and stretched. "I'm going up to the hospital wing to see how Hadrian is doing." Which was code for it being Alf's turn to watch over the young Malfoy boy. "Maybe his trunk should be moved up there with how often Hadrian has been there."

That at least got a chuckle out of Abraxas.

"Don't let Tom or Hadrian hear you say that." Abraxas warned as Alf made his way out of the common room.

Alf hummed softly and walked at a leisurely pace as he went up the stairs leading out of the dungeons.

Since it was Sunday there weren't many students wandering the halls, but whenever Alf did pass someone he would smile charmingly and offer a friendly wave. If he'd had time he would have stopped to listen for any gossip, but he had his duties to attend to.

"Hello smallest Malfoy!" Alf said loudly and happily as he walked right into the hospital wing and over to the only currently occupied cot.

"I'm not that small!"

"You're smaller than both of your brothers." Alf pointed out as he took the seat that Lestrange was giving up to him. "Thus you are the smallest Malfoy."

Harry smirked a little at that. "I guess..." he couldn't really argue with that logic since it was true.

Out of everyone in Tom's group, outside of Tom and Abraxas, Harry got along with Alf the best. The older teen was easy to talk to and always had the most interesting things to talk about. The way he spoke made even the most boring subject, like history, sound interesting and Harry often went to Alf for help when it came to history of magic.

"So what's the problem this time littlest Malfoy?" Alf asked with a sympathetic pout. "Did Peeves drop something on you?"

Harry glared at Alf before reaching over to shove at his shoulder. "I'm not here by choice! I feel fine!"

"Uh huh. Which is why Tom is about ready to rip someones head off and Abraxas looks down right gloomy."

For a moment Harry squirmed on his cot. "Is Tom really that upset?"

Since his dizzy spell earlier Sir Leighleas had decided to place a dampening charm on Harry to negate some of his sensitivity. It wasn't a long term solution, but it gave Harry time to recover for a few hours until the mediwizard could come up with something better.

The problem for Harry was that the spell made it difficult for him to really pick up on Tom's emotions. He could still feel them, but it was like Tom was really far away and underwater.

"He's just worried about you. You are quite fragile you know."

"Shut up!"

Alf found himself with a pillow in his face almost as soon as his comment was made.

"That's a good thing though!" He insisted with a laugh as he attempted to block the pillow attack. "A princess like you should be fragile!"

"I'm not- What- shut up!" Harry couldn't seem to get the right words out so instead he whipped out his wand and used the simple levitation spell he'd learned years ago to send almost every pillow in the hospital wing right at Alf.

Alf was laughing hysterically and was using his wand to try and deflect as many of the pillows as he could. This show of magical prowess wasn't exactly unknown to Alf as he'd seen Harry do some amazing things already. "I'm sorry Princess Malfoy! Did I offend your sensitive nature?"

"You're horrible Mulciber!" Despite Harry attacking Alf with the pillows he wasn't actually mad. Harry felt good using his magic and acting like the kid he was. "Stop calling me a princess!"

"As your highness commands!"

"Stop it!"

"I didn't call you princess; I called you your high-" Alf found himself buried under a mountain of pillows.

"What is going on in here?!"

The pillows came to a stop and the ones that hadn't covered Alf fell to the ground from where they had been flying through the air.

"Hadrian Malfoy! I told you not to use your magic unless absolutely necessary!" Sir Leighleas stormed over to Harry's bed, flicking his wand as he went. Soon every pillow was back in place and Alf was free from the mountain Harry had encased him in.

"I'm sorry Sir Leighleas." Harry mumbled as he hung his head. His hair fell into his face and hid the smirk that Harry was having a hard time wiping away.

"As for you!" Alf pointed his wand tip right at Alf and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "You will stop antagonizing my patient or you will leave my hospital wing immediately."

Alf lifted his hands up to ward of any attack. "I'll behave sir."

Sir Leighleas eyed Alf for a moment longer before he huffed and sheathed his wand.

"Now Hadrian," Sir Leighleas turned back to Harry. "I think I have found a solution, but I won't be sure for another couple days."

Harry groaned softly at that. "Am I going to be stuck here until then?"

The pleading look in Harry's eyes had Sir Leighleas smiling almost fondly. "Only if you do not want the dampening spell staying on you."

"I'll live with the dampening spell." As much as Harry hated not being able to feel Tom's magic or emotions as strongly as he normally did, it was better than staying cooped up in the hospital wing again.

Sir Leighleas nodded and quickly recast the dampening spell just to make sure it would hold. "I'll send for you when I have my results." The mediwizard was almost tempted to drag things out with how fidgety Harry was on his cot. "You can go."

As soon as the words were said, Harry was up and rushing out of the hospital wing as fast as his feet could carry him.

"I'll keep him out of trouble Sir Leighleas." Alf winked and grinned up at the tall mediwizard as he backed up out of the hospital wing to follow after Harry.

"See that you do."

Much to Alf's relief Harry was waiting for him just outside of the hospital wing.

"You're something else you know that?" Alf said with a grin as he and Harry started the long walk back to the Slytherin dorms.

"What do you mean?"

Alf rubbed the back of his head for a moment in thought. "You were able to levitate all those pillows, at once, even with a dampening spell on you. I know quite a few adults that can't even do that."

It sounded like a compliment, but Harry couldn't be sure. He rubbed at his arm and bit at his lip. What was he supposed to say? Alf didn't know that he'd been practicing magic for years nor did he know much about Harry's sensitivity.

Everyone knew that Harry was sensitive to magic, but they had no idea just how strongly magic could affect him.

"Hey now. No biting your lip like that." Alf bumped at Harry playfully. "Tom will get the wrong idea!"

"Wrong idea?"

Alf could only smirk in response and wiggle his eyebrows suggestively which made Harry roll his eyes and frown at the older Slytherin.

"Ah. So young. So innocent."

That comment Harry had no problem understanding! Alf was making fun of him for being a kid. It left him grumbling and kicking at the ground every time they had to stop.

"Where's Tom?" Harry asked suddenly.

"I imagine he's up in the Room. He practically stormed out of the common room."

As dim as the feeling was, Harry could feel Tom's magic flaring out as if he were attacking something. It worried Harry. They'd had a great weak just relaxing and spending time together, not including the whole incident at the beach, and Harry didn't want all that ruined just because he'd had a dizzy fit.

So Harry made a decision and spun around on his heal to head for the stairs that would take him up to the seventh floor.

"You sure you want to do that?" Alf knew exactly where Harry was going. "I'm sure both Tom and Abraxas would prefer if you just went back to the common room. Orion and Eileen would like to see you." He hoped the mention of Harry's two friends would be enough to deter the young Slytherin from his quest to find Tom.

"I'll see them at dinner." As much as Harry wanted to be with his friends, he had made a promise to himself to always put Tom first. He cared about his friends, but Tom needed him more.

With a heavy sigh and a shake of his head, Alf followed after Harry. If he didn't stick with Harry and let him wander around on his own, Tom would have his hide.

Thankfully Harry didn't seem to object to Alf sticking with him.

They made it up to the 7th floor without any problems only for the two to be stopped by the one teacher that every Slytherin student seemed to loath.

"Hadrian my boy! What brings you up here?"

Even with the dampening spell Harry still felt the murky, sticky, gross feeling that Dumbledore always gave off that made him feel like he needed a long shower.

"I thought I would see Professor Mulberry about my homework for the last week." Harry wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. "Tom helped me, but I just want to make sure I have the spells right."

Alf was impressed by Harry's smooth answer; he didn't even hesitate or fidget under Dumbeldore's twinkling gaze.

"It's always such a relief when a student puts such care into their work." Dumbledore smiled warmly, which only made Harry want to shiver in disgust. "Is something wrong my boy? I can't put my feeling on it, but something seems off."

"I'm still recovering from the acromantula venom. Sir Leighleas believes I'm allergic and it's taking longer than normal for the venom to stop messing with my magic."

Harry would need to make it a point to speak with Sir Leighleas about this. Even if most of the professors knew a little about Harry's sensitivity, which had been unavoidable as they got to know Harry better over the past few months, Harry wanted to keep the information about how strong his sensitivity was a secret.

The mediwizard had been good about not saying too much after Harry, Tom, and Mrs. Malfoy had requested discretion.

"Ah. That would explain it." Dumbledore's smile turned into a worried frown. "Be sure to take care of yourself Hadrian. We wouldn't want you collapsing due to stress or strain on your magic."

"I'll be careful Professor, I promise." Harry put as much of his boyish charm into a smile as he could all the while feeling like he was being covered in squirmy slimy leaches.

"That's why I'm here Professor." Alf cut in smoothly. He really disliked how focused Dumbledore was on Harry. "I promised Sir Leighleas I'd keep Malfoy out of trouble."

Dumbledore's smile seemed a little strained and his right hand twitched ever so slightly as if he wanted to send Alf away.

"If you'll excuse us professor." Alf quickly put a hand on Harry's shoulder to steer him away from the transfiguration professor to head down the hall. They wouldn't be able to sneak into the Room right away, seeing as how Dumbledore would probably follow them, but Alf wasn't going to let the man be alone with Harry for any length of time.

"Oh, Hadrian," Dumbledore reached out to stop the two Slytherin students before they could get far. "Come by my office before dinner if you would. I just want to make sure you understand last weeks work." His smile was warm and his eyes twinkled a bit.

"Yes professor."

Thankfully Alf's fear that Dumbledore would follow after them came to nothing. As soon as Harry nodded, the older man had smiled and turned on his heel to leave.

Just to be on the safe side Alf and Harry did go over to Professor Mulberry's classroom. The man wasn't there so as soon as Alf double checked to make sure they weren't being watched he and Harry made for the Room of Requirement.

"Tom!" The moment the door opened Harry was happy to see the old training room that he had spent Tom's first few years in.

There were several destroyed dummies to one side of the room which Harry promptly ignored to go over and give Tom a hug.

The dampening spell was messing with Harry's perception of Tom's magic and emotions and the only thing that seemed to make it better was to be close to Tom.

Tom's free arm went around Harry as soon as the smaller boy was clamped onto him. "Feeling better?" He asked with a deep frown.

For the last several hours Tom had felt as if something were off and now that Harry was next to him he couldn't shake that feeling. Harry's magic didn't feel weaker at all; it was more like it was muted.

"Sir Leighleas put a dampening spell on me." Harry explained when he saw the concerned frown on Tom's lips. "He's going to try to come up with something else, but at least this way the school's magic doesn't overwhelm me again."

"Tom..."

Alf had taken to leaning against the wall next to the door. He normally would have said 'my Lord', but Tom preferred people not call him that in front of Harry. Since Alf was in his inner circle he had been given permission to use his first name.

"Dumbledore was on this floor. I'm not sure...but I think he may have been looking for you. He seemed awfully interested in Hadrian as well."

A soft growl left Tom and he held onto Harry tighter. "That meddling old man is wearing out my patience." He could feel Harry nodding against his chest.

"He wants me to stop by his office before dinner."

"You will do no such thing." Tom snarled a bit at the very idea of Harry being anywhere near Dumbledore.

In retrospect Tom's animosity towards Dumbledore was strange, Tom could admit to that, but there was just something about him that set every one of his instincts off. The man hadn't actually done anything to antagonize Tom, other than using the wrong surname, and there had been times when the old professor had seemed to actually care.

And yet the way Dumbledore favored the Gryffindor students, docked points from Slytherin students, subtly controlled the muggle born children, and how he just seemed to show up as if he knew where Tom was were all negative signs for Tom.

"I do believe I want to have a talk with Sir Leighleas before dinner, and I would like you to be there with me Harry."

"I do feel a little light headed. Maybe the dampening spell didn't take." It wasn't true, but Harry wasn't about to argue over this.

Tom nodded and his shoulders relaxed a little. "That's settled then."

Not far from Hogwarts, in the little village of Hogsmeade, the professor that had Tom on edge was making his way to a rather shabby house near the edge of the village.

"Rubeus?" Dumbledore called out the name lightly as he rapped his knuckles against the front door.

There was a loud thumping sound coming from within the house and a few minutes after Dumbledore had knocked, the door was slowly opened.

Just within the door was the half-giant boy that had been expelled for what the acromantula had done. His eyes were red and puffy from crying and his hands were shaking a bit as he opened the door.

"Professor..."

The door was opened the rest of the way to allow Dumbledore entrance.

"My dear boy, I am so sorry for what has happened." Dumbledore cooed gently as he stepped into the shabby house and gave the half-giant boy a small hug. "I gave your father my word I'd protect you, and I have failed." His own blue eyes glittered with tears and his head hung a bit in guilt.

"No professor!" Hagrid quickly cried out. "It was my own fault! I shouldn't have kept Aragog in the school, but I...I didn't know where to keep him." The dungeons had seemed like the best place at the time since they were only ever frequented by Slytherins and the only classes that were in the dungeons were potion classes.

"Is...Is Hadrian alright?" Hagrid asked nervously. He had felt immensely guilty when the older Gryffindor students had forced him to stand guard as they beat the young Slytherin. When Aragog had gotten lose and attacked Hadrian, Hagrid had taken full responsibility.

The fact that the youngest Malfoy had argued for leniency for Hagrid had left the half-giant feeling in debt to Hadrian.

"He had an allergic reaction to the acromantula venom." Dumbledore gently led Hagrid to the worn down couch in the small living room. "His magic is slowly recovering."

"I'm so sorry!" Hagrid burst into tears again and he sobbed loudly. He blubbered on like that for some time before he took the handkerchief that Dumbledore held out to him to wipe his eyes.

"What am I going to do now professor? With my da gone and with me being expelled..." His father had left him a little money, but not enough to live on for the next few years until he turned 17 and could get his wand back.

"Oh Hagrid," Dumbledore reached out and gave Hagrid a gentle semi-hug. "I will do all I can to help you." He smiled gently as the half-giant turned his big watery eyes to look at Dumbledore. Those eyes were filled with so much hope that it left Dumbledore feeling powerful.

Dumbledore had turned quite a few students into his minions over the years, but Hagrid would be one of the most loyal after this.

"I will speak with Headmaster Dippet. There is a chance that I can get you a job as the Groundskeeper's apprentice."

"Really Professor Dumbledore?" Hagrid's lip trembled as the fear and sadness he had been feeling was replaced with relief and hope. "You would do that for me?"

Using all of his charm and making his eyes as kind and warm as he could, Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "It is the least I can do my boy. I could not in good conscious leave you out in the cold like those on the board have done." Dumbledore squeezed Hagrid's shoulder gently. "I just ask one thing of you."

"Anything Professor!"

Dumbledore had to fight down the urge to smirk at how quickly the half-giant gave in without even knowing what the request was.

"I need you to swear you will help me in protecting and watching over Hadrian Malfoy. I fear his life may be in danger."

Hagrid gasped loudly and he nodded quickly. "Of course! I'll do anything to help Hadrian!" In his heart he felt he owed the young Malfoy a life debt. If not for him Hagrid's wand would have been snapped instead of being taken away.

"Very good Hagrid. Now," With that Dumbledore stood up from the couch. "I must return to Hogwarts. Here is some pocket money for groceries. I will be in touch soon."

"You're too good to me Professor!" Hagrid was crying again as he accepted the small pouch of coins that Dumbledore handed to him.

"Nonsense my boy," Dumbledore purred as he pat Hagrid's shoulder once more. "You're a good lad that deserves better."

It took a little effort to get free from Hagrid's sudden embrace, but eventually Dumbledore was able to get back outside. He quickly hurried back through Hogsmeade to get back to Hogwarts, all the while smirking in victory.

With Hagrid as his puppet he would be able to get closer to Hadrian. Merlin knew the Malfoy boy had too soft of a heart and wouldn't turn away a poor unfortunate soul like Hagrid.

Yes. Dumbledore would get closer to Hadrian Malfoy. He would find out what it was the boy was hiding and why the boy's magic had such a magnetic quality to it that just called to Dumbledore like a siren song.

And if he couldn't turn Hadrian Malfoy to his side? Well...accidents happened all the time.

Special Thanks to: Louise to, Maurey, and Deb

A/N: I update RTT every monday! Check out my tumblr (ethrildragon) for updates and future info.