Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply
A couple of days later found Toph and Hadrian having tea with the kindly half-giant named Hagrid who had found them goofing off in the snow and invited them in. And after a few drinks that smelt stronger than tea they found themselves listening to the story of how Hagrid had pulled a baby Harry from the burning remains of his house, flew him across London on a flying motorcycle to leave him for his relatives to take care of all on Dumbledore's orders. That story it seemed started to bring back quite a few suppressed memories and nightmare's of how he was treated by his realities, and what normally felt like a lifetime ago was feeling more like only just yesterday. And mainly what aided this was the fact of the flying motorcycle, upon which most of his punishments where based on.
"If you don't mind me asking sir, what were their names?" came the softly asked question from Hadrian.
Not sensing the anxiety building in the young male 'puff in front of him, he told them that the boy's relatives were the Dursley's. Then went on to tell them how even though he didn't think them the greatest people out there, Dumbledore knew best. No one noticed as Hadrian grew pale enough to rival one of the Hogwarts' ghosts. After what seemed like forever Hagrid finished up his praising of the headmaster and told them that it was getting late and that they should get going if they wanted to make it in before curfew but to feel free to come back anytime for a cup of tea.
Bidding goodbye to the kindly man the two left the warmth of the little cottage for the cold trek back to the castle. About halfway there Toph got fed up with both the cold and the silence. Snuggling up to Hadrian, Toph spoke up, "Ok Hadrian what's eatin' ya? I mean the last time you got this quiet around me was three years ago when Father said he was gonna have us married when we became of age."
With a rueful smile and knowing the fact that it was futile to even attempt to lie to her Hadrian let loose a small sigh and told her of everything that he never wanted to remember. How that he knew that he really was the missing Potter boy because of the goblins blood test and the name of the relatives. How even after six years of not being able to see with his eyes he could still see the crazed look in his uncle's eyes right before the glass came down and made everything black, and how, deep down, he knew his uncle meant to kill him that day.
For her part Toph stayed quiet and listened, partly out of shock that someone would to that she knew he had been hurt when they had met but he never really spoke about it or who had done it, but mostly the silence was out of respect for him, wincing at some of the things he described. Hadrian finished most of his story by the time they reached the doors of the castle where he stopped unable to make himself continue his narrative any further for the time being. In a rare show of physical affection Toph gave him the hug she knew he desperately needed. Stepping back she grabbed his hand and dragged him threw the main doors and into the dungeons.
Finding one of the larger chambers, she let him go and ran to the other side. Getting into her fighting stance Hadrian only had a moments' warning to avoid the bolder she had launched at him. Moving out of his comfort zone a bit Hadrian stayed on the defensive as he advanced closer. When he got to a relatively close distance he punched the ground causing a fissure to run threw Toph's feet small at first but growing rapidly. Jumping off to one side Toph slid her foot as she landed turning the stone beneath Hadrian's feet to sand drastically reducing his sight range and making what he could see fuzzy. Slamming his foot against the top of the sand he turned the sand particles into little missiles mainly for distraction as he tried to find a way to come out of this the victor. After an hour and a half of trading blows, with quiet a few hitting, Toph decided to end the match by turning the floor into uneven and bluntly tipped spikes.
After the two finished fixing the damage they had made they fell to the floor panting. A moment later Hadrian spoke up, "Thanks Toph I needed that. Though I think we might be a bit out of practice." Grunting Toph rolled over and fell asleep against his side. After finding a comfy position he too fell asleep.
~*~ Morning ~*~
-Headmaster's office -
A lone figure was sitting behind his desk watching the items on his bookshelf as he waited for his guest to arrive. His items where always delightful to watch or so he thought. He had some that span, some that whined, some that flashed with different colors, and then there was one that most had no idea what it's function was as the only thing it seemed to do was let out a small puff of scented smoke every few minutes. Any muggle-born student would be able to recognize it as the Glade Wisp. He was watching the little puff when a knock sounded at the door announcing his guest.
"Come in Severus" he called as he turned in his chair to face the door.
"You wanted to see me sir?" Professor Snape drawled as he stepped silently into the office.
"Ah, yes I did Severus. Please have a seat, I wished to discuss the summer housing arrangements for young Harry..."
"I'm sorry to interrupt sir, but I do believe he is on the roster as Hadrian Bei Fong." Snape interjected; not at all looking apologetic.
"Yes, yes quite right you are, young Hadrian and his friend. I do believe at this point in time separating the two would prove disastrous as they seem to have formed some kind of bond. For obvious reasons I can not leave them with the Dursley's and most of the families I was originally thinking of placing them with would no idea of to handle their condition." Dumbledore paused for a moment to poor himself some tea and offer the Potions Professor a cup which was politely declined.
Taking a calming sip he continued "so as you can see Severus I'm in a slight bind and was wondering if you would be so kind as to watch them over the summer. Of course I realize your time is in high demand and therefore you will be compensated, as well as another monthly stipulation to pay for their needs."
After a moment of thinking Snape drawled out in his normally silky tone "That's all well and good sir but shouldn't you be speaking to theirhead of house? After all they do belong to Hufflepuff."
"Again this is true but I'm afraid that Pomona, like Mrs. Weasley, would overly coddle them because they are blind and in the process spoil them by justifying every wrong-doing with 'It's not their fault' and a 'they can't help it'" here Albus stopped to refill his cup. "So with you being the Head of Slytherin and one of the strictest professors on staff you would more than be able to correct them when they are in the wrong, so to speak."
"It is a very generous offer headmaster, let me think on it; as well as approach them on it. I afraid that Ms. Bei Fong has quite the temper and I'd rather not be permanently encased in stone. Also I have a strong belief that they both will be quite upset when they find out that they will not be able to return and if I decide to watch them for the summer holidays than I'd rather get them used to the idea as I would like my home to stay standing." Was the calm reply.
"I'm afraid, Severus, that you do have the right of it on that." sighed the aged headmaster.
"Furthermore sir if I am to in essence be their guardian then I reserve the right to raise them in a way of my choosing; without any interference from anyone on what I teach or how I discipline them. If you have any problems than I shall simply refuse and you can find someone else to mind after them. Are these terms acceptable Headmaster?" he asked, mimicking the older man's steeple-pulled fingers.
"Again I have to say that you are correct and that your terms are more than reasonable. I just ask that you don't be overly hard on them and that while here they are your students, and nothing more than that."
"I agree with everything with the exception of weekends. After all they need extra instruction in a less formal environment so I can assess their ability to navigate around my home as well as their bond. I can't do that during class and it is an on going process. Unless, of course, you would like for me to fail in this endeavor and have to put up with their temper." was Snape's static reply, all the while smirking on the inside.
"Alright Severus you can have the weekends as well but punishments you give them for school will go threw their head of house."
"Of course Headmaster. Will that be all?"
"Yes Severus, that will be all." Dumbledore said, vanishing the tea set and standing up to walk his employee to the door. "Have a pleasant day Severus."
With a scowl towards one of the students Snape stalked off back to the dungeons in hopes of warding his office against the infamous temper of Ms. Bei Fong. He wasn't so worried about Mr. Bei Fong as it took quite a bit to upset him. Professor Snape shuddered at the memory of what happened to the youngest Weasley boy after he made the mistake of making fun of the know-it-all; idiot boy was still under Poppy's care. Well maybe it took a quite a bit until his friends where brought into the mix.
-With Toph and Hadrian -
Toph and Hadrian for the first time in a long time woke from a very comfortable sleep. Stretching the two got up and changed into the clothes that someone left for them. Tying his headband he turned to Toph and held out his hand. "Breakfast?" Receiving a positive answer the duo walked to the Great Hall.
Upon entering they went to their table and began to serve themselves. About halfway threw others started to trudge in, most muttering and cussing under their breaths. Moments later Hadrian handed over a platter of bacon to the young man that just sat next to them.
"I still don't understand how you two are doing that. I mean your feet aren't even touching the ground this time." The sleepy voice of Cedric Diggory announced. "Thanks for the bacon."
Without even a thought as to what the other was doing they both said at the same time"we could smell you."
Blinking a few times all the poor boy could come up with was a safe "oh" before returning to his meal and sniffing himself. Once they finished their breakfast and their conversation with Cedric the two reapplied the temperature charms on their feet that Hermione taught them and set out to wander around the grounds.
After a quick race to the edge of the Forbidden Forest the two slipped pass the tree line. Undisturbed they made their way to one of the many clearings that they used to practice bending. Going to separate sides they started another sparing match. About halfway threw the match an injured animal came barging into the clearing before collapsing in the center both winded and dieing.
Rushing over to the felled creature they started to analyze the injuries. What they found were several scrapes and cuts along its legs, most likely for running frantically through the forest, and a large gash along its flank that was gushing out blood by the bucket fulls. A moment later Hadrian spoke up in a soft voice so he wouldn't startle the helpless thing, "hey, Toph remember what we did to the badgermole that had the broken leg?"
"Yes I do," was the almost hesitant reply.
"I think we're going to have to do the same thing here."
With a small nod from Toph they both knelt down next to the beast and gently pressed their hands onto its flank. Concentrating hard on their intent to heal the animal before them they let their raw magic start fixing the damage. The wound slowly started to mend; then faster and faster the skin started to knit itself back together until all that was left was a scar that would forever mark the beast of innocence. Standing on shaky legs the horse-like animal nipped both the humans on the shoulder before slowly turning and then trotting back to its blessing.
Before either of them could pass do to exhaustion one of the Guardians of the Forest came walking over to them. "Well done, both of you. Without you that unicorn and its unborn foal would have surely died. Now however, whatever has injured her is still out there some where. It is not safe for either of you to stay here. In return for you kindness to the inhabitants of this forest I shall escort you back to the edge of the forest where the Keeper of the Grounds will take you back to the castle." In truth one of the few understandable monologues ever to leave a centaurs' mouth.
It was an exhausted but clean pair that passed out on the couch in the common room nearly and hour and a half later. No one dared to disturb them for they looked like death left out to thaw and the prefects that stayed for the break knew that they most likely felt worse. They could wait to hear the story of their adventure when they awoke.
Rhonda, one of the sixth year prefects, was especially curious as to why they where covered in unicorn blood when they stumbled into the foyer of the castle. It was a bit unsettling when a lot of the unicorns in the forest have been killed off but she was willing to let them explain themselves. As it was she had them wash off in the prefects bath before anyone else saw them.
And as early afternoon turned into early evening and evening turned to night, it seemed as thought there would be no explanation this night. The two magically exhausted slept threw the night, not once did a muscle even twitch.