Warning: Rated M for a reason. Will contain slash, incest, violence, and mature themes.
Main pairing is Tom Riddle / Harry Potter
If there is any butchered sentences or misspelled/misused words please tell me.
Trail of Ashes
Chapter 4
Harry was trying very hard to not fidget and pick at his robes, but from the looks both Carina and Aurelius shot him, he was most definitely failing. Abraxas gripped his hand tightly in his own and squeezed sending him a comforting smile; and though it was inappropriate of a Malfoy to show such public displays of emotions he held it throughout the rest of the interview.
Harry had known that the Malfoys were wealthy and respected, how could he not with Mrs. Bell's constant babbling worship. Yet, he had not known the extent of their influence in wizarding society, nor realized that the return and miraculous recovery of one of their precious sons would be front page news. So when Carina had entered his ward this morning he'd been curious about the bag she carried and only slightly worried when he'd seen the robes inside. He'd been horrified when she told them what they were for. Harry's first experience of the wizarding world beyond his ward in St. Mungos was full of flashing lights and noisy reporters all gearing to get at the youngest Malfoy.
Lord Malfoy answered some of their questions, before stating that their son was still recovering and that as a family they would like some time to be with him before sharing him with the rest of the world. And though the reporters awed and cooed like Aurelius Malfoy had said the sweetest thing since treacle tart, Harry didn't understand how anyone had thought that statement genuine. They took a couple more 'heartwarming' photos for their respective news outlets before shuffling out; leaving the Malfoys to make their way to the nearest floo.
Carina and Abraxas had already gone over how the floo network worked in the privacy of the ward, so as to not embarrass their family in public. When his turn came to take the powder, he confidently threw it into the fire before stepping into the emerald flames and speaking, "Malfoy Manor."
His confidence did not help him land on his feet however; when the fireplace spit him out he found himself rolling into the manor before coming to a stop at the feet of Abraxas who had gone through first. Laughing Abraxas helped him up from the floor just as Carina stepped through the fireplace as gracefully as if she had just walked through a doorway, and not but a second behind her followed Aurelius. Glancing at spotless trio and back down at his own ashen robes Harry flushed a bright red.
"We will have to work on that," Carina murmured. Glancing at her husband she watched as he merely raised an eyebrow and turned to Abraxas.
"Son, it will be up to you to make sure that Aethonan becomes worthy of carrying the Malfoy name." Lord Malfoy eyed both young boys before turning and exiting the foyer. Carina sighed slightly before turning to the twins, "Abraxas why don't you give Aethonan a small tour of the manor before your afternoon lessons." Then she too swept from the foyer, leaving the twins by themselves.
Harry felt almost like crying, he had hoped that he could be a part of family for once, instead of on the outside. But he had understood the statement Lord Malfoy had been making when he asked Abraxas as his son but referred to Aethonan by name. He wasn't anymore a part of this family then he had been a part of the Dursleys.
Arms wrapped themselves around him, hugging him tightly to the identical body of his twin. "Ignore him Ceph, he's just upset because someone got the best of him and has in his eyes ruined one of his precious children. Once he sees how smart and fast you learn everything will go back to before, and we'll be a family again. He just doesn't know you."
Harry smiled and hugged Abraxas back. Things wouldn't be the same as the Dursleys, because Abraxas was no Dudley. He had a brother now, one who cared for him, and that changed everything.
-0-0-0-
"And this is your bedroom!"
Harry was pulled into a deep blue and silver themed room. It was huge, in comparison to even the master bedroom in the Dursley's suburban home. The walls were a deep blue with silver stripes, as was all the furniture and the hangings on the large bed centered in the back of the room.
"This is my bedroom?!"
Abraxas look delighted at Aethonan's awed expression, before he was once again tugging him, this time to a dark oak door on the left wall of Aethonan's room. "And the best part is right over here!" Gripping the handle and swinging both doors open, he revealed an almost identical room deck out in green and silver. "This is my room! This way I'm never far away if you need anything."
Looking over at the door and back at Abraxas, Harry shot him a brilliant if slightly watery smile and gripped his hand a little tighter. "Thank you Abraxas. For everything."
Swinging his other arm around Aethonan's shoulders he gripped him a one armed hug. "Anything for you, little brother."
Harry laughed, "We're twins, you can't call me little!"
Abraxas smiled wickedly, "I was born first, therefore you are the little brother."
Laughter rang out into the room, and for the the first time in two years Malfoy Manor didn't feel so desolate.
-0-0-0-
Two weeks after Aethonan's return to his family home Warden Davis flooed over for a scheduled appointment to gauge the young Malfoy's recovery. As Harry sat on his bed, Carina sitting attentively nearby, Davis waved his wand and muttered to himself for almost ten minutes before sitting back to give his report.
"It seems his recovery is going as well as to be expected, his magical core is finally settling and the nutritional potions have undone a majority of the muscle deterioration. He will soon be in full health. The only thing I would ask, is that he see a mind healer at least once every two weeks until the nightmare of the curse can be disconnected from our own reality."
Carina pursed her lips and looked to Aethonan, who was studiously watching the floor. "We've already discussed this Warden, and Aurelius' answer is final. I cannot go behind my husbands back and interfere with the heirs of the Malfoy line."
"He is your son as well Lady Malfoy. Aurelius has his heir in young Abraxas, let Aethonan be yours." Davis' stern countenance was solemn but their was a hint of hesitancy as well. He was overstepping his boundaries and he knew it.
Carina's blank features didn't shift, but a coldness seem to grown in her posture and the temperature of the room grew frigid. "The Blacks have their own heir, Warden, and I would suggest you hold your tongue if you are going to encourage anymore rebellion within my family. Now, I believe the exam is over, thank you for your expertise but I think its time you left."
Standing Warden Davis simply nodded and turned to leave, before stopping just briefly. "Aethonan's unique abilities would make it easy for the Black's to accept him, you know that surely?."
Before Carina could reply the door of Aethonan's room had already shut.
Frowning, Harry turned to his mother and watched her. She merely sat for a minute staring at the door, her pure-blood mask firmly in place with not a hint of emotion in her face or posture. The conversation had been strange and tense, but he had understood a little. Warden Davis did not like the way Aurelius was ignoring Harry's inability to let go of his time with the Dursley's. However, he had not understood the talk about the Blacks, for he had never heard of the family, nor did he believe he had any unique abilities to speak of. The strangeness of the affair threw off what little familiarity had grown between mother and son since his arrival into the manor and he did not feel he could outright ask, as he usually would.
Carina finally turned back to her quiet son, watching his features briefly before a weariness overtook her and her shoulders slumped just enough to show her exhaustion.
"I'm sorry Aethonan, I know you are confused but before I can explain anything to you, please promise me something." She stood and with a grace Harry often tried to imitate she pivoted and sat next to him with one flowing motion. Laying her hand across his shoulders in a comforting manner she continued, "You must promise me that you won't speak of this incident to either your father or brother."
Immediately Harry tensed, he could easily promise to not tell Aurelius but Abraxas was another matter entirely. Looking at Carina, he could see that she was well aware of what she was asking. Aethonan had grown very close to Abraxas since their meeting and everything was shared between brothers. However, he also wanted to know what they had been speaking about when the mentioned abilities. So with a slight feeling of guilt and dread, but also determination and solemnity Harry nodded. "I agree to not speak of it to either Father or 'Braxas."
Smiling slightly at the grown way Aethonan spoke, and the pure-blood control over his features. He was progressing very well in his studies, though her stubborn husband refused to see it.
"Aethonan, do you know who the Black family is?" At the shake of his head, Carina's smile turned slightly bitter, "Yes, I thought you might not have gotten that far in your history studies yet. My name before I took on the title of Lady Malfoy was Carina Elladora Black. It is a pure-blood family just as prestigious and ancient as the Malfoy's."
Frowning, Harry spoke, "But Father and the tutors told me that no family is as prestigious and ancient as the Malfoy family."
"Yes, your father likes to think highly of himself and his name, and he pays your and your brother's tutors to instill the same arrogance. But do not make the same mistake as your father Aethonan, for there are families older than both the Malfoys and the Blacks. All of the pure-blood families must be acknowledged to some extent, for they all hold purpose within our small communities and it is unwise to ignore them. However, that is a lesson for another time. For now just know that the Black name is just as valuable as the Malfoy one." Carina's tone was stern but also gentle, and Harry wished that it was his mother that was teaching him the history of his family instead of Mr. Edwards who usually droned on in a tone that made it hard not to fall asleep.
"I am not just a Black, I am the first born of the head of the main family line, Cygnus Black and if I had been male, the heir. However, I was cursed to be female and my brother Pollux born second to me by four years holds that title. If Pollux had not managed to produce Alphard, you would have been the heir to the Black family, simply because no female can inherit. Yet, Warden Davis does not understand that you can never truly inherit now that Pollux has produced a healthy son which I'm sure will willingly bear the title of Head of the most Ancient and Noble House of Black."
Harry frowned thoughtfully, "Why does Warden Davis care if I inherit? I'm a Malfoy and though Abraxas will be Head of the House when Father passes, I will gain my own part of the inheritance."
"He does not truly care that you inherit the Black fortune, what he cares for is your health. And though it is thoughtful and kind of him; naming you the heir to the Black family will not release you from your Father's influence as he believes it will. You must understand that Davis does not come from a complex family such as ours, so he is not always aware of the politics behind it. Naming you the Black family heir, should essentially make your grandfather Cygnus your new head of house, and would give him the right to request a Mind-Healer to see you regularly. However, you are still the born second heir to the Malfoy line and Cygnus could not request such visits unless Aurelius agreed. Just as Aurelius could not unless Cygnus agreed. Do you understand Aethonan?" Carina watched her son process her words, he did not speak immediately as he seemed to think upon the new information and confirm that he did indeed understand fully.
When he was sure he understood he nodded, "But why does he think I can be the Black heir? You said that your brother Pollux produced his own heir, Alphard."
Frowning Carina looked at her son, "This is an important family secret Aethonan, and while both your brother and father are aware of it this is something you must promise not to share with just anyone. It has not been a problem lately because your core has not fully recovered from the curse but I expect soon that it will start showing itself again and you must be very careful."
Dread filled Harry as he thought what a horrible secret it must be that he could not share it with anyone outside the family. Was he a freak even among wizards?
Carina saw the insecurity begin to resurface and she quickly tugged Aethonan closer and whispered, "Do not fear, my love, it is nothing bad but something very wonderful. It is only that those outside the family would abuse it if they knew, and some times it is good to have a trick hidden up your sleeves. You are not what those retched muggles called you, Aethonan. You are not a freak, you are my beautiful, wonderful, intelligent son." Hugging her son close she felt him shake and a slight wetness on her dress, but she ignored it and held him closer.
Harry knew that he shouldn't let the Dursley's get to him. His brother told him they were the dirty freaks for locking children up in cupboards but it was different to hear it from his mother. He didn't often feel like he belonged here, a part of this wonderful, beautiful family; but in that moment Harry had never felt more loved. He had gotten what he had always dreamed about under those stair in the dark of night when no other thoughts occupied his mind. Harry had a mother, a mother who loved him. Who didn't think he was a freak or a burden. Harry felt loved.
He was so happy yet the tears continued to flow and he didn't know how to stop them, so he let them go as he wrapped his arms around his mother and cried harder.
When the tears had dried Harry felt much lighter than he had before, he smiled up at his mother. "I love you, Mother."
Carina's own smile was a little watery as she felt for the first time since Aethonan's accident like they were truly mother and son. "I love you, my son."
Settling back into their previous conversation, Aethonan promised not to tell his secret unless he truly trusted someone and only if they had proven their worth to him. Carina then began to explain that the Black family had a very special trait that ran through their blood. She began to explain to him the abilities and advantages of being a Metamorphmagus.
AN- Sorry for the long wait. Here is some information for you about the dates and ages of the Black family. The dates are also a little different from the actual Black family tree, as apparently Pollux Black fathered Walburga Black when he was 13 in canon...
If anything doesn't make sense feel free to ask questions and I'll try to fix it or clarify.
The current year this chapter is 1931
Aethonan/Abraxas : Born 1925, currently 6 years old.
Cygnus Black (Grandfather) : Born 1885, currently 46 years old.
Carina Back (Mother) : Born 1902, currently 29 years old.
Pollux Black (Uncle) : Born 1906, currently 25 years old
Walburga Black (Cousin) : Born 1925, currently 6 years old.
Alphard Black (Cousin) : Born 1926, currently 5 years old.