"Okay, so we have only three ingredients left to collect. The seeds of Iris foetidissima, a non-magical hemolytic and Mooncalf fur." Tom mused as he read through the parchment once again, relaxing on the couch of the Slytherin suite, decked in the casual clothing he so rarely wore. After all, there was no need for him to put up a show here, being with a family member.
As it was Friday, Tom had a free period after lunch followed by double study hall, which meant that after lunch his classes would be finished for the day. So the two of them will be able to relax without interruption, as it was not even breakfast time.
"I don't understand, what kind of hemolytic do we need?"
"Anything non-magical, but strong enough to work on Jörmungandr's blood," Hadrianus explained from where he was relaxing beside Tom, wearing a pair of Tom's old pyjamas. He was again fiddling with his sleeve, and Tom wondered whether it was a nervous tick of his, even though there was nothing to be nervous about. "We need it to make sure it stays in liquid form and doesn't clot until the ritual is complete. Magical hemolytics would only be negated by the innate magic in Jörmungandr's blood."
"What kind of hemolytic did you use for your rituals?"
"Er, I...erm, unknowingly took some venom of a saw-scaled viper from your stock."
Tom looked at Hadrianus sharply upon hearing this, the other teen had turned his head away looking mortified and sheepish.
"You stole from me?" Tom accused.
"What? No, I didn't." Hadrianus gave him an incredulous look, "It was our potion cupboard in the Manor. I have every right to raid it!"
Did he really have a Manor in the future? Tom felt excited to hear that, but he suppressed the part in order to focus on the present, "Then why did you look embarrassed?" and 'Unknowingly'? What does that suppose to mean?
"That was because of who the said saw-scaled viper was! She...she is my...our...er, acquaintance! I didn't know that when I took it! And I'd never use her like that. So I was looking for something to replace it with, but I haven't found anything as strong as her hemotoxic venom, yet."
A saw-scaled viper with deadly strong venom, acquaintance? Tom had an inkling feeling that he knew exactly whom Hadrianus was talking about. If what Tom was thinking about was true, then she must have been around when Hadrianus grew up. Though by the time Hadrianus was born, she would have turned into a true beast, with no trace of humanity.
But he has no idea why Hadrianus would feel so flustered to milk some venom from Nagini.
At least it meant that Tom had truly kept Nagini around as his familiar, as he was already planning to do.
"Fine, we can go tonight and ask my acquaintance here for the same, since it clearly worked. After you return to your timeline, you may work on finding other ingredients."
Hadrianus looked relieved, and nodded in agreement. "That'd be great! Where will we go?"
"To the chamber's private room, to meet my friend there."
"The one you said was unstable at the moment?"
"Yes. Since I was already going to restock her food and some potions tonight, why not ask for her help as well?" This also meant Tom could check whether Nagini has turned into a full beast yet. The Maledictus was in agony, losing herself to the darkness the last time he saw her. All Tom could do was supply food, some extra strength pain potions, and pray that the rest of her transformation was quick and painless.
Hadrianus looked a bit puzzled, but nodded in agreement, "Sure."
That decided, Tom looked back at the parchment. "I recall seeing a whole lot of Iris foetidissima in the forest behind my Orphanage, but I don't know where else we could find it. Definitely not in Hogwarts. Where did you even get them for your research?"
"There's a cool forest behind the Manor we have in England," Hadrianus said, before frowning, "Used to have? Will have? Dear Loki, that's confusing!" He exclaimed and Tom snorted in agreement, "Whatever. I explore the area regularly with my mum."
Tom hummed, saving the information in his list, as this was the first time Hadrianus mentioned his mother. Tom was right, Hadrianus was an adventure lover. It was a huge difference from Tom, as Tom didn't like adventures, or any situation, where he was not in control.
So obviously it came from his mother.
Lord Voldemort would not let his son explore some forest alone, but if he found someone truly worthy enough to become his wife and give birth to his son, then he would indulge in one or two of their bonding activities with Hadrianus.
"But we can't go to the forest behind the Orphanage, so we have to find it somewhere else." Tom sighed.
"What, why not?"
"What do you mean, why not? There is a war going on outside, and I have no wish to see the wretched building unless I have to."
"Oh come on, it will hardly be fifteen minutes, you wouldn't even have to look at the 'wretched building'! We can take the Knight Bus to go and return, it won't be affected by the war."
"And how are we going to sneak out from Hogwarts?"
Hadrianus smirked, "Never knew you were such a stickler for rules, dad!" He teased, making Tom splutter in outrage.
"I am not!"
Hadrianus burst out laughing, "Sure. But unlike you, I have earned quite a reputation of being a chaotic badass by now, though if you ask the teachers, most of them would beg to differ." He winked and Tom grumbled half-heartedly. He had already known how much of a chaotic and sneaky troublemaker he had sired in future.
"Let's go there after your classes, if you're free."
"Fine. But if I get expelled, you're never getting born!"
"Hah, it's a suckers bet, but deal!"
Tom sat with his classmates, eating as quickly as he could. He wanted to skip lunch and eat with Hadrianus in the kitchen, as they had already been doing. But being the Slytherin Prefect and the current Slytherin Prince, he has to maintain public appearances and present a united front with all the other Slytherins.
Still, he wished he could be with his future son. Tom would meet Hadrianus in the kitchens later, so they could sneak out of Hogwarts together.
Though Tom didn't want to admit it, he needed as little distraction as possible to talk to his Knights during lunchtime and make sure they were covering his absence and not acting up. The nuisance of his future son somehow managed to convince Tom to take him in his Green Mamba form to classes because he was bored, and Tom quickly found out what a bad idea it was to have the little minx around in public.
Even when Hadrianus was wrapped around his midsection with his tiny head near the underside of Tom's chin, The little mischief-maker could wreak untold havoc. The bothersome teen kept climbing on his lap, curling up there and hissing, swaying, singing, rubbing and even sometimes contaminating his whole face with his saliva...much to Tom's exasperation. Hadrianus seems to love to irritate his father into giving the teen all his attention. It was only thanks to Tom's forethought and repellent and notice-me-not charms on the slender serpent, that they were not discovered yet.
If he annoyed Lord Voldemort in the future with antics like this and kept distracting him from his work...then it was no wonder Hadrianus was used to death threats from him. Even though he knew he wouldn't harm his Heir. He belonged to him after all, however aggravating and frustrating he could be.
Oh, and one could not forget about the comical commentary. Hadrianus had something witty and hilarious to comment upon concerning every single person in his class, and it took all his control on his Occlumency shield to not burst into peals of giggles every two seconds. Tom still couldn't look at his batchmates without remembering Hadrianus's remarks about them. He would probably never be able to look at them in the same way ever again.
":I wonder if the 'bad faith' in Malfoy was to believe they must suffer from constipation? They all look that way!:"
":Why do all Goyles walk like deranged drunkard trolls?:"
":Why does Lestrange's moustache look like his eyebrows slipped down his face?:"
":Wow, is being batshit crazy a profession, or are all Blacks just gifted like that?:"
":If Avery keeps spouting remarks on Mudbloods, I am going to high-five him in the face...with a chair.:"
After he was done eating and talking with his Knights, Tom stood. He was about to leave the Great Hall when the sixth-year Gryffindor Prefect came to him.
"Miss McGonagall, what can I do for you?" Tom put on his best charming smile with dimples, and as expected, the girl's cheeks reddened a little before she cleared her throat.
"Mr Riddle, Professor Dumbledore requested your presence after dinner in his classroom."
Tom ground his teeth at the mention of the old coot but didn't falter his smile, "I see, thank you for the message."
McGonagall smiled back and returned to her seat, and Tom left the Great Hall furiously, thinking about at least fifty ways to kill an old coot. He can't do anything without the stupid fool nosing his way in, did he?
At least he managed to suppress him in the future, if what Hadrianus said was true. The memory of his future son brightened his mood, as he made his way to the kitchen. He tickled the pear of the portrait of the fruit bowl, and entered the busy room where Hadrianus was chatting with some House Elves and munching on some chocolate finger roll dessert, relaxing on a conjured lounge chair. He was twirling the chopsticks idly, and there were beautiful sparkles emitting from them, appearing like tiny fireworks. Tom's eyes followed the movement involuntarily. Tom had noticed Hadrianus kept doing that as if it was merely a habit of his.
Tom loved watching Hadrianus using his magic so beautifully! Tom knows what it feels like to be punished for something that makes one special, and he would never let anyone feel that way, especially if it was his own son. Tom felt his heart flutter, knowing Hadrianus must have grown up with Lord Voldemort encouraging him to be as magical as he pleased.
And Hadrianus was as magical as one could be. Even if he was sitting idly, he would play with lights or sparkles openly, having no mind to restrict himself from it, and Tom loved to see him that way. He felt warm every time he did that.
Honestly, what did House-elves have to talk about, with the Slytherin Heir? Loyalty and servitude?
"Everything alright?" Hadrianus-being the ever-observant one-asked as soon as Tom approached him.
Tom wondered briefly whether the boy was a powerful legilimens, before dismissing it. He probably knew his father well enough to recognise his fury even underneath his neutral mask.
"Yes, just an old goat meddling in everything uninvited."
"What did he want now?" Hadrianus frowned, looking concerned.
"Probably try and manipulate me to join his army of child soldiers, again." Tom shrugged indifferently, and for some reason, Hadrianus choked on his cake, "I don't know yet. I'm meeting him after dinner."
"Right," Hadrianus nodded, before taking another bite of his cake, using the chopsticks. "I had forgotten about Grindelwald. What if he asks about me?"
Tom's face darkened at the possibility, "I'll handle it, don't worry."
"Or we could always use our plan B."
"What plan B?"
"You're deaf, and I don't speak English."
Tom blinked, before snorting. His future son sure had a very odd sense of humour! But the jest did help calm his nerves for now, "Sure, we'll keep it as plan B."
"Well, in that case, I could take your friend's food tonight, if you want."
"She's not my friend," Tom defended himself. Lord Voldemort doesn't do friends.
"Girlfriend?" Hadrianus asked, wide-eyed and horrified, "Please, I didn't need to know that!"
"What? No!" Tom almost shouted as Hadrianus started to look a little green, "She's not," Tom insisted as the other teen narrowed his eyes doubtfully, "Besides, she's too unstable. So she would most likely harm you, if she smells an unknown person when I already promised her solitude!" Tom would be furious if Nagini ever harmed his son, but he can't exactly fault her for running purely on instinct. "Just wait for me in the Chamber with the food."
"Righty-o! Is she...vegetarian, or...?"
"Just take some raw steaks, fruits, and water."
"As my Tiny Lord wishes!" Hadrianus agreed with a teasing grin, Tom rolled his eyes. Honestly, that boy was full of mischief and sass. Tom spent a few moments of silence for his future self's suffering, before straightening up.
"So, how are we sneaking out?" Tom asked, only to receive a mischievous grin in return.
"Aren't you the Prefect? You tell me."
Tom sighed. "How good is your invisibility charm?"
"Good enough to trick even Dumbledore."
"Perfect." Tom stood, "Put it on and lead the way, if you've finished eating all those sugary abominations."
Hadrianus gasped, outraged, "Well excuse me, not everyone has as refined a taste as me!" He argued, even as he stood, making Tom roll his eyes.
Tom noticed as Hadrianus only raised his hand to his head as if he was pulling up the hood of his robe, and immediately vanished. Not even a magical signature. Yet, somehow, Tom knew exactly where Hadrianus was. He knew Hadrianus was standing right in front of him, probably grinning like a loon at his trepidation.
"What was that?" Tom demanded, "That was not an invisibility charm! Normal charms like that don't make people's magical signature completely invisible as well! I didn't even feel the magic!" Yet, he could feel where the other teen was standing.
"You could locate me just fine, so why are you fretting? Should I hold your hand to console your poor heart?" Came the teasing voice came and Tom rolled his eyes, knowing he wouldn't get a straight answer, and applied the strongest invisibility charm that he could.
"Just lead the way." Was their bond really that strong? or was it normal? Tom didn't know, and he had no way of knowing until Hadrianus was born. He would eat his wand before asking any of his followers.
"This is awesome!" Hadrianus gushed as they sneaked out of Hogwarts via a secret tunnel to Hogsmeade, both completely invisible, "I can't believe how easy it is to sneak out of Hogwarts! In my time, it's much more challenging, though to me it was all the more fun!"
Tom snorted. Of course, Hadrianus will see them as fun challenges, never mind the fact that getting caught sneaking out could get him expelled.
Just what kind of child had his future-self sired?
After they snuck through Hogsmeade, they stopped in a dark alley to drop their invisibility. The moment they did so, Tom nearly jumped in fright as he found himself in front of a complete stranger in his early twenties instead of Hadrianus.
"Relax, it's still me." The blond shaggy-haired stranger with blue eyes gave him a familiar impish grin and Tom relaxed-marginally-Whoever Hadrianus had disguised himself as could easily pass as a Crouch.
Clearly, Hadrianus had known someone from the House of Crouch personally from his time.
"When did you apply the glamour? I didn't sense the magic." Tom asked, before applying light glamour on himself as well, lightening his hair and eye colour, and changing the tone of his skin.
Not being able to sense the magic had Tom worried a little. Not that he minded when it was his future son who could disguise it from him, but he had honed his magical sensitivity to pick up even the faintest trace of magic. How could something as powerful as a glamour charm avoid his detection? just like the invisibility charm had. Yet he had sensed Hadrianus cast spells at other times. Meaning there were only a few spells Hadrianus could cast undetected.
"That's for me to know and you to never find out." He winked. Tom sighed, looking up at the sky as if to pray for patience. It was beginning to look like he needed to search for more methods to enhance his senses.
"Just get on with it."
"Yes sir! Let's go to the Leaky Cauldron!"
"Leaky Cauldron?" Tom frowned, "That's a bit distant from my Orphanage, why not directly into the forest?"
"Because I'll need some clothes! I can't keep wearing yours until I return!"
Tom rolled his eyes. "And you can't wear my clothes for a few more days until you get back?" Merlin, he sired such a sassy and spoiled brat.
Hadrianus only grinned in reply, earning another sigh from Tom.
They entered the Three Broomsticks and went directly to the Fireplace. After paying a knut, they grabbed a pinchful of Floo powder each, before travelling to Leaky Caldron, behind which lay the magical entrance to Diagon Alley.
After appearing in the small and shabby-looking pub and going to the portal gate, Tom tapped the bricks. As the portal opened, Tom looked back at Hadrianus, blinking when he found him mostly looking like himself, but with similar lighter changes as Tom's glamour.
"Why did you not keep that blond man's disguise?" Tom asked, curious.
"I would rather have them think I am your brother."
"I think you misspoke the word 'twin'."
"Oh please, one copy of my perfection is enough!" Hadrianus flashed a grin and Tom couldn't help but chuckle. Despite his foolish antics, it was oddly endearing. Though he wondered what he meant. Did that mean Hadrianus has a twin? If so, Hadrianus must be the elder, as he was his Heir. Tom would need to look for the signs.
As they entered the Diagon Alley through the portal gate, the passing flock of witches blushed on seeing them, and Hadrianus smirked at them, before bowing with a flourish, "Why hello there, lovely!"
He grinned as the blushing and stuttering fools were left behind when the portal gate closed after them. Tom stared at his future son, unimpressed.
"What?" Hadrianus was still grinning. He was obviously familiar with others' reactions to them. He has to be, given they both were powerful wizards, of similar facial features and were undoubtedly gorgeous even with the glamour on. Witches and sometimes even wizards must chase after him as they did with Tom.
Tom rolled his eyes, "Stop being a brazen show-off, Hadrianus."
"Yes, dad." He rolled his eyes as they started to walk across Diagon Alley, which, for once, was not as crowded. Maybe it was the fact that most of those that usually made up the crowd were in Hogwarts at the moment.
Tom growled at Hadrianus as they hurried up to some wizarding clothing shop. "Watch your attitude, young man. Just because we are of a similar age group at the moment doesn't mean I cannot ground you!"
Hadrianus gave him a deadpan stare, "For complaints about attitude, please contact the manufacturer."
Tom paused to glance at him, and raised an eyebrow. Well played, twit.
He was going to need some wallop and oily after this was over.
Tom couldn't help but scoff as Hadrianus entered Tabitha Tailoring and Textile shop and immediately placed orders for several tailored wizarding outfits. What did he even need so many clothes, pyjamas and robes for? One would think he was planning to stay here. And why the hell would he buy a winter cloak? It's nearing Summer time!
The shopkeeper girl, a young dame, blushed while Hadrianus turned in front of the mirror, giving trials of some of the premade robes.
"You look great in these robes!" She gushed, her face taking a deep shade of red as Hadrianus paused to look at her.
"Oh, darling, but I'd look even greater when they're..." Tom elbowed Hadrianus before he could finish that sentence or get any nefarious ideas, not really wanting to see his future child flirting with a shopkeeper.
The bloody reprobate has the cheek to smirk at him in response.
Tom sighed, praying for his patience. It appeared as if Hadrianus enjoyed the attention of witches and wizards!
"It's all such a waste of money!" Tom hissed and complained while Hadrianus paid for them after asking to deliver them to Hogwarts, all addressed to Tom Riddle, ":They must have been out of fashion in your time! Besides, you look like going through one of those goth phases! Why buy these and waste your money on clothes you're only going to wear for a few days?:"
Suddenly Hadrianus turned, and seemed to be studying him.
"What?" Tom asked self-consciously, Hadrianus seemed to be amused.
"Nothing. Now, put this one on, it'll look great on you!"
Tom sighed, but complied. Though he couldn't believe he raised such a spoiled brat, he wouldn't say no to some excellent robes as Hadrianus's money must have been his own as well. Besides, it really did look great on him, Tom noted in the mirror. Ideal for the next Malfoy Ball.
"You didn't change." Tom frowned when Hadrianus shrank the packages of robes and shoved them in his pocket.
"Why bother? This outfit is a decent one." Hadrianus shrugged as they walked towards the exit of Leaky Cauldron. Tom couldn't help but frown in confusion. Why did he buy the most exquisite clothing and tried them all on but hadn't kept them on after buying them? Why was he still wearing one of Tom's old and size-adjusted robes?
Tom really wanted to tie the boy to a chair and cast Legilimency on him to learn his train of thought. He was so confusing! Tom felt like hundreds of new questions arose every second he was spending near Hadrianus. How did his future self cope with this?
"Would you at least tell me why you carry money with you? I was under the impression that your 'father' would have opened a trust vault for you." He had noted the moleskin pouch around Hadrianus' neck, where he kept his money pouch.
"Because one should always keep some money on themselves, no one knows when it might be necessary. Besides," Hadrianus flashed a smirk, " As an overly paranoid wiggle once said to me: "Only a fool will trust Gringotts with all their gold."
Tom looked at him unimpressed, knowing very well that 'overly paranoid wiggle' was probably his future self, so he noted it down to investigate later, "I see."
"So...do you have any idea how we go to the Orphanage, other than calling the Knight Bus?"
"No." Tom immediately refused. He absolutely refused to use any sort of Muggle Transportation, unless necessary.
"Great, the Knight Bus, it is."
As they came out of Leaky Cauldron towards the Muggle Side of London after transfiguring their robes into coats, Hadrianus paused to look at the cars pass with interest.
"I wish I could buy a few cars and take them with me," Hadrianus commented when Tom raised a questioning eyebrow at him, "They are all vintage in my time, and cost a fortune."
Tom rolled his eyes, having forgotten for a few moments that a Time Traveller from the future stood here.
"Come on, let's go."
"Oh, yeah!" Hadrianus nodded as if he had forgotten about it, before thrusting his wand out towards the road.
BANG!
Tom almost yelped in surprise as the violently purple triple-decker Knight Bus appeared before them. Then a conductor in a purple uniform leapt out of the bus and began to speak loudly.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Ernie Prang, and I will be your conductor this evening."
"Good afternoon, Mr Prang, I'm Adrian and this is Tom." Hadrianus introduced brightly, before handing him a few sickles, eleven, Tom counted quickly. "We'll go to the Wool's Orphanage, Central London, thanks."
"Come in, come in." Prang gave them the tickets and put the sickles in his bag.
Tom rolled his eyes but tagged along as Hadrianus mock bowed with a flourish, "After you." He ignored him in order to look around the Knight Bus. He had read about it, and according to the books, the journey in Knight Bus is considered an uncomfortable one.
But from his first inspection, apart from the stupidly purple colouring and decoration, it didn't appear to be uncomfortable.
BANG!
The next moment Tom found himself flat on the floor, thrown backwards by the speed of the Knight Bus.
Whoa! Tom took it back. Calling it 'uncomfortable' was a gross understatement!
Hadrianus burst out laughing at his future father's graceless tumble, before taking his wand out and flicking it several times. The chair Tom was trying to use to stand had uprighted itself, and stopped moving around, the other tables and chairs had also stopped crashing into him and were now going in the other direction.
Tom realised Hadrianus had cast sticking charms on the chairs and an area-repellant charm around them, Tom sent the other teen an annoyed look before accepting the offered hand as he dragged himself up and claimed the chair, trying to not flush beet red as he was mortified from the fall. Why had Hadrianus not thought to do it the moment they boarded?
"You couldn't have cast it before the bus started?"
"And miss your reaction? Never! I always wanted to see your face as you rode it. This was so much better than I ever imagined!"
Tom glowered at the teen, though the effect reduced as he was increasingly nauseous even with the safety charms. Of course, he would never ride on this thing after today, never again! Judging by Hadrianus's mirthful expression, he was clearly enjoying Tom's suffering.
Thank Lady Hecate that - for some reason - they were the only passengers, so the ride was over within a couple of minutes. Tom watched as they thundered along the muggle road. The vehicles were squeezing themselves out of the Knight Bus's way. It was a rather brilliant piece of magic, and it would have been such a joyful ride if not for the stupid talentless bus driver. Tom could only assume that they started to work here with absolutely no prior driving skills. If they were Muggles, they would have died at least a hundred times over, along with bystanders.
The Wizarding World needed a better transportation system. Tom swore he would invent a decent one in future for those who couldn't apparate yet.
The driver suddenly slammed on the brakes and the Knight Bus skidded to a halt in front of the Orphanage.
Tom was quick to dispel the sticking charms and rush out of the outrageous magical vehicle. He then leaned heavily against the wall beside the entrance of his Orphanage while taking deep breaths to stop himself from losing his lunch.
"Yeah, he'll be fine. Thanks," Tom heard Hadrianus wave off their concern and got off.
Tom opened his eyes once he felt his stomach settled, thankful for the fact that Hadrianus didn't tease him any further, instead he chose to stand near the Muggle street. He was giving Tom time to collect himself.
Busy with his own distraction, Tom didn't look at Hadrianus. However, Tom turned towards his future son when he heard Hadrianus' sharp inhalation.
"What the..."
Tom followed the other teen's eyes somehow knowing what had turned Hadrianus's usually cheerful face into a look of complete horror. Sure enough, there were signs of the London Blitz everywhere.
The houses down had been reduced to rubble, but the area further from the destroyed houses was also affected, windows were completely blown in, with rubble strewn across the place.-Not all of it belonging to the homes-The thick fumes indicated the fire was still raging somewhere.
There were several Air Raid Wardens helping seriously injured people, arranging for them to be transferred to the hospital.
Tom couldn't help his own shudder at the scene, how many people had died that night? How many have been orphaned? And how many have become homeless?
Not that it was any of his concern, though. Who cared for these stupid Muggles, when it was their own fault for declaring war against each other?
Another gasp caught his attention, and Tom turned just in time to see Hadrianus rushing over the rubbles to help the Muggles rescue someone stuck under. Tom immediately chased after his wayward future son, grabbing his hand and stopping him. "Hadrianus, don't interrupt the Air Raid Wardens from their work."
"But..."
"Leave it, Hadrianus. You can't help them." He soothed, realising the boy must be in shock after seeing the destruction. Unlike Tom, he was not used to this, being from a different Timeline. "Come on. There is a large bush of Iris foetidissima near the glade behind the huge rock beside the river." Tom gently touched his arm, steering Hadrianus away from the scene and into the woods behind the Orphanage without sparing another glance at the bland building. He has no wish to look at the wretched building for longer than necessary.
Hadrianus must have been focused on Tom in the Knight Bus, which was why he hadn't noticed it before.
And the area around the Leaky Cauldron was protected by the Ministry of Magic, which was why the effects of Blitz were not as prominent there.
But Muggle London was a completely different story.
Hadrianus was still in shock, fisting his hands tightly to stop the trembling as he shook his head as if to clear it of the horror he had just seen.
"It was one thing to read it in history, but completely different to see in my own eyes."
"Hmm," Tom grunted.
"How do you live here?"
"I have nowhere else to go, Hadrianus." Tom reminded him gently.
"Well, you have a loyal Basilisk, just take his scales and venom and sell it to the Goblins. You're a Slytherin, You must have enough connection to contact a buyer, to whom you can sell repaired goods from the Room of Requirement! I'm sure you can bargain with them to pay you enough to buy a flat in Diagon or Hogsmeade! Or you could get one of those rented apartments in Knockturn, they don't care about the age restrictions." Hadrianus pointed out, before frowning, "Though, I guess you'd need to be careful in there. Young ones are easy victims for rogue Vampires and thugs."
Those were some really good ideas to earn money. "I'll be fine," Tom dismissed his concern about the vampires, liking the idea. However, one thing caught his attention, "You know about the Room of Requirement too?"
"Yapp."
"Hmm," He has a lot to think about.
They walked further into the forest along the riverside, each lost in their own thoughts until a sigh caught Tom's attention again.
"What is it?" Tom glanced at him.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Well, I thought your Thanatophobia was a bit extreme... but, if you lived through this in your teen years..." Hadrianus trailed off awkwardly, gesturing vaguely, and Tom gave him a grim smile. That's all he wanted, someone to understand his situation, and agree with him that it was not fair. Though it was not an adult who would have solved his problems, still, someone did.
"We're here," Tom said, changing the topic as they reached the huge rock, "Come on, let's go before the next bombing starts, or else we'll be stuck here for the night." And Tom absolutely refused to do that.
Hadrianus pulled out the gloves from his pocket, and set out to collect the flowers and seeds, and Tom hovered nearby to make sure Hadrianus was not contaminated with the poison. After they saved enough ingredients in previously conjured jars, Tom took some extra to experiment on their potion-making ability, they arranged them properly in a previously conjured wooden box. Tom shoved the box in his pocket while Hadrianus went to the river to wash his hands with minimal fuss on Tom's insistence. After all, these plants were poisonous.
"Tom? Tom Riddle? Is that you?" A familiar voice drawled from behind, and Tom froze. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would run into this particular wretched old scrooge. He shouldn't have foregone the glamour. But he couldn't continue it in the Muggle world, with the threat of expulsion over his head.
"Father David."
"What are you doing here, you good-for-nothing scapegrace?" David spat, foregoing the elderly grandfatherly persona that he usually kept for anyone who was not Tom. Tom gritted his teeth as he again invaded Tom's personal space to grab his arm forcefully.
"Madam Cole said you were in that wretched school of yours. What happened? Did they finally realise that you're a Devil's spawn, and kick you out?" Father David's nails practically clawed into his arm.
Tom was furious, he was just barely able to restrain his magic when he heard a thunderous growl, "Get away from him!" Suddenly the stupid priest went flying, slamming against a tree before falling unconscious.
Hadrianus whirled towards Tom, his eyes wide in concern.
"You're bleeding."
"I...what?" Tom asked, confused as Hadrianus gently grabbed his hand and turned it, his eyes on the small scratch of his arm from where the priest grabbed him roughly.
How could he see that from a distance?
Hadrianus reached out and plucked a fresh leaf from the oak tree behind them. He then pressed his wand on it, and transfigured it into an expensive-looking bandage. Hadrianus didn't waste a second in placing it gently over the scratch, making sure the cut was completely covered.
Tom gaped at the scene until his brain caught up with what he had done, "What are you doing?" He hissed, horrified.
"You were hurt!"
"You used magic!" Tom looked around frantically, fearing the appearance of a Ministry Owl carrying the letter from the Ministry declaring him expelled, "The trace - "
"Trace? Is that what you're fretting about? Don't worry, officially you are the only registered magical in this area, and according to the ministry you are currently in Hogwarts, so the Ministry will dismiss it as being from a passing adult wizard. Besides, and in any case, it's my untraceable wand."
Tom blinked, "Untraceable wand?" He didn't even know such wands existed. What else did he not know about the World he loved so much?
"Got it from Knockturn." Hadrianus winked. "Very useful place."
Tom filed the information on the loophole away, Hadrianus obviously gave it to him deliberately. He would need to explore Knockturn Alley properly, "I see." He really could use an Untraceable wand in the middle of the Blitz, to protect himself better.
Hadrianus decided to approach the priest.
"What are you doing?" Tom hissed, chasing after him and tugging Hadrianus's sleeve. "Let's go back!"
"In a minute," Hadrianus said, yanking his arm free as he wandered over to the man, looking down at him disdainfully before picking up a stick. Tom sighed, rolling his eyes, but he did approach them. Curious about what Hadrianus would do, given he can apparently cast magic without setting off the trace.
"So, this was one of the adults that had been abusing you since you were a child?" Hadrianus asked conversationally as he idly twirled the stick in his hand as sparkles emitted from it. Tom suppressed a smile. He noticed that Hadrianus was mindful enough to not do anything in front of the muggles, as soon as they were alone, or in the Magical World, he didn't stop himself from doing idle magic.
Tom grimaced remembering his nightmares last night. He normally wouldn't confess his weakness to anyone. But the way Hadrianus worded it, Tom knew he must have known. Or at least, guessed it.
How much did his future self divulge into his son?
"Among many others. But Father David was the main culprit, yes. Did my future self really tell you all about that?"
"Oh, he didn't say a word, I guessed it long before and you confirmed it now," Hadrianus smirked and Tom glared, realising he had been tricked. Sneaky Slytherin!
He really needed to watch his mouth around this one.
"Why did you tolerate the abuse?" Hadrianus asked, his eyes searching Tom's. Tom sighed.
"I was waiting for the trace to be gone, I can't do anything with the threat of expulsion over my head."
Hadrianus hummed and went prowling. Tom was interested to see he was setting up a privacy ward around the area. After it was set up, Hadrianus kicked the priest in the gut, "Du Hurensohn! Get up!"
The priest groaned, and rubbed his head where he had hit it before blinking his eyes open.
On seeing both of them, David whimpered before closing his eyes and rubbing them, then looked at them again in terrified confusion. Tom realised Father David must be thinking he was seeing double, given that Hadrianus truly looked like him and they were wearing similar clothes. Seeming to be ignoring his 'double vision', the priest clutched at the cross that hung around his neck before holding it up like a shield muttering unintelligibly. Before speaking more coherently.
"I'll pray for your soul, perhaps merciful God will forgive you."
Both Tom and Hadrianus snorted derisively, before exchanging exasperated looks.
"You think that piece of trash will stop us, you crackbrained child abuser?" Hadrianus laughed, incredulous and cold, "That thing wouldn't even stop the devil you so fear from ripping you apart, yet you think it will work on a common human being like us?" His movement was unhurried, almost hypnotic as he closed in on the trembling priest, sinking to his knees Hadrianus snatched the necklace off of the priest's neck, then carefully studied the small cross, before looking up at Tom with a grin.
"I know we're pagan, but would you like a souvenir?"
Tom grinned back, "You have to ask?"
Hadrianus smirked and tossed him the necklace. Tom caught it from the air gracefully, before examining his new trophy. Oh, he loved collecting them. And he knew this one would be the one he prized over all others.
"What? Snake got your tongue?" Hadrianus asked as the Priest stared at them wide-eyed, realising neither of them died a horrible death upon touching the Holy Cross.
They were close enough for Tom to see a vein pulsating on the priest's forehead and a drop of sweat rolling down his wrinkled neck. The man started to slowly stumble away from them, practically crawling on the ground, not taking his eyes off of the impassive wizards even for a moment.
Hadrianus stayed in place and mockingly blew an air kiss in his direction, wandlessly casting a couple of weather charms. The branches of the nearby trees started to sway, their leaves rustling ominously; the sky was cloudless but it darkens anyway. The tempestuous gale mercilessly lashed at the priest with twigs, small stones, and dust, forcing him to cover his face with his arm.
Tom chortled on seeing Hadrianus' theatrics. Though a large part of him couldn't be prouder of Hadrianus. It was quite confusing, as he never thought he would be proud of someone else's achievements.
"So, what else did they do, apart from verbal assault?" Hadrianus asked conversationally as he studied the priest cowering on the ground. The man looked utterly terrified, and shook like a leaf.
"Tried to exorcise me, sometimes they held me under Holy water until I almost drowned." Tom snorted. It would never have worked, however, it was tedious and insulting, and the nightmares he got because of them were always exhausting. "Or beat me," he added.
Hadrianus stilled before looking back at him, rage evident in his eyes. "Beat you? With what?" The previously clear sky suddenly turned grey, and the previously violent wind suddenly intensified causing loose dirt to swirl in ominous clouds, mixing with fallen leaves and twigs as they wreaked havoc in the small clearing.
Tom frowned at the sky, wondering if Hadrianus had cast another weather charm without being detected. Tom turned back to Hadrianus with a shrug. While he had been a bit ashamed of being preyed on by filthy muggles, for some reason he felt like he could trust Hadrianus with this information.
At least his future son wasn't looking at him with pity or even worse, treating him like he was glass. Instead, Hadrianus seemed dead set on avenging him.
"Whips, belt, cane."
A loud clap of thunder was heard as the wind blew stronger than before, quickly morphing into a storm.
Tom jumped at that, his eyes wide. He hadn't expected the thunder. The ground began to shake violently, followed by the furious roaring of the wind. Tom noticed the huge trees around them swaying ominously as if they were waves at sea. The birds and other animals protested noisily as they panicked. Tom himself felt disoriented as he fought to keep his balance.
Were they having an earthquake?
Tom almost hoped that was the case. Only he had a rather ominous sinking feeling that he knew exactly what, or rather who, had caused the bizarre weather phenomenon. He turned quickly to look at Hadrianus, and immediately realised his eyes were glowing a pure white. As magic snapped and crackled around him in vicious unrestrained waves.
Hadrianus was furious. He was furious over Tom's treatment and the thunderstorm and earthquake were the results of that. Apparently, hearing about his father's abusive past had snapped the last of Hadrianus's patience.
This was not wandless weather magic, it was true Accidental Magic. And a dangerous one, at that.
"Hadrianus!" Tom called. As soon as he realised what was happening he grabbed his son's shoulder and squeezed it comfortingly, "Calm down and shield, my precious. You're causing an earthquake!"
He unleashed his own magic, commanding it to form a protective and comforting cocoon around them to keep them safe in the storm and Earthquake. He had never used his magic to comfort anyone other than himself, but he could do it for his distressed son, who was only distressed for Tom. Distressed by his abusive past.
Hadrianus blinked, and his eyes abruptly ceased glowing the unnatural shade of pure white, revealing the beautiful bright green hue underneath. Suddenly both the storm and Earthquake were gone, just as quickly as they came. The sky and wind cleared up, leaving behind broken forest ground as well as some fallen trees as the only signs that it actually happened.
Tom ignored them all to focus on Hadrianus who briefly closed his eyes, melting against Tom's hand for a couple of seconds, taking the comfort he was offering.
Then Hadrianus snapped his Avada green eyes open again, turning towards the priest with an animalistic snarl. Tom stepped back, and released the cocoon formed by his magic from around them, curious to see what Hadrianus would do. There was a murderous intent in those deadly green eyes, and it made Tom very giddy in anticipation to see what his future child was capable of.
(ALERT: GRAPHIC DISPLAY OF VIOLENCE)
"Get up!" Hadrianus hurled David up in the air by his collar, before slamming him against the oak tree. Tom was kind of impressed with his strength. That priest was by no means slim. Is he using magic to dragg him up?
"You really love all those façades with Jesus and Holy Cross, don't you? Well, I have good news for you, you're being offered a chance to meet your God today, that is, unless your God's favourite Angel claims you first."
Still holding him up with one hand, Hadrianus waved his other hand and Tom blinked when a dagger appeared out of thin air. Father David gasped, looking at Hadrianus with wide hateful eyes as if he was the answer to everything that was evil in the World. Though Hadrianus didn't pay any attention to him, busy gesturing the dagger which went soaring across the air and transfixed the priest's hand to the tree, earning a piercing scream from him. Tom guffawed loudly as he realised what Hadrianus was doing. He was crucifixing David to the tree!
Oh, the irony!
He would need to master the wandless conjuration of daggers, they were awesome! Though, he is still wondering how Hadrianus did it undetected.
Tom watched on amused as Hadrianus crucified David to the tree, then tore David's clothes apart, and with another wandlessly conjured dagger, wrote the word, 'CHILD ABUSER' on his chest, ignoring the priest's screams for help and mercy.
Hadrianus grinned at Tom's endlessly giddy expression, then offered the traceless wand to him, handle first, "Go ahead. I know you have plenty of pent-up anger against him. Just a word of advice, don't leave any physical trace. I want the police to find my handiwork as it was."
Tom's whole face lit up as he accepted the wand. It is a sign of loyalty and deep trust, to offer the wand, handle first. It spoke of how much Hadrianus trusts him, giving him his only mean of defence, trusting him not to turn the wand against him. Not that Tom would do it, he rewards loyalty with loyalty. And trust, with trust.
Besides, Tom would never hurt his own blood and flesh, not unless he absolutely had to.
"Don't worry," Tom smirked, "I know plenty of the curses that leave no physical trace." He had already noticed how Hadrianus staged the whole thing. Not even touching anything, making sure not to leave any physical trace for the police to follow while also making sure the Wizarding World doesn't get alerted. They will take one look at this, notice the daggers and physical traces of violence, and wash their hands declaring it the work of an expert Muggle criminal.
He appreciates this master art too much to disrupt it. Besides, he wanted to practice the Cruciatus Curse for ages!
"Well then, what are you waiting for?"
Tom smirked, then prowled towards the priest.
He thought back to all the torments he had been getting in the hand of the very one in front of him, all the suffering, and nightmares. All those hours when it was Tom who was screaming for mercy, only to have more torments thrown his way, simply because he was different from the others, until he knew nothing but to lash off at anyone who came even close to him. All those days having no one but himself to rely on in the Muggle world simply because he had magic, and later in Wizarding World because he was apparently a 'Mudblood', though the latter has learned to pay the respect where it was due.
Now it was time for the Muggle World to learn the same. He couldn't lash out at the whole Muggle World, but he could lash out at David. It was the last thing David would learn today, before he died.
Pointing his wand at the stupid worthless priest before him, pouring all his hatred, anger, disappointment and more importantly his rage into the one spell that would help him avenge all those sufferings, for now.
"Crucio!"
Red light escaped his wand before it shot out at the worthless man who was still mumbling and pleading under his breath, which soon turned into an inhuman shriek of agony, his body twisting and arching in an impossible display, even though the daggers that impaled his limbs to the tree didn't bulge.
Tom breathed, smug and exhilarious from the thrill of casting the Unforgivable for the first time and succeeding. Of course, he would have succeeded in casting the spell for the first time, he had no doubt about that.
Tom held the spell for Merlin knows how long, only lowering his wand when he realised David was not screaming anymore. The unbearable pain and torture have broken his mind completely. He had a vacant look in his eyes, and he was creating a small pool of drool on the ground, with his head lolled downward, appearing as if bowing to Tom.
Good, Tom thought with a spat on the grass near him. Death was too good for the likes of him.
(WARNING ENDS HERE)
Once Tom was finished with him, he looked around to find Hadrianus, who was apparently busy restoring the fallen trees from the Earthquake, as well as the bird nests that he accidentally destroyed with the storm. After the affirmation from Tom that he was done, Hadrianus approached David again. Gently kicking one of his lax feet and getting no response, Hadrianus let out a humourless laugh.
"I hope that taught you a lesson for hurting my father!"
All of Tom's previous exasperation at Hadrianus's antics melted away with that one sentence.