A/N:
Sorry for the wait. My muse left me for a bit but I managed to get it back. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Arriving back at Dunmar Manor, the group of four and a portrait adjourned to the sitting room. After calling an elf to ask Severus to join them when he could, Sable enlarged Lily and James' portrait and everyone sat down for some tea and conversation.
Half an hour later, when Severus walked in the room, he was met with the sweet, ringing laughter of his old friend Lily. He may not have seen her for half a decade but he'd recognize that laugh anywhere.
Seeing Severus arrive, Sable called, "Oh, there you are. Come in, sit down." After Severus was seated, Sable turned his attention to Lily and James' portrait. "Now that we're all here, let's start. Lily, James, you two wanted to know all that's happened in the nearly five years since your deaths. I guess we'll start at the beginning."
Hadrian listened as Sable recounted the events of the night of October 31st, 1981, all the way through to that very morning when they found the portrait in the vault. He learned in greater detail about Sirius going after Peter Pettigrew in a rage. He heard about Sable and the Malfoys searching frantically for Hadrian himself after that fateful night. How Barty and the Lestrange's went to take the Longbottom's to a safe house but ended up being framed and put into Azkaban. Sable spoke about how, because the Malfoys were suspected followers of Marvolo, they would never have been able to claim guardianship of Hadrian. So, they waited till Sable was out of Hogwarts to go to Hadrian and bring him home with them, as Sable was never seen to be close to Marvolo. Hadrian learned about how the close-knit group was helping to take care of Remus Lupin, Sirius' soulmate, who fell on hard times with the passing of anti-creature bills preventing him from getting a job. He saw James get angry and Lily break down crying when his life with the Dursleys was mentioned. They spoke about the blood adoption and meeting with Amelia Bones. How Amelia was working to free Sirius and get the Dursleys locked away. Kallisto was even introduced to Lily and James. Many things were discussed within those few hours. Hadrian, himself, was appalled by all that Dumbledore had done to his family, new and old.
Eventually, around midnight, the retelling was over. It was decided that Lily and James' portrait would be hung over the mantle in the sitting room. The Malfoys returned home, wishing everyone sweet dreams. Severus left for his room with a parting 'good night'. Sable accompanied Hadrian to his room after they both bid a goodnight to the Potters.
Again, Kallisto slithered off Hadrian's wrist and coiled up on one of the many pillows on his bed. Sable tucked Hadrian in and left for his own room.
Once in bed, Sable asked Mother Magic to watch over Marvolo's soul and keep him safe till they could get him back to a body. He drifted off to sleep, only just hearing the whispered promise of safety and love before being swept away to the realm of Morpheus.
Early in the morning, before the sun was up, Sable awoke to the sound of a whisper coming from beside his bed. Lying still and listening closely, he heard, 'Sable, love, wake up. Please.' Opening his eyes at the sound of the voice he would recognize anywhere, Sable was met with the sight of a pale, wraith like Marvolo hovering at his side.
Sitting up in shock, Sable reached out towards Marvolo's arm only for his hand to go straight through him. Looking to Marvolo's face, Sable found joy dampened by sadness and pain. "What gives you such conflicting emotions, my dear Marvolo?"
Quietly, Marvolo spoke, "We are finally together again but we can't touch. How I've longed for human touch. And it's still denied me."
Hearing the anguish in Marvolo's voice broke Sable's heart and brought tears to his eyes. "My love, how is it you've come to be here?"
Looking thoughtful, Marvolo spoke, "How I got here could only have been the work of Hecate herself. One moment I was drifting through woods, pain filling my whole being, when suddenly, a bright flash filled my vision. All the pain left my body and I heard a soft voice wishing me love and safety. Then suddenly, I was here, beside your bed. Though it's been years since we've last met and you've certainly grown up, I recognized you immediately with my entire being. Sable, my soulmate. Oh, how I missed you."
Wishing he could do something to comfort Marvolo, Sable decided to mention a topic that would most certainly gain his love's attention. "I missed you too. Marvolo, I must tell you, I used some of the blood you left me."
His attention having been caught, Marvolo became curious, "Oh? For what?"
Smiling softly, Sable spoke, "I blood adopted a son using blood from the both of us. He was born Harry, Lily and James' son. Dumbledore managed to place him with the Dursleys after that Halloween night. I only managed to retrieve him two days ago, his sixth birthday. He's now Hadrian Aries Dunmar-Slytherin. I named Narcissa and Lucius his godparents. He's already met them and Severus."
Worried by the mention of the Dursleys, Marvolo asked, "Was he alright having lived with those muggles? Did they hurt him?" Marvolo was well aware of Petunia and her husband's dislike for all things magical.
Sighing, Sable then explained all Hadrian had said about his life with the Dursleys. To say Marvolo was upset after hearing how they treated a child, especially their own flesh and blood, just for being magical, would be an understatement. He was devastated, though he barely let it show on his face. No child should be treated in such a way.
Taking a deep breath, Marvolo asked, "Have they been brought to the attention of the authorities?"
Nodding, Sable spoke, "Yes, I brought the matter to the attention of Amelia Bones along with one other problem she could help us with. However, we can speak about that and everything else that's happened since you lost your body later. How about we go see Hadrian?"
Thinking for a moment, Marvolo agreed, "I'd like that, yes. Very much so."
So Marvolo and Sable made their way, just down the hall, to Hadrian's room. Opening the door as quietly as possible, so as not to wake the sleeping child, Sable stepped back to allow Marvolo entrance into the room.
Making his way to the side of Hadrian's bed, Marvolo stared, entranced, at the sight of the child lying there. He had always wanted a son. And now he had one. As a plus, Hadrian's features were a mix between Sable's and his own. Ghosting his hand through Hadrian's hair, Marvolo wished he had a body back.
Sighing quietly, Marvolo retreated from the bedside towards the door. Looking back once more, he whispered a quiet 'sweet dreams' to the slumbering child.
After Marvolo left the room, Sable shut the door silently. The two made their way to the study. After arriving, Sable sat down in one of the wingback chairs by the fireplace while Marvolo hovered in front of him.
Sable launched into the tale of everything that had happened since that fateful night. Marvolo listened quietly the entire time, asking a question here and there. By the time Sable was finished speaking, Marvolo was horrified. To learn all that his friends and family had gone through in his absence because of a scheming old coot made him furious.
Sable watched as Marvolo's face showed different emotions in rapid succession. He was worried that he wouldn't be able to comfort his Mate. With Marvolo only a spirit, Sable couldn't calm him with a hug or a comforting touch like he used to. He hoped Nicholas got back to him soon. They needed the man's help, desperately.
Marvolo pulled Sable out of his musing when he took a deep breath and spoke, "I swear to you, once I have my body back, I will work to make everything right. Neither you or our son will ever have to go through such misery again, if I have any say in it."
Smiling slightly, Sable spoke, "I know. I'm just so glad to have you back here and I've already been working to find a way to get you a body. It shouldn't be long before you're back fully. I just can't believe we've been away from each other for nearly 5 years. I missed you terribly, Marvolo, and I never want to be separated from you again. I'm just so glad Mother Magic brought you back to me."
"Me too, my love. Me too." Though Marvolo may not have his body back yet, he was back with Sable and his new son. He hadn't been so happy in years.