Cannot Fathom Without You: Chapter 7
This Chapter is a bit of a time skip. About three years after the incidents. Hadrian is ten, as well as Draco.
*Translations (1)- My baby! My sunshine! How I've missed you so!
(2)- Mother!
(3)- Is it really you?
(4)- No! It's the damn ghost of Samhain!
Into the Future, We Trudge Ahead.
. . .
Hadrian sighed as he was almost pounced on by his friend, Draco Malfoy.
Thank goodness they were in the public of Diagon Alley, as he didn't think he was balanced enough to keep himself and Draco on their feet.
Although he was happy that Narcissa had allowed Draco to come with them on this outing, he had laughed at how easily excited Draco had been at the prospect of going out with them.
Being the sweet age of 10, it was time for pureblood wizards to go get their wands, and then spend a year working on the Dark Arts.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited. He'd also be lying if he said he wasn't annoyed with the two adults that had accompanied him. Even if one was in the form of a dog...
Alcied and Sirius were beyond awkward with one another. They tried to get along in front of Hadrian... But behind closed doors, no one in the manor could miss the shouting matches, unless of course you were Tippis... Their poor deaf house elf... Blissful thing, really.
They were each blaming the other for a great many wrongs, and many missed opportunities, but Hadrian believed that they just needed someone to be angry at.
He mentally shrugged. At least they were trying to get along with him around, and for the most part they were. But there were the occasional spats...
Hadrian was snapped out of his reprieve by Draco nudging his shoulder, and calling his name. They were standing in front of the wand shop already.
Draco gave his friend a slightly worried look. Hadrian had been far to spacy lately, and Draco knew that it could lead to far more trouble for the adults than even Sirius could imagine.
Hadrian could be devious, when he wanted to be.
Hadrian simply gave his friend a smile, and a hapless shrug of the shoulders. Draco brushed it off with a discreet roll of his eyes, and motioned for the other boy to enter first.
Olivander greeted them with his usual creepy entrance after they entered, and gave his seemingly all knowing look. It gave Draco the creeps.
While the others offered the older man a polite nod, Hadrian offered him a cheery, and excited smile. Olivander looked deep into his eyes. "I remember your mother coming in to get her wand, Mr. Croÿ." Hadrian tensed at the mention of his mother, trying not to let his sadness show through.
"Your mother, Willow... 11 and ½ inches long ebony wood with Medusa heart core."
Olivander's attention went back to Hadrian. "I'm very interested to see which wand will choose you, Mr. Croÿ." he said, and Hadrian almost let his shoulders sag in relief, but quickly refrained. His mother would have been most disappointed in him, had he let his lessons go astray.
He nodded at Olivander as the man began to pull wands off the shelf for himself and Draco to try.
Quickly enough, Draco found his. 10" long with hawthorn wood and a unicorn hair for the core.
It almost took Hadrian two hours to find his wand, and when he finally found his 11" inch holy wood and phoenix feather core, Olivander wore the most curious look.
"Curious." the man muttered, echoing Hadrian's thoughts. "Very curious..."
"What is so curious?" Alcied wondered aloud.
Olivander looked to the man, almost startled to see him. "It's just that the phoenix that donated a feather only donated one other... That feather resides in the wand that gave young Mr. Croÿ his scar." he confirmed his own words with a nod.
Alcied frowned, and ushered the two boys out of the shop after paying for the wands.
Hadrian was filled with questions.
Draco was confused, and irritated. He felt that his closest friend was keeping a secret from him. Granted that he was keeping a secret from his family, and his friend, but that was besides the point!
He pouted.
Hadrian could read Draco's expression with ease. He just rolled his eyes, making sure Draco could not see it. He cared for Draco, he truly did, but sometimes... His best friend could be a royal prat.
As the wandered along Diagon Alley, they soon spotted a gaggle of red heads.
Alcied growled and Sirius whined. If there had been anyone they'd rather run into, it was not this group.
Unfortunately for Alcied, Arthur Weasley spotted him, and the smaller group was quickly approached.
Alcied had been very popular in the politics of the Ministry lately. He'd met with the foreign Ministries as well, already having stellar standing with the French Minister.
Unfortunately, this meant knowing people like Arthur Weasley.
"Alcied!" Arthur cried, and said man almost winced. "Arthur. How are you?" he asked, careful to glance at the now 12 year old twins, and make sure they weren't plotting his downfall. He swore he felt a great evil from those two!
Arthur laughed. "Out getting the boys their books. Hogwarts will be starting soon." he smiled. Although it almost fell at the sight of Draco.
Due to his polite nature, Arthur managed to keep his smile though.
Alcied laid a hand on Hadrian's shoulder. "Yes... I'm taking my nephew, and Lucius' son, Draco, out to get new books, and supplies for the manor."
Sirius had to hand it to Alcied. The man was able to keep his expression perfect through out the entire conversation.
Himself, on the other hand, was far to busy getting the best ear scratches he'd had in quite a while, aside from the ones Hadrian gave him.
Hadrian felt eyes on his person, and turned to meet six sets of curious blue eyes. His own green went wide with slight surprise.
The twin boys gave him a smile, and a slight wave, then promptly went back to petting Siri.
Draco, noticing Ron's wide eyed stare, stepped up closer to Hadrian's side, a silent warning to the boy that this was his friend. Instantly, the dislike for Ron Weasley cropped up into Draco's young psyche. This boy had dared to attempt to take his friend!
Ron quickly averted his eyes, along with his sister Ginny.
Sirius let out a soft yip, and suddenly Ron and Ginny's attention was turned to the adorable dog, along with Bill, Charlie, and Percy.
Sirius was almost instantly swarmed, and Hadrian had to force back a wince. Not that Siri seemed to mind all that much for all the belly rubs he was receiving.
. . .
When they managed to get back to the house after dropping Draco off back at the Malfoy manor, Hadrian had to let his laughter pour out.
Sirius shifted back to his normal state, and sent Hadrian a short glare, that held no real ire.
"I appreciate that you saved me, Siri... I really do, but to see your tongue loll out like that is rather entertaining!" Hadrian attempted to explain.
Sirius huffed, and Alcied soon joined Hadrian in the laughter. Sirius quickly shot them both a dirty look. "Might I remind you both, that you have to attend dinner at the Weasley house a week from now." he reminded them with a bit of an evil grin.
Both males paled, but Hadrian recovered quickly, and shot Sirius a more devious grin. "But they want Orion to be there too, so that they may lavish him with more belly rubs." he teased. It was Siri's turn to pale.
Just as Alcied was about to say something, a slight hiss came out instead. "I have to attend a meeting with the Dark Lord. Please, eat dinner without me. Don't wait up for me tonight... Hadrian, you are to go to bed at 10, and Sirius this is strictly enforced... His training starts tomorrow, if I am able."
They both nodded, and Alcied swept from the room.
. . .
The grand hall of Slytherin Manor was intimidating to those whom were not familiar to the many twists and turns.
Tom Riddle knew everything about his home. It had only taken him a day or so to navigate the ancient halls of his ancestral manor.
He now glared at those gathered around his throne.
Incompetent as they were, they had managed to follow his orders carefully. Unfortunately, things didn't go as he'd planned at the Ministry.
Fudge had held more support than he had thought. He was quickly rectifying his miscalculations. Slowly swaying Fudge's supporters to his side.
Edmund DeMitri's name was becoming popular among the Wizarding World. Although his own followers did not recognize him in that state, it just meant that he could gather their loyalty without the use of fear. That, and he could know what they truly thought of him once he gained their complete confidence.
Another thing that was annoying him... He wasn't aging. He was frozen in his 15 year old form, from what the potions had told him.
But that was for another day... Now he had to give his followers orders.
"Alcied." he called, and he didn't even have to wait for the man to step forward.
"Yes, my lord?" Alcied's strong voice echoed softly in domed throne room.
"How is young Hadrian's training progressing?" he asked, making sure to slightly lengthen his s'es.
Alcied had to hide a wince at this, praying that this was just a passing reminder at his leash to the Dark Lord.
"Well, my lord. Hadrian had progressed passed his training wand, and we've just recently acquired a new one for him," Alcied explained. "He shows the signs of the Croÿ family magics. I've begun his training in the magics of the mind." he announced. Only at the Dark Lord's pleased grin (note: maniacal!), did his shoulders threaten to relax. He held himself still.
"Good. He'll be a powerful Death Eater when he finishes his schooling." the Dark Lord nodded.
"In the meantime, I'm issuing these orders..."
. . .
Willow woke with a start, her heart beating quickly, and a soft scream dying on her lips. Sweat drenched her form, and a soft tug at her clothing, alerted her to the toddler beside her, as well as the soft breathing.
It was the quick sound of footsteps that alerted her to Regulus' approach. She tried to calm her heartbeat before her frantic friend broke her door down.
She was able to lift herself, careful to cast a sticking charm to her son's onesies so he wouldn't crawl off the bed after her.
She met Regulus' panic form at the door, with a soft smile, her now violet eyes meeting his grey. "I'm alright Reg. Just a vision. You'll want to contact the Dark Lord for this one. It's a bit odd..." she trailed off, her lips pulling into a frown.
She honestly believed this vision a warning from the fates. There were subtle signs pointing in that direction anyway.
Regulus nodded and quickly moved to the closed off floo network.
She quickly turned her attention to the toddler sitting on the bed, still babbling in French, but now looking a bit frustrated at not being able to move after her.
She smiled, and moved to her son. "Now James..." she hushed as she removed the sticking charms. She lifted the small form into her arms, and cooed at him, his grey eyes meeting hers and his small hands moving to tug at her hair.
"I'm sorry I scared you, love." she said as she rocked him, humming along, fingering his tufts of black hair. She grinned. He really did look a lot like Siri, and she knew Sirius would have a heart attack at the knowledge that he had a son.
Regulus had nearly fainted when she'd promptly informed him that she was pregnant with his brother's child. Even now, Regulus would snicker, and often call his nephew the son of a right dog.
Willow had rolled her eyes.
When she'd informed the Dark Lord of her pregnancy, he'd agreed that this muddled up Alcied's punishment a bit, but he'd allow Hadrian and Sirius to visit soon, so long as they swore an oath not to tell Alcied of her continued life.
She'd almost hugged that man! Almost... She was a pureblood dark witch, yes, and had the self preservation of one, thank you very much!
She'd be able to see her oldest son, and her heart's fire. She often wondered what Harridan's reaction to James would be.
She laughed when James tugged at her and made a noise as if he were tired, and suggesting that she return to sleep as well.
. . .
Tom frowned when Regulus flooed him with news that the Seer had another vision, and Regulus told him of the screaming.
It didn't bode well when she had visions like that, but before he began to even think of panic, he'd listen to what she had to say.
He wanted to roll his eyes when Regulus asked to bring the toddler along. He'd just said that they very well couldn't leave the boy alone. Even if they had a dozen house elves, he knew Lady Croÿ would attempt to tear his eyes out if he made her separate from the toddler.
Of course she'd die a horribly painful death, but he'd rather not lose her just yet. She'd proven very useful, and had managed to warn him of Dumbledore's manipulations.
Now she was proving even more useful... He'd decided that although he was punishing Alcied, he couldn't continue to punish her or Hadrian... No... He didn't think his soul mate would be all to happy with him for killing his mother... Even if she were his adopted mother.
He stood from the floo when Regulus was done, and let a heavy sigh leave him. He'd often wondered why he dealt with all the troubles of becoming a Dark Lord, and taking over all of Britain... Then another Light supporter would spout off their idiotic ideals, and he remembered why.
The balance had been messed with for far to long, and Magic was demanding it to be righted. He, of course, was Magic's weapon against those who were foolish enough to mess with her balance.
Bloody Dumbledore...
. . .
Hadrian looked up from his book when an owl swept in from the open window.
The parlor he was in was large, and warm, decorated in cherry wood, and a variety tones of creams. It was warm, despite the oncoming cold of September, with the large grey marble fireplace roaring across from the three seated couch he was currently curled up on.
He lowered the book "Occulmacy, and How to Crack Your Friend's Open" to accept the letter from the large grey horned owl.
The letter had his name written on it in neat, pretty, emerald ink.
Before opening it, he called on Tilly.
"Yes, young master Hadrian?" Tilly asked with a warm smile at her young master.
Hadrian gave the house elf a wide grin. "Tilly, could you make sure this letter is safe? I don't know the spells yet."
He could cast spells behind the manor wards, but he was still brushing up on his spell repertoire. He'd made it through Hogwarts first year requirements, and had just started on the second year books.
Tilly nodded, and cast the spells, making sure that this letter wouldn't harm her young master. Despite being a so called slave to the Croÿ house, Tilly enjoyed her job looking after Master Alcied, young master Hadrian, and their guest Sirius Black.
It had been an honor for her to have been chosen by the late Lady Croÿ to come with them from France.
Once Tilly made sure the letter was safe, she handed it back to young master Hadrian, and bowed. "Will young master be needing anything else?" she asked softly. He rolled his eyes at the bowing.
"Yes Tilly... No more bowing." he said with a warm smile. "Could you stay with me... Just in case?" her young master asked. Tilly nodded.
Hadrian opened the letter, and fished for the parchment he knew to be contained in the envelope. He was surprised when he opened it, to find nothing written. Frowning, he withdrew his wand. If this was someone's idea of a game, he had the right mind to tell them off.
Reaching for his magic, he whispered quietly, but clearly "Aparecium," he tapped his wand to the paper, and was smiling as letters written in that same elegant handwriting appeared, this time in black.
'Dear Hadrian,
Your uncle is currently being punished for something, but I've decided that you, and your god father shall no longer be punished.
By my word, you will not be harmed.
Truly,
T.M.R'
And at reading the initials, he felt the jerk behind his naval, and heard Tilly's alarmed gasp.
. . .
He'd been chatting with the Lady Croÿ when he felt the wards allow his small soul mate through, and into Slytherin manor.
She shot up before he'd even thought to, and was now rushing towards Hadrian's magical signature. Tom shook his head, and a dark part of his mind wondered if this is how his mother would be with him.
He almost snarled, and mentally told that part to die a slow and painful death.
He stood gracefully, even in his 15 year old body, he could still be regal and commanding. He moved quickly to the entrance hall, where the magic would have taken Hadrian.
And when he saw the boy, all he could do was stand in the doorway for a split second as shocked avada kedavra green eyes were pinned to the door way.
Granted, the boy had every right being shocked... His dead mother was embracing him for all he was worth, with another small toddler in the middle.
"M...Mother?!" Hadrian cried out, unable to believe, and Tom could see that disbelief quickly winning out against the shock.
Smart child... This boy wouldn't be easily fooled.
"Hadrian! Mon bébé! Mon soleil! Comme je vous l'ai raté donc!" she spoke with love and reverence drenching her voice, and at that moment, Hadrian knew... This was his mother.
At that moment, Hadrian embraced her back, hardly daring to let this moment pass him by, in case it really was temporary. "Mère!" he whispered into her black hair, tears soaking into her shoulder.
Three years, and he'd missed this, so terribly. There had been a hole in his heart, and he swore if he'd continued on, he'd never heal. Somehow, he'd known she was alive, but he'd felt like he'd never see her again!
Then he heard the babbling.
Hadrian looked down, to see bright grey eyes staring back at him, and a small smile on the tot's face. Said tot was reaching for Hadrian, and instantly, he knew that this was his little brother.
For a moment, he wasn't sure how to handle this news, but soon, his heart restated and a warmth flooded him.
He found himself reaching out for his sibling, looking up to his mother for her permission. He was overjoyed when she handed his brother over, and even taught him how to hold him.
"His name is James..." she whispered softly, but those words had Hadrian's eyes quickly meeting his mother's now violet. "James." he stated.
His mother had named his brother after his real father. It made him smile, knowing that part of the reason was his mother trying to give him a semblance of memories.
She'd already given him picture books of his parents, and told him stories of James and Lilly Potter, as did Sirius.
He almost winced when James grabbed his hair, and pulled hard, and truthfully, it brought him back to the here and now. It brought his eyes back to the slate grey now watching him with curiosity.
It was about time he met his obstinate soul mate. He nodded to the man known as the Dark Lord, silently thanking him for the gift of his loved ones.
"You must take a vow not to tell your uncle of your mother's continued life... He's still being punished." Voldemort informed his little soul mate of this. Hadrian nodded. "I thought as much." he said with a small tilt to his lips.
Tom resisted rolling his eyes, darn those teenage habits, at Hadrian.
. . .
It was a few days later when Sirius was being led through the halls of Slytherin manor. Hadrian tugging him along by his hand.
"Hadrain! You do know where we are, don't you?" Sirius whispered.
"Of course my son knows where he is, Siri." a voice he'd heard in his dreams for the past three years answered his question.
Sirius would swear, for the next twenty years, that his heart skipped seven beats. "Est-ce vraiment vous?" he whispered, his eyes falling on the woman he'd fallen in love with.
"Non! C'est le fichu fantôme de Samhain!" she answered with a sharp tone. Sirius couldn't help but grin. Yes...This was the woman he'd pined for! She hadn't been killed.
Then he took a sharp breath in at the two year old on her hip. His grey eyes gleaming back at him. "Willow..." he whispered.
She smiled and looked down to the tot on her hip. "James... This is your dada." she introduced softly. This caused James to bounce, and repeat "dada!"
Sirius quickly tugged Hadrian over, and enveloped them all in a huge hug. He wanted to savor this moment.
. . .
Dumbledore frowned as the phoenix Fawks glared at him. "You don't understand... You don't have to worry about the fate of magic." he said, turning from those accusing eyes.
He looked towards the window showing the grounds. Next year, Harry Potter's location would be known... Or so he hoped.
The Hogwarts letters would go out, and Harry Potter's had a tracking locator on it.