After so much time here's the new chapter. I'm sorry it took so long but I had a block and hated everything I managed to write. I hope it's not too bad ^^.
I'd like to remind you that I'm italian, so there could be some spelling or grammar mistakes, I checked four times but I could have missed something.
Upon landing in the living room of Tom's manor, Severus took a careful look around him. There were half of the marauders, not the ones he hated most he was glad to see.
Black was noisy and sided with Potter in all the pranks, but he was aware of the fact that even if he sounded against slytherins he was always trying to calm down the other one.
He saw how he looked longingly at his brother, but probably never did anything because of his house, they would have labeled him as a death eater for sure.
Then there was Lupin, he was the better of the lot, quiet and smart. They studied together with Lily for some time before fifth year, before the wolf tried to kill him. He did not hate the man, it was not his fault what happened, and after overcoming the fear following the incident he worked hard to find a way to control the beast on the full moon.
Lupin was a good man and he did not deserve, like many as him, to suffer so much every month. He hoped his wolfsbane potion would permit the ones affected to be more accepted in society but the ministry had other ideas. They raised the costs of the potion to an absurd level and then approved the anti-werewolf legislations.
That bunch of idiots.
Next he saw the Weasley twins. Not surprising, if Potter was here they were sure to have followed. Unlike their younger brother, they really were loyal to the boy and cared for him. He could admit they were really brilliant. The pranks they pulled were very well thought and difficult pieces of magic. Even in potions he could see the talent. The fact they never joked around in his lab and didn't prank him helped a lot. After their third year they often came to him to talk about existing potions and about the ones they were inventing, managing to interest even him, so much that he gave them permission to use the lab outside of school hours.
On the couch on his right there were two unknown people. One of them was surely Aries, the little one. Yes he had Selena's eyes and Tom features. He seemed utterly nervous, one reason more to think he was Potter indeed. Had he always been so little? He could not think about that now and turned his attention to the young man Aries was curled up against. His looks were familiar but he could not place it.
"Tom, thank you for the invite" greeted Lucius "I'm happy to see that you seem fully recovered, too"
"Thank you, Luc. Narcissa, lovely as always" he said kissing the woman cheek "Severus, Draco. I trust you already know Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and the Weasley twins."
"Of course Tom." replied Snape while nodding to the others.
"Good" the dark lord then motioned for his son to join him. He got up, feeling his legs shaking and came to rest at his father side. "This is Aries, my son and heir" introduced while resting a comforting hand on the boy shoulder.
"Oh, it's so nice to meet you, Aries" Narcissa greeted enthusiastically giving him a light hug.
"Mrs Malfoy.." he was really too nervous to function properly. How should he address them? Were they really glad that he was back? Or it was just a façade to not anger his father?
Kieran sighed. His little Emerald was still afraid, even after their talk. He got up and walked to his side wrapping an arm around the small waist "Maybe we should make clear some things before." he started "As you know Aries was blood adopted by a light family and just found his real identity. The unpleasant part is.. that you were not very nice to him while he was Harry Potter. Now. Are you going to forget about those distasteful habits or will you continue like usual?" he asked while glaring at them as to challenge them to upset the petite boy.
His audience was shocked at his bold actions and at the fierce protectiveness the young man displayed for Aries.
"I can assure you that we have no bad intention towards Aries. He is my godson and I intend to treat him as such if he would let me. We had a bad past but it was because his alliance to Dumbledore, as his golden boy. We wish to leave that in the past." said Lucius trying to placate the man and calm his godson.
"Maybe you should talk of this important stuff in a more comfortable way" suggested Remus from his couch hinting they should take a seat too.
The Malfoys went to occupy a couch of their own, while Severus seated himself next to the werewolf, much to the man's surprise.
No one knew exactly how to dissipate the heavy air that hung in the room, and all felt strangely awkward.
"Oh bloody hell!" exclaimed Selena from her portrait "Sev, Luc apologize for your horrid treatment to my baby immediately. And then try and get to know each other! It isn't so difficult now, is it?" she now had hands on the hips while tapping her foot.
Said men were fast to oblige in her demands, apologizing to the boy. They were sincere about it, Aries could see it and smiled a little thinking that it would not be as bad as he feared.
"Good boys." grinned Selena "now. Someone introduce all those gorgeous men to me" she demanded.
Aries complied seeing they were all his friends. "This is Sirius Black, my dogfather… and Remus Lupin. They are Fred and George Wealsey and this is.." he could not finish because his mother interrupted him.
"Oh I know! You must be Kieran. Prince, I have to praise your good taste, really. You look so good together" she chirped wishing she could hug the life out of his soon to be son in law.
"Don't mind her. She's gone in her own little world" intercepted Tom, grateful he could not be at the receiving hand of her wife displeasure. Physically at least.
"It's a pleasure to meet you madam." Kieran replied smiling charmingly.
"Down lad. Don't' want to make dark lord and son jealous now, believe me" grinned Sirius. Tom snorted at the thought while Aries blushed a little.
Kieran just laughed "No dear uncle. As beautiful as the lady is, I play for the other team" he squeezed his love shoulder a little as to not say aloud that he only had eyes for him. He knew Aries would understand.
"Pity, all the good ones are gay. I was lucky to meet my handsome dark lord" she sighed remembering the days when Tom courted her.
"Oy! That's not true. I'm absolutely straight and handsome too." pouted Sirius.
"With a little meat on your bones maybe, you should work on it" objected Selena. The twins laughed out loud at that. Aries mother was great. They would not be surprised if the boy took his pranking streak from her.
"Why did you call Sirius your uncle?" demanded Narcissa curious about the young man. No one had introduced him yet, they realized.
"Cause he's Regulus son, Cissy." Explained Sirius. The Malfoys and Severus were all good friends with the man, but they thought the boy died at young age for some kind of illness, at least that was what Reg told them before being killed. Now they could see that it was just a plot to save his son from Dumbledore. They were happy to see him alive and well.
Suddenly a female scream was heard in the room. They all turned to look at Narcissa, who was eyeing something slithering on the floor. It was not the first time they saw Nagini, so they wondered what the problem was.
"Sssstupid cub, if you leave me alone with her again I'm gonna eat her. Do I make myssself clear?"
It was clearly a snake, but Tom had no other animal. The bright blue scales appeared to them, while the breathtaking snake made his way between the armchairs. He widened his eyes recognizing the breed. "A.. basilisk?" he whispered
"I'm sorry" apologized Aries while motioning the deadly creature to go to him "I left Vidar in my room. I don't know how he got out."
"Why, I grew handsss of course" snapped the snake. Tom snickered a little, the snake had a temper.
"Oi no need to be mean. Now lay down and stay silent" Aries told him in English, Vidar would understand either way.
"Aries. Where did you find a basilisk?" asked Lucius. He was as curious as the others if not more.
"Um. He's my familiar, I found him in a shop at the Circus Ring, in LA" he answered while petting the now napping snake.
"A familiar basilisk? This is rare." pondered Remus. Not many could afford such a companion, they were deadly because of their stare and venom and could grow to incredible sizes too. It was not surprising that only a parseltongue could control them. But these days such breeds of snakes were quite rare to find.
"So you have two familiars?"mused Sirius. "he has a royal phoenix too." he said to the others benefit.
"Nope, three" Kieran corrected him "the fire panther cub is still upstairs" everybody was impressed at the thought that Aires could have such powerful familiars. Such creatures were not seen in England either, because of the legislations against them most had been killed and the remaining ones did not bother with wizards. They were attracted only to the most powerful mages.
"Um, it's not so interesting really." he tried to divert the attention from himself "Key has three familiars too" and it worked now everyone was staring at his boyfriend, amazed to have not one but two mages in the room. Tom was incredibly powerful too, but to have this number of familiars at such a young age it meant that the boys growing up would become arch mages at least, if not more.
"What are your familiars?" asked Draco, talking for the first time.
"A shadow wolf, a water dragon and a magical falcon" he replied not bothered to be used as a bait to escape from attention by his boyfriend.
Before anyone could comment on that an elf appeared announcing that lunch was ready, so they went to eat.
During the meal Aries agreed to tell them what happened to him. He tried to omit his childhood, but he was not good at lying when people seemed so concerned on his behalf. And they were family in the end, he really wanted to have a good relationship with them so lying was out of question.
His story wiped away all the remaining belief that he could be anything like they thought. Aries
was not Dumbledore's golden boy nor he was like James Potter at all. He was an abused, scared and clueless child when he entered Hogwarts, and then he was used by the headmaster for his little plays of heroism, only to be treated like shit if the wizarding world did not like what he was doing.
Severus was horrified at discovering the child had bindings on his magical core too. No wonder he had the concentration of a troll and could not do magic swiftly, the only exception being defence against the dark arts.
"Is your wand still working for you?" inquired softly. If not it meant the boy was really powerful, phoenix feathers were not the core of the weak.
"No, Kieran took me to this wand crafter in LA so I could have my new wand" Tom's respect for the young man grew a bit at hearing that. "I still have some problems, cause I put too much power in the spells. But I'm getting better" he smiled, not even realizing that he just admitted of being one of the most powerful wizards on heart.
"Do you think you need a little tutoring, son?" he would be glad to help him, or have someone else do it if he was really busy. He would not have his son doing everything alone anymore.
"Um, no.. I.." he really did not want to bother his father or someone else tutor him, but he could use a little help maybe. Kieran was already wasting enough time teaching him after all.
"I am already teaching him some bit of magic not very legal in England. But he could learn more and faster if he had others to teach him." Kieran knew how Aries thought, and even if he understood from where it came from, it was still stupid. He had so much power and talent, it shouldn't be wasted. "For example, while I'm good at potions I'm no potion master yet. Maybe if Master Snape" addressing the man by his title "had a little time to tutor Aries I'm sure he would get better in no time, and they could work on their relationship too." he proposed. As much as he hated thinking of having less time to spend with his Emerald, it would be good for the little wizard.
"I'm not opposed to the idea, as long as Aries is going to work seriously and hard" replied Severus, glad to have a chance to adjust things with the boy. He wondered if he had the same talent as his father in potions. Only one way to find out.
"I could teach him transfiguration!" exclaimed Sirius already excited at the prospect of working with his godson.
"We take charms!" joined in the twins. They were extremely gifted in the subject and would make it interesting for Aries.
Lucius too volunteered to teach him Arithmancy, and Remus took defense. Aries could not believe they were all available to tutor him. Adults in his life were not known to be helpful or concerned for his wellbeing in the past. That was a good change.
"Maybe Draco and me.. we could study together if he wants.. I mean for the new stuff.. I doubt he needs revising" he proposed, stuttering a little. He was not good at social things, and they had been rivals for years, maybe the blond did not want to be friends.
"I'd like that" smiled Draco. He liked this new Harry.. ehm Aries. All the Gryffindor façade was gone, leaving behind a shy and insecure boy, if not incredibly cute. Even with a deadly snake wrapped around his shoulders. They would have grown up like brothers if not for Dumbledore manipulations, and maybe it was not too late to try and have that kind of relationship between them.
The rest of the day passed making small talk or reading something.
Aries was going to his room following a lively dinner, exhausted after everything, when Kieran stopped him. They went to the young man bedroom and settled on the bed.
"I know you're tired Emerald, but you can't skip meditation. You already did it last night, and it's not good" he reprimanded him "now, I want you to find your magical core tonight. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Calm all your emotions. Imagine the waves in the sea slowly disappearing as you let go of exhaustion, nervousness, leaving behind a flat surface of water." he instructed.
Aires breathing was now slow and even, his body relaxed in his position sitting cross legged on the bed. He could almost smell the sea and ear the seagulls in the distance.
"Very good" he continued keeping his voice to a low comforting tone "now go back inside your body. You can see your mind, all the thoughts and memories floating around. Search for strands of magic."
His memories were all on display in his mind, playing themselves in the portraits that contained them. Flashes of colour appeared here and there, his emotions, and words floated everywhere like pieces of thoughts. Then he saw them. Strands of magic of bright colors, some thicker than others, all pulsing as if alive.
He approached the nearest to him, it was a light green and pulsating happily. He touched it and images of his father flashed before his eyes. It was his bond with him, still a light colour because they were just reunited and not comfortable with each other yet, but it was thick meaning Aries already looked up to his father and trusted him.
Curious he neared the others. There was a red one for Sirius, blue for Remus, twin orange strands intertwined for Fred and George. New shy strands were there for the Malfoys and Severus.
The biggest and brightest of them all was the strand that represented the bond with Kieran. It was a deep gold and humming sending him feelings of love, comfort and pride. He wondered it was the same for everyone or if their strand was like that because they were soul mates. He sent back at Key a pulse of happiness and then got back to searching his magical core.
Taking a good look around him he noticed that while one end of the strands vanished, probably the part leading to the other person, the other descended. He followed the strands that slowly became braided together. After a bit he was blinded by a bright light. It resembled an aurora of colors. And the strands all dived in the mass of light and colours. It was his magical core.
There were all kind of colours, all mixed with each other, but it was confused and chaotic. Almost like his mind but a little worse.
Suddenly he was yanked back into reality. His breathing was a little heavier now but he was proud of himself. If finally managed to reach his magical core!
"By your smile I take it you did it?" Kieran grinned, already knowing Aries could do it, he just needed a little guidance.
"Yeah! It was great." he recounted all he saw and then asked "It is normal for my magical core to look like that?" it seemed like a great vortex ready to swallow everything, it was really a breathtaking sight.
"Yes and no. It is normal for you because your magic has just been released after fifteen years being restricted, it's like it exploded and now it is untamable. A normal core is more well ordered and calm." Kieran explained him calmly. He got up searching for something within his library. "with occlumency you will order your mind, all your emotions and memories, it will help greatly, the rest will come on his own. Your magic just needs to.. stir a bit after so much time." he smiled.
"Ok" he took the book Key was handing him, silently asking what it was.
"This is a manual that I used to learn. It will help you create your mindscape as you like it more and store your thoughts. When you're finished with it I'm sure you will have nice occlumency barriers and protections." he smiled sitting back next to Aries.
Seeing the other was nearly falling asleep he nudged him "You should go to bed it you're tired Emerald." he was not surprised at that, he got so worked up for the meeting.
"Don't wanna" he mumbled while cuddling on his side. Key chuckled, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend he slowly lowered them in a laying position. With a lazy flick of his hand they were clad in their pjs, or just soft pants in his case.
"Comfortable?" Kieran asked seeing Aries moving around to find the right position. He was already fast asleep he noticed, and in the end practically on top of him. He had his head on Kieran shoulder, an arm across his chest and a leg over his one. Smiling he kissed lightly Aries lips and then got to sleep himself.
In the living room downstairs Severus, Lucius and the two marauders were still talking. The twins excused themselves retiring to their bedroom, probably going to work on some of their new pranks for the shop. The dark lord too had gone to his study wanting to start planning their new goals in the war immediately. There were after all a lot of changes to make in their society.
"I never thought I would see the day were two lions like you passed to the dark side" commented Severus while swirling the whiskey in his glass. After all Sirius had run away from his family because they were dark to take refuge with Potter.
True, the Black were also a bit too much crazy, even for his tastes, with all their muggle hunting and overly strict behavior even in the privacy of their home. Regulus and Narcissa told them enough stories about their childhoods.
Walburga Black and Cygnus too were both heartless bastards. How could a parent be so insensitive and careless about his child?
"Well, suddenly this dark side doesn't seem so dark anymore" replied calmly Sirius. He always resented his brother for joining the death eaters, thinking them all evil, but now that he knew the true goals of the dark lord he felt really proud of his little brother. His only regret was not being able to apologize to him for the way he treated him and tell him he loved him. If only there was a portrait of him, it was not the same but still something.
"Yeah, at least if the dark lord wants you dead, he kills you without too much trouble. Dumbledore would just manipulate you to your early death while achieving his purposes." complained Remus. Too many times he had been sent to talk with the werewolves of his behalf nearly risking to be killed, and always coming back full of injuries.
He had been stupid to just do has ordered, he knew the wolves would never side with the light, not even if promised of equal rights because they knew it would have been just lies. Maybe the dark would not give them rights either, but the dark wizards respected them enough to treat them as human beings and not just monsters, as he found out that afternoon.
He was so blinded by his gratitude towards the man for letting him attend Hogwarts even with his curse, that he failed to question his demands. That would not happen again.
"Tom is not like that. There was a period, after the death of Selena that he killed anything in sight that's true. But in general he just curses you if you do something incredibly stupid, death is for traitors and spies. After a good dose of torture of course. But with his inner circle and trusted ones he is more laid back, he listen to our opinions and advices. I presume you will fall in that category seeing Aries looks at you like another set of godparents." Lucius mused.
They would be great addictions to their ranks. Lupin was very smart, having probably read all the books in the school library and writing school texts himself. He was calm and reflective, able to see a situation from every point of view. His werewolf strength was useful too.
Black on the other hand was more a man of action, fast thinking and great dueling abilities. Yes, Tom would value their opinions in times to come.
"How curious" a woman with floor length white air was admiring the view from her office windows. A big tome on her right was glowing in its stand. "It seems that the time has come. Yes the heirs will be reunited under the same sky. Soon you will shine with the powers of them both" she said caressing a tapestry lovingly "We will have some work to do, he's quite late after all."
A knock at the door interrupted her reflections, followed by a huge man entering. "You called for me Madam?" he asked in a low dangerous voice.
"Yes. Yes I did. I need you to summon the guardians. I have a mission for them." the red eyes of the woman bright in the shadows of the room as she turned to look at the man. She dismissed him with a wave of her hand so he could obey the order and then went to her desk to write something.
"A great era is beginning. I can already feel your magic humming in happiness. Soon.. soon"
So.. here's the lunch with the Malfoys and the grumpy bat.. Tell me what do you think about it and if you have some ideas on what you would like to read, tell me and I will consider them. ^^
Anyway, thank you to all that followed my ff or left a review ^-^
I just want to answer "Constructive"'s review and his constructive criticism : fist of all.. ''character bashing is a no-no. It's almost always a sign of bad fanfiction, especially when there's an OC" says who? I've read different ff with bashing and OC's, both in english and italian, and they were quite good. If you don't like them it's a different matter. You think my ff is bad? Just don't read it then. Second. I know it's TOM Marvolo Riddle and not Thomas. But guess what? it's a fan fiction. Meaning that if for some reason I want to call him Thomas, I will.. It's like calling Harry, Hadrian or Harrison or similar. Maybe my Tom didn't like his name cause it sounded too muggle and changed it after Hogwarts to Thomas!