Thomas Marvolo Riddle had an imposing presence even at the age of sixteen.
Not that Tom was actually sixteen. Unfortunately due to the nature of the ritual Lucius and Severus used to bring Tom back to 'life' mixed with using his diary Horcrux, Tom was doomed to relive his teenage years and hormones. Gross. He was grateful that he only had to be a spirit for a couple of years before they found a way to return him to both his body and his sanity, but puberty was rough the first time and the second wasn't going much better.
Severus walked into the office and quickly sat down at his desk across from where his Lord was lounging on his office sofa. Severus just really wanted to finish up Hadrian's potions and go to sleep, knowing his lord though he knew that wouldn't be happening for several hours. Deciding to try to direct the conversation and break the heavy silence between them Severus cleared his throat.
"Tom, welcome back from your trip. We have missed you of course, but what brings you home so early besides the news of my heir? Why did Fenrir leave you so soon? Lucius and I took bets that we would have to drag you two back from Egypt." Severus asked only a little nervously.
Tom smiled bitterly, "Fenrir decided that my body was too young even though my mind is older than his. He said I made him feel like a pervert praying on a child and it couldn't work between us anymore."
Now Severus felt like an ass for asking in the first place. Severus was also not good at comforting people, especially people like his Lord. "My condolences then, he is the fool for leaving you."
"Ah Severus, nevermind that. My hormones matter little in comparison to why the hell did you not tell me about your son?" Tom huffed irritated, brushing dark hair out of his pale blue and red-streaked eyes.
Severus sighed, leaning back in his chair deciding where to begin his story. "Hadrian isn't biologically mine, well he is now but that is due to the blood adoption. Hadrian has only been my son for a couple of weeks, I swear I have not hidden my heir from you." Severus paused with a sad smile before explaining to Tom exactly how he found Hadrian, the condition he was in, and how his healing was progressing.
"I see. Who are his actual parents Severus? It does not escape my notice that you skirted around that detail." Tom said sternly.
"… Hadrian was originally the eldest twin of Donovan Potter, son of James and Lily Potter."
Tom sat back, rolling this information around in his mind. He saw why Severus withheld the information but the information surprisingly didn't bother him overly much. Hadrian clearly was no longer under the Potter banner and would be raised in a proper household with the proper care. "I am not going to go after your son Severus, he is clearly a Prince now and not a Potter, I am not threatened by an abused blind five-year-old."
Severus' whole body relaxed having unknowingly tensed up while waiting on his Lord's thoughts. "Thank you, Tom. Would you like to officiate the godparent ceremony for Hadrian and the Malfoys?"
"I would be more than happy to do so, shall we mark it for this Friday so Cissa doesn't have time to go overboard with the planning?" Tom said teasingly, making Severus laugh.
"This Friday will be fine. I will tell Lucius when he pops in tomorrow."
"No need I am headed over to the manor next to check on Draco and lecture Lucius some more while I am there." Tom stands and brushed his robes free of any wrinkles from sitting down. "I will give the Malfoys your love shall I?"
"Please don't. They have already invaded my house multiple times this week. I don't want them to think they need to come over more." Severus grumbled annoyed. Tom laughed as he left Severus' office, he paused by the floo to look down the hall across the room where Hadrian's room was. Tom felt unexplainedly pulled toward the small child. Shaking his head he grabbed some floo powder and stepped into the flames calling for Malfoy Manor's main floo.
Silent Compassion
Friday came way too soon, or at least Severus felt like it had. Hadrian was excited to be doing something so magical as a ritual ceremony and he was nervous to finally be introduced to Cissa and Lucius' son Draco. Severus wouldn't say he was excited but he was happy to have a safeguard in place that if anything happened to him that Hadrian would still have a happy and safe home. First though, was the hurdle of introducing his spoiled godson to his traumatized son. Severus could already feel a headache coming on.
"Do I really need to wear a dress?" Hadrian asked pulling on his robes some.
"It isn't a dress, they are wizarding robes. You only need to wear them for the ceremony and then you can take them off. Though you should start getting used to the feel of them." Severus said with a small smile, holding back a laugh when Hadrian started to grumble to himself. Severus loved that Hadrian was starting to relax around him and act like a typical little boy if just a very smart one.
Severus had learned that Hadrian used to hide from his family, mostly his cousin at the community library so he spent a lot of time reading. Severus had the sinking feeling he was going to be decorating Hadrian's room in blue and bronze soon enough. He wasn't sure what to do with a little brain box but he would love Hadrian even if he ended up in Gryffindor with his obnoxious twin Donovan. Shaking his head of his thoughts Severus double-checked his supply bag before gently picking up Hadrian to carry through the floo.
Hadrian buried his head against his Daddy's chest having already been warned about floo travel and what to expect. His anxiety was also building because he wanted to get along with Draco but he had never had a friend his age before and he was sure he was going to screw it up and then Lucius and Narcissa wouldn't want to be his godparents anymore. Severus had already reassured Hadrian about this fear but it still lingered in Hadrian's mind.
Severus stepped into the floo, throwing down the powder, and firmly intoning, "Malfoy Manor Entrance Hall."
Hadrian felt like his world just kept spinning even after Daddy told him that they were on solid ground again. It's not like Hadrian could open his eyes to help orient himself.
"It keeps moving." Hadrian whimpers into his Daddy's chest.
"I'm sorry Hadrian, I promise to find a different way to get us home okay? We will sit here until you feel better." Severus comforted Hadrian as he sat on the floo right next to the floo, not wanting to move further and make Hadrian sick. That is how Lucius and Tom found Severus, sitting on the floor holding Hadrian and humming softly under his breath to help distract the boy.
"Sev, why are you on the ground?" Lucius asked bewildered making Tom roll his eyes at Lucius' stupidity.
"Lucius go make yourself useful and control your wife before she sends your house-elves into a tizzy trying to make a feast for only six people," Tom said firmly. Lucius hesitated before nodding heading off, still confused.
"Thank you, Tom, Hadrian did not react well to the floo. We will have to figure out something else for when we go home." Severus spoke softly to not spook Hadrian.
"No problem. Narcissa has been keeping Draco busy so that he wouldn't immediately come and pounce on your presence as soon as you arrived. Although you may want to prepare, I am not sure how long she can keep him contained." Tom teased.
"Goody. Hadrian, how are you feeling?" Severus asked concerned
"I'm okay, just don't walk fast?" Hadrian mumbled into his shirt making Severus smile.
"Promise I won't. Let's go wrangle your godparents into behaving and you can meet Draco. Remember I said that he is likely to be loud and if he gets too annoying you let me know immediately okay?"
"Okay, I will Daddy." Hadrian smiled timidly up at Severus. Tom had decided that watching Severus and Hadrian together would give him a toothache with how sweet they were, not that Tom would ever admit such thoughts out loud.
Tom helped Severus stand without dropping Hadrian before making their way deeper into the manor toward the main family room. They could hear Draco loudly demanding his parents tell him how long until he could see his uncle Sev and meet his new friend. The behavior made Severus cringe and Tom roll his eyes, not even a little surprised at Draco's behavior.
"Remember to be quiet and gentle with Hadrian, my sweet dragon. He is too fragile yet for you to overwhelm him." Narcissa reminded her son.
"I will Mom." Draco nodded seriously, not wanting to scare away his soon-to-be new friend.
"Good boy dragon," Lucius said with a smile, making Draco beam up happily at his Dad's approval.
Severus stepped into the family room cautiously, knowing his godson had good intentions but being rather protective over Hadrian and what was best for him.
"Uncle Sev!" Draco shouted causing Hadrian to flinch. Tom caught Draco in his arms before Draco could tackle Severus' legs and upset Hadrian.
"Draconis what did I just say." Narcissa snapped out causing Draco to frown and tears begin to form.
"I-I just wanted to say hi to Uncle Sev." Draco sniffles.
Severus sighs knowing that this was going to happen, making sure that Hadrian is doing okay first before heading toward Lucius. "Okay Hadrian, I am going to give you to Lucius while I calm Draco down, okay? You are doing wonderfully." Severus kisses the top of Hadrian's head before setting him in Lucius' lap making Hadrian smile shyly, his fingers already searching out for Lucius' soft silky hair.
"Okay, Daddy. I will be a good boy, promise." Hadrian says softly.
"I know you will," Severus reassured the boy before turning back to Tom who still was holding a sniffling Draco who was failing at not crying.
"Oh my Draco, you know I still love you and I know you didn't mean to scare Hadrian but you really must be gentle and quiet. Like you are when you go to care for the peacocks, okay?" Severus takes Draco from Tom, hoisting him on his hip, rubbing his back.
Narcissa shook her head at the scene in front of her. "While you boys all bond, I will go alert the house elves to set up the ritual room so we can finish before it is time for dinner."
Tom watched Narcissa leave them, but Tom was unsure where he fits in this domestic scene as Lucius and Severus comforted the two little boys. Tom wanted to check on Hadrian but wasn't sure if his presence would be welcome so instead, he stood in the middle of the family room fidgeting in agitation.
Lucius was watching Tom and was rather amused at his Lord's awkwardness, but he knew if he didn't ease the tension that his Lord would likely snap at everyone. "So Hadrian are you excited to gain godparents and a godbrother?" Lucius projecting his voice so that way Draco would hear over his sniffles.
"Yeah, I've never had such a big family before," Hadrian says with a soft smile.
"Godbrother? I get a brother?" Draco says excitedly, his tears drying up rather quickly, causing Severus to roll his eyes.
"Yes you get a brother, so you better treat him really nice since he will be your little brother," Severus says sternly.
"Okay! I'm sorry Hadrian for scaring you." Draco says while wiggling out of Severus' arms.
"It's okay Draco…" Hadrian nervously smiles, hoping to stay on his good side too.
It wasn't long before both little boys end up in an animated discussion about dragons. Severus relaxed more as the boys got along and Hadrian acted just like a happy little boy. Draco never once said anything about Hadrian's sight or made it seem like Hadrian was handicapped at all. It gave Severus a lot of hope. Narcissa finally popped back into the family room, smiling at the little boys before announcing it was time to go down to the ritual room.
"Let's go become brothers Rian!" Draco declared, already giving Hadrian a nickname, which made Hadrian really happy because he had never had a good nickname before.
"Okay, Dray," Hadrian replied happily, holding onto Draco's hand and Severus took his other hand so they both could lead him down to the ritual room without him getting hurt. Not that it would be long before Hadrian knew Malfoy Manor as well as he knew his own house. This was just the beginning of Hadrian's growing family and Hadrian couldn't help but feel deep happiness and hope for the coming future.