Hadrian didn't know what to think of Lily's death.

His Daddy made sure to sit down with him and talk about it before he read it in the newspaper. He didn't know his biological parents and any good feelings he had for them had evaporated many years ago. He had a large and loving family that actually chose to love Rian, even if they didn't have to. His Daddy could have healed him and given him to the Ministry, an orphanage, or even back to his birth parents. But instead, Daddy kept him, and every year that passed made that love he felt for his family even stronger.

There was a time where Hadrian wanted nothing but to know his birth parents and experience their love. Instead, Rian was gifted his Daddy, Uncle Lucius (soon to be Father if he had his way), Aunt Cissa, Uncle Nick, brother Draco, and of course Tom. Maybe fate knew that Rian would be happier with his puzzle piece family than the toxic traditionalist family that the Potters' portrayed. A very small part of Rian did miss his twin though and felt a feeling of sorrow for his twin losing his Mother. Maybe when they finally attended Hogwarts there was a chance to reconnect with his lost twin, given the priority of not making Draco jealous.

Rian traced his fingers over the newspaper to make the spell Daddy and Tom created read the words aloud to him again. Something about Lily Potter's death was suspicious and everyone was speculating about it. Draco insisted Donovan offed his Mother in an epic-sized tantrum for not getting his way. Rian hated to point out to Dray that he was more likely to do that with his spoiled personality making Dray get pouty. Rian loved his Uncle Lucy and Aunt Cissa but Dray really was very spoiled sometimes. Daddy tried his best to give Rian everything while keeping him humble enough.

Uncle Nick would say that Daddy, Uncle Lucy, and Aunt Cissa had very skewed perspectives on what the definition of 'too spoiled' actually means.

Tom thought they were all ridiculous but loved them all anyway and that was just how Hadrian liked it.

*Silent Compassion*

Albus Dumbledore was experiencing the muggle illness of heartburn for the first time and he blamed Voldemort and James Potter for his predicament.

James had only informed Albus about Lily's death after already filing a report with the Ministry. After both James and Donovan had been thoroughly questioned, James had flooed over to Albus' office to discuss Lily's death. Donny was off at the Weasley house, for the time being, James knew he would be too busy with the investigation and funeral plans to make sure Donovan stayed out of trouble.

While James had stuck with his story about coming home after a morning out with Donovan in Diagon Alley to find Lily dead in their heavily warded family manor, Albus knew that James was lying to him. Now he wasn't sure if James had killed Lily himself or if he was covering for someone else having killed Lily, but Albus did know that everything about this was going to blow up in their faces and it was all James' fault. If James had only confided in him before going to the Ministry they could have buried this matter quietly and not drawn any suspicion but it was far too late now.

Lily would no longer be in the way anymore though and Albus did think that was good as she was getting harder to keep under control as the years went by. Albus supposed he felt vaguely bad for Donovan, but the death of his mother would only strengthen his character and bring more sympathy later on when used in the media. It took many hours for Albus and James to come up with some contingency plans if Albus' damage control in the Ministry did not help, but they didn't think it would be needed.

No one would go against the great Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.

*Silent Compassion*

Lucius felt both elated and like he was about to throw up his intestines out of pure anxiety, and Tom sat in his office laughing at him.

Lucius and Narcissa's marriage was officially over. The divorce papers were signed off a week ago and now they were free from each other. Free to finally pursue the people they actually loved. 'Cissa will always be the mother to his heir and one of his closest friends, but Lucius loved Severus and he was very ready to make it official.

"Will you please watch the boys tonight Tom?" Lucius pleaded, ignoring the fact that Tom was laughing at how nervous Lucius was for his date with Severus later that day.

"Yes, yes fine. I will watch the boys while you finally lay claim to the snarly potions master. Are you sure you want to tie yourself to someone so quickly after being freed from your last marriage?" Tom asked with true concern for Lucius.

"I have wanted to call Severus my husband for too many years. I will not wait any longer." Lucius said stiffly.

"Okay, okay. I get it. Go get ready for your date and proposal. I will watch the boys and in payment, I expect a pensive memory of the proposal." Tom bargained, making Lucius sigh but nod in agreement.

"Okay fine. Thank you, Tom."

"Just make sure to take care of yourself and Severus okay? I don't want to explain horrible things to little boys if you aren't careful enough."

"Not that I am saying anything bad will happen, but maybe if it ever does, leave those conversations up to Narcissa and Nicholas to explain," Lucius suggested with a wince. Tom glared at him annoyed, but not protesting knowing that Lucius was right about who would be best for such emotional topics, it was definitely not him. Although he would try for Hadrian's sake.

*Silent Compassion*

Severus knew when he laid eyes on Lucius that he was going to do something stupid.

Not that this was news. Lucius often did things that were stupid, but since they were due to go out for their weekly date Severus was stuck with whatever consequences there would be with whatever new stupid plan Lucius concocted.

"Lucius. Please be reasonable with whatever mischief you have planned." Severus said with a tired sigh, causing Lucius to chuckle nervously.

"I promise I have nothing planned that you hopefully will not enjoy Sev. Trust me?" Lucius asks nervously. Severus studied Lucius for a moment before nodding. Lucius smiled brightly, leaning in for a chaste kiss before holding out a rope.

"I have a portkey and the next several hours planned out. Tom is watching the boys for the night so we have no rush to return. Let's go have fun, Severus." Lucius spoke with a dangerous smirk. Severus knew that he would likely regret whatever Lucius was getting him into, but he didn't have the heart to tell him no. Hopefully, the mess would be easy to clean up in the morning. Severus took hold of the rope and hoped for the best.