Auror Dixon was getting tired of being handed impossible cases.
First Lily Potter's murder with James Potter or his son, the-boy-who-lived Donovan Potter as prime suspects, which got handed over to the ICW investigators to handle. Although the monthly report he gets from them doesn't give him much hope that Lily's killer will be put away any time soon.
Now, here he sits looking at the bright blue new case file on his desk with the name Dumbledore on it.
When did he become the wizarding world's celebrity personal auror? Never, should be the correct answer. But he doubted that his superiors agreed with that sentiment.
Opening the file reluctantly, he was surprised to see it was a civil dispute between the House of Malfoy and Albus-too-many-goddamn-names-Dumbledore.
"Huh," Dixon muttered in surprise, which of course drew the attention of Auror Compton and Proudfoot. The three had become rather close after the mess of Lily Potter's murder.
"Want to share with the class?" Auror Compton asked a little too eagerly.
"I wondered if that case was going to be dumped on you." Auror Proudfoot spoke with little emotion, but Dixon could feel the smug bastard's amusement.
"Lucky me," Dixon drawled sarcastically before looking over to Compton, "I've been assigned to a discrimination and civil lawsuit against Albus Dumbledore and the House of Malfoy."
"Why would Dumbledore sue the Malfoys?" Compton asked confused.
"Other way around. I guess Dumbledore denied entry to Lord Malfoy's step-son supposedly because Hogwart's is unable to have any students with disabilities. The Hogwart's board called B.S. on Dumbledore's statement so Malfoy is now suing Dumbledore for discrimination." Proudfoot summarized in a concise manner that Dixon would never be able to pull off.
"I didn't know that Lord Malfoy had a stepson?" Dixon looked to Proudfoot for answers, catching the incredulous looks both Proudfoot and Compton sent him.
"Do you actually sleep under a rock Dixon? Inquiring minds want to know, it would explain so much about you." Compton asked.
"Of course, I don't sleep under a rock! I just don't read the newspaper." Dixon muttered.
"Lord Malfoy divorced his wife almost 2 years ago now. They had a one-child contract and had stayed together for their son Draco. Most amicable divorce you've probably ever seen. Narcissa had a beau on the side already, and so did Lucius. Last year Lucius Malfoy wed Master Severus Prince and adopted his son Hadrian Prince. Hadrian is blind and has some other undisclosed medical issues, but that doesn't slow him down any. Sweet kid actually." Proudfoot reported in his smug know-it-all tone that made Dixon want to hex him.
"You've met them?" Compton asked curiously.
"Yeah, I have. Master Malfoy nee Prince does quite a bit of work with the potions department and even the unspeakables. I usually escort him around since having an ex-death eater in the Ministry tends to make people a little nervous. He has brought Hadrian around a couple of times while he visited. You would never know that kid couldn't see, except for his lack of eyes of course. The spells Master Malfoy nee Prince has created should make Hadrian's admission to any school a nonissue." Proudfoot spoke with a fondness for the blind boy.
"Then what has Dumbledore's robes in a twist? Why deny Hadrian entry?" Dixon asked confused.
"I do believe that is why they handed you the case, to answer that question. Is there a viable reason to deny Hadrian Prince-Malfoy entry to Hogwarts, or is Dumbledore becoming senile perhaps?" Compton snarked.
"It's going to be another long week…" Dixon sighed heavily.
—- Silent Compassion —-
"What about Durmstag?" Tom suggested in a light voice.
"Gross, I don't want to go all the way to Durmstag Tom!" Hadrian protested with a small grin.
"If I was you, I would just ask for private tutors and be done with it," Draco said dramatically, not liking that he might be separated from Rian so soon after finally becoming brothers officially.
"Well in order to inherit the Malfoy seat, you have to attend Hogwarts. So you don't get a say Dray," Hadrian stated so matter of factly that it caused Tom to chuckle.
"Don't encourage them, Tom," Severus said as he stepped into the library where Tom, Draco, and Hadrian had gathered in order to debate Hadrian's schooling options.
"How did the meeting with the Board go?" Tom asked seriously.
"Badly for Dumbledore's image but again they can't overturn his rejection of Rian until the Aurors have completed their investigation, which could take months."
"The school year starts soon…" Rian said softly, sadness coloring his tone.
"I know my little Raven." Severus mournfully spoke as he wrapped Rian in a close hug. "Maybe Hogwarts just wasn't meant to be this year. We can do tutors until the investigation is over, but I think you would prefer an actual school to attend. We will look into all of them and find the best one."
"I don't want Rian to go to another school!" Draco shouted, red in the face. He ran out of the room before anyone could react.
"Is Dray gonna hate me for choosing another school?" Hadrian's insecurity showed in that one brokenly asked question.
"Oh of course he won't hate you. He loves you, you are his brother and best friend. He just hates that you can't join him at Hogwarts and that the Malfoy Lordship won't allow him to join you at another school until after his OWLs. Just let him cool off and he will be back. We are going to find the perfect school for you and your brilliant mind, you will keep in touch with us and your brother, and we will all be together during the holiday breaks." Severus speaks calmly, kissing Hadrian's head and drawing a small smile from the boy.
Tom watched them with his own smile on his face, something once rare to see, was now much more common. Mostly thanks to that sweet blind boy clutching onto Severus' robes as if they were a lifeline. Not that Tom would ever admit that out loud to anyone.
"How shall we go about selecting schools? We don't have lots of time to do in-depth research on anyone." Tom asked cautiously.
"I think I actually have a solution to that problem, as long as Hadrian can pass the placement tests." Lucius said as he finally joined them in the library, looking around at who was there, and frowned slightly, "Where is Draco?"
"He had a bit of a fit at hearing he would be separated from Hadrian," Tom answered.
"Just leave him to calm down," Severus said over the top of Hadrian's head.
"Are you alright Hadrian?" Lucius asked worriedly, sitting next to his husband and petting Hadrian's head.
"Are you disappointed? That I can't attend Hogwarts like you and Daddy?" Hadrian asked.
"Oh of course not. I am angry at Dumbledore for denying you the opportunity that you should have been allowed to attend. You should have been allowed to be with your brother. But we will find you whatever you need to succeed in life Hadrian. I promise you. If you don't like what we find for you and we can get Dumbledore dealt with, then you can transfer to Hogwarts if that is what you want. But we will always love you and always, always be proud of you. You are so strong, so brave, and so smart." Lucius spoke softly but firmly, taking Hadrian from Severus to give him his own hug.
"So what school were you thinking of? I am not sure I have heard of any school that requires entrance exams." Severus asked curiously.
"They are an elite school, very small. Not on the same level as the wizarding schools because they are specialized with very strict entrance exams. But I believe our little Raven is plenty smart enough to get in and his magical levels are off the charts, so I have no fear of him being accepted." Lucius teased with a smile, still not sharing the name of the school.
"Well don't keep us waiting Lucius." Tom drawled, "What is this amazing school and where is it located?"
"The International Wizarding Academy of Gibraltar," Lucius said smugly.
"Gibraltar… Spain?" Tom asked
"I don't know Spanish." Hadrian pointed out.
Lucius sighed, "You three kill all of my fun. This is a very elite school. Gibraltar is actually a territory of England, so they speak English, and since they are under the British control, their OWLs and NEWTs are also automatically accepted here without any further testing."
"And you think this school is good enough for our son?" Severus asked cautiously, "I've never heard of it."
"If Draco didn't have to attend Hogwarts for the Lordship I would have found a way to get him into this school already," Lucius stated firmly.
"I require more information on this school before I feel comfortable sending Rian there," Severus said.
"Of course my love," Lucius said with a smile, kissing Severus which caused Hadrian to make gagging noises.
"No kissing with me in the middle!" Hadrian pouted.
"No promises," Lucius said with a smirk.
"I guess we have research to do. Hadrian, why don't you go try to pull Draco out of wherever he ran off to so we may have dinner." Severus said with a small smile. Feeling a little less stressed now that they had a plan of action or at least the outline of one.
"Okay, Daddy." Hadrian agreed, kissing both Severus and Lucius' cheeks, giving Tom a tight hug, and running out of the room to find his brother.
"Gibraltar huh?" Tom asked once Hadrian was gone.
"Don't say it like that Tom. Have a little faith that I won't send Rian anywhere less than what will help him in life. Hogwarts clearly won't do so and I will not let his education suffer while we wait on the Ministry to decide if Dumbledore has finally fucked up again." Lucius lectured with a frown.
"I have faith in you Lucius, it is others I don't trust," Tom responded and wasn't that an understatement.
"We will get the boys through this," Severus says with more confidence than he feels.
"Of course, we will my love. Now to break the news to Narcissa." Lucius spoke with a grimace at the thought.
"Nope. Your ex-wife. You tell her." Severus insisted.
"What, but my love-"
"No, I agree with him. You tell Cissa." Tom said with a grin.
"I hate you both," Lucius grumbled.
"Then you can sleep in the guest wing instead." Severus grinned as he stood and strode out of the room.
"What? No! Severus!" Lucius quickly followed, leaving Tom alone in the library shaking his head.
"Bloody married people," Tom grumbled before going to see what he could find on this mysterious new school. He would tutor Rian himself before sending him somewhere unsuitable. Hadrian deserved the world and Tom would give it to him. Whether he understood why he would or not.