Severus Malfoy nee Prince knew when he took in the blind beaten little boy he had found abandoned in the forest a little over 9 years ago that his life would never be the same. He underestimated the sheer chaos and joy of the boy, now his son would also bring into his life. Staring at the most recent letter from his sons, he knew his hair would be turning gray before either of them managed to receive their NEWTs.
"Lucius! Your sons are giving me heartburn." Severus shouted from his office within Malfoy Manor, knowing Lucius would be able to hear him from his own office next door. Within minutes Lucius was striding into his office with a raised eyebrow.
"Why are they my sons when they are causing trouble?"
"Because only you caused this much trouble when you were this age. Also, Tom isn't here for me to blame his influence over the troublemakers we call children." Severus grumbled, rubbing his head feeling a headache coming on.
"What did they do now?" Lucius asked curiously, walking behind Severus' desk to rub his tense shoulders.
"According to their latest letters, both Hadrian and Draco are at Hogwarts because of the tournament being held there this year. I will also bet you all the gold in our vault that they will be entering the tournament." Severus sighed softly, handing over the letters they received so Lucius could read them too. The boys hadn't stated outright they would be entering, but Severus knew his children.
"Draco will be disappointed to know he can't enter then. It was part of the negotiations when the tournament was set up. Originally when Beauxbatons was participating it was going to be 17 or older to be able to participate. But since they backed out it was changed to only students that have taken and passed at least 5 OWLs." Lucius said with a grimace. He knew his darling son also could throw some legendary tantrums when he wanted to.
"Hadrian took his OWLs last year and Draco won't take his till next year. Oh, Draco will not like that at all." Severus said with a frown. "Although I do not like the idea of either one participating to begin with."
"I doubt any of us will be able to talk Hadrian out of trying. Especially with Dumbledore there, Hadrian will want to prove himself despite his perceived limitations."
"Undoubtedly you are correct my love," Severus murmured, leaning his head against Lucius. "I am afraid this tournament may also bring Hadrian's true parentage to light. James has already gotten away with Lily's murder, I would hate for him to know anything about the son he abandoned without a care."
"He didn't get away with her murder, they just haven't found the right evidence to prove he did it." Lucius corrected gently. "He will slip one of these days. I just hope that it is not Hadrian or even the child he chose to keep that triggers such a slip."
"Do you think that Hadrian will want to know his twin?" Severus asked a little unsure. Twins had such strong bonds in the magical world, it was taboo to separate twins and usually painful until their magical cores stabilized.
"I don't know, he may. But that decision will be between them, and probably Draco who will get jealous." Lucius mused. "But no point worrying over things we have no control over or haven't happened yet. We should write the boys and caution them on both Dumbledore and the tournament, we should prepare for pouty brothers once Draco learns he can't compete, and we should pray to Lady Magic that Hadrian isn't selected for our own peace of mind and so Tom doesn't go crazy with worry."
Severus grumbled unhappily but he knew his husband was right, but that didn't mean he had to like it. "I will let you inform Narcissa and Tom of Hadrian's impending entrance to a death game then while I write letters."
"So cruel my beloved, but I will do this only for you." Lucius grinned, kissing Severus gently, running his fingers through his dark hair. "I love you and we will get through this."
"I love you too you annoying prat," Severus murmured against Lucius' lips before pulling away. "Now shoo, I have work to do."
Lucius chuckled but left Severus in his office, debating on who he wanted to face first, Narcissa or Tom?
—- Silent Compassion —-
Donovan had had a rough couple of years. Five years ago when his mother was murdered, his whole spoiled life had been flipped upside down. Over those five years, he had also come to the conclusion that it was definitely his father and Headmaster Dumbledore at fault. He didn't know how and he had no proof, but he knew that the two of them were the reason his mother was dead.
He had been able to distance himself from his father more once he was able to attend Hogwarts, in doing this he had learned some other disturbing things about his parents that no kid should have to know.
The biggest thing he learned was actually last year when he was visiting Neville's house for the holidays. Neville's grandmother had let slip that Donovan was not an only child like he had thought. He had a twin brother that no one seemed to know about, remember, or care about where he was or what happened to him. How had he had a twin but never known about it? He had been around the Weasley twins and the Patil twins, there was no doubting the magical connection between them. How had Donovan never known? What were his parents hiding? Was his twin's disappearance also linked to why his father killed his mother?
Donovan had no answers. He was only 14 years old and he spent most of his time either trying to pass his classes or discovering new ways to avoid his increasingly temperamental father.
What more could he really do? He was just a kid.
—- Silent Compassion —-
When it was announced over breakfast that only students that had their OWLs could participate, Draco felt disappointed. When an upperclassman had tried to tease him and his brother by saying their plotting last night had been for nothing, Draco had merely rolled his eyes. Until his brother had piped in that he had taken his OWLs last year, which Draco had completely forgotten about and now he was sulking.
He sat by the lake's edge, probably looking as grumpy and brooding as he felt. But he felt he had earned a good long sulk. Not that his brother apparently agreed as Hadrian had found him relatively quickly for having never been to Hogwarts before.
"Leave me alone Rian," Draco muttered petulantly.
"I won't enter if you don't want me to Dray," Hadrian said, sitting down next to Draco on the dew-covered grass.
"That wouldn't be fair of me to hold you back," Draco said softly, looking at the peaceful smile on his brother's face.
"But I love you and you are my brother. That is more important than a silly tournament. I don't need the money from winning, I was just hoping to show Dumbledore his mistake of not letting me come to Hogwarts. But I can show him in other ways too. Tom is really good at coming up with plots." Hadrian blushed slightly at just mentioning Tom which unfortunately made Draco smile and roll his eyes. Hadrian was so lovesick over Tom that it was worse than when his Dad was trying to court Hadrian's Dad.
"I want you to enter and show that old man that you are still powerful even without your eyes. I just also needed a good sulk too." Draco said, but then slowly added, "I just always feel so behind you Rian. I am afraid you'll leave me behind if I don't catch up."
Hadrian smiled at him brightly before wrapping him in a tight hug. "If you wanted me to torture you with more studying then you could have said so. And with me being in the castle with you this year I bet I can get you up to speed and you could take your OWLs at the end of this year. You'll still have to attend Hogwarts next year for the Malfoy Lordship but then you wouldn't be as behind if you wanted to join me in Gibraltar for your 6th and 7th years."
"Ugh, you would use this as an excuse to make me study more!" Draco complained but he also smiled. It was hard to stay mad at his brother, especially for something he knew he had no control over. It was too easy to love Hadrian.
"Well come on, you can show me around the school. We can draw up a study schedule, and then tonight after dinner I will enter into the competition with your blessings." Hadrians chirped happily, pulling Draco up after standing rapidly.
"Yes, yes. Lead the way, Rian." Draco teased, knowing that he wouldn't actually be leading his brother around the school much. He did look forward to his tiny brother showing all the others in the tournament up though. Because Draco had no doubts that if Hadrian got into the tournament that he would win. His brother was strong, and while he knew that he wanted to prove Dumbledore wrong, he also knew that when the day finally comes for the Potters to know about Hadrian. Hadrian wants them to know how much they lost out by abandoning him. He was a vindictive little shit when he wanted to be, and Draco was going to enjoy every minute of this.