School while lovely and new was still school, homework was assigned and questions were asked. It's been over a week now and the first years no longer have the Prefects to lead them around. Some got lost and others didn't. The Slytherins knew to stick close to Ailill and if another house was lucky to find them they too would follow from a distance. The Peverell boy seems to be on amicable terms with all houses, the Ravenclaws intrigued with his brain and all the knowledge he could hold. The Gryffindors because he wasn't afraid to joke around with the teachers and therefore doesn't fit their 'model' of a Slytherin making him a decent snake. And the Hufflepuff looks to him with awe-filled eyes still remembering his words from before the sorting, they hold themselves with pride knowing that a Slytherin wished to be in their house.
Sometimes the followers from other houses annoyed the Slytherins but it wasn't worth it to start something when they didn't provoke them. Yes even the Gryffindors kept their mouth shut not willing to lose their guide. The teachers on the other hand loved the act of house unity no matter how small. So many years have passed with bad blood between the houses of the great school, some themselves after falling prey to such hostile situations. But this was the closest they've seemed to on friendly terms in years. This batch of first years were special indeed.
And so class after class you will see a group of tiny Slytherin's walk the halls with a boy with black hair framing bored whiskey eyes at the front beside a boy with facial features just a tad too sharp and possessive icy eyes. Not too far behind will be the huddling of children just as small but in different colors making small chatter as they discuss their last class or new work.
Some houses' older years were not so happy with the arrangement and have tried to show their youngest the 'evil' ways of Slytherin. Much to their disbelief the first years turned their noses up and asked for proof of the acts their year mates have done. With nothing to give the firsties watched their older housemates with wary eyes, why would they lie to them? Their year mates were nice enough, no Slytherin has been spiteful nor hexed them like the elders claimed. They've been quiet and on occasion helpful if another house was to be seated next to them and struggled with work. Although much to many's discontent Peverell was never up for grabs when it comes to partnering having been snatched up by a certain Marvolo Slytherin. The two boys dominated the classroom and held the highest marks of their year, both equal in standing.
Tom loves the direction his new life has gone, as a wizard, he rises above the norm and holds exceptionality with an iron fist. He is above those that looked down on him for so long in the orphanage because they were jealous of him, of his extraordinary existence. As a wizard, he is still above the norm with a family line dedicated to history's most great feats and his control over magic leaves him to be one of a kind. Not many can match him.
He was currently sitting in the common room waiting for Ailill to come back from a requested meeting by Dumbledore. Tom doesn't really like the man, the professor's blue eyes always seem to watch him, as if waiting for him to mess up. It's unnerving and annoying to constantly have to analyse his own behaviour to wonder what the old bastard finds so interesting about him.
The book on Tom's lap does little to hold his attention even though its a greatly interesting text, it was a tomb on the ancient practices wizards and witches had held for many centuries through the past but these old traditions and ways of life had started to erode away with the sudden influx of Christianity and muggle-borns who bring their culture into the wizarding world and don't make any effort to understand the Wizarding culture. No one has ever been forced to convert to the old ways but some understanding and respect wouldn't have been lost. The muggle-borns come into a new world at eleven years old and carry the baggage of distinctly muggle thoughts with them, they bring their prejudices and narrow-minded ideals.
Both worlds differ so much but only one seems to be willing to accommodate for the other even at the cost of their own heritage. There are so many differences, like the wizards who adore to live in the past and flounce around in period clothing, or the muggles who while not having magic find ways of mass destruction through science and experimentation. Some of the biggest differences of culture would be rituals; in the wizarding world many rituals have been seen as a renewal of magic and a way to give thanks to lady magick, in the muggle world rituals are seen as barbaric and savage; they're treated with scorn and distaste. Same-sex and different identities also seem to be treated differently. Many wizards hold no qualms with two people of the same sex being together as long as the line can continue and many alternative methods had come to fruition to make this happen it was a big boom for the economy and a revolution in potion history.
Identity has also been widely accepted, the community comes to understand that the soul people hold is not so fixed that it must be in a mold and conform to such ways, the soul is flexible and ever-changing much like a body of water. To be man, woman, nothing, and everything is not seen as freakish or weird, it's seen as a creative person with ever-changing flow.
However, both these concepts are abbored by muggles, seen as incorrect and improper. People are killed and ridiculed for the very things they cannot control all because their god said it was wrong. Muggle, for the most part, at least the ones that follow the widespread of Christianity take the word of a singular being, one Omnipotence god that dictates and has a plan for everything. Wizards are more pagan, believing in many deities and powerful gods, it varies in pantheons and names but everything connects either way. Most wizards in England follow the Celtic route or the Norse route because it's closer to home but that does not mean some look to the Romans or Greek or dabble with the Egyptians and Aztecs. All are different and offer new experiences.
Wizards wouldn't be so against muggle and muggle-borns if they weren't so stuck to believing they're above everyone and dismissing the traditions of wizards. Many pure-blood wizards get extremely furious when a same-sex pairing is known to the school and those raised by muggles or muggle-borns are mocking the claiming their union is cursed and wrong. Immoral and defective. They have no say in what's wrong or right, love is love.
Tom will never admit it but a knot that he wasn't aware of in his chest unraveled with the news of wizards being far more accepting. Like it or not he was raised in a time where Christianity was constantly used to justify and wish for things, he had to endure time and time again people sprouting what's' right' and what's 'wrong' they persecuted homosexuals and killed transgenders, performed acts of rape and electrotherapy in hope of 'fixing' them as if they had some sort of disease that made them lesser. They spread fear and hate. Of course, nothing would have gotten in his way to be with Ailill, if wizards didn't accept their union he would just pave the way with brute force and persuasive words until it was accepted.
Yes, the wizarding world is far more to Tom's tastes, it is safe for him and Ailill, he is influential here, his name carries weight. He will prosper and build his standing until no one is a match to him until he is the beginning and end. One such tradition he's looking forward to was Samhain. In Celtic Ireland about 2,000 years ago, Samhain was the division of the year between the lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter). At Samhain the division between this world and the otherworld was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through. Family's ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. People wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves as harmful spirits and thus avoid harm. Bonfires and food played a large part in the festivities. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into a communal fire, household fires were extinguished, and started again from the bonfire. Food was prepared for the living and the dead, food for the ancestors who were in no position to eat it, was ritually shared with the less well off.
Wizards honour this holiday as a time to renew their magic for the coming of winter and ask their ancestors for blessing and sometimes even a talk. Those participating in the ceremony bond their magic together and experience each other's grief, that is why this holiday is mostly only performed by those close to you for you to open yourself to others. These traditions have been going on for centuries but have much like others been stigmatised and shunned by the muggle-raised children who see it as the 'devil's' work and dark. In order to accommodate for their comfort many wizards have forgotten their heritage and instead adopted a water down, mockery called 'Halloween' a time where kids gorge themselves on sweets and think nothing of those they lost. The practice isn't illegal but looked down upon nowadays seen as dark and unnecessary. It makes so many pureblood's blood boil.
There have even been tales of some meeting Death and speaking to the being that is such a mystery to all. Some claim that's how the Peverell brothers spoke to Death and made the deal. No one knows for sure whether the claims are true for there is no way to tell.
Tom has decided to adopt the culture of a world he was denied and was sure Ailill would follow him, and so he sits and tries to read about it so he may tell his friend and they may begin preparations for Samhain.
Albus Dumbledore sat behind the desk of his office sorting absentmindedly through his abundance of essays that had been assigned to his students. He doesn't know why he actually assigns them, they hate doing them, he hates correcting them. If he didn't dish them out like lemon drops everyone would probably be happier. The ginger man with salt peppering his temples sighed again for the umpteenth time that day and leaned back into his seat, it could do with a few more cushioning charms.
Albus has been starting to get antsy, Gellert wasn't particularly active before but has now become concerningly quiet ever since August, and Dumbledore can't help but be terrified that the man has found out about there being a living Peverell. His former lover searched high and low in the beginning for someone of those birth lines and wanted to unveil the secrets they held but it was believed that they all had perished to time. Only now a young boy donning the ancient family name comes to Hogwarts at the side of Salazar Slytherin's heir no less.
Albus is scared of what radical move Grindelwald might pull. He could hunt Ailill down and hope to recruit him once seeing the boy's potential or he could kidnap the boy and raid his mind for information before killing him off. It all depends on the man's state of mind.
Of course, Ailill might anger Grindelwald - should he find out that the symbol the dark lord was using is actually his family's coat of arms practically defaming the old family - and take action to prevent the older man from ever using it again.. Yes, it would be best to keep that knowledge away from young Peverell because even if he doesn't take action Marvolo might make an attempt to persuade him. That boy was concerningly sly for his own good, not malicious from what he can see but the potential is there.
Dumbledore can still see the first day he met little Marvolo or Tom as he was known back then. So full of vicious pride and self-assurance for what he was doing was acceptable because he was more powerful. So vindictive to bullies and unapologetic in his ways. The boy worried him but then he was so different with young Peverell. He was so childish and warm, blue eyes lighting up with the purest form of adoration and respect, love spitting out of him next to the other boy. He was so different and genuine. Maybe Dumbledore was too quick to judge and was forcing views of a younger him and Gellert onto the boys; scared to see a repeat of history that could be prevented. Either way all he knows is that if young Ailill were to ever leave the picture Albus knows the world will face a boy so full of heartache and pain he wouldn't be able to be considered human. The lengths Marvolo would go through have no limit.
A knock on aged wood snapped the transfiguration professor from his thoughts. Ah, it was his time to meet with one of the very children occupying his mind, Ailill Peverell.
"Come in," Albus said, sitting upright.
Pushing the heavy door with ease the young boy lightly walked on the balls of his feet and gracefully made his entrance. His steps were silent and if Dumbeldore wasn't staring right at him the child would have gone completely unnoticed. Such an eerie way to walk.
"Young Ailill, thank you for joining me. Please take a seat."
"Of course, Professor. How may I help you?" Ailill questioned politely taking a seat in one of the large leather armchairs, it engulfed the boy and his feet swung off the floor.
"Well, some teachers have come to express concern over your school work and we'd just like to know if it's something we can help you with. From what we can tell you actively choose to not put your full effort into your work. Is there a reason for this? Something we can do to help you a bit more?"
"Oh, not really professor, it's an active choice on my behalf. I do not feel like my effort is needed on such things when I can be learning other stuff. I have very limited energy reserves and can tend to be very unresponsive when they run out. It's best for both the people around me and myself in a social aspect if I place my effort and time into something I feel will benefit me." Ailill's eyes were honest and unmoving. Dumbledore was very concerned about the fact that the boy seemed to make vague reasons that spilled with underlying meaning in regards to his energy.
"Is it a mental thing, Ailill?" Dumbledore asked with a furrow to his brows. "Do you find trouble in socialising? There are programs to help with this, in fact, St Mungos is just after expanding their wings regarding such necessities. "
"In a way," Ailill tilted his head thinking. "I am not well acclimated to most people, I find it hard to connect with them and do not see myself needing long-lasting relationships."
"Why would you not need lasting relationships?" Dumbledore frowned thinking of the repercussions of such thoughts. "And what about Marvolo? No doubt he would be crushed at hearing this, the boy adores you."
"And Tom will live on in this world fulfilled. He is powerful and smart, he will have all that he needs and wants at his fingertips. I will make sure of it."
This was heading in a very worrying direction, Dumbledore was fairly baffled with the roundabout way the child was speaking.
"You're avoiding the question Ailill, why do you not need long-lasting relationships?"
"Why?" Ailill smiled in a way that held secrets only for him to know. "That's my reasoning, all you need to know is Marvolo will live a life with everything he needs."
"You speak child like you will not be there to witness it."
All Albus Dumbledore got in response was a wilted smile, something that made him perturbed and anxious, just what did the boy mean by that? If he didn't know any better he would believe the boy intended to disappear in the coming years but surely he's mistaken. He's seen the care Peverell holds for young Marvolo no one could abandon such a bond so easily.
"Ailill, are you okay? You know we the staff here only wish to help you, we can offer alternatives that you may not have thought of."
"I know," Black wisps of hair swayed in response to a huffed exhale. "And my decisions are my own right to follow out."
"I'm afraid I do not follow."
"And you need not Professor Dumbledore, I shall treasure your teaching for the next seven years."
"This sounds an awful lot like an early goodbye."
Ailill gave a grin, "does it? How strange." the glint in the boy's eyes unsettled the older man. "Is this all professor, I'm afraid that the work I hand in is all I can do. It's getting rather late and I still have some things that need to be polished off."
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore sighed. "You may leave Mr Peverell but please know that this conversation isn't over just on pause until a more appropriate hour,"
"Of course professor, have a good night."
With his words of farewell said Ailill slinked out of the room and made his way down the cool halls of the castle. It was later in the night with not many students around having preferred to take comfort in the warm fire-lit room of their houses. His steps were quiet and quick as they pattered own to the dungeons, walls of grey and brown bypassing him accompanied by the snoring of portraits. Ailill knew the talk he was just subjected to was coming but he was annoyed with how invested the teacher seemed to be. Was it not normal for the teaching staff to take hollow assurances and move on? What made this place any different? Why were they so interested in his ability to put more effort in? Whatever the reasoning, it will no doubt become a nuisance.
Ailill gave a sigh as he made his way in front of the opening to the Slytherin common room. Just how was he to help Tom from the shadows when everyone else seems intent on keeping him in the spotlight.