The morning of the first task dawned with all of us meeting in the common area after breakfast. The commanders all gave Hadrian words of encouragement, Thatch joking that it would be like the time he had tried to fight a Sea King last year, which earned him a slap from Izou, and Oyaji saying that he knew the teen would do just fine. I watched Remus and Sirius give him some last minute advice and couldn't help but smile. We had preparedhim as best we could. Now, all we could do was sit back and watch. He had to do this on his own.

The quidditch pitch had been transformed for the task. I could feel the stares as I accompanied Hadrian to the tent where the other champions were, having told the others to save me a seat. The looks didn't bother me, but I did send a glare to the reporters who tried to get closer and ask questions. Like I was going to give them the satisfaction of an interview with me and my son.

"Mom, I'll be okay," Hadrian said, pulling me from my thoughts.

I looked over at him and smiled. "I know you will be. You are a Potter and a Whitebeard Pirate." I stopped before the tent opening and squeezed his shoulder. "Just...be careful, okay?"

"I will, mom." He smiled back at me and pointed to the symbol on his left breast. "I have to represent Jiichan's crew, after all."

When he had been given the uniform to wear, I had changed the Hogwarts symbol Dumbledor had put on it into Oyaji's mark, adding a larger one on the back with a smug smirk. I couldn't wait to see the old man's face when he noticed.

"Alright. You better get in there. I'll see you when this is all over."

After giving him a hug, I made my way into the stands, easily finding my family. Marco had saved me a seat between him and Thatch. Sitting down, I caught a few people staring in our direction. It wasn't unusual, we were a strange group to these people. Especially since none of the guys had changed the way that they usually dressed. They probably didn't know what to make of our little group. Most of their choices in clothing were strange to the wizarding population and half of them liked to show off their chests.

"This is going to be interesting, yoi," Marco said from beside me.

I turned to look at him and nodded. "I am interested in the types of dragons they brought along for this, though," I told him.

Bagman announced the start of the task, and I frowned at his explanation. Everyone knew that nesting mothers were the most volatile. Why would they use them for the task?

I leaned forward a bit as the French champion went first. She did well, but it was obvious that she had little experience with the creatures. The same could be said for the other two. While knowledgeable enough, none of them had any real respect for the female dragons they were facing. And Krum obviously was arrogant during his turn.

"Are they trying to kill them?" I heard Thatch ask.

"A mother protecting their nest is dangerous," I stated, frowning as a Hungarian Horntail was brought out for Hadrian's turn. "The wizards have no regard for how harmful this is. I mean, we do our best to travel around Sea King nests when we can because we don't want to anger the mothers who are only protecting their young. I just hope Hadrian won't have to resort to anything too harmful to get that egg."

When I saw my son walk out, I could tell that he was a bit confused. He stopped in the middle of the arena and almost seemed like he was talking to the dragon. Leaning forward a bit, I noticed that his mouth was moving. But he wasn't using English.

"What's he doing, yoi?"

"Speaking to her."

I gripped Marco's hand a bit tighter when Hadrian walked closer to the angry creature. He pulled out his wand created a light around the golden egg. The dragon then scented the glowing egg before she seemed to rear back and spit a bit of fire. He then bowed to her and walked carefully over to grab the egg. With another bow, he left the arena.

"How could he speak to the dragon?" Thatch asked.

I looked to the judges as they scored Hadrian, seeing the gleam in Dumbledor's eyes. It made me frown as I stood up. I didn't care about the score. None of us did, really. We weren't here to win. I would find out what happened and speak to Hadrian before anyone else could. Especially if he had the gift that I suspected he did.

"I might be wrong, but I think our boy can speak to serpents," I told them quietly, Marco, Thatch, and Oyaji being the only ones to actually hear me. "As dragons share similar blood, he might've been able to understand her to an extent."

With that, I left the stands, my family not that far behind me. I made my way back to the tent that housed the champions. Walking in without a care, I made a beeline to my son.

"I'm not hurt, mom," was the first thing he said to me as I stopped before the small cot he sat on.

"I know. You made it out completely unscathed, unlike your fellow champions." i glanced back at the others in the room and narrowed my eyes as the old headmaster came in. "We'll talk more once we make it back to the rooms. Once you're free to go, we'll be going straight there."

"Okay. Are the others waiting outside?"

I gave him a smile and pat his shoulder. "Of course. We'll all be walking back together."

"Lady Potter, I'm sorry, but you cannot be in here."

I looked behind me with a frown and stood up a bit straighter, locking eyes with Bartamus Crouch Sr. Honestly, him and Bagman just got on my nerves. Where did he get off on telling me what I can and cannot do?

"My appologies, but I do believe that the task is over, is it not?" I asked, my tone turning a bit icy. I was not about to let any of these men have time alone with my son more than I had to.

"W-well-"

"Therefore, I have every right to check on my son after you decided facing nesting mother dragons was a good idea for a task."

The man was almost trembling as he stuttered out an apology. Fucking coward.

"I'm okay, mom."

I turned back to Hadrian as he placed his hand on my arm. My expression softened slightly.

"Of course you are, kit. This man just gets on my nerves." I looked back at Crouch and raised my eyebrow. "If there is nothing else for him to do, I will be taking my son back to our rooms to celebrate him completing the task."

"Oh..w-well, yes. I j-just wanted to t-tell him his score, is all."

I waited for a moment, staring the man down, as he shifted on his feet. It was a good feeling that I could still make grown men tremble with just a look.

"Well? Do not keep us waiting."

"Ah! Y-yes! Of course!" He cleared his throat and pulled on the collar of his robes. "You scored 35 point, putting you in third place. C-congratulations, Mr. Potter."

I nodded and gave my son a smile. "You did wonderful, kit. I'm very proud of you. Now," I turned fully towards the exit of the tent, not giving Crouch another glance, "your father is waiting for us with the others. Let's go and celebrate."

~MotP~

"Great job, kiddo!"

"Thanks, Uncle Thatch. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be."

"That reminds me, how did you get past the dragon so easily? She seemed even angrier than the others."

I placed my glass of wine down on the coffee table and looked over at where Hadrian was seated with Ace, Thatch, and Izou. I was curious too, but I also already had an idea about what had happened. If I was right, I would need to make sure that Hadrian knew to keep the ability a secret. Wizards did not like abilities such as that.

"I just told her that one of her eggs was a fake and that I would get rid of it for her. Once she confirmed that I was telling the truth, she let me take it without an issue." He rubbed the back of his neck and gave a small chuckle. "She was so grateful that she gave me her name."

"Oh?! What is it?!" Thatch asked. The man was like an excited child.

"Tivnassi. She said that I was one of the 'good ones.' Whatever that means."

"It means," I started, butting into the conversation, "that you have a kind soul. Magical creatures can usually sense these things."

They, along with everyone else who had been listening in, looked at me in surprise.

"I...have a kind soul? Mom, I've killed people that were foolish enough to attack us back home."

"Yes, but you've never started those fights. Only finished them. You can also speak the tongue of serpents, it seems."

"He's...a parselmouth?" Remus asked, sounding surprised.

"I thought only those in Slytherin's bloodline could speak it? Sirius added.

I looked at both of them and leaned back on the couch. I knew what they were thinking.

"No. It is a gift passed down through one's bloodline, but it is not just Salazar's line that possesses it. There are speakers all over the world, and most places see it for what it is. A gift. Not a curse like those light inclined wizards here in Britain believe it to be." Crossing my legs, I let out a sigh. "That being said, the Potters are related to the Slytherin line. His great-great granddaughter married a Potter, passing along the gift. It does not show up in everyone, though. It likes to skip generations until Mother Magic finds one worthy of it. Why she also chose Voldemort is a mystery, though. One we may never know."

Everyone was quiet for a while after I finished, all of them staring at me with wide eyes. Was it that surprising that I knew so much? Honestly, they should all be used to this by now. Especially Sirius, since he knew the kind of tutoring I had from my mother as a child. Every heir and heiress needed to know their family history.

"So...I can speak to any kind of serpent?" Hadrian asked. At my nod, he gave me a smile. "That's why I could sometimes hear someone talking when we crossed Sea King infested waters in the middle of the night! I thought I was hearing things!"

Now we were all looking at the teen as he let out a laugh. Why was this the first time I was hearing this?

"Woah! You can even understand the Sea Kings back home?! Cool!" Ace exclaimed, putting his arm around the other's shoulders.

I let out a sigh and shook my head as the conversation turned towards how great Hadrian's ability was. Honestly, it was good that no one seemed to care, but we would still need to keep this a secret from the old coot. He would no doubt try to use this against us somehow. Maybe I should have the boys speak to Sal's portrait in the Room of Requirement. ANd the other founders. That would be good.

"Are you doing okay, my aughter?"

I looked up as Oyaji took a seat next to me, a cup of sake in his hand. Maybe I should consult Sev and Remmy on a way to heal Oyaji. His health wasn't what it used to be, but I wasn't the best healer to deal with what he had. Especially since Marco had a hard time treating him.

"I'm just overthinking things, Oyaji. I'm sure you understand the worries of a parent," I teased, making him laugh.

"That I do, my child. Especially with the children I have." He gave me a look filled with love as he pat my shoulder gently. "But you have done a wonderful job with all four of your children. It is natural to be worried when they are being threatened. Just don't hover too much. We both know what they can and cannot handle."

"I know, but is it wrong for me to just want to take them back and never return here? If Hadrian's magic wasn't on the line, I'm almost positive that this trip would've been much shorter. He...he has to finish competing." I let out another sigh and downed the rest of my wine, wishing for something harder. Like firewhiskey.

"Aye, but he is not alone in this. We are all here to support him. To support you. Lean on us in this fight just as we lean on you back in our home world."

I looked down at my empty glass and then looked up at Oyaji. I really was lucky to have him as my father. It amazed me that he could always tell when one of us needed him. Needed his guidance. Merlin bless this man.

"Thanks, Oyaji. I guess I needed that reminder." I gave him a smile and got up, leaning over to place a kiss on his cheek. "Maybe I should get you a '#1 Dad' mug while we're here that i can enlarge later."

"Gurararara! You flatter me, brat. Go on now. Enjoy the celebration. I think my eldest needs a dance or two."

I let out a laugh and turned to see a few of the commanders dancing to some music Sirius started playing. Seeing Marco hanging back and talking with Fossa had me smirking. Looked like Oyaji was right. It wasn't right for my dear husband to not partake in at least one or two dances.

"I believe that you are correct. Keep an eye on the girls for me. I think they may come by for a story soon."

I left as Oyaji laughed behind me, making my way towards where Marco and Fossa were lounging. Slipping my arm through Marco's, I took his glass of rum, finished it off, and handed it to the cigar smoking man.

"Pardon me, but I'm stealing my husband for a dance," i told him with a smile, causing him to chuckle.

"Go on, lass. You both need it."

Giving him a wink, I pulled Marco to the cleared out area, my husband chuckling at me.

The music changed to something a bit slower but still upbeat as we began dancing, Marco pulling me closer with a lazy smirk.

"What did you and Oyaji talk about, yoi?" he asked.

"Me not shouldering everything on my own," I told him.

"Isn't that what I told you? That you could lean on me in this?"

I gave him a guilty smile, knowing that he wouldn't be happy that I still felt like I should handle everything while we were here.

"It's hard since none of you are very familiar with how things are here. Magic is not the same as devil fruits."

"It's not, you're right." He moved one of his hands up to my cheek and tilted my head up to look at him the eyes. "But we're strongest when we trust and lean on each other, yoi. Don't try to do everything on your own, pretty bird."

I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes, letting him hold me close. What did I do to deserve a husband like this? It was moments like this that made me so happy that we were able to meet eleven years ago.

"I promise, love. I'll do better"

~MotP~

Things seemed to calm down a bit after the first task. Hadrian had made a few friends with some of the students, and I knew that being around other teens was doing him some good. While I still kept an eye on him with my haki, I did try to not hover too much. Ace did that enough for the two of us. Especially after a run in with the Weasley girl.

That had been annoying. The girl had tried to come between Ace and Hadrian a few days after the first task. She tried to bring up their age difference, saying that it was wrong that Ace was already an adult since he was 19 while Hadrian was only 14. She obviously knew nothing about soulbonds. If one of the pair is still a minor in the eyes of magic when they meet, then the only type of relationship they could have is platonic until the younger one reaches their maturity. Love can still bloom between them, but it will not evolve into romantic love until such a time as they are both adults.

We would still need to keep an eye on her, however. The girl's mother just might have her try something really stupid. Like a love potion.

I had discussed it with Marco and Oyaji, deciding to consult Severus on his own opinions. The dour man had promised to use his contacts at the apothecaries to monitor if Molly bought any of the needed ingredients.

That problem solved, we had checked in with those at the manor and back on the moby. Namur, Atmos, Vista, and Blemenco had been sent back to keep an eye on things there and update everyone on our plans for now. Not everyone would be happy, but Oyaji's word was law for us. And no one complained after I explained that Hadrian would most likely die if he didn't compete in the tournament. That our magic was a part of us just the same as our blood. No one wanted that.

It was now nearing Yule, what Muggles called Christmas, and I was surprised to hear about the Yule Ball being thrown due to the tournament. That meant going shopping for formal clothes for Hadrian and Ace. It was hard enough to get Ace to wear a shirt on a daily basis, let alone get him to wear formal attire for a night.

"A ball? Like, wear a suit ball?"

"Yes Ace." I smiled as the older teen pouted. He clearly didn't like the idea of wearing a suit. "As a champion, Hadrian has to go and have a date. This means that you need a suit. Don't worry, though. I know the perfect person to take you to Muggle London. Dress robes would not suit you at all."

"Does it have to be a suit?" he whined.

"Ace, come on. I know you're not a fan of them, but it's only for one night," Hadrian said as he plopped down on the couch beside his soulmate. "Besides, I bet you'll look great all cleaned up."

I tried to hide my chuckle as Ace blushed slightly. Of course Hadrian would be able to get the fire user to wear a suit. And I was sure that both Remus and Sirius would be able to find him something that would suit him. Hadrian already had a suit thanks to Izou. The man had a habit of making new clothes for the kids, and he had finished a suit-like outfit just before this whole mess started. At least, that's what he told me when he handed it over after hearing about the ball.

"Shut up, Ri. I'm only doing this for you. Like hell I would let anyone else be your date."

"Aw! You do care!" he teased.

I loved seeing my two boys so happy. Watching as they began sparing with smiles on their faces, I shook my head with a fond roll of my eyes at their antics. Especially when the girls jumped in to join.

"Well, I was going to ask if the kid was ready to go, but looks like we'll have to wait."

I let out an amused snort and looked up at Sirius. He was looking a lot better now, and I was glad to see that he had put on some weight.

"You'll have to wait until one of them gives. They haven't really been able to spar properly since we've been here."

He took a seat next to me and watched the kids tumble around. They weren't fully sparing, but that was more because the girls jumped in.

"You're a good mum, Lizzie. I wish I had been there for you all, though. Especially Moony. I shouldn't have gone after Wormtail. I-"

I smacked the man upside the head and gave him a glare.

"Don't you start with your self-depricating bull crap. You mad a mistake. Acted on your emotions without thinking. I swear to Merlin, if I hear you blaming yourself for James and Lily's deaths one more time, I will hand you over the Black Lake by your tail and let Izou use you for target practice!"

I hit him a few more times as he tried to get away.

"Ah! No! I-I'm sorry, Lizzie! Stop hitting me already!"

"Not until I beat it into you that not everything is your fault!"

I followed after Sirius as he dashed away from me, summoning a wooden spoon that I then used to hit him over the head.

"You crazy witch! I'm not sixteen anymore! I'm a grown ass man!"

"Then stop running and acting like it, you depressed fuck! Your self-loathing is pissing me off!"

I jumped over the couch and tackled Sirius to the ground with the help of the kids, who had decided to join in on the chase with laughs.

"Do I even want to know, yoi?"

I laughed and gave Marco a smile while I held Sirius down to allow the girls to tickle him, Ace and Hadrian helping me.

"Just teaching Siri a lesson. That's all," I told him. Remus, who had watched the whole thing while hiding his smile behind his coffee mug, just shook his head.

"Yeah daddy! Uncle Padfoot was saying mean things about himself, so mommy got mad like she does with Ace-nii," Sakura giggled.

My husband just sighed and turned around, heading to the kitchen to, most likely, get a drink.

"It's only half past two, love! Don't get into the hard stuff, yet!" I called after him, laughing when he seemed to mutter something under his breath. "Now," I looked down at Sirius with a frown, "what are we not going to do anymore?"

A/N: I am so sorry for taking so long to post this. I'm currently going through a divorce, and I haven't really been in the best mental state to work on this. I'm still not 100%, but I didn't want to have you guys waiting any longer since I had this chapter all written up. I hope you guys like it! Love ya!

~Em