"What exactly do you have in mind?" Tom asked, watching as his husband cradled the young werewolf in his arms, already easing himself from a crouch to standing tall. "We cannot keep him, it would be considered kidnapping," and the last thing they needed was anyone thinking they'd kidnapped a child. It would be a black stain on their name, and with his desire to go into politics it was something such as this that would cause an irremovable stain on both them and their names, something they were so desperate to revive but in a good light.
Hadrian's gaze swung to Tom's a solemn look on his face, a crack in his voice, "Nobody will look for him," he confessed, clearing his throat, trying to keep his emotions out of this. It was more difficult than he imagined, especially given who this little boy would one day grow up to be. The effect he would have on the Ministry's laws on werewolves. "The Greyback's disowned him and left him in the hospital when they found out he was bitten."
"He ran before they took him to the Ministry," Tom deduced, if his family didn't want him…as a werewolf he couldn't possibly go to the Muggle world, couldn't go to the orphanage surely? Nothing would surprise him with the insipid idiots currently working within the Ministry of magic at the moment. Without his family, and no chance of being put in a Muggle orphanage…he would be lost in a system that had no idea what to do for him. Hell, there was no sign of a 'missing child' poster put in the newspapers or around Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. They were making absolutely zero efforts, and werewolf or not this was a magical child, and to see a pureblood treated thusly infuriated him. His eyes gleamed coldly, as he stared out into the vastly lit manor that's shone like a beacon. Gritting his teeth as his rage just seemed to expand further the more he thought of it. Which was strange, why should he care about the boy? He was nothing to him or Hadrian.
"It's the similarity in the situations," Hadrian said softly, his voice quiet as he began moving, walking swiftly through the gardens, Tom stepped up in sync with him. Informing Tom of what was so eluding him. "Being abandoned is making you sympathise with him. It's making you angry at both your situations, primarily your own but secondary his." Without creating Horcruxes, Tom still had emotion – other than angry and fury – and he was still learning how to deal with it and understand his own emotions. Anger and negative emotions he understood, he was very familiar with them, but anything else…except his possessive love for him, which Tom believed to be a one off, that he would never care about anyone else…anything else confused him. He'd gone so long trying to make himself emotionless – believing emotion to be a weakness – but emotions weren't so easily buried, especially when you slowly open up to someone.
"We still cannot keep the boy," Tom informed him, as he opened the back door for Hadrian so he could get by with the stunned werewolf. "We will have to inform the Ministry of magic," whether he sympathised or not, it didn't matter. He refused to be caught breaking the law, especially for a child he did not know. He also refused to let Hadrian ruin his life by doing so either.
"Not happening," Hadrian retorted immediately, stopping for a moment at the entrance to the kitchen, giving Tom his most serious and severe look. "And if you go behind my back Tom, I'll never forgive you…"
Irritation shot through Tom, partly at the knowledge that Hadrian truly wouldn't forgive him. The other part of the irritation was solely focused on the fact he knew he was going to have to come up with an alternative way to keep his word that he'd soon give, and a way to keep their names from being tarnished. "I won't," he vowed, and he would keep his word, Hadrian meant more to him than the damn Ministry, or their names and reputation if he was honest. He would do what he needed to do with or without the political path. Considering how last time worked out…he was hoping to continue his political aspirations. Last time, here he was sounding as though he'd lived two lives already, but all he had were memories of 'Voldemort' going completely off the reservation.
Hadrian relaxed, knowing Tom was good at keeping his word, he refused to allow Fenrir to be stuck in the hands of the Ministry. "We just need a way to make it legal," stepping through the kitchen, making his way towards one of the many guest bedrooms, one that hadn't been used since they moved in and had every single room in the manor done up. Werewolves were extremely sensitive towards scents, especially strangers.
"Make what legal?" Tom asked, a sinking feeling in his stomach that he wouldn't be getting away from the werewolf any time soon.
"His adoption," Hadrian commented, confirming Tom's worst fears.
Groaning under his breath, "Can't we just find somewhere else for him to stay? A good home?" even with this he couldn't find it in himself to deny Hadrian anything he wanted. Although, part of him was slightly surprised, Hadrian had never really expressed any concern for anyone in this time, except the few times where he grew concerned about someone not being born.
"A. Werewolf." Hadrian enunciated carefully and calmly, while the prejudice wasn't quite as…terrifyingly horrible the fear was still there. No, Fenrir had ironically enough, created mass fear when it came to wizards terror on werewolves. No doubt he was just getting them back for the fact he'd been abandoned and mistreated by the humans. No, he couldn't let that happen, he'd never leave a child to suffer when he could help it. "Who knows what damage has already been done to him. I can't trust anyone else to help him," abuse did not sit well with him at all, how many wizards had treated him like he did not matter?
"Then what exactly do you suggest?" Tom enquired, a thoughtful frown twisting his features, he'd rather not call in any favours so soon, not for something like this. With a little luck they could figure out a way themselves. Any favours he wanted to call in, he wanted to be for something…very important, vital even to his plans. This unexpected situation definitely wasn't what he had in mind exactly. "You wouldn't like any of my plans," primarily go to the Greyback's, get them to sign over custody and kill the abandoning assholes. Staying at the doorway, watching the way Hadrian was with the werewolf, sympathy, care, understanding, caution, he was glad for the last one.
Hadrian scowled, "I'm not too sure about that," he said with bite in his voice, as put the werewolf on top of the covers, sighing in relief when he had his hands back, Fenrir was quite heavily despite his emaciated state. "I think I'd gladly let you do it, but it would be a little bit too suspicious if they died just after we 'adopted' him so to speak." Nothing disgusted him more than the abuse of a child, anyone that did so deserved everything they got.
Tom blinked slightly surprised by Hadrian's admission, he was always against his…more drastic decisions. Although he had let him get revenge on the Riddles, he was still waiting on the Riddle estate coming to him. Due to the war in the Muggle world, Tom reckoned it would take a while for it to come to him unless he went to them. He'd rather not spend any time in the Muggle world, plus emancipation in the wizarding world didn't quite transfer to the Muggle world, it wasn't valid. Thus he'd have to wait until he turned eighteen to get his hands on the state. That's if he was correct about the Muggle law, but he wasn't one for wasting his time on Muggle studies or looking up the laws and regulations pertaining to a world he absolutely refused to spend a second of his time in.
"Well, you won't have to talk me into it," Tom said, gleeful at the fact Hadrian was allowing his baser self so what he liked. "Shall we?"
"I think…you and I should go to see the Greyback's, he might not have been legally disowned. We can get custody of him, that way nobody can legally do a thing without killing them…at least for now." Hadrian determined, "It's too risky to be showing our hand at the moment..."
"Other than contest it?" Tom quipped dryly, disappointed but not truly surprised by Hadrian's declaration, "We're both still at Hogwarts…full time, unless you've decided you'd rather leave?" which would bother him, they'd be seen as lazy louts who couldn't see through the entirety of their education. Sure, you can leave Hogwarts at sixteen, but nobody actually approved of it, least of all the pureblood's.
"Not if we have someone taking care of him," Harry responded thoughtfully, his mind mulling over anything he knew about the Greyback's. There was very little to go on, he'd never heard of them mentioned, only Fenrir and the name was a pureblood one, just not on the Directory even though technically it should be. "House-elves are more than adequate for the job," and it wasn't strange either. Rich Pureblood's used House-elves as babysitters just as much as cleaners. Pureblood's went out hosted balls, shopping, working leaving their kids with House-elves all the time, for most of the time. Harry wasn't sure how they could do it, but the House-elves were at least extremely protective he'd say that for them. Despite knowing how they'd grow up and treat them, from when they got old enough to emulate their parents.
"If I didn't know better, I'd have said you were prepared for this," Tom said bemused, yet he knew it couldn't be true, while Hadrian had a lot of information…he couldn't possibly know this. He didn't personally know Fenrir Greyback, except from presumably what was available about him due to his wanted status. He could practically feel Hadrian's mind whirling as he tried to figure out the best way to go through with this.
"You do know better," Hadrian chuckled at Tom's perplexity. "Look…I can't do it, I can't just hand him over and hope for the best. Especially when I know he'll probably just run again, he's never going to be adopted…he's going to spend his childhood and adulthood despising adults, turning into this…monster who had been utterly stripped of his humanity. He will become more wolf than man if we don't do something."
"So, you're what going to take in every single stray you find?" Tom argued, he wasn't sure why he was so against the boy being there, other than the fact it was rather disconcerting seeing Hadrian so…gentle with someone else other than him. Swallowing, realization hitting him, he didn't want to share Hadrian with anyone, least of all a stranger…and this Fenrir Greyback was a stranger. "Given the fact it's seventy years in the future, there's probably hundreds of them, you are not their responsibility."
"Sitting on the side-lines was never going to be something I excelled at, you know this," Hadrian said his tone low in warning. "If and I do mean IF I come across others…hopefully the world will have changed and they can find good homes. I will help them to the best of my capacity. You forget, Tom, that one of those people I helped was you, you weren't my responsibility either,"
"Is that what I am now? Just your responsibility?" Tom hissed out through clenched teeth, both of them stewing in anger.
The bubble of anger on Hadrian's end popped as if it had never been there to begin with, "You know that's not true," he said quietly, "I never considered you a responsibility, didn't even consider taking you out to save everyone…I was…content to remain in the background and see it done through written books and magazine publications…truthfully I didn't think of them at that point, I was still trying to get my feet on the ground being seventy years in the past then thrust in the Muggle world amidst a war I only ever read about in books! Which by the way was absolutely fucking terrifying despite knowing the outcome!" he understood all too well, Tom's desire to be immortal after experiencing the fear and hell the Muggle world ingrained into you in this time.
Tom's own anger receded, he was still slightly frustrated, "Then I want you to promise me we aren't going to have this manor filled with bloody stray wizards and all kinds of creatures you take pity on!"
"That I can promise," Hadrian said sincerely, "But we need to up our plans for an orphanage, we might not be able to wait for your inheritance to come through…" he'd always known it, but Fenrir's presence here had brought it to the forefront of his mind. All the children being thrust into orphanages during a damn war. The fear he had experienced was vividly remembered too. He had to help them, fuck rules and regulations.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, "Then we will plan accordingly, it should be easy enough once the battle with Grindelwald is over…it will allow us certain liberties. The Ministry will be malleable and easily controlled, I'll work on getting the Riddle estate, even if I have to buy them out, the money will just return to me anyway." They could have it built in time for the summer holidays and host a charity event held in the orphanage's name in order to start up the funding for it. It would need to be self-sustaining, self-sufficient, as long as they did this right, donations would see it through without him or Hadrian having to dip into their own money.
"Until then, I'll put them in one of the other properties, so they don't have to return this summer, I'll help them but they won't be here," Hadrian decided.
"You'd trust them inside one of your properties?" Tom asked incredulously, "There will be nothing left of it!"
"Then I guess I'll hire a few House-elves to ensure that nothing is going on," Hadrian agreed with Tom, children often didn't care about property that wasn't their own. If they thought they were alone…the chances were they'd do something incredibly stupid. Some of them were probably as young as eleven…perhaps Tom was right…it was crazy to think he could help them all without him having to pay the price. Although, there was the possibility that they might be grateful for the place to stay that they were careful. It just depended on how destructive they were naturally.
Tom sighed, waving his hand in a 'whatever' gesture, quite frankly Hadrian could do whatever he liked with this. He was just glad that he would not suggest they come here. "Now that has been decided…we need to focus on this and Grindelwald." Tom stated.
"Agreed," Hadrian sighed, looking torn for a second, before he shrugged and flung a cover over the young werewolf. At least the bed would be saturated in his scent which would help him. He had no idea what Fenrir would be like when he woke up, or whether he'd want anything to do with them. For all he knew he would run as far and as fast as he possibly could before he could convince him that he didn't mind his lycanthrope. That not all wizards and witches – like his parents – were bias assholes. Casting a spell to alert him when Fenrir woke up, he'd lock down the manor when he and Tom were leaving, at least that would give him the chance to talk. To convince him to stay at least a while.
Tom merely nodded, stepping aside when Hadrian left the guest bedroom, leaving the stunned werewolf to come to on his own, probably after the full moon waned, their spells had been powerful after all.
"Have you thought any more on the idea to take more than our intended number with us?" Hadrian asked, leaving the light on, no doubt Fenrir was used to wakening up in different places on the full moon…but in someone's house, in their bed…probably wasn't anywhere on top of that list.
"Most of us, those we are confident that can hold their own," Tom agreed, he'd all but agreed the last time they'd discussed it actually. Or more like agreeing that it was true, that the more people they had on their side, the less likely they'd be to lose. They would be fine, they were immortal after all, but the others were not, and even if he didn't want to admit it, he did hold a certain…fondness for them all. Fondness might be an overstatement, just…he did care in his own way.
"Any speculation on who you don't want coming?" Hadrian asked, feeling more settled that their 'argument' was over. He wasn't used to seeing much in the way of arguing couples unless you counted Granger and Weasley. Arthur Weasley buckled under his wife's orders like a spineless asshole, Petunia buckled under Vernon's demands and never once agued with him. She did everything for him, like some sort of Stepford wife, or someone from the good wife magazine that was made way back when.
"I have sensed a great…reluctance from Dolohov," Tom commented, as they went back into the living room, the fire was still blazing and the House-Elves were clearing away everything that they had used tonight except a few things that was still 'sacred' for the rest of tonight. "And it's not just with the lack of permission for so long," he didn't need to read his mind to know that.
"Tom…he's scared, its only natural," Hadrian commented, heating himself up by the fireplace, "It's going to be the first real battle he's ever encountered. Grindelwald's men…they're not ones to be trifled with. It's a big ask of anyone to fight, let alone someone who is not yet out of Hogwarts. I wouldn't be asking if they hadn't been tutored for basically their entire lives on DADA and Charms and Transfiguration and other magicks they'd learnt over time.
"None of the others have expressed such concerns," Tom said, his desire to dismiss the idea was excruciatingly obvious, that Hadrian made no effort to conceal a wry grin.
Hadrian cocked his head to the side after he digested that information, "You don't read their minds often do you?" which genuinely surprised him, he'd expected otherwise if he was completely honest.
Tom snorted derisively, "I have a better use of my time than constantly reading their lust riddled minds," honestly, they thought constantly on magic or girls and sex for that matter. As long as he was content that he had their loyalty he had no reason to read their minds, although he always did check to ensure honesty but that wasn't quite mindreading.
"Oh? And you're above that are you?" Hadrian asked approaching Tom with predatory grace.
Tom's eyes flared with desire, "I am," but the words were just slightly off, showing his lie. He most definitely wasn't above 'all that' especially when it came to Hadrian. Before the other teen came into his life he hadn't felt desire, or true connections or the rush of molten need whenever he was challenged.
"Ha! You wish," Hadrian taunted him, "Dobby?"
Tom grunted in annoyance giving Hadrian a disbelieving look.
"What can Dobby do for Hadrian, Sir?"
"We have a guest for the night, do not disturb him, when he wakes I will make my way directly here, none of you will enter that room," Hadrian commanded. He didn't want them getting hurt, and he had no idea how Fenrir would react to their presence or his own presence in the manor.
"Yes, Sir!" Dobby declared strongly, standing proudly, confident in his ability to serve his Master. Nothing like the old Dobby had been, even after being let go of the Malfoy's services, he'd cowered, hunched upon himself as if trying to make himself a smaller target. There wasn't even a hint of that House-elf Hadrian had been so familiar with. Yes, 'been' was the right term, Hadrian was more familiar with this Dobby who he saw nearly every day, whereas with the other Dobby he'd only seen on occasion…didn't stop the fondness Hadrian felt for both of them rearing up when he saw him.
"Good, you may go," Hadrian informed Dobby, speaking of going, they probably should return to Hogwarts as well. He had no desire to, but needs a must. He wished to be there for Fenrir, who had been alone for a while now, Merlin knows how long, he had been bitten very young, as young as Remus had been when Fenrir bit him in retaliation for Remus' father's slight against werewolves. How own feeling surprised him, he'd been terrified of Greyback in his youth, and that was without knowing the half of it. He'd even threatened to eat Hermione when he cared about her, truly he was the epitome of why wizards had feared werewolves. Yet, just like Voldemort wasn't Tom, Fenrir wasn't the monstrous Greyback.
He was just an abandoned little boy, just as Tom had been an abandoned teen trying to fit into a Pureblood world. Tom had it right, he was soft towards what he had termed as 'stray's' as it were. Truthfully he wouldn't let anything get in his and Tom's way, not even his penchant for helping those less fortunate. No, he'd keep his promise, and not take in everyone but he did need to help those who were being abandoned to the Muggle world during the summer holidays.
"Come on, I'll get a goblin lawyer to deal with the Greyback's," Hadrian informed Tom, holding out his hand, which was accepted and both of them returned to Hogwarts via a back up Portkey, they'd thankfully had the forethought to create. Wizards rarely used goblin lawyers, instead choosing to use wizards themselves, but goblins were always the best at what they did and getting what they set out to do. Plus, the goblins adored them, not only had they made them more money than they can fathom, he and Tom treated them with respect that wasn't shown in this time.
Quite honestly, Hadrian was waiting for the day they were declared 'Friend of the goblins' a very honourable title that only two other wizards had the honour of receiving in all of history. Merlin, was unsurprisingly one of them, he might have been a Slytherin but he was fair and revered by all. Still was, Dumbledore would have been like a second coming of Merlin, but thank goodness they'd prevented such a catastrophe from happening.
"A goblin lawyer?" Tom enquired, entirely bemused, staring at the portrait entrance to Slytherin common room, where they had set the destination for returning. Since most of those who had come were Slytherins it made sense to drop them off here and allow the others – who had returned about an hour earlier now – to make their own way to their common rooms.
Hadrian murmured the password in Parseltongue, before replying to Tom in the same language, "Yeah, even if it means bribing the assholes, Fenrir Greyback will be mine,"
"You wish to pay for him? Why not go with my plan?" Tom sounded very indignant and insulted even in Parseltongue.
"He's a 'werewolf' they won't demand much for him, they'll take what they can get and run, its much easier in the long run, we can't indiscriminately kill people," Hadrian retorted, both of them sounding pissed off to everyone still in the common room, as so often was the case when speaking Parseltongue. It caused many of them to slide off the chairs and make their way to their dorms. "We must be careful if we do such a thing, there cannot be anything that ties us to them, I do not want a single suspicion falling upon us." And he meant it. Tom might have thought he was being subtle but Dumbledore had found out after all, and kept it all quiet as he gathered evidence of Tom's wrongdoing in his original timeline.
"Very well," Tom stated, sounding as though he was suffering enormously.
"It doesn't mean we can't get our revenge," Hadrian said coldly, he loathed those who abandon or abuse children. "There are many ways to make someone suffer without drawing attention to ourselves, curses…spells, ensuring they greatly diminish their coffers and more importantly…their reputation. It's much more satisfying then a quick death."
Tom's eyes flashed and a sadistic grin stole across his features, "Yessss," he hissed out, satisfaction coursing through him, now he liked that idea very much. He had many hexes, curses and jinxes saved up in his book, most of which he hadn't had a chance to use and observe yet.
"Thought you'd like that," Harry said in English, "I better get writing to Gringotts," it was something that had to be done immediately, and not left for an indeterminate amount of time. Not that Fenrir would be found, Peverell-Slytherin manor was safer than anywhere else, they'd ensured that. The wards were the newest available, also with a few added that were not from this time. Giving it a definite advantage over all other properties. Nobody was looking for him either, so it wasn't as if they could guess for the life of them where he would be.
"Inform them you do not want the Greyback's knowing who is doing the adoption," Tom stated firmly but quietly, not wishing to be overheard. The rest of their group was already asleep it seemed, considering how much they had drank during the 'party' it didn't surprise him.
"Ah, Tom, Hadrian, still up I see," Slughorn commented as he wandered into the common room. He didn't often check on the students this late at night, so both were surprised to say the least.
"Is everything okay, professor?" Hadrian enquired, wondering at his appearance just as Tom was.
"Yes, yes, everything is well," Slughorn, "I hope you all arrived back in one piece?"
"Excuse me, Professor?" Tom asked feigning ignorance.
Slughorn just gave them a knowing look, "Don't get caught," he ordered stubbornly refusing to repeat the qyestion, before turning back out of the common room as if he had never been there to begin with.
"Okay…that was…unexpected," Hadrian murmured, blinking in surprise.
Tom remained silent, a speculative look on his face as he tried to figure out how Slughorn knew. He must have some sort of trigger tied to them, although they had left from Slytherin Common Room, so it might explain it. Slytherin was Slughorn's territory, who knows what kind of wards he had up to protect the students. Trying to find out what sort of spells there were up in Hogwarts was a futile exercise, he should know, he'd tried to find out in sheer curiosity. He's failed spectacularly, the only thing he had failed at actually.
No matter, they would just need to be more careful from here on in.
"Wards in the common room or the portraits," Tom and Hadrian deduced together out loud.
"I reckon wards though," Hadrian mused, "Took around a hundred wizards simultaneously destroying the wards around Hogwarts, with giants, trolls and Dementors to break the wards." Refusing to discuss such a sensitive topic in anything other than snake language. Standing up, gesturing towards the stairs, ready to head up.
"I know," Tom replied still speaking English, his tone dry, as he stood, joining Hadrian as they both ascended the stairs, heading for their common room. He had seen the battle after all, the final battle in the Pensive. Along with a whole host of memories that he'd rather not see, his own destruction twice, one of them permanent. It's why, no matter what, he would never create Horcruxes. He probably would have tried something different if not for his power of immortality he had gained through bonding.
Tom went right to bed and fell asleep quite easily, Hadrian on the other hand wrote to the goblins at Gringotts with his request before burrowing under the covers of the cooling rapidly Dorm room.
------0
It was absolutely no surprise that as soon as Tom was out of the common room, that Hadrian was accosted by the others. Or rather, one other who had the guts to actually ask the question on everyone's mind. Avery. "What happened last night?" and they all knew something had happened, sozzled or not, they'd seen the way Tom and Hadrian had tensed up before forcefully relaxing and asking them to get everyone home.
"Nothing," Hadrian replied as he lobbed all his books into his bag, zipping it up before shrugging it over his shoulders.
"That's a lie if I've ever heard one," Dolohov snorted, his tone derisive.
Hadrian straightened up to his full height, turning to stare at Dolohov with a blank look on his face.
Dolohov flinched, it was often Hadrian's glare could rival Tom's but right now it did. Fiercely.
"We'll be late for breakfast if we don't go now," Avery said, delicately changing the subject.
"Yeah, we will be," Hadrian agreed, his glare letting up as he dismissed Dolohov entirely.
"Whatever it is, I hope the situation is resolved," Avery added, as they begun to make their way out of the common room, Tom was nearby talking to Nott.
"It will be," was all Hadrian gave them before adding, "Nothing too serious." Which was true, there was nothing they couldn't do with the fortune he had amassed. He quite honestly didn't think the Greyback's would need any convincing to sign over the rights to their son, and if he'd already been disowned legally and magically, then they would only need to adopt him.
"I'm glad," Avery said sincerely, while Dolohov just scowled in the background, all of them still moving towards the Great Hall.
"We're all here if you need the help," Orion told him patting him on the back, almost causing Hadrian to jump in surprise, he hadn't even realized Orion was there. Sneaky bugger.
"Thanks Orion," Hadrian said with a grin, he was beginning to look more and more like Sirius every day. Yes, technically Sirius looks like Orion but he knew Sirius first so it was always going to be a comparison.
"Do you think we'll gain a mountain of points today again?" Nott asked, with a wicked chuckle, eyes twinkling deviously. With them practicing Wandless magic during the summer…they were much more advanced than anyone else in the classroom. Everything the teacher asked since they returned, they'd been able to do quickly, due to the fact it was just the basics. The more advanced they got and the class got, they were still able to stay ahead, while some others couldn't get their first spell yet.
"Ravenclaw's quickly catching up," Lestrange grumbled, as did his stomach when they entered the Great Hall.
"Myrtle deserves every one of those points," Hadrian chuckled, "She's got no experience and is managing to keep up with us…quite well too." He hadn't expected it, but Myrtle hadn't lived to see her potential realized in his timeline. Which no longer existed, Myrtle would have passed by this already actually.
"She's good," Lestrange admitted, but not without slight censure. She was a Half-blood, she shouldn't be that good, but he was coming to learn that everything he thought he knew was wrong. It would take more than a year or so for it to completely digest. However, being in a Hogwarts environment was exactly what was needed to understand. To see and to observe that his beliefs were actually wrong.
"That she is," Hadrian agreed as he claimed his seat, Tom was still busy talking at the side of the door, his face intense, but he wasn't overly concerned. If it was anything important he would have sensed it over the bond they shared.
"You hear who she's dating now?" Mulciber garbled through a mouthful of food. Very aware if his mother had seen him do such a thing, he would have been slapped on the hand with a ruler, and sent back to his Governess for re-lessons. Fortunately, what happened at Hogwarts, mostly stayed in Hogwarts.
"Selwyn," Crabbe answered that one.
"Wonder what his parents think of that," Goyle mused, Selwyn's were pureblood's after all. Unfortunately, it wasn't an odd happenstance lately. The Half-blood's were suddenly becoming extremely suitable 'wives or husbands' for their offspring. Power was…something very important to pureblood's, and the thought of declining magical powers and such things had them all terrified. He too suddenly had his marriage contract broken, he was to pick whoever he pleased as long as they were not too closely related. He was grateful for it really, the girl they had picked…not to be discourteous but she was rather…hideous to look at. He wasn't much himself, he knew, but if they'd had a child together it would have probably looked like a troll unless he gained his looks from their ancestors.
"She's powerful in her own right," Rosier stated, albeit grudgingly, "She won't get a better match than that,"
"Only she's not looking for a 'match' but rather a partner, someone to treat her like an equal, someone who will love her," Hadrian commented, his gaze unwaveringly upon Selwyn, who had frozen on the spot. "Not using her blood status to gain himself a wife to have an heir with." Warning him if that was his intention he best stop. He hadn't read Selwyn's mind, not that he'd be able to, the guy was a pureblood and most pureblood's had shields up to prevent their minds being read, they were taught before attending Hogwarts. Tom didn't care for that though, and just invaded their minds regardless of their shields and they wouldn't say a damn thing.
Selwyn relaxed marginally after the threat, and sat himself down, ready to eat.
Tom too, claimed his seat, ignoring the conversation around him having no desire to converse about Selwyn's love life. He knew that Selwyn would make a very good pureblood to have in his corner. He saw in the pensive that Selwyn became a very loyal Knight – he refused to call them Death Eaters – going so far as to hand over his wand without question when 'Voldemort' demanded it, while chasing Hagrid and Harry on that insipid contraption someone called a motorbike.
"Girls aren't our equals though," it was Carrow who said that statement, his tone baffled at just the mere mention that girls were anywhere near equals.
"Yeah, I wouldn't go there," Avery warned Carrow, telling him he was on thin ice with just a look.
Carrow was wise enough to heed the warning.
Although, even if he had chosen to ignore the warning, it wouldn't have mattered, as Hadrian felt the wards flare. Warning him that Fenrir Greyback had woken up at last. He'd sort of expected it back when the full moon was officially over. He hadn't heard a peep until now though.
"I have to go, cover for me," Hadrian whispered to Tom, already climbing from the Slytherin bench. Theatrically clutching his stomach, as if he was about to be sick.
Tom nodded, noticing Avery looking concerned, and about to get up to help Hadrian, he commanded, "Stay," without preamble.
Avery blinked in surprise, Tom rarely let Hadrian go off alone, he was always with someone…although not so much these days he was noticing. "Predicted?"
Tom nodded once, causing Avery to relax, a sight that didn't fail to amuse Tom. Avery had tried to kill his husband with a very venomous snake back in the day. Wanted desperately to be rid of him, to the extent his entire family had suffered from it. Not as much as Avery had suffered himself, of course. He knew it wasn't the bond forcing Avery to show concern, that wasn't how it worked. Avery had genuinely grown to care for Hadrian and would protect him with his life.
Out of all others, he would pick Avery to watch over his husband, as he did so frequently.
Far off an owl hooted indignantly as it veered off course, making its way in the opposite direction.
---------0
Hadrian breathed heavily as he finally entered Peverell-Slytherin Manor, he had bolted from the Great Hall, down the steps out into the entrance hall. Down those steps before bolting towards the gates then and only then did he Apparate home. He would have preferred going to Slytherin common room and using the Floo, but Slughorn evidently had all transportation means under inspection. Especially if his words last night were any indication. So, to avoid anyone knowing he was actually leaving, this was what he was having to resort to.
It was a good job he was fit, otherwise he probably would have keeled over by now.
Unfortunately, he wasn't quite done yet, he thought, as he jogged towards the guest bedroom, he could hear snarling within, snarling that sounded remarkably wolf like despite coming from a human voice box. It made Hadrian pause, his heart hurting a little. Was Fenrir already more wolf than human even at this point? Merlin, he hoped not, otherwise he wouldn't be able to help the child. He'd need more human interaction than he could give him if that was the case.
He prayed that it wasn't the case.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped up to the door, opened it and slid inside. He was slightly surprised to see the room whole and untouched by the young werewolves rage.
And he was raging if the deepening growls were any indication.
Thinking back to when he was eight years old, trying to remember what he was like, and how he should approach Fenrir. Yet they were two different people, perhaps it was best to let his scent do the talking for him.
"Hello, Fenrir," Hadrian said, seeing the panic envelope the young boy, he added, "My name is Hadrian Peverell-Slytherin, this is my manor, you crossed my wards last night. We brought you in here for some rest…would you like something to eat?"
Fenrir who had begun to advance on Hadrian with low growls, ready to fight his way out of the manor. Paused upon the mention of food, his stomach growling fiercely. He wasn't used to being hungry after the full moon, normally his wolf managed to get something to eat for them where his weak human body could not. Sure, it was only something small, like a rabbit or a hare, but it filled his shrunken stomach. The taste of the blood and meat still lingering in his mouth when he returned to human form. If he had it his way, Fenrir would have preferred to remain in his wolf form.
That was the sole reason that the transformations did not hurt him overly much. Instead of the fear and dread people felt, Fenrir only felt elation, excitement and pure unadulterated relief. Considering he was able to eat something while a wolf it wasn't surprising really.
"Dobby?" Hadrian called for his House-elf, hoping against hope the House-elves had the forethought to make something for Fenrir. Also something fit for the young werewolf, while humans when so emaciated needed bland foods such as porridge, a young werewolf needed meat to becoming strong.
As if anticipating his needs, Dobby popped in with a tray, a bowl full of porridge with maple syrup and a plate filled with bacon and sausages. "Well done, Dobby, thank you," Hadrian said with pride, eyeing Fenrir who was looking at Dobby as though he was the snack.
Dobby squeaked when he noticed the look, Hadrian stifled his laughter, taking the tray and allowing the House-elf to leave.
"Your wolf is beautiful," Hadrian said softly, as he approached the young boy, placing the tray on the bed then sat down. "Did you know complete acceptance of your wolf gives you the ability to transform into a wolf at will? Almost like an animagus form? You're magic will likely make it possible but in a few years when your magic is more mature."
Fenrir cocked his head to the side, very reminiscent of his wolf side, he hated humans, didn't trust them as far as he could throw them. Both in human and wolf form. They tried to kill him in wolf form, and the humans had anger, fear and disgust in their scents when they look at him. Not this one though, this one felt calm and soothing, he meant what he said, his scent told Fenrir as much. He wasn't afraid of him, wasn't disgusted and the surprise he felt held him back from attacking, also the food, especially the bacon, he was positively salivating for it.
"Go ahead," Hadrian said, gesturing towards the food, watching Fenrir eye his hands as if he suspected it to be a trap. Once he was sure Hadrian's wand wasn't anywhere near his fingertips, he snatched the entire plate of meat and bolted for the corner of the room. Greedily grabbing the food and stuffing it into his face, chewing quickly.
"I'm not going to take it from you, Fenrir, but if you keep eating so quickly you'll be sick," Hadrian quietly told the boy, sighing in relief when he calmed somewhat, but still ate too fast but hopefully it would prevent him regurgitating it everywhere. Food was the fastest way to a werewolves heart, and their trust.
Turning to the window, his senses tingling, an owl, he realized quickly, there was an owl approaching the wards. It was fast, which meant it was a Gringotts Owl. Now those beasts had been bred for their speed and stamina. Instead of using his wand to open the window, Hadrian approached it, waiting for the owl to land.
"Use your spoon, Fenrir," Hadrian stated firmly, quickly laying down the ground rules for the young werewolf. He might be 'alpha' in future, but he wasn't one right now. He needed guidance, a firm hand to prevent him from completely getting out of control. By firm hand, he definitely did not mean abuse or physically hitting someone or even verbally flaying them alive. Neither one did anything other than completely destroy any trust or love between two others.
He heard rather than saw the resulting scowl, a half growl later the sound of metal scraping against the bowl was heard. Hadrian smiled in pride, he was very glad the young boy could take a telling. Perhaps Fenrir needed an Alpha of his own for now, until he grew into his own. Could Fenrir's wolf see him as a dominant Alpha? Could it be that easy? No, he was looking at this all wrong. Fenrir was just a desperate child, whether he hated humans or not…he would still desire a home, warmth, food, comfort, he wasn't a feral animal.
He was part animal though, his wolf would always be part of him, and he couldn't keep the boy trapped here. He'd have to give him a choice and hope for the best.
He definitely had no shame though, he was completely starkers and didn't care the slightest. The owl swooped onto the window ledge, Hadrian accepted the missive from Gringotts and the owl hooted before taking off. Apparently, he need not reply.
"You have a choice, Fenrir," Hadrian said, after the boy was finished with his food. Turning to face the boy again, and continued speaking. "You can stay here, have three meals a day, warmth, a roof over your head."
Fenrir once again cocked his head to the side, surprise sliding over his wide blue eyes, never leaving Hadrian's face.
"You won't be too overwhelmed with people, Tom and I, my husband, we're still at Hogwarts, which means a great deal of the time we will be there. I know it's not ideal, but I don't want you remaining out there in the wilderness, hunting for food when you can, especially in this cold weather." Hadrian admitted, sitting himself on the bed, letter on his lap. "I can understand if you don't trust us, or even wizards, but you must understand we're not all the same. One of the greatest most gentlest men I ever knew was a werewolf. Unfortunately, he chose to suppress his wolf instead of accepting who he was, the both sides of him, there is no shame in either. You cannot let other people define who you are and who you wish to be."
"There would be rules of course, number one would be do not disrespect the House-elves, they deserve common courtesy. Number two, don't destroy the property, number three, you need to be dressed…number four, respect, it's important, both to us and us to you. If you stay you'll meet Tom soon enough." Hadrian informed the child. "Number five, don't lie, we would prefer the truth even if it isn't…polite," he knew both rules were contradictory, but truth was important to them, "If its rude…find an alternative way to say it," he added with a wry smirk, but he doubted that would happen. Fenrir for all his faults in his timeline, spoke the truth to the extreme even if it made them sick to their stomach.
"If you don't want to stay, then I will understand, I won't like it, but I'll understand. You deserve better than living out there on your own. I must return to Hogwarts before I am missed, but I will be back with Tom later today, at dinner time." He informed Fenrir, pleased to see the boy listening intently. "The House-Elves will make lunch for you if you're still here. Which I hope you are, Tom would be pleased to meet you. The next choice is up to you, and I hope you choose well."