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Chapter Text

Bright dull emerald green eyes glowed in the dimly lit morning skies, his skin a pale contrast against his inky raven hair, his dark fitted attire hung limply, his body; too small and lean it was obvious the lad was underweight and if you looked close enough you could see faint scars though his posture as he sat was graceful the slight shivers that racked over the small body, the large bags under his eyes and the too ghostly white skin showed he was not in good condition and, yet his eyes screamed that he was mentally much older than he appeared physically and that's why the boy reminded Albus so much of his late student Hadrian Black.

Albus was never able to understand his reluctance to talk to children like Tom Riddle until he met Hadrian Black, he once might have thought it been the way in which they grew up but now that thought seemed so far from the truth but for now he was struck with a similar case as he glanced at the sleeping form in front of him.

Albus had been surprised, to say the least when he received a ministry official missive from none other than Lord Malfoy and Madam Bones requesting his presence at the Ministry of Magic. Until he had arrived, stepping out of the floo to be met upon his exit by the senders themselves. They'd explained that they had received an anonymous tip from someone asking they send Aurors to the Potter's crypt due to an unknown magical child wandering the grounds, the reason he'd been requested to come in was due to the sensitivity and importance of the matter since it was a child, they asked him to talk to the child.

That's how Albus found himself standing shocked still in front of a restless sleeping, abused, and malnourished child that if not for the scars and small build looked identical to his late student Hadrian Black snapping himself out of his daze, he bent down placing his hand on the sleeping child startled by the violent flinch that overcame the young male. Quickly he removed his hand allowing the child to calm down as he watched the boy look up at him if Albus didn't know any better, he would have thought he caught the sign of recognition within the boy's eyes but as fast as it appeared it was gone.

"Hello? I am Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, I run Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry can you tell me your name?" He asked the small unmoving child concerned; the boy looked as though he was appraising him before shaking his head no.

"Is there a reason, you can't tell us your name?" Albus asked indicating to the two behind himself getting a glance at a concerned Amelia Bones and Lucius Malfoy as they also shared a look in silent conversation before returning to looking back at the child, the boy watched them before pointing to a very vivid scar on his throat.

"You can't talk?" nod "Did someone do this to you?" another nod he sighed hearing the sharp intake of breath from behind himself, they could only think of what could have happened, yet it didn’t stop the thoughts of how the scar came about Albus couldn’t help but let out another sigh ‘this is beginning to be a very tiring day’ Albus thought feeling his old age.

"Albus, we have to get the boy to St Mungo's at least there we will be able to figure out everything that's wrong with the boy," Amelia said quickly worry filling her voice his eyes not once leaving the child, yet the child did not seem worried.

"Right you are Amelia but you should also go to the Ministry and call Lords Black, Lestrange, and Malfoy to meet us at the Ministry so we can sort out the boy's guardianship and where he'll be staying" Albus suggested hearing agreements and the crack of apparition leaving just him, the boy and Lucius behind before Albus could explain to the boy what was going to happen the child stood giving them both a nod to follow as the boy started walking away, Albus noticed the cane the child used to walk.

Following close behind as the child led them to stop in front of two graves realizing what the boy was doing, they stood back watching as the child pulled two single lilies placing them delicately on the two graves leaning to see who the boy was paying his respects too Albus was shocked to discover that it was the graves of Lily and James Potter.

They stood there watching the child in a respectful silence for what seemed like hours though it could have only been a few minutes letting the unblinking child have his moment what they did not understand or at least Albus was that there was a third grave that sat next to the pair.

"Did you know Lily, James, and their son Hadrian Potter?" Lucius asked softly to the silence and their surprise the boy looked at them shocked before pointing at the grave with the youngest Potter's name before pointing at himself Albus was unable to understand what the boy was saying or was trying to say.

The boy huffed before silently giving up and walking over grabbing onto Lucius' robe in a way that could only be described as a silent time to go.

Taking the hint they apparated to St Mungo's.

Chapter Text

Lucius was surprised that the child grabbed onto his robe. he understood that it was the boy's way of telling them it was time to leave, but he wasn’t the most approachable person. He had thought the child would have chosen to stay away from him out of fear and have had Dumbledore take him instead but that wasn’t the case, they didn't have to wait long as they were seen to immediately this was due to Amelia's pre-warning the staff about their current situation giving them information about what they had learned by observing the child so far which was very little in the grand scheme of things. Lucius sat in silence, observing the child who had sat on the bed in the room, watching everyone. Lucius found the child odd; the boy never looked worried about them, and if he thought more about it, the child looked almost like he expected them to be there. 

"Alrighty, Headmaster Dumbledore here says that you are unable to talk? There is also cause to believe you have been abused... by your previous guardians, is this true?" The Doctor asked gently being cautious of the situation, and the child nodded in agreement. "Do you have a name?" The child tilted his head, looking at them like they were stupid for asking the question. 

"Haha, sorry it's just a required question, I'm going to run a diagnostic charm on you, do you know what that is?" the Doctor asked, and the child nodded. Lucius raised a brow at the child. 

“Were you living with magical guardians before we found you?” Dumbledore asked, but this only caused them to be suspicious of the child's origin when said boy shook his head no.   

The Doctor sighed proceeding with the charm they waited in silence only hearing the Doctor softly muttering the spell a long thick strip of rolled-up parchment slowly appeared making everyone in the room gasp Lucius and Dumbledore made their way over to stand behind the Doctor so they could also read the results but what they read was horrifying. Lucius looked over at the boy, he knew the diagnostic scan would be bad, but this was nothing like he had imagined in all honesty it was sick that a child the same age as his own had gone through such acts let alone a magical one, he didn’t even want to think about Draco being in this child's place and just the thought of his son's name made him sad that something like this should not have happened yet it did. 

Green eyes watched silently at the three males in the room. He had not been all that surprised by the results; his uncle had done a number on him this time. 

But in all honesty, he was surprised he was alive. he thought after his second death he would’ve stayed dead, but that's just it, it was not the case; he had woken up just as the incident happened. He shivered over the violent memory remembering how crazed his uncle had been acting then- shaking his head he looked up at the doctor who had walked over to his desk grabbing a piece of paper he wrote down what looked like a list of potions on it, standing he moved over to them handing it and a copy of the diagnostic scan over to Lucius. 

The doctor glanced over at Hadrian before pulling out and handing him an uncorked potion "It's a pain reliever" The Doctor said a small smile gracing his face, Hadrian grimaced giving the doctor a short nod, giving the man a light smile though he didn't feel his effort grace any of his features. 

"If I may ask, you said you had a name, can you write it down? Perhaps on a piece of paper?" Asked Lucius, he nodded, but as he thought about it, he found he didn't want to have to carry around paper or a book to convey what he wanted to others; just thinking about it made him reluctant. it was until this point he remembered a young Tom Riddle using magic to spell and shift his name around like an art form rolling his eye over his way too dramatic bonded he thought over a little more before willing his magic to form the words he wanted to convey in front of him for all to see. Looking up he was graced by pleasant surprise seeing the formed words materialize in front of him ' My name is Hadrian Potter as I understand it the wizarding world believed I died with my parents but this is not the case from what I know I was left on the doorstep of my mother's sisters house and have lived there since the day of my parent's deat h ' watching their shock at the show of wandless and wordless magic being used so effortlessly, he was sure the fact he found a fast way to communicate without having to write anything down and thought of the Potter heir being alive also gave them more of a shock. 

"And where are your aunt and uncle?" Dumbledore asked, concerned, though if he looked closer, the man looked more upset about his relatives, or that might have been anger, he could not quite tell. 

' Dead,’ Hadrian said, preferring not to remember what happened. It was a horrific experience to live through, and he found it hard, even considering speaking of the incident, swallowing thickly, feeling the slight burn from the action, he made an effort to glance up at the men in the room. 

“It’s okay, Hadrian, you don’t have to tell us what happened if it’s too hard,” The Doctor said, side-eying the other two within the small room. Dumbledore, on the other hand, watched Hadrian closely; his eyes gave the man away. Hadrian could tell the man was suspicious but couldn't be bothered caring he knew his story didn't add up “He may leave but you will have to follow the list it should help heal most of the damage sustained if not all of it” The Doctor explained to them changing the subject quickly giving the man a nod at his efforts of trying to save him.  

Hadrian climbed down from the bed grabbing his cane while the doctor explained more to the two men, he avoided being touched and headed for the door leading out of the room, being quick in his movements he hobbled over to the floo point reaching over toward a bowl grabbing a thick handful of the green powder he took a steadying breath thinking of the Ministry adding a little of his magic to the powder as a guide he threw it into the fireplace waiting patiently for the green flame to ignite the large fireplace before taking a large stride forward. 

He heard his name being called off in the distance of the elongated hallway, the sounds of two sets of feet running to catch up, but by the time they reached the floo, he was already gone. 

Chapter Text

Orion found it odd watching a usually calm Madam Bones come bounding into his office huffing and puffing trying to catch a breath before informing him about the turn of the events of the last hour telling him of a young child she shuffled around pulling out a missive that led to the discovery of said child, he had to say this was a bizarre case but found it worried him with how shaken Madam Bones appeared almost like she had seen a ghost. 

Orion walked to the lifts, pressed the button, and waited till the doors slid open. Upon entering, he rode it to the ground level, hastily getting out, he walked over, coming to a standstill beside a tall lengthy blonde, Abraxas Malfoy stood tall next to Corvus Lestrange, watching the floos as the fireplaces along the far wall lit green or died away completely. 

“So, you were informed too?" he asked glancing out the corner of his eye to the men next to him, they each gave a curt nod their eye remaining on the floos, never leaving returning his attention to the fireplaces his eyes immediately falling on one that lit a harsh bright green closest to them. Orion watched as a young way too small raven-haired child stumbled out catching himself with a pristine black cane that did not look right with the too-loose hanging off-the-shoulder clothes the child took a moment to gather his bearings before righting himself and adjusting his attire as best he could Orion watched the child as though sensing his lingering eyes turn to glance over at him, his eyes widened a fraction as he felt his mouth run dry; he froze in shock. This small child looked identical, if not for the physical injuries to the boy's face that were held like a nasty metal for all to see, and yet the child looked, reminded him even, so much of his dearly departed brother that he could not stop himself from calling his brother's name. 

"Hadrian..." Orion never felt more like slapping himself till this point but to his surprise, the child looked at him, and yet his expression held no reaction to his own words the child tilted his head in an almost curious manner but the soft feature turned to a hard frown as though he was deciding about how best to answer but before more could be said two more others came through the floo looking a little disheveled, but they quickly fixed themselves slowly making their way over towards the boy before striding their way over to them. 

"Lord Black, Lord Malfoy, Lord Lestrange, this is Hadrian Potter," Dumbledore introduced. Orion was shocked. This boy was supposed to be dead, or well  he was dead? This situation did not feel right to him, glancing over he could see it did not sit well with the others either. 

"Let’s head to my son's office so we can have this settled privately" Abraxas suggested sounding almost cold Orion frowned at him when they caught the boy flinch under the tone but could not say anything as they were led away to Lucius's office, everyone gathered around taking seats in the winged backed chairs they looked back and forth at each other. 

"Might someone explain what is going on? The Potters are dead, and as far as everyone else is concerned, their child had followed their abrupt deaths, with nothing left, so how is it that their supposed child is alive?" Abraxas asked, eyeing the child none too gently. 

Hadrian stared at the man, narrowing his eyes at Abraxas ‘he thinks I'm lying’  Frowning he took a deep breath closing his eyes to steady himself, focusing his magic to a point before snapping his fingers a name shimmered into sight, he heard the other occupants taking sharp intakes of breath feeling a little unsteady he opened his eyes only to freeze himself. 

Hadrian Arcturus Potter-Peverell-Black   

‘What is Mortem playing at?’ Hadrian thought, glaring at the name, though he knew if he were to really think about it, he would see this was probably Mortem’s way of trying to apologize for its mistake fifty years ago, but all the same, he was still confused. 

"Your... You're alive?" Muttered Corvus into the silent room, bringing Hadrian’s attention back to the occupants, tilting his head confused, he took a moment to understand what the man meant before shaking his head at them. 

‘My parents are the late Lord and Lady Potter I was born on the 31st of July 1980 and when they died, I was sent to live with my mother's muggle sister due to her being my “last” remaining relative though it’s not quite true since my godfather is Lord Sirius Black he became my guardian the day my parents met their demise but my grandmother was a Black having the blood in my line makes me a relative to the Malfoys, Weasleys and Tonks’  Hadrian explained to the quiet room though it was mostly true when he died the first time but it had since changed the moment he was sent to the past to fix what is now the future, though by being blood adopted by Arcturus Black becoming his godfather's uncle, as strange as that sounded in his original timeline he had been blood adopted by Sirius becoming his heir not that it mattered now that was not him... not anymore that is. 

“How did you come to know of this if you were raised by muggles?” Orion asked skeptically, he understood that because he was raised by his "supposed muggle family," that it would be highly unlikely he would know anything about the wizarding world, but that was always the case when starting one of his lives, as he's come to realize. 

‘Because when I received my letter, my guardians told me the truth and about how much they hated having to take me in that was a couple of years ago, but their abusive habits got worse after that’  he informed, looking away, he flinched violently feeling a hand fall softly on his shoulder turning to look up he saw Lucius staring at him with concern. If he remembered correctly, he was named godfather of Lucius, and the bond was still active since he couldn’t die, just like his name it was still the same just modified slightly, he felt a spell shot at him quickly he grabbed a tight hold and pulled Lucius swinging past him swapping their positions, bringing his free hand up he created a shield rebounding the spell back at whoever was dumb enough to throw it. 

Unsurprisingly, it was Corvus who fell to the ground at Hadrian's feet by his own backfired stinging spell, placing the end of the cane on the man's wand hand. Hadrian glanced around the room, taking in the surprised looks from the occupants. Silently, he sighed, his hand coming to hold the bridge of his nose, a headache forming; he wasn’t meant to be using large amounts of magic due to the damage his body had undergone; he could feel his body already trembling. 

“Mr. Potter, you can stand down. Thank you for protecting Lucius, but can you stop now?” Dumbledore said, looking up, he turned, catching a glance at Lucius, who still wore a shocked expression, before looking down at Corvus, who was sweating due to the pain from his hand that was underfoot of his cane. 

Removing the cane away the shield shattered, dissipating away. Corvus sat up, cradling his hand, which had begun to turn a nasty shade of purple. Hadrian held out his hand, giving the man an apologetic look. 

‘Sorry about that, I only sensed the spell and acted, I did not mean to harm you,’  Hadrian said as Corvus grabbed his outstretched hand, helping him to stand. 

“No worries, by chance was that wandless and wordless magic you used?” Corvus asked, Hadrian nodded, grabbing the man's injured hand. Corvus winced at the pain as he took a closer look at it. It was an odd shade of purple with some blood seeping out from a cut that had formed ‘If left to fester it will become infected a small healing and disinfectant spell will fix it, but I will be felt dizzy with a possible chance of a fever afterwards’  Hadrian thought outweighing the risk though he knew he did not need too his decision had already been made as the cut began glowing a deep blue as the wound was cleaned knitting itself back together making it look as though what had transpired never happened. 

Letting the hand go, he fell back into the seat behind himself, feeling his body unable to support his minimal weight, the room swayed a bit, and he wondered if perhaps Tom could feel this too, due to their bonding, but knew it was impossible.

“Orion, what the boy said about his godfather being your son, is it true?” Abraxas asked, keeping his cold demeanor from before, though Hadrian knew from experience that it was just the mask he was hiding behind, but what was odd was the lack of questioning he was not receiving from the high-standing purebloods- he snorts the sound coming out more like a grunt 'high-standing yeah right' he thought pinching the bridge of his nose again. 

"Yes, my son and his partner are the boy's godfathers, but you never mentioned having another?" Orion told them, turning to look at Hadrian in question.  He knew Sirius and the Longbottoms were, and that Remus and Severus were meant to be one, but due to Remus being a werewolf and his parents' less-than-stellar relationship with Severus before their deaths, they were never able to make either of them one. 

-Master in this timeline, your parents were successful in making them your godparents, and to answer your earlier question, indeed any bonds that had been made previously are still in place, you are still Hadrian Black so be careful, I have blocked most of the bonds per your request but if you become unfocused the block will fall and they will know-   

‘I know that Lord Back, Mr. Lupin, Lord and Lady Longbottom, and Heir Prince are my godparents and I know that Heir Black and Heir Prince were given my guardianship if something happened to my parents but knowing the history behind them, I doubt Professor Snape will be willing to take in a spawn of James so Heir Black and his partner would be best’ Hadrian explained to the room not paying attention not that he could his head felt like it was going to explode and the room just kept spinning while voices became muffled and whispers of nightmares long in the past became louder, his leg was beginning to throb taking a deep breath he looked back up. 

“So, he will be staying with us?” Lucius asked his voice was soft, but Hadrian was glad he didn’t sound upset about the outcome ‘So I’ll be staying with some of the Knights? Interesting. Mortem, who exactly will I be staying with apart from Orion, Corvus, Abraxas, and their children?’  

-The Blacks and Tom are there, and I believe Severus is also living with them, but everyone else only visits- 

‘Ok, thank you for the help, Mortem’   

-Anything for you, Master- 

“Are you alright, Mr. Potter?” Asked Orion, Hadrian tried for the life of him to open his eyes, he honestly didn’t remember closing them, but now that he realized it, he was feeling warm, ‘The fever he had been expecting’ he thought sighing at his too-weak and malnourished body but nodded to the question that had been asked. 

“Well let us go, we will be heading to Malfoy Manor Hadrian will go first then we will follow after” Abraxas explained to the group in the room, Hadrian stood leaning more of his weight onto his cane opening his eyes seeing spots of black fill his vision he walked forward making it to the floo’s grabbing another handful of green powder putting a little bit of magic for guidance thinking of Malfoy Manor he threw it into the fireplace entering when he stumbled out a pair of warm hands caught him before he abruptly passed out. 

Chapter Text

Tom could not understand why he felt the need to wait in the receiving room; all he knew was the urge to leave was there, but he felt he could not, as though he was prevented by an invisible wall.  When the large fireplace ignited bright green he stopped abruptly turning on the spot his arms out ready to catch whatever came through, and something did looking down wide-eyed he saw the top of a very small raven-haired child who looked almost as bad as he had during his time at the orphanage he saw the ground ahead flash bright green watching as four sets of legs step out. 

“Lord Slytherin!? What are you doing here? I thought you were seeing to the Vampires?” said Lucius, though Tom could see the underlying concern in their eyes as they glanced at the child. 

“I finished early, what's going o-?”  

“CUB/ HARRY/PRONGSLET,” three voices echoed loudly off the walls of the hallway outside the door. He heard running and, turning to the door, he could see Sirius come sliding through the door, followed by a panting Remus and a slightly winded Severus, lifting a curious brow at the usually calm three who looked only slightly embarrassed by their poor decorum, or at least by being caught. He noticed each of them eyeing the child within his arms, who had remained motionless until he was caught off guard by the child jumping out of his arms and across the other side of the room, away from anyone who could get within reach.  

Hadrian could never say he liked being touched until it became more apparent after the incident but when... when he woke up, which must not have been very long, his attention was immediately drawn to the pair of arms that held him in place; he knew they most likely did not mean any harm but fear had become his guide and before he realized he was standing on the other side of the room out of anyone’s reach. 

His hand extended towards the wall for support as his vision slowly righted itself and came into focus. He could now see the other occupants summoning his cane. He sighed in relief as it flew into his open grasp he let his minimal weight fall on it while adjusting he straightened and finally glanced up much to his surprise Hadrian was met by the sight of a wide-eyed Tom who was picking himself up off the ground to Tom's left he could see Sirius, Remus, and Severus who looked almost like they would all topple each other over his gaze drifted over to the last four who seemed to hold themselves mostly together from the odd situation. 

He could faintly remember saving them, but to see his hard work, to see them all living... breathing, it was hard not to think it might be ripped away, blinking away the hard memories, he turned back, though he could see they weren't exactly looking at him.

“Can someone tell me what is going on” Tom demanded his eyes glancing over the four who came through the fireplace moments after he had, looking over at them he could see they had no idea what to say closing his eyes he lifted his hand hitting the wall behind him loudly gaining everyone's attention opening his eyes he watched them.

’Hello a pleasure to meet everyone I am Lord Hadrian Potter due to the death of my previous guardians I have been placed under the care of my godfather Sirius Black’ he informed taking note of how stiff Tom was, he could only assume the reason was most likely his looks but he could never really know not with how the other avoided looking at his features, something he was beginning to realize as problematic.

“I see, Hadrian Potter, you say? It is curious that you say that since the Potters are thought to be dead including their only heir” Tom wondered his eyes glowing a bright red as he took a steady step forward almost challenging him, he didn’t have the energy to fight with the man, he was too tired, and while he was used to it his leg was beginning to throb which he had no doubt Tom could feel somewhat if the twitch of the mans eye and the shine of sweat on his face was anything to go by. 

‘If you are asking then, unfortunately, you are correct but I am not as you can see sadly I was placed in the 'care' of my mother's muggle sister the night of my parent's death though from what I understand no one knew my being alive even though I still received my Hogwarts letter’  Hadrian explained hearing two low growls and a grunt of dislike something he knew and understood all too much knowing his relatives were horrendous people and even that was too kind of a word to be describing them with. 

“WHAT?!” exclaimed Severus, Sirius, and Remus loudly, not sounding at all happy about the circumstances he was placed in; he knew they wouldn't be with the stories they had heard nor the interactions they might have had with his aunt.

“what’s so bad about a couple of muggles?” asked Corvus and he almost felt sorry for the man when he heard the loud threatening growl coming from Moony his warm golden eyes glowing harshly in the dimly lit room, he was so loud that it had Tom looking over at the wolf stopping in his forward proceedings toward his person he could also see the concern perhaps worry flicker across their faces as they glanced his way then back at the three by the open doorway. 

“WHAT'S SO BAD!!? WHAT'S SO!!? LILY'S SISTER HATED MAGIC THAT'S WHAT'S SO BAD!!?” he exclaimed coldly, Hadrian thought he caught a few of them shiver but what had really caught him was the way most of them turned to look at him making him a little uncomfortable as they stared, hopeful at him almost wishing him to deny what Remus was implying. 

“What he is saying... is that true!?” Abraxas asked, the room fell silent, sighing, he looked away, staring at anything but them, he could hear the sharp intakes of breath, and wished he could be anywhere else but there. 

‘My relatives... were not the best people to have had raise a child of "my kind". My Uncle is the reason I am unable to see out one eye or talk, it’s a wonder I survived, the thought of running had crossed my mind though had I tried it would not have been far not with my leg’  Hadrian said taping his leg with his hand it was starting to become unbearable he looked back but then frowned confused, he could have sworn he heard an excited hoot but before he could think much on it, he was thrown from his standing position onto the ground his hand landed on snow white feathers glancing down he saw ‘Hedwig’ he gave her a soft smile as he hadn’t been able to let her come with him when he "died" so he tasked her to watch over Tom while he healed. 

‘Hello, such a beautiful girl you are did you bring me something?’ he asked her, she nudged his head to look at the scar on his neck before moving to look at his eye she shook her feathers hooting sadly, nipping his ear before dropping three wands on his lap as he sat himself up looking at them confused, he felt her move to perch herself on his shoulder as he looked at each wand his holy wand, the elder wand, and the dementor cloak, basilisk venom, yew wand he used during his time as Hadrian Black each one was suited to him and only him narrowing his eyes as he levitated them in front of himself. 

-Master, if you were to cut your finger, allowing a little blood to drop on each of them, I could combine them for you. Hedwig was smart to bring them to you since it could help you in healing your throat, sadly, your eye would take longer, much like your leg-  

He heard movement and could see that everyone had gotten closer, not looking at all pleased to see any of the wands ‘they must have been keeping them as keepsakes to remember him,' he thought sadly, using a silent cutting curse on his hand he watched the red bead before pooling in his hand. Squeezing his hand closed over each wand watching them glow as the blood dropped onto them, he saw them slowly shift combining into one eyeing it, he let his fingers glide over the newly formed wand it was reminiscent of the elder wand but instead of the old brown almost bone-like structure, it was black with a snake wrapped around it, a color and design that came from the wand he used as Black but it felt light, airy, warm something that he hadn't felt in well forever at least not since he was known as Harry Potter. 

Picking it up he held it giving it a test swing it sparked with a flash of green, Hedwig nudged his head nipping at his ear grimacing he grabbed his cane and stood looking at the wand in his other hand he gave it another wave this time it sparked a beautiful light blue of entangled lines that reminded him of vines, carefully he began to untangle them moving each one as gently as he could by the end he was sweating profusely as he finished taking a steading deep breath that made him feel lightheaded  ‘that felt good to do’  he thought sighing pleasantly. 

“What did you do?” Severus asked loudly causing him to jump slightly reminding him that he was not alone gracing the man he smiled a little unsurely letting his gaze wonder over the others he noticed they did not look pleased with his actions but found he did not care what they thought as he no longer felt the dry scratchy bordering on painful feeling from his throat. 

“I healed my throat so now I can talk,” Hadrian said, his voice coming out harsh and a little scratchy from not being used for so long. Hedwig nudged his head, hooting happily, “Yes, thank you, you always know how to help, don’t you, girl?” He praised her and she hooted again puffing her feathers up proudly she gave him another gentle nudge before flying off just as his gaze followed her moving form he was startled by Tom standing in front of him causing him to jump abruptly away, a hand caught his wrist and he was pulled forward into the man's arms his breath fell short while, his vision blurring as his body stiffened and had begun trembling. He felt disgusted in himself, at the feeling of the hands, he thought he could see blood, and was tempted to try and scrub it off. 

“Potter?” someone called but it came out muffled taking a chance he glanced up and saw the bright crimson eyes of Tom, his bonded not the beady black of his uncles, looking around he could see that everyone else was thrown into the surrounding walls while a shield held up around him and Tom. 

“Sorry, sorry, sorry” he stuttered out repeatedly fear consuming him as he felt himself flinch violently when a hand was brought up to his head but the hit never came instead it was placed gently onto the back of his head while another was placed on his lower back hugging him close, he felt his eyes grow impossibly heavy as exhaustion overcame him. 

“You are tired, rest now, you are safe,” Tom whispered into the young male's ear, ever since he caught the young male when he came through the fireplace he had begun to feel something growing turning heavy but he was beginning to realize that maybe it was not his emotions he was feeling but perhaps Hadrian Potter's which by all means should be impossible unless... well unless they were connected in someway though it was confusing since he did not have any connection with Hadrian Potter he could admit he didn’t know the boy was alive not until a few minutes ago that is. 

“Now, can someone explain to me what happened and in detail, please?” He demanded to the room, picking up the small child that had gone limp in his arms. 

“His full name is...” Lucius hesitated. “Hadrian Arcturus Potter... Peverell-Black, Madam Bones, and I were notified that a young child had been found wandering the grounds of the Potters' family crypt. We had asked Dumbledore for his assistance due to the sensitivity of it being a child. Once Dumbledore arrived, we apparated to the family's crypt finding the child asleep on one of the stone benches we soon decided to take the lad to St Mungos while Dumbledore had instructed Madam Bones to go ahead of us to inform Father and my uncles that we’d be coming to the Ministry directly after to discuss the boy's guardianship and where he would be staying for the foreseeable future it turned out that his guardianship fell to Sirius and Severus immediately after the death of his parents which would mean he was wrongfully placed under his aunts care” Lucius explained handing the potions list to Severus and the medical results to be handed around the room. 

“You said his last name was Peverell-Black, right?” Tom asked Lucius, hiding what he was thinking. 

“Potter-Peverell-Black, sir, but yes... essentially that is correct.” Lucius nodded, and Tom looked down at the small child he was holding. The boy felt like air it was as though there was no weight to him and it caused him to worry Lucius had not said it, but Tom could see the signs the child had clearly been abused, and if what Hadrian had admitted earlier along with the added flinching, reluctance to touch and the panic attack he could only begin to guess how bad the child's mental health was like. 

“He reminds me of... my Hadrian” He replied, Tom knew his Hadrian was dead he saw him die, and watched his last moments before he was so savagely taken away from him “Severus take a look at the potions list and the diagnostic scan discuss it with Narcissa and see which ones will be the best to help heal the child, Abraxas, and Orion set up a room for the boy in the family wing, the room across from mine should work” Tom directed moving out of the room and down the hall away from one of the room everyone was gathered in, leaving with Hadrian nestled snugly in him arms. 

Chapter Text

Hadrian had awoken startled; he had another 'nightmare' if memories could be called nightmares, that is, he was sure if it had been anyone else they would have thought them a terrible dream, but he knew better. Sitting up he was surprised to find that he was in a room glancing around, he noticed that it was somewhat bland, the walls were a soft blue-grey, three doors stood out but not to much, one sat on the left side of the bed while the other two were on the sat at the end of the room in the corner facing the bed, he guessed they led to a walk-in closet, bathroom and perhaps a small lounge that led too or was the exit.  The bed was an overly big fancy deep oak, and it did not come as much of a surprise to see matching bedside tables. A large window led out to a balcony on the right side of the room. ‘Abraxas and Orion must have overseen setting up the room, I’ll have to thank them later, knowing Tom, his room was likely close to the one I'm currently in.’  

When Hadrian went to get up, he turned his head expecting to see his cane only to find it was not near him, sitting up he glanced around not seeing the slick black of his cane anywhere within the bland room ‘Great just what I need... where did they place it’ he thought irritably taking a deep breath Hadrian got up from the bed looking around only coming up empty going to the closest it took him a bit due to the shooting pain that had immediately shot through his leg not that his cane would stop the pain it just brought him a sense of comfort, upon opening the door to see if they had supplied him with any clothes not being surprised when he had found it empty. Closing the door immediately, he walked over to the bathroom to take a shower. It was pleasant, the hot water easing some of the pain away from his leg. 

‘Mortem, can you bring my suit, please?’ Hadrian asked silently. 

-Already done, Master. I have sent Spiderlily, she has placed your other clothes in the closet-  

‘Thank you, Mortem.’ Hadrian smiled softly, getting out of the shower, he dried and dressed in his chosen attire. Choosing to look around more, he realized that the manor had not changed at all throughout his time away, though he knew it wouldn't, as it hadn't during his time as Harry Potter. Needing to take a step away from the reminder of a time lost, he made his way out to the garden, taking a seat on a patch of grass by the small lake as he listened to the quiet sounds of wildlife not yet awake. 

-Master Severus went to check on you and has reported it to Tom, who has sent everyone to look for you- 

‘Thank you, Mortem, for telling me’   

-Anytime Master- 

Before Hadrian could get up, he was startled by a baby thestral that had trotted its way over to him or limped its way over. “Hello, little one, are you injured?” he asked the animal gently. He was not sure it would understand him, but it must have since it got closer, laying its front hooves on his legs while placing its head on them. 

Smiling softly at the trusting gesture, he took a look at the injured leg, seeing a small cut with a thorn lodged within, being gentle, he removed the thorn using a little bit of his magic to heal the small wound. Deciding that he was too comfortable to move, he stayed, patting the baby's thestral. It was not like he was worried about the others, though he did feel a little guilty not leaving a note informing them of his current whereabouts, but it was peaceful, and he was comfortable.

“HADRIAN” Hadrian stiffened his hand freezing mid-pat to the baby thestral's head glancing around the side of the tree he looked to see who was calling him, relaxing slightly he saw a frantic-looking Abraxas Malfoy with a slightly pissed-off-looking Tom 'why does he look so pissed?' Hadrian thought pinching the bridge of his nose sighing he looked to see they had yet to spot him, but he knew it would only be a matter of time before one of them would, turns out he didn’t have to wait long because just as he went to turn his head away from the two, he was startled by a very close pair of legs and before he could think much of it or get a grip on his magic Corvus was sent flying into the small lake while the baby thestral ran back into the forest nearby scared off by the abruptness of his magic. 

Jumping back five feet on guard looking with narrowed eyes toward the small lake only to see a soaking Corvus standing shivering, his hair disheveled and his wand pointed at Hadrian as though expecting him to attack Hadrian gave the man a wry smirk watching as Corvus placed his wand away, shuffling over to the bank to get out of the cold pond.  

A hand landed softly on his shoulders, taking a deep breath he forced himself to close his eyes tight as he tried to control his frantic magic from lashing out so there wouldn’t be anyone else sent flying, but no amount of control seemed to be working his breathing had begun to quicken from panic knowing if he looked to see who was behind himself he would not see his uncle but the fear was there and that was enough to prevent him from looking to see who had grabbed him. 

“Harry, can you calm down please, open your eyes,” said a calm, almost soft voice that sounded so odd coming from who he knew the voice belonged to, but no amount of reassuring was helping so he shook the hands off and began rubbing his arms where he had felt the hands.

"Don't touch me, I don't like it when people touch me," he said coldly, glaring at Severus but to make sure they knew he glared at the others beginning to walk away from them but stopped turning to look over at Abraxas "Why did you guys come looking for me?" Hadrian asked confused eyeing them oddly.

"You have potions you need to take and you didn't show up to breakfast" It was Tom who answered bluntly 'now I know the man is pissed' looking over at Tom he held him with a neutral, dead-eye look he was not intimidated by him in the least and the man knew this could see it not that he remained looking at him something Hadrian was beginning to understand.

"I see-" Hadrian sidestepped an unknown spell ducking and rolling out of the way when another two were sent at him dodging to the right he turned back to see who had sent the spells his face fell in shock and he wasn't the only one Corvus jaw had dropped while Tom and Severus eyes looked ready to roll from their heads as they all stared at Abraxas who was holding his wand up in an attack position, narrowing his eyes at the man who was smirking like he had come to a realization. 

“You do not trust us; I get that we know nothing of one another, so I propose a small mock duel to get to know each other,” he explained smugly, his grey eyes glittering with mirth, watching Hadrian closely. 

Tom sensing the challenge created a barrier around the others leaving Abraxas to defend and counter himself, Hadrian rolled his eyes at the men scoffing he smirked “Hmm" he hummed raising a brow at the blond "I'm afraid to inform you Lord Malfoy but you are incorrect, you see I do trust you, all of you actually though I’d rather not have to dual you” Hadrian laughed replying to the male who seemed more shocked by this information he could see some confusion, crossing his arms he waited patiently for them to start asking questions.

"You do!? Why we are essentially strangers?" Severus asked, sounding just as confused as he looked, nodding in understanding Hadrian smiled softly at them.

"Why not? Call it a gut feeling but I feel you can be trusted" Hadrian shrugged and went to leave only to remember they were 'mock dualling' jumping out of the way of another spell thrown, he could feel his eye twitch a little in annoyance but remained calm trying once again to leave this time he was hit in the back of his bad leg with a low powered cutting curse. 

Red-hot pain shot throughout his leg, and he fell to the ground, hitting his head hard while his body shook and spasmed, but not once did he let out a cry or whimper. Hadrian could feel the warmth of blood seep into his pants and stick uncomfortably to his skin, the thick smell of iron permeated through the air, causing him to withhold a gag. 

“Are you alright Mr. Potter?” someone asked from afar, Hadrian fist clenched as he sat up withholding a wince, with a silent accio his wand came flying into his hand, and with not much of a flick Abraxas was bound and stupefied before he could move or utter a counter curse huffing tiredly, he looked down at his shaky hands, his wand dropping to the ground he could hear the sounds of someone approaching him and looked up to see Tom had been the one to approach, the tall male kneeled on one knee in front of him eyeing his body cautiously. 

“Are you okay? You look a little pale,” he softly asked, his red eyes narrowing as he examined Hadrian's body more before the man's eyes fell onto his leg. He had tried to shift away from the taller male though it was futile since Tom just scooped him up without much hesitation, ignoring his earlier statement about hating touch, and walked back into the manor, leaving the rest to have to catch up to them, not that he heard them following. 

Chapter Text

Once they got to one of the many sitting rooms, Tom gently placed Hadrian on one of the black-winged back chairs before kneeling in front of him. “May I?” Tom asked softly looking him in the eye showing him that he meant no harm but Hadrian was reluctant to show him his leg in all honesty he did not want to have ever had to show anyone what it looked like, yet... he knew that they would have seen it eventually but them knowing how bad it was scared him, hesitantly he nodded watching as Tom carefully folded his pant leg up, his hands staining red. 

Hadrian could see the man's hands freeze abruptly the air becomin stale and silent, he knew it was not a pretty sight the blood not helping it look any better, but the eerie silence made him want to shove his pant leg back down and hide the hideous monstrosity that impaired his mobility so that no one could look upon it again. “Did your previous guardians cause this?” Tom's voice rang into the too-quiet room, his face turned down, not showing what he felt, but Hadrian knew better, knew that by how quiet... how eerily calm Tom was being, that the man was anything but happy, it was also what caused Hadrian to flinch. 

“N... No, they did not, this is an incredibly old injury” he stated quietly looking away from the man's lowered head, he knew looking away from the monstrosity that was his leg didn’t help nor mean he could escape it, not with the constant throbbing pain that stayed as a reminder for him that it was still there never leaving, the cane only helped alleviate the pain by taking off most of the pressure he would naturally place on it if he were to walk on it normally like he had been but that was only by a little. 

“Then how did you obtain this injury?” Tom asked again bringing Hadrian's attention back to the conversation, but Hadrian remained quiet causing Tom to shift to another question “You are not telling us everything are you?” Tom asked though it sounded more like an accusation but not wanting to lie to the man he nodded he knew he was probably not being very subtle and most likely was giving away too much but could not bring himself to care. 

“It's not that I cannot tell you anything but that I'm afraid of what would become of me if I do, everyone here is happy and I do not want to get in the way of that" Hadrian explained giving the man a sad smile moving to get up and away from the man but he was pushed back into the chair his body stiffened and he flinched away before making up the courage looking up to see the blazing hungry crimson red eyes that had gotten remarkably close, his breath hitched and he could feel his blood run at odd temperatures at how close he was to Tom. 

“Are you sure that your name is Hadrian Potter? Cause if I didn't know any better I would have mistaken you for sounding like my bonded, he was always trying to protect everyone else but himself, something you are now doing” Tom said a glint of something unknown flashing in his crimson eyes Hadrian felt like someone stuck his body into freezing water and he was never more thankful for being saved by Orion who walked in going pale when his eyes landed on his leg. 

“What in Merlin's saggy pants happened to your leg?” Orion screamed, looking very ill when he glanced back at Tom, it was to see the man back in his original position, kneeling, his hands hovering over his leg, healing the cut and cleaning the blood off, acting as though nothing had just transpired between them, and yet it had or did it. 

Safe to say after that he had started avoiding Tom, not that it had been hard since the man himself had also been doing the same, though Hadrian gave Tom some credit since he was not the only one, as Hadrian had begun to notice, as it was everyone.  They always had somewhere to be or someone coincerdently needed them though that ended when they realised he notice this led them to outright ignoring his presents which led him to staying in the library where he started having his meals, that or he would go outside though that was rare, things became more apparent when Sirius had begun coming to "get" him after a while his nephew became the go-between retriever for everyone when they required his presents so the others could keep their distance. 

Walking around the manor started to become one of his leisurely activities, it was also during such times when he would think this was one such moment as Hadrian strolled down a hallway decorated with portraits of the Malfoy Lords and Ladies he had noticed that it was considerably quieter than it usually had been since he came to stay here within the Manor. He would always run into at least someone (mostly Sirius) who would be secretly making sure he was ok and not getting into trouble for some reason on one such occasion his nephew let slip that James was just as mischievous in this timeline as he was in the original, it wasn’t much of a concern for himself since he knew not everything would change and he was fine with that another thing Hadrian had begun to notice happen to him was every now and again when he was truly alone he would trigger a random panic attack and have flashes of memories of his past or sometimes in the worst ones Harry Potter someone he know longer saw himself as. 

Turning the corner, his cane echoed off the walls, adding to the quietness and giving it an eerie feel as he approached a wooden door. He appreciated that Remus held onto his cane, returning it after Tom had healed his leg. A glimpse of killing curse green stopped him in his tracks, causing him to spin, coming face to face with a portrait of well... himself, he felt a pang of pain seeing it sitting there, knowing what it represented to those who looked upon it. Hadrian found himself sitting in the middle of the corridor, looking up, staring at the unmoving portrait. Time seemed to fly while he was there; it was like everything just froze for him, that is, until a hand fell on his shoulder. he flinched away, looking over to see Orion kneeling next to him with an odd expression. His look lingered before turning to the portrait. 

“You know... You remind me of him,” his brother stated softly sitting down next to him while looking up at the portrait, a desperate expression falling onto his face as though the man was hoping for the portrait to do something, anything though he knew it never would. 

“It’s my looks, isn’t it, because we look alike,” Hadrian said quietly 'That was not the half of it' but Orion didn't know that. Oroin looked at him, as Hadrian raised a brow, at the confused male who shook his head ever so slowly he was quite for a moment opening and closing his mouth trying to decide what he wanted to say. 

“Yes, you look like him." Hadrian raised a brow at the male. "A lot... but your looks are not what remind me of my brother... not entirely,” Orion tried to explain, though he sounded unsure of himself. Hadrian looked down at his legs, his eyes narrowed 'Not entirely? What's that supposed to mean?' Hadrian frowned, confused. “Look, Hadrian, what I am trying to say is that my brother was a good person, well-liked, though for whatever reason he had issues trusting others, yet it never stopped him from being kind to them. He always knew how to bring the best out of someone. The people you have met were all given a chance by him without judgment, especially Tom. My Brother was never afraid of us, you remind me of him because even though you have gone through something traumatic and though you don’t talk about it you still place your trust in us without judgment just like my brother that’s why you remind me of him” Orion explained into the quiet, Hadrian looked at him ‘Orion was always good at helping others when they were down’ he thought smiling to himself then looked up to see Orion watching him shocked. 

“What?” Hadrian asked, frowning 'Was there someone behind him?' he thought, turning to look behind 'huh, no one?' confused, he looked back at his brother. 

“Nothing, it is just the first time I have seen you smile... It's nice,” Orion said, smiling himself, though it was short-lived, as he went back to looking up at the portrait and then down at Hadrian confused “Why are you here? Actually how did you get here there are wards in place to prevent people from coming down this hallway” he asked looking baffled, but he sounded curious Hadrian was shocked 'there was?' he thought lifting a brow confused. 

“I had not noticed... sorry but to awsner your first question he reminds me of something I lost a long time ago,” he said, and he knew if he turned Orion would be silently asking the question of ‘what?’ and yet he could not help but look upon the portrait feeling a sense of loss he lost a lot when he 'died'. 

“We do not know what you have been through and though I would like it if you told us more about yourself apart from what most of us already know I also understand that you do not want to yet, so when you are ready just know we will be here to listen,” Orion said softly and when Hadrian looked up at him, he caught the end of a gentle smile but he couldn't help fearing such an outcome if it came to pass. 

“Thanks, Lord Black, I appreciate your willingness to help,” he replied, trying to sound thankful though he honestly thought it made him sound tired, and he was when he went to stand up, he stumbled a hand catching him, turning to thank Orion, only to freeze upon seeing Tom.  

Tom had started to notice the faraway look Hadrian Potter would sometimes get, and it had begun to appear more frequently as time passed, it became more apparent when the others also started to notice at some point it became a habit that one of them would seek out the boy checking to make sure he was okay throughout the day. 

On one of his visits to his Hadrian's portrait, he caught sight of the child sitting in front of the portrait of his bonded once again the child had that faraway look but this time it had something akin to sadness he was going to step out until he saw Orion approaching the boy and they began to talk. Tom decided to stay and listen to their conversation. At some point, the boy had tried to get up, and once again, Tom found his body moving on its own as he caught the child, surprising the boy and Orion with his sudden appearance. 

“Thank you” Tom found himself straining to hear the exact words but nodded the boy moved and Tom found himself reluctant to let go but moved away getting a proper look at the boy, he had black bags under his eyes and a light sheen of sweat ‘does he have a fever?’ Tom thought, lifting his hand to Potter's head, the boy flinched, but he did not move away. Tom could feel the boy trembling underneath his hand, as well as hearing the strain within the boy's rapid breathing the moment his hands touched the child. Tom could see how bad the trauma was, and he knew it would be bad just reading the boy's diagnostic scan proved that much but what Tom could not understand was some of the boy's injuries did not show up on the scan as though they did not exist on Hadrian Potter but someone else, but he knew that was impossible. 

“You have a fever, why did you not say anything, we need to know if you are sick so it can be treated,” he said frowning at the child in front of him though he did notice the boy looked slightly shocked by the information but then like a switch was flipped Hadrian features turned cold like a brewing storm breaking from within an already craked glass it surprised him seeing someone so calm snap over something so small yet he realised that Potter must not have been shown affection. 

“What makes you think that I would tell you or anyone anything I may trust you, but that goes both way not that it means I would tell you if something was wrong when I cannot bring myself to tell any of you what happened fifty years ago,” Hadrian said coldly only to shut his mouth tight before Tom or Orion could get a word out Potter was running well hobbling down the hallway leaving Tom and Orion standing in shocked silence. 

Chapter Text

Hadrian could barely hear either Tom or Orion calling his name over the rapid upbeat of his pounding heart he never wished more than for the floor to swallow him whole than in that moment 'How could I just blurt that out like that' he thought in dread wishing he had a book to smack himself with, he couldn’t bring himself to turn back and look at them in the midst of him legging it he had dropped his cane something he was truly regretting doing as it prevented a faster escape but he pushed through the annoying throb bounding around another corner he knew it was pointless to try and avoid the confrontation not when Tom was as persistent as he no doubt would be after this was so stupidly brought to light.   

Unknowingly Hadrian within his state of panic opened a gate that crossed over the vail, his legs giving out crashing into the cold dark ground as the gateway shut behind him as abruptly as it had opened closing him off from the living world, leaving his emotions to catch up with him 'What was he going to do!? What was he going to do!!?' Hadrian panicked.   

Mortem watched his master silently, waving his hand over the small form. Hadrian fell asleep, his muddled thoughts coming to an abrupt stop. The entity could never understand human emotions, but it knew that it did not like seeing its master upset. Walking over to the man, he waved his hand over him again, revealing that, as a young adult, it always surprised him that his Master could forget such small things. Perhaps old age really did cloud the mind, not that his Master was that old, not really.  

Yet Mortem could not deny that their master had been through a lot, knowing it would never have crossed the male's mind had he not done this himself. Though he may be pushing things along, they could not agree with their Master. Mortem knew it would do what it was asked if he was... sighing, it lifted the male opening a gate into his Master's room, placing him gently onto the bed under the blankets, changing his clothes to sleepwear with a snap of his fingers before leaving the room back to its realm.  

When Hadrian woke, he was greeted by the white of his roof rolling over, knowing what he would be greeted with in no time grimacing knowing he would not be able to go back to sleep not with his current thought process he sat up noticing he had been changed into sleepwear his hand came to his face to rub at his tired eyes. His eye widened in shock as he found himself falling out of the bed as he struggles to stand limping over to his bathroom to look into his mirror to see an aged version of himself ‘I look like shit’ he thought to himself knowing even as an older version of himself it didn’t change.   

He jumped when he heard a loud demanding knock at the door ‘Great it didn’t take him long to come’ he thought rolling his eyes but quickly he placed a glamour over himself changing his clothes back as he went over and opened the door Hadrian was pushed, falling to the ground knocking his head, he raised his hand to the spot that hit the ground hissing in pain as a bout of dizziness swept across his vision making him feel nauseous.    

Looking up through the dizziness he saw Tom standing over him with narrowed eyes flinching ‘ he looks pissed, knew something like this would happen’  Hadrian thought looking away from the male shifting so he could stand if it was one thing he did not like it was being stood over while also being yelled at not after dealing with it for most of one of his lives.   

“What would you like, Lord Slytherin?” Hadrian asked, annoyed by the other as he tried to pretend he did not just blurt out like an idiot that he something that Tom didn't walking past the man and taking a seat in one of the blue winged-backed chairs, lighting the fireplace with a wandless incendio, he heard the man walk towards him, taking the seat next to him.   

“You know what ” he said non to happily Hadrian sighed deeply pinching the bridge of his nose ‘why did he have to open his big mouth’ he thought sadly not at all wanting to admit anything to the man seeing he was already in a pissy mood ‘maybe a half-truth will work’ though he found he doubted it would only saying half the truth at least not with Tom or the knights, he found that most if not all of them would see straight through it.   

“Yes... that well it would be easier if we gather the others before I open this can of worms,” Hadrian said, taking a glance at Tom, the man had a thoughtful expression, but it quickly was gone replaced with anger or it could have been frustration the man nodded reluctantly, agreeing.   

Hadrian grabbed out his wand calling upon his Patronus sending it off with a message to round everyone up, what had once been a stag had gone away long ago and had been replaced by a white dementor with broken wings it had been a surprise to him when he first saw it but now it came as a comfort when he saw it though as much as he was pleased to see it the man next to him gasped and had to clear his throat upon seeing it much to Hadrian's amusement.    

When Abraxas, Corvus, Severus, Remus, his brother, father, nephew, niece, and godson, arrived, they sat within the vacant chairs that surrounded the large sitting room. They all looked over at him in confusion probably at why they were having a group discussion with him present some of them tried to gage an understanding of why they had been gathered but they soon realized that they would not be getting an answer at least not one from who they thought they would be getting, standing he walked around his cane long gone and his breathing became a little harsh wishing he had it in his hand, too bring him some sense of comfort like a teddy would a child, turning to the people.   

“Where is my cane?” Hadrian asked quietly to the silent room, Orion, who had been sitting on one of the love seats by the lit fireplace, removed the cane from his robe pocket unshrinking it, and handed it over to Hadrian.   

Hadrian felt relieved to have his cane as it took some of the pressure off his leg though sadly not all of it turning his back to the rest of the room he paced back and forth his cane tapping on the wooden floor giving the already silent room an eerie feeling, his thoughts were getting jumbled and he was finding it hard on figuring out where to start within the fog of thoughts he hadn’t realized that his name had been called till he felt the hand on his shoulder his heat rising as he took a sharp unsteady intake of air, throwing the person over his shoulder his cane holding the person underfoot by their throat.   

Eyes widened at the sight of a very shocked Tom stumbling back a bit from the wide-eyed male on the floor. “Ssssorry, but I honestly thought you would have learned from Lord Lestrange that grabbing me was a bad idea.” Hadrian chuckled, removing his cane from the male on the floor, allowing him to get up.   

“You may be right on that, but I did call your name before I touched you also how are you so strong you're half my size” Tom asked bewildered, Hadrian looked at him as though the man had two heads but remembered they didn’t exactly know much, understanding this he turned back to the room of silent shock.   

“I am 69 years old, you learn a few things,” Hadrian said, laughing at the gobsmack faces around him when he settled, he saw them look at each other in confusion.   

“That can’t be your diagnostic scan stated that you are clearly sixteen” Lucius said though he sounded more dumbfounded, and Hadrian shook his head gaining more confusion from the people in the room he could understand their confusion since yes it would say that but only because Mortem made it so, but the reality is far from the truth.   

“No, I may not look it, but I am well and truly 69 years old or more. I’ve honestly stopped counting. The diagnostic scan was messed with otherwise, I would have been questioned about my looks” Hadrian explained he could see they were shocked, but others were doing well in hiding their emotions behind their masks.   

“But that's impossible,” said Corvus in disbelief, Hadrian could see his 'godfathers' nod with their own varying states of disbelief while Tom, Orion, Abraxas, and Lucius kept up a cold front not giving away what they thought but Hadrian knew they found what had been said absurd if he was honest, he found it laughable and may have laughed at their expense receiving a few incredulous looks.   

“I was once, a very long time ago, known by people as someone called the Boy Who Lived. I received the title by surviving the renowned killing curse” he watched them closely, seeing as their eyes widened in shock, and a few gasps were heard.   

“If what you're saying is true, then how come no one has heard about you?” Severus asked, raising an eyebrow in question 'How fortuitous of him, but not unexpected' he thought gleefully, eyeing the potion master.  

“If you must know it was because I erased that... timeline I guess it could be referred like that,” Hadrian said looking away from the group as he scratched at his chin in thought "You see during that timeline I was a Potter, my parents were Lily and James nothing about that has changed, nothing about this current situation has changed at all they still die, and Harry still ends up with the Dursleys though I can admit that they were more abusive in this timeline a lot more physical punishment,” he said shrugging still not looking at the group in the room, he found himself refusing to look at them some small fear telling him if he did they would notice he did not refer to that life as his.   

“What did you erase if everything is mostly the same as before?” came the voice of Sirius. Hadrian huffed a sigh of relief, turning, he looked the man in the eyes ‘should I? I guess it couldn't hurt, it's not like he was Harry Potter, hadn't been for quite a while’ .   

“Harry was a naive child who was forced into fighting a Dark Lord at a young age because nobody else would do it so they manipulated and used him, going as far as to create a false prophecy that led to the death of Harrys parents just so he would grow up to fight for them while they hid behind the back of a child forcing him to do their dirty work, he had to watch as those he cared about were slaughtered mercilessly and once he was no longer useful they tortured him. So I erased the timeline no more Boy-Who-Lived, no Dark Lord those who died at either sides hands still lived but it didn’t rid the world of us just changed the way we grew and I as a consequence have to live with the memories of that life” Hadrian explained coldly smiling he did kind of feel bad about the half-truths even if he knew it wouldn't fly if the looks of disbelief he was getting was anything to go off.   

“Who would do such a thing to a child of all people?” Abraxas said, looking almost disgusted,d and he wasn’t the only one. Hadrian could see the others were showing their own varying signs of disgust.    

“Three of the Weasley, Granger, Dumbledore, and his dammed Order of the fried chicken,” Hadrian said aloud he was mostly talking to himself taking a seat only to stand again he couldn’t understand but he couldn’t sit still, his leg was still causing him some pain and his fever wasn’t getting any better.   

“Where was I?” Sirius asked, looking desperate for the answer. Hadrian could see that all of his godfathers had the same look as well, scratching the back of his neck, he sighed.   

“Sirius you were falsely accused of working for the Dark Lord and were sent to Azkaban without a trial, Remus you couldn’t handle the death of three friends while another was the cause of their death, the Longbottoms were tortured to insanity and Severus while you and Remus are Harrys godfathers in this timeline you were not in the original though his parents were going to make you one but never got the chance and before anyone asks me the knights were mostly all dead I think the only ones alive was Lord Nott, Lord Mulciber and Lord Avery” Hadrian explained earning a few looks of distraught. Still, it was the truth, and he would not lie about Harry Potter's life.   

“How did you get the injury on your leg? It doesn’t show up on your diagnostic scan,” Tom asked softly. ‘ He must have noticed the pain it was causing me,’  Hadrian thought as Tom placed a vial of turquoise-colored potion in his hand. Looking at it, he found himself unsure of whether he should be cautious of the potion. He knew he shouldn’t be, but he found himself being cautious anyway, without meaning to.   

“My leg is an old injury that was caused in my last 'timeline' before it was " erased"  so it doesn’t come up on the scan because I did not receive the injury within this current reality most of my injuries wouldn’t” Hadrian lied he felt they noticed by the looks he was receiving from them, looking back at the potion he was given he uncorked it giving it a sniff before drinking it sighing when the pain ebbed away his legs almost giving out, not because the pain that was now gone but because of the prominent fever that was causing dizziness and making his vision swell, he felt very warm.   

Hadrian could feel his glamour start to fade away as most of his magic was working to keep him from falling. A cooling charm hit him, and he felt immediate relief, but the gasp he heard startled him. Hadrian straightened himself, looking at the others, confused.   

-Master your glamor-   

‘ Shit’ Hadrian thought glancing at his hands “Before you ask the glamor was placed earlier, I can just age myself to my appropriate age but due to curtain " issues"  I forgot” Hadrian explained quickly holding up his hand in defense when he saw a few too many wands pointed in his directions ‘I can’t use magic well and there’s way too many of them’.    

“Could you take Veritaserum to confirm what you’ve said thus far sorry, but we find it a little hard to believe you?” asked Orion, Hadrian nodded understanding he knew it was quite a leap to believe what he had said so far, taking the potion from Severus drinking the contents of the bottle waiting for it to take effect.   

“What's your name?” Remus asked they all watched him in silence, Hadrian was confused for a second unsure how to answer the question asked, ‘Shit this wasn't well thought-out’.   

Chapter Text

“What's your name?” Remus asked they all watched him in silence, Hadrian was confused for a second unsure how to answer the question asked, ‘Shit this wasn't well thought-out’.

-Do you need help, Master?-

'I can fight the potion, it will just be difficult,' He said, sighing and rubbing his eyes, only wincing slightly when his hand rubbed over the scar.

“Hadrian Arcturus Potter." Hadrian frowned, shifting uncomfortably... "Peverell-Black,” Hadrian huffed, finally answering after a while of mussing Remus sat looking eagerly, but he could see the confusion upon his flaky answer. 

“What about your titles?” Sirius questioned, glancing apologetically at Remus for stealing his thunder before he could specify what he wanted, patting his partner on the shoulder, Remus huffed. 

“I am the Lord to the Ancient and noble house of Potter, Peverell, and Gryffindor the Heir to the Ancient and noble house of Black titles that were given are Boy-Who-Lived, Friend of the Goblin Nation, Mm tch” Hadrian found himself having to fight the effects of the potion again he got a few odd looks from everyone but they didn’t ask more on the subject. 

“What you said about your age and appearance was it true?” Corvus asked with narrowed eyes. 

“Yes,” Hadrian nodded, answering honestly for once. Everyone seemed to look somewhat at least okay, but he could tell they were still suspicious. 

“What you explained earlier was also the truth?” Tom asked, but Hadrian could hear the subtle demand. He was unsure why, but he could feel that his bonded was sad. He never liked seeing Tom sad. When he died, Tom was the one who was forced to watch, and even now, he could hear the echoed screams of the man in his nightmares.  

“Yes,” Hadrian hesitated but remained stoic, he was finding he had to look away from the man, he knew what he said wasn’t the truth, at least not all of it only partial but knowing he had done it hurt and knowing because of him Tom was hurting, hurt him more. 

“What did you mean when you said you couldn’t tell us what happened fifty years ago?” Tom demanded again, Hadrian's head whipped back to the man looking at him with wide eyes, his lips going into a thin line. 

-Now what, Master? He’s got you there-  

‘Shut up, Mortem.’ Hadrian watched Tom silently. ‘Great, now what am I to do?’.  

-You could say the truth-

'You know I can't do that, they wouldn't believe me anyway, even if I did, you know this as well as I' Hadrian frowned, his gaze drifting over everyone in the room.

“I am starting to hate being able to talk again” Hadrian sighed “You could say fifty years ago something went wrong, and” Hadrian looked away biting his tongue and refusing to say ‘I’ “that when Hadrian Black died, was not meant to happen if anything that bastard Dumbledore fucked should have but nooo he was sent to live in a prison if I ever got my hands on him I’d drive Gryffindor's sword threw the man's throat” Hadrian huffed his eyes narrowed he hated that man but he hated Granger and Weasley more it was because of them that he died but he will have his revenge. 

“Wait, does anyone know if Miss Lovegood is alive?” Hadrian asked, his head snapping over the group. 

“Yes why?” asked Lucius looking at Hadrian oddly, Hadrian smiled he missed his dear little moon and was happy to know that Granger and Ronald hadn’t gotten their hands on her, he’d have to contact her, the devils, Neville, and the snakes though that wouldn't be needed not with who he was living with currently. 

“Little Moon, the Devils, Badger, and some snakes were once upon a time my chosen family,” Hadrian said casually seeing the confused looks on the knights “Much like Tom here I also had my own little group of friends but I wasn't known as the king of Slytherin nor did I open the chamber of secrets no I made a group of people who took out 'death eaters' and other people that were bad” Hadrian explained rubbing his chin, he looked back at the others he was shocked to see them looking at him in question. 

“How did you know our lord's name?” asked Orion, looking at Hadrian with suspicion. Hadrian laughed. 

“I am sorry to inform you all but I know everyone inside this room including your titles and children" Hadrian informed wryly seeing the challenging look Tom was giving him "Tom Riddle also known as Lord Slytherin bonded to Hadrian Black, Lord Abraxas, Lucius and Lucius's son Draco Malfoy, Lord Arcturus, Orion, Sirius, and Regulus Black, and Lord Corvus and his sons Rabastan and Rodophus Lestrange” Hadrian stopped watching their reactions before continuing “and before I forget there is Remus Lupin, Narcissa Malfory nee Black and Severus Snape I trust most of all of you” Hadrian explained looking away from the group he knew he was giving a large part of who he was away, and it didn’t help he could hear the chuckling of Mortem he frowned just thinking of his servant. 

“Wait, your age...  that should be impossible even if you changed the timeline!?” his father abruptly said into the silence, rubbing at his chin, frowning, surprising everyone at the man's abruptness, but he knew his father was smart and could read him better than anyone else in the room. 

“Indeed, it would be, but I’m 69 years old, remember I changed the original timeline when I was about 23,” Hadrian explained, feeling a little dread, and he could hear Mortem's insistent laughter. 

“But if that was the case, wouldn’t that make you 23 ehh... plus umm... 16 is-” Corvus said, trying to count with his fingers. 

“39,” Tom said, looking confused, but Hadrian could see them starting to piece things together, but weren’t there yet thinking quickly he made a quick escape when they weren’t looking ‘Mortem how long do I have until they figure out who I am or at least part of it?’  

-You have until Draco returns to Hogwarts, Master- 

‘That's not very long in a couple of months at most, and Draco will be home’  

Chapter Text

After Hadrian’s timely escape from questioning hell, he made his way to the library summoning a quill and parchment ‘It would seem I will be needing to contact the Goblins and have them send the protection amulets for my reapers whether they remember or not they will still be seen as a target’ Hadrian thought writing a letter to have them sent out. 

“Spiderlily” Hadrian called into the empty room, a loud pop resounded off the walls and shelves within the large room looking away from the now sealed missive he glanced down at the small well-dressed house elf who was wearing a beautiful black dress; he had a habit of giving clothes to his house elves not wanting them to represent his house looking like they were homeless, so he had tailored outfits with his house crest on them, handing the elf his missive he instructed her to deliver it to the Goblin King with another pop the elf had left leaving him alone with his thoughts. 

The large doors slammed open with a loud thud ‘and here I was hoping to get a little peace before they found me’ Hadrian sighed tiredly not looking at the approaching people not that he needed to, he knew exactly who had entered it didn’t take a genius to figure it out but that didn’t stop him from sagging in his chair like a petulant child. 

-Master, they are staring- 

‘I know’ Hadrian could hear the entity's laughter ‘Yeah, yeah laugh it up’ Sighing for what seemed like the millionth time that week Hadrian straightened in his seat turning to look at what was now becoming all too normal ‘seems they weren’t done with their questions too bad the potion had worn off now’.  

“Hadrian we were not done talking,” His father said the man's face showing his displeasure not that the man was the only one the Knights including their King were also not looking pleased with him, Hadrian went to get up so he wouldn’t be sitting but his plans backfired when ropes tied him to the chair forcing him to stay there looking down at the ropes amused ‘how cute’ Hadrian thought looking back at the group of men with a raised eyebrow. 

“Now explain how you are 69 when we calculated that you should be 39,” demanded Sirius, surprising everyone as the man bounded into the large room, followed by Hadrian's other two godfathers, who were close behind him, looking just as annoyed at him. 

Hadrian smiled at them, taking the group off guard before they could react Hadrian was out of the chair, no longer tied down, and standing looking at a bookshelf to the right of where he was sitting. 

“You're smart enough to figure it out yourselves,” Hadrian said, startling the group, who hadn't seen him move. 

“How did you?” Corvus asked, sounding a little dumbfounded, pointing back and forth at Hadrian and then back at the empty seat, as funny as he found the looks he was receiving from his little trick, he could also see their suspicion, so he remained quiet. 

“I’m 69 years old and have been in more situations than I can count where I’ve been tied up, and no, I did not use magic I’ve just learned...” Hadrian said, trailing off into a mumble he wasn’t focused on them not that he wasn’t listening he couldn’t find the energy to focus a small hand grabbed his own pulling him out of his thoughts glancing down he saw Spiderlily had returned holding a smallish box out to him, for him to grab. 

“Thank you, Spiderlily, how was your visit?” Hadrian asked, grabbing the item from her small hands, he was pleased when he opened it to see the well-crafted scythe with a king cobra wrapped around it. Picking up the necklace, he placed it around his neck, smiling thoughtfully. 

“Master Ironclaw says that Master Hadrian should visit for tea more so you can discuss your current business endeavors he also says that they are running low on white crystals for the healing potions you created” Spiderlily informed him, Hadrian hadn’t noticed till he looked up at how quiet the room had gotten, he realized it seemed to do that a lot around him though it was not the only thing to come to his attention, he frowned but lightened the look when he glance back down at Spiderlily.

“I’ll keep that in mind thank you Spiderlily, you may go,” he said dismissing her once she left Hadrian returned to his seat thinking about the current situation, he had been through a lot, but he knew at some point everyone was going to figure out who he was and the truth yet as much as he felt like it would be a weight off his shoulders he also felt dread for what will happen, he was scared to lose everything again. 

No one spoke after Spiderlily’s interruption, and any and all conversation was cut off, letting everything go back to normal, mostly if Hadrian didn’t pay attention to the looks, he would get every now and again. 

It had been weeks since the "conversation" with his family which was mostly them avoiding him like a plague but now that Draco was returning Hadrian for all his luck was dragged by Sirius, Severus, and Remus to the receiving room much to the amusement of the others and Mortems rolling his eyes at the tree grown men who were excited to introduce him to Draco not that it would be his first time meeting the boy and much to his godfather's dismay not that they noticed he wasn’t all that excited which by the looks Tom, Abraxas, and Orion were giving him they had noticed but had yet to say anything ‘finally’ Hadrian thought when the fireplace lit up green allowing Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco to exit just as they entered they stopped or well Draco did, causing his parents to stumble over the boy. 

“Draco, why did you stop?” asked Lucius, looking around the room, only for the man's eyes to fall on Hadrian, who shrugged. 

Hadrian turned to leave but stiffened in shock when he was hugged from behind glancing around the room, he noticed he wasn’t the only one shocked by the day's events but as confused as he was by the sudden affection, Hadrian could hear Narcissa, and Lucius trying to remove the person but, in their attempts, to do so he got a clearer understanding forcing himself out of his panicked state he gently grabbed one of the smaller hands pulling the boy into a proper hug or as proper as he was going to get with his height and bad leg. 

Draco's body trembled as he cried silently. Hadrian didn’t understand much about how to comfort people, but he had learned a little hanging with Tom and the knights to know that a hug could be all someone needed. 

“Dragon, did something happen at school?” Cissa asked, being the first out of everyone to notice the boys crying apart from Hadrian himself, the boy in his arms shook his head. 

“You died; we saw you die” Draco cried but everyone was confused by the boy's statement well everyone except for Hadrian who for all his many lives felt like the Hogwarts train ran him down he frowned Mortem had been laughing like a crazed loon from the moment Draco appeared 'what did you do' he demanded but was met with no reply. 

“Draco what do you mean?” asked Tom who looked like he knew exactly what Draco was going on about when Hadrian glared at the man before he glanced around the room seeing more than half the room had a similar expression ‘I knew I should have tried harder to avoid coming here instead of listening to Mortem’ Hadrian thought sadly to himself wishing for the floor to swallow him greatly knowing it would not since fate liked to fuck with him ever so much. 

“Harry, we thought we wouldn’t see you again, and when I found y-” Draco cried more, but Hadrian was quick to pull him away, so he could look at Draco’s tear-stained face, a deep frown setting in. 

“You found what!!?” Hadrian demanded it had been bad enough for Tom to find him in a state like that, but now Draco. 

“I found your body; George was with me too he was devastated to find another brother dead” Draco explained sadly recalling the day like it happened yesterday, meanwhile Hadrian felt sick he could still remember Tom's screams when he found his body and could only imagine what it felt like for Draco let alone George. 

“I’m sorry you had to see that; I would have wished they had burned him alive instead of you having seen that it must have been horrible to lay witness to,” Hadrian said patting the top of Draco's head giving the boy a sad smile it hurt to look at another who saw that pain. 

“Wait, you said you erased the timeline, not that you died,” said Abraxas from behind Draco. Hadrian looked up at the disgruntled man rubbing his face, he had the urge to scream. 

“Erased timeline? Harry didn’t erase a timeline, he went bac-” Draco was cut off by Hadrian's hand before the boy could say anymore, giving him away 'how annoying.' 

“He was going to say 'back in time' wasn’t he before you cut him off” Severus said looking at Hadrian ‘curse Severus and his wit’ Hadrian thought wanting nothing more than to cry for how downhill everything was going, standing up Hadrian sighed ‘great now what am I to do everything had only just settled down’ if that was what he could call ignoring and avoiding his person. 

“I did not lie but I did not say the truth either, so yes Harry Potter died, was tortured to death if you wanted to know, and he was given the choice to go back in time to change the past when I was born but I did not lie in all honesty whatever happened in Harry Potters original life is no more, there is no Dark lord and there sure as hell is no Boy-who-lived" Hadrian explained non to happily he didn’t want to talk about it let alone remember his life as Harry Potter, he was not him anymore, looking down at Draco who was shifting uncomfortably “what is it ferret?” Hadrian said with narrowed eyes. 

“Hey, you said you would not call me that anymore and for your information the Dark Lord is still around just... different” Draco explained fiddling with his hands like he was being reprimanded like a disobedient child, Hadrian fell to the ground ‘what no, was it because he died but that would mean that everything, he did, everything he sacrificed was for nothing’ Hadrian sucked in a breath when a hand landed on his shoulder and he looked up at the owner but as much as he tried to show some sort of emotion he just couldn’t he felt numb, cold. 

-Master, it wasn’t for nothing-  

‘How? Tom still became the Dark Lord!!?’ Hadrian tilted his head questioningly, still feeling that awful resounding numbness that left his body aching. 

-He did, but like Draco said, it is different this time, they are not the same- 

‘Was it because of my death?’ Hadrian asked regretfully. 

-Partly but the world needed the Dark Lord Ronald and Granger were causing havoc so Tom became The Dark Lord and Albus instead of fighting him joined hands in getting revenge which is why everything is so different within this time they have been working together since your supposed death as far as I know but them finding you was a little of a shock for everyone-  

‘Okay, I get that, but wouldn’t they have realized it was me when Weasley and Granger went to Hogwarts? It’s not like they changed their appearance’ Hadrian responded, confused. 

-No, they thought they were their ancestors and left them be- 

‘Great, just what we needed.’ Hadrian could hear Mortem agree with his thoughts. Tom held out a hand, surprising Hadrian with the gesture, but he still took it, allowing the man to help him up. 

“Thanks, now answer me this why had I not been informed I would be living with a Dark Lord” Hadrian said looking at Tom in the eyes “Look Harry may have a history of killing or erasing Dark Lords and not liking them ovally much but they messed with him first before I acted,” Hadrian said when Tom gave him a look that said 'why would we' Hadrian rolled his eyes at him. 

“So, your name is Harry, not Hadrian?” Tom said jokingly, smirking at him, but it faltered when he saw the look Hadrian was giving the man. “Do you not like who you were? I noticed you referred to your past like it wasn't you, but like it was someone else?” Tom asked, and Hadrian looked away from him, glancing down at Draco, who was still not looking at Hadrian or anyone, really, it was expected.

“I'm not that person, they lived a poor life and died horribly but they are not me” Hadrian explained to the silent room Draco was surprised by what Hadrian had said Hadrian still did not understand how Draco remembered him not that he cared it seemed they would be figuring everything out by the time Draco went back to Hogwarts. 

“What do you mean you're not Harry Potter, Draco just said?” asked Remus, looking distraught by everything. 

“What I mean is that when Harry Potter died, I was born I am not and will never be that person, he's gone I am and will always be Lord Hadrian Potter/ Peverell- Black a 69 year old male that was sent on a mission to save the future” Hadrian stood tall looking at everyone, he could care less if they didn't like what they heard but he would be damned if he was seen as someone who died decades ago "Now Draco how do you remember a future that no longer exists?" Hadrian asked, looking down at the boy. 

“I don't know, well, not exactly, I have memories of the other Draco's life, but I'm not him, also, why do you look different?” Hadrian raised a brow at the boy, seeing the sly smirk ‘So he has caught on to who he is’ Hadrian laughed at the boy. 

“Well, that is because when I had a different family lived with them until I was five, before later being blood-adopted by the Blacks,” Hadrian said, chuckling when he heard his father, brother, and nephew coughing and spluttering, choking on air at the newfound information. 

“Hadrian, explain,” demanded his father, Hadrian looked at the man seeing the desperate looks he was getting he understood why, and he might have thought it would be better to tell the man the truth Mortem thought it was best he told them, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. 

“I have always been a part of the Black family since I was blood-adopted by them at a young age," Hadrian explained to the now-sitting people, who had yet to put two and two together, but it seemed they were on the right track to figuring it out, much to his displeasure. “I’ll give you lot some time to let the information sink in if you need me, well, you know where to find me,” Hadrian said, getting up and leaving the group they had much to think about he was sure they would figure it all out before the time Mortem gave him. 

Chapter Text

“If you could age yourself the entire time, then why didn't you do it when you were with your last guardians?” Tom asked, walking into the room Hadrian was in, sighing, he placed the book he was reading down, looking at the approaching male. 

“Is this becoming a thing for you people? Whatever happened to the casual 'How's your day been?” Hadrian said sarcastically rolling his eyes and gesturing to the seat beside himself, picking up his cup of tea that Spiderlily had brought him earlier that morning for the most part it had been relatively quiet, he had yet to hear a peep since the day of Draco's return even from the boy himself until now that was what surprised him the most since he knew from experience that Tom wasn’t a patient person. 

“Sorry, how has your morning been so far, Lord Potter?” Tom asked politely, smiling lightly at him, but Hadrian was no fool and could see right through the man's gesture ‘he finds this amusing’ Hadrian thought, shaking his head, bringing his tea up to drink before placing it back down. 

“It has been well, and yours?” Hadrian asked, playing alone, watching Tom closely as the man's smirk widened across his face. 

“Mine has been alright, had a meeting with the others and will be having tea with Dumbledore later,” Tom said, sounding conversational as though he had never come in asking him of anything. 

“Seems busy anyways apart from indulging me I will answer your question the reason I didn’t change my age and escape my wretched “family” is due to the extent of my trauma you saw my diagnostic scan for this body, and I have no drought you saw Draco’s memories of Harry Potter's time at least what he let you see so you could see how easy it was to forget” Hadrian explained, he stood holding the book he was reading placing it back on the shelf he got it from before returning to his seat picking his tea up to drink the rest placing the empty cut back down he glanced over at the quiet man who had a thoughtful expression. 

“Hadrian, would you like to join me and Dumbledore for tea?” Tom asked, shocking Hadrian, 'he had been avoiding me since I arrived here, actually, now that he thought about it, everyone had been' Hadrian thought he had only really seen someone in passing, narrowing his eyes at Tom. “What did I say? Something wrong!?” Tom asked, looking a little worried about the look Hadrian was giving him. 

“Not wrong, just suspicious everyone here has mostly avoided any confrontation with me since the day I arrived, but I will join you for tea it would be nice to see Dumbledore and be able to hold a conversation with the man,” Hadrian said knowing he didn’t have anything to do that day. 

“Don’t you hate Dumbledore for what he did?” Tom asked Hadrian could understand why Tom found his feelings for the man odd, but the Dumbledore Hadrian knew wasn’t the same as the one of this time. Still, he did need to talk to the older male Mortem had mentioned the night before, that the old man had been active and was close to figuring out who he was. 

“I used to but not anymore, mostly because the Dumbledore I knew is not the same Dumbledore of this time they are vastly different people some things they have in common while others they don’t” Hadrian explained seeing the look of understanding from Tom before anymore conversation could be had a house elf had appeared informing Tom of Dumbledore’s arrival getting up, they walked to Toms office. Hadrian stopped seeing the shimmering layer of a spell and the carved runic symbols on the door frame ‘Smart but if I touch the door, he’ll know exactly who I am’ Hadrian stepped back allowing Tom to open the door the man gave him a suspicious look as he saw Hadrian's reaction, but he withheld from saying anything holding the door open for Hadrian to enter the room. 

“Tom, my boy, how has your day been? I see you’ve brought a guest. Hello, I’m Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” Dumbledore said, holding out a hand to Hadrian, much to Tom's amusement. 

“Albus, that's Hadrian Potter,” Tom said, shocking the man. Hadrian, on the other hand, looked at Tom, knowing the man said it on purpose. 

“Hadrian, you say, Tom, my boy, are you alright? Surely it would be impossible, Hadrian is just a sixteen-year-old boy,” Dumbledore said, looking rather worried for Tom’s sanity, much to Hadrian’s amusement. Tom groaned, holding the bridge between his eyes. 

“As much as this amuses me Headmaster Dumbledore Lord Slytherin is correct, I am Lord Hadrian Potter it is a pleasure to meet you again under more pleasant circumstances due to my uncle I was unable to talk to you properly last time” Hadrian explained to the old man grabbing the extended hand and giving him a firm handshake while gesturing to an empty seat by the fireplace. 

“Right, um, how did you age up if I may ask?” Dumbledore asked, looking rather puzzled by Hadrian's appearance. 

“Well, truthfully, I’m older than I look, being 69, not 16 due to traumatic events I’d forgotten to age myself till recently which is why when you found me, I looked so young” Hadrian explained taking a seat across from Dumbledore, while Tom took the seat next to himself. 

“Okay, but why do you look like you're in your 20s?” Dumbledore questioned, making Hadrian laugh. 

“My body stopped aging after 21 years, same with Tom here, it's why he looks so young, so don’t believe anything he says about beauty products,” Hadrian said, getting a laugh from Dumbledore. 

“What and how do you know I stopped aging after 21?” Tom demanded, looking at Hadrian like he knew more than he let on, which in this case was true. 

“Well, you're not aging is, because of your bond with Hadrian Black who was another who did not age but yours is a special case cause like me you cannot die but your physical body can be harmed” Hadrian explained picking up his cup of tea glancing over the rim of the cup at the man who had been blinking at him for the past minute with a dumbfounded expression. 

“Wait, you said you didn’t class yourself as Harry Potter anymore, so how old are you?” Tom asked, looking at Hadrian suspiciously ‘so he’s figured it out, smart, not that I had any doubt he would’ Hadrian thought, smiling warmly at the man. 

“Gald to know you’ve kept your smarts and I’m 69 you and I dear Tommy are the same age, I have not lied about that but Harry Potter, died at the age of 23 not me the moment I was born is when my life began”  Hadrian explained getting looks of understanding much to his relief gently he took a sip of his tea. 

“As I understand it, Hadrian, you see yourself as the person you became once your life had ended. Does that also mean you prefer the name you were born with during that time as well?” Dumbledore asked, grabbing a biscuit from the small plate on the table. Hadrian nodded, eyeing the elder male. 

“Yes but no need to worry my titles and name have not changed just my history you see when I became who I was I got some abilities and a new title one that even Grindelwald himself would kill me for I’m sure with your history with the man you’d know exactly of such a title” Hadrian said looking over his cup at the man who seemed to pale under his hidden threat he knew Dumbledore had been keeping track ever since the man met him at the cemetery and that it was only a matter of time before he figured out who Hadrian was and how he survived his death. 

“I see, and does anyone else know of this?” Dumbledore asked almost too quietly, but in a room as silent as the one they were in, they heard him. He caught the man's gaze, seeing it look over to Tom before returning to him. 

“Not as of yet but I was informed that they would figure it out by the time the next school year starts I have a bet going that it will be earlier than the expected time so far I think I’m winning, but plans can change as I know you should be well versed in that area,” Hadrian said lightly smiling when Dumbledore looked taken aback by his straightforwardness over the entire thing. 

“And what of your family? Why not just tell them the truth? I’d have thought you would have told them by now. I’m surprised you let me know if I am being honest,” Hadrian smiled, laughing at the man. 

“I had two reasons for letting you know my first is because I knew you were keeping track of my movements and were close to figuring everything out and my second reason is a warning to keep an eye on Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger” Hadrian explained he noted the look of recognition from Dumbledore and Tom they looked at each other then back at him “I know all about you working with each other getting revenge on behalf of Hadrian Black, I also know that you both had looked into them and found nothing substansal deeming them as descendants of the people you killed” Hadrian informed them grabbing a biscuit for himself to munch on. 

“If you know this, then why bring it up? Why warn us of their existence, knowing we had already investigated them?” asked Tom, looking as though he understood as much as Dumbledore did, at least for the most part, of what Hadrian was getting at, but he knew he’d have to explain it to them in further detail. 

“Okay, let me put this as simply as I can, Mr Weasley and Miss Granger are the same people who killed Hadrian Black and before you tell me that it's impossible, remember who exactly you're talking to” Hadrian said coldly seeing the understanding nods he was getting, sitting back in his chair he picked up his cup drinking some of the tea allowing the aroma to calm his mood. 

“Okay I understand why we need to look out for them but why are you concerned about them” Tom asked Hadrian staring at him with what seemed to be a new realization ‘has he figured it out yet or did he fall in love with me again’ Hadrian thought to himself seeing that look Tom usually gave when he felt heated by something he did but left the thought for the time being. 

“Because they are the same people who killed Harry Potter, I am also partly responsible for them targeting Hadrian Black,” Hadrian explained, much to his surprise, Tom didn’t look angry, but he did look upset about the news. 

“I see I shall keep an eye on them for you, now that that's over with. How has your stay been here thus far, Hadrian?” Dumbledore asked good-naturedly, striking up a new conversation with him, and Hadrian smiled at the elder man. 

Chapter Text

Tom frowned at the fireplace where Dumbledore had just left his mind, focusing on the elder male's parting words. Albus leaned in close appearing as though he was going into a hug, it was to casual coming from the old man "Tom, my boy, I am not saying this lightly but you need to keep an eye on Lord Potter not everything is as it seems" Dumbledore said patting Tom on the shoulder before exiting through the fireplace. Tom was suspicious and he had already been in such a state prior to the old man's words the reason for this suspicion and perhaps a bit of his mistrust fell to the current Lord in residance Lord Hadrian Potter ever since the male came to stay at the manor Tom had found it increasingly harder to stay away from the other. It struck a chord with Tom, knowing Hadrian had been right when he said he had been avoiding him, they all had, but how could they when they knew he was not telling them everything, yet oddly, he felt deep down they could trust him.

Tom sighed, rounding his desk, falling ungracefully into his chair, his head fell into his hands ‘What am I going to do? I can't just trust him...yet... I want to’ Tom thought rubbing his face harshly he had learned more information than he thought he’d learn ever within the last few months and it still seemed like he knew very little of what or should he say who Hadrian Potter was in truth Tom thought the male was scared to tell them anything and what had been shared was because of circumstances that could not be helped not that he believed half of what was shared something told him that Potter was intentionally skirting around the truth but now he at least knew that his name is Hadrian and his titles have not changed for the last 69 years. 

A soft knock was heard pulling him from his thoughts. Rubbing his face again, taking a deep, calming breath, he straightened in his chair, fixing himself. 

“Enter Orion,” Tom called out, watching the man enter his father at his heels, raising a brow at the duo. “Lord Black, what's the occasion for such a visit?” Tom asked as the men took their seats in front of his desk. 

“It is Lord Potter while we were visting Melanla, I decided to check the family tree to see if any of what Lord Potter had said was true, but when we got there, we did not see his name on the family tree the thing that confuses us is that for someone who has only been here for a little over a month he seems to know a lot about each of us” Arcturus informed, Tom knew the more they found out the more confused they got and it seemed to only get worse for them. 

“I see, Dumbledore had also warned before he left that not everything is as it seemed and to keep an open mind, it seems he trusts Lord Potter but is weary of him, I feel he was trying to point something out btu with everything that has been happening the last couple of months...” Tom explained, leaning forward, a cup of tea appearing on his desk along with two others for Orion and Arcturus, who only seemed relieved for the drink. 

“From what we do know from Draco's memories is that Lord Potter was at one stage known as Harry James Potter, a child orphaned at a young age after surviving the killing curse twice by a powerful Dark Lord once as an infant and another when he was 17 during a great war but shortly after he went missing only for his body to be discovered 3 years after his disappearance with no traces of who had killed him” Orion recited going over the facts that they knew so far, Tom grabbed a piece of parchment and his quill, dipping the quills tip into the ink well that sat to his right he jolting down what Orion had stated. 

“Lord Potter informed Albus and I earlier that the two that killed our Hadrian were the same people that murdered him, he had also mentioned that he was the reason our Hadrian died apart from that all we know is that after Harry Potter died Lord Potter was born being sent to the past, creating the future we live in now, but something must have happened to him for him to wake within the future” Tom clarified earning surprised noises from the two in front of him, Tom nodded when he saw their uncertainty confirming what he said was true “Lord Potter clarified that he does not acknowledge himself as Harry Potter when that boy died so did the person though he went back in time he used it as his do-over on life from what I understand we are not dealing with this Harry Potter person that we have learned about but someone else I believe Lord Potter used Harry Potter to distract us,” Tom said picking up his cup of tea, he grimaced at the lack of burn as the floral taste slid down his throat wishing the house elves had given him firewiskey instead. 

Hadrian had remained silent, patting Hedwig, Mortem had informed him of Tom's little meeting with his father and brother, if he were honest, it had surprised him to find out that they had gone to the townhouse from what he knew or was led to believe they had not lived there let alone visited the house since the day of his suposed passing. Hedwig nipped at Hadrian's ear, bringing him out of his thoughts, smiling softly at her, laughing when she climbed atop his head using it as a bed, 'I've missed her,' he thought, looking out to the garden below, he knew she had missed him, had known since the moment he stepped foot on the Malfoy estate, she had yet to leave his side since, he could always find her not far from his person. 

-Master there close- 

‘Oh, is that the sound of you losing another bet?’ Hadrian chuckled quietly to himself when he didn’t receive a reply from his friend. 

“HADRIAN!?  HAD- Hadrian" Draco yelled out, stopping short of the door once the boy saw him. Draco leaned over, his hands on his knees as he took in deep breaths. Hadrian frowned 'Something's not right here' Hadrian thought, biting the inside of his cheek when grey eyes looked up to him with worry. 

“Yes, Draco, is there something wrong?” Hadrian asked, calmly looking at Draco, who looked like he’d just rung the bells of hell 'That is not my nephew' Hadrian thought, eyeing the person skeptically, covering it by placing a gentle hand on the person's shoulder as though he was worried. 

“I was walking when I overheard Orion telling the other knights to stupefy you so they can lock you up, we need to get you out of here,” Draco said, looking at Hadrian worriedly, pulling him towards the exit ‘Definitely not Draco he would never call Orion by name but it never hurts to check Mortem?’.  

-Master, your suspicions are correct- 

‘And the real Draco?’ Hadrian asked, nodding along to the imposter, giving a slightly worried, almost scared expression, fooling whoever the person was 'How did they figure out I am back already?'. 

-I do not know Master, but Draco is at the Ministry with Lucius-  

“I see, do you know why?” Hadrian asked the imposter gently, lifting Hedwig off his head and opening the window to let her out, knowing she was smart and would warn the others, he smiled when he saw her fly in the direction of Tom's office. Closing the window, he was led by the person into the hall. 

“No, they started whispering once they saw me, but I heard enough to know what they were going to do and left to find you” the imposter informed Hadrian nodded, slowing his pase slightly as they entered an empty hallway he didn't want to risk his family's lives at least not for his sake not again, but as always fate had other ideas mid way down the hallway Tom, Orion and his father appeared turning the corner running towards them startling the person before he could stop the person from causing any damage but he was too slow their wand already out, spell already fired. Hadrian hated that he moved before thinking. An old habit he never got rid of from his time as Harry Potter; Hadrian was thrown back by the unknown curse, smiling when he saw the imposter's head roll to the ground as he steadied himself on what was his cane but was now  Gryffindor sword, grimacing as his free hand clutched at his chest. 

“It is not D..Draco” Hadrian stuttered out he was finding it difficult to breathe, grimacing he moved over to the disembodied head kicking it so he could get a look at the person ‘one of their goons’ Hadrian thought stabbing the head again “can’t go one life without those sick fucks sending someone to kill me or someone I care about’ Hadrian practically yelled angrily removing the sword from the head he was about to stab it again when a hand stopped him. 

“He’s dead,” Tom said softly, Hadrian slumped falling slightly but was held up by Tom who gently picked him up, feeling too tired to protest not that he wanted to, he missed being around Tom and felt happy when he had been invited to tea “you sent Hedwig, how did you know she would come to find us?” Tom asked, holding Hadrian closer to his chest, he wondered how much Tom felt from their bond he knew for the most part that Mortem had been blocking most of what would have been carried through their link otherwise Tom would be a lot more concerned than what he currently was breathing harshly he looked up at Tom. 

“Hedwig always knows when I’m in trouble,” Hadrian said. He was getting tired, his arms hung as the sword dragged along the ground as Tom walked, he could hear the sounds of his father and brother following closely behind. 

“Do not close your eyes, Lord Potter,” his father yelled, jolting him awake. 

“m’ fine...dad don’t worry,” Hadrian mumbled out, not catching the surprised looks from his father or his brother, nor feeling the way Tom stiffened upon hearing the word slip. 

Hadrian's breath faded as he sat up, looking around the familiar dark space that greeted him. Turning, he looked over to Mortem, who sat calmly beside him. “I died again, didn’t I?” Hadrian asked, a sad sigh leaving him, Mortem shook his head briefly. 

-You are only passed out. Tom had taken you to Severus and Narcissa to be healed, They had been in the receiving room as everyone was returning to the manor for the day, that is, until Tom, Orion, and Lord Black entered carrying you. They have been trying to heal you since- 

“I see, and when will I be waking up?” Hadrian asked tiredly, this had become a normal experience for him, so much so that it was like waking up in a second home. 

-In a minute, I will warn you that you called Lord Black, Dad, in front of Tom, Orion, and him they haven’t figured out anything if you were wondering, they think you were mumbling nonsense because of your state-  

Hadrian laughed, “How amusing, and I practically gave them the answer to most of their ‘theories’ of who I am. Are you sure they will figure it out?” Hadrian asked his longtime friend, yet it hurt him a little that they had yet to realise. 

-Tom has started suspecting since his meeting with Dumbledore, your father, on the other hand, has suspected it since you arrived at the Manor. I’ll talk to you later, Master- 

Hadrian nodded, smiling as he began to wake up. 

Hadrian took in a large amount of air, sitting up quickly before he started coughing from the dryness of his throat. 'How long was he out?’ Hadrian groaned, his head felt like a rock underwater, while his throat felt like sandpaper, aside from the sensitive cut that hurt every time he moved his body.  

“Hadrian!?” a chorus of voices around him yelled he groaned again from the noise curling himself into a tight ball covering his ears ‘shut up’ he thought pleading silently to himself a soft hand rubbed gently up and down his back, that's how he noticed he was topless showing off his many scars. 

“Here, drink this, it should help with the pain,” Cissa ordered, the hand on his back moved helping him to sit up as a potion was placed on the tip of his lips, swallowing the potion's contents, he waited, sighing when his body practically went numb. 

“Feeling better?” someone asked. He nodded, though his head still felt like it was a rock underwater, though he couldn’t bring himself to open his eyes, he knew from experience that waking up after passing out that his senses were enhanced, including his sight, making everything look like he was staring into the sun. 

“Good now, HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU ALIVE!??” another he felt was Corvus yelled Hadrian hissed something nonsensical not seeing the shock on the faces at the angry snake tough, but he did feel the hand on his back stiffen. 

“Because not even death wants me, now shut up, you are being too loud,” Hadrian growled out, holding his head, sighing when the hand on his back shifted and another was placed over his forehead. Hadrian sighed at the cold hand. 

“You have a fever; you seem to get them a lot,” he heard Tom say. Hadrian shifted uncomfortably but remained in his sitting position. 

“It’s caused by my magic fluctuating and the multitude of injuries I’ve gotten, just last month before I came here my uncle went nutters murdering his family, I was unlucky and was stabbed in the eye and throat multiple times” Hadrian explained emotionlessly he hated his relatives and had no wish to experience that again even in memory. 

“Your magic is unstable?” he heard Remus ask from somewhere in the room. 

“Yes, it is, if it wasn’t I would not be here and no it was not always like this, this is the phsycal consequences of being forced away from my bonded partner for too long and because my body has been healing for the last 43 years,” Hadrian told them sounding way too tired even to himself ‘maybe I should head to bed all these questions are beginning to weigh on me’ Hadrian thought huffing. 

“You are bonded? Are they dead?” Cissa asked sadly. Hadrian recoiled at the question, feeling sick and mortified to be asked. 

“What!? No!! They are not dead, I was, I’d just... It doesn't matter,” Hadrian said, but by the end, he didn’t know how to finish “I am going to head to bed,” Hadrian said, but as he went to stand, he was stopped and lifted up into a pair of warm arms, he was too tired to protest such actions so he let whoever the person was take him to whereever they wanted. 

Chapter Text

Hadrian had slowly started to drift off to sleep within the person's arms he felt safe in this person's presence, the warmth that radiated off their body brought him a comfort that he had not felt in a long time the temptation to open his eye to see which person within the room had taken him, but the person answered his silent question. 

“Lord Potter, may I ask how you came to have the Gryffindor sword?” his father questioned, but by no means was it a non-answerable question. Hadrian peaked open his functioning eye, looking at the man who had stopped in his movements. 

“I woke up with it,” Hadrian affirmed, watching the man closely, dark grey eyes narrowed at him, but Hadrian did not budge nor look away; he wasn’t a child anymore. 

“You explained my son was not meant to die, and yet you had informed Albus and Tom that it had been your fault he died in the first place. Why is that?” Father asked moving forward, continuing to Hadrian’s current living quarters, or what he believed was the way, but his surroundings felt odd. 

“When Harry Potter was alive, he became friends with Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Granger saw them as part of the family he never had that was untill they betrayed, kidnapped, and murdered him after he died, he met someone they asked him in exchange for him going back in time that he use his chance to change the future. When I was born I used the chance to do something with that life, I had parents, siblings, and more than I could ask for Harry Potter no longer existed and never would, the reason your son was targeted was because Harry Potters killers figured what happenedand so they hunted me down sadly me and your son were the only ones who closely resembled Harry Potter” Hadrian disclosed as his father listened letting him talk without interruption ‘they seriously need a better method of getting information’ Hadrian thought hearing Mortems laughter though the entity agreed at the silliness of the situation Hadrian shifted falling out of his father's arms only to be held up by another set freezing at the zap he felt from the connection of the other ‘Tom’.   

“You need to be more careful, you are still injured Lord Potter” Tom reprimanded him, Hadrian rolled his eyes ‘Like he was one to talk running into the hall earlier was a testament to that’ Hadrian thought frowning at the other pushing the man back as he caught the flying sword that was summoned in a swift motion looking around the hall he was in he turned back to Tom and smirked. 

“I came up with this trick, Tommy” Hadrian mocked stabbing the ruin between his legs he’d purposely fallen here knowing exactly what they were doing he could recognize a ruin he, himself created ‘It was smart to use it, but ruins that I created are connected to my magic’ Hadrian thought glancing behind he could see his father and brother smirking as though they knew something frowning he glanced around the room they were not the only ones, turning his sight back to Tom he could see a raised brow.  

“Draco, are you the only one who remembers the erased timeline?” Hadrian called out to the boy who was standing silently next to his father while ignoring the others. Draco's head shot up, looking at him in surprise. 'They had not been able to talk, not since Draco was learning how to lead his family as the next Lord, though he could do with some more etiquette training if my questions are throwing him off,' Hadrian thought, brushing his chin lightly. 

“No, Uncle, I am not,” Draco called out nervously behind him, shifting from one foot to the other, holding his hands tightly together. 

“I see, do not worry you are not in trouble or anything” Hadrian informed the boy now that he thought about it more it should be near impossible for anyone to remember anything about that time but if he could guess he had an idea of what or should he say who did it frowning he groaned “Well, that would explain it” Hadrian murmured Draco looked confused hearing him Hadrian waved his hand at the other not willing to explain himself to a 16-year-old not when the information might scare the male. 

“Will you quit ignoring us” Corvus whined reminding Hadrian of the times they were in school together Hadrian smiled softly at the memory a pair of hands grabbed the sides of his head shocking him from his thoughts and causing him to freeze in place his breathing becoming shallow shaking his head he grabbed the persons wrists holding the person in place he could faintly hear himself repeating, reminding himself he was no longer with the Dursleys or anyone else that caused him harm. 

“Lord Potter/ Uncle/ Hadrian” multiple voices called out from around him making it hard to discern who was calling him or from where they were calling within his panicked state the person removed their hands from within his death-like grip the hands came back one covering his eyes while the other pulled him by the waist onto the person lap slowly, he calmed down ‘I hate these random panic attacks’ Hadrian whined catching his breath. 

“Have you calmed down?” Tom asked, and Hadrian nodded. “You were screaming for me to help you, are... are you... No, how long have you been experiencing these panic attacks?” Tom asked his hand unmoving from Hadrian's eyes swallowing thickly he went to talk but was stopped by a glass bottle held at his mouth without a choice he was forced to drink the potion coughing lightly when the potion bottle was removed “Sorry, it was a calming draught with a mixed in pain reliever you had us scared when you started screaming” Tom said his worry evident as he spoke softly. 

“They are random, the panic attacks that is, and sorry for causing everyone to worry,” Hadrian informed quietly, his voice sounding scratchy and worn from his screaming. 

“Why do you apologize for something you have no control over?” Tom questioned him Hadrian found it hard to answer but he didn’t have to “How bad were your relatives you've only mention them a few times, and I can only think of how bad theu were since you never told us what they were like before you came to stay with us” Tom stopped as he seemed to be trying to find the right words. 

“They were abusive physically, mentally, and verbally, they were also very neglectful and thought of me as a mistake, a freak they would have rather I died, I was a burden placed on their shoulders and the only reason they kept me was so they could treat me as their own personal maid or in wizard's terms house-elf Harry Potter was forced to live with them untill, he turned 16 and I was traumatized... I felt trapped, unable to escape a never-ending nightmare of torment, and though I know I am safe now, I still feel like I will be forced back into that environment,” Hadrian explained, trembling under the hand that remained covering his eyes, a tear sliding down his face. “Tom, I hurt all the time every day of every minute I am in pain, and sometimes it gets hard to hide,” Hadrian cried silently to himself, the hand around his waist tightened, pulling him closer against the warm chest beneath him. 

“Thank you for being honest with me” Tom whispered as his magic slowly put Hadrian into a magical coma gently he removed his hand from the male's eyes running it down the other's body using his magic to map out all the physical damage sustained to the person on his lap creating a new diagnostic scan at the top he left the name blank Tom understood that this person was not Harry Potter but he wasn’t Hadrian Potter either so he left it blank only jotting down the male’s age the rest was filled with minor to heavy sustained injuries that would have caused death or near death Tom sighed ‘that’s a lot even with the healing he received it’s still causing problems maybe with rotating shifts we could lessen the healing time but that would mean keeping Hadrian in a magically induced coma’ Tom thought picking up the sleeping male he knew he would have to talk with the others about it later, for now, he would return the male to his room. 

Chapter Text

Hadrian stared out into the inky obis; everywhere he glanced was met with more darkness, but this place was unlike the death realm. In contrast, if he were there, he would have been met with the comforting cold that always seemed to follow him, but this was not the death realm for one he felt warm and the other thing is though it was dark and he could see nothing for miles he could still hear voices Tom was a frequent one he always came and appoligised while Severus and Narcissa were another, they only ever discussed medical stuff around him not that it surprised him Hadrian never really spoke to them, not that he had not tried. They, like everyone else, just avoided him, kept him at arm's length, and when they did talk to him, it was because they needed something from him. If he were honest with himself, he hated it, the solitude, the almost numbness he felt watching his family look at him as though he was something that offended them. 

Blinking he opened his eyes seeing the white of the walls he for once felt no need to get up, there was no where to go all he could do was sit staring fixedly out the window a stray thought would come and go but nothing stayed 'Perhaps it was best if I stayed elsewhere my presence seems to be doing more harm then good' he thought his eyes watering slightly blinking them away he sighed.

Severus walked into the sterilized room, he, Cissa and with the help of Tom and Orion, had been going over everything Tom could find via magic, but the man had him do a physical look over the comatose male to say what they did find was not something he had ever wished to lay witness to. Hadrian was covered from his shoulders down in an assortment of different-sized scars. Severus knew that Hadrian had lived with an abusive family and had once been tortured, but that was not Hadrian; instead, it was Harry Potter, someone who no longer lived they all knew this yet the physical damage did not add up, but from what he had seen from the physical damage, left him to speculate about what mental side effects it was having. Tom had stayed the whole time and only let the others visit after most of the damage had been healed even then he made sure to get new clothes for Hadrian while also making the room as comfortable as possible, as, he could but even so they were afraid to wake the male from his induced coma from what they did know Hadrian could hear them or at least they believed he could, sitting down he looked up to the sleeping figure. 

Severus froze sucking in a breath when his eyes met the other's bright green eye ‘How is he awake?’ Severus swallowed thickly, his shoulders sinking under the other's blank stare. He, like the others, had been avoiding Hadrian, and he was at a loss for words ‘What does he say? What could he say? he was at a loss; he could not think of anything and just stayed silent, avoiding any and all eye contact. When the hour hit, he was out the door, never once making any conversation with the other. 

“Severus, what's wrong, you're paler the usual?” Abraxas asked concerned watching him closely Severus remained mute trying to find a way to tell the other, but he was feeling guilty ‘Why couldn’t I talk to him?’ but there was no point in asking himself the question he knew exactly why he couldn’t, why he avoided the male looking back at the elder Malfoy. 

“Hadrian’s awake, but I’m at a loss to how?” Severus relaxed slightly within the elder's presence, gey eyes analyzing him, softening lightly at the edges. 

“I see and has he spoken?” Abraxas questioned, and now that he had mentioned it, no, Hadrian had not spoken at all; he only watched him silently, well, he thought he was watching him, but Severus was not exactly paying attention to the male. 

“No, he had not. I was heading to tell Tom that Lord Potter had awoken when you called to me,” he explained to Lord Malfoy, who held him with a thoughtful expression, but he could also see the faint lines of worry hidden within the elder's eyes. 

“No need Severus I was heading to see Tom any way I shall inform Tom while I am there as well, go get some rest you look like you need it” Abraxas said with a pointed look while directing him down the hall before leaving Severus thanked the man leaving the other with the task of informing Lord Slytherin of the latest update on Lord Potters condition. 

Abraxas knocked, waiting to hear the ‘ok’ to enter, not that he needed to 'knock', but he was taught to be respectful. The door opened, allowing him entry. Walking into the room, he could see the tired man looking out the window. “What did you need, Abraxas?” Tom asked, turning to look at him, sighing, he closed the door behind him, walking over to one of the black-winged back chairs. 'he knows exactly why I am here,' Abraxas thought, frowning at the knowing thought. 

“I was coming to see how you were doing and try to convince you again to wake Hadrian up but there is no need for that now Severus has informed me that Hadrian is awake but has yet to speak and since I was coming here anyways, I told him I would inform you instead” Abraxas explained not bothering to look at his friend instead he turned his sights on to the cold fireplace lighting it with a flick of his wand. 

“Is that so, thank you for informing me,” Tom said not moving from his spot by the window Abraxas raised an eyebrow at the other ‘what is up with everyone today, actually everyone has been acting weird for mounths not only that but they have been avoiding Hadrian', Abraxas did not like what the others were doing it was not Hadrian's fault he looked like Black yet they left the other to deal with his problems in solitude pitying him at a far and Abraxas hated it, he did not go out of his way to avoid the other he was just at the ministry a lotof the time and when he was home he would never see Hadrian around even when he looked for him. 

“Are you not going to go see him?” Abraxas asked incredulously, watching his friend lower his head. Abraxas would have asked what was bothering the other, but instead, he got up, ready to leave, not bothering with the other; he was fed up with the lot of them. 

“Abraxas, wait!?” Tom called, and he stopped turning to look at the male. “I wanna know why?” he asked softly, looking towards his desk. Abraxas raised his brow at him. 

“Why what?” Abraxas called his frown deepening at the other’s words. 

“Why do you-” 

“Why do I care, or is it why do I want to talk to Lord Potter? Because I am not stupid if you cannot see what is clearly in front of you, who is in front of you, then you are going to end up losing the person you care about the most” Abraxas said coldly cutting off his friend from talking ‘how ignorant can one get, how can they not see that Potter is Black not that I could say anything but I should not have too Hadrian had given them enough information to figure it out merlin even his injuries are the same minus the eye’ Abraxas thought angrily, he was fustrated with them, fed up with having to watch them act like blind ideiots while they hurt someone so special. 

“What do you mean?” Tom called out, frowning at him, only to take a step back, hitting the wall behind from the cold look Abraxas gave the male. 

“You are smart figure it out, I am going to go make sure my friend is okay” Abraxas replied icily slamming the door behind him as he took off storming down the hall, he caught a glimpse of everyone else who had been close by knowing they most likely heard him he knew there would be questions asked later once he cooled down but for now, he had a friend to check on. 

Hadrian sat silently patting Hedwig's soft feathers, Nagini had arrived not long after her hissing her dislike over everything that had been going on within the manor since his arrival from what he knew Hedwig and Nagini had taken to ignoring Tom and the others no matter how hard anyone tried to talk, pat or feed either of them they would be left in disappointment. 

~Nagini, Tom has his reasons for avoiding me, all of them do, do not hold it against them, okay~  

~But Hadrian, Tom should know better, he should know exactly who you are, who his mate is~  

~Nagini, they will not know, I have blocked my side of the bond, but not just that, the knights saw my body, Tom watched me die~  

~Why not tell them, do you not want to be a family again?~  

~I do, but it has been 43 years. They have most likely moved on. I am just a ghost of someone who once existed in their eyes. I am sure if they knew, they would be very upset with me, and I cannot tell them because-~  

Hadrian, Nargini, and Hedwig looked over to the door as it swung open, revealing the tall slim form of Abraxas appearing visually upset about something but remained quiet walking over to the chair sitting with a tired and fustraited sigh Hadrian peaked his head to the side in confusion it was odd seeing the other well it was odd seeing anyone honestly but Abraxas was usually never around at least not from what Hadrian had seen, he suspected the male was still working within the minusty mean while Lucius handled being the head of the Malfoy estate along with other dutys that required his attention. 

“How are you feeling, Hadrian?” Abraxas asked gently, a soft smile gracing his aristocratic features. Hadrian raised a brow at the other, confused. 

“I no longer feel any pain, I see Lord Slytherin, placed me in a magical coma, seeing to it that I get healed, most of, if not some of the wounds. I should probably thank him later if I see him anyway enough about me Lord Malfoy, how have you been?” Hadrian asked softly, but the frown on the man startled him. Abraxas was not the type to get upset, let alone angry, it made him wonder as the look was not directed at him, but a reminder of something. 

“Do not call me that, you have every right to call me by my given name, I did not name you godfather to my son for nothing, old friend,” Abraxas replied snootily in mock dramatics. Hadrian was slightly thrown off but remained calm, not giving his surprise away. 

“How did you figure it out?” Hadrian smirked at the other he knew he was not subtle, but it did shock him that it was Abraxas who figured it out ‘And here I had high hopes for Tom, Father, and Orion’ Hadrian chuckled at the thought watching his friend slowly shake his head, but Hadrian could see the bright smile on the others face. 

“You mock me to think I would not notice it was you when you protected my son from one of Corvus's stinging hexes when we “first” met I connected the dots with your not-so-subtle hinting but apart from that you are my close friend and brother in everything but blood I would know it was you no matter where you are Hades” Abraxas explained his eyes alight in happiness lighting the mood the room was in before he had entered Hadrian smiled seeing it, he missed this it was a rarity to see it and he only hoped to keep it there for as long as possible. 

“I see I am guessing the reason you were upset when you walked in was because of the others, right?” Hadrian said, sighing, Abraxas gave him a curt nod, answering his question without needing to reply, not that he needed to, the deep frown on the male's brow made it evident enough. 

“Indeed, I just do not understand it is oblivious who you are, yet they stay ignorant going as far as to avoid you, you have been fine for two weeks, yet Tom has been too scared to wake you, they all have every day I have gone to his office to demand he wake you but well” Abraxas vented frustrated with how everything had turned out Hadrian could see that the matter upset him and he was not alone in his sentiment Hadrian was disappointed but he also understood that everyone had there own reasons as to why they did not want to interact with him.

“I blocked my bonds with them so they would not know what was going on originally. I was doing it to protect everyone from the physical backlash, due to how sensitive the bonds are, it would be like a constant alarm going off, but...” Hadrian sighed deeply, looking away from his friend. Hedwig nudged his hand while Nagini flicked her forked tongue against his cheek, smiling sadly at their sweet gesture. 

“You thought it would be better off because we looked like we had gotten past your death, but Hadrian, what you said about your magic being unstable well if that happening to you then what do you think Tom's is like or how painful it is every day knowing he cannot feel the other side of that bond you share, what of your brother, your father” Abraxas explained sadly his shoulders slumping showing how tired the man was Hadrian grabbed the male's hand a sob falling from his mouth Abraxas not missing a beat wrapped his arms around Hadrian's body-hugging him tightly “you have been through a lot my friend. How about we go outside, you have been cooped up for way too long,” Abraxas said, changing the subject to a happier one, picking Hadrian up, 'he's too light,' Abraxas thought worriedly. 

Hadrian hid his face in the crook of his friend's neck, hiding his tear-streaked face, not that it helped any, his body shook with his uncontrollable sobs. Hedwig and Nagini followed them from behind, silently adding their own support, yet once he let it all go it refused to stop, he realised just how hurt he had been; he had stayed away from everyone after seeing how they looked at him, how they spoke he had not said it but he knew that look he had got the same look when he was at the orphanage they did not want him here because he remined them of someone they lost even if what they lost had been right infront of them. 

Tom felt a deep sadness that was not his own, it was as though something snaped from within causing his legs to buckle under him, taking a deep breath, he held his chest it was like a knife cutting deep an emotional cut on the soul, and he could not understand from where such anguish was coming from, he knew it was not his own ‘could it be Potter?’ Tom knew there was a connection between them, had felt it every now and again, he would get a small emotion or feeling from it that drifted over, but those were not like this one this was like something had snapped 'Had, Hadrian been holding back what he had been feeling leaving it to bottled up?' Tom thought he had the sense that he had an active part in making it worse. Someone grabbed him from behind while faintly hearing his name being called, he had not realized when he had closed his eyes until he opened them, seeing Corvus and Remus holding him up with firm hands on his shoulders. 

“I am alright but we need to go to Potter,” Tom said standing the more he stayed the worse the feeling got if he had to place it, it felt exactly like the feeling he had the day he watched Hadrian die... shaking his head he made his way out of his study passing Sirius and Orion who shared a look of worry but remained silent.  

Chapter Text

Tom opened the door to the room Hadrian was meant to be in but upon entering he found the bed empty turning on the spot almost crashing into Orion, Sirius, Remus, and Corvus who had been following him the moment he left his study the sense of dread only made him move past them in quick succession using a point me to find the missing male. 

Abraxas sat down on one of the many benches in the large garden around the manor Hadrian was still silently crying and Abraxas worried that it would never stop the amount of hurt and pain he felt within his friend's magic made even him hug the other tighter he hated seeing Hadrian like this, hated knowing his friend was so emotionally hurt and the others actions just seemed to add to the rest of his sadness. 

Abraxas was right when he told Tom if he did not figure out what was in front of him, he would lose the one thing he cared about and it would not be by death but by emotional strain there is only so much one could take and Hadrian was not dumb he could see how everyone felt, how they looked at him and so could Abraxas. 

Softly, Abraxas placed his hand on Hadrian’s head, feeling the other fall into a deep sleep, emotionally exhausting himself. Abraxas sighed sadly. 

“Is he okay?” Tom asked quietly, seeing Hadrian asleep, his head in Abraxas's lap, not that Tom would have been able to see Hadrian’s face due to his back facing the male Abraxas frowned at the disheveled man who looked paler than he did a few hours ago. 

“No, Hadrian is not. Now. Leave. all of you,” Abraxas demanded coldly, his icy stare sending shivers down their spines. 

“Why are you upset we did not do anything?” Corvus raised his voice but went quiet upon the look he received from Abraxas, Tom, and Orion. 

“You are all ignorant and I refuse to point out, let alone help any of you figure out what is so clearly obvious now your avoidance of Hadrian has caused enough damage, and I will adhere to it that you remove yourselves till you learn how to treat family right,” Abraxas said shocking the lot of them he was not happy he knew they were not initially at fault but they hurt his friend, someone, he deemed a brother and at the moment Abraxas was feeling protective. 

Tom hesitated; he did not, could not leave. Potter was in pain whether he was asleep or not and even knowing that Abraxas was there, Tom could not help but want to snatch the male and leave with him as the others began to turn to leave Tom walked forward not even stopping on Abraxas insistence the moment his hand touched Potters white top they were gone. 

Tom was not sure why he felt the need to apparate away but once he landed in his private quarters his legs giving out under him, he held tightly onto the person within his arms making sure not to drop the other his emotions clouded, and a tear slipped down ‘how hurt could Potter be that I would feel his pain’.  

“I am sorry for ignoring you, for causing you pain, for not understanding but I am trying to so please do not be sad anymore, I will try harder, but it hurts seeing you sad and you always sounded so sad when I was around that I thought it best to avoid you, so I am sorry if it seemed like I hated you or did not want you around” Tom cried hugging the shorter male closer apologizing, again and again, soft arms held him back and Tom froze his face stricken with tears it had been a while since he cried so much and the only person who ever got to see this side of him was his Hadrian but knowing Potter was in so much anguish having felt it, it was just so much like his own and it made him feel horrible that he had added to it. 

“It is not your fault, you do not need to blame yourself, I am the one who is solely responsible for my anguish, I caused my own pain so do not apologize for something you have no fult in doing,” Hadrian said his voice muffled by Toms robes, but Tom just shook his head he could tell had done something wrong knew that he was still doing something wrong he knew so much yet so little and it felt like he was on the verge of figuring out something big yet it felt so far from his grasp ‘If only I had you here Hadrian you would know exactly what to do, how to solve this puzzle’ Tom thought looking down at his lovers look a likes head. 

Tom froze noticing the small scar on the back of Hadrian's shoulder near his ear just below his neck it must have been overlooked on the diagnostic scan otherwise he would have noticed it earlier but Tom had seen the mark somewhere else on someone else but perhaps his initial idea of who Hadrian Potter was, was not far off Abraxas was protective of Potter and everyone had some sort of connection with the person within his arms was it so farfetched that Lord Potter was his Hadrian. 

If Tom thought about it, the more it made sense but at the same time it didn’t he was missing something he had seen his Hadrian die but Potter said that he had gone back in time, had told Dumbledore that his name had not changed nor his tiles so if he was his Hadrian then couldn’t it be just as possible to go to the future it would also explain Hadrian's leg during the war with Grindelwald and those other two Hadrian had been targeted because of his status as the Peverell Lord and to prevent his Hadrian from escape not that it worked Grindelwald broke his leg in three places, dislocated his knee and flayed the skin off making it impossible to move but also worked to keep Hadrian in constant pain. 

Tom moved his arms, pushing Hadrian away so he could see him properly, though the other had been living with them for almost a year. Tom had not looked at Hadrian Potter properly, and because he spent his time avoiding the other, he never truly got a proper look at the male. 

Hadrian’s face remained looking down at the floor causing Tom to use a hand to lift it, so Hadrian was forced to look at him so that he was able to see Hadrians appearance properly, a nasty scar ran down the right side of his face leaving his eye a cloudy white almost grey while the other was a glowing deep Avada green, his features were sharp something that was a visible trait from the Blacks along with the small soft curls in his hair but unlike the Blacks Hadrian's hair was darker almost like ink it outlined his face giving him a mysterious aura and the longer Tom observed the longer he saw his Hadrian, he could see why Corvus kept his distance. 

“Are you alright, Lord Slytherin?” Hadrian asked worriedly his concern showing on his face Tom frowned but stopped when it caused the other to flinch, right, he had unintentionally caused Hadrian pain, and adding the fact that he had been killed painfully twice and suffered through abuse in two lifetimes and probably more that he did not know about that Hadrian kept quiet about sighing lightly Tom softened his features. 

“Sorry, I am okay Pot- Hadrian," Tom said, correcting himself when he felt the sadness of the other ‘had Hadrian been blocking their bond so Tom would not feel his pain?’ Tom thought, feeling like the answer to his silent question was a hard yes. 

“Are you sure, you stiffened and did not answer when I called your name?” Hadrian asked his concern, showing more, but it was short-lived when Hadrian yawned, his eyes drooping tiredly. Tom stood moving Hadrian over to his bed laying the other down pulling the covers over the smaller male placing the large pillows around him, walking over to his cubored he opened the door seeing the bear grabbing it he moved back over to Hadrian placing the small teddy, a white cobra that was gifted to Hadrian from Tom when Hadrian had been blood adopted by Arcturus Black into the Black family. 

Hadrian tried to sit up, but Tom pushed him back down. “Go to sleep, you have exhausted yourself, we can talk later,” Tom said, covering Hadrian back up before conjuring an armchair beside the bed so he could make sure the other slept. 

“But this is your bed, is it not? Is it not weird for me to be here instead of your bonded?” Hadrian questioned, an eyebrow raised, masking the shock that Tom could now see clear as day.  

“I do not think that is much of a problem remember my bonded died” Tom regretted saying that Hadrian's emotions though he was not showing them on the surface hidden behind a mask of uncertainty Tom could feel them through the connection they shared, and he knew what he said hurt the other Hadrian nodded so very slowly shifting his body, so he was comfortable though the other was quick about it Tom had saw Hadrian grab the teddy but he did not immediately start cuddling it just sat there looking at it not that Tom could see his face, Hadrian had his back facing him. 

Tom watched Hadrian softly pat the teddy he could feel the connection spike in sadness but instead of hugging the teddy Hadrian placed it safely on the pillow furthest away from him showing Tom how ironic it was that Hadrian put distance between the stuffed animal much like Tom did to Hadrian ‘I fucked up and I did not even realize it, we all did’ Tom sighed sagging in his chair Abraxas was right and Dumbledore had tried to tell him in his own way as did Hadrian how foolish he had been. 

Tom entered the receiving room; he had been reluctant to leave Hadrian after avoiding the other for most of the year, but he needed to talk to the others they were causing more problems than they realized, and it needed to end before something worse happens before Tom left, he had placed monitoring charms over Hadrian so that he would know when the other woke up he had also left a note but being away even as he was he had made the need to return and stay right next to Hadrian's side greater. 

“Where the bloody hell have you been and where is Hadrian?” Abraxas all but yelled, trying to but failing to storm up to him due to Remus grabbing the male by the arms, holding him in place. 

“He’s asleep, and no, I did not use magic, he’s safe,” Tom said, looking directly at Abraxas, waving his hand for Remus to let the man go. Abraxas took that moment to march up to Tom, grabbing his clothes and bringing him close to his face, scoffing. 

“About time you figured it out,” Abraxas said harshly, letting go of Tom's clothes. 

“How did you figure it out, by the way?” Tom asked the pissed-off male, who turned back to look at him coldly. 

“He is my friend, the godfather of my son he made a promise to protect him from anything even a stinging hex... when we were at the ministry Hadrian was distracted and Lucius went to tap him at the same time as Corvus thought it smart to send a stinging hex at him, Hadrian acted to protect Lucius, I am not stupid I have known since the start,” Abraxas said throwing his hands up in frustration crossing his arms. 

“Dumbledore was threatened, so he figured it out that way, and I realized upon seeing the bond mark that was left on his shoulder,” Tom said, causing Orion to choke. Abraxas's arms fell, his jaw dropping while Lucius and Sirius looked quite pale, almost ghostly. 

“You have got to be kidding me, how had we not seen it!!?” Orion yelled, smacking himself in the head. 

“Cause you are all ignorant, like I said,” Abraxas replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes at Orion. Tom had to stop himself from laughing at the reaction the comment got from Orion. 

“I do not understand?” Remus asked, confused as he looked at the people within the room. 

“The person we have all been pretending did not exist and were avoiding like the plague is not Hadrian Potter but rather Hadrian Black; they are one in the same person, and we have been treating him horribly without even realizing it,” Corvus said, looking like he had swallowed something distasteful. 

“Wait, seriously like you mean thee Hadrian Black hero and bonded of the current Dark Lord and my uncle by blood,” Sirius asked, getting multiple nods from the others within the room, his jaw hung open in shock. 

“Though I understand this, if there is a bond in place, would you not have figured it out earlier?” Severus said, looking at the confused faces. Tom nodded, but he also did not have a clue as to how Hadrian had done it. 

“He blocked his connection, so basically, he could feel our side of the bond but we could not feel his side, he had mentioned it was originally done because of the backlash from what happened in the past it would have been going off like a siren because of the amount of physical pain he was in but his reasons change because of what he had observed from us” Abraxas explained sadly knowing that the others would catch on to what he was meaning Tom understood the reason perfectly the anguish he felt through the bond had him on his knees he was glad they had healed Hadrian otherwise the added pain would have sent him crazy trying to figure out how to safeguard his bonded. 

“Now what Hadrian will not be as trustful of us, not after avoiding him for most of the year,” Corvus said, looking worse for wears. Tom sighed, knowing Corvus was right; he knew that they would have to earn it back somehow. 

“Why not apologize to Uncle Hadrian, I understand most of you have hurt him emotionally but when he was Harry, he always forgave I do not think that has changed not when he knows that none of you knew who he was” Draco explained watching all of them only to frown when his grandfather shook his head a sad expression falling on his face. 

“That might have been so if this was Harry Potter but it is not this is Hadrian Black we are dealing with and though you and a few others may not have met him personally before his passing he was very untrusting it took Orion and his father three years to get Hadrian to talk to them after he was adopted and a lot longer for them to get him to trust them, it was like that for all of us well all except Tom that is Hadrian had clung to him like a chick to a hen” Abraxas laughed softly at the memory looking over at his friend with a knowing look though it was short-lived when they heard Orion whine like a dog who lost its bone. 

“I still want to know your secrets, like how? It took Father and I forever then the first day of Hadrian’s transfer from homeschooling he was clinging to you like you were a long-lost friend” Orion raised his hands in disbelief whining more causing them to laugh.

Tom looked up at the roof it seemed his bonded had woken up ‘he did not sleep for very long’ Tom thought concern showing outwardly, receiving confused looks from the others, he turned to the closed door behind himself not even twenty minutes later and said door was creaking open proving Hadrian knew exactly where to find everyone without being notified. 

Hadrian's eyes remained on the floor as he walked, he was not paying attention to where he was going, he did not have a destination in mind he just knew he did not want to stay in Tom’s room like most things within the manor it was another thing that had not changed turning the handle to an unknown door he let it swing open his hand falling to his side but he stopped upon seeing a pair? A few pairs of feet rubbing his head, he looked up, seeing everyone, blinking almost dumbfoundedly, he turned to leave, not feeling up to being questioned or to see that look they always seemed to give him, but on his way out, a hand grabbed his own, stopping him mid exit. 

Looking down at the hand, feeling that familiar tingling that had grown somewhat faint, unlike old times, it reminded him of a distant memory that had faded over time. Removing his eyes from the hand that was preventing him from leaving, he looked up, not quite having the courage to look the other directly in the eyes. “Sorry for the interruption, but was there a need for me to stay? If not, I would like to leave” Hadrian said feeling the grip around his wrist loosen, but remained unmoved looking behind the male Hadrian though he did not look at anyone's faces knew that everyone within the manor was there not that it was not exactly odd since they all met at least once a week at least he assumed they did, he was unsure on that matter not surprising when they were avoiding him. 

“Why don’t you join us?” Tom asked softly, Hadrian stiffened, ‘what did they want?” Hadrian thought his eyes narrowed. Tom took this chance to pull Hadrian into the room properly moving over to one of the love seats while the man took a seat Hadrian remained standing untrusting the current situation still, he avoided looking at anyone in the eyes. 

 Hedwig flew in landing softly on his shoulder and pulling him out of his thoughts not paying attention he started scratching her chest and then summoning a rodent for her to eat, immediately she swopped the animal flying out the open window after she left Hadrian took his time to see that everyone had taken a seat leaving him to be the only one standing glancing back at the door he contemplated his chances of escape then back at the other people finding his chances unlikely. 

“Hadrian, why not take a seat and have some tea?” Narcissa asked him gently giving him a kind smile Hadrian hesitated looking over at the seat and taking a step back from it instead of sitting he used this to glance at the walls and around the room seeing that only the love seats and two armchairs were the only seating and also leaving the only seat for Hadrian to sit in right next to Tom not that he was against sitting next to his bonded he was just untrusting of why it screamed out like blood on a sidewalk. 

Taking a breath, Hadrian shifted, taking the offered seat not wanting to be rude to his niece knowing he was sitting next to Tom was calming in itself but he also did not trust it so he stayed as close to the arm of the love seat keeping to the edge. 

“Severus how has your new potion been coming along did the rosemary roots help?” asked Remus making small talk every now and again someone would make a comment here and there or they would move to different subjects while Hadrian kept to himself unmoving, not talking though he did follow along storing the conversations away to look into but it was mostly just them talking over whats new or different with everyone. 

“Hadrian?” Lucius called, blinking, and he wondered how long he had been zoning out, but left the thought to answer his godson. 

“Yes, Lord Malfoy,” Hadrian exclaimed, looking at the male's chin so he would not have to look at the male's eyes watching closely he observed that the other conversations stopped seeming more intrigued by Hadrian's. 

“Call me Lucius it's only fitting I am intrigued at your fighting technique since I have only seen on the rare occasion your use of magic mostly for minimal things while I have only heard or seen in other instances you using a weapon, I was curious to know how good you are if you could fight?” Lucius explained, leaning forward on the seat, Hadrian frowned, unsure how to answer, finding the need to cover his eye where his scar used to sit, finding some irony in the question. 

“First a little explanation for context my biological parents died during Grindelwald's rein near the borders of France this was due to them never wanting to side with the Dark Lord but also because they held high standing within the wizarding court as a neutral party this caused problems for the previous Dark Loud and so he killed them now this would have seemingly worked had I not been brought to Europe for safety and placed within the care of an Orphanage when I was five, I spent a good part of my time there learning from books at some point I met a nice Old man who knew hand to hand combat and was happy to teach me in the arts almong a few other things mostly basics” Hadrian explained pulling everyone into the story which surprised him since he had never really gone in depth about his history before he became the Hadrian Black they all knew. 

“Was that all? What about school? You are a wizard, you had to have more magical training, right?" Sirius asked, practically gushing like Christmas came early, he smiled lightly. 

“Well yes but first I will explain this further because it played a part in my fighting style you see I caught the eye of the old man when I was 6 during an incident with a gunman holding a young child as a hostage which led the man to train me and while I did train under him for a bit it did not last long in the end, he died leaving what he had left to me I would have been 6 and a half now while most kids get adopted not all do but I was adopted when I was 8 but because of arising sickness, kidnappings and a few close calls I became somewhat muted, closed off and withdrawn during muggle school I met a special boy who shared gifts like mine we had a bond like no other” Hadrian informed Naricissa looked like she was about to burst while the others seemed to look just as excited seemingly trying to fish for more information it reminded him of the time he would do story time with the toddlers within the Orphanage. 

“What happened to the boy?” Asked Remus while others nodded eagerly, wanting to also know what happened to the boy from his past. 

“Well, he forgot about me, but he was very smart, and cunning too, always had a way of getting what he wanted, he was so gifted even in magic, and though he does not remember me, I never forgot. I did get the chance to meet him on a few other occasions and can say he did well for himself you see I knew them from my memories of Harry Potter's life but he died tragically so seeing him happy now made it worth it in my books” Hadrian said content with the explanation sighing happily over it leaning on his arm while folding his leg over the other. 

“What magical school did you go to? Was it Hogwarts? If it was what house were you in?” Corvus asked without taking a breath as he fired one question after another. Hadrian breathed deeply before returning his sight to the coffee table. 

“I went to Hogwarts; she is very lovely, and for your information, I was in Slytherin, though I kept to myself, talking with the ghosts mostly. I did not make friends, though I did happen to make a few good connections during the time, but nothing that stuck. Oh, but I guess I did have a few big accomplishments though they have gone mostly unnoticed I mean I have gone toe to toe with the previous Dark Lord on more than one occasion” Hadrian said shrugging but he could tell they were shocked by the stiffness of their shoulders and a few hanging jaws “Now that I have done what you have all seemingly have been wanting since you stopped me at the door, may I go” Hadrian said coldly bringing their shock to a stillness as some of them shifted from nervousness due to being caught.

Chapter Text

“Hadrian, we wanted to apologize to you we haven’t exactly been treating you right” Tom spoke up into the stillness of the room moving to face him properly not that Hadrian was gauging him. 

“Okay, forgiveness granted now can I leave?” Hadrian replied sounding uninterested though he felt far from it, he was in shock he honestly was not expecting to get anything from any of them, not even an apology yet here he was getting one frowning his magic spiked and loud shatter was heard from the comer of the room looking over to where the sound was he saw a broken vase numbly with a wave of his hand it resumed its previous state. 

Eyeing the vase, he shook his head turning away from the object ‘It's not going to hold’ Hadrian thought, and soon enough he heard it shatter again sighing, he stood but was prevented by Tom's hand grabbing his wrist again forcing him back onto the love seat, he watched the man fix the broken vase effortlessly without looking away from Hadrian. 

“Not so fast Hadrian you may say you forgive us but we want to make it up to you and we will be starting that from today onwards,” Tom said sounding all too confident Hadrian had to hold himself back from rolling his eyes at the stupidity of the situation ‘somethings not right, they seem too adamant about wanting to apologies when they were all for keeping me asleep so they wouldn’t have to talk to me’ tilting his head, Hadrian looked up this time he was met with a different look, not one of disgust or one of distance, no this was far from the ones he’d been getting for months narrowing his eyes at them he frowned standing slightly, he moved quickly, his hand on Tom’s chest pinning the other to the side of the love seat his other raised as his wand shot from its holster into his hand preventing anyone from helping his bonded. 

“You want to know what I want to know? Why are you, any of you, so adamant in apologizing to me, of all people? I gave you what you wanted to hear, now tell me what's changed. What's so important that you are all now apologizing, cause last I checked, you were happy to leave me in a magically induced coma?” Hadrian screamed, letting go of Tom harshly, only feeling slightly guilty over the probability of leaving a bruise. 

Hadrian scoffed when he saw their guilty faces getting up, he headed over to the door, not even trying to spare them a look, he was hurt and angry at them but he knew they had their reasons and could not fault them for what had happened his hand stopped on the handle of the door. 

“Hadrian, we realize what we were doing was wrong and we are sorry, you trusted us and we let you down,” Tom said allowed, Hadrian knew this, he truly did a hand snaked around his waist while a head fell onto his shoulder a shiver ran up Hadrian’s spine as warmth flooded the places Tom’s body was touching letting his head fall so no one could see what such a simple move was doing to him, as his breaths became hitched causing him to swallow around the lump that had caught in his throat it had been a very long time since he was embraced in such a manner that it felt almost foreign. 

Hadrian remained silent trying for the life of him to gain some semblance of control over his emotions but it was beginning to seem very futile he wanted to be angry but his mind couldn’t decide if he was happy that Tom, no someone was finally talking to him, touching him or if he should be sad it had been far too long and he felt the overwhelming need to cry to let go of his emotional wall as he did with Abraxas earlier not that he wanted to he didn’t want to appear weak but it was all getting to be too much for him. 

“Let me go Lord Slytherin” Hadrian replied quietly barely above a whisper but he knew he was heard the room was too silent not to be the arms that held him tightened, then loosened letting go only for Tom to spin him around so that he was facing his bonded a hand fell to his face lifting it so that he was looking at the other, Tom rubbed his thumb under his eye being gentle of the scar as he whipped away invisible tears that had yet to fall or had they always been falling and he had not realize; he had been doing that a lot lately, crying. 

“Sorry for overwhelming you, with us avoiding you and the long time you went without any human interaction it must have felt as though you were unwanted and I apologize if it seemed that way but I promise you we do want you here, always have” Tom said softly, Hadrian tried to focus on his bonded, had tried to clear his thoughts but all he could do was push the other away and leave ‘he needed air’ he thought walking away from the room he felt the hurt from Tom before he left but could not bring himself to go back and apologies.  

Tom stared at the empty spot where Hadrian had been standing, It hurt seeing the other so distorted, knowing in some way it was because of him. He knew from the bond they shared that Hadrian did not blame them for what had happened, was hurt and overwhelmed by their sudden change of heart, turning back to the room so that he could see everyone was feeling guilty.  

 “How's he holding up?” Orion whispered, looking around the room, not that it mattered, he was heard by everyone. 

“I’m unsure, he’s sad but...” Tom said walking over to where he was sitting on the love seat “Mostly exhausted, he’s been through a lot and was overwhelmed by us interacting with him it will take some time for Hadrian to get comfortable with us again” he said looking down at his clasped hands sighing sadly, he looked over at Orion who seemed just as miserable as himself, they all were. 

“He thought we did not want him around, did he not? That's why he blocked the bonds we had with him,” Sirius asked, although it was not so much a question, just a statement Tom could not deny it through and knew it was true. Abraxas said just as much. 

“It has been a long morning, let us just leave him for now, let it all sink in before we talk to him again,” Tom said, hearing different people agreeing, everyone got back to their conversations, leaving what had happened for now for later. 

Hadrian found himself walking down one of the corridors he had too much on his mind and needed a place or something to take his mind off everything glancing out one of the open windows a cool breeze sweeping through prickling at his skin, it was early too early the sky was still dark closing his eyes he turned away from the open window continuing with his walk not knowing where his legs were taking him but was happy to just go as he was, he honestly did not know where he could go not that he would leave he had nowhere to go even if he tried. 

Looking up he saw a large set of doors ‘the ballroom’ pushing the large double doors open entering the massive room that always looked smaller when it was filled but as it was at that moment the only thing in this room were the musical instruments the one that caught his eye was the grand piano it brought back old memories then he remembered what happened yesterday after Toms apology, he had spent the rest of the day avoiding everyone much like they had been doing to him. Walking over to the stage, he ascended the stairs, letting his hand run along the raised lid of the piano, and taking a seat on the stool, he needed a distraction from the day before's events. 

Softly Hadrian lifted the fallboard pressing lightly on the keys checking if the piano was tuned knowing that it would be due to it being used during the Yule Balls taking a deep breath, he began to play recalling a distant memory of him and Tom laughing without a care in the world enjoying the others presence just because they were there, the song, he was playing was not a sad one yet he still felt a tear fall from his eye as he was emersed in the memory as though he was reliving the moment a soft smile gracing his features as he heard soft distant laughter from the old memory but the moment of peace died when he was startled by loud applause he fell none too gracefully off the piano stool. 

Frowning he stood dusting himself off glaring affronted at the idiots who decided to encroach on his private time sadly that meant he was glaring at everyone within the manor raising his hand to rub at his eyes he wondered briefly on how long they had been there and why he had not noticed them but for went asking not caring for the awnser. 

Descending the stairs he went to make his leave but was picked up and thrown over his nephew's shoulder earning himself a few chuckles glancing up from his ragdoll state he saw the wry grin on his father's face while his bonded and brother were looking away glaring at their poor excuse, they were putting on to hide the fact they too were laughing at his predicament, that is not to say that everyone else was not laughing either as Sirius bounced down the hall he walked down earlier that morning. 

Looking down at the floor he smirked seeing a ruin he carved into the wood clicking his fingers, he lifted himself kicking Sirius into the still snickering group as a small colorful explosion went off coating everything in a glittery rainbow, of course, he did not have any of the colorful substance on himself though the same could not be said for everyone else whose shocked faces stared at him dumbfounded chuckling he turned and left but before going he smirked innocently at the group. 

“Good luck removing it,” and with that, he walked off, leaving them as he cackled over their expressions ‘that is what they get for laughing at me’ Hadrian thought vindictively and silently out of earshot, he said, “And for everything else”. Of course, it did not take the group long to catch up to him, though they were wary of grabbing him well, except Tom, who dragged him into the dining room, making him sit in the chair to the man's right. 

Hadrian smirked when he heard a few of them try to spell themselves clean only for them to realize that it would not be coming off anytime soon grudgingly they took their seats turning away from the colorful group he noticed his plate was already filled and along with the required potions he had to take were placed on the table grabbing the first bottle he eyed them skeptically he had gotten used to the taste of them after taking them for the past year though he no longer cared for the flavor rolling his eyes he uncorked the bottle and swallowed its contents repeating the process for the other, once he was done, he wash the taste away with a glass of orange juice. 

Picking up his fork eating the scrambled eggs off his plate, breakfast was usually for him, at least a silent affair well mostly because he ate in the library while everyone was avoiding him but this was just awkward, and apart from the silent looks of plea to fix their colorful states not that he would it was just too quiet, especially for who he was with; he had also taken into consideration that the guilty looks and the conversation yesterday might have had something to do with the awkward silence that had fallen and the fact they had not exactly interacted with him since his arrival. 

Blinking Hadrian gazed out the window ‘How lovely it's going to rain; I should go to the garden the smell of rain is soothing even if it brings memories then again everything did that these days’ opening his eyes not realizing he had closed them he sat back in his chair seeing Remus trying to get his attention he nodded acknowledging the male to speak. 

“Hadrian, may I ask where you learned to play the piano?” Moony asked, though it was hard to take him seriously with the bright orange glitter covering a quarter of the man's face. 

“It’s fine and it was my adoptive mother she used to sneak behind my father's back and drag me places referring to them as adventures always saying father was too old for her type of fun and that she needed to teach at least one of her children on the word” Hadrian smiled softly remembering her habits of running off consisting of her mostly dragging him with her it was actually because of her that his father adopted him. 

Now that he brought her up, he wondered where she was currently. It was plausible that she never left the townhouse she was always a headstrong woman and she would have never left her home not when they had so many memories together there. 

“She must be a very talented woman,” Remus stated, a soft smile gracing the man's face, and that was the truth. Hadrian nodded because she was; she taught him most of everything he knew. 

“She is or was?” Hadrian pulsed shaking the thought before looking back at Remus “Though her talent for playing mostly went unnoticed, I do not think anyone knew she played except me” Hadrian explained grabbing a napkin to wipe his face and placing it delicately on his half-eaten plate that seemed to have not gone unnoticed by the worried looks he had been getting. 

“It is because of this that I was adopted, had been walking to a bookstore while she had been secretly heading to a piano lesson, and we crashed into each other I fell cutting my hand on a piece of broken glass it healed and she took notice realizing I was a wizard, she had asked if I had any parents close by and I informed her I did not and well after that I left apologizing for crashing into her” Hadrian pulsed looked away when Spiderlily tapped gently on his arm she looked worried but remained quiet waiting for his ‘ok’ to speak. 

“What would you like, dear?” Hadrian asked her, gently placing a hand on her head. 

 “Master’s friend asked Spiderlily to give this to Master,” she said handing over a black envelope grabbing the offered missive he looked at it confused unsure what it was about it could not have been from Mortem due to their mental connection and if it was, he would use Rez, his crow to deliver it “did this friend of mine say anything?” Hadrian asked only to have it denied, nodding, he dismissed her, turning his attention back to the missive, turning it over, ‘No name? How odd, yet it must have been important for Spiderlily to be personally delivering it to me,' Hadrian thought, scratching at his chin.  

“Is something the matter Hadrian?” asked Tom noticing the way he had been frowning at the letter but that was the thing Hadrian was not sure yet he had a feeling it was safe, that it was familiar but unsure where he had seen it before, sighing, he slowly opened the missive only to laugh realizing why it had been so familiar though as he skimed over it his smile dropped from his face. 

Dear Lord Potter   

It has been quite a while since we last met and I have received the pendant you had sent but it would seem I am in dire need of help, your enemies have begun targeting us and due to this my father has suffered trying to protect me, he has not much time and I fear if I stay, I will be next.  

  Sincerely, Your Little Moon.

‘Mortem, is it true?’  

-Indeed, Master- 

Hadrian placed the letter down rubbing his face before folding the letter and placing it back into the black envelope he would have to get her soon he did not want her seeing her father pass like she had to do for her mother not if he could prevent it at least he silently wondered how Tom would react to him adopting her once he realized but could not bring himself to care at least not within this point in time. 

Standing Hadrian went to exit but stopped when he heard a chair move, turning, he saw Tom was standing and Orion was halfway up from his sitting place raising a brow at them “I have to go out, I shall be back within an hour Lady Malfory if you could have a bedroom set up near mine, I would be forever grateful and please make it blue with stars preferably for a young girl” Hadrian said walking away after reciving a nod from the woman.

Looking at the small house he took a deep breath knocking lightly on the door, it clicked open and he was graced with a soft head of blonde looking down at the young girl he smiled gently seeing her tear-stained cheeks her lip wobbled and she hugged him crying into his suit jacket picking her up, he placed her on his hip ‘Mortem can you get her things, please’.  

- Of course, Master- 

Hadrian then left the entrance of the door never turning his back to the house instead he headed for Gringotts where he was greeted kindly by the goblins guarding the entrance of the bank upon entering the building Hadrian was directed through a set of doors leading him to his longtime friend's office, upon entering Ironclaw’s office he sat on the chair his little moon had fallen asleep from exhaustion seeing his friend’s worried face as tea was summoned. 

“I need your help making me Miss. Lovegood's magical guardian “They ” killed her father” Hadrian gritted out he was angry and wanted to avenge his once sister he knew Mortem would get the person who did this, but it did not make him any less angry about what had happened.  

“You do understand that you will need Lord Slytherin to also sign this as well, since he is your bonded, that is, if you want to adopt Miss. Lovegood.” Hadrian nodded, he knew all too well how the process went; his mother had to go through the same thing unless the person did not have a partner, otherwise it was required for both partners to sign. 

“I do, do not worry I will sign them and have him sign them later once I get back to the manor, I shall have Spiderlily bring them to you once they are signed” Hadrian sighed he was unsure of how he was going to get them signed since this was all so sudden it had not even been a day since, well since their apology. 

“Hadrian, as your longtime friend, I do have to ask if you are sure about this. I know as much as you do that this-” 

“I know, I do Ironclaw but she is fifteen and I am the reason she was targeted, they did it to get at me, and so I am taking her in whether Tom says yes or no,” Hadrian said standing, grabbing the papers off his friend's desk saying his goodbye before heading to the door to leave. 

When he arrived at the manor, he had almost, if not for a hand stopping him from falling, he sighed thankfully to whoever stopped his descent, knowing it would have been painful even if his little moon was light, looking up, he stilled seeing his father staring at him in surprise. 

“Hi, I mean sorry Lord Black,” Hadrian said sheepishly looking away from the male, who was covered in blues and greens Hadrian had to stop himself from bursting out laughing thankfully to his save and grace Tom came into the room though it had not lasted long due to him also being covered in bright colors “I should leave have to put her to bed so, bye” Hadrian said bolting out the door and down the hall he could hear Tom and his father calling after him but refused to stop. 

“Severus, which room?” Hadrian asked the purple and pink male who pointed too stunned to answer opening the door Hadrian was met with dark blue walls with stars covering the roof, the bed was a dark oak with a light blue quilt that was also decoraded with stars on it as well as the pillow covers it was beautiful and perfect for his little moon gently, he lifted the blankets placing Luna on the bed, softly he pulled the covers over her bending down to lay a kiss on her forehead with a wave of his hand he closed the curtains leaving the room. The door clicked behind him softly, looking up he saw Tom, Severus, and his father standing in front of him with serious looks though if his giggle did not say as much he did not, no he could not take them seriously no matter how hard he tried it was like looking at a mismatched and very glittery rainbow. 

Kicking off the door he began walking while the others followed him, they soon realized where he was leading them when he stood in front of Tom's office door side stepping so that his bonded could open the door, who once again was giving him a weird look but refused to reply instead, he held the door open allowing them entrance Hadrian took to looking at the bookshelf while his father and Severus sat in the chairs in front of the desk whereas Tom took to standing near the window watching him. 

Looking down at the papers Ironclaw gave him as he leaned on the bookshelf, thinking about how he could get Tom to sign them. “Hadrian, an explanation would be nice. Who was that girl?” Tom said, not giving away what he was truly feeling, Hadrian could not help but sigh. He frowned, not looking at the other. Instead, he walked over to the man's desk and grabbed a quill, signing his name on the bottom of the parchment. 

“You want to apologize and make up for the crap you have pulled thus far then do not read this just sign it I want to see just how much you trust me, to see how far you would go to prove it to me,” Hadrian said turning the paper to face Tom the man looked at him in disbelief but righted himself grabbing the quill from Hadrian's hand. 

Hadrian truly did not blame them he just needed Tom to sign the papers and did not want to go through the process of telling them exactly who he was they were happy and that's all he could ask for but that did not mean he was going to abandon someone who had once been there for him, he saw Luna as his little sister and that had not changed even if he had, he at least owed her that much and if Tom signing the papers would do that then he would make sure it happened though he did feel bad for playing on the man's guilty feeling. 

“Just so you know, Hadrian, I do trust you no matter what you have seen from us,” Tom said, signing the paper without so much as glancing at it and handing it back to Hadrian. Hadrian, for all intents and purposes, looked down, nodding only to pass it to Siderlily, who popped in, grabbed it from him, then left knowing exactly where to deliver it. Tom stared at him in disbelief, colouring his features again. Hadrian had at least given the man a somewhat apologetic look. 

“I know" Hadrian spoke softly "thank you and to answer your demanded question that girl is my ward, she and her father were attacked because of me so I have adopted her,” Hadrian said walking back to the bookshelf picking up a book opening it, guessing he could give Tom a little push in figuring it out looking down at the page seeing the Slytherin family tree where his name was unfaded 'its ironic that they had not noticed this even when father and Orion had visited the townhouse' Hadrian thought frowning when he heard Mortem laughing before turning back to the desk and placing the overly large book on the desk thick dust billowing up from it.

“Don’t you need two signatures to adopt a child?” his father asked, looking over from the book he had just placed. Hadrian thought about it before giving the man a silent nod. 

“I am a friend of the Goblin Nation I do not need much of anything but if you want to know then yes you do, do not fret though I have gotten the signature of my bonded now it is up to fate to see if he realizes” Hadrian said with an evil glint in his eye he turned “not that he will deny me if he knows what is good for him” Hadrian slammed another dusty book on the desk causing the men to jump this one was open to show the Black family tree specifically his family. 

“You may enter,” Hadrian called out sweetly. Softly, the door clicked open, and a small body ran into the room, crashing into his. Hadrian frowned, his eye twitching. 

“Papa he’s gone and then you were gone” Hadrian looked down into the sad eyes with understanding gently he placed his hand on the back of her head patting it down before his expression changed, Hadrian pulled the soft blond hair roughly earning a scream from the person as he dragged them to a chair in the room throwing them into it, he smiled non to sweetly before grabbing a dagger from within his robe pocket and stabbing it into the knee of the person that decided to pose as his little moon.  

 “It seems you made a mistake; my little moon had not been the one to die her father did you attacked my friend and sister, and now you will face the consequences for angering me,” Hadrian said coldly smiling at the person who screamed under his grip on the dagger that he had been slowly turning they tried to get away by kicking him with their good leg but the action proved to be futile Hadrian unable to stop himself giggled at the pathetic attempt they made at escaping. Tom looked confused, unsure of what was happening, and it seemed his father and Severus were not faring much better, turning back to the person, Hadrian twisted the dagger, hearing a loud pop as blood sprayed on his face. 

“Lord Potter?” came a soft voice. His head snapped to where the voice came from, blinking slowly, he glanced at the time, realizing that his little moon had not slept for very long. 

“Hello, Little Moon, did you have a good nap?” Hadrian asked, Luna nodded with a small, sad smile, “Are you hungry? I can get a house elf to get you anything you would like?” He asked, walking closer to the open door. 

“No, I was just looking for you when I heard the screaming... wanted a hug?” she whispered, though it sounded more like a question to Hadrian a gentle smile graced his blood-stained face as he kneeled to her level. 

“You have no need to ask my dear I would be more than happy with anything you did if you want a hug then you shall get it whenever you want and no one will stop you” Hadrian explained softly to her making sure she understood she need not ask he would give it to her before Hadrian could stand, he had two small arms around his neck hugging him tightly snapping out of his stunned shock he righted himself hugging her back staining her clothes red as she pulled back and he let her go smiling at her as she thanked him. “You do not need to thank me, my dear but you should go clean yourself up, your clothes are in your room my friend placed them in there,” he said scooting her out the door she giggled running down the hall out of sight, smiling he turned back to see the still quiet men who had been shocked into silence. 

“How did you know it wasn’t her?” Severus said, causing Hadrian to raise an eyebrow at the man, wondering how he should answer. 

“The same way I knew Draco was,” he said pointing towards the person who was struggling to remove the dagger but shrugged “It is how they spoke, their tone, the way they called me, and their magic but the most obvious was the knife that they stabbed me with,” Hadrian said watching amused at the person whose hands where getting cut up from them trying to pull the dagger out not that it would work the dagger was imbued with his magic the only way it would be removed would be by him.  

“What!? Where!?” Tom said, moving around his office desk, grabbing Hadrian by his wrist and pulling him close so he could feel for a wound. Hadrian stiffened from the hands that were roaming his body. He was beginning to feel heated softly he pushed Tom away taking a deep breath. 

“Do no worry I healed it while I was stabbing them” Hadrian said smirking as he walked over to the person who stopped struggling seeing him approaching he gripped the back of their head pulling it up so he could see the eyes “Your mistake was thinking you could hurt someone dear to me and get away with it and now you are going to find out why your masters sent you instead of coming for me themselves” Hadrian smiled when he saw their pleading eyes. 

“You see dear victim I have learned something from your Masters and the previous Dark Lord” Hadrian stated sweetly dropping the person back into the chair harshly “I am too nice; I used to only want to be left alone but that was taken away from me you see kindness dose not get you anything it dose not protect anyone, only get them killed so I am no longer holding back,” Hadrian leaned whispering into the person's ear when he stood back the person was crying, pleading trying but unsuccessfully trying to talk Hadrian smirked opening his coat pulling a vile out. 

“Now this is something I have been working on I was going to give it to your masters but I think you have earned it, now all I ask of you dear victim is to... scream,” Hadrian said forcing the substance down the person's throat it took a minute for the person to start thrashing. Hadrian turned away looking at the time he would give his victim two hours before he died then- before he could do anything the person exploded “BUGGER” Hadrian screamed whipping the blood out of his eyes. 

“Perhaps Hadrian- never mind," Severus said, looking away from him. 

Hadrian glared at the back of Severus’s head. A pair of hands grabbed him by the waist, turning him so he was no longer staring holes into the potion master's head, Hadrian watched the person's hand move, feeling the magic clean the room around them and himself. 

“My dear you need to calm down,” Tom said lifting Hadrian’s head so he was looking into his eyes, not the top of his head though he was met with a frown “You my dear have too much bottled-up How about we head to the library, lay down in a comfy chair with a book and some tea,” Tom said Hadrian nodded dumbly at the other as he was lead out of the office and to the suggested place Tom sat down pulling Hadrian with him. Hadrian was confused, hell he was unsure what was happening he was sure he would be getting asked fifty-to-one questions but that was not happening instead Tom had him sitting in his lap with a book he had been reading in his hands which was more confusing Tom should not want him in this position or anywhere close to him. 

“You know,” Hadrian mumbled in shock, unsure how to react to this situation. 

Tom did not quite hear what Hadrian said... “Could you repeat that? I had not heard you,” Tom asked softly. 

“You know!?” Hadrian spoke louder, shifting to get a better look at Tom. Seeing the man properly, he could see that Tom was confused. 

“Know what exactly?” Tom questioned his confusion turning into worry, the longer Hadrian remained silent. 

“You know who I am... it is why you changed so suddenly, why you have been referring to me by my name instead of my title, why everyone has been acting so strange... You apologized because you figured out who I was,” Hadrian said, getting off the male standing, he started pacing 'It all made so much sense now, it also explained why Mortem had been so quiet, why his eternal servant had been laughing' Hadrian thought, stopping his pacing. 

“Hadrian, sit please?” Tom asked, but he remained standing, going back to his pacing. Tom stood, grabbing his hands, and forced him to stop, the taller man's hands tightened, thumbs rubbing circles on the sides of his hands caringly. 

“Why hide it?” Hadrian asked quietly, just barely above a whisper, his gaze unmoving from the hands, unable to look his bonded in the eyes. 

“Why did you?” Tom asked, watching Hadrian lift his head slightly. 

“I was going to but... but you all looked at peace and I had not wanted to ruin it then everyone started avoiding me and I began to wonder how much I was wanted around all of you just kept giving me that look like I was a burden, a freak of nature that I started to drift never telling anyone seeing no point, why try to explain when no one wanted me around and avoided all interaction” Hadrian explained and Tom could feel how deeply affected the experience made Hadrian understanding that it was not just avoiding him that caused Hadrian to break but the way everyone went about doing it. 

“I am sorry, my dear, I really am if we had-” 

“That's the point you all would have done the same thing if it had not been someone you all know deeply you should not have treated me any differently no matter who I looked like, yes, I am upset about what everyone did but I am also disappointed at everyone none of you tried that's what hurts, I felt unwanted and none of you showed you cared or even wanted to know me” Hadrian said his eyes looking hollow and broken Tom swallowed thickly Hadrian had truly thought they had not cared and it hurt knowing that fact. 

“I see, will we be able to fix this?” Tom asked softly, feeling every bit of despair he could, he did not want to lose Hadrian he was the only good thing to happen to him in his life and he cared for him so dearly that it hurt. 

“Yes, I understand you all had your reasons and that you had not known anything but that does not make a good excuse for what you all did, what if I was some stranger, just a traumatized child and you all did what you did” Hadrian explained his head falling on Tom's chest, yawning Hadrian said tiredly “but I missed you”.

Chapter Text

“Severus is looking for you,” Hadrian sighed quietly, withdrawing from Tom's embrace and getting up from the couch, placing his book on a side table. Tom eyed the male, sitting himself up from where he had been laying holding his hands tightly closed ‘ how did Hadrian survive, when I watched... him die’ Tom thought biting the inside of his cheek he hated having to remember such things, things that were better left forgotten and yet like all things he could not bring himself to forget the one moment he failed. 

“Lo-” 

“Do not, you have no right to be calling me by such titles. Hadrian, you are my bonded, my husband, and that has not changed.” Tom bit out, looking into hollow eyes, Hadrian looked down, biting his lip. 

“Right, sorry” Hadrian said turning his head towards the door where Tom could now hear the quick strides of footsteps that only came from Severus not long after hearing the man's approach did he see the potions Master looming in the doorway though the dower man looked unsure on whether it was wise to step in or not. 

“Severus, what would you like?” Tom asked, confused at the still male who held himself enough to shake himself from whatever had been on his mind. 

“Right, your potions, sir. Also, Hadrian is due for his own as well,” Severus relayed to them. Tom saw Hadrian's shoulders stiffen only to fall, nodding minutely. Tom's eyes narrowed on Hadrian's back, speculating, ‘Something was not adding up.’ 

Tom raised an eyebrow at Hadrian when he walked over to him, straining his neck. Tom looked up, confused. “Sorry, I will fix it,” Hadrian said, raising his hand. Tom grabbed the hand, frowning at his bonded. 

“Fix what exactly?” Tom asked, and for a moment Hadrian looked confused before his eyes widened, shaking his head, his free hand rubbing at his tired face lightly Tom watched Hadrian's eye drift over towards where Severus was standing, his eyes narrowing lightly as they met his own. 

“Our Bond, you're taking potions because of it, aren't you?” Tom nodded dumbfounded “thought so Abraxas had said as much, you see after the battle my mind and magic fractured causing a strain on our bond and because of this my friend had to place a block on our bond and any that I had made to prevent any more problems from arising; I am going to remove the block so that the bond can finally fix itself” Hadrian explained his eyes never leaving Tom, nodding he let go of Hadrian's hand giving him full rain to do whatever it was that he needed to do. Hadrian shifted, placing his hand delicately over Tom's chest, a soft light shining, the feeling of a weight being lifted felt freeing that until everything faded. 

Tom felt like he went head-to-head with a hippogriff when he finally came too. He looked around, seeing Severus holding Hadrian's head, looking increasingly worried “what happened?” Tom asked, sliding off the couch onto the floor. 

“I am unsure he was fixing your bond then the next moment he was falling if I had any guess to what might have happened then it's possible that his magic might not have been able to handle the strain and he exhausted himself trying to remove the block” Severus informed concern dripping heavily in his voice Tom nodded grabbing Hadrian from the man's arms. 

Tom looked down shocked feeling the spark from the bond knowing it had been removed though he realized there was something, he could not quite put a finger on, while it felt off, something told him it had always been there long before they met shaking his head, he looked over to Severus who was spelling a diagnostic scan on the both of them in frantic motions. 

“It seems that removing the block has also allowed a proper diagnostic scan to be done, yet if this is correct, then...” Severus looked confused, unable to put what was found into words, at least none to describe what everyone had been struggling to do since they realized that Hadrian had survived. 

“I know it should be impossible and yet...” Tom mumbled, ‘against all odds Hadrian was here in the flesh’, he thought, still finding it hard to believe, but he knew it was real, a magical bond such as theirs could not lie. A soft groan was heard, Tom looked down at Hadrian, who shifted around, looking pained, before he abruptly sat up, taking deep breaths in and out. “Hadrian, are you alright?” Tom asked, rubbing circles into Hadrian's back soothingly, or at least what he hoped was soothing. 

Hadrian strained a soft smile at Tom, nodding rigidly “ye...yes, I am okay,” Hadrian wished to slap himself for his stutter ‘yeah, nothing says I’m okay better than stuttering it out like a frightened child,” Hadrian frowned disapprovingly at his hands groaning while slapping his face.  

“How did you survive? I know it may be a sensitive subject, but I would like to know?” Tom asked frowning lightly it truly made no sense on how he survived such an ordeal, Hadrian sighed, knowing that the question was bound to come up he could admit that at least they waited before questioning him but now there was another problem to concider how to explain how he survived when they witnessed him die. 

“This is something that would needs to be discussed with everyone else and by everyone, I mean the Knights” Hadrian said getting up from the couch placing his book on a side table Tom watched the male as he sat himself up moving over to where he had been sitting before the removal of the block. 

“Only when you want to, we can wait” he smiled lightly towards his bonded whose frown only seemed to deepen ‘truly I wished to never see such a distrustful look directed at me not ever, yet it was there nothing playful about it unlike how it used to be’ Tom thought irritated at himself looking down at his clasped hands “unless you think it is best we do it now though after everything that has happened I thought perhaps you might have wanted time before explaining everything” he explained further his hands rubbing together in nervousness, a gentle hand fell softly onto them and he looked up staring deep into the deep avada green of his bonded something he missed doing quite dearly though the faded ghostly white eye impaired half his face Tom still loved it. 

“I do not mind on this matter since it has something to do with you, I had been meaning to explain it before my “unexpected vacation” but never got around to telling you though the others could wait, I would much prefer to get it over and done with” Hadrian explained grabbing one of his hands pulling it slightly Tom stood following Hadrian as he was guided out of the library and into the window lined hall. 

Hadrian looked left, then right, before finally deciding on where to go. Tom was confused until they entered a well-lit area at the end of a not-so-frequented hall, as Hadrian reached out and opened the door, showing off the study within. Rolled up parchment and books lined the walls neatly, as another book lay open on a large black mahogany desk, soft cushioned chairs sat around a large coffee table. Tom turned his attention back to Hadrian when he felt the male let go of his hand walking over and closing the open book on his desk putting it away, he felt a shift within the wards of the study and looked around to see if anything had changed, yet, nothing had glancing back at his bonded he raised a brow. 

“My Study moves location; at the moment we are no longer within Malfoy manor but at the townhouse,” Hadrian explained, answering his silent question nodding, he watched the door open as Kreacher walked in, freezing on the spot, his large ears falling flat against his head. 

“The Young Master has returned home. Will the Young Master be wanting tea or something stronger?” Kreacher asked with barely hidden excitement as he bounced lightly from foot to foot. Hadrian smiled, nodding lightly. 

“Yes, tea will be lovely, also would you be so kind as to send a missive to Orion, Corvus, Abraxas, Adian, Wulfric, Earland, Evan and Antonin explaining that Lord Slytherin has invited them for tea, make sure to direct them here please” Hadrian said taking a seat at his desk a few rolls of parchment appearing on his desk as did a pot of ink and a quill with a resounding pop Kreacher was gone and the sound of tea being placed withing the middle of the room on the small coffee table that sat in the center of the office. 

Hadrian gazed over the parchment he had grabbed from the pile that had appeared on his desk. It was not of anything important, mostly how well his finances are doing, and stuff on his seats that were currently going unused. His gaze traveled to the other occupant within the room, who had thus far remained quiet. Tom was looking at a book he had grabbed from one of the shelves furthest from his desk, placing the roll of parchment down. Hadrian sat back, grabbing the cup of tea Kreature had left on his desk, taking a sip, he sighed pleasantly, closing his eyes as he felt the tension in his shoulders leave. 

“I am sorry for the way w... I acted towards you,” Tom reiterated. Hadrian peeked his eye open, looking over at his bonded humming as he closed his eye again ‘they will be here soon’ Hadrian thought, straightening his back and looking properly at Tom. 

“I know, I am not upset, I had my reasons for not saying anything whether you think it was wrong of me to do so or not and you had your own I understand that so I am not mad, nor upset” Hadrian explained softly watching Tom closely who moved to take a seat poring a cup of tea for himself, Tom nodded glumly and Hadrian sighed looking down at the grain of wood his desk was made of. 

“Why exactly did you not say anything, I know what you said earlier but saying it was because we looked happy or that you did not want to ruin things... what I am trying to say is that it does not add up” Tom said looking up at him perplexed Hadrian had the sense to look discomfit at being caught but swallowed it back scratching the back of his head apprehensively. 

“Would you have believed me if I did?” he asked, looking at Tom think over the question before he could come up with an answer. Kreature popped in. 

“Master, they are here,” Kreature said. Hadrian looked over to the house elf, nodding. 

“Thank you, Kreature, send them in. Also, could you get some snacks? This may take a bit,” he asked the elf, nodded, and as he left, Hadrian felt more than saw Hedwig land on his shoulder, turning his head to her, seeing Nagini was also there ‘ how did?’ Hadrian thought, raising a brow at them, watching Nagini slither herself around his shoulders, rubbing his chin in thought. 

“Tom, how good to se-” the voice stopped “Hadrian!? No, but that's” Hadrian looked up, seeing a stunned Earland standing in the open doorway, tilting his head as he gazed at the male. 

“A pleasure, Lord Nott, tea or perhaps some firewisky?” Hadrian asked with a light smile gracing his features, Tom gave him an odd look but said nothing on the matter. The stunned male swallowed heavily, but before he could move, Adian and Evan appeared. Even as always showed grace, whereas Adian couldn't care less or well, he didn’t when it came to a private meeting such as this, in this case, his arm hung around Earland as he greeted the stiff male. 

“Earland, how have you been? You have a grandson now, right?” Adian exclaimed boisterously, a wide smile gracing the man's rough features, yet the male's enthusiasm was almost contagious, that was until his eyes as well as Evans fell to Hadrian as well.  

“Hadrian?-” Evan said, aloud, earning a slap from Adain. “hey, what was that for?” Even exclaimed frowning at the male as he rubbed at the back of his head ‘I am going to have to get used to this aren’t I... seems so’ he thought watching the males move to sit furthest from him, he got a similar reaction from Wulfric too, that is until Abraxas and Corvus took pity on the man and dragged him to a seat. 

Hadrian sipped from his cup unfocused as he silently read over the parchment's signing off on documents that needed it or making marks on what needed closer looking at glancing up from the current parchment as he took another sip, looking over the cup he saw that Antonin and Orion had also arrived placing his cup down, Hadrian ran a hand through Hedwigs feathers. 

Hedwig flew over to her perch, knowing Hadrian needed to get up, Nagini following her actions, draping herself near the unlit fireplace Hadrian got up, waving his hand over the fireplace lighting it as he moved over to the bookshelf behind his desk, removing a book, reading the title before placing it back. Hadrian stood there eyeing the place he placed the book. Eventually moving back to his desk, sitting down, Tom looked worried as did Abraxas, Corvus, and Orion, but as much as they were concerned, they were also weary of him. 

“May someone explain what is going on here and why there is someone who looks exactly like Hadrian sitting within his study?” Adain asked, a thick brow raised as he stared at the others, Tom and Abraxas looked over to Hadrian, everyone following their action. 

Hadrian let out a long-suffering sigh, pinching the bridge between his eyes he knew this would happen but it did not mean he liked it “Good Evening gentlemen” Hadrian said kindly though the kindness in his voice did not quite make it to his eyes leaning forward he rested his chin on clasped hands “I am Lord Potter” he introduced Tom looked at him blankly. 

“Potter? I thought the last of Fleamont’s and Euphemia’s descendants died in the attack sixteen years ago,” Earland verbalized, scrutinizing him as a whole. Hadrian hummed, eyeing the male whom he had once helped in Arithmancy. 

“They did,” Hadrian spoke. Adian scoffed, frowning at him. Orion looked at Adian, about to speak, but Hadrian held a hand up to his brother, watching Adian closely. 

“Then how exactly does that make you a Potter? The last of the family died in the attack,” Adian voiced aloud, eyeballing Hadrian ‘ Is he serious?’ Hadrian thought, biting the inside of his cheek ‘Blimey, he is’ rolling his eyes at the imbecile, narrowing his eyes at Tom, who looked like he wanted to curse the male for his stupidity, something Hadrian found ironic since Tom had voiced a similar question. 

“You could say I am distantly related and received the title through an inheritance, but in any case, I am the current Lord and head of the Potter family,” Hadrian told them, looking down at the parchment in front of him. 

“Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Potter. I am Lord Rosier, head of the ancient and most noble house of Rosier.” Evan spoke with a curt nod, “Formalities aside, I would rather you call me Evan for the future.” Evan introduced Hadrian, smiling lightly. 

“Then please call me Hadrian,” Hadrian said chuckling at the male who began coughing Wulfric had to start patting Evans back while Kreature popped in with a glass of water meanwhile Orion looked like he was going to die of laughter “Sorry I perhaps forgot to mention that my full title is Lord Hadrian Arcturus Potter-Peverell-Black you may know me better as Hadrian Peverell-Black" Hadrian said eyeing one of the parchment's that had red ink on it something only used for contracts opening it his eyes widened slightly standing he grabbed a book from the far left shelf flipping to a page ‘ knew it question is how did it get here’   he thought ignoring the gapping fish as they recollected themselves. 

Moving back to his desk, he rolled the parchment up, sighing tiredly. His eye twitched as his leg began to ache ‘ Right, I almost forgot about it’ Hadrian thought, stumbling slightly as he placed the rolled parchment on a high shelf. 

“Wait, but you died!!?” Antonin exclaimed loudly, startling him as he took a step back, a spike of pain shot up his leg from his knee, breathing through his nose, Hadrian turned. 

“Spiderlily,” Hadrian called, rubbing at his eyes, only opening them when he heard the distinct pop of a house elf. 

“Master, what shall you be needing from Spiderlily?” she asked, rocking back on the balls of her feet, her tiny hands held behind her back he noticed she had her long-sleeved black dress with deep green trimming on the bottom. 

“Could you get my potions from Severus also I will be needing my cane it seems my leg has decided to mess up more today” Hadrian spoke softly patting her head sweetly “could you also check on little moon for me?” he asked earning an eager nod form her as she popped away glancing back he could see the worry on everyone. 

“To answer your question Antonin, I didn’t I had been badly injured as some of you might have witnessed and fell into a coma so that my body could heal an old friend had noticed this and had taken me in looking after me while I healed but due to some issues that required their attention, they de-aged me for my protection placing me in the care of the Potters, their son funnily enough was me but being in a coma for so long and then being de-aged caused me to wake up with amnesia” Hadrian informed them seeing Abraxas and Orion look more concerned that's not to say anyone else didn’t feel that way it was just they were more prominent in their reactions. 

“Master your potions and cane, Miss Luna is doing fine she has convinced Mr. Greyback, Lord Malfoy and the Lestrange brothers into making flower crowns” she said sporting a crown of her own smiling he grabbed the potions uncorking them and swallowing their contents, he quickly vanished the bottles and grabbed his cane from her small arms looking back he saw she had a flower crown made up of red roses, white lilacs, and purple delphiniums held up to him “Miss Luna had also made one for you sir” she spoke softly. 

“Thank you, Spiderlily, you can go join little moon if you would like,” he said, picking up the flower crown, spelling it so it wouldn't die or get ruined before placing it on his head with a sticky charm. Spiderlily jumped excitedly, leaving to make more flower crowns. 

Glancing back over to the group he moved back to his desk standing in front leaning his back on the edge his cane steading him as he looked over everyone “Hadrian how did you get your memories back, I ask this since when you first appeared you looked like you knew more then you let on, yet at the same time not a lot” Abraxas said sharing a look between Orion and Corvus something that Tom had also noticed from what Hadrian could see. 

“As you all know the Potters were attacked and killed but what no one knew was that they knew they would be attacked and that they had purposely made sure Sirius, Remus and Severus were named godfather and had legal guardianship with a letter explaining who I was when they died but instead of ending up with them someone left me within the care of Lily Potters muggle sister and her husband” Hadrian explained sighing. “A week before Amelia and Lucius got the anonymous missive which if you were curious was sent by my friend, they were worried and wanted to make sure I was with people who would be able to care for me someone they knew I trusted but like most missives it took a bit to get to them and well when they did get to me it had already been a week” Hadrian spoke softly not exactly looking at any of them how could he. 

“That explains how they found you, but not how you started to remember,” Corvus relayed. Hadrian nodded, rubbing his face lightly. 

“My Guardians or the people I was in the care of were abusive and a week before Lucius and Amila received that missive Vernon the husband of Lilys sister went mental saying some rubbish about me making the family impure and that he should have killed me when I first showed up he was being so loud that it had drawn the attention of his wife and son who came down the stairs their mistake since he grabbed a knife and gut his son on the staircase, his wife following their son shortly after and well I just stood there and watched the scene as it brought back quite a few unwanted memories then just like them I followed suit his weight crushed my lungs preventing air from escaping, stabbing my throat so he would not have to hear any screaming and my eye so everyone could see my imperfections but unlike his family I did not greet death so when I came too it was to witness the wanker shooting himself, my eye is the result of such brutality but the actions helped me remember so I cannot say I am upset” Hadrian explained the room was silent blinking he glanced down moving to sit down but before he could his hand was grabbed he was thankful for the warmth that carried over from the bond as it prevented the memories. 

Hadrian blinked again stumped the hand did not move nor pull him the action surprised him turning back he looked up at Tom who looked very pale ‘ right our bond no longer had the block on it, he must have seen some of my memories’ Hadrian slid his hand onto the man's cheek, Toms hand came up to hold the hand on his cheek his eyes closing as he pulled Hadrian into a gentle hug. 

“You are not leaving my sight ever again,” Tom said, picking Hadrian up and moving them back to the seat. Hadrian could feel the possessive hand snake around his waist, leaning back, Hadrian sighed. 

“So, Hadrian, will we ever meet this friend of yours who helped you out?” Hadrian stiffened, peeking an eye open at Orion, scratching his chin, he thought about it. 

“One day you all will but you will likely only see them on your own, and when you do a bit of advice: do not scream,” Hadrian said, giving them all a pointed look, seeing their confusion glancing up Hadrian looked over Toms appearance, frowning he pinched the male Tom yelped. 

“What was that for Hadrian?” Tom asked loudly, rubbing his hand where a red mark had begun to form. Hadrian watched his bonded look over to his brother, seeing the other turn away with a hand over his mouth. 

“You had this coming, I told you someone would notice you just did not account for Hadrian being the one to notice,” Abraxas said, eyeballing Tom, who groaned, passively glaring at Orion, who was trying not to laugh at Tom. 

“Didn’t account,” Tom grumbled, though it went unheard, swallowed by the sounds of chuckling that came from Orion. 

“Are we missing something?” Wulfric asked, confused. Hadrian glared disapprovingly at Tom as he reached into his suit's pocket, removing a crimson potion, giving it a light shake, he watched closely as it turned a deeper, darker crimson, almost appearing black before holding it up to his bonded’s face. 

“Drink prat” Hadrian said glaring at the male watching Tom uncork the potion swallowing its contents “I may love Salvador and Lorric but you try a stunt like this again then you can kiss your cuddle privileges goodbye and that goes for you to Orion cause I know you were likely in on this” Hadrian said glaring at his brother who immediately began choking on his own laughter looking at him incredulous. 

Lying back, he looked up at the time, seeing six hours had passed ‘almost dinner time’, Hadrian thought, “Will you be joining us for dinner?” Hadrian asked, looking at the others. 

“I would not mind what of you, Earland?” Adian asked lightheadedly, seeing Even, Antonin, and Wulfric nod in agreement, while looking up, he picked up a biscuit, biting into savoring the flavor. 

“I do not mind, Abraxas, you do not mind if I bring Theo over?” Earland asked, grabbing his tea and taking a sip. 

“Not at all, old friend, bring the lad, he can hang with young Draco and Little Luna.” Abraxas agreed excitedly, picking up his tea, smelling its aroma, he briefly wondered where the brand came from, knowing he would have to as Lady Black. 

Hadrian stood rounding his desk reaching under it he tapped the ruin lightly feeling the shift in the wards finding it slightly funny how Antonin and Corvus almost tripped when they stood to glance around his office “do not fret we are at Malfoy Manor just open the door you will see” Hadrian chuckled when Wulfric jumped when the door opened and the large towering form of Fenrir looking over at the wolf he raised a brow at the dark and light blue flower crown atop his head. 

“Miss Moon had said that everyone is required to wear a flower crown for dinner.” Hadrian lost it, seeing the dumbfounded looks on everyone within the room, he had to applaud Fenrir for keeping a straight face, saying that to a room of well-stationed wizengamot members. 

Chapter Text

Hadrian watched everyone leave his office each one wearing some variation of a flower crown Earland taking an extra for Theo, he saw Tom linger behind and when everyone had finally left, he turned to face his bonded who had been quiet in thought for some time not that Hadrian minded he needed to talk to the man anyway. “Tom?” Hadrian called softly, the man's hand fell from his chin as he turned to look at Hadrian, not giving away his thoughts, yet Hadrian could see there was an underlying question.  

“You lied earlier, why?” Tom asked, his face was blank, Hadrian sighed, his eyes falling closed as he bit the inside of his cheek harshly.  

“I did not lie, only held a bit of the truth, the others as much as I care deeply for them can’t know, not ever, I was going to tell you but then...” Hadrian bit his lip, that faint scream of Tom's ringing like an echo in his worst nightmare, a hand on his shoulder pulled him from his memories, looking up, his eyes found Tom's worried ones. “Have you heard the story of the three brothers?” Hadrian asked, seeing Tom's perplexed gaze.  

“Yes, I have what does that have anything to do with...” Tom started to ask, only to fall short, “your invisibility cloak, and your wand...” Tom stilled looked disbelieving, though his tone of voice said something else. Hadrian grabbed his bonded’s hands, guiding him to one of the cushioned chairs they had been sitting in earlier, before the initial shock was gone, Hadrian decided he could speak.  

“You are correct within your thinking, I am in a technical sense immortal and so are you, my friend that helped was Mortem or as you would know them as Death when I die my body heals while I usually stay within the veil or the plain between life and death but when Grindelwald attacked and I died something went wrong... I had woken up briefly before I went into a coma and...” A tear slipped from his eye; he felt Tom's hand tighten around his own, lifting it to plant a gentle kiss on his knuckles when he found the courage to look his bonded in the eyes, all he saw was understanding.  

Tom raised his free hand to Hadrian's cheek brushing away the stray tears that had fallen before bringing the same hand to the back of Hadrian's head leaning forward, he places a gentle kiss on his bondeds forehead, delicately Tom lifted Hadrian's chin, laying a soft kiss to his persons lips, its gentle, soft but said so much that couldn’t have been said in any words they could have given and Hadrian loves it, missed it even.  

Pulling away Tom stands from the chair lifting Hadrian’s hand something he had not let go gracing another kiss on the soft pale knuckles of his bonded he smiles “my dear why don’t we head to dinner I have no doubt the others will be wondering where we have gotten to” he says helping Hadrian from the chair after he got a short curt nod he offered his arm pleased when his bonded accepted his gesture.  

When they arrived, the table was already full, from what they could see walking in Hadrian was tackled head on by a head of black covering his vision preventing him from seeing who exactly attacked him his vision swelled a bit forcing him to close his eyes to edge away the bridging headache he could feel – moving - he realized was not an option as he winced the slightest movement from his leg, the abruptness of his fall he realized must of caused him to jar his leg.  

“Hadrian, Tom!!? Damnit, Melanla, you were not meant to tackle him to the ground,” his father shouted. Hadrian groaned painfully, his hand falling to his head he could feel his arm still around Tom's and understood as much that his dear bonded had also fallen with him.  

“Oh, dear I am so sorry my sweets I didn’t think I would have tackled you both to the ground” his mother worriedly said moving from them so that she could stand without hurting them more than they were Hadrian rubbed his scared eye covering the lengthy scar he felt it slightly open and had no doubt it was most likely pissing blood ‘ lovely’ Hadrian felt Tom jolt upright.  

“Hadrian?” Tom called worriedly next to him, his elbow falling away as he felt the man’s hand fall to his back, helping him to sit up.  

“m’fine don’t worry,” Hadrian said placatingly, trying as much to sound at least a little reassuringly, not that he thought he did, but the effort was there.  

“Mr. Potter!!?” Luna's soft voice flowed fearfully, and Hadrian had never moved so quickly to get up Hadrian changed his bloodied attire using magic to clean and wrap his eye so quickly it probably gave everyone whiplash, gilding over to her small form, forgetting that there was a room full of people he kneeled to her level.  

“There is no need to worry for me little moon, I have faced worse you remember” Hadrian said looking delicately at the bright blue eyes that he remembered used to shine such a fierce fire when the ones she loved were threatened, him being one of them; now that was his job, his little sister in everything but blood something he planned to change.  

His parent's god love them though he did not get to be with them for very long left vials of their blood in his vaults they had wanted more children, yet knew they would never get a chance after him, so they left behind multiple bottles for blood adoption it was also their bid at him keeping the bloodline alive something he is now thankful for not that he wasn’t before smiling Hadrian conjured the vial presenting it to the girl she eyed him oddly grabbing the bottle from his hand she glanced down then back up at him in awe.  

“An early Yule present that is, if you accept, no need to rush,” he said, patting her shoulder standing.  

“Would they approve Mr. Potter? My parents, that is?” she asked softly, and he smiled, looking down at her pale face, his eyes softened with understanding.  

“My dear they love you for you, but I understand my word may not help so why not ask them yourself you see my family magic has a special gift given to its members, most would call it death magic or necromancy, but my parents preferred the term soul magic something that is uniquely ours, drink the vial and you will have your answers” Hadrian spoke honestly seeing the indecision flash within her eyes.  

“What did you give her?” Remus asked nervously, looking around the room, seeing he was the first to speak, before looking back at Hadrian directly. Hadrian smiled warmly something some of them had never seen from him while others had only seen it once in a while though it was rare turning back, he saw Luna swallow the vials contents coming to a decision on her own his smile widened seeing her hair had lightened to an icy white, her eyes sharpened slightly yet still kept their doe like appearance, her eyes remained largely the same but they held something almost whimsical in them and Hadrian thought she looked absolutely beautiful, quite like his mother.  

“Not to worry, Little Moon is safe, I would never put a child under my protection in harm's way,” Hadrian stated, his eyes never leaving his now sister, who now looked around in awe and bafflement.  

“Mr. Potter, is this what you see all the time?” she asked, and for a second, he wondered if perhaps this should have been his reaction when he first saw the magic of souls.  

“You could say that, though my reaction was largely different from yours, dear Moon, for now you need to eat, I would hate to think you starve over a gift such as this,” Hadrian said, guiding the girl to her chair, the motion causing everyone else to finally settle.  

Hadrian sat next to his bonded, who raised a brow at him, huffing Hadrian turned only to get similar reactions from others ‘ they want me to explain’ Hadrian thought, piling some steamed vegetables on his plate.  

“Not subtle at all” Hadrian grumbled getting a smirk from the knights, Tom and his parents those who don’t know him well only looked confused “Florian and Eirene Peverell, my parents, wanted more children to carry on the family line but during trying times knew it would be impossible, they decided to leave more than a few blood adoption potions within their vault trusting me to carry their line forward I gave one such potion to Little Moon” Hadrian explained adding two baked potatoes, carrot, pumpkin and some lamb to his plate while he spoke before digging in.  

As odd as it was, Hadrian was famished; it felt like he hadn’t eaten in days, maybe weeks, so picking up his fork, he started to eat, keeping up his etiquette, but he ate quicker than usual, something he was sure some noticed.  

“So that would mean she’s your sister,” his mother stated with a glint in her eyes that Hadrian knew meant she was scheming, and he was unsure if he should be worried or not. Looking to the side, he saw Tom smirking and frowned but decided he had better things to do then to be pondering what his husband would be thinking, no instead he went back to eating wordlessly he did a diagnostic scan on himself since his appetite had never been this heavy not even close the parchment appeared, skimming the bottom of the parchment he read over his last few afflictions ‘ they aren’t as bad as my past injuries, that's for sure but taking into consideration that I have been healing and non-stop taking various potions’ looking up he could see exactly the few potions that were sitting behind his plat of food ‘ since I arrived... they might be affecting my appetite’ Hadrian scratched at his chin, reaching over he picked up the red potions sniffing it ‘ wormwood, bubotuber pus, dittany, dragon liver, unicorn tail hair not a bad combination yet my potion is better since it heals most things with the side effects being drowsiness, and heaviness of limbs’ he thought about the white potion he had created a while back, placing the potion down he looked down biting in to one of the potatoes.  

Removing a vial of periwinkle-white liquid from his robe, Hadrian looked around to where abouts Severus might be at the table seeing him chatting to his mother “Severus” Hadrian called, shocking the male who turned wide eyed to him, Hadrian in a past life would have found this hilarious but a glance around the table told him that Severus was not odd, not when everyone had stopped mid conversation or had food falling from forks back to their plates.  

“Yes, Lord Peverell?” Hadrian had to applaud the man for not sputtering around his name like most would have, he could even say the way he picked himself up quickly was worthy of his praise if not for the fact the male seemed a bit too closed off now ‘ right his father was a wanker’ he thought annoyed if it was up to him, he’d have adopted the male to prevent what happened to him if only to save the lad from such brutality, blinking he looked back up at the male, whispering a spell on the potion watching it appear in front of the man's face startling him.  

“Study that I’m quite sure you will have fun with trying to come up with something better” Hadrian said not telling Severus what exactly the potion was finding the challenge would be fun to do instead and knowing Severus it would be, for him at least Hadrian knew that much and it probably surprised most that he knew so much on people he had not met till a bit of a year ago.  

“What is it?” Severus asked, baffled, causing Hadrian to smirk wryly, Yes, this would be interesting to see what the male came up with; he knew it would be good with the look he saw in the male's eyes.  

“A potion,” Hadrian said bluntly, not giving away his own amusement. Severus looked ready to roll his eyes.  

“What type of potion, I haven’t seen any of this shade... perhaps poison?” the question wasn’t meant to be said allowed, and it had Hadrian giddy, knowing the possibilities that could come from this little challenge of his.  

“Now telling you would make things too easy, so I will leave it to you to figure it out but for you information it is a well-known potion, that one” Hadrian pointed “is just a variation of another I had created a while ago the one you're holding is also only sold within Gringotts” Hadrian explained turning back to his plate to cut the lamb with his knife and fork before placing it in his mouth savoring the taste.  

“I... thank you,” Severus spoke softly. Hadrian swallowed his food, wiping at his mouth, then turned back to the male to see a thoughtful look, but there was something else in the expression; he was getting sadness, maybe? Perhaps even reminiscent, the idea that he could bring such a look to Severus warmed him slightly, and he was not sure if that was a good thing or a bad one.  

“No need to thank me, potions are your domain, not mine,” Hadrian spoke only to hear a scoff off to the side. Turning, he saw a few of the knights, including his bonded, looking at him incredulously.  

“Yeah, right Severus do not let him fool you, Hadrian here is a prodigy in all subjects if he is giving you a potion, he has created it is because he is challenging you to come up with something better because he finds it fascinating” Aiden informed turning from Severus to Hadrian who gave an innocent smile that was not working on anyone.  

“Grandpa, is that... I thought,” Theo asked, looking back and forth between them in surprise Hadrian smirked at the young male.  

“Little Raven, no need to lie, you of all people know exactly who I am,” Hadrian said, pulling his pendant out for view the Theo’s eyes widened, his hand falling to his own pendant before removing it from its hiding place beneath his robes, Draco and Luna following his example.  

“Harry-” Hadrian shook his head, looking at Theo, smiling sadly, getting a confused look from the young male.  

“No, he died, you could say I am his reincarnation of sorts with the added bonus of carrying his memories we share the same soul, same mind but lived different lives if that makes sense” Hadrian explained to the young man who nodded understanding what he said yet the sad look was there he knew to everyone who knew in the group that Harry Potter was a father, brother and best friend to them and them learning the male died in both lives must be extremely saddening for them.  

“What are you talking about, sweetie?” his mother asked. Hadrian felt ready to be swallowed by the floor; he never liked explaining these things.  

“Hadrian here has the memories and soul of a past life where he was born in a future that no longer exists because of him,” Tom informed whipping his mouth lightly, Hadrian heard a someone take in too much air and begun coughing seeing it was Evan who was getting his back patted by Rabastan.  

“What!?” Evan finally got out. Hadrian winced slightly, hearing another dry cough from the man.  

“I was asked to change the future because if the timeline stayed the way it was then a war much larger than anyone was prepared for would have happened and a lot of people would have died not that Harry Potter knew this he only found out after he died it is one of the reasons I stuck closely to Tom since we have similar ideals” Hadrian said patting his bondeds hand softly, Tom looked at him but from what Hadrian could here from the man's thoughts he wanted to know the others laughing Hadrian pulled Toms attention to him looking confused for the sudden laughter.  

“Tom for context you, my love, have known me the longest then everyone else at this table” Hadrian said with mirth the raised brow said enough for him to know that Tom had no idea what he was talking about but when he looked and saw Narcissa’s eyes shine with hidden knowledge he knew she knew.  

“That friend you told us about, the one that did well for himself but forgot you was Lord Slytherin, the story did have a happy ending,” Narcissa squealed excitedly, disrupting everyone from their eating. Hadrian nodded when he saw a few questioning looks. Tom, for what it was worth, looked surprised.  

“I thought you got kidnapped and died, that was the rumors going around at the time,” Tom said, and Hadrian giggled lightly because in a way he kind of was kidnapped, that is not dead.  

“I am sorry Tom, but that was our fault we kind of just took Hadrian and adopted him through Gringotts the muggles did not know since the adoption was done privately” his father said sheepishly looking a little sorry for it but the man Hadrian knew was happy he adopted him, got him out of that place.  

“What I do not understand is how Tom did not recognize you when you started attending Hogwarts?” Corvus asked, mildly amused at the turn of events, Hadrian now was the one to look sheepish.  

“My parents put a glamor on me and hid my last name under the name Evens, that glamor was henceforth removed along with the fake last name when I was adopted by father and mother” Hadrian rectified biting his lip “it was to protect me from the Dark Lord” he said glancing at Tom who knew it was most likely the best option his parents had at the time.  

Chapter Text

Dinner flew by relatively quickly after the revelations that came to light. Hadrian saw Severus scamper off, and he knew if he were to go looking that he would no doubt be found hidden away within the potions lab. Fenrir, he could see, had taken a liking to Luna and left with her up high on his shoulder, something he knew he would keep an eye on. 

Hadrian said his goodbyes to Aiden, Corvus and his sons, Even, Wulfric, Antonin, Earland and his grandson who all had to get home to their families, walking away Hadrian had begun walking heading to his bedroom only to be grabbed by the wrist and dragged past the door of his room stumbling slightly, when a door was opened and he was pushed through. 

Catching himself, his hands falling on his knees, he huffed, thankful for not falling onto his face. Fixing himself up, he straightened, glancing at who it was that dragged him, only to be met with a soft kiss to his lips.  

Hadrian stood exasperated as Tom walked off laying out clothes for himself “I told you I was not letting you go ever again that also means you will not be needing a separate room since dear husband we are married” Tom said confidently, Hadrian narrowed his eyes at his bonded’s back ‘possessive bastard’ Hadrian sighed turning to leave so he could retrieve his clothes “there's no need I have already had your stuff moved here darling” Tom spoke allowed before Hadrian could even get close to the door rubbing his eyes Hadrian walked over to the dresser, his shirts and pants would have been kept. 

Pulling the drawer open, and like Tom said, his clothes were there neatly folded. Sighing, he picked up a set of blue silk pajamas, closing the drawer, walking over to the bedside table, pulling it open, and grabbing his undergarments. 

“The showers free Hadrian” Tom informed him nodding he walked to the bed setting his clothes down before heading towards the bathroom closing the door he caught the slightly worried look Tom was giving him before he entered but chose not to say anything on the matter knowing the reason was the throbbing pain of his leg that had been acting up since he fell earlier stripping out of his clothes he looked down seeing what exactly had been healed. 

He knew that he could mostly walk without his cane, but the fall earlier caused it to start throbbing again, so he knew that not everything was healed not that he expected it to be, he traced the line of his thigh where Ron had sloppily stitched up after Grindelwald had carved out a large chunk of muscle from his leg, leaving the skin to outline the dip in the tissue. 

Crouching, he let a few tears roll down, never really having a chance to truly heal from what happened, not with everything that was, had happened. 

He raised his head, hearing a knock on the door of the bathroom. “Hadrian? Love, are... may I come in?” Tom asked, gently whipping his eyes. He nodded, forgetting the door was closed, as more tears fell down his face, and the door opened without any prompting from him. 

Tom opened the door; Hadrian’s side of the bond had been somewhat inactive, only some pings every now and then of pain, but when the door to the bathroom closed, it was like everything had shattered, and he could feel so much pain and hurt that he had to take a minute to get up and knock on the door. 

Looking down, he saw his love crouched naked on the floor, grabbing a towel, he walked over, wrapping it around the small figure of his bonded, using magic to warm it when he saw the other shivering from the cold. Pulling Hadrian into his arms, he rubbed his back softly. The movement spiked pain through the bond, standing, he placed his arms under Hadrian's legs, carrying him bridle style. 

Leaving the bathroom, “I haven’t had a bath yet,” Hadrian mumbled into the towel. Tom sat him down on the bed, picking up his top, he began helping his bonded start dressing. 

“You can have one tomorrow, right now you are sore, hurt, and in need of some comfort after so long without it, my love” he said grabbing his bonded’s undergarments being careful of his leg after pulling them up he looked at the pants then at the discolored misshapen leg “would you feel more comfortable without the pants or with?” Tom asked, unsure he felt the pants would be uncomfortable with the constant rubbing on the leg, but then maybe Hadrian was insecure about it and chose to wear the pants to cover it up, looking up into those once bright green eyes that were now dull. 

“Without, the material irritates my leg I usually forgo wearing them the only reason I pulled them out was so I wouldn’t bring any discomfort to you” Hadrian explained, Tom looked back to the pants ‘he’s always sacrificing for everyone else, for me but what about him, my beloved was hurt physically and mentally and yet he never complains, never stops’ Tom clenched his jaw grabbing the pants placing them down on the dresser taking a few deep breaths in and out, he moved back to his bonded seeing him tracing the line of a stitched part of his leg in deep thought. 

Gently he grabbed the hand pulling it to his face kissing it before holding it to his cheek “My Love what would you like it can be anything? Anything at all?” he asked softly Hadrian looked up surprised not that his face gave that away it was their bond that told Tom that but then he felt honest indecision “it doesn’t have to be just one thing my love, I would give you the world if you asked it of me” he informed kissing Hadrian's forehead. 

“I want a home, just us with maybe some children, three, maybe four of them but that can wait for now all I want is to be happy without having to worry about any danger, to not feel pain or be tormented by nightmares every time I sleep but all these things take time but you, you don’t need to give me anything I’m happy just being close” Hadrian explained Tom nodded taking note of the things listed before climbing on the bed pulling Hadrian close to him. 

“My dear, I will not ever let you go again, once was hard enough,” Tom said into Hadrian's hair, pulling him closer. 

When morning came, they were found tangled in each other's limbs. Hadrian moved to get up, only for Tom to pull him back down. “Go back to sleep, Love, it is much too early to be awake,” he muttered, earning a huff, but could feel the tired smile graze his neck. 

“Sorry, I had a nightmare. Usually, I would go for a walk to get my mind off of it. Guess it’s become a habit at this point,” Hadrian explained apologetically Tom kissed Hadrian on the forehead, pulling him just a bit closer. 

“Do you want to talk about it? We don’t have to if you don’t want to?” Tom suggested falling silent so Hadrian could ponder it, something he was grateful for, Tom was always patient with him, no matter the situation; he supposed that might have had something to do with where he was raised. 

Nodding he rolled over, so his face was in Toms chest “It was about the time before I died when Grindelwald was torturing me, mostly when he had calved my leg like a meat stick, but the memory hunts me among others, when I close my eyes it's like I’m there again tasting the stale blood that lingered in the air, the smell or blood and on the rarity the smell of burning flesh but the screaming always scares me the most because I can never tell if it's my own or someone else's and then I wake and they linger, I never know if I’m awake or asleep, what if I never left and I’m still there, still being tormented-” Tom pulled him up kissing silent, his hand glided over his eyes whipping away tears he didn’t realize had been falling, Tom pulled away so they could breath. 

“Hadrian, my love you're not there anymore and I will make sure that you will realize that at every chance I get but those who have hurt you will feel it ten-fold for even harming you” Tom said gently kissing his forehead, he could feel the love and warmth over the bond they shared and knew Tom had meant every word he said Tom leaned down kissing him on the lips again before pulling away again locking eyes with him “semper et in perpetuum, mea aeternitas” Tom said softly Hadrian melted into the warmth of Toms chest listening to the beat of his heart slowly drifting back to sleep. 

“Semper et in perpetuum, serpens meus,” Hadrian mumbled, half asleep. Tom placed his head on Hadrian's head, taking in everything about his beloved. He could never get enough of Hadrian, and having him back meant even more to him, something he knew he would not ever take for granted. 

When Hadrian woke, it was to Tom running his hands through Hadrian’s hair absentmindedly while he read a book, shifting, he flicked his wrist showing the time ‘after ten crap little moon’. Hadrian sat up, getting off the bed quickly, running into the bathroom to have a shower. 

“Spiderlily,” Hadrian called from the bathroom. Tom stood stunned by how rushed his husband was being Spiderlily popped in, leaving clothes on the bed before leaving just as quickly, just as Hadrian was exiting the bathroom. 

Tom grabbed Hadrian, pulling him onto his lap as he fell back onto the bed. “My love, why are you so rushed for a nice morning such as this?” Tom questioned. Hadrian stopped fidgeting, breathing out harshly at the sudden warmth being breathed onto his neck, a pleasant shiver running up his spine, breathing through his nose, he calmed down slightly, though it didn’t stop him from blushing. 

“I slept in, and little moon needs breakfast and-” “And nothing your mother took Luna out shopping for new clothes as well as food” Tom explained Hadrian sagged in relief finally slowing down a little, turning to look at what clothes Spiderlily had decided for him to wear humming pleasantly seeing it was something comfortable and simple for wearing around the manor. 

“You can let go now, Tom,” Hadrian said, feeling relaxed in the man's arms, not really wanting to move. 

“I could, but I quite like having you so comfortable in my arms while so underdressed,” Tom said, running his fingers down Hadrian’s right thigh with blearily there touches. Hadrian hummed, rolling his eyes cause, of course, Tom would love seeing him without clothes in a raunchy position if he remembered right, the last time he or Tom did anything risqué was shortly before he was kidnapped. 

Hadrian smirked standing but before Tom could say anything he placed his legs on either side of his husband’s thighs sitting down softly he kissed Tom on the lips feeling the man's shock flow over their mental link pulling away he laughed “my poor bonded left dry and unsatisfied for so, so long” he smirked seeing Tom roll his eyes only to look almost offended when he heard Hadrian’s thoughts on him being rusty in the sack. 

“I am not rusty, WAIT NO I DID NOT MEAN IT LIKE THAT I WOULDN’T, COULDN’T” Tom spluttered frantically trying to fix his wording after realizing his wording Hadrian chuckled knowing that Tom couldn’t even if he tried not with the bond they had and he knew Tom knew that since he, himself was the one who chose the bond for that reason ‘possessive bastard’ Hadrian rolled his eyes kissing Tom to shut him up. 

“I know you wouldn’t, I’m just teasing,” Hadrian said, smirking with one last kiss to Tom's lips. He got up, getting dressed before leaving a stunned into silence Tom behind. Only after he was down the hall did he hear Tom calling after him. 

It wasn’t until later that day did Tom found him drinking tea in the garden, listening to Severus argue with Sirius over something pointless, though watching them brought back memories, ‘somethings just never change’ he thought, chuckling to himself as he took a sip of the warm tea Kreature had made for him. 

“Hadrian,” Tom called, bringing immediate silence to the once lively space. Glancing at Tom, he smirked, knowing the man had done that on purpose. Turning back to his tea, he placed it down gently on the small round table. 

“Thomas, is there something you require? Or are you still vivacious about my impromptu actions earlier this morning?” Hadrian chuckled, seeing the jaws of Severus and Sirius fall, turning to look fully at Tom, he smirked, seeing Abraxas standing next to his bonded with a grin that could make angels cry. 

“Afternoon, Hadrian, it's good to see you in such high spirits,” Abraxas greeted with a curt nod in his direction. Hadrian returned the gesture, not bothering to get up from his seat. 

“Yes, I do suppose I am though that might be the pain reliever talking” Hadrian admitted he turned to Tom feeling his concern he softened his features “I’m fine my leg was just playing up as it usually dose” Hadrian explained Tom sighed approaching him before lowering to his knees his head gently falling on Hadrian’s legs, his actions surprising everyone around them. Hadrian smiled softly, patting Tom's head; seeing the man melt into his touch was everything to him; he could feel Tom’s hand softly rubbing circles into his injured leg. 

“Semper et in perpetuum, mea aeternitas,” Tom mumbled the lines from their promised bonding vows. Hadrian relaxed, running his fingers through Tom's hair, massaging his scalp. He knew if Tom could purr, he would be at that moment. 

“Semper et in perpetuum, serpens meus,” Hadrian said, picking up his tea, lifting it up to his mouth. 

-Master- 

Hadrian’s hand moved quickly, catching the arrow aimed at his heart. “Hadrian,” Abraxas, Severus, and Sirius yelled worriedly. Tom’s head shot up from his lap, seeing the arrow in his hands. Hadrian glared, growling. 

“Duck” Hadrian said dropping the teacup he had been holding to catch the second arrow while everyone ducked out of the way with a flick of his wrist one of the arrows shot back hitting the person who had been trying to kill him the scream of pain had him shooting up ‘I know that voice from anywhere’ with another flick of his wrist the person came flying towards him standing he moved with accuracy and knew found strength he caught the person by the throat slamming them down into the ground “Ronald what a pleasure to see you off your whores leash” Hadrian greeted stabbing the red head in the arm with the arrow a scream falling from the males mouth. 

“Harry!? But you died?” Ronald said his eyes were wide. Hadrian frowned, looking closer at the redhead. He looked older, but that wasn’t right since there was a younger version of the idiot. 

“He is dead, let me jog your memory, I am Hadrian Peverell, husband of Tom Riddle, the same person you and your bitch helped Grindelwald torture,” Hadrian spat, seeing the color drain from the redhead's face as realization took over. 

“Wait, wait, wait, I thought you were Harry, we both did, we swear we didn’t know,” Ronald pleaded, causing Hadrian to feel sick just looking at the muppet growling. He lifted the twat, throwing him to the side, disgusted. 

“The thing is, Ronald, I was, a very long time ago, you could even say I’m Mr. Potter's reincarnation; hell, I even share his memories, not that it matters, I will have my revenge, but before I do, I have a question how are you here when there is a younger you at the borrow?” Hadrian questioned, moving toward the male, bending down to grab him by his hair so their eyes could meet. 

“I don’t know, Hermione said something about us not being able to return to a timeline that no longer exists. Why else do you think we went after you? If what you said is true, then you killed our timeline, our future,” Ronald said, spitting at his face. Hadrian whipped his face and chuckled, ‘Wanker’.  

“Killed? No, I fixed up that old man's screw up just like I will be doing to yours, that timeline you and that bitch are so upset about wasn’t going to last very long you see a war much larger than the one you faced would have whipped the wizarding world to extinction I was born to stop it all from happening” he informed moving back to where the others were now sitting dragging the red head by his hair “you know your no better than that dark lord you accused me and Harry of being, Tom it's yours to kill” Hadrian said dropping Ronald at his husbands feet kissing the man soundly on the lips Tom returned it. 

“As you wish, my love, he will get what he has coming, I promise for now he can stay in the dungeons at Slytherin castles that way no one could come rescue him if they tried” Tom said as though reading his mind Spiderlily appeared with a house elf wearing Slytherin themed attire taking the bound and protesting red head to his new home. 

Tom pulled him down onto his lap, hugging him close, looking up, he could feel how tense Tom was, and couldn’t help but feel bad. Softly, he cupped Tom's face, kissing him sweetly before hugging him, feeling the man slowly begin to relax.