Awareness began to set into Hadrian, a yawn leapt from his lips as he languidly stretched with a satisfied groan. The manor was cold in the mornings, especially seeing as they didn't light all the fires. So to say he was reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed was putting it lightly. That was until his nose picked up the smell of burning wood, confused he sat up in bed, blinking owlishly at the fireplace which was going steadily - warming the room. To add to his confusion the curtains were up, and closed as well - what the hell? Had the House-elf came? No, he was meeting them at their home, not the other way around.
The sound of the door opening caused his gaze to snap from the fireplace to the door, he found Tom entering the room with a large box in his hands.
"Alright, who are you and what have you done with Tom?" Hadrian asked, not sure whether he was teasing him or being entirely truthful.
"Hilarious," Tom said dryly, approaching the bed, as he Wandlessly levitated the box to the table. "You were right, this is our home, it should be done by both of us." he admitted, sitting down he grasped a hold of Hadrian's butt and pulled him forward, kissing him with smug satisfaction, he eased back after a few seconds, they had a lot to do today and he was determined to go through with it.
Hadrian stared at Tom, trying to figure him out, quite frankly the admission had set him off kilter. He looked more relaxed than Hadrian had ever seen him. He was definitely still in control, that would be one thing Tom would never relinquish. Had his secrets been wearing on Tom as well as himself all this time? There was no denying he himself felt on top of the world, despite pondering Tom's actions. Had Tom also been insecure in their relationship? Was that why he'd held back on doing anything around the manor? It could only be partly, since Tom wasn't one for housework surely? What did he know though? It wasn't as if he had ever seen any of Tom's bases with the obvious exception of seeing inside Riddle mansion through Tom's eyes.
Tom's lips tugged almost into a smile seeing the look on Hadrian's face, being able to entice genuine emotion out of his soon to be bonded was one of the best things he liked to do. He would never get bored of seeing the flashes of true emotion contained within those mesmerising gem eyes, green had always been his favourite colour, even more so when he realized he was a descendant of the great and powerful Salazar Slytherin. Then Hadrian had come along, the first time he'd let his power out fully (if it was fully) green eyes gleaming with vindication and power, Merlin help him he had been caught and ensnared.
"By both of us," Hadrian agreed, a small smile slipping on his face, not wishing to constantly analyse Tom's actions, Tom and Voldemort weren't the same, and he had already come to that conclusion. He obviously wanted this to be a home for both of them, even if he did have ulterior motives (which Hadrian didn't think he had if he was honest with himself) he was positively vibrating with excitement, he'd never seen Tom that way before.
"Do you prefer Harry or Hadrian? I never heard you called anything other than Harry or Potter in the memories," Tom asked curiously, if it had been anyone else he would have been tempted to say Harry was such a plebeian name, but nothing associated with Harry could be.
"Hadrian was never my birth name, it was Harry, my mum must have picked it, and as always I got my fathers name, Harry James Potter, I don't have a middle name here." Hadrian informed him slightly surprised by the conversation.
"Why Hadrian?" Tom queried, as always he wanted to know more about Hadrian - everything.
"It was the closest to Harry, easier to remember and well," refraining from adding that he had a part to play, couldn't have a common Muggle name with such a prestigious last name, not in this time. He knew there were like six Harry's at Hogwarts right now, and unsurprisingly all Muggle-born. If he wanted to make change he had to ensure respect… and give less doubt that he was Muggle-born. Frankly he was still reeling over the fact his book was so well liked.
"And you did not answer my question," Tom stated shrewdly.
Hadrian smiled at Tom, "I don't care, Harry or Hadrian, although it would pique everyone's curiosity if you suddenly started calling me that, you're one for formality after all." he teased, grunting as he was pulled onto Tom's knee like he weighed nothing. He almost pouted, but it was enough for Tom to catch who chucked in dark amusement. All the chores he had been forced to do growing up in the orphanage had been good for something at least. He was deceptively strong, while not disgustingly muscular he had strength in his tall form.
"I have something for you, two things actually," Tom said, reluctantly releasing Hadrian, there was nothing better than being close to him.
"Oh?" Hadrian queried curiously, scooting back onto the bed wondering what Tom had gotten him. He treasured everything Tom gave him, especially the Slytherin throw, before coming here he hadn't truly received many gifts that had any personal touches. Sure Dumbledore had given him his cloak, but that had been rightfully his so it didn't count. The best gift he'd ever been given had been from Hagrid, hands down, the photo album was one of his greatest treasured items. One he no longer had, but each photo was imprinted in his mind never to be forgotten. The second was Tom's gift, even if it had more of a possessive note to it, warning others that Hadrian belonged to him.
Tom steeled his nerves, grabbing the box from his cloak pocket and pressed it into Hadrian's hands, curling Hadrian's fingers around it before giving it a light squeeze and letting go. He didn't know why he was so nervous, he had all but agreed, but part of him worried that Hadrian would come up with another excuse even though he suspected it wouldn't occur.
Hadrian blinked at the box, already realizing what it was, not many things came in such a small box. Knowing Tom it would be something significant, curious about it now, he opened it and his eyes widened in surprise. The metal, gold, was set in a Celtic design, a triquetra, with a stone imbedded in the central design, an emerald, which had the Deathly Hallows sign inside it. The design was more than just a passing thing, the triquetra meant three, as in the three deathly hallows he was utterly delighted by it. "You did this before you knew what I was didn't you?"
"Yes," Tom replied sitting down, smugness tearing through him at Hadrian's surprise and delight.
"You put the original stone in the box too?" Hadrian queried, glancing at Tom, sitting there proposing, you wouldn't think he had a evil bone in his body, but Tom had always used his looks to achieve his ends, not that's what he was doing of course, Tom felt comfortable enough with him to show his true self, both dark and light natures.
"I was originally going to get him to put the stone in the design," Tom explained, "But I didn't want to risk them touching it, nor did I want it shaved to fit, the other setting was utterly disgusting and gaudy."
Hadrian hummed softly, "It was Camdus that put the stone in the ring, less chance of losing it, and easier to touch it all day, the stone can act like the Mirror of Erised, enchant you, he spent all his time talking to a woman he had loved. The more time she spent here, removed from the veil the more depressed she got, after all she wasn't meant to be there, in turn it affected Camdus, who ended his life to be with her in death as they couldn't be in life."
Tom's lips curled in disgust, "Pathetic," he couldn't imagine killing himself over some such nonsense, over a woman he had known? They had been powerful wizards, could have done more, but no, they had to kill themselves by either bragging or weakness. The knowledge that weakness ran in his own veins made him shudder in revulsion.
Hadrian laughed, green eyes twinkling, replying as his laughter abated but his amusement stayed. "To you yes, but to most others it would have been seen as 'romantic' or some such nonsense." he didn't need Tom to speak to know what he would have thought of Camdus.
"Will you wear it?" Tom asked, dark eyes gleaming with an almost predatory look.
Hadrian's lips twitched, "You don't need a ring for me to be yours, Tom, but yes, I'll wear it, concealed though, even if its just until we leave Hogwarts…I feel like it would be a bad idea for Dumbledore to know, he's already suspicious of us without adding a bonding to it. Without knowing how he'd react I think it would be for the best. I mean look at how he reacted to me revealing my Lordship status, although I think it was more to do with the hallows, he's obsessed with them," so obsessed he had touched one without thinking and ended up cursed.
"Except our people," Tom conceded, he wanted everyone in Slytherin to know that Hadrian was well and truly his.
"Our?" Hadrian quirked an eyebrow surprised.
"Our," Tom said seriously, "Both of us are going to remake this world the way we want, compromise in things we disagree on."
"By compromise tell your side until I give up and agree?" Hadrian teased, nudging Tom his green eyes gleaming with knowledge.
Tom just smirked at him, "Perhaps," not denying it at all.
Hadrian picked up the stone, but nobody appeared, it just went to show that this world he had created was NOT an alternative universe, his parents still hadn't died in an alternative reality, this was the only one playing out. He wondered if it would change, if he would see them when they were 'supposed' to have died at the age of twenty one or if they'd never appear for him. What would they have thought? Hadrian mused to himself, perhaps horrified, he was sleeping with whom they saw as an enemy, an evil wizard. Fortunately Hadrian was passed playing for approval from anyone, especially the parents he didn't know, couldn't remember. This was his life now, nothing would change that, so without further delay, Hadrian removed the ring from the package, placing the resurrection stone on the bed between his legs for safe keeping and slid the Celtic ring on his finger. He now had two rings adorned his fingers, his Lordship ring and of course now his engagement? Bonding? Wedding ring? It could be considered all three. "Thank you, Tom, it's perfect." he said, leaning over just about to show his appreciation when sudden tapping caught their attention. He didn't miss the look of irritation and annoyance on Tom's face as he glared at the owl with murderous intentions.
Sniggering softly, he picked up the stone and moved over to his trunk, magically opening the window so the owl could at least take a rest. Summoning the box, he stared thoughtfully, perhaps it was best not to keep the stone in his trunk, especially after he returned to Hogwarts. No, he would put it in his vault, it was the one place nobody could get into, not without his expressed permission anyway. His decision made, he placed it in his trunk, he would take it to Gringotts the first time he visited.
Moving over he removed the missive from the owls leg, it hooted gratefully, glancing at the back he noticed it was obviously from a pureblood, it had to be the Rookwoods, he wasn't in contact with any other pureblood 'Lords' who were the only ones to use their seals. Flipping it back over he opened it and began to read the perfectly calligraphy. "Looks like we're invited to Rookwood manor, the letter is a Portkey, we'll be finalizing the contact for the House-elf."
"When?" Tom asked prickling with irritation at the constant interruptions.
"Whatever time would suit me best," Hadrian said deviously, smirking in devilish merriment, and Tom needed no further explanation as to why Hadrian found it amusing.
Tom quirked his eyebrow impressed, the fact that the Rookwood's had conceded to let Hadrian set the time for his appearance meant they knew their place. That Hadrian's time was more valuable than there own, oh, this was delicious he thought in delight, and he knew it was just the start. "Then we go after we bond," Tom demanded. Nothing was going to get in the way of it, of that he was sure.
"Really?" Hadrian said, wandering over to Tom seductively, "You really want to bond with me then go somewhere? Whatever happened to the honeymoon period?" he whispered into his ear, causing Tom to curse under his breath, Hadrian laughed, Tom obviously came to the conclusion that he was right.
Tom threw him a disgruntled glare. "Very well," He bit out, "We leave now."
Hadrian wrapped his arms around Tom's neck, "Not everything will always go according to plan, you'll need to get used to that, and find a productive way to let go off some of the anger." he informed Tom, giving him a short kiss, "We won't be gone any longer than a few minutes, I'm not there to play the political scene."
"No, best to do that here," Tom said thoughtfully, "Those we know that their discretion could be relied on."
"What?" Hadrian stared at Tom not sure exactly where he was going with this, and not liking it one bit.
"We have to dance the political scene after all, why not start now? The Slytherin and Gryffindor lines, the Peverell and Gaunt lines woven together, lines thought lost, but back through us. Our names will help gain us access to people, find out those who would be the more likely to agree with our goals. Gain us their allegiance for any laws we wish to pass in the Wizengamot." Tom prompted, eyes filled with passion.
Hadrian groaned, "I am not bowing and scraping and kowtowing to Politian's," shuddering in disgust at the mere thought.
"Could it be that you don't know much about the inner workings of the Ministry?" Tom questioned him thoughtfully, knowing his soon to be bonded a great deal.
"Well there is that, but its full of backstabbers and those who's decisions can turn in the blink of an eye, mostly for whoever has the most money." Hadrian confessed, "It's disgusting, Tom, and honestly, the thought of enduring it turns my stomach." but to prevent any potential killing/or raids he had to make sure they stayed on the political route. He was with Tom no matter what happened but he wasn't going to be gullible and naïve to think there would be no killing because sooner or later there might be.
"I know," Tom replied simply, he knew because it wouldn't be his first choice either, but he was determined to make it work in his favour. "I'm having the goblins work on obtaining me seats within the Wizengamot no matter the cost."
"Hmm don't you have two at least?" Hadrian wondered ponderingly, unless the seats had been sold by the Lord there was no other way for them to be taken. Even when the line died out, it went to the closest blood relative, and if there wasn't one the seat became dormant until someone stepped forward, which of course was what happened to the Peverell seats. The Weasleys had sold their seats in his original time, the Prewitt was still active, but Muriel wasn't one for politics at least not by that point since she was far too old.
"Two," Tom confirmed, "Let's get this over with," he demanded imperiously. He already had absolutely everything ready, the alter and preparations, the herbs and things they'd need for the ritual were placed out in the correct order. "ut conprehendatis," Hadrian muttered the words to Rookwood's Portkey, it was both Rookwood's motto, inscribed in their crest, and meant to win.
With a tug behind his naval, Tom and Hadrian disappeared, they kept their bodies tightly intertwined, as they felt as though their stomach was being pulled from them. Before long, due to the fact it wasn't a long trip, their feet touched the ground, and they were standing just outside Rookwood manor, the gates gave way for the pair of them.
Tom stared as he moved, a smirk on his face, there was no denying that Peverell manor was not only bigger, but better. The renovations that Hadrian had decided on made it look extremely modern, unlike Rookwood manor, which he would say had only had around three or four proper renovations since it was first built. However, behind Hogwarts and Peverell manor, he had to say this was pretty impressive but wasn't that what strove purebloods.
A sudden pop alerted them to someone else's presence, neither reacted overly much other than an expectant glance. "Lord and Master Rookwood will see you in the Great Hall, follow Diggy." the House-elf said, its voice monotone.
"I hate those insulting names, I've heard of dogs with better ones," Hadrian hissed to Tom in annoyance.
"Then you can arrange for it to be changed." Tom stated sharply yet quietly, "You will be its owner after all." well not that specific House-elf, it was far too old. House-elves did not get to chose the names, some owners were kind enough to give them decent ones, others not so much and were given insulting and degraded names.
"House-elves have exceptional hearing by the way, they can hear you even if you're in different rooms," Hadrian informed Tom chuckling at the sight of the House-elf hunching on itself slightly, as if it had purposely been listening…or it may very well be surprise and shock that Hadrian new a little of their secrets.
"What of it? They won't be able to say anything once they're bound," Tom said flippantly.
Hadrian snorted at Tom's dismissive nature regarding house-elves. "Oh, forgetting the cave already?" he teased, but his tone was filled with seriousness. "Do not underestimate a House-elf, not only can they get around explicit orders, they are different enough that if in a tight spot they can be extremely handy to have."
"I…concede your point," Tom said eventually, lips pursed as he admitted it, judging by the stillness and the fact the House-elf had almost fallen over with their comments he realized that this information wasn't widely known. Interesting, either Hadrian had odd relationships with creatures or it was just widely known sixty years on.
"Did it hurt?" Hadrian asked innocently.
Tom just shoved him, not too hard but enough to cause him to stumble a little, black eyes gleaming, promising retribution for teasing him. He couldn't deny though, hearing Hadrian laugh sounding so carefree…caused him to feel satisfied. He rarely laughed like that, and he had never seen him do it with anyone else, even with Myrtle his laugh wasn't so exuberant…but perhaps it was due to the fact he feared she'd be ripped away and still die. Which of course, would never happen, he wouldn't allow any unhappiness to come to Hadrian, and Myrtle's death would cause just that. The only way that witch could die was if she was a direct danger to either of them.
Hadrian just flew him a salacious grin, before he disappeared behind an inscrutable mask, Tom did as well as the reason became apparent. The man that stood before them was exuding pride, in his tall form, as he stood patiently waiting for them.
"His son is the spitting image of him," Hadrian murmured, magic flaring as he cast a privacy spell, purposely excluding both the House-elves and Lord Rookwood. "Except the hair, he has his hair long…his son had it like…well there's nobody I can use as an example…think Charles Potter only magnified twice in the hair department anyway."
"And is his son…?" Tom queried, wanting to know more.
"Is someone you'd want on your side, he becomes an Unspeakable, extremely loyal, specialises in the Dark Arts, and a decent dueller, obviously he would have been better if it wasn't for the stints of time he spent in Azkaban." Hadrian conceded, "Best finish this at home, I want this over with."
"As do I," Tom replied heatedly.
"Welcome to Rookwood manor," Lord Rookwood said, his gaze never wavering from either of them, sizing the newcomers up, but from the speculation of his accumulated wealth, the couple were definitely going to go far in this world. He would watch out for them and refrain from making an enemy of them as he decided for himself whether they were ones he wanted to follow or not. He wasn't the only one, many others were beginning to realize the pull Slytherin and Peverell had. It didn't help that his acquaintances had children at Hogwarts, which was where most of the information came from, so he heard it all last, but nonetheless he would do what he must.
"Afternoon, Lord Rookwood, I must say the manor looks quite lovely, thank you for indulging us and allowing us into your home," Hadrian said, no sign of a child to be heard or seen as the teen stood proud and strong, with grace of a pureblood he made no mistake and ensured that he didn't embarrass himself.
"Thank you, Lord Peverell, Lord Slytherin, please," Lord Rookwood said, gesturing inside, "Make yourself at home, is there anything Diggy can get for you?" despite his pureblood decorum Hadrian picked up the disgust he felt while mentioning the House-elves name.
"Not today, we have a prior engagement that neither of us can miss," Tom stated before Hadrian could think of opening his mouth - not that Hadrian was paying much attention. He was lost in thought really, he noticed the lack of a lot of heirlooms, the Rookwood family had fallen on hard times he'd bet. Grimmauld Place had been cluttered in stuff, in his time…the first time he had heard of any Rookwood was in his fifth year, the name hadn't been well known, not on the political scene. Did he sell his seat? It didn't seem likely…but perhaps it was true, no matter, there was ways of finding out for sure.
It was one thing and one thing only that brought him out of his thoughts - just one word.
Dobby.