Time seemed to crawl by for the two wizards, it didn't seem likely that the Riddle's would be back tonight, but it was impossible, they wouldn't have left all their lights on if they had no intention of returning. It seemed normal customs were still in full effect even during the war, but given all Hadrian had seen, it didn't really surprise him. It wasn't easy to break the human spirit, this was their way of giving the finger to their enemies, Britain refused to bow down, to surrender, they triumph over them and come out stronger than ever before. If anything that one defining moment should make Tom realize how resilient Muggles were, how strong to overcome all adversary. He didn't want Tom to like them per se, just realize they weren't the weaklings he thought they were. Their weaponry was just going to get even more…well terrifying might not be the right word, but there was just no other name for it, since their weapons weren't exactly a good thing not just for wizards and witches just people in general.
"If you did get this place what would you do with it?" Hadrian asked, he was leaning against the windowsill, they reminded him of the alcoves at Hogwarts. The blackout blind things were firmly in place, but not properly, it was as though it had been done half heartedly or in a rush. It had been such a run down place in the future, Tom had wanted nothing to do with it, using it for convenience during the months leading to his rebirth, and having to leave it behind when he got away to reveal that he was in fact back. He'd had to flee the scene, taking up residence in Malfoy Manor.
"Nothing," Tom stated, sneering at the thought of needing anything from the Riddle's, he didn't care how much it cost or admittedly how nice the mansion was. It was a damn sight better than the orphanage he had grown up in because his father was a disgusting coward who refused to own up to his sons existence.
"I think that could be a mistake," Hadrian commented, sighing softly, boredom was getting the better of him, it was past three o'clock in the morning, they'd been here for over three hours already. "Little Hangleton is a small village and the Riddle's own the area, just out of little Hangleton is the Gaunt shack and the land they have, putting up wards would secure you the largest and grandest of all manors, the pureblood's would be eating their hearts out, its easy enough to expand and as you know the bigger the property the more respect you get - pureblood's confuse the hell out of me." he admitted wryly.
"It's a show of prestige and money, the more you have the higher your standing, the more they wish to be like you and use you for their own ends but it goes both ways for most part." Tom replied automatically, he had spent enough time around pureblood's and had learned all their ways, what he hadn't got word of mouth he had gotten from reading their thoughts. "It's almost as important as your name," only almost though.
"Power, name and fortune," Hadrian muttered amused, "The three big things required to rub elbows with any elite society." Muggle or wizard something they had in common. "Truth is they're a bunch of sheep who like to think they're better than everyone else."
Tom smirked ferally, "That is what makes them perfect followers."
"It's also what makes them ultra competitive," Hadrian said derisively, "Take Avery for example, although I'm not quite sure why he took to antagonising me, its usually just Muggle-born's and half-blood's the others take aversions to. He went into a lot of trouble to get me out of the picture."
Tom's smirk disappeared and his face darkened like a stormy cloud, "He was jealous, still is, he believed he was better knowledgeable in whom I should date than I."
"Wait, what?" Hadrian turned to face Tom gaping just slightly, completely stunned. "He's gay?" he couldn't have changed the past that much that he'd made Avery's sexual preferences to a complete turn.
"I believe he was more attracted to power, he inevitably wished to join the house of Avery with the house of Slytherin," Tom replied, he had gleaned every single thought from the wizards head in his fury to find out what had happened.
"Well that makes more sense, although he's probably already contracted to marry someone right? Most pureblood's are by the time they get to Hogwarts." Hadrian mused, "It's funny how the presence of one person can change things, he's one of your first you know."
"Pardon?" Tom enquired arching a perfectly sculptured eyebrow at Hadrian, not understanding, and definitely not liking the sound of what he was implying. Avery might have superficial resemblance to Hadrian, dark hair, light skinned, but that was as far as it went, Hadrian had perfect features, the most mesmerising green eyes, while Avery was plain next to Hadrian, relatively unspectacular. There was no way he would have ever been attracted to him.
"First D…follower, and three generations after were yours too." Hadrian replied, he'd almost slipped up and called them Death Eaters, yikes. Contrary to popular belief they hated the name, the media had daubed them as such, and their original name and goals had perished with it. They had called themselves knights, and he would bet his fortune Tom saw himself as the Merlin of the group. "The looks have deteriorated over the years, just like the Parkinson's, its hard to believe they're related. Admittedly there is some resemblance though, which continues to highlight through the generations."
Tom nodded, now that made sense, but Avery was never going to be one of his, not after his stunt that had almost cost him Hadrian. He wasn't a forgiving person, neither was Hadrian, he wouldn't be surprised if he hunted Avery down and killed him after school finished. Thankfully they weren't the only branch of the Avery line, Aiden had a cousin who could take over as the male heir should anything happen to Aiden.
'Do not let the father talk,' Death warned Hadrian, he had been called here due to the impending death of the three Riddle's, the first indication that things weren't going as Hadrian thought they were. He was proud of the process both boys were making, there was hope for the magical world after all. Although Hadrian was one determined young man, always had been, he had no doubt he would and could go to great lengths to accomplish what he desired most.
'Why?' Hadrian enquired, barely wincing now used to the feeling of Death coming to him when he least expected it - or when he did too. He had a good idea why he was being told what he was, but he did like confirmation.
'You already suspect' Death revealed. 'Senior will say a lot of unsavoury things, especially about Merope and it will result in Tom getting furious,' not that it took much, Tom didn't have very much control over his anger oddly enough Hadrian was able to sooth some of that anger, not that it would be realized tonight. Knowing that time was of the essence he left once more so not to distract Hadrian from the task at hand.
"Don't let him talk, cast the spell as soon as he walks through the door, trust me," Hadrian said abruptly, warning him not a moment to soon, as loud joyful laughter was heard in the distance. If Tom did let his father speak he would lose his temper and kill the old man himself. It was said Tom looked a lot like his father and wondered what he looked like…and if he prevented Tom from creating Horcruxes he could end up looking like him in future. So he was curious, in a macabre way it seemed. If he truly had been fifteen years old he would never have stood for this, stood beside Tom with his plans being what they were, but a lot had changed since he was in his fourth year at Hogwarts. Tom was now fifteen as well, since his birthday had technically passed now. He had bought Tom a protection amulet, imbued it with as many spells as he could think of, and the majority of them were from the future so it added to the safety measures, the amulet unsurprisingly was the Slytherin coat of arms. Tom was proud to be a Slytherin as well as be IN Slytherin it was no contest really.
Tom frowned but inevitably nodded curtly, sitting up straighter, his wand noticeably absent - he didn't need it after all, especially not to cast the imperious curse, which he had been casting since he was a young child. Getting people to do whatever he pleased, for however short a time he had the curse placed on them. Anticipation thrummed through him, soon he would get his revenge on the muggle who had given him his name, who had abandoned his mother, and more importantly abandoned him.
Hadrian turned himself so he was facing the door, his face impassive but his eyes gleamed with curiosity. He had to purse his lips listening to the drunken singing 'For Auld Lang Syne' it was the one time nearly the entire world was in sync, a tradition, nearly everywhere sang that song on this night, even the pureblood's surprisingly. He did wonder if they realized they were singing songs that were written by a muggle. Well technically it's a poem that had become a song. His amusement didn't last long, as thoughts began to plague him, did he ever wonder about the son he'd abandoned? Why had he never remarried? Had what Merope done caused that much psychological damage to the man? Had he even told his parents about his son?
Tom stood up, his eyes glacial as he stared at the door, his anger beginning to get the better of him. The urge just to kill him was so strong, when he first began looking for his father he had stupidly hoped perhaps he had no idea he existed, or just didn't know where to find him…anything was better than the orphanage. Hadrian's hand on his shoulder, looking at him in understanding caused some of the anger to diminish so he was able to control himself as precarious as it was.
"I'm surprised they socialise with anyone in the village, they're as snobby as hell, believed they were better than them, just because they have money." Hadrian admitted, they called the Gaunts white trash actually, and it was a good job their property wasn't in little Hangleton otherwise he was sure they would have had them completely homeless instead of living in a derelict shack.
"And you want me to look at them?" Tom pointed out imperiously.
"Oh believe me, you'll get along just fine," Hadrian said sardonically, "Or wait until they die and claim the estate, nobody can say you aren't his son." he looked like him, too much like him for their to be any contest. That and he was on the birth certificate, no there definitely wouldn't be a contest. They would just need to keep an eye on the old couple.
Tom finally understood what Hadrian meant by that statement as the door finally opened, the drunken Muggle groggily making his way into his room, not even realizing there were two people in it and a chair (or throne Hadrian would insist) that shouldn't be there. His jet black hair, with a few smattering of grey if you looked hard enough, was smoothed into place. His eyes were identical, light skinned, tall it was like looking in a mirror.
Those black eyes squinted suddenly, "You…" he slurred in shock, before they glazed over, a sure sign that the curse was now in affect. He straightened up as if the alcohol was no longer affecting him, and it wasn't. Tom Riddle Senior no longer had control over his body or actions. He turned around and began to make his way back down the stairs, leaving Hadrian to realize that Tom had wordlessly given his father orders, something that was increasingly difficult to do, not that he was surprised.
"Let's go," Tom said coolly, he wasn't going to return to Hogwarts and wonder if it had worked. No his father would pay, and he wanted to see his revenge played out. With that Tom disappeared under a disillusion spell, but Hadrian had no trouble keeping up, he could see the indentations in the carpet from where Tom was moving, quickly shuffling under his cloak he followed his footsteps. Which went down the stairs and outside the manor, the father was steps ahead of them, a shotgun in hand.
Ten minutes the three of them walked in silence, and in a single file too. The Gaunt shack loomed closer each move they made, the snakes were pinned up everywhere, the gate, the fence and the house. It made Hadrian grimace in disgust, killing snakes was just wrong on so many levels, especially considering they could understand them. The Gaunt's should revere them, not use them as decorations. The Taipan snake he had was in the dorm, he had warned him against moving especially tonight, since they were all going to be blind drunk, it was best to stay out of the way. He hadn't even considered killing it despite the fact it was one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.
Hadrian remained outside, as did Tom as the father entered the shack, which wasn't hard everything was rotten, all that was heard was "What are you doing here you disgusting filthy Mugg-" then the shotgun was fired, then the thump of a body hitting the floor, Hadrian idly wondered if it had been a kill shot if that was the case…what would they do with Tom Riddle Senior? Then green light encompassed the house, and another muted thud alerted them to their plan working…perhaps a bit too well.
Straining to hear, Hadrian moved forward a little, there was nothing not even pained groaning to indicate that Morfin Gaunt was still alive. He didn't want to summon Morfin's wand, he didn't want to disturb the scene of the crime. The Auror's in this time investigating a wizarding death might be a bit better at it than the Auror's from his time. "Invenio!" murmured Hadrian, and the spell came back empty, despite the fact he knew two people was inside, they must be dead. "They're dead." he informed Tom, and he relaxed, obviously very glad that they were both dead and had paid for their sins against his mother and him. There was something else there, he wasn't quite sure what it was but Hadrian knew he'd figure it out.
Tom moved towards the door, his sharp gaze looking around at the dwellings, this was Salazar Slytherin's heirs, living in squalor because they couldn't manage their money. He would bring the name back to what it was meant to be, he would be the heir, the lord of the Slytherin line. He wouldn't have the money if it hadn't been for Hadrian, he would never have thought to use the Basilisk skin and venom to make money, Gringotts did get a percentage of it, but they were the one selling it for him. Considering basilisk shed every year, he calculated in regards to fortune he would have by the time he left Hogwarts, he deduced he would be at least in the top ten.
He gazed at the bodies, one bloody and the other looking untouched, he felt nothing but cold satisfaction.
"Come on, we better get back to Hogwarts," Hadrian said quietly after watching Tom staring at the bodies for what felt like hours presumably since his feet were pointed in the direction of the house. "The longer we're out the more chance we have of being caught."
"We'll be fine, nobody will be stupid enough to refute our statements," Tom assured him.
"Fine I'm tired and cold, I want to head back," Hadrian stated, and staring at dead bodies wasn't exactly his idea of a good time. This was Tom's revenge, the people he wanted to get revenge on weren't twinkles in anyone's eyes right now, even when they were, they weren't going to be the same people he knew. His chance of revenge was gone, but at least Tom had gotten his at least, and hopefully without rousing Dumbledore's suspicion. "Plus magic was just done in front of a Muggle, the authorities will be here soon I think." they always knew when magic was performed in front of Muggles - although how long it took was anyone's guess.
"How exactly do you suggest we get back? You said it yourself, the shop only activates the wards when someone tries to get in not out." Tom enquired, they couldn't walk in the front doors they were closed up, probably due to the fact they knew people would be drinking.
"We'll be Apparating straight back to the tunnel itself, not the shop nor Hogwarts, there's a small area where the wards don't have covered." Hadrian revealed.
"Why didn't you Apparate from there?" Tom asked momentarily puzzled.
"Because it's difficult, its right at the bottom of the steps. We'll need to be crouched down, which you know makes it difficult and the landing a bitch. I would have done it if there was no alternative." Hadrian admitted, "It seems we don't have one now, I'm not waiting around for the fireworks…so to speak." he added remembering the earlier fireworks. He still thought they were insane letting fireworks off during war, might as well light up a neon sign telling the enemy where they all were.
"Then do it," Tom demanded.
Hadrian moved towards where Tom was, feeling around for the invisible wizard, it didn't take long at all. Grasping a hold of his arm, he breathed softly, he hoped to hell this worked, the landing was going to impossible. Closing his eyes he envisioned where he wanted to go clearly, remembering exactly where the hole in the wards was he coaxed his magic over them both before Apparating, there was no way they'd get away with staying out of Hogwarts all night, not without being caught and even Professor Slughorn wouldn't cover or be lenient with such a blatant show of disrespect towards school rules.
The next thing that went through both young wizards was pain, from their heads smashing into the passageway ceiling, they both crumpled to their knees, clutching at their foreheads as agony thrummed painfully through them. Regardless of that pain each of them flexed their limbs, feet, legs, fingers, arms and torso, they had Apparated fully in tact, now that was something they wouldn't be able to explain considering neither of them were legally allowed to Apparate anywhere ever.
"Are you alright?" Hadrian rasped painfully, removing his cloak for the moment, relaxing a little as the pain slowly, very slowly began to diminish.
"Fine," Tom replied, his tone slightly off giving away his lie, he certainly never would be attempting such a stunt again.
"Right," Hadrian said, doubt coating his voice as he slumped down on the very bottom step letting the pain slowly fade. It was more a jarring shock and a knock to the head than anything else really. "You never took the ring." he realized quite shocked, Tom liked to take trophies.
"Ring?" Tom queried, able to see Hadrian but he couldn't see him.
"The Gaunt ring, the last of the heirlooms besides Slytherin's locket." Hadrian explained, technically it belonged to him really. They were his items, they would all be in his possession one day. The day he fought Grindelwald and reclaimed his wand for himself was the day the hallows would be reunited with their master once more. Tom had worn it as a trophy before deciding it would be his Horcrux, for some reason Tom had never realized what it was. Then again even if he had Tom probably wouldn't have cared, why would he? The only contact he wanted with the dead was the Inferi at least that version of him. He didn't consider them the same person, despite the fact they were really, just different versions.
"Does it actually belong to Slytherin?" Tom demanded. Hadrian remembering the ring at this moment made him wonder if the ring meant more to Hadrian than he let on, perhaps it said more about Hadrian than him when all was said and done. He would ask him later, catch him off guard. Even as he thought this, he knew it wouldn't happen, there was no way to catch him truly off guard, he was careful, just like him.
"Not Salazar no, but it has been in the Slytherin line a long time," Hadrian commented, rubbing his temple, Voldemort was a version he hoped to never see in Tom. Oddly enough the name Voldemort had never been brought up, had his conversation with him been enough to eradicate the thought of changing his name? None of which he had said had been untrue, the person was responsible for what they make of their name. Although it could be his decision to go through Gringotts and get his name changed legally. As well as he knew Tom he didn't know his every single thought. He certainly hadn't seen this, them together, when he first caught Tom's eye during his first day here in this time. Especially given the fact he had particularly be dismissed by Tom as something inconsequential and unimportant. Tom had probably learned never to read a book by its cover, for it was very deceptive - he had changed his tune pretty quickly.
"Are you alright?" Tom asked, his voice slightly concerned, he was awfully quiet and he had already recovered, sure his head was still throbbing occasionally but it was easily dismissible, and Hadrian had a high pain tolerance.
"Yeah," Hadrian murmured bringing himself out of his thoughts, "Let's head back." he added, standing up shakily at first, but soon regained his bearings. He shouldn't be going back to the dorm to sleep, he'd bashed his head, admittedly it wouldn't be the first time it had happened, although it was the first for it being his own fault.
"Lets," Tom replied, not bothering to unveil himself, he would just need to reapply it in five minutes once they reached the other end of the secret passageway. Since he wasn't using his wand it was taking quite a bit out of him. It never used to, but he'd never had to do coursework and his Wandless magic. He knew the more he continued the better he would get at it. It didn't take a genius to figure it out, he had been able to do small things to begin with and now he was capable of things the magical world said wasn't possible. Like being able to perform the unforgivable curses without a wand, both he and Hadrian could against all odds. Both of them were going to be powerful, Dumbledore would truly rue the day he messed with both of them. Especially considering he had the upper hand through Hadrian, the knowledge of what was to come.
The world wouldn't know what hit it, between the pair of them they were going to change the magical world - and for the better. Tom Riddle's version of better at any rate whether that was a good thing or not only time would tell.
Hadrian would have given anything for the Marauders map right now, he thought as they approached the statue concealed entrance. He put his cloak over him once more before they climbed out once ensuring the coast was clear. The teachers wouldn't be out making rounds at this time of night, it was probably fast approaching four am, but he wasn't taking a chance. They might still be out and about making sure all the students were where they were supposed to be and safe, they weren't stupid enough to believe that there was no drinking going on especially by the seventh year students.
The map, he had three more years of Hogwarts still to go, he wondered if he could actually make a map, Sirius and Remus had given him a rundown of what they'd done to it when he had asked, before their deaths obviously. It hadn't been a step by step instructions, just more of a boasting about what they'd done as teenagers during the Christmas at Grimmauld Place. If his father, godfather and Remus could make it as teenagers surely he could too? He had more experience than they had when they made it.
Grunting in shock when he was grabbed around the middle, he forced himself to keep silent, and realized moments later why. When he'd been deep in thought he'd completely forgotten about the stairs. Tom had just saved him from falling down an entire flight of stairs, how he'd realized that he was distracted was anyone's guess, he had a damn invisibility cloak over his head after all. "Thanks," he muttered breathlessly, "Why and how?" wondering when Tom was going to let him go, he was pressed between him and the stair post and not lightly either.
"You get really quiet when your deep in thought, that and your feet were scuffing another sign," Tom whispered, and he was glad he had caught the signs and him in time.
"Makes me wonder…what exactly is there to be curious about when it comes to me?" Hadrian said breathlessly, it was just recently that the Slytherin's, more specifically Carrow told him everyone had been curious and still were since the moment he'd Apparated into Hogsmeade.
"Everything," Tom said possessively, and he wouldn't rest until he knew every little thing, thought, fear that Hadrian carried with him. Now that the danger was over, he reluctantly moved back a little.
"How come you aren't even slightly tired? We've not had sleep for over twenty four hours now," Hadrian asked, his voice sounding amused. Then all that was heard was light footsteps, each other could hear them, but the portraits remained blessedly asleep, snoozing in their frames. Whether they actually slept or not was anyone's guess, the portraits didn't give away all their secrets after all.
"I just have more decorum than to display it," Tom said haughtily.
Hadrian laughed quietly, having to muffle it, "You've taken a Pepper-Up potion haven't you?" he guessed still chortling.
"Perhaps," Tom replied, not actually admitting to it and curiously enough not denying it either.
"That's definitely a yes," Hadrian replied, "And it was absolutely a great idea." he was going to be asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. Thankfully they wouldn't need to get up early, they still had a few days holiday before being forced to return to classes again. He wasn't looking forward to the tediously numb classes, although he had to admit he did enjoy a fair few, and those were all ones he had not taken or could not take in the past, his past.
Tom merely chuckled at him as they effortlessly got back on the ground floor and headed straight for the common room. They didn't see a single ghost, House-elf or professor the entire way, the school was in darkness and silence. Barely whispering the password, they stepped inside, grimacing at the smell wafting towards them, the smell of sick, there were bottles strewn all over the floor, the smell of alcohol made it a safe bet that there was also spills all over the place.
Hadrian removed his cloak and flicked out his wand and cast a weak "Lumos!" just so they could actually see a few feet ahead of them to get safety to the stairs. The pair of them stepped over anything that wasn't the stone floor, bottles, cups and spills. You would think they'd be safe reaching the stairs, they were wrong, they had to go on their tip toes to get up them without standing in anything and the smell? It almost made them retch up their own food. "The dorm better not be a mess," he cursed, as he finally made it outside his own dorm after stepping over a drunken idiot who had obviously NOT been able to get back to their dorm and fell asleep where they were.
Opening the door he sighed in relief when he wasn't met with more repugnant odours. "Nox," the sight of his bed was very welcoming, he'd barely taken a few feet towards it when he was prevented by Tom's hand around his wrist, urging him towards his bed. Rolling his eyes, he just shrugged and toed off his shoes and shoved his invisibility cloak and his every day cloak under the bed, then took his trousers and socks off before sliding under the warm covers, as predicted the lack of sleep caught up on him as soon as his head hit the pillow, the last thing he felt was Tom's arms wrapping around him and pulling him close before he was out for the count.