Hadrian flicked his wand, removing the weeds and various other plants that had wound around some sort of stone statue? A small smile made its way onto his face, as his fingers trailed down it; it was the Peverell coat of arms with a lion standing proudly its mouth open just a little on top of the coat of arms shield. There was another one at the other side of the gates, dirty, mouldy and filled with all sorts of weeds and vines that had wrapped around it over time. He had just spent an hour cleaning up the water fountain, which had a proud place in the very middle of the grounds, when he'd poured water into it he'd been very surprised to see it suddenly switching on, until he noticed the small runes at the base of the fountain.
"Scourgify," and just like that the statue that had been completely disgusting, with caked on bird droppings, mould and all manner of things looked brand new. Crouching down at the base, his fingers ran over the date, it must have been when the manor was built; it didn't surprise him that it was as old as the date suggested. Although there had been definite upgrades over the years, until the manor was abandoned completely. "There," he muttered to himself in satisfaction.
Moving over to the other statue, which he knew was probably an exact replica of the one he'd just cleaned, "Scourgify," and it was indeed the same, to the very date inscribed at the bottom. The wards on the property were very strong, but that might be something to do with the fact he was one to harness them as Peverell blood, Tom too actually, they were 'Lord's' of the manor so to speak and could evict people, tighten the wards so it was completely inaccessible anything they wanted.
Hearing hooting he glanced up observing an owl swooping down, first to the gate posts then to the Peverell shield. It hadn't been the first owl this morning, nor would it be the last. He had spent last night perusing the owl order catalogue and getting absolutely everything he'd need to get the manor up and running as soon as possible. It had put a little dent in his vaults, but he wanted to make it a home so he didn't mind. In fact the funds would be replaced quite soon, Ironclaw was very good at his job.
"Thank you," Hadrian said, smiling softly at it, stroking its feathers before removing the package that had obviously been shrunk and made lightweight for the journey. He slid it into his pocket without looking at it, he would find out what it was soon enough. He often thought about getting another owl, but it felt wrong, he wanted Hedwig, and unfortunately he had no idea if she was even alive…or if she would ever be alive things had changed after all. "Go get something to eat before you go back." he had no idea if the owl understood, Hedwig always had but he had always felt she'd been smarter than the usual owl. It flew away regardless, and his attention turned away from it as he gazed critically around the manor grounds, most of the front had been done.
Ambling away from the front gates he'd just done, he found himself drawn to the trees, which took him a good few minutes, crouching down he picked up an apple and grimaced, it was completely rotten. Flicking his wand yet again he made the fallen/rotten apples disappeared and cut the grass and repeated the process 'Evanesco' and the grass that had just been cut disappeared without trace. These would be perfect for making apple pie, which might not be his favourite but it was far from something he didn't like.
Sighing softy, he decided he'd had enough of doing the gardens for now, he would continue tomorrow, a few hours each day was enough to get it up and running. As he walked towards the manor his thoughts shifted. When they left Hogwarts, Hadrian was determined to bring the basilisk with him; he would need to make sure it had somewhere to go though, the trees at the back of the property maybe? With somewhere it could burrow down or maybe create a secret entrance into the manor where it could get warmth if it needed it. There was also the added benefit of a security that nobody would see coming and it definitely would be the last thing they ever saw if they trespassed. This place, Hadrian was adamant would be very secure, this was his home now.
He stuck his dirty hand under the fountain, a wry grin appearing on his face as the dirty water barely reached the bottom before it disappeared. The fountain must have a rune on it to keep the water clean and cold, if he looked hard enough he knew he'd find it. Looking up at the manor, awed by its beauty, it truly looked like a smaller version of a castle, turrets and all, he'd already been up and had a good look around the entire manor grounds from high up and despite its general untidiness due to unused state it was a beautiful place. He was so lucky to be here, he thanked his unconscious thoughts, for it had been that which led him here, that and death himself as well as his…inherited power. He had a home, a life, one that didn't consist of running constantly and starving.
Wiping his hand down his old clothes, which he had elected to wear today having intended to do some gardening. They were much more comfortable and Hadrian honestly preferred being comfortable over being impeccably dressed and feeling like a stuffed turkey. There were times where he would have to be dressed that way and that was fine, in the comfort of his own home (he loved the sound of that) he would wear what he liked. The doors of the manor were wide open, as were the windows actually, the place needed a thoroughly good airing.
Non-verbally cleaning his boots, he stepped inside, the place was bare, when the goblins had said they were clearing it out they had meant it all that had been left was the beds. Although he did have the boxes shrunken down in his pocket, amongst the things he'd bought, more still to come. He wasn't sure what he would be keeping and what he would be returning to the vault, or perhaps putting into storage. Removing his cloak he latched it onto the door to the living room and rummaged in his pockets to find the boxes, finding the one stamped with the Gringotts emblem he unshrunk it once it was on the floor. Only to find that they had been divided into sections, living room, kitchen, master bedroom, master bathroom, master closet, and so on and so forth.
Plucking the box marked living room he placed it on the floor and with a few swift flicks it was back to its normal size. Curiously he began to investigate the items inside, two large inscribed silver candlesticks, were the first things removed. He absently wondered if those inscribed were the last ones here. With no electricity those candlesticks would probably come in handy at night. Well other than the oil lamps that were spread across the manor in every room. They must have been a wedding gift of some sort, he thought as he put them on the mantelpiece. One at each side, the rest of the contents in the box was quickly divided into three piles, ones he definitely wanted, and a maybe pile and of course the ones he didn't want.
The ones he wanted were magically put into a position he wanted for it, the old fashioned red couch was definitely getting put away, he had leather ones ordered, ones that would go with the marble flooring that was in the living room. Appearances meant everything, especially to the old pureblood families, technically he was one now, so he had an image to keep, at Tom's insisting of course, Hadrian had no doubt that he'd be bloody throwing parties, making connections before he left Hogwarts. The thought of Tom buying his own place or building a property on the Gaunt land and leaving filled him with dread, he'd gotten so used to him being around all the time that the prospect of being alone was daunting, he was still independent make no mistake of that, but he just didn't want to be alone anymore. He'd had his fill of being alone for so many years.
If only Hadrian knew that Tom felt exactly the same way.
Hadrian frowned when he felt the wards give a little, it was a curious sensation, he was pretty sure he had felt it earlier too. The pinging got a little more intense, it faded the second Tom wandered through, pausing when he saw the living room for the first time fully decorated looking very surprised. So that sensation was someone Apparating into the property? The pinging was to alert him where they were, that was interesting.
"Wow, you did all this in three hours?" Tom said, idly wondering where on earth Hadrian had learned cleaning charms. He noticed outside had been done as well, the fountain was quite spectacular.
"Can you imagine how much I could have gotten done if you'd been here to help?" Hadrian teased him, lips twitching into an amused smile. Tom had practically run out of the manor insisting he had important business to attend to as if the grim reaper was on his tail.
"Neither of us should be doing House-elves work," Tom said, his nose in the air the very thought causing consternation.
Hadrian snorted, "A few years ago you didn't know they existed," he pointed out, "But this is your home now, don't you want to feel the satisfaction that comes with knowing its how you like it?"
"A house-elf could accomplish that," Tom said airily. His heart twisted a little, was this his home? Did that mean that Hadrian would accept his intention? He had said nothing about it since, and avoided it if he even subtly brought it up. He wasn't used to waiting for things he wanted, but he knew he couldn't force the issue.
Hadrian sniggered while he shook his head, "Did you remember to go to the Leaky Cauldron and set us up for a fortnight of meals? There's nothing in the kitchen just like I thought, although I've not been through the box yet even if I did there's hardly going to be any edible food…this place hasn't been used in a very long time. The last lord to use this was a Peverell…at least I'm assuming so since there is nothing but Peverell coat of arms imbedded in what I think is wedding gifts,"
"Yes," Tom replied, he'd wondered why they didn't just actually sit at the Leaky Cauldron and eat, due to the fact it looked as though they might be eating on the floor until they had the house furnished, seemed like stupid thought now. Hadrian was nothing if not determined.
"Good, I'm starving," Hadrian said and they could eat them out of their containers too, until the plates came. "There's a vegetable garden at the back of the manor, I'm not sure there's anything salvageable about it, but if not I'll put new seeds in, and before you complain about it being house-elves work…all purebloods have vegetable gardens, getting tended to here and abroad, and it's all used. They're usually quite smug about getting to tell everyone that the fruit they've got comes from their orchards in France, Spain or Italy I don't know how many times I had to withhold it's a bloody piece of fruit it all tastes the same from the smug buggers." he informed Tom as he sat down on the cream leather couch, almost identical to the ones in Slytherin common room in fact just a little more modern.
"You're enjoying this," Tom said unable to comprehend it, removing the food boxes, something he'd gotten used to during the last summer holidays while they were at both the orphanage and Leaky Cauldron. He handed Hadrian his, still looking at him as if he could somehow understand him if he looked hard enough.
"I've never had a place that was mine," Hadrian explained solemnly, "Never had a home, now I have somewhere safe, a place where I can do whatever I like without suspicion or anyone judging me. I know it sounds pathetic but…" he shrugged unable to properly articulate just how much he was coming to love Peverell manor and he'd only slept in it one single night. Tom wasn't one for emotion, so he probably did think he was pathetic, opening the box he picked up the sandwich and began to eat, he'd been up early, had no breakfast so he was utterly famished.
"No, no it's not pathetic," Tom answered, a faraway look on his face, he understood all too well but he'd never actually say it out loud. Or maybe, just maybe, he could bring himself to tell it to Hadrian, he understood…while everyone else he surrounded himself definitely wouldn't be able to fathom the utter relief of having a home. Somewhere he could go to without fear of being blown up. "Everyone needs a home, something that is theirs irrevocably," even he did, went without saying. He was very grateful to be here, grateful that Hadrian had come into his life. To think he had dismissed him so easily and casually when they first met…it was Hadrian who opened his eyes to never judging someone, just like one mustn't judge a book by its cover.
"Did you get what you wanted done?" Hadrian asked, changing the subject.
"Yes, spent half an hour down in Knockturn Alley looking for a few books, then went to Gringotts to deposit the Basilisk venom and shed skin, and did as you suggested on the investments. I think Ironclaw is beginning to suspect something, he certainly had a look on his face that spoke volumes." Tom replied, not sure what to make of it, he didn't want Hadrian endangered and information was a very dangerous thing to have. Especially when it was used against you.
"Yep, I know the look," Hadrian laughed just a little before he took a bite out of his cheese and ham sandwiches. "It's more calculating than anything, he probably won't ask too many questions especially the money he's making."
Sudden pecking on the window had them both glancing up, Tom raised his hand in a gesture for Hadrian to stay and finish his lunch, and he hadn't even started yet. Swiftly standing, Tom quickly undid the parcel around the owls leg, before turning its back on it, the owl hooted imperiously causing Hadrian's lips to twitch before it took off after ruffling its feathers. Seating himself again, he placed the small parcel in the middle seat next to them before he joined Hadrian in having lunch. An odd feeling of contentment growing within him, now he knew how it felt to be satisfied contentment when things went his way, but this wasn't the same feeling of contentment, for he hadn't felt it before. Was it Hadrian? The knowledge he truly never had to return to the orphanage? That he would always have a home? The fact he had money now? It dawned on him that it could be all those feelings wrapped into one.
Hadrian plucked the package and Wandlessly unshrunk it, finding it was things for the bedroom, it could be left for later. He put it on the table with a shrug, at least they would be able to sleep in a made bed tonight, instead of both of them using the throw Tom had got him for Christmas. He hadn't even considered him and Tom sleeping in a different room let alone different beds. Tom kept the nightmares he sometimes experienced at bay, and honestly? He loved how possessive Tom could be, when he was showing it of course not just glaring at everyone in warning if he felt they were being 'too friendly' as it were.
Standing up the food container still in hand, Harry levitated the two boxes and made his way through the dining room and into the kitchen which was hidden by a concealed door. The large tapestry that went along the entire length of the wall, hid it, and it did depicted a beautiful sight, otherwise he would have been tempted to rip it down. Carefully though, he knew these things were hand-woven, by either the House-elves or someone paid to do it, either way hundreds of hours had probably gone into that thing, and to see it discarded would have been a shame. The kitchen was absolutely massive; he'd never seen one such a size before, this was bigger than even a chef's dream kitchen, one they could conceive at least.
Flicking his hand, the boxes settled themselves on the island counter top in the middle of the room. Making his way around curiously, he opened all the doors, to see what was behind them. The first one was obviously where the laundry was washed and dried, judging by the big laundry basket that sat in the corner, there was one in the bedrooms that was obviously charmed to bring the clothes here to be dealt with. Closing the door he opened another, by the faded labels it was for spices, herbs and vegetables, there was only one other, it was at the other side of the room. When he opened it he couldn't help but grimace, flashing back (or was it forward in his case) to Kreacher's den, the House-elves had slept on shelves for Merlin's sake, they were small but that was just ridiculous.
Slamming the door closed, if and when that bloody elf got here, it wouldn't be staying in there, not unless he used a few spells first to make it roomier for it. He knew how it felt to sleep in a damn cupboard, how it felt to cook clean and be discarded like a piece of trash.
Tom watched Hadrian move around, opening boxes and investigating one of them from where he stood at the entrance of the kitchen. He had done everything the Orphanage had expected of him, but he hadn't realized he was so proficient at cleaning and setting up house. Watching him move, you would think this wasn't his first time setting up house, but Tom knew it was. The small smile on his face made Tom want to smile as well, and that truly was well out of character for him. Wandering over, he took the strainer out of Hadrian's hands and said, "We have three months before we return to Hogwarts, there is no need to exhaust yourself." Tom said, stroking his face, smug in the fact that this beautiful creature was his. Or at least he seemed to want to be, but had not yet answered him.
Hadrian leaned into the touch, "I'd rather get it over with, that and the homework, we've got tons of it to get through, I don't want to spend the entire summer getting this place set up or doing homework."
"I asked you a question before, and your response was that you didn't want me to be just known as your consort, I have my own lordship now, and do you wish to bond with me?" Tom asked his tone like last time completely inscrutable. Now he would know for sure, whether it had just been the most persuasive reason not to bond, or whether it had been a genuine concerned but he had desired to bond with him. He could feel Hadrian tensing from where his hand still absently stroked his jaw and chin. A sinking feeling grew in the pit of his stomach, he had a feeling he knew the answer. His hand dropped to his side, as dark eyes continued to bore into green.
"Oh, Tom," Hadrian said, green eyes flashing with indecision. "I want more than anything to say yes, for you to be mine in every way, just as I would be yours."
"Then say yes!" Tom said vehemently, grasping Hadrian's arms as if he was somehow afraid that he would leave.
"I can't…" Hadrian said, his voice pained.
"Why?!" Tom asked his tone losing none of its determination.
"Because you don't know everything!" Hadrian cried out angrily, but like a balloon the anger disappeared with a pop replaced by exhaustion as he admitted, "I fear if you knew everything that you wouldn't want to be with me, and don't say I can't know that, I know you better than you know yourself sometimes." why the hell would Tom want to remain with someone when he had killed him in the future? He would never trust him again but he couldn't say yes and have Tom finding out sometime and him leaving or worse wanting him dead. He couldn't die, and he never wanted to have to defend himself from Tom…he knew in his heart he wouldn't be able to survive…to continue on living if Tom wanted him dead or actually did the deed…he wouldn't want to come back.
"Then tell me, show me! Let me decide instead of you deciding that for us both!" Tom replied coolly, his emotions once again under control. "You have no right to determine it for us,"
Hadrian stared at the determined figure Tom made, "Alright," he said making a decision, a decision he knew he would regret somehow. "Tomorrow I'll go to Gringotts and get the pensive and show you everything, and then you can decide once and for all whether you want to stay with me."
"Why not today?" Tom demanded, it was only just after lunch - it wasn't as if Gringotts closed.
"Because I want you for myself tonight," Hadrian said pressing his forehead against Tom's, he wanted to remember today and tonight if it was the last time he would ever spend with him. His hands wrapping around Tom's neck, gripping his hair, but not tightly.
Tom stared at Hadrian, wondering what on earth he was going to be shown that had him convinced that he would leave. He didn't think there was anything Hadrian could throw at him that would convince him that they weren't meant to be together - that he couldn't accomplish what he desperately wanted with both of them together. Had he not already proven that he cared? He wanted Hadrian with him every step of the way, and he knew Hadrian would fit in easily enough. "Alright," he said in agreement, the words were barely out of his mouth when Hadrian's lips firmly attached to his own, in a desperate kiss, filled with fire…as if this was the last chance he'd get.
Unbeknown to the oblivious pair locked in a passionate embrace…they wouldn't even get tonight, for Hadrian was going to happen upon a particular book that would see it unravelling this very night.