Hogwarts had become a grand and wonderful spectacle yet again, but this time it was for the newly graduated students of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The quidditch pitch was gone and in place stood a podium and hundreds of chairs for students and parents to see their children gain their graduation certificate. Only wizards and witches of course, could come to see their children graduated, those with Non-magical parents were having to graduate without their families behind them cheering them on. Fortunately, most had friends who were sitting in place of them, so that they did not feel alone.
There was a massive table filled with an assortment of finger foods and drinks – non-alcoholic – for the parents and students to eat while they waited. As for those who were graduating, there was another row of chairs behind the podium for the students to receive their certificate from their Headmaster Armando Dippet.
"Are you all ready, ladies and gentlemen?" Slughorn asked his students, positively bursting with fatherly pride as he stared at them all. Remembering them as young eleven-year-olds who had entered Hogwarts for the first time – with the exception of Hadrian of course, who had joined a little later – he'd known some were destined for greatness, but they had all surpassed all he had thought of them.
"Yes, Sir!" came the chorus of voices, whether they were Slytherin or not, they responded to Slughorn who might play favourites but didn't actually outright antagonise all students in his bid for searching out those he believed would do wonders for the magical world.
"Good! Good!" Slughorn said, still beaming in pride, as he absently nodded. "Come along! Take a seat! We're about to start now!" they had their robes with their house crest and hats on, the hats they hadn't worn since their first ride to Hogwarts ironically enough, it was fitting that they'd end their Hogwarts education wearing them.
'We did it,' Hadrian thought, as he claimed his seat, his husband as always close by and sitting next to him. The rest of the Slytherin's surrounding them. He'd actually graduated from Hogwarts, something he hadn't been able to do the last time.
'We did' was all Tom replied, well aware that Hadrian despite his good grades hadn't actually graduated in his past life. In fact, he had been surprised to know that they actually did graduation ceremonies, since he'd never attended one, which left Hadrian wondering whether Dumbledore had put a stop to it…or if he'd just been that ignorant and didn't know about it. Although, surely, if it existed Ron would have attended his brothers graduations? He was dragged out of his errant thoughts by a mental nudge, in time to hear the tail end of Dippet's speech.
"…one by one as I call your name you will come up and receive your graduation papers, well done students, I am proud of you all." Dippet said proudly, glancing particularly at the group of Slytherin's set to graduate today, it had been one hell of a year for them and they were all here, ready to graduate. Thank goodness for small mercies, the thought of any of those lives snuffed out made him shudder. "As for right now, please help me in welcoming the class Valedictorian Tom Peverell-Slytherin!"
Tom smoothly stood up, as everyone cheered, from the back dozens upon dozens of lights heralded the press being here. The group of Slytherins were quite often in the newspapers, the press hounding them when they could, in order to give the public more of what they wanted.
"Good afternoon, friends, families, professors," Tom said with smoothness that came with knowing exactly what he wanted to say. "I am proud and honoured that I was given the honour of being class Valedictorian this year, and since then I've been pondering on the best way to express my admiration." Utterly charming and captivating them.
"In the past seven years I have pushed the boundaries of what I expected of myself and in turn made the world a better place. I feel as though my friends and I – as well as my husband – have been given a second chance and none of us intend to waste it. So, I urge each and every one of you not to waste it either, live, thrive, reach for your dreams and goals and do not ever give up. It might take a while to get there…but all good things come to those who are patient enough to wait!"
"So I say this, only you have the ability to decide what you do with your lives. The one with the strength to become what you want to be. Make change, save lives, and just live your life to the fullest if not for yourself but your friends, family and those who are not here to do the same. Thank you and congratulations graduates we did it!" He finished giving a nod to indicate as such so that the applause would begin.
Tom returned to his seat, and immediately tangled his fingers in Hadrian's, kissing him on the hand.
Hadrian grinned wryly, green eyes sparkling in amusement, as always Tom was very conscientious of his public figure. Meticulous to the last, especially if there was anyone around, that and his possessiveness rearing its head allowing two birds one stone sort of deal.
"Are you packed yet?" Aiden asked, but unfortunately, his name was called at that very moment, to gather his certificate.
"First up was Aiden Avery!"
Aiden sighed but got up, a pleasant smile appearing on his face, none of his irritation showing, stepping in front of Headmaster Dippet he shook hands and accepted his certificate and smiled at his parents and his sister, who were all cheering on him, her betrothed Bartemius Crouch was there. Harry's warning had Aiden watching him closely at all times. "Thank you!" was all Aiden said in lieu of a speech. Not that they were expected to give one of course.
Aiden then walked over to the post-certificate seats, so he couldn't return to his conversation with Hadrian and Tom. This past few months – nearly half a year – had been hectic to say the least, they'd done nothing but study for their exams, except for the times they took off to celebrate their Celtic holidays but that was only a single night and there weren't enough of them to unwind properly.
It was worth it though, six months of intense studying, they'd passed all their classes with 'O's and a few 'EE's' Tom and Hadrian unsurprisingly had the highest grades Hogwarts had seen – better than Albus Dumbledore's – which had made Tom extremely smug. Hadrian though didn't seem to mind one way or another, just happy that he'd graduated.
Abbott and Baird then familiar friends. Aiden didn't have long to wait before the Black's were surrounding him.
"I can't wait until this is over," Orion groaned, as he claimed a seat next to Aiden.
"I could sleep for a year," Aiden said in agreement.
"Too bad our parents won't let us," Orion said wryly, certificate clutched in his hand, leaning back with a sigh, just because he'd graduated didn't mean he was free of obligation. He was now to properly learn to be the Head of the Black family, all the while a plan for his and Walburga's wedding was in the wings, thankfully though he wasn't in charge of that, no Walburga was in charge of the majority of the decisions, as was traditional.
"Yeah," Aiden grimaced. "I've got to attend that Abbott party tonight,"
"You've got to attend the coming out parties huh?" Orion said grinning widely, grateful at least that he wouldn't be forced to endure that. as he was already betrothed and ready to marry Walburga, he didn't need to attend any coming out parties for eligible ladies looking for a suitable marriage.
"There's like a dozen this fortnight," Aiden grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "My parents are demanding I go and at least have a list of three potential candidates by the end of the month." Clapping along with everyone else who did, not truly paying attention anymore.
Orion winced, "I'm glad I don't have to go through that," he admitted, "But I suppose it's a good thing really, you're getting at least a margin of choice?" it was a surprise Aiden hadn't a contract already he was the heir of the Avery estate, his sister, while older than him, did not count. The moment she was married she'd be a Crouch not an Avery and the family wouldn't have to pay for her way. Whatever was left of her vault was all she'd ever have from the Avery estate. Unless, Aiden gave her an allowance but it wasn't normally done, for the daughters marry into quite wealthy families.
Aiden scoffed, "Choice, my ass!" he'd have never been so crass less it was with someone he considered a very good friend. "They're already 'urging' me towards girls they think are 'suitable' for the Avery name." debutant balls weren't even held yet but he was being led in certain directions, honestly did they think he was born yesterday? He didn't have to worry about being passed over as heir, not unless his father wanted to besmirch the family name and divorce his wife – who he loved – to marry another in order to have an heir with no guarantee any child of that union would be a boy. So, when he said no, he didn't need to fear being disowned.
"Are they all pureblood's?" Orion queried, applauding yet again with everyone else, but not really focused on what was going on.
"No, father's actually making sure they're not related to us, there's a few half-blood's in the mix, with 'good breeding'," Aiden said, rolling his eyes heavenwards. "I'm not looking forward to this summer at all." He admitted, sighing resignedly.
"I don't think anyone is," Orion said with an amused laugh, "Well except for Hadrian and Tom," they didn't have to answer to anyone, they were perfectly able to do as they pleased whenever they pleased.
"Lucky," Aiden grumbled, "They're going on holiday tomorrow," if only he could talk his parents into going on one…he was exhausted.
Orion nodded, everyone was already aware of it.
"Looks like Abraxas and Imogen have made it," Aiden said, gesturing towards the gates of Hogwarts where the couple were walking through. With it being a public outing no chaperone was required, back in the day it wouldn't have been accepted, but the rules weren't quite so strict these days. Especially as the plans for the wedding were in full swing, it was less than three weeks to the wedding now.
"Huh, that's unusual," Orion said, craning his neck to see them, wizengamot meetings rarely finished early, if anything they always ran on. "I wonder if he convinced them to make sure it ended as quickly as possible…"
"It's possible," Lucretia said, "He's a hero, they'll be clamouring all over the place to please him," a sardonic grin adorning her features.
Walburga sniggered, "Look at all the press, just waiting for a picture of us graduating…how slow is news these days that they need to use this?" shaking her head, her face screwed up in revulsion, she detested the press much like the rest of them, invading their privacy and whatnot, but they weren't stupid enough to let it be known.
"Hadrian warned us this would happen," Dorea commented, "That they would take a great interest in us, just to be there to see us at our lowest. He recommended just going about your life and they'd get bored and move on to fresher news soon enough."
"How would he know?" Alphard asked, "It's not as if he's been the focus of the press before…not even when he appeared, there was a small article in the paper but that was it. Nothing since, at least nothing I've noticed?"
"He did an interview, remember? About the line theft?" Orion threw over his shoulder, to Alphard.
"And he's been in the paper quite a lot to be fair, maybe seven or eight times in total?" Dorea admitted, "Follow up interview and one about being the recipient of an old estate despite not going up in the magical world. Then there's the books…and the marriage and convergence of the Peverell-Slytherin line."
"You haven't seen today's paper have you?" Diggory asked his tone grim, sitting close enough to hear them.
"What do you mean?" the Black's asked him as one.
"Um…I take that as a no, they've revealed who Tom and Hadrian adopted and that he's a werewolf, and questioning why he hadn't been given their name and what they planned to do with Fenrir. Nobody will care much, it's just Skeeter, he's pathetic." Diggory said hastily, trying to reassure them.
"Is he here?" Orion asked coldly, eyeing the press with pursed lips. He wasn't all that familiar with the Skeeter family, they obviously didn't move around in his society. So, he couldn't honestly say he knew what he looked like or what his name was. The Diggory's would know, they didn't adhere to any social structure, but that was Hufflepuff's for you.
"I don't know," Diggory admitted, his own eyes roaming over the press, trying to see…"Yup, the blonde curly hair, his daughter looks like him but she's working in the Ministry and doesn't have much to do with him. Letisha has a daughter, Rita, I don't think he's even seen her yet. It's causing all sort of noise in society," he admitted.
Alphard grimaced in distaste, "I vote that you tell him Orion," he definitely wasn't.
Orion glanced at Alphard indignantly offering him up to be the sacrificial lamb so to speak.
"Agreed!" came the rest of the Black's in sync.
Diggory laughed, but he only saw the good side of Hadrian and Tom and was unaware of the underbelly so to speak that went on underneath Hogwarts. He was distracted by his name being called, "Excuse me!" with that he moved away making his way towards his fellow Hufflepuff's.
"He's not going to like this," Dorea said, watching Diggory leave, "Do we know he's telling the truth?"
"I know someone who will," Walburga admitted, "I'll be right back," with that she took off into the audience side of the quidditch pitch, or what used to be and wasn't right now. Luckily the students were all in their groups, Gryffindors, Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuff's, not that there were lots of them, just enough. Then there was those who chose to sit with their parents, but those were only eleven-year-olds or younger. Definitely not what she was looking for, but regardless, she found Myrtle quite quickly.
"Myrtle!" Walburga called out, jerking her head to the side, crouching so as not to bring too much attention to herself from the professors.
For a Ravenclaw…she knew the social cues from Slytherins, and also knew what this was about Walburga realized. Myrtle had an angry tense set to her shoulders. "You're here about the paper aren't you?" she asked as she edged towards her. Deducing accurately what Walburga herself wanted.
"You've seen it for yourself?" Walburga asked, desiring confirmation not more rumours.
"I did," Myrtle confirmed, "I have a copy here, just in case nobody had seen it," she lived close to the Prophet station, so it was hardly surprising she'd managed to glimpse a copy before having to head to the graduation. Pulling it out of her pocket, and handing it over. "He's going to be furious."
"Considering he has all but a few shares of the paper…he's lost his job, he should have checked who his boss was." Walburga sneered, when she glimpsed the paper, "Idiot." Hadrian had allowed the paper to run as it was, but now? Now he was definitely going to step in and Skeeter was definitely going to be sued and even arrested. "He actually named names," it was illegal to put children's identities into the newspapers without permission, he truly hadn't even tried to make it subtle. Merlin, there wasn't a name in the dictionary to describe how stupid he was.
Myrtle eyes lit up and she cackled, "HA!" eyes positively gleaming with vindictiveness, "He deserves everything that comes his way, I mean regardless of his owning the paper…imagine going after him…he's one of the most powerful wizards we have." Admiration and smugness radiated from Myrtle.
"Agreed," Walburga, "Can I take this?" she asked.
"Sure," Myrtle agreed, she didn't want to read that rag again until this was righted. "I'd planned on talking to him later…" just in case he hadn't seen it and was confused by any comments that might come from those who had read it already.
"Thanks," Walburga, "I'll talk to you later," with that Walburga walked away, there was a time where she'd loathed Myrtle Warren. Not only because of her blood status but the fact she was such a dastardly coward. It was amazing just how different she'd become over the last few years. Going from being unable to look anyone in the eye to openly challenging them, Walburga would never have guessed that she was such a powerful witch under all that fear. Walburga reckoned if she was sorted again, it wouldn't hesitate to put her in Slytherin, she was already an honorary Slytherin at this point anyway, the amount of time she spent in Slytherin common room. mostly because everyone had been studying this year and Myrtle of course…wasn't graduating this year, younger than them that she was.
It took all of Walburga's training to stop herself from storming back over, but it didn't stop the dark cloud of anger and malcontent on her face. The rest of the Black's watched her approach, along with a few of their friends who had been handed their certificates already who'd joined them. All of them became tense and alert, knowing there had to be a real good reason for her sudden dour mood.
Lucretia, Dorea Myrtle and Walburga were extremely protective of Hadrian. Not due to the fact they thought he couldn't protect himself or any such nonsense. No, it was the simple fact that he cared about them, saw something in them that he had allowed to shine, saw them more than just babymakers or the mother that would have the next heir and Lord of the estate of whom they married. The fact he allowed them join in heralded the world seeing them more too.
"What's happened?" Orion asked, just short of demanding, but he was able to refrain from using that tone of voice on his wife-to-be. Not because she was his wife, but because she was a vicious little thing, and would definitely make him pay.
"Diggory was right," she said, seething, handing over the paper she'd gotten from Myrtle.
"About what?" Dolohov questioned, as he moved over, craning his neck to see what had everyone in such low spirits, certificate in hand.
Aiden informed Dolohov of what Diggory had said to them moments prior, but his attention was only half fixed on Dolohov as he read the newspaper. His mouth tightening into a pursed line as he read the article, furious over what he was reading. Aiden was a shield and more importantly a friend of Hadrian's to see this article was a great offence to him. Much had changed since he had tried to stupidly end Hadrian's life out of jealously and spite.
"Merlin, is he senseless or what?" Dolohov murmured, awed at the sheer stupidity of what the tasteless reporter had written.
"More so than you can imagine," Walburga stated, "Hadrian owns the majority of that newspaper, he's not only insulted an extremely powerful wizard but his own boss."
"He has?" Dolohov blanked, staring in stunned disbelief. He hadn't been aware of Hadrian buying the shares of the daily prophet, but why should he? He didn't know Hadrian's holdings, not unless one was discussed in front of them while he went through his files while in the common room or while at home when he visited. Mostly just discussing it with Tom actually, not with them. "I'm surprised that hasn't gotten out."
"He begun years ago," Walburga waved it off, "He mentioned it once when a questionable article came out, I can't even remember what the article was about," she admitted absently.
"He's dead," Lucretia hissed under her breath, "Unmitigated asshole," using language that would have seen her parents clip her around the ear.
"Ease up, he'll regret it, Hadrian will make sure of that," Alphard said wryly, vividly reminding the revenge he had taken on Aiden that day. Sure, Hadrian probably wouldn't go after Skeeter, yet, he'd let the heat die down first, so he wasn't suspected, but until then he would make sure Skeeter lived to regret his life choices. "It's going to be…fun to see what he comes up with," what revenge he would seek out.
Aiden winced, "I wouldn't want to be him," he freely admitted, Hadrian was absolutely as terrifying as Tom when he felt wronged. He was definitely the more laid back and sympathetic of both their Lord's, no doubt about it, but when it counted they were very vicious in protecting their own. "Forget Hadrian…Tom's going to utterly destroy him." he'd go placed Hadrian wouldn't…at least he assumed so, Hadrian was very protective of Fenrir so perhaps they would be on the same page.
"Tom's going to destroy who?" Hadrian surprised them all, causing them to jump, Aiden thoughtlessly hiding the newspaper behind his back.
"Have you read the Newspaper this morning?" Alphard asked, rolling his eyes at Aiden's actions.
Hadrian arched a brow, staring at the group as if they were the oddest thing he'd encountered in years. "No, we left much to early for the mail." He admitted, narrowing his eyes, "What's going on?"
"Myrtle had read the newspaper, as had a few others closer to the Prophet station, Diggory for example." Walburga explained, snatching the newspaper from Aiden, "Skeeter wrote an article."
Hadrian froze, a frosty look coming to his face, which confused them all, Skeeter hadn't done anything to gain Hadrian's ire had he? Yet there was a dark look on his face that spoke of a desire to end the wizards line as if it had personally offended him.
"Hadrian?" Aiden offered up, staring at him in confusion. He saw Tom reacting as well, to Hadrian's upset, up at the podium as he shook Dippet's hand and hastily made his way towards them.
Hadrian sighed, his darkness fading entirely, "Let me see it," he demanded, hand out expectantly, not reacting to Tom coming up behind him, able to sense him well enough. He always knew when his husband was near, the bond they shared was…entwining on an elemental level.
Tom did not ask to be let in on what had caused the abrupt shift in Hadrian's mood. He just remained at Hadrian's back, a silent stalwart presence and pillar. He would know soon enough just what was going on anyway. The newspaper was handed over, and Hadrian's green eyes flared in fury as he began to read the article, the others warmed around them, hiding the seething wizard from view, thankfully his magical control was impeccable. Thus, there was no magical outbursts on display.
'How I bloody loathe the Skeeter's,' Hadrian seethed to Tom, he had absolutely zero doubt that this wizard was related to Rita Skeeter. It was much to late to be a daughter, so perhaps a granddaughter or great-granddaughter. "He's going down," he was going to make sure that this disgusting weasel regretted every single word he published today. It wasn't going to be worth the effort he'd put into it that was for damn certain.
"Are you already familiar with him? Your reaction indicated as much?" Aiden asked, curious about what Skeeter had done in the past to alienate Hadrian so thoroughly.
As always, Tom was quick on the uptake, eager as always, to ensure Hadrian's safety so that nobody found out the truth. Not that the truth would ever truly be revealed lest Hadrian actually told them. Which he wouldn't do, only he would ever be given the full scope of whom Hadrian had been and what had happened. Which still made him smug and extremely satisfied to this day. Only he would ever be aware of Hadrian and his past as Harry Potter. "He's made extremely dubious articles in the past, we were displeased with them, especially considering he didn't check out the sources or dig for the truth overly much before publishing them. We'd considered firing him, but decided against doing anything without full proof of his activities. He was careful, leading us unable to do anything without him possibly suing for wrongful termination." They couldn't know Hadrian's ire was entirely to do with this Skeeter at all but one from his past who had done him wrong many times. If they checked, they would indeed find articles that were…on the dramatic side so to speak. Nothing front page, and Hadrian probably hadn't read the articles, he didn't read tirelessly through the news like he did.
"Maybe he found out what you were up to and decided to get revenge?" Alphard suggested, a thoughtful frown on his face.
"He wouldn't be stupid enough to tick of his own boss?" scoffed Orion, "Would he?" he asked dubiously.
"Perhaps we should pay the Prophet station a visit before we leave?" Tom asked Hadrian, wrapping his arms around him, clutching his middle possessively.
"Forget the damn station, I'm going to have a word with our lawyer," Hadrian stated sharply, eyeing the article in extreme distaste. "I'll have him arrested for this. What he's done is not only unethical but illegal." Go after him was all fine in his opinion…but the second he had gone after Fenrir? Well, that would be the last mistake he'd ever made. Their lawyer was a goblin, one that was just as vicious as the rest of his own kind, and Hadrian had never sought to have a wizard lawyer as was normal by wizarding standards. The likelihood of their lawyer using someone working in Gringotts to act as a go between in this case would be quite big.
"Then we shall do both," Tom declared, dark eyes showing seething protective fury, he loathed when Hadrian was pulled into his past and relieving old feelings. This Skeeter would pay, not yet, but he would pay for this with his life, and he'd keep a close eye out for this Rita Skeeter, any sign of her becoming a report he would put her down too.
"How long will this last?" Hadrian asked, unimpressed with the festivities now.
"Technically you've gotten your certificate you can leave whenever you like," Orion was the one to inform him, as they all parted from the tight circle they'd performed earlier now that Hadrian and Tom's 'masks' had gone back up, and none of the press could capture their moment of fury. Such things were always best kept from the public eye. "It is seen as rude to leave immediately though, but given the circumstances everyone here would understand." And it was true enough, the pureblood's were going to be just as incensed as they were.
It was now mere socialising one had to do now, all of them bragging about their children and the bright futures awaiting them now they were 'adults' and of course, their grades and how well they done.
"Don't let what he wrote get you down," Myrtle said, joining them. Myrtle had not been happy with Hadrian at all after they returned after Christmas for a bit. For not offering to allow her to come to France with them – which she would have loved, the whole Grindelwald thing not so much – and the fact she had been the last to find out what happened. Or what felt like the last person anyway.
"I won't," still remembering the left hook she'd given him, twice, left his arm stinging painfully from where she'd punched him twice in retaliation for worrying her despite the fact Hadrian had written to her to let her know he was still alive and well. she'd been quite contrite afterwards, but Hadrian had forgiven her, her fear and worries were genuine and Hadrian hadn't had much of that in his life. Of course, he had to talk Tom out of getting revenge, he hadn't saved her life to see it end because she pissed off Tom after all.
Myrtle snorted, very un-lady-like, giving him a knowing look, "Give him hell,"
"We will," Tom stated fiercely, he'd barely spoken to anyone, let alone Myrtle in the past near enough six months. Tom, understandably wanted to do well in his exams, in fact he wanted to get the best grades the school had seen in decades. His grades had been better than in the original timeline. He hadn't endangered himself with creating two Horcruxes, which he would have done at this point, which means he would be clear and level headed in a way Voldemort hadn't been. He considered them both different people, he would never understand his other self's actions, but he needed have to since he did not exist.
"It's going to be odd not having you here," Myrtle admitted, reflecting on what next year would be like without the core group. "Hopefully you'll write often!" the thought of not hearing from him or being in his life was disheartening, Myrtle cared so much about Hadrian, Tom and the others, mostly Hadrian who had…given her the necessary confidence and tools to become who she was. He never took the credit for it either, just insisting it was all her.
To say the remainder of the school year was…intense to say the least. Just because Hadrian was mentally older than the others, didn't mean he knew all the material for his exams, which was very different from his own time. Things here were more difficult, the classes, the expectations, and let's not forget the actual amount of classes which were double the availability than what was available in sixty/seventy years. The majority of their time you'd find them with their heads buried in books as they put as much time as they could into studying for their exams.
With all of them having different strengths and weaknesses, they had their own subjects they needed to study more for. In the end, Hadrian had posted a notice on the Slytherin board for every seventh year. A time and place for the subjects so they could study for if they felt the need, or continue studying on their own, either way Hadrian would be studying at that time and they were free to join him. Myrtle had been there for the majority of it, spending time with them when she could, understanding the need they felt for constantly studying for their exams. She too would soon be on the sudden train to studying rigorously, in order to ensure the best results possible.
"Are you kidding? I'll be coming to Hogsmeade to see you when I can," Hadrian promised, "I'll write to you too." Although to be honest, he didn't think Myrtle would have the free time much, the past two years had been hell on him and he was more quipped to handle it than Myrtle and even Tom at the end of the day. It hadn't stopped the worries he had of failing his exams as silly as those worries were, everyone was affected by them to varying degrees. No matter what age one was.
"Good!" Myrtle settled at the pronouncement, Hadrian generally kept his promises except for when there was extenuating circumstances.
"I'm so proud of every single one of you!" Melanie Black said, a wide beaming smile on her face, unable to contain her jubilance. As the wife of Lord Arcturus Black, she was in charge of the entre Black family just as he was, despite them having parents of their own, although, she was most proud of her children but she was their mother and that was understandable. She didn't realize that they were all still seething, but her jubilant demeanour had all of them shifting there's as not to be discourteous.
"Ah, Melanie, it's good to see you," Hadrian said with a twinkle in his green eyes, he felt fondness for her.
Melanie's proud grin became a feral sort of smirk, he'd remembered the promise, she hadn't expected it of him.
Arcturus who had made his way over with his wife looked indignant over the familiar way Hadrian had spoken to his wife. Who he believed they had not met yet, it was…uncouth to have done so in his opinion. He was cautious enough not to actually open his mouth and put his foot in just in case.
"You remembered!" Melanie said, before turning to her husband, "We met in Hogsmeade, it must have been over a year ago already!"
"It was just before the attack on Hadrian's person by the foreign wizards," Tom added, nodding, "Nearly two years ago now."
"Yes," Melanie nodded sombrely, "I remember cautioning them over that, I dislike when too many foreigners come here, you just never know who to trust or when an attack could be perpetrated. To think the attack was so maliciously perpetrated when you were innocent…utterly distasteful." they'd all quite forgotten that Grindelwald's sign had in fact belonged to the Peverell family, understandably so due to the fact there hadn't been a male Peverell that they'd known of for such a long time, centuries one might even suggest. Now though, things had been corrected, they were now all very much aware of it, it had been in every publishing platform for weeks raising awareness.
"Yes, I followed that particular case closely, they didn't get the sentence I was hoping for," Arcturus admitted, a small scowl gracing his features, "Regretfully some of the wizengamot took pity on them due to their age." Which personally he found insulting, they were adults, not mentally incompetent in any way, fully able to understand what they'd done when they'd perpetrated the attack. They'd been outvoted, but nevertheless they were paying for it and hadn't been let of due to their age so he supposed he should be grateful for small mercies.
"Yes, I appreciated the warning," Hadrian said simply, he did not think on those who attacked him, if he spent his time doing that…he'd never be thinking of anything else ever again. No, they were paying for their actions, and probably would for the rest of their lives…short as it would be, Tom would make sure of that. He probably should feel bad for what Tom was no doubt planning but he didn't care. So long as he didn't get caught, but Tom was smarter than that, time had proven as such, he was much too sly to get caught.
"Shall I accompany you to see Silverhook or shall I head immediately to the Daily Prophet?" Tom asked, a dark gleam in his eye, it wasn't just Skeeter that would pay, the idiot manager of the Hogsmeade office would too be fired for accepting the article for publication. He honestly didn't care if he sued, he'd make sure the wizard would live to regret it for a short while.
"Silverhook?" Arcturus asked, after inhaling sharply just hearing that name, he was one of the most ruthless goblins in Gringotts if you did not include the goblin king. Not only that but his services were extremely expensive even to a pureblood's standards. "You keep him on retainer?" surely not!
"I do," Hadrian said wryly, "He earns every single Knut he gets, him and Ironclaw both," they were running his estate and constantly trying to get the companies and buying out the shares that he desired. There were so many that they were constantly on the prowl. He knew what was going to be big or what would get bigger, he wanted both Muggle and wizarding companies so yes, he earned the money he got from his work.
"I guess that means you're leaving already?" Myrtle asked, disheartened but not all that surprised.
"I want to get it sorted before we leave for our holiday," Hadrian nodded, answering Myrtle's question, "Sorry about that guys," he added sincerely. "We can meet up after we've dealt with it, in Diagon Alley? Have a drink and a chat before we head off?" he suggested to everyone. Tom, him and Fenrir were going on holiday after all the tests and the fact they'd barely seen Fenrir had made that decision for them. they could use a break.
Skeeters action had put a dent in their plans, but it was far from disarraying them, it would be dealt with nonetheless. Then they would take their well deserved rest, and most importantly, they wouldn't need to endure a hotel, instead they'd bought a property that suited their needs well. He was thoroughly going to enjoy it, and well…Silverhook and Ironclaw could deal with it. Hadrian doubted their presence would be required, after they'd had those responsible for the articles fired. He wanted to see their faces.
"Will you have it sorted before then?" Dolohov asked.
"Course they will," Aiden said wryly, "You don't leave for a few more days right?"
"We're leaving tonight," Hadrian shook his head, correcting Aiden's belief.
Aiden groaned again, "Seriously?" sighing resignedly. "I don't suppose you'd pack me in your cases?" it would be comfortable enough until they got to wherever they were going.
"Well, the Floo is up and running, maybe, maybe you can come when you're not too terribly busy, the last weekend perhaps?" he was definitely not inviting them all, it was a holiday, they were there for themselves not others.
"Do not even think of having them all over the night before I get married," Imogen protested, giving Hadrian a faux glare. "You are returning in time aren't you?" she added, eyes widening at the thought, even though they had sent back a yes on their card. To let them know they intended to make it.
"Of course we'll be there, you're forgetting Abraxas has asked Tom to be his best man," Hadrian pointed out, so he was an important part of the wedding process. Abraxas had just only now got enough courage to ask him two nights ago, it had tickled him something rotten, he'd spent ages laughing over it. Abraxas and Corvus were probably the closest to real friends Tom had, and oldest in age of the Knights, not that they were called that. Older than Tom and still worried constantly. Too worried to ask if Tom wanted to be the best man, probably too terrified of asking someone else too and insulting him. They were less 'walking on egg shells' with him nowadays than before Hadrian had come into his life. Hadrian only knew this because the others had spoken of it.
"He did?" Imogen asked, surprised and elated, "He's been putting it off for a while…I was beginning to think…" well the worst really.
"Nothing like that," Hadrian stated firmly, "Well, I think we should go now…we'll meet up with you all for a drink in a few hours? Diagon Ally?"
They were all quick to agree that they'd be there and gave their goodbye's.
Hadrian and Tom stopped by to say goodbye to Slughorn and of course, Dippet who Hadrian had a fondness for.
Their Hogwarts career was over with, and it was time to face the world and change it for the better.
One step at a time.