Chapter Text
Sunday, November 4, 1979
When they got home, Severus still didn’t want to leave Hadrianus, so he settled the sleeping child in the crib by the bed, where he could keep an eye on him the whole time. When he turned, he caught the tail end of what was surely a judgmental look from Marvolo.
“You can’t complain about me being overprotective when he did get hurt,” Severus said defensively.
“He is fine,” Marvolo answered, stepping closer to hug him. “I’m having conflicting emotions about today.”
Severus laughed and kissed Marvolo softly. “Liar.” Marvolo scrunched his nose at him, and Severus couldn’t tell if Hadrianus had taught him that or if Marvolo had shown Hadrianus how to wrinkle his nose. Either way, Severus found it adorable. “You are as happy as a niffler in a vault to hear about the baby.”
“I worry about Hadrianus,” Marvolo began.
“I know that, dear. I just think that, in your mind, Hadrianus is fine now and all is resolved.”
“Hadrianus is fine,” Marvolo agreed. “And all is resolved. Well, we do need to send Narcissa a gift and invite Rasbatan for dinner or something.”
“Give Rasbatan a classroom and a calculus book and he’ll be fine,” Severus said, but his smile faded. “Who was watching Hadrianus today?”
“I left him with Regulus,” Marvolo replied. “You really wanted the milk cake, so I left Hadrianus with Regulus to go get you some, and you came with me. Next thing I know, Narcissa is screaming and Rasbatan is in the water.”
“But how?” Severus asked again. “Regulus would never leave him alone…”
Marvolo stopped and stared at Hadrianus for a long moment. “Regulus was by the doors when you…” He cut himself off.
“Passed out? Because I’m carrying your child and our son almost died?”
“Yes,” Marvolo tried not to smile, but Severus could see it beneath the surface. Then the man shook his head and kissed Severus. “I need to talk to Regulus. I won’t be able to sleep until I know.”
“I understand.” Severus wasn’t pouting, but he was sad that Marvolo was leaving. He had thought Marvolo would be so happy about the child that he would want to… celebrate… Severus had planned on having a lot of sex that night, and instead his husband was leaving to, very probably, torture his best friend.
Marvolo smirked at him. “As soon as I’m done with this, I’m tying you to our bed.”
“Promise?” Severus teased.
“It’s a promise.” And Marvolo kissed him again.
“Regulus is a good friend to me,” Severus said then. “He always has been.”
“You want me to spare him?”
“No, my love. I want you to be sure before you do anything to him,” Severus asked. “I don’t know if I believe that he did something to purposefully hurt Hadrianus, but if he did, I won’t keep you from getting our revenge.”
In another life, he knew Regulus had betrayed Voldemort, not long ago chronologically. Regulus was already on borrowed time from his original death. Severus thought that with Marvolo being saner, and Hadrianus as his godson, and Severus himself being a friend… he thought he had changed Regulus’ life, for the better even. He sighed, and Marvolo hugged him.
“I love you, Severus,” Marvolo whispered close to his ear. “I won’t kill Regulus without proof. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“Thank you.” Severus walked him to his office and held his coat. “Do you have Veritaserum?”
“No,” Marvolo elongated his answer, looking slightly mischievous. “I was planning on using the Imperius Curse.”
“Don’t you think Veritaserum would be easier?” Severus asked sweetly, and Marvolo rolled his eyes in front of him this time.
“Yes, my heart, go get your potion, and I’ll use it instead.”
Severus laughed, surprised at how Marvolo sounded both fond and exasperated—either at himself for accepting all of Severus's requests or at Severus for being so bold as to ask how Marvolo was to handle his business. It took Severus less than two minutes to fetch the potion and return. By then, Marvolo was staring out the window, deep in thought.
“Here.” Severus handed the potion to Marvolo with a kiss. “Three drops are more than enough.”
“With a Potions Master like you, why would I need more?” Marvolo teased with a smirk, and Severus smiled.
“Now go find out what happened.”
Marvolo hummed thoughtfully. “I don’t mind you giving me orders as much as I thought I would,” he mused, and Severus outright chuckled.
“My love,” Severus started, amused. “Be efficient, as you always are, and you can come home soon for us to figure out what your limit is with me giving you orders.”
Marvolo chuckled back and kissed him, snaking an arm around his waist and grasping his hip, though Severus noticed, amused, that he wasn’t holding as tightly as he usually would. “Yes, my lord,” Marvolo replied, lips still on Severus’s skin, even if stretched into a smirk.
When Severus stopped laughing, Marvolo was already gone.
He went back to the room, he wouldn’t be able to sleep until Marvolo was back so he sat on the bed with a book. He turned to look at Hadrianus, who was still peacefully sleeping in his crib. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions and events, and now, alone in the quiet of their home, he felt the exhaustion seep into his bones. He walked over to the crib and gently stroked Hadrianus’s hair, marvelling at how calm the child seemed now.
“Everything will be alright, ” he whispered. “Your father will make sure of it.”
The Black house was cold when Marvolo stepped in through the fireplace, the chill of the manor's oppressive atmosphere seeping into his bones comfortably. An old, ugly house-elf appeared before him a moment later, its large eyes filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
“Who is you looking for?” the house-elf croaked.
“Your master, Orion. Fetch him immediately,” Marvolo commanded, barely containing a sneer.
A few moments later, Orion Black appeared, dressed in a night robe and looking groggy from being roused from sleep. Marvolo felt no remorse for disturbing him.
“My Lord?” Orion inquired, clearly taken aback by the unexpected visit.
“Orion, my old friend, I need to speak with Regulus,” Marvolo said, his tone brooking no argument.
“Of course,” Orion turned to the house-elf, who quivered under his master's gaze. Walburga Black watched the scene unfold from the top of the stairs, her eyes sharp and inquisitive. “Where is Regulus?” Orion asked the house-elf, and Marvolo couldn’t help but glare. How could a father not know where his own son was at all times? Marvolo always knew where Hadrianus was since their very first meeting, using Severus’s old mark to keep an eye on both his boys before they were properly his boys.
Then again, knowing where they were wasn’t proof of taking care of them, as had been proven earlier today.
“Young master said he be visiting his nephews,” the house-elf replied timidly. “He has not been back yet.”
Walburga gasped from the stairs. “Oh yes, I got some clothes for the babies, and Regulus is always so happy to see Sirius.” She frowned, her brow creasing with worry. “But it was back in the morning. I’d think he’d be back by now already. Didn’t he go to the Malfoys' for their announcement?”
“He was present, yes,” Orion confirmed. “He didn’t travel with us, so he probably went from Sirius’s house and didn’t stop home.”
“Did he talk to you during the soirée?” Marvolo asked, noting the increasing concern on their faces.
“He did not,” Orion answered, his voice tinged with unease.
“But that’s not unusual,” Walburga added quickly. “We were talking to our friends, and he was talking to his.”
Marvolo hummed thoughtfully, pretending to consider their words, though he already had a suspicion of what had transpired. “I must speak to Regulus urgently. If he is not here, perhaps he is back at his brother’s house.” He turned toward the fireplace, ready to use the Floo Network, when Orion stepped forward, now dressed in a more appropriate robe that was clearly conjured in a hurry.
“Would you mind terribly if I accompanied you, my lord?” Orion asked, his voice formal but laced with worry.
“Not at all,” Marvolo replied. “Apparate us there, then, Orion.”
As they prepared to leave, Marvolo glanced up at Walburga, still standing at the top of the stairs. He fixed her with a cold, piercing stare—the same glare he reserved for his victims before he killed them. Satisfied when she paled visibly, he turned back to Orion, and with a sharp crack, they Disapparated to Sirius Black’s house.
Sirius’ house was small and rustic, a stark contrast to the grandeur Marvolo has learned to enjoy. He was amused by the paved path leading to the front door and the domestic charm it exuded. Sirius Black had never struck him as the family man from the complaints he heard from Orion. Then again, neither had he before acquiring a child and a husband, so perhaps their situations were more similar than he’d initially thought.
Orion hesitated for only a moment before knocking on the door. Marvolo noted that it was quite dark; the hour was late, well past dinner time, and certainly too late for unannounced visitors. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to return to Prince Castle without answers, Severus would surely be awake and anxious, and Marvolo himself wouldn’t find rest without clarity.
A man opened the door, and Marvolo recognized him from a dossier he had compiled on James Potter earlier in the year. Remus Lupin, Dumbledore’s pet werewolf, stood before them. Marvolo was amused but also intrigued –Lupin was a close friend of Sirius, even rumoured to have been his lover during their school years. It was interesting that the man was still around the family now that Sirius was married and expecting a child.
“Lord Black,” Lupin greeted, looking surprised. “And Lord Slytherin.”
“Good evening, Mr. Lupin,” Orion nodded politely. “Are either of my sons here?”
“Regulus is here, yes.” Remus nodded and stepped back to allow them entry. After closing the door, he led them further into the house. From a distance, Marvolo could see Regulus sitting at a dinner table, surrounded by books. A chair was pulled back, likely where Lupin had been sitting before their arrival. “Sirius is working tonight,” Remus explained as they walked. “He asked me to stay with Alina. Sirius is afraid the baby will come at any moment and doesn’t want his wife to be alone for any stretch of time.”
They reached the table, and Regulus rose to greet them. “Father, my Lord… Slytherin…”
Mr. Lupin snorted. “I know he’s the Dark Lord, Reggy, though I’m glad about the new approach.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lupin. I’m also very pleased with my politics” Marvolo nodded. “Regulus, have you been here the whole day?”
“Yes, I have,” Regulus replied, glancing at his father. “I sent a message home at lunch. Sirius had a problem at work and asked me to stay with Alina until Remus arrived. When Remus got here, we started talking and comparing notes on magical theory, so I just stayed. I wasn’t in the mood to watch Lucius parade his wife around like a besotted fool all evening.”
Marvolo hummed thoughtfully, noting Orion's paleness.
“You weren’t at the announcement?” Orion asked, his voice tinged with fear.
“No, I sent a gift and a note explaining my absence. I’m sure Lucius would understand…”
“There was someone with your face there, Regulus,” Marvolo stated plainly, watching as the young man’s expression shifted to confusion. “Regulus Black was present at the announcement today.”
Regulus stared at him, bewildered. “But that’s impossible. I’ve been here all day. I even sent word home.”
Orion, standing beside Marvolo, turned slightly green with worry. “Someone infiltrated the party to what? Kill Hadrianus?”
“Kill Hadrianus?” Regulus exclaimed loudly. “Merlin! What happened? Is Hadrianus alright? Is Severus alright?”
“They are both fine,” Marvolo replied, seating himself at the table where Mr. Lupin had been sitting, judging by the notes spread across the wooden table top. He glanced through the notes briefly. “The announcement wasn’t restricted to followers, but I know for certain that the fake-Regulus had the Dark Mark. I checked it when I handed him Hadrianus.”
“A traitor?” Orion asked, his voice heavy with fear and weariness as he sank into a chair.
“I don't believe it was his plan to harm my son,” Marvolo said. “He looked truly horrified after saving Hadrianus. I think he was just incompetent at watching over a child.”
“But why use my face?” Regulus asked, touching his cheek in confusion. “What exactly happened to Hadrianus?”
“He ran into a pond and drowned,” Marvolo said dispassionately. “You will take some Veritaserum and answer my questions.”
“Of course,” Regulus agreed promptly.
“How did they know Regulus wouldn’t be there?” Mr. Lupin asked, drawing their attention. He seemed surprised by himself that he had voiced the question out loud. “I mean, we had lunch together, and Regulus spent the whole time debating if it would be ‘oh, so improper’ for him to not go. He only decided after seeing my research into lunar magic, and that was well after we had finished eating.”
Marvolo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “That’s an excellent point, Mr. Lupin. Whoever impersonated Regulus must have known his plans changed at the last minute. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have taken such a risk.”
Regulus looked even more perplexed. “Who would know my plans well enough to impersonate me convincingly?”
“Someone close, obviously,” Marvolo mused. “Were only the four of you in the house the whole day?” Marvolo asked, his tone sharper now.
Regulus looked a bit flustered as he stared at his papers. “James, Lily, Peter, and Alice stopped by during lunch. They ate with us.”
Marvolo's smile turned wolfish. “And you didn't think this was pertinent information?”
“Why would any of them do that?” Mr. Lupin asked, perplexed. “Besides, none of them have the Dark Mark. I mean, Alice works for you, sure, but I thought it was more like an outside hire.” The werewolf seemed amused by the concept, and Marvolo allowed himself a small smile of amusement in return.
“Young Pettigrew has the mark,” Marvolo conceded, watching as Mr. Lupin paled. “Don’t be mad at him; I think he is truly an opportunist at heart.” He raised the vial of Veritaserum to Regulus. “Open up, kiddo.”
Regulus blushed, and Marvolo realized he had used the same endearment with Hadrianus one too many times in front of the Black family. He didn’t have time for daddy issues anyway.
Regulus accepted the three drops Marvolo gave him. Within seconds, his face went slack, his shoulders relaxed, and all the tension left his body. Marvolo wondered if Severus could make a variation of the potion that caused memory loss. He'd talk to him about it later.
“When did you arrive at your brother’s house today?” Marvolo began.
“At nine in the morning.”
“Give me an hour-by-hour rundown of your day from when you woke up today.”
“Kreacher woke me at eight. Mother sent me to Sirius’s to give Alina some clothes at nine. At ten, almost eleven, Sirius received a missive from the Ministry and had to leave. At twelve, Remus got here with James. A bit after that, Lily, Alice, and Peter came in. At one, we ate lunch. By two, I saw Remus’s research and we started talking about his studies. At three, the others left and I stayed with Remus to talk some more. By four, five, and six, we were still researching together. At seven, we ate with Alina until eight. At nine, Alina went back upstairs; we helped her get ready for bed and she’s been asleep since. At ten, we started talking about topography, and at eleven, there was a knock on the door.” Regulus finally stopped and took a deep breath, his lips visibly cracked and dry from talking.
Marvolo hummed thoughtfully. “That’s good enough. I’m going to summon Peter Pettigrew.” Marvolo stood up and looked at the werewolf. “Mr. Lupin, would you mind terribly taking care of Regulus while his father helps me?” Marvolo asked politely, noting the surprise in Mr. Lupin’s widened eyes at the formality and politeness of the situation.
“Of course, I’ll watch him.” Mr. Lupin conjured a glass of water and handed it to Regulus. “When should the potion wear off? Just so I know if there’s something wrong.”
“In ten minutes it should be out of his system. If he drinks enough water, maybe sooner.” Marvolo explained, then turned to Orion. “Mr. Pettigrew is an Animagus, so when he gets here, I need you to incapacitate him immediately and keep him at wand point. We’ll set him on this chair,” he patted the back of a dining chair, “and he won’t leave this house alive most probably. So this is your chance to leave, Mr. Lupin.”
“I’m okay,” the werewolf said, still holding the glass of water and helping Regulus drink. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“Child, there is no need for that,” Marvolo said, and Mr. Lupin frowned, mouthing the word "child."
“I’m the same age as your husband,” he complained, and Marvolo chuckled.
“You aren’t half the man my Severus is…” Marvolo tilted his head mockingly, “quite literally.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m a half-breed and you hate me.” He rolled his eyes and Marvolo suppressed an amused chuckle.
“Hate you?” Marvolo asked, caught by surprise. “Why do you think I hate your kind?”
Mr. Lupin blinked, confused now. “I was the only werewolf in Hogwarts,” he stated.
Orion sighed at his side. “And don’t you agree that it is unfair that your kind isn’t allowed a formal education?”
“What does this have to do with anything?” Marvolo asked, prickly. “Albus was the one dealing with the school. I have at least a whole pack following me and many other wolves without packs. I’ve been fighting for years to give werewolves, vampires, and banshees the right to have a house in their name. Why am I the villain in this?” Marvolo forced confusion into his voice to move Mr. Lupin, but he knew the truth.
When he was focused on the war, he didn’t care much about politics or the promises he had made to magical creatures. He had even considered killing them all to stop their demands. But now he already had the support of the magical creatures, and he was indeed planning a schooling reform, so why not honour his word?
Mr. Lupin was staring at him, clearly conflicted, and Marvolo shook his head as Orion clapped the wolf on the shoulder. “Ask my sons about it later. Sirius and Regulus were raised to respect and understand all magic, including creatures of magic.”
Mr. Lupin nodded, and Marvolo mentally added the man’s name to the thankfully ever-growing list of possible recruits for Edmund.
“Now, Orion, let’s prepare for Pettigrew,” Marvolo instructed. As they moved to their positions, Marvolo glanced back at Regulus, who was still drinking water, his eyes now more clear and focused. Marvolo drew his wand and focused intently on the marks, pausing briefly to send a wave of affection towards the thin reddish line on Severus’ wrist. His eyes narrowed as he continued until he encountered Peter’s slimy magical signature. With a surge of anger, he yanked at it.
In an instant, the rat materialized in front of him, landing ungracefully in a heap on the ground. “How are we playing today, Peter?” Marvolo asked, his wand poised in one hand and a potion in the other. The traitor looked at both, his face turning a shade of green. “I’ve been so nice lately, and I don’t think you’ve quite grasped why you should respect me yet.”
“I’ll take the potion,” Peter said hastily, even before Marvolo had finished speaking. “Dumbledore asked me to go. He said he knew I was a Death Eater and that the Ministry was seeking information from Death Eaters.” It was a bluff if Marvolo had ever seen one. He knew for a fact the Ministry had no knowledge of the Dark Mark, nor did they understand how Marvolo operated. At least Peter was talking without needing to be cursed. Marvolo wished the man had a bit more backbone, if only to provide a break and the chance to torture someone else.
With a forceful hand, he pried Peter’s mouth open and poured the potion in—far more than the prescribed three drops, but he didn’t care. “What did Albus Dumbledore ask of you?” Marvolo demanded, his anger barely contained.
“He wanted information on the Death Eaters,” Peter replied, his eyes glazed over. He was even more dazed than Regulus had been, his body lying heavily on the floor, bound by sticky ropes Orion had conjured to prevent him from transforming into a rat.
“What information did you give him?” Marvolo pressed, his voice a dangerous whisper.
“I told him about the Dark Mark, the initiation, and the duel school,” Peter confessed, his voice devoid of its usual cowardice, replaced by the potion's influence.
Orion glanced at Marvolo and inclined his head, seeking permission to ask a question. Marvolo nodded magnanimously. “Did you tell Albus Dumbledore about our locations?”
“No, he didn’t ask.”
“How did you turn into Regulus?”
“Polyjuice.” Peter offered no further explanation.
“Describe your day in detail from when you woke up,” Marvolo ordered.
Peter’s eyes took on a distant look as he began recounting his day. “James came to see me in the morning, talking about Lily. Apparently, they went to the healer on Friday, and they could hear the heartbeat...” Marvolo noted the information mentally; he’d need to inform Severus that Lily Potter was pregnant as well, although, knowing his husband, the Seer, he likely already knew. “...James invited me to lunch at Sirius’ house. Alina can’t move around much, so now we meet at his place. Lily was out with Alice, so she came with us too. When we got there, Regulus was already with them, talking about a meeting at Malfoy Manor. Dumbledore had asked me to gather information, and I thought it would be a meeting, not a party. I got some of Regulus' hair and used the Polyjuice potion the Headmaster gave me. When Remus arrived, I asked about his research. Sirius had mentioned his brother was as big a geek as Remus, so I knew he’d be interested.”
At this, Regulus gasped in affront, while Mr. Lupin chuckled beside him.
“By the time we were leaving, I knew Regulus would be staying, so I summoned the letter he sent through the fireplace to his parents and went to Malfoy Manor. I realized it was a party and was about to leave when the Dark Lord asked me to watch his child. I couldn’t say no. The child was fine, but my potion started fading, and the baby saw my face for a moment before I drank more of the Polyjuice potion. The baby got scared and ran. I tried running after him, but the potion was still changing my body. When I was back to looking like Regulus, the child was in the lake, drowning. I was frozen. I only moved after the Dark Lord started screaming orders, then I left. When I got home, I got rid of the potion and stayed there in hiding until I was summoned.”
“So you saw Hadrianus get into the lake,” Marvolo said, his voice eerily calm. “You saw my son dying, and you did nothing?”
“I did nothing,” Pettigrew confirmed placidly, the potion reducing the event to a mere fact, devoid of emotion.
Orion turned to Marvolo with a serious expression. “Are you going to confront Dumbledore?”
“How could I not?” Marvolo replied. “Take Peter to the Dark Manor, put him in the cage, and make sure those on shift know he’s an Animagus.”
“I can do that, my lord,” Regulus said, standing up, but Marvolo gently pressed him back down by the shoulder.
“Your father can handle it,” Marvolo nodded to Orion. Orion took the still-dazed Pettigrew and led him outside to Disapparate. Marvolo considered his next move. He could go to Hogwarts now and kill Dumbledore, but tomorrow—or rather, today, being Monday—would give him time to think more and discuss the situation with Severus before making any drastic decisions that could disrupt his plans.
He sighed and sat at the table with the young men, both looking at him expectantly. “Lunar Magic?” he asked, touching a ritual drawing curiously. “Tell me more, Mr. Lupin.”
Monday, November 5, 1979
It’s almost two in the morning when Marvolo opened the door to their room.
“Hello, my heart.” Marvolo was already without his outer robe and opening his shirt. “Do you want to have a shower with me before I tell you?”
Severus leered at his husband’s chest and nodded. “How could I say no?”
Marvolo chuckled and grabbed his legs and pulled, levering Severus over his shoulders, Severus laughed the whole way to the bathroom.
As it went, it was past four in the morning by the time Severus was sitting naked on their bed and Marvolo told him about the situation with Dumbledore.
“...killing him now will bring me no advantage, though it is what I wish to do.”
“Let’s follow the original plan,” Severus said. “Send Dumbledore to Norkhill, if we need him later we can use him.”
Marvolo hummed caressing Severus’ stomach with light fingers. “We have enough back up plans for the old goat. And what shall I do to Peter Pettigrew? Do you have any wish?”
“Kill him,” Severus never liked the man and even with a second chance to be less shitty the man was still a coward. “He should be good training for the newer recruits.”
“I thought the same.” Marvolo admitted. “I will go talk to Dumbledore in the afternoon, could you call Dolohov and explain the situation before then?”
“Of course.” He surged forward to kiss Marvolo. “I do have a meeting with Amelia Bones at three.”
“Right,” Marvolo nodded thoughtfully and then he smiled proudly. “I love you, your mind is a work of art.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Severus teased and laughed along with Marvolo as his husband kissed down his chest.
Marvolo sighed, taking a bite of one of the chocolates Severus had given him earlier in the week. He had a copy of Mr. Lupin’s research in front of him—amateurish at best, but well-founded nonetheless—and he wasn’t really paying attention to it. His mind was preoccupied with running through every possible scenario for his upcoming meeting with Dumbledore.
After discussing with Severus, his primary goal was to control himself and not kill the old man. He enjoyed his cat-and-mouse game with Albus. Now that he wasn’t in active war anymore, not much kept his mind engaged, and this little give-and-take with Albus was at the top of his list. Losing it would mean a lot more free time and boredom. But alas, Dumbledore had crossed a line. Perhaps if Hadrianus hadn’t died, or if he hadn't discovered Pettigrew’s double-crossing... If things had been different, he might have continued this little game for longer, but it wasn’t meant to be.
So now, he sat in his office in the Dark Manor, savouring his magnificent caramel milk chocolate and waiting for the hour to leave. Severus had sent a missive informing him that Dolohov was at Prince Castle, discussing the guards for Norkhill. Marvolo had told them not to rush. Many of the names Dolohov had already given him were sent for training. Most Death Eaters underwent training as soon as they received the Mark—some even before, if Marvolo wasn’t sure of their abilities. He had only changed his goals in January, so there wasn’t time to alter the war training. After talking to Severus and Abraxas, he decided to keep the training as it was. He didn’t like the idea of weak followers, even if his only battleground was the Wizengamot.
He sighed and stood up, closing the heart-shaped box with a soft smile, and put his robes back on. Time to put on his show. He Apparated directly to Hogsmeade and took a moment to admire his schools.
The finishing school was almost complete, and he was impressed by Mrs. Longbottom. Alice had an impeccable taste and understood Marvolo’s preferences after only a few meetings. The outside of the school was white stone with large windows and two add-on towers that Mrs. Longbottom had enjoyed designing. He watched as some of the new professors went inside. Mr. Orsino and Mrs. Winger were talking, but from a distance, Marvolo couldn’t hear them. Both were vehemently against Dark Lord Voldemort, but as scholars and professors, they adored Lord Slytherin’s initiative of a finishing school and were excited to start their own classes.
Marvolo smiled. It was a good year, the best year of his life, and nothing short of a tragedy could change that.
He walked the familiar path to Hogwarts languidly. There was no rush, and the hogs allowed him to enter with little prompting; after all, he was one of the owners of the school, even if he never abused this power. Dumbledore should already know he was there. As he walked the corridors and climbed the stairs, a couple of students stopped to greet him happily, some more knowledgeable ones bowed softly. He smiled at the children. Seeing the very small eleven-year-olds dressed in Slytherin uniforms, he imagined little Hadrianus running around, trying to get to class on time with a barely crooked tie and a sweet smile, later followed by a sibling. How quaint.
He was still smiling when he reached the Headmaster’s stairs and wasn’t surprised to see that the gargoyle had already opened for him.Albus was sitting behind his large wooden desk, the space before him clear save for a chair placed for Marvolo and his phoenix chirping softly on its perch.
“Hello, Tom,” Albus greeted, and Marvolo felt a rare flicker of amusement rather than the usual pang of anger that name invoked.
“I know you don’t care for the names I choose for myself,” Marvolo began, closing the door behind him and setting a privacy spell over the room. “But I go by Marvolo Slytherin nowadays.”
“My mistake,” Albus relented, though he didn't correct himself. “Do you have a reason for being here?”
“I wanted to talk,” Marvolo stated, sitting down in front of the headmaster. He allowed a brief pang of nostalgia before continuing. “I suppose you haven’t read the social papers today.”
“I have not,” Albus admitted, prompting a smirk from Marvolo.
“Narcissa announced her pregnancy,” Marvolo started. “There was a party yesterday. It was supposed to be a very joyous occasion,” he added, noting Albus’s confusion. “And it was joyous, until my son drowned himself.”
“I’m terribly sorry, my boy,” Albus said, looking genuinely stricken. Marvolo didn’t even flinch at the ‘my boy.’
“I saved him,” Marvolo continued swiftly. “I learned a lot in the orphanage, but for a moment his heart stopped, Albus. My son was dead. I felt rage and hate and anger, but when I touched my dead son’s body, I felt like levelling the country. Hell, I felt like killing everyone. Nobody deserves to live if my son was dead, but then a moment later Hadrianus was coughing and crying, begging for me to hold him, and I was in control again.”
“It must have been terrifying,” Albus allowed.
“It was,” Marvolo nodded. “And just as terrifying was thinking that his own godfather, his own family, had allowed him to die.”
“His godfather?”
“Regulus Black.”
“Tom,” Albus leaned forward, his gaze piercing. “Marvolo, my boy, why are you telling me this?”
Marvolo realized that Albus truly didn’t know. “Oh, Albus, what a great wizard you are that you can’t even control your own minions. At least I keep a close eye on mine.”
“I swear to you,” Albus said, locking eyes with Marvolo, both refusing to delve into Legilimency. “If anyone under my...name, did anything to a child, I swear it wasn’t on my orders.” Albus looked stricken. “I would never hurt a child, any child.”
“Not even my son?” Marvolo asked curiously.
“Especially not your son,” Albus smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Since the child was born you've been better, my boy, so much better. I’ve seen the new articles and laws you’ve been passing. I always knew you could be great…”
Marvolo’s expression softened momentarily. “Greatness is subjective, Albus. But understand this: Hadrianus is off-limits. If anything happens to him, there will be no mercy. But I didn’t come here for validation,” he added, though he enjoyed it tremendously. “Regulus was being impersonated by Peter Pettigrew, who claimed he did it for you.”
“I asked him for information, yes, but never for him to involve a child,” Albus responded, his tone resolute.
“I know that too,” Marvolo admitted. “In the end, it was truly an accident. Hadrianus got scared by his godfather’s face melting as the Polyjuice Potion lost effect and decided that running towards the pond was the solution. It took a second for someone to notice and take him back.”
Albus nodded, his gaze distant for a moment. “Why are you here then?”
“I’ve enjoyed our game so far, Albus. I was truly curious to see how you would respond to my control over the Aurors without looking like a bad person…”
“Oh, I was going to petition for a contract between your schools and Hogwarts,” Albus told him promptly.
“Just to mess with me?”
“Yes,” Albus nodded, somewhat amused. “But I suppose our ‘game’ is over now?”
“It is,” Marvolo nodded and took his wand out, holding it on his lap. “You are going to hand your resignation to the Ministry tomorrow. There’s no need for a fight, no need for the children’s education to suffer.”
“You’ll let me finish the school year?” Albus asked, surprised.
Marvolo considered the question for a minute before shaking his head. “I wish I could say yes, but I can’t take the risk. I already have a place prepared for your retirement.”
“Of course you do,” Albus said, leaning back in his chair. He toyed with his wand for a moment before exhaling heavily and placing it on the table between them. “I won’t fight you, Marvolo. Do what you must.”
Marvolo looked around the room. “I just want my son safe, and I don’t believe you are the best choice of Headmaster for that.”
Albus bristled. “I’ve kept all my students safe!”
“I killed under your nose at this very school. I sat in this very chair and told you I didn’t know how it happened, and you couldn’t prove me wrong,” Marvolo said, watching as Albus’ face darkened and his hand inched towards his wand. Marvolo quickly took it from the table and tucked it away inside his robe along with his own. “You have a day to pen your resignation. You’re old and want to enjoy a couple of your golden decades in peace…”
“In the middle of the school year?” Albus asked bitterly.
“You had a health scare, maybe tripped on the wrong step and fell. Be creative, Albus,” Marvolo told him, glancing at the phoenix. “You can’t tell people about this conversation. You can get around it if you want, but the end game shall be the same. By next week, the board will have a newly appointed Headmaster, and hey, maybe I’ll even make that contract between our schools.”
Albus looked at Marvolo, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. “You’re truly set on this path, aren’t you?”
Marvolo nodded. “For the safety of my son and for the future I envision. This is the only way.”
Albus sighed deeply, accepting the inevitability of the situation. “Very well, Marvolo. I will do as you ask.”
Marvolo took his wand back and concentrated on Ms. Kim, who appeared by his side a second later. “This is Tessa. She will be your personal assistant until we are done with this nasty business.” He looked at Ms. Kim, and she nodded back happily.
“I’ve been briefed,” she said, turning to Albus. “Hi, headmaster.”
“Tessa,” Albus smiled at her. “You were one of mine, right?”
“Yes,” she smiled. “Go Gryffindor!” Ms. Kim joked and looked back at Marvolo with a smirk. He nodded at her again and got up.
Tessa Kim had entered the school just as Marvolo was finishing it, and he remembered teaching her herbology one night in the library because her crying over not grasping the subject was getting on his nerves. She never married, though she had adopted five children—all Muggle-born and low in magical power that she swore she could raise properly. But she had what Albus would call a good heart and was also loyal to a fault, and that loyalty was Marvolo’s.
“So we are done here,” Marvolo stated. “Be ready to leave the school by Friday. You can take all you want.”
“Even Fawkes?” Albus spat, amused.
“Yes, Albus, even your phoenix, though I can’t promise all your letters will survive the wards. I’ll see you Friday.” Marvolo said and left after a last look at the office.
He walked down the familiar corridors of Hogwarts, allowing himself a moment of reflection. The castle held many memories, both bitter and sweet. For a second, he thought about deviating to the Room of Requirement to retrieve the diadem; he was sure Severus would appreciate it as a gift. However, he still needed a safeguard as his other plans were still in motion, so he continued on to Hogsmeade.
Marvolo apparated back to the Dark Manor’s office, where Severus was waiting for him, Hadrianus in a pram by his side. Severus looked up from a parchment he was reading and raised an eyebrow in silent question.
“It’s dealt with,” Marvolo said simply.
Severus nodded. “Dumbledore?”
“He’ll resign by Friday. Tessa will ensure he follows through.” Marvolo sighed and propped himself on the table to look at his husband. “It was anticlimactic, boring even.”
“Yes, but it’s not just about securing power and fighting anymore. It’s about creating a future where Hadrianus can grow up safely,” Severus pointed out. Marvolo looked at their son and back at Severus, who was carrying another child now.
“Yes,” Marvolo nodded and took his husband’s hand to kiss it. “And I promise you it will be a glorious future I’ve planned for us.”
Severus smiled and got up to properly kiss Marvolo. “You’re so romantic today,” he murmured against Marvolo’s neck.
Marvolo could only smile. What a glorious future indeed.