Thaddeus Nott and Aiden Avery checked each compartment as they boarded the train, giving a nod to those who were in Slytherin and a sneer of derision to those in Gryffindor and to a lesser extent the Hufflepuffs. Opening a closed door, Thaddeus peered inside giving a small grin to the Black's every single one of them was in the compartment filling it completely. Alphard, Cygnus, Orion, Dorea, Walburga, and of course, Lucretia.
"Good holiday?" Dorea enquired politely, she couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts, she wanted to see Charles again, she hadn't been able to see him all summer, and to make matters worse her parents wanted her to make a decision on the few candidates they'd picked as her husband. Although thanks to Hadrian's book a few had been removed, including her cousins, whom she emphatically did not wish to marry.
"Better than most," Thaddeus admitted, only due to the fact he could escape to Hadrian and Tom's, all his other friends had parents who were hosting parties every other day, making sure they didn't overlap with other the parties too. "I'll see you all at Hogwarts." he added before withdrawing after they all gave their own goodbyes.
"They might be late again," Aiden suggested as they once more began to lug their luggage behind them, looking into the compartments.
"Alright, that's it, I'll wait here with the trunks, you go ahead and check the compartments for Tom and Hadrian," Thaddeus grumbled righting his trunk with a little more force than necessary. "I'll stay at this empty one just in case."
"There's no need," Tom stated through a honeyed voice from behind both boys causing them to jump as though they had just been electrocuted.
Hadrian laughed as the boys whirled around, half relieved half startled. "Come on, let's get sitting down, we're holding up the line," sliding past Tom and into the compartment, their trunks were shrunk and upon their persons, they had no need to trail it behind them when they could use magic at home to make the journey a little easier.
"You do know the second you're on the train you can use your magic?" Hadrian informed them as he spelled both their trunks onto the racks above their head. Tom sat down next to him, claiming the window seat as he always did.
"Here, Abraxas wanted me to give you this," Thaddeus informed him, sliding the letter from his pristine cloak pocket and handing it over, the Malfoy seal was unbroken and the thick expensive paper unwrinkled.
"And why did he not send it via owl?" Tom demanded reaching over and accepting the letter placing it in his lap but not yet opening it.
"I don't know, Abraxas was with his father, doing business with my parents," Thaddeus, "He told me to give it to you when we got on the train." he was very curious but he knew better than to ask.
"Did you read the newspaper today?" Aiden asked a frown on his face.
"Yes," Harry replied grimly, "Sixty-nine people died in America, twenty-two are confirmed to be witches and wizards, the body count is still being tallied, they suspect it will be more by the time they're finished shifting through the debris." it wasn't the end of it either, worse was still to come. He didn't feel guilty, he was only one person, he couldn't save everyone, and he also had no idea what Grindelwald was doing or where he was. He only knew where he had been defeated, and other general instances, like Germany where he found his Elder wand years ago.
"They suspect Grindelwald is behind it, which means he's in America," Thaddeus added to the conversation, "MACUSA wouldn't have put it in print if they weren't sure." Magical congress of the United States of America, they were really good, excellent fighters. Most people just called them the American Ministry, MACUSA was a mouthful.
"Mmm, if he is he'll be there a while," Hadrian commented, "Having the American Ministry after you…not a place I would want to be, they're relentless." they had more numbers than the Brits do. He had to say he was surprised they hadn't sneered or been smug about that fact, there weren't many in ways of pureblood's they tended to add non-magical blood constantly, which should be making Thaddeus and Aiden look down on them…had his book had that much of an impression? If that was the case then writing that book had been the best thing he'd ever done.
"So are our Auror's," Aiden insisted proudly, he felt as if they were superior to the Americans, and why not? They had moved their government dozens of times, had problems containing the Muggles and worse let their own people be burnt at the stake.
"This generation maybe," Hadrian whispered under his breath, only Tom heard him but gave no indication that he had. The door opened just as the train began to lurch to life, getting ready to take off. Dolohov and Rabastian entered the compartment helping each other with their trunks. "I didn't imply otherwise, but we could learn a few lessons from their school and the way they do things,"
"Like what?" Thaddeus queried in genuine curiosity, his suggestions were always well thought out and when argued…those arguing lost. The train made them lurch again as it began to move gaining speed quickly before the parents waving like lunatics faded into the blackened tunnel.
"We have two tiny purely magical areas, one that has rotten homes and flats that are being held together by magic, the other only area has a dozen cottages if we're lucky, for all of our people…and I do not mean our homes, not everyone can afford and maintain a manor, they have to move to the Muggle world, and thus risk the exposure of magic more. We need to make life easier for all magical people, that includes homes that are liveable and plenty." Hadrian said shrugging indifferently, he didn't care if they didn't listen he already had plans up his sleeve. He would be able to help make the magical world thrive through knowing how things would play out by betting, by the interest alone on his accounts, his investments, and last but no means least the items they found in the Room of Requirements.
"So what? You plan to change everything in the magical world? Our traditions, the way we live…what next?" Dolohov frowned; he didn't like it at all.
Hadrian's green eyes gleamed at Dolohov, his face impassive hiding the amusement he felt at Dolohov squirming at the look on his face. Although truly if he had looked, Hadrian would have realized it was the stormy look on Tom's face that terrified him but Hadrian's look wasn't any means weak, but they all knew Tom wouldn't refrain from torturing someone. While Hadrian had tortured someone, it had been deserving, in their opinion you really needed to piss Hadrian off a hell of a lot to get a real powerful reaction from him. "Tell me, Dolohov, what's so damn brilliant about the magical world as it is?"
Dolohov didn't answer; he opened his book and disappeared behind it a visible shudder running through his thin frame.
"I don't get why you think the magical world is stagnant though, we're creating new potions and spells every day, new books are being brought out," Aiden pointed out, mercifully taking the heat from Dolohov, although he wasn't doing it to protect the idiot but rather out of genuine curiosity.
"I can see your point," Hadrian said slowly, of course, they wouldn't understand, they didn't know what the magical world was going to be like in sixty years time. He had a point, they were doing really well at the moment, it declines the moment Dumbledore becomes Headmaster and just deteriorates further. "I guess I can just see ways that it can improve and prosper, I don't want to settle for anything less than what we can and will call a proud nation of magical users. Plus can you imagine what would happen to Hogwarts and the magical world on a whole if Dumbledore became Headmaster?" he didn't need to imagine it he'd lived through it.
"I don't want to," Aiden grimaced, thankfully he wouldn't be at Hogwarts during that time, he only had a few more years to go then he'd be out of Hogwarts and he wouldn't need to endure the old fool any further.
The others couldn't help but agree with nods of their own. Even though they really didn't understand why Hadrian even cared so much that he wanted to do everything he suggested over the past few years.
Hadrian leaned back, finding Tom reading the letter from Abraxas, he wondered if Tom would be able to become Minister and the Chief warlock of the Wizengamot. He knew Tom had written to Abraxas yesterday after they'd gotten back from shopping for their school supplies. They'd decided to wait until the last second, since Dumbledore would expect them to get their things as soon as the letter came just like most students did. During that trip Hadrian had bought three six compartmentalized trucks, it would mean less digging through the Room of Requirement and hopefully aid them in getting the room cleared out quicker.
It seems that the more Tom thought on it the greater his desire to become the Minister became. He wasn't sure if Tom had that desire before, he knew he'd gone down the political scene and been denied each and every attempt he made at making things better. Things were going to be different; obviously, Tom wasn't going to open the chamber and unleash the basilisk on an unsuspecting Myrtle and create his first Horcrux.
Hadrian leaned against Tom, unable to help himself with the thoughts circling his mind, yes Tom would be different and Hadrian was so looking forward to seeing what changes occurred due to it. "Did you get your answer?" he asked, making no attempt to read he letter.
"I did," Tom replied his tone revealing nothing.
"Good news?" Hadrian then asked, yawning tiredly behind his hand.
"Yes," Tom confirmed, it hadn't happened in a very long time, but one could be the Chief warlock of the Wizengamot as well as the Minister for Magic. There was no law or stipulation indicating that it was forbidden, which was good news.
"Oh, guys, thanks for the gifts," Hadrian blurted, sitting up straighter; he couldn't believe he'd forgotten to say something sooner.
"You already did," Thaddeus said wryly, they and their parents had already received the thank you cards, his parents had oo'ed and ahh'ed over how expensive the paper was as if they'd never seen anything like it before. Bemoaning the fact that the Peverell and Slytherin Lords had gracefully declined the party invitations they'd sent out during the later part of the summer holidays. "My parents were deeply devastated that you couldn't make it to the party," he added, still amused.
"I bet they felt better when we did not attend any party from which he received an invite," Hadrian said, green eyes glimmering in amusement. He didn't think he'd ever truly understand the pureblood's and their ways, or rather he understood why they did it he just didn't understand their genuine desire to do it.
"I'm surprised you didn't attend," Lestrange admitted, speaking for the first time, seeing that Tom was obviously in a good mood. "The parties would have been the perfect way to make allies outside of Hogwarts. To make them start taking you seriously so when you do make your move you have plenty of people on your side."
"There's a time and a place for everything," Hadrian said shaking his head, "As 'mature' as we would seem, we will still be 'children' in their eyes, no, the time to strike is definitely at least a year or so away." attending the parties just before he…no they took down Grindelwald, to see who saw their potential before they did something big, those are the people they would be better of relying on since they'd have good sense. It was something he and Tom had discussed in great length, Tom had wanted to attend those parties and build up his network, and thankfully though Tom had listened to him and agreed. It helped that Harry just didn't want to attend any parties or become tied up in the political scene, even though he knew he would have to one day…he just wanted one summer just both of them without plots and plans getting in the way.
"After you've at least taken your owls and can be seen as qualified wizards," Lestrange conceded nodding thoughtfully, it was a smart move. He said qualified since you can leave Hogwarts qualified to use magic, they were already emancipated so they didn't need to wait impatiently until they were seventeen to be considered adults.
"Anything of the trolley?" they heard a young sounding voice ask at least one compartment down, Hadrian had learned she was a squib much like Filch in his time and spent her entire life working as the trolley lady, as Filch worked as a cleaner. Her voice was younger but it was definitely the same woman, he'd always thought she was a witch back in his own time, but like many things he'd thought it had turned out wrong.
Hadrian began rummaging in his pocket for the pouch of coins he had set aside for this, after getting their supplies. He'd always gotten something from the cart he wasn't about to stop that tradition any time soon.
The others had done the same thing, all eager to have something to eat and to pass the time.
Ten minutes later they were all sitting with a small mountain of sweets beside them, Tom included, despite the fact he had insisted he didn't want anything; Hadrian knew his favourites and had left them there in case he changed his mind. Which of course, he had, when five minutes later he did slowly begin to eat his cauldron cake as he immersed himself in a Defence book.
Lestrange and Thaddeus began talking quietly amongst themselves, and Dolohov and Avery both just began to read, Hadrian decided to follow suit, plus it meant he'd actually get to finish his Ancient Runes book, which he'd been reading at night times, and still hadn't finished it. He barely got a chance to read a page or two if he was lucky! Tom was just completely insatiable.
-0
The train kept its steady pace for the rest of the journey, the daylight faded into darkness and before long they had arrived at the school. It took a further half hour to get from the Hogsmeade train station to the castle itself, the feeling of being welcomed by the school was never unappreciated by either Tom or Harry, since this place had been home to them for years, now it was a second home, for they had a beautiful manor with privacy and nothing not even Hogwarts could beat that.
"Finally," Rabastian murmured as he gratefully sat down on the bench, hating that they'd have a further wait before they could actually eat.
"Dumbledore's watching both of you," Aiden said, his tone irritate.
Hadrian snorted, "I'm not surprised," he shrugged, he was used to it, when he was 'Harry Potter' Dumbledore had done the same thing, he had kept a very close eye on him, at the time he had been happy someone cared enough. How utterly foolish he'd been, he did wonder briefly if the Slytherin's in his time had known just what Dumbledore was doing to him and had found him pathetic. He knew he would have, but he'd been so desperate for love and approval he hadn't looked as hard or as much as he should have.
"Do you think I should do what I suggested?" Hadrian leaned in and whispered to Tom.
"Dippet?" Tom questioned, desiring confirmation before he agreed or disagreed.
Hadrian nodded once.
Tom's lips twitched, "I want to see the memory afterward," Tom demanded, and he wasn't going to give up on that desire, he was in awe of just how ruthless Hadrian could be. The way Hadrian was going to do it would see that Dumbledore was closely monitored for a long time to come.
"That's not the memory that would be worth anything, it's what happened afterward that will be," Hadrian said sinisterly.
Tom chuckled reluctantly agreeing with a nod.
"Oh, boy," Aiden murmured, cringing in remembrance to what happened to him when Hadrian was feeling vindictive. He'd brought it on himself, but it didn't make it any less painful. As if he needed another reminder never to piss him off. "Who's going to be suffering soon?" wondering if he'd even get a reply.
"You'll see," Tom said, dark eyes penetrating, they weren't going to discuss it where the Headmaster and the old fool in question were sitting nearby.
Lestrange and Dolohov glanced at each other, anticipation rising within them. Something was going to happen, and it was obviously going to happen soon.
The question was what…