Post Mortem

Chapter 15

THORSTAN'S POV

I was visiting the third property, I was disappointed honestly, most places were so close to decaying it was sad. Though each property had at least one house elf each, trying desperately to keep the place together, each one was practically ancient and feral. I sighed as I observed the one in front of me, Salazar Slytherin definitely had a flair for big properties that were pretty much castles, the property in front of me was no different, you could tell that it used to be a large and grand castle, but now it was decaying, the decades of hard weather not treating it kindly.

I looked to the goblin who was accompanying me, “How many more properties?” I asked. The goblin looked down at his chart, “You have two more,” he said as he raised a brow at the castle ruins in front of us. I cast a tempus, and sighed at the time, “Let's arrange for a few properties to be restored, we’ll look at the other two tomorrow morning if that works for you, it’s pretty late so let’s go ahead and call it a night for now,” I said as I pulled my coat a little closer around me, the goblin nodded in agreement, “I’ll see you at the bank at 9:30 am tomorrow,” he said before popping away.

I apparated back to Hendrix’s manor and made my way back to my room as silent as possible. I entered my room and snapped my fingers causing all the candles to light up. On my bed however was Hendrix, soundly asleep, I stopped mid step and questioned my whereabouts for a moment, no I was definitely in my room. “Hendrix?” I murmured as I slowly approached him, he blinked awake and eyed me for a moment. “How was house hunting?” he yawned, I sighed as I rubbed the bridge of my nose, “Not too good, all the properties were mostly in ruin. The goblins are going to help me restore a choice few and tomorrow morning we’re going to see the last two,” Hendrix nodded as he sat up a lot more. “I apologize that I stole your bed, I was going to ask you a question but you weren’t back yet, so I decided to wait… I didn’t realize that it would take you so long,” he said as he swung his legs so that his feet rested onto the ground.

“So you might be here for a while I suppose?” he yawned as he stretched, “I suppose so… is that going to be a bother for you?” I asked with a smile, he side eyed me for a moment before running his hand through his hair, it’s then that I noticed how thin and lithe his fingers looked. “It won’t be too bothersome,” he chuckled, “What was the question you had wanted to ask me?” I raised my brow. He sat for a moment in thought.

“I had wanted to ask if it was really wise for you to move to a different location. I understand that you want your own home and privacy, and maybe to hold your death eater meetings, but is it really considered a good idea if you do that?” he asked as he glanced at me, “I suppose you’re right it wouldn’t be wise, it would potentially ruin our cover of being married, people would question it,” I sighed as I flopped back onto the bed, he chuckled from beside me, “You can still get a property or a few if you really want to, but I think it’s best that you primarily live here,” he suggested. “What if we live in one of the Slytherin properties? On our marriage contract it lists me as the predominant husband, which means that I am supposed to provide more for you than you are for me,” I pointed out. He glared at me, “You don’t have any properties, besides it would make more sense to live here, considering that this is primarily a Peverell manor,” he said as he clenched his jaw. I stayed quiet for a moment, “You’re right,” I sighed. He chuckled again, “Of course I am.”

HENDRIX’S POV

I surprisingly stayed with Tom last night, after we had our discussion last night he had gotten ready for bed, though seeing as it's my manor and my furniture I stayed and slept there. We kept a pillow between us the entire night, that however did not stop me from waking up securely in his arms, the pillow that was supposed to be between us was on the floor. I layed there in dead silence, trying to figure out a way to escape my fate, trying to wiggle or maneuver myself out of the iron arms that encircled me. I glared at the wall across from me and decided then to just go for it.

Without another hesitation I bolted, I pushed Tom away from me and started to wriggle myself away, I kicked at him but his hold only got tighter, “Dammit stop moving,” he grumbled. I went still, he had no right for his morning voice to sound so damn good. “Let go of me you demented no-nosed bastard,” I growled as I rolled and kicked him out of the bed. He landed with a loud umph and thud, I peered at him from over the bed and laughed, “Did you just call me a no-nosed bastard,” he asked as he wheezed, “Yes,” I smirked. He laid there for a moment, “That’s just cruel,” he sighed, “Yes I tend to do that,” I chuckled as I rolled over and got up, “Don’t be cruel to your husband that’s supposed to be caring for you,” he said as he got up from the floor, “I can do whatever I damn well please,” and with that said I left the room.

I had just made it down to the breakfast table after getting dressed, I had my cup of tea in one hand periodically taking sips, and in the other was the paper.  I had a slice of toast with homemade raspberry jelly sitting waiting for me on the table. I glanced up from my paper when Tom walked in. He was still fixing his sleeves, he sat down and the same meal appeared in front of him. I folded the paper, already done with the lies and drama and slid it across the table to him. He gladly opened it and began to read as he began to munch on his toast. I was just about to finish off my own toast when there was a signal from the wards, it was an owl.

Not moments later a letter appeared next to me, I immediately recognized the seal and slid it over to Tom, “Looks like something more of your expertise Mr. Predominant,” I smirked. He rolled his eyes as he put the paper down and tore open the letter after glancing at the seal. He quickly read through it, once he was done he set it down bearing a very slight smile. “We have now been formally invited to the Wizengamots next meeting. You of course will have to attend, it’s in a week,” he smiled ruefully, I glared at him, “You suck,” I clenched my jaw. He blinked up at me, “Sometimes you act like a damn teenager,” he snorted. I just glared at him, because technically when I came back I was only 17.

I licked my lips and went back to my toast ignoring Tom for now.

~

I glared at Tom as he escorted me to the meeting, “Darling stop being so spiteful and lighten up, you’re going to make it seem as though you hate everyone here,” he smiled as he drew me a little closer via our joined arms. “Oh my sweet babu, you and I both know that I do not enjoy any sort of legality,” I smiled right back. I softened my expression and took in everyone around me, “Don’t call me that,” Tom said, his smile slightly twitching, “I can’t call my husband by my favorite nickname?” I asked as a sharp smile took over my face, “Please behave yourself,” he sighed, I could practically hear him begging. I sighed as well, “Alright fine I’ll behave,” I sighed.

“We’ll be needing to socialize with some of the people after the meeting, we need to build more connections, the more the better,” he said as he placed a brilliant smile onto his face as he passed by a few people, “Fine,” I practically growled.