World's Away

Chapter IX: Breaking Bonds and Forging Paths

Hadrian worked extra hard as the days to the Yule holidays ticked down; he was always seen with his nose in some book, talking through the floo to someone else, or muttering incantations under his breath as he practised wand movements. And if he wasn't doing either of these things; Hadrian was invisible to the rest of the Slytherin House...including Tom, which made the other teen nervous sometimes.

Seeing as Hadrian often returned late at night, exhausted, and literally collapsing into either his own dormitory bed or with Tom in his. Tom noted at times of how pale Hadrian was after these instances; of how little he ate in the mornings.

It had begun to concern him highly; seeing as Hadrian needed to eat for energy and to maintain his magic the way he normally did.

But as the day before Christmas Eve arrived; Hadrian entered the common room and he was all smiles. His aura practically infused the room with warmth as his eyes were glittering and shining just like the lights and decorations to the trees in the room.

Something good had happened, he supposed.

Tom rose a brow as Hadrian easily sauntered in and over to where he was; then walked to behind the sofa and leaned over it as Tom felt anticipatory chills run through his body; what had his mate planned now?

Hadrian leaned to his ear and nipped it as he smirked.

~~Come with me, mate mine...I want some time alone with you now; since we may not have another chance later. If all my efforts to not die tonight in breaking the unfulfilled contract and bond between Orion and Walburga fails~~

Tom's eyes hardened to the words as he hissed in slight displeasure to hearing them. But he stood up and then tried to smile a bit for the room; they didn't need the rest of the common room aware that this might be the last time they saw four of their classmates alive and well.

Though both Hadrian and Tom saw how Orion, Abraxas, and Walburga had eyed them with emotions behind their masks;  Orion must have said something to Abraxas about what Hadrian was planning to do for him.

So that Abraxas would know how to act and to lead the rest of the House when the professors noted the missing students and wouldn't find their bodies at all in the castle. Also...Because; if Hadrian died tonight, Tom had no intentions of lingering behind. Especially not now with his vessels gone and his bond to Hadrian shattered from the loss.

He refused to become another monster and destroy what he had begun to gain from having Hadrian there to lead and to guide him into being a better lord for those who had followed him in this path.

~~

Tom could tell; as they walked in silence to Godric's rooms, that Hadrian's mind was somewhere other than what he was leading them there for. But he didn't know what about or why, so he just stayed silent and watched him with observance

Hadrian eased them to the rooms after he made sure no one else saw them; then held his hand to him and Tom carefully took it. Hadrian smiling radiantly for it as he led them to the bedroom. Green eyes soft as he paused and turned; his fingers delicately lying on his shirt as his eyes asked of him for permission.

Though Tom knew that Hadrian had no need for it; he was touched that Hadrian still at times did ask him if he really wanted to be intimate like this. It was really about consent for them; seeing as both had issues with people before of not asking for theirs. He smiled too and inclined his head as Hadrian breathed softly and began to undo the buttons.

One by one; slowly.

"I want you to know..." Hadrian said slowly and soft, "That no matter what happens tonight; I regret nothing. If I die from this ritual; I want you to be aware that you are not responsible for my death. I chose to help them; it was my decision and mine alone.