A True Riddle

Chapter 3 - Decisions

A/N: Parseltongue from a snake is written in just bold, parseltongue from a person is written in bold and underlined. Also, the way I see it is, snakes can understand humans, if a human is talking just to a snake, they use parseltongue because it is politer, if they are talking to humans (particularly those that don't understand parseltongue) and a snake, they speak english. When talking to an item that is activated by parseltongue (The Chamber of Secrets) they speak parseltongue as proof of heritage.

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In a room at the top of a mansion there lies a boy. His glasses are carefully placed on the bedside table, well out of reach of flailing arms and legs. The boy's perpetually messy hair only gets worse as he writhes on the sheets that have become knotted around his pale body.

"Hadrian!" A call that has now changed from the past 15 years. A flash of green light. The thump of a body falling. Pale eyes hovering over his. That was another thing that was different. Previously the eyes had been red, but now they are blue. A blue that he used to think was comforting, now it is just pale, like ice.

"Yes, this will be the final straw." A voice whispers. A wand is risen to eyesight. "Av-" The voice starts to speak.

"NO!" Another voice shouts, a bolt of red light shoots past, narrowly missing the person standing over him.

"Damn it." The person mutters, turning to face the new arrival.

"Leave him alone." The new person shouts, starting to walk forward, his wand still raised.

"How nice of you to join us." He smiles grimly, "Bit late for them." He gestures to the body on the floor.

"You monster. They'll work it out sometime, you will slip up." The person walking forward hisses.

"Not at all. After this, they'll love me. After all, I'll kill the Dark Lord and no one will know the difference." He raises his wand, pointing it at the person who has now stopped moving.

"I didn't know you were suicidal." A teasing grin flashes across his face.

"I'm not." The person suddenly moves his wand to point at the cot. "Avada Kedavra." He whispers, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"No." The other person cries again, launching himself in front of the beam of light. The is a whispered exhale, like his soul is leaving his body, which fades leaving a slightly grinning man and a small, baby that is in a cot. The baby has gone still, like it knows that danger is near.

"Well, that didn't quite go to plan but it has given me another idea. I'm sure he is still out there, bound to come back, but this is perfect." An evil smile spreads across his face as he raises his wand again. "Obliviate." The light hits the baby who wriggles once, then goes still. A blank canvas to paint a story on. "His son will be his downfall." The person whispers, staring at the frozen baby.

Master. You have awoken! Please, come rescue me. A strange hissing works its way into Hadrian's dreams.

What? Who are you? Where are you? Hadrian asks, defaulting to parseltongue.

Your loyal servant. I'm sure that by now you know the truth of Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort, right?

Yes. Hadrian's mind is filled with swirling fog that slowly coalesces into the shape of a young snake.

Well, when Dumbledore stole you, he also stole me. My name is Jormun, I am the son of Nagini. Your parents gave me to you to protect you and be your familiar. I am trapped under Hogwarts, I had been sleeping, but when you woke, so did I. Please Master. Rescue me. The snake pleads.