Simply Complex

2: Talks and Plans

"Hello."

Hadrian watched as Tom Riddle looked at him with momentary shock before forcing away the look. The fourteen year olds eyes harden as he raises a single eyebrow.

"Peverell. What can I do for you?"

"Nothing at this time, Riddle. Although, may I sit?"

"I suppose there is no harm in saying yes." He replied putting down his book as the young Heir sat. "I suppose there is a reason for you coming over here?"

"Yes, there is. I wanted to ask you something." He watched the minuscule reactions. One's carefully hidden under a mask that is still being created for the Wizarding world, who was more hard to trick than the muggle one. "I have heard your ambitions through the grape vine. You approached my friend, Heir Abraxas Malfoy, in hopes to gain support against Dumbledore. No doubt this is because you have already heard of my groups dislike for the Wizard. I say this only once,"

Hadrian leaned forward and allowed his eyes to darken slightly.

"If you attempt to make followers of anyone, you will have I, Heir Hadrian Antioch Peverell, Master of Death to deal with. I will help you, I will be allies with you, but I will not allow meaningless attacks and killings. And I will not stand for anti-muggle or muggleborn attacks either. Is that clear?"

"Why shouldn't we be anti-muggle? They are horrible and cruel." Tom spats angrily.

"Not all of them are." Hadrian says kindly. "Some of the muggles actually derive from Squibs, which is how we get Muggleborns."

He sighed at the disbelieving look Tom gave him. Looking around he pointed to a fellow first year from Ravenclaw that he shared Charms with.

"That is Jessica Rearden. A muggleborn witch whose Mum and Dad are muggles but her Dad is a son of the Squib from the O'Toole family in Northern Ireland. Her family accept her and the O'Toole family have claimed her under their House with the only requirement being that she finished her education at Hogwarts with high marks."

"How do you know so much?"

"My Father and Lord O'Toole are good friends." Hadrian states with a smile. "Rearden's cousin, Heir Finn O'Toole, is a fifth year Slytherin."

"What about muggles and muggleborns not derived from Squibs?" Tom asked hesitantly.

"Teddy Hart. Second year Hufflepuff. Muggleborn and as far as anyone is aware, no ties through squibs. His Mum and Dad are very accepting." He says with a smile. "Met him through a friend of mine who is a second year Slytherin."

"I.." Tom looks down with creased brows. "I never had that..."

"Perhaps you are a Muggleborn from a Squib family?" Hadrian suggests.

"I am. Maybe? I found out that my Mum was Merope Gaunt. So far the only recent child of the Gaunt family..."

"Ah, your family directly connects to both my family, the Peverells, and the Slytherin family. If I may.." He paused until he saw the signal to continue. "Perhaps, with our familial ties, however distant they are, my parents can take custody of you? It is no secret your home, or lack there of, and my Father can train you as a true Heir of your house. Secondary Heir of ours if something were to happen to me."

"W-What?.."

"I doubt Father would have an issue. I know Mother and Jitsy, the family Head elf, would fret over you terribly for a while. I even admit you look far too skinny to be healthy. I suppose the only issue would be the Gaunts but I doubt they would try to stop us. It is no secret their disgusting views. Especially towards your late Mother."

"You would do that for me?"

Hadrian took a moment to look at Tom Riddle. In his previous life, he had never seen the look that Tom sported at this moment. A look that combined fear and gratitude. Two emotions that as Harry Potter he had thought Tom Riddle coild never be capable of. Now, as Hadrian Peverell, he knew it was only because the poor wizard never had a reason to have gratitude. And his fear was likely kept under lock and key from the outside world.

"Yes. I would. All you have to do is ask it of me." Hadrian says softly. "Do you wish this? Do you wish for me to ask it of my parents?"

"Please.."

Dear Mother and Father,

Firstly, I will assure you that I am doing well in my classes. Professor Slughorn says I have a natural talent for Potions. Which I guiltily admit brings me joy that it made Heir Potter fume in jealousy.

However; I have a very important question after a quick amount of context.

There is a fourth year in Slytherin with the name Tom Riddle. He is the son of the late Merope Gaunt and a muggle. He is alone and an orphan but has so much potential. I have since found out and understood that he is the Heir of the Ancient House of Gaunt and the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin. However, he has been denied by Marvolo Gaunt to be trained as Heir. Personally we all know this is a blessing. 

This is where my question comes into play. I know that it is distant but he is by blood a direct descendant of Cadmus Peverell, making him a descendant of our family House. 

Would you both be willing to take custody of Tom so he can be trained as a future Lord and have a family?

Love,

Your Son and Heir,

Hadrian 

Our Dear Son,

To quickly answer your question, yes. Your Mother and I will gladly do so. Especially so young Tom can learn his responsibilities as a Lord. Although, his will not be as extensive as ours is due to our family that is currently living. I will say that the only person I see trying to stop this is Dumbledore. Assure Tom that he will not be successful. 

Your Mother is asking if Tom wishes for a name change? He does need our last name at least while under our custody. 

Love,

Mother and Father

Hadrian, who started sitting with Tom at meal times, handed him the letter. He watched as the older boy read it quietly before handing it back. His eyes watered as he smiled. 

"Cadmus Salazar Peverell-Slytherin." He said softly. "To honor the two best parts of my heritage." 

"Mother and Father will love that." Hadrian says with a smile. 

"You really think it will work?" 

"Absolutely. Sure, Professor Dumbledore is growing in terms of politics, that is true, but my family is one of the oldest recorded families. We can date back to the time of the Founders and even before. We hold more sway. You will see."

Albus Dumbledore had to force himself not to glare at the Peverell Heir who sat with Tom Riddle. The brat was getting to close to his weapon. He needed the Slytherin pest to be his future antagonist. He knew the war against Gellert was reaching its near end. He wanted the Wizarding World to need him, need his presence, his knowledge so he could rule it. 

First, however, it would seem he needed to get rid of Peverell. How would he do that? Well, thankfully he knew the the family who would be open to helping rid the world of the Peverell line. A certain family that he knew wanted the power of the Peverell House.