Withering to Death

Chapter 8

Many happy things happened to Harry over the next three weeks. The Letranges officially adopted him, ensuring Dumblederp could do nothing about where Harry lived, and Tom had completed the blood bond; ensuring he would always have family.
Harry couldn't even remember the last time he felt so at peace. He had his mother. He had an official Aunt and Uncle who loved him. And now he even had a brother.
Family.

Humming lightly to himself, he walked through the halls of Riddle Manor, bare feet hardly making any sound on the marble tiled floors. Today he wore loose black pants and an equally dark tank top. His hair, which had been grown to the middle of his back, was pulled back into a braid. He wore a silver chain around his neck, a pendant hanging from it that held the Lestrange, Riddle, and Black crests all on a silver shield. On his wrist was a bracelet, also silver, given to him by his brother. It was a portkey but also doubled as a storage unit. In it he carried all of his blood supplements, until he needed refills, and all of his blood lollies; one of which he was currently devouring.

On his left hand rested a ring. It was white gold. Set in its center lay an onyx stone and what looked like frozen mercury nestled beside it. He had been given that as an engagement ring.
Even though in the eyes of their races they'd become married, Remus wanted to officially give his son away with a wedding. So a date has been set and a ring chosen. Harry definitely wasn't complaining.

Currently, however, he was looking for his brother. No one else was home. His mother was off on a mission with Fenrir and wouldn't be back for a while. His mates were at Hogwarts, Severus to report to the old man and Draco going along with the excuse of 'his father being unable to watch him at the current time'.

Harry snorted as he made his way to the library where his brother normally could be found.

His Aunt and Uncle were currently remodeling the Lestrange Manor in time for Christmas at the end of the year (which was still four months away but they we're rather lazy and would prefer killing to cleaning).

::Aniki!:: Harry hissed around the sucker in his mouth as he opened the door to the library.

Tom's eye twitched as he watched his little brother twirl into the room.

"You're Happy." he muttered as said teen gracefully walked up to him and promptly planted himself into the Dark Lord's lap. Harry pouted , and pulled out the lollie.

::I have much to be happy about::

"And you're bored."

::That too:: Harry's grin was feral but he turned his attention to the books Tom had in front of him.

::What are you reading?::

Voldemort sighed and winced.

"I found out how to do the counter curse. But I need to wait for your mates before I can proceed."

Harry raised a brow.

::Why?::

Tom scowled and looked away.

"Because it will cause you great pain. They will need to be here to keep you from clawing at your throat. You have to remain alert otherwise I'd just give you a Dreamless Sleep and do it then." he replied and gently nuzzled his brother's temple.

Harry nodded slowly.

::It's ok Tom. I trust you. So. I heard from Mum that you want me to go back to Hogwarts?::

Tom sighed again.

"Yes. Under a different name though so that you are safer from Dumbledore's manipulations."

::Hmm. What would my new name be?::

Tom smiled slowly.

"I thought Nathair Zelenilo D'Argent. What do you think?"

Harry rolled the name around in his mind and finally nodded.

::I like it. When should I expect my letter? And will I still be able to show myself as Sev and Draco's mate?::

Tom nodded to the second question but was still lost in thought over the first.

"You...should get your letter when Draco does, don't worry. You'll get sorted into Slytherian and then you'll be protected by your mates. You'll be fine." he stated and rubbed circles into his brothers tummy, who practically melted in his lap.

Chuckling, Tom began to read from his book again, going over the ritual he'd need to complete the counter curse and free his little brother from his silence.

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