Master of Death

Chapter 22

After few days Hadrian got hold of 4 Horcrux courtesy shadow demons. He took diary out from his trunk. Harry fed diary some power for Riddle come out of it.
As Tom came out of it, he gasped seeing his other four horcrux in front of him.
Hadrian chuckled: "Hello Tom, like what you see?"
Tom with shocked expression:" How did you? Never mind"
Hadrian with wide grin:" Are you ready to be human again?"
Tom bowed: "Yes my lord"
Hadrian: "music to my ears. I hope you don't have any back stabbing plan in your mind"
Tom with neutral expression: "No I accept my fate"
Hadrian: "Very well Tom. Go back in diary now"
Before returning Tom: "whose blood is this?"
Hadrian: "You will find out soon"
Tom just nodded and went inside diary.

Hadrian performed ritual and soul parts started coming out of each object they merged with blood that Hadrian put in center.

After 30 minutes, 15 year old boy was standing in center in place of blood. The boy looked at his body and felt different, so he conjured mirror and got shocked. Tom was just staring towards Hadrian in questioning manner but didn't speak. Hadrian throw robs to him to cover his body.

Hadrian: "I am impressed that you didn't hex me or accuse me for this look"
Tom: "You are my king. I remember my words. I am not some naive child as I look. Besides I know Your every action has some well thought plan."
Hadrian smirked: "You're indeed smart and you are correct. There are actually four reason behind it. First I wanted to test you by your reaction which you passed. Second to give you your own looks will not give you free life as you wanted to live. People like Dumbledore or Voldemort or their followers who knows you will be after you like hawks. Third to give you your own look, I have to use part of your loyal servant. How am I supposed to find such person without notifying your other self as your loyal servants have Dark Mark? Same reason why I didn't bring Nagini  here"
Tom nodded: "What's fourth"
Hadrian: "That's personal one. As you know there is one house in Hogwarts that no one take into consideration in anything. As Hogwarts heir, I want to see that house shine again to full glory. I have researched few things about your past."
Tom stiffened
Hadrian showed genuine smile: "There is nothing to be ashamed of Tom. I would have similar childhood if my father hasn't found me and saved me from my muggle relatives."
Tom with wide eyes: "Your father?"
Tom has asked Ginny about Hadrian and found his other self-had killed potters.
Hadrian: "Story for other time. As I was saying I wanted to give you that one thing that you never had. True friends not followers or those who want something in return. It's happy go lucky house. I want to give you chance to enjoy happy childhood, a chance to live and love whoever you wish. Some Powerful memory that can help you cast Patronas. "
Tom has tears in his eyes but didn't cry no one has ever showed him any kindness. If there was ever one person who has showed concern for him without ulterior motives he might not have ended up as Dark Lord. He always wonder what it felt to cast patronas as he never was able to cast it. He composed himself so his mask don't fall.
Hadrian: "Let it fall Tom. The place you will be in few days doesn't require stoic masks or race of internal hierarchy."
Tom cried for the first time in ages, Hadrian just gave him comfort. He never cried after his 7th birthday and decided not to let anyone close enough to him to make him vulnerable. Tom slept there on hugging Hadrian exhausted from outburst. Hadrian put him on sofa. He felt odd why he did what he did. It's like words for the fourth reason came out of his mouth automatically. He has turned many into Darkness. It was not like Tom needed to turn darker than he already is. But why he said something like that to turn him into light and why he felt content after doing it.
He took 4 powerful objects from ritual circle (which are free from Dark Lord's Soul) and took them to his room. After putting them with his collection, he lie down on his bed to fall sleep. 

In the morning, when Hadrian went down Tom was sitting on sofa. When Tom noticed Hadrian coming he stiffened thinking how he lost his mask yesterday. Hadrian noticed it.
Hadrian:" Good morning smith, how are you feeling today?"
Tom with confused eyes: "Smith?"
Hadrian: "Well that's your name: Zacharias Smith. Pure blood from well reputed and Wealthy family. Now I can't make my loyal to suffer Half blood status again, can I?"
Tom: "If I remember correctly Zacharis are descendant of Helga hufflepuff, right?"
Hadrian smirked: "Of course they are. This way you will remain heir to one of founder."
Tom got smile on his face thinking this boy is really something else.
Tom: "What happened to real Smith, if I may ask"
Hadrian: "I killed him" There was no ounce of regret or any emotion in it.
Tom just kept looking Hadrian. He had shocked expression how the boy who was showering him light just turn into emotionless killer.
Hadrian sighed: "Well when I was 8 yr old, he was around 11 I guess. He decided to play big bad bully on me and commented on my family. I just punished him"
Tom: "I am no one to judge but didn't his family do anything about it?"
Hadrian laughed: "Well no one was with him when it happened, the only thing everyone knows he never returned, the Zacharis used all their sources to find him but no luck yet. They never found any body or clue."
Tom nodded in understanding Hadrian's words and also how Hadrian can be dangerous when he wants to.
Hadrian: "I believe you can manage how to approach them. And you are smart enough to come up with some story to make them believe who you are. Don't worry if they do some taste on your blood. Also Albus might grill you in first meeting to taste water. So be careful to not fall on his radar."
Tom: "I will deal with it"
Hadrian: "Fine then I will see you in School preferably in Hufflepuff house"
Tom nodded.
Hadrian: "One last thing the ritual also make other spirit alive. He might be confuse how it happened. But he will make a move soon. So be alert."
Tom:" Understood. I have one query before I leave. May I?"
Hadrian: "Of course"
Tom: "I haven't taken any oath than why I am feeling some binding magic towards you"
Hadrian grinned: "Oh I forgot to inform you that I placed binding oath on blood I used. Making it binding blood oath. It's just complete loyalty oath. Break it and the blood will destroy you."
Tom got wide eyes knowing meaning very well. He didn't say anything. Of course cunning was expected, this boy is Slytherin king for a reason.

With that they both left manor for their own mission.