Chapter 58
‘In the name of Lady Magic, I make this request.’
A very faint, very slight stir tickled over Tom’s skin.
‘I, Thomas Marvolo Riddle, Dark Lord of Britain, Lord Slytherin and Lord Riddle, humbly present myself before these people gathered, and before Lady magic herself. I ask that this child before me be blessed, and that he may become my son, in magic and in blood.’
Tom raised a ritual knife and sliced a long, thin stripe across his hand, letting the blood drip onto the centre stone of the room.
Harry’s eyes widened, but he stayed still. His head tilted slightly and his eyes darted away, as if he was listening to a voice only he could hear. After a moment, he looked back at Tom, a smile tugging at his lips.
He leaned forward, beckoning Tom closer. Harry pressed his mouth right to Tom’s ear, his warm breath tickling at Tom’s skin.
‘Daddy. Mother Magic and Father Death say yes.’ He whispered, so quietly Tom had to listen intently, even in this silent room.
Tom’s eyes filled with tears as he jerked back to look at the boy’s face in shock.
The boy smiled, small and soft. ‘Say my name.’
Tom opened his mouth, then shut it again.
The boy’s smile widened a little. ‘New name. Say it. Mother Magic will help.’
Tom straightened, still kneeling in front of the child, but looking up around the circle at the hopeful, anxious faces.
‘With Lady Magic’s blessing, allow me to present my son, Henry Thomas Riddle, Heir Slytherin, Heir Riddle, Heir Black, Heir Peverell, Sh- Shep,’ Tom stumbled, eyes wide. ‘Shepherd of Death.’
A few gasps and shocked expressions met that title, before they quickly pulled themselves together and began to applaud, bowing low to the newly named Henry Riddle.
‘Hi Henry!’ Draco bounced closer. ‘Do you still remember me?’
Henry smiled and nodded. ‘YesDraco. New name, not new person!’
Draco grinned. ‘Good! We can keep playing from where we left off with the dragon game last time and I don’t have to explain it to you!’
Lucius stepped forward, gently tugging Draco back. ‘Not right now, Draco. We have a little party planned first!’
Both boys turned to him with matching excited expressions.
Henry turned to Tom, eyes beseeching.
‘Yes, there is cake, and yes, we can head up there now.’ Tom said with a smile.
Marius gave Tom a knowing smile as the group shuffled out of the ritual room. ‘A very suitable name, I’d say.’ Marius said with a wink. At Tom’s slightly confused look, Marius went on. ‘Henry. The long form of Harry. Harry is a nickname that has become popular as a first name. The fact that Lady Magic gave your boy a new name, but also left him his old name that he believes you gave him… suitable.’
Tom blinked. ‘Henry – Harry.’ He smiled. ‘He’ll like that.’
***
‘Is it true, Albus?’ Lily asked, confused. ‘All of it?’
‘All of what, my dear?’ Albus asked, grandfatherly concern in full effect, ready with some patronising drivel to pacify the masses.
The Order meeting had not started as he had hoped. He entered the room a few minutes late, but instead of relief at his arrival, tension seemed to rise even higher.
‘The book. Paints a pretty damning picture, Albus.’ growled Moody, both eyes fixed unerringly on Dumbledore.
‘I’m afraid you’ll have to enlighten an old man a little more,’ Albus smiled self-deprecatingly.
Moody slid the book across the table, rather more forcefully than necessary in Albus’ opinion.
His own face looked up at him from the front cover, and Albus blinked.
The Life and Lies of Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore, by Bathilda Bagshot
Oh dear.