When Merrows Scream

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 17, 1995: Plans are Made

“Hey Uncle Severus, we are here to take over so you can do rounds,” Draco called out as he entered Severus’ quarters.

“In the dining area,” Severus called back. Draco, Theo, Blaise, Viktor, and Nikolaus came around the corner and paused.

There at the table with Severus was a boy with bluish/purple skin, shoulder length blue hair that was streaked with light purple. He had grey eyes that were ringed in a pretty blue. He had beautiful silver, lilac, and peach wings fluttering behind him and scales on his face and hands.

“Who..” Draco started but Viktor stepped forward with a smile and a bow.

“Zdrasti, Little Seeker,” Viktor greeted.

“Harry?” Draco asked in shock. Hadrian smiled and nodded.

“Well, the name my parents gave me is Hadrian. Hadrian Lupus Prince,” Hadrian told them.

“A lovely name,” Nikolaus commented, and Hadrian blushed.

“So, this is what you really look like? You are a Merrow?” Draco asked. Hadrian nodded.

“I have been under a blood glamour my whole life to make me look like James and Lily Potter, and I am not full Aqua’kine, only part,” Hadrian answered.

“You look completely different. No scar or anything. No one would recognize you at all like this. If you hid your skin, the only reason someone would look twice at you is because of how lovely you are,” Blaise pointed out. Hadrian blushed brightly for a moment before he grinned and then turned to Severus.

“That’s it!!” He exclaimed.

“Be more specific, Child,” Severus said patiently.

“I look nothing like Harry Potter,” Hadrian stated.

“I know,” Severus responded. “That doesn’t clear up what you meant though.”

“Oh right,” Hadrian said with a blush. “We were trying to figure out what to do. So that I can be safe, and you don’t have to send me away.”

“Go on, Child,” Severus encouraged.

“Harry Potter is missing again. No one knows where he is right?” Hadrian asked.

“Right, people are starting to worry. I think Dumbledore may have called in some people,” Draco answered.

“The Order I am sure,” Severus commented. “Please continue, Hadrian.”

“Ok, so what if Harry Potter just never comes back? He was never real, he doesn’t exist, he was someone that Dumbledore and the Potters made up to suit their needs. But Hadrian does exist and maybe it is time for me to enroll in Hogwarts as myself. No one is going to pay attention to one insignificant transfer student during everything that is going on,” Hadrian pointed out.

“He is right. Dumbledore and the rest of the world are watching the tournament and the champions. Add Harry Potter turning up missing again? They will never pay attention to one boy aside from his sorting,” Blaise agreed.

“And who will you be? You cannot be a Prince. Dumbledore knows that I am the only Prince left in this world,” Severus pointed out.

“No, but I can be Hadrian Black,” He countered. “There are a lot of Blacks left, too many to keep track of. The Blacks married into nearly every family. Including a branch that moved away to America and basically fell off the face of the Earth. They aren’t even on the family tree anymore.”

“He is right,” Draco added. “I had to learn about it during my Heir training. How do you know about it?”

“I have had a lot of time to read and ask questions,” Hadrian answered with a smile. “I am a lot more studious then I have led people to believe. Plus, I am as much a Black as you are.”

“So, Cara Mia, when you sort, do you think you will go back to Gryffindor?” Blaise asked him.

Hadrian smirked and sat down on the floor at Severus’ feet. The Potion Master reached out and ran his fingers through Hadrian’s hair. The Submissive leaned over on his leg.

“No, I will most likely sort Slytherin. It was where the hat wanted to put me first year,” Hadrian revealed to them.

“What do you mean, Child,” Severus asked him.

To think his son could have been in his care this entire time. He performed medical exams on all of his students. He would have known about the abuse sooner maybe even gotten him cleansed sooner.

“The Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin first year. But I had just fought with Draco on the train and then again while we were waiting to be sorted, plus Hagrid and Ron had just spent hours talking about how awful and evil Slytherin House was and how wonderful Gryffindor was. So, I asked the hat to put me in Gryffindor,” Hadrian explained.

“Merlin,” Draco said with a grin. “If only I hadn’t been a prat in first year, we could have actually been friends.”

“We can be friends now, can’t we?” Hadrian asked him.

“We absolutely can,” Draco answered. “It will be nice to be around another Submissive after spending so much time with all of these brutes.”

“I don’t hear you calling me a brute when you want a cuddle,” Theo said and flicked Draco’s ear.

The blonde grinned and let Theo wrap him in his arms. Hadrian watched them and smiled. He wanted that. He couldn’t wait to find his Alpha and Beta.

“So, Harry Potter disappears, and you enroll as yourself? That is the plan?” Viktor asked.

Hadrian looked up at Severus. The good thing about having a living parent was that he didn’t have to make these decisions anymore. He had never liked everyone looking to him to make choices or lead. Severus sat there for a moment and thought about it.

“It sounds like a good plan. I think we can pull it off,” Severus answered. “But he cannot show up right now. It would be suspicious. He can stay here in my quarters, or he could stay in Prince Manor for about a month. It might even be better if he waited until January when the new term starts.”

“I don’t want to go to Prince Manor,” Hadrian stated quickly.

“Why? You would rather be cooped up in here for two months? You wouldn’t even be able to go outside,” Nikolaus asked him.

“I lived in a cupboard under the stairs for a decade. I can stay in these quarters for two months. Besides, I could still go outside. I have an invisibility cloak,” Hadrian insisted.

He felt Severus’ hand pause for a moment before he continued to run his fingers through his hair. The others looked like they were tense and fighting not to react.

“What did I say?” Hadrian asked them. “Why is everyone so tense all of a sudden?”

“I don’t think you realize what you just revealed, my Little Star,” Severus answered him gently. Hadrian thought about it and then blushed.

“Oh, I don’t know why I said that. I am usually more careful. Any way that we can all just pretend I didn’t say it?” Hadrian asked them pleadingly.

“No, Little Seeker we will not pretend you didn’t say it. But for now, we will let it go,” Viktor answered.

“Until you are comfortable talking about it,” Blaise added.

“Thank you,” Hadrian said gratefully. “So, I stay here until term starts back in January and then enroll as Hadrian Black. Harry Potter is gone.”

“Sounds like a plan. It also gives everyone time to get used to calling you by your true name, work out all of the kinks, hear back from Nevarah, and start looking for Remus and Regulus,” Severus agreed.

“And we can all come and keep you company so that you don’t die of boredom down here,” Draco offered.

“Thanks, that will help a lot,” Hadrian told them. “Where are my Twin Terrors?”

“I believe they are pranking Weasel and his group of idiots,” Blaise answered. “They promised to visit later this evening or tomorrow if you were still sleeping.”

“Awesome,” Hadrian said.

“I am glad that you are awake now, they have been hovering and fussing and it’s weird. So now you can take your Pareya back so they will leave me alone,” Draco said with a grin to let Hadrian know that he wasn’t really mad or anything.

“They do fuss a lot don’t they,” Hadrian agreed. “Maybe with another Submissive around to fuss over they won’t dedicate all of their time to worrying about just me. Merlin, maybe they will spread it around to all of you.”

“You warn those terrors right now that if they attempt to fuss or mess around in my quarters, they will be banned,” Severus stated with a chuckle. Hadrian looked up at him and smiled. This was really nice.

“Want to play chess?” Draco asked him.

“I know how to play, but I am not very good. Ron tells me all the time that he only plays with me because there isn’t anyone else to play with. But I will play,” Hadrian agreed. “Do you have a set, Dad?” Severus smiled down at him and nodded. Harry smiled back. That hadn’t even felt weird to say. He had a ‘dad’. One who wanted him and was willing to take care of him.

“Draco knows where it is. He can set it up in the sitting room,” Severus answered.

Viktor reached down to help Hadrian up and the Submissive happily slipped his hand in to the Beta’s. Severus watched his son smile brightly up at the Bulgarian and sighed inwardly. They weren’t going to have much time with their boy before he started his own circle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 18, 1995: The Order Searches for Harry

“Any sign of him?” Albus asked.

“No, Albus,” Arthur answered. “How did this happen? How has he gone missing again?”

“I do not know, My Boy,” Albus responded. “Alastor?”

“Nothing, Albus. I found no trace at all. Inside the school or out of it,” Moody told him.

“He did not just disappear into thin air,” Albus stated. He slammed his hand into the table. “He is in this school somewhere. I did not feel him pass through the wards.”

“We checked his dorm room and talked to his friends. Most of his things are in his room and untouched. The students we spoke to said they saw him have a fight with Hermione and leave the common room. It was the last time anyone remembers seeing him,” Bill told them.

“What things are missing?” Moody asked. “You said most things are in his room.”

“I had Ron and Hermione go through his things with me to see if everything was there. There is a cloak and a map missing,” Bill answered.

“A cloak and a map?” Moody stated. “That gives us nothing.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Albus agreed. “I am pretty sure Mr. Potter keeps those two things on him at all times. If he was abducted he would have had them on him.”

“So, we are going with the idea that he was taken. Right out of the school without your knowledge,” Arthur accused.

“The map the boy carries has secret passages on it that the wards do not monitor. He could have gone out to clear his head after his fight and been taken,” Albus informed him.

“Death Eaters,” Moody growled out. “I knew something was going to happen when the plan to put him in the tournament failed.”

“You know he has a map like that in his possession and allowed him to keep it? That doesn’t seem like something that a student should be in possession of,” Arthur pointed out.

“It is an heirloom. His father created it with his friends. It is one of the only things that the boy has of his father, and you would have me take it from him?” Albus asked disappointedly.

“You do not have to take it from him. You could simply insist that he leaves it at home. Surely there is no reason why he couldn’t,” Bill accused.

Arthur placed a hand on his arm to remind him to calm down.

Bill just rolled his eyes, closed his mouth and crossed his arms. He didn’t want to be in this office with people who wanted to spend their time talking and making assumptions. He wanted to be out looking for Harry. His little brother needed him.

This time, however, he wouldn’t return him to Albus and his nasty plans. This time he would take the boy to the Goblins and insist that he is hidden away somewhere. Even if he had to take him to Nevarah personally. He had been informed that he had family in Nevarah, he was sure they would keep Harry safe until Bill could bring his parents to him.

“We need to find him before they hurt him,” Arthur demanded. “There has to be a way to track him.”

“He has been missing for four days now. If Death Eaters have taken him, I do not hold out the hope that they have left him untouched,” Moody answered coldly.

“I think you should let Sirius out of Grimmauld to search and bring Remus back,” Arthur insisted. “You didn’t let him know the first time Harry was missing but this is different. We know he was taken. We need their help to search.”

“I will let Sirius out of Grimmauld, but Remus is doing important things to secure the wolves to our side. I will not tell him what has happened and the rest of you are forbidden from contacting him as well. You could blow his cover and get him killed,” Albus commanded.

“So, what is the plan?” Bill demanded to know.

“Alastor, I want you to begin speaking to your old contacts. Find out what is going on with the Dark. See if you can get any information about Harry,” Albus instructed.

“I will get right on it,” Moody stated.

“Arthur, I want you to keep your ears open at work. We know there are Death Eaters in the Ministry see if you can pick up anything,” Albus continued to instruct.

“Alright,” Arther agreed.

“Bill, you are uniquely placed at the Bank. You will probably have more opportunity to pick up stray conversation than anyone. Maybe even see if the Goblins will give you any information,” Albus told him.

“I will listen for what I can, but I have told you before, Dumbledore that I have taken vows to keep the bank patron’s secrets. The Goblins will give me no information. This is a very tight rope that I have to walk in order to do this,” Bill told him for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Of course, just do what you can,” Albus responded.

“I hope it isn’t already too late,” Moody stated.

“Must you always be so pessimistic?” Arthur said with a frown.

“I am only being realistic. The Death Eaters are planning something. It started with the World Cup. They are calling back their followers and something is in the works. I truly believe it was a Dark plot to have Potter compete and when that didn’t work they simply took him. I do not expect you will find the boy alive again,” Moody said with a shrug.

“You could at least seem a little sorry about it,” Bill spat out. Arthur put a hand on his arm to keep him calm. This time, Bill didn’t pay him any attention. “He is just a boy. A boy that has been through too much. He should have been safe here.”

“That’s enough, William,” Arthur told him sternly. “Get some air. Maybe go see the twins, they are probably pretty upset about all of this. Harry is very close to them.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that,” Bill said and strode quickly from the room. He found Fred and George hanging out in a hall as if they were waiting for him.

“Hey big brother,” Fred said and hugged Bill.

“Can you keep a secret?” George asked as he took his turn hugging their brother.

“What do the two of you know?” Bill asked them. The twins simply took him by the hand and led him through the corridors. They got to a wall and knocked. Bill was surprised when Severus Snape answered the door and let them in.

“BILL!!”

He barely had time to brace before he had his arms full of a happy, chirring Submissive. He looked at the twins who were grinning at him. He rolled his eyes and nuzzled Harry. If he held him just a little bit tighter than usual, Harry didn’t complain at all. He had been so worried. They had a lot of explaining to do.

“Hello, Little Troublemaker,” Bill said with fondness.

“I missed you, Bill,” Hadrian said with a smile when he pulled away. “You wouldn’t happen to have any of those meat sticks with you, would you.”

“Don’t give him any, Bill,” Fred said with a chuckle.

“The little sneak is trying to get around our deal by batting those pretty grey eyes at you,” George added.

Hadrian turned and stuck his tongue out at the twins before turning back the red headed Alpha. He smiled up at him.

“Don’t listen to them Bill. I did what they wanted. I know that Viktor and Nik are Beta, Draco is a Submissive, Blaise is a Gheyo, and Theo is an Alpha,” Hadrian told him.

“Yeah but you didn’t figure it out on your own,” George pointed out.

“I figured out most of them on my own,” Hadrian whined. “Please, Bill.”

“Like I could deny you anything,” Bill said. “Besides I would buy you a house if you asked for it right about now. I thought you were at the mercy of Death Eaters five minutes ago or dead and I was ready to start cursing people to find you.”

Bill pulled a wrapped package out of his pocket and handed the whole thing to Hadrian. The Submissive grinned and hugged Bill tightly before smiling up at Severus who was watching them. Hadrian pulled a piece out and offered it to his dad.

“What is it?” Severus asked once he had taken the jerky stick.

Hadrian shrugged and headed the rest of the way into the sitting room and sat down between Viktor and Draco. Bill and Severus chuckled when the younger Beta attempt to subtly check out Bill while moving closer to Hadrian. He wasn’t the only one though. Nikolaus and Blaise also watched Bill a little closer.

“They do know that Hadrian sees us as family don’t they?” Bill asked the twins.

“No,”

“They know that Hadrian sees us as family,” Fred stated with a grin.

“We may not have made sure to tell them the same about you,” George finished.

“The two of you are chaos personified,” Bill said with a sigh. “We all know that Hadrian only sees me as family. Just like the rest of you. Don’t confuse them. I don’t need them trying to get close to me to make Hadrian happy because they think we are courting.”

“What would be the fun in that,” Fred answered.

“Yeah, don’t try to ruin our fun, Big Brother Bill,” George agreed.

“Run along Twin Terrors,” Bill instructed with a chuckle. Fred and George kissed him on each cheek and then followed Hadrian into the living room.

“Come on, we can talk in my personal lab. It is the only place in my quarters that hasn’t been invaded by teenagers,” Severus told him.

“You are like a different person,” Bill said once they were in the lab. Severus nodded and sat down on a stool.

“I am. Most of the personality you are all used to was manufactured by Albus. I am not a bitter, angry man. I was not a Death Eater. I did not follow Voldemort or spy for anyone. I am a father who just got his son back. An Alpha looking for his bonded. I just want to put my family back together and get them somewhere safe and far away from here,” Severus answered.

“Good. I am glad that Hadrian has you,” Bill told him.

“And I am glad that he had you and your brothers to look after him,” Severus responded. “You never said what was in these that my son likes so much.”

“Oh, it’s just beef with a blend of spices from Nevarah as well as pure Dragel Healer’s blood. I get if from the Bank. They have it shipped here for me when they make contact with their branch on Nevarah,” Bill told him.

“So, it is good for him,” Severus asked.

“More than. It is probably better for his health than any of the potions that the Goblins are giving him,” Bill informed him.

“Good, thank you,” Severus said with a sigh. “He needs the healing. That medical report was the worst I have ever seen.”

“I know,” Bill agreed. “So, do I get to be in on the plan? I am sure that there is one.”

“There is,” Severus told him. Then he spent the next hour informing him of what they had planned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 24, 1995: The First Task

Hadrian was so nervous.

Today was November 24th and the first task was about to begin. He was under his invisibility cloak and standing just behind Severus so that no one would accidentally bump into him. People tended to give his dad a lot of room. Especially when his scowl was firmly in place like it was now.

Charlie had invited Hadrian to come down and see the Dragons once they had gotten them unloaded and settled. So, he and his dad had gone into the forest to see them. Turns out Hadrian could talk to them the same way that he could talk to snakes. It had been so neat. He had even gotten to pet one much to Severus displeasure.

The next morning, Hadrian had waited impatiently for Viktor and Nikolaus to visit. They had barely made it through the door before the Submissive was telling them everything about the Dragons. Viktor had thanked him and then the three of them had sat together and discussed what they thought the actual task might be.

Now, here they were.

Hadrian an anxious mess, as he watched first Cedric and then Fleur both face their Dragons and walk away with burns. Could Dragel get burned? He knew Aqua’kine didn’t fare well with fire at all, but what about other Dragel? Hadrian grasped Severus’ robes when it was finally Viktor’s turn.

“Peace, Child,” Severus said very quietly so that only Hadrian could hear him over the roar of the crowds. “The Beta will be fine.”

Hadrian took a deep breath but didn’t let go of his dad.

He watched Viktor take on his Dragon. He was magnificent. He was smart and fast. He avoided the Dragon’s fire and was only nicked by a claw once. Finally, he temporarily blinded the Dragon and retrieved his egg before the spell wore off and the Dragon attempted to attack again.

The crowds went wild with cheers as Charlie and the other handlers took care of the Dragon and Viktor waited for his scores. Hadrian had to work hard not to cheer when Viktor was announced as the winner for this task.

“Go on before the stands begin to empty,” Severus instructed. “I am sure he will come and see you when he is able.”

“Ok, Dad,” Hadrian answered just as quietly and slipped away from the arena and back to their quarters.

He wasn’t alone for very long.

Draco, Blaise, and Theo showed up just a few minutes later and the four of them talked about the task animatedly together. The excitement died down slowly and when Severus returned to his quarters he found Draco and Theo quietly playing chess while Hadrian laid with his head in Blaise’s lap. The Gheyo was once again reading out loud.

“I believe it is time for the three of you to return to your dorm room before curfew,” Severus announced.

“Alright Uncle, can we finish our game?” Draco asked. Severus just nodded and sat down in his favorite chair. He watched the four of them quietly as they finished up what they were doing.

“Do you even know Italian, Hadrian?” Severus asked curiously after a few moments. His son looked up and grinned at him.

“Nope,” he said and popped his ‘p’. “But I like when Blaise reads out loud to me. It’s really relaxing.”

“Do you want to learn, Cara Mia?” Blaise asked him. “I didn’t know that you didn’t understand. You should have told me; I would have read it in English for you.”

“It’s alright, I really don’t mind,” Hadrian insisted and then he blushed. “I like the way you sound when you speak Italian.”

“Cosi prezioso,” Blaise said and tapped him on the nose.

“Alright, you three get out and I would appreciate it Zabini if you didn’t flirt so openly with my son right in front of my face, thank you very much,” Severus stated and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Sorry, professor,” Blaise said in such a way that they all knew that he wasn’t. Hadrian just laughed and smiled brightly.

“Thanks for hanging out with me,” the Submissive told them gratefully. “Honestly, hanging out with the three of you has been so much easier and calmer than it ever was with Hermione and Ron.”

“It has been nice getting to know the real you, Hadrian,” Theo said with a bow.

He was always so proper and calm. He wondered if all Earth Types were that way or if it was just a Theo thing. Then he thought about Remus, his Papa. He was an Earth Type, and he was always so calm and understanding. So maybe it was an Earth thing.

“As always, Cara Mia, it was a pleasure,” Blaise said and kissed the back of his hand.

The only time Blaise was calm or ‘soft’ was when he was around Hadrian or reading to him. He seemed to move with a grace that let you know he was a great fighter and not with his wand but with the daggers Hadrian knew he kept hidden on him at all times.

There were times when Blaise’s beautiful purple eyes seemed to flash, or his magic would pulse, and you just knew he was riding that line between Feral and Fine. But he guessed that was par for the course for a Joker. At least from what he had read. And it mostly only happened when Dumbledore or the Dursleys were mentioned.

“Eat something before you go to bed, Hades. I know you didn’t eat much at dinner. We Submissives need to stay healthy to keep our magic and cores stable,” Draco said before he hugged Hadrian and the three of them left.

Draco was probably the most surprising for Hadrian.

The Blonde hadn’t sneered at or around him once unless they were talking about Dumbledore, Ron, or Hermione. He was calm and helpful. He was also very free with his affection toward Hadrian. The two of them had even cuddled together a few times. It was nice.

His dad had told him it was a Submissive thing.

Apparently, Dragel were very physical beings. Hadrian was always being touched by someone and none of it was sexual or inappropriate. Just really comforting. Hadrian loved it and had grown accustomed to it really fast. He hated the times when he had to be alone because everyone was in class.

He turned around to find Severus sitting on the couch where Blaise had been previously. He smiled at his dad and sat down close so that Severus could wrap his arm around him. This was the part of the evening that Hadrian loved the most. Just quiet, uncomplicated quality time with his dad.

Sometimes they just sat and cuddled, and other times they would read or talk quietly together. Hadrian loved Severus. He loved him so much and sometimes it was hard to believe that the old Severus had ever existed.

“Black paid Albus a visit today,” Severus said after a few moments.

“What did he want?” Hadrian asked.

“He is angry and blaming Albus for your disappearance,” Severus answered.

“Do you think he knows about everything that Dumbledore did to us? That I am actually his Nephew?” Hadrian asked.

“Hadrian, I know that you were close to Black before, but there are some things that you need to know about him and the type of person that he is, or at least was,” Severus stated with a sigh.

“Ok, I am listening. It isn’t as if I would be surprised to learn he is just as bad as Dumbledore and the Potters. Especially with the way he talks about James,” Hadrian responded.

“Good, because that is exactly what I was going to tell you,” Severus started. “Sirius and Remus used to be together. Back before they were sixteen. Then Sirius tried to use Remus to hurt me. One full moon, Sirius came to me upset saying that something had happened to Regulus. So, I followed him to the Shrieking Shack. He locked me in a room with Remus just as he was transforming.”

“He did what?” Hadrian exclaimed. “He didn’t try to hurt you, Dad, he tried to kill you. What is wrong with him?”

“Peace Child,” Severus said and kissed his head. “Remus had amazing control of himself, even then and kept himself from hurting me long enough for James to realize the type of trouble Sirius would get into if Remus killed me so he let me out. Long story short, that was the situation that led Remus to us. He wanted nothing else to do with James and Sirius when he realized that they felt no remorse about what they had done beyond what it would have done to them if I had died.”

“Of course they didn’t. They are the type of people who would kidnap children after all,” Hadrian pointed out.

“I don’t know that they would have normally done it,” Severus responded. He looked so sad for a moment. “They were bullies, yes. And Sirius hated all of us for many reasons, but losing a child messed them up. I couldn’t imagine how it would have affected me if I had lost you. It doesn’t excuse them, by any means. I am only stating what led to their choices.”

He went on to tell Hadrian about how Lily had gotten pregnant and given birth to a little boy a year after Regulus had Hadrian. Lily’s baby had been born sick and had only lived a few months before it passed away.

Sirius had come to their home a month later raving about how they were all dark and didn’t deserve to have a healthy perfect baby when perfectly respectable Light Wixen had lost theirs. Sirius had gone so far as to demand that they give him and the Potters Hadrian to raise so that he was raised the right way and far away from house full of Death Eaters.

Three months after that was when Dumbledore had come with Sirius, as well as a group of Torvak and ruined their entire lives. Hadrian was appalled. He had been taken and raised by horrible people. Lived a life of abuse and terror far away from his family for what purpose?

Because Lily had lost her baby and Sirius couldn’t handle it? It was horribly tragic that they had lost their baby, but that didn’t give them the right to ruin another family in their grief. They may have died to protect him, but they wouldn’t have had to if they had simply left him with his parents where he belonged.

Hadrian hated them. He hated Sirius, Dumbledore, and the Potters. He hoped his dad punished them good for what they did.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 25, 1995: Viktor Visits

“Viktor!!” Hadrian exclaimed as the Bulgarian closed the door behind him. Surprisingly, Nikolaus wasn’t with him today.

Hadrian had launched himself at the Beta before he had time to realize what he had done. Viktor just wrapped his arms tightly around the small Aqua-kine Submissive.

“You were great yesterday. You were so brave, and you got first place and didn’t get burned,” Hadrian kept talking.

Viktor chuckled and nuzzled the side of his face affectionately before placing a very chaste kiss on his cheek. Hadrian blushed and stepped back when Viktor sat him back on his feet, so that they could go to the sitting room.

“I am happy to know that you were watching,” Viktor stated.

“Of course, I was watching. As if I was going to stay here in this room alone while you faced a Dragon. I would have been a wreck,” Hadrian pointed out.

“He was a wreck anyway,” Severus said as he walked into the room and offered Viktor tea. “Should have heard the way he was gasping and whining behind me the entire time.”

“Dad!!” Hadrian exclaimed and hid his face behind his hands. He heard both of them chuckle. “So, mean.”

“You were worried?” Viktor asked and pulled his hands down.

“Of course, I was,” Hadrian answered. “You are important to me.”

“You are important to me as well, Little Seeker,” Viktor stated. He turned to Severus. “Which is why I am here alone today.”

“Go on,” Severus prompted.

He had known this was coming.

He just never imagined he would be doing it alone. His bonded should be here. This is something that Regulus used to talk about when Hadrian was still so little that Severus thought he was insane.

“I would like for permission to court Hadrian properly. I believe there is a budding Soulbond between the two of us and I care for him deeply even if we haven’t known each other very long,” Viktor informed them.

“Hadrian,” Severus said and looked at his blushing son.

“Sir?” Hadrian answered. He glanced between Viktor and his dad.

“How do you feel about this? Is it something that you want? Something that you feel as well?” Severus asked him.

“I..um…feel the same way. I can feel the growing bond between us, I have been able to feel it since almost the first moment I saw him. I care about him too,” Hadrian revealed honestly.

“You understand that I still expect you to be respectful and appropriate while you are courting. I do not mind small affections or even kissing. I will trust the two of you to be alone without supervision. Should you take advantage of that trust and act inappropriately before you have exchanged claim marks there will be consequences that neither of you will like,” Severus informed them.

“I would never do anything that would compromise your son’s virtue in any way. I will always behave respectfully and appropriately. We will do nothing to betray the trust that you are putting in us,” Viktor answered.

“Promise, Dad,” Hadrian added.

“I have only one more request of the two of you, if I may,” Severus requested.

“What is it?” Hadrian asked.

“I would request that the two of you wait until both Remus and Regulus are back with us before you fully bond. This is an important part of a young man’s life. I do not want his Papa or Dera to miss it,” Severus responded.

“I was always intending to wait until his family was whole before bonding. I also do not think I want to bond with him fully until he has chosen an Alpha. That is the proper way things are done,” Viktor stated. Hadrian nodded his agreement. That little voice in his head insisted that he find his Alpha first as well.

“Then, you have my blessing,” Severus told them. Hadrian grinned and hugged his dad tightly.

“Thank you, Dad,” Hadrian told him as Severus held him back just as tightly.

“I promise to always care for and provide for him, Severus. Thank you, for trusting me with your most precious son,” Viktor told him. Then he pulled a box out of his robes.

Severus pulled Hadrian away and turned him around to face his new suitor. Viktor held the box out and Hadrian took it happily. He opened the box to find a pretty chain with a small Dragon hanging from it as well as a scale.

“This looks like the Horntail,” Hadrian said as he pulled out the chain.

“It is,” Viktor responded. “They gave us a small replica of the Dragon that we had to face yesterday. I shrunk mine and turned it into a charm for you. The scale is an actual scale from the Dragon. I took it during the task.”

“And you want me to have it?” Hadrian asked as he looked at the trinkets.

“I do,” Viktor answered. “I will claim a prize for you during every task to add to the chain. I am going to win this tournament, and I am going to win it in your honor for those who plotted against you and tried to use the tournament as a way to hurt you.”

“Thank you, Viktor. I am proud to wear the proof of your victories,” Hadrian told him.

He held out the chain and Viktor took it and placed it around his neck. Hadrian looked at his dad to show off his new necklace and Severus smiled at him.

“It is lovely, Hadrian,” Severus complimented.

“Yes it is,” Hadrian responded. He turned back to Viktor with a bright smile. “So, what was in the egg?”

Viktor chuckled and the three of them settled down to talk about what Viktor had discovered when he opened the egg. He also let them know that the next task wasn’t going to take place until February so there was plenty of time to work it all out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nevarah: The Royals

Raspen sat down as the last of the four of them, Alcandor, was let into their meeting room. He had called them for a meeting about two months ago and this was the first time that all of them had been available to meet.

“It’s good to see you all,” Dawn said with a smile as they all settled in.

“It is good to see you as well, Dawn,” Ebony said happily.

“As always,” Alcandor added. “Now if you could get to the reason we are here? I have things to tend to.”

“Of course, though you may not be so eager to leave once you hear what I have to say,” Raspen said and pulled out a letter. “A representative from Gringotts delivered this two months ago. There is an Alpha Dragel on Earth that is requesting assistance and sanctuary.”

“And you need permission from all four courts before assistance can be sent,” Dawn said. “What is the situation?”

“Yeah, it has to be more complicated than a single Alpha asking for help,” Ebony added.

“Someone has suppressed him and his circle as well as their child. Their memories were altered so that they did not know each other and their child taken from them. The Alpha has located his child who is sixteen and a newly inherited Submissive in a hostile environment,” Raspen managed to get out.

“A newly inherited Submissive in a hostile situation?” Alcandor interrupted. “Why did you allow two months to pass before we met for this?”

“I tried to express how important it was. But the Hunt being near has everyone’s priorities mixed up,” Raspen defended. “Do you want to hear the rest, or do you want to fight?”

“Fine, continue,” Alcandor responded with a sneer.

“The new Submissive is also part Merrow. The Goblins suspect he is the offspring of one of The Lost Merrow,” Raspen stated. Alcandor hissed angrily.

“A Submissive Merrow? You should have said something sooner. He will not thrive in a place like Earth. This should have been considered emergent and handled right away. Hostile environment indeed,” Alcandor growled out.

“The Alpha’s Submissive has been taken and has not been seen for nearly fourteen years. They were told he was dead, but they have proof he is alive but cannot locate him,” Raspen continued.

“The Bearer, is he the one suspected of being one of our Lost?” Alcandor asked. Raspen nodded.

“So, not one but two Submissives in possibly hostile situations. All because of the same person?” Ebony asked.

“Yes, the Alpha is claiming Alpha Rights for his death once his family has been brought back together,” Raspen answered. “There is also one other mate that needs to be recovered. His Beta is in an unknown location possibly hostile, and he does not want to try and reach him traditional ways because it would risk his Beta’s life. The Beta is also under spells and compulsions and is not aware of his true self or his mates and child.”

“I vote we send help,” Dawn stated immediately.

“Seconded,” Ebony added.

“Unanimous,” Alcandor finished. “I will be sending at least four Crimson Tide members to accompany whoever is sent. I want them assigned to the young Submissive.”

“They will need to be good with glamours,” Dawn pointed out. “Dragel are banned from Earth and were nearly hunted to extinction. They must remain unnoticed.”

“I know that,” Alcandor stated with a roll of his eyes. “I am not an imbecile.”

“She didn’t say you were, fish face, calm down,” Ebony snapped back. “I will offer Gheyo as well. I will make sure they can play nice with the Merrow.”

“So, definitely not Zandian,” Raspen said with a chuckle.

“Definitely not,” Ebony agreed.

“How many Gheyo are we looking at, do you think?” Dawn asked.

“I would say, one full suite to hunt down the lost Submissive at least,” Raspen answered.

“What about the Cunninghams? They are quite good with that type of retrieval,” Dawn suggested. “And they have rescued their fair share of Lost Merrow also.”

“Good idea,” Raspen agreed. He made a motion with his hand and a Gheyo appeared. “Send for Jascha and Mariana Cunningham tell them it is important.”

“Yes, Highness I will take care of it,” The Gheyo stated with a bow before he left the room to do as he was instructed.

“Ok, so we have the Cunninghams to go after the Submissive. Who are we sending after the Beta?” Ebony asked.

The Royals discussed it for about an hour before the Cunningham Alpha and Submissive joined them as well as Lady Bianca from the Storm types.

It was decided that the Cunningham circle would go after the lost Submissive. A suite led by Xander, an Air Ace that included the Fire types would go after the Beta, and a Suite that included the Merrow and a Storm type or two would go to support the Alpha and guard the new Submissive.

They gathered the appointed Gheyo as well as Alcandor’s cousin, a Gheyic Merrow Alpha that requested to go and a Mage to help with the Portals and sent them to Earth to arrive at the Gringotts in Britain. There, the Goblins would call the Alpha, and they could get things moving.

The royals would prepare a home for them to come to when they arrived if they didn’t have family connections on Nevarah already. Though there was no telling exactly how long it would take to locate the bonded and bring them together.