count my cards, watch them fall
Malfoy Manor - Wiltshire
Start of Summer Holiday
After years of relative safety behind the castle wards of Hogwarts and under the watchful eye of Albus Dumbledore, Severus found himself in a precarious situation. He had been called to serve once again as a spy with two masters after the resurrection of the Dark Lord. There's little Severus hated more than social events. As if his position as Potions Master at Hogwarts didn't drain enough life out of him, he’d now be expected to be at the beck and call of his original master Lord Voldemort.
It was early evening when Severus found himself walking through the wards of Malfoy Manor. He considered Lucius and Narcissa friends, Draco was his godson and he visited them often, but he was not looking forward to seeing the rest of the “inner circle.”
After greeting his Lord, Severus melted into the shadows to the right behind Voldemort's chair. He waited quietly in the shadows, listening to the simpering, mocking, and outright bigotry that these pompous purebloods love to spout. They’d become so gluttonous, growing up with more than a silver spoon, and raised to believe they were Morgana’s gift to Wizardkind. They were drunk on their hubris. Most of them couldn't hold a candle to what Severus himself could do let alone the Dark Lord. And yet their birthright somehow made them superior in every way.
Severus watched as Lucius entered the formal dining room with Draco, Theo, and Blaise trailing behind him. They knew the expectation, heads held high, they followed past numerous guests they were already familiar with, to the seat at the head of the table that was already occupied. Keeping their eyes low they each made a deep bow and introduced themselves.
Severus could tell that they were intimidated, years as their head of house had given him personal knowledge of their subtle tells. He knew the hairs on the back of their necks were standing at attention and they were holding in the urge to shiver or cower away from the Dark Lord.
The swirling power Lord Voldemort held on a tight leash seemed to whip out at them with his words. Severus was just as taken aback when he saw his Lord for the first time after the Resurrection. Like a God among men, sitting proudly at the head of the table was none other than the Dark Lord or Lord Voldemort. He appeared younger than anyone truly expected, many in the group having served during the second wizarding war had never seen this visage.
Broad-shouldered and obviously tall even though he was sitting down. Dark hair and eyes that pierced through you.
Rising with eyes still firmly fixed to the floor, Severus watched as their eyes slowly swept over the Dark Lord from his dragonhide dress shoes to the bottom half of what must be the most immaculate, not to mention expensive dress robes anyone in the room had ever seen. Swirling green fabric that quite literally looked as if it could have been fashioned from emeralds themselves with onyx and gold trimmings, the Dark Lord looked every bit the heir of Slytherin he was said to be.
“Lift your eyes, I’d rather not have a conversation with the tops of your heads.” Voldemort mused. He had a presence that drew you in, a silent charisma that made you feel like you were a part of a secret, and that made you special. It had drawn Severus in too, before his notions of grandeur and supremacy were dashed at the death of his unrequited love Lily Potter.
Tom appraised the boys equally; Draco, so similar to his father but with graceful aristocratic features like his mother, Theo, the spitting image of his father at this age but had a youthfulness to him that his hardened father had never enjoyed, and lastly, Blaise Zabini, who looked very much like his mother but had high cheekbones and a sharp jaw. They stood tall and proud before him, a new generation to help him usher in a new dawn for the Wizarding World. The only question was what role would they have, and what level of importance could they grab for themselves.
Tom glanced over his right shoulder to see Severus standing half-hidden in the shadows and beckoned him to join them. Looking back at the boys he spoke, “I’m told you have been training. I’d like Severus to begin training you all in Occlumency and Legilimency. No point in sitting down with you all if Dumbledore will just waltz right into your minds as soon as you step off Hogwarts Express.”
“Thank you, my Lord. We will begin right away.” Draco responded with a glance at his godfather and head of house. Dismissed, the boys made a short bow walked to their seats, and put their heads together to speak quietly.
“Merlin! Can you feel the power he exudes in a mere word?” Theo exclaimed.
Draco scoffed at his friend and lifted his nose in the air, “Of course he does, the Malfoys don’t bow to just anyone.”
After being called forward and ordered to oversee the Occlumency and Legilimency training of the young trio, Snape melted back into the shadows but not before taking a glance around the room. Both Carrows were in attendance standing with Corbin Yaxley, Nott Sr., and Avery Jr., discussing the Ministry. Crabbe, Goyle, Macnair, Travers, Selwyn, and the Mulcibers were farther down the table talking in hushed tones and glancing over every few minutes at two men Severus had been under the impression had been dead for the last decade. Just as Severus was about to walk over to speak to them he saw Lucius leading Draco over to his cousin and a man Severus was sure was Evan Rosier.
With a nod Lucius spoke “Regulus, I’m sure you recognize Draco.”
Not to be caught in a moment of contemplation, Draco raised his head and lifted the corner of his lip in that Malfoy smirk and spoke, “Cousin, how pleased I am to see that you aren’t dead.”
Regulus lazily brought his eyes to Draco and gazed at him knowingly, “No more pleased than I, to be alive.”
Evan sat quietly watching the interaction and turned his head and met Severus’ gaze but his facial expression did not change. Severus concluded he must be occluding and decided to leave it alone for now. There would be time later to find out how not one but two of his childhood classmates and fellow Death Eaters managed to stay in hiding for so long.
Just as they were to continue speaking, Narcissa and Eladora Zabini breezed into the room with ethereal grace and everyone found their seats.
____________________________________________________Tom POV
After dinner, the children were sent to their suites, and the other guests were dismissed while Tom, Severus, Regulus, Rosier, and both Malfoys retired to the study to speak in private. Setting wards and casting a Muffliato, in case the boys decided to eavesdrop, they settled into the various couches and chairs around the fire while Mipsy, one of the Malfoy house elves, brought them drinks.
Tom settled into a wingback chair centered in front of the fire, while Lucius and Narcissa took their seats on the tufted loveseat to his right, and Severus and Regulus sat on an identical one across from them while Rosier leaned against the wall behind them. Nagini, coiled into a tight ball in front of the fire, noticed his presence and slithered towards him to settle at his feet.
“Where are my children?” He asked no one in particular with a harsh tone but barely above a whisper.
Regulus stiffened, took a glance at Evan, and sat up straight. “Mattheo is currently at Durmstrang where he attends under the tutelage of Karkaroff, who works with him privately. He was disappointed we didn’t allow him to travel with his friends to Hogwarts this past year, but we thought it wise to keep him away from Dumbledore as long as possible.”
Riddle nodded in approval and turned his gaze to the other three in the room. Met with silence, he felt his magic build in exasperation at their lack of response. It was like a dense cloud, weighing on them more than gravity ever had.
“Tom, please rein it in. I understa-” Narcissa was cut off before she could finish her thought.
“You UNDERSTAND NOTHING! Your son sits upstairs in his room at this very moment. You’ve not been separated from him for 14 years.” He hissed vehemently. Taking a moment to gather himself, he shut his ruby eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Before opening them again he spoke, “Do any of you have any idea where my daughter is?”
Lucius downed his firewhiskey in one go.“We have theories but it seems as though her magical signature has been obscured and her appearance glamoured. It’s possible, she may be a student at Hogwarts or Bauxbatons, although I doubt Dumbledore would want her out of sight.” He sighed before shaking his head and looking into the fire.
“We have suspicions, of course, my Lord, but no concrete answer…” Severus trailed off.
“And these suspicions? How is it that you don’t know, Severus? Are you not a member of the Order any longer?” Riddle opened his eyes to meet the gaze of Severus.
“I am not privy to that information, and neither are most members of the Order. Dumbledore still questions my true loyalty after the death of Lily, my Lord” Severus bowed his head in response but lifted it to meet his eyes to meet his Master's gaze once again and voice his suspicions. “I believe the Muggle-born Hermione Granger to be your daughter, my Lord. Her magic is very strong, even as a first-year. Her command of magic is above reproach for her age and she gets top marks in almost every class.”
“Hermione Granger, as in the mop-headed chit that my son is always complaining about?” Narcissa exclaimed, almost spitting out her tea.
“Cissa!” Lucius chided, hiding his chuckle with a grunt when she gripped his knee.
“You’re telling me that my daughter, the most powerful being to walk the Earth in the last millennia was raised by Muggles? Her magic has been confined and her appearance altered?” Riddle responded in one breath. His voice slithered out, striking at them like a viper in his anger.
“Those are my suspicions, my Lord. It's not out of character for Dumbledore, he also placed Harry Potter in a Muggle home.” Severus replied.
“Despite having the opportunity to place him in the care of my brother Sirius, who we all know did not kill Pettigrew,” Regulus said indignantly under his breath.
“Regulus, how soon can you bring Mattheo here? I'd like to get acquainted before he goes to Hogwarts in the Fall. I need him to keep an eye on her for me. I trust his Occlumency is up to the task?”
“Of course, my Lord. I know not of any Legilimens that can breach his walls, perhaps he can help train the boys. We’ll return by portkey tonight to retrieve him and be back by tomorrow evening.” Regulus suggested.
“Very well, you’re all dismissed. I’d like to be alone.”
Narcissa waited for the men to file out before putting a hand on Tom's shoulder, squeezing as she spoke, “All will be well, Tom. You’re a complex man but I don’t doubt your ability to be a good father.”
Tom gently placed her hand in his and absentmindedly stroked the back of it as he looked into the embers dying in the fireplace, “ I hope you’re right Cissa, not only for their sakes but for Nadine. I owe her more than I could ever repay. Being a good father to the twins is the least I could do.”
Narcissa had always been a graceful and powerful force to be reckoned with but her nerves were on edge. Her magic sparked through her shoulder-length hair in grief and rage at the mention of her best friend. “A reckoning is coming, and Circe help them, if they aren’t ready when it does.” She said as her throat tightened.
With one last glance and the dip of her head, Narcissa walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. Finding Lucius waiting in the hall, she followed him through the manor to their suite and got ready for bed, praying to any deity that would listen to see her family through the impending storm.