1978
Lucius was sitting on the couch reading in his and Hadrian’s Hogwarts quarters – now that Yule break had ended – when the floo flared. He startled for a moment before frantically hopping over the couch. As he crouched out of sight, the blonde heard a familiar voice come through the fireplace.
“Hadrian? Lucius?” There was a small moment of silence before Narcissa spoke up again, a little louder, “Is anyone there?”
It was then that the door opened, revealing Severus walking inside. Lucius desperately put a finger to his lips, hoping the younger man wouldn’t reveal him to the witch. Severus gave him a bemused look at the same time Narcissa spoke again, likely having heard the door to the quarters opening and shutting.
“Hadrian, is that you?”
Severus calmly walked over to the fireplace so that Narcissa could see him, but out of Lucius’s sight.
“Severus! It’s good to see you! Have you seen your dad or Lucius?”
“Last I talked to them was at breakfast this morning.”
“Mmm, alright. Could you tell them to stop avoiding me and the planning for their bonding?”
The Ravenclaw laughed, “Okay, Cissa.”
“Thank you, Severus. I’ll talk to you later.”
Lucius heard the floo flare again, indicating his best friend had left, and cautiously peeked over the edge of the couch. Seeing the flames in the floo had turned orange once more, the blonde picked himself up from where he had been hiding and calmly smoothed his robes down. When he finished, he looked up to Severus, who was smirking at him. Lucius raised an eyebrow at the younger man, daring him to say something.
“Hiding, Lucius? I would have thought that was too boorish for a Malfoy.”
“Hmph,” Lucius huffed, “Considering that was the eighteenth time she, my mother, or Melania have tried to floo me or your dad in the past week alone, I’d say I was entitled to my response.”
When Severus laughed, the Malfoy Lord crossed his arms as he huffed again, “Mark my words, Severus, you’ll be doing the same when it’s your turn to get married.”
The Ravenclaw rolled his eyes and plopped himself on the chair, “I have plenty of time before I need to worry about that.”
Lucius raised an eyebrow and retook his own seat on the couch, “Oh? You mean you haven’t begun a relationship with your best friend? A relationship that you can’t see going that way someday?”
Severus blushed brightly, causing Lucius to laugh as he joined the younger man on the couch.
“Don’t worry, Sev. If you keep covering for me, I’ll be sure to return the favor when it’s your turn,” The Ravenclaw rolled his eyes again, making Lucius laugh again before changing the subject, “So, is there a reason you are here instead of with Regulus?”
The Ravenclaw blushed again but ignored it (and Lucius’s smirk) in order to answer the question, “I was just going to ask you and dad if I could bring someone home for Easter this year.”
“Regulus?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t going to tell dad who. I was just going to ask to bring my boyfriend.”
“In other words, you are hoping that if you surprise your dad with the fact that you are dating when you ask and then surprise him with who you are dating during the break, then his interrogation will be put off even longer.”
Severus shrugged, telling Lucius all he needed to know. The blonde chuckled, “Well, I’ll warn you now, Hadrian likely will have no shame and interrogate you in front of Regulus instead of putting it off if you are able to put it off even that long, but by all means, I don’t mind if you bring him.”
Lucius thoroughly enjoyed the look of horror that passed across the younger man’s face at the thought, especially since he knew that Severus was still going to ask Hadrian.
***
After what had occurred in Cokeworth with Severus, Hadrian had taken to keeping a close eye on his son. Not because of distrust or anything like that, but because he was worried. Despite his knowledge that he and Lucius had successfully convinced the Ravenclaw that he was not to blame for his mother’s death, Hadrian was unable to keep from worrying for his son. Severus had been so distraught between the letter from his grandfather and finding out his mother’s fate, that Hadrian began to once again fear that his happy boy would still turn into the bitter Potion Master that Professor Snape had been. The Peverell Lord knew that the fear was irrational, especially in the face of Severus’s obvious happiness, as seen every time the young man smiled and laughed; however, that knowledge did not keep the worry at bay. And so, Hadrian watched his son, hoping to catch any bad thing that could happen to Severus so that he would be able to be there for him and remind him that he was not alone – that he had so many reasons to not become the sad bitter man that Professor Snape had become, even if Severus had no knowledge of that version of himself.
Lucius, of course, noticed Hadrian’s worry, but since the man did not know of Professor Snape (nor did Hadrian want to open that can of worms for this particular reason), the younger man could not entirely understand his worry and so was unable to do more than simply keep reassuring him that Severus was okay. The conversation with his fiancé did remind Hadrian that one day he would need to admit the truth of his past to Lucius, as much as he didn’t particularly want to. Hadrian pushed it away for later consideration.
As it was, due to his scrutiny of his son, Hadrian noticed a change in Severus he otherwise might not have seen as quickly as he did. By the time September of the new school year had ended, he noticed that Severus seemed even happier than before. It was around the same time that he noticed the Ravenclaw had a new tendency to disappear every now and then. It didn’t take long for Hadrian to put the two observations together and come to a realization: Severus was dating someone.
Upon making the realization, the Peverell lord was extremely happy for his son. While some of the worry remained, much of it abated due to the knowledge that Severus was close to someone in a way he didn’t think Professor Snape ever had been. It made him want to confront the young man so that he could meet the boy that had captured the Ravenclaw’s interest, and perhaps verify that the boy had good intentions towards his son. However, rather than act as impulsively as his younger self would have, Hadrian kept himself in check – if Severus could wait for his dad to be ready before saying anything when the boy had figured out that Hadrian was dating, then the older man could give his son the same courtesy.
And so, Hadrian waited. He watched as his son remained happy all the way until the winter holidays – after which he seemed to become even happier – until finally the waiting paid off when, in February, Severus asked to bring someone home for Easter.
*Flashback*
Hadrian walked into his Hogwarts quarters after his class before his free period ended and was surprised to see both Lucius and Severus. Typically, it was just him and Lucius since Severus’s best friend (Regulus) also had a free period at this time. Of course, Hadrian didn’t mind the unexpected visit, but he suspected there was an ulterior motive to this one. Putting the thought aside, Hadrian smiled at the two sitting in the living room.
“Hello, Sev,” the Peverell Lord said before greeting Lucius with a chaste kiss on his way to the kitchen to make his usual tea, “What do you need?”
“What makes you think I am here for something? Can’t I just come visit my dad during our shared free period?”
Hadrian raised an eyebrow and looked up at the young man for a moment, “Considering you usually spend this time with Regulus since you are often attached at the hip, it was not a difficult deduction to make.”
The thirty-one-year-old glanced up at his son and was confused to see a slight blush on the Ravenclaw’s cheeks. Was he just embarrassed by Hadrian’s comment about being attached at the hip? Unless… Hadrian internally smirked as a new suspicion to the identity of his son’s boyfriend occurred to him.
Lucius’s laugh brought Hadrian out of his musings, “He does have a point, Severus.”
Severus huffed as Hadrian brought the tea to the living room, making both older men chuckle some more. Hadrian poured tea for the three of them before joining Lucius on the couch and looked at Severus expectantly, causing the Ravenclaw to roll his eyes.
“Fine, yes, I came here for a reason. I wanted to ask you if I could bring someone home for Easter break.”
Knowing what the young man meant but not wanting to make it to easy for his son, Hadrian insouciantly replied, “Of course. You know your friends are always welcome in our home.”
“That’s not what I meant, Dad,” Hadrian thoroughly enjoyed the darkening blush on his son’s face at having to clarify further, “I’m asking if I can bring my boyfriend.”
“Ah,” the Peverell Lord carefully made sure his face showed dawning understanding rather than the amusement he felt, “I see no issue with that. Lucius?”
The blonde looked at Hadrian consideringly for a second but confirmed, “It’s fine with me.”
The professor nodded and turned back to his son, “I assume you don’t intend to tell me who they are until then?”
“Er, no.”
Hadrian let a small smile of amusement show, “Very well, then at least grant me knowledge of how long you have been dating?”
“Almost six months,” Severus paused before quickly adding, “I wanted to tell you sooner, but there were certain… issues with some of his family knowing, so we were keeping it a secret until we could figure out a plan. We are going to stop hiding after Easter break though.”
The professor smiled at his son, “It’s alright, Severus. I understand. I just want to know how long my son has found someone who will hopefully make him happy.”
“He does. Make me happy, I mean. More than I thought possible.”
“Good, then I can’t wait to meet him.”
Severus smiled, “I better get going. I told Regulus I’d meet up with him when I was done.”
The three said their goodbyes before the young man walked out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Lucius turned to him, “You knew he was dating already.”
Hadrian smirked at his fiancé, “Severus is not the only one who can pick up on things before he is told. By your lack of surprise, I assume you already knew?”
“Yes, he came to me for advice beforehand, so it was not difficult to notice when he was finally in a relationship.”
The raven nodded, “You know who it is?”
“Yes, and you don’t need to worry about…” Lucius stopped and narrowed his eyes at Hadrian, “You already know.”
The older man smirked, “I have a suspicion.”
The blonde laughed, “We are all terrible at keeping relationships a secret from each other.”
*End Flashback*
It was now April and Hadrian was waiting with Lucius at the cottage for Severus to apparate over with his boyfriend from the train station. A pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind, pulling him out of his thoughts.
“You know, being in such deep thoughts while wielding a knife is dangerous.”
Hadrian snorted, “When you’ve been cooking as long as I have, on top of learning potions, this sort of cutting can be done in your sleep.”
He could feel Lucius smile into his neck, “I’m glad I won’t need to be asking Narcissa to reattach your fingers then. What are you think about?”
“Severus. He is supposed to be here sometime in the next,” Hadrian glanced up at the clock, “ten minutes.”
“Indeed… and accompanied by his partner. Could that be what has you so distracted?”
The thirty-one-year-old chuckled, “You know me so well.”
“I would hope so. We are getting bonded in two months,” Lucius gently took the knife from Hadrian’s fingers to set it on the counter and turned him around, “So, are they good or bad thoughts?”
He moved his arms to the blonde’s neck, easily settled into the younger man’s hold, “A bit of both, but mostly good. I’m happy Severus is happy, and if I suspect correctly then I’ll be happy about who it is, but I can’t believe Sev is all grown up already. It feels like yesterday that I took in this shy little six-year-old and gave him a home.”
“And you’re worried about him.”
Hadrian smiled lightly at Lucius, “Yes. I just… can’t seem to help thinking about...”
The Peverell Lord shook his head and didn’t continue. A part of him was desperate to tell his soon-to-be husband about his time-traveling so that he could bring up what he knew about his past and the other versions of them without worrying, but another part – the more fearful part of him – kept him from doing so.
“Well,” Lucius began when he didn’t continue, “From what I know of Severus, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Perhaps one day you’ll tell me whatever it is that you are holding back that makes you so worried, but until then, just remember that Severus is brilliant and capable and so very ready to take on whatever life throws at him. And if ever he can’t take it on, then he will always have you to be there for him, no matter how old he is.”
Hadrian smiled and looked up at his lover, “Thank you.”
The blonde smiled back and simply leaned in for a sweet kiss that the older man had no issue returning. Before it could get heated, the sound of the front door closing echoed through the house, reminding them of their expected company. Hadrian turned around and out of Lucius’s arms to finish his chopping, while the blonde moved to pour them both some tea.
“Lucius hasn’t helped you with dinner, has he?”
Hadrian snorted at his son’s voice, not looking up from his moving the chopped ingredients into a pan on the stove, “Don’t worry, I haven’t let him burn anything.”
The blonde scoffed, “I’m not that bad. You both talk as if the moment I touch the food it will burst into flames.”
The older man lifted an eyebrow and looked over at his fiancé, “Need I remind you of the toast incident?”
Lucius grumbled under his breath, making Severus and Hadrian both laugh.
“Anyways, Dad, Lucius, allow me to re-introduce you to my boyfriend,” Severus drew their attention to himself and the familiar dark-haired, grey-eyed Slytherin next to him, “Regulus.”
Hadrian smiled at the two, “It’s good to see you again, Regulus.”
“You as well, Professor.”
“I believe, that after all this time, you have earned the right to call me Hadrian when we are among family.”
“Thank you, Hadrian,” the younger man smiled.
Severus narrowed his eyes at his dad and stated, “You knew who I was dating already.”
Hadrian smirked, “You are not the only one with observational skills, Sev. And to quote my wonderful fiancé, we are all terrible at keeping relationships a secret from one another.”
“When did he…” the Ravenclaw paused, “You’ve known at least since I asked to bring him.”
The professor smiled, which gave the two students all the confirmation needed – making Severus mutter something under his breath and the Slytherin stifle a laugh – and turned back to Regulus, “That all being said, I’m sure I don’t need to make it clear what I will do should you hurt my son?”
“Dad,” Severus complained. However, before he could continue, Regulus spoke up again.
“No, sir, that won’t be necessary. I have already seen and heard of how protective you can be and I promise I have no intentions to hurt him.”
“I have no doubt,” Hadrian smiled even wider, and turned to Severus. Upon seeing his son’s scowl, the Peverell Lord laughed, “It’s my prerogative as your dad to bring it up, Sev, and if I remember correctly, you threatened Lucius much worse than I just did when we revealed our relationship to you.”
“In my defense, Lucius used to be a prat,” Severus shrugged, ignoring his boyfriend’s chuckle.
Lucius rolled his eyes, “Thank you for that wonderful re-introduction, Severus. It’s good to see you again, Regulus. Feel free to call me Lucius.”
The sixteen-year-old smiled, “It’s good to see you again as well, Lucius.”
***
Despite the knowledge that his dad already knew and liked Regulus, Severus hadn’t been able to help being nervous when re-introducing the Slytherin as his boyfriend. And then Hadrian didn’t deny already knowing the two of them had been dating and the nerves were instantly washed away. After all, if he didn’t approve, his dad could have easily confronted him about his choice of partner before then. Thankfully, that hadn’t happened, and the four of them – Hadrian, Lucius, Regulus, and himself – had a good time for the first dinner of the week long break.
During dinner, however, some of Severus’s nerves returned when Hadrian had briefly held an odd look on his face. He wasn’t entirely sure what that look had meant, making him even more worried that something was wrong. While the Ravenclaw was all for pushing off the interrogation that he expected the older man to ply him with, he didn’t want to let his worry fester; so, Severus left Regulus to relax in his room while he sought out his dad. The Ravenclaw did not expect to find his dad and Lucius sharing a drink. Seeing the two in the sitting room talking over a small glass of alcohol instantly made Severus’s earlier concern that Hadrian didn’t accept his and Regulus’s relationship as the Ravenclaw first thought.
Before Severus’s thoughts could further spiral in this direction, the two spotted him in the doorway. His dad smiled lightly at him, soothing some of his nerves, though the worry did not completely disappear.
Lucius raised an eyebrow and teased, “Leaving your beau all by himself already? Tut tut, Severus.”
“It’s not like Regulus has never been here before,” he rolled his eyes, “Besides, he knows why I am here. Dad, can we talk?”
Hadrian looked at him in slight concern, but nodded, “Of course.”
“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Lucius gave a quick kiss to the Peverell Lord and stood, “I’ll be in our room, love. Goodnight, Severus.”
The eighteen-year-old murmured his own goodnight to the blonde before entering the room and joining his dad on the couch. After the Malfoy Lord was gone, silence stretched between the two as Severus gathered his thoughts. When Hadrian lifted his glass to take a sip of his drink, the younger man finally blurted out what was on his mind.
“Are you disappointed that Regulus and I are dating?”
The older man paused mid-sip in surprise and frowned at him, “Why in the world would you think that?”
Severus shrugged and looked away, “There was a moment during dinner that you had an odd look on your face and now you are drinking.”
“I see,” Hadrian said slowly, placing his drink down on the coffee table, “Look at me please, Severus.”
The Ravenclaw stayed hidden behind his hair but did as he was told. His dad was having none of that, however, and nudged his chin with a finger until Severus was no longer hiding.
“I couldn’t be happier with who you’ve chosen.”
“Then what did that look mean? And why are you drinking? You rarely do outside of special occasions.”
His dad smiled softly at him, “Because knowing that you had a boyfriend and seeing it, are two very different things. Actually witnessing you and Regulus act as more than just best friends made me fully realize that you are all grown up. I knew you were no longer the little boy that I brought home with me all those years ago, but seeing the two of you together tonight made it real. I am so proud and happy for you, Severus. And as for the drinking, that was Lucius's idea; I was content to just reminisce a bit, but you know Lucius.”
“Oh,” Severus lips curved upwards a bit as he thought about what the other man said, having not expected the admission. Before his dad could say anything more, he told him, “But just because I may not need you the way I did when I was six, doesn’t mean I won’t still need you in other ways.”
The man smiled softly at him, “I know, Sev.”
The Ravenclaw smiled and nodded once he saw the sincerity in the older man’s face, but otherwise didn’t say anything. Instead, he pulled a glass for himself out of the cabinet and joined Hadrian for a drink. His dad raised an eyebrow to him in question and Severus returned the look. The Peverell lord chuckled and took a sip of his drink, leaving the two of them to just enjoy the company.
***
Hadrian was sitting in the chair in his sitting room in his quarters at Hogwarts, grading papers while his son and Regulus quietly worked on their homework while sprawled out on his couch together. Now that it had been about a month since the boys stopped hiding their relationship, it was quite common for the Slytherin to join Severus in his weekend visits – which Hadrian didn’t mind in the least. Unlike most other weekends, however, the peace was broken when the floo suddenly flared, and out came Acacia, Melania, and Narcissa. Hadrian couldn’t help but feel slightly panicked at the ambush and internally cursed Lucius for being at the Ministry, leaving him alone for the confrontation.
Not letting any of his panic show on his face, the thirty-one-year-old calmly stated, “This is a surprise. What can I do for you ladies?”
Melania looked at him amused, likely guessing his thoughts, but Hadrian ignored it as he was more concerned about the way Acacia was smiling at him.
“Hadrian, darling, it seems there are a few details that need to be gone over before your bonding next month,” when the Peverell lord opened his mouth to object on the grounds that he needed to finish marking, a slightly predatory look came into the woman’s eyes and an edge of steel entered the woman’s voice, “We insist.”
The man swallowed and looked over slightly pleadingly to his son for help – not that he would admit he did so out loud – only to find the young man clearly trying to stifle his amusement while hiding behind his homework. A glance at Regulus saw the younger doing the same. He narrowed his eyes at the two accusingly, which only seemed to make their amusement grow. Hadrian mentally promised to return the favor to the little traitors when it was their turn. The man turned back to the women – who were all still looking at him expectantly – and swallowed a resigned groan.
“Very well. Allow me to put these assignments away and I’ll be all yours,” Hadrian paused only a moment when an idea as to not be subjected to the planning with the three of them alone occurred to him, “Perhaps one of you could fetch Lucius from the Ministry so that he could join us? His meeting should be concluding about now.”
The Malfoy matriarch beamed, “Excellent idea! Would you mind Narcissa, dear?”
The same predatory glint that Acacia had sported entered Narcissa’s eyes as she smirked knowingly at Hadrian, “It would be my pleasure.”
The young woman then turned and flooed away to the ministry while Hadrian reluctantly stood.
As he was putting his things away, Melania finally spoke up, “It’s good to see you both Regulus, Severus.”
“Hello, Grandmother,” Regulus replied levelly while Severus nodded in greeting.
“Since I know the two of you are busy with homework – especially with you being in your NEWT year, Severus – I presume the you have not owled for a talk over tea about recent developments between you two because you intend to wait until the summer when you are both free?”
Hadrian glanced over at the boys and stifled his amusement at the brief horror that flashed in their eyes at the thought of the incoming interrogation from the Black matriarch. He looked at the two women and was even more surprised to see Melania was sporting the same mockingly sweet smile that Acacia had directed at him earlier, while the Malfoy matriarch looked at them both in the same bemused manner that Melania had looked at him. Hadrian couldn’t help but a small vindictive smirk at the two’s situation – teaches them to leave him hanging.
Severus glanced at him in panic but seeing Hadrian’s smirk, the young man looked back at the two women, swallowed slightly, and nodded while his boyfriend spoke up again, “Of course, Grandmother.”
“Good,” Melania nodded in satisfaction before turning back to Hadrian.
The Peverell lord easily turned the smirk into his usual charming smile and asked, “Shall we?”
They both smiled back triumphantly – obviously happy with the result of their visit – before turning back to the floo. After the two had disappeared through the fireplace, Hadrian turned back to his son and Regulus and smirked at the two of them, “I do hope you don’t expect any help when it is your turn to avoid them.”
The two blushed at the implication of them bonding in the future, while also looking at him in horror at the thought of being in his shoes. Hadrian smirked wider before stepping through the floo to join the older women. When he stepped through, he was unsurprised to find Lucius already sitting at the table, clearly in a panic. When the Malfoy Lord caught his eye, the man glared at him, clearly knowing it was his fault that he hadn’t escaped this.
Hadrian gave his fiancé an innocent look but when he sat next to the younger man, Hadrian leaned over and whispered to the blonde, “You didn’t expect me to go through this insanity alone, did you?”
Lucius rolled his eyes at him but conceded the point with a small nod just as Melania drew his attention away.
***
Severus stumbled blearily into the kitchen with Regulus. He headed straight for the coffee while his boyfriend slouched tiredly into a seat at the counter. The eighteen-year-old ignored the chuckle coming from the two older men already sitting at the counter and poured two cups. As soon as he had done so, he shuffled to take his own spot, placing one of the mugs in front of Regulus before curling around his own.
“Good night, I take it?”
Severus grunted in response as he drank his coffee. He knew he shouldn’t have drunk as much as he did the night before, but for whatever reason, Lily and Remus and their respective boyfriends had been trying to get him very, very drunk for their graduation party. The four had unfortunately succeeded. Glancing over at Regulus, the other man seemed to be feeling the same by the way he was leaning his head into his hand with his eyes closed. Severus was unsurprised that his boyfriend was no better off considering that, after the younger man was sufficiently tipsy, he had gotten into a drinking contest with his brother.
The now-former Ravenclaw was pulled out of his thoughts when a hand placed a potion in front of him. After a moment, Severus recognized it as a headache soother and quickly downed it. When the headache was gone, he tiredly looked over at his dad and Lucius, both of whom were watching him and Regulus amusedly. He huffed at them and turned back to his coffee, making them both laugh. Regulus quietly groaned at the noise and squinted his eyes open, only to down the headache potion that he only now realized was in front of him. The two older men chuckled again before refocusing on their breakfasts.
Severus and Regulus slowly picked at their own breakfasts, but swiftly went through their coffee. When Severus had nearly finished his second cup, his dad broke the silence that had fallen over them.
“Now that you’ve both had a sufficient amount of coffee to fight off your hangovers, I have one more graduation gift for you, Severus.”
The eighteen-year-old frowned, “Another? You already gave me a graduation gift that I very much appreciate.”
“And you'll appreciate this one just as much if not more,” the blonde spoke up with a knowing smile.
Before Severus could say anything further, Hadrian passed over a small box. The younger Raven took the box with a small frown of confusion and opened the box. Inside was a shrunken scroll next to a key. He frowned in confusion at the key but picked up the scroll and enlarged it so that he could read it. As soon as he did, he nearly dropped it in surprise. Severus blinked, before turning to his dad.
“What?”
The young man ignored the Malfoy Lord’s small chuckle as his dad explained why he was holding the piece of parchment that declared Peverell Cottage to be his, “In a few days, Lucius and I are going to be married, Sev. We both decided that when that happens, will be moving into Malfoy Manor. Now that you are of age and graduated, I figured that you would want to be out on your own, especially since you will be working towards your potions mastery here soon. Since I know you love this cottage as much as I do, I thought you'd like to have it.”
Severus stared at his dad in disbelief before near-tackling the man in a hug. He had been thinking of finding a place of his own soon, but hadn’t entirely wanted to leave the cottage, where he had his first real home after his dad had taken him in all those years ago. To find out he’d be able to get both of those things was amazing to him. Severus pulled away from the hug he was giving the older man to look up at him.
“Thank you, dad.”
Hadrian smiled at him and brought him in for another quick hug before releasing him.
“Well,” Lucius spoke up, “now will you tell me how your friends were able to get you more drunk than I was?”
Severus and Regulus both laughed at the mock offended look the blonde had on and proceeded to tell the two older men about the graduation party.
***
Lucius,
My son. If you are reading this, then you and Hadrian are getting bonded. Knowing your impatience, I imagine you are not entirely happy that you had to wait until this day to open this letter, especially if Hadrian told you about the letter that I left for him in the vault. However, I am glad you waited to open it on this day.
As I write this, a part of me rebels at the idea that I will miss my only son’s bonding, but I know I do not have much time left. Since I cannot be physically in attendance, I thought that giving you a letter for the day would allow a part of me to still be there and tell you all the things I would have, had I not become ill.
First off, a piece of advice from a happily married man of twenty-one years to a soon-to-be newly wed: pick your battles. You will fight as all couples do, however, do not make your life more difficult by fighting for inconsequential things. The love between the two of you is worth far more than that.
Secondly, from a friend of the bride (feel free to tell Hadrian I called him that and that were I alive I would have done so with a smirk) to the groom: if he has not yet told you of his past or what led him to discrediting Dumbledore, then you must be patient. From what I know of it (which is very little and largely conjecture), it is a complicated one that I believe not a single living soul knows, so you must let Hadrian come to you. No matter what is in his past, he is a good man now, and that is all that matters. If he has told you of his past, then I am beyond relieved he has been able to come to you for I do not believe his past is an overly happy one. Either way, do not doubt Hadrian, for his is worth it.
Third and finally, from a father to his son: you deserve all of the happiness in the world, Lucius, and on this day – one that will be one of your happiest – I stand by you in spirit, in support of the love that has bloomed between you and Hadrian. I am so proud of you, my son.
Your father,
Abraxas
Lucius swallowed tightly, wishing more than ever that his father had not passed. In a single letter, the man had addressed all of the worries he had been feeling, especially on this day. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Hadrian, and had no doubts about doing so, however, to have both his dad’s support and advice, made some of the anxiety he had been feeling about today settle.
“Lucius?”
The blonde turned to see his mother looking at him in concern. He smiled at her.
“I’m fine, mother,” Lucius indicated the letter in his hand, “Father just knew all the right things to say.”
Acacia smiled and hugged him, “Yes, he was very good at that. I miss him too.”
They stood like that for a minute, both thinking about the one not with them, taking comfort from one another. Acacia then pulled away, smoothing down Lucius’s robes.
“Well, I believe that is more than enough melancholy for your bonding day, especially since I know your father is happily looking down on all of us today,” the woman smiled and cupped her son’s cheek, “You look very handsome, and I am so proud of you.”
Lucius smiled at her again, “Thank you, mother.”
Acacia patted his cheek, “Now, let us go get you bonded.”
The Malfoy Lord’s smiled widened as he thought of the man that he would be tying himself to – he couldn’t wait to start the rest of his life with Hadrian.
***
Severus tiredly laid down on his sofa and closed his eyes. The work for his potions mastery was much more difficult than he was expecting. He relished in the challenge, of course, but he was only two weeks in, and he was exhausted. Severus was very grateful for his first weekend off. Hopefully, his body would get used to the schedule – he typically went to bed late and woke up early, if he slept at all, depending on the potion he was learning that day – and following weeks wouldn’t feel as arduous as this one had.
The eighteen-year-old was brought out of his thoughts at the sound of the floo flaring. He frowned, wondering who it was, yet too tired to open his eyes and find out; most knew he was busy with his apprenticeship, and his dad and Lucius were still on their honeymoon and not due to get back until the end of July – which was another two weeks away. Just as Severus was resigning himself to putting off his nap to find out who it was, his head was lifted and set into a soft lap. He tiredly opened his eyes to find familiar grey ones looking at him fondly.
“Hard week?”
“Something like that.”
Regulus smiled at him but didn’t immediately speak up again. Severus felt fingers begin to card through his hair and he couldn’t keep his eye from closing as he hummed in enjoyment of the feeling.
“Are you enjoying your apprenticeship, though?”
“Yes, very much so,” the older man agreed without opening his eyes, “It’s challenging which is a relief after attending seven years’ worth of potions classes and, more often than not, already knowing the information.”
The seventeen-year-old chuckled softly, “Says the Ravenclaw potions prodigy. It is no wonder you were always ahead in that class.”
Severus’s lips twitched at the tease and didn’t disagree, “What about you? How has your summer been so far?”
“My brother was being his usual annoying self until he finally found a place of his own to move into with Remus. Why he wouldn’t let Grandfather give him one of the Black houses I have no idea, but I was very grateful when he finally moved out last week. I think my grandfather was secretly just as relieved as I was when he did.”
The Peverell heir laughed quietly; he wouldn’t be surprised if Arcturus was just as relieved.
“Oh, and Grandmother has invited you over for tea tomorrow if you are not too worn out. I think she is a bit worried for you, living all by yourself. She started to mutter something about getting a house-elf to make sure you are eating.”
Severus considered that for a moment, “That wouldn’t be a bad idea. I have been living mostly off of sandwiches because I am usually too tired to make myself something.”
The fingers in his hair paused, “You haven’t been skipping meals in favor of sleeping, have you?”
The potions apprentice peaked an eye open to see Regulus scrutinizing him, as if trying to see if he had lost weight. When the younger man brought his eyes up to meet his with narrowed eyes, Severus gulped at the look but still didn’t respond, knowing the silence would be answer enough.
Regulus scowled at him, “I believe you will be coming for tea tomorrow and I will be informing Grandmother to proceed with her house-elf plan.”
Severus winced, knowing the type of scolding he would be getting from Melania. Ever since he and Regulus had begun dating, the woman had taken to mothering him much like Acacia had been doing since he first met her when he was a boy, so he was very familiar with the types of scolding he was going to receive. He looked at Regulus pleadingly.
“You have no one to blame for this scolding but yourself,” the younger told him before muttering, “If Grandfather allowed me, I would move in to make sure you ate myself.”
The eighteen-year-old blinked at his boyfriend’s muttering, not entirely sure he was meant to have heard that. It made Severus a little happy to know that the other man would want to live with him, even if it was only to make sure he was taking care of himself.
“Move in with me when you graduate,” Severus blinked as he realized what he had just said, but knew he entirely meant it. He missed being around the Slytherin as often as they could be when they had both been attending Hogwarts and knew that was only going to continue when Regulus went back for his NEWT year. Outside of any time he had free time during Regulus’s winter break or when his free weekend matched up with a Hogsmeade weekend, they’d have to rely entirely on letters to one another. So, since they couldn’t live together now, perhaps they could plan for when they could.
Regulus also blinked in surprise at his outburst, but smiled, “It’s a good thing my eighteenth birthday is the day before graduation this year.”
Severus beamed at the acceptance and pulled the younger man down for a kiss. The Slytherin laughed but let himself be pulled down. After a minute, Regulus broke the kiss with a small mischievous smile.
“You know, we will have to let both your dad and Lucius and my grandparents in on the plan ahead of time.”
The potions apprentice looked at his boyfriend a little horrified at the prospect; their was going to be so many interrogations to make sure they were sure. Regulus laughed at him and quickly distracted him with another kiss.
***
Hadrian and Lucius were walking up to Hogwarts together and Hadrian couldn’t help but stare at Hogwarts before walking in. This was the first year he would be teaching that Severus wouldn’t be attending. No, his son was all grown up and working on a potions mastery. He sighed, suddenly feeling a little old. It was a good thing that Regulus had one more year left or he was sure he would feel even older.
The professor shook the thoughts away as he and his husband – Hadrian still wasn’t used to the little thrill he felt at the thought, even nearly two months after his bonding – walked through the gates of Hogwarts. He was not entirely surprised to find Minerva, Poppy, and Filius all waiting for him just inside the castle. The thirty-two-year-old raised an eyebrow at the three. Minerva and Poppy just smiled at him innocently while Filius rolled his eyes at the two but smiled at him in greeting.
“It’s like my first day all over again,” Hadrian not-so-quietly muttered, causing Lucius to laugh at him.
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Hadrian,” Poppy laughed, “It’s not like half the staff is here this time.”
“Besides,” Minerva spoke up, “We simply came here to officially welcome Lucius here as a resident of Hogwarts now that you are married.”
Hadrian rolled his eyes at the familiar joke, while Lucius chuckled.
“Thank you,” the blonde smiled at the other three professors, “You are all welcome to join us for tea after your meeting.”
“I would love to!” Filius spoke up excitedly, “Any chance of some of Hadrian’s biscuits making an appearance?”
Lucius laughed, “I’m sure I can have that arranged.”
The Peverell Lord rolled his eyes, “I swear, you have become addicted.”
The half-goblin just smiled in return, making both Minerva and Poppy burst out laughing before agreeing to join them for tea. Hadrian turned to Lucius and gave a swift kiss.
“I will see you in a few hours,” he murmured.
The blonde nodded, “Enjoy your meeting.”
He waved bid his goodbye to the other three and walked off. Hadrian turned and joined his friends on the way to the first staff meeting of the year.