244AN: I BET Y'ALL DIDN'T THINK I WOULD EVER POST ANOTHER CHAPTER AGAIN
Okay on a serious note, this will not be updated as frequently. The updates to this will be extremely slow as I start to get back into this.
I had a dream last night that I was working on this story and in my dream, I uploaded a new chapter. When I woke up, I had a huge urge to write SOMETHING. Anything, really. I've never once stopped thinking about this story. This was my first Tomarry story and I will always hold this one very dear to me.
That being said, I truly wish to rewrite what I have. I'm deeply unhappy with how things went from 0 to 100 in this story. I was in high school when I first started this story. I have since graduated college. This story hadn't been updated in over five years. There are so many grammar and spelling mistakes, not to mention plot holes and a fast-paced romance that I originally wanted to have as a slow burn.
In the following months, I want to also finish 'Taking His Life Back' so that I may work on the Tomarry AU of that story and have a cleanish slate to work with. Not that I don't love this story, but I hate the direction I took in my younger years.
So, without further ado, here's a short chapter to say 'I still think about this story'
"I don't know how it slipped my mind," Adrian began quietly, settling beside Hermione early in the morning, long before any of the other Weasleys were awake. "But is there anyone else in your year or below that I should worry about? I observed what I could last year, but I know some things could have slipped past," Hermione hummed at the question, thinking of how to answer.
"Cho Chang," Hermione confessed. "At the time, Harry either didn't realize he was gay, or he was trying to hide it. I don't think Harry's noticed it, but she was staring at him a lot last year. I'm not sure if she's suddenly developed a crush on him or not," Adrian considered that, nodding. "I'll be honest, I don't quite know where Neville Longbottom stands either," Hermione added after a moment. "He's always been a reliable friend, but he's sharper than people give him credit for. He and Luna Lovegood are the only two that could potentially spot something off about you," Adrian paused.
"Luna Lovegood," He repeated, the cogs moving in his mind. "Ah. She's the daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood." Adrian then paused, an odd look flashing through his eyes. "I believe you're right about her being able to figure it out. The Lovegood family is known to have seers throughout their bloodline," Hermione winced, nodding.
"People have a tendency to make fun of her when she zones out, but Harry, Ginny, and I have figured out it's because of her visions. It seems that most people expect prophecies to be cut and dry," Adrian laughed at that, shaking his head.
"Then they have no idea how some prophecies are meant to be, in that case. Many believe a prophecy is either set in stone or that there is one linear path to take. What they fail to realize is that a prophecy is a possibility. Something that could happen if you make certain decisions that lead you down that path. Depending on how someone observes the prophecy, it can have a different meaning." Hermione blinked at that, having quit Divination after one year of it.
"So that means most prophecies are a load of shite," She said bluntly, earning a startled laugh from the older.
"Partially," Adrian admitted, a wide grin on his face. "The ones that people try to use to control people definitely are. If there is one thing that Lady Magic is known for, it is Free Will. She would not produce a prophecy that forces someone into a set fate, not without them deciding to follow it or not,"
"I see," Hermione nodded, understanding a little more. "I was always confused because I heard the opposite. It's…better, knowing that free will is part of a prophecy," She swallowed hard, fidgeting with her fingers. "With me being a muggleborn, I was never raised or taught your ways. I've tried reading everything I can, but…there isn't much about Lady Magic, as you called her."
"You won't find her in the books at Hogwarts," Adrian admitted with a small frown, a displeased look in his eyes. "You also won't find books about the Wheel of the year at Hogwarts either, especially Samhain," Hermione looked thoughtful at that.
"I know very little about the wheel," Hermione confessed. "Ironically, I found information from a muggle bookshop a year ago. Funny that the muggles would have more information about old traditions rather than the actual magical world."
"Muggles and magical people used to live harmoniously long ago. Muggles might not have been magical, but that didn't stop them from worshipping the old gods or practicing our traditions. Until the rise of Christianity, there was a balance between wizards and muggles. I believe the muggles have a name for the old gods…"Adrian mumbled, trying to remember the term.
"Paganism?" Hermione supplied, smiling when he lit up.
"That's it!" Adrian nodded. "Still, it's interesting that those books are in muggle bookstores…" Hermione couldn't help but think of something that suddenly struck her. Why she saw so many books titled 'wicca' or 'witchcraft' or 'Paganism' when in the muggle world.
"Perhaps it's because they were written by people from this world," She suggested, making him startle.
"But the statue of secrecy," Adrian mumbled.
"Would be overlooked in the case of a squib or a muggleborn family," Hermione added. "Also, many of the printing companies in the muggle world aren't connected to the government. They're private. So it's possible to go undetected." Adrian was looking at her with wide eyes, a look of shock, and something else on his face.
"I don't know if I've ever told you this, Hermione, but you are one of the most intelligent witches I've ever met." Her cheeks blazed hotly at his praise, swallowing hard. "What you say makes so much sense now. Some families kick out their children if they are born without magic," There was a sad look on his face as he said this and she touched his hand, frowning. "Even though I was an only child, my father's brother had three children. One was a squib. I don't remember her much, just that she was a kind child and she was full of happiness. When her magic never came, my uncle dropped her off at an orphanage. Her eldest brother withdrew to himself after that," Hermione felt tears in her eyes, her heart breaking for the wizard beside of her.
"That's so awful. I'm so sorry…" Adrian smiled sadly, taking her hand for a moment.
"For a community that tries to say that children are precious and sacred, I don't understand how anyone could throw away their child. It's like if muggle parents found out their kid had magic and kicked them out for it. It baffles me." Adrian admitted. "I want kids of my own one day. I want them to grow up feeling loved, regardless if they have magic or not. My kid will always be my kid, no matter what." Hermione intertwined their fingers slowly.
"I think you would make a wonderful father," Hermione smiled at him, missing the dark flush on his cheeks. "All children deserve love." She didn't want to get into the specifics of her best friend's life, but Adrian deserved to know since he was going to be pretending to be Harry at Hogwarts. "Merlin knows Harry didn't deserve the treatment he received from his relatives for being different," She saw the way Adrian tensed, a sad look in his gaze. "Dumbledore told him throughout the years, but the Headmaster never listen to a word he said. He always told Harry it needed to be this way and sent him back to relatives that despised him."
"Hogwarts needs some sort of…" Adrian closed his eyes, trying to remember the term. "Counselor. For those who feel unsure of who to talk with. Not everyone is comfortable talking with their head of house. The Slytherins are close with Professor Snape, but other houses might not have that same sort of relationship." Hermione nodded, loving the idea that he had.
"I don't know how mental health is done here, but a counselor to talk with and sort your feelings would be good for those who need the extra guidance." They talked for a bit more, the two of them looking at the time with a small sigh. Soon they would need to face the Weasleys (besides Ginny, who was their only reprieve) and get ready to head to the station.
"Uh, can I ask something?" Hermione hesitated after a moment, an embarrassed flush on her face. "I know you mentioned Lady Magic to me earlier, but I would love to learn more about her and the traditions of the Wheel of the year. Do you think you could teach them to me? I would love to learn about the Old gods and how to worship them," Adrian had such a bright smile on his face that Hermione could swear she saw a glimpse of his actual appearance for the briefest of moments.
"I'd love to, Hermione. It would be my honor," He grasped her hand, giving a small kiss to her knuckle before heading out to grab his items.
Hermione was red all morning.
"Good morning, Lucius~" The twins grinned at the blonde wizard who froze at their voices, a small glare aimed their way. The twins noticed and pouted, moving to sit on either side of him.
"C'mon, Luci," Fred grinned. "We didn't let the prank go on all day," The twin reminded. "When you asked us to give you the antidote, we did." George nodded along with his brother.
"Exactly, Luci," George continued. "Besides, the cookies were bloody amazing. Next time we bake some, we won't put anything in them. We promise." The blonde rolled his eyes, soon flushing when the duo spoke up in unison.
"Just love," They insisted, making the wizard focus on his toast.
"We can even let you in on the next prank," George kept on, stealing a piece of bacon from Lucius' plate. "Harry's gotten too good at catching us before we can think about pranking him. We could use a third set of eyes to prank our brother in all but blood," Lucius found he wasn't annoyed at the stolen bacon, for whatever reason. "And Tommy's too observant," Lucius felt his lips twitch slightly at the nickname that the Dark Lord was sure to hate.
"And why would I willingly help you prank the Dark Lord?" He raised an eyebrow at the mock hurt.
"Best keep people on their toes. You think Harry's got those lightning-fast reflexes of his out of nowhere?" Fred smirked. "No way. He was one of the people we tested our products on, besides ourselves and Ron, the idiot brother we want to replace with Harry."
"And Percy," George added. "We'd exchange Percy too. Many another sister."
"Hermione," They both agreed.
Lucius didn't know why in the seven hells he was listening to them and enjoying their odd banter.
"Or Luna," Harry but in, walking into the room.
"Not Luna," The two spoke in sync. "Ginny's got the hots for her," Harry blinked at them for a moment and then outright laughed.
"That's why Ginny's always looking for creatures with Luna. Makes so much bloody sense now." Harry spoke fondly. The two of them would make an interesting couple, but it was one that would oddly work too. "Luna's always collecting flowers for her." He added. "I'm not sure if she's ever found the courage to give them to her, but I know she's always placing a stasis charm on them,"
"If there's anyone we trust with our favorite sister's heart, it's Luna," Fred said seriously, a soft look in his eyes as he spoke about his sister. "Ginny's a feisty witch. She needs someone with a soft side."
"They balance each other out," George agreed, leaning against Lucius, to Harry's amusement.
The man was as red as a tomato when Fred did the same thing, stealing a piece of bacon as his brother did earlier.
It made him think of his own relationship with Tom. While they shared many similarities, they had their differences. Tom was cool and poised, even when enraged. His magic was like a blizzard when he was angry, chilling and freezing those it touched.
Himself, on the other hand? He was warm and mischievous. When he was angry, his magic was like a raging inferno, burning and boiling beneath his skin before it erupted around him.
They worked well together. A perfect partnership.
Their magic felt perfect together.
He hadn't even realized he had walked into the study, but when he saw Tom, a smile spread across his face as he made his way closer to his lover, eyes bright.
:You're in a good mood: Tom purred out, making Harry swallow at the sound.
:How can I not be when I'm thinking about you?: Harry purred back, enjoying the soft surprise that morphed into pleasure.
:What were you thinking about then, darling?: Shivering at the endearment, Harry smiled more.
:Just how perfect our magic feels together.: Harry admitted, moving to straddle Tom's hips, grinning when hands gripped his hips. :And how when I'm with you, I feel like everything is balanced out. How I feel like you're my other half.: Harry smiled and let out a pleased moan when lips claimed his own.
:You will be the death of me, Harry.: Tom purred back, eyes full of love as they met for another kiss.
:I know we have plans to get my new wand today, but I'd like to stay like this with you for a while longer. If that's alright?:
:It's more than alright,: Tom promised, kissing him again.