New chapter update!

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":Home?:"

Hadrianus had asked, perplexed and in awe, as he looked back at the magnificent and royal castle looking like a picture out of a fairy tale in front of them as if he couldn't believe it.

Marvolo can understand his feelings. His dilemma. After having to live with the abusive Muggles, neither of them had considered that place as home. And the Riddle Manor was just a fling he has already ordered his Account Manager to demolish the Manor and build a new one in its place which will be used as Headquarter of the Dark Sect. Slytherin Account Secretary Lord Ironclaw is probably going through possible home interior designing companies to appoint at this point.

Marvolo hummed at his son in reply. ":Come, little one.:" He approached a particular spot by the riverside with his son on tow. ":Do not touch the water.:" He warned him, ":It has many protective measures in it which will activate if your Magic is not connected with the Ward.:"

Hadrianus nodded, his hand holding onto his father's robe. Nagini came towards them, ":You'll love this place, Hatchling,:" she said, successfully distracting Hadrianus, ":There is a lot of warm places and snake doors all over the house for us to roam and play freely.:"

With Nagini keeping his attention on her to make sure he won't run towards the water, Marvolo focused on the trace of his Magic. He moved closer to the water, hands raised grabbing the invisible Magical rope, he pulled the fifty feet big ship that will safely carry them across the width of the river. Marvolo heard his son's impressed gasp as the beautifully crafted ship colored in Slytherin green rose from the depths of the river and broke the surface, then floated elegantly in front of them, a wide compartment opening on the bow of the ship and a wooden dock emerging automatically from the ship reaching towards the riverbank, waiting patiently to help her passenger to come aboard. Despite having just raise from the river, the ship was spotless, warm, dry, and welcoming.

"Wow!"

Marvolo can't help but feel smug at that, His son is constantly stroking his ego to grow, "Wow, indeed. Shall we?"

Nagini snorted at his smug tone, climbing on the wide dock and slithering inside the ship, occasionally tasting air to make sure there is nothing hostile on the ship that could harm her son. ":Careful, Tom. If your ego grows any bigger than the castle can contain, then you'll destroy years of works.:"

Hadrianus broke out from his stupefied state, hurriedly following his mum ":What do you mean?:" He asked. ":What work?:"

Nagini took a moment to claim the warmest place she found on the deck which was a comfortable lounge chair big enough for five people and coiled up comfortably, before looking at her hatchling who sat beside her and scooted closer and started playing with her tail. She sighed indulgently, allowing him to play with her tail, ":Your father found this abandoned castle when he was touring the world. He is the one who claimed it and builds it from ruins to where it is today.:"

":Wait, father build this place?:" Hadrianus looked up, surprised and awed.

Marvolo joined his child and Nagini on the deck, after checking the course of the ship to make sure she sails through the width and reaches towards the island steadily. ":Yes I did.:" He said, sitting on the lounge chair on the other side of his son, and pulled out his badger toy from his pocket and gave it back to him. Hadrianus accepted Mr. Puff and didn't even think twice before climbed on the lap of Marvolo. Tom had always encouraged him to seek physical affection and warmth from him, knowing a Naga mentality well. And Tom is his father, right? He got the prove when his father's hand started to cart through his hair; and he looked up at him with his big eager eyes, wishing to learn more.

":It was just a few years after the terror of Grindelwald ended. Everyone was still shaken from his decade-long terror. I was visiting one of the Hawaiian native tribes to learn tribal Magic from them. I heard about this castle from them and decided to visit.:" Marvolo said, his eyes distant as he recalled the days of his early twenties, ":That's how I found this place. Yes, it was a complete ruin, but still holding steady. And the Magic of this place.. so ancient yet so strong wards, it was like coming home.:" His smile was nostalgic as he recalls the time of his early adulthood. Hadrianus listened to his father speak quietly, laying his head on his father's strong and firm chest; enjoying every second of the attention he was receiving. Being denied any affectionate physical touch before, he is never going to shy off from cuddles with his father or mum.

":The Gaunts were left with nothing but their shack, a ring, and mountainous pride. All the properties of Slytherin were either sold or distributed among other lines. I inherited nothing from my ancestors. So I decided to make my inheritance. And to make my inheritance, I would need a manor, or better, a castle. So I brought this castle, build up from the ruins, and made it my home, the Slytherin Castle. It was so well isolated from the foolish mortals and silent and full of privacy, just what I needed after spending too much time sharing my place with unwanted people.:" His finger stroked the arm of his son. ":Thankfully there was a law in the US Ministry Of Magic about granting anyone home if they wish to become a US citizen. So I claimed my Lordship and contacted Gringotts to request residency in the US and brought the castle with my own money. They were quite happy to have the gold, still recovering from the reign of terror that was Grindelwald.:"

":So, you were a US citizen?:" Hadrianus asked, confused, ":Then why we became ex-German resident instead of that?:"

":Two reasons. First, because communications between Magical German and Magical Britain had been almost non-existent since Grindelwald. They would know that the German Ministry would not contact Britain even if they know that Slytherin exists in Germany. And secondly, to divert people's attention from our real home...:" Marvolo said. He had thought about this for a long time and then came to this decision. ":Everyone from the Dark Sect knows about Slytherin Castle, but no one knows where it is. I have placed charms to make sure that even if I bring someone here, no one can use any kind of location spell to know where are they, except for the fact that it is Slytherin Castle. And I know some people will become too interested in our history, Slytherin is among the oldest Pure-blood line - so they will put their nose where it doesn't belong:" And he knows a certain crooked nosed old coot who definitely will, ":I do not want them to find this place and compromise the safety of my - our home.:"

That Hadrianus can certainly agree with. Our home - his father said. He never had a home before, just like his father, so he can understand his father's conflict to announce the World about his true home and sanctuary. Not only this will compromise the safety of his house, but their much-needed privacy will be threatened as well. Snakes and Nagas were very much territorial and seek privacy away from other noisy people.

They fall in comfortable silence, watching the Sunrise over their home and the surrounding huge garden getting bigger with every passing second. The sound of water splashing on the ship with birds singing and chirping, and his father's calm heartbeat. The ship sails through the constant series of crests and troughs of river waves. The near crystal water surface glistening under the early morning Sun.

":Only a problem being the time difference of eleven hours, as muggles call them 'jet lag'.:" Marvolo explained, ":When we left Britain it was around 17:00, here it is 6:00 in the morning. A minor inconvenience, but easily manageable with simple calculation and planning.:"

Hadrianus didn't answer, blinking slowly as he stared at their beautiful castle. Even if the day had been exhausting for him, he didn't want to fall asleep and wake up to find everything was just a dream, he was still stuck in his cupboard. He cuddled closer to his father if that was possible, tightening his grip on his mum's tail and Mr. Puff unconsciously. Probably he was getting sleepy, that's why what happened next startled him. He jerked his head towards it, gaping as he saw a beautiful and powerful-looking black horse emerging from the depth of the river, standing on the water surface and looking at him with its Moonlight silvery eyes as if trying to determine if he is friendly or not.

":Father..:"

":Hush, my child. It's okay. Do not fret. It's okay, it's just a Kelpie.:"

":Kelpie?:" He frowned, looking back but it was gone.

":Kelpie is what you can call a water spirit. You will read about them later. We have a couple of them living here, as do many water creatures, like Merpeople, Grindylows, giant serpents, and many more. It is one of the reasons I asked you to not touch the water. An unfamiliar magical presence might startle them off and go defensive.:" Marvolo explained, ":You'll also find many other creatures in the forest, including a couple of clans of Dark Elves. Most of them are considered Dark creatures according to British Ministry, but in reality rather harmless unless provoked. Do not fret, they will leave you alone when they recognize you as my Heir. They are, after all, under my protection.:"

":Okay.:" He hadn't read about Dark Elves, Kelpies, Merpeople, or any other water creatures yet. Looks like he found new things to add to his ever-growing reading list. He is memorizing the whole Magical Creature Encyclopedia that Barty brought.

With a gentle bump, the ship moored herself on the other side of the river and the dock came out again.

":Come.:"

With an affirmative murmur, Hadrianus followed his father and mum out towards the main gate. Marvolo paused in front of the closed gate, looking back at his son staring at the castle starry-eyed. "Hadrianus, come here."

Hadrianus quickly approached his father and grabbed his hand when he asked for it. "My son, I am going to key you in the Wards now. But for that, I would need few drops of your blood. Just like you did during the ritual at Samhein night. Do you understand?"

"Yes, father." Hadrianus voiced confidently. Before the ritual, Tom had explained to him the significance of Mage blood and why he should always be careful about it in great detail. That's why his father is telling him and asking for his consent, as everyone should - according to Tom.

Marvolo conjured a sterile needle, making sure everything is visible to his son - as it should be - and pricked his finger, then squeezed the finger on the large greyish stone beside the main gate. The droplet of scarlet shone for a moment before the stone absorbed it and it glowed, before going back looking like the boring stone-like before. Hadrianus felt a tingling sensation arising from his navel spreading towards his four limbs before settling again.

"Good," Marvolo nodded in satisfaction. Now he is keyed to the Ward. "Now come. I will key you as my Heir in the Wardstone after cleaning your blood from those undeserving people." He sneered, steering his son inside as the gate opened. As soon as it was open, there were few distinct pops, and five House Elves wearing forest green uniform with black linen and 'S' written on their uniform appeared in front of them.

"Master Dark Lord Sir, you is back!" They chorused together.

"Ah yes," Marvolo nodded, "Everything in order?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. This is my son and Heir, Hadrianus Marvolo Slytherin. Hadrianus, they are the keeper and caretaker of Slytherin Manor."

"Hello," Hadrianus beamed at them, "What are your names?"

"These being Finn, Cece, Casey, and Cody. And I am Davy."

"Nice to meet you all." Hadrianus nodded at them, which made them widen their eyes in awe and respect and his father rolled his eyes, here we go again, "Um, I have one friend already, Bailey."

Just as he said her name, Bailey popped in with her glory of a lemon yellow blouse and floral skirts. "Master Harry called Bailey?"

Hadrianus blinked at Bailey, not expecting her to arrive like this. Marvolo took the moment to address her, "Yes Bailey, from now on, you will be Hadrianus' personal House Elf. If he needs anything, he will call you and your main duty will be to take care of him. And make yourself acquaintance with other Elves and the castle and wear a Slytherin badge on your blouse to represent whom you serve."

"Yes Master Dark Lord Sir," Bailey bowed and they all popped back when he dismissed them.

Hadrianus looked back at his father, "I still think blood adoption is the better option."

"Stop brooding, my little one," Marvolo sighed. Hadrianus sounded rather eager to get rid of his metamorphmagus ability and Marvolo knows exactly why. After all, his reaction at finding his new look has not been the friendliest one, he probably still fears rejection from his father. And his abandoned issue made him dislike his ability, however useful. "As I said, your ability is unique which I'd hate to lose. There is only one other metamorphmagus in whole Britain in the last century other than you, and she is a Hogwarts student right now. But do not fret, have faith in your father. I have promised you I will find a third option for you, and I intend to keep that promise."

The easiest solution had been to ask Narcissa to give her blood as Hadrianus's mother. While Marvolo was against informing anyone that Hadrianus is not his son by the flesh, he knows it's just a matter of an Unbreakable vow and she will gladly give her blood for him. Hadrianus has won her heart over on the first meeting.

But he can't do that.

Because of Dumbledore.

That old meddling coot has been after him since the day they first met in the Wool's Orphanage. He never bothered to inform him of his lineage even after knowing he's a Parselmouth, instead he kept such a tight leash on him that he had to get creative just to make sure he has no excuse to expel him. He is suspicious of all the Dark Cored Wizard and the Slytherins by default. And if someone happened to be both? They will automatically be assumed for everything that went wrong.

And now, if Heir Slytherin comes to Hogwarts, all of Dumbledore's ire will be directed on him, and being Headmaster of the Hogwarts, he will keep close eyes on Hadrianus, probably even closer than Tom was. And obviously, try to blame him for even the slightest inconvenience. And Dumbledore knows very well that Tom Marvolo Riddle was Slytherin Heir as well. He will pull every string, try every card hidden in his ridiculous sleeve to connect Hadrianus with Lord Voldemort. Who knows, maybe even illegally collect his blood to do an inheritance test himself without Hadrianus's knowledge. While Marvolo is aware that the Wizarding inheritance test will not reveal the names of godparents, but his immediate family name will come out.

And Hadrianus can not have any immediate connection with any of his Knights, let alone Lord Voldemort. After all, they officially moved to Britain from German just today.

He needs to cover every aspect of their history to make sure Dumbledore can not connect Hadrianus with Voldemort other than the fact that he is his paternal uncle. Every Pure-blood is connected one way or another. So that won't raise a problem in the public eye. The public will brush off Dumbledore's claims as a paranoia of some old people.

And he might know exactly how to claim Hadrianus as his son in blood and flesh without washing off the Black blood. He just needs to check on some books.

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He would need the help of the Goblins - Marvolo mused frowning, staring at the parchment full of calculations and numbers and runes. The old ritual he had found in the ancient texts is not perfect - it can not guarantee that it will keep the Black blood during the cleansing. It is not suitable.

The other option is the Goblin's Blood Cleansing Ritual. Goblin's Magic is more sensitive to identify different types of the blood from Wizarding family; so it will be a great help to split up the Black blood from Potter's blood and the mudblood's blood. But it has the possibility of the outcome of Hadrianus's paternal grandmother being identified as his birth mother.

That will certainly raise a problem - given according to his birth certificate, Hadrianus is born a couple of years after the death of Dorea Black. Unless... unless Marvolo names her as his own mother.

An amused smirk marred in his face which would have made his Knights cringe. Oh, he is going to enjoy the Potter's reaction if this news is ever revealed. Dorea had a big crush on him during their time in Hogwarts, just like any other teenage population in Hogwarts. What she could be thinking now if she hears his planning?

His musing was interrupted when he felt Nagini and his son's presence coming towards him in his study. As he waited for them to arrive while working on the rituals, he noticed out of the corner of his eyes a small snake flap that was installed in the castle is being pushed open by an emerald green nose, then a small green snake head coming out of it, tongues flickering rapidly.

Marvolo watched impassively, his vibrant red eyes gleaming in amusement as his son slithered out of the snake flap and started to come toward him, his gait is quite regal and elegant - Nagini is teaching him well; followed closely by the Maledictus in question.

Hadrianus scented the air, ":Father! Hi!:"

To his further amusement, his son waved at him using the end of his tail and flicking it sideways like he would wave a hand. But he kept his face expressionless and waved back, which is barely a wiggle of his fingers, but that seems to satisfy his son who changed into his human form, his new shirt and trousers intact and perfectly fit for his body, which was spelled specifically to stay on him no matter which forms he is in, and his trousers were also charmed to transfigure automatically into a skirt if Hadrianus wishes to shift into half-Naga form.

"Did you take a nap?" Marvolo asked as the child approached him and claimed the fluffy and furry bean bag chair beside him in his study with a happy sigh. He would never forget the delighted look on Hadrianus's face to discover the furry seven feet bean bag chair in his father's study in front of the fireplace. He had immediately claimed it, not knowing his father has installed it for him decades before he was even born, waiting for Hadrianus to come and take his place beside him.

"Yes, mum made me do it." Hadrianus pouted at his mum who rolled her eyes from where she claimed her place on the rug made of the same material as his bean bag, directly in front of the fireplace.

"And she did the right thing." Marvolo pointed out while going through the ritual one last time before he contacts the Gringotts, "So, what have you been doing since then?"

"We were exploring the castle," Hadrianus said, vibrating with the excitement of having such a beautiful castle as their home.

"And instead of using the doors and corridors, you're exploring through the pipe and snake flaps?" Marvolo raised his eyebrow at him.

"I've already explored using the doors with you when we arrived!" Hadrianus defended