30. A Secret For Secret

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Where an animal-loving smol bean boi befriends a plant-loving smol bean boi.

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"Now, my son," Marvolo said as he leads Hadrianus out from the door of the Mind Healer. They were here for their weekly combined counseling and Marvolo couldn't be prouder of his son for managing so fine. Even the Squib was a little surprised with how great the child was prospering and how quickly he is recovering from his PTSD. Though, Marvolo thinks it's all because of their shared Naga inheritance that's encouraging the child with his instincts and thus influencing his subconscious perception. But today, he is beyond proud, if that was possible when the squib had urged him to take an IQ test for his son, declaring him to be too intelligent for his age! Well, he unmistakably noticed that, but hearing the piece of scintillating revelation from a certified Healer, is a compliment if he ever hears one. He knew one other person whom the doctors decided having higher intelligence than ordinary and urging to test for IQ (though he hadn't done it, thanks to Mrs. Cole, and later it had become insignificant): that has been him. But he is determined to not repeat that mistake with his son. His son's IQ test is not something insignificant. "Don't forget, your aunt is coming to look after you as I will be a little busy for the rest of the day. So expect her when you wake up from your afternoon nap. Be a good boy for her, hmm?" He said as they reached the Receptionist. Only a family of two was standing there but he paid them no mind, his focus still on his son.

"Yes father," Hadrianus was grinning with ears still red, a mixture between proud, bashful, and satisfied from the conversation between the doctor and his father.

Marvolo flashed him a knowing and proud smirk at his son and turned towards the receptionist, "Excuse me, I was recommended for an IQ test for my son and has been referred to the IQ test clinic by Dr. Welsh."

"Of course," The receptionist smiled brilliantly, "Would you like to give the test in the IQ test clinic or his school?"

"In the clinic, please."

The Receptionist nodded as she got busy with booking a slot for them. Marvolo's attention was taken by his son who tugged on his sleeve, "Yes?"

"Is her son coming as well?" He whispered as his hesitant eyes found his. He is scared. And nervous. Though his reasons are different now as he knows the son of someone as great as Aunt Cissa can not be bad, right? Even if he has a superiority complex - as father said. But his father also has a superiority complex - that doesn't mean his father is not the best one out there!

But what if he doesn't make a good enough impression on his Godmother's son?

Marvolo quickly thought this through, already decided that they will meet only in his presence. Is it going to be today? He doesn't believe so, as he will be preoccupied. But before he could reply to him, their attention was drawn by a surprised voice, "Lord Slytherin - Peverell?"

Marvolo raised his head to quickly scan the surrounding, his eyes coming to meet with Dowager Longbottom standing near the reception of the hospital with her grandson, looking at him surprised. Marvolo cursed inside his head, having not expecting it. But of course, he smiled pleasantly outside while carefully casting a privacy charm surrounding them, adding a subtle compulsion at the receptionist, nothing harmful, it's just she will feel a strong urge to not call him or his son by his name. He can't have her disclose their names as 'Tom and Harry Riddle' in front of his former classmate now, can he? It's going to dissipate all the efforts he created with tremendous preparation.

He should have designed a suitable Muggle identity for him and his son. Maybe he will charm the papers and the muggles to change the name to Durjaya? And his son could be Devarsh. At least the names are adequately muggle, reflecting their Indian origin, and the meaning behind the name is accurate.

He should have thought this before today. "Ah, Dowager Longbottom. A pleasure to find you here."

"Pleasure is all mine, I haven't expected to meet you here in the Muggle World." She looked at him carefully. What he is doing here? A Slytherin in Muggle World is not good news, though she is saving the judgment. Especially because of the presence of a child version of Lord Slytherin with different eye colors standing just beside him clutching his hand. Definitely his son. Why they would need to visit a Muggle Brain Hospital out of all places? A squib relative admitted here? Augusta hardly thinks that's possible, that a Pureblood Slytherin will visit a squib relative admitted to muggle hospital. Besides, the child was grinning at his father a moment before. Anyone visiting their relative admitted to a hospital wouldn't grin like that.

Marvolo smiled, dazzling and enigmatic, knowing very well what's going on in her mind, along with confusion because of the presence of his son. While a part of his brain felt disgusted with the idea forming in his mind, the other part - the Slytherin part jumped at the decision.

"Well, I must confess that I wouldn't be here unless for my son's counseling," He started, watching her widen her eyes minutely, "Dr. Welsh is a renowned child psychologist, and he was recommended by some of my associates."

"I understand," Augusta averted her eyes from the father towards the son, before looking away, a little ashamed of herself. She should have realized it herself, a child with trauma like witnessing the consequences of an accident that caused his grandmother's death and mother's incapacitation would need some help and Dr. Welsh is one of the best Mind Healers for children out there, even if he is a squib. She learned everything she could about every muggle healer here before coming. "Pardon my intrusiveness for asking an inappropriate question. I appreciate your honesty, even though you didn't have to divulge us, and of course, I agree with your arrangement to see a psychologist, after what he must have experienced." To most of the Pureblood, agreement to see a Mind Healer is always kept strictly secret if they even consent to it - as most believe them to be shameful practice. Though she can't help but wonder about this unfamiliar 'IQ test' that she listened from the conversation. Is it something related to post-trauma patients? Like one of those scans that take unmoving black and white photos of the inside of the brain?

She paused when she noticed the minute flinch of the child, then the way he averted his eyes and seems to be fighting with himself to not recoil and appear a smaller target. Augusta watched bemused as the child took an unconscious step towards his father and clutched his hand tighter, clearly seeking comfort from his presence, his magic swirling around him and embracing him - as if attempting to soothe and shield their distressed owner from the World. Augusta was impressed with the purposeful act of his accidental Magic - it was quite extraordinary for someone's magic to be so controlled and sentient of their own to offer the feeling of compassion and warmth to its owner! This is not an act but a spontaneous and subconscious reaction, clearly, the trauma has affected the child deeper than she thought. Probably whatever happened, occurred right in front of him. So she hurried to change the topic, offering her secret for their secret. She is an honor-bound Gryffindor, after all.

"I am here as a friend's recommendation as well," She said, tearing her calculating eyes from the child, "I have heard the Muggles may have some better treatment for brain-damaged patients than St Mungo. It's for my son and daughter-in-law, both incapacitated in war, you see." Augusta realized belatedly exactly where and how Professor Crouch learned that the Muggles have a better understanding of the human brain. Is he not the Godfather of the child in front of her? She did hear about the tales of his antics from him many times.

Marvolo nodded understandingly, already knowing who gave her the idea. Barty and Narcissa both had been fascinated with MRI and CT-scan of the brain when Dr. Welsh asked for it for Hadrianus and since then they had been reading up Muggle's Anatomy, Physiology, Medicine, Surgery, and any other Healer books they could find after touring multiple Muggle bookstore with Severus. Well, not only them, of course. He himself has been fascinated as well. After all, knowledge is knowledge, no matter where you gain it from. And learning this has been interesting for him, different from anything else he read before.

As they talk, their attention was taken by the receptionist, "Excuse me, sir, I have booked a slot for tomorrow at five in the evening, it's in room number 17A. And you will have to fill this form."

"Thank you." Marvolo inclined his head at her, taking the form, and turned at her. "Oh, before I forget, this is Hadrianus Slytherin, my son, and Heir," He beckoned the child forward, might as well introduce them, "Son, meet Dowager Longbottom, the new Head of Gryffindor House."

"An honor to meet you, ma'am," Hadrianus came forward and courtesied, kissing her knuckles gently before backing away with a polite and sweet smile. Augusta nodded, pleased to find the child polite and knowing manners adequately. Perhaps Neville would do good to befriend the child, and how to control his own Magic from him. She is quite worried about her grandson for not performing enough accidental magic to meet her expectations.

Besides, if the child belongs from a family where muggle treatment from a Squib is welcomed, then he can't be that bad, right? From their posture and outfit, they are quite familiar with the Muggle world. This means the child is not an uptight Pureblood snob like Malfoys. Maybe this is normal for Magical Germany to accept the best from both cultures? Equality between Purebloods and Muggleborns alike? That is certainly good news and tells her how much Magical Britain needs some serious up-gradation. She is thankful for the changes Lord Slytherin - Peverell bringing for Hogwarts and Magical Britain. A child of a wizard-like Lord Slytherin - Peverell is worthy of associating with the Longbottom Heir.

"Thank you, Heir Slytherin - Peverell. May I introduce my grandson and Heir of Longbottom, Neville? I believe you two will be in the same year. You two can become pen-pals. Growing up alone without parents, Neville doesn't have many friends."

The other child Neville had blushed and looked like he wanted to shrink away from the encounter, but Marvolo knows the last word has won Hadrianus's attention who looked at him with a new light, of course remembering he had been in a similar position not long ago and smiled radiantly and enthusiastically at him, "Guten Tag! Ich bin sehr erfreut Sie kennen zu lernen, Erbe der Longbottom Familie." (Hi! Pleased to meet you, Heir of Longbottom family.)

Marvolo smirked at the other child's momentary blank look as he studied the form in his hand, Augusta Longbottom looked like she wanted to smile. Taking a little mercy on him, he cleared his throat while filing up the form. Looks like the Accent Alteration potion has been a bit overdosed with the eight years old, he probably should have let him take half vial of it. While he doesn't mind the child switching to Germany at home whenever he is excited, it is sure a con for him at a moment like this. Though it's not a con for Marvolo, as now he appreciates that Augusta will be confirmed about the child's upbringing in Germany. After all, the Accent Alteration potion is an obscured branch of potion, declared illegal and dark because one of the ingredients is blood and its use to alter Accent and thus hide identity.

Hadrianus realized where it went wrong when his father cleared his throat, making him blush deep red to the tip of his ear, stumbling, "Erm, p-pleased to meet you, Heir Longbottom." Now the mortified child looked like he wanted to shrink and hide in some deep dark hole, away from the World. Though there is nothing to be embarrassed about!

The other child, bless his Hufflepuff heart, now grinned back at him and shook his hand enthusiastically, obviously wanted the other child to not feel embarrassed because he accidentally spoke in another language at the moment of excitement. "Hello! Pleased to meet you too, Heir Slytherin - Peverell."

Hadrianus beamed, still red in the face, "Call me Hadrianus, or Adrian."

"Call me Neville then. So you're from Germany?"

Hadrianus blushed again and nodded.

"That's nice. I would like to hear stories of Germany, I have never been there."

"While it's good and all, why don't you two save all the 'getting to know each other' by talking through letters and fixing a playdate?" Augusta suggested, "I am sure Lord Slytherin - Peverell has places to be." Maybe she will encourage Neville to ask Heir Slytherin - Peverell what kind of test is that on the letter. 

The children immediately agreed.

Hold on, Marvolo thought as all his attention came to a halt listening to the children talking and bonding over their shared embarrassment. His son, the Heir of The Dark Lord's first friend is a Light Wizard with Hufflepuff heart and Gryffindor origin? Not only that but the third Prophecy child?

What. Is. His. Life?

   

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Hadrianus squinted at Aunt Cissa, watching her fuss over him, checking the swimming suit he was wearing to make sure the warming and other protective Runes are working. "Aunt Cissa, you know you didn't have to babysit me at some ungodly hours, right? I am not a baby! I am a big boy, nine now!" This has to be some god-awful hour in Britain! She has her family, her own son, she can't keep visiting him whenever his father is busy in the daytime!

"I know you're not a baby!" Narcissa urged him to finish the fruits, a growing boy like him needs all the foods he can eat! Look at him flourishing after getting all the proper nutrition and appropriate activities and improving both height and muscles! "Besides, it's my duty as your Godmother to make sure my borderline suicidal Godson with the powers and perils of intuition of a flabberworm does not adopt another possible XXXXX class beast today." Knowing him, he will probably try to find an Acramantula or a Basilisk in the forest. Though the latter would more likely to befriend her Godson, given he is a parselmouth and a Naga!

Merlin! As if she is not stressed enough! Now she has a brand-new nightmare!

Hadrianus splutters in indignity and outrage, "Hey! I do not have 'perils of intuition of a flabberworm'! Neither I am 'borderline suicidal'! I can assure you it's the danger who finds me! Barty says the Deity of Chaos has a crush on me!"

Aunt Cissa elegantly snorted, Hadrianus didn't even know people could snort elegantly before he met her! "Very assuring."

"It is! Unlike what my father says, I do have some sort of self-preservation!"

"Someone with a modicum of self-preservation wouldn't adopt a swooping evil!" Narcissa informed him sardonically as she watched the beast in question flaps its wing as it preens and moves around on her Godson's shoulder as if it owns him, the only thing keeping her inching towards her Wand is the knowledge that the beast is her Godson's familiar and has a spell-proof skin. Narcissa narrowed her eyes when something caught her attention, "What is that?"

Hadrianus followed her eyes towards his right ankle and beamed, "It's my birthday gift from Barty. Look." Hadrianus removed the Kydex sheath and ankle holster to shows her the Blackhawk Tatang Knife. Narcissa had to resist pinching the bridge of her nose when she found a note engraved on the holster:

'Happy Birthday, Little Prince. May you be the reason someone smiles today, or be the reason they drink... Whatever works!'

...Charming!

"Darling, do your Godmother a favor." Making sure the child is looking at her, Narcissa proceeds, "Please stop listening to your Godfather, he's killing off your brain cells. Here, have some milk."

"I hate milk!" Hadrianus scrunched his nose in disgust.

"It's almond milk, sweety. Try it."

Hadrianus give the white liquid a suspicious sniff, finding it sweeter and a hint of little nuttiness. Intrigued, Hadrianus give it a little sip, humming at the subtle change of taste, though they're mostly the same, "I still don't like it," He declared, "but I will drink it if you give me seven spoons of Caviar."

"Three," Narcissa said, her lips twitching in amusement.

"Six and a half!"

"Three and a half!"

"Six."

"Four."

"Five and that's final!"

"Five is fine." Narcissa nodded her head as if it was a good enough deal, before calling one of Malfoy House Elves to bring the jar of her Godson's favorite treats.

"I have a question." Hadrianus declared as soon as he finished the milk.

"What is it, my dear?" Narcissa asked as she served him five spoons. She has long resigned to having thrown bombarda of questions. Though, until now, they were mostly related to any topic they're learning that day. But she did hear from Barty about weird 'head-scratching induced questions' Hadrianus usually asks if he gets the chance. So she took a sip of her tea while patiently waiting. How difficult it can be, right? Doesn't hurt to at least hear them.

"Why is it called almond milk when we can call it nut juice?"

Narcissa promptly choked on her tea and coughed noisily. Okay, she takes it back, she doesn't want to hear them. The viper snake beside her started emitting some strange sound Narcissa can swear is cackling. Well, it sure is enjoying her awkward situation. Trust the Dark Lord's snake to be sadistic!

"Adrian," she moaned after she cleared her airway and breathed deeply, "You'll learn the answer when you grow up."

The child looked thoughtful at her answer as he munched on his treats. Narcissa suddenly had the urge to stop him from thinking and usher him towards the river for swimming. But her musing was drawn by his next question, "What did it feel like on your last day of being a child?"

Narcissa was a bit taken aback at the sudden change of topic, wondering not for the first time about how the child's mind works. Not even Draco asks this type of question, as his questions are mostly materialistic, "Why do you ask?"

"So I can know when I grow up." He answered without wasting a second, making Narcissa blink. Before she could come up with an adequate response, the child has already fired his next question, "Why do we have to be born young and grow old, why cant we be born old and get young?

Narcissa stared at the child blankly. While it was quite a deep question for a nine-year-old, she doesn't know how can she satisfy the child's wondering. The giant serpent is no help as well, too busy laughing its head off! "It was a good question, maybe you can ask your father when he returns?" Rather Him than her, "Either way, it's time for your swimming. Let's go!" She exclaimed as soon as he finished his Caviar.

Narcissa inaudibly sighed in relief when the child in his half Naga form and head wrapped in Bubblehead charm, followed by the giant serpent dived inside the river to swim and play Quapaad with the other couple of merchildren who have been waiting for his arrival. Letting his familiar fly on its own until he resurfaced again. Knowing the child will be busy for at least a couple of hours, she took out some medical reports of her patients and started going through them, sitting in the Garden lounge chair enjoying the Sun while

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