1Chapter 22:

Adrian Marvolo Riddle fit quite nicely into the fabric of Severus Riddle's life. He was the son Severus thought he never wanted, but now couldn't imagine life without. He and Adrian spent their time together, very rarely apart, brewing potions, reading books, or playing chess. They ate every meal together and always said good morning, or goodnight. Sometimes, when Adrian had a nightmare about his previous life, Severus would go into his room at night (as Adrian, even though he loved Severus, would never go to Severus for comfort) and wrap his arms around his troubled son, crooning soft childhood lullabies into his ear.

But while the love they shared was refreshing and more than any of them would have dreamed for, there was always a dark spot in their hearts that needed to be filled, and Adrian was the first to mention it, much to the surprise of his father.

It was a month after the arrival and uncovering of Adrian, and the two were sitting discussing the upcoming school year, when there was a lull in the conversation. Adrian looked down at the table, picking at the wood with his fingernail, before looking up at his father.

"Papa, what are we going to do about Father?"

Severus looked up from his breakfast, his coffee half-way to his lips, eyes wide. "I've been researching, and I have found conclusive information. I didn't want to tell you for fear of me being wrong, but I feel it is substantial."

Severus watched Adrian closely, and was surprised when the young boy flushed and looked back down. "I've been doing some research too, and I was just going to share it. What did you find?" His fingers fidgeted gently, twisting. Severus smiled widely and moved over to him, placing his hands on his shoulders and raising Adrian up.

"Let's go to the library, and I'll show you, then you can tell me what you came up with." Adrian nodded and followed his father to their library, Lyra draped leisurely around his shoulders. Adrian and Lyra tittered quietly when Severus lead them to a familiar corner where a table stood.

Severus was confused until he looked at the books stacked on the surface, then he smiled. Picking up a rather large tome, he rifled through the tagged pages and grinned even wider. "Adrian!" Said boy blushed and stuttered an apology. Severus shook his head and laughed, pulling his young son into a tight hug, "You've been looking in the same books as me!" Adrian smiled proudly and sat in a cushioned chair as his Papa rifled through the texts before joining him.

"What I discovered was a locating ritual. Since you are an Ilan, I assumed the same of your Father, since I have no known creature blood within me. The ritual calls for a vial of Ilan blood, blood of a family member, and a full moon. Unfortunately, we just missed it, so we'll have to wait until the next one. You'll be in school by then, so it will have to be done in secret."

Adrian's brow creased, "I've looked at the same things, but I didn't think they were conclusive. Isn't father…disembodied?" His small voice finished hesitantly.

Severus shook his head, stroking Adrian's tight forehead, smoothing the soft skin. "That is a misconception. Based on the information you've received about Tom, it's understandable that you think that. Your father was banished by Dumbledore. After Tom murdered Lily and James, and went forward to take you, he was interrupted by Albus, and the old man cast a spell to apprehend him. However, your father established a connection between the two of you, giving you that scar."

Adrian's small hand slid inquisitively over the lightning bolt adorning his forehead, thinking of his father's last free moments. "Oh."

Severus smiled softly, "He loved you so much." Adrian looked up with large eyes, glistening with tears, "I want Father here, Papa."

Heart breaking, Severus nodded and gently tugged his boy into his arms, Lyra slipping onto the table quietly. "We will get him back. In less than a month, we will be a family again."

~~~~~8

Later in the night, after dinner, father and son lay together on Adrian's large bed. Severus had his arms wound around the small child as he told Severus of the park down the road from the Dursley's. His little hands twisted in the air as he explained the fort he tried to build in the bushes, and the one time a nice lady bought him an ice cream. Severus ignored the hatred and guilt in his stomach for the moment, as he watched his son's eyes light up with joy at the stories.

Finally, he ran out of things to say and just lay calmly in his father's arms, breathing in the musky smell of potions and spice.

It was silent, all but for their breathing, as they watched each other; Severus's eyes on Adrian's face, Adrian's gaze locked onto his fathers pajama shirt, where his hands clenched around the fabric.

And they lay, until Adrian fell into his dreams, and Severus pressed his lips on the top of the child's head, inhaling the childish smell of soap. And Severus sighed, and thought of Tom, pulling his precious bundle, his baby, tighter into his arms.

And Tom, in the dungeons of Hogwarts, so close, and yet so far away, cried with joy, for his baby boy had come home at last.

A/N: Okie Dokie! Here ya go! I'm really relying on what to do and what not to do in this chapter! Lemme know what you guys think!