A/N: The last chapter. No I did not write the birth scene as some asked, but I hope you will be satisfied none the less. The Dark Roses has been a wild ride, thanks for coming along! I would thank each of you by name, but that would be a chapter in and of itself and you all know who you are. Thank you!
NOTE: The largest chunk of italics at the end belongs to the Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover, published in 2005 by Del Ray Books.
January 1st, 1999 12:01 a.m.-Malfoy Manor
Heat and warmth. At the moment that was all he was registering, the heat of Rabastan's body, the noises of their friends muted as the warmth of his lips and breath sought to overpower Hadrian. The kiss was sensual, packed with emotion and so much passion he felt he could actually drown in it. He pulled away, slowly, regretfully, once air began to become necessary. Resting his head against his husband's chest he still wasn't very aware of the noise around them as Rabastan rumbled softly, "A blessed New Year's, my Rose."
"A blessed New Year's," Hadrian breathed back quietly.
Slowly he became aware of his family and friends again, blinking the stars out of his vision and looking around. They had all gathered here in the family parlor to greet the a new year together, the Dark Lord and the most precious and beloved members of his Elite. Excited chatter reached his ears again and he smiled softly, taking in the atmosphere and the warmth of a crackling fire as he studied his companions.
William Prewett was speaking to his two brothers, Fred and George Prewett, still ever-roving bachelors with no intentions of settling down anytime soon. They had spoken to their Great-Aunt Muriel Prewett and had denounced the name Weasley not two months ago now. Of course, Muriel had been happy to take on three powerful men to the Prewett name and had removed Molly Weasley from the Prewett family tree in a fit of rage after hearing about her unwavering support for one late Albus Dumbledore. If Arthur ever divorced his wife (highly doubtful), she would be without a name and family.
William, on the other hand, was looking at becoming part of a threesome that no one could have ever expected. The newest of the Dark Roses had found himself under the intense affection and attention of both Rudolphus Lestrange and the Dark Lord himself. They made a powerful, impressive trio and it amused Hadrian to think that he may end up related to the Dark Lord himself after having been manipulated into fighting him for 15 years.
A soft cry tore his attention from his companions and he made to rise, only to be stopped by Rabastan. "I'll get him, love. You should not be moving very much anyways."
The powerful man stood, made his way to where a small bassinet rested at the end of the couch and crouched down, carefully lifting a small figure wrapped in a blue and silver blanket into his arms. Hadrian watched fondly as small arms and feet kicked out in displeasure, only to be gently tucked against the Elite's powerful body with delicate care. Rabastan was a devoted, attentive father to their precious week-old son.
He moved back over to Hadrian and transferred the small body to him, a rasping chuckle leaving his lips as he said, "I think he just wanted to be awake with the rest of us."
"It is too early for one of his feeds," Hadrian murmured in agreement, staring down into the precious face he still could take his eyes from.
A head of sparse black hair, a tiny nose like his own but with Rabastan's chin, the shape of their newborn's eyes was his own, as well as the high cheekbones. Cradling his son in both arms he leaned back against his husband's chest and hummed softly, murmuring to the babe, "I just fed you two hours ago Rohan. I doubt you're hungry again. Just want to be with us, hmm? As if enough attention isn't showered on you already."
Born Christmas Day, their son Rohan Erebus Lestrange had made his presence known in an exciting manner, Hadrian had gone into labour in the middle of the day, just after they had finished opening gifts. Healthy and with an already strong magical core, their precious baby boy was a sign of their future and of the peaceful New Order their Lord had created.
His papa James was already besotted with his first grandchild, holding him almost as often as his own parents. He had told Hadrian that they were trying for another child, but it would likely take a while at their age. For now he doted on his grandson and the two other young children that were given to the Elites and their Roses that year.
By the time Tanith, Oberon and Rohan attended Hogwarts, things would be very different. The changes were already being made to the school's rules, both those of entrance eligibility and conduct within the school, both for students and staff. Staff expansions and a much needed change to the pay structure were taking place now and in the future students would need to complete an entrance exam that consisted of a health examination by the new school Healers as well as a placement test and a general exam to examine aura and magical strength. No more would Hogwarts allow just anyone to enter, it would be for the best of the best.
Construction had already begun on another school in an open field just beyond the Forbidden Forest, this one for all of the students that didn't meet Hogwarts' standards. They would still have a higher-level of education than the Hogwarts of Hadrian's time, but it would naturally not be quite the same as the historic older school's privileges and curriculum. The teachers would have the same pay-grade however. It was about time that being a Professor was a thing of pride and accomplishment again.
On the professional level there already had been a few shocking changes. It was now illegal to discriminate against a potential worker based on their status as a magical race. The word 'Creature' now belonged to those that did not possess the ability for speech or above-average intelligence. The one notable exception to this was the Acromantula, who had been removed entirely from the Forbidden Forest and sent by portkey to a remote mountain region somewhere in mainland Europe. There was a Board for Magical Races now, with representatives of all the various species; werewolves, vampires, veela, fae, house-elves, centaurs, etc. It was located in a special part of the Ministry building with accommodations suited for all of its representatives, who were elected to five-year terms by the methods particular to each race.
The Wizengamot had been reformed entirely, old rules had been discarded, old laws voted out or reworded to make sense in their current usage. Squibs from lines extinct in the male line could now hold their family seat, if they were young enough they were encouraged to marry a witch or wizard of at least half-blood status and produce a magical male heir for the line again. If they were too old to sire or carry a child they were encouraged to blood-adopt a magically-talented orphan, thus bringing new magical blood to their old family line and spreading out the magical gene pools again.
Their world was changing rapidly, but they were much needed changes. They would adapt, or they would be destroyed. The magical world would never know how close they had come to being utterly torn apart by war, either internal or external. The risk of being discovered had been getting higher and higher every year. Hadrian shuddered, not wanting to imagine what might have happened if the Muggles had found out about them.
Still, his lips twitched into a small smile as he looked at his son, he could never have imagined how his life would end up. Three years ago he had been fighting the Dark Lord in a futile war, directed and manipulated by a man with seemingly-benevolent eyes and almost everyone he knew. Now he was free of those manipulations, free of a narrow-minded Light orientation. He was married to a man whom he loved with all his heart and indeed soul, bearer of a beautiful, powerful son whom he could already tell would be an impressive wizard when he was grown. Surrounded by true family and friends as well as a closely-knit group that reveled in the freedom that the Dark had given them.
The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins. It always wins because it is everywhere. It is in the wood that burns in your hearth, and the kettle on the fire; it is under your chair and under your table and under the sheets on your bed. Walk in the midday sun and the dark is with you, attached to the soles of your feet. The brightest light casts the darkest shadow. The dark's patience is infinite. Eventually, even stars burn out.
This is just part of our story, imagine the rest if you dare. We are the beautiful darkness. We are the Dark Roses.
Rohan m (Indian) Derived from Sanskrit रोहण(rohana) meaning "ascending".
Erebus m Greek Mythology (Latinized) form of the Greek Ερεβος(Erebos) which means "nether darkness". Erebus was the personification of the primordial darkness in Greek mythology.