Chapter 17: Cast Stones and their Ripples

The body is a temple for the mind and how individuals treat it is considered to be a reflection of their minds, at least this was what Tom had always observed. It was rare that the state of the body and mind did not match or hold similar scars, those few cases were ones in which he spent hours pouring over to determine the true difference between one case and the next. There were those who did not hold the power to protect their bodies, but the evidence of this battle to do so was still present and manifested physically and mentally. Scars told as many stories as a single glance for those who were skilled enough to read them, or at least that was what Tom had believed before he met Severus. No one would ever realize just what was under those black teaching robes which cloaked him in a perpetual aura of solemnity, not even he knew. For years, Tom had attempted to get Severus out of his robes, not to humiliate him, or even sleep with him, but to assist the man in healing. There were many ways to heal the skin but too few to heal the mind, even when mind healers worked with a wizard there were scars too deep even for them to work with.

Unfortunately, fate had been cruel to Severus, her wicked sense of humor had plunged the man more than once into a world of pain. There is a place inside every wizard where they hide the things they hold most dear, and the weapons that are frequently used for self-flagellation. Strong arms crossed over the chest of Marvolo as he strode through the hallways of his grand estate, he was surprised to see Severus even interested in removing his clothing. He had sent Nagini away as he climbed the stairs, the serpent was interested in seeing this, however Tom didn't want Severus to retreat, this was the first time he had ever seen the potions master agree to do something that may impact his privacy. Severus had taken to hiding from the world in many ways, not only did he run from the spotlight whenever his skills were thrust into the much-deserved limelight in the Potions Master Community, but even at Hogwarts he kept to the shadows, it was as though he was still afraid of allowing people in.

Tom shook his head, he knew better, Severus was terrified of being ridiculed, of being persecuted for being something other than the bat of the dungeons. The Lord swept around the corner, his robes whispering behind him and the portraits watched with curiosity as he walked toward the chambers of the potion master in question. He could understand Severus' fear in Hogwarts, there were many who did not accept a Slytherin being brave and desiring to help others, but in this house, in the house of Lord Marvolo Gaunt, the rightful heir of Slytherin, it would not pass. This place was a sanctuary where snakes could disarm themselves and allow themselves time to bask in the warmth of the sun without the fear of being harmed. Slender fingers swept over the glassy top of a mahogany table as he walked through, they slid with grace as he turned yet another corner, his mind playing over the harsh images of Severus' life.

He knew some of the man's pain, only because he had invaded the man's mind one night. It was strange, he still remembered it after all the time he had been submerged in dreams. He had known he was at the Potter house, he remembered reading the edition of the paper that told the event. Yet, he had no recollection of the act, instead he had the memory of floating before gasping for air as it forced itself into his lungs. It was as though he had reemerged from the darkness and was dragged into the light once more, forced to return to continue on. His very essence had felt as though someone had bound it together tightly, pulling at the shards to ensure that it stayed together. Everything snapped together as he was forced away from the bliss of unknowing and foist into a loud world, his body yanking to attention as though he had been jolted by electricity.

Tom ran his fingers through his hair as he paused in the hallway when he woke he could remember the smell of cinnamon and lilies. At that time, when his red eyes had just opened the world was new, it was different in an odd way, and he himself couldn't remember who he was. In fact, he didn't know who he was, it was blank, his life had vanished and the only one who knew it was telling him to slowly sit up and placing a hand on his bare chest. He could remember the look of relief as well as exhaustion in Severus' brown eyes and how his hair had been tied back, his frock coat was gone leaving the lean Potion Master in a white and crimson shirt. He could still remember the brilliant crimson blossoms, from whose blood he did not know and was never told.

The calloused and stained hands that came toward him quivered as though they were left on a tree in the middle of a storm. Dark bruises were under his red eyes, they were rimmed with unshed tears, making the usually cold man appear far more human. He watched with interest as Severus whispered, "Thank Merlin," his tears falling as he did so and strong calloused hands slipping over his cheeks, as though they were checking to see if he were real. Tom was terrified at the time, he was unsure of where he was, who he was with, or even of who he was. To lose an identity is terrifying, simply because everyone has one, and it is then that an individual is left to drift.

Instantly Tom did what seemed natural, he leaped into Severus' mind, Tom cringed, he could only imagine the pain that had resulted from the hasty action. The memories he saw, they made him ill, some of them were of himself torturing the man who had saved him, others were of people he had never seen. He watched James hang Severus upside down and pull his trousers down before Lily, he had watched Severus lose her for good, destroying the only thing that anchored him to his life. Through the dark eyes of the man he had violated he learned what life was, harsh, cold and unforgiving, as he watched the young Severus cower in a corner while his father approached with a hot iron. He watched himself transform from a man who simply wanted to protect wizards and encourage those who believed they were powerless to excel and become powerful, into a monster.

The expression on Severus' face when he pulled out was twisted in agony, and sadness, it looked as though the man believed he had failed, Tom knew differently. That moment, he had learned more about who he wanted to be than all of the ones before the event. Tom Marvolo Gaunt Riddle knew who he was, who he would become and who he could be after that.

Bright red eyes fell on the doors of Severus' room, he noticed it was cracked, resulting in golden light slipping into the hallway. Hesitantly the Lord brought his hand up to the cherry wood door and tapped his knuckles against the hard surface. "Enter," called Severus, as Tom pushed the door open. Sitting on the bed with his back to the door was the man he thanked from that moment on for showing him the man he could be, the one he hoped he would be able to become. Severus' broad back faced him and he was wrapped in a white shirt, "Severus," Tom said softly as he approached the man with caution, he had learned that in some situations it was better to go slowly with him. Not even he knew what lie under those robes, and now he was going to see it. "My Lord," Severus replied dimly, resulting in Tom flinching, he did not desire for such a tone to be used with this encounter.

He continued to walk across the room until he was directly behind Severus, "Its Tom, Sev," he said softly. He hovered, uncertain if he still had permission to use the man's name or even touch him. "Tom," he amended, yet his face was masked, hidden from Tom's keen eyes. "May I?" he asked as he slowly reached for the shirt. Severus drew a deep breath, closing his eyes while doing so before slipping a hand near his collar and putting the shirt over his head. It slipped from strong hands and landed on the floor in a heap of white fabric. The plains of Severus back were covered in scars that earned a glare from Tom, they had no place on him. He didn't say a word, as he placed a reassuring hand on Severus' firm shoulder and said, "Lay back." Severus nodded mutely as he stretched out on the bed on his stomach, the white lattice work of scars and circular burns were painfully clear.

Tentatively the Lord swept his fingers of the longest and ugliest of them, it explained why Severus had been so quick to save Harry, to prevent another little boy from experiencing his pain. Severus tensed as soon as Tom touched him, it was apparent then that Severus had never received a kind touch, it was always harsh and painful. His fingers swept over it in a gentle caress, something he had never done, for anyone. With this man, the one he owed so much he would be gentle, he mentally vowed to never raise a hand to Severus. He pulled his hand back and quickly slipped out of his robe and jacket, he watched Severus intently, searching for any signs of duress, only to find none.

The dark green robe fell to the floor as did his charcoal suite jacket and he rolled up the sleeves of his pristine white shirt, his arms becoming more exposed as he did so. He paused when he looked down at the all too familiar scar running down the inside of his arm, a dreadful reminder of the day he vowed to rid the wizarding world of those who sought to destroy it through allowing the muggles to see it. Crimson orbs fell on Severus once more as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a glass bottle of an oil of his own creation. He had created it for personal use, it contained mint to suppress inflammation, lemon grass to ease the muscles, lavender to sooth the mind and a touch of cardamom to soften the skin, it wasn't difficult to make but he had found it helped when used over scars.

The golden liquid slipped from the bottle and fell on his palms, it was slick and cool to the touch, the scent of lavender hung in the air with a hint of mint. He placed the bottle on the table as he climbed on the bed and straddled Severus' back, he knew it was intimate, but it was also the best angle for him to reach the knots growing in his shoulders and down his spine. Tom rubbed his hands together lightly to warm them before slowly slipping them down the man's spine. He listened to Severus' breath hitch and felt the man's muscles coil, prepared to defend himself, it hurt Tom. He knew he wasn't always stable, but for the man he admired to be terrified of him hurt more than any dagger or torture curse ever could.

His fingers were strong but gentle as he pressed harder on the man's knots and began to knead them out. A sigh left Severus' lips as Tom worked and he felt the warmth of the other man under his hands. "Tom?" asked the Potion Master after a while, Tom believed he was nodding off and yet he had stayed conscious. "Yes?" he asked softly as he brushed his fingers over Severus' shoulder blades, they were tight due to the stance he assumed while brewing. "Do you think it's possible?" he asked. Tom hummed as he pressed into the curve of Severus' spine and into the man's lower back, earning him a hiss. "What?" he asked curiously as he slowly released pressure watched dark eyes flicker closed.

Severus looked over his shoulder his dark eyes boring into Tom, they held an emotion he hadn't seen in a long time, something that hadn't been kindled in decades, hope. "That we can win, that we will be free from this," he said softly. Freedom, Tom paused, he leaned back on his haunches, his hands resting on Severus' back lightly, as he looked at the man. To be free, truly free, so that he could walk the streets and use his name, his true name, and not have people run from him, to be free to do as he wished and protect the world from corrupt men like Albus Dumbledore. "No, I know it's possible," he stated firmly, he would do this for them, for Harry, for Severus, for all those harmed by people who wanted to control the world.

Tom slowly returned to the soothing motions of working his hands over Severus' skin, his fingers kneading the knots away, "I know it will, things will come together, Albus has made his mistakes and the next move is mine," he stated. Severus was silent and he watched the man's head fall into his pillows, a sigh leaving him. He gently ran his fingers over the rippled scars tissue, taking care to add extra oil in order to soften them. "Severus, we will protect Harry, even if I have to use rare magic to do so," he stated, in truth he already had, many of the charms wrapped around the boy were of his own creation. Severus fell silent once more and he could feel the business of the man's mind, it was abuzz. There was more in this line of questioning.

Severus looked over his shoulder to see the Lord grinning, "Tom, what is it you have planned, exactly?" Tom hummed as a smirk played on his lips, red orbs danced as he continued to release the many knots that covered Severus' back. "Something I know will annoy Albus," he stated, as always he was remaining cryptic and Severus glared. Tom sighed as he rolled his eyes, as always Severus was being difficult, "I'll give you a hint, it involves Wizengmont." Severus' mouth popped open, and Tom smiled deviously, he was planning on tossing Albus into the worst position and since he was currently the favorite he intended to use it as a weapon. Although he was curious about the magic and wondered if what Severus had found would do what he required.

"What is it?" Tom asked, attempting to coax more out of the man. Severus could keep a secret it was why he had asked the dower man to watch Albus, and tell him of the man's moves. "I heard whispers," he began and paused for a moment before continuing, "of magic that would give us an advantage, but it's dangerous and the risk is very great." Tom's fingers gently swept over Severus' shoulders and he hummed, his ears keen to learn more, but knowing Severus had to feel safe in order to open up to him. "There is rumor that the legacy crystals can do more than just display power," he stated, "I had come across it in a book, that they are something different." Tom now halted entirely, the crystals, very little was known of them, he was aware that they marked status, and they held knowledge, but other than that he knew little else.

He slowly slipped off Severus and asked, "Severus?" the Potion Master slowly rolled over, his eyes staring up at the ceiling and Tom's red eyes fell on the man's toned chest. He was well aware the Potion Master was strong, but he had no idea the dark robes hid the powerful arms and chest of the man before him. He didn't look like a Greek God by any standard, but he wasn't without either. There was a gentle wave as he slowly inhaled and exhaled, his dark eyes plastered on the ceiling above him as one of his arms rested behind his head. "I was reading in one of the older texts that the crystals had another purpose, something greater, but I couldn't find anything else. It's as though it were erased," he stated.

Tom was quiet, erased, something that could happen with a powerful Obliviate to the mind, but he had never heard of anything that could erase a physical trace from texts. "How so?" he asked as he looked at the man now lounging against the finest silks from China. Ink black hair slipped over the silver billow he was on, a brilliant contrast from it's lustrous color. "Simple, it mentions a power but stops there, several pages are blank and then a new chapter starts. It's as though it's been erased from the book, I checked others and it's the same," he explained. That wasn't possible, someone would have to remove it from each book, and that in its self was a challenge.

Severus sat up and sighed, as he slipped his hand through his hair only to remember being bare chested and quickly grabbed a shirt. Tom watched as the man slipped it over his head and with the grace of a cat slipped it in place. "Something that powerful, it could help but we don't even know what it does," Tom reasoned as he looked at the man who was facing away from him. Silence stretched between them, there were many places that could be searched for the answer, the Archive was one, but Lucius was searching for the Charter, the other option was the Restricted Section, Tom mused.

Severus drew a breath and said simply, "There is one more place, but we have to locate it," he began. Tom sat at attention, his brows knitting together as he did so only to rapidly arrive at the conclusion Severus had, "We would have to locate the library of Salazar Slytherin, which is in the Chamber of Secrets," he said after a moment. The words echoed in his mind and Tom flinched as he felt something grabbing him. Suddenly he was falling backward and the world around him faded as something else occupied his mind.

The flurry of dresses and the supple tones of a waltz echoed through the stone walls of the castle. It was cold and the snow was falling outside, gathering upon every surface it could touch as frost encrusted the windows. The golden glow of torches seemed to turn the evening into a wondrous and bright affair. Laughter and chatter echoed in the distance, but is was muffled by the sound of dress shoes hitting the floor. Tom looked over his shoulder to ensure that no one was following him, as he walked through the hallway. It was a blur as he dodged people and slipped through the halls unnoticed.

Abruptly the memory shifted and he was standing in an opulent study, books from floor to ceiling covered the walls, and the fire in the hearth sparked. Standing by a shelf with tome in hand he skimmed the pages, his other hand cradling the volume gently. The shelves were made of mahogany and ebony, the upholstery was green and silver. The book was snapped shut as a pair of blue eyes fell on the desk before the fire, the portrait above it was abandoned, and he advanced with grace. The familiar stone beneath his feet was smooth as his shoes clicked and the soft cracking of the fire in the hearth as the wood was burned echoed.

The warmth on his skin was gentle and the room was so familiar and soothing, but dark and mysterious all at once. The copious amount of books and electrifying amount of magic woven into the room made his skin tingle. He drew nearer the desk when he looked into a polished goblet, something was moving behind him. Tom stiffened and gripped his Yew and Phoenix feather wand, drawing it swiftly before attempting to pivot, before feeling something rip into his skin, searing through him as though it could cut into his soul.

Everything spun as he crumbled, a muffled voice filled his head, it was muddled and impossible to decipher.

Tom felt himself being shaken and fingers being pressed to his neck, his ears were ringing as he shot up and gasped for air. Crimson orbs were wide with anxiety as he attempted to fight off the person who was holding his limbs down. "Tom," said a voice near him, it was deep like velvet and familiar in an obscure way. Things were fast as his vision cleared, "TOM!" called the voice once more, and he found himself under the concerned dark gaze of Severus. "Tom," he called once again, only this time did he relax and look up at Severus. While he was confused he knew fighting the man was pointless. His head was throbbing, it felt as though someone had taken a meat cleaver to it as he rubbed his temples.

"Are you okay?" asked Severus as he slowly released Tom's limbs from his hold. The Lord was still confused as he looked at the Potion Master. There was no reason for him to be pinned to the bed, he knew Severus wasn't going to allow himself such pleasures unless it was mutual. He stared at the man above him, grappling for words mentally only to turn up empty handed. "Tom, are you okay?" asked Severus once more as he slowly swept Tom's bangs back, his hands cool against his clammy skin. The Lord blinked owlishly, he didn't know, and wasn't comfortable providing an answer. Yet, he didn't want to say he didn't because then Severus would rush off to his books, which contradicted his purpose for rubbing Severus down.

Lord Tom Marvolo Riddle – Gaunt was fighting a war within himself, one which had been waged between right and wrong. With a deep breath he decided and replied, "No." Severus stared at him worry sparking in his eyes as they drifted over him, tingles of the Potion Master's magic swept over his skin, it was cool but familiar. "What happened?" asked Severus as he backed off, allowing Tom space to breathe. The brunette sat up slowly, his body aching and head still swimming slightly. He rubbed his temples absentmindedly prior to responding, "I had a flash of something," he said, "it was strange, it felt like a memory but then it didn't feel as though it were mine." Severus' dark eyes narrowed, he could see the mind of the man swirling in an attempt to find anything that could explain it.

There was a way to view it, but he would have to dive into the mind of the man, and since Tom was currently mentally in distress it was unwise to do so. Severus sighed, clearly arriving at the same conclusion he had only to pause and asked, "Do you think Narcissa still has them?" Tom tilted his head and arched a brow, he didn't understand what Severus was asking, there were many things that belonged to Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, the Potion Master had to be more specific. "What?" he asked slightly exasperated. Severus straightened his shirt and replied, "The one thing I know can help you." That was even more ambiguous and he watched the man rise from his position on the bed and stalk away.

Tom jumped to his feet and quickly strode to follow the Potion Master. They walked through the house and Tom felt something strange working into his body, an odd spark of hope that what ever Severus hoped Narcissa had would help them.

~~WL~~

Boxes tumbled to the floor, as a cloud of dust erupted in their wake, resulting in a heavy cough from Harry and sneeze from the young Malfoy scion. The pair stared at the pile of boxes on the floor and Draco laughed a little, "I didn't plan on that happening," he stated. Harry's green eyes narrowed at Draco and he said, "You never do," and laughed at the growl the young boy released. Boxes of many sizes had fallen, the pair had taken to discovering old rooms of the mansion that had been forgotten since the Gaunts had left it to rot in despair. They had found many books and artifacts as well as rare articles, and despite the warnings of the Malfoys and Tom they continued to explore. Draco sighed, and Harry looked over at the boy, he had become closer to Draco and saw him as a brother. It was odd, how he slowly felt as though he belonged.

Tom had been wonderful and taught him, as did every adult in the expansive house, but there was something about exploring it that seemed far more attractive than anything else. Draco dusted himself off as he stood up and looked at the mess of boxes that had once been a tower, "We should clean this up," he stated as he walked over to them and looked at their contents. Harry nodded, he didn't really want to irritate the House elves, they already liked him but the idea of a house elf being irritated to the point that he might lose many things wasn't exactly on his list of things to do. He knelt on the floor and began to pick up the pages on to hear something, it was odd, distant and sounded like hissing.

Small hands hovered above the floor boards and he stared at the box, his ears peaked by the sound of hissing and whispers, they were soft and didn't sound entirely human. Harry looked at the box from which it emanated from and slowly gripped the lip of it, the dark purple hue was drastic against his fair skin. Draco paused, the shuffling stopping entirely and the blonde asked, "What's wrong?" Harry ignored him and pulled the box over, the hissing grew louder as did the whispers, the closer he became the more it transformed into chatter. "Harry?" asked Draco as the Potter scion looked into the box, the sound was there, it was as though it called to him, a siren that had been forgotten.

The brunet began pulling the yellowed pages out, their rustling filled the air, "What the? Harry we are supposed to be picking it up not making more of a mess," chided Draco. The further down the box he got the irritated he became and quickly flipped the box upside down, resulting in all of the contents to spill out onto the floor. Draco was about to protest when Harry finally hear it, hissing, whispers and what sounded like murmurs, there was a pull. This pull was something he had felt before, back in the library and when he held the legacy crystal, familiar but terrifying. Sitting amongst the mass of pages was a dark wooden box with two letters engraved on the lid, AG. Harry picked it up and slowly slipped his fingers over it's smooth finish, finding not a single imperfection in the craftsmanship.

Draco had fallen silent as Harry opened the box, nestled inside it was a dark black velvet pouch. "Harry, perhaps we should just put that back," warned Draco, the concern working into his voice. The boy was about to agree until he felt something warm wrap around his fingers and the murmurs transformed into purring and more congruent sentences. Harry shook his head as he slipped the pouch into his palm, opening it ever so slowly to look at its contents. "Playing cards?" he asked curiously as he slowly slipped them out, the deck was thicker than that though, they were also slightly larger and purple in hue. Draco looked over his shoulder, "I thought they were tarot but they don't seem to be," he stated.

The images were drawn in white and black, the purple background providing dimension as the dark and sensual images flickered across the cards. Each piece was simple but expressive, oddly different when compared to other things. Humming, the cards hummed in his fingers, and Harry felt an urge to do something before he even understood the motions he cut the deck, the sound of the crisp cards falling against one another echoed in the room before he began to leaf through them, the cards falling free as he did so, each hitting the floor, some faces up and others not. They had none of the traditional imagery, there weren't names or faces, it was all symbols and swirls of black and white against purple. By the time he had finished there was a line of seven cards on the floor. The images were enthralling as his fingers wept over them.

He didn't know how to read them an yet he felt as though he was, his mind seemed to flicker as he looked over the cards. Just then the doors slammed open, cuasing the boy to jerk, he was about to pick up the cards as a pair of dark brown shoes and black boots stopped before him. "Sorry, sir, I'll pick it up," he stated as he looked up at Tom and Severus, the pair weren't harsh but he still didn't like not using the proper titles for them, he felt as though it were an insult to them. The floor boards groaned as Tom looked down at the row and Severus joined him. Their gaze on the cards, "What do they say?" he asked as he looked to Harry. The boy blinked as he looked at the collection of images, "That someone who believes they are whole is not, that there is a piece missing that is crucial. It goes on to state that despire their efforts to cultivate the self they will always be snarled in an internal battle. While it is possible to overcome this," he began and looked to the next card, "It may not be applicable."

Harry's fingers swept over the cards before he looked to the last one, "You have to learn that not everything is as it seems," he stated. Severus stared at the cards before asking, "How long have you been reading them?" Harry shrugged and hummed as he picked up the seven cards. They were slick between his fingers and smelled of orchids and lotus flours. "I didn't, they fell out of the deck face up," he stated. Severus held his hand out for the desk and Harry listened to it tremble before settling, oddly quiet, he had never seen an object do such a thing.

Potion stained fingers slipped through the cards, examining them as he went, "This deck," he began his eyes flickering over the cards, "its extremely rare, in fact, I think this is the oldest example I have ever seen," he mused aloud as the sound of the cards flicking through the air filled the space. Silver, red and emerald eyes fell upon the man who was now sitting cross legged on the floor, his hair falling free from the leather tie that was holding it in place. He flipped the stack around with a card on the bottom, "Harry, what do you see?" he asked as he held the image toward the boy.

The image was a swirl of white and black, it looked as though it were a face in a tree, his eyes narrowed examining every aspect of the image. Searching for something, for meaning, it was odd, the whispers only go louder before he replied, "Organic, fortitude, a sense of stability but the ability to bend when needed," his eyes closed before he stated, "An anchor for those without." Harry could see something in his mind, a thread, it was beautiful and he had never seen it before. There was a hum of approval from the deep voice of the Potion Master and Harry opened his eyes to see the man before him flicker to yet another card.

"This one?" he asked curiously as he flipped the deck once more.

Harry stared at the image, it was of a woman holding her self but large sweeps coming out of her back, as though they were wings. It made him pause for a moment as he stared at her, many would see joyous ascension but he saw, "Falling, wounded, hurting," he stated as he slowly reached out toward one of them, at first it appeared to be the card. However, the small hand turned toward Tom, "Plummeting without stop and fear of eventually hitting the ground," he stated his eyes falling on Tom.

The Lord stared silently, and Harry blinked before asking, "Why are you asking?" Severus slowly tapped the cards on the edges so they fell in place before holding them out to the boy. Severus folded his hands and replied, "You have a gift, that many have attempted to learn and wasted lifetimes trying to do." Harry tilted his head before looking at Draco, who looked just as intrigued as the young Potter had. Severus crossed his arms before continuing, "Not all magic is the same, there are specialty fields, as you know."

The Potion Master slipped into the mode of the famed Hogwarts Professor as he began to review what he knew and share what was relevant. "One of them is very old, magic that was believed to be, extinct," he stated. Extinct practices were few and far between from what Harry had read, it usually resulted due to masters being unable to find the proper students, those with the skill to learn. Severus looked to the cards and asked, "Do you hear them?" it was sincere and the gleam in the man's eyes told Harry he truly needed to know. The young wizard felt uncomfortable as the others watched him in curiosity; once again he was in the limelight, a place he was beginning to despise.

The young boy nodded and looked at Severus, matching his gaze, he had learned that Severus was one of the few who respected those who made eye contact with him, it was a show of strength and courage, for what ever reason Harry didn't know. "They whisper, and hiss," he replied simply. Severus looked at the deck and then to Harry, his gaze flickering between the two as though he had witnessed the impossible. He then turned his attention to Tom, "Do you hear them?" asked Severus.

The Lord was silent and Harry could tell he had heard them, "I can." The room was still and Harry began to wonder where the man was heading, "I know Draco can not, but I can," he said in awe as he looked at the cards now resting on the floor between them. Draco shifted slightly and Harry could tell he wasn't comfortable. "What does that mean?" asked Harry.

Severus slowly sat up and looked at Tom, before responding, "There are some skills that can no be taught, they are talents we are born with, this one, the ability to use those requires the ability to do an older craft than even recorded," he stated. The cards flew from Harry's fingers and began to hover as Severus flickered through them wandlessly, "They are not for seeing the future, or the past," he explained as he looked at the images and listened to the inhumanity language falling from the on his ears. "They allow us to see something far more powerful," he stated as the cards began to put themselves in order. "Soul magic," he stated, the words hanging in the room heavily.

Soul magic, Harry had heard mention of it and read it was very rare, and the practice it's self was extinct according to nearly every record available. "These cards are a tool that allow us to examine more than our own soul but those of another, that was why I asked you to tell me what you saw in the cards," he explained as he shuffled them in the air. "Rare magic, very old as well, I am uncertain how old these are, but from what I can feel this deck," he began and paused as the cards began to glow teal, the same teal as the crystal, "This deck is like nothing I have ever felt before," he stated. Harry's eyes never left the cards as he watched the deck change color, from the regal purple to a blazing black, the drawings slipping into silver and gold with hints of bronze, making it stand out even more.

Harry slowly brushed his fingers against the cards, "There are 54 in total, they have changed since new masters have arrived, apparently we all like similarly styled cards," he stated. These cards, Harry had never seen anything like them, he had been impressed by the crystal but these were radically different from those, they were responsive to the proximity of others and seemed to rely on something else. Harry was intrigued as he watched Draco stare at the cards, "I don't see anything," he said in confusion. Harry looked over at the blonde and wondered why he could hear them, and see them, yet Draco could not. The Potter scion paused and looked at the two elder wizards, it wasn't just him, they could see it as well, this meant that they were also able to do this magic. Severus was more knowledgeable than Tom which made him wonder if the Potion Master was actually more skilled than he led on. "What are they used for?" asked Harry after a moment.

Severus slipped the deck into the bag and replied earnestly, "I don't know, they seem limitless, I will have to do more reading." It wasn't the best answer Harry had been given but it was better than not receiving one. He nodded and watched as Tom stared at the cards, blankly, the mumbles were turning into sentences and Harry felt the urge to stroke the cards, only to break from the trance as Severus slipped them into his robes. "Draco, you should get changed, you are covered in dust, as should you Harry," Severus stated as he got off the floor, Tom followed him. It was odd when they shadowed one another but not so strange that it didn't make sense. There was something about the pair that made Harry wonder if they would ever admit their feelings for one another.

The pair left only for Harry to see something else, a tattered notebook, it had been in the same box as the cards. Draco had returned to muttering about the house and it's strange items as Harry looked at the book. He opened it and his eyes fell on a section written in crimson ink, with drawings of what looked like a legacy crystal, at least he thought that was what they were called. "Hey Draco," he called, causing the blonde to look up, eyes narrowed as though he were going to run and grab the two elder wizards who had just walked away, "What's a Solaris?" he asked in confusion.

Draco tested the name on his tongue and shrugged, "No idea, why?" he asked. Harry hummed as he looked through the book, most of the pages were blank except that one, the inside cover had Solaris written across it in large calligraphy with the initials, A. H. Gaunt, M.P., O.M. 1, and C.W. They were strange and reminded Harry of how muggles listed degrees. He held onto the book and set it aside, it was odd, he felt as though he had picked it up once before, and somehow read it, yet it wasn't possible, this was his first time doing so.

The young Potter shrugged it off as he sifted the rest of the pages into the box near him. Only to hear an owl above them, with a cry the barn owl swept into the room and Harry watched as it dropped a letter on Draco, immediately he knew it was a list of supplies for Hogwarts, he recognized the parchment and crest. All he had to do was wait for his letter, the book rested behind him forgotten as Draco pulled the letter out and said, "The usual list of supplies," he glanced to Harry before continuing, "If you don't get in, we can go somewhere else, Salem Academy is good, as is Drumstrang." Of course he was willing to follow Harry causing the boy to hug the blonde, "Thanks, Draco." A smile curled the blondes lips as he slowly relaxed in the young wizard's hold.

~~WL~~

Piercing gray eyes watched with interest as the deck was pulled out of its pouch for the first time in nearly a millennium. A smile curled their owners lips as he slipped his hands into his pockets, "Finally, now we can get started," he stated. Dark hair was swept to the side as a young man smiled like cat and swept through the hallway silently, his footsteps soft and did nothing to rouse suspicion. There was a whisper of silk and he looked to his side to see the familiar dark skin of the only other person he trusted, "He has found them?" he asked.

The gray eyed wizard nodded, it was a matter of time, "How can we be certain it will work this time?" asked the man beside him, his green eyes lingering on the pale skinned wizard. They continued through the hallway, the hands of the taller of the pair, tucked into his brilliant crimson robes. "It has to, it's the last chance we have. Besides, we managed to prevent it from falling into the hands of the wrong person," he stated. The dark skinned wizard sighed, his ink black hair swayed as he ran his fingers through it. "This time, but there is a chance he could take it, this is a monumental risk," he stated. A lush chuckle filled the air between the two as they swept through the hallways, unseen and soundless, "I know, but this is the last chance we have, besides, it's his destiny."

Destiny and fate are fickle things, they are what control the way in which time is spent. They continued through the house until the paused before the doors leading toward the ocean, the view was the same as it had been when they resided there. "Destiny is fickle, this could end badly, and then there will be nothing left, can't we aid him somehow?" asked the dark skinned wizard, his tones nearly pleading with the other to listen to reason. A sigh heaved slender shoulders, "Amar, we can't. We have done what we can, Salazar warned us of the ramifications if we meddle," he replied.

Amar glared out the window and at the sea, "Alcester, I don't agree, we have to help him or all will be destroyed." The memory of fires that had licked the world under foot was haunting, and the flashes of possible futures yet to occur was enough to cause both of them men to turn to the sea. Their gaze falling upon the waves, "Our aid has a price, not just to them, but ourselves," stated Alcester as he folded his arms, his hands resting on his biceps as the silver bands on his ring finger and thumb sparkled in the light. There was always a cost, a price to be paid, for life it was death or the return of a gift to the cosmos, but for this, the price was higher.

Alcester sighed as he leaned against the open door and continued, "We can control destiny as much as we control the tides of the sea." Amar grit his teeth and replied hotly, "No, we can change the tides, we just have to throw a large enough stone." In theory the idea would work, but to throw a stone so large had repercussions, and Alcester looked at Amar with concern. "You do understand what you suggest could prove fatal to everyone if we do not execute the task properly," he stated sternly. Amar smirked, his lips curling in an ever teasing arc as his green eyes held a spark of determination. "Of all the wizards to tell me he believes he can change the stars, you are the one to do so," he stated. Amar was classically trained in many arts and had been adamant about not interfere, to look on others but not intervene or otherwise disturb events.

It was contrary to all of the man's beliefs, to change destiny by forcing it to do so, it wasn't possible, at least in his eyes. "How do you suggest you do that?" asked Alcester and Amar hummed. There was a pause as the unspoken answer vibrated between them, "We both know there is only one way," stated Amar. The one thing they did not desire to use again, the thing that had created the pain would be their salvation. "It will only work if we manage to obtain all the pieces, if so we only have to worry about it shattering everything," stated Amar simply, he made it sound as though he were purchasing another cauldron not the fact that he was attempting to change the fates of millions and their destinies, a feat that seemed as impossible as changing the stars in the skies above.

"No, we have to destroy it all," stated Alcester, his tone was cold, resulting in an unnerving chill to sweep over them. Amar whipped his head around, dark hair sweeping as he did so to glare at the wizard beside him incredulously, the notion was ludicrous and anti-productive. His green eyes searched the cool gray eyes of the noble beside him for an hint of just what Alcester was planning.

Alcester leaned his head against the door frame as the ocean winds caressed his face, "Everything ends, we all want to know how, but there's a truth to that ending," he stated as he looked up into the emerald gaze of Amar, it was puzzled and filled with curiosity, "It's just another word for the beginning."

~~WL~~

It never drizzles, it pours and in this instance it was a tracheal downpour in the office of the Headmaster. Albus glared at the massive number of letters telling him he was inept for not taking the new Lord in as a Professor. Parents were raving for missing a chance to have someone competent fill the post while Lockheart was the better choice since he could control him, everyone was fascinated by the clever Marvolo Gaunt. Albus glanced to the chess board, he noticed the pieces had shifted, and knew all too well that the new lord had made his move. Albus didn't want to move from his stance, he didn't agree with the notion of a new Lord teaching students especially one as young as Gaunt. The young Lord was making a great deal of noise, calling for legal reforms and proving Lucius with a much-needed ally in Wizengamot, they had yet to meet but he had a feeling the young lord was going to attack him.

Albus quickly rose, he was due within an hour and decided to use his position as Supreme mugwump and head of Witenagemot to his advantage. His eyes fell on a sleeping Fawkes as he spun on his heel to head to the Ministry. The Ministry was quiet and the hallways were still when he entered, this wasn't a good sign, usually he had managed to make individuals talkative, he was considered one of the leaders, the Leader of the Light, yet currently he wasn't in favor. He quickly walked into the room filled with Wizarding Lords, it was far too quiet. Silver eyes narrowed as they slipped over the room, each of the Lords was dressed in traditional fashion, elegant robes that fell from their shoulders and over their backs. Each robe was a deep plum all of them fell into this category and Albus smiled. He had uniformity, with a little opposition from Malfoy, but he was certain that the blonde could be stifled, especially with his methods of persuasion.

He swept through the room and took a seat at the head of the room, his position of power in order to attempt to rule over them. Albus had always had a taste for power, and had since been in control of the way the wizarding world swayed, if he decided a spell or law was dark it was struck from the books and a new one that allowed him more control was implemented. His fingers rested on the dark mahogany table as he looked over all the Lords, all of the seats that were empty had been. The Headmaster paused, and looked at the empty seats once again only to realize he was incorrect, there should have been someone occupying the place of Gaunt.

A smirk curled his lips as he felt his mood lighten, he hadn't been interested in facing Gaunt and this gave him ammunition to chastise the lord in the future as a means to control the man who had stirred his usually calm group. He was about to pick up the gavial to call the meeting to order only for the massive double doors at the end of the hallway to swing open, the sound of them bursting apart with brute force could be mistaken as thunder. The sound ricochet off the walls and filled the high vaulted ceiling, it was louder than his gavial ever could be. Every Lord's attention was on the figure who had just thrown the doors open and Albus gripped the piece of wood tightly as he grit his teeth.

Dressed in a charcoal suit with a bright crimson tie, black dress shirt and wrapped in a royal blue robe was none other than the newest member of Wizengamot. His eyes fell on the Windsor knot positioned at the man's throat and the casual cut of his long robe, without it he could pass off as a muggle in a suit. The suit had a thin lapels, and then he noticed the vest and his brown leather shoes, with a brown belt. He glided across the floor with the grace of a seasoned duelist. His crimson eyes were unnerving as he looked at Albus and a teasing smirk curled his lips, the very aura of this Lord could be described as dark and even sensual making Albus cringe. It was potent and he noticed a number of Lords looking at him in a manor that could only be described a starved.

Marvolo stood in the middle of the room and said broadly, "Apologies, apparently the owl with the notice that the meeting had been moved up just arrived at the Estate, it's a good thing I was here anyway," his voice was as lush and seductive as velvet. Albus was about to say otherwise when he noticed a murmur of understanding, they were already being swayed by the young Lord, and he hadn't even opened the meeting. "See that it doesn't happen again Lord Gaunt," he stated. Marvolo nodded and quickly took his seat, even the way he sat could only be described as demanding. Albus looked at his parchment, this young Lord was a third his age and in reality had no where to go but up. He wasn't ignorant, he understood that someone like Gaunt would be difficult, however, he hadn't expected him to have amassed a following so quickly.

"It is with this that I sight the issue at hand, the current status of our laws stipulates that the Ministry may not become involved in the education of our students except in the standardized tests known as OWLS and NEWTS," he stated. The room was quiet before one of the lesser Lords said, "Of course, our school shouldn't be contaminated by the agenda of the Ministry. It's a school, not a battle ground." Albus smiled with satisfaction as he watched a number of Lords become swayed, he was already receiving half of them when Lord Gaunt rose from his seat. His hands were at his sides and he stood tall, even his posture was ideal.

The room was filled with chatter as they spoke over one another until Lord Malfoy asked, "Lord Gaunt, your stand on the issue?" Albus had expected the voice to be drowned out only for the antithesis to occur, it became silent. Irritation was becoming even more present as he watched the entire room turn to him, including the lesser lords who had followed him without question. At first he didn't think much of the Lord, the entrance had gained their attention and they had gone through a number of topics until they reached Hogwarts. "The Ministry has the right to ensure that the standard of education is as high as other schools as well as determine if the policies and curriculum are appropriate in accordance to the newer and more modern crafts emerging," he stated.

A cry was heard from the other side of the room, and what had seemed serene had just erupted into chaos. It was impossible to distinguish one voice from another as the members began to argue, at first it was only elevated tones it quickly escalated until Lord Gaunt held up his hand and continued, "It would also be in the best interest of Wizengamot to select an individual to over see the education of our young people as well, they are our future after all." The room went still and he watched Lord Malfoy rise to stand on the opposite side of the room. He was aware that Malfoy had announced the Lord but as to his motives he was confused. Malfoy was a traditionalist, to see him siding with the new Lord crying for a new method of teaching was confounding.

The platinum-haired Lord hummed as he added, "We have the right to see how the future wizards and witches of our nation are being taught, it is a fact that Salem, Beauxbatons and Drumstrang are all ahead of Hogwarts in terms of curriculum and their students are far more formidable on the international stage." Albus suppressed the urge to shout, as he thought of a way out of it, "Hogwarts is a privet school, we do not have to adhere to this," he stated. That was when Tom grinned, as he did so he wandlessly dispersed scrolls of paper. He watched the scroll fall before him and unwind it's self. Instantly he recognized it, taxes. It was where Gaunt had been, to investigate their taxes and financial standing.

He grit his teeth as Gaunt stated, "According to Article Two of the National British Wizarding Bank Code, in accordance to the Royal Bank of England, all institutions are required to pay a certain amount of taxes based on the number of students enrolled and tuition collected," he began as he slipped his hands into the pockets of his slacks. "Every year we ask for the release of current enrollment numbers, scholarship information, and the release of the average GPA and NEWT as well as OWL scores," he elaborated. Whispers were heard around the room, Marvolo dug, he had to have dug through the records to get his hands on the information, that was considered the public record. "As you can see consistently there has been less money being paid to the Bank, the proper amount that should be paid is," he began and smiled at Albus with a grin of triumph, "listed at the bottom of the page."

Albus' eyes widened at the figure he had been paying a quarter that sum, "We have a school to run it can not all go to taxation," he defended. Marvolo hummed as the room seemed to thrum in accord with the Headmaster, he had to regain control. "Oh I agree, however, you have not announced new programs and renovations, the last renovation was fifty years ago, prior to your appointment as Headmaster," he explained, "There is a reason there are tax cuts on new programs." The room's attention was on Marvolo, as Albus suppressed a growl, clearly the Lord wasn't going to back down. He had thought rejecting the Lord's application would be enough to school him, to lecture him on tardiness, only to find that Gaunt had managed to get his hands on the last thing he wanted to appear officially as public record. All of the subjects discussed in Wizengamot were public, it included the documents released by one Lord to the rest.

Out of the blue Avery rose and stated, "I call for an audit of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on ground of missing funds and unacceptable education standards," his voice served as a call. And eight Lords rose, Albus' world was tilting as Amelia Bones rose and stated, "I appoint Lord Malfoy as Financial and Policy Auditor and Lord Gaunt as Education Auditor." Both of the Lords in question turned their attention to the woman, there was a mixture of confusion and appreciation in their expression. "I support," called Barty Crouch Sr. The Ministry had confirmed and immediately the room was in a vote. Albus was powerless he was Supreme Mugwump, he did not posses a vote.

A unanimous "aye" was heard and he stared at the individuals he thought would follow him to the end. Marvolo had just won his first move and now was asked to enter Hogwarts. "It is suggested under the advisement of the Ministry for Magic that Lord Gaunt take the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor," added Judge Bones, she had the power to, as the school was no longer in his hands but those of the court and the Ministry. "Accepted," said Marvolo with a nod and the room was filled with clapping. Albus had been out maneuvered, it was his turn.

His silver eyes fell on the young Lord in question, now the threat was in the school, and he would have to address it, one way or another.