Ch75. Just a peek

A week has passed since the Hogwarts started again and all returned to the same old.

Hadrian showed Dora how to get into the Hufflepuff chambers the second day after returning and took great pleasure in seeing her pacing from one side of her room to the other side in tempting lingerie every evening, only to decide that no, today is not THE day. She looked cute, all distraught, nervous, and insecure. He often snickered when he saw her ruffling her carefully combed hair from frustration, only to whimper later as she realized she completely destroyed her look!

They were engaged. There was no need for her to feel that way. Hadrian didn't really care if her hair was a bit messy. They were going to spend a lifetime together, after all.

Yet, night by night, the girl just could not find the courage to step through the hearth into the Hufflepuff Chambers.

Hadrian was really looking forward to telling her that once she opened the connection, he could see into the room! Especially since she started changing herself to his visage to have a mock-dialogue, or monologue, in this case, alternating between his and her look. Dora was a mess. And Hadrian enjoyed every second of it.

Alas, he promised her, he would let HER be the one to approach him when she was ready.

...

The next day, Hadrian ate pancakes in the great hall, smiling to himself as he reminisced about Dora's new escapade. She changed herself to Narcissa, Bellatrix, and her own look to compare their bodies, only to pout, huff, and groan at her still teenage body.

Narcissa is bigger. Bella is firmer. Narcissa is softer. Bella is more tempting.

Oh, Hadrian could hear her not-so-quiet whining even now... He was really glad the connection was one-way only, making Dora unable to hear his laughter. When a woman that can change herself to anyone else starts complaining her own body is insufficient... He could only shake his head in exasperation.

The Great Hall suddenly went quiet as everyone stilled, their eyes shooting towards the door.

Hadrian, curious, also looked up and instantly snorted, diverting his gaze, trying to stifle his snickers with his palm.

"Yes, yes, laugh it up, Hadri." Dora mocked, going as far as using Bellatrix's nickname for him. It would maybe work too if she wasn't...

Hadrian started laughing a little louder.

"So-sorry, Dora. You are just so... plumy this fine morning." He nodded to her in greeting, his lips still stretched in a wide grin. "You too Sue. You also look fluffy."

"Hahaha." Susan dryly huffed as she sat next to Hadrian.

Both girls were covered in feathers as their robes were painted pink and hair resembled a duck. Somebody really tried to pull Uchiha on them!

"Weasleys?" Hadrian asked, getting a nod in return as Dora sat on his other side. Except, her hand quickly took his and her fingers started to play with his knuckles. This week, she did it almost every time they were in the Great Hall. Dora really loved the physical contact.

"When I get these two shits into my hands!" Dora's eyebrow twitched, as her lips snarled menacingly at the prospect of wringing their necks.

"It can't even be dispelled! It is a magical paint! Our hair is so tangled and oily, and messy, and..." Susan whined. "It will take hours to get them clean again!"

"Sure, sure." Hadrian wanted to pat the cute girl on her head but didn't want to wake ducky. "Leave their punishment to me, kay? Nobody bullies my girls!"

Both girls went as pink as their robes and Hadrian again burst into laughter.

Hadrian found it funny, alright. But it was just that. Bullying. Pranks should be harmless. Not something that could make you depressed for weeks. This was too much and Hadrian vowed to make sure the two shits will never try to prank his girls.

...

Later that evening, Hadrian and Susan met in the Room of Requirements. He showed it to both Dora and Susan after getting an oath to never reveal it without his permission.

But he only showed Dora how to get there through Ravenclaw Chambers. He was not about to show Susan. Not even Hufflepuff Chambers. It would be embarrassing to have her walk on him and one of his wives having fun, after all!

"What did you need from me?" Susan asked curiously, looking at the dim, serious, gloomy place the room changed into. It had a warm hearth and two comfortable chairs near it. Hadrian sat in one of those chairs, in his lap a closed book with a skull painted on top.

Susan tilted her head as she walked closer, flopping into the other chair.

"Susan. I can give you an opportunity to learn Bones family magic." Hadrian told her seriously, making the girl shocked.

"Why do you have Bones family magic!" She exclaimed.

"Your aunt... gave it to Lord Black as repayment of the debts towards his House. As you swore an oath to keep my secrets, I can tell you that I know him. He lent me this book," Hadrian tapped the book on his lap. "in case you would like to take the opportunity to learn about the magic of your House. Of course, for that, you would need to offer an oath to never reveal what happened in this room."

Susan was unsure. She was never told of any family magic by her Aunt. That meant it was dangerous. But... she wanted to know of it. She also trusted Hadrian. She... wanted to know more.

"I do." She meekly looked towards the ground as she understood that the grimoire no longer belonged to the House Bones. She really wondered what made her Aunt do something like giving THEIR family magic away.

"Susan, are you sure? The family magic of your House is... Necromancy." Hadrian asked with concern.

Susan gasped. Their family practiced the... darkest of the dark!?

"Every Bones in ancient times was an extraordinary necromancer. They were called 'Bones' for a reason, you see... It is only in the last two centuries that your family stopped and joined the light side. And then... it fell. There were tens of Bones every generation yet now since it joined the light side in politics, you and your aunt are the only Bones remaining. One hates anything dark and you... well, that is up to you." Hadrian gave her a little overview of the past of her family.

It was a hard decision for Susan. She was always told dark was bad! But... it was Harry who was asking her! Uuuuu... Maybe just a peek?

In the end, Hadrian watched as Susan opened the book after she gave him the oath. The second she glanced at the first page, he knew he won.

Bones... extraordinary necromancers. No Bones who even peeked at the family Grimoire was able to pull away from Necromancy. To resist the family magic that urged, coaxed, even forced them to learn. They always reached their peak in the art. Willingly or not. That was why the family Bones was feared. Every Bones was ABLE to become a necromancer with frightening skills. Especially since their family magic made them completely immune to death magic corruption the same way as Blacks were protected from dark magic corruption.

Blacks might have practiced dark magic and had a library full of necromantic spells but even they were not stupid enough to use them. They were not immune to death magic, after all. But Bones were. It was the ultimate cheat for Necromancy.

Not the inferior shit that Voldemort called Necromancy. Not Inferi. No. The real deal. The discipline that was forgotten, purged from the history books for its vileness and utility. Necromancers could create entire armies. They were too strong for other wizards to compete with. Maybe only the darkest of the wizards or the most brilliant like founders were able to go blow for blow with Necromancer who had gathered an army.

Bones converted to the light side because they didn't want to be ganged upon and purged alongside the discipline. But... they always kept their books. Their findings. Their skills. And their spells. Until... Amelia Bones gave it away. Such a silly woman, really.

Hadrian wouldn't deprive himself of a skilled necromancer. He knew Susan loved him even if she didn't admit it to herself yet. She would be his and he will be damned if he gave her anything but the best.