Delusions, Romilda, and Unraveling Secrets

Johnny and his Mum settled in well. It was Jean who had a hard time adjusting to the new posh life. But that was Johnny's problem to deal with. While Tiberius sealed himself in his forgery. Johnny enrolled in classes at Filolder and Jean was right behind him.

Hermione spent her last day at Shafiq Manor watching Jean curiously. It was something about Jean that Hermione resonated with. Her independence, strength as a woman, her intellectual aptitude."Fuck!" Hermione thought.

Everything she thought about was something they had in common but it was something about Jean that gave her an itch that she couldn't scratch.

'Rius...Can you hear me?' she stretched her mind towards Tiberius' forge where he was held up.

'What is it, Mione?' he replied

'Am I a jealous person?'

'No...Why?'

'It's just...Since... Uhh, can you tell me about Jean and Johnny's relationship?' she asked

Tiberius had stopped his work. He was pulling information from his past life's memories and recording it on parchment. He couldn't have a serious conversation with Hermione and do that at the same time. He really had to become a master Occlumence and soon.

Putting down his pen, he sighed. 'They have the most solid relationship I've ever seen in my life. It's pure love. Their flaws and perfections are known to each other and they love each other through ups in downs. She's the brains and he's the brawns. But they aren't perfect. Jean often complains....never repeat what I'm going to tell you'

'I promise, Rius' she replies

Tiberius continues, 'She often complains of boredom and stagnation. They don't do much. All Johnny does is works. Granted they need the money, but she thinks he could at least take half a day off for her. As far as stagnation, she feels that they and their relationship has progressed n a long time. She feels like their love has become complacent and expected.'

Hermione stays quiet for a moment. Tiberius can feel her mental wheels turning 'Is that all, Mione?'

'No, how does she treat him and he, her?'

Tiberius sighed again. Hermione had this weird way of being delusional to certain truths that don't sit above her moral bar, especially when she resonated with the 'immoral' way of being. 'She is headstrong, but she caters to Johnny. Viper to others and but always his sweet Jean. He's caring towards her but handles her with a firm hand. She's a bit submissive, but don't tell her that.' he replied, the last sentence he dropped was intended to act a subtle clue she could reflect on.

It was like something went off in Hermione. A sudden enlightenment. 'Thank you, Rius!'

Hermione, couldn't wait until she got home. She ran upstairs and speed her parents along. When they were ready, she called for Noksby and he apparated them to the muggle world. Hermione then spent the remainder of the week before school at the library.

With Hermione gone, Tiberius had no more distraction. He spent hours writing down his memories and correcting the flaws that he meant to, before his death. He then read through the Avalonian Smithing Tome. When he got tired he finished reading the tome in his Astral form. When he was finished he began to practice on a piece of iron. First with the technique that he used in his old world, Crimson Dragon, Black Fyre Technique. It's overbearing as it sounds. The flame is turned black by an elven enchantment. The Crimson Dragon is the name of the Hammer Art created by the Giants from the lost continent of Hyperboria.

Looking at the forging process for the blade he wished to craft. He then started to Hammer away. He was finished by the morning, 100,000 strikes. Produce a magnificent blade. Not an impurity could be found in his metal. It was the way of the Crimson Dragon Hammer Art to control the black fyre. It's why Tiberius finished his first sword so fast.

When his Astral form returned to his body, he spent the next day performing the Avalonian smithing technique. His hammer strikes were strong and rhythmic, as he forged the song his enchantments and it weaved themselves into the.

Tiberius was excited when the sword was finished, his hunch was proven correct. There was no such thing as Goblin-wrought silver. Well, at least not how wizard thought of it. Wizard believed the goblins forge silver and used goblin magic to enchant it. As a result, it absorbs substances that never damage the silver but makes it stronger.

However, Excalibur had the very same attributes although never specified. Excalibur was an Avalonian forged bladed given to King Arthur by Merlin. Tiberius didn't really care about any of this until he met Hermione and spent the summer with her. With just a bit of research and the privileged knowledge of how Merlin gave the Goblins the highly praised Avalonian technique. He assumed the enchantment that he wanted for Hermione's Birthday Sword was a by-product of the Avalonian smithing technique. He was right.

With another piece of Iron, Tiberius enchanted the fire and performed the Crimson Dragon Hammer Art. Though, this time he slowed down and song the Avalonian enchantments with a slightly adjusted tempo. he sang the mystic song and hammered away. the Black Fyre danced and the metal warped to his will. the enchantment in the fire and the enchantments song were beaten together and forged a strong sword. but it was still missing something.

Tiberius continued to practice as he learned and advanced his skills to new heights.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o--o-o-oo-o-o--o-o-oo-oo-o-o-o

It was the start of the Second Year at Hogwarts. Tiberius was reading while Hermione played with Crookshanks and Baken. After a few moments, Tiberius looked at Neville and asked about Harry's whereabouts.

Neville stopped practicing his wand movements and said, "He's with the Weasleys. Saw him last month with them at Diagon Alley."

Tiberius found it kind of odd but went back to his reading. He assumed that he could always talk to Potter about when he got to school. It was weird that Harry hadn't replied to anyone's letters all summer. Tiberius had even placed a detection charm on a letter just in case someone had put wards around Harry.

It was surprising that the charm hadn't detected any so, Tiberius assumed that he just wanted some privacy and left him to it.

About an hour out from Hogwarts, a pair of Hufflepuff girls came and knocked on the cabin door. Tiberius absentmindedly invited them in and the door was slowly pulled open seconds later.

"Hello Neville…" a sweet voice sounded and Tiberius couldn't help but peek over his book to spy the girl.

It was Hannah Abbott that spoke and Susan Bones stood behind her. Tiberius grinned and nodded at Neville who coaxed his inner lion to show itself.

"Ello Hannah, you look lovely today." He replied and she blushed at his comment.

Susan smirked and rolled her eyes before stepping in, "May we join you?" she asked

"O-of course." Neville made room next to him and Hermione hopped to the spot closest to Tiberius and directed Susan Bones to the window seat much to her dismay.

Tiberius side-eyed the situation and waited to see how Susan would react. He quickly returned to his reading when Susan just leaned against the window whilst her friend and Neville held a happy conversation.

Neville showed his new wand to Hannah as she complimented it and asked to see how much he's improved with a suitable wand.

The hour passed in a blink of an eye, When the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station the students happily exited the train. Many wore their school uniform, Though Tiberius wore his Gentlemen style suit with a robe draped over his arm. Walking alongside Hermione, Neville, Susan, and Hannah. Tiberius held a carriage hitched to a Thestral. Tiberius played with the magical creature while some like at him like a crazy person.

After explaining to his friends about the special attributes of the Thestral, they continued their conversations as they climbed into the carriage. " 'Rius, what are we waiting for?"

"We're waiting for Harry, love. Just give me a moment" he replied and Hermione sat back and listened to Hannah speak about her time in the Amazon and its amazing variety of plants and herbs. Neville hung to her every word and she greedily accepted the attention.

Susan looked a bit sad about how Tiberius and Hermione were casually intimate. But she soon pushed it aside and joined her friends' conversation for a bit of distraction. Across the way. Tiberius watched as the last Student exited the train. Looking to the far right, Tiberius spotted the half-giant Hagrid with the first years.

Jugging over to them, Tiberius called out to Hagrid to which he halted the first years and looked to Tiberius. "Aye, Lord Emrys"

"Tiberius, is just fine for you, Hagrid. You're a respectful man at heart. Have you seen Harry?" he asked

Hagrid explained how he was supposed to be with the Weasleys and had not taken him to the king's cross this year. Thinking back on what Neville had told him, Tiberius realized that he had not seen Ron Weasley either.

He doesn't trust Ron, not in the slightest. He then asked Hagrid a few questions that all had the same answer, Dumbledore. At that moment, Tiberius remembered Arcturus' warning. From the corner of his eye, he spied a ginger-haired girl.

Tiberius then took a look back at the carriage and noticed that Filch was sending his carriage off and was paying no mind to Hermione's protest. Tiberius than face Hagrid and politely asked if he could board the boats with the first years. Hagrid obliged, he had a fatal habit for trusting any and everyone wholeheartedly. Ill intentions came naturally to Tiberius. It was just who he was. Finding the boat with the possible Weasley girl. He grabbed a boy by the collar and pulled him on to the docks

"Find another boat or swim." He sad, Tiberius hoped in the boat and pushed off the dock to set sail.

"You must be a Weasley or Prewett…" he said to the ginger with a soft smile

The girl grinned and said "Weasley, my mum's a Prewett though. Last Prewett to be exact."

Talkative, just like a Weasley. The young girl was eager to please and was happy to see an older student reach out to her. It was the way of young pureblood witches, it's why their parents sent them to Hogwarts.

'This is too easy.' he thought. "Ahh, interesting," he said aloud, " You must be Ginevra Weasley, Lord Weasley's girl."

A sense of awe towards her father indirectly gives her higher standing. Or so she felt. Her back got straighter, and pride swelled.

"Yes, Lord Emrys," she answered with pride. She stated his name and title attempting to stroke his ego.

Tiberius offered his hand and she happily took it. The girl was naive. No real witch would offer her hand or touch anything freely. She had never heard of Contagion magic. But even if she did, who would expect a young lord to employ such dark magic.

The moment he grasped her hand, her mind shook and she slightly swayed. Tiberius kissed her hand to establish a link and said, "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Weasley"

Ginevra blushes and Tiberius leans back and just smiles. He was now going through her every memory with Telempathy. From their meeting on the boat to her time in diapers, he saw it all. And a few things stuck out like a sore thumb.

Pushing the memories aside for later. Tiberius began to hide evidence of the mental link deep in her psyche. She would become his turncoat. From what he could see on the surface, clarified what he already speculated. The Weasley's were working to trap younger. They were going to use little Ginevra to do it. A year ago, Her mother had set the plan in motion when she intentionally took her family to the muggle side of King's Cross in order to 'chance upon' Harry Potter.

Harry is a grown boy and Tiberius was going to let him live and learn. But it was in his nature to want be on top of things. Especially know that he knew Voldemort was somewhat alive and kicking. He managed to regain his power, The Shafiq house would be called on and he wanted nothing to do with Voldemort's war. Just reading history, rejecting Voldemort meant death. And on the side of 'light' they would preemptively strike the moment war broke out. The house of shafiq was between a rock and a hard place.

Anyway, with Ginevra keeping track of those busy Weasleys. As long as Harry doesn't die, Tiberius could focus on other matters.

He had until the age of 16 to find out why the council wanted a body in Beacon Hills High School. And the only he could get that information was by getting in a room with the right people with explainable reasons.

Coming back from his thoughts, Tiberius then noticed the nervous-looking first years that also sat in the boat and was about to ask everyone's name to be fair and lighten the tension, until his eyes landed on a little vixen, she had cunning smirk and mischief blazed in her eyes. She had thick wild curly hair like Hermione though.

"And who might you be?" he asked

The girl didn't swell with pride and her facial expression remained the same. She was dangerous. And Tiberius is paranoid or she was plotting something. "Romilda Vane, My Lord" she replied in a calm coaxing manner. She was bred to be a lady. And her mannerisms screamed Slytherin. Cunning was her nature, seduction was her game.

"Vane?" Asked Tiberius " As in the late Amadeus Vane, Transfiguration master that could even best the likes of Dumbledore?"

"He's my Great Grandfather, My Lord. I would invite you to meet him if that Goldstein bitch hadn't killed him in the War against Grindelwald."

Tiberius' thoughts swirled and then thought towards the future and the very dire position he was. Blood traitor to the dark side and ostracized by the light. He didn't need friends or lovers. He needs allies that could fight. And the presence of Miss Vane gave him a beneficial idea and although it would attract attention, his antics would be easily dismissed.

He asked the young wizard next to Vane if they could swap seats. Once close to her. He cast a privacy ward around them.

"We can speak freely," he said. Unlike most muggles, wizard youth more mature in other matters.

Romilda looked and asked "what about them?" but realized that the other boat members couldn't hear them. as none of them reacted to her words and she couldn't hear them either.

"So, what is it that you wish to talk about, My Lord?"

"I want to talk about us, Miss Vane. Do you think you can be friends with a Lord like me? With enemies at all sides?"

"I would love to be your friend, My Lord. You said I can speak freely. Well, forgive me if I'm too blunt. As you know. Many of the people that we attend school with are already in Marriage contracts. Because of the Vane family's 'status', it has made it difficult for us to secure beneficial contracts. As a result, every Vane has two purposes for attending Hogwarts. Find a Lord and get an education. In that order."

"Miss Vane, you can achieve your first by focusing on the second. And I don't just want smart. I want the best. I can tell you're a Slytherin. Find a way to be sorted into Gryffindor and your first task is complete. This while also give you time to figure out what kind of 'friends' I like at my side."

"How am I to accomplish such things and such a short time?" She was excited and nervous. If she did this right. She would earn a marriage contract way before her repulsive slag of a cousin.

"Two hints, The sorting hat takes suggestions by inspecting your thought." Tiberius leaned forward and whispered in her ear. Her eyes went wide with surprise.

"Lord Emrys, I want a contract. And then I want my cousin gone. She, my aunt, and my mother think I'm weak. My aunt and cousin will see me dead before I graduate and my mother will allow it. I'm asking for protection. Your contract is the only one that could save me." Romilda wasn't stupid, it wasn't hard to do research and gather information on the only Lord in Hogwarts. Especially considering his background and the fact that he was slaying trolls with muggle-borns.

Her family wanted her dead or at the very least to usurp her as heiress. The Emrys-Black-Bones alliance wasn't a secret and like many families, Romilda wanted in and whether her traitorous family was with her or not wasn't an issue for her.

The boats docked and Tiberius removed the Privacy ward and walked towards the great hall to prepare before the sorting ceremony without replying to Romilda's confession. Before he went to the great hall he stepped in a classroom and used a professor's office to call his Law-wizard, Abigail. He told her to investigate the Vane house completely before dealing with Romilda any further and then asked for an employee list for the foreign affairs department in the ministry. He needed to know which of the important people had daughters attending Hogwarts

When Tiberius opened the doors to the great hall many thought it would be the first years. But it was only him. Stepping over the threshold. He waved his wand to slam the doors shut. The first years were approaching and he didn't want to spoil the beauty of the great hall before they entered.

Walking to his table, Hermione immediately popped up and began to scold him. "Where have you been? You saw the carriage was leaving and you just watched us go. Did you walk here? You could have been seriously injured? What were thinking, Tiberius?"

Tiberius looked at her with dead eyes, waiting for her to stop for a breather. Soon the doors of the great hall opened again and many people's attention was redirected elsewhere. Tiberius took a step closer to Hermione, "Hermione, sit down." he commanded

She opened her mouth to say something but held back. She lowered her head and took a seat at the table. Tiberius had Hermione figured out long ago. Forcefull on the exterior but all too willing and sought gratification from others. Usually, when she was reprimanded she would never be mad at him. But herself. For the rest of the night until she got his forgiveness she would attempt varies things to me him happy and praise her or thank her. At the very least, forgive her.

When Hermione sat down. Tiberius looked to the people to the right. " move over. I need a seat for myself and plus one. Besides, only I sit next to Mione." he then flicked his wand suggestively and the students scooted over in a hurry. Taking his seat he sat and looked to the first years and saw Romilda's eyes glued to his person.

Hermione leaned over and asked him about his plus one, He put a hand on her back and used telepathy to reply, "Hermione, when did my business become yours? I swear we talked about this before. I think you just like to be punished, sometimes"

Hermione stiffened and turned red and Tiberius removed and her eyes darted to his eyes and she quickly look away. Tiberius smirked, 'Mione! do you like to be punished?' he teased

'S-stop it, Rius... can we talk about this later' she pouted slightly embarrassed. Tiberius wrapped his arm around her waist and just pulled her close. He knew it was the time and just needed Hermione to relax a bit.

Neville watched and Tiberius just gave him a knowing nodded which made him look back at Hannah instinctively.

In the first year's line, Romilda smiled as she watched Tiberius and if Tiberius saw her, he would know that she had figured it out.

The sorting hat sang his song and McGonagall had started reading names from a parchment. One by one student walked up to be sorted. It seemed to drag on for hours. House name after House name shouted out and a repetitive round of clapping to follow.

Soon the one Tiberius had been waiting for, took her seat on the wooden stool and had the hat placed on her head.

'Hmmm, That damn boy! Huuh you are the first of the night. Every year there's a student that forces me to question my abilities. Last year it was the young Lord Emrys. You know the one that caught your eye and has you all preoccupied. not to mention his pesky interventions are swimming around your thoughts!" the sorting hat scoffed, he liked Tiberius but he never liked misplacing students. And whatever he did to Romilda made him question his abilities

"Was he right? You want to put me in Slytherin?"

"Hahaha. Oh, yes. A young lady like yourself will certainly flourish in a house like Slytherin."

"I'm bold, smart, prideful, courageous. Are you sure you want to ruin my future with such a choice, Hat?" She began to utilize Tiberius' hint

"Hmm, you question my abilities?"

"I question mine. I want to be brave like the Lord Emrys. Slay the troll to save my friends. My cousin Emma told me the story. I want to push my self, become smart and headstrong like miss granger. Give with one hand and take with another like my Lord Emrys. I have ambitions, what you think as cunning I prefer to call skillfully applied knowledge. Combine it all.."

"You'll make a fine field General" he commented

"A Gryffindor, Hat. A true Gryffindor. Allow me to nurture my inner lion. Like you, I understand what I am. Yes, it's overbearing but beneath it all. I know what I want to become and it isn't a slithering snake but a raging lion to quell the masses"

"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted aloud and the hall clapped

"Thank you, Mr. Hat" Romilda whispered as she trapeses across the hall and takes her predetermined seat next to Tiberius. Dumbledore gave a quick frown and looked over to Snape who wore pleased smile. He gave a slight nod to Dumbledore for reassurance. Though he made a mental note to warn the boy. He wanted to keep dumbledore away from Tiberius as long as possible. Like most people that came in contact with the old man, they all eventually became pawns.

When Romilda sat down, her arm was against Tiberius and she refrained from introducing herself. Afterall McGonagall had practically introduced her already. Hermione eyed the two and then focused on Romilda.

"Miss Vane, Welcome to Gryffindor. I'm Hermione Granger." She then extended her hand in front of Tiberius and over to Romilda.

Romilda looked at the hand then into Hermione's eyes "Has anyone ever told you it's disrespectful to reach across our lord." Romilda spoke in a soft voice but it carried far enough and had it's intended effect.

Many Gryffindors weren't supremacist. But they respected lordship and the societal hierarchy. Romilda's words reminded them that Hogwarts was the best place to critique their common courtesies and etiquette. Hermione's hand recoiled as the feast appeared.

Tiberius wanted to know how Romilda was trying to play the game. So he watched her. And she watched Hermione. When the food appeared, Hermione didn't eat. And Devilish smile appeared on Romilda's face.

She realized that Hermione wasn't as ignorant about social etiquette as she had originally thought. Then she caught sight of Lavender Brown restraining herself as well. But she wasn't waiting on Tiberius. She was waiting on her Heir Longbottom. Romilda then realized that she had made the right choice. Longbottom was in an alliance as well, an alliance he could takeover with the right steps and she could see that Tiberius had already begun forging bonds for his benefit.

Neville and Tiberius finally reached in to fill the plates and the ladies followed suit. "Have you been practicing Neville? The ward?" Asked Tiberius

Neville smirked and drew his wand. He gained attention and many people looked confused. They wondered what spell coulda 'squid' do to possibly show off. He waved his wand and muttered a string of incantations as everyone looked on slack jawed. Neville was performing a spell. And not just any spell, It was a spell that required a continuous flow of magic and the utmost control.

When Neville had finished casting. Tiberius congratulated him. And people were even more shocked. They saw the two friends speak but heard nothing. Not a sound. It dawned on them that Neville had successfully cast a privacy ward.

Romilda was shocked, "I- I thought. My cousin told me you were"

Tiberius and Neville stared daggers at her. Their eyes blazed with a fire that threatened to burn her alive. She went back to eating quietly.

"You now they say about Vanes, Rius?" asked Neville and Romilda's head shot up.

"No. But Abigail is on it and she learns everything. Even the things that people don't say about Vanes" he replied and Romilda looked shocked

"Two birds with one stone. That's why you asked Hagrid about Harry instead of the twins. The first year boats. That's how you got here."

Tiberius chuckled and nodded in agreement. Though Neville was a bit off, he was along the right track. That meant he was progressing smoothly, "This year no one will question your magic or your birthright. And I see you brought Miss Brown into the ward."

"Aye, you have seen her. And we wrote to each other over the break. And how you are with Miss Granger and Miss Vane. It's got me thinking." he replied

"Neville, we're friends. You can call me, Hermione" she interrupted and Romilda scoffed. Noksby had been teaching her Ladyship but there was no way she could have learned everything in one summer considering how her summer went.

Tiberius nodded to Romilda and she took the liberty to explain. "Hermione, I can call you Hermione. We're equals and as Heir Longbottom sees it, we both...belong to Lord Emrys. He can no longer refer to us in such an informal manner in public. Unless the highest-ranking lord refers to his woman in such manner first. As you saw him address, Miss Brown."

"I-I" she began to retort but then looked at Lavender and asked "when?"

"Just now. You and Lord Emrys clearly had a talk over the summer and he's been teaching you things. From the moment he came in the great hall, you've been putty for him to mold. Everyone noticed it. Why do you think none of the boys are looking at you anymore. The way he handles you and you accept it, willingly.

It's not the same Granger we saw last year. Granted you are still the same Granger, just not when Lord Emrys is involved. With that being said, when Miss Vane arrived I knew immediately what was happening and decided to act on my crush for heir Longbottom. I may like to gossip but I am not dense and I'm still a noble --of the lower class, but still noble. I filled my plate after him for the same reason you followed Lord Emrys, whether you admit it or not.' Lavender finished her piece.

"Then he incorporated you into the ward. That's why Ri...Lord Emrys asked...Heir Longbottom about it in the first place." Hermione's eyes widened and she was impressed by how the two young men played off each other's motives. It was also kind of scary considering the fact, that Neville couldn't use telepathy like her and Tiberius.

"Yes." replied Lavender "He claimed me when he brought me in a private meeting with a Lord. Now to everyone, the three of us are off-limits to court even without a standing marriage contract."

Neville looked pleased to see that Lavender was more than just a girl for gossip. He saw the potential showing, that he always knew was there. "I must say, Miss Granger. After last year I thought you would go after someone leagues less dominant than Lord Emrys. He's my friend, but I was expecting your taste to be more towards, Heir Potter...Submissive, to say the least."

Hermione seemed visibly put off by the thought but tensed again at the words like dominant and submissive to being used so casually in their particular context.

While Hermione was battling certain thoughts. Tiberius had thoughts of his own. He knew she just liked to watch others squirm under her force. It's how she weeded out those worth her time. Harry, had been different. She felt the boy needed her help more than she needed entertainment. That and she was also struggling immensely with that darker voice in her mind. He had a vague impression that she was finally becoming aware of those...darker voices.

Neville then turned to Tiberius and they talked about Potter, Voldemort, and last year's incident. The ladies looked extremely worried but was put at ease when Tiberius told Neville about the need to begin preparing for war. Though, Tiberius considered that light talk. The topic went between outlines of war plans and summer vacation. And eventually led to Occlumency. Tiberius learned that Longbottoms were better at Legilimency and his father had been the only Occlumence in the family.

This made Tiberius happy. It meant Augusta Longbottom's mind would soon become his playground.