"Riddle, a word?" Tom sighed, fighting the urge to roll his eyes at another interruption to his train of thoughts. The last few weeks had been excruciatingly slow, with barely a sign beyond the one that Lilith had helped him find that made locating the Chamber of Secrets more difficult than he had initially hoped. When they had reached out to Hogsby for assistance, he had done so on the expectation that what they would be looking for would be a marker safely stored behind a painting, something to indicate that there was indeed a secret of Slytherin just behind the stone walls. Instead, Lilith had shown him that sometime between the creation of the Chamber and the changes to the Castle, some other Heir of Slytherin, if not the Founders themselves, had gone to some trouble into hiding the secrets of his ancestor. It had all started with an observation Lilith had made about how common a metal plaque of the Hogwarts Coat of Arms was across the many floors of the castle. Upon request one night when they were both out for patrols, Hogsby had been more than happy to remove the plaque, revealing a secret dating back to the construction of the walls themselves. Tom had felt oddly childish running his hands in the grooves of an engraving of the Slytherin Coat of Arms that had been hidden behind the ornate piece of metal. The odd thing to him, however, was that the engraving wasn't on the same floor as the Dungeons, but instead it was several floors up on the second floor.
Lilith had looked at the elf as it looked at them expectantly. "The Castle wasn't organized the same way centuries ago as it is now, is it? Much of the foundations looks to be a bit late for the period, but magic could account for some of the more advanced building techniques. It, however, doesn't account for the fact that the towers have spires that are centuries more advanced than anything that existed at the time, let alone bathrooms with working plumbing." The elf nodded his head excitedly. "Young Miss is correct. Hogwarts has been expanded and changed over the centuries. The very plumbing you speak of was added over a century ago, for which we elves are very grateful for. The current locations of the Common Rooms and Dorms are the same as they once were, but the Houses had separate classrooms for the practices that weren't easy enough to teach to all students together. Old masters moved the classrooms about the castle, far from where the Founders themselves taught those seeking to learn of Magic, and eventually many of those same rooms were abandoned to gather dust or excess furniture." Lilith held her chin in thought, looking at the wall. "The History books mention that the Founders taught magic directly to several students, usually concerning their own specialties. It stands to reason that if Salazar was teaching students of different and perhaps even greater age groups, he couldn't teach them all at the same time in the Dungeons, especially with Helga at his side. They must have had sections of the Castle that were exclusive to them both, places where apprentices could teach the youngsters and so on, all still under Salazar's supervision."
Tom looked back at the abandoned corridors behind him, which had been warded by Lilith to conceal their presence from view using reusable discs, seeing the Castle in a new and different light. "And this section was possibly Salazar's. Which means that there are other sections that could connect to the Chamber of Secrets, beyond just the Dungeons." Lilith hummed to herself. "So it would seem. Though the engraving is magically charged." Tom looked at her first in surprise as she tapped her right eye in silent explanation, before looking at the engraving again and decided to investigate that. ~" Reveal to me your secrets ."~ The engraving glowed green for a second before Tom jerked back, severing his connection to the wall, as an overabundance of sounds and images left him staggered. Lilith rested her hand at his back to steady him as the disorienting flash of information faded from his mind. "You ok?" Tom nodded, rubbing his tingling hand, his eyes still fixed on the engraving as a thin smile grew on his face. "I am. I believe this is some sort of terminal connected to the wards. It felt like the wards back at the cottage, only… far more complicated and overwhelming." Lilith raised an eyebrow looking at him. "A single story cottage versus a Castle with around 9 or 10 floors, all with hundreds of rooms and just as many people. Reading those wards will be a lot harder than what you have tried before." Lilith turned to look at Hogsby. "Though I doubt the wards will reveal the Chambers actual location. Otherwise, the Headmasters would have sealed it off centuries ago."
Hogsby nodded. "The Chambers of the Founders are kept separate from the Hogwarts wards. The Founders Chambers are the property of the Heirs and their families, not the school, and are not to be sought out by staff members." Tom sighed but nodded. "Thank you for helping us, Hogsby. You may replace the plaque. We have lingered here for too long." Retrieving the ward discs, the two of them left the corridor, with Tom feeling quite excited about their chances of finding the Chamber. Unfortunately, that excitement dwindled as the days turned to weeks. They now had a good understanding of all the sections in the castle marked as Slytherin's old classrooms, leading up to the fifth floor. They had even marked several snake indentations and carvings along the walls that Tom was certain meant something more. Unfortunately for him, the grueling fifth year schedule and the constant patrols now kept him from exploring all the newly mapped out targets further. He knew the best time to explore would be during the Yuletide Break, as Lilith had confirmed that she would likely be staying at the Castle to lend him assistance, when the Prefects wouldn't be as required by the staff to perform their duties. Tom couldn't deny that a full two weeks alone in the Castle, with Lilith by his side, made his heart beat faster. He was looking forward to it. Unfortunately, they would have to wait for Yule first, with him simply marking down any other potential points of interest along the way.
Burying his irritation and wandering thoughts, Tom focused on the figure of Abraxas Malfoy, as he stood in front of Tom at one of the tables within the Slytherin Common Room. "Of course, Heir Malfoy. What do you need?" Abraxas took the opposite chair to Tom and sat down, running his hand nervously through his platinum hair. "I had been meaning to ask you… if you found any information regarding your magical family?" Tom raised an eyebrow. "What makes you to ask this of me today?" Abraxas cleared his throat. "If I may be frank, the eyes of Slytherin House have been on you since the start of term. Your mannerisms are far more refined, you are better at holding a conversation with the other Heirs and even the Heiresses. All to be expected as you have done similar improvements every year during the summer. That said, I have myself noticed that you are far more… certain with your posture and words. You no longer avoid discussing certain subjects with the other Purebloods, including during your discussions with me and Nott. While I believe that you are capable of achieving these changes on your own, it seems more likely that you discovered your heritage and that you no longer feel threatened by those with stronger claims to Magical Families of supposed greater renown."
After narrowing his eyes at Abraxas, Tom ran through all the possible responses he could provide, weighing them with the effects these responses could have in their relationship as acquaintances. Lilith was overly fond of making more personal relations with other students, claiming that they built up trust and ties that could surpass mere differences of opinion or supposed loyalty to a seperate force. Still, Tom wasn't ready to reveal his heritage. Not just yet. "I have indeed discovered the truth of my parentage and lineage to a degree. While I can't say what family I am descended from, I can tell you that the process of gaining further status within it is more… challenging than it typically is for most Magical Families, instead of merely walking into Gringotts and claiming a ring." Abraxas smiled softly. "I thought as much and I am pleased to hear that you have found your place amongst us, even if it isn't as cut and dry as it usually is for us Heirs." He lowered his eyes. "Which is why I wanted to apologize to you, Riddle. About the time Theodore and I invited you to our Samhain Ritual in our second year." Tom frowned as Abaraxas continued. "Showing you our ways wasn't an error, and I won't apologize for that. I am apologizing for the fact that we offered you a chance to converse with your ancestors when you were unaware of your parentage. While I may have kept my perceptions to myself, I am aware of the harm I caused you then and wish to make amends, especially now that you know who your family is."
Pulling out a box from his pocket and placing it atop the table, Abraxas tapped it with his wand, before it expanded in size. He pulled it open, revealing it to be filled with metal plates, chalk, fruits, candles and other vials of magical materials. Tom looked from the box to Abraxas. "I won't say that the incident didn't bother me, as it had, but I am grateful for the lessons you and Nott provided me. While I never held the incident against you both, I am grateful for this apology and accept it wholeheartedly, Heir Malfoy." Abraxas smiled, his eyes showing appreciation for Tom's words. "I am glad to hear that. I look forward to hearing about your change in name, Riddle, when the time comes. Best of luck and I hope you have a good Samhain night." As Abraxas left, Tom spared a look at the box filled with the ritual materials. From the moment he took the Heir Ring, he had ignored the fact that his mother and her family had all passed away. For the first time, he knew the name of the woman who gave birth to him prior to a Samhain, with him now being in possession of the materials to attempt a communion with the dead. Tom briefly thought about ignoring the night of Samhain again, but his curiosity was getting the best of him. Could he truly have a moment to interact with Merope Gaunt, the woman who gave him life before she herself died?
-✦-
"Don't be shy. These guys are just a bit harder to get along with than Thestrals, but not by much. I am surprised your family didn't keep either at their estate." Lilith tossed the dead furret at the Hippogriff, who managed to snatch it out of the air with its beak without any difficulty, the rest of the herd waiting to get their meal after Silverwing finished getting his fill. Lilith tossed another carcass to the half bird, half horse creature before responding. "The magic of the Estate was never the most stable for magical creatures and the Schattenwolf pack that coexisted with us was just barely tolerant of the cows, goats and sheep we grew as livestock, mainly because we also bred deer that would eventually become their meals, especially during harsh winters. Getting another territorial magical creature would have led to a bloodbath, one we would have to clean up. I don't think grandmother was overly interested in spending money on said creatures, only to watch them die quickly." Theseus chuckled, rubbing Silverwing's neck feathers, before the Hippogriff stepped away, letting the others come in for their meal. "Aquilla was always the stickler for cash. The few times I interacted with her here at Hogwarts, she always kept a careful eye on her expenses. A bit like you. The few times I have seen you at Hogsmeade, you hardly buy much frivolous stuff. That is, when you didn't just apparate away when you thought no one was looking."
Lilith looked at Ross wearily. "Hiding a magical eye beneath an eyepatch is cheating, old man." Theseus smiled at her. "True, but it serves me just fine. Good catch, though. You also don't have to worry, I am sure the Headmaster is aware of your departures from the village during the Hogsmeade weekends. His silence on it is good enough for me." After patting the neck of a female Hippogriff that rubbed her head against Lilith's chest, the young redhead sighed. "It's not him I am worried about, but his shadow. Tom wasn't kidding about Dumbledore sticking his nose into other people's business. Pretty sure he insisted I am some danger to the students of Hogwarts to Minerva McGonagall and is having her report on me and Tom's movements when out of class. Not to mention that she strikes me as his type. A stickler for the rules, but ignorant of the bigger picture game that he is playing." Theseus sighed, tossing a few more ferrets at the herd, before the two made their way to the shack at the edge of the forest. Theseus' shack was far smaller than Hagrid's had been during Lillian's life, though Lilith could see why. The old hunter used it as a storage locker for potions, herbs and tools of the trade, not an abode, though he did have a small bed in the corner, probably for those late night watches. After placing the buckets that they used to carry the carcases out into a sink, he turned around, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Albus always did like to play politics. Even when he was a student in Gryffindor House. It drove his brother, Aberforth, crazy. Is there a reason I should be worried about my granddaughter's health?" Lilith shrugged. "Directly, none. Indirectly… depends on a few things out of our control. Though I am sure that Tom's patience has a limit, so there is always the chance she pushes him too hard and gets jinxed or worse. Isn't there anything you could do to get her to back off?" Theseus sighed, rubbing his hand over his white hair. "Minerva and I are not on speaking terms, I am afraid. Not since my daughter gave up on magic to marry a holy man. She severed all ties with us and refused to talk to us. We only knew that Minerva and her siblings were born from our family tapestry expanding on its own to accommodate their branches." Lilith frowned. Lillian had never been too keen on her Transfiguration Professor, who was definitely too involved with Dumbledore's machinations to be a proper impartial adult, but she had never heard about the reason as to why she never interacted with the Ross family. "I take it that the religious nature of Minerva's father didn't help matters?" Theseus shook his head. "Not in the least. Isobel only ever told her husband about Magic when she couldn't hide Minerva's outbursts. At least, that's what little we know. Pretty sure he allowed his daughter to attend Hogwarts for her to learn control over her magic, nothing more."
Lilith sighed, looking out the window towards the Castle. "Sounds like what happened with my mom. She came from a distinguished Polish family, descendants of the Radziwills. Her parents raised her as a proper lady, teaching her literature, music and sketching as a way to increase her appeal to potential suitors. Pretty sure they weren't expecting her to draw the attention of my father, especially not by her accidental use of magic while playing the piano before a group of invited guests from high society. The moment he called her a witch, my mother slapped him right across the face, thinking he was insulting her." Theseus laughed softly. "Yeah, Nicholas loved sticking his foot out and getting it caught on everything the few times I saw him when he was a child. Still, he managed to win her heart, though I doubt Aquilla was overly fond of her." Lilith shrugged. "Dad said that they got along just fine… after my mother nearly killed my grandmother after a disagreement over what skills the Lady of the House should have. Grandmother never questioned her ever again." Theseus shook his head. "The Von Schwarzwald family were always drawn to the most dangerous sorts of people. As for my own, unfortunately, I have tried to reach out to Minerva, but the girl refuses to acknowledge me. I think she believes that we ran her mother out of the house and disapproved of her marriage to a muggle." Lilith, having finished washing blood out of her hands, looked at Theseus. "I am going to guess that you still disapprove."
Theseus nodded. "Of course we do. Love is no reason to repress an important part of one's existence. The moment he was told about magic, Isobel should have been free to use magic in his presence, yet my contacts all say the same, that she won't use a wand at all. The man's faith and fear of magic is causing my daughter to suffer. Why shouldn't I disapprove of them?" Lilith sighed. "True, but from Minerva's point of view, she probably blames you for the issues with her parents, at least in some way, though she may claim that they are doing fine. She also seems to blame Magical Society in general for the divide between the worlds, not truly understanding, or caring to understand, as to why the divide exists in the first place. Look, I am not going to tell you how to live your life. You have done more things in nearly every corner of the world than what Albus Dumbledore can even scarcely imagine. But if you do want to have a chance at a cordial relationship with your daughter and granddaughter, then you need to be willing to accept some unpleasant realities, even if it's only for brief conversations. They might give you the insights you need into repairing the harm that has been done to your family." Theseus was silent for a moment but he nodded softly. "You are right. I will try to reach out to her while being a bit more understanding. In the meantime, tell your friend to keep his curses under lock and key." Lilith smiled at Theseus. "Like you would in that situation?" The old man waved his hand dismissively. "Hell no. I am not the poster child for restraint. Still, just hold the peace between them as much as you can. I will see what I can do about my granddaughter and Dumbledore from my end."
-✦-
"Tom, are you sure you want me to be here?" Placing the last candle onto its adequate plate, Tom looked over his shoulder at Lilith, who was sitting on one of the sofas that he had transfigured the year prior. As Lilith had promised, their own private gathering place hadn't changed much, though it seemed that Hogsby had taken it upon himself to spruce it up. The curtains were now a far more vibrant forest green, with the tables and bookshelves all glistening with wood varnish. The room felt less like something that had been cobbled together out of spare furniture by the two of them and what the elves brought out of storage and was looking as if it was just as important as the common rooms were. Much to Tom's pleasure, however, the sofas that he had Transfigured remained, though there were now blankets and a small wood fired heater on one of the walls, making the place clearly more comfortable for the winter season, which was fast approaching. The cold this year seemed to be drawing in closer and faster than before, something that had him feeling on edge, especially tonight, of all nights, when he felt that he should listen to what his instincts were telling him. Tom focused on his partner's face, seeing how she seemed worried about his decision to call on the spirit of Merope Gaunt. Dusting his knees as he stood up, he turned towards Lilith. "It's just a calling ritual to commune with the dead. It's not dangerous."
Lilith searched Tom's eyes. "Not on its own, it isn't, but you never talk about your parents. I saw from your Family Tree that your mother had passed away on the day of your birth, so I can fully understand the desire to connect with her, but are you sure that you won't get hurt by what does or doesn't happen?" Tom stared at Lilith, running her words through his mind, feeling them out. She was genuine in her concern for him, which did warm his chest, but as much as he had dismissed his mother over the last few months since reading his Inheritance Test, the thought about connecting to her now had all but consumed him the last few weeks. He could see that Lilith's concern had merit. Still… he wanted, no, needed to know what his mother felt about him. It had been years since he had stopped praying for his mother to watch over him in the orphanage, to somehow spirit him away from the pain and the loneliness. He had the chance to do so now. He couldn't let it go. "Thank you for your concern, but I have to do this." Not bothering to check Lilith's reaction, Tom turned around and drew his wand. With a deft flick of his wrist, the candles all sprang alight. After closing his eyes, he performed the chant as he had read in the library concerning the call of the dead.
"Morrigan of the Eastern Isle, Lady that presides over the Veil that leads into the Void, guide of those who have breathed their last, I request that the soul of one long since passed be granted passage. Let our ties of blood guide her to my side, let her ethereal voice pierce the Veil to be heard by living ears. Triple Goddess that all men fear, let thy mercy as a maiden that was once the child of a mother, thy compassion of a mother who cared for her young shine through and thy fond remembrance of times long passed as the Great Queen that rules the Void move you to heed my plea. Let on this night the spirit of Merope Gaunt née Gaunt, last daughter of the House of Gaunt, return to my side, so that a son may know his mother. This I beseech thee." As the incantation drew to its end, the room began to be filled with a flowing wind, before going perfectly, deathly still in the silence that followed. Tom's nose began to pick up on a scent, that of fresh grass, spices, specifically rosemary, which wasn't in the list of ingredients that Tom had used. A soft warmth started building in his chest, as if a hand was pressed on it, with feelings that he couldn't name filling his heart. Then the feeling subsided and Tom, still touching his chest, stared at the empty room in front of him.
Lilith, concerned over his silence, came to his side, managing to spot a tear running down his cheek. "Is that all the ritual can manage? A whisper, a feeling and nothing else?" Lilith wanted to touch his back, but aside from holding her arm, Tom still wasn't fond of physical touch. Deciding to risk it, she gently touched his shoulder, trying to calm him as his surprise seemed to shift into something else. His blue eyes turned cold as he clenched his fists. "I am such a fool. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. I knew it and I still allowed myself to hope and believe." As Tom magic started leaking out around him, turning the still air around him into a swirling vortex, Lilith ran through everything that she knew about Tom that could hopefully settle him down. Nothing seemed adequate or capable, except for one thing. She was going to murder Alexander if this idea of his failed. That is, if Tom didn't kill her first. Wrapping her arms around Tom's waist from behind, Lilith ran her hands up his chest, ignoring how well his toned body felt underneath his clothes, and focusing on her own magic, letting her feelings of concern and empathy mingle with her magic as it diffused into his body. He grew still quickly, the wind dying down as the two found themselves standing quietly in a now awkward silence.