Chapter Text
Tom barely felt the bite of his nails as his hands curled into fists.
The sting of being called by one of his Followers hadn’t occurred in so long that he’d forgotten the teeth grinding suddenness of it. It twinged in his chest, a sharp pain similar to what happens when Harry uses the amulet.
Pulling in a slow breath he glanced at Eliza. She brushed a stray hair from her face and continued narrating her day to him. Strangely he was not annoyed by this habit of hers.
“ - Luther was shocked, and who would blame him? Imogen had ruined any chance she had. I couldn’t believe my eyes when she still tried to convince him to leave with her anyway.” Her pale eyes glanced at him, checking to see if he was even listening. She blinked when she met his eyes directly and he gave her a tight smile.
“I’ve a - “
Eliza sighed, dropping the yarn she’d been attempting to knit with into her lap. She interrupted with a long-suffering tone, though a quirk of her lips told him she wasn’t serious. “A former engagement?”
His lips twitched of their own accord. “Of a sort.”
“Right,” She waved him off and took up the yarn again. It was a colorful mess that he might be able to call a hat if he squinted in the right light. “I’ll see you for dinner?”
She eyed him as he stood, brushing non-existent lint from his clothes. “I imagine so.”
Giving him a small smile, she jerked her chin towards the door. “Off with you.”
————————————————————————————
He stepped from the Floo and into Yaxley’s penthouse suite in London. He paused, blinking into the bright airy space of the top floor.
Shock tingled lazily down his spine as he spun a slow circle. It was Muggle. In a modern sense and quite unusual for a traditional Wix to be living in.
“My Lord,” A voice greeted and he shifted, glancing over his shoulder at Yaxley. He looked the pinnacle of put together. His hair was swept back in a styled coif and he’d clearly just returned from work. Corban Yaxley worked within the Ministry, specifically the Aurory.
“Yaxley,” He murmured in response, his eyes scaling the room again. Everything was in shades of biege. A sleek looking kitchen on his left had nary a thing out of place and the thin, uncomfortable looking linen sofa on his right with carefully placed magazines and books on the glass end tables. Large windows took up most of one of the walls, the cityscape beyond nearly eye level. He could easily see the dome of St. Peter’s and the frown that curled his lip had him turning back to Yaxley. “I am surprised by your choice in living arrangements.”
Yaxley gave him a thin smile, eyes ticking around the room as if he himself had never seen it. “It suits my needs.”
Tom nearly sighed, instead he gazed at his Follower with a hard look. “I have not been called in quite some time Yaxley.”
The man bowed his head, barely perceptible as an apology but it soothed his irritation regardless. “I have pressing news, sir. I imagined you would prefer to hear them in person and as soon as possible.”
He held a hand out, indicating the hallway beyond the kitchen and Tom gave him a nod. As Yaxley led him towards his office, he spoke over his shoulder to explain. “We received a notification from Hogwarts Firewall yesterday morning that has finally made its way to my desk. I’d requested your ward be moved onto the HW payload as soon as I was notified of your finalized documentation through WFS.”
Tom couldn’t help but be impressed with Yaxley’s initiative. “I wasn’t aware that Hogwarts Firewall was directly linked to the Aurory.”
Yaxley hummed as they entered his office, he went immediately to the desk and picked up a crisp looking parchment. His eyes roved over the words before he handed it to Tom, as if he was reviewing it for mistakes.
“It was linked after the incident in the Ministry as per Robards.” Yaxley’s voice was a low murmur, almost placating in his softness and Tom gave him a suspicious glance before he focused on the parchment. “Also due to accusations of Unforgivables being cast by staff in recent years. It seemed the most pertinent choice.”
Tom frowned, holding Yaxley’s gaze for a moment. The parchment was a list of times, days and correspondence. There wasn’t many. If the Hogwarts Firewall worked like other firewalls it would only log information if it met the criteria set. Likely curses, his followers Dark Marks, etc.
The very last one on the list caught his attention. As he read it rage bubbled so fast up his throat it came out as an actual growl, copper flooded his mouth and he nearly crushed the parchment in his fist.
06:20 - Occurrence: Owl Post.
Curse: Ungeous Curvatura.
Type: Body morphologic.
Level: 1a
Recipient: Harry James Potter
Resolution: Disallowed entry, notification to Headmaster, Aurory. Considered Resolved.
As curses went the Ugeous Curvatura was childs play. Tom knew the intent in this moment wasn’t to cause grievous harm but to test the accessibility of the ward on Hogwarts Grounds.
“Do you know who sent it?”
Yaxley shook his head slowly. “It was sent via several couriers and rerouted through the mainland at least three times. Whoever it is knows how to stay anonymous.”
Bella.
Tom ground his teeth and finally gave into the urge to destroy the document. It burst into flame in his hands, the fire burning a deep green and licking warmly at his hands. The skin around Yaxley’s eyes crinkled and a barely perceptible wince was his only indication of surprise at Tom’s action.
“Any leads?” Tom’s voice came out gravely and he crushed the remains of the parchment, nails biting into his palm as he turned and paced the length of large windows. “I’ve identified Rodolphus and Bella myself, perhaps a few others.”
Yaxley swallowed, a small movement of his throat and he dipped his head. “I’ve set Gibbons on watch at Mungos for any whispers of assistance to the list you sent some weeks prior. We’ve had no reports of contact for medical assistance, though the Black’s and Lestrange’s were wealthy enough to not need Mungos for anything other than life threatening situations.”
Tom ground his teeth and resisted the urge to press the palm of his hand to his chest. He wanted to ease the ache that had built steadily since he read Harry’s name on that parchment. It lit a fire where there had been a simple ember.
“Perhaps it is time to provide them with life threatening situations.” Tom snarled before turning to stare directly at Yaxley. The other mans gaze didn’t waver. “Malfoy’s?”
“Nothing, sir. It does not appear they had any involvement in the original incident.”
Tom couldn’t decide how he felt about that. He’d spent over a year in the Malfoy’s home and had received nothing but respect from the family. Grudging in some cases and fearful in most, but it was respect none the less.
“Continue monitoring.” He murmured, finally giving into the urge to rub at the pressure in his chest.
It didn’t help.
“And Harry?” Tom was finally able to ask the question that had been burning through him.
“Safe, sir. Unaware as well, it seems. The owl wasn’t able to penetrate the wards and never arrived. I’ve received no reports on any other issues within the school.” Yaxley hesitated then. “I would suggest contacting Severus if you’d like more detailed reports from Hogwarts.”
Tom had spoken to Harry just last night. He knew the boy was fine. He’d reported himself that nothing unusual had occurred. The knowledge didn’t seem to stop the worry that was burrowing into his body and he curled his hands into fists.
“Are there other avenues of access?”
Yaxley shook his head. “The firewall was cast well and quite specific, which - “ the other man cut himself off, lips pinched into a thin line as he cast his eyes off to the side. Regret flashed across his eyes.
Tom narrowed his eyes. “Which?”
Yaxley shook his head but answered. “As they were cast by the Headmaster himself it is not surprising they are so…”
“Thorough?” Tom snapped, annoyance seeping into his tone. Yaxley’s mouth twitched. He forced himself to focus and barely caught himself from running a hand through his hair. “Test it.”
Yaxley blinked, his head jerking back slightly in surprise. “Sir?”
“You heard me. Test it. Has hard as you feasibly can without being caught.” Tom turned towards him, anger burning in his chest. The fear chasing it tingled up his spine, down his shoulders and he could feel his hands shaking. “If the firewall is to be of any use in protecting my ward then I need to know what it is capable of.”
“My Lord, the Aurory tested the Firewall - “
“When?” He snarled, taking several quick steps towards his follower who finally gave way and took a step back himself, tilting his head down in supplication.
“When it was formed.”
“It was tested by Aurors, I assume?”
A quick nod. “And by the Headmaster himself.”
Tom scoffed. “There is nothing the Headmaster loves than being so sure of himself. No one has tested this Firewall with the types of curses Bellatrix or her wayward husband would do.”
Yaxley gave a quick nod. “Understood.” He hesitated a moment. “Unforgiveables?”
Tom turned, scrutinizing his follower. “No.”
“To whom would you like the curses to be addressed? Permanent damage?”
Tom paused for a moment and drew a deep breath. “A handful of students in all Houses of all ages, perhaps include at least one member of staff.” He hesitated. “Be sparing and send at least one to Harry himself. Nothing permanent should it make it through. Send enough at the same time to test the Firewall’s ability to manage a multi-prong attack. If we are able to slip at least one through then other plans must be made.”
A flash of surprise flickered in Yaxley’s eyes but he didn’t hesitate to give a nod of agreement.
Tom stared at him for several seconds before emphasizing, “If he is damaged from this I will torture you myself.”
“O-Of course, my Lord.” Yaxley couldn’t keep the waver out of his voice but he bowed low.