Chapter Text
1998, Saturday, June Twentieth, Peverell Castle, Master Bedroom. Time-Frame: 8:05 o’clock .
Hayden Peverell-Slytherin straightened his dark green dress-robes embroidered with golden thread, judging his reflection In the mirror, before turning to look at his son who was calmly and silently watching him from his place sitting cross-legged on the master-bed. “What do you think, Briar?” He asked with a warm smile meant for his son.
Even though Briar was eighteen years old and an adult, he still smiled back like a young child who had just gained their parents’ praise and approval that they had been desperate for. “You look absolutely perfect, Father.” His flatterer of a son complimented.
Hayden hummed happily In both amusement at his son’s antics and love for how wonderful his son Is. “Do you think I should play nice or terrorise the politicians?” He questioned with a maniacal smirk towards Briar.
“You should give them death. Papa’s going to play nice.” Briar concluded firmly, with that feral and unhinged look that their family was known and feared for on his expressive and handsome young face.
Hayden laughed loud and warm, mirth-filled green eyes looking at the young man who never failed to be Incredibly entertaining In so many ways. “Oh, child of mine.” He said with exasperation through his laughter.
Briar snickered with great amusement at the ridiculousness of them both. “Oh!” Briar suddenly exclaimed, “Father! I almost forgot that I wanted to tell you about my research!” He announced, bouncing In his excitement.
“Oh?” Hayden questioned curiously with a smile, prompting his enthusiastic son to continue as he moved to double-check that he was ready and had everything he needed before he left In about ten minutes for the stuffy political event at the Ministry of Magic that he had to attend that he decidedly did not want to attend.
“I think I may have finally created a way to travel across dimensions!” Briar excitedly explained, causing Hayden’s eyes to widen In surprise as he faltered for a moment. Dimensional Travel?. “The magic of It Is certainly tricky, but It Is a similar type of magic to Time-Magic and Apparition as both allow manipulation with the natural order of things.” Briar joyfully continued, failing to notice his father’s reaction. “Essentially I have to create a rip In the fabric of our universe, a rip that leads to another part of our universe, another dimension. Although I have to be very carefuabout creating rips through spacetime since just like a tear In fabric can become worse If messed with, a rip through spacetime likely can do the same. Isn’t this Incredible, Father!?” He exclaimed, looking at Hayden with enthusiasm and excitement beyond measure.
“Yes, that Is certainly an Incredible discovery, Briar, I’m very proud of you.” Hayden answered lovingly, amazed by his son’s sheer genius, and more proud than words could ever describe. No matter how many times his children find the greatest discoveries or Invent the greatest creations, It never fails to truly amaze him beyond what words can describe.
Briar beamed and squealed joyfully as he shot up from the bed, tackling his father In a hug, both of them laughing as they tumbled backwards onto the dark wood floor.
The double-doors to the master bedroom opened and with that came the sound of harsh footsteps quickly coming towards them. “What In Merlin’s name are the two of you doing on the floor?” Came the stern Incredulous voice of Marvolo Peverell-Slytherin, The Dark Lord Voldemort and Minister of Magic. And the reason why Hayden had to attend the much hated political events he would rather never attend.
“Hi, Papa!” “Hi, Love!” Both replied happily In unison, grinning smugly and mischievously up at the exasperated and frowning man.
Marvolo glared darkly at them as he reached a hand out to each of them to pull them both up and off the ground. He then spun on his heel, making for the door. “Why on earth does everyone In this family Insist on causing trouble at the most Inconvenient times?” Marvolo muttered with annoyance under his breath as he strode out of the room with the other two males following behind. And despite having said this under his breath, as told by the snickering he could hear, his husband and son had, most certainly, heard him.
Hayden and Briar just snickered more at the even darker glare they received and at Marvolo’s murderous mumbling.
“Father! Papa!” A sweet voice cried from behind them. Said voice belonged to twenty-seven year old Persephone, the second eldest Peverell-Slytherin child. “When are you leaving?” She asked as she skipped alongside them.
“Your father and I need to be leaving In about fifteen minutes.” Marvolo answered his hyper eldest daughter as he headed downstairs. “Family meeting first.” He sternly told her, pointing a finger at her. “Do you think you can find and wrangle all of your siblings and get them to the family room?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Hayden wanted to laugh because Persephone was not a very good option for this task and Marvolo was only giving It to her so she would have something to do. Marvolo was definitely going to send Briar to help her.
Persephone grinned maniacally In response, much to Hayden’s pride, before running back upstairs.
Marvolo sighed at the antics of his first-born daughter. “Briar-” He started but stopped as his son held up a hand.
Called It.
“I know, help Persephone because she might end up distracted.” Briar calmly said with a small smile as he turned to follow his elder sister upstairs.
Hayden laughed. “They know the drill, my love.” Hayden grinned at the man beside him.
Marvolo gave him an annoyed look. “I am aware, but we both know that Is Irrelevant as I am a control-freak.”
Hayden snorted, and gave his husband a look. “Trust me, I know, I've known you for around five decades and been married to you for almost forty years now.”
“Yes, I am aware of that, Hayden.” Marvolo snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You could be much nicer to me, you know, I am the one who guided you to victory after all.” Hayden remarked offhandedly, smirking as Marvolo groaned In frustration.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998, Saturday, June Twentieth, Peverell Castle, Family Room. Time-Frame: 8:19 o’clock .
“Repeat the rules.” Marvolo sternly and firmly ordered, with crossed arms as he surveyed all but one of his children, ranging from twenty-seven to ten years of age. The eldest, Severus, had moved out almost two decades before, eighteen years to be exact, choosing to move Into one of the Slytherin properties with his, at the time, newly wedded husband.
His children sighed and groaned and looked at him with annoyance, muttering under their breath about his much loathed nagging, but nonetheless, they did as he asked.
“No leaving the castle without a bodyguard. No alcohol under any circumstances. No killing ourselves or otherwise purposely putting ourselves In lethal danger. No killing each other. No entering yours or Father’s offices or your lab and Father’s workshop. No entering each other's workshops/labs without permission.” They recited with quite a bit of very unnecessary eye rolling.
“Good.” Marvolo praised, feeling slightly calmer despite the fact that he knew very well they would Ignore these rules If It suited them. “Your Father and I will be leaving now, have fun but behave.” He tried one last time to stick that thought In their heads.
They murmured half-agreements, already not paying attention due to the fact that they simply didn’t care even though Marvolo really wished that they would care, just a little bit.
Marvolo gave goodbye hugs to any child that wanted one, which was about half of them, the others all went back to hiding In their respective labs/workshops/bedrooms. Within a few minutes all of the children were gone, likely off plotting or already getting Into trouble he knew from experience he would rather not find out about.
“Ready to go?” Hayden asked, smiling warmly and lovingly, holding out a hand for him to take.
Marvolo smiled back as his anxiety lessened a touch. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” He replied, causing Hayden to laugh at the Muggle phrase as they walked out the front doors to head towards the outside of the Anti-Apparition wards.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998, Saturday, June Twentieth, Peverell Castle, Briar’s Workshop. Time-Frame: 9:37 o’clock .
“Come In!” Briar called out In answer at the sharp knocks, not looking up from his so far only theoretical research on Dimensional-Travel as well as the ritual to create a universal rip that he had created earlier this week. The door opened and then shut. “Alcaeus, Alphaeus, what do you need?” He asked having known exactly who had knocked due to the fact that only the male twins knocked three times sharply In sync due to their OCD.
“We have the potion you requested that we make for you.” Alphaeus replied blankly. Not surprising, Alphaeus was more comfortable with talking therefore was usually the one who talked to anyone that the two had to talk to.
“Thank you. You can set It on that table over there.” Briar replied simply, pointing at said table that had all of the preparation and components needed for the Dimensional-Travel ritual that he planned on testing this evening. I really do need a better name than ‘Dimensional-Travel ritual’ .
Alcaeus did as he was bid.
“Brother Briar, we wish to know what exactly you need that specific potion for. Especially since the recipe was clearly a creation of your own.” Alphaeus questioned curiously, sounding quite Interested In the answer.
Briar wasn’t surprised, the two of them were Interested In any sort of magical work Involving new creations or new research of any kind. “It’s for my Dimensional-Travel ritual.” He explained calmly, still focusing more on his work than on them even If his thoughts were a little all over the place.
“Dimensional-Travel ritual?” Both twins repeated with barely restrained excitement.
“You’re testing It?” Alphaeus questioned.
Probably didn’t even notice the fact that his tone was very obviously hopeful; Briar absentmindedly mused. “Yes, I am testing It, soon.” He answered distractedly.
“Brother Briar,” Alcaeus called softly, “May we help with this endeavour?” He asked, and It was so utterly clear to Briar that he was quite hopeful and excited at the prospect.
“Yes,” Briar answered, unable to tell his sensitive elder brother no. “Here,” He handed Alphaeus the parchment with the ritual written down and detailed. “The things you need are on the same table that you placed the potion on.” He Instructed.
Briar could hear the male twins' quiet footsteps and the soft sounds of them setting up the ritual space across the room as he worked. He would likely need to pack a bag since If It worked he would be In another dimension, and he hadn’t the faintest Idea as to what dimension - nor what that dimension will be like - he would end up In. Not to mention, his family potentially won’t exist and If they don’t he will not automatically have a place to stay with clothes that fit him. Not to mention that he wouldn’t have the things that he holds dear. He’ll need to Inform the male twins to pack as well since they clearly Intend to come with him.
Hmm…all my siblings will likely wish to visit another dimension. Oh, well, I don’t wish to have to deal with that level of chaos at the moment. I’ll take them another time, once I’m sure that I have succeeded In my endeavour and when I find a dimension that I know Is safe for them be .
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998, Saturday, June Twentieth, Peverell Castle, Briar’s Workshop. Time-Frame: 10:49 o’clock .
“Brother Briar,” Alphaeus called, “We have finished.”
Briar turned to smile at the male twins. “Thank you.” He said sincerely, before his expression became more serious. “If you both Intend to come with me If I actually do succeed In opening an entrance to another dimension, you both will have to pack a bag with necessities and anything that you consider to be too Important to easily live without.” He Informed, standing up from his desk.
“We will do so, Brother Briar.” Alphaeus replied before turning and heading for the door with Alcaeus silently following beside him.
Briar stared at the door after It closed behind the male twins, thinking he was glad to have them for brothers even If they were quite strange and rather disturbing, not that he was any better mind you. And to be honest, he was pretty happy they were coming with him, he would rather not go alone even If he would be perfectly capable of doing this entirely on his own.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998, Saturday, June Twentieth, Peverell Castle, Alphaeus and Alcaeus’s Bedroom. Time-Frame: 11:08 o’clock .
Alphaeus’s eye twitched when the doors to his and his twin’s bedroom slammed open. He already knew who It was.
“Hello to you, little brothers of mine!” Persephone greeted enthusiastically, rocking on the balls of her feet with her hands on her hips and a wide and unhinged grin on her face.
“ ~Persephone! You do not enter private rooms without permission!~ ” Alphaeus hissed sharply, angry enough to Instinctively speak In parseltongue rather than english. Imbecile sister who doesn’t understand boundaries! .
“~Sorry.~” Persephone murmured, sincere but not truly concerned over her actions. “Now what are you two doing? Planning a trip? Vacation? To where? And why?” She questioned rapidly, peering Into their bags and surveying the Items around them curiously.
“Briar has theoretically created a ritual that will allow us to visit another dimension, and he’s allowing us to join him In testing the ritual.” Alcaeus explained softly, excitedly.
Alcaeus! Don’t tell her! ; Alphaeus Internally cried.
Persephone gasped In delight as her face lit up with manic excitement. “Really?! That’s Incredible! I’m definitely coming! Then that means I need to pack a bag too!” She then turned around and bolted out of the room muttering with elation to herself, switching between parseltongue and english subconsciously.
“Twin Mine, I do not think It was wise to Inform her of what we are doing and what we are planning to do.” Alphaeus announced blankly, staring at the doorway her elder sister just left through.
“I realised.” Alcaeus whispered softly, leaning his head on his much beloved younger twin’s shoulder. It’ll be better If we’re all together.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998, Saturday, June Twentieth, Peverell Castle, Briar’s Workshop. Time-Frame: 11:37 o’clock .
Briar stared, baffled and annoyed, at the doorway to his workshop where all of his siblings were standing, lined up with bags In hand or otherwise on their person. “How did all of you find out?” He snapped, exasperated and a little angry since this was exactly what he had hoped wouldn’t happen. I suppose hoping things would actually go the way I wanted them to was too much to hope for .
Alphaeus gave a soft sigh. “Alcaeus had mentioned It to Persephone when she burst Into our bedroom uninvited, again . I assume that she must have told everyone else.” He explained.
“I didn’t mean to!” Persephone exclaimed Immediately, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly and fidgeting guiltily.
Briar glared darkly, much like his father had earlier, at his elder sister. “That doesn’t undo anything, Persephone!”
“Sorry.” Persephone whined, wringing her hands.
“Ugh, fine, I forgive you!” Briar conceded, nearly groaning at the pathetic sight his elder sister made. He then had an armful of Persephone after she nearly tackled him to the ground In a hug. On second thought, I should never have forgiven her!.
“Love you, little brother!” Persephone shrieked happily, causing Briar to angrily Internally curse the fact that she had to Inherit Father’s high voice that was simply created for breaking people’s minds and eardrums when used to shriek or scream.
“Persephone! Unhand me or you will not be joining us!” Briar snapped, satisfied when his leech of a sister Immediately let go of him and backed away, hands held up In a sign of surrender. Bloody leech, bloody annoying, bloody Infuriating sister of mine! .
Briar glared at all of his completely shameless siblings, before he turned away and walked towards the large warded area of his workshop specifically meant and created for rituals. He studied the perfect runic work of his elder brothers with approval as he carefully made his way towards the centre of the runic circle. Briar then carefully lit the candles made with his blood before sitting down cross-legged and beginning to hiss In parseltongue.
“Lady Magic, I call for you, I ask for your blessing to manipulate the power you gave me at birth!” Briar sighed softly at the feeling of warmth and magic that enveloped him, Lady Magic had given her blessing, he had not expected that she would refuse of course, but It relieved him nonetheless that she granted her permission. “Power that Is mine, I call upon you!” He hissed, feeling his magic answer the call. “Time Is chaos, an everlasting, ever changing, flow of chaos that balances our existence, that allows us to exist and live. Time I understand. And Time Is mine to manipulate. Magic of Time, heed my call, I ask you to grant me an entrance through the spacetime of our universe! ”
The magic answered him, enveloping him In It’s magnificent embrace as the runes made of his blood glowed with the magic that has flowed through his veins since before he was born, and flames of the candles danced with the wind. The ground beneath him began to shake before It fell away and he fell through It. The last thing he heard before everything went black was one of his siblings shouting; “Follow him! Jump! Quickly!”.