"I'm asking you," Tom hissed back automatically, his gaze never wavering from Hadrian's even as Hadrian continued to bore holes into Avery's head. If looks could kill Avery would be dead already, and that saying had never been truer than at this very moment. His eyes were like green ice, yet so fiery at the same time, he knew there and then that he would never have to worry about Hadrian; he could look after himself, in any situation.
Oh he had no idea just how well Hadrian could look after himself.
"Another snake speaker?" the snake hissed, its head coming up tongue licking at the air, getting Tom's scent memorised.
"Yes, this is Tom," Hadrian hissed back, returning to stroking the beautiful scales, his green eyes then latched onto Tom's almost challengingly.
Thaddeus held his breath, unsure of what to do, what to think as Tom and Hadrian seemed to have some sort of conversation without saying anything; they just continued to look at one another. You wouldn't think seeing this that they'd only known each other a year. He would have felt jealous if he wasn't relived, although why he was relieved was a mystery to him. Maybe it was knowing Tom had someone that he could actually feel things that he wasn't completely impenetrable, that he could show he cared. Before Hadrian had come into the picture Tom had always been cool, bored and aloof, now? Well he smirked more, took great delight in the challenge, and he definitely cared about Hadrian more than he'd seen him care about anyone else. He'd never said anything out loud, not even to the others but he suspected they thought the same.
Tom bit his tongue, trying to stop himself from reacting to Hadrian, how he was sitting so casually with a deadly snake on his lap, stroking it, hissing in Parseltongue, it turned him on like nothing else ever had. The fire in those eyes, the challenging nature, he wanted to tame him at the same time let his real nature shine through. They were alike he and Hadrian, powerful, smart, hiding who they truly were from the masses. Oh, he wanted to show Hadrian who was the boss around here, but in a good way, too bad they had an audience.
"Where is everyone?" Tom asked sharply looking around as if he suspected he'd missed them during his first look around.
"Dorms," Hadrian replied, knowing without him needing to say anything that he would call a house meeting, he wouldn't want anyone talking about the fact he little ability. Especially with things the way they were with Dumbledore, already so suspicious of him.
Tom nodded sharply, "I won't ask again," He stated, he damn well wanted to know what the hell was going on. No matter what happened, Tom could see Avery in the middle of the group looking worried; his stance screamed that he wanted to flee. Seeing Avery looking pleadingly at Hadrian was the last straw. "NOW!"
The group jumped at his harsh words, he was always calm, always, and he never lost it, not even when Hadrian had been injured, yes he'd been worried, but even then when he spoke it had been calm and controlled. Their eyes shifted towards Hadrian to find him cool as a cucumber, how he did it was anyone's guess, since they were all quite worried themselves.
Hadrian turned back to stare at Avery, then very slowly a bloodthirsty smirk began appearing on his face, as he ignored the pleading looks on the boys face. He wasn't about to let him away with it, not only would the others suspect and make them look down on him, it would weaken his place in the hierarchy system they had here. He always told himself he didn't care, but for some reason, he couldn't quite let it go either. "I just had a lovely conversation with this snakelet, apparently someone matching Avery's description decided to let loose one of the most poisonous snakes in the world next to me. I wish I could say I was surprised to see you all come flying in but I wasn't, definitely would have been disappointed to have been proven wrong." the last part was spoken sarcastically.
Tom wasted no time in turning around to face Avery, tearing into his mind, too furious for any subtly uncaring that he fell to his knees. The others quickly made theirselves scarce, moving away from Avery, not wishing to be in the way of Tom's revenge and punishment. All of them had suspected there was more to it, and knew without even needing confirmation that it was likely true. Avery had never appreciated what Hadrian did for the group, how much a difference he made.
It didn't take Tom long to find what he was looking for, he was an expert at this having been doing it for years. He withdrew from Avery's mind, his fury showing on every line of his face, he now knew every plot, every plan he had to take Hadrian down. Just because he was jealous of Hadrian, of his place at his side, his powers, his ability to get respect without even trying from the moment he appeared.
Lashing out he threw a non-verbal 'Tormento!' at Avery, who was too terrified to even move, let alone try and defend himself as his mouth had up until that point been opening and closing wordlessly.
Carrow with one look from Tom, moved towards the portrait and closed it, sealing himself off from the common room, to make sure nobody happened upon them, security first and foremost was always on Tom's mind. He was always extremely cautious about what magic he used here too.
Tom straightened out further, belatedly realizing he was actually cursing Avery as the red anger that had descended him began to fade just enough for him to think clearly and coherently. The urge to turn around and see Hadrian's reaction for himself was very strong, yet he felt a smidgen of worry slither down his spine, what if Hadrian didn't react well to it? He hated the fact he wanted…no desired Hadrian's approval, he wanted this powerful, gorgeous, amazing wizard to accept all of him. He had no idea if Hadrian knew him well in the future, knew how he could be…it was the unknown and that didn't sit well with him, made him want to lash out. Avery was the only one he could actually lash out at so he cursed him yet again with another non-verbal 'Tormento'.
Hadrian cocked his head to the side, wondering why Tom wasn't using the Cruciatus Curse; he'd seen him using it when he was less furious. He knew Tom had already used that particular spell; he'd used it on the Muggles who had said something to him in the caves while in the Muggle world. It was one of the few titbits of information he'd learned from Dumbledore. It had definitely been the Cruciatus Curse, it was one distinctive curse that there was no mistaken it. Was he actually going soft on Avery? After what he had done? It made him inwardly bristle, feeling slightly insulted, Avery had tried to kill him, he deserved to suffer further.
Lestrange, Nott and Selwyn watched both powerful wizards from where they stood, quiet like, cautious even though they knew instinctively that they wouldn't be targeted, that their ire was directed solely at Aiden Avery. Hadrian had never been at a meeting, they'd never questioned Tom on why, and since it was pretty obvious he was part of their group. A few had assumed Tom didn't want Hadrian knowing everything, some thought that Hadrian wouldn't approve and Tom knew that, others suspected it went deeper but even they didn't consciously believe that, after all why would Tom be afraid of showing who he really was to Hadrian? It would suggest he was afraid, no, apprehensive really. It didn't mesh with all they knew so they discarded it unaware of how close to the truth they really were.
Rabastan Lestrange's gaze moved subtly as possible over to Hadrian, inhaling sharply, damn, they'd seen Hadrian be ruthless before, but this? There was clear murderous intent in those deadly green eyes of his. If he'd had any doubt about Hadrian's capability of understanding Tom (which he didn't) it would have been cleared right up. He was more furious and deadly than Tom right now, but that made sense, since Aiden had just tried to kill Hadrian after all. Glancing up at the others, he could see caution and surprise flickering through their usually impenetrable 'pureblood' masks.
Thaddeus cocked his head to the side hearing the head boy sternly telling the others to go back to their dorms immediately, or they would be put in detention. Avery's screams must be making them all worried or curious, you could never really tell, especially with the first years. Then it was cut off, they'd obviously put up silencing spells, which was probably a good idea for here. Flicking out his wand, he murmured a silencing charm under his breath; the spell took affect as a glow wormed its way around the room before it disappeared. Now nobody would hear anything. There was no way Tom was anywhere close to finished, not with this sort of transgression. He had broken the number one rule, the only rule that really mattered most, always look out for your own. Sure they tried to get one up on each other, but damn, nobody had thought of actually killing the other. Hadrian was one of the only male Peverell purebloods they'd seen in a long time, if this got out…let's just say Avery would wish he was dead, it was anathema to do such a thing especially in pureblood society. No matter whether he lived or died, there was no going back, not now.
They had lost a friend today; tomorrow he would be their enemy.
Despite the fact he was glaring holes into the petrified figure of Avery, he could still see the looks the others were shooting at Hadrian. Whether it was a good thing or not remained to be seen. He knew he couldn't put it off further without coming across as anything approaching vulnerability and that was something he would not, could not tolerate. His eyebrow quirked slightly at the bored look on Hadrian's face, out of all things he'd expected boredom wasn't one on his list - on any of his lists. This was coming from a wizard who cautioned him on using fear as a motivator that it could backfire. He had forgotten about that until now that was, it seemed his worries were for naught.
"That all you've got?" Hadrian said a devious smirk on his face, causing the others to squeak quietly, presumably at his audacity or perhaps the fact they were shocked he had the guts to stand up to Tom when he was in this sort of mood.
Tom's eyes flashed with a few unidentifiable emotions, "Trust me, I'm just getting started," he replied a bite to his voice rising to the challenge.
Hadrian merely 'hummed' in reply, his gaze thoughtful before he swiftly stood up; the snake was carried with him as he approached the crumpled figure of Avery. Everyone held their breath, especially as Hadrian lowered the snake into Avery's line of sight. "No, no, no, no…no," Avery whimpered trying to drag his painful body away from the dangerous snake.
"Do you have any idea of how excruciating it is to be bitten by a Taipan snake? How much pain it puts your body through? As the venom slowly makes its way around your system? Shutting down your internal organs bit by bit until you're nothing but a hallucinating quivering wreck?" Hadrian asked coldly, causing shivers to go down everyone's spine and not all the same reasons. "Nine times out of ten the venom is so potent that even with the antivenin administered your body can't take the strain and it slowly shuts down." Hadrian hissed to the snake, warning it not to bite him, as he slowly lowered it even further; putting the snake right next to Avery's eyes, watching him pant heavily, his eyes wide with terror, the smell of urine permeated the air. "Please, stop, help please!" he begged his friends through chittering teeth.
"Pathetic!" Hadrian spat, guiding the snake to settle itself around his neck, "I've had worse spells cast on me and I kept walking, kept running! All you are is a cowardly privileged piece of trash and weak! I've put up with you for far too long, hoping you'd get a bloody clue."
"I'm sorry," Avery whimpered out, giving out a strangled yelp when Hadrian gasped his robes and forced him up slightly so they were face to face.
"Not good enough. I've had enough of people stabbing me in the back, and let me tell you something else, if I thought I could get away with it I would kill you were you lie, and at least I'd have the guts to do it to your face." Hadrian snapped, "Maybe I can't do it right now, but someway, some day, I will get you and I will end you." Hadrian warned him, his green eyes glowing with determination. Being on the run and having only himself to rely on for years had changed him…being hunted down and killed by those he had once thought of as friends…no family, had changed him completely. He wasn't evil, there were lines he would never cross, but he was tired of being everyone's doormat, this was a new life for him and he would be damned if he ever let anyone walk all over him. To prevent that he had to show he wasn't willing to take piss from anyone. If he did kill him it was no great loss to anyone, his son was just as foul and pathetic. Admittedly it wasn't Avery who had turned his back on 'the cause' so to speak, it was ironically enough the Malfoy's.
His anger was still thrumming through him, he needed an outlet, otherwise his magic was going to explode and possibly hurt someone who didn't quite deserve it. Staring down at Avery, his eyes narrowed further, he wasn't the wizard he was back in fifth year, and what he did next was proof of that. Hadrian spread out his right hand, allowing his hand to hover over Avery's chest, pouring all his hated, anger, disappointment and more importantly his rage into non-verbally using a spell. Red light encased his hand before it shot out at the wizard who was still begging and pleading under his breath.
Everyone bar Tom inhaled sharply once more, knowing the spell, everyone knew the colour of the Unforgivables, and they were like no other colour of spell. They needed no other clarification, but they got it all the same, as Avery let out an inhumane shriek of agony, his body twisting and arching in an impossible display, as his hands scratched at his body, trying to claw the pain away but never getting a reprieve.
Pride and smugness clawed at Tom's very soul and heart, yet another sign that Hadrian was meant for him, was just like him. The Unforgivables were impossible to use non-verbally or Wandlessly according to the books, yet he could, and Hadrian could too.
After exactly sixty seconds Hadrian broke the spells affects, "Did you know the body can take four minutes of this spell before it begins to affect your mind? Can't do anything to anybody if your mind is mulch and you're locked up in St. Mungo's wards for the insane." Hadrian said conversationally, "Won't be able to tell anyone anything that happened either, death would be too good for the likes of you, try anything and I mean anything ever again, and this is exactly what I will do to you." his anger was now gone having vented. Standing up he swiftly kicked Avery, knowing it would be agonisingly painful with his nerves shot to hell, and it did judging by the muted scream he let out.
"Get him out of my sight before I do kill him," Hadrian told the others, turning around his face a neutral mask giving none of his feelings away.
"But…but the spell…" Thaddeus muttered still rooted to the spot.
Harry chuckled humourlessly, "Let me guess you believe there's spells up at Hogwarts that alert the teachers to dark spells being used?" snorting derisively, wandering away from Avery, "Its not true, it's merely a deterrent to prevent you, well that's not entirely true, it's the trace, the Ministry can pinpoint it to Hogwarts but they would never know which person specifically cast it unless you were idiotic enough to leave it on your wand for all to see. There's too much magic on Hogwarts itself and too many people within her to accurately say where the spell was cast." when Hadrian moved passed Tom, he was surprised when the wizard drew him to himself, clutching him tightly, and his actions obvious to all there. Claiming.
"Mine," Tom growled possessively, laying claim to Hadrian properly for the first time in front of everyone. Biting down on his neck, causing Hadrian to yelp slightly only to glare at him that was definitely going to leave a mark. Then of course, he suspected that it was exactly Tom's plan judging by the smug look on his face. Out of the corner of his eyes he observed their reactions; none of them were really surprised, well except Avery he noted.
If it was even remotely possible, Avery grew significantly paler, he hadn't believed the others, had downright refused to believe them actually…now there was no denying it. It was the last thing he saw as his body shut down unable to cope with further stress.
"Go," Tom stated making sure they took Hadrian's order as if it were his own.
Lestrange opened the door and peered his head around, "You can come back in now," he told Carrow before moving to help Thaddeus lift Avery, grimacing at the smell of pee. "Showers?" he suggested, and Lestrange nodded vigorously, they weren't letting him back into their dorm room smelling like that. All of them made a mental note never, ever to piss off Hadrian. They'd all thought it, but now they knew what they had to look forward to if they did piss him off. Between the three of them, they lifted the unconscious wizard and made their way up the stairs with a great deal of difficulty.
"You do know the levitating charm works don't you?" Hadrian called after them, only after watching them struggle for a few minutes. Stifling his laughter (the snake winding down his body to sit by the fire) at the curses he heard then the spell, and then they were gone up the winding staircase. Turning his attention back to Tom, he gazed at him in wonder, wondering why he looked a lot lighter, less troubled, why he would outright declare his intentions, he'd never expected that, nothing he knew about Tom Riddle had prepared him for it either.
Suddenly Tom gripped his neck and hair tightly, closing the distance between them and attaching Hadrian's lips to his own, pouring all the feelings he didn't dare name or say into it, at the same time making sure Hadrian couldn't get away from his claiming, not wanting any excuses to come between them. His grip tightening, his other hand snaking around his back bringing him impossibly closer as the wanton moan that left Hadrian's lips. Keeping a hold of him, he turned around, guiding them both up the stairs to the dorm, going slow so neither of them tripped up especially Hadrian since he was walking backwards.