My Dear Dark Lord

Chapter 22: Wildfire

Soon after that the meeting was over and the teachers started to leave.
Dumbledore and Snape being the first ones, probably to let out their anger on some poor soul.

Harry stayed behind. He knew that Dippet always was the last person to leave.

As soon as the last person left, Harry checked for any listening charms. Satisfied that there were none, he said, "Armando, I have one more thing to say."

"Go ahead, Hadrian." The Headmaster said, smiling. The man could say that he liked the new Professor. In spite of his young age, he was a good teacher. Armando had heard from many students and parents about how they liked Professor Peverell. The boy was passionate about the subject he taught. And how the Professor volunteered to help Miss Warren only cemented his respect for the boy.

"Actually, this is kind of personal", Harry said, acting bashful.

"Oh. I don't mind hearing and I'll help you anyway I can." The Headmaster said, concerned.

"No, it's not bad. It's just.... I'm in a courtship." He said, shyly.

Dippet looked surprised at first and then genuinely happy for him. "That's great news, Hadrian. I'm really happy for you. Congratulations."

Harry smiled thankfully at the man but then looked nervous after some moments.

Dippet, once again looking concerned and confused, asked, "What is the matter, Hadrian?"

Biting his lips, Harry looked down and said, "You won't like it. For the matter, no one at Hogwarts will."

Now the Headmaster looked more worried and looked at Harry. After a moment, he understood what the problem was.
"It's a student. Isn't it?" His voice still held the concern.

"Yes", he breathed.

The Headmaster looked troubled for some seconds. Shaking his head, he asked, "I hope the student knows what they are doing."

Harry looked genuinely offended and exclaimed, "Of course they do! I would never force someone in an unwilling courtship!" He maybe a Dark Lord, but there are some lines he won't dare cross. One being forcing himself on someone.

Dippet looked shocked for a second, but started shaking his head vigorously and said, "I'm sorry. I did not mean to offend you. I'm just worried about the students. They are young and you know how some marriage offers are."

Releasing a breath, Harry said, "Yes, I understand. And I can assure you my partner is intelligent enough to know that he should enter a courtship wisely."

Dippet looked surprised and asked, "And may I know who this 'he' is?"

Harry smiled fondly and said, "Tom Riddle."

Dippet looked shocked at the name.
"Mr. Riddle?"

Harry smirked slightly at the shock in the Headmaster's voice and confirmed, "Yes, Tom Riddle."

Dippet looked at Harry for some moments, then smiled slightly and said, "I can say that I wasn't expecting this, but I know Mr. Riddle is a smart boy. Congratulations Hadrian."

Bowing his head slightly, Harry said, "Thank you, Armando. And I want to inform you that I'll be taking Tom out, on the Hogsmeade Weekend, with me."

Dippet nodded and said, "Alright. Have a nice date."

They both chuckled and Harry made to leave the room, when Dippet said, "I know you're a good person, Hadrian. But please, treat Tom well."

The Defence Professor knew that the Headmaster meant well and responded, "I promise I will. And please don't tell anyone as of now. We're keeping it a secret for some time."

After Dippet's confirmation, Harry left the staff room.

_________________________________________

The Hogsmeade Weekend came soon.

Tom was waiting near the Entrance Door of Hogwarts for Harry. The said man had the duty to overlook the students till the village's border. Luckily, Dippet had not assigned the duty of overlooking the students for the whole day.

After several minutes, he heard some footsteps in his direction.

It was Harry.

Tom was always struck with the man's beauty.

The Professor was wearing expensive blue, black and silver robes. They matched his (glamoured?) blue eyes. 'I should ask how he changes his eye colour.'

Harry reached him, took Tom's hand in his and kissed his knuckles.

Tom thought that he might never not blush when the man did so.

"H-hello Harry."

"Hello, my little snake", Harry said fondly. (He was smirking too at Tom's blush)
"You look beautiful as always."

Tom blushed even more at that. Though Harry said it everyday, the Slytherin never got used to it.

Today, he wore a green and gold colored robes, which Harry gifted him. Way different from his usual school uniform.
"You too."

Harry offered his hand for apparition. Even though Tom knew how to apparate, he did not have his license, and Harry, for being a Dark Lord, did not let him break the law. (Yet)

He took the offered hand and the next moment, they were both standing in an alley.

When he turned his questioning stare towards Harry, the man said, "Well, no one is allowed to apparate inside Gringotts, so here we are."

They walked the small distance towards Gringotts.

The place was intimidating.

Tom was feeling a bit uncomfortable when they walked inside. He always thought that this place was for purebloods and wealthy halfbloods, not for lowly Muggleborns for him.

As soon as they entered, every eye turned towards them. Of course, everyone recognized Harry, who smiled charmingly at the people, but did not spare more than one glance at anyone.

Tom knew what Harry was doing. The Professor did not care one knut for anyone he did not like. But these people adored Harry. They all wanted to know him, wanted him to favour them, wanted his attention. And Harry used that in his favour. One charming smile and a glance, and they thought of him as their god.

Then their eyes turned towards Tom, who was walking with Harry, arm-in-arm. A few looked confused. Some of those who had an inkling of what he might be to Harry, seeing the matching rings, looked confused, some jealous, some happy and some downright hateful.

When Harry noticed the looks, he tightened his grip on Tom and hurried towards the Teller.

"How can I help you, Lord Peverell?" The goblin asked in a neutral tone.

"Mr. Riddle here wants to have an Inheritance Test, Teller Kling" Harry said in a low voice.

The goblin looked surprised at that and turned his shrewd eyes at Tom.

The Slytherin gulped and hoped that the goblin wouldn't kill him. He had read the tales where the goblins would kill anyone who offended them even in the slightest.

After some moments, the goblin turned back to look at Harry, saying something in Gobbledygook to another goblin and said, "Lord Peverell, please follow Vrulk to the office."

With that, both he and Harry started following the other goblin.

Though behind them, the news of Hadrian Peverell with another man in his arms, spread like wildfire among people.