The Dark Slytherin (Trilogy)

Ch 22- Bonds of Shadows

A few days after Hadrian's abandonment- 

The crackling fire cast long shadows over the room, the orange glow flickering across the polished wooden table and the tense faces of James and Lily Potter. The sound of their slow, uneven breathing filled the otherwise silent space, where the heavy curtains drawn tight against the windows blocked the chill of the October night. Across from them, seated in an armchair with his usual calm but calculating demeanor, was Albus Dumbledore. His half-moon spectacles glinted in the firelight, and though his expression was placid, his piercing blue eyes betrayed the weight of the conversation that lay ahead.

Lily sat straight in her chair, her hands gripping the edges of her armrest, knuckles white. Her lips pressed into a thin line, eyes narrowed as she studied Dumbledore. James, on the other hand, was leaning forward, elbows on the table, his posture tense and restless. His hand ran through his already untidy hair in agitation, a clear sign of his discomfort.

Dumbledore was the picture of serenity, his hands steepled beneath his chin as he gazed thoughtfully at the Potters. Yet beneath that calm exterior, the wheels of his mind were turning swiftly, assessing, calculating. He had orchestrated countless delicate situations over the years, but this one was different. This was not simply about guiding the course of a war or positioning a key player. This was about manipulating the truth—and ensuring that no one would ever know the Potters had abandoned their eldest son.

---*Hadrian's disappearance.*

The words hung between them like an unspoken curse. Dumbledore's voice, when he finally spoke, was calm, his tone devoid of judgment, though the implications of their situation were clear.

"I understand your concern," Dumbledore began, his gaze flickering to James first, then Lily. "Hadrian's absence will certainly raise questions, especially within the context of the inheritance laws tied to the Potter family's wealth and standing."

James's jaw clenched, and he looked away for a moment, staring into the fire, his leg bouncing restlessly under the table. "What exactly are we dealing with, then? If Hadrian's gone, who gets the money? The titles?"

Lily's eyes darted to her husband, her lips parting as though to say something, but she closed them again, choosing to listen. She didn't trust Dumbledore as easily as James did, and right now, she was focused on understanding the full scope of what they were about to do.

Dumbledore's face remained neutral as he explained, "Hadrian's disappearance—or rather, the perception of his disappearance—must be carefully managed. You see, according to Gringotts' inheritance laws, should an heir vanish without trace, they are presumed dead after seven years. Until that time, their inheritance remains in stasis, untouchable by any other family member."James shifted uneasily in his seat, his brow furrowing. "Seven years? Bloody hell..."

"Yes," Dumbledore continued, his voice soft but precise. "Seven years. In the meantime, no one will be able to claim the Potter family vaults, nor will the Wizengamot be able to settle any disputes regarding Hadrian's position as the rightful heir. This, of course, presents a problem—not just for you, but for the entire wizarding world. The Potters are a prominent family, and any hint of scandal, especially surrounding the Boy Who Lived's elder brother, could have far-reaching consequences."