Chapter Text
The room moved with a rhythm with a cluck-clunk, clunk clack, clunk clack. The wheels of the train on the tracks thrummed against the cart of the train. A party of 8 sat in a booth, a large booth enough for every small child that accompanied the group, the 3 children sleeping soundly in the corner against each other.
A teenager with black hair and eyes sat next to them as he anxiously clenched and unclenched at his sword that was sat up right as he glanced over to the young man with blood red hair and reddish brown eyes that glared at the newcomer that added to the party of 8 that turned to 9, “Bastard.”
“Cale…” The god of death sighed as he glanced at his master, a man with bright emerald green eyes and ringlets of dark brown hair, a scar of thunder down from his forehead to his nose, and an amused smile that twitched with fondness at the young man with blood red hair not giving a glance to Death.
The man with black wavy hair and dark red eyes sighed at Elias- or well Harry Potter, as odd as a name as it were. Having an entire life before becoming the mage Elias Ainsworth was surprising but seeing Chise, or well now Cale was reassuring and eased the magical bond they shared as familiar and master. Though Ruth’s sure Chi- Cale doesn’t quite remember but when their eyes met his eyes softened so Ruth counted that enough.
“You’ll have to forgive me eventually, the rest of your family will follow after a couple of years… I am already stretched thin, my child…” Death tiredly spoke as his voice waived slightly as Cale’s glare before glancing at the brownie who sat poised and gracefully as he held onto her things tightly in her hands.
Death sighed, “You’ll see that this child is the root of thousands of deaths, but he is also worth saving-” Death said as if he was trying to convince Cale before he snapped at the god, “I know that! I just can’t stand you standing in my slacker life bastard.” Cale hissed as Elias couldn’t help but look even more lovesick.
Choi han wasn’t sure he was okay with this Elias fellow and Cale-nim being married in a past life but Cale doesn’t seem to mind, Choi han will keep an eye on Elias for now. The teen sighed as he looked over to Raon, Hong, and Ohn; the young children asleep unaware of their new life that they will have to adapt to.
Choi han can’t help but feel guilty even while knowing he had nothing to do with this situation.
“Save Tom riddle, and reverse the thousands of lives lost and the magic that would be corrupted by my master and Voldemort’s battle. I trust you all will change fate, you both have already broken fate’s grasp before… I have no doubt magic will run free again” Death said tired and relieved before flickering out of sight in front of them like a ghost.
Cale grinds his teeth but lets go and looks out the window of white going by, as if in a pure snow storm. But it was wrong, too perfectly white.
“Well then, Bunty… won’t you join me on this endeavor?” Elias spoke gently with a small smirk clearly hiding his amusement, “Elias…” Cale’s tone can’t help but soften slightly at his past lover in a life he thought was a dream, “Take off the skin suit, you don’t look right.” Cale scoffs softly as he turns his gaze away from Elias who only chuckles, “Never change, never change Bunty…” Elias whispered fondly.
Cale only huffs over the nickname, the nostalgia rubbing off quick as he looks over Choi han and the children, “Unfortunately I will be needing this guise for a while longer, sorry Bunty… are you gonna introduce us to your children, Cale…?” Elias spoke softly for the sake of the children’s slumber, "Right, the youngest Raon is 6 years old, the other boy is Hong he’s 9, my oldest is Ohn she’s 12…” Cale said softly before glancing at Choi han, “This is Choi han, he’s my right hand, he’s part of my family”
Elias smiled, “Well then, are we husband and wife still?” Elias said slyly but something in his face seemed a little tense, “No,” Cale said aloofly before adding before Elias’s expression could falter, “We’re husbands now technically, do you have a problem?” Elias’s unnaturally bright green eyes glimmered and he grinned slightly as it filled with amusement and something like fondness, “No, never.”
Cale was slightly relieved, he hopes nothing changes even if he’s… a little different now.
“Chi- Cale…” Ruth called out as he subconsciously pulled on the bond as Cale’s hand twitched slightly at the tug, “It’s good to see you… you look good…” Cale couldn’t help but smile a little at Ruth’s words.
“As much as this has been pleasant, we need to change into something more appropriate for this century, especially for 1930s Britain,” Elias said gently firm, seemingly content but intelligent bright green eyes that were sharp unlike human eyes, similar to Ohn and Hong’s sharp cat-like eyes they sported like a second skin.
“Death, as much as he seems to be a blight on your mood is useful enough to be accommodating, and especially flattering for this era enough for us to be considered “well off” enough to have a servant” Elias said slightly upbeat but calm as he glanced at Silky, “As long as you don’t mind, Silky, though I have a hunch you might become a nanny for the young ones” Elias said with a benign smile that didn’t make his spine shiver.
Silky smiled and nodded finding it even amusing than it was, “Thank you, Silky” Elias responded kindly as he took the trunk from above them and took out the clothes, “Here, these are for you and your children, there should be a bathroom behind the door behind you”
Cale took the trunk that was unexpectedly heavy which made him dip for a second as he struggled with the sheer weight of the trunk before Choi han swooped in and took it from Cale’s hands, “I’ll take it from here Cale-nim,” Choi han said with some sympathy towards Cale who only nods and sighs at he looks down at his hands that were slightly red from the strain, “Thank you, Choi han”
Cale instead went over to the children at the end of the cushioned bench as he carded his fingers through Ohn’s hair gently as she fluttered her sharp cat-like golden eyes open and her eyes looked up and her body went lax. “We have a lot of things to do, but at the moment we need to change into more appropriate clothes” Cale said plainly as Ohn nodded and carefully nudged Hong and Raon who followed after her as Choi han opened the trunk.
Ohn took the long pure cotton dress with pale pleasant brown and white with a collared neckline with a bow wrapped around the collar and ruffled short sleeves, long white soft socks, and short heeled black closed shoes. Cale pointed in the direction of the bathroom as he closed the door behind her and heard the distinct click of the lock before coming back and helping Hong and Raon choose their outfit.
Raon the dragon in human guise of a 6 year old child chose a buster suit with shorts that was similar to Ohn’s choice of clothing, a pleasant pale brown, white collar but with no bows and instead of ruffles there were straight sleeves, with long socks and smaller simplified oxford shoes.
Hong chose similarly to match his siblings but with trousers instead of shorts like Raon instead of a bow Hong decided on a tie that was a nice warm chestnut brown, with a gold broach with the golden turtle of Henituse Duchy on it. Ohn had come out of the bathroom and noticed the brooch and scattered the trunk of clothes to find another which thankfully were 4.
One for each of the children and Choi han who had dressed in a soft white collared shirt black waist coat without bothering putting a jacket over to cover the white of the cotton sleeves and smart dress pants. And unfortunately oxford shoes, slick, and black but uncomfortably too fancy for his taste as he shifted on his feet like an awkward teen.
It made something in Cale bloom is warmth but only sighed as he got himself dressed with a smart styled brown oxford shoes, and put on a sharp tailored open suit and waist coat over his short collared white shirt with gold lapel pins, a maroon untipped tie that had a golden clip that had the Golden Turtle of the Henituse Duchy, along with a stylish pocket square and gold stud cufflinks.
“How do I look?” Cale asks as he looked fondly down at Hong, Ohn, and Raon who were staring up at Cale with wide eyes filled with admiration as they smiled up at Cale, “Human you look super pretty!” Raon cheered as his human form smiled brightly at Cale as he clung to his leg which just encouraged the rest of them to do the same as Cale did nothing to stop them.
“Cale, you look super cool!” Hong shouted joyously clinging to Cale’s hand as he fiddled with the cufflinks, Ohn nodded with utmost seriousness a 12 year old girl who was obviously very amused. “I must agree,” Elias comments with all the fondness of a man who was utterly hopelessly and horrendously in love while trying to hide it for the sake of the facade of modesty.
“Well then, ready to experience 1931, Bunty?” Elias asks as he straightens his suit that looked similar to Cale’s own but instead of earthy browns and maroon shades he wore cool grays and cool deep greens that were accompanied by white, with the same blue amulet ribbon around his neck.
“As ready as I’ll ever be…” Cale blanched gently not wanting to sound too bitter at the situation, it could be worse, he could be leading a war but he’s sure Elias will take care of it for him. Elias had offered his hand and Cale took it.
His hands were gloved Cale noticed.
Elias guided Cale next to him as they exited the cabin and into the hall of the black train at the end was a door that was spilling out light and music and bustle of a public train cart. Clinking of glass and porcelain tableware, it must be the dining cart of a train. Elias kept walking as Silky, Ruth, Choi han, Raon, Ohn, and Hong followed behind.
“We’re taking your children out of town to give your poor wife a break, and I your in-law assists you in your endeavor with our dear nanny Miss Silky, our busboy Ruth, your cousin Choi han, and of course your children” Elias said smoothly already thinking of a cover for their odd ball of a group, “Perhaps you should change your hair? And maybe the eldest children…?” Elias inquired as he glanced back at them.
Raon’s eyes seemed to light up as he grinned, “I’ll do it human! I’ll change your hair and Hong and Ohn’s!” Cale smiled a little at Raon’s enthusiasm, “How about we all have the great and mighty dragon’s hair color, that much like your scales is a very pretty black, is that alright?” Cale asked indulgently for a small child who could also destroy entire empires with the tip of his claws.
Raon blushes with the blatant flattery as he tries to brush it off with all the grace of a 6 year old child has, “O- Oh- Of course! It's- It’s only fitting, here!” Raon said, preening at the praise but also flushing slightly bashfully as he collected mana in his hands and in a moment's notice Cale, Ohn, and Hong’s hair had turned a pretty black shade of hair.
Ohn smiled at the change and Hong ooh’d at the color change of his hair and grinned, “Good job, Raon” Cale softly said as he carded his hands through the 6 year old boy who bashfully pushed Cale’s hand away gingerly as he took a few strands of his hair and looked at the color in approval.
Elias’s hand never left Cale’s hand but fondly swiped the top of Cale’s hand with his thumb to remind him he’s here and they better start moving, “Come on… we need to get going, I’m sure everyone is hungry” Elias said softly as he tugged Cale along gently as the door at the end opened as the light came beaming out of the door and blinded Cale for a second.
But he still stepped forward, being guided by Elias hand in hand, not doubting for a moment.
As the door opens a flood of sunlight hits them first, the light blinds him for a moment as it reveals a sunlight train cart. The dining cart. Tables line the windows along the luxurious train cart with intricate floral and artistic engravings into the golden joints and wood walls of the dining cart. Cale stared for a moment, he was caught off guard, trains weren’t a thing back into Rawoon kingdom nor the whole continent… it was fair to marvel at the craftsmanship that went into the beauty of a train.
Elias the enigmatic charm waved over a waiter with a benign smile, “Good day, forgive our tardiness, table for 8? Just seat us and our maid will take care of us” Elias said charmingly to the man who held a tray of cocktails and other such luxurious drinks as he blinked in surprise before looking around him for a table.
“O- Of course sir- I shall bring some tables together to accommodate your entourage-” The man said seemingly panicking quietly to himself before Elias corrected him, “My family even if they are my in-laws, you know how it is,” Elias smiling and bridging their class gap with a familiar subject to ease the waiter’s quiet panic that had slightly settled and chuckled softly but still slightly distressed as he brought them to a nice window and brought the tables together to accommodate 8 people.
“Here you are… you had mentioned a maid, sir…?” The man asked carefully as Elias only nodded as he sat down casually, “Yes Silky will take care of it, she knows what we want” Elias said confidently as Cale sat next to him and the rest of the kids and Ruth followed. Silky the brownie nodded as he awkwardly led her to the back as some of the other patrons stared for a moment.
A personal servant in this day and age was… uncommon. The woman was beautiful and poise and followed behind the waiter before ordering for her masters. It was quite the spectacle since only the wealthiest of individuals are able to afford the rising domestic workers wages…
Elias only smiled charmingly, seeming to soak in the mystery like he was a protagonist, Cale couldn’t help but roll his eyes as Silky came back with tea that tasted just like his favorite tea… lemon tea ironically but it was sweet with honey and a small kick of ginger that he quite liked…
“We’re in all probability going to London to pick up the deed of our estate,” Elias said as the trolley went by and he snagged the newspaper, “... 1933, Tom would be around 5 or 4…” Elias murmured as Cale hummed in acknowledgement, “... we would need to prepare for his arrival, he’s a child but the future’s potential can’t be ignored…” Cale commented back as if chatting about the weather and not adopting a whole child that could or could not be the dark lord.
“Precautions will be needed, he still has potential to be dangerous…” Cale and Elias shared a knowing look, “You’ve become quite cunning, Robin…” Elias couldn’t help but smile with a smirk, “Stop smiling, you look like the cat that caught the canary…” Cale only huffed with a roll of his eyes at Elias’s cheekiness that wasn’t quite the same but it still made something fond in his chest simmered with something like affection.
Elias seemed wildly amused by Cale and only made him grin as it exposed his abnormally long canines which made Cale raise a pointed brow, “Canaries are invasive, might as well dear…” Elias said with too many teeth that made a pointed sort of feeling that made Choi han flinch slightly, “Ah canaries, I suppose they are invasive…” Cale said hearing the implications and only nodded as he took the tea cup to his lips, “Another thing in the way of my slacker life.” Elias unexpectedly snorted into his fist as Choi han only looked sympathetically at Cale while Ruth looked slightly confused.