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Disclaimer

I own nothing of the Harry Potter franchise.

Glad to clear that up

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Chapter 2

Hadriana appeared at the apparition point of Diagon Alley. She spent no time looking around herself, starting to walking immediately to Gringotts. She did notice, however, that there were several people around, no doubt last minute shoppers for the Quidditch World Cup, that would be hosted in England in three days, pitting Ireland against Bulgaria.

Hadriana wasn't a fan of quidditch. She found no amusement in the pathetic sport, at all. She would be present at her house team games back in Hogwarts, mostly to mark her presence but still, she was only amused when her team won or her brother Richard had an accident.

The only thing Hadriana enjoyed about quidditch was the flying. Whenever she had the chance, she would pick a broom and fly around, at home or Hogwarts. She wouldn't do any acrobatics but she loved the feeling of flying, the wind rushing through her hair, the cold air in her face. It made her feel free and powerful.

Unfortunately for her, the entire Potter family was to go to the Quidditch world cup and appear at the Minister of Magic side, who happened to be the patriarch of the Potter family, Lord Charlus Potter, James Potter father, Hadriana's grandfather. It was, of course, a display of power by Charlus, showing his powerful family.

Himself, Lord Charlus Gryffindor-Potter, Minister of Magic and his wife, Dorea Potter née Black, DMLE Director James Potter, the Potter and Gryffindor heir and his wife, professor Lily Evans-Slytherin-Potter, the boy-who-lived, Richard Slytherin-Gryffindor-Potter and herself, Hadriana Slytherin-Gryffindor-Potter, the best student in Hogwarts since Dumbledore himself, or so people liked to say. They wouldn't waste an opportunity to be seen as the perfect family, united and happy, nor would they waste the opportunity to show how ancient the Potter family was, being related with the Gryffindor line by the Potter line and with the Slytherin line by Lily Evans, descendant of Salazar Slytherin.

Hadriana scoffed. Had it not been for her, no one would know Lily Potter was a direct descendent from Salazar Slytherin. She had wanted to claim the lordship but unfortunately, the line was patriarchal, as were most of the noble families and she was unable to claim the mantle of Lady Slytherin, passing automatically to her brother Richard during the fiasco of the chamber of secrets two years before.

Hadriana preferred not to think about it. Everything she had or wanted, the Potters would spoil it somehow. She had only herself and her magic.

Hadriana entered Gringotts and went directly to a teller, asking to speak with account manager Grimfang. She found herself in a neat room, sat at a desk with a goblin dressed in a business suit.

"Good morning, miss Potter. How did your venture go?" asked the goblin in a polite tone. Hadriana had proved herself a polite client and always showed her respect to the goblin nation and individual goblins.

"Horribly wrong, master Grimfang. As it turned out, the Dursleys moved from number four Private Drive five years ago. Would it be possible for Gringotts to track them?"

"It might be, miss Potter, however, such a venture would not be cheap for the goblin nation and its resources."

"How much?" asked Hadriana, sighing mentally. Blasted goblins and their fees.

"At least five hundred galleons for the fee, plus extras..." Grimfang explained, being interrupted by an horrified and outraged shout from Hadriana.

"FIVE HUNDRED GALLEONS!? "

"It is a service not available to many, miss Potter." said the Goblin with a smirk, to which Hadriana scowled.

"Fine, how much do I have and how are my investments?" asked Hadriana in resignation. The goblin Grimfang checked some information in a black book.

"The contents of your Potter trust fund were moved into your main vault, as were the contents of the Slytherin trust fund." Hadriana smirked. She had managed to set a Slytherin trust fund and gain access to the Slytherin main vault. Unfortunately, she had been unable to take gold or the books with her, hence the setup trust vault but she managed to copy some of the books, placing the copies in her personal vault.

Those were the advantages and disadvantages of being her brother's heir. Being able to access the vaults but not taking anything without the lord's permission. Rules easily bent.

Being her brother's heir. That was an unpleasant thought.

"As of right now, you have five thousand galleons available on your main vault, accessible only to you and no one else and the copies of Slytherin library, as well as several artefacts you collected throughout the years. The rest of your money, a total of nearly ten thousand galleons, is invested, which will give you a return of fifty percent at the end of the year, which will increase the gold available in your vault to nearly fifteen thousand galleons, while the same amount of gold will remain invested." finished the goblin with a smile.

"Very well, take the money and find me the Dursleys." Hadriana said, raising from her chair. After a brief consideration, she decided that she didn't need to get money from her vault "Thank you for your time, honoured master Grimfang. May your enemies be crushed and your gold flow unchecked."

"I wish you the same, as well, miss Potter." replied the goblin, watching the young woman leaving his office with only a question. Who were the Dursleys and why was Hadriana Potter so interested in them?

Hadriana left Gringotts and decided to stop by Florean Fortscue Ice Cream Parlour for an ice cream. She already had most of her supplies and books for her seventh and final year at Hogwarts and needed no new robes. What she missed she would be able to get only after the letter's arrival. She needed no new books, since she had her personal library, both the copy from the vault and those she had "acquired" in secret from the Chamber of Secrets, two years before.

She made her request, chocolate and vanilla ice cream with toping of red fruits and as soon as she started to eat her ice-cream, she heard two very familiar voices calling her name.

"HADRIANA!" shouted both Daphne Greengrass and Hermione Granger, considered by everyone in Hogwarts as the brightest witches in their year, probably Hadriana's successors in terms of grades. Not only that, they were also Hadriana's unofficial apprentices. Daphne Greengrass was a beautiful fourteen years old pureblood witch with black hair, soft white skin and blue eyes. She was seen as one of the most beautiful witches of Hogwarts and had been sorted into Slytherin house in 1991. Hermione Granger was also a beautiful fourteen years old witch, muggleborn and with brown hair and chocolate eyes. Once, she had large teeth but after befriend Hadriana, the older witch shortened her teeth, which made her even more beautiful during her development years. Her hair, which had been wild and bushy had become tame and smooth, thanks to wizarding cosmetics, introduced to her by Daphne. Hermione had been sorted into Ravenclaw in 1991 and became friends with Daphne Greengrass through Hadriana, after Hadriana saved the muggleborn witch from a troll that had entered Hogwarts in 1991. Hermione had been crying in a bathroom because of the cruelty of Richard Potter and Ronald Weasley and was lucky that Hadriana found her, neutralizing the troll and taking the young witch under her wing, with Daphne.

Hermione and Daphne, even though they were in different houses, became close friends and had evolved under Hadriana's guidance, both in power and knowledge, social skills and contacts.

It was a surprise for Hadriana to see her apprentices and friends.

"What are you doing here? I thought you'd still be on your holidays." asked Hadriana, after saluting them and invite them to sit.

"Father wants to go to the world cup, you know how he is." replied Daphne with a smirk "And I invited Hermione to join us."

"Really?" asked Hadriana, looking at the brown haired girl, who smiled.

"I ended my holidays some days ago and I had nothing better to do than wait for your invitations."

"What about you, Hadriana?" asked Daphne. Hadriana smirked. Her younger friends had no idea of her real story and for that reason, she concocted a small lie.

"Not much. I came by Gringotts to check my personal investments and make some shopping. My pathetic brother whines and bitches for everything, his fans are always there, annoying red head bastards and Lily and James are even worse with the pampering. As it turns out, I'm being forced to go to the World Cup as well, with my loving family and my grandfather."

"In other words, all the same." joked Hermione, making Hadriana laugh.

"Indeed." the older girl replied.

They stayed for some time and then Hadriana said goodbye to her friends, allowing them to continue their shopping. With nothing better to do, Hadriana decided to visit her other aunt, walking to the Leaky Cauldron and use the floo.

"Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place." she intoned, being consumed by the green flames and exiting on the other side. Hadriana saw herself in a lavish room, decorated in green, silver and dark colours. She heard a pop and an aged house elf appeared before her, bowing.

"Miss Potter, Kreacher welcomes you to the house of Black." said the house elf.

"Where is Bellatrix, Kreacher?"

"Mistress Bellatrix is in the library, teaching young master and mistress, miss." replied the house elf "Mistress Andromeda is with them, as well."

"No other visitors?" asked the girl, slightly disappointed, receiving a negative answer from the old elf.

"Shall I inform them of your arrival?" asked the elf, to which Hadriana nodded.

"Inform them that I'm coming to meet them."

"Very well." Kreacher popped out and Hadriana walked to the library. She was a recurrent presence at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Her godfather, Sirius Black, despite being James Potter best friend, was the Lord Black and was one of the few people that Hadriana truly liked. His wife, Bellatrix Black was another, almost a mother figure to Hadriana. Through her life, Hadriana sought the council of the elder witch, since she refused to be dependant of Lily Potter, leading to a bond between the two witches. In fact, Hadriana saw Bellatrix not only as a aunt, but her godmother, having a better relationship with her young cousins, eight years old Cassiopeia and six years old Pollux Black .

Of course, there were other Blacks.

Andromeda Black Tonks and Theodore Black Tonks and their daughter, Nymphadora Black Tonks. Everyone believed Theodore, or Ted, to be a mere muggleborn and Walburga Black, the previous lady Black, had demanded Andromeda's disownment from the family, only to have her son, the new lord Black bringing her back into the family, with her husband and daughter. Sirius had done it for several reasons: spite his mother, love for his cousin and because he discovered that Ted was the first magical descendant of Black squibs, making him a Black. Sirius laughed when Nymphadora's metamorphmagus abilities manifested the first time, giving him another reason to have Andromeda reinstated in the family. Nymphadora hated the name her mother had given her and preferred to be called Nym or Dora. She was currently at the auror academy.

Narcissa Black Malfoy was also a usual visitor, visiting her sister Bellatrix. Sometimes, she would bring her son, Draco Malfoy, with her. Lucius Malfoy, her husband, rarely visited, only on special occasions.

Hadriana knocked at the library door, hearing a reply ordering her to enter. She did and saw both Cassie and Pollux at a table, while their mother was teaching them some pureblood topic. They paid her no mind and Hadriana walked to Andromeda, who was sitting in one of the library chairs reading a book.

"Hadriana." saluted the older woman with a smile, closing the book and inviting the younger witch to sit next to her "What do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I had nothing better to do and decided to come visit." was Hadriana's reply. Kreacher popped in with a tray and served the tea.

"That will be all, Kreacher."

"Yes, mistress." replied the elf, popping out of the room.

"Bellatrix should finish the children's lesson soon, before my own turn." explained Andromeda, sipping her tea "Why are you dressed as a muggle?"

"I went sightseeing to muggle London." replied Hadriana, telling only part of the truth. Not that she didn't trust the older woman, no one knew her secret plans "And it is comfortable."

"You do look quite good yourself." said Bellatrix with a smile, joining the two women while she left the children to their work. She was dressed in a long sleeve black dress, contrasting with her pale skin, not looking less than the lady she was. Her black hair fell to her back, properly combed and while her dark eyes glinted, in her lips there was a smirk directed to Hadriana.

"I'm surprised. Why have you come?" asked Bellatrix, serving herself of some tea.

"Do I need a reason to visit my godmother?" replied Hadriana with a smirk. Bellatrix gave one of her own.

"Not at all. How have you been?"

"Bored and tired of dealing with those people. What about you?" replied Hadriana, making Bellatrix smile.

"Sirius has been too busy with the whole Cup championship, as well as prepare our going, the children take most my time and I haven't had my favourite nieces visiting in some time." replied Bellatrix, mockingly admonishing Hadriana " I can understand Nymphadora but you should be ashamed of yourself."

"I am, my dear aunt, I am." replied Hadriana with a smirk "I trust we can spend some time together at the cup, unless you want to see the actual match."

"You may be confusing me with my husband and children, Hadriana." replied Bellatrix, sipping from the cup. With a smirk, the older woman continued "Why don't we talk about potential suitors?"

Hadriana scowled, almost gagging on her tea, making Bellatrix and Andromeda laugh.

"I told you..." the younger witch started, being interrupted by Andromeda, who quoted Hadriana:

""I will only marry with someone I choose, I refuse to submit, least of all to anyone unworthy." I approve."

"Thank you." replied Hadriana, while Andromeda smiled and took a sip of her tea.

"Although you should try to date at least once, you know." said Andromeda, making Hadriana blush and Bellatrix laugh.

"I am not interested." replied Hadriana, somewhat embarrassed.

"Aren't you?" asked Bellatrix, lifting her eyebrow.

"Maybe there isn't anyone interesting enough at Hogwarts." replied Andromeda with a smirk. Teasing Hadriana was one of the favourite pastimes of the three Black sisters.

"No, there isn't." replied Hadriana with a scowl.

"Fine, let's drop the subject. Still, we should search for potential suitors for you." replied Andromeda "Although, I don't think your family would approve our choices."

"Didn't you have to teach history to the children?" asked Hadriana, glaring at Andromeda, who smirked back.

"My, my, touchy, are we?" replied Andromeda, raising from her seat with a grin "Bella, why don't you take Hadriana to vent a little bit?"

"A magnificent idea, my dear sister. I do need the practice, as well. " replied Bellatrix, raising from her seat, followed by Hadriana, who got an evil smirk in her lips.

"You two are too much alike. I dread to think how Cassiopeia will turn out with you too as an example." said Andromeda with a grin, leaving Bella and Hadriana alone for a bit, before they went to the duelling room.

After almost an hour, Bellatrix and Hadriana came out from the duelling room, tired but smiling. Hadriana was almost as good as Bellatrix and had the potential to be even better. They were greeted by the two children, waiting for them in the living room.

"Hadriana!" the children called out when they saw them, running both to Hadriana. Andromeda was with the children, reading a book on a chair and smiled.

"How was auntie Andy's lesson?" asked Bella, receiving the usual reply from her daughter.

"We missed you, Hadriana." said Cassiopeia, pushing her cousin to the sofa "Are you going to the World cup?"

"Daddy is taking us." said the younger boy, Pollux "He also said that we could play in the field later."

"No flying and no playing. " admonished Bellatrix in a hard tone, making the children groan.

"But mummy!" both children complained.

"No."

"Why did you have to tell?" growled Cassie, admonishing her brother.

"Maybe we can go hidden with daddy, uncle James and Richard, as uncle Moony said." suggested Pollux, earning a slap in the back of the head from his sister.

"Shut up, dummy." Cassie hissed while Hadriana and Andromeda laughed. Bellatrix made a mental note to speak with her husband in private.

"I'm going but I won't play." replied Hadriana, making both children pout "You know I don't like quidittch that much."

"But it's fun and awesome and fun..." started Pollux while Cassie just shook her head.

"You'll miss all the fun." the little girl said, admonishing her older cousin.

"Tell you what, you make sure Richard and James fall from their brooms and I buy you an ice cream each, deal?" suggested Hadriana and both children grinned maliciously.

"DEAL!"

"You're not flying. Hadriana, stop giving them ideas." admonished Bellatrix.

"Who's not flying?" asked a powerful voice, coming from the entrance.

"Daddy!" the two children shouted, jumping from their seats and running to Sirius.

"Sirius Black, what is this I hear about going to play quidditch in the cup's stadium?" growled Bellatrix and Sirius paled.

"Why, good afternoon for you too, my love. I missed you. Hello, cousin, Hadriana. So nice to see you, how is my favourite goddaughter? "

Hadriana smirked. Sirius would be in troubles soon.

"Well?" asked Bellatrix again, crossing her arms on her chest.

"Who told?" Sirius whispered to his children, being heard by everyone.

"It was Pollux." replied Cassie, the same way.

"I'm sorry." the boy pouted.

"It's ok, son, it just means that we'll need to be extra careful to escape your mummy." Pollux' eyes widened and Cassie giggled.

"SIRIUS BLACK!" shouted Bellatrix, drawing her wand.

"Oops, your mother is angry with me, save me, please?" Sirius dropped his children and ran from the room in a playful manner while everyone laughed and Cassie and Pollux pouted at their mother, intending to discourage her.

Bellatrix eventually went after Sirius, who would be right around the corner, grinning like a mad man. Sirius and Bellatrix would "fight" and end with a kiss, returning together to the room.

Just another fun day at the Blacks. Hadriana loved it.

Hadriana had her dinner at the Blacks'. Andromeda had left for her home later in the afternoon, leaving only Sirius, Bellatrix, Hadriana and the two children, who claimed their cousin to show her what they already knew about magic and their new quidditch equipment. After a fun filled dinner, in which Sirius had trouble sitting, courtesy of his wife's stinging hex in his bottom, Hadriana left for Potter manor, although she preferred to stay.

The moment she exited the floo at Potter manor, a house elf popped in front of her.

"Mistress, the family asks for you in the living room." said the house elf. Hadriana growled and nodded to the elf.

"Are there visitors around?"

"The Weasleys are..." the elf started, being interrupted by a snort.

"Of course they are..."

Hadriana entered the living room, where she saw her entire family, her grandfather Charlus, her grandmother Dorea, her father James, her mother Lily and her younger brother Richard, sat in the sofas with the entire Weasley family, the parents and all the seven children.

"Good evening." said Hadriana in a cold tone.

"Where have you been?" asked James, looking coldly at his daughter.

"Whoring herself for her snake friends no doubt." said Richard Potter in a whisper, heard only by the two youngest Weasleys, Ron and Ginny.

"Visiting the Blacks." Hadriana replied, noticing her grandmother's smirk of approval.

"We expected you for dinner, Hadriana." said Charlus, pointing to a seat.

"I wasn't informed." the young woman replied defiantly, ignoring the gasps from the Weasley matriarch and her grandfather's order to sit "What do you want of me?"

"You should know that the Weasleys are going to join us in the World Cup." explained Charlus, ignoring his granddaughter sarcastic comment of "Oh, joy." "Also, we decided that you shall be escorted by young Percival..."

Hadriana interrupted her grandfather at once.

"What?" she asked in a quiet and cold whisper.

"I shall be honoured to escort you, Ms. Potter." replied the stuck up at once, always wishing to please.

"Young Percival is a good young man and very promising, as he has proved by his work as a junior secretary." continued Charlus Potter with a smile at the young man "I am sure that you will get along well."

Hadriana felt her anger raising. The meaning of Charlus words were not lost on her. The old man intended to sell her in a marriage agreement with the fucking Weasleys.

She refused the idea, of course, and had planned for such a eventuality. That was the reason why she had set up her vault, isolated from the Potter family. She knew very well that they would eventually attempt something as this, in an effort to minimize the damage that had occurred seven years before, when Hadriana had been sorted into Slytherin.

Still, the Weasleys? Hadriana felt insulted, while the family of read heads looked overjoyed.

Attempting to control her anger, Hadriana looked to her grandmother, the only people with a brain in the room.

"Will that be all?" she asked in a dismissive tone.

"Sit with us, Hadriana, my dear." asked her grandmother, noticing the anger in her granddaughter eyes.

"I would like to rest, grandmother and I still have to prepare for the World Cup." the two women looked to each other, one hopeful and one defiantly. In the end, Dorea nodded.

The truth was that apart Dorea, the Potters had given up Hadriana a long time ago. She didn't care about the family and for that reason, they left her out. The only reason they cared was because she was a Potter, sister of the boy-who-lived and the most promising student of Hogwarts. The fame and power that they gained through her recognition was significant but because of her attitude, they wouldn't be able to make an alliance with a powerful family, as they wished and because they were a light family, they never considered to force her to accept it. If only they knew...

Dorea saw a lot of herself in her granddaughter and for that reason, she cared a lot about the girl. She remembered how joyful the girl was... until that forsaken night. The night Hadrian had been lost. Oh Dorea was no fool. She knew that the twins had a special bond. They always knew what the other needed and always found comfort in one another. Both Dorea and Lily had been quite jealous when they discovered that Hadriana would always go to Hadrian before anyone. Then, Hadrian had been killed by Voldemort and Hadriana had lost half of herself. She was never the same again. She would find her granddaughter crying in her room or in the library and if she wanted to give her comfort, Hadriana would only shut herself or run away.

Now, here she was, being sold to a lowly family... Dorea didn't approve and had spoken against it but her husband, son and daughter in law ignored it... and she had to play her part, as the family matriarch, even if she hated it... At least her parents had made a suitable agreement with the Potters... For all his faults, Charlus Potter was a good man that she had come to love.

Dorea had to focus on the conversation again, Molly Weasley was once again speaking about something, most likely about her "dearest Percy" while James was telling stories of his pranking days to the Weasley twins.

Dorea knew where she could find Hadriana, later on.

Dorea was right as she found Hadriana in the library later on in the evening, reading a book.

"Granddaughter." Dorea said, gining the attention of the younger girl, who rose from her seat.

"Grandmother." was Hadriana's reply, dry and cold.

"I do not approve." the older woman said, sitting by her granddaughter's side. Hadriana snarled.

"Not that it matters, does it?" Hadriana said, closing the book with a thump.

"Hadriana, you know that I won't allow them to force you into anything, you have my word. Merlin forbid I allow you to marry THAT family." Dorea said, not hiding her own bias against the Weasleys, holding her granddaughter's hand "I'm not my cousin Cedrella." Hadriana just looked at the elder woman and sighed.

"I know and I thank you, grandmother." Hadriana said, making Dorea smile.

"I'm not a fool, Hadriana." the older woman said, attracting Hadriana's look, making Dorea smirk "I know that look. That's a Black look, something your father never inherited it from me."

Hadriana smirked as well.

"I'm a Slytherin." she said and Dorea chuckled politely.

"You may be a Potter but always remember, you are also a Black. And Blacks are strong and proud." The younger girl nodded "Don't worry about the weasel, you'll be occupied with me during the world cup. Should your grandfather say anything, I'll let him know my opinion about that matter." said Dorea with a smirk "Besides, I believe you, me and Bellatrix have a lot to talk about."

"Oh joy." replied Hadriana, while Dorea chuckled "Dora isn't being this pressured to find a husband and I'd like to get a job and take a mastery on Defence."

"Worthy goals, but you tend to forget a very important detail, Hadriana." replied Dorea with a straight face.

"If you are saying that I am part of four ancient and noble houses..." Hadriana started, being shut up by a finger from her grandmother.

"That's true, but that's not what I meant."

"Then what is it?" the younger girl asked.

"You're just to fun to tease." replied Dorea, her face becoming a full grin against her shocked granddaughter. Hadriana actually blushed while her grandmother laughed.

"Go mock your daughter in law." complained Hadriana with a huff, with a sigh that sounded awfully like 'damn the Black women.'.

"She's not fun enough." was Dorea's reply "Besides, even if she is Slytherin's descendent, she 's a Gryffindor."

"And we both deal with enough Gryffindors every day." the granddaughter finished the older woman's thought.

"Indeed. Tell me, Hadriana, how are Cassiopeia and Pollux?"

Two days passed in a hurry, making all the preparations for their departure to the Quidditch cup. They didn't need to carry anything, as the house elves had been dispatched in advance to assemble the Potter tents, which should be next to the Black tents.

When Hadriana was told that they would be by the Blacks, something she should know by heart, she actually paled.

Chances were that Sirius had arranged for Andromeda and Ted to join them at the cup. And of course, people could say a lot of things about Lucius Malfoy, but he surely knew how to parade and always present himself. There was a great chance that he would be there with his son Draco, as well as his... Hadriana groaned... wife, Narcissa Malfoy.

That meant that Hadriana had to deal with the three black sisters AND her grandmother. Merlin and Morgana, WHY?

The family met at the great hall in the morning, all in their best robes, suited for the occasion. Dorea and Charlus had interlocked their arms, as had James and Lily and Richard stood next to his father while Hadriana stood next to her grandmother.

"Now, remember to be on your best behaviour and please, don't get into troubles or start a fight." admonished Lily, talking to her son.

"I promise I won't start anything, but if that slimy death eater spawn even opens his mouth to insult me, I'll put him on his place." the red head boy said, making James grin but Charlus shake his head.

"No, you will not, boy." replied Dorea with a cold voice, making said boy and his father shiver in fear. James actually had good reasons to be fearful of that specific tone of voice "You will act properly as befitting one of your station. You will not start conflicts with your cousin or anyone else, as won't he or else I shall spank both of you myself. Do I make myself clear, young man?"

Richard actually gulped. His grandmother was terrifying. James nudged his son, to make him reply quickly and Lily looked affronted. Charlus nodded approvingly and Hadriana wanted to laugh.

"Yes, grandmother." replied Richard, lowering his gaze.

"Good." the older woman replied, hearing very well her son's 'Bloody hell, give me death eaters every day of the week instead of that.'.

"I heard that, James Potter." the woman said, making her son gulp.

"I'm sorry, mother." he asked and Charlus grinned.

"Well then, let us go, then, shall we?" he said, reproducing a long cord of rope, their portkey "And Hadriana, please stay with your family. If you must run of, please, remember that young Percival is your escort."

"Hadriana will stay with me, dear. I'm sure you remember our conversation?" asked Dorea in a sweet manner, although glaring at her husband.

"Hum, very well, then." the Potter Patriarch said, grabbing the portkey "Everyone, grab on, we are almost on time." They all grabbed the portkey and when the grandfather clock belled the noon, they all vanished from Potter manor.

They appeared inside a tent with four separate divisions. These were the prepared chambers for minister Charlus Potter and his wife, James, Lily would receive one of the other chambers and the children would each have their own room. They would stay for the night, returning the next day to the manor.

The main hall of the tent was a living room, which had several chairs spread around, with two separate bathrooms and a small area that served as a kitchen and dining room.

As some would say, that was called camping with style.

"Now, the game is only in the afternoon, we have several hours. I need to make my presence known, shake some dignitaries hands, make some talk and meet some people. Dorea, my love, shall you come with me?"

"I'll pass, Charlus. I will meet my nieces for now. Lily, would you like to stay with Hadriana and me?" invited Dorea. Lily thought about it and accepted graciously.

"Of course, thank you, I didn't relish the thought to monitor the three stooges." she said, making Dorea chuckle and James look partially affronted. Richard actually grinned.

"I know that was an insult, but I don't get it, so I'll let it pass." James said and Lily rolled her eyes.

"Very well, then." said Charlus, looking slightly disappointed "In that case, James, you shall escort me, as both my bodyguard and heir." James nodded "I'm sure Sirius and Remus will join us as well."

"Yes father. I believe Ted will, as well."

"Lovely." Charlus enjoyed his talks with both the werewolf and the squib descendant Black. They were actually two very interesting individuals that had to keep both James and Sirius in line... not they would admit it "Richard, you shall..." Charlus started, being interrupted by his grandson.

"But Ron and I agreed to..." Richard started, being interrupted by none other than Hadriana.

"For Merlin sake, brat, for once in your life do as you're told. Act as the heir you are, not as a spoilt snotty brat."

"Hadriana!" admonished her mother and James and Richard actually glared. That didn't stop her.

"You're the second heir of Potter, Gryffindor and heir of Slytherin. Of course you have to be present. If anything, act as a heir, reply politely to the questions made to you and keep your mouth shut the rest of the time. If you can't avoid to embarrass yourself, do not to embarrass the rest of us."

"I was going to say that Richard could have some time for himself..." replied Charlus, receiving two sets of angry looks, his wife's and granddaughter's "But Hadriana raised some relevant points and Richard should start to take a more active stance into the family politics. Thank you, Hadriana."

Richard scowled at his sister and James looked admonished. If anything, he respected his father above everyone else. Lily had thinned her lips in a very McGonagall like fashion and Dorea was nodding approvingly to Hadriana.

"I can tell, my granddaughter will be a wonderful lady of a house." Dorea said, beaming.

"Quite." mumbled Charlus, only if not to have an angry wife. Hearing that, Lily actually beamed with pride "Off we go, now."

"Prongs!" shouted a strong and joyful voice as soon as James left the tent. Lily rolled her eyes.

"And Sirius is here." she mumbled.

Sirius was indeed there and as they suspected, not alone. His children were with him, as was Remus Lupin, Sirius right hand man and Ted Tonks, his cousin in law and other right hand man.

"Good morning, ladies." greeted a smiling Sirius "Beautiful as ever, auntie, Lily, Hadriana."

"Always the charmer, aren't you, Sirius?" asked Dorea with a smile.

"Good morning, lady Potter, Mrs. and Ms. Potter. How are you ladies this fine morning?" asked both Cassie and Pollux in what was clearly a rehearsed manner.

"My, my, what lovely children, so polite." replied Lily, making the children grin.

"Thank you auntie Lily."

"Cassie, would you like to come with us or would you like to stay with your mummy and aunties doing boring girlish stuff?" asked Sirius, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder. Hadriana could have laughed when Cassie looked affronted.

"I want to go with you, daddy." the girl said with a smile. Turning to the other women, she said bye in a hurry and joined the rest of the group.

"You spoil them, Sirius." said Lily, earning a smile from her long time friend.

"Hey, they're my little miracles, I think I'm entitled to it." he laughed "Bella is with Andromeda and Narcissa. Feel free to join them."

"Thank you, Sirius." said Dorea and Sirius left.

The three Potters joined the Black sisters at the Black tent. The three were having tea and stood up to receive their guests. After some pleasant greetings, Bellatrix ordered Kreacher to bring tea for the guests.

Of course, it was Narcissa who started the teasing that time.

"You grew into a beautiful woman, Hadriana, I can see your mother and grandmother in you. Are you sure I can't interest you in my son? Can you imagine the beautiful babies?" Hadriana choked and the three Black sisters actually laughed. Lily looked very surprised to the three Blacks while Dorea chuckled and Hadriana paled.

"I hate you." was all that Hadriana said to Narcissa, who actually pretended to be shocked.

"Do tell, Lily, you're a teacher at Hogwarts, have you ever caught your daughter in a broom cupboard? Or have you ever heard of anything?" asked Andromeda, of the three, the one that had a better relationship with the muggleborn witch.

"Not once." replied Lily with a smirk, much to the disappointment of the three other witches "Although..." that got their interest again.

"Do tell." asked Bellatrix, watching Hadriana groan.

"There was an event, last year. There's was boy from Ravenclaw, I'm not sure what his name was..." all eyes turned to Hadriana.

"I cursed him into next year because he attempted to grope me and kiss me. He spent two weeks in the hospital and I got detention for a week. Happy?" said Hadriana, making the three Blacks laugh hard.

"Here I thought there would be some hot romance and then, nothing." complained Narcissa, disappointed.

"May I PLEASE, be excused?" demanded Hadriana. She loved the three sisters, she truly did, but sometimes she didn't have the patience for them.

"No." was Dorea's cold reply, forcing Hadriana to sit down again "Girls, stop teasing Hadriana. She will start her love life whenever she decided to and her love life is her own."

"Thank you." replied Hadriana with a glare for both her mother and aunts.

Lunch was had at the Blacks, and as usual, since they were together, it was an agitated event. With Sirius, Remus and James together, there was laugh all around. They dragged Richard, Cassie and Pollux with them, much to Bellatrix chagrin. Lucius and Draco had joined Narcissa and accepted Bellatrix's invitation.

Much to Hadriana's amazement, neither Richard nor Draco told anything to each other apart the proper words of greeting. Draco stayed close to his father and mother all the time, who were in the group of Bellatrix, Dorea and Hadriana, who noticed Draco looking at her several times.

'Great, now the daddy's brat is discovering his hormones.' she thought to herself while she drank her tea next to her grandmother. Lily, Andromeda and Ted were talking among themselves about the curriculum of Hogwarts and how to improve it in both History of Magic and Muggle Studies.

All the while, Hadriana was trying to clear her mind, trying hard to create barriers strong enough to endure her temper against the three sisters teasing. Only Charlus was absent from lunch, who had some official business to endure and would be delayed.

Hadriana gave Dorea a pleading look and the older woman nodded with a smile. Hadriana rose from her seat and walked out the tent. If someone noticed her, apart Draco, they didn't show it. She walked for a while, with no seeming destination until she reached one of the ends of the camp. She saw several sellers, selling quite the variety of junk, hats, binoculars, foam hands and Irish and Bulgarian scarves. She walked back and saw a couple of familiar faces from Hogwarts. She saw former Gryffindor Quidditch captain Oliver Wood, who seemed over exited, as usual, Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff, soon to be seventh year, Roger Davies, Ravenclaw, who was accompanied by his sister Tracy Davies, of her own house, who greeted her when she saw her. Hadriana nodded back at her. Tracy was a good girl, smart and cunning, friends with Daphne and Hermione but not in the same way as the two of them were.

Thinking of the two of them, she still had to find them but she still had some time. Or she would, if she hadn't seen a distinct shade of red hair in the distance. Cursing to herself, she decided to walk back to the tents. Better to avoid a conflict than getting problems she didn't want to deal with.

"Lady Hadriana!" she heard with a gasp. Hadriana turned and saw a small brunette girl, looking at her in awe.

"Hello, Astoria." smiled Hadriana, acknowledging the soon to be second year student from Slytherin house. "How are you?"

"Very well, thank you. And you? Are you alone? Daphne, Hermione and I were about to go and explore for a while before the game starts. Would you like to come?" asked an overly excited Astoria.

"As much as I'd like, Astoria, I'm unable to. I probably should get back to my own tent, and prepare for a long and boring session of stuck ups kissing each other's behinds."

Astoria chuckled, mimicking Hadriana.

"What are you doing, Tory?" asked the voice of Daphne from the inside, coming out from the tent "Hadriana, so good to see you!"

"Hello, Daphne. Hermione." said Hadriana with a smile, seeing the brown haired girl coming behind Daphne.

"Good morning, Hadriana." said Hermione with a smile.

"What have you being doing?" asked Astoria.

"Walking a bit, seeing some faces. Looking for you, as well as others. Trying to escape the dreadful bore that it is to be with the Potters, Blacks and Malfoys in the same tent. "

"Malfoys?" asked Hermione, tilting her head.

"Lady Malfoy is Lady Black's sister and Lord Black's cousin." explained Astoria, to which Hermione nodded.

"The pure blooded families are indeed all interconnected." Hermione joked, not as a criticism, but as a point. The other girls chuckled.

"It is true." replied the voice of a man coming from behind them. They turned to see an amused Cyril Greengrass, a tall and slender man, wearing dark blue robes with silver trims and a small moustache, accompanied by his lovely wife, Katarina Greengrass. Katarina dressed in the same colour as her husband, having her long black hair falling to her back. Coming from Eastern Europe, Katerina had both an air of beauty and mystery and she knew that many men considered lord Greengrass a lucky man. Some considered the women a Veela. Hadriana knew better, of course. Katerina was a descendant of a very old and powerful Slavic family, the Rusalvoy family and if their mother was any indication, Daphne and Astoria would grow to be very beautiful women.

"Hadriana." the woman said, smiling. Hadriana bowed slightly. There were several women that she respected. Her grandmother, the Black Sisters and Lady Greengrass were all in the same stand for her.

"Lady Greengrass. Lord Greengrass."

"What have I told you about calling me a lady, Hadriana? You're family." Hadriana smirked" A shame that you only met us now." Katerina said while her husband nodded "We could have enjoyed our conversation further. It's a shame that Cyril has arranged for us to meet several dignitaries."

"I understand completely." was Hadriana's reply "In fact, as I had explained Astoria, I was on my way back to the tent because I believe that it is time to go up to the box and look pretty around the minister and the family." Hadriana didn't even attempt to hide her anger. The five people present knew very well about her animosity towards her own family, although they didn't know why. Katerina, though, she knew there was a deep old wound.

"Unfortunately, we all have our tasks." joked Cyril, waving his wand and closing the tent "Girls, remember to be careful and try not to curse anyone in sight, should you be forced to." Cyril said, quickly adding the last apart after a soft nudge from his wife.

After some quick departs, Hadriana left to her tent, accompanied by Hermione, Daphne and Astoria, the three of them excited and talking about what they saw and their expectations to the match. They separated when they arrived at the Potter tent, promising to visit in the evening. They left and Hadriana entered the tent, only to see a loud mess of red hair in one side of the Potter tent, while there was no sign of Blacks or Malfoys. The Weasley mother, the twins, Richard's loyal puppy Ron and his fan girl were there.

Oh joy. she thought to herself, trying to be the most invisible as possible.

"Where have you been, Hadriana?" asked none other than the voice of Lily Potter, making some of the heads to turn to her.

"Visiting friends." was her cold reply, clearly not enough to her mother.

"Which were?" the red head asked again.

"The Greengrasses." replied Hadriana with a glare "Is that a problem?"

"The Greengrasses? Why did you visit them? They are a dark family, most likely in support of You-know-Who. You should not even be around them." Molly Weasley had to add her opinion, no matter how much unwanted it could be.

Unfortunately for the Weasley matriarch, her mere presence was enough to anger Hadriana, not to mention her family's.

"Really? Very interesting, Mrs. Weasley, please, share more of your insight. Tell me more about how much you know about people you have never met and that are your betters in every sense." sneered Hadriana, shutting up the woman "You call them dark, I call them traditional, besides, their eldest daughter is one of my dear friends. Keep your bloody opinions to yourself."

"Hadriana!" shouted Lily. The rest of the Weasleys were shocked and Richard sneered.

"Bloody snake whore." mumbled Ron, which Richard agreed.

"Well, I never..." mumbled Mrs. Weasley.

"Apologise, this instant." demanded Lily and Hadriana sneered.

"Or what?" she asked, her reply being a slap from her mother.

"Funny." replied Hadriana, taking her hand to the slap mark in her face after the silence that fell upon them lifted "Funny that you slap me for defending my friends and saying the truth. Now who's the hypocrite?"

"Enough!" was heard from the back of the tent. They all turned to the sound and saw a scowling Dorea Potter, lifting from her seat "It's time to get to the ministerial boxes. Get ready. Hadriana, clean up. We leave as soon as you're ready."

Hadriana nodded, going straight to the bathroom. She had to control herself not to curse that damn harpy and the bitch that called herself her mother. If it hadn't been her grandmother, she didn't know what could have happened.

They still had nearly three hours until the game began.

Oh joy.