A.N.- Thank you for the reviews, they were very insightful, Gilly619 I want to acknowledge your response as the one I wish to acknowledge. Believe me, I struggled greatly with regards to letting Selina escape or have her character end right shortly after introducing her and the importance she was to Hadrian however I decided in order Hadrian to grow and become a much more colder and for the emergence and development of a more cynical, pragmatic realist character. With Selina alive, Hadrian would never grow and reach the potential he is destined to reach, as he would no doubt rely on his sister more than ever. However I am inclined to further flesh out both Selina and Hadrian's character and relationship through Hadrian's thoughts and his memories.

Another reviewer has remarked that Gaunter O'Dimm being the Satan equivalent in the Witcher universe would find it beneath him to appeal to a single child however I would address to that reviewer that O'Dimm has often shown himself to certain individuals that he finds interesting and Hadrian is no ordinary child by any means. Luring a child who is in despair into a sense of false security and gaining his trust would be exactly in my opinion a devilish thing to do.

The turn of this story was to skip all the narrative of the books and the first two games after this chapter, as I have not had a full and comprehensible grasp on the history and character dynamics for me to confidently and accurately portray the events that happen in a fashion in which I would find to be acceptable. It is because all the aforementioned material is centered around Geralt of Rivia and twisting it to fit Harry (Hadrian) into it seems strange for me. However I would still include the main cast within this story so fear not!

Lastly, I want to say that I'm going temporarily suspend all my other works on hold as I'm getting great inspiration for this particular piece.

Chapter 2: A Shot of Courage

Months later

In the cover of night, a merchant wagon pulled by two horses rapidly raced down the dirt paths which then transformed into paved concrete roads as it crossed a sturdy stone bridge. Unknownst to the merchant who was steering the horses on, within the goods he had in his possession at the back of his cargo an additional barrel of unknown quality was unintentionally placed with the rest of his merchandise.

The wagon, spurred on by its driver was quickly approaching a large gate that enveloped a bustling and noisy city beyond its doors. Stonewalls that protected the city was heavily guarded by soldiers clad in red above their polished steel armor. Oxenfurt, a city considered to be the crown jewel of the Redanian Empire, located on the northern shore of the Pontar River and south of Novigrad and infamous for its academy which is boasted for rightly being the largest in the Northern Kingdoms. The wagon stopped at the foot of the gate as a guard halted for it to stop.

"What business do you have in Oxenfurt?" The guard asked gruffly.

"Trade." The merchant replied.

"Is that right?" The guard responded and gestured with his head at his subordinates, "Check it."

The merchant showed no protest as the guards did their routine checkup for every trader. It was a silent procedure as two guards raised their ignited torches that illuminated everything in the wagon.

"Clear!." A younger guard called out as the lead guard then made a gesture with his hand to signal the gate to be opened as the merchant who had taken an opportunity to indulge a smoke with his pipe got back on.

"Welcome to Oxenfurt." The lead guard said in a tone that did not fully echo the sentiment.

The merchant only tipped his hat in response as he spurred his horses to move forward. Stopping at a large red tiled roof structure with a hanging sign that wrote 'The Alchemy', the unassuming merchant disembarked from his seat and strolled into the Oxenfurt inn.

Despite the noise coming from the vibrant nightlife, no individual saw what seemed to be a small boy that opened the flaps to the back of the wagon and quickly jumped off with keen alertness. Pulling the black hood of his hooded cape, in which he commandeered from a clothesline in a distant village and securing it over his head, the boy disappeared into the rowdy crowd, leaving no trace of his existence.

The boy darted expertly using the night as his cover to avoid any unwanted attention as he had learned much of the art of espionage from his own instinct and experience to keep the vow he made to himself alive. At last he had found his destination, it was fairly obvious that he had crossed into the more opulent portion of the city as the structure styles as well as the clothes people wore in his vicinity would indicate.

Gathering his courage he approached the guard standing by the gate in front of a mansion that was completely white with a bored expression on his face.

"Excuse me sir…" Hadrian started, staring straight into the eyes of the guard.

"What do you want, urchin? This property is off limits." The guard looked down at the boy. The boys narrowed his eyes at the derogatory slang thrown his way but otherwise did not react as he calmly responded while pulling a flier from behind his back and tossing it at the feet of the guard.

"The Master's gauntlet…I want in." He said with the utmost conviction.

The guard stared at the boy before him for a good five seconds before bursting out laughing. Everyone around them stopped their conversations to watch the unfolding scene slowly playing out itself.

"You're serious." The guard laughed in between his breaths as the boy remained unnerved.

"Oy, Frank…Get a load of this." The guard yelled as an older guard came into view from behind the gate, his beard and hair starting to grey.

"What are you going about now you buffoon and what's with all this commotion?" Frank grunted, surveying the noisy scene before him with dark brown eyes.

"This urchin here wants a go at the Master's challenge." The younger, more impertinent guard exclaimed.

"Is that right?" Frank responded as he stared at the said urchin who stared back. With a smirk, the older guard looked at his younger colleague and nodded.

"B…But…he's…he can't be older than ten." The guard exclaimed as the gates creaked opened.

"Oh sod off Martin…y'er actin' like a spoiled girl that had her favorite teacup taken away from her." Frank gruffly responded as a shadow of a grin appeared momentarily on Hadrian's face. Frank beckoned Hadrian to follow him as the growing crowd behind him was noisily and frantically talking about the latest development of this event.

"Why'd you back me up?" Hadrian asked quietly, evidently not expecting a stranger to stick up for him.

"Call it a gut feeling, boy or misplaced sentimentality if yer feeling cynical…" The man was unwilling to divulge more as they soon appeared in a stage in which a raised platform was visible.

"I hope you perform well under pressure." Was the man's final piece of advice before leaving Hadrian instructions to stand on the platform. Approaching it, Hadrian surveyed the bow prepared for him. It was a standard short bow carved and crafted beautifully from Mahogany wood that seemed to be in perfect condition. There seemed to also be a quiver containing three steel tipped arrows. Methodically taking an arrow from the quiver secured on the table, Hadrian took aim at nothing in particular and pulled the arrow back before setting it back down.

"So…you're the one that has had everyone up and talking…interesting" A strong yet soft voice caused Hadrian to turn around to face a well-built man with fair skin, long polished black hair and sharp grey eyes. Again, despite that he had never met the man, Hadrian believed the voice to be familiar, as if he had heard it before but where. There was a sense of natural arrogance that came with the man.

"Cyrus Stygian." The man extended a hand, to which Hadrian stared at before taking it for a firm shake.

"Hadrian." He responded. If Stygian had noticed his lack of desire to disclaim his last name, he certainly did a good job hiding it.

"Ah, now that is done and over with, let's get on with the task…this is all very exciting" Stygian clapped his hands as Hadrian could hear the noise of an excited crowd growing louder.

"I certainly hope you do not mind that I had guests invited…you certainly played a huge part in stirring up their interests." Stygian spoke with a gleam in his eyes. Hadrian wanted to say that it was not intent to draw attention to himself but decided against voicing his thoughts as the man clearly was use to people to agree with him.

"Just tell me what that task entails." Hadrian said.

"Confident are we?" Stygian responded with a grin then snapped his fingers and torches surrounding them were all ignited.

A single stationary target was revealed to Hadrian. Evidently, the crowd was confused as well as any individual with any hint of experience with regards to using a bow could hit the target fairly well. Their questions were all answered as Stygian took out a Temeria Oren that was indistinguishable from any other Oren but Hadrian soon discovered one tiny but crucial difference. At the center of the coin, the metal was hollowed out, leaving a small yet crude square hole at the center of the otherwise flawless coin.

"It's simple," Stygian explained to everyone watching and Hadrian, "Shoot your arrow through this hollowed Oren and I will accept you as my student."

Stygian then tossed the said Oren towards Frank who caught it who went to secure it tightly with a piece of string on the stationary target. The Oren glinting tauntingly as it swung gently, like that of a pendulum from within a grand clock. His grey eyes turned to survey Hadrian's determined gaze.

"You have three arrows…" Before Hadrian could respond, Stygian added, "If you lose…well, let's just say you won't be seeing Oxenfurt anytime soon again."

"I understand." Hadrian stared back, hand tightening on the bow in his grasp before making his way to the platform facing the target.

As he walked, a distant yet vivid memory appeared at the forefront of his mind.

The sound of an arrow shooting through the crudely made figure of a man from straw echoed the air as birds flocked away from a nearby tree and into a sky where the sun was setting. A messy black haired boy with green eyes lowered his bow with an expression of disappointment as he saw where his arrow landed. He then felt a hand ruffle his hair and looked up to see his father smiling at him.

"Father?" Hadrian asked in a defeated small tone.

"Yes son?" Joseph responded.

"What…What am I missing?" The boy asked.

Hadrian took one glance at the arrow in his right hand and back at the target, the Oren tied around its neck was swaying. With expert grace and fluidity, Hadrian used his left hand to raise his bow and with his first arrow pulled back against the string from his right hand.

"What did you feel the moment you pulled the arrow back?" Joseph asked from beside him.

"…afraid. I was afraid." Hadrian responded softly.

"Why were you afraid."

Readying his aim, he released.

Cling!

Hadrian inwardly felt his stomach sink as the sound of metal coming into contact with metal signaled that although he had hit the target, the tip of the arrow did not reach its desired destination. Despite the size of the crowd and the noise they were generating, Hadrian had never felt so small, so alone.

"I want to be as good as you father!" Hadrian proclaimed to his father who listened intently.

"But…" Hadrian lowered the bow in his hand, "But I'm afraid I won't ever come close. I'm afraid that I might fall."

Hadrian took the second arrow from the quiver and raised his bow while pulling the arrow back against the string. The winds were picking up as the tied up Oren was now swinging back and forth at a quicker rate than before. Hadrian readjusted his breathing, his eyes never once leaving his target. His right hand released the arrow from its chamber and he watched as a small cling was heard but his anticipation was short lived as the arrow failed to fully nail the Oren in place and Hadrian could only watch as it slid out and fell to the ground next to his first arrow.

The groans of the crowd that had been cheers just a tad before echoed his feelings from within.

Cyrus Stygian watched Hadrian with fascination, he had taught many pupils in the art of archery and the only people who successfully passed this test could only be attributed to no more than the amount of fingers he had on both hands. The boy had experience for sure, his pose and technique was that of an individual that has had exposure to top training from a skilled teacher. It was the finer details that the boy still needed to refine. But how can that be as the boy was dressed in what seemed to be dirty clothes of a peasant. Just who was he?

Meanwhile Frank stared intently at the two arrows that was fired by the boy he had backed, he had to admit, the marksmanship the boy displayed for his age was remarkable. The difference between the results from his first and second arrow differed greatly in that the boy was able to notice his mistakes and most importantly adapt and change immediately as many archers have habits that has accompanied them since they have started to take up the craft that changing the way they shoot and adjusting would prove to be difficult and not easily fixed. But now, with the wind was blowing, the boy had to adapt even more with his last attempt.

Meanwhile, the said boy who had more than impressed some individuals from within the crowd stared at the third and final arrow in his grasp.

"It's okay, Hadrian…" Joseph placed a hand on Hadrian's shouder, "It's alright to be afraid. To be honest I'm afraid too...in fact, a lot."

Hadrian looked up, eyes wide with disbelief as his father chuckled at his surprised expression.

"I'm scared that I might not be a good father for you and Selina," Joseph began as Hadrian had to resist loudly protesting, "I'm scared that your mother might regret choosing me as her husband..."

Hadrian swallowed as he continued to listen.

"Most of all," Joseph finished, "I'm frightened that you or Selina might get hurt and that I couldn't stop it."

Hadrian then readied himself as for the third time as he raised his bow. His eyes rising to stare at the taunting, unmoving target, the Oren glinting as it swung. Before it was only swaying gently, now it was tossing back and forth violently as the winds picked up.

"Why do we fall?" Joseph asked. Hadrian's right hand started to shake, causing his respective left hand to do so as well.

"I don't know." Hadrian responded in a small tone, hands curled into fists as he struggled to find the answer that desperately evaded him.

"We fall...so that we may learn to pick ourselves up."

To combat his two hands that were shaking, Hadrian closed his eyes and readjusted his breathing.

"So get up...dust yourself... and try again." Hadrian obeyed as his shaking hands clasped around the handle of the bow that had fallen out from his grip. As he raised the bow, he drew the arrow in his right hand back and released.

"We're so incredibly proud of you…Hadrian."

Hadrian was frozen on the spot as he heard his father's parting words, whether it was his mind's creation or something else was followed by the sound of metal piecing wood, his mind was numb as he saw the arrow penetrate through the hollowed center of the Oren. The swinging coin was nailed tightly in place as the arrow held it in place.

His third and final arrow was shot flawlessly.

Immediately, after the realization of his success had dawned upon him, all tension and fatigue that had been built up through the night exploded as he fell to his knees amidst the exploding cheering that seemed to have broken through a wave of silence.

Cyrus Stygian could only laugh as he stared at the boy, it seems like things were getting interesting around here in Oxenfurt.

The guards soon escorted the audience, which was still chatting loudly about the skills of the mysterious boy. Soon Hadrian was wakened from his daze as a pair of armored boots came into his view. Looking up he saw the guard that had stuck up for him earlier, Frank as well as Stygian.

Taking Stygian' extended hand, Hadrian was pulled to his feet. No words were spoken as the renowned swordsman and archer led the boy into his mansion through large main double doors. Hadrian barely responded as maids lined up on both his left and right in an orderly fashion as they bowed in courtesy.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Stygian turned to face Hadrian who snapped his feet, giving the man his full attention.

"First off, congratulations Hadrian…a most excellent display." Stygian said as he awkwardly gave his student a pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you, sir." Hadrian responded.

"Have you had dinner?" Stygian asked and laughed when a loud growling noise, originating from Hadrian's stomach protested with eagerness.

Hadrian nodded despite his embarrassment.

"Before that, please do freshen up…Amelia? Elizabeth?" Two young women, one who had black hair and the other brown and was dressed in black and white maid outfits, appeared before them. Hadrian noted that they seem to be around his sister's age.

"Yes milord?" Both of them asked.

"Show my newest student to his new room and take him to the dining room after making him as presentable as possible."

"I can bathe and dress myself!" Hadrian protested loudly, the miniscule yet alive childishness within him stirred up.

"I don't think I recall saying anything about bathing...but why not, could you ladies assist in that as well?" Stygian tut-tutted as he raised his eyebrow with amusement when Harry blushed and the two girls giggled.

"Well off you go then." Stygian waved off Hadrian's protests as he was dragged away by two excited young women.

Hadrian had learnt that Elizabeth, the girl who had curly brown hair, had lost her parents when she was very young to the plague and had spent her years as a child begging on the streets before Stygian had taken her in when she was caught trying to pickpocket his coin pouch. Amelia, who had long straight black hair, had a similar unhappy story as she ran away from her parents and her home because they had attempted to marry her off to a man three times her age. She however did not inform how she got employed by Cyrus Stygian but Hadrian respected her as such and did not prod as he himself had secrets that he would only keep close to himself.

However, he did reveal his treasured relationship between him and his sister Selina and shared a couple stories of him messing around with her and other times of pranking or intentionally annoying her.

"I can't believe you two did that!" Elizabeth chuckled.

"The punishment was well worth it." Hadrian smiled as the two reached a door on the second floor.

"This is your room, you'll find that there's a bathroom adjoined to the room. The master's room is down the hallway just for your information." Amelia gestured as

Hadrian nodded.

"We prepared clothes for you, they're on the bed. We'll be waiting here when you're finished" Elizabeth added with a smile.

Closing the door behind him, Hadrian was faced with the biggest, luxuriously decorated room he had ever laid his eyes on. Sure, he had only one home that he could compare to and already knowing that Cyrus Stygian was more than wealthy did not lessen the overwhelming feeling he felt. Just his bed alone was three times bigger than the one he remembered sleeping in his old home. Shrugging his mind off his thoughts, he went and refreshed himself.

Cyrus Stygian nodded approval as Amelia and Elizabeth led a Hadrian that had cleaned up rather well after himself in addition to the change of clothes from his peasant outfit to one that consisted of fitting black boots, dark slacks, a white shirt and black jerkin. The boy definitely looked like an aristocrat.

Sitting down across from Stygian, Hadrian could barely keep his face from regressing to that of a expression a starving man would make in the presence of a buffet as far as the eyes could see.

Stygian smiled as he beckoned for the boy to dig in.

Hadrian ate like a starving man, manners be damned as he stabbed two juicy pieces of the finest steaks he had ever seen onto his plate followed by two chicken drumsticks that had been fried to perfection along with a piece of grilled salmon steak that was pink and tender. He then dug into his plate heartily.

It had been so long, so long since he could eat with such carefreeness and joy. After that fateful night, Hadrian resorted to unsavory and questionable means in filling his stomach as he drifted. From meager scraps to worms and edible plants, he ate it all. At other instances, he had to ignore the hunger all together. There was never a moment where he could let his mind rest as he was warned of the treachery that laid before him. Monsters that lurked in the shadows, the skies and the depths, bandits and highwaymen that had no moral code of any sort to which they abided to and the unforgiving wrath of mother nature.

As he ate, the fact that he was now here, alive and sitting at the dining table in a room that was as big as his former home in a lavishly built and opulently decorated mansion while eating the most delicious meal he has ever had not yet fully registered.

"Slow down…the food's going nowhere and you'll be under my tutelage for some time I reckon." Stygian laughed as the boy blushed and sheepishly took smaller bites.

"Pardon my curiosity, there is one thing that I have been wondering," The noble asked as Hadrian looked up.

"Who taught you to shoot?" Stygian was leant forward, chin resting beneath clasped hands.

Hadrian weighed his options at the question as the man seemed trustworthy and nice enough with keeping his word as well as providing a place for him to stay in so far therefore he decided to respond honestly to return the favor.

"My father taught me when I turned six." Hadrian responded and added with pride, "He use to be a knight for Temeria…Ser Peverall was his title."

"I see…is…is he well?" Stygian asked, the tone in his voice changed as the fork in Hadrian's grip fell onto his plate with a loud clang.

"I'm afraid he past away sir." Hadrian said softly.

A long drawn silence filled the air as both individuals seemed to withdraw to themselves. That was until the older man decided to break the heavy atmosphere lingering above them.

"Thank you for trusting me enough with this information." Stygian forced a smile as Hadrian nodded.

If Hadrian had looked up at that moment instead of carrying on feasting at that moment, he would be able to see Stygian's expression cycle from shock to disbelief to helpless anger and finally one of somberness.

Hadrian felt a sense of awkwardness as after finishing his dessert that consisted of a cold and sweet dish that was called ice cream, he was allowed to excuse himself as his new teacher seemed to be mulling over his thoughts. He spared a last look at the man who was casually sipping his wine, staring into nothingness before he was escorted away.

As he climbed into his bed that evening, marveling at the soft sheets that covered him and the comfortable mattress and fluffy pillow he laid upon, any other reflecting thoughts were overwhelmed as tiredness finally took its toll on the small boy after many days on the road and being overly alert, his eyes closed in the moonlit night.

Please Read and Review, thank you all very much for your support

P.S. – The newly introduced Cyrus Stygian in this chapter is a character of my own creation but bares similarities to a beloved Harry Potter character. Who do you think he is meant to be modeled upon?

Hint: It's in the last name.