The Pure

By Rosemae

Chapter Two

Hadrian shifted in the seat; pain laced though his body. Lily had dragged him down the alley and into a restaurant where they had been shown to a table where James waited. During the dragging process, Hadrian had felt even more of the lashes that covered his body re-open. Now here he sat, in pain, perusing a menu for something that he might be able to keep down. He had learned the hard way that eating too much in one go after being starved did not result well. Then after some research on it, he now was more educated on what things would be smart. Like the chicken and vegetable soup on the menu, with some fresh rolls.

It was after they had placed their orders that the conversation truly began. "Harry, there are some things that we must discuss with you before we leave you at school," James said, drawing his attention. "As I am sure you are unaware, your twin, William, is revered as a hero who defeated a dark wizard, and saved your life, as well as the lives of the rest of the wizarding world. Due to his position, our family is constantly in the limelight. Things might be difficult for you because of your brother's fame; however, it is important that you remember not to do anything that could bring shame to him."

"So, don't let anyone know that you abandoned me because you felt I would be a burden to him and in retrospect yourselves?" Hadrian responded.

"No, dear, we never thought of you as a burden. We just figured that being without magic you would have preferred to grow up in a normal environment," Lily denied quickly, her face flushed by the question.

"Right, that's why you asked Aunt Petunia if she wanted me, stuck around to explain things, and checked up on me to make sure I wasn't being abused?" Hadrian bitterly replied.

James gave him a stern look. "Young man, that is not how you speak to your mother! We did what we felt was best. Gave you a normal muggle childhood. We were told you did not have magic, and therefore did not want to introduce it into your life. There would have been jealousy, and exposure that was all unnecessary."

"No, you both felt that with no magic I would grow jealous of William, and sent me away because I would have also been a burden. You didn't care about me then, and you don't care about me now. You never even sent a card or a birthday present. Never checked up on me. Well, I was abused and you were living your lives ignorant of that because you didn't care," Hadrian hissed out, clenching his hands into the fabric of his trousers.

"Nonsense, enough of this abused crap," Lily said in a scolding tone, her face red with anger. "Petunia was never a violent woman, and if this is how you acted around her, I can see why she would have need to discipline you. We did what we as parents thought at the time was right for you. Now that we have found out that you in fact do have magic, we had no choice but to step in and see to your magical education. You will quickly learn when you come home for the summer that we also believe in discipline, so you had better be on your best behavior."

"No choice?" Hadrian started, but immediately ceased speaking when James' hand slammed down on the table. The look on James' face was daring Hadrian to say more. Hadrian could see that these two did not care still. There was no point of arguing, or conversing with them. They had made up their minds, and that was that. "Fine, I promise that I will be a model student, and that I will stay far away from your golden son," Hadrian blandly responded.

"Now don't be that way, Harry, I am sure your brother is dying to get to know you. You are family, after all." Lily said sternly. Hadrian did not respond, and remained quiet. Lunch was brought, and he enjoyed what little of the food he was able to eat. His 'parents' talked more about William and Angelica, whom Hadrian was stunned to find out is his eight-year-old sister.

Neither Lily nor James asked Hadrian any questions about himself during or after lunch. After lunch consisted of robe fitting for school, and then clothes shopping. Lily had complained that he kept his play clothing for far too long, as they had clearly worn out and stretched. Hadrian didn't bother to break his silence to inform her of their true origin, that they had in fact belonged to Dudley, and that they were all that he owned. Why should he? It was obvious that they wouldn't have believed him. He was relieved to find that the tailor took his measurements and magically altered all of his new clothing to fit.

All of his new school stuff and clothing had been packed into a trunk and shrunk down by James. Hadrian decided to stay in the faded black shirt, and old torn jeans until after he was able to shower, not wanting to get any blood on his new clothing. He was very excited, however, at the end of the shopping trip to finally possess real clothing, and for the first time ever to have pocket money - the last being thanks to Mr. Ollivander.

~_~_~Time Skip ~_~_~

Hadrian landed harshly once more, a brief bout of dizziness hitting him this time. He was sure that it was a combination of blood loss, pain, and the fever he could feel coming on. James pulled him once more to his feet, then let go of his arm and walked over to where Lily was already standing. They had taken something called a Floo (really it was a fireplace that flared with green flames which somehow didn't burn, that they just walked through) to the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, his new school. It was a horrible ride, and an even worse landing.

He straightened himself up and glanced around the room that was before him. A really old man with a really long white beard was greeting James and Lily, who had gone through the Floo first. "…longer than anticipated. Thank you for waiting for us," James was saying as Hadrian tuned in.

"Of course, my boy! It is no trouble at all! Of course, young Harry will have to take his dinner with his new Head of House after he is Sorted; dinner ended about 20 minutes ago, and the students are out and about for the night," the Headmaster commented, then turned toward Harry with a genial smile, his bright blue eyes twinkling away like stars. "Now, welcome, my boy! It's a pleasure and a surprise having you. Gave us all quite a shock when your name was on the list to be Sorted! But no matter, you are here now. Please sit on this stool, while I grab the Sorting Hat."

Hadrian made his way over to the stool that the old man had made appear. He pulled himself up on it, hissing in pain from the struggle, as the stool summoned was clearly the height for an adult, not a short, young boy like himself. Once Hadrian was seated on the stool, the old man dropped an old, bedraggled hat upon his head, covering up his eyes.

'Oh my dear Lady Magic, what a true gift we have here!' a voice inside head echoed. Hadrian went stiff in the seat, but did not respond. 'Do not worry yourself, child. Your secrets are your own, not mine to tell. I can see you have been wronged and hurt, and now even disappointed. You desire so many things that should be given freely. Oh my poor child, I know right where to put you. A family you will have, along with protection. Yes…' "Better be Slytherin!" the Hat cried out.

Hadrian heard a glass shatter, and the other occupants of the room gasp. "No Potter has EVER been in Slytherin! Albus! Re-do it! Make the Hat place him ANYWERE else," James demanded.

"I refuse, the boy belongs in Slytherin!" the Hat said.

Hadrian took the Hat off his head. The face that was on it winked at him, then seemed to fade and go dormant.

"Albus! Put him in Gryffindor!" James once more demanded.

"I am sorry, my boy, but my hands are tied. The castle magic has already moved his things to his new rooms. The crest on his robes has changed. The Sorting Hat is the only one that can change his House," Albus explained; his face carried a look of disappointment and the smile was nowhere to be seen. Hadrian found it all very interesting that his 'father' was so upset by his placement in Slytherin, whatever that may be.

James swung around to look at Hadrian, his face flushed red with fury. "It hasn't even been a day, and you're already causing problems! You put that Hat back on right now, and tell it to place you anywhere else! Think of all the trouble you are causing!"

Hadrian slipped off the stool, and then set the Hat down on it. "I don't understand what IS happening here, or how I could be causing any problems. I have done nothing wrong, and if the Headmaster just said he can't change it, why do you think I could?"

James smacked Hadrian across the face, causing the boy to stagger, and stormed over to the Floo, leaving in a flare of green fire. Lily sighed and placed her teacup down on the table. She stood and approached Hadrian, giving him a look over. "You should reconsider this decision, young man. We are very disappointed in you," she said. She then bid the Headmaster goodnight and followed James through the Floo.

The Headmaster turned and gave Hadrian a studying look. "Well, my boy, are you going to put the Hat back on and ask for a different Sorting, as your parents have asked?"

Hadrian raised a brow at the old man. The two had a brief stare down, before Hadrian gave in. Shrugging, he picked the Hat up once more and placed it on his head, but this time the Hat remained dormant. After a minute the Headmaster gave in. "Very well, let me summon your Head of House."

Hadrian removed the Hat again, and watched as the Headmaster stuck his head in the fireplace and called out to someone. It only took a minute before a tall gentleman dressed in black robes stepped though the fireplace. Hadrian was envious of his steady steps, as he walked out of the Floo. "Severus, I would like to introduce you to Harry Potter," the Headmaster said, gesturing toward Hadrian. "He was just Sorted into your House. Harry, this is Professor Snape, your Head of House."

"Hadrian Potter; however, I would prefer just being called Hadrian, sir," Hadrian spoke up.

Professor Snape gave him just the merest glance, then turned to the Headmaster with a disdainful look. "A Potter, sorted into Slytherin. Surely you jest, Albus. After all, the only other Potter I am aware of is a young daughter."

"Lily had twins; young Harry here was born shortly after William, so he is the younger of the two. However, he was tested as a babe and incorrectly pronounced to be a squib. His presence here at Hogwarts is shocking to us all, I assure you," the headmaster nonchalantly replied. The two men were intent only upon each other, causing Hadrian to scowl at being ignored.

"Surely the boy wants a re-sort. He can't possibly wish to be in my House," Severus tossed back.

"The Hat has refused a re-sorting. So, if you would please see him to the dorms." The Headmaster gestured toward the door. Although his smile remained affable, his demeanor made it clear that he expected to be obeyed.

The man glared at the Headmaster and swirled around to face Hadrian. "Follow me, Potter," he barked out before turning to leave the room. Hadrian followed his new Head of House. They made their way down a long, curving staircase and then started down a hallway. Professor Snape's strides were long, and it was not long before Hadrian felt another wave of dizziness sweep over him, causing him to stumble and grasp a wall. His hand landed on a painting of a young woman, who called out in surprise at being jolted.

"Professor Snape! Come back here this instant!" the woman in the painting yelled out, causing his Head of House to turn around.

"Mr. Potter, what part of 'follow me' do you not understand!" the man hissed out.

"Enough of that!" the painted lady scolded. "The boy is unwell; only a fool would not have noticed."

Severus took a step back to study the boy. He'd noticed before that Potter was small for his age, much smaller than his twin; now he saw that he was also pale, and shaking. He frowned briefly at a red mark he now noticed on the boy's cheek, wondering what had caused it, before turning his attention to the matter at hand. "Tell me what ails you, Mr. Potter. I might have a potion on hand to treat it."

Hadrian was uncomfortable with this man, who seemed nothing but hostile toward him. However, at this point, Hadrian knew he needed a doctor. He could feel the fever getting worse, and that meant something was infected. Hadrian licked his lips, and rested his head on the cold wall next to the painting. "Sir, I do believe I need a doctor. I am injured and think I have lost quite a bit of blood. I am very dizzy and my head is pounding. I also am hot, with a high fever, I think, and that means possible infections."

Severus gritted his teeth, not believing him. Clearly the child was exaggerating, but the brat would soon learn the consequences. Madam Pomfrey would give the child a very thorough examination that would make him think twice the next time he wished to embellish his injuries. "Very well, then we will make our way to the medical wing. Follow me." Severus instructed as he turned to walk back the other way.

"I can't, sir. I am too dizzy to properly orientate myself. Keeping focus and walking is also a struggle. I require some help, please, sir," Hadrian called out before his Head of House could get very far.

Severus scowled at the boy, then flicked out his wand and with a flick, swish, and a mumble had the boy floating through the air behind him. Hadrian was startled to be floating, but it did relieve the pressure on several of his wounds. He was thankful for what little reprieve from the pain it brought, although floating along like that only increased the dizziness. He closed his eyes and that seemed to help.

Severus floated Hadrian down to the medical wing, and settled him upon a bed. He then went in search of Madam Pomfrey. The matron was in her office. "Madam Pomfrey, I have a student for you to see to," Severus said.

"Severus, it's always one of your Slytherins," she responded. She put down the book that she had been perusing and followed Severus out of the office and over to the bed that Hadrian lay on. "Hello, young man, my name is Madam Pomfrey, and I understand that you need healing?"

Hadrian had set himself upright on the bed to alleviate the pressure against his back. Upon the Healer's inquiry, he nodded in confirmation. "Yes. The loving relatives I was so kindly dumped with by my parents did not reciprocate the feelings. And they enjoyed taking it out on my hide quite literally."

With that explanation Hadrian began shifting around on the bed to remove the faded black shirt. He had to clench his teeth in response to the pain of the tugging against the open wounds. He was sure by the time he finished getting his shirt off the wounds would all be reopened and bleeding once more. This would increase the dizziness caused by the loss of blood. Madam Pomfrey noticed that he was having difficulty removing his shirt and with a wave of her wand vanished it.

Both Madam Pomfrey and Severus gasped in surprise and horror at the damage on Hadrian's back. "Oh Severus, I do believe that this is going to require a Healer above my level. It would be best if you summon Madam Bones and Lucius Malfoy. They are going to need to take over guardianship temporally, to facilitate his admittance into St. Mungo's, as well as the investigation into this abuse, and ensure his protection. And you, child, don't you move from this bed! Wait here while I go get some potions," she ordered before rushing from the room.

Hadrian watched as both the Healer and his Head of House took off in different directions. As instructed, he didn't move an inch. Instead he shut his eyes and let out a sigh, it finally sounded like a teacher was going to do something. Even if it might've been a little too late.

Severus quickly made his way into Pomfrey's office and over to her Floo. Tossing some powder in he quickly called out for Malfoy Manor, Lucius' private study. "Lucius, are you there?" It did not take long for his longtime friend to appear in front of his vision.

"Severus, always a pleasure, but I can tell from your manner that something is wrong. How can I be of assistance?" Lucius asked.

"It would appear that I have an extreme abuse case that I'll need your assistance with. If you would step to the Floo?" Severus asked.

Lucius moved about his office, picking up a few things here and there, before approaching the Floo once more. "Step back, I'm coming through," he said.

Severus took a step back as requested, and not seconds later Lucius stepped into the room. "I have one more call to make, to Madam Bones," Severus said as he moved back to the Floo. This time he called out, "Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones' office." Just as quickly as Lucius had, Madam Bones responded to his request and came through the Floo as well.

"If you will follow me, I will lead you to the student that you are here regarding." Severus motioned for the both of them to follow him back to the infirmary. The three of them moved over to the bed where Hadrian sat.

During the short time Severus had been gone, Madam Pomfrey had set about cleaning some of his Potter's wounds. She informed Severus she had also provided him with a blood replenishing potion and a pain potion. Severus nodded his approval and turned to the boy. "Let me make introductions. Lucius, Amelia, this is Hadrian Potter, the younger twin of William Potter. Hadrian, this is Lord Lucius Malfoy, a lawyer, and Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

The two new adults in the room gaped in shock at hearing the boy's name. Their shock became even more apparent when they saw the damage on the young boy's body. Lucius took a step forward and held his hand out to Hadrian. "Mr. Potter."

"Please, call me Hadrian," Hadrian requested, interrupting the man as he shook his hand.

Lucius tilted his head in acknowledgment. "Hadrian, as Severus - that is, Professor Snape - said, my name is Lucius Malfoy; you may call me Lucius. As Severus also stated, I am a lawyer. When it is necessary, Severus calls on me to represent victims of abuse such as yourself. If you would allow me to take you on as a client, I can see that you get justice for this mistreatment. There would be no fee, as you are underage. I would act as your lawyer until you come of age when you turn seventeen, at which time you can then decide if you'd like me to still represent you, or not. As your lawyer I would see to your needs, you would be my client and your legal guardians cannot cancel or interfere with our contact. Anything you tell me will be kept under strict confidentiality. I also have with me a standard contract drawn up for cases like this. This is another reason we have Madam Bones here, as she will inspect the contract to make sure that it is beneficial to both parties. She will then witness the signing of the contract and we can move forward with your care," Lucius explained.

Madam Bones stepped forward next, holding her hand out to Lucius who handed her what Hadrian could only assume was a contract. The woman opened the contract and read it over before handing it back over to Lucius. "Hadrian, I wish that we had met under better circumstances. I have looked over the contract and it is a standard contract for the duties that Lucius is willing to provide to you."

Lucius held the contract out for Hadrian to look over. Hadrian accepted it and gave it a quick read over. True to both their words, Hadrian could easily see that this was a fair contract that benefited Hadrian more than it did Lucius. "Anyone have a pen?"

Lucius pulled out a self-inking quill and offered it to Hadrian, who stared at it before gingerly taking it. "Erm, excuse me," he said awkwardly, flushing, "but I've never used one of these before. Is it any different from using a biro? I don't want to mess up my signature." After Severus suggested a small change in the way he was holding the quill, Hadrian wasted no time in signing the document, which was then taken and signed by Lucius, Madam Bones and Severus acting as witnesses.

"Now that the contract is finished, let's get you to St. Mungo's. At this point in time, as your legal representative I will be taking on temporary guardianship of you until Madam Bones dictates otherwise," Lucius explained.

"First thing we'll do is get you to Saint Mungo's, so that we can get you healed up," Madam Bones instructed. "That is our priority. After that, and only after you're fully healed, will we begin the investigation regarding your abuse. During the time you are at St. Mungo's you will be quarantined, the only ones allowed in to see you will be the Healers, Severus, Lucius and myself."

Hadrian nodded and shifted forward a little on the bed. Madam Pomfrey pulled out a thin blanket and covered his bare shoulders with it, for which Hadrian thanked her, as he now had no shirt to cover himself up with.

"Are you still dizzy?" Lucius asked. "Do you feel that you can walk? Or would you like us to levitate you?"

Hadrian slid to the edge of the bed and placed his feet on the floor, then easily leant forward and put weight on them. Thanks to the pain potion the movement was not as excruciating as it had been before. Hadrian was able to pull himself to stand up straight. "I'm not sure I'm strong enough to walk on my own, but with support I can make it."

With Lucius on one side and Severus on the other, Hadrian was supported as he walked into Madam Pomfrey's office. "Getting in to the Floo will be difficult this way. I think it would be best for me to pick you up," Lucius commented.

"Okay," Hadrian agreed. Very carefully and with the assistance of Severus he was lifted into Lucius's arms. His own arms wrapped around Lucius's neck as they made their way over to the fireplace. In the blink of an eye they were sailing through the Floo, and Hadrian couldn't help but be envious once more at the graceful landing when they exited.

Severus and Madam Bones followed them through the Floo. Once regrouped they made their way over to a nearby desk. "I have a child here who needs to be seen immediately," Madam Bones demanded.

The young lady looked up from the desk and observed the group in front of her. "Right away. If you all would follow me to a room," she requested. The young lady grabbed a clipboard off the desk and led them through a series of hallways and into an examination room. The entire walk Hadrian was carried in Lucius's arms. Once they arrived at the room, he was carefully set upon the bed. The young woman handed the clipboard to Madam Bones before making her way out of the room, instructing them to wait while she got a Healer.

Madam Bones began to jot down some information on the board, while Severus and Lucius sat down to wait. The room here was colder than the one at Hogwarts and Hadrian pulled the blanket around him to keep the chill away as he too sat and waited.

In a flash the room suddenly became full of Healers, several of them surrounding him while others went to speak with the adults that had accompanied him. Hadrian shivered as he felt magic dance across his skin, and watched as different colors flashed above him. It was shocking when he watched several different reports pop out of the Healers' wands. Madam Bones quickly moved around the room collecting copies of each report. She briefly explained that she needed them as evidence for the abuse case.

Hadrian heard instructions barked off by the different Healers that swarmed the room. It was only a few minutes later that several potions were set down in front of him and he was instructed to drink. One Healer explained that they would help with healing, and that one would make him sleep. Hadrian glanced quickly over to the adults accompanying him, who all assured him that they would not leave the room while he was being healed, and they would be there when he woke. So, as instructed, Hadrian quickly downed the provided potions, and almost instantly drifted off to sleep.