AN: I saw the reviews on this and my jaw literally just dropped. WOW! I'm glad you like it so far and Lady Diana (hopefully I got that right), I haven't said who or what the Roses are so yes, you will be confused. You will find out exactly who the Roses are and their purpose on chapter 4. Bit of a time skip here. This is something that's been hanging around for a while, I'm working on getting Chaos Theory ready to post as well. I'm only going to work on two, after the rotation of Darkest, Song and Guided I know my limits :D
7th July, pre-7th year
Dear Hadrian,
As you know I am receiving the Dark Mark in one week. My father is very proud of me, as is my mother. I am not the only one receiving our Lord's mark, however, and the Dark Lord has decided to hold a Gala of sorts for the Dark. It is being held at our Manor in Wiltshire. Would it be possible for you to join us on the 13th of July at half-nine?
I am sorry you had to go back there, I feel for you having to put up with those loathsome Muggles and the simpering Order. I thank the gods you will not have to go back after this year and assume that you are doing the same. Father wanted me to send word along to you of Hogwarts. It seems that the Board of Governors have decided that children change as they grow up (imagine that!) and they are forcing the Headmaster to re-sort the seventh years.
I look forward to having you in Slytherin, as does godfather Sev. It will be immensely entertaining to watch the faces of those who supposedly know you, will it not? I think I will have great trouble not laughing in their faces. I know for a fact that Pansy will not remain in Slytherin, nor the insufferable Daphne Greengrass. I thank magic for small blessings.
Awaiting word,
Draco Lucien Malfoy
Heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy
Hadrian, commonly known as Harry James Potter, smiled darkly at the news contained in the letter. So the Headmaster didn't want to re-Sort, did he? He wasn't surprised about the fates of the Parkinson bitch nor the Greengrass girl. Neither one were Slytherins, they had been placed in the house because of their name. He chuckled slightly at the tone Draco set in the letter, agreeing with his friend that the removal of the two money-grabbing females would be a relief.
As would the chance to finally give up this farce upon the end of his seventh year. Hadrian had looked forward to that since the day he'd been told of his heritage and true parentage. It would be nice to give up the lie, to stand openly as the pureblood heir of two houses. He whistled softly as he contemplated the beginning of the parchment and the invitation. A Dark Gala, how thrilling. None of those younger than 18 would have their faces exposed. Certainly not Hadrian nor any of his fellow Dark Roses.
He sent the magnificent eagle owl Artemis on her way. He stood slowly, stretching out his back. It had taken time to lose his persistent shadow, but for all of Tonks' persistence, she was appallingly clumsy. He had finally given her the slip outside of the small wooded meadow where he'd found Artemis waiting. It was his usual hide-out when being Harry James Potter got to be too much.
It was late, not that he cared. The Dursleys had been on vacation almost all summer, leaving the 31st of June. They weren't expected back until the middle of August, vacationing in Majorca with Petunia's friend Yvonne. The Order had no idea they were gone, the pack of fools hadn't bothered to check the family's coming and goings. The only time they cared enough to send someone was when Hadrian passed the wards.
He wouldn't be 17 until the end of the month but all of the Dark Roses had the Trace removed at the beginning of the month of their birthday. Thus Hadrian wore a complicated glamour that made his appearance that of Harry Potter, while underneath he couldn't have looked more different if he tried. Glossy jet-black hair fell in slight, elegant waves to the base of his shoulder blades, tied back with a thin cord of red silk.
His eyes were larger, piercingly clear and unmarred by glasses. They were still green, but there were swirls of deep polished steel grey throughout and a ring of the colour around his pupils. His skin was flawless and pale as the purest marble. He was still short, courtesy of his 'relatives' and had a very slight, petite frame. Under the skin was pure muscle however and many had underestimated Hadrian.
His wand was stowed in a holster on the small of his back, a small dagger in easy reach on his right wrist. Neither showed under the flowing silk of his shirt, nor the skin-hugging suede leather trousers. His boots were dragonhide, with a base and toe of silver. By the time he reached the immaculate garden of 4 Privet Drive, he decided he would attend the Gala.
It would be something to look forward to, in any case. He let himself inside, striding through the living room to the kitchen. He made himself a meal, not caring about the reaction of the Dursleys when they returned. The 3,000 pounds he had upstairs in his trunk would smooth any ruffled nerves. WONDERFUL people, these Dursleys, he mused sarcastically.
His ire had only increased upon realisation that they were in fact, not his relatives at all. He had put up with their 'care' for 15 years, only to find out shortly before his 16th birthday it was all for naught. The only thing that stopped him from smacking each of those people with a jet of green light was the Dark Lord himself. So he seethed privately and waited for the day when the order to leave them be would lift.
He walked upstairs and wrote a carefully worded reply. If it was intercepted and read by the Order, they would find nothing alarming, the addressee was glamoured to read the name of a random student from one of the other European schools. If he was questioned about his correspondence he would shrug and say it was to a student from either Durmstrang or Beauxbatons, depending on his mood.
An amused smile crossed his face as he thought of the old coot's reaction if he said it was to a student in Durmstrang. He knew very well what those who attended Hogwarts thought of Durmstrang and their Dark Arts class. It was really a pity he had been down for Hogwarts since birth, Hadrian mused. It might have been nice to be able to 'officially' study the curses he was just now catching up on.
His Dumbledore-approved friends would be appalled, he knew. After all, the 'Golden Boy' of the Light could hardly know nor be able to use all three Unforgivables, nor a wide array of Dark, semi-Dark and outright illegal curses, hexes and jinxes. He was deadly now, all thanks to Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy.
Severus' hatred for him had disappeared the moment his true heritage was revealed. The man had given a deep, genuine apology and stated that he had only hated Hadrian because he believed in the lies of the Headmaster and his 'mother'. Lily Evans was no saint, though she had been promoted to one in the eyes of the Light.
Hadrian was not the only one of the Roses amongst the Light, but it would take careful maneuvering on his part to see if they were still Dark inclined. Though their blood surged with the power the Goddess had given them, they turned away and ignored it. Not for long, if Hadrian had any input on the matter.
For now, he had to remain where he was however. It was beyond irritating, but he would wait. The end was in sight now and soon he would be free of the lies. The best part was, Albus Dumbledore was oblivious. Hadrian's lips curved in a dangerous, beautiful smile. He wouldn't know what hit him.
A/N: What day of the week would you most like to see updates on?