As always, I own nothing.
Ladythik
Chapter Two
Hadrian woke and stretched slowly, enjoying the comfort of his soft bed.
He had lived with luxury for just over four years now, but he still relished it. Sirius, his godfather, laughed at his joy in what the older man called simple pleasures, blaming it on his upbringing. Sirius had saved him when he was twelve, taking him away from everything and protecting him. As he climbed out of the huge bed he thought back over the first few weeks with his godfather.
He had woken in an unfamiliar place with the man the news had called a dangerous criminal. He had tried to escape immediately and had almost succeeded, but for the wards. After that Sirius had placed something called inhibiting bracelets on him, preventing him from accessing his magic. He had been terrified and angry, lashing out every chance he got, refusing to listen when the man tried to calm him.
For days he had fought the kindness and comfort. Refusing to even eat until he had grown to weak to fight. Sirius had moved quickly once he finally collapsed, nursing him back to health and forcing him to listen. He had been told about the betrayal that cost him his parents and about the real traitor. He had been told about Azkaban and Sirius' escape. Two weeks after he had woken for the first time a paper had arrived telling of Sirius' innocence and of the capture of Peter Pettigrew. It had several articles about how Sirius had been cleared of all charges and how Pettigrew had admitted under veritaserum that Dumbledore had known all along that Sirius was innocent.
That article had broken Hadrian. He had finally given in too his godfather and accepted that the man was acting in his best interest. The next couple of weeks were spent healing both of them which still caused Hadrian to wince when he thought of it. Sirius had use a very old and horribly painful dark spell to heal every scar on his body and all of the damage to it as well. He was unable to fix Hadrian's lack of height from malnutrition but everything else was strengthened and improved, including his eyesight.
He had been forced to relearn how to walk, talk, eat, think, speak and even sit so that he would be able to navigate the treacherous society he was born into. He had been taught to speak in code and riddles, and how to break others codes and riddles. He had been taught art and music, several languages and cultural mannerisms, but most of all he had been taught magic.
Sirius had tested him on everything, including several things that he hadn't learned yet and had been furious with his lack of knowledge. He had been forced to learn everything from the basics back up and beyond. He hadn't been permitted to return to Hogwarts as Sirius feared he would be taken so the man had taught him everything and at the end of what would have been his third year, Moony had arrived and begun helping.
He had learned every subject taught at Hogwarts and then some and was also taught several things from upper level muggle world as well. At the end of what would have been his fourth year he had privately taken and passed all of his OWLs with outstandings. Something he would not have been able to do had he been left at Hogwarts. A few days later the results had somehow been leaked to the press and there had been several articles about his "kidnapping" reprinted along with an interview given by his examiner. The wizard had spoken of how he had been portkeyed to an unknown location and had seen the-boy-who-lived.
"I waited for the student, not knowing exactly who it would be and there he was. He had changed a bit from his last picture o' course, cause he got older. He was perfectly mannered and even though he had been kidnapped, he was happy."
"He took every OWL offered and passed them all with outstandings .I offered several times to try and help him escape and he just smiled and turned me down. Said he was happy where he was."
There had been several articles through the last few years about his "kidnapping". He and his godfathers just laughed at them all. Sirius had a scrapbook for his favorites, including the one of Dumbledore pleading for the safe return of a boy he saw as a "grandson". There had been rumors that Sirius had been training him to be a death eater until Perter had been caught and then it turned to Sirius being delusional, thinking the dark lord was still about and was hiding him away to protect him.
Some of Hadrians favorite memories were of letters Sirius had sent in of his opinions about the articles. Sirius had used his parents will to prove that he hadn't kidnapped Hadrian, just taken custody of him like he should have had all along. Speculation was always ripe on what exactly would happen if they every did manage to find him, but as Sirius was innocent and had been cleared of all charges, no one knew exactly what they could do.
What none of the world knew was that Sirius had blood adopted him, making him a Black so only another Black would be able to legally take him in. It was their trump card just in case. Hadrian quickly finished his morning ablutions and dressed to head to breakfast. He loved having specially tailored clothing, made just for him. Sirius spared no expense on him and so all of his clothing was made from the best materials and he loved them.
Like any proper Lord he wore robes every day but also, like any proper dark wizard, they were made for dueling. He wore tight fitting leather breeches and tight fitting shirts, covered by fitted robes with slits up his legs for ease of movement. He pulled up his long hair on top of his head and slipped on his boots and left his room.
As always Sirius and Remus were eating breakfast when he arrived, but unlike most days they were both in a serious discussion while looking over several letters and note form their contacts and friends. They both looked very serious and their voices were hushed as they showed each other different notes. This behavior had become increasingly more common over the past few months as there had been whispers moving through the dark families and several of their friends about Voldermort. There whispers had started a coupld of months ago when Mad-Eye Moody's body had shown up on the gates of Hogwarts, severely damaged and with signs of having been used in some sort of dark ritual. The Dark Mark had been burned into several places on his body leading credence to the theory.
Hadrian wondered what the latest news was, but Sirius would tell him when he was ready so he sat and readied a plate for himself while he waited. While he was eating a black hawk flew into the room with a black envelope in its talons. The magnificent bird landed gracefully in front of Sirius and he looked at it warily before slowly taking the envelope from the bird. Hadrian watched as his godfathers eyes hardened when he read what ever was written on the note before the man showed the missive to Remus, causing the werewolfs eyes to flash golden momentarily. The two men flashed him a glance before excusing themselves from the table. Sirius paused long enough to order him not to leave the wards, which was rare before the two left the room.
It was rare that Sirius gave Hadrian orders, but when he did Hadrian listened. He had learned early on that when the lord of the house gives an order, it was to be followed or the punishment was swift and highly unpleasant. The one and only time he had crossed his godfather after the man had used his head of house tone had led to Hadrian to a time that he still had nightmares about.
Sirius had ordered him not to enter a specific room and Hadrian had disobeyed. The room had a boggart in it and Hadrian had wanted to see one, having read about them. He had ended up locked in the room with a dementor boggart and been forced to hear his parents murder in its entirety several times before one of the house elfs had notified Sirius and the man had come to his rescue. Sirius had been furious with him and once he had ascertained that Hadrian had not been hurt had cast a vicious curse on him that replicated the effects of pneumonia. He had spent a week with in a fever induced delirium as his body suffered under the spell. He had been unable to catch his breath and his entire body had been in pain as the sickness ravaged him.
Once the week was up and Sirius had released the spell Hadrian had never dared to cross the man again. Sirius had also sat him down and informed him of exactly why he was never to cross his head of house and had also informed him of all of the control a head of house had over any under their care. Sirius could order him to learn certain things, act certain ways, and even choose who he would marry. Indeed, he was not allowed to even date without Sirius' permission. Sirius had informed him that he had no plans to force Hadrian into an arranged marriage, but if he thought it would be best for him he would in a heart beat.
Usually Hadrian had free reign over what he did with his days outside of his training. Since he had been blood adopted his looks had changed enough that he wasn't instantly recognizable and so was allowed to leave and shop or visit friends. He had worn a glamour to his OWL testing so that he looked more like his old self but he had changed. For one thing his glasses weren't needed anymore leaving his eyes free. His Potter hair that had refused to grow before was still wild but with the Black blood in him now it grew at a rapid pace leaving his previously short locks now a mass of shinny, healthy curls that fell to his mid-back. His face had changed from round to more heart shaped and aristocratic, with perfectly arched brows and lips that looked like they had been taken from a beautiful procilian doll they were so perfect. He was called beautiful by those who knew him and Sirius had received several offers for his hand, but had refused them all.
For Sirius to order him not to leave the wards, things must be very serious. He finished his breakfast quickly and decided that since he would be staying in today he would go for a ride on his 'abraxan', Thunder.
Thunder had been a gift to make up for him not being allowed to return to Hogwarts after Sirius had taken him before his third year. He had been depressed and lonely and so Sirius had contacted an old friend of his who had invited them to come pick one out. Hadrian had seen the abraxan colt and instantly knew the thing was meant to belong with him. The colt had been deemed a misfire, to wild to sell or breed and the man had tried everything to talk him out of wanting that one. None of the mans stable hands had been able to break the colt and one man had even been killed in the attempt.
The man had quickly pulled Sirius away to look at some of the other colts instead but Hadrian had snuck away from them and back to the wild colt who was larger than any horse he had ever seen. The clot was the blackish grey color of a storm cloud and had ice blue eyes. Hadrian had made sure no one was watching and had slipped into the stall.
Almost instantly, the abraxan and lowered its front legs, making it low enough for him to climb onto its wide back, just behind its wing joints. The animal that the man and his handlers were terrified of had bonded with him almost instantly and Hadrian had used a bit of magic opening the stall and they were off. The horse had flapped its great wings, sounding like thunder, and to the amazement of the entire farm had flown into the air and across the land faster that he could even go on his broom.
Once they had landed Sirius had ripped him from the horses back and spanked him right there in front of the owner and all of his workers before buying the abraxan for him. He had named him Thunder for the sound his wings had made that first ride and the two had been together since. Thunder was his best friend and constant companion and no other person could even step foot into the stallions stall with out being attacked.
Hadrian slipped off his robe as he reached the stables and he went about his chores for the morning. He fed the three abraxans, his, Sirius', and Remus's and cleaned out their stalls before pulling out the tack for Thunder. He never used a saddle as the stallion hated them so all he needed was the bit and reigns. He had to use a step ladder to reach the stallions head as his shoulders stood at six feet and his head, when he stood straight, was just short of eight feet, but with the ladder Hadrian was able to tack him up.
Hadrian used the fence post to climb up high enough to be able to mount the horse but once he had his thighs locked right behind the wing joints Thunder took off at a gallop before lifting them both up in the air with just a few powerful beats of his wings.
Hadrian whooped out his joy as they moved through the air seamlessly. He grinned as they flew around the huge property. He loved flying along the cliffs and out over the sea. They flew for hours together, Thunder doing dives and rolls at Hadrian's urging. The exhilaration of the speed and height never wavered.
All to soon he felt his heir ring warm as Sirius sent a summons for him to return to the manor. He turned Thunder back towards home and within minutes they landed. He gave the great beast a quick rub down to clean him of sweat before releasing him out to pasture and hurrying to Sirius' study.
He used a quick freshening spell on himself and made sure he was presentable before knocking on his godfathers door. At the uncharacteristically sharp 'Enter' he opened the door and glided in. He was momentarily thrown off balance by the sight of four people instead of the expected two but thanks to his training his steps remained smooth and his face showed no sign of shock. Indeed once he registered that the faces belonged to Victor and his father Lord Damyan Krum, he had to work to hide his pleasure from them.
Victor and his father were part of the small group of people who knew where they were and anything about them at all really. Damyan Krum was an old friend and Sirius' solicitor before his fathers death, and had been the first person other than Moony that Sirius had contacted once he had taken Hadrian. He was the one who had been in charge of the Black holdings once Sirius was imprisoned and had tried several times through the years to get the man a trial.
Since Sirius had been freed he had also switched care of the Potter holdings and buisness's to Damyan's law firm, making sure Dumbledore was no longer allowed any access to the Potter monies, properties, or titles. Sirius had gone through Damyan to have himself cleared once Pettigrew had been tried.
Once Damyan had handled that he had also had several other things that needed Sirius' attention and so the man and his family had been invited to the manor by private portkey. Hadrian and Victor had hit it off even though Victor was four years his elder. He had helped Hadrian learn several dueling spells and some of the easier dark magic that Sirius had taught him. He had also helped Hadrian learn Bulgarian and taught him several neat tips and tricks for when he flew on his broom.
He was like an older brother and several times Hadrian had gone out with the older boy to cause trouble by pranks or just joking around in Bulgaria's magical district. Victor had also been the one to find out about how Ron Weasley had been paid to be his friend by Dumbledore, when he had gone to Hogwarts to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. He counted Victor as his closest friend and an older brother of sorts.
He walked gracefully across the large room and around the desk to stand next to Sirius who had motioned for him. He sat on the arm of his godfathers chair and took note of the stress and fire in Victor's eyes, waiting for someone to speak.
"Hadrian, I am certain you have wondered about my secrecy and temper these past few days. I had hoped to keep what is happening in the world from your notice, but I am afraid that with the new developments that have come about I will not be able to protect you from what is to come." Sirius looked at him to insure he understood that what he was hearing was important, he nodded for the man to continue.
"It seems Hadrian, that the whispers of the return of the Dark Lord are indeed true."
He wasn't certain how to feel about this. He knew the man had been there to try and talk his parents into joining them the night his parents had been killed but he knew, from his time with the dementor boggart, that the man hadn't killed his parents, but had tried to help save them.
Hadrian knew Sirius wouldn't side against Voldermort if the man was back and as he was under his godfathers rule, he wouldn't side against the man either. Not that he would anyways, what with being a dark wizard, but oh well. He did however wonder just why this news was causing so much stress so he waited for someone else to speak. It was Victor who went next.
"Several people in our circle have received invitations to Russia this summer. The Dark Lord is moving swiftly and silently, calling the best of the best, the youngest and brightest to him. The dark families are all going to be there and our families invitation came with an second invitation for us to pass on to your godfather in it."
"Hadrian, you know that Moony and I want to join, but the invitation also demanded your presence. As you will be their under my protection as my heir and ward he wouldn't dare attack you but he may try to get you to join him." his godfather held him close as he realized what they were saying.
Voldermort might want him to fight for him. Due to his treatment from the Dursleys, Hadrian had developed a rare personality once Sirius removed him from the violent atmosphere. Hadrian was a magical powerhouse and when he wanted to be, was lethal, the problem was that he was unable to protect himself against violence unless it was in protection of someone else due to his submissive personality. Sirius had encouraged his submissiveness once he had him after a few tests. He had contacted a mind healer who had decided that it was better to simply train Hadrian to be submissive than to attempt to break twelve years of conditioning because attempting to change his natural instincts now after so long had the chance of fracturing his mind.
Voldermort wanting him to swear not to cross him or to simply support him would be no problem, but if the man actually tried making him a death eater, making him fight and go on raids and things Hadrian would likely end up dead due to his instinct to shut down and submit in the face of violence. This could possibly go very badly depending on what the Dark Lord decided. He closed his yes and breathed deeply as he processed this information.
"Do we know why he want's me there for certain?" he asked softly.
"Not for certain cub. He did send an oath imprinted with his magical signature that you would be safe unless you attacked first but that was all." Remus answered, his eyes golden as his wolf rose to the surface due to his strong emotions.
"I assume you have decided on a course of action?" he questioned the group, his voice quiet as he allowed the last of his mask to fall away in his fear, leaning into his godfather and attempting to hide himself in the mans robes.
"Yes, we leave for Russia on the morrow. Damyan and Victor will be headed there this evening and will be taking a letter to the Dark Lord for me. Hopefully he will agree to meet with me before meeting you and I will be able to explain everything at that time. I need you to go see to packing our bags for the trip cub. Make certain we all have plenty of formal wear along with anything we might need."
Hadrian nodded. This he could do. Running the house had been part of his studies even though he had resented it. Sirius had explained that it was necessary he learn how to run a household as his future husband would demand it. He had been resentful when he had first learned about the submissive twist his magic had taken. He had argued with the healer and Sirius that he was a fighter and he could ignore it, he could fight it.
Sirius and the healer had talked privately and then his godfather had agreed to let him try. It had been a test and when two weeks had gone by with him not being able to fight against random attacks from Sirius or the healer who had stayed to observe as well as him always attempting to insure that they had fresh tea or were comfortable Sirius and the healer had quietly put a stop to it. Sirius had begun treating him almost like a girl and he hadn't noticed it at first, happy to fetch the man he saw as an honorary father a drink or to decide the menu for the week. He loved the random gifts and the praise for how he made sure the house elfs completed their job.
It had taken a couple of months to realize what they had done and he had been so furious he had spent two days in the barn with Thunder, refusing food and to even speak with his godfather. Sirius had eventually informed him of the healers diagnosis and how if he tried to fight it it could break his mind and he had given in. When the blood adoption just made him prettier he simply took it in stride as par for the course.
So he had learned how to best run a manor, how to decide meal and plan events. He had learned how to care for his home and his godfathers and his future husband as well as learning how to move and speak gracefully and how to spend that innate wildness in his soul from his male side in riding Thunder and in cooking or spell casting instead of being brash and loud, he was seen as demure and no one ever suspected him of the pranks and humiliation they suffered when they crossed those he cared about.
He thought over things as he packed his godfathers trunks for the trip. He had no idea how long they would be in Russia so he made sure to pack a variate of clothing for everything from a fox hunt to a formal ball. He made sure they each had all of their personal care items and a stash of emergency supplies and potions just in case in a special case that he had though up the year before.
Once he was certain they would want for nothing while they were their he headed to his rooms to pack his trunk as well calling for Dutchess as he walked.
"Master Hadrian called for his Dutchess?" the small elf squeaked excitedly as she popped up next to him. He couldn't help but grin at her, she was just so cute in her little dress.
"Yes Dutch, I need you to contact the house elfs at the Black estate in Moscow for me. We will be traveling there on the morrow and I want to insure it is ready for us to inhabit. We will likely remain there for at least the rest of the holiday so I want the entire home scrubbed from floor to ceiling. I give permission for the elfs from all the other properties to help with readying it, since this is happening at such short notice. Also I want you to accompany us for the duration of our stay there as you are familiar with how I want the house run. Do you understand?" he verified.
"Yessy master Hadrian. Dutchess go now to make sure estate is ready sir. Is master needing anything else before his Dutchess go?"
Hadrian thought quickly as they arrived in his rooms. "Yes, I want a light lunch for five to be delivered to Master Black's study in twenty minutes. Thank you Dutch." he said as he slipped into his room. It didn't take him long to pack his own trunk as he knew where everything was in his own rooms and soon he was back down and enjoying lunch with his family and friends.
He spent the rest of the afternoon making sure everything would be ready for when they arrived and getting Thunder ready for transport. His beautiful stallion knew something was coming and was restless but he was able to calm him. That night he crawled into bed tiredly and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.