Chapter Three: A New Alliance

Harry didn't understand what the adults were talking about so heatedly. After coming home from the bank Harry had been sent to his room and told not to come out until he was called. For some reason Edric was angry with him, and was punishing him. Was it the inheritance test maybe? He could hear his guardian speaking heatedly with someone downstairs and the thought that his guardian may be trying to get rid of him suddenly made him panic. But he heeded his guardians order and stayed in his room, fervently trying to remember the lesson he had been taught while on bed rest. He recited the Potter family tree and the greetings for someone of higher station to himself and hoped that when Edric sent him away he would at least go to another family, and not to an orphanage.

Suddenly Mick popped into his room, the uniform of House Blackwell contrasting greatly with the House Elves greyish skin. Despite being introduced to the families House Elves Harry still jumped.

"Master Edric be calling you to the sitting room. Master says to dress presentably." This was it. This was the great reveal. Would he be staying with Lord Blackwell or would he be sent away? With barely a 'thank you' Harry changed out of his robes and into the nicest ones his guardian had provided besides his dress robes. With a hesitation Harry left his room and headed down to the sitting room where he knew his guardian was waiting, with company.

The company was not what Harry was expecting. Sitting in one of the armchairs beside the fire was an old man, his pale skin displaying the veins on his face and hands. He was dressed impeccably and beside him was a stern looking man with Black hair and a long, hooked, nose.

"So this is the heir to the crown. You never told me he was Harry Potter." The hook nosed man said, glancing at Edric.

"No. I thought you may need to see that for yourselves." Harry could see a hint of anger simmering beneath the old mans calm façade. He had gotten very good at reading peoples emotions at the Dursleys. Everyone had a 'tell' for when they were happy, angry or sad.

"May Magic grant blessings on you and yours." Harry greeted his guests with a short bow, hoping he had done something right.

"Well. At least he knows the basics. Perhaps he is not a complete lost cause." The hook nosed man sneered again; eyeing Harry almost like someone would eye a particularly disgusting bug.

"And may you and yours be prosperous." The old man finally spoke. His voice frail and obviously hoarse, but strong and commanding regardless. Harry looked at him and saw how the old man smiled with his eyes.

"Harry. I would like to introduce you to Lord Pollux Black, and Lord Drummond Prince. They have agreed to help educate you. Lord Pollux is the current Lord of House Black. With his two grandchildren unable to inherit and his own son dead, you as his nephew – many times removed – and as Sirius Black's blood-claimed Godson, are the only one closest to his bloodline to inherit. You must learn to become Lord Black as well as Lord Potter. He is to teach you politics, great houses and alliances, and how to govern one of the Great Houses of the Wizarding World. Lord Prince, on the other hand, has found your grasp of basic magic to be lacking. He is going to take on lessons in Potions, Light and Dark magic, and – most importantly – Occlumency and Legilimency. You will learn from them Harry. There will be a great many more tutors to be added, and each are from a prominent family. A family you will either have dominion over as their Lord, or a political alliance with." Harry knew they were waiting for something, for him to object or to throw a fit against the constant lessons that were suddenly being thrown at him or something. But he waited instead. Finally he drew enough courage to ask his only question.

"So… you are not sending me away then?" Harry saw almost every eyebrow in the room go up at the question.

"No Harry. I will not be sending you away. We have much to teach you and only an eighth of our usual time to accomplish that. You won't be sent away any time soon without good reason." Harry allowed his held breath to leave him. He smiled shyly – and slightly embarrassed – at his guardian.

"You may run along now Hadrian. I expect you to be on time for dinner." Harry nodded and scampered from the room after a quick bow to the guests. He wasn't leaving. He was learning magic and everything that his father would have learned at his age. Harry was happy, truly, for the first time in his life.

But uncomprehending of the large weight that would slowly press down on him as time passed.


"You didn't tell him." Pollux accused, his cracking voice soft.

"No. I felt it best to allow him one more week to be a normal child. Which is more than anyone has ever allowed him." Drummond only nodded at Edric's reasoning. From what the steward had told him, Lord Potter had not only been kept from his heritage, but also from being himself.

"Do you know who you would like to teach him deportment and etiquette yet?" Ever the politician Pollux asked.

"I was hoping to dip into the family tree a bit further down your line Pollux and ask Lady Malfoy to teach him." Drummond huffed out a laugh at that.

"Speaking of which Pollux. Isn't your little shit of a Great Grandson the closest in blood to you? Your eldest son's grandson should be the heir to the Black fortune not your cousins godchild."

"Unfortunately Draco's claim to the Lordship is negated by Sirius Blacks blood claiming of the Potter heir, my great great grandmother by law's only living heir. Besides, it will sound much more impressive when they say King Hadrian Davenport-Potter-Black." The two lords shared a laugh as they listened to the silence of the manor. All three knew that times were changing, and they would have to change with it.

Fortunately, they were heading the change.


For Harry Potter, life at Blackwell Hall was a far cry from the Cupboard-Under-The-Stairs. Having servants and Lords of minor houses coming to meet with him seemed like something out of a book. Unfortunately, with the fairy tale came a new reality. Harry – or Hadrian as Edric had taken to calling him – was a lord of a major house. A house that needed to be governed and later continued. Everything that was a part of being a lord, Harry needed to learn. Lord Black taught him his family tree and Lord Prince taught him his magic lessons. There was little time for fun and games anymore, but he was no stranger to hard work. His life before Edric had been little but work.

He still had some difficulties with flinching when Edric or one of his tutors raised their arms too quickly, or fearing that he would be sent away if he wasn't flawless, but he knew that Edric cared for him, and wouldn't really send him away after looking for so long. Edric had insisted that Harry go by Hadrian ("It is your birth name. I will not have you bastardizing the nobility of that name!'). It was difficult getting used to, suddenly being called Hadrian by everyone, including his tutors, his Mind Healer, and the House Elf Mick.

Since his first introduction to Cassus Foy, Hadrian had slowly been recovering from the mental scars his relatives had left him with. It was a slow recovery, but Cassus had promised that he was doing well and instinctual triggers would fade in time. He was hopeful that one day his fears of abandonment and being sent away would disappear soon. He hated how his breath would catch whenever Mick summoned him to the sitting room. But despite his fears, his tutors kept him busy. Lord Prince mercilessly beat into him basic Latin and the important basics to brewing and spell casting. Lord Pollux however took a more hands on approach. Often he would take on the role of Head of the Wizengamot and force Hadrian to make political maneuvers, manipulate and smooth talk his way into getting what he wanted. More often than not he ended up with the feeling of failure and a long lecture about certain methods against certain people. Edric was a softer teacher, treating Hadrian like his own son. Maths, Languages, and English however were where the usually soft Lord Blackwell gave way to a professor and a disciplinary authority.

Hadrian quickly jotted down the answers to his sums, double-checking them for any mistakes or ink blots. Quills took a bit of getting used to and numerous books to practice his handwriting, but he had learned. He glanced at the clock. His maths lessons finished at noon and he would be able to spend some time reading. Despite his love for the outdoors, Hadrian loved to read, and spent more time buried in a book than others his age would have. He flipped the page in his workbook and began on the next row of sums. Edric would check them over before he was allowed to leave the study room, and if there was an ink blot or a wrong answer he would be assigned another page to go through on top of having to redo his days work on a new page.

"Perfection will be demanded of you as a Lord, Heir Potter. If you show weakness then others will ump on you like prey. You cannot allow this to happen. Cleanliness and tidiness are the first steps of perfection." Edric had told him when he had asked why he needed to make his private workbooks so tidy. He had taken that lesson to heart and tried to practice perfection and tidiness in all things. He hated letting his guardian down, and by extension his tutors. It wasn't that he feared them, for if he had Edric would have sent them away. Oh no. No matter who it was teaching him that day, everything always got back to Edric. And if he were good, Edric would praise him, but if he were bad the punishment would be brutal. Edric's recent favourite had been to deny him time outside during the afternoon, keeping him indoor for longer lessons until he had learned whatever it was he had needed to learn.

Hadrian was shaken from his musings by the ding of the clock, signalling the end of his morning lessons.

"Mick." He had become more used to calling for the house elf, but he still blushed awkwardly whenever he was greeted with his new titles.

"Master Heir Potter called for Mick?" The house elf gave his usual low bow and stood to attention, proud to serve his masters ward.

"Where is Edric please?" Despite his constant reminders, Harry never forgot or refused to be polite to the small creatures that served him.

"Master Edric is in the parlour master. He is asking me to tell you to expect a guest master Potter." Hadrian thanked the elf and went in search of his guardian. There would be guests later today then. That meant no lessons for the rest of the day, and a full day of reading. He had lived in Blackwell Hall for almost two months and had grown used to his routine. Despite the lessons and constant expectations, he loved Lord Blackwell like a father. Edric had given him clothes and food and lessons. But more than that he had given him love, and a place to call home.

Despite his lengthy stay in Blackwell Hall, Hadrian still struggled to find his way around the twisting halls. More than once he had called on Mick to assist him out of whatever dead end he had found himself in. More than once he had ended up in conversation with more than one portrait of long dead Potter Stewards. Though Edric did not know it, Hadrian had learned quite a bit about what being a Lord meant from those portraits. His favourite was Maurice Blackwell, Edric's great-great-great uncle or something like that. Maurice had begun instructing him on who he was responsible for as a Lord. The modernity of Lordships was not lost on the portrait or the boy. He had land that he was responsible for, but not vassals or peasants that lived on it. What he did have, were people he spoke for. People who he had granted positions in the ministry or had given his political and monetary support to open businesses. There were even a few orphanages that were supported by the Potter Lordship. Maurice had been the one to tell him why Edric had been in a state of crisis searching for the new Lord Potter. If the house fell into obscurity or the line vanished, hundreds of people would lose their livelihoods.

Hadrian suddenly found himself standing before the portrait of his secret tutor. His thoughts must have carried his feet here.

"How may I help you Heir Potter?" Maurice asked him.

"I was wondering if you knew when I will claim the Potter Lordship?" This had worried him for some time. He had thought that his trip to Gringotts had been him claiming the Lordship, but everyone called him 'Heir Potter' instead of 'Lord Potter' so it mustn't have happened yet.

"Edric will take you to Gringotts on your eleventh birthday to claim the Lordship. Then he will present you to High Society, other purebloods or those who have been backed by powerful Lords, even a few halfbloods."

"So I will have to govern my house? Make political decisions and sit in court?" Hadrian questioned, trying not to sound panic stricken. The thought of being responsible for people's lives at the age of eleven terrified him.

"Of course not. You have a steward to govern for you until you reach the age of majority, which is seventeen in our world. Once you are a legal adult you will take your position as Lord of the House. Find a suitable wife and make an heir to continue on the family line." Hadrian sighed in relief, Maurice's words comforting him a little. "Now run along. Edric has a guest coming later and you need to tidy yourself up." Hadrian gave a short bow and ran towards his chambers, determined not to embarrass his guardian.


Lord Malfoy had been suspicious when he had received a letter from Lord Blackwell, the Potter Steward, asking him and his family to dine at Blackwell Hall. He had replied though, agreeing to the dinner. 'Perhaps the Potter Heir hasn't been found and he is searching for a possible replacement. A relative. Draco I related to the Blacks, and a double Lordship would only benefit our family.'

"What do you think of this my dear?" He asked his wife, preferring not to make rash decisions before his wife was aware. He was already in trouble with her about Draco's future; he didn't want to make this any worse.

"I think Lord Blackwell has found our lost Potter and is trying to mend bridges before he takes the Lordship. Lord Blackwell would never turn to us for a replacement heir, simply because Draco is already an heir to his own house, and the bad blood between the Potters and Malfoy's. Lord Black has also informed me that he has been to see the new heir Potter already. Lord Blackwell invited him personally. Severus no doubt has already heard from his Uncle about the Potter Heir's return, Drummond Prince accompanied Pollux when he went for his little visit." Lucius hummed, regarding the letter coolly. Narcissa was right. Bad blood between Potters and Malfoy's meant none would ever be chosen as a back up should the Heir Potter vanish or die before claiming the Lordship.

"You think he is trying to mend bridges?"

"Edric Blackwell is not an idiot. He knows what he is doing both politically and publically to gain favour for his lord. He wants Harry Potter to be in the best circumstances when he comes into his own. Having the favour of House Black, House Malfoy and House Prince will only create a good face for both the political climate and in the face of the public. Not to mention being the Boy Who Lived on top of that. He would have both Light and Dark factions looking to him. Lord Potter wll be the new House Malfoy if he manages to pull this off." Narcissa gave a smile, inwardly awed at the lower Lord's audacity and sheer cunning.

"Well, he wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. Despite all our teasing that he would never be anything but a Steward…" Lucius smirked; the skinny third year he had teased mercilessly had achieved great heights. Not only was he the Steward to a House with an eleven year old boy as a Lord, but he was moving the pieces of a board together in anticipation for something big.

"I think Draco would benefit from such a friendship. Not to mention the influence of being the friend of Lord Potter by the time they take their Lordships." Narcissa gave a polite couch as she kicked him in the leg. She disapproved then.

"That and Draco is so lonely. It will be good for him to have a few friends of his own." The pointed look was enough to quell ay schemes his mind may have begun to cook up. He was whipped and he knew it. Narcissa had always been a dutiful wife first and foremost, until she became a mother. Then she was almost as dangerous a the Dark Lord himself. But he loved her all the more for it. He had loved her even before they were engaged and they had been just friends.

"When do we need to arrive?"

"Hmm? Eight o'clock." Glancing up at his wife, reading on the settee with her legs drawn up beside her and her hair undone, Lucius smiled. He may have done terrible things during the wars, but he loved her enough to do them. And he loved Draco enough to never do them again.

Eight O'clock came faster than expected and the Malfoy family found themselves escorted through the hallways of Blackwell manor by a uniformed House Elf, bearing both the Potter and Blackwell crests. Draco walked between his mother and father, trying not to hide behind his mothers' skirts.

"Master Blackwell apologises that he cannot be here in person to greet you, but he is being in a meeting." The elf bowed low and pushed the doors to the sitting room open before popping out of sight. Inside, a young boy with unruly black hair sat reading in one of the armchairs. He was small and skinny, but had a healthy colour around him. Draco perked up and let go of his mothers' robes.

"Merry met Lord and Lady Malfoy. May magic bless our meetings." The boy stood and bowed his head. The Malfoy's gave slight bows themselves; Lucius gave a slight frown at the neutral greeting. The boy was still a child and had likely forgotten which greeting went with which status. Merlin knows he had forgotten often enough himself at that age.

"Merry met Heir Potter." Was all the reply Lucius gave, content to watch the child's reaction. All he did was smile and gesture for them to take a seat wherever they chose, then sliding back into the armchair they had found him on.

"Apologies for my Guardians absence. He was called in to an urgent meeting, he should return soon. Hadrian Potter, a pleasure to know you." Hadrian Potter was eloquent and well versed in pureblood manners for someone who had only been in high society for a few months, if Pollux Black's story was to be believed.

"Lucius Malfoy. This is my wife Narcissa, and my son and heir Draco. A pleasure to know you." Hadrian smiled and nodded politely and set his book aside, carefully marking his place. With introductions out of the way, Narcissa began the small talk, with Lucius content to wait for the Lord of the House.

"How long have you lived with Lord Blackwell, heir Potter?"

"Hadrian, please. I have lived with Edric for almost two months now. I would prefer not to speak of where I was before that." Narcissi smiled and bowed to the child's poorly veiled demand to change the subject. She was hoping to set them at ease, not create a tension between them.

"Are you excited to be attending Hogwarts? Draco will be going this year, perhaps you two would enjoy each others company." Hadrian blushed slightly.

"Edric is holding me back from Hogwarts for a year. He wishes to tutor me at home for a year, to catch me up on everything I have missed." Narcissa hummed slightly, trying to see where to go from there. Draco, oddly enough, stepped in.

"Would you be joining the first years next year then?"

"I don't know Edric wants me to learn all about being a Lord first, then we shall see about leaving home. That's what he says anyway. I want to go to school this year though. I don't want to be with the younger kids." Hadrian blushed again, trying to cover up his embarrassment at being held back a year.

"Father wont let that happen. He's on the board of governors of Hogwarts. He won't let them keep you back. Will you father?" The two elder Malfoy's shared a smile at Draco's engagement in his new friends dilemma.

"Unfortunately Draco, the parents can always decide when they want to send their children to school. But if Lord Blackwell believes that he can keep up with the second years, then he can test out of the first year." Draco looked horrified at the thought of Hadrian being kept out of school for an entire year, and then forced into classes with those younger than him.

Conversation was kept mostly between Draco and Hadrian after that, with Narcissa and Lucius listening in and piecing together Hadrian Potter from the smallest details he gave their son. They had already learned a great deal.


Edric was growing tired of Albus Dumbledore's attempts at finding where he was keeping Harry Potter. He was a brilliant manipulator, but he lacked subtlety, and his attempts at trick questions were shoddy and poorly made. They may work on school children, but not on a Lord.

"If you will pardon me Mister Dumbledore, but I have other engagements and you have kept me long enough." With a brief nod he turned away from the old man and made his way back to the manor. He was already late in greeting the Malfoy's. Not the best first impression, but he hoped that Hadrian had handled himself well enough. He apparated directly onto the front steps, taking a moment to collect himself before heading into dinner with the Malfoy's. Upon entering he could hear Hadrian laughing, something he rarely heard when it was just the two of them.

The scene in the sitting room was altogether unexpected. Lord and Lady Malfoy sat on the settee, sipping cups of tea while Harry and Draco were engaged in their own conversations off to the side. The rather large book of magic open in front of them as they spoke animatedly. His ward looked much more relaxed than he had before with any of their other guests. He was practically glowing with happiness. Perhaps the young heir would gain a friend out of this as well as a new tutor. This friendship would be good for him politically as well. Lucius had certainly already seen that, else he would have kept his son beside him.

"Lord Malfoy, Merry Met. Apologies for my delay. A certain headmaster cornered me in Diagon Alley."

"Of course Lord Blackwell. I know how difficult it can be to shake him off." The two shared a private smile before Edric greeted the Lady and Heir Malfoy, respectively.

"I hope that Hadrian was able to welcome you in my absence."

"He was a perfect gentleman. He does you proud." Narcissa reassured him. Edric felt a sudden flush of pride at his ward. If Lady Malfoy was impressed with him then perhaps it would be easier to gain her as his tutor. She had seen what he knew and how to improve him. She would serve the king well.

"I believe I have kept us all long enough. Dinner?" Helping Lady Malfoy to her feet he signalled for Hadrian to escort his new friend to the kitchen. He watched the two of them together, speaking softly and walking side-by-side, closer than most young lovers even. Perhaps there was something he was missing about his Lord. Lucius had seen it too and was watching the two carefully. A conversation was coming, and neither of the two Lords would like it.


Dinner was a quiet affair. The meal was simple and dessert was only a small bowl of ice cream with toppings offered to the side. The conversation kept the atmosphere light and easy. Any tension that had been there before had evaporated by the time the food was served.

"I hear from young Hadrian that he will not be attending Hogwarts come September." Lucius opened the door to the topics he had been trying to avoid. Hadrian had been so caught up in his new friend he had likely forgotten one of his earliest lessons. Don't give away anything that could be used against you. He still had so much to learn. His innocence needed to be worked out of him before it became a threat to his safety.

"Indeed. That is part of the reason I asked you here this evening. But perhaps that is better left until we are in private." Lucius nodded his acquiescence and dinner continued on.

Before long both Narcissa and Lucius were seated in the sitting room, glasses and a bottle of firewhisky and a full teapot laid out before them. Hadrian had been sent to show Draco his room and the library. After pouring two substantial glasses of the alcohol, Edric breached the topic he had called the Malfoys to discuss.

"It is my understanding that Draco will be going off to Hogwarts come the autumn, leaving you Lady Malfoy alone at home whenever Lord Malfoy is away. I have a proposition that will leave us both happy."

"And what do you propose?" Lucius was suspicious, narrowing his eyes and trying to read him.

"I need Hadrian tutored in deportment. I believe that Narcissa would be an excellent example for him. It is clear that you have no issues with him, and Lord Pollux recommended you." Narcissa and Lucius were considering it at least. Both were mentally reviewing the wording. Perhaps something to gain their attention. "You would of course be compensated for your time."

"Compensated how?" There. He had him.

"I'm sure we can work something out. Shall we just say… Lord Potter will owe Lord Malfoy a favour."

"So I will be going into the service of another house, on the promise of a favour?" Narcissa voiced her opinion. Eric knew how that sounded. Perhaps one last push.

"We could of course provide monetary compensation. But I think we both know that there are more valuable things. And Hadrian may surprise you. He is more than he seems." The silent conversation between the two made the acceptance pretty much said.

"Indeed. A favour of anything from Lord Potter?" Lucius hedged.

"Within reason of course." Edric smirked over his firewhisky.


Hadrian and Draco had bounded up the steps; desperate to get away from the suffocating propriety that dinner demanded. Once inside the room, Hadrian sat himself on his bed, carefully crossing his legs. He observed Draco, watching him carefully for any signs that he was bored or just disliked Hadrian. He had never had a friend before and he didn't want to mess this up. Draco was tall and lithe for his age, definitely taller than Hadrian. His white hair carefully combed and meticulously cared for. He was someone who understood the need for perfection that Edric had tried to drill into his head. Hadrian knew that his guardian was trying to protect and teach him, but he knew how difficult perfection was to achieve even before his life in Blackwell Hall. The Dursleys had tried to make him perfect, but he was impossible to be fixed.

Draco, however, seemed to have been gifted with pure perfection.

"Why didn't you live with Lord Blackwell before now?" Draco asked suddenly, pausing in his own inspection of the new heir.

"I was with my relatives. They hated me though. Lord Blackwell found me and saved me." Draco nodded, then smiled a little.

"I always wanted a friend who wasn't one of my families patrons, or were just trying to get closer to the Malfoy influence. My father says I don't need friends, but I really want one." Draco looked very insecure, his feet shuffling against the carpet and his hand twisting themselves into knots.

"I've never had a friend before." Hadrian offered, giving a shy smile to the other boy. Draco smiled widely, barely bothering to hide his excitement. He knew his father had wanted him to keep to the Malfoy ideals at all times, but having a friend who genuinely liked him was a new and exciting experience.

The two spoke animatedly, discussing their mutual lessons and Harry trying not to feel like he was being left behind when Draco described his own lessons on politics and being an heir.

"But what is Lord Black like? Mother hates talking about him. Refuses to speak of her cousins as well."

"Pollux is great. He's my favourite tutor. But sometimes I fell like I'm not getting anywhere. Politics is difficult."

"Father always said that if something is too easy, I'm either doing it wrong or someone is tricking me." They both shared a laugh, easily forgetting that they had only just met.

All too soon Mick popped into his room and announced that it was time for Draco to leave.

"I'm going to miss you at school. But I'll write all the time and tell you all about it." Hadrian only nodded and smiled sadly. A thrill of fear suddenly went through him. 'What if Draco makes friends at Hogwarts and forgets me?'

"You won't forget me right?"

"Of course not Hadrian. We're best friends after all."

"Harry." Hadrian interjected suddenly. He didn't like Draco calling him by that formal name. "I want you to call me Harry. When it's just us."

"Harry it is then."


"I'm very proud of you Hadrian." Edric had pulled him close, hugging him tightly, once the Malfoy's had gone on their way. Hadrian blushed at the unexpected praise.

"Thank you." He murmured, unsure what to do with the kind words.

"Lady Malfoy has agreed to be your new tutor. She is to teach you deportment and etiquette. She taught Draco and has agreed to teach you." Hadrian gave a small smile at the news. He liked Lady Malfoy. The woman had been kind to him, as not many women had been to him in the past. Plus Draco was his first friend and he would have hated it if he never saw him again. With Lady Malfoy as his teacher Draco would be able to visit often.

"It is my understanding that you have befriended heir Malfoy."

"Yes sir – Edric. Sorry." Edric only smiled at his charges misstep. Yet another thing he would need to correct. Not that he minded Hadrian's openness with his emotions, but he knew that he would need to learn how to mask his expressions. Something young Draco had already learned.

"Edric. I know you said I wouldn't be going to Hogwarts this year, I was wondering why?" Ah. Here it was. The piece of parchment sitting innocently in his top desk drawer mentally made an appearance.

"Hadrian. You know how you came to be my ward a little under two months ago. Remember how we took a trip to Diagon Alley?"

"Yes sir." He would forgive that slip up for now. "There was a parchment you wouldn't let me see. It had something to do with an inheritance."

"Yes Hadrian. Your inheritance, actually. That parchment had the names of your ancestors, telling me what I needed to know in order to raise you correctly. It turns out that a mistake was made on your birth certificate. There are things I need to tell you. Later. But in truth, you are actually one year too young for Hogwarts." He allowed the boy to absorb that for a moment. He had always believed himself to be eleven, finding out your true age may have put him into a shock.

"I see. So I'm actually ten then?" Edric smiled at his ward, pleased that he was remaining composed at the reveal.

"Yes. Creating the time for us to catch you up on what you need to know as heir of House Potter."

"Alright then. Can I go?" Once again he smiled and gave a slight nod. Hadrian began to head up the steps of the grand staircase when Edric suddenly felt a twist in his stomach, perhaps the stirrings of guilt for keeping the truth from his charge.

"Hadrian." He called, turning to meet his wards confused eyes. "You will be coming into a very special inheritance Hadrian. More special than you know. I need you to remember this."

"Yes sir." Hadrian was more subdued with his answer, trying to figure out what his guardian was keeping from him.

"Good boy. Off you go." Edric stared after him long after the small boy had disappeared up the steps.

TBC

A/N: The previous chapter has some changes to Harry's parentage. Just in case you can't go back or can't remember what his parentage is, Harry's parents are now Lord Consort Thaddeus Davenport nee Malfoy + Princess Madeleine Davenport (Deceased)