...
The Emerald King
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Diagon Alley was so far uneventful, Sirius and Hadrian went from shop to shop slowly picking up things from here and there which Hadrian would need for school or Sirius needed for some new skill he was acquiring. The streets were busy though, Pre-Hogwarts shopping was no small affair. Young children no doubt first years, were running in and out of shops yelling for their parents to look at the various items on display.
Hadrian remembered his first year, it was Sirius who walked with him to get his items from Diagon Alley. He was extremely glad it was not his parents who took on that role, it would have been awkward and uncomfortable, with Sirius the two laughed the entire day.
It was that day that Hadrian met Draco Malfoy.
It was reaching lunchtime, when Hadrian and Sirius walked through the narrow alleyway that led to Knockturn. Stopping at a pub, small and local, with a wooden sign hanging above the entrance which read, "Walcoff Tavern," without hesitation, Sirius pushed his way inside.
It wasn't before long that Hadrian was separated from his deep thoughts.
"Oi, Hadrian." A blonde haired boy shouted from across the pub, Draco Malfoy sat in one the seated booth of the surprisingly posh tavern. The pub was surprisingly decorated with taste, everything was completely contradictory from it's decrepit exterior. Draco tall and slender, little fat and small muscle covered his limbs. His lankiness suited him, he looked good in his dark jeans and deep green cloak. Despite his wealth he came across a lithe street hustler.
'Draco." Hadrian uttered pleased, his emotionless exterior held the smallest of smirks as his eyes lit up, this was the only indicator that displayed his happiness at seeing his best friend. As they reached each other they grasped each others forearms before leaning in for a man hug. They patted each others back happily before pulling away.
"How is Rebecca." The young Malfoy scion uttered cheekily, his face masking his teasing with collected innocence, his uncontrollable smirk however proved hard to conquer as it made its way through his facade.
Smirking Hadrian, laughed lowly biting his lip from producing a full out chuckle. Looking up at Draco from under his eyelids, Hadrian smiled devilishly. "Careful Draco, I wouldn't want to have to curse you." Despite the temperament of the threat it was taken lightly by Draco who seemed to smile more.
"It went that badly then," Draco chuckled merrily as Hadrian smile increased, Draco glanced at the tavern entrance distractedly. "Ahh, Villenti, Nott."
"Boys," Mason Villenti muttered, the 16 year old was tall like the others reaching 5 foot 11 inches, his long blondishly brown mop was tied on top of his head, in that modernly fashionable way. He was a lot like the others as in he handsome in his unique way.
Where Hadrian was elegantly scruffy, Mason was just scruffy. His jeans fit his narrows hips nicely but the baggy ends were tucked in tattered brown boots, one pant leg was in while the other hung out stubbornly.
His shirt buttons were open halfway down and it was untucked. However this look suited the boy down to the ground. His upper ear piercing added to his overall effect.
All in all Mason Villenti was very cool.
"Ahh Draco, my fav, looking thievish as ever," Mason grinned, at his own attempt to present Draco as the thief and hustler he was always teased for looking like.
"Really Mason and when was the last time you bought new shoes." Draco smirked in disbelief and determination at winning this battle. Hadrian looked at his friends amused, despite Masons scruffy look he fit in well, Draco and Mason despite constant bickering were close friends. Theodore Nott patted Masons shoulder in mock sympathy, Mason reply was a lowly growl which warned off the smaller boy, who pouted innocently in return.
Theodore Nott or Theo as he was known as to his fellow Slytherins, was the smallest boy in the group. He was very preppy, sandy hair sat neatly on his head, he looked young too compared to the other boys. He was according to Pansy extremely cute.
"Alec and Jared are in Diagon Alley, we left them there with Victor, the bastard." Theo huffed seemingly annoyed, however soon after he spoke he seemed to instantly pause, cringing as he regretted his words.
Hadrian became still as he stared at his friend piercingly, he could feel anger bubbling as he swallowed to speak. "Where is Alec and Jared, Theo?" He asked warningly, the question was no real question as Hadrian had heard everything Theo had said loud and clear the first time.
However, he wanted to make sure he had information.
"Ehhh, umm Hadrian, I'm sure they.." Theo stuttered, trying to help out his friends, he looked to Mason, whom was no longer his annoyingly cheerful self, but whom sighed in regret.
"They what?... Didn't mean too." Hadrian laughed humourlessly, he lifted a muscled arm pushing Theo's shoulder in an irritated jerk, Draco stepped forward as if to protect the younger boy.
"Hadrian." Draco said calmly, suddenly Hadrian sighed before walking out of the Pub and with him Mason, Theo and Draco close behind.
Standing in a small alley between two shops Jared Nikoli and Alec Morti stood with a older man aged in his thirties. Jared Nikoli or Niki as he was referred to by his friends was very tall standing 6 foot, much like Hadrian. His brown hair was spiky in it's style, he wore all black which contrasted with his bright blue eyes. Hadrian noticed Jared quickly stash something in his pocket, it seemed Hadrian was about to interrupt some deal.
Alec Morti whom stood next to Jared, was much smaller than his friend standing at only 5 foot 9 inches but his build that was muscular and athletic compensated greatly. A lit cigarettes was placed between his dark lips, moving and releasing jets of fumes as he spoke. His dark brown hair matched his eyes, his Italian heritage was obvious.
Hadrian was close now, the group within the Alley could not yet see him, he was like a ghost appearing and then vanishing to only reappear seconds later, even closer. Draco, Theo and Mason stood across the street observing with narrowed eyes, they garnered curious looks from onlookers due to their rigid stance leant up against an old shop front.
Hadrian was walking now, fast, covering the ground. He saw Victor, a man too old to be hanging out with teenage boys, Hadrian thought. How sad, attempting to relive his young days is he? Victor was a known dealer, he could get anyone anything. Hadrian was fuming that Alec and Jared were being so dense.
If they were caught, they would go to prison, not even their rich families could put a stop that.
Hadrian stood still as stone as his met eyes with Victor Rideemi, the fool. Hadrian smiled, cold and predatorily, eyes piercing with well known hatred. It was almost instant that the colour drained immediately from Victor face, his mouth opened wide and he froze. It was amusing to Hadrian that he had such an immediate effect on the man, he knew full well that their last encounter had given Victor nightmares.
It had not been pretty.
In reaction to seeing Victor face, Jared and Alec turned quickly to look across the street to see what had possibly made the man in front of them shit himself. Maybe even literally. Hadrian expected they would think it to be Aurors, who had finally caught them in the act.
However by the looks on their faces, as their eyes slowly connected with Hadrian's tall still form and cold green gaze they had wished it were. Hadrian wasn't at all surprised when Victor suddenly disapparated. The man was a coward. Hadrian walked toward Jared and Alec, who glanced at each other and guiltily move d restlessly where they stood. Hadrian was in front of them now, he didn't say a word as he stared at his friends intently.
"Hadrian." Jared eventually spoke, Hadrian noticed with inner amusement that it took an elbow nudge from Alec for Jared to utter one word.
Hadrian's name.
