Authors Note: Hello, all! So, here's another chapter. I've been using FocusWriter to help me get my chapter-size goal in. Soon, after a few more chapters, I intend to increase that goal fairly substantially, and get larger chapters under my fingers, so that my readers have more story. Fair warning, though. This is going to be a Bad!Hermione story. I have no interest in that particular character at all, for some reason. So, be prepared for that. Alright. On with the story.

The conversation between Mikael Drake and the goblin Sharpnack was revealing, to say the least. The fact was that the Potters had actually willed their riches and properties to Hadrian, despite knowing full well that the child was not their child. That fact made Mikael quite sad. His cousin, James, was dead, along with Lily, but they had essentially given their adoptive son everything, which was promptly taken away by none other than Dumbledore, who then spread a false narrative pinning the blame on "Lord Voldemort", a being who didn't really exist at all.

It also came as little surprise to him, however angering it was, that Dumbledore had been stealing from the Potter Vaults, to fund his "order", and to finance his peccadillos, his love of manipulation and control. There was evidence, as well, that Dumbledore had attempted to access the Drake accounts, the excuse being that Lord Drake was a "Dark Lord In The Making", and therefore it was better for someone else to control the funds. That effort, of course, had been efficiently rebuffed, both in the Ministry and in Gringotts.

It turned out that there were quite a few specific things they could do. The first thing, it seemed, would be to forward a copy of the goblins' records on the matter directly to the Head Auror, and simultaneously to reporters of both the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler, as well as to the Wizarding Wireless. Those bits of information would prove the start of Dumbledore's downfall, and to be sure, the rise of the King and the king's family.

The second, and equally important thing to do, proved to be passing the information as well to the ICW, who would be obligated to look at it with unfettered eyes, given their oaths. The same was passed immediately to the Board of Governors, but who knew precisely how that would turn out. The Governors had their own minds regarding these things, and often, they conflicted what what might be common knowledge.

It was not without trepidation that Mikael agreed to Sharpnack's last suggestion. Hadrian would be returning to Hogwarts, but he would be doing so with ample protection. A goblin provided amulet would provide protection against mind-altering potions, such as compulsion potions, love potions, and the like, as well as protection against mental invasion. No level of Legilimency could break the charms embedded in the amulet. And, the thing could not be removed by anyone but the person putting it around the neck of the boy. Therefore, Mikeal would put it on Hadrian's neck. The goblin informed Mikael that the amulet would also have an embedded notice-me-not, so that no attention could ever be drawn to it. Mikael knew his son needed extra protection, though, so he summoned from his vaults a ring, embedded with a similar notice-me-not, that protected the wearer from violence, by returning the intended violence upon the attacker three-fold, and making it evident who attacked who, preventing Hadrian, therefore, from false accusations. That would have to suffice, Mikael muse, and he knew that neither his son, nor his husband would be happy with this. Mikael wanted nothing more than to take his son out of that school, and place him with all haste in some other school, in order to better protect him.

Two teens, one in England, one in Italy, began to have strange dreams about a particular boy that they knew from school. One, a redhead with a strategic mind, could not help but picture the nearly perfect, but scarred torso of the dark-haired bespectacled boy, and he just accepted that he was in love with Harry James Potter. But then, something told him that the name he just thought of may not be legitimate, because of one thing his father had always told him, "That boy is not who he thinks he is. If you want to be the best friend, stand by him, no matter what. He is something that is far more important than anyone knows."

That admonition had remained with Ronald Bilius Weasley for a long time, and still it rung in his head. Well, then. If Harry Potter proves not to be Harry Potter at all, he will still have Ron Weasley at his side. Hopefully he understands that. His inner thoughts were interrupted by the sudden materialization of a Magical Scroll before his father, who was sitting at the dining table, reading the Quibbler. The scroll had the Sacred Seal of Magic Herself, something rarely seen, and Ron knew something very important was happening.

Arthur knew better than to refuse to open such a document. That seal was something every house leader knew of, world wide. And, to ignore these letters was to the detriment of the entire house. So, with a great deal of trepidation, Arthur opened the scroll, and read. As he read, his eyes went wide, and he read through the document no less than three times, before calling the entire family together. Once everyone was in their seats, Arthur stood, and said, "I am acting here as head of House Weasley. We are a small house, but as you know, our lives depend upon our magic. To that end, I ask, who do we follow? Today, I received this scroll, sealed with the seal of Magic Herself, to be opened only by Head of House. In it, I was reminded of oaths my ancestors swore to Myrdyn when he was king of our magical land, Albion. The House of Weasley is, first and foremost, sworn subjects of the King of Albion and Inisfail. Today, we learn that Magic has crowned a new King for us. His name is Hadrian Drake. According to this document, we are enjoined to submit immediately. I have long told you, Weasleys, to never trust Dumbledore. Ronald, I SPECIFICALLY told you some special things. I hope you can easily draw conclusions. Now, shall we submit? Or shall we ignore this?"

Molly sighed, and said, "There is little choice, love. We must submit. However, I will do so happily, because I know it is best. I doubt Albus will do the same."

Bill nodded, then said, "I know a bit about this case. Gringotts has been working non-stop to find this person. It is good to know that he has been found. I have some idea as to who he is, but I cannot say, legally. I stand with him."

The twins looked at each other, and nodded, then said as one, "Our king has our support. Besides, it'll be fun teasing his enemies at Hogwarts." It was apparent they knew from the start of the conversation who Arthur had referenced.

Charlie smiled, and said, "And I will stand with him."

Ginny scrunched up her nose, and said, "So... we have a king? What happens to the Ministry?"

Arthur smirked, and said, "They have to obey the king, or lose their magic."

She nodded, then said, "I stand with him, then."

Percy chuckled, and said, "I work at the bloody ministry, and I, of course, stand with His Majesty."

Ron nodded, and agreed. "I am with him. To the end."

The twins grinned, and one of them said, "You are indeed, and I imagine you'll be planning right along with him when he finds out."

The teen grinned, and blushed.

In Italy, Blaise Zabini was having similar dreams, but his included a certain redhead from the very start. And frankly, he was scared to his bones. He knew what this meant. He was a submissive, of the Omega variety, and as a result, he was destined for someone, and he realized just who he was destined for. Potter and Weasley.

He plucked up his courage, and took his suppression potion, in order that he could protect himself from being attacked by those who wanted an omega for themselves. He was fastidious about taking that potion. He even had an alarm spell that reminded him to take it every day. In this way, he knew he could keep himself for his mates. That, to him, was more important by far than his fear of what his mates would think about him.

Albus Dumbledore too received the letter, but like the fool he was, he ignored it. He certainly wasn't going to be placed in any situation that meant he lost his magic by refusing to obey the letter. He knew that much about letters with that seal.

That would eventually prove to be his downfall.