Chapter 8

Hello everybody, I apologize in advance if this chapter seems extremely OOC. You have been warned. Enjoy!

Harry (I'm going to call him Harry unless he's being addressed) groaned as he woke up. There were aches and pains everywhere in body.

'Good morning,' Sonoro hissed from her rock. 'How do you feel?'

'Like I've been run over by a herd of Hippogriff who then threw me onto a road of razor blades where I got run over by a monster truck,' He grumbled. He got off his bed only to nearly face plant onto the cold hard wooden floor.

He managed to stumble into the bathroom, glanced into the mirror, and let out a yelp at the sight of the strange face that stared back at him.

His messy, unruly black rug had now turned into a more tameable, slick dark brown hair. His face was more defined, more aristocratical. However, his green eyes were still green. He was also several quite a few centimetres taller. He also realised with a start that he no longer needed his glasses.

After learning again how to walk sufficiently enough that he could make his way to the dining hall without his new nose having a very intimate experience with the cold marble floor, he picked up Sonoro and went into the dining hall, with Lord Voldemort sitting at the head of the table, reading the daily prophet again. It struck him how similar he looked to the dark lord now. They both shared the same hair and a similar face.

"Good morning, Hadrian. I trust you have gotten acquainted with you new self. Come, take a seat and eat," He frowned at the prophet.

Harry loaded his plate with delicious looking food and had started eating when the dining room door banged open and Barty appeared, out of breath.

"Good morning, my lord. Good morning…Hadrian?" He asked. Harry nodded.

"In the flesh,"

"Same to you, Barty. Come, sit, eat," Barty sat down and started eating.

"So, Hadrian, how does it feel to be blood adopted?" Barty inquired curiously. Harry groaned.

"It feels like you've been run over my numerous heavy objects repeatedly. Pro tip: Don't get blood adopted anytime soon again," Barty grimaced.

"Hadrian, Barty, you might want to see this," Voldemort finally spoke up and handed them the prophet.

The Potters speak out!

By Evelyn Addley

Callistus Potter, destined saviour of the wizarding world, has somehow managed to vanquish you-know-who for once and for all! Callistus, seven years old, can now enjoy the rest of his childhood and have a normal life, hopefully without any more dark lords in it! Yesterday, we interviewed the Potters on their feelings on this. They were ecstatic that the wizarding world is now safe and that Callistus can grow up without the burden of having to kill a dark lord. 'We want Callistus to have a good childhood and life, not one filled with pain and grief' The Potter's had said. 'That night when Callistus was almost murdered by him, his V scar was radiating dark magic. We are so grateful that it has faded now' The Potters have donated $10,000 to the Auror Department to ensure that we will never have anything else like this again, or if this does, we shall have the recourses and people to combat them.

For more information on the Potter's interview, go to page 17

For more information on the Auror Department, go to page 8

Harry snorted.

"Enjoying his childhood? That miniature Elephant, Oops, sorry, The-Boy-Who-Lived, hasn't just been enjoying his childhood, he's been napping and dropping chocolate frog wrappers on it," Barty just shook his head.

"And they call us insane…" He muttered.

"Yes, it is rather horrible. Now, eat. We shall discuss your education afterwards,"

10 minutes and 3 full stomachs later…

"Now," Lord Voldemort said after the plates and cutlery had disappeared. "You shall need to be educated in the magical arts and theory before you begin your 'official' schooling. I understand that the Potters had a very contented library and that you have a certain passion for knowledge. How far along are you in Hogwarts years for every subject?"

Harry frowned.

"Hmm," He said. "I had just finished the 3rd year Transfiguration textbook before I was sent to the orphanage, I am about, let's say, 3rd year level for charms, I'd say I was on 3rd year level for potions and around. Did you know that Potter manor has excellent greenhouses that have a lot of interesting and exotic plants and are barely ever in use after the Boy-Who-Lived deemed Herbology 'girly'? For defence, I honestly don't know, though if I were to take a guess I would say 3rd year,"

Barty was pretty shocked, which was an understatement.

"Wow, you read a lot for a seven-year-old. How in the name of Merlin did you understand some of the harder words? Hell, I had trouble with those during my Hogwarts years," He said in amazement. Harry frowned.

"I didn't. Sometimes, I couldn't understand quite a few things, so I ended up skipping the chapters. Even if I had understood them, I could probably use a repetition of the 3rd year level as I did struggle a bit on it,"

"So, we can start your informal education at the beginning of third year level. Very well. You have already met Bellatrix and Barty, so I shall introduce you to the rest of my inner circle as my son and heir tomorrow at the meeting. We shall discuss tutors there tomorrow to see who is able and who isn't," Voldemort looked at Harry thoughtfully. "Hadrian, if you would like to, you may go and fly with Barty for the rest of today. Of course, I could teach you to fly unsupported, but no harm learning to fly a broom and get an extra ability," Barty's face lit up at the prospect of flying with somebody.

"Come on, Hadrian. The Quiddich pitch is at the back of the manor," Barty said excitedly, then dashed out the door.

"Thank you, my lord!" Barty's voice sounded from the hallways and got fainter.

Harry shook his head in disbelief.

"That man," Harry muttered. "Gone insane,"

Voldemort snorted.

"Best hurry after him, Hadrian, lest he gives you a grilling down with a lecture on the finesses of Quiddich," Harry paled and rushed out after Barty.

Voldemort sighed in relief. Ahh…peace and quiet finally.

Just then, the door opened, and Bellatrix stepped through.

"Good morning, my lord. There's a problem. Narcissa hexed Dear ol Lucy for having been here for the past three days without her knowing," Bellatrix sighed.

"What was the hex?"

"An overpowered stinging hex. Wouldn't have been so bad if she aimed it at a…particular part of his anatomy," Voldemort kept an emotional face when she said this, but he winced internally. Narcissa was rather infamous within the death eater ranks for her stinging hexes.

"I am assuming that Lucius needs medical attention?" Voldemort asked cooly.

"My lord, the problem is that, well, the main healer is off on a mission and won't be back until next week. Her apprentice also refuses to tend to Lucius. 'I refuse to touch that certain part of Mr Malfoy. He can heal himself, and besides, he deserves it' The problem is, my lord, Lucius has a meeting with our esteemed minister in three hours,"

"And can Lucius not heal himself?"

"He would be able to, my lord, if Narcissa had not snatched his wand and jammed it into that certain part of his anatomy as hard as she could. Rabastan tried to remove the wand but it seems to be stuck there by magic,"

Voldemort sighed and followed Bellatrix out of the dining hall.

'Looks like peace and quiet has finally been disturbed,' He thought with a sigh.

15 minutes later, Riddle Manor entrance hall…

"My lord, perhaps try the reducto curse?" Suggested Bellatrix as she examined Lucius's problem. Lucius's already pale face paled further.

"Bellatrix, we are trying to help Lucius, not harm him further," An exasperated Lord Voldemort said in a patronizing tone as he tried to summon Lucius's wand, only for the Death Eater to start yelling in pain.

"Bellatrix, your sister somehow managed to get Lucius's wand stuck in there. It also seems to only Narcissa is able to remove this," Bellatrix sighed.

"Are you sure that a banishing spell won't work?" She pouted.

"It would banish the certain part of his anatomy too. Go find Narcissa, Bellatrix, and bring her here. It won't do to have Lucius to be like this for who knows how long,"

A few minutes later, Bellatrix came back with a very irritated looking Narcissa Malfoy.

"Lucius," She asked sweetly. "You're not going to do anything without my permission now, are you?" Lucius grunted and bobbled his head yes. "Good. Now, let's see, Paqertus Finite!"

Lucius breathed a sigh of relief as his wand finally removed itself from the certain part of his anatomy. He tried to get up, only to double over in pain again.

"That stinging hex's effects should wear off in approximately half an hour," Narcissa said, before she turned on her heel and stalked down the corridor.

"Lucy, that was not very smart of you to upset Cissy, you know. My lord, do you still require my services?"

"No, Bellatrix. You may go now. Lucius, I agree with Narcissa. That was not a very prudent idea. Now, I suggest that you get ready for your meeting. It may be something important,"

Lucius groaned.

"Thank you, my lord," He croaked.

Voldemort nodded in acknowledgement and started making his way towards the Quiddich pitch to see what Barty was doing with his new song.

"Oh, and Lucius?" He called over his shoulder. "Make sure to steer clear of enraging Narcissa for the next few days. I have a feeling she wouldn't so easily remove what she does to you then," He heard Lucius's audible gulp as he resumed walking.

The next day, Riddle manor…

Harry woke up to the face of a giant snake in front of him.

"Holy Merlin!" He yelled as he practically fell off his bed to get away from the snake. When he looked at the snake again, he could swear that is was grinning smugly.

'Time to get up, Hadrian,' Nagini hissed. Harry grumbled.

'Well that's a very interesting way to wake up. Thanks, Nagini,' He hissed sarcastically.

'Anytime,'

After Harry had gotten dressed and ready for the day, he looked back curiously at Nagini.

'Where did Sonoro go?'

'Oh, she got a bit bored of your room, so she's gone to the gardens to go play with all the other snakes outside,'

'So that's where she went!'

Lord Voldemort looked up from his paper at the dining hall door which had just banged open to admit Harry and Nagini.

After both Harry and Nagini had settled down, Harry at the table, Nagini at her rock, he spoke up.

"Today, we shall be starting your lessons, Hadrian. I hope you slept well. After breakfast, we shall introduce you to your teachers for the next few years until your 'formal education' at Hogwarts starts. Now, eat. Trust me, you will want to eat as much as possible today," When Harry heard this, he started piling food onto his plate.

As he ate, he turned to look at the paper Voldemort was reading. The front page was turned towards him, and he could make out the words 'Celestina Warbeck to perform in Diagon Alley today at 12pm!' along with a smaller headline underneath it that read 'Event in the ministry department of muggle-worthy excuses for the most absurd alibi's'

"There is nothing that is of major importance today," Voldemort said from behind his paper as he took a bite of his, jolting Harry out of his thoughts. He nodded, sheepishly.

2 minutes later, throne room…

Voldemort was sitting on his throne, with Nagini beside him and Harry standing in the shadows of the room. Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, Barty Crouch and Rabastan Lestrange were all already gathered in front of the dark lord.

"Lucius, your arm," He beckoned his death eater forth, who rolled up his left sleeve to reveal the tattoo of the skull and snake. Voldemort took out his wand.

"Before I summon Severus, I have to tell you all that from Hadrian's memories, I have discovered that his loyalties lie not to me, but rather that old fool Dumbledore," Bellatrix gasped.

"That traitor," She hissed furiously. "We trusted him with our secrets. I bet that's how our plans get foiled,"

"However," Voldemort continued. "We must not let him know that we know. He shall get his due when the time comes," The room erupted into loud exclamations of protest from the death eaters, who all wanted to deal with a traitor ASAP. "When Severus is present while we discuss our plans, those plans are automatically worthless. Tell everybody that Severus is a traitor, but also tell them not to let him on that we know. Also, tell them to stay after a planning session after Severus is gone so we can discuss our real plans," The death eaters all nodded, albeit rather unhappily. "Good, now that that has been out of the way," Voldemort took Bellatrix's marked arm and pressed his wand to it. Bellatrix pursed her lips but didn't say anything as they waited in silence.

A ping in the wards a few minutes later indicated that somebody had apparated onto manor grounds. A knock on the door told them that Severus had arrived.

"Come in, Severus," The door opened to admit a man dressed in black robes wearing a white mask. He walked up to the dark lord and kneeled.

"Master," He murmured. Voldemort waved his hand as an indication for Severus to rise.

"Severus, I have called you here today along with Bellatrix, Barty, Lucius and Rabastan to discuss an important matter. I trust you all will not divulge this matter. You may find some…unpleasant situations coming your way if you do," Nagini hissed from her place next to the dark lord threateningly. Severus shivered in fright as he thought of the unpleasant situations that the dark lord had mentioned.

"My lord, I would never share anything you wish me not to," Severus responded smoothly. The others all responded similar words.

"Good. Hadrian, come out now please," Severus snapped his gaze to a figure that stepped out of the shadows wearing a dark green robe with dark brown hair and piercing green eyes. Severus couldn't place it, but those green eyes were surprisingly familiar. They bore a startling resemblance to those of his best friend's. Well, she was his best friend, until he called her a mudblood in fifth year. The point was, the boy who resembled the dark lord had Lily Potter's eyes. He was jolted out of his thoughts when Voldemort spoke.

"You are all gathered here as you five are to be the future mentors for Hadrian, my son and heir. Who gave birth to him is irrelevant. Bellatrix, you shall tutor Hadrian in defence and the dark arts when he is older. Lucius, you shall teach him about etiquette, politics and how not to draw unwanted attention to himself. Barty, your speciality at school was transfiguration, which is what you shall be tutoring him in. Rabastan, I understand that you apprenticed in charms after graduation, so you will be teaching Hadrian that. And finally, Severus, you will be teaching Hadrian potions," All five death eaters nodded, and finally Hadrian spoke up.

"I look forwards to lessons with you all, and hope that I will learn much with you. My father trusts you all as some of his best death eaters, so therefore, I will too," He said. Voldemort had told him what to say for this meeting, otherwise Harry would have been stumped.

"Severus, stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed," Voldemort said.

The other death eaters all bowed and left the room in an orderly fashion.

Once the death eaters had left, Voldemort turned to Snape.

"Severus, as I am supposed to be dead, report to Dumbledore that death eaters can actually call each other through the mark in emergencies, such as their lord's death. Tell him that Lucius and Bellatrix had called you to discuss what will happen now," Snape nodded.

"Yes, my lord," He paused. "Should we also tell him that Lucius is planning to bribe the minister of magic?"

"No. Do not tell him anything about the plans, and if he asks, say that everybody is in a frantic and frenzied and so you could not plan much. Whatever you do, do not let him know about Hadrian," Voldemort said. Severus nodded.

"You are dismissed," Snape bowed deeply before retreating out of the door, still facing Voldemort but looking down.

"Oh, and Severus, I expect not a single word to be leaked to Dumbledore. You may find the consequences rather painful," Voldemort said casually.

"My lord, I assure you that Dumbledore will never catch wind of this," Snape said smoothly. Voldemort nodded, as if satisfied, and gestured for Snape to leave. As he opened the door to the throne room, he caught a quick glance of Hadrian's unnerving green eyes boring into his, as if penetrating into his soul. He shivered slightly and walked briskly down the hallway to get back to Hogwarts, nodding to fellow death eaters on the way out. Once out of the Riddle manor wards, Severus Snape was gone with the crack of apparition. He landed outside the Hogwarts wards and immediately broke into a full sprint, plotting the fastest way to get to Dumbledore and to tell him of what had just occurred.

Sorry for how long this took.