A/N: Sorry for the wait, couldn't get ANY creative juices flowing and everybody who's ever written a story or report knows how hard it is to focus on your keyboard when you have no ideas. However, I am going to start warning you ahead of time for delays in updating, like for chapter eleven, expect at least a one to two week wait as I normally get inspiration on ideas from reading other Harry Potter fanfiction. Thanks so much for all the encouraging reviews and it's been great every time I check my email to see I have new alerts about people following this story, it means a lot to me, and if any of you have ideas that you would like to see in this story, feel free to PM me or review them.
Also kudos to my beta, LeArtemis 1234, they're amazing and will forever be helpful in clearing up the mistakes I make because I fell asleep over my computer. (*_*)
Italics- thoughts
Bold- flashback or dreams (just needed for this chapter)
Underlined- Parseltongue (until I figure out that cool S font thing)
NOW…ENJOY!
-ACCW-
"I never took you as a chess player, Hadrian." Tom mused, as his slender finger moved to push a shiny black pawn forward on the checkered oak board.
"Really? Is it so surprising that I took up the hobby?" Inquired Hadrian, sliding his rook forward in response, claiming the Slytherin's chess piece with a satisfied smirk on his face. It seemed he was winning the match.
"You never struck me as the type to have much patience todeal with slow opponents. I would've thought that you would join something like Quidditch, a wizarding sport instead of sticking with something as muggle as chess." Azure eyes narrowed in irritation as another one of his pieces fell into Hadrian's hands.
"And lose what precious brain cells I have left after having to listen to Myrtle bitch about every inconsequential thing, no thank you." Hadrian snorted. "Me? I'm the one with the short temper? Out of the two of us, Riddle, you have the uncontrollable temper, and everybody in Hogwarts knows it too; that's the reason why Dumbledore is on your ass about everything."
"Really," Tom commented dryly. "I had no idea that that's why he follows me around like a lost child, always ready to accuse me of every crime that happens in these halls."
"But you act the innocent victim so well; I thought you would jump at a chance to test your acting skills against someone like Dumbledore." Shifting forward to get a better look at the battle field, Hadrian observed the pieces, the typical white players that traditionally decorated the chess board were gone, instead replaced with metallic silver ones, the color of the Neutral party.
Scoffing dryly, the Slytherin leaned towards Hadrian with a wicked gleam in his eye, smirking when he saw his companion stiffen at his inquiry. "So tell me, Hadrian, do you believe you should have been the only one to survive the massacre that claimed all your family, are you the type to have survivor's guilt?"
"Survivor's guilt? Why would I have guilt for living when I know it was meant to be? What happened to my family was a mistake, a terrible mistake the Wizarding world committed when they thought they could play God, soon they will reap what they sowed." Emerald eyes hardened into diamonds at this, slowly setting one of Tom's rooks into the ever-growing pile of ebony bodies.
"Oh? And who are you to play God for them? Deciding how they should suffer, is that truly your decision?"
"Riddle," Hadrian stated frigidly, glaring at the condescending smirk the other still showcased. "Understand this, while you may have had no family, you didn't have to suffer the pain of losing loved ones. We have both grown up in orphanages, you and I both know how corrupted and greedy those places are."
"I have not had to suffer through the pain of losing someone close? What do you know about what I have suffered from?" Tom snarled, magic flashing dangerously, maliciously. "You know Hadrian, I would've thought you would have more tact in dealing with these situations. Alas, it seems that that particular trait wasn't in your genes, you have a particular problem with keeping your mouth shut."
"Really? Is this how you react when someone tells you the truth? Let me remind you, Riddle that you were the one whom asked the inappropriate question. If I am reminded, you wanted to seduce me into becoming your 'Queen' and now you say something like this. Is this really how you treat your future partner?" Hadrian sneered in disgust, wand sliding into his palm, ready to defend himself if needed.
"Aw, are you scared Hadrian? Running to your wand whenever someone more powerful threatens you? Typical." The Slytherin mocked cruelly, grinning sharply as he felt his smooth white wand rest in his hand. "I've been wanting to test out this new spell for months and this is the perfect time to do so. Let's see if you can realize illusions from reality, I want to see your true strength; after all, I can't have a weak Queen."
"MEMORIAM RECEPISSET!"
Through a burst of magic, the dimly lit room slowly changed into a black and gray library, oak shelves crept towards the ceiling filled with books, and a cobalt fire roaring in the majestic fireplace positioned in the center of the study.
Jade eyes widened in horror as Hadrian recognized the familiar scenery, one only he saw in his worst nightmares.
"Recognize this do you Hadrian? Is this one of the memories you never want to remember?" Tom asked tauntingly, lounging gracefully in a plush armchair near the fire. "Seems rather cozy to me."
Slender hands tightened themselves into fists as Hadrian spun around to face the perpetrator of his misery. "What did you do? Are you really that desperate to gain power over me that you would willingly bring up one of the only memory I locked away to prevent becoming insane?"
Raising a groomed eyebrow at the fiery outburst, Tom chuckled darkly at being the first one to see the regularly composed Ravenclaw Prefect lose his cool. "My dear Hadrian, we all have a bit of insanity within us, some just hide it better than others. And I must say, you hide it very well. As for the issue of gaining power over you, it is of no worry to me, as I already have a vast amount of it anyway. What I wanted to see is a new experience, after all, wasn't it you who said I didn't know the pain of losing a loved one? The spell I casted connects you to me emotionally, all throughout this encounter I will be able to feel every ounce of distress and regret you experience."
"Are you really that twisted? Using a spell like that just to witness a murder? Do you truly want to know my pain and suffer-"
Hadrian was interrupted when a graceful finger was placed on crimson lips.
"Shh..it's about to start." Tom murmured, letting his finger trace the outline of Hadrian's lips, the other hand trailing down a tense arm to grasp a slim wrist. "Don't worry, they can't see us. This is your memory, an event that already happened. Come. Let us sit down."
Roughly tugging his arm out of Tom's grip, Hadrian sneered at the demand. "I am not a pet for you to order around. Touch me again and you'll lose a hand, maybe that will make Dumbledore back off." Striding to the armchairs sitting in front of the fire, Hadrian sat down, gesturing to the space in front of his legs on the carpet. "Well? Sit down."
"And I'm the one ordering you around? Very well." Passing the irate Ravenclaw to sit in the other armchair, Tom turned to face his companion with a derisive grin, jeering. "Does this suit you master?"
Ignoring the taunt, Hadrian focused his attention on the oak door, breathing in sharply when he saw a woman rushing into the room, panic etched into her face. Following her was a little boy with raven locks and sharp green eyes, a confused expression plastered onto angelic features.
Hadrian watched in trepidation as the woman quickly herded the child behind the bureau in the study, waving her wand over a plank in the wall and revealing a hidden alcove, she gestured urgently to the boy to climb into the space. Hurriedly she slid the panel shut, only leaving a small crack unnoticeable to the naked eye, and positioned herself in the middle of the room, wand gripped tightly and body ready for battle.
Minutes later the double doors burst open, in streamed wizards in white robes, the ministry's symbol stamped on the back of fur cloaks, surrounding the single occupant in seconds while waving their wands threateningly. Verdant eyes widened in horror as a familiar, sickening green spell flew to caress the woman, the body falling to the floor with a thump.
Hadrian stared with dread as the wizards laughed heartlessly, stepping over the body to search the rest of the room, picking books off the self and pocketing them. Distantly Hadrian heard the leader of the intruders yell to the others to gather the bodies lying around the mansion and bring them to the library, watching with hate as the wizards piled the corpses one onto the other.
Slowly, as one, the group raised their wands to the ceiling, setting the wooden beams on fire with a shouted spell; they retreated hastily, loud pops ringing through the air. Rapidly the fire spread through the library, greedily consuming everything in its path, spreading its deadly branches to the corner of the room where a scared little boy hid.
Watching helplessly as a beam from the ceiling crashed onto the desk, crushing it under its weight and sending sparks into the air, Hadrian quickly stood, shouting in anguish.
"NO, NO, NO! THIS CAN'T HAPPEN, NOT AGAIN! NOT ME, NOT M-!"
-ACCW-
"-E!" Hadrian screamed, jolting upright into a sitting position, panting harshly.
Lifting trembling slender hands to grasp raven locks, Hadrian slowly calmed his heartbeat, frantically searching his surroundings for some clue that he was safe.
Damn, I haven't had a dream like that in years. Why would I think of that event with Riddle appearing in it of all people? I thought I locked that memory away in the deepest part of my mind, it was the first thing I did after I mastered Occlumency. Did the wards I place around it wear off? No, I would've noticed if they did.
Sighing in annoyance, Hadrian slowly climbed out of his lavish bed, taking in the dark blue and gray walls of his surroundings. It was winter break at Hogwarts and life at the Black family manor was full of luxuries; when Alastair informed Hadrian that he was to join his family for winter break, the demand was met with cold eyes. However, to pass up a chance to explore one of Britain's oldest pureblood family would be a dumb, and Hadrian was not a stupid person, so he persevered through the seemingly endless questions about his childhood and deceased family only to come upon the wealth of knowledge that seemed to be the Black's library.
Hadrian would have liked to spend his break in the room he likened to a sanctuary, only to come out for meals and when he needed rest, but he was soon dragged out of the safe haven by Alastair to practice Quidditch or to the occasional trips to Diagon Alley. Fortunately, the Cruor heir quickly found a reprieve from the incessant chattering that never seemed to end, coming mostly from the annoying Black females, in a section that seemed to be taboo to other wizards and witches his age.
Knockturn Alley was a dank and, frankly, very uncivilized shopping district. Instead of the colorful robes and moving posters of Quidditch teams shown in the windows of Diagon Alley, Knockturn sold items of the darker and greatly perilous nature, something that suited Hadrian splendidly. Not only did he discover a place where he could easily get items for any ritual or potion that wasn't mandated by the Ministry, he could also uncover many of the books that were lucky enough to escape the purge of anything dark, unscathed. Like Alastair commented to Hadrian when he asked about Knockturn, 'If Diagon Alley was the role model heir to the Wizarding world, Knockturn was the black sheep'.
After discovering the dangerous alley, Hadrian observed its occupants, monitoring their actions and words and taking in what they showed hostility to. The first time he stepped foot into Knockturn to purchase supplies, he spelled a glamour over himself, knowing well enough that a boy his age, no matter what family he was from or what blood type he was, would get assaulted or harassed. Of course he could have used his wand, he was skilled enough to create a mass Crucio, but to really waste his time and effort on simpletons not worthy enough of his attention would be pointless.
So, wearing a glamour that made him look like a middle-aged man with plain and forgetful looks, Hadrian took his first steps into a new adventure, soon happening upon a rundown and boarded up shack. After searching the building for any clue to what the shop was, he soon discovered that it was a bookstore, filled with mysterious and rare books.
Quickly Reindall's Books became something of a second home to him, the amount of knowledge and spells he gained each time he left the store astounded him. On one of his recent trips to the bookstore, he encountered a tome about a subject he was very invested into, Dementors.
Unlike the volume he bought from Hogsmeade, Eaters of the Soul by Alasdair Berwyn explained the horrifying creatures in detail, from how their ability affected the human mind to describing many rituals containing Dementor parts.
However, one ritual caught Hadrian's eye and proceeded to haunt him until he gave into his unquenchable thirst of gaining a new insight of the entity he so desired to be allied with. The ritual in question, depicted the items someone would need to summon a dementor, trapping the wraith in a circle of ancient runes scribed in the blood of the caller.
It was a rather risky decision to make on Hadrian's part, but the need to learn about something new, a trait he must have picked up in Ravenclaw, was too great and soon he was committing an action with recklessness that a Gryffindor would be proud of.
The ritual itself was surprisingly simple, the list of ingredients called for common things you could find in your everyday apothecary, like the hair of a unicorn and blood leeches, it was the actual summoning that would be tricky. The caller would have to purify themselves before doing the ceremony, for any taint would contaminate the circle keeping the Dementor stationary, the person would then soon have to mark a ring of inscriptions in blood, each rune representing protection and control. Finding the location to do such a malicious rite without alarming the Ministry would be challenging but Hadrian was willing to go through Heaven and Hell to complete it.
Thankfully, the Blacks were a paranoid family, after the killing of the Cruors, they had a refuge built under all their manors with shields that could survive a nuclear war. Along with the various shields tailored to each shelter, there were wards encompassed within each defense to keep the Ministry and other prying eyes unaware of what happened behind stonewalls. Persuading Lady Black was an effortless task, with the excuse of a school experiment, Hadrian quickly received permission for the use of the chamber, now all he had to do was wait for the right moment.
It was pathetically easy to coerce an agreement out of Lady Black, after all I heard about her being unapproachable and prickly, I would have assumed that such a task would be harder. It seems that they truly would agree to anything to gain favor with the only heir of such a powerful family, I am thankful to be descended from such a noble and pure clan, as the blood purity bias seems to be getting worse in the Wizarding world. Soon they will change such idiotic ideas about how the purity of blood accounts to anything, if the muggleborns have any talents or are at least remotely intelligent and willing to leave the Muggle world to fully embrace the life of Magic, then they won't be persecuted. However, if any half-blood or pureblood is deemed unworthy of their blood or magic, they will have their magic taken away and their memories of the Wizarding world will be erased and they will be sentenced to live the life of a muggle.
It is a rather cruel thing to take away the magic of a witch or wizard, but in order to gain complete control, Hadrian had no mercy to spare on people who had no place in the new society that he would create, he could have no destroy what he worked so hard to accomplish.
Grinning sharply in anticipation for the summoning, Hadrian swiftly inched out of silk sheets, striding towards the ebony trunk positioned at the end of the bed. Pale fingers gently grasped a worn leather book, turning the pages reverently to a bookmarked article. Beryl eyes swept greedily over the words, making sure every item was accounted for.
"Soon, I'll be one step closer to completing my goals." Hadrian whispered, fingering the dog-eared page absently. "If I succeed in this task, I'll have an army that even Dumbledore couldn't stand against."
Changing quickly into a pair of dress pants and a button downed shirt, Hadrian stashed the book under his arm, slipping his wand into a holster attached to his thigh as he proceeded out of the door to enter an uninhabited hallway, the sound of metal clinking softly against plates drifted up the stairs. Swiftly plastering on a charming smile, Hadrian continued down the hallway to reach the curved staircase.
How long do I have to keep this mask on? The only person who could ever look past it is Riddle, but then again, he houses his own. It's so tiring having to hide your true personality from the world you're going to conquer in time. Though it's better to rule in love than in fear, ruling in fear would cause unnecessary uprisings, I don't have the time to deal with a rebellion of close minded people. If I want to succeed, I have to deal with whatever is thrown my way; there is no time to pass over any advantages. Riddle is getting stronger, his following is growing larger and he has many influential families on his side. I will soon have to deal with him and what a challenge that will be.
"Hadrian! It's about time you got up, I just about thought you died up there." Alastair greeted his handsome face brightening as he caught sight of his friend. "I would've woken you up but you made it quite clear what you thought of my methods."
"I've been meaning to ask how that rash is doing, still itching are you." Hadrian inquired mischievously, striding forward to sit in the chair next to the Black heir. "You might want to get that looked at soon, the potion warned that inflammation could occur."
"And you wait until now to tell me?" The teenager cried out in distress. "What if something happened to my body? You know how the girls like it so much!"
"How is that my problem, if anything, I'm doing the students of Hogwarts a favor. I was getting rather tired of hearing the sobbing coming from your conquests echoing through the hallways each day; I do want to have one peaceful week." He replied nonchalant at the gaping expression Alastair was gifting him with. "Lady Black, do you mind if I use the room I asked you about today? I just realized that I should complete the experiment before Winter break is over or I won't have any time left, what with Alastair dragging me to Diagon Alley every day to look at brooms."
"It's of no problem," Waving an elegant hand in dismissal at the question, Lady Black leveled her reproving gaze on Alastair's squirming form. "We were hardly using it anyway. Alastair should know about being considerate of his guests but it seems that you have a special effect on the boy, he can't seem to leave you alone, he's like a puppy really."
"I'm used to it; he clings to me all the time when I'm at Hogwarts." Laughing at the protest he gained from the Slytherin. "Alastair, I won't be able to entertain you today, this project is very important and I'm afraid it requires my utmost attention."
Sighing in defeat, Alastair stared gloomily at his plate. "Very well, I suppose I could do something else. When are you leaving?"
"Right after I eat. Don't worry, it shouldn't take long, it's the process that really requires my attention." Setting down his fork, Hadrian gracefully rose from his seat, sending a nod to Cygnus and patting Alastair's shoulder gently as he made his way from the room. "Don't wait up."
Speedily, Hadrian treaded down the dim corridor, eager to get to the basement of the Black manor. Reaching an iron door, he grasped the handle and pulled, stepping inside a frigid room. Hadrian made his way across the room to a slab of marble set against the opposite wall, laden down with various items.
Stopping in front of the table, he observed the ingredients he gathered from his last trip to the Diagon Alley. Picking up an ornate steel knife, he set the book on down on the surface and positioned his left arm over a chalice nearby, swiftly bringing the blade down on his skin, hissing at the pain. Cold eyes watched in fascination as crimson drops of blood slowly landed in the cup, staining the gold into a bronze color. Finally, after having held his arm over the goblet for some time, Hadrian healed the cut on his forearm, satisfied with the amount of blood he'd given.
Striding to the center of the room with the cup of blood, Hadrian knelt, dipping his fingers into the liquid and painstakingly drawing the runes meant for protection and preventing the dementor from escaping the cellar. Minutes later found the Ravenclaw standing in the middle of a circle of runes. Ready to start the ritual, slender fingers traced ring he created, murmuring words in Latin quietly.
"Magia collocatae invocabo me, anima qualia tu volebas. Veni accersitus dementor." Hadrian repeated those sentences five times, during each echo his magic crept into the room, darkening the candles he lit before and causing the runes surrounding him to glow a bloody red.
Suddenly a cold wind swept through the enclosed room, sending Hadrian into darkness, the only light radiating softly from the runes, bathing Hadrian in a maroon glow. Emerald eyes observed in amazement as frost slowly crept along the brick floor, reaching Hadrian and creating a wide berth around the circle. Vaguely, Hadrian noticed that the temperature in the already freezing room dropped, too preoccupied with the figure that was slowly sliding towards him, dressed in tattered black robes.
From the little light in the room, Hadrian was able to distinguish an inhumanly tall form floating off the ground, the frost on the floor beneath it hardened into ice. Gnarled gray hands, poking out of wide sleeves, grasped the cup holding the remaining blood, lifting it to hooded face.
"Little wizard…your blood is delicious." A raspy voice rattled out leisurely. "Why have you called me here? What do you wish to gain from this encounter?"
Breathing in sharply at the words, Hadrian steeled himself for the upcoming encounter. "May I ask your name? I was not aware that dementors could communicate with wizards or witches."
Deep laughter filled the room, unnerving with its mocking quality. "We dementors can speak many a great languages, that doesn't mean we will. The arrogance of the wizards that came across our path disgusted us, and because of that we will not communicate. As for my name, I believe your people call me the Dementor Lord, but for you, Little Wizard, you can call me Messorem."
"Messorem…an interesting name, suits your kin's ability. Reaper I believe it means." Hadrian stated, nimbly standing to face Messorem. "I have summoned you to discuss an alliance that would benefit the both of us. Of course, if you will listen, Lord Messorem."
"An alliance, how intriguing, you're first of your kind to willingly speak to a dementor for a partnership. The rest of the wizards gave up when they read that they couldn't speak to us. Very well, I am willing to hear your plan."
"Perfect. In exchange for your support and action in the upcoming war, I will gift you the souls of the people who couldn't accept the change and rebelled. During battle I will mark my people beforehand, ensuring that you don't mistake a Dark or Neutral wizard for the enemy. You will be able to absorb the souls of any Light witch or wizard in combat, however, please leave most of them alive and intact, I have plans for them."
"And what do you suppose to do about that little spell they have, Expecto Patronum I believe. Are you sure you want to be allied with creatures that can be driven away easily?"
Chuckling cruelly, Hadrian sent Messorem a malicious smirk, eyes gleaming with bloodlust. "You won't have to worry about that. Recently I have come upon a spell that nullifies the effects of Expecto Patronum on dementors, I assure you that it works, numerous times have I tried it on the willing dementors I have come across, only for each time to come out a success."
"Ah…I believe I've heard of you through my council. A spell that can eradicate the weakness we have to that blasted light spell? How interesting." A clawed hand reached down to set the empty goblet on the floor. "Very well, Little Wizard, you have convinced me to agree to your offer. Through what I've gathered from my subjects and other dark creatures I've met, you are trustworthy and ready to fight for a new world."
"Yes, with a new government, the Wizarding world will change dramatically. No more will dark creatures be treated unfairly, no more will the blood of a witch or wizard effect how they are welcomed, I will heal the damage the Light inflicted on the only home I have. I am grateful that you agreed to the alliance, with your kin helping me, the conquering of a corrupted world will be much easier. However, how will I contact you, it's rather rare to find other dementors and I would prefer not having to go through this ritual every time I want to exchange information."
"Let me show you a great secret us dementors housed for many years." Messorem reached his hand inside his cloak to reveal a stunning ring. Silver of the finest quality was twisted into a cobra poised to strike; cold rubies decorated the scales of reptile while the snake's head housed opals for eyes. Bending his towering frame slightly, the Dementor King offered the ring to a surprised Hadrian. "My father gained this from a wizard that saved his life, the wizard passed many years ago but his action was still revered by many of my people. We have guarded this ring for centuries and now I want you to protect our most precious treasure, think of it as a gift for that spell of yours. If you have information to pass on, simply place of drop of blood in the cobra's mouth, the runes inscribed in the fangs will either call me or one of my trusted advisors to you."
"Thank you for trusting me with this, Lord Messorem, I will guard it with my life and magic. No one will even be able to touch it." Hadrian breathed out, caressing the piece of jewelry gently.
"I am sure you will. Your runes seem to be fading and that is what's keeping me here. I will take my leave, Little Wizard. Congratulations, you have acquired the trust and allegiance of the most sought after army. Use us well." Messorem drawled out, stepping out of the runes, his cloaked frame disappearing rapidly in the light. "Until then, Lord Hadrian."
"Goodbye, Messorem." Hadrian said in farewell, watching as a faint outline of the dementor diminished. "How did you know my name was Hadrian?"
"…..your blood told me so." And with that the Lord of the Dementors disappeared, leaving Hadrian alone in a dark room, the only source of light dwindling quickly.
"The time of war is approaching rapidly, are you ready for it Riddle? Will you fight me or will you join me in defeating the Light?" Jade eyes flashed murderously as a fair hand waved carelessly, causing a black flame to appear from nowhere, lighting the candles. Gathering the items on the table and using his magic to erase the runes on the floor, Hadrian sauntered out of the room with a satisfied smirk on his face. Slipping his hand into his pants pocket to grasp Messorem's ring, a hungry look crossed Hadrian's handsome face, sliding the striking jewelry onto his right hand.
Let my reign begin.
"I will thrive where other dark lords failed. No one and nothing will stand in the subjugation of the Wizarding world. I will make sure of it."
The time of the Light is over, now let the world experience the true power of Magic.
-ACCW-
Hope that this was significantly longer than my other chapters! Please continue following, favoring and reviewing this story.
-tandhale