Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter. There are some words copied from Harry Potter. Some ideas are also from Pottermore to describe settings as much as possible. Once again, I don't own Pottermore or Harry Potter.
Hogwarts [1991]
The train slowly came to a stop, and Hadrian stood up, stretching his limbs. They were here. Finally. Hadrian, Draco, Blaise, and Neville helped the girls with their trunks, and Hermione left to find her own trunk.
"Shall we?" Hadrian proposed. They exited the train, depositing their trunks outside.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over hear!" A tall man was waving his hands with a lantern as soon as they got off the train. Hadrian trudged over, and everyone else followed him. The man was more like a giant, and had a large, coal black beard. He spoke very roughly and directed all the 'firs' years onto the boats.
"No more tha' four to a boat!" He hollered, stumbling around blindly. Destiny giggled at the man, and it didn't take a genius to know what she was thinking.
Hadrian, Destiny, Draco and Daphne all piled into one boat. Neville and Blaise took a boat with Hermione, and Terry Boot. They rolled their eyes as they saw a Weasley and Potter shrieking with excitement. When they neared the castle, Hadrian did his best to not look like a gaping fish. It was huge, and it was so mysterious and enchanting that even he was compelled by it.
"Look Hadrian! Isn't it so exciting! The castle is beautiful!" Destiny exclaimed, gazing up in awe.
"Its impressive." He said curtly. Daphne smiled knowingly at him, but didn't say anything.
They reached the docks, and Hadrian helped Daphne and Destiny out the boat. They entered the castle through large wooden double doors, and Hadrian's eyes widened.
It was massive, almost as big as one of the ballrooms in Riddle Manor. The staircases moved constantly, and portraits whispered amongst each other. Hadrian's eyes fell on the all too familiar face of Lily Potter, and he tried hard to look indifferent to her presence.
"This is the Entrance Hall. And this is Professor Lily Potter. She'll l wait with yer for Professor McGonagall." The large oaf left abruptly, and the green eyed lady turned to the first years.
"Hello, I am Professor Potter. I am the muggle studies teacher at Hogwarts." She spoke softly.
Draco snickered, "Muggle studies. How useless."
Alexander Potter turned to Draco, and glared at him. "I know who you are, Malfoy. My dad's told me about your Death Eater family."
Draco lunged, but was held back by Blaise and Neville. It may have been true, but there was no reason to say it so degradingly.
Hadrian turned to Potter. "Don't assume things, Potter." His eyes flashed, and Alexander Potter stepped back.
"Neville? Is that you? Why are you with them! They're evil Slytherins! All of em'!" A redhead yelled loudly.
Neville glared coldly at him. "Don't insult my friends. Ever."
"You must be a Weasley." Blaise concluded. "Which one are you?"
"My name's Ron!" He growled angrily.
"My father told me the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." Draco sneered.
"Enough fighting children!" Lily Potter interrupted. She hadn't heard the actual conversation, just the escalated voices. She gazed around the room, and her eyes locked with Hadrian. Lily widened her eyes, and her mouth opened slightly. Her hands began to shake and she walked closer to Hadrian. She began to breathe frantically, and her arms shot out and grabbed Hadrian.
"Harry? Harry is that you? You've come back! I've missed you so much!" Lily Potter gasped, tightly hugging Hadrian as if her life depended on it. Everyone was in shock as they saw Professor Potter latching onto the tall, mysterious dark haired boy.
"Mummy! Let go of the evil kid!" Alexander Potter whined, pulling his mother away. Hadrian glared coldly at her and brushed off his robes.
"I know I'm attractive, but do try to keep your mother off of me, eh Potter?" He smirked. Alexander's scowled and pulled his mother away, trying to calm down her hysteria.
"Harry! I'm so sorry! Come back to me! To your family! I miss you!" She cried, trying to reach for Hadrian. Lily Potter was hyperventilating and heaving with tears.
"Crazy woman." Neville muttered as he pulled Hadrian away from her grasp. Hadrian smiled in thanks, but he still looked back to Lily Potter. He didn't know how she recognized him since after the adoption ceremony, his looks had changed. She was still sobbing, and Hadrian hardened his eyes. Good. She should feel guilty, He thought.
"Professor Potter, control yourself! Dumbledore wishes to speak with you in his office first thing in the morning." A sharp voice reprimanded. All eyes turned to see a strict looking woman, with her greying hair in a tight bun and spectacles on the bridge of her nose. She wore a pointed witch's hat, and just her mere presence made everyone quiet. The woman sent the crying Lily Potter away, and turned to the eager first years. She had a strong Scottish accent when she spoke.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup. You have a couple minutes before you enter the Great Hall. I suggest you use these moments to tidy yourselves up. The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly."
She gave a disapproving glance to Weasley, who had dirt on his nose. Hadrian smoothed down his already perfect hair and immaculate robes. Draco, on the other hand, was fussing with everything, even his shoes.
"I heard that its a really hard test!" Someone whispered loudly, and Blaise snorted in amusement.
Hermione was freaking out, whispering all the spells she already knew. She turned to Hadrian and said. "What do you think it'll be? A couple older students told me that we would have to fight a troll! I wonder what spells I'll us-"
"You put on a hat, and it sorts you into your House." Hadrian cut her off.
"If they had you fight a troll, you would die in the first few seconds." Draco mumbled. "On second thought..." He trailed off, glacing at the translucent figures flying around.
"Ghosts!" Someone screeched, and Hadrian rolled his eyes. People shrieked as the ghosts swooped down, and flew around the first years.
"Hope you'll be in Hufflepuff! My old house!" A fat ghost exclaimed. Blaise snickered silently and Destiny made a gagging motion.
"Look! It's nearly headless Nick!" A student pointed to another ghost, floating around.
"Nearly headless?" Hermione repeated in disbelief. "How can you be nearly headless?"
The ghost grinned, and swung off his head, but not completely. Daphne gasped, and made a face at the gruesome ghost.
"Be gone! The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin!" Professor McGonagall said in a stern tone. She waved her hands, and the big oak doors of the Great Hall swung open.
"Line up, single file." McGonagall said, leading the way through the Great Hall. Everyone gasped, looking up at the large hall, with the clear, night sky ceiling and floating candles.
"It's not real, the ceiling. It's bewitched. I read it in Hogwarts a History." Hermione said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Hadrian didn't respond, and instead tried to keep a cool face, while gazing around. It wasn't like anything he had seen before. Hogwarts practically glowed with magic, and everything was fascinating. Everyone's eyes were on the new first years and Hadrian made sure to look poised and confident.
Hadrian noticed Dumbledore looked curiously at him, and he felt the light probing of Legilimency in his mind. Hadrian clenched his fists, and strengthened his Occulmency shields. He could feel Dumbledore being snapped back, and he did not miss the wince on the old fool's face. The first years all gathered around the front of the Great Hall, where a old, worn out hat sat on a stool.
"Now before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words." Professor McGonagall announced.
Hadrian concealed his scowl as the stupid twit, Headmaster Dumbledore, rose up from his chair in his festive red and brown robes. Daphne made a disgusted face at the Headmaster's clothing choices and Draco did not even try to hide the look of disdain on his face.
"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce." Dumbledore boomed, "The first years please note, that the Forbidden forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side, is out of bounds, to everyone that does not wish to die a most painful death Thank you." He sat back down, and all eyes turned to Professor McGonagall.
"When I call your name, you will come forth, and I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you shall be sorted into your houses."
The Sorting Hat opened its flap, and a rough, gruff voice came out:
Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
McGonagall cleared her throat, and announced the first name, "Abbot, Hannah."
A chubby girl with blonde hair in pigtails, nervously stepped up and carefully sat on the stool. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head, and the girl fidgeted nervously. There was a brief moment of silence, before the hat announced, "Hufflepuff!"
Blaise snickered under his breath, "What a disgrace."
The girl scampered off to the cheering table at the far right. Millicent Bustrode, a slightly big girl with short straight hair, became the first Slytherin.
"Hermione Granger."
Hermione's eyes widened, and she muttered something quietly, taking constant deep breaths. She almost ran up to the stool, jamming the hat on her head.
Hermione bit her lip, and the Hat spoke to her: Hhm. Intelligent..Very intelligent. Resourceful, yes. You're very ambitious aren't you? Slytherin might just be the place...but no, you'd never be great in Slytherin. No, it shall be...
"Ravenclaw!"
Hermione looked slightly disappointed that the hat hadn't placed her in Gryffindor, but she smiled as the Ravenclaw table cheered for her. Hadrian grinned, Hermione was perfectly suited for Ravenclaw.
"Greengrass, Daphne."
Daphne winked, and walked up to the stool. Hadrian could tell she was nervous, but she didn't try to show it. Daphne smoothed down her hair, and McGonagall placed the hat on her head. The hat took a couple minutes, but declared her in "Slytherin!"
Daphne proudly sauntered to the Slytherin table. Their cheers were far more reserved than the obnoxious cheering of the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs.
"Lestrange, Destiny?" McGonagall called, and her face paled slightly. Hadrian could practically see the wheels turning in her head, connecting Destiny to her mother.
McGonagall had a sour expression on her face when she placed the hat on Destiny's head.
The hat was silent, for a brief period of time, but then it announced, "Gryffindor!"
Destiny froze, and locked eyes with Hadrian. Her gaze was panicked and she looked at her friends, almost pleadingly. Everyone was shocked, and the Gryffindor table was for once, strangely silent. Many of the elder years in Gryffindor had recognized her name upon hearing it, and they wore cold glares on their faces. McGonagall snapped out of her surprise, and hesitantly nudged Destiny towards the Gryffindor table. A slow clap filled the room, and Hadrian saw that one of the Weasley twins had stood up and clapped. The other twin stood up a second later, and clapped rapidly.
The hall was silent, except for the cheers and claps of the two twins. Hadrian smiled; he had never been so thankful for a Weasley in his life. He saw Destiny sit down near the edge of the table, trying to ignore all the harsh looks she was getting. She looked perfectly calm, although Hadrian could tell she was breaking down inside. He gave her one last sympathetic look, before turning back to face McGonagall.
McGonagall shook her head, as if trying to clear away her thoughts, and called out the next name.
"Longbottom, Neville."
Neville casually walked up to the stool, and sat down. The hat looked to be deep in thought: Interesting. Very interesting. Loyal..yes, almost to a fault...but an unquenchable thirst to prove yourself...Very well then...
"Slytherin!" It shouted,
Neville looked startled, but hesitantly walked over to the Slytherin table. The hall was silent once again. Some of the teachers at the High Table gasped in surprise. The short Charms professor had even fallen off his chair. Destiny smiled knowingly, although it was tinged with sadness and some envy.
"Malfoy, Draco."
Hadrian clapped Draco on the back, and Draco swaggered up to the stool. He sat down, and McGonagall reached for the hat. The hat didn't even touch the young Malfoy's smooth blonde hair when it announced, "Slytherin!"
Draco smirked, and went to the clapping Slytherin table. Hadrian exchanged a glance with Blaise. As if a Malfoy would belong anywhere else.
"Potter, Alexander."
Hadrian laughed as the chubby Chosen one ran up to the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on his head, and it was almost dead silent.
After a few minutes, the hat frowned and shouted "Gryffindor."
The hall was filled with the loud cheers of Gryffindor. They drummed the table with silverware, and whooped and screamed.
"We got Potter! We got the Chosen one!" The students in Gryffindor chanted. Dumbledore smiled, and half-heartedly told everyone to settle down.
"R-Ri-Riddle, Hadrian." McGonagall stuttered. Her face drained of color, and she looked frightened out of her mind. Hadrian strolled up to the stool, and sat down. He strengthened his mental shields, and felt he could feel the hat lower on his head.
I must praise you for your nearly indestructible Occulmency shields, but please lower them. Everything I see, I have sworn to never repeat.
Hadrian reluctantly lowered his shields, and the Hat made a sound akin to a gasp.
My, my Mr. Riddle. Or should I say Harry Potter? I was under the impression you were dead.
"What fool thought I was dead? I can assure you, I am very much alive. Now can you get along to sorting me?" Hadrian hissed in his mind.
Very well. You're very secretive aren't you? Hhm, difficult, very difficult. Impressive mind. Plenty of courage, I see. Brave and daring too.
"If you sort me into that stupid house of ignorant fools I will stab you with Basilisk venom and set you on fire." Hadrian warned threateningly.
"Someone's violent." The hat chuckled. "Don't worry. Gryffindor, while it appreciates your qualities, is not the house for you. The Light Side is in for quite a surprise, eh? We're expecting great things from you, Harry Potter. The only house you belong in is...
SLYTHERIN!"
Hadrian sighed with relief. He made his way to the Slytherin table, where Draco had already saved him a seat. The Slytherins clapped modestly, and welcomed him to their table.
"I had no doubts." Draco said, grinning widely. Hadrian smiled back, and turned to see the Weasel get sorted into Gryffindor. Blaise was the last person to get sorted, and he inevitably ended up in Slytherin.
McGonagall rolled the scroll back up again, and Dumbledore stood up.
"Let the feast begin!" He announced, waving his hands. Instantly, food filled the tables. Hadrian was unimpressed since he regularly was treated to such lavish meals at home. He scanned the Hall, and rested his eyes on Professor Quirell. His father had placed Quirell at Hogwarts for a specific job, but Hadrian did not know what it was. His eyes travelled to his potions professor, Severus Snape. Snape looked almost the same, his greasy bat-like hair falling to his shoulders. He was seated next to the messy big drunken giant, Hagrid. Hadrian almost laughed at the crude expression on Snape's face. The giant ate almost as disgustingly as Ronald Weasley. Almost. Then again he couldn't blame Weasley. All the Gryffindors ate like hideous pigs compared to Slytherin's perfect dining etiquette.
All of them, except for Destiny. He cursed silently as he realized he wouldn't be allowed to insult Gryffindors anymore. Hadrian glanced Destiny with concern. She wasn't eating, just sadly pushing the food around her plate. He noticed the Gryffindors were all ignoring her, and the youngest Weasley was even laughing at her. Hadrian wanted to strangle the Weasel till he turned blue.
Hadrian's attention hastily snapped back to his own table. He laughed when Daphne slapped Blaise's hand away from eating another treacle tart. She had a stern expression on her face that reminded him of Narcissa. Hadrian was slightly surprised that Draco's two thugs, er- blockhead 'friends', Crabbe and Goyle had been sorted into Hufflepuff. Just the thought was hilarious.
Soon, the feast was over, and the Slytherin prefects led the way to the Slytherin dormitories. Hadrian turned to wave goodbye to Destiny, but she was already gone.
"Alright, try to keep up. Quickly now." The Slytherin Fifth year Prefect, Lucian Boyle spoke roughly. He and the female prefect, Gemma Farley, led the first years down several flights of stairs, to the Slytherin common room.
"Right here, behind the wall, is the entrance to the Slytherin common room. The password is 'Serpent'. It changes every two weeks, so be sure to check the notice boards for the new password. Don't forget the password and don't tell anyone outside of Slytherin the password. Do not bring anyone else inside out common room. No outsider has ever entered our common room, and we intend to keep that record." Lucian said. He whispered the password, and the large stone wall slid open.
They all walked inside the common room, gazing with interest at the elegant surroundings. The room was long, and rectangular with a low ceiling. It had a greenish glow to it, and all the furniture was expensive and ancient looking. Hadrian identified one of the statues to be worth around 1000 galleons. The floor was stone, and the air in the room was chilly. Daphne rubbed her arms, and stared at the strange green fire in the fireplace.
"Our common room is under the Black Lake. It gives our common room a kind of mysterious, 'shipwrecked' look. Don't be scared if you see the Giant Squid swooshing by through the windows. Also, it gets quite cold in the winter, so I suggest you learn a body-warmth spell." Gemma warned.
"These are the 6th year Prefects, Ophelia Ashworth, and Marcus Flint." Lucian gestured to the two students sitting on the expensive upholstered armchairs. Ophelia Ashworth stood up, and greeted the first years with a warm smile. She was beautiful, with raven colored long hair, and piercing blue eyes.
"Welcome to Slytherin. You are all standing here, because the Sorting Hat saw the cunning, ambition, and resourcefulness that Salzaar Slytherin himself desired to see in his students."
"You may have heard rumors about our house. How everyone in Slytherin is evil, a dark wizard, or my personal favorite, a Death Eater in training." Marcus Flint chuckled, revealing severely crooked teeth.
"Some of those things may be true. Most of you are pureblood, and some of you come from openly declared Dark families. But know that you weren't sorted into Slytherin because of your family, or its legacy. You were sorted into Slytherin because you deserved the best. You all have the potential to be great inside of you. Everyone in Slytherin is here for a reason. Even if you think otherwise, keep it to yourself. " Lucian said.
"One of the greatest wizards of all time, Merlin himself, was in Slytherin! Now would you rather be following in the footsteps of Merlin, or some idiotic Gryffindor?" Gemma asked, although it was a rhetorical question.
"Slytherins stick together. We are usually the most respected, and the most feared students. Take advantage of it. We have a reputation that we will uphold no matter what, understand?" Ophelia stared pointedly at the first years.
"Hufflepuffs aren't the only ones who value loyalty. Slytherins are always loyal to each other. All petty arguments and disputes never leave the common room. We are a united front. It doesn't matter if you absolutely loathe one of your fellow Slytherins. Outside the common room, you will act as if you are the best of friends." Flint stated firmly.
"Slytherins look after their own. We aren't like Ravenclaws, who step over each other to get the best marks. We are brothers, sisters, a big happy family." Gemma joked.
"Once you've become a Slytherin, you are automatically elite. Being in Slytherin has its perks. Our house ghost, the Bloody Baron, may seem terrifying, but he is the only one that can control Peeves the poltergeist. This is why Peeves never bothers Slytherins. Just don't ask the Baron how or why he has so much blood on his clothes, he hates it." Lucian explained.
"Our dormitories are by far the best of all the houses. All the other houses have shared rooms, but in Slytherin, everyone is entitled to their own room. The boys first year rooms are all connected to each other. Same with the girls. Slytherin is also the only House in which the girls and boys dorms are not separate. We trust you to respect others privacy, and be mature. Do not abuse this privilege otherwise it will be taken away." Ophelia frowned.
"Our Head of House is professor Severus Snape. He teaches potions, and expects perfection in everything. So word of advice? Pick up a book before you enter his class and be sure to study hard. Potions is very difficult." Flint said.
"Quite right, Flint." A silky voice spoke up, and every turned around. Severus Snape stood straight in a rigid posture, and stared hard at the first years.
"Every morning, you will report to the Great Hall for breakfast by 8 am. I am well aware that class starts at 9 am, but we wish to avoid all the chaos. Weekends are no exception." Severus scowled. Someone's raised hand lowered, and Snape spoke again.
"You will always be early to classes. Socializing with friends can wait for the evenings. Speaking of classes, you must always have above average marks. If you are falling behind, ask one of your peers or the older students. They will be happy to help, correct?" He glared at the prefects and they nodded vigorously.
"I do not want to hear Minerva or Flitwick complaining about you during staff meetings. Act mature, and do not make foolish, rash, Gryffindor decisions. Think before you act. In case you haven't noticed, our table is the most sophisticated of all others."
"Nighttime curfew is at 9pm for students below fourth year. This means you should be in the Slytherin quarters. I do not care if you go to sleep, or stay up all night. Just make sure you look presentable in the morning. Appearances play a key part in Slytherin. Always look your best, no matter if you are attending class or if you are eating supper. Understand?"
Everyone nodded, and Snape turned to leave. "I know you are tired, so I will let the prefects wrap up. Good Night."
The prefects turned to the first years, "Once again, welcome to Slytherin. You are destined for greatness. Play your cards right, and one day you will be admired, feared, and highly respected." They said in unison.
All the first years clapped, and the prefects led them to their rooms. Each room had a large black door, with a silver plate with a student's name on it. Hadrian found his room, and noticed it was between Draco and Daphne's rooms. He slipped inside and smiled at the magnificent room. It was fairly large for a dorm room. There was an ancient looking four poster bed, with green silk hangings. The bedspread was pure black silk, and embroidered with silver. It reminded Hadrian of his bed back home. There were various tapestries hanging on the walls, and silver floating lanterns that lit up the room. The room also contained a gleaming silver fireplace, with the Slytherin green flames. Hadrian carefully rested his wand on the table, and unpacked his trunk. He did a spell to hang up all his clothes in the expertly carved black wardrobe.
He turned to the doorway, and decided his room needed some extra protection. Hadrian mumbled some ancient runes that Nott Sr. had taught him. Ancient Runes was practically the only thing that dimwit was skilled in. He grinned with triumph as he saw the pale green ward shine in his doorway.
Hadrian whispered a couple spells in parsletongue, and frowned when he saw nothing happened.
I must be missing something, He thought to himself.
Hadrian sighed, how could he have forgotten the main source of magic needed? Hadrian grabbed his wand, and configured up a knife. He marveled at the perfect silver blade, and slashed open his palm.
He whispered in parsletongue, taking short breaths in between the fast chanting. He could feel the pain slowly fading, and the red blood ward getting stronger. Once all the pain had subsided, and the cut had healed itself, Hadrian collapsed with exhaustion on his bed. It wasn't as comfortable as his bed back home, but it would do. He closed his eyes, relishing the darkness.
Hadrian fell soon fell asleep listening to serenity of the waves lapping against his windows and the soothing sounds of the fire crackling in his room.