Disclaimer: tvd and Harry Potter are not mine!
Warnings: Mentions of unwilling blood sacrifices, sex, drinking and slash.
Chapter 9:
Oh hangover-cure, so divine
Sunday 1st November, 2009
It was a blurry eyed Brit that stumbled into the Grill and onto one of the bar stools planting his face onto the counter after ordering a fresh pressed orange juice.
"You look like you had a rough day." An amused voice commented from beside him eyeing the streaks of silver, green and purple glitter left on his exposed nape, that peaked out from the long burberry trench coat that allowed him the illusion of decency.
All answer that elicited was a muffled groan into the counter top and a vaguely rude gesture with an arm.
There was an amused laugh beside him that he didn't deign with more than a huff. Unfortunately that didn't discourage the female at all. and he'd thought he was safe after his quick scan proclaimed this a Tyler free zone. Still there seemed to still be something like pity in this world as five minutes later - five torturous far too long and noise filled minutes - the pests attention finally wavered and them left the bar with an cheery exclamation of "Stefan!"
Again far too close and loud for his comfort and his poor head.
Wait that voice sounds familiar… A frown wrinkled his brow. Never mind.
He was so done, but he knew better than go directly home, one wouldn't be able to believe the amount a single house elf could possess but he for one did not feel like being subjected to those big mothering eyes staring up at him in disappointment as well as the tongue-lashing/scolding for not taking better care of himself. So yes a glass of orange juice in the far too full local bar was the way to go.
Why was it that full though? It was a day after Halloween and they were not in mexico there is no need for them all to be so chipper. If he'd actually given a fuck instead of just being mildly irritated at the noise level he might have invested the energy to find out the reason.
He sighed in bliss at the return of silence as people caught the hint and gave him a wide berth after he flared his magic out stingingly after a chav hollered to the bartender over his defenceless head, even if the courtesy was entirely unconscious and enforced on the inconsiderate prats. He was grateful.
It truly should be illegal to be as exhausted as him, even if mentioned to him that it was his own fault for over doing it, it would fall on deaf ears. One did not point out the faults and truths a powerful wizards that lacked sleep and was drained physically, mentally and magically as persons of that calibre always still had enough left to land a truly debilitating curse. It was magical survival 101. Still he was not bullheaded enough to deny that following that delectable high priest to the hidden Aztec Temple and participate in the ritual in honour of Mictēcacihuātl the Lady of the dead, especially after barely being able to walk straight after their little romp in the side chambers. Really there was no resisting that caramel skin encasing the toned muscles that rippled with every move... sigh. Thick gold bands and jewelry had never looked so good either. Of course he agreed to the ritual it was a high honour to be granted to actively participate in the ancient ritual, to decline would have been the highest insult. The goodwill of an Aztec was not something he was eager to test lest they get the idea he might be the better blood sacrifice in the place of the muggle that had so graciously given his life that day. That said muggle had been a 100 % unwilling was of no interest to any of those present,it had never been.
Honestly, he sometimes really wondered about the willful blindness of the muggles, not only did they have a raging vampire problem here in the US, but they actually believed that Cortez and his merry band of Conquistadors had managed to fully exterminated a culture that set their gods above all and so devotedly paid their tributes in blood offerings. No one ever noticed the number of mysteriously disappearing people from their midst whose blood continued to drench the altars to this day.
So yes witnessing and lending magic to an ancient 3000 year ritual in honour of a goddess on top of his usual Samhain exploits strained even the might and power of the mightiest of all potions the hangover-cure, unfortunately his house elves were far too perceptive and devoted to miss a detail like that. So orange juice it was until the rest of his headache evaporated.
-)§(-
Hadrian came back from the loo, pushing himself though the crowd of too noisy people, reclaimed his stool, ordered his third glass of juice and resumed his patented 'I-don't-bloody-care-leave-me-the-fuck-alone-I'm-too-tired-to-deal-with-you pose' yes it was a thing and happened to be a favourite of his. No copying.
"-he Brittle. It wins award."
"Cut the crap." Joy. The pest was back
"Okay, I have a diabolical master plan."
"What is it?" the female from earlier demanded sharply a dangerous inflection in her words that had earlier been absent.
"If I told you it wouldn't be very diabolical, now would it?"
"..."
"..."
...A little situational awareness wouldn't have gone amiss here. That's what he gets for trying to avoid his mothering house elf; little sins like that always demanded their pound of flesh immediately.
Fuck it he was not moving. Talks of nefarious plots and verbal ping pong over his head or not, this was his stool for tonight, he had been here first. No that was not a stubborn pout either he was just testing if the feeling in his bottom lip had come back yet or still full on striking from the nights abuse.
Really that voice was familiar…
Turning his head lazily so his left cheek may also experience the wonder of being smooched against cool slightly sticky wood, he blinked at the blond figure in a dark top. He couldn't quite swallow the groan when he recognised said person. Hadrian dropped his head back on the counter top with a dull thud from where he'd raised it in his piqued interest. He also resisted the urge to repeat the action as a slight sting travelled across his forehead, maybe rattling his brain a bit would knock the sense back into him.
Of course, his chocked sound of dismay did not go unnoticed, trapped between two vampires as he was – really he deserved a slap for stupidly walking into the midst of that. Hadrian was acutely aware of the two gazes boring into his back and low and behold he found himself under the scrutiny of a female vampire as she focused the might of her three centuries plus on him.
Lexi Branson.
And he'd been so careful to avoid her while on Jen's Birthday bash! It just his luck to have her turn up right where he didn't want her. He was very happy being just the rich human lord here but one word of Lexi within the earshot of those nosy pests and it was bye-bye peace and quiet, hello suspicious stalkers that dodged his steps like a wart on an arse.
He wanted to whine and wail in dismay and take a page out of Neville's book; why is it always me?
How could he forget the impulsive, fang and stab happy vampire at his back, overhearing him talk about diabolical plans should have been ample warning. Merlin if he got through this, neck unsnapped, he would seriously have to pick up his training again; he was getting disturbingly lax, totally knackered or not that was no excuse.
Damon slid closer from the other end of the bar a taunt on his lips that had the female vampires far too accessing gaze snap to him. But it was too late he had already seen the recognision flash in those hazel eyes, see her body involuntarily twitch in surprise at finding him here in a place like this.
Oh bloody blazing hell!
He must have done something right as for once fate seemed to take pity on his headache riddle poor self and intervened.
Just as he was debating whether he could inconspicuously wipe her memory before she finished to open her mouth and blow his carefree life to hell, the sheriff rode in on her white stallion to save the day; slamming an injection of concentrated vervain into her side without so much as a by your leave before dragging a gasping Lexi outside with her deputies, like a true hero.
Well that was that.
At least he could mark of this October with a tick on his calendar. Another Halloween that he had survived. Huzzah. Once that headache reliever kicked in he had a whole year in peaceful US small town to look forward to.
-)§(-
As predicted the month of November rolled around peacefully for the British Lord in town/Potter Heir. With Jenna still gloating about her shiny new motorcycle licence he had managed to acquire for after an impromptu test during their B-day getaway– it had taken some pull to get it done on a single day on a Sunday, but a little magic here a bit of compulsion there and voila~; he had a very happy Jenna on his hands. He was going to make a badass out of her yet. – he didn't have to worry about pulling anything drastic to cheer her up as even though he knew that niece of hers was back to sneaking around for now Jenna was blissfully unaware as one of her main concerns had dropped away as moody Gilbert suddenly had a miraculous change of heart and was back on the straight and narrow.
…
Yeah. No. Hadrian wasn't touching that with a ten foot pole. Lil' Gilbert could be an alien that ate the mopey original and now wore his skin like a full-body condom for all he cared, as long as it didn't try to eat Jenna and kept well away from him he didn't give a rat's arse.
Wonders of wonders he even managed to drag Jenna along when he and Carol went to a festival when she was usually so strangely reluctant to come along on any of their trips after the first few times – but it may because it's the Virginia Film Festival and she's a sucker for movies. They managed to drag Tyler along a few times who enjoyed himself despite his grumbling.
Then there was Thanksgiving. Even now after experiencing it for himself he still doesn't get the hype of that particular tradition, definitely a patriotic cultural thing. He really wondered though, after a look at the history of it, if the Native American descendants celebrated the day too or rightfully recognised it as their biggest mistake and cursed the actions of their naïve ancestors that fateful day, it would have been so much better for them had the settlers starved. He knew better than to ask though, for one he knew a little something called tact, also who to ask? Jenna would just laugh herself sick and Carol… well he was not ashamed to admit he was a teensy bit terrified of her reaction.
So he accepted the meal in with a grateful smile, brought gravy and a bottle of his best wine from his cellars and shut up, enjoying one of the most decadent dinners he had every seen along with a monster of a turkey he had trouble believing actually existed outside the monstrosity Mr Bean got his whole head stuck in.
And bloody hell, that woman could cook! Richard Lockwood did not deserve that woman.
He also bashfully accepted the invite to stay over as getting up those few stairs to the guest room was all he could manage and even that only with the help of a superior Tyler – how he had been able to be so chipper and agile when he had eaten almost double Hadrian's massive portions. What was wrong with the Lockwood men?
Hadrian, whose belly was so bloated and tender he suffered from the slightest touch to the point even the stretched fabric of his shirt was uncomfortable, was reduced to waddling as he gingerly picked his way to through the far too long walk to his nightly quarters. He truly entertained thoughts of pushing that laughing knob down the stairs… but he resisted; he knew without Tyler's supporting grip he would not make it up to his room as not only was the prat's mother capable of forcing down inhuman amounts of food down his throat with sweet smiles alone but also understood to accompany such exquisite food with the appropriate beverages, the kind that saw to it that his vision was slightly wonky and his feet not as steady as he would like despite his monstrous tolerance. No matter how peeved and tipsy; a night on the cold uncomfortable marble steps sounded positively torturously fiendish, not something that was in his plans for the night. Unfortunately, apparition was not an option, as the the mere thought alone had his cheeks turn ashen and stomach rebel as nausea roiled.
...So he desisted from his impulses, swallowed his scathing words along with his pride, and clung to his far too cheerful helper, humongous arse or not.
He really should have kept his hands off the desert but the devious woman had baked a treacle tart just for him, how could he spurn such a touching gesture?
Yes it was peaceful and as unmagical and un-supernatural as a wizards life could get: He oversaw the last touches of his new mansions construction pleased that he'd had the foresight to push the workers to be done with the roof before the rain days really started, the interiors remained dry as the solid cement and brick walls set and dried out at an accelerated rate thanks to the flick of a wand and took joy in taking out his points and let his artistic side loose on the prepared walls.
He did a few hours in his antique shop feeling decidedly like the Tom Riddle of old, charming people into parting with or buying trinkets via honeyed words though glad he was spared the lurking form of Burke. Being ones own boss was great.
Massacring Tyler at all the video games he possessed, antagonising and nettling old Mayor a bit while he was already in the vicinity, and pouring over December plans and upcoming Miss Mystic Fall's plans with Carol who left nothing to chance and was determined to outdo all other years and finally push the performance of the previous madame Lockwood from it's pedestal.
It was the last days of November that Hadrian descended into a baking frenzy like that kitchen had never seen before. He wore his special Mastercook, sugary snakes slithering over the green fabric in cute designs and with it's large pocket. The oven was smouldering in constant use expelling scorching waves of heat and mouthwatering odours upon every opening adding to the heavy scent of spices, sugar and bakery in the air. And every available surface was covered with cooling backing sheets in various stages of completion.
Not only producing frosted biscuits of every size and flavour, but also cupcakes, tiny mini cakes of all varieties from creamy - to crunchy - to fruity, and other chocolaty goodies, going as far as making his own chocolate lollies in Christmas themes. An ankle-biter or someone with a sweet-tooth would have probably fainted at seeing the massive spread. The only witness to the spectacle didn't care, Mindy in her cute pink frilly apron master had especially commissioned for her with her name embroidered proudly on the front, was humming enthusiastically as she divided and then packed them in the cute, numbered stasis charm inscribed boxes Master had transfigured helping in putting together the most decadent Christmas calendar this little town had ever seen. Three times.
Staring down in satisfaction at the cardboard boxes, Hadrian signed off the last Christmas card before tucking it under the ribbon, one for each. Yawning he instructed Kreacher to deliver them early next morning – or rather in a few scant hours - in time for the first day of the jolly frosty month.
Far too soon his eyelids were forced back open as he was ripped from his treacle tart riddled dreams – spending such a large amount of time immersed in desserts and christmas goodies was bound to leave it's mark - by two squealing calls of a gloating Jenna and a very touched Carol, followed closely by Tyler's more subdued response in the form of a text message. Hadrian smirked in amusement trying to visualize the teens reaction when he assembled the wolf themed calendar he'd customized from him using an old sketch of Tyler's as an template – transfiguration was so useful and time saving! – the text he'd received had awkwardly proclaimed it to be the gayest thing anyone had ever done for him but he approved if that meant mini pies with rum laced cherries everyday. The teens resemblance to his mother was truly undeniable sometimes.
Satisfied and pleased at the enthusiastic responses, Hadrian promptly turned over and decided to get more shut-eye, resolving not to bother with the world beyond his comfy bed and fluffy pillows until lunch at the earliest. He had a lot of sleep to catch up on.
Despite the lack of snow that would usually already grace the Hogwarts grounds this time of year he had a feeling that this month was looking promising already.
Slumbering innocently, he was unaware how right he was, as even at that very moment the letter he'd yearned for so wistfully, so anxiously, was on it's way to him via strong wings, secured in the claws of a sharp-beaked raptor of a bird bearing the Gringott's coat of arms.
Ta-da My attempt at a cliff-hanger! Mean I know. I usually hate and curse them so much, so I wanted to try and inflict it on someone else for a change now that I post chapters myself lol
Rate and review people!
Review responses;
Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and a happy new year to you all too. Lately I've been a bit lazy answering them so here you go:
(natasha. jones .1654: My Harry – since discovering the carnal pleasure of uncompromising sex – is open for everything (everything not too crazy that is i.e bestiality ugh!) So man, woman and anything in between as long as there is chemistry. But the end pairing will definitely be MALE, it would be a crime to not make use of the hotties gallivanting around so freely in the tvd verse. As for Harry's age; I'm keeping the ages and timelines totally cannon, Harry was born 1980 and started Hogwarts 1991 just like in the books. The same goes for tvd my story is set in 2009. I know they mention multiple times that Harry is seventeen and the same age as Elena and co but that doesn't mean it's true, they also think Hadrian Black is his true name. They only know what Hadrian told them.
speedy-skye: Pairings are still undecided, buuuutttt I can tell you that Hadrian and Klaus will get along like a house on fire lol I foresee fun times in the future.
IrisTurner: And a happy new year to you too! I'm glad you like how I'm depicting Elena, it is only now that I'm re-watching it with a close eye that I notice all the subtle manipulations. I used to be a super Delena fan but now I don't think she ever deserved Damon at all, she ruined him. I actually like Kathrine a lot more as all her actions are geared to one goal; survival.
Multiplelifes: Thanks so much! Hmm then you have the opposite problem than me I usually have so much to say that I can't decide what so I usually end up writing nothing at all if I can't restrain myself so I don't frighten the poor author lol
Also: Welcome to the club of 'let's make Princess Gilbert sweat a bit'.
The more I re-watch the episodes the more I dislike her, where it only used to be Bonnie for being such a judgemental bitchy witch to my Damon. I don't think I could restrain myself from bashing her even if you paid me =-="