Chapter 13

In the blink of an eye, nearly 4 years had flown by. It was a cloudy yet humid morning when a Tawny owl had attempted to fly up to the manor's window, only to be vaporized with a loud shriek by the newly set manor wards. They had to renew them after a muggle delivering pizza had accidentally somehow stumbled through them.

Let's just say, after that incident, Barty had a new obsession with Italian foods.

Hadrian, now nearly 11, looked up from his Blueberry Waffles at the noise. Barty, Bellatrix and Voldemort all turned towards the white envelope with a red wax seal that lay on the windowsill.

Sonoro looked up from her breakfast of fresh raw beef. 'Snakeling, I think that's for you'

"I think that letter is for you too, Hadrian, if the seal colour is anything to go by," Voldemort said.

Hadrian frowned. "If I summon the letter, I'll break the glass,"

"It can be repaired,"

Hadrian flicked his wrist and grasped his wand, wordlessly casted Accio. The white letter zoomed towards him, shattering the glass window in the process.

"Reparo," He murmured as he examined the letter that now lay on the floor.

"Bellatrix, inspect this letter for hexes, traps or hidden spells," Voldemort ordered. Bellatrix bowed her head and began casting revealing spells. The letter glowed a dull blue and a dark violet.

"A mild tracking charm," He observed, then smirked. "It's a pity that monitoring and tracking spells don't work within a 10-kilometre radius of the manor," Never less, he waved his hand and finited the spell.

Bellatrix handed it to Hadrian, who curiously removed the seal and took out the letter. Sonoro had slithered over to him and he picked her up, not taking his eyes off the letter as she wrapped around his left forearm.

Hogwarts School of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

( Order of Merlin, First class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Warlock, International Confed. of Wizards )

Dear Mr. Gjese,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl no longer than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

The second page was a list of all the uniform and things that he needed for his first year. After he skimmed over it, he put the letter down.

"It is my Hogwarts acceptance letter,"

His father nodded. "Very well. As reckoned. Today is the ninth of July, meaning you have twenty-two days to get your letter of approval back to Hogwarts. I think it is best that you send this letter off as soon as possible, however,"

Hadrian stood up. "May I be excused?"

"You may,"

Waving goodbye to Barty and Bellatrix, one who responded with a cheerful wave back and the other a nod, he left the dining hall and went to his room, the letter in his hand.

'Are you excited to go to school, Snakeling?" Sonoro hissed. Hadrian thought for a moment.

'I'm quite interested in seeing how things will turn out, and yes I am excited to go to Hogwarts. But having to learn first year material again…' He sighed. He was going to be doing a lot of sleeping with his eyes open for the first five years…

In the three, nearly four years of his stay at the manor, Hadrian had made a lot of improvements with his learning. He could now do most spells up to Fifth year level, and also had the potions knowledge of a Fourth year.

He sat down at his desk and took out a parchment and quill. He paused for a minute, thinking, before he decided on his reply.

To Professor Mcgonagall,

Thank you for giving me the honour of being accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am confirming that I shall be there on the first of September.

Kind Regards,

Hadrian Gjese

His Gray and Black Eagle Owl Snabb swooped down from her perch in the corner of his room and landed on his desk. Sonoro peeked her head out of Hadrian's sleeve and hissed at the Owl, who glared back at her with her yellow eyes. Hadrian sealed the letter and attached it to Snabb's claws.

"Take this to Hogwarts, Snabb," Snabb gave him an inquisitive look, wondering why in the name of Merlin he would want to send a letter to where Ol' featherbrain Dumbledore was, but flew out of the window anyways.

'Why did you have to get that owl?' Sonoro grumbled. Hadrian snorted and ignored her. Sonoro and Snabb have had a mutual hating for each other from the very first time they laid eyes on each other in the Swedish Menagerie two years ago.

After finishing some Transfiguration homework, he went to the main floo atrium and threw in some floo powder into the floo, watching as it flared a bright green and stuck his head into it.

"Draco Malfoy, Malfoy manor," A few seconds later, the platinum blonde head of a rather confused Draco Malfoy popped into sight.

"Hey Draco. Did you get this today?" Hadrian held up his Hogwarts letter. Draco's eyes lit up.

"I got it too! Mother and father are planning to take Blaise and I shopping tomorrow. We were wondering if you would like to come too,"

"Sure. I have no lessons tomorrow, and I'm quite sure my father would like some peace. I'll floo you back once I confirm,"

"Alright,"

The Next day morning, Riddle manor, main floo atrium…

Hadrian quickly waved his Pinewood wand over himself and applied a glamour over himself. He had completely forgotten to that earlier in the morning. A second later, where Hadrian Riddle had previously stood was now Hadrian Gjese, who had light brown hair, a high nose and thicker dark eyebrows. The glamour had been modified by Rabastan who had managed to make it untraceable and could only be cancelled by the caster.

He flew in some floo powder, said his destination and quickly stepped in. As he appeared out of the green flames, he saw two figures, one with dark hair and the other with platinum blonde.

"Took you long enough, Hadrian. We're all ready to leave except for you," Draco sniffed in mock disdain.

"My apologies, your highness," He smirked as he dusted himself off. Everybody tried to ignore Sonoro's enraged hissing as she cursed the floo, the floo designers and the floo designers' ancestors for how bad floo travel was.

'YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING, VILE PEACE OF JUNK!' Sonoro glared at the floo.

"Uhh Hadrian? I didn't know that Viper's could shoot venom out of their eyes…" Blaise eyed Sonoro nervously.

"Yeah. She hates the floo even more than Nagini, which I didn't think was even possible. Don't mind it,"

At that moment, Lucius Malfoy came in, looking as regal as usual and carrying his cane. He nodded at Hadrian.

"I assume we are all ready to depart?" He held out an elaborately engraved vase to the three, who each took a pinch of floo powder.

Draco went first. "The Vampires drink, Knockturn alley," He said clearly and stepped forwards, disappearing in the flames.

Sonoro shot a look of pure hatred at the poor floo as Hadrian went up to it and squeezed her eyes together tightly. A moment later, they landed in the dark and relatively empty bar. It hadn't changed much since the last time Hadrian and Sonoro had came here 4 years ago. The bartender gaped at them, his eyes wide as he eyed the four well dressed, aristocratical wizards.

Lucius wrinkled his nose in distaste sneered at the decor. They stepped out the pub and into Knockturn alley and after a few minutes of walking filled with numerous shady witches and wizards trying to sell them dodgy and unknown potions ingredients, they finally arrived at the entrance of Diagon Alley.

"But father, we should have bought that bloody Dragon's claw. It would have been so cool to put up in our manor," Draco whined as they entered Diagon Alley. Lucius snorted.

"I'm not Severus. We have enough artefacts around our manor without needing to buy potions ingredients,"

Unlike Knockturn Alley, Diagon Alley was full of bustling witches and wizards, going from shop to shop. There were a lot more people than usual because schools were starting soon, and everybody was doing their shopping. They received quite a few odd stares and glares. After Voldemort was supposedly vanquished 'once and for all', Lucius had claimed that he was not involved with the death eaters in Diagon Alley, who announced that he was back. They had questioned him, and found that he was innocent, which was true, because Lucius had not been with the death eaters that day. None of the inner circle except Bellatrix were. But still, many were suspicious and wary of him. They ignored the stares and made their way to Madam Malkin's.

"Hogwarts first year?" Madam Malkin asked as they walked in. They nodded. "Alright, hop onto a footstool each,"

As the measuring tape was measuring his arm length, Hadrian stared out of the window in the shop. He suddenly spotted a glimpse of red hair streak past, closely followed by another dash of orange. Hadrian could faintly hear the sound of something heavy hitting the floor outside as it fell to the floor. He saw a man with black hair and glasses pick himself up off the floor with a laugh and sprint past. He frowned. That man looked familiar…

He was broken out of his thoughts when he saw the measuring tape float across and start measuring the arm that Sonoro was on.

'Sonoro move further up my arm' He hissed quietly so that Madam Malkin who was helping Blaise wouldn't hear him. She heard and quickly slithered up in his sleeve and wrapped herself around his upper arm. When Hadrian turned back to the window, the man was long gone.

They paid for their robes and went to Flourish and Botts, which was filled with people.

"What's going on here?" Asked Blaise as the four tried to make their way to the School books section. Draco elbowed past another boy with bright Orange hair that was in their way as they tried to push through the thick crowd of excited Witches and Wizards. He turned around.

"Oi, mind where you're going," He grumbled as he looked up at them, before stopping. Realization dawned on his face when he saw Lucius.

"You're a Malfoy," He said, slowly looking back and forwards between them.

"Congratulations on your acutely accurate observation. And, judging by your bright orange hair, I would assume that you are a Weasley?" Hadrian drawled sarcastically. Ron turned red in anger and opened his mouth to retort when suddenly, the crowd of people in the bookshop seemed to part like magic and form a path. They started to murmur in excitement as they stared at the boy with curly Auburn hair who had just entered with his parents.

Hadrian, along with the rest of the people in the bookshop, turned around to look at the newcomer. He recognized him. How could he not?

The four years had not done very much to boost Callistus Potter's physical image. Aside from having gotten taller, he was still very much the same looks wise as he had been the day Hadrian left Potter manor. For some odd reason, the baby fat still hadn't left him. If anything, he had gotten just slightly pudgier.

Callistus waved to everybody who was staring at his V scar on his cheek in amazement. They rushed up to him.

"Oh my gosh, this is such an honour to meet you, Callistus Potter!"

"It's you, it's actually you! I cannot believe I'm meeting the boy-who-lived! It's a pleasure!"

"Thank you for riding our world from you-know-who! We shall forever be in your debt,"

Hadrian nearly snorted. Somehow, the public thought that Callistus had caused the prophecy to shatter. Oh, if only they knew…

Lucius, Draco and Blaise seemed to be thinking something along the lines with him, if the distasteful sneers on their faces were anything to go by.

"Let's go get your books while the adoring public is distracted by the boy-who-lived," Lucius said the last three words mockingly. They quickly got all their books, and a few extras, and paid for them before leaving the shop, pushing through everybody who was listening with enrapture to Callistus loudly recounting to a man about how he so-called 'defeated' Voldemort for the first time. They cheered and clapped once he was finished.

Hadrian shook his head. The rest of Diagon Alley had heard that CallisTtus Potter was in Florean and Botts and had immediately flocked there to get a glance of their 'saviour'. They only spotted a few people still on the street as everybody else was crowded in front of the bookshop to see the infamous Potters.

"Mr Malfoy, could I possibly go and do some shopping on my own while Draco and Blaise get their wands?" He asked. Lucius cast a tempus and nodded.

"Very well. We shall regroup at the Apothecary at approximately Half past one. Stay alert and be on guard," With that, Hadrian waved to Draco and Blaise before he turned around and headed towards Knockturn Alley.

'Sonoro, would you like to go visit Vincent? It's been a while' He hissed.

'Oo, yes let's go. I wonder if he's finally figured out that cakes should not be made in cauldrons' She hissed in excitement. Hadrian decided not to ask.

A few minutes, later, they finally found Leovardand's. Nothing much about it had changed either. The inside of the shop was still dusty, and the two wooden stools were still there. A familiar man with brown hair and the same curly moustache suddenly appeared.

"Can I help you?" He asked warily. He stopped when he saw Sonoro peeking out of Hadrian's left sleeve.

'Sonoro? Is that you?' He hissed, confused.

'Yes, it's me Vincent. How have you been?'

'I'm so glad to see you, Sonoro! I've been quite well recently. It's been quite a while since I last saw you. Speaking of when I last saw you, who is the boy who you are with right now?' He asked, eyeing Hadrian.

'Hello, I'm Hadrian Riddle, also known as Hadrian Potter' He hissed back. Vincent's eyes widened.

"Mr Potter, I didn't recognize you there! Welcome back to my shop! Do you need anything?"

"Oh no, I'm fine thank you. Sonoro just wanted to come in and catch up with you,"

Sonoro and Vincent chatted in Parseltongue and told each other about what had happened in the past four years. Sonoro told him about Hadrian and her leaving the Potter's and getting adopted, but she didn't say who. Vincent told him about his trips back to Albania and how he thought there were still other magical snake species out there that might exist.

'Oh, and Vincent? Have you finally figured out how to properly make a cake yet?' She teased. Vincent groaned.

'For the last time, Sonoro, I told you, it wasn't my fault the cake exploded and covered the whole room in icing'

'No, it was the cakes fault. Of course'

Vincent gave up trying to argue with Sonoro and turned to Hadrian.

"How has your wand been working these years, Mr Gjese?"

"Oh, it has been working very well so far," He cast a tempus and saw that there was around ten minutes left until half past one.

"Our apologies Vincent, but we must. We were told to regroup in Diagon Alley at half past one," He said apologetically. Vincent nodded.

"Alright then. Goodbye Mr Gjese. Feel free to come in anytime you want to get your wand cleaned or repaired," 'And goodbye Sonoro', He hissed.

"Goodbye," He waved.

'Bye Vincent! Don't forget, cakes are not supposed to be made in cauldrons' Sonoro hissed.

Hadrian cast another tempus and saw that there was five minutes till half past one and broke into a run. He ran down the alleyway and turned a right corner before he saw the entrance of Diagon Alley and suddenly got knocked to the floor by something heavy, or rather, someone.

'Ow, my tail' Sonoro grumbled.

The person they had crashed into yelled as they hit the floor, and a moment later, Hadrian could hear the sound of feet rapidly running to them.

"Oh my gosh Callistus baby are you okay?" He heard the frantic voice of somebody who he hadn't seen in four years.

'Excellent. Out of all the people in Diagon Alley, wonder boy and his wonder parents had to be the one that I have the misfortune of bumping into' He thought to himself. Sonoro must have recognized them too because she started to hiss in irritation.

"Watch where you're going next time," James Potter glared at him as he helped his son up.

"Excuse you? I am the one who should watch where I'm going? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't your son the one who ran into me?" Hadrian raised an eyebrow.

"He ran into me on purpose!" Callistus yelled as he stood up.

"I was just minding my own business before your whale of a son ran into me," Hadrian said boredly as he dusted himself off calmly before stalking past the fuming Potters.

"Get back here and apologize! How dare you call my son a whale!" Lily screamed at him. Hadrian shrugged.

"I'm just stating facts," He said calmly before he continued walking to the apothecary. Callistus turned red.

"You'll regret that! Locomotor Wibbly!" He yelled and shot the jelly-legs jinx at Hadrian, who effortlessly flicked his wrist and made his wand appear in his hand, before non-verbally reflecting it back, where it hit Callistus and made him collapse to the stone pavement.

"Hogwarts will be a breeze if the average talent and braincell amount is based off you," He smirked before continuing on his way. He arrived at the Apothecary five minutes late.

"Hadrian. You're late," Lucius said.

"My apologies, Mr Malfoy. I ran into the wonder family. Wait, no. Let me rephrase. The wonder boy and his wonder family ran into me,"

"What happened? Did you curse him?" Blaise asked excitedly. Hadrian smirked.

"He tried to curse me…and let's just say that didn't end well for him," Draco and Blaise laughed at this.

"Very well then, Hadrian. I suppose an exception can be made for your tardiness, depending on how painful the spell is that you used," Lucius joked with a faint smile.

"Oh, I didn't do anything too extreme. I don't want them to have a reason to blame me for 'Attempted murder' with a stupefy. I just shot his own Jelly-legs back at him,"

They got the rest of the items on their list and bid farewell to Blaise who returned to his own manor back at the Vampire's drink. Hadrian took a pinch of floo powder.

"Malfoy manor,"

He arrived back at the floo atrium and quickly went to the side as Draco emerged a moment later, coughing.

"They obviously haven't cleaned their floo in a long time," He grumbled.

"I shall see you at your next etiquette and politics lesson on Monday, Hadrian. That shall be our last session before you and Draco depart for Hogwarts,"

"Very well. Goodbye Mr Malfoy, bye Draco,"

"I'll see you later, Hadrian,"

He flooed back to Riddle manor, where he saw his father waiting for him on one of the seats.

"How was your trip?" His father asked, trying to ignore Sonoro's loud cursing in Parseltongue.

"It was fine, apart from the part where wonder boy and his super family ran into me quite literally," Hadrian said as he removed his glamour.

His father was silent as he thought for a moment. "And did you get a change to try the new hex you created?" Hadrian shook his head.

"Unfortunately, no. I only reflected the jelly-legs that he sent at me," His father noded.

"A smart decision. Neverless, that is a pity. Very well. The house elves have found you a suitable trunk with the spells already on it. It is in your room,"

He nodded. "Thank you father. I'm going to go pack for Hogwarts now,"

"Very well. Oh, and a few words of advice, Hadrian: Bring extra undergarments. Take this from me," He shuddered. Only two things in this world could scare Lord Voldemort; Nagini and the traumatizing experience of not bringing enough underwear to Hogwarts in fifth year. He was still scarred from that.

Hadrian gave his father the confused look but nodded anyways. He went to his room and found an average looking trunk in the corner but recognized the magic sensory security system. He started to pack all the things that he had bought today into the trunk.

'Sonoro, what do you think is the Potter's reaction to their precious saviour getting hexed is?' He hissed.

'Hmm. Extremely mad?' Hadrian snorted.

'That sounds about right'

Potter manor, the same time…

Lily Potter fumed as she remembered what had happened back in Diagon Alley. That little jerk had the nerve to hex her precious Callistus! Callistus was going to be traumatized now because of that attack on him…And that boy was probably going to Hogwarts too.

Speaking of Hogwarts…

She picked up the phone and dialled Petunia's number, trying to calm herself down. A few rings later, her sisters tired voice sounded through. "Hello, this is Petunia Dursley,"

"Hi Petunia, it's me Lily. I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I was just calling to see if Harry has received his letter from Ilvermorny yet,"

Her sister paused for a minute, trying to think of a lie.

"I was awake anyways. Yes, he received the letter, but he doesn't want to go to a magical school anymore. He decided he wants to go to the same school as Duddykins,"

Lily was rather surprised at this news but nodded.

"Alright then. Thank you for taking care of him, Petunia. I'll tell Ilvermorny that he won't be attending anymore,"

Her sister sniffed and hung up.

Lily paused for a moment to think about this. If Harry wasn't going to be learning magic, then he would not be a threat to Callistus. She just had to make sure that Callistus never met Harry and then he would be safe.

She decided to internationally floo call Ilvermorny and threw in a pinch of floo powder.

"Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, administrations," A few seconds later, the head of a middle-aged witch with brown hair and glasses appeared in the floo.

"Hello, this is the administrations desk for Ilvermorny Witchcraft and Wizardy. How can I assist you?" She asked.

"Hi, my name is Lily Potter and I would like to withdraw my son from Ilvermorny,"

"What is your son's name?"

"Harry. Harry Potter,"

The woman pulled up a long piece of parchment and began to scan through it. After a few minutes, she turned back to Lily.

"Ma'am, which year was your son enrolled into?"

"He should be a first year,"

She double checked the parchment. "Aha. Harry Potter. Ma'am, as far as I know, the letter to Harry Potter was never sent out,"

Lily frowned. "Why is that?"

"Does your son live with you, Mrs Potter?" She asked.

"No, he lives with my sister in Australia,"

The woman glanced back at the piece of parchment before she paused.

"Mrs Potter, when our letters do not get sent out, it either means that the person they are intended to does not exist or that they are dead…" She said delicately. Lily stared at the woman through the floo.

"But there's no way that Harry doesn't exist…and my sister said that he wished to attend a muggle school instead of a magical institution…" She frowned.

"I'm sorry miss, but is there a possibility your records have made a mistake?" She asked. The witch shook her head.

"Unfortunately, it is impossible for our students records to make an error," She said apologetically.

"Very well. Thank you. Would it be possible if I floo you back in a minute? I need to go talk with my sister,"

"Absolutely,"

Lily ended the floo call, thoughts buzzing around in her head. There was no way that Harry was dead…right?

She dialled Petunia's number and didn't wait for greeting before she blurted out "The Ilvermorny administrator said that the letter didn't reach Harry,"

On the over end of the line, Petunia froze. How was she going to explain this to her sister? She remained silent as she waiting for Lily to continue.

"She said that the only way that it never got sent is because Harry is either non-existent or dead,"

"W-what? Lily, are you sure about this? Your son isn't dead! What nonsense is she spouting?" Petunia stuttered.

"There isn't a way for their records to have been mistaken. Petunia, could I please speak to Harry?"

"Lily, it's four AM. He's asleep. The whole house is asleep, for goodness sake,"

"I know Petunia, and I'm sorry for calling you at this time, but I insist, you let me speak to him,"

"No! Lily, it's four in the morning! I will not go and fetch your son at this godforsaken hour in the morning and wake up Vernon and Dudley in the process too! Dudley has school today!"

"Petunia, this is an emergency. I insist, please, you let me speak to Harry to see if he's alive. Unless, there's a reason you don't want me to talk to Hadrian?"

Petunia paused for a moment. "Fine," She spat out. "Your son is dead. He was never with us all these years. We dropped him off at some crumbly dumpy little orphanage back in England that got burnt down. Your son is dead, Lily,"

Lily couldn't believe her ears. Harry was…dead? Strangely, she didn't feel sad. And she didn't feel guilty that she didn't feel sad either. All she could feel was surprise, and relief. She was relieved to hear that there was no way that Callistus could get hurt now.

She took a deep breath. "Alright Petunia. Thank you for telling me," She hung up and floo called the Ilvermorny administrations witch.

"Hello, this is Lily Potter again. I can confirm that Harry Potter will not be attending Ilvermorny this year,"

Hey guys. Sorry for how long this chapter took. I was overseas for 3 weeks over the Christmas break and I didn't bring my laptop with me. I'm pretty sure this is my longest chapter yet. Anyways, next chapter, Hadrian and his friends will be attending Hogwarts. Thanks for reading!