Chapter 11
It was the next day. Hadrian got out of his bed and looked around the room. He couldn't perfectly remember everything that had happened last night. He could only remember, himself having a drink with his younger brother Alexander. They never had a strong connection with each other, as compared with Hadrian and Rose. And that mainly was Alexanders fault, due to him putting himself first before others. Whilst he chased his fame, Hadrian and Rose spent their time together bonding. However, Hadrian had noticed something different about Alexander. He didn't seem that hot headed, or always present behaviour as if he was the king of the world. He seemed more subdued, and realistic.
After the group hug, all the men had ended up in the games room, while the ladies remained in the living room. As the night went on, everyone in the household had went to bed, except for Hadrian and Alexander. They were sitting on the sofas drinking their who-knows-what-number-of-cup of firewhiskey that they were on, and had a honest conversation.
Last Night...
Hadrian sat on the chair opposite his brother. Both were absent mindingly twirling the firewhiskey in their glasses. Everyone had gone up ages ago. If Hadrian had to guess, the current time would probably be three in the morning. He looked at his brother. He had changed a lot since the last time they had met four years ago. He was no longer the foolish, glory hunting boy. Instead, Alexander was now more calm and collective.
Both boys had been sitting in silence since they finished the snooker game. Deciding to break the silence, Hadrian said, "You've changed."
Alexander could immediately tell that what Hadrian had just said, was not a question but a fact.
"Your not the same person that you were three years ago. What happened?"
Alexander had seen and experienced first hand the horrors of war. That had slowly but subtley changed him. However, what finally put the nail on the coffin happened during the time when he was witnessing his brother's trial. He realized, that having a good name, money and fame, didn't make people automatically respect you. Alexander may have gained a lot of respect for defeating the Dark Lord however he could easily tell that his brother Hadrian was respected more. Surprisingly, Alexander did not feel jealous. If anything he felt relieved. He didn't think he would have been able to do half the things Hadrian had to do. It dawned on him during the trial, that respect was earned not given. Alexander had never earned it until he had actually killed the Dark Lord. Hadrian had earned through his skill, mind set, and what lengths he took to ensure the world would be rid of the parasite know as Voldemort.
Alexander looked straight into his eyes and said, "The war. When you see the horrors of the war, they change you. No ones the same person after its over. I felt myself changing over the years, and I couldn't understand it."
"So what made you realize that you had changed?"
"You." Hadrian's eyebrows rose significantly at his. "Well more specifically, your trial."
"Oh. And what did you realize?" questioned his intrigued older brother.
Alexander took in a deep breath. "You made me realize a lot of things. You made me realize how respect is earned, not given. I used to walk around like a prince, thinking that I everyone should respect me for defeating the most feared Dark Lord in history when i was just a baby. However, you made me realize that people respected me because they felt that they had to, not wanted to. People have only started respecting me after I actually killed the Dark Lord, and that's because I've earned it." Hadrian remained quiet as his younger brother spoke. His expression revealing nothing.
"At the end of your trial, I could immediately tell, that you had everyone single person in the courtroom's respect. You earned through your skill, hardship and lengths you took to make sure Voldemort died. I'd say that they have even greater respect for you, than they have for me. And to tell you the truth, I'm not jealous at all about it. I don't think that I would have managed to do half the things that you did during your time under Voldemort."
Hadrian was shocked. He had not expected something like that coming out of his brothers mouth. Alexander had a totally different personality than the one he had a few years ago. However, Hadrian could not but help feel that it was a welcome change.
"Now that is something I did not expect to come out of your mouth." stated Hadrian. "However, I can say that this new you, is a much better version than what you used to be."
"I know I haven't been the best brother to you or Rose, and for that, I am sorry." he said whilst starring into Hadrian's stormy grey eyes.
"Yes you were a shit brother." bluntly said Hadrian. Alexander winced at his tone. "I'll only forgive you, if you say sorry to Rose. She has tried so many times through the years to become close with you, however all you did was push her away, like you did to me and the marauders. You only spent your time close to mum and dad hoping to gain favor of others. So I think you should apologize to all of them. Then I'll forgive you." With that Hadrian gave him a final nod and said goodnight to Alexander, leaving him deep in his thoughts.
Return to Morning...
Hadrian finished his pondering and got ready for the day. His head was throbbing badly. He desperately needed a hangover cure. Unfortunately, he had none on him, so he made his way down towards the kitchen where he could he many people chattering.
"Morning!" he grunted as he made his way towards the only unoccupied chair in the kitchen. It was right beside Susan. Alexander was already there, sporting a similar expression as him. Everyone was looking at Hadrian and Alexander in a funny way. "Can someone pass me a Hangover Cure, my head is killing me." grumbled Hadrian. Alexander too requested one.
"What did you too have to drink last night?" asked James. "I swear you and Alexander were perfectly fine when we all left you all, in favor for to settling in for the night."
"Eh, we drank to much," grunted Hadrian.
"How many glasses of firewhiskey?" demanded Lily.
Hadrian and Alexander shared a look. The latter then said, "We'd rather not say."
"Why not?" questioned Amelia and Lily, at the same time. Their eyes were narrowed in slits.
"Can someone please passover, the cure. We can talk about this another time." Hadrian protested.
"No tell us all right now!"
The marauders were openly smirking, Rose and Susan were watching with amused faces.
"Ok! Ok!" both brother said whilst wincing, thanks to their mothers loud voices.
"We both had about 10 glasses - each." Their expressions were thunderous. However, before they could reply, he quickly snatched the two hangover cures in Lily's hand and gulped his down, while passing Alexanders his. He breathed a sigh of relief, once his head started to clear.
"We will be talking about this later," stated Lily.
"Do not think your of the hook. I've never gotten the chance the mother you, and I don't care what age you are now, I sure the hell will now." Amelia said, whilst glaring at Sirius for a few moments. She had still not forgiven him and it would take a lot of groveling from him for Amelia to even consider it.
Breakfast then carried on quietly. Every now and then, someone would ask to pass them something from across the table, or the occasional small talk.
After breakfast had ended, Hadrian got up and summoned his jacket. "Well I'll be back in a few hours," he announced.
"Where are you going?!" demanded Rose. She had been planning to spend the entire day with her brother flying. Everyone else also looked towards Hadrian questionally.
"I need to go to Gringotts."
"And why do you need to go to Gringotts?" asked his adoptive father.
"I've have some business to do with the goblins." stated Hadrian in a matter of fact voice.
"And what may that be?" asked his mother. She had wanted him to spend some time with herself and her niece Susan.
Hadrian really looked like he didn't want to reply however he knew better than to question her. "I had the Ancestral Black Manor renovated amongst other things."
"What do you mean, you renovated the Black Manor? I thought you were going to live here!" questioned a hurt Rose. "I was planning to spend the entire day with you. And I'm pretty sure that you should be spending the rest of your time with your family, as we've not been with you for more than three years! Or for Amelia and Susan who are your family and don't know a single thing about you!"
"Don't worry Rose. I'll spend time with you but not the entire day as I want to spend some time with other members of my family as well." He then looked around at the rest of the occupants and said, "I'm sorry but I do have some urgent things to get done. I'll be gone for an hour or two." He then looked at Amelia and Susan. "Once I come back we should have a long discussion just between the three of us." He then nodded to them all and left the kitchen.
They heard the brief sound of the front door opening and then closing, signalling that Hadrian had left the manor. Rose than looked around the room carefully, reading everyone's expressions carefully. Remus and Peter had looks of shock written all over the faces. Alexander looked perplexed. The same could be said about Amelia and Susan Bones. The Lord and Lady Potter, however were openly gaping at what had just occurred.
"That is not the same big brother I remember. He's changed. The Harry I remember, would always spend as much time with his family as he could. The Harry now, is not only moving out but he is also closing himself off. I could feel it." Rose's voice carrying through the quiet kitchen. The kitchen remained quite for a few moments before Susan suddenly jumped out of her seat and ran out of the kitchen with tears in her eyes.
"I think I'll got and talk to Susan. She's probably thinking that Hadrian wants nothing to do with her." spoke Amelia. When everyone looked at her, she explained, "Susan always wanted a big brother, ever since she was little. And now she probably thinks that she is not good enough in his eyes for himself to spend time with her. Or something like that. I'll go and talk to her." Amelia then left the kitchen to go and find Susan.
Everyone else remained quiet, lost in their own thoughts.
Hadrian walked through Diagon Ally calmly. The place was slowly returning to the cheery place that it used to be. Shops were reopening and more and more people were coming and going. Many people noticed the Lord Black walking past the shops. Whilst some of them feared him, overnight he had become one of the most respected person in Magical World.
Reporters were hurling questions towards him, however Hadrian just ignored them. Eventually, he arrived into Gringotts and headed towards the counter where a goblin was working.
"What do you want human?" asked the Goblin dismissively.
"I would like to meet the Black Account Manager, Ripjaw." demanded Lord Black with steel in his voice.
"Lord Black!" exclaimed the goblin in shock. "A goblin will take you right now." He then shouted something in gobbledygook. Moments later, Hadrian was standing outside Ripjaws office. The Black family crest was engraved on the door. The goblin escorting knocked on it.
"Come in!" came a muffled voice immediately.
Hadrian immediately walked in, followed by the goblin.
"Good day, Ripjaw."
"It's good to see you, Lord Black. I was expecting you today." he said whilst shaking Hadrian's hand. "You may leave," he added to the goblin, who nodded and then promptly left.
"Ripjaw," Hadrian said in an exasperated voice. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Hadrian?"
"As many times as you want, Hadrian," replied back the account manager with a smirk. "Now let's get to business!" he stated seriously.
"Straight to the point. I like it!" appreciated Hadrian. "So - Is Black Manor done?"
"Yes sir. The goblins have renovated it completely. Everything has been changed and replaced. The manor has also been expanded, just like you requested. Also the grounds have also been changed to just like you requested. If I do say so myself, the new black manor, has to be one of the most beautiful and well-protected manor ever built. The wards that are placed are the strongest that are known. You may however add some of your own if you wish."
Hadrian nodded gladly at that. He was planning on adding some parseltongue wards around the manor. "Excellent! I take it all the necessary fees have been paid?"
"Yes. It was a quite a large fee, however it was expected due to the craftsmanship done."
"Of course. However it hardly matters thanks to the size of the Black Vault."
"I have also taken the luxury of buying the two properties in front of gringotts. The shops that used the properties were bankrupted thanks to the war, so the properties were not that costly. It will be perfect for what you have planned for the future. All the shops around Gringotts get the highest customers."
"Ah yes about that. Have the desired people came?" questioned Hadrian with a hopeful expression.
"Absolutely. The enchanters, business manager's, the marketers, and others they were immediately on board with the idea. They should all be in the conference room in about five to ten minutes."
"Brilliant! Everything should hopefully be ready before the next Wizengamot session that is to take place in a month. All we need now is a lawyer."
"Do you want me to find a suitable one?"
"There is no need Ripjaw. I have just the person in mind."
"I will hold you to that, Hadrian." Ripjaw said. "After all, this plan of yours will need the best of the best. You are not only going to advance the magical world to new heights but also establish equality through all magical races. We need the best of the best."
"Fear not my good friend. I have been planning this for years now. However, this will get a lot of resistance from the majority of Magical Britain. I may even be labeled as a 'Dark Lord'. And the bigots will not exactly appreciate it."
"Yes, that is possible. However remember the entire goblin nation believe in you and will help you in any way we can, should the need arise."
"Thank you Ripjaw," thanked Hadrian
"We better go and meet your upcoming employees, Lord Black." announced Ripjaw looking at his watch, whilst standing up.
"Let's go then Ripjaw. The future may depend on it."
AN - Hope you liked this chapter. What do you think about the story so far? And the direction that it is heading in? Next Update will be in a few days. Please leave a review and follow if you want to see more. Thank You!
