Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to Descendants, or Ginny's AU. I'm just playing in it.
My plan is to work through Hadie's formative years timeline. He'll be 5 for a little bit longer, and then 7, then 9. Finally, at 10, the events of Choosing Family will begin taking place. Just a lot of set up for his character and the choices he makes.
Though since that's mainly focused on Mal, it'll be more original pieces for Hadie before he joins his sister in Auradon. I do look forward to writing the scene where he hears Mal up to no good on the mindlink though.
AmehtystDragon14: Thank you so much!
Danifan3000: I'll eventually explain how Celia understands Death and Spirits. Since Facilier follows a different belief set, that of Vodou, I imagine he teachers his daughter more along those. I'll also go through how the Underworld works with Hades being stuck on the Isle, even though in Hercules he has a huge expansive realm. I'm not sure where Ginny plans to go, but we've got time before Hadie really has to consider going to the original Underworld and meet the gods under his dad's command! Especially since I'm really just focusing on the immediate things around Hadie, and not so many other amazing characters.
Ginny: I'm so happy you liked it! I hope everything stays up to par :D
Though there was no sun to be seen on the Isle, it was clear that night was settling. The edges of the sky had darkened, and the bell tower began to chime. This signaled the turn for far more dangerous things to begin prowling. Every child would hopefully be hidden away in some corner out of sight, as safe as they could be. For soon, beasts and far less forgiving villains soon came out to play.
Brushing his teeth, Hadie stood safely tucked away in the Underworld away from all these horrors. While he wasn't allowed to wander, ignorance would only feed his curiosity, leaving his parents to grimly ensure that their son at least understood why certain rules were in place. The Gods had dealt with first hands the danger of curiosity. Best to leave Pandora's box in the past where it belonged. If anyone really wanted to better the future, best to learn from past mistakes to avoid history repeating itself.
A quick spit later, the young prince jumped off the makeshift stepstool and returned to his bedroom. Jumping onto his bed he began to hum happily as he perused his bookshelf. His mom had brought plenty of new books for him and his sister to read from her last Auradon trip. A rather intimidating looking set called Lord of the Rings for Mal, and a set of much thinner, but far more in number, set of books listed as the Magic Tree House for Hadie.
'Mama said there were even more of these than what she brought for me,' thought Hadie has he examined the titles. Grabbing the first one, he settled on his bed and waited for his mother to come read him to sleep. He'd likely fall asleep long before she even could finish the first few chapters, but it wasn't the story that was important. It was the time spent together.
Besides, he'd likely devour the series in time for her to get the next set. Even should he have to reread them by himself.
Hadie looked over the book in his hands, still humming away as he waited for his parents to wish him goodnight. Slowly, he started to space out as he recalled his day at the restaurant.
"Nice to meet you, Dizzy," Hadie waved shyly. He couldn't help but wonder if that was her real name or a nickname.
"Do you come to the restaurant often?"
"This is my first time. Mom, Auntie or Grandmother usually come and pick up food."
"That makes sense. I'm rarely here myself. I only come with Mama, otherwise I stay home."
"Home? You don't live at where your family works?"
It was a valid question. There was only so much space on the Isle, and things were divided into territories. No one wanted to accidentally cross in some other villain's supposed area. Town was neutral, and safe. Anywhere was decided by who ran it.
"Uh… no I live near the docks."
"Oh, right!" Dizzy exclaimed. "I forgot mom had mentioned that Lord Hades' has a cave over there. The docks are his and Ursula's territory, isn't it?"
"Them and Hook," replied Hadie.
"I've never gotten to go over there. At least not that I remember. Do you think your parents would let me visit sometime? Your mom seems super nice. And your dad must be too if he's giving free food to kids! I usually just hear stories to avoid your dad because he's supposed to be one of the evilest on the Isle – "
Despite Dizzy doing most of the talking, Hadie found that he didn't mind. Her entire personality had an energy that was amicable. She seemed less hardened than Celia. Smart, but less skeptic and wary. It helped that she hadn't seemed to comment on him not galivanting around the Isle like other kids. Though her next topic was treading close.
" – since I started going to Serpent Academy. I haven't seen you there yet, but a high tier villain like your dad probably sent you to Dragon Hall –"
"No." Hadie tensed. It wasn't that common knowledge amongst the younger years that Hades had taken Mal from Maleficent. Only that he kidnapped babies. And while there were alliances in the territories, the god and the fae weren't open about their hostilities for each other.
"I'm home schooled. My parents don't trust the other villains."
Dizzy looked at him with wide eyes.
'Please don't think it's weird, please don't think it's weird,' Hadie repeated in his head. Things had been going so well and he was this close to calling someone his friend.
"Honestly that sounds a lot nicer, being able to spend time with family instead. I find what they teach at the Academy to be boring. I don't want to be a villain. I love reading the fashion magazines at Grandma's shop, and practicing my numbers. What do your parents teach you?"
"I don't want to be a villain, either," Hadie smiled. "I can show you some of what I learn if you'd like?"
The prince paused. He probably shouldn't share his entry to magic notes, but she mentioned she liked math.
"I'd like that!"
"I'll be right back then!"
Slipping back into the kitchen, Hadie started ruffling through Mama's bag. He pulled out a couple of his books and was about to head out when he decided to grab his coloring book and crayons too.
His parents smiled and silently decided together to take a few minutes longer to make the meals.
"Here," the godling led Dizzy over to a table and clambered up into a seat. He laid his books out on the table for her to see. Though he kept the coloring supplies off to the side so they wouldn't get distracted by it yet.
"I've met a couple kids from other schools," explained Hadie. "No evil lessons, though dad says when I'm older, he'll teach me politics and strategy."
He wasn't sure if he looked forward to those. Machinations, maneuvering through gestures and hidden meanings. His dad was well known for the finest small-print. Double meanings and intentions. He understood if he got off the Isle like his parents wanted. His mom was the main representative for the Underworld in the meantime, having to play politics with the other Gods. As Crown Prince, at his young age, he knew there were already expectations for his station. Though inheritance wasn't really thing, being immortal and all, the Gods cultivated their image. At least his parents were lax compared to the stories he heard. Kids being drilled to become perfect replicas.
Shaking his head clear of those thoughts, he began showing Dizzy his other books.
"I really like history, and reading. I can read what I want for those, because getting my reading capabilities up is more important than actual learning right now." He pointed to his book on modern history, and another book called Matilda.
"This one is my math workbook. But dad mainly teaches me with the money we make from the restaurant."
"I wish the school taught interesting things like these. I don't really care how to be selfish, or how to torture people. The only thing I find even a little bit interesting is History of the Isle," ranted Dizzy.
"I totally agree. Um, I figured while we wait for your food, we could color together?" Hadie picked up his last book and his box of crayons.
"Wow, I've never seen any of these in such good condition," Dizzy gushed. "Honestly, they're so hard to find to begin with, and usually a lot of pages are missing because someone used it for fuel. Books to learn, or things to color with…"
"Well…if my parents give permission for you to come over, I could show you some more books," offered Hadie. "I know they're so rare they even lock up the library at Dragon Hall."
"If my mom or Grandma ever let me go," Dizzy sighed.
"Maybe my parents can talk to your family, they certainly have a lot of clout."
"I certainly wouldn't mind Dizzy visiting," spoke Mama. She approached with a covered plastic basket on her arms.
"Which of your family is working today, Dizzy?" the goddess asked.
"Uh, Mom is watching the shop today."
"Why don't we all walk over together, and I'll ask," Mama said. As much as Drizella prided herself on station, her manners were certainly not exemplary of it. She was usually somewhere between simpering and whiny. Always assuming the worst.
Lady Tremaine would have been preferred.
"Hades, you don't mind, do you?" The god in question had followed his wife out to the front.
"Of course not, babe, I've got the place covered for a bit."
"Come along you two," beckoned the Queen of the Underworld. Hadie grabbed onto her hand unoccupied by the basket.
Curl Up and Dye was quite close to the restaurant, just around the corner. Inside, patrons went there for maintaining hair or help with clothes. Hadie's sister only went if Anastasia was watching the shop, mainly to make smoke bombs. Their own mother had her hair done by Aphrodite herself while she was gone, and did the family's hair before she left. Though Hadie and his dad's hair seemed to manage itself. Likely due to their magic having meant to be reflected through it.
A jingling of bells sounded as Persephone opened the door.
"Dizzy, there you are!" Drizella Tremaine rushed over. "I'm so sorry if my daughter was bothering you, Lady Persephone, I shan't send her over again to pick up meals if she's – "
"She hasn't been a bother at all," Persephone interrupted. "In fact, she'd been kind of enough to entertain my son while I was working."
"O-h, I'm g-glad to hear that, your Majesty," stuttered Drizella.
'Ah, she really knows how to suck up, huh?' thought Hadie. With Hades in exile, few remembered to use his parents' highest title. Even off Isle, rarely was Persephone referred to as a Queen, though she was supposed to be equal to Hera and Amphitrite.
"I wanted to come over myself with the food, to praise her. This basket is for your family, actually. For whenever you order, you can reuse this for takeout." She placed the basket on the counter and pulled back the cover. Nestled within were reusable bowls filled with dad's herb crusted chicken.
"Hades mentioned you prefer the herbs over garlic," his mom spoke.
"Yes, the garlic tends to linger on the breath, but also upsets my family's stomach," Drizella simpered.
"I'll be sure to keep a note for the kitchen when we rotate cooks from now on."
"I greatly appreciate it, Lady Persephone."
"Not as greatly as I'd appreciate you allowing Dizzy to visit our home on occasion," the goddess suggested. "There are so few other children my son's age, and we'd welcome any friends he can make."
The raven-haired woman stared in shock. Her daughter receiving an invite to the home of some of the most powerful people on the Isle? The insinuation, the amount of protection such a simple action offered was amazing in itself.
"It would be remiss of me to say no, Lady Persephone." Drizella said after her hesitation.
"Excellent! My husband and I will arrange a day that works for all of us," Persephone continued, "We have certain protections so unfortunately, I will need a drop of blood from Dizzy to allow her access."
"B-blood?" Dizzy and her mother repeated.
"I'm not sure, the risk of infection on the Isle – "
"I appreciate your concern, but with my magic, I am able to heal minor cuts instantly," assured his mother.
"Ah, I suppose that's alright then, if Dizzy's happy to do it."
"I would love to visit your family!" burst Dizzy who quickly dropped into a short curtsy after a look from her mother. "Uh, L-lady Persephone."
Hadie's mother gave the excited red-head a soft smile.
"Is there a particular day this week that would work for you, Drizella?"
"Would this Thursday be admissible?"
"That would be perfect."
Hadie and Dizzy smiled at each other. Thursday. They'd get to see their new best friend on Thursday.
He was still humming when his parents finally entered.
"Goodnight, Hadie," spoke Hades, dropping a kiss on his son's forehead.
"G'night, dad," smiled Hadie.
"I'm glad to see the day ended on a high note for you, dear," his mother said as Hades left the room.
"Me too, Mama," Hadie said, snuggling into his bed as he was tucked in.
"Is this what you want to read tonight?" asked Mama, as she took the book from him.
At Hadie's nod, Persephone opened Dinosaurs Before Dark and began to read.