"Good job! On the first try!" both twins clapped, while Bella cheered, earning a beam from Hadrianus who returned his wand, handle first.
After returning home from Rawrbalrgh, the British Goblin village of his gobfather's clan, where he had been receiving lessons on Gobbledegook and Goblin culture and immensely enjoying his reward for being a fast learner in the form of being fed various mouth-watering delicacies until he almost fell into a food coma by Metalsmith Gryh, his gobfather's overenthusiastic mate, he found his father is getting ready for his meetings in Ministry. So Hadrianus had persuaded Davy to let him sneak inside his father's travel cloak in his small and slender green mamba form before she handed it to him. He foolishly assumed he had succeeded in conning his father, only to be snatched out from the said pocket by the strong fingers gripping his neck and then sternly chastised quite thoroughly for 'endangering himself like some imprudent Gryffindor', (In Hadrianus's defense, how would he know that all the adult weirdos enjoy hexing his unsuspecting father during important meetings? He thought his father shielded every hex coming his way and then smite them for daring to do so, so he was absolutely safe in there even if he was hiding in his clothes without his knowledge, but apparently, that simple logic didn't impress his father and now he is grounded for two freaking days! How would he survive forty-eight hours without flying? That's entirely unjust!) a pouting Hadrianus was left behind in the Castle with the Lestrange twins, Godmummy, and his mum in her serpentine glory, instead of another free ride to explore his father's department in the Ministry of Magic.
At least until they promised him to teach a few useful hexes.
"Is it too hard to keep holding on to the wand?" Hadrianus asked, looking thoughtful. "Would it disarm the police? Would it work if they have weapons hidden in their clothes? What happens if you do not have any weapons? What happens if you cast the spell to empty air or a dummy?"
"It is hard to hold on when the spell is too powerful or you're caught unaware." Bella, being the duty-bound and good Godmummy, replied. This is another reason he appreciated receiving lessons from Godmummy, Barty, and even the Lestrange twins, they always answer frankly and never told to him stop asking questions or deflect him even when he asks 'head-scratching questions' as Barty calls them; unlike Aunt Cissa, Lord Nott, Grand Aunt Walburga, and Uncle Batman (aka 'Mr. Grumpypant', as Uncle Reylan recently taught him to call). "It will disarm anyone, as long as they have weapons out in their hand, and no, it won't work on hidden weapons, you will have to summon them. If you cast an overpowered one, it will blast you away, whether you have a weapon out or not. Why don't you cast the spell and see for yourself what happens to air or dummy?"
"Expelliarmus!" Hadrianus cast, aiming his wand upwards to the air, and gasped when a blasting sound was heard, and now the ceiling has a huge hole in it, with the chunk of stone falling on the ground noisily and surrounding them with a fog of dust particles.
Oh no! What has he done? Grandpa will not be pleased when he learns about it!
"Reparo!" Reynaldo fixed them easily as Hadrianus looked uneasy after destroying a part of his own home. "Now, want to see if you can hold on to your wand or not?" He quickly distracted the child.
Hadrianus brightened and nodded, he always loves experimenting with spells and studying the effect. He held onto his Manchineel Wand tightly and readied himself to fight the spell.
For the sake of the ever-curious youngster, Reynaldo cast the charm verbally, "Expelliarmus!"
Hadrianus felt a tug on his wand and he held onto it with all his might as the red beam of light hit him. Though it became challenging when he felt Reynaldo increasing the power behind the spell steadily, and then, after a lot of effort, Hadrianus lost the battle as well as the hold onto his wand.
"Aw!" He whined when the wand was finally torn from his hand and went flying to a grinning Reynaldo's outstretched hand.
"Don't fret, baby Prince," Reynaldo was grinning, as he caught the flying wand, "You did quite well for a -" the rest of the word died on his lips as he yelped and threw the wand away, shaking his hand vigorously before looking at it, bewildered. His whole hand is now covered in blisters and burns, and the skin has started to inflame. "What the -"
"Oh no!" Hadrianus gasped as he came running to him, as did others, concerned. He immediately understood what happened, recalling Aurora's words, "My wand! It's poisonous! I completely forgot!"
"What?" All the adults looked at him, confused.
"My wand wood, it's poisonous, made from Manchineel tree, the Death's tree, the wandmaker Aurora called it. She said its toxicity will be increased a few folds more, being infused with magic and my blood." Hadrianus explained hurriedly, panicking, "What do we do?" He cried, seeing the blistering spreading fast, and Reynaldo took a pained gasp, stumbling.
"I am taking him to St. Mungos." Bella decided but Reynaldo raised his hand, albeit painfully.
"Can't...they'll know.."
"You'll die!"
"I'm calling Cissy and Severus, they'd know what to do," Reylan decided and went to the Floo. Hadrianus wrung his hand, distraught and irate at himself for forgetting such an important matter. His mum, noticing his distress, slithered to him and flickered her tongue over his cheeks while hissing comfortingly, her snake version of kisses.
'Shield, Hadrianus! You're in public!' A voice that sounded suspiciously like his father echoed through his head, and he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. 'What would father do, in this situation?' Hadrianus asked himself, watching as Reynaldo collapsed on the ground while Godmummy tried to keep him awake. 'Shield. Shield and think, assess then react.'
As he calmed down, one of the many emergency medical lessons he received from both his father and gobfather came and went flashing in front of his eyes, and Hadrianus immediately jumped up, knowing what he have to do.
"Bailey, bring water. Lots and lots of water, and a handful of bezoar!" He barked, grabbing his wand and tucking it safely in his holster, before kneeling in front of Reynaldo's prone form and checking for the pulse, which seems to be erratic. As Bailey arrived, he instructed her to pour the water on his body and wash the area thoroughly, while he himself took Reynaldo's head on his lap, and put three bezoars inside his mouth.
"Try swallowing, Uncle Roddy!" He patted his cheeks to get some response and aided him, massaging the side of his neck, as shown by his gobfather Sharptooth. "Godmummy, can you spell remove his clothes? Yes, thanks! Bailey, don't touch it, use magic to pour the water! You're doing great! Cody! Can you please tie a tourniquet right here, near the shoulder? No, not that tight! Yes, just like that! Davy! See if we have anything for burns and bring it, please! Be quick! Ask if anyone else wants to help!" He doesn't know whether all these would work on contact poisoning, but he would rather cover all the grounds.
Several pops and more House elves arrived, and all started working on a near unconscious Reynaldo under their Master Prince's command while Bella hovered nearby watching them work. It was the scene Narcissa walked into, prompting her to hurriedly kneel beside them to assess the damage, promising Bella that Severus is close behind with every kind of antidote he could find on Manchineel poisoning.
Pleased by their method, Narcissa asked them to continue as they were doing, as it is clearly working to control the spread of the poison. Hadrianus moved away from where he was sitting near his head, giving her space to not interrupt the reading when Narcissa started with diagnostic spells.
Within a few minutes, Severus arrived with Reylan in tow and blinked on seeing the flood they have created in the room while everyone worked frantically around an unconscious, and half-naked Reynaldo, washing and pouring more water on the angry blisters. More House Elves arrived to clean the mess and vanish the spoiled water on Narcissa's request, to stop it from being further contaminated, magically as per Hadrianus's instruction and warning, while Lady Slytherin in her serpentine form watched them work from where she was perching near the corner of the room.
Severus tiptoed around the mess where all the House Elves were working, making sure to not touch any of the mess, and hold out three vials of antidotes for Narcissa, who quickly started spelling them into Reynaldo's system.
After a while, Reynaldo became more stable, and Narcissa asked them to take him to a guest room to sleep and change his clothes. "The bezoar, tourniquet, and the vigorous cleaning of the contaminated area helped a lot. It caused all the difference and probably saved his life." Narcissa confessed, squeezing her unconscious brother-in-law's hand. "Let's get him settled."
Everyone around guided the asleep patient to the nearest guest room, as directed by one of the House-elves, and get him settled. Both Reylan and Bella sat by him, prepared to watch over him as Reynaldo slept off the effect when Severus looked around for the youngest resident of the Castle who practically saved his friend's life.
"Where did The Dark Prince go?"
Marvolo sighed when the horde of stupid wizards filtered out of the meeting room, before relaxing back to his chair and glaring at the large pile of paperwork on his desk. Is it too difficult to understand which files don't need to be reviewed by the Head of the Department, and which file does? Why can't the stupid undersecretary understand such simple things, or are they too lost without the 'proper' guidance of bigotry and bribery? Why is he surrounded by incompetent fools?
He needs to Crucio someone. He needed this release for too long and too badly, to the point of refusing to bring his son to with him. Thankfully, he had employed someone for this sole purpose.
He stretched his four limbs, before turning his neck with a satisfying pop, then tapped his wand on the bell. The door opened to reveal the pink monstrosity that was his idiotic Junior Undersecretary.
"You.. you wanted to see me, M-my Lord?" Umbridge asked quietly, her eyes fixed on the Yew wand in Marvolo's hands. She still had one foot in the doorway, like she still had hope that he might send her away after all.
"Umbridge!" Marvolo barked, "Enter and close the door behind you!" He had been regretting ever since he decided to keep an eye on the witch and keep her as his employee. He wished he had two Bellas, so one can keep an eye on his Little Mamba when he will go to Hogwarts and have the other assist him! Bella would have kept everyone on their toes and made sure to buffer between him and the other incompetent fools! She is the perfect assistant one could ever dream of!
At least he can have her work for him again, as soon as his son graduates!
As soon as Umbridge closed the door and Marvolo felt the wards flare up, he wasted no time shifting back to his Lord Voldemort façade, and pointing His Yew wand at her, "Crucio!"
As usual, the thrill created by casting the Unforgiveable had been exactly what He needed to cheer up. The shrieks and thrashing of His stupid Undersecretary were only a bonus point. After almost twenty seconds, Voldemort lowered His wand, caressing the precious wand that had become almost too warm to touch after the intensity of the magical power behind the spell.
"Isss it too challenging for your halfwitted brain to not comprehend the differenssce between some foolish trivial matter that even the Internsss could sssolve, and a truly urgent matter that needsss the Head'sss permissssion?" Lord Voldemort snapped as Umbridge paused in between her shrieks to breathe, "How could sssomething asss trifling asss doxy infessstation need my authorization?!"
Umbridge flinched when The Dark Lord threw the file her way, all the files scattering on the floor around, making her panic and try to crawl after them, trying to arrange them back, "I...I'm sorry, M-my Lord, I...I thought...without your approval..."
"Well then do not think!" He snapped at her, "I have divided resssponsibilitiesss among my ssstaff on the very firssst day for thisss very reassson. Alssso, I would appreciate knowing what gave you the impressssion that you have the right to threaten anybody in my name," Voldemort said with chilling calm. "I don't recall usss ever reaching the level of closssenessss granting you such libertiesss... Unlessss, of courssse, you're implying that I sssuffered from temporary idiocy and then sssomehow lossst all memoriesss of sssuch an event, hmm?" Thanks to His sensitive hearing, He had no problem listening as the stupid frog flaunted and abused her position over the others. He didn't even know that a position as low as 'Junior Undersecretary' could have power over others, He basically created the position to aid His secretary Theonel, so He wouldn't have to worry about every minor detail of the Department!
Umbridge swallowed nervously, feeling like a frog staring into the eyes of a snake. "I...I'm sorry," she squeaks, her voice raising a high octave, Her heart starting to hammer as some primal instinct in her recognized that she was in the presence of something far more dangerous than herself. "I only wanted to be sure that everything meets your approval, My Lord."
"If there'sss sssomething I don't approve of, I won't have any problem correcting it myssself. I don't require your assssistance. However, sssince you were appointed under my leaderssship, you've been breaking ssseveral rulesss I've made for the Department. Don't even think that I've not noticed you ripping off the application letter of that girl and then approving an incompetent fool! That wasss sssupposssed to be my job, not yoursss."
"Bu..but, My Lord, she is a Mudblood!"
"I have ssseen her NEWT resultsss, which confirmsss that ssshe'sss more eligible than that incompetent fool you hired, and that'sss what makesss her worthy to work in my Department!" Voldemort roars, the force of His wrath makes the lights in the room dim and flicker momentarily, and Umbridge had acquired an interesting shade of paleness and green.
Lord Voldemort sighed and took a deep breath, especially since He can feel waves of apprehension and anxiety coming from the Horcrux bond as well. "Make no missstake, Doloresss, that you are employed asss my Undersssecretary merely becaussse I wisssh to keep an eye on you, and make sssure you do not messss with my goalsss. However, if you continue thisss charade, I would be really glad to be rid of you and find sssomeone more competent, sssomeone, who can actually do the job. Do. Not. Forget. Your. Place."
Umbridge gasped, realizing what it meant for her, and immediately started groveling in hopes of avoiding another Cruciatus. "N..no, M-my Lord, I...I'm sorry...please..."
"I'm sssure you are," Lord Voldemort resisted the urge to roll His eyes, "You will amend thissss." He added an extra hiss and it had an instant effect, as always.
"Y..yes, of course...anything.."
"You will go and find that girl, apologize to her properly and persssonally bring her here for another Job Interview, which I will hossst in two daysss. And you will dissscharge that fool. Am I underssstood?
"Y..yes, My Lord."
"Now begone!" He snapped, making her scamper off real quick.
Lord Voldemort rolled His eyes, before shifting back to his more human form and banishing the pile of paperwork back to her desk. He then grabbed the box where all the flying memos dismount, and went through them to find out the next agenda for the day. It looks like he still has fifteen minutes before Elena Ashworth and The Count would come to see him and discuss the next plans for the Removal of Creature KOS bill.
Maybe he can have some tea and maybe a sandwich until then?
Having his mind set up, he was about to call his receptionist and let her know when a knock was heard, and the receptionist appeared, "Lord Slytherin, sir," She smiled brightly on seeing him, blushing and tucking the stray hairs behind her ear, "Lady Malfoy is waiting outside, wishing to meet you about some familial emergency."
Narcissa? Familial emergency? Marvolo felt a worry rising inside him. Is it related to the dread and anxiety he felt from his son's end of the Horcrux bond? Marvolo had dismissed it initially, knowing Bella and the twins would take care of him. And now Narcissa is here? What is happening?
"Ask her to wait in my study, I will be there. Thank you, Amanda." Marvolo nodded, years of practice aiding him expertly ignoring the blush that appeared on her face at being acknowledged. It's all part of the charm and his good looks, he knows.
"Yes, sir."
As soon as Amanda left, Marvolo jumped up and rushed towards his study, the adjoining room beyond the other side of the gate. "What happened to my son? Is he okay?" He demanded as soon as he entered, not in the mood for pleasantries when his very much mortal son's health is involved. Why can't the child get some rest from all the injuries and hurts? It's like the whole Universe is working against him to break his promise of keeping the child safe every single day!
What could go wrong on a simple day, in the safest place he could find on Earth while hanging out with not one but four competent adults to take care of him?
"The Dark Prince is physically fine, My Lord."
"What happened?"
"After Reynaldo accidentally touched the Dark Prince's Manchineel Wand while teaching him some spell casting, The Dark Prince has left, probably blaming himself for poisoning Reynaldo, and since then we can't find him anywhere. The Castle annulled all our attempts to find him and every the House Elf refused to cooperate with us and disclose his location even under threat of clothes by you, declaring, and I quote, 'he doesn't want to come near us, and harm us'. All they would inform us is that The Dark Prince is hiding somewhere and sulking."
Marvolo blinked. That was not what he expected.
Of course, none of the House Elves would go against their Master Prince, they are more loyal to the child than the Lord of the Castle himself. Marvolo is sure that if he gives clothes to any of them, they will happily go to their Master Prince and bond with him personally. Even Mother Castle seems to be more fond of her Heir. With her loyalty to her Heir and all Marvolo's safety enchantments working against them, it's no wonder they haven't found him. Not even creature sense and blood magic would work there. They probably won't ever find him, and keep running in circles.
"Where is Nagini?"
Narcissa blushed, not having noticed her Lord's familiar's whereabouts in their haste to find the Dark Prince. "I am not sure, My Lord. Last I noticed her when I went to the room to tend to Reynaldo."
Marvolo calmed down, marginally, realizing Nagini has followed her little Hatchling to wherever he was hiding, and probably joined him in pouting. "How's Reynaldo?"
"Stable. The Dark Prince had given him proper first aid which helped him and stopped the spread of poisoning. Then, after receiving the antidote, he is sleeping in one of the guest rooms in Slytherin Castle."
Marvolo hummed, reaching towards the Castle wards, easily locating the two of his most precious Horcruxes huddling together, the youngest of them wearing another of his Horcrux, under the bed of the Heir room. Though he can't see what they're doing there or hear them. Why is Nagini indulging the child and hiding under the bed with him, and why not sit comfortably on the bed? Do they not know that even if the others could have found their way to the private wing, hiding under the bed will have the same effect as sitting comfortably on the bed?
Marvolo could never understand the logic of women and children.
"Tell others to stop searching for him, if the Castle is safeguarding him, then he's safe and the Castle considers you as his current adversary. I will talk to him when I return." Hopefully, they will come out of bed by the time his meetings are finished.
Narcissa seems to be relieved by it, and bowed, "Yes, My Lord. However, I wish to convey a message from one of the portraits who reached out to us as we were scouring the Castle."
"Who was it, and how did they reach out?" The portrait room was supposed to be on permanent lockdown, the sole way to contact them when someone enters the room. Only Salazar and Dephinus's portraits could move around to selected areas.
"He introduced himself as Antioch Peverell and informed us that the Castle built him an empty frame to pop into on his request, after they overheard the House Elves, and requested us to remind you that he was a wandmaker while he was alive, and he knows some ancient ritual that would mask the true essence of wood from public view and build an artificial layer on the wand. Apparently, many people used to perform this ritual to hide their identity in past, but the Governor had forbidden it and erased all mention of the said ritual in the seventeenth century."
"I will find him when I return." Marvolo agreed, and wondered, not for the first time, if his son has a stroke of spectacularly bad luck or good luck, for getting into such troubles and also finding solutions at the same time.
"Yes, My Lord. Oh, before I forget, one of the House Elf asked me to give you this."
Opening the small parchment, he immediately noticed Nagini's parselscript, where she has written eloquently, ": If you don't want your precious peacock senior to die painfully, then get your arse over here and help me stop Hatchling from determinedly recreating the Great Flood of Egypt via his tear glands alone.:"
Oh great, and now The Great Mother Serpent is summoning him to join them under the bed.
I am the only normal one in the family, Marvolo realized, and facedesked.
He is the fucking Dark Lord, the most powerful wizard of the time! How has his life come to this?
A few weeks later saw Hadrianus studying Trevor in its natural habitat, grinning savagely and showing off his fangs while the aforementioned toad cower in one corner of the terrarium.
"Can you not terrify the poor guy into melting its brain down?"
Hadrianus scoffed at his best friend, but he did back off. "Don't be ridiculous, Neville. Toadwarts is living his best life, he gets to eat whatever bugs him! He occasionally needs the fear of God, or else his head will be too big to fit in his home!"
Behind them, Luna giggled from where she was hanging upside down from the top of the monkey bar of the front yard in Slytherin Manor while Neville rolled his eyes at his puns.
A loud crack, followed by a familiar voice calling out, "Mr. Slytherin, Mr. Longbottom, and Ms. Lovegood!" had Neville widen his eyes at his best friend, nodding towards his exposed fangs. Hadrianus quickly closed his mouth, hiding his fangs, before turning to face the newly appeared Deputy Headmistress and her charge standing near the gate.
"Deputy Headmistress, Mr. Potter! Good morning." Hadrianus beamed, signaling Davy to open the front door, allowing them entrance. Neville and Luna followed the greeting, the latter jumping from the monkey bar to come and stand beside him.
"Good morning to you too, children!" Minerva smiled at the enthusiastic children, "And Mr. Slytherin, please inform your mother that I am really glad and thankful that she agreed to look after Jim for the day, leaving me worry-free to oversee the school trip. Now I must take my leave. Behave, Jimmy."
"Bye, Deputy Headmistress!" The children chorussed, as Minerva disappeared with another crack of the apparition.
Jim shifted his weight from one foot to another uncomfortably, before Hadrianus turned to look at all of them, after calling Bailey to inform his mum that Jim is here and conveying Deputy Headmistress's message to his mum, "So, what do we do?"
"I vote we learn that roundhouse and sidekick!" Neville blurted, vibrating on his spot in excitement. Last night during the sleepover, they watched some Muggle cinema with karate and he had been really interested to learn those moves after Hadrianus pointed them out and told him what they call.
"Of course you do, Kleines Kind!" Hadrianus teased with his usual tongue-in-cheek expression and earned a sharp elbow in between his ribs. Hadrianus only blinked innocently at his best friend, because what else did he expect?
Seeing Luna and Hadrianus fist-bumped with each other, Neville huffed before turning and stomping to the gym, while the other two chased after him in delight. The worst thing? True to Luna's words, she had a growth spurt right after their vacation on the beach house, making her come to Neville's height. It was embarrassing!
"Come on, Potter!" Hadrianus called as they turned the corner, and slowed down a little so their sedately following fourth member doesn't get lost in the hallway.
When Jim finally arrived at the gym, he noticed all of them have disappeared into the toilet stalls to change into training robes, and as usual, an extra robe was hanging on one of the chairs, while in his usual corner, there was a small table and chair, with various assortment of sweets and baking goods. Jim felt his heart constrict at the Slytherin boy's thoughtful nature, before dismissing the notion. It must have been the House Elf Bailey's doing. They love taking care of people, after all.
Jim gave the sweets a forlorn look, before shaking his head and turning back. Ever since he heard that his broken bond's backlash was what made him feel like he was starving, he had been trying to control those urges. Remembering his vow to himself to learn some muggle fights so he can beat the crap out of the Dursleys, he grabbed the training robe from the chair and went inside the toilet stalls to change. After changing and leaving his clothes on the hangers, Jim went out to find Neville and the Looney girl has already started their warm-up, and the Slytherin boy was waiting for him.
Hadrianus smiled on seeing him coming out in training robes, and Jim felt his heart flatter at the approval in his eyes. Jim frowned at the feeling, not liking what he was feeling around him. He doesn't need anyone's approval. What is Slytherin boy doing to him? Did he cast some sort of curse on him? But Jim hadn't seen him cast any spell, or even take his wand out!
Ignoring the feeling, he went towards the boy, standing near the edge of the training mattresses.
"Listen, Slytherin," Jim said, earning a raised eyebrow, "Just because you're unknown to me and a foreigner, I am going to give you a benefit of the doubt and learn some of your fighting skills. But remember that, when we go to Hogwarts, we'll become enemies, understood? No one, I repeat, no one can know."
Now the second eyebrow joined the first one, "Why enemies when we could just be strangers?"
"No." Jim shook his head, "We will be nothing less than enemies in Hogwarts." He can't risk anyone finding out he and a Slytherin boy is something more than an enemy. He is terrified of what James would do, if he gets a wind of it. James is his family Lord, and he still has the ability to make Jim's life worse than Harry's, and with Dumbledore supporting him, no one could do anything about it. Just like how they got away with Harry's murder, they would get away with his murder as well, with none the wiser. Jim is only risking it, because he needs his help to learn the fighting, and he knows James wouldn't think of asking Neville or a Lovegood to spy on him.
Hadrianus stared at him, looking into his eyes and suddenly Jim felt really naked under that scrutiny. As if he was staring right into his soul. After a few beats, Hadrianus slowly nodded, "You have my words, Potter. In public, no one shall know that we are each others' acquaintances." He agreed.
Jim had a feeling that he would keep his words, and it made him relax, "Good."
"Are you going to join us, then?" Hadrianus asked, waving his hand at the mattress, and Jim hesitated for a moment, before stepping into it. The mattress was a bit bouncy, but firm, Jim nodded, as he padded across it and stood beside Neville and Luna, who had stopped to watch the interaction.
"I'm glad the Wrackspurts are leaving you behind, Jim." Luna commented sagely and Jim rolled his eyes, before ignoring her completely and looking back at Hadrianus questioningly, "What do I do?"
Hadrianus approached them, "Luna, you can continue your usual routine. Neville and Potter will be having the same one."
Jim noticed her exercises were a bit different than what Hadrianus was showing them, and couldn't help but ask, "Why are you setting different for her? Because she's a girl?"
Hadrianus shook his head, "No, because she doesn't need to lose weight."
Jim glared at the mention of his overweight, being a bit sensitive on the topic, and was about to retort but stopped when Neville put a hand on his shoulder, "Just stop antagonizing and listen to him, Jim. He is only helping you."
Jim huffed, and crossed his arms, "Whatever." Though it didn't stop him from paying attention when Hadrianus started to explain the system and which exercises are useful for them, helping with their equilibrium and core muscles. Lady Slytherin had showed up in the gym to look for them after some time, and left smiling when she saw them busy getting on and not broken into fights yet.
By the time the warming up are finished, Jim was already panting like a stray in summer. How does the Slytherin boy keep up with such an intense routine without slacking off? Jim felt like his arms are going to fall off any moment. Even Neville seems to be going better than him.
He already has months of practice before him, Jim realized. He really needs to keep up this exercise if he wanted to look after Harry when Jim resurrects him. Don't worry, Harry, I won't let you down or get hurt ever again, Jim vowed. He would beat the crap out of anyone who would even think of looking at his brother the wrong way, even James or Dumbledore.
Unknown to Jim's inner turmoil, Hadrianus had been explaining the offense and defense of the martial arts to him. Realising Hadrianus is leaning more towards the defense, Jim cut him off, "I don't care about defense, I want to learn the offense."
"What?" Hadrianus frowned, "That's not..."
"I honestly don't care."
"Potter, you..."
"I said I don't care." Jim snapped, "I am only interested in learning offense. Teach me some good punching and kicking."
Hadrianus stopped and stared at Jim for a few seconds, while Neville shook his head and Luna wished for some popcorn, then he nodded slowly, "Very well, as you wish."
After hours of practicing how to punch properly without hurting himself too much, Lady Slytherin came into the gym again, asking them to stop as they had been at it for too long, ordering them to shower and come back to the playroom. Jim had never felt so good, standing under the shower, washing off all the sweat and his sore muscles relaxing in the hot water pouring from the ceiling. He took a really long shower, only got out when his skin started to prune, drying off and reaching for the neatly folded clothes. When he came out, Bailey appeared, asking him to follow her to the playroom.
As Jim walked sedately after Bailey, he took a moment to organize his thoughts. He wanted to confront the Slytherin boy, asking about the tingle he felt during that night. But he doesn't know whether Adrian remembered the night properly, or, like the others, thought it had been Jim who saved the crazy Lovegood woman. That would explain why he hadn't demanded Jim to tell others the truth, and behaved like nothing was wrong.
But Jim needed to know. He also needed to make the deal. At the memory of that plan, Jim brushed his hands above his pocket, making sure everything is still in there. He hoped it was what Adrian needed to seal the deal, and be truthful about it.
When Jim approached the door, he could hear laughter coming from inside, and hesitated, knowing he is not welcomed in that group. Though he knows all three of them did their best to make him feel welcomed.
"So what did you do?" Jim could hear Luna's eager voice.
"Filled his closet with extra junk. He almost got a concussion when he opened it."
Another peal of laughter echoed throughout the room, and Jim took a deep breath, before opening the door. The three occupants turned to flash a bright smile to him, while Luna waved her hand, beckoning him to come forward and join them on the big and fluffy off-white rug on the ground. They had some snacks scattered around, and what looked like a board game opened and arranged to start playing.
"I hope you don't mind Cluedo?" Hadrianus flashed a grin at him, "Come on in!"
They were waiting for him, Jim realized, as he closed the door behind him and hurried inside. He felt strange happiness at that. Playing board games and puzzles was a completely new experience for him, as in Potter Manor and Burrow all activities he can have are playing Quidditch, reading some books and sometimes, degnoming the garden of the Burrow.
"I never played this before." Jim felt stupid to confess it but they only shrugged it off.
"Haven't had a clue about Cluedo, Potter?" Hadrianus asked cheekily and Neville rolled his eyes at him while Luna giggled.
"Ignore him, Jim. And don't worry, neither did I, a few months ago. But you'll learn, this one is a really exciting one, it's like solving murders." Neville grinned, before starting to explain the rules. Jim's attention was caught on the 'solving murder', making him sit up straighter as he listened with more apt attention. So this game helps people solve murders? Can he use these rules and ideas to solve his brother's murder?
As he was thinking all these when they started on their first game, he was badly startled when an alien-looking creature suddenly flew towards them and landed on Hadrianus's shoulder. Jim let out a frightened yelp, drawing their attention towards it.
"What is that thing?" Jim pointed when neither of the three reacted to its presence.
"Potter, meet Azure, my familiar. Azure, this is Potter." Hadrianus introduced them, making Azure croon, his beady eyes staring at him and Jim was sure it is thinking of ways to devour Jim.
"It looks like some dark creature."
Luna giggled, her laughter sounding like a chime of a bell, "Oh please, Azure is as harmless as his owner."
Neville shot her an amused look. Hadrianus is a creature, a Naga, which happens to be a highly venomous snake, Green Mamba, and their residential specialist on martial arts. While they're learning it for fun, Hadrianus treats this art as if his life is dependent on it.
Harmless, indeed.
But thankfully, Jim was now starting to calm down, obviously not having caught Luna's cleverly worded sarcasm, "Are you sure?"
"Potter, other than being a picky eater and clingy winged cat-baby who hates to take baths, Azure hadn't harmed anyone's hair, I assure you." Hadrianus drawled, immensely amused at Luna's smart wording.
"Where did you even get it?"
"I found him injured in our backyards, so I treated him, and then he bonded with me, completely out of blue!" Hadrianus shrugged, giving a helpless 'what can you do' look to him, before scratching the jaw of that creature.
"Oh." Jim noticed that the strange creature emitted a purring sound and started crawling all over Adrian's lap rubbing its body against his, so he relaxed further. Whatever this winged cat is, it's probably harmless.
After they had a few rounds of the game, Neville wanted to go to the bathroom. Taking the opportunity, Jim turned to Hadrianus. "Can we talk? In private?"
"Sure. Excuse us, Luna."
Luna waved her hand at them, before picking Azure from Hadrianus's lap, and started petting him. Jim followed Hadrianus to the next room, before looking around to make sure there was no one listening, not even a portrait. Good.
"Now, what did you need?"
Jim licked his lips nervously, this is the first time he is doing something like this. 'For Harry', he thought and felt a surge of his earlier confidence course through his veins, his adrenaline picked up, making him straighten up, "I have a deal for you. Slytherin Deal."
Hadrianus gave him a long look, "You're offering me a Slytherin Deal? I thought you all follow the motto, 'Thou shalt not negotiate with Dark Wizards, with capital D'!"
Jim huffed at the amusement he can see in his eyes. "Yes yes, laugh it up, Snake. Are you interested or not?"
"Depends on the deal," Hadrianus crossed his arms, "I am listening."
"I need a wand."
Hadrianus blinked, this is not what he expected to hear, "You need a wand, as in, my wand, for temporary use or..?"
"I need one permanently, I want to buy it."
"Oh," Well, Hadrianus was more surprised to realize that Jim didn't have a wand already, being Boy-Who-Lived, surely he must need one to defend himself, "You're indicating a real wand, not a training wand?" Please tell me you're not being raised like some Muggle?! Hadrianus shuddered at the idea, he would have hated it immensely. He is rather grateful for not being raised like that. He is a wizard, after all.
"Hell no," Jim made a noise of disgust and Hadrianus raised his eyebrow, "Will you help me? Or at least tell me where I get them, without the adults finding out? I can pay for it, and offer you something in exchange."
Hadrianus hummed, looking at the distance, thoughtful. He can remember his father warning him about Knockturn Alley, which is apparently a very dangerous place. And despite their history, Hadrianus does not want his young brother, er, ex-brother to get hurt like this. Even though, it would be amusing to see Boy-Who-Lived being caught wandering in Knockturn. But Hadrianus would never risk it, not when his brother's, er, ex-brother's life could be in danger, even if he can be a brat sometimes.
Though Jim doesn't need to know that. Loki knows what the stupid sod would do if he ever realized what Jim's existence means to him, and Hadrianus would never let anyone know. Not even his father knows how much Hadrianus wished he could reconcile with his brother, and how often he would think of him, wondering how their life would have been if they both had been adopted by his father and stayed together. He doesn't need another lecture on 'do not get attached' or such rot.
But alas, Jim would never choose a Slytherin for family and Hadrianus would never give up his current life for anything else. Though it didn't stop him from daydreaming about how would have their first meeting gone if Hadrianus was not a Slytherin, or if Potters didn't hate Slytherins by default.
Even if Jim was rude and a brat, he still was his brother. Ex or not, doesn't matter to him. So if Jim needs a wand or two, then Hadrianus can take the punishment for raiding his father's secret stash of spare wands.
Besides, Hadrianus knew he was safe among those vampires because he was with his father when he visited Knockturn Alley, but he would never trust Potter Lord to look after his brother.
He probably would have done it if it was Malfoy or someone else, though.
"I can...arrange something. But what do I get in exchange?" Hadrianus asked, mostly because he was curious about what Jim had to offer, studying him and calculating.
Jim pulled a couple of books from his pocket, seeing which Hadrianus's eyebrows went to his hairline, his eyes boggling, "Is that the latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Man?" Hadrianus demanded, "And you have them? How did you get that? Justin said they were not supposed to be out until December!"
"Who's Justin?" Jim frowned at his outburst.
"A guy I met at the bookstore." Hadrianus shrugged, "Great guy, we hit off and became friends."
"Which family?"
"Oh, he's Muggle!" Hadrianus waved it off. "Really cool one, but yeah, Muggle."
Jim blinked. Slytherin is a friend with a Muggle? Is he hearing it right? "Right." Jim saved the information for later and smirked haughtily, knowing he has the other boy's attention. Judging by the gleam in his eyes as he eyes the book, he obviously wants it, "I am the bloody Boy-Who-Lived, I have my way. Now, deal or not?"
"Deal!"
"But it stays secret, only between us."
"Oh, the feelings are entirely mutual, trust me, Potter," Hadrianus drawled, then backed off a bit, "Stay right here, I'll be back with my part of the deal."
Jim fidgeted for a few minutes, his heart hammering with the residual adrenaline still pumping in his vein, planning how he could sneak to whatever address Adrian would bring. Then he spied Hadrianus returning with a big box, which he kept on the desk in the room. Frowning, he peered into the box and gasped. There are several old wands in there, all wrapped in small wooden boxes, many of them in pristine condition. Jim's heart started hammering even faster. He only expected some information on some secret shop, not to have not only one but several wands thrust in his face, all waiting to be selected.
Jim looked back at Hadrianus, wide eyes, only to see him staring back at him. On Jim's wide-eyed bafflement, he gave an impatient wave of hands. "Well, go on then."
"Uh." Jim swallowed, not knowing what he was supposed to do, but he took one, and looked back at him, wondering if that was what he wanted.
"Clearly not, try the next one."
"What, exactly, am I supposed to be doing?" Jim asked, perplexed, making Hadrianus blink at him.
"Are you being raised Muggle, Jim?"
Jim bristled at that, opening his mouth to curse them, but closed it when he noticed Hadrianus only looked curious as he tilted his head at him, clearly he didn't ask the question to insult him. Apparently, his reaction gave the answer to Hadrianus who nodded, before his own wand slid into his hand and he twirled it into the air, "Try them like this, you will feel it when the wand chooses you. The one with the best feeling is closest to what suits you the most."
"Oh," Jim relaxed on hearing no judgment in Hadrianus's voice, keeping the wand he already had in his hand to a side, giving Hadrianus's wand a side eye, "How many wands do you have?"
"Just this one."
"Really?" Jim frowned, "I thought...your wand had a more brownish shade, last time. And it looks more like pure black now."
"Oh, um," Hadrianus blushed. He didn't know Jim was so observant, "I er, polished it last night. It certainly feels like a new wand now." He crossed his finger and hide it behind him, so Jim wouldn't catch him lying.
"Oh."
"Yes. Now grab one and give it a wave, as I showed you."
"Okay."
With Hadrianus's guidance, Jim went through several wands until he picked an ivory white and fine-grained one, that gave off several green sparks on his touch, and he felt a warmth rising from the palm coursing through his arm.
"Aspen wood, the dueller's wand!" Hadrianus noticed, and flashed a grin, "We shall see, how you fare. Care for a match when we go to Hogwarts?"
"I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunity, being sworn enemies in public." Jim rolled his eyes, but was pleased, nonetheless, to finally have one.
Hadrianus chuckled, which relaxed Jim even further, realizing he wasn't annoyed at Jim for his demand to act like enemies in public. "Anyway, my dear 'sworn enemy'," Hadrianus changed the topic, "If you want a wand holster, I am afraid we don't have any good spare."
"Wand holster?"
"Potter, you're really not planning to put your wand in your trouser pocket like some foolish oaf, are you?" He sounded scandalized and Jim let out a small giggle at his hilariously offended face.
"I can't buy it, you moron! Aunt Minnie would know when the mail arrives and ask questions! I don't want to tell anyone about it." Jim knows mom would confiscate it if she got even a wind about it.
"Well, if you want, I can buy them and give you when you come next time." Hadrianus offered, realizing how close he must be being monitored.
"But...what about your dad?"
"My father only screens my mail for curses and poison, he doesn't check them!" Hadrianus waved it off. Father was very strict about teaching him privacy and how to respect that.
"Oh." Jim blinked, astonished to hear that. Sounds really cool, must be a relief to have not a nosy dad, "Then yes, buy one for me, how much do they cost and what would I owe you for it?"
"Can't think anything right now, maybe a future boon?"
"Fine." Jim agreed, but narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "But I won't hurt anyone."
Hadrianus grinned at his wariness, "What do you think we Slytherins do, Potter? Lights, camera, Avada Kedavra?"
Jim rolled his eyes, "You're funny!"
"Why yes, hello there, you must be Jimmy!" Hadrianus retorted cheekily.
"Are you serious?"
"But that's your godfather, and you said I am Funny!" Hadrianus pouted spectacularly and Jim burst out laughing, having caught completely unprepared for that retort. Jim quickly sobered up when he noticed his smug smirk, and glared at him.
"Stop making me laugh!"
"As Your Highness wishes," Hadrianus gave a mock bow, making Jim roll his eyes again at his cheekiness, and shook his head. Who would have thought Slytherins could be such dorks? After hearing hours of James' rants about Slytherin, Jim would have thought Adrian was probably trying to ease Jim around him and get him to drop his guard, if he hadn't already witnessed how he behaved with his friends. His dorkiness didn't change even when Hadrianus thought no one is watching them, Jim noticed. Hadrianus really had that aura around him that makes one feel calm and comfortable in his presence.
"These catalogs are for owl orders," Hadrianus said, pulling some books and catalogs from his pocket, "select one and I'll order that for you." Jim nodded as he accepted the catalogs and started going through them.
After looking at them and debating agonizingly on whether he should take the most luxurious one or the most secured one, Jim chose the one with the topmost safety wards for himself and paid him the amount, Hadrianus informed him he will have it in two weeks.
"Two weeks?" Jim scrunched his nose. Why so late?
Hadrianus nodded, "Apologies for the inconvenience, but I just remembered that we will be going to India tomorrow, for ten days."
"Oh," Jim frowned, "You guys travel a lot," he noted, "Did you not just come back from a visit to Germany a few months ago?"
Hadrianus blinked, Jim had been keeping tabs on him? "Well, we love traveling, so father takes me and mum whenever he goes abroad for work. Though this time, we will only meet with some of his old family friends. Here, this one is for you." Hadrianus changed the subject quickly and handed him a book, which made Jim frown as he looked at it. A beginner's guide to proper control of magic and meditation? Not a new one, Jim noted as he opened the book to look into it, there are pages highlighted and bookmarked. Adrian is giving him his own copy?
"Why are you giving this to me? Out of goodness of your heart?"
"Consider this a complimentary Potter, to honor our first Slytherin deal."
Jim blinked, then a small smile involuntarily curved his lips. This book could be useful in learning what his parents neglected in teaching him, and maybe one day he could cast spells like Slytherin. Looks like all his risk is paying off! "Thank you, Adrian."
"A pleasure doing business with you too, Jim."
"...Snob!"
"Brat!"