Time passed swiftly for the now solidified friend group of Hadrian, Draco, Neville, and Hermione. Their experience in saving Hermione from the troll had reinforced the budding friendship, and the four were now nearly inseparable. They had even begun eating at the others' house tables on a rotation. Breakfast was typically taken with the Slytherins, who were least likely to hex them in the morning, lunch was with Ravenclaw since it was the most well attended, and dinner at Gryffindor. They had watched carefully and the Gryffindor table was only half full regardless of time during the dinner hours. So they claimed a spot near the doors which was always empty, and had their dinner there. Professors Prince, McGonagall, and Flitwick had watched this change, which was due to their students, with interest.
Hadrian, Draco, and Hermione were leading their year, much to the disgruntlement of the other Ravenclaws who were peeved that a Slytherin and Gryffindor were also in the top three. Neville was doing well with the theory, but his shoddy practical work was hindering him. The group gathered in their hidden corner of the library one cold day in December when all their work was complete to discuss things.
Draco got the attention of the young herbologist, "Neville?"
"Hmm," Neville hummed. "Yes, Draco?"
"Hadrian and I have been trying to figure something out all term," he told the shy boy.
"Oh?" Neville asked.
"And we decided to just ask you," Draco finished rather lamely, looking at Hadrian for assistance.
Hadrian rolled his eyes, but saved his friend, "Neville, we think there's something interfering with your magic."
That got the boy's attention. "What?" he exclaimed, surprised.
"Shhhhh!" Hermione hissed, "We don't want to disturb anyone or bring down Madame Pince on ourselves!"
"I put up a silencing charm, Hermione," Hadrian smiled, but then turned back to Neville. "Your theory work is great! Don't think we don't see how hard you're working, it shows." Neville nodded. "But when it comes to wandwork, you're floundering. We've worked with you, gotten permission to use empty classrooms to practice, and even asked Professor McGonagall and Flitwick to watch us and try to offer pointers. You're doing everything technically right, but it isn't working."
"Yes," Neville responded, unsure what to say.
"So I've been watching you," Draco rejoined the discussion. "I mentioned I'm an aura reader?" The rest nodded. "Well, I've watched you with my aura-sight since almost the beginning of the term. In Charms, Transfiguration, Defense; different classes, different times of day, different spells. You're doing everything right, but not getting results. I'd like to talk to my parents about it." Draco finally spit out the only resolution he and Hadrian had been able to come up with.
"Question, Neville," Hadrian asked, "Did you get your inheritance test at Gringotts when you turned ten?" He nodded. "Did you read it?" A negative response. Harry groaned, "I really think you should be tested again. I can't say why unless you two have really good Occlumency barriers, but some things I know about could be contributing to your issues."
"Could there be something the matter with his wand?" Hermione asked.
"No," Draco said decisively. "The wand chooses the wizard, after all."
"What do you mean?" Neville asked.
Draco's eyes widened and he and Hadrian exchanged a look. "Neville, where did you get your wand?"
"My gran gave it to me," Neville replied.
"So you didn't go to Ollivander's, Gregorovitch in Germany, Cosme Acajor in France, or any other wand maker for your wand?" Draco asked, his spirit falling.
"No, my gran gave me this wand. It was my father's," he finished proudly.
"Well, there's the problem," Draco said, slumping back in his chair. "Or at least part of it," he said, remembering the magical blocks. He couldn't think of anything else that would stop power like Neville's from functioning properly. Their group had spoken about the magical rituals and everything, so he knew it wasn't some sort of magical punishment on Neville. For Merlin's sake, Magic didn't even punish anyone until they were at least seventeen years old anyway!
"My wand is a problem?" Neville asked, crestfallen.
Hadrian patted his friend on the back and began to explain since Neville looked crushed and Hermione looked confused. "The wand chooses the wizard, Neville. You're trying to use a wand that didn't choose you, it chose your father. You aren't exactly like your father, and your magic isn't exactly like his. Merlin, it couldn't possibly be, you're half your father and half your mother! It doesn't mean that you aren't good enough or anything like that. When a person dies it takes a long time for their wand to give up it's allegiance to its original owner. Did you get a family wand to practice with when you turned ten?"
"No. I didn't do any accidental magic until I was eight, and my gran didn't want me to blow anything up," Neville responded depressed. "And my dad's not dead."
Draco's eyes widened, "Neville, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to bring all this up…" the blond trailed off, unsure how to comfort his friend.
"It's ok," the boy sighed. "I'm mostly used to it." Seeing Hadrian and Hermione's confused faces, he continued, "My parents were tortured to insanity by Bellatrix LeStrange," he flashed a regretful look at Draco, "Rudolphus and Rabastan LeStrange, and Bartemius Crouch Junior. They are in St. Mungo's Janus Thickey Ward for permanent spell damage, long term residents."
"Oh, Neville," Hermione wailed, jumping up and running around the table to hug her friend. "I'm so sorry!"
Neville patted her awkwardly on the back. Hadrian was thinking hard.
"Neville..." Hadrian pulled his focus away from Hermione, "I think that could actually make it worse."
"Why?" the brunette asked.
"You're trying to use a wand whose allegiance is still attached to the original owner, and that is compounded by the fact that the owner isn't dead. That means the bond between wand and wizard is still there. It hasn't even begun to break because the wizard hasn't broken it. The wand wasn't won from him, so you didn't force an allegiance change either. You HAVE to get a new wand."
"But…"
"No buts, Nev, you must have a new wand. You're sabotaging your magical education, and could possibly do irreparable damage to your core by trying to work with a wand that isn't yours," Hadrian was almost whispering with the shocking impact of what they'd learned.
"But Gran said it was fine, that his wand would work…" Neville had never been more confused in his life. And that was saying something.
"Neville, I don't know why she told you that, she's of an Ancient House, she should know that isn't the case." Hadrian pondered this new development. "I'm not saying it was on purpose, I'm just saying you could hurt yourself. Could you get to Gringotts over break for an inheritance test? And to get money for a wand?" He pressed a bit.
"Well, not by myself," Neville said doubtfully. "Gran keeps my key…"
"What if I invited you over the day after Yule?" Draco interjected.
"That might work," Neville said, still somewhat unsure.
"Look," Hadrian continued, "Professor Prince is going to get me to Malfoy Manor for Yule, and I would be willing to stay the day after to go to Gringotts with you. This is really important. You can use your heir- right to ensure your gran isn't alerted, but we could get your test and I bet the Malfoys would pay for your wand so your gran wouldn't see the withdrawal. This is really important, Nev."
"Oh," Hermione bounced a bit, "Do you think I could come, too, Draco? You mentioned on the train I should've had an inheritance test as well."
"It should be fine. I'll write to my parents tonight to check and let you know as soon as they respond," Draco smiled.
"Now that's taken care of," Hermione put on her lecture mode, "we need to discuss what happened over the weekend."
"The Cerberus," Hadrian groaned.
"The stairs that took us there with no warning, and not on their usual pattern of shifting," Draco added.
"Exactly," Hermione said, while Neville whimpered. "You said you knew something," she continued staring at Hadrian.
"We both know about it," Hadrian conceded. If he didn't, Hermione would just poke at him and Draco until they spilled. He'd rather just get it over with.
"What is it?" She demanded.
"Ok, before I tell you, we need to discuss a couple of things." Hermione nodded, and poked Neville so he would nod as well. "One: You cannot look the headmaster in the eyes. He is a legilimens, and if he finds out that you know, it will cause all sorts of problems."
"I don't look anyone in the eyes," Neville said morosely.
"But…" Hermione began, but seeing Hadrian's implacable look, hung her head and replied, "Okay."
"Two: You need to read up on Occlumency and start meditating. It will help you build barriers in your mind and then you would be able to look at the headmaster's eyes for a little while. Yes, Hermione, I can get you a book," he finished in fond amusement. They both nodded.
"Three: You cannot talk about this anywhere but with Draco and I, and only if we have silencing barriers up." Nods again.
"Fine then. Draco and I knew about the Cerberus because Severus warned us the first week of school. I knew Dumbledore was planning to test me, don't ask, once you have mastered Occlumency we can discuss it," he forestalled Hermione's questions, "and so we expected he would do something to ensure I was following his plan for me. You remember when we visited Hagrid at the beginning of the year? He had a month old paper laying on his table, didn't that strike you as odd? And he pointed out the theft occurred the day he took me shopping, who cares? He also took the package out of the vault while I was with him, which, if it were truly a secret, he should not have done. Dumbledore got me alone after the troll incident and asked some possibly probing questions. He did something with the mail to prevent news about the troll from getting out. I know Draco and I wrote to Lucius and Narcissa but they never responded. We passed messages through Professor Prince and they got our letters, but something happened to them on the way because when Lucius and Cissa read them, they didn't mention the troll at all. They were upset, thinking we tried to hide it from them. We had to give Severus copies to take to them to verify. Anyway, all of that to say, we know why the Cerberus is there and we know what it's guarding. It's the Philosopher's Stone."
"Oh," Hermione breathed. "I've read about Nicholas Flamel…"
"Right," the group laughed at Hermione having read about something. "Anyway, I think he was concerned I wasn't following up on his plans, and so he forced us to see it. It's meant to make me curious and try to figure out what's there. But I already know about what's there, and I know what all the protections are. I have a plan, but he didn't know that, so he forced the issue."
"I'm starting to see why you don't trust the headmaster," Hermione said thoughtfully. "It makes sense though, with everything you've pointed out."
"And Severus told me afterward, but apparently Quirrell let in the troll, and used it as a distraction to go to the third floor. I don't think he knew what was there, and so doubled back, but Severus saw him coming back," Draco said smugly.
"Professor Quirrell is after it?" Neville was shaking a bit now.
"I feel weird in his classes. It's familiar, and I know I should know what it is, but whenever he looks at me I get this strange feeling…" Hadrian trailed off. He had been thinking about the strange sensation since it first happened, but was no closer to figuring it out.
"Severus knows Quirrell is after the stone, and he's certainly passed that on to Dumbledore. I know we discussed him doing so." Draco continued, "We know Hadrian will have to go after it, we just aren't sure when. You'll have to be prepared if we're together, or understand it's coming."
"Alright," Hermione replied. Neville just nodded. He hoped he wasn't with them when the time came…
Friday, December 20, 1991Hadrian waved his friends goodbye on their last morning at school before break. Neville and Hermione had been invited to spend Monday at Malfoy Manor, so they would be together again soon. Severus would be taking Hadrian out of the castle on Saturday evening after dinner to participate in Yule at the manor, and would return him before dinner on Monday. He would only need to say he wasn't feeling well if anyone asked where he had been.
Hadrian spent Friday and Saturday with his soon to be full-familiars. Hedwig had flown up to his window and nibbled his ear until he took her to his flat. She also enjoyed the habitat he made for Zils and the two had made friends. Zils had finally reached his full size and was difficult to carry around unless he used shrinking charms, which the snake did not enjoy. Since he could not spend as much time with either of them anymore, he was happy to do so during the break.
He also worked on his Yule presents for his family and friends. He had knitted matching hats, scarves, and gloves with mitten flaps in Gryffindor red and gold for Hermione and Neville. He also worked the Gryffindor lion into the back of the mittens and put their initials on the scarves. He knew with his thread magic they would stay nice and warm, but not too warm, and would comfortably fit his friends for years to come. Draco had very much liked Hadrian's eagle on his bag, and had jumped at the chance to have a snake on his own. With that in mind, Hadrian decided to make him a green silk cloak with moving silver snakes at the hem and the Slytherin emblem on the breast.
The adults had been harder, but he found the perfect gift for Severus in one of his potions owl order catalogues. He had found a kit with several different kinds of snake venom and skin, along with unicorn horn and phoenix tears. The pride of the kit was a 5 mL bottle of basilisk venom, which was extremely rare and very expensive. For Lucius he had found a set of political treatises the man did not yet have in his library, which he knew because he sent Dobby to have the Malfoy house elves check. And for Narcissa, he had created a simple winter dress in a deep emerald velvet, cap sleeves and scoop necked, with small winter berries and foliage twined around the waist. It was a simple decoration, but suited Narcissa's understated style. His tailoring masters had owled him about a cloak they had when he sent pictures for their feedback. It matched well, being of simple ivory silk with a fur edge, and small cluster of the same winter berries and foliage Hadrian had embroidered on the dress as a brooch. Hadrian had passed that information to Severus, who was only too happy to have a ready-made gift for his love.
He didn't leave out his familiars either, having purchased a protection band in platinum for Hedwig, and a new tree for Zils' habitat along with several fat rabbits. He carefully wrapped all his gifts with the assistance of his loyal elf, Dobby, who took them to storage for him. When the little elf returned, Hadrian presented him with a new pair of pants and smart shirt for his uniform. Hadrian made the pieces for his elf himself, depicting the elf's love of clothes in a small personal crest he created of a sock wearing a hat and scarf. Dobby burst into tears and hugged his master for a long time before he would let the boy go to bed.
Saturday, December 21, 1991Upon arrival at Malfoy Manor, Hadrian was quickly grasped in a flurry of hugs by Narcissa, who had missed the boys terribly. Draco had been subject to the same treatment upon his arrival on Friday, and merely smirked at Hadrian's distress. When Cissa finally released him, he hugged Lucius and Draco before the group made their way to the family parlour to catch up.
"Now that we're all here," Lucius began with a smirk at his son, "perhaps you will be so good as to explain why we are hosting a Light Wizard and muggle-raised girl in our home this season?" Lucius looked pointedly and Draco and Hadrian who were seated together on a sofa. "Draco has refused to discuss it."
So Hadrian and Draco began telling the adults about what they talked about with Hermione regarding her inheritance test and Gringotts, and how she had come to not have one in the first place. Then they launched into a recounting of the discussion with Neville about his magic from the library the previous week. The adults were concerned about the boy and the possible damage to his magic, but were convinced their boys had done the right thing in getting him to them for help. Narcissa agreed to accompany the boy and pay for his wand after Lucius and the boys assisted Hermione and Neville with their tests. They weren't sure who the Longbottom account manager was, but would take him to their own manager and use the boy's heir-right to prevent any information from being leaked. Once they had determined the plans for Monday, they retired to sleep to be rested for the Yule celebration the following day.
Sunday, December 22, 1991Yule morning dawned bright, and snow dusted the ground. Hadrian was looking forward to the day, and had Dobby assist him to pick out warm clothes for the festivities ahead. Once he was dressed, he joined the family in the dining room where the elves had prepared a full English breakfast as their masters would be tromping about in the woods for the morning. Narcissa had decorated the manor with holly, mistletoe, and evergreens, and had glossy red and green apples scattered about in maple bowls to celebrate the season. The entire family enjoyed the decorations as they made their way to the rear of the manor, and outside to the forest. Clad in their hats, scarves, and mittens, all handmade presents from Hadrian at previous Yule celebrations, they donned their winter cloaks and boots, and the family made their way through the forest looking for a newly felled tree.
Not too long after, they found a likely looking one, a maple, Severus had said with a smile. Lucius and Narcissa had merely nodded, pleased that their celebration had been blessed by Lady Magic before it truly even began. Severus and Lucius had raised their wands and began to recite the yule log blessing:
Long winter nights are dark, High above the hunters ride,
And wild the wind that whips the snow In the dark outside.
Yet we will not lose heart, And on the darkest night
To show that we do not forget, The yule log shall burn bright.
And the Sun shall rise again, And the sun shall rise again,
The sun shall shine again.
Though winter frost lies thickly, And winter trees are bare
Beneath the snows earth´s bounty Still waits for all to share.
Though winter beasts are sleeping, And winter breath is white
In springtime all shall waken to A new year´s warmth and light.
And the Sun shall rise again, And the sun shall rise again,
The sun shall shine again.
Though giants walk the out-world, Still we shall not fear
For we will feast the merry gods At the turning of the year.
So merry pass the wassail, And on the darkest night
To show that we do not forget, The yule log shall burn bright.
And the Sun shall rise again, And the sun shall rise again,
The sun shall shine again.
When they finished the blessing poem, a perfect yule log sat in front of the two men. The family cheered their success, and all lifted a hand to carry the yule log home. Lunch was a smaller meal in preparation for the feast to come. They exchanged their gifts after lunch, and enjoyed spending time together after.
Hadrian was especially pleased with his gifts this year. Severus had gotten him a rare potions text and an intricately carved chest with extensive preservation charms to store his most rare ingredients. He didn't have anything worth putting in the chest yet, but knew he would eventually. Draco had received a similar gift, and the boys happily compared their boxes and discussed possible ingredients they could store in them. Narcissa had gifted him a new cloak and a set of winter dress robes for the feast later. He was excited to wear them, and inspect them to add to his growing repertoire in tailoring later. Lucius had been more practical and gotten him books on managing finances and estates property. While he couldn't do anything specific until his seventeenth birthday, he was still studying.
Their time of relaxation ended at 4 pm when Tink popped in to remind Narcissa that the feast was in two hours. They all scattered to their rooms to bathe and dress. Each was taking a ritual bath of renewal in preparation for the festivities, and all had new robes for the day. Dobby had prepared Hadrian's robes, so when he stepped out of the bath, everything was ready for him. He finished his preparations at 5:45 and made his way to the family parlour once again. The group gathered and carried the yule log to the formal dining room, which they only used for rituals or parties. They placed the log in the fireplace and Lucius, as head of the house, lit it. They each bowed and thanked Mother Magic for her blessings and made their way to the table.
Each plate had a smaller plate for their offering set to the side. Hadrian took some of everything, and placed a small bit on the offering plate. They had apple roasted pork, mixed winter squash, a jellied winter berry salad, a lettuce salad, sweet potatoes, and a variety of bread rolls. Dessert was apple pie, and fresh berries from the Malfoy greenhouses. They had mulled cider and apple mead to drink. When their meal was over, each person made their way back to the Yule log, and poured their offering into the fire. Lucius raised a silver chalice of mulled mead, thanking Mother Magic again for her blessings. He took a sip from the cup and passed it to the next person. Each member of the family thanked Mother magic and sipped from the cup before the final person, Hadrian, since he was the youngest, poured the remaining mead over the fire. Magic rushed through the participants, and each could feel the pleasure in it, and joyful blessings the mother had bestowed.
They sent the elves to gather their outdoor things again, and each had a silver ever-full chalice of mulled mead to carry with them. They made their way to the apple orchard and split up. Each of them took to their assigned rows, and spoke a blessing over each tree: Apple tree, apple tree, I have come to wassail thee, Bear this year and next year to bloom and to blow, Hat fulls, cap fulls, three cornered sack fulls, Hip, Hip, Hip, hurrah, Holler boys, holler hurrah! When they completed the blessing, they poured a small amount of the mead over the roots, and bowed three times before moving on to the next. This took quite a while, and it was after ten o'clock that they finished and gathered together at the entrance of the orchard. Lucius tapped each chalice with his wand, removing the ever-full spell and the group poured out the remaining mead at the threshold gate. They spoke the blessing once more together and the adults raised their wands to guide the golden net of magic they had conjured with the individual blessings to surround the trees. They bowed a final three times and returned to the house for another glass of the hot mulled cider, and to enjoy the warmth of the Yule log fire.
They said their goodnights shortly before midnight. At midnight, the fire gutted out and the remaining log split into 5 pieces. Each took a piece, and retreated to their room to place the piece of log under their bed. Each offered a personal thanks to Mother Magic for her protection, and asked that protection be renewed before bowing to the bed three times. Once that was complete, they were free to retire to bed and sleep.
Chapter 22 NotesI borrowed the yule log poem which was written by Wyrdswell from the website odins-gift. It's a ".com"