Gilderoy Lockhart
You see that name and it makes you irritated for an apparent reason.
That's what Hadrian felt when he looked at the list of books he would require for the second year.
"Gilderoy Lockhart... If he has done all these great things, then why is it we've never heard of him?" Hadrian asked himself before looking at the time to see it was 12:37 PM. Just in time for him to see Draco and possibly Daphne at Diagon Alley.
He stood up from his onyx throne and called out "Marishka! Attend me."
The curly blond haired vampiress appeared before him and bowed lowly at the waist "How may I be of service, Master?"
"You'll be with me at Diagon Alley." Hadrian glanced at his bride to which she rose up "As you wish."
The two of them disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
Draco Malfoy was looking forward to seeing Hadrian and Daphne again. He walked with his father and mother Luscius and Narcissa Malfoy. They looked around as many of the stores were overcrowded.
Luscius looked at his list of books and couldn't help but scowl "Lockhart... A pitiful man like him should not be in the Defense against the Dark Arts teaching post."
Draco looked at his father on confusion "Why is that, Father?"
Narcissa answered for him "He was pathetic at magic during his time at Hogwarts. Even by Gryffindor standards."
Draco's eyebrows furrowed "Then why was he given a position at Hogwarts?"
"Possibly because some old fool decided to use him as the first option."
Draco turned around to see Hadrian, with a cigarette in hand, walking towards them with a woman with curly blonde hair behind him. Her attire left... Much to be desired. It seemed Arabian in design. It was a two piece dress mainly in white and yellow. Revealing her naval that could hypnotize anyone. Hadrian tossed away his cigarette and looked back at Draco.
"Hello Draco." Hadrian said with a smile as Draco, shook himself out of his stupor and smiled as well before they both shook hands. Hadrian then turned his head to look at his family.
"This must be Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. I've heard much about you." Hadrian said before bowing his head to which Luscius did as well.
Hadrian turned his head to Narcissa before holding her hand and kissed her knuckles. "And you must be Hadrian Tepes. Draco has told us much about you and your achievements." She said with a rather sultry smile.
"I guarantee you, he has over-exaggerated me." Hadrian smirked to which Draco rolled his eyes "Oh please..."
"Allow me to introduce my bride, Marishka." Hadrian said before she bowed her head to which the family bowed as well.
"Now, I believe we have books to collect." Luscius said before Draco lead them on towards Florish and Blotts.
"I truly hope we aren't acquiring those silly books from him."
"Unfortunately, we may have to. However, I believe we may be able to by the proper second year spells after just for you to properly learn." Narcissa said.
They made it to the book shop to see it packed. Mostly with female middle aged wizards. Narcissa couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Make way now please! Excuse me, madam!" A man with a camera pushed against the crowd, before stepping on Hadrian's Black Mamba skinned boots and dirtying his coat. Hadrian growled and grabbed the collar of the photographer "I believe you have dirtied my clothing. These cost more than your entire salary in a year!"
The photographer paled and began to wipe away the dirt he put on his coat and boots before scurrying to the front. Draco had a smug grin as he looked at Hadrian who shook his head in amusement.
Luscius couldn't help but smirk before it dissolved at the sight of Gilderoy Lockhart with his sparkling smile that made Hadrian nearly look away in disgust.
After a flash from the camera Lockhart took a look at his audience and stopped when his gaze caught onto Hadrian's. "It can't be... Harry Potter!"
The whole room apart from the Malfoy family broke into whispers and they backed up in fear of him. Hadrian simply glared at Lockhart before the photographer from early brought him next to Lockhart who wrapped his arm around Hadrian's shoulder. "Nice big smiles, Harry- ow ow ow ow!"
Before he could say more, Hadrian gripped his hand and applied pressure to make him let go. Hadrian whispered "I will say this only once, Lockhart. If you call me by that name, I will personally make sure they never find your body."
Lockhart paled before looking at the audience that seemed still scared and yet... Fascinated. Like an audience at a circus. They see someone that has been known to terrorize and bring death, and yet it was the Boy-Who-Lived they are seeing. It was that morbid curiosity that they do not understand well enough.
Lockhart composed himself and spoke "Ladies and Gentlemen, what an extraordinary moment we have here! When young Hadrian stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography, Magical Me." To this the audience couldn't help but clap while Draco looked at Hadrian with sympathetic eyes. Luscius had a rather strange joyous look in his eyes at the sight of Hadrian being humiliated by this annoying ponce. Narcissa was sharing the same look that her son had. Marishka meanwhile, had an outrageous look in her eyes. Her fangs were bare and she was close to pouncing on Lockhart and tearing out his throat.
"Which incidentally, is celebrating its 27th week atop the Daily Prophet's bestseller list. He had no idea, that he would be, in fact, be leaving with my entire collective work... Free of charge." Lockhart handed Hadrian the stack of books that just so happened to correlate with the list required for his second year. Hadrian immediately knew this jester was the new DADA Teacher.
After another flash from the camera, everyone clapped and Hadrian immediately leaped from Lockhart's side. He might have heard him breathe a sigh of relief as he left the store with his bride and the Malfoy Family in tow. Before he could be leave, Hadrian came into contact with Ronald Weasley.
"Bet you liked that didn't you? Can't even go into a bookstore without making it into the Prophet." He said rather smugly at Hadrian's humiliation. Hadrian suppressed a snarl as he spoke calmly "Weasley. I wonder what you're doing here. Scrounged up enough to buy at least one book?"
Ron immediately went red in the face as his hand clenched into a fist. Before anyone could say anything, Hadrian tore his eyes from Ron to a girl that had long straight hair. "And who is this lovely lady?" Hadrian said with a bow of his head.
The girl blushed as red as a tomato before answering "G-Ginny Weasley." Hadrian suppressed a smirk as he immediately thought of a plan. He gently grabbed her hand and placed a gentle kiss over her knuckles before looking into her eyes. "Lovely name. I am Hadrian Dracula Tepes."
Her mind was filled with scenes of his fangs inching towards her neck and she was hotly anticipating it. She blushed more before saying "I-it's very nice to meet you."
Hadrian smiled before Draco strolled up next to him and whispered "Hadrian, what're you doing? She's a Weasley!"
"Ah but what greater insult than to turn the sister against her own family?" He whispered back so the Weasley's couldn't hear. Draco's eyes lit up as he understood what his plan was.
However, everything was dashed aside when a man's voice boomed out "STEP AWAY FROM THEM, MONSTER!!" The whole alley went dead silent as Hadrian turned his head to see a man in his 50's in a black suit and a brown cape draped down from his shoulders. His hair was dirt blonde with white edging its way into the color. His eyes were a piercing green, like algae water. Around his necklace was a cross shining in silver.
Hadrian sighed with a growl before turning his full body towards the middle aged man. "Dr. Hellsing. How nice to see you again." Marishka hissed next to her master's side with her fangs bared.
The aforementioned doctor stepped his way towards him before Luscius and Narcissa stepped next to Hadrian "And what do we have here?" Luscius asked.
Hadrian chuckled "Luscius Malfoy meet Doctor Abraham Van Helsing. He and I go back a few years." Marishka hissed a little louder.
"A few years too many." Abraham glared at the Boy-Who-Lived who simply chuckled.
"What brings you here to Diagon Alley, Doctor?" Hadrian asked condescendingly to the Vampire Hunter who rested his face to calm down. "I came to pick up more supplies. That was until I saw you using your Devil powers on her."
Hadrian's eyebrow cocked up before asking "So I'm not allowed to converse with potential friends?"
Van Helsing glared at him "You have no friends. Simply slaves or people to use to your advantage." This caused Hadrian to growl and bare his teeth in anger. "You best watch your tongue before I rip it out. I have been benevolent to you in the past because of the enjoyment you've given me. But if you dare insult my friends, I will forfeit your life."
Abraham Van Helsing had a hint of a smirk on his face "Are you willing to kill an old man in a public place like this?"
Hadrian's glare did not hinder as he answered with no hesitation "Yes."
His smirk faltered before Luscius spoke "I believe it is best if you leave now."
Doctor Abraham Van Helsing stared down Hadrian Dracula Tepes before he began walking away. Disappearing into the crowd.
Hadrian closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself down before looking at Draco's family and offered them a smile. "Thank you for your assistance. Marishka and I must be going. I will see you at the train, Draco."
Before he turned around, he looked at Ginny and smiled before handing her the stack of Gilderoy Lockhart's books "These will benefit you better than me."
Ron glared at him as he began to walk away. "We don't need your charity! Give them back, Ginny." She glared at her brother "Stop it Ron. He gave them to me as an act of kindness. Honestly, why can't you do the same?"
As the two Weasley's bickered, Hadrian and Marishka began to walk away when the Father of the Weasley's and Luscius Malfoy suddenly got into a fist fight only for it to be broken up by Hagrid.
Today was certainly interesting.
Hadrian was seen in his study, writing letters to his vampire allies about the return of Abraham Van Helsing. Warning them to be vigilant. Once he was finished, Hadrian leaned back against his chair and took a deep breath.
He fished a cigarette out of his coat and placed in between his lips and activated the lighter before placing the flame in front of the cigarette. Lighting it and smoke filled his mouth before inhaling it.
He exhaled, releasing a smokey breath. He then fished out another item out from his coat. A pocket watch. He looked to see it was 10 AM. Exactly an hour before his train is to depart. He stood up and swiped the letters away, watching them fly off towards his allies.
Hadrian made his way to his room where Nyx, his black Cobra laid in her territory. He walked towards her and spoke in Parslemouth. $Nyx, it is time for us to leave.$
Nyx lifted her head up and looked at Hadrian $Where to, Speaker?$
Hadrian answered $Off to school.$ He opened his arm out to her so she slid underneath his sleeve and wrapped herself around his neck gently, like a scarf.
He looked at Venom whom was laying down and called out to him "Venom, let's go." The Vampiric Familiar stood up and walked towards him before following him down towards the entrance where Verona stood with his luggage in a cart.
Verona bowed her head and Hadrian couldn't help but smile. "Let's get going, Verona." She nodded and they disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Leaving the castle empty once more.
Hadrian sat in a compartment with Draco and Daphne with Venom laying down at the floor.
"So Abraham Van Helsing exists and wants you dead?" Daphne asked in slight fear.
Hadrian nodded "Since I was seven years old, he has attempted to kill me multiple times."
Draco pursed his lips "But not when you're at Hogwarts. He can't touch you there."
Hadrian smiled slightly at Draco "Thank you for your words."
It reached night time and the castle was in sight. The Slytherin Trio made their way not to the boats, but to carriages that seemed to have no mounts. But Hadrian could see skeletal horses with bat wings. "Thestrals..." He whispered to himself.
The carriage began to pull them towards the castle grounds.
'Hopefully, this year won't be as boring as last time.' Hadrian thought as he walked back into the castle.