After the horrid event on Hadrian's birthday, he insisted his mother put more importance in his defence lessons. He had next to no knowledge of spells that could help him if someone managed to get into his room again. His ignorance had cost Serpens his life, and it would not happen again. She had tried to reject his request because she didn't think anyone would try again and they definitely wouldn't get passed the extra security their lord had placed in the manor. However, after Harry threatened to inform their lord that she wasn't letting him learn as his contract instructed, she gave in. And Severus became his Defence Against the Dark Arts tutor.

He worked through spells in the same way he taught Hadrian potions and herbology. They worked through the first years curriculum, which took very little time as Harry had read through his textbook before he was given his wand, before he was taught the lighter side of the dark arts. There were jinxes before hexes before curses, and Severus refused to teach him curses until he was at least 16-years-old. Then he'd be able to handle using darker magics without letting it control him.

When he reached the age of 12, Hadrian was instructed in the other courses he was told were in his contract. Charms and transfiguration were taught by Narcissa, as she helped both Hadrian and Draco when he came home for the summer. He worked with Fenrir Greyback to study Astronomy after they attempted to have Lucius teach him and he refused to show up to lessons. The man was impossible to be around, and after seeing him look down at Draco and speak to him so disrespectfully it was a struggle to not use the hexes Severus had taught him.

"No one is greater at Arithmancy and Ancient Runes than our lord and O.W.L.s are written exams, so he has accepted the duty of marking your work if you study from your textbooks." His mother beamed.

That sounded like his best chance of learning anything. His lord sent him assignments of chapters to read and essays to write, then he sent marks and critiques of places for improvement. No notes of a personal touch, such as that he hoped to see Hadrian again soon or that he awaited their wedding day with bated breath. There was nothing to calm Hadrian's fears of being in Narcissa's shoes one day.

In his free time, he continued his reading. Greyback brought him novels whenever he did well with his studies, secretly giving him access to stories of love and sex and seduction so that he might learn things for the betterment of his life as the Dark Overlord's husband. It made him blush to consider, but after reaching puberty and gaining the understanding of how these things worked, he was grateful. Grateful enough to ask Greyback to locate books that would help with his current situation since neither himself nor his lord had the female parts necessary to make love like that. He happily obliged, anything to upset his mother.

He was also permitted to learn an instrument, or partake in another hobby of his choosing. He knew it was part of his contract, but the small freedom was a welcome change. He didn't have the heart to continue other subjects but the ones required, he was already sure he would break from the strain. The piano became a great comfort, and as he learnt to play he also learnt to write. And with it, he sang. In this he found comfort for himself and his aunt, easing the troubles of both their lives, even if only a little. And he strengthened his hand by drawing, slowly getting better with time.

In June of Hadrian's 14th year, he was ready to sit his O.W.L.s. Which he took at the ministry and passed with flying colours. Only in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy did he achieve an A. Then it was on to his N.E.W.T.s.

"I'm sorry, my sweet Harry. We won't be spending your birthday together this year," his father smiled, his mother seemingly almost in tears beside him.

"Can I ask why?"

"We are celebrating the day before," his mother frowned. "Your birthday will be spent with our Lord. He has a great many things to say, and show you of our world and how it works."

The idea shocked him. This was the first Hadrian had heard of his lord wanting time with him, to teach him anything personally and face-to-face. He had not seen his lord in years, not since the attack and his words against him. Decidedly, Hadrian planned for that to be his first step, apologising for the error of those words. And hoping for forgiveness to make his marriage go smoother. Perhaps he could even play for him, one of the songs he'd started writing. He was unsure of why he wanted to achieve affection for his lord when he'd heard from many others that the Dark Lord was not capable of loving another. But he wanted his love, and the chance to love him in return. Like Mr Knightley and Emma, from the Austin book he'd labelled a favourite years ago. The man standing by her side, watching her grow and falling in love with her so much he had to tell her. It was childish thinking, but he was almost 15 years old. He was a child.

The day before his birthday seemed stressful to everyone but him. Bellatrix and Rodolphus didn't say anything about their worries, but Hadrian knew his parents well enough to see the force behind his mother's smile while she ordered the house-elves around in an attempt to make everything 'perfect'. His father kept talking to him about seemingly random things. The weather was Harry's breaking point and he wormed his way off to find his cousin.

"Quite the party," his cousin drawled.

"I know, your's are bigger and grander. I don't see the point, it's not really my birthday until tomorrow."

His cousin grimaced, showing Hadrian he'd just remember where he'd be spending his actual birthday. Seemed nobody was thrilled with the idea of him spending his birthday learning from his lord and spending some rather needed alone time with his fiance. It still surprised him that his mother could be so ruthless and committed to their lord, but still showed hesitance over anything involving her son.

"Can you promise me something, as your cousin and basically the only friend you have?"

Hadrian laughed, "Fenrir is my friend as well, but I suppose I can at least let you ask. What do you want?"

"Please watch your words. I made a mistake by speaking out of turn and he used the cruciatus curse. Just, come back in one piece."

Hadrian wasn't naive enough to assume the Dark Lord wouldn't harm him just because they were supposed to get married, and most likely within a few years if Harry kept progressing like he was. If he stepped out of line, or even if his lord felt the desire to do so, he could find himself under a multitude of curses before he returned home. But it was due to this lack of naivety that he felt somewhat prepared to see his lord. They'd had few meetings, but it was clear how he was supposed to be respectful. He could handle himself around their lord, and return as unscathed as possible.