Chapter 6

Hadrian was on his knees dry heaving trying his best not to vomit all over Riddle's shoes.

"What was that?" He panted out.

Riddle must have noticed because he quickly took a step back removing his shoes from danger.

"That was apparition a form of magical travel. It will get easier the more you do it."

"As soon as you compose yourself we can continue on."

Hadrian's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He quickly slowed his breathing and struggled to his feet. "I'm ready sir " he said a little less breathlessly

The professor nodded and began to walk.

Hadrian finally caught his breath enough to look around.

They were walking up a hill towards a huge manor. He could see a small town off in the distdistance.

"The manor was my fathers , I founded the orphanage 10 years ago when I was finally able to aquire the permits and permission from the Wizgmont.

The orphanage is run by my employees, volunteers and my money.

This is not a government funded establishment that gives to everyone equally wither or not they deserve it.

Everybody who resides here earns it by working as hard as they can to be the best wizards or witches they can be. "

Riddle stopped suddenly and turned to look Hadrian " I do not mind spending my money or time on you or the other children.

I see it as a investment towards the magical world but Mr Cross if someone waste my time and or my money I will mind very much so. Do you understand Mr. Cross?"

Hadrian swore the professor's eyes flashed red and in that moment he experienced something he hadn't felt in a couple years fear.

His cross hummed in response to the fear that shot through his body.

Hadrian's hand shot up automatically grasping it to calm himself down. " yes sir I will not disappoint you" he quickly reassured the professor'

Riddle's eyes followed his hand to the cross "see that you do not""

"The village is called Little Hangleton it is about 80% magical and you will be able to explore that part on weekends if you are in good

The homes of the small amount of muggles who are stubbornly refusing to move no matter how many antimuggle wards we put up have age barriers around them and will redirect you away from that area."

"Why can't we just force them to leave. I mean they are just muggles with no power to stop us?" Hadrian asked

A look of furry flashed across Riddle's face "There was a Wizgmont ruling protecting natural muggle habitats. It was passed a year before I inherited this property and states that any muggle owned property be it in the muggle or wizarding world is not allowed to be aquired through means of magic.

Thankfully once a area is considered completely magical we can put up wards preventing nonmagicals entry.

Soon this whole area will disappear completely from the muggle maps and history books."

"Why would our government care so much about muggles " Hadrian asked not liking the sound of this Wizgmont so far.

"Why indeed Mr. Cross why indeed ." Riddle turned and started towards the manor again without another word.

The house was very big , it looked old but we'll cared for.

When they stepped through the gates Hadrian felt a tingle run through his body. Before he could ask about it the door swang open and a lean tall man with dark hair came hurrying out.

The man was young probably in his mid to late 20's but what was most noticeable to Hadrian was that he was wearing what seemed to be a dress. It was light blue and form fitting . When the man came closer he could see it was only buttoned to the pelvic area then it flared out . Under the dress the man wore very form fitting silk pants in the same shade of blue.

Hadrian was horrified. He already swore he would embrace the wizarding world and leave all his muggle ideas behind but did this mean that he would have to dress like a girl!

His expression must of shown what he was thinking because Riddle chuckled "don't worry Mr. Cross Barty is one of the more flamboyant dressers that you will meet. most of us stick to more base colors and robes that are a bit less constricting."

The 10 year old boy part of Hadrian had to struggle to give the professor a smile pretending his words made him feel better. In reality all they did was confirm that yes he would be wearing a dress. A much more manly one he hoped but a dress neverdressers the less.

"My lord " the man said while bowing in front of the professor.

"Barty " Riddle acknowledged the strange man back not showing any reaction to being addressed so formally.

Hadrian was confused. Did all professor's receive this amount of respect? Or was he a peer of the magical realm ?

"I have another one for you Barty." Both men turned towards Hadrian Riddle with disinterest and Barty with a slightly hidden look of contempt.

" Who do you have available to get Mr. Cross settled? "

Barty thought for a moment "Clearwater has recently taken over as our student resident advisor. "

"Walters?" Riddle asked

"He was offered a mentorship with Wilkes and gratefully excepted." Barty explained

"As he should "replied Riddle

"Call Clearwater to collect Mr. Cross in the library and then meet me in my office. " Riddle demanded

"Yes my lord" Barty said then quickly headed back towards the house.

"Follow me Mr. Cross " Riddle stated then he to turned towards the manor.

The foyer was grand with vaulted ceilings and a chandler that actually had hundreds of lit candles instead of light bulbs. There was a grand wooden staircase that curved gently up to the second floor balcony. The whole place smelled of wood, candles and some weird electric smell he couldn't quite identify .

Hadrian didn't know where to look first . At first glance it mostly looked like any other rich home would look like but then he noticed not a single light switch , power out lit, or a spec of dust even at the very top of the ceiling.

Before he could properly assess the room Riddle was already heading into another and Hadrian had to jog to keep up.

All thoughts of the foyer left his mind when he walked into the next room behind the professor. The library was breathtaking. He had never seen so many books in one place before. The shelves went so high he could barely see the top which really shouldn't be possible but he was in a magical orphanage.

"Sir do we get to use the library? If we do are we restricted to only using a few books ?"

"The library is a collection of books donated by many pureblood families for the use of the children in the orphanage. We do not restrict your use but warn you that not all books are safe for children to use the contents or sometimes even the books themselves can be very dangerous . Those books are on the higher shelves do not search to high until you can properly protect yourself. "

"And if I do search to high and get injured? Hadrian ask looking at the high shelf with interest.

"I believe in natural consequences . If you get injured you will either find a way to cure yourself, find a way to convince someone else to cure you , or die . Riddle stated flatly.

Hadrian gulped peeling his eyes away from the high shelfs.

The professor stopped in the middle of the library and turned to face him looking him straight in the eye.

"Mr. Cross from the moment I saw you I could tell you where special. I could feel your power and I was very impressed. I know you will work very hard and not just do the magical world proud but you will make me proud also. "

Then he strolled right out of the library not once looking back at Hadrian.

At first Hadrian preened at the professor's words he new he was special but as the minutes ticked by and the words repeated over and over in his mind he felt there was something off about them. He wondered if that little speech wasn't said to every new orphan.

Mr. Riddle had the right expression and really looked like he cared but when he compared speech Riddle to the Mr. Riddle who zapped him in the orphanage you would think it was two different people.

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