Summary: Betrayed and killed by the one they considered their best friend, Harry and Hermione made a different decision when they found themselves at King's Cross station. They chose to travel in a alternate universe and create a normal life for themselves. But of course as Harry Potter doesn't do normal he finds himself in 1962 in a world in which Grindelwald escapes from Nurmerngard and continues his war against muggles and Tom Riddle is the DADA professor. Not to mention that Voldemort is not happy being left behind and follows them in this dimension with an unknown plan in mind...What kind of destiny will they carve for themselves as they prepare to start Hogwarts as first year students? Also, a new prophecy is made...
Warnings: Slash, violence, humor, some Dumbledore bashing, swearing, Grey! Harry and Hermione etc.
Pairings: LV/HP, HG/SS
"talking"
'thinking'
/mental speach/
$parseltongue$
Pain.
Pure, excruciating pain ran trough his veins as he trashed in his sleep, his body feeling like it was on fire as his mind witnessed events that took place in another world.
"Draco, Draco, Draco..." his chilling voice spoke in a mocking tone, while he finally lifted the Cruciatus curse from the pitiful form of his ex-school nemesis. "Do you not know that I absolutely abhor failures?" he then asked, absently playing with his wand.
Idly, as he watched his old rival gather his wits and trying to recover from the pain he was just subjected to, Hadrian realized that he was very lucky to have remembered to cast the Silencing Charm around his bed before falling asleep. He would have woken up the whole dorm otherwise with his screams.
"M-my Lord..." the blond tried to explain, still panting heavily, with mused, blonde sticking to his forehead and gray eyes wide in fright.
"Tell me, Draco, how hard can it be for you to infiltrate in the midst of those blood-traitors and mudbloods, hmm? You displease me, Draco, and you don't want to displease Lord Voldemort", he continued coolly, unfeeling to the other desperation. How pathetic. Was this all there was to Lucius' son?
"They d-don't trust me, master. Especially L-longbottom. They are weary."
"Enough!" he ordered in a hiss, eliciting a whimper from his follower. "Lord Voldemort doesn't care for your pathetic excuses. Results are all that matter."
"M-my Lord, please..."
"You have one month to gain their trust. It goes without saying that failure is not an option, " he ordered, dark bemusement coloring his voice at the others predicament.
"As you w-wish, sire", Draco dutifully replied, shakily lifting himself up from his crunched position on the stone floor to take his leave. He was glad. Somehow, he managed to keep his life.
"And Draco" he called after the departing blond, making him stop in his tracks and turn around.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Crucio."
Ah! Music to his ears. Really, the Malfoy heir had such amusing cries of pain.
HP-Chronic Hero Syndrome
Tick, tock! Tick, tock!
Elegant jade colored robes swished around the women as she suddenly stood up unable, due to the anxiety she felt, to stay still any longer. She started to pace, back and forth, becoming lost in her musings, while her cup of Darjeeling tea remained untouched on the table, spreading a sweet floral aroma in the air.
'Wonder where he'll be sorted in...Hopefully Slytherin, though Ravenclaw doesn't seem too bad...But what if he is in Griffindor or Hufflepuff...no, I mustn't think negatively!...and even if he was in them it wouldn't really matter...He would be the one to change ones preconception about those houses!'
Tick, tock! Tick, tock!
She turned left and continued to pace as she became more frantic with worry. Dark circles could be seen around her brilliant eyes, evidence of her sleepless night, but not even those could make her appear any less beautiful, even more so with the gentle rays of sun, that peered between the silky blue curtains, playing on her porcelain face.
'I hope he has eaten enough...He is only skin and bones as it is and if he was too suddenly stop eating because the food made by the Hogwarts' house elves didn't suit his tastes...I'll sick Kreacher on those poor excuse of house elves that aren't even worth the space they occupy if that happens! Yes, yes, that's what I'll do...'
Tick, tock! Tick, tock!
She turned around once more and continued to pace, one finger taping her chin as she tried to organize her chaotic thoughts.
'Maybe if I was to...'
"Mother!", an impatient voice cut trough Walburga musings, startling her. "You're gonna make a hole in the carpet with all your pacing", a rather irritated boy finally snapped, after becoming dizzy with watching his mother pace continuously, back and forth, in the center of the living room.
The tension mixed with growing anxiety was already hanging heavily in the air, taking it's toll on them as they waited for news about Sirius and the pacing didn't do anything to soothe said tension. Especially when the only noises heard were the 'shuffles' made by Orion's newspaper, the sharp 'clicks' of the chess pieces and the incessant 'tick-tock's ' of the clock. Though the clock was rather beautiful, finding itself in a walnut case, with a slim trunk, a long door and a small bun feet, with intricate designs decorating it and making it seem like a piece of art. It was also rather useful, showing not only the time but also the status of some of the Black family's members though it had only six states to choose from – home, school, work, traveling, hospital and mortal peril.
But still though! The noise was annoying and the sound of pacing didn't helped one bit. Not that he couldn't empathize with his mother when, after all, all of them were nerve wrecked from the wait, especially Walburga who had worked herself up with worry over her oldest son' well being at Hogwarts.
As it was, patient or calm were the last thing you could call them at the moment so no one could blame neither mother or son for starting a glaring contest with each other.
"Regulus! Don't you take that tone with me! And I can't help it if I'm worried for your brother! The poor boy had been through more than enough already and who knows what troubles he'll have now at Hogwarts, away from me, from his family" Walburga said, worry palpable in her tone making Regulus feel sorry for snapping.
"He has other relatives there to take care of him, mother, if something happens. As it is though, he is more than capable of taking care of himself, as he already proved, so you should trust him more. Alas, despite that, I have to admit that both me and father are also worried about him but you don't see us act as impatient as you", he said, with a more calm tone than his previous one, trying to make his mother see reason.
"Yes, I can certainly see just how worried you and Orion are, " his mother retorted dryly with a pointed look towards both Regulus, who was playing wizarding chess by himself against the charmed pieces – and losing quite badly at that- , and her husband, who was leisurely reading the morning news paper, lounged on an armchair in front of the fireplace.
Hearing his name called, Orion lifted his eyes from the Daily Prophet to look inquiringly at his wife.
"Is something wrong, dear?", he asked warily, seeing that his wife and son were engaged in an glaring contest with each other and when, at his harmless question, both son and wife turned their gazes on him, as if blaming him for interfering in their dispute, he couldn't help but gulp nervously at being subjugated to such deadly glares. He shivered. Thank Merlin that looks couldn't kill...well, without counting the one of a basilisk that is.
He couldn't help but sigh in relief as, before they could start to verbally attack him, a loud taping sound was heard demanding their attention. Instantly, Walburga interrupted her glaring session and, with a sound of glee, went to open the window letting in a owl that had securely tied on her claw a letter.
The owl was, simply put, quite beautiful, with tawny feathers that shone with a golden glow in the proper light and gleaming hazel orbs that glinted with a sharp intelligence unlike that of normal owls. Now, though, nobody was interested in it's beauty but on the burden it carried.
"It's Mione, Sirius' owl! And it has brought us a message", Walburga announced and, as one, Orion and Regulus sprung from their respective seats to read the letter together with Walburga who was already ripping it open.
Greedily, they read the letter's content, drinking in every word their dear Sirius wrote to them.
Dear mother, beloved father and cute little brother,...
"Just look how polite he is"' Walburga said proudly after reading the first line. Regulus, on the other hand wasn't as happy.
"I'm not little!" he exclaimed. "Neither cute", he continued with a blush that made him seem just like that in his parents eyes though, wisely, they decided to refrain from commenting on it.
As they read that Sirius was sorted into Slytherin, all the Blacks smiled proudly, Regulus going as far as whooping in joy seeing that his brother was sorted in what he thought of as the coolest house at Hogwarts.
Orion was also proud reading the next paragraph and knowing that Sirius, despite his young age, already knew how the pureblooded society, where appearances were what counted most, worked . Though he couldn't help being a little sad at his son lost naivete.
They were all happy, though not surprised, to hear that Sirius managed to make some friends, Regulus smirking all the while at his brother persistence in befriending Hadrian.
"Severus Snape, son of Eileen Prince, huh?" mused aloud Orion, with a thoughtful expression on his face raising his eyes from the letter to look at his beloved wife. "Tell me Walburga, wasn't Eileen the one who threatened me with a rather gruesome death if I so much as made you look sad when we first started dating at Hogwarts?", he inquired looking both amused and terrified at the memory.
"Yes, she was,"Walburga responded wistfully, with a far-away expression. "Eileen was my best friend until we finished Hogwarts and she become enamored with that hateful muggle," she continued with a bitter voice still sad over the loss of her friend. It was a mystery how the girl that used to share the same beliefs as her came to be married with what they hated the most. Maybe Sirius will manage to make her son, Severus, see the wrongness of her doings and the vileness of muggles, though. At least the boy had a change of redemption. Half bloods weren't that bad if they relinquished their muggle heritage and Sirius seemed to find the boy quite intelligent. There was still some hope left.
Seeing the far away look on his wife's face, Orion quickly returned to reading the parchment only to have Regulus, who had been reading ahead blow into laughter a moment later. Curious as to what made his son laugh so, he let his eyes slid over the letter only to have a smile of his own appear. That Hadrian sure was something else and seemed like a good friend to have. The Malfoys made a good choice in adopting him though he couldn't help but frown at the impression Sirius got of his cousins. He sighed. He couldn't blame the boy for that if what he wrote was true. Both James and Frank seem to have acted unbecoming of their heritage.
With another sigh, Orion risked a glance at his wife who was silently fuming, muttering under her breath about brats with muggle manners, things she had to buy for her son's new friend, as no Black would be seen in the company of someone dressed in rags – though Orion knew that she only wanted to take care of her friend's son – , and how she was gonna give an earful to Augustus Prince for letting his grandson go to Hogwarts without offering any help to the poor boy.
Orion couldn't help but wince thinking at what the old man will be going through confronted with Walburga's ire. One really didn't want to be in Augustus's shoes at the moment. Confronting a dragon will be preferable to that.
After they finished the letter, the Black family was visibly more calm than before, all wearing content expression now that they knew their beloved Sirius was okay.
As they continued to discuss letter, after ordering Kreacher to bake some cookies for Sirius, Walburga all the way berating Frank and James and feeling sorry for Severus, green flames sprung to life and the handsome but obviously distressed figure of Cygnus Black, Walburga's brother, appeared in the fireplace, his usually haughty face now creased with worry.
Confronted with his brother in law haunted eyes, Orion instantly got into 'Head of the House' mode as the good mood suddenly vanished from the room, both Regulus and Walburga sensing a feel of dread overcoming them.
Whatever his uncle floo called them for, Regulus thought as the anxiety suddenly returned, he had a feeling that it wouldn't be good news.
"What happened", Orion asked, expecting the worst, in a voice that seemed strained to Regulus ears though his father's voice was crystal clear in the tense silence of the room.
"It's about Andromeda," Cygnus responded bluntly skipping the usual pleasantries, while tiredly dragging a hand trough his pitch black hair, his voice on the point of cracking.
Orion squeezed his wife's hand trying to reassure her as Walburga put her arm around Regulus' shoulders.. Whatever happened it had to be really bad if the always proud Cygnus was on the point of losing his cool composure.
"I just received a letter from Narcissa," he started to explain and, although he looked at them, they knew that he didn't really saw them, being lost in his own dark thoughts. "At first I was skeptical, I admit, but then I thought about it and more and more things made sense in that light!All the so-thought harmless novels, which I dismiss as a teenage thing in a foolish attempt to remain ignorant, the random comments in the favor of muggles, though they weren't that many to begin with but still!, and the sudden acceptance of muggleborns, they all fit now! And I don't know what to do to to make everything right again," he continued obviously trying to maintain a resemblance of calm, not realizing that he was rambling without making any sense.
"I...I think my daughter Andromeda is under a compulsion web, " he said with the barest of trembles in his voice, making Walburga, Regulus and Orion gasp and practically freeze at the confession. "And I need your help to deal with it", Cygnus continued as his piercing gaze settled on his sister and brother in law.
As silver clashed with silver there wasn't any more need for words to be spoken. Orion understood the way Cygnus felt, faced with such a possibility and unable to do a thing to help his daughter, as well as did Walburga and Regulus. They really did though, they realized that it was far worse for Cygnus than it ever was for them. After all they have found about Sirius' web after the boy managed to get rid of it and, although they felt guilty for not being there for him, they also felt relieved for not having to experience the feeling of helplessness. The one which Cygnus seemed to experience now.
Determination filled their eyes as they thought of Andromeda. They will find a way to help this time, they will not let another of their own to suffer alone trough this. Not like Sirius did.
"Step aside, Cygnus", Orion said in a strong voice, unlike the soft one he usually had, as Walburga brought the floo powder. "We are coming through!", he continued, eyes alight as he thought of any way to help his brother in law and his daughter and also of ways to make the one who made them pass trough this suffer.
Family will always matter the most for a Black. And once they found who messed with theirs there will be hell to pay.
Far away, someone was overwhelmed by terror without any specific reason. Somehow he just knew he was doomed. He wondered why. He did so many things that could cause that feeling to arise...Oh well, he will deal with it when the time came. He was a busy person and just because one of his manipulative plans was unrevealed didn't meant he had free time. He had to work towards the greater good, after all.
Poor fool.
HP-Chronic Hero Syndrome
Whispers. Shushed conversations. Eyes locked on him.
Everywhere.
They stalked him, followed him wherever he went, spied his every move, there was no escape from them!
Hadrian thought he was finally losing it.
It figured that crazy 'fans' would succeed where not even Voldemort and Fate itself did. He could just imagine the headlines- "Boy-who-lived, savior of light, chosen one and hope of the wizarding world driven insane by his fans". He reckoned Rita Skeeter from his old world would have had a field day if that was to happen.
"There! That is him- the 'Dark Angel', Hadrian Malfoy!"
"Kyaa! He is so cute!"
"And smart too. I heard he really made an impression in professor McGonagall's class."
"Yeah, I also heard that. It seems that she drilled him with questions but he knew all the correct answers to them!"
"It's so unfair that he is in Slytherin! Those slimy snakes don't deserve him- oh, look! He's looking this way!"
"He's so dreamy!"
Hadrian left eye twitched at the not so silent whispers of the two unknown Hufflepuffs. He glared at them but they didn't seem threatened by his glare, in fact they seemed to bask in it. Then they proceeded to sigh contently looking at him with glazed eyes, lost in their fantasies. He couldn't help a shiver. Scary! Fans, of any type, were one of the scariest things that he ever encountered.
Disembodied spirits, huge snakes that could kill with a look, dragons and psychopathic murderers didn't even came close to their level of scariness.
He turned a sour gaze to his two companions that flanked him on both sides, in a poor attempt to shield him from the overzealous students that desired to get a piece of him. Both were also glaring at those who were whispering about him, though there was amusement hidden in the black eyes of the one found on his left side while the one found on his right side was sulking, glaring only half-heartily trough silver eyes in an attempt to help discouraging the more braver students from approaching Hadrian.
To be completely honest though, Hadrian couldn't blame Sirius for sulking as he half-wished to do the same after the fiasco the Transfiguration class with the Griffindors proved to be. He knew that the class delivered a heavy blow to Sirius' beliefs, especially since he idolized professor McGonagall. As the woman was his Head of House in the other world, Hadrian couldn't help but sympathize with him since, though he wasn't as close to her as Sirius had been, he also had held a certain affection to the professor he had came to look to as a grandmother figure.
He sighed.
The day really wasn't as good as he hoped it will be for the first day at Hogwarts.
Firstly, they, as in him, Severus and Sirius, had been woken up by his brother, Lucius, real early to get a tour around Hogwarts so that they could get used to the huge castle and find their way in it. Hadrian had been bored to death the whole time, already knowing Hogwarts as the palm of his hand, but Severus and Sirius seem to make the most of the opportunity offered to them.
After they freshened up a little to get rid of any after sleep remnants and changed from their pajamas, they met with Lucius in the Slytherin common room, which was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls whose ceiling had round, greenish lamps hanging from on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece and high-backed chairs could be seen all around them. Hadrian had to admit that it was more stylish decorated than the Griffindor's common room though not as comfortable. The more subdued brightness only brought the room more points though.
After Lucius showed them around the 'snakes' pit' as silently as possible as to not wake up the other Slytherins that wanted to enjoy more hours of sleep, he led them outside, through a stone door that was concealed in the wall, and started the Hogwarts tour by showing them the dungeons.
Sirius scribbled the whole time in a blank piece of parchment, making a rough sketch of a map making Hadrian suspect that he will try to make another Marauder map. He sincerely hoped Sirius succeeded in making it as it will help them greatly in getting around Hogwarts seeing that this time around he didn't had the invisibility cloak to help them sneak out.
The only one who seemed to sincerely enjoy the tour for what it was had been Severus, though it was hard to make that out judging by his blank face and only years of stalki...erm...investigating professor Snape believing he was guilty of one thing or another at the time, helped Hadrian catch the occasional widening of his eyes or the shadow of a smile that passed on Severus' face.
Shortly after they started Hadrian realized one thing- Hogwarts was HUGE! Somehow, he seemed to miss this obvious fact till now, when he was consciously trying to visit all of it. He felt tired after more than three hours in which he walked up and down the one hundred and forty-two staircases that existed at Hogwarts, moving from one floor to another, visiting all the classrooms first, as Lucius wanted the three of them to know were those were as he didn't wanted them to be late for their classes. They continued by visiting the owlery, the kitchens – were they were greeted by enthusiastic house elves that were eager to please and serve them with their favorite sweets- and a couple of some unused rooms in which they could practice their magic in peace when they wanted to, Lucius going as far as to even show them a couple of hidden corridors – all of which Hadrian and Sirius already knew.
They also had the misfortune of meeting Peeves on the way and all of them, with the exception of Severus who didn't know who Peeves was, stiffened slightly waiting for a prank which, judging by Peeves mischievous look, wouldn't let itself waited for long.
As he didn't wanted to be a victim to Peeves traumatic nature so early in the morning, Hadrian moved in front of him and gave the poltergeist a sadistic smile that leaved even the ever rebellious ghost wary at the strange behavior of his soon to be victim.
"Leave Peeves," Hadrian started in an overly sweet voice, " or I'll tell the Bloody Baron that you have been disrespecting him by messing with students of his house that are, as thus, under his protection," he continued while the poltergeist became even more see-through than he already was before sending them a vicious glare and taking its leave.
Smiling in satisfaction, Hadrian turned and was faced with the mildly confused face of Severus, the bemused one of Sirius and the gob-smacked one of Lucius.
"What?" he asked defensively. "I heard the older students say that he was afraid of the Bloody Baron," he said in a matter of fact tone at which Lucius seemed to try to splutter something before sighing in defeat while shacking his head in an 'why am I even surprised' manner and continuing their tour, while Sirius told Severus all about why Peeves was so infamous among the Hogwarts' students and staff.
As they walked, inwardly, Lucius was berating himself. How stupid could they be that no Slytherin had ever thought of threatening Peeves this way before now? It figured that his first year brother would be able to do something that previous generations of students– including his own - could only dream of – finding a way to keep Peeves from pranking them. A wave of pity for Hogwarts and its occupants hit him. His brother will leave chaos in his wake, he just knew it. He smiled fondly as he led Hadrian and his friend to yet another corridor. He couldn't wait to see what changes Hadrian will make. Even if the changes wouldn't be good for the school itself, he knew they will still be highly entertaining. Well, for him at least, Lucius thought with a sadistic mental cackle.
Entering the Great Hall for breakfast had been the beginning of hell for Hadrian. There it had started, as soon as he passed through those huge door and the eyes of the Hogwarts' students locked on him making him feel like a yummy piece of meat displayed in front of a hungry pack of wolves. Needless to say that it wasn't pleasant specially considering that his own housemates were the worst of all his peers. But, after years of being subjugated to the same kind of scrutiny, Hadrian easily ignored the unwanted attention in favor of enjoying his meal.
Then the interrogation started, question after question being fired at Hadrian way too fast for him to be able to respond to all of them, some being also addressed to Sirius and Severus who were, redundantly, being brought -read dragged- into the spotlight seeing that, so far, they were the only ones that interacted with THE Hadrian Malfoy.
Did he enjoyed Hogwarts so far?
How were the Malfoys treating him?
Did he liked chocolate frogs?
Was he, in truth, dark, a secret ally of Grindelwald who planned on taking over the world with his powers?
What was his favorite color?
Not long after, Hadrian felt his headache, mild in the beginning, growing worse. Still, he managed to maintain the facade of an calm, intelligent, charming first year. He wanted, after all, to be well-liked so that he could gain allies, so he was wiling to sacrifice some things to do it. This time, sadly, it was the peace of his mind.
"Well, well, well..."an unknown voice suddenly drawled cutting trough the onslaught of on-going questions and, without really knowing why, Hadrian tensed while turning to face the one that was speaking.
"If it isn't the mudblood that somehow managed to worm his way into the greatest House of Hogwarts", continued, with a sneer, the voice that belonged to a rather handsome boy – Hadrian begrudgingly admitted to himself- with piercing green eyes, though not as bright at Hadrian's, and golden locks of hair that framed a pale face with a sharp nose and thin lips. The boy, teen rather as he seemed to be around Lucius' age, was dressed in what appeared to be a Hogwarts standard robe, had a haughty expression on his face and his lean body was positioned in such a way that it gave the impression of towering above Hadrian' small frame. Inwardly, Hadrian scowled. Damn height!
Outwardly though, Hadrian showed no reaction to the stranger's obvious challenge. He made a show of studying the one talking to him, pining him with his emerald orbs and scrutinizing him from head to toe ever so slowly, with a bored expression, before turning around, clearly unimpressed with the individual, and proceeding to continue his previous conversation with some second and first year Slytherins.
A tinge of pink, unnoticeable to the untrained eye, appeared on the blonde's face as he was silently seething. How dare the damn brat ignore him?
"You should know better than to ignore your betters, boy," the blond silkily continued, seemingly unfazed by Hadrian dismissal of his person. "But, then again, what could one expect from someone raised by muggles." he continued, spatting the word 'muggle' as if it were a vile thing. "Alas, ignorance is no excuse so you better learn your place soon, mudblood. Slytherin isn't the place for your kind." the teen hissed, then froze as Hadrian turned around to face him again, his eyes hooded by his bangs.
"My kind? My place? My betters?" questioned in an almost whisper Hadrian while the students surrounding the two stopped all their activities, their attention now focused on the confrontation taking place in front of them. How will the famous Hadrian Malfoy respond?
"And who might be, in your opinion, my betters?" the boy in question inquired, his emerald orbs now boring into the blonde's jade ones.
Though slightly unnerved by the intensity present in the other eyes, the blonde plunged forward.
"Purebloods, of course. They are the most powerful and talented kind of wizards, the only ones worthy of the gift of magic. The ones with real talent.", the older Slytherin haughtily declared, murmurs of agreement coming from all the surrounding Slytherins.
"Is that so?" said Hadrian faking the relief in his voice, while his green eyes earned a mischievous glint. "Then I guess I'm lucky that I'm not a -how did you called it again? - mudblood . After all, I am too adept with magic to be one, or so I have been told.".
The blonde opened his mouth to protest, almost stating how there had been lots of muggleborns who had plenty enough talent in magic but closed his mouth with an audible snap realizing just how masterfully the boy had manipulated him, with only a few words, making him come to an impasse. Hadrian nearly made him contradict his own ideals and, even though he managed to stop himself in time , by staying silent it was as if he agreed with the boy's claim of being a pureblood. And, judging from the sly smile that appeared on the boy's face, he was also aware of said fact too, the blonde realized with a grimace.
"Give it up, Greengrass. The kid got you," a playful voice cut trough the tense atmosphere as a dark-haired teen threw his arm around the blonde Slytherin identified as Greengrass, making him scowl. "Oh, and I think that congratulations are in order. I have never seen Lucius as angry with someone as you managed to make him. Look, he seems ready to murder you", the devilish Slytherin continued, with an amused glint in his brown eyes, looking as if he was having the time of his life at the expense of his friend.
Glancing inconspicuously at the other end of the table were the older Slytherins were gathered, Greengrass mentally winced seeing that, for once, his so called friend wasn't joking around. Lucius seemed pissed.
"Keep your dirty paws off me, Lestrange", he snapped, irritated with the outcome of his confrontation while shaking off the arms of his companion and stalking toward the part of the table, at which his year mates were seated, all the while ignoring his friend cries of "They are NOT dirty!...Oh, and they also aren't paws, Greengrass!".
Why was he friend with the loud-mouth again? This was so not his day.
"Man, isn't he prissy today, " Lestrange commented with a slight whistle seeing his friend stalk off with a scowl on his face and nose up in the air. "Well kiddos," Lestrange continued turning toward the silently observing first-years, " if anybody tries to bully you again you can always come to your big brother Rodolphus for help. No one can frighten the ickle-firsties that are my brother year mates," he continued in a cheery voice ruffling the hair of his little brother who seemed to wish for earth to swallow him whole and spare him the embarrassment. "That is, no one but me", he finished with a rather snark-ish smile before stalking off after his friend.
"Say, Lestrange, your older brother...He doesn't seem to be exactly right in the head...", trailed off Hadrian, his eyes still following the way too cheery Slytherin.
"You have no idea", came the dead-panned reply of his blushing dorm mate.
All first years shared a look, before shrugging and returning to their meal while the rest of the Slytherins were now giving Hadrian appraising glances. It seemed that there was more to the boy than it appeared.
"By the way, Malfoy," Rosier said, looking up at Hadrian with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "the way you handled Greengrass – brilliant!"
Hadrian looked up from his plate and, recognizing the silent offer of friendship for what it was, let a rueful grin appear on his face
"Thank you, my dear sir. I'm glad you enjoyed the show", he replied, tilting an imaginary hat and, after sharing matching grins, the two first year started to get better acquainted with each other and their other year mates.
Enjoying the peaceful banter, and pointedly ignoring both Severus and Sirius who seemed to think that breakfast was an ideal time for an in depth debate about potions, Hadrian couldn't help but be glad for Greengrass appearance -annoying as it was seeing that the other was a stuck up pureblood brat. It slightly improved his situation because, though now his housemates seemed even more intrigued with him, thankfully, they stopped interrogating him and realized that he wasn't easy to mess with. Not to say that he might have even made some new friends.
With lifted spirits, and ignoring the gossip that already started to spread about his breakfast confrontation, Hadrian headed to his first class, Transfiguration, accompanied by Sirius, Severus, Evan and Rabastan.
They entered the classroom silently, occupying some random seats in the back ,while studying, from the corner of their eyes, the already present Griffindors whose eyes glued on Hadrian the moment he walked in and started whispering between themselves. Hadrian wasn't all that surprised to see that James Potter, who was sitting in the front rows surrounded by other Gryffindors, was glaring at him with all his might, no doubt furious for his injured ego . And it seemed he gained an ally in his anti-Hadrian campaign in the person of Frank Longbottom. Joy.
Though, Hadrian couldn't help but wonder just what had Potter told Longbottom about him to make the other hate him. Although, seeing the open mindset of the individual in question, the fact that he was Slytherin might have been enough.
Letting his gaze trail off from the glaring Griffindor duo, Hadrian took the time to asses the place which brought him so many memories of failed tries at transfiguration, shared laughter, stress for the up coming exams and ballroom dancing.
The classroom was the same as ever, smelling of parchment and ink, making Hadrian wonder if a charm was put over Hogwarts to keep it unchanging. It seemed even bigger than in his memory, but that might be because of his new acquired height, surrounded by high windows, with four rows of three desks perfectly lined . Several cages and bookshelves could be seen around the room, as well as two chalkboards and a desk for Professor McGonagall behind of which could be found several candlesticks.
Professor McGonagall, as Hadrian soon discovered, was already present, observing the new students while in her animagus form. Hadrian figured, as he watched the way too stiff for it to be normal cat, that it had to be easier to grasp the true nature of the students while observing them without them being aware of the fact.
He felt a small smile blossom on his face as the cat gave a stern glare to some noisy Gryffindors, her whiskers twitching in annoyance at their behavior and looking with disdain at the more subdued Slytherins. How come she always got the trouble-makers?
Standing on the right side of Hadrian, Sirius was fidgeting impatiently as he couldn't wait to start the class, earning himself quite a death glare from Severus, who was standing on Hadrian's left, despite the fact that Severus himself seemed to be quite nervous. Hadrian could empathize with the boy remembering how he also felt before his first class at Hogwarts. It hadn't been pleasant considering that he felt like puking each five minutes from the stress.
As soon as it was the time for class to start, the tabby cat, who previously stood perched atop the desk, leaped gracefully transforming itself into a women upon it's landing. Satisfied with the students gasp of awe and amazement, McGonagall promptly proceeded to take the class attendance.
As soon as that was done with, she fixed her new students with a stern look.
"As you all know, " she started with a curt and no-nonsense tone, " I am professor McGonagall and I have been assigned with teaching you Transfiguration. Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn here at Hogwarts and it is a difficult art which includes the changing of an object properties and also the conjuring, vanishing or even switching of said object. This year, though, we will concentrate on learning the basic transfiguration which entails the changing of an object properties. "
"Anyone", she continued piercing each of her students eyes, "messing around in my class will leave and not come back. This is a dangerous subject, and you should be quite scared of making any mistakes, because one could damage you for life. None of my students have ever been permanently injured though and I will be extremely displeased if that were to change in this class. You have been warned," she said, not even a hint of smile on her strict face, making a few students gulp.
She followed her speech by tapping her wand on her desk, which promptly reshaped itself into a beautiful brown horse who gave an confused niegh before becoming a desk again. The student's were obviously impressed by the display, staying attentive in their seats, itching to learn doing such amazing feats of magic.
McGonagall scrutinized the class, her eyes settling upon one person.
"Mr. Malfoy", she said making the students turn to look at said person who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "Tell me, have you read the manual of Transfiguration before coming to school?"
"Erm...yes, mam", Hadrian answered hesitantly , caught off-guard by the attention.
Why was he singled out? He knew that McGonagall didn't care much for his fame, neither for the good or bad rumors that seemed to circulate because of it seeing that, in the other world, it didn't even faze her, so why was she now throwing him the same look she gave to someone that just broke more than fifty Hogwarts rules?
"And have you understood the material?" she continued with pursed lips, seemingly dissatisfied with something.
"I think so, proffesor," Hadrian answered carefully, not knowing what he did to ignite her ire and not wanting to worsen it.
"You think so?" McGonagall asked stiffly at which Hadrian gave an hesitant nod. "Tell me, Mr. Malfoy, do you think my class is a joke?" she questioned softly, her eyes narrowed at the boy.
"Of course not!", Hadrian was quick to defend, indignant at the accusation as he didn't know what brought it up.
"Then you should know that 'i think so' doesn't cut it." was the sharp reply of McGonagall. "In tranfiguration there is no room for incertitude. Every single error can cost one attempting transfiguration dearly. One must not 'think' he knows the material, one must 'know' it. Do I make myself clear? she asked,with an icy undertone in her stern voice.
"Yes, mam",was the clipped reply of Hadrian. From the corner of his eye he saw the frown that settled upon Sirius face and winced. He didn't knew what caused McGonagall's attitude towards him, and although what she said was right, he felt himself become colder with each word she spoke. He didn't deserved this treatment and he wouldn't accept it. He already got enough of that in the past, with Dumbledore forcing him to stay with the Dursleys ...That's it! Dumbledore! The professor was angry at him for accusing the headmaster of attacking him with legimency. Knowing the reason didn't make it better, though, especially when the headmaster truly had tried to read his mind.
However in her eyes, he was an muggle-raised student who just started studying magic with this being, in fact, his first official class. And she was a professor. She should encourage him, help him integrate in what should supposedly be a new world for him. Not this. Never had he thought his former Head of House, his grandmother figure could be so obtuse, so prejudiced against someone without even meeting them, so like...the old Snape. And the discovery hurt Sirius even more than him. Of that he was certain.
A sardonic smile appeared on his lips as McGonagall continued to preach about the Transfiguration's dangers to the classs. It was so ironic, in a way, how everything seemed to be reversed in this world. He could see well enough now that 'Light' wasn't the synonym for 'good' nor 'Dark' was for 'evil'. What mattered was the choices made by each person when using the power entrusted to them.
Not to say that he should choose better parental figures. Dumbledore and McGongall? Just what was he thinking? That is, if he was at all.
"...and seeing that Mr. Malfoy here affirmed to have read and understood the manual, I think he should be able to easily state the most important fact about Transfiguration," McGonagall said settling her eyes upon Hadrian again.
Blinking repeatedly, trying to get rid of the unwanted musing as it wasn't really the time for them considering everything, he took a few moments to compose himself before answering.
"The most important thing that one must always remember about Transfiguration, professor, is that is isn't permanent. The duration of time in which a transfigurated object maintains the form given to it depends on the amount of magic used while tranfigurating it, the limit depending on the individual's magic resources," said Hadrian in smooth voice, his face blank of all emotions.
"And why is that so, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Because, professor," he drawled sounding a little bit too much alike with Draco for his liking, "if one didn't knew that, one might make the stupidity of ingesting said transfigurated object which, upon his reversal to it's original form, might cause some.. health... issues."
"Very well, Mr. Malfoy", McGonagall said returning her eyes upon the whole class. "As Mr. Malfoy said transfiguration is not permanent. As such it is forbidden for one to turn anything into a liquid, gas or anything else that could be accidentally ingested by a person. You will not like the consequences if that were to happen which are far more extreme than banishment from my class. Now, turn open your books on page five and read the first chapter. After you finish reading it, you should find some matchstick on your desk which you'll attempt to transform in a needle." the professor said to the disappointment of a lot of students that just realized that they weren't going to be changing the furniture into animals for a long time. "Begin", she ordered and only the sound of turning pages was heard before silence descended upon the class, with the occasional murmur and whispering, of course.
In his seat, Sirius was outraged. Just what had gotten into McGonagall to act like that towards Hadrian? That was almost vicious comportment for the professor who, though strict, was always fair. 'But she didn't award him any points for answering correctly' the logical part of his mind pointed out. 'But maybe it was just a phase, maybe she is upset about something else', he tried to reason with himself. 'And does that make it fair? What if Hadrian was indeed an eleven years old muggle-raised, what then?'. Stubbornly, he refused to argue farther, even if it was with his own persona.
Saddly though, Sirius couldn't ignore it for long. It became quite obvious when he, Hadrian and, surprisingly, James managed to transfigure their matches on the first try and McGonagall awarded points to both him and James but not Hadrian, that the professor was alienating the boy.
By the time they exited the classroom it became glaringly obvious when, after being asked tens of questions through the entire class, some which weren't even first-year level but higher -Sirius noted with an internal grimace- and not even a point had been awarded to Hadrian for answering correctly, that McGonagall held a grudge towards the green eyes Slytherin. Not against Slytherins but Hadrian himself.
The smug smirk James, who seemed to have become McGonagall's favorite, threw Hadrian after class didn't helped the situation in in the least.
Sirius figured he had a lot to sort out for himself and his ideals. Especially when he figured the reason for the professor's unprofessional behavior. Dumbledore.
He sighed.
He really wished for those damn Hufflepuff to shut up. At the moment, he really didn't care about how charming Hadrian was, how mesmerizing his green eyes were or how enchanting his voice sounded. Ugh.
On the side, Severus was observing in silence the disgruntled face of Hadrian and the sulking one of Sirius. Those two proved to be most amusing so far. Maybe hanging out with them wouldn't be that bad.
'Maybe', he thought before turning his attention to professor Flitwick, a tiny little wizard who seemed to had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk and which started to take the attendance. He hoped that Charms will prove just as entertaining as the breakfast and Tranfiguration had been. Although, surrounded by these two dunder heads, he thought giving another sidelong glance to Hadrian and Sirius, it didn't seem likely for boredom to pay him a visit anytime soon.
Not with those two as friends, anyway.
HP-Chronic Hero Syndrome
Sitting in front of fireplace with a glass of cognac in hand, the old wizard wore a thoughtful expression as he mulled over the recent discoveries, playful flames reflected in his blue eyes as he stared unseeing at the chessboard in front of him
He had an heir.
It was...surprising. Sure he suspected, he hoped that the similarities the boy had with his daughter weren't just wishful thinking on his part but knowing it was true...Merlin, euphoric didn't seem to cut it in expressing the pure joy he felt when he found out it was real.
After escaping Nurmengard three years ago with the help of his old pupil, who became a powerful Dark Lord in his own right in the time of his imprisonment, he had to admit that then he was only half of the man he once was.
He was broken and, at first, he only wanted to disappear from the face of the world, to spend the rest of his life peacefully beside Louise, his daughter who, sadly, had always disapproved of his ways. But he knew she will forgive him, her father, compassionate soul that she was, and that she will take him in once she was certain he had relinquished his quest of cleansing the wizarding world of the muggle influence.
Alas, that wasn't to be.
Firstly, he found that his daughter had married. His daughter which, just before his imprisonment, was only fourteen years old had married. With a good for nothing wizard, nonetheless (not that anybody will ever be good enough for his Louise, bust still!).
Unsurprisingly, he was furious. So, he tried to track her and her new family down and judge for himself if the man who fancied himself as her husband was worthy of her, his precious gem.
Dead.
That was what the reports informed him of. The whole family, mother, father and their two years old son died in a fire that burned their house to the ground, seven years ago . A photograph was the only thing that escaped the fury of the flames,and was clutched tightly in his hands as he wept for his beloved daughter and the grandson he didn't had the chance to met. He mourned.
When his most devoted followers came to him, begging for him to continue fighting, to continue his holy war against the muggle influence for the sake of the future generation, he didn't, couldn't refuse their plea. It was for the greater good, after all.
The fight soon became the only reason for living, his only purpose worth achieving not for his sake but for the sake of the ones to come.
He was hollow then, an emotionless machine that did whatever it was necessary to achieve victory, recklessly throwing himself in battle hoping to fill the emptiness existing inside of him . He was alone, his only role in the game of life being that of leading his people towards a new, bright future in which witches and wizards could live freely, not in hiding, proud of their heritage no matter whether their allegiance was dark or light. He swore to accomplish that before joining his daughter in death.
But with the recent discoveries...
Everything changed, drastically. Now he was a grandfather and he had to think about what he was leaving behind before proceeding to charge forward like a bull. The passion that disappeared with the news of his daughter's death was once again brightly burning and he could finally leave the slump he got himself into. He wasn't alone anymore. He had family, a grandson.
And what a grandson indeed.
The boy was simply exceptional, there was no other way to describe him. Cunning and brilliant, smart and charming. Powerful...He couldn't hope for a more worthy heir.
That without even taking in account his heritage.
Who would have thought that his daughter's useless husband wasn't so useless after all?
He should have suspected though that his Louise, his beautiful, smart Louise, would have found herself someone who was powerful enough to match her. She was a little spitfire and she wouldn't have allowed a normal wizard to tame her heart.
The little prick who managed to win his precious gem's love was an important figure in his own right. Just like the black horse in chess, so unpredictable, Grindelwald thought while toying with said chess piece, looking at it contemplatively.
A Cheshire smirk bloomed on his wrinkled visage as of he thought of the power, the knowledge, his grandson will one day posses.
A Hywell...
He, of course, knew everything there was to be known about the Hywels, which wasn't that
much to begin with, and, while he understood their reason for remaining neutral in what they must have thought of being 'petty fights' for power, he couldn't help but resent them for letting the wizarding world decade so. Bloody librarians. With the power and knowledge they possessed they could have purified their world centuries ago!
But they choose to not use it.
Somehow, he knew that wouldn't be the case with the boy. He knew that his grandson couldn't remain indifferent to the suffering of his own kind.
When he first heard the news about the Hadrian's heritage and the fact that the child was his grandson, he just wanted to apparate to the Malfoy manor, collect Hadrian, and hide him from the world in some seclude, well protected place and keep him there until he deemed the boy knowledgeable enough in magic and able to defend himself.
But he stifled the impulse. He knew that would be a dangerous move to make as the child had already gathered the attention of the whole world, not to say the one of two of the most powerful wizards alive.
Also, Britain was given to Tom as his playground, and the magical binding contract he took in exchange for his freedom wasn't something to be taken lightly. He was pleased, however that the little serpent ensured that his grandson was being taken care of , though slightly surprised to discover that he tended to the boy before finding out about his heritage.
He'd seen for himself at the ball that the Malfoy family truly loved Hadrian and that they were very protective of him. Seeing the boy sidestepping Albus and his Machiavelli's manipulation with such ease made him realize that there were even more hidden secrets inside that pretty head of his heir but he didn't care. At that moment he glowed with pride and wanted to able able to shout out the feeling for the whole world to hear.
'He is brilliant and he is mine'
And just when he thought nothing can surprise him anymore he learned from Bogrud that Hadrian, as Hywel Heir, was allied with some of the Royal Houses. Between which could be found the Rurik house who was lead by the always beautiful, ice queen Olga.
Olga...his little ptichka-sinichka...
His thoughts traveled back in time, and he was once again a simple Durmstrang student with big dreams falling head-over heals for the stunning, smart little blonde angel...only to be cruelly separated when it was discovered that she was the Russian princess.
His musings come to a halt when a knock was heard on his study's mahogany door.
"Enter, " he allowed and, quietly, a cloaked figured entered the room and bowed quickly in front of the armchair he was was seated upon.
"My Lord, I have returned, " the figure stated reverently, thick adoration filling its voice.
"And have you completed the mission?" Grindelwald inquired with a lifted brow, still twirling the chess piece in his hand.
"I'm sorry, my lord, but it seems that someone got there before us. The orphanage was already burnt to the ground before we arrived and all its occupants were dead, seeming to have been tortured prior to the fire."
"Really, now?" he said musingly, taking a sip of his cognac, silently wondering who could have been the one to do it.
"And sir," the Reaper continued giving the report, " the place...It reeked of a magic as dark as yours, my lord."
If the reaper was disturbed by the sudden wide smile that appeared on the Dark Lord's face or the chuckle that followed he didn't show.
'Very good, brat. Very good indeed. This time you got the upper hand'...
In a certain headmaster's office, burgundy eyes blazed with barely contained fire while the magic pulsated around contently, happy to have been freed, even if only for a small amount of time. The man closed his eyes relieving the last hours in which he let his dark side take charge...The adrenaline flowing trough his veins as he threw dark curse after dark curse upon the filth that dared to harm another magical child like it did to him, the pathetic begging for mercy, the smell of fear and the wonderful, wonderful screams that filled the air.
He exhaled a deep breath, trying to calm his magic, plopping in the cushioned armchair and taking a sip of wine from his glass.
Life was good.
HP-Chronic Hero Syndrome
The moon was high in the starry sky when two disilusioned figures silently sneaked out from the Slytherin dorm.
Carefully, as to not encounter any surprises in the form of grudge carrying poltergeists or creepy caretakers, the two figures quietly crept in the shadows, heading towards the seventh floor of Hogwarts were their target could be found.
The school was eerily quiet and the cool night air made them shiver slightly, making them increase the pace. The smell of old permaneted the air and the only sounds heard were the soft snores of the portraits and their own breathing.
Finally arriving on the seventh floor, one of the figures started to walk back and forth in front of the tapestry depicting the attempt of Barnabas the Barmy to teach trolls ballet . After reaching the count of three, the figure stopped as a door started to appear on the wall opposite to the tapestry.
Without further ado, the figure grabbed his companion hand and dragged him through the newly formed entrance.
Silver eyes gleamed dangerously as the disilusionement charm was dropped and the door closed itself with and ominous 'click'.
"Start talking, Harry. You have much explaining to do", the first demanded in a soft, deadly tone pining the other with a glare.
The other gulped.
...TBC...
AN/ *raises white flag in surrender* *the readers do not care and continue advancing with their forks and torches raised to attack* *ME-'Yikes!'- ducks after a stone*
*hesitantly* Erm, hello guys, please don't kill me? I'm really sorry for my absurdly long absence but it really wasn't up to me as I had some personal problems. I just hope that I'm not hated because i truly didn't mean to torture you with this long, unexpected hiatus. Sadly, I'm sorry to say that the updates will continue to appear slowly, though nowhere as slowly as this one did, don;t worry.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that, even after all this time i was away, the story continued to attract readers. I absolutely adore the lovely reviews I received which warmed my heart, helped me improve myself and, some, even made me laugh with all the conspiracy theories stated in them.
I hope you like the chapter, I made it extra-extra-long just for you guys, and that you'll continue supporting the story. Also, I'll try to respond to all the questions I've received in the next AN chapter I'll post so please have a little patience till then.
I'm extremely happy to announce that Jonathan Lee had beta-ed some chapters of Black Phoenix for me and I'll post those improved versions later today or tomorrow. Also, if ladythik reads this, I wanna let her know that I'll contact her in maximum two days with my version of her last two chapters and that I am truly sorry for disappearing from the face of the earth without any warning whatsoever.
See ya guys and and once again thank you for all the reviews, favorites and stories alerts. You truly are the best and I;m aware that I have lots to work on if I wanna be worthy of your support.
Sincerely,
Sara Blake .
P.S. On the 6 Feb I'll also post a new story titled "Ashes of time" written in collaboration Zana and inspired by the story "Prodigal daughter" of dullastacks who gave us the permission of using her idea . If you can, please check it out and tell me what you think about it.
Ja ne ^-^