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/
$parseltongue$
AN/ Once again, thousand of apologies for the grammar errors and spelling mistakes you might come across the chapter. Enjoy ^.^
The day would suck.
Hadrian knew that as soon as he was, so cruelly, ripped from his sweet dreams by the freezing-cold water splashed on him. Sputtering, he jumped out of his bed and, turning to see who dared do such a thing to him, was faced with a bored looking Severus Snape. Figures.
"You refused to wake up," was the explanation delivered in a decidedly not apologizing drawl, as if the risk of him catching pneumonia was worth it as long as he woke up in time.
Muttering a few chosen words under his breath, after he snapped shut the curtains surrounding his bed into Severus' face that is, he changed into his school robes before joining his house-mates that were already waiting for him.
Achoo!
"Bless you", smirked Severus and, somehow, that didn't made Hadrian feel any better. That could be though because the one blessing him was the same one that caused him to sneeze in the first place. Imagine that.
"It's all your fault," he accused scrunching up his itching nose, ignoring the snickering Lestrange and Rosier had at his expense, and giving his ex-potion's professor a glare. Which promptly caused a new wave of snickers to erupt as the glare made him look more adorable than threatening, at the moment.
With the worst case of bed hair ever seen at Hogwarts, hurriedly put-on robes and gray circles surrounding his verdant eyes, Hadrian looked just like an enraged panda. A cute enraged panda, at that.
Surprisingly, Severus didn't cower in fear in front of his wrath.
"No, it isn't my fault," the one who was to make his life difficult no matter the universe stated plainly. "It's yours. If you had woken up in time, none of this would have happened," he continued in a drawling voice and unimpressed tone though there was amusement sparkling in those black eyes of his.
Hadrian simply grumbled at that.
It wasn't as if it was his fault that he couldn't wake up in time. He had been, after all, forced by Sirius to spend most of the night discussing the way they should handle their situation best. World domination wasn't that easy to plan, you know . There are many factors one had to take into consideration, really, so many in fact that Hadrian wondered why anyone would even bother with it. It totally wasn't worth the headache he had at the moment. Sirius was a perfectionist after all.
Speaking of which...
"Today is gonna suck", he proclaimed in an 'it's a fact, deal with it' voice as he turned toward said Sirius who, despite going to sleep at the same time as him, looked as well rested as ever, looking as if he came out of a fashion magazine even, dressed in immaculate robes, not a hair out of place, as he watched him banter with Severus.
"And I'm gonna blame you, Sirius, for how it's gonna turn out," he continued , making the boy look at him bemusedly.
"Err..what? Why? How it's gonna be my fault if your day turns out to be a bad one?" Sirius demanded to know, crossing his arms with an amused smile on his face.
Hadrian looked at him as if he was missing a neuron.
"I didn't say that it would be your fault," he slowly explained, as if he was talking to a child. "I only said that I was going to blame you".
That, combined with Sirius, childish response of sticking his tongue out at Hadrian, proved to be too much for the poor Lestrange and Rosier. They blew up in all-out laughter.
Severus looked for a moment at the two purebloods with a sneer on his lips and felt the need to shake his head. Idiots.
"Stop it, already, please! You are killing me", Rosier wheezed out once he managed to calm down, with a big grin on his face and his violet eyes sparkling with mirth.
"And what a waste that would be," Severus couldn't help but comment and, not a moment later, he found his personal space invaded by Rosier, who messed his hair up, making him scowl.
"Loosen up, mate. Live your life a little! What's wrong in enjoying ourselves?"
"The fact that we are wasting precious time here, instead of going to the Great Hall, for one" Severus dead-paned as he fixed his hair. "We are gonna miss breakfast if we continue like this, you know."
"Then let's go already. I'm starving," Hadrian said, in a bad mood still, as he turned to head towards the exit only to be stopped by Lestrange putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait, wait, wait!", the brown-eyed boy exclaimed. "Are you seriously saying that you'll go out in the Great Hall looking like this? When your brother is who he is?"
Hadrian looked in a mirror behind Rosier to check out his appearance.
"Yeah, so?" he asked, not finding anything wrong with his image."And what is that about Lucius? " he then inquired with a puzzled face.
"You really don't know, don't you?" curiously asked Rosier at that, violet eyes widened in disbelief.
"I said so, didn't I?" snapped Hadrian, irritated with all the mystery. Were people trying to get on his nerves this morning?
"Well then, young Malfoy," Lestrange started in a formal tone, "it is my great pleasure to announce you that your brother, Lucius Malfoy, has been chosen every year consecutively since he came at Hogwarts as..."
"As what?" questioned Sirius as the dramatic pause stretched too much.
"As the best well-dressed student in all Hogwarts!" Lestrange declared with a flourish, making Severus snort, Sirius roll his eyes and Rosier grin anew.
Hadrian stared expectantly at him though, knowing that the pureblood wasn't done talking.
"With the same robe model for all of us, it's truly a challenge to make one stand out in a positive way," Lestrange indeed continued, shacking his head sadly as he gestured to the robes they wore.
"But", and here his voice stated to raise passionately, "your brother proved to be a inspiration to all the students suffering from the curse of this dull wardrobe we are forced to have. With only his own style and a few simple accessories he managed to clearly distinguish himself from the rest of the existing mass of Hogwarts students. As such, you can't possibly go out in such a state! Messy hair, rumbled robes, bad posture...No, it simply won't do! You don't want to disgrace your brother, do you?" Lestrange dramatically inquired, as Hadrian idly wondered if the boy had been such a drama queen...king...whatever, yesterday too and, if so, how the heck he didn't notice that little fact.
It had to be a brothers thing, he concluded as he remembered that even the other, older Lestrange had an...eccentric...personality.
"But what do you want me to do now? It's too late to change." Hadrian pointed out but Lestrange was not to be relented.
"Skip breakfast," he said making Hadrian's green orbs widen in horror at the prospect, "and I'll stay with you to help you get properly ready for the day."
"Oh, for Merlin's sake," muttered Sirius before pointing his wand at Hadrian. "Comatis! Vestimendare! Recuro!" the boy impatiently cast three spells, in a quick succession, that fixed Hadrian's hair, smoothed out his robes and got rid of the dark circles surrounding his eyes, leaving Hadrian feeling refreshed.
He received a questioning quirk of the brow from Hadrian as a reward for his efforts.
"Mother taught me these spells," clarified the Black heir with a roll of the eyes. "Anyway, now the problem it's fixed. Let's GO!", he continued, grabbing Hadrian's hand and leading him towards the exist, leaving the others to follow.
As he went after his boisterous dorm-mates Severus sighed. It was going to be a long and tiring year of school. A very, very long one.
The Great Hall was, as always, buzzing with noise when the first year Slytherins arrived.
The long tables were filled to the brim with delicious dishes that students, from all years and Houses, were stuffing their faces in, some more elegantly than others, knowing that they will need the energy provided to keep up with the work required by their classes.
Not to say that the food was really good.
As discretely as possible, crossing the Great Hall swiftly, with quick steps, Hadrian and his friends took their seats at the Slytherin table and started to fill their plates with their favorite dishes.
"Eat up, eat up, both of you!" Lestrange said to Hadrian and Sirius as he munched on a strawberry gem covered slice of bread. "You need your strength if you want to keep wining points for Slytherins as yesterday!"
"It's not like only they got points, Lestrange. Don't make their ego become more inflated than it already is. They're nothing special" scowled another first year Slytherin, one Brutus Goyle, a rather dumb-looking boy with small dull eyes, long gorilla arms, and short, neatly brushed black hair. Though Hadrian had to admit that he seemed more intelligent than his son from the other dimension. At least this Goyle knew how to speak using full sentences.
"Goyle, eat or talk. Don't do both -it's disgusting", Severus sneered at his year-mate who only shrugged carelessly. "Better yet though, don't talk at all. It's not like you have anything smart to say and it only makes you look stupid. Well, stupider" he amended, after giving Goyle a once-over.
"Nobody asked you, Snape," said Patricia Parkinson nastily, the only other Slytherin that was a girl beside Deidre Zabini in his year, and who Hadrian remembered as being the aunt of a another rather annoying Slytherin girl named Pansy.
Unlike Zabini though, who was a beautiful girl with milky-white skin, large blue eyes, rosy lips and long, black hair, Parkinson had sickly pale skin, small, narrowed green eyes, shoulder length dirty-blonde hair and pursed lips as if she was always sucking a sour lemon. Her personalty was also just lovely .
"It's not like your opinion matters here," Parkinson continued with a sneer, making Severus clench his fists though his face remained perfectly blank.
"Sorry, I didn't know that stupidity was promoted," he snorted derisively at the girl, careful to keep his tone unaffected.
"Why, you little half-blood! You dare – "
"Oh, choke on it Parkinson," interrupted Sirius rolling his eyes at the girl. "We don't appreciate your venom here".
"You think you are so smart now Black, don't you? But we all know you are a disgrace to your family,"she said with a snarl, annoyed at his defense of the half-blood.
"It's not like I think of me as particularly smart, " the Black heir drawled making Hadrian choke on the sip of pumpkin juice he was taking- yeah, right, sure he didn't-, "but when I hear what comes out from your mouth I do feel like I'm gaining more confidence in myself," he said making Severus lips curl in an amused smirk.
"That's a good one, Sirius," Hadrian intervened with a snicker, fixing Parkinson with chilling green eyes that made her bristle as his grin transformed itself into a cold smile. "And I think he spoke for all of us when he said that. If all your going to do is make mean comments, then better stay silent and don't talk unless you can improve the silence, Parkinson."
"Not to say that Lestrange had a point," Rosier added. "Malfoy and Black did earn 21 House-Points for Slytherin on their own yesterday. And we would have got even more if that hag McGonagall would have fairly awarded Malfoy the points he deserved for his answers. No matter though, if we keep this up the House-Cup is within our reach. That is, if our Quidditch team doesn't lose too badly," Rosier added as an after-thought though Parkinson wasn't listening anymore.
After indignantly saying "Why I never!" and being ignored, she sniffed arrogantly and turned to converse with Zabini and Crabbe, both who simply watched the argument for their own entertainment .
"Why lose? Are we that bad?" asked curiously Hadrian, pleased that the girl left them alone, as his love of quidditch reared up its head, making Sirius roll his eyes.
Really, boys.
...wait, that didn't come out right. He was a boy too now...Bummer.
"Hm? No, of course not. Although, I did heard from Lestrange's older brother that the Seeker's skills need a little more polishing. The brooms are the big problem, though! They are so old that they barely work anymore and Hogwarts doesn't have the necessary funds to replace them. Luckily though, or unluckily depending on your point of view, all the other Houses have the same problem so we should still have at least a chance for the cup."
"Is that so...", Hadrian said thoughtfully, chewing a sausage just as there was a rushing sound overhead and a hundred or so owls streamed in, circling the hall and filling it with screeches and hoots as they dropped letters and packages to the ones that were supposed to receive them.
The five Slytherins were quite startled though when one huge, mean-looking and dark-brown owl with frightfully sharp, golden-eyes, suddenly soared down towards their table.
She was carrying a big package with her, which she dropped on the lap of one surprised Slytherin. Finishing her mission, she served itself with a piece of sausage from the table before, once again, going up in the air and fluttering out the way, leaving four shocked wizards in its wake.
What was that all about?
Four pair of eyes turned towards Severus Snape who looked at the big, conspicuous, package found in his lap as if it might grew a mouth and bite him.
Who, in Merlin's name, will send him a package?
How suspicious.
He critically looked at the package in search of some sort of clue to the identity of its sender when he saw a note attached to it. He was about to take it and read it when Sirius, who was sitting on his left side, suddenly grabbed the message before he had the chance to.
He blinked.
Who did Sirius think he was to –
"Follow me back to the dorm. And do take the package with you, okay?" breathed the boy in question quietly in his ears, sending tremors trough his body, and, for some inexplicable reason, Severus felt compelled to listen without any complaint.
He'll get all his answers once they reached the dorm, after all.
Hadrian threw Sirius a questioning look as he saw him and Severus stand up from the table, but the boy only mouthed an 'explain later' back to him before exiting the Hall together with the grouchy Severus.
Weird.
Turning towards his two remaining companions, they shared clueless looks before shrugging simultaneously. They'll find out sooner or later if it was important.
They were about to restart eating when they noticed that two tawny owls were seated in front of Hadrian holding out their legs to be relieved from their burden. 'When have those two gotten there?', was the only thought that crossed the boys' minds as they looked at the owls.
Slightly creeped out, Hadrian took their letters, feeding the owls with some bacon before they flew off.
He was highly surprised as he saw who send him the letters and it seemed that his surprise showed on his face as his brother Lucius seemed to have noticed it, seeing that he got up from his seat, found further ahead the Slytherin table, and started to head toward him.
So overprotective, Hadrian thought fondly if a little exasperatedly, shacking his head in bemusement.
"Hadrian, it's everything alright?", asked Lucius in his silky drawl, worriedly, once he reached him.
"Not quite," was the honest answer Hadrian gave, showing him the letters he received and one of Lucius' brows quirked up in surprise at the sight of them.
"Isn't that the Ministry seal?", asked Rosier while Lestrange was busy admiring Lucius with a love-sick expression on his face that made Hadrian cringe. Someone had a little crush, it seemed.
Too bad for Lestrange though, as he didn't had any chance whatsoever to win Lucius over. Hadrian knew that, unlike his father, Lucius didn't swing that way. He was as straight as one could be. Just like him.
"Indeed, it is," answered Lucius, interrupting his musings, as he opened the first letter. "Though why the Ministry will send a letter to Hadrian, who is a minor, and not to his adoptive parents, is beyond me. More so, when it is illegal to do so."
"What does it say?", asked Hadrian seeing that his brother's lips curled into a cold smile as he read the letter, his eyes transforming into veritable chips of ice. Yikes!
"Here, read it for yourself. The Ministry," and here Hadrian got goosebumps at the venom in his brother's voice, "addressed it to you after all," Lucius said, a tinge of restrained anger coloring his voice, as he handed the letter to Hadrian.
Dear Mr. Fowl,
It has came to the attention of the British Ministry of Magic, that Mr. Abraxas Malfoy and Mr. Gabriel Malfoy-Delacour, by using your lack of knowledge about the Wizarding World, have illegally adopted you into their family.
More so, our intelligence gathered that Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Malfoy-Delacour not only forced you to sign the illegally drawn adopting papers, but they also kidnapped you from St. Mungo, against the helears' recommendations.
We are very sorry for this highly illegal action you suffered and all the inconveniences that it caused you.
We would like to assure you, Mr. Fowl, that we are doing our best to straight things up in the shortest time possible.
Be certain that the British Ministry of Magic will make sure that justice is made and that this terrible offense is going to be punished according to law.
Hoping you are well,
Hamilton Harding,
Child Services Department, MOM
Hadrian stared at the letter in disbelief.
They were joking right? They couldn't actually believe the utter rubbish they had written inside it... right?
Right.
Of course they did. It was the freaking Ministry of Magic, after all.
Hadrian sighed and lifted his eyes pleadingly at Lucius, whose eyes softened as they gazed into his green, green orbs, though they were still brimming with cold rage.
"Don't worry, Hadrian. They won't take you from us," he said reassuringly, giving Hadrian a small smile. "And after we are done with them, they'll wish they never tried," he continued with a chilling tone that didn't suited at all with the calm, smiling face he wore.
"There is still one more letter," Hadrian said trying to break the tense atmosphere, though his plan backfired, as he felt Lucius stiffen even more.
"Let's read it then and get over with the Ministry's ...greetings...for the day, shall we?" inquired Lucius, though he was already tearing open the letter, a morbid curiosity pushing him to find what was written inside it.
After opening the letter, Lucius arranged it in such a way that both him and Hadrian could read it at the same time.
Dear Mr. Fowl,
We have received intelligence that at 14:43 on 25 august 1962 magic was used by you for the act of healing Mr. Gabriel Malfoy-Delacour.
As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, a crime that may lead to expulsion from said school. (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
However, since the testimony of the healers called after your illegal use of magic said that you used the Natural Healing power, that they declared you posses, in order to heal Mr. Delacour-Malfoy, further investigations are needed before deciding what the consequences for your offense should be.
As the gift of Natural Healing is very rare, the usage of it isn't prohibited by the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and, as such, although your possession of it it's highly doubtful, if said Natural Healing gift was indeed used in the act of curing Mr. Malfoy-Delacour then your breach of law will go unpunished.
To confirm or refute the truth of those testimonies you are to accept to being tested for possession of Natural Healing powers by an special team of healers assembled by the Ministry.
The date of your testing will be announced in the next few days.
In the meantime, however, you are not to:
*use your Natural Healing powers without the Ministry's special approval
*leave Britain until the present matters are solved
*leave Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry without noticing the Ministry first
Fail to do so and charges will be pressed for nonconformity with above Ministry's regulations.
In that case you will risk expulsion Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardryand the snapping of your wand.
Have a nice day !
Sincerely yours,
Persephone Smith
Department of Health regulation, MOM.
Hadrian wanted to laugh. Really.
With these two letters the current Minister practically begged to be dealt with. And judging by the way Lucius knuckles became white from how hard he crumbled the sides of the letter, it wouldn't be a pretty demise. Not at all.
"Hadrian," Lucius started with the same fake smile behind which was hidden the immense wrath he felt at the moment, "why don't you and your friends go to class? It should start soon," he continued gesturing to Lestrange and Rosier who attentively observed what happened from the side-lines.
Like the rest of the Slytherin table. Or better yet, the whole Hogwarts' students who, Hadrian had noticed, watched every little thing they did or done since Lucius approached his seat. Great.
Who knew what rumors will start to spread till lunch now. The Hogwarts students were pretty imaginative after all.
He sighed.
At least they didn't knew the letters content. Thank Morgana, for small mercies!
"Ok," he easily responded and started to drag after him his two dorm-mates, eager to get to out from under the gazes that shamelessly bore into him and get to class. At least there the students were forced to pay attention to the teacher and not focus on him. A blissful, if short-termed, escape.
As he watched his brother head out of the Great Hall, followed by the curious stares of all Hogwarts, Lucius let his smile drop, what remaining being a face hardened by the livid rage he was feeling.
How dare they?
Nobody, nobody, tried to fuck with a Malfoy and got away with it. Not even if the threats were quite worthless in truth.
Silk robes bellowing dramatically, he turned around and stalked towards the other, less used, exist out of the Great Hall.
He had a certain Headmaster to see and his father to floo-call.
They would want to be informed about this.
HP-Chronic Hero Syndrome
Hadrian shifted in his seat as he waited for the DADA professor to come and start his last class of the day. The professor in question being the potentially still-evil dark lord even in this universe and current Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry , the one and only Tom Marvolo Riddle.
He sighed.
He had a feeling that the class will not be an ordinary one. In fact he would bet on the opposite. It was well known, after all, how Tom Riddle detested with a passion having the adjective ordinary attached to his person. Unlike him. And just when he had a nice, normal day too.
He sighed anew.
Surprisingly, with the exception of the letters he received from the Ministry, the day has turned out to be pleasant enough. Though rumors have started to spread.
Rabastan Lestrange who, due to his older brother popularity among all houses, always knew everything about the hot topics circulating around Hogwarts, even informed him about the more popular of them.
Like the one that said the Ministry demanded the Order of Merlin he received back, as he wasn't sorted into Griffindor like a true hero should be. Or the one in which the letters were sent to warn him that Grindelwald was planning to personally come and kill him for ruining his plans.
Or better yet, and this was his personal favorite as it made him look kind of cool, the letters were from the Unspeakable department, demanding him to join them and leave Hogwarts to come to train as special agent. A secret agent of the Wizarding Britain. Like a magical James Bond.
Yep, crazy and crazier.
But Hogwarts was full of crazy people, after all. People that represented the future of the Magical Britain is true, but crazy all the same.
He pitied the future they'll create. Though it should be an interesting one.
Idly, he let his eyes trail trough the classroom which was shared between the first years Slytherins and Ravenclaws at the moment. It was decorated quite simply, compared with how it was when it was taught by Lockheart, Moody, or even Lupin, all whom have added their personal touch to it while they taught DADA.
Large windows looking out onto the grounds were found on the left side, right beside him, offering him a beautiful view of the cloudless blue sky. Neatly ordered desks and tables were found through the classroom, a large empty area existing between them and the the teacher's desk, located up front, area which Hadrian knew was used for dueling sessions or spell demonstrations.
Several mysterious closets, conspicuous trunks and collections of parchments were aligned to the walls, in what looked as an organized chaos.
The air smelt of parchment, ink and cinnamon, of all things, making him relax unconsciously, as the silence was filled by the noise made by the chattering students.
Lestrange and Rosier, who were seated two seats behind him, were putting on quite a show for a bemused Zabini trying to convince her about the finer points of Quidditch, after having heard her making a careless comment about the sport being a waste of time and energy.
Bemusedly, he turned his eyes towards Sirius and Severus, who were discussing the History class they just left.
He still didn't knew why the two of them left the Great Hall together after Severus received the mysterious package but he was dying of curiosity to find out what happened as Severus cheeks were tinted red when they returned from the dorm. Severus bloody Snape, git extraordinaire in his old world, blushing!
He had to know why.
"I still think it would have been interesting to be taught History by a ghost," Severus insisted after hearing some rumors about a ghost teaching History before professor Riddle joined Hogwarts after which the ghost suddenly decided to go on in the afterlife. A fact that Hadrian found really, really suspicious. He just knew that Riddle had a hand in getting rid of said ghost. Not that he was complaining or anything, but still.
"No, it wouldn't have been," Sirius said. "It really, really wouldn't have".
"And how would you know that?" demanded Severus to know at which Sirius made a 'Gah!' sound, throwing his arms into the air in defeat.
Severus smugly smirked at that, which irritated Sirius and, as such, yet another argument started between the two of them.
Hadrian shook his head amused by their antics.
Though he had to admit that Sirius was the one right this time. Binns couldn't held a candle to the History teacher they had now. Professor Bathilda Bagshot was quite a fascinating lady, after all, not to mention very, very old.
She told the history facts objectively, not taking any side, and even inserted little anecdotes in the lesson that made the class all the more interesting.
She had many stories to tell from the travels she took to investigate the past and about the not so well known tid-bits of the discoveries she made and published, that it seemed more like she was telling a story than holding a lesson. Hadrian actually found himself looking forward to the next class he had with her.
The fact that she also seemed to have taken a liking to him, didn't hurt. At least he now knew he had at least one blood relative alive that didn't hate him and liked him without any hidden interest, seeing that professor Bathilda was Grindelwald's great aunt, though not many knew it. He also only knew that because of the knowledge he possessed from the other universe.
Hadrian couldn't help but wonder about how she will react when she found out they were related.
He was startled from his thoughts when the door was thrown open through it bustling two out of breath Ravenclaws.
"We, huf, we made it," the girl, a read head with brilliant green eyes, said between gasps as she threw her sandy-haired companion with hazel eyes a bright grin. "I told you we'll make it in time for class."
"Yes Lily, so you did," her companion said bemusedly as he also took two deep breaths. "Let's took a seat before the professor arrives, though".
"Relax Remus, we are here. No need to panic," Lily said with a laugh at Remus nervous and stiff manner before noticing that everyone was looking at them. "Er, hi", she said awkwardly, her face becoming beet red at the attention and causing a few snickers to erupt.
Muttering under her breath, she started to drag Remus towards some empty seats on the Ravenclaw side, before stopping dead in her tracks as a bright smile bloomed on her face having sighted something in the mass of students.
"Severus!" she exclaimed. "How are you?", she asked, once again excited, heading now to the Slytherin side, still dragging her bewildered house-mate after her.
Severus didn't blushed, but his ears did get a red tint to them, Hadrian observed, as the red-head shouted his name for all to hear.
"Hello Lily," Severus greeted. "I'm fine. How about you?"
"Oh, I feel absolutely fantastic Sev! Everything is even more fascinating than I could have ever imagined," the girl gushed. "Oh, and this is Remus Lupin," she continued gesturing towards the boy staying awkwardly beside her. "He's a first year Ravenclaw, like me. Remus, this is Severus Snape, one of my friends. Or rather, my best friend."
"It's nice to make your acquaintance ," Lupin said bemusedly as he shook Severus' hand.
"Same here," replied blandly Severus. "Also, these are Hadrian Malfoy and Sirius Black," Severus introduced after receiving a particularly sharp jab to the side, courtesy of an annoyed Sirius. "Hadrian, Sirius, these are Lily Evans and her friend Remus Lupin."
"Nice to meet you all", Lily shyly said, her face becoming tinted with red once more as she realized she ignored Severus' friends till then. "Oh, you are the boy from the train, aren't you?" she asked after taking a good look at Hadrian's face.
"Yes, I am," Hadrian replied amused. "It's nice seeing you again Miss Evans. Also, Mr. Lupin, it's a pleasure to make your acquittance."
"Same here, Mr. Malfoy. And I'm glad to see you again, Mr. Black. Though, I was surprised you didn't get sorted into Ravenclaw."
"I live to surprise," replied Sirius with a smile. "It's nice getting to know you two, specially after the flashy entrance you made. I have to say, you got a flair for dramatic Ms. Evans " he teased, making Lily blush.
"W-well, I was just trying to get in time to class," she defended. "Anyway, would it bother you all much if we renounce the 'Miss/Mister' thingy you got here? It makes us sound so pompous," Lily said with a grimace making the others laugh or smile, beside Severus who only smirked.
"We don't mind," replied Hadrian with a grin. He liked his mother. "Let's just use our first names to address each other," he continued, getting agreement nods from everybody.
"I'm sorry to cut this short," started Remus apologetically, "but we have to go to find our seats. The professor could come anytime for class now."
"He's right", said Lily with a pout, " but", she continued in a hopeful tone, "how about we meet in the library later, after class?"
The three Slytherins exchanged questioning looks.
"Sure," smirked Sirius. "I'm sure Severus wants to spend more time with you," he said and Hadrian had to stifle a laugh at how Severus' ears got even redder at that.
"See you later, then", the read-head said before heading towards the Ravenclaw side of the class together with Remus, all the while receiving weird looks from the students. They had just finished talking casually with the Hadrian Malfoy and his friends, after all.
Hadrian watched as the two Ravenclaws in bemusement found some seats to sit in, making themselves comfortable, when he felt it.
Dark, insidious, stunning...
A seductive aura that ensnared him with it's power, tempting , arousing and tantalizing his senses.
So alluring.
Hadrian wasn't at all surprised when he walked into the room with confident steps and a charming smile on his sinfully handsome face, which was framed by midnight-blue black strands of silky hair.
Tall, imposing, coldly elegant in his black robes of the finest quality, the man made the students fall silent with only his presence, the intoxicating beauty of their professor making them crave his approval. They didn't know what was hid behind that attractive face, didn't know about the deadly predator just waiting for a chance to ponce, so irresistible in his cruel nature.
Hadrian sucked in a breath as he felt the tendrils of the black, ominous, enticing magic coil around him tightly, possessively almost, caressing his skin tenderly and inviting his own magic to come out and play. Merlin, how could others not be aware of it? How were his peers capable of just ignoring this overwhelming power, so dark, so forbidden and still so right ?
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and, somehow, managed to calm down his magic that was trying to escape his control. He opened his eyes.
Ruby red met emerald green and, for a moment, the world ceased it's existence. Then, the man's lips slowly curled into an amused smirk.
Hadrian scowled. Damn that smug bastard!
The man knew very well how his magic affected him and enjoyed every little second of his squirming. Insufferable git.
Breaking eye contact, though his smirk remained, the man turned to face the rest of the class feeling oddly pleased for whatever reason. He really missed the brat. Only he could lift his mood up with only a look and scowl.
Shacking his head imperceptibly, he decided to focus on the class, and promptly proceeded to take the roll call , barely stopping himself from addressing Hadrian as Hadrian Malfoy-Hywel instead of just Hadrian Malfoy.
With that out of the way, he let his crimson eyes roam over the mass of Slytherins and Ravenclaws first years, making a few hold their breath in suspense.
"Good afternoon," he started in his smooth, velvety voice, enjoying how the students leaned into their seats to hear him better. "My name is Tom Marvolo Riddle and from today onwards I'll be your Defense Against Dark Arts professor. As you all know, I'm also the temporary Headmaster of Hogwarts," and here his lips twitched slightly, "until the matters concerning Albus Dumbledore, with which I'm sure you are all familiar with, are cleared up but please, don't let that stop you from showing your full potential in my class.
Now, some of you may have gotten the impression that, although this class is called Defense Against the Dark Arts, it is actually about how to defend against minor pests like the pixies or to learn useless hexes and curses like Verdimillious, that shots a green jet of light out of your wand or the Curse of the Bogies which gives the recipient a strong cold. You couldn't be more wrong," he declared strongly, enrapturing the students with the sound of his cultured voice.
"Make no mistake," he continued, "what you will learn in the Defense Against Dark Arts class from me is to fight against Dark Arts, no matter what your textbooks misguided you to think. That is why you are here, after all, to learn how to defend yourselves against the Dark Arts. Which means, let us be very clear on this, defending yourselves against Dark Wizards. No creature, no matter how dangerous it is, doesn't represents a real threat to a full fledged wizard, unless said wizard is a dim-witted moron. Magic is useful that way, you see," he couldn't help but add mockingly.
"No, the only real danger you will ever face is other fellow wizards like yourselves trying to hurt or even kill you. People with wands who will likely succeed in doing so unless you get them first. There is no defense without offense and there is no defense without fighting! Remember that well.
This reality is deemed too harsh for eleven-year-olds by the general public, but I never been one to conform myself to the norm. There is a war going on at the moment, even if the reality of it still hadn't striked home inside your mind as you were protected from it by your parents, who thought they were doing you good by preserving your innocence.
However, I will not coddle you.
A day will come when what you learn here might make the difference between victory and defeat, between life or death," the professor declared and every single student was now attentively listening, not wanting to miss a single thing from what he said, some even taking notes.
Even Hadrian had to admit that he was grudgingly impressed by the speech. It seemed that Riddle really took his job seriously. Not to say that the professor was a great public speaker, motioning with his hands as he spoke and having eye contact with seemingly everyone at the same time.
Speaking of which, dark crimson eyes were drilling into him and Hadrian looked away- feigning disinterest. The professor wasn't fooled though and his eyes were full of mirth as he continued talking.
"Moving on, today is our first class together and as such I want to test both your magical prowess but also your ability to learn and understand what I'm teaching," Riddle said twirling his wand around.
"You will soon learn that I'm a strict but fair teacher and that Houses and such hold no meaning for me inside this classroom. What matters though is a student performance. As such, I have to announce you that, in order to help each one of you learn Defense as best as they can, I have my own system of organizing the students in classes.
After the third class of DADA of this term each one of you will be sorted into an Advanced Class, a Normal Class and a Special class, for those who have trouble with the material taught, mixing together students from all houses based on their abilities to learn and adapt. As such, your schedules will suffer some modifications to accommodate your timetables in such a way that the DADA doesn't interfere with your others classes.
At the end of every month there will be an written and practical exam which will decide if you continue in the DADA class you were sorted in or you are to be moved into another. Failure is not acceptable.
As long as you are my students and under my guidance, you will do your very best inside my classroom. I will know if you are slacking off and, with the risk of sounding cliched, I have to warn you that you will not like the consequences if that were to happen," he said making a few students shiver at the not so subtle threat delivered in an deceptively smooth tone.
They knew this wasn't a professor they ever wanted to cross.
"Now," he said adopting a more casual air, "has anybody here ever heard about the 'Patronus Charm' before?" asked Riddle looking pointedly at Hadrian to whom he borrowed a book that contained some information about the spell.
Hadrian did, indeed raised his hand in the air but Riddle was surprised to see that he wasn't the only one, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Barty Crouch junior also raising their own hands.
"Mr. Black, please do enlighten the class with what you know," the professor said silkily.
"A Patronus Charm is an insubstantial animal form protector created by the advanced Patronus Charm spell and one way to defend against Dementors and certain other dark creatures," started to explain Sirius pleased to have been chosen to answer the question.
"The spell requires the use of a wand and the incantation 'Expecto Patronum'. And it is said that it is an advanced magic, difficult to master. A Patronus that is completely and fully formed, or corporeal, takes the shape of fairly solid-looking animals while a non-corporeal Patronus appears only as wisps of silvery mist. Also, it is said that the Patronus Charm reflects the personality or feelings of the caster."
The class stared.
"What? It's from 'Confronting the Faceless' page 172, paragraph three, " Sirius said primly as if that was enough explanation for his detailed answer.
Now they gaped.
Who on Earth will remember not only such detailed information about an unassigned subject, but also the page and the paragraph of the book in which they encountered such information? The shock didn't stopped them from writing down the name of the book and the page for future references though.
Riddle chuckled.
"Very good, Mr. Black," he said with a charming smile. "I'm impressed. 10 points to Slytherin for reading books way ahead of your year," the professor awarded making all Slytherins sprout pleased smirks.
The House Cup was as good as theirs.
"As Mr. Black has said, " Riddle continued the lecture, "The Patronus Charm is considered an advanced piece of magic, very difficult to master. And this is what I'm gonna have you try today " the professor announced casually ignoring the gaping and disbelieving eyes of the students.
"But we are first years! We can't do that!", one of the Ravenclaws said making Riddle's eyes narrow.
"I'm quite aware of the fact that you are first years, Mr. Crouch. As for the fact that you can't do it, you don't know that until at least you tried," Riddle replied to the straw haired wizard who flushed.
"Alas, it's not that I expect of you to create a corporeal Patronus. But I do expect results. I'm certain that with enough effort you can at least form the wisps of silvery mist," the professor said.
"Don't be intimidated by the fact that it is said that the spell is hard to master", Riddle advised. "What you don't know is that for this spell what is important isn't the magic you have but the strength of the emotion found behind it.
In order for it to work, you need to think of a memory. Not just any memory but a very happy memory, the happiest you have, those positive feelings allowing you to create the Patronus and repel the dark.
The reason for which many qualified wizards and witches have trouble with it isn't because they aren't gifted enough but because they can't find that one memory that fills them with happiness. And that is why I'm sure you, first years, can do it.
It is well known that children have more things than adults or angst filled teenagers to feel happy about. Now you only have to find what that one memory needed to succeed in casting the spell is for all of you," he explained, and his voice, full of trust in his students talent, gave said students more confidence in themselves.
Hadrian couldn't believe how easily he won them over. It was so easy in fact that it was kinda pathetic.
"Now," Riddle said, "since we cleared that out, in the next two- or rather one and a half hour remaining of class I'm gonna call each and every one of you to try the Patronus Charm. The homework for today will also be practice. I expect better result than the ones we get today next time."
"Mr. Hadrian, please come in front," Riddle then said – still refusing to address Hadrian with other surname than Hywel it seemed-and, not having any choice but comply, Hadrian got up from his seat, with his chin up in a defiant manner as he looked straight into those amused ruby orbs. He knew that the professor wouldn't let him live it down if he failed, even though he wasn't supposed to succeed in the first place. Well, he'll show that arrogant ass.
As he walked in front of the class, looking to all as if he was going to battle and not only try casting a new spell, Hadrian also thought about one of the decisions he and Sirius took last night, after their talk.
They knew that they couldn't hide their advanced knowledge for long, they were bound to slip up sooner or later considering their luck and, since trying to hide it will make people more suspicious of them, they decided to do the opposite. They decided to pose as prodigy children.
As such, when he went up to Riddle, he knew what he had to do. Trowing the smirking man a confident smirk of his own, he lifted his wand.
"Expecto Patronum!" he shouted, feeling the magic rush through him. A burst of energy, wisps of mist coming out from his wand and not a second later a corporeal Patronus proudly stood in front of the awed students.
Looking at his Patronus though, Hadrian also gaped together with the rest of the class. He hadn't expected this to happen.
"Impressive," murmured Riddle his eyes drinking in the unusual sight the Patronus made, who was certainly...different from all other corporeal Patronus he ever saw.
The child never ceased to amaze.
HP-Chronic Hero Syndrome
Augustus Prince wasn't a happy man.
He had always been a morose and hard to deal with sort of person, becoming even more so after being disgraced by his only offspring, his once beloved daughter Eileen, who choose to marry a muggle of all things.
He grimaced at even thinking about such filth touching his own flesh and blood.
Though he had disinherited her after the deed she done, that didn't meant he didn't cared for her. That was why her betrayal of his teachings hurt him so deeply, after all. But he couldn't let his feelings interfere with the pride of his House. Eileen knew what would happen when she made her decision.
Deciding to isolate himself from society, not wanting to show his face after bearing such shame, he chased out all his friends and only talked with the people in need of his potions these days.
The shimmering fumes of a softly simmering cauldron and the greenhouse in which he grew the plants that were to become ingredients for the potions he had to brew were the only things that brought him a semblance of happiness.
But he wasn't complaining. As one of he few competent Potion Masters in England, Augustus prided himself in his work.
That was why he was at the moment in his huge greenhouse from the ceiling of which umbrella-sized flowers were hanging, surrounded by Venomous Tentacula, Monkshood , daisies and other thousand of plants, tending to the Helleborus niger that he was going to need later in the brewing of the Draught of Peace that St. Mungo ordered.
As the clock chimed the two o'clock hour of the afternoon, he took off his dragon-hide gloves and leaved the greenhouse to head towards the manor. It was time for lunch it seemed.
Once he reached his Manor, which was built of Bath stone and was highly picturesque, bristling with turrets and possessing an elaborate roof, he went to the kitchens were he ordered his house-elf, Tinker, who was just as grumpy as he was in nature, always muttering about something or another, to prepare his meal while he brew the tea.
He never, ever, let anybody else brew the tea for him. They could never get it right as they didn't understand how much of an art making the tea really was.
Fixing the water temperature differently each time to suit best to the plant used for the tea, letting it simmer a different amount of time depending on the plant used, making sure the aroma wasn't too heavy or too soft, there were so many factors one had to take into consideration in order to do it properly.
Today he chosen to enjoy the floral aroma and taste of the tea made of Tie Guan Yin leaves, served in his favorite Wedgwood Blue-white tea set.
He was just enjoying himself, sipping from his cup of tea after finishing the delicious meal prepared by Tinker while reading the paper when he heard it. The annoying sound of a floo-call.
So, someone wanted to talk with him? Though luck, he thought deciding to ignore the call. He was a busy man and nobody made an appointment at this hour to force him to respond.
He continued his lecture. The sound of the floo-call, also, continued to ring.
After several minutes of listening to the incensing annoying sound, he sighed in defeat.
"What?" he snapped as soon as he opened the floo network connection, only the slight widening of his eyes betraying the surprise he felt at seeing who the one calling was.
"Why, hello to you too, Augustus," an amused voice greeted as, without waiting to be invited to, the owner of said voice came trough the fireplace into the Prince Manor.
With twinkling silver eyes, grizzled hair and a wrinkled but handsome visage, the wizard could only be described as aristocratic dressed as he was in dark burgundy robes of the finest quality and with his elegant mannerism.
"Polux," Augustus grumbled in a tone akin with exasperation. He should have known. This was the only one of his friends that he hadn't managed to chase out of his life no matter how hard he tried.
"You look awful," bluntly stated his friend, taking in the dark circles surrounding his black eyes, the disarrayed gray hair and the rumbled black robes he wore.
If it wasn't beneath him to do so, Augustus would have rolled his eyes.
"The time after Eileen left hadn't been gentle with you it seems," Pollux continued. That was a bad thing to say.
"Never," said Augustus, eyes flashing dangerously, "use that name in front of me again."
Pollux sighed.
"Alas, Augustus, I am forced to. Walburga will never forgive me if I don't and you know how my daughter can get when she's angry. She's scary," Pollux continued with a shiver.
"Not to say that I have interesting information to share that might explain Eileen sudden love for that muggle,"he said with barely contained disgust and, though Augustus didn't say anything, it was clear that he was intrigued.
He always wondered what made his precious daughter who shared his views on the muggles, change.
"Tell me, Augustus, what do you know about compulsion webs?" was the question casually asked by Polux, who took a seat and served himself with a cup of tea.
Augustus didn't knew then that the answer will change his whole world.
...TBC...
AN/ Hey guys ^-^ So...how do you liked it? Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it ^-^
Also, I have a little request from all of you about Hadrian's Patronus.
What animal/magical creature do you think I should use for his Patronus?
I eagerly expect your suggestions^-^
Also, I'm really, really grateful for all the reviews I received. You guys are GREAT!
And so are you suggestions! They helped a lot in deciding how the future chapters will turn out to be^-^ I could never express just how much I appreciate the support you have offered me so far ^_^
This chapter, also, couldn't have been done without the help of Zana to which I could never thank enough for all the help she had given me. It's only thanks to her help that I could update so fast!
I'll cut this short, though, as I'm in a hurry right now. I have the PROM tonight^_^ KYAA! I can't wait for it to start ^-^ I'm all dressed up for it lol.
But I just couldn't go to it without posting this first. Specially made for you, my lovely readers ^-^
Your sugar-high author,
Sara ^.^