Choices and Risks

A/N: The poem is mine. I hope everyone is having a good holiday season from Halloween to Christmas. To everyone who guessed the travelers correctly free cookies. P.S. Everyone who reviews this chapter will go into a drawing and will have them chance to become an alumnus and pick their species and specialty. So please, please review.

Hadrian could not believe the amount of responses that he received from the Alumni. They had responded in droves promising aid and information. All of them were aware of the fact that for the phoenix council to take action meant that the situation was dire indeed. Hadrian himself hadn't slept in almost a week as he made plan after plan. Not just for the coming conflict but for the pending arrival of the travelers tomorrow. He had placed house-elves all around the world, and each reported to another elf that collected and condensed the information. The leaders of each respective race had also been informed and were beginning to prepare their people for the eventual conflict. The preparation would be slow as none wanted the human governments to think that they were the targets of the movement. Hadrian had to move carefully, he was after all trying to bring the many countries into unison not bring the world to its knees through foolhardy action.

Nicolas and Perenelle had been after him for several days now to stop and rest, but all Hadrian could think about was his experience during the days of the second war against Voldemort. So many deaths, tortures, failures and victories. War was dark, painful and Hadrian knew that even though they may win, part of them would still lose. There are no heroes in war, just survivors. He had also been working with FireAxe to finalize the vault formations. He may not be able to give the travelers everything that they had had in their time, but they would have more than enough to make their own lives here. Hadrian stood in his chambers leaning against the balcony railing, forcing back his exhaustion with ease of practice. The forest was dark with the approaching night as its night life ran or flew below. The students were settling well and so far, no issues had arisen.

Hadrian had felt saddened that despite his efforts, so few students were accepted into the academy. Many times, he had thought to himself on whether it would be better to just accept students in a manner similar to Hogwarts and the other schools. But then he remembered the amount of lost, old, ancient and dangerous magic taught here at the school. The last thing the world needed was a villain with that amount of power and knowledge at their disposal, so he decided against it. It still didn't make it any easier to accept that so few people were pure of heart and accepting of other races. Hadrian sighed and wondered why he was always alone. He knew it was possible for him to have a mate, but as the years passed, his hope dwindled further and further. It was only a hundred years ago that he had finally resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his existence.

He acknowledged that in some ways, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It meant that he wouldn't be responsible for chaining someone to him and troubling them with the burdens he shouldered every day. He was, in many ways, broken from being alone and the war. Being forced onto a battle field as a child had broken him and his friends in ways not even they recognized at the time. Their growing dislike of being touched, the shunning of sleep due to nightmares, the paranoia of their surroundings, the fervent possessive, protective behavior of those they considered theirs. Perhaps more so than any others, the so-called 'Golden Trio' fast grew into deadly fighters and tacticians. They pushed themselves into learning anything they could if it would help them protect each other and end the war.

Well the war had finally ended, but Hadrian was alone. No family, no friends, nothing he could hold onto. He had won the war but lost himself, and privately Hadrian admitted that he would probably never heal from that. It showed in small ways that everybody considered just odd eccentricities that they shrugged off. The way he never had his back to a window, the fact that very, very few had ever touched him and even then, it was only briefly, the fact that he rare slept more than an hour or so before rising in defeat, the fact that he was armed to the teeth under his clothes at all times and was constantly on alert. The war may have ended, but most of Hadrian had never left the war behind. Now he would be dragged into another one. He couldn't afford to stay on the sidelines however. The lives of his students and teachers depended on his ability to protect them from harm. The wards brushed against his mind and Hadrian let his mind wander over the borders with sharp detail.

The wards had surpassed his wildest dreams. The small gate was the only entrance into the Academy grounds and was very, very difficult to find. Even then, the wards had sealed the gate against any trying to gain access without permission from Hadrian. The dimensional pocket that held the reserve and the sanctuary was fortified by many other wards and protective enchantments. The reserve was actually one of the greatest protection for the students. It was thousands upon thousands of miles of untamed wilderness, filled to the brim with wild animals that were fiercely protective of their territories. Between dragons, nundus, hydras, chimeras and more; very, very few would be able to make it through unscathed. It was the one of the main reasons that he hadn't attempted to acclimate the animals to human presence. Hadrian could go inside freely due to his phoenix half but anyone else was risking death.

Hadrian returned to his balcony just as the sun began to makes it ascent into the velvet sky above. The golden hues turned the sky a sea green as they began to push back the shadows of the night. Hadrian took a deep breath of the clear, crisp air, filled with magic untamed. A smile flittered across his face and he turned to gather his pack he had prepared beforehand. Fawkes was taking him to the arrival point of the travelers. He had made sure packed a first aid pack just in case any of them were injured. He then walked out onto his balcony once more and released his wings from confinement. He stretched and let out his dark ebony colored wings as he waited for Fawkes arrival. Hadrian cocked his head as a faint thrilling tune came over the wind. It was far away but gradually grew louder as the source came closer. Hadrian smiled as he recognized the song of Fawkes. As the crimson phoenix alighted on the balcony railing, Hadrian bowed slightly in greeting to the ancient bird.

Greetings, Hatchling. I assume that you are ready to depart? Fawkes thrilled. Hadrian inclined his head.

"Indeed, thank you for accompanying me on this journey. I do not wish for them to view me as a possible enemy." Hadrian told his friend. The phoenix wasn't his familiar, Fawkes bonded had died in their old world many hundreds of years ago. However, he viewed the phoenix as a close friend and confidant. The bird launched from the railing and held out his tail feathers for Hadrian to grasp. Upon doing so, the avian hybrid found himself standing in a arid, dry desert he recognized as the Australian Outback. He walked forward but came to a stop when he felt as though he had walked into a wall. The sheer magic that was condensed into the small area was immense and Hadrian knew that this was indeed the arrival point. He stepped back a bit and sat down in a meditation pose on a nearby rock. One did not try to rush magic, the travelers would arrive when they were meant to.

The sun had long since risen into the bright blue sky when he could feel the magic begin to ripple. His eyes opened as he saw a small orb of bright incandescent white light. It pulsed softly as it grew larger and larger. It took almost an hour before the orb was nearly 25' across. It stayed that size as the orb seemed to become denser and denser, the light now solid instead of fog like. Hadrian's eyes widened when he saw spiderweb like cracks begin to spread across the surface. Fawkes and Hedwig then landed on a nearby tree, just as the orb fell to pieces like a broken window.

The man on the far left held a man that stood about 6'3" with deep burgundy hair that hung straight and was pulled back in a low tail that hung just past mid shoulders. He had a large build and his muscles were very much defined. He wore a crimson tunic over a gold long-sleeved, undershirt. He wore cream colored breeches with a black sword belt and frog in which rested his sword. He wore black knee high boots that seemed to be made out of some type of animal skin. Over his shoulders was a cream and red cloak. Hadrian swallowed with some difficulty as his soul seemed to try and twine around the man. Shaking himself out of his gaze he moved on.

The woman next to him was a woman with long, straw colored hair that held a slight curl to it. It hung down to her waist in a waterfall of gold. She had a slight build and stood 5'7" and wore a gold long-sleeve dress with black lace trim in an ivy pattern. She also wore what Hadrian realized were the same boots as the first man.

The next person was another woman. She had raven dark hair the held a blue shine to it. It was pin straight and hung to her waist in an ebony curtain. She stood a little taller than the other female at 5'9". Hadrian noticed that she wore a blue gown with bronze trim. Across her waist was a set of bright silver daggers, with a sapphire embedded in the hilts. In curiosity Hadrian looked back at the other woman and looked for a weapon. It took him a minute to notice the peaking over her shoulder was the head of an ebony colored staff. He looked back at second woman and saw that she wore Bronze colored boots.

The person was a man that Hadrian had to do a double take as his soul itself seemed to pulse in response to his presence like the first man. He had messy black hair that was forcibly pulled into a low tail to restrain it. It hung to the man's mid-back and had an almost green shine to it. He stood at 6'2" with a lithe build and wore a deep emerald tunic over a long-sleeve silver undershirt. He had on silver breeches and knee-high, black animal skin boots. On his back peeking over each shoulder was what Hadrian recognized as Katana's. They were a shining silver with Emerald wrappings. He had an emerald cloak tied at his neck that hung just past his knees.

The group of four looked at him carefully with the two males seeming to stare at him intensely, focus clear in their eyes. Hadrian bowed as he began to speak.

"Greetings, my name is Hadrian Angelus Asher I am the Headmaster of Phoenix Academy of Magical Arts. The current year is 1992 and we are currently standing in the Australian Outback." Hadrian said as he straightened. The four nodded their heads in return. The red head then spoke first.

"Good marrow, Master Asher. My name is Godric Gryffindor, these are my companions Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. Thank you for being here to welcome us as I must admit, traveling through time is new and slightly unsettling for us. Are you aware of any reason as to why magic has called us here?" Gryffindor asked. Hadrian slowly nodded his head as each of Gryffindor's companions were introduced.

"Yes, Master Gryffindor. It seems an evil has been hiding and prepare for the last 1,300 years and is about ready to take it move. We don't understand it goals just yet, all we know is that it is powerful and secretive. I myself was alerted by the Phoenix Council just a little while ago." Hadrian told the group. He could see that they were contemplative and slightly worried although Gryffindor had a curious look on his face.

"I must admit I am surprised that the Phoenix Council even contacted you. They rarely even contact a phoenix bonded." Gryffindor stated. Hadrian smiled slightly.

"Indeed that would normally be the case, but when I was a young child I was bitten by a basilisk and was saved when a phoenix had me join him on his forced burning. I then became half human and half phoenix." Here Hadrian paused and flexed his wings. They all had wide eyes but still listened without interruption.

"In fact, Master Gryffindor I do believe the phoenix would be very familiar to you." Hadrian smiled inwardly at his slight pun while Gryffindor tilted his head confused. Hadrian gave a light whistle and Fawkes flew down from the tree and circled the group, with the founders looking on in shock and in Gryffindor's case, joy. Fawkes began singling a joyful tune and landed on the founders shoulder and the pair flashed a bright clear gold as they stared at each other. Hadrian smiled to himself, Fawkes was finally back with his original bonded. Hedwig landed on Hadrian's shoulder and the four turned the wide eyes onto her.

"This is Hedwig, she is my familiar. She is an Ice Phoenix and has been with me since I was eleven, though she only became a Phoenix when I turned 14. Now I do believe we need to get you someplace more comfortable. Would you prefer to come with me or go to England?" Hadrian asked. He didn't want them to feel pressured. They were mature experienced adults that were more than capable of making their own decisions. The group of four stared at each other for several minutes before turning back to Hadrian.

"We will come with you, thank you for the offer." Slytherin stated as Gryffindor continued to stroke Fawkes back. Hadrian nodded and the group linked hands and vanished in a swirl of fire.

William Weasley stood confused in the atrium where they stored the finds from the tombs. Everything was still here but a vase had come up missing. He wondered why someone would steal such a little thing when there were objects worth so much more just inches away. He gazed at a stone tablet that they had found with the vase and tilted his head confused as he slowly began to translate the writings.

Darkness fell across our lands,

As life withered over the sands.

Together the two bring naught but despair,

With no hope to be found even in prayer.

We stood against them one and all,

But it seemed we did naught but stall.

Until they came to bind them both,

Locked by three and sealed by oath.

The keys hidden forever more

The devil within to fade to lore.

Protected by those who led us through

Each to help bring life anew.

Separate and whole hidden apart

Kept away by those of pure heart.

Imprisoned for crimes against natures core

Keep them away, this we implore

For no mercy is found from those in the dark

No joy to be had in winter's deep mark

We did what we could though small it may seem

What happens now is to us but a dream.

Bill's eyes widened in horror as he spun around hoping that the quartermaster was wrong that the vase had merely been moved, but much to his dismay the vase was indeed gone.

"Shit." Bill muttered.

Hadrian sighed in relief that he had a few minutes away from the all-encompassing presence of the founders. He knew they didn't mean to be, but they came from a time where magic was open to one and all. Now-a-days, those with magic had learned to suppress its energies within to avoid notifying the non-magicals that they were different. He sat at his desk and dropped his head into his hands. If there was ever a time where he dearly missed his friend's guidance, now was it. He had no idea why he reacted so strongly to Gryffindor and Slytherin and why they seemed to focus so much on him. He wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed and hide under his covers.

Sadly, he still had to conduct the teachers meeting and introduce the founders so as to avoid any incidents. Then he needed to give the four a tour of the school, as right now they were just settling into their quarters. He had maybe a half hour until the teachers meeting and he would once again be face to face with the founders. This was turning out to be much more difficult than he had anticipated.

Harry-mage what is the problem? Hedwig asked from her perch by the window.

"The problem Hedwig is that my magic is acting oddly and I don't understand why. I don't know why it seems to be focused on Gryffindor and Slytherin or why they were watching me the entire time. Do you think they think I am a threat?" Hadrian asked his familiar.

I highly doubt that they were watching you because of that. If your magic is acting oddly then you need to meditate and focus on what it is trying to tell you. As you are part phoenix your magic is much more instinctual than a normal wizard. This holds true across all species, but especially among the immortal races. Hedwig stated while preening her feathers.

Hadrian sighed and thunked his head against his desk. Why did his life have to be so difficult? He stood from his desk and set a timer before settling on the floor in a meditative position. As he sunk into his mind, Hadrian let himself float in his magical core and just relax. He was surprised to see to branches of magic leaving his core, but they seemed incomplete. Tilting his head, Hadrian gently focused on the strands and could see that they were recently formed and were incredibly deep bonds. Hadrian was surprised to see that they bonds did in fact go all the way to his soul. With a sudden jerk he flung himself out of his meditation and scrambled to his feet, his face a mask of shock, worry and longing.

Harry-mage? Hedwig asked as she flew to land on his shoulder and pulled at his hair in comfort.

"My mates…Hedwig they're my mates. Oh merlin what do I do? I can't do this to them!" Hadrian muttered as he began pacing frantically. He had accepted that his mates would never be found and that that was probably a good thing. No one wanted a damaged mate after all. But for him to be mated to Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin was beyond shocking. The two had just been dragged through time, away from family and friends, away from their school and the world they had known. The last thing that they needed was someone claiming to be their mate. The idea was laughable. Hadrian's head jerked up as Fawkes flamed into the room.

Hatchling, you are their mate. There is no denying that or hiding from it as much as you may wish otherwise. They are aware of you being their mate, and I can tell you this. They will not give up in their pursuit of you until they have you mind, body and soul. Let them help you, hatchling no one is meant to be alone let alone the submissive. Your instinctive desire to hide is evidence that you have been alone too long. Hatchling if you don't let them in, your mind and soul is liable to rip itself apart.

Hadrian stared at the phoenix as his mind churned through the words the avian had conveyed. A part of him desperately wanted them by his side, but the other side merely pointed out how everyone who had stood with him before – died. He couldn't condemn them to death by becoming their mate.

"Fawkes I can't do that to them. I caused the death of too many people just because they were friends and family. I won't place that kind of target on them." Hadrian said.

"Maybe that part isn't up to you." A deep timber voice stated from behind him. Hadrian froze as his mind completely locked up. Almost mechanically, he turned to see Gryffindor and Slytherin standing but feet away. How they had gotten there without him knowing, Hadrian didn't know until he saw Hedwig land on Slytherin's shoulder comfort in her eyes.

"We have been long accustomed to danger, little one. We are sorry that you have faced trials that left such deep wounds on your soul, but we are your mates. You cannot decide for us what is and isn't too dangerous." Slytherin stated conviction clear in his tone.

"Little one, there is nothing in this or any other realm that could turn us from you. You are our mate; ours to love, protect and to hold through any and every trial to come our way. Little one no one is meant to live alone forever." Godr – Gryffindor stated as he walked forward. Hadrian stumbled back his mind a mess of jumbled emotion and thought. When his back finally hit the wall and he could retreat no further, Gryffindor merely laid his large hand against Hadrian's shoulder and locked eyes with him.

"What risks we take, the choices we face are ours to choose. Little one we will always choose you."