Chapter 2 : Blood Purity
Please leave me a review to let me know what you think. This and all chapter s have now been edited to fix any errors or mistakes.
A huge thank you to DemonKira for editing this story for me
Potions was Hadrian's most peaceful class, professor Slughorn wasn't quite as prejudiced as the other teachers that the dark lord had instated. He is also the only one that wasn't a death eater. If you had a talent for potions, he praised you, despite ones blood status. Hadrian was rather talented in potions, and it was the one subject he didn't hide quite so much of his skills in. He toned it down a bit to make sure he was by no means the best in the grade, but he wasn't the worst either, he was above average. It felt so good to relax a little. He was always so constrained. His guard never had to be fully up in potions.
Hadrian sat at the back of the classroom, he sat alone, as no one wanted to be partnered with the likes of him. Something the raven was quite thankful for. He hated teamwork, if he had a partner he wouldn't be able to do quite as well. He would have to hide more of his skills that necessary, which was tiring. Being alone was freeing, no matter how lonely it made his existence. Today they were brewing a rather complex potion for fun. Or was it more for the fun of the purebloods? It was a blood potion, its purpose was to determine the purity of one's blood. A pureblood could find out just how 'pure' they were, and a Mudblood could possibly discover that they had magical relations long down their ancestral line.
As long as one brewed their potion correctly, at the very least acceptably, they would then be able to consume it. Afterwards you simply prick a finger, and let a single drop of blood fall on any blank parchment. A blood purity percentage would then be displayed, it would show levels from both sides of parentage, as well as ones true blood status. Really the potion was a way for those with the purest blood to brag and look down on everyone else. It wasn't an ancestry potion, it wouldn't show a family tree, just blood levels. "Naqa' Aldam" was the name of the potion, simply meaning blood purity in Arabic.
As pointless as the potion was to Hadrian, he was quite curious. As an orphan from birth he knew nothing of his family, didn't even know his parents' names. He couldn't get an ancestry test done, because there were laws that prevented Mudbloods from wasting such resources. The raven often wondered if somewhere in his family's history, there was a witch, wizard, or even just a squib. Whether there was any magic down the line other than his own. A true Mudblood will always only show 1%, with some patients on those who did have magical ancestry. Although anything under 25% was considered Muggleborn. 25-50% were classed as blood traitors for their low blood levels, even though many pure bloods and half-bloods were also classed as blood traitors, it was because of their families beliefs. 50-75% were considered half-bloods. Anything over 75% were pure bloods, simply because, it was very rare for anyone to be 100% pure anymore. Of course there were always a few.
If they wanted too, they could share the results of the Naqa' Aldam, but luckily it wasn't required. Slughorn didn't like to embarrass the Mudbloods too much, but he did like to know those who were higher in percentage, and therefore the most influential. Something about the potion excited Hadrian, he wasn't quite sure what, but he was putting all of his potions skills into it. He wanted to make sure it was perfect, if only so he wouldn't consume a bad potion. He used his knowledge in potions and the instructions to a T.
Hadrian added the final ingredient, finely ground smoked bat wing, before giving it three more counter clockwise turns and one semi clockwise turn. Now all he had to do was let it simmer for 5 minutes and his potion would be completed a good 15 minutes before everyone else's. Of course he would wait until several other finished to get it approved by Slughorn, he would pretend to work on it, while he actually read a book. 'Mavericks Tales of the Grey', it was quite an informational read. The book featured some rather obscure spells, as well as some controversial theories on intermixing similar dark, and light spells, to make the ultimate grey spells. The theory being that grey magic was much stronger than dark or light, as it is both beaches intermixed. Amplifying any spell created from both light and dark. Hadrian wasn't quite a believer of Mavericks works, but the spells he created in his research were quite strong, and rather beneficial. Making it a decent enough read. Not many people took need to his work, they wrote the man off as a loon, so very few knew his spells, or how to counter them. Hadrian could care less, power is everything, and knowledge is power.
'Finally' thought Hadrian as several of his fellow Slytherin went to present their works to Slughorn. He waited a few more minutes as some of the Gryffindor's (who they shared potions with), and inevitably a few other Mudbloods went up. He finally put his potion in a vial, Hadrian then got up end went to get the potion approved, more than ready to test his blood. He was quite used to having to be patient, but for some reason Hadrian wasn't in the mood today. He wanted to know the results of his blood levels. He needed to know.
"Ah Mr. Snow, let's see it then." Slughorn was one of Hadrian's nicer processor, but even he didn't like the raven. No, Slughorn simply tolerated him since he was a student, not just a student, but a member of the man's house. Slughorn was shockingly, the head of Slytherin house. Some thought him unfit for the position, as he was tolerant of Mudbloods, but the dark lord held the man in high esteem. Hadrian was his least favorite student due to the dishonor he brought upon Slytherin.
Hadrian watched as the professor examined his potion, shock was evident on the man's face. "Why my boy, this is the best potion I've ever seen from you. The best I've seen all day. It's perfect!" Slughorn was absolutely shocked to admit it.
"Thank you professor, am I in the clear to go ahead with the test?" Hadrian barely held bad a smirk at the look on the man's face.
"Yes, that will be quite alright boy. Don't mind if I take a sample do you?" not even waiting for an answer to his question, Horace took half of the potion and placed it in a vial of his very own. Hadrian felt rather smug at the man's actions, he only did this with the best brewed potions. The raven took what was left of his batch and headed back to his seat in the very back of the class room. Eager to take the potion, and do the test. Hadrian knew he was doing it for naught, but wanted to give it a go anyway. Who knows, maybe there was something more to him than a Mudblood after all. Maybe he could up himself to blood traitor status.
Downing the potion in one go, Hadrian made quick work of finding a blank parchment. Using a small cutting curse, Hadrian cut his finger and let the correct amount of blood drip onto the parchment. At first, nothing much happened. After a minute or two, however, the blood seeped into the page and was replace with writing the same color. Hadrian instantly sneered, someone was pulling a prank on him, it was the only explanation. The results that appeared on the page made no sense. At the top of the page, labelled Blood purity level, read the number 74%. 1% below that of a pure blood, it wasn't possible. Hadrian was a Mudblood, there was no way he was 74% pure. No way he could be a half-blood, or was there? Hadrian had no clue who his parents were.
Hadrian Snow was right all along, he was no mere Mudblood he was borderline pure, but how?
Later that night, Hadrian sat in his room staring down at his test results. How was this possible, he was a Mudblood? Of course the raven chose not to share, no one expected him, too. Of Course Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, and Daphne Greengrass turned out to be the 'purest', Pansy Parkinson, Crab, and Goyle we're next. Hermione was the only Mudblood who had results were more than one percent, she was 14%, having ancestry from the wizarding world long down the long down the line. Probably a squib. She presented her results to the whole class, proud to be a greater Mudblood, Hadrian could only sneer.
He didn't show his own results to anyone, it would change everything of he did, but he had to be sure. Had to know the truth. How was it possible he had so much magical blood? His Surname was not that of any pure Blood family, and what witch or wizard would abandon their child in a muggle orphanage anyway? It made no sense. His results were 24% purity on his maternal side, and 100% on his father's side. Meaning, the ravens father was a pureblood, his mother a Mudblood with magical with a pure blood relative in the not so distant past. He needed to find out just who his parents were. His blood purity levels made it impossible for him to be a Mudblood.
Hadrian should have known, he was much too powerful- much to smart, to be a filthy Mudblood. Now, where the he'll was he supposed to go from here? No one would believe him if he told them, but if he could prove it, it would be ultimately beneficial. He would be moved to a home for orphaned pure and half-bloods with no family, if he didn't have family. For all Hadrian knew he could have relatives out there, they may have simply just abandoned him. If that was the case Hadrian wouldn't be forgiving, not in the least bit. The thought made him furious. Perhaps he should keep it to himself, for now, dig a little more into who he actually was.
Maybe he could learn how to make the ancestry potion? He would need to steal the ingredients to make the potion, and while it would be risky, it would be worth it after seeing his blood status. Yes he would get all the facts before revealing his new Trump card. He would continue to play the weak pathetic Mudblood, while gaining power behind the scenes. He would find the truth about his family, and then when it was most opportune time, Hadrian would reveal himself, and some of his power. He would, at the very least, grasp the dark lord's attention. For Voldemort would be intrigued on how Hadrian had managed to fly under the radar for so long. From there the raven would manage his way into the dark lord's ranks, and climb his way up. He would climb and climb till he was on top, whether the dark lord liked it or not.
Hadrian would show them all, but until then, he would play the Mudblood game. It was quite fun, all his pawns were still standing, just waiting to be moved into action. A Mudblood is what they see, so a Mudblood is what he will be.
The great hall held an air of festivities, being the 14th anniversary of the dark lord's rule, it was a very special day. The very night the dark lord won the war, he began a tradition. Starting that night, every 7 years, Hogwarts would celebrate in Lord Voldemort's honor. The Lord Voldemort himself, was to arrive shortly, for the feast that was being held in his honor. Hadrian had never seen the man in person, he was practically giddy to get a glimpse of the dark lord. 7 was a magical number, that's why Voldemort chose to celebrate only every 7 years. Of course, it was a holiday every year, but celebration of great proportion would only commence tonight. This is the third time such an event had happened. Hadrian had only ever read about it, he was so happy to be there to see it.
On this night every seven years, the dark lord would evaluate all the students of Hogwarts to see who was likely to be chosen. Who would be given the great honor of becoming a death eater. It worked out better this way, as none of the students on attendance had been there the last time the dark lord came. The night promised to be magical, and with what Hadrian had learned earlier that day about his purity level, nothing could bring him down.
He watched silently from his lone corner of Slytherin table, as the headmaster took a stand. The headmaster was a brilliant man, very powerful, and also a high ranking death eater. Despite his status as a half-blood, he was greatly respected, and revered by both students and teachers alike. The man, Severus Shape, was cruel, yet kind. It's not that he wasn't awful to the Mudbloods, he was awful to all of the students. Only a few Slytherin were in the man's favor. He was the dark lord's personal potions master on top of his duties as headmaster. Severus Snaps held Hadrian's utmost respect. The man never dealt with punishments, he had no desire to harm children. The disciplinary Squad (called the Carrow siblings) dealt with that. Snape looked down on all of the students. Despite Hadrian's views on him, the headmaster had never once even acknowledged his existence. He probably didn't even know the younger raven was alive. That was just fine by Hadrian.
"Tonight," the man drawled out. "We have a very special guest. Everyone now stand and show your respect to our magnificent Lord, Lord Voldemort!" he finished with a bow, all the students, and Hadrian himself following the move of respect. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a beautifully dark and enticing magic seemed to fill the air. It was intoxicating, mesmerizing.
"Thank you." Spoke a voice of silk, it was the most beautiful voice Hadrian had ever heard. "You may sit." The young raven righted himself, and took a seat. As he looked to the man who, with their mere presence, practically demanded every eye in the room. He himself had to physically stop his mouth from gaping, the man was gorgeous, while others didn't have the same control he did, their mouths were falling open left and right. The man was about 6'2, he had brown curls that framed his face perfectly, quite similar to Hadrian's own black curls. He was quite pale, with ocean blue eyes that flashed ruby red with each passing thought. He had an aristocratic face, and a lean, yet muscular build. Lord Voldemort was the epitome of beautiful perfection, he didn't look a day over 26.
Hadrian almost missed as their Lord told them it was time to begin the feast, it was almost painful to tear his eyes away, but he forced himself to. Being so close to the man felt absolutely breathtaking. Taking pause from loading his plate, Hadrian chanced another glance at the Lord, only to find ruby red eyes meeting his gaze. It was almost as if, there was something in those eyes, something as lord Voldemort stared at him. The eye contact only lasted 2 more seconds, before the man looked away dismissively. For a moment Hadrian felt angry, how dare the dark lord just ignore him, couldn't the man see the he was better than these insects Hadrian went to school with? The realization dawned on the raven, of course the man didn't see it. Hadrian was nothing more than a filthy Mudblood, the very one that tainted the house of Slytherin. The only reason the dark lord probably gave him any notice, was because of that. He was probably furious that a Mudblood dare sit with the house of snakes.
Hadrian mood soured, he would show them all, that he was no mere Mudblood.
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