Chapter 4: The End Is Nigh

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

There is a certain beauty in ignorance, after all ignorance is bliss. There is nothing more pretty than true innocence, ignorance and innocence often go hand in hand. In order to full intertwine one's self with the dark arts, they must first lose all traces of innocence. Ignorance can factor into the equation, but not for long. The dark arts thrives on the power and intelligence of the user. Hadrian couldn't remember the last time he was truly innocent, he lost all traces of his innocence as a young child. The raven had never been ignorant, he prided himself in that.

Hadrian held a deep hatred for the innocent, he had never been given the luxury. From day one, the raven was given an awful lot in life. From that despicable muggle orphanage, too the magical one, even for Mudblood standards he had it rough. He, who deserved everything, had been given nothing. No money, no prestige, no family name. He was a Mudblood, but not for long.

It had taken him several months, but Hadrian had finally managed to siphon enough potions ingredients from his potions classes. What they didn't use in class that Hadrian needed, he managed to sneak into, and steal from Slughorn's personal collection. Tonight Hadrian would finally be able to brew a heritage potion. He would find out just who he really was, and who his parents were. He would find out just how he ended up in that God awful muggle orphanage in the first place. It was perfect timing, as the end of Hadrian's 4th year was quickly coming. Only one more week, until he was force to return to the "home." The raven sneered, that place was no home to him. Hogwarts was the only home he'd ever had, and it wasn't even that welcoming to him.

The raven was currently lounging in the room of requirements, the room was Hadrian's secret place, and no one currently at the castle had been able to find it. It was a place of his own, place he could go to escape everyone. This room was Hadrian's home, he spent several nights duelling countless fighting dummies. Letting out all his frustrations, while he learned magic that no Mudblood ever dared to look into, magic that were so dark it left a vile taste in the casters mouth. But it left no such taste in Hadrian's, it tasted sweet to him, perfect. He was no fool, the raven knew that such magic was addictive and could be quite dangerous. He couldn't find it in him to care, power was everything. Knowledge was power.

The room of requirements was everything and anything he needed it to be. It provided him everything he needed, and even housed a room of many lost things. It was wondrous, some nights he even slept there, the room provided a warm bed and a working bathroom. And now it catered to his need for a potions lab to brew the potion, it gave him a cauldron and all the tools necessary for upcoming brewing session. The room was his literal haven.

Hadrian hadn't a friend in the world, he was unwanted and despised everywhere he went, a scar on the very earth itself. An unwanted and unwed addition to the world, they only tolerated him because of his 'little bit' of magic. Despite his desirable beauty, he'd never had a single suitor. His blood status and just plain how "pathetic" he was, turned people away. They still fell for his beautiful façade, however, they knew to look and never touch. He was a forbidden fruit, because of how rotten his true core supposedly was. No one should fall for something as disgusting as he. The thought made Hadrian sneer, he liked it better this way. He was better off alone.

He had nothing and no one to care about, no one cares for him, and he had nothing to lose. It may seem lonely, but the only way to get to the top is with no distractions. And Hadrian would get to the top, he would stand by the dark lord's side. No one would get in his way to power. As the potion finished simmering, Hadrian could hold back his eagerness to do the heritage test. It was time he found out some truths. He made quick work of downing the potion, before pricking his finger, and dropping three drops of his blood on a blank price of parchment.

"Praeteriti Praesentisque Revelare Hereditas" He chanted the spell of revelation, it wasn't as easy for wizards to perform as it was the goblins, but it was indeed possible. Hadrian was tired of the secrets that shrouded his life. He needed to know the truth, his blood purity level was a dead give a way to the fact that he was no Mudblood. Now he would find out just with whom his parentage lay. He would be one step closer to figuring out why he was left in a muggle orphanage in the first place. To finding out just who left him to be labelled a good for nothing Mudblood.

As the parchment filled out Hadrian felt a sense of trepidation, and couldn't help but blanch at the results of his heritage test.

*Hadrian Snow - Formerly Harry James Potter/Black (Bastard; Assumed Dead)

Blood Status: Half Blood By Default/Partial Pureblood; Believed Muggleborn

Blood Heir To The House Potter

Legal Heir To The House Black

*Biological Mother: Lily Rose Potter Nee' Evans (Missing Person; Traitor)

Blood Status: Muggleborn W/Magical Ancestry

*Biological Father: Regulus Articulus Black (Father Status Left Unknown; Believed To Be Deceased)

Blood Status: Pureblood

Former Head Of House Black

Former Heir Of House Black

Former Death Eater

*Adoptive father: James Charlus Potter (Listed Biological Father; Removed; Traitor; Deceased)

Blood Status: Pureblood; Blood traitor

Former Head Of House Potter

Former Heir Of House Potter

*God Father Via James Potter - Paternal Uncle Via Blood: Sirius Black (Traitor; Azkaban Prison)

Blood Status: Pure Blood; Blood traitor

Former Heir Of House Of Black

Disinherited

*Named God Farther Via Lily Potter: Severus Snape ( Alive; Loyal)

Blood Status: Half Blood

Illegitimate Heir To House Prince

Head of House Snape

Potions Master

Head Master Of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft & Wizardry

Death Eater

To say Hadrian was shocked by his familial ties, was an understatement. He was apparently somebody. Except, he was supposed to be dead. The raven wasn't quite sure what to think. He was enraged and more confused than ever on his heritage, how had this gone unnoticed, how did no one know. None of this added up. He was a Black, but also a Potter? His mother had apparently been a Mudblood whore who just couldn't keep her legs shut. His father never knew he existed before he died, he had a father who adopted him and was also a blood traitor they all seemed to be on different sides of the war, but yet they connected to him. The Blacks, the Potters, Snape. How was Snape involved in all of this? His mother was listed as missing, meaning she was still alive?

It was all a lot to process for his 14 year old mind, he began to feel dizzy. The room of requirements quickly supplied a plush arm chair for him to collapse in to. They were all dead, missing, or in Sirius Blacks case incarcerated. In fact, Severus Snape was the only person listed on his heritage test that could have ever even been his guardian. The paper listed many ancestors, any and all grandparents, so on, and so forth. Everyone was dead. He seemed to be a survivor of not one but two, by the blood adoption, dying lines. As well as many down his line he could claim.

Someone went to great lengths to hide him, to hide the truth. Even if he hadn't "died" no one could connect him with the Blacks, apart from Sirius. None of it was what he expected at all. It left him with a question he had harboured his entire life, a question that tonight was supposed to shed some light on, but in fact didn't answer the question at all, just who was he? Who is Hadrian Snow?

The End of Year feast was about to commence, Slytherin was a buzz with excitement, they had won the house cup yet again. Slytherin was, after all, the most superior house. Hadrian was in a bigger mood than usual, his thoughts however, was more broody than their usual state of anger. He oddly felt quite...empty. He didn't feel much if anything at all, and for once in his four years of Hogwarts, he could tone down his hatred. He was successfully ignoring everyone and everything, his thoughts broody and pensive.

Ever since he found out part of the truth of who he was, things had been different, seemed different. Of course, he had yet to tell a soul. The raven had no one too tell, and it wasn't like anyone would just believe his filthy Mudblood self. Hadrian was at a complete loss he was so very empty. For the first time in a long time, Hadrian was at a loss, he didn't know where to go from here. Should he tell someone? In all reality, would that even make his life better? It was all so confusing. It seemed to the raven that someone had did all of this for a reason. Would he be stupid to reveal himself before he found that reason out?

His blood status and heritage was just not enough information into the secrets of his past, he needed to know it all. All the facts, or he could find himself in an even worse situation. One thing was certain, he somehow needed to sneak out of the orphanage this summer, as he needed to do research on these people. Maybe see if he could sneak into Gringotts to talk with the Goblins. They were on good terms with the dark lord, and agreed to certain measures the dark lord asked, but their loyalty would always be to the customers of Gringotts.

Now Hadrian had a way in, one couldn't enter the doors of the bank without walking through a blood screening, anyone below 25% blood status, and only those with one at least semi magical close relative, could pass through. Meaning the screening test would allow Hadrian in, he would just have to find, not only a way to leave the orphanage, but a way to disguise himself. If anyone saw him they would think he somehow managed to cheat the system. He couldn't have any suspicion on himself, if the raven wanted to pull any of this off. He just hoped the Goblins could shed some light on his situation.

Hadrian prepared to leave the great hall, dinner was almost over, and he had a lot to do before he had to leave tomorrow. No one batted an eye as he slipped away from the Slytherin table and exited the hall, a few others had already left so it wouldn't look very suspicious. He had a polyjuice potion that he had prepared hidden away in the room of requirements, he would need it for his trip to Gringotts. As well as some other things he had in there. He would be spending most of the night there, as there was a particular ritual he wanted to try to do before leaving. It had to be done on a full moon, and luckily that was tonight.

As he walked through the empty halls, Hadrian couldn't help but feel like something was watching him. It was cold, unusually so for the summer, and quiet...Too quiet. Then, seemingly out of nowhere there was a sound. It sounded like hissing, but no. It was a whisper. It was getting louder, he could almost understand it. Hadrian began to quicken his pace, a tiny shiver of fear ran up his spine.

"Kill...I want to eat. Taste the blood. Kill." It was almost as if the voice was following him, like it was right behind him..."KILL!" He heard once more before turning around. Hadrian was met with the body of what looked to be a giant snake, before looking into a great big pair of yellow eyes. After that, everything went black.

Lord Voldemort was having an incredibly boringly long day. Paperwork after paper work, droning voiced politician after politician. The dark lord was literally itching to curse somebody. Next person to walk in his office with paperwork was getting an Avada to the face. He was in no mood for any of it, he was a fucking dark lord for crying out loud. He didn't have to put up with this shit. A knock at the door had his mood souring further.

"Enter." In walked his right hand, Lucius Malfoy.

"This had better be good Lucius." The blond man gave a quick bow to show his subservience.

"I apologize for the interruption, my lord. There has been an attack at Diagon Alley. It appears to be...rebels" within a matter of seconds, Voldemort was on his feet, wand in hand. A dark scowl smeared across his face.

"Rebels have not been seen in England in years, Lucius. How is this possible?"

"I'm not sure, my lord." The blonde replied. He seemed nervous as he too in his master's angry face.

"Well what do you know!?" Voldemort all but snapped. He was pissed, how was this possible, he had all but eradicated the rebellion. They couldn't possibly have enough man power to form an attack. "Do we know who is a part of this rebellion?"

"No my Lord, I'm sorry." Voldemort cursed, he had to physically stop himself from casting the cruciatus on the blond. What was the man even good for? Why did he have servants in the first place? Before anything else could be said and done, someone else dared to knock on his door.

"What!" He snarled, as Severus Snape entered, another of his loyal servant of his came in. "This had better be good news, Severus" His ire couldn't handle anymore. Snape bowed to his lord, as always, he showed no fear. Unlike Lucius, who was as cowardly as they came.

"I'm afraid not, my lord." Snape face remained impassive.

"Go on!" He snarled, in no mood for beating around the bush.

"My lord, there has been an incident at the school. It appears as if the Chamber of Secrets has been opened..." If at all possible, Voldemort's face darkened even further.

"What did you say...?" Lucius looked up at Severus, shock on his face

"There has been a Basilisk attack my Lord, a Mudblood student was killed. A message was left on the wall. 'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies if the heir beware.'" Snape still managed to remain calm, even in the face of a truly furious dark Lord.

Voldemort was almost blinded by rage. This was not possible, he was the heir, the only Parseltongue in existence. The only way that any of this was possible is- he pointed his wand at Lucius.

"Crucio!" the blind fell on the floor thrashing and screaming. "Where is my diary Lucius?" He spoke in a deathly calm voice. As he paused in cursing the blond.

Pure fear took over the man's face "I-I-I don't know my lord. I-I well I seem to have... misplaced it." He ended with a squeak, before being put back under the torture curse. Voldemort could forcefully stopped himself from cursing the man to oblivion.

"Get out of my sight Lucius." He grated out. "Now!" the blond scrambled to his feet and literally ran out of the room. Severus still stood before him expression unreadable. Voldemort took a minute to gather his bearings while staring down the raven. "Who?"

"I'm sorry my Lord?" inquired Snape.

"What is the name of the dead Mudblood?" He elaborated.

"Hadrian Snow, My lord."

Please leave me a review,let me know what you think.