A/N: Hey everyone! Welcome to the official start of this story. Obviously this is going to be an AU, so not everything will be as it seems. The original idea and much of the plot comes from Each Other's Hero, as this is essentially a rewrite. I posted a final chapter on Each Other's Hero on why I am rewriting everything.
New chapters come out every Sunday! Around morning Pacific Standard Time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any works by J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 1
An Ordinary Day of July, 1993 - Hadrian
Hadrian James Potter bursted into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Hobbled over onto the grass, he was unable to stop himself. Doing his best to only giggle, he sat still in resignation, hoping that the spell would finally wear off.
"F-f-father c-can y-y-you…" Hadrian tried his best to form a proper sentence, but he resumed his uncontrollable fits of laughter.
"Unbelievable."
Hadrian immediately stopped laughing, as he found the charm to disappear. Looking up from the ground, his eyes trailed up from a clean-shaven chin to the contemptful eyes of the man he calls father.
"Months after months," James Potter sneered. "Nothing. Nothing to show for it! All morning you've been unable to counter a simple charm from Jamie!"
The wand in Harry's hand flew from him as his father effortlessly casted the disarming spell. "I go out of my way to acquire untraced wands," James continued. "I spend my time training you and your brother. Yet it seems only one of you is not a disappointment."
"I apologize…I will-" Hadrian didn't get to finish his sentence before his father turned around and promptly walked away back into their house.
"Come on, Jamie!" His father shouted. "Let's get inside. There're some new spells I want to show you!"
Jamie, his brother, sprinted after their father but not before turning around and sticking his tongue at Hadrian.
Hadrian let out a sigh and slowly got himself up, dusting away the dirt on his navy-blue robes. "Prat," he muttered.
Jamie Potter was his twin, but no one would really say they looked too much alike. Whilst Hadrian had shorter black hair, round glasses, and emerald green eyes, Jamie was almost the opposite.
His hair was longer, almost to his shoulder. He never needed glasses, so he never had to wear any. But the weirdest and most major difference between the two was the difference in eye color. Jamie's eyes were hazel, just like their father.
No one ever really knew why the twins had different eye colors. From what Hadrian heard from his father's talk with Jamie, Hadrian never had emerald green eyes. He used to have hazel eyes just like his twin and father but lost it when he was a year old.
Still, Hadrian was happy that he did have something that could differentiate himself from his twin.
Making his way back inside his ancestral home, he took in the sight of Potter manor.
The home was large, and he knew that many people would kill to live somewhere as nice as he did.
But while the manor was large and beautiful, Hadrian had to admit that it could feel…cold at times. He would've preferred something a lot more cozy and small.
An image appeared in his mind at that thought. A comfortable red sofa with the outline of 2 people, a man and a woman, sitting on it.
A warm burning fireplace sizzled in the background as the couple smiled down at him. The woman brightened her smile even more as she stared into his eyes as she began caressing his face.
Hadrian blinked himself out of the memory and wistfully brought his hand to his cheek where the woman's hand was. Trying to close his eyes to recall the warmth of the fire and the woman's gentle touch, he only came up with a blank.
"Why can't it be like that," Hadrian asked softly, to no one in particular.
Hadrian stopped in front of a door and opened it to reveal a large library. The walls were lined with books and the Potter crest was etched onto the marble floor at the center of the room. A circular skylight window directly above the crest allowed for the blue sky to show.
Making his way to a specific section in the library, a step ladder magically rolled towards him to allow him to easily climb up to grab the book he was looking for.
"'Emotion and Magic' By Tera Kentrillifric" Hadrian read. Eagerly getting himself down, he went to a small armchair to sit down and flipped to a book marker he had left the last time he was reading the book.
"Spells as we know are casted when a witch or wizard speaks the proper incantation and performs the correct movements for their wands. It's quite common knowledge that the power of a spell varies from wizard to wizard. Take for example a simple disarming spell from someone such as Albus Dumbledore, to your average wizard. A magnitude of difference can easily be observed.
What many people don't know is the power of emotions behind a spell. It's been theorized that in the event of powerful emotions during casting, the emotions can easily raise the power by tenfold. The Cruciatus is the first spell to come to mind to see the fuel of emotion in a spell.
Nicholas Flamel has touched upon this, stating…"
"Master Harry mustn't spend too long here. The Lord Potter has called for lunch."
Hadrian blinked and looked away from the book to find himself face to face with one of their house elves. His favorite house elf.
"Father sent for me?" Hadrian asked, surprised. "He never calls me for lunch. Only Jamie."
Tilly, the house elf, nodded. "Yes. Master Harry is correct, but Lord Potter says he must talk to yous."
Frowning slightly, Hadrian closed the book and got up from his seat to stretch. The sun stood high in the sky, signaling that it was already noon. He had completely forgotten about the time as he read.
Allowing Tilly to lead him to the dining hall, he decided to make small conversation with the elf.
"Do you have any idea what my father wants to talk about?" Hadrian asked.
Tilly shook her head. "Tilly is unaware, Master Harry. Lord Potter only asked for Tilly to bring Master Harry. "
"He must've come up with another way to show how much of a disappointment I am to him," Hadrian grumbled.
"Master Harry is never a disappointment!" Tilly exclaimed. "Master Harry must be more confident in himself!"
Hadrian only gave her a soft smile for the encouragement and continued the walk in silence.
In his earliest memories of learning to converse with Tilly when he was younger, she was unable to fully say his name. After a small outburst by her at the inability to say Hadrian, he had allowed her to call him by a simpler version of his name, Harry.
From that day forward, Tilly has been a great friend to him.
Finally, they reached the dining hall. Tilly opened the door to allow him inside where he was met with the sight of his father at the head of a long table with Jamie seated on his left. Strangely enough, there was an attractive looking blond woman seated next to his father on his right, looking absolutely bored.
"Father." Hadrian greeted curtly, giving the woman a quick glance. "There is something you wish to talk to me about?"
James only gestured for him to have a seat next to Jamie, in which Hadrian did.
Hadrian stared at the steak in front of him, but he waited for his father to give an explanation or at the very least, introduce him to the woman.
Instead, his father continued to eat and acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Taking that as a sign, Hadrian slowly began his own meal. He had to roll his eyes when he noticed Jamie trying to stealthily ogle the woman from the corner of his vision.
Silence filled the room as the occupants either ate, stole glances, or simply looked bored. A few minutes of this had passed until James finally spoke up.
"I am getting married."
The echoes of silverware clattering to the ground was the only that was heard after that statement.
"And what about mother?" Hadrian asked with a blank look on his face.
"And what of her?"
The cold answer of James shook Hadrian, causing his eyes to narrow in anger.
Jamie, however, looked slightly hesitant. "Are you sure about this, father?" Jamie asked tentatively. "Mother…she's…"
"-unable to sit here with us," James finished for him. He looked over at Jamie and his eyes seemed to soften. "It's time I moved on son. You will understand as you get older. Men like us are not built to be tied down to one woman."
"So you replace mother?" Hadrian snarled, standing up from his seat. "How long? How long did you have this planned? How long have you been sleeping with this bimbo? How long-"
'THUMP'
"I WILL NOT BE SPOKEN LIKE THIS IN MY OWN HOUSE!' James roared, his fist smashed against the table.
Hadrian glared at his father in anger but ultimately sat back down. During the heated exchange, he noticed the blond woman's bored look suddenly turned irritated when he called her a bimbo.
"Now," James cleared his throat. "This is Narcissa Black."
"Sirius said she married," Harry commented, doing his best to contain his anger.
Shooting Hadrian a glare for interrupting him, James answered. "Lucius has been found guilty recently for his actions in the past war. He has been sentenced to Azkaban for life."
"So you choose to marry the wife of a death eater," Hadrian said bitterly.
"Watch your tone, boy!" James hissed. "Narcissa here was the one who brought the evidence to me so I could get him locked up!"
Hadrian had at least hoped his brother would support him a bit more, but one glance at him and Hadrian knew that something like that was not going to happen.
The younger brother had a hesitant look on his face, but seemed to hold his tongue. Hadrian knew that he would accept this change so long as he remained the favored son.
It was also at that moment where Narcissa decided to stand up and speak.
"I am very pleased to meet the two of you," Narcissa greeted with a small curtsy. " I fell for your father when he rescued me at the hands of Malfoy, and I care for him very much. I hope that we shall become at the very least friends. Jamie. Hadrian."
Narcissa finished her little speech addressing the two boys. Hadrian wanted to snort at her comment of being rescued, but he knew it wouldn't go over well with the other two males at the table.
Jamie looked like he was in awe of his father, probably viewing him as a knight in shining armor. Whilst his father himself looked smug.
"Of course, Narcissa! My boys will welcome you into our home! You see, Jamie?" James elbowed his younger son. "Your dear old father managed to take down that evil Malfoy and get his woman. Not bad, eh?"
Of course. Hadrian should've known that his father just wanted to one up a rival of his. What better way to do it then to get the man arrested and pine after his wife?
"May I be excused, father?" Hadrian asked calmly, still trying to keep his cool.
James didn't even bother to respond, instead choosing to ogle his soon to be wife. He only waved his hand to signal that Hadrian could excuse himself.
And excuse himself he did. Hadrian did not feel like staying any longer in the same room as his family and that blond woman. Stomping off out of the dining hall, he wandered aimlessly in the manor.
Something was definitely off about Narcissa. Hadrian had heard about her from Sirius time to time. He knew who she had once married, and the way that Sirius spoke about her pointed that she was a deceptive woman.
Hadrian's father may be an absolute and utter prick, but he wasn't a stupid one at that. Well, he was a skirt chasing one though. But Hadrian doubt that he would be dumb enough to let himself be taken advantage of.
Although, he had seen signs of his father's skirt chasing. Hadrian had witnessed a multitude of women come and enter the house, and although they introduced themselves as his father's friend, Hadrian knew better with the noises he heard.
Finally coming to a stop, Hadrian realized that he had subconsciously made his way to the library, the place where he spent a good chunk of his time. Letting out a sigh, he pushed open the door to find a familiar house elf waiting for him inside.
"Tilly? Did father send for me again?" Hadrian asked exasperatedly, throwing his hands into the air.
The house elf shook her head sadly. "Master Harry is angry so Tilly checks up on the young master."
Hadrian blinked. "Oh."
Flopping down on an armchair across from Tilly, the house elf stayed quiet as she watched him intently.
"I should've known." Hadrian muttered, slumped defeatedly. "All the signs were there. Mother made a mistake marrying him."
Hadrian felt a warm hand on his own. Looking up, he found Tilly giving him a comforting smile.
"Tilly remembers the young master when he was a boy," Tilly said reminiscently. "Missus Lily always liked to kiss your cheek. Said it was chubby. Missus said it made it very kissable. She'd be so happy seeing the young master grown up now."
Hadrian chuckled at the image of himself as a baby. But his face turned somber when he remembered the situation he was in.
"Was he always like this?" Hadrian asked softly. "My father. Was he?"
"No. The Lord Potter was a kinder man," Tilly answered sadly. "But after mistress Lily was gone, Lord Potter changed."
"I just don't understand why," Hadrian mumbled. "Why am I the one he just takes it out on? Why not Jamie, why me? I'm the older one for crying out loud."
Tilly looked like she wanted to say something, but quickly stopped herself. This caused Hadrian to raise an eyebrow at the elf's attempted coverup.
"Tilly. What's the reason? You obviously know something." Hadrian pressed.
The little elf fervently shook her head. "Tilly can't say! Tilly shouldn't even be talking to Master Harry about this!"
Hadrian had leaned forward in his chair begging the elf to answer. "Please. It's been happening for so long. Please give me something. Anything!"
Tilly looks like she was fighting an inner battle with herself for a few seconds. Finally she blurted out, "He says is yous fault! Yous stole from him!"
She gasped and quickly covered her mouth. But the damage had already been done.
"Stole from him?" Hadrian questioned in disbelief. "What could I have possibly stolen from him? I'm bloody 11 for Merlin's sake!"
Tilly shook her head in shame. "Tilly has said too much," she mumbled. "Lord Potter tells Tilly she mustn't say his secrets to others. Tilly is a bad elf. Tilly has to punish herself. Tilly is a bad, bad elf."
Hadrian gritted his teeth in frustration. Seeing the state of Tilly who appeared to prepare to go off to punish herself, it was obvious that his father had ordered the elf to not repeat whatever it was about his hatred towards him.
Looking at the elf, he let out a sigh of pity. "Tilly, I forbid you from punishing yourself. Just…try to forget about the situation and let's move on from it."
The elf stopped in her tracks and shakily made her way back to near Hadrian.
"So Tilly," Hadrian asked, trying to change the topic. "Do you um, have much to do today?"
At the mention of the day, Tilly suddenly shifted from her solemn state to be excited, making Hadrian wonder what was going on.
"Oh Master Harry! Tilly almost forgot but Tilly didn't!" She exclaimed.
"Um forgot what?" Hadrian was confused.
"The young master's birthday!"
With a snap of her fingers, a red velvet cake appeared on the round table in front of them, causing Hadrian's jaw to drop.
"I-it's my birthday today!" Hadrian was in disbelief that he forgot his own birthday. "You remembered." His eyes softened.
Tilly beamed. "Tis' a shame young master Harry forgot. But that's why Tilly here! To make sure master Harry is happy and knows he's loved!"
Hadrian immediately jumped onto the little elf and threw his arms around her, pulling her into a hug.
"Thank you Tilly." He whispered into her ear.
The elf chuckled. "Tis' nothing, Master Harry. Why don't yous make a wish?"
Pulling away, he looked at the cake. Hadrian counted 12 candles and he smiled.
July 31st was his actual birthday, but he had always celebrated the day before. Jamie was a bit more pampered by their father, and Hadrian wasn't usually as involved in the birthday celebrations.
Hence, he didn't want to celebrate on the same day as his twin.
Gingerly picking up the cake in his hands, the candles blew gently towards his direction, almost as if calling him to blow on it.
"Thank you again, Tilly. Somehow you remembered when I seemed to have forgotten myself," he chuckled.
The little elf smiled as Hadrian blew out the candles, silently making his wish.
"What does the young master wish for?"
The only response that Hadrian could give the house elf was a sad smile before eagerly digging into the cake.
＊＊＊
Emerging out of the floo of the Leaky Cauldron, Hadrian found Diagon Alley was bustling with activity. Witches and Wizards everywhere moved with purpose. It wasn't exactly a surprise, considering that it would only be about a month before the Hogwarts school year started.
Hadrian was forced along the little trip by his father. Normally, he wouldn't even be wanted on a trip such as this, but James had apparently made it clear that he wanted him to get along with his soon to be wife.
"James?" Hadrian mused in his head.
James wasn't exactly someone he could call a father. Sure, he was by blood, but by his actions and how he treated Hadrian, it felt near impossible to keep calling him father.
Perhaps he shouldn't be called father.
Hadrian may not be able to say that to his face, but he at least had control of his thoughts.
And he chose to think of the man merely as James at least for this shopping trip. Who knows, maybe it'll become a more permanent thing.
"Keep up with us, boy! Don't tell me you got floo sickness?"
The voice of the man called in front of him, letting him know he was falling behind.
Hadrian's eyebrow twitched. Maybe James would become a permanent thing soon at this rate.
James Potter walked in front, Narcissa Black on his right whilst his favored son followed on the left. The scene suddenly hit him with a tinge of sadness inside, seeing how he was the odd one out.
Shaking his head, Hadrian ignored the thoughts and quickened his pace until he managed to catch up to the rest, earning a smirk from his annoying twin.
The people of Diagon Alley seemed to finally notice who was in their presence as the clobbered to get closer to the Potters.
"Lord Potter! He's here!"
"Is it him? Who is that woman with him?"
"Isn't that Lady Malfoy? What's she doing with him?"
"Lord Potter! Thank you for defeating the Dark Lord!"
"Britain thanks you, sir!"
The bustling crowd seemed to make way for the small party as cheers rang out. James Potter grinned and waved at the crowd, taking the compliments in stride.
Hadrian glanced at Narcissa, as the woman seemed to be bombarded with questions. Many of them were asking her what she was doing with James Potter. Like a natural, her only reply was a smile and wave.
A few glances were thrown his way, but his serious demeanor thwarted off any attempts at questions. Not to mention how he didn't seem to exactly stay close to everyone else.
Jamie however, took everything in stride. It's almost as if he was a splitting clone of James with the way he reacted. Waves and smiles sent excitement through the crowd, as they rushed to him for any questions they might have for Hadrian.
"Tell us how Lord Potter is?"
"What was it like when the Dark Lord was defeated? You were there!"
"Who's the lady next to Lord Potter?"
"Oh my you handsome thing…are you single?"
Jamie had effortlessly provided an answer of his own for each question that was asked.
"My father is the greatest! He's going to lead the wizarding population of Britain into a new era!"
"Well, I wasn't exactly old enough to remember…"
"I think my father is going to make an announcement about that soon."
"And I'm pretty single at the moment, but who knows for how long so you better act fast, miss."
Jamie's last answer included a wink directed at the witch who asked it, causing her to blush.
Finally, after some time, they all arrived at their destination. The crowd had dispersed somewhat, as they all went about their business. Evidently, it was clear that many people were still preparing for the upcoming Hogwarts term, which didn't allow for their celebrity worship to last long.
Quality Quidditch Supplies wasn't Hadrian's favorite place, but his counterpart twin's eyes lit up, as Jamie took in the store.
"Well Jamie, I told you I'd get you something special for your birthday!" James said with a grin. But the man unexpectedly remembered it was Hadrian's birthday as well and glanced back with a frown. "We'll go to Second Hand Bookshop for your present after, if you wait outside for a bit."
It was a bit a surprise for Hadrian. Not that he had to get second hand books, because that was pretty much expected with his fath - James' treatment of him, but that he would get something for his birthday after all.
"Thank you, father." Hadrian said politely.
The man only grunted before dragging his preferred son inside the store, his soon to be wife following behind.
Hadrian stood outside waiting for them to finish. It did sting a little that his brother would get something so nice, but it would've stung a whole lot more if Hadrian was into quidditch as well.
"Hmmm. Maybe James doesn't like me because I don't play quidditch," Hadrian mused. "No, that can't be it. The only clue I have to go on is Tilly's comments. But seriously, what could I have even stolen?"
The words from Tilly last night had continued to bother him. He knew that he should probably be enjoying the day a bit more and give into his excitement of actually getting some books.
It was a little bit awkward standing leaned up against Quality Quidditch Supplies. But his excitement of actually getting some form of presents all the more made up for it, as he willingly stood there patiently waiting.
It was quite strange to think that James would offer him something for his birthday. And the only condition was for him to wait here? Usually he would just order-
"H-hey!"
Instinctively, Hadrian felt himself shouting out in protest when he felt a hand grab him by the scruff of the neck.
'Pop!'
It was so fast that in a few blinks, Hadrian found himself in an empty alleyway with a man wearing dark robes and a hood covering his face standing before him.
Before he could fully decipher what was going on, something foul started to rise up in his throat.
"Bleuaghhhhhh!"
Hunched over, Hadrian spilled whatever content was in his stomach right into the cobble ground.
"Apparition does that to you, kid."
The hooded figure's gruff voice spoke. Glancing up from the ground, Hadrian saw the figure approaching him to grab him by the neck. His body instantly slammed against the brick wall behind him, eliciting a shout of pain.
"Here's what's going to happen, kid," the gruff voice growled. "Your father is going to send over 5,000 galleons once he gets the message on what happened. If I don't get an answer within 5 days, I start sending parts. So play nice or I change my mind and start sending parts immediately."
Hadrian's eyes widened in fear. From the position he was held in, the boy could see his captor's face. A rough looking beard and aged eyes filled with hatred stared back at him.
The sound of another 'pop' was heard and another robed figure appeared in the deserted alleyway.
"I thought we were supposed to meet in Diagon Alley?" The newcomer grumbled, stomping towards them.
This time the voice was feminine, the woman seeming to have a hint of annoyance in her tone.
The man holding Hadrian against the wall dropped him unceremoniously, letting the boy collapse in front of him.
"Diagon Alley?" The man turned around to glare at the woman. "Are you stupid? We agreed on Knockturn Alley because of how many people were in Diagon Alley! Use your brain, woman!"
The woman in question scoffed and stormed up to where Hadrian was hunched over. Taking a look at the boy on the ground, she scoffed at the pathetic sight that he was in.
"We should just kill him now." she muttered. "Make the bastard pay for killing the dark lord. Take his beloved son from him."
"And do pray tell where we'll get the funds needed?" the man's hand shot out to stop the woman from doing anything.
The two of them seemed to be in an intense stare down before the woman huffed and gave up. Tossing over what seemed to be an empty old quill bottle, the man seamlessly caught it.
"The portkey?" he asked.
"It should activate in 10 minutes."
"Good. Make yourself useful and make sure no one sees anything."
Hadrian watched as the woman went to secure the area. Looking back to the man who stood watch over him, a few questions appeared in his mind.
"Why?" he asked quietly. "Why me? Why not my brother?"
The man gave him an odd look. "Shouldn't you know? You're the heir, aren't you? Potter wouldn't want to lose his first born."
Hearing the statement made Hadrian snort, momentarily forgetting the position he was in.
"Something funny I said, kid?" his captor growled, taking a step forward.
"N-no sir." Harry quickly shook his head. "It's just…you probably would've done better if you got my brother."
"You're not going to get yourself out of this, kid. Unless you have 5,000 galleons lying around somewhere."
The boy was sitting with his legs criss crossed now. He crossed his arms and let out a huff at his captors' accusation.
"I'm serious!" Hadrian protested. "The man cares more about my prat of a brother than me!
"Just shut up, would you?" The man groaned. "I'm not here to listen to a brat whine about how unfair-"
The man immediately stopped talking when a loud shout came from behind him. In a moment's notice, he had his wand in his hand and had his back towards Hadrian.
Curious at the noise, Hadrian was about to peer out from behind when suddenly, the man dodged to the side as a loud crack could be heard.
'CRACK!'
The noise caused Hadrian to flinch, as the pieces of the brick wall behind him fell onto his head.
His captor quickly recovered and grabbed the boy as he kicked and squirmed.
"Damn it!" The man cursed.
Hadrian could only get a glimpse of the man's sweaty face before he felt himself being turned around to face a group of witches and wizards wearing auror uniforms encircling them.
The tip of a wand was felt pressed against Hadrian's head, causing him to instantly hold still,
"Aurors! Drop the wand and let him go!"
A brown haired woman stepped out from the group, her wand still aimed at them.
"Another step and the kid sees the afterlife!" The captor growled.
The female auror stopped in her place, her eyes still locked onto them.
"Anti-apparition wards are up," she said. "There's no way out of this. Just make it easy and come peacefully."
Hadrian could hear the sound of his captor gritting his teeth. He could feel the man's breathing starting to get heavy against his back as the man seemed to try to come to a decision on what to do.
"…"
"…"
"5,000 galleons," the man doubled down. He was unwilling to let Hadrian go. "Potter's going to pay."
Before the conversation could go further, the person in question stepped out from behind the line of aurors surrounding them, causing Hadrian's eyes to widen.
"Fire at will, Lieutenant." The voice of James Potter spoke.
The woman snapped her head back at him. "Captain? But your son is in the line of fire!"
James' icy cold stare at the situation didn't change at his Lieutenant's words. "We don't negotiate with terrorists."
As James signaled for the aurors to fire their spells, simultaneously the man holding Hadrian captive began to mutter his own spell, a green light glowing from his wand,
"Avada Ke-"
A multitude of stunners flew right at them. The man holding Hadrian captive was knocked back while 2 of the stunners had Hadrian collapsing to the ground.
The aurors moved in cautiously, making sure the captor had stayed down. The woman who protested was the first to reach Hadrian, making sure that he was okay.
Of course, he only laid on the ground staring back, frozen from the stunner.
"Merlin's beard…" the lieutenant murmured. She moved to check Hadrian for any injuries. Finding none, she stood up and had her wand out.
"Rennervate!"
With a gasp, Hadrian shot up from the ground. Patting himself, he made sure that the lieutenant didn't miss anything.
"How do you feel?"
It was the lieutenant's voice this time. Her eyes stared at Hadrian with a worried look in them. It was a strange feeling for Hadrian, as this was probably the first time he had someone other than Tilly who was worried for him.
"I'm…" Hadrian paused. Truth be told, he felt terrible. Someone pulled him out of his nice comfortable leaning spot, shoved him against the wall, threatened to take his parts, and then was held against wand point in a standoff with 2 stunners hitting him.
There really was one answer.
"...fine."
The lieutenant didn't seem to believe him. She just snorted and began fussing over him, brushing the dust that seemed to have gathered onto his messy hair.
"We should get you to the hospital," the lieutenant murmured. "I don't see any external injuries, but who knows about internal ones. Damn James and his foolishness…Tonks!"
The lieutenant called over another auror, a pinked haired woman who excitedly scrambled over to them.
"Lieutenant?" Tonks stood ready, doing her best to look professional.
"Get the boy to St. Mungos and have them look for any internal injuries. Make sure-"
"Belay that order. Tonks, get Goyle over there to a holding cell. I want him interrogated and a report on my desk tomorrow morning about whatever information we can gather."
James Potter spoke up, finally coming over to take a look at Hadrian. The man took one glance at him before addressing his subordinates.
Hadrian subconsciously balled up his fists at the man's lack of care towards him. What's wrong with him? His son had just gone through a kidnapping event!
"Captain? What about your son?" The lieutenant questioned angrily. "He was hit with two stunners and who knows what they did to him before that!"
At least someone cared. Hadrian watched as the lieutenant almost instinctively got in front of Hadrian as if to shield him.
James merely waved her off. "We have more important things, lieutenant. I want you to get this part cordoned off and let The Daily Prophet through once they get here. And only them."
"But Captain!" the lieutenant protested. "There's a real danger that he could be-"
"Amelia Bones." James glowered at the woman, his tone returning to its coldness. "Another word out of you that isn't 'yes captain,' will be taken as insubordination. And you know what happens to those who are insubordinate, don't you?"
Amelia Bones gritted her teeth and glared back at her captain with fierce anger. James matched the glare, as if daring her to say anything else.
Hadrian noticed her almost shaking and he knew that if he didn't say anything, this woman would throw out her entire career for him.
He couldn't let her do that. He couldn't let someone that had shown him a kindness and care that should've been done in the place of his so-called father.
"It's alright," Hadrian said softly. "I'm okay. Really. I don't need to go to the hospital."
The woman turned around and looked at him conflicted. She hesitated for a second but seeing the pleading look in Hadrian's eyes for her to go with it, she turned around to meet her superior.
"Yes captain." Amelia answered bitterly.
James smirked before waving her off. Amelia stomped away to carry out her orders, but not before turning around to give Hadrian one last disheartened look.
"Father." Hadrian addressed cautiously. "Where is Jamie and Narcissa?"
"They're still shopping. They will be here soon enough. There's going to be an announcement."
"Oh. I would like to return home early, instead of waiting. The situation-"
"You will remain here." James interrupted. "Once The Daily Prophet arrives, you're going to give a full account of what happened and how I saved you."
Hadrian raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Father? Did you just not see-"
"And you will talk about how I was quick to get you out of harm's way before valiantly stopping the death eater."
James simply ignored him and talked right over. On top of that, apparently he wanted Hadrian to lie about what happened.
"But that's not what happened…" Hadrian mumbled.
"The truth is what I make of it." James replied coldly. "Remember who keeps a roof over your head and food on the table."
The boy did not want to lie, much less even stay. He felt an ache throughout his body from the stunners, but the glare from his father didn't leave him much choice.
"Yes father."
Being obedient was all he could do.
＊＊＊
Hostage Standoff in Knockturn Alley!
By Rita Skeever
Just yesterday, the son of James Potter was taken hostage and held at wandpoint in Diagon Alley after a shopping trip for his birthday. The young Potter was grabbed off of Diagon Alley and apparated into Knockturn Alley. Awaiting for an associate to bring a portkey, alleged death eater Goyle had an intense standoff with aurors led by Captain James Potter himself. This ended with the prompt takedown of Goyle and the young Potter was saved. When Hadrian Potter was interviewed, he had this to say:
"My brave father rushed to save me and put himself on the line! At any point, he could've been seriously injured. Instead, he made sure that I was safe, even at his own expense, before taking down the death eater."
Wow! James Potter seems to be such an amazing auror! Along with his bold actions of saving his son, the Lord of House Potter also announced a new marriage between himself and Narcissa Black, previously Malfoy. After a heart wrenching tale of how Ms. Black soon-to-be Potter, worked with Lord Potter on convicting Malfoy, the two fell madly in love!
The wedding is announced to be held next month, albeit the day is still unclear. We should get a specific date within…
Hadrian Potter threw the newspaper article angrily into the fireplace to allow the flames to consume the vile trash.
What was wrong with the paper? It was as if everyone had completely forgotten that his father was already married to his mother! Not a single mention of Lily Potter and it all seemed to stem from Rita Skeever.
"Damn that woman!" Hadrian cursed. "She completely twisted my words! I didn't even say most of it! I made it as boring and monotonous as possible!"
The boy slumped down in his armchair. He was hiding out in the library, unwilling to face his so-called father.
"Not only does he lie and make me say those things…" Hadrian muttered, thoughts flowing to the scene of the hostage standoff, "but he had the gall to risk my life! I knew he didn't care, but I didn't think he wouldn't care that much!"
As Hadrian continued to rant to himself, the house elf Tilly quietly slipped in the room.
"Ah…the young master is ranting to himself," Tilly mumbled. "Young master Harry!" she called.
Finally noticing the elf, Hadrian perked up at being called. "What is it?" he asked, almost harshly. Noticing his tone of voice, he quickly apologized. "Sorry, Tilly. I'm just…annoyed."
The elf seemed quite understanding as she offered a comforting smile to him. "Lord Potter called for yous to join him for dinner."
"Seriously?" Hadrian groaned. "What does he want now? 2 days in a row!"
The elf only shrugged.
Forcing himself up, Hadrian unhurriedly began making his way to the door and then finally to the dining hall. He did his best to prolong the walk but the small little shoves that Tilly made when she noticed him slowing at places, finally made sure that he arrived at the dining hall.
Strangely enough, the only person sitting in it was his father.
"You took your time. Or was it the elf? Either way, I'll make sure she's punished later." James sneered.
A flash of anger overtook Hadrian as he saw the look of fear wash over Tilly.
"It was my fault." Hadrian answered hotly. "She's not to blame."
James glared at him coldly. "Regardless. It'll teach you to be here on time when called for."
Motioning his hand to a seat across the long table, Hadrian obediently followed and sat down.
As food was being brought to the table, Hadrian couldn't help but wonder why it was only him and his father.
However, before he could voice his question, his father had already begun speaking.
"I'm disappointed."
A roll of Hadrian's eyes. Nothing new from that man.
"What did I order you to do, boy?"
"I don't know." Hadrian bit back.
A snort from James. "Your ignorance truly knows no bounds. I don't remember my offspring being born as a troll."
The comment almost got Hadrian out of his seat.
Almost.
Instead, he shook quietly in anger and gritted his teeth.
Taking his silence as acceptance of the answer, James continued with a smirk.
"I specifically ordered you to speak well of the events that took place yesterday. Instead, I find out from Miss Skeever that you barely said anything noteworthy at all."
"So you decide to change my own words, huh father." Hadrian replied with venom in his last word.
"Don't use that tone with me, boy," James sneered. "What use do I have of you if you can't follow a simple command?"
"I'm not just a simple soldier for you to order around!"
James ignored the comment and continued his train of thought.
"Perhaps I should marry you off as a concubinius to the Clearwaters." He mused. "Get whatever is left of their fortune because I cannot see you being worth a sickle more!"
Hadrian gasped at what was said. His face immediately reddened, and he could no longer control his anger.
For the first time, Hadrian let the full fury of contempt he held towards the man show.
"A CONCUBINIUS? YOU WOULD SELL YOUR FIRSTBORN? YOUR HEIR?" Hadrian roared.
Being a concubinius in a marriage was the worst way someone could be married off. It essentially signed away all rights of the male to the family of whomever he married into. The wife would be free to have lovers and he had no say in whether or not she stayed with him.
For all intents and purposes, it was normally a sacrificial offer that noble houses would make in exchange for clemency when subjugated by another house after a war. Yet it would never be done with a firstborn heir, male or female.
To be given as a concubinius for someone like Hadrian was as if he was being spat and stomped on.
"I would."
"You wouldn't dare," Hadrian spat. "You'd be dragging our house through the mud. The wizarding world would laugh. What the hell have I even stolen to have you hate me this much?"
The last comment made James narrow his eyes.
"Stole?" he whispered. "You have stolen EVERYTHING from me…"
In a blink of an eye, he had his wand out and pointed at Hadrian.
"Crucio!"
Eyes widening in fear, Hadrian braced for the impact of the torture curse.
But it never came.
Instead, he heard a scream from behind him.
"Tilly!" Hadrian turned around, horrified to see the elf writhing on the ground. "Stop this madness! Stop it, father!"
James only sneered as he empowered the spell. "The only way you would know something like that was if the elf spoke about it."
"STOP IT!" Hadrian screamed, matching the wails of the elf.
James momentarily stopped to stare at the scene before him, anger in his eyes.
"Master…please…" Tilly wailed, reaching a hand out."
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Hadrian cried, sprinting towards Tilly.
"A house elf is supposed to keep its masters' secret…well secret." James whispered, ignoring his son.
"Master…Tilly…sorry…."
"What use do I have of a defective servant? Crucio!"
Before Hadrian could even reach the elf, the spell took effect once more.
Tears of disbelief started to stream from Hadrian's eyes as he watched the elf scream. Red light filled the room as Hadrian stared into the almost maniacal look of his father.
Frozen.
Helpless.
That's all Hadrian could do.
That's all he could do for his friend.
The friend that would always cheer him up when he was down.
The friend that always brought a blanket for him when he stayed up too late in the library.
The friend that baked him a cake for his birthday.
The friend…that was perhaps his only friend.
The friend that he couldn't save.
When the red lights finally died down, Hadrian could only stare at the motionless body of Tilly.
"What…what have you done?"
James Potter stood over him.
"Cleaning out something worthless."
The words sent Hadrian into a frenzy.
He didn't know why there was a wand on the table. Nor where it came from. But he instantly grabbed it and aimed it at his father.
"I HATE YOU!"
A blast of dark red energy, almost similar to the cruciatus curse that was performed, shot out.
James barely had time to deflect it before another shot came out.
"I HATE YOU!" Hadrian screamed. "WHY? WHY DID YOU KILL HER?"
He stopped for a second as the boy and his father stared each other down. James glared at the boy before responding.
"I would like to say because she betrayed my confidence but that wouldn't be the whole truth. It's because I can, Hadrian. Because I. Am. Lord Potter!" he snarled. "You obey me! Your lord!"
Inwardly the boy let out a gasp.
It was the first time in so long that he heard his name being called by that man. Yet…
It was so full of venom.
It was so full of…hatred.
He thought about names. Potter.
Being a Potter meant exactly what the man in front of him said.
Potter was a name that disgusted him.
It took away his mother.
It took away his friend.
What else would it take?
"THEN I DON'T WANT TO BE A POTTER!" Hadrian shouted back. "CURSE THIS NAME! I WILL NEVER BE A POTTER AGAIN, NOR WILL I EVER CALL MYSELF YOUR SON!"
Hadrian was expecting a shout. A comment about how noble the house was. Even a look of anger. But what he didn't expect was the look of pure evil joy that his - no, James showed.
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "Then I accept."
What?
James only continued.
"Let it be from this day forward that your attacks and declaration against me no longer makes you a Potter, nor will you ever be called my blood ever! So mote it be."
With a flash blue light, the world dissolved around him.
Hadrian blinked in disbelief.
He was standing outside staring at an empty field. A familiar field that he knew very well.
Because this field was supposed to be the place where he grew up. It's deep history was drilled vehemently in his head after all.
Potter Manor was supposed to stand tall and proud in front of him.
Instead…just a field. A lush green field.
"What…what the bloody hell just happened?"
A/N: Wow. What a way to start the story.
The first thing I know that's going to be talked about is the usage of the name, Hadrian. The only thing I will say is that it's necessary to the plot and I didn't just name Harry Hadrian for the fun of it. Curious? Maybe you'll find out in the next chapter hehe.
I hope it wasn't too over the top. 7k words for the official start with a kidnapping, marriage announcement, death, and Hadrian being kicked out!
One of the things I'm thinking about is starting a discord channel where I basically just post why I wrote certain things in each chapter, along with the changes and reasons for it compared to Each Other's Hero. I don't want to write long paragraphs every chapter about changes and my reasoning for it.
Thank you for reading!