Disclaimer: I am your fa... not the owner of Harry Potter. All rights go to its rightful owner.
guest: Yup ! I'll take care of that when I'll re-read it at the end. It's been taken care of after... idk, chapter 8 I think. But yeah, thank you for pointing that out !
GhostnKC: I'm really glad you enjoy the story. Don't worry there'll be romance. I, the author, am alone writing this, but thanks for the support, I truly appreciate it. If some day you go drinking with some friends, drink one for me hahaha. Take care of yourself, and have a good day !
Guest: To answer your first comment, it seems you don't really understand the story as it is. First, you talk about "doing things stupidly to repeat parts of the book". I don't know which book you read, but I don't remember an attack on azkaban by Harry. Anyway, about things being repeated as in canon, even though Hadrian is trying to change things, it is for a good reason. You might understand why when the story will reach its end. about getting the diary, I already explained myself a hundred time, and it's getting tiring, so I won't bother doing so.
Then, for your second review. Why repeat the canon story, well why not ? From Hadrian's point of view, he knows that as long as he follow at least a little bit things as they happened in his time, he might be able to change things, while if he changes too much, his knowledge would be as useful as a dead cat. To go on, yes, he could have used his spell on Voldemort's horcruxes but: remember that from Hadrian's point of view, Voldemort is not his main goal. What's more, before Harry was hit by the AK, he feared that using his spell would kill him. Finally, his spell, to work correctly, needs to be used against the real body, just as he did on Sethom and Siena in the prologue. So he would still need to meet Voldemort's real body.
You are also talking about Barty Crouch Junior, but I have no idea why. I mean, maybe WE know as readers, but Hadrian has no damn idea where the guy is.
So, the put that shit in a nutshell, I'll say that: canon is followed because Hadrian wants to keep a hand on what's happening, and for another reason that you'll know later in the story. About the diary, I have already explained myself, I won't repeat it. The attack on Azkaban not being perfect is... well, that's the goal. I wanted to show that it's not because he is extremely powerful that he is omniscient and perfect.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and we'll see if you reach this chapter.
Jtapp1228: Thank you ! You are cool too !
CaskettFan5: Oh, yeah, once again french me making mistakes hahaha. Thank you for pointing that out, it's been taken care of ! As you said, Hadrian's clearly not perfect, and it seems that all these years he spent travelling and killing everything that breathes in a wrong way left some scars... Oh well, I won't spoil more. Anyway, good to know you enjoyed the Haphne. The story is coming slowly to an end, so thank you for be still here after 32 chapters. Take care, and have a good day !
We are entering the last arc before the final battle. Thank you to everyone that read until that point, I appreciate you all. I hope you'll like this chapter. Good read everyone !
09/01/1995, 09H11, King's Cross, London:
Hadrian crossed the barrier leading to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, flanked by Fortuna, Harry, and Daphne. He couldn't help but notice the ostentatious presence of Aurors scattered across the station, feigning heightened vigilance.
'They know full well I'm here… What a pitiful act,' he thought with a mix of disdain and irony, not even bothering to hide his face.
Some passersby stared at him intently, even moving toward the Aurors with menacing expressions. Others, conversely, greeted him with respectful nods or even effusive thanks.
Indeed, while the summer holidays had been particularly eventful for the Potter family, they had been even more tumultuous for the Ministry. The downfall of most Dark supporters, following Hadrian's orchestrated Azkaban purge and the confrontations between Voldemort and Harry at the cemetery, had plunged the Wizengamot into profound instability.
Now, debates were deadlocked between the neutral and light factions. The bounty on Hadrian's head had been gradually reduced to a mere summons to the Office of Magical Law for explanations.
This was the extent of measures the Minister and his undersecretary had been able to take. Weakened by the death of Lucius Malfoy, the politician had lost a significant portion of his financial backing and faced widespread vilification in the media following his repeated attacks on the Potters.
Rita Skeeter's disappearance only worsened the situation. Ever hungry for sensationalism, she would have eagerly investigated Hadrian to tarnish his reputation. But deprived of her venomous quill, the press had been forced to adopt a more favourable stance toward him.
The massacre of Azkaban prisoners could have been entirely suppressed… had the death of an Auror not drawn attention.
Hadrian had thus presented himself to the Ministry, providing evidence of Voldemort's return to Madam Bones and the Daily Prophet. He had then admitted to the accusations against him while justifying his actions.
Nonetheless, the situation remained in gridlock. Hadrian's immunity—stemming from Dumbledore's refusal to intervene, as he was the only one capable of opposing him—prevented his arrest. A vote had been held in the Wizengamot. As long as the Minister refused to officially acknowledge the Dark Lord's return, no action could be taken against Hadrian. However, a loophole had been identified by the two major factions.
Most of the Death Eaters Hadrian had eliminated were already wanted, with bounties placed on their heads. And these bounties had gone unclaimed.
Nothing prevented Hadrian from tracking down these wanted wizards, eliminating them, and collecting the associated rewards.
But why go to such lengths to exonerate such a controversial figure? The answer was self-evident.
Voldemort's return was now an open secret. The media feud between Fudge and Dumbledore dominated the headlines. However, unlike in Hadrian's time, Fudge found himself isolated, and Voldemort no longer tried to hide his return. His repeated attacks in the Muggle world, as well as the assaults on certain pureblood families like the Greengrasses, made the Dark Lord's comeback undeniable.
During Hadrian's era, the Minister had an ideal scapegoat in Sirius Black. This time, although he still refused to admit the return of the bloodthirsty monster, he could no longer explain recent events.
Within the Wizengamot, the neutral faction, long led by Hadrian and Alexander, naturally worked to clear the time traveller's name.
As for the light faction, it was largely dominated by Augusta Longbottom and Dumbledore, two allies of the Potter family. Consequently, the last obstacles to Hadrian's acquittal lay with the Minister and Voldemort himself.
The magical world needed him. If Voldemort had returned, Hadrian would be one of the few capable of opposing him, and everyone knew it.
Thus, exploiting a legal loophole quickly patched, the authorities had dropped all charges against him.
Unfortunately, though cleared of all accusations, Hadrian was far from innocent in the eyes of many. This ambiguity stirred growing unease among the population.
If Hadrian ever turned against them, they would be powerless.
'As if I had nothing better to do than massacre everyone in sight… I just want this to end,' he sighed inwardly, limping toward a quiet corner of the crowded platform.
"Well, kids, we'll leave you here. Don't forget to prepare your friends for what lies ahead. We don't know where or when Voldemort will strike next. If they don't want to perish, they'll have to fight, whether they like it or not," declared the time traveller firmly, fixing Harry with a piercing gaze.
"Of course, Uncle Hadrian. You can count on us," the young Gryffindor replied, embracing the older man. They lingered, savouring the bond they shared.
"It feels like forever since I've seen Neville, Hermione, and the others," Harry admitted, scratching his head. Recent events had distanced him from Hermione and Neville.
He felt a restless anticipation at the thought of seeing them again. After all, aside from Ron, they had been his first true friends in this enchanted world, long before he met Daphne.
Unaware of the young man's thoughts, Hadrian nodded gravely to Fortuna, then pulled his nephew into a fraternal embrace, leading him to an isolated corner of the station. Harry, sensing the gravity of the conversation, followed without hesitation.
"Keep training. You can't afford to let it gain control in there," the bounty hunter urged once they were alone in a quieter spot.
Harry nodded, acutely aware of the risks if he lost control in a place as imbued with magic as Hogwarts. "Don't worry, Uncle Hadrian. I'm more ready than I've ever been."
His green eyes glimmered with unyielding determination, reflecting the resilience forged through countless trials.
"I trust you. And don't forget to look after Daphne. She loves you and chose to stay by your side despite the dangers her family faces. Protect her; she's worth it."
The young Gryffindor nodded again, the painful memories of Daphne's ordeal flashing through his mind. He had learned from his mistakes and had no intention of repeating them.
Hadrian stepped back slightly, placing a hand on Harry's heart. "If the opportunity arises, gather evidence against her. I'm not asking you to eliminate her, just to document her actions. The rest is my responsibility. Her downfall will lead to Fudge's, and then Voldemort's. Finally, we'll be free…" he sighed, bitterness mingling with hope in his voice.
He felt relief at nearing the end of this relentless struggle. The war had worn him down, but he had quenched his thirst for vengeance. The Weasleys were scarcely connected to Harry, the forces of evil had been significantly weakened, Sirius and many others had survived, and Voldemort was on his last legs.
'We're almost there,' he rejoiced inwardly, a bitter smile gracing his lips.
He studied Harry for a long moment, searching for traces of all he had endured.
"I wasn't the uncle you deserved. Obsessed with the war, I raised you as a soldier, reducing you to an instrument. I deeply regret it. I stole your childhood to sate my thirst for peace," Hadrian began before Harry tried to interrupt.
He raised a hand to stop him. "Perhaps I simply saw you as I was back then… This guilt will haunt me until my dying breath."
He turned then, his gaze falling on Fortuna, who was exchanging words with Daphne. "Nonetheless, because of it, you'll survive Voldemort and any threats that follow. Then, you'll find the peace I've always sought."
Harry, puzzled, tilted his head. "You know, Harry, when I was younger, I met an extraordinary woman. We were madly in love, and barely out of school, we married," Hadrian confided, a faint smile on his lips.
"Unfortunately, I lacked strength back then, and we paid a steep price. One day, while I was away, a group of dark wizards managed to breach my defences and took her and our children…"
"You weren't weak! Otherwise, they wouldn't have waited until you were absent!" Harry exclaimed, pained by the thought.
Hadrian offered a soft smile and shook his head. "If I was absent, it's because every mission took far longer than it should have," he explained resignedly.
"I'm not making excuses," he continued, placing a hand on his nephew's head. "Just trying to make you understand why I acted as I did. I'm sorry for what I put you through. But when I see who you've become, I have no doubt that, unlike me, you'll face every threat without letting it harm those you love."
Harry nodded, embracing his uncle once more. He had nothing to add. He didn't entirely agree with his uncle's view that he had "stolen his childhood," but he knew he couldn't convince him otherwise. So, he chose to show his affection and gratitude instead.
Nearby, Fortuna and Daphne continued their conversation.
"I hope you remember everything we discussed," the older woman said with a maternal smile. "I do," Daphne sighed, a faint blush tinting her cheeks.
"Good. I'm counting on you to remind him he has a life beyond war. Don't let him be consumed by the power of those cursed artefacts. You're the only one who can bring him back to reason."
Daphne nodded resolutely. After the attack on her family, they had retreated to one of their secondary residences in France. Hadrian and the goblins had ensured they were now under impenetrable protection, even providing an emergency Portkey to every family member.
Astoria, meanwhile, wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts this year. The aftermath of her long coma had left her significantly behind in her studies. It had been decided she would continue her education within the family until she caught up.
Only the eldest Greengrass, eager to spend time with Harry, had stayed at Potter Manor. She occasionally visited her parents but had spent most of the summer with her boyfriend.
"Daphne… Are you all right?" Harry asked, suddenly appearing by her side like a mirage.
"O-Oh, I'm fine. I didn't see you come back," she replied, startled by his sudden appearance, as Harry and his uncle observed her fondly.
"Go on, have fun! I think I see Neville, Hermione, and Tracey Davis waving to you from the train. Join them before they leave without you!" Hadrian encouraged, returning to Fortuna's side.
The two young students nodded and walked away, leaving the two adults to share a knowing smile.
"Hadrian?"
The call came from his pendant. "What is it, Leo?" he asked, sensing something serious.
"We've found Remus Lupin… But… well, I think it's better if you see for yourself," came the sorrowful voice of Hery, tinged with deep sadness.
Troubled, Hadrian focused his magic to locate his team members, then drew his wand.
"Fortuna, take my hand. We have an emergency!" he declared firmly. She complied without hesitation, and they disappeared in a flash of light, praying the worst hadn't already come to happen.
09/01/1995, 11H32, Hogwarts Express, England:
"I'm glad to hear your uncle is no longer wanted, Harry," Hermione said, a warm smile lighting up her face.
After reuniting on the platform, they wandered through the train looking for an empty compartment where they could talk privately. Hermione and Neville, now Gryffindor prefects, had just returned from their rounds and looked exhausted.
"So am I. Not that they could have done anything against him anyway," Harry admitted, a hint of pride in his voice.
"So it was him who attacked Azkaban that day," Neville said thoughtfully.
Harry nodded, watching Hermione's reaction. A silence settled over the compartment as everyone's eyes turned toward the young witch.
"Why are you all staring at me like that? I have nothing to say. What they did was atrocious. They deserved to be punished—and more," she declared firmly, surprising her companions, though not Neville.
Harry, pleased with her response, shot her a conspiratorial wink, which Neville mirrored. The maturity of these two was even more impressive than his own, judging by how they carried themselves.
"Well, putting my uncle aside, I suppose you had a good summer?" Harry teased, gesturing at Hermione and Neville's clasped hands.
The pair flushed crimson, prompting a burst of laughter from the two Slytherin girls seated to Harry's right.
"We… We've been dating for a few months now," Hermione admitted, flustered. "So far, everything's going well…" she began, glancing at Neville, who nodded enthusiastically.
"O-Oh yes, very well indeed. I've never been happier! No life-threatening situations, and everything always works out perfectly!" Neville exaggerated, earning a playful jab in the shoulder from his girlfriend.
Harry, genuinely happy for them, laughed heartily. He felt lighter than he had during the entire last term. Seeing his friends again had done him a world of good.
Meanwhile, Tracy and Daphne were catching up. The blonde recounted the adventures of her holiday to her best friend, who listened attentively, trying to lift her spirits. At one point, Tracy handed her an enchanted lightning-shaped keychain as a gift.
"Thank you so much, Tracy. It's lovely," Daphne said earnestly, carefully tucking the gift away. Tracy had always been there for her, and she was infinitely grateful.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I need to talk about something important," Harry announced, gently taking Daphne's hand. He knew the topic would be difficult but wanted to reassure her.
"Voldemort has returned. That, you already know. But more importantly… he's cornered. Many of his followers have fallen; he's on the brink of collapse, closer to death than he's ever been… which means he has nothing left to lose," Harry stated solemnly.
"And that makes him even more dangerous. We don't know what he might do or who he might target. That's why I want all of you to train relentlessly this year."
Harry turned his gaze to Neville. "If you come across other students struggling, help them. Not just because it's your duty as Gryffindor prefects, but because it's crucial that they're able to defend themselves. Can I count on you?" he asked, momentarily releasing Daphne's hand and extending his to Neville.
"You can count on me," Neville said, shaking his hand firmly. Hermione, meanwhile, nodded resolutely. She trusted Harry implicitly, and if he deemed it necessary to prepare others, she was ready to give her all.
"We trained for combat over the summer," Hermione admitted. "But that doesn't mean we're ready. I just hope we have a competent professor this year…" she sighed, her eyes darkening at the memory of previous Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers.
The comment elicited a light chuckle from Tracy, who couldn't resist adding, "That's unlikely. Professor Dumbledore spent all summer fighting Fudge and searching for a new Potions professor to replace Snape. I'm afraid our chances are slim…"
After this brief digression, a heavy silence settled in the compartment. Tracy and Hermione pulled out books and immersed themselves in their reading, while Neville and Harry engaged in a more animated conversation. Daphne, worn out by recent events, drifted off to sleep on her boyfriend's lap.
It was when Neville was recounting his grandmother's latest intervention at the Ministry that Hermione spoke again, a mysterious gleam in her eyes.
"You know," she began, "if our new Defence professor turns out to be as incompetent as the last ones, I have a little idea of what we could do." Her gaze settled on Harry, who immediately sensed a plan forming in his best friend's mind. He knew that any of Hermione's schemes would involve meticulous preparation, likely eating into much of his free time.
Intrigued, Neville asked, "What are you talking about?"
The young Gryffindor pulled out her wand and cast several discreet spells on the compartment door to ensure their conversation remained private.
"All right, then. Listen closely for a few minutes…"
09/01/1995, 10H22, Rome, Italy:
Hadrian was disoriented. For the first time since his return, he had suffered a crushing defeat. Sirius's sobs, echoing in his ears, were a cruel reminder.
Following an urgent call from the DWT, he had Apparated to Potter Manor to retrieve Sirius and then joined his team. The moment he arrived, he understood the devastating news.
Remus was dead. His lifeless body lay before him, concealed by a Muggle-Repelling Charm.
The murder had been carried out with clinical precision. Almost devoid of injuries, the body told the tale of a victim caught off guard, disarmed, or struck down before he had the chance to fight back.
The absence of blood, combined with the lack of physical wounds, left no doubt: he had been killed by an Avada Kedavra.
"WHY REMUS?! WHY DID YOU GO ALONE?!" the animagus cried, clutching his friend's lifeless body.
Hadrian, on the other hand, remained motionless, as if petrified. Since his arrival, he hadn't said a word. Only his eyes, glinting with a dark intensity, betrayed the storm of thoughts raging in his mind as he analysed the scene from every angle.
Meanwhile, Fortuna had slipped away to secure the area. She, too, had grown close to the werewolf during Hadrian's absence, considering him a friend. His death stirred not only grief but also a seething anger within her. After all, it had been she who assigned Remus the mission to track Siena. Without that mission, perhaps he might still be alive.
Still silent, Hadrian finally broke the oppressive atmosphere. "This doesn't make sense. It's absurd… unless…" he murmured, his eyes widening as a terrifying hypothesis struck him.
"What are you talking about?" asked Elena, her Russian accent softened by years of speaking other languages. "What is it?" she repeated, her concern growing.
Suddenly, a surge of raw magic erupted from Hadrian, throwing everyone nearby to the ground. Realising the damage caused by his loss of control, he quickly reined in his power. He turned to the young Russian woman and muttered, "I made a grave mistake."
Sirius, oscillating between sorrow and anger, gently laid Remus's body down and strode determinedly toward Hadrian. "What do you mean?" he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.
The time traveller lowered his head, unable to mask his own fury. But unlike Sirius, his hatred was directed inward.
"Uh, boss!" Hery called out, joining the bounty hunter. "I don't understand any of this! We found two different magical signatures… but at the same time, they're identical."
Hadrian nodded, a faint, weary smile tugging at his lips. This discovery hardly surprised him. "It's as if two distinct entities occupied the alley simultaneously, yet shared the same magical signature… It makes no sense!" the young Malagasy exclaimed, disbelief written all over his face.
Sirius, visibly annoyed by the riddle, raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? Did this Siena clone herself or something?" he asked sarcastically, clearly unconvinced.
Ignoring the underlying mockery, Hadrian nodded again, his gaze plunging into a bottomless abyss. "Indeed. It appears there are two Sienas out there. How this is possible, I have no idea…" he lied, his voice tinged with feigned melancholy.
Fortuna, having returned to the scene, caught the lie in Hadrian's evasive tone. She decided to set the information aside for later; now was not the time to press him. Sirius was still reeling from Remus's death, and pushing further would only worsen the situation.
Hadrian felt his magical core draining, and to avoid another display of weakness, he Apparated away. He landed in a dark alley between two clearly inebriated Muggles, whom he knocked unconscious with a quick gesture.
Once again, an ethereal clock materialised beneath his feet, and a vision forced itself upon his mind. This time, the image was sharper, more detailed. He immediately recognized Fortuna moving through a shadowy dead-end alley. Ivy covered the walls, and faint moonlight filtered through the leaves. He tried to identify the location by memorising the architecture and surroundings but failed.
Shifting his focus to Fortuna, he studied every feature of her face. Time was of the essence—he knew that much. The pattern always repeated itself.
Based on his observations, this vision depicted the near future. The Fortuna he saw was almost identical to the one he had just left behind. Only her clothing was different.
'I need to figure out when this will happen…' he thought, his gaze locked on the unfolding scene. An unsettling sense of déjà vu washed over him.
Suddenly, two women entered his field of vision. He recognized them—or rather, he recognized one of them.
Siena… and Siena? he wondered, his heart pounding. The two women were identical, as if moulded from the same form. A shiver ran down his spine. Only their ages distinguished them.
He couldn't hear their conversation; his vision began to blur. He saw only a powerful green flash erupting from one Siena's wand, hurtling straight toward Fortuna. Panic flared in his eyes.
A piercing scream echoed through the vision—a scream he felt was his own. Desperately, he tried to intervene, to throw himself between the deadly spell and the woman he loved, but it was futile. Just as the green magic was about to strike her, everything vanished, and he was violently pulled back to reality, into the dark alley where he had hidden.
Covered in sweat and gasping for breath, his heart thundered in his chest. A soft voice broke through his turmoil. "Hadrian… Are you all right?" Startled, he looked up to find Fortuna standing before him, unharmed, her expression filled with genuine concern.
"I left the others with Sirius to recover the body. When you disappeared, I knew what was happening. You've had another vision, haven't you?"
He nodded slowly, relieved she was the only witness to his distress. With her help, he got to his feet, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, don't worry. Just remind me to change your combat outfit when we get back to the manor."
Barely minutes had passed since he'd learned of Remus's death—Remus, whom he had once considered an uncle and now an invaluable friend. And now, he'd been confronted with a nightmare vision of the murder of the woman who kept him grounded. A cold fury began to take hold of him.
'I won't let this happen,' he murmured, his eyes fixed on the night sky. 'Even if Death itself tries to stop me, I won't go down.'
09/01/1995, 20H02, Hogwarts, Scotland:
"Joining Professor Slughorn, who succeeds Professor Snape as Head of Slytherin House and Potions Master, Hogwarts welcomes a new staff member to the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor. Allow me to introduce Professor Umbr—"
"Ahem," interrupted the person in question with a grating voice. Her tone, perfectly matched to her garish outfit, was enough to plunge Harry into a state of profound boredom.
The woman rose slowly, walking toward the headmaster with a deliberate stride. After taking a deep breath, she began to speak, a stiff smile stretching her lips. "It is with great honour that I stand before you today as an emissary of the Ministry of Magic. The Minister, in his great wisdom, has chosen Hogwarts as the site to trial new reforms aimed at enhancing the security and efficiency of our educational system."
She paused, her gaze lingering on the Gryffindors' table. "I understand that some of you may feel some apprehension toward these changes. However, keep in mind that the Ministry always acts in your best interest."
"Over the summer, false rumours have sown discord within our magical community. As such, the Minister is offering a substantial reward to anyone who provides information about the perpetrators of these defamatory claims. In addition, measures are being implemented to eradicate all forms of misinformation."
Harry noticed Dumbledore closing his eyes, silently admiring the old man's legendary patience. As for himself, he had to stifle the sharp urge to react.
"These new measures, though strict, are essential to securing a prosperous future for our magical world. I urge you to work closely with me and your professors. Any insubordination will be severely punished. Remember, the Ministry is counting on you."
She stepped back, scanning the Great Hall with a sharp gaze, and concluded her speech in a solemn tone. "Together, we will make Hogwarts a model of excellence, worthy of the legacy of our illustrious predecessors."
A heavy silence greeted the new professor as she returned to her seat at the staff table.
"Thank you for your speech, Professor Umbridge," resumed the headmaster, clearing his throat.
"Remember, dear students, that Hogwarts will always extend a hand to those who prove themselves worthy. Troubled times lie ahead," he said, ignoring the low growl emanating from behind him, "and you will need to show solidarity to overcome them. I count on you, members of this great family that is our school, to unite and build a bright future!"
With a discreet wink over his half-moon glasses, he snapped his fingers. "Now, let the feast begin!"
A lively clamour erupted, and Harry couldn't help but smile at the sarcastic remarks from some of the students.
"That said, if I were to give the Ministry some information about my uncle… Do you think they'd pay me? I mean, it's not like they could do anything to him anyway!" he joked, curious to see how Fudge and his subordinate might react.
"Who knows?" Neville replied with a grin. "You might just find a way to grow the Potter fortune even more!"
Harry shook his friend's hand. Grabbing a plate, he turned his attention to Daphne, who was clearly enjoying catching up with her best friend.
He felt deeply grateful to Tracy Davis. The girl's unwavering support for Daphne had provided comfort in a way Harry couldn't quite replicate. "Merlin knows she deserves it," he sighed, recalling the awful summer break.
His uncle, shortly before the term began, had tasked him with a delicate mission: find a way to get rid of Dolores Umbridge.
He understood the critical importance of this request in Hadrian's eyes, who had given him carte blanche to complete it. Legal or illegal, life or death… all options were on the table. The Lord's sole objective was to see the woman removed from Hogwarts, and Harry fully understood the reasons for his obsession.
The Minister, clearly cornered, was attempting to reform Hogwarts. Umbridge's presence boded ill. Moreover, if her lessons were as riveting as her introductory speech, Harry figured he'd be asleep within five minutes.
To eliminate her, he had devised two plans. The first, entirely legal, involved gathering evidence of abuse of power by Umbridge and leaking it to the press. According to his uncle, finding witnesses and victims willing to testify would not be difficult.
The second… Well, it was far less orthodox. That was all anyone needed to know about it.
'Speaking of illegal…' he mused, pulling several small vials from his pockets.
"Daphne already knows, but I forgot to mention it to you. According to my uncle, Umbridge has a nasty habit of slipping Veritaserum into drinks she shares with others. So, if you find yourselves in detention with her, take these vials with you. They're antidotes. Just one drop should be enough," he explained, handing two vials each to his closest friends.
"If that's true, it's completely illegal!" Hermione exclaimed, almost recoiling as she accepted the antidotes Harry offered.
"Indeed, it's absolutely illegal…" Harry agreed, a knowing smile lighting up his face.
"Certainly, it's... Oh… Oh! OH!" Gradually, Hermione grasped the double meaning of Harry's words and couldn't suppress a triumphant grin.
Neville, also catching on, nodded vigorously. The thought of removing the toad-like woman from Hogwarts thrilled him almost as much as attending Potions without Professor Snape.
"By the way, Harry, about our earlier discussion on the train… What do you think?" asked Hermione, her curls bouncing slightly as she turned to him.
"Let's wait and see how the first lesson goes… Who knows, we might be pleasantly surprised," Harry replied, not believing his own words for a second.
He already had a good idea of what was coming. The woman clearly had no expertise in Defence Against the Dark Arts. It was well known that her only qualification was her NEWTs.
'This year is certainly going to be eventful,' Harry sighed inwardly, contemplating with bitterness the trials that awaited him.
09/04/1995, 13H11, Paris, France:
After Fortuna returned to Potter Manor with Hadrian and the rest of the team, he had insisted on a complete overhaul of their equipment—his own and that of the DWT members.
Fortuna didn't mind his thoughtful attention. Yet she wasn't under any illusions. She knew Hadrian had experienced a premonition of her being in danger, and this worry was what drove him.
For two days, he had followed her relentlessly, shadowing her every move. Deep down, Fortuna tolerated it. However, she didn't want Hadrian to shoulder this self-imposed mission indefinitely.
So, she pulled him aside and asked about the nature of his vision. He reluctantly described what he had seen, openly voicing his fear of losing her.
His words profoundly moved Fortuna. Usually, it was she who had to reason with him and dissuade him from taking reckless risks. This time, their roles were reversed.
After a long discussion, Hadrian had finally relented. As a symbol of their unbreakable bond, the time traveller gave her a stunning gold ring adorned with a radiant ruby. This ring had a remarkable property: it allowed them to communicate over long distances and instantly find each other in times of danger, much like the enchanted necklace he had crafted for the DWT.
With this invaluable object, the formidable witch could finally breathe easier.
Thus, the bounty hunter decided to take some time for herself, still weighed down by Remus's death. She knew Sirius was suffering greatly from the loss of his friend. He had spent an entire day locked in his room, and upon emerging, had thrown himself into intense training.
As the last living Marauder, Sirius was deeply tormented by his friend's death. Yet he knew he needed to be there for Harry. He had taken on the task of informing the boy about the situation and offering him all the support he could.
Hadrian had offered to help, but Sirius declined. The time traveller had a different role to play. It was up to him to track down the mysterious Sienas. He was the most capable person for the job.
The bounty hunter had agreed and set off on his quest, balancing his watch over Fortuna with his pursuit of the two women. This left Fortuna free to resume her usual life.
As she sat waiting in a secluded Parisian café, lost in thought, an owl suddenly landed before her, snapping her out of her reverie. Judging by the lack of reaction from the nearby Muggles, the bird must have been hidden under Disillusionment Charms.
"What have you got for me, sweetheart?" she asked the creature, which simply held out the letter in its beak.
The young woman opened the parchment, thanked the feathered messenger, and began reading.
The letter was from Alexander, informing her of a change in their meeting place. Wishing to recharge, she had planned to visit the Greengrass family. Over the years, she had developed a deep friendship with Ophelia and sincerely enjoyed her company.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, she had apparated to France to pay them a visit.
"Well, let's head to this new meeting spot…" she sighed.
It wasn't the first time Alexander had changed their meeting location at the last minute. She could understand his caution, though. His family had been targeted by attacks before, and he wasn't willing to take unnecessary risks.
Discreetly leaving the café, she entered a dark alley to Apparate safely.
Suddenly, a detail caught her eye. Ivy-covered walls, understated yet elegant architecture… The scene matched Hadrian's description of his vision perfectly.
"Fortuna Moon, isn't it? A pleasure to meet you!" called a voice behind her. The blonde spun around instantly, her wand trained on the source of the sound.
She found herself facing two breathtakingly beautiful women, like mirror images of each other. The only difference was the overwhelming magical presence radiating from the elder of the two.
"Siena and… Siena, I presume?" she asked, her eyes locked on the wands of her adversaries.
At the same time, she sent a mental message to Hadrian through her ring, hoping he would understand the urgency of the situation. While she trusted her abilities, if "the invincible soldier" himself had warned of these women's danger, she had no intention of underestimating them.
"Indeed," replied the elder woman. The younger one swiftly cast barriers onto the ground.
"These will block all Apparition or Disapparition within a two-kilometre radius. Of course, it works both ways," she explained, her wand unwaveringly aimed at Fortuna.
"What do you want?" growled the bounty hunter. A part of her burned to attack immediately, but she was outnumbered and uncertain of their intentions.
"Oh, nothing personal, dear. We're just here to settle an old score. Harr… Hadrian Potter, excuse me," the elder mocked before continuing, "has caused us quite a lot of trouble. It only seems fair to return the favour."
Barely had she finished speaking when a deadly curse shot from her wand. Fortuna countered with a powerful magical blast, striking both women and momentarily catching them off guard. However, to her dismay, her counterattack did nothing to stop the lethal spell speeding toward her.
'Damn it! I won't be able to dodge this!' she cursed internally.
Hadrian had warned her. He had seen this. And yet, here she was, facing the same deadly fate he had foreseen—all because she had insisted on acting alone.
"Forgive me, Hadrian," she murmured softly, closing her eyes and bracing herself for the inevitable