'It's better to be alone than be with someone who makes you feel alone.' Jim doesn't remember where he read that quote, but it's been stuck in his head since then. And it was true, in his case, at least. Being with Ron is great, but hearing him talk about his brothers makes Jim feel so alone. Ron had no idea how lucky he was to have a brother he could idolise.
This was why he preferred to sit alone in one of the many empty cabins in Hogwarts, mindlessly chewing the sandwich one of the elves provided while turning the pages of his diary and thinking about anything and nothing. He had been using this room to hang out every time he had to stay in Hogwarts, and today was no exception. Maybe it was special for all his classmates, being the first day of school, but it was nothing special for Jim. To him, it was just another day, without his brother by his side.
Unfortunately, in his room, he can't even get his diary out of his backpack, not wishing for unwanted eyes to find them. But there hadn't been a single day when he didn't see his brother's picture the first thing after he woke up. That's why he chose to return to his safe place, even though he was careful to leave anything here. Anyone could enter this room after all!
As he was finishing off the last bite of his sandwich, his mark started to tingle out of the blue. Jim blinked, pausing his chewing and glanced down at his right hand. It was as if his magic was pulsating warningly around his mark. What was going on?
Jim was staring at his tingling mark in bewilderment when he heard the sounds of wings flapping and Hedwig flew through the window like a shot of spell. What was Adrian's little chaos queen doing here?
Without much greeting Hedwig dove, with talons sharp and pointed towards Jim.
Jim let out a yelp at the sight of the feathery monster approaching him and ducked sideways, but couldn't avoid her completely. Hedwig quickly turned with one flap of wing, making Jim yelp again and cover his face.
Jim peeked through his fingers when he felt a tug on his sleeve, and watched in surprise as instead of attacking him like the little monster Jim knew she was, Hedwig was clutching his sleeve in her talons and beating her wings relentlessly, as if she was trying to kidnap him and carry him somewhere.
Jim glowered at her antics, trying to bat her away, "You stupid flying turkey, if you want me to follow you, why can't you ask it the normal way?" Jim ignored the small part of his mind that wondered how else the bird would have done it.
Hedwig let go of his sleeve and flew towards the door, then landed on the handle. She then stared down at him with her judgemental eyes and clapped her beaks. Jim rolled his eyes and put his diary back to his backpack, standing and stretching, before shouldering his backpack. The tingling on his wrist increased in intensity, and Jim wondered if Hedwig leading him somewhere had any connection to his mark. After all, the first time it tingled, he was with the feathery menace's owner. What was happening this time?
Well, he will find out soon. "Lead the way, Wingosaurus."
Whatever Jim was expecting, it was never on any of his lists to find Adrian on the top of the stair near the entrance of owlery, swaying wildly against the wall while his hands raised, as if he was trying to catch himself. His eyes were unfocused, mouth pinched as if he was trying his best not to push his breakfast out and all over himself. Without thinking much, Jim sprinted upstairs to catch the boy from falling. It was going to be lethal if he fell, and Jim knew he was going to be too late. There were too many stairs between them. Jim increased his speed, both his hands raised towards his secret friend, desperate to catch him. He had already lost his brother, he was not ready to lose any of his friends.
Hedwig let out a wild screech and flew towards her human. She grabbed Adrian's robes in her beaks and beat her wings hard as if trying to stop him from falling. Even Azure had come out of his cocoon and doing the same, in such sync that proved that they both are bonded to Adrian. Jim was inwardly thankful for the help of the smart duos, as they worked together to delay Adrian enough for Jim to catch him on time.
Jim watched bemused as Adrian flattered his eyes on his touch and let out a tiny sigh of relief, then lost his consciousness fully. His marks also have long stopped tingling. But that situation did not relieve Jim at all. They can't stay here, out in the open and exposed like this. He can hear multiple voices in the Owlery, he can't let them discover his friendship with a Slytherin! James Potter will kill him before he can open his mouth to defend himself!
Without thinking much, Jim pulled Adrian's arm on his shoulder and tried to drag the heavy boy downstairs. But the taller boy was too heavy for him to drag downwards without toppling himself.
Hedwig flew towards unconscious Adrian again and decided to perch on his shoulder. Jim glared at the feathery menace for adding the extra weight for him to carry, "Go away, Wingosaurus! This is not time for... Oh!"
Jim blinked when there was a light shimmer and then suddenly, Adrian felt completely weightless. Jim frowned, knowing very well Hedwig did something but not sure exactly what, but it was not time to kick on a gift horse's mouth. He quickly tugged at the weightless boy and made a mad scramble towards his hiding room as the voices seemed to come nearer than before. They need to hide before anyone can see them together. He has no time to pull his cloak on the other boy and cover him.
He entered his hiding room one floor below, and gently put Adrian down on one of the chairs. He noticed Hedwig flew back to the staircase and then reentered carrying Adrian's backpack clutched in her talons, while Azure perched on the unconscious boy's chest. Jim closed the door as quietly as he could, before putting some basic wards he had mastered on the door. The loud screeches of owls from owlery seem to lessen a lot at that.
Jim turned when he heard Azure whine, noticing him stirring in the chair. Jim came nearer to sit by him, dragging a chair with him, but stopped when Adrian flinched at the loud screeching sound. Jim frowned, closely watching the still dazed boy, is it the sound that made him like this?
Jim suddenly remembered an incident from a couple of years ago, the Lovegood-induced explosion where Adrian had been the only casualty with bleeding and ruptured eardrums. Clearly, he was more sensitive to sound than others. Thinking for a second, Jim quickly grabbed a book from his backpack, turning the pages and stopping at one particular one. After a thorough scan, Jim pointed his wand at the door, whispering, " Silencio !" He repeated the same charm on the windows as well. Even Adrian's familiars seemed to understand the situation as well, as they both sat in silence and completely still like a statues, watching over their human.
It took Adrian another ten minutes before he was coherent enough to slowly open his eyes and scour the surroundings, before his eyes landed on Jim. A small smile took over his face as he tiredly dragged himself to sit straight. Jim fought the impulse to stop him, knowing Adrian probably wouldn't welcome his fussing. Ron never did, having several brothers to do the same.
"I've been looking for you since morning." Adrian sent a soft and tired smile to Hedwig who reached down from the back of the chair and started to preen his hair. Azure was still sitting quietly on his lap, though now he deemed his human was back to normal enough, and flew towards Jim.
"Well, you certainly have a style, sending the Wingosaurus after me while acting like a damsel in distress." Jim rolled his eyes as he tickled the belly of Azure, earning a pleased coo.
An adorable blush spread all over his face as Adrian covered his face and groaned, "Dear Loki, this is embarrassing! I managed to collapse on my first day! How am I going to spend seven freaking years?"
Jim snorted, leaning back on his chair. Only Adrian will care about something as stupid as that! "Do you know what triggered it?"
"Well," Adrian was thoughtful, "I think I had a sensory overload or something, it was too loud." He reached up and stroked Hedwig on her wings. "And stinky," he added seriously, his nose pinched remembering the burning putrid smell.
"Well, you do have better senses than most people. It would be normal to be overwhelmed with a sound that could make normal people go deaf, I guess." Jim shrugged.
Adrian looked at Jim, surprised, as if he didn't realise Jim had noticed his sensitivity. Jim smiled a little. He notices more than he lets on, after all.
"Where are we?" He looked around the empty classroom for the second time.
"My safe place." Jim pulled his legs up on the bench in front of them, "But since you know about its existence, I guess not mine anymore." Jim shrugged. He will just find a new room. Hogwarts has plenty. It was not a big deal.
Adrian frowned, as if he was thinking about something, before standing and brushing his robes of imaginary dust and picking up his bag from where Hedwig had dropped it on the floor. "Follow me."
"Where?"
"A better safe place, with the best privacy Lady Hogwarts can offer."
Jim perked up immediately, "Where is it?"
"Put on your cloak, and follow me. Stay silent until I say so."
Jim managed to convince himself that it was only his desire to have privacy that made him follow the taller boy unhesitatingly. At least Adrian doesn't make him feel alone!
"You may open the cloak now, Jimmy."
Jim slowly pulled his cloak now, his eyes resembling a House Elf on a bad day, ignoring the nickname, for now , "Where the fuck are we? Did Hogwarts always have these kinds of lavish apartments? How did you get access to it?"
He looked around the spacious apartment suspiciously, (it has a fully furnished kitchen with an adjacent dining room, a living room, a playroom, a small potion lab and a hallway filled with doors to what looks like several guest rooms, for fuck's sake!) taking note of the decor and the amenities while absentmindedly rubbing Azure's belly who decided he wanted Jim's attention today. Jim would not confess it, but he kind of missed the awfully cuddly winged cat, Azure is not picky about who he gets to cuddle with, demanding their attention like a clingy baby. Not Hedwig, though. That bloody owl is too territorial and scary, hooting and bobbing her head threateningly every time anyone other than Hadrianus approaches her. Their polar opposite personality says a lot about the so-called danger of dark creatures and 'harmless normal' creatures. As if any 'normal creature' would try to peck someone's eyes away if they get too close! Jim was this close to writing to RCMC and demanding correction of stupid lies they write about them!
Adrian shrugged, his hands in his robes' pocket as he too looked around, "It's mine. I wanted to key you in, so you can come and go at your pleasure, also, you can have a room for yourself here. I can promise that no person or creature will find your room without your will or consent. Speaking of which, I guess I should key Milo as well," Adrian mused, thinking about Jim's personal house elf.
Jim's jaw dropped at the revelation, "You Slytherins each get apartments like this?"
"It's a suite. And no, it's only for me. Being Hogwarts Heir and blah blah blah."
"You privileged bastard!" Jim was outraged. That was not fair!
"I am sharing it with you, ain't I?" Hadrianus retorted, without any heat in his voice.
"Oh well, I guess I can't say anything to that." Jim shrugged nonchalantly, before taking a seat on the comfortable-looking lounges in the living room. Ah! As soft as they look! "But are you sure you want to share your suite with me?"
"Potter, apart from me, you're probably the only one in Hogwarts who needs a safe place from stupid people. You deserve that."
"Damn right, I do." Jim agreed seriously, making Adrian chuckle, "Now what do I do to key in?"
"Oh hell no, not for free." Adrian smirked, waving his finger playfully, "First, ask me nicely in a baby voice."
"Are you serious?" Jim stared at him, exasperated. He should have expected this, really. Nothing comes freely and from the goodness of his cold, cruel heart!
"Nah, that's your godfather. I'm Adrian." Adrian snarked flippantly, making Jim roll his eyes.
"You can't just dangle the most delicious thing at my face and blackmail me to get it. I won't be persuaded like this."
"Very well. The door is that way."
Jim pouted at that. Cold, cruel bastard, indeed. Adrian crossed his arms and waited patiently with a chuffed and expectant smirk on his face. The git knew he had Jim cornered.
Jim sighed in defeat, "Will you please key me to the suite?"
Adrian made an exaggerated show of cleaning his ear, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't seem to hear the begging in a baby voice that I demanded as payment. Can you repeat it one more time, Sunshine?"
Jim groaned and decided to screw it, it's not likely a third soul is going to hear it. Jim pulled out the best pout he could master, "Pweaz Adwian, let me stay he'e!" After he said that, Jim slapped his own mouth, horrified at what came out of it.
Adrian's lips wobbled before he howled with laughter, bending on his knees for support. Jim sighed, covering his face, mortified as Adrian kept cackling his head off. He can't believe he was so desperate that he begged in a baby voice for it! Screw a third soul, Adrian is the one he should have been worried about! And he was never going to let it down! He glared at the taller boy, waiting. Hedwig had flown from Adrian's shoulder towards a window-looking tunnel while Azure snuggled against his neck.
Adrian took one look at him, tears rolling down his cheeks as he wheezed something unintelligible before once again dissolving into peals of laughter.
"Are you done yet?" Jim asked, annoyed, trying to hide his blush away.
"You're so cute!" The stupid prat had the audacity to pinch Jim's cheeks, cooing.
"Geroff!" Jim was mortified. He couldn't believe he actually did the baby voice! How desperate was he? Jim shivered wondering what else Adrian would make him do next time.
"Can we just get it over with?" Jim asked, annoyed. Adrian chuckled before leading him towards the entrance and guiding him on how to key himself in.
"Now go, select a room for yourself. You can keep all your shady stuff here, no one else will be privy to them."
"What about you?" Jim was sceptical, though he wondered if Adrian would feel offended at the question, as he was the one offering him sanctuary.
But Adrian looked merely amused at that. "I will know only when you come and go, not what you do. And after you're keyed in, I can not find your room entrance unless you're in here to invite me in. So you're welcome to wank at your pleasure, Golden Boy." He winked, grinning mischievously.
Jim gagged, "Ew!" He squealed in disgust, but inwardly he was immensely pleased, nonetheless. He finally had a place where he could keep all his research on Harry and his resurrection without anyone threatening him to put in Azkaban.
Adrian grinned and waved his hand in a 'go on' motion, "Run along, Sunshine, find a room for yourself."
Jim didn't need any further encouragement to happily rush towards the hallway where he could see several doors, "Which one is Neville's?" Jim asked as he skidded to a halt near the entrance of the hallway.
"I haven't keyed him yet."
"Wait wait wait," Jim gaped at him, "You keyed me first, even before your own best friend ?"
Jim wasn't sure, but there might be a faint blush on Adrian's face as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, "Don't flatter yourself, Jimmy, I just didn't have the opportunity to do that."
Jim rolled eyes, "Stop calling me that." He turned around, opening the doors to check all the rooms. He noted all the differences between the different rooms before coming to the last one. He opened the door and peeked inside, gasping at the scenery unfolding in front of his eyes, "Holy shit!"
Adrian came to stand beside him and peeked in as well, "Ah, this one is quite similar to mine." he gestured to the room just across this one, a room Jim was quite sure was not there until Adrian pointed it out. So what Adrian said was true. They can't find their rooms unless the owner invites them in. Jim was totally going to study the enchantments and apply them in his future home when he grows up.
"I'm claiming this one." Jim wasted not a single second to step in and plop on the soft mattress, still gawking at the beautiful underwater flora beyond the glass wall and ceiling.
"Sure. I'll make certain not a single soul other than Milo will be able to enter your home. Not even me, if you wish so."
Jim looked at Adrian sharply, touched by his completely sincere promise of privacy. Home, Adrian had said. He could make this room his home. Even Adrian wouldn't enter without his permission. Jim liked it.
Jim looked around the room again, he still couldn't believe that now he had a beautiful room of his own. If what Adrian said was true, his room is going to be invisible to anyone with no permission of entrance from Jim himself. Which means quite literally the entire world. Now he has a safe place away from his parents, a sanctuary where he can hide and no one will be able to find him.
And all happened because of Adrian.
Jim wasn't sure how to feel about that. He really expected the boy to reject their friendship. But he proved from time to time that Adrian was not interested in being a friend of the Boy-Who-Lived. He was interested in being Jim's friend.
Adrian was the only one who understood his needs, without Jim even bothering to explain it. Jim had expected his scorn, and cold shoulder for demanding to be enemy in public, but Adrian took the demand with a stride and not only maintained their private friendship, but also shared his own secret room with him.
Everyone had only wanted something from the Boy-Who-Lived, in exchange for their friendship. Be it a political favour, money, fame, or something like that. But Adrian was the only one who had been providing between the two of them, without wanting anything but some stupid pranks like demanding to do a baby voice or other animal voice, in exchange for favours. But Jim knew from experience with the Weasley Twins that such behaviour was common among friends.
Friends.
He was probably one of the genuine friends Jim has made to this day. Maybe, just maybe, Jim could do the same. Be his genuine friend.
"So, Adrian," Jim sat up straighter, stopping Adrian in his track who was about to leave him in his room, "did you kick some snakes' asses yet?"
"Many of them."
"Oh? Do tell." Jim scooted away to give him space and patted the mattress.
Adrian laughed, joining him on the bed.
The rest of the first day was spent in a hurry, busier than the start. Both Culture and Customs of Magical and non-Magical People classes, and literature were started as an introduction and then filled with information that is both well-known and unknown. The professors have given them the syllabus and courses of their subjects, as well as schedules of any upcoming trips. Hadrianus was thrilled to note they had trips to different places. Before Yule, they had two trips, one to Muggle Zoological Park, and the other is Wizengamot.
During the evening, after dinner, the first years of Slytherin House gathered around the Court. Following the prefect's direction, Hadrianus opened one of the more durable duelling rooms near their common room and made it bigger and available for the class. With Hadrianus' permission, the prefects held a short speech on the importance of learning the shield charm and insisted every single one to learn cast it perfectly in the first week.
After finishing their speech and demonstration of the charm, the Slytherin Court spread out to help all eleven Slytherin firsties, except Hadrianus. He only sat on the couch near the corner, and picked up an interesting-looking book on one of the shelves. He could feel Uncle Severus who had been there, staying in the shadows and keeping an eye on them, but left once the class continued imperturbably.
"Are you not going to practice?" Sybella joined him. She was having too much fun casting hexes at the firsties to motivate them into learning the shield faster, even though it was appropriate harmless hexes. Though it was not as fun as she had to hold herself back from going full Belatrix mode on them, she had enough practice of control with her baby Prince.
"I already know it, Harley."
"So? Don't think I'll spare you just because you're the Prince of Slytherin."
Without even bothering to do more than a mere cursory glance towards his godmummy as he raised his wand to deflect the toe-nail-growing hex back to her, Hadrianus sighed, "I've always been your baby Prince, that never stopped you before."
Sybella's grin widened as she stared smugly at Malfoy who had been whining about having to work on the first day of school while the Prince 'leisured on the couch'. Hadrianus might not realise it, but the casual display of nonverbal magic is not an ordinary or regular incident like it happens in Slytherin Castle. The dropped jaws of every single Slytherin except the Familia Regium proved they clearly needed another reminder even after witnessing such a majestic display last night! Good, that news should thwart the resistance who were 'feeling insulted' for having to serve a 'mere firstie'.
Sybella could bet her pink and blue hair-dyeing potion that they didn't even see when her little Az pulled his wand out!
"Fine, have fun with your book. We'll come to you after class so you can key me in the Suites."
"As my lady wishes." Hadrianus saluted her, before picking up his book again. He needs to prepare for upcoming classes and make his parents proud, after all!
