Hadrianus brushed off the remaining dust of his Hogwarts robes from floo flame, looking around the nearly empty platform of nine and three-quarters. They had just arrived via one of the many Floo networks, put in a row just like they had in the ministry. Father had advised them to catch the Floo earlier than most to avoid the traffic, which is why they arrived almost an hour before the time of departure. Apparently, after the new rules were enacted, they had to have three or four more carriages to accommodate all the students.

"It's not crowded yet, may I go see that portal gate, mum?" Hadrianus turned his pleading eyes to the Slytherin matriarch. According to Godmummy, they had a portal gate they used before father installed the Floo to separate the wiggles from mingling in the muggle world and avoid suspicion and exposure. Though the new muggle-borns, who were not placed in the magical world yet, still had to come through the portal gate.

Nagini sighed, "Fine, you may. But first, put your trunk in a compartment."

"Yes, mummy." Hadrianus tapped a specific button on his trunk with his wand, and two small wheels popped out. Hadrianus pushed his trunk forward, holding Hedwig's empty but big cage in his other hand. He had specifically asked Aunt Veronica to put on wheels beside other charms on his customary trunk, when she asked him for his input for his trunk. Hadrianus stopped before the gate of the train, preparing to push his very heavy trunk.

"Need help, Little Prince?"

Hadrianus looked up at the Lestrange twins, both grinning as brightly as him. "Hey, I was just wondering where you are. Where is she?" Godmummy promised to save him a seat in case he wasn't comfortable on his own. But Hadrianus planned to sit with Neville.

"Oh,she is one of the last ones. we were looking for the prefect compartment since Reylan is one." Reynaldo shrugged, "Now watch this, you go swish like this and then flick, and say 'wingardium leviosa'. It's a floating charm, similar to how you float your lightballs."

"Are you sure about teaching him that now? He will learn it in class in a few days." Reylan wondered.

"Yeah, but he needs it now."

"Like this?" Hadrianus mimicked the wand movement, visualising his trunk to float towards the train, chanting, "Wingardium Leviosa!" He had already read about this one in his textbooks, so it wasn't that difficult. As expected, the trunk obeyed the command of his magic silently, floating upwards and towards the train.

A gasp caught their attention, and they turned to find a tiny girl with bushy hair and buck teeth looking at them, scandalised.

"What are you doing?" She demanded, with her arms on her hips, "Students are not allowed to do magic in the station. You'll be expelled." She added with nose in the air, in a domineering attitude which had Hadrianus frown. The twins rolled their eyes and walked off, not at all interested in conversing with rude tiny firsties.

Hadrianus glanced at the girl, noticing the muggle trousers and top, Nike Converse, no wand in sight, pushing a trunk almost larger than her, carrying the name 'Hermione Granger' on top. Clearly, she's a muggle-born with an unfortunately poor attitude and a stickler of rules. Judging by how she talked about being expelled, Hadrianus could bet that she's a tattletale too. He needs to watch out for this one. God bless the poor house she will be in, Hadrianus sincerely hopes he will be saved.

"You forgot to add, 'before crossing the portal'. You're fine after crossing it, they can't see it anymore." Hadrianus replied, before turning and walking away. He didn't like being talked to like that.

Hadrianus pushed his trunk to the nearby empty compartment and levitated it on the bunk, then slid it shut to make it clear to the girl that she was not welcome in his compartment. Hadrianus could hear the girl huff and then walk in the opposite direction.

Sighing in relief, Hadrianus shrugged off his backpack and poked his head out to make sure the coast was clear. After that he went out of the train, closing the door behind him. He wanted one last hug from mum, Loki knows when he will get one next!

"Father!" Hadrianus exclaimed in surprise at seeing him standing with mum, and Barty. He really hadn't expected him to drop by.

Marvolo smiled, and patted lightly as Hadrianus hugged his waist, ignoring the impulse to warn Hadrianus about his composure in public. Well, he will not see the child for months, maybe he will allow the hug this time.

"Be careful. Failing that, be cunning."

"Yes, father. I will miss you."

Marvolo smiled softly, "Careful with what you eat, today will be the only time I'll allow you to eat what you desire from the trolley lady, but be mindful of the gluten." He permitted, before giving one last pat and then stepping back. Too many people are watching. Thankfully, Hadrianus, after thanking him profusely, turned his attention to his mother.

"Try to not drive your colleagues to an early grave, Hatchling." Nagini whispered in his ear, hugging him back as tightly as she could.

"Of course not, mum. I would get bored."

Nagini laughed at the offended tone, then became serious as she looked back at him, "You have packed everything you need, right? Books, parchments, quills, inks? Enough undergarments and socks?" She fussed, brushing imaginary specks of dust off his robes, ignoring Hadrianus going all red and sputtering and Barty downright laughing from behind. Marvolo had taken a few steps back as soon as his wife stepped in, letting his son face her fussing, "You know you can let me know in case you forget anything, I will be sure to owl it."

"Of course, mum." Hadrianus nodded hurriedly, trying to assure her before she did anything, like demanding him to show his trunk so she can count his undergarments, Merlin! The last two times were embarrassing enough! "Thank you. And yes, I packed everything. You checked yourself, at least five times!"

Mum nodded at that, giving him a head-to-toe scrutinising look before standing back.

Barty was still grinning when he approached Hadrianus next, making the child naga fold his arms and frown at him. "Why are we hugging? Unlike them, you will be there."

Barty sputtered, "Excuse me, there will be Professor Crouch in Hogwarts! Not me, your coolest and best Godfather in the world!"

Hadrianus snorted and rolled his eyes at his childish competition with his Gobfather Sharptooth, but allowed the hug. Barty whispered, "Keep getting in trouble and lose hell on Hogwarts for me, won't you, Kiddo?"

"Well, if I must." Hadrianus sighed at the heavy responsibility his Godfather was giving him.

"Good. I'm looking forward to it. And, if someone annoys you, well, no death, dismemberment or permanent injuries until you're out of Hogwarts." Barty replied with mock sternness.

"What about public humiliation and financial and reputational ruin?"

"Oh, that's fine. I'll even help with that." Barty grinned, "We may even try to get our uptight Dark Lord to help us too."

"I heard that." Marvolo gave the duo an unimpressed glare from the back.

"We know." Barty and Hadrianus replied with similar tongue-in-cheek expressions. Marvolo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, muttering something close to 'children' and how he never understood them.

"Get on the train, Hadrianus. Have a good term. And remember our deal!"

"Yes, father! Bye, mummy! I love you!" Hadrianus gave Nagini one last hug, receiving a lot of kisses and hugs in return, before returning to his compartment.

Hadrianus dived for the window seat and bounced on the padded seat, before sitting upright and glancing out of the window. His parents were long gone. When will Neville come? When will the train depart? How long until they reach Hogwarts? Ugh! He was so bored!

Hadrianus tried to spend the time by going through the comic books he had shoved in his backpack and nibbling on the snacks that Bailey packed for him, but he couldn't focus on excitement and nervousness for the upcoming adventures. After what felt like forever, he perked up smelling familiar smells just outside his compartment.

"In here!" He called out, sliding his door open. Neville lit up on seeing him. "I've been waiting for ages! Where have you been?" Hadrianus whined, following Neville inside their compartment.

"Don't be so dramatic, we still have a few minutes left!" Neville rolled his eyes as he pushed his trunk into the compartment, before looking at the bunk with horror. How is he going to push it up there?

"And what if the train left early? Wingardium Leviosa!" Hadrianus chanted, shoving Neville's trunk beside his.

Neville nodded thankfully, before claiming the seat opposite to his, and kept Trevor's terrarium beside him. "Why would the train leave early? It departs at exactly 11."

"I don't know. It could."

"Adrian, whatever you do, please don't become the Hogwarts Express driver." Neville sighed, and Hadrinaus perked up.

"Hey, that's a good idea. Just drive them to Hogwarts and back, and I'm free to do what I want the rest of the time! How much do they pay, I wonder!" The train seems to think the same, as it whistled with him.

"Adrian, no!"

"Adrian, yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"What's going on?" Ron asked, poking his head in their compartment just as the train started to move.

"Hey Ron, how do you feel about being the Hogwarts Express driver?"

Ron frowned at the idea, "Not bad, I have to work only a couple of times a year, the rest of the time is free!"

"Exactly!" Hadrianus exclaimed, and pointed at Neville.

Ron snorted at Neville's exasperated look, "I don't even want to know, mate. By the way, the twins invited you to the middle of the train, and their friend Lee got some tarantulas." Ron paled at the mention of the name, his freckles standing out more prominently.

"Really?" Hadrianus perked up, "I'll visit them soon." Hadrianus snickered as Ron shivered and paled even more. Ron having arachnophobia was well known. By making him the messenger, he wondered whether Fred and George were laughing at their little brother's expense. "By the way, you got some marks on your nose, Ron."

"Yeah whatever," Ron mumbled, still shivering and left.

Hadrianus turned to look at Neville who waved at him, already pulling out some botanical magazines from his pocket. "Go, have fun. Just don't bring it here."

"Where's Nyx?" Hadrianus wondered about the absence of a clingy black kneazle.

"She's napping, in the pets' compartment. Hedwig and Azure?"

"Hedwig's flying, Azure's with me."

"Alright, now off you go and don't you dare bring its baby."

"I'll try!" Hadrianus dashed off.

Hadrianus ticked off the name of Daphne Greengrass from his mental list of potential allies within a minute of meeting her. On the way back, he had met Theo who invited him to their crowded compartment. When his eyes fell on the blonde, she shot him a cold look of disdain and turned her nose away.

Hadrianus shrugged and inwardly rolled his eyes. Of course, foolish, mannerless girls. What did he expect? Hadrianus immediately pushed her away from his thoughts, mentally noting her as a 'non-threat and not an ally'. Father asked him to keep an open mind, but also never to tolerate bullies and rude people. Hadrianus will give her benefits of doubt for two more months before deciding.

Now, the others, like Parkinson, already had their alliance sworn to his father, which means he would have to suffer their presence whether he liked it or not. Parkinson has already started swooning and fawning all over Hadrianus, which was predictable and also, kind of concerning.

But people like Zabini, Theo's best friend, were an unpredictable mystery. One moment he was laughing with Hadrianus, and the very next moment he was silently judging him. It seems he was studying Hadrianus the same way Hadrianus was studying him. Interesting, Hadrianus thought with a grin. He's going to like this Zabini guy.

As they were talking, the compartment door slid open, and there was Malfoy with Crabbe and Goyle. Hadrianus inwardly cringed on seeing them. Their fathers had offered his father their sons as Hadrianus' loyal companions in Hogwarts, in exchange for Hadrianus' help in their study. Hadrianus had not been amused at the prospect of having friends in exchange for doing their homework and told that to his father. Marvolo, even though amused, had asked for their secret loyalty in case Hadrianus was in danger, then directed them to Malfoy. Hadrianus will step up if Malfoy isn't available.

"Morning everyone. What are you all talking about?" Malfoy trotted in and sat beside Greengrass, stealing the apple Theo was eating, earning a roll of eyes.

"Sorting," Parkinson batted her eyelashes at Malfoy, before focusing on Hadrianus again, "You are the son of Lord Slytherin, how can you not be sure about Slytherin?"

Hadrianus sighed, "I just think I could be a Ravenclaw too!"'

Malfoy sniffed, "I think I will bully it to place me in Slytherin, if I were you."

"Look," Theo raised his hands, offering peace, "It's not like anyone can choose it. After all, the Sorting will choose it for him, right?"

"See?" Hadrianus smirked at Theo, "This is why I like knots."

"Because that shit is tight?" Zabini winked at Theo.

"You got me." Hadrianus laughed, high-fiving with Zabini as Theo laughed.

Zabini glanced at Draco, "Cat knot your tongue?"

Draco glared at them, "I refuse to participate in those low-key jokes between you."

Hadrianus rolled his eyes at the uptight boy, deciding to change the topic. He read a psychology trick in one of the books in the library and had been itching to use it on someone.

"So, Draco, we heard something about you," Hadrianus smirked at Zabini, who, realising he was onto something, raised an eyebrow and smirked back, playing along.

Draco visibly paled, "Who told you guys? Did the Dark Lord tell you?"

Hadrianus raised an eyebrow.

"'Look, I had no idea when I was supposed to meet you for the first time, okay? Besides, it's not like I've wanted to marry you anyway. So think of it as my father's fever dream and forget it."

Hadrianus blinked once, twice, then stopped himself from visibly reacting to that particular news. Theo and Zabini guffawed loudly at that, while the girls giggled at the new piece of gossip. Crabbe and Goyle were looking visibly confused. Now Hadrianus was regretting doing this trick publicly, it backfired spectacularly on him. That was a really disturbing piece of secret, he would bet that this was something that Barty called 'traumatising'.

Malfoy heir and him? No way in hell! Besides, how could Lord Malfoy be so sure of their sexual orientations?

"Glad to know we are on the same page!" Hadrianus had to gulp several times to stop himself from turning green. Even if he turned out to be homosexual in future, there is no way he would choose the Malfoy heir as his partner!

Gah! He needs distraction!

As if answering his prayer for distraction, the compartment door slid open, revealing the rude girl from earlier.

Okay, maybe not this type of distraction!

"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one."

Draco sneered, "No we haven't, now go away."

Hadrianus was perfectly fine ignoring her, until the name she mentioned caught his interest, "Hold on, who did you say lost a toad?"

"Neville." The girl glanced at him with haughtiness.

Hadrianus hummed, ignoring her attitude for now, "Would that be Neville Longbottom, 1st year?"

"Yes."

Hadrianus frowned, did Neville not use the leash charm he was taught by Mr Smith? "See you later, everyone. Coming, Theo?" He wanted to grab the first opportunity to flee. He had no wish to see Malfoy any more. He was disgusted.

"Like you'd have to ask!"

"May I?" Zabini asked, his eyebrow raised. If rumours about the Longbottom heir were true, he would like to meet this guy. He sounds interesting enough, and if he earned Slytherin's friendship, then maybe he's worth knowing.

"Sure."

The girl looked at him with narrowed eyes, "Where are you going?"

Hadrianus ignored her and led the group to his compartment. They followed him out with only their backpacks, knowing their trunk would be transferred later. On the way to their carriage, Hadrianus was aware of a familiar scent and voices drifting through the doors. He had to physically pull himself to keep walking and not go and greet the voice owner.

As he walked by the compartment, he dared a peek at the glass of the door, noticing Jim was leaning against the wall beside the window, his legs stretched out on the seat, smirking at something Ron was saying, all of them were having some snacks.

Hadrianus felt a pang of jealousy at the redhead. Ron has no idea how lucky he was, to be allowed around his brother constantly and make him smile. Hadrianus wished he could do that too. Sit with Jim, make him smile and laugh at silly things with him.

Of course, Hadrianus was lucky to have Neville, but still, the longing for his brother was something else. After all, he was his brother! They came to this world together! After personally knowing Jim, Hadrianus knew he could have been glad to have him as his brother, to look after him, teach him new tricks he learned, partner up with him in every prank or do stupid silly things together. How he wished their situations were different.

Maybe the longing would have been less if Hadrianus didn't know him personally, knew how his lips would twitch with a faint shadow of the dimples whenever he finds something hilarious. How he always prefers to go offensive, instead of defensive. How he is a giant sweet tooth! How he widens his eyes while taking a bite of his favourite food. And when Jim was comfortable enough, away from all the judgement of society, he would loosen up and become really hilarious and witty!

"What do you think?" Zabini's drawl came from behind, making Hadrianus tear his eyes from the door and keep walking past that compartment.

"The other sort. My bet on muggle-born." Theo guessed.

It was no wonder who was the topic of their discussion as the girl bristled, "Excuse me, what is wrong with being muggle-born?"

Theo replied calmly, "Nothing's wrong Miss."

Oh joy, now he has a bossy muggle-born and a couple of offended purebloods following him to his compartment. Just what he needed!

"Come on," Hadrianus called out, not really wanting to start a fight in the middle of Hogwarts Express. He is not poking that topic with a ten… or fifty feet pole.

"Yes, Adrian!" They dismissed her and quickly followed him.

"Nev!" Hadrianus called out on finding a panicking Neville looking through bathroom stalls.

"Adrian! Oh! Thank Merlin!"

"What's wrong?"

The Granger girl that followed them rudely interrupted, "I told you, he lost his toad."

Hadrianus rolled his eyes and looked at Nev, "When?"

Neville pouted miserably, "Right after you left. I think he is terrified of you, that's why he sits still in one corner when you're around."

Hadrianus snorted and raised his wand. Of course, Trevor the Toadwarts would be afraid of a green mamba! He is their natural predator, after all!

"Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then." The Granger girl commented bossily but failed to look interested.

Hadrianus ignored her and cast, "Accerso Trevor, the toadwarts."

Nothing happened for the first couple of seconds, but Hadrianus knows the spell is working, he has felt the pull of magic.

"Are you sure that's even a real spell?" said the girl. Neville frowned at her, Theodore snorted and Blaise rolled his eyes, neither of them bothered to answer her. "Well, it's not very good, is it?" She continued to lecture, "I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. As you already know, nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard - I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope - "

"Holy Merlin, can you shut the fuck up?" Zabini snapped, apparently already running on a thin level of patience, earning a scandalised gasp from the girl.

Whatever the Granger girl wanted to retort was cut off as Trevor took the exact time to soar through the air and knowing what might happen next, Hadrianus swiftly ducked. Trevor landed right on Theo's face who was standing right behind him. Theo let out a shrill shriek and flailed his arms, before falling backwards like a sack of potatoes.

Hadrianus and Zabini burst into obnoxious laughter as Neville cried out, "Trevor." He flailed at Theo, claiming the slimy toad sticking to Theo's red face, before smiling embarrassedly at him.

"Sorry, he didn't mean to do that."

Theo blushed, before accepting Adrian's hand to stand up, glaring at still loudly guffawing Blaise, his face red in embarrassment! He couldn't believe he managed to make such spectacular fun of himself in front of the Dark Prince before they even reached Hogwarts!

"Nev you already know Theo, this is Blaise Zabini." Hadrianus introduced them warmly, intentionally foregoing the formal introduction between two heirs, wishing to see how Zabini would react.

Zabini straightened up, the smirk on his face becoming more playful as he looked at Neville, "'Do you know what one plant says to the other?"

Neville blinked, not having expected the question, "What?"

"Aloe! You look plantastic!"

Hadrianus and Theo burst out laughing, high-fiving Zabini as Neville facepalmed, "Merlin!" He muttered with a resigned sigh, "There's another one!"

Hadrianus winked at Zabini, "Isn't he one in a melon?" Grinning broadly, he knew he would like this Zabini guy.

"Oak course."

"Not fair," Theo pouted, "I never knew you liked puns."

"And I never knew that you did!"'

"Alright, Zabini, nice to meet you too. I'm Neville Longbottom, and this is... erm, sorry, what was your name?" Neville glanced at the girl, unsurely. She saw him looking for Trevor, and volunteered to help without introducing herself.

Granger, who had her arms crossed over her chest, sighed, "Hermione Granger. Who are you?" She asked, looking at Hadrianus who was pointedly looking everywhere but her and petting his wrist, where Azure was hanging by thread. He felt Azure shifting in his cocoon on his touch.

"Pleasure," Zabini drawled, "We're Zabini, Nott, and Slytherin. Now if you will excuse us, we wish to be in our compartment."

Suddenly, the girl seems to explode in self-righteous anger, "What, you think you all are better than me because I'm a muggle-born?"

Hadrianus rolled his eyes. This girl is going to get herself killed, provoking the dragon in the eyes.

"Excuse me?" Theo and Zabini bristled.

"You people are so rude, and childish, using low-key word jokes and messing around with magic. You all will be in trouble before you even reach there. Didn't your parents teach you how not to be rude to girls?"

The silence that followed was deafening. Then, before anyone could reply to that particular retort, it was Neville who stepped up and smiled politely, though it looked almost constipated. "Hermione, we'll see you at the station. Bye."

With that, he dragged Hadrianus by hand, calling out over his shoulder, "Come on guys."

As they reached the first compartment where Hadrianus was sitting first, Theo was first to burst into anger, throwing his backpack to a corner, "Can you believe, the nerve of that girl? Demanding us to be polite when she is so rude!"

"Ugh, why aren't girls more like Luna?" Hadrianus sulked, claiming his seat moodily. Now he has to suffer that girl for seven freaking years! He can't even tolerate her presence for like seven minutes.

"Leave it, let's only pray she will be in a different house and away from us." Neville sighed, before grinning mischievously, "Speaking of being away...Adrian! My saviour! Have I told you how much I love you?"'

"Wha - ?" Hadrianus squealed as Neville suddenly hugged him with a teasing grin on his face "Ew, why are you being such a weirdo? Goddamnit Neville, stop hugging me!" he yelped and frantically flailed his arms as Neville hugged him even tighter, claiming his endless love for him. Theo and Blaise burst out laughing.

"Ew! Ew! Ew! Help me! Theo! Zabini! Help! Mom! Father! Anyone!"

Tears were already forming in Theo's eyes as he laughed so hard. He never saw such indignation in The Dark Prince's face as he screamed to get away from his best friend's hug.

Neville kept hugging Hadrianus for a few more seconds before letting go, and the Slytherin heir immediately scampered off to get away from him, sitting in the farthest corner from him before eyeing him suspiciously. Neville snorted, claiming his seat.

After Hadrianus was sure Neville wouldn't attack him again, he asked "Why did you not use the spell that Mr. Smith taught you?"

"I...well, I thought I'd have you cast it on Trevor, rather than me. I mean, you have always been better at magic. I know you won't accidentally set him on fire."

Hadrianus snorted as he remembered one of Neville's attempts at casting a shield charm a few months back, "Let me read it first. I need to know how to anchor that leash to you."

"Okay. Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, only if you promise you won't hug me again."

"No promises."

"Ugh."'

As they all were laughing, the door opened, revealing a kind-looking, smiling, dimpled lady, "Anything off the carts, dear?"

The four of them crowded around the carts, looking through all the sweets. Being free of all parental restrictions on sweets for the first time, all four of them brought something. However, when they all tipped it on an empty seat, it seemed they brought most of the carts. Now, worried that they didn't leave any sweets for others, Hadrianus peeked through the door just in time to see the trolly lady tapping her wand on the cart and the sweets refilled again.

Smiling appreciatively at the brilliant piece of magic, Hadrianus was just about to close the door when his eyes fell on the boy passing through.

"Justin! Is that you?"

Justin turned, his hands full of sweets and eyes widened in delight, "Devarsh! Oh, thank God! A familiar face! You're a wizard as well!"

Hadrianus grinned in delight, he couldn't believe his luck! "I can't believe it you're… wait, where's my manners? Please come, and join us! Neville, my friend I talked about? He's here as well."

"Wait, that friend of yours is a Wizard too? Any more of your friends who are wizards?"

"Actually," Hadrianus grinned as Justin came in, smiling at the others and waving, and they waved back, "We're not muggle-borns."

Justin gasped, "You're all purebloods?" He asked, astonished, now noticing their obviously wizarding outfit.

Hadrianus chuckled, "Hadrianus Slytherin Peverell. Heir of the House of Slytherin and Peverell. Pureblood, as you mentioned, you may grovel before me."

Justin laughed at that, "You gave me the wrong name!"

"No, Devarsh is a part of my full legal name, it's just not publicly known in Britain."

"Ah, right, you're originally from India," Justin nodded, remembering their conversations over geeking on comic books. "Hello everyone, I am Justin Finch Fletchley, a Muggle-born, at your service. Who is Neville among you?"

"Me. Are you Justin from the comic book store? I thought you were Muggle."' Neville asked.

"So did I!"

"And who is Jimmy, your brother?" Justin asked, looking at the remaining two, though neither fits the description.

Hadrianus felt his heart skip a beat at that. He had revealed information about having a brother thinking Justin was muggle. It could be a problem.

"Jimmy?" Theo and Zabini asked at the same time Neville wondered, "Brother?"

Oh dear! Damage control!

"Ah, you mean James Rhodes, the War Machine, Iron Man's brother-in-arms? I only wish they were here. By the way, have you met Theo and Zabini?" He quickly asked, though he noticed Neville and Zabini's eyes lingered on him longer than necessary.

Confused, Justin wanted to clear his queries but stopped when others opened their mouths.

"Theodore Nott, Heir of House of Notts, send some grovelling here." Theodore grinned, raising his hand to shake.

"And to me as well, Blaise Zabini." Zabini winked. Justin laughed, looking immensely relieved, the previous question forgotten.

"I can't believe I've been friends with a wizard since I was nine!"'

"Don't forget you're a wizard as well!"

"As if I could ever forget! God I was worried sick, being alone for the first time!" Justin looked down at the seat full of sweets and whistled, "Did you leave something for others?"

"I'm sure she has plenty more," Hadrianus assured, pushing the sweets aside to make room for Justin, who added his sweets to the collection and together, they all started going through them at an alarming rate while talking about anything and everything.

Justin was a bit surprised to see Neville thinking about Gryffindors and Theo about Slytherin, while others are comfortable with any House. He heard about legendary tension between the two houses from upper classmates, yet they were getting along just fine. Did they exaggerate it?

Hadrianus opened the wrapper and was about to bite into the pumpkin pastry when Neville stopped him, "Adrian stop! It has gluten!"

Hadrianus groaned.

"You're allergic to gluten?" Justin asked between bites of licorice wands.

"Yeah," Hadrianus sniffled miserably, "I really wanted to eat that pastry."

"What pastry?" came a familiar voice as their compartment door slid open once again, revealing a teenage girl in twin braids, one dyed pink and the other one blue.

"Harley!" Hadrianus happily greeted her with a huge grin, "Come on, have some! Everyone, this is Harley Quinn Black. Harley, this is Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini and Justin Finch Fletchley. You already know Neville."

"Howdy, boys!" Harley chirped back, before eyeing all the wrappers of sweets on the floor and those yet to consume on the seat, "Looks like you guys are having a sugar party."

"Yeah!" Hadrianus grinned as others waved and greeted her back, apologizing for not being able to greet her properly as their hands were filled with sugar crumbs.

"Later, everyone. Az, a word?"

Hadrianus followed Harley outside. Harley looked around and chose a secluded place, then cast a privacy charm.

"What is it, Godmummy?" Hadrianus wondered why she suddenly approached him out of the blue. They were supposed to meet at the Great Hall.

"I forgot to tell you something, Little Az."

"I already gathered that. Are you going to finally tell me how we will be sorted?"

Bella snorted, "You will learn it soon enough. No, I'm here to tell you to put your first wand into the trunk."

"Why?"

"They're going to place the trace on you during sorting. You don't want to have the trace on your backup wand too."

Hadrianus nodded. It was one of the perks of having Bella, or should he say, Harley, as Godmummy. She doesn't care for laws or rules at all. Hadrianus doesn't mind, after all, it serves him perfectly.

But how will Hadrianus let Jim know this one? Hadrianus knows Jim never let his secret wand down. If he does that, his wand will also have the trace that he can't use to defend himself.

"Is there a way to remove trace early?"

"Hmm? Yeah, there is, but it will need a traceless wand and magic binding rituals, otherwise, it may backfire and alert the Ministry."

"Magic binding ritual?" He may have a traceless wand if he keeps his first one in the trunk, but how will he learn the magic binding ritual? And how can he be sure that it won't alert the Ministry?

"Yeah."

"Oh." Now he really needs to talk to Jim. But he also promised Jim that they would be enemies in public. Hadrianus knew Ron would be there in the same compartment as Jim, and Jim didn't want Ron or Neville to know about their friendship.

How was he going to contact Jim, without anyone noticing?