A Marauder's Cub

by Starian NightZz

Dumbledore should have learnt that you can't keep a wolf's cub away from him. An angry Remus Lupin learned about the manipulations that have almost destroyed his life and his best friends, and decided that enough is enough. He soon became what he had been all along. A wolf. A guardian. A protector. A Marauder.

24. Arrival at Hogwarts

Chapter Twenty-Four: Arrival at Hogwarts

"That's impossible! He can't be an omega!"

Neville Longbottom turned sharply towards the source of that voice, only to realise that the loud shrieking came from Ginny Weasley, and he sighed inwardly, exchanging looks with Susan Bones who was with the Hufflepuff contingent. Seriously, who else would react this way when it comes to Hadrian?

Ever since that girl had come to Hogwarts, Neville had heard nothing short of Ginerva Weasley becoming 'the wife of the Boy-Who-Lived'. From what Neville had learnt from Fred and George, and even Percy when he was still in Hogwarts, their mother had practically spoon-fed her books on the Boy Who Lived Adventures when they were growing up, and Ginny practically had her heart set on becoming his wife.

It certainly doesn't help matters with how Dumbledore had been continuously pushing the image of the Boy Who Lived as an alpha and a hero, and had used photos—obviously doctored from James Potter's photos, to sell that image.

Neville and Susan, who have grown up with Hadrian and Draco, and had often spent their holidays in Bulgaria, have often wondered why Andromeda and even Sirius had never tried to correct Dumbledore's assumptions or even stop those horrible books. Both children have hated those books with a passion, especially after they have gotten to know Hadrian, and disliked how the books have portrayed their friend as a hero whose only role in life is to solve Magical Britain's problems.

Their parents, however, have only told them to keep quiet and not broadcast their friendship with Hadrian and the rest of the families in Bulgaria. Save for the small number that knew that they had grown up with Hadrian and Draco, like Ernie Macmillan as well as Hannah Abbott, no one knows that Susan and Neville have grown up with Hadrian and Draco.

Now, Neville thinks he is starting to understand just why their parents, and even Andromeda as well as Sirius have kept quiet about Hadrian's secondary gender status. To make Dumbledore look foolish.

The old headmaster had been pandering for years on how Hadrian is an alpha, and building on the stereotypes and image of being an alpha, never knowing that his 'saviour' is really an omega.

"That's impossible! There is no way that my best friend is a fucking fag!"

That particular statement came from Ronald Weasley this time, and Neville found himself growling low in anger.

"And just who do you think you are, calling my god-brother that name?" Neville looked ready to pounce on Ronald Weasley. The Longbottom Heir had been itching to have a go at the redhead menace for years ever since he'd nearly indirectly gotten Hermione Granger killed.

Ron only went paler. "Y-Your god-brother?"

Neville nodded, barely noticing that the rest of the Gryffindors seemed ready to separate them by force if needed. "My godmother is Lily Potter. My mother is Hadrian's," he informed the Weasley. "Both the Potter and Longbottom families have been allies and shield brethren for centuries since the time of King Arthur. You will keep a polite tongue in your head when it comes to Hadrian, Ronald Weasley, or so help me, I will declare a blood feud on your family!"

There were sharp intakes of breaths from the students surrounding them, especially those from the pureblood houses who understood just how harsh a blood feud can be. There are multiple reasons why the standing of the Weasley family isn't good in wizarding society, even generations after the Malfoy family of that time period first declared one on them.

If a family as prominent as the Longbottoms declared one on the Weasley family, the members of the family would be lucky to still be able to remain in wizarding society.

"Come on, Gryffindors, get inside!" The Seventh Year Gryffindor Prefect finally decided to get the Fourth Years moving before a fight broke out between them. It certainly won't be the best first impression to give their visitors: seeing Hogwarts' students fighting. Truthfully, the Prefect privately thought that Ronald Weasley had it coming to him for years now.

"Come on, Neville." Dean Thomas was the only one brave enough to get Neville moving into the castle. "You can beat on Ron later in the dorm. I'll even help you if that's what it takes." He added, exchanging grins with Seamus.

Ronald Weasley didn't make himself any friends at all among the current Gryffindor Fourth Years. Not only was he indirectly the cause of nearly killing Hermione Granger, but he was as much a bigot and racist as the worst of the Slytherins that he had claimed were Dark Wizards. While none of the Fourth Years were friends with Hermione Granger, with how much she had kept to herself during First Year, they weren't pleased either with how Ron had treated her.

Ravenclaw House had been on the warpath against them since ever since word had gotten out about how Ron had nearly indirectly gotten her killed. They knew that if asked for a Resorting, Hermione Granger would have gone to Ravenclaw, but she chose to withdraw and attend a different magical school instead. Hufflepuff House too weren't too pleased with Gryffindor.

Albus Dumbledore could only watch as the students slowly moved into the castle. "An omega?" He finally found his tongue. "He's an omega?" He spat the last word out like it's venom. An omega—the lowest of the low amongst the three secondary genders, born only to be breeding tools and pop out children. His saviour, being an omega? Dumbledore's eyes fell on Minerva who was eyeing him coldly, even as the rest of the professors and even the students were moving back to the castle. "Minerva, do you know about this?"

"Do I know about what?"

"About Harry being an omega!"

"Hadrian," Minerva emphasised on the name, hissing rather like her Animagus form, "is an omega, yes. I knew from the start. You forget that I often visited James and Lily even before they had to go into hiding. James and Lily got Hadrian tested a few months after his birth by a Healer they trusted. As did the Longbottoms with Neville."

It was a pureblood tradition to do that the moment the potion to identify one's secondary gender was invented nearly a century ago. Not only does it help families to assist their children as they grow, but it also helps the families to ready the children for when they present and start portraying traits.

"Why didn't you tell me anything?!"

Minerva only sniffed, looking down her nose at Dumbledore. "Not only is it no business of yours whether Hadrian is an omega, alpha or even beta; if you ran with the assumption that Hadrian is an alpha when he is not, you only have yourself to blame," she snarked. "Now, headmaster, the visiting schools will be waiting for you to commence dinner, so kindly collect yourself and come along. Unless of course, you would also like me to do the headmaster's duties for you, like I'm already doing with so many."

With that said, Minerva stalked off towards the castle with her nose in the air, leaving behind a spluttering Dumbledore.

XXXXXX

While pretending that he isn't paying attention, the truth is that Neville is carefully keeping an ear out for the conversations around him at the Gryffindor table, making sure that no one is plotting against his god-brother.

Oh sure, he knew that despite Hadrian's status as an omega, the smaller teen could handle himself. Hadrian wasn't named the champion of the duelling cohort at Durmstrang for three years in a row without good reason. Even still, it was so hard-wired in not just Draco but also Neville at this point to always protect Hadrian. And if Neville knows Susan at all, he knows that she will also be doing the same thing at the Hufflepuff table.

However, he doubts that Hufflepuff House will be giving them any trouble at all.

"Over here!"

Neville tensed when he heard Ron call out, looking around just in time to see the redhead excitedly waving at the Durmstrang contingent who were entering the Great Hall after the Beauxbatons' contingent. The students in pale blue merely followed the lead of Fleur Delacour who had only spoken with her companion, whom Neville only recognised a moment later as Fiona Evans, and then, they turned towards the Ravenclaw table who have made room for them; with the tables also expanding magically to fit them all.

Despite Ron's frantic waving that Neville privately thought to himself only made him look ridiculous, the Durmstrang students have pretended not to notice him. In fact, Viktor spoke in low tones with Hadrian and even Alec as well as Natasha, before he then led the Durmstrang contingent towards the Hufflepuff table who looked delighted.

"Aw, man! Why the duffers?" Ron sulked, slumping in his seat and crossing his arms like a two-year-old who had just gotten his favourite toy taken away.

Neville mentally recited the Latin alphabet in his head backwards and forwards to prevent himself from lunging at the redhead. On either side of him, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan were exchanging concerned looks.

The other Gryffindor Fourth Year girls who weren't seated far away from them were shooting each other concerned looks too. None of them have missed the fact that Neville had been steadily getting more and more agitated with Ron and even Ginny with each passing year; especially when the topic about the Boy Who Lived came up. Now that they knew that Neville and Hadrian Potter were god-brothers, it explains a lot.

"Stay calm," Seamus whispered in Neville's ear even as Dumbledore and McGonagall finally entered and took their usual places at the head table, with the headmaster introducing the heads of the visiting schools, and even the professors that they'd brought with them. "You can beat up Ron later in the dorm, and not now. We'll even help you."

"I am calm," Neville muttered irritably, much to the Fourth Years' amusement save for one Ron Weasley who was as oblivious as ever.

"And now, before we begin dinner, let me introduce to you the judge that will select the participating students from the three schools!" Dumbledore announced. This statement caught everyone's attention just then.

From a side chamber, three wizards wearing ICW robes entered, carrying in between them, a contraption that was holding a gigantic golden goblet of some kind that was within some kind of security bubble. And surrounding them on all four sides were four wizards and witches dressed in the Hit-Wizard robes of the ICW; their eyes flickering around as if in search of dangers.

Neville had heard from Susan who had heard from her aunt how the international communities also involved in the planning of the Triwizard Tournament hadn't been impressed with the initial plans that Dumbledore had drawn up. They have all but taken it over. And as a result, the security surrounding not just the tournament as a whole, but also the Goblet of Fire is not just air-tight. There wouldn't be a single spot left unattended.

"Behold, the Goblet of Fire!" Dumbledore announced, beaming at the students, but his eyes betrayed how disgruntled he had felt with being all but cut out from the planning stages and even the security planning of the tournament just because Adrick Morozov and Raisa Sokolov found it lacking.

One of the ICW officials murmured a long string of words before the security bubble surrounding the Goblet was then removed, with the same official dropping a parchment into the Goblet—but not before showing the other ICW officials, and even the Hit-Wizards what was written on the parchment. After he'd received nods of acknowledgement from them, he then dropped the parchment into the Goblet that lit up with blue flames.

A witch wearing a slight variation of the Hit Wizard robes then stood up to the podium, her gaze sharp and assessing as she scanned the sea of faces before her. Neville doesn't need anyone to tell him that this witch means business, and is not one to be messed with.

"She looks so cool." Fay Dunbar sighed, gazing at the witch admiringly. "You can tell she means business."

"Fay! Shh!" Lavender Brown nudged her in the side, pressing one finger to her lips.

"My name is Raisa Sokolov, head of the ICW's Protectorate of Magic." The witch introduced herself, which caused whispers to break out across the Great Hall when they realised that this woman is the head of the entire department of Hit-Wizards that took care of the international threats. "A very good evening to you, students and staff of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. I will now be explaining to you how the selection of the champions of each school will take place." She looked from table to table. Not a single student and staff member was even looking away from her. "Here before you is the Goblet of Fire." She gestured towards the golden goblet that was currently lit with blue flames. "It is an ancient magical artefact that was used in times past for the ancient duels of old. And once more, it had been brought out of retirement after more than three hundred years to be the impartial judge and selector of the champions from all three participating schools. Currently, any student of age—as in, age seventeen and above, will be permitted to submit their own name for consideration for the honour of fighting for their school. Be warned, however," Her gaze sharpened at the students' excited whisperings. "You are only allowed to submit your own name, and only if you're of age as of tonight. There will be spells, charms and traps around the Goblet of Fire that will prevent underage students and students from submitting a name not their own. Our own ICW Hit-Wizards will also be guarding the Goblet throughout the submission process. If any student is caught trying to submit a name not their own, that will be counted as attempted murder, and you will be taken in for questioning by ICW's Hit-Wizards, regardless of your age." She warned. "The Goblet will remain lit for a full twenty-four hours, with the selection of the names commencing tomorrow night on Samhain. That is all."

She stepped down from the podium.

Neville looked over at the Slytherin table only to see Fred and George with doubtful looks on their faces, even as they spoke with their Slytherin year-mates. Neville only hoped that the twins wouldn't do anything silly. He knew that they'd been taking on summer jobs and saving like crazy the last couple of years to be able to afford their own shop premises for a joke shop once they've graduated. The announcement of the Triwizard Tournament and the cash prize of a thousand Galleons is enough to tempt them.

But both twins are technically still underage, as their seventeenth birthday isn't for another few months. If the worst they would get is maybe a reprimand from a professor, they probably wouldn't care and risk it anyway. But not if this is considered breaching the ICW's laws.

Considering that they are in Slytherin, Neville only hopes they will use some of that Slytherin cunning and logic, and not attempt to do something so foolish, considering that they already got a few potential investors from not just their own housemates, but also from other Houses.

"Now, we've been waiting for long enough, so let the feast begin!"

Over at the Hufflepuff table, the Durmstrang contingent only clapped politely before the food then appeared on their plates—most of it meat dishes, and particularly filling food. Viktor only eyed the plates for several moments before looking at Hadrian who looked particularly ill at how greasy the food looked.

At Durmstrang, while there are meat dishes, there are also plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure that the students get a balanced diet, and also able to eat healthily, and able to last throughout the school day.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" One of Hogwarts' students was the first to speak. "I'm Cedric Diggory. If there is anything that you need, do feel free to ask."

"Um… P-Pleasure." Viktor looked at Hadrian, wondering if he had said the right word in English, and was reassured when Hadrian nodded. "Just to ask, do you have anything…healthier? Like fruits or vegetables?"

"Uh…" Cedric was taken aback by that question and looked at his fellow Hufflepuffs, who looked equally lost. "I can ask Professor Sprout?"

"What, Hogwarts' food not good enough for you?" One of the Hufflepuffs snarked rudely. As one, the Durmstrang contingent looked sharply towards the speaker who seemed to be a particularly unpleasant-looking boy with dark hair and who looked as if he had something nasty smelling beneath his nose.

"Hardly." Draco looked displeased with how rude the boy was and for something as reasonable as asking for healthier foods. "But not everyone can have a meat diet." His eyes flickered towards the omegas in their group—namely, Hadrian, Lucas, and even a few others from the upper years. While alphas tend to have more meat in their diet, omegas tend to go for healthier options. In fact, Draco can count on one hand the number of times that he'd seen Lucas and Hadrian eat meat.

"We have some fruits and vegetables here." One of the Hufflepuff Sixth Years called out. He had a friendly face and there were indeed plates of fruits and vegetables at their table. "You can have some."

Alec inclined his head politely to the Hufflepuff that had spoken. "My thanks."

The rude Hufflepuff only looked disgruntled as two plates of fruits and vegetables were passed over to the Durmstrang contingent, and the omegas amongst their group were quick to fill their plates with mostly fruits and vegetables.

"…Filthy omegas," he muttered beneath his breath.

Viktor and a few others of the Durmstrang contingent were, however, alphas, and could hear every word. "What was that?" Viktor said dangerously. As one, half the table turned their attention towards the angry Quidditch star. "You want to repeat that again?"

"Zacharius Smith, for once in your life, keep your trap shut!" Ernie snapped at his year-mate before he could respond. His fellow Hufflepuffs looked almost embarrassed. More than one of them looked on the verge of throttling Smith. "I'm so sorry for him." He said hurriedly. "This is not how we wanted to welcome visitors to Hogwarts."

There were murmurs from the other Hufflepuffs as they nodded.

"Are you really Harry Potter?" Zachary Smith didn't seem to learn his lesson and instead leaned around the table to get a good look at Hadrian who was seated in between Draco and Viktor.

"What business is it of yours?" Viviane almost snarled, tightening her grip on her cutlery. Unlike her brother, Viviane is a beta. But at this moment, Draco could have sworn that she was an alpha.

"Well, are you?" Zachary ignored Viviane, only eyeing Hadrian.

"And if I am?" Hadrian questioned coldly. The Durmstrang students exchanged looks. That was the voice that Hadrian used when he was getting annoyed. "And the name is Hadrian. I had yet to permit you to use my name."

Viviane exchanged amused looks with Lucas, Draco and even Mikhail who were all trying to hide grins. Ouch. That is a burn that Smith won't be recovering from anytime soon.

Zachary only blushed, as there were snickers from his house-mates and even from some of the Durmstrang students. "You an omega?" He questioned rudely, eyeing Hadrian up and down, and nearly spitting the last word out.

At this point, Hadrian is really getting quite annoyed. He was briefed about what to expect in Britain from Sirius, Narcissa, and even Liese. But not even a mere hour after he had stepped foot into Britain and they were already asking questions like this?

Opposite Zacharius Smith, Justin Finch-Fletchley quickly shoved a loaf of bread into Zachary's mouth, causing the latter to choke. "Can you be quiet?" Justin muttered irritably.

Hadrian only exchanged looks with Viktor at this point before both sighed.

This is going to be a long year.

XXXXXX

Due to the dinner being a Welcoming Feast of sorts for their visitors, the students were allowed to leave the table once they decided they had enough. Hadrian had tried to enjoy the Hogwarts' meal which was really quite delicious. But after the outburst from Zacharius Smith, the Hufflepuff table is garnering quite a lot of attention which only made him feel more uncomfortable.

In Bulgaria, while he received attention for being the Black and Potter heir, no one really cared much about the whole 'Boy Who Lived' nonsense. But in Britain, from what Hadrian knew from Remus and Sirius, it is different. Even still, he wasn't expecting this level of insanity, and how the British think that they have a right to judge Hadrian just because of his secondary gender.

Hadrian tugged lightly on Draco's sleeve. "Dray, can we return to the ship?" He asked his cousin softly in Bulgarian to ensure that none of Hogwarts' students could understand them unless they also spoke Bulgarian. "I'm feeling a little exposed here."

Draco understood immediately and nodded, meeting with Susan and Hannah's concerned eyes, and shook his head lightly. "Okay, I understand. I'll accompany you back."

"Do you want us to come too?" Lucas asked immediately, even as Draco took several pieces of fruit and placed it on a napkin. "We had enough as well." He gestured towards his plate and even Viviane's.

"Yeah. Sure."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Viktor asked, watching as the four Fourth Years got to their feet.

"It's fine. I have Draco and the others with me. I'll be fine." Hadrian reassured his betrothed. "You can stay and enjoy the food, Viktor."

Viktor didn't look reassured, but nodded, knowing that Draco would never let anything happen to Hadrian. He is like the omega's very protective older brother.

"Is something wrong?" Cedric Diggory asked, genuinely concerned. Viktor had been enjoying his talk with the other boy, with Cedric not treating Viktor as a famous figure, but like a normal student, and Viktor had been enjoying it.

"No, don't worry." Viktor shook his head. He however let his gaze follow Hadrian, Draco, Viviane and Lucas even as they made the way across the Great Hall and out towards the grounds where they would be sleeping in the Durmstrang ship for the rest of the year. However, before they can even make it out of the Great Hall, their passage is blocked by two redheads—siblings, by the looks of it. "What's going on there?"

XXXXXX

"Admit it, you're not my Harry, are you? You're just an imposter using his name!" Ginerva Weasley accused, her face blotched and red. "Where is my Harry?!"

"And who are you both?" Hadrian is very done with Hogwarts and its inhabitants.

"Isn't it obvious, Ri?" Draco drawled in that voice that he uses when he's up against obnoxious people, like Valko Kovarev for one. "Red hair. Hand me down robes." He eyed the two siblings. "They must be Weasleys." He subtly pushed Hadrian behind him. "I know your family barely has anything, but surely they imparted some manners to you?"

"What's it to you?" Ronald Weasley's face is starting to reach that of his hair. "And you, where is the real Harry Potter? Where are you hiding my best friend?!"

"I don't have such bad taste that I would have you as my best friend." Hadrian scoffed. "And I don't have to bother explaining myself to you."

"You filthy omega—"

"What's going on here?" A familiar voice reached their ears just then, and Hadrian turned just in time to see Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood approaching them, with Fleur and Fiona behind them.

"Granger…" Ron murmured as he laid eyes on the girl he had almost indirectly killed, and then had to spend the rest of the year in detention. "Not enough that you almost got yourself killed. You had to ruin my reputation too."

"Not like you had much reputation to ruin, to begin with." Hermione scoffed. Why was she so afraid of this boy back when she was a First Year? If truth be told, the decision to leave Hogwarts wasn't hard to make, considering she didn't have any friends at all. She was honestly surprised when Neville had visited her at the hospital with his mother when she had hardly spoken more than a handful of words to him during the two months that she was in Hogwarts. They do still exchange the occasional letter now.

"Hermione, this is the boy you mentioned? The one that nearly indirectly got you killed?" Fleur was eyeing Ron with great dislike; though this could be because of the way the redhead was also practically ogling her.

"You—"

"Why are you bothering my students?" Madam Maxime's distinct voice interrupted them just then. As one, the group of students turned just in time to see the French headmistress behind them, looking at Ron and Ginny disapprovingly. "Is there a problem, Fleur? Fiona?"

"None at all, Madam Maxime." Fiona shook her head. "We were just leaving. Can we maybe spend an hour or two on the Durmstrang ship? I promise we'll be back before curfew."

Madam Maxime looked hesitant to agree to that request, but she also knew that her students and this bunch of Durmstrang students were all good and responsible kids. The students of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons have formed several friendships with each other throughout the Inter-School tournaments that only strengthened the bonds between their schools.

"Do come back before curfew." Madam Maxime said at last, and her students nodded. "As for you Hogwarts' students, do you have some kind of problem with my students?"

Madam Maxime sounded like she'd like nothing better than to string them up if they said anything like that. And while foolish and rash, both Weasley siblings still have some preservation instincts.

"N-No. None at all."

XXXXXX

Hadrian was woken the next morning by the rays of sunlight streaming through the window in the room that he shared with Lucas on the Durmstrang ship. Crookshanks, curled up next to him, meowed indignantly as the orange feline was woken by Hadrian stirring from sleep.

"Sorry, Shanky." Hadrian patted the cat. Crookshanks had insisted on tagging along with Hadrian that year, much to everyone's surprise, when the cat is normally content enough to remain at home at Grim Manor throughout the years when Hadrian was away at Durmstrang. Sirius can only assume that once Crookshanks figured out that Hadrian was returning to Britain for the first time in years, the cat had insisted on following.

"Is it morning?" Lucas murmured sleepily on the opposite bed, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes. "We'd better get up anyway." He added, looking at the sunlight outside the windows. "Tournament or not, we do still have lessons. Let's go and get washed up."

Crookshanks gave another loud meow, though neither one of the two omegas noticed how the cat was continuously looking in the direction of Hogwarts outside the window. The moment their room door opened, however, the cat gave another loud yowl, and scampered through Lucas' legs and streaked down the hallway.

"Crookshanks! No!"

Heads were starting to pop out from the other rooms from the ruckus.

"Someone catch that cat!"

There were already Durmstrang students awake and ready for the day in the lounge area of the ship when Crookshanks made his appearance, followed by Lucas' shout after the orange feline.

Mikhail Vasilev lunged but missed the orange streak as the cat practically flew past the several Durmstrang students, even dodging an oblivious Viviane Krum who was just coming in from outside after doing an early morning fly on her broom.

"What the…?" Viviane squeaked as Crookshanks streaked past her, nearly causing her to fall.

As several Durmstrang students looked out of the open door in disbelief at the fast disappearing cat, it was just in time to see said feline racing towards the direction of Hogwarts.

"Where's Crookshanks?" Hadrian cried even as he finally made his appearance, dressed in his Durmstrang uniform, but without the coat, like so many of his peers. One would be insane to wear that thick coat meant for Durmstrang's freezing cold weather in the Scottish weather. "Has anyone seen him?"

"Well, we only got a glimpse of him as he ran out of the cabin, but he streaked off towards Hogwarts." One of Hadrian's year-mates volunteered the information. "Your cat is some escape artist, Hadrian."

Hadrian and Lucas exchanged looks before sighing as one. "I'll go and wake Viktor to accompany me," Hadrian finally sighed. There was no way Viktor would let Hadrian walk up to Hogwarts without him, especially after what had happened the previous night.

And Hadrian would rather not test his betrothed's rising temper, considering the way that several of Hogwarts' students have already treated him.

XXXXXX

Thankfully, it didn't take Hadrian and Viktor long to track down the missing cat, considering that more than one Hogwarts student had seen the orange feline flee into the school and then run off again. It seems like Crookshanks had run in the direction of the caretaker's office which only made Hadrian nervous, considering the stories that he had heard from Sirius and Remus about the man when they were in school.

Much to Hadrian's surprise, however, even as he knocked on the door timidly and was told to come in by a gruff voice, he saw said grumpy caretaker seated on the floor next to a dark brown tabby with Crookshanks—with the two cats sharing a milk saucer.

It gave Hadrian some amusement, as Crookshanks is so much larger than the brown tabby, that the tabby looks almost like a kitten next to Crookshanks' large size.

Crookshanks gave a loud meow when Hadrian entered with Viktor next to him, both Durmstrang students bowing politely to Argus Filch who only nodded back.

"This your cat, laddie?" Argus Filch almost growled at Hadrian, but surprisingly, the omega didn't feel nervous around him at all. This might be due to how the old caretaker was stroking Crookshanks down the back gently, with the cat purring with delight.

You can always tell a person's true character just from the way they treat animals or the way animals act around them, Sirius had always told Hadrian.

"Uh… Yes, sir…"

"No need to 'sir' me, laddie." Filch waved off the comment. "I'm just the squib caretaker here." Viktor's gaze sharpened when Filch mentioned that part. "Mrs Norris here seems to like your cat." Mrs Norris only gave a loud meow in response. "We don't see many cats here. Even the few students who kept cats hardly allowed their pets to roam about. It's nice to see some companionship for my Mrs Norris."

Hadrian giggled when he saw the way Mrs Norris snuggled up to Crookshanks who didn't look too pleased but put up with it. "Crookshanks is a free spirit. He goes where he wants to. Does what he wants to. Even Siri didn't want to upset Crookshanks, whether he be in dog or human form."

"Ah, that would be your adoptive father then, lad?" Filch eyed Hadrian contemplatively. "Sirius Black? I remember that lad. Quite a terror he was when he was in school. Along with James Potter. Gave me lots of headaches throughout the seven years they were in school together. At least until your ma got them on her leash when she and your da started dating. Never knew what your ma saw in your da, honestly. But your da did change for the better. He became a good man after Hogwarts." He shook his head. "The Hogwarts staff nearly threw a party the day your da and his friends all graduated. Despite the number of headaches they gave me, however, your da and Sirius Black have always been polite to me. They are both good kids." He admitted. "It's a travesty, it is, what they did to Sirius Black. I don't blame him for leaving Britain with you." The caretaker looked at Viktor; something in his gaze was calculating and shrewd. But it was gone in a flash that it even made Viktor wonder if he'd really seen it. "You both should head off to the Great Hall now. Breakfast is starting soon, and I'll bet your school students would be heading in now." He gave a rare smile down at the two cats who were looking up at him. "I'll take care of your cat here for you. I'll take him back to the Durmstrang ship later."

"W-Well, if you're sure," Hadrian said hesitantly, but Filch only nodded, and Crookshanks meowed. "All right. Come back to the ship later on before lunch, Shanky." Hadrian bent down to stroke Crookshanks down the back the way he liked it, and the feline meowed. "Come on, Viktor, let's go to breakfast. You and the others intend to submit your names for the Goblet later on, don't you?"

"Y-Yeah." Viktor was careful to keep an eye on Filch, with one hand on the small of Hadrian's back, even as he guided the smaller omega out of the office, with the door closing behind the couple.

For several long moments, all was silent in the small office before Filch sighed, looking down at Crookshanks who was looking expectantly at him.

"You're pretty smart for a cat, aren't you?" Filch's mannerisms had changed; being less brash and rough. "You know who I am."

Crookshanks only meowed at him.

Filch sighed. "I mean him no harm. There's a reason why I'm here," he said at last. He then pulled at his collar, before a chain then shimmered into existence. The caretaker opened the locket hanging from the chain, gazing at the aged photo within. "Gel… I won't give up. I will bring him to justice. One way or another. I won't rest until I get it." He vowed. "Then after… After… I'll go with you to meet the Goddess."

XXXXXX

"What's wrong?" Hadrian was confused by the confused frown on Viktor's face even as they walked towards the direction of the Great Hall. Both Durmstrang students vaguely remembered the way to the Great Hall. And not to mention the fact that the caretaker's office isn't far away.

"Nothing much." Viktor shook his head even as they entered the Great Hall, with both Durmstrang students ignoring the stares and whispers from the Hogwarts' students as they did so, immediately joining the rest of their schoolmates at the Hufflepuff table. "Just… Are you sure that the caretaker earlier is a squib?" He asked Hadrian, confused.

"That's what Siri and Remus said. Liese and even Aunt Cissi, too." Hadrian replied, confused. "What's wrong?"

"I could swear that I felt his magic earlier," Viktor admitted, and Hadrian tensed. Viktor has been very sensitive to magic since they were children. That's what makes him so good at certain aspects of their schooling, and even why he seemed to take to runes and warding so easily. "But it felt almost…familiar though." He said slowly, frowning. "It felt almost like…the Krum family magic." He realised.

Hadrian's eyes were as wide as saucers. "That's not possible."

"I know. My family are the only Krums left." Viktor nodded, raking his hand through his hair with frustration. "It just doesn't make sense. But I know what I sensed. I will know the feel of my family magic anywhere." The alpha made a mental note to write to his father to ask for a copy of the family registry. Or maybe he should make a trip to the local Gringotts branch. Even if not their direct bank manager, even the branch in Britain would be able to get a copy of the family registry for him if needed.

"Hey, morning." Draco slid into his seat beside Hadrian just then, with the rest of their schoolmates filing in after him. The Great Hall is starting to fill with chatter. "I heard from Viviane and Lucas what happened." He directed this comment to Hadrian. "Where's Shanky?"

"He ran off to the caretaker," Hadrian answered, taking a couple of fruits, and even a bowl of porridge. "The caretaker said he'll bring Shanky back to the ship later. Even if he didn't, Shanky will come back by himself."

Draco grinned, pointing his fork at Hadrian before he poked at the sausages on his plate. "That he will."

"Morning, Ri. Draco. Viktor. Viviane." Susan Bones slipped into a seat opposite them, with Hannah not far behind her. "How was your night?"

"All right." Draco shrugged. "What's with the grin, anyway?" He added, seeing the smug look on Susan's face. He knew that look. It's the look that Susan always had whenever something happened to make her happy.

"Cedric Diggory called for a House meeting last night, especially after the disgraceful conduct by Zacharius Smith." Hannah chimed in, exchanging looks with her best friend who looked like the cat that got the canary. "He got quite the tongue lashing by our Head of House who wasn't pleased with what our housemates had to tell her about how he treated one of our guests. He'll likely leave you alone from now on." She added.

Draco only raised an eyebrow. "Pity. And here I was so looking forward to duelling him into a drooling imbecile," he almost drawled. "Oh well, there is still Weasley. And if what I'd heard about that family is of any indication, I don't even need to rile them up."

"You got to wait your turn, Draco." Viktor almost growled. "If he shoots his mouth off at Ri, he has to go through me first."

Privately, Draco thought to himself that if there was any suicidal idiot that dared to make moves on Hadrian or even hurt him, there likely wouldn't be anything left of them once Viktor was done with them.

There was a screech from a barn owl from overhead just then.

"It's a bit early for morning mail, isn't it?" Hannah asked, frowning, looking upwards at the ceiling just in time to see a brown owl come in from one of the entrances the owls always used to deliver mail, and swoop down onto the table in between them. "It's early. Most of the school isn't even here yet."

The owl is holding out its leg towards Hadrian expectantly where there is a letter tied to it. He immediately took off again with a screech the moment he was relieved of its burden.

"Who's it from?" Viviane asked, curious. It definitely wouldn't be from any of their parents, considering they are in Bulgaria, and they each have a floo mirror that they use to communicate with their families.

Hadrian didn't recognise the cursive and almost elegant-looking handwriting on the piece of parchment.

Harry, my boy,

I would appreciate it if you could join me in the headmaster's office after breakfast today.

(P.S. I do have a liking for Ice Mice)

~Albus Dumbledore

Hadrian already felt an incoming headache.

Has that man no shame at all? Considering he was once Chief Warlock, surely he knows the protection laws surrounding underage omegas? He should know that no one is to be left alone with an underage omega unless they're the omega's family or even their betrothed.

"Who's it from, Ri?" Draco wanted to know, seeing the twitching eyebrow of his cousin. Without a word, Hadrian passed the parchment over to Draco, sneaking a glance at the head table only to see that a certain headmaster wasn't at the table at all. "Has he no shame?" Draco almost growled.

"Sirius told us to expect something like this." Viktor tried to restrain a growl. "Even still…"

"What's going on?" The Head Boy of Durmstrang looked over at their table from where he was seated further down, sensing the tension.

"Where's Headmaster Kostov?" Hadrian wanted to know.

XXXXXX

Durmstrang's Headmaster, Nikolai Kostov's face was unsmiling even as he followed an equally grim-looking Minerva McGonagall as the latter led him to the direction of the headmaster's office in Hogwarts School, with a piece of parchment currently clutched tightly in Nikolai's hand.

The man was expecting lots of things when a group of his students had knocked on his cabin in the Durmstrang ship even before breakfast was over, requesting for an audience. But to then inform him how Hogwarts' headmaster was not only blatantly ignoring, but outrightly steamrolling over the omega protection laws, and wanting to meet with one of his underage students alone nearly had Nikolai hitting the roof. To then realise that the letter had addressed said student with a form of endearment that not even the student's own family uses had Nikolai wanting to inform the ICW Hit-Wizards currently stationed at Hogwarts for the year.

But after he had the time to calm down, Nikolai then decided it best that he addressed it as a problem between schools and not make it an international issue just yet.

Sirius Black and even Narcissa Black have already filled him in on the potential fallout and problems he might have when Hadrian Potter made it on the list of students to go to Hogwarts this year for the Triwizard Tournament. Thus, Nikolai was already prepared. Not to mention that he is quite well aware of the obsession that a certain Hogwarts headmaster had with his student.

"Ice Mice," McGonagall told the gargoyle standing at the entrance firmly which jumped aside immediately. The witch then led Nikolai into the headmaster's office and up the stairs that would lead to the main office.

Arguing voices immediately reached their ears even before they even made it to the stairs. One of those voices, Nikolai recognised it vaguely as Hogwarts' current Potions Master, Andre LeBeau.

"—absolutely mad! If I knew anything about such a potion—which I don't—and even if there is one in existence, which there isn't—I would never brew it! I would sooner Obliviate myself of the recipe!"

"Andre—"

"It's Professor LeBeau to you! Not only is a potion like the one you're suggesting immoral, but it is also highly illegal to perform a ritual or potion to forcefully repress one's secondary gender! And to change one's secondary gender is breaking at least a dozen international laws! You'll have the entire ICW's Hit-Wizard squad on your doorstep the moment they caught wind you are even considering such a terrible thought!"

"Professor LeBeau—"

"I know what you think about the secondary genders, and especially about the omegas, but there is nothing wrong about being one! And you may believe that you are immune from all consequences, but I know better! Britain is already on the ICW's shit list. If they even knew or suspected that a potion like this is being created or being asked to create one, they would destroy Britain's magical society as a whole! The secondary genders are essential to magical society, Albus! Not to mention the fact that Hadrian Potter is also a student of Durmstrang! Do you seriously want Nikolai Kostov of all people on the warpath after you?!"

"The Boy Who Lived can't be an omega! I refuse to believe it!"

"It doesn't fucking matter what you want to believe! You can't change cold, hard facts! For the love of the Goddess, the boy is not only wearing an omega collar, he is also wearing a betrothal bracelet! He's fucking betrothed, you senile old goat!"

"I hardly think—"

"That is obvious! You obviously aren't thinking at all which is why you dragged me up to your office in the early morning to ask me such a ridiculous request? And if his betrothed is from the House of Lords in Bulgaria, and they found out what you're attempting to do to their Heir's future bride, there will be nowhere you can run! Not to mention Hadrian Potter is also the heir of the Houses of Potter and Black! You might believe you are immune to all repercussions, but we're still held to international standards. The fucking ICW is stationed in Hogwarts right now! Do you seriously want to be thrown in an ICW holding cell, Albus?"

There was a sigh. "Well, if you will not, maybe Emilie—"

There was the sound of something breaking.

"If you go near my apprentice with this kind of insane request, you will have my resignation in the morning, and I will be taking Emilie and leaving Britain! And I will also inform every single Potions Guild and Potions Master that I know of just what you wanted me to do!"

Nikolai had heard enough. He exchanged looks with Minerva who looked pale but nodded. The pair then walked up the stairs and entered the main office of the headmaster's office without warning.

"Apologies for the interruption," Nikolai said smoothly, though he didn't sound apologetic at all, walking in on a red-faced Andre LeBeau who looked ready to throw something else at Dumbledore who was seated behind his desk.

Andre LeBeau took in several deep breaths. "I see that you have visitors, headmaster, so I believe I shall take my leave—"

"No, please stay, Professor LeBeau." Nikolai interrupted.

"Headmaster Kostov." Dumbledore didn't look pleased. "I wasn't expecting you."

"You wouldn't," Nikolai almost sneered before slamming the letter that Hadrian had received earlier that morning onto Dumbledore's desk. If anything, Dumbledore now looked furious. "I was forewarned about you even before I took my students onto British soil. By not just Sirius Black, but also Narcissa Black and Andromeda Tonks. They told me you would try to pull something like this. But I sure wasn't expecting you to try to drag my underage omega student into your office. Alone." Nikolai's eyes flashed, and alpha pheromones filled the office, making both Minerva and Andre buckle and have to grab something to remain standing. "You might believe that you're above the law, but you're not. There are still omega protection laws in place. If you want to speak to Hadrian, it had better be something involving school matters, and I will be there as a witness as well."

"It's personal." Dumbledore's eyes flashed with dislike.

"Then all the more it's immoral!" Nikolai snapped. "You might not care if your reputation is sullied, but I will not ruin Hadrian's reputation and have people label him a whore if you're calling him into 'personal meetings' alone." Nikolai didn't care what it sounded like.

Before either headmaster could say anything else, there was movement from one of the portraits hanging in the office.

"Albus, you might want to get to the Great Hall now!" Four pairs of eyes turned towards the portrait that was speaking. "A duel is taking place there right now." The portrait's eyes turned towards Nikolai before turning back towards Dumbledore. "Between Hadrian Potter and Ronald Weasley!"