Hadrian sat up in bed and put his book to the side. Grinning, he asked, "What? You found it? Where?"
Theo returned his grin as he climbed onto the bed, "in the astronomy tower, near the just below the highest level. I found a lion carved on either side of one of the windows, figured that must be Gryffindor's Den."
Hadrian put his arm around Theo in a sideways hug, "well then, how about we go take a look. Maybe tomorrow? At lunch?"
"That sounds lovely," yawned Theo.
Hadrian kissed the top of Theo's head, "Alright then love, let's get to sleep."
"Ah, good night Hadrian," Theo murmured softly as he drifted off to sleep.
"Good night, love," Hadrian returned before going to sleep.
The next morning an owl delivered a newspaper as the young couple sat down to breakfast. Hadrian opened the newspaper and grinning turned the paper toward Theo. "Look, Theo, it looks like Jacob came through," he said while pointing out the correction.
We, the Daily Prophet would like to make a most sincere apology to Lord Potter. in yesterday's article on Mr. Potter's marriage we printed the wrong name. We would like to correct Mr Potter's name from Harry to Hadrian. Once again Mr. Hadrian Potter we sincerely apologize for the misprint of your name in yesterday's paper.
"What do you think?," asked Hadrian.
Theo shrugged, "it's good, as far as an apology from a newspaper goes."
Hadrian nodded, "you're right, it's actually the only time I've ever seen a newspaper make an apology… or a correction. I should write Jacob a letter thanking him for all his help."
Theo leaned over and kissed Hadrian on the cheek, "I think that's a great idea, love. Now we should get to class."
Hadrian glanced over at the clock hanging on the wall, "right, we don't want to be late. I'll meet you for lunch in the astronomy tower, we can have Dobby bring us some lunch. Something easy to eat while working."
Theo grinned up at his husband, "yes, I can't wait to see what's in Gryffindor's Den !"
The Mail was also being delivered in the Great Hall. Draco Malfoy was sitting at the Slytherin table eating his breakfast when a large Eagle Owl swooped down and landed in front of him. Draco, who was used to his parents writing to him often, eagerly took the two letters from the owl. One was from his mother, the other from his father. He opened the one from his mother first he read:
Draco my love,
Your father and I saw the article about the Potter boy yesterday morning. We are quite concerned. Are you still friends with Mr. Nott? If you are, we don't want you to have to give up your friendship with him. But we need to know if you have become friendly Potter. I assure you my love, it's alright if you have, your father and I just need to know what precautions we need to take. Please write soon. I miss you everyday that you are away.
Your loving Mother,
Narcissa Malfoy
After reading his mother's letter he opened his father's letter.
Draco, my son
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you that I have just returned home from a meeting with the Dark Lord. I must warn you that he saw the article about Potter and the Nott boy. He has declared the Nott family and their associates enemies. I know that you are friends with Nott; I would not ask you to betray your friendship, but we must take steps to protect our family. The only way I see forward is with Potter's help. The only thing I ask of you son is that you please arrange a meeting with Lord Potter. And please be careful, you never know what could get back to the Dark Lord.
Your Father,
Lucius Malfoy
As Hadrian went about the first half of the day he made sure to stick as close to Neville, and Dean as possible. In the first class of the day they were joined by Seamus Finnigan. After spending just a few hours with the three boys from his house he found himself becoming fast friends with them. After the last class before lunch he waved goodbye to his new friends before starting off towards the astronomy tower. As he walked he briefly wondered why he had never spent any time with Neville, Dean and Seamus before.
Shaking his head he scowled to himself, 'Ron and Hermione never would have let me spend time with them.'
As he rounded the corner near the top of the astronomy tower he found Theo sitting on a step with a scowl on his face. Sitting on the step above him were Draco and Blaize.
As soon as Theo saw Hadrian he launched himself into Hadrian's arms. "Sorry, they followed me," he whispered in Hadrian's ear, "Draco says he wants to talk to you."
Hadrian reared his head back, raising an eyebrow he asked, "what? Why?"
In response Theo just shrugged, "I don't know. Should we take them to Gryffindor's Den." He nodded his head towards the window, "it's in that window."
Hadrian peered over Theo's shoulder, and spied the small carved lions on either side of the window. "Ah, you're right, that is likely it," he muttered. Glancing up at where Draco and Blaize were sitting he said, "I think we can trust them, let's take them with us."
Placing his hands on Theo's shoulders, he spun them around in the narrow staircase so he was closer to the window. "Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart," he muttered while inspecting the window. Glancing up the stairs at Draco and Blaize and then down to Theo he called, "I'll be right back, love," before jumping out the window.
When Hadrian jumped through the window he could only pray that he was right. Luckily it seemed that his thinking was correct as instead of falling to his death he landed in a sitting room that was identical to the one in the Chamber of Secrets but for the red and gold colors. Taking a cursory look around it seemed that the layout was also identical to Salazar's Chamber.
When Theo saw Hadrian jump he rushed to the window while screaming, "HADRIAN." Throwing himself against the window leaning out in the hope of catching his husband, he felt Draco and Blaize grab his waist. Reaching for Hadrian he let out a sob when he found nothing.
Suddenly, someone grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him back inside. Looking up his eyes widened when he saw Hadrian leaning into the hallway from the window. Reaching up hugged Hadiran. "Hadrian, I thought you were gone," Theo sobbed into Hadrian's neck.
Hadrian gently rubbed Theo's back, "I'm so sorry love. I should have given you a better warning. Now do you want to see Gryffindor's Den?"
Theo gave Hadrian a wobbly smile, "yes, now how do I get in."
Hadrian smiled, and looked behind Theo at Draco and Blaize, "right one at a time, just jump out the window. I guess?"
Theo smiled softly at Hadrian, "okay, I'll go first." Hadrian grinned down at his husband and offered his hand. When Theo took his hand Hadrain pulled him up onto the window sill, Theo glanced behind him at Draco and Blaize before jumping off into the void.
Once Theo went through the window Hadrian turned to Draco and Blaize, "well, are you two coming?"
Draco stepped forward, muttering, "if this is the only way I get to talk to you, then so be it."
Blaize followed after Draco. "Ah, well, curiosity and the cat and all that," he muttered as he leapt out the window.
To the surprise of both Draco and Blaize their leap of faith didn't end in their untimely death but in a sitting room decorated in shades of red and gold with a portrait of Godric Gryffindor hung above the fireplace. Looking around the found Hadrian and Theo poking around what appeared to be a study.
"What is this place?" asked Draco.
Hadrian looked up from rifling through papers on the desk, "this is Gryrrindor's Den, it's like the Chamber of Secrets, except for Gryffindor."
"And what," asked Blaize, "are we doing here? How did you even know this was here?"
"We are looking for information on the founders and what Hogwarts was like when it was first built," explained Theo.
Hadrian continued, "It seems that it was a lot different than it is now. There used to be a lot more classes offered." Here Hadrian looked directly at Draco, "And did you know that muggles used to go here?"
Draco gave him an incredulous look, "What? No, that's impossible. What about the muggle repelling wards?"
Theo looked up from the paper he was reading, "it's true. Muggles did go here before the words were established in 1692."
Blaize raised a questioning eyebrow, "and just how did you find that out?"
Hadrian gave a frustrated sigh at all the questions, he really just wanted to go through Godric Gryffindor's papers. "We spoke to Salazar Slytherin's portrait in the Chamber of Secrets. Was there something you wanted to talk about Draco?"
Draco looked around the room,"Well I'd really like to talk about what the hells going on here. But I suppose that can wait. My father wanted me to talk to you. He wants me to set up a meeting with Lord Potter."
Hadrian choked on his next breath in surprise. "Why don't we sit down for lunch while we discuss this," he suggested.
Moving out to the sitting room while the others followed him he called for Dobby.
Dobby popped in with a crack "what can Dobby bes doings for.." Dobby looked over his shoulder, narrowing his eyes at Draco and Blaize… "Master Potter?"
Hadrian smiled gently down at Dobby, "hello Dobby, can we please have lunch for four?"
Dobby nodded as he snapped his fingers, "Dobby can do. Does Master Potters bes needing anything elses?"
"No, that will be all Dobby. Thank you for the lunch," said Hadrian.
"Master Potters is being most welcomes," said Dobby as he popped away.
When Dobby had left Draco shouted it disbelief, "that was my elf, wasn't it? Potter, why do you have my elf?"