Childhood

Heavily inspired by the brilliance of Tsume Yuki (Time to Put Your Galleons Where Your Mouth Is), .Xanda (The Rise of a Dark Lord), and Batsutousai (Xerosis).

Any praise I may get for this fic is deserved only for these authors, and none for myself. I'm just putting their brilliance together in a frankenstein fic.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter franchise. I do not own any of the characters depicted apart from my own original characters, nor do I share any of the beliefs the characters in this story express. I am not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story.

Hadrian Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Master of Death, had been reborn more times than he could possibly count. After being broken and remade into the Lights Saviour in his first life, he'd moved through time almost continuously after his death. Hadrian had been the Battle Mage, the most powerful wizard of the Dark Ages and the immortal Pharaoh of the greatest wizarding civilisation the world has ever seen. All the while Death, his servant, refused to take him to his final resting place. After the first five lifetimes Hadrian had come to accept he'd never move onto the next plane of existence.

Would never see his murdered children again.

But it was with great joy, relief even, that when he opened his eyes as a new born once again he was faced with one of the most beautiful witches he had ever seen. Lilly Potter was, and always will be, someone Hadrian would respect for her sacrifice. Her obvious, blinding love for her son. And despite being self-aware from the moment of his birth he could do nothing for her fate. But that didn't mean he had to follow the same path his first life was forced into. Hadrian Potter would not be that manipulated, poor tortured boy again.

He was the Master of Death.

Lady Magic have mercy on his enemies, because Hadrian won't.

Hadrian didn't mean to give James Potter the impression he didn't like him. But honestly, he didn't. He'd never liked bullies, even under the wilful naivety and foolish bravery compulsions Albus Dumbledore had placed on his mind the first time he'd stepped into Hogwarts. Once he'd seen Severus Snape's memories he'd stopped idolizing the man he'd never known, the man everyone always pushed him to be. So whenever the Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter tried to cradle his infant son, his Heir, Hadrian would generally act displeased until James sighed and handed him off to his mother, or if she wasn't there his godfathers Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Hadrian had plans, plans he couldn't really act on just yet at this young and vulnerable age. But it relied on Sirius and Remus bonding with him. The more they cared for him, the more the bond of magic settled around them. They called him their pupcub, and he was more their son then he'd ever be James's.

He could do nothing as Dumbledore told the Potter's his edited version of the prophecy. Despite Hadrian's strong, abnormally young bouts of accident magic, if he started talking in full sentences it might raise more questions then help.

He could do nothing but watch when his mother was murdered by an insane Voldemort, for he truly was insane. Hadrian had learned many years after the defeat of the Dark Lord that making a horcrux, and the subsequent disintegrating of the soul, would make the wizard or witch slowly lose their minds. Having seven, the Dark mastermind Tom Riddle hadn't stood a chance. Though ironically it explained many things about the supposed Light Lord Dumbledore.

He could do nothing as Sirius lost himself in his grief, nothing as his godfather was manipulated into trying to get revenge and getting locked into Azkaban. Nothing as Rubeus Hagrid took him from his other godfather's arms, and Remus lost himself in his devastation. Being self-aware at this age was enlightening. He had been the audience to many things he hadn't known in his first life. How Dumbledore had tried to gain control of the House of Potter, how he tried to create a betrothal contract between the Potter Heir and Ginny Weasley only for Gringotts to judge him without the legal right to do so. Hadrian hadn't known Dumbledore's and Molly Weasley's plans to steal Hadrian's fortune by marrying him to the youngest Weasley and then letting him sacrifice himself for the 'Greater Good' had started just hours after his parents deaths.

He couldn't say their attempted manipulations surprised him though.

Hadrian was four by the time the Dursley's snapped. His wild magic flared constantly, purposely of course, he was always in complete control of his magic, and it drove them to more malicious abuse than ever before. Hadrian was honestly surprised he'd survived his first life. The Dursley's left him in his own filth for days, and thank the gods for wandless cleaning charms. They starved him, pinched and pricked his young flesh. But when they finally snapped, the dark bruises on his skin were what he had been waiting for. Sure, he could have faked them. But he wanted the Dursley's guiltily sweating when Social Service's arrived. They were already half terrorised by his magic anyway, whites of their eyes obvious in their fear. All-in-all it had taken only an hour and then the Dursley's were being taken away in handcuffs, the scandal rocking their respectable neighbourhood forever. Hadrian thought it might have been a relief for his relatives, because surely Hadrian couldn't reach them in jail? Hadrian almost laughed the idea was so ludicrous. Of course they couldn't hide from him. Dudley was taken to his aunts, and when she'd refused to take in Hadrian, the only place left was an orphanage.

Just like he planned.

Hadrian was a beautiful child. Taller then he remembered being at this age, but regular meals would do that. He was almost adopted several times before he compelled them to look at another child. But when he was almost five, what he'd been waiting for finally arrived. She was scared. Her parents had just been killed in a freak fire and she was the only survivor. And as soon as they brought her in, he placed her under his protection. Hermione Granger was lovely with tears in her eyes, the pain of grief shining in the chocolate depths. Her hair was wilder then he remembered, but that would change over time. They were inseparable from the moment Hadrian had first taken her hand. He taught her to read, and most days you could find them secluded away from the other children, curled around each other. The staff started to introduce them as twins to all visitors, that's how reluctant the children were to be separated. Together, or not at all they'd say. God he had missed his sister over the centuries. She was still the brilliant witch he had known, just younger, more scared. But increasingly more devoted to him.

He would never let Ron Weasley touch her in this life time. Never.

Hadrian had considered seeking out his precious, beloved Luna before Hogwarts. Gods, he had worshiped her. She had been fascinating, charming and much treasured by him in his first life. Still was. His wife and their daughter's had meant everything to him, until his enemies had taken his daughters from him. From Luna's connect to Lady Magic his wife had been the strongest witch he'd ever known. Stronger than him.

In their combined grief they'd destroyed the world and everyone in it.

But in this life time, she was young. An untrained Seer. Too young for a centuries old Hadrian. He'd all but enthralled a young Hermione, shaping her into a strong witch, a strong ally. He couldn't remember the last time he had questioned his morals; but even though Hadrian intensely missed his wife, he didn't want to hurt Luna in any way.

Even if that meant he had to stay away.

When they were six Hadrian side-apparitied to Severus Snape and Remus Lupin. Remus had been at Hogwarts to get his monthly supply of Wolfsbane Potion when two small children appeared before them. Both men were stunned speechless, not only at getting through the wards, but at their wounds. They were bloody and injured, but the boy stood in front of the cowering girl protectively. Then, then he'd smelled the scent his wolf had been grieving for. His cub. His Harry. The precious little baby he'd loved like his own, cruelly taken from him because he had been judged unfit. In front of him. Hurt.

He wasn't ashamed to say his wolf had wrestled control, snarling his rage.

Snape knew the moment he saw the boy who he was. And shame unlike anything he had ever felt hit him. This was the child his best friend Lilly had carried for nine glorious months, died for. And he hadn't once thought to check up on him. His heart broke into even tinier pieces then he thought possible. And the regret almost killed him.

Hadrian and Hermione just stared at them wide eyed as the two men tried to coax them to calm down. Obviously this is where Hadrian's acting skills came out to play. They flinched away every time they tried to touch them. Refused to be parted. Refused to say anything. Remus was becoming increasingly frantic. He could smell the girls fear, the confusion, the pain. But Harry, he couldn't smell any emotion. It wasn't normal in a child his age. Wasn't the solemn but content child he remembered. Remus and Snape had quickly banded together and tried to help them. Snape doing his best to treat their wounds, while Remus tried to keep them calm. The girl almost had a panic attack the moment Harry was out of sight. Had burst into messy, terrified sobs and screamed for her brother. Harry had almost broken Remus's arm trying to get to her. Hadrian might be acting, but Hermione was genuinely frightened.

But it was the first thing either of them had said, and once they had reunited, curled around each other and the girl clinging to his godson Snape and Remus had to start from the beginning to coax them closer again. Snape's house elf Kitty brought them food, and distrusting them they'd only ate it after Snape had tried it first. They'd eaten it fast, hands bringing it closer to them and they'd move to protect it every time either of the adults twitched. It painted a distressing story.

Remus and Severus hid them away, not trusting what Dumbledore or the British Ministry of Magic would have done. They would have taken them most likely. Remus had already been judged unfit being a werewolf, and Snape was a spy, a Death Eater to boot. They'd never let them keep them. So they did the only thing they could think of. Only Gringotts had the strength, the power, to go against them. The children had told them their names after a week of silent, fearful glances from the girl, and assessing looks from his godson. Harry, or Hadrian as he'd quietly introduced himself, was disturbingly mature. They both were, to an extent. Both were incredibly quiet, smart too. Though Hermione acted like a subdued six year old, while Hadrian seemed closer to being a grave teenager then anything. They had smuggled the children into Gringotts, and claimed sanctuary. They'd been taken to the Potter Family Overseer, an older Goblin that was deeply disturbed by everything they told him. The Overseer told them about Dumbledore's attempts to gain control, about attempted betrothal agreements, about Sirius's innocence, and Remus saw red.

His Sirius. His Mate.

His Hadrian. His cub.

So they plotted. To gain Sirius's freedom, and to gain complete and binding guardianship of the children. It was almost as an afterthought they'd run blood ancestry tests on them both, and by Merlin, till his dying die he'd still be shocked.

Hadrian James Potter, Heir of Slytherin. Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter and Black.

And Hermione Jean Granger, Heir of Ravenclaw. Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Ravenclaw. Orphan Half-Blood with no living relatives.

His wolf has growled with protectiveness, because even if Hadrian had been willing to be separated from his Hermione, the wolf considered her his cub too. And as soon as the test results got out everyone would be jockeying for control of the Hogwarts Heirs.

Hadrian insisted Hermione be blood adopted into the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. She was his sister, he'd reasoned when the adults had hesitated, and he wanted her to have all the protection the Potter name could give her. Severus couldn't figure out where they had read about it. After much deliberation the Overseer presided over the ceremony, and Hermione's smile was blinding in her joy. It was the first time Severus and Remus had seen them so cheerful. Blood adoption didn't just change status and family history, but sometimes appearance as well. Her hair changed to a darker shade, the fizziness smoothing out. But nothing major, just that it made the twins happy.

In the end their biggest ally wasn't just the Goblins, but surprisingly the Malfoys. Hadrian bemusedly watched as Severus went to his friend for help, for they were truly friends, not just acquaintance like he had first thought. The Malfoys might have been loyal to their Lord, but they had never harmed a child, muggle or magical. So they listened to Severus, than with tightly controlled rage rained hell on their enemies. Lucius all but stormed the Ministry. He never gave Dumbledore a moment's peace until the senile old bastard revealed he'd left the Saviour of the Wizardry World in the hands of muggles. The backlash was vicious. When they had demanded to have the young orphan back in their world they'd discovered the true horror. The Dursley's in jail for child abuse. Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter in an orphanage for years, before disappearing. Not long after that the bodies of dead children had been discovered in the vegetable garden of the orphanage, the matron and her evil husband accused and proven guilty of murder. Hadrian could only conclude Dumbledore had some pretty nasty blackmail, because it's the only reason he could think of that Dumbledore was allowed to continue to be Headmaster despite the riots. The world thought him dead.

Just like he'd planned.

Sirius Black was released on evidence given by the Goblins and some from Lucius Malfoy's 'friends'. By then Hadrian would allow Remus to cuddle him close into his protective embrace, Hermione and Snape sharing a strong bond as well. Hadrian knew the wolf in Remus needed physical contact with his pack mates to strength the bonds between them, and often he and Hermione could be found curled against his godfather's side in the library, the children themselves sprawled across each other with books in their laps. Snape wasn't used to any contact whatsoever, but he tolerantly gave the children hugs whenever he thought they needed one.

Sirius was broken by the news of his godson's death, but he'd cried himself hoarse with relief when he saw Hadrian safe and sound under Severus, the Malfoys and Remus's watchful eyes. Sirius almost mothered them as much as Narcissa did. Hadrian was fond of them both, grateful they treated his Hermione the same way they treated him. She was truly only six, while he was centuries old. He didn't need a mother, nor a support structure anymore. But Hermione flourished under their attention. And in the end that was all that mattered.

Sirius and Severus only ever had one major fight that Hadrian was aware of, and that was when Sirius wanted to go after a certain rat. Snape was furious. The dog animagus just wanted to repeat his past mistakes, Snape had yelled, and that wasn't what they'd tried so hard to get him out of Azkaban for. It was eventually Remus who reasoned with him, his eyes golden in his wolf's frustration. The pupcubs needed their Godfather, he'd said, and even then, they didn't even know where the rat was. Stricken by the implication he would willingly abandon them Sirius promised he wouldn't go looking for Wormtail, but if they ever saw him the rat would taste the end of a death curse. Severus and Remus both quietly agreed to help him with that.

Sirius would read them stories about the old Gods and Goddesses before Hadrian and Hermione would go to bed. Severus would read them the Basilisk and the Slytherin Child whenever his Gryffindor godfathers weren't in hearing distance. Hadrian freely admitted it was these two books that gave him the idea. In secret forts in the middle of the night, Hadrian and Hermione, bright and far too smart for their ages, created their own language. Hermione was dubbed Metis, the Goddess of wisdom, skill and counsel. And Hadrian Chronos, the God of Time. They wrote their new names hundreds of times, until the quill left groves in their fingers and ink was splattered everywhere.

So they wouldn't forget who they were. Who the most important person in their life was.

He adored her.

Again, people noted how close Hermione and Hadrian were, and dubbed them twins. They did everything together. Hadrian indulgently gave into Hermione's every childish whim, for she was his sister. And he'd allow her anything. With only a small amount of people being aware that Hadrian Potter still lived, the adults started to look for allies, preferably with children as playmates. They already had Draco Malfoy, though at this point he was far too young, just toddling after his much more mature friends. The Weasley's were immediately out. They had many children, and from what the adults observed Arthur was a decent human being, but Molly was a despicable women. After some consideration the Longbottoms were chosen. Not only was Alice Longbottom Hadrian's godmother, but little Neville was also orphaned, well almost, and his grandmother was a political powerhouse that wouldn't allow Dumbledore to walk all over her like most of the other Light families.

It was nearing their eighth birthdays when something unexpected happened. Just a week before Sirius had very publicly taken the Black's chair on the Wizengamot, and had very publically shunned Dumbledore's offer of a political alliance, instead allying with the Malfoys. It was a scandal worthy of the Daily Prophet. The Malfoys had been making waves to change the laws concerning werewolves, in honour of Remus condition and his wish to legally adopt the two children as his kin. They'd become unlikely friends, believe it or not. Even with Severus. Their Darkly aligned allies respected his godfather's wish to keep Hermione and Hadrian safe, even going against the Light side to do so. Sirius had been rash in his first life too, but in this instance Hadrian fully agreed. His plans called for the old bastard's reputation to be damaged before he was sent his Hogwarts letter and people finally knew the truth.

The five children had been staying with the Malfoys. Hadrian, with Hermione close by of course, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom, and thirteen year old Nymphadora Tonks. With Hadrian's guidance Draco and Neville were shaping up quite nicely. They'd never be as smart as his Hermione, but it was surprising how much they thrived under his attention. Draco had a good head for strategy even at this young age, while Neville's raw power was staggering. Not as much as Hadrian's, no mere mortal could compete with the power of the Deathly Hallows of course, but it was unexpected. Hadrian couldn't compare the little lost boy with unstable abilities and no confidence in the past to his little follower in the present.

Andromeda Tonks and her family had once again been folded into the House of Black, for Sirius had always been fond of her. Despite Tonk's age, already a third year Hufflepuff, she was happy to be around the younger children. She'd been surprised at Hadrian and Hermione's maturity, and had even lent Hermione her Hogwarts notes and textbooks. Tonk's was fascinated by Hadrian's 'accidental magic'. He had more control then most of the students in her year, could even seem to do wandless magic intentionally. In every life Hadrian had ever lived he'd been considered a prodigy. But it seemed this life his abilities were almost considered like the Second Coming of Merlin.

Now that had been an ...…eventful life.

The four youngest had snuck into the library, and while sleepily sprawled around him Hadrian was using his incredible magic to illustrate the stories in The Tales of Beedle the Bard. He'd just begun their favourite, The Tale of the Three Brothers, when Tonks had slinked in. Her normally bubble-gum pink hair had flared in shocked white, before she forcibly calmed herself and settled at Hadrian's side, lying across the couch dramatically. Draco and Neville giggled, while Hermione watched Tonks with calculating eyes. His sister had been briefly jealous of the older girl, already at school with a wand in hand, and at the kindness Hadrian showed her. Hermione had never really had to share Hadrian before, because even at the orphanage or with the pureblood boys it was obvious Hermione always came first to him.

When Hadrian noticed he considered leaving it be, but his plans called for the two girls to at least get along. So he had explained to the young Hermione she'd always be his beloved sister, but he considered Tonks to be something of a dear cousin. Hermione had pouted for a while, but now she welcomed her, although still somewhat begrudged. Tonks took it all very well in his opinion, while the adults were bemused with some exasperation mixed in.

It was very obvious. At this age the most important person to Hermione was Hadrian, and the most important person to Hadrian was Hermione.

Hadrian felt the moment the wards around the Malfoy Manor fell. They had been staying at the Malfoys because the adults had been taking it in turns to tutor them, since for some ludicrous reason there wasn't any official mandatory education before Hogwarts. It had been the Malfoy's turn, and Tonks had joined in because while the youngest might have been only eight, their skill levels were much higher and the adults taught them according to that.

When the wards fell, Narcissa appeared before them in a flurry of silken nightgown and silver blonde hair. She was clearly frightened. She had five dependants to defend, but the only other adult in the house was Lucius who Hadrian could feel trying to strength the family wards. It was a raid, something the Death Eaters were well aware of. There was even an anti- Apparition spell around the Manor.

Hadrian felt the magical signatures of four wizards and two vampires storm the Manor, and while he'd seen Narcissa fight, for she was as deadly as her older sister Bellatrix, she was still outnumbered. Lucius worshiped his wife, Draco adored his mother, and Hermione idolised her, for she treated Hermione like her own daughter. So really Hadrian had no other choice. His magic flooded the room as the adults fought fiercely, and horrified eyes turned to him as his emerald eyes shone as he willed his magic to defend. Tonks was shaking from where she'd placed herself between the children and the fighting adults. Hermione was tucked into the corner behind him from where Hadrian knew she'd be well protected, Draco and Neville huddled around her. But he paid them no mind as his magic manifested into a Basilisk made out of pure power.

And then he used it to annihilate the threat.

The adults had known Hadrian had an unusual amount of magical power, and Hermione knew better than anyone he had advanced magic abilities and knowledge he shouldn't logically be aware of. But seeing it was another matter. Narcissa was suffering from the after effects of Cruciatus Curse, her husband faring even worse but he'd still lavished his wife with care. Their son Draco was traumatised by seeing his mother under the torture curse, but they'd never forget what Hadrian had done. He had killed all the intruders; he had protected them all with ironclad control of his magic they had only ever seen in the Dark Lord.

So even though they now all owed him life debts, they still swore an unbreakable vow that the Noble and Most Ancient House of Malfoy would always be allies with the House of Potter while Hadrian was alive.

They'd be fools not to.

The adults became even more paranoid after that. Though it had the added benefit of the children and the other's respecting Hadrian even more. Remus had almost turned wolf despite it not being a full moon, and Sirius and Severus had growled and promised retribution to anyone who'd dared touched them. The Clan, as he'd started to call them, pooled their resources together. The Houses of Black, Malfoy, Tonks, Longbottom, Snape, Lupin, Granger and Potter swore allegiance to each other. It was decided it was too much of a coincidence that only a week after Dumbledore was spurned by Sirius that the Malfoy's were attacked, even more so since that was were Sirius and Remus were reported to be living. It was too dangerous for the families involved to remain neutral.

Number 12 Grimmauld Place had been renovated, guttered and expanded much like a Charmed Tent. Now instead of four floors, it had seven. Hadrian wished they'd spent even more money to make it ten. The Blacks had put every security measure known to wizardkind on it, including the notoriously hard masking charm to make it Unplottable. Even the Globin's were contacted to make the wards virtually impregnable.

The Clan used this as their safe house and meeting place, though still kept the appearance of living elsewhere. Together they would be safe until their youngest reached Hogwarts age. After that, they didn't know what would happen. They could only plan.

Time passed, and to Hadrian it was probably one of the best childhoods he had ever had. The younger ones in the Clan became fanatically loyal to him, and after a few short months Hermione and Hadrian taught them their secret language. He calls them his Court. And he knows they won't be the last. His magic is powerful, addictive and Grey to an extreme. There's a Dark Lord and a Light, so why couldn't there be a Grey? The Lord of Dusk and Dawn, Lord Chronos, was born from an idea by children in a pillow fort. Now he had the followers to prove it.

Hermione as Metis, Goddess of wisdom, skill and counsel.

Tonks as Athena, Goddess of courage, strength, and war strategy.

Draco as Prometheus, God of forethought.

Neville as Vertumnus, God of agriculture and plant growth.

They needed aliases because he refused to put the real them in the spot light. And yes, he did have plans that would put them in the spot light. His Court were almost more excited about it then he was. He'd converted them to his ideals, but he wouldn't lose them. Not how he'd lost his daughters in his first life. So they'd keep their true names hidden until he ruled the Magical Community, or at least until their seventeenth birthdays. It was one of the first rules he'd made. He hated muggles, wanted to tear them limb from limb and bathe the world in their blood, but he had nothing against muggleborns. They were better, they had magic. So that was all that mattered. They were First Generation Witches and Wizards, not the filth scurrying through the dirt intent on their own destruction. The same went for the magical creatures. They had magic, and that was all Hadrian cared about.

There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it.

As part of their studies the Clan organised an excursion to Diagon Alley. His Court was young, so he wistfully allowed them their excitement. The Clan members who were supervising and the Court would be going in disguise, secrecy paramount. Hadrian approved of keeping to the shadows while it had the advantage.

As the Court, but mostly Hermione as this was her first trip to the Alley, explored Sirius followed after Hadrian as he was called by something into the pet emporium. Curious, Hadrian ignored the salesperson as she called out greetings, letting Sirius handle the pointless pleasantries. Towards the back in a spell charmed glass habitat was a young female black mamba. He hadn't had a familiar since Hedwig died many lifetimes ago, but this young snake called similarly to his magic. He disregarded Sirius's shocked exclamation behind him as he put his hand into the enclosure and lifted her out.

She was beautiful. He named her Circe, after the Goddess of Magic.

Hadrian had learnt Parseltongue magic was strongest with a snake familiar, and the magical bond clicked instantly into place the moment they touched. In comparison Harry and Hedwig's bond had taken years to set. After sharing a softly hissed conversation with his new familiar, he turned to Sirius who was watching him with a peculiar expression. Belatedly Hadrian remembered Sirius was particularly prejudiced against all things Slytherin in his first life. But Sirius surprised him, formally congratulating him on his bond, as was polite in the elite families. Sirius got a little emotional when his godfather told him that his little brother Regulus Black would have adored him, because he had always lamented the fact there weren't any good books on Parselmouths or any past Slytherin Heirs.

Hadrian wasn't expecting the tender sentiment, but he thought he'd have liked to meet the younger Black too.

Maybe in another life.