Chapter 20: Greengrass Manor

"Gentlemen, please take a seat."

Sharptooth waved his hand for both Hadrian and Antoninus to sit down. Sharptooth, Bloodfang, Hadrian and Antoninus were seated in one of the private rooms in Gringotts bank.

"Your Firebolts have arrived, both are currently being kept in your shared vault, vault 1037."

"Thank you Sharptooth, Antoninus and I will retrieve them soon… but first, we wish to communicate with Nicholas. He stated in a previous secret letter that he had set up a way for us to contact him at Gringotts by July 3rd?"

Sharptooth nodded before turning to speak in gobbledok to Bloodfang. Bloodfang quickly jumped of his seat and waddled over to a box. He then pulled a gigantic rectangular mirror out of the small box on the floor. No doubt the box had a enlarging charm for the interior.

"Pierre Rouge."

Hadrian and Antoninus looked at each other as the mirror shimmered and an image of Nicholas appeared.

"Greetings, Hadrian, Antoninus. I see you both got my secretive message?"

"Indeed we had Nicholas… we just came straight from platform 9 ¾ to contact you."

"I see. Are there any things that the two of you wish to wrap up at the Orphanage? If not, I can have Sharptooth provide you both with the portkey to my home now."

Hadrian and Antoninus locked eyes for a brief moment before Antoninus gave a slight nod.

"We have a few things to settle, and some spells to put in place. No doubt during the first week of our summer Dumbledore or my parents will try again to separate us and get me to go to Potter Manor. We also have a few things to do in Diagon Alley and other Gringotts business to discuss. In a week's time, we can make the trip to your home."

Nicholas clapped his hands together as his old cheekbones slowly raised up as he gave a wide smile.

"I will let Pernelle know of your arrival in a week's time! I will see the two of you in a week… I have quite a few things planned out… I will be very interested in seeing how much you two have both developed in your respective elements as well…"

"May we come through Roxxane?"

"Certainly Antoninus."

Both Hadrian and Antoninus came through the floo and inside of Greengrass Manor. They had just finished sorting through contracts and account details for their vault, vault 1037. It was currently June 9th, six days since Hadrian and Antoninus last contacted Nicholas.

It was a sight to see. A large chandelier like that of the ones in Gringotts hung from the ceiling. A gigantic marble spiral staircase was off to the left. The entire room was very spacious, with sofas and a few moving portraits in the large room. There was also a jet black grand piano at the right corner of the room.

"Daphne is currently upstairs studying, whilst Tracey is playing around in the garden with Astoria, shall I call them here for you two?"

"Tracey can continue playing with Daphne's younger sister. Antoninus and I have a few things to discuss with Daphne before we depart on our summer trip-"

Roxxane smiled before gesturing towards a large spiral staircase leading to the second floor of the Manor.

"Left corridor, third room on the right."

Hadrian was taken aback slightly by the interruption and the fact that Daphne's mom so easily gave him the information on her daughter's room. Hadrian then calmly continued on from before.

"And you and Cyrus as well, Roxxane."

"Really?"

Roxxane gave both boys an inquisitive look.

"In that case, I will call Daphne down then. Cyrus is currently still at the Ministry. There was an emergency meeting at the Wizengamot, and he had to be present throughout it. I will relay whatever it is you wish to discuss to him once he is back. And as for this discussion… The dining room table will be a lot more suitable to discuss… business."

Lady Greengrass then turned and walked up the spiral staircase and disappeared. A few moments later Roxxane came back downstairs with Daphne.

"So, I'd take it we are discussing that first? Since my Mom is here with us?"

Roxxane quirked up an eyebrow at her daughter. She was quite interested in knowing what 'that' was.

"Certainly."

Roxxane quickly led them over to the dining table where the four of them sat down.

"I will get straight to the point then Roxxane. Antoninus had reminded me earlier of a unique situation occurring at Hogwarts. I have heard from the Malfoy Scion himself that his father… Lucius Malfoy… is currently at odds with the Hogwarts' Board of Governors."

Roxxane's eyes immediately became deadly focused and her ears pricked up slightly. The mentioning of the Board of Governors certainly had caught her full undivided attention.

"Lucius Malfoy apparently had coerced and blackmailed many members of the Hogwarts' Board of Governors to have Albus Dumbledore released as Headmaster during the crisis of the Chamber of Secrets."

Roxxane's eyes then widened slightly in surprise. She had recognized where the conversation was going to go.

"There may be an opportunity soon sometime next week for you to regain that position…"

Roxxane narrowed her eyes slightly when Hadrian left the sentence hanging. She was expecting Hadrian to demand some sort of favor in return for offering this information.

"If you were to get Cyrus perhaps to even hint at Lucius' decisions in the Wizengamot and further publicize Lucius' deplorable actions, this may provoke the Board of Governors to act quicker in removing him. Right now Dumbledore doesn't hold much sway on the Board of Governors either due to them viewing him handling the chamber incident poorly as well. The only reason they haven't taken action against Dumbledore is because he is Albus Dumbledore. The Board of Governors would rather side with the 'great leader of the light' than Lucius Malfoy."

Roxxane was not all surprised with Hadrian's view on Dumbledore. His sarcastic remark to him as the 'great leader of the light' was very noticeable. Hadrian clearly wasn't fooled by Dumbledore's typical grandfatherly expression.

"I see… then what are you asking for in return?"

Antoninus chuckled slightly as Hadrian just simply smiled.

"Daphne hasn't told you yet?"

Roxxane looked at her daughter with an inquisitive and borderline accusing look. Daphne opened her mouth to explain but was cut off by Hadrian.

"Your daughter is now officially one of the Serpents of Slytherin."

Roxanne's expression then relaxed before her eyebrows furrowed slightly. What does my daughter having become Serpent have anything to do with-

A thought then clicked in Roxxane's mind. Her looked of confusion and her knit eyebrows suddenly relaxed as her face became calm once again.

"I see you understand? It would do well if one of my fellow Serpents had reliable updates on the information of the Hogwarts curriculum and school year plans. It would be most beneficial at times which Hogwarts are undergoing crisis situations…"

Roxxane then gave Hadrian a small smile as her she realized her early confusion and weariness had been for naught.

"Ah, I almost forgot that you had become Head Serpent now that Wilkinson has graduated. Daphne had informed me of her rise to Serpent status… and your rise to head Serpent. Congratulations Hadrian, it is a very remarkable feat at your age."

"Thank you Roxxane, but as I alluded to earlier. There is a very high chance for you to retake your position as a member of Hogwarts' Board of Governors. Not only would this benefit us…"

Hadrian gestured his hand at himself, Antoninus, and Daphne.

"… but also Daphne's standing and sway in Slytherin. I am certain Daphne would do a significantly better job at utilizing this connection to curry favor with other Slytherins than the Malfoy scion. Although I have noticed that he does appear to be less childish and explosively arrogant around me, but he still has is a large shortcoming of throwing his father's name around to resolve his issues… I am certain Daphne would utilize your position to great benefit as well."

Roxxane was quite impressed at Hadrian's pitch. His analysis and reasoning were very good. Tying her daughter's improvement in stance in Slytherin with her potential position was also something that Hadrian did well when selling her on this idea. Antoninus then took this moment to speak up as well.

"Also, if I remember correctly. After this summer, it will be Daphne's sister's first year at Hogwarts. From what I have heard, she has a very… different? personality from Daphne. If she is placed in Slytherin things may not go very smoothly at the start. Your position as a member of the Board of Governors could help negate any early bullying or people attempting to get at Daphne through her sister. After all… she is a Serpent now. Hadrian and I can watch Daphne, Tracey, and her sister to an extent, but there will be situations where we cannot watch all three at the same time."

Roxxane let a wide smile curve onto her lips. Her teeth almost showed. It seems like today she would not be able to hold her mask one bit due to the sensitive subjects being discussed.

"I see you two have considered a lot… and are quite invested in my family's well being. Is there any particular reason why? Aside from your relationship with Daphne and Tracey?"

The table became silent for a moment as Hadrian pondered over his next words. Daphne and Antoninus both looked at one another before glancing at Hadrian and Roxxane. Both interested in the next words Hadrian were about to say.

"Roxxane, the Greengrass family has extensive connections and quite a bit of political sway in the neutral factions within the Wizengamot. I am certain that you have already heard and seen how… strained… my situation is with the Potters. I am looking to make allies that could maybe help my interests and vise versa. Bridges aren't built in one night but instead over many. I don't expect your full trust straight away and neither should you. Full trust in each other is something that I hope we will earn over time. What I seek is a partnership, not a one time offer."

Roxxane remained quite after Hadrian had said his words. After a tense moment of silence, Roxxane smiled.

"I see, well then… what do you propose we do about the situation with the Board of Governors?"

After discussing a few more details about the Board of Governor's situation. Hadrian and Daphne explained the plan they had come up with together for Roxxane to seize that position that will be left open by Lucius Malfoy. Hadrian and Daphne had only recently come up with this plan over last week when Antoninus recalled the Malfoy scion mouthing off about this before Diana approached them whilst the two boys waited for Daphne and Tracey in the common room. Once the boys finished explaining, they asked Daphne to say hi for them to Tracey as they both needed to head to Gringotts. They were going to be gone for a while.

Both boys perfectly landed on their feet as they came out of a burst of flames in the Leaky Cauldron.

"You know, I shouldn't have told you about to constantly keep moving whilst in the floo. It was funny to watch you fall out everytime…"

Hadrian rolled his eyes at Antoninus' teasing comment before both boys made their way towards Gringotts bank. On the way, they began to see many posters and flyers being distributed of the new Firebolt broom. This broom was going to be a huge monumental success. The 10% shareholdings that Antoninus would earn and have deposited to vault 1037 were going to be huge! This was quite important to both boys as the earnings from this could help them with future investments. Aside from the gold they exchanged with Nicholas last year, the only other gold they had access to were from their trust fund for school materials. That gold wasn't nearly enough to make any worthwhile investments.

Both boys once again entered the very pristine and magnificent wizarding bank and went down the isle of goblins at their high desks. The goblin seated at the central desk by this time had easily recognized them and was unusually more polite to them than other customers. The goblin quickly gave them to the room number to which Sharptooh and Bloodfang were at.

"Greetings Sharptooth, Bloodfang."

"Greetings, Mr. Black, Mr. Potter. I see the two of you are ready to depart?"

Both boys smiled slightly.

"Yes, we have finished our business and are ready to take up our… summer invitation."

Bloodfang smiled cruelly at Antoninus' response. He then waddled over to a small silver box before placing his on top of the box. The box made a loud click sound as a wave of magic dispersed from it being unlocked. Bloodfang than took out a polished dress shoe from the box.

"I believe both of you or more than capable of understanding how to travel by portkey?"

Hadrian and Antoninus both received their Firebolt's from Sharptooth whilst Bloodfang took out the dress shoe portkey. Both boys shrunk down the brooms before placing them in their pockets. They then grabbed onto the shoe before taking a few steps back together.

"Until we meet again, Sharptooth, Bloodfang."

Both Sharptooth and Bloodfang gave Hadrian and Antoninus a nod before Hadrian muttered out Portus. In a swirl of movement, both boys disappeared with a pop. This time their summer was going to be a lot more eventful, now that they are going to the Flamels!

When both boys arrived, they landed on a cleanly mowed grass lawn. The trees and cleanly cut garden bushes blurred slightly as they felt hard pressed to focus on the details in their surroundings. Hadrian felt like he was having a seizure when the floor started to fade. Both boys quickly took their wands out before a loud voice spoke from behind them.

"Nicholas and Pernelle Flammel's Manor is located in Gravois Hills in Corse, France."

Hadrian and Antoninus' vision then began to clear and everything stopped attempting to fade away.

END - TSOS BOOK 2: SOTS

Doran's Ring-

Hello everyone! That is the end of Book 2! Hope you all enjoyed the second part of the Serpents of Slytherin series! As many of you have speculated, there will be quite a few questions answered as to the situation surrounding Sirius Black in Book 3! The next Book is going to be very focused on Hadrian and Antoninus going through their own individual struggles now that there are no devastating events happening at Hogwarts. Will there still be dementors at Hogwarts this year since Sirius Black is dead? Tune in to find out :P I won't be giving away answers that easily haha. I will be gone for a while, writing about half the chapters out before posting anything. If you guys haven't noticed, that will be roughly 10 chapters, as both Books are 20 chapters long xD. I found this way of setting a direction for the story and plot much better, so I will be sticking to it! Thank you to everyone who tuned in to part 2 of this series. I will be gone for a while to plan out Book 3, but when it is released you guys can expect a similar update schedule! I really appreciate all the support and constructive criticism I received when writing this fanfic. Thank you everyone and look out for Book 3!

UPDATE*

TSOS Book 3 - Dawn of the Demented is out now! :D