Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Hannibal or Harry Potter.

Also there is a character death in this chapter. It's nothing too graphic but it is fairly dark, darker than what I normally write. To be safe I've changed the rating to M.

Chapter 6: Faded Pictures on the Wall

"And then your mum slapped him," Black said before dissolving into laughter.

Black, Lupin, and Hadrian were all looking through a photo album full of pictures of Lily and James Potter. Black and Lupin, but mostly Black, were regaling him with tales from their youth, and all of the failed attempts James Potter had made in wooing Lily Evans.

Hadrian laughed along with him even though Black had already told him this story two days earlier. The wizard had spent the past two weeks glued to Hadrian's side. Despite this Hadrian had been able to gather quite a bit of information on the wizards in the Order of the Phoenix. He had also picked his first target. The youngest Weasley boy had seriously gotten on Hadrian's nerves with his rude behavior. At first he had tried to befriend Hadrian but his brash arrogance at turned Hadrian off so naturally Hadrian had been politely cold towards him in hopes of him getting a hint. But he hadn't, and so Hadrian was forced to kindly ask him to back off a bit. The red haired wizard hadn't taken it well.

Things were made worse when Hermione Granger, the intelligent muggleborn witch, had taken up the position to better acquaint Hadrian with the British wizarding world. Ronald hadn't liked that. He had a crush on Miss Granger, maybe even loved her. Hadrian had just been using her kindness as she was a good source of information. But after the antagonism, and snide comments Ronald had been sending his way Hadrian began actively flirting with her just to aggravate him further. Not that Hermione noticed. The witch wouldn't have known flirting if it hit her in the face. It did wonders in driving a wedge between the two friends. They already bickered quite a bit so it wasn't hard to turn their little squabbles into full-blown arguments.

Of course Ronald blamed him, and was constantly starting fights with Hadrian making himself look like even more of a jealous fool to everyone else. Hadrian used this to his advantage by speaking calmly to Ronald, and trying to reason with him. It helped him to build the image that he was an honorable, and kind young man who didn't lose his temper in an argument. However, despite its advantages Ronald was really beginning to get on Hadrian's last nerve, and so he'd been planning the young wizard's death. He hadn't intended on killing a relatively useless member of the Order first thing as there would have been no real benefit behind it. However, Hadrian feared he would lash out and kill him in front of everyone if he didn't take care of the problem soon.

Tonight was a full moon, and Lupin would take his normal position caged up in the basement. Hadrian had taken the liberty of switching Lupin's latest vial of Wolfbane potion. Instead of the docile creature they were all expecting, Lupin would be transforming into the vicious werewolf he was meant to be. Hadrian would let the poor wolf out to play, and in the ensuing chaos Hadrian would take care of Ronald. Everyone would simply think that Lupin had mauled him. Any other causalities would be a bonus, and it would certainly crush Lupin's spirits. It was all a win-win for Hadrian. He got rid of Ronald, and hopefully there would be a couple of other deaths. All of it accomplished at the hands of one of their own members. It would certainly lower the morale of all of the Order members.

"Hadrian, my boy," Dumbledore greeted as he swept into the room.

"Mr. Dumbledore," Hadrian smiled at the old wizard while inwardly he was seething at the wizard's familiarity with him.

"I thought the two of us might talk a bit," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Of course, I'll be right back," Hadrian told Black and Lupin.

Black looked like he wanted to protest but he didn't go against Dumbledore's wishes of speaking to Hadrian alone.

The two of them went to an office that Hadrian suspected to be Black's departed father. Naturally Dumbledore sat behind the desk while Hadrian took the seat in front.

"I see you have been settling in nicely," Dumbledore commented jovially.

"Yes, sir, it's been really nice to learn all about my birth parents. It does make me wonder about who brought me to America, though," Hadrian replied.

"It is rather curious, and perhaps someday we can look into it more in the future. However, now I believe we need to focus on the present situation," And it was that belief that would ultimately be his downfall.

"And what situation would that be, sir?" Hadrian questioned timidly.

"I know over the past few days you have gotten to know a bit about the organization we have here, an organization your parents were a part of. Our goal is to stop Voldemort. As you are also now aware of, you are quite famous amongst us," Dumbledore began.

"Yeah, it's unbelievable to think that I survived the Killing Curse. How do you think that I did, sir?" Harry asked, curious as to what Dumbledore's thoughts on the subject were. Hadrian and his father had never come up with any clear ideas since neither of them had a clear idea of what had happened that night. Voldemort's memories from the horcrux of that night were a bit scattered, and Hadrian's own were that of an infant and were therefore reduced to bright blobs of color.

"Your mother sacrificed her life for you Harry. Her love provided you with a protection that Voldemort could not touch," Dumbledore explained.

"But a lot of mothers must have sacrificed themselves for their children," Harry replied.

"Yes, this is true. However, it is different in that Voldemort gave your mother three chances to step aside, and she didn't take any of them," Dumbledore explained gravely.

"I see," Hadrian nodded, looking appropriately solemn for the moment.

"Because of this failed attempt against your life, and the spell ricocheting to Voldemort destroying his body, it caused a piece of himself to lodge itself within you." Dumbledore murmured carefully.

"There's a piece Voldemort inside me?" Hadrian said terrified. Really he should win an Oscar for this performance.

"Yes, I'm afraid there is. That is why it is important that you join our cause. The only way for you to remove it is for you to help us defeat Voldemort," Dumbledore informed him.

"I don't understand why he even came after my parents and I to begin with," Hadrian cried.

"There was a prophecy foretelling the defeat of the Dark Lord," Dumbledore said.

"A prophecy? What did it say?" Hadrian asked. He'd heard a part of it from the memories in Voldemort's horcrux but Voldemort hadn't heard the entire thing.

"I was the one the prophecy was told to. It was during an interview with our current Divination professor, Sybil Trelawney. The prophecy in its entirety is: The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and wither must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies… One of Voldemort's followers heard the beginning but left to report to his master before hearing the entirety of it. Voldemort only heard the beginning of it and struck out to attack the boy he thought fit the description."

"Me," Hadrian nodded.

"You, and another."

"Who?" Hadrian questioned curious as he hadn't realized another fit the prophecy.

"Neville Longbottom. However, Voldemort chose you based on the beginning of the prophecy, and now I don't believe Neville would be able to complete the prophecy as Voldemort marked you," Dumbledore explained.

"There's no way I'm Voldemort's equal." No, Hadrian was much greater than he would ever be.

"I think you're wrong, my boy. I have watched you this past week and you have something that Voldemort will never have," Dumbledore said knowingly.

"What's that, sir?"

"The ability to care and love others," Dumbledore answered.

Hadrian stared at him, his mask slipping a bit in his shock. Was he being serious?

"My ability to love, sir?" Hadrian questioned slowly.

"Yes, Hadrian. There are some things that I would like to show you. Things that will help you if you agree to take on this mission I am imparting to you," Dumbledore said magnanimously.

"A mission?" Hadrian asked eagerly.

"I do not want to put you in danger, Hadrian, but I fear you are the only one who will be capable of defeating Voldemort, and saving our world from complete ruin."

"What about you, sir? Even in America they talk about Albus Dumbledore. They say you are the most powerful wizard in the world," Hadrian said, playing to the old wizard's vanity.

"It must be you, Hadrian. I understand that this may be a lot to take in, and feel like a lot of responsibility but I have faith in you, Hadrian," Dumbledore nodded sagely.

Hadrian was laughing inside. They had gone from Dumbledore asking Hadrian if he wanted to get involved to Dumbledore telling him there was no one else to stop Voldemort. He was trying to guilt Hadrian into feeling responsible for the wizarding world as if it would fall without his interference, which would have worked had Hadrian been who everyone thought he was. Perhaps Dumbledore would have realized something slightly off with Hadrian. But the wizard was getting older, and with Voldemort gaining power the old headmaster was being pulled in several different directions. He was also desperate for Hadrian's involvement. Now that Hadrian was proven to be alive he believed the horcrux inside Hadrian also existed. Dumbledore needed to get Hadrian out of the way.

"I'll do my best, sir," Hadrian told him tremulously.

"Wonderful, my boy. You won't be alone; you'll have the entire backing of the Order behind you. I have some classified information that I can share with you," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

Dumbledore brought the two of them to his office in Hogwarts where they spent the next couple of hours looking through memories he had collected of Voldemort in his pensieve. For the most part they were memories of things Hadrian and his father already knew about. It was rather boring but it was a good time for him to continue to gain the old headmaster's trust. Hadrian also learned which horcruxes the Order had been successful in destroying. They had destroyed Helga Hufflepuff's cup and Salazar Slytherin's locket. Apparently, Dumbledore knew the location of three others but had not had the chance to get to them seeing as one was Voldemort's snake, Nagini. Hadrian figured at least one of the others was himself.

Once through with the memories the two of them talked about revealing his presence to the rest of the wizarding world. They both agreed to wait for a couple of more weeks before revealing his existence.

Hadrian returned to Grimmauld Place around suppertime that evening. Dumbledore remained at Hogwarts. Hadrian took stock of who would be staying at Grimmauld Place that night. All of the younger Order members would be here just as they had been all summer. Black and Lupin of course, and the Weasley parents were in attendance. The other constant members of Grimmauld place were Nymphadora Tonks, Lupin's Auror/ metamorphomagis wife, the oldest Weasley, Bill, and Bill's part Veela wife, Fleur. The couple had been staying in Grimmauld Place since the destruction of the couple's cottage a few months prior.

Hadrian enjoyed his dinner, talking and laughing with everyone. He was in a good mood thinking of the impending chaos that he would soon cause. That night Tonks and Black led Lupin downstairs into the basement after he had taken his replaced potion to lock him up. Hadrian listened as Black and Tonks left the basement. Lupin would normally just sleep after the transformation thanks to the potion so there wasn't a need for anyone to stay around. Hadrian waited until Lupin completed the change before slipping through the shadows, down into the basement where the cage was kept. The trapped werewolf was enraged as it clawed against the bars of its cage wanting the freedom to run and hunt. It growled viciously as it caught Hadrian's scent, sensing another predator in its territory.

Hadrian snarled back. The werewolf whined and backed up into the corner when he realized Hadrian was a much deadlier predator than himself.

"Would you like to come out and play?" Hadrian crooned.

The werewolf whined, claws scraping against the stone floor unable to answer or truly understand in its current state of mind.

Hadrian smiled darkly at the werewolf. "Well then, let's get you out of here."

Hadrian broke the simple enchantments on the cage. They weren't very strong considering everyone believed the werewolf's nature would be subdued from the Wolfsbane. With another yank he pulled open the cage door, and stepped aside to let the werewolf pass. The werewolf hesitated for a moment, wary of Hadrian's presence. But when Hadrian remained perfectly still and unthreatening the beast shot up passed him, clambering up the stairs to the first level in his bid for escape. The werewolf was locked inside the house. Hadrian had made sure of it. He would become frantic once he realized he was trapped, and seek out the helpless wizards. It would be like trapping a piranha in a barrel with minnows. Hadrian returned to the room he shared with Ronald while he waited.

He didn't have to wait long. The crashes caused by the enraged and frantic werewolf woke up most of the house. Naturally, they all went to investigate worried they were under attack. Hadrian stopped Ronald from joining them.

"We don't know what's out there. We should stay here," Hadrian insisted in over exaggerated worry.

"What are you? A coward?" Ronald taunted.

"No, I just don't want to kill you in front of everyone," Hadrian continued in the same worried tone.

Ronald frowned, his slow mind attempting to process what Hadrian had just said. When he did he grappled for his wand. Hadrian pulled it from his pocket and waved it in front of his face.

"Looking for this? It's such a shame, wizards are rather useless without their little sticks," Hadrian taunted.

"You… I knew you were working with You-Know-Who," Ronald snarled advancing on Hadrian.

"Voldemort? Please as if I'd work for a madman like him. No, I'm going to kill you simply for my own amusement. Not the smartest thing to do but it will certainly be satisfying," Hadrian smirked, knowing that he couldn't drag this out for too long.

Ronald took a swing at him. Hadrian easily caught his hand, and with a quick wrench that his father had taught him he broke the wizard's arm. Before the wizard had a chance to scream, Hadrian disemboweled him. Ronald was still alive but just barely as Hadrian harvested his liver. Hadrian whistled pleasantly as he worked. It was almost a relief to end him. He hadn't hunted in weeks, and the itch had begun to eat away at him. The scent of blood brought the werewolf bursting through the door just like Hadrian knew it would. Its muzzle was already dripping red with the blood from another victim, and Hadrian wondered idly who else had died tonight. The werewolf fell upon the body as Hadrian excused himself to the attached bathroom to clean up, and stash the liver in a safe place to cook with later. It was also a great place to hole up, and pretend he'd been hiding the entire time.

Hadrian barricaded the door, and relaxed in the bathtub trying to decide what to make with his newly acquired meat. Outside the door he heard shouts, growls, and spells firing as the wizards caught up with the werewolf. The werewolf eventually must have escaped, and Ronald's mother must have found him if the piercing shriek of horror and sobbing was anything to go by. Hadrian waited patiently for the wizards to find him.

In the end it was Black who came for him, calling desperately to him from the other side of the bathroom door. Hadrian moved things out of the way, and opened the door. Black was liberally splattered with blood and looked like he'd had a few years added to his life.

"Is everything all right? What happened? I woke up to growls and something was attacking Ron. I couldn't find my wand, and I was so scared I just ran into the bathroom. I just left him," Hadrian cried as he rushed at Black.

"It's okay, Harry, I've got you," Black wrapped his arms around Hadrian, obviously needing the comfort more than Hadrian.

"Is Ron all right? What was that?" Hadrian sniffled.

"Remus got out, somehow when his potion failed. He attacked. We tried to stop him. Bill got mauled pretty bad but he's going to live. Ron… He…"

"What?" Hadrian demanded.

"He's dead," Black said solemnly.

"Dead? It's all my fault. If I hadn't run…" Hadrian cried, bringing out the tears.

"No, hey, it's not your fault. If it's anyone's fault it's Snape for not brewing the Wolfsbane correctly," Black snarled.

"How did Remus get out?" Hadrian questioned.

"It looks like he broke the door open. Come on let's get downstairs. Everyone will want to know that you're all right," Black slung an arm across his shoulders.

Downstairs was chaos. Things were destroyed, there was blood everywhere, and the portrait of Black's mother was screaming. McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Snape had arrived, and were attempting to calm everyone. Lupin was nowhere in sight so Hadrian figured that they had locked him back up in the basement after fixing the wards around the cage. Molly Weasley was sobbing over a sheet-covered figure that was vaguely human shaped while her husband looked on with a stunned expression adorning his face. Fleur, and a matronly lady Hadrian didn't know were tending to Bill Weasley who had obviously been savaged by the werewolf. Everyone else was crying or in various stages of shock.

Dumbledore looked relieved when Black arrived with him, whole and unharmed. Soon a fight broke out. Molly Weasley wanted revenge. She had one dead son, and another who had been horribly disfigured and would spend the rest of his life as a werewolf. She wanted Remus dead. Tonks, of course, wasn't going to stand for hearing that her husband should be put down like a rabid animal. Hermione tried to step between the two older witches and remind them that this was not a time to argue. But both were too high strung at the moment to listen to reason. Black added his two cents worth and began blaming Snape, which turned Tonks against the potions professor as well. Dumbledore stepped in to defend his spy.

Hadrian watched in delight as everything devolved even further. It had turned out better than he had planned. He must have looked a bit too happy for Snape gave him a dark, calculating look. Hadrian stared back until the professor was forced to look away. He needed to get rid of the man soon anyway. He couldn't allow someone who doubted him to spread that doubt to others. Eventually others would start listening no matter how much the others despised the man.

Dumbledore eventually got everyone under control, and sent everyone back up to bed. The rest of Ronald was brought to St. Mungos, and Bill was brought to Hogwarts by Madame Pomfrey, the matronly woman, for further treatment. Molly and Fleur went along with them. The rest of the mess would be cleaned up in the morning. McGonagall and Snape both decided to stay for the rest of the night just in case anything happened, and to help clean up in the morning.

Later that night, or rather very early that morning Hadrian enjoyed a private meal after carefully warding the kitchen to all but the one he wished to speak to. Wizard had a slightly different flavor than human, and of course the meal wasn't quite as good as his father could make. Hadrian knew how to cook and what flavors worked well together but he didn't have the same flare for it like his father did. He would have to call his father to let him know of his success so far.

"I don't know who you are, but you aren't Harry Potter," a deep baritone voice drawled from the shadows, interrupting his meal.

Hadrian turned to see Severus Snape extract himself from the shadows.

"And how can you be so certain I'm not?" Hadrian calmly asked in return. He knew the man wouldn't be able to resist confronting him after tonight's little mishap.

"I was Lily's best friend. I know her eyes. I remember her eyes. You don't have Lily's eyes. Oh, they're green but they aren't her green," Snape murmured darkly.

"And how would you know? Did you spend a lot of time gazing deeply into her eyes?" Hadrian taunted.

Snape reared back like an affronted snake about to strike. But Hadrian didn't allow him the chance to speak.

"You were in love with her, but she married another man. Left you without a thought for the greasy little boy who always followed her around," Hadrian purred.

"You know nothing!" Snape snarled.

"I know everything. You may be an accomplished Occlumens but not everyone else is. It was simple to look inside their memories to see your embarrassing infatuation with her," Hadrian informed him.

"Who are you?" Snape demanded.

"Oh, Severus, I almost liked you. It will be a shame to kill you. Unless of course you put down your mental shields so that I can erase your memories and get rid of all your suspicions towards me? Then you can live."

Snape gave him a blank look as he careful slipped his wand into his hand. If he were anyone else he might not have noticed, Snape's movements were so smooth.

"Hmm, I thought not," Hadrian sighed.

He really didn't want to kill him. In a way he admired the man's ability to hold a grudge, and the way he was able to navigate two different masters who happened to be two of the most powerful wizards in several centuries. It was just unfortunate that the man was as observant as he was.

Hadrian shoved a concentrated measure of power into the wizard, freezing him where he stood. It didn't take long for the wizard to realize his predicament. He began muttering counter curses in an attempt to free himself.

"Save your breath, Severus, you can't escape me," Hadrian laughed, allowing Snape to see the true color of his eyes.

"What are you?" Snape whispered, expertly keeping his fear from his features. But Hadrian could smell the beginnings of it on him.

"I was Harry Potter, once, that parts not a lie. Now? I'm something a little different," Hadrian replied circling closer to Snape with every pass like a shark circles its prey.

"What happened to you?" Snape questioned.

"I know what you're doing, Severus. You're stalling for time, hoping to find a chance to escape me. But that's all right, I don't mind. I'm not in any rush. No one's going to stumble upon us accidentally," Hadrian came to a stop in front of him.

"No, I truly wish to know. If you are going to kill me, I deserve to know," Snape insisted.

"What do you know about ravenstags?" Hadrian asked.

"Ravenstags? Wendigos?" Snape stared, a hint of fear finally leaking through into his eyes despite his mastery of occlumency.

Hadrian smirked. "Well done, Professor. And do you recall any of the characteristics of the wendigo?"

"They are vicious beasts often associated with cold and hunger. They are said to be cannibals with few, if any, morals. Their only desire, their only ambition, is to satisfy the unending emptiness inside them. But they can never be satisfied because their very nature won't allow them to. They are very difficult to kill. Wendigos were believed to be extinct," Snape murmured.

"Another excellent answer, Professor Snape, ten points to Slytherin. However, wendigos aren't extinct and we aren't just greedy for flesh. We like to amuse ourselves in other ways too. That's why I'm here, you see. We like playing with our food," Hadrian grinned.

Snape's features went slack, and even a few tears welled in eyes as he stared at Hadrian. "You switched the potion vials. You let Lupin out. You set him up to kill the Weasley boy."

"I did let Lupin out, it was quite simple. But Lupin didn't kill Ronald, I did. He was a very rude young man. I enjoyed dispatching him. Perhaps you'd like a taste?" Hadrian grinned, indicating his plate of food.

Snape's sallow expression tinged green.

"How could this have happened?"

"My father found me with the Dursleys. He'd come to murder them, the Dursleys, you see. My father hates rudeness and well, one meeting with the Dursleys was enough to convince him of their vulgar behaviors. He found me locked in a cupboard under the stairs. He took me with him, gave me a home, and cared for me. He changed me. Gave me the chance to have a better life, and now I've come to repay the people who left me to rot with the Dursleys. What do you think of the new and improved Harry Potter, Severus?" Hadrian asked as he took his true form.

"Oh, Lily, how I've failed you. I let this happen to your son," Snape whispered, utterly dejected.

Hadrian frowned. "Don't become hopeless now, Severus. It's no fun."

"Why not? You are a wolf in sheep's clothing, Lecter. None of the other fools will realize the monster they've invited in their midst before it's too late. You've won," Snape replied.

"You know what? I don't want to kill you like this," Hadrian returned to his human form, and released him from his hold.

Snape stared at him warily. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm letting you live, be grateful, and don't breathe word about what happened to anyone. Even if you do, they won't believe you. Not even Dumbledore. He's too pleased to have me back. He felt so guilty for causing my death, and now that I'm back it releases him from that crushing weight. Besides, he needs me to complete his little mission, and destroy all of Tommy Boy's horcruxes. I know for a fact he won't even hear anything you say. He won't even look into your memories where he could see the truth for himself. You've played your hand Snape, everyone knows you hate me, and now they think you're responsible for the attack. Everyone will hate you more than they already did. No one will want to hear anything you have to say," Hadrian grinned.

Snape glared at him helplessly.

"Goodnight, Severus, it was nice to have this little chat with you," Hadrian picked up his plate and left the kitchen.

Snape wouldn't make a move yet, and by the time he created a solid plan to get the others to listen to him, Hadrian would have already enacted his own in removing him.

/

Once upstairs Hadrian slipped into the mind of Voldemort. For such a powerful wizard his Occlumency barriers were woefully thin. But then again it was difficult to have strong mental defenses after splitting one's soul so many times. Even with the support of a Philosopher's Stone it couldn't quite heal all of the damage. Hadrian was able to slip inside the familiar pathways to his mind while the wizard was sleeping without him even realizing it.

Hadrian took his wendigo form as he moved through Voldemort's dark and murky mental landscape. The main structure of his mindscape was reminiscent of a castle but it was nowhere near as magnificent as his father's. The castle was in a state of deterioration. A few of the walls were crumbling, and weeds were growing up over them. Inside the castle was a little bit better thanks to the constant influx of the Elixir of Life. It was cleaner and more organized but Hadrian could still see the cracks running through the stone walls.

After a bit of snooping, Hadrian sought out Voldemort's consciousness. He found him in a chamber torturing various members of the Order of the Phoenix. Of course his dreams would be full of inflicting pain on his enemies. The Stone had allowed him to retain his handsome human appearance with thick dark hair, and a tall, well built frame. His eyes were the only things that reflected the damage he had truly done to himself. They were a bright, blood red much more garish than Hadrian and his father's darker shade. He appeared to be no older than in his mid-thirties. Hadrian cloaked the chamber in shadow, hiding all but his dark red eyes from Voldemort.

"What is happening? Who are you and how did you enter my mind?" Voldemort demanded, easily detecting that Harry's presence in his mind was more than just a dream.

"I've come to help you, Tom," Hadrian replied, changing the pitch of his voice to a deeper, darker, and more raspy tone.

"Name yourself!" Voldemort snarled, attempting to blast away the shadows.

"Calm yourself, Tom. I'm here to help you. I have vital information to give you," Hadrian spoke calmly.

"And why would you help me? Who are you?" Voldemort questioned shrewdly.

"My kind thrives on chaos, and you are certainly a master of causing it," Hadrian answered.

With a dramatic flare Hadrian removed the shadows, and stepped towards Voldemort in all his glory. Voldemort's eyes widened. His gaze flickered from his cloven hooves all the way up to his wicked, pointed antlers.

"What are you?" Voldemort questioned.

"A dark creature that would like to see the dark prevail over the light," replied Hadrian.

"You are a wendigo. I have read of them before. I thought they had all been destroyed for their wickedness," Voldemort mused.

"Not all of us, and I would have revenge against the Light wizards who sought my kind's destruction," Hadrian replied.

"I will hear what you have to say and then decide if you truly mean what you say. What information do you have for me?" Voldemort demanded imperiously. The dark wizard was nowhere near close to believing him but he was willing to humor him at the moment in the event that he had useful information.

"Harry Potter is alive," Hadrian said.

"What!? No, that's impossible," Voldemort snarled.

"Oh, but it is, and what is worse is that he is with the Order. Dumbledore is going to use him to defeat you. Especially now that he knows…" Hadrian trailed off.

"Knows what?" snapped Voldemort.

Hadrian knew he had him hooked now. "About your horcruxes, of course. He's begun collecting them even now, and destroying them."

"No, Severus would have told me," Voldemort denied.

"Like he told you about Harry Potter? He's known for weeks about the Boy-Who-Lived, and even longer about the horcruxes. Severus isn't as loyal to you as you think he is," Hadrian taunted.

"I'll kill him," Voldemort.

"Good," Hadrian hissed.

"I will have to prove these claims of yours," Voldemort hissed.

"I understand. I will visit again soon, Tom Riddle. By then you will believe what I have said. From there we can continue," Hadrian faded from Voldemort's before he could say anything else, closing the connection between them to keep the wizard from discovering him.

Feeling tired Hadrian settled down to slip. He'd had quite the busy day, and he needed his rest. But, oh, how wonderful everything had gone. Hadrian loved when things went his way.

Sorry for such a long wait. The story will be finished. It just might take me a little while...