A/N- ok, maybe I am a tad fond of Draco Malfoy, but I mean... who isn't? Besides, Hadrian and Draco aren't gonna be bffs. So what's the problem? ;) I will also try to make the chapters a lot longer and more detailed. I also can't believe I've got 105 followers for this story so I will thank you with an extra long chapter! Hope everyone has a good Christmas, I won't update till maybe after boxing day? Haven't decided yet.
Chapter 9 - Lily's Confrontation
Once Hadrian had left the Hall and was out of sight from the students in their year, he turned around to the group and asked,
"Where exactly do we need to go?" Tracey rolled her eyes, smiling slightly as she said,
"Charms is this way, Potter."
Sighing in relief, at least someone knows where they're going, he followed Tracey and Draco to their next class with the Ravenclaw's. I don't know what's happened these past few months, but my Father is definitely... not right in the head. And where is Sirius? What's he doing, I need my Godfather. Now, more than ever.
Charms passed by quickly, they learnt the levitation spell, Wingardium Laviosar. Hadrian managed to do it right first try, much to the annoyance of the rest of the Ravenclaw's, who had not yet mastered the spell. The next lesson they had was Transfiguration, which Hadrian loathed with a passion. His Father may be good at the skill, maybe even one of the best, but Hadrian definitely did not get that skill. Towards the end of the lesson Professor McGonagall tried not to let her anger show as Hadrian Potter continued to sleep in her class.
"Mr Potter!" She shouted, sternly, making the Gryffindors jump in surprise. To the shock of everyone in the room, Hadrian still slept, looking very peaceful. Rolling her eyes, Tracey, who was sitting next to him, elbowed him in the ribs, sharply.
"Ow..." Hadrian complained while yawning. Tracey then gave him a look as she turned her head back to Professor McGonagall. Hadrian's eyes widened, blushing slightly as he realised he had fell asleep in class.
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall," He apologised, yawning mid way through speaking. Professor McGonagall sighed,
"Mr Potter, if you would refrain yourself from sleeping in my classroom, it would be much appreciated,"
Hadrian nodded, some of the Gryffindors sniggered in the background, earning themselves a glare from the Slytherin. Unknown to Hadrian, Draco Malfoy was watching the boy with concern. I may have shaken his hand... but I still need to show him whose the leader for the Slytherins. They only accepted him because I 'realised' my mistake. At least Father won't be ashamed of me when he learns of my plan...
Transfiguration ended five minutes later, they had lunch in an hour and with nothing to do, Hadrian made his way to the Owlery, by himself. He needed time to think. He also needed to write a letter and now would be a good time to do so.
"Yes, but Snape is always like that Neville, don't worry!" Hadrian frowned when he heard what sounded like Ron Weasley talking to Neville. He hadn't spoken to him in a while and to know Snape had already given him a hard time... he'd make it up to Neville by showing Snape not to mess with his best friend.
"Neville?" Hadrian asked as he turned the corner. He blinked in surprise when he saw Neville wasn't with just one Weasley, but with two more as well. The twins. Hadrian thought as he walked up to his friend.
"Oh- Hey, Hadrian. What are you doing here?" He asked, although Hadrian did not show it, guilt was going through his body as he saw the scared look on Neville's face. You can't show weakness. You are Hadrian Potter. A Slytherin...
"I over heard Snape gave you a hard time, are you alright?" Hadrian asked without missing a beat. He noticed the identical look of shock from the twins and Ron, but he tried to ignore them as Nevill sighed in relief.
"Don't worry, mate, he just asked a lot of questions that I answered correctly, even the fifth year one he asked... it's just he took twenty points off Gryffindor because he said I was a prat and a know it all," His friend explained, Hadrian's eyes narrowed. Ron didn't help the situation as he said,
"That's putting it lightly Nev,"
"I'm proud of you, Neville, you showed him you were not an idiot. I will try and get Snape back for insulting my best friend," Hadrian said in deep thought, forgetting that was not how Slytherin's acted. It was worth it as Neville smiled warmly, placing a hand on Hadrian's shoulder.
"I knew it! Your Dad is wrong, H, don't listen to what he says, you may prefer the dark but you will not be the next Dark Lord. I've tried to stop some of the rumours but there's only so much I can do," Neville added sadly. Hadrain looked to him in shock and pride. It touched his heart that Neville still thought of him as his friend even though they were in different houses.
"Thank you, Neville. That means a lot,"
They ended the conversation there, with Hadrian declining an offer of playing Exploding Snap with the group, he continued his walk to the Owlery. When he got there, luckily nobody else was around. He smiled fondly at his own owl, a snowy owl called Hedwig. Sitting down on one of the broken benches, he got his quill and ink out and started to write, trying to ignore the clang of the bell tower opposite.
Dear Padfoot,
I wondered if we could talk? I know I haven't made an effort to contact you since last month and I'm deeply sorry for that, but... well I thought you were on James's side. I can't explain much in the letter, will we be able to meet soon? I miss you.
Love,
Hadrian
Checking the letter over twice, he handed it over to Hedwig, who bit his finger affectionately as he said to her,
"Take this to Sirius Black," He watched fondly as she flew off. When he realised what the time was, lunch was in fifteen minutes, he slowly made his way back to the Great Hall. He enjoyed the walk around the grounds, passing the Quidditch pitch was a blessing, he would have to fly on his Ninbus 2000 some day soon. Content in his own thoughts, he failed to realise that a group of first year Slytherins were waiting for him just outside the Hall. Only when Draco Malfoy bumped into him (on purpose), did he realised where he was.
"Where have you been for the last hour?" Draco snarled. Hadrian rolled his eyes, was yesterday just pretence? Did Draco still think of him not worthy to be a Slytherin? Or was he just trying to show who was the boss?
"Out and about," Hadrian said simply, Draco stepped closer to him, with Crabbe and Goyle nervously behind him.
"Just because the rest of our group say you are a Slytherin, doesn't change the fact that you are still a Potter and a mudblood-" Here, Hadrian interrupted.
"Yes, I am Hadrian James Potter, a half blood, I grace you with my presence, I honour you... Draco Malfoy," Hadrian mocked the blonde, bowing slightly as Draco's cheeks turned crimson from embarrassment. While the two boys were staring each other down, Daphne and Tracey were both trying not to laugh as Hadrain bowed to Malfoy.
"You watch you mouth, you'll regret you ever insulted me, my Father will-"
"'Here about this?' Yes, I get it. And I get your plan too, Draco and know this. I'm not trying to replace you, I don't even want to be crowned Slytherin Prince if that's what you care about, all I care about is my food so if you'll excuse me," Hadrian finished, shoving Malfoy out of the way. Walking into the Hall he saw a person he'd never thought he would see here.
"Mother?"
Lily's POV (Half an Hour Before)"James, we need to hear Hadrian out, what you said in the letter... just wasn't you! He's your son and you wrote that you would disown him?!" She shouted with a tone that could make even Lord Voldemort flinch. James looked at her, his eyes screaming with guilt but his face only twitched.
This was the talk James was not looking forward to. She had been quiet, too quiet for the past day, he knew it was only a certain amount of time before his wife said anything.
"I was fine with him keeping a pet snake, Lils, but now, my only son, has a wand that is darker and more powerful than You-Know-Who's and Dumbledore's combined! What would you have said? Huh?" He asked, getting up from the table in anger. Lily sighed, running a hand through her gorgeous red hair, thinking of the best way to respond. She wanted her son back into the Manor, she wanted her family back together, she wanted Sirius back... but how could she get James to see sense?!
"I would say that our son is perfect, I would say he has our support no matter what, I would say it didn't matter what type of wand he had, as long as he was happy with it, I would also say that I'm proud that he is a Slytherin." Lily listed everything that was going through her head since James kicked their son out. The reaction on James's face was satisfying to see, his mouth was opening and closing like a frog who just lost it's fly.
"You're proud, that he is a Slytherin?" He asked in between his splutters. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Yes, James. Not all Slytherin's are evil. In fact, Dorea Potter was indeed a Slytherin, incase you had forgotten," she said darkly. Her Husband's eyes widened in shock. Yep, he had forgotten. She thought as James took a few steps back.
"I need some fresh air," James said, making his way to the Quidditch pitch. Lily sighed and looked at the time. She cursed to herself, she was a few minutes later than planned. She needed to see Dumbledore.
(Present time, in the Great Hall)She smiled when she saw Hadrian come rushing into the Hall with two girls following just behind him. She recognized them to be Tracey Davis and Daphney Greengrass. She knew little of their families, but that didn't matter. She was happy that he had made friends. As soon as Hadrian made contact with her, she saw the shock in his eyes as he looked at her.
"Mother?" He questioned, taking a step back. Lily sighed, walking slowly towards Hadrain.
"Hadrian... please, can we talk?" He raised an eyebrow and bit his lip, unsure on what to say. Suddenly, the Great Hall doors opened once more with a man running through, holding a letter in one hand, with his curly, dark brown hair bouncing up and down. She gasped in shock as she realised who it was and was even more surprised when he and Hadrain hugged each other with huge smiles on their faces.
"H-Hadrain, I'm here, I'm here!"