Chapter Text
He feels a finger brush his face and slowly opens his eyes. Dark brown eyes scan his face and Tom smirks at him. That signature face that he was known for and Hadrian rolls his eyes, rolling away.
“Oh come on, can’t handle my handsomeness?” Tom purrs, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him back. Hadrian groans, pushing Toms face away.
“I can’t handle your crap this early in the morning,” he croaks. It doesn’t stop Tom from attempting to bite his fingers before he glances around the Slytherin dorm and finds himself face to face with Tom. Those haunting eyes and beautiful face- as if sculpted from marble-
Yet lips still manage to sneak their morning kiss.
“Still can’t handle me?” Tom teases and Hadrian shoved a hand between their faces, rolling over Tom in an attempt to get away. Tom merely chuckles and pulls him close again.
“That isn’t what I said,” Hadrian groans. “Go away…”
“Never,” Tom laughs.
“We’ll be late for class,” he grumbles. “Dumbledore will be mad.” Tom snorts.
“Let him be mad. I don’t think he’s going to be too upset considering your top notch grades.” Hadrian wants to yank Toms hair out but he opts for rolling violently onto the floor.
“You’re ruining my image,” he complains. Tom leans on the edge of the bed, looking extremely amused.
“Says the man half naked on the floor.” Hadrian flipped him off and stood up, brushing off his clothes. He cracks his back and with a sigh, trudges for the closet, rubbing his eyes. “How hard have you been working?” Tom asks and he glances back at the squinting man.
“Not too hard, why?”
“It’s Saturday.” Hadrian frowns and spells a wandless tempus and discovers it is indeed. So with a groan, he shoved his clothes back in the closet. “You’ve been overworking yourself again.” Tom says with blatant disapproval. Hadrian returned to the bed and Tom held his arms open as he flopped down.
“I have not,” he grumbles into Toms chest as Tom puts the covers back around them.
“Hmm. I choose to not believe you this time.”
“Screw off.” Tom smirks and kisses his forehead.
“You can screw me anytime.”
“Gross,” he groans. “You ail me.”
“I have a cure-”
“Gods I can’t stand you,” Hadrian grumbled, pulling him closer at the same time. Tom huffs, holding him close and Hadrian dozes away again, his head limp against Tom’s chest.
It’s not long before Tom begins carding his fingers through Hadrian’s long hair. He didn’t grow it out for any specific reason- he just perhaps wanted a change. To stop looking like his father. To stop looking like a boy and more like a man. More like the wizards of old with long hair, like Merlin in his younger years or even Dumbledore too.
“You have to stay with me,” Tom murmurs.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“You can’t love anyone else.”
“What are you talking about you idiot.”
“Even in another life.”
“You sound like an idiot.”
Tom releases a long breath before humming something under his breath.
“Go back to sleep then.”
“I was trying,” Hadrian mutters but he falls asleep again regardless. Tom was the comfiest thing in the whole planet. Everyone should have a Tom-
Hadrian opens an eye, hugging something scaly and very- not Tom.
~Master~ The basilisk hisses and Hadrian wants to slap himself in the face. Just kill him now.
~I thought I told you to go back to the chamber?~ He hisses in frustration, rolling over to stare at the basilisk. The thing snuck a glance and seemed to delight in the fact he didn’t turn to stone immediately.
~It’s closed~ Hadrian wants to just simply pass away. Promptly and quickly. Unfortunately, he has people to deal with.
After Draco had passed out upon seeing the Basilisk, Hadrian had dragged him back to his room and then had to deal with the crown and quickly hidden it.
He gets changed quickly, making sure to check the date and its indeed a Saturday. He stares at the time and half expects Tom to tell him he’s been overworking again. But he glances back at an empty bed and curses himself for his foolishness.
He leaves for the common room which is full of students, some still partly in pyjamas. They go quiet when he arrives- and promptly scream when the basilisk slithers out behind him.
Hadrian plugs his ears with his fingers and hisses at the basilisk to follow him. He’s undeniably tempted to let the basilisk turn Filch turn into stone or eat him- but he lets the basilisk eat Ms Norris instead as they move to the bathroom and he yawns outside the door, stretching his back before pushing it open-
“May I know why there is a basilisk in my school?” A voice inquires. He blinks and glances up while the basilisk closes it’s eyes.
“She’s harmless professor,” he replies with another yawn, jerking a thumb at the overgrown slug. “I should have slept in. I’m taking her back to where she belongs.” Dumbledore inspects the door Hadrian had been about to enter and it’s by then he remembers it’s a girls bathroom.
Dumbledore raises an eyebrow and Hadrian gives him a look.
“You can’t tell me you didn’t know about the Chamber of Secrets?”
“I would like to find out,” Dumbledore responds curiously. Hadrian shrugs, walking through and Dumbledore follows. There’s nobody in it. Not even a Myrtle but Hadrian can firmly say he does NOT miss her. At all. Never.
He opens it with a lazy hiss and the sink falls away to reveal the yawning pit. He orders in some stairs and lazily walks down to the passageway where bones lie around.
“Are we sure this isn’t dangerous?” Dumbledore enquires, following Hadrian who is currently scratching his hair.
“I’m certain professor,” Hadrian responds. “She listens to everything I say.” For good reason.
They arrive at the large chamber with the face of Salazar Slytherin and the basilisk slithered into the depths of the water, rubbing off any dirt and grime between her scales.
“Does she go back to Salazars time?” Dumbledore inquires. Hadrian shakes his head.
“No there was other basilisks, she’s like sixty or something.” Hadrian shakes his legs to try and wake himself up and get his mind off of Tom.
“That is quite old for a basilisk no?”
“I think so,” he replies with a shrug. “I think she has a few more years left.”
~Master when can I go out again?~ She hisses.
~I’ll let you out in the second task.~ The basilisk hisses in delight. ~You can swim right?~ The snake lifts it’s head in offence.
~I am an excellent swimmer Master~ Hadrian rolls his eyes and turns to Dumbledore conspiratorially.
“She’s being sassy.” Dumbledore chuckles and looks around the place.
“It’s a very unique place, can it be accessed by normal means?”
“No, you have to be a parseltongue. Salazar was very picky about those things.”
“I think Hadrian Black was a parseltongue, I wonder if he came down here?”
“Everyone keeps mentioning him,” Hadrian mumbled. He wasn’t even aware he left such a strong mark on everybody. It stunned him every time they mentioned or revered him.
What would their reactions be when they realise Hadrian Black is now a kid their age and was first and foremost this kid?
He chews on his lip as he tries to distract himself.
Dumbledore glances at him and back at the basilisk, the only thing giving away its location the ripple of the shallow water. “Yes well, he was a very influential figure and is responsible for many a change.”
“How come normal people don’t know about him?”
“They do,” Dumbledore hedges. “They’re just more wary of who they say it to. Mr Black had many enemies.”
I know I did. I just didn’t realise I had this many allies too.
Hadrian remains quiet and Dumbledore inquires politely, “You seem to have a lot on your mind.”
“I do,” he replies with a sigh. “I do…” He looks away from Dumbledore. He knows everything he says will somehow find its way back to Tom… “Was Mr Black your ally Dumbledore?” Dumbledore sighs.
“Mr Potter… he was more than just an ally. A lot more.” Hadrian glances around and nods slowly. “May I ask if you can control the basilisk properly?” Hadrian yawns and nods.
“Yeah,” he sighs. “You have to let her stay though. She’ll be very useful in the future.” He scratches his chin and glances at Dumbledore who eyes him and then nods slowly.
“I shall consider it.” Hadrian shrugs. If that was the best he was going to get…
“Come on sir, you can’t get out without me and frankly, I’m starving.” Dumbledore laughs and they walk out and up the stairs before exiting the bathroom and walk down to the hall at a leisurely pace.
He glances at his Headmaster who seems very relaxed after coming face to face with the Basilisk.
“Is it because of Fawkes?” Hadrian asks suddenly and Dumbledores blue eyes blink at him for a moment.
“Pardon?”
“That you weren’t scared. I could have killed you down there. All she had to do was open her eyes.” Dumbledores face became amused.
“Mr Potter, if I thought for even a moment that you were going to attempt to harm me, I wouldn’t have ever gone near you with the basilisk behind you.” Hadrian cocks his head and shrugs as they walk into the great hall. “Have a good morning Mr Potter.”
Hadrian leaves for the Slytherin table and Draco looks at him sharply-
“The basilisk was in your room-”
“You could have killed us-” Hadrian silently mocked all the complaints that came his way.
“Where did the crown go?” Parkinson asks. He glances at her and shrugs. Draco keeps silent.
“No clue. You tell me. I wouldn’t be surprised if you stole it Ms Parkinson.” The girl flew into a rage immediately.
“How dare you accuse me of such insolent behaviour!”
“Insolent indeed,” he leans his chin on his cheek. “Do you have something to accuse me of Ms Parkinson.”
“Yes,” she spat. “You put your name into the Goblet of Fire, because you couldn’t enter Hogwarts because your a liar, a killer- a bloody crazed maniac-”
“Are you done?” He asks boredly, dragging bacon and eggs to his plate. “If your going to accuse me of something, at least accuse me of something that makes sense Ms Parkinson.” She scowls at him and he turns to Draco. “Lizzies back in her home.” Draco sent him an incredulous look.
“The Basilisk? You called it Lizzy?”
“Short for lizard,” he says dead serious. “I was considering Sluggy but she’ll get offended.” Draco gave him a stare that could kill someone and then sighed and stared at his own food.
“I thought it was cool,” Theodore says with a shrug.
“Whatever,” Draco grumbles. “By the way are you free for Christmas?” He cocks his head and thinks carefully.
“On Christmas Day or just the holidays?”
“The Day.” He taps his chin thoughtfully. Would Edwin be expecting him?
He moves the food around on his plate in thought before saying, “I’ll have to see…” There were hoots and flutter of wings and Hedwig flew in, talons secured around a few notes- one of them bright red.
She drops in front of him, passing him the urgent letter rather quickly with her beak.
He breaks the seal, concern worming through him slowly.
Master, this servant has been unable to protect the premises.
There was a break in and while I cannot remember their faces, I briefly remember them talking about you. Nothing that I know of has been taken. But it would be in your best interests to return and look for yourself.
He’s half certain he’s stopped breathing and tears the papers to shreds, heart hammering.
Someone found his safe house? I mean- it was a manner of time but how had they discovered the house? It wasn’t outwardly announced- but it would only take some digging. But who? Who? If they’d been talking about Potter and not him…
He grabs the other letter.
We haven’t spoken in a while old friend. I have many new discoveries to tell you about. Perhaps you can spare this old man the time of day and visit me.
Hadrian Black.
-Your Loyal Servant
Hadrian taps his finger against the paper in concern. Was it Count De Ville? No, he never lowered himself enough to outright call himself a servant.
So who…
He pauses. Then sets the paper on fire.
Gellert Grindelwald. The bastard wasn’t dead, just rotting away in a forgotten prison. How had he managed to get a note to him? How did he know?
Wait- if Barty was gone- if they didn’t put his name in the Goblet this time-
If everyone thought he was dead or kidnapped-
Who put his name in the Goblet?
“I take it it’s not good news,” Hayes asks slowly.
Hadrian glances at the last letter he’d received and wondered if he really did want to answer it. He flips it over and to his surprise- there’s Gringotts on the back.
He snaps it open and frowns deeply.
Our dearest condolences Mr Potter,
Fleamont Potter has tragically passed away in France this evening. As saddening as this news is, congratulations on becoming the Lord of House Potter.
“What?” He mutters, brow furrowed.
“What is it?” Draco asks, peering over his shoulder.
“Grandfather… died…” He stares at the paper in his hand. That… how could he just- pass away? After living for so long, how could he just pass away?
That didn’t- why was he in France to begin with? He’d been with Fleamont with Tom on occasion. Whether they studied or duelled together, he was a good potioneer master and sometimes helped them out on occasion.
Fleamont wasn’t one to waste time, no matter how old he’d been, on holiday in France. Why didn’t he go looking for Hadrian when he was kidnapped?
How had he passed away- it made no sense.
“I’m- I’m sorry Hadrian.”
Wait- so he wouldn’t get to talk to Fleamont ever again? Why- why hadn’t he found out it was his grandfather that had taken care of him sooner? He would have gone back! He wasn’t living with Dursley’s- he would have gone back-
Draco put a hand on his shoulder.
Gringotts was the one to tell him. Because Gringotts kept tabs on this- better than even the Ministry- did he die in the muggle world? Is that why he hadn’t known about it sooner? If he travelled via airplane it would have been possible for the Ministry to know-
His vision has suddenly become blurry and he discovers he’s almost crying. He grits his teeth and looks at the ceiling. He inhales deeply, stands and leaves.
He walks swiftly through Hogwarts, to the one eyed witch- slips in and rushes down the tunnel, a lumos lighting his way.
None of this makes sense. Someone breaks into his safe house, Fleamont dies and Grindelwald manages to make contact with him? Voldemort hasn’t killed him yet but Grindelwald should be dead.
He erupts from the cellar and slips through the shadows, catching the shop owner unawares as he arrives in Hogsmeade- runs to the shrieking shack and then apparates outside his front door and summons the keys before walking in to see Edwin nursing his head with an icepack on the couch. He looks terrible- absolutely devoid of blood.
His skin was greying and his eyes slightly unfocused.
He does a quick perimeter check with his magic but no one was inside. He slams the door shut, locks it and rushes over to Edwin.
“Edwin- Edwin is everything okay.” The vampire winces as he focuses, reaching out to Hadrian.
“Master your supposed to be at school,” he croaks. Hadrian grabs his chin, staring into those faded eyes.
“Your supposed to be semi-alive. Where’s Dracula?” He demands, grabbing his wand and cutting his palm lightly with diffindo and the vampire seems to focus, eyes trailing to his hand.
“He left for Knockturn…” He shoves the ribbing between his index finger and thumb into Edwins hand- one because there’s less blood flow there so Edwin will have to physically attempt to eat and secondly- so he doesn’t absolute drain Hadrians system.
“Seriously, I leave you for a few weeks and you almost die on me.” Edwin glances at him, a hand lightly grabbing his wrist and Hadrian does his best to ignore the faint pain from the two large fangs digging into his hand.
It wasn’t his fault that he was semi-shifted on the couch, scales along his arms and face, two horns semi sprouting and his eyes slitted.
He was furious- as a dragon. His treasure trove had been attacked and his cute little vampire almost murdered.
“I can’t die master,” Edwin mumbles around his hand. He was still looking pale though and it was taking to long. The vampire seemed to be dazing in and out, looking spacey and neglected.
“Jesus Christ,” he growls, unbuttoning the top of his shirt and slipping off the shirt. “Just do it properly this time. You mess up and-” he cuts off as Edwin sank his teeth into his neck and ignored the hands on his hips.
It was fucking infuriating being physically fourteen and mentally thirty- forty or whatever. He lost count.
But it doesn’t matter. He’d wait for Tom because it was only Tom.
Edwin leans back, lips stained red again and shook his head to focus- to try and remember. Hopefully what was in Hadrians blood would replace whatever damage the oblivion had done.
“Orion,” the Vampire suddenly blurts. “It was Orion Black. They both went up to the top floor. To your studio.” The Vampire narrows his eyes suddenly. “Master your supposed to be at the tournament-” he blocks his nagging with his hand.
“You are not my nanny shut up.” He furrows his brow. Orion Black… He’d be at Abraxas’s party. In fact- they’d all be there, won’t they? They always attend, every year, without fail. Tom won’t be there- but his brother- his brother will be.
“Are you angry Master?”
“At you? No. Orion is too powerful for you.”
“He came with someone else.”
“Aiden I bet.” The vampire nods sagely.
“Mr Avery yes. That was him.” He groans, standing up and walking to the sink to wash the blood from his hand and neck. “Do you need me to get the Count to…” Hadrian shakes his head.
“The Count already knows too much. I want him kept far away from this stuff Edwin.” The vampire comes around lean against the counter tops.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t-”
“Edwin don’t apologise. I’m going to check they didn’t take anything and if they didn’t, it’s fine.” He dries his hands and walks up the stairs to evaluate the studio and studies it meticulously. Everything was as it had previously been.
Did they come here just to examine-
It made no sense. Why not take one of the paintings? Were they waiting on Tom to make a decision-
He needs to hire more warders to secure the premises. But that falls second to Fleamont. How can he apparate to France…
He can’t, not really.
There’s no time either-
Yet. The Christmas Holidays were a perfect time but then he skips Orion-
Should he inform Dumbledore that Grindelwald was able to communicate-
Why was the future changing so much?
He grits his teeth in frustration, storming back down the stairs.
“Hire some people from the underground to ward this place Edwin. Only trustees.”
“Yes sir.” He slams out the door and apparates back to the shrieking shack, returns to hogsmeade- rushes back through the tunnels and then sticks in the shadows to get to his room and fixes up his clothes and wraps his hand so it heals quickly.
Did he need to become Moriarty for a bit to gain information?
He’s changed the future too much…
But he can’t apparate-
So he’s going to have to fly.
There’s a knock on the door. “Hadrian? Are you okay?” He clenches his fist.
“I’m fine.”
“We’re going to play some quidditch if you want to join?” Oh…
He glances over his shoulder.
Quidditch. He hadn’t played in so long…
How rusty was he?
“I’ll pass today Draco.”
“Okay… maybe another time?”
“Yeah…” He stares at the desk and realises he has a few letters to write. He needs to order an investigation into Fleamont death, he needs to send someone to Grindelwalds position to check if he’s still there and he needs to organise a meeting to discuss things with the Underground.
He sits at the desk and get’s to work, ignoring Toms nagging voice in the back of his head.