Chapter 4
Pov:Dumbledore
From his high perch, Albus Dumbledore observed the boy with a complex expression that was a tapestry of hope and fear. In the eyes of Hadrian Black, he saw the echo of Arcturus Black, the grandfather who had turned his back on the family's dark legacy to stand by his side. Yet, there was something else there too, something that reminded him of the lost potential of Sirius, the rebellion of Regulus, and the fiery spirit of Harry Potter. Dumbledore's gaze shifted to Harry, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and sorrow. The boy was a beacon of light in the shadowy world he had been thrust into, but he had suffered much in his short life. The headmaster knew that the unloved child before him needed a guiding hand, someone to show him that love and sacrifice were the true marks of a hero.
The Hat had made its decision, and the feast commenced, the clamor of the hall swelling to a crescendo of voices. Yet, amidst the din, Dumbledore's thoughts remained focused on the two boy's, He saw in Harry the potential for greatness, a soul untainted by the prejudices that had consumed his own family. And in Hadrian, the headmaster recognized the same power and potential for good, but it was wrapped in a cloak of shadows. How they would navigate the treacherous waters of Hogwarts, and the greater world beyond, remained to be seen.
As the plates were cleared and the students began to mingle, Hadrian felt the weight of the Hat's words like a second skin. He knew the path laid before him was fraught with danger, but he was determined to find his own way. His eyes searched the hall, seeking the warmth of Daphne Greengrass' smile, the challenge of Harry's gaze, and the wisdom of the Grey Lady's ghostly stare. These connections, forged in the crucible of fate and chance, would shape his destiny and the fate of the wizarding world itself.
The night grew late, and the students began to file out of the Great Hall. As the lights dimmed, Dumbledore lingered, his thoughts racing with the possibilities and perils that lay ahead. The prophecy of the boy who lived and the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord was clear, but the path to that end was shrouded in mystery. Hadrian Black, a child of two worlds, was a wild card in the grand game of fate. Would he stand with the light, or succumb to the shadow? Only time would tell, but Dumbledore knew he would watch over him, as he did with Harry, offering guidance when needed, but never forcing his hand. The choices, after all, were for the boy to make.
The grand staircase beckoned, leading to the dorms where the students would find their beds for the night. Draco and Hadrian walked together, their footsteps echoing in the vast, empty space.