Enemies of the Heir, Beware
September 5th 1992
Hadrian truly hadn’t thought he’d need to use his position as second in command so soon into the year, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
The House of Slytherin used a royal or Hierarchal system to divide authority, as Slytherins valued power and reputation above all else. A king is normally chosen based on their magical prowess, and they can get dethroned by anyone who challenges them in a duel and wins (criteria of winning is decided by the king and his court). If they stay as king until graduation, they can nominate someone for their position or a Slytherin may nominate themselves and duel the other candidates for the position. If you challenge a king and lose, you automatically become the lowest in the hierarchy of the House. But if you challenge and win, the king who lost either loses influence or stays in the new king’s circle as an advisor (if the new king respects the old one’s opinion, which isn’t a very common occurrence, because challenging a king normally means that you don’t like how they run Slytherin). A king also normally chooses their inner circle based on loyalty and any Pureblood alliances they’d want to honour – if they’re a pureblood heir – and some even choose to have the heirs of the most powerful pureblood families as their advisors; to raise their reputation among Pureblood circles. The current Slytherin King was Cassius Warrington, who’d taken over from Patrick Parkinson after he graduated the year before.
He’d chosen Hadrian as his second in command for the simple fact he was the current – presumed – heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, the oldest and most powerful pureblood family in Europe (after the Most Olde Houses, who had gone extinct hundreds of years ago). Warrington was also aware of Hadrian’s many connections in the other three Hogwarts Houses, so he was pretty adept at communicating with different people. Adrien Pucey was his left hand based on friendship, and he was quite good at the enforcement part of his role. Hadrian didn’t necessarily like Warrington or Pucey, but he respected them enough to cordially work with them.
Now though, it seemed they needed to be taken down a notch.
There was a meeting room in the dungeons that was used by the King when his inner circle needed to gather, and that is exactly where Hadrian currently was, as he and everyone else had been summoned by Warrington that evening for one such gathering. Hadrian knew exactly what was going to be discussed, which is why he wasn’t dressed as he normally would, in casual muggle clothes and lots of denim (a big thank-you was required towards the House of Viola for enabling his ‘unusual’ fashion sense). He was wearing a black suit with a black shirt underneath and his black duelling robes over it that were left open. The robes had a small, inconspicuous symbol that would attract any pureblood-worth-their-title’s attention. It was a small crest on the right of his chest; the crest of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. The crest being on the right signified his status as the recognized Heir-Apparent to the family, which was a shocking bit of news only a select few knew. He’d needed explicit permission from his grandfather to even think about wearing these specific robes, but after explaining his thought process, his grandfather had agreed with his plans. As Lord Arcturus Black always said: nip any insolence at the bud or it would fester like a nasty wound, spreading hate and defiance like an infection.
“Black!” Warrington exclaimed as soon as he’d entered the room, not even noticing Hadrian’s differing attire. Big mistake. “What do you think you’re doing removing Boyle from the team?!”
“Removing a mistake from a group that directly represented Slytherin House.” Hadrian explained calmly, not even reacting to Warrington’s obvious anger.
“He will not be removed! He’s good, and we cannot afford to lose to those insipid lions.”
“He is a lying, cheating idiot who does not deserve the honour of being on our Quidditch team. Forgive me for doing your job for you.” Hadrian defended his actions in a blank tone, but his eyes sparked with his obvious outrage. The sarcasm was just the cherry on top. “And if he returns on the team, then I will be leaving. Good luck finding a new chaser.”
“Are you threatening me, you lowly no-name?!” Warrington screamed angrily, and everyone gasped in horror at the disgustingly old-fashioned insult, especially those who’d noticed the crest on Hadrian’s robes.
“Ah, it seems I’ve let you have free reign and assume my status for a bit too long.” Hadrian said with a dark chuckle. “I am not a No-name, you fool! I am the Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. You crossed the wrong person, Warrington.”
The older boy’s eyes widened in shock and fear as Hadrian’s eyes changed from their normal stormy grey to a shadowy black that blended into his pupils in a scary way, his family magicks activating at will. There was a reason the House of Black was the most feared Pureblood family in England. Their Family Magicks were something of legend that only the luckiest, or most unfortunate, got to witness.
“I, Hadrian Rigel Caelan Black, Heir Apparent to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, challenge Cassius Warrington, current King of Slytherin to a duel over his title. I swear to uphold any and all rules pertaining to this duel, as set by the Slytherin House Magic. So I have sworn, so mote it be!”
“I, Cassius Paxton Warrington, hereby agree to this duel! May the best Wizard win.” The two shook hands, and while Hadrian looked calm, Cassius couldn’t hide the slight fear he felt from his expression.
It was rare for someone to go up against a Black and win after all.
Two hours and a very easy duel for Hadrian later, and Warrington was gasping on the ground in pure exhaustion.
It was stupid to go up against the Black Heir, especially when he’d been trained by Duelling Master and renowned pureblood Lord Arcturus Black.
Hadrian found himself standing in front of all of Slytherin that night, looking upon their awe-filled and/or confused faces.
“Hello Slytherin House.” Adrien Pucey, who knew he wouldn’t be retaining the title of left-hand for much longer but still did his duty to the fullest. “There has been a change in Hierarchy. Today, Hadrian Black challenged our King, Cassius Warrington in an honour duel and won, thus he has become our new King. My Lord, what would you like to do with your new title?”
“A few changes will be occurring, not just to the hierarchy of Slytherin, but to the rules and regulations Heir Warrington had been enforcing thus far. Firstly, I’d like to announce that Heir Sebastian Nott will be taking the position of my second in command. I will not be choosing a left hand yet, not until I find someone worthy of the title, so Pucey, if you could continue doing the role until there comes a time when I find someone worthy, I would be very grateful.”
“Of course My Lord.” Adrien said with a slight bow which hid his gleeful smile. The fact the new king trusted him enough to continue his role and didn’t rush to find someone to take his place spoke volumes for his character and would help him in court and once he graduates as well. After all, for a Slytherin, reputation is everything.
“As for the reason I decided to challenge Heir Warrington for his title. It was because Marcus Belby decided to call Hermione Granger a Mudblood today.” That caused many gasps to ring out, and some – especially those of half-blood and hidden muggle-born descent – looked to Belby with expressions filled with disgust and anger. “Differing and varying beliefs have always been tolerated in Slytherin House, but saying such a fowl word shouldn’t be. We are not our parents, we shouldn’t need to discriminate against those from different backgrounds just to feel good about ourselves. We should be better than those that do so. I don’t care if you think Muggle-born or muggle-raised students are less than purebloods, but don’t go around calling someone, much less a twelve year old girl, something like that to her face. I was there, and decided a worthy punishment would be removing Belby from the Quidditch team, but Heir Warrington disagreed and proceeded to call me a no-name in front of twelve of us. I will let a lot of things slide, believing I’m a muggle-born or even mocking my fashion sense, but I will not tolerate being called a ‘no-name’. I may not flaunt around the fact I’m a Pureblood Heir, but that doesn’t mean I’m not proud of my family or heritage. To disrespect the House of Black in such a way isn’t something I will let slide, so I challenged the previous King and won, and I’m now standing before you in his stead.”
“Very well said Heir Black.” A voice said from behind the students, and they all turned to find Severus Snape, their Potions Master and Head of House, standing and looking on with a proud smirk on his face. “I have always hoped that Slytherin House would become better than it was in my time, but I let things go in hopes you all would find your own beliefs without my input. It seems that was a mistake, and I thank you Mister Black for finally taking the stand that needed to be taken.”
“Thank you Professor.” The two shared a nod, before Hadrian turned back to his fellow students. At this point, Sebastian had moved to stand by his side, and put his hand on Hadrian’s shoulder in silent support. The two shared a look before Hadrian continued.
“Now, from here on out, whoever says that despicable word or bullies a fellow student for their blood-status or social status will have a privilege taken from them. Removal from Quidditch, not going to a Hogsmeade trip, even not attending the Halloween feast if necessary. I don’t care what it is you enjoy, but it will be removed for a period of time decided by me and my inner circle. I know everyone is tired of Slytherin being the hated house, the scapegoat for all evil, but if we don’t change our attitude and ways of thinking and interacting with others, that’ll never change. Let’s prove to everyone, especially those annoying Gryffindors, that we aren’t evil reincarnate. That we deserve to be here just as much as they do. That we are better than them.”
His speech seemed to actually affect some people. Most of the seventh and sixth years didn’t seem to care, and he’ll probably have problems from them soon, but the others seemed to actually agree with his ideas, which was definitely a step in the right direction.
And as he and Sebastian moved down from the podium and made their way to some of their year mates, Hadrian couldn’t help thinking that this was also a step towards proving to his father that he is better than him, even while wearing silver and green robes.
Because throughout his whole life, there has been one thing pushing Hadrian more than others. To prove Sirius Orion Black wrong.
September 6th 1992
“Hey Hadrian, can I talk to you?” Harry said as he approached the Slytherin table. He got confused and weird looks, but he ignored them as he walked towards the boy he was looking for. Weirdly enough, he found him sitting exactly in the middle of the table, with Sebastian Nott to his right and an older boy to his left, but Harry decided to ignore that. Slytherins had some strange customs and traditions that he didn’t want to get in the middle of.
“What’s up Harry?” Hadrian asked as soon as he’d seen the boy approach, smiling softly at the younger boy as he turned towards him.
“Umm… I think we should do this in privacy….” That had Hadrian give him an odd look, but he said nothing as he stood up and followed Harry out of the Great Hall.
“What’s wrong?” The older boy asked immediately, knowing from Harry’s expression that something wasn’t right. They’d gotten so close in the past year or so that they could read each other pretty easily, which the two took advantage of a lot.
“Something weird happened yesterday.” Harry said softly as the two sequestered themselves in one of the alcoves beside the hall. “I was in detention with Lockheart when I suddenly started hearing a voice…. I think it was in the walls or maybe an invisible creature or something. It was talking about ripping someone… killing them. I don’t know – it was just really scary. I asked Ron, but he didn’t tell me anything. Lockheart kept saying he hadn’t heard anything, but maybe he was lying? I don’t know…. Am I going crazy, Hades?”
“You’re not going crazy Hazza….” Hadrian said softly, putting his hands on Harry’s shoulders in comfort. “It could’ve been a creature or invisible ghost. It also could’ve been Peeves playing a trick on you. I’ll look into it, but hopefully it’s nothing. If it happens again, though, please let me know.”
“Of course. But it could’ve been a ghost, I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks for listening to me Hadrian. I’ve… never had someone believe in me so unconditionally. It’s… nice.” Harry smiled brightly, and Hadrian gave him a small smile in return.
“Of course, Harry! That’s what I’m here for. Know that I’ll always believe in you, no matter what.” The two shared a hug at that, and Harry couldn’t help feeling relieved to have someone like Hadrian in his life.
September 7th 1992
“Mister Malfoy and Miss Prince, please stay after class.” Professor Severus Snape said in a blank tone, and the two Ravenclaws shared a look before shooing Seraphina and Yolanda, who’d hesitated after hearing the man calling for their friends. It was a very well-known fact that Professor Snape wasn’t nice to anyone except Slytherin.
After the classroom had cleared, the duo stared at the man for a moment, waiting to see what he wanted. When he didn’t speak for a few more minutes, Valerian decided to take the opportunity to speak, knowing Wilhelmina always had a hard time talking to the Potions Master.
“Hello Godfather. How have you been?” Valerian said politely, staring at the man with a blank mask that hid some of the pain he felt towards Severus.
“Valerian…. I am so sorry I wasn’t able to see you this summer. Believe me, I wanted to, but I didn’t have any time at all, and your father informed me you were taking time to adjust.” That caused Wilhelmina to snort derisively.
“I found the time to go visit him. What could’ve been so important to stop you from visiting your Godson after he’d woken up from a two-year coma?!”
“You’re right. I should’ve never gotten busy and should’ve found the time to visit. Both of you, not just Valerian.”
“I’ve stopped waiting for you a long time ago, so don’t worry.” Mina said with a glare.
“Wilhelmina….” Severus sighed out, “I never seem to get this right, do I?”
“No,” Valerian said with a sarcastic smile, “you really don’t.”
“I really don’t….”
“It’s alright, Father.” Wilhelmina said mockingly, “You’ll always prioritize your work and Dumbledore over us.”
“I don’t-“
“Yes you do.” Valerian cut off, going to hide his God-sister as he saw how emotional she was getting. Wilhelmina had been taught a lot of things growing up, but her uncles had never wanted her to hide her emotions like they were always doing. Sherlock especially hadn’t wanted her to suffer like him. “You always come up with some sort of excuse relating to Dumbledore or Hogwarts that keeps you from seeing us, and quite honestly, we’re both sick of it. You’re a good guardian Uncle Severus, but you’re just never around to show us that side of you. If not for me, then do it for Willa. She deserves better.”
“Let’s just go Vallie.” Wilhelmina whispered to her God-brother, who gently ushered her out of the classroom, leaving the devastated man behind.
Wilhelmina might’ve been older than Valerian, but he’d always treated her like he treated Draco, like a protective older brother would. Hadrian, as the oldest, had taken all of them under his wing, but he wasn’t here now, so it was up to Valerian to calm his God-sister down. And he would.
September 19th 1992
“You were right!” That was the first thing Valerian heard after hours of silent studying in the library. It was immediately followed by Madam Pince’s strong shushing sound that could echo in the very large room. Looking up from his book on advanced Arithmancy, Valerian found himself face to face with an over-excited Hermione Granger.
He looked to his right to ask his God-sister about the words, but all Wilhelmina did was shrug and turn back to her own book, completely ignoring whatever was happening in front of her. He looked around for Marcus Ollivander, who’d been sitting with them, but apparently the boy had wandered off (which wasn’t particularly shocking, as Valerian had learned pretty quickly that Marcus was very prone to wandering and rather… whimsical thoughts).
“What was I right about? Also, hello Hermione, how’ve you been?”
“Sorry– yes – hi!” Hermione said loudly before plopping down in the seat beside him to continue the conversation. She wiggled around in her excitement, and Valerian couldn’t help smiling fondly at her. She’s very cute. “Anyway. After our conversation the first time we met here, I couldn’t help thinking about what you said about Lockheart. So I read his books all over again and tried making a timeline of events and connect them to similar ones that were reported in newspapers and you were right! He is a fake! I can’t believe I ever believed in him!”
After their first conversation, Valerian had quickly realised that what he felt for the brunette wasn’t just fascination or finding her cute in a childish sense, but was actually a full blown crush, which was very… bothersome. That realisation opened a floodgates of thoughts such as ‘I wonder what Hermione is doing now’ or the very frequent ‘should I go to the library? She might be there today.’ It was distracting, but Valerian tried his best to not let these feelings affect their… surprisingly common meetings.
“A lot of people do, you weren’t the only one who did. I’m just glad you’ve realised this sooner rather than later. Before you’d started getting attached and then feeling the disappointment of him being a big liar.” Valerian said calmly, but it seemed as though their conversation was pretty funny to someone there, because Wilhelmina suddenly burst out laughing.
“God! You two are so bloody nerdy together.” She cackled out, and while Hermione blushed in embarrassment, Valerian growled in annoyance.
“Says the girl who carries her computer around like she’s six years old with a teddy bear.”
“Touché. I must say, I like this new, prickly Valerian. You were never this… forward.”
“Yes well.” That had Valerian scratch his neck in an uncharacteristically sheepish manner. “That’s what years of isolation do to you, I suppose.”
Because Wilhelmina was right, even though she hadn’t known Valerian as long as Hadrian or Sebastian. He’d never been this… forceful or outspoken before, always preferring to stay quite and listen than express his opinion. But after years of being a ghost, watching and observing but never being able to interfere, it had become clear to him that he’d have to speak up if he wanted anyone to listen to him and actually take his thoughts into consideration.
“Yeah….” Wilhelmina breathed out, sharing a sad look with her God-brother.
Hermione was confused by the conversation, but didn’t want to interfere because it wasn’t her place.
“Anyway….” Valerian started after a bit of an awkward silence. “So what exactly did you find in this research, Hermione?”
That had the girl started, as she told the two third years about all she’d found and how she’d come to her conclusion.
The three talked for a pretty long time, getting sucked into different topics after closing the ones before. At one point, Wilhelmina had to leave for a study session with Sebastian, but the other two still continued their engaging conversation.
Hours later, they realised how late the time was and decided to leave for their dorms. Being the gentleman that he was raised to be, Valerian walked Hermione to Gryffindor tower. As they were saying their goodbyes, Valerian suddenly realised something.
“Oh, Hermione!”
“Yes?”
“Happy birthday!” He exclaimed with a bright smile, and Hermione couldn’t help blushing at his words and expression.
He was one of five people who’d wished her that at Hogwarts, and she was so happy to know he’d remembered, even though it she’d said it in passing in one of their conversations (though there wasn’t a lot of them).
“Thank you, Valerian.” The two shared a soft smile before going their separate ways, happy with how the day had gone.
October 31st 1992
THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.
Hadrian couldn’t believe what he was seeing, but he knew it was true.
“You!” Argus Filch, the school’s caretaker, screeched at Harry Potter. “You! You’ve murdered my cat! You’ve killed her! I’ll kill you! I’ll —”
“Argus!”
Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers. In seconds, he had swept past Harry, Ron, and Hermione and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket.
“Come with me, Argus,” He said to Filch. “You, too, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger.”
Lockhart stepped forward eagerly, always taking the opportunity to make the scene about him.
“My office is nearest, Headmaster — just upstairs — please feel free —”
“Thank you, Gilderoy,” Dumbledore interrupted graciously. Hadrian couldn’t help rolling his eyes a bit at the two over-dramatic men.
The silent crowd parted to let them pass. Lockhart, looking excited and self-important, hurried after Dumbledore; so did Professors McGonagall and Snape.
Hadrian found his friends standing beside and behind him; Seraphina taking his hand in hers in comfort.
“Potter will be okay, Haddie.”
“I hope so.” Hadrian squeezed her hand back in a silent thank you before letting it go and turning towards the gathered students.
“ALRIGHT! Slytherins, to the dungeons. NOW!” That had the Slytherin population scurry towards their dorms, knowing not to defy their king when he was speaking with authority.
“Ravenclaws! To your dorms as well.” Wilhelmina called out as she helped usher her fellow students to their rooms alongside the prefects, Seraphina and Yolanda doing the same to the Hufflepuffs.
“Come on Lions! Let’s go!” Justinian called out as he helped Percy Weasley, the Head Boy, lead everyone to the Gryffindor common room.
“But, what about Harry, Ron and Hermione?” Someone asked in the crowd, and Percy was quick to respond.
“We’ll know when they come back, but we can’t stay in the corridor. So for now, we will wait in the common room. Come on everyone.”
Everyone dispersed, but Hadrian, Sebastian and Valerian stayed back to talk for a moment.
“You think this is true?” Sebastian whispered in the empty corridor, staring at the bloody wall. Valerian, on the other hand, was surveying the scene, looking for clues as to what might’ve happened here.
“I believe so.” Hadrian said with a grave tone. “What I want to know now, though, is who the hell yelled out that sentence!”
The two boys knew exactly what Hadrian was talking about and shared a dark look. All three had grown up in blood supremacist families, but they were trying to break the cycle. Hadrian had already confronted his grandfather on the matter and was doing his best to lead the House of Black towards an era of equality. Sebastian, whose father is as stubborn and evil as they come, wasn’t planning to try to convince him of anything; he’d just wait until he was the Lord and then implement everything he’d come up with. Valerian, whose family was trying their best to make him as comfortable as could be after his coma, knew it would be hard, but that it was still possible to convince his family to ease off of their beliefs.
“I’m on it.” Sebastian said simply. “And I’ll even get Pucey to help.”
“Good.”
“Hadrian.” Valerian called out to get the boy’s attention. When he had it, he pointed to the floor in front of the blood-covered wall. “Is that a puddle of water?”
“Yes.” The three shared a thoughtful look before biding each other goodbye and going their separate ways; Hadrian and Sebastian to Slytherin and Valerian to Ravenclaw.
They had a feeling it would be a very long year, much longer than they’d first anticipated.