Chapter 17- The Hogwarts Express
Hadrian Potter stood on Platform 9¾, staring at the scarlet train before him. The platform buzzed with the chatter of families, the squeals of excited children, and the calls of vendors selling sweets and newspapers. Parents hugged their children, imparting last-minute advice, while younger siblings watched enviously, longing for the day when they too could board the Hogwarts Express.
Hadrian, however, was alone. Sirius could not make it, and Tonks had taken ill, so she would reach Hogwarts later.
He observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and a dull ache in his chest. He watched as a small girl with pigtails clung to her mother's robes, refusing to let go. Another boy, younger than him, was lifted into a warm embrace by his father, who ruffled his hair before sending him off with a smile. The sight made Hadrian's stomach twist, a painful reminder of what he never had.
He swallowed hard and shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. He didn't have time to dwell on the past. With a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and boarded the train, his heart pounding in his chest. The corridor was narrow and filled with students looking for a compartment. Hadrian slipped through the crowd with ease, his body automatically adopting the stealthy movements he had learned during his years with the gang.
He found an empty compartment near the back and quickly stowed his trunk, sinking into the seat by the window. The noise of the platform was muted here, the glass providing a barrier between him and the outside world. He watched as the last few students boarded, the steam from the train billowing around them.
Suddenly, there was a loud commotion outside. Hadrian's head snapped towards the source, his senses on high alert. Through the window, he saw a large group of people gathered around a boy who was laughing loudly, his voice carrying over the crowd.Julian Potter.
Hadrian's breath hitched in his throat as he recognized his younger brother. Julian was surrounded by a group of admirers, his messy hair and round glasses giving him an innocent, boyish charm. But there was something else, something that made Hadrian's stomach churn with unease. Julian's posture was arrogant, his head held high as if he owned the world. He basked in the attention, his laughter loud and unrestrained.
The difference between them couldn't have been more stark. Where Julian was light and carefree, Hadrian was dark and brooding. Where Julian was the Boy Who Lived, celebrated and adored, Hadrian was the forgotten son, left to fend for himself in a world that had shown him no kindness.
Wait a minute, why was Julian over here, he was nine? Hadrian was completely baffled, until he got to know from someone in the crowd that it was a yearly tradition. Young 'Jules', as they referred to him came to the station every year to wave goodbye to the First Years and sold his signed photographs to few lucky students at very expensive rates, a hundred and fifty galleons for one picture. Hadrian was amazed at how childish people were. They bought useless pictures worth a hundred and fifty galleons and then complained about their poverty. He was shocked at the fact that a nine year old even had a signature. He came back to his senses.
Hadrian's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. He watched as their parents, James and Lily Potter, fussed over Julian, their faces lit with pride and joy. Her eyes sparkling with love, while James clapped his son on the back, laughing at something Julian said.
Hadrian felt a lump form in his throat, the familiar sting of tears threatening to overwhelm him. He tore his gaze away, unable to watch any longer. His vision blurred as he blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears. He wasn't going to cry. Not here. Not now.He needed to get away.
Some-part of Hadrian still craved for her love, and a deprived part of Hadrian hated him for it.
Without thinking, Hadrian bolted from his seat and rushed out of the compartment. He didn't know where he was going, only that he had to escape. The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly before him as he ran, the faces of students blurring into a sea of colors. He pushed past them, not caring if they stared or whispered behind his back.
He didn't stop until he reached the end of the train. His breath came in ragged gasps as he leaned against the wall, his heart pounding in his ears. He closed his eyes, trying to steady himself, but the image of his parents and Julian was seared into his mind.
What had he done to deserve this? Why was he the one left behind, forgotten and unloved? The train lurched forward, and Hadrian stumbled, his eyes snapping open. He was moving again, but this time, he had no destination. He didn't care where he ended up, as long as it was far away from the painful memories that haunted him.
As he wandered through the train, he stumbled upon a compartment where a group of students was seated. They looked up as he entered, their eyes narrowing with curiosity. Hadrian hesitated for a moment, but then he steeled himself and slid the door open.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.A blonde-haired girl with icy blue eyes glanced at him, her expression unreadable. She seemed to study him for a moment, her gaze sharp and assessing, before she gave a slight nod. "Go ahead."
Hadrian took the seat across from her, his eyes meeting hers for a brief second before he looked away. There was something about her gaze that made him feel exposed, as if she could see right through him.
The other occupants of the compartment included a dark-haired boy who was reading a book, and another boy who was nervously fidgeting with his robes. The dark-haired boy barely glanced up at Hadrian, his focus entirely on the book in his hands. The fidgety boy, however, couldn't seem to stop glancing at Hadrian, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Hadrian remained silent, not trusting himself to speak. His mind was still reeling from the encounter with his family, and he wasn't in the mood for conversation. He leaned back in his seat and stared out the window, watching as the scenery blurred past.
But he couldn't ignore the subtle tension in the compartment. The blonde girl kept stealing glances at him, her eyes narrowing slightly every time he shifted in his seat. The dark-haired boy continued to read, but there was a slight crease between his brows, as if he was aware of the new presence but didn't want to acknowledge it. The fidgety boy kept glancing between Hadrian and the others, his hands twisting in his lap.
After what felt like an eternity, the blonde girl finally spoke. "You're Hadrian Potter, aren't you?"Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of something else—curiosity, perhaps, or maybe something deeper. Hadrian turned to face her, his expression carefully neutral. "Yes," he replied, his tone clipped.
The girl nodded, as if she had expected that answer. "I'm Daphne Greengrass," she said, her voice cool and composed. "And this is Theodore Nott," she gestured to the dark-haired boy, who finally looked up from his book. "And that's Neville Longbottom," she added, nodding towards the fidgety boy.
Hadrian gave a curt nod in response, his mind still elsewhere. The names meant little to him, but he made a mental note to remember them. There was something about this group that intrigued him, something that set them apart from the others he had seen on the train."So, you're the brother of the Boy Who Lived," Theodore said, his voice laced with curiosity. "But you don't look like him."
Hadrian's jaw tightened at the mention of Julian. "No, I don't," he said, his voice edged with bitterness.
Theodore's eyes flickered with something—interest, perhaps, or maybe understanding. He didn't press further, though, and returned to his book, leaving Hadrian to his thoughts.The rest of the train ride was spent in silence, with only the occasional comment from Daphne or Theodore breaking the tension. Hadrian remained mostly quiet, his mind churning with thoughts of his family and the life he had been denied.
As the train neared Hogwarts, Hadrian felt a mixture of anticipation and dread. This was the start of a new chapter in his life, but it was also a reminder of everything he had lost. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was an outsider, a shadow in the midst of the light.
As the train pulled into the station, Hadrian caught his first glimpse of the castle. It loomed in the distance, its towers piercing the darkening sky. A shiver ran down his spine as he stared at it, a strange mix of awe and fear settling in his chest.
He was here. He was finally at Hogwarts.But as the train came to a stop and the students began to disembark, Hadrian couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. There was a storm brewing on the horizon, and he was standing right in the middle of it.The castle, with all its secrets and shadows, awaited him.