Chapter 36- The Trial
Hadrian stood before the Wizengamot, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. The verdict was about to be delivered, but there was an unexpected turn. One of the judges, a stern-looking wizard with graying hair and piercing eyes, raised his hand to speak.
"Before we proceed with the final verdict, it has been suggested that we examine the accused's memories. We must ascertain whether there is any truth to the claims of dark magic."
Hadrian's heart skipped a beat. His memories? He'd been careful to lock away the most damning ones, the ones involving the ritual, but he hadn't anticipated this. The presence of the demon was still within him, its influence muted but potent.
He cast a quick glance at Sirius, who looked worried, and Andromeda, who was frowning deeply. They hadn't expected this either. Dumbledore's gaze was unreadable, his eyes flicking between Hadrian and the judge.
"Very well," Dumbledore finally said, his voice grave. "Let us proceed with the examination of the memories."
A Pensieve was brought forth, its silver liquid swirling ominously. Hadrian felt a chill run down his spine as he was instructed to approach the device. The Wizengamot watched with bated breath, the tension in the room rising as Hadrian reluctantly reached out and placed his wand at his temple, extracting the selected memories.
As the silvery strands fell into the Pensieve, they began to coalesce into shapes and forms, the memories playing out before the entire chamber. The room dimmed, the only light now emanating from the Pensieve as Hadrian's memories were laid bare for all to see.
The memories began with Hadrian as a young boy, alone and frightened, abandoned by the Dursleys. The scene shifted to his time on the streets, where he was taken in by the gang of roughs and thugs.
The Wizengamot watched in silence as the memories unfolded—the harshness of his life, the moments of desperation, and the cold, uncaring world he had been forced to navigate.
Hadrian's face remained stoic, but his hands clenched at his sides. He could feel the judgment in their eyes, the pity, and the disdain. But he kept his mind locked down, focusing on the present, even as his past was put on display.
The memories continued, showing his time at Hogwarts, the bullying, and the moments of darkness where he had been pushed to the brink. The atmosphere in the chamber grew heavier with each passing moment, the weight of Hadrian's experiences pressing down on everyone present.
Then came the moment they had all been waiting for—the duels. The memories flickered to the night he had been practicing and then to his fights with the unknown man. The Wizengamot watched as Hadrian fought back, his magic raw and powerful, his eyes blazing with an intensity that left some of the judges shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
As the duels played out, the memories showed Hadrian's skill with magic, his cunning, and his willingness to use any means necessary to protect himself. The room was filled with the crackle of spells, the sharp intakes of breath, and the occasional murmur as the judges and spectators reacted to what they were seeing.
Hadrian could feel their eyes on him, judging him not just for what he had done, but for who he was. He kept his expression neutral, but inside, he was seething. They didn't understand—none of them did.
They saw a boy who had used dark magic, but they didn't see the pain, the fear, the desperation that had driven him to it.
The memories began to shift again, this time to the ritual—the moment when Hadrian had summoned the demon. The room fell deathly silent as the scene unfolded.
The memories showed Hadrian, alone in the dark, surrounded by the arcane symbols and runes he had painstakingly drawn. His voice, young and trembling, echoed through the chamber as he chanted the ancient words, summoning the dark entity that would change his life forever.
The demon appeared in the memories, its presence filling the chamber with an overwhelming sense of dread. The judges recoiled, some gasping in horror, others gripping the arms of their chairs as the memories played out. They watched as Hadrian made the pact, as the demon merged with him, its dark power seeping into his very soul.
Hadrian kept his eyes downcast, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the demon stirring within him, its presence a dark shadow that had never truly left. The memories were raw, unfiltered, and he knew that there was no turning back now. They had seen everything. Bloody Hell! What would happen now? Would they see his darkest moments?
But then, something unexpected happened. As the memories reached their climax, showing the full extent of the ritual and the merging with the demon, the images suddenly distorted. The scene shifted, flickered, and then... nothing.
A void.
The memory was blank, empty, a dark void that swallowed everything around it. The Wizengamot watched in confusion, the silence in the room growing heavier by the second. Even Dumbledore's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.Hadrian's breath caught in his throat. He knew what this was—his mind castle. The void was the barrier he had constructed, a fortress within his mind that protected his deepest, darkest secrets.
Not even the demon could breach it.
The room remained silent as the void persisted, the memories refusing to yield any more information. The judges shifted uneasily, their expressions ranging from confusion to frustration. Some of them began to whisper among themselves, but the void remained, impenetrable.
Then, Hadrian noticed something out of the corner of his eye. A figure, seated in the shadows of the chamber, was watching the void with intense interest. The man was dressed in the dark robes of an Unspeakable, his face partially obscured by a hood. But Hadrian could see the tension in his posture, the way his hands gripped the edge of his seat as he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the void.
The Head Unspeakable.
Hadrian's heart raced as he realized that the man was no ordinary wizard. The Head Unspeakable was one of the most powerful and secretive figures in the magical world, responsible for studying the deepest, darkest, and most forbidden magics. His presence here was no accident.
The void lingered for a moment longer before the memories abruptly ended, the Pensieve's light fading as the room was plunged back into the dim light of the chamber. The judges were left in stunned silence, their expressions ranging from awe to suspicion.
Dumbledore was the first to speak, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of concern. "It seems that there is more to this than we initially thought. The memories... they are incomplete."
James Potter, who had been watching in growing agitation, stood up abruptly, his face twisted in anger. "Incomplete? That boy is dabbling in dark magic! You all saw it! He's dangerous!"
Hadrian's eyes flicked to James, his father's accusations cutting deep, but he remained silent. His gaze then shifted to Dumbledore, who was watching him closely, his expression thoughtful."There is no denying that Hadrian has delved into dangerous magics," Dumbledore said slowly, his eyes never leaving Hadrian's.
"But the void in the memories suggests that there is something more—something hidden."
James sneered, his hands clenching into fists. "Something more? He's hiding the truth! He's corrupted by dark magic, and now he's trying to deceive us!"
Hadrian's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the reactions of the judges, the spectators, and finally, the Head Unspeakable, who was still watching him intently.
The Head Unspeakable's gaze met Hadrian's, and for a brief moment, something passed between them—a silent understanding. Hadrian felt a chill run down his spine, but he didn't look away. The man's eyes were dark, calculating, but there was a flicker of something else—something that made Hadrian's stomach twist in uncertainty.
Dumbledore's voice cut through the tension. "This matter is not yet concluded. We will deliberate further before delivering the final verdict. Hadrian, you are dismissed for now."Hadrian nodded, his face expressionless as he turned and left the chamber, Sirius and Andromeda following closely behind.
The whispers and murmurs of the Wizengamot members filled the air as they made their way out, but Hadrian's mind was elsewhere.
As they exited the chamber, the cold air of the corridor hit them, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere inside. Sirius placed a hand on Hadrian's shoulder, his expression a mix of pride and concern. "You did well in there, Hadrian. Don't let them get to you."Andromeda nodded in agreement, her eyes softening as she looked at Hadrian. "You've been through so much. Just know that we're here for you, no matter what."
Hadrian gave them both a small, grateful smile, but before he could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows of the corridor.
The Head Unspeakable.
Sirius and Andromeda tensed immediately, their wands subtly shifting in their robes. But the Head Unspeakable raised a hand in a gesture of peace, his expression calm but serious."Hadrian Potter," he said, his voice low and measured. "I would like to have a word with you."Hadrian's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to remain calm. He nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man before him.
The Head Unspeakable was tall, with sharp features and eyes that seemed to pierce through the very soul. He radiated an aura of power and authority, and Hadrian could feel the weight of his gaze.
Sirius stepped forward, his tone guarded. "What do you want with Hadrian?"The Head Unspeakable's eyes flicked to Sirius, his expression unreadable. "This is a matter that concerns Hadrian alone. I assure you, I mean him no harm."
Andromeda frowned, her gaze shifting between Hadrian and the Head Unspeakable. "Why should we trust you?"
The Head Unspeakable's lips twitched into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Trust is earned, not given. But I believe Hadrian will understand that my intentions are genuine."
Hadrian hesitated, but then he nodded to Sirius and Andromeda. "It's okay. I'll hear him out. "Sirius looked ready to protest, but Andromeda placed a hand on his arm, her expression cautious but understanding. "We'll be right here, Hadrian."
Hadrian nodded in gratitude, then turned to the Head Unspeakable. "What do you want to talk about?"
The Head Unspeakable gestured for Hadrian to follow him, leading him a short distance away from Sirius and Andromeda, but still within sight. Once they were alone, the Head Unspeakable turned to face Hadrian, his expression serious.
"Your feat of performing the ritual was... impressive," the Head Unspeakable began, his voice low and even. "Few wizards your age—or any age, for that matter—could have achieved what you did."
Hadrian's eyes narrowed, his guard up. "What are you getting at?" The Head Unspeakable's gaze softened slightly, a hint of something almost like sympathy in his eyes. "I'm not here to condemn you, Hadrian. In fact, I understand why you did what you did. The pain, the suffering... it's enough to drive anyone to desperate measures."
Hadrian's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond, waiting for the man to continue.
The Head Unspeakable's voice dropped even lower, almost a whisper.
"Daemonus Magni Nex. The demon you summoned. You may not fully understand what you've done, but I do. It's a powerful, ancient magic—one that comes at a great cost."
Hadrian's heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. "And what's that cost?"
The Head Unspeakable's eyes darkened, a shadow passing over his face.
"Your soul, Hadrian. You've bound a part of your soul to that demon. It's a dangerous thing, and it will change you, in ways you may not yet realize."
His soul. Hadrian had bound his soul to the demon. The last person to do so was Grindelwald. Even Voldemort did not dare meddle with Soul Magicks. At least not any that the public knew of.
Hadrian felt a chill run down his spine, soul magic was not to be dabbled in lightly. But even as he processed the implications, he kept his expression neutral. "Why are you telling me this?"
The Head Unspeakable hesitated for a moment, then reached into his robes and pulled out a small, intricately carved object. It was a dark stone, smooth and cold to the touch, with strange runes etched into its surface.
"This," the Head Unspeakable said, holding the stone out to Hadrian, "is a communication device. It will allow you to contact me directly, should you need to. Owls cannot reach us, and normal means of communication are useless. This is the only way."
Hadrian stared at the stone, his mind racing. "Why would I need to contact you?"
The Head Unspeakable's gaze bore into Hadrian's, his expression serious. "Because, Hadrian, I'm offering you an opportunity. An opportunity to study the deepest, darkest, and most abstract magics known to our world.
Magic that few have ever even glimpsed, let alone understood."
Hadrian's breath caught in his throat. He had always been drawn to the unknown, to the mysteries of magic that others feared. But this... this was something else entirely. He couldn't believe that the Unspeakables were offering him a chance to learn about magic.
Sure, he didn't know much about magic nor magical professions, but from what he had heard about Unspeakables, they were a pretty big deal. Feared, respected, and most of all... secretive. Even the Ministry couldn't control them. They were their own department. Independent...and dangerous.
"Why me?" Hadrian asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The Head Unspeakable's lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Because you have already taken the first step, whether you realize it or not. The ritual, the demon—it's only the beginning. There is so much more to learn, so much more to discover. "Hadrian's mind whirled with possibilities, but he forced himself to remain cautious. "And what's in it for you?"
The Head Unspeakable's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. "Knowledge, Hadrian. Knowledge is the most powerful force in our world. And you... you have the potential to unlock secrets that have been buried for centuries."
Hadrian stared at the stone in the Head Unspeakable's hand, his mind racing. This was a dangerous path, one that could lead to unimaginable power—or destruction. But the pull of the unknown, the allure of the arcane magic, was almost irresistible.
After a long moment, Hadrian reached out and took the stone, his fingers brushing against the cool surface. The Head Unspeakable's eyes flickered with approval, but he said nothing.Hadrian's voice was steady as he spoke. "I'll think about it."
The Head Unspeakable nodded, his expression unreadable. "That's all I ask. But remember, Hadrian—this is a path few dare to tread. Be sure you're ready before you take the next step."Hadrian nodded slowly, his mind still reeling from the conversation. The Head Unspeakable turned and began to walk away, but then he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"One more thing," he said, his voice soft. "The void in your memories... it's a sign of something much deeper. A mind castle, perhaps? I'd be very interested in learning more about that. "Hadrian stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "Why?"
The Head Unspeakable's smile returned, this time with a hint of genuine curiosity. "Because, Hadrian, a mind like yours is rare. Very rare indeed."
With that, the Head Unspeakable turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the corridor. Hadrian watched him go, his mind spinning with questions and doubts. The stone in his hand felt heavy, its weight a reminder of the offer that had been made.
Sirius and Andromeda approached, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. "What did he say?" Sirius asked, his tone guarded. Hadrian hesitated for a moment, then slipped the stone into his pocket. "Just... offered me an opportunity. Nothing to worry about."
Andromeda frowned, but didn't press the issue. "Let's get out of here. You need some rest."Hadrian nodded, though his mind was far from resting. As they made their way out of the Ministry, his thoughts kept drifting back to the Head Unspeakable's words, to the dark magic he had been offered, and to the mysterious void in his memories.
He had a feeling that this was only the beginning—and that whatever path he chose, it would lead to places he could barely imagine.
Back at Grimmauld Place, the tension that had been hanging over them finally began to lift. Sirius, Andromeda, and Hadrian sat around the table in the kitchen, a bottle of firewhisky between them. The house was quiet, the only sound the crackling of the fire in the hearth.
Sirius poured them each a glass, his eyes twinkling with a mix of relief and mischief. "Well, we survived. And you, Hadrian, are one hell of a wizard."
Hadrian smirked, though his thoughts were still lingering on the events at the Ministry. "I wouldn't go that far."
Andromeda raised her glass, her expression softening as she looked at Hadrian. "You've been through so much, Hadrian. But you're strong—you'll get through this too."
Hadrian's smile was genuine this time as he raised his glass in a toast. "To surviving."They clinked glasses, the firewhisky burning warm and smooth as they drank. For a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and hope.
But even as they laughed and talked, Hadrian's mind kept drifting back to the Head Unspeakable's offer, to the dark magic that had been dangled before him. He knew that this was a turning point, a moment that would define his future.
And as he sat there, surrounded by those who cared for him, Hadrian made a silent vow. Whatever path he chose, he would do it on his own terms. He would not be a pawn in someone else's game.
He would forge his own destiny.
The fire crackled softly in the hearth as Hadrian leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant. Sirius and Andromeda were talking, their voices a comforting murmur in the background. But Hadrian's mind was elsewhere, lost in the maze of possibilities that lay before him.He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the cool surface of the stone the Head Unspeakable had given him. The weight of it was a reminder of the choices he had to make, the paths he had yet to walk.
As he sat there, staring into the flames, Hadrian felt a strange sense of calm settle over him. The future was uncertain, the dangers were real, but he was ready. He had faced darkness before, and he had survived. He would do it again.
And as the night wore on, Hadrian's thoughts slowly drifted to the people who had stood by him—Sirius, Andromeda, Daphne, Tonks. They were his anchor, his reason for fighting, for surviving. And he knew that whatever came next, he would not face it alone.
The fire crackled, the warmth of the room a stark contrast to the cold, dark thoughts that had plagued him earlier. And as the first light of dawn began to filter through the windows, Hadrian felt a new resolve settle in his heart.
He would find a way through this. He would protect those he cared about. And he would uncover the truth, no matter where it led him.
The road ahead was long and treacherous, but Hadrian Potter was ready.
The future was his to shape.