Chapter Two
Hadrial was, quite frankly, absolutely fucking flabbergasted. Never in a million years did he ever expect his aunt, Petunia Dursley– Petunia Dunn– or was it Malfoy since Harry figured they would absolutely have primacy in this relationship- to be sympathetic to his life let alone love his mother and have a wixen son. Hadrial’s mind was whirling, but h knew he had to get to the important facts first.
“What happened to Dudley, er Didrius?” Hadrial asked, referring to his cousin’s given name.
“His magic as blocked by Dubledore. As he did not have enough innate power to overcome the block placed upon him, he has lived most of his life as a squib,” His aunt answered succinctly.
“And Valerian? He never remembered anything of his past life? His family?” Hadrial demanded, finding it hard to excuse the rampant abuse he faced at his uncle’s hands.
“There were times when your uncle broke the enchantment placed upon him. They were often preceded by impressive displays of your own accidental magic, such as banishing the glass at the zoo, blowing up Marg, and apparating to the school’s roof. Each time Dumbledore showed up to lock away the memories,” Petunia was bitter as she spoke. “Not only that, but as I am sure you can recount, he would grow more violent in the weeks after each event. His violence was not only aimed at you, Hadrial. It seems that the enchantment he used on your father was recycled to my husband as well,” Hadrial had to swallow down his apology, and Petunia knew it.
“No, silly boy, I do not want your apology. I wish to apologize to you. Your mother an I thought we had outsmarted Dumbledore, but the old crackpot did not take chances. He covered as many bases with you as he could. I did my best to shield you when I could, knowing the old fool was watching the whole time. I did my best to keep you fed and watered, commanding the Potter elves to feed you when they could slip away from Dumbledore’s watchful gaze, allowing th Black elf, Kreacher, to heal you as a child in your cupboard when we were supposed to be asleep, and convincing the Malfoy elf Dobby to keep an eye on you at Hogwarts.
“I may have never been able to show it, Hdrial, but I have loved you from the moment I knew of your existence. It was I who paid half the cost of that ridiculous toy broom for your first birthday, I that kissed your brow upon your birth. I did my best to keep you hidden from those that seeked you out in your early years, and did my best to protect you from Vernon’s discipline. Please, Hadrial, please trust me,” his aunt pleaded with him.
Hadrial watched as her aura glowed gold, a phenomena that he knew instinctively to mean she was being honest. Between her gut wrenching admissions and Hadrial’s own experiences with the headmaster, he found that many of her overarching points fit what he already knew about the bearded man.
“You said that you and my mother had to do research to figure out what she was. What was she?” Hadrial asked, almost afraid to hear her answer when he saw how his aunt swallowed hard at the question.
“Hadrial, it is not that I do not want to answer your question, it is simply a matter of the fact that I cannot answer it. While your mother gave me this amulet to protect me from others’ magic, it does not protect me from her own. I consented wholeheartedly to this block in my ability to tell you what you are, though as a means to protect that information from others’ attacks. Never did we think it would truly have to be me that would need to be the one informing you of your ancestry, yet here we are. There are only two that will be able to tell you. Each a godfather, one chosen by each of your parents as is the wixen way. Each knew of the true ancestry of your parents, though not of the other arent as your mother and father were sworn to silence accordingly,” Petunia explained. Harry was only shocked to hear that he had two godfathers.
“Aunt Petunia,” Hadrial almost begged, “There are so many questions I have. I know that Dumbledore is not that man he presents himself as, but how is all of that–” Hadrial breaks off at his aunt’s sharp look.
“Hadrial, please listen. You are in true danger. If you could see yourself you would perhaps understand, but we do not have time for that. Please, you need to leave before the Order comes, I know they are on their way, it will only be minutes before they breach the wards,” As she spoke a loud bang came from downstairs that had both staring in shock and fear. To each of their relief it was only Dudley returning from a day of bullying neighborhood kids.
“You must take this,” She shook the totem on her neck at Hadrial. “It will take you to safety, directly to safety. It will be able to help you, this I swear. It might be confusing at first, but I promise once you explain to them who you are, they will understand. It is likely that they are under compulsion to forget who you are to them, but once you explain to them they will remember. Lilith promised me such, as she placed the remembrance enchantments on them long before an obliviate could reach them,” Petunia pulled the Lily medallion off her neck and handed it to Hadrial as loud steps echoed up the stairs. Dudley was approaching.
“But what about you?” Hadrial asked, desperation clouded his voice, reminded suddenly of the random bandages, glasses of water, and sandwiches that would appear in his cupboard almost like magic. He realized that his aunt must have been behind them, and he was suddenly struck ith how lonely her life must have been. It was stolen from her just as much as Hadrial’s own, if not more. Her husband turned into an abusive asshole and son into a squib dickhead.
“Your need is greater than mine, dear. Please, I owe you this. I promised to take care of you and I failed. Yes I did the best I could, but still I failed. Please Hadrial, go to safety before Dumbledore knows you came into your inheritance. Please, Hadrial, Lilith would be begging for you to do so,” the desperation in her eyes proved the point to Hadrial. In response he pushed himself to his feet, finally coming to the realization that somehow he had wings shooting out of his back. In the greatest effort of will he ever had, Hadrial chose to ignore the black shapes shooting out of his back in favor of focusing on the present.
“I will take the amulet, Aunt Petunia, but I will also take Didius and I will return for you and uncle as soon as I can. I know that you have been facing incredible odds and I thank you for putting up such a fight. I will not forget all that you have given up for me, I promise you,” Hadrial said solemnly. Petunia’s eyes shined even brighter.
“Hasrial, thank you, please help my son. He will remember his childhood with your help, I know it. It will be hard at first, but even he has had moments of clarity over the years. Please don’t let them keep his birthright from him,” His aunt sobbed harder. “This portkey will take you to your godmother’s home, a safe place for you as you and Didius have long since been keyed into its wards. Please Hadrial, keep my son safe,” Petunia begged as she pushed the amulet to Hadrian’s hands.
“I will, aunt Petunia,” Hadrial vowed despite the reservations about his cousin. He knew that what his aunt spoke was true. The Dursleys were under strict compulsions by Dumbledore’s hand, and Hadrial could relate to that. “How do I activate the portkey?” his aunt didn’t reply until it was out of contact with her person.
“Speak ‘spring dawns again’ and it will lead you to safety. Now go, Hadrial, I will do my best to keep them off your trail until I too am obliviated of my recent memories.” HAdrial nodded sharply and made to move towards Didius who was making his way up the stairs, before his aunt grabbed him. “I love Hadrial, and I have since the moment I first knew of your existence. I am sorry for all that you had to endure here,” She whispered before releasing his arm and pushing him in the direction of the door. He had no words to say in reply to that. He did not love her, no matter what her confession revealed. Perhaps someday he would, but not yet.
As HAdrila moved towards the stairs, the tell-tale cracks of apparition could be heard just outside the front door. With a split second decision, Harry flicked his hand out in a parody of the accio charm and summoned all of his belongings to his person as he rushed to the stairs. His wand was still tucked in his bloodied pajama pants, but now his trunk and hidden belongings zoomed into his pockets os they would also come with his person through the portkey.
A wide eyed Dudley– Didius– greeted him on the stairs as he took in Hadrial’s appearance. “Sorry Dids, but this is going to be a hell of a lot easier,” Hadrial said before sending a blast of magic at his cousin. The other teen’s eyes widened before flicking shut. His whole body seemed to shut off as he began his fall towards the stairs. With the reflexes of a seeker and the strength of that which was still unknown to him, Hadrial caught his cousin and activated the portkey.