Secrets Revealed
Hadrian’s POV -
After Hadrian and Marvolo dueled, they changed into more presentable robes before meeting in the living room of Malfoy Manor.
“Marvolo, Hadrian,” Lucius greeted them from a seat in the room, briefly looking up from his book.
“Lucius,” Marvolo replied. “Hadrian, if you would be so kind as to floo Severus.” Hadrian nodded and went to the fireplace. Lucius shot the duo a questioning look.
“Severus Snape’s Office, Hogwarts,” Hadrian called into the fireplace. It took a few minutes before Severus’ Face appeared in the floo.
“Yes Hadrian, do you need something?” Severus asked.
“Could you come over to the Manor for a few minutes?” Hadrian asked. Severus had a questioning look on his face.
“And why not here?” He asked.
“Because it would be a shame if we were interrupted or eavesdropped upon,” Hadrian replied. Severus stepped out of the frame for a second. A few moments later, he was back. Probably making sure his potion would be fine when he left.
“Hadrian, take a step back. I’m coming through to your side,” Severus instructed. Hadrian nodded and did as told. Severus came out of the floo a moment later and looked around. He saw Lucius and Marvolo. But based on his subtle look of confusion, he didn’t recognize Marvolo.
“Severus, why don’t you take a seat?” Lucius said. Severus looked at Marvolo warily and took a seat.
“What is it you wished to discuss?” Severus asked.
“About your loyalty to Dumbledore and the Dark, or lack thereof,” Marvolo replied.
“What are you talking about?” Severus asked, playing confused.
“We were aware of your true loyalties quite some time ago and would like to discuss it with you,” Marvolo replied. Severus immediately shot Hadrian a look, Hadrian presumed, of betrayal.
“And you are?” Severus asked.
“Lord Marvolo Marcus Slytherin, Lord of the Imperial and Noble House of Emerys,” He answered. Severus looked unfazed.
“Severus, I am loyal to the dark,” Hadrian stated plainly. Severus immediately shot him a look.
“How? They killed your parents?” Severus asked, surprised.
“Did they though?” Hadrian replied.
“What do you mean?” Severus asked.
“Dumbledore figured out who the prophecy would pertain to first, so he had more than enough time to get an acceptable amount of protection for both my family and the Longbottoms. But instead, he just put them under a fidelius. On top of that, they weren’t even the secret keepers of said fidelius. Moreover, they had access to Potter Manor. A very old manor with a lot of magical protection. But instead, they chose to stay at a house under the protection of a fidelius. Can you honestly say that Dumbledore didn’t have a hand in at least increasing the possibility of them dying? He may not have been the one to cast the spell, but he is someone who made it easier to do so,” Hadrian explained. Severus took a moment to consider what Hadrian just said before nodding.
“So, you decided to join the dark because?” Severus questioned.
“I was convinced,” Hadrian said. Severus shot him a questioning look. “Your preference for the dark side over the light may have slightly influenced my decision. But even if you didn’t prefer the dark, I still would have joined them for several reasons, mainly that I agree with their ideals.” Severus nodded.
“So Severus, what do you say to rejoining the dark?” Lucius asked.
“I would be happy to,” He replied. Marvolo smiled.
“In that case, you wouldn’t go running to Dumbledore if you found out that I am Voldemort, would you?” Marvolo asked. Severus did a double take and stared at Marvolo. He then shot a questioning look at Hadrian.
“I may have something to do with it,” Hadrian said quietly. Severus sighed.
“No, my lord, I would not,” Severus replied.
“When we are in private, please call me Marvolo,” Marvolo said. Severus nodded.
“Of course Marvolo,” He said.
“In that case, unless there is anything else to discuss?” Lucius asked.
“I do have something I would like to mention,” Hadrian started. Lucius, Marvolo, and Severus all nodded to him. “I thought I would bring up that I, how do I put this, am in control of a fourth of all the seats of the Wizengamot.”
Lucius, Marvolo, and Severus stared at him.
“I’m sorry what?” Marvolo asked.
“How?” Lucius asked.
“I’m a descendant of all the founders of Hogwarts,” Hadrian replied.
“But that's only 40% of the seats you have,” Severus commented. Hadrian nodded.
“I mean, this means that you either have over a dozen titles or are the… you are aren’t you?” Lucius asked. Hadrian smiled and nodded.
“Are what?” Severus asked.
“The…” Marvolo started before sighing. “You’re the heir to the throne aren’t you?” Hadrian nodded. Marvolo sighed.
“Sounds about right, but how?” Severus asked.
“Not sure,” Hadrian replied.
“So, what are you going to do with the seats?” Lucius asked.
“Keep them dormant for now. I would like to keep this card close to my chest,” Hadrian responded. Marvolo and Lucius nodded in understanding.
“Anything else we should know about?” Lucius asked. Severus, Hadrian, and Marvolo all shook their heads.
“In that case, let's get this over with, I have to grade my papers and you have homework,” Severus said. Severus and Hadrian flooed to Hogwarts and Hadrian left the office.
~Few weeks later~
Hadrian and the Slytherin first years walked out of a classroom.
“Man, that test was so easy!” Blaise exclaimed.
“I agree, I thought the end-of-the-year tests were supposed to be hard,” Pansy added. The other Slytherins agreed with her.
“It's almost a shame that summer vacation starts after tomorrow. I’ll miss Hogwarts, but I can’t wait to spend time with my parents,” Millicent said.
“Yeah, I can’t wait to go back home and catch up with my sister. I promised to tell her everything,” Daphne commented. All the other Slytherins agreed.
~The next day at the Leaving Feast~
Hadrian and the other Slytherins were eating.
“Anyone else notice that the Gryffindork Trio didn’t bother us at all today despite not having classes?” Pansy asked.
“Well, they might have been busy packing. We also stayed in the Slytherin area,” Blaise said.
“But they always annoy us whenever they can,” Pansy replied.
“It’s strange, but they must have a life outside of bothering us, right?” Hadrian said. The others nodded.
“Oh, Hadrian. Don’t forget the speech you have to make at the end of the year,” Draco said.
“Right. That thing.” Hadrian sighed. Eventually, dinner ended and Dumbledore stood up to announce the winner of the house cup.
“In fourth place, with 201 points, Gryffindor,” Dumbledore said, sounding sad. The Slytherins snickered. Some of the Gryffindors glared at a familiar trio. “In third place, with 300 points, Hufflepuff.” The Puffs were cheering and hugging each other. The other three tables were clapping as well. “In second place, with 332 points, Ravenclaw.” The ravens cheered and the other tables clapped with them. “And in first place, with 447 points, Slytherin,” Dumbledore announced, sounding slightly angry and annoyed. The Slytherins cheered while somehow keeping their pureblood masks in place. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables cheered along with them. The banners above the tables changed to a green background with a silver snake instead of the normal Hogwarts crest with a purple background.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and drew attention back to him. “That being said, with current events taken into account. 40 points will be given to Gryffindor because Mr. Longbottom has proven himself a true Gryffindor. Standing up to friends takes much more courage than standing up to enemies. 70 points will be given to Ms. Hermione Granger, Mr. Ronald Weasley, and Mr. Seamus Finnigan, for their courageous act to protect the school. And that brings Gryffindor to 451 points, which makes them take the house cup.” The cheers of the Gryffindors were deafening. The Ravens, Snakes, and most of the Puffs were glaring at the Gryffindors.
Hadrian took a breath and used his status as heir of Hogwarts to stop the points from being registered and thus keep the numbers the same. Was this cheating? No. Why not? Because they technically broke the rules, because Hadrian would bet his vaults that they went to the third-floor corridor, which you weren’t allowed to do. Hogwarts agreed because Gryffindor lost a bunch of points, and ended on -9 points for Gryffindor. Ouch. Slytherin also gained 53 points, making them have 500.
Hadrian pointed the points out to Draco, who did the same to the person next to him. Eventually, everyone but the oblivious Gryffindors was staring at the points. The Gryffindors eventually stopped cheering to look at what everyone was looking at. Dumbledore looked and saw the difference.
“I believe I said, 70 points TO Gryffindor, not 70 points from Gryffindor,” Dumbledore said with a nervous smile. The points didn’t budge.
Severus stood up. “I believe this means that Slytherin still wins the house cup.” Dumbledore sighed before he sat down.
The Slytherins assembled in the common room after that. Hadrian stood in the front. “I suppose this is the end of a wonderful year. We won the House Cup again and pissed off/embarrassed Dumbledore which is a nice bonus.” Several of the Slytherins chuckled. “To our Seventh years, we wish you all the best and hope to see you again soon. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer, and I hope to see you soon.”
The Slytherins clapped for some reason. Probably because that is the nice thing to do. Even after a horrendous speech.
~The next day~
Hadrian and the rest of the Slytherins were on the Hogwarts Express on their way home. Somehow, all the first-year Slytherins fit in one compartment. Hadrian warded it against unwanted people.
“So, what did you want to tell us?” Draco asked.
“I want to put you under a secrecy spell. No, it’s not because I don’t trust you so stop glaring at me. It’s because I don’t want Dumbledore reading your minds,” Hadrian explained. The Slytherins nodded guilty. “*Secreta non amplius revelabitur*. Now that that’s done, I may or may not be theheirtoHogwartsandPendragon,” Hadrian rushed out.
“Wait what?” Blaise asked.
“He said he was the heir to Hogwarts and something,” Tracy said.
“Pendragon. He’s a PRINCE!” Pansy yelled. The other Slytherins gulped.
“You’re a prince?” Draco asked. “Does my dad know? Or Lord Slytherin?”
“I told both of them a week ago, after the Wizengamot meeting,” Hadrian replied.
“The secrecy spell makes so much sense now,” Blaise muttered.
“Wait, why are you telling us?” Daphne asked.
“Because you are my friends. I know you would never willingly betray me and since I cast the spell, you can’t accidentally tell anyone either,” Hadrian explained. Eventually, they moved on to other topics outside of Hadrian’s heritage.
~Some time later~
The train reached the platform some time later and everyone got off the train. Hadrian hid among the crowd as soon as he heard Molly Weasley yelling about him. He went to the apparition spot and found Kreacher.
“Lord Black has everything?” Kreacher asked.
“Yes,” Hadrian replied. Kreacher nodded and apperated home.
“Welcome home Lord Black,” Kreacher said.
“Glad to be home,” Hadrian said, slightly smiling.