Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Hadrian hates his luck
Hadrian woke with a start, gasping, and sat up so fast he nearly fell out of bed. He breathed in through his nose, and back out his mouth to stabilize his off kilter breathing.
"Kigga!" He called as he stood. A pop indicated his elf popped in.
"Kigga be greeting Master Black a good morning." The elf beamed at him.
"Good morning Kigga. Can you tell Dissy and Daisy to get breakfast ready? I'll be eating in the study today." Hadrian told him gently.
"Yes Master Black." He nodded happily. "Kigga be doing that right away." He then popped away quickly and Hadrian sighed, padding into the bathroom.
He stripped off his sweaty pajamas and slid into his luxurious shower, breathing in steam as he faced away from the water. He leaned his forehead against the cold shower wall. The water was warm, and it splashed down his back, spraying his hair dark.
He'd been at Black Manor for all the summers since his visit to Gringotts. It was a large building, looked ridiculously expensive, and it came with three painfully easy to please house elves. The Black family had not been kind to their elves in the past, and it had taken months to get them to stop punishing themselves, or fearing punishment from him personally. It didn't help that they'd been put in stasis with the building, frozen for many years, maybe even decades.
Hadrian loved Kigga and Dissy and Daisy. Kigga had been the first to warm up to him, and had sort of become his personal elf. The other two were more custodians to the Manor and did small jobs and things for him when he asked. He never minded the company.
Hadrian shut his eyes and tried to remember the dream he'd been having. He'd never communicated with Tom Riddle or Lord Voldemort through his scar before, but he was sure that's what it was. He'd heard the man's voice, his plans, the old Muggle's death. Hadrian focused on remembering more clearly, wondering how hard it would be if he'd still had a block on his Horcrux.
"There is a little more in the bottle, my Lord, if you are still hungry." A timid and scared voice had said. Hadrian remembered he was called Wormtail.
"Later. Move me closer to the fire, Wormtail." The voice of Voldemort did not sound menacing and deep as Hadrian had expected, but high pitched and almost hissing. "Where is Nagini?"
"I- I do not know my Lord. She set out to explore the house, I think.." Hadrian remembered the stutter, Wormtail's voice had been wobbling.
Hadrian remembered Voldemort speaking to Wormtail about being fed, and assumed this meant he was weak and needed nursing back to health. He frowned, eyes still closed as the water started to drop down his face and off his nose. He remembered Voldemort mentioning plans, and the World Cup.
"The Quidditch World Cup, my Lord?" Wormtail had asked, "Forgive me, but I do not understand. Why should we wait until the World Cup is over?" Voldemort hissed at him.
"Because, fool, at this very moment wizards are pouring into the country from all over the world, and every meddler from the Ministry of Magic will be on duty, on the watch for signs of unusual activity, checking and double-checking identities. They will be obsessed with security, lest the Muggles notice anything. So we wait."
"Your Lordship is still determined, then?" Harry distinctly remembered the resignation and fear in the man's voice.
"Certainly I am determined." The Dark Lord had snapped.
Hadrian opened his eyes to start showering for real. "Hopefully not too determined to kill me specifically." He murmured in French. He grabbed his bottle of body wash and let himself enjoy his shower, not thinking about the morbid rest of his dream until he was out and spelling himself dry.
He put on some day clothes, black with blue and green accents, and exited the bathroom.
"It may have to be done without Harry Potter." Wormtail had whispered.
"Without Harry Potter?" The voice had said, "I see..."
"My Lord, I do not say this out of disbelief!" Wormtail had squeaked. "It is merely that if we were to use another witch or wizard, any wizard, the thing could be done so much more quickly! If you allowed me to leave you for a short while, you know that I can disguise myself most effectively, I could be back here in as little as two days with a suitable person!" Wormtail had ranted. Hadrian turned Voldemort's words over and over in his head.
"I could use another wizard, that is true..." He had whispered.
"My Lord, it makes sense. Harry Potter hasn't been seen since your own disappearance and he never showed up at Hogwarts. He is likely well protected-"
"And so you volunteer to go and fetch me a substitute? I wonder if perhaps the task of nursing me has become wearisome for you, Wormtail?" Voldemort had hissed, voice almost blank. "Could this suggestion of abandoning the plan be nothing more than an attempt to desert me?"
"My Lord! I- I have no wish to leave you. None at all!" Wormtail had whimpered. They'd continued arguing, Wormtail denying his disgust for his master and Voldemort silenced him.
"I have my reasons for wanting the boy, as I have already explained to you, and I will use no other." Voldemort had said. Hadrian breathed deeply as he recalled the exact words. "I have waited 13 years. A few months will make no difference. As for the protection surrounding the boy and his absence, I believe my plan will be effective."
Hadrian opened his bedroom door, still deep in thought as he followed the long empty hallways of his Manor. Griphook had been right, a place any bigger would have been horrible to live in all alone. He wondered how many house elves waited in the frozen halls of Peverell Palace.
Hadrian entered the room he affectionately called the study. It had a desk and was filled with books on bookshelves, soft rugs on wooden floors.
He sat in the chair at the desk and leaned back, eyes slipping closed. He remembered Voldemort mentioning a death, and a faithful servant. Wormtail hadn't been happy.
"I am a faithful servant." He had pouted.
"Wormtail, I need somebody with brains, somebody whose loyalty has never wavered. You, unfortunately, fulfill neither requirement." Voldemort had hissed highly in response. Cruel amusement leaked through.
"I found you. I was the one who found you. I brought you Bertha Jorkins." Wormtail sulked.
Hadrian remembered more discussions between them, of someone named Bertha and invaluable information. He also remembered that Wormtail had been promised a special job. Hadrian was quite certain it would be more a punishment and less a reward. It wasn't a sacrifice, Voldemort had said he had no need to kill Wormtail.
"Wormtail, Wormtail, why would I kill you? I killed Bertha because I had to. She was fit for nothing after my questioning, quite useless." He'd said in a cold voice. "In any case, awkward questions would have been asked if she had gone back to the Ministry with the news that she had met you on her holidays. Wizards who are supposed to be dead would do well not to run into Ministry of Magic witches at Wayside inns..." Hadrian heard a pop and opened his eyes.
Daisy popped in, huge eyes and a small smile. "Daisy be giving you yours breakfast, Master Black." He smiled at her, sitting up, and took the offered tray.
"Thank you Daisy, this is much appreciated." He nodded to her, and she curtsied before disapparating. He looked at the tray and smiled. Dissy knew he loved strawberries in his yogurt.
He shoved aside thoughts of his first unfortunate communication with Voldemort, especially the death of the old man, and decided to simply enjoy the nice breakfast his elves had prepared for him. He only had two weeks left in the summer, after all.
Hadrian had been elated he was too young to be dragged to Hogwarts for the newly reinstated Triwizard Tournament. He'd picked Beauxbaton specifically to avoid Hogwarts all those years ago. He was halfway done with his education, and would not be caving to Dumbledore now.
Madam Maxime seemed surprised that most of his year mates shared his sentiments. They were too young to participate anyway, and knew it would be good to stay and focus on their studies rather than go watch a glorified death sport. The older years, of course, were swooning at the thought of winning the thing. Several dramatically exclaimed they'd burst into tears if they didn't make it in.
"Is your sister going?" He'd asked Gabrielle after it was announced.
"Yeah, Fleur's going. Says she'll bring glory to the family." Gabrielle had rolled her eyes, and Hadrian had laughed.
Hadrian was happy at Beauxbaton. He was ahead of his age group in nearly every class, a source of pride for him.
He was Level 7 in Charms and Defense, Level 6 in Care of Magical Creatures and Potions, Level 5 in Etiquette, History, and Astronomy, Level 4 in Transfiguration, Herbology and Drama. He'd already completed Mastery Level of Flying in first year, avoided quidditch, and never flew a game again. He read on a broom occasionally though.
For Core classes, he was well on his way to graduating a year early. He enjoyed his electives, especially his cooking one, but he'd never focused on them like he did his Core lessons.
He hadn't been surprised to be sorted into Ombrelune, the house of blue represented by a moon. They were the closest thing to Slytherin at Beauxbaton. They were described as thoughtful and ambitious, valuing perfection and were very curious about the world around them. It was always fun when he and his housemates explored because they were as curious and driven to learn as he was. He supposed there was also a little Ravenclaw in his house too.
He'd spent three impossibly wonderful years at Beauxbaton, making slow friendships in his 3rd year. Spending three years in France meant he knew the language after his first year, and was completely fluent by the end of his third. Entering his fourth, Kigga had informed him he'd adopted a slightly French accent when speaking English, which made him preen with pride for his school when he'd been told.
Which was why he happily refused to step a single foot in Hogwarts, or anywhere near the Headmaster there. He couldn't risk Dumbledore discovering he used to be Harry Potter, even if he wasn't anymore.
Hadrian didn't respond or even notice when someone said the name near him anymore. The first year at Beauxbaton he'd turned every time someone discussed his 'missing' identity, and someone had even asked if he had a crush on Harry Potter because he used to whip around as soon as someone mentioned the boy.
But in the past two years, Hadrian went months without thinking about the missing British Wizard, Harry Potter. He was Hadrian Black. He was given to his dead mother's Muggle relatives after his father was put in prison. It was true, and people just assumed his mothers death was significantly before his father's imprisonment, and Hadrian let them think what they wanted.
Apparently nobody knew who Lillian Evans was, so he could happily tell everyone she was his mother. He'd retrieved pictures of her from the Potter Vault and had hung them above his bed in the dorms, along with pictures of his Dad. He'd even found one of him with his parents, without James Potter. Sure the guy was his parent, but Hadrian couldn't risk anybody recognizing him.
Hadrian, of course, looked nothing like Harry Potter. People speculated that Harry Potter must have messy and curled brown hair and green eyes, and slightly tanned skin. Of course he'd have annoying round glasses, and he would be athletically built and on the shorter side, the picture of his father. Hadrian Black had wavy black hair to his chin, tucked mostly behind one ear. He had luminous green eyes unblocked by glasses he no longer needed, and his pale skin was delicate and soft. He was leanly muscular from horseback riding, choosing to avoid Quidditch because James Potter was a prodigy and he did not need to draw attention to himself like that. He was also taller than most people in his year, looking a year or two older than he actually was. All in all, he was immensely satisfied with how he'd grown to look like Sirius Black.
The only lie he'd continuously told was that his birthday was not July 31st. Because of Wizarding rules, you could attend the year of your 11th birthday only if you were born before or on August 31st. This meant that because Hadrian pretended his birthday was October 31st, he was accidentally nearly a year older than his year mates. He started his first year at 11, yes, but then when October 31st happened he was 12. So yeah, he lied about that a lot. He hadn't really thought about it, just pushing his birthday back by 3 months to honor when his parents died. But Wizarding laws kicked his ass and then he was stuck with it.
Hadrian was prepared for another calm year, even though a portion of the school was gone off at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, Lady Magic wasn't on his side.
"Transfiguration is so easy though." Amelie said with a huff. "Dunno why you seem to hate it." She was French and part veela like a lot of the girls at Beauxbaton were. The long platinum hair and charming assets had long stopped affecting him in any way. Hadrian shrugged.
"Well okay. Charms is a piece of cake then. You should love it." He quipped, not looking up from his book. She scowled playfully.
"Fine. Transfiguration is your worst subject, Charms is mine." She crossed her arms.
"Drama is my worst subject actually. I just dislike Transfiguration the most, as you said."
"But you're a great actor! I bet you could move up a few Years if you tried harder." He finally looked up, grinning.
"The lines and plays we do are stupid. As if I'd purposefully go ahead in a subject like that." She laughed in response, and he went back to his book in contentment.
She turned to look at Jaecen, who had sat down with a groan. "Potions will be the death of me." He said at Hadrian with a glare. "You're in Sixth Year Potions too, right Hadrian? C'mon you can't ignore my struggles like this!" He whined.
"Actually I can. I've given you the past three assignments, and you didn't learn a thing and were nearly bumped down to Level 5." Hadrian grinned, eyes on his book.
"Imagine the embarrassment!" The dark-haired boy gasped. "A 16 year old taking potions with 14 year olds!"
"Most Fifth Year attendees are 15 or 13, actually. The ones at 15 because they're at the proper level, 13 because they're ahead. 14 is rare." Hadrian informed him.
"Smartass." Hadrian glanced up to see Jaecen rolling his eyes. Hadrian grinned and closed his book, leaning closer.
"Are you calling me smart, pretty boy?" He teased. Jaecen turned red but he leaned forward as well, over the table.
"Only if you're calling me pretty, handsome." Jaecen winked, and Hadrian leaned back again with a bright laugh.
"Flirting with me on my birthday? How daring." They grinned at each other while Amelie blinked.
"I keep forgetting your birthday is on Halloween, you know." She said thoughtfully. Jaecen laughed.
Hadrian then gasped loudly clutching his chest, book clattering to the ground. Pain was splitting his ribs apart, a feeling he hadn't felt since the Dursleys. His friends were immediately questioning what was wrong, but he couldn't focus because of what his magical core was doing.
His magical core was seemingly rejecting, being yanked out of his chest only being held back by his four Rings. He squeezed his eyes shut and leaned forward, hands on his chest and elbows on his knees as panicked hands touched his back and arms.
He felt as if he was burning up inside. Like he was going to throw up but couldn't and he was suffocating. He couldn't breathe, he clutched a hand that found his as he tried to draw in breath, choking on nothing. Throat wet he coughed and could finally breathe. Blood was on his hands as it came up from his throat and black slowly entered his vision until he slipped into unconsciousness.
When his eyes next opened he was in the Infirmary, in a white hospital gown. He sat up rubbing his throbbing eyes. He coughed but thankfully no more blood came up.
Gabrielle was sitting near him, and he blinked at her. She was scowling, blonde hair up in a ponytail, uniform crisp as ever.
"Not that I'm not thrilled to see you, but what are you doing here?" He asked as he sat up farther, rubbing his aching chest.
"Idiot." The girl ground out. "Madam Maxime sent a letter. It arrived a few hours after you collapsed. Your name flew out of the Goblet of Fire and Fleur had to defend you when the other Schools threatened us for cheating. Beauxbatons stick together." Hadrian blinked.
"You're kidding." He deadpanned. She shook her head.
"Albus Dumbledore read it out, no mistake. Hadrian Black, Beauxbaton. The Durmstrang Professor, Karkaroff, was so mad. He threatened to pull his Champion."
"Is this some sort of joke?" He all but pleaded, utterly disbelieving.
"No. They're actively trying to figure out who put your name in, considering you weren't even there." Hadrian glared at the ceiling.
"Why would my name come out? I'm not even of age!" Gabrielle sighed.
"Fleur's name was drawn too, so it's even worse that we have two champions on top of you being a minor. At least we know it couldn't have been you, you literally weren't there." Gabrielle said. Hadrian grimaced.
"So now I have to go to Hogwarts and compete? Can I choose not to? It's not like they need me; they have Fleur already."
"Yes you have to, it's why you collapsed. The Goblet, that's how they choose the Champions, is a magical contract. Once your name comes out you either Compete, or you lose your magic and become a squib. Lady Magic was threatening you with Magical Core Rejection." Hadrian groaned and fell back into his pillows.
"When do we leave?"
"As soon as you pack." Hadrian resisted another groan.
The next hour was a blur for Hadrian of getting checked by a Healer he'd only seen twice ever and couldn't remember the name of, as well as Gabrielle ushering him around as he packed.
"Amelie! Jaecen!" He yelled, spotting them in the hallways.
"Hadrian! We were so worried!" Amelie rushed over with the boy at her side.
"What happened? We thought you'd died!" Jaecen grabbed him in a crushing hug, and Hadrian clutched him tightly.
"My name came out as a Champion of Beauxbaton for the Tournament. Apparently, if you don't compete Lady Magic removes your magical core. I collapsed because of the start of Magical Core Rejection." He said quickly, glancing at an impatient Gabrielle.
"Holy hell!" Jaecen exclaimed, releasing him from the hug to grab his hand. "You're not even of age. How did that happen?"
"Who cares? This is amazing!" Amelie bounced. Hadrian frowned.
"You know how I feel about the Tournament. I'd-"
"Much rather be reading your 200 books." Jaecen finished with a laugh. "We know!"
"Oh come on Hadrian! You need to leave soon if we want to be there for the Weighing of Wands." Gabrielle finally burst out. His friends glared.
"That's forever away!" Hadrian whined.
"We'll tell the others. Are you packing?" Amelie said politely, giving him a hug.
"Unfortunately." He sulked. His friends laughed at his pain.
As he was dragged to a carriage he was miserably mourning another quiet and safe year at school. He'd never understood why they'd picked magical flying horses that only drink that single-malt whiskey when they could've picked something like a Thestral, but he'd also never had the nerve to ask, and just shrugged it off every time it occurred to him.
The journey to Hogwarts was boring, but he'd pulled out and read various books on the way over. He sort of wished they'd allowed Gabrielle to come with him. She was really cool, even if she was only 11 and did get distracted easily.
When they landed in a large stone courtyard, Hadrian was greeted by Madam Maxime and no one else.
"Hadrian," She said in heavily accented English. "I've asked all my students to speak English when on Hogwarts grounds, and would like you to do the same." He nodded easily.
"As you wish, Headmistress." He said politely, French accent lilting. Hadrian was led into the school where everyone was heading for what Hadrian assumed was the Dining Hall. He paused, seeing his fellow Beauxbaton students at a blue table. He saw Durmstrang sitting with the Slytherins.
He also couldn't help but stare a little. The room was beautiful, plates and silverware glistening, lit from the bright floating candles. The ceiling was dark with twinkling lights, as if the night sky had come to rest there. He tried to ignore it. Hogwarts wasn't where he belonged, and it never would be.
"Madam Maxime?" Hadrian prompted. She hummed, and Hadrian smiled lightly. "May I sit with the Slytherins? I am the Heir of Slytherin, and wish to meet them." He reminded her. She nodded and fluttered her large hand.
"Go enjoy yourself Hadrian." He nodded.
Walking over to a group that looked his age, he spoke. "Well met." A boy with smooth blond hair turned, and Hadrian had a dozen eyes on his blue silk uniform suddenly. Several people blushed. "Is this the Slytherin table?" He asked, "As the Heir of Slytherin, my Headmistress gave me permission to sit with you all." He gave them a polite smile, and watched eyes widen in disbelief.
"Of course you can." The blond directly in front of him said, scooting over. "Well met, I am Heir Malfoy and Black." Hadrian laughed as he sat down.
"So it was you who stole my Heirship." He said, eyes sparkling with mirth. "Well met. I am Hadrian Evans-Black."
"What?" Malfoy frowned.
Hadrian raised his hands, showing off his rings. "I am Lord Black, as well as Heir Slytherin. I have two other Lordships, of course, but too many titles is tedious and I just go by Black." He lowered his hands and took in the gasps and bewildered faces with a smirk.
"Your father is Sirius Black?" A boy across the table asked. Hadrian nodded.
"The very same. I heard he escaped a while ago." He shrugged, leaning on his palm. Malfoy finally found his voice.
"How do you have my Lordship? I'm the Heir!" He sputtered. Hadrian laughed again, amused to see blushes on several people's faces at the sound.
"Indeed you are." Hadrian confirmed with a smirk. "When I went in for my Inheritance Test when I was 11 I was told the Lordship was mine, but the Heirship wasn't. A shame, if you'd made it to 17 you could've had it." He smiled at the boy who was turning red with anger and blinked down at the food that had appeared. He shrugged and began serving himself from a few of the French dishes he could see.
"How come you got your Inheritance early, Lord Black?" The boy across the table asked. "Well met, I'm Heir Zabini." The boy added. Hadrian nodded.
"Well met Heir Zabini, there's a special case where if a child is entitled three or more Lordships they can accept them and become emancipated. This is because the Wixen Government doesn't want Lordships sitting unclaimed and stacked up waiting for a child to grow." Several heads nodded at his explanation. "I accepted my circumstances because I was living with Muggles at the time. My mother was dead, so when my father was arrested I was sent to live with my Muggle relatives. It's odd, I probably should've ended up with a Black cousin, but I did not." Hadrian shrugged and continued eating.
"Good lord you could've ended up with me!" Malfoy exclaimed. Hadrian nodded, smiling.
"What a life that would've been, don't you agree, cousin?" He teased with a smirk. He ended up laughing when Malfoy once again turned red.
"So what year are you anyway?" Hadrian paused at the question.
"Well I'm year 7 in Charms and Defense, and year 6 in Care of Magical Creatures as well as Potions. I'm a year 5 in Etiquette," he broke off seeing eyes bugging out of people's heads, "Ah" he said eloquently. "I'd forgotten you people don't rank by skill level. I'm 15." October 31st had been the day his name came out of the Goblet, yesterday. So supposedly, he was indeed 15.
"You're in year 7 Defense?" A boy asked, silver eyes sparkling. "Well met, I'm Heir Nott."
"Yes. My Mastery will be done by March, which means I finished the curriculum. I did my Flying Mastery in first year." Malfoy choked.
"You WHAT?" Hadrian glanced at the astonished blond.
"Weren't you listening? I said I outflew 7th years when I was 11 and then never truly flew a broom again. Do try to keep up Heir Malfoy." He heard snickers as he put his next bite in his mouth, ignoring Malfoy gaping next to him.
"Why didn't you keep flying afterwards? Doesn't your school have a quidditch team?" Heir Zabini questioned.
"I have no interest in Quidditch." He lied. "I'd best play Seeker, and I have no intention of spending an hour sitting in place, bored, on a broom for only three seconds of action, when I can skip the game entirely and read a book."
"You like to read then?" Heir Nott promptly asked.
"Heir Nott," Hadrian said earnestly, "I brought a library with me." Peoples' heads whipped towards him again as he continued. "I was planning on spending this year back at my home school, reading over two hundred books. So when I was dragged here to participate in a stupid death sport, I was determined to read my books too. My trunk has an expansion charm, and I quite literally brought all two hundred books I'm planning on reading. I finished five on the way over."
"Would you please show me one of these days?" Nott's silver eyes were practically glowing with excitement. "I never tire of new books to read." Hadrian nodded easily.
"If you give me an empty trunk I can replicate the expansion charm, and then make copies of a dozen or so books to start with. They'll only last a month so you'll have to come back for more when you're done or if they disappear on you." Nott nodded easily.
Other conversations started up around them as Nott and Hadrian talked the rest of the meal about books.
Near the end he stopped talking mid sentence as he felt a touch at his Occlumency Barriers.
"Lord Black?" Nott asked curiously. Hadrian smiled.
"Apologies, someone is attacking my Occlumency Shields. Give me a moment." He ignored the shocked noises from a few higher years and looked around the room for the culprit who was still poking at his mind, seemingly frustrated at being shut firmly out.
He locked eyes with Dumbledore and the pressure on his shields increased. Grinning wildly he attacked back, overwhelming Dumbledore and slipping into his mind.
Hadrian saw flashes of the Goblet of Fire spitting out his name, Dumbledore yelling Hadrian Black! and the shock he'd felt knowing Sirius had a son.
Hadrian saw Dumbledore in the past, standing by while Crouch dismissed Amelia Bones asking for a trial.
Finally, he watched Dumbledore holding a small baby and leaving it on a doorstep, a small letter on top labelled Harry Potter.
Hadrian smirked wider as he was shoved out and saw Dumbledore's horrified face. The man stood and rushed out of the room immediately. Hadrian snickered and turned back to Nott.
"Anyway, what was I saying?" He asked.
"Never mind what you were saying, what just happened?" An upper year demanded. Hadrian glanced at the boy in question, raising a brow.
"Well met. What you just saw was Dumbledore attempting to invade my mind, and failing to bypass my Occlumency Shield. I then, in revenge and in warning, retaliated and entered his mind. He was powerless as I viewed several of his memories before being shoved out. He didn't like it, I'd wager." He shrugged nonchalantly and continued eating.
"Uh, well met. Are you saying you beat Dumbledore in a magical mind war?" Another upper year asked, a girl. Hadrian nodded.
"I've been studying Occlumency for years, and Legilimency as well. I hired a tutor and was soon better than him and hired another. When I was better at it than my fourth teacher I stopped looking for teachers." He shrugged. "Now, most of the time when a person Masters Occlumency they stop trying to improve. They keep the same defenses they always had. I'm not like that. I've been adding to my Occlumency Shield weekly since I discovered it when I was 12." The boy and girl from the upper years look flabbergasted and Hadrian laughed. "See now? My Barrier is much stronger than Dumbledore's, it's not even a competition."
The meal ended most immediately after that, and Hadrian retreated to the main Beauxbaton Carriage for bed.
The next morning he ate with his school at the Ravenclaw table, and made sure to congratulate Fleur on being the official Beauxbaton Champion. He also thanked her for defending him.
He was given a schedule, and was excited to attend classes. He'd been given permission, like all Beauxbaton students, to continue learning at his proper year instead of age. The only classes he'd share with his own year would be Transfiguration and Herbology, since Drama wasn't taught at Hogwarts.
He found he enjoyed Charms with the 7th year Hogwarts students. They didn't say anything about him being so young, just complimented him for being accomplished.
Defense was stupid, and he spent most of it rolling his eyes at the teacher who yelled "CONSTANT VIGILANCE" at random intervals. Apparently the fourth year curriculum was covering Unforgivables. Hadrian couldn't help but be grateful that wasn't him.
Astronomy was enjoyable, and Hadrian learned he sorely missed his History professor upon realizing Professor Binns was a ghost. He stayed far away from the giant teacher and whatever infernal creatures he had after one lesson of Care of Magical Creatures. He'd heard about the class from the Slytherins, and there was something about them blowing up and spewing pus. He wished he didn't have to take that at Hogwarts.
When he got to Potions, he was pleasantly surprised. Professor Snape took teaching seriously, and none of his students made serious mistakes or blew anything up. Several students did seem afraid of him, but as long as everyone was safe Hadrian wouldn't criticize. Hadrian was packing up his bag when Snape called across the classroom.
"You'll stay Mister Black. I need to discuss something with you." Hadrian nodded, but corrected him.
"Alright Professor, and it's Lord Black, actually." As students filtered out, Snape stepped closer.
"What are your other two?" He demanded. Hadrian shrugged, hands still in his pockets.
"I don't see how that's your business. They were left to me, simple as that. Same as the Heirship I hold." Snape's eyes narrowed.
"Slytherin." Hadrian nodded.
"Your snakes were polite, mostly." He admitted. Snape grumbled noncommittally.
"You're the spawn of Sirius Black." Snape sounded accusing enough that Hadrian raised a brow.
"I am. You seem to know him." He eyed Snape's defensive posture. "Was he a childhood bully then? I've heard he was quite mischievous in his years here." Snape just glared and ignored the assessment.
"Who is your mother?" The Professor snapped instead, "A French woman?" Hadrian eyed the potions master.
"Lillian Evans, she died on my second birthday." Hadrian said slowly. Snape froze.
"What did you say?" Hadrian sighed.
"Look, I have another class to get to. Did you actually need something?" He asked abruptly. Snape didn't move, so Hadrian slung his bag over his blue covered shoulder. "I'll be going then. Have a nice day, Professor."
Hadrian liked his classes, but couldn't get Snape's questions out of his head. He presumed Snape must've known both his mother and his father, which means he also knew James Potter. Hadrian nearly smacked himself on the head when he realized Snape must've known she'd publicly married James Potter.
I have a Professor who thinks my mom cheated on James Potter with my dad a year before she had who thinks of as James’ and Lily's child. Which is also me. Hadrian thought with a groan.That's just perfect.
The next few times he saw Snape, he'd been watching Hadrian very closely. Too closely. Hadrian had ignored him.
He found he liked Transfiguration with the Slytherins, and even managed to talk to Heirs Zabini, Nott, and Malfoy a few times.
He had Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, and thoroughly enjoyed their well mannered yet vicious views on friendship. They were apparently very cutthroat about people who betrayed their friends.
By the time Hadrian was reminded of his position in the Tournament, he'd forgotten about it. So when a tiny Gryffindor came to collect him from Transfiguration with the Slytherins, he was shocked.
"Excuse me Professor." The small child called, making McGonagall look up, "I'm here for Hadrian Black? He's needed for Champion Wand Weighings."
"Fine, take him." She waved him off, turning back to a Slytherin with brown hair.
"Wand Weightings?" Hadrian questioned aloud. The Gryffindor beamed at him.
"For the Tournament of course!" Hadrian blinked.
"I'd forgotten about that." He admitted. "It is Sunday though, so I really shouldn't be." Zabini laughed and Malfoy snickered.
"Only you could forget about something this huge after a couple days of classes." Zabini said, shaking his head. Hadrian shrugged and waved to them before following the small Gryffindor out, a book in hand.
He tuned out the babbling from next to him and focused on continuing his book he'd opened for the walk over. Apparently, "Denis Creevey" never learned to shut up. Hadrian's book was on Potions, one of the ones written by Professor Snape. Hadrian had to admit, it was rather good.
"Here you are! Good luck!" The child said excitedly. Hadrian nodded and thanked the boy who beamed and ran off. Shaking his head, he entered the small classroom.
He looked around to see all the desks had been pushed away leaving the middle of the room free for three desks to be put together and covered by a length of velvet. It had five chairs with it, with a man in one seat. Hadrian immediately decided this man wasn't his sort. He looked like an overgrown schoolboy, blue eyes and blond hair, nose squished as if it had been broken rather badly. He sat with a witch in a horrid shade of pink.
He was the last to arrive, seeing Krum sulking in a corner not interacting. Cedric and Fleur were standing together, but Cedric was sort of glaring at the girl. He moved to join them, only for the man to stand happily, staring at him.
"Ah, here he is! Champion number four!" He started to bound up to Hadrian happily as he entered the room slowly. "Come in, Mister Black, come in. I'm Ludo Bagman. Nothing to worry about here, it's just the wand weighing ceremony. The rest of the judges will be here in a moment-" The man entered his space zone and he glared.
"Yes, okay." He said irritably. "Also it's Lord Black."
"We have to check that your wands are fully functional, no problems you know, as they're your most important tools in the task ahead." The man, Bagman, continued easily. "The expert is upstairs now with Dumbledore. And then there's going to be a little photo shoot. This is Rita Skeeter," He gestured to the woman. "She's doing a small piece on the Tournament for the Daily Prophet."
"Maybe not that small, Ludo." The blonde woman grinned. She was horrible looking with a heavy jaw and red nails on thick fingers with rigid blonde curls.
"I wonder if I could have a word with Mister Black before we start?" Her wicked eyes were on him greedily. "The youngest and mysterious Champion... To add some color.."
"Absolutely not." He said immediately as Bagman looked delighted. "I will not be treated differently than the others." He stalked away, not looking back. He moved to stand with Fleur and Cedric. He nodded to Cedric.
"Are these the fellow Champions?" He asked Fleur in French. She smiled kindly.
"Yes. This is Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff, and Viktor Krum of Durmstrang. Can you believe he wouldn't tell me which house he's in? It's so rude!" Fleur exclaimed at the end, throwing her hands up. Cedric looked at them, a little wary.
"Well met, Fleur was telling me about both how you and Krum are the other Champions." Hadrian said politely, holding out a hand. "I'm Hadrian Evans-Black."
"Cedric Diggory." The bronze haired boy shook his hand. Hadrian glanced at a sulking Krum and decided it best not to interrupt.
"Beauxbaton did not cheat." Hadrian said to Diggory seriously. "I'm too young to compete, and have no interest in a death match anyway."
"Too bad there's no backing out now." Cedric was trying for nonchalance, but Hadrian could tell he seemed relieved.
"He didn't greet me properly." He said to Fleur with a sigh as Cedric looked away. She nodded sadly.
"They don't teach Etiquette here, only those raised Pureblood will know the greetings. Durmstrang is a completely Dark school, and no one knows what they teach." The quarter veela shuddered.
"It's a shame." Hadrian admitted. "Proper Etiquette would be attractive on Diggory, don't you think?" The Hufflepuff's eyes narrowed at his name, while Hadrian smirked and Fleur cackled.
Fleur took pity on Diggory for his kicked puppy expression and said, "Don't worry pretty Hufflepuff, Hadrian called you attractive." It wasn't quite true, but Hadrian winked and Diggory hastily turned away, face turning pink.
"Bloody traitor." Hadrian whispered to Fleur. She cackled again, and Hadrian missed Diggory glance at him while he was busy glaring at Fleur, betrayed look on his face. He also missed Cedric's small smile.
"Oh I'm so glad everyone's here!" Someone announced, drawing the Champions' attention. It was Albus Dumbledore, flowing in wearing awful purple robes.
"Let's get this over with." A grumpy and tall man said. His eyes looked cold. Hadrian grinned as Madam Maxime strode in behind the two men, followed by another. The last one was older, and very, very grouchy.
"That's Albus Dumbledore, and Professor Igor Karkaroff, and the old man is Barty Crouch. He works for the Ministry." Fleur whispered. Hadrian clenched his fists, resisting an open glare at Crouch.
The Champions were ushered over to the chairs and everyone sat. Hadrian ended up between Fleur and Cedric.
He saw the reporter sulking in the background, a strange green quill floating above a parchment.
"May I introduce Mr. Ollivander? He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the Tournament." Dumbledore smiled at them, eye's twinkling.
Hadrian leaned over to Fleur. "What would he do if I said no, he couldn't introduce Mr. Ollivander?" Fleur choked, sending him a disapproving look trying to smother her laughter. Diggory leaned over.
"What's funny?" He whispered. Hadrian turned with a smile.
"Dumbledore asked very politely if he could introduce Mr. Ollivander, and I was wondering what he would do if I denied his request?" Diggory laughed, and then looked surprised he'd laughed. Hadrian continued. "As in, apologies sir, you may not. Mr. Ollivander must remain anonymous, sorry, his introduction is denied." By the end of his quiet rant all three Champions were giggling, catching Dumbledore's attention, along with Krum and Ollivander.
"May I be let in on the joke?" Dumbledore questioned lightly.
"No sir, you may not." Hadrian deadpanned, sending the Champions into giggles again. Hadrian smiled politely. "Apologies sir, I guess you'll never know." More laughter ensued and Dumbledore's smile was pressed and fake for the rest of the ceremony. Fleur went first, and her wand was fine. As was everyone else's.
"Thank you all." Dumbledore said, standing from the table. "You may go back to your lessons now, or perhaps it would be quicker to just go down to dinner as they are about to end-" Bagman jumped up, a man with a black camera popping out.
"Photos, Dumbledore, photos!" Bagman exclaimed happily. "All the judges and Champions, what do you think Rita?"
"Er, yes, let's do those first." She eyed Hadrian sulkily, and then her eyes gleamed. "And then perhaps some individual shots."
It took forever. Poor Madam Maxime was so tall that the photographer said no matter where she stood her shadow was all over everyone else. She ended up sitting with everyone else standing around her. Professor Karkaroff kept curling his mustache, and Krum sulked half behind him. Hadrian and Fleur stood there politely, as proper students should. Cedric was beaming with pride.
Individual shots were longer, Krum angry, Cedric preening, Fleur smiling, and Hadrian resisting being dragged off to a broom closet.
Oh well. At least my wand works! Hadrian thought as he left, heading to dinner with Fleur and Diggory, Krum following sulkily.
"Have you been enjoying classes?" Diggory asked conversationally, getting over his surprise as Hadrian had kissed Fleur's cheek goodbye and sat with Diggory and the Puffs.
"Yes actually," Hadrian admitted while taking a bite. "Your curriculum is different from ours, so I've already learned some of the 7th level Charms, but I seem a little behind in my 6th year Potions. It's quite fascinating." Diggory's face contorted in confusion.
"What year are you?" Hadrian sighed.
"I'm 15, but at Beauxbaton we rank by Class Level instead of by age. I'm taking Year 7 in Charms, and Defense, Year 6 in Care of Magical Creatures and Potions, Year 5 in History, and Astronomy, and I'm taking Herbology and Transfiguration with my own age group." He told Diggory, summing it up. Diggory nodded.
"So Dumbledore allowed your school to attend classes at your correct levels?" He guessed. Hadrian smiled at him.
"Yeah, that's right." He took a bite. "What about you? Anything interesting in your classes?"
"Well I'm a sixth year, so it's possible we'll be together in Care or Potions eventually." He said. "My favorite class is Flying, obviously. I'm Hufflepuffs Seeker." The boy paused before turning to Hadrian. "Do you play Quidditch?" Hadrian nearly laughed at how eager the boy was.
"No, I stopped flying after I got Mastery approved when I was 11." He said with a smile. "But I'd be happy to fly with you sometime." Diggory looked intrigued.
"How do you get a class Mastery?" He questioned between bites.
"Well, there are 7 levels." He explained, tapping his chin. "Everyone starts at Beauxbaton at Level 1, and over the next week they are assessed and moved around. The better you are, the higher you go. After the first week I was put into Flying Year 7. To get a Mastery, you just complete Year 7 of a subject. Halfway through my first year, I completed the subject and the teachers just marked it as Mastered and gave me an elective instead." Diggory looked awed. "I'd play Seeker too, Diggory." He admitted. "I was especially good at catching small objects thrown at me, and I've never missed a Snitch. Catching a few was an extra credit in the class and I caught 7 in a row before the teacher got frustrated and told me to let the older kids catch some." He smiled at the memory.
"Wow." Diggory breathed. Hadrian glanced at him and saw amazement. "We have to fly together." Hadrian shrugged.
"I'm free after lunch. My next class isn't for three hours."
As it turned out, Diggory had an hour long class directly after lunch, but nothing for the next two hours. Hadrian promised to meet him in Flying robes with his broom, and Diggory said he'd try not to take forever changing.
Hadrian changed and grabbed his Firebolt and headed immediately out to the Quidditch pitch, and just sat down to read his book.
When Cedric arrived, he was astonished to see Hadrian sitting 100 feet in the air on a broom, peacefully reading a book. He had no hands on the broom, and was just floating cross-legged a hundred feet in the air. He was slightly less surprised to see nearly three dozen students in the stands, watching Hadrian read. They must've overheard he would be flying, and told everyone, Diggory realized. He spotted about a few Slytherins, and even more Puffs and Claws. Diggory grabbed his broom and flew up as quickly as he could.
"Uh, what should I call you?" He asked when he joined Hadrian in the air, realizing he'd never asked. "You call me Diggory, so should I call you Black?" Hadrian laughed as he shut his book.
"Hadrian is fine." The boy smiled. Cedric just nodded, trying to memorize the French lilt to the boy's name so he could copy it.
"You can call me Cedric then." Hadrian's eyes lit in amusement as he nodded. "Also, I should mention we have a bit of an audience." He pointed to the stands. Hadrian glanced over and muttered in French before waving. The Slytherins waved enthusiastically back and Hadrian rolled his eyes. "So, are we going to do a Seekers game or just fly around?" Hadrian's attention was back on him, and he smirked.
"A Seekers game, of course." The boy said, mirth dancing in his eyes. "50 galleons says I find the Snitch in under a minute." Cedric was momentarily stunned at the confidence, before shrugging.
"What the hell, you're on." Hadrian grinned and zipped towards the Slytherins. Cedric followed.
"Hey Nott!" Hadrian yelled, accent thickening slightly at the loud volume, "I thought you said Quidditch was below you." Cedric saw a brunette with silver eyes glance away from a book and look at Hadrian.
"Lord Black, I thought you said you disliked spending time on a broom when you could just read." Cedric nearly did a spit take when he heard Hadrian's title.
"I said what I said." Hadrian cackled. "Now, I need one of you to remind me to get 50 galleons from Cedric here when I win this Seekers game in less than one minute." He paused, ignoring their gobsmacked faces. "I guess I'd also need someone to time it. I could, but I'd rather not be accused of cheating again." Cedric did choke hearing that. AGAIN?
"I'll do it!" A brown boy exclaimed excitedly.
"Sure Zabini." Hadrian said easily, turning back to Cedric.
"Could you grab the Snitch for me? I'll have Zabini release it for us." Cedric nodded and flew off.
Hadrian was excited. He always was when he was on a broom. He knew he was a prodigy. He'd still be good even if his eyesight hadn't been fixed. However, with natural talent, perfect eyesight, and a ton of practice, Hadrian was better than anyone he'd ever played against.
As Cedric returned, Hadrian plucked the Snitch from his hand and passed it to Zanini. He also handed Nott his book, green eyes promising death if it was damaged.
"How about I fly over here and you over there?" Hadrian suggested. "Zabini releases it, and then he counts down from 10 to give the Snitch time to move. Then he starts the timer." Cedric looked surprised again.
"Sure, that actually sounds super fair." Hadrian snorted.
"Welcome to Beauxbaton’s Ombrelune House. We believe in perfection and fairness, as well as cunning and curiosity." He then zoomed off to his end of the pitch, and stilled.
He watched Zabini release the Snitch, and then watched it closely as the timer went from 10 to zero, and then the one minute began. Cedric didn't move, but Hadrian did.
Hadrian had learned quickly that if you lose the Snitch it takes minutes, sometimes as many as 10, to find it again talent be damned. The thing was so small, and so fast, most Seekers games were at least 10 minutes long. So as soon as Zabini released it, he tracked it with his eyes as carefully as he could while not blinking.
Eyes still on the Snitch, he immediately took off towards it when the timer hit nothing. He was traveling downwards, predicting where the Snitch would move to, and had the Snitch in hand in 27 seconds flat. He lifted it above his head as the watching students cheered wildly, and then brought it to Zabini.
"Here you go my good Heir." Hadrian said teasingly, handing the golden ball back. He grinned at Cedric as he approached. "You officially owe me 50 galleons." He announced. Cedric laughed.
"How the hell did you find it so quickly? Is it always that easy for you?" He questioned rapidly, eyes wide and awed.
"Of course it is." Hadrian shrugged. "I'm amazing at it, and yet haven't ever had any interest in it." He lied. "Woe is me, and all that." He smirked at the amazed Hufflepuff.
"I want to see you absolutely destroy Viktor Krum in his own position." Hadrian cackled at the response and decided this Hufflepuff was now firmly his friend.
Little did he know, Cedric had firmly claimed him as a friend the minute he'd seen him easily floating on a broom, reading a book.
By the next morning, everyone had heard about the game and everybody was speculating on how true it was. The people who'd seen the game had enthusiastically told apparently everyone in their dorms about how they'd timed it, and Hadrian Black had caught the Snitch in 27 seconds.
Around lunch, Krum had approached him angrily and challenged him to a game.
"I want to see you fly." The boy had said, heavily accented.
"As you wish." Hadrian replied. "I'm free just before dinner. The sun will be setting, is that a problem?" He teased.
"No. I will see you on the pitch." The boy had said stonily, and promptly left. Hadrian had smirked at his back.
"Why are you smiling?" Cedric had asked.
"Because I do my best work at sunset, and when Krum plays at sunset professionally, it always takes him longer to catch it. It's a weakness." Hadrian then turned away and began walking to class, leaving behind Cedric and a crowd of awed and intimidated Hufflepuffs.
Students once again showed up to see Hadrian reading cross-legged on his broom, this time nearly the entire school attended. They were decorated in either red or blue for Durmstrang or Beauxbaton as they cheered. Hadrian realized they were treating it like a real Quidditch game.
When Krum appeared, he had the Snitch in hand and gave it to a random Gryffindor.
On opposite sides of the pitch, the Snitch was released and the 10 second countdown started. Hadrian had shut his book, and was watching the Snitch travel as he always did.
Viktor wasn't nervous, he was intrigued. He watched the boy as his eyes darted around and the countdown ticked lower. The boy was casually glancing around the pitch unblinking and Krum found it amusing to see.
When it hit zero Krum expected a few seconds to look for the Snitch, but that's not what happened. The moment the timer hit zero Black had launched, flat to his broom and dove for the ground. Krum frowned, trying desperately to see what the younger boy saw, but didn't even glance the Snitch until the setting sun lit it up in Black's hand.
Krum had lost, not moving an inch, same as Diggory. Black grinned, and Krum couldn't believe it. He was a professional, a real Quidditch Player, and he'd been beaten by a 15 years old in seconds.
Hadrian then raised his hand and lit a massive Lumos that silenced the deafening cheers and complaints. He touched his neck, and spoke.
"Thank you for coming, but I'd like to say I won't be doing any more Seeker games." He had to silence the stadium again before continuing. "I'm not like Krum and Diggory. Quidditch isn't my passion and I don't want to be doing it all the time. I've shown off, and properly impressed all of you, and now I'm going to stop. Thank you." He then pulled out his book to read as he glided down, and landed flawlessly before walking off.
Nobody else challenged him, and everyone seemed a little bit more wary when he practiced magic near them for some reason.