Chapter 15
Chapter 15
The Awards Ceremony
When the week was gone, Hadrian was pulled aside by a smug and proud Madam Maxime to be told the awards ceremony would be taking place during lunch. He sighed, and nodded.
"Yes Madam Maxime." He returned her smile, and went about his day as normally as he could. Which, in fact, wasn't normal at all. People randomly asked for high-fives, clasped him on the back, or congratulated him on his win. A few Durmstrangs even flirted with him, most likely in the hopes of feeding off his newfound popularity.
When Hadrian was finally released from classes for lunch, he found Madam Maxime waiting outside for him. He was soon joined outside by Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Cedric, Fleur, and Krum. They all stood in the corridor outside as students entered the Hall.
He peeked in to see students finding their seats at empty tables, and the dias podium gone. The staff table had been pushed back a foot or so, and atop a pedestal perched the glistening blue and silver Triwizard Cup.
Hadrian fidgeted a little as he turned away, looking around Madam Maxime to Fleur. He took a deep breath, and walked around their Headmistress to clear his throat for Fleur's attention.
"I'm sorry I stole your spotlight." Hadrian said, frowning. "I know how much this whole Champion thing meant to you, and–" She held up a hand and his mouth clicked shut.
"Hadrian, we're friends." She smiled at him, and he blinked in surprise. "You didn't sabotage me, undermine me, or try to steal the glory for yourself. You competed, you did your best, and you beat me. You beat all of us. How can I not respect that?" Hadrian blew a breath out in relief, and nodded.
"Okay. I just wanted to make sure you weren't upset or anything." He replied sheepishly. "You know you can talk to me if you were… right?" She smiled and reached forward to ruffle his hair fondly.
"Of course, Hadrian. You can confide in me too." They grinned at each other, and looked towards the door at the same time as Ludo Bagman began a perky speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your amazing support of this Tournament. Let's have a round of applause for all the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton students that came all the way here just for this!" The students cheered loudly and Hadrian sighed as he eyed Fleur again.
Even if she said it was okay, he felt bad about her. He'd completely stolen her spotlight, and she'd come last in every task. Fleur said she was okay with it, and he hoped she really meant it.
"We send a special thank you to our other participants. Please welcome our Beauxbaton Champion, Miss Fleur Delacour!" With a pretty smile, she and Madam Maxime entered the Hall side by side. The students clapped, Beauxbaton loudly, and Hadrian saw the duo take a place on the dias. Fleur looked slightly uncomfortable, but happy nonetheless.
"Next we have our Champion from Durmstrang, Mister Viktor Krum!" Shouts and cheers rang from the Hall as Krum went in stonily, fist in the air. Karkaroff grinned, eyes as cold as ever, as they took their places next to Fleur and Madam Maxime. Krum and Fleur shared a polite nod.
"Our second place Champion from Hogwarts School is Cedric Diggory! A round of applause!" Dumbledore followed Cedric inside as the boy strode in grinning. The whole of Hogwarts was screaming for him, not just Hufflepuff. Cedric grinned and waved as Dumbledore walked calmly beside him, and Hadrian smiled. Cedric took his place next to Krum, Dumbledore beside him. Bagman beamed out at the crowd.
"Lastly, we have our winner of the Triwizard Tournament, Lord Hadrian Black!" As Hadrian entered alone, it seemed every person in the Hall was cheering, several students bouncing to their feet in a standing ovation. He waved with a beaming smile as he walked.
Fred and George Weasley were whistling from the Gryffindor table, Lee Jordan and Hermione clapping with grins.
Malcolm was jumping in place for Hufflepuff, Heidi Macavoy laughing at his antics while cheering for Hadrian.
Draco and Theo led the cheers for Slytherin, hands cupping their mouths as they yelled encouragement at the top of their lungs.
Cho Chang seemed to be clapping reluctantly, while Ravenclaws he shared Defense with in 7th year were clapping enthusiastically.
He reached the dias and climbed up, taking his spot next to Bagman beside the gleaming Cup. Bagman turned to face him, a broad smile on his boyish face.
"Lord Black, would you like to say a few words?" He boomed. Hadrian suppressed a sigh, wishing he'd been giving a heads up about a speech. He just nodded politely. Stepping forward and lifting his wand, Hadrian silenced the hall with a bright Lumos. Smiling faces beamed up at him, only gentle murmurs remaining.
"I didn't do this alone. My sister Champion, Fleur Delacour, traveled with me from Beauxbaton and supported me in this new place. Adjusting to Britain has been easier with her by my side." People cheered, and he smiled at Fleur, winking. "My rival Champion, Viktor Krum, is also from afar. He's been a joy to compete with, nearly winning the first task. It was an honor being alongside him." People cheered and Durmstrang looked particularly smug that their Champion was acknowledged. "Lastly, Cedric Diggory. This is your home, and you made me feel so welcomed here. It's amazing to know I beat you barely, by only three points. Thank you all for supporting me, and my fellow Champions!" Hadrian beamed as he finished, and the school exploded into cheers. The teachers clapped, and each Headmaster nodded to him in appreciation, Madam Maxime smiling warmly.
He stepped back to his original position, Bagman taking front and center once again. "It's my greatest pleasure to award Mist- I mean, Lord Black, his 1000 galleon prize money!" Bagman pulled a medium sized sack out of his robes and handed it to Hadrian who stared at it before accepting it gently. He smiled, knowing he was most definitely not keeping it.
"Thank you, sir." He said politely, still smiling.
"I also award your school the Triwizard Cup itself! It will be taken to your carriages and Headmistress Maxime can have it on display in your school, anywhere she likes." Bagman announced happily. The crowd cheered and Madam Maxime seemed to be positively glowing with pride. Hadrian grinned.
"Thank you, it's an honor to accept such a gift for my school."
Hadrian endured the next hour of lunch of people congratulating him some more, and many cheers and Pumpkin juice toasts in his honor. He sighed, hoping it would die down eventually.
It never died down. Throughout the last month he paid complete attention to his classes, even if the people around him didn't and the teachers seemed distracted.
When Hadrian had Year 7 Potions, he checked and double checked the instructions. If he passed the class with an O, he'd have his Mastery by the end of the year.
In Year 5 Herbology he carefully planted his angry Carnivorous plants, and took neat notes. He would be moving up to Year 6 in Herbology, History, and Transfiguration for his fifth year, and he wanted to be ready for it, hopefully to move to seventh to get even more ahead.
He was most confident about Year 5 History of Magic. More so than Herbology and Transfiguration, because he didn't learn much about the subject from the ghost teacher; he learned everything from the textbooks. During lessons he would read several chapters and take pretty notes to review after the class. He did his homework dutifully, and even enjoyed some assignments on goblin rebellions.
In Year 6 Astronomy with Cedric he paid rapt attention, noting the difference constellations and their placements as well as their meanings. Year 6 Care of Magical Creatures was easy but also hard, because the giant teacher was absolutely all over the place. Hadrian didn't know if the curriculum taught at Hogwarts was the same as at Beauxbaton, because it fluctuated between interesting and horrifyingly dangerous. He hoped at the very least, he stayed on the same level, Level 6, and didn't move backwards for next year. Lastly, Ancient Runes was an interesting subject, but Hadrian tried not to get too attached. They didn’t have it as a subject at Beauxbaton.
Hadrian let himself fall into a school routine, not thinking about the Tournament he'd won or the money he'd accepted. He considered giving it to another Champion, but felt that would be rude. 'Hey, I won, but here's the money 'cause I don't want it.' He shuddered and tried to put it completely out of mind.
As he failed not to consider it one day, he had a brilliant idea. Hadrian grinned madly, and immediately headed for the Gryffindor common room. He found it exactly where it had been described to be, but he had no clue how to get in. Hadrian stood in front of the painting of a woman a little uncomfortably.
"Uh, hello?" He asked. She smiled at him smugly, eyeing his uniform.
"You can't come in without the password." She told him. He frowned.
"Is Fred or George Weasley inside?"
"Yes, both. And the other two." She reported. "You still can't come in." Hadrian sighed. He wondered if banging on the portrait would be rude.
Instead, he plopped down in front of it and pulled out his History textbook and notes. He needed to reread them anyway. Hadrian opened the textbook and settled it on his lap, choosing a random page to start on.
"What're you doing?" The portrait snapped irritably. "You're blocking the entrance."
"I'm waiting for a Gryffindor." He informed her politely. "If you don't mind, I'm trying to study. Please be quiet." She huffed but didn't say anything more.
Hadrian had gotten all the way through the second goblin rebellion when a Gryffindor swung open the portrait and nearly fell flat on her face to prevent stepping on Hadrian. He tilted his head up, amused.
"'Ello there." He said cheerfully. "I don't suppose you'll let me in?" The Gryffindor blinked. She was the pretty one he'd seen with Ron Weasley at the Yule Ball.
"Uh, can you move?" She asked, shifting foot to foot.
"Are the Weasley's in?" Hadrian checked, standing up easily. The portrait could've lied.
"Yeah, in the commons." The Gryffindor said politely. Portrait didn't lie! "I really need to get through." Hadrian stepped aside with a flourish, and the girl hurried through. He sent an amused smile after her and stepped through the portrait.
Hadrian examined the room, red walls with orange and gold curtains and accents. A fireplace stood in the corner with comfortable looking armchairs nearby. Students were scattered around the room, and he spotted the boy he remembered as Lee, as well as the youngest Weasley. Ginny.
Fred and George were huddled in a corner with papers spread out over a table between them. Neither twin noticed as he approached, grinning.
"Hello my lovely Weasleys." He said brightly. They turned immediately, with gasps. "I have a proposition for you."
"My dear Lord Black!" George exclaimed happily.
"We'd be happy to do business with someone as stunning as you." Fred grinned.
"As you know, I've come into possession of 1000 Galleons." Hadrian examined his fingernails, seemingly bored. "This is 1000 Galleons that I don’t need, nor want." He reached into his bag, plopped a sack onto the table, and stepped back. "There you go!" He beamed. The twins were seemingly frozen, eyes glued to the sack.
"What is this?" Fred whispered, staring.
"1000 Galleons, just for you. For your Joke shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, right?" He tilted his head as their eyes snapped to him, and they both stood rapidly to examine him.
"What?" George exclaimed, mouth falling open.
"You're mental." Fred gaped.
"Look, seriously, I don't want it. I'm from a rich and old family, and have like 10 Vaults. Please take it." He said, eyeing each twin.
"He is mental." George whispered, eyes huge.
"Look, Hadrian-" He put a finger to Fred's lips.
"How about this: I give you the money, and you give me free products whenever I want once your shop is up and running." Hadrian offered sincerely, "Do we have a deal?" The twins beamed and nodded.
"Oh thank you Hadrian!" They exclaimed. Hadrian gave them a fond smile. He stepped forward to embrace George, who hugged him tightly. Fred hugged him just as tightly, kissing the top of his head.
Stepping back, Hadrian reached both hands up to touch Fred's cheeks. On his tiptoes, he kissed Fred's nose lightly. A kiss for a kiss. The boy turned bright red, but he was grinning.
“Now, where is that brother of yours, Ronald?” Hadrian asked, hands on his hips. “I believe I still owe him an apology.” Fred and George nodded, and led him up a curling set of tower stairs and into what looked like a communal bedroom for boys. Ron was sitting on a bed, seemingly in deep conversation with a boy Hadrian didn’t recognize.
“Ron, we brought someone who has something to say to you.” George said blankly. Ron looked up, as did the blond boy he was with, and jumped to his feet with a glare.
“You brought Black?” Ron spat. "To the Tower?!"
"Isn't he the one who broke your wand?" The blond murmured, having not moved.
"Shut up, Neville." Ron snapped, staring at Hadrian.
“Listen, I’m not here to cause a scene.” Hadrian placated, raising his hands. “I’m here to apologize.” Ronald eyed him from across the room.
“Go on.” He said suspiciously.
“I’m truly sorry for how I acted that day I snapped your wand.” Hadrian bowed to him. “I’ve seen you using it taped up, but obviously it doesn't work correctly and for that I am very sorry.” He straightened and made eye contact with the surprised redhead. “As a better apology, I promise to pay any expense you need paid while you buy a new wand. That includes transportation, as well as a holster or anything else you require.”
“What?” The boy choked, eyes huge.
“I’ll be giving you 100 Galleons to start, and then if you need more just send an owl.” He paused before adding, “I’m not sure how much wands cost here, so, I hope that’s enough.” That was true, he’d bought his wand in France right before the school year started. Kigga had gone with him to help with the language barrier.
“Hadrian, that's way too much!” George exclaimed from behind him.
“You could buy the whole school list with that much money!” Fred added, astonished. Hadrian thought that sounded familiar, which meant it was probably true. Looking between Ron’s hungry expression and the twins’ worried ones, he shrugged.
“It’s my money.” Hadrian reminded them. “You’ll have your 100 galleons the day I leave Hogwarts.” Hadrian turned away after giving Ron a firm nod, and smiled at the gobsmacked twins. "Bye boys, I'm headed to the library." With a small wave he walked back down the stairs, leaving three stunned redheads behind to stare after him.