Hadrian Peverell

Harry's fury was all consuming.

He found out about the Wizarding World a few weeks before his birthday, found out how to get there, then did so without wasting any time. Harry learned the truth, angry about how it was all kept from him, and only thanks to his ironclad control he didn't burn the whole fucking place down.

He didn't waste any time learning everything he could get his hands on about the wizarding world, only to meet Draco Malfoy who helped him immensely and invited him over for the rest of the summer.

In fact, when Lord and Lady Malfoy learned exactly of what happened to him - which Harry was very eager to share - they were horrified, and then Lady Malfoy asked if he'd be amendable to the thought of becoming their ward.

That would stab his traitor father right in the face.

Lucius shared his idea.

They decided to get an appointment with the goblins, who insisted on a medical scan to be performed and were livid with the results.

They wanted to prosecute whoever had done this to him and Harry wholeheartedly agreed.

Lucius looked worried, but Harry assured that he's fine. He will be.

Then came the trouble. Legally, James Potter was still his guardian, but with the evidence stating Harry has never seen the man in his entire life and was told he was dead along the evidence of abuse, Potter was immediately stripped of guardianship and it was passed on to Lucius without much trouble. Harry even got to keep his trust fund and then he could change his name if he wished to, for which he had to do an inheritance test.

Good Merlin, he was an heir to so many titles!

Harry asked how this was possible.

"The magic chooses those who are worthy of certain Lordships and sometimes even rejects some. As for instance, you are an heir to Potter, Black, Peverell and Slytherin lines. Your birth father James Potter is an heir to Potter and Gryffindor lines. Peverell heirship rejects him."

Harry blinked, confused.

"Why am I an heir to Slytherin if he is one to Gryffindor then?"

"I believe there is a Slytherin pureblood squib down your mother's line. Your mother has been adopted into the Evans family, so it seems."

There was a pause.

"So you're telling me-” Harry gritted through clenched teeth, ”-that those bastards I was left with aren't even my real relatives!?" 

Air around them crackled with charged potent magic, resonating Harry's anger.

The goblin looked somewhat surprised by the display, but didn’t look at all bothered, while Lucius was shocked.

This child’s magic was strong. He could feel it in the air, in Harry’s anger. The atmosphere around them felt charged with static. Not even he or Draco were able to do such things at his age.

As far as he knew, no one could.

"Yes," the goblin replied curtly.

Harry seethed.

Plans of revenge already circulating in his mind.

One thing for sure there is no way in hell he'll forgive and forget.

Oh no, one day he will make those bastards scream and paint walls with their blood. After all, they liked seeing him bleed, why shouldn’t he return the favor?

"Alright. What should I do now?" he asked, deciding to leave his more bloodthirsty thoughts at bay for now.

"You could take whichever heirships you want, you may reject the ones you do not, but you can also leave them be" Lucius explained, as this was one of his areas of expertise. Being a Lord required certain knowledge; heirships was one of them.

"Peverell and Slytherin. I'll leave those other two for now." Harry said after a moment. While the other two were his by birthright, these two held the most power and he didn't want Potter nor Gryffindor associated with him in any way, shape or form. Not yet at least, not until it benefits him.

Harry knew enough to know people expected him to be a Gryffindor Light Savior and there was no way he would be something as pathetic as that. He was in no way light nor was he a reckless fool.

And won't that be a shock?

Harry almost smirked.

He couldn’t wait to see everyone’s reactions when the almost holy image they created for him will crumble into dust and from them, he will rise. 

"Wise choice." Goblin nodded, and pulled out two rings from the box. "Put both of these on. They are heir rings. They have protective spells against mind control and some poisons woven into them, but they do not protect you from everything completely. When you reach majority, you will get Lord rings."

Harry put them on carefully one by one and felt a surge of powerful magic running through his whole body, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake.

Well, that felt weird, yet… empowering. It was like he was dosed in cold water, leaving him wide awake and ready, magic at his fingertips, just waiting to do its master’s bidding.

"The rings accept you, heir Peverell, heir Slytherin" goblin smiled at him, even though it looked more like a grimace. “I await great things from you.”

Harry's smile was a horrible thing.

Lucius subtly cleared his throat, getting slightly uncomfortable at the malicious grins the two of them were currently sharing.

"Now you may change your name if you wish, for i don't believe you'd like to keep Harry James Potter"

Harry's sneer of disgust showed the goblin he was right.

Why would he call himself Harry James Potter? Sullen himself with the name of his blaster father , the one who left him to rot? Who forgot that he existed? 

Thanks, but no thanks.

Besides, everyone associated Harry James Potter with Light propaganda. He would never be able to leave the shadow of that fake image. Not completely. 

He would never be able to be completely himself .

Yet, he didn’t want to completely change his name, so he went for something similar.

"Hadrian Peverell. Would that work?"

Goblin smirked.

"Wonderful choice, young Master. Write down your name here and it will become official" the goblins pushed a parchment towards him and handed him a quill.

Harry signed it with his blood, he found out, and immediately asked about it, only to be told blood magic is illegal in Britain. 

He pouted and asked why.

"It was outlawed because of Dumbledore's hate for anything dark related" Lucius answered, unable to hide the contempt from his voice. 

"I don't see anything wrong with it" Harry muttered, gaining shocked looks from the present company.

Harry didn’t see how it could be bad and he didn’t care about the illegality. If he wants to, he will use blood magic to his heart content. Well, when he finds out what exactly it is.

Next, was the paperwork to become official ward of Malfoy’s, much to Lucius' delight. Malfoy Lord had an inkling Hadrian will be powerful- he already was, if anything to go by earlier feel of his magic.

Being Harry's guardian will also bring him a higher standing in the wizarding society, especially having saved the boy from abusive muggles and exposing the truth.

Narcissa and Draco would also be excited to have another person living in their Manor.

Lucius could hardly wait for what was to come.

"Now, gentlemen, I must submit the evidence and a report on Hadrian's case. I believe your birth father may lose his standing when this all comes to light" the goblin looked like he enjoyed causing trouble for the other wizard. “I suggest you prepare for the backlash this will cause and perhaps retain from going to public places when the news hits the public. It will not be pretty.”

Harry’s smile was a vicious thing. 

Draco was ecstatic.

He couldn’t believe that Harry was going to live with them. He always wanted to be friends with the boy, but was afraid to be rejected since his family was considered dark. It was well known of James Potter’s prejudice against anything dark related and Draco was sure that Harry would want nothing to do with him.

How wrong he was.

Not only was Harry not the light savior the media portrayed, but Draco was convinced he was dark. There was no other way, not when his magic felt like… that. 

And Potter never even spoke to Harry, therefore, never had time to spoon-feed him the light propaganda. Draco was still shocked after hearing that Harry thought his father was dead. How dare that blood traitor hurt his friend like that?

While he felt sorry for the boy, Draco was also secretly glad. Not because of the pain Harry had to endure, but because he gained a true friend.

As of now, he was begging for Harry to go flying, but Narcissa grabbed him and said they will go shopping to France - Malfoy’s originally came from France and had residency there as well, so it was a perfect opportunity. They heeded the goblin's warning and chose not to go anywhere public in Britain, but other countries were a fair game.

And honestly, Narcissa wanted to spoil the boy a little. Merlin knew he deserved it.

Harry's eyes went wide at hearing this and Draco chuckled, wishing him good luck.

He didn't know what Draco meant, but he figured it out pretty quickly when Narcissa went completely insane in his humble opinion, wanting him to try out everything, whether he needed it or not. Because he looked so adorable , according to Narcissa, and then tried to dress him up like a doll.

It was slightly too much for Harry, but he had an inkling this kind of thing will only continue, resistance was futile, and as the witch pointed out, he deserved to be spoiled.

Harry now had a whole new wardrobe, much to Narcissa's delight. 

Oh, did he mention that his room was completely giant and lavish? Dursley’s rooms couldn’t even compare, neither in style nor size. Hell, his wardrobe alone was bigger than Dudley’s room.  

He shook his head, not wanting to think about that horrible place and insead looked at his room. It was painted moss green with some fancy shade of white  (honestly, just how many shades were there?), had a fireplace, a giant bed with silk sheets - only the best for Malfoys , Draco said, a table, a bookcase… really, everything a room needed. Tall windows and a small balcony were one of his favorite features. He loved just how much light he now had and the balcony quickly became one of his favorite places to sit in, along with the garden and the library.

He liked the peace.

Thank goodness he already had his things for school - Harry didn't fancy yet another shopping trip. Now he could read his school books without being bothered, like at the Dursleys. And any and all questions he had, about anything, his guardians were happy to answer or point him to a book in the library.

This was heaven.

And he should’ve had this and more his whole life, Harry thought bitterly.

He really wanted a snake.

Harry missed the little snakes that used to visit him in the Dursleys’ garden; they used to bring him a sense of companionship and a great sense of satisfaction when he used them to scare people.

When he inquired Lucius about it, the man's eyes went wide.

"You want a snake ?" 

Harry nodded slowly.

"I don't see why not, but wouldn't you rather have something else? Perhaps less dangerous?"

Harry raised a brow.

"They aren't dangerous, especially since I can talk to them. Most are pretty lazy and whiny, actually."

Lucius' face went white.

"You can speak to snakes?" he asked, voice suddenly hoarse.

Harry nodded slowly, looking slightly suspicious.

Was that something not normal? He'll have to find out. Lucius’ reactions were a tad extreme, in his opinion. 

The man gulped, but nodded. Later that day, he had a three feet long magical snake. Harry named him Onyx and mostly carried him around his neck from that day forth.

Really, the whole prejudice against snakes was dumb. They just wanted to be warm, fed and left alone, or in Onyx case - scratched in all the right places.

It seems that his snake will be spoiled. 

Narcissa insisted on teaching him pureblood etiquette, history, and whatever else he might need, to be a proper heir and represent their family as well. 

A good thing Harry already knew a lot from the etiquette book he snatched in Flourish and Bolts, so it wasn't all from scratch, and he already had the right attitude apparently. Having been manipulating people most of his life and presenting what they expected of him gave him a nice headstart as well.

Narcissa gushed over how Harry had natural grace a lot of wizards his age lacked. 

Harry paid attention to how his new family was acting and presenting themselves, especially at the table. It was hard for him to have table manners when he was never allowed to sit at the table now, wasn’t it?

But he adapted, just like he always did.

Harry had no intentions to bring shame to his guardians by messing up, just because he was ignorant. Malfoys were the firsts who helped him, so the least he could do is act like a proper heir. It was obvious how Lucius despised those who acted anything less than by extremely high Malfoy standards, and that apparently included all muggleborns, who came into this world acting like barbarians, uncaring of this world’s traditions or culture.

“Remember, Hadrian, the way you act is how others perceive you. People look for weaknesses they can exploit and you must show them none. You not only represent our house, but you are an heir to two most prestigious houses - Peverell and Slytherin. You have a mantle to uphold.” Lucius lectured him, and Harry nodded along. He already knew this and he had no intention to do anything less than his best.

He was the best after all, or so he thought. Or he will be one day, Harry knew that with absolute certainty. He was special and the world will know it too.

He wasn’t alone anymore. 

Honestly, Harry thought he would’ve been fine on his own. He only ever had himself to rely on, and he managed. But then he met Malfoys who offered him safety, family and knowledge.

Harry wasn’t stupid. 

While lying in bed late at night he often wondered how things would’ve gone down if he hadn’t found out about this world before his birthday, when his Hogwarts letter showed up. He would’ve been forced to go into this blind, without being able to snoop around first.

The boy was certain that once he came into the Magical World his father would’ve snooped in to save the day and be a hero. Harry would’ve been told half-truths or even lies, would’ve been told that the sun shone from Dumbledore’s ass and be told to be a good little Gryffindor hero.

Who knows what would’ve actually happened; from the way Lucius spoke about James, Harry would’ve never been introduced to wizarding traditions, culture or even his heirships. He was one hundred percent sure of that. 

The Malfoys knowingly or perhaps unknowingly offered him protection from the light side.

He was furious at his father, and a tiny bit hurt. Fantasizing about smashing his face with a brick helped to ease Harry’s emotions a bit. 

There will be time for that, but now...

He still had so much to learn.

As all because his heritage and world were kept from him.

Draco was terrified of his snake.

Harry laughed hard and long when the boy squeaked and ran away once he noticed something moving on his neck.

"Merlin’s balls, there's a snake on your neck!"

Harry chuckled.

"Yes, Draco, I know. Your observation skills are extraordinary."

"Why do you have a snake?" the boy continued to stare, staying as far away as possible.

"Oh, his name is Onyx, he's my familiar. Your father got him for me."

"But why ?"

Harry shrugged.

" Master, the blond boy smells of fear. Is he prey?"

"No, he's my friend, Onyx. You are never to hurt him, in fact, in case of something bad happening, protect him as well."

"Very well, Master"

Once Harry looked back at Draco, the boy's face was so pale Harry was afraid he would faint.

"What's wrong, Draco? Should I call for your mother?"

The boy shook his head, still staring at Harry as if he had three heads.

"You- you spoke parseltongue"

"I what?"

" You spoke to a snake!" Draco screeched, as if Harry couldn't grasp the urgency.

Well, he couldn't.

"So what?"

Draco stared at him again, so much so that Harry was becoming unnerved.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is it not… normal?"

"Well, no- I mean, it's an extremely rare gift." Draco finally composed himself, standing up straighter. "In fact, its been said that only descendants of Salazar Slytherin, who was a parselmouth, possess this gift."

Harry then grinned.

For a brief moment he thought there was actually something wrong with him, but apparently he was even more special. 

"Well then, Draco dear, you are looking at one" he raised his hand with the heir ring he learned to conceal. "Heir Slytherin at your service," he bowed mockingly to the boy, enjoying the gobsmacked look on his face.

He thought Lucius told his son, but apparently not.

More fun for him.

"You- you're-" the boy stuttered, clearly not knowing how to act, and Harry finally took mercy on him. 

"Yes, now please stop gawking and tell me why you were so scandalized by my ability."

Draco gulped.

"Well, mostly because its so rare, but… but the last known parselmouth was the Dark Lord '' he said much more quietly, looking around as if someone was going to jump and smack him for saying such things. "Because of that now there is a stigma around it, saying it's a dark gift and only dark wizards possess it. I'm afraid if students get to know about it, they will scrutinize you for it, especially Gryffindors. Slytherins never would, naturally"

Harry smirked and slowly walked up to Draco, sensing an opportunity to toy with the boy even more.

"Should I then hide it, Draco? Because it's dark ?"

Malfoy heir looked to be panicking again, afraid to give the wrong answer.

"Am I a light wizard, Draco?" Harry asked quietly, leaning in closer. As if on cue, Onyx hissed slightly. "Well?"

"I don't know," the blond whispered. "Your family was, so, you should be too, but-"

"But..?" he urged.

"You don't seem like them. You're not rash and reckless like James Potter. You're cold. You ditched Potter's name like it was yesterday's trash. You’re wearing a snake around your neck like a necklace. So I don't know."

Harry smiled, reaching out for Draco’s hand, and he let the boy get a feel of his true magic for a brief moment.

Draco gasped.

Harry smiled and let go.

"They expect the Light Savior, Draco. They expect me to save them when they left me to rot. My own father left me to rot with magic hating muggles who apparently weren't even my own relatives. If they wanted me to believe they were dead, they will continue to be dead to me." And he wasn't lying. The betrayal burned bright and strong in Harry's heart and he didn't think that fire would ever go out. "Why would I lift a finger to save them? In fact, they will all get what's coming for them in due time. Make no mistake of that. I will never forgive them"

With that, Harry walked away, leaving an ominous silence and shaken Draco behind.

"Uncle Lucius, may I ask you something?" Harry wandered into the man's office a few days later.

"Of course, Hadrian."

"Could you tell me about the Dark Lord?"

That clearly startled the man and he went pale.

"Why would you want to know?"

"I'm just curious and the books are vague. The only thing I got was that he was the most terrifying and powerful Dark Lord in centuries,” Harry’s eyes glinted madly as he said that, quietly wondering about the man he supposedly vanquished. He was beyond intrigued. “I figured you could tell me the truth instead of vague suggestions."

Because that was all he could find in the books. There were no concrete facts about Lord Voldemort apart from him being a powerful Dark Lord. No previous name. None of his goals. There was nothing.

"Why- how would i-?"

Harry sighed and looked directly to his forearm while Lucius fought not to squirm under Harry’s cutting gaze.

Was it so hard to tell him about it? Lucius just had to push him towards this.

"I can feel dark magic, his magic on your arm, Mr Malfoy. Please don't assume I'm judging - because I am not. You must know I am not the light savior that Dumbledore spreads propaganda about - quite the opposite, really. I'm asking for your view, opinion and experience. I'm asking for the truth ."

Lucius seemed to be shocked at Harry's proclamations and his demand to know the truth. The boy may have phrased it as a request, but it was anything but. Lucius could tell an order for what it was, Merlin knows he’s had enough of them from the Dark Lord. Clearly, the boy wasn't a sheep and could think for himself. That made Lucius feel better, at least he knew the young wizard won't be goaded and manipulated by the light with empty promises and half truths. 

So he told the boy what he knew and what he believed in.

"So, let me get this straight. The Dark Lord wished to bring back wizarding traditions, instate complete segregation from muggles and free magic? How is he the bad guy here?" Harry sounded scandalized. 

Lucius was in a mild state of shock, not expecting this from a child, some part of his mind still associating him with the light side.

"He isn't. Not to us."

"Bloody hell, from what I've heard it's the light that is herding our world to extinction. I get that they want muggleborns to feel welcome, but not at the cost of our own world! Did they forget what happened during witch trials? Muggles slaughtered everyone they believed to be magical. Do they want a bloody repeat?!" Harry's eyes burned bright with anger and determination. 

How could they be so blind? So stupid? Muggles would eradicate them all if they knew.

They had a hard time accepting people who were considered out of norm, even those who dressed not to their standart, what would they do to someone much more powerful than them? 

And Dumbledore… Those were his ideas. Old fool.

Well, it made sense they followed whatever Dumbledore told them. According to Lucius, by the end, the Dark Lord was not in his right mind, killed everyone that stood in his way not bothering negotiating, his goals shifted drastically from the original ones, but he still knew of them since his father, Abraxas Malfoy, was one of the most loyal of the Dark Lord back in the day. He passed those ideals onto Lucius.

But now it was widely believed that Voldemort wanted to kill all the muggleborns. That this was his goal.

That was what the light side was spreading, along with banning branches of magic on a whim.

Either way, Harry was determined to fix the wrongs.

He will continue the Dark Lord's work, his original goals. He will help them to create a magical world where magic thrives.

The trouble came knocking a week later in a form of Sirius Black and James Potter.

Harry sneered.

How dare they?

"Where is he!?" James hollered at the front door and received a lot of stinky eyes from the portraits. Someone even told him to learn some manners.

Harry was sniggering to himself.

Oh, he saw the papers, and asked Lucius if he could keep it as a souvenir.

The story got out. How poor Harry Potter was left with abusive muggles, who, in fact, weren't even his blood relatives. How his heritage was kept from him. How his birth father, auror James Potter abandoned him, that Harry never even saw the man and thought him dead. How James was charged with negligence, barely escaping Azkaban, and muggles were sent to court. How Malfoys helped Harry. How Harry changed his name.

It was wonderful.

Masterful.

And Harry sat on his throne watching it all crumble with no regrets.

Apparently, the reporter was Malfoy's close friend and did a wonderful job, stirring up the beehive and prodding at the old wounds, wording it just the way it would cause the most chaos.

He should thank her personally, really.

"Potter. You have no business being here" Lucius snapped coldly at the uninvited guest.

"Where's my son?!" 

"Bring him here this instant!" Black shouted.

Lucius elegantly raised his brow and ordered an elf to summon Hadrian.

He came looking annoyed, then saw who was waiting and looked at Lucius in surprise.

"You called me here for this ?" he asked, which as much of disdain he could muster, amusing Lucius so.

"Unfortunately"

"Come on, Harry, you're coming with us" Black stepped forward, reaching for him.

Harry stepped back.

"It's Hadrian. And no, I'm not"

"I'm your father!"

Harry raised his brows mockingly

"My father ?" the boy sneered, spitting out that word as if it was the most vile thing in existence. "Oh, but see, my father died with my mother a good decade ago. Then I got dumped to muggles who treated me worse than a house elf and had to fend for myself. It's a bloody miracle I didn't end up dead before coming to Hogwarts, only to learn that a man who is supposed to be my father left me there, on his own free will, while he went off to live his own life." 

James gulped, eyes widening.

"Then again, its not like you tried to save my mother from the Dark Lord either, why would you care for your own son?"

The man was paling quickly.

"Harry-"

"I'd rather not hear your excuses. And I'm certainly not going anywhere with you. Why would I, so you could dump me with someone who'll actually manage to kill me this time around? Go to hell"

Both men's faces were white at hearing Harry's angry rant.

Clearly, they expected Harry to be happy and go with them, no questions asked.

More fun for him, Lucius thought. He's never seen someone put those two at their places with such brutality, and knowing it was Potter's son, Black's godson was making this whole ordeal this much sweeter.

And looking back at the boy, he could see he was beyond furious, enough that some of his words came out slightly hissing.

He should let Severus see a memory of this.

The men were shocked at the absolute fury the boy was radiating.

"Harry, you don't underst-"

"It's Hadrian, Mr Black" Harry smiled sweetly at him, after his magic was done examining him. "Perhaps being a dog shortened your memory"

The man went white and looked ready to faint.

Harry chuckled.

Oh, did he not want anyone to know that bit of information? Oopsie. It’s not his fault their magic is saturated with their animal forms.

"He's a death eater!" James was insistent. 

"I don't see him abandoning his children" Harry deadpanned.

Clearly, his words were cutting both of them deeply.

Harry 2, the bastards 0.

"You need to understand-"

"No" Hadrian's cold voice and a sudden oppressive magic filling the room shut them up. " You need to understand that I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. You dumped me. A long time ago and now you have no right to demand anything from me. Either of you. I've been dead to you for the last decade, so do us all a favor and continue pretending that I don't exist." Harry spat at them, his anger overwhelming the hurt he felt as he stared traitors in the eyes.

These men, they abandoned him.

"Malfoy is lying to you! He's going to turn you against the light!" James shouted, still insistent. Gryffindor stubbornness and short sightedness at its best, both Lucius and Harry thought.

"The light?" the boy spat. "The light, you , you left me to be abused. You left me with nothing while you were having the time of your life. For all I care, you could all fucking die and I'm not going to give one single shit" Hadrian spat out, not caring how crude his language was and how Narcissa would be displeased with his manners. He simply didn't care.

How dare they?

Magic cracked in the room like thunder with Harry's fury.

"This isn't you, Harry," Black said, turning Harry's fury on him.

"You don't fucking know me. And you never will. A traitor like you has no say about my life."

The man flinched. 

"Mr Malfoy, on the other hand, he helped me when I needed it. He is a better man than two of you ever will be"

Oh, that struck a nerve.

Harry smirked when he saw Lucius failing to hold his composure. That was a rare sight knowing how the purebloods were all about masks and composure and public image.

"We wanted what's best for you, Harry. And Dumbledore said it would be safest for you there"

With those words Harry lost control.

His magic lashed out, smashing the windows to pieces and violently shoving the two men to the ground.

They were startled to see how Harry's eyes glowed unnatural green.

They glowed with power.

" Dumbledore? " the boy hissed out the name he started hating more and more every day. "You listened to that senile old fool, you believed him, no questions asked, just like that? Never even bothering to check?" Harry was breathing heavily, but reigned his magic in. It had been a long time since he lost control like that. "Just shows how much you care, I guess."

"Son, please-"

Harry cut him off immediately, suddenly feeling drained and exhausted.

"I'd rather not hear any more of your excuses, because that's exactly what they are. You might as well keep doing what you're best at - pretending I'm dead or don't exist."

With that, Harry turned around to leave, ignoring those two, then stopped by Lucius.

"I apologize for the mess, uncle Lucius. It seems that sheer stupidity in form of brainless idiots makes me lose control"

Lucius snickered at that and patted Harry on the shoulder.

"It's quite alright, Hadrian. Go get yourself some hot chocolate and relax. I'll come see you later."

He nodded and left, without a glance at his so-called family, eyes suddenly feeling damp.

"Well, gentlemen, it seems you overstayed your not-welcome. You heard him. And honestly, I expected better from you, after you preaching such high ideals and all."

They were still in too much shock to answer.

Neither Black nor Potter expected to be ruthlessly berated and plummeted into dust by an eleven year old boy.

"This isn't over" said Black and they left.

Harry was reeling, so he did one thing he could think of - he emerged himself into reading, soaking everything about their world like a sponge. It was a wonderful way to distract himself from unwanted thoughts.

He had to be strong. To be strong he needed to learn.

Knowledge was power, he knew that much. And he refused to be weak ever again.

He continued his lessons with Narcissa and then asked Lucius to teach him too. He had to be prepared. 

One thing for sure: the so-called light or his blasted father won't leave him alone, no. They were too gryfindoorish for that, too stupid to see past their own nose.

When their conversation turned to Hogwarts, Harry realized that there was one major obstacle: Dumbledore.

Lucius told the boy all that he could, more than he ever told his own son. He learned early on that if Hadrian realized he was being coddled and told the child-friendly version of things, he got furious. So the Malfoy Lord stuck to the truth, proud of how mature his ward seemed to be and somewhat sad at the lost innocence.

His own son was not as calculating, not as intense as this boy seemed to be. Not as grown, even being slightly older.

This kind of maturity was a sign of how fast the Potter boy- now Peverell had to grow up. So Lucius was real with him.

He cautioned Hadrian, advised him against looking the old man in the eyes. He could read minds, and that's how Hadrian was introduced to legilimency and occlumency. 

Upon learning such a thing exists, the young heir instantly demanded to be taught both.

Lucius wanted to refuse and offer just the basics of occlumency that Draco was taught, but the ice cold look in Harry's eyes upon his initial refusal sent him into a flashback of the Dark Lord. He used to grace them with this exact same look when he was displeased, which was usually followed by a crucio.

He relented.

To Lucius' infinite surprise, the boy was a natural at both, and with his ability to manipulate and put a mask on, he really shouldn't have been surprised. Just immensely impressed.

While there was much room for improvement, Harry's mind shields were strong. Not something an experienced legilimens wouldn't be able to break through, but enough to keep surface attacks out. Malfoy only gave the boy advice on how to improve, as for legilimency…

It seems that the boy has been doing that for a while without realizing what it was.

Apparently, that’s how he got to know about the magical world. His aunt was thinking about ways to evade Hogwarts letters and the freaks, and that’s all it took.

This left Lucius speechless.

Just how powerful was the boy? 

All in all, Harry had a pretty interesting summer, even if he did spend most of it reading and catching up, and simply recovering from his stay with muggles.

He was going to need to take potions for a while, much to Harry’s dismay, but he was already doing much better. One thing he was looking for was to get rid of his glasses, but that required two months of potions.

Baby step, he reminded himself.

The continued attempts of James to reach him were ridiculous and just plain pathetic. Harry will never ever forgive that man.

In fact, if he wasn't so hell bent on ignoring him, he'd gladly torture the bastard for putting him through hell and never, not even once checking up on him.

After the first letter, that asked Harry to meet and talk like father and son - as if Harry knew what that felt like - and then talking crap about his guardians and even daring to shame him for what came out in the Prophet, Harry's magic set the letter on fire.

After that, he asked Lucius if he could do something so Harry wouldn't receive any more of those wastes of good parchment, as he started calling them.

"I may not be there yet, but I have no qualms about sending back a cursed letter" Harry ranted to Lucius, who had the gall to look amused. "I went to knockturn alley before, you know. There are some wonderful cursed objects there. If this continues, I'll send them one as a Yule present. I swear"

"Who are we sending a cursed object to?" Narcissa walked in, looking at them suspiciously. 

"Potter and Black. They can't seem to leave Hadrian alone and as you can see, he's not pleased."

"Perhaps I should talk to Sirius, after all, he's my cousin"

Lucius snickered to himself, then shut up after receiving a glare.

His wife could be vicious when she wanted to, Merlin bless those who were on the receiving end of her wrath.

"Perhaps, dear. And-"

"And what was that about knockturn alley? You're not thinking about taking Hadrian there are you?"

Lucius' eyes widened.

"N-no, of course not"

Harry smirked.

"Cissy, I've already been there. I was just wondering about sending them a gift. And Borgin and Burkes have some… exceptional gifts."

"You went to Borgin and Burkes alone?!?" Both adults gaped at him.

Harry nodded, a bit confused.

"Yes. He wasn't really accommodating at first but we fixed that issue quickly." 

Well, when the bastard tried to throw him out Harry let his magic suffocate the wizard for a few seconds, and after that received exceptional service. The salesmen even told him about some of the objects he was interested in.

Respect bloomed in Lucius' eyes.

"Can we go to Diagon alley today?" Harry asked, just days before September 1st.

Lucius looked surprised.

"Sure, is there something you need?"

"Well, yes." Harry didn't elaborate. 

Malfoy just looked at him, waiting.

"Very well. Does Draco want to come with?"

"Perhaps. I'll go fetch him."

Draco did want to go, which hindered his plans a bit, but nothing he can't handle.

All three of them apparated and immediately, Harry said he needed to go to the Knockturn alley, much to the surprise of the other two.

He wandlessly put up what he now knew to be a notice-me-not charm and started walking without waiting for a reply.

"I'm not letting you walk alone, Hadrian," Lucius stepped up to him and hissed. "Narcissa would have my head."

"You're welcome to come with, but I'd appreciate the utmost digression."

Both Malfoys were way too curious to see what Harry had in mind to complain.

Much to their surprise, Harry ventured deep into the alley, navigating as if he's lived there his whole life, and finally went into one of the shops.

Lucius and Draco looked at each other, before going after the boy.

"Ah, Mr Peverell. What an honor to have you in my shop. What can I do for you?" 

"A wand, of course," Harry said, pleasant as ever.

"Am I safe to assume you already have a wand from Olivanders?"

Harry smirked.

"No matter. Please follow me," the woman ventured further and stopped at the table. "Hold your wand hand over these and tell me which one gives you the pull," she instructed. "Then do the same with those two as well".

Harry did as he was told, ending up with a yew wand with a heart of thestral and blood of an ancient vampire.

“Hm… with a wand like this I expect great things from you, Mr Peverell. It should work wonders with necromancy.”

Harry’s smile was a bloodthirsty thing.

The Malfoys didn't say anything but Harry was sure he'd be getting questions once home.

Home.

It was so strange than in a month he gained not only a home with all the food and all the space he wanted, but also a family.

He was grateful for the Malfoys.

Heaven knows where he'd be right now if he hadn't met Draco that day.

They proceeded to Flourish and Bolts where Harry picked up a few more books and then Draco dragged them for some ice cream.

Safe to say, some people gaped at them.

After all, they presented quite an image - Lucius Malfoy with his son and now Hadrian Peverell, walking down the alley as if they had no care in the world. When you look at them, you wouldn't be able to tell that Hadrian wasn't raised as a pureblood heir, for he acted like one to the t.

And while Harry could act as he wished, he didn't want to make Malfoys look bad.

He had an image to keep for the world.

He'll be leaving to Hogwarts in just a few days.

And then, his journey will truly begin.

Hadrian was ready to make his path, be it with blood and tears, his way to greatness, but was the world ready to face the true Hadrian Peverell?

If it wasn't, it will have to burn, and he will rebuilt it from the ashes.