Volume 01: The Grim Bones Series: Preludes and Nocturnes

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Merula_Aeolus

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Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter Series. It belongs to its creator, J. K. Rowling, and its various publishers. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Warnings: Slash (Homosexual Romance), Het (Heterosexual Romance), Sexual Content (Homosexual intercourse, Heterosexual intercourse, threesomes and more, male and female masturbation, fellatio, hand jobs, wet dreams …etc.), Adult language (Explicit and Sexual), Violence (Blood and Gore), changes to appearance, abilities, history and lineage. Alternative Universe – Non-canon events (AU), Original Characters (OC(s)), Out of Character (OOC), scary thematic material, New School, New Magic, New Magical Creatures, Male pregnancy (Mpreg), female pregnancy, teenage pregnancy, and minor character bashing. – Please Note: In volume 01 through Volume 07, very few of these warnings will be involved and since this site does not accept my adult material, I'll be posting the adult material under the penname Merula_Aeolus on “Archive of Our Own”.

Future Main Pairing: Severus Snape/Bill Weasley/Hadrian Potter

Side Pairings: Viktor Krum/Theodore Nott/Hermione Granger, Cedric Diggory/Blaise Zabini/Draco Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy/Sirius Black/Nakamura Kotaru (OMC), Charlie Weasley/Fleur Delacour, Percy Weasley/Seamus Finnegan, Ron Weasley/Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom/Ginny Weasley, Remus Lupin/N. Tonks, Fred Weasley/Angelina Johnson, George Weasley/Lee Jordon, Oliver Wood/Katie Bell, Arthur Weasley/Molly Prewett, Caius Noir (OMC)/Luna Lovegood, Mathias Cygnus (OMC)/Catalina LeStrange (OFC), Caspian LeStrange (OMC)/Kalian (OMC),…etc.

Genres: Mystery/Adventure/Romance/Horror/Drama/Suspense/Angst

Series Summary: Slash. Threesomes. Possible Mpreg. AU. OOC. OC(s). On October 31st 1981, the dark lord, Lord Voldemort's reign of terror is ended at the hands of one-years old Neville Longbottom. The orphaned son of Lily and James Potter, Hadrian Jamison Potter, is left on the doorstep of his last remaining relatives. However, had Albus Dumbledore known that Hadrian was blessed with the ancient and obscure gift of Spirit Sight he would've never left the child in the care of Muggles. Due to a series of unfortunate events, Hadrian prematurely learns of the Magical World and with the assistance of an odd old man, Hadrian learns to use his innate abilities. As this tale unfolds, Hadrian becomes the target of much Paranormal Activity, which draws the interest of many people, some good, some bad and some very dangerous.

Volume Summary: Slash. Threesomes. Possible Mpreg. AU. OOC. OC(s). The orphaned son of Lily and James Potter, Hadrian Jamison Potter, is left on the doorstep of his last remaining relatives. However, had Albus Dumbledore known that Hadrian was blessed with the ancient and obscure gift of Spirit Sight he would've never left the child in the care of Muggles. So begins the journey of Hadrian Potter, one of the lost.

"Blah" – Talking /Blah – Thinking, Written Word & Memories /Blah – Parseltongue

Volume 01: The Grim Bones Series: Preludes and Nocturnes

Written and Illustrated by Merula Aeolus

With the Assistance of Sara Blake

Beta by prinzenhasserin

Book 01: The Child of the Alleys

Prologue: A Requiem of a Hero

As he sat in the darkness of the grove in the Ancient Forests of Avalon as the wizard and witches mourned his assumed death – the death of their rather unconventional hero – Taliesin Hart was thinking of the irony of witnessing his own funeral. It wasn't everyday that one got to sit in on his own funeral, but in the end, today was the day he would leave Taliesin Hart behind and become Hadrian Potter. Taliesin – no, Hadrian mused; his thoughts travelling back to the very beginning.

Volume 01: The Grim Bones Series: Preludes and Nocturnes

Written and Illustrated by Merula Aeolus

With the Assistance of Sara Blake

Beta by prinzenhasserin

Book 01: The Child of the Alleys

Chapter One: Street Urchin

As all things do, this story begins with time. The ancient clock on the mantle ticks softly as Remus Lupin, a handsome young man of twenty-one years, waits for Rubeus Hagrid, an honourable half-giant, to pick up the small, restless child in his arms. Remus’s eyes are red from his tears and in his grief – he ignores the child’s soft babblings.

There is a knock at the door. Remus hauls the door open, and he comes face to face with an extremely large man. Rubeus’s hands are the size of garbage can lids and he towers over the doorway. His beady black eyes above his bushy black beard are red rimmed. Remus hands over the child without comment and turns his back on the scene.

All around Britain people in hiding raise their glasses to Neville Longbottom, the-boy-who-lived, as little Hadrian Potter is left on the cold doorstep of his last remaining relatives.

Hidden in our modern day communities, lies another, completely different community – the likes of which would challenge the very principles and natural laws that govern us. A human being cannot turn oneself into an animal; the very idea most scholars would profess, is preposterous. But in this community of which I speak, the very notion is not a fantasy. It is reality. This community, aptly dubbed the “Magical World”, is filled to the brim with all sorts of magical beings and magical people, wondrous spells and unbelievable abilities. Like all human societies, it has both negative and positive aspects. You would not know, however, unless you travel to Charing Cross Road, London, and happen to see an old pub named “The Leaky Cauldron”, then yes, there is a very good chance that you are not a muggle, but are truly Magical – the community, or rather: society is hidden away from us muggles or non-magical people beneath layers upon layers of spells.

“Go away, freak!” snarled Uncle Vernon, shutting the door on the small upturned face of his six-year-old nephew, “You and your filthy kind is not welcome here. We’d all be better off if you were dead! You got your parents killed, you got your grandparents killed, and Dudley nearly died. Go away and never come back you filthy freak!” he snarled out through the open window. Then, he slammed it shut and closed the curtains leaving Hadrian in the darkness of the winter night. The little boy watched the house for several minutes more before wearily trudging away. He was not wanted. He had never been wanted. If Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were to be believed, he was a freak, a no good waste of space and a lazy boy.

Hadrian Jamison Potter wakes up with familiar tears trailing down his ivory cheeks. The seven-year-old boy shivers unconsciously from the cold draft that has found its way into his hiding hole at the side of an old pub named “The Leaky Cauldron”. Odd name, the Leaky Cauldron, isn't it? Nevertheless, during the last five days he had been living in a small brick hole in the building’s exterior. It had provided him with warmth and shelter from the snowstorm and the police, who were looking to return him to Saint Claire’s Orphanage.

He was not going to be returned to the orphanage, thank you very much. The matron, Miss Kenilworth was cruel and greedy, while the orphans were bullies and thieves. They received only a single meal a day, and still were worked to the bone. Old woman Kenilworth made a fine profit lending the orphans out for manual labor. However, little Hadrian Potter was just too small and too pretty to be of much use. So Hadrian was given even less food, made to sleep in the cold cellar and served as a serving boy to Miss Kenilworth.

There is movement in the alleyway. Hadrian tries to make his body as small as possible. “Hey, you there, what do you think you’re doing?” A callused hand pulls Hadrian from his hiding-hole.

Tom Thompson, the owner and bartender of the fine establishment, which is the Leaky Cauldron, has been taking out the trash only to see movement in the corner of his eye. When he reaches into the small hole in the building’s exterior to grab the offensive homeless witch or wizard, he finds himself face to face with a small weeping child. “Hello there, what are you doing here?” Tom asks, trying to be gentle as possible as he herds the small child towards the pub. “Won’t your parents be worried?”

“My parents are dead,” the small boy, says quietly, almost timidly, “My muggle relatives kicked me out of their house and I don’t like the orphanage,” the boy adds hesitantly.

Tom is momentarily stunned. “Who would be so cruel to kick a small boy out of their home?”, he thinks, and asks instead, looking at the dirty, rugged clothes the child is wearing: “Come now, at the least the orphanage is better than the streets?”

“No,” the boy answers swiftly in firm voice, lifting his shockingly violet eyes to meet those of the innkeeper. “There is not much of a difference between here and there. Except, maybe, that living alone like this is way better than living under the care of Miss Kenilworth,” he continues a bit too bitterly for Tom's tastes. A kid shouldn't sound so jaded! “I’m too small to be of use at the docks or the mines. I don’t have much to eat anyway and I have to earn my keep by carrying and fetching things for the matron. I sleep in the cellar and get beaten by the other orphans. At least on the streets I can eat from the garbage and never go hungry and usually I won't be beaten up daily,” the boy finishes happily at the end of his rant as if the fact of having something to eat and not being beaten was such a marvel.

Tom is appalled He is angry, but not at the little boy. He is appalled at the whole orphanage system the muggles seem to have and the Magical World for leaving this obvious magical child in the care of monsters.

“Okay, my little friend, no orphanage it is, but you can’t stay on the streets either. Let me ask around, but you can't stay here either. I’m keeping you in one of my rented rooms.” Tom decides.

“What’s the catch?” The boy asks suspiciously. Tom hates that weary tone a kid shouldn't have. He hates it, but he certainly can't blame the boy for his attitude. After the life, he glimpsed from the child's words, a bit of world-weariness was almost expected.

“The catch?” he so asks pretending to ponder the words seriously, as he rubs his chin in thought. “Oh, yes, the catch! You have to eat all the food I will put on your plate.” he says sternly, after letting the kid stew or a few seconds, waggling his bushy gray eyebrows at the boy. That a small giggle that escapes the child's lips, as they near the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron is more than worth the effort.

“So what is your name?” Tom asks, as they step through the doorway and into the Leaky Cauldron. “Or do you want me to call you my little friend?” he adds teasingly after a small pause.

“Hadrian Jamison Potter.” The boy says after another small giggle, making Tom freeze in his tracks. He turns around to look at the boy and gapes as the light reveals the little boy.

“You look so much like your parents.” Tom whispers in awe while he takes in the boy's, Hadrian's, delicate features.

Hadrian does indeed look like a mix of his mother and father, though perhaps he takes after his mother more. He is small and delicate boned with tiny Elven features under a tangled mop of ebony curls and large violet eyes. There is his mother's jaw, nose and cheekbones, but he has his father’s almond shaped eyes and ivory skin, along with ebony hair. The eye color, however, is uniquely his own. It isn’t often a child was born with a shade of violet in his eyes, but that is just the product of a powerful magical core.

Often, children with massive amounts of magic not only receive violet-hued eyes, but also a distinguishing symmetry about their features that makes them look not only beautiful, but unnaturally so. It reminds Tom about the only time he had come face to face with a Forest Elf. Forest Elves were the rarest breed of High Elves and probably the most powerful both magically and physically. That particular, probably millennium-old Elf had called himself Elder Briar and had rented a room under the name Lord Briar Hawk. He too had almost perfect symmetrical features and oddly colored eyes.

“You knew my parents?” Hadrian gasps, looking up at Tom in wonder.

“Yes, Lily and James Potter. They were good folk.” Tom says kindly.

“Lily and James," Hadrian whispers reverently. "Were those their names?” he asks, silently pleading Tom with his eyes for more.

“You don’t even know their names?" Tom asks astounded, as the boy shakes his head "Do you at least have a picture of them?” At Hadrian's following headshake, Tom feels a fire starting to burn inside him. An untamable rage directed towards Hadrian’s relatives, the orphanage, and whichever doddering old ministry official fool had left the poor boy in the Muggle world, grew in the pit of his stomach. No child should be ignorant of its parents. As he tries to calm himself, another question pops into Tom's head. “You do know how they died right, Hadrian?” he asks before he can stop himself only to regret it as boy flinches.

“Yes, they were driving drunk and I distracted my dad and he smashed the car into a street lamp. It was entirely my fault.” Hadrian whispers bitterly, remembering the parting words of his uncle.

“No,” Tom says angrily, taking the boy by his shoulders and looking straight into the enchanting amethyst eyes to make the boy realize the truth of his words. “It wasn’t your fault, because that wasn’t how they died. Whoever told you that ought to be thrown and rot in Azkaban,” he snarls.

“Um, what is Azkaban?” Hadrian’s awkward question stills Tom’s anger.

Merlin if the boy didn’t know about Azkaban, then maybe he didn’t know about magic either? Was Tom the right one to tell him all this? Well, Tom casts his gaze around his usual customers sitting at the bar – Rachael Williams, Caspian Cross and Merriam Brooks – he couldn’t let the child go to whatever condescending authority figure that would just end up letting the boy be killed for his ignorance; “For the greater good” my arse.

“Hadrian, what do you know about magic?” he asks, leading the boy to a private booth and subtly casting a notice-me-not charm so that he wouldn't be overheard by his noisy customers. “And don’t say it’s not real. I bet you can think of some incidents where you were angry or scared and then you did something unexplainable or something odd happened, isn't that right?”

Hadrian, who has already opened his mouth to say just that, pauses in thought. “When my Uncle was giving me a good thrashing with his belt, I kind of turned the belt into a snake that bit my cousin. Oh, and there was the time I accidentally set the kitchen on fire when cooking breakfast, and then it suddenly started raining indoors. Then, there was the time I jumped up and abruptly appeared on the school roof. Was that magic?” Hadrian asks, violet-hued eyes shining with hope

“Yes, it was. And a good bit of powerful magic at that.” Tom says, admiringly. “Now, Azkaban is a magical prison, guarded by monsters, called Dementors, who can suck all the happiness from you leaving you miserable. Nasty bunch of creatures, Dementors are. Now, what you are, is called a wizard. I am one too,” Tom explains with a wink. "We are currently in a part of London hidden from the non-magical people, which we call muggles. We magical folk hide from the muggles, because of witch burnings and the persecution of all things magical. You have heard of them, right? “

“Yes, sir. I learned about them in church. My Aunt told the priest I worshiped devils, and he lectured me about witchcraft and how I am condemned to hell for it.” Hadrian says with a grimace, as he recalls the incident. “Then an older kid approached me and told me many of the witches they captured were not witches at all, but good and honest people. And some bloke just up and decided those people were wizards and witches because they were a bit odd.”

“Good to know not all non-magical folk are as stupid as they seem", Tom says, glad that at least some muggles had sense. "Well, Hadrian, magic is not about devil worship, but there are witches and wizards who are bad people and of course there are good ones, too. Your parents were of the good kind. Your father was an Auror, a magical policeman, and your Mother was an Unspeakable, which is kind of like a cross between a British Intelligence agent and a scientist. Your father and mother were deep involved in a recent war of ours, between the Forces of Light lead by Headmaster Dumbledore, and the Forces of Darkness lead

by the Dark Lord. It was October 31st 1981, when the Dark Lord killed Lady Longbottom with the spell-that-cannot- be-stopped – the killing curse – Avada Kedavra, but when he turned to cast the same spell on her one-year-old son, Neville, a miracle happened. The spell rebounded and killed Lord Voldemort. Your parents were battling his dark minions, which the Dark Lord had positioned around the Longbottom estate to hold off an attack. Your father’s friend, Peter Pettigrew, turned traitor and cast the Killing Curse on your father. He tried to do the same to your Godfather, Sirius Black, but your mother took it instead. Sirius Black was knocked into a coma. We think they thought him dead, and that is the only reason why he survived.”

“I have a Godfather? ” Hadrian asks, barely daring to believe.

“Yes, you do. Unfortunately, to this day, Sirius Black is still in a coma.” Tom says sadly, hating the fact that he had to destroy Hadrian's hopes before he even started to have them. He also misses the boisterous young man Sirius had been – such a brilliant and humorous customer.

“Umm… excuse me, but what is your name, Sir?” Hadrian suddenly asks, biting his lip nervously.

“Well,” Tom answers pleasantly surprised, “I’m Tom Samuel Thompson, but please call me Tom.”

“Ok, Mister Tom,” Hadrian says brightly. “Could you tell me more about the magical world? Is there some sort of government? How large is the magical world? Do they have schools? What kind of magic is there? Can I do magic like you or is there a specific way to…” Hadrian slowly tapers off at Tom’s overwhelmed expression. “Sorry,” Hadrian apologizes as two spots of pink blossom on his cheeks.

“No, no problem,” Tom assures Hadrian, as he leans back in thought. “The magical world is divided into roughly the same country as the non-magical countries, however, there are some alterations. For instance, there is the state of Bohemia – I think the muggles call it Czech Republik. The Bohemian Magical Crown sits on the head of Casmir Salmalin V.” Tom starts, preparing for what he knew will be a long, mixed up explanation. Hopefully, he would manage to make it simple enough for Hadrian to understand.

“In Britain, we have the ministry – called the Ministry of Magic, it's headed by the Prime Minister of Magic Millicent Bagnold and the Deputy Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge is the de-facto ruler of state. We do have a Sovereign, King Aden Bryant II. His wife, Queen Miranda Bryant nee Prewett, was born of one of the fifteen active Noble families of Britain’s Magical Side. The fifteen active Noble families make up one fourth of what the Muggle world would call the Privy Council of King Bryant. They are the hereditary peers of the equivalent of the House of Lords. Then there are the Lord Spirituals or the councilors appointed by the Druids of the Magical World in the House of Lords. The House of Commons is the council that is elected through public vote for their positions. This council is presided over by the Prime Minister of Magic Bagnold. Then there is the judicial side of the law, the Wizengamott...err. You’re following me right?” Tom asks, noticing that he got in a bit too deep with his explanations.

“Yes, Sir.” Hadrian assures the old man, not sounding lost at all. “The judicial branch is the Wizengamott. The legislative is very much like non-magical British Parliament, except for the House of Lords is primarily hereditary in the Magical World. There is a King and a Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has his cabinet and his Deputy Minister. What about the Shadow Cabinet and the leader of the loyal opposition?”

“The what?” Tom asks, more than a bit befuddled at Hadrian easy understanding of the way the Magical Government worked.

“The Shadow Cabinet, the council and the leader that checks the power of the rest of Parliament.” Hadrian clarifies, frowning thoughtfully when Tom just stares at him.

“Well… err no one.” Tom says.

“Then does the Ministry of Magic get away with everything, even if it is morally questionable or corrupted,” Hadrian asks, “or does some sort of magic intervene?”

“You’re really smart, do you know that?” Tom notices with a sigh, pleasantly surprised by the keen mind of Hadrian “but no, sadly no magic is capable of doing that.”

“ Most people are unaware of how deep the corruption goes and allow the government to get away with pretty much everything. I spent some time over the pond in the United States and I have seen the difference. The government holds power over the media, which sways the opinion of witches and wizards. The thick fools think they are superior to the Muggles and their Magical Cousins in the United States, but the British Magical Community are just sheep herded along by vicious politicians,” Tom explains with a disappointed sigh while Hadrian takes all in thoughtfully

“Enough with politics – there are, of course, schools for magic. The most famous school in Britain is Hogwarts in Scotland, a private boarding school. Students begin at the age of eleven years and graduate with seventeen. There are also public schools like Noctis Academia, and Blair Vayne Academia. I’m sure you’re expected to go to Hogwarts, though. Your parents have already enrolled you there.” Tom says gently.

“But, I’m not my parents.” Hadrian says, with a determined glint in his amethyst eyes startling Tom. “I want to know the International scores of all the Major Schools of the Magical world. Do you know them?” Hadrian asks, straightening his shoulders.

“No, I don’t, but like I said, the media is pretty limited and Parliament approves of Hogwarts as the leading school in the country.” Tom says, “Why?”

“Mister Tom, if you were in my position – at the bottom of the barrel – only to learn that your parents were a Lord and Lady…. My mum was a Lady, right?”

“Yes, she was" the bartender assures him, "but she was also a muggle-born, so she held no political power.”

“Muggle-born?” the boy enquires frowning at the new term. Tom grimaces slightly before answering.

“The British Magical world is very prejudiced toward blood purity. If you are a descendant of

witches and wizards, more specifically, if all your grandparents are magical, then you are a pureblood. If you parents are non-magical, but you are magical, then you are a muggle-born. If you are born to two magical parents, but are not magical yourself, then you are a squib. If you were conceived to a muggle and a magical parent, then you are a half-blood. Of course, children born between a muggle-born and a pureblood, like you Hadrian, are called wizard-born. While your mother had no political power, you will have immense political power for being a Wizard born. It has been calculated that a Wizard-Born has one-third more magical power than the average pureblood and so are respected as New Blood. You, my friend, are a wild card.” Tom explains while looking Hadrian up and down taking in his calculating eyes that shone with intelligence.

“Oh.” Hadrian says his voice colored with both vague disappointment and a sudden epiphany. “I want to know those scores even more now.”

“Again... why? Your tuition is covered, and besides your magical guardian will probably enforce your parents’ wishes and have you sent to Hogwarts.”

“Magical guardian?” Hadrian asks coldly as his mind rapidly connected the dots. So, he had a magical guardian who was responsible with his wellbeing, who made decisions for him before he reached adulthood. One who had sent him to the Dursleys and simultaneously washed his hands off him. His eyes darken in anger at the thought and Tom, seeing it, suddenly realizes that Albus Dumbledore may be the individual to which his pent of frustration and anger on Hadrian’s behalf should be directed.

“Yes, I think yours is Albus Dumbledore, he is quite famous and the Headmaster of Hogwarts to boot.” Tom says blandly, subtly adding the headmaster bit. Watching as Hadrian’s facial expression turns cold and calculating. The kid would make a fine Slytherin if he was destined for Hogwarts, but Tom didn’t think the ebony- haired child would step foot in those hallowed halls.

“Hadrian,” Tom says slowly, trying to form the words he wants to convey his loyalty with, “We all love Dumbledore, but I have realized long ago he is not infallible. Your current situation adds to that. It makes him look like he is losing his touch. I want you to know, I will not go to him without your express permission, about you, in any manner, unless you are in dire threat.”

“Thank you.” Hadrian says, relieved to realize Tom was on his side. “As I was saying”, the boy then starts after throwing a grateful smile towards the man, "if you were in my position, the bottom of the barrel, and you discovered that your parents were a Lord and Lady, most children would immediately follow the paths their parents had laid before them to meet their dead parents’ expectations. They’d be ignorant and vulnerable to corruption and the sway of others’ opinions. I need to find the Magical School with the highest International Scores. My education cannot be second best, if I want to be an individual and not someone’s puppet. ”

“I have never thought about it like that.” Tom confesses, once again surprised by the intelligence showed by Hadrian. “Makes me want to pick up some books on the subject. I’m willing to bet there are many things I have not noticed that are going on directly under my nose.”

“Probably,” Hadrian agrees gently. Then, with a grin- “Now, Mister Tom, what did you mean by ‘asking around’; until then you’re keeping me in one of your rented rooms?”

Severus Tobias Snape is lounging comfortably in his large winged back chair, as he flips through the old photo album on his lap and listens with half an ear to Lucius’s whining while he drink his Sherry.

Hearing him thinking, Lucius would protest with “No Malfoy whines,” but that is untrue. Severus has experienced Malfoy's whining – from his friend Lucius, to his friend's son (his godson) Draco. They do complain about different things. Lucius prefers to whine about his forced engagement to Narcissa Black, which happened because his father, Abarax Malfoy had learned of Lucius’s homosexual tendencies. Lucius doesn’t particularly care for that “harpy of a woman” and prefers the company of one of his various male lovers. Draco is a spoiled child who likes whining for toys. Narcissa, a Malfoy by marriage, whines that Lucius isn’t doing enough to pave the way for her Lord’s return. (The woman definitely has an unhealthy obsession with the Dark Lord.)

Severus’s eyes flicker across the photos in his lap. A beautiful, young woman with silken soft and thick ebony curls coos over a baby with a tuft of silken, straight ebony hair. It is a picture of him and his mother. Every once in a while his mother looks up with those Sapphire-eyes and blows a kiss to the camera. Eileen Prince had been a beautiful woman in her youth and Severus has a hard time comparing her to the wretched creature she had become in his teens, under her husbands constant abuse.

Tobias Snape hasn’t always been the monster he has been in Severus’s teens. He had once been a loving husband and father, but around Severus’s seventh birthday that changed. Severus didn't know why; his mother had taken the secret of the reason for Tobias’s change to her grave. After his mother’s murder by her husband and Tobias’s imprisonment in Azkaban, sixteen year old Severus had hit rock bottom. That had eventually led to his choice to join the Dark Lord, a decision he would always regret. Thankfully, Albus Dumbledore has given him the path to his redemption as the Order of Phoenix’s loyal spy.

Severus turns the page coming to the picture of the gutsy redheaded, muggle-born witch, whom he had found comfort in for a short while. Lily Evans was a spirited and beautiful young girl with a sharp tongue and even sharper intelligence. Contrary to what Albus believes, Severus did not love her romantically, but he admired Lily greatly and loved her like a sibling.

Severus turns the page again coming across the picture a fellow student had snapped of him and the Marauders in one of their epic fights. The Marauders, while not his favorite people were admirably fierce opponents. He admires them in a twisted fashion. His eyes trail across the youthful features of James Potter. James had apologized to him on the behalf of the Marauders, after they had graduated Hogwarts in an Order meeting. Something, which had impressed Severus. However Severus still hadn’t accepted the apology then.

“Don’t apologize Potter,” Severus had snapped, “Don’t apologize for making me feel alive. Not everyone’s life is a bed of roses, and you don’t come out smelling sweet. What we had kept me alive in Hogwarts, even though it was unfair odds, it kept me sharp and gave me a purpose.” Then with a dramatic sweep of his robes, Severus had left.

The next picture is of Lily and her beautiful child, Hadrian. Severus had instinctively known that Hadrian would come to play a large part in his life. After Lily and James’s deaths, Severus had offered to take Hadrian in, but Albus, the meddling old fool, insisted that the child would be in danger because of his role as a spy. He didn’t know where the headmaster had taken the child, but the sick feeling in his gut makes him worry.

“Too bad about the Potters,” Lucius suddenly says, “But hell, am I thankful to Neville Longbottom, the bloody boy-who-lived. If it weren’t for him I would have been able to raise my son in peace. Now if only…” The rest of his rambling is drowned out by Severus’s snort of laughter. To see the day Lucius was thankful to some spoiled miscreant.

“But Dad, I want to go flying now!” The little boy screams, as Frank Longbottom lets Albus Dumbledore into his home. The man looks haggard and weary, Albus notes sadly.

“Hello, Frank, how is—” Albus begins, before suddenly shutting his mouth as Neville – the little tubby golden-blond haired boy enters the room and angrily kicks his father in the ankle.

“Dad, I told you – I want to go flying now!” Neville demands, “Ron and I want to go flying, now, now, now!” The little boy screams, pushing against his father’s waist roughly, before his little hands curl into fists and he begins smacking his hands against Frank’s torso. Frank catches Neville’s hands.

“Neville, I promise after we speak to Mr. Dumbledore, that we will go buy you ice cream and go flying, but only after we talk to Mr. Dumbledore.” Frank says.

“Fine!” Neville agrees, turning up his nose and then looking curiously up at Albus, who has lost his twinkle in his bright blue eyes.

Is this our savior? What hope do we have? Albus thinks.

The warm morning sunlight filters through the window of room number 14 in the Leaky Cauldron. Hadrian wakes in the soft feather bed. The white feather comforter is drawn to his chin. Slowly his eyes flutter open, revealing those astonishing violet depths. There is a knock at the room’s door, and Tom enters after bidden by his little friend. Tom is carrying a tray filled with a full English breakfast.

Hadrian’s stomach grumbles in complaint. Tom places the breakfast tray on the side table, before taking a seat next to the bed in the red velvet winged-back chair. “Good morning, Hadrian.” Tom says cheerily.

“Good morning, Mister Tom.” Hadrian answers hiding a yawn, as he begins to pick at his breakfast, “How are you today, Sir?” Hadrian asks politely.

“I am old and vaguely befuddled.” Tom says in a teasing manner.

“Oh and why is that?” Hadrian asks, focusing more on Tom now.

“Well, I spent a great deal of last night thinking. It seems we have slight dilemma. Albus Dumbledore, your magical guardian, is very insistent that you remain with your last living relatives. I believe he is unaware of your new residence at the orphanage. I have not contacted him, but I had a friend go through your custody papers and discovered several family friends appealed to the ministry on your behalf to change your living situation. You parents’ will, which I am led to believe requested you to be placed with the Longbottom family, if your parents died while you were still a minor; was sealed on Dumbledore’s request by the Wizengamot. Frank Longbottom, Neville’s only surviving parent is unaware , he should have custody of you. This presents a problem, but on further thought I have come to a simple conclusion. Hadrian Jamison Potter, the loved son of Lily and James Potter shall disappear for several years, while the young prodigy, Taliesin Augustus Hart shall be apprenticed in an early education program under our esteemed wand maker, Oliver Ollivander. Mr. Ollivander has already agreed to accept Taliesin Hart as his student and wishes to work out apprenticeship terms at a later time today. Well – if you are to agree?” Tom says, with a twinkle in his eyes.

“I am willing to consider the offer, but I would like to know – what is the early education program? And how will it impact my further education, when I am applying to schools,” Hadrian asks, smitten with the idea, but not quite ready yet to jump in without thinking of the consequences.

“I didn’t think you’d ask?” Tom drawls sarcastically already used to the Slytherinesque way of thinking Hadrian possessed. “The early education program covers basic magical studies – Astronomy, Charms, Herbology, Defensive Magic, Magical Histories and Cultures, Potions and Transfiguration. Furthermore, if under an apprenticeship contract, the student is also taught their mentor’s specialties. In Mr. Ollivander’s case those specialties would be Magical theory, Runes, Arithmancy and minor Wandless magic. Mr. Ollivander is a master wand crafter, whose childhood was spent in Spain, so he holds no prejudices that would be detrimental to your education. Spain is known to be very liberal. After the Master releases the Apprentice he or she assists their student to further educate themselves with a higher education School, such as Isis Institute in Cairo, Egypt or Rumpelstilzchen Academia in the Black Forest, Germany.”

“Fascinating!” Hadrian says around a mouthful of scrambled eggs.

“We might have to work on your manners.” Tom says, wincing at the sight.

Mateo Cygnus, an esteemed French Interspecies Healer and Potions Master, adjusts the cauldron’s heat as his fifteen years old son, Mathias Cygnus, a genius who has already gained an Adept status in Spell Crafting and is working on a Mastery of Shadow Magics, enters the potions laboratory. “Pére (Father), there is a letter for you from the French division of Gringotts, Monsieur Shadowclaw addresses it as urgent.”

“Oui, Mon fils (Yes, my son), I assume Monsieur Shadowclaw has a new job for me. Where is the letter?” The handsome middle-aged man asks brushing a blond curl from his face.

“It is on your desk, Pére (Father).” Mathias answers.

To: Monsieur Mateo Cygnus, Esteemed Healer and Potions Master

From: Shadowclaw, Gringotts’s French Division, Management

Monsieur Cygnus,

We have a new patient to be transferred to your private healing wing of your estate. As usual this patient is under privacy law of the Goblin Nation, he is to be referred to as Monsieur Luke. Per usual, he will be wearing the secrecy spell to shield his identity from you. We have also forwarded the usual necklaces with the same spells for you and your son. We have told him to address you as Monsieur Marcus Hawks and your son as Monsieur Mycale Hawks, your normal identities. Open information is that Monsieur Luke is a fifteen-year-old male with a severe and painful magical and medical disorder, which has appeared only recently . The disorder is genetic, but having never known his biological parents Monsieur Luke was not able to prepare himself. He originates from Russia, that language might be preferable for the patient.

May your gold flow and make profit

Shadowclaw

Mateo quickly pens a letter back to his Goblin employer with acceptance. “Mathias, we will have a Russian patient soon. We need to practice our Russian, Mon fils (my Son).”

“Oui, Pére (yes father)!” Mathias calls to his father.

“Mister Tom, I was wondering about the blood purity prejudice again. In what manner (How) does it affect social interactions between the pureblood faction, the muggle-born faction, the squib faction, half-blood faction and the wizard-born faction?” Hadrian asks curiously.

“Well…that is complicated. There really is no squib fraction, all non-magical children born to magical parents are either abandoned in the muggle world or isolated from the public. Squibs are generally treated with disgust – they are seen as a shame on their magical families.” Tom explains, noting Hadrian’s look of cold fury at that. “Look Hadrian, our society is based on magical ability. The more powerful you are, the higher standing you gain. So you must understand, while it is unfair to the Squib-born children to be isolated for their entire lives or abandoned by their parents, at least they are not forced to face ridicule and inequality in the Magical World. It is for their protection that most families take those measures. I will admit, there have been several selfish individuals who hide their squib-children from general knowledge for the sake of their political standing, but normally they integrate quite well into the muggle world.”

“Alright, I admit the issue irritates me, but I do see the general point of squib treatment. Though I honestly wish there was some other way to deal with it.” Hadrian says sadly.

“The muggle-born faction” Tom continues, not knowing what to say to soothe the boy, “is considered to be the Light Magic users, because of the clear set or morals that divide light magic from dark magic in their opinion. Those who are considered dark magic users are usually old pureblood families. However, what others call dark and light magic, these old pureblood families call simply magic. It is simply the morals, brought into the magical world by the muggle-born faction that separates the two fractions.”

“For example,” Tom tries to clarify, “in the United States history President Andrew Jackson, before being inducted into office had a duel with American Attorney Charles Dickinson. Jackson shot and killed Dickinson. This was not called murder at the time. However, should President Ronald Regan have shot a man outside of his Military career (not that he was an active participant in the war or shot anyone), this would’ve been called murder. Legalities have progressed over the years, belief becoming moral and moral becoming a law in the Magical World. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does limit the old magic and the muggle-born faction also has its prejudice.” Tom says, before taking a big breath.

“Originally the killing curse was used to put down terminally ill individuals and animals, which were in too much pain. Because of this division, there is a general animosity held for the muggle-born faction that is pushing for stricter laws on anything they deem dark by the old pureblood faction. Additionally muggle myths about vampires and werewolves are the cause of stricter laws on so-called dark creatures, to an extent that many dark species are denied basic human rights. There was a recent bill in Legislative brought in by a muggle-born politician, which required all purebloods to be registered as animals, should they have a magical creature inheritance. Of course it didn’t go through.”

“Oh, Merlin, I keep forgetting you are not familiar with much of pureblood and wizard-born terminology. However, I'll lend you a book on that material later. On the other side of the argument,” Tom continues, wanting to be done with the explanation, “ Muggle-born witches and wizards are introduced into the magical world without any cultural knowledge or previous education of it. This gives these muggle born witches and wizards a distinct disadvantage in Magical Society in the pursuit of careers, and they also have trouble conforming to a society they think is decidedly backwards.”

“For the sake of knowledge and despite sounding like an idiot to you, I must ask. Wizards and Witches still use quills, how is that not backwards?” Hadrian asks drolly.

“Magic doesn’t work well in connection with muggle made materials, so you can’t sign a magical contract with a ball point pen and you can’t use complex plumbing to wash dishes. I’m not very knowledgeable about plumbing, but I do know that the water, which pours from the kitchen’s spout, is pressured up the plumbing with a goblin-made wrought iron spelled to pressure the water. The pulleys and gages that work a dishwasher or a muggle-sink simply don’t work in magical areas. The only thing that does work oddly enough is the toilet and good thing that.”

“Interesting.” Hadrian murmurs.

“As for half-blood social interactions, they are held slightly below a wizard-born, but have nowhere near the political advantage that wizard-born have. They unlike wizard-born witches and wizards don’t have a hereditary blood inheritance – again, I’ll send you a book on that – but they do come into a Magical Majority on their nineteen birthdays. They are about as powerful as a pureblood witch or wizard and have slightly higher opportunities for work than a muggle-born.”

“Okay, now wizard-born witches and wizards.” Hadrian prompts causing Tom to chuckle at his impatience to learn everything at once.

“Wizard-born witches and wizards, have the same rights as purebloods witches and wizards, if somewhat elevated by the muggle-born and half-blood’s admiration. You see both Muggle-born and half-blood witches and wizards can relate to wizard-born individuals, whether because one of their parents has been a muggle-born or because like half-blood witches and wizards, they stand at the very cusp of two very different worlds.” Tom explains to an attentive Hadrian, “Purebloods on the other hand are like foreign and distasteful creatures to muggle-born witches and wizards and even half-blood witches and wizards are sometimes ostracized by purebloods.” Tom says disapprovingly. “Well, we better be off soon, the goblins will not wait. Go get ready Hadrian, I’ll lay out a robe of my nephew’s child for you.”

“Thank you Mister Tom.” Hadrian says sincerely and gives genuine smile.

In Barcelona, Spain, on Carrer de Girona (Street of Girona) and in a beautiful second floor apartment shaded by a tall tree, there lives the Sorcerer Allen Blake. Allen Blake is a tall man with lithe build and shoulder-length chocolate-brown hair and vivid emerald eyes. His olive-tone skin speaks for his exotic Spanish-Australian heritage and his long finger-hands speak for his family’s breeding as musicians. However, being the youngest of eight brothers Allen, sought his own path, discarding his talent with the violin. He soon became renowned as a Sorcerer who specializes in plant and elemental manipulation.

Elemental Manipulation is a hereditary gift to produce and manipulate at least 3 elements including water, wind, earth, fire, lightning, ice, sand, wood, rock and metal, while plant manipulation, also a hereditary gift, manipulates like the name says plant life. In essence, Allen can throw fire balls at his opponents, create a dangerous tide is swimming pools and command plant life to destroy armies – Allen is normally more relaxed than that and his main source of income is his detailed investigations of Elementals for the Spanish Ministry of Magic.

It is a beautiful spring day and so Allen leaves his window open. This is what will save him.

Excerpt from “You, Your Body and Magic” by Leslie Bodd – Prologue

At the age eleven, the young witch or wizard will go through a magical transformation. This transformation involves perfecting the imperfections caused by genetic disorders like poor eyesight for young muggle-born witches and wizards and an increased magical ability. For wizard born and pure bloods will not only receive the increase of magic and correction of imperfections, but they will also inherit unique magical talents from their bloodlines. Please note, you may see individuals wearing what you might assume are correcting eye lenses after the age of eleven, this is not for poor eyesight, rather for those born with magical seeing abilities as protection for their delicate eyes.

At the age of fifteen, young muggle-born witches and wizard will once again have an increase in magic. The pureblood and wizard-born witches and wizards will not only go through an increase of magic, but if the bloodline carries any magical creature bloods, their second core composed of the abilities derived from the magical creature bloods will awaken. This might also induce a physical change when the foreign blood is strong enough.

To Be Continued

Chapter Text

Future Main Pairing: Severus Snape/Bill Weasley/Hadrian Potter

"Blah" – Talking /Blah – Thinking, Written Word & Memories /Blah – Parseltongue

Volume 01: The Grim Bones Series: Preludes and Nocturnes

Written and Illustrated by Merula Aeolus

With the Assistance of Sara Blake

Beta by prinzenhasserin

Book 01: The Child of the Alleys

Chapter Two: Apprenticeships and Lordships

“Three up… two across.” Tom mutters as he taps his wand on the correct brick. The wall begins to fold back into two columns that support the doorway to Diagon Alley. “Welcome to Diagon Alley.” Tom says, as Hadrian peers around excitedly, his eyes never resting long on one thing at a time.

He is led past a bookstore, which makes him salivate, an apothecary, which emits a foul smell, Owl Emporium, an Ice Cream Parlor and so much more. They finally make their way up the steps of a white marble building entitled “Gringotts”, obviously a bank. The most peculiar little creatures dressed in gold and red little suits guard the doorway with long spears in their long, knobby-fingered hands. “Those, Hadrian, are goblins,” Tom comments, “fierce warriors and even fiercer bankers and clever, oh so clever.”

On instinct, Hadrian inclines his head respectfully to the Goblins. The goblins’ eyes widen in surprise – they nod their heads in response. Tom notes this odd interaction with a slight frown of confusion, but sweeps past with Hadrian, not even pausing before a set of solid silver doors engraved with words. “The Goblins practice karma magic,” Tom says, “If you had paused to read those words on the doors you would’ve met a sticky fate had you ever chosen to steal from Gringotts. Not that I believe you’re a thief, but better safe than sorry.” Tom says.

They arrive at a tall teller’s booth, where a feral looking goblin sits stroking his prominent chin. “Hello, how may I help you?” The goblin asks sneering down on Mister Tom with disdain, something, which makes Hadrian feel protective of the kind old man.

“We are here for an apprentice contract between Mister Ollivander, and Mister Taliesin Hart.” Tom says straightening his broad shoulders and met the Goblin’s little black eyes.

“There is no Taliesin Hart here, only Hadrian Potter.” The goblin says sneering down on the little boy. Hadrian lifts his violet eyes to the goblin that quickly pales before the oddly colored eyes and the fierce glare, which meet his eyes.

“That's something we wish to discuss with the goblin nation.” Tom says.

“Very well,”, the Goblin says, regaining his composure, “Griphook, please escort these two gentlemen to room 18.” The goblin named Griphook nods, his eyes never wavering from Hadrian. Then, he leads Tom and Hadrian to a circular room off a series of hallways. The room is a large office with a massive claw foot mahogany desk and shelves upon shelves of books. At the desk sits a very large goblin with a barrel chest.

“Griphook, I must enquire why you have brought these two humans to me?” The goblin demands.

“There is an issue with the Taliesin Hart-Oliver Ollivander apprenticeship because apparently, there is no Taliesin Hart, rather, there is Hadrian Potter.” Griphook explains.

“And what have you to say to this, Mister Thompson? After all it was you who had arranged the apprenticeship papers?” The nameless goblin asks.

“It was an issue we had hoped to speak to the goblin nation about.” Tom says.

“Oh, and what would you have us do? Falsify legal documents and create this Taliesin Hart?” The goblin snaps. “Oh that was it, wasn’t it? You wanted us to take the blame.”

“Hardly,” Tom says sharply, “Do you have the Potter-Evans Wills?”

“Yes, they are in our log book, Albus Dumbledore has assured us they have been carried out, but that does bring up the question, why you have Hadrian Potter in your care? Perhaps we should floo Hadrian’s magical guardian.”

Tom ignores the bluff. The goblins would never directly call upon the elderly wizard. The man is too meddling and corrupted for the goblin's peace of mind. “Do you know perhaps where Hadrian Potter has been living these past years? I assure you he has not been living in the headmaster’s care. After all the man is both the head of the Wizengamott and Hogwarts.”

“Yes,” the goblin says tartly, “He’s been living with relatives in an undisclosed private magical residence.”

“Do you have a truth stone?” Tom asks the goblin, the goblin nods withdrawing a small silver stone from his drawer.

“The stone will glow blue if you’re telling the truth and red if you’re lying.” The goblin explains leveling his gaze to Tom. Tom nods his head and turns to Hadrian.

“Hadrian would you please tell us where you lived?” Tom asks.

“I lived with my relatives for the last five years, however, they are muggles. They hated anything magical, which included me. My room was a cupboard under the stairs, my Uncle, Vernon Dursley, beat me with his belt, his fists, his feet, and a willow switch. My Aunt, Petunia Dursley, fed me scraps of their meals and sometimes not at all. She would hit me with the pans and inflict nasty burns on my fingers. Their son, Dudley Dursley, liked to beat me up and chase me throughout the neighborhood. Until I attended Muggle primary, I thought my name was “freak”. In the last year, I have been living in an overcrowded muggle orphanage, and because I am too small, I was fed less food than the others, have been the servant boy of the matron and the target for the other orphans’ ire.” As Hadrian spoke, the goblin became paler and paler and the stone was glowing blue.

“Surely not.” The goblin exclaims, “I can’t believe –”

“Well, believe it now.” Tom says threateningly. “This boy is not lying. Your almighty Dumbledore doesn’t give a rat’s arse about the boy, other than filling his own pockets and adding to his publicity.” Tom snarls. The goblin gulps audibly. “Now, perhaps we can come to an agreement about how we can deal with several methods of Hadrian’s care between ourselves.”

As the two magical beings argue how to precisely do that, Hadrian is distracted. At first it was these little glimpses in Diagon Alley, gold flashes in the sky above the shops and a slight humming noise. However, the longer he spends in this office, the louder the humming is becoming and the flashes of gold are starting to spread across his vision onto the walls and floor in a complicate array of almost hieroglyphic symbols that keep weaving in and out of sight like a pulse. He runs mental fingers over the glowing apparition. He is making it dance to an unheard tune.

An old and wise goblin, by the name of Flintooth, monitors the Gringotts ward stones leaning on his knobby wooden cane. His strained eyes focused wearily on the massive stone construction. The room abruptly pulses with golden light, flaring unbearably bright, when the light dims, Flintooth feels the wards flare all the more powerful.

“Sir, Ragnok, Sir!” A young goblin barges into the office.

“What is it?” Ragnok snarled, angry that his meeting was being interrupted.

“It’s Master Flintooth – he says there was a change in the wards. They have become stronger and you are aware that this office is the only place in which they can be altered.” Ragnok looks menacingly at Tom before casting his eyes on Hadrian Potter. He visibly recoils in shock.

Hadrian is leaning back in his chair, his violet eyes noticeable different. The pupil in each eye is marked with an ancient golden rune. He is sweating heavily, and he is clearly unconscious. “Rune Sight!” Tom gasps, “That usually doesn’t manifest until the child is thirteen unless he or she is extremely magically powerful.”

“And if he is able to instinctively alter the wards, he also has Spell Sight.” Ragnok says, awe coloring his tone of voice. “Grindeclaw, fetch healer Ironclaw.” The young goblin nods quickly and the young goblin leaves in a hurry.

Soon a small and willowy male goblin enters the room, and hesitantly probes Hadrian with his magic. The Rune Sight slowly disappears, which is evident by the golden Runes fading away. The boy tumbles out of his seat and Ironclaw quickly catches the boy with strength that belies his appearance. The little boy’s violet eyes flutter open. “What was that?” The boy says through a thick mental fog.

“That,” Tom says, “were the wards of Gringott's. Wards are the invisible defense against intruders, they can be broken, but you instinctively strengthened them. This means you have Spell and Runes Sight. A Rune Seer sees the Runes in Spells, especially wards and enchanted items and a Spell Seer, has the innate ability to modify and construct spells. We can only assume you strengthened the verbal spell interwoven with the Runes. These gifts usually do not manifest until you are thirteen – unless you are extremely magical powerful or in dire situations.”

“Since there is no one in the immediate vicinity with an intent to kill me, I guess I am magically powerful?” Hadrian asks.

“Yes, that is most likely.” Ragnok agrees, “Mr. Hart, the goblins would like to strike a deal with you in light of your promising gifts and intelligence. We will falsify the documents turning Hadrian Potter into Taliesin Hart, if you are going to apprentice not only to Mr. Ollivander, but the goblins, too.” Tom stares, his mouth hanging open in surprise. He has never heard of the goblins extending an apprenticeship offer to a wizard. Most goblins practice extreme prejudice against wizards and witches because of the laws that keep them from possessing a wand, which barred them from certain magic forms.

“Agreed,” Hadrian says.

Caspian and Catalina LeStrange slowly make the way up the stone path to the large manor, which is now their home. The cold Russian winds tear at their unsuitably light cloaks, and despite the warming charms on their clothes, they still shiver.

“I hereby disinherit Caspian LeStrange, heir of the LeStrange name, and Catalina LeStrange, twin sister of Caspian for their opposition against the LeStrange agenda and for humiliating the LeStrange name.” Rodolphus LeStrange sneers down on his son. The sixteen years old youth glares up at his father with venom that makes Rodolphus recoil internally. A red light flares around Caspian spurning a hiss of pain from the boy and a twin hiss outside the door. “Catalina, Caspian you are no children of mine, you have thirty minutes to leave the premises.” Rodolphus says with indifference, turning away from his bruised and bloodied son, no longer admiring his handiwork.

“LeStrange agenda,” Caspian snaps, “What LeStrange agenda. The only agenda you have is to be the sniveling, mindless, sycophants of your deranged dark lord, who is no better than a muggle brute.”

“Crucio” Rodolphus hisses, training his wand on his son. Caspian holds in his screams of pain by biting through his lip. When Rodolphus relents, Caspian hastily leaves the room, running into his Uncle Rabastan. He internally groans, expecting another round of the pain curse. Instead to his surprise, the younger twin brother of his father leads him to his room.

“Caspian, I have had some time to subtly collect this,” Rabastan hands over several papers to Caspian. The first is a bank statement with quite a bit of money in it. The next paper is an ownership paper for a manor in Russia. The third paper is enrollment in schooling for the most prestigious Magical Academy in Russia and the last paper are falsified documents for new identities for Caspian and Catalina as Caspian Kostova and Catalina Kostova, emancipated teenagers. “Make me proud.” Rabastan says.

“Why?” Caspian asks in wonderment and confusion.

“I know why you’re fighting for werewolf rights, you’re friend Alexander Gruis is practically an older brother to you and Catalina. I’m sorry Rodolphus could never fulfill his role as a father and I am sorry I did not step in sooner.” Rabastan confesses.

“But your Dark Lord?” Caspian asks questioningly.

“Did I ever tell you family comes first? Besides my Dark Lord has never been my master, I have no master. The LeStrange name is disgraced. However, Rodolphus is my older brother and I have to follow in his footsteps as his twin brother. After all, we are connected – but that doesn’t mean my alliance can't lie elsewhere.” Rabastan says cryptically. Caspian bows his head in respect before swiftly turning to help his sister pack, and escape the LeStrange manor.

“Goodbye, Uncle and thank you.” Caspian says quietly even though the other will not be able to hear, before opening the door to their new home and shutting it quietly.

“Mr. Potter, before we can falsify your documentations, Gringotts would like to provide you with blood inheritance test free of charge. Our Master of Estate, though as cryptic as ever, has made a suggestion to do so.” Ragnok says clearly baffled.

“How does one go about testing their blood inheritance and what exactly will this tell me?” Hadrian asks.

“A Blood Inheritance test requires a simple drop of blood on a specially made parchment. This parchment will list of your titles. Almost all wizard-born are required to take this test by their eleventh birthday. It tells whether your muggle-born parent is either a true muggle-born or the descendant of a Squib-Line.” Ragnok said.

“I have two questions,” At Ragnok’s nod, Hadrian asks, “If my mother is from a Squib-line wouldn’t that make her and me purebloods? And why didn’t she have this test performed on her blood?”

“That is an incorrect assumption, the Squib-line she would be descendant from, should she be descendant of one, would be very distant and would be mixed with much muggle blood. So she would still be a muggle-born, however, should she prove to be from a Squib-line you would inherit the titles and monetary gain she could not. As for the test, the magic in the parchment only reacts to older pure blood magic, a fault in the potion designs – it has yet to be corrected, as true potion masters are very hard to come by. So, in conclusion, with your pure-blood parent’s inheritance of magical traits, you would be able to be tested.” Ragnok says.

“Okay, shall we begin?” Hadrian asks doubtfully. Ragnok removes a golden dagger and crisp white parchment with ragged edges. He offers the dagger to Hadrian, who makes a small cut on his thumb. The blood drops down onto the parchment.

Name: Hadrian Jamison Potter – Gender: Male

Date of Birth: 6.21.1980 – Place of Birth: Godric’s Hollow, England

Parents: James Oisin Potter (Father) (1960-1981), Lillian Anna-Marie Potter nee Evans (Mother) (1960-1981)

Siblings: Unnamed Potter (Male, Conceived: 1981, Deceased: 1981)

Relatives: Petunia Dursley nee Evans (Half-Aunt, 1956- ), Dudley Dursley (Cousin, 1980- ), Daisy Dursley (Cousin, 1987- ), Vernon Dursley (Uncle-By-Marriage, 1954- )

Godparents/God-siblings: Sirius Orion Black (Paternal Godfather, 1960- ), Remus Black nee Lupin (Paternal Male Godmother, 1960- ), Alice Longbottom nee Prewett (Maternal Godmother 1960-1981), Frank Longbottom (Maternal Godfather 1958- ), Neville Longbottom (Maternal God-Brother, 1980- )

Titles: Lord Potter (Active (Paternal) Noble Title), Lord Gryffindor (Inactive (Paternal) Noble Title), Lord Ravenclaw (Inactive (Maternal) Noble Title), Lord Slytherin (Inactive (Maternal) Noble Title), Lord Kurosawa (Inactive (Paternal) Honorary Noble Title), Lord Onyx (Inactive (Maternal) Noble Title), Lord Rowan (Inactive (Maternal) Noble Title), Lord Ebony (Inactive (Paternal) Noble Title), Lord Peverell (Inactive (Paternal) Noble Title), Lord Peverell (Inactive (Maternal) Noble Title), and Lord Le Fae (Inactive (Maternal) Noble Title)

“Hadrian, that is eleven Lordships meaning you have eleven votes in the House of Lords, should you accept the lordships,” Tom whispers in shock, “King Aden Bryant II has fifteen votes and the most a pureblood has is eight.”

“Lord Potter-Gryffindor-Ravenclaw-Slytherin-Kurosawa-Onyx-Rowan-Ebony-Peverell-Peverell-Le Fae will you accept these eleven Lordships?” Ragnok asks formally.

“Geez, that is a tongue twister,” Hadrian murmurs, “I have two questions, is it at all possible, can I accept a Lordship at a later time and can I compile all my titles into a singular title?” Hadrian asks.

“Yes you may accept a Lordship at a later time, but it must be accepted before your nineteenth birthday, when you come into your magical majority. As for compiling the Lordships, there is a method, but you must accept all attribute of the titles into your magical core, and you must take them all under a single name.”

“I will be Taliesin Hart.” Hadrian said decisively, “How do I go about accepting the attributes?” Hadrian asked.

“Simple,” Ragnok says removing a copper wristband from the drawer, “Place this bracelet around your right wrist, and declare your intention in this case “I intend to combine the Lordships (and name the lordships) and their attributes under the name (and then you say your intended name).” You then slip on each Lordship ring and it will be added to your core, additionally the attribute will be spoken as it slips into your core.” Ragnok says.

“Interesting,” Hadrian, says and he accepts the copper bracelet, examines the odd runic engravings for a moment before slipping it on, “I intend to combine the Lordships Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Kurosawa, Onyx, Rowan, Ebony, and Peverell, Peverell and Le Fae and their attributes under the name Taliesin Hart.” The copper bracelet heated and resized to fit, Hadrian’s wrist perfectly. Ragnok slipped Hadrian the first ring – a gold band in the shape of a dragon encrusted with miniscule rubies and encircling a large amber stone – Courage – the ring says before melting away and reappearing in the copper band around Hadrian’s wrist. The next was a beautiful copper ring encrusted with crystals in the shape of wings – Intelligence and Retention Ability – the ring whispers. The next was a slender band made to look like a silver snake with tiny emeralds for eyes – Cleverness and the talent to wield it – the ring hisses. The next ring is an onyx dragon with diamond eyes – Strategy and Observation. The next was a chunky onyx band – the talent of deception and omission. A beautiful light wood ring carved into a delicate tree came next – passion and perseverance. Another wooden ring, this one a darker colored wood made of complex knots – wit and rhetoric. Two ebony rings identical in every way except one has a silver interior and other is golden comes next – Mastery of Shades, Mastery of Shadows – they say. The Last is a made of a mixture of woods and metals looking similar to a patchwork quilt – Knowing – it whispers.

And then suddenly, the world faded away, and Hadrian… no Taliesin is all this and more.

When Taliesin comes to, a man is desperately calling a foreign name “Hadrian, Hadrian?” The older man, Tom, calls frantically. Tom Thompson who had rescued him from the cold and brought him into the Leaky Cauldron. Tom was the one who he learned about the magical world from. Tom who had brought him before the Goblins and watched a Hadrian Jamison Potter became Taliesin Augustus Hart. There was really no division between the two individuals – Hadrian and Taliesin, only that Hadrian the name held no meaning towards him. He was now Taliesin.

“My name is Taliesin,” Taliesin groans. The older man turns angrily to the goblins, their voice muted, but angry and then silence. The room is suddenly thick with tension.

“Had-Taliesin, apparently magic has blessed you with a new name.” Tom says almost reverently, “You are now Taliesin Augustus Hart.”

“Tell me somet’ing I don’t kno’.” Taliesin murmurs.

“Well, your physical appearance has also been altered slightly.” Tom says dryly.

“I shrunk, didn’t I?" Taliesin mumbles sadly then a little clearer he says, “Sorry, I’m a little tired right now.” A bottle is passed to him and Taliesin swallows a mouthful of the horrible concoction unthinkingly. “Blah! What was that?” Taliesin complains.

“Pepper-up potion.” Tom says dryly, “It medicinal in nature and help with the side effect of overuse of magic.” Tom adds.

“Okay,” Taliesin says blushing lightly. He has shrunk, but only slightly and his features are little more androgynous, but the only dramatic change is the very dark auburn highlights to his ebony curls, making his hair shimmer in the daylight. “What next?” Taliesin asks.

“Now we see a man about an apprenticeship.” Tom says lightly.

“Correction,” Ragnok says, “We see several goblins and a man.”

“It was just euphemism. Bloody goblins, taking everything so literally.” Tom complains dragging his feet as he follows Taliesin and the Goblin out the office.

I, Taliesin Augustus Hart, accept an apprenticeship of a four year duration beneath the guidance of the Sorcerer, Oliver Ollivander, and the goblins, Master Flintooth and Griphook, in the areas of wandless magic, Magical Theory, Astronomy, Charms, Herbology, Defensive Magics, Magical History and Cultures, Potions, Transfiguration, Runes, Arithmancy, General Wards, Dueling Wards and Goblin Magics. If they should assign me additional teachers, I will accept, unless an issue of physical safety or emotional wellbeing occurs. After the four years duration, Masters Ollivander and Flintooth will assist me in furthering my education in a traditional school setting.

Taliesin Hart

Taliesin signs the paper with a flourish of his quill. It had taken him several hours to master the quill and he was beyond exhausted and frustrated. Ollivander and the two goblins sign their own contracts and Ollivander takes Taliesin’s hand and leads him gently away towards his shop. Taliesin is so exhausted Ollivander has to lead the little boy up a back staircase, down a hallway and into a small room with a big brass bed and even removes Taliesin’s boots and tucks him in for the night before shutting the door firmly. The light in the hall seeps in under the door illuminating the room slightly.

“Stupid freak, think you smarter than my Dudley,” Vernon snaps out as he lashes the belt buckle against Hadrian’s bloody back. Hadrian muffles another sob of pain as the belt buckle digs into already bloodied flesh. Taliesin wakes with tears shinning in his violet eyes.

Morning dawns and Taliesin wakes in the large brass bed with a sense of wonderment. The surprising turns his life has taken in the last forty-eight hours final strikes him and tears begin to fall from his eyes as giggles escape his lips. As he finally gathers himself one more he examines his new room. It is small, filled to the brim with bookshelves, a desk and chair and his big brass bed with a red comforter. The shelves are mostly empty, but for several sets of Magical Creature Encyclopedias.

“Taliesin, please get up and dress, there is a bathroom down the hall to your left. We need to discuss your schedule.” Ollivander, calls from the outside of Taliesin’s door.

“Yes, Sir.” Taliesin answers as a grin spreads across his features. This was his new life and he would treasure every moments of it.

“I’ve drawn up your schedule for weekdays.” Mister Ollivander says, offering Taliesin a piece of parchment, as Taliesin sits down to eat his breakfast, “If it is suitable, I expect you to take it to the Goblin’s for their approval, then please return. We have to go shopping for supplies and a new wardrobe for you.” Taliesin quickly scans the contents and nods. He quickly eats his eggs and toast, before heading to the coat rack.

6:00 am to 10:30 am – Professor: Mr. Ollivander – General Studies

10:30 am to 12:00 pm – Professor: Ollivander – Magical Theory and Wandless Skills

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Professor: Flintooth – Wards and Goblin Crafts

3:00 pm to 5:30 pm – Professor Griphook – Dueling Wards

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Taliesin Hart – Self Study

General Studies include Astronomy, Arithmancy, Charms, Defensive Magic, Herbology, Magical History and Cultures, Magical Creatures, Runes, Potions and Transfiguration up to Grade 3.

Entering the bank, Taliesin catches a teller’s eye as he nears the teller’s booth. After a short explanation he is led into Ragnok’s office. Ragnok nods in approval of the schedule, before adding, “I would like to have the results of your Wandless Magic aptitude test after Mister Ollivander has tested you.” Taliesin nods in acquiesce. “Taliesin,” Ragnok continues, “Griphook has spent the last night planting evidence of your existence. He fabricated memories of your life in a muggle orphanage of Barcelona, Saint Marie’s Orphanage for Boys, and placed documents and memories of your time there with the Matron and several of the older children. He also placed them with several doctors and selected a former and currently imprisoned foster care parent, for severe child abuse.” Taliesin flinches and rubs his arms unconsciously. “Also he has gathered the correct potions for you to instantaneously learn Catalan, the main language of Barcelona in Spain and created a heavy accent for your English. He also created several memories for yourself, but intends to teach you Occlumency magic to protect your memories, emotions and thoughts beforehand, so that you won't confuse these false memories with your real ones. Also, anyone who uses Legilimency, the ability to read your thoughts, memories and emotions – will only see the false memories.”

“There will be no side effects?” Taliesin asks hesitantly.

“You may experience some trauma, if you would view these memories by yourself, but viewing them is not a necessary procedure.” Ragnok admits.

“When can I accept my new language, accent and learn Occlumency?” Taliesin asks.

“Come back around 3:00 pm tomorrow for Professor Griphook’s lessons, and don’t forget to stick to the schedule.” Ragnok adds. Taliesin nods, “You may take the potion now.” The Goblin says offering a smoking silver potion to the boy, who eyes it distrustfully.

After returning to Ollivander’s shop, the older man turns his sign from open to closed and ushers his young apprentice toward an expansive clothing store down a side alley called Lantern Alley. The store is named “Vivian’s Vivid Versatile Clothes”. Ollivander bustles the young boy into the shop and coming up to an employee, “I’d like to have this young man fitted for a standard early Apprentice kit and an everyday wardrobe as well. I think he is best suited for vivid colours for shirts, fitted black and gray trousers and black boots. Please see to his needs.” Ollivander says.

What follows is chaos. One employee attracts another and another and soon the whole store has turned towards assisting the young child in selecting stylish outfits, much to Ollivander’s amusement and Taliesin’s horror. By the Taliesin manages to sneak out with Ollivander hot on his heels, there are over thirty hand-tailored outfits made and sent to Ollivander’s shop.

It is almost noon when they make their way to Slug and Jigger’s Apothecary. While Taliesin browses the potions ingredients Mr. Ollivander speaks with the proprietor of the small shop in private. Taliesin stumbles upon a very useful book titled “Potions Ingredients: Preparing to Storing and Reaction to Substitution, by Severus Snape”. It is a large and heavy book, and it quite costly, but Ollivander’s early comment in mind about money being no problem, he brings it to the counter, just as the manager and Ollivander return. Ollivander catches sight of the book on the counter and frowns.

“I wasn’t aware that Severus wrote a book?” flipping through a few of the pages, Ollivander frowns even more, “Why isn’t this on the school book list? It is very helpful.”

“Severus has been trying for years to get his book on the book list, but Albus Dumbledore claims it is too costly for the muggle born students to purchase,” Alexander Slug says in a frustrated manner.

“My wands are more costly than these books,” Ollivander says.

“Yes, but Albus argues that a wand is essential, where additional potion books are not.” Alex says grumpily, “Not to mention the old coot has more interest in teaching children how to fight than to heal. The Healing classes have been banned since Albus first took residence as Headmaster. Furthermore, the Defense against the Dark Arts Position is a much higher paying position and has a larger resource of funding from the headmaster.”

“But, Potions can be dangerous without the proper knowledge of how to prepare them!” Taliesin exclaims in a soft voice with a fluid Catalan Accent.

“Right you are lad and never forget it.” Alex says inspecting the young boy before him, his eyes sweeping over the amazing violet eyes of the young boy and his curly hair. “Now how may I help you?” Alex asks.

“Alex, this is Taliesin my apprentice. Taliesin, I spoke with Mr. Slug about our needs of a Herbology professor, he will contact his partner Sam Jigger tomorrow and ask if the man is available for tutoring.” Taliesin nods his curly ebony-haired head in thanks, “Also, Alex I would like an Apprenticeship Potions kit if you will?” As soon as they have purchased the book and ingredients, they leave the small shop.

They soon find themselves in Flourish and Blots, while Mr. Ollivander goes looking for the texts Taliesin requires as an apprentice and having had several sections of the bookstore Taliesin should look into pointed out, Taliesin roams free. His first stop is the Etiquette section where he picks up several heavy tomes. “Political Etiquette and Charisma”, “Formal and Informal Etiquette for Any Event”His

And “The Honor of Wizard-Born in Etiquette and Magic”.

He then finds himself in the Politics and Laws section, where here too he selects a number of heavy tomes. These are entitled “British Ministry of Magic Modern Laws and Politics”, “Recent World Politics and Laws – A Self updating Edition”, and “Wizengamott Legislation record – a self-updating Version”. However, wedged between several law books is a simple book entitled “Parselmagic.” There are also several other texts now that Taliesin looked closely, but the only ones that jumped out at him is “Parselmagic”, “Phoenixian”, and “Runic Magic”.

Shortly thereafter, Taliesin leaves the bookstore with his texts and several additional texts that Ollivander bought. After eating a late lunch, they make their way into the Magical Menagerie. Immediately a cacophony of sound overwhelms their senses. Just as abruptly, Taliesin finds himself drawn to two very different sections of the shop – the bird section, where he comes across a large black crow with silver talons and bright violet eyes.

“Wait, the bird is fierce!” The shopkeeper warns.

Taliesin ignores her – he feels the bird won't harm him – and after brushing his fingers through the down of the bird’s crest, he feels a zap as a sudden connection springs up between them.

The bird croons lovingly, much to the shopkeeper’s shock.

He then spins away to another section – this one filled with reptiles. There he stumbles across what appear to be several silver speckled eggs in different hues, three of them – the green one, the blue one and the violet one slowly he scoops them up and cups them in his hands.

Taliesin exits the shop with three mysterious eggs and one giant Guardian crow along with perch for his handsome crow which he has name Arashi and warm cases for his unknown species of eggs.

They make their way back to Ollivander’s shop. After putting the books on his shelf and his clothes in the closet, Taliesin is called down to Ollivander’s workroom and is seated before a small dinner. While they eat, Ollivander explains his plans. “Alright, Taliesin, I’m going to give you’re a brief overview of your classes. Let us begin with your general studies –Astronomy, Arithmancy, Charms, Defensive Magic, Herbology, Magical History and Cultures, Magical Creatures, Runes, Potions and Transfiguration.” Ollivander takes a breath and begins.

“Astronomy is the study of the stars and planetary movements, which impacts potions, runes, spell crafting, herbology, wards and rituals. Arithmancy is the numbers in magic directly correlated with rituals, runes, spell crafting, potions and wards. Charms is the study of spells, those are used in simple household duties and other spells such as levitation, momentary animation and manipulation. They are called action spells because they cause an action and a reaction. Defensive Magic opposed to the British Defense against the Dark Arts is the study of only defensive magics with the use of charms, transfiguration, wards, and spell adaption. Herbology is the study and maintenance of magical plants and magical history and culture is pretty self-explanatory. Magical creatures cover the magical creature’s habitats, social structures and biology, among other things. Runes are the study of written magic in various dialects from Latin to Sanskrit. Potions uses are varied and essential in many careers, in potions we will study how to prepare them, create them and alter them. Lastly Transfiguration is the study of temporarily changing and animating objects or sentient beings. I will be teaching you the basics of charms, Potions, Runes, Arithmancy and Defensive Magic. I will be enlisting tutors for your classes in transfiguration, astronomy, Herbology, Magical History and Cultures, and Magical Creatures. I am assigning you chapter one of all your textbooks on my lessons tomorrow and I will be looking for tutors. So following the schedule, go to the Goblins at one pm.”

It is a beautiful spring day and so Allen leaves his window open. This is what will save him.

Allen explodes out of the second floor window in a shower of glass and wood, but before he could crash into the ground, he manipulated the air currents to aid him in landing on his feet. Glancing up, he meets the feral scarlet eyes of his attacker, in the second before he apparates away.

Excerpt from “The Encyclopedia of Magical Beast – Dangerous” by Rolf Scamander

( A/N: Borrowed from HP Lexicon)

Magical Beasts are rated by their danger to wizards and witches s represented by the number of X-marks, starting with XX (the Puffskein) to XXXXX, (the Nundu).

Acromantula

XXXXX - Borneo

A gigantic black spider (leg span may reach up to 15 feet) with a poisonous bite, the Acromantula is an anomaly in the beast / being classification system. While capable of human speech, the Acromantula is classified as a beast rather than a being due to its violent tendencies. It is native to Borneo, where it is believed to have been a wizard-bred species, serving as an example of why the Ban on Experimental Breeding was put into effect.
Note that all spiders, including Acromantulas, fear the basilisk above all other living things.

Ashwinder

XXX – Worldwide

A thin gray serpent with glowing red eyes which comes out of magical fires and lives long enough to lay fiery hot eggs in some dark and secluded spot. These eggs, while valued as potion ingredients, are very dangerous. If they are not found and frozen in time, they will set buildings on fire.

Basilisk (the King of Serpents)
XXXXX

A wizard-bred Dark creature of enormous power, this extremely poisonous giant serpent (up to 50 feet in length) is brilliant green in color with long thin saber-like fangs and bulbous yellow eyes (see more below). A basilisk can live for at least 900 years given an adequate food supply, and as it can eat most vertebrates (including humans), this is not difficult to achieve. The male can be distinguished from the female by the scarlet plume on its head, but basilisks are usually magically rather than normally bred.

Basilisk-breeding has been outlawed since medieval times and in the present day falls under the Ban on Experimental Breeding, but this law has rarely been broken even by Dark wizards, since only a Parselmouth can control a basilisk.

"Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, to which it is fatal."

The phoenix seems immune to the basilisk's deadly gaze

Excerpt from “The Encyclopedia of Magical Beings” by Celestine Amor

Vampire

There is three species of vampires. Vampires, unlike Muggle myth are not animated corpses - in the three species of vampires only one can transmit vampirism through the sharing of their blood.

These Vampires are called Viral-Type Vampires and are believed to be the direct descendant of a Magical Virus inflicted by a dark lord, in the 1200s, on Muggles. Only the Viral-Type vampire is incapable of magic and breeding. However, the Viral-type vampires are considered dangerous because of their rapid cellular regeneration, need for human blood and their extraordinary speed, strengths and stamina.

The second species of vampires, the atypical vampire, is the largest of the vampire population. They are characterized by their pronounced shadow magic abilities, their ability shape-shift into wolves, or mist and by their lack of need for human blood. They can live on the blood of magical creatures instead. Their magical capabilities are in three areas – blood runes, shadow magic and Light Necromancy (refer to a Magical Gifts Text for information on Light Necromancy). They also have rapid cellular regeneration, enhanced speed, strength and stamina, along with agility and supernatural grace, which makes them very beautiful . They are able to produce children.

The last and third Species are called Mutated Vampires, they have all the skills and abilities of the atypical vampire, but also possess mutated mind abilities, such as telepathy, telekinesis and tactile post-cognition. They are by far the more superior vampire and the most deadly. However, they are decidedly pacifists.

To Be Continued

Chapter Text

Future Main Pairing: Severus Snape/Bill Weasley/Hadrian Potter

Side Pairings: Viktor Krum/Theodore Nott/Hermione Granger, Cedric Diggory/Blaise Zabini/Draco Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy/Sirius Black/Nakamura Kotaru (OMC), Charlie Weasley/Fleur Delacour, Percy Weasley/Seamus Finnegan, Ron Weasley/Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom/Ginny Weasley, Remus Lupin/N. Tonks, Fred Weasley/Angelina Johnson, George Weasley/Lee Jordan, Oliver Wood/Katie Bell, Arthur Weasley/Molly Prewett, Caius Noir (OMC)/Luna Lovegood, Mathias Cygnus (OMC)/Catalina LeStrange (OFC), Caspian LeStrange (OMC)/Kalian (OMC),…etc.

"Blah" – Talking /Blah – Thinking, Written Word & Memories /Blah – Parseltongue

Volume 01:The Grim Bones Series: Preludes and Nocturnes

Written and Illustrated by Merula Aeolus

Beta’ed by prinzenhasserin

Book 01:The Child of the Alleys

Chapter Three: Lords and Regents

Once upon a time there existed two rival families, one the Noble House of Ash, whose Ancient line had been entrusted with the Book of Nightmares by Merlin, the other was the Noble House of Rowan whose Ancient line had been entrusted by Morgan Le Fae to keep the Book of Dreams.

It was a common misconception that Merlin created the book of Dreams, which he used to lift the spirit of his people and nurture their dreams, while Morgan was said to have created the book of Nightmares to blackmail her people into action. Rather, it was the other way around. The few historians who knew the truth, denied them from acknowledging their work so as not to besmirch the good name of Merlin, since he – despite being the revolutionary leader of all Magical kind – had been a Dark Lord. Morgan Le Fae had all the while been tempering her friend’s darkness with her pure soul.

These two families were opposites in all pursuits from monetary investments to their cravings for power and knowledge. They were part of the European Haute Monde (High Society) and while the Ash family was known as a dark family with much power in terms of blackmail, assassination and curses, the Rowan family was considered a light family who nurtured their ally's dreams with their natural seer talent.

It was in the year 1743 that the eldest son of the Rowan family, Alessander Rowan fell in love with the middle daughter of the Ash family – Aria Ash. Aria was a beautiful budding young woman with fiery red hair and deep sapphire eyes who caught many admirers’ attentions. Pursued by so many would-be lovers, she feared she would never find her ideal man. When Alessander finally asked her to elope with him, she requested for him to prove his worth through three simple tasks. First, she asked for a small shard of the sacred Brazilian Moonstone. Risking life and limb, Alessander had to travel the underground maze battling all manner of dangerous beasts and swimming through the shark infested depths of the cave of echoes. Retrieving the shard, he returned victoriously to Aria and waited for the next hurdle.

The second task was even more impossible: This time he had to steal the most famed necklace in the world – the opal necklace of the Chinese Empress. If that wasn't difficult enough, the Empress never took off her favourite necklace that was said to show the strength of her husband’s love, not even when going to sleep. So for two months Alessander studied stealth and deception. Finally, he entered the Empress’s court dressed as a servant and plucked the necklace from her neck with such an ease, the guards who spent months afterwards searching for the young Empress’s opal necklace and the infamous perpetrator, they dubbed the thief Jade. He returned offering the necklace to Aria and waited for his last and final task. Impressed beyond belief by the young man’s dedication and devotion, Aria placed a kiss on his lips and said “Make love to me. Make me feel alive.”

They made love and a child was conceived between them. The tasks, their love, their lives were all for naught. Their secret affair was discovered a month later, when Aria’s eldest sister spotted them making love.

Realizing his daughter was pregnant with the son of his enemy’s child, the Lord Ash imprisoned her in a tower, while Lord Rowan beheaded his son. Her older sister related the fate of her love gleefully to young Aria. Aria fell into a deep depression and after giving birth to her child, a beautiful baby girl with dark auburn hair and sapphire eyes, Aria cursed both the Ash and Rowan lines. “By the blood of my daughter, the two houses, Ash and Rowan shall be cursed. The Ash line shall find no love in their life and feel nothing, but apathy. The Rowan line shall all find nothing but misery, and feel nothing, but sorrow. This curse, by the blood of my daughter shall last until a true love’s kiss awakens my beautiful daughter, Jasmine Rowan, from her eternal sleep.”

And unto her daughter she cast a sleeping spell and committed suicide; leaving behind her slumbering daughter, who both the Rowan and Ash family carefully preserved in hopes of breaking the curse. Years passed and the centuries changed, when the curse was broken…

When the House of Lords’ noble men file into the circular auditorium, most of them pause in astonishment.

There, at the very centre the fifteen Noblemen’s blue-veined white marble seats, is a sixteenth one standing on a raised step. At the feet of the black marble chair an ornately decorated plaque has “Lord Hart – under-age” engraved, and below the name and status “Ten Votes”.

Lucius Malfoy pushes his way through the door, which is blocked by the other Lords and he too stands bewildered. His eyes flit to his own chair, which is next to Lord Hart’s black one. On it, there's the usual “Lord Malfoy, Seven votes.”

“Please be seated,” King Aden Bryant II calls from his seat on the floor across from the Podium.

With a small commotion, the noblemen and two noblewomen take their seats, casting odd looks at the chair, some with jealousy, and others with curiosity. “Gringott's has informed me of a sixteenth Lord coming forward. As you can see, he is blessed with ten Lordships. I took it upon myself to add the chair.” King Bryant II says, humour turning his lips upwards.

“Do we know which Lordships young Lord Hart has claimed?” Lady Greengrass asks the question they are all silently contemplating, distaste and envy colouring her high-pitched voice.

“No, Gringott's requested an official enquiry to release that information. Personally, I’d like to assign Lord Malfoy to the task. He may then present the titles of his Lordship in the next session.”

Lucius inclines his head slowly with acceptance, though mentally rubbing his hands in glee.

“Now onto business. We have received several proposals from Albus Dumbledore for new laws to be approved, two from our esteemed colleague Lucius Malfoy and several from myself.” King Aden Bryant II says, “I call this council of legislation to session. Lord Malfoy, you may begin.”

Lucius Malfoy strides arrogantly to the podium. “Lords and Ladies of Legislation, I bring before you a pressing matter. Apparently, our esteemed headmaster has once again limited the budget of our children’s educational courses. I understand that the tuition is high in comparison with Pureblood fortunes and Muggle salaries, but this does not in the least warrant the cut of budget. I propose balancing disparages between the two by enrolling Muggle-born students in an additional work programme to reach the tuition needs.” With a flicker of his wand copies of the change in by-laws.

“We now open the floor for debate.” King Bryant says.

The Potter proxy stands to address the group on behalf of Hadrian’s magical guardian, Albus Dumbledore, “As Lord Malfoy has frequently brought this matter to court, and I once again repeat myself: It would be a case of sheer inequality to push forward a work programme for Muggle-born students, while the Pureblood students live in the lap of luxury.”

“I wish to bring new evidence to the court,” Lord Aden Bryant II calls, “In conjunction to Lord Malfoy’s note I have a new proposal. I recently had the goblins calculate the Hogwarts education account and discrepancies have been found. I propose an audit be made on the Headmaster’s spending of the tuition and government funding. If necessary, I wish to create a school panel to regulate the headmaster’s spending and prove if the funds have reached their allotted areas.”

The Potter proxy once again stood, this time without permission and in very rude manner, “You wish to question the morals of Albus Dumbledore, our hero in the war against the Dark Wizard Grindelwald? We would all be slaves to the man if it were not for the esteemed headmaster!” the Muggle-born wizard spits. He is a balding man with ginger hair and squinting pale-gray eyes. If that alone didn't make him look fairly ridiculous, his jowls like a Saint Bernard and thin facial hair would make that utterly clear.

“No man is infallible.” Lady Greengrass comments, “I give my support to our King’s proposal.” Soon thirteen of the fifteen active Lords and Ladies give their support to the King – barring the Potter Proxy and the Prewett Proxy, both of whom represent Albus Dumbledore.

“As for Albus Dumbledore’s legislation, let the Potter Proxy stand,” King Aden Bryant says indulgently, the Proxy ruffles indignantly as he always does when addressed as less than a Lord.

“Our esteemed Headmaster proposes a law to limit the interaction between Werewolves, and Wizards and Witches, he also wishes to impress upon the legislation that it is of the utmost importance these monsters’ should not breed…” The Lord and Ladies ignore the ramblings of the proxy as he continues, knowing exactly what the man is proposing as he has done so many times before.

King Aden Bryant II sighs, even as he reaches the front gates of his French Château in Wales. Normally, one would expect a palace befitting royalty for the King of Magical Britain, but despite his title, Aden is a modest man and certainly does not care for ostentatious displays of wealth. Brushing his shoulder-length greying ebony hair from his cobalt-blue eyes, he enters his home and meets his wife at the steps that lead to the second floor, the family quarters.

His wife, Queen Miranda Bryant nee Prewett is a gorgeous woman with waist-length honey-blond hair and large and soft golden-brown eyes framed by long eyelashes. She has a tall, slender and curvaceous figure, which makes her the envy of many witches. Currently she was heavily pregnant with their fourth child. “Where are Lucas, Calvin and Catherine?” Aden asks after his three children, his ten years old heir, Lucas, and the eight years old twins Calvin and Catherine.

“With your mother.” Miranda says in her soft musical voice, “Now tell me, did my cousin’s proxy give you a hard time again?”

“When does he not?” Aden says sarcastically, “The proxy is the epitome of Albus’s snivelling sycophant. I wish your cousin wasn’t so ill as to appoint a proxy under Albus’s influence, I remember when my father was alive your cousin was the man everyone was terrified of with his sharp wits and clever tongue. I sorely miss him. I do, however, have interesting news.”

“Oh?” Miranda asks intrigued, leading her husband into the lounge to talk.

“There is now a sixteenth Lord, Lord Hart, who is currently under-age and thus unable to claim his ten Lordships, but the goblins seem to respect him. I believe he will be a promising young man. He is the apprentice to Ollivander and the Goblins have also filed a dual apprenticeship with him.”

“Fascinating.” Miranda murmurs, “What is he studying?”

“From what I am able to learn he is in the early apprenticeship program, so besides the basic material, he is also studying wandless magic and magical theory from Ollivander. From the goblins he is studying wards, spell crafting, and duelling wards. He is turning into quite the precocious and mysterious child.”

Mateo Cygnus sighs, as he writes up his medical report. Monsieur Luke was suffering from a rare and dangerous hereditary magical disease that only a severe regimen of harsh potions and spell could cure. In fact, Mateo had invented the cure, though only five out of seven patients were able to survive the procedure. Already Mateo could see his son quite taken with the young Monsieur Luke and if he were to die, Mathias would be devastated by his loss.

Two weeks later, Lucius hurries towards the bank, the official documents clutched in his hands like a priceless artefact. The doors to the white marble bank have just opened and Lucius enters. Walking up to a teller, he sneers at the Goblin. He slams down the parchment and says pompously, “Here is official enquiry to which Lordships, Lord Hart has claimed.” He glares down of the goblin who looks up at the ash-blond haired man with distaste.

“Griphook, room eighteen.” The goblin commands, a secretive smile spreading across his lips, Lucius decides then and there, no goblin should smile, as involuntary shivers wrack his spine. Griphook internally sighs, glad that his Legilimency on Taliesin had awoken yet another hereditary gift – Natural Occlumency. Natural Occlumency is the innate ability to create a shifting mental plane to protect one’s thoughts, emotions and memories. Taliesin’s gift was strong enough to match their chief Legilimens. So they had easily slipped in the memories in the open centre of his mind, preventing the gift from hiding them along with his other memories.

Lucius Malfoy is led into room eighteen and stands before the massive desk, behind which a very large goblin with barrel chest sits. “Goblin, I brought the official documents requesting the Lordships Lord Hart has claimed. I demand to see them now.” Lucius says snobbishly.

With a disturbing smirk, Ragnok spreads the files before Lucius.

When classes ended for the day, Severus returns to his quarters to find his blond friend sprawled inelegantly on his couch unconscious, with one-third of Severus' liquor stock on the floor, empty and surrounding him. Severus had never seen Lucius this drunk since he was first informed of his marriage contract to Narcissa. Pinching the bridge of his nose to stem his headache, Severus fetches two potions – a sobering potion and a hangover cure potion from his stock. Pinching Lucius' nose, he forced the potions down the throat of the blond. Lucius sputtered awake.

“You know there is a reason why I drank your liquor.” Lucius says tersely.

“Yes, the very same reason why you will be replacing it.” Severus informs him.

“Not fair.” Lucius whines.

“Lucius, you just sounded like a third year Hufflepuff fighting over a teddy.” Severus says.

“But it is horrible!” Lucius complains.

“What did Narcissa ask you to father another child with her?” Severus asks, raising an eyebrow.

“No worse, but please don’t repeat that.” Lucius whispers.

“Okay, Lucius I’m listening.” Severus says with a dramatic sigh.

“The Slytherin Lordship was claimed, but not by our Lord. Lord Voldemort is not the Slytherin Lord. I mean all evidence points to him being the man, like his ability to speak to snakes, but he must either be a bastard son or from a lesser line.” Lucius rambles as Severus pales dramatically.

“Who claimed the Lordship?” Severus asks; dread filling the pit of his stomach.

“Lord Hart, an under-age youth from Barcelona Spain, apprenticed to Ollivander. However, get this, he had ten votes in legislative, and out of those ten families he also has the Lordships of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Le Fae.” Severus calms immediately, perhaps they were not faced with a new Dark Lord after all.

“Wait, there is no secondary line in the Slytherin family and from Dumbledore I have gathered who Voldemort’s parents were and I promise you his mother had no other children.” Severus says thoughtfully.

“What does that mean?” Lucius asks hopefully.

“It means, the Gaunt family from which Voldemort’s mother inherited the so-called Slytherin blood, was a regent family, not the actually Lord. Lord Hart, was he a wizard-born?” Severus asks Lucius nods. “Then it means that Voldemort will lose regency whether or not this Lord Hart lives. However, he would certainly hope to covet the boy’s alliance in order to claim the Slytherin fortune. We must protect Lord Hart at all costs!”

“But… but why can Lord Voldemort speak to snakes if he is not even a Slytherin?” Lucius asks grasping at fading straws.

“Most Lords when passing his line’s protection and well-being to a regent will give one of his hereditary gifts to the regents’ family. The Gaunt Lord must have requested Parseltongue.”

“But, what of our Lord’s plan for the death of Muggle-borns?” Lucius asks desperately.

“What plan?” Severus said, “What plan did he have other than eradicating Muggle-borns, torturing Muggles, killing wizards and witches alike. He is putting our families’ and us at risk? Why do we hate Muggle-born?”

“You know why?” Lucius snaps.

“Remind me!” Severus says.

“Muggle-borns have disrupted our way of life, imposing laws on us that limit our magic, ridicule our interspecies relationships and heritages and generally condemn and insult us!” Lucius snarls.

“And how will killing them all off help us? You’ve seen it. If there are no wizard-borns, there will be no power, our blood has become corrupted and stagnate. We are slowly weakening our magical abilities through inbreeding. What Voldemort wants in a pure world, what his actions say is that he is using our fears and anger against us, killing us off and making himself our ruler. Do you want to be ruled by a mad man? Or would you rather help me protect the next generation from this madness. Lucius we can change this world, but it can’t be by Voldemort’s methods. He is starting a war. We’re Slytherins. We need to use cunning not stupidity.”

“Well Albus Dumbledore is certainly not going to get us anywhere. He promotes the harsh laws for dark creatures and has created a dystopia among our society. Even though publicly he promotes the right of all magical creatures. It’s a scam.” Lucius snarls.

“I agree,” Severus says sadly, “Albus is getting us nowhere, but we must use him and the dratted Longbottom boy to end Voldemort before the rapid dog kills us.” Severus says. Lucius slides forward in his seat, resting his head in his hands.

“How did we get into this mess?” Lucius asks. There was no answer he didn’t already know.

“Severus, you have news for me?” Albus Dumbledore asks his potion’s master.

“Lord Voldemort is not the Lord Slytherin,” Severus says coolly, “He is nothing more than a regent. The Lordship was claimed by another. This is good news, Albus, you can use this to slow down recruitment and –”

“Who has claimed the Lordship?” Dumbledore asks worriedly.

“He is a child, an orphan from Barcelona, Spain, Lord Hart. The apprentice to the wand maker, Ollivander.” Severus says.

"What is Ollivander thinking, putting power into the hands of a Slytherin?” Albus muttered.

Severus recoils in shock and anger, before carefully adding, “Well, he probably saw the boy’s other titles – beyond the Slytherin title.” Severus says.

“Other titles?” Dumbledore asks somewhat dismayed.

“Yes, the boy had ten votes in the Legislative, he is Lord Slytherin, Lord Gryffindor, Lord Ravenclaw and Lord Le Fae, to name a few.” Severus says carefully.

“The boy is also heir to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw lines?” Albus asks, at Severus' nod Albus continues, “Perhaps as headmaster of Hogwarts, I can gain his guardianship and mould him into Neville's supporter.” Dumbledore says, while internally alarmed Severus doesn’t show it, but nods smoothly. He would need to speak to Lucius about blocking the man’s attempts to seize Lord Hart’s guardianship.

To: Lord Taliesin Hart

From: Lord Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Headmaster of Hogwarts

Subject: Guardianship

My Dear Boy,

It has come to my attention that you are an emancipated orphan from Barcelona, Spain and have been raised outside of Britain, while your heritage is decidedly British and that you have claimed renowned British titles. I am afraid that you have a distinct disadvantage in our society, knowing nothing of our customs or political system. You must feel quite lost in our country, perhaps daunted by the tasks that lay before you. After all, you must choose a proper guardian to manage your titles, while you’re under-age. I would like to offer my expertise and home to you. I am the headmaster of Hogwarts and am familiar with the teachings of your ancestors. I fear that you may have been pressured into taking an apprenticeship early, when you have not been properly educated as your peers. I feel the need to express my concern about your living habits. Mr. Ollivander is a bachelor and knows nothing about rearing children, as Headmaster of Hogwarts with children ranging between the ages of eleven and eighteen I am very familiar with providing for the needs of many children. Do you have any friends? What are your studies? My staffs have also expressed an interest in your studies. Do you have a favourite subject? What are your favourite sweets? How many hours a day do you spend studying? Do you feel happy with Mr. Ollivander?

My staff and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Lord Dumbledore

Taliesin recoils in disgust after reading the letter from the headmaster of Hogwarts. Taliesin has never read any other correspondence as manipulative as this greedy old man. Calming himself with deep, slow breaths, Taliesin pulls out a piece of parchment and an inkwell. He quickly thinks about the best way to approach this letter. Albus Dumbledore was clearly fishing for information to use to get Taliesin’s guardianship. So he will need to limit the information he gives out and he cannot insult Albus Dumbledore because he may need a favour in the future. Taliesin smiles thinly… yes, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer is perfect for this occurrence.

To: Lord Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Headmaster of Hogwarts

From: Lord Taliesin Hart

Subject: Guardianship

Dear Sir,

I appreciate your concern. However, I find my living situation and current education satisfying. I have many friends and I am studying a diverse range of materials. My favourite subject is Magical Theory and my favourite sweets are chocolate frogs. However, I do not eat them often since they will rot my teeth. I spend fewer hours than I’d wish for studying, but Mr. Ollivander is determined I rest. I love being Mr. Ollivander’s apprentice.

Again thank you for your concern.

Sincerely,

Lord Hart

Taliesin sits in a quiet booth away from the noise of the rest of the Leaky Cauldron, Tom the barkeep, his surprisingly loyal friends sits across from him, as the hired help takes orders from the patrons. This is their usual Monday evening meeting, in which Tom keeps up to date with Taliesin’s studies and they discuss and debate a variety of Magical and Muggle subjects. Today is no different and Taliesin has chosen magical classifications as the subject of debate. However, unbeknownst to either of them, they have an audience as they have forgotten their usual silencing spells. “Tom,” Taliesin says , as he stirs his hot chocolate with a spoon idly, “I’ve been studying magical theory and ministry laws on Magical Classifications and I have noted their reason for the classification of dark and light magic is severely outdated and without logical reason. For example the levitation spell is classified as Light Magic because presumably it cannot be used to hurt someone. This is wrong. If you over power the spell, you can send an individual tumbling from the sky from over three hundred feet to their deaths.”

“You have a point there,” Tom says, with a contemplative look. “What would you classify the Levitation spell as?” Tom asks curiously.

“I would create a completely new system – Light magic for healing spells, neutral magic for spell which relies on the intent of the caster to be classified, dark magic for magic that uses willing given and non-fatal human sacrifices like blood or hair, black magic for unwillingly given and fatal human sacrifices. However, there is also dual study – natural magic for things such as healing. Healing is the art of speed up a recovery, while transfiguration could be called an unnatural magic since it is transforming something which already has a shape into something unnatural to it. Potions could be classified as dark magic and unnatural magic, even including the healing potions.”

“Healing potions really?” Tom asks curiously.

“Yes. Think about the bone growth potion. Human skeletons cannot re-grow. They can mend yes, but they do not have the ability to completely grow an arm or a leg.” Taliesin says firmly.

“Interesting,” a smooth and silken voice broke into their conversation.

"Lord Malfoy and Lord Prince?” Tom gasps in surprise, Severus Snape lifts an eyebrow in response, while Lucius Malfoy slips into the seat next to Taliesin. Severus pulls a chair at the head of the table. Tom nervously shifts in his seat.

“If someone were to use the levitation spell and were accused of a crime, how would the courts decide the guilt of the party or not?” Lucius asks, his interest piqued.

“Well assuming that individual believed what he or she was doing in the right, they could easily make the truth serum obsolete. The truth of the matter is, if your convictions are strong enough, the Truth serum is faulty. The best way to determine the guilty party would to be good old fashioned method – investigation. It would certainly be interesting to see what the Magical Community could create in terms or forensics.” Taliesin says.

“Forensics?” Lucius asks, confused.

“A Muggle thing. I’ll explain it later.” Severus says, dismissing Lucius briefly as he takes his own interest in the conversation.

To be Continued

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