27 Fame and Conspiracies

Hadrian woke up slightly sore and tired, which would be odd in normal cases as sleep was supposed to grant you the complete opposite - but Hadrian did compete in a two-day duelling tournament.

Merlin had responded quite nonchalantly at Hadrian's win, claiming he had full confidence in his abilities.

Hadrian made his way downstairs, already in his school clothes. He glanced at a new cabinet in the living room, it held Hadrian's new trophy inside of it.

When Charlus saw Hadrian looking at it, he said, "This is where we want all your trophies to go, so you better win some more so I can brag about my grandson."

Hadrian smiled and nodded in response.

Straight after doing so, an Owl had made its way into the room through one of the windows and perched itself on Charlus' shoulder. The owl carried the newspaper, 'The Daily Prophet', in its beak.

Charlus grabbed the paper. looked at the headline and whistled before tossing it to Hadrian, "Well done, you've made the front page."

At the very top of the page was a large moving picture of Professor Anderson handing Hadrian his trophy. The title above it read...

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- HADRIAN BLACK: DARK WIZARD OR ABANDONED PRODIGY? -

Yesterday marked a rare occasion, a passing of the torch from the former champions, to the one-day hopeful champions. That is why we here at the Daily Prophet, were shocked to find out that the winner came from our shores! That's right, the winner of the U12 Duelling Tournament, Hadrian Black, is a British Wizard. What you may find shocking, however, is that Hadrian Black is NOT 11 - which is the age of all those competing, and owning a wand here. He is in fact, only 9 years old!

Whilst Hadrian has made his skill in duelling and fighting known, one does have to question the sobriety of his guardians, Charlus Potter and Dorea Black when they thought it was fine to allow a 9-year-old to battle in a tournament he had no business competing in. It also questions why they have guardianship over him. With the old couple heard being called his 'grandparents' that only leaves two possible contenders for the title of 'parents', Sirius Black or James and Lily Potter.

Our sources within the Ministry have revealed to us who exactly his parents are, and we can only say - we are ashamed of you. Through proven ministerial records, we can safely say, Hadrian Black's parents are James and Lily Potter! The-Boy-Who-Lived has a brother, hidden away! It seems as though James and Lily Potter had thrown away poor, young Hadrian - all because he wasn't 'The-Boy-Who-Lived! I can only commend Charlus and Dorea for taking in young Hadrian, at least the Potter Family isn't completely filled with fame-hungry opportunists! However, who's to say it wasn't more of a rescue than an abandonment? Who's to say James and Lily didn't ABUSE young Hadrian Black, all because he wasn't 'The-Boy-Who-Lived', to the extent that it warranted a rescue from the Grandparents?

Alternatively, they may be another factor that lead to young Hadrian's abandonment. During the tournament, Hadrian revealed himself to be a parselmouth! As we all know, this trait can only be found in those with relation to Salazar Slytherin. Was this the reason why James and Lily threw him away? Did they see a budding Dark Wizard within their own child, or were they looking for excuses? It's safe to say, Hadrian Black is shaping to be a very powerful Wizard, having already graduated from the Wizarding Primary School, Aunriton Academy of the Arcane with top marks - but why is he working so hard? Is it to get back at his parents for discarding him? Have James and Lily unknowingly created a Dark Wizard and instead of attempting to nurture and care for him properly, have made him fall deeper into darkness? What about 'The-Boy-Who-Lived', Arthur Potter, how does he compare with young Hadrian - who's already exhibiting unbelievable power and skill. Using wandless magic, Parseltongue, and spells never seen before (possibly dark)!

For now, let's praise young Hadrian for his win that was surely done in the name of this country and hope that the trauma he has experienced at the hands of his parents has been healed, so he doesn't one day enslave us all.

-Rita Skeeter-

For Information on the Potter & Black Families - Page 3

For Information on Slytherin and Parseltongue - Page 4

For Information on Hadrian Black's and his performance - Page 2

For Information on Duelling - Page 9

For Information on the new Potter Child - Page 5

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Hadrian looked at the paper perplexed.

'They think...I want to enslave them? I'm pretty sure Din Kapil spoke more Parseltongue than me, I only said one word!..", Hadrian ranted in his mind.

"This is stupid, they praise me but call me a Dark Wizard on the same page!", Hadrian sighed as he passed the paper back to Charlus.

"I seldom read anything true in the Daily Prophet, anyways.", Charlus remarked as he clasped Hadrian's shoulder and tapped the portkey that whisked them over to the docks.

In a large castle, located in the highlands of Scotland, a long-bearded headmaster had finished reading the paper.

'He's becoming too powerful, too quickly...', he thought, frowning as he stroked the chin of his phoenix familiar.

In a slightly large cottage, hidden in the deselect village of Godric's Hollow, husband and wife lay sight on the newspaper that had just flown in through the kitchen window. It landed on a table, right beside the day's issue of Quidditch weekly that was lying on the table in which James Potter was enjoying his tea.

Lily glanced at the title and the picture, eyes widening as she recognized the name of her son, - but not the face that had changed from so long ago.

James looked at the newspaper, feeling an array of emotions as his eyes flickered across the page rapidly. The most prevalent of which being shame and resentment. Resentment towards the boy that had stolen his parents and his headship away from him.

"He's a parselmouth! Like HIM.", he said as he gritted his teeth and pounded the table with his fist, "You know what that means, Lily."

"...Yes.", she replied, "It means, he inherited it from the Black Family - who are distantly related to Salazar Slytherin.

"It means he's Dark. Think about it, that trait has only ever appeared in Dark Wizards, and this? Wandless Magic, Original spells? It has to be Dark Magic.", he growled out.

Lily looked at James for a few seconds, before sighing and nodding in compliance, "I guess you have a point."

"Yes. I do, and you know I do.", James looked away from Lily as he finished off reading the last few lines. "I refuse to let our child 'meet' with a Dark Wizard.", he said as he walked towards the bin and dropped it.

Lily didn't say anything, but internally she knew. She knew that she had made her choice.

In all their shame and anger, the couple failed to notice the wild tuft of auburn colored hair, peeking out of the door.

The boy who this wild tuft belonged to calmly made his way into the kitchen his parents were sitting in.

"Morning, Mum. Morning, Dad.", he said as he grabbed himself a cup and began pouring himself a drink.

"Morning, Art.", They both replied concurrently.

Arthur looked at the newspaper that was thrown away, aware of what it said due to his eavesdropping.

He looked around the kitchen - his mother was busy with the dishes and his father was reading Quidditch Weekly.

"I'll take out the trash, I forgot to do it yesterday.", he said as he picked up the bin bag laying within the bin.

As he walked outside, he looted the bag of its newest content, the newspaper. His eyes fixed on his 'brother', who was smiling at him as he accepted his rather large, golden trophy. Taunting him. Arthur read through the rest of the paper before crumpling it and stuffing it into the bag.

Hadrian found himself in the Headmistress' office, flanked by his grandfather and Professor Andy.

"Hadrian, first things first, I want to say congratulations.", Rosewood said as she smiled warmly at Hadrian.

"Thank you."

"The main reason you're in my office is for a different reason. Since your win, many schools have contacted me, they wanted me to send the message that you'll always be accepted at their school - if you so choose to attend when you turn 11. Uagadou and Mahoutokoro in particular asked for your attendance. They wouldn't be able to give you the normal 'acceptance letter' because they have a different means of selecting students, and it is very rare for them to want a foreign student.", She said, gauging Hadrian's reaction.

"That's great news!", Charlus sounded, "Not many can say they have international schools vying for their attendance.", he said proudly.

Hadrian nodded and smiled in response, "Can I go back to Duelling Practice now, Ma'am."

"Of course, Hadrian.", she said, rising from her chair and leading him towards the exit.

'...The potential that boy has.', she thought as she shook her head.

Hours after training, Hadrian made his way outside for lunch. He was now wearing a dark green jumper that was slightly oversized. The jumper had the Potter and Black crests on the left side of his chest. For the bottom part of the outfit, Hadrian wore some comfy, black trousers. This fitting ensemble was completed with black trainers. Now that Hadrian had graduated, he didn't have to wear the school uniform, not that he minded.

In the distance, he found his friends sitting by the benches.

He slowly made his way over, hoping that they wouldn't turn around to see him. When he was a few feet behind them he shouted, "Guess who's back!"

"Aagh!", was the collective response from the group as they fell forwards in shock.

"I told you he was coming back," Daphne said as she glared at Oliver whilst she lifted her self off the ground.

Daphne then walked over to Hadrian and tackled him on the ground with a hug.

"Angelica and Demetri told me you won! You've been holding back on me, haven't you.", she said, pouting and looking to the side.

"Yes.", Hadrian answered.

Daphne attempted to swat him on his head but he grabbed her hand and helped her up instead.

"Looks like Pretty Dragon is back home!", Roan said - chortling with laughter.

Hadrian sighed in indignation.

Crow looked at Hadrian before asking, "What was it like?"

"It was...interesting. Seeing the different schools and what their students were like. I could even say I made a few friends.", Hadrian answered.

The conversation then progressed to Hadrian talking emphatically about the duels and the different people he faced. When Hadrian told them about how the schools had contacted Headmistress Rosewood, asking for him to consider attending their school - the others became a little put out.

They didn't want Hadrian to part from their little group so soon. Daphne especially. She knew that she would be going to Hogwarts in the future, but she didn't want to be forgotten.

That's why when they were making their way inside, Daphne pulled Hadrian to a stop.

"If you do go to a different school, you have to still be my friend...", Daphne pleaded.

"I will. Don't worry Daph.".

"Promise?", she asked as she lifted her pinky finger at Hadrian.

"Promise," Hadrian said as their pinkies intertwined.

Daphne nodded and they resumed their walk, now lagging behind their friends.