Ch42. Muggles here, Muggles there, Muggles everywhere!

Narcissa leaned closer to Hadrian, kissing his forehead.

"Are you ready? Do you have everything?" She sadly asked. "I still say, these," She sniffed in disgust. "ugh, clothes you wear are very bad."

Hadrian looked over the clothes he inherited after Dudley grew out of them.

"Yes, and yes." He quipped. "And anyway, I gotta keep up the appearances, don't I? They expect a shy orphan. Not... me." He smirked derisively.

He was ready for Hogwarts. Occlumency capable enough to shrug off passive probes. His core properly bound enough to not appear 'extraordinary'. And the ability to unlock his core whenever he wanted.

And wasn't that the kicker of the month?

After Narcissa used the Core block-key ritual and made Hadrian the block and the key at the same time, his permanent block suddenly became controllable! He could not unseal it still. But he could unlock up to ninety-nine percent of his core without problems and block it up to ALMOST a hundred percent too! He could now turn from wizard to squib and back with the snap of his finger. Oh, the joys he could get thanks to that ability!

He never expected the ritual would have such a side-effect. Alas, he was completely sincere when he proclaimed his eternal thanks to Dumbledore. Without him, such an overpowered ability would not be possible. Especially since most magical detection wards do not really work properly on squibs due to insufficient amounts of magic... Hehe.

A custom-made trunk, shrunken and hanging on his neck on a silver, unbreakable chain with an anti-theft charm and a light lightning zap spell if somebody got clever, trying to rip it off his neck.

The trunk was a masterpiece. The insides were astonishing but had only two compartments. The first contained everything from clothes to potion ingredients needed for school. The second was the size of a quite spacious flat. It had a bathroom, potion lab, bedroom, and a fully stocked kitchen. Anytime he wanted, he could pull things from the first compartment out of thin air while being in the second.

The trunk had also anti-theft, slightly offensive defense charms, and was locked by a magical signature with a curiously complicated self-locking function activated every time anyone but the owner touches the trunk. To unlock it then would require blood, magic, and a verbal password. Attempt to get inside by force activates the more... hidden... wards on the trunk. While kids are safe since the spells they could muster are on the level of Alohomora, not much would be left of someone experienced who really tried to force his way with powerful spells. These actually contain the magic, charge an offensive spell with it and fire it back at the thief.

"Okay, dear. Stay safe and have fun. Do not worry, I will take care of anything family and business-related while you are gone." Narcissa told him but contrary to her words her hand tightly gripped his arm, refusing to let go.

"Uhm, Cissy?" Hadrian gave her a wry smile and she, with quite a difficulty, let his arm go.

"I just... I know you barely over a week but I already know I will miss you." She warmly told him.

"I will miss you too, Cissy." Hadrian returned her warm smile, earning a quick peck on the lips. "Well, time to go. See you during the Christmas break." He waved his wife goodbye and entered the floo to the Train Station.

As he entered, the first thing he had to do was side-step a grumpy idiot who almost rammed into him. Looking around for the first time, he saw Hogwarts Express. It was... underwhelming. Old train. Big deal.

Hadrian really didn't understand wizards. They get excited about riding that monstrosity for hours even though they could be in Hogwarts in a blink of an eye. The only reason being, it is a tradition.

He shook his head in exasperation.

If anything, the magical system enables the train to use pure magic to propel itself... Now that is interesting! Albeit, Hadrian was sure the train had to be recharged on a magical ley-line for at least a week to make the trip to and from Hogwarts. His special magic perception didn't let him ignore that sad little tidbit.

As he looked around, he saw many families. Some familiar, others not so much. He also saw a few lone adults, sneaking glances around. Aurors. Well, figures the kids would be protected.

He was about to head towards the train in order to board it when he saw a guy flash through what seemed to be a brick wall and his eyes flashed, a plan forming in his mind. With a creepy smile, he approached the wall.

...

Outside the wall, Hadrian waited and waited, and waited some more and it was getting quite boring when his target finally appeared.

A squabble of carrot-headed children led by a chubby woman yelling about muggles.

He grinned.

...

He waited until the redheaded family entered and then followed them two minutes later, hightailing it to the closest Auror.

Hadrian did not know if the yelling was staged to meet him.

To him, it did not seem that way. The family was in quite a hurry, to be fair. Nevertheless, he did not care. But he knew who did.

Dumbledore!

Weasleys were the foremost ally of Dumbledore!

If let's say, Weasley Matriarch, somehow, unknowingly, gets into trouble for an attempt at breaking the Statute of Secrecy... who would have to act in order to preserve his allies, saving his reputation as a kind and caring grandfatherly figure? A proper Leader of the Light would not let his allies suffer! It is just not done!

If he did, his allies might notice and start to distance themselves.

If he did not, well, his political rivals would eat him alive.

Hadrian was delighted at the opportunity he was about to present to his Cissy. For a second he even pitied the old Twinkles, shuddering at what Narcissa would do if Dumbledore tried to use his political clout to get Weasley big momma out of trouble. Especially since his position as a Chief Warlock is hanging by a thread.

Heh, happy thoughts.

Hadrian came directly in front of the Auror who looked at him with confusion.

"Excuse me, sir. I am muggle-born and I'd like to ask a question." Hadrian made sure to appear curious but out of the place. Well, his baggy, poor attire certainly helped a lot. His lack of glasses and scar covered by his hair did it's fair share too!

"Yes?" The tall Auror gruffly replied with a sound dismissal.

"I read that breaking the Statute of Secrecy is a serious criminal act, is it true?" Hadrian gave him a puzzled look as if he did not understand something fundamental, ignoring his uncaring attitude.

His question made the auror fully focus on the boy in front of him and furrow his eyebrows. The boy was asking something quite interesting for someone his age!

"Well, yes. We wizards see the Statute very seriously. Why do you ask, boy?"

Hadrian stifled the urge to give the guy an annoyed eye-roll and hexing him for calling him a boy.

Instead, he pointed at Mrs. Weasley who was currently yelling at George and Fred as they were loading their trunks onto the train.

"When I came to the Train Station, I saw that woman loudly yelling about Muggles on the muggle side of the station. That's why I got puzzled! Thanks for clearing it up for me!" Hadrian exclaimed and was about to leave with a happy skip in his step. In reality, however, he was watching the auror from the corner of his eye, curious how he would act.

"STOP!" As expected, the auror quickly stopped Hadrian. "Could you give me the memory, boy?"

Hadrian's eye twitched at being called a boy but he nodded nevertheless.

"How?" He tilted his head and looked to the ground.

"Ah, nevermind, I will extract it myself. Just think about that moment, okay?" The auror tried to smile reassuringly and extracted the memory into a special vial in a jiffy.

What a convenience that Hadrian was quite good at Occlumency and could 'delete' all those unwanted tidbits indicating he actually planned to point out Mrs. Weasley.

"Do you always carry these vials with you?" Hadrian innocently asked.

"Yes, boy, we do. It is a part of our mandatory equipment." The aurora explained impatiently. "Now, I gotta have a swift talk with Mrs. Weasley. Can you get onto the train without help?"

A prompt nod from Hadrian later and the auror was on his merry way towards a chubby yell-happy housewife. Poor guy.

Hadrian entered the train, found an empty compartment, and enjoyed the show outside.

Mrs. Weasley yelled at the entirety of the station, red as a tomato.

Pureblood parents watched her in contempt and disgust. The light families associated with the Weasleys ashamed, trying to keep their distance. Aurors coming closer to the situation. And the auror with the memory annoyed, barely seconds away from grabbing her by her hair and marching her to the DMLE.

Unfortunately, the train started to move and Hadrian missed the arrest of one overgrown Weasel. Oh, what a misfortune! Maybe next time.