010: The Retake

Draco saw a faint trail of smoke heading his way. Thinking of the worst he quickly looked up from Ingrid, only to realize that it was coming from him. He looked back at Ingrid with confusion, "You just unlocked your new skill. Lure." She said briefly, her eyes not opening once.

Draco stared at her blankly, 'Ugh. Lure is a skill only possessed by a few people. It has the ability to lure, as the name indicates, people into a sense of comfort and longing toward you. This skill was at first used for self-defense but that didn't go well. So now it provides any purpose one desires.'

Ingrid finished before snuggling closer to Draco, 'And how do you suppose I stop this?' Ingrid sighed, clearly frustrated. 'Just think of plugging tiny corks into your pores. That atta do it.' As instructed, Draco did just that. After the smoke had subsided completely he looked toward the sky.

He pet Ingrid softly, 'It looks really late, better head back.' He carefully nudged Ingrid, indicating she get up, before dusting off his clothes. Making his way toward the stairs, he hears rustling coming from his right side, but nothing was there. Thinking it was his imagination he left.

/////////

Hadrian let out a sigh of relief once Draco was out of sight. Pulling his cloak closer he went back to Gryffindor Tower in hopes of forgetting what had just happened. Plus he didn't want to miss Defense Against the Dark Arts later in the morning. Especially with Snape leading.

//////////

Hadrian didn't know if he should happy, sad or terrified that Snape was in charge of DADA. But that wasn't what he wanted to focus on right now. Snape was teaching them Nonverbal Spells and he had to admit, Snape's vision on the subject was quite inspiring compared to Umbridge's nonsense. Hadrian avoided eye contact with Snape as he did not want his identity revealed as of yet.

Soon after the class it was time to go for lunch, before they had to go for Potions which was led by Horace Slughorn now that Snape took over DADA. Which gave Hadrian time to go back to Gringotts for a retake of his inheritance test. That meant skipping Lunch.

It took him a while to escape the constant stares and people trying to strike up a conversation left and right. He apparated straight to Gringotts as soon as he was sure no one was around.

Appearing right in front of the building, he ascended up the stairs and into the building. "Hey Ryneta, can I see Ragnok for a moment?" He asked the lady seated at the front desk with her head down looking over some paperwork. She looked up briefly before pointing at the door he had entered through the other time he was there. She could clearly see the urgency of the moment.

Hadrian made steady strides toward Ragnok's office before knocking, "Come in." Was what was heard from the other side. Hadrian entered with hurry, as lunch was almost over, "Ah, Hadrian. I was expecting you. I am sure you noticed the incorrect information on your slip, and I am greatly sorry for this mistake." Ragnok said as he bowed his head down in guilt.

Hadrian quickly asked him to not blame himself and that things like this happen, "You are so grateful for your understanding. This one will be free of charge. I am sorry once again. Please take a seat." He said as he looked through his cabinet in hopes of finding another parchment. He placed the parchment in front of Hadrian before putting a small velvet box beside it. Opening it, there lay 3 needles of same shape, but different color.

One was Copper, the Minor needle, the other Silver, the Queen-Fitting needle, and the last one a shiny emerald, the King-Fitting needle.

Ragnok picked up the King-Fitting needle before handing it to Hadrian with care. Who in turn pricked himself allowing a few drops of blood to fall on the parchment. Hadrian looked over everything before his eyes gradually looked between his Mate status and Vault activity.

////////////

Mate:

Draco Malfoy (Submissive)

Status of Vaults:

Gryffindor vault: 1,000,000 galleons withdrawn each month. (Albus Dumbledore)

Potter vault: 500,000 withdrawn each month. (Molly, along with Arthur, Percy, Bill, Ron, & Ginevra Weasley)

//////////

Turns out Alex was right, Draco really was their mate. Hadrian wondered if he knew but thought of Thalia Obliviating him entered his head, 'Shit.' Hadrian along with Alex cursed. Ragnok cleared his throat, "I hope everything is in order." To which Hadrian nodded.

He thanked Ragnok and quickly apparated back to the Gryffindor common room just in time for Potions with Slughorn. Since it turns out that Slughorn's entry requirements are lower than Snape's, he could take his N.E.W.T course. Since he didn't know, he did not have the necessary equipment. So he had to make due. He hurried down the halls until he had reached the bustling classroom. With no teacher present, He was not late.

He quickly caught his breath before making his way toward his usual seat beside the one and only Draco Malfoy, who didn't even bother acknowledging his presence. Nothing new I guess.

Hadrian was about to start up a conversation, but Slughorn had already entered. Thus starting their lesson.

Slughorn had given Hadrian and Ron some old books they could use for the time being until they got their own. "Let us get to work." Slughorn said, after he was done discussing the risks of Amortentia with them, "But you have not told us what that one is." Said Justine Britnell, pointing to the smallest cauldron containing Felix Felicis.

"That, dear children is Felix Felicis." Hermione gasped peaking Slughorn's interest, "Yes Miss Granger?" Hadrian made a mental note to talk to Hermione properly later.

"It's liquid luck. It makes you lucky." Hadrian noticed a few people perk up at her words, now fully paying attention. Slughorn started to talk which pulled Hadrian back from his thoughts and unto the professor. He announced a little contest. Whoever makes a decent attempt at the Draught of the Living Death would win a little vial of Felix Felicis.

Everyone jumped at the opportunity as the flipped through their books in hurry, all but Hadrian, Draco and Hermione who took their time in finding said page. In the end their own where the most decent, but Hadrian's own , surprisingly, was the most impressive. Winning him said vial.

Draco, flabbergasted, looked at Hadrian in shock. Who in return just stared at the cover of front page of his text book in wonder. Which had a really cursive handwriting of, 'This Book is the Property of the Half-Blood Prince.'