Chapter Text
After discussing the contract they decided that, yes, Corvus would take on Hadrian as his guardian for the remaining weeks. Corvus decided for himself and for the boy that he would provide teaching on a lord's duties, he also put in pureblood etiquette that he insisted on. they officially took away all rights to Hadrian, all the seats that he used, all bank access and of course the self-claimed guardianship that was illegally placed on him by Dumb-le-dore.
"Well my hair and lord, from now on Corvus Lestrange is Hadrian Orion James potter-blacks temporarily legally guardian. congratulations are now in their place, also for now all the necessary paperwork is done. We will send you paperwork some days a month that is linked to your investments and profits. I think that will be our closing statement if there isn't anything that you would want to discuss?"
"I don't have any more business" Hadrian answers. He looked up to the lord and saw a confirmation of a nod.
"Thank you grip hook for all the help. Before we leave, I don't want to disrespect you or anything but is there any kind of phrase that is important to the goblin nation?"
Griphook was surprised by the wizard once again. There were few from the wizarding world that would ask nowadays from the goblin customs, much less the youth, "well... as a greeting, as you don't currently speak gobbledegook, your kin would use 'may you gold flow' and the other would great back 'and your coffins never are empty, while as for parting 'may your blade never be dull' and the other 'and let your enemies blood flow beneath your feats'" after a quick-thinking Griphook resolved to ask the youngling a final question before there depart," My young heir, I would like to offer you the title as a friend of the goblin nation, this will grant you more flexibility and if something would happen in the outside world you would be able to seek refuge in our nation"
Hadrian heard a gasp from Corvus and quickly understood that this was a big deal. What he didn't understand was why a grip hook would give this seemingly big honour to him? He had been ignorant, and even if it wasn't his intention, and ignored their letters. In the end, he decided to not grumble over it too much, even if there were more benefits to himself, the goblin seemed sincere.
"It would be an honour. Is there anything that I will have to do to accept that friendly suggestion?"
"No, for you to only keep all the accounts here at the bank gives us bi profits, and more so that you are open to learning our ways gives me the reason to reach out and give you the nation's hand if needed. also with me being your accountant have you given me one of the best jobs in the bank, don't tell that to anyone else though" the goblin gave the wizard a, non-threatening, smile.
" Then we will depart. may your blade never be dull" Hadrian said with a big smile, "and your enemies blood flow beneath your feats" Griphook responded
------------------break---------------------------------
Corvus was astounded by what the potter-black heir had accomplished in one visit that most wizards could only wish for after hundreds. He was also furious about what Dumbledore had done. not only has he taken the boy out of the wizarding world, leaving him uneducated on both life in it and his responsibilities to his family name. but also giving him to the foulest creature on earth, muggles. And by the papers he had to look through they had not treated young potter-black with kindness that dumbledore so proclaimed that they did... all those rumours of how he was spoiled rotten and arrogant, but all been signified by the same wizard, that same wizard that said that he took care of the wizarding world's hero. The first thing Corvus would do the day after was to take heir potter-black to a media witch and see if he needed potions for his future well being, also if he needed to take any missed inoculation.
As they walked out of the bank, Hadrian was nervous. He would need to put all his trust in an adult again, that as he didn't know fully. That has happened a little too many times, and it always ends up badly, mostly for Hadrian. The difference then from now is that he has a contract that clearly states that lord Lestrange won't be able to hurt him anyway. He had to put trust in at least that for now, he was now in Corvus hands and would be for a couple of weeks. For now, all he knew was that he would teach him how to be a proper pureblood and lord. He had also made it clear that he would teach of the old ways with traditions and old blood rituals.
"we will start with your clothes, right now those rags look less than a house-elf, if not worse” with that the two men started to walk down the alley towards twilfitt and tattings, “After getting you a new wardrobe” Hadrian wanted to object but Corvus interrupted before he could voice his objections, ”you will need it. By the looks of it, you don't have a proper wardrobe, and as an heir, not as a wizard it is important with your image. while we are there you could also get rid of those glamors that are probably bothering you by now, also those glasses. it would be more proper to not have them than losing them and is not able to tell friend from foe, “ the last statement of glamors made Hadrian confused but he let the lord finish his statements, “ we will get you necessary books and also your schoolbooks, we should also get you a proper trunk with proper storage and wards. you will be expected to continue your lord tasks and paperwork in school, we don't want any documents getting in the wrong hands. I will also bring a proper healer to have a look at you, I know that Gringotts heald what was most recent and for in the past, but for you to continue to be healthy you need an annual checkup and as I suspect, potions that will help with your health.” with that they had reached twilfitt and tattings’ entrance.
when they walked in they were created by a middle-aged woman that asked what she could help them with. Corvus explained that Hadria would need all kinds of different clothes. All to sleep were to duelling robes. He also requested clothes that he could walk out of the shop with. Hadrian was made to go up on a fitting podium where the lady, known as Mrs Lyreway took his measurement. After she was done she told them what for 20 minutes, then she walked into a room in the back.
“I think now is a good time to take away those glamorises of yours, don't you think?” Corvus commented while they stood and waited.
“If I'm being honest sir, I don't have any idea of what you mean by glamour. As you already know from my past injuries, I used to use glamuorse at the beginning of my school years, but now I don't have anyone. So I don't know what kind of glamour you mean. also, if you don't mind me asking. how could you look glamuorse, if I had them on me?” Hadrian asked hesitantly
“Well you see, it wasn't just the blacks that were given abilities by mother magic, we Lestrange' were given the ability to see magic auras. It's not common but I was blessed with the sight. therefore I can see the layer of glamourse that is on you. I can see however what’s under them, I just see that they are there. and I can see that they are there. and before you ask. Gringotts cleansed and heal all the negative impacts on your body and magic, glamorise isn’t harmful to nether health nr magic, therefore not cleansed.'' Corvus finished his explanation.
After a couple of minutes of Hadrian thinking of the new knowledge, he asked, “how do I get rid of them? I know how to get those I put on myself, but as I didn't know of them I'm guessing someone else did it.”
“you will need to focus on your magic and try to see or feel the glamour. From there you will try to poach it away or dissolve it if you think that explains it better. starts with closing your eyes and taking deep breaths,” Corvus said with his eyes on the boy.
Hadrian started with just that. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths, after trying to focus on his magic for a couple of minutes he could finally feel it. For him, it was surprisingly easy. He felt the glamour that was laid over his body. He reached out with his magic to try to dissolve it and it worked. When he was ready to go back he stopped himself. He could feel another presence in his mind. it felt like it didn't belong there, it was close to the feeling of snape's occlumency training, but not that brutal but the same irking feeling of something that didn't belong there.
Hadrian decided to find out of it at a later date, for now, he pointed his focus on the outside world and opened his eyes.
everything was blurry. Hadrian reached for his eyes to try to rub the blur away, in the moment he took off his glasses after he looked up he saw everything. Lord Lestrange standing in front of him with an impressive look on his face.
“Well, if that wasn't a pleasant surprise, now we don't need to get that potion for your eyes,” he said. and he was right. Hadrian didn't have his glasses on but he could see clearly. if not better. the colours popped more than they had before his glamours. Lestrange pointed towards a mirror and Hadrian finally got a good look on himself for the first time.
All he could think about was that he felt right. his face had taken a more soft face shape, his cheekbones high, his hair had darkened from the hickory brown to completely ebony black hair, it looked like his hair had grown 6 more inches and it was now falling off his shoulders, his eyes were the same if not clearer, he had also gained a little more curvy body, he looked more androgynous and he loved it. This was right and nobody could say otherwise.
After a couple more minutes of Hadrian looking and talking in his new appearance, and a smug lord, Mr Lyreway came back with clothes for Hadrian to change back to and a paper for the cost for the order that would be delivered to the Lestrange manor. After some arguments Hadrian reluctantly let Corvus pay for it. Corvus also explained how he could pay with his heir ring and signature instead of going around and carrying all the coins.
After moving on from the clothes shop they moved on to the books. they first went to flourish and bots for them. There they got the schoolbook and some more books about etiquette, magical history, a pagan book about traditions, Hadrian learned that the wizarding world was originally pagan, and still is. It's only now in later years when the muggle-borns and also a few half-bloods take in the Cristian ways and forget their roots, or whole hartley ignoring them from the muggle-borns parts.
After paying for the books they moved down the street to their final destination for the day. the trunk shop.
honestly, Hadrian had never thought much about his trunk, he hadn't even bought it himself. Hagrid and he had just split up and also split on his list to make the visit shorter than necessary.
This time they were created by the smell of leather and wood. trunks of all kinds of sizes, colours and promises were all around up against the walls. They walked up to the disk that was in the back of the front room. from the assumed backroom came a man. he took a look at the rings on both the customers' hands
“Greetings, my name is Aron Hardwicke. what can I help you with my lord and heir,” he greeted accordingly.
“Mr Hardwick. he would like to order a trunk for heir potter-black here. He would need strong protection on it, also good storage for both paperwork, books, wardrobe and what not he would bring with him,'' Corvus stated firmly.
“that can be arranged easily, is there any more specific you would need in or on it?” Hardwicke asked Hadrian
“do you have any kind with both verbal and keyed locks? it would be bothersome if someone would be able to get my key, even if it's not too likely but you could never be o sure,” Hadrian asked,
“Of course we have, is there any specific language, word or melody you would want on the vocal look? I also have that it could only respond to your magic or any other magic that you have it register of, don't be afraid of saying a language that isn't very common, I just have to make it register it so you could open it with it,” he asked, now taking down notes to make everything right.
Hadrian thought for a moment. he asked for the vocal look t be sure but now that he had the option to choose the language he had a bigger option. he had learned french in muggle school and had continued to try it during his Hogwarts years, it had been helpful during the tournament days when the french students had a hard time trying to find the right English words.
In the end, he concluded, “would you be able to register parseltongue?” he asked the man. The man in question stared at the teen for a couple of minutes in surprise and amazement before he cleared his throat.
“that can be arranged. Now, this will probably take up to 2 hours with the modifications. I total it will be 57 galleons and 4 sikels, you can pay when you pick it up, right now I only need a signature to confirm when you pick it up,” after getting the details Hadrian wrote his signature and both of the wizards said goodbye to the trunk maker.
“if not to make you uncomfortable, but, how did you know the language of the snakes and reptiles? the only known wizard in Britain that can speak is the dark lord,” Corvus said in a low voice, not wanting too much-unwanted attention.
“Well, I have always been able to talk to them. The first time I did it was around the age of 5 when I was doing some work on my aunt's roses. There had been a garden snake there that was talking about how humans always disturbed his sleep and that it was irritating. I asked if there was anything I could help him with, he got all excited about a, as he called it, speaker. I talked to him for a while before I had to keep going with my chores so that my relatives would be angry.” Hadrian smiled at the small memory of the little green snake that had an appley talk with him, “it was only in my second year I was told that it was very unusual if not almost dead gift to talk to snake. I sadly had a bad experience. the whole school thought it was me that had opened the chamber and had let out the monster-” Hadrian was about to continue but Lestrange had stopped abruptly.
“ what do you mean by ‘opening a chamber and letting out a monster’?'' Corvus said with his eyes set on the boy.
“Well, in my second year the chamber of secrets opened and because I earlier in the term had revealed my snake talking skills I was the main subject. I and my friends figured out where it was and what kind of monster that was in there. as it turned out, it was an old basilisk that had been trapped in their sins Salasar Slytherins time was his old companion. should the public know this? I know it was in school but wasn't all informed?” Hadrian said confused and completely oblivious to what he just had told the lord.
“I think we should take this when we reach the manor. but I think it would help if you could explain in more detail what kind of danger there has been since you started,” Corvus said. his mask completely set on his face as he didn't want to cause a scene in the street, so he held on to his rage for later. but the anger wasn't just for the young wizard that had been in danger, it was also for the information that had been withheld from not just the public, but also the school board. they had known of mysterious happenings but had not gotten any details.
Suddenly Hadrian felt a pull somewhere. He subconsciously started to follow the pull to a school with the name ‘Magical Menagerie’. Corvus, recognizing the signs of a pull and also seeing a white bond from the boy's chest leading into the shop.
When they walked in they could smell and hear all kinds of animals. but Hadrian didn't notice them. we walked thru the store until he came to the reptile part of the store. he stopped in front of a terrarium
.~always all these humans that always disturb my rest, can’t they just let me be. Now, who is to disturb me!?~~~ a little of his voice came from the terrarium. when Hadrian looked into the glass box he saw a beautiful snake, it was a beautiful blue that almost leaned into turkeys. He reeds on the small sign that she was a blue viper snake.
~Hello there, I'm Hadrian. I'm sorry if I disturbed you, I just feel drawn here and ended up before your terrarium. Could you possibly tell me your name?~~ Hadrian hissed to the snake,
~A speaker! you can talk and understand me! finally, someone to talk to that old lizard two boxes down, completely and utterly rude and don’t have any manners. For my name, I don’t have one. if you get me out of here I will let you name me and I will also be your companion, ~ the little snake said fiery to Hadrian. after a couple of thinking Hadrian came up with a perfect name.
~What do you think of Boudicca? it’s from ancient Celtic and means victory, I could call you Dicca as short,~~ Hadrian asked,
~a fitting name, I'll take it! now. get me out of here!~ at her last shout Hadrian opened the cage and picked her up, she immediately slithered up to his neck and wrapped around like a necklace.
When Adrian finally looked up from the snake he saw Corvus with his eyebrow raised with an amused glint in his eyes while behind him stood the shop owner with a gaping mouth and an awed expression but with a look of fright in it.
“I see you found your familiar. and to see you using your gift was quite amusing,” he turned around to the worker, “we would like to have the snake and also the proper equipment to take care of it. including 20 frozen mice as well,” he ordered. The worker prepared everything and soon they were on their merry way out of the alley.
“we will depart to my residence, Lestrange manor. Have you ever apparated before? it can be a little nauseating your first time. if you're not comfortable with it we can floo. the only thing would be that I would need to floo before you so I can get thru the wards,” Corvus didn't want Hadrian uncomfortable with coming for him. He had strangely come to be attached to the newly made heir that was put under his protection. Corvus wanted Hadrian to feel a little in control in decision making. he knew that he had to take the lead when it came to some things. the boy would deny it but he didn't hide his uncomfortable expression while they were shopping for him. He had to get used to it though. but now that there were options that didn't have any special meaning to them, he wanted Hadrian to choose.
“I have never apparated before, but as I don't have the best floo abilities I could try,” Hadrian said after a moment of thinking.
Corvus reached his arm cut so that the boy could grab it. “you will feel like your body is pushed into a small tube. side apparition is far more uncomfortable than doing it yourself. I can teach you that later but you'll need an apparation license from Gringotts to do it freely,” that they were whisked away.