The Precious One

The last four years had seemed to pass in the blink of an eye for Hadrian. Shortly after getting settled they moved the house hold to Bulgaria, where their laws were much more relaxed in regards to magics. The first new moon after the move Harry officially became Marvolos heir. With the new blood came a new name, in an effort to keep something he was familiar with they made a simple change, Harry to Hadrian. Hadrian had loved it and it wasn’t as “common” as Harry had been, according to Marvolo.  The blood adoption had removed the last parts of James Potter that had survived the original blood adoption. He was now a perfect mix of Sirius and Marvolo, the only hint of his original parentage was his bright green eyes.

With Marvolo training him his control of magic had grown by leaps and bounds. His thirst for knowledge had him learning spells faster then they could teach him. His wandless abilities grew with age as well, he still used Marvolos wand for practice but it became natural for him to use his wandless abilities. A skill none of his guardians had attempted to hinder, instead nurturing it as best they could. His skill for potions however caused many headaches amongst his trainers, especially Severus.

His theory was amazing and he could mince, dice and squeeze with the best of them. When it came to the practical part of actually brewing the potions they were ruined more often then they worked. Hadrian didn’t particularly care, he could do the basics and it was enough for him, “I could always buy the potions from you,” was told often to Severus, much to his frustration.

It had been four years since he had found in the forest. The shy and hesitant child that Regulus had found was now a mini Marvolo. He was passionate and often times cruel to get what he wanted when he wanted. He respected his guardians to a degree that most children couldn’t fathom, but held nothing back to those he disagreed with or he found to be lesser then him. The first time he tortured a tutor had been a week after his ninth birthday. The tutor had been disagreeing with him about a spell, Hadrian hadn’t been wrong but the tutor didn’t want to admit this, and Hadrian decided to show the tutor why he was wrong instead of arguing his point more.

Regulus and Sirius both blamed Marvolo for this and in response Marvolo bought Hadrian the best broom on the market. For “having imaginative thinking and excellent control of his magical abilities”, the others couldn’t fault this, it was an impressive show of magic.

He wasn’t exactly spoiled, if he wanted something for luxury a list was given to him that would need to be completed before he could get it. If he failed a task or let his work slip he was punished until a change was shown. Outside of birthdays and Christmas a gift would only be given if he did something magically impressive.

When not in lessons or practicing Hadrian could be often found at Marvolos knee during meetings and following him around their manor. He loved his Papa Sirius and Uncle Regulus, but Marvolo was his favorite and he had no problem showing it, and saying it on a few occasions. Overall Hadrian had turned into a well rounded child and Heir.

Marvolo had spent the years gathering his followers and infiltrating governments around the world. If there was anything he had learned from his mistakes it was patience. He also spent along time creating a new identity for himself, Marvolo Gaunt. If anyone looked, and he was sure some would, a trail would be made in Bulgaria. From his birth, years spent at Dumstrang and various the places he had been since graduation. Even some marriage records for him and Sirius, who he had met before his arrest and reconnected when he saw in the paper that he was out. It was wand proof.

Today was the day that Harry had been waiting for. Tonight was the first ever Gaunt-Black Christmas ball, the first one that they would be throwing since before The Dark Lord fell. With new identities in place Hadrian bounced around the entire day waiting for the time to get ready. It was his first official party as Heir Potter-Black-Riddle and he was excited to show his guardians that he could be a good Heir. Papa Sirius said to try and keep his temper under and not cause a scene, Hadrian didn’t think this would be a problem and promised to be on his best behavior.

A quarter to eight Hadrian stood in his best robes with his guardians ready to welcome everyone to their home. The manor had been cleaned top to bottom by the elves, every wall and column gleamed in the lights of the candles lighting up the house. The best orchestra had been brought in from Russia and the chandeliers sparkles. It was the best the manor had ever looked.

Hadrian had ended up missing a part of the opening to help Sirius calm down when he caught sight of an old school enemy and lost his composure. Marvolo stayed to accept ghost with their apologies. By the time they made it back to the ballroom the introductions had been done and the dancing and mingling had started. Leaving his Papa Sirius with Regulus, Harry made his way to where his father was. Fitting into his side as normal, Marvolo introduced him as his heir and it continued all along the ball room.

Harry didn’t like several of the people he had met. Most of the inner members had already met him and treated him with respect,  he liked them enough. The others and the lower members however had never met him before and treated him as they did other heirs, objects to be seen and not heard. Hadrian could see his father was mentally taking note of everyone who did, so unless they did something really bad Hadrian would be able to keep his promise to Papa Sirius.

It was an hour into the ball when Hadrian saw him. He knew he was a Heir Malfoy from his complexion and platinum white hair that swept along his forehead. His robes were of best quality and he held a look of polite interest as he stood off to the side of the room, after his company had just left to get drinks.

He was the most beautiful person Hadrian had ever seen.

Hadrian made his way over to him, Dracos eyes widen slightly when he saw him. Lord Malfoy was one of the inner members that Hadrian liked. He was one of the inner circle who had been well aware of who Hadrian was and his temperament before he came, Hadrian was positive Lucius had warned his son before hand.

“Your the most beautiful person I have ever seen,” Hadrian said, sweeping Dracos hand to brush a kiss to his knuckles.

Draco blushed, “Thank you Heir Potter-Black.”

“Hadrian,” Hadrian corrected, “You will never call me by my title.”

“Thank you..Hadrian,” Draco said quietly, a light blush still staining his cheeks, “I’m Draco, Draco Malfoy. You can call me Draco as well.”

“Excellent!” Hadrian enthused, “Can you stay right here for a minute? I’ll be right back.”

“Um, O-okay,” Draco stuttered out, “I'll be here.”

Hadrian turned and walked quickly to a tapestry that connected to a walk way. Knowing he was out of public eye he ran quickly to his Papa Sirius study.

In the bottom left drawer was a box. Hadrian carefully lifted it out and opened it, a delicate bracelet lay across the velvet inside. Silver and goblin made, it was filigree with diamonds twinkling along the vines. Papa Sirius said that the bracelet belonged to his favorite Great-Aunt Cassiopeia, it was a Black family Heirloom to be given to Hadrians precious when found. Sirius said it was tradition for Blacks and Potters both to find someone and know instantly they were the person they were meant to be with, their “Precious”. It was imbued with protection charms and was a portkey to the black manor.

James Potter had known the minute he set eyes on Lily Evens, Papa had known the minute he set his eyes on Father. Hadrian had known the minute he saw Draco. Next to the bracelet was a necklace that worked in a similar way to the bracelet with the extra feature that it would help Hadrian know if Draco was in danger.

Technically he was suppose to speak with his Papa Sirius before taking the bracelet, but what if someone else got to Draco first? He couldn’t risk it.

Slipping on the necklace and bracelet in hand Hadrian ran back to the tapestry, slipping into the room he saw Draco right where he had left him.

“Draco,” He said smiling, “Can I have your left hand. Please?”

Harry made sure to say please, that was polite.

“Okay,” Draco replied, lifting the hand in question.

Hadrian slipped the bracelet onto the hand and closed it, lifting the hand once again he kissed Dracos hand.

“The bracelet means your my precious and I’m going to marry you one day.”

Draco blushed a bright red again, a whispered, “Okay.” Was all that was said before Marvolo was calling Hadrian over.

“I’ll see you later,” Hadrian said before making his way to where his father was.

Hadrian was almost floating the rest of the ball. His Papa Sirius had joked that he got into the adult punch and kept a close eye on him. Hadrian didn’t bother saying anything, after the ball he would tell them everything and let them know to have a contract ready the minute Hadrian turns 11.

They were half way around the room when Hadrians necklace flared and he whipped his head around to find him.

“Hadrian?” Marvolo questioned, seeing Hadrians move.

For the first time Hadrian didn’t respond as he looked for Draco. He finally saw him near where he had left him against a wall with wide eyes, a Death Eater holding him at wand point.

Hadrian saw red. It looked like he wasn’t going to keep his promise after all.

“What are you doing,” Hadrian asked sharply, grabbing Dracos arm and pulled him behind him away from the wall. Draco hid behind him grasping the sleeve of his robe.

The entire hall was looking at them, Hadrian could see Marvolo, Sirius and Regulus making their ways across the hall to them from their various positions. Papa Marvolos face was furious, Hadrian knew it wasn’t for him, the unknown man still hadn’t dropped his wand and was now pointing at Hadrian.

The man seemed to realize it as well as his hand dropped instantly as he saw Marvolo arriving.

“He tried to take the bracelet,” Draco breathed into Hadrians ear for only him to hear.

“How dare you try and take something from my precious!” Hadrian said furiously, he heard shocked breaths come from the Blacks around him.

The man ignored him and turned to Marvolo, “My Lord, this child has stolen something. I was trying to get it back for you.”

Before Marvolo was able to say something the man dropped to the floor and screamed. The hall looked on as the man screamed in anguish, his limbs twisting and back bent in unnatural ways.

“Hadrian,” Marvolo said, barely heard under the screams.

Everyone in the hall sucked in a sharp breath when they realized Hadrian was the one cursing him, no wand in sight, his green eyes seemingly to flow with power.

“Hadrian please stop,” Draco said from behind him. The man instantly stopped screaming and Hadrian ignored him turning to look at Draco concerned. Was Draco scared of him now?

Hadrian relaxed, Draco was smiling at him, awe shinning in his eyes.

“Okay,” Hadrian said smiling at him before looking up at his father when he felt him placing his hand on his shoulder.

“Very well done Hadrian. You have done and exemplary job protecting Heir Malfoy, and let me be the first to offer my congratulations on finding your Precious.”

Harry smiled widely, “Thank you Father.”

Marvolo gave him one more soft look before schooling his face and turning to the audience, “It looks like the ball is unfortunately coming to an end. Let this be a reminder, Hadrian is my heir, any slight to him is a slight to me. As you can see he will not need my hand to provide any punishments he sees fit.”

“Yes My Lord,” was said from the guest as they started making their way out. The men who brought the tortured man levitated him up before making their way out of the hall with him. Hadrians eyes followed them for a moment, he would find out who that was.

“Lucius, Cissy, please join us in my study. It seems a conversation needs to be had,” Sirius said before leading them all out of the room to his study.

Harry held his hand out for Draco, allowing him to make the choice. He beamed when Draco reached his hand out and allowed Hadrian to pull him from the hall, their hands tightly clasped.

“How did you know I needed help?” Draco asked quietly as they followed the adults to the study.

“My necklace is connected to the bracelet. It lets me know you need help, if he had tried anything the bracelet would have cursed him,” Hadrian explained.

Kreacher had already stroked the fire and placed tea on the table by the time they reached the room. Hadrian took Draco straight to his favorite armchair and sat Draco down before sitting next to him.

Getting their tea every settled quietly waiting for Marvolo to break the silence.

“Heir Malfoy, may we see what Hadrian gifted you with?”

Draco glanced at Hadrian, at his nod Draco lifted his hand out, allowing the bracelet to be shown. Narcissa, Sirius and Regulus sucked in deep breaths as they recognized it, glittering in the light of the fireplace.

“I should have left it in the vault,” Sirius murmurer to his brother, Regulus nodded faintly in return.

“You were suppose to talk to me before you took the bracelet pup,” Sirius said louder this time.

Harry shrugged unrepentant, “He’s to pretty, I couldn’t risk leaving him unprotected.”

 Sirius ran his hand over his face, “Hadrian. That bracelet is very important, it’s pretty much a contract in place. The minute you turn 11 a contract will be created automatically.”

“I didn’t know that. That’s good, I was going to make sure you had one ready anyway,” Hadrian said pleased.

Sirius threw up his hands and shot Marvolo a glare, “This is your fault you know. He was perfectly polite until he started following you around.”

“I’m afraid I’m not following,” Lucius admitted on the other side of Narcissa.

“It’s a bonding bracelet, its been in the family for generations,” Narcissa said eying the boys in the chair, “It can not be removed until they are eleven when the formal contract is created. If the contract is agreed to and signed the bracelet will lock once again until the wedding.”

“Draco, why did you not ask before you made this decision?” Lucius asked his son. Normally the child was very good at making decisions, but this one shouldn’t have been left up to him.

“I didn’t,” Draco looked to Hadrian again who shrugged, “I didn’t know what it was.”

Sirius and Regulus groaned, not surprised in the least that Hadrian would do something like that. They really should have kept the damn bracelet in the vault.

“Are you okay with having this in place for a while Dragon?” Narcissa asked her son, “You will have it until you are eleven and we can remove it then.”

Hadrian glared at her and tightened his grip on Dracos hand. Draco squeezed his hand lightly before facing his mother, “Hadrian gave it to me. It’s mine now.”

Marvolo looked on from his place by the fire, “Then its settled. It will remain until the Hadrian is eleven, at that time we can have another talk about it.”

Everyone agreed and soon the Malfoys took their leave, but not after promising to be over the next day for brunch at the boys insistence.

“Hadrian,” Sirius said as soon the Malfoy had left and it was just them in the study, “You should have told us before you took that bracelet. It is a very serious thing to have a contract. I know we hold you to a higher standard then a normal child but you still are a child.”

Hadrian tilted his head slightly, “Didn’t you sneak away to Papa Marvolo when you were thirteen and demand a contact or you would have sworn off marriage. Ever?

Sirius blushed slightly, “That was different. You are ten, I was thirteen, and I went to my parents.”

“Only because you knew the bracelet wouldn’t work with me,” Marvolo said cutting off any reply Hadrian would have had.

“Hadrian. Sirius is right, you should have come to us first. Because you did not you will lose your broom privileges for a week.”

“Okay Father,” Hadrian knew he was going to be in trouble. He did promise to go to them first, so he wasn’t going to push it.

“Good. Now how long have you been practicing the unforgivables without a wand?”

Sirius threw his hands up and shared a look with his brother, “Who cares that he created a bonding contract. He was able to cast an unforgivble without a wand, thats the important part.”

Regulus snapped his fingers and got them drinks, “The bonding contract can be broken in a few years, if there are any contracts that were to be made can be put off for a few years. The curse however, you have to admit thats impressive.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Sirius smiled before taking a drink.

“I have only practiced them with you Father as you instructed. I only tried it without a wand tonight,” Harry said taking a sip of his tea.

“Excellent! I am very proud of you Hadrian, we will start practicing them later. But only Crucio and Imperius, the killing curse is a little to dark for you now.”

“Yes Father. May I go to bed?”

“Your excused, have a good night,” Marvolo said.

Hadrian gave his guardians a quick hug before going to bed.

Sirius took another drink and glared at his husband, “This is all of your fault you know. Just taking what he wants, that a you trait through and through.”

Marvolo smiled, “I am so glad I didn’t kill him.”

Laughter filled the study as they all got comfortable and talked about what they had learned.

In his bedroom Hadrian grasped the necklace in his hand and settled in for bed. If Draco didn’t want the contract next year Hadrian wouldn’t force him. He would just have to prove to Draco that he was the best.

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