The Real Truth

Series 4 Chapter 17

The Real Truth
Series 4 Chapter 17

Hadrian sat in his private lounge, Hermione sitting across from him.

"Hermione..." He began, "I want to start going by Hadrian again. Not just to certain people, but to everyone."

Hermione stayed silent, Hadrian moving his eyes to look up at her, though he kept his head towards the ground.

"Okay." Hermione said with a shrug.

Hadrian's head shot up, "What do you mean okay? You're supposed to go on some sort of long lecture about how I shouldn't and how it'll just be worse in the long run or how insensitive it is because everyone already knows me as Harry or-"

"Hadrian." Hermione interrupted, "I glad that you're choosing to start going by your given name again, it really shows that you've finally moved on from who Dumbledore tries to shape you to be. It's amazing."

Hadrian blinked, "You mean it?"

Hermione smiled, "Of course! Besides, I'd be lying if I had not thought about going by Hadriel again."

Hadrian smiled, "You should really consider it. Once you actually let go of the name it feels like a huge weight has been taken off your shoulders."

"I'm still thinking about it. I'm in no way as far along as letting go of Hermione Granger as you are with letting go of Harry Potter."

Hadrian nodded, "I understand, if you ever want to talk about it I'll always be here."

"Thanks."

The next week Hadrian and Hermione were leaving for Hogwarts. Hadrian was practically bouncing with excitement for what would happen after the start of term feast. He had Hermione had gone over it so many times that they could do it in their sleep. They'd even thought of backup things to say in case Dumbledore got to suspicious. They were planning to act completely like their selves, but if Dumbledore ever asked them or got suspicious they'd deny everything. Hadrian was also exited for his chance to have an extremely good reason to be mad at Dumbledore. The two of them said their goodbyes and Hadrian shadowed them to the plant form. They could both apperate now, but Hadrian still hated the feeling and Hermione would rather catch a ride than waste magical energy.

"Ginny!" Hermione waved at her girlfriend from across the platform.

The girl waved back, Hadrian and Hermione making her way towards them.

"Hermione, Harry, it's good to see you both." Molly greeted.

"You too Molly, though I'm going by Hadrian now." Hadrian returned politely.

Molly's eyes widened along with Arthur's.

"Well, Hadrian, Hermione, and I are going to get into the train. See you at Christmas!" Ginny said while dragging Hadrian and Hermione towards the train before either one of her parents could make a comment.

When they got to a compartment Hadrian sat down by the window, watching to commotion happening on the platform. He found Molly and Arthur in the crowd. His eyes widened when he was that Arthur was holding Molly in his arms, seemingly trying to comfort her as she stood looking completely shell shocked, fear clearly standing out amongst all of her other emotions. Hadrian swallowed thickly and forced himself to look away.