I've returned from the past

Chapter 4

Hadrian had been ready for many things when he was due to arrive at Hogwarts. He had packed his trunks, Hedwig was on his shoulder and Ministry had collected him at 1pm sharp. 

Now he stood in the Headmasters office, looking around at the organised things. Fawkes was still there- of course. Sat on a fancy perch not the old stick he remembered. The books are ordered, the pensieve is where he remembers it to be and the artefacts are all set carefully on shelves, ordered and warded. The Headmasters are silent as they stared down at him. 

He saw one Armando Dippet looking particularly thoughtful but he'd never given a penny for that mans thoughts. In fact he couldn't care at all. 

"A sherbet lemon Mr Potter?" Albus asks and he looks at the candies and decided just for the sake of it- to politely agree.

"It would be appreciated." Albus motions to the bowl and he steps forward towards the chair and the bowl. Taking one and popping the calming drought candy into his mouth. It was smart- even in the past. It helped keep students calm when talking to someone they may be intimidated by. 

John Dawlish and Shacklebolt stood behind him. 

"All is well men, I shall take it from here," Albus tells them and Hedwig flies to Fawkes- who shares his perch. The two men disappeared and Albus looked at him- blue eyes sparkling rather than having their signature twinkle. 

He preferred it- this Dumbledore. This self-confident, powerful Dumbledore. He'll live this time. He'll ensure it. 

"Hadrian Potter. I've been alerted you were kidnapped from Kings Cross Station when you were eleven, is this correct?" He nods curtly and Dumbledore flicks his hand and a feather begins writing. "The kidnapper was?" 

"An English woman who claimed she knew how to get me to Hogwarts," he replies, sucking on the candy. 

Admittedly he was hiding from Dumbledore- but... he was hiding from everybody really. He leans back in his seat and sighs. 

As long as he's in his small body he can't really do much but- fuck he wanted to see Tom. He remembers sitting in this seat- 

"How did you get away if I may ask?" Hadrian dips his head, 

"You may. It was simple accidental magic- but it was too late and I was stuck in London and I had missed the train. So I simply took myself to the police station and I was given a nanny in a building not too far away from the police station. She disappeared a few days later and I never saw her again. The legal system meant that the police never found out. I got emancipated a year later." Albus nods, writing something on a piece of paper. 

"You could join Hogwarts a few years late," Albus suggests, writing with a green quill. It didn't go unnoticed by Hadrian that it was the same quill Albus used whenever he used to be in his office. He pretends not to notice. 

"And get sorted?" He asks softly and Albus nods. He thinks about. He doesn't necessarily have anything to lose. "I think, since I've been legally emancipated that I'll only stay until the other schools leave. I shall make a decision then, whether I wish to stay if that's alright with you sir."

"Of course, I can make it work," Dumbledore says gently, setting the quill down. "Shall we get you sorted now?" 

"Yes sir." Dumbledore grabs Alistair who comes to life and gently sets him on his head. He can feel Alistair in an instant and there was a sigh of relief. 

Mr Black.

Alistair, he says with a fond smile. 

I didn't know if you'd return to us or not- after the events became so different. Hadrian smiles a bit.