Lies and snakes

Chapter 24

Before approaching the medical wing, Hadrian and Draco exchanged glances. Professor McGonagall and others had already arrived. Hadrian looked down at the bed and saw an unconscious Lupin lying on it. Sirius was beside him, worried and their one-year-old son Teddy was sleeping in his arms.They married in a private ceremony after the war and had their son a year ago. Hadrian wanted Lupin to be the DADA professor. As a result, Sirius remained at Hogwarts to help his husband.

"What happened...?" Draco inquired.

"We discovered him like this in the corridors leading to his quarters...I'm worried he was attacked." McGonagall let out a sigh.

"But who dares to attack a professor at Hogwarts..?" For a split second, Hadrian's eyes flared red. Draco grasped his mate's hand in his to calm down Hadrian.

"We don't know...moonie isn't that weak to be hurt that easily...this is something bigger than we think," Sirius murmured, glancing at his pale-faced husband.

"The ghosts....do they know anything..?"

"No...they didn't sense anything at all" . McGonagall let out a sigh.

"It might take a week, but he'll be fine.....I'll do my best," Madam Pomfrey promised.

"Thank you..." Sirius expressed gratitude.

"I'll find whoever did this...and I'll make them pay Sirius..." Hadrian said this solemnly, and Sirus smiled gratefully.

"We must warn the students," Hermione stated.

"I agree with Hermione..." Draco turned to face his mate.

"Headmistress...I'll enhance the security...meanwhile, create an official proclamation prohibiting all activities after dinner...and add that lawbreakers will be dismissed without further notice."

"Will do Prince" . McGonagall spoke up.

"What about the classes...?" Hermione inquired.

"We have a few choices...We can make it happen...but it would be good if your father.... could return,"

McGonagall answered. She had always wished for Severus to return to Hogwarts, but the other person had always turned down the invitation without hesitation.

"He alredy made his decision...and i don't think no one can change that" Hadrian let out a sigh. He, too, misses his Pa around Hogwarts, but he also knows his Papa is the one who should take the final decision on this matter.

"OK, then I'll proceed with my selection of professor substitutes," McGonagall answered, and Hadrian nodded.

"Hermione look after the security... I'll owl Barty Crouch Jr to join you" .

"Him...?" Hermione regarded Hadrian with uncertainty.

"You need to let go of the prejudice Hermione...you already know what happened with most the death eaters in the past and what made them gone rouge" . Hadrian's voice was solemn.
"Also he's really intelligent in this kind of area...we need him" .

"Understand," she said.

Draco, Hermione, and Hadrian exited the hospital wing.

"Do you have any suspicion..?" Hermione enquired of the prince.

"It could be anyone...today we lowered our protection wards for the new students entry... someone must've used that to trespass" .

"How about somebody from inside...?" Draco asked his mate.

"That's a possibility as well...but what bothers me is my father's charm...he applied a spell to detect any harmful curse, and it's hard to get through that."