𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓕𝓪𝓽𝓮

31| Two Worlds

A/N: Gallimaufry is a real word.

Alex ran headlong into the barrier, expecting to emerge on the Platform 9 & 3/4, but crashed into the wall, hurting his head. Ron, who had been right after him, crashed on top of him.

"Alex, we can't get in," Ron whined, panicked.

"What in blazes d'you think you're doing?" a guard shouted at them.

"N- Nothing, we slipped," Alex stuttered, pulling Ron away, and running.

"Alex, my dad has this car which can turn invisible and fly. Come with me. Let's go, we can follow the train," Ron said hurriedly.

"You can leave. Alexander is staying," Hadrian grabbed said boy's hand.

"What? No! The train left already. How are you here? Where's your luggage?" Alex furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"You better leave if you want to catch the train," Hadrian told Ron, off handedly, totally ignoring Alexander's question.

With a last glare towards Hadrian, Alex's best friend took off with his bags hanging from both hands. Alex stared at Hadrian with a horrified expression.

"Why would you do that? That was my only chance to get to Hogwarts! Everyone will probably think one of the Death Eaters got to me!" Alex exclaimed, hands tangled in his unruly hair in frustration.

"If you keep whining like that, I'll give you a reason to whine", Hadrian threatened with a dark look.

Alex shut up and quietly followed Hadrian. Who did he think he was- ordering the Boy- who- lived like that! Hadrian kept moving forward, walking to Merlin knew where, without even checking whether Alex was following him. 

"Where are we going? Why don't you just tell me where we're going?" Alex pulled Hadrian's sleeve.

"If you don't fucking shut up, I'll hex you", Hadrian shook away Alex's hand.

Alex made a face and a surge of frustration ran through him. Who was Hadrian to talk to him so rudely? It was disrespectful!

As they turned into a street, a wave of disappointment washed over Alex. It was like someone had tried to recreate Diagon Alley but failed miserably. The buildings leaned at odd angles, their paint peeling and windows grimy. The whole place had a dank, neglected feel to it.

His shoes scuffed against the worn cobblestones, and he wrinkled his nose at the musty smell that hung in the air. Finally, they reached a pub, though it hardly looked the part. The sign above the door, bearing the name "Gallimaufry," was barely visible in the dim light. And the name in itself was weird.

"What is  this place?" Alex looked around, the magic around the place making his head spin.

"Welcome to the original HRM. My- and Everdeed's- Gallimaufry," Hadrian announced with a smirk, raising one hand in greeting to someone.

"What does that even mean? HRM is a multi-national company, you know that right?" Alex asked mockingly.

"It means that you have a very limited vocabulary. Also- Hadrian Renee Mortem Potter, that's me", Hadrian replied curtly, and walked away, leaving him alone.

"Wait! Don't leave me here like this!" Alex shouted, running after Hadrian.

Hadrian was having a bad day and boy, was he pissed. Pissed at Cedric. At Alexander. At himself . Maybe Harry's 'saving- people- thing' had transferred into Hadrian. He wasn't saying he was a saint, but sometimes, he just had  to interfere when he knew the brat was going to die.