The Dark Slytherin (Trilogy)

Ch 3-Found In The Shadows

It was a bitterly cold night when Vernon Dursley, in a drunken rage, had thrown Hadrian out onto the streets. The stench of alcohol still clung to the air as Hadrian lay curled up, shivering on the cold pavement, clutching his thin shirt for warmth. The bruises on his face and arms were fresh, painful reminders of his uncle's wrath. The street was quiet, the occasional car passing by, indifferent to the small, shivering figure in the shadows.

The night passed slowly, each minute stretching into an eternity. Hadrian's stomach ached with hunger, and his body trembled with cold. He tried to stay awake, afraid of what might happen if he fell asleep and was left vulnerable in the dark. His glasses, cracked from a particularly harsh blow, rested crookedly on his nose, making the world around him seem even more distorted. As dawn broke, the first light of day brought with it a sense of hope. But for Hadrian, there was no solace in the morning light. His aunt and uncle had made it clear they wanted nothing to do with him. They had locked him out, abandoned him, and now he was alone, cold, and hungry. He had no idea where to go or what to do.

As the sun rose higher, the street began to stir. People started to emerge from their homes, but no one seemed to notice the small boy huddled against the wall. Hadrian felt invisible, insignificant, just as he'd always been told he was.

It wasn't until mid-morning that his luck changed. A group of rough-looking individuals, dressed in worn-out clothes and sporting various tattoos, came down the street. They were laughing and joking, their voices loud in the quiet neighbourhood. One of them, a tall, muscular man with a shaved head and a scar running down his cheek, noticed Hadrian. He nudged his companion, a wiry woman with short, spiky hair, and nodded towards the boy.

"Oi, look at that," the man muttered, his accent thick. "What's a little 'un doin' out 'ere, eh?" The woman squinted in Hadrian's direction, then shrugged. "Looks like 'e's been 'ad. Poor kid. "The group approached Hadrian, who looked up at them with wide, fearful eyes. The tall man crouched down, looking Hadrian over with a mixture of curiosity and concern." What's yer name, lad?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind. "H-Hadrian," the boy stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. The woman knelt beside the man, her eyes softening as she took in the boy's bruised face and skinny frame. "Where's yer folks, Hadrian?" Hadrian swallowed hard, tears welling up in his eyes. "They... they don't want me," he choked out. "Uncle Vernon threw me out." The group exchanged looks, a silent conversation passing between them. The tall man sighed, scratching his head. "Well, we can't leave 'im 'ere, can we? "The woman nodded. "Aye, can't leave the poor mite to fend for 'imself."

And so, the decision was made. The gang, led by the tall man named Rex and the woman, Lily, took Hadrian in. They were a rough bunch, but they had their own code of honour. They couldn't stand by and watch a kid suffer, not like this.

They brought Hadrian back to their hideout, a rundown building on the outskirts of town. It wasn't much, but it was warm and safe. The place was filled with the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke, the walls adorned with graffiti and posters. The gang introduced themselves to Hadrian, one by one. Besides Rex and Lily, there was Max, a lanky teenager with a quick grin; Pete, a burly man with a soft heart; and Lisa, a sharp-tongued woman who turned out to be quite motherly. Over the next few days, Hadrian learned more about his new family. They weren't the type of people you'd bring home to meet your parents, but they were kind to him. They shared their food, gave him a place to sleep, and made him feel welcome. For the first time in his life, Hadrian felt like he belonged somewhere.

Rex, the de facto leader, took Hadrian under his wing. He was tough, but fair, and he taught Hadrian the basics of survival on the streets. How to spot danger, how to hide, and how to defend himself if needed. Hadrian quickly learned to navigate the complex world of street life, picking up the slang and mannerisms of his new companions.

Lily, on the other hand, was the heart of the gang. She made sure Hadrian had clean clothes and a warm meal every day. She tended to his bruises and cuts, scolding him gently when he got into trouble. She reminded him of his mother in some ways, though Hadrian's memories of her were faint and distant.

Max became Hadrian's closest friend. He was a few years older, but they shared a love for adventure and mischief. Max taught Hadrian how to pick locks and sneak around unnoticed. They often went out together, exploring the town and getting into all sorts of minor scrapes. It was dangerous, but it was also thrilling. For Hadrian, it was a taste of freedom he'd never known before.

Pete and Lisa played their parts too. Pete was the muscle of the group, but he had a soft spot for Hadrian. He taught the boy how to fight, not just to protect himself, but also to build confidence. Lisa, despite her sharp tongue, looked out for Hadrian in her own way. She often gave him a hard time, but there was a warmth in her eyes that betrayed her true feelings.

As the weeks turned into months, Hadrian settled into his new life. The gang wasn't perfect, and they often got into trouble, but they cared for each other in a way that Hadrian had never experienced with the Dursleys. They taught him skills that were essential for survival on the streets, but more importantly, they taught him about loyalty, friendship, and family. Hadrian's life wasn't easy, but it was better than it had ever been. He learned to fend for himself, to stand up for himself, and to trust others. He found joy in the little things—sharing a meal with his new family, listening to Rex's stories, or laughing with Max over some silly prank. He even started to smile more, a sight that was rare during his time with the Dursleys.

But the shadows of his past still lingered. Hadrian often had nightmares about his uncle, the cold, harsh words, and the beatings. There were times when he would wake up in a cold sweat, his heart racing, only to find himself safe and warm in the gang's hideout. Lily would sit with him, comforting him with gentle words and a warm embrace, reminding him that he was safe now. The gang knew Hadrian's story, and they did their best to protect him. They made sure he stayed out of the worst of their dealings, keeping him away from the more dangerous elements of their lifestyle. But they couldn't shield him from everything. Hadrian saw things, learned things that no child should ever have to know. He saw the darker side of life, the desperation and the cruelty that came with it.

Yet, despite it all, Hadrian grew stronger. He was no longer the frightened, timid boy who had been left out in the cold. He was tougher now, more resilient. He had a spark in his eyes, a fire that refused to be extinguished. The gang saw it too, and they were proud of him.

Hadrian still had moments of doubt and fear, but with the gang's support, he faced them head-on. He knew that his life was far from ordinary, and that the future was uncertain. But for now, he had a place to call home, a family who cared for him, and a newfound sense of strength and confidence.

As the days passed, Hadrian began to feel a strange sense of anticipation. He didn't know what the future held, but he felt like something big was coming, something that would change his life forever. He could feel it in the air, a subtle shift, a whisper of something extraordinary just around the corner. And he was right. Because one day, when he least expected it, Hadrian would receive a letter that would reveal his true heritage and set him on a path that would change his life forever. But for now, he was content to live in the moment, to enjoy the simple pleasures of his new life, and to cherish the family he had found in the most unlikely of places. For Hadrian Potter, the boy who had once been left out in the cold, had finally found a place where he belonged. And though the road ahead was uncertain, he knew that with his new family by his side, he could face whatever challenges came his way.