The Dark Slytherin (Trilogy)

Ch 13- A Lethal Revelation

Hadrian's eyes fluttered open, revealing an unfamiliar ceiling above him. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils, and he realized he was in a hospital. Panic surged through him as he tried to sit up, only to be met with a sharp pain in his side. A gentle hand pressed him back down.

"Easy there, lad," a soothing voice said. Hadrian turned his head to see a middle-aged healer with kind eyes standing beside his bed. "You're in Saint Mungo's. You've had quite a rough go of it."

Hadrian's mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of his last conscious moments. The attack in Knockturn Alley, the hooded man, the knife... Sirius. He remembered Sirius."What happened?" Hadrian croaked, his throat dry.The healer, a woman named Healer Thompson, gave him a concerned look. "You were brought in with multiple injuries, but what's most concerning is the poison in your bloodstream. It's something we've only heard of in legends."

"Poison?" Hadrian's heart pounded. "What kind of poison?"Healer Thompson sighed, pulling up a chair and sitting down. "It's called Mortiferum Veneno. It's an ancient poison, mentioned in texts as far back as the early Middle Ages. It's said to be concocted from the venom of magical creatures long thought extinct. There are very few recorded cases, and none of the victims survived."

Hadrian felt a chill run down his spine. "How... how did I get poisoned?"Healer Thompson hesitated. "We were hoping you could tell us. The poison was administered through a wound on your side. The fact that you're still alive is nothing short of a miracle."Hadrian's mind flashed back to the fight in Knockturn Alley. The hooded man had come at him with a knife. He remembered the sharp pain, the warmth of his own blood. He hadn't realized the blade was coated with something more than just metal.

"I... I was attacked," Hadrian whispered, his voice trembling. "In Knockturn Alley. A man with a knife. He stabbed me."The healer's face grew more serious. "Do you remember what he looked like? Anything that could help us identify him?"Hadrian shook his head, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over him. "He was hooded. I didn't see his face."

The door to the room opened, and Sirius Black strode in, his face lined with worry. "Hadrian!" he exclaimed, rushing to his godson's side. "Thank Merlin you're awake."Hadrian managed a weak smile. "Hey, Padfoot."Sirius looked at Healer Thompson. "What's the prognosis?"She sighed. "The poison is lethal, but we're doing everything we can. There might be a way to slow its progress, buy us some time to find a cure."Sirius clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "Time. We need more than time."Healer Thompson stood up. "I'll leave you two to talk. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."

As she left the room, Sirius pulled a chair up to Hadrian's bedside. "Tell me everything," he said softly.Hadrian took a deep breath, recounting the events of the alley, the fight, and the moment he was stabbed. Sirius listened intently, his face a mask of controlled anger."I didn't want you to think I was weak," Hadrian admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's why I didn't say anything."Sirius's eyes softened. "You're not weak, Hadrian. You've been through more than most people could even imagine. And we'll get through this, I promise."

Before Hadrian could respond, the door opened again, and Andromeda Tonks and her daughter, Nymphadora, entered the room. Nymphadora, or Tonks as she preferred to be called, grinned and waved. "Wotcher, Sirius!"Sirius managed a small smile. "Andromeda, Tonks. Thanks for coming."Andromeda approached the bed, her eyes filled with concern. "How are you feeling, Hadrian?"Hadrian forced a smile. "I've been better."

Tonks moved closer, her hair shifting through a rainbow of colors before settling on a vibrant pink. "You gave us all quite a scare, you know."Hadrian looked at the three of them, feeling a warmt

h spread through his chest despite the pain. "Thanks for being here," he said, his voice sincere.

As they settled into conversation, Hadrian's strength began to wane. The exertion of talking, combined with the poison's effects, was taking its toll. He tried to stay awake, to focus on the familiar faces around him, but his eyelids grew heavier with each passing second."Rest, Hadrian," Sirius said gently, placing a hand on his godson's shoulder. "We'll be here when you wake up."

Hadrian nodded weakly, his vision blurring. Just before he succumbed to the darkness, a sharp pain stabbed through his chest, and he vomited a small amount of blood. The last thing he heard before losing consciousness was the panicked voices of his loved ones, calling for help.