The Dark Slytherin (Trilogy)

Ch 16- The Hogwarts Letter

Diagon Alley was a whirlwind of activity, a bustling maze of shops and vendors that catered to every imaginable magical need. Hadrian had been here before, but never with the knowledge that he was about to embark on a new chapter of his life. Everything felt different now, charged with a sense of purpose and anticipation.

Sirius led the way, pointing out various shops and landmarks as they walked. "First stop, Gringotts. Can't buy anything without some gold, right?"

Hadrian nodded, though his thoughts were already racing ahead to the books he wanted to buy, the spells he wanted to learn. He could feel the weight of his ambitions pressing down on him, urging him to prepare for the future. He needed to be ready, to be more than just a student. He needed to be powerful, knowledgeable, and strong.

After a quick visit to Gringotts, where they retrieved a generous amount of gold from Hadrian's vault, they made their way to Flourish and Blotts, the largest bookstore in Diagon Alley. Hadrian's eyes widened as he took in the towering shelves filled with books on every subject imaginable.

"Here's your list," Sirius said, handing Hadrian a piece of parchment. "But feel free to pick up anything else that catches your eye."

Hadrian nodded, already scanning the titles on the shelves. He quickly gathered the required textbooks: "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1," "A History of Magic," "Magical Theory," "A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration," "One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi," "Magical Drafts and Potions," and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." Each book represented a different aspect of the magical world, and Hadrian couldn't wait to dive into them.

But it wasn't just the schoolbooks that interested him. As Sirius chatted with the shopkeeper, Hadrian discreetly made his way to a darker corner of the shop, where the more obscure and advanced tomes were kept. His eyes flicked over the titles until he found what he was looking for: "The Mind Arts: An Introduction to Occlumency and Legilimency," "The Grimoire of Shadows," and "The Art of Wandless Magic."

He knew that these books were not on the approved list, and that Sirius would likely disapprove if he saw them. But Hadrian also knew that he needed these skills. If he was going to navigate the dangerous waters of the wizarding world, he needed to be prepared for anything. He quickly added the books to his pile, making sure to keep them hidden from view.

As they left the bookstore, Hadrian felt a strange mix of guilt and satisfaction. He wasn't sure if it was right to hide things from Sirius, but he also knew that he couldn't rely on anyone else to keep him safe. He had to take control of his own destiny.

Their next stop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where Hadrian was fitted for his Hogwarts robes. Madam Malkin, a kindly witch with a tape measure that moved on its own, took his measurements while Sirius and Tonks chatted nearby.

"You'll want something that can adapt to the colors of your house," Madam Malkin said as she worked. "No need to buy new robes if you get sorted into a different house than expected."Hadrian nodded, watching as the tape measure zipped around him, measuring his arms, legs, and torso with precision. He wasn't sure which house he would end up in, but he wanted to be prepared for anything.

As he was being fitted, Tonks wandered over, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You'll look dashing in your new robes, Hadrian. All the girls at Hogwarts will be swooning."Hadrian felt his cheeks heat up again, a familiar warmth spreading through him at her teasing. There was something about the way she said it, a playful lilt in her voice that made his heart skip a beat.

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, trying to gauge whether she was serious or just having fun.

Tonks caught his look and grinned, giving him a wink. "Don't worry, you'll do just fine."Hadrian wasn't so sure, but he appreciated the encouragement. He knew that Tonks meant well, even if she did enjoy flustering him. There was something about her that made him feel more at ease, like he could be himself without worrying about being judged.

After the fitting, they made a few more stops—picking up potion ingredients, a cauldron, parchment, and quills—before heading to the last shop on Hadrian's list: a small, unassuming store tucked away in a quiet corner of Diagon Alley. The sign above the door read "J.Pippin's Luggage and Trunks."

Inside, the shop was filled with all manner of trunks and suitcases, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Hadrian's eyes were drawn to a particularly fine-looking suitcase with brass fittings and a deep, polished wood finish. It had a small, discreet label that read "Expanding Compartment: Whole Room Inside."

"This one," Hadrian said, pointing to the suitcase.Sirius raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Good choice. You'll be able to fit everything you need in there and more."

The shopkeeper, an elderly wizard with a long, wispy beard, came over to finalize the purchase. "An excellent choice, young sir. This suitcase is enchanted with an undetectable extension charm, perfect for students with a lot to carry."

Hadrian handed over the gold, feeling a sense of satisfaction as the shopkeeper wrapped the suitcase in brown paper. This was more than just a piece of luggage; it was a tool, something that would give him an edge in the years to come.

By the time they returned to Grimmauld Place, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. Hadrian carried his purchases upstairs to his room, his mind already buzzing with plans. He carefully hid the more questionable books under the floorboards, making sure they were well concealed.

Finally, he settled down on his bed, opening "The Mind Arts" to the first chapter on Occlumency. The exercises described were complex and demanding, requiring intense focus and mental discipline. Hadrian followed the instructions carefully, closing his eyes and trying to clear his mind.

He visualized a wall of stone rising up around his thoughts, each brick representing a different memory, a different emotion. It was difficult at first, his mind kept wandering, thoughts slipping through the cracks in the wall. But Hadrian was determined, forcing himself to concentrate, to build the wall higher and stronger.

The minutes stretched into hours as he practiced, the room around him fading into the background as he delved deeper into his own mind. The exercises were draining, both mentally and physically, but Hadrian could feel himself improving, little by little. He knew that this was just the beginning, that there was much more to learn. But for now, he was content to take things one step at a time.As the night wore on, Hadrian finally allowed himself to relax, leaning back against his pillows. His thoughts drifted to the future, to Hogwarts, to the challenges that lay ahead. He wasn't sure what the next few months would bring, but he knew that he was ready to face them.With a final, deep breath, Hadrian closed his eyes and let himself drift off to sleep, the weight of his new responsibilities settling on his shoulders. He would be ready. He had to be.