The days leading up to the 1st September passed quickly with Hadrian never returning to his 'guardians' after leaving. Instead, the young lord spent his days researching his heritage and pouring through as many 7th Year textbooks and above regarding runes, transfiguration, magical creatures and his heritage and wizarding customs. So far he had discovered, through many heritage books, that he was likely to be a dark Veela and vampire. A dark Veela has black wings instead of white and has a mate who has an infinity for dark magic. By creating a family tree Hadrian concluded that he was most likely to have just one mate. He'd also discovered that his family specialised in runes and his mother was a runes mistress. After a hint from Tom - "ain't no tracer that'll work around magic boy!" - Hadrian discovered he had a special affliction with ward runes. Upon this realisation he set about warding his most personal possessions, including his trunk and the door to his room for good measure. Many days previously Hadrian had purchased said trunk from Tannings Trunks. It was dragonhide with multi compartments that had expanding charms on them, as well as his initials and the Gold-Snape family crest. After all, he needed something to show off his heritage!
A part of Hadrian thought that he should be upset that a man who'd so obviously hated him being his father, but he found himself being able to give a leeway to the man who was simply trying to keep him alive. Hadrian supposed that had he been a spy for Dumbledore he should probably have not faired as well as his father.
Life wasn't fair. Hadrian of all people would know that and perhaps that was why he sympathised. Spying was a dangerous business, a lonely business, a bitter business. It was known to break the best of men.
Hogwarts - 17/06/1996 - 14:00
As a result of his years of spying Severus could also safely say it took a very special something to surprise him. But nothing, nothing could have prepared him for the letter that came from Gringotts that morning.
*Flashback*
Hogwarts - 17/08/1996 -11:00
Severus sat at his desk, overlooking Hogwarts grounds and periodically took sips of his coffee. He watched the black eagle swoop down over the jew stained grounds and dive in through the open window to Severus' quarters. It circled his desk once before coming to stop on his desk and holding out his leg. 'Curiosity killed the cat' he though bitterly before untying the letter and cracking the Gringotts wax seal. He frowned at the coat of arms; arms were only ever used for formal letters.
'Dear Lord Snape,
On behalf of Gringotts, I would like to apologise for our naive oversight of a particular Gringotts customer. It has come to our attention that you have a son who has been concealed by blocks. Naturally, we investigated and found his true identity. We have enclosed his birth certificate and a letter from his biological mother sent via delayed post (of which we had revived two nights prior with instructions to forward to you).
"Biological name - Hadrian Salazar Snape
Adoptive name - Harry James Potter
Biological parents - Eliza Mae Gold and Severus Snape
Adoptive parents - Lily Potter nee Evans and James Potter
Godparents - Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black and Lucius Malfoy
Adoptive parents - Elizabeth Potter (deceased) and Sirius Black (missing, innocent)"
Severus dropped the letter, 'only me' he thought, 'only me'. He shook his head and summoned a tumbler of whiskey. 'Best to read this tipsy.' He justified. Opening out the crinkled, brown tinged letter that had fell on his desk and began to read"
'Dear Sev,
So, they hid him huh? I am so sorry that I couldn't protect our son more and I'm equally sorry that you probably spent most of your acquaintance to him hating him.
If your reading this then I'm alive. I promise to come back to you but first I need you to do me a few favours. First, I need you to talk to Hadrian, I promise you he doesn't hate you he has your heart. Secondly, I need you to deliver Tom (the Dark Lord) a message: "the hidden Gold had been found, it's riddled with snakes" and finally I need you to stop spying for the Light and embrace your dark affinities, it's where we belong and you know it.
I love you,
Liza.'
Wet splashes hit the paper as Severus cried for everything he'd lost. His wife, his son, his life.
Riddle Manor - 17/08/1996
And so that was how, on a cold and stormy night, Severus found himself tracking up the gravel path to the dark, gothic image of Gaunt Manor. He was clad in full Death Eater regalia: black slacks, shirt, cloak and travelling cloak with a sliver mask to hide his face. He strode through the dark hallways and into the throne room and dropped to his knees. "Milord."
"Ah Severus. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Asked Tom fondly. He'd never had doubts about his spy, his dark affinities were enough to counter anything that the light tried to offer his potions master. Tom was dominant, possessive and most definitely a Dark Lord, however first and foremost he looked after his own. Tom had long since considered the potions master family, he even thought of him as a bit of a rebellious nephew. "Milord, I had a letter from an acquaintance. I have been requested to tell you "the hidden Gold has been found, it's riddled with snakes," and to end my reign within the Light. I belong to you Milord." Tom nodded absent mindedly and frowned softly, she should be dead, 15 years dead. He shook his head lightly, he could ponder how she was alive later. What was more important was the Gold. "Who is the hidden Gold, Severus?" He demanded.
"Through a both certificate Inhave found that Hadrian Salazar Snape was hidden as one Harry James Potter."
YOU ARE READING
Aurum Princeps
FanfictionAurum Princeps. No one ever thought that there could be two dark lords. No one ever though that things could change so drastically. It's Harry Potters 6th year, and a lot is about to change.
