Adrian Craddock and The Philosopher's Stone

A New World

2 October 1987

Adrian sat on a bench, with his blanket wrapped around him, shuddering at the chill Autumn air. He had just managed to pick a businessman's pocket and nicked his wallet, those other orphans really helped him survive on his own. Maybe he'll be able haggle for room at a hotel. However, he decided to worry about that tomorrow. Wrapping the old cloth tightly around him, Adrian started to doze off . . .   

. . . until he noticed a rather oddly dressed man. The man looked around, almost as if he was checking to see no one notice him. This piqued Adrian's interest, so he waited until the man continued walking, got of the bench and made to follow.

After walking for a few minutes, the man entered a building. Most likely an inn, thought Adrian and entered without hesitation. He was immediately welcomed by the smell of good food and the sound of people talking and singing. The boy spotted the man in tattered clothes talking to who he presumed to be the innkeeper. He managed to overhear a few words spoken by the two:

". . . talk to Razorteeth at Gringotts . . ."

". . . aurors caught him few months back . . ."

". . . might need to replace my wand. . ."

". . . muggle beer is simply the best, though firewhiskey. . ."

Adrian just sat at one of the tables confused. Gringotts?  Aurors?  Muggle?  Firewhiskey?  Well that one might self-explanatory. But it was one word that caught his attention.

Wand

Thinking back to the nightmare he's been having ever since he was 3, he concentrated on the sticks his mother and uncle(?) had in there hands and the stuff that came out of them.

That might make sense, he thought, but that would mean magic exists and surely that can't be true?

Can it?

He was brought out of his thoughts when he saw the man he was following move to the end of the inn. Wanting to find out more, Adrian quickly and quietly got up and followed. He got to where the man was and, peeking behind a wall, saw him take out a stick, which he presumed to be the man's wand, and tap a brick wall. Adrian Whatever (Doesn't know his last name) watched in awe as the bricks gave way revealing an entrance to a town filled with shops, buildings and people.

Wow, he thought, which maybe was out-loud, as the man in front of him whipped around and pointed that stick at him.

"Who are you?!" he demanded, his green eyes dark and dangerous, though Adrian could only focus on the wand. When the boy didn't answer he put the wand to his (Adrian's) temple and spoke: "You leave me no choice then, Oblivi-"

"Wait!" shouted the eight-year old. "I'll tell you who I am, j-j-just don't fire that green thing.

"Green thing?" the man asked confused. "Where have you seen it?

"In my drea. . . nightmares, the one about my parents.

"Why would. . . Actually, nevermind, now answer the question." The man looked Adrian in the eyes. "Who are you?"

The boy took a deep breath before answering. "My name is Adrian and, no, I don't know my last name.

Adrian swore he could see something akin to recognition in the man's eyes before he spoke again. "Well, what were your parents names? Maybe that would help?

"Why would that help?" questioned Adrian angerly. "They're dead, so how?"

"Calm down, okay. I just might've known them and could have told you about them."

Adrian glared at the man before closing his eyes and sighing. "In my nightmares they were called Elena and Alf-no, Elijah. Elena and Elijah."

Tears form in the man's eyes and he shakily said: "That tells me a lot and gives me a lot to tell you." He wiped a few tears and continued. "Elena and Elijah were friends of mine. We met school and instantly became close. When you where born they made me godfather but enough of that. My name is Ethan Dover and it concerns me that you don't know anything about the Wizarding World because. . ." Here he sucked in a breath. "You, Adrian Elijah Craddock are a Wizard.

The look of disbelief on Adrian's face would be in Ethan's memory for years to come.