Master of Death

Chapter 10

Next evening after lessons Hadrian entered common room to address his court.
Hadrian: "Nott, come here"
The broken spirited boy who have been King's servant came in front of King with fear in his eyes.
Hadrian: "Kneel"
Theo obeyed.
Hadrian: "Few months ago you challenged your King's authority and got punished as per your words. Now tell me do you still consider me not worthy?
Theo with rapid heart rate: "No master"
"When you look at me do you see a half-blood"
"No master"
"What do you see"
"I... I.."
"Look at me"
Theo look in icy cold green eyes: "I see a warrior, prince and sovereign. One who can even give reign of Previous Slytherin King's run for money."
"So tell me do you know who the last King was?"
"The.... the dark lord"
"Yes Lord Voldemort"
As expected most Slytherin flinches from the mentioned name
Hadrian: "He who must not be named; you know who. The big bad Dark Lord, he didn't seem to fit as true Slytherin King that lost to me when I was just a year old baby. Does that tells you enough that I am equal to him in any way"
Theo instantly got hold of his masters hardening cold voice after all he spent days on his King's legs. He learned to observe and read through his king's mask.
Theo: "No. You are worse"
Hadrian smirked: "Good answer. Theo you accomplished my assignment with success. I released Dark soul from Light and now it will blossom like flower in Darkness. Neville Longbottom is one of us. With your answers I know you have learned your lesson. Nott, I command you rise a Slytherin again and return to your peers."
With round of applause from rest Slytherin Theo with teary eyes joined their peers.

Tracey came forward and informed court about last night incident in Gryffindor house which Seamus told her about. There was loud fight between Ron and Neville at Gryffindor common room last night when Granger informed everyone about evening event.
Ron: "You pathetic squib. You are shame to Gryffindors."
Neville: "I willingly accepted Hadrian's offer. There is nothing to shame about. Even Godric himself allied to Salazar for many things. Moreover Slytherins didn't cause problem for any of us except you and your bookworm friend. For Godric's sake Finnigan, even one of the snakes is working with you as well. Did it ever felt wrong?"
Dean and Seamus seem like thinking about it.
Ron snapped: "Don't you dare try to corrupt others. You have become slimy snake. Get out we don't allow Traitors here. Your parents must be proud of you to side with the same house that Bellatrix belonged."
Dean with wide eyes: "Don't go there."
Neville with fuming range: "You are no one to order me a thing. This is not house of Weasely. Moreover traitor term is your family symbol. Isn't it blood traitor?"
Ron lunged towards Neville. Neville just punched him knocking the idiot unconscious.
Neville with power radiating voice: "Don't you ever cross your line with me? And you know nothing about my parents. So next time you think of using my parents against me, you won't be able to say something after it."
Seamus tried to calm Neville: "He is kind of unconscious, you know."
With that Neville left room and Gryffindors realized they can't mess with Neville as no one can survive on Rogue Lion's rage.

Hadrian: "It's quite an interesting information Tracey. Seems like Dark Lion has started showing his fangs and Theo work on Neville to be bit cunning in such confrontation, I understand he is Gryffindor but now he is one of us."

After that day Neville started spending time with Hadrian and Slytherins. He turned darker and his whole attitude changed drastically.

It was a month before Halloween. Slytherins have Charms class with Gryffindor. As usual all Slytherins cast spells perfectly which led Professor to give 50 points to their house. As professor left room Hermione confronted Hadrain.
Granger: "How did you do that? It seems to be you got some cheat code with you and you are also training all of them. You must be reading ahead or taking private tutor. It's so unfair to intelligent people like me. You are nothing but Traitor. Your parents must.."
Neville stopped her: "I wouldn't finish the statement if you desire to see next day"
Ron snapped:" Look who is talking. Pathetic weakling vegetable. You are nothing more than Puppet of Death Eaters"
Neville:" You little.."
Hadrian interrupted: "Neville!"
Neville looked towards Hadrian and immediately calmed down.
Hadrian: "Your Mr. and Miss thick skin. You are no match for me. And you granger do you seriously believe that you are more intelligent than us? You think pathetic first generation mud blood like you can stand a chance in front any of us. Everyone here is from eighth or older generation wizarding family. You are just bookworm who mug up things but what about practical knowledge where you lack. We born with it and we lived with it for our entire life. Believe it or not no matter how hard you try we will always be a step ahead of you."

By now Granger looked on verge of crying.
Hadrian with smirk: "Oh what's wrong? Poor girl with no real friends want to hide behind her muggle parents? And what will happen after that? If they complain they'll get oblivate spell and you will be thrown in prison. "
Hermione with horror in eyes: "You're wrong"
Hadrian with cold chuckle:" I am not. Why not go and check Ministry laws regarding Statute of Secrecy. But again to go there you should have some leverage. By seeing you with blood traitor and love sick vixens, I am pretty sure you don't. You're just living nightmare thinking it as fairy tells. That's why you never have real friends"
By now Hermione just ran from there with tears in her eyes.
Ron was standing their like idiot.
Draco: "Show is over you dumb garbage, move on"
Ron wanted to say but seeing all his friends had left. He was alone in presence of all Slytherin and Neville. For once he used his brain instead of his mouth and left.
Hadrian: "Neville I think you are now turning more like us. But there is one problem which is blocking you. Whenever someone mention about death eaters or should I say particular lestarange you lose your mind."
Neville: "I can't help it. She is the reason why I have to spend my childhood without parents"
Hadrain:"I understand. But did you not say it was your uncle who made you act like squib. Wasn't it your gran who ignored you? I think the unseen person against whom you are holding grudge have just motivated you not to give up trying."
Neville blinked: "I never thought it like that"
Hadrian:" I have been in your boots. See around me. If I have hold grudges for past would I have been with Voldemort's most loyal Deatheater's children"
These words hit Slytherins. They got it with in second that Hadrian has been planning to claim throne before entering Hogwarts.
Hadrain:"I cannot influence your choice; I can only give you guidance. Let's do little experiment that can help you. Close your eyes imagine there are three people in front of you: Your uncle, the unseen lestarange and your gran. You have to choose which one of them you want to hit curse. Remember you have only one chance and think seeing whom in pain will make you more worthy. Choose wisely and cast your spell. Only real choice will unlock my Gift of Darkness."
Neville closed his eyes and caste curse on his uncle. Suddenly he started feeling lots of Dark power.
Neville opened his eyes:" I never felt such power"
Hadrian: "you will achieve more ones you prove your loyalty. Something tells me that it will be tested soon. For now I have little job for you and if you succeed you will be rewarded. I will be on my personal mission so will see you tomorrow"
Neville: "Tell me what you want me to do"
Hadrian explained him about his mission.