Chapter Text
Harry was sitting on his bed at Malfoy Manor, door locked and holding the diary in his hands when he felt the familiar pull. He landed on the stone floor moments later and smiled as he looked around the Chamber, all his cats running to him in excitement.
"Hello you," he said and scratched all of them gently. "Missed me?"
He heard a scoff and saw Tom standing off to the side looking grumpy.
"So you ask them but not me?" the boy glared.
"I'm sorry Tom, did you miss me too?" Harry grinned.
"Shut your mouth," Tom snapped. "I would kill you if it was possible for you to stay dead."
Harry laughed. "You're angry I haven't visited in a while, aren't you?"
"You left me with a bunch of cats!"
"It was too risky, you know that," Harry tried to reason. "Professor Dumbledore is on my tail. Any wrong moves and he could have me expelled. He's getting too close for my liking."
"What do you plan on doing about it?" Tom asked.
"One day I'll take care of him," Harry promised. "For now, it's best to just keep a distance."
"Good idea," Tom said. "You were already doing such a good job of it."
"Until he started snooping where he wasn't supposed to," Harry scowled.
"Your magical aura is developing too quickly and strongly, he senses it," Tom said.
"Not my fault," Harry said. "You told me that."
"I know. Dumbledore has always been weak. You've done nothing wrong," Tom assured him.
"Thanks," Harry said relieved. "Have you been taking care of my babies?"
"If you mean spawns of Satan that try to tear my clothes into pieces and run around wild chasing stray mice, then yes I have," Tom said bitterly.
"You know they're my creations," Harry raised an eyebrow. "Which means you're calling me Satan."
"Oh yeah," Tom said while examining his nails. "So I did."
"Pfft," Harry said. "Anyway, I've got Alyssa and Midnight so I've been thinking of getting another companion."
"You're starting an animal sanctuary here, Hadrian. You're worse than Newt Scamander," Tom said.
"No. His animals are alive, mine are not. Technically," Harry said. "But they're perfect for doing what I need."
"What's that?" Tom asked.
"Being my spies," Harry said gleefully. "The headmaster has his trio currently searching for danger inside the school, they're his eyes and ears. I need to be aware of what's going on at every time of every day. Midnight has been doing a pretty good job, so far."
"He has?" Tom said impressed.
"Nobody suspects a cat, Tom. There's hundreds of them in the school because they're on the approved pets list. He wanders around and listens in and at the end of the day, lets me know if there's trouble," Harry said. "The best part is, I can sense danger from him because our magic is linked."
"Fascinating," Tom said. "And Alyssa does the same?"
"She understands English because she's an incredibly smart snake," he said. "Not many people know I have her so she keeps to the shadows. I've put a charm on her so she's unnoticeable."
Tom looked at him with pride. "Well done, Hadrian. You've really outdone yourself."
"Thank you," Harry smiled.
"Make sure you continue to choose the right companion next time you're out," Tom instructed. "They'll be with you for life. Trust your natural instincts."
"Don't worry, Tom. I've got my eye on something in particular," Harry said. "And it'll come in very handy."
Practicing Quidditch with Draco was both fun and stressful. The boy was incredibly competitive and could play for hours without taking a breath, and although Harry admired his dedication to the sport, he still didn't really feel up for it.
But he persevered for Dracos's sake because this meant a lot to him and the boy was right, if they could beat the Gryffindors at something this year, then they'd have to take any chance they could. And they definetly would with Harry on the team because he's a very good Seeker.
They knew Longbottom would be trying out for the team so it would be an even better time to humiliate him, much to their amusement.
"When you make it onto the team, be sure to kick him off his broom or I'll do it for you," Draco snickered.
"You're quite morbid, Draco. I never knew you had such a mean streak," Harry joked.
"You're one to talk," Draco scolded.
Harry held his hands up. "Sorry. Don't worry, cousin. Longbottom will get what he deserves. Trust me. That boy needs to be knocked down a peg or two."
Harry will make sure of it.
"I want to make another undead being," Harry said whilst stroking Pumpkin's orange fur.
Tom looked at him whilst simultaneously trying to stop a white kitten from tugging at his shoelaces. "In here? Or real life?"
"I think it's best to start inside the diary," Harry said. "It's safest, in case anything goes wrong. Also, I don't want any evidence getting out."
"What undead beings are you talking about?" Tom asked. "You've never spoken this way about your cats before. Which, by the way, are total menaces."
Harry rolled his eyes at the boy and his dramatics. "Because I don't mean cats. I mean a person."
Tom raised his eyebrows. "Really? You're ready for that?"
Harry shrugged. "There's only one way to find out. I'm just so bored, Tom! Bored of the same routine every day, doing homework and practicing Quidditch. Pretending to be a goody two shoes who's repressing my magic, but actually doing the opposite. I'm living this double life."
Tom looked at him with a frown.
"I love creating my animals, they're my babies. They're like my children," Harry said with a goofy smile. "I'd do anything for them just like they'd do anything for me. But I want more. And I know I can do more."
Tom considered him for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Hadrian. If this is truly what you wish, then I shall help you on your way to succeed."
"Thanks Tom," Harry smiled. "I knew I could count on you."
After Tom had explained the whole process of turning a human into an undead being, how different it would be from an animal and the toll it would take on his physical wellbeing, he spent the next week contemplating the pros and cons. Eventually, the good outweighed the bad in his opinion and he decided to go through with it.
"You know this will drain you for a while, don't you?" Tom reminded him. "Because this is your first time and you're still so young, you will be tired for a few days."
Harry nodded. "I know, but it'll be worth it."
"What will you tell the Malfoy family?" Tom asked. "Won't they worry?"
"I'll just say Draco is pushing me too hard in Quidditch and I need a break," Harry smirked. "Besides, it's not exactly a lie."
He concentrated for a moment before casting a spell and summoning a random person in front of him, which happened to be a middle aged blonde woman with blue eyes. He knew she technically wasn't real, just as Tom or the cats weren't, or even himself whilst inside the diary.
He understood this was all just a magical figment, but it was as real as it could get for him so he had to make sure there was no room for doubts, because that would lead to errors.
"Hello, there. Who are you?" he asked the random woman in front of him.
She shrieked in panic and looked to Tom, then all around the Chamber in confusion. "What is this place? Where am I? What's that stick thing you're holding?"
"Great. It looks like I've summoned a muggle," Harry sighed. "Well, I suppose this will be good practice for when I come and get revenge on aunt and uncle," he said.
"What will you do with them?" Tom asked, knowing he had bad blood with them. "Kill them?"
"If they're lucky, they'll stay dead," Harry said. "We'll see if I'm in a good mood that day or not."
Tom looked amused and watched as the woman whimpered where she stood.
"Who are you?" the woman demanded. "Tell me!"
Harry tutted. "You've got quite the attitude. I like that in a woman." He heard Tom chuckle. "I'll try and keep that part of you intact."
"What does that mean?" she yelled. "Tell me how to get back home."
"Sorry lady, you're stuck here with me now," Harry said. "And we're going to have some fun."
Before she could protest any longer, he cast a tripping jinx on her and she fell to the ground. He walked over to her as she struggled to get back up, groaning in pain from where she landed roughly.
"I promise you won't feel a thing," Harry promised. "Once you're dead."
Her eyes went wide as she saw his hands started to blacken and the room went colder. She could see her breath and began to shiver.
Harry hadn't used this much power before, this was a human, not a plant or an animal, he knew he'd have to put in everything he had.
He stood above her and the veins in his arms began to blacken, looking like spidery webs. He bent down and placed his hands roughly on her face, digging his fingers into her skin, drawing blood.
She screamed in pain, trying to get away but he was overpowering her with his magic and forcing her down to the ground in submission. Her skin on her face began to charcoal and smoke arose from around her body until it engulfed her and Harry entirely.
All that could be seen was an entire black mist and the bright glow of two emeralds peeking out.
After a few minutes, the body went stiff and the smoke began to retreat. Harry was breathing harshly and took a moment to collect himself before taking his wand and slicing his palm open and letting the blood pool in his palm.
He then poured a generous amount of blood into the woman's mouth and held his hand to her lips to make sure nothing escaped.
He sat back in anticipation and eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, the woman's eyelids began to flutter and her chest began to rise up and down.
Harry grinned triumphantly down at her and gave her time to recover before helping her up gently. She was trembling slightly and holding onto him but he rubbed his hands up and down her arms comfortingly.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked in a quiet voice as to not spook her.
She rubbed her eyes to clear them and he noticed that there was a bright green ring around the blue, a symbol of his claim.
She smiled at him. "I feel fine, thank you. Much better than before, much calmer."
"That's good. My magic will sustain you as long as I'm here and I will try to feed you positive emotions if possible," he said.
"Thank you master," she bowed respectfully and he reeled in shock and surprise.
He didn't expect that, at all. It seems as if Tom didn't either because he looked stunned at the name given to him.
However, during the ritual, the boy was watching Harry with the utmost awe and fascination. He'd never seen anything like this in his entire life. Harry was an enigma, a gift.
"You're welcome," Harry said after clearing his throat. "Is there anything I can get for you?"
"Just one thing, please?" she said.
"Yes?"
"A new name master," she requested. "I am yours now, you must name what belongs to you."
Harry thought the logic was appropriate. Besides, he never knew her real name so it hardly mattered to him.
He nodded. "Your name is Ivory," he said.
"Because of my hair colour," she smiled. "I like it."
"I'm glad," he said and she turned to pet some of the cats who were cuddling against her legs, understanding she was one of them now.
He heard Tom clap and turned around with a cheeky grin.
"Like what you saw?"
"More than anything," Tom said proudly. "When you do that in the real world, you will have an army at your side and be unstoppable," he said.
"That sounds pretty good," Harry whispered in delight.
"For now, get some rest. Your physical body is going to be drained, you'll see. Rest up for a few days and come back to me. I'll look after Ivory."
"And the cats," Harry reminded him.
Tom huffed loudly and nodded. "And the cats."
Harry was relieved and suddenly felt himself being pulled out of the diary until he landed back on his bed. He was panting in exhaustion, as if he'd run ten miles.
He rubbed his tired eyes and hid the diary underneath his pillow for safekeeping before climbing underneath the covers, closing his eyes and immediately passing out.
"He's been like this for two days," he heard Draco mutter to Narcissa outside of his room in worry. "Should we call for some help? Is he dying?"
The woman sighed. "You know that's hardly possible Draco. He'd probably just resurrect himself. I think there is something going on that he's not telling us."
"Like what?" Draco asked. "I've went in there plenty of times because he hasn't came down for food or Quidditch practise and he always says he just feels too tired. Plus he looks drained of all his energy."
Narcissa nodded. "I'll see what I can do. Don't you worry, Draco. He'll be back on his feet in no time, I promise."
Draco sighed and took one last look at Harry before relenting and running off. Narcissa knocked on the entryway of Harry's door.
"Hello, Hadrian. Are you awake?" she asked.
Harry mumbled under his breath and buried his head further into his pillow.
She walked into his room and put the back of her hand against his forehead, expecting it to be hot but found it ice cold. She frowned in confusion.
"I assumed you had the flu," she said. "But you're not running a fever."
"I'm just overly exhausted with playing Quidditch," Harry murmured into his pillow. "I'll be fine. I just need to sleep."
"Hmm," she said and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Are you sure thats the cause of this mysterious illness?"
"What else could it be?" Harry said.
"You tell me," she raised an eyebrow. "You haven't been... dabbling with things you shouldn't be, have you Hadrian?"
He scoffed. "Of course not. I know better than that by now."
She let out a relieved breath. "That's good. I was worried for a moment, thinking you'd overexerted yourself by practicing a spell of some sort. Thank Heavens that's not the case."
"Yeah," Harry mumbled into the pillow, rolling his eyes where she couldn't see. "Exactly."
"I'll just tell Draco to give you some rest for now. That boy has been playing that sport since he could first walk and I know this is quite new to you," she said whilst tucking him into the blanket to warm him up. "You rest up now and I'll send Dobby up later to bring you some food."
"Okay," he sighed and began to fall asleep again, his small body feeling the weight of the exhaustion from the magic he definitely wasn't supposed to be using, apparently.
He was back in the diary after a week of recovery and thankfully getting a break from the constant doting from Draco, claiming that he was ill due to his negligent behaviour towards him.
Harry only felt a tad guilt for making the boy almost cry his heart out but he had more important things on his mind, rather than his obsessive cousin who couldn't let things go.
He told Draco that if he baked him a chocolate cake, they'd be even. He didn't actually expect him to do it, but the boy did. He really had him wrapped around his finger.
"So, how has Ivory been?" Harry asked Tom when he saw him again.
"Hardly cared for me," Tom shrugged. "Only interested in the cats."
"That's because they share the same magic," Harry said. "They'll naturally get along."
"Hmm, true. Have you recovered well?" Tom asked, looking him up and down.
Harry smiled. "I was pretty out of it for a few days and had to make up some lies here and there, but I'm feeling much better."
"Good."
"Master!" Ivory suddenly called out and waved to him, running over quickly. "You're back, I missed you."
"Hello Ivory," Harry said. "I missed you too. Do you like it here?"
"Very much, the company is wonderful," she said in glee whilst looking around. "I've been exploring and Tom says this place holds a massive snake."
"A basilisk," Harry nodded. "She's asleep though, we can't see her."
"But master," Ivory whined. "I love snakes."
Harry snorted. "You only love them because I love them."
"Maybe," Ivory said. "But I still want to meet her."
"Tom has, haven't you?" he asked the boy.
"I have," Tom said with a smirk. "She's over sixty feet long and has the brightest yellow eyes that can kill with just a look."
"Would they kill master?" Ivory asked in worry.
Tom shook his head. "Never. He's a Parselmouth and the stare of a basilisk doesn't hurt a speaker. That's why I could look at her just fine and why Salazar Slytherin kept her as a pet."
"That's good," Ivory said in relief. "Maybe you could meet the basilisk outside the diary?" she asked Harry.
Harry frowned. "I'd have to wake her from her sleep. She'd be in a pretty bad mood."
"Not towards you master," Ivory said. "You're a speaker."
"She's got a point," Tom agreed. "Besides, having the basilisk as an ally would be the ultimate victory. Nobody would think to mess with you. They literally couldn't. They'd be wiped out, instantly."
"They already can't mess with me," Harry said. "One touch of my hands and they're dead."
Tom shrugged. "Can't help to always have backup when your back is turned."
"Hmm..." Harry thought. He had a point there. The more allies, the better. "Where is the Chamber of Secrets?"
"It's located in the girl's bathroom on the second floor," Tom said. "There's a faulty tap, hard to miss if you're a Parselmouth. Just talk to it."
Harry nodded and Ivory clapped her hands excitedly.
"The Ministry are conducting more raids," Lucius sighed tiredly from the living room where he sat with Narcissa, drinking some expensive wine.
"Do you think they'll try and drop by?" she asked worriedly.
Lucius scowled. "They always try to but most of the time we manage to keep them away."
"Most of the time," Narcissa frowned. "They're quick to get warrants, sometimes."
Lucius nodded. "I know. So, I'm going to have to grab all the things in this house that they'd deem illegal and questionable and get rid of them, just incase they manage to get in here. They'll not hesitate to throw both of us in Azkaban."
"What about the boys?" Narcissa asked.
"They'll be fine. I won't let anything happen to them. I heard the raids are taking place in August, so I'll take the boys out for their school supplies and get rid of the evidence then."
"Meaning, you'll sell some of the items in Borgin and Burkes?" she asked. He nodded and she smiled in approval. "Good thinking. Perhaps take the boys there, too. I'm sure they'll enjoy a look through the shop because of all the interesting things."
"You think that's a good idea, with Hadrian?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.
Narcissa sipped on her wine. "I don't see why not. He's got everything under control now. A little bit of exploring won't do any harm, will it? He's a young boy, he's going to get curious about things. At least let him do it under your supervision."
"You're right," Lucius said. He was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Dear?"
"Hmm?"
"You haven't seen the Dark Lord's diary, have you?" Lucius asked nervously. Her eyes went wide and she sat down her wine. "I didn't lose it, I know it's here somewhere."
"You were entrusted with that, Lucius. When the Dark Lord returns and finds out you've lost his property..." she trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.
"I promise it's here somewhere," Lucius assured her. "But it must be disposed of, immediately."
Her eyes narrowed. "You want to get rid of his diary?"
Lucius nodded nervously. "If the Ministry finds it here, we'll be in trouble. I'll put it somewhere safe."
"Safe, where?" Narcissa furrowed an eyebrow.
"Don't worry dear," Lucius said with a quirk of his lips. "I have a very cunning plan. And as ironic as it sounds, by losing his diary, it might just put us in the Dark Lord's good books."
"I hope you know what you're doing Lucius," she warned.
"Trust me," he said whilst taking her hands. "I do."
The only downside to this whole plan was that he didn't know where on Earth the diary actually was, in the first place. He was so sure he left it in the library but when he went to check, it was simply gone.
He'd have to do some major searching for the next couple of weeks before it was time to go to Diagon Alley. He had to put his plans into action.
He searched everywhere he could for some time in secrecy before snapping and calling on Dobby, their deranged House Elf.
"Dobby!" he yelled.
"Yes master Malfoy," Dobby said as he popped into the room near Lucius. "What can Dobby be doing for you?"
"I need you to get me a diary and keep it a secret," Lucius glared.
Dobby nodded quickly. "What diary?"
"It's a diary that belonged to the Dark Lord," Lucius whispered and Dobby whimpered. "It's made of black leather and has his birth name on the back."
Dobby's eyes were getting watery.
"You've seen me handle it before," Lucius recalled. Dobby nodded. "Then you'll know what to look for. It should be somewhere in this house. Do whatever it takes. Just find it."
"Yes master," Dobby nodded and quickly scampered out the room. "Right away!"
Lucius scowled in frustration. He knew he could trust the elf, they were bound by secrecy as he owned the creature. But it still felt unnerving to let the information slip.
If it falls into the wrong hands for even a second, his plans could get ruined and he can't risk that.
He sat down on a large couch and shut his eyes momentarily, feeling exhausted over this whole situation. He just wanted it all to be over.
There was a sudden shuffling in the room and he opened his eyes to see Dobby had reappeared, holding the diary in his small hand.
He immediately got up and bolted for it, snatching it out his hands. "Where was it?"
"In master Hadrian's room," Dobby said with big eyes.
Lucius was beyond shocked, he could hardly fathom the words.
"What did you just say?" he whispered.
Harry was in the library with Draco and they were reading up on Quidditch Through the Ages.
"If you can't currently play, you can most certainly read," Draco smirked as he forced the book on Harry.
"Fine," he relented with a long suffering sigh and studied the playbook for the sport.
They were mid argument about who was the best professional players when Dobby suddenly interrupted them.
"What do you want Dobby?" Draco asked with a frown.
"Dobby is looking for something," the elf mumbled and started scampering about the library shelves, tossing books around haphazardly.
"I didn't know House Elves could read," Harry raised an eyebrow.
"They can't," Draco rolled his eyes. "Dobby's just bizarre. Ignore him and he'll go away, eventually."
The elf kept mumbling to himself whilst browsing and began stomping on the ground, throwing books across the room and huffing in disappointment. He was banging his head against the walls and crying.
"Stupid Dobby!" he wailed. "So stupid!"
"He is so annoying," Harry scoffed. "Why even keep him?"
"It's worth it, when you have a slave that will do anything you ask," Draco shrugged. "That's what you always say, right? That you'd make yourself slaves?" he joked.
"I wouldn't have any slaves though," Harry said. It was technically true. He had servants, not slaves. He didn't treat his animals and Ivory like they were property, he valued them. In repayment for their hard work and loyalty, he'd feed them his magic and offer them protection.
"Then what would they be?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.
Harry went into explaining the differences, all whilst leaving out the part about his own creations, and Draco seemed to understand.
"Oh, that makes sense, I suppose." He began whispering inconspicuously. "So, if you were to create an undead creature, you'd make it a servant, not a slave?"
Harry nodded. "Yes. Because I'd care for it. But I haven't done anything like that, so this conversation is pointless."
Draco laughed. "Not entirely. You're still capable of doing it."
"Does that scare you?" Harry asked.
"In the beginning it did," Draco said contemplating his answer. "But I think I'm slowly growing used to the idea of it."
"That I'm capable of bringing things back from the dead?" Harry asked.
Draco nodded. "In a way, it can be used as a healing quality. Imagine if someone was dying and they needed someone to save their life, you could actually do it, couldn't you?"
"I suppose I could," Harry thought. "If I used the right methods. I haven't ever thought about something like that before."
That was also true. Yet, another thing to experiment with. Was it possible to bring something back from the dead without it being an undead being? Could they just remain mortal? So many possibilities.
"Well, now you have something to think about," Draco smiled.
Harry shook his head. "Your parents don't like me using my gifts, though."
"I know, but it's your life and your decisions. You're not going to be living here forever. So don't worry, Hadrian. Whatever decisions you make in the end, I'll support them. You know I've got your back, no matter what."
Harry felt his heart warm a little. "Thanks Draco."
Unbeknownst to Harry, Dobby had been listening into their conversation after he stopped banging his head against the walls and started to feel the familiar aura radiating from Hadrian. Something he didn't like.
It's something he sensed since the boy first got here last year and it only grew stronger with time. His instincts told him the boy wasn't getting up to anything good.
He knew he was a natural necromancer as he'd overheard the conversations between him and the Malfoy's several times, and he was forbidden from speaking of it otherwise he'd be punished severely.
And though he is aware that the Malfoy family is trying to get Hadrian to repress his abilities, he's not so sure the boy is being quite as honest as he says he is. Because you don't get an aura that strong and dark if you're repressing something. Only if you're channelling it.
A small part of him wondered if this boy could even be trusted like he says he could.
He frowned for a moment before Apparating to Hadrian's room and taking a look around at his belongings, just out of curiosity sake.
He's glad he did because he found the diary that belonged to Tom Riddle stuffed underneath his pillow and his eyes went wider than they possibly could have.
He wanted to take the diary and give it to someone he could trust to keep it, or destroy it. Someone like Dumbledore. But he was bound by magic to the Malfoy family and knew he had to obey the orders.
With a click of his fingers, he appeared back inside the living room where Lucius Malfoy was and handed him the diary.
He tried not to think anything of it for a while and didn't bring it up with anyone, not even his wife, whom he shared everything with.
It was probably just nothing. It either got into his room accidentally with the other books he's taken, or he got curious and decided to have a look at the item, which there's no harm in because it looks like any regular diary.
Besides, there's nothing written inside the diary, so it's not like Hadrian could read any deep secrets the Dark Lord kept. It's not like he could be influenced in any sort of way.
He doubts the boy even knew who Tom Riddle really was. How would he possibly ever come across that name? He doesn't even talk to Dumbledore or Longbottom. And the Dark Lord's birth name has never been made public in about fifty years.
No. He was just a boy who got curious about a blank diary and probably wanted to write in it, himself. Take notes in it for school, perhaps.
This thought put him at ease and he let himself relax. There was nothing to worry about, at all.
Their letters eventually arrived at the end of the month and they were both ecstatic to finally be sending off their second acceptance notices.
"Can you believe we're going into our second year already?" Draco said. "It feels like just yesterday we were getting fitted for our school robes."
"You'll be getting a new pair," Narcissa told him. "So you can do it all over again."
"At least Professor Snape won't be with me this time," Harry said. "He was so grumpy."
Draco snickered. "He's always like that. He takes everything serious."
"I know, but he gave me so many stern talks, ugh." Harry rolled his eyes. "At least I'll be having some fun this time."
"And we can go to Borgin and Burkes," Draco said enthusiastically. "You'll love it. It's your sort of thing," he whispered in his ear.
Harry gave him a grin and nodded.
"Don't forget, it's your birthday when we go," Narcissa reminded him. "So, that means you're going to have to shut your eyes whilst we get you a present," she said teasingly.
"You don't have to," Harry said.
Narcissa scolded him. "I absolutely do! Don't dare fight me on this."
He relented and saw her smile in success, having won the discussion.
It was finally Harry's birthday and he woke up with mixed emotions. He was excited to be sharing a birthday with his family for the first time ever and knew they'd make it memorable, based on their constant reminders.
But he also couldn't help but feel like a big part of him was currently missing inside. He was confused about what it was for a while and went to write in the diary to Tom for guidance on his feelings, when he noticed that it was missing.
A lump had been building inside the pit of his stomach for a couple of days now and he searched all over his bedroom, looked underneath his pillows and mattress, through the pile of books and under clothes but it wasn't anywhere to be found.
He knows that nobody had come in here and taken it, there wouldn't have been any opportunities to do so. And since when did they suspect that he could have had it in his possession?
It was driving him crazy not knowing. Maybe he left it in the library at some point. Either way, he'd find it again just like he had before and everything would go back to normal. He wouldn't be going back to school without Tom or his cats and Ivory.
They stepped through a floo in the Leaky Cauldron and made their first trip all the way down into Knockturn Alley. Draco was looking around in fascination, staying by his father's side.
"Father hardly ever lets me come down here, he says its really shady business," he said.
"And it is," Lucius said. "So, be on your best behaviour, both of you. I don't want to have to leave because someone has decided to take advantage of young boys."
Harry held back a laugh. Take advantage oh him? Please.
He didn't tell either of them that he'd been down here before for fear of how they'd react. He knows Lucius would probably go on one of his lectures and Draco would be disappointed this wasn't his first experience with him.
They made their way to the familiar shop known as Borgin and Burkes and he coughed as he walked inside, the air feeling stuffy and dusty.
He saw the same cursed objects on the shelves as before, plus a few extra things. Obviously, people had been coming in and selling their belongings, recently.
"Touch nothing Draco," Lucius said sternly and turned to him. "You too, Hadrian. Everything is dangerous."
"Yes father," Draco agreed and Harry nodded.
They both started snooping around whilst Lucius went up to the front of the store and rang the little bell that summoned the shopkeeper.
"What do you think this is?" Draco muttered, pointing to a hand in a jar.
"Maybe it's a real human hand," Harry smirked. "Perfectly preserved."
"Disgusting," Draco cringed.
"That necklace is quite beautiful though," Harry said, pointing to a diamond necklace that hung in midair and sparkled under the light.
"Mother would like that," Draco said.
"I don't think she'd like being cursed to death," Harry disagreed. Draco's eyes widened. "It's dangerous to wear."
"Oh," Draco said in disappointment.
"Mr Malfoy, how nice it is to see you again," the shopkeeper's voice called out as he stumbled from around the corner and out front. "And young master Malfoy, too. How may I be of assistance?"
"Good evening, Mr Borgin," Lucius said. "I'm sure you've heard of the raids taking place?"
"Oh yes dreadful things. Everyone is having to abandon their belongings that have been in their families for generations," the man said bitterly.
"Precisely why I am here, to sell what I must," Lucius said. He pulled out a piece of parchment and opened up the briefcase he was discreetly holding at his side. "I think you'll find some interesting items inside here."
Mr Borgin took a look inside the case which must have been bigger on the inside and his eyes went wide and he smiled in glee. "Fascinating stuff, Mr Malfoy. I will give you a very decent price."
"I certainly hope so," Lucius said.
Lucius handed over the case whilst the man began to dish out the money and Harry got bored of watching their exchanges. He walked over from where he was examining some items in the back of the store and came across a massive coffin.
He frowned at it and could swear he felt a tug on his magic from somewhere inside the coffin, as if it were either alive or something inside it were alive. And it radiated a mild grey to dark aura. It was quite confusing.
"Hmm, what's this all about?" he wondered. "What am I sensing?"
The strangest part was, a teeny bit of it felt familiar. That nice cool sensation that bonded so well with his ice cold temperment.
"Oh, I didn't know you had another child with you Mr Malfoy. My apologies," Mr Borgin said apologetically and when Harry turned around the man paled and gulped.
"Is everything alright, Mr Borgin?" Lucius asked with a frown.
Harry glared at him and the man nodded shakily. "Yes, just fine Mr Malfoy. Is that everything?"
"For now, I believe," Lucius said with narrowed eyes. "Are you sure everything is alright? You look shaken up, all of a sudden."
The man shook his head quickly and stepped back from the counter and to the back of the shop. "Absolutely fine, Mr Malfoy. Have a nice day," he stammered and quickly bolted, all whilst keeping an eye on Hadrian.
"That was weird," Draco said confused. "Have you met him before?"
Harry shook his head. "Never before in my life."
They left the shop and Lucius couldn't help but feel as if he were being lied to.
But for whatever reason would Mr Borgin be afraid of Hadrian? Did something happen? Nothing surrounding this boy made any sense.
They walked up to Diagon Alley and saw Flourish and Blotts was entirely crowded by people, all demanding to see some man called Gilderoy Lockhart.
"He's teaching your class this year," Lucius said with a frown. "I hear he's wrote a book on all the adventures he's done and beasts he's defeated."
"Sounds like an attention hog," Harry scowled. "Just wanting fame for his name."
"Reminds you of someone?" Draco said and Harry nodded.
They tried to get their way inside to buy their books and Harry was finally glad he had his powers under control, otherwise there'd be a pile of corpses in the store right now from the amount of people touching him.
"I hate being touched," he growled.
Draco looked to him in concern. "Don't worry, we'll get our books and leave as soon as possible. Look, there they are."
He pointed to the section where the second year curriculum was and grabbed their things, hurriedly buying them at the front desk, pushing and shoving their way past people.
"Move it!" Harry snapped to a ginger woman.
"How rude," she gasped and noticed that it was a woman who seemed to flock to the Weasley family. This must be the mother.
"No, you are! Are you trying to suffocate me?" he yelled.
She went to say something again when Lucius came up behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
Draco was standing beside Harry with a defensive look on his face, ready to jump in at any moment too.
A sudden crowd of ginger people began to flock around them and there was a standoff. He noticed Ronald Weasley was there and smirked deviously at him whilst the boy glared hatefully back.
"Well well, if it isn't Arthur Weasley," Lucius said.
The man who was standing with the ginger family cleared his throat and pursed his lips. "Malfoy."
"Busy time at the Ministry, is it? I hope they're paying you overtime so you can earn some extra money. That's the only way you will be able to pay for all of these school supplies, am I right?"
The Weasley children all looked livid whilst Harry and Draco smirked in satisfaction.
"That's no way to speak in front of children, is it Malfoy?" Mr Weasley said to him.
Ron piped up, pointing to Harry. "He says worse things than him!"
"Me?" Harry said, placing a hand on his chest innocently. "I've done nothing."
"Liar!" Ron yelled and pulled out his wand. Everyone gasped whilst Ron's parents tried to scold him. "You set that bloody snake on Neville on the train! You didn't give him your potions cure when he got injured during potions class. And you've done countless other things. You can't be trusted."
"You're the one who's yelling at me in public and threatening me with a wand, Weasley. If anyone can't be trusted here, it's you," Harry said. "I fear for my life."
"Pfft," Ron scoffed. "Yeah right. As if. If anyone should fear for their lives, it's the rest of us."
"Why's that?" Harry said with a frown.
"There's just something off about you," Ron sneered. "I can sense it. And it doesn't help that you hang around with those lot," he pointed to Draco and Lucius.
Harry snorted. "So you accuse me of things I haven't done, threaten me in public, and insult me and my family outright? You're a proper lunatic, Weasley. Stay away from me."
"Shut your mouth!" Ron snapped and went to jump forward but the two older twins held him back.
"He's not worth it Ron," they muttered to him. "Just ignore him."
Lucius took a step forward towards Mr Weasley. "I can see you're raising a bunch of delinquents. I don't even see the point of sending them to school, they're clearly not going to make anything of themselves."
He looked down at the small girl who was clutching onto her mother's waist, obviously the youngest Weasley child, and sneered at her.
"Take this girl," he said and threw a black book of sorts into her cauldron amongst the rest of her own first year curriculum books. "It's the most expensive thing you'll probably ever be able to afford. You'll have more use for it than me."
Harry briefly wondered what kind of book it was he gave her but decided against thinking about it. It was too funny watching all the Weasleys go as red as their hair.
He snickered with Draco and turned to walk away, ignoring the sounds of Ron getting told off by his parents because he tried to bring his wand out again and curse them whilst their backs were turned, but he saw Longbottom entering the store looking confused at all the fighting.
"What's going on? Hadrian, why are you and Ron arguing?" he asked.
"He tried to kill me," Harry said.
"What?" Neville asked with wide eyes.
He heard Ron screaming again until there were flashes of cameras going off. Then there was a loud and over enthusiastic voice.
"Oh my, is that Neville Longbottom?" Lockhart said. "Get up here instantly!"
The boy was suddenly pushed forward by the crowd and towards Lockhart who took a picture with him, showing off his bright white teeth whilst Neville looked extremely uncomfortable.
Harry scoffed and stormed out the shop.
'Why must I always run into stupid Longbottom in that stupid bookshop and get harassed? I should just burn it down,' he thought bitterly.
"Where do you want to go next?" Draco asked, trying to ease the tension.
Harry took in a deep breath to calm himself and looked towards the animal shop with a smile.
"I said I needed an owl, didn't I?" he reminded him.
"Finally!" Draco said in relief. "Let's go already."
They quickly headed over there and were greeted by plenty of animals of all sorts, Draco being most fascinated with a giant spider.
"Imagine leaving this in Weasley's bed," he snickered. "He'd scream like a little girl.
"That's childish," Harry grinned. "I like it."
"We will not be taking part in any silly games like that," Lucius said and they both sighed. "We are far too mature."
"He's boring," Draco whispered and rolled his eyes. "Not as boring as uncle Severus though."
Harry snorted and continued looking around until his eyes fell on something he liked. It was a beautiful white snowy owl with massive yellow eyes. "I like this one."
"Excellent choice," the shop keeper said and Harry paid for her, taking her with him.
She kept eyeing him warily all the way to the store where they had to get fitted for their robes.
"Don't worry girl, soon enough you'll grow to like me very much," he whispered and she hid her face behind her wing, refusing to look at him any longer.
Fifteen minutes later they were done with their robes and were relieved to be going home.
They stepped back through the floo, landing in the living room in the manor and as Harry went to put his things upstairs in his room, he heard Draco call out.
"What are you going to name your owl?" Draco said.
Harry thought for a moment before smiling down at her. "Hedwig."