"Where the bloody hell were you!" Marcus shouted when he saw Hadrian sitting with another book on the couch in front of the fireplace.

Hadrian looked over to Marcus thinking of last night...

A simple parseltoungue, Hadrian stepped into the fire place feeling magic from behind the stone. Welcoming him in he stepped through.

With his wand held in front of him he stepped further into the secret doorway and up the spiraling stairway.

Cobwebs littered the stairway. At the top a solid wall opened, as if by magic, revealing a room. Hadrian stepped through into a medium sized room covered in dust and cobwebs.

It looked like a sitting or a common room with a couple of large armchairs in front of the fireplace with a door to the side cracked open.

When Hadrian went into the room the wall closed behind him. Further exploration revealed a bedroom with a connecting bathroom, a study filled with books and a very large desk, and a third, smaller, room that was empty.

After exploring, Hadrian lit a fire in the grate and soon the room was filled with warmth.

Several cleaning charms were next and he soon had the rooms to rights. A painting hung above the mantle. At first Hadrian really didn't pay attention to it but later it seemed to be watching him. Hadrian approached it and was startled to find what could be himself staring back at him. Wild, messy black hair, along with what Hadrian could identify as some of his own facial features. Bright green eyes that eerily remind him of his own stared back.

It was a simple painting not magical but the one there was somehow familiar to Hadrian but couldn't place it.

Hadrian looked around in the warm light of the fire. A large tapestry hung on the wall going from ceiling to floor. He couldn't make out the family name at the top, it was too faded.

Hesitantly Hadrian reached to rich the tapestry. The moment his blood touched the fabric it seemed to clean and repair itself and even the room. The faded colors brightened and the rips and holes repaired themselves.

Stepping back Hadrian saw the name 'Veca Gimene' at the top.

He examined the tapestry finding it filled with double lines and broken lines connecting one family. He would have to examine it later and find who he is related to since his name was at the bottom.

After going through everything in each room, unable to find exit Hadrian laid down on the couch closing his eyes for a second....

"I looked everywhere for you last night. You just up and left."

"I wasn't gone that long." Hadrian groaned to Marcus.

"Yes you were. Whatever just don't do it again," Marcus huffed "come on let's get going before they send a search party."

The two made their way to the Slytherin common room where they found the group waiting for them. Draco, Blaise, Theo, Tyler and Alec standing around.

Hadrian flashed his once in a while smile to the group. Marcus and him greated their old time friends.

"Hey idiots," Marcus said. Looking at the group, they all grinned. They were a good looking bunch.

"Harry, Marcus, it's been awhile," Tyler grinned cheekily, so unlike Slytherin but with Hadrian and Marcus here nothing was normal.

The school was about to see a different side to the Slytherins, the side they weren't familiar with.

Tyler was just under 6 ft had light brown hair and hazel eyes, he was kind looking that went along nicely with his personality.

Theo was smaller than the others with brown hair paired with light brown eyes.

He was similar to Alec in the way that when they both smiled it was as if they both knew something that no one else did. If a prank was performed they would be the first place he would go.

Blaise and Alec's personalities were the most similar, both quiet and observant they noticed more than anyone Hadrian knew. It was their appearance that differed considerably, Alec was slender with dark brown hair paired with long dark eyelashes, his Italian heritage obvious.

Blaise however, was muscular, with dark skin, of African American Heritage. Nevertheless the two were great friends.

Each one of them they meet through the years and them going to Hogwarts saved them time to meet up. Together they walked to the great Hall, which everyone stopped talking to stair at the group.

"Gosh you both need to stop walking in a room. You're making us look bad." Blaise joked as Hadrian hid laughs as they made their way to the Slytherin table.

Slowly breakfast continued on with chatter and jokes. Hadrian knew he was being watched but he didn't care what they think. The Slytherin house was acting just like other houses with them around.

Hadrian had his very first Potions class this morning. As Hadrian entered the dungeons he saw Severus sitting at his desk with a glare on his face. Hadrian and Marcus shared a glance together, knowing it was going to be different. They hadn't spoken to him since they arrived at Hogwarts. Hadrian went to the back of the classroom and sat down. He focused his attention on his desk.

As the class filled in Hadrian noticed Draco sit in the row ahead of the two. To Hadrian's surprise his twin and friend sat over to the right, in the row next to him. He started to think about all the things he could do to them in training. Hadrian gave himself a mental shake. 'Snap out of it' he scolded himself. Hadrian twisted the black and silver coloured ring on his finger, unconsciously. He was then brought out of his thoughts at the sound of Severus' voice.

"Right I have decided to do a freshen up revision lecture today. I know that you dunderheads had a long summer that makes you forget your potions basics, N.E.W.T.S is next year for most of you and will pass and positively make a fool of yourself. My advice, pay attention."

Severus' eyes rest on the two in the back for a moment. Hadrian had his head lowered so he couldn't make out his expression. Both Marcus and Hadrian knew that the revision lesson was planned for their sake. To bored them. 

He smiled to himself as he thought about the shock his supposed parents would receive when they learned how advanced Hadrian was in potions. His father had Hadrian learn potion brewing when Hadrian was only nine years old and mentoring with Severus for a few years now. Hadrian sat back and watched as the hands flew in the air to answer the questions.

Hadrian didn't volunteer any answers and watched in amusement as Hermione's hand never left the air. She answered many questions and did so with complete textbook answers.

'Merlin, at least say the damn thing in your own words' Hadrian thought to himself as he listened to Hermione drone on about the 'ten different uses of dragon's tongue'

Hadrian was brought out of his musings by the sound of his name being called. He looked up to find everyone staring at him. Hadrian looked at Severus who was staring at him, waiting for him to answer the question he had asked. Hadrian had not been listening hard enough and looked at Severus blankly. He heard sniggering next to him and saw the Golden Trio trying to stop their sniggering. Severs repeated the question.

"Hadrian, I asked if you doddering buffoon knew what the difference between the Hervincore and the Harnicord herbs are and what they are mainly used for?"

Hermione's hand shot in the air again and she looked like she would topple out of her chair if she wasn't given the chance to answer the question.

Hadrian turned back to Severus and answered.

"Hervincore is used in potions for mind control and can only be used once as they completely dissolve in the potion whereas Harnicord is used in potions to control one's behavior, such as becoming angry, depressed or even violent. This herb is reusable after the potion is made. The main difference between them is their ability to be reused or not and their main purpose is to control the drinker's mind and actions. Once the potion is drunk both herbs cause the potion to be undetectable in the drinker's bloodstream."

Hadrian finished and enjoyed the looks of shock on many students' faces. Hermione sat with her hand still suspended in the air but only because she forgot to bring it down. Michelle, Ron and Neville were sitting open mouthed and were unable to look away from Hadrian. Even Marcus had a look of surprise. Severus beamed with pride. Even he couldn't have answered that question so thoroughly.

"Ten points to Slytherin." He said in a proud sneer.

The class continued with more revision and soon everyone was packing to go to their next class. Before Marcus and Hadrian could leave Severus called them to his desk.

"Hadrian, I was really impressed with your answers in class today, you must have a really deep knowledge of Potions." Severus was giving his rare smile at Hadrian but the raven haired boy raised his eyebrow mockingly.

"Yeah, I've been taught by the best." Hadrian said mockingly still, with a smirk on his face.

The three shared a scarce laugh, they both grew on the potion master but he would never say anything to agree.

"Hadrian, Marcus, I know things have been really hard lately, but you both need to know my office is open. And Hadrian try not to kill the mud-blood." Snape informed them and with a not so innocent look from Hadrian the two left the room to their next class with Severus shaking his head.