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The dinner that night was slightly awkward, as everyone stared at either the children-who-lived or their apparent brother. Harry had his Occlumency shields all the way up, repressing his emotions. Daphne would glance at Harry every so often, staring until Harry caught her eye. She would blush and quickly go back to her food. Internally Harry was smirking at the girl, yet seething at the fact that Hogwarts had not recognized him as Hadrian Thornwood. I wonder how long it will take before they ask about my heritage, or try to establish some form of dominance? Harry thought to himself, catching another blushing Daphne staring at him.

"Can I help you Ms. Greengrass?" Harry ask, eyebrow raised. Daphne blushed harder before steeling her gaze. "As you said, our relationship is not at the right level. But I can I ask about your cat?" She asked with a small smile. "Sure." Harry said, putting Selena on his shoulder. "This is Selena. She's an Ice Leopard. She's also my familiar." Harry said with a smile. The people in the immediate area's eye's widened at this statement. "A familiar?!" Tracey exclaimed. "Yep. We met a few years ago in fact. She was abandoned by her mother and I took her in. Or should I say she never left after she jumped on me?" Harry asked, looking at Selena. Selena just purred and rubbed her cheek on Harry's.

"How do you know that she was abandoned?" Daphne asked. "She was malnourished and sickly when she jumped on me." Harry explained. "Aw, poor thing. Why didn't the familiar shop owner take better care of her? The prices there are pretty expensive because of how rare and well kept the creatures are." Daphne questioned. Everyone near them also listened in. "I didn't buy her from a familiar shop. I met her in Tibet." Harry said like it was the simplest thing. Everyone was more shocked at this. "What were you doing in Tibet?" Blaise asked. "None of your business." Harry said before Dumbledore stood back up at the podium.

"Now that we're all fed and watered, I must say keep you here for a few start of term announcements. First years should note that the Forbidden forest is in fact forbidden, something some of our older students should remember." Dumbledore said, looking at two redheaded twins. "Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has also requested that you be reminded that magic should not be used in the corridors. Quidditch trials shall be held in the second week of term. If you are interested in trying out, please seek out Madam Hooch. Finally, this year, the third floor corridor on the right-hand side, is in fact out of bounds to anyone who doesn't wish to die a painful death." Dumbledore said, shocking everyone, while Harry sweat dropped.

"Now that that is out of the way, it's bedtime. Off you trot!" Dumbledore said, dismissing the students. "Alright first year Slytherin's follow me." Said a dark brunette girl. The prefect led them out of the great hall and down towards the dungeons. "Keep up First years!" She said, not turning around. After about a five minute walk the group of first years arrived at seemingly empty wall. The only distinguishable thing on the wall was an inlaid carving of a snake. "Alright everyone. This is the entrance to the common rooms. The password changes every two weeks. Do not bring anyone from other houses here, and do not give out the password. We shall explain why later. The password for these two weeks is Serpent. If you forget, you better find a friend." The prefect said before turning to the wall. "Serpent."

A portion of the stones sunk into the wall before a large crack in the masonry formed, creating a sort of door. The stones then started to shuffle around, not unlike the stone wall in Diagon alley. Pretty soon there was a hole large enough to fit the half giant that escorted the first years to the castle. "Alright everyone, welcome to the Slytherin common room." The girl said as she opened a door at the end of the tunnel. The common room opened to a staircase leading downward so that the low ceiling rose much higher. The room itself was a large strangely shaped room, having sharp corners in some places, while having rounded edges in others. There were two large sitting areas, having two couches each, a coffee table, and two arm chairs. Between the two couches were end tables, and each were faced towards magical fireplaces that had silver fire.

A portion of the ceiling and wall was made of magically strengthened glass, showing off part of the Black lake. On either side of the staircase were two snake statues that reached the ceiling. coming out of the mouths of the snakes was a seafoam green water, cascading into a pool of water below them. Hanging from the ceiling was a banner for Slytherin. The room shone a cool blue-green, the light coming from the fireplaces and strangely, clusters of gemstones of different shades of green. On two different sides of the room were two corridors. Located on the walls were bookshelves and small tables with chairs.

"Alright First years, gather around." The girl said. All ten of the first years formed a half circle around the girl. "I am Gemma Farley, your 5th year prefect. There are a total of six of us. Three guys, three girls. Each of us from 5th year to 7th. They have their own duties to attend to, so they will introduce themselves to you later. You can identify us by the badge we ware on the opposite side of our school crest." Gemma said pointing to the badge. "For the first three years of school here you will have a roommate. After that you get your own room. Your names are on the outside of the door. Now that we covered that, I will turn it over to our head of house, Professor Snape." Gemma said raising her hand.

The wall opened up and out walked a tall man with slicked back hair dressed in a long black silk dress robe. He looked a bit like a bat dressed that way. "Thank you Ms. Farley." Snape said slowly. The wall closed behind him. "I am your head of house, Professor Severus Snape. You will refer to me as Professor, or Sir. I instruct the potions class here in the dungeons. Now, I regret to inform you of this, but here at Hogwarts you will be seen as dark wizards, solely because you are in Slytherin. This means that all the other houses will at best give you a wide berth. But we are better than them. At least, on the outside. If you have a problem, keep it here, in the common room. Outside you are a collective force." Snape explained. "All I have left to say is that as Slytherin's I expect you not to rise to any insult, and you will keep your grades ups. If you can't do either of those at least be good enough to change it." Snape said.

"Girls dorms are to the right, boys to the left. I trust you will not force me to turn on the security wards. Alright, be on time for your classes on Monday." Snape said dismissing the first years. "Oh yes. Mr. Thornwood, may I have a word with you." Snape stated more than requested. Harry nodded before moving to the top of the staircase. "Mr. Thornwood, the Headmaster requested that I inform you that your meeting will be held tomorrow as it is Saturday. It will be held at half past one. I will be around to collect you, so make sure you are in the dormitory. Do you have any questions?" Snape asked. "I don't have a question, but I did need to speak to you regarding a situation of mine." Harry said, rummaging through his pockets. Eventually he found Sidir's letter in his back pocket. "Ah, here we are." He said handing the letter to Snape.

"And this is?" Snape asked. "That is from my Master. He told me it would allow me to gather materials." Harry said. Snape raised an eyebrow. "You are an apprentice?" He asked. Harry turned so that the crest on his shoulder. Snape took a close look at it before nodding. "Very well Mr. Thornwood, when I come to collect you tomorrow I inform you of whether or not these papers meet the requirements for your apprenticeship." Snape said before leaving the common room.

"Alright, now that the professor is gone, I'm going to come out and say that I should lead the ten of us." Draco said as Harry descended the stairs. Daphne, Tracey, and Blaise looked uncomfortable with this, while the other five nodded in agreement. "So it is decided then." Draco said. "Go ahead Mr. Malfoy, but I will not be following you." Harry said as he entered the boys corridor, searching for his name. Draco was yelling something before he ran after Harry. "Potter, I'm talking to you! You may be here in the house, but you are nothing but a Gryffindor in disguise." Draco said. Harry froze midstride. "Now, you better listen to me, or I will have you thrown out of here faster than you can say broom." Draco threatened. The rest of the first years crowded around the corridor, not wanting to enter into the ring so to speak.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy, "Harry said slowly, "But I am not a Potter. I am a Thornwood. As to me being a Gryffindor, that was one of my defining traits, but this one and Ravenclaw were much higher up on the list." Harry explained. "And to me listening to you. Good luck making that happen." Harry said with a snort before he continued walking. "Alright, I guess I will go to my Father and tell him to expel you." Draco said. "You know Mr. Malfoy, I am quite surprised." Harry said, confusing the whole group. "And why is that?" Draco asked. "You seem to be much more suited to be a Hufflepuff than a Slytherin." Harry said as he stopped by his door. "How dare you! I am nothing like those badgers." Draco said loudly. "Really? Because the way you follow around your dear Daddy is very much like what I've heard of the Badgers." Harry said before entering his room and closing the door.

A door down the hall opened up and a teenaged boy with remarkably bad teeth popped his head out. "Do you mind!? Some of us are trying to sleep!" He said before closing the door again. The nine other first years decided that then was a good time to leave the tension filled area. Daphne and Tracey ended up rooming together. Draco was with a boy named Theodore Nott. And Blaise was rooming with Harry.

"Quite impressive use of Rhetoric you used there Thornwood." Blaise said as he entered their room. It was spacious, having two queen sized beds, two desks, and two dressers. Their trunks were placed at the foot of their beds and they had a bathroom to share between them. Most of the color scheme was forest green with silver highlights. "I only told the truth. I am no longer a Potter, I was considered a possible Gryffindor, Draco is a Daddy's boy, and I won't follow him." Harry said laying on his bed. "This is quite comfy." Harry said. He had already changed into his night clothes, and Selena was curled up on the bed next to him. "You aren't allergic are you?" Harry asked. "Nope. But seeing as we are to be roommates until fourth year, I believe we should acquaint each other with ourselves." Blaise said.

"Very well. I am Hadrian Thornwood. The last of said Thornwood's for now until I have children. Selena is my familiar. I have previous training with magic along with a multitude of other things. I am also an apprentice to a focci crafter. You may call me Harry or Hadrian." Harry said. "Nice to make your acquaintance. I am Blaise Zabini, heir of the Zabini family. I am from Italy, and I enjoy fencing and potions. You may call me Blaise." Blaise said. "Charmed. We should have a duel sometime to see who has the better style." Harry said. "You fence?" Blaise asked with a raised eyebrow. "No, I do not use western swords. I use eastern swords." Harry explained. "Interesting. We should indeed see who is more skilled. Perhaps over the summer, as we will have much more time then." Blaise said before going to the bathroom to change.

After he came out he too climbed into bed. "We can talk more tomorrow, its been a taxing day." Blaise said before he put out the lights in the room.

Meanwhile...

"What are you going to do!? If Draco's in charge, you can't stop him from making passes at you!" Tracey exclaimed. Daphne was hugging her knees to her chest on her bed. "I don't know Tracey." Daphne said sadly. "And what was all that with Thornwood? Did he tell you he was a Potter?" Tracey asked. "No, he didn't." Daphne said. "Well, what did he tell you?" Tracey asked. "He has vampire ancestors. He can use a weird form of magic where things just appear." Daphne said. "Whoa whoa whoa. What are you talking about?" Tracey asked. "When he saved me, he introduced himself by tipping a top hat." Daphne said. "Not really magical, weird but not magical." Tracey said. "The top hat appeared on his head, and disappeared after he tipped it." Daphne explained. "Oh. That certainly is magical. What else?" Tracey said.

"He's an apprentice to a focci crafter." Daphne explained. "Like Ollivander?" Tracey asked confused. "I think so, but he talked about focci as not being just wands." Daphne said. "Well there are staffs, though they are very rare." Tracey said, thinking of other focci. "True. Oh, he knows about Occlumency." Daphne said. "Interesting. What of the other Potters?" Tracey asked. "Hm." Daphne thought. "When Damien Potter confronted Malfoy in the hallway I told him he was one of the two children who lived. He didn't show any outward disdain, but he was holding back venom in his voice when he responded. And his eyes got really cold, which is weird with their color." Daphne said.

"So you've been staring into his eyes?" Tracey teased. "That's it. I've had enough of you!" Daphne said before she grabbed her pillow and started assaulting Tracey. "Oh it's on!" Tracey said grabbing her own pillow. After ten minutes the two preteens laid in their beds panting. "There... was also that... thing about how he... disappeared once you showed up to the compartment." Daphne said trying to regain her breath. "There are many mysteries with Thornwood. But if he truly isn't scared of Draco's father, then maybe you should ask him for some form of protection." Tracey said. "Let's talk more tomorrow." She said before they both changed and jumped into bed.

Up in the Headmaster's office.

"Potter manor." Dumbledore said as he threw some floo powder into his fireplace. "Hello, is anyone there?" He asked. "Yaaawn. Hello, James Potter speaking, who is this?" James asked. "It's me, Dumbledore." The old wizard responded. "Oh, Professor, I was just about to go to sleep. What can I do for you?" James asked. "It would be best if I were to come in. May I?" Dumbledore asked. "Of course." James said before the fireplace roared and Dumbledore stepped into the landing. "What can I do for you at such an hour Professor?" James asked. "Would you mind grabbing Lily? This concerns both of you." Dumbledore said, causing James to give an odd look before grabbing his wife from their bedroom.

"What's going on Professor?" Lily asked as they entered the room. "How do I put this." Dumbledore began. "You may want to take a seat." He said, motioning to the chairs in the room. "James, Lily, I came here tonight to talk to you about your son." Dumbledore said. "What could Damien have done already!? It's only been the first night of school!" James exclaimed. "It's not about Damien." Dumbledore said slowly. James and Lily's eyes widened. "Harry!? Is he at Hogwarts!? Is he okay!?" Lily demanded.

"Yes, and no." Dumbledore said. "What's wrong?!" Lily said hysterically. "Calm down Lily. He seems fine, but he has changed, physically that is. Mentally and emotionally, he seems... sarcastic and, calculating." Dumbledore said. "What house is he in?" James asked. "He was sorted into... Slytherin." Dumbledore said, causing James's eyes to narrow, and Lily to gasp. "I planned a meeting with him tomorrow at one thirty. I came here to tell you in advance so that you are not unprepared when you meet him." Dumbledore explained.

"I demand that he be resorted." James said. "I'm afraid, if what he has told me is true, then you have no say in the matter." Dumbledore said sadly. "What do you mean?! We are his parents." Lily said. "He claims that he is now Heir of the Thornwood family, and was blood adopted into it. If this is true, then the only thing you can do is bring it before the wizengamot, and even then you may not succeed." Dumbledore explained. James and Lily were both shocked at this. "I know this is hard, so I will leave you to collect your thoughts." Dumbledore said as he entered the fireplace once again. "Remember, one thirty." He said before saying, "Headmaster's office, Hogwarts." He disappeared in a flash of green flame.

The next day.

Harry stood in his bathroom, a note to Remus in his hands. "swīpanan Remus." He said quietly. A small portal opened up in his hand and Harry sent the letter through. He quickly closed the portal and changed his clothes. He missed breakfast because he overslept, so he decided to just hang around the room until lunch. Since the meeting was today, and Harry didn't know how long it would take, he decided to wait until Sunday to get familiar with the castle lay out. "Hm, what to do for an hour?" He asked, looking at the time candles. These candles burned by the hour, and magically reshaped themselves at midnight everyday for roughly a year. It was currently 11 o'clock. "I think I shall get some work done." He said as he opened his trunk and pulled out Sidir's book and a loupe. He then took off his necklace and placed it on his desk.

"Hey Hadrian, what are you doing?" Blaise asked as he walked in to their room. Harry was currently studying the runes and seals engraved in his necklace. "I'm working on an assignment." Harry explained, not looking up from his work. "For your apprenticeship?" Blaise asked. "Yes. I must figure out what runes and seals are engraved in this crystal." Harry explained. "Well take a break, it's lunch time, and I know you missed breakfast." Blaise said. Just then Harry's stomach let out a large growl. "It seems my stomach agrees with you. Alright, let me put away my gear and I will be right out." Harry said, placing the necklace back around his neck. "What? You thought it was just for homework?" Harry said as he placed the book and loupe back in his trunk. "Alright lets go." He said before exiting their room.

The common room was quite sparse concerning people. "Everyone must already be in the Great hall." Blaise said. As they entered the Great hall Malfoy sent a sneer at Harry. "He's quite childish, don't you think?" Daphne said as Harry sat down next to her. "You're not serious about not following Draco are you?" Tracey asked. "I am Ms. Davis. And if I were you all, I wouldn't follow him either." Harry said, grabbing a plate of fruit. "At least he's all bark." Blaise said. "Never underestimate the power of bark Blaise." Harry said mysteriously. "What do you mean?" Daphne asked. "Nothing nothing, just some advice to consider." Harry said. "Oh yes, you two may call me Harry, or Hadrian." Harry said to the girls. "You may call me Tracey, Harry. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Tracey said. Harry nodded before looking at Daphne. "I will still call you Thornwood. But you may call me Daphne." Daphne said, trying to be aloof. "Very well then, a pleasure it is Daph." Harry said teasingly.

"I said Daphne, not Daph." She said somewhat angrily. Blaise smirked and Tracey giggled. "Now now, Daph, a lady of your stature must not rise to such levels of anger." Harry said with a lopsided grin. "Oh, I must be going, don't want to be late for my meeting." Harry said as he stood from the table. "I bid you all adieu." He said before he exited the Great hall. "What a guy. Right "Daph"?" Tracey teased. Daphne gave Tracey an icy stare. "Hey, at least you don't live with him." Blaise said. "And how'd that go?" Tracey asked. "Not bad. He keeps to himself for the most part, but he's friendly when you're not an arse like Malfoy." Blaise said.

"Ah, Mr. Thornwood, are you ready to go?" Snape said as he approached Harry. "Yes Professor. Did you happen to look over the paper work?" Harry asked. "Indeed, it seems that everything is in order, I just need to give it over to the Headmaster for his seal of approval. I must say, working to achieve your Adept rank is quite impressive for your age." Snape said as they made their way through the castle. "Yes, I've been studying for the past two years. If my master says I am ready, then I am ready." Harry explained. "Good. Having that conviction will help you on your path." Snape said before they arrived in front of a large Gargoyle statue. "Pixie sticks." Snape said before the Gargoyle started to move, creating a staircase going up a tower.

"Here we are Mr. Thornwood. Be on your best behavior." Snape said as he opened the door. "Hm, the Headmaster must be in his chambers. Stay here." Snape said before he walked through a corridor. Harry looked around the office, studying the décor. Bookshelves lined the walls, and strange devices floated in the air. On a stand was a phoenix. "Hello there, noble one." Harry said as he approached the bird. The phoenix bowed his head as Harry stopped in front of it. "May I have a feather to start my collection of materials? I am a focci crafter apprentice you see." Harry explained. The phoenix turned it's head and twisted it's tail so that they were aligned. It then reached down and plucked a feather from it's tail, holding it gently in between it's beak. "Thank you noble one." Harry said as he placed the feather in his breast pocket.

"Ah Mr. Thornwood, we meet again." Said a voice coming from behind him. Harry turned around and saw the Sorting hat on it's own stand. "Hello there Mr. Hat." Harry said. "A pleasure it is." He said. "Oh yes, I had a question that I was wondering about." Harry said. "Oh I believe I know what it is. How do I know you're family, if I was created four hundred years after they had died?" The hat asked rhetorically. "Well, in reality, the founders lived right near the end of your grandfather's life. History is four hundred years off haha! When they lived, they came to him to see if I was fully capable, as he was a renown enchanter. He was actually the first person I sorted. And I guessed that he figured the rest of his family was like him. Most are sorted into their families old houses you see." The hat explained. "So history is off?" Harry said. "Yes, Hogwarts was actually founded in 653 A.D. as the muggles call it. The founders lived earlier than what history says, as history is quite distorted with much of its true self missing." The hat explained. "Thank you for telling me this." Harry said with a bow.

Just then Snape returned with Dumbledore and two people Harry was not ready to meet. "Ah, Harry my boy. There you are. You're late." Dumbledore said. "No, I was told to wait here. You were not here at the scheduled time and place of meeting." Harry said coldly. James and Lily gasped as they saw Harry for the first time in years. "Harry? Is it really you?" Lily asked. Harry's demeanor softened once he saw that she was close to tears. "Indeed." He said. "Now that we are all here, we can start the meeting." Dumbledore said. "Actually we are missing a person. He should be here any second actually. Indeed as soon as Harry had finished speaking, the doors opened and in came Remus.

"Remus, what are you doing here?" Dumbledore asked. "Seeing as I am Hadrian's guardian till he is of age, I figured it was required of me to show up to these sorts of things." He said with a smirk. "Indeed you are." Dumbledore said nervously.

"So, what shall we be talking about?" Harry asked. "Where have you been these past years?" Dumbledore asked. "Here, there, a little in between." Harry said. "I need a specific place my boy." Dumbledore said. "I don't have to tell you anything, seeing as you are neither related to me, or in charge of me outside of school." Harry said. "But your parents are. They have been worried sick since you disappeared from your relatives." Dumbledore said. "Aw yes. Those filthy animals." Harry said, shocking the crowd besides Remus.

"Harry, Muggles are not animals, they must be treated like we treat each other." Dumbledore said. "I do treat them as I treat wizards. But that family, is hardly muggle. I'm glad I'm no longer related to them." Harry said with a smirk. "Why do you say this?" Dumbledore asked. "I expected as much from you Professor." Harry said, confusing the same group. "Care to explain?" Dumbledore asked. "I was treated like a dark wizards house elf." Harry said, shocking Lily to the core. James looked slightly concerned, but not to the same degree as his wife. "Now Harry, I'm sure you're over exaggerating." Dumbledore said.

"It's fine. It's not like I expected you to care all that much." Harry said calmly. "Of course I should care. Why would you say that I didn't?" Dumbledore asked. "Well, obviously you didn't. Neither did Sirius. And neither, did James." Harry said, turning his head to his ex-father. Lily burst into tears at this and ran and hugged Harry. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know until Remus came to us! I swear!" Lily said in between sobs. James, on the other hand, was rather angry.

"You filled his head with lies!" He said, aiming his wand at Remus. "Now, now James, you've made your bed, now you must lay in it." Remus said calmly. Snape just stood there, his head full of questions. "Harry, we were deeply concerned when you disappeared. Especially after James's magic nearly killed him." Dumbledore said. "Yes, you were concerned, after it affected you. Before that it was a happy little family, the two parents and the children-who-lived." Harry said. Lily sobbed harder at this. Harry awkwardly placed a hand on her back.

"But seeing as I am now no longer the heir of the Potter family, or even a Potter at all, I am living quite happily." Harry said. "So it is true, you were blood adopted." Dumbledore mumbled. "That is enough, Harry, after the year is over, you are coming home. You will forget this notion of being a Focci crafter, and you will be resorted." James said in a rage. Harry's eyes narrowed, and the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees. "You have no say over me James, and I would recommend, to never force your will upon me again." Harry said. He said it so quietly it came out a whisper, but the room was so quite, everyone could hear it clearly. He then pried Lily off of him and went to the door. "This meeting is over." He said before opening the doors.

"Harry. Please! I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." Lily said. Harry stopped and looked at Lily. He then reached into his shirt and pulled out the necklace his mother gave him. "I noticed some runes on this. They protected me against wizards with dark intentions. You really didn't know about your sister did you?" Harry asked. Lily shook her head with all her might. "Very well. I forgive you, but I will not call myself a Potter, and I'm not sure what our relationship is." He said before he left the room. Lily sobbed once again. This time a mixture of sadness and joy.