First Year,
Stay Together

The train ride wasn't as bad as he thought, he and his brother had met two more first years a boy, Ron Weasley and a girl, Hermione Granger. They seemed like nice people the girl left them quickly after introducing herself. Carden, Harry and Ron stuffed their faces with sweets, he didn't feel like eating, his stomach ached like he could throw up any minute. As they stepped off the train he was immediately greeted by his sister.

"Hey, cheer up," Phoebe told him, "I'll see you in the hall," she wrapped her arms around him as he pushed her away the best he could.

"Stop, it's not cool to be squeezed by your sister," she smiled at him as walked away with her friend, a Hufflepuff boy he had met a few times.

"Aww, your sister only wanted a hug," a boy taunted, Draco Malfoy nudged his stomach.

"Leave him," Draco warned him.

Hadrian knew Draco only from the odd time his mother had invited his parents to their home since they were good friends at school. While Carden usually avoided Malfoy believing him to be just like his father arrogant and disdainful of anything non-pureblood.

He always gave Draco some company even if was simply to be polite, no one deserved to be singled out in a crowd. Especially because of one's family. Carden pushed him forward into the boats that floated across the lake.

While his opinion of Draco Malfoy was vastly different from his brother's having actually talked to him. Carden and Harry weren't his biggest fans, deeming him a bigot just like his father. Their opinions didn't change when Malfoy decided to offer Harry and Carden his friendship, all while belittling Ron, for his family name.

"At least his brother's better right?" Draco spoke, Carden stood between them

"Don't talk to him,"

"I can speak for myself thank you," Hadrian said, his brother rolled his eyes at him,

"Next time speak up," he muttered under his breath,

"We're ready for you," Professor McGonagall, guided them through the hall, halting them as she stood beside a stool holding an old hat. He looked at each of his sisters, each of them smiling at him, McGonagall read out the first few names, the girl they had met had been sorted into Gryffindor.

"Draco Malfoy," the hat didn't reach his head before shouting

"SLYTHERIN!"

"There isn't a witch or wizard who went bad that wasn't in Slytherin," Ron said, as he was about to question him, Ron had been called up he too was sorted into Gryffindor.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked his brother as Harry had been called up, also being placed in Gryffindor.

"About what?" Carden questioned as a girl was sorted into Ravenclaw.

"What he said about Slytherins," he spoke as a girl had been sorted into Slytherin

"He isn't wrong, they are bad wizards," Hadrian balled up his fist as he was about to speak he was cut off.

"Carden Black," the Professor said, he was furious with him claiming that Slytherins are bad wizards, did he forget his mother and uncle were Slytherins at school?

"GRYFFINDOR!" he watched as he ran over to the table, excitedly hugging their sister Rhea.

"Hadrian Black," he took a deep breath as he sat on the stool, the professor lower the hat on his head, he heard it speak to him.

"Hmm, interesting very interesting, a smart head on your shoulders, a need to prove yourself, there's something else a sense of pride,"

"Not Gryffindor please,"

"Not Gryffindor? That's a first, are you sure?" he lightly nodded his head so subtle nobody noticed.

"SLYTHERIN!"

While he didn't want Gryffindor, he thought he'd be placed somewhere else. He slowly walked to his seat sitting beside a blonde girl, who seemed to be just as lost as he did. Someone tapped his shoulder, he turned around.

"You okay?" Phoebe asked softly, placing her hand on his shoulder, he nodded smiling at her, "You'll be fine, I know it." he turned around.

"Is she your sister?" the girl asked him, he nodded, "I'm Aurora,"

"Hadrian,"

"Did you see his face?" Draco's friend said he knew he was talking about his brother.

"Shut up," Hadrian warned, "I could have ended up there too,"

Soon after their start-of-term feast the Slytherin prefect escorted the first years to the dormitory. The second he walked in, he smiled. Everything was exactly how his mother had described, he looked all around him. There was a sign on the 'Slytherin Wall of Fame'

He smiled, at his uncles, Theodore and Jacob Burke honoured Duelling Champions of 1973. Almost three years before his cousin Ethan was born, his smile fell knowing he and his sister Laura would never see this.

"Is she your mother?" Aurora asked, looking at a photo of the Slytherin Quidditch Team of 1974.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Your sister looks just like her,"

He smiled at the photo, his mother laughed as two other Slytherins teased her, one being his uncle Regulus. The other must have been his mother's boyfriend, he looked at the name below. 'Evan Rosier.' Evan kissed his mother's cheek as she smiled brightly at Evan.

He found himself a room, at least he didn't have to share, he didn't unpack his trunk. He could do that another day. He remember his mother gave him a letter, he quickly fumbled through his pockets, taking a deep breath, as he opened the letter.

Hadrian my baby,

I suppose I should stop calling you that. You'll always be my baby. If my gut is correct you were placed in Slytherin, just like me. If you're upset by that, then might it interest you to know, Regulus was upset too. Upset about being away from his brother. If you're happy then I've told you enough good memories.

If you were placed, in Gryffindor then please behave. Don't get into trouble like Rhea and Ethan, I love them dearly, but I am fed up with getting letters. If you're with Carden and Harry, don't let their closeness, affect you so much, make your own friends.

I can assure you that Hogwarts will provide you with friendships that'll last a lifetime. Bonds almost like family. No matter which house you're in your dad and I will always be proud of you.

Love and cuddles, Mum.