In the first few weeks, Hadrian focused intently on his research and studies, immersing himself in the secrets of the wizarding world.
The Slytherins never troubled him, they learned it was not a good idea to prank him on the first week itself. Hadrian was strong, he had shown to know almost every 1st and 2nd-year spell.
They respected him as their own and seemed to look up to him. The little Darco of the Malfoy house was starting to get a bit irritated because of this.
In the beginning, he wanted Hadrian as his right-hand man. He wanted to be at the top of Slytherin's 1st-year, however, it seemed like his position was somewhat jeopardized because of Hadrian.
But it didn't seem like Draco could do something about that too...
Bullying Hadrian was not an option, even Draco was a bit afraid of Hadrian's ire. And in the house that valued power above everything Hadrian had plenty of it and was respected for it.
So, Draco just bore his frustration and avoided talking to Hadrian all that much. Well, at least he was the top in Quidditch, so it didn't matter much, he was still the coolest!
As the days passed without much trouble, Hadrian encountered a major problem with the learning of new spells. Hadrian realized he needed a living subject for practicing spells that required a living target.
Unlike when he was in the Dursley household, he didn't have someone like Dudley to test his spells on in the grand school of wizardry. And Hadrian couldn't just leave the school's grounds to practice his spells on muggles as well.
There was an annoying Trace charm that would alert the Ministry of Magic as soon as he used magic in the muggle world. Besides, a journey to and fro every night would be too tiring. Even with the [Apparition] spell.
He needed someone inside the school for this. Preferably, someone in the same house. But Hadrian realized that he needed more than a mere test subject; he needed something more, someone who could aide him in his future goals, someone who could be molded and shaped to his will.
He needed an obedient subordinate who would obey his every command and bear with everything he did as if a mindless slave...
Hadrian's search for a suitable test subject within the confines of Hogwarts led him to observe the dynamics within Slytherin House more closely.
He paid particular attention to those who seemed vulnerable, knowing that a mind already broken or breaking would be easier to manipulate.
It was then he noticed Evelyn Stark, a Muggle-born witch sorted into Slytherin. It was really rare for muggles to be sorted in Slytherin, but without exception all of them suffered greatly.
Evelyn's life in Slytherin was a living nightmare. The house that prized blood purity and cunning above all else treated her with nothing but disdain. Evelyn, with her shy demeanor and Muggle background, became an easy target for her pure-blood peers.
The bullying which began with sneers and whispered insults soon turned into physical and emotional tormenting. Evelyn would find her belongings missing or defaced, her cauldron sabotaged in Potions class, and hexes cast at her in the corridors —all of these were a daily torment for her.
Hadrian thought to gain absolute control over Evelyn, he needed to push her to the brink of despair.
He started planting subtle suggestions in the minds of her tormentors. The subtle way he sowed seeds of more cruelty in the minds of Evelyn's bullies made her life even more miserable.
The bullies began to intensify their harassment, throwing in more creative and cruel pranks, believing it was all their idea.
In just a month, the emotional and physical abuse took its toll, and Evelyn became more withdrawn, her eyes always downcast and darkened.... and her body trembled in fear whenever someone walked near her.
Hadrian, meanwhile, watched and waited. He knew she would reach her breaking point soon.
So, he planned to introduce himself to her...
The next day, Evelyn's torment reached new heights. The bullies became so creative with their stunts as if 'someone' had given them notes on how it's done!
Her wand was stolen, and she was forced to go through her classes without it, enduring the sneers and laughter of her peers.
At lunch, her food was hexed to turn into slugs in her mouth, and her attempts to clean herself only made things worse.
The laughter of others was like needle to her ears as she ran away from the hall.
She fled to the bathroom, tears streaming down her face.
"Evelyn..." someone called her name out, their voice was calm and almost emotionless.
She looked up, startled to see him near the washrooms. But she averted her eyes and walked beside him into the girl's washroom door. But before she could enter, her arm was grabbed forcefully, and she was pushed onto the rough wall.
Her face went pale fearing another suffering. 'So, this time it is the famous Hadrian Potter who will enjoy my misery, huh...'
Hadrian exhaled, his face just inches away from hers.
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