The days since Hadrian's first solo mission had been a whirlwind. Between adjusting to his new blades—Kanshou and Bakuya—and learning their quirks, he'd scarcely had time to relax. But the work never stopped. Especially when one was bound by both demonic blood and a lineage that traced back to the most infamous wizards in history.
This morning, as sunlight streamed through the wide windows of Devil May Cry, a letter arrived. Delivered by an impressively armored Gringotts owl, it dropped the letter onto the center table of the office before screeching and soaring off, leaving a trail of feathers in its wake. Hadrian frowned as he picked it up.
"Letter from Gringotts?" Hedwig snorted from her perch, her eyes rolling as she watched him rip it open. "It's never anything simple with you, is it?"
Hadrian ignored her, his eyes scanning the contents quickly. His frown deepened as he read aloud, "'Dear Lord Hadrian Peverell, you are requested to come to Gringotts to discuss several family investments, as well as to examine matters about the Potter, Black, and Slytherin vaults...'"
Dante, who was sitting lazily with his feet propped up on the desk, chuckled as he read over Hadrian's shoulder. "Looks like you're about to inherit a bit more than just a couple of fancy swords."
Sirius leaned back in his chair with a grin. "Yeah, good luck with that. You're going to be wading through a mountain of gold, contracts, and centuries-old family secrets. I don't envy you."
"Sounds fun," Hadrian replied dryly, his fingers rubbing his temple as he processed what was written. But something in the letter piqued his interest. "Slytherin vault... I haven't touched that one yet. I guess it's about time."
The familiar towering marble pillars of Gringotts stood before Hadrian as he entered the imposing building. It didn't take long before he was ushered into a private office with a rather severe-looking goblin named Griphook, who had been in charge of most Peverell affairs.
"Lord Peverell," Griphook rasped as Hadrian took a seat. "We have noticed some fluctuations in your family investments and wish to consult you on potential avenues to increase your wealth, as well as to inform you that the Black, Potter, and Slytherin vaults have resources and investments of their own that require your attention."
Hadrian nodded, half listening as Griphook began listing off various investments. His mind wandered to the Slytherin vault, a place that intrigued him far more than the endless lists of properties and stocks. When the goblin finally paused, Hadrian seized the opportunity.
"I'd like to visit the Slytherin vault," Hadrian stated.
Griphook's sharp teeth gleamed in a rare smile. "Ah, the Slytherin vault. Few have ventured there. Follow me."
The ride deep into the caverns of Gringotts was as harrowing as ever, the cart zipping down dark, twisting tracks, deeper into the mountain than Hadrian had ever been. The temperature dropped the further they went, the darkness pressing in around them until, finally, the cart slowed to a stop.
"Here we are," Griphook said, stepping out and leading Hadrian to an ancient stone door. Greenish runes glowed faintly on its surface, and serpentine symbols slithered across its face. As Hadrian stepped closer, the door shuddered before sliding open, revealing the treasure trove within.
The Slytherin vault was vast and filled with not only gold but ancient artifacts, scrolls, and enchanted objects of immense power. Hadrian's eyes were immediately drawn to a pedestal near the center of the vault, where ancient scrolls lay under a faint, protective enchantment. Carefully, he picked one up, the parchment old but still legible.
"Parseltongue," Hadrian muttered, recognizing the script. He spoke the ancient language aloud, and the scroll's magic reacted, illuminating more of the text.
The scrolls detailed Salazar Slytherin's journeys—specifically his travels to the East, where he had learned powerful and mysterious spells. One spell, in particular, caught Hadrian's attention: Kirin. The scroll described it as an elemental spell of devastating power, capable of molding lightning into the form of an Eastern dragon, bringing the wrath of the storm down on the caster's enemies.
There were others too—healing spells, complex wards, and rituals far beyond anything taught in Hogwarts. But unlike many dark rituals, these didn't require heavy sacrifices. They were designed with precision, cleverness, and Slytherin's famed ingenuity. Hadrian smirked. "Grandpa Sal was really something else."
He continued rifling through the scrolls, but then something caught his attention—a glimmering case tucked behind an altar. Approaching it, he found a black egg encased in enchanted glass. A warmth radiated from it, a strange sensation that immediately reminded Hadrian of the moment he first met Hedwig.
"What are you?" he whispered, pressing his hand against the glass. The egg reacted to his touch, the enchantments dissolving away, leaving it exposed. Hadrian hesitated only for a moment before gently lifting it.
He knew what he had to do.
Back at Devil May Cry, Hadrian carried the egg with utmost care. The crew was gathered around, watching with varying degrees of curiosity.
"You brought back an egg," Dante said, raising an eyebrow. "Should I be concerned?"
"Knowing our luck, probably," Sirius added with a grin.
Hadrian ignored them, setting the egg down on the table in the middle of the room. It glowed faintly in his hands, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, a crack formed along the surface, spreading quickly.
Everyone leaned in.
"Here we go," Hedwig muttered.
With a sharp crack, the egg shattered, revealing a black, serpentine creature coiled within. Its scales shimmered with a deep black hue, streaked with blood-red lines that pulsed with power. Its eyes were glowing crimson, intelligent, and sharp. The creature's tongue flickered out, tasting the air before locking onto Hadrian with an unsettling intensity.
The room went silent.
"Well, I'll be damned," Dante muttered, stepping closer. "That's no ordinary serpent."
The creature uncoiled, rising as it hissed in greeting. Despite its formidable appearance, Hadrian could feel the same bond forming that he'd felt with Hedwig. The serpent wasn't just any creature—it was powerful, ancient, and connected to him in a way that was difficult to explain.
"I think it's… familiar," Hadrian said softly, reaching out. The serpent, to his surprise, didn't attack. Instead, it lowered its head, allowing him to gently stroke its smooth scales. "I'm going to call you Oryou."
The creature flicked its tongue, seeming to approve of the name. As Hadrian made the connection, Oryou's form shimmered and glowed before shrinking in size, morphing into a tattoo that wrapped around his left arm, similar to how Hedwig nestled into his right.
"Oh, great," Hedwig said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. At this rate, he'll be a walking zoo."
Dante let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "You've got a hell of a knack for attracting powerful familiars, kid."
Sirius crossed his arms, eyeing the now-dormant tattoo on Hadrian's arm. "Just don't go bringing any more serpents home without a warning next time."
Hadrian couldn't help but smirk. "No promises."
With Oryou now part of his life, and armed with the knowledge he'd gained from the Slytherin vault, Hadrian knew his journey was only just beginning. The more he uncovered about his ancestors, the deeper the mysteries became. But now, with both Hedwig and Oryou at his side, there was little that could stand in his way.