"Mr. Peverell-Slytherin?" came the question was the doorway, the wizard was dressed impeccably, with a phoenix and unicorn entwined together, affixed to his cloak. Even Hadrian knew what that stood for, it was one of the best law firms in the magical world, dealing with both magical and non-magical cases as a matter of fact although not so much in the Muggle world these days, due to the war and all that. Now, why the hell would a lawyer be here for this?
"Yes," Hadrian drawled suspiciously, "Can I help you?" had Tom brought in a lawyer? Although he had to admit would make things easier on them, having someone dealing with every aspect of the case instead of him. He would have to deal with it now with him no longer being considered a minor due to his emancipation.
"It's more what I can do for you, Mr. Peverell-Slytherin," he stated seriously, "My name is Torquil Travers, I work for Rosier and Rowle law firm, I have been asked to represent you by Abraxas Malfoy,"
"And you think I need representing?" Hadrian asked wryly, arching an eyebrow in a silent demand for a reply.
"I do believe that to be the case," Travers confirmed, staunchly remaining standing in the doorway.
Hadrian's green eyes glowed with amusement, "Come in, I assume you've already gotten information from the Ministry of Magic regarding my so-called 'case' that requires representation?" in Hadrian's case he did not believe it was true, he was attacked out of nowhere by four wizards. There was a reason, whether it was completely warped or not, they had specifically targeted him. Watching as Travers entered the room and around the side of the bed and claimed a seat, stiff and tense.
"I have," Travers explained, "You will need to explain the reason for the choice of pendant, a very good excuse, ignorance may work best."
Hadrian blinked, gaping at Travers unattractively, "Are you serious right now?" he blurted out incredulously.
"Mr. Peverell-Slytherin, it is imperative that you listen to me," Travers urged him seriously.
"You call yourself a lawyer?" Hadrian retorted anger boiling within him as he begun to understand what had happened to him and why. "To even be considered for Rosier and Rowle law firm you have to be at least in the top ten percentile of your graduating class!"
"Top five," Travers corrected proudly, used to being called all manner of things so he didn't take offense. He was paid six hundred galleons an hour, so insults washed off his back like water off a duck.
Hadrian just stared at the so-called lawyer in utter disbelief which was mingled with dismay. He could only imagine what the hell the Aurors were going to say. His eyes narrowed further and spine stiffened, well he would make sure they regretted anything they spouted at him. "Who's heading the case?" he rather hoped Moody and Prewitt weren't stupid enough to make assumptions.
"Auror Bulstrode and Auror Scamander," Travers replied immediately, having no need to look at the file, which was safely ensconced in his cloak pocket.
"Uh, huh," Hadrian was dismissive in his reply, Scamander was considered a 'hero' by the magical world, part of him idly wondered if he was treated the same way he had been. A hero one day then an evil wizard the next, or if it was all smooth sailing for the wizard. Something clicked in his mind, of course, Scamander had been assigned to help the Ministry capture Grindelwald, so it made sense he would go wherever any evidence took him. He could feel fury radiating from the bond, not just the anger Tom had been carrying around since he woke up, but really frustrated anger.
He was in for some serious disappointment then.
Hadrian didn't need to wait long before there was yet another knock on the door, which the lawyer had closed behind him when he was given permission to ender Hadrian's room. Travers glanced at his client, who remained stubbornly silent, refusing to even marginally cooperate for the Aurors. He closed his eyes, exasperation flowing through him, he perhaps shouldn't have been so quick as to take on a school student, emancipated or otherwise. Mr. Peverell-Slytherin just didn't seem to understand the situation he was in. Perhaps the Aurors would drive that home, and hopefully, he wouldn't do anything stupid or say something that would implicate himself.
"Just…think before you speak," Travers begged, as he stood, moving to answer the door. The two imposing Aurors looked ready to just burst in. Mr. Peverell-Slytherin sat there arms crossed, a very intense look of anger and dissatisfaction on his face. It sent shivers down his spine, it was very imposing and intimidating, not that he'd ever admit it.
Especially considering it was a teenager that was making him feel so.
"Mr. Peverell-Slytherin, I'm Auror Bulstrode, and this is my partner Auror Scamander," Bulstrode said confidently as he walked into the room.
"Be careful what you say to me," Hadrian stated seriously, "Because I will not hesitate to press charges, especially defamation of character if I am accused of something, particularly seeing as I am the victim." he wasn't going to let people away with making him feel as though he had done something wrong. Not anymore, he wasn't a scapegoat, wasn't someone to fuck with anymore and he'd be damned if he let it begin happening now.
Travers kept his face straight, reclaiming his seat, watching the Aurors closely, trying not to get himself worked up.
"Mr. Peverell-Slytherin, accusations have been made and it's our duty to find out if they are true," Bulstrode stated, not taking offense by his words, it was predictable for pureblood's to say such things at the beginning of interviews. They always had to take care of how they worded questions due to this, and there was no doubt he would press charges for defamation of character if he felt the need.
"If you have nothing to hide, then you shouldn't have trouble answering the questions, isn't that right?" Scamander bated him.
Hadrian's gaze cut across to Scamander, surprised by how alike the brothers actually looked. Newt looked very much like his older brother, except this wizard had a confidence and smugness about him. He cocked his head to the side, observing him, wondering if the confidence he portrayed to the world was put on or if he felt he deserved the lionization that came his way. He honed in on the subtle twitching of his eyes at his extended stare, ha, definitely not as confident as he portrayed himself to be.
"Then ask them, I wish to return home," Hadrian informed them, shifting himself into a straighter position. "And try to avoid using my full name, it's getting tedious," he added as an afterthought.
"What are your thoughts on the war with Grindelwald?" Scamander stated, starting immediately.
"I believe that the Muggles finding out about us is the most dangerous thing that could ever happen." Hadrian replied seriously, "There are millions of them to one of us, an all our war would spell our demise, what Dumbledore and Grindelwald concocted together…it's wrong and dangerous and he needs to be stopped."
"For clarification, you do not support Grindelwald or approve of his views?" Bulstrode questioned.
"I do not support that maniac," Hadrian stated firmly, "I was nearly killed by his supporters before I even knew magic existed!" his voice rising in his 'anger' it wasn't true of course, but as far as the world was concerned he had come here after an attack by Grindelwald's men.
"You have to admit it would make for a good cover," Scamander pointed out.
"I almost died," Hadrian hissed out through gritted teeth, "And if not for Healer Yaxley and his extensive knowledge of curses I would have done so. It was wish magic that originally saved my life, do not dare imply I would work with the disgusting bastard who nearly killed me."
"I think my client has made it more than clear how he feels," Travers argued, giving the Aurors a pointed look. "We are done with this line of questioning."
"Then how does he explain this?" Scamander held up a plastic bag with the 'evidence' that had been taken from Hadrian at some point in the past twenty-four hours.
"I want that back before I leave this hospital," Hadrian snapped, unable to believe they'd taken it from him.
"I'm afraid we can't do that, it's evidence in an investigation," Bulstrode explained.
"Not really," Hadrian said sardonically, they were idiots the lot of them.
Bulstrode stared at Hadrian wondering if he was being deliberately obtuse. "Sir, these charges that can be brought against you are serious,"
Hadrian sighed, suddenly too tired to put up with this, "If you had done even a single bit of digging or investigating, any of you," he said gesturing towards his so-called lawyer, "You would have realized there are no grounds for this investigation."
"How so?" Bulstrode.
"That pendant you're holding, my husband bought it for me…" Hadrian said honestly, watching as wheels began to turn in the definite wrong direction. "It was once worn by Ignotus Peverell, my ancestor, and that is the Peverell coat of arms, I'm sure one look into the Ministry's book they have on every coat of arms invented will tell you that as well. What evidence did you find on it that indicated I was a fanatic follower of Grindelwald?" playing clueless.
The sudden silence made Hadrian want to cackle mercilessly. The Aurors glanced at each other, unable to prevent the surprise encompassing their features.
Travers had his hand over his mouth, hiding a smirk at how well the teen had just played the two Aurors quite expertly. No wonder he hadn't been even the slightest bit worried. Quite honestly if he wasn't a lawyer he would be bowing down to the kid in awe. There was no way the teen was as clueless as he was portraying, he was a Slytherin through and through. No wonder he had insulted his intelligence as a lawyer, unfortunately, the Peverell coat of arms had disappeared into obscurity a very long time ago. "The insignia is one that Grindelwald is using for his propaganda, 'for the greater good'."
"Lovely, you'll need to be adding that to the list of charges against him, life theft," Hadrian stated curtly, "As for the four who attacked me…?"
"They are being held in the Ministry holding cells," Bulstrode was able to recover with greater speed than Scamander who was bitterly disappointed he didn't have someone to question, someone who could lead him to Grindelwald.
Hadrian understood all too well the pressure Scamander was under, and took pity on him, "I know you feel insurmountable pressure to get Grindelwald, but framing or trying to blame innocent people…it makes you as bad as he is. His day will come, you'll get him it's my experience that those who are confident always screw up somehow." he told him solemnly. Well, Scamander wouldn't get Grindelwald, he would. The last thing he ever saw would be him.
Scamander cleared his throat, pointedly not even glancing in Hadrian's direction, making him now more like his brother.
"I'll be taking it back now," Hadrian said, hand out waiting for his pendant back.
Scamander looked as though he was biting his tongue as he placed the evidence bag containing the Peverell pendant/coat of arms into the end of the bed.
"Thank you," Hadrian said, making no move to retrieve it. "Any further questions you have for me can be done through my lawyer, I expect to hear from him regarding the charges from those wizards."
"You wish to press charges?" Bulstrode questioned, straightening up once more.
"They attacked me, so yes, I want charges pressed, I don't care what they thought, not only did they try to kill me they could have hurt numerous bystanders."
"We need more information from you," Bulstrode explained patiently.
"I think my client has made himself clear, everything through me, he has already proven himself innocent, what more do you want?" Travers argued.
"One of the…suspects…" Bulstrode carefully said, making it clear to both Hadrian and Travers that he'd been considered a 'victim' before this conversation. "He has been hit with an unknown curse, his tongue has locked to the top of his mouth, he hasn't eaten anything for the past twenty-four hours. He has drunk only a small measure of water, with a great deal of difficulty and pain,"
Hadrian fought desperately to keep his amusement from showing, causing his mouth to quiver as he suppressed it. "It's not a curse, it's a hex." he explained, "I created it," inwardly apologizing to Severus Snape for stealing one of his more ingenious spells, at least nobody knew the spell yet since he had done it non-verbally.
"I assume you also created a counter-spell?" Bulstrode questioned, glancing briefly at his partner confused by his silence.
Hadrian's mouth curved into a smirk, "I did," he confirmed.
"Then what is it?" Bulstrode asked.
"I don't intend for the spell or my counter to become public knowledge," Hadrian denied her request, "I will, however, remove it for you, before I head home." he conceded, deciding to take his time now, make the asshole wait as long as possible.
"We cannot let you into the same room together," Scamander re-entered the conversation.
"You know where to find me when you change your mind," Hadrian explained, "Now if you'll excuse me, I wish to get dressed and head home." making it clear he wanted them out of the room without saying it.
"Wait, fine, we'll do it your way," Bulstrode insisted, he couldn't take his statement, and the drooling was horrendous, it was actually downright disgusting. "We'll just have a few Aurors there as back up, they can't question the integrity of four Aurors," he defended his actions to his partner.
"Then give me some time," Hadrian insisted, gesturing towards the door, willing them away.
Sighing in relief when he was finally alone, whipping back the covers, scooting towards the edge, he shivered as his feet touched the ground. He was still covered in blood, hands, arms, chest, hell he could feel it coating the side of his neck, presumably from splash back. He moved over to the sink and let the water run, putting the stopper in, as he peeled himself out of the pajamas. Before also undoing the bandages, he had no need for them now, although the area was slightly inflamed and red, it would disappear within the next few days. Bunching up the material, he ran it under the water and began to clean himself up.
"It seems you get yourself into trouble no matter where you are," Tom told him as he entered the room, exasperated fondness in his tone. Making his way immediately over to Hadrian, and taking the water soaked pajama top, and taking over the cleaning where Hadrian had missed blood spatter.
"I don't get myself into trouble," Hadrian argued in amusement. "Trouble finds me,"
Tom made a noncommittal noise, before throwing the soiled top down having gotten every drop of blood off Hadrian.
"Are they still breathing?" Hadrian whispered, finding himself actually really worried about the others. Eye to eye with Tom, he wouldn't accept any lies from him. He didn't want to talk any louder just in case anyone was listening from the door.
Tom gave him a warning look, this was definitely not the time or the place for this discussion. However, seeing that Hadrian was quite desperate for an answer…oddly enough and feeling to blame, he nodded his head just once to confirm that they were indeed alive. Who would have thought Hadrian would actually grow fond of those he had once looked down upon for their pureblood ways. Then again, truth be told, Hadrian had actually changed them and in doing so found them more tolerable.
"Muffliato!" murmured Hadrian, silencing everything around them, "You can't blame them for everything you know, they aren't my babysitters. They aren't responsible for me, I am an adult, Tom." he could imagine what Tom had done to them, and years ago that would amuse the hell out of him, but not anymore. "At this rate, they'll avoid me like I've got the plague if you keep punishing them for something that's not their fault and completely unavoidable."
Tom utterly disagreed with that, but he wasn't stupid enough to state as such. He did blame them, he had expressed that vocally last night in many different ways. They would know better than to make such a mistake again if they knew what was good for them. The only way he knew how to deal with fear or worry is the way he did, not that he had felt it in an abundance, especially not when it concerned another person until Hadrian had wormed his way into his life and heart.
"Why is the pendant in an Auror's evidence bag?" Tom asked, eyes narrowing in on the bag in the mirror before turning to see, he was quite correct.
"Uhh…" was all Hadrian could think to say, not sure how to explain, either way, Tom was not going to like it.