NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Laying Foundations
Hadrian's cottage was a modest structure from the outside, deliberately chosen for its unassuming appearance. Located on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, near the foothills that led up to the mountains beyond the village, it appeared to be nothing more than a quaint two-room dwelling with a small garden. The locals knew it had been vacant for years following the death of the previous owner, an elderly witch with no heirs, and few had paid much attention when the property changed hands.
Inside, however, was another matter entirely. Hadrian had spent a week transforming the interior, using expansion charms and transfiguration to create a space that suited his needs. The cottage now contained a spacious living area, a fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, and most importantly, a secure workroom where he could conduct his research and planning without fear of discovery.
The workroom was the heart of his operation. One wall was covered with a massive parchment timeline, magically enhanced to show the key events of the next several years as Hadrian remembered them from his original timeline. Color-coded markers indicated events that must be preserved, events that must be changed, and critical decision points where intervention could have the greatest impact with the least risk of unpredictable consequences.
Another section of the room was dedicated to intelligence gathering. Hadrian had subscribed to the Daily Prophet, the Quibbler, and several international magical publications, their pages analyzed and annotated with notes about individuals and organizations that would play important roles in the coming conflicts. He had also established discreet monitoring charms on key locations in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, keyed to alert him to the presence of specific individuals.
A large oak desk dominated the center of the room, covered with parchments, books, and magical instruments. Some of these were from his original timeline, brought back in his mokeskin pouch, while others had been acquired since his arrival. Above the desk hung a magical map of Britain, with glowing markers indicating the known or suspected locations of Voldemort's Horcruxes.
On this particular morning, Hadrian was seated at the desk, reviewing the correspondence he had maintained with Harry over the past three weeks. The letters had started cautiously on both sides—Harry clearly excited but wary of this sudden connection to the magical world, Hadrian careful not to reveal too much too quickly. But gradually, a genuine rapport had developed.
Hadrian had shared carefully selected stories and information about the Potter family, drawing on his own knowledge but presenting it as family history passed down through the Peverell line. He had sent small gifts—photographs of Harry's grandparents that he claimed to have found in old family albums, books on magical subjects that weren't covered in the Hogwarts curriculum, and most recently, a set of practice Quidditch balls charmed to return to their case after use, allowing Harry to practice his Seeker skills in the privacy of the small wooded area near Privet Drive.
In return, Harry had become increasingly open about his life at Hogwarts, his friendships with Ron and Hermione, and his concerns about the coming school year. The boy was still guarded about his experiences with the Dursleys, but Hadrian could read between the lines and recognize the signs of neglect and emotional abuse that he remembered all too well from his own childhood.
The latest letter from Harry lay open on the desk:
> *Dear Hadrian,*
>
> *Thanks for the Quidditch set—it's brilliant! I've been practicing early in the mornings before the Dursleys wake up. The Snitch doesn't go too far, just like you said, so I don't have to worry about Muggles spotting it.*
>
> *I got a letter from Ron yesterday. His dad got tickets to the Quidditch World Cup final! They've invited me to go with them and then stay at the Burrow (that's their house) for the rest of the summer. I'm really hoping the Dursleys will let me go. Ron said his dad would come and pick me up properly—by the front door and everything. I think that might help, since Uncle Vernon always complains about "those people" being abnormal.*
>
> *Have you ever been to a World Cup match? Ron says this one is going to be amazing—Ireland versus Bulgaria. Viktor Krum is playing Seeker for Bulgaria, and he's supposed to be unbelievable.*
>
> *I've been practicing those meditation exercises you suggested. They're helping a bit with the nightmares, I think. I still get them, but they don't seem to last as long.*
>
> *Hope you're well,*
> *Harry*
Hadrian smiled slightly as he folded the letter. The meditation exercises were an introduction to the basic principles of Occlumency, though he hadn't called them that. They were presented simply as techniques to help with focus and relaxation, which was true enough. In his own timeline, Hadrian hadn't begun learning Occlumency until his fifth year, and the disastrous lessons with Snape had done more harm than good. This time, he hoped to lay a better foundation.
The mention of the Quidditch World Cup triggered a more serious train of thought. The event had been a turning point in his original timeline—the first public appearance of the Death Eaters since Voldemort's fall, and a warning of what was to come. The chaos that had erupted after the match had been frightening but ultimately contained. In retrospect, it had been a missed opportunity to take the threat more seriously before Voldemort's return.
Hadrian made a note on his timeline. The World Cup would proceed as it had before—he had no reason to disrupt that event—but perhaps he could use it as an opportunity to gather intelligence on the Death Eaters who would participate in the "festivities." With proper preparation, he might even be able to identify some of them, which would provide valuable information for later.
A soft chime interrupted his thoughts, alerting him that one of his monitoring spells had been triggered. A quick glance at the small enchanted mirror on his desk showed Albus Dumbledore entering the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. This was unexpected—Dumbledore rarely left Hogwarts during the summer except for official ICW business.
Curious, Hadrian activated another monitoring charm focused on the interior of the pub. The charm wasn't powerful enough to transmit sound at this distance, but it provided a visual of the main room. Dumbledore appeared to be meeting someone, though the other person hadn't arrived yet.
While waiting to see who would join the Headmaster, Hadrian penned a quick reply to Harry:
> *Dear Harry,*
>
> *I'm delighted to hear you're enjoying the Quidditch set. Practice is indeed the key to improvement, as I'm sure you're discovering.*
>
> *The Quidditch World Cup! What an opportunity. As it happens, I have attended several World Cup matches over the years, though not since 1986. The atmosphere is unlike anything else in the wizarding world—thousands of witches and wizards from across the globe, united by their love of the sport. You'll have a marvelous time, I'm sure.*
>
> *If your uncle seems reluctant to allow you to go, you might mention that I inquired after your summer plans and expressed approval of the World Cup as an educational opportunity to witness international magical cooperation. Sometimes adults respond better to the endorsement of other adults. Feel free to show him this letter if it helps.*
>
> *I'm pleased to hear the meditation exercises are providing some relief from your nightmares. Consistency is important with these techniques—even five minutes each day will yield better results than an hour once a week. As your mind becomes accustomed to the practice, you'll find it easier to clear your thoughts before sleep, which often leads to more restful nights.*
>
> *I've been quite busy with the research project I mentioned in my last letter, but I've enclosed a book on defensive magic that I thought might interest you. It's more practical than theoretical, focusing on spells that don't require excessive power but rather precision and quick thinking—qualities that often matter more in real-world situations than raw magical strength.*
>
> *Wishing you well,*
> *Hadrian*
The "research project" was a careful fabrication—part of the persona he was building as a scholarly wizard with academic interests. He had mentioned to Harry that he was researching the historical connections between European and Native American magical traditions, which provided a convenient excuse for acquiring obscure texts and maintaining correspondence with international contacts.
The book on defensive magic was carefully chosen—useful enough to help Harry in the coming years, but not so advanced as to raise questions about where a thirteen-year-old boy had acquired such knowledge. It focused on practical defensive spells, shield charms, and evasive techniques that Hadrian knew from experience were more valuable in real combat situations than the flashier offensive magic that young wizards typically favored.
Sealing the letter and wrapping the book, Hadrian set them aside for Archimedes to deliver later. His attention returned to the monitoring charm, which now showed Dumbledore seated across from a familiar figure with a scarred face and grizzled appearance—Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
Hadrian leaned forward with interest. This meeting was significant. If his timeline remained consistent, Moody would be appointed as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for the coming school year, only to be imprisoned and impersonated by Barty Crouch Jr. as part of Voldemort's plan to capture Harry during the Triwizard Tournament.
It was tempting to intervene immediately—to prevent Moody's capture and thus disrupt Voldemort's entire scheme. But Hadrian knew from bitter experience that hasty interventions often led to worse outcomes. Without the events of the Triwizard Tournament, Voldemort might find another, less predictable way to return. Better to let certain events unfold in a way he could anticipate and prepare for.
What he needed was more information. If he could determine exactly when and how Moody would be captured, he might be able to implement a more targeted intervention that would achieve his goals without creating unpredictable ripple effects.
Deactivating the monitoring charm, Hadrian moved to the timeline wall and made several annotations, adding Moody's meeting with Dumbledore and the likely offer of the Defense position. According to his original memories, Moody would be captured in his home shortly before the start of the school year. That gave him approximately one month to develop a strategy.
A soft hoot from the window announced Archimedes' return from hunting. The tawny owl swooped in and settled on his perch, eyeing the letter and package on the desk.
"Ready for another delivery, old friend?" Hadrian asked, stroking the owl's feathers. "This one's to Harry again. Wait for a reply if he has one ready."
As he attached the letter and shrunken package to the owl's leg, Hadrian considered his next moves. The groundwork was being laid with Harry, building trust and subtly preparing the boy for what was to come. But that was just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
He needed allies beyond Harry—people who could influence events from different angles. Some would be obvious choices: Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, perhaps eventually some members of the Order of the Phoenix. Others would be more unexpected connections that hadn't existed in his original timeline.
And then there were the Horcruxes. Hadrian glanced at the map above his desk, with its glowing markers indicating the objects containing fragments of Voldemort's soul. In his original timeline, their discovery and destruction had been a desperate race, costing many lives and years of effort. This time, he knew exactly what they were and where to find most of them.
The diary had already been destroyed in the Chamber of Secrets the previous year. That left the ring, the locket, the cup, the diadem, and eventually, Nagini. And of course, the Horcrux that no one had suspected until it was almost too late—the fragment lodged in Harry's scar.
That would be the most delicate challenge of all. In Hadrian's timeline, removing it had required Harry's sacrificial death and subsequent return—a gamble that had barely paid off and had left lasting scars on everyone involved. There had to be another way, a method to extract the Horcrux without endangering Harry's life.
Hadrian's research in the decades following Voldemort's defeat had uncovered several theoretical approaches, but none had been tested since there were no more Horcruxes to experiment with. Now, he had a chance to apply that knowledge—but he would need time, resources, and possibly help from experts in fields like soul magic who wouldn't ask too many questions.
A knock at his door broke his concentration. Instantly alert, Hadrian drew his wand. He wasn't expecting visitors, and the Fidelius Charm should have prevented anyone from finding his cottage unless he had personally shared the secret.
Moving silently to the door, he cast a series of detection spells. There was indeed someone on his doorstep—a single individual with a distinctly familiar magical signature. Perplexed but cautious, Hadrian disillusioned himself before opening the door a crack, wand at the ready.
Standing on the threshold, looking mildly amused at the excessive security measures, was Albus Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Peverell," the Headmaster said pleasantly. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important?"
Hadrian canceled his disillusionment charm, his mind racing to understand how Dumbledore had found him. The Fidelius Charm should have made the cottage unplottable and unfindable.
"Headmaster," he said, keeping his tone neutral. "This is an unexpected visit. I wasn't aware that you knew where I was staying."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Ah, yes. The Fidelius Charm is indeed an impressive piece of magic. However, I happened to be visiting this property last month with Madam Rosmerta, who was considering purchasing it before you acquired it. It seems that your charm recognized my prior knowledge of the location's existence, if not its exact details."
It was a plausible explanation. The Fidelius was complex magic with occasional unexpected behaviors, especially when applied to locations that multiple people had knowledge of before the charm was cast. Still, Hadrian made a mental note to strengthen his wards further and consider relocating if necessary.
"I see," he said, opening the door wider. "Please, come in."
As Dumbledore stepped into the cottage, Hadrian quickly assessed the visible areas. Thankfully, the door opened directly into the living room, and his workroom was securely warded and hidden behind what appeared to be a ordinary bookshelf. Nothing immediately visible would raise suspicions.
"Tea?" Hadrian offered, gesturing to a comfortable armchair near the fireplace.
"That would be most welcome," Dumbledore replied, settling into the chair and looking around with undisguised curiosity.
Hadrian busied himself with preparing tea, using the brief respite to organize his thoughts. Dumbledore's unexpected visit could be a simple courtesy call, or it could be a test—a way to observe Hadrian in his natural environment for further clues about his true identity and intentions.
When he returned with the tea tray, Dumbledore was examining a small silver instrument on one of the bookshelves—a detector for dark magic that Hadrian had deliberately left in view as a sign of his "legitimate" interests.
"An interesting device," Dumbledore commented, accepting a cup of tea. "Turkish in origin, if I'm not mistaken? I have a similar one in my office."
"Yes," Hadrian confirmed. "I acquired it during my travels in Eastern Europe several years ago. I find it useful in my research, particularly when examining potentially hazardous artifacts."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "And how are you finding Hogsmeade? A quiet village must be quite a change from America."
"It suits me," Hadrian said simply. "I prefer peace and privacy for my work, and the proximity to Hogwarts' library is convenient, should I need to consult references not in my personal collection."
"Ah yes, your research." Dumbledore took a sip of his tea. "And your correspondence with young Harry? I trust that is progressing well?"
So that was it. Dumbledore was checking on his interactions with Harry. Hadrian had expected this—the Headmaster was nothing if not protective of his carefully laid plans for the Boy Who Lived.
"Very well, thank you," Hadrian replied. "Harry seems to appreciate learning about his family history. I've been able to share some stories and memorabilia that I believe have given him a better sense of his heritage."
"Indeed." Dumbledore's expression was unreadable. "Harry's upbringing has been... unconventional. His mother's family, while providing the protection of blood wards, have perhaps been less forthcoming about his magical heritage than would be ideal."
This was as close as Dumbledore would ever come to acknowledging the emotional neglect Harry had suffered at the Dursleys' hands. Hadrian bit back the surge of anger he felt at the reminder of how little had been done to improve his younger self's situation. This was not the time for confrontation.
"I gathered as much from his letters," Hadrian said carefully. "He seems particularly interested in stories about his father and grandparents. I've been happy to share what I know, though my information is admittedly secondhand."
"A connection to his past is valuable," Dumbledore acknowledged. "Though I trust you are exercising appropriate caution in your communications? Harry's position makes him vulnerable to those who might seek to influence him for their own purposes."
The warning was clear, if politely delivered. Dumbledore was reminding Hadrian that he was watching, that any attempt to interfere with his plans for Harry would be noticed and addressed.
"Of course," Hadrian said smoothly. "I'm well aware of the precarious position Harry occupies in our world. My only interest is in providing him with the family connection that circumstances have denied him. Nothing more."
Dumbledore studied him for a long moment, those piercing blue eyes seeming to search for any hint of deception. Hadrian maintained his Occlumency shields while allowing the genuineness of his concern for Harry to color his surface thoughts.
"I believe you," Dumbledore said finally. "Though I confess, Mr. Peverell, you remain something of an enigma. Your knowledge and abilities suggest a man of considerable experience, yet official records of your existence prior to your arrival in Britain are surprisingly... sparse."
"My family valued privacy," Hadrian replied with a slight shrug. "And the American magical community is less centralized than Britain's, with record-keeping that can be inconsistent, particularly for those educated primarily at home."
"Indeed." Dumbledore set down his teacup. "Well, I should not take up more of your time. I actually came with a purpose beyond mere curiosity. The Quidditch World Cup will be held here in Britain next month, as you may be aware."
"Yes, Harry mentioned he's been invited to attend with the Weasley family."
"Precisely. Arthur Weasley has secured excellent tickets, and Harry will be well looked after. However, given your developing relationship with the boy, I thought you might appreciate the opportunity to attend as well. I happen to have a ticket at my disposal." Dumbledore reached into his robes and produced a small purple ticket embossed with gold lettering.
Hadrian accepted the ticket, genuinely surprised by the gesture. This wasn't something that had happened in his original timeline, obviously, and he wondered what Dumbledore's motivation might be. Was it a genuine attempt to facilitate his relationship with Harry, or was it a way to observe him in a public setting, perhaps see how he interacted with other members of the wizarding community?
"This is very thoughtful," Hadrian said. "I'd be delighted to attend. Will you be there as well?"
"Alas, no," Dumbledore sighed. "My duties at the ICW require my presence in Geneva that weekend. But many Hogwarts staff will be attending, along with numerous Ministry officials. I'm sure you'll find plenty of interesting conversation."
Translation: plenty of people would be watching and reporting back to Dumbledore.
"I look forward to it," Hadrian said, pocketing the ticket. "And thank you. This is an unexpected kindness."
Dumbledore rose to his feet. "Not at all. Harry's happiness is important to me, as I'm sure it is to you. A family connection, even a distant one, can provide stability and a sense of belonging that the boy has lacked."
As he showed Dumbledore to the door, Hadrian considered the implications of this development. Attending the World Cup would put him in proximity to Harry in a public setting, allowing him to further develop their relationship while also positioning him to potentially intervene during the Death Eater attack that would follow the match.
It was an opportunity, but also a risk. His actions would be observed by many, including likely some who would report to less friendly interests than Dumbledore. He would need to be careful about how much of his abilities he revealed.
"One last thing, Mr. Peverell," Dumbledore said as he stepped outside. "I understand from our mutual acquaintance Garrick Ollivander that you've made inquiries about wandlore, particularly regarding elder wood wands."
Hadrian kept his expression neutral, though internally he cursed himself for the oversight. Of course Ollivander would mention his visit to Dumbledore—the two were old friends, and any interest in elder wands would naturally pique Dumbledore's attention given his possession of the Elder Wand.
"Just academic curiosity," Hadrian replied casually. "My own wand is elder, as you noted during our first meeting. I've always found the folklore surrounding the wood fascinating—elder's reputation for bad luck and its association with death and rebirth. Purely scholarly interest, I assure you."
"Naturally," Dumbledore said, though his eyes had lost their twinkle. "Elder wands are indeed fascinating. They choose unusual wizards—those destined for unique paths, often marked by great challenge or transformation. Good day, Mr. Peverell."
With that cryptic comment, Dumbledore turned and walked away, disappearing around a bend in the path that led back to Hogsmeade.
Hadrian closed the door and leaned against it, considering the implications of the visit. Dumbledore was clearly keeping close tabs on him, which was to be expected. The Headmaster didn't trust easily, especially when it came to people showing interest in Harry.
The ticket to the World Cup was a calculated move—offering a controlled environment for Hadrian to interact with Harry while ensuring that plenty of eyes would be watching. It was also, perhaps, a test to see how Hadrian would behave in a large wizarding gathering.
And the mention of the elder wand... that was a warning. Dumbledore was letting him know that he was paying attention to Hadrian's interests and activities, that seemingly casual inquiries were being noted and evaluated.
Moving to his workroom, Hadrian added notes about the visit to his timeline. The unexpected development of attending the World Cup would require adjustments to his plans. If he was going to be present during the Death Eater attack, he needed to decide in advance how much to intervene and how much of his abilities to reveal.
Show too little skill, and he might miss crucial opportunities to gather intelligence or prevent harm. Show too much, and he would draw unwanted attention, perhaps even alert Voldemort's supporters to a new potential threat before he was ready to reveal himself.
As he pondered these questions, Archimedes returned, a letter from Harry clutched in his beak. Hadrian took it, noting the hasty handwriting that suggested excitement.
> *Dear Hadrian,*
>
> *They said yes! Uncle Vernon agreed to let me go to the World Cup and stay with the Weasleys for the rest of the summer! I showed him your letter, and when he saw the part about you being an adult who approved, he seemed to think it was more legitimate somehow.*
>
> *Mr. Weasley is coming to pick me up this Sunday at five o'clock. I'm already packing my things. I can't wait to get out of here and see Ron and his family again.*
>
> *Thank you for the book on defensive magic. I've already started reading it. The shield charm seems really useful—I'm going to practice it as soon as I get to the Burrow where I can use magic without getting in trouble with the Ministry.*
>
> *Maybe I'll see you sometime before school starts? I'd like to introduce you to Ron and Hermione. I've told them about you in my letters, and they're curious to meet my American relative.*
>
> *Thanks again for your help with the Dursleys!*
> *Harry*
Hadrian smiled at the obvious enthusiasm in the letter. Some things were proceeding exactly as they had in his original timeline—Harry would still attend the World Cup with the Weasleys, still witness the Death Eater attack that would foreshadow Voldemort's return. But other things were already changing. Harry now had a connection to the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts, someone he was beginning to trust who wasn't under Dumbledore's direct influence.
It was a small change, but small changes could lead to significant divergences over time. The butterfly effect, Hermione had called it, referencing a Muggle scientific theory about how tiny initial differences could lead to vastly different outcomes.
Picking up a quill, Hadrian began drafting a reply to Harry, mentioning casually that he too would be attending the World Cup and suggesting they might meet there. The foundations were being laid, the pieces moving into position. Soon, the real work would begin.