Disclaimer; I do not own Harry Potter or Vampire Diaries

Yay the Chapter is done! The first since over a year and I can tell you guys, editing is an absolute bitch! Especially if you somehow have multiple versions of the chapter and try to puzzle it together into one with just the episode Transcript because Netflix decided Spain didn't need Vampire Diaries anymore. I was very annoyed about that, and it's the main reason this chapter didn't come out earlier this year of the year ( and that PS4 for Xmas... but mainly the No TVD on Netflix!) how am I supposed to get back into the my Vampire Diaries groove without access to episodes? No worries, I found another source at long last and just in time for the big day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY POTTER!

Sold into Slavery... well almost

Thursday 7th January, 2010

With a aloof smile and regal bearing Hadrian throned on the stage as he reclined on a chair set at towards the back of the constructed stage. Despite the modest positioning the result was anything but, exuding a regal aura like a true Prince Charming, he made all teenage hearts throb like a vision straight out of a fairytale come wet dream, the dazzling sparkles about him concealing the absolute dead look in his eyes as he stared forward with unseeing eyes.

"You owe me," Hadrian hissed from the corner of his mouth, even as he kept the pleasant smile on his lips. He stared down from the stage into the the writhing mass of what may seem like ordinary manky muppets but were truly the festering tumor of today's society... one that seemed to be multiplying with terrifying fervour at that... Fangirls.

Every time he looked back there were more. Oh dear Morgana, Merlin and Circe, he didn't want any of them within the same breathing space, let alone within grabbing distance. "Big time."

"It's not like I had a choice. Liz thought herself so clever nominating Damon Salvatore at the last minute. As if I'd let her outdo me." Carol discreetly huffed in affront. "Unfortunately the most eligible and handsome Founder bachelor is hard to beat." Carol let her eyes wander over said desirable bachelor, a pleased tilt to her lips as she took in his lightly muscled trim form in approval.

Not even a twinge of guilt for the mental trauma she was inflicting on the poor lone wizard in their midst, huh? So much friendship. He was but a necessary sacrifice in the cold and bitter war of one-upmanship she had going with the other woman with power in town. Hadrian thought dryly, he was feeling the love here.

"Yes. Of course it makes complete and utter sense now. It was completely logical that I drive into town for some milk and see my face staring right back at me from a gigantic banner announcing that I'll be raffled off like some goodie-bag." Hadrian snarked acerbically, still not having gotten over it. That, right there, was ridiculousness that was usually exclusively confined to the Wizarding World. It seemed he could run as far as he wanted but that special brand of battiness stuck to him like the unyielding tentacles of a particularly vicious grindylow.

Hadrian just managed to keep grimace off his face at an especially exuberant (*cough*earsplitting*cough*) squeal rent the air and had his ears ringing unpleasantly, it was a test of his occlumency and willpower to resist flinging the curses sparking at the tips of his fingers – surely a voice cutter curse couldn't be that bad, an insidious voice whispered through his mind temptingly, it would be a service to mankind - instead he succeeded in forcing the placid smile he had frozen onto his lips earlier, to spasm into a slightly brighter version, wriggling his fingers in a cheery harmless wave. Yep, this was what Hell felt like.

Pure. Agony.

...

Several hours earlier...

Hadrian stood in front of the Mayor's Wife grimly and impassively, not a word passing his lips as he stared her down with all the affront and disapproval in the world displayed in those expressive emerald eyes.

A gaze Carol was not immune to, staring into those eyes made something inside the proud woman wind and squirm - not that her professionalism allowed her polite smile to falter for even a millisecond, if it could endure the sickly sweet poison and vitriol from her bitter rivals, it was going to survive her prickling conscience. "Hadrian, dear, I was just about to call you."

He raised a regal eyebrow completely ignoring her words and not toning down on the deprecating stare and adding a pinch of condemnation. His torturous sessions in the Wizengamot and exposure to overreaching politicians had been good for one thing at least; he no longer had to put the effort in unnecessary chatter. One silent stare could be worth a thousand words. Dealing with bleating sheep that wore robes and delighted over squabbling over the tiniest things until one of the wolves among them finally snapped and shut them up -that these wolves liked to watch and quietly collect their blackmail and watch their opponents brain cells die (those sadists!) was not conductive to his continued mental well-being. But! It had taught him the patience of saints and honed his eyes into a weapon. And a fearsome weapon it was; cowing even the loud-mouthed Lord McLaggen untilhe was an inch tall and trying to meld into his seat - yes, unbelievable but true, the father managed to be even more of an obnoxious blighter than the son. Turns out idiocy could run in genes.

Carol crossed her arms defensively. "It was literally last minute, there was no time to print and hand out fliers. And Carlton owed me a favour."

"And that explains why I had to find it out staring at a six foot version of my face." Hadrian intoned dryly, not believing a word as he eyed the decidedly larger bowl of raffles beside the other one, one just dedicated to him as Carol had deemed absolutely necessary to 'animate the younger generation'.

...

Yeeeeesss, to part with their money, was more like it.

Well, as much as it pained him; the woman with the need for extravagance and drama had been right. As even before the official start of the event the Grill was already teeming with teen girls, many more loitering outside at the door, barred from entrance until the set up was done. Small mercies, having to squeeze through that throng to get inside had already been a chore. If he'd known they were lurking for him he'd have applied a notice-me-not charm.

Apparently the potential of a date with a 'loaded hunk' on a twenty foot banner, and being also the reclusive British Lord that was rumoured to have built a luxurious castle hidden in the woods, was too much for both the gold-diggers and the trashy-romance-novel fanatics to resist. It was enough of a lure to have what seemed like all the girls of Mystic Falls, ages 13 to 19 to flood the place.

Another giggling gaggle passed by him, one of them 'accidentally' grabbing his butt while they were at it causing another outbreak of giggles, squeals and excited whispers as they rushed away, leaving him standing stiff as a board in outrage.

He stared at Carol mutely, retribution in his green eyes.

"Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill." Carol scolded in exasperation, patting his cheek. "It's only this one evening, you might even enjoy yourself."

"You are not the one who had to comfort a hysterical seven-year-old who thought his daddy was going to be sold into slavery." Hadrian deadpanned, green eyes lighting up in vicious satisfaction as Carol stumbled and dropped the vase she had been so carefully arranging. There went her perfect symmetry - how unfortunate that one couldn't simply glue blue back the shards with the wave of a hand.

"Slavery?!" Carol spluttered.

"Yes. Teddy was very enthusiastic about reading about his new home, though apparently he hasn't quite gotten to the chapter about the Revolution yet." Hadrian informed her dryly as he adjusted his cufflinks.

There was a moment of uncharacteristic silence as the news seemed to have temporarily broken the proud southern belle, her brain unable cope with that curve-ball. She would get used to it.

Teddy seemed to take his Marauder genes strongly from every side of the family and sometimes had such a strong Ravenclaw side it was frightening when he attacked a subject with that single-minded focus of his... it reminded him of Remus... or a half starved dog with a bone. All very frightening to the unsuspecting. One never knew when the beast would come out to devour you - metaphorically speaking, he wasn't quite ready yet to confront the likelihood of outbreak of fur on his whirlwind of a son.

Carol shifted uncomfortably, this was the South, everyone knew the history, but no one liked to reminisce about the old slave days. It just wasn't done. Catching sight of another faux pas about to happen she made her exit, "No, no, no Elena. You can't just leave the broom there. And you still left glass shards beside that table. Be more careful what if someone steps in it and bleeds everywhere?"

…

…did she just completely sidestep the issue?

Well at least he was getting a front row seat to Little Miss Reckless Driver's humiliation. Well she probably thought of it as such. And she should be embarrassed, he would be with the amount of stumbling around she did! She couldn't even cross the room without knocking over a tray of glasses (which she now had to pay for with her non-existent pocket money hehe!) ...Was it really a good idea to let her back behind the wheel again? Like ever?

Hadrian enjoyed the few minutes of respite as Carol escaped and released her tightly leashed tension and tight smiles on the deserving, sipping on his drink that a eager bright eyed brunette had thrust upon him the second he was alone and enjoyed the mounting frustration on the young Gilberts face as she was forced to half-crawl under the tables to fulfil Carols exacting expectations.

Carol came back humming and in good cheer, the previous interlude of seven year olds and slavery completely wiped from her mind, as she went straight into the possible dates and highlights of the evening she'd forced upon him without so much as a by your leave. He wasn't surprised, living in this town with all the vampire and Council stuff going on in the background she probably had some impressive brain bleach capabilities. If he hadn't spread his feelers out so thoroughly upon moving here he might have never suspected... for that alone she had his admiration.

Even if the gushing, subtle as it was, made every masculine fibre off him shiver and cringe as words continued to pour from her mouth. "Oh! But it's going to be so exciting and romantic! A dinner in the mysterious Black Estate with a Lord, your raffles were sold so quickly we had to create more to accommodate the demand." Carol smiled, tickled pink at the success of her last minute adjustment.

"No dates in my Manor." Hadrian denied, bursting Carols bubble, like unscrupulously popping birthday balloons with a needle just as you went to blow out the birthday candles, taking sadistic pleasure in watching her dreamy face crumple. That was for putting his poor Teddy in hysterics.

Carol whirled around, nearly smacking him with her clipboard in her incredulous haste. "Pardon?"

Hadrian hummed nonchalantly. "I'm pretty sure the little evil mastermind has a host of unpleasantries planned for the 'unscrupulous harlot lusting after his daddy' – a direct quote by the way." He shot Carol a look. "So no, I'm not bringing my 'date' home. I'll be making use of my recently completed facilities."

He glanced back at the baffled woman, a small smirk appeared on his lips at Carol's crestfallen expression. "Don't worry I'll make sure, whoever the lucky lady will be, will have a night that is simply…magical."

There was a chorus of squeals and giggles from the side as a horde of eavesdroppers made themselves known unable to contain their glee any longer. Hadrian threw them a smirk and a gamely wink that had their hearts collectively thump in their chests before they fled from the formidable Mrs Lockwood's cold disapproving glare. Might as well whip them up in a frenzy if he was stuck here...

...He would later regret that.

(Hindsight was a know-it-all bitch)

-)&(-

The number of raffles for the handsome British Lord skyrocketed even before the official start, when Mrs Lockwood was struck with inspiration and ordered a raffle booth set outside the entrance an hour before the official bid was set to start, as an effective means for crowd control. As a consequence, Elena was nearly overrun in the haste of her peers, left in a rumpled daze after having so much money thrust at her repeatedly, her ears ringing as she stared after them half deaf, and for once Caroline was glad Elena was picked over her.

For the first time since finding out that Elena had taken her place per Mrs Lockwood orders Caroline smiled, glad to be in charge of the stage, far far away from the zealots… still she knew where they were coming from, her eyes drifting to the cause of the hype standing with Mrs Lockwood in the sectioned off area the smooth tones of British accent drifting over the babble occasionally. If she hadn't finally gotten together with Matt she'd be tempted to buy a raffle or three too.

Still her good mood lasted just a mere ten minutes, before she noticed that her friend was still in the same unproductive, non-contributing state as when she'd last looked. Now all she was doing was throw glances at the Stefan again instead of her job. She was even ignoring the woman standing awkwardly to the side obviously waiting to buy a raffle. What if Mrs Lockwood saw?

Caroline quickly made her way over to the woman a bright welcoming smile on her lips.

"Elena pay attention" Caroline hissed at the brunette who just stood there spacing out and doing nothing. Again. "I will not fail here and have it ruin my perfect record. Mrs Lockwood was already unimpressed enough because we were late- which was also your fault."

"Caroline I told you it was important! I can't tell you why, but I just had to meet with her and you know I couldn't drive myself."

"Well next time you want to be all mysterious, ask your perfect boyfriend Stefan to drive you five cities over at the drop of a hat, and then wait in the car like a lowly servant." Caroline snapped a hint of bitterness in her tone. Sometimes she really wondered if they were really friends or not.

-)&(-

He had to admit there were worse ways to spend an afternoon, now if only he didn't feel like his brain was starting to slowly bleed out of ears. Really, teens should come with a mute button.

...And a slowmotion one.

Still even boobs got old after having shoved them at you so many times from all directions with no class at all and the cleavage getting suspiciously bigger each time. At one point all the acknowledgement he could muster was ah another set of boobs after even the game of naming each pair in increasingly creative ways got old.

And Jenna, that traitor, was being no help at all, sitting in the nice quiet corner and not so silently laughing at him. She hadn't even responded to any of his silent pleas for help.

He saw a bob of light brown parting the crowd like the red sea, at least he had Carol flitting about and breaking up the monotony and saving some of his brain cells.

"Hadrian dear, I'm glad you're doing so well. Please sign this" She handed him a clip board and pen without much ado. This turned out to to be the legalities of a minor, emancipated or not, taking part in such a raffle. A bit late for that wasn't it. Just to kill some boredom he considered letting her sweat, but seeing Sheriff Forbes fingerprints all over this he knew Carol would murder him. He promptly signed with a flourish, he was not getting into the middle of that, thank you very much.

She had barely finished when both were taken from his hands.

...And she was gone again.

The ranks instantly closed around him again and he had strongly perfumed flock of paradise birds flocking about him each trying to grab his attentions as boobs were 'surreptitiously' pressed against anywhere they could reach.

….

…boring.

Hadrian was starkly reminded of reality and just why he tended to avoid the contact with teens, if they weren't moody little blighters or self-entitled randy bastards, they were slavering hormone-controlled giggly specimen barely able to breathe between their verbal diarrhoea... why, oh why, didn't they come with an off-switch? Sweeping his blank gaze across the room of more of the same versions of the hens clucking at him, he kept a charming smile on his lips and giving the required lip service here and there as his eyes were on the look out for something - anything! - interesting. His attention was caught by the slacking(again) Fallen Princess, Elena Gilbert, and her veggie vamp standing in a surreptitious corner whispering to each other suspiciously.

Oooooohh, his eyes smelt trouble and conspiracies.

Excusing himself with an excuse he forgot as soon as it passed his lips, he retreated to the side of the bar and ordered himself a refill, his eyes again finding the whispering duo making a bad stab at being inconspicuous, his vantage point having improved vastly.

Directing his magic to his ears and flinging a wandless listening charm at the pair with a flick of his finger he listened in.

"...Trudie, she knew about vampires!"

Trudie... Trudie...? Now why did that name ping on his radar? He knew Jenna had said something… Ah! Trudie Petterson, BFF of Isobel Flaming Aka Isobel Saltzman Aka Elena's birth mother. Hadrian's eyes narrowed, how did she get that information? Jenna may have done the research because of her new boy toy's words but after Elena's punishment and 'recent' displays of immaturity, she had decreed she wouldn't tell her until her 18th birthday(as had been the original plan). Once Jenna made her decision she was stubborn as a mule. That raised the question how the little miss know-it-all got the information…

Without a smidgen of guilt he dived into the teens mind the first chance she glanced in his direction, considering the topic she and her vampire lapdog were on it was easy to pluck out. To say he was not amused was mild.

Seeing her hack Jenna's laptop - Hadrian had told her that her her High school graduation date was a no-go especially when she made a point to celebrate it each year with more fervour than others their birthday and New Years combined! - and raiding her desk for possible leads until the little shit came upon a file that was familiar to her having seen one just like it countless times throughout her childhood in the hands of her dad.

Hadrian's fists clenched as he riffled through the memories with more force than before and considerably less care. Having thoroughly gutted her aunts browsing history and saved research, Princess Elena walked out of the room head held high and a sticky-note clutched in her hand.

The temerity of that shameless tart! He could practically feel her self-entitlement cling to the memories, there was not even the slightest hint of guilt or shame; the chit felt she had every right to the information. The worst being that at times he could feel the stirring of her buried human decency before she squashed it under a whisper of a name picking up the underlying name of Kathrine and a peculiar mix of underlying emotions behind it. Katherine, a name that carried no memories with it yet but had mutated into a massive construct and had cocktail of ugly emotions lurking in it's shadow, tearing and scratching at it even as those same violent reactions built it up. If he'd been in a more charitable state of mind he would have taken the time to admire how a teenage mind could blow things out of proportions so thoroughly and invest itself

Why that little sneak! No respect for her Aunt or privacy at all and he'd been optimistic enough that the humbling experience of having to bear consequences of her actions would actually shake some sense into her.

No calm down… Hadrian counselled himself as the glass in his hand started crack and the bottles behind the bar tremble. How embarrassing, his magic still acted up with his anger sometimes...

"What do you mean Alaric's wife is my mother?"

"Listen Elena, I met with Alaric this afternoon and he told me something." He paused looking conflicted and ill at ease before continuing under her curious gaze. "Jenna approached him with a picture of a woman by the name of Isobel claiming it was your mother. Alaric recognised her as his wife."

Elena gasped flinching back. "Isobel?"

Stefan frowned at her reaction seeing the recognition on her face, aahh trouble in paradise, he could see it there in the flicker of hurt and betrayal the vampire wasn't fast enough to hide. This he had to see-

To say he was annoyed was an understatement, as he felt that impertinent double squeeze and ripped from his promising entertainment by one very forward girl that had the guts to actually grope him from behind - had they turned this into some kind of game? - his general annoyance spiked into apoplectic. Clenching his hand around his creaking glace he quickly threw it back, welcoming the familiar burn down his throat, before turning his head to glare down at the suicidal bitch. Hadrian's his acidic stare barely settled on her and the girl was already barrelling through her group of friends in a mad dash to the loo, the sound of her gurgling bowels audible even above the music and chatter.

He wished her a pleasant 48 hours of paying homage to the porcelain god.

"-efan. There was no time. I wanted to do this before Jenna noticed and I had to be here early because of my stupid community hours, y'know setting up for the fundraiser." She demonstratively lifted the tray still in her hands.

Bloody fantastic he missed all the good bits. Turning away in disgust he disappeared in the crowd again, now he couldn't return to his table with Jenna... the temptation to tell her would be far too great and she didn't deserve to have her evening ruined like that, not when she was finally cheering up after that wanker Alaric left her standing like that.

At least Carol was having an enjoyable fulfilling day, he noted, as he saw the woman in question naughtily run her hands down the well defined chest of the newly arrived older Salvatore vampire as she redid his messily buttoned shirt much to the disappointment of the Grill's female clientele and himself, it would have at least given him something to distract himself with from annoyance of the snooping little chit who was already rationalizing her repeated breaking of trust as a necessity because of Katherine and needing. To. Know.

Huffing he decided to get his petty form of silent revenge by mingling and spreading his influence among the brainless, one never knew when that would come in handy.

"What is Damon doing here?! Shouldn't he be holed up at the boarding house." The whiny voice sounded in his ears, urgh he had nearly forgotten… Hadrian was about to cancel the spell when a look at Salvatore the younger had him pause.

Stefan cocked his head, a frown on his face. "It seems like he's one of the bachelors."

"Him?! Is that safe?"

"…No, not really."

"Why didn't you stop him?!" She did not want to run around having to act as a maid when Damon was there, it was bad enough Stefan was here to see. But Damon would definitely take advantage and make fun of her.

"I didn't know. He hadn't planned it yet this morning." Stefan narrowed his eyes at his brother, hours ago he had proclaimed his disinterest in everything and now… "What is he plotting?"

…Not planned it this morning, he said…

-)§(-

"You know I had a chat with the bartender earlier." Hadrian started, appearing beside Carol out of nowhere, making her heart jump into her throat. "He mentioned something very interesting..." Carol eyebrows lifted in surprise as he turned to face her with what she had dubbed his 'not amused' face, the young face pulled into a stoic moue of aristocratic displeasure that she had only ever seen the British pull off.

Pressing a calming hand over her racing heart, that missed another few beats as Hadrian leaned in with a saccharine smile and poisoned honey dripping from his lips. "Damon only agreed to the fundraiser today. Just before the lunch rush."

"Why that conniving woman..." Carol muttered. "I didn't think straight-laced Forbes had it in her, she told me last night that he was on-board." Her head shot up and her eyes narrowed, "He did agree didn't he?" the plans were already set, it was far too late for changes of this magnitude! It would throw of their entire schedule more than it already was!

"He did."

"See so I was completely justified in nominating you." Carol nodded satisfied before flitting off again correcting two handymen setting up the stage lighting, leaving behind the sulking and muttering Brit.

"At least he was asked."

-)&(-

"Awww what has you sulking, loverboy?" the words were breathed in his ear as arms wrapped around him, causing him to stiffen.

"Jenna!" he burst out, he would forever deny the whine that followed, but at one point he simply had enough "Don't do that! You Americans are waaayy to touchy-feely! And you've been neglecting your duty as best friend, I called you in early to help me fend them off and not watch them molest me!"

Of course now that he avoided, her she came over. Lucky for him Carol came and pulled him aside.

"Hadrian. There's been a change in schedule. We'll finish your raffle before presenting the senior bachelors." She passed a critical eye of the masses of teenage girls pressing themselves into the too small room available. "If I'd know it would be such an success I would have insisted on a different location."

Hadrian grinned. "The teenage masses too much for you to handle, dear chairwoman?"

"Elena is being no use at all." Carol noted with distaste as the girl simply stood to the side, once again talking to her Salvatore boyfriend instead of the task's she had set her. Despite the marginal success Liz's daughter was at least trying to control the too hyped crowd. She would have to have a talk with the Council; Elena was obviously not taking her community service seriously enough, maybe she should call in John Gilbert…

"So I should do my presentation now?"

"No need." Carol remarked dryly, not unaware of the amount of attention focused on the young Brit every single moment. "You have done a good enough job already." Any more and there would be injuries, those girls had worked themselves up enough already. In fact Carol had had enough foresight to have the Sheriff call in her deputies.

Aw and he wanted to use the opportunity to experiment with his newfound influence over the teen population to went his aggressions and make things a bit uncomfortable for that thieving sneak.

"How unfortunate. I'd already prepared a gripping speech."

"Very wise choice Mrs Lockwood, if he says that with such a face, it would have ended in disaster." Jenna popped up at his elbow with a grin, not done needling him yet.

"Your words wound me deeply, but I am perceptive enough to tell when I am not wanted." He sniffed in his best Malfoy imitation. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to the stage and look pretty, at least there I'll get some distance from these leeches."

-)§(-

…

That's how Hadrian found himself standing on a hastily cobbled together stage about to be raffled off like a chunk of meat... to a rabid ravenous crowd that could seem to wait to slobber all over him. Ugh.

Kill him now, it would be a mercy killing at this point.

The worst was how absolutely pleased the woman was, he could practically feel her unrestrained glee every time she took in the crowd. And since her ploy had been such an obvious success with what seemed the entire hormonal teen gallery buying those raffles Carol wasn't repentant at all and Hadrian did worry a little what that would mean for him in the time to come.

-)§(-

Finally, the hour had arrived and Carol went up to the stage, announcing the beginning of the drawing, causing the excitement to rise to nauseating levels. Well, Hadrian thought with a metal grimace as a squeal sounded far too close to his ear to his liking, at least there was an end in sight.

"Number 456752" Carol called out out into the masses of teen girls all waiting with abated breath, praying that one of the multiple raffles clutched in their hands would be the one. Mad scrambling followed as the small pieces of papers were checked frantically and then again as the mayor's wife repeated the number, they must have heard wrong.

"How lucky, that's me." came a sultry purr from the back, freezing the fangirls in place with heartbreak and all attention to shift to the bar, There sat on the stool, was one bombshell of a woman. Though young, she outclassed any of the painfully obvious teens in the room with her sheer presence alone. Now that was a woman.

And so one small slip of paper turned the obvious guest in town, into the sudden and vehement enemy number 1 in the eyes of the majority of the females present. Despite the hostility the woman remained unaffected, a smirk adorning those lips as she sinuously slid off the stool and confidently made her way to the stage to collect her prize. Hadrian would have been impressed if he had managed to unglue his eyes from her curves long enough to re-supply his brain with blood.

He loved Teddy with all his being and revelled in every moment of his long-awaited family life. But... after a decade of living on the wild side of life that consisted of near constant excitement and basically doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted… well it was taking some getting used to.

"Enchanted." He leaned down and brushed a kiss to her knuckles never breaking eye contact, "My Lady, I'm completely yours until dawn."

Abstinence did not exist in his vocabulary, and that sex-on-two-legs presented to him on the metaphorical silver platter was like the answer to all of 'little Harry's' whining prayers and very welcome.

Very welcome indeed, he concurred with a smirk seeing darkening of those grey eyes.

He should send Carol flowers.

-)§(-

Almost an hour later and Hadrian had to admit he was impressed, coming to appreciate more than just the pretty packaging. Not once did she falter under the harsh regard of the glaring masses, no instead she turned around and subtly taunted them, riling them up with a mere gesture or side glance. Yes Hadrian was enchanted.

The two of them now sat closer to the back and out of the way, having been told, in no uncertain terms, to stay put by the sheriff herself, while the deputies sent the riled up peanut gallery on their way. Something he surprisingly didn't mind anymore, as Kate, that was her name, showed she had more desirable traits to offer. There was something to be said about a beautiful woman with dry wit and a matching sharp tongue.

It was also a pleasant surprise to find that they shared a few traits that had culminated into the habit of dissecting the surrounding crowds and picking people apart mentally for amusement, speculating was always such an entertaining past time especially as he had a handy way of knowing how close his assumptions and conclusions had hit home. He had believed that to be purely Black trait as he and Malfoy tended to indulge in the same game every ball Hadrian found himself hoodwinked and arm-twisted to attend. Good thing muffliato was well within his wandless repertoire or by now one of the two Salvatores would have stormed over to rip his head off.

Kate blinked as their ordered drinks were slammed in front of them, interrupting her mid-word. She could only stare narrow eyed brunet server as she left without a single word.

"That's Elena Gilbert daughter of one of the lauded Founder Families of this town." Hadrian drawled noting her interest, not perturbed about the treatment, in fact finding it rather amusing.

"She doesn't look happy being here." Hadrian snorted at that understatement.

"That's because little Miss Perfect had no choice." He informed her with a smirk, seeing her perk up at the information.

Like a shark scenting blood, she turned to him with gleeful eyes.

It took very little for her to coax him into elaborating, as he only gave a token resistance, before giving in with a put upon sigh, "Since you just arrived I will do my civic duty and fill you in on all the sordid little details; what kind of date would I be if I didn't sate a Lady's need for gossip?" He said gravely but his eyes were full of wickedness. "Besides I wouldn't want the girl to turn you into road kill?"

"Oh? do tell," she purred.

... And so he did, with delight.

-)§(-

Kate was vastly entertained and took extreme enjoyment in all the sordid little details the Lord whispered in her ear, enjoying her brief stay in the small town far more than she had expected, the boy being far more than she expected, making her very interested in what he would grow into.

"Should you be telling me about their private family drama?" she asked him as they left, eyes glittering after a delicious little morsel of insider information, that she was sure would shame the doe eyed Gilbert into running out the Grill had she overheard. His response left no doubt in why she was enjoying the evening so much so far.

"She got on my nerve earlier so I'm feeling spiteful tonight. Besides if they wanted to keep it private they shouldn't start their spat on a stage in the middle of a town event."

Hadrian grinned as Kate laughed, helping her into her coat, before offering her his arm, finally having the go ahead to leave. Unfortunately they walked right into a tense stare off between the Salvatore brothers, completely blocking the way out, they really were everywhere weren't they? Small mercies, Veggie quickly vacated the scene and ran after his damsel, so they were only left with the elder staring around in vexation. At least he did until his eyes settled on his date and lit up with interest.

Yeah, no, he had enough, he did not have patience remaining to endure the vampire ogling his date that blatantly, that man could stick to lusting after his brothers girlfriend.

"Excuse us." He intoned curtly, not even pausing as they walked straight past and out, before the guy got the idea to try to compel him out of his date.

-)§(-

Hadrian didn't even blink at the sudden corpse lying on the road, he could only stare for a moment, not quite believing his eyes. Did that really just happen?

"Oh my, I see what you meant," came the response of his date, as they both stared as panic took over the street after the man that had just been talking to Mystic Fall's most nauseating couple committed suicide.

...Maybe it was something they said?

"I told you being around her could turn you into road kill. She even managed that without driving herself. How terrifying." Hadrian intoned emotionlessly, not noticing or not caring the suddenly harsh glare on him from the crouching vampire beside the corpse.

Turning his back on the scene uncaringly he guided his date away from all the panic and hysteria.

"Now my Lady, let us depart before the rabble insists on blocking the entire street." Stepping forward he motioned to the newly arrived horse-drawn carriage. "Our coach awaits." Hadrian opened the door and presented his hand with a theatrical embellish and a twinkle in his eye.

"Thank you, my Lord." She took his hand and let him help her up in.

"To the Black Stallion Alfonz, swiftly, before Miss Gilbert gets the idea of stepping into a car." He ordered as soon as they were sat.

"Yes, we wouldn't want to become pancakes" came the mischievous interjection from beside him.

"You, my dear, take far too much joy in my near death experience."

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Thanks to all my reviewers and those who F&F this! You are definitely the reason for the update!