[DISCLAIMER: And by the way, my name is not Joanne Rowling, so unfortunately Harry Potter does NOT belong to me, though it really is such a shame...

Previously on "Unwrapping Time":

There was the expected shudder at the mention of Tom's name, but what did surprise Hadrian, was the fact that he no longer hated his nemesis and try as he might, he couldn't pin point when exactly he stopped hating the Dark Lord. Potter shrugged off the weird sensation and concentrated on the two in front of him.

'Damn, I can't really say anything that will really convince them, or I will have to explain how come I'm that clever... crap, at moments like this I really hate being a kid...' - thought Hadrian, as he waited for Augusta and Bloodclaw to come to a decision.

and on with the story...

Chapter Ten:

Owls & Letters.

Hadrian was close to falling asleep, when the bickering that seemed to go on forever, finally stopped. With a considerable effort he sat straight and yawned:

"I do hope that the silence means that you've reached a decision, because this day has been a very long one and I still have to go back to my Muggle relatives."

Lady Longbottom blushed slightly, she forgot that all this time the child was there:

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr Potter... " - she began, but was interrupted by the boy.

"Really, you can call me Harry, or Hadrian, since that's my real name..." - he said, looking at her with his tired green eyes.

"Hadrian, then. It seems Bloodclaw and myself got carried away. I apologize for being inconsiderate. None the less, we did come to a conclusion. Since you are the one he wronged most of all, we will allow this to go on the way you want it to. In the meantime we will search for evidence to back up your mother's investigation. Once that is done, the three of us will meet up and decide how to proceed."

When the old witch finished talking, Hadrian sighed in relief. He was really worried that they wouldn't think seriously about his request since to them he was only a kid, so he he was pleasantly surprised when the issue was temporarily resolved the way he wanted it to. With another yawn he smiled:

"I suppose this is it for today. Bloodclaw, sir, if it's possible, I'd like to somehow make sure that I'm the only one who can access my vaults... and the only one with the keys."

The goblin smirked at the tired child:

"Well, when you put on the signets, all the keys, associated with those families were called back to you. However we can do nothing about the Potter ones... well, except for sealing the votes until you can openly claim them."

The young wizard nodded with a tired smile:

"Do that. Thank you for your time, master goblin, Lady Longbottom."

Augusta also got up and bid the goblin a good night, before she also made her way out of the bank. The witch wanted to catch up with the young hero, but to her surprise he was nowhere in sight and as it was rather late, she decided to go home and send Potter an invitation to her grandson Neville's birthday party.

[Privet Drive #4, July 31st]

It was just after 7 am, when Hadrian woke up. The month that followed after his first outing to Gringotts was spent in relative peace, since the Dursleys were away. In their absence Hadrian relocated himself into Dudley's second bedroom. He yawned widely, as he looked out of the window.

'It's really strange, but without the Dursleys, living here isn't so bad...' - thought Harry lazily. For the first time in a very long time, he felt absolutely relaxed. Today was his birthday and the boy actually felt like a child that he now was. Even though he had no one to spend the birthday with, he decided to make the meal and the cake himself, instead of ordering take-out like before. He decided that he liked his new-found freedom to much to let it go, and so he thought hard about what to do, until a devious smile appeared on his face.

'I wonder... Yep, that would work... Bloodclaw did leave me a copy of all the documents, and I'm sure there is a list of properties in the trunk as well... the only problem would be Dumbledore, but I bet I can pull off a Malfoy and make him believe that I really am a spoiled idiot...'

Some time after breakfast Hadrian went out to get the mail and instantly saw the familiar envelope with the Hogwarts crest on it. A happy smile stretched his lips, as he eagerly opened the letter. He didn't really understand this absurd wave of happiness, after all he knew that it would come today and knew what would be in it, but still he felt rather excited at the prospect of going back to Hogwarts. He read the letter softly. It was just like he remembered it to be:

{Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer Chief Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress}

He then pulled out the second page, which was the shopping list:

{Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry

UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
sets of plain work robes (black)
plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales

Students may also bring and owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS}

Potter folded the list and put into his pocket. He then walked back into the house and found a pen and some paper. He knew that he was expected to be a perfectly ignorant abused and starved for attention muggle-raised boy, yet Hadrian refused to play along. He had already visited Gringotts, so Dumbledore was bound to know about it by now. Thus he figured it would be OK to show at least some independence. He quickly penned an answer to Professor McGonagall, saying that he received the letter and was honored to be accepted. He put the note together with the list and dashed upstairs to get ready for the shopping trip.

'And I still am not sure what to do about Hermione and the Weasleys. I know what they did, but I have no idea why they did it... This is a really unpleasant situation...' - mused the time-traveller, as he changed his clothes and gathered the things necessary for the trip to Diagon Alley. He was almost at the doors, when he remembered that he wanted to meet Neville before Hogwarts. He already missed his friend's birthday, so going to Diagon Alley together would be the only possible solution.

He then grabbed another sheet of paper and penned a letter to Augusta, thanking Merlin that he managed to make a good impression on the old witch.

{Dear Lady Longbottom,

I have received my Hogwarts acceptance letter today and am therefore planning to make a trip to Diagon Alley. If you and your grandson are available, we could go together?

Sincerely,

Lord Hadrian Ain Potter-Black-etc}

He then looked around the yard and quickly spotted a couple of school owls, most likely waiting for his reply. He gave the note to McGonagall to a small barn own and the letter to Augusta to another. Hadrian then lay down on the grass and relaxed, enjoying the sun.

[A/N: And here it is at long last. I must admit I had a lot of trouble with this one, which is why it took so long. For some reason I got stuck in the middle and couldn't figure out what to write next. I know it's disappointing that it took this log to write and still the chapter turned out to be more of a filler, than a real chapter and for that I'm sorry, but exams are not very good background for writing fanfiction.

Next time on Harry Potter: Unwinding Time:

Hadrian was carrying a rather large pile of books, when someone slammed into him. With a painful groan he fell backwards and glared daggers at the person that was responsible and saw none other that Ronald Weasley with a rather nasty sneer on his face. The red haired boy looked at the books and spat:

"Watch where you're going, you mudblood."

Potter watched in shocked silence as his former best mate stalked away:

'What the fuck was that?' - he wandered.

AND DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! =)

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