Hadrian Black: The Abandoned Prodigy

Hadrian awoke early, the excitement had overwhelmed his need for sleep. How could he? Especially when he was to attend the finest Wizarding School Africa had to offer.

He quickly got ready and changed into a suitable attire one would don if they were going to a hot climate; shorts, sandals, and a floral shirt.

He had read about the culture in Uagadou and how it differed from the one he was used to. He had also read on the interesting arts of magic the school specialized in and found himself enamored with it.

Whilst Astronomy wasn't all that useful, Alchemy and Self-Transfiguration certainly made up for it!

Hadrian also wondered if he would be able to study hard enough to skip a year. The students at Uagadou often learned how to become Animagi during their 3rd or 4th year. That was way beyond what other schools would recommend students to even think about performing such advanced Transfiguration, but Hadrian figured it was because they didn't want to be responsible for any 'accidents'.

If the average student learned how to become an Animagus during their 3rd year, Hadrian wanted to do it earlier!

To some, this may sound as if he was overly confident - arrogant even. However, that couldn't be further from the truth! Hadrian was...ambitious, but that wasn't the driving force between his need to succeed.

Hadrian reveled in learning new types of magic, to absorb and acc.u.mulate the different and unique types of magic that were scattered amongst the different wizarding communities, that was Hadrian's goal! The pursuit of magical knowledge.

That meant, unfortunately, he wasn't planning on staying for 7 years at Uagadou. He'd already explained it to Charlus and Dorea, who were worried that he wouldn't be able to bind any lasting connections, friends, mainly. It didn't mean they were any less supportive, though!

Hadrian had responded by telling them that he'd already made lasting connections, referring to Daphne, Theo, Roan, Crow, and Oliver.

During the summer holiday, Hadrian had managed to stay in contact with Daphne and Theo quite regularly. They often visited the Black Manor to play Quidditch or read comics (Theo), or beg Hadrian not to go to another continent (Daphne).

He'd given Daphne and Theo a Two-Way Mirror each, for them to be able to stay in contact. Owls weren't suitable for Intercontinental communication.

Unfortunately, he couldn't contact Roan - and Crow had said he was busy getting ready for Durmstrang, whatever that meant...

Oliver had been quite fervent in maintaining contact with Daphne, as always - whilst giving short replies to Hadrian.

Hadrian briskly walked down the stairs, eager to leave.

At the foot of the stairs laid Charlus and Dorea. Charlus smiled fondly at Hadrian whilst Dorea began to pinch at Hadrian's cheeks and exclaiming the usual dribble of, 'look how tall you've gotten' and 'you're becoming a man'.

Hadrian appreciated these moments.

"Ready to leave?", Charlus asked, interrupting Dorea's fretting.

Hadrian nodded in response.

Charlus grabbed Hadrian's shoulder and activated the Portkey (which was in the form of a sundial), with the phrase, "Mother Africa."

Hadrian felt the customary nauseous navel pulling sensation as it transported him.

The feeling lasted for a few seconds before ending abruptly with Hadrian landing on his rear end.

"Yup...it is a little more intense for longer travels.", Charlus remarked as he smirked at Hadrian.

Hadrian scowled, "You couldn't have told me that before you activated it?"

"You wouldn't have fallen then.", Charlus replied as if that response would acquiesce Hadrian.

Hadrian lifted off the ground and looked to see where they had ended up. They had landed at the foot of an enormous mountain.

It took a while before it dawned on him, they were at the bottom of Mt. Moon. Uagadou should be at the top of the large structure, which couldn't be seen due to the mist that obscured it from Hadrian's vision.

"Welcome!", shouted an unfamiliar voice from behind Charlus and Hadrian.

They spun to see who it was that had snuck up behind them, wand in hand - ready to let off at the first sign of danger.

A large man with a darker complexion stood a few feet away from them. He was sporting a white Dashiki, with a multitude of bangles and necklaces adorned on his neck and wrists. On top of his Dashiki, he was wearing a bright, red shawl.

"Ay!", the figure shouted as he raised his hands in a placating manner, "I am not here to fight! Put your sticks down."

Charlus scowled and lowered his wand, but kept it drawn.

"Deputy Head Limbani?", Charlus asked.

The figure, now recognized as Limbani nodded, "Yes. The Headmaster wishes to see his...prodigious foreign student.", he said as he gave a pointed look at Hadrian.

Charlus looked at Hadrian and nodded slowly, "I guess this is where we part."

Hadrian smiled, "I can't wait to be rid of you."

"You won't lose this old man so quickly, I'll be back!", Charlus exclaimed, chuckling as he messed Hadrian's hair.

Hadrian hugged Charlus, something which wasn't a regular occurrence, before turning and walking over to Limbani.

"As you already know, I am Limbani - Deputy Head of Uagadou. Welcome!", He repeated with an outstretched hand waiting for Hadrian's grasp.

Hadrian grabbed his hand and shook it, "Hadrian Black."

Limbani grinned and began walking towards the large mountain. He placed his palm at the foot of the mountain.

The mountain made a large chiming sound as a door shaped hole appeared where Lambini touched the mountain.

Limbani entered, without looking back to see if Hadrian was following.

The doorway closed shut after Limbani and Hadrian had entered. On the other side of the doorway, Hadrian found himself on a platform inside the relatively hollow mountain.

Limbani looked at Hadrian and grinned before stamping on the platform they were standing on. Instantly, the platform began ascending, at an extremely fast pace at that too. This seemed to be the way the students had made it up to the top of Mt. Moon.

Hadrian looked at Limbani who was grinning even wider.

Hadrian sweatdropped, 'He must really enjoy this part.'

"This is my favorite part of the school.", Limbani sighed as he stepped off the platform and through a doorway.

Hadrian walked side-by-side with Limbani and looked around as he walked through the School's hallways.

Many students looked at Hadrian inquisitively. Some looked at Hadrian and sneered with a look that said; 'Why are you here?'

He ignored the stares and curious glances that were shot his way in favor of studying the students' attire. They all seemed to be wearing a Dashiki, but the colors and designs were all extremely different!

Hadrian wondered if his uniform would be chosen for him or if he would be customizing it himself. He was brought out of his thoughts when Limbani halted at a large door.

"The Headmaster is inside, he will explain the integration process you will go through and any other questions you have about the school. You will be able to find me in the office over there.", Limbani said as he pointed to a door on the other side of the hallway.

Hadrian nodded, before opening the door.

"Ah, yes! Just who we were talking about. Welcome, Mr. Black.". Hadrian was greeted by a tall, skinny man with an extremely large afro.

"Headmaster...?", Hadrian asked as he approached the large desk in front of him.

"I am Headmaster Bwezani. I suppose you have already met Nkonkoni?", He said as he gestured towards the girl Hadrian recognized from the Duelling Tournament.

Hadrian shook the Headmaster's hand and outstretched his hand in Nkonkoni's direction, "I am...familiar with who she is, but I don't believe we have met."

The girl smiled as she returned Hadrian's gesture, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Champion."

"Hadrian is fine.", He replied, smiling at her tease.

"Then please, call me Koni."

Hadrian nodded as he sat in the chair in front of the Headmaster Bwezani's desk.

"So...How do you like the school?", Bwezani asked.

"It is beautiful, but I haven't had the chance to explore it yet."

Bwezani chuckled, "Oh yes. You'll be having ample time to do that during your stay here,", Bwezani paused to place his hand on Koni's shoulder, "Koni will be helping you around. The older students are quite busy at this time of year, we normally let them take their tests at the beginning and end of the year. It allows us to track the progress of our students and what areas the school needs to improve on. Also, I thought you would prefer a friendly face.", He explained as he winked at Hadrian.

"I'm eager to start, sir.", Hadrian replied.

"Good! Koni, take Mr. Black to the Focus Application Centre."

Koni nodded and arose, prompting Hadrian to do the same. She then grabbed Hadrian by the hand and escorted him out.

"Do you know what the Focus Application Centre is for?", Koni asked, eager to show off her school.

Hadrian nodded as they walked, "It's where you get your focus tattoos. If the Focus Tattoo is dark, then it means you need to work on your control. I read that most graduates discard the tattoo closer to the end of their last year - where their control had increased to a high enough level where it isn't needed."

"Yup!", Koni cheerfully affirmed as she stuck her wrist at Hadrian's face, "Mine is pretty dark, but it's the lightest out of my whole year!".

"That's...nice.", Hadrian remarked dryly.

After a few moments of traversing the hallways with Koni, his chauffeur, pointing out the significance of every area, they had arrived at the Focus Application Centre.

"Doctor Sanku! Hadrian Black is here for his tattoo!", Koni shouted as they stepped inside.

"I know, the Headmaster told me before you, Koni.", Doctor Sanku sighed.

He gestured for Hadrian to step closer.

"I suspect Koni has told you about the Focus Tattoos' use?", Dr. Sanku asked.

"Not really. I read about it before I came here. I know students normally receive it during the Induction Ceremony. Sorry for inconveniencing you.", said Hadrian.

Dr. Sanku waved off Hadrian's apology, "It's no inconvenience."

The doctor went into one of the cupboards behind him and took out two tattoo strips.

"Stick out your wrists.", He ordered, to which Hadrian willfully complied.

He placed the strip on Hadrian's wrists before covering them with his palms and chanting a spell in a language that was not Latin.

The strips molded with Hadrian's skin before glowing a bright, orange color. Eventually, the color simmered and disappeared.

"I want to see!", Koni exclaimed, waiting anxiously for Dr. Sanku's palms to leave Hadrian's wrist.

Sanku slowly lifted his palms away from Hadrian, revealing dark grey strips.

"What?!", Koni exclaimed.

Hadrian smirked, "What? Is it really a surprise?". Sanku and Koni looked at Hadrian, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Think about it. In the tournament, I used wandless magic without the strips. I don't know if I could have beaten you with wandlessly only, but I suspect it would have been a close match. It would only make sense that the Focus Tattoos would be lighter than yours. After all, I can do what you do with the strips, without the strips.", Hadrian explained.

"B-b-but!...", Koni stammered.

"Am I free to go now, Doctor?", Hadrian asked.

"Yes...Koni, escort him to the dormitory.", Dr. Sanku replied, returning from the stupor he was in after looking at the foreign students' tattoo.

Koni looked at Hadrian with an expression that Hadrian didn't know how to describe, "Fine."

Koni stalked off with Hadrian following close by.