"Dumbledore, did the boy seriously head out again?" Professor McGonagall barged into the office, lips pursed and brows drawn like crossbow bolts.
Dumbledore didn't even glance up, absorbed in the careful strokes of his quill. "The school is closed right now, and Adrian is on his holiday, he is not confined to stay in Hogwarts, Minerva" he said, voice as calm as water.
"You say that now, but the entirety of the magical world has been on their toes since the incident three years ago." Minerva said, her eyes darting towards the document Dumbledore was writing clearly related to the boy, "This wave didn't even occur when the previous two dark lord were rising."
"The muggles call it 'Evolution'. All the things these dark lords did where just holding us back." Dumbledore replied his pen stopping hovering over the paper, "Magic is ever changing its us who have been complacent, who knew all it needed was a special boy to bring forth these changes. The changes that occurred in these 3 years far surpasses centuries of magical innovation."
"So has the dangers. So much so that even he or any of us are truly aware of it." Minerva shook her head, "The boy... I partially raised him myself if not for the house elf of the Black family... And I know him better than even he would like to think."
"He's been peculiarly interested in the young Harry. I'm afraid he might barge into the Dursleys' home just to satisfy his curiosity."
Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Curiosity is magic in itself."
McGonagall's sharp gaze did not waver, so he sighed, setting the quill aside.
"But he is not heading there, Minerva. You may rest easy. Hagrid should already have young Harry in hand."
"Then where is he?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her tone.
Dumbledore only shook his head, the faintest smile curling his lips. And McGonagall realized, with a frustrated twist of her mouth, exactly what that meant.
Adrian Black, The boy was an anomaly, resisting magic from his body in its entirety making him impossible to track, even for someone on the calibre of Dumbledore.
McGonagall rubbed at her temples, muttering, "Merlin save us all," before glancing out the tower window.
(∩^ω^)⊃━☆ﾟ.* ⚡ -═══════ι▬ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)
Inside the grand museum, two peculiar figures moved among the polished marble floors and glass display cases.
Adrian was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a simple white t-shirt and black jeans, unassuming in style yet impossible to ignore with his aristocratic presence making him stand out. His soft, youthful features contrasted sharply with the strength evident in every line of his body, making him seem almost otherworldly.
Beside him, Tonks drew attention in a different way. Her pink hair framed her face like a flame, and her dark, gothic inspired outfit she had going on with a fitted black jacket, ripped leggings, and combat boots, made her look both playful and dangerous. Together, they turned more than a few heads from passing museum-goers, though few dared to stare for long.
"My dear cousin," Tonks said dryly, "enlighten me. Why did you drag me here in the middle of my blissful vacation?"
Adrian placed one large hand on her head, ruffling her hair like she was a cat, and pointed with the other. "I want that."
Tonks followed his finger. A jewelled dagger rested in a glass case, the overhead lights making it glimmer like it was trying to flirt with them.
Tonks nearly choked at the casual declaration, swatting his hands away. "You do realize we are not in a flea market where you can just point at something and take it?"
Adrian shrugged casually. "You owe me one, remember?"
Tonks groaned. "We could just go to Diagon Alley. This big sister of yours will even buy you the fanciest sword you want. Might be a bit shady, might require me selling a kidney, but it will definitely be bigger than that toy."
She tried to hook her arm around his and drag him away like a misbehaving child. But she couldn't move him an inch away as if she was trying drag a statue.
She was always down for some mischief and pranks but Adrian's idea of mischief seemed always a little too extreme bordering on just plain old crime.
"Cute," Adrian said, flicking her forehead. "But this isn't just any dagger. This is the jewelled dagger of Shah Jahan of India. Gold hilt. Nearly two thousand diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Priceless."
Tonks squinted at it, mildly impressed despite herself. "Alright, history boy. Still not worth Azkaban."
"Did I mention it's made of Goblin-wrought silver? Forged by the same goblin who created the oh-so-famous Gryffindor's sword."
Tonks' eyes widened as she look back and forth between Adrian and the dagger. "You mean... this... are you sure?"
"As always," Adrian replied calmly, his cocky smile shining bright.
Without warning, he pulled a small vial from his jacket pocket and smashed it on the marble floor.
A thick, swirling smoke erupted instantly, filling the exhibit hall. Visitors gasped and ducked, some bumping into displays in their panic with alarms blaring all over the museum.
Before Tonks could even react, a loud crash echoed from the corner, and Adrian was already sliding the dagger into his pocket. He grabbed her hand, tugging her close.
"Apparate now or do you want to spend the rest of the summer in Azkaban with me?" he said, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.
"Fuck me!" Tonks bit her lips in annoyance.
By the time the authorities arrived, the smoke had long cleared but the two figures were already gone and so was the valuable piece.
Arriving outside her house she fell to the ground in panic, panting from the side affect of Apparition, "Damn you brat! We could get into serious trouble one of these days!"
"You still don't have your license so no one should be able to track us." Adrian smirked taking out the dagger and tossing it around in the air skilfully like he had done it a thousand times before, "Besides, the ministry won't be sniffing around too much especially with the arrival of the golden boy."
Tonks gritted her teeth in annoyance as nothing she could say would phase this cousin of hers, "Just so you know, I'll be getting my license as soon as possible before you pull me into something like this again."
"Sure, sure..." Adrian smirked as he sat down besides her, "Our debt for now is clear so you don't have to worry unless you want another favour from me."
Tonks rolled her eyes as she shook her head fixing her hair changing it into a bright blue colour, "What do you think about the whole The-boy-who-lived coming to Hogwarts? With your history with him I'd suggest you stay as far away from him to avoid any rumours."
"Pfftt... Since when did you start caring about rumours? And besides I don't even know the kid so I could really care less not to mention a history." Adrian laughed it off. But noticing her serious expression, the kind that he didn't usually see, he added, "Fine! I'll try my best to not involve myself with the kid."
Tonks nodded slapping him on the arms, "I am going to be slightly more busy when school starts with the ministry program, I might not even be in Hogwarts for most of the year."
"You sure you want to go with being an Auror, considering we just committed one of the greatest heist known to muggle kind?" Adrian said with a smirk at Tonk's annoyed look.
"You're a bad influence and that's coming from me. Me of all people." Tonks pointed at herself in an exaggerated manner, "I just don't want you get into trouble at least until I graduate so my mother would let me be."
Adrian chuckled slightly leaning back on the curb, spinning the dagger between his fingers effortlessly.
"You know," he stated, "Honestly… I think I'm done with Hogwarts. It's all just noise now. I sit through classes about spells I can't use, taught by people who can't do half the things I can without even trying. It's dull."
Tonks raised an eyebrow. "You say that every year."
"Because it's true every year." His tone was casual, like someone complaining about the weather. "I'm not learning anything. I'm just… waiting. And I hate waiting."
Tonks snorted. "You're in your fifth year, you drama queen. Three more years and you can vanish off the map for all I care. Just survive till then."
"But I really am bored..." Adrian stretched his body, "And with you gone, it'll be worse. And it's not like I can make a career out of my studies."
"Who says you need to?" Tonks grinned. "You've got this whole mysterious-anomaly thing going. People are too scared to even stand near you. You'll be fine. Just behave until you come of age and then you can do whatever the hell your dark little heart desires."
She jabbed a thumb at the dagger. "Also, I know for a fact you'll never go hungry. And if you do… you'll owe me one."
Adrian chuckled, the shadows of doubt in his eyes slipping away.
"…Fine," he said at last. "I'll stay. For now."
A slow grin crept across his face. "Might as well enjoy the circus."