Chapter 11

It was a late Friday evening and Adrienne strolled to the dungeons. Mione bid her a goodbye – she didn't want to go near the 'Big Bat of Dungeons' as she said.

Snape watched her silently like a hawk when she arrived and curtly nodded to the instructions on a blackboard. "Start with your work, Miss Potter."

Snape went back to his assignment, probably grading holiday essays. That was when Adri decided that she will need to start working on her bet – you just can't start a funny conversation with somebody who hates your guts. Adri wasn't so optimistic to thing that Snape would 'grace' her with anything close to smile even if she managed to say something peculiar. She needed to get the professor intrigued. So while gathering her ingredients she asked: "Professor? Can I ask something about Potions?"

"Can't you read the instructions properly?" Snape scowled at her.

"Yeah, I managed the reading; I just wanted to specify the information that isn't at books."

Snape covered a pang of surprise behind his scowling mask. "I am pretty sure that Potion books are eloquent enough."

"No, they aren't. If it was just precise adherence of instructions there wouldn't be so many accidents, would it? It reminds me of cooking, does it work similar way? I mean is there any hints and quirks how to produce better effect of an ingredient in a potion? Like with spice, a small bit of it can make a different result."

Snape looked at her contemplating what she said. No student seemed interested in his subject for a long time. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they were scared. Well, to say the truth Snape was pretty aware that even a lot of adults were scared of him for his cold and demanding attitude. He stopped caring long time ago and started actually finding his amusement in the jumping and flinching he caused. "In a way, but by no means I don't want you to experiment with anything! It isn't an excuse for a blown cauldron, Potter." said Snape sneering with one of his death glares. He noticed how ineffective it was on her, but he can't let the brat thing that he is going soft just because of a stupid question.

Adri didn't seem disturbed by the harsh answer nor she was covering in fear. "If I am right, than why don't you explain more on a regular lesson rather than let the kids learn it by heart from books, professor?" Her voice and small smile didn't give away anything other than mild curiosity.

"Every information needed is available in your required school books or in the library." With that Snape returned to marking students' essays, nevertheless he couldn't suppress a pang of curiosity about he girl.

Adrienne mentally sighed and noted to herself that she should ask Neville to help her with the herbs which were often part of the potions. Time to impress the grumpy Bat of the Dungeons.

Scene break

'Finally a weekend!' hummed Adrienne silently to herself. She wasn't used to so much reading and only few stolen hours of exercise, although Ben was demanding teacher. She made an arrangement with Professor McGonagall about the dueling club, which will start next week. It has been already pinned on the notice board.

"Looks like good opportunity to win against our new Slytherin prince again. It was amazing idea, sis." Eric grinned at Adrienne evilly.

"Are you sure that Draco will be the one with his ass kicked?"

"Yeah, just wait to see it." Eric walked out of the common room in great mood.

"Boys and their toys." muttered Hermione disapprovingly from her pile of books.

Adri laughed. "Well, I'll be joining the fun, so will you come and watch?"

"You're a girl. When did you start such ridiculous sport?"

"Oi, watch it! It's art! And I talked dad to it when I was five years old. Well, with a little help from my uncle. But one day, I'll be better than dad or uncle, I'll be the best!" Adri nearly jumped around the room and blushed like she was talking about her crush. Mione has never seen her so excited. She noted to herself that she needs to ask about it more later.

"Uncle?"

"Uh-huh. Well, he's not my biological uncle, but a dad's friend who often visits. Besides, it's worth calling him that just for the reaction. Oh, how I love to tease the man." Adri grinned and checked the time. "Sorry, I need to go, I can't keep Draco waiting, can I?" she smiled sheepishly.

"I almost feel pity for the blond." with the words Mione waved to her friend and got back to her books.

Adri hurried through the castle and to the meeting point at the lake. Draco was already standing there. Adri waved at him, grinning widely. He came.

"You're late, Potter." 'Was there a slight blush creeping under Draco's cheeks?' mused Adrienne.

"My sincerest apologies, my dear boy. It's just the excitement in the air." She retorted merrily to the cold greeting.

Draco snorted. "Catching on the same wave with Dumbledore, Potter?"

"Ugggh, Draco, I wouldn't really expect such insult leaving your mouth." Adri's face clearly showed disgust.

Draco stared at Adri for a while in disbelieve. Did she really said that? "I wouldn't take you be the one loathing your beloved grandfatherly Leader of light."

"Like the headmaster? Are you nuts?" Adri arched her eyebrow at Draco. Not that she wasn't aware of the ridiculous siding of the sparkling old man with Potters, or rather his manipulations with them. Not that she would count herself in, if she has anything to say to that.

Draco watched her observantly, still not sure what to think of it. After all, it was against everything he heard, be it from his father or the newspapers. Why in the world would have Adrienne something against the man? "Oh sure, a Potter who doesn't like to be preferred and spoiled by the man. Do you think I am an idiot? Your brother is the youngest seeker in the century thanks to Dumbledore's interference. I would at least expect him to be proficient in little magic, but a pureblood five years old knows more magic than him." said Draco sarcastically.

It was Adrienne turn to look stunned. "W-what?! Don't you say that my brother actually doesn't receive any training and that he is left for death?!" She paled considerably thinking about the consequences of it.

'If she plays it, she's amazing actor. On the other hand, how could she doesn't know such thing about her brother?' mused Draco. "You didn't know?"

Adri sat slowly on the ground, her mind racing. Should she admit the blond that she is still new to the ways of this world? He apparently know much more about what's going on even after what dad told her. But would she gain precious friend and ally or would it close such opportunity from her? The risks were high. How much could she tell him? After all, Draco doesn't have a reason to help her. Maybe later she could, she dearly hoped so, but it's too soon to trust him. Adrienne sighed. "It's called an expectations." Adri didn't comment the inquiring look she felt on herself and rather made a silent note to send her dad another letter, this time about Eric. "Never mind, so what are we? Friends or enemies?" Adri grinned at the blonde.

"Go drown yourself, Potter, like I would be friend with the likes of you! I am looking forward to see how you discredit yourself at the dueling club." With that Draco headed to the dungeons back at school.

Scene break

"Mione. Mione. Mione. Mione." Hermione tried her best ignoring the redhead next to her until the girl started poking her with her finger. "Common, Mione! I am bored! Lets play something. Anything!" whined Adrienne.

Hermione smacked her friend with the closest book available. "Can't I get a minute of piece and quiet? I have a book to read, find someone else!"

"Ouch. Meanie. You were under the pile of books even yesterday when I went to see Draco, spoilsport! You seriously need to be shown what having fun means, or you'll suffocate here. How can you even sit still for so long?"

"Not all of us are hyper with short attention span."

"That doesn't change a thing about the fun stuff, Mione."

"Talking about the fun stuff, you're the one with Slytherin sarcasm and you're dropping now and then few hints on wizarding politics with Draco. How many eleven years old children do that?"

"Well, it comes with being around adults most of the time – you're the one to talk! Did you have any other friends before the Hogwarts?"

Bushy haired girl blushed and looked away. "That doesn't have anything in common with it! I just prefer books." Adri shot her disbelieving look and Mione blush deepened. "Ok, ok, maybe you're right. Fine, we'll play something in the afternoon, ok?" "It isn't like I need to act like five years old just because of that." Mione muttered under her breath.

"Yay! See you then!" Adri jumped from her chair and went looking for the Weasley twins.

"George! Fred! How have you been?" Greeted them Adri with a glint in her eye that spelled for mischief, as all of Hogwarts will soon come to realize.

"It's good to be back at Hogwarts."

"But we don't think that it's the reason you would want to see us."

"So you either want to talk about our sweet Eric, the new seeker -"

"Or you need our help with some sort of prank directed to Ronnie."

"The death glares you throw his way are highly noticeable."

"Well, I have been thinking -"

"O-ou, bad sigh." Interrupted her Fred with grin.

Adri just rolled her eyes and continued: "That your baby brother needs a bit of change in his wardrobe, perhaps Slytherin colours and emblem would suits him well."

Both twins grinned. "You're truly the sneaky one, Adri."

"Little Ronnie will certainly freak out".

"So, is there a spell to change it?" asked Adri impatiently.

"Leave it to us." chorused the twins.