Author's note: This series follows the books but will include details from the movie series for drama. Please note that the major events of the story remain true to the series and will be summarized into small sections to help progress to the story's love interest. I do not want to be claimed for plagiarizing but the original story line is needed to explain the changes in character development.
M rating for sexual content anticipated in year 4.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter series. Thank you to J.K. Rowling for bringing us the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The Doting Rival
Chapter 9
Hermione and Ron were doing anything they could think of to distract Adelyn from her own thoughts. Nothing seemed to work. Hermione grew more concerned with each passing day. Adelyn was hardly sleeping. She was often sitting at the fireplace aimlessly staring at the embers.
"Adelyn. Why don't we grab a bit to eat?" Hermione offered.
"Yea, I'm starvin'!" Ron added.
"I'm not really that hungry," Adelyn replied.
"Well, you must eat something." Hermione was putting her foot down. "We could also stop by the library for another book on broomsticks if you'd like."
"That's a good idea. You can't possibly use the school broom for the next match. That thing's ancient!" Ron's eyes widened with that last word.
"Alright, alright. You're right." Adelyn proceeded to follow Hermione's lead out of the common room.
Malfoy could hear the trio coming before he saw them. His heart began to race. He wasn't sure when he would see Adelyn next. So, each day, for each meal, he would ensure he was present start to finish, never able to anticipate when she would show. Most times, it was Ron or Hermione grabbing an extra plate to bring back to her. But today, she was with them.
"Ugh. HE'S here," Ron groaned with a frown.
Adelyn looked up at where he gestured to meet eyes with Malfoy. Was that a hint of a smile on his face?
"It's fine, Ron." Adelyn caught Hermione's eye. She had told her about the recent interactions with Malfoy, but they agreed not to share with Ron. He was a boy and wouldn't easily understand.
The trio sat on the opposite side of the table. As Ron and Hermione were preoccupied choosing options to add to their plate, Malfoy slyly added a couple grapes onto Adelyn's plate. She glanced up to find him smiling at her. She was serious before when she said he had a nice smile. It was soft and warm, inviting. She had not expected that to come from him. It made him look very attractive to her.
"Are you feeling better?" Malfoy asked in a hushed tone. He didn't want to draw the attention of the other two.
Adelyn shrugged in reply. She honestly didn't. But there was no use telling him. It wouldn't make a difference.
"Is there anything I can do?" Malfoy looked at her with concern. He had this uncontrollable pull towards her. He wanted to make sure she was happy.
"Oy!" Ron interjected, mouth half full with food. "Why don't you leave her be? She doesn't need anything from the likes of you."
"Buzz off, Weasley. I wasn't talking to you."
"Guys. Stop." Hermione was quick to settle their remarks. "Adelyn doesn't need this."
They both looked at Adelyn. She was already standing to take her leave.
"Adelyn, I'm sorry. Don't go," said Ron.
"I've lost my appetite."
She was about to leave when Malfoy spoke up. "At least take your plate with you, huh?" He was upset with himself for not controlling his outburst.
"Yes," Hermione encouraged. "You may be hungry later."
Adelyn silently obliged before she left the Great Hall.
Hermione had brought some books back from the library in hopes to entertain Adelyn. Unfortunately, Adelyn had not touched them all night.
"Adelyn, you really don't look well, you know." Hermione was anxiously observing her.
"I'm fine," said Adelyn.
"Listen. You must be really upset with what you heard at the Three Broomsticks. But you mustn't do anything stupid."
"Like what?" Adelyn asked.
"Like go after Black," Ron said abruptly.
They had obviously been rehearsing this speech.
"Black's not worth dying for." Ron was eyeing her questioningly. He wasn't sure if she was hearing what he was saying.
"D'you know what I hear every time a dementor gets too near to me?" Ron and Hermione shook their heads. "I hear my mum screaming, pleading with Voldemort. If you heard your mum just about to be killed, you wouldn't forget it in a hurry. And if you found out someone who was supposed to be her friend betrayed her and got her-"
"There's nothing you can do!" Hermione exclaimed. "The dementors will catch him and send him back to Azkaban."
"You heard Fudge," Adelyn continued. "The dementors don't affect him like they do others."
"What are you saying?" Ron was very tense, waiting on her reply. "You want to kill Black or something?"
"Don't be silly, Ronald," Hermione interjected. "Black is a madman. All that was left of Peter Pettigrew was one finger! Adelyn, he's dangerous!"
"Malfoy knows. His dad must have told him." Adelyn was not paying attention to their pleads, lost in her own thoughts.
"You're going to take Malfoy's advice over ours?!" Ron asked furiously.
"Adelyn, PLEASE!" Hermione was begging. "Please. Be sensible. Don't put yourself in danger. It's what Black wants. You'd be playing right into his hands! Your mum and dad wouldn't want you to get hurt."
"I'll never know what they'd have wanted because I've never spoken to them, thanks to Black," Adelyn answered shortly.
A silence filled the common room. Adelyn's blood was boiling, she was so furious.
"Look, it's the holiday," Ron interjected, trying to change the subject. "It's nearly Christmas! Why don't we got down and visit Hagrid? It's been a while." Ron looked between Hermione and Adelyn.
"No! Adelyn isn't supposed to leave the castle -"
"Yea, let's go," Adelyn interrupted Hermione. "Then he can explain why he never mentioned Black to me when he told me about my parents."
This was not what Ron had in mind. "Or we could play a game of Gobstones. Percy left his -"
"No, let's visit Hagrid." Adelyn did not wait for a response. She grabbed her cloak and gloves and headed for the portrait. Ron and Hermione reluctantly followed.
It was a wet and freezing march through the snow to Hagrid's hut. Ron knocked on the large door, but heard no answer. "Listen - is that Fang?"
They heard a low moaning from inside.
"Hagrid!" Adelyn yelled, banging her fist on the door. "Hagrid, are you in there?"
There were sounds of heavy footsteps and then the door creaked open. Hagrid stood before them, eyes swollen and red. Tears were falling down his face onto his leather vest. He left the door open for them to enter and made his way back to the table. Adelyn quickly dismissed any thought of confronting him.
"Hagrid, what is it?" Hermione alarmingly asked.
Hagrid began to sob again. He shoved a letter on the table towards Adelyn. "It's from the school governors." She read the contents aloud. Lucious Malfoy filed an official complaint against Buckbeak. A hearing was to take place on April 20th in London.
"But Buckbeak is a good hippogriff. I'm sure he'll get off," Ron said, trying to be encouraging.
"Yeh don' know them at the Committee fer the Disposal o' Dangerous Creatures. They got it in fer interestin' creatures!" Hagrid choked back tears.
"You'll have to put up a strong defense, Hagrid," said Hermione. "I'm sure I read a case about hippogriff-baiting where the hippogriff got off. I'll look into for you."
"Yes, we'll all help," Adelyn chimed in.
"Shall I make a cup of tea?" asked Ron. "It's what my mum does when someone's upset."
After a steaming mug of tea and many more assurances, they convinced Hagrid to be hopefully. They planned to go to the library the next day to start research for the case right away.
The following day, Adelyn awoke to find Ron and Hermione had left a note stating they had already left for the library. She was still not sleeping well and they were kind not to wake her. She decided to grab a bite of breakfast before meeting up with them.
Upon entering the Great Hall, Adelyn noticed Malfoy eating alone. She had started to enjoy this morning routine with him, but that would be no longer. She became furious at the sight of him after the news she received last night at Hagrid's.
Adelyn stomped towards the table. Malfoy's smile faded to a furrowed brow.
"You have gone too far, Draco Malfoy!" Adelyn was towering over where he sat.
"What are you talking about?"
"Feigning the extent of your arm injury for attention is one thing. But having your father go after that poor hippogriff is entirely another!"
"I didn't have my father do anything." Draco was truly did not know what she spoke of.
"I was naïve to think you could actually show any semblance of kindness. I won't make that mistake again." Adelyn felt a pang of hurt deep in her chest.
"Wait, let me -"
"Forget it, Malfoy." Adelyn cut him off before he could get another word in. "I don't care what you have to say anymore. Just know, that we will fight you and your father on this with everything we have."
Adelyn grabbed a bagel from the table, turned abruptly, and walked away, leaving Malfoy dumbfounded.
The next morning was Christmas Day. Hermione and Ron refused to let Adelyn sleep in this time.
"Come on, Adelyn. Wake up." Hermione was shaking her eagerly. "Presents!"
Adelyn woke groggily, grabbed her robe, and followed her down the stairs to find Ron excitedly waiting by a small number of parcels under the tree. Each received a hand knit maroon sweater with the Gryffindor lion from Mrs. Weasley. She was sure to include some of their favorite holiday treats as well.
Hermione, of course, had a few new books to add to her collection. Ron was opening a new pair of socks as Adelyn moved onto the long, thin package with her name on it.
Adelyn gasped as she opened it, revealing a magnificent broomstick. A Firebolt! The same broom she visited every day during her short stay in Diagon Alley this summer. As soon as she touched it, it vibrated and hovered to just the right height for her to mount it.
"I don't believe it!" Adelyn was beaming so hard her face was hurting.
"Wow, Adelyn. Who sent you THAT?" Hermione asked.
"Dunno."
Ron looked through the wrapping. "No card here."
Hermione was no longer showing any excitement.
"What's wrong with you, Hermione? It's the best broom there is! International standard!" Ron was standing next to Adelyn, admiring it with her. "Oy, Adelyn! Wait till Malfoy sees you on this! He'll be sick as a pig!"
"Isn't it a bit odd? I mean, who would send such an expensive gift but not say they did?" Hermione approached cautiously.
"Who cares?" Ron exclaimed. "Adelyn, can I have a go at it? After you, o'course."
"I don't think anyone should ride the broom just yet!" Hermione protested.
Before anyone could continue, Crookshanks pounced from behind the chair, right at Ron's chest. Scabbers wildly escaped over his shoulder and dashed for the girl's dormitory. Everyone was in pursuit up the staircase.
"Hermione! Get. CONTROL. Of you cat!"
Ron caught Scabbers by leaping onto Adelyn's bed, knocking over her trunk at the foot. The contents spewed across the floor, dislodging the Sneakoscope hiding in a pair of socks. Crookshanks's fur suddenly stood on end as a shrill whistling filled the room. The distraction was enough for Hermione to scoop her up.
"I forgot about that!" Adelyn picked up the Sneakoscope and stuffed it back in the trunk. It must be faulty. She had to keep it stashed away as it almost never stopped shrilling since getting to school.
The rest of the day was a bit tense. Ron was seething in anger over Hermione not controlling her cat. Scabbers was in rough shape. Ron would be miserable if he died.
At lunchtime, they went down to the Great Hall for Christmas feast. This was customary each year for those who stayed at Hogwarts for holiday. The single table was set for twelve and stood right in the middle of the room. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick sat at the far end, followed by Filch, the care taker, those two first years, and then Malfoy.
Ron, Hermione, and Adelyn filled the last three seats at the end. This placed Adelyn directly across from Malfoy. She was avoiding eye contact but could notice he was staring at her.
"Merry Christmas!" said Dumbledore. "Crackers?" He offered a large noisemaker to Snape who tugged the end reluctantly. With a loud bang, the cracker burst open, revealing a stuffed vulture with a pointed witch's hat. "Dig in!"
Conversations quickly erupted as the group began working on the delicious meal. Adelyn was helping herself to roast potatoes when she heard her name whispered.
"Adelyn. Psst."
She glanced up to find it was coming across the table from Malfoy. She was surprised. He had never referred to her by her first name before. He was successful at finally grabbing her attention.
He leaned in further and continued. "Adelyn. You must know. I didn't ask my father to seek legal action against Buckbeak."
Adelyn scoffed. "Sure, Malfoy." She rolled her eyes and proceeded to add gravy to her potatoes.
"I'm serious. And I'll prove it. Wait and see." He didn't attempt to speak with her the rest of the night.
After the Christmas meal, Professor McGonagall surprised Adelyn, Ron, and Hermione in the Gryffindor common room.
"Professor." Ron was caught off guard. As she was the head of the house, she could come and go as she pleased. But it usually didn't happen unless something was of concern.
"So, this is it?" Professor McGonagall walked over to the fireside and eyed Adelyn's Firebolt. "Miss Grager has informed me that you've been sent a broomstick, Potter. May I?"
She didn't wait for a reply. She examined it carefully from handle to twig ends. "And there was no note? No message of any kind?"
"No..." Adelyn replied hesitantly.
"I see. Well," Professor McGonagall continued, "I'm afraid I will have to take this."
"W - what?" Adelyn scrambled to her feet. "Why?"
"It will need to be checked for jinxes. Madame Hooch and Professor Flitwick will strip it down. Shouldn't take no more than a few weeks."
"But, Professor -"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Potter. We can't be too cautious now, can we? I shall keep you informed." She turned on her heal and carried the Firebolt out the portrait hole.
Adelyn rounded on Hermione. "What did you do THAT for?"
Hermione was red in the face, flushed with embarrassment on what she had done. "Because, I thought – and Professor McGonagall agreed – that the broom might have been sent by Sirius Black!"