::Michelle:: Happy now? *smile*
**It's been a while. The next update won't take this long.
Chapter 7 - Crime and Punishment
In the morning, Ada got ready quietly and went to the Great Hall by herself. As she sat down, Emily bolted in.
"Fred told me you hadn't waited for the two of them. What's wrong?" Her voice was sincere.
"Can I not be eager to eat due to hunger?"
"No, now what's wrong?"
Ada knew Emily would persist. She figured Fred told her all he knew of last night. Ada stayed silent and began to closely observe the wood grain of the table.
"Fred told me about Ginny and your outing. He couldn't tell me where you went because Hermione wouldn't tell him. He did say that you came back and went to bed straight away without a word." Emily held her gaze on Ada. She knew she wouldn't have to say anything else. Ada would cave in soon enough.
They sat silent, waiting for the other to speak. Ada was now studying her fork against the table and Emily was studying Ada.
"Is the table really that interesting?" A familiar voice broke Ada's concentration. She glanced up.
"Oh, Oliver. It's you," she answered as her eyes met his.
"Calm down now. Don't get too excited to see me," he said sarcastically.
"Sorry. I have things on my mind." Ada's eyes shifted back to the table.
"See...I knew it. There's something wrong. It happened last night. What'd you do?" Emily intervened.
"Last night? Were you there when Harry punched Malfoy?" Oliver sat down.
"Harry punched Malfoy?" Emily's wide eyes betrayed her interest.
"What? Harry? No, I --" Ada stopped herself, then continued, hesitantly, "I punched Draco. Harry was in the common room the entire time. I doubt he even knows that I left. Did Draco rat on me after all and Harry took the blame?"
Oliver and Emily's faces were astounded. Emily looked surprised but proud. Oliver's face showed the slightest bit of disapproval. Ada would have to explain more. She had questions of her own, though.
"Harry hasn't gotten in trouble yet, has he?" she asked.
"No. McGonogall is planning on talking to him at breakfast. Snape said you accompanied Harry to distract him while Harry spoke er...'dealt' with Malfoy," Oliver answered as he watched students pour into the Great Hall. "Look. I have to go. When Harry's called to be talked to, I'll have McGonogall call you too, okay?"
"Okay." Ada's voice was soft and unsure. She waved slightly as Oliver walked away. Emily scooted to her table but still faced Ada.
"Tell me what happened and why," she said sternly.
There's no avoiding her, is there? Ada sighed and told Emily first of Ginny. She then explained her trip to the dungeons, her meeting w/ Snape, and finally, her talk with Malfoy. Before Emily could respond, the food platters appeared. The familiar buzz of students rang in Ada's ears. Just as Emily opened her mouth to speak, Harry and Ada were called to wait outside the Great Hall. Harry didn't have any idea why he was being called out but he wasn't going to argue. He and Ada walked out, side by side.
Once outside the Great Hall, Harry spoke, "So, what do you think this could be about?"
"Oh, I know what it's about but I don't have time to explain everything. Just some business about last night. Whatever's said, don't worry. You're not at fault and I won't let you take the blame for me," Ada smiled gently.
The doors of the Great Hall swung open to reveal Professor McGonogall and Professor Snape.
"Follow me, please, " McGonogall spat immediately.
***
McGonogall's office was similar to Snape's. The size and layout was the same. The warmth was much more inviting compared to Snape's drafty dungeon. Red and gold tapestries, not unlike those in the Gryffindor common room, lined the walls. The light bounced and played off of them which gave the room an orange glow.
"Please take a seat," McGonogall said, motioning to the two lofty chairs in front of her large, elaborately carved desk. Snape stood behind and to the left of her throne-like chair. Ada and Harry sat down, still taking in McGonogall's office.
"I understand there has been a conflict of sorts. Would you care to explain, Mr. Potter?" McGonogall's expression was unchanged.
"I really --"
"It's not his fault, Professor. He didn't do anything. He was in the common room the whole time," Ada interrupted quickly.
"Please, Ms. Alucinor, do not try to cover. You are here only as a witness," reminded McGonogall.
"No, I'm telling the truth, Professor. Harry doesn't even know why he's here. I went to the dungeons to find Draco because he made Ginny cry. I only wanted to talk to him to try to set him right. Professor Snape found me in my search and after I managed to slip away from him, I was on my way back to the common room thinking I had failed and I'd have to wait till today to talk to Draco. When I reached the main floor, Draco was there so I talked to him. My anger got the best of me and he came out of our conversation with a black eye and a swollen nose," Ada took in a deep breath. Harry stared, amazed. Snape glared ever more harshly and McGonogall was speechless.
"Well...I -- Mr. Potter, you're excused. Return to the Great Hall. You're allowed to stay late to finish eating. Your teacher will be notified. As for you, Ms. Alucinor, I am very disappointed," McGonogall said in a very shaky voice. Harry, still shocked, nodded goodbye to Ada with a faint and hopeful smile.
"Is it possible, Ms. Alucinor, you've decided to take on the blame for Mr. Potter?" Snape finally spoke up. His arms were crossed and he stood perfectly still.
Sometimes I wonder if that man is a statue. But even statues have more heart than that bloody git, Ada thought as she held back a smile. "No, it's not possible," she quickly responded. She thought back to the night before. Her anger for Malfoy returned. "If you think I'm going to apologise to that mankey git, you're sorely mistaken. He bloody well deserved what he got."
"I believe that since you've never had problems of this nature in your past years, you had your valid reasons. But, do not think that you will get off freely, without punishment. You will be serving detention every other day for two weeks with me. You will not make this behaviour a normal occurrence. When you're not in class, Professor Snape has volunteered to keep track of your whereabouts. It was originally Potter he volunteered to watch, but due to change in circumstance, you take his place."
Ada nodded in agreement. Two weeks isn't that bad, I guess. But Snape watching me? "Although...I'm afraid I can't guarantee it won't happen again. Draco should be spoken to as well. If he doesn't stop pestering Ginny, all I can guarantee is that he'll spend a lot of time in the Hospital Wing."
"I'm sorry to hear you say that. If your words are expected to come true, I'll take the liberty of resigning you from your Quidditch position."
"What?! No! Fine. Fine. Blackmailing works well if you know a person's weakness." Ada found courage enough to glare at her Professors. Snape was smirking with amusement. Ada wrinkled her nose in hatred.
"Ms. Alucinor, I would expect better behaviour from a student of your stature. If you'd like, I can remove points from Gryffindor as well as sentence you even more detention. It's because of you the points are in the negative."
"I'm terribly sorry, Professor. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, Alucinor, there is," Snape growled, "On the days you do not serve detention with Professor McGonogall, you'll work as my student assistant when needed."
Ada's jaw dropped. She blinked hard and swallowed. "Yes -- erm, right -- Professor," she sputtered.
"You're dismissed, Ms. Alucinor. Report to the Great Hall to finished your breakfast. After ward, go on to Quidditch History," McGonogall said with tight lips as she towered, ominously, over Ada.
"Yes, Professor." Ada, afraid she might do or say something wrong if she stayed one minute longer, left quickly.
***
Students rushed to their second class as Ada walked toward the Great Hall. At the bottom of the staircase outside the Great Hall, she heard Malfoy's voice. Looking over the banister, she found him talking to Ginny. She strained to hear the conversation.
"I apologise for yesterday. As you see, I got my payment."
Ada saw hi point to his face. She started down the stairs. Ginny looked up. Malfoy followed her eyes. When he saw Ada, he immediately started staring at his shoes.
"Don't worry," Ada said, "I'm not going to punch you. I almost lost my Quidditch position because of last night. You can get that healed in no time in the Hospital Wing, you know." She pointed to his face. "I didn't think you'd actually apologise," she continued, "Congratulations for having something respectable in you."
"You said you'd punch me again if I didn't. And besides, you'll still pay. I'm only protecting myself. There are ways I can hurt you without you even knowing." Malfoy stared at her as if he was going to spit in her face. Ada was wrong for thinking Malfoy would ever change. Especially for her.
"Ginny, go on to class. If this rat bothers you anymore, you know who to come to," Ada said. She gave a small smile to Ginny.
"Thank you, Ada," Ginny answered shyly.
Ada watched her walk away. When she was gone, she continued her conversation with Malfoy.
"Why didn't you rat me out instead of saying I had left? You saw me and I know you did. That gesture is as foreign to you as apologising."
"You should've let Potter take the fall."
"I'm not like you. Harry doesn't deserve punishment for something he didn't even know about. I seem to have to repeat myself when I'm around you. Why did you cover for me?"
A look of uncertainly overtook his face. He answered with a question of his own. "Do you remember anything before the age of five?" he asked.
Ada looked bewildered. "What does that have to do with anything? I asked you a question and I expect it to be answered. I'm quite hungry so make it quick."
"Nevermind. I have to go."
Before Ada could say another word, he disappeared down the Hospital Wing corridor. Ada was left, alone and confused. With her mind full of swirling thoughts, she went back to the Great Hall and quietly ate breakfast.
***
Fred and George had saved her a seat in Quidditch History. Oliver nodded as Ada came in.
"Welcome, Ada. If Fred and George bothered to take notes, you can look off of them to catch up," he said.
And smiled and nodded in agreement and noticed she could easily catch up to something she already knew. The lesson consisted of various information about Roderick Plumpton, the British Quidditch team seeker who holds the British record for fastest capture of the Golden Snitch.
"Can anyone tell me what that record is?" Oliver asked. Ada immediately raised her hand. Oliver smiled. "Yes, Ada."
"Three and a half seconds," she answered, happily. Her smile was full of excitement and confidence.
"Exactly," assured Oliver, "Class is nearly over. Enjoy your homework! Tomorrow we'll review Plumpton's technique and flying skills."
As he spoke, the classroom steadily got louder with the sounds of rustling paper and chatting students.
"So what happened?" asked Fred. Oliver leaned over Ada's desk to join in on the conversation.
"Every other day for two weeks I have detention with McGonogall. The days I don't have detention, I'm Snape's student assistant."
"Man, that sucks. I wasn't talking about your punishment though. What'd you do to get it?" Fred asked, fascinated.
"Yeah. All the Gryffindors are dying to know. They won't leave us alone," added George.
"I punched Malfoy."
At this, the whole room fell silent. Ada looked around her. Everyone was staring. She apprehensively smiled. In no time at all, the room burst into cheers.
Oliver laughed. "Quiet, quiet! You're dismissed. Go on." He ushered every last student out the door before returning to Ada, Fred, and George. "So..."
"Explain," all three commanded in unison. Ada explained the entire situation from the point she left the common room to the breakfast she ate alone with her thoughts of her previous conversation with Malfoy.
"Wow," Fred said, dumbfounded.
"Wow is right," commented George.
"She's amazing, isn't she?" asked Oliver, thinking out loud with a dazzled look in his eyes. Ada looked at him and smiled. She then blushed and began to stare at her hands that lay neatly in her lap.
"Um...er...oh! You're homework assignment. Write one paragraph about the record-breaking match of Roderick Plumpton. You can probably do it without books or notes," he recovered. The dazzle was still glowing deep within his dark brown eyes.
"We better be on our way," noted Ada. Fred and George were laughing too hard to reply.
"R -- righ -- right," they said, finally, catching their breath from their laughter.
"Bye, Oliver. We'll see you at lunch. I hope your other classes go well," Ada cooed slightly, gathering her books and still blushing a little. She, Fred, and George stood and walked toward the door. Oliver waved as the walked out.
George elbowed Fred when they were far enough away from the classroom. Fred smiled.
"That was turning into an awkward moment. Good thing you saved it, Ada," George commented, still smiling, suspiciously.
"Yeah. She's amazing, isn't she?" Fred asked, mockingly.
Ada felt her face grow slightly warm. She stared at the floor. In a shaking voice, she answered, "Don't poke fun at him. We're only friends. He didn't mean it like that."
"Oh, come off it, Ada. You like him as we all know quite well, and he likes you," George encouraged.
"If nothing else proves that to you, the argument should. An old married couple is what you two acted like, you did. You sounded much like Mum and Dad. Friends, indeed," Fred added.
"I hope we didn't sound like that. Fine. What about Emily and you?" Ada inquired. Fred's ears turned red as his eyes shifted.
"Never you mind about that. We were talking about you."
"Yes, we were talking about me until I changed the subject. Now when are you planning on asking her out and such?"
"What is that? 'And such'," Fred asked.
"I know what it is," George chuckled.
"Pipe up, wanker," Fred snapped, uneasily.
Ada laughed. "Indeed," she said, "Indeed."
