Chapter 11 - Rising Suspicions
Over the next few weeks, Ada toggled between her schoolwork, Quidditch practise, and meeting Malfoy. He was a complete nuscence to her. He'd try to force her to sleep even during her practises. Oliver would ask her why she was so tired all the time but she had to keep her secret safe from him. Only Emily knew and Ada wanted to keep it that way. The image of the blond woman haunted Ada's dreams when Malfoy didn't intrude upon them. She hadn't gotten any help that she was hoping for from him. She would tell him about the woman but he only laughed and changed the subject. Ada began to feel as if Malfoy had intentions beyond what he told her.
It was October now and as each day passed, she got more excited about Quidditch season starting in November. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon, Ada would reserve the Quidditch Pitch for the Gryffindor team to practise. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon, Fred and George would try to get out of practise.
"We've got Divinity homework," they would say.
"Don't give me that excuse. Honestly, I'm quite surprised at you two. You're much more imaginative to have homework be a worthy excuse. If the rest of the team can do both, you certainly can," was always Ada's reply.
They'd argue but their complaints died down when they got accustomed to Ada's role as captain. She wasn't as pushy as Oliver, or so it seemed, because she knew how to talk to the team forcefully but without yelling or losing control of herself. Although Ada had been a reserve for them team in previous years, this was her first and last year to play during the game. She had to have the cup. Her plays were unbeatable and her team as excellent. One more week to go, and Gryffindor's first game of the season would be played. They were to be playing against Ravenclaw.
"I think the odds are on our side," Ada said through a mouth full of toast one morning to Fred and George, "Ravenclaw's good but we're better."
"That's all well and good, but I'm keeper this year so be prepared for the game. You're gonna lose," Emily said behind her.
"Oh, hey, Emily! You've finished eating already?"
"Well, breakfast is over so I suppose I am."
Ada glanced around at the students emptying the Great Hall. "So it is," she said, "Oh, and you're wrong. You may be the best keeper around but we've got Harry. Add that to an already fantastic team and you've really got something."
"Harry's been beaten before you know," Emily reminded.
"Yeah, 'cause he blacked out."
"Oh, same thing. Ravenclaw'll win."
"When we win the cup, I'll let you touch it," Ada chuckled. Emily elbowed Ada's arm and they made their way to Advanced Divinity.
On the way there, Oliver joined the four of them and pulled Ada to the side.
"What's up?" she asked curiously, catching the worry on his face.
"Meet me outside after your class at that bush thing that yells. I have to talk to you," He made sure Emily, Fred, and George couldn't hear him and whispered, "Don't bring anyone."
"Well, can it not wait until after Quidditch History?"
"Well, it's really bothering me. I can't ask you now because I don't want you to be late."
Ada opened her mouth to reply but Oliver put his hand over her mouth and hugged her.
"Bye," he said as he kissed her head. He sped off down the corridor as Emily walked up with Fred and George.
"What was that about?" Fred asked, still eating a muffin he snatched before they left the Great Hall.
"I haven't the faintest idea," Ada said quietly, not taking her eyes off of Oliver's back.
After a normally unpleasant Divinity lesson, Ada broke off from Emily, Fred, and George and waited behind the yelling bush.
"For fuck's sake!" it screamed, making Ada jump, "Shitty twat-faced students do nothing but taunt me! Fuck all you bloody students! I'll get fucking revenge one day! Watch your back!"
Ada rolled her eyes. Whoever's idea it was to jinx a bush to yell obscenities was oddly disturbed.
"Piss off," Ada commanded, looking around for Oliver.
"Oh! Big seventh year student telling me to bloody piss of!"
"That's right, wanker. Pipe up, will you?"
"No! Ha! I'll have you!" The bush shook as if it was trying to uproot itself.
"You're a bloody bush. You're rooted to the ground."
"Oh, sure. I'm just a fucking bush. Have you ever seen a bush that talks?"
"You don't talk, you scream, yell, whine, and complain. They should've cut you down years ago."
"Students like you wouldn't have anyone to hide behind when you're skipping your bloomin' class!"
"I'm not skipping. I'm waiting for someone."
"Oh no! No bloody fucking teenagers are going to shag behind me! Fuck off, wench!"
"He only wants to talk to me. We're not going to 'shag' each other. And don't call me a wench, asshole."
"You'd certainly be the first to not use me as a cover for your 'sexual pleasures'. Bloody students make me SICK!"
Ada laughed, "Who does that?"
"That dragon kid and Patty or something."
"Draco and Parvati? When?"
"Yeah, that's them. Fuckin' kinky shit they're into. Now get away! WENCH! THERE'S A WENCH SKIPPING!"
"I told you, I'm not skipping. Bloody fucking bush. You're useless."
They continued to argue, each insult got louder and louder. Oliver walked up and laughed.
"Ada...you're arguing with a bush. No-- Ada don't do-- You just punched a bush, Ada. Come on." Oliver pulled her away. "Is your hand okay? That bush is loaded with thorns."
"Yeah, it's fine. It stings a little." Ada looked at her hand which was starting to bleed. She only shrugged. "That stupid bush called me a wench."
"Aw," Oliver laughed, hugging her, "You should take care of that hand before my class."
"It's fine," Ada began to laugh at herself but stopped, remebering why she was out there. "So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
Oliver quickly quieted and looked at her seriously. "I know this is ridiculous and I know I have nothing to worry about but I was just curious that's all. It's Malfoy who said it and all so--"
"What did he say?" Ada asked, trying not to sound too anxious.
"I overheard him talking to that Whitney Clark girl. I shouldn't even be concerned..."
"What is it?"
"Well..." Oliver paused and shifted his eyes to the ground. "He was boasting about how you and him meet secretly."
"Boasting? Why was he boasting?"
Oliver's eyes shot up and met Ada's, staring at her quizzically.
"Why was he boasting about meeting me secretly when I don't meet him at all?" Ada covered.
Oliver sighed. "I know it was far-fetched but...I don't know. It was eating at me all day."
"No, it's okay if you were suspicious. But why would a Slytherin boast about a Gryffindor?"
"I don't know. I found it a bit odd too. He kept saying something like 'I'm helping her remember what she should be, not what she is.' He said it was a shame you were turning out so well considering what was planned for you."
"Well, I don't know what that's supposed to mean."
"It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that...well...when I was seven years old, that would've made you five, I woke up one night and there was some sort of commotion going on in your house. At that time, some hermit family lived there. I never saw them go out of their house. Anyway, I peered through my window into what's not yours and I saw shadows and heard voices. Suddenly, the shadows stopped talking and turned. Then I blacked out and the next morning, you lived there. Seeing as that the Malfoy's have always been loyal to the Dark Side and they're usually involved in mysterious happenings..." Oliver caught his breath and shrugged, "I guess I'm just trying to connect things that have no connection.
"Wow," Ada replied, speechless. Her eyes moved frantically. Sensing her awkwardness, Oliver spoke again.
"Sorry I unloaded all this on you."
Ada thought hard for a moment. She had to write her parents and ask them. No, I can't do that. Not yet, anyway. I'll talk to Draco. Lost in thought, Ada forgot where she was. Blinking, she looked back at Oliver who stared at her fretfully.
"We have a class to get to. Come on," Ada spoke, weakly. She softly tugged on Oliver's arm and began to walk back to the castle. Oliver obidiently followed.
"I'm sorry if I upset you," he said, breaking the silence and taking her hand in his.
"No. No, you didn't upset me. I'm just confused," she replied, absentmindedly. She squeezed his hand affectionately. She knew she had to tell him everything but she didn't know how without risking him being hurt. She finally had him and she didn't want to lose him so quickly.
