.::*Sorry it took longer to update than last time. I didn't get the chance to go to the library and I didn't want to do it at home because I just didn't feel like it. Blah.*::.

.::*After this chapter, Michelle and Sheila are introduced. Excitement!*::.

Chapter 13 - Sorrowful Defeat

"Do you think she's okay?" Emily said as she stood outside the Great Hall with Fred and George after lunch.

"I guess so. If not, she will be by Quidditch practise tomorrow. Drill sergeant, she is," commented George.

Fred punched George in the arm. "Emily's concerned, George. Have some sympathy," he said.

"Thank you, Fred," Emily smiled as she took his hand in hers.

"She's more of a dictator, really," Fred continued. George laughed.

Emily rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna go. Charms is one of my favourite classes."

"Alright. Bye," Fred said as he leaned down to kiss her.

Emily pressed her lips to his. After a few moments, George spoke up, trying to interrupt them. "Wow. Okay. That's a bit much for a goodbye kiss when you'll see each other again. Come on. Fred, we have Ancient Runes."

He pulled Fred's arm and separated him from Emily.

"Bye," Fred laughed.

Emily waved as she began to walk backwards. When they were out of sight, Emily ran towards the Hospital Wing. She had expected Ada to be reading or writing but she was asleep. Emily pulled a chair over to Ada's bedside and sat down. She reached out to nudge Ada awake but when her hand touched Ada's arm, a flash of something went by. Emily sat back. She looked at Ada. Emily leaned forward again and placed her hand on Ada's. She could see Ada's dream. She stayed and watched it.

***

Ada stirred awake from fear. She had had the same dream she had earlier but this time the man had gone back to the room. Ada still couldn't make out who it was but he was standing above her cradle in the dream.

"What was that?" Emily asked, shocked.

"What was what?"

"Your dream."

"How did you know I was dreaming?"

"I saw it."

"How?"

"I came in here to see how you were doing. You were asleep so I thought I'd wake you up. I was going to shake you but when I touched your arm, I saw this flash of a cloaked woman. I touched your arm again and I realised you were dreaming it. So, I watched your dream. I hope you don't mind."

"No. No, I was going to tell you anyway. I wonder why you could see what I was dreaming."

Ada paused. "What?"

"First...confusion, I think. The you in your dream didn't know what any of your surroundings were. Then, you felt sympathy and joy as soon as the woman came in. When she was struggling with the man, you felt anger because you couldn't do anything. And of course...fear."

"But how did you--"

"I don't know. So that was you as a baby?"

"Yeah. Maybe around three or so. The woman was my mother. The rooms was my room except it didn't look like my room. I have yet to find out who the man and baby are."

Emily nodded. "Maybe it's Malfoy. The baby," she said, absentmindedly.

Ada looked up. "I never thought of that...surprisingly. How could I not see that?" Ada scolded herself. "How could you see my dream? Oliver didn't when he shook me awake. How long did it last? Last time, it lasted from when I passed out to when I came to.

"Well, my Charms was over a while ago...Care of Magical Creatures is just now ending."

"You have Quidditch History next, right?"

"Yeah. And you have your second half of Double Potions."

"Right, right. Tell Oliver what happened. Oh, and tell him I'm fine though. He freaks out easily. Gah...I have to take more of this...this...I don't know what it is but I don't need it." Ada pointed to the bulbous bottle of tonic.

"Ew. Is it that lumpy when it comes out?"

"Yeah."

"Eck. Don't take it. That's disgusting."

"So, will you talk to him for me?"

"No...I won't," Emily rolled her eyes sarcastically.

Ada smiled, "Thanks. I'm going to ask Madame Pompfrey if I can go to Transfiguration. She'll probably turn into a gorgon or something."

Emily laughed, "Okay well, if you're in class, I'll know she didn't turn you into stone. I'm gonna go. I have to meet Fred by the bathrooms."

Ada raised an eyebrow. "So that's why he takes a bathroom break everyday in Potions. Snape is getting suspicious, you know."

"Fred has already prepared a long spiel about having an overactive bladder."

Ada laughed, "Well, tell him I said hi. I think maybe you're his overactive bladder."

"That'd be interesting," Emily smiled and stood.

"Bye then. Hopefully, I'll be in Transfiguration."

Okay, "Bye."

When Emily was gone, Ada wrote down her newfound knowledge in her notebook. Oliver had brought it by the night before and left a note. After writing, she read his note again.

I just stopped by to drop this off and see how you were doing. I thought it'd give you something to do while you're there. It's supposed to rain again this Saturday. Shall we have a fly around the Pitch? I'm worried about you so you better come to soon.

Oliver

Ada realised something was crossed out very well at the end. Obviously, he didn't want her to read what it was. I wonder what that could say, Ada thought.

"How are we?" Madame Pompfrey asked as she came around the corner.

Ada shoved Oliver's note in her notebook and placed it on the nightstand. "I'm much better, thank you. Do you think I could go to my last class? I'm really fine. I'm well enough to be released."

Madame Pompfrey stopped outside her office. She stared at Ada and started to stutter, "Most certainly not! I'm keeping you until after dinner. Don't give me that face, Ms. Alucinor. Take your medicine. Go on!"

Ada sighed, "Yes, ma'am."

Ada reluctantly swallowed two spoonfuls of the violet medication. She began to fall asleep once more.

***

"Now, little Ada. You won't remember a thing," a deep, frightening voice crackled.

"Lucius!" screamed Ada's mother, "Don't you touch her!"

The man pulled out his wand. "You won't remember a thing," he said again, this time with more amusement.

Ada's mother stormed in. "Put down your wand, Lucius," she spurted, frantically.

He turned. "And you yours."

"Please...don't do this."

"Where were you tonight?"

Ginger's eyes shifted to the floor for a quick moment and back at Lucius. "That's none of your concern."

"Oh, I think it is. Were you with the Potters?"

"That's none of your concern," she repeated, forcefully.

"How are they? Did the severing spell work?" The corners of his mouth turned upward, his lips curling around his teeth in a malicious smirk.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me, Ginger. This is the second time this week. How's James? What about Harry? He'll be next in line."

Ginger's face screwed up in anger. "Cructio!" she cried. One of the unforgivable curses.

Lucius fell to the floor, twitching. Ginger rushed over to Ada, picked her up, and ran from the room. Lucius, his will overpowering the spell, stood and went after them. "Where will you go?" he called behind her, "The Potters'? My Lord is there as we speak."

Ginger stopped, her hand clutching the door knob. She squeezed so tightly, her knuckles turned bright white. She turned to face Lucius. "What?" Tears swelled in her eyes.

"He's there. It's over. Give Ada to me."

"No. We're leaving. I have to save them."

"It's too late, I'm afraid."

Ginger shook her head angrily in frustration. "You're lying. You must be. It's not true!"

"Am I?" His malicious smirk returned. Ginger searched his eyes for fallacy of any amount. All she saw was confidence and accomplishment. Lucius held out his arms for Ginger to release her child to him. Reluctantly, she handed baby Ada to him and slumped to the floor with disappointment and failure. Lucius laughed cruelly and shrill as he enjoyed Ginger's weeping. As she mourned, Lucius carried out his business. He slowly crept up the stairs and gently laid baby Ada in her crudely.

"The Dark Lord's plot is never foiled, is it, Ada?" he said in a playful but awkward way, "There's no Gryffindor heir to ruin your future, is there? No. Now, you'll be great. A fine Death Eater." He looked scornfully at the green cradle with the baby boy in it, sleeping peacefully. "As for you," he whispered with disgust, "a mistake can still become something useful." Lucius' face transformed so strangely from disgust to amusement as his thin lips curled over his brilliantly white teeth. "Together, you will be the finest couple serving under the Dark Lord. It will be quite an honour." He pulled out his wand and looked back at baby Ada. As he pointed it at her, he muttered, "Obliviate," and there was a flash of pale blue light.

Ada's eyes shot open. Her breath was heavy. A memory charm. The boy in the cradle is Draco. Lucius...

Ada's thoughts were interrupted when Oliver walked in.

"Feeling any better?" he asked, smiling.

"I've been just fine for a while but Pompfrey won't let me leave until after dinner."

"Well, you can leave then. It's eleven o' clock at night."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. Erm...After dinner Dumbledore allowed me to visit Hogsmeade for a 'get well' present for you. There's a Quidditch store there now. So...I got you this."

Ada watched in anticipation as Oliver pulled a long tube from his cloak. He popped off the cap and slowly removed the contents. Ada gathered that it was some sort of poster. Oliver unrolled the poster and showed it to Ada. Her eyes got wide and her face lit up.

"Oh, wow! Oliver, thank you so much!"

Ada lunged forward and embraced him tightly. She pulled away and put her hands on his face. She kissed him with excitement and passion. Oliver laughed when she pulled away.

"I knew you'd like it. You were eyeing it like it would've been the end of the world if you didn't get it. You also pestered me about it in Flourish and Blott's. I couldn't wait until Christmas to buy it for you."

Ada still smiled excitedly as she looked at the poster. She ran her fingers over the silver signatures. "I'm...I'm speechless.," she laughed, "Where's Pompfrey? I want to hang this up."

"I'll find her. I'll be right back."

Oliver stood and squeezed Ada's hand after he smiled at her. Not even five minutes had passed when he returned with Madame Pompfrey.

"Ms. Alucinor, you're free to go. It's been a pleasure having you. If you feel uneasy at anytime, you can always pay me a visit for some medicine."

"Er...thank you, Madame Pompfrey. I'll be sure to do that," Ada forced a smile as she gathered her things.