Chapter 19- Adèle and the New Potions Professor
Harry sat down next to Ron and Hermione the next morning at breakfast. Ron was looking disheveled and Hermione was going over her list of classes and planning out an organized study time sheet, that would allow her to fit research on Gillium into her schedule. She'd just finished hers, and grabbed a hold of Ron's to go through his. Harry looked at Ron, then back over at Hermione.
"What's with Ron?" he asked.
"Oh, there's a new girl in Gryffindor. She arrived last night after everyone had gone to bed. If you want to give me your class schedule I can work out something so that we're all researching Xavier Gillium at the same time," she replied, not even looking up from the time sheet.
Harry absentmindedly handed her his schedule and began surveying the table for the new student. It wasn't that hard to miss her. She'd placed herself next to Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, and was talking animatedly with them about something. She was beautiful. Harry had figured Hermione had meant a new first year, and couldn't see what Ron was all worried about, but then he understood. She had to at least be a sixth or seventh year. Her hair was long and blonde, something very Fleur about her. Harry glanced back over at Ron who was staring at her.
"Her name is Adèle. She's from France." Hermione told him.
"You know girls tend to not like us staring at them like that." Harry whispered to his friend.
"I'm not staring."
"Ron, you're staring." reiterated Hermione, as she handed back his timetable.
Harry caught her glance over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy wasn't there. In fact, he didn't show up for breakfast at all, and he wasn't in their first shared class of the day: Potions. Harry followed in with Ron and Hermione and they took their usual seats. Harry began blessing the elders that this was their final year there, and that they didn't have to deal with Snape for Potions anymore, which meant he had the possibility of passing with a higher grade. His hope for that though, was shattered when the new Potions professor walked into the class. They hadn't been introduced to her yet. She hadn't been at the feast the previous night, and Dumbledore had made no mention of who'd taken the position. Hermione had been talking with Ron about the N.E.W.Ts, and hadn't noticed the professor walking up to the front of the classroom; the whole room was silent except for their chattering. When Hermione realized this she looked up then fainted. Harry and Ron quickly began to try to revive her.
"Would someone get that girl up off the floor? You, take her to the infirmary." the woman snapped, then pointed at Adèle.
Adèle jumped up and went over to Ron and Harry. Ron turned a bright shade of crimson, and Adèle just smiled at him.
"Enervate." she whispered, and Hermione's eyes opened. Adèle ushered her out of the classroom, and there was a loud SNAP at the front of the class. The professor had slammed a ruler against the desk.
"If anyone feels the need to pass out in my class, I suggest you don't even bother showing up and take the detention. I will not stand for outbursts like that in my classroom. Is that understood? My name is Julia Blackthorne; you can just call me Professor. I've taught potions at Hogwarts before, and I know what I'm doing. Anyone who thinks otherwise can serve an evening in detention. I do not put up with disobedient children. The Headmaster has asked me to fill this position until another instructor can be found. Now we're going to get right to work. You have your N.E.W.Ts to prepare for, and none of my students have ever failed their potion portion of the exam. This is a reputation I plan to uphold." she began.
"Obviously you've never had a student like Longbottom." a Slytherin snickered.
"Silence! I will not stand for anyone talking out of turn. If you have something to say you will raise your hand. If I feel you might have something useful to add to the lesson, then I shall call on you. If I feel you're wasting my time, I shall not. Now, I would like you to open your books to the sixth chapter and look over the Healing drought. I want you to follow the instructions as written, and if I find any frogspawn in any of your elixirs; I'll make sure you'll spend the rest of the school year in detention. Do I make myself clear?"
Harry looked around at the half-scared, half-confused look on the student's faces. Even the Slytherin's looked on edge. They weren't used to having a Slytherin Professor treat them as such. Harry looked at Ron, and they knew exactly where the frogspawn comment came from.
"Fred and George." they whispered in sync. They'd done the same thing to Professor Snape in their seventh year.
They worked silently through the class period, and then corked their finish elixir, frogspawn free. The bell rang, and Harry went to put it on her desk. Blackthorne looked up from her desk, and watched him intently. Harry felt chills go up his spine. At least they were another step closer to finding out more about Gillium, he thought to himself. If Hermione was right, their new professor was his descendent. There was a greater possibility of finding things out if they did a bit of spying and digging. Harry caught up with Ron and they walked to the infirmary to check up on Hermione before going to Divinations. They were half way there, when Hermione came running up to them from the opposite direction.
"Where've you been?" asked Harry.
"Speaking with Dumbledore. I got my class changed, I'm going to Divinations with you, and I've dropped Muggle studies." she replied.
"You hate Trelawney, remember?"
"Yes, well I'm curious as to what Firenze will teach... and after this experience this summer with the prophecy, I want to do some more research into seers, particularly my ancestor. Trelawney may be a fraud, but there still might be something I could get out of it."
"She's not a fraud," replied Harry quietly. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You're right about Blackthorne. She's a bitch." huffed Ron as they made their way over to the North tower.
"Think Dumbledore hired her because of her relation to Gillium?" asked Harry.
"Possibly. I did tell him a few nights ago about my suspicions of her. I went to the library two nights ago-"
"You mean you weren't in bed with my brother, for a final farewell? Or even Malfoy? I mean with you two being so lovey dovey again, I'm shocked." interjected Ron. Hermione glared at him.
"Anyway, I was in the library trying to find out what I could before the term started, that way we'd have a bit of a head start. Havannah, Gillium's wife was a dark wizard as well. She went on to lead what was left of her husband's supporters; long after the war had ended. She gave up her daughter, Delsie, and ended up dying at the hands of an Auror. That's all I could find out about her. I didn't find anything on a Delsiah Gillium, but I found some very interesting information on Delsiah Blackthorne. She had a child out of wedlock, with a Malfoy. He refused to marry her or support the child because he was already married. That child was Augustus Blackthorne, he was Julia Blackthorne's grandfather. She comes from a long line of dark wizards. I wouldn't rule out the idea that she is helping Voldemort resurrect her Great-Great-Great Grandfather," explained Hermione.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" demanded Ron.
"Well with you back lashing me every other comment, I haven't had the chance to," she snapped back. Ron was about to reply when they heard a voice from behind them.
"Are you on your way to Divinations?" it asked. The trio turned around to see Adèle.
"Yeah, you have it too?" asked Harry. She nodded.
"Might I walk with you? I don't really know anyone yet, and I don't really want to walk into class by myself again. It was rather embarrassing last period." she smiled.
"Sure." replied Ron, quickly. Harry and Hermione exchanged amused glances.
"So what part of France are you from?" asked Hermione.
"Lille, but I've spent most of my life traveling around Europe with my father. He's an Auror, and has just accepted a position at the British division of the Ministry of Magic." she replied.
"Why is it that you didn't stay in France to finish your schooling?" asked Harry.
"Ma mère died when I was an enfant. He only has me. I figured what is one year, non? I believe I am of more use here in Britain. We know about the war. I know that you are Harry Potter, the one to defeat le seigneur foncé, Voldemort. We came to help." she smiled at Harry, who blushed.
They reached the Divination classroom, and Adèle took a seat next to Lavender Brown. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked over to their usual spot, but much to Harry and Hermione's dismay, Ron excused himself and sat down next to Adèle.
"Veelas." Hermione shook her head and sat down.
"You think she's part Veela?" questioned Harry.
"Just look at her, and look at the way Ron's staring at her. Where have we seen this before?" Hermione replied, recalling the boys' reaction to Fleur every time she was around.
"She is very... er... beautiful." commented Harry, looking back at Ron and Adèle.
"I'm actually surprised you weren't mumbling like an idiot like you usually do around Fleur."
"I don't mumble."
"Yeah, you do Harry. You stutter too." she smiled at him.
"She speaks English rather well."
"I suspect that's from traveling. I've heard of her father, Radolph Aiton. He's done wonders for both the French and German Ministries of Magic."
Malfoy wasn't seen at lunch either, and Hermione began to fidget. Harry noticed this and decided to do some investigating. He excused himself from the table and went down to the kitchens. Harry was more than sure this is where he'd find him, and he was right. Malfoy was leaning against one of the counters, while the house elves bustled around him, sending food up to the Great Hall. He was speaking with Dobby, and it looked as if they were having a normal conversation. Malfoy looked up, acknowledging Harry's presence.
"Hermione send you to go looking for me?" he asked.
"No, I went looking for you on my own. Why aren't you eating with the rest of the school?" asked Harry. He was uncomfortable. It was hard to push the prophecy from his head. "That's not really any of your concern, is it?"
"Well considering the circumstances, I believe it is. You weren't in class either."
"Wow, your rather perceptive, my congratulations to you Potter for being able to detect that I was not only not in class but at lunch. If there was a class on meddling, you'd be certain to get an E." Malfoy remarked, sarcastically.
"What've you been up to? Why aren't you attending class?"
"Hasn't Hermione told you? Or have you just started tuning her out completely? Our new potions professor is Julia Blackthorne. The same Blackthorne who taught at Hogwarts back in Nineteen forty-two. Neither Hermione nor I are going to be taking that class. Instead we're going to be tutored by Professor Snape so that we can pass that portion of the NEWTs. Blackthorne, like you, is observant. She'd recognize the two of us immediately. I'm rather surprised Hermione didn't know this. I heard about her fainting fit in class today."
"So your back to calling her Hermione then, instead of Granger? How sweet."
"Again, another remarkable observation by one, Harry Potter."
"Forget it, do what you will. I really am rather daft for giving you any sort of sympathy."
"Sympathy? I hardly believe you came looking for me to lend your shoulder for me to cry on, Potter. Why is it you really came to find me? Figured I was speaking with Voldemort through floo? Thought maybe I was writing a detailed owl to my father telling him everything? I'm working for the Order, like I promised I would. I really don't care what it is Voldemort wants with me. He'll just have to find someone else to do the job," replied Malfoy.
"I'll never trust you, Malfoy. Learn to accept that. You give me every reason to be suspicious, and so I will be keeping an eye on you. Hermione really is better off with Fred, and I don't know why you two keep playing at this little game of house. You'll never change." he turned to leave the kitchen.
"Doesn't mean she won't." Malfoy smirked. Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Did Malfoy know about what Hermione had seen in the cabinet? He turned around.
"Hermione is a Gryffindor. She'll never stoop to your level; it's not her nature. You should know that about her by now."
"She was a Slytherin in the past, and she made a bloody good one. I saw first hand. Granger has everything it would take to be a Death Eater. You really are the only thing that keeps her from such. She cares about you too much, and you worry her constantly. If say, anything were to happen to pull you two apart, I think she'd have exactly what it takes to switch sides and do some good for Lord Voldemort. I'm not saying that would ever happen, mind you. But it's the truth. There's a side to her, that I don't think even you or the Weasleys know."
The look in Malfoy's eyes was menacing. Harry really couldn't tell if he was being serious or just playing tricks with his mind. His stomach lurched again, at the thought that his end might be caused by the one standing in front of him. Never had he disliked Malfoy so much as he did at that moment, there in the kitchen. He didn't stay around to continue the argument and went back up to rejoin Hermione and Ron.
After lunch, Hermione went with Adèle to Arithmancy, while Ron and Harry went to Ancient Runes. The four met up with Ginny, Luna Lovegood, and Neville in the library after classes were over. They had a free study hour. Hermione was already working on her Arithmancy homework, while Ron and Harry lounged with their feet up on the table.
"So what's Lille like? Is it anything like Paris?" Luna asked Adèle, dreamily.
"Non, it's not like Paris, but I'm still fond of it. I prefer Italy to France, to be honest. Milan is wonderful. Everyone walks around like they're in a photography session."
"I bet the men are gorgeous." smiled Ginny.
"Oui, they are." Adèle smiled back. Harry glanced over at Hermione who rolled her eyes from over her parchment. He always loved how Hermione wasn't like the other girls. "So are the Slytherin's really as bad as everyone says?" Adèle questioned.
"Probably worse than everyone says. It depends on who you ask though," replied Ron, who verted his eyes towards Hermione.
"I'm not getting into this Ron," sighed Hermione, not looking up.
"Why? What is it?" asked a slightly confused Adèle.
"Hermione is dating the king of the Slytherins. The worst of the bunch." replied Ron. Harry pulled his feet off the table. He didn't want them to get into this.
"He's not that bad, Ronald. You know that." Hermione looked up.
"Speak for yourself. He's still the biggest git I've ever met." he responded, coolly.
"If you're going to attack me every time we're together, I'm going to have to stop hanging out with you. I won't be subjected to your jealousy and your feeble attempts to backlash me for it." Hermione stood up.
"Hermione, please." Harry protested.
"I'll be up in the Common Room, if anyone but Ron needs me." she packed her things, and left the library.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start anything."
"No Adèle, it's not your fault. Things have been going on the past couple years that have put us all on edge." Ginny told her.
"She's been seeing Draco Malfoy on and off for the past year. I don't think you've met him yet. Ron's right though, he is pretty much the King of the Slytherins, and he's had it out for all of us since first year." Neville explained.
"So why would see being seeing the one who hurts her? I don't understand."
"It's okay, neither do we." answered Ginny.
"Here I was thinking she was with one of you." Adèle pointed to Harry and Ron. Ron blushed furiously and Harry just shrugged.
"Those two don't date." Ginny giggled. Ron shot her a glare.
"Well, I think I'm going to go up to the common room as well and prepare for our next class. Care of Magical creatures, I believe."
"You'll like that class. The professor is wicked," replied Ron. Adèle smiled and walked off.
"I like her." commented Luna, softly.
"I do too." Ginny concurred.
"She'll be an interesting addition to the Gryffindor house," added Harry.
"She's really nice," mentioned Neville. They all looked at Ron, who just sat there watching her leave the library.
A/N: So that's the end of that chapter. I saaaid that's the end of that chapter. Sorry felt like quoting Simpsons. I have the next couple chapters outlined, and I'll continue writing while involved with others things, so I can continue to at least get one chapter up a week. Also, if you haven't seen it yet... LOST is tomorrow night, for you in the United States. You should watch it... hint hint. 8pm unless you're in the Mountain Time zone, then it's on at 7. Weds nights. ABC. Support Dominic Monaghan :-) Anyway, if you read please review, it'll be appreciated.
Harry sat down next to Ron and Hermione the next morning at breakfast. Ron was looking disheveled and Hermione was going over her list of classes and planning out an organized study time sheet, that would allow her to fit research on Gillium into her schedule. She'd just finished hers, and grabbed a hold of Ron's to go through his. Harry looked at Ron, then back over at Hermione.
"What's with Ron?" he asked.
"Oh, there's a new girl in Gryffindor. She arrived last night after everyone had gone to bed. If you want to give me your class schedule I can work out something so that we're all researching Xavier Gillium at the same time," she replied, not even looking up from the time sheet.
Harry absentmindedly handed her his schedule and began surveying the table for the new student. It wasn't that hard to miss her. She'd placed herself next to Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, and was talking animatedly with them about something. She was beautiful. Harry had figured Hermione had meant a new first year, and couldn't see what Ron was all worried about, but then he understood. She had to at least be a sixth or seventh year. Her hair was long and blonde, something very Fleur about her. Harry glanced back over at Ron who was staring at her.
"Her name is Adèle. She's from France." Hermione told him.
"You know girls tend to not like us staring at them like that." Harry whispered to his friend.
"I'm not staring."
"Ron, you're staring." reiterated Hermione, as she handed back his timetable.
Harry caught her glance over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy wasn't there. In fact, he didn't show up for breakfast at all, and he wasn't in their first shared class of the day: Potions. Harry followed in with Ron and Hermione and they took their usual seats. Harry began blessing the elders that this was their final year there, and that they didn't have to deal with Snape for Potions anymore, which meant he had the possibility of passing with a higher grade. His hope for that though, was shattered when the new Potions professor walked into the class. They hadn't been introduced to her yet. She hadn't been at the feast the previous night, and Dumbledore had made no mention of who'd taken the position. Hermione had been talking with Ron about the N.E.W.Ts, and hadn't noticed the professor walking up to the front of the classroom; the whole room was silent except for their chattering. When Hermione realized this she looked up then fainted. Harry and Ron quickly began to try to revive her.
"Would someone get that girl up off the floor? You, take her to the infirmary." the woman snapped, then pointed at Adèle.
Adèle jumped up and went over to Ron and Harry. Ron turned a bright shade of crimson, and Adèle just smiled at him.
"Enervate." she whispered, and Hermione's eyes opened. Adèle ushered her out of the classroom, and there was a loud SNAP at the front of the class. The professor had slammed a ruler against the desk.
"If anyone feels the need to pass out in my class, I suggest you don't even bother showing up and take the detention. I will not stand for outbursts like that in my classroom. Is that understood? My name is Julia Blackthorne; you can just call me Professor. I've taught potions at Hogwarts before, and I know what I'm doing. Anyone who thinks otherwise can serve an evening in detention. I do not put up with disobedient children. The Headmaster has asked me to fill this position until another instructor can be found. Now we're going to get right to work. You have your N.E.W.Ts to prepare for, and none of my students have ever failed their potion portion of the exam. This is a reputation I plan to uphold." she began.
"Obviously you've never had a student like Longbottom." a Slytherin snickered.
"Silence! I will not stand for anyone talking out of turn. If you have something to say you will raise your hand. If I feel you might have something useful to add to the lesson, then I shall call on you. If I feel you're wasting my time, I shall not. Now, I would like you to open your books to the sixth chapter and look over the Healing drought. I want you to follow the instructions as written, and if I find any frogspawn in any of your elixirs; I'll make sure you'll spend the rest of the school year in detention. Do I make myself clear?"
Harry looked around at the half-scared, half-confused look on the student's faces. Even the Slytherin's looked on edge. They weren't used to having a Slytherin Professor treat them as such. Harry looked at Ron, and they knew exactly where the frogspawn comment came from.
"Fred and George." they whispered in sync. They'd done the same thing to Professor Snape in their seventh year.
They worked silently through the class period, and then corked their finish elixir, frogspawn free. The bell rang, and Harry went to put it on her desk. Blackthorne looked up from her desk, and watched him intently. Harry felt chills go up his spine. At least they were another step closer to finding out more about Gillium, he thought to himself. If Hermione was right, their new professor was his descendent. There was a greater possibility of finding things out if they did a bit of spying and digging. Harry caught up with Ron and they walked to the infirmary to check up on Hermione before going to Divinations. They were half way there, when Hermione came running up to them from the opposite direction.
"Where've you been?" asked Harry.
"Speaking with Dumbledore. I got my class changed, I'm going to Divinations with you, and I've dropped Muggle studies." she replied.
"You hate Trelawney, remember?"
"Yes, well I'm curious as to what Firenze will teach... and after this experience this summer with the prophecy, I want to do some more research into seers, particularly my ancestor. Trelawney may be a fraud, but there still might be something I could get out of it."
"She's not a fraud," replied Harry quietly. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You're right about Blackthorne. She's a bitch." huffed Ron as they made their way over to the North tower.
"Think Dumbledore hired her because of her relation to Gillium?" asked Harry.
"Possibly. I did tell him a few nights ago about my suspicions of her. I went to the library two nights ago-"
"You mean you weren't in bed with my brother, for a final farewell? Or even Malfoy? I mean with you two being so lovey dovey again, I'm shocked." interjected Ron. Hermione glared at him.
"Anyway, I was in the library trying to find out what I could before the term started, that way we'd have a bit of a head start. Havannah, Gillium's wife was a dark wizard as well. She went on to lead what was left of her husband's supporters; long after the war had ended. She gave up her daughter, Delsie, and ended up dying at the hands of an Auror. That's all I could find out about her. I didn't find anything on a Delsiah Gillium, but I found some very interesting information on Delsiah Blackthorne. She had a child out of wedlock, with a Malfoy. He refused to marry her or support the child because he was already married. That child was Augustus Blackthorne, he was Julia Blackthorne's grandfather. She comes from a long line of dark wizards. I wouldn't rule out the idea that she is helping Voldemort resurrect her Great-Great-Great Grandfather," explained Hermione.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" demanded Ron.
"Well with you back lashing me every other comment, I haven't had the chance to," she snapped back. Ron was about to reply when they heard a voice from behind them.
"Are you on your way to Divinations?" it asked. The trio turned around to see Adèle.
"Yeah, you have it too?" asked Harry. She nodded.
"Might I walk with you? I don't really know anyone yet, and I don't really want to walk into class by myself again. It was rather embarrassing last period." she smiled.
"Sure." replied Ron, quickly. Harry and Hermione exchanged amused glances.
"So what part of France are you from?" asked Hermione.
"Lille, but I've spent most of my life traveling around Europe with my father. He's an Auror, and has just accepted a position at the British division of the Ministry of Magic." she replied.
"Why is it that you didn't stay in France to finish your schooling?" asked Harry.
"Ma mère died when I was an enfant. He only has me. I figured what is one year, non? I believe I am of more use here in Britain. We know about the war. I know that you are Harry Potter, the one to defeat le seigneur foncé, Voldemort. We came to help." she smiled at Harry, who blushed.
They reached the Divination classroom, and Adèle took a seat next to Lavender Brown. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked over to their usual spot, but much to Harry and Hermione's dismay, Ron excused himself and sat down next to Adèle.
"Veelas." Hermione shook her head and sat down.
"You think she's part Veela?" questioned Harry.
"Just look at her, and look at the way Ron's staring at her. Where have we seen this before?" Hermione replied, recalling the boys' reaction to Fleur every time she was around.
"She is very... er... beautiful." commented Harry, looking back at Ron and Adèle.
"I'm actually surprised you weren't mumbling like an idiot like you usually do around Fleur."
"I don't mumble."
"Yeah, you do Harry. You stutter too." she smiled at him.
"She speaks English rather well."
"I suspect that's from traveling. I've heard of her father, Radolph Aiton. He's done wonders for both the French and German Ministries of Magic."
Malfoy wasn't seen at lunch either, and Hermione began to fidget. Harry noticed this and decided to do some investigating. He excused himself from the table and went down to the kitchens. Harry was more than sure this is where he'd find him, and he was right. Malfoy was leaning against one of the counters, while the house elves bustled around him, sending food up to the Great Hall. He was speaking with Dobby, and it looked as if they were having a normal conversation. Malfoy looked up, acknowledging Harry's presence.
"Hermione send you to go looking for me?" he asked.
"No, I went looking for you on my own. Why aren't you eating with the rest of the school?" asked Harry. He was uncomfortable. It was hard to push the prophecy from his head. "That's not really any of your concern, is it?"
"Well considering the circumstances, I believe it is. You weren't in class either."
"Wow, your rather perceptive, my congratulations to you Potter for being able to detect that I was not only not in class but at lunch. If there was a class on meddling, you'd be certain to get an E." Malfoy remarked, sarcastically.
"What've you been up to? Why aren't you attending class?"
"Hasn't Hermione told you? Or have you just started tuning her out completely? Our new potions professor is Julia Blackthorne. The same Blackthorne who taught at Hogwarts back in Nineteen forty-two. Neither Hermione nor I are going to be taking that class. Instead we're going to be tutored by Professor Snape so that we can pass that portion of the NEWTs. Blackthorne, like you, is observant. She'd recognize the two of us immediately. I'm rather surprised Hermione didn't know this. I heard about her fainting fit in class today."
"So your back to calling her Hermione then, instead of Granger? How sweet."
"Again, another remarkable observation by one, Harry Potter."
"Forget it, do what you will. I really am rather daft for giving you any sort of sympathy."
"Sympathy? I hardly believe you came looking for me to lend your shoulder for me to cry on, Potter. Why is it you really came to find me? Figured I was speaking with Voldemort through floo? Thought maybe I was writing a detailed owl to my father telling him everything? I'm working for the Order, like I promised I would. I really don't care what it is Voldemort wants with me. He'll just have to find someone else to do the job," replied Malfoy.
"I'll never trust you, Malfoy. Learn to accept that. You give me every reason to be suspicious, and so I will be keeping an eye on you. Hermione really is better off with Fred, and I don't know why you two keep playing at this little game of house. You'll never change." he turned to leave the kitchen.
"Doesn't mean she won't." Malfoy smirked. Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Did Malfoy know about what Hermione had seen in the cabinet? He turned around.
"Hermione is a Gryffindor. She'll never stoop to your level; it's not her nature. You should know that about her by now."
"She was a Slytherin in the past, and she made a bloody good one. I saw first hand. Granger has everything it would take to be a Death Eater. You really are the only thing that keeps her from such. She cares about you too much, and you worry her constantly. If say, anything were to happen to pull you two apart, I think she'd have exactly what it takes to switch sides and do some good for Lord Voldemort. I'm not saying that would ever happen, mind you. But it's the truth. There's a side to her, that I don't think even you or the Weasleys know."
The look in Malfoy's eyes was menacing. Harry really couldn't tell if he was being serious or just playing tricks with his mind. His stomach lurched again, at the thought that his end might be caused by the one standing in front of him. Never had he disliked Malfoy so much as he did at that moment, there in the kitchen. He didn't stay around to continue the argument and went back up to rejoin Hermione and Ron.
After lunch, Hermione went with Adèle to Arithmancy, while Ron and Harry went to Ancient Runes. The four met up with Ginny, Luna Lovegood, and Neville in the library after classes were over. They had a free study hour. Hermione was already working on her Arithmancy homework, while Ron and Harry lounged with their feet up on the table.
"So what's Lille like? Is it anything like Paris?" Luna asked Adèle, dreamily.
"Non, it's not like Paris, but I'm still fond of it. I prefer Italy to France, to be honest. Milan is wonderful. Everyone walks around like they're in a photography session."
"I bet the men are gorgeous." smiled Ginny.
"Oui, they are." Adèle smiled back. Harry glanced over at Hermione who rolled her eyes from over her parchment. He always loved how Hermione wasn't like the other girls. "So are the Slytherin's really as bad as everyone says?" Adèle questioned.
"Probably worse than everyone says. It depends on who you ask though," replied Ron, who verted his eyes towards Hermione.
"I'm not getting into this Ron," sighed Hermione, not looking up.
"Why? What is it?" asked a slightly confused Adèle.
"Hermione is dating the king of the Slytherins. The worst of the bunch." replied Ron. Harry pulled his feet off the table. He didn't want them to get into this.
"He's not that bad, Ronald. You know that." Hermione looked up.
"Speak for yourself. He's still the biggest git I've ever met." he responded, coolly.
"If you're going to attack me every time we're together, I'm going to have to stop hanging out with you. I won't be subjected to your jealousy and your feeble attempts to backlash me for it." Hermione stood up.
"Hermione, please." Harry protested.
"I'll be up in the Common Room, if anyone but Ron needs me." she packed her things, and left the library.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start anything."
"No Adèle, it's not your fault. Things have been going on the past couple years that have put us all on edge." Ginny told her.
"She's been seeing Draco Malfoy on and off for the past year. I don't think you've met him yet. Ron's right though, he is pretty much the King of the Slytherins, and he's had it out for all of us since first year." Neville explained.
"So why would see being seeing the one who hurts her? I don't understand."
"It's okay, neither do we." answered Ginny.
"Here I was thinking she was with one of you." Adèle pointed to Harry and Ron. Ron blushed furiously and Harry just shrugged.
"Those two don't date." Ginny giggled. Ron shot her a glare.
"Well, I think I'm going to go up to the common room as well and prepare for our next class. Care of Magical creatures, I believe."
"You'll like that class. The professor is wicked," replied Ron. Adèle smiled and walked off.
"I like her." commented Luna, softly.
"I do too." Ginny concurred.
"She'll be an interesting addition to the Gryffindor house," added Harry.
"She's really nice," mentioned Neville. They all looked at Ron, who just sat there watching her leave the library.
A/N: So that's the end of that chapter. I saaaid that's the end of that chapter. Sorry felt like quoting Simpsons. I have the next couple chapters outlined, and I'll continue writing while involved with others things, so I can continue to at least get one chapter up a week. Also, if you haven't seen it yet... LOST is tomorrow night, for you in the United States. You should watch it... hint hint. 8pm unless you're in the Mountain Time zone, then it's on at 7. Weds nights. ABC. Support Dominic Monaghan :-) Anyway, if you read please review, it'll be appreciated.