Author's Note: Two chapters less than a week apart? What sorcery is this?! *Throws confetti in a Peeves-like manner*

Seriously though, I know I've been lax on updating the second installment of the Adrianna Fawley series. I've let a stressful situation in my day job affect my writing time (who decided we needed day jobs anyway?), but I'm glad to say that's behind me now. I don't have a "regular" update schedule set up yet, but that's next on the ever expanding To Do list.

I want to thank Tingting26021996 and joicecarolyne12 for your kind reviews and patience as I've gotten caught up! I'm so glad to know there are readers still interested in Adrianna's story after my absence.

Enjoy!

~Dragonwing

Ch. 9 – A Date in Hogsmeade:

Adrianna sat in the Gryffindor common room, a half-finished essay for Advanced DADA and several research books scattered on the table in front of her. Remus was beside her, sharing the same faded red velvet couch they often claimed, nose buried in the pages of his N.E.W.T. level Arithmancy text.

"This isn't right." Adrianna muttered, flipping back and forth between two different books before slapping them both closed.

"What isn't?" Remus' voice was muffled by the heavy tome in his lap.

"The information in these books!" She flopped back against the couch. "How am I supposed to write a decent essay on the Great Vampire Coven Migration – Which, by the way, wasn't that great. - if the supposed authorities on the subject contradict each other?"

Remus finally let his own homework drop. "Erm…rewrite the books?" His suggestion was rewarded with a throw pillow to the face.

"Be serious!" Adrianna laughed.

"I am!" The werewolf tossed the pillow back at her. "Who better to write about humanoid magical beings than someone who happens to be half of one of them?"

Adrianna paused, her head tilting to one side. "You have a point there, Moony." She lowered her voice so only he could hear. "Maybe I could get a collaborator, one with a furry little problem. Know anyone who might be interested?"

Remus blushed, and was saved from coming up with a reply when James, Sirius, and Peter appeared through the portrait door.

"Greetings, friends! One and all!" James spread his arms wide, apparently addressing each student gathered in the common room.

Adrianna raised her eyebrows at Remus.

"Beats me." The werewolf shrugged.

"Hello, you wonderful little first years, you!" James stopped on his goodwill tour to pat the heads of two utterly confused Gryffindors. "Isn't it a glorious day?"

"What's with him?" Adrianna asked as Sirius and Peter gave up on the other boy and claimed seats across from her and Lupin.

"He's in love." Peter sniggered.

"That's not new." Remus snorted, going back to his book.

"No," Sirius slumped farther down into his chair. "But this is."

"Moony! Adrianna!" James finally reached them. He ruffled Remus' shaggy hair and planted a kiss on the half-witch's cheek. "How are you on this fabulous Thursday?"

"Oi!" Sirius frowned.

"Did someone slip you a potion?" Remus smacked James' hand away.

"That, my dear Moony, is irrelevant." The Seeker plopped himself into the remaining chair across from the couch, limbs akimbo, and gazed up at the stone ceiling.

Remus huffed. "That response made absolutely no sense. And you didn't answer the question."

"Oh, who cares?" James sighed happily. "Words are trivial when compared to the wonders of the world around us!"

"Anyone care to translate?" Adrianna chuckled.

Sirius began to slowly massage his temples. "He has a date with Evans. The git'll be insufferable now."

"Lily?" Adrianna gasped. "You actually have a date with Lily? A real date?"

"YES!" James leaped up to grasp her hands across the table, sending her DADA essay to the floor. "We're going to Hogsmeade this weekend, and I have you to thank for it! Miss Adrianna Fawley, of the Britain Fawleys and the Succubuses of Wherever!"

"Succubi." Remus corrected half-heartedly.

James ignored him. "You told me what I needed to do and it worked! Granted, it took over a year to work, but it worked just the same!"

"I'm very happy for you both, James." She pried her hands free. "But maybe try to get some of this excitement out of your system before then, okay?"

"Yeah, Prongs." Sirius shot him another dark look. "This manic garden-gnome-on-Alihotsy routine is getting old fast."

OOOOOOOOOO

Later that night, Adrianna found Lily studying in their dorm. The other two girls who shared the space were still in the library, so she took the opportunity to sprawl across her friend's bed.

"So, a little bird has informed me that Lily Evans – that's you – has a date this Saturday with one, James Potter – that would be the Seeker you've been turning down since first year – to go to Hogsmeade."

Color bloomed across Lily's cheeks. "Would this little bird happen to wear glasses and act like an insufferably prat 99% of the time?"

"Possibly." The half-witch grinned. "But more importantly, how do you feel about it?"

"Fine." Lily replied, staunchly refusing to look up from her N.E.W.T. level potions book.

"Just…fine?" Adrianna flipped over to lay her had on Lily's lap and closed her eyes.

"Yes…why do you ask?"

"Because, you're reading your potions book upside down."

Lily blinked, stared down at the book for a moment, and then threw it across the bed. "Oh! I don't know! I always thought James was such a nuisance, but now…"

"He's sort of grown on you, huh?" Adrianna opened one grey eye and gently tugged on a lock of the other girl's red hair.

"I guess so. Maybe? Ugh!" Lily collapsed back onto the mattress, jostling Adrianna's headrest until they both settled down again. "Do you think I should go out with him?"

Adrianna closed her eyes again and sighed. "I think you should do what will make you happy. If a trip with James Potter to Hogsmeade makes you happy, then by all means go. If it turns out awkward as hell then, well, at least you tried it out."

Chewing on her bottom lip, Lily was quiet for several minutes. Suddenly, she popped up, sending Adrianna off her lap and nearly onto the floor.

"I know! Why don't you come with us?"

The half-witch blinked up at her through a curtain of black curls. "You want me to be a chaperone on your date?"

"No, no!" Lily sprang up to retrieve her potions book. "You can bring someone as well, it'll be a double date!"

Adrianna's stomach dropped. "A double date? Pray tell, who on earth am I going to ask to go with me on a date? I've been here almost three years and I'm still fighting off half the male student body. Also some of the female student body, I might add. Who could I ask without them taking it more seriously than it really is?"

"Why not Remus?" Lily was too caught up in her own plan to notice her friend's discomfort. "Or Sirius. Or even Peter. Just so long as I'm not completely alone with Potter. It's a brilliant plan!"

"Right." Adrianna's head dropped onto the bed. Dating was not on Adrianna's agenda, not while she was still in school anyway. Her options for a love life were both complicated and limited enough to avoid the activity for as long as possible. Sure, Remus had agreed to escort her to the yearly Valentine's Day balls, but even then he didn't have to stick by her side the whole time.

Now, Lily wanted her to drag Remus around Hogsmeade on a pseudo-date? The lycan would likely find it as uncomfortable as Adrianna.

Maybe she could just suffocate herself right here, become the new ghost of Gryffindor tower.

Adrianna sighed. "Brilliant."

OOOOOOOOOO

Saturday turned out mild and sunny, the perfect weather for wandering around Hogsmeade. Adrianna stood by the doors to the Great Hall, waiting for Lily and the rest of their absurd party to arrive. She thanked every god she could think of when Remus agreed to play chaperone with her, because that was exactly what they'd be doing. Of course she knew that Sirius and Peter had also been options, but Peter seemed to nearly faint at the idea of going on a date, even a platonic one, and Sirius… Well, she knew how Sirius felt about her, being half succubus gave her the ability. Inviting him would have felt too much like leading him on, especially when she was still sorting her own feelings out where the dark haired Gryffindor was concerned. She didn't even consider asking Severus. That would have been like throwing a wild hippogriff into Madam Puddyfoot's and locking the door.

Bloody and unnecessary. With the high possibility of someone losing a limb.

It didn't take long for Lily to come bouncing down the stairs, her feelings about the date had improved considerably once Adrianna agreed to double.

"The boys not here yet?" She asked, straightening the skirt of her Muggle-style dress.

"Not quite." The one bright side about today, as far as Adrianna was concerned, was the chance to spend a day out of school robes and in something a bit more stylish. She'd opted for a pair of flared jeans and an off-white, flowery blouse one of her American friends had sent her. Apparently, this look was all the rage in California.

"Good morning, ladies!" James' voice carried from across the foyer. "My you both look lovely today!"

"What happened to toning it down?" Adrianna muttered under her breath. She turned to say hello, and found someone who was definitely not Remus standing next to James.

"Sirius?" She blinked. "Where's Remus?"

"Er, well," He sounded uncharacteristically nervous. "Moony said he's really sorry, but he's not feeling so well today. The full moon coming up next week and all. He asked me if I'd go instead so, y'know, you wouldn't be on your own today."

"Oh." Adrianna looked to Lily for support, but she had already migrated to the front doors with James. Seeing that Sirius was on the verge of sporting an impressive hangdog look, she smiled brightly and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. "Looks like we're getting left behind. Shall we?"

Sirius couldn't have smiled any brighter if he tried. Adrianna felt a brief moment of guilt before brushing it aside. This was ridiculous. Sirius was her friend, first and foremost, not some random bloke. Even taking into account how he obviously felt about her, they'd spent enough time together for Adrianna to know that today could be perfectly lovely if she'd just relax and enjoy their outing.

The walk to the little town was pleasant; the weather really was gorgeous, hovering in that blissful time between summer and fall. James and Lily walked side-by-side on the path, with Adrianna and Sirius bringing up the rear.

They made a brief stop at Scrivenshaft's so Lily could pick up a new quill she'd ordered, then made their way down to The Three Broomsticks. A table in the window opened up as they walked in. James quickly pulled out a chair for Lily and Adrianna had to stop herself from grabbing her own chair to give Sirius the chance to do the same.

'Relax.' Adrianna reminded herself.

Madam Rosmerta swept through the crowded pub to take their orders, then soon reappeared with four butterbeeers. Adrianna sipped hers, grateful for the warmth spreading through her stomach.

There was a brief, awkward silence. Across the table, Lily's green eyes widened at Adrianna, a silent plea to say something and get the conversation going.

Adrianna took another sip of butterbeer and cleared her throat. "Have I told you that Peeves decided to give me another bunch of random plants from Professor Sprout's greenhouse?"

"No!" Lily giggled. "When was this?"

"During my free study period yesterday, while I was in the library." The half-witch gave a put-upon sigh. "And right in the middle was a juvenile mandrake!"

"A mandrake?" James nearly snorted his drink up his nose. "Please tell me Madam Pince saw it!"

"It started screaming, of course she saw it!"

"Bloody hell," Sirius chuckled. "I wonder how Peeves managed to get it without Professor Sprout noticing."

"Oh, no!" Lily shook her head. She was sitting close enough to James that a lock of her hair brushed his shoulder. Adrianna thought the Seeker was going to faint into his butterbeer. "I do not want to hear about you boys stealing a mandrake and using it for a prank."

"Seconded." Adrianna grinned.

"I make no promises." Sirius smiled warmly at her.

After that the conversation flowed easily. They able to relax and remember that they'd all been friends for years now, despite the nature of their outing. Another round of drinks and a plate of sandwiches were ordered, another hour passed.

Sirius was telling the story of one of his relative's misguided foray into the dark arts, one that resulted in the man's skin turning a permanent shade of eggplant purple. Adrianna found herself laughing so hard, tears began leaking from the corners of her eyes.

"You're making this up!" She accused.

"Am not!" Sirius's look of mock-offense only made them laugh harder. "Prongs, back me up here."

"Well, the last time you told -" James's response was cut off when their table rocketed from the floor and flipped in air, dousing them all with the remains of their drinks.

"Fucking hell!" James grabbed Lily by the shoulders and jerked her back just as the table came crashing back down. Without a second thought, Adrianna threw up the shield she'd spent the summer learning with her Aunt Seshat, stopping a sharp chunk of wood from hitting Sirius in the face. The other window tables beside them wobbled and turned over, but none made the same violent crash landing.

A hush settled over the pub. Madam Rosmerta stood behind the bar, her mouth dropped open in shock. A patron's glass she'd been filling started overflowing onto the floor, the self-pouring pitcher forgotten.

Sirius reached a tentative hand out and touched the shimmering wall of silver currently separating him from James and Lily. The shield shifted like a living thing against his touch and his fingers tingled. He turned to Adrianna, her worried silver eyes met his.

"Uh…" Sirius licked his lips. "New trick, yeah?"

Adrianna nodded, the shield slowly melted away.

James was still gripping Lily's shoulders, her butterbeer-soaked hair sticking to his hands. Adrianna quickly used her succubus magic to clean the four of them up, her eyes fading from silver back to grey once she was done.

Lily came back to her senses, gently dislodging herself from James's grasp. With a flick of her wand, the fallen tables righted themselves. Their own smashed table took a moment to reform, but within a few minutes it was impossible to tell it had been broken in the first place. Many of the other pub-goers had gone back to their own business, though a few still stared. Madam Rosmerta was busy cleaning up the puddle she'd managed to create behind the bar.

"That was…" Lily looked around suspiciously.

"Strange." Adrianna finished.

"Bollocks, is what it was." James muttered darkly. Sirius nodded, glancing around them. The spell could have literally come from anywhere, even from outside the The Three Broomsticks.

"It's getting late, let's head back." Lily sighed. The girls led the way through the packed tables.

"I'll give you one guess as to who was behind that poxy stunt." Sirius murmured to James.

"Fucking snakes." James sneered. They joined Lily and Adrianna out on the cobblestone street.

The walk back to Hogwarts was quiet. They reached the castle with a few hours to spare before dinner in the Great Hall.

"Well, you can't say it wasn't a memorable date." Lily smirked.

James huffed out a laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Memorable is better than complete shite, I suppose."

"Exactly." The redhead gave James's shoulder a pat before linking her arm with Adrianna's.

"Tell Remus we hope he's feeling better, hopefully he'll make it down to dinner." The half-witch gave both boys a wave as they climbed the stairs, heading up to their dorm in Gryffindor tour to change.

"You know we need to figure out who did that before they do, right?" Lily whispered.

"I know." Adrianna sighed. "Unfortunately, I think I might already have an idea."

Sirius watched both girls until they were out of sight. When he turned back to James, his friend was glaring daggers at the entrance to the dungeons.

"Don't get wound up yet, mate." Sirius put a hand on James's shoulder, steering him towards the stairs. "Let's go talk to Moony and Wormtail, see if we can find out which Slytherins left the nest today."