Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

Important A/N, Please Read: Well, for those of you who tuned in on previous chapters, I'm changing the quartet's house from Ravenclaw to Slytherin… I realized that how I wanted to develop my characters' personalities doesn't fit the Ravenclaw stereotype… and the aquantances and situations I'm planning on putting them in just doesn't fit J.K. Rowling's Hogwarts. So I suggest you at least skim over the first two chapters incase you get confused.

Chapter Three

(See A/N, please…)

Adrian had been released from the white hell that was Hogwarts' Hospital Wing Wednesday morning. Only an hour later she was shuffling off to History of Magic, grungy and unkempt.

She was the first person in there, having skipped breakfast, and she took her seat quietly, opening her textbook, and pulling out another book.

Five minutes later, someone interrupted her violent studying. "What's that?"

Adrian looked up, meeting the bright green eyes of the fiery Gryffindor, Lily Evans. Every other seat had been taken, so Lily was forced to sit next to Adrian.

"Oh, just… 'History the Teacher Never Told You.' It's very interesting… Helpful, too." Once again, Adrian found herself breaking the rules her housemates had set up for her.

Professor Binns started class, a dull lecture on the Goblin Wars absolutely NOT keeping the students' attention. Dominic had joined them, sitting on the other side of Adrian and nodding to the girls.

Lily and Adrian decided to continue their conversation by passing notes, though Lily was also taking notes on what Binns was saying.

So you like History? Lily passed Adrian a note.

Actually, a lot. Not the class of course, the only thing History of Magic is worth is for reading time.

And to Adrian's surprised, she found herself responding… She liked Lily, but she also liked not being at odds with people like Lucius Malfoy and Regulus Black. 'Oh well…' And Adrian gave into herself, her love of talking to and learning about people.

Cool. Oh no, Potter is throwing paper at me again.

Hey, doesn't he have like a major crush on you?

Yeah, it's really annoying. He's a pig.

Hmm, I see what you mean…

So what's this I hear about you getting in this big fight over Severus Snape with those guys?

They were picking on Severus, and I got pissed off and tried to put a stop to it. Then my brother and our friends got involved, and it was this whole big fiasco that got out of hand.

Wow, that's terrible. Good punch though.

This was a surprisingly civil conversation… Even could be considered a comfortable talk between friends… 'Oh, damn my sweet demeanor to hell,' Adrian thought, and laughed to herself.

Heh, you saw Black's nose? I am quite proud of myself, I'll admit.

Hahaha, yup. I really shouldn't condone your behavior, but it was well deserved. Remus was pretty mad at them too, he said they had to "get control of themselves, they're almost adults and they're still hung up over a pointless feud." He sounded like my mother.

I still have to apologize to him, too. I overreacted; I know he couldn't get involved. Sirius, James and Peter ARE his friends.

Please, that's no excuse and you know it. He can get involved, but he won't.

Haha, you're too kind. I still have to apologize though.

Alright, well why not now? It's not like he's doing anything.

Adrian glanced around the room, trying to find Remus. Only a table across and down from hers, he sat, reading a book while James and Sirius arm wrestled. 'Boys.' She thought, as she watched Sirius slam James' arm down on the table. Professor Binns didn't even look up.

She whispered, "Damn it all to hell," and hurled a note at Remus, asking him to meet her in the Library after dinner. He looked up at Adrian, his amber eyes guarded, and nodded.

Adrian thought back to when Remus had been helping her up to the Hospital Wing on that strange day…They had exchanged words, and both had had their feelings hurt.

Worry was etched in his face, making him look aged beyond his years.

"You shouldn't have done that."

"I had to." Though whatever that curse Sirius had hexed her with made her stomach curdle, she still answered Remus with sharp words.

"It was stupid." For some reason, such a trivial statement felt like a slap to the face.

"Me…I'm the stupid one? You're the one who lets some poor boy get attacked by your so-called 'noble' friends."

"Don't talk about them like that."

"Fucking stupid…yeah. A real backbone you've got to, aye? If your friends are so great, they wouldn't hate you for standing up to them! I think you didn't want to help Severus, I think you're just a- a jerk!" She was attacking with all she had (which, honestly, wasn't much, in her weakened state.)

"Don't talk about things you don't understand." He paused, glaring at her as he neared the Hospital Wing, then decided to fight back. "And I'm sure your brother's so great as well, he just couldn't control himself, could he?"

She quieted, and looked away. Both of them were hurt. After their happy conversation earlier, this one was equal to a blow to the gut for both of them.

"Moony, you've been staring at that page for five minutes now."

James poked Remus in the arm, his concerned eyes meeting the boy's amber ones. Remus shook his head, his shaggy brown hair falling into his eyes.

The other boy sighed, and spooned more food onto Remus' plate. 'I suppose it's my turn to play the mother hen.' James thought.

He couldn't stop thinking about the words he and the black-haired Slytherin had exchanged. She was as unpredictable as a muggle rollercoaster, her emotions shifting from giddy to furious with just a snap of his fingers. 'Bloody women!' Remus thought, irritated.

Only a few feet away from the agitated teen, an equally pissed off Adrian sat. She had had a run in with Severus Snape only a few hours after her escape from the Hospital Wing, and he was currently ignoring her, his nose turned up.

The pale boy hadn't been happy about her interference in his 'affairs.' His pride was wounded, and he was taking it out on her. She understood why he was angry, of course… She wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. Nonetheless, his attitude bothered her- he couldn't accept that she wasn't willing to just stand idly by as someone else got hurt.

"Bleeding hell." Adrian stabbed a fork into her Salisbury steak, the plate rattling. And now she had to go deal with Lupin, who was, no doubt, just as angry as Severus.

Dominic glanced over at his twin. It wasn't like her to get so angry. That was his job. His eyebrow twitched as he watched his sister attack her food with a fury.

He met Izzy's eyes, and she grinned at him. "Adrian, dearest, I doubt the poor steak has done anything to you, except try and sate your hunger." Izabel crooned at Adrian, fluttering her eyelashes mockingly.

"Go fuck yourself, Izabel Lewis." The two women stared each other down, and to their male companions shock (and horror) began to laugh. Loudly.

Rami and Dom shuddered simultaneously, and the dark-skinned boy muttered under his breath, so that only Dom would hear. "…Women… We're screwed, aren't we?"

Adrian sighed, and pushed her plate away… It was time to head to the library, she wanted to get there and look at some of the History books on Goblins before she met with Remus.

XXXXXXXXXX

Remus cautiously approached the Library, and snuck a look inside… Was she there? He had tried to get out of dinner early so he could prepare himself for their…encounter, but when he had finally escaped, he had looked towards the Slytherin table and had not seen her.

He only hoped she hadn't come straight here.

The young man peered into the Library, only to find Adrian already sitting at a table, reading a large tomb. He sighed, screwing up his courage, and started to walk towards her.

Suddenly he veered towards the book shelf near her, brushing coldly past Lucius Malfoy who was… walking right toward Adrian Lucretia.

He paused at the bookshelf, then made himself look busy with, well, finding books.

"Adrian." Lucius nodded curtly.

"Ahh, Lucius… to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" Remus was more than a bit surprised to hear the cool flattery come from the hothead. "Please, have a seat." She gestured towards the three other chairs at her table.

"Thank you, I think I will." They spoke in polite tones, held up by many years of practice.

They both knew that Lucius would not answer her vague question- there was no need.

"May I inquire as to how your family is fairing?" A sickly sweet smile turned the young woman's lips upward.

"They are quite well. They are eager to begin the Movement, of course. I have also heard that you and your brother took out the Blood-traitors and their friends." Lucius practically spat the word.

Remus was curious. 'What is she doing, talking to him?' He knew that Lucius was referring to the incident last Saturday, and was a little angered at the mocking tone he held as he spoke of them.

"Yes, it was… pleasing. Of course Izabel Lewis and Rami Touya helped… And Severus."

"You give credit where credit is due."

"Yes… Anyone deserves recognition who gives the Blood-traitors what's coming to them." A sickening grin crossed Adrian's face, and Remus was a little disgusted. What was she? "Speaking of which, how is my dear old mum? I do hope she is serving Him well."

Remus could literally hear her capitalize 'Him.'

"Very well, indeed."

"And I suppose that's what you wanted to speak to me about…" Adrian paused, seeming to think her words over, and then said "If I may be so bold."

"You are a very smart witch… Almost..." he seemed to consider something, but Adrian filled it in for him.

"Too smart. Yes, I've heard that many times before."

Lucius' laughed, but it did not reach his cold eyes.

"It has been wondered what you plan to do after you graduate from this… stifling school." All of them knew he was referring to Hogwarts' stance on the Dark Arts.

She chose her words carefully… "I'll travel, in all likelihood… Broaden my horizons, go to University, and hopefully learn more about foreign pureblood societies…"

Her answer seemed to please Lucius, and he leaned forward, Remus copying him, curious as to what he would say.

"Would you consider joining your mother?" He was cold, calculating.

"Alas, I do not think that I would be much service in that position… It's just not where my talents lie." She knew there was know way to word it so Lucius would not take offense.

"You think yourself better than those who are actually making His Will happen?" There was a hint of anger in Lucius Malfoy's voice.

"No, no of course not! I think that if I was in His direct service I would be found out immediately."

"The Ministry of Magic would never check… They are fools." Well, Remus never said that Lucius was stupid… that was certainly something the icy blonde was right about.

"That is true. But my father is not. He didn't become Head of the Aurors by being an idiot. If I joined Him, and I had the Mark, my father would know. He watches Dominic and me, ever since we were sorted into our esteemed House."

"Hm. I see." Lucius wanted more. "So you choose Dumbledore?"

"Merlin, no! He's an old fool with a no chance of defeating the Him." Adrian paused, and then continued defending herself. "I may not want to risk discovery, but I never said that I would try and help our Lord… If information is needed, say… Getting into someone's family, manipulating what you want out of them… Or something else… I'm willing and happy to serve…"

They looked at each other, staring down with their equally hard grey eyes. Remus got shivers just watching the exchange.

After a moment, Adrian spoke, but Remus got the feeling that it was not her accepting his dominance…

"Look, Lucius, I respect you- let me tell it to you straight. Both of us have very strong futures ahead of ourselves, wherever we head… We're both pure, and we both have powerful families backing us… In the Ministry, and in the Service. I think that we could have…" she tried to find an appropriate word for it. "A very… gratifying friendship if we become… allies, of sorts."

"You scratch my back, I scratch yours."

"Exactly!" Adrian was pleased, and she clapped her hands together.

"I think… you may have a point. It is always good to have reliable contacts, as well."

"Really… So we have a… 'Deal?'" Adrian was not showing what she was thinking.

"Yes, I believe we do." And neither was Lucius.

"Good…" She glanced around her, curious as to where Remus was… "Moving on, is there any more news…" She stopped when Lucius held up his hand.

"It seems we have an audience." They both turned to where Remus was standing.

The three had their wands out, and were exchanging glares.

"Lucius, dear…" Adrian had a wicked grin on her face. "Why don't you let me deal with him- I'm sure you have plenty of other matters to attend to, and you shouldn't have to lower yourself to deal with such filth."

Lucius nodded to her, graced Remus with a sneer, and swept out of the Library. Once he was gone, Adrian gave a sigh of relief and collapsed on a chair.

"Fuck… That was fun…"

Remus continued to glare at Adrian, still holding tight to his wand.

She looked up at him, confusion etched in her face.

"What, you don't actually believe all that?"

XXXXXXXXXXXX

They had moved to the Room of Requirement, and Adrian had curled up comfortably on a plush black sofa, surrounded by pillows and covered with a blanket. She was holding a cup filled with tea, and a plate of cookies sat on the coffee table between them. Remus sat across from her, his own loveseat maroon, watching her sip her tea.

It occurred to the sandy haired man that if she was going to trick him, she wouldn't have let down her guards to snuggle up to a pillow shaped like the moon… 'The moon?'

"Ah…nice pillow."

"Why, thank you, Remus." She grinned happily at him.

Remus just stared blankly at her, his mind reeling.

"Oh dear…" Well that wasn't something the Adrian back in the library would have said… at least not in such a defeated tone.

"I suppose I'll have to explain that to you. But beware," She giggled, and Remus gave a start 'She giggled? Seriously, what is this girl smoking?' "It will take awhile."

"I have time." Generally, Remus was soft spoken, but this girl was bringing out the cynic in him… And he may have been enjoying it, even if she was creepy and manipulative. Speaking of which… "How do I know you're not lying?"

She sighed, and started chewing on her thumb nail. "I swear to you, Remus, I'm not going to lie to you… I didn't ask you to meet me so I could lie to you… And I didn't mean for you to see that spectacle with Lucius… You just have to let me explain, you have to understand the differences between our 'worlds.'"

Remus sighed, and looked her straight in the eyes. It was the first chance he had to really study them- Remus had always thought that the eyes were the most descriptive part of a person, and were like books, if you knew how to read them.

Her eyes were wide, sincere. They were blue-grey, and as he looked closely, he realized they had flecks of hazel in them, and the outside of the iris was a darker blue, the inside a lighter grey… They sucked into themselves, pulling towards her large pupils…

He could tell that she was being honest, that she had no ulterior motives. But sadly, that was all he could tell.

"Alright."

Adrian squealed, and smiled widely at him, her full lips pulling over her teeth.

Then her excited demeanor dropped, and she prepared herself for her explanation, hugging her moon pillow to her chest… She murmured "I think I'm going to keep this…" then blinked at him.

"You have to understand, Remus, that the Slytherin house is a lot different than Gryffindor." Her eyes dropped. "There's a hierarchy, one that's very hard to beat, and you have to play the game or find yourself at death's doorstep. I haven't come this far, I haven't beaten… things… over and over again just to fall to some hoity-toity Malfoy."

Remus just watched her. Her emotions fascinated him, the way she responded to things, the way she could just lock all of them up, like her brother. 'Like Malfoy.' He mused.

But she didn't. She chose to share them with the world, except for "special circumstances."

She smiled slightly at him, and he was reminded of himself for just a –moment- fatigued and sad, but then she was back to explaining.

"I'm not a Death Eater, and like I told Lucius, I won't be. I don't believe in the pureblood crap, and, if they ever found out, I could be considered a blood-traitor. Stupid gits."

Remus couldn't resist. "Then why did you say those things!"

She had been staring at her nails again, and she looked up at him slowly. "I already explained this, Remus… So I don't die. So my brother doesn't die. So my friends don't die, so my father doesn't die, so my sister doesn't die. So my brother doesn't die."

Sighing again, Adrian knew he didn't truly understand. It was starting to dawn on him, but he had never experienced what it was like to grow up in such a cruel society. 'Maybe I'm just being an angsty teen, but I have to let it get to me once and awhile, right? I'm not going to crack, not like Dom. So I have to let it out… I'm not going to tell Remus everything, just a bit… just a little bit. So I don't crack.' Adrian thought.

"Life hadn't been easy growing up… My mum's a Death Eater, as you may have gathered," At this, the weary boy nodded, "And my father's an Auror. A strange match, but that's what happens when teenagers get infatuated and have kids."

"So I learned about all the little Death Eater rules, and I learned how to be a proper pureblood with Dom. Then mum ran off to be all servanty- and we went to my father. They had divorced a while back, I don't know how, but they were allowed, and my father took my little sister with him. He thought we were a lost cause, me and Dom. I could tell when we spoke to him again. After all those long years, he didn't trust his own kids."

She looked sad, and Remus' heart went out to her.

"But no matter. All of Dom's and mine's experiences led to us being able to handle being sorted into Slytherin, while still being ourselves. And you know, I don't want to make an enemy of Lucius Malfoy," She was getting back to the point. "So I have to play him. And Play him well. Fuck, it's not like Dom can do it… he's too tempted. So I have to play leader and make sure we don't get into deep shit. So I'm playing up to Lucius' better-than-thou attitude, and making him believe that I am like him, like the rest of them. That's what a Slytherin does, I suppose, survive, while getting the most out of the situation as they can."

"I think I get it… You shared more than I expected, I think you could have just told me it was survival, and I think I would have believed you." They stared at each other, and after a minute she nodded.

"You may be right, but I think that… that I had to tell you about myself, because for some strange reason, I want you to trust me. I want to be your friend." Her grey eyes darkened, became almost pleading.

"I would like to be your friend, but being as we come from different worlds, as you so eloquently put it," he smirked at Adrian, who couldn't resist returning it, "then we may have to get to know each other better before we commit to friendship."

"I like the sound of that." She smiled at him, and laid her head down on her Moon Pillow.

They started up a conversation on trivial things, classes, pranks, etcetera, and fell asleep in the Room of Requirement, faint smiles found on both of their faces.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hmmm… I think my story's getting a bit dramatic a bit fast, but I can't really stop it, can I? Thoughts, comments? And many thanks to those who have checked out this story so far, reviewed, read, tagged and all that jazz. 