Author's note: So this chapter don't have much drama in it. Just mostly Adhara/Fabian in so you can skip this if you don't like Fabian. I promise the next chapter would be fourth year!


Never love anybody

who treats

you like you're

ordinary

-Oscar Wilde


"We're going to have to watch out for Lily," James said suddenly. Peter seemed confused by that but Sirius understood what James was implying. Out of the four boys, Remus is the only one she is friendly with outside of just being classmates/housemates.

"She is smarter than she looks," Sirius said with a frown earning him a slap on the shoulder.

"What is that supposed to mean?" James said, clearly offended for Lily. Remus didn't know how and when this started but he noticed how James acted when Lily was involved. He didn't so much as bat an eye when her name up but now when it does happen his whole demeanor change.

They are thirteen now so it was about time for them to start looking at cute girls in a different light. Remus, mature for his age, already had one in his sight for the last three years. If anyone he thought to be next to start seeing girls as something more than just people who wear skirts it would have been Sirius. Remus is not deaf or blind. He sees and hears the birds giggle every time Sirius walks into a room.

"How bout you keep your mouth shut to Addie," James said. A smug smile on his face when Sirius flustered, angry at what he was implying.

"Yeah, you guys tell each other everything," Peter said as if it was the strangest thing for one to be so close to their sibling. Peter and James do not understand with both of them being from a single parent home. Remus is too but he wished he had a sibling—brother or sister, no preference—who was also his best friend. But now he has the three of them and that was enough.

"I know how to keep a secret," Sirius said, probably trying to convince himself, too. "And even if she knows she's not going to say anything."

"Maybe not," James shrugged. "But that doesn't mean you know how she feels about werewolves."

"Any normal person would be afraid of them," Sirius rolled his eyes. "But this is Remus—

"—and it's my secret so why are you both arguing?" Remus sighed. He didn't need to think about how Adhara would think of his illness. Would she still want to be friends? Would she look at him the same way? Would she see the monster he sees every day in the mirror? Adhara is the kindest person he knows but that didn't mean she would not fear him.

"James was the one to bring it up," Sirius said.

"Hey, I'm just asking since she sometimes asks why you don't be in class once a month," James emphasizes. Remus knew that his priorities switched when he focused on the wrong thing of his statement.

"She asks about me?" he blurts out. James raised an eyebrow at him. "I mean, uh, we don't really talk—

"—now you do after that whole boggart thing," Peter corrected him. It all came down to that dreaded day. Remus hates that it would become such a milestone of what made Adhara see him as more than just her brother's best mate. "So she may ask about you more often and Sirius is the worst liar when she involved."

"Peter is right. Sirius can't lie to save his life when she's involved," James agreed.

"It's not my fault that she can see right through me," Sirius pouts. "It's a twin thing."

"No, I think it's another 'Sirius and Addie Weird Thing'," Remus teased.

"Stop ganging up on me!"


Adhara could never look at him directly. Especially when he staring at her with his charming smile. Yeah, anyone with eyes knows that Fabian's smile is cute. That one look at it and you're smiling like an air-headed bird and giggling at whatever he said. Adhara could think back at a time when she laughed at whatever he said and wonder why it was even that funny. Was he generally funny or was that the power of fancying a boy? Lily said it was the latter. Adhara chose to ignore that.

"Can you repeat that?" he asked her. They were both in an empty classroom about to practice a few defense spells—the only ones she is good at—before she spouted out that she found another person to tutor her.

"Uh…" she licked her lips and rung her hands. Fabian grabbed them, keeping her from fidgeting.

"Love, look at me."

Adhara jutted lower lip. He knows that she loves that endearment.

It's only been two weeks of this. He tutored her twice a week but there has not been much progress. Sometimes he tried to teach her how to cast a wicked hex but she told him that she would never cast that at anyone. Of course, that made him roll his eyes at her and comment that she needs to be more fun. Adhara didn't show it but she was hurt and nervous that he might see her as some uptight Hufflepuff. Sometimes she would be too distracted by his presence that she couldn't concentrate on the offense spells.

Adhara finally looks at him. His hazel eyes staring at hers. She could feel her cheeks burn. Her face became hot when he smirked meaning he might have noticed it too.

"Now say what you just told me before," he requests.

"I, um, switching tutors," she said after many attempts.

"And do tell, why?" he didn't look angry. Adhara took that as a good sign.

This is the moment. The moment that could make or break whatever that has been going on between them for the past two weeks. They are not an official couple. No one knows about their mutual feelings for each other besides their siblings. Adhara wished it could be out in the open. Fabian is not officially hers per se. He still flirts constantly with the girls in his house and they flirt back. Adhara tried to be understanding in that. It's not like she can just hold his hand in public and yell their relationship out in the great hall.

"People are asking questions," she said with a shrug like it was not a big deal. That let his smile drop. He leaned back, arms crossed waiting for her to explain herself. She thought it was at least self-explanatory but he wanted her to say it out loud. "My brother especially. He wanted to know why I rather have lessons from a 'blood-traitor' than Thomas. I didn't know how to explain that without getting caught."

Fabian's expression darkened at the mention of the fifth year Slytherin. He showed his dislike of Thomas without subtly.

"So Higgs is going to be your teacher now?" he said, voice flat.

Adhara nodded.

Fabian sighed. The look on his face showed that he was not so surprised that she switched to Higgs. She can tell that he was angry. Fabian quiet and angry was a paradox and Adhara didn't know what to expect next.

And right on cue, Fabian's expression relaxed. A slow sly smirk appeared. "Okay," he said with a shrug.

"Okay?"

"Yeah, but only one condition," Adhara knew that this one condition would not be an easy one. "Me. You. And a date."

"A date?"

"Yep, a date."


When Adhara agreed for a date, she didn't take into account the difficulty and risk of getting caught. If anything, she rather be caught by one of the professors instead of a prefect lurking the halls after curfew. But she knew that this was the only way to even get anything like a date with Fabian. She couldn't go to Hogsmeade with him without causing an uproar with the Purebloods.

So, this was the only option.

Sneaking to the kitchens.

Luckily the kitchens were in the same passageway of the Hufflepuff common room. Fortunate for Adhara, a good majority of the Hufflepuffs were sticklers for the rules and were already in their bedroom.

"Where are you going?" her roommate, Olivia Halifax asked. She was looking through a muggle magazine—Adhara thinks it's Seventeen—with Emily Gladstone. They don't speak much to Adhara unless it's about homework or borrowing her cosmetic potions. So, this took the Pureblood by surprise when they asked out curiosity where she was sneaking off to.

The two half-blooded Hufflepuff noticed earlier that Adhara was not preparing for bed but for going out. Both curious on why she kept checking herself in the mirror. It was obvious that she was going to meet a boy but they needed this confirmed and if they find out the name of said boy that would be a bonus for the two.

Both girls watched with amusement as Adhara tried to think of something besides the truth.

"You don't have to tell us but we would like to know what time you're coming back so we don't have to worry," Emily said with a shrug. It was a lie but after knowing how gullible Adhara can be she knew she can get away with it.

"Oh, of course," Adhara nodded. "Um, I can't tell you who but I'm meeting someone and I should be back by 11 or 11:30."

Olivia's brown eyes scanned the Pureblood's outfit. It was cute but it looked as if she stepped right out of the 50s.

"What time do you have to meet him?"

"Um, in about twenty minutes."

"Okay we have time," she said with determination.

"Time?"

"No offense but you are dressing like my Mum and that's not a good thing," Olivia said, not bothering to hold back the truth. Emily nodded, agreeing with her blunt friend. "You need to dress your age. I have some clothes you can borrow—

"—I don't think she could fit your clothes, Liv," Emily noted. Adhara hated to agree with Emily. Olivia may be around the same height as her but that didn't mean she filled out a pair jeans the same way Adhara does. She was a good two sizes smaller than her but about two sizes bigger for shirts since her chest was a teenage guy's dream.

"That's why there is such thing as an expansion charm—

"—which we don't know," Emily cuts her off again.

"Ugh, fine. Let's see your closet," Oliva demanded. She didn't bother waiting. She pushed past Adhara and dug into her trunk. She clicked her tongue as she dug through the many old-fashioned dresses. "Do your mum buy your clothes?"

"It's the proper way to dress for a young—

"—I'll take that as a yes," Olivia sighed. "We're taking you shopping this Saturday. No declines."

"You're lucky she's picking out your outfit. Olivia's going to be the next Adelaide Cromwell."

"What's wrong with my clothes? He won't care—

"—he probably won't but do you really like dressing like this?" Olivia asked. "Is this your style or what your mother is pushing onto you?" Olivia did care but part of this was for her own selfish reason. She loved fashion and starting on a blank slate like Adhara who doesn't know her own fashion sense was her new project starting now. She is also helping the poor girl.

Olivia is no idiot. Her eyes are everywhere. The only boy who she could be going on a date with had to be in one of two houses. It was more likely to be Gryffindor since if he's in Slytherin then there was no reason for her to be sneaking out.


"Bloody hell," was the first words out of Fabian's mouth when he laid eyes on Adhara. He was leaning against the wall of the corridor waiting on the younger girl.

"Compliment?" she said, cheeks reddened by his unsubtle staring.

Fabian is not shy at all when it comes to complimenting a bird but Adhara looked completely different than what he was expecting. To give her some credit, he only seen her in either her Hogwarts uniform or quidditch uniform. His only based his assumption on how the other Pureblooded Slytherin girls dressed. So, he didn't know what was hiding under all those layers.

"Yeah, you look fit," he blurted. Fabian didn't bother to look embarrassed or apologetic. He's telling the truth! He may have seen plenty of other girls dress the same way but it did it for him when he Adhara dressed like this. She was wearing a high-waist denim mini skirt (they shorted her denim skirt that once reached her calves that are now to her thighs). The skirt revealed her short yet smooth fair-skinned legs. Tucked into her skirt was a snug-fit golden yellow turtle-neck jumper. It was not a thick sweater so it showed her feminine shape. Her usual wild curly hair was now straightened with curls at the ends.

"Thank you, you look nice, too," Adhara said. Fabian doubt it. He knew that this was a date but he didn't mention it would be a fancy one. It was just a casual date so he decided to wear some nice jeans and an old band tee.

"Not as fit as you but yeah, I know I look hot," he winked at her causing her to blush. Fabian cannot get enough of how red she gets with a simple flirting. He reached for her hand. "Now let's go before a prefect come."

Fabian did most of the talking and Adhara didn't mind that much. She was full of anxiety that she could not bother speaking. She worried over if she would sound boring or idiotic. Fabian didn't seem to notice since he continued to talk about his pranks and his sister and her sons. Of course, when he brought up professional quidditch that caught her attention and she couldn't bite her tongue any longer.

"What kind of music you listen to?" he asked after taking a bite out of her toffee pudding cake. Always one to scarf down dessert, she couldn't even fathom an appetite around the Gryffindor. Adhara listed off a few bands and singers that caused Fabian to tut at her. "That's not music, Addie. And you only listen to non-muggle? You need to broaden your horizon. I'll send you a list of who to listen to and you would never listen to music the same."

"I'll hold you to that." Adhara could already picture the list. Fabian's personality was so similar to James' and Sirius' (Adhara shuttered at the thought) that she knew the list would consist of the same type of music they listen to. The Rolling Stones. The Who. Led Zeppelin. The Beatles. Pink Floyd. She's not much of a fan of those genres but she's open-minded enough to give it a chance.

"So," He takes another bite. "Do anyone know about us?"

Adhara shifted nervously. The sudden change of subject making her mind go blank for a short moment. "Um, well, only two—well three people know I fancy you."

"Three?" he raised an eyebrow at that. Keeping their relationship (if one would call it that at their slow pace) a secret, he thought she would have kept her lips sealed.

"Sirius. He figured it out on his own," she pouted. Adhara tried not to look so obvious but after sending letters to each other over the summer it was hard to hide it from her overprotective brother. "Lily Evans. She figured it out, too."

"And the third?"

"Remus."

"Remus?" Fabian was expecting the next person to be James since he knows how close the Hufflepuff is to the bespectacled boy. The redhead racked his brain trying to think of the face that belongs to the name. He knew he heard it before.

"Yeah, he's in your House," she said. She couldn't help but frown a little. It's not like she said Peter (no offense to him but he's so quiet and shy—well, the same goes to Remus). Remus is as forgettable as Peter (again, sorry to Peter). "He's friends with James and Sirius. He has brown hair and a few scars on his face." She was going to say clear blue eyes but figured blokes do not notice that sort of thing on other blokes.

"Oh, yeah. The tall fellow who's always reading," he snapped his fingers. "Why does he know?"

Adhara bit her lower lip as she tried to think of an excuse. She was not going to say that she confided in him a year ago after being jealous of Fabian with Claire. That was so not going to happen.

"I guess I can be pretty obvious," she shrugged.

"Aw, Addie, you flatter me," he winked at her.

"Who knows about me?"

"Oh, uh, Gideon and Frank," he replied. "How long you plan on keeping me a secret?" he asked after taking his last bite of the pudding cake.

That was the million-galleon question. Her eyes went to her fidgeting hands. "I don't know," she mutters. "I…I can't tell anyone. My m-m-mum she threaten to send me off to Durmstrang and I-I-I—

"Hey, Addie. Calm down," Fabian comforted her. He enveloped the petite girl into his arms. "We got plenty of time."

"We do?"

"Yep," he said as he ran his fingers through her straightened hair. "I fancy you and you fancy me. That's all that matters."

"I know this is selfish of me."

"Hey, I knew the risk of fancying you," he said. "I can't scream to everyone in the school that you're my girlfriend but I guess all that matters is that you know."

Adhara stiffened when he used the magic 'G' word. She didn't even have to coax it out of him. "I'm your girlfriend," she said shyly.

"Yeah, and no takebacks." Adhara lifted her head from his chest to look up at him. The sudden realization of how close that she hit her like a ton of bricks. Her face flushed at the close proximity of his face to hers. She swore that he was much taller.

Fabian realized their position to but instead of nervously pulling back from the Hufflepuff, he tightened his hold around her. Fabian didn't bother to ask. It was obvious that they liked each other so this shouldn't be any problem. He's been through this before. They act all nervous but secretly they want the guy to get the hint and make the first move. Addie shouldn't be that much different from the others.

His nose brushed against hers. Lips only an inch away.

"How'd you guys find this place anyways?" Remus asked as he followed James and Sirius through the long hall. It was past curfew but all of them being growing boys could care less since they were thinking with their stomachs.

"We're offended that you would ask that," James rolled his eyes. "We're curious."

"And the house elves are awesome enough to give you leftovers if you treat them nicely," Sirius said. Remus voiced how they should already be treating them nicely since that's the proper thing to do. Of course, he was ignored.

They finally reached the door. James and Sirius stopped instantly as soon as they stepped foot in the kitchen making Remus and Peter run into them. Remus was just about to ask what's wrong until he lifted his eyes and got his answer.

"What the bloody hell is going on here!" like two teenagers being caught snogging, Adhara and Fabian jumped apart at the boisterous sound of Sirius' yelling.


Author's Note: I don't know if the quote makes sense to everyone. I tried to find a good one that makes sense with this chapter. I think of Fabian as just some typical teenage boy who can be kind of shallow. A guy who only sees the outward appearance of a girl. He may think of Adhara as like the other girls he's been with. Remus and Fabian are kind of each other's foil. I don't see Remus just going in for a kiss without asking or being hesitant at least.

Anyways, sorry for the rambling. The next chapter might be posted in 2-3 weeks.