Author's note: This series follows the books but will include details from the movie series for drama. Please note that the major events of the story remain true to the series and will be summarized into small sections to help progress to the story's love interest. I do not want to be claimed for plagiarizing but the original story line is needed to explain the changes in character development.
M rating for sexual content anticipated in year 4.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter series. Thank you to J.K. Rowling for bringing us the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
**I was debating making this chapter longer, but opted not to in order to publish it sooner. Let me know if you'd like longer chapters or if the way I'm splitting the story line if flowing to your liking.
The Doting Rival
Chapter 3
As September was coming to an end, Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin had become the most popular class. Even Draco Malfoy and his gang could find anything awful to say besides making fun of the state of the professor's robes.
The first lesson alone exceeded all combined lessons from the previous two years. Luckily, that boggart had took up residence in the staffroom wardrobe. Adelyn half expected to see Voldemort when it was her turn. Instead, it took on the form of a dementor, causing her to tremble with the memory of her last encounter. But the charm to repel it was the most amusing defensive charm Adelyn had ever seen. She could not get the image of Snape in Neville's grandmother's clothing out of her head!
The following few lessons were just as amusing. They studied Red Caps that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed and Kappas that strangled swimmers in their ponds. The class always left one excited to see what was next.
Unfortunately, Adelyn could not say she enjoyed all of her classes as much. Potions was always difficult for her. And Snape had been more irritable as of late thanks to Neville's boggart. He was swift to take points from any house for the simplest of infractions, no matter how minuscule.
Divination was almost worse. Professor Trelawney always had a way of concluding an omen of death whenever Adelyn was near. The grim was found in almost every lesson and other Gryffindors were now finding it in other places outside the classroom. It's a good thing she had never mentioned the black dog she saw on Magnolia Crescent prior to boarding the Knight Bus back in the muggle world.
Care for Magical Creatures took a nose dive after the incident with Malfoy. Hagrid had obviously lost his motivation for any live-action lessons. They were currently on a continued lesson plan for caring after flobberworms. They were extremely dull creatures. It was hard to understand what function they could possibly serve.
Thankfully, Adelyn had something to look forward to for October: Quidditch. She never felt more alive than when she was on a broom. The freedom of endless sky and comradery of the team gave her an escape from the wearisome whispers and eyes of the other students. It was a wonderful way to clear her mind. Plus, she always got a great night's rest after a practice session.
The first Thursday of the month was the first team practice. Oliver Wood, the team captain, was desperate to win the Quidditch Cup this year, his final year at Hogwarts. He was adamant he had the best team for the past two years, and with last year's tournament being cancelled, this was the only opportunity left to finish on top.
Oliver was right; they did have the best team. The Chasers, Alicia, Angelina, and Katie, had there drills down to perfection. The Beaters, Fred and George, Ron's twin brothers, had incomparable communication. And Adelyn had never missed catching the snitch.
The team was full of determination and started training three evenings a week. As the month continued on, the weather grew colder and more often than not, there was rain. But Quidditch was rarely cancelled, even during thunderstorms. Therefore, practice was not cancelled either. The most recent training had Adelyn soaked from head to foot. She couldn't wait to get back to the common room and take a steaming hot shower.
She was under the cover of the stadium tower ringing out her hair as she waited for the rain to let up.
"Right good practice, Adelyn," Fred said as he stepped up next to her. "You're getting faster, I'd say."
"Thanks," she replied with a smirk.
"Must be this long hair that's doing the trick." He ran his hand down her ponytail and tossed it over her shoulder. It wasn't uncommon for Fred to be so playful with Adelyn. They had grown closer over the past year, particularly after she saved his younger sister, Ginny, from that basilisk.
"Yes. It's my secret weapon," she joked.
"Well, it's working for you in more ways than one."
"O-oh." Adelyn blushed. "Thank you." He's never complimented on my looks before.
"Oye!" George called over. "Rains let up. You two packed to head back?"
"Yea," Adelyn and Fred simultaneously replied.
Adelyn was about to pick up the Quidditch trunk when Fred beat her to it. "Let me get that." He lifted it surprisingly with little effort for just finishing such an intense practice. He started making his way towards George before she could object. "You comin' Adelyn?" he called back.
"Right behind you."
Adelyn arrived at the Gryffindor common room cold and stiff. The atmosphere was the complete opposite: buzzing and excited. She found Ron and Hermione sitting by the fireplace. "What's going on?"
"First Hogsmeade visit has been posted," Ron answered, pointing to the bulletin board on the wall. "Weekend of Halloween."
"Excellent!" said Fred who had followed Adelyn through the portrait. "I need to pick up a couple thinks from Zonko's."
Adelyn's spirit began to sink. "Great," she said dully.
"I'm sure you'll be able to go next time, Adelyn," Hermione said with encouragement. She was attuned at reading her moods.
"No, I'm sure I won't. I didn't get my permission slip signed. Professor McGonagall wouldn't make an exception."
Hogwarts students were not permitted to visit Hogsmeade until their third year. Even then, the signature of a parent or legal guardian was additionally needed. Blowing up Aunt Marge at the end of the summer made that impossible to obtain.
"Well, there's always the Halloween feast." Hermione was trying to find something positive to help lighten the mood.
"I'll be sure to grab you some sugar quills when I'm at Zonko's," Fred chimed in, throwing his arm around Adelyn's shoulder.
"Thanks, guys," Adelyn replied gloomily. "I think I'm just gonna take a shower and head to bed." She gently wiggled free from Fred and slowly made her way to the girl's dormitory.
The morning of Halloween arrived. Adelyn was thoroughly depressed, but she tried to hide it from Ron and Hermione. She wanted them to enjoy their first visit to Hogsmeade instead of make them feel guilty that she couldn't join. Even so, they kept trying to comfort her over breakfast in the great hall.
"We'll bring you lots of sweets from Honeydukes," Hermione promised.
"Yea, loads," Ron concurred.
"Seriously, don't worry about me. I will find ways to entertain myself," Adelyn reassured. "I'll see you at the feast."
Adelyn accompanied them to the entrance hall where Filch, the caretaker, was checking names off a long list to ensure no one was sneaking out.
"Staying here, Potter?" shouted Malfoy as she was standing in line with Crabb and Goyle. "Decided not to go after Black after all, huh?"
Adelyn rolled her eyes ignoring him and started her way up the grand staircase at the same time Fred was making his descent.
"Don't pay him any mind, Adelyn," he said with a kind smile. "You'll be going in no time, trust me." He winked at her and continued on.
Adelyn smiled in response as she watched him join George in line. He is always so positive.
Once at the top of the stairs, she decided she didn't want to go back to the common room. She climbed another staircase, debating between actually getting some work done in the library or visiting Hedwig at the Owlery. As she was walking down a corridor, a voice from inside one of the rooms said, "Adelyn?"
Adelyn abruptly stopped at the calling of her name. She turned and noticed Professor Lupin looking up from his desk through his office door. "What are you doing?" said Lupin. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"
"Hogsmeade," she replied casually.
"Ah, I see." Lupin pondered for a moment. "Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a grindylow for our next lesson."
"A what?" He was successful in piking her interest. She entered his office and saw him pointing to a large water tank in the corner of the office. Inside was a small, frail looking green creature with sharp horns and long, spindly webbed fingers. It had its face pressed to the glass starting at them with a penetrating gaze. It was obviously not happy with its current predicament.
"A water demon," said Lupin. He stood closer and surveyed the grindylow. "The trick is to break his grip. See those abnormally long fingers? They're strong, but brittle."
The grindylow must have understood him in for it growled, baring its teeth in response, as if in anger for Lupin revealing its weakness. It then swam behind a tangle of weeds to hide.
"Come sit, Adelyn," Lupin said, offering the chair across from him. He sat down gingerly. He looked weary and sore. "I was just about to make some tea. Unless you've had too much tea leaves, of late?" He was peeking up at Adelyn to note her expression of surprise. "Professor McGonagall told me. You're not worried, are you?" He passed he a cup of hot tea.
"No," she replied. She wasn't going to let Professor Trelawney ruin her love of teas. She quickly took a gulp. Mmm, orange peel.
A knock at the door interrupted them.
"Come in," said Lupin. "Ah, Severus."
Professor Snape entered caring a goblet that was slightly smoking, narrowing his eyes at the sight of Adelyn.
"Thank you. Could you leave it on the desk for me?" Lupin asked pleasantly.
As Snape followed his request, he quickly chimed, "You should drink that directly, Lupin."
"Yes, yes. Of course. I will."
"I made an entire cauldronful, if you need more," Snape added.
"I should probably take more tomorrow. Thanks again, Severus."
"Not at all," he replied and quickly backed out of the room.
Adelyn was looking curiously at the goblet. She would never accept something offered by Snape.
Lupin interrupted her thoughts. "Professor Snape was very kind to produce this potion for me. It is particularly complex." He picked it up and took a sip, shuddering. "Ugh. Pity sugar is useless with it." He quickly gulped down the remainder and set down the empty goblet that continued to smoke.
"What is it for?" Adelyn asked.
"I've been feeling under the weather and it is the only thing that helps. I am fortunate to work with Snape. There aren't many wizards up to the task of making such a potion."
"You know, Professor Snape is very interested in the Dark Arts," Adelyn blurted out. She sort of regretted saying so and opted to gulp down her tea to refrain from saying more.
"Huh. Really?" Lupin answered. "Well, Adelyn. I should be getting back to work. Thank you for stopping in. I will see you at the feast."
"Oh, right. Thank you for the tea." She finished what remained and exited the office.