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.
The Doting Rival
Chapter 4
Adelyn's lap was being covered in a mass of colorful sweets by Ron and Hermione. They had just turned up at the Gryffindor common room from a day at Hogsmeade. They were beaming and pink-faced, evident that they had had the time of their lives.
Adelyn let out a small chuckle. "Thanks, guys. You really didn't have to." Though she meant it, it didn't stop her from opening a Peppermint Toad. "What's Hogsmeade like? Where did you go?"
Ron and Hermione excitedly listed all the places they visited – Dervish and Banges, the wizarding equipment shop, Zonko's Joke Shop with Fred and George, the Three Broomsticks tavern, and many other places.
"Oh, Adelyn. You would absolutely love the post office! Over two hundred owls sorted by color depending on how fast you want your letter to get there!" Hermione had a similar soft spot for creatures, like Adelyn.
"Honeydukes has shelves of special effects sweets! We have to try them all -"
"I'm pretty sure we saw an ogre at the Three Broomsticks. There were all sorts in there -"
"Wish we could have brought you some butterbeer. You would like it -"
"Way to really rub it in her face, guys," Fred said as he approached the trio. He leaned into Adelyn and softly said, "Brought you those sugar quills." He obviously purchased the deluxe variety. "I know they're your favorite." He had an alluring smile on his face as he handed her the glass jar. It made him look really cute.
"They are. Thank you, Fred," Adelyn replied, shyly accepting his gift.
Is she blushing? "You're welcome."
Hermione checked her watch. "We better go down. The feast will be starting shortly." They all hurried through the portrait hole.
They were greeted by hundreds and hundreds of candle-lit pumpkins as they entered the Great Hall. The iconic stormy ceiling was filled with bright orange streamers swimming through clouds of live bats. The holidays at Hogwarts always took Adelyn's breath away.
The food was delicious, as usual. There were endless options of meats, potatoes, gravies, vegetables, and deserts, all tailored to the theme of Halloween. Adelyn sat across the House Table from Ron and Hermione. Fred and George sat to her right, next to the other fifth years. Though there had been some overindulging of sweets from Honeydukes, everyone was readily getting seconds.
The feast entertainment was provided by the Hogwarts ghosts. They were popping out of walls and tables, particularly focusing on the first years who were not quite used to their presence yet. Nearly Headless Nick still managed to startle Adelyn so well, she jumped a bit too high and nearly fell out of her seat.
"Woah! Careful, Adelyn," Fred exclaimed as he caught her.
She was breathing heavily, clutching her chest, regaining her composure as Fred helped correct her position. "You gave me such a fright, Nick!" He cackled in response and disappeared down the table to find his next victim.
"It's no wonder you didn't go to Hogsmeade. After those dementors, even a Chizpurfle would frighten you," Malfoy mocked. His house table was situated right next to Gryffindor's and he had just witnessed the scene. The fellow Slytherins sitting closest to him laughed at his remark.
"Think you're funny, Malfoy?" Fred came to her defense. "Why don't you try saying something to me?"
Malfoy didn't reply. As Fred was two years ahead of him, he wouldn't beat him if it escalated to a fight. Instead, he just smirked and returned to his conversations at the table.
"Thanks, Fred. But I'm used to Malfoy and his empty remarks." Adelyn genuinely didn't seem bothered by it. She was more concerned with straightening out her skirt, hoping it didn't ride up too far when she fell backwards.
Fred took notice of this and quickly looked up at the rest of the group to prevent his mind from wandering. "Shall we head back? I got some of that new fudge flavor from Honeydukes I am eager to try."
The rest of the bunch readily agreed and set off their usual path to Gryffindor tower. When they reached the corridor that ended with the portrait of the Fat Lady, they found a jam of students. They were quietly chatting and peaking over one another, trying to figure out what was going on.
"What's happening?" Ron asked to no one in particular.
"I can't see anything," Adelyn answered. "Can you see, Fred? You're taller."
Fred peered over the other students. "The portrait is closed. I don't see much else."
"Let me through, please," said Percy, a prefect and elder Weasley brother. He was bustling through the crowd with purpose. "What's the hold up here? Excuse me. Let me through. I'm Head Boy!"
Suddenly, the crowd of students fell silent. With urgency, Percy commanded, "Someone get Professor Dumbledore. Quick!"
Dumbledore must have already been alerted of the commotion as he arrived only moments later. The students squeezed tighter together to create a path to let him through. Adelyn got pushed backwards into Fred. "Oof." He reactively embraced her. They remained stuck there as the crowd froze in place, waiting to see what happened next.
Hermione peeked through the opening created for Dumbledore and gasped. "Oh my -"
The Fat Lady had vanished from her portrait. It had been slashed severely, strips of canvas hung half off and some littered the floor. Many of the other professors had arrived at this point to see Dumbledore with a grave look upon his face. "We need to find her at once."
"Best of luck with that," said Peeves the Poltergeist. He could always be found at any sign of worry or mischief.
"What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked. His smile began to fade. Though he loved taunting, he would not dare do so to Dumbledore.
"She's ashamed, Your Headship. Saw her running through ruins on the fourth-floor blubbering something fierce," he said with a chuckle. "Oh, uh, poor thing," he tried to recover.
"Did she say who did it?"
"Oh, yes, sir, she did," Peeves replied. He was getting excited with the news he was about to share. This wouldn't be good. "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in. Nasty temper, that Sirius Black."
There was a collective gasp and many faces turned to look at Adelyn. Fred tightened his grip around her protectively. He was with Adelyn in the Leaky Cauldron when they overheard his parents talking about Sirius Black. She may not have taken it seriously, but that conversation was never far from his mind.
"Minerva. Gather all students to the Great Hall at once. They will be bunking there for tonight. Severus, I want this whole castle searched. Collect the rest of the staff and oversee it. Remus, I need every portrait searched for the Fat Lady." Dumbledore spoke with urgency, but kept his tone calm and collected. Everyone leapt into action immediately.
"Come on, Adelyn." Fred gently started leading her to the Great Hall. He adjusted his embrace to one arm around her shoulder. He was not going to let her out of his sight.
"Adelyn, you alright?" Hermione asked. She and Ron were just as concerned as Fred.
"Yes, I'm fine, you guys," she replied. "Honestly. You don't need to worry about me."
The Gryffindor house was the first to enter the great hall. The kitchen elves cleared the rest of the feast away and pushed all the tables aside to set up sleeping cots. As the other students arrived, they were instructed to stay with their respective houses.
"A thorough search of the castle must be conducted. You are to sleep here tonight," Dumbledore addressed. "Prefects are to stand guard over the entrances. I am leaving Head Boy and Head Girl in charge. Any disturbances are to be reported immediately." With a flick of his wand, bedding appeared on all the cots. "Sleep well."
As soon as the professors left, the room was a buzz with gossip. The Gryffindors were sharing the news with the other houses. There were debates on the various ways Sirius Black could get into Hogwarts.
"Ron, help me move these cots over here," Hermione requested.
As they stepped away, Adelyn whispered, "Fred. Do you believe what your parents said that night in Diagon Alley?"
"That Sirius Black means to kill you?" He felt her tense as he said the words out loud. "Tonight seems to indicate so. . ."
"Alright, settle down," Percy called out. "Lights out in ten minutes."
"Adelyn, over here," Ron called.
Fred led her to the cots pushed together near the wall. He only let go of her when she sat down. Ron and Hermione had settled on either side of her. "I'll be in the row next to yours if you need anything."
"Thank you, Fred." She was obviously lost in thought. He reluctantly went to his cot next to George and Ginny.
Percy was strict and lights were out at ten minutes sharp. Every hour throughout the night, a professor stopped in to check on students and update Percy. Adelyn lay staring at the stars in the mesmerizing ceiling of the Great Hall. It usually comforted her, the stars. The vastness, the unknown. But tonight, it made her uneasy. She would not get much sleep tonight.