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 to start 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 16

The celebrations started to dwindle over a week after the match, just in time for the transition of the seasons to take over. Summer was Adelyn's favorite and she was going to take every opportunity to be outside. Even studying for the upcoming exam finals.

"Hermione, care to join us in the courtyard to study? The fresh air would do you good." Adelyn was in the midst of piling her books together with Ron.

"No," she replied shortly. "Have either of you seen my copy of Numerology and Grammatica?"

"Oh, yea, I borrowed it for a bit of bedtime reading," Ron mumbled quietly to Adelyn, who chuckled. As they started helping Hermione sift through the parchment and books, Ron noticed the exam schedule Hermione had drawn up for herself:

Monday

9 o'clock, Arithmancy

9 o'clock, Transfiguration

Lunch

1 o'clock, Charms

1 o'clock, Ancient Runes

"Uh, Hermione?" Ron asked cautiously. "Are you sure you've copied these times down right?"

"What?" she snapped. She picked up the schedule and examined it. "Yes, of course I have."

"Is there any point in asking how you're to sit for two exams simultaneously?" Adelyn asked.

"No. Now, where is that book?" Hermione was clearly distracted and the most anxious for the exams.

"Come on, Ron. Let's leave her be, shall we?"

The pair split off at the Entrance Hall. Ron was to grab a couple iced pumpkin juices from the Great Hall. Adelyn continued on to the Transfiguration Courtyard to secure a spot beneath the large oak tree.

It was late afternoon, the perfect time to be outside. The balmy heat of the day was just beginning to cool, but there was still plenty of sunshine to warm the skin. Adelyn made herself comfortable beneath the giant branches of the ancient oak. She loosened her tie and removed her jumper to rest her head on as she laid on the lawn. She shut her eyes, letting the last rays of the sun dance across her face.

"Looks like I'm not the only one avoiding studying."

Adelyn didn't even need to open her eyes to recognize who spoke to her. She recognized the assured, smooth voice of Draco Malfoy. She was hearing it so frequently; she was no longer surprised by it.

"I'm not avoiding anything. Just taking a moment to enjoy this beautiful weather." She took a deep breath and smiled, moving her face up towards the sunlight, as though it would radiate more heat with such a miniscule adjustment. She only opened her eyes to see what rustling was occurring to her right. Draco had laid down next to her, mimicking her positioning.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Whats it look like? I'm enjoying the weather as well."

Adelyn watched as he propped his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. The sun enhanced the chiseled jawline of his freshly shaven face. His blonde eye lashes danced across the tops of his cheeks. He was beautiful to look at and Adelyn found herself staring.

"Like what you see?" Draco caught her in the act. He glanced at her with a smirk on his face.

A blush crept across Adelyn's face as she abruptly looked away. "Egotistical as ever," she answered, avoiding the question. She was suddenly nervous and embarrassed, feelings she had never experienced towards Draco. She was not about to share that with him, though.

Draco propped himself up on one arm to face her. "I'd prefer to call it confidence."

Just then, there was a fluttering of wings as a large snowy owl swopped down to land before Adelyn. A note was clutched tight in her beak.

"Hedwig. What's that, you've got?" Adelyn opened the note. "It's from Hagrid."

"Oi! What's going on? What have you done?" Ron had finally arrived at the large oak, a pumpkin juice in each hand. He was addressing Draco as he approached.

"Why do you assume I've always done something?" Draco asked with annoyance.

"Cause, Adelyn's obviously upset, based on the look on her face. And you're here. So, it must be you."

"No, Ron. It's Buckbeak's appeal." Adelyn jumped up to show him the note, her eyebrows furrowed in worry. "It's set for the sixth."

"That's the last day of exams," Draco injected.

Adelyn continued. "They're coming up here to do it. Someone from the Ministry of Magic and – an executioner."

"What? They're bringing an executioner to the appeal?! They've already decided!" Ron was furious. "They can't! They can't ignore all the research we've provided."

"C'mon. We have to tell Hermione." As Adelyn gathered up her things, Draco held out her jumper. She paused a moment, meeting Draco's eyes with hers before taking it. "Thanks," she said with a sad half smile.

The duo raced towards the castle. There was much work to be done.

Adelyn had a horrible feeling the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures already had its mind made up for Buckbeak to be executed. Though final exams week was about to start, Ron and Hermione had agreed with Adelyn to take any spare time reviewing their research for the appeal. Any new information uncovered was sent to Hagrid immediately.

Monday exams were Transfiguration and Charms. Hermione would not stop fussing over how her tortoise looked more like a turtle. Adelyn had nervously overdone her charm. Ron, unfortunately her partner, had to be led to a quiet room for an hour while the hysterical laughter worn off before he could perform his exam.

After dinner, it was Care of Magical Creatures. It was by far the easiest exam. Hagrid provided a large tub of flobberworms and instructed the class that they would pass if they were still alive after one hour. As they did best left alone, there was no work to be done but sit and socialize. It gave Adelyn, Ron, and Hermione opportunity to speak to Hagrid.

"Buckbeak's getting' a bit depressed – been cooped up too long. But we'll find out day after tomorrow . . ."

A few more pieces of new research were exchanged before they left for the afternoon Portions exam. It was a disaster for Adelyn. She couldn't get her Confusing Concoction to thicken. Snape hovered with an air of snarky pleasure. She could have sworn she saw him mark a zero onto his notes before moving away.

As Astronomy obviously needed to be at midnight, Wednesday exams were fewer. History of Magic was late morning, consisting of a lengthy essay about medieval witch-hunting. Adelyn recalled being initially surprised with how much had been accurately depicted in muggle history. Though, most thought it was just superstition, of course. Herbology was in the afternoon following lunch. Many students returned to their common rooms with sunburnt necks, courtesy of the baking hot sun through the greenhouses.

Thursday morning was Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was the most unusual exam the students had ever taken. It was a sort of obstacle course, outside in the sun. They had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, trek through a marsh while ignoring the misleading information of a hinkypunk, then climb into an old trunk to battle a boggart.

"Full marks," remarked Lupin, as Adelyn climbed out of the trunk. She waited on Hermione and Ron before returning to the castle. On their way, they came across Cornelius Fudge, staring out at the grounds fidgeting with the lapel of his pinstriped cloak.

"Hello there, Adelyn!" he said. "Just had an exam, I expect? Hopefully, going well."

"Yes," Adelyn answered. Ron and Hermione remained silent with anger towards the Minister of Magic.

"Lovely day," said Fudge, eyeing the lake. "Pity. . ." he sighed. "I'm here on an unpleasant mission, Adelyn. The committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad hippogriff. As I already needed to visit Hogwarts to check on the Black situation, I was asked to step in."

"Has the appeal already happened?" Ron interrupted.

"No, no. It's scheduled for this afternoon," Fudge replied.

"Then you may not have to witness an execution. He might get off!" Ron said boldly.

Before Fudge could reply, two wizards came through the castle doors behind him. One was very ancient in appearance, the other tall and broad. Adelyn assumed they were from the Committee. The older gentleman addressed minister Fudge. "Two o'clock, isn't it, Fudge? I am getting too old for this . . ." He took the lead heading across the grounds.

"Ron!" Hermione scolded as they entered the Great Hall. "You can't go around saying such things."

"What? Did you not see them? They've got an axe at the ready! This isn't justice."

"Your father works at the Ministry. You can't be saying such things to his boss! As long as Hagrid argues his case properly, they can't possibly execute Buckbeak. . ."

Adelyn could tell Hermione didn't really believe what she said. But she didn't mention it over lunch. They ate silently in worry over Hagrid and Buckbeak.

Hermione's last exam was Muggle Studies while Ron and Adelyn's was Divination. They made it to the spiral staircase on the top of the seventh floor where the other students crammed into the small space to wait.

"She's seeing us all separately," Neville explained. He was studying from his copy of Unfogging the Future. "Have either of you actually seen anything in a crystal ball?" he asked as he focused on the pages on crystal gazing.

"Nope," Ron answered. "Starting to believe we never will. Maybe Hermoine was right about her." He nodded his head up towards the trapdoor overhead.

The line of students shortened very slowly. When Neville was finished, he explained how Professor Trelawney said he'd have a terrible accident if he spoke with anything regarding the exam.

"What rubbish!" Ron exclaimed.

"Ronald Weasley," Professor Trelawney called.

Adelyn wished him luck as she settled her back against the wall. She couldn't focus on anything besides the appeal.

Draco was the only other student left with her. But she obviously didn't notice. He knew what was bothering her; it had been for the past two weeks. She had been distant, focused on her current concern. He watched her silently. Noticed how she gently tapped her pointer finger on her thigh. How she stared blankly down at the floor lost in thought. He could see the concern radiating off her. But he was at a loss of what to do. So, he chose to continue sitting nearby quietly.

Finally, about fifteen minutes later, Ron reappeared through the ladder.

"How'd it go?" Adelyn asked when he approached her.

"Rubbish," Ron answered. "Couldn't see a thing. Made some stuff up, but I don't think she was convinced."

"Adelyn Potter."

"Meet you in the common room," Adelyn muttered as she made her way toward the tower room.

The room was hotter than ever before. All the curtains were closed and the fire was ablaze. The air was heavy. It gave Adelyn an ominous feeling. Though, she never left Divination with any good news, so she was not surprised. Professor Trelawney sat before a large crystal ball across the room.

"Good day, my dear. If you would kindly gaze into the Orb, then tell me what you see. Take your time."

Adelyn sat across from her and bent over the crystal ball. She stared hard, willing it to show her something so she could be done with this exam quickly. She only saw swirling fog.

"Well?" Professor Trelawney prompted. "What do you see?"

Adelyn recalled what Ron said and opted to do the same. "Uh. A dark shape. . ."

"What does it resemble?" Trelawney coaxed on.

Adelyn answered with the first thing that came to mind. "A hippogriff."

"Indeed!" She scribbled some notes on the parchment sitting on her knees. "You might just be seeing the outcome of poor Hagrid's trouble with the Ministry of Magic! Does the hippogriff appear to. . . have its head?"

"Yes," Adelyn answered firmly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Entirely." Adelyn didn't like what she was hearing.

"No blood? No weeping Hagrid?"

"No! It's fine. It's - it's flying away. . ." She spoke of what she desperately wished for.

"Hm. Well, I think we'll leave it there. A little disappointing. . . but I'm sure you did your best." She continued to scribble down notes.

Adelyn sighed with relief. She picked up her bag and turned to go, but hear a loud, harsh, raspy voice speak from behind her.

"It will happen tonight."

Adelyn whipped around. Professor Trelawney had gone rigid. Her eyes were staring forward unfocused and her mouth was sagging.

"S - sorry?" Adelyn asked cautiously.

Trelawney's eyes began to roll. She looked as though she was about to have some sort of seizure. Adelyn was debating of whether to run to her side or to the hospital wing. The professor spoke again in that voice, quite unlike her own:

"The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless. His servant has been chained these twelve years. Tonight, before midnight, the servant will break free and set out to join his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid. . . great and more terrible than ever. Tonight. . . before midnight. . . the servant will set out. . . to rejoin his master. . ."

Professor Trelawney's head slumped forward to her chest. She made a grunting noise before snapping her head up, causing Adelyn to jump.

"I'm sorry, dear girl," she said in a haze, "the heat of the day. I drifted off for a moment. . ."

Adelyn was breathing a bit heavily staring at her.

"Is there anything wrong?"

"You - you just told me – the Dark Lord is going to rise again. That his servant is going to help him. . ."

Professor Trelawney was startled. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? That's hardly something to joke about."

"But, you -"

"I would certainly not presume to predict anything as far-fetched as THAT! Now, off you go. I have another examination to perform."

Baffled, Adelyn did as instructed. As she descended the ladder, Trelawney called for her last student. "Draco Malfoy."

"Adelyn, what happened?" Draco quickly stepped forward. "You're pale." Adelyn didn't notice the worry readily displayed on his face.

"N - nothing. I, uh, got to go. 'Scuse me." She swiftly stepped around him, darting for the staircase.

"Adelyn!" Draco called after her. But she did not stop. He reluctantly continued to the tower room as his name was called a second time.