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.

** Finally! Year 4 is here. I have many plans and am very excited for writing them. Hopefully, there won't be such long wait times between chapters. Enjoy! **

The Doting Rival

Chapter 18

Year 4

Adelyn awoke suddenly wincing in pain. She pressed her hand against the searing scar on her forehead. She turned on the lamp on the night stand and made her way to the mirror on the wardrobe. She swept her tangled, long black hair from her face to examine the scar. Looked normal; a flat lightning-bolt above her right eye. It was still stinging. Why does this keep happening?

The last time her scar hurt like this, she had woken up from an intense dream. She tried to recollect what she was dreaming just now. It had felt so real, but the pain heavily distracted from recalling the details. There was a dark room . . . in a house she didn't recognize. There had been three people. . . one she didn't know and two whom she did. She closed her eyes to concentrate.

There was a large snake comfortably settled on the hearth rug. . . a small man referred to as Wormtail. . . a chilling, high voice from behind an armchair. . . the voice of Lord Voldemort. Adelyn felt the emptiness in her stomach as nausea. She squeezed her eyes tightly, trying desperately to remember what Voldemort looked like. But as the armchair swung around and she saw what was sitting in it, the intensity of horror had awoken her.

She sighed heavily and opened her eyes. She couldn't remember what he looked like. And who was the old man? It felt as though she was somehow looking through him. But she saw him fall to the ground. It was all too confusing. What were Wormtail and Voldemort discussing? They had mentioned a few names . . . plans of murder. . . and something about the Quidditch World Cup.

Oh, it's no use! I can't remember. In all honesty, the details were not what really bothered Adelyn. The last time she recalled her scar hurting before this summer was when she had been physically close to Voldemort. When he had taken over Professor Quirrell during her first year at Hogwarts. Surely, he couldn't be nearby now. . .

Adelyn sat as still as possible, listening to the silence of the night. She saw Hedwig sleeping soundly in her cage. This is absurd! Adelyn, there is no one here. She shook herself mentally and looked aimlessly around her room. After the last school year, she had been very vocal to Uncle Vernon about her godfather, Sirius, turning up in her life. And she didn't hide that he was a fugitive in the wizarding world. Luckily, that came with a bit more comforts in life, such as actual furniture for the bedroom and permission to stay with the Weasley's for the entire last month of the summer holiday.

Adelyn was still in a bit of shock about it all. She recalled the letter she had received last week from Ron and withdrew it from her night stand drawer to read it yet again.

Adelyn. Dad got the tickets! Ireland versus Bulgaria, August 16th. We're coming for you whether the Muggles like it or not. You know Fred and George would help again. Mum and Dad reckon it's better if we pretend to ask for permission first. Mum likely already sent the post by now. Send Pig back pronto and we can come get you on your birthday!

See you soon – Ron

Adelyn chuckled at the name for his new pet owl. She had had a hard time trying to fix her reply to his small, short leg. But he was very proud of the task assigned and took off with determination. In a few short days, she would be at the Burrow. It was almost enough to distract her from why she was even awake at that moment. Almost. She decided to write a letter to Sirius and ask him about cursed scars. Plus, she wanted to inform him of where she would be for the next month.

By twelve o'clock on July 31st, Adelyn had her school trunk packed with everything she needed for the rest of summer, as well as her school things. She had to contain her excitement around Uncle Vernon as he was growing more irritable as the day went on.

"They'd better have the decency to wear normal clothing," Uncle Vernon complained. "They'll be driving of course?"

Adelyn hadn't even thought about how they were coming to get her. Fred and George had borrowed Mr. Weasley's Ford Anglia to pick her up during the summer of her second year, so it seemed probable. "I think so," she replied.

Adelyn opted to spend most of the early afternoon in her bedroom. Aunt Petunia was anxiously preening around the house and peeking out the window. Uncle Vernon continued to snort out condescending remarks about wizards. The tension was more than she could take.

Finally, four o'clock came. Adelyn sat on the staircase waiting. And then it went. Uncle Vernon opened up the front door to look up and down the drive.

"They're late!" he barked.

Ten past four. . . then fifteen past four. . .

"No consideration at all! They'll be no hanging around. They'll take the girl and go. That's if they're coming at all! Probably mistaken the day. I daresay – AAAAAAHH!"

The Dursley's went scurrying about the living room. Adelyn rushed in. "What's happened?"

Dudley ran from the room ignoring Adelyn's questions. Loud bangs and scrapings were coming from behind the boarded-up fireplace. Muffled voices could be heard from inside.

"Ouch! Fred, no – go back, there's been some kind of mistake. OUCH! George, no! There's no room. Go back quickly and tell Ron -"

"Maybe Adelyn can hear us, Dad." There was a loud hammering on the boards behind the electric fireplace.

"Adelyn? Adelyn, can you hear us?"

"What IS this?" growled Uncle Vernon to Adelyn.

"They've tried to get here by Floo powder," she answered. "They can travel by fireplace, but ours is blocked. Hang on." She approached the fireplace and called through. "Mr. Weasley? Can you hear me?"

"Ah! Adelyn. Yes. I had your fireplace connected to the Floo Network for the afternoon. It didn't occur to me that we wouldn't be able to get through."

"Yes. It's blocked for the electric fireplace."

"Really?" Mr. Weasley's was very intrigued. "Eclectic, you say? With a PLUG? I must see that. . . OUCH! Ron!"

"What are we doing waiting here?" Ron asked.

"This is where we meant to end up," Fred replied very sarcastically.

"Boys, boys. . ." Mr. Weasley interrupted. "Please. I'm trying to think. Hmm. . . Yes. Adelyn, stand back."

Adelyn obliged without hesitation, retreating to the sofa. Uncle Vernon, however, moved forward.

"Wait a moment. What exactly are you -"

BANG.

The electric fire shot across the room as the boards over the real fireplace burst outward, spewing loose debris and wood chippings across the living room. Mr. Weasley, Fred, George, and Ron emerged as Aunt Petunia shrieked, nearly falling backwards.

"That's better. Ah! You must be Adelyn's aunt and uncle!" Mr. Weasley approached with his hand outstretched. Uncle Vernon backed away and pulled Aunt Petunia with him. Their eyes were wide in shock and they were covered in white dust.

"Oh - sorry about that. I can fix it up, right quick, though. I'll light a fire to send the children back and then repair it before I Disapparate." He then turned to Adelyn who was standing off to the side. "Hello, Adelyn! And happy birthday." He embraced her warmly. When he stepped back, he asked "Got your trunk ready?"

"It's upstairs, in my room," she said with a smile.

"We'll get it!" Fred blurted out. He winked at Adelyn and left the room with George. They knew where her bedroom was for the past two years. Adelyn had a suspicion they were trying to glimpse Dudley, whom they heard so much about.

As Mr. Weasley tried to make small talk with the aunt and uncle, Dudley suddenly reappeared into the room, clutching his rear end and turning his back side to the wall as he did so. Adelyn could now make out the sound of her trunk hitting the stairs and knew that had scared Dudley to join his parents.

The twins entered back into the living room with Adelyn's trunk and Hedwig's cage in tow. They spotted Dudley and immediately cracked into their usual devious grins. Adelyn knew they had something planned and was very interested to know.

"Right," said Mr. Weasley, "Better get going, then." He turned and pointed his wand at the hole now occupying the fireplace and gave the incantation "Incendio!" Flames immediately shot up and made the Dursley's jump.

"Off you go Fred," he instructed to his son.

"Coming. Oh no – hang on -" Fred scrambled around the floor. A bag of sweets had spilled from his pocket, rolling around in multiple directions. He quickly crammed them back into his pocket and walked into the fire with Hedwig's cage. "The Burrow!" he said confidently. With a whooshing sound, he disappeared.

"Next. George. You and the trunk," Mr. Weasley continued. Whoosh.

"Ron."

"See you," Ron said to the Dursleys. Then he, too, disappeared.

"Well, see you," Adelyn said to her aunt and uncle. But before they could reply, a horrible gagging noise broke out from behind them. Aunt Petunia spun around and started to scream at the sight of Dudley kneeling next to the coffee table, sputtering a foot-long, purple tongue pouring from his mouth. The room was filled with wild eruptions of shrieking concern from Aunt Petunia, bellowing exclamations from Uncle Vernon, and sputtering from Dudley.

"Not to worry. I can help!" Mr. Weasley yelled over the commotion. He approached with outstretched arms and wand at the ready. This unfortunately did not have the reassuring reaction he was expecting.

The Dursley's became more panicked. Aunt Petunia was sobbing uncontrollably, Dudley's tongue continued to grow, and Uncle Vernon become more huffed and redder faced.

"No, really!" Mr. Weasley pleaded to allow his assistance. "It's a simple process. It was the toffee – my son, Fred – such a practical joker. It's an Engorgement Charm – I think – please, let me correct it -"

Uncle Vernon started hurling the chine figures from on top the side board right at Mr. Weasley in hopes to deter him.

"Honestly!" Mr. Weasley started to become angry. "I'm trying to HELP!" Amongst the scuffle, he called back. "Adelyn, go. I'll sort this out."

Adelyn was rather enjoying the scene before her. But she was narrowly avoiding Uncle Vernon's missiles and thought it best to abide by Mr. Weasley's direction. She stepped into the fire and said "The Burrow!", disappearing in an instant.

Adelyn had to close her eyes as she spun faster and faster through the Floo Network, fireplaces passing by in a blur. She was feeling nauseous. Finally, she felt herself start to slow down and prepared her hands out in front of herself. She came to a halt, abruptly falling forward. Into the arms of Fred.

"Did he eat it?" Fred whispered as he helped her steady herself. He had an excited, wide grin across his face and was eager to know. He pulled her by the arm to stand off to the side of the fireplace, out of ear shot from Ron and George.

"Yes! What WAS it?" Adelyn straightened up and huddled closer to continue their quite conversation.

"Ton-Tongue Toffee," he answered proudly. "George and I invented them. First time trying them out. How big did his tongue get?"

"At least a foot before I left!" Adelyn laughed, motioning down the front of her chest for visual.

Fred's eyes widened as he followed her movement, her hand stopping just below her breasts. As if he needed any help noticing those enticing mounds. He suddenly was very aware that his hand was still around her upper arm, ever so close to brushing against one. His laughter slowed and he found himself staring.

As fate would have it, a faint popping noise prevented Fred from being found out. Mr. Weasley had appeared out of thin air into the kitchen, angrier that ever.

"That wasn't funny, Fred!" he shouted. "You dropped it on purpose knowing that boy was on a diet."

George interrupted. "How big did his tongue get?" He made no attempts at hiding the delight from his face.

"It was four feet long before his parents would let me shrink it!"

Adelyn and the twins started laughing hysterically.

"This ISN'T funny!" Mr. Weasley repeated. "This sort of behavior seriously undermines Muggle-wizard relations."

"Dad, we didn't give it to him because he's a Muggle," George explained.

"No," Fred agreed. "We gave it to him because is a bullying git. Isn't he, Adelyn?"

Adelyn replied with sincerity. "He truly is, Mr. Weasley."

"That is not quite the point! Hand over the remaining sweets." Mr. Weasley approached Fred with his hand out waiting. Fred reluctantly emptied his pockets. "Now, help Adelyn bring her things to her room. Then, kindly clean yourselves up for dinner."

Fred did not have to be told twice. He motioned for Adelyn to follow him. As she grabbed Hedwig's cage, he helped grab the trunk with George. They led her through the cozy living room and up the uneven staircase.

"Is that. . . gunpowder?" Adelyn asked as they were passing by the second floor.

"Oh, no. That's not good." George handed the trunk entirely to Fred and scurried down the hall out of sight. Fred continued leading Adelyn up to the third floor.

"What's he doing?" she asked, looking back repeatedly waiting for him to return.

"Another treat we're working on. Having a hard time hiding the smell from Mum," he replied.

"With gunpowder?"

"It's a secret," he teased. "Here we are."

Fred opened the door to a shared room for two that jutted out over the rest of the house. The beds were on the far side with a lamp on a night table in-between. There was a wardrobe opposite the beds and a cushioned built-in bench beneath the window.

"This is Bill and Charlie's room. Hermione is to be joining you when she arrives in two weeks." He placed her trunk down next to the wardrobe.

"It's lovely." Adelyn meandered to the bench. The view from the window overlooked the orchard behind the garden. It was much different from her barred one back on Private Drive. She noticed Mrs. Weasley and Ginny setting a long table in the garden below. "What is Mrs. Weasley doing?"

"Uh-oh!" Fred swiftly scooped Adelyn towards him and away from the window. "You aren't supposed to see that." He used his body as a shield to block her view, which was easy to do. He towered over her at six foot three inches.

She looked up at him through her eyelashes, one eyebrow raised, a smirk creeping onto her face. "I'm not, am I?" She attempted to dash around him, but he was too quick. He wrapped both arms around her pulling her away from the window. They playfully fought against each other, laughter filling the room.

"Am I interrupting something?" George called from the doorway.

Adelyn jumped with fright. Fred released her and cleared his throat. "Uh, no, uh, just getting her settled."

"Right. . ." George smiled a knowing grin to his twin. "Mum says to wash up. Bought time for dinner."

"Yea. Uh, washroom's this way." Fred guided Adelyn back to the hallway. At the top of the staircase was a small half bath. "Shower's down a level, when you need it."

"Thanks."

"We'll tell Mum you'll be down in a minute." George said as he forcefully nudged Fred toward the staircase. Once out of ear shot on the second floor, he looked at his brother. "You're quite obvious, you know."