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.
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.
**Hey everyone! Just got back from Florida where I got to visit the Wizarding World at Universal Studios. It was magical! So immersive. I got my wand (definitely felt the connection), tried butterbeer (delicious!), and went into every single shop. Fun note: the music they played is what I usually listen to when writing. Check out Ambient Worlds on YouTube; they have a ton of different Harry Potter options you may enjoy.**
The Doting Rival
Chapter 30
"I would think that SOME of us might be a little less featherbrained had they seen what I had last night during my orb gazing." Professor Trelawney said tersely, "What do you think I saw, Ms. Potter?"
"Huh?" Adelyn looked up at the sound of her name. She had been unable to focus through most of Divination, continuously stealing subtle gazes with Draco across the room. "Uh, not sure, Professor."
"DEATH, my dears."
Adelyn rolled her eyes. Ron, whom was sitting next to her, had a tough time stifling a laugh.
Trelawney continued sauntering around the class. "Yes, it comes closer. Ever lower to the castle. . ."
"You can only cry wolf so many times. . ." Adelyn mumbled.
"Cry wolf?" Ron asked puzzled.
"Oh, it's a muggle expression. I'll tell you later." Adelyn locked eyes with Draco once again. She widened her eyes a moment, communicating her annoyance with Trelawney's repeat prediction.
Draco chuckled under his breath in response. He casually held up his star chart, acting like he was rearranging the paper. He raised an eyebrow at Adelyn. Her heart skipped a beat. He wants to meet tonight. She smirked bashfully and nodded yes.
Adelyn could barely concentrate during the remainder of class. The anticipation was starting to build. And the class work did not help. If she wasn't making knowing glances with Draco, the star charting was only making her recollect all the nights of star gazing she had previously done with him. Her mind was entirely consumed by him.
"What are you smiling about?" Ron inquired.
"Oh!" Adelyn cleared her throat. "No-nothing. Just – uh – predicting another horrific death of mine." She gestured toward her Divination assignment in front of her. Focus, Adelyn. Focus. She took a deep breath and fought for the remainder of the lesson to keep her attention at her own table.
By the time she made it to dinner, she was much too nervous to eat. She was anxious with anticipation meeting Draco later in the evening. It didn't help that the only talk around her was about the Yule Ball.
"Don't worry, Adelyn. You'll be brilliant." Ron was trying desperately to ease her worries. Of course, he thought opening the ball was the only concern. "Just have to make sure your partner is just as great." He pat her back before stuffing his face with another pasty.
"What's he on about?" George inquired.
Adelyn sighed. "Nothing." She looked away.
"She needs a dance partner to open the ball," Ron muffled through his mouthful of food.
"Ah. I see. Need someone to sweep you off your feet, do you, Adelyn?" George teased. Without her noticing, he nudged Fred's side.
"Don't worry, Adelyn," Fred chimed in. He propped his elbow on the elbow, leaning in with his head resting on his fist. "You're a smashing dancer." He smiled when he caught her eye. Red started pooling in the tops of her cheeks.
"Oy!" Ron was starting to read into his brother's flirting. "Come off it."
Fred motioned his arms out. "What? I'm just stating facts here. After all, I would know." He looked back to Adelyn. "Adelyn, would you -"
"Hey Adelyn." Draco stood behind Adelyn, interrupting the conversation.
She spun around to look at him, a soft smile forming on her lips. "Draco."
"I meant to return this to you." He held out a copy of Ancient Runes Made Easy.
"Oh!" She was caught off guard, having no recollection of lending him any textbooks. She took it nonetheless.
"Thanks for lending it to me."
"You're welcome."
"See you later?" He raised a knowing eyebrow.
"Yes, of course," she quickly replied.
He looked at Fred as he replied, "Good."
"Why do you hang out with that tosser?" Fred asked as Draco walked away.
"Hey!" Adelyn chided. She gave a serious expression. "You might care to get to know him better before making assumptions." She collected her bag and books.
"Adelyn, don't go. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
"I've got work to do anywhere. Night." She left before anyone could say much more.
Once in the Great Hall, Adelyn opened up the textbook Draco had given her. It was his copy, his name scrawled inside the cover. There was also a piece of parchment paper with a note.
I'll be waiting in the usual spot. Meet me after dinner. - D.M.
Without hesitation, Adelyn rushed off for the astronomy tower. Upon entering, the night sky was already exposed. Draco was waiting amongst the velvet pillows in the center of the floor. Adelyn's heart began to race as he turned in her direction. A full mouth smile erupted across face. Even his grey eyes felt the effects of his happiness.
Adelyn beamed in response and sauntered toward him. She trembled from the nerves. She had not felt this before with Draco. Nervous. Excited. Anticipating. Before, she would have just prattled on and easily settled on the floor next to him. Now, she was watching his every move; his hand brushed his shiny hair from his face, his chiseled jaw pronounced as he tipped his head in her direction, his soft lips moving as he spoke her name.
"Adelyn." Draco reached out his slender hand for hers, which she took gladly. He gently pulled her hand down, coaxing her to sit beside him.
"Hello, Draco."
He cupped her face with his other hand, thumbing her lip. "I love hearing you say my name."
Adelyn let out a bashful exhale, lowering her face. She felt her cheeks become flush.
Draco lifted her chin. "Don't hide. Not from me."
His words brought her the ease she needed. He had been her confidant the entirety of the school year. Always there when she needed him. Never asking for anything in return. She relaxed as she gazed into his eyes, his hand warming her face. The desire to kiss him returned.
Adelyn leaned forward until her lips found his. She caught him off guard with how readily she sought his affection. But he matched her eagerness and returned the kiss. This time, it was slow, savoring. Discovering the taste of each other. Melding into unison. Draco parted away, leaning his forehead against hers.
"I've wanted to kiss you for so long," he whispered.
Adelyn removed his hand from her cheek, holding it in her lap. She pulled away slightly to look at him. "Really?"
"Really." He reached under one of the pillows to reveal a small bouquet of seven white roses, to which he offered her.
Adelyn let out a small gasp as she accepted the gift. "White roses. . ." she inhaled their fragrant aroma, ". . . have you – you must have – the other bouquets. . ." She suddenly deduced the previous bouquets had been from him. She couldn't complete her thought aloud. She was in awe.
Draco chuckled. "It's not often you are rendered speechless," he teased.
She scoffed playfully, nudging his shoulder. "Of course, you'd be the one to do it." She laid back onto the pillows, Draco following suit.
As Draco began sifting through the night sky, Adelyn cozied into him. She was surprised with how easy it was to transition past friendship with Draco Malfoy. It was unexpected, but effortless. The nerves began to seep in again.
Draco placed his hand on her twiddling fingers. "Addy, what is it?"
She gulped. "I'm just nervous."
"What for?" He propped himself up on his side to face her. He never took her emotions lightly. He knew how heavily they impacted her.
"I've never felt this way before. . . I don't want things to change."
"They already have." He pulled her hand up and placed a gentle kiss on it, bringing a soft smile her face.
"What do we tell the others?"
"For now, let's just keep this to ourselves." He let out a frustrated sigh. "My father read the most recent article by Rita Skeeter and is less than pleased."
Adelyn recalled it herself. Rita had insinuated that Draco and Adelyn were in a relationship. Though that was not the case at the time the photo was taken, it obviously had some truth behind it. Most fellow students didn't believe it. Or they didn't say they believed it. But Mr. Malfoy had already scolded Draco in the past when the feelings were barely on the radar. Now that they had progressed to the current level, he surely would lose his temper.
Adelyn agreed with his request. "He'll never like me."
"Leave my father to me," Draco assured her.
The next couple weeks, Adelyn and Draco stole any moment they could to be together. Classes were constant distracted glances. Between lessons were stolen kisses in empty corridors. And most night were spent in the astronomy tower fighting the urge to stay the entire night in each other's embrace.
It was enough. At first. But as more and more students kept trying to get dates to the Yule Ball, Draco began to become jealous. Each day, another guy was asking her to the ball. A second year Gryffindor. Even a fifth year Ravenclaw. All she could think of was Ron's words during one of their arguments at the beginning of the year. "They're only interested in you because you're famous."
A third year Hufflepuff had struck up the courage to ask Adelyn to the ball one evening at dinner. She had quickly said no before considering it.
"You're going to have to get a partner at some point, Adelyn," Hermione pointed out as the Hufflepuff scurried off.
"Don't remind me," she groaned turning back to her plate.
"Adelyn." Cedric Diggory approached the Gryffindor table. "Cho and I are going to be practicing the dance for the Yule Ball this evening in the Transfiguration classroom, if you'd like to join us."
"Thank you, Cedric. I surely need it."
"Great. See you then." He smiled broadly before leaving.
"Who are you going to practice with if you don't have a date," Ron asked.
"Should I make you join me?" Adelyn taunted.
"Uh, sorry. I –uh - just remembered I have some Potions work to finish." Ron grabbed a handful of miniature apple pies before quickly leaving.
"I'm free this evening, if you need a partner," Fred chimed from across the table.
"Thank you, Fred. I'll let you know if I do." She gave him a kind smile before departing, heading for the Slytherin head table.
"Looks like you're needed again," Theodore Nott announced to Draco, jutting his chin in Adelyn's direction.
"Draco, can I speak with you a moment?" She tried acting nonchalant, looking over the other Slytherins at the table. Anywhere but directly at Draco.
"Well. Go on, then," Pansy pressed.
"Don't be naff, Pansy," Draco reprimanded. "Not everything involves you." He stood, motioning Adelyn to lead the way, leaving Pansy huffing in insult.
"I have a favor," Adelyn whispered as they made their exit from the Great Hall.
"I do like when you need me," he growled, pulling her behind a large pillar near the west side of the room. He nuzzled his face into her neck, trailing his mouth up and down.
"D-Draco," Adelyn continued breathily.
"Mmm?" Draco moaned as he pulled her into him, continuing his conquest down her décolleté.
"I -uh – truly have a fa-favor to ask." Adelyn had a hard time getting out her words. She sighed and pushed out her chest, allowing him easier access.
Draco discerned how her body reacted and progressed, filling his hand with her large breast. He massaged her in a circular motion, his mouth never leaving contact with her skin. In between movements, he answered, "ask me."
Her hands were now combing through his hair, begging him to continue. "I need to practice."
Draco paused a moment to look up at her. He raised an eyebrow giving a sultry look. "Practice?" A grin crept across his face.
"Dancing. Practice dancing," she blurted quickly. Her hands fell to his chest. She averted her gaze bashfully, understanding all too well what 'practicing' he was thinking of.
He cleared his throat. "Oh. I see." He stood tall, straightening out his shirt. "I can assist with that as well." He pecked her lips and took her hand. "The usual spot?"
"Actually," she tugged his hand. "Cedric offered to practice with him and Cho. In the Transfiguration classroom." She bit her lip in anticipation.
Draco sighed. "Adelyn. . ."
"Look, I know what we agreed on. But Cho has already seen us together, remember? Besides, I have to open the ball no matter who I practice with. I would much prefer it be with you, though."
"You don't make it easy to say no."
"Is that a yes?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Yes, it's a yes."
"Oh, thank you!" Adelyn kissed him. "Come on. They're waiting." She peaked out from the pillar to make sure there was no one around before leading him to the staircase.
"What, now?"