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.
The Doting Rival
Chapter 31
"One, two, three. One, two, three." Cedric counted along with the music. "And switch arm positions."
"Ugh. Sorry," Adelyn groaned. She was struggling to smoothly transition the constant change of arm placement.
"Don't look at our hands. Look at me," Draco instructed. "Follow my lead." Adelyn obliged and locked her eyes on his. He guided in a slow circle around the room.
"You make it look so simple with how graceful you move," she noticed.
"Why, thank you, Ms. Potter." Draco straightened his spine and jut out his chin. "A Malfoy must always be ready for any social situation, including dancing." His voice was that of a slightly mocking tone causing Adelyn to giggle. "Ready?"
Adelyn shook her head yes as Cedric called out, "Now lift!"
Adelyn and Cho were lifted into the air and spun in a half circle before being placed again on the ground, continuing the remainder of the twirl. The music concluded with a soft fermata and the men dipped their partners low and steady.
Cedric stopped the phonograph. "Right. A few more sessions should do it. Same time tomorrow evening?" He directed the question to Adelyn.
"Uh -" she looked at Draco, unsure how he felt.
"Yes, tomorrow works for us," he replied on her behalf.
"Great. See you both then."
As Cedric gathered his things, Cho approached Adelyn. "You two dance beautifully together. You'll do great at the ball." She gave a meek smile before waving and taking her leave with Cedric.
"Thank you," Adelyn called behind her, slow to respond. She appreciated the compliment, but felt a small pang in her chest. Draco hadn't actually said he was going to the ball with her. She wasn't sure he even wanted to. As he didn't respond to Cho's remark, she elected to keep her thoughts to herself.
The next two evenings, instead of meeting in the Astronomy Tower, Draco and Adelyn practiced the Yule Ball Champions dance with Cedric and Cho. As muscle memory developed, Adelyn found the dancing came with more ease. She was no longer tripping over her own feet and the arm movements were more in synch with the timing of the music.
"Excellent!" Cedric acclaimed. "Much improved from three days ago." He had an air of positivity that was infectious to those around him. "We'll be thoroughly ready by the time of the ball."
Each time practice ended, Adelyn's happiness would wane. She was starting to imagine herself being paraded around in Draco's arms in front of all their peers. But it was not current reality. She only had two and a half weeks until the Yule Ball and needed to know how Draco felt.
Once Cedric and Cho had left, she blurted out, "So, are we going to the ball together, or not?" Her shoulders already sunk in defeat.
Draco had stopped toweling off his neck and turned to face her, his eyebrows raised high. The sudden change in her attitude had caught him off guard. "What?"
Adelyn marched up to stand right in front of him. Sweat beaded from his forehead. His forearms swollen from clenching his hands. He was clearly nervous. "Draco. You know I need a dance partner for the Yule Ball. Are you going to ask me already?" She looked up at him with pleading eyes, begging him to give her the answer she desperately sought.
"Addy. . ." he sighed, gazing at her face with furrowed brow.
"Do you not want to?" She took a step back. Confusion began to take hold of her. He had said he wanted her, longed for her. Now he had her. But only when alone. She didn't understand.
"It's not that. . ." He ran his fingers through his hair. Frustration.
"Is it your father?" she said exasperated.
"Not entirely." He turned back to the table, gathering his belongings. He was avoiding looking at her.
"Then what is it?" Adelyn grabbed his arm to pull him back around.
"It's complicated," he replied, slipping himself from her grasp.
"Let me simplify it then," Adelyn sternly announced. "I want you to go to the Yule Ball with me. But if you can't, or just don't want to, I will have to find another partner." She snatched her bag and left quickly, before the tears had a chance to well up.
"Adelyn!" Draco called after her.
Adelyn picked up the pace, practically running out of the classroom. She was about to burst into tears and couldn't bare for Draco to see. She was hurt and confused. His actions told her how much he wanted her. Both physically and for companionship. They spent all their spare time together. But when she probed him about any formality, he shied away.
Was he honestly concerned with what his father thought? Was he worried about with OTHER people thought too? What did HE truly think about being in a relationship with her? Did he actually even want to be?
Adelyn groaned in frustration. She didn't have time to get worked up about Draco Malfoy. She had bigger concerns and responsibilities than whether or not a guy liked her. She was so lost in thought she had not realized she made it to the Gryffindor Common rom.
"Adelyn. What is it?" Hermione looked up from her books where she studied in the corner.
Adelyn slumped in the chair across from her. "I thought the tournament tasks were the only things I really had to worry about this year. I was considerably wrong."
Hermoine leaned in to whisper, "Is it Draco? Is he not practicing with you?"
"He IS. But that is likely to be it." Her head fell over the back of the chair as she groaned.
"Do you know for sure?"
"No. . . that's part of the problem."
Just then, a group of students squeezed through the entry, all offering words of comfort.
"It's okay. It's okay."
"Yea. She probably won't recall it was you who even asked!"
"Come on, Ron. Sit down over here." Ginny made her way through the small crowd guiding her brother by the arm. She placed him down in the arm chair near the fire.
"What's happened?" Adelyn and Hermione rushed over.
"He just asked Fleur out," Ginny explained with a sympathetic pained expression on her face. "Actually, more like shouted out."
"What? What did she say?" Hermione was in shock.
"No, of course," Ron got out with trembling breath. "I just – she was just, walking. It was like I couldn't help myself." He took deep breaths to calm down.
"Oh, Ron. I'm sorry." Adelyn rubbed his arm softly in comfort.
"Alright. Break it up."
"Nothing to see here. Move along."
Fred and George made the small crowd of Gryffindors disperse. They leaned casually along the back of the arm chair.
"Tough go, mate," Fred consoled Ron.
"Yea. Best get a move on. Or there'll be no one left to ask," George added.
"Oh, yea? And who are you two going with, then?" Ron asked bitterly.
George gave a wink to the group before turning around. From across the room, he called "Angelina!"
In slight frustration from being interrupted, the team's Quidditch Chaser turned in response to hearing her name. "What?"
"Do you want to go the ball with me?" He stood tall in confidence.
Angelina's face changed readily. The annoyance morphed into flattery. She smiled. "Yea, I'll go with you."
George turned back to his group with a large grin and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, it's not that easy for everyone," Ron scoffed.
"Sure, it is," Fred contradicted. "Adelyn. Care to go to the ball with me?"
Adelyn's breath caught in her throat. She looked up abruptly. Fred smirked at her, waiting. "Uh . . . I -"
"What?!" Ron jumped from his chair, causing Hermione and Adelyn to take a step back. "She's my best friend."
"Yea. And I just asked her to be my date to the ball." His eyes didn't leave Adelyn.
Adelyn was utterly surprised. Sure, Fred had flirted with her in the past. But she never thought it was beyond that. Her heart was pounding with nerves.
Ron whipped around. "Adelyn, you're not going with him, right?"
"I - I -"
"Oy! Would you two knock it off!" Ginny stepped in front of Adelyn defensively. "Can't you see how uncomfortable she is." She turned to Hermione and Adelyn. "Come on, ladies. We don't have to stay here." She decisively ushered the pair towards the dormitory while the brothers bickered.
"Just think about it, Adelyn!" Fred called from behind.
"'Just think about it' - how could you -" Ron continued.
The trio quickened the pace to their refuge. It was much quieter, allowing the stress of the evening's events slowly dissipate.
"What is with tonight?" Adelyn cried out as she fell back onto her bed.
"I can't believe Fred just asked you to the ball." Hermione stated.
"I can," Ginny said.
They both looked at her.
"Oh, come on. He's been pining for you for well over a year now. Have you honestly not noticed?" Ginny gave a bewildered look.
"I've been a bit preoccupied. . ." Adelyn mumbled.
"Well, if it means anything to you. I wouldn't mind if you dated my brother. Just don't let him pressure you about it." She gave a soft smile and left for her own room.
Adelyn looked at Hermione. "What about you? Are you going to the ball?"
Hermione suddenly became bashful, letting her head fall. "Ye - yes."
Adelyn sat up. "Were you even going to tell me?"
Hermione replied swiftly, "Well, it was a bit chaotic down there."
"Well go on. Who with?"
"You promise you won't judge me for it?" She fiddled with the hem of her skirt.
"Of course not!"
"And you won't tell Ron . . ."
"Not if you don't want me to."
She took a deep breath before whispering, "Viktor Krum."
Adelyn gasped. "Really? Since when did you start liking him?"
"I don't know. He's often in the library. We mostly just read. Well, he watches me read."
Adelyn giggled and hugged Hermione. "We are going dress shopping in Hogsmeade next weekend."
Hermione's cheeks grew more red. "Okay. But you need a date first."
"Oh, we just resolved the mood. No more talk of me tonight."
The following day was awkward for Adelyn. She had a few classes with Draco. And each time she saw him, her emotions shifted from excitement to dejection. He attempted to catch her attention multiple times, but she feigned being preoccupied in her work. She insisted to Hermione and Ron to leave first with each class dismissal. She wanted desperately avoid any more hidden interactions behind pillars or empty classrooms. She even avoided the Great Hall of lunch, opting to stay in the Common Room.
"Is this really the best way to handle this situation?" Hermione asked as she offered Adelyn a plate she procured from lunch.
"I'm not ready, Hermione. He'll want to talk alone and I will likely give in if he asks." She sighed.
How did it come to this? How had Draco Malfoy become such a forefront concern in her mind? She thought of him most of each day; wondering how he was or if he was thinking of her as well. Yearning to be near him when she could not. Comforted by his presence, even from across a crowded room. Even now, through the confusion and the ache, she desperately wanted to be with him. Hence her hiding in the Common Room.
"Isn't it a good sign if he wants to talk about it? It would mean he cares."
"Yes, but why hide it? What is he afraid of?"
A faint tapping on the window pulled the girls from their conversation. Hermione opened it, allowing a Little Owl to fly in before it landed on the table. It hopped a few paces toward Adelyn and held out a letter to her. Adelyn took it, but the bird did not make any attempt to depart.
"Is it from Sirius?" Hermione inquired.
"No, it can't be. I only sent a letter out yesterday. Would be far too soon for a reply."
Adelyn opened the letter and immediately recognized the handwriting. Draco.
Adelyn. I didn't explain myself well last night. Please meet with me tonight at our usual spot to discuss the matter. The owl has been instructed to wait for a reply. -D.M
She handed the letter to Hermione before grabbing a piece of parchment and quill. She did not second guess her response.
Draco. I must not have been clear. I no longer wish to meet privately. If you are serious about discussing anything, I will only oblige so long as we are not alone. I kindly as for respect in this regard. -A.P.
"What are you replying?" Hermione quickly peered over Adelyn's shoulder, reading as she wrote.
"There." Adelyn applied a seal and handed the new letter to the Little Owl. "I'm sure you know where to take this."
The owl answered with a muffled hoot and small hop before soaring out the window.
"Won't that deter him from wanting to talk to you?" Hermione asked slightly concerned.
"Not if he is sincere." I hope.