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.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter series. Thank you to J.K. Rowling to bringing us the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Doting Rival

Chapter 1

The sun was bright and the sky clear as Adelyn Potter made her way across the grounds towards her next class. There was a slight westward wind causing her long, jet black hair to sweep across her face. She brushed it away from her bright, green eyes, wishing her hair band had not broken during lunch. She was already dreading how much time it would take brushing out the knots back in the Gryffindor common room tonight.

"I wonder what Hagrid has been getting ready for his first lesson," Ron interrupted her thoughts. Adelyn almost forgot she was walking with him and Hermione due to the silence they had been showing one another. Hermione was still upset over his remark after their Divination lesson earlier that morning.

"I've no idea," Adelyn replied. "But with a book such as this, it's bound to be truly interesting." She held out a large green book secured shut with a leather belt titled The Monster Book of Monsters. She had not dared opening it since her birthday over the summer when Hagrid initially sent the package.

The trio quickly made their way across the lawn to Hagrid's hut situated on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Adelyn shivered as she looked on at the trees. She had more than enough experiences in that forest to last her a lifetime. Many other third years were converging the area as Hagrid bellowed, "C'mon over everyone!" He waved the students towards him. "Got a real treat for yeh today!" Once the last of the students settled round, Hagrid escorted them along the edge of the lawn, and shortly, they found themselves along a wooden paddock.

"Righ'. Everyone gather 'round the fence – make sure yeh can see well," Hagrid called. "Yeh'll want ter open yer books ter page ninety-three."

"And how exactly do we open our books?" said the snide voice of Draco Malfoy. He was not at all thrilled to be in the class and did not hide it in his tone.

"Yeh've got to stroke the spine, o'course!" Hagrid replied. He grabbed Hermione's copy and removed the Spellotape that bound it shut. The book immediately started growling and snarling to bite. The students closest to Hagrid jumped and stepped back. He ran his forefinger down the spine. The book shivered and finally settled quietly open.

"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Malfoy heckled. "We should have stroked them."

"Shut up, Malfoy," said Adelyn quietly. Hagrid was a dear friend and she didn't want an over privileged ninny ruining his first ever lesson.

"Righ'. Now that yeh've got yer books, it's time fer the magical creatures. Wait righ' here." Hagrid was obviously nervous, but his excitement was evident with how he strode into the forest out of site.

"God, this place is going to the dogs," Malfoy loudly said as he rolled his eyes.

"Shut up, Malfoy," Adelyn repeated.

"Ohh-hoo!" Malfoy replied with a smirk. His fellow Slytherins laughed openly. "Not so scared now that there aren't any dementors 'round, huh Potter?"

Before she had a chance to reply, Lavender Brown shrieked in delight. "Oh! Look, everyone!" She was pointing toward the forest. Hagrid was leading out about a dozen bizarre horse-eagle creatures. Their front halves were that of giant eagles: scaled front legs with foot long talons, matching beaks with striking orange eyes, and feathered torsos with folded wings. Their back halves were that of horses with a shining coat and matching tail. Each was a different color, gray, bronze, roan, chestnut, black, and had on a thick leather collar attached to a chain that all fit into only one of Hagrid's hands.

"Up yer go," Hagrid commanded. He urged the creatures into the paddock and proceeded to tether each one to the fence. "Hippogriffs!" Hagrid beamed, waving his hands upwards as a muggle would during a game show. They surely were a sight to behold, towering over the students with an air of prudence.

Hagrid continued. "Now, firs' thing ter know about' hippogriffs is, ther easily offended. Don't never insult one, 'cause they won't hesitate ter use ther talons. Wait fer the hippogriff to make the firs' move." Hagrid proceeded to explain the etiquette of bowing and approaching these creatures. He spoke with such admiration. Adelyn couldn't help by smile watching him teach the class.

"Ah! Adelyn! Come on o'er," Hagrid said. Adelyn had been so lost in thought, she did not hear Hagrid ask for volunteers to greet Buckbeak, nor did she notice all the other students step back. Oh, great! Though she loved magical creatures,she was not eager to interact with them so soon after last year's encounter with the basilisk. She was honestly hoping this class would be simpler for her as Hagrid was a friend. Hagrid leaned forward to coax her into the paddock.

Buckbeak had been relieved of his leather collar and looked around cautiously, similar to a chicken or pigeon as muggles would approach them. His stormy grey coat blended seamlessly into his feathers. Adelyn was almost mesmerized by this large creature.

"Easy now, Adelyn. Nice an slow. Try not ter blink." She bowed so low she could only see the large, sleek talons shuffling back and forth as Buckbeak assessed her. Luckily, she was no threat, and he soon returned the bow.

"Ah, ha! Well done, Adelyn," Hagrid exclaimed, leading the students into applause. "Yeh can touch him now. Go on. Pat him on the beak."

With Hagrid's coaxing, Adelyn slowly slid closer to Buckbeak, keeping her arm extended at full length. She didn't have to go far. He brushed his face into her hand similar to that of a cat. Adelyn grinned widely, pleased and relieved with the success of the interaction.

"I reckon he might let yer ride him now," Hagrid said as he started to lift her into the air.

"What?" Adelyn replied. She was looking around anxiously, searching for a way out of this predicament.

"Hang on tight," yelled Hagrid. He placed Adelyn on Buckbeak's back and slapped his hind end. Buckbeak reared up and flapped open his twelve-foot wings. Off he ran and within seconds he was in the air, soaring above the clearing. Adelyn loved flying, but this was entirely different from her Nimbus 2000. The flapping of the wings caused her to sway back and forth. She felt as though she would slip off at any moment. Thankfully, Buckbeak flew in one large circle and made haste to return to the other hippogriffs.

"Great job, Adelyn," Hagrid boasted as everyone cheered when Buckbeak landed. "Who else would like a try?" he asked as he turned to the rest of the students. They quickly climbed into the paddock, eager to meet the creatures now.

Adelyn slid off of Buckbeak's back and took her place by the fence. Hermione and Ron were practicing on the chestnut. Malfoy, Crabb, and Goyle had taken over Buckbeak.

"This is easy," Malfoy scoffed. Buckbeak had accepted his bow and was now letting him stroke his beak. "You're not dangerous at all, are you, you filthy beast?"

Oh, no! Adelyn knew what was about to happen. Before she could speak, Buckbeak reared up screeching at Malfoy in reply. Malfoy cried out in pain as the talons made contact with his forearm. Hagrid quickly rushed over to wrestle the hippogriff away from him.

"Ah! Bloody beast! My arm! It's killed me!" Malfoy lay on the ground cradling his right arm.

"No, it hasn'," Hagrid replied. He was shaking. This was the worst thing to happen on his first day as a professor. "Someone help me. Gotta get him to the hospital wing." Hagrid scooped up Malfoy as Hermione opened up the gate to the paddock. "Class dismissed." The students quickly followed their Professor back towards the castle.

"They ought to fire him," Pansy Parkinson stated, with the jeers of the other Slytherins agreeing.

"It was Malfoy's fault," countered Dean Thomas. Many of the other students agreed with him.

There was continued bickering back and forth until they made their way to the entrance hall. Ron, Hermione, and Adelyn decided to head up to the Gryffindor common room.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Hermione asked. She was more worried for Hagrid, but she knew the injury from a hippogriff could be quite serious.

"I wouldn't worry about it. Madame Pomfrey can heal wounds in seconds! If she can regrow my bones in a few days, she can fix Malfoy with no problems," said Adelyn. Malfoy's injuries were nothing compared to what she had experienced before.

"Well, let's be sure to stop by Hagrid's later and check in on him," Hermione stated. She could be very demanding when she put her mind to something.

After dinner, Hermione, Ron, and Adelyn found themselves distracted from their homework. They were too worried about Hagrid to focus on much of anything else. They kept glancing out the window of the common room.

"Hagrid's light is on," Ron said. "It's early enough we could still make it in time to see him tonight."

"I don't know," Hermione replied wearily. She looked at Adelyn.

"Oh, come ON, Hermione," Adelyn exclaimed. "Sirius Black is not at Hogwarts. And Professor Dumbledore said the dementors are not to enter the grounds. I'm allowed to wonder the grounds." She was starting to get annoyed with her pestering about this Death Eater. There was no reason for him to come to Hogwarts.

"Alright, then," Hermione answered reluctantly. The trio quickly made their way to Hagrid's.

They found him obviously very drunk. This isn't good. Adelyn knew Hagrid was worried. He was already so anxious about his new role as a professor. This was such a horrible first day. Hagrid slurred his way through the details of Malfoy's visit to the hospital wing. He was certain Lucious Malfoy, Draco's father, was going to ensure he lost his position.

Ron, Hermione, and Adelyn vowed to help him in anyway the could. Not that he would remember tonight. Hagrid suddenly noticed the three of them in his hut. "WHAT ARE YER LOT DOIN' HERE? YER NOT TER BE WANDERIN' AFTER DARK." He had drunk FAR too much and had completely forgot their entire conversation up till then. "C'mon. Let's get yer back ter the school."