Daphne shook her head, nearly dislodging her sister's fingers, "No Pureblood family would dare adopt something impure into the family!"
Astoria sniffed, "Maybe he wasn't adopted?"
Daphne worried her lip, "No, there was a boggart, in my second year. It...There was resemblance. I met him on the train platform, it was the same man."
"Let me see?" Astoria asked quietly, tapping Daphne's head just behind her ear.
Daphne smiled, and turned, locking silvery eyes with her sister, who tilted her head ever so slightly.
A second passed, then two and Astoria looked just as confused as before.
"I don't understand," Astoria blinked wide eyed and oh so innocent, "He's adopted? Through a blood ritual?"
Daphne gave a curt nod, "He let it slip he had a brother- but from which family? From before? After?"
Astoria blinked wide eyed and cynically aware, "You've been talking to Suzie Forestar."
Daphne whacked Astoria's arm, "Stay out of her head."
Astoria shrugged but didn't look regretful, "I wondered what you were doing, you wouldn't talk to me at school."
Daphne didn't feel bad, and Astoria didn't look that upset.
"I don't understand," Astoria confessed, trailing her brown hair between thin bony fingers, "He...this...Selwyn, he's adopted? And mentioned he has a brother?"
"Yes, it's why he's so confusing." Daphne admitted.
Astoria blinked, "I don't see why you're thinking that his birth family is dead?"
Daphne paused, and her jaw dropped slightly with a small gasp.
She snatched her quill, and began to write.
The train ride back was uneventful, and swift.
The Great Hall, was exactly opposite of such.
Once seated and the newest first years sorted, a great chaotic influx of people appeared through dazzling displays of intimidation and grace.
Triwizard Tournament, Adrian was amazed that Remus didn't warn him ahead of time of such a spectacle.
(Then again, perhaps he would have if he stayed.)
Adrian almost forgot that he had been 'kidnapped' and taken to the side. Only after the two new schools had thoroughly mingled did Adrian remember.
Skylar in particular looked gobsmacked, catching eyes with him across the distance of the Great Hall. Skylar nudged Hermione sharply, drawing her attention and pointing.
She gasped silently, eyes widening as she conveyed the largest sense of guilt possible through her gaze.
Remus maybe mourned, or assumed the worst.
Once the students were dismissed and people began to file out, Adrian hurried through the halls to try and escape any sort of scene created by the golden trio.
Unfortunately, he hadn't considered Draco wanting a word, especially considering the last time he had seen the blonde.
Adrian scrambled down a corridor, taking sharp turns and fearfully hoping he would be far enough away from the main masses before he was so vocally questioned. He heard shoes racing after him, feet slapping on the floor loudly and Hermione's wordless cries to hurry.
Adrian ran one hand through his hair and spun. He could see the sunset through a nearby large stained glass window.
He shifted his weight, standing solid as he waited in preparation for the three. If he was going to be attacked, best that he determine the setting.
The golden trio spun around the corner, flushed and panting with how hurried they were to keep pace. That surprised Adrian, hadn't Skylar received any extensive training? At all?
"Adrian!" Skylar gasped out, wheezing although looking more composed than the other two," You're alive, mate!"
Adrian stared, he hadn't expected the confrontation to begin like that. "Brilliant deduction."
Ron flushed red and opened his mouth to argue, only for Hermione to jump forward and throw her arms around him.
"We thought you were gone!" She gasped in relief, "Or worse!"
"Remus was in rough shape, mate." Skylar looked miserable, worrying his lower lip anxiously, "We searched those fields for days after."
No, you didn't.
"Yeah, nothing there but rubble." Ron nodded attentively, "How are you alive!"
Adrian twitched as Hermione clutched him tighter, "Adrian Selwyn! Never do that to us again!" She threatened, pulling away only to whack her hand on his upper bicep viciously, "Thinking that those... those-"
"Death Eaters," Skylar helpfully provided.
"Death Eaters!" Hermione parroted, jumping back into her furious rant, "-got you! Thinking that Bellatrix Lestrange got you! She was there you know! We heard reports from the aurors, Sirius says himself that he saw her there!"
Adrian scowled, glaring at Skylar who went so far to place one arm on his unoccupied shoulder.
"I know," Adrian grit out sourly, hands spasming into a fist "She was looking for me."
There was a sudden pause at his bold declaration.
"Blimey mate," Ron muttered confused and amazed, "I think my mother's looney but that Lestrange really takes the cake. Must be awful, her being your mum and all."
Adrian's cheek twitched, "I got Lutain back. I'm fine. Can I go now?"
Skylar looked as if he had been smacked, "the familiar? You got that snake back?"
"Are you though?" Hermione gushed worriedly, ignoring the bit that Skylar was stuck on. "Fine?"
Adrian scowled sourly, "Yes, now I have to go."
He pushed past, not looking back even as Hermione called after him. Adrian knew that they would contact Remus, who would likely send him an owl. All Adrian truly wanted was to go back to the common room, get Wormtail out of his trunk and head down to greet Adalonda once more.
He slipped down the staircases heading towards the dungeons, his footsteps echoing through the hallways. There was something empowering about the way his heels clicked against the stone. Echoing, resounding against and off the walls.
He entered the main room, heading towards his room determinedly.
"Adrian!" Theo called from the couches, "Draco was just in, he said he wanted to talk to you-"
Adrian ignored him and opened his door, shrugging off his outer cloak to through on the nearest chair. He wasn't in the mood to talk, he just wanted to get the filthy rat...
"Lutain-" Adrian cut off sharply, swallowing his words before anything else spilled out.
Well, Theo had warned him.
Draco shifted how he sat, posed carefully with his chin tilted ever so slightly. He looked more regal, poised as he perched on the edge of Theo's bed, directly across from Adrian in the doorway.
"Adrian," Draco greeted coldly, his face blank yet just slightly shimmering with anger, "Or should I call you Adrian Lestrange?"
Adrian paused, blinking, and letting the curse slip from his lips crudely, "Bollocks."
....
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