Unrelenting Fate: A Marauders Era AU

Chapter 8

Adelaide Harthwood was immensely pleased with herself.

She beamed at her friend from across the table, and Della returned her smile with an annoyed look.

Although in truth, Della was internally squealing with joy.

Peter was sitting next to her on the bench, and he was awkwardly trying to engage in conversation with Alexander and Royan.

The topic had so far varied from Quidditch to pumpkin juice to the Elfish welfare rights project that Della was working on.

Royan excused himself halfway through lunch, stating that he had Head Boy business to attend to before his next class, but he bid Peter a friendly goodbye, well walking past him.

The Gryffindor boy cleared his throat at turned his full attention on the blonde girl next to him.

"Um. Oh, you were marvelous at Quidditch tryouts," He managed to say without much stuttering.

Adelaide and Alexander shared a smirk when Della glanced at him blushed heavily.

"Thank you, that's very kind," She shyly whispered to him.

Peter grinned. She spoke to him.

This was the second time she had said something to him, and he could not have been happier.

"Of course! You were the best Chaser I've seen in a long time! Probably the best Hogwarts has ever had!" Peter as with admiration laced in his voice.

Della's whole face was as red as the Prewett twins' hair.

She never blushed. What was happening to her?

"I don't know about that, Peter," The girl said, looking down at her hands as they fiddled nervously with the hem of her skirt.

"I do. I think you are wonderful," Peter bowed his head and said this so quietly that Adelaide and Alexander could barely hear a thing he said.

Della stared at him for several seconds with a blank expression before a gorgeous smile appeared on her face.

"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," She spoke softly and reached for his hand, gently putting her's on top.

Peter looked down at their joined hands and blushed deeply.

Adelaide and Alexander cooed in delight at the sight across from them.

***********

"Why is Pete's face so red? You don't think they are being mean to him, do you?" Sirius asked in a conspiratorial whisper.

When he got no reply, he turned and looked back and forth between Remus on his left and James on his right.

They were both fixated on the Ravenclaw table but not looking directly at their friend.

"Oh, for Merlin's Sake! Am I the only one here concerned about Wormtail's wellbeing?" He hissed.

"Of course not, Padfoot, we are just as concerned," James said without removing his gaze from the strawberry-haired girl.

Remus nodded in agreement but didn't say anything.

Sirius huffed in annoyance at being ignored.

"Perhaps I need to make new friends," He growled.

***********

Adelaide was observing her friend with a brilliant smile when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned and found Severus nervously twitching behind her.

"Hi, Sev, what's up?" She asked sweetly.

"I have a question about the test we have in Defense; could I possibly ask for your help," Severus said in a quiet tone.

Adelaide tilted her head to the side and arched a brow at the Slytherin.

"Sure. No problem. Everyone, I'll see you later," She said, turning back to look at her friends, "Peter, thank you for having lunch with us today! Perhaps you can do it again more often?"

"Yes, that would be nice, thank you, Adelaide," Peter smiled at her fondly.

"See you Herbology, Birdie," Alexander called to her as she walked out of the Great Hall with Severus.

**********

"The bloody hell is he doing with her?" James growled as he watches Adelaide leaving with Snivellus.

Remus broke his gaze away from where Lark was sitting and turned towards his bespectacled friend.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Prongs," He tried to reassure him.

"Yeah. Besides, look at it this way, Snivellus isn't hanging around Evans right now!" Sirius pointed out with a smirk.

Remus nodded.

"Right, right. 'Course," James mumbled with a glare.

He was still annoyed by the fact that Harthwood had allowed Snivellus to lead her out to who-knows-where, for some reason.

***********

"Sev, tell me what the real reason you need my help. We both know that you are one of the top students in Defense," Adelaide said sternly.

Severus sighed heavily and glared at his feet as they walked through the long corridor.

"I have a problem, and I need your advice on the matter."

"You could have just asked," Adelaide said with a slight frown.

"Not in front of Marcello and Lark. I don't trust them as I trust you, not to mention Pettigrew was sitting with you, and he is part of the so-called 'Marauders'" Severus all but growled.

"Alright. Calm down, Sev!" Adelaide hushed him.

"Sorry."

"It's fine. Now tell me what the problem is."

When Severus didn't answer for several minutes, Adelaide thought he wouldn't tell her.

But finally, he said, "I need help asking Lily to the Halloween Ball before Potter can."

Adelaide stopped walking and stared at Severus.

"You want me to help you ask Lily out?"

"Yes."

"Smashing!" Adelaide cheered happily, excited to do something that would most likely annoy James Potter to no end.

Oh, this was going to be fun!