The bird shrieked impatiently as Adrian untied the parchment carefully. It was difficult to do so with one arm. It snapped, jerking and flying off unprompted with no intent to stay behind. Small wells of blood slowly trailed downwards from where the talons had dug in.
"Give me the paper," Adrian swallowed, holding a hand out for the newspaper. The rolled parchment was still trapped in his clenched fist.
Draco handed the Prophet over numbly.
Daphne folded one hand under her chin, watching Adrian's face attentively.
'MASSIVE-BREAKOUT-AT-AZKABAN.'
Oh.
Bella.
Adrian paused before politely and thinly smiling over his shoulder where Professor Lupin and the Head of Gryffindor house watched him concernedly.
"Professor, perhaps we should discuss whatever that was in your office."
Lupin nodded shortly, walking hurriedly out of the main hall with the obvious intent of readying his office for Adrian's arrival.
Bellatrix was out? Bellatrix had escaped Azkaban?
Were the Dementors around Hogwarts because they knew the attack was coming? Or did the attack occur simply because the Dementors were away?
Had his father somehow already conversed with the Dementors? Was that why he hadn't wanted Adrian to meet with the undead creatures at all?
Bellatrix was free, his Bella was free!
Adrian briefly spotted Neville Longbottom being consoled by Skylar and Hermione in the hallway- others were affected by it too, weren't they? Adrian had almost forgotten that other people knew Bellatrix.
Adrian hurried past, trying to ignore everyone and make the parchment in his grip seem unassuming. He spotted the werewolf waiting near a corner, shoulders shaking as he tried to compose himself. His instincts were likely still sharp with his recent transformation.
Adrian stepped up to stand besides Lupin and followed him silently until they arrived at the Professor's private quarters. With barely a pause, they stepped inside and closed the door.
The moment Lupin stepped through to his room, he sighed and sagged his shoulder as if tired from carrying an immense weight.
"You look terrible," Adrian announced, breaking the quiet.
Then, because Adrian was feeling incredibly bubbly and giddy, he added on almost humorously, "Rough night?"
Lupin shivered, "Something like that. I'm sure you've gathered that Bellatrix Lestrange has escaped from Azkaban?"
Right, Adrian had to look concerned.
Adrian nodded slowly, forcing the movement to look timid, "I figured that's why she was out. You-Know-Who would probably want her back... do you think that he's back?" Adrian widened his eyes forcefully, "Wouldn't that be a surprise for Skylar Potter."
Lupin paused, observing and staring at Adrian for a moment too long to be normal. He looked almost like he was evaluating him, scrutinizing his appearance.
Adrian wasn't...Adrian wasn't giving anything away though? Was there something telling, something he hadn't thought of?
"Let's not talk about Skylar," Lupin advised eventually, sinking into a plush chair, "Let's talk about you. I don't normally extend this offer, but I'd like you to know that you can owl me at any time over the summer."
Adrian blinked in surprise, "Pardon?"
"I'm worried that Bellatrix may attempt to meet you over the summer… if that happens, message me and I will personally escort you to a safer place."
What?
Oh Merlin, what had he done?
"You'd put me into protective custody?" Adrian's jaw dropped in shock, "But... the wards-"
"I can tune your owl into my house's wards, and into any place I'll be visiting." Lupin politely added, "Your owl is the gyrfalcon?"
"I- yes." Adrian blinked, trapped somewhere between dazed and baffled, "Her name is Hedwig."
"A wonderful name for a beautiful bird," Lupin wistfully added, eyes sparkling despite his gaunt and waxy looking skin, "And your familiar's name is Lutain, correct?"
Lupin was actually trying to remember the name of Adrian's friends?
Lupin was being serious?
Oh Bloody Hell, Adrian's father was going to kill him when he learned what a mess Adrian had made.
There was no way Dumbledore wasn't aware of this train wreck.
But… Lupin had said that Dumbledore was only aware of the so called 'Child abuse', which meant that perhaps the old man only knew that Adrian was in an unhealthy household.
It didn't necessarily mean that Dumbledore knew that he was living with Bellatrix.
And yet...Lupin's offer made sense, it was useful.
As much as Adrian didn't want to admit it, the man had a point. Adrian didn't know where he would be going once he got off the train. He didn't know which house was truly his anymore. Would Bella have a safe-house, or somewhere else she'd be living? Would he live with her, or would he stay with his father still? Would he be passed back and forth like some sort of pathetic muggle custody challenge?
"Also," Lupin spoke, his voice dragging Adrian out of his own thoughts. Lupin looked much more hesitant, as if he was fumbling with how to bring up a topic, "Are you… certain that your birth parents are deceased? My friend, James, or Professor Potter to you, he could search through the Ministry database if you recall your true birth name-"
Why would Lupin think that Adrian's birth parents would still be alive? Well, Adrian's surname that appeared on that damned charmed map did display Riddle. It sounded like a muggle surname, which could leave the impression Bellatrix was a cradle robber.
Actually, wasn't she?
....
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