Lutain slithered down towards the Chamber before Adrian woke up. It was fortunate Lutain had thoroughly investigated all of the plumbing pipes with Adalonda's help, being able to slither to the chamber from nearly any washroom in the castle was surprisingly useful.
Adrian slept wonderfully, even after having to sneak into his own room so quietly as to not wake Theo.
Adrian was blissfully unaware up until the point where Theo doused him in icy water.
"Theodore!" Adrian gasped out, rolling out of the puddle on his bed onto the floor. He was fortunate to wear a shirt to sleep, it was easy to remove the icy fabric. Even more fortunate that Adrian had multiple spares, with how often he overslept or stayed in his room.
"That's what happens when you sleep in, well, more than usual." Theo noted casually, peering around the room curiously, "Where's your snake? Want me to leave the door open?"
It was a testament to how much Lutain had grown on Theo for the other boy to offer without another thought. The idea almost made Adrian smile.
"I'll do it when I leave," Adrian sighed absentmindedly, stretching and wincing. He still felt completely exhausted, he had been out way too long the night earlier. Then again, he generally always felt some level of exhaustion.
Although the one hippogriff feather would look beautiful in his room at home.
"What were you up to last night?" Theo asked, picking out his clothing for the day, "Didn't figure there was much left to do, since we're leaving soon."
Adrian grumbled but searched for his own clothing to change into, "I was just out."
Theo snorted but after checking that Adrian was decent, darted out of the room to meet up with Blaise.
Adrian fumbled with his shirt, buttoning it quickly and sliding on his thin robe.
The others were waiting, looking as prim and proper as they always did. Daphne clicked her tongue and cast the charm to fix bags under eyes, smiling the entire time. How polite of her.
They walked through the recognizable arches, up the steps towards the Great Hall. There was a suspicious lack of students up and about, especially considering it was the day before they departed for home. Generally students were making messes out by the front doors, the Weasley Twin's or Peeves' signatures on the walls.
They walked into the Great Hall, taken aback by the chaotic flurry of feathers and screeching birds.
"What-?" Pansy shrieked, fending off a grey owl which snapped at her harshly, "What happened?"
"Did the minister get assassinated or something?" Daphne sniffed, walking through the chaos as calm as ever. She took her seat, trying to flag down one of the Daily Prophet's owls.
Adrian frowned, looking for Hedwig in the flurry. He didn't see her, although he did spot one tall figure walking towards him with the Gryffindor Head of House.
"Oh no," Blaise reached for a piece of toast, "Look who's coming for you, Adrian."
That was strange, especially since it wasn't Snape, who generally took care of his students.
"Mr. Selwyn," Lupin's expression was pinched and waxy. He looked overall, completely terrible, "A moment of your time."
Adrian felt cold as ice once again, his irrational fear spiked and sent shivers down his arms.
'Calm down,' he forcibly thought to himself, exhaling harshly through his nose in one mighty gust.
"Professor," Daphne politely added, "Are you feeling unwell? Perhaps you should visit the Hospital Wing."
Lupin shook his head slightly, "I'm afraid that I really must insist, although I thank you for your concern. May I speak with you in private, Mr. Selwyn?"
Adrian blinked and nodded slowly. He stood- only for a large black eagle to plunge into the room with the viciousness of a vulture. It lunged, several tail feathers swaying haphazardly as they nearly shook loose.
Draco flinched, gaping at the bird in surprise and recognition. He didn't seem necessarily pleased, glancing around the Slytherin table in concern, as if the bird was for him.
Adrian knew that bird well. Although he had no idea how it was recovered, as far as Adrian knew it was taken in as contraband.
He also knew that the bird was not there for Draco.
Adrian extended one arm, allowing it to perch and dig its wicked talons into his arm. Adrian grunted slightly, the noise high pitched and nasally as a single bead of blood welled from where it's filthy talons dug. It snapped its beak, holding out one leg with a small amount of parchment tied to its scaled leg.
"That's..." Draco floundered, unable to process the bird perched on Adrian's arm. He quickly snatched a Daily Prophet from a first year, blurting out a random insult to have the younger student release the paper.
Draco jerked the paper open and froze; Pansy gasped in shock, reading the headline over Draco's shoulder.
"Oh. Oh Merlin," Theo blinked, looking horrified as he read the title, "Adrian..."
....
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