Lost Love Found

Chapter 7: The Bet.

The days were getting shorter and the nights longer. Obviously winter had arrived and with it the snow and cold. The loads of homework for the fifth year students kept piling up and their classes kept getting tougher, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel: the holidays. Soon they would have a couple of "school and homework free" weeks.

No one was happier of this than Adrian. He had such a hectic schedule that he had even lost a few pounds and he had dark rims under his eyes. In spite of that he had never been happier in his life. He was getting good marks, he was playing Quidditch, and he had very good friends. Among those friends he counted Professor Lupin. He had grown so fond of him since they had begun their tutoring sessions that several times Adrian found himself thinking that if his father were alive he would like him to be just like Lupin.

On the other hand, Lupin also grew very fond of Adrian. He was amazed to see that Adrian, even though he was very intelligent, he wasn't the typical bookworm. He was very easygoing and he loved to crack jokes and pull pranks on everyone (he was Fred and George's number one customer). What amazed Lupin the most was how much Adrian reminded him of himself when he was his age.

One Tuesday afternoon during dinner Professor Dumbledore got up to address the students. "I have a couple of announcements to make before we eat our delicious dinner. Number one, the first visit to Hogsmeade of the year will take place this coming Sunday. Remember that only third year students and older are allowed to go. Number two, since last year's Yule Ball was such a big success we have decided to hold a Winter Dance."

Dumbledore smiled at the outburst of excited chatter that spread along the Great Hall and then continued, "The dance will take place the Friday before the Christmas vacation. This dance will be only for fourth years and up. Of course younger students may go if an older student invites them. Oh and remember, dress robes are required. That is all for now. Dig in!"

That night the topic of all conversations in the Gryffindor common room was the Winter Dance.

"Oh my God! I'm so excited. This is great," giggled Lavender.

"Yeah, I wonder if Harry is going to ask me to go with him again," said Parvati.

"He could ask somebody else," said Ginny blushing.

Hermione was rolling her eyes hidden behind an enormous Arithmancy book. She wasn't really looking forward to the dance. Last year she had gone with Viktor Krum but this year she didn't expect anyone to ask her to go. Well, maybe with the exception of Neville.

"Aren't you excited Hermione?" asked Parvati taking the book away from Hermione.

"Why should I be excited? It's just a stupid dance." She paused and then added sadly, "Besides, no one is going to ask me to go with him."

"Come on Hermione, don't be so pessimistic. I'm sure someone will ask you."

"Yeah right."

On the other end of the room Ron and Adrian were playing a game of Wizard's Chess while Harry was reading his copy of The Best Quidditch Feints. Ron, the "Chess Master," (as he liked to call himself) was of course winning the game.

"Check mate Franco! This is the third time I've beaten you today! Oh yeah, oh yeah. I'm good. I'm good. I'm Ron Weasley, The Chess Master," chanted Ron dancing around the table.

"Do you really have to do that every time you win? Come on, stop boasting already," said Adrian grinning.

Ron stopped dancing and sat back down laughing. "Do you want to play again?"

"No thanks. I don't think we can stand another one of the Chess Master's shows. Right Harry?" replied Adrian glancing over at Harry, who nodded.

"You just don't want to get your butt kicked again Adrian," said Ron putting away his set of Wizard's Chess, which was so old that it was falling apart. The chessboard was faded and one of the corners was missing. The pieces were just as bad. Most of them were chipped and several of them were missing parts such as the head or arms. Ron finished putting it back into its box and then asked, "hey Harry, what do you think about the Winter Dance?"

Harry scowled. "I can't believe they are doing this to us. Remember how hard it was last year to get a partner for the Ball?"

"Yeah."

"Come on, it can't be that hard," said Adrian.

"Wanna bet?" asked Ron.

"Yeah, how much Weasley?"

"What about ten galleons? The first one who gets a partner for the Dance by Friday wins. Deal?"

"Deal," answered Adrian and Harry at the same time.

"Not you Harry." Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise so Ron continued, "it wouldn't be fair. You are like a super star here, so obviously any girl is going to be dying to go with you."

"You know Harry? Ron is right," added Adrian.

"If you say so. I'll save my ten galleons then," grinned Harry.

The next day everyone was having breakfast in the Great Hall when mail came in. Harry was very happy to see that Hedwig had come back with Sirius' response. He could hardly wait to read it but he decided not to read it until he was alone. After all, the Dementors and the Ministry were still after Sirius and they could catch him anytime if they found out where Sirius was.

That same night Hermione finished doing her homework earlier than usual. Actually this had been happening for a couple of weeks now and Hermione grimly admitted to herself that it was all thanks to Adrian. Since Adrian began hanging around with Harry and Ron, any of the two hardly asked her any questions about the homework or asked for her help to study anymore. Now they asked their "smart new friend." She couldn't help but to feel jealousy and resentment towards Adrian. She knew that she could still count on her friends but their relationship wasn't the same anymore. Sure they still hung around with her but most of the time they brought Adrian along and when the three of them got together they would start talking about Quidditch and "boy's stuff." That made Hermione feel left out so she would just walk away from them.

Hermione put all her stuff away trying to brush aside her gloomy thoughts. She looked sadly around the common room and she noticed that Harry and Ron were sitting in one of the farthest corners of the Gryffindor common room. She was delighted to see that Adrian wasn't there so she walked towards them. She found them doing, or better said, making up their Divination homework.

"Where's your friend Adrian?" she asked sitting on an empty chair across from them.

"He's with Lupin for his tutoring sessions," replied Harry.

"Why? Do you miss him?" teased Ron. He knew that Hermione didn't like Adrian very much.

"Yeah right, you wish," snapped Hermione turning to look at Harry. "Have you read Snuffles' letter Harry?"

Harry perked up. "No. Let's read it right now." Harry threw his homework aside and took the envelope Hedwig had brought that morning out of his pocket. He opened it, took out a small piece of parchment and began reading. Ron and Hermione were at either side of him reading over his shoulder.

Dear Harry,

I am so glad that you are the new captain of the Quidditch team, congratulations! And don't worry about it I'm sure you'll be a great captain. I am going to be very brief now. I'm coming back this week and I want to see you. Meet me in Hogsmeade this Sunday at 1:30 at the same place we met last time. Bring Ron and Hermione along; I would like to see them too.

-Sirius.

Harry finished reading the letter and put it back in its envelope before he said excitedly, "he's finally coming back! I can't believe it."

"Yeah, we'll see him on Sunday," added Ron.

"Have you two geniuses thought of something?" asked Hermione. Ron and Harry turned to look at her with a puzzled look on their faces. She rolled her eyes and continued, "What are you going to do about your dear friend Adrian? I'm sure he's going to want to hang around with us."

Harry thought about it for a minute and then said biting his lower lip, "We could bring him along. I don't think he'll blab about it."

"I don't know Harry. I mean, I trust Adrian but remember that his grandpa is a very important member of the Ministry and... I don't know. It's up to you Harry," shrugged Ron.

"Remember Adrian told us that his grandpa is a very good friend of Dumbledore and that he is also helping with the fight against Voldemort? So his grandpa might even know that Sirius is working for Dumbledore."

"But we are not sure Harry. And what if Sirius gets mad because you brought a stranger?" observed Hermione.

"I know what we can do," said Ron. "You and Hermione go to see Sirius while I take Adrian some place else."

"Good idea, thanks Ron," said Harry.

"No big deal, just say hi to Sirius for me."

***************

Ron and Adrian's bet turned out to be harder than they thought. Ron was too shy to ask anyone mainly because he still hadn't forgotten Fleur's refusal to go with him the year before. Adrian was shy too and he found all the girls too "giggly" and "weird" for his taste. It was Friday already and none of them had a partner for the dance.

"Do you have a partner yet Harry?" asked Ron while he and Harry were climbing the stairs up to their last class of the day, Divination.

"Yeah."

"Who is it?"

"Ginny," said Harry running a hand nervously through his jet-black hair. He knew that Ron was very protective of his little sister so he didn't really know what Ron's reaction was going to be, especially since they both knew that Ginny still had a major infatuation with Harry.

Ron raised his eyebrows suspiciously and pointed his forefinger at Harry. "Oh, you better treat her well Potter."

"Of course, brother-in-law." Harry laughed at Ron's stunned expression. "I'm just kidding. We are only friends."

"Right, you better. But what am I going to do? I still don't have a partner for the dance and I don't want to lose the bet. If I do I'm going to have to give Adrian my last ten galleons and then I won't be able to buy anything at Honeydukes."

By now they had entered the Divination classroom. It was as stiff and hot as ever and the majority of the students were already sitting at their tables. Harry and Ron found an empty table near one of the windows. Harry sat down and opened the window so he could get some fresh air.

"Why don't you ask Lavender?" asked Harry looking over at her table.

"She's already got a partner. She's going with a Ravenclaw's sixth year."

"What about Parvati?"

"I don't know. I don't think she likes me very much."

"Well there's always Moaning Myrtle. I bet she'll be very happy to get out of her toilet," joked Harry.

"Shut up Harry. I'll go ask Parvati," laughed Ron getting up.

"Good luck lover boy," said Harry giving him the thumbs up.

Lavender and Parvati were, as usual, sitting in front of Professor Trelawney's winged armchair. When Lavender saw Ron walking over to their table she whispered in between giggles, "hey Parvati, he's coming for you." Parvati couldn't help it but to smile and blush.

When Ron arrived at their table Lavender got up to go to talk to somebody else. But before she left, she winked at Parvati. Ron swallowed before he sat in front of Parvati and he began nervously, "Um...hi Parvati."

"Hi Ron."

"I...um...was wondering if you...er...would like to come with me to the Winter Dance?" he said briskly, his face a dark shade of crimson.

"Sure I would love to."

Ron couldn't believe his ears. Parvati, one of the best-looking girls at Hogwarts, had accepted to go with him to the Dance and he was about to win ten galleons too. "Thanks." He got up and walked back to his table. "She said yes Harry!"

Meanwhile Adrian was on his way to the library worried about who he was going to ask to the dance. He was very close to the library when he heard angry voices coming from around the corner.

"Give it to me Mudblood."

"No, I won't. I checked it out first."

Adrian recognized the voices as Draco and Hermione's. He accelerated his pace and when he turned the corner he found Draco and Hermione looking daggers at each other and fighting over a big, black leather bound book.

"I'm warning you Granger, give me that book."

"No, I'm not giving it to you Malfoy. It's the only copy available and I need it for my homework."

"So do I. Give it to me NOW!" roared Malfoy. He jerked the book away from Hermione's hands so hard that she fell on her back while Draco hit himself on the face with one of the corners of the book.

"Damn you Mudblood!" croaked Draco rubbing his cheek, where a bruise was starting to form.

Adrian felt his blood boil with anger. How could Malfoy treat Hermione so bad? He hurried over to her side. "Leave her alone," he yelled, offering Hermione a hand.

"Who do we have here? The modern Don Quixote, defender of damsels in distress or shall I say Mudbloods in distress? You are pitiful Franco," drawled Draco before he turned and began walking away.

Adrian pulled him by his robes. "Give Hermione her book back."

"No."

"Give it back Malfoy," hissed Adrian. "I don't see your goons around. Where are they?"

Adrian took a step closer to Malfoy, who took a step back defensively. Adrian smiled maliciously. "Scared Malfoy?" Adrian took another step closer and grabbed Draco by the collar with his left hand. His right hand clenched into a threatening fist. "Give Hermione her book now."

Draco decided it was best to give the book back since he sucked at fighting and Crabbe and Goyle weren't around to do the dirty work for him. Besides, he had already been hit once today.

"Here Mudblood," said Draco throwing the book at Hermione. He shoved Adrian's hand away from his collar and pushed him aside. "You'll pay for this Franco," and he stormed away fuming.

Adrian turned to look at Hermione, who was very pale and trembling. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," she replied before she walked away.

"You can't be picky now Adrian. You just have an hour before Ron's class ends to find a partner and win that bet," he was saying to himself. He decided it was time for desperate measures.

"Hermione!" he called after her.

Hermione stopped and turned to look at him. "What?"

"I just saved you from Malfoy. You owe me one."

"I didn't ask you to do it. I could've taken care of Malfoy without your help."

"Anyways, I helped you and you owe me one." He breathed deeply and then he said, "I need you to do me a favor."

Hermione rolled her eyes and asked crossly, "What favor?"

"Come to the Winter Dance with me."

Hermione was taken aback by Adrian's proposal. "Y-you want me to be your partner?"

"Yes, please Hermione say yes. I need a partner before Ron's class ends today."

Hermione's stomach dropped a notch when she remembered the bet going on between Ron and Adrian. She wanted to slap Adrian for using her to win the bet but she didn't. She thought it over and decided that she was going to accept because she didn't want to go to the dance by herself or stay all alone in her dormitory.

"I guess you are right. I owe you one. I'll go with you to the dance."

Adrian's face lit up and he looked as though he could've kissed her. "Thank you Hermione!"

An hour later, both Ron and Adrian were dashing towards Gryffindor tower when they bumped into each other in one of the hallways.

"I have a partner," they both said at the same time.

"Who?" asked Adrian.

"Parvati Patil and you?"

"Hermione."

"Oh, so who won?"

"Why don't you call it a tie?" said Harry walking over to them.

Ron and Adrian looked at each other.

"All right it is a tie," said Adrian shaking Ron's hand.

They were on their way to Gryffindor Tower when they turned a corner and something made the three of them stop in their tracks. Professor Snape was walking toward them wearing his most stern look. When he saw them his lips curled into an evil smile.

"Adrian Franco! How convenient, I was looking for you. Come with me," ordered Snape coldly.

Adrian looked sideways at Harry and Ron and he saw that they were as puzzled as he was, but he didn't move.

"I said come with me NOW."

"I'll see you guys later in the common room," said Adrian following Snape.

Everyone in the halls turned to look at Adrian and Snape gasping. The sight was quite dramatic: Adrian was walking slightly behind Snape and once in a while Snape turned to check on him and make sure he was still following. Also Snape, dressed in his usual black robes, looked like an executioner and Adrian, wearing a black and white striped sweater and black jeans, looked like --and practically was-- his victim. The only things needed for this scene to look just like an illustration of one of the Spanish Inquisition's* trials were a chain tied to Adrian's ankle and a whip in Snape's hand.

They walked for almost ten minutes until they reached the dungeons. They entered a dimly lit room and Snape sat down gravely on his desk. There were rows of shelves running along the back wall and on them there were several bottles containing disgusting creatures and objects. Adrian decided to look at Snape instead of at the shelves, but he couldn't quite decide which sight was worse.

"Did you go to the library today Mr. Franco?" asked Snape silkily resting his arms on his desktop. "Sit down!"

Adrian sat down looking suspiciously at Snape. "Yes, I did. Why do you ask?"

"Because Mr. Malfoy came to see me a few minutes ago with a swollen cheek," Snape paused and Adrian knew what was coming. "He says that you are the one responsible for that bruise."

Adrian felt a rush of anger and a sudden desire to hex both Snape and Malfoy but he tried to calm down. "I didn't hit Malfoy Professor," he said, trying to sound as tranquil as possible.

"That's not what Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Parkinson say."

"Pansy Parkinson wasn't even there!"

"So you admit you were outside the library with Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes, but I didn't hit Malfoy!" roared Adrian.

"That's your word against the word of two other students who have proof of what they've said."

"What proof?" asked Adrian crossly.

"Mr. Malfoy's bruised face."

"He hit himself with a book! I didn't do it!"

"Enough!" roared Snape stamping his hand on the desk. He took a deep breath and went back to his silky drawl. "Sticking to the facts it seems to me that you are guilty. Be thankful that I am in a good mood today so I'm only going to give you a detention instead of the suspension you deserve. You have to help Madam Pince, the librarian, to organize all the student's files dating from 1895 on. So be promptly at the library on Thursday at seven sharp. That's all. You may leave now Mr. Franco."

Adrian got up from the chair glaring at Snape. He exited Snape's office slamming the door behind him. He fumed and cursed all the way until he reached the portrait hole. Once there he spat the password, "Whirling Whizbees!"

"Someone is in a bad mood today," said the fat lady swinging open the portrait to let him in.

Adrian stormed into the common room seething. When Harry and Ron saw him coming in they rushed toward him. Adrian told them what happened with Snape and what had happened with Malfoy earlier and he finally calmed down after cursing at Snape for another good ten minutes.

Hermione was sitting a few tables away from them and she heard everything Adrian had said. Even though she didn't like him much she felt guilty for the detention he'd gotten. After all he had gotten into all that trouble for defending her from Malfoy. She remembered how he had made Malfoy give her the book back and she couldn't help but to feel less resentment towards him. "Maybe he's not that bad," she thought. She was pondering about that when she saw that Adrian, Harry and Ron were already climbing the stairs toward their dormitory. She went over to the foot of the staircase and quickly called Adrian over. He turned and went back down to talk to her while Harry and Ron said good night and finished climbing the stairs.

"I heard that Snape gave you a detention for what happened with Malfoy," said Hermione guiltily.

"Were you eavesdropping Miss Granger?" asked Adrian, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you were almost screaming. Anyway, I'm sorry. It was all my fault."

"No, it wasn't your fault. It is that pasty-faced, mud weasel Malfoy's fault. I'm going to get back at him," said Adrian hitting the palm of his hand with his fist.

"I'll go talk to Professor Snape. I'll tell him what really happened."

Adrian laughed. "Hermione, Snape likes you as much as he likes me. All you'll get for sure is a detention, so don't even try."

"But it's not fair."

Adrian smiled at Hermione's worried expression. "I know but what can we do? Don't worry Hermione. I shall have fun with Madam Pince on Thursday."

Hermione still felt guilty but now there was something else in her mind. "Adrian? Um...Ron told me that you called the bet a tie and I er...wanted to know if um...you still wanted me to go to the dance with you." She was looking down and wringing her hands together nervously waiting for Adrian's reply. She couldn't believe she was asking him that but she needed to know for sure if she had a partner for the dance or not.

Adrian was looking anxiously at her and said, "Stop doing that!"

"Stop doing what?" asked Hermione still wringing her hands together.

"That!" Adrian took Hermione's hands apart and held them in between his. Hermione gave him a puzzled look. "I hate when people, especially girls, twist their hands together like that. It reminds me of my mother when she doesn't want to tell me something."

"Oh, sorry I didn't know that. B-but what about my question?"

"Of course I want you to go to the dance with me. Do you think that just because we called it a tie now Ron and I are going to go with each other?"

Hermione laughed. "No, I guess not. Okay, well good night."

Both Hermione and Adrian blushed when they realized that they were still holding hands. Adrian let go of Hermione's soft hands immediately and said nervously, "Good night then."

*******************

The next Sunday after Harry, Ron and Hermione had finished their breakfast they went up to the kitchens to get some food for Sirius. Once there, Harry had barely set a foot inside the kitchen when he felt something grabbing his legs.

"Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is very happy to see you," squealed Dobby getting up to look at Harry with his huge watery eyes.

Harry noticed that Dobby was as colorfully dressed as always. He was wearing a green and pink striped hand towel as a hat; a pair of blue shorts held up with rainbow-colored suspenders, a black tie patterned with tiny pictures of Mickey Mouse and the funky socks Harry had bought for him last year.

"Dobby where were you? I haven't seen you since we came back," asked Harry.

"Dobby went to Ireland for his honey moon."

"Did you get married Dobby?" asked a surprised Hermione.

"Yes, Miss Granger. Dobby is married."

"And who's the lucky lady Dobby?" asked Ron trying very hard not to laugh.

"Winky, sir. Winky is Dobby's wife. Winky, come. Look who's here," called Dobby.

From behind a pile of dirty dishes came out a tiny figure. Winky looked much better than the last time Harry, Ron and Hermione had seen her. Instead of the old and raggedy clothes she had been wearing that time now she was wearing a pink tea cozy for a hat, a crisp white shirt and a pink skirt. But the biggest improvement was her expression: she was grinning broadly.

"Winky! Congratulations!" said Hermione elatedly, hugging Winky.

"Thank you. Winky is very happy now. Dobby is a very good husband." Winky turned to look at Dobby smiling and batting her eyelashes. Dobby returned the smile and held her hand.

For someone who never seemed to care for romance, Hermione was positively delighted by the scene. She had her hands together against her chest and she was smiling dreamily. Harry was smiling too. He was very glad that Dobby and Winky were finally happy after all the bad things that had happened to them.

Ron, on the other hand was looking dreamily at a batch of rolls that a couple of elves were taking out of one of the ovens. Hermione's loud sigh made him turn his attention back to his friends. "Harry, this is very touching but it's getting late," said Ron looking at his watch.

"Right. Er... Dobby?"

Dobby let go of Winky's hand and focused all his attention back on Harry. "Yes, sir? Do you need Dobby to do something for you? Dobby will be very happy to do anything for Harry Potter!"

"Do you think you could give us some food?"

"Of course!"

In no time at all Harry, Ron, and Hermione were on their way back to Gryffindor tower carrying two baskets full of chicken, porridge, pudding, pies and all sorts of sweets.

When they arrived to the Gryffindor common room, it was buzzing with excitement since all the students were ready to go to Hogsmeade. Harry and Ron were wondering where Adrian was because he hadn't gone to breakfast that morning. They scanned the common room and they didn't see him there so they went back to their dormitory. There, they found Adrian sound asleep in his bed.

"Franco wake up!" called Ron shaking Adrian.

"What?" mumbled Adrian opening his big hazel eyes.

"Get up, you lazy head! It's almost time to go to Hogsmeade."

"I'm not going," yawned Adrian sitting up on his bed and rubbing his eyes.

"Why not?" asked Harry.

"Did you forget that I have a tutoring session with Lupin today?"

"I'm sure that if you talk to Lupin he'll let you go," said Harry.

"I know he would but I can't go. I have to prepare for tomorrow's exam."

"Are you guys coming? We are leaving," said Dean Thomas entering the dormitory to grab his cloak. "Come on."

"So you are not coming Adrian?" asked Ron putting on his cloak.

"No. I have to study. I'll go next time."

"Okay, see you later then, brainiac."

"See you," laughed Adrian getting up from his bed.

"Bye then," said Harry as he, Ron and Dean exited the dormitory.

When they came down to the common room they saw that everyone was leaving already. They hurried down to the entrance hall where the long lines of students were awaiting to leave. There they found Hermione carrying the two baskets of food.

"It was about time! These baskets are heavy," said Hermione as soon as she saw them coming. "Where's your pal Adrian?"

"He's not coming. He says that he has to study for tomorrow's exam," replied Harry taking one of the baskets from Hermione's hands.

"Yeah, he's just like you Hermione. He studies a lot. Could you imagine if you two went out together? I bet you would go to the library for a date," said Ron laughing.

Harry was covering his mouth with his hand to hide the smile that was forming in his lips and he tried to cover his laughter with a fake cough. Hermione was looking at Ron threateningly. He knew that warning too well. It meant that he better stop teasing her or else. Ron stopped laughing and then added cheerfully, "thanks to that I'll get to see Sirius too."