Adeleine Potter: The Shifting Shadows, Draco fanfic

Part 11

The next day passed by uneventfully until it was time for detention. As I made my way to the classroom, a feeling of dread began to creep up on me, though I couldn't quite place why. As soon as I stepped through the door, I was greeted by the sight of Malfoy and Riddle, both looking distinctly unimpressed as they sat at their desks with their detention assignments already in front of them.

Snape entered the room at the exact moment I did, his presence cold and commanding as ever. He didn't waste a second, directing his stern gaze at me. "For you, Miss Potter, the same rules apply—3,000 words before you're dismissed, and I will be checking every word." His voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument. With that, he left, his robes billowing behind him as he exited the room.

I moved to take the seat beside Malfoy, but he looked up, his eyes narrowing as if daring me to try. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his tone icy and cutting.

"I was just going to sit down," I replied, taken aback by his harshness. Confusion churned within me—why was he acting like this?

"Just because we're in the same circle doesn't mean we're friends, Potter. You're still...a Potter," he hissed, the last word dripping with disdain. His words stung, a sharp reminder of the distance that still lay between us, despite everything.

From his desk, Mattheo Riddle let out a low laugh, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he watched the exchange. "Mind your own business, Riddle," I snapped, my patience wearing thin as I moved to sit behind him.

"Or what?" Mattheo challenged, turning in his seat to lean over my desk, his gaze predatory and dark. His arm rested on the edge of my desk, a silent assertion of control.

"Or I'll show you what my brother did to your father," I shot back, shoving his arm off the desk. The Slytherin fire in me flared up, but inside, my heart pounded. Mattheo's expression darkened, a dangerous look settling over his features. For a moment, I was sure he'd retaliate, but we weren't alone. If we had been, I might've been scared.

"You know," he began, his voice low and dangerous, "after Friday night, I thought you'd learn to keep that tongue of yours in check." His eyes bore into mine, and suddenly I felt all the courage drain from me.

"What?" I asked, my voice wavering, fear creeping into my chest.

"Riddle, enough," Draco interjected, his tone laced with an authority that was impossible to ignore. He had been following our exchange closely, and now his expression was one of concern, as if he was trying to protect me from something.

"I could've just stood by and watched what Blaise planned to do to you," Mattheo continued, ignoring Draco's command. But there was something in his eyes—regret, maybe?—as he spoke those words. I could only stare back at him, my mind racing. My gaze flicked to Draco, who now looked more worried than ever.

Without another word, I grabbed my things and bolted from the room, my chest tightening as panic began to claw at me. The hallways blurred as I ran, the sound of my own heartbeat deafening in my ears. "Adeleine!" I heard Draco call after me, but I couldn't stop. I wouldn't.

I found a small alcove and pressed my back against the cold stone wall, struggling to control my ragged breathing. My mind raced back to Friday night, to the party, and then...to Blaise.

His voice echoed in my head, venomous and cruel. "You're such a slut," I heard him sneer in my memories, followed by the sensation of his grip tightening around my arm, his fingers digging into my skin. "You belong to me," his voice taunted, and I could feel his hands sliding up my thighs, higher and higher.

I slid down the wall until I was crouched on the floor, my body trembling as the memories assaulted me with brutal clarity. "I'll make you mine. You'll see," he had whispered, his voice full of malicious intent.

But then, the boys had burst into the room. Draco, Theo, and...Riddle. They had pulled Blaise off me, beat him senseless, and threw him out. I remembered strong arms lifting me out of my shock, remembered crying as Pansy held me, comforting me as the boys waited outside the bathroom door while Pansy helped me clean up, helped me feel human again.

I blinked, and the reality of the cold stone beneath me hit as Draco approached, his expression unreadable. I stood up quickly, facing him, my voice hoarse and trembling as I spoke. "How could you? How could you not tell me? How could you all keep this from me? I feel like an idiot!"

"Adeleine—" Draco began, but I didn't let him finish. I turned and ran toward the common room, desperation fueling my steps. Pansy, Theo, and Lorenzo were sitting on the couch, and I stormed up to them, with Draco close behind, trying to calm me down.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded, my voice breaking with anger and betrayal. "Why did you let me walk around like a fool? And how could you let Mattheo be the one to tell me?" My voice was higher-pitched than I intended, and the tears I had tried so hard to hold back finally spilled over.

The room fell silent, everyone's eyes on me. And that's when I noticed him—Zabini. He was lounging on a sofa, a smug, twisted smile playing on his lips. Rage boiled inside me, and I didn't think. I just moved. I marched up to him, Theo trying to stop me by grabbing my hand, but I was beyond reason.

Blaise smirked up at me, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Round two, Potter?" he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. I smiled back, tears still wet on my cheeks, but it was a smile born of fury. Before he could react, I drew back my fist and punched him with every ounce of strength I had left. He went down, shock written across his face as he hit the floor.

"Yeah, that was round two. And I'm pretty sure it's 2-0 now," I spat, my voice shaking but strong. The pain in my hand was searing, but I refused to show it. "I think that makes it obvious who's winning."

The common room was dead silent, every eye on me. For a moment, I thought the world had stopped. Then, Pansy began to clap, slowly at first, but it quickly picked up pace. Theo and Enzo joined in, their applause filling the room, and finally, Draco, who had been watching me closely, joined as well.

Overwhelmed by everything, I turned and fled up the stairs, ignoring Blaise's curses as they followed me. I barely made it to my room before the sobs took over, and I collapsed onto the bed, my body shaking uncontrollably. After a moment, I dragged myself to the bathroom, turning on the shower as hot as it would go. I stripped off my shirt and grabbed a sponge, scrubbing at my skin with desperate ferocity.

But the dirt wasn't real, no matter how hard I scrubbed. I knew that, but I couldn't stop. My arms, my legs, my neck—they were all raw and red by the time I was done, but I still didn't feel clean. I couldn't stop the sobs that wracked my body, and I barely registered the knock on the bathroom door.

When I didn't respond, Draco pushed the door open, his eyes widening in horror when he saw me. He rushed in, fully clothed, standing under the stream of water with me. "Adeleine, what are you doing?" His voice was tinged with panic as he looked at the angry red marks on my skin.

"I feel so filthy," I choked out, scrubbing at my skin with renewed vigor. "So dirty, and it's my fault. I kissed Theo, and then Blaise got mad. This is all my fault. Blaise was right. I'm a slut."

"Hey, hey, stop that," Draco murmured, taking the sponge from my hand gently but firmly. "Look at me, Adeleine. None of this is your fault. Blaise is a monster, and you don't owe him anything." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, "I'll kill him for this."

His words made my chest tighten, but when he continued, it was in a softer tone. "But listen to me. You're not dirty," he said, his fingers brushing through my wet hair as he spoke. "You're not a slut, and you're not to blame for any of this."

I looked up at him, my vision blurred with tears, and then I collapsed into his arms. The water pounded down on us, soaking us both to the skin, but it didn't matter. In that moment, there was only us, only the comfort of his arms around me.

"I thought we weren't friends," I whispered against his chest, my voice small and vulnerable. He let out a soft laugh, his chest vibrating against my cheek.

"We're not," he replied, but there was something in his voice that made my heart skip a beat, and my cheeks flushed with warmth.

Draco must've realized I was only in my underwear, because he quickly turned off the water and wrapped me in a towel. As he did, he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head, and for the first time in what felt like forever, a small smile tugged at my lips.