A Quiet Routine Broken

"Incorrect!"

Although he was sitting on the far side of the room and the words hadn't been directed towards him, Adrian flinched. The boisterous tone of voice was seriously messing on his head.

Defence Against the Dark Arts was being taught by the most insufferable man Adrian had ever the misfortune of meeting once again. James Potter looked practically gleeful as he took five more points from the stunned looking Pansy Parkinson.

The Hufflepuffs weren't exactly sure what to do. It was blatantly obvious that Professor Potter was trying to take as many points as possible from the Slytherins and was enjoying every second of his success.

It was grating on Adrian's nerves. Each jab was making him tense, until only a few more sneers and dumb looks from Hufflepuff until he snapped.

Adrian was filled with intense loathing as James Potter once again asked a question to the unprepared Daphne Greengrass. She stuttered but it was too late, already Potter was snatching points.

Was Potter even qualified for teaching? Wasn't he an Auror?

"Mr. Malfoy!" James Potter started once more, voice crooning in contrast to the huge shark like grin spreading across his features. "What is a Daywalker!"

'Oh!' Adrian felt attention perking up, the questions were venturing into magical creatures? Now this was a topic he knew.

"A Daywalker is a species of vampire that is impervious to sunlight," Malfoy responded, each word grinding from his locked jaw. Malfoy had been the prime target of Potter throughout the entire (much too long) class already.

It was a well known fact that Draco's father only narrowly escaped being sentenced to Azkaban. With how involved Potter was with the arrests, he could have been the one who escorted the man to his trial.

"Five points from Slytherin for stating the obvious!" Potter was nearly vibrating with excitement, "The proper answer would include the description of its fangs and eyes!"

Oh this was getting ridiculous.

"Mr. Selwyn!" James Potter directed, shifting from where he stood on his little platform to look at Adrian directly.

Adrian froze and with restrained trembling he met the soft brown eyes. Chillingly acidic green scalded and seared into James with emotion so strong, it stunned the man for a few seconds.

"Do phoenixes die?" Stumbling, James Potter asked.

Adrian almost smiled.

"Yes, phoenixes can die."

"Incorrec-"

"I apologize professor. Would you like me to specify how they die? I don't like to presume such things, but if that was the case, your question shouldn't have been so direct." Adrian interrupted, he revelled in the almost euphoric sensation of a shocked James Potter.

"Elaborate," James Potter demanded. The man crossed his arms, choosing to lean against his personal desk in the relaxed picture of teacher authority.

"A phoenix can die from its bond with its master if the bond is strong enough and the master dies. It can also die from neglect or abuse. That is only with tamed birds, since the majority of phoenixes are still wild. The bird can also die on command, if it ever wants. Curses will not harm a phoenix, instead it'll revert back into its hatchling state. Specific venoms from its natural predator will kill it, alongside a few species of plants."

The room was silent, Adrian curling his hands tightly into fists. He felt the biting sting of his nails puncturing the skin of his palms, but didn't back down from Potter.

The rising nagging thoughts rose slowly in the back of his mind, regardless of his attempts to crush them. The ravenous doubt that left him inexplicably desiring affection from his- 'No! James Potter is not my father!'

His teeth began grinding together, the ache in his jaw providing clarity to dismiss the nonsense.

'He's not even that good of a teacher. I bet he spoils the Gryffindors for holding a quill. He spoils Skylar. Why didn't he sp-'

He almost screamed with fury, he could tell his entire body was shaking ever so slightly. His face was aching.

The little bell on James Potter desk rang itself. Potter blinked, somehow still stunned and staring at Adrian almost hypnotized. He floundered, not actually saying anything while everyone gathered their objects and filed out of the room.

The group walked silently back to the common room. Once the door opened and they walked in quietly, the older years looked at the new students slightly interested.

Then Pansy burst into cheers and hugged Adrian, who yelped backwards in surprise.

"Selwyn got Potter!" Theo cheered, seeming smug through Adrian's own abilities.

"The golden boy brat?" One of the third years asked curiously, not too interested with the ruckus.

"No, the professor." Pansy clarified, looking much too starry eyed for Adrian's comfort.

"Bloody hell, how did you manage that?" A fifth year gasped, looking at Adrian interestedly. "That clotpole won't even give Vaisley five points."

Draco seemed rather annoyed with the topic, and stomped away to sit on a vacant couch.

"You should have seen it, answered the question and shut him right up." Theo grinned, giving Adrian an appreciative look. "You're going to be useful when Quidditch season comes around!"

"Always happy to be of service." Adrian sighed, trying to slip away from the new interest from the upper years.

It wasn't that big of a deal.

Adrian noticed afterwards on the house cup record in the Slytherin common room, he had been awarded ten points by Professor Potter.

....

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