16 The sadness that comes with the rain

Adam was in the library studying a book on Transfiguration. He wanted to better understand how changing matter interfered with magic. He had hit some kind of a snag in the process of studying Merlin's book. So I decided to take a few hours a day for lighter reading.

If other first year students knew that Adam treats this type of book as light reading, they would have a stroke. But that's what it was for him, after all what a simple theory about transfiguration was, with Merlin's notes on magic.

So after afternoon classes. Adam sat at a table in the library and relaxed into some light reading.

''Finally found you,'' Adam heard someone say behind him.

Looking back he saw Isabella and Hermione. The two girls looked awful, with messy hair and puffy eyes, it was like they hadn't slept for days.

'' troll !! in the library '' He said his voice panicked. But he held back his words when he received a blow from a flying book, thrown by Isabella.

''Who are you calling a troll? '' She grumbled dissatisfiedly, as she ran her hand through her hair.

''Don't be mean, Adam,'' Hermione said happily.

Adam made a surprised expression. ''Is that you Isabella? Hermione? '' Then he pulled out his wand and said with determination. ''You dared to devour my friends, don't worry girls I'll save you''

But before he could make another move he received another flying book. ''Idiot''

It wasn't until Madam Pince shot them a death glare that Adam caught himself. He has been to the library many times, and in that time he has learned something very important.

One must not anger Madame Pince.

Feeling that he had played enough, he turned his attention to the girls.

'' Were you looking for me ? '' Smiled Adam.'' I hope you didn't stay in that state because of homesickness '' I play with Isabella.

Isabella held the book she still had in her hand tightly, and if it weren't for the death glare Madam Pince gave her, she would have thrown it again.

''Who would miss you? '' She said as she sat down at the table. ''I feel like my days are more beautiful now that I don't see him often.''

Hermione who sat next to Isabella smirked.'' Really? wasn't it these days that you were muttering a certain someone's name in your sleep? ''

Isabella stood up, her face flushed, and glared at Hermione.

Adam smiled to the side.'' So you were dreaming of me? That's cute'' He joked, satisfied with the redhead's embarrassed face.

''Who was dreaming about you? '' She snorted again. ''At most I was having a nightmare.''

''It's okay if you don't mean it.'' He chuckled and closed the book under the table. ''So you were looking for me?'' he asked curiously.

The girls looked nervous, they exchanged glances before speaking. He understood that no matter what the subject was, they seemed to handle it very carefully.

'' Do you remember the spells you used against the troll ? '' asked Hermione shyly.

Adam raised an eyebrow. ''Sure, but what about it? ''

He didn't understand what they wanted with that spell.

Hermione replied in a cracking voice, "We want to...learn." She looked at Isabella as if seeking help.

''For the tests,'' said Isabella.

''this for the tests''

'Clearly they suck at lying.' Adam was amused to see the girls inventing a blatant lie.

'' What kind of tests do you think the first years will have '' He said scrutinizing their reactions . '' Facing a troll ? '' his voice dropping so only the girls could hear. '' Or maybe a three-headed dog? ''

Just as he expected, the moment they heard his words, the two girls froze and looked at him in surprise.

Seeing their reactions Adam understood.

'So they still don't know how to get past Fluffy'

Adam knew that if it went according to canon, right after the trials, the golden trio would figure out from Hagrid how to get through the floor. In one of the many times the half giant would let some very important information slip.

But because of Adam's presence, they sought him out. Although they hadn't asked directly.

'It seems they don't trust me enough. Well I don't blame them, with so much going on trusting someone is hard.'

''I'm afraid I might disappoint you'' He said, as he looked at them ''If your plan to get past the dog is brute force, you'll get nothing but death''

Fluffy was a magical creature much more powerful than a Troll and much smarter too. If four first year students tried to face him, they would end up dead before they could cast a real spell.

Especially in a closed place like the room where the dog was.

'Even I don't know if I can easily beat the dog' He thought before shaking his head. ' No, I would for sure. Unless I could cause a mess.'

Adam believed that if he went outside the castle and he could fight without worrying about anything, he could defeat the three-headed dog, but it still wouldn't be easy.

As if ignoring what Adam just said. Isabella asked suspiciously. ''How do you know about the dog?''

It didn't make sense to her that Adam would know about the three-headed dog unless he knew about things on the third floor. If that were true, a few questions arose.

How did he know that?

Has he ever been there?

Which side is he on?

''Yes,'' He said, looking the girl in her eyes. ''I know about the dog.''

''Have you ever been there ? '' she asked, her voice cracking. She didn't want to ask the third question.

Somehow Adam was already earning a place in her heart, she didn't know what it was. It was something new for her, a new feeling.

Adam saw the conflicted look Isabella had for him now.

'What is she thinking? ' wondered.

He thought about getting into her mind to find out. But he dismissed that thought right away.

After he came to Hogwarts and made some friends he understood that he shouldn't get into the minds of people who were close to him. Everyone's privacy should be respected, at least those close to him.

Everyone had their secrets, if he just looked into everyone's mind, he would never truly trust anyone.

'I don't want to invade the privacy of the people I care about' He decided a long time ago, and he wouldn't change that today.

Adam thought for a while before answering, when he spoke, it wasn't an answer but a question.

''What are you afraid of?'' He asked looking at the redhead. ''Are you trying to guess my reasons for going there?''

After thinking about it for a while, the only reason he could think of why Isabella seemed to be on her guard after learning that he knew about the dog, was that she was doubting his intentions.

'Harry must have already told them that what attacked him in the forest was Voldemort, and that he is the one behind the philosopher's stone.'

Coming to that conclusion, Adam had a pretty good idea why she was so uncomfortable about it.

'In their minds, there are only two types of people going after the rock. Voldemort and his followers, who they must think is Snape inside the castle and who seeks the stone for his master. And those who want to prevent him from succeeding, in that case it would be the four of them.'

As Adam was not part of their group, who had been investigating about the stone and were trying to stop Voldemort from getting it, her first thought was that Adam might be involved with Voldemort.

It was an absurd thought for anyone who knew about Adam's stride. But what could you expect from an eleven-year-old girl who has spent the last few months worrying about the return of the Dark Lord?

The war had not officially started, it was far from it in fact. But the web of mistrust hadn't stopped, it was impossible to know who was lying, and what someone's true intentions were.

In the end, the only person you could truly trust was yourself. To trust someone else, you would need to take a risk, and many couldn't afford it.

He didn't get a response from Isabella, but her silence was answer enough. Now, in that moment, she didn't trust him, and she doubted his intentions.

''isabella..'' Hermione's voice came from the side, sounding sad.'' I don't think Adam would be..'' Hermione didn't finish speaking, because she saw Adam look at her.

Adam knew what Hermione was going to say. He wasn't surprised that she knew about his family. He would bet that Hermione had read about the end of the first war and knew the families involved.

Adam sighed as he said. ''The dog is weak against music, just a few notes will put him to sleep.'' He picked up the book on the table and stood up.

Before leaving he left one last sentence.'' You're not the only one who's lost someone important to Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Believe me, I want him dead more than anyone''

After Adam left, Isabella looked at Hermione. She could understand from Adam's last words that she had missed something, which made her look foolish.

''What did I do wrong?'' asked.

''You hinted that he might be next to you know who...'' Hermione said in a low voice. ''But I think Adam would be the last one to do that''

''Why ? ''

Hermione showed a sad look as she replied.'' In the book about the end of the wizard war. There are some pages dedicated to the victims''

Isabella felt she could guess what Hermione's next words would be.

''Adam's parents and grandfather, they…'' She didn't finish, anyone could understand now what Adam meant by 'You weren't the only one to lose someone'

Isabella scowled at the memory of how she had doubted Adam.

''Ahh, he hates me now,'' she lamented, laying her head on the table. She couldn't believe what she just did.

How could she not understand the pain he felt?

''He doesn't hate you''

''Not ? '' He looked at it with hope.

''No, but you have to apologize''

Isabella sighed and decided she would look for Adam to apologize later. Thinking they finally figured out how to get through the floor she sighed.

As much as he wanted to run to apologize right now. She couldn't stop thinking that Voldemort could get the stone at any moment. And as badly as her date with Adam ended, she still discovered something important.

''At least we figured out how to get past the dog,'' she said satisfied, this was something she'd been losing sleep over for weeks.

It wasn't just her, Hermione and Harry had also been very anxious the last few days. Only Ron slept as if there wasn't a Voldemort around the castle.

'If I had known I would have asked him earlier' he thought of Adam.

''It's amazing how he always has the answer for everything..'' He murmured

She remembered that he knew about Flamel and the philosopher's stone, and now he not only knew about the dog, he knew the method to get past him. How does he know everything?

''Isabella,'' called Hermione.

Isabella looked at her friend and noticed that Hermione had a confused expression on her face.

''Something wrong ? ''

Hermione shook her head. ''I don't know…just something I thought of now.'' She hesitated a bit before continuing.

''How did he know about you-know-who? ''

''Harry told us remember–'' Then her words stopped.

'how did he know?'

During the conversation she understood that she ended up offending Adam by doubting whether he was on Voldemort's side.

But now that Hermione spoke, she realized that they only knew who was behind the stone because of what Harry told them about what he saw in the forest, feeding on the unicorns' blood.

But how did Adam know?

She looked at Hermione and saw the doubt in her friend's eyes. That was a question they weren't sure they wanted to know the answer to.

When Adam came out of the library he was a little down in the dumps. The conversation with Isabella reminded him of his parents. He could never meet them.

Death was indeed a sad thing...

Adam walked without paying attention, and when he realized he had already gone back to his room.

''Is my family sad?'' He murmured as he thought of the family he left behind in the afterlife. He didn't remember much about himself from his old life, but he remembered having a family, he remembered being loved… but now it was all gone, and he didn't even remember much.

Then he thought of the photo he had in his room at the mansion. Happy man and woman holding baby.

He could remember his earliest memories… his mother's smile, the jokes his father made.

He remembered his grandfather who had a stern face but was affectionate whenever he held him..

But again, it's all gone….

'No not all'

He thought of an old butler who had done his best to cherish him all these years and a smile broke out on his face, which was wet.

While Adam cried alone in his room. A fine rain fell over Hogwarts.

In the principal's office. Albus Dumbledore was standing in front of the window.

He watched the rain fall, and he felt sad. Memories of something he wanted to forget came to mind. As much as he wanted to forget, he never could, how could he forget? he didn't deserve to be able to forget...

''I'm sorry..'' He murmured remembering his sister's sweet smile.

In Snape's room, the potions professor looked at the rain and felt sad, he remembered a green gaze that he loved forever...

''Lily..''

For a moment he thought that if he had a second chance, would he do something different?

The answer ? He would do everything differently. But there are no second chances...

In Gryffindor Tower, Harry was by the window, his owl's cage beside him, but the bird made no sound, as if sensing its owner's emotions.

''I don't know why, but I feel like crying Hedwig,'' muttered Harry, as he watched the rain fall.

As the rain fell, many wizards and witches sighed, that rain seemed to bring out the sadness hidden in their hearts.

That was a cold night at Hogwarts.