Adam hurried to the Leaky Cauldron, expecting to find Hermione already waiting for him. He was running late because of his aunt's unexpected visit, but now he was more concerned about finding Hermione. Instead, Tom greeted him from behind the counter, his worn apron tied loosely around his waist.
"You're a bit late, young man," Tom said with a chuckle. "Your little girl's already gone out. Said she was headed to Diagon Alley for a bit of ice cream."
Adam frowned, glancing around the tavern. The warm, bustling atmosphere of lunchtime had dulled slightly, with only a few patrons scattered around the dimly lit room. "Diagon Alley?" he repeated, more to himself than to Tom. He hadn't expected Hermione to go alone, but she probably got tired of waiting.
"Yeah, mentioned you'd catch up," Tom added, wiping down the bar with a cloth. "Told me to tell you in case you turned up."
Thanking Tom, Adam turned to head for Diagon Alley. His pace quickened as he navigated through the familiar streets. Something about Hermione being alone in Diagon Alley didn't sit right with him, and his gut told him to hurry.
As he neared Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, Adam spotted a group of children gathered in the street, near the Ollivander's shop. It wasn't unusual for a crowd to hang out around here, but there was something off about the atmosphere. The sound of laughter floated toward him, but it wasn't the friendly, joyful kind—it was the harsh, mocking type.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw Hermione standing at the center of the crowd. Her back was to him, but Adam could see her shoulders tense. Tears glistened on her cheeks as she stood silent, clutching her bag tightly. Surrounding her was a small group of pure-blood children, with none other than Draco Malfoy at the front, his sneer unmistakable. A few older witches and wizards, standing nearby, watched but did nothing to intervene, their expressions indifferent or amused. Among them was Ollivander, standing quietly at the back, his eyes cast downward in what seemed like guilt. Lucius Malfoy, too, stood in the crowd, a smirk playing on his lips as he observed the scene.
"Look at her," Draco drawled, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "A Mudblood thinking she belongs here. How cute."
Adam felt a surge of anger. He had always known Draco to be cruel in the stories, but seeing him firsthand, so young yet already so hateful, made his blood boil.
Without hesitation, Adam pushed through the crowd, coming to stand beside Hermione. She didn't look at him, her gaze fixed on the ground, but he could tell by her trembling that she was trying not to break down.
Draco, not content with tormenting Hermione, turned his attention to Adam, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "What's this? Another Mudblood to join the fun?" he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for Adam's response, clearly hoping for a reaction.
Adam felt the words hit their mark, but he didn't give Draco the satisfaction of answering right away. His grip tightened around the strap of his bag, but he took a slow, measured breath. Anger simmered beneath the surface, but he knew this wasn't the time to let it show. Losing his cool would only escalate things further, and Adam wasn't about to make a scene. Not here, not now.
He glanced at Hermione, her face pale and tear-streaked. His heart clenched, but he tried to keep his expression soft as he stepped closer to her. "Hermione, are you okay?" he asked gently, his voice low and reassuring.
Without waiting for a response, he reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. They needed to get away from this crowd. Adam started to move, leading her through the throngs of people, hoping that Draco would let them pass.
But just as they made it a few steps, Draco stepped forward, blocking their way. "Where do you think you're going?" he sneered. "You two deserve each other. Filth like you don't belong in Diagon Alley."
At that moment, something shifted inside Adam. His anger flared for a split second, but before he could act on it, he felt a strange weight settle around him, as if a deep, heavy calm had washed over him in an instant. All the anger inside him was restrained and Adam became as calm as still water without any ripples. It wasn't a peaceful calmness but rather as if Adam had transformed into someone else.
It was unsettlingly still, and the power that emanated from him seemed to ripple outward, though no one could pinpoint where it came from. His hand brushed against his pocket, and for a brief moment, the patterns of his wand glowed faintly, unnoticed by all except for one person standing in the crowd.
The air around Adam felt dense, his eyes now burning with a sharp intensity, but he somehow managed to restrain the overwhelming fury bubbling inside him. His gaze fixed on Draco, and his voice was icy, carrying a quiet strength that made everyone pause.
"Is it fun to gang up on a little girl with so many people?" Adam's words were deliberate, cutting through the tension in the air. "Even adults and elders? Does it make you feel better?"
Draco faltered for a moment, his usual smirk faltering. The sudden shift in Adam's demeanor seemed to unnerve him. He took a small step back, his eyes narrowing with suspicion, but he didn't dare say another word.
The crowd stood still, waiting, unsure of what would happen next, while Adam kept his gaze fixed on Draco, unwavering in his stance.
As Adam stood there, his calmness almost unnerving, Lucius Malfoy finally seemed to notice the sudden change in the air. He narrowed his eyes, studying Adam's composed demeanor, and a sneer spread across his face. With a dismissive glance at the crowd, he strode toward Draco, his heavy footsteps echoing in the tense silence.
"Clear the people like you from the wizarding world is our, pure-blood family's noble duty," Lucius sneered, looking Adam up and down with open disdain.
For a moment, Adam remained as still as a statue, his expression unreadable. His aura was so unwavering that the world around him seemed to freeze. There was no trace of the anger he had felt earlier, only a chilling calmness that wrapped around him like a heavy cloak. He didn't react to Lucius's words with the fury that most would expect. Instead, he did something that no one anticipated—he laughed.
The sound was soft at first, almost ironic. He looked directly at Lucius, his expression cold but somehow amused. "Noble duty? Pure-blood?" Adam repeated, his voice smooth but biting. "Mr. Malfoy, everyone knows what you've done, for whom you've done it, and how you survived in the end. Don't speak of noble duty here. Aren't you afraid everyone would die laughing at your jokes?"
The words hung in the air like a sharp blade, and for the first time, the crowd fell completely silent. The insults in Adam's tone, the cold delivery, and the pointed truth of his words caused everyone to take a step back, unsure of how to react. Even Draco's smirk faltered, and a wave of unease spread through the onlookers.
Lucius, visibly stunned by the sudden retort, took a sharp breath, his face turning an alarming shade of red with rage. It was clear that Adam had struck a nerve—something that no one had dared to say to him before.
"How dare you?" Lucius spat, his voice trembling with anger. His hand shot to the cane at his side, and in one swift motion, he drew his wand, pointing it directly at Adam. The threat was clear, but there was something about Adam's stance, his calm demeanor, that made Lucius hesitate for the briefest of moments.
The crowd remained still, caught in the tense standoff, and Adam stood unfazed, still holding Hermione's hand, his gaze unwavering as he faced Lucius Malfoy. The world around them seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
There was no trace of fear on Adam's face. Instead, he took a single step forward, closing the gap between himself and Lucius until his forehead nearly brushed against the tip of the wand that was aimed at him. Adam's eyes locked with Lucius's, unblinking, his voice low but cutting.
"Oh? Are you going to attack me now? Attacking little kids? How noble of a pure-blood family…" His words dripped with mockery, and his laughter echoed in the charged silence.
The crowd, which had been frozen in place, now seemed to grow larger, but the air remained thick with tension. It was almost as if the silence itself had become a presence, pressing down on everyone. No one dared to speak, their eyes darting between Adam and Lucius, unsure of how this would unfold.
Lucius, sensing the growing eyes of the crowd, looked around and saw several other members of Pure-blood families in the gathering. It was enough to make him pause. His hand trembled for a moment, but he quickly regained control. With a sharp, hissing breath, he retracted his wand and sneered at Adam.
"Boy, you don't know who you're dealing with. You don't even know what the Sacred 28 is. Going against us won't end well for you."
His words shifted, subtly, as if trying to bring the weight of other Pure-blood families into the equation. It was a threat, but Adam wasn't deterred. He could see Lucius trying to shift the narrative, as if Adam had somehow provoked the entire Pure-blood community.
Adam gave a small smirk, his lips curling slightly, and with his gaze still locked on Lucius, he took another step forward, raising his head to look Lucius in the eye.
"How about I make it easier for you, Mr. Malfoy?" Adam asked, his voice casual but dripping with confidence. "How about a duel?"
Lucius's expression shifted once again, shock spreading across his face as the audacity of Adam's words hit him. For a split second, the older wizard's eyes widened, before he forced a strange, amused smile.
"You want to duel? Me?" Lucius asked, disbelief heavy in his voice.
Adam's smirk deepened, and he shook his head slightly, as though the idea were almost too absurd to entertain.
"No, no, of course not you, Mr. Malfoy. Even if you might not be that strong, sadly, there's still a little difference between us," Adam said, his tone playful yet sharp. "How about I duel your son? It started between kids; how about kids end this?"
At this, Draco's face contorted in both surprise and anger, but he didn't speak. His eyes flicked toward his father, seeking some sort of approval—or perhaps guidance—on what to do next. Lucius, meanwhile, seemed torn for a moment, his gaze flicking between Adam and his son, processing the words.
The tension in the air was thick, but Adam stood unmoving, his confidence unwavering as he waited for Lucius's response.
But the silence that followed Adam's challenge didn't last long. Lucius, his anger already simmering, was quick to react. There was no hesitation in his voice when he spoke. He was burning with fury, but he also didn't doubt his son. Draco had been practicing for some time now, under his watchful eye, and Lucius had no doubt that his son would be able to easily defeat a mere Muggle-born.
Without any further delay, Lucius agreed to the duel.
At that moment, a voice interrupted.
"What are you doing, Lucius?"
Professor Flitwick appeared from the growing crowd, his sharp eyes quickly scanning the scene. His gaze fell first on Hermione, whose tear-streaked face was a silent testament to the cruelty she'd endured, then onto Adam, whose anger was simmering just beneath the surface. Flitwick's expression hardened when he pieced together the situation, and he turned his focus back to Lucius, his anger now evident.
Lucius, though surprised to see the professor, couldn't help but smile inwardly. He was glad that Flitwick had arrived only now—the duel was already agreed upon, and no one could back out of it.
"Oh, Professor, you came at a perfect time," Lucius said, his voice smooth with hidden malice. "How about you watch over this duel? As a dueling champion, no one else is more qualified to observe a duel than you."
Flitwick's eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, his voice firm. "This duel can't happen. They are just children, Lucius."
Lucius's expression darkened in an instant. His calm demeanor shifted, and the anger in his eyes became palpable. His voice dropped to a dangerous level as he responded, "This duel has already been agreed, Filius. This boy challenged a pure-blood family, and this duel must happen. How can we allow such humiliation to go unpunished?"
Professor Flitwick opened his mouth to argue, but Lucius cut him off, not giving him the chance to reply. His eyes scanned the crowd, and a cold smile appeared on his face when they settled on a figure in the distance.
"Mr. Borgin," Lucius called out, his voice oozing with authority. "How about you let us use your empty basement for the duel in a couple of hours? You see, there isn't a proper place in Diagon Alley."
The man he addressed, a tall figure with a quiet, mysterious aura, stepped forward from the crowd. His appearance was ordinary enough, but there was something in his eyes that made people uneasy. He was involved in things best left unspoken.
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," Mr. Borgin said, his voice calm, almost too calm. "I would love to see the duel as well."
Without waiting for another word, Lucius turned away, his smirk still firmly in place. He motioned for Draco to follow, his pace quickening as he addressed Adam without turning around. "See you at the duel in two hours, boy."
As Lucius and Draco walked off, they didn't seem to care about Professor Flitwick's presence anymore. Lucius's expression hardened as he glanced at the crowd, making it clear that he had no intention of letting anyone interfere with what was about to happen.
Professor Flitwick stood frozen, his fists clenched at his sides. His gaze lingered on Adam and Hermione for a moment, but there was little he could do now. The duel had been set in motion, and the wheels of fate were already turning.
Under Professor Flitwick's lead, Adam and Hermione followed him into Ollivanders, the old wand shop, after the crowd began to disperse. Ollivander invited them in after he saw that those three stood together after crowd dispersed. As they entered, the familiar atmosphere of the shop enveloped them, but it was different today—there was an air of tension. Hermione, though trying to hold herself together, had tears still staining her cheeks. She wasn't crying now, but the worry in her eyes was impossible to ignore. She had never seen a duel before, though she had read about them in books.
Adam glanced at her, his expression softening. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly. At this moment Adam's heavy aura had already disappeared. His cold attitude was nowhere to be found as if it was never there. It surprised Ollivander, his eyes couldn't help but keep getting attracted by the wand that was protruding from Adam's pocket.
Hermione nodded but couldn't hold back her tears anymore. They spilled out, despite her best efforts to control them. She wiped her eyes quickly, embarrassed, but Adam didn't let her go unnoticed.
After a few moments, Hermione managed to stop crying. She looked at Adam, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just… I don't feel confident about going to Hogwarts anymore."
Both Professor Flitwick and Ollivander, who had been standing quietly by, exchanged glances. They could both see that Hermione was struggling. She had been through a lot, and it was understandable that this event had shaken her. Before Flitwick could offer any comforting words, Adam stepped forward.
He gently took Hermione's hand in his, a reassuring gesture, and looked into her eyes. "It's been hard, I know," he said softly, his voice steady. "But you can't let this hold you back. One day, we'll both become powerful wizards and witches, and then, we'll turn people like them into rats and laugh. For now, though, just wait and see how I'll beat that snotty kid. You'll feel a lot better after seeing that. Let's see how he dares to bully you again."
Hermione managed a small, grateful smile, but Adam wasn't done yet. He looked at her, his expression firm but kind.
"Don't think about quitting Hogwarts before you even set foot there," he said, his voice growing more determined. "We have so much magic to learn, and we've just started."
Ollivander watched them silently, nodding slightly as he observed the interaction. Professor Flitwick, too, seemed to understand the weight of Adam's words. For the first time, Hermione looked a little more hopeful, her shoulders relaxing slightly. Even though just tiny bit of relaxation appeared on her face, Adam's confidence in the face of everything that had just happened seemed to reassure her, and she felt a little less alone in the situation.
As Adam glanced at Ollivander, he noticed the old man's gentle smile, his gaze soft as he saw that Hermione was beginning to relax. But instead of feeling relief, a surge of anger bubbled up inside Adam. He remembered seeing Ollivander standing quietly in the crowd, doing nothing when Hermione had been surrounded by that group of people. The anger grew, sharp and simmering, as he couldn't shake the image of the wandmaker's passive presence during that painful moment.
The tension in the room grew heavier as Adam's anger became palpable. Both Hermione and Professor Flitwick noticed the shift in Adam's demeanor, and even Ollivander seemed to sense it, his smile faltering slightly. The room seemed to close in on itself, the air thick with unspoken words.
Ollivander, sensing Adam's mounting frustration, hesitated before speaking. He cleared his throat, taking a step forward. "I... I apologize, Mr.Taylor," he said softly, his voice sincere. "I failed to stop that situation, and I regret it deeply."
Adam's eyes narrowed, the anger still boiling within him. He wasn't in the mood to accept apologies, not when he felt Ollivander could have done more. But before Adam could voice his frustration, Hermione spoke up.
She turned to Ollivander, her expression more composed now. "Thank you, Mr. Ollivander," she said, her voice soft but genuine. "You tried to help, but... then that boy's father came and threatened you. You couldn't do anything."
Adam's anger softened as Hermione spoke, her words calming the storm inside him. He turned to her, taking in her quiet strength, and slowly, the tension left his body. The situation hadn't been perfect, but hearing Hermione's understanding of what had happened helped him see things differently. He nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself, and looked back at Ollivander.
Professor Flitwick, watching the exchange, gave a small, approving nod. The storm had passed, and the atmosphere in the room lightened just enough for everyone to breathe again.
Adam took a deep breath, his mind racing. He understood now that with someone like Lucius Malfoy involved, Ollivander could do little to stop the situation. At least the wandmaker had tried, and Adam begrudgingly let go of his anger. But the duel was still hanging over him like a cloud. He cursed himself for letting his emotions get the best of him, especially for antagonizing a notorious Death Eater like Lucius Malfoy, not to mention challenging Draco to a duel. Who knew how much Draco had learned from his father? But there was no turning back now; regret couldn't undo the situation.
Hermione, still shaken, kept apologizing for putting him in this position, even though Adam had already reassured her multiple times. "It's not your fault, Hermione," Adam said, his voice calm but firm. "You didn't do anything wrong."
At that moment, Professor Flitwick took the opportunity to talk to Adam about the duel. "You must understand, Adam," he said in his usual soft, yet serious tone. "A duel is more than just a show of power; it's about strategy, control, and knowing how to use your magic in a controlled manner. I would advise you to reconsider, or at least sit this one out. It's not too late to avoid any further confrontation."
Adam looked at Professor Flitwick with determination. "No, I want to go through with it," he replied firmly. "I won't back down now."
Professor Flitwick nodded in understanding but seemed concerned. He knew Adam's resolve was strong, but he also understood the risks involved. "Very well," he said. "But let's make sure you have a plan."
In the past two weeks, Adam had been practicing diligently, learning various spells, some more advanced than others. To his surprise, his magical progress had been fast. He felt that he had a natural talent for magic and was eager to test his abilities. But there was one problem—he didn't know many proper dueling spells. Still, Adam felt confident that he could improvise with the auxiliary spells he had learned. His skills might not be perfect, but he trusted his instincts. So he didn't feel like avoiding the duel, it was also to take revenge for Hermione.
Professor Flitwick, upon hearing about Adam and Hermione's recent practice, took a moment to adjust his glasses and began to guide them. He helped them devise a strategy for the duel, taking into account their current knowledge and strengths. "You must remember," he explained, "magic in a duel is not about power alone. It's about knowing when to attack, when to defend, and how to read your opponent."
Meanwhile, Ollivander, ever the observer, had quietly stepped aside to give them space. He had placed a "break" sign on his shop door, signaling that they would remain undisturbed for the next couple of hours. But as Adam and Hermione focused on their preparations, Ollivander's left eye glinted with an odd, cyan light, as if he were deep in thought, analyzing something. His gaze often lingered on Adam and Hermione, particularly their wands, but no one paid him much attention. Everyone was too focused on the task at hand to notice his quiet observations.
Professor Flitwick continued offering advice, his voice gentle yet filled with wisdom, while Ollivander observed in silence, lost in his own thoughts.
Two hours passed in what seemed like no time at all. Adam, Hermione, and Professor Flitwick gathered their things and prepared to head toward the location Lucius had set for the duel. Adam turned to Hermione, his expression softening slightly as he asked, "Do you want to wait here, Hermione? You don't have to come if you don't want to."
But Hermione, having made up her mind, shook her head firmly. "No, I'm coming with you," she replied, her voice carrying a mixture of determination and worry. "I won't let you face this alone."
Adam gave her a small smile, appreciating her resolve, but a part of him still felt uneasy. He could sense her apprehension, but he knew her presence might help keep his focus sharp.
Before they left, Ollivander called Adam over. The wandmaker's expression had grown more serious than usual. "Mr.Taylor," he said quietly, as he stepped closer to him. "I want you to visit me here after the duel. There's something about your and Ms.Granger's wands that doesn't seem right. I've been researching about them, and they're not like most wands I've come across."
Adam raised an eyebrow, surprised by Ollivander's words. Over the past couple of weeks, he had noticed some unusual occurrences with his wand, particularly how it sometimes erupted with bursts of energy that seemed to amplify his spells. It wasn't a consistent thing, but it felt… unpredictable. He'd considered asking about it, but now Ollivander's words confirmed his suspicions. There was something wrong, or perhaps unusual, with both his and Hermione's wands.
"I'll come by after the duel," Adam agreed, his tone thoughtful. "Thanks for the heads-up, Mr.Ollivander."
The wandmaker nodded, his eyes glinting with something Adam couldn't quite place, before he stepped back, allowing Adam to rejoin Hermione and Professor Flitwick.
As Adam walked out of the shop, he noticed Hermione waiting by the door, her eyes full of concern but her chin set with determination. He could see that she was trying to hold herself together, but the worry was still evident in her posture. Professor Flitwick was standing beside her, his face a mixture of skepticism and quiet concern.
"Ready?" Adam asked, his voice low but firm.
Hermione nodded, and with a final look at Ollivander's shop, Adam turned toward the path leading out of Diagon Alley. The duel awaited them.