My Sweet Time ((Adrian))

[Mackenzie Holden]

The school year hadn't exactly flown by swiftly, and with Trevor getting himself into a coma - Mack was pretty sure the summer wouldn't either. Nevertheless, she figured a trip to Hogsmeade was in order. Maybe then she could relax and stop worrying about her step brother who should just go ahead and die, leaving everyone else to be happy. A scowl was plastered on Mack's face all morning as she moved around the Laurie Manor, plodding along the halls to the bathroom - then to breakfast (which she didn't eat much of.) Her bad mood wasn't just because of Trevor, though, she hadn't heard from Jack all summer. She figured it was mainly because he was busy with everything - and the fact that he lived in Scotland and she, now, in Manchester probably seeing each other and owling a bit harder. Especially with his Father Dearest peering over his shoulder every second. Mack had, thankfully, gotten rid of hers.

It was hard to believe that the upcoming year she was going to be a fifth year. It wasn't hard to believe because she didn't feel like a fifth year - it was that she hadn't thought she would survive this far at Hogwarts. She had been certain Dixie would have done something to get her out of the school. That was just the way Dixie was. But lately, Dixie had been a bit occupied with her own agenda. The engagement to Harrison Brooks was very sudden, even for the 18 year old - and unlike Mack, Dixie did not find it very amusing. Dixie had gone through all of her sixth year, trying to avoid Harrison; only to end up engaged to him. She hadn't any say in the matter either, Pam had cornered her and told her to accept the engagement whether or not she loved him. That night, they had Harrison over - who was a quiet man. He rarely talked, but he was polite and although Mack had tried to trick him a couple of times, he was always one step ahead of her. Harrison quickly grew on her, and she started to consider him an older brother... which was good when you thought about it. Her older sister was going to marry him.

For the past week or so, Dixie had been unbearable. Whining and moaning about how much she didn't want to be married, how she was too beautiful and too young to be married so early. This morning was not any different than the last seven. Mack entered the dining hall to see her sister, complaining to Pam again. With a smirk, Mack sat at her usual seat (which would have been by Trevor if he hadn't been in a coma). Hank was already in his seat with his morning paper, and Dixie was disturbing Pam's morning yogurt. "Good morning, Mackenzie. Are you off to Hogsmeade today?" She asked, ignoring Dixie's complaints. Mack looked up and nodded once. Of course, Mack had told her she was going to Hogsmeade at least twenty thousand times the night before. Ever since Pam had gone berserk over her and Trevor missing for 15 hours, she had made sure to tell her mother where she went at all hours. Well, a place she could possibly be, anyway. Not necessarily the correct location. Today, however, she was honestly going to Hogsmeade. "Well, that's good. Will you pick up a few things from Catalina's cubby for me? I want to get Trevor some things for his room in that dreadful hospital."

"Oh, who cares about that toad?! There are more important things to worry about! Like, how you're going to tell Harrison that I will not marry him!" Dixie interjected. Mack looked up, anger in her eyes. Dixie was always putting down Trevor, and although Mack didn't like him - actually, she greatly disliked him. Trevor was family, and he was in a coma - and Mack knew she would be dreadfully sad if he passed away. Dixie just felt it was necessary to put everyone down if it didn't include her in some remote way. Mack's eyes drifted to Hank who had lowered his paper a bit to peer over at Dixie, he didn't say anything, though. He was completely frightened of her. If Mack hadn't grown up with the whench, she would be too. Mack rolled her eyes and stood from her seat, stating she had suddenly lost her appetite because of a wretched stench that had just entered the room. As she turned her back and left the dining room she heard Dixie remark, "Oh, haha, Mack, very funny." You bet.

Mack spent the rest of the day cleaning her room, and then getting ready to go to Hogsmeade - which she flooed to. When she reached Hogsmeade, she was disappointed to find it was packed. She quickly made her way to Catalina's Cubby - which happened to be the busiest shop. When she entered, she had to push through some people to get to the stand she had wanted to. She picked up a box of chocolates, and some cool little trinkets she was sure her mother would approve of. The line wasn't as long as it had seemed, and she had quickly paid for her merchandise and was out of that shop as fast as she could be. Actually, a bit too fast - considering she slammed right into someone and everything went flying. "Could you possibly watch where you're going? Or are you completely blind?" She grumbled as she bent down to pick up her things.

[hollow]

"Master Adrian. Master Adrian. Your father wishes to see you. In his study." The house elf hovered around Adrian nervously, disappearing when Adrian dismissed him carelessly. "Wonder what he wants.." He murmured quietly, directing the statement to his sister, who was currently lying on his bed and scowling up at the ceiling. "Oh just go and see. Enjoy the experience." Lita added dryly, still annoyed that she wasn't allowed to go to Wales and visit their cousins. Especially since the two horses in London had been taken over to Wales, as usual. It just wasn't fair and she was determined that no one would get any peace until she was allowed to go. The only person who escaped her anger was Adrian and even he couldn't escape all of it. Adrian grimaced at her pointedly, signaling that now was not the time for her pathetic anger and Lita shut up obediently, rising to stand by his side as he descended the stairs to face their fathers wrath.

"What do you think he's angry about?" Lita questioned quietly. Adrian merely shrugged in answer, not really concerned about just what had annoyed his father. He wasn't around a lot of the time anyway - and Adrian had a few theories about exactly why that was. But he couldn't ever mention them. If he was wrong then he'd have put his mother and younger sister through something that they didn't even need to think about. No. He'd wait and see before voicing his suspicions. Besides, now he had to find out exactly what he was being blamed for and quickly think of an excuse or an alibi. Though he was sure that he hadn't done anything wrong this summer. Yet, all signs pointed to that so he must've done something. Both siblings exchanged a wry glance when they reached the bottom of the stairs before turning to face the study, entering after Adrian's knock received an affirmation that he could enter.

Alaric looked up impatiently, his eyes softening slightly when he saw that Lita had accompanied her brother. He had seemed to favour her over Adrian ever since Adrian had been sorted into Slytherin.Which didn't really bother Adrian but enraged his sister, stubborn in her decision that houses shouldn't matter when it came to family. "Adrian, Lita. Good to see you both." He began, ignoring the roll of Adrians eyes. "Oh really, father. Skip the pleasant formalities and get to the point." Adrian demanded sharply, regretting his rashness when Lita shot a reproving glance at him. She was still naive enough to believe that everything would magically turn out alright and he hated to shatter her belief. Maybe he would leave that to Ms Mack, Adrian thought in amusement, recalling the lecture about conjunctions and smirking slightly. " -go to Hogsmeade for me." Adrian returned to reality just in time to catch the trail end of his fathers instructions, catching Litas eye and following her silent order for him to nod. Alaric waved a hand at them dismissively and this time Lita was the one to roll her eyes before Adrian pulled her through the door and into the sitting room.

"So...what did he want?" Adrian arched an eyebrow expectantly, lounging in a chair lazily. He had been up and about since 6 AM, as usual, and, to be honest, welcomed the opportunity to get out of the house for a while. And if he had correctly interpreted the few words that he had heard then he was bound for Hogsmeade. Which meant that he could spend a few hours in the bookshop with Rob and Katelyn. Wonderful. "You, dear brother, are being ordered to go to Hogsmeade. Father wants you to pick up a few books from Robs shop." Lita informed him, a hint of jealousy colouring her tone. He got to escape from the boredom but she had to stay inside. With no horses to distract her! It just wasn't fair. "Well, what are you waiting for? I'm sure Rob would love to see you again." Adrian offered, grinning when Lita pounced on him and hugged him tightly. He knew how much she missed Viento and Caradoc so this was just a way of distracting her for a few hours. They'd go to Rob's bookshop, pick up the books, perhaps browse through the Cubby and then go home.

After about an hour in the bookshop, Adrian approached his sister and the assistant, Katelyn, cautiously. The two girls were talking quietly and laughing on occasion. Perhaps a normal occurrence for other girls but Adrian had learned that when the girls in question were Katelyn and Lita then caution was his best bet. "I'm heading over to Catalina's Cubby. Want to come?" He asked, desperately hoping that the answer would be no. Thankfully, both girls declined absentmindedly and Adrian retreated quickly, keeping the same speed until he was outside the Cubby. Which was evidently a mistake since he crashed into someone and made her purchases fall to the floor. His mouth was just opening to apologize when he recognized the voice and smirked. "Oh come now, Ms Mack. That remark could offend someone. Now, lets skip over the pleasant small talk and just pretend that I asked you how your summer has been and that I cared what your answer was." Adrian bent to pick up an item that had landed next to his foot and handed it to her with a slight smile.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack looked up, her eyes locking with Adrian's and she shook her head - continuing to pick up her things; "You know, you might want to watch out there, Adrian. Words like those might get a girl to fall head over heels with you. After all, that's all a girl wants. Someone who cares." She rolled her eyes and took the item he had handed her, "Thanks." Mack situated the merchandise in her arms and tilted her head at the boy who stood before her. He was in her year and house and they had few conversations before now, but that wasn't entirely one person's fault. Neither were very social. With a slight smile, Mack replied coolly; "My summer has been as best as it could be, and yours? I know you said let's pretend - but I don't do well with my imagination, a bunch of silly things if you ask me."

She looked around and caught sight of a bench a few feet away from them. With her head, she motioned toward the bench and then made her way over - taking a seat and letting the packages she had bought rest next to the bench leg. Her eyes closed and she slouched down into the seat, listening to her surroundings. When she figured Adrian had joined her - if he even decided to - she opened her eyes and grinned, then she closed her eyes again; her face showing that she was thinking something she was obviously not saying.

[hollow]

Adrian smiled slightly in amusement, Macks response almost forcing a whole smile from him. He had been smiling less and less this summer, ever since several notions had hit him. "Oh, Ms Mack, whatever would I want a girl to fall in love with me for? It's far too much fuss and bother over a relationship that will almost definitely end before seventh year. And with my luck, it would end in tears. My tears. When the poor girl decides to throw a chair, or something of the sort, at me." Adrian smiled lightly. That was the truth as he saw it. Very few, if any, relationships started in Hogwarts would last. The exception being Kris and Cleo Graas. His dark eyes warmed slightly, remembering the wedding - if it could really be called a wedding when no one had gotten married there - with fondness. "My summer has been alright, I suppose. So far, the highlight of the summer was watching my sister argue with Jack. Definitely entertaining." For the first time during the conversation, Adrian really smiled, the laughter even reaching his eyes.

There was only a few seconds hesitation before Adrian rolled his eyes and followed Mack obediently, taking a seat on the opposite side of the bench and lifting an eyebrow in faint amusement. Her actions only made his eyebrow arch higher, even as he tilted his head thoughtfully. "I know your thoughts must be precious to you - and some should surely be kept to yourself, I understand. But do you care to tell me what brought that grin to your face? Especially since I believe it had something to do with me and I'm curious as to why I can make you grin so. Am I really so unattractive that you must laugh at me?" Adrian grinned slightly, thoroughly glad that Lita had decided to stay in the bookshop. If she would argue with Jack then she would certainly argue with Ms Mack. And he wasn't entirely sure which girl would win that particular argument.

[Mackenzie Holden]

She didn't say anything about Jack arguing with Adrian's sister. Jack could argue with anyone if he put his mind to it. Instead she continued to just sit there, listening to everything - feeling the soft breeze. It was nice to be outside. It wasn't that she hadn't spent any time outdoors over the summer it was just that it usually wasn't just sitting and enjoying everything. She had done some concerts outside, and things like that. But Mack was always so busy when concert dates and signings were set up. She didn't consider herself a celebrity just yet, but she had enough of a fan base to have her own webpage. She had also been in the studio a lot - and at the hospital visiting Trevor. So it was just really nice to be able to sit and watch everything, listen to everything, feel everything.

Adrian broke her serenity by asking what she was thinking and she smirked, 'Have to know everything do we? Well, if you must know, I was amused because you actually followed me. I wasn't exactly sure you were going to. I mean, come on Hollows, you don't seem the type to follow suit whenever ordered to, yeah?" Mack opened her eyes and her smirk grew into a grin which flourished into a bright smile. "By the way, you aren't horribly hideous, Adrian. I don't know if you were putting yourself down or were just trying to be modest and not succeeding, but whatever the reason - if I can actually look at you without throwing up my last meal, you aren't hideous."

[hollow]

The breeze ruffled his hair gently and Adrian closed his eyes briefly, enjoying the peace for a few seconds before Ms Mack formulated a reply for him. "Oh yes, you know me Ms Mack, always on a quest to learn everything. It'll help me toward my ultimate goal of being the ruler of the world." Adrian replied, a touch of sarcasm infusing his tone. He would be an absolutely awful ruler and he knew it. Besides, his ambition didn't drive him quite that far. Even if his determination would get him there. But what was determination without ambition? Or ambition without determination, for that matter. Both useful when combined but utterly useless when alone. The rest of her answer made another smile touch his lips. Did he really seem so stubborn as to disobey for merely the sake of it? Though it probably was something that he would do, if he were in a bad enough mood.

"I was very well trained, Mack. I come when I'm called, roll over, fetch and even play dead." His reply was sardonic and sounded slightly more mocking than he had planned. He even dropped the 'Ms' that he had seemed to permanently attach to her name, which almost surprised him. Adrian couldn't remember just calling Mack 'Mack' since they had started to talk. Not even once. But it wasn't important. Two conversations hardly qualified it as a regular nickname. "Ah, Mack, you flatter me. I've been going through life, believing myself to be hideously ugly and now a fair maiden has saved me from myself." He answered dryly, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Sarcasm seemed to be taking over during this conversation and Adrian wasn't bothered enough to rein it in. If Mack couldn't handle it then it was her problem. Not that he had any doubts about her being only too willing to cut him down to size if she tired of his sarcastic comments.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Can we see that last one, then?" She asked, referring to his roll over, fetch, and play dead comments. Mack smirked and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. There was something about Adrian that agitated her so much she wanted to throw something at him. Everyone else, aside from Dixie, she could tolerate at least a little. But Adrian Hollows seemed to know which buttons to push with her. And he always pushed the red button that read "do not push." She hadn't snapped at him yet, not completely anyway. Though she had reason to believe that time was coming rather quickly. Mack was usually rather good at hiding her agitation, she wouldn't go completely bonkers like Dixie or Trevor would. But there were certain people she just couldn't stand or could stand but annoyed her. Padme Rendel was one, Adrian happened to be another. Mack had a feeling if she told him that, he wouldn't care. Besides, Adrian was a good acquaintance to have - according to Hank.

Her right eyebrow raised as she turned to face him, "Fair maiden? Are you stuck in the middle ages, Hollows? And I wasn't trying to flatter you, not that I need to anyway. Your head is big enough as it is..." She closed her eyes again, turning her head to face front like it had been before she replied to him. Adrian seemed to be on a roll with the sarcastic remarks, they weren't bothering Mack - but she was feeling like she should make some back. Maybe that's what he was expecting. Mack mentally shrugged and sat in silence, waiting to see what kind of remark he would make this time.

((So, I had it, then I lost it. Blame Mary and Hook.))

[hollow]

"Only if you don't mind me dying on you," Adrian replied caustically. There was just something about Mack that brought out the worst in him and Adrian hated it, retaliating by seeking out her weaker points and using them to his advantage. A purely Slytherin action, and one that Adrian never bothered to use unless he was around Mack. Perhaps others would avoid her for exactly that reason but that was the cowards way out and, while Adrian was no Gryffindor, he hated running away. Besides, surely it was better to attempt to figure out why the worst part of him came out to play when he was around Mack. Especially since they still had two more years of school together. He didn't hate her - he enjoyed pushing her buttons far too much to hate her - but at times he just wanted to throw her out of a window. A gesture that he suspected wouldn't be appreciated by Jack. Though he did have to wonder what her reaction would be if he told her.

"Yes. I'm stuck in the middle ages and I never want to leave. I've been knighted there, you know. And I'm just about to kill the King and take his place." Adrian stated dryly, still toying with the idea of telling Mack that he wanted to throw her out of a window. Well, it would be amusing. Even if she would probably take offense. Which was ridiculous. What girl wouldn't love being told that a boy wanted to throw them out a window? "Ms Mack. Sometimes I really want to throw you out of a window." Adrian informed her calmly, not letting any emotion enter his voice.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack shook her head, “Now why would I mind? All you would do would be to ruin my clothes, and you’ve already soiled them with your presence.” She sent him an innocent smile, well as innocent a smile from Mack someone will get. No one had irritated her this much since she had met Kris. Everyone else she had met hadn’t made her want to throw something at them or push them down a very deep well. Well, except Jack when she first met him – but that was probably because he was talking away with some Gryffindor. When she joined them though, he immediately turned into a Slytherin and got away from the Gryff. It had annoyed her that he had been fake toward the Gryff, or fake toward Mack – she wasn’t sure which. But Jack had grown into his Slytherin roots. And Mack didn’t know if that was good or bad, she had yet to find out.

“Obviously, the King was a complete fool if he knighted you – so why wouldn’t you kill him? Though, I imagine you will have a very unhappy kingdom on your hands then, Hollows.” Mack reached down into one of the bags she had set beside her and pulled out a pair of sunglasses she had just bought. She had three pairs of sunglasses that were Kris’ before he left; now they were hers. She rarely wore them though, it felt so odd and often made her sad when she remembered the older Slytherin she had considered a brother. Mack felt a shiver run up and down her spine as she looked at the sunglasses and tore off the tag, placing them over her eyes – hiding the sadness. She turned back to Adrian as he spoke again, this time about wanting to throw her out of a window. “I didn’t know you cared that much.” She replied sarcastically.

[hollow]

Adrians eye twitched irritably. He really had to find out why Mack annoyed him so much. Hm...his eye was twitching, maybe he was allergic to her? Yes. That was probably it. He was allergic to Mack. What other reason could there be? He could tolerate everyone else, even people who were often more annoying than Mack. No one else gave him the urge to throw them out of a window. It was only Mack. Alright, Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were beyond irritating but he wouldn't go so far as to throw them out of a window. That was reserved for the annoying girl sitting next to him. Maybe it would be a good idea for Lita to argue with her. Adrian pondered silently. A risk to his little sister certainly but at least he could find out if all Hollows were allergic to Mack or just him. At least they weren't likely to become friends. The very thought almost made him shudder.

"Bite me," Adrian replied simply, not bothered enough to carry on the argument. He had always believed that Slytherins should stand together, protect each other because no one else would. But Ms Mack drove that theory out of his mind, leaving only one thought left. Either kill her or maim her but make her shut up. Adrian watched her carelessly, averting his gaze when he sensed her sadness. He argued with her and delighted in snapping at her but he didn't hate her, which was the only reason he wouldn't use her sadness as a weapon against her. Other might but he wouldn't. Even when it came to a person whom he intensely disliked, he had morals.She spoke again and Adrian raised his eyes to meet her gaze, noting the sunglasses over her eyes with disinterest. "You irritate me. I don't know why but you do," Adrian replied honestly, shrugging slightly.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack just smirked amusedly when he said to bite him. She couldn't help but wonder what his reaction would be like if she actually did bite him. Then she was tempted to, but she didn't. That would be immature. Mack wasn't immature...much. All she did was cross her arms even tighter and lean her head on the back of the bench, closing her eyes. The sun was still rather bright through her sunglasses. They sat in silence for a moment, and then when he stated she irritated him and he didn't know why. Mack opened her eyes again and tilted her head at Adrian with a slightly amused, slightly hurt smile on her face. "I don't know if I should take that as an insult or a compliment." She turned her attention back to the front where she had been looking before and shrugged her shoulders at him. "You irritate me as well, though I know why." Mack was irritated easily, and it was something that she greatly disliked. Who liked the feeling of being irritated?

She turned her attention back to Adrian and lifted up her sunglasses again, "If I irritate you so much, why did you follow? It's not like I forced you to, I even said it was surprising that you followed. There must be some reason you continue to talk to me, isn't there...? Maybe you like being irritated. That or you want a crafty excuse to throw me out a window." She smirked again and then turned away, watching a man look over his shoulder as he hurried away from a store - only to see some older woman chasing after him, he picked up speed so fast it made Mack's head spin. She rubbed her temple and then closed her eyes again, waiting for yet anothers nipe from Adrian.