A/N: Would you look at that? Two consistent updates for this fic? Can it be true? ;-) Or am I the only one that's excited about this? Probably just me. This chapter's shorter than my usual, but it felt like a good place to stop so I didn't want to push it too much farther. Thanks to everyone who gave some feedback on the last chapter – in whatever shape or form, it is very, very much appreciated! It's so nice to know that there are folks like y'all out there in the world :-) Read, review, and above all enjoy!
The shower felt ridiculously good. Adrienne had never been the high maintenance type, but she spent close to an hour under the warm water, rubbing the grime and oil off her skin. In those forty-five minutes she'd even managed to start thinking positive. These political tensions wouldn't last forever – she'd get out of this place eventually. Besides, she had been looking forward to a vacation. Grimmauld Place lacked the beach and cabaña boys she had been envisioning, but at least it was a break from the larceny business.
And if the events of the previous evening had taught her anything, it was that a break was just what she needed. Getting pinched so easily – it was embarrassing. She was trying not to think about it.
She stepped out of the shower and, after combing and braiding her hair, she tried on the clothes Ginny had found for her. As stunning and sexy as Adrienne was sure she looked in skin tight black spandex, it wasn't an outfit you wanted to make a good second impression in. Especially after wearing it for three days straight.
The clothes fit her style – casual but classy – and they were comfortable and most importantly they were clean. Ginny had mentioned borrowing them from some woman named Tonks, and while Adrienne couldn't put a face to the name, she could tell that the woman was a little bit smaller than her in almost every way. The t-shirt didn't quite cover up her stomach and the pants were a tad tighter than she would've liked.
Under the circumstances, however, they were lovely.
Examining herself closely in the mirror, wincing at the bags under her eyes, Adrienne jumped when she heard the knock on the door.
"Adrienne? You dressed?"
Adrienne turned round, leaning back against the grey marble countertop that sat under the mirror. "Yeah, come on in, Ginny."
The young woman poked her head around the door hesitantly, smiling slightly when she saw Adrienne standing in front of her. "The clothes fit you! I'm so relieved; I thought I might have to borrow some from my mum."
Adrienne returned the smile, if only half-heartedly. She looked down at herself, picking at the clothes with one hand. "Yes, well…thank you for all this."
Ginny slipped into the room, leaning back against the doorframe. "No need to thank me. The way I see it, you're a guest here now. There's no reason we shouldn't make you feel at home."
Adrienne stared at her for a few seconds, without realizing she was doing it at first. Finally she shook her green eyes unstuck, leaning against the counter with one hand. "You know, you're a little bit odd. It's off-putting and yet strangely endearing."
The girl's smile only widened. "If you think I'm odd, wait until you meet the rest of the family. Come on: I'll take you on the grand tour."