A/N: Thanks for all the reviews that I recieve! I do read every single one of them.
Ginny
November 6th 1993
Ginny gripped the handle of her new broom nervously. She loved her new broom. Her Mum and Dad had bought it, when she had told them that she was the new Gryffindor Seeker. It wasn't top of the range, but it was far better than the school brooms.
Ginny could hear the sound of cheering from outside. She was sitting in the changing rooms, waiting with the rest of the Gryffindor team. Today they were supposed to be playing Slytherin. However, the match had been changed at the last minute so they were now playing Hufflepuff.
"Bloody Draco Malfoy," Oliver grumbled as his team assembled. "No way that he's injured badly enough that he can't play. Anyway, Slytherin should have a reserve!"
His rant finished, Oliver cleared his throat.
"Okay, team! I know we prepared for a game against Slytherin but we can beat Hufflepuff! We can beat anyone! Don't let the weather bother you. What's a little rain? Let's get out there and win!" Oliver shouted as he pumped his fist into the air.
Ginny was soaked to the bone even before she managed to get into the air. The rain was beating down, her Quidditch robes were soaked and her hair had become plastered to the sides of her face. From her position, Ginny could barely see the Hufflepuff team assembling on the far side of the pitch in their bright yellow robes.
As one, the Gryffindor team kicked off and ascended into the sky. Ginny watched the Hufflepuff Seeker, Cedric Diggory, begin a circuit of the pitch as Madam Hooch released the Quaffle for the start of the game. Ginny knew that Cedric had a faster broom than she did, although her small size did give her an agility advantage. Ginny knew that she would need to see the Snitch first if she was to stand any chance.
As the match began, Ginny scanned the field for the Snitch. There was no sign of it. Oliver had suggested she feint during the match, to try to discourage Cedric from following her if she did spot the Snitch before him. So Ginny rapidly accelerated across the pitch, ducking slightly to avoid a passing Bludger.
"Ginny Weasley might have seen the Snitch!" the announcer shouted across the pitch and the crowd cheered.
Ginny decelerated rapidly and returned to circling the pitch. Cedric, who had begun to follow her, slowed and returned to circling the pitch in the opposite direction.
"Hufflepuff lead 50 to 0," Ginny heard the announcer call as she soared past the announcer's booth.
She circled the pitch again, Hufflepuff scored twice more as did Gryffindor. The weather began to worsen, the rain intensified and thunder sounded in the sky. Ginny realised she needed to catch the Snitch soon. Then she saw it, hovering low behind the announcers box. It was currently on the opposite side of the pitch from both her and Cedric. Ginny had feinted several times during the match but Cedric had still followed her every time. She needed to try something new.
Ginny accelerated towards the Snitch. She noticed Cedric had also moved to follow her. Ginny crossed her fingers; this would only work if he hadn't already seen the Snitch. Ginny decelerated as if she was feinting.
"Another feint from Ginny Weasley! Looks like she hasn't seen the Snitch after all,"
Ginny saw with satisfaction that Cedric had stopped, returned to his pattern and for the moment he had his back to her. Quick as lightening Ginny shot forward towards the Snitch. Don't move! Don't move! She chanted silently as she zoomed over the top of the announcers box. As she neared the small golden ball, she reached out and, with a feeling or triumph, closed her fingers around it.
"Ginny Weasley catches the Snitch! Gryffindor win 170 to 70!" The announcer screamed.
The Gryffindor half of the stadium erupted into a huge cheer.
Adam
November 6th 1993
Adam leapt into the air and cheered enthusiastically as Ginny caught the Snitch. He watched as Ginny did a quick flyby of the Gryffindor stands holding the captured golden ball in her hand. Adam waved at her as she went past, but thought it unlikely she could pick him out from the rest of the mass of Gryffindor's.
Once Ginny had landed, Adam made his way down out of the stands to meet her. He thought she had played magnificently today. She had completely outsmarted the other Seeker despite the horrific weather conditions.
"Adam!" Mrs Weasley called from behind him as he walked down towards the changing rooms.
"Hi, Mrs. Weasley," Adam said as he saw her and Mr Weasley approaching. "I didn't know you were coming today."
"We came to see Ginny's first game!" Mr Weasley replied excitedly. "I understand you're the reserve Seeker?"
Adam nodded.
"Congratulations then!" Mr Weasley exclaimed. "Shall we wander down and see Ginny together?"
When they reached the pitch, Ginny ran towards them and wrapped her Mum and Dad in a hug.
"Mum, Dad! I didn't realise you were coming!" Ginny said excitedly.
"We wouldn't miss your first game! We're so proud of you!" Mrs Weasley gushed.
Adam saw Ginny beaming at her parents as she hugged Mrs Weasley again. He shoved his hands into his pockets, feeling a strange pang of jealousy towards Ginny, but he pushed it aside.
"Oh, Ginny, we heard a couple of days ago that Bill and Charlie are coming to visit at Christmas!" said Mrs Weasley excitedly.
Adam heard Ginny squeak in excitement. He guessed that Bill and Charlie were more of Ginny's brothers. As the family group, and Adam, walked back up towards the castle, Adam began to hang back a bit not wanting to get in the way.
"Adam?" Mr Weasley's voice attracted his attention.
"Huh? Sorry, Mr. Weasley. I was in a world of my own."
"I was just going to check that you are coming for Christmas, aren't you?"
"Me?" Adam replied. "I-I don't want to be a burden,"
"Nonsense, Adam! You're more than welcome," Mrs Weasley added with a smile.
"I'll see you then, I guess," Adam said trying to seem relaxed. He felt the strangest jubilant feeling overcome him. He couldn't believe the Weasleys actually wanted him to come to their house for Christmas.
Ginny
December 19th 1993
"What do you do for Christmas at your place, Ginny?" Adam asked, as their carriage pulled them towards Hogsmeade Station.
"Nothing special, really. Don't worry. You'll be fine!" Ginny replied enthusiastically.
Ginny knew that Adam was very nervous about spending Christmas with her family. She didn't quite understand why, because her Mum and Dad really liked him. Ginny herself was feeling elated to be going home. The work they had been covering in their lessons had been getting much more difficult recently, especially Snape's, and the amount of homework seemed to have increased in as well. Ginny was glad that she could have a break over Christmas. She and Adam had worked very hard to get most of their work finished, so they didn't have to worry about it over the holidays.
As they approached the station, they noticed Ron, Hermione and Neville clustered around Hagrid.
"Let's go see what's going on," said Adam, who was looking curiously over at the small group.
As they approached Hagrid. She heard Neville exclaim. "It's not fair!"
"What's not fair?" Ginny asked.
"Lucius Malfoy has complained to the Ministry about Draco's injury in Hagrid's class. They're holding a hearing in April," Hermione informed her.
"You're not getting fired, are you?" Adam asked.
"No-No!" said Hagrid. "But..." He sniffed. "They want Buckbeak to be executed."
"Can we do anything to help?" asked Ginny.
"We're looking to see if there's any legal information that can help at the hearing," Ron said proudly.
"We?" Hermione snapped.
"Yes, we are," Ron replied slightly smugly.
"I think, Ronald, you will find it's me that's been doing all the work. While you play chess and waste time!" Hermione huffed and then stormed off onto the train.
Ginny and Adam looked at each other bemused.
"What was that about?" Ginny asked, shooting a look at Ron.
"I don't know. She's been really stressed recently," Ron said, looking equally confused.
"She's taking too many classes," Neville added. "She's dashing around all day like a house-elf."
Ginny noticed that Neville and Ron were looking at her.
"Why are you looking at me?" she asked apprehensively.
"You're a girl. Can you go talk to her?" Ron asked.
"Fine!" said Ginny, and turning her back on the boys, she jumped onto the train to find Hermione. Why did she get landed with these jobs?
Adam
December 25th 1993
"PRESENTS!" Adam heard Ron shout, as he pounded past his room and down the stairs of the Burrow.
Adam had been awake for a while already, but he didn't want to be the first one to go downstairs. He'd been kept busy since they got back from school, helping the Weasleys decorating the tree, and putting up decorations. Yesterday, he'd even seen Mr and Mrs Weasley placing presents underneath the tree. Christmas holidays at the Burrow, so far, had been amazing. As well as helping to decorate the house, he had also been out flying with Ron and Ginny. Ron had finally accepted, now that Ginny was on the Quidditch team, that she could actually fly.
He had also fallen victim to his first prank from the twins. They had offered him a drink and he had, foolishly, accepted. He should have noticed Ginny shaking her head furiously at him. The drink turned his hair bright red and the twins had exclaimed that he looked just like Ron but without the freckles, which had made both of the boys blush. Fortunately, the potion had worn off a few minutes later, thank goodness. Adam actually quite liked his hair and didn't like the idea of anyone messing with it; especially not changing the colour.
A short time after Ron charged down the stairs, Adam heard a soft knocking on his door. Ginny poked her head in the door. She was wearing a light pink dressing gown and her hair was slightly messy from sleep.
"Come on down. It's time for presents!" Ginny exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.
Adam and Ginny raced down the stairs. When they reached the living room, they saw Ron and the twins already at work on their presents.
"Ginny, Adam, Happy Christmas!" Mrs Weasley called as she entered the room, she wrapped Ginny and then, to his surprise, Adam in a hug. "Sit down and open some presents! I'll get you some hot chocolate!"
Ginny ran and sat down beside the Weasley's Christmas tree. She rummaged among the parcels and pulled several out. Adam sat and waited.
"Adam, there are some for you here. Come rummage and find one!" Ginny ordered with a smile.
Adam sat himself down between Ron and Ginny. Adam's sudden movement surprised Scabbers who was on Ron's shoulder and he squeaked and ran to the other side of the room. Ron swore under his breath and dived after the rat as Adam began rummaging in the pile and pulled out a present. It was a large, soft parcel. Adam turned it over trying to decipher what it was.
"Oh, that's from me, dear," Mrs Weasley said as she returned.
Adam ripped open the wrapping and pulled out what was inside. It was a large grey jumper. Adam heard Ginny emit a small squeak of excitement.
"Put it on! Put it on!" Ginny chanted excitedly.
Adam pulled the sweater over his pyjama top. He hadn't noticed before but a large A was knitted on the front of it.
"I love it!" Adam exclaimed as he ran a hand over the warm wool. The way Ginny was practically bouncing up and down, implied there was some special significance to this jumper that he wasn't quite getting.
She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Mum made the sweater herself. She never normally gives anyone other than us kids one!"
Adam felt a surge of emotion and he blinked his eyes.
"T-Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Adam said and quite spontaneously he leapt up and hugged her.
Mrs Weasley beamed at him.
The morning passed in a blur of excitement for Adam as he opened several other presents. A book from Ginny, school materials from Professor McGonagall and, surprisingly, chocolate from Ron.
Adam couldn't believe how generous the Weasley family was to him. He felt incredibly guilty that he couldn't return their generosity; the most he had been able to do was a card, which he'd had to make himself. His face had burned with embarrassment as he gave it to Mrs Weasley.
"Thank you, Adam!" she exclaimed, giving him a knowing glance she continued. "Don't worry, if that's all you can give us. We didn't give you presents because we want them in return. We gave you presents because you're a good friend of our daughter and we like you."
The Christmas proceedings at the Burrow were put on hold by the arrival of Bill and Charlie. Adam felt slightly intimidated by Ginny's older brothers. They were both much older than he was, having already finished Hogwarts. Adam could see the strong family resemblance, both having red hair and freckles. Bill, however, had his hair long and in a ponytail. He also had an earring. Adam thought he looked quite cool. To Adam, Charlie looked like a taller, stockier version of Fred and George.
Adam stayed at the back of the room as the Weasley family was reunited. Once the two elder Weasley brothers had finished greeting their siblings their attention turned to Adam.
"Oh, boys, this is Adam, Ginny's friend from school. He's staying with us this Christmas," Mrs Weasley said with a smile.
Adam hesitantly held out his hand and shook both of their hands. "Hi," he said shyly.
"Hi, mate," Bill said, as he shook Adam's hand.
With all the Weasleys and Adam now present, they sat down for Christmas dinner. There were massive portions of turkey and stuffing for all at the table and Adam tucked into the delicious food with delight. After the meal, everyone pulled Wizarding crackers, which Adam remembered from Hogwarts last year.
That afternoon, the Weasleys, minus Percy, plus Adam, trooped outside into the cold sunshine for a game of Quidditch out in the orchard.
"So I hear Ginny is taking after me in the Quidditch department," Charlie commented as they walked out to the pitch.
Ginny blushed, replying. "I'm not that good!"
"So you vs. me as Seekers then?" Charlie proposed.
Adam hoped they were going to let him play.
"I'll play Chaser if it's alright?" Ginny asked. "Adam can play Seeker nearly as well as me. But I'd like to play Chaser."
"Okay," Charlie hesitated. "Me vs. Adam then."
"Guys, as there are only seven of us I'll ref. Let's have Charlie and the twins verses Ginny, Ron and Adam. Two Chasers and one Seeker per team. No Bludgers." Bill ordered, taking charge.
The two teams ascended into the sky, as Bill released the Snitch and then threw the Quaffle into the air. The four chasers were all quick and many goals were scored in quick succession; it was apparently going to be a very high-scoring game.
Adam kept scanning the pitch looking for the Snitch. When the game had been going for half an hour, Adam saw Charlie suddenly begin moving across the pitch. Adam shot off in pursuit. Adam was far smaller and lighter than Charlie was, so he had a speed and agility advantage. As he closed the distance between them, he scanned the sky in front of Charlie. He couldn't see the Snitch, so Charlie must be trying to trick him. Adam decelerated rapidly and scanned the sky. Then, he saw it floating where he had just been. He performed a rapid turn and charged back across the pitch pursued closely by Charlie. Adam, however, had such a head start that Charlie didn't stand a chance and Adam captured the Snitch with a joyous yell.
In hindsight, Adam wasn't sure if it was luck that resulted in him catching the Snitch, or if he had seen through a brilliant ploy by Charlie. For all Adam knew Charlie could have been trying to tempt him away from the Snitch that was too close to Adam for him to possibly to catch. His curiosity however, was pushed from his mind when he reached the ground; Ginny pulled him into a congratulatory hug and Ron slapped him on the back.
"Good flying mate, you're really quite good," Charlie stated shaking his hand.
Adam flushed with pride.
They began walking back towards the Burrow, it would soon be time for Christmas tea. As Adam trooped back into the living room, he noticed Bill pull Ginny aside before she could follow him into the house.
January 2nd 1994
As the Hogwarts Express pulled out of Kings Cross station on the way back to school Adam and Ginny dashed up the train attempting to find a compartment. Eventually they found Hermione alone in one and they sat down opposite her.
"How was your Christmas?" Ginny asked brightly.
"Oh, fine," Hermione replied. "I got lots of work done!"
"You worked over Christmas?" Adam asked, surprised. He'd had so much fun over Christmas, he'd barely had time to think about school work.
"Yes," Hermione replied shortly. "I've got lots of classes plus I looked into Buckbeak's trial."
"Had any luck?" Adam asked.
"Oh, yes. I'm convinced they can't have him executed, not when it happened only because Malfoy," Hermione said the name with derision. "Failed to follow instructions."
"Malfoy's a git," Ginny commented. "I'm glad he's not in our year eh, Adam?"
"He's a right pain in the arse," said Adam.
Their conversation was interrupted by the compartment door opening and Ron and Neville entered the compartment.
"Hi, guys," said Ginny.
Ron and Neville sat down next to Hermione on the opposite side of the compartment.
"Hi, Hermione," Ron said. "Um," He hesitated. "I'm sorry about annoying you at the end of the term."
Hermione smiled at Ron. "Thanks. It's partly my fault though, I've been really stressed but I managed to get loads of work done over Christmas. I'm feeling better now."
"Did you find anything out about Buckbeak?" Neville asked.
"Yes," Hermione replied and she began rummaging in her bag. "I've got a load of notes here. Let's go through them together."
Remus
January 4th 1994
The dead end at the children's home in Cardiff had forced Remus to go pretty much back to square one. With the very real possibility that Adam's parents had abandoned him at the home, Remus had decided to check Wizarding and Muggle birth records, with hope of tracing Adam's past from his birth. The records at the Ministry of Magic were simple enough, there was no family named Winters in the Wizarding world. There were, naturally, many Adam Winters' recorded in the Muggle world and Remus had checked each one that had been born about the same time that Adam would have been. None of them were the boy he was looking for. Which meant either Adam's birth was unrecorded, which was very unlikely, or Adam wasn't his real name. Remus calculated that Adam had to have been between seven and nine when he was left at the home in Cardiff, which was more than old enough for a child to know their own name.
Remus was currently sitting in the records office of Bristol council. Having exhausted all other leads Remus had decided to take the brute force approach and was checking the children's records of every county in Britain, starting with the major cities. The fact that Remus had been forced to make use of the Confundus Charm to get into the records was not important. He needed to find this information for Albus.
Remus inhaled excitedly. He had found a piece of paper for an Adam Winters. The boy had been placed in care with the Jones family in September of 1986. The records also provided the address of the children's home he was in previously and the address of the family. It wasn't the evidence Remus had expected but it was the best lead he'd had for weeks. Remus duplicated the records and after clearing the office left the building. He decided to head to the children's home first; he didn't want to go pursuing a private citizen until he had confirmed that the boy was the Adam he was searching for.
Remus arrived at the children's home later that day. He was surprised by its appearance; it had been converted from multiple terraced houses and was painted in bright colours. It looked welcoming. Walking up to the house Remus pressed the doorbell and waited. The door eventually opened to reveal a teenaged boy; he looked about eleven or twelve years old.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Hello, could I speak to the person in charge please?" Remus asked.
The boy hesitated.
"Who answered the door?" a voice came from behind him.
The boy froze and then darted back behind the door. Soon the door opened wider and an elderly woman appeared.
"I am sorry, sir; they're not supposed to answer the door when I'm not in the office. Do come in," she gestured inside.
Remus followed the woman into the hallway. He could hear faint sounds coming from one of the rooms. Remus chuckled. The children were obviously still listening.
"What can I do for you?" The woman asked.
"I'm looking for some information on a boy I believe would have been in your care here several years ago," Remus took out the photograph of Adam and showed it to the woman.
"I'm sorry I don't know him," she stated. "What was his name? I may be able to find his file." she replied.
"His name is Adam Winters," Remus replied.
"I'll go and look for you...?" she trailed off, waiting for his name.
"Remus Lupin, I was a friend of Adam's parents."
She nodded and left the room. Remus heard movement again from the doorway. The door opened a crack and the boy from earlier poked his head out and looked around the room. Eventually he and a girl, they looked to be brother and sister, came out and approached Remus.
"Sir," the girl asked.
"Hello," Remus replied with a smile.
"Did you say you knew Adam?" she asked. "We knew him when he was here."
That got Remus' attention. He pulled out the photo and showed the two teenagers.
"That's him!" the girl squeaked.
"Can you tell me anything about him?"
"We were friends; we were together at another home before we came here. It closed and we were taken here. Then this family came and said they wanted to take him home with them but Adam didn't want to go. He wanted to stay with us. They said he had to go," the boy replied.
"What was he like?" Remus asked.
"He was a little odd at times, but was also really funny." The girl laughed and turned to the boy. "Remember he always used to be able to find things that we lost; remember the drain!" she giggled as if reliving a happy memory.
"The drain?" Remus asked.
"I dropped my teddy down the drain outside and Adam managed to get it back. He just walked in the room with it in his hands, it was filthy dirty but he was clean!" The girl smiled. "It's been a long time since he left; I've still got a photo of the three of us just before he left."
Remus was intrigued now. The boy that these two children were describing seemed very different to the boy he had encountered in his previous investigations. Something had happened to him between leaving here and arriving in Cardiff.
"Mr. Lupin?" the woman said as she returned with a brown file under her arm. She glanced at the two children.
"Er, we'll go," the boy said and the two children left the room rapidly.
"I've got some information I can give you," the woman handed Remus a piece of paper. "That's all I can give you I'm afraid."
"Thank you very much," Remus replied as she moved towards the door, obviously ushering him out.
Once outside the door Remus began walking down the short path back towards the street.
"Sir!" a voice called.
Remus looked up and saw the two teenagers from earlier calling to him from an upstairs window.
"If you see Adam, can you tell him we still think of him?" the girl called.
"Yes, what are your names?" Remus asked.
"Luke and Laura," the girl replied. "Will you tell him?"
"If I see him I will," Remus promised.
Once he was out of sight of the home Remus took the sheet of paper out of his pocket and examined its contents.
Adam Winters.
Admitted to St Mary's Children's Home November 20th 1981.
-Previously in care of: Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton.
Transferred to Hodge House August 2nd 1985 - Upon Closure of St Mary's.
Left in care of Mr. N Jones September 5th 1986.
Remus felt satisfied. This had been a very profitable day. He now had two leads he could chase, the Jones family and the Hospital. The seeming change in personality Adam suffered between leaving Hodge House and reaching the home in Cardiff greatly concerned Remus. Making a decision Remus decided to tackle the Jones family first. Something happened to Adam there and he wanted to know what.