0. . .oO•.o. Travelling Home .o.•Oo. . .0

Warning: This story might contain mild content, themes, and language which some may find offensive.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners, JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are the property of me - the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement intended.


A/N: Another chapter is here yet again! Just writing this, the words just seemed to come to me for once so I have a feeling that my writer's block before has slowly ebbed itself away...Woah! Few surprises in this chapter again, hope you enjoy reading them too!

On a last note, please, please, please don't forget to drop me a review, telling me whether you liked it or not and why...even if it's a few words, they really give me inspiration to write on; if there's any further suggestions you would like to see happening or what you'd like to read; what pairings you would possibly like to see too - JUST LET ME KNOW AND DROP ME A REVIEW.

Anyway, here is Chapter Eight! Please review/follow/favourite!


0. . .oO•.o. Travelling Home .o.•Oo. . .0

CHAPTER 8

•~Annie~•

Timeline for this chapter: July 1994

"Put your hands where I can see them and turn around slowly," He instructs. Doing as he asks I raise my hands up to shoulder length and slowly turn on the spot, allowing me to see Charlie and Renée doing the same, fear flashing before their eyes. At that moment, Layla becomes vocal from my left arm, hissing in slight distress from my arm as she senses the tension in the atmosphere is increasing. Throughout all of discussion I had with my adoptive parents, I completely forgot about Layla, feeling a pang of guilt for ignoring her. Katerina is off visiting Amelia back at Salem, knowing she in good hands put my mind at ease about my dear owl friend.

~Layla, do you sssenssse anything about thisss man?~ I ask in Parseltongue, whispering so low no one can hear me.

~Yesss, he sssmellsss just like Regulusss, but I detect the essssssence of a pitch-altering potion too.~ she replies, flicking her forked tongue out towards the man I'm now sure is my Uncle. 'What is it with him and his security procedures? I'm the only one that knew he bloody lives here,' I thought, annoyed. Once facing the man, he has his wand trained mainly on me, as he masks himself within the shadows of his cloak. Scanning my eyes over him, he is wearing his long black cloak made from Acromantula silk and has long sleeves. Along with that, I notice his favourite Hungarian Horntail dragon hide boots that Eva and I chipped in together for him last Christmas. Suddenly, my attention is drawn back to Charlie and Renée in front of me.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Charlie questions. He's been the Chief of Police for a tad too long to think he'll get answers this way from a wizard. And now...now my arms and hands are starting to go tingly and painfully numb from the blood flow draining from them. Giving up on the waiting, I let my arms drop back down resting them on my hips, unable to hold them up any longer.

"I didn't say you could move," Shadow man/Uncle Reg warns, focusing his wand on me solely.

"Oh drop the facade and ask your bloody question will you?" I demand with frustration. I see Charlie and Renée faces show mixed emotions of shock horror and silent panic.

The cloaked man before me pauses but then laughs, obviously amused, and waves his wand in front of his throat before putting it away. 'Probably banishing the potion,' I analyse. "I can never get anything past you, can I Annie?" Uncle Reg finally says, pulling his hood down so I can see his face.

"Can't help that I'm annoyingly observant, must run in the family," I reply calmly, a smile tugging on my lips.

He smiles back, "Missed you, kiddo," he tells me, opening up his arms. I take that as permission and rush passed a shell-shocked Charlie and Renée, and into his arms. "Welcome home, baby girl," he whispers into my hair, tightening his hold on me, drawing comfort from the embrace.

"It's good to be back, Uncle Reg," I state warmly, hugging him for all its worth. It is so good to have him back in my life.

Pulling back slightly, he looks be once over. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand that you were visiting? And before you say 'Katerina's at Salem for summer back, Uncle Reg,'..." he imitates, soundly scarily like me. "...I doubt you have forgotten how to cast a Patronus, have you," he says, giving me a pointing look, but I see the amused twinkle in his eyes.

"I know, I know, but I was, erm...busy this time," I explain weakly, casting a peak over my shoulder. Uncle Reg follows my gaze and then looks back down at me.

"How you never run out of good excuses, I don't know," he jokes, nudging my chin gently with his knuckles.

I sigh dramatically. "It's a gift," causing him to laugh aloud.

"Yeah, yeah, move over drama queen," he resorts. I just roll my eyes, can't helping the smile that appears on my face.

"Ahem..."

Letting go of Uncle Reg, I turn around to face my adoptive parents patiently waiting in front of us. Renée is smiling radiantly, her eyes glazed over and hands clasped together like she's restraining herself from becoming overly emotional, as she is staring between both Uncle Reg and I. Charlie, the one who called our attention, is waiting patiently, but I can see the joy he has for me in his face.

"Renée, Charlie, allow me to re-introduce you to Regulus Black, my uncle," I say as confident as I can, trying to hide my nerves.

Renée is the first to answer, well jump to answer anyway. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Regulus. I must say this, even though the circumstances of the situation were a matter of life and death, we cannot thank you enough for bringing Annie to us all those years ago, and giving us a chance to raise a family,"

Uncle Reg bows his head respectfully towards my aunt. "I agree that the circumstances could have been greater but yet the pleasure is all mine," he tells them, lifting his hand to rest on my left shoulder. I look up to him with a smile to find he is gazing back at me. He stares, not the uncomfortable kind, for a few seconds before turning to face my adoptive parent's one more. "To see the small child that I reluctantly handed over to your care has grown into an incredible young woman makes that choice so much worth it," I see love shining in his eyes.

"And sorry for scaring you guys," I add, changing the conversation. "My uncle has an obsession with house-hold security," I say, glaring up at him.

"It's alright, sweetie, Charlie here would be just the same," Renée answers, brushing aside my apology.

"To bloody right I would," Charlie mutters but still loud enough for us to hear.

Uncle Reg chuckles. "Nothing wrong with wanting to stay safe, but yeah, maybe I was a little...ambitious this time,"

"Ambitious is not the word. More like suicidal and lacking common-sense," I say, disagreeing with the man. "You know I would have put you on your arse in a matter of seconds," I state, poking my finger into his chest, no hint of bragging is present.

"Then why didn't you?" he fires back.

"Oh, for several reasons really," I begin. "Let's see, one: I was accessing the situation with the help of Layla; that's called strategy. Two: I don't like fighting unless it's a last resort; that's called self-preservation and surviving. Three: I wanted to save you the embarrassment; that's called you owe me...shall I go on?" I ask, pausing from striking off the reasons on my hand.

"No, no, you're alright," he says quietly, dipping his head slightly with embarrassment.

"Thought so, just...don't do it again when you know it's really me, okay?" Is all I ask of him.

Uncle Reg nods his head. "Okay, baby girl," he agrees. "At least I can say I've taught you well," He adds, smirking slightly.

"Thank you," I tell him, sincerity in my voice. "And yeah...I'll give you that one," I admit. "Anyway, should we all go make ourselves comfortable?" I ask everyone.

We all make our way to the living area, the longer way though, allowing Charlie and Renée to get a look around some of the place. They would need a whole day to explore this house properly - it's that large! We have a potion's lab in the basement, where the temperature's cooler and minimal natural light to reduce the risk of any of the ingredients spoiling or reacting. It's Uncle Reg's really, but he has managed to convince me over the years that it's as much mine and Eva's as it is his. In custom to the lab, we also have a large greenhouse out the back to grow our potion ingredients too, saving money in the meantime. Furthermore, much to my delight when I first came here to visit, we have a very extensive and impressive library, full of books on virtually every topic you could need. Whether it is Muggle Literature to Defensive and Offensive Attacks, Common and the not-so-common Potions to Politics; you name it, we're sure to have material about or relating to it. When my friends receive invites to stay around during our school breaks, if I want to find Arla, I can always count on finding her in here, on a mission to read as many books as she could before it is time to home again. Eysha too, only she would be the complete opposite of Arla, trying to find all the sources and text that could possibly help her finish her essays.

"Tilly," I call out once I've taken a seat in my chair. The 1956, the classic Eames Lounge and Ottoman, white leather lounge chair, has been labelled mine by Uncle Reg, which begun out as a joke at first until he realised how much I did love the chair.

There is a sharp crack and the family's house elf appears, "How can I help, Mistress Annabelle?" she asks.

"Can you prepare some refreshments for everyone please, Tilly?" I ask her nicely, gesturing to both my uncles and aunt.

"Right away, Mistress, I's be happy to bring guests something to eat and drink," She says happily and disappears from sight with another crack.

"Was that a...?" Charlie asks but trails off, staring at where the house-elf was.

"Yes, that's a house-elf," I answer, knowing what he is asking.

"I've heard about them from your parents but never actually had the opportunity of seeing one until know," he relays to me.

"Seriously?" I ask, slightly shocked. "If I knew that, I would have called Kre- I mean the Black Family house-elf for you," I say, correcting myself almost saying Kreacher's, which would have called for him.

As always Tilly, pops back in with the refreshments for everyone right on time. "Tilly will put food and drinks on the centre table, Mistress," she squeaks.

"Thank you, Tilly. You may leave now," I say, and she's gone.

"How was Forks then, Annie?" Uncle Reg asks, taking a seat like the rest of us. I froze, my eyes seeking my aunt's help. I know I must tell him what had happened during my time in Forks but I don't think I can repeat the story again.

"It was good for the most part, thanks," I reply, trying to calm my nerves.

"For the most part?" Uncle Reg asks. I glance up briefly at him and then look back to my hands.

"Charlie and I will tell you about it later, Regulus," Renée jumps in, saving me from answering. I give her a grateful glance and whisper 'thanks' to her.

Uncle Reg stares at me funny for a moment, before turning his head to address Renée. "Alright," He agrees reluctantly, obviously wanting to know more but decides better to leave it for now.

"How's Eva getting along? I haven't seen her around yet," I ask, noticing that she hasn't come to seek out her dad and us guests yet.

At that moment, Eva springs into view from a separate room down the hallway that leads away from the living room. She has a petite frame and her hair is a jet black, 'Just like Severus'' I thought. It is also lovely and long with a healthy glow, flowing in waves - from my side of the family - down to her waist to adorn her angelic face. Her eyes are piercing, silvery-grey, a common feature as a Black family member and they seem to brighten the world. A straight button nose, high cheekbones, and small, full lips. She is sounding the most musical laugh my ears have dearly missed as she is now running towards me, a massive smile on her face.

"Annie!" Eva lets out a squeal as she jumps into my now open arms.


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