A/N: So, I like these characters too much to stop writing about them, so this really should be a sequel, but I don't really feel like making a new story, might as well just tack it on……
Start of a New Romance
Cedric and Adelaide decided to keep their newly-reconciled relationship quiet at least until she had moved out of St. Ottery and back in with the twins. She smiled to herself as she ate her breakfast, her parents had long since gone to work: she had a hunch there would soon be a game of "musical flat mates".
She was reading a report Hermione had sent her: while she was proud and excited to read about everyone's progress and new ideas, she found that she didn't miss it as much as she thought she would. She rather liked not having to go into the Ministry everyday. But she was still rather restless. She stood up to put her dishes in the sink, her legs no longer as sore and weak as they had been when there was a knock on the door. She frowned: Cedric was not due for another few hours and she hadn't been expecting anyone else to pop round.
Her brows furrowed when she looked through the peephole before opening the door and screen door. "Adelaide Hayworth, I'm Coach Carter of the Pride of Portree."
She nodded, "I knew I recognized you," she looked slightly wary, "what can I do for you?"
He grinned, deep wrinkles forming around his eyes, "I was hoping I could run something by you about next season -"
"Coach, I don't want to disappoint you, but, I don't really know if I want to play professionally - I mean, I don't know if you heard, but -"
He waved a dismissive hand, "Everyone's heard, but you're expected to make a full recovery, yea? And there was no permanent muscular damage," his warm, friendly eyes twinkled, "please, just give me a few minutes. You won't have to give me a formal answer or sign anything. Just, listen?"
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Cedric whistled as he walked out the front door of his childhood home, having just had tea with his mother. He began to cross the yard and grinned when he saw Adelaide flying slowly - and safely - around her yard. She had just flown yesterday for the first time and he was pleased to see how casual and at ease she looked. The girl did love to fly. He waved when he got closer and she landed slowly and gently. "Hullo," he kissed her chastely as he wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her to the porch. "How did that feel?"
"Wonderful," she smiled and sat on one of the porch steps and pulling him down next to her so she could kiss him a bit more properly. "Coach Carter came to see me this morning," she blurted out.
He cocked an eyebrow, "And? Begging you to join the team?"
She frowned slightly, "Yea, actually. Said I could play next season - could take my time thinking about it while I'm still recovering. Even offered me Captain, if I wanted it," she hesitated as she took a small folded up slip of paper out of her pocket. "He was surprised that no other team has approached me yet for next season." She handed him the paper and watched as Cedric's eyes widened, his eyebrows nearly reaching his hairline and his mouth open in shock. "That's just the starting offer. He said it could be higher after negotiations."
"Bloody hell," he whispered, "that's more than Neil gets!"
She shrugged, "I'd almost feel bad taking that much."
Cedric watched her fold and unfold her hands a number of times before twiddling her thumbs nervously. "I don't know much about your finances, but since you're the Head of a Department, I'm assuming money isn't the real issue here," he watched her nod slightly and he bit back a smile, "what do you want to do?"
She took a deep breath, "I do love Quidditch. And I couldn't really play ten years from now," she didn't let him interrupt, "as well as I can now." She rolled her eyes but smiled when he took her hand in his, his thumb caressing her knuckles lightly. "And, I could always go back to the Ministry or start a new position or job after a year, or a few years of playing Quidditch."
He nodded, "I think you have enough O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S. and other credentials to do whatever you wanted."
"Even Healing?" she teased, laughing when he groaned. "I could play for a season and then go from there. I could train and finish up some things at the Ministry before next season."
He kissed her temple, "Sounds brilliant."
"Are you going to be embarrassed to have a Quidditch-player for a girlfriend?" she poked his side playfully.
"Hm, so embarrassed. A highly regarded Healer with a dirty-playing jock girlfriend? What will everyone think? What would we ever talk about? What could we possibly have in common?" He laughed and tried to defend himself against her tickling attack.
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"All right, spill."
Adelaide looked up from her paper at Ginny who had just sat across from her at the café table. "Morning to you too, Gin."
She waved a hand, "Come on, come, on. You can fool everyone else, but you can't fool me," she cocked an eyebrow, "you've been much happier as of late."
Adelaide snorted in an effort to cover her shock at being virtually ambushed. "Well, Sirius is back, I'm alive and recuperating extremely well..."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Adelaide, come on. I've lived with all the Weasley boys my entire life, and grew up with you lot. Who do you think knew George was gay before even he admitted it to himself? Hermione and Fred? You and Charlie?" She smiled triumphantly when Adelaide's mouth flew open.
"You knew about that?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "And now you and Cedric are finally back together, aren't you?"
Adelaide let out a disbelieving laugh, "We didn't want to tell anyone until I moved back in with the twins."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "You want to keep living with them?"
Adelaide shrugged, "I don't mind living with them for a bit longer until Neil or Hermione want to move in or something."
Ginny laughed and told Adelaide how she had walked in on a living room snogfest between Hermione and Fred and how red Hermione had turned.
Adelaide actually didn't mind shopping with Ginny as much as she thought she would have and at Ginny's clever manipulation and insistence, she bought a few new things, including two dresses and new underwear. Adelaide had been most embarrassed at the notion that she should buy new "exciting" underwear and Ginny laughed. "It doesn't have to be frilly or silly or have bows, but you can wear these under your new clothes." She shoved her into the dressing room. "Just try them on. Trust me."
And even though she would never admit it, she did like them and felt strangely excited about the idea of Cedric seeing her in them.
That of course, was a whole other issue. She loved Cedric and wanted to sleep with him: she had in fact, wanted to sleep with him when they dated in 7th year, but how was she going to bring up Charlie? Would he be furious? Would he believe her when she'd say that it really meant nothing, that even kissing Charlie had become more routine than passion-filled? When should she tell him? Randomly one day before she left St. Ottery? Right before they sleep together? And how many women had he slept with?
She tried to push these thoughts out of her mind when she and Ginny left the Muggle shop and made their way back to Diagon. It had been gnawing at the back of her mind for a while and she was embarrassed that she always chickened out. She was bloody Adelaide Hayworth! She had bloody stood up to Voldemort! Had bloody rescued Sirius! She had no excuse to be afraid of Cedric's potential anger.
She said goodbye to Ginny, promising her that she would talk to Cedric about coming clean to everyone at the family luncheon the next day. She walked the short distance to Cedric and Neil's flat, knowing that Cedric would be napping and hoping that Neil was out with George somewhere. She grinned when a shirtless, groggy and disheveled Cedric opened the door. "Hiya," she kissed him slowly, one hand on his bare chest, the other, still holding her bags before she pulled back, her eyes enjoying the view of his chest. One good thing had come from their time apart: as if it had been even possible, he had become more muscular and more gorgeous.
He ran a hand through his hair and waved her in, yawning. She looked around, satisfied that Neil was nowhere in sight and went to make tea as Cedric sat at the table, yawning again. "How was shopping?" he mumbled and she heard him rifling through a few bags.
When she turned to hand him his tea he was staring into one of her bags and she bit back a laugh when he looked back up at her, his hazel eyes twinkling as he winked. "Now I'm awake."
"Ginny knew we were back together. Thinks we should tell everyone tomorrow."
He shrugged, "I'll tell everyone now if it means I get to see you in those sooner." He laughed when she hit his arm.
"But I don't want to tell anyone about Portree yet. I want to wait a bit longer. And I'll need to tell Kingsley before I tell anyone else."
Cedric nodded, "How was shopping? Are you tired? Did Ginny overexert you?"
"No, Healer Diggory, I'm fine. I'm ready to move back in with the twins and go back to work."
He rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes, you've told me that a number of times."
"Well, if you'd listen..."
"Do you want food? I'm starved."
She bit her lip, "What about -"
"Neil's out with the team and then he and George are going out to dinner."
She nodded, still biting her lip; he was about to ask her what was wrong when she said softly, "Cedric, I slept with Charlie."
She held her breath, waiting for his reaction - any reaction really, an outburst of any kind. When Cedric realized she wasn't going to elaborate right away, he reached out and gently lifted her chin so she would look at him. "Addie," he said softly, "I slept with Tracey."
"Who?"
"She was in Healer training with me. Right before Christmas and everyone was so worried and scared and well, I didn't want to die without -"
Adelaide squeezed his hand, "Neither did I. But Cedric, it meant nothing - Charlie and I grew apart, we only really worked as friends and -" he put his hand over her mouth, much like they had done as kids.
He smiled at her, "You don't need to explain yourself, Addie. I rather thought that you and Charlie would have snogged at least since you were out in Romania and since it was rather obvious he fancied you the summer of the World Cup."
He took his hand away from her mouth but she was still frowning slightly, "You're not mad?"
He brushed her blonde hair away from her face, "Course not. Are you mad at me?"
She shook her head and pressed her lips to his but broke the kiss before he could deepen it. "What Department does Tracey work in? Would I know her?"
Cedric sat back in his chair, "She died. Muggleborn. Refused to go into hiding and -"
Adelaide put a hand on his arm, "I'm sorry."
He nodded and took a sip of his tea. "Help me cook?"
She smiled and took his proffered hand to stand, "Of course."
-8383-
Cedric tried to not start laughing at her again as they ate, but her outburst that Potions was far easier than making Bolognese sauce had been too funny and he couldn't help himself. He bit his lip to prevent laughing at her a third time when she said haughtily, "When did you become such an expert chef anyway?"
"Well, when you're stuck in a house with Mrs. Weasley and Sirius Black it's bound to come up. Especially when she would sometimes cook for loads of people."
She was glad to see he wasn't depressed or bitter and her sudden guilt ebbed. "So I should expect to see you bustling around the kitchen with pots and pans all whilst wearing an apron?"
"Only an apron if you're lucky," he winked taking another forkful of the pasta.
"Well, if you cook everything this well, I promise not to complain," she chewed thoughtfully, "or interfere."
Cedric laughed, "You can't be good at everything, love."
She looked up, an eyebrow cocked, her pale, grey eyes meeting his noticeably darker hazel ones when she felt his hand resting lightly on her thigh. "Want to try on your new purchases?" His thumb moved slowly and deliberately.
She attempted a smirk to hide her quickening heartbeat: this was definitely a new side to Cedric Diggory. "Look at you, Diggory! New pick up lines since Hogwarts?"
He smiled, his other hand coming up to brush her hair away from her shoulder, grazing her collarbone. Her skin was on fire where he touched her, even through her clothes. Her eyes darted quickly to his chest again. "Adelaide, it's taken more will power than I even knew I possessed to not pin you against any surface and have may bloody way with you," his voice was soft and rough and Adelaide couldn't help the shiver that ran through her. He was the same Cedric, but he was definitely more confident. And more direct.
Her voice was raspy, "My parents, Cedric," his hand was inching up her thigh, his other hand traveling lightly up and down her arm and his face was so close to hers, his eyes dark and beautiful. "They'll worry."
"Floo them," he whispered, his lips slowly closing the distance between them, "tell them you decided to stay with Ginny and Hermione."
"Couldn't lie."
He looked into her eyes, "Adelaide, I've wanted this for so long -"
"I have to, Cedric."
The corner of his lips curved up, but before he could say something else to convince her to lie to her parents, to stay, she closed the distance between them. Her hands roaming over his chest, kissing him with all the passion, need and love she was feeling. This was what kissing was supposed to be like. This was what real passion, real love, felt like.
She pulled back slightly what felt like hours later, her eyes still closed as he kissed her jaw, his hands still flitting over her thighs and her waist. "Still want me to put those new purchases on?" she teased.
He chuckled against her jaw as he stood, pulled her up with him, "Would be such a waste, love. I'll take a rain check."
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She kissed his shoulder lazily, "I need to go back home before they worry, Cedric."
He frowned and tried to pull her closer to him, "It was bloody easier to sneak around at Hogwarts," he pouted.
She laughed, "That's because you were Head Boy -" There was a loud knock on the door and they both froze.
"Cedric, you awake? Can George and I have the leftover food? Missed our reservations."
"Uh, yea, go for it, I'm going to bed."
"Night," they waited for Neil's footsteps to disappear when Adelaide leapt out of Cedric's bed in search of her clothes as he put up a silencing spell. They looked at each other and nearly burst out laughing.
"Want me to Apparate with you? I don't want you to feel like some sort of harlot," he kissed her forehead.
She shook her head smiling, "We're telling everyone tomorrow."
He grinned and kissed her soundly, still grinning when he pulled away, "And then we can have actual sleepovers."
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Sara was mildly surprised to find Cedric at the door the next morning with a wide smile on his face. "Why, Cedric, what are you doing up so early on your day off?" She kissed his cheek as she welcomed him inside.
He held up a Muggle grocery bad, "Pasties and pie for the luncheon. Sooner or later Adelaide is going to need to know how to cook."
Sara smirked as she led Cedric into the kitchen where her husband was reading the morning paper. "Why, Cedric! Up so early on a Saturday?"
"Going to get Adelaide to cook."
Ray nearly chocked on his toast, "Bloody hell. Maybe this morning is as good as anyone to fix the car."
Cedric grinned, "Neil requested that I help. He conveniently had an unexpected practice this morning," he set the bag down and almost immediately began to grab the pots and pans he would need out of the cabinets. "Figured she wouldn't dare yell at her Healer."
Sara watched Cedric move expertly around the kitchen, "Molly taught you well. It would be nice to have someone help out around the kitchen," she sighed dramatically.
Ray looked indignant, "I made a wonderful roast just last week!"
"A pre-made roast."
"You've never complained about your eggs or your sandwiches," he pointed out.
Sara leaned against the counter next to Cedric, "You're my witness, Diggory, next time this one wants a sandwich."
Cedric watched her laugh and ruffle her husband's hair as she went to call down Adelaide. Cedric smiled to himself. That's what he wanted. What his parents had. What Mr. and Mrs. Hayworth had. What Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had. What Professor Lupin and Tonks had. What Bill and Fleur had. Love. Fun. Care. Understanding. Commitment. Support. Each other.
He shook himself out of his reverie when Sara came back, "She'll make her way down slowly. Didn't tell her you or your culinary skills were here. So, dear," she nodded at Ray, "we might want to leave before she comes down."
Ray shot Cedric an apologetic look as his coffee mug floated towards the sink, "Good luck, m'boy."
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Sara came by the kitchen some time later to make sure Adelaide had gotten up and that she wasn't murdering Cedric, but she stopped herself before she crossed the threshold and opened her mouth. There was Adelaide, in a pair of Jack's left-behind flannel pajama pants and a large Ballycastle shirt, her cheek resting against Cedric's arm, his fingers playing with her damp hair. Sara stood there a moment, watching the pair. He mumbled something and she let out a laugh, nudging him with her hip before turning her attention back to the cooking. Cedric wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side, kissing her temple.
With a smile and a shake of her head, Sara slowly and quietly walked away from the kitchen, pleased to see her daughter happy.
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Adelaide went back to her room to change quickly while Cedric had a cup of tea and perused the Daily Prophet. He smiled and nodded as Ray came in to make, himself a cup of tea. "So, Cedric, how's the hospital?"
Cedric shrugged, "Busy. I've had a lot of odd and interesting cases lately."
"Yes, your father had mentioned they were transferring some patients just so they could have you as their Healer." He watched the young man rub the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. "You're making quiet the name for yourself in the field, eh?"
Cedric cleared his throat, "I'm just doing my best to help everyone I can, Mr. Hayworth."
Ray smiled and nodded, "You always were very modest. And how are things with Neil? I assume you and Adelaide are friends again? Good, good. Are you seeing anyone? Are you enjoying life outside of work?"
Cedric very nearly chocked on his tea. While he had never previously been intimidated by the Hayworth patriarch, he had always respected him. But now, he was terribly confused: did he know? Was he angry? He didn't seem angry, but then again, Adelaide was his only daughter...
Ray smiled as he watched the gears in Cedric's head turn and his mouth open to silence. "Relax, son. Sara saw that you two seemed to be on better terms and we respect your decision to keep things quiet."
Cedric was relieved at the man's easy manner: he would have hated lying to him. "We were actually going to tell everyone at lunch."
Ray continued to smile and stood from the table, "No, I'm not going to threaten or lecture you or try to intimidate you, Cedric. Adelaide doesn't need much help there. I'm sure she'll take care of herself if anything ever happened."
Cedric was going to thank him - or agree with, but Sara walked into the kitchen, "Adelaide's almost ready, Cedric. We'll meet you there?"
He nodded and watched them leave. He really was lucky her parents were so trusting and confident in their daughter. The last thing he needed was to be scared of her father.
With a relieved chuckle, he headed up to Adelaide's room: he was anxious to tell everyone else that they were finally happy again. He knocked on the door once before opening the door.
She turned, tugging her cardigan on, "I was just coming downstairs," she smiled, "I know you hate to be late, but -"
He shook his head and pulled her to him, his strong arms wrapping around her, his chin resting on the top of her head. Even at Hogwarts she had never practically melted in his arms like this, with just a hug. A warm, safe, all-encompassing hug, but a hug nonetheless. But now she didn't care how cliche and girly she sounded or felt. For being only 22 years old, they had already gone through enough. She was ready to be happy.
"I'm just anxious for everyone to see how happy I am, love."
He felt her shift slightly and he moved his chin from her head to look at her. "What is it?"
"Give me five minutes?" She slowly moved herself from his arms, "I just want to use the Floo -" she shot him a reassuring smile, "don't worry. Five minutes, I promise."
He looked around the childhood room she had shared with her brothers: not much had changed. There were still three beds although they were a bit bigger now. There were still some of the books they had read as children - both Muggle and Magical. He sat on her bed and reached for one of his favorite books. He and Adelaide used to pour over it for hours, looking at the pictures of exotic places, beautiful mountains, terrifying volcanoes and remote deserts. They would point to different locations, declaring they would travel their first, as soon as they graduated.
He smiled sadly to himself as he flipped through the pages. He hadn't seen this book in years and yet he thought of it often. He closed it with a snap as he remembered what he had planned on doing what felt like centuries before...
He had wanted to travel to some of these places when he graduated, like he and Adelaide had always said. But he wanted to go with her. If he won or lost, he wanted to get away for a while. Travel. Explore the world. Himself. But he wanted to go with Adelaide. To get away. He didn't know if she'd say yes, but he had to try. He needed to get away from everything, away from the chaos, the responsibilities.
He had planned on asking her after the Final Task. Win or lose. But of course, that never happened.
He put the book back on the shelf. Now he had a life. And so did she. They had responsibilities. They had a Wizarding community that still needed to be repaired.
But what he wouldn't give to see safari in Africa! The Pyramids! The Great Barrier Reef! The North Pole! The Amazon!
She called him from the bottom of the steps and with a heavy sigh he pushed himself off her bed. Now was not the time to think of what could be but rather to live in present. His new, happy, Dark-Magic-less.
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Adelaide had not been to Grimmauld Place since Sirius had been back and so she was not expecting such tremendous changes in such a short period of time. There were bright lights and freshly-painted walls; gone were the dark and dreary curtains and carpets and replaced with light and airy drapery and hardwood floors. The screaming portrait of Mrs. Black was gone and replaced with a number of pictures. Adelaide paused for a moment to look at them, her hand intertwined with Cedric's as the chatter of happy voices came from the kitchen and dining room. The Marauder's at Hogwarts. The Marauders and Lily at graduation. The Potters. The Lupins. The original Order. The Golden Trio. Harry, Sirius and Remus. And one picture of a young man who could have only been Sirius' brother.
She smiled as Sirius came to stand next to them, a smug smile on his face as he noticed their hands. "And plenty of room for more." She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before he shook Cedric's hand. "And how've you been?"
She smirked at him as she led Cedric to the kitchen, "Fine, thanks."
Cedric nearly ran into her when she stopped abruptly at the threshold of the kitchen. Her fingers gripped his more tightly as she stood there frozen, her eyes darting across the crowded room where Mrs. Weasley, Fleur and Mrs. Diggory were setting up the food. Cedric ran his thumb over the back of her hand and was about to whisper to her when Mrs. Weasley spotted them.
"Oh, Cedric, darling, did you bring the -" her eyes fell on their hands and she looked back up between the two.
Adelaide swallowed and then everyone's attention was on them. Although it didn't help that Sirius stood behind them waving his arms.
Cedric grinned as he handed the dish to a smirking Ginny. He nudged Adelaide slightly and delicately releasing her hand put his arm around her. "We, uh, wanted to wait to tell you lot, but Adelaide and I have put everything behind us and we've gotten back together."
There was a second of silence before laughter, applause, cheers, cries of relief and a chorus of "I knew it!" and "About bloody time!"
Cedric turned to Adelaide, relieved to see she was smiling. And breathing. Once everyone quieted down a bit, Adelaide confidently cleared her throat. "I've, um, had an offer from Portree."
Someone snorted and Fred called out, "Who haven't you had an offer from?"
She rolled her eyes, "A formal one? No one recently," she huffed before composing herself. "Anyway, Coach Carter met with me, and, well, I'll be Chaser and Captain for Portree next season."
Everyone was silent for a moment before she was nearly suffocated with an onslaught of hugs, kisses and congratulatory slaps on the back.
"We're still going to kick your bloody arse, Hayworth."
"We'll be attending nearly every Quidditch match, Forge!"
"I'll never be wanting for more Quidditch, that's for sure, eh Moony?" Sirius lifted Teddy on to his shoulders, "You'll be every team's mascot, won't you, you little bugger?"
Once everyone quieted down some and began to pick at the finger foods and appetizers the twins and Hermione had provided, Remus asked about her position at the Department of Mysteries.
She tried to hide her grin as she winked at Percy would had been debriefed immediately after she had gotten off the Floo with Kingsley. "Well, I'll continue to work at the Ministry a bit, but I'll start training soon enough. And for now, I think I'm done experimenting and what not. The Department is better, safer and more innovative than it was, but my job of seeing it through this transition is done," she turned to Hermione. "You've been doing a fantastic job managing it, Hermione. I spoke with Kingsley today and if you want it, you can be the permanent Head." She watched the younger girl's face. "You aren't obligated, of course, but Kingsley said he'd be more than willing to allow you to work in multiple departments if that's what you wanted."
Hermione bit her lip, her brows furrowed in concentration, "You really want to leave? I mean, like you said, you created this new fantastic department -"
"And I think it needs to grow without me."
Hermione nodded, "Course, course. I'll have to think about it - chat with Kingsley..." she took a long sip of her tea, but Tonks cut in.
"So, Quidditch?"
She shrugged, "I miss it. And I figure I can't exactly play ten or so years from now, you know? And when the time comes, I can go back to the Ministry or maybe be a Potions Master or something..."
She found Cedric again sometime later and leaned against his side as he wrapped an arm around her. He was always just so extremely comfortable. "Everyone's been really supportive."
He chuckled and offered her a pint which she declined. "They're family. Of course they'd be supportive."
Neil came up and clapped them both on the shoulder, "Thank Dumbledore you two are back together. We were all sick of Mopey Cedric and Boring Adelaide."
"Oi!"
Cedric shook his head and pulled Adelaide a bit tighter against him, "You better walk away, Neil before she pries herself away from me and beats you to a bloody pulp."
Neil winked and hurried off to find his boyfriend who was whispering with his twin. Adelaide looked up at Cedric and was about to yell at him for preventing her from taking care of her brother when Mrs. Weasley requested that everyone sit to eat their lunch.
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She had never stopped to think about what a strong heartbeat meant. Life. And never had a heartbeat sounded so truly wonderful. She smiled slightly as she pressed her ear against his chest again. Such a simple rhythm that yet meant so much. To think that for a moment, before she had altered the space-time continuum, he hadn't had this beautiful, melodic beat.
She traced a heart over his chest with her finger, relieved, yet again, that she was here, with him, and his steady heartbeat.
"That's not anatomically correct, you know."
She craned her neck slightly to look at him, "I didn't mean to wake you."
He had yet to open his eyes as his thumb traced circles on her bare arm. "Admiring my chiseled chest, are you?"
She let out an airy chuckle, "Admiring your heartbeat."
"It's a lovely heartbeat, isn't it?"
She shifted slightly against him, pressing her hand against his heart, pressing her face against his chest. He felt something wet on his chest and wordlessly he put his hand over hers. There was nothing he could say. If she needed to cry, to feel his steady, strong heartbeat, he'd let her. She didn't want thanks, she didn't want reassurance.
"It's a beautiful heartbeat," she whispered moments later. He tilted her head up and kissed her slowly. He kissed away her tears and her fears. When they took a breath, when their eyes met, when she shared a small smile with him, he knew she accepted his gratitude. If she wanted to listen to his heartbeat every night, just to quell her fears, he'd let her.
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It took the Daily Prophet only two days after Adelaide moved back in with the twins to realize she and Cedric were very much a couple again. But it was also the first time either of them really didn't mind being in the paper.
Childhood Best friends, Hogwarts Sweethearts, Torn Apart by War and Secret Societies, How Near-Death Brought this Healer and Patient Back Together
Can the much-loved, respected and famous couple survive their past?
St. Mungo's Most Famous Healer no longer an eligible bachelor
Ministry's Youngest Head Fraternizing with her Healer
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Adelaide was in her office going through her notes on the Wolfsbane for what felt like the fifth time, trying to find something she was missing when there was a knock and loud cough. She looked up, her brows still furrowed in concentration until she noticed it was Sirius. "Oh! I'm sorry, come in, come in! What are you doing here?"
He shrugged, his smile not entirely reaching his eyes, "Wanted to see what you've done with the place, since -" he trailed off and cleared his throat. "Looks fantastic, by the way. Not nearly as menacing as it used to."
"Thanks, Sirius. Did you want to sit, or?"
He sat, "What are you working on?"
"Oh, I -" she faltered, "nothing. I mean, something, but I -" she frowned, "bollocks."
He held out his hand, a smirk on his face, "I'll keep my mouth shut, I -" he sucked in a breath. "Brilliant!"
She frowned, "No. Not brilliant. I'm stuck."
He looked at her, his piercing blue-grey eye filled with so many emotions that she couldn't help but feel as though she were letting him down. "You can do it. Bloody hell, I was never one for Potions, but," he paused, "money? Is that what you need? For more resources? I can give you funding - this Department, that is."
Her mouth fell open, "Oh, no, I - I wish it was simply only a matter of funding. I'm just stuck. There's just something that's missing."
He handed her papers back, "You'll figure it out, Hayworth. I believe in you." He stood up, "Love to stay and chat, but I have a very important meeting with the Minister." He winked and walked out of her office, leaving her more determined than ever to solve this new puzzle.
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Cedric leaned against the doorframe of her bedroom, clearing his throat to get her attention. She nearly leapt out of bed in surprise, "Sorry! Sorry, I know, I know, I'm just so close and I just really want to finish this!"
"Did you show it to Hermione?"
She sighed, "I did yea. She's just as stumped," she ran a hand over her face, "I know, I'm becoming obsessive, but I promise I'm not losing my mind!"
He wrapped his arms around her, brushing her hair away from her face. "How about we get something to eat, some tea and then we can both look over it. Fresh eyes, fresh minds."
She squeezed him, "Thank you."
He rolled his eyes at the huge grin that was lighting up her face, trying to hide his satisfaction that he made her that happy. "Come on, I know the twins will have left something for us to eat."
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Her eyes darted between Cedric and the parchment. "Merlin, that's it. That's it!" He watched, confused and amused as she began to scribble furiously. "It was that simple! Merlin! Cedric, we did it!" Before he could fully grasp what exactly was going on, she had grabbed his face and was kissing him soundly. He reacted immediately to that, of course. He molded his lips to hers, letting her have control as he just enjoyed the moment. One thing was certain: kissing Adelaide never got boring.
He was not expecting her to be frowning when he eventually opened his eyes. "I'll have to test it, won't I?"
Cedric thought for a moment. "If you can make it, I think I can get a willing test subject."
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It hadn't taken much convincing to get Philip, an elderly werewolf who had no remaining family, to be the first test subject. It had nearly broken Adelaide's heart when Philip had smiled and said, "Anything I can do to help my fellow afflicted brothers. And the chance to meet the one and only Adelaide Hayworth!"
She and Cedric had stayed with him for the entire full moon, documenting everything. And once they had thanked Philip and helped him back to his bed at St. Mungo's to rest, they found an empty room to celebrate.
Kingsley and Percy read their copious notes. "It really worked?"
Adelaide and Cedric were grinning, "It did."
Kingsley nodded, "Make a few more for next month to test. And if those go well -"
"We can mass produce?" Adelaide sounded so hopeful it nearly pained Kingsley to tell her: "We don't have the funds."
Adelaide smiled a Weasley twin-worthy smile, "I think I know where we can get some."
She barely had to open her mouth to explain everything to Sirius before he nearly dragged her and Cedric through the Floo, back to the Ministry, past the secretary and straight into Kingsley's office. "Whatever it takes to make enough for any werewolf who wants it," Sirius grinned, "as long as it's named after these two," he jerked this thumb at Adelaide and Cedric, "and Lupin."
She had just settled herself back at her desk, her excitement slowly ebbing as she began to sift through various memos, timesheets and other things she needed to sign off on when she was suddenly and unexpectedly pulled from her chair and into a rib-crushing hug. "Merlin, thank you."
She held her head as he set her down, her feet firmly on the ground and looked up into the large, glassy and emotion-filled amber eyes of her former professor. "It really worked?" His voice was thick and hopeful.
"Philip didn't go through any transformations, no side effects. You and a few others can test it next month."
"And Sirius is going to fund it? Provide it for all werewolves."
She nodded, "Going to start a foundation I believe. Maybe one day it'll be global." She watched as he tried to keep his emotions in check: Remus was never one to give much away with his facial expressions. "You'll still have your heightened senses and you'll still be the same person, but you won't have to go through the transformation at all. No werewolf will have to if they don't want to."
"Thank you," he whispered, "thank you. Merlin, everything you've done for us - for me and Tonks and Teddy," his eyes nearly bore into her as she sat back down at her desk, "I know you saved our lives - prevented another orphan. And you saved Sirius - and Merlin, now you're giving me more time with my son! And new chances for all werewolves." He laughed and ran a hand through his hair, his normally poised exterior breaking for a moment and despite the fact that only last night was the full moon, he looked younger and more youthful than she had ever seen him. "Merlin, thank you."
She was grinning, "Well, I always was good at Potions."
He laughed again, "If you don't get a First Order of Merlin soon, I'm going to have to give the Minister a piece of my mind."
Adelaide visibly paled, "No! No! That's the last thing I need!"
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Adelaide had hoped that things on their new potion would remain under wraps at least until after the next test, but knowing Sirius, she should have known better. Not two days later he made an announcement in the Daily Prophet:
Yes, I've started the Lupin-Black Foundation after I got word that my personal savior, Ms. Adelaide Hayworth, with some help from Healer Cedric Diggory, have successfully altered the Wolfsbane potion. Yes, yes, there are going to be a few more tests next full moon for legal purposes, but the Diggory-Hayworth Wolfsbane eliminates the werewolf transformation entirely. So my foundation, which I've just started, in honor of my dear friend Mr. Remus Lupin, will provide the new Wolfsbane to any werewolf who wants it. And as soon as we can get volunteers, donations, employees, what have you, we'll go global. Mr. Lupin, Mr. Harry Potter and myself are on the board currently and I dare say Ms. Hayworth, Mr. Diggory and Ms. Granger will join our ranks soon.
"Leave it to Sirius Black to name it," she groaned.
Adelaide received so many owls and surprise callers, including a weepy Mrs. Weasley and a jubliant Bill, that she barely had time to even begin writing her formal reports for the potion. She had to write reports to be filed, reports for a Potion Patent and a report to be published in the newest Potions Encyclopedia.
She frowned as she began to pack up her things: she would have liked to name it after Professor Snape. He was the one who had brewed Remus' Wolfsbane and he had been the one who taught her everything she knew about Potions -
"He'd be proud, you know." She looked up startled out of her thoughts and nearly shot out of her chair when she saw who the speaker was. "We've never been formally introduced," he fidgeted slightly and walked hesitantly into her office, holding out his hand. "Draco Malfoy."
She smiled and shook his hand, "Adelaide Hayworth. Please, sit."
"Professor Snape would be proud - not that you're helping werewolves necessarily, but that you're creating and modifying potions."
"How do you -"
He sat down, "Ah, yes, excuse me, I knew you were a favorite student of his - the only non-Slytherin, I believe." He paused, "He, well, he protected me too. He didn't want me to be like the rest of my family, he well, he believed in me, I suppose." He frowned, "Anyway, I - I want to help."
"Sorry - help with what?"
"Help with the foundation - I know you're not on the board yet or anything, but I don't think Cousin Sirius would be too pleased if I asked him."
Adelaide smiled coyly, "Is this your penance? Doling out Wolfsbane to werewolves?" Her smile, however, faded when Draco's piercing blue-grey eyes met hers: they were so very similar to Sirius'.
"I saw what Greyback did to people - children. I want to help those people who fear themselves. I got a second chance, didn't I? Thanks to you and Potter and Granger. These people deserve a second chance to." He placed a piece of paper on to her desk. "I don't think Cousin Sirius would accept this from me. And I'd rather not he or anyone else know until I'm out of the country giving it to people."
Her mouth opened in shock when she saw the amount of money he was donating. "Draco, this is far too much -"
He smiled, "Nothing is too much when I know sweet old dad is rolling around in his grave." He stood up, "I'd prefer to give the potion out the first time and then I'd be more than willing to help brew." He nodded and walked towards the door. "Thanks," he said sincerely before walking briskly out of her office.
She leaned back in her chair, staring at the check. Merlin, what a day.
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A/N: We were at over 7,000 words, so I figured it was a good place to stop….
Please review! Hopefully more soon, I promise!