It was a much better birthday than Adeline had ever had. Mary had gone home to see her family, and Alice had gone to see Frank, but Lily had decided to stay at Hogwarts rather than going to Petunia's new house in Little Whinging. Adeline'd woken up to a stack of presents at the foot of her bed – a new dress from Mary and Alice, a couple of records from Lily, and a big box of sweets from the Marauders. Sirius had sent her another crystal rose – yellow – and simple golden bracelet, which she'd proudly fastened onto her wrist.

They'd spent the day exactly how she loved most – lounging around the common room, listening to music, playing games, and eating more sweets than they could fit. Adeline spent most of the day curled under Sirius's arm, watching as her best friends laughed and joked around with an ease that was only fleeting by the day; as they all spent the day simply enjoying each other's company, not thinking about what was happening outside of Hogwarts. It was crazy to think that it was only last year that she and the Marauders had barely been friends, and now both she and Lily were dating two of them.

Adeline had never felt so safe before – despite what was going on, out in the world, she finally accepted that she had a group of friends that knew her faults, and loved her anyway. Her brother had killed Lily's parents – and yet, Lily sat across from her, smiling at her with such affection. Adeline had kept from Sirius that she knew his brother was going to be marked, and yet he sat next to her, laughing in joy as he destroyed her in a game of chess. James and his family had taken her in when she'd had nowhere else to go, despite that fact that her family were Death Eaters, and they had sworn to fight Voldemort and his followers. Remus had allowed her to know his secret – the thing he kept hidden from everyone, but those he trusted with his life. This group of incredible people had allowed her to push them away, and still stood steadfastly by her side. They weren't going anywhere.

Adeline realized, as she sat with the man she loved, that she was ready. The thing she had been most afraid of – that Sirius was going to abandon her – he had proven time and time again that he wasn't going to do. She just had to finally accept it. And she had. She grinned to herself, knowing that tomorrow – tomorrow she was going to give him the best Christmas gift that she could think of.

The next day, after the group had opened their presents and spent a lazy morning in the Gryffindor common room, they gathered in the Great Hall for Christmas tea. There were so few people that had remained behind for the holidays, that two of the large tables had been pushed together so that everyone could sit together. Adeline sat between Sirius and Lily, with James on Lily's other side. Peter and Remus sat on Sirius's other side. Sirius and Remus were hurling small bits of bread at each other; Adeline rolled her eyes at the lot of them, but giggled nonetheless when a bit of bread hit Sirius square in the face. Sirius turned, looking affronted, but bit back his retort as Professor Dumbledore stood from his spot across the table from them.

Dumbledore spread his hands out, a hush following across the room as Professors and students alike stopped talking. He was wearing robes of magnificent midnight blue, embroidered with stars that seemed to twinkle as he shifted slightly. His piercing blue eyes looked out behind his half-moon spectacles, surveying the room quickly.

"Before we enjoy what I am sure will be a delicious meal, I wish to say a few quick words. And those words are zap, flint, twiggy, and snail. Enjoy!" He said with a broad smile, before sitting back down and adjusting his robes. With his words, the plates in front of them filled with steaming piles of delicious foods – turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots, ham, and stew. Adeline smiled gratefully and began to pile her plate high with food, ignoring the sniggers that Sirius and James were exchanging at Dumbledore's odd toast.

"Pete, mate, you've got to try this," Sirius said, plopping a large scoop of stew onto Peter's plate. "Best damn stew we've ever had. The house elves have outdone themselves."

Peter, looked up. He'd been staring down at his plate, which was still empty. His eyes were bleary, unfocused, as though he hadn't slept in a long time. "What…oh, uh, thanks, Sirius," he said thickly. He picked up his fork, although he made no move to touch the stew in front of him.

"Are you alright, Peter?" Lily asked kindly. She'd leaned around Adeline to look at Peter, her long red hair swinging like a curtain. Her green eyes were narrowed in concern.

Peter nodded shakily. "I'm fine. Not feeling that great." He kept his eyes downcast, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. "In fact, I think I'll head up to bed."

He pushed away from the table hastily, basically scurrying from the room. Adeline furrowed her brow and turned to Sirius, inquisitively. Sirius shrugged. "Dunno…he's been acting strange all year. We've started to think maybe he had a girlfriend over the summer."

Adeline snorted and said, without thinking, "I highly doubt that."

Sirius smirked. "Well now, love, that's not very nice, is it?"

Adeline blushed but didn't take back her statement. Peter was weird and looked like the rat that he turned in to. There certainly wasn't a girl in Hogwarts who would date him; people only tolerated him, really, because he was friends with the Marauders. In the year that Adeline had been friends with them, she hadn't ever had a proper conversation with him, and she preferred it that way.

The group finished up supper, and were about to dig in to pudding, when the doors to the Great Hall opened behind them. Sirius, who'd been trying to force James into a large flowered hat that he'd won in a Christmas popper, turned to see who had interrupted his fun. It was Professor McGonagall, who'd been noticeably absent from the feast. She hurried to the front of the hall, moving quickly past all of the house tables, and walked around so she was standing behind Professor Dumbledore. The rest of the table hadn't seemed to notice, but Sirius and Adeline exchanged nervous glances. Whatever Professor McGonagall was telling Dumbledore, it wasn't good. He cleared his throat softly, and nodded to her.

He stood up suddenly, and the rest of the table looked over in surprise. He smiled serenely. "I do hope you all enjoy the rest of your meal – oh, please don't get up on my account," he said, looking over at Professor Flitwick who had made to stand up. "I simply need to speak with Mr. Potter. Mr. Black, Ms. Yarbury, I think it best if you come along as well."

James looked over at Adeline and Sirius, confused. He wouldn't be pulling them out for Order business, would he? That would be far too obvious, in such a small crowd. Adeline felt her heart stall, and it felt as if her body was being filled slowly with boiling water; she knew, in her bones, that something horrible had happened. She stood, and Sirius followed her. They turned to wait for James, who was being held by Lily by the arm.

"James." She looked worried.

"It'll be okay, Lil," he said, with a brave smile. "I'll see you in a moment, yeah?"

Lily swallowed thickly, but nodded. James leaned over to give her a quick kiss, before getting up out of his seat. The trio turned to where Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore were waiting for them, and followed them into the chamber behind the Great Hall. Adeline stopped, expecting Dumbledore to turn and tell them the news, but he kept moving through the chamber.

"Come, children," Professor McGonagall said placidly, ushering the three from the room. "We'll go to Professor Dumbledore's office to talk."

"Professor," Sirius called, rushing after Professor Dumbledore, who was moving with incredible speed. "What's going on?"

"It really is best, Mr. Black, that we wait until we are in my office to discuss. Come, let's move quickly," Dumbledore responded, turning over his shoulder briefly. He picked up the pace, his long stride making it difficult for Adeline to keep up. Sirius grabbed her hand, using his momentum to help her, but by the time they made it to the Headmaster's office, she was out of breath. The spiral staircase carried them upstairs. Adeline stepped into the office first, taking a moment to look around in amazement. Despite the situation, Adeline couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the shear magic of Dumbledore's office.

Professor McGonagall came up the rear, putting a gentle hand on Adeline's back and ushering her closer to Dumbledore's desk. With a wave of her wand, the two chairs became three. She gestured for the three children to sit, and walked around to stand behind Dumbledore, who had taken a seat behind his grand desk. He had his fingertips templed together, resting his chin on them, looking out at the three over his half-moon spectacles. His eyes were twinkling with gentle regret.

"Please, sit," he said gently, gesturing again to the chairs in front of his desk. Adeline sank into the one on the right, letting Sirius claim the one in the middle, and James the left. Adeline reached over and took Sirius's hand in her own; he gripped hers back tightly. Adeline only knew how nervous he was by how clammy his hand was in hers. She gave him a reassuring squeeze, which he returned half heartedly.

"Professor…" James said, trailing off.

Professor Dumbledore raised his hand, placatingly. "As you know, the Order has been operating behind the scenes, attempting to gather as much intel on Lord Voldemort's movements as possible. Order members have been going out on reconnaissance missions, following suspected Death Eaters and infiltrating into influential social circles, all in the attempt to gather information that may be used to slow or stop Lord Voldemort's rise in power. Mr. Potter, your parents have been an integral part of many of these missions, and have completed over one hundred successfully. Tonight –"

"Are they alive?" Sirius interrupted Dumbledore urgently. He was leaning forward in his seat, wresting his elbows on his knees and staring at Dumbledore intensely.

Professor McGonagall tutted under her breath at Sirius's interruption, but Dumbledore merely smiled kindly. "Yes, Mr. Black. They are, however, badly injured. They're currently at St. Mungo's. I'd like to send you all now, if you'd like to go."

"Yes," Sirius and James said, at the same time Adeline asked, "What happened?"

Professor McGonagall surveyed Adeline with pity in her gaze. "They were following Dolohov. They had asked to be put on his detail after what happened this summer…"

Sirius cursed under his breath and Adeline let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "And…Finnegan?"

"Your brother wasn't involved." Dumbledore was looking at Adeline gently. "Dolohov simply caught on that he was being trailed. Charlus and Dorea fought back bravely, but well…they're not as young as they used to be."

"And what happened to Dolohov?"

"He got away," McGonagall sighed.

Adeline's heart dropped. Dolohov, the man who had attacked her, the man who Regulus had confirmed was looking for her, and Sirius, had gotten away. He'd hurt the Potters, two people that she considered to be as close to family as she had, and he'd gotten away. Sirius brought a hand to her back, rubbing consoling circles.

Sirius looked over at her. "We'll get him, Delle. I promise you that."

Adeline nodded, smiling weakly. "I know."

"So can we go?" James asked, standing up.

"Of course," Dumbledore said, standing as well. "You can use the floo."

James got up and made his way over to the floo hastily. He took a pinch of floor powder, and called out "St. Mungo's."

Sirius followed him, but Adeline hesitated. "I'm not sure if I should go."

Sirius turned so he was facing her. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe I shouldn't go. After all, it's my fault that they were following Dolohov. If it hadn't been for me, they wouldn't be hurt right now! It's not right; besides, it should be family only. I should stay here."

Sirius walked towards Adeline, taking her face in his hands. "You're being a prat," he said in a gentle, loving voice. "Mum and Dad love you. You are family. And it isn't your fault that Dolohov is a raging maniac. Mum and Dad knew what they signed up for, and they chose Dolohov because they love you. Mum will have a cow if you don't show up at her bedside, so stop overthinking, and get in that floo." He kept a hold of her face until she nodded, albeit reluctantly. He kissed her quickly before removing his hands; Adeline blushed when she realized Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore were still in the room. Professor McGonagall looked amused, and Professor Dumbledore was whistling and looking around the room.

She walked forward to the floo and took a pinch of floo powder. "Thank you, Professors." Both of them smiled at her. "St. Mungo's."

The room spun around her in a haze green flames. Adeline held her breath so she didn't inhale a bunch of soot. She stepped out at the right grate, into the St. Mungo's lobby. She took a second to ground herself before stepping out of the way; she was just in time, as Sirius spun out behind her just as she stepped out of the grate.

"Hi, love. Where's James?" Sirius asked, wiping the soot off his robes. Adeline shrugged, but looked around the room searchingly for him. She found him, after a moment, arguing with the lady at the reception desk.

"Oh, Merlin," Adeline sighed. She took off across the room, increasing her pace as his voice got louder and louder.

"…MY PARENTS!" James screamed. The receptionist was looking at him with a look of practiced calmness, although Adeline could see how tightly she was gripping her quill.

"Sir, as I keep saying, I can not give you any information until they are out of critical care. You can not see them until they are cleared by a Healer for visitors. So if you would please lower your voice, I would really appreciate it." The receptionist smiled through gritted teeth at James.

"THAT'S BULLSHIT!" Sirius shouted, joining James in his anger. "We just want to know what floor they're on, that's all!"

"As I told your friend, I can not…" the receptionist repeated.

"Look, lady," Sirius hissed threateningly. "Our parents are upstairs somewhere fighting for their lives, and if you don't tell us which floor they're on, you're going to be the one fighting for your life, got it?"

"Sirius!" Adeline hissed, grabbing his arm and dragging him backwards away from the reception desk. "Sit down. You too, James. Sit, now!"

"Delle, this bi…" Sirius began angrily, gesturing towards the receptionist, but Adeline shot him such a dirty look that he shut his mouth quickly. "Come on, James." He pulled James with him, who allowed him to, looking dazed and confused.

Adeline waited until they were a suitable distance away before turning back to the receptionist. She smiled at her tightly, reading her name tag. "I'm really sorry about that, Helen. We all just got some tragic news, and the boys obviously aren't handling it well. I know that it would help them a lot if I could go back over with any information. Anything at all? Could you help me out?"

Helen pursed her lips, and looked over the top of the desk to where Sirius and James were sitting. James was staring at the wall, but his eyes were so unfocused, Adeline knew he wasn't seeing anything. Sirius was bouncing his legs so hard that his entire body seemed to be shaking. Both boys looked so incredibly pained and pathetic, that Helen sighed loudly and rustled some papers on her desk. She looked through a list of names, her eyes roaming the page quickly. "Mhm. Yes, Dorea and Charlus Potter?"

"Yes," Adeline said quickly.

"Okay, I see that they were brought in about thirty minutes ago – Merlin you lot were fast, weren't you?" Adeline forced a chuckle, waiting impatiently for Helen to tell her what was going on. "They were taken right into the Intensive Spell Damage Unit, and they're being taken care of by Healer Lotin. They're on the fourth floor, follow signs for the ISD. There is a waiting room up there. If you need anything, Nadine can assist you. But please, make sure that those boys keep their tempers in check. Nadine will throw them out so quickly, they won't even have time to say 'butterbeer'."

With a grateful smile at Helen, Adeline nodded and turned back to her boys. They both stood as she approached, looking anxious. She came to a stop in front of them, taking a deep breath.

"What happened?" James asked before Adeline had a chance to speak.

"Fourth floor. We can wait up there."

James took off for the lift immediately. Sirius looked back at Adeline, "Thank you," he said softly. He grabbed her hand, and they walked over to the lift together.

The fourth floor waiting room was small, with hard seats and a persistently clean smell. There was a pitcher of water, charmed to refill itself, and hot water for tea. Sirius and James had been pacing for the last hour, and the sight was making Adeline more and more frustrated. After Sirius's three hundredth pace around the room, Adeline grabbed his arm and pulled him into the seat next to her. "Merlin, take a seat. You're going to make me nauseous if you keep walking in circles."

"Sorry, love. I'm just so fucking anxious."

"I know. I am too. You think Nadine knows anything by now?"

Sirius checked his watch. "It's been two hours. Might as well check. Oi, James!"

James jumped a bit, startled. They hadn't spoken to him for the better part of the last hour. "What?"

"Go ask Nadine if she knows anything," Sirius instructed. James nodded, and turned on his heel to walk towards the reception desk out in the corridor. "Merlin, he's extra suggestible right now, isn't he?"

Adeline hit Sirius lightly in the chest, but allowed him to pull her closer to him. She rested her head on his chest, and he kissed the top of her head. She pressed a kiss to his chest, sighing as his hand began making circles on her shoulder lightly. "I'm really sorry, love."

Sirius pressed another kiss to the top of her head before answering. "For what, Delle?"

"For everything that happened today – and I know, I know you're going to say its not my fault – but that doesn't mean I don't feel bad that it happened. This sucks, and at least some part of it is my fault. Merlin, this was not at all how I imagined today going." Adeline sighed loudly.

"How did you imagine today going?" Sirius asked, with a small smirk.

"Certainly not spending it in the hospital," Adeline said sardonically.

"Come on," Sirius pressed her, pulling away slightly to look at her properly.

Adeline let her head fall back against the wall, closing her eyes briefly. She hadn't meant to let that slip, and she knew Sirius wasn't going to let it go until she gave him a proper answer.

She resolved herself to being honest. She looked out the door, looking to see if James was on his way back in or not; she saw him standing in a queue, waiting to speak to Nadine, and so she knew she had at least a couple of minutes.

"Well, to be honest, I was going to give you an extra Christmas present tonight, after tea," she began hesitantly.

"Oh?" Sirius raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah. I mean, I was going to wait until everyone went to sleep, and then I was going to tell you…" Sirius looked at Adeline, urging her to continue. She averted her gaze, suddenly shy. "I was going to tell you that I love you, and that I'm ready."

"Ready?" Sirius wagged his eyebrows suggestively. "Really?"

Adeline nodded. "I was going to make it more romantic than this, but I guess the waiting room of St. Mungo's while we wait to find out if Charlus and Dorea are going to be okay is about as good as I can do."

"Baby, you told me that you loved me for the first time while screaming at me, after I found out that you knew my brother was going to be marked as a Death Eater and didn't tell me, so this is about on par for what I've come to expect from you," Sirius said with a laugh, bringing her closer and kissing her temple.

"And you told me you loved me for the first time while piss drunk," Adeline chuckled.

"Did I?" Sirius asked, scrunching his nose. "I mean, the first time I remember telling you I loved you was after you were attacked, so it's not like that's much better."

Adeline laughed, loudly. "Merlin, we have terrible timing, don't we?"

Sirius laughed as well, and kissed her quickly. "Not that I'm not excited at the prospect of shagging you senseless, James is on his way back and I think he might frown upon that."

"Not like we didn't catch him and Lily in the act…" Adeline mumbled under her breath.

Sirius laughed, but sobered up quickly as James came back into the room. He smiled at them, weakly, and nodded. "They're okay. Mum's awake, Dad's still sleeping, but they said he's going to be just fine. We can go in and see Mum, if you'd like."

Sirius and Adeline stood, nodding enthusiastically. James led them out of the room, to where Nadine was waiting to lead them to Dorea's room. The room was just down the hallway. Sirius pushed the door open, sticking his head in. "Mum?"

"Hello, darling," Dorea's voice came drifting through the doorway. Sirius opened the door fully, and walked inside, followed by James and Adeline. Dorea was sitting up in the bed, her face white as a sheet. Her arm was splinted and she had several bandages wrapped around her shoulder. By the way she adjusted herself, Adeline could tell that her ribs were hurting her – bruised, at least. She smiled at them, hiding the pain extremely well.

"Hi Mum," James said softly. He approached her hesitantly, taking her hand in his. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, like I was just hexed in the face by a psychotic Death Eater, but you know, all in a day's work," Dorea said, straight faced.

Sirius walked around the bed to her other side. "I heard that you gave as good as you got, Mum."

"Sure did, honey. Delle, sweetheart, what are you doing all the way over there? Come over here, let me take a look at you." Adeline listened, and walked over to the foot of the bed, smiling softly.

"Hi, Dorea," Adeline said. "I'm glad you're feeling okay. And I'm so sor –"

"If you apologize to me, Adeline Yarbury, I will get out of this hospital bed and kick your arse," Dorea threatened. She said it with such heat, that Adeline immediately closed her mouth. She nodded, properly chastised, and came over to Sirius's side. She apologized in a defeated voice.

"And you," Dorea turned her attention to Sirius. "Why didn't you tell her not to apologize?"

"I did!" Sirius protested. "It's not my fault the girl is a psychotic bint who thinks everything is her fault."

"Oi, don't call her a bint," James said halfheartedly, his eyes never leaving his mother's face.

"Oh, she knows I don't mean it," Sirius said affectionately. Adeline merely rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop herself from chuckling. Dorea and James joined in a moment later.

The atmosphere abruptly changed, becoming heavy with tension as the chuckles died out. "How's your father?" Dorea asked, quietly.

James and Sirius looked at each other. James sighed, and was the one to speak. "He's still sleeping, Mum. But the healers are confident he'll be fine."

Dorea nodded, and took a deep breath. "Good. That's wonderful."

To everyone's horror, Dorea's eyes began to water. James and Sirius looked as if they'd never seen a woman cry before – and they certainly had never seen their mother cry. They both froze, looking at each other with immense horror. Adeline jumped into action, grabbing a tissue and a glass of water, and making her way to Dorea's side.

"Here you go, Dorea. Oh, come now, no need to cry," Adeline said soothingly, handing over the tissue. Dorea took the tissue and dabbed her eyes, smiling at Adeline gratefully.

"I'm just so grateful to be surrounded by my family. My two beautiful sons, and you Delle, sweetheart. I was so worried –" her voice caught, but she continued. "I was so worried I'd never get to see you again. That I'd never get to see Charlus again. And I couldn't bear the thought of never getting to hug my family again."

"We're right here, Mum," James said. "We're not going anywhere."

Dorea nodded, wiping away the rest of her tears. She nodded again, resolutely, and cleared her throat. When she spoke again, it was in a much stronger voice. "Right, well, now that I've gotten that out of the way, it's time to get down to the important stuff. James, close the door, dear. We've got much to talk about."