So... here we go again xD This time it's a 'little' longer xD but I was so giddy for you to get to read this chapter :3

So here you have xD

Please let me know what you thought about it afterwards :)

Love

Hatysa Black

On May 1st Hedwig arrives with a parcel alongside Gem's letter. He opens the parcel first because it's his birthday and he wants to know if this is a birthday present and if so what she has gotten for him.

He isn't sure what to make of the golden cufflinks with a tiny flower embossed on their face. He thinks back, tries to remember why she would gift him cufflinks of all things but comes up blank. He's never worn formal shirts requiring cufflinks in her presence and while he's told her his actual firstname to make it easier for Hedwig to find him she doesn't know his lastname or that he is being groomed to take his place in high society amongst Japan's politicians in a few years.

There is no good reason why she'd assume he might want or need cufflinks. Setting the box aside carefully he notices Joe and Cherry staring wide-eyed at the gift but he ignores it in favour of opening the letter. Hopefully she'll explain her reasoning inside.

Adam,

Happy birthday. Or well, Happy belated birthday? I'm not sure if Hedwig will make it to you in time considering the distance and timezones and everything.

Anyway, I'm sure you've noticed the gift I sent with the letter, maybe even opened it already.

If so you surely are wondering why I'd send you something like that. Well, to be blunt, the

cufflinks aren't actually your birthday present. Or maybe they could be seen as one but that

kinda depends on you.

Ugh, I'm not making much sense right now, am I? Sorry about that. I'm just... nervous you

could say.

I'm not sure how much you know about the customs and traditions of european nobility. I

myself only recently started reading up on these customs courtesy of my godfather's

insistence but I should probably start this explanation by telling you that when I come off-

age at seventeen I'll take up the mantle of Lady Potter.

I know it sounds rediculous, me being some noble Lady. I'd probably scandalize the majority

of Britain's Lords into a more or less early grave with my lack of noble upbringing or simply

by being myself. Can you imagine that?

Regardless, what I wanted to explain is that as currently Heiress to a noble family I am

subject to certain traditions that need to be upheld. One of these traditions are courting

traditions. As in a much more serious kind of dating.

Traditionally it's the man who initiates the courting with a gift and it's up to the woman to

accept the courting with a gift of her own or refuse by returning the initial courting gift.

Seeing that I'm the one who is subject to these traditions I asked my godfather if it would be

okay for me to break with tradition and initiate the courting myself. Naturally he was rather

curious who I wanted to court and is probably on his way to meet you to make sure you're

good enough for me or something like that. Not that it's any of his business.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand. An initial courting gift is supposed to be precious not

only in monetary worth but also in its sentimental value to the gifter. I have no idea about

their monetary worth but I think you know by now that I don't put much stock into money

anyway. Their sentimental value on the other hand...

These cufflinks were my mother's answer to my father's initial courting gift and are one of the very few items that wasn't lost after my parents murder. The flowers embossed on them are a type of lily, which was my mom's name, known as Gloriosa. They symbolize passion, magnificence, honor and glory, but can also represent purity and beauty. The cufflinks are the only item I have that connects me to both my parents at the same time so I hope if you decide to accept my courtship proposal that you'll hold them dear, wear them and treat them well.

If you don't accept my proposal and want us to remain as friends I would ask that you return

them to me by the time we meet in July at the latest.

Regardless of what your decision will be I look forward to seeing you in July and that surprise you promised me. I miss you and hope that you're in good health and doing well in everything you set your mind to do.

In adoration,

your Gem, Heiress Tulipa Gemma Potter

P.S.: Seeing that Sirius will likely come to meet you to give you the shovel talk I decided to have him deliver my actual birthday present for you. I hope you'll like it.

Speechlessly Adam stares at the letter in his hand wondering if this is some kind of dream. If anybody but Gem had sent this letter and gift he would've suspected a joke or foul play of some kind but this letter is written in Gem's hand. And he knows Gem might have a temper and a little bit of a vicious streak if someone raises her ire, her stories staring her and a boy named Malfoy are proof of that, but she isn't cruel like that.

So the only other explanation than this actually being real because it's a little bit too surreal for it to be would be a dream. A weird dream admittedly - why would his mind add Joe and Cherry as witnesses to a private moment like this - but still a very nice dream. He feels the silly smile stretch his lips when he folds the letter back together and picks the cufflinks up again.

They are a work of art, really. Not to heavy or ostentatious, the flowers are impossibly detailed, looking truly delicate and he isn't sure what he did to deserve a wonderful girlfriend like his Gem. And now he can legitly call her his girlfriend because she propsed they court and he has every intention to accept her proposal.

A sob slips past his lips and he clenches his eyes shut to keep the tears at bay. Whatever is going on he has no idea where it is coming from.

'Adam?!', Joe's and Cherry's worried exclamations of his name startle a bitter laugh out of him and he hunchs over and presses the heels of his hands to his eyes.

'Fuck... I don't want to wake up.', he almost chokes on the words but they are the truth. They are the gist of whatever is going on right now. He doesn't want to wake up because he's happy in this little dream and he's scared to find out just how much of it all is actually a dream and how little of it happened for real. He doesn't think he could bear waking up and finding out that Gem is nothing more than a figment of his imagination.

'What do you mean, Adam?', Cherry asks and he can hear the concern in his friend's voice but he can't answer because what if Joe and Cherry are only figments of his imagination too and he's essentially talking to himself right now? Wouldn't that mean he's gone crazy?

'Lucky you this is not a dream then, kid.', a rough voice with a heavy british accent says from somewhere behind him and the following hard slap to his back jolts him so badly that he almost slips from the bench he's sitting on.

'I get why you'd feel like you're dreaming, kid. I certainly felt like that when her dad first put her into my arms and introduced her to me when she wasn't even a day old. But if you mess this up and hurt her because you can't tell that she's real, probably the best thing that'll ever happen to you and deserves to be treated as such I'll hunt your stupid ass to the end of the world and teach you just why the term Black Madness is an actual thing.', the british voice says and Adam looks up at the man that comes with the voice.

He is fairly tall with shoulder length black wavy hair, a small neat goatee and grey eyes that Adam can't read. His skin is a not entirely healthy pale shade and he looks a bit haggard but he is dressed well in fine pants, a dressshirt and a waistcoat and doesn't look much like the prison escapee he supposedly is. Because considering his words just now there isn't much chance of him being anybody but Gem's godfather.

Off to the side Joe and Cherry stand wearily watching the scene and Adam can see that Joe has his phone out ready to call anybody, most likely the police, should whatever is going on right now escalate. He gives a minute headshake to let them know not to act before he returns his attention to the man in front of him.

'Mr. Black.', he acknowledges after a moment to collect himself.

'Oh good, you know who I am. Probably heard it from the news, didn't you?', the man says with a sharp grin that would look more threatening if Gem hadn't told him that her godfather was actually innocent and never really grew out of his prankster ways.

'What? That you are a crazy, massmurdering prison escapee?', he asks visibly unimpressed and ignores the alarmed noises his friends make. Hadn't he told them about Gem's godfather? Oops?

'You don't seem all that worried.', Black observes with narrowed eyes that Adam thinks he sees a small playful glint in.

'Why would I? Gem said you're innocent.', he deadpans and from one second to the next the supposedly threatening mask vanishs and the man pouts, of all things to do.

'Damn that girl. Always spoiling my fun.', he mutters and Adam snorts.

'You call trying to scare the crap out of teenagers by claiming to be a massmurdering psychopath fun?', he asks flatly and the man grins back at him.

'Teenagers? Not really, no. Potential god-sons-in-law? Definitely yes.', Black answers cheerfully and off to the side Cherry makes a startled choking noise while Joe bursts out laughing.

'And how do you know I'm going to accept?', Adam asks just out of curiosity.

'I don't but you'd be a fool not to.', Black says simply and the careless shrug he adds reminds him of every time Gem gave him an answer only to shrug as if to say 'Not my problem.'. He can see where she might've picked the gesture up from.

'Anyway, I didn't come here to play twenty questions with you, kid. As my prongslet's godfather it's my duty to make sure she isn't making a big mistake with this. So try to convince me why I should let my prongslet court you.', Black suddenly says with a clearly mock serious mask on his face and mirth dancing in his eyes.

'What makes you think she'd let you interfer?', Adam shoots back because he highly doubts she'd let anybody interfer. She is more likely to agree to whatever is being said with her fingers crossed behind her back only to go right back to doing what she wants the moment people aren't looking. Black barks out a laugh at his answer.

'You're right, she wouldn't. I see you know her at least a bit. Now, one big important question: Do you love her?', Black continues his interrogation and from the corner of his eyes he can see Joe and Cherry stiffen because they've seen him react to a more or less similar sentence before and are probably expecting his answer and it's consequences.

'No.'

The word slips past his lips before Adam has the chance to think of the potential repercussions this particular answer might have. Black gives him a searching look and for a long moment nobody says a word. Then:

'Good.'

'What?', Adam asks startled because that is not what he would've expected Black's reaction to be like. A single thoughtful 'Good.'.

'Don't get me wrong, my prongslet deserves all the love she can get. But love has a tendency to make us do stupid things, to make us ignore the flaws of our loved ones and make up excuses for them. And I don't think that's what she needs. She needs someone who can see her for who she really is. Who can see her bullshit and call her out on it. Someone she can trust not to abbandon her the moment things get rough. And she needs someone who'll support her and help her carry her burdens. And let me tell you she has far to many of those. Think you can be that someone?', Black says a bitter note to his voice that tells Adam that he expects to be disappointed.

'I can certainly try.', Adam says diplomatically and hopes for the best. It's not a clear 'Yes' - how could it be when he probably doesn't even know all the burdens Black just mentioned - but it's not a 'No' either. Because saying 'No' would mean that he isn't even willing to try and that is not an option.

Black gives him another searching look before he nods his approval.

'Don't you think a marriage would fail without love?', Adam asks after a moment of silence because the thought of that has been scaring him for a while now. The idea that his inability to tell Gem he loves her would get in the way of whatever their relationship might turn out to be in the future.

'What makes you think that she doesn't love you? She might not phrase it like that but that doesn't mean she cares any less for you or you for her for that matter. Every couple has their little oddities. Some couples use pet names, others have little gestures to communicate with each other. I remember Lily, my prongslet's mother, absolutely refused to react to the petnames James tried to give her and she only ever used them herself when she was majorly pissed at James. We all knew if she called him things like 'Darling' or 'Honey' that James was in real deep shit. But they also had this thing where when one of them was stressing about something the other would go, get a glass of water and just splash it in their face. They would laugh afterwards and everything would be just fine.', Black reminisces with a small wistful smile and laugh before he continues.

'It made for truly hilarious situations especially when Lily did that because James was babbling when he was trying to propose to her. And after this little thing had first been established there was not a single exam Lily showed up to with a dry face. But if anybody else tried that? Oh, there was hell to pay. So, what off it if you two never use the big L-word? As long as you know how you're feeling for each other you'll be fine. Besides, Love might be a nice bonus to any marriage but it's not actually a prerequisite, you know? A good marriage should be based on trust, honesty and communication. Anything else can grow from that.', Black tells him with a soft expression and a far away look in his eyes as if he's remembering better times. Adam doesn't say anything to that just letting the words sink in and appreciating how much they ease that fear inside him.

'Did you tell Gem that story about her parents as well?', Adam asks after a while because if Black didn't he doesn't think it would be a good idea to tell Gem about it. She should hear stories like that from her godfather, not second hand from him.

'No.', the single word is full of regret and sadness.

'You should. She'd like to hear stories like that.', Adam continues simply not an ounce of judgement in his voice. He doesn't think Black needs it.

'Yeah, I know.', Black agrees before he sighs.

'Anyway, kid, I approve. Don't make me regret that decision. And remember, if you hurt my prongslet I'll end you.', he says with a small smile and a pat on the shoulder. He turns to leave when he stops for a moment. Then he jogs towards an old motor bike that Adam hasn't noticed before and when he comes back he is carrying a box wrapped in bright red and gold wrapping paper that he hands to Adam.

'Happy Birthday, kid. And when you accept remember to gift her something in return.', Black says back already turned to the teenagers and then he gets on his bike, the engine roars and the man is gone.

'That was so weird.', Joe speaks up the moment Black's bike is out of sight and Cherry nods his silent agreement.

'Anyway, does this mean what I think it does? Are you and Gem dating now?', he continues with an excited grin on his face. Adam has no idea why Joe would be so excited about that. It's got nothing to do with him.

'We'll be courting as soon as I send her an appropriate gift in return.', Adam corrects and Joe's grin widens a fraction.

'Aw man, congrats.', he tells him with a slap to his back before he takes off on his board and does a few celebratory stunts. Adam shakes his head in fond amusement at his friend's antics.

'Don't keep her waiting to long. That would be rude.', Cherry advises him before he congratulates Adam as well and joins Joe. With a small smile Adam takes a moment to unpack Gem's birthday gift. It's a beautiful white halfmask with a red section above the left eye, a small red heart underneath it and golden detailing framing the red parts and the left outer edge of the mask. Underneath the mask lies a little notecard.

For if you ever want to be someone else.

A single sentence with which she has just returned a little of his freedom to him even if he is reluctant to use the mask what with how delicate and precious it looks. But maybe another full-face mask will do just fine as well. When there are other people than Joe and Cherry around that is.

Carefully he puts mask and card back into the box, closes the lid and then he's on his board joining Joe and Cherry in testing out new tricks and competing who can jump higher and pull the tricks off better.

When he comes back home that night he stashs the mask away in the safe together with Gem's latest letter and adds the cufflinks to the compartment solely dedicated to cufflinks in his wardrobe. Then he turns to the compartment dedicated to his watches. The compartment has a little secret spot at the back that he blindly reaches into and when he draws his hand back there is a small medallion dangling from his fingers. The chain and madallion are made of gold with an oval cut ruby on its lid and behind the lid there is space for two small pictures.

One of these spaces is still empty but the other one holds a picture of his mother holding him when he was just a baby before she fell sick and died when he was three. It's not the only picture he has of her. There are a few more displayed in the more private areas of the mansion that guests don't get to see. But it's the only one untainted by his father's or his aunt's presence who always seem to throw a shadow over any picture they are staring in.

He thinks it's a fiting gift to accept Gem's courting proposal.