I am so so so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I feel so terrible. But I've finally finished my exams so I'm free to work on the story. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.

To answer the question: John is Percival's ex boyfriend, I don't want to give too much away about him but that's who he is. Percival is bisexual, at least I view him to be.

Disclaimer: Well in the months that I haven't updated J.K. hasn't given me the rights to Percival Graves or the HP universe. So I still don't own it.

Chapter 18:

Adriana was curled up on the sofa, deep in thought. The end of May was coming, and that meant it was nearly Percival's birthday. She had no idea what to get him. Should she get him something expensive? Personal? Useful? She didn't know.

"Percival?" She called. He appeared in the kitchen doorway, wearing an apron. Adriana smiled, Percival did seem to enjoy cooking as much as gardening. "I'm going out for a while."

"Alright, where are you going?" He asked, ever cautious of people coming and going. "How long will you be?"

"I'm just going shopping." Adriana said, pulling on a coat. "I'll be back in a couple of hours." He kissed her hand. It was their thing now, their way of saying 'I'll see you soon'. She left the house, disapparated, collected some money from Gringotts and had some of it converted to Muggle money. She went to Florish and Blotts, Percival liked to read, she knew that for sure. She often found him in the garden, relaxed and reading. It made her smile fondly. Then she ventured into Muggle London. She passed the gardening stores, she wouldn't know what to buy, and knowing Percival he'd put it in the garden anyway; just to make her feel better. She passed at least a dozen Muggle stores until she found what she was looking for. A smile formed on her face. Perfect.

When Percival's birthday finally arrived, Adriana sent him out on a technically pointless errand to buy more cinnamon. She started getting things ready. Percival wasn't eight, he didn't need fancy decorations or brightly coloured banners. Adriana however, did need to cook for five. Cooking was not her forte. True, she had never poisoned anyone but still, fancy dinners were difficult. There was a knock at the door. Adriana cursed and hurried to open it. Maya was there, a brilliant smile on her face.

"You're early." Adriana said bluntly.

"I knew you'd be struggling with the cooking." Maya said with a shrug. Adriana grinned at her best friend as they got to cooking. Maya was much better at it than she was and soon the dining table was groaning under piping hot food. There was another knock and Adriana found an awkwardly shuffling Newt Scamander on her doorstep. He had his case with him.

"Hello Adriana." He greeted.

"Hello Newt." Adriana said. "Come in."

"Where's Percival?" Newt asked as he put his coat on the hanger.

"Out buying cinnamon." Adriana said with a shrug. Maya snorted from the living room. She'd found some champagne and the glasses.

"I see." Newt said, still looking awkward. Adriana wanted to tell him to sit down and take a breath. "Is anyone else coming?"

"Dumbledore." Adriana said promptly. She didn't know what had possessed her to ask him other than the fact that he knew Percival. It was a shame she couldn't invite any Americans, not that she knew if any would come. There was another knock at the door and Adriana opened it to see Dumbledore in his favourite plum coloured suit.

"Professor Dumbledore." Adriana greeted with a raised eyebrow. "Um, nice suit." He smiled warmly at her and stepped inside. Maya couldn't contain her laughter and had to duck into the kitchen to cackle madly. Newt jumped forward.

"It's good to see you Professor." He said.

"Ah Newt, how is that manuscript coming?" Dumbledore asked. Newt flushed.

"They think it should be ready to publish in a month or so." He mumbled quietly.

"Wonderful, I must remember to pick up a copy." Dumbledore said.

"Adriana, how long is Percival going to be?" Maya asked, waving the bottle of champagne. Adriana looked at the clock.

"Shouldn't be too long." She said. "Yes, you can open the bottle." Maya grinned and there was a loud pop. A few minutes later the door was opening.

"Adriana? Why did you make me go all the way to-?" Percival stopped when he saw everyone in the living room.

"Happy birthday!" They said. He seemed to be at a loss for words. His eyes found Adriana's.

"You didn't have to." He said softly.

"No, but I wanted to." She said. They had a birthday lunch. It was happy; Newt's bowtruckle, Pickett, kept wandering through the dishes. There was merry laughter. At one-point Percival laughed so hard he snorted into his meal. He flushed and grinned a little when he saw Adriana howling with laughter. They took turns telling stories, embarrassing each other. Maybe telling a few stories that shouldn't have been said in front of a former teacher. Then Adriana brought out the cake, or rather the crumble. Instead of a traditional cake, she'd made apple crumble, with cinnamon of course. Percival smiled at her and thanked her repeatedly. Then it was time for presents. Adriana had never seen someone protest to gifts so much. In fairness, Maya had gone slightly mad and bought at least six scarves of different colours. Dumbledore gave him a bottle of fine wine, a cookbook (which made Percival chuckle), and some books that were from America. Newt gave him a pot which contained a newly sprouting tree and two books on magical and non-magical gardening. Adriana gave him books and the new suit she'd been eyeing in the Muggle store.

"Thank you." Percival said to each and every one of them. The others began to leave. Dumbledore shook Percival's hand. Newt and Percival exchanged nods and Maya gave everyone a hug. Percival and Adriana collapsed on the sofa. "Thank you." He said again. Adriana smiled and came back with two more presents.

"For you." She said. This first was a new overcoat. "I noticed you didn't like your old one." It was black but the inside was a deep blue. It felt soft and warm. The other gift was a handsome, leather bound photo album. He opened it. The first, and only, photo was of them. Right after their first dance.

"Maya?" Percival asked, knowing the mischievous woman had something to do with it.

"Maya." Adriana agreed. "I thought it could be your happy album. Put all the good memories in there, and then if you're feeling down you can look through it." Percival didn't say anything and Adriana worried that she'd overstepped some invisible boundary.

"Thank you." He repeated softly, pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you for everything."