I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter Five
The muggleborns returned to class a day later, along with Adeline and Regulus. No one suspected that Adeline had been the one to brew the antidote, as everyone believed she had still been in the hospital wing. The teachers made sure to keep an eye out on the Slytherins after that, knowing it had been one of them due to Adeline's information.
Evan and Barty had been involved in the potions as it turned out. They had helped to move the entire thing along quicker after Adeline and Regulus had ended up in the hospital wing, angry that their friends had been hurt and unaware of who could have done it. Adeline had distanced herself from them a bit at that point, something Regulus was rather confused about.
James sent Adeline flowers as apology and she'd thrown them in the air and burnt them, the Great Hall watching her theatrics in confusion. James just looked put out from beside Peter, Remus and Sirius sitting aways down the table from them and smirking at Adeline's reaction. Eventually, James began sending her books knowing she wouldn't set those on fire.
"Why is James Potter sending you gifts?" Severus asked.
"Because he did something stupid and is trying to make up for it," Adeline sighed, staring at the runes book.
She smirked and sent the school owl over to the Gryffindor table, the owl dropping the book in front of Remus instead. Remus sent her a smirk before opening the book and beginning to read. Potter looked rather put out before standing and leaving the hall, Peter following behind.
Adeline sighed as she left the Great Hall with Reggie, Sirius and Remus catching up to them quickly as they headed to potions.
"How long are you going to ignore him for?" Adeline sighed the question to the two older boys.
"How long until you forgive him?" Sirius smirked.
"Oh, I already forgave him," Adeline shrugged. "I just like to see people sweat."
"You're evil," Reggie smirked and Adeline smiled brightly.
"That's the nicest things you've ever said to me, Reg."
"Miss Shafiq," Dumbledore's voice caught her off guard again and she made an annoyed sound as she jumped.
"Headmaster, we've got to put a bell on you," she said, hand on her chest.
Dumbledore gave an amused smirk before his face turned serious again.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Miss Shafiq, but I'm afraid I need to see you in my office."
"Is everything alright?" Sirius asked from Adeline's side.
"You may accompany her if you like, Mister Black, but I'm afraid the younger Mister Black and Mister Lupin need to head to class," Dumbledore said.
"Go ahead," Adeline nodded to Reggie as Remus and Sirius spoke in hushed voices for a moment.
Reggie and Remy walked away together and Adeline and Sirius turned to the headmaster.
"This way, please," he waved his arm, allowing them to walk ahead of him.
Adeline took Sirius' offered arm, tension radiating throughout her body as they walked towards the headmasters office. Once there, Dumbledore gave the password ("Lemon drop." Sirius snorted and Adeline elbowed him.) and the gargoyle hopped to the side. They rode the stairs to the top before stepping into the office to find Walburga and Orion waiting for them. Adeline gave their serious expressions a confused look before Orion spoke.
"Adeline, darling, will you sit please?" his voice was soft and alarm bells were ringing in Adeline's head.
She sat across from Walburga, Sirius staying by her side, his hand lying heavily on her shoulder in support. Walburga let out a slow breath and reached her hand out to place on Adeline's knee before speaking.
"Adie, there's been an accident," Walburga said, her hand squeezing Adeline's knee softly as Sirius tensed.
"What's happened?" Adeline asked.
"You parents were out shopping today when they were attacked. I'm so sorry, Adie. They're gone," Walburga's voice was gentler than Adeline even imagined it could be.
"What?" she asked in confusion. "No. That can't be right. I received an owl from father just yesterday."
"It happened last night," Orion explained, sitting beside Walburga. "We only just heard a few hours ago."
"You're wrong," Adeline shook her head, thinking of Adrian and how kind he had been, how gentle and caring. "I would know."
"Gringotts sent you a letter this morning," Dumbledore explained, passing the envelope to Orion who passed it to Adeline. "I stopped the post from reaching you through the school wards until I could find you to bring you to Lord and Lady Black."
Adeline tore the envelope open, reading the letter quickly before slowing down to read it again. She stood slowly, the letter shaking in her hands as the goblin in charge of her families vaults explained that everything was in her name now as the sole heir to the Shafiq fortune. She walked to the window, her hand covering her mouth slightly as she stared at the letter. She remembered who was sitting behind her and let out a rough breath before standing straight and forcing away the tears before turning to face them.
"Thank you for coming straight to me with the news," she told Orion and Walburga, her mask in place before she turned to Dumbledore. "Sir, is there a way that my assignments may be sent to me for the week? I must attend to the funerals and take care of a few things at Gringotts."
"That can be arranged, Lady Shafiq," Dumbledore nodded. "You may use my floo as needed, or course."
"Thank you, sir. I need to gather a few of my things from my dorm and then I'll be back," Adeline gave a slight bow of her head before leaving the office, Sirius following her quickly.
"She's a very strong young woman," Dumbledore observed once the door had closed.
"That she is," Walburga nodded, standing with Orion. "Do let her know that I will be at the Black manor if she needs my assistance?"
"Yes, madam," Dumbledore nodded, watching as the Blacks left before sitting in his chair and sighing.
"She'll make a fine Black," Phineas Black spoke up before going back to sleep in his portrait.
"That she will," Dumbledore whispered out, eyes twinkling. "That she will."
"Adie?" Sirius asked as he followed her through the school. "Can you stop for a moment, please?"
"There's no time," Adeline spoke in the voice reserved for his parents. "I have much to do. You should head to class, Sirius. Let the others know what happened so that they can collect my assignments for me."
"Adie," Sirius grabbed Adeline's arm softly and she froze at the touch.
"I can't, Siri," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "I can't. Not yet."
Sirius sighed, releasing her arm with a nod. He walked with her to the dungeons, splitting off with her once they reached the potions room. Once in the safety of her room, Adeline pulled her notebook to Remus out of her pocket and wrote to him quickly, telling him that Miranda and Adrien had been killed before dumping out her school bag and putting her journals and pens into it. She grabbed the sweater she had stolen from Remus the other day and stuffed it in the bag as well.
"Kreacher?" she called and the elf appeared. "Kreacher, can you bring me a pair of my mourning robes, please? Nothing too elegant but appropriate for Gringotts."
Kreacher disappeared and reappeared again, Adeline not even turning to look at him as she continued looking through her bag to make sure had everything she needed.
"Does Lady Shafiq need anything else from Kreacher?" he asked, his voice soft.
"No, Kreacher. Thank you."
He disappeared and Adeline changed her robes, fixed her hair and makeup to something fitting of a lady of a house, grabbed her bag and left the Slytherin assigned area before walking through the dungeons. Just as she reached the hall where potions class was held, the bell rang and Sirius, Remus, James, Peter, Regulus, Evan, Barty, Lily, and Severus piled out of the room, turning towards where Adeline had frozen in the hallway. A few seemed surprised as they stared at her and Adeline sighed, knowing how she looked.
She walked pass them briskly, heading out of the dungeons. Many people turned and stared at her as she walked through the school, a few in complete shock as the purebloods gave her a look of understanding, able to tell based on how she was dressed and how she looked what had happened. She ignored the whispers that followed her, along with the multiple footsteps of her friends as they walked behind her, probably scaring off anyone who got too close to her at the moment. She reached the gargoyle and turned to face the small crowd behind her.
"Are you done following me?" she asked curtly.
"I'm coming with you," Remus spoke up and everyone looked at him in shock.
"If anyone is going with her, it's me," Sirius said.
"You were there with my father over the summer," Remus' voice was soft. "Let me return the favor now."
"It wasn't a favor," she told him.
"The kindness then," Remus sighed.
"I need you to look after my potion," Adeline told him.
"I can do it," James spoke up.
"I think Lily and I would be the better option if it's a potion," Severus stated.
"James and Sirius can watch the potion," Adeline stated. "Lily, can you get his assignments?"
"I can," Lily nodded.
"Go," Adeline said to Remus impatiently. "Get a bag ready. I'll wait here."
Remus took off down the hall, running faster than Adeline thought he could. She sighed before turning to the group again.
"Adie," Barty said sadly. "I'm so sorry about your parents."
"Don't," Adeline shook her head. "I don't need that right now."
"What do you need?" Evan asked.
"Can you take notes for me?" she asked him.
Evan immediately nodded and Adeline thanked him as the bell rang, signaling that they were all late to their next class.
"Go to class," Adeline sighed. "We'll be back next week but I'm sure I'll see most of you at the funeral."
The wizards and witch left then, still giving her sympathetic looks as they did. Adeline waited ten more minutes before Remus joined her, a small bag over his shoulder. She gave the password ("Lemon drops." Snort. "Shut it, Remy.") and they headed up the stairs. Dumbledore was waiting for them, nodding to Remus as he stood beside Adeline.
"I assume you both have everything you need?" he asked and, when they nodded, gave them both a small smile. "Away you go then."
Adeline told Remus where they were going and went through the floo first, tapping the fireplace with her wand so that it would allow Remus through the wards. He stepped through a moment later and she sighed, looking around the dark manor.
"This is the Shafiq manor?" Remus asked curiously.
"Yes," Adeline sighed. "There are more properties on this one, but this is the main house. I prefer the smaller homes honestly. Too much space. Tiffy!"
A house elf appeared, bowing low to Adeline.
"Yes, master?" Tiffy asked, not raising her head.
"None of that, Tiffy," Adeline sighed. "I'm still Adie."
"Yes, Master Adie," Tiffy stood slowly.
Adeline let out a small groan before looking at Remus with wide eyes. He was holding in a laugh and Adeline gave him a soft glare before turning back to the elf.
"Tiffy, can you take a message to Lady Black for me, please?"
"Yes, Master Adie," Tiffy's ears flapped at the request.
"Can you ask her if she can come over tomorrow morning to teach me preparations? I learned a bit over the summer, but I'm sure there is a more proper way amongst our families to do it."
"Yes, miss. Anything else, miss?"
"Do you happen to have our family's Gringotts key or know where it is?" she asked.
"In late Master Adrian's office, miss," Tiffy answered.
"Thank you, Tiffy," Adeline nodded. "That's all for now."
Tiffy disappeared with a pop and Adeline dropped her bag onto the couch before walking through the house, Remus following behind her. They reached the office and Adeline told Remus to stay outside the door as she walked inside. She grabbed the key and walked back out, just in time for Tiffy to reappear.
"Lady Black has agreed to come over at ten tomorrow."
"Thank you, Tiffy. Will you come with us to Gringotts, please? We need an escort," Adeline explained.
"Of course, miss," Tiffy held out a hand to Adeline and Remus.
The apparated into the Leaky and headed to Gringotts, Tiffy becoming invisible as she followed them. Once in Gringotts, Adeline presented her key and asked for her family's account manager, Silverblade. They were led to an office and asked to wait. Adeline's leg bounced a bit and Remus placed his hand on her leg to calm her. She gave him a small smile before Silverblade walked into the office, greeting her.
"Lady Shafiq," Silverblade said as he took his seat behind the desk. "Have you come to discuss your family vaults and rings?"
"I have," Adeline nodded.
"Let's begin."
The Shafiq's had more money than Adeline would ever know what to do with. Silverblade told her the exact amount in each vault and she balked at the sheer amount of galleons. Remus' eyes had gone wide and, upon seeing her panic, had cracked a joke about being sure she wanted to marry Sirius. She had let out a small laugh and rolled her eyes before motioning for Silverblade to continue.
"I have the family rings here for you," he said, pulling out two boxes. "They are yours if they choose to be."
"Choose to be?" Remus asked curiously.
"The rings will have family magic on them," she explained. "If I'm an imposter, the rings can fight back. It's a precaution."
"Imposter in what way?' he asked, eyeing her carefully.
"As in not a Shafiq by blood," Adeline smirked. "Luckily, I am."
Remus watched as she pulled both rings out and set them on her fingers. The two rings glowed for a moment before going back to normal, accepting her. She wore one on each pointer finger. One ring was black with a golden crescent moon and eight golden stars in a circle beside the moon, along with a golden witch's hat above it and Remus recognized it as the Shafig family crest. The other ring was silver with a dark blue pendant with some sort of brown bird that Remus didn't recognize at all. They were led to the vaults next.
Remus let out a low whistle as he looked around.
"We also have a copy of the marriage contract between you and the Black heir," Silverblade stated, handing the scroll to her.
"Thank you," Adeline nodded.
"I'll be outside of the vault."
Adeline unrolled the scroll and began reading, Remus reading over her shoulder. After reading it over, Adeline let out an annoyed groan before rolling it back up.
"So, basically, you have to have a child after three years of marriage or you'll be drained of your magic until you're a squib?" Remus asked.
"Yes," Adeline sighed. "Remind me to push the marriage back as far as I can."
"But it says that Walburga is ultimately in charge of all of that," Remus shook his head.
"I can tell her that I want to finish some schooling before the wedding. She'll probably go for that. Unfortunately, most pureblooded women are seen as breeders and accessories."
"Did you see any loopholes?" Remus asked, grabbing the scroll with an annoyed look on his face.
"We can get a copy of it so we can look into it more," Adeline smiled. "Thank you for being upset for me."
"It just isn't fair that women are seen like that. You're smarter than any bloke I've ever met and people should know it," he grumbled.
Adeline kissed his cheek before looking around the vault.
"It also says that anything in the Shafiq name will be under control of the Black family once you're married," Remus told her.
"I have a plan for that," she told him.
"What's the plan?"
"Tiffy?" Adeline asked and Tiffy appeared. "Tiffy, I need to transfer your ownership."
"Miss does not want Tiffy?"
"I love you, Tiffy, and I plan to keep you until my dying breath. I need to make sure that ownership of you doesn't transfer to someone else in a few years though. Can you help me with that?"
"Of course, miss!" Tiffy cried. "Anything for miss!"
"Thank you, Tiffy," Adeline smiled before heading to the entrance.
"How do I order a new vault?" Adeline asked Silverblade.
"I can get you one easily," Silverblade nodded.
"How do I get it put under someone else's name?" Adeline asked.
"I would simply put it under that alias name," Silverblade nodded.
"And if I were to marry due to a contract that made all belongings in the Shafiq name transfer to the person I married?"
"The items in said vault would be untouchable, even through marriage," Silverblade nodded.
"Thank you, Silverblade," Adeline smiled. "I'll grab a few things and we'll head out."
"Yes, madam," Silverblade nodded.
Adeline and Remus filled a few bags with galleons and Adeline did a bit of mental math to decide how much money she wanted to put into the new vault. She also decided to move all of the books and half of the family jewelry as well before they left the vault. Silverblade led them back to his office where he drafted an agreement for a new vault. Adeline asked that the vault belonged to Hathor Boudreaux with Remus Lupin as the cosigner and beneficiary. Remus gave her a surprised look before signing the paper.
"Is there a way to transfer ownership of my house elf to this name as well?" Adeline asked.
"Of course," Silverblade nodded.
"Tiffy?" Adeline asked and Tiffy was next to her.
"You must present Tiffy with clothes before we continue," Silverblade explained and Adeline nodded.
"Tiffy, what clothes would you like to wear for the rest of our lives?" Adeline asked curiously.
"Tiffy would like to wear colors, miss," Adeline nodded.
"Will you bring me one of my spare robes please?" she asked.
"Yes, miss," Tiffy popped away and reappeared again a few moments later with a black robe.
Adeline pulled out her wand and transfigured the robe into something smaller with a bright swirl of colors. She then handed the robe to Tiffy. Tiffy's eyes watered for a moment before they both turned to Silverblade.
"Tiffy, if you will please read this paper while holding Adeline Shafiq's hand," Silverblade held a piece of parchment and Tiffy nodded.
Adeline held out her hand and Tiffy took it with a smile.
"I, Tiffy, do declare my allegiance to Hathor Boudreaux until the day she dies or upon receiving clothes."
Their joined hands glowed for a moment before the bond snapped into place. Adeline smiled wide and Tiffy's ears flapped in happiness.
"Wonderful," Silverblade nodded. "I will have everything that you asked for transferred to the vault and have more galleons transferred over time. Business alliances will be another issue."
"It's fine," Adeline shook her head. "I plan on making my own name one day."
"If you ever change your mind, ask for assistance and I will see what I can do," Silverblade nodded to her.
They said their goodbyes and headed back to the house. Adeline flopped onto the couch with a sigh and Remus sat beside her.
"What would miss and sir like for dinner?" Tiffy asked.
"Tiffy, would it be alright with you if Remus and I went out for dinner instead? You can have the night off to mourn mother and father."
"Thank you, miss," Tiffy began to sniffle. "Such a kind miss. Tiffy is happy that miss is here."
"Thank you, Tiffy," Adeline smiled.
Tiffy bowed low before disappearing. Adeline sighed before standing.
"What are you in the mood for?" she asked.
"What would you like?" he asked, watching her carefully.
"Soul food," Adeline nodded. "They don't have that in London though."
"We could go to a shop and come back to cook?" he offered.
"Okay," Adeline nodded. "I'll show you to a room and we'll get changed and head out."
Remus followed her up the stairs and showed Remus the room beside hers. She went to her own room and sighed as she looked at the plain room with a wall covered in books. She went to her closet and pulled out muggle jeans and blouse before reaching into her bag and pulling out the jumper that she had stolen from Remus before throwing it on as well. She grabbed the muggle money that she kept at the bottom of her closet and pulled out enough for some groceries before walking out of her room to find Remy dressed in a similar manner as her.
"Is that mine?" he asked with a smirk.
"Nope," Adeline shook her head and walked pass him.
He laughed as he followed her down the stairs and towards the front door. They walked onto the street and walked through the muggle part of town before finding the grocer. Adeline grabbed a buggy once they were inside and pushed it hard before jumping on it and rolling down an aisle. Remus caught the buggy with her still standing on it, trapping her between him and the buggy.
They walked through the produce section, Adeline grabbing what she needed as they walked pass the items and tossing them into the buggy- celery, onion, green onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, a lemon, garlic, bay leaves, parsley and thyme gathering together. Next, they went down the baking aisle for flour and oil before they moved on to the next aisle. Adeline carefully set Worcestershire sauce and shrimp stock into the buggy next before they found the seasonings.
Adeline climbed off the buggy for that as she looked through the seasoning carefully. She passed Remus smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, dried thyme and onion powder to place into the buggy. They then found butter, peeled and deveined shrimp, and white rice.
After checking out, they carried the groceries back to the manor, smiling and joking the entire way. Once back inside, they went into the kitchen and Adeline pulled everything from the bags. She got started, Remus helping to chop and dice whatever she told him to. Soon, everything was boiling together and Adeline sat beside Remy at the island in the kitchen.
"I know they weren't your birth parents, but you're taking this better than expected," Remus told her.
"Well, I'm sad that Adrian is gone," Adeline admitted.
"And Miranda?" he asked.
"Miranda use to pretend I didn't exist and, when she did, it was to tell me how much of a disappointment I was."
"How were you a disappointment?" he asked, confused.
"I parted my hair to the left instead of the right? No clue, Remy," Adeline sighed. "Adrian was nice to me and made sure to actually check on me, but he was more caught up in business to really do much."
Remus just nodded, looking a bit sad for her. Adeline stood and made them each a bowl of etouffee. They ate in silence before Adeline waved her wand and set the dishes to wash themselves. She and Remus went to Adrian's office and Adeline stepped inside, grabbing a few folders from inside before leading Remus to the library. They sat in armchairs by the fireplace, Remus getting a fire started to keep them warm as Adeline passed him a folder.
Remus understood why she had grabbed what she had in that moment, noting that the folder had information about the true Adeline. He saw the folder in her hand had her true identity in it and she sighed before tossing the folder into the fire. Remus held up his folder and, upon getting a nod, threw his folder into the fire as well. They continued burning evidence of what Miranda and Adrian had done and covered up, discovering that Adrian had kept a news article about the orphanage burning to the ground with everyone inside. Once they were done, they headed to bed, Remus giving Adeline a tight smile and a kiss on the top of her head before they went their separate ways.
The next morning, Tiffy fixed them breakfast and tea. Adeline had Tiffy sit at the table with them as they ate, eating her own breakfast with them. Adeline spoke to her as they all ate.
"Tiffy, you are not to tell anyone other than Remus and I any of the Shafiq family secrets. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, miss," Tiffy nodded.
"You can only tell us information if we tell you a keyword. Do you understand?"
"Yes, miss."
"The keyword is pig. Do you understand?"
"Yes, miss."
"If one of us guesses the word incorrectly, you find me. If you believe I'm standing in front of you, use your magic to find me. If one of us is in danger, you find the other one of us immediately. If I ever ask you what the keyword is, use your magic to find me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, miss. I will protect the miss and sir. I will protect the Shafiq secrets."
"Thank you, Tiffy. Lady Black will be here for tea later and to help me with funeral preparations. I will have to make your robes black during that time, but I promise to turn them back as soon as she is gone. Would that be alright?"
"Yes, miss," Tiffy nodded as they finished eating.
"Thank you for everything, Tiffy. Is there anything of mother and father's that you wish to have?"
"No, miss. That stuff belongs to you, miss."
"I didn't ask who it belonged to. I asked if you wanted anything."
"May Tiffy have late-masters watch?" Tiffy asked and Adeline knew what watch she meant.
"Yes, Tiffy," Adeline nodded.
"Tiffy will punish herself for answering incorrectly before," Tiffy said, ears drooping.
"You will do no such thing," Adeline told her. "You will not punish yourself ever again. Do you understand?"
"Yes, miss."
"Let's get everything ready for Lady Black," Adeline sighed, standing.
Tiffy nodded and snapped her fingers. Dusters began flying through the house as their dishes flew to the kitchen. Remus and Adeline moved through the house, straightening any furniture they found out of place before deciding on having tea in the sunroom. They both got changed, Remus not having anything to wear for the occasion. Adeline smirked before waving her wand and bringing a pair of mourning robes from Adrian's closet. Remus changed and Adeline transfigured the clothes so that they fit him before they waited in the drawing room for Walburga.
At exactly ten, Walburga stepped through the floo. She gave Adeline a soft smile before noticing Remus and giving him a strange look.
"Remus asked to return the kindness that I gave him over the summer when his father passed," Adeline explained.
"How kind," Walburga's smile didn't reach her eyes as she hugged Adeline. "I do hope you've been chaperoned this entire time?"
"Tiffy has been here," Adeline nodded. "How does tea in the sunroom sound?"
"Lovely," Walburga smiled, following Adeline through the manor.
Once in the sunroom, the three sat down, Walburga and Adeline on a couch while Remus sat in a chair by them. Tiffy appeared in her dark robes and set the tea and sandwich tray on the table and popped away. Adeline fixed everyone's tea, passing out the cups before making her own. They ate a few small sandwiches before Walburga began her crash course on funeral arrangements that Adeline hadn't been privy to with Remus' father.
Adeline needed to pick a place in the family cemetery to burn them and bury the ashes. She needed to write an announcement to the prophet and send out funeral invitations. Then she needed to prepare the manor for guest, providing food and drinks for everyone. She also had to find people to speak on her parents behalf and write a speech herself.
"I'm sure you'll be able to give a speech without any faults," Walburga said offhandedly with a wave of her hand. "You are much more poised than any of my nieces were during their mother's funeral."
"Thank you, madam," Adeline nodded, having to refrain from defending Sissy, Andy, and Bella.
"Do you wish to go over any contracts or business transactions that your parents held at this time?" Walburga questioned and Adeline knew that Walburga meant the marriage contract.
"No," Adeline shook her head. "I went to Gringotts yesterday and received my rings. I also received a copy of the marriage contract and everything seems to be in order. I do request that you allow me to complete a mentorship before marriage. I feel like I'll be able to concentrate on children better if I have that done first."
"We can discuss the possibility," Walburga nodded. "We'll discuss it summer after this one when you know where you wish to do your mentorship."
"Thank you, Lady Black," Adeline nodded.
"Of course, Lady Shafiq," Walburga said and Remus caught the slight smirk on her face that told him that Walburga had no plans of keeping her word.
Adeline caught it as well and decided if all else failed she could go to Orion and ask for his assistance. Walburga agreed to help Adeline with the invitations, which took the next hour to complete with the help of magic, and with the Prophet announcement, which only took a few minutes. Adeline and Remus escorted Walburga back to the floo once they were done. Walburga pulled Adeline into a hug before kissing both of her cheeks and leaving the manor. Adeline closed the floo for the night and turned.
"Tiffy?"
"Yes, miss?"
"Will you go to the ministry and deliver the announcement and use their owls to deliver the invitations, please? Return as soon as you're done."
"Yes, miss," Tiffy nodded before disappearing.
Adeline grabbed a notebook and pen and began writing a list of foods and drinks to be prepared for the funeral. She then placed black lace over each mirror in the house in mourning before sitting and trying to write a speech. She gave up after only a few seconds.
"I have nothing to say about them," she huffed.
"What would you say to your real parents?" Remus asked, sitting beside her.
"I don't know," she sighed, feeling annoyed with herself. "I guess I would tell them that I miss reading with them."
"Pretend you're writing the speech for them. Get it all on paper and then we'll go through it and edit it so that it seems as if you're speaking about Miranda and Adrian," Remus suggested and Adeline nodded, getting to work after a few moments of deep thought.
Tiffy returned and Adeline passed the food and drink list over. Tiffy popped away again to get everything that was needed. When she finished the speech, Remus read over it, taking her pen and scratching a few things out and writing suggestions on the edge of the page. She fixed anything that seemed too muggle or too emotional before rewriting the speech on parchment and burning the original, destroying any evidence that she had created.
Tiffy brought Adeline a book regarding funerals so that she could cross check everything that was needed. She needed to write the ministry to request someone to lead the funeral, which Remus began for her so that she could begin moving around the house and moving items of furniture and telling Tiffy what to get rid of in order to prepare the house for guest. Tiffy took the letter to the ministry once it was complete, requesting an official for Saturday afternoon as Walburga and Adeline had planned.
Next, the two headed outside to search the cemetery on the property for a place where the last true Shafiq's could rest. Adeline found a spot by a willow tree, remembering the stories that Adrian told her about willow trees and their connections to death, and cleared the area with her wand. She used the spells that Miranda had taught her for cleansing an area as well, wanting the area to be completely sacred before she marked the spot.
The two took the floo to Diagon after that. They found the shop that delivered funeral stones fairly quickly and Remus followed Adeline as she slowly looked through a catalogue, looking for the black stone that was associated with the Shafiq family. Once she found it, she ordered stone large enough for two adults and hired a few workers to dig the hole in the ground and set the stone up for her.
They headed to St Mungo's next, being led to the morgue section of the hospital. She shivered a bit, wrapping her arms around her torso for warmth and Remus put his arm around her in support and to share his abnormally warm body heat. Adeline thought of all the jokes she could make about that if it weren't for present company. She made a note in her head to do it later.
"This way," a healer instructed, her voice soft with the young children.
They followed her into an even colder room. She pulled two rollout beds from what looked like a cabinet and folded down to sheets with her wand, showing Miranda and Adrian. Adeline covered her mouth, feeling as if she would be sick. She nodded to the healer in confirmation and the healer put the blanket back over them and pushed the beds back into place, hiding them away.
Miranda hated the cold and Adrian wasn't a fan of being alone in the dark. Adeline wondered if there was a way to store them together before they were being led back to the warmer section of the infirmary. Adeline filled out paperwork for the bodies to be delivered for the funeral before she and Remus headed back to the house. Once there, Adeline ran to the lavatory and emptied her stomach, Remus holding her hair back for her in the process.
The next morning, Adeline groaned in frustration as she and Remus were shown on the front page of the Prophet. Remus saw it and let out a soft sigh as Adeline opened the floo, knowing Walburga would want to do damage control of some sort. She sighed as she sat back down, sipping her tea and pushing her breakfast away. She heard the floo light up and knew who it was already. Walburga sat in a chair heavily, critical eyes on Adeline.
"Does miss not like her breakfast?" Tiffy asked.
"I'm sorry. My stomach is just upset," Adeline said softly. "I'm sure it's delicious."
Tiffy made a plate appear in front of Walburga, along with a cup of tea before disappearing. They all sat quietly, Adeline zoning out a bit as Remus explained that they had gone to see the late Lady and Lord Shafiq last night. He left out that Adeline had gotten sick at the sight, knowing Walburga would be unimpressed.
"Adie?" Walburga's voice was soft now.
"Pardon?" Adeline asked, turning to Walburga. "I'm sorry, madam."
"It's alright child. Are you present again?"
"Yes, madam. Should I collect Sirius and have him escort me through my tasks today?"
"I feel that would be best. Remus can of course be seen with the two of you."
"Yes, madam," Adeline nodded and stood.
She flooed to Dumbledore's office, giving him a nod before leaving the office. She walked to the Great Hall, eyes turning to stare at her as she glided to the Gryffindor table, head high and shoulders back in her mourning clothes. Sirius stood before she got to him, meeting her halfway and already having seen the paper. As expected, he offered his arm and they headed to Dumbledore's office, flooing away and finding Walburga waiting for them.
"Head to the manor to get appropriate clothing," Walburga told him.
"Yes, mother," Sirius disappeared again.
"What all have you prepared?" she asked.
"I requested an official from the ministry, found a place in the cemetery, ordered the funeral stones and paid for workers to come out and set it up, and I filed the paperwork for the bodies to be delivered the day of."
"Good girl," Walburga nodded. "What are you doing today?"
"Tiffy did the shopping last night," Adeline told her. "I plan to go over everything she purchased to make sure it is correct and then I'll make a trip to the florist."
"Remus is going over the purchase already," Walburga told her. "I understand if you wish to double check though. Women tend to see things that men don't."
"Yes, madam," Adeline nodded, walking towards the kitchen even though she trusted Remus completely.
After checking over the order, Sirius appeared in the doorway.
"I'm told we're to go to the florist?" he asked.
"Yes," Adeline nodded. "Is Lady Black still here?"
"Yes, madam," Sirius smirked and Adeline glared before passing him.
Adeline froze in the drawing room.
"Lady Potter?" Adeline asked.
"Sirius called for me," Mia explained. "I figured you might need an extra hand. You were so helpful with John's funeral that I thought I could return the favor."
"Thank you for your offer, but I have it handled," Walburga spoke clearly and Adeline knew that Sirius was in trouble. "Adeline has been my charge every summer for the past few years and I know what her parents wanted. Thank you for your offer though. We do hope you received your invitation."
"We did," Mia nodded to Walburga before looking to Adeline.
The young women in front of her was almost unrecognizable to the child she had met just a few months ago. The child had been helpful and smiling as she tried to cheer the boys up. Her muggle clothes had been comfortable and made her seem her age. The black robes she wore now with her hair and makeup done made her seem older, her cheek bones high and no emotions showing on her face, very different from the expressive girl she had come to know.
"Thank you for coming, Lady Potter. I appreciate the kind gesture and the house of Shafiq thanks you," Adeline dismissed her, hoping that the sooner the kind woman was out of the house, the better it would be for Sirius.
"Of course, Lady Shafiq," Mia bowed her head slightly before turning and leaving through the floo.
Walburga let out an annoyed breath as Sirius and Remus returned to the drawing room.
"The groceries are sorted," Adeline announced, distracting Walburga. "Is there anything else you suggest that we take care of today?"
"Funeral robes," Walburga told her. "I already told Lady Catherine to expect you."
"Thank you, Lady Black," Adeline bowed her head, taking the arm of Sirius and motioning for Remus to follow them through the floo.
Once the three of them were at the Leaky, Adeline slapped Sirius' shoulder.
"What were you thinking?" she asked him. "You know Walburga hates the Potters. She'll be fuming."
"I just thought Mia would be able to help," Sirius defended.
"I know you did," Adeline sighed. "You didn't think it through though."
"What will she do?" Remus asked curiously. "I mean, if she restricts him I think he'll be fine with you and Regulus still around over the summer."
"She'll keep them busy so I don't see them," Sirius shrugged before leading Adeline towards the florist, Remus walking beside them.
Remus and Adeline exchanged a look before Remus nodded, deciding to drop the subject for the time being. After choosing flowers and getting funeral robes from a very sympathetic Catherine, Remus refusing his own, the three stopped for lunch and tea before heading back to the Shafiq manor. The three found Walburga going through confirmation cards of people attending the funeral when they got there.
"You two go fly for a bit," Adeline told them as she sat beside Walburga. "I have a few things to take care of with these."
"Do you want our help?" Remus asked softly.
"I've got it," Adeline promised. "Go. Sirius knows where the brooms are."
"Come on, Remus," Sirius told him, leading him away.
"Change into something appropriate," Walburga called after them.
"Yes, mother," Sirius called back and Adeline sighed once they were out of the room.
She rubbed her face with her hands, smearing her makeup. Frowning, Adeline waved her wand, removing the makeup for the time being.
"No makeup?" Walburga questioned.
"What's a blank face between future mother and daughter?" Adeline smirked before turning to the cards. "Alright, what do we do with these?"
"Most are confirmations. We need to go through and make a list of people who will and will not be attending," Walburga explained.
"Why do we have to have a list of who will not be attending?" Adeline asked curiously.
"In our practices, not coming to a funeral is like declaring a line in the sand so to say. The next event they hold, we will not be attending, and neither will other houses that align with ours. Say the Parkinsons did not attend but everyone else did. When they're spring ball comes about, anyone who wishes to do business with you in the future will likely not attend the ball out of respect for you. Attendance at certain social events in mandatory while others are not. Funerals and weddings are the two most important."
"Everyone always comes to your parties," Adeline smiled.
"And we have attended every one of theirs in return. If they do not come to the funeral, they do not get invited to the next social gathering either, whether that be your wedding, a funeral, or the Christmas ball. After that, they may be invited again."
"So many politics," Adeline sighed. "I understand though."
"Good," Walburga nodded. "Let's begin."
Tiffy brought tea for the two women as they worked, writing thank you cards to those who sent condolences and making a list or attendees and the short list of people who didn't RSVP. Once they were done, they began going through the gifts that had been sent, writing thank you cards for those as well. The boys came back inside as Tiffy was putting the finishing touches on dinner, calling everyone to supper.
Adeline smiled as the comforting stew was placed in front of her and Adeline wondered if Kreacher had exchanged recipes with Tiffy at some point as she ate. Once they were finished, Walburga left the manor for the night, promising to be by in the morning.
"Can we have a sleepover?" Adeline asked Sirius with a pout.
"Sure," Sirius laughed. "Which room?"
"Ooh. Good question. There's so many," Adeline said. "Tiffy?"
"Yes, miss?"
"What room would you suggest for a few kids to have a sleepover?"
"Tiffy would suggest the other drawing room, miss. The fire and radio are in that room miss."
"Thank you, Tiffy. Can you prepare us a few snacks and drinks for the night?"
"Of course, miss," Tiffy popped away and Adeline turned to Sirius.
"Mattresses?"
"Mattresses. Come along, Remus. We're about to teach you the real reason why we aren't supposed to be left alone together."
"Should I be afraid?" Remus asked as they headed up the stairs.
"Probably," Adeline smirked as she pushed open the door for the first spare room they reached. "I think we'll only need two for sleeping."
"Why did you specify for sleeping?" Remus asked.
"Should I call for Bella and Sissy?" Sirius asked.
"Absolutely," Adeline smirked. "Have Sissy bring Lucy with her."
"On it," Sirius ran back down the stairs.
"Why do you need the Black cousins?" Remus asked, confused and a little panicked.
"Because Bella is the reigning champion of a sport that you are about to be introduced to and if we don't tell Sissy that she has the chance to usurp the position, she will have our heads," Adeline smiled. "Help me with the mattress. We need to put it in the hall."
Remus and Adeline had moved three mattresses by the time Sirius returned, Sissy and Lucius following behind him.
"Bella says she's too old now," Sirius rolled his eyes.
"I'll get her," Adeline sighed before looking contemplative. "She can't say no to the orphan, can she?"
"It's Bella," Sirius pointed out.
"True. I'll be back!"
Adeline flooed into the Lestrange manor to find Bella sitting on the couch, pretending to read a book.
"Lady Lestrange," Bella bowed her head.
"Lady Shafiq," Bella nodded. "What may I assist you with tonight?"
"Well, it seems that I'm having a rather difficult time with the passing of my parents. See, they died so recently and so suddenly. I never even got the chance to responded to my father's last letter to me before receiving the news," Adeline sighed, expression full of mock sadness. "In an effort to keep spirits high, I was hoping that you would be able to accompany me to my newly acquired manor, which is just so quiet and lonely, and assist me in a bit of a tournament of sorts. If you're willing of course, for I've heard that you are rather excellent in the sport we wish to partake in."
"Is that so?" Bella asked, fighting down a smile. "And how does one play this sport?"
"Well, it is a sport in which one would start at the top of an incline and race to the bottom of the incline on a large, flat object without falling or flailing in the process. You have to remain standing steady to truly have mastered the art."
"I have to say I'm rather intrigued," Bella nodded. "What do you call it?"
"The kids in America call it," Adeline's serious expression turned into a smirk, "mattress surfing."
"If I must," Bella sighed, standing and brushing herself off, setting her book on the side table. "Someone will need to be sure that you're doing it correctly after all."
"Precisely what I was thinking," Adeline smirked.
They flooed back to the Shafiq manor to hear laughing coming from the stairs.
"I can't believe they started without us," Adeline gasped.
"Come along, pet," Bella smiled, leading Adeline to the stairs just in time to see Remus and Sirius fall into the wall, somersaulting off of the mattress. "How many Gryffindors are in this house?'
"Just the two," Adeline sighed. "Let's show them how it's done."
Adeline went first, legs wobbling as she fought to keep her balance. She fell backwards once she hit the bottom of the stairs, landing on the mattress and laughing. She moved and the mattress flew back to the top of the stairs. Sissy and Lucy sat on the mattress together, Lucy's arms wrapped around Sissy's waist protectively as Sirius and Remus pushed the mattress. The two came down the stairs, laughing in the process.
The boys went again, each getting their own mattress and still falling in some way or another before Bella stepped up, the last mattress remaining at the top of the steps as Lucius and Sirius dragged the other two out of the way.
"Are you ready to see how this is supposed to go?" Bella asked them.
Adeline pulled out her camera as Bella descended the stairs, knees bent as she flew down on the mattress and staying steady. Adeline got the moving picture to show from the top of the stairs all the way to Bella raising her arms in triumph as she dismounted from the mattress. She hid the camera away before Bella could see before they all began running back up the steps, the mattresses following them thanks to Lucy.
They continued into the night until Adeline finally began to grow tired. After setting up mattresses in the larger drawing room and starting a fire, Bella turned on the radio, finding soft music that they could turn down and use as background noise. Bella sat so that she was on a mattress with her back against the couch, Adeline's head in her lap. She ran her fingers through Adeline's hair as Adeline's eyes closed, neither realizing that Sirius had found the camera and had snapped a photo of the moment.
Everyone whispered back and forth now that Adeline was asleep.
"How has she been doing?" Sissy asked the boys.
"She was fine when I arrived," Sirius sighed, looking to Remus.
"She was fine until she saw their bodies," Remus' tone was serious as he thought about it. "As soon as we got back, she lost her lunch."
"The same thing happened to me when mother died," Sissy nodded.
"You also had to be held quite often," Bella added. "You weren't too much older than her at the time."
"I think she almost cried in Dumbledore's office when mother and father told her," Sirius nodded. "She pulled herself together well, though."
"Scolded all of us for worrying about her," Remus smirked.
"That she did," Sirius let out a quiet laugh. "A whole crowd of us following her through the school. People probably thought we were off to murder someone."
"Have they found anything about who could have done it?" Sissy asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Not that I've heard," Lucius shook his head, not meeting anyone's eye.
"Me, either," Bella lied with him, still staring down at Adeline.
"Poor thing," Sissy sighed. "To lose them both so suddenly."
"She has us," Bella said firmly. "We're all she truly needs. She's always been family. She's just not old enough for it to be official yet."
"She talks about you all fairly often," Remus smiled. "When we're tired of studying and need a distraction. She calls you her cousins as if you already are."
"Well, we are," Sissy sniffed slightly, raising her head off of Lucius' shoulder. "She was in both of our weddings, we've been helping each other prepare for balls and parties for years, we go to each other for advice and when we need support. She's a Black. She just needed to be born a Shafiq so that we had someone to marry Sirius off to."
"Marry me off?" Sirius smirked. "I thought it was the women who got married off?"
"The Black women do not get married off," Bella told him. "We bring people in whether they like it or not."
"And where is your husband, sister?" Sissy smirked.
"Attending to some business with Lord Voldemort, of course," she stated. "They're both very important men. I'm honestly shocked that Lucius is not with them."
"They asked me to go but I knew Adie might need us," Lucius explained. "I am rather happy that I told them as much now."
Bella nodded in understanding as she looked at the girl in her lap.
"We should be getting some rest. Funeral is in two days. We should help her with the preparations as much as we can," Sissy stated.
"Mother will be here in the morning," Sirius nodded, laying down next to Remus furthest away from Adeline. "Tiffy is going to make a full breakfast for everyone. Has she been eating?"
"She didn't eat breakfast this morning but she ate lunch and dinner. I think her stomach was still upset when she woke," Remus explained, eyes closed.
Bella flicked her wand and the candles went out, the fire being the only source of light remaining. She laid down so that she was between Adie and Sissy, Lucy beside her, and the Gryffindors beside him. She held Adeline gently, feeling Sissy's hand wrapped in her robes against her back so that they had some sort of contact. They all fell asleep rather quickly, the soft music lulling them to sleep.
"Well, this seems rather cozy," Orion smirked as he lowered the camera the next morning.
"They need to wake up," Walburga grumbled.
"Let them rest a little while longer, darling," Orion smirked. "Come. Let us see where young Adie chose to bury Miranda and Adrian. A small walk and then we'll wake them."
Adeline stood the moment they left the room, carefully unwrapping herself from Bella's arms before heading to her room. Once she had changed into a different pair of mourning robes, she fixed her hair and her makeup, heading back down the stairs and into the kitchen. Tiffy greeted her with a cup of tea before popping away to take care of something. Adeline sat at the table for a while holding her cup but not drinking any of the tea, the liquid growing cold the longer she sat there. Walburga and Orion joined her as the others woke and began moving around.
"Good morning," Walburga said, breaking Adeline out of her trance.
"Morning," Adeline nodded. "When did you arrive?"
"A while ago," Orion admitted. "We decided to let you all rest for a bit longer and took a walk in the meantime."
"The grounds are still so lovely," Walburga sighed. "Your mother had an eye for beautiful flowers."
"That she did," Adeline smiled before Tiffy appeared, giving cups of tea to the two Backs and reheating Adeline's.
The others joined them slowly, being served their own tea as they sat. Adeline tapped the table twice once everyone had joined them and breakfast appeared on the table. Adeline ate slowly, nothing too heavy on her plate. Remus snuck an extra egg onto her plate when she had turned to address Sirius about something, and she'd eaten it without even realizing, causing Sissy and Lucius to smile at the gesture. Bella frowned, a soft glare on her face before she shook her head and went back to her meal.
"What do you have planned for today, Adeline?" Walburga questioned as the plates disappeared from in front of them.
"I'm to write more thank you cards and check on preparations," Adeline stated clearly. "I've already received confirmation from the ministry for an official, the florist for the flowers, the stone company for the ceremonial stones, and the morgue for…"
Adeline trailed off for a moment before shaking herself.
"The morgue for the bodies," she finished as if she hadn't zoned out at all.
Sirius pressed his knee against hers under the table and she pressed back in thanks. They exchanged soft smiles before Adeline stood, dismissing everyone from the table with the action.
"What do you need from us?" Sissy asked, her arm in Lucius' with Bella standing beside her.
"I just need you to show up tomorrow," Adeline sighed. "There isn't much to do today."
"Do you want help with the thank you cards?" Bella offered.
"Sure," Adeline nodded. "Thank you."
"If you and the girls have things under control, maybe the boys can head back to school to gather all of your assignments? That way you can complete them before class on Monday," Walburga spoke and both boys left, knowing they were being sent off in the polite way.
"Walburga and I will head back to the house," Orion stated. "If you need any assistance, please let us know."
"Thank you," Adeline bowed her head to them slightly as they left.
They finished the thank you cards rather quickly with all three of them working on it, Lucius watching them all as he sat beside Sissy and was told his handwriting was too terrible to assist them. Once they were done, Sissy and Lucius bid Adeline farewell as Bella stayed behind.
"Do you remember when our mother had passed and you told us that you understood our pain?" Bella asked, her voice kind.
"You were rather upset about that," Adeline smirked.
"Well, I understand some of your pain," Bella told her. "I lost my parents separately, so I'll never understand how you truly feel, but I know how it feels to have them both gone."
"Thank you," Adeline nodded.
"How about we go to Diagon? We can go to the second-hand bookstore that you like so much?" Bella offered.
"I would like that," Adeline smiled. "You should get changed first. If someone sees you in yesterday's clothing, they might talk."
"Very funny," Bella smirked. "Come along. I have something for you at the manor."
Adeline followed Bella through the floo, stepping out and into the drawing room that she had found Bella in the night before. Tom and Rudolphus were there, tones low as they spoke back and forth, pausing their conversation when Bella and Adeline appeared.
"Lady Shafiq," Tom bowed his head.
"Please continue calling me Adie," she smiled to him before looking to Bella's husband. "Lord Lestrange."
"Lady Shafiq," He bowed his head slightly.
"I'll be back in a moment," Bella told Adeline. "Darling, will you join me for a moment?"
"Of course," he nodded, following her out of the room.
"Shouldn't you be in school?" Tom asked with a smirk.
"I'm in mourning," Adeline sighed. "My parents were killed."
"I heard. I am sorry for your loss," Tom frowned.
"Did you not get your invitation to the funeral tomorrow?" she asked curiously.
"I may have," he nodded. "I haven't been home the past few days though."
"Ah," Adeline nodded. "Well, the funeral is tomorrow at Shafiq manor. People will begin arriving at eleven if you wish to join us."
"I'll be there," he promised.
"Thank you," Adeline nodded before sighing and letting her mask drop slightly. "I didn't realize how many politics there were to funerals to be honest with you."
"What do you mean?" he asked, moving closer to her.
"I mean that if someone refuses the invitation, I'm supposed to shun them," Adeline explained. "Lady Black told me about it the other day."
"Really?" he asked. "I've never had to host a funeral before and I've never actually been invited to attend one either."
"But you're a Lord," Adeline stated, confused. "People must be inviting you to all sorts of events."
"May I tell you a secret?"
"Of course."
"My lordship is rather new."
"Oh."
"Yes."
"Would you like a secret in return?"
"Sure," Tom smirked.
"I can do an amazing American accent."
"I don't believe it," Tom shook his head jokingly.
"It's true!" Adeline insisted. "My parents raised me in the states most of my life. I didn't truly live in London until school. Mother hired a tutor so that I would speak correctly."
"Prove it," Tom smirked and Adeline sighed.
"Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm telling the truth," Adeline's natural American accent made both of them begin laughing loudly.
Bella and her husband came back in just as Adeline and Tom had gathered themselves again, standing beside each other now beside the fireplace. Bella smirked and Tom moved over towards Rudolphus.
"For you," Bella smiled, handing Adeline a box. "Walburga gave it to me when I became the lady of a house. I figured it was time to pass it along to you."
Adeline smiled as she opened the box, finding a silver necklace with a small, silver sword pendant on the end of it.
"It's beautiful," Adeline breathed.
Bella removed it from the box and lifted it over Adeline's head, the silver chain longer than Adeline had realized. Once the sword was resting halfway down her chest, Bella smiled softly. Adeline smiled back, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you," Adeline told her, her voice breaking slightly. "I shall wear it always."
"Anything for my future favorite cousin," Bella smirked, pulling Adeline into a hug.
Adeline held her tightly for a few minutes as the two reined in their emotions. Once they were both breathing normally again, they pulled away. After visiting the bookstore, Bella sent Adeline back to the now empty and silent manor. Adeline sighed as she looked around the room.
"Tiffy?" Adeline asked.
"Yes, miss?" Tiffy asked, voice soft.
"I want new furniture for the house. Where can I go for that?"
"I do not know, miss," Tiffy shook her head.
"Hmm," Adeline sighed. "Can you clean the other drawing room, please? Just magic everything back to where it belongs and straighten up the room for tomorrow."
"Yes, miss," Tiffy nodded. "Tiffy will clean the whole house."
"Do you need help?" Adeline asked. "I can hire another elf and you can train them?"
"Miss is generous," Tiffy's ears flapped and her eyes filled with tears. "Offering to get Tiffy help. Tiffy is grateful."
"It's nothing, Tiffy," Adeline shook her head. "I won't be here often and I know it gets lonely being here by yourself. I don't want you to be alone."
"Thank you, miss," Tiffy nodded before popping away.
Adeline sighed as she headed to the library. She looked through the shelves, rolling her eyes at the prizes that the Shafiq's had kept, Helga Hufflepuff's cup included, before she found a potions book to read. She sat in the comfiest armchair she could find in the room and began to read, losing herself in the book that she read. She looked up when Tiffy brought in an elf request form for the ministry, filling it out quickly and having Tiffy turn it in for her.
She fell asleep in her chair with the book open in her lap. Sirius and Remus found her there and Remus carried her to bed. She woke the next morning as the sun began to peak through her window. She stretched before showering and getting dressed in her funeral robes.
"Tiffy!" Tiffy appeared with another elf. "Tiffy, I need everything perfect for today. Is the house in order?"
"Yes, miss."
"Is the food prepared?"
"Yes, miss."
"Does Remus have funeral robes?"
"I do not know, miss," Tiffy's ears drooped.
"Run and fetch him some quickly, please."
"Yes, miss," Tiffy and the other elf bowed before disappearing.
Adeline began moving through the manor quickly, her robes billowing behind her as she went. She walked to the cemetery; the stone being set up when she arrived. She nodded to the workers as they finished, thanking them as they left. The bodies were delivered a few minutes later and placed next to one another on the stone before a sheet was placed over them.
Adeline went back to the house when the healers left, going to the dining room to find Remus and Sirius already there and eating. Adeline sat beside Sirius with a sigh, grabbing a slice of toast and a serving of fruit, along with a cup of tea. The floo announced the arrival of Walburga and Orion as they joined them in the dining room.
Tiffy and the other elf appeared beside Adeline, letting her know that everything was ready. Adeline nodded and dismissed them before standing and leaving the dining room to check everything over herself. Walburga followed behind her, nodding her head in approval. Adeline swept through the house in a way that Walburga was impressed by, as if Adeline had been Lady of the house for years already.
Once everything was checked over, Adeline and Walburga heard the floo announce someone's arrival and headed towards the drawing room. They found Sirius, Remus, Bella, Rudolphus, Sissy, Lucy, and Orion all in their funeral robes, Remus pulling on his sleeves slightly as he got used to the new material. Adeline gave him a small smile before turning to Orion.
"Would you like to say a few words today?" she asked him.
"If I may," he nodded.
"Yes," Adeline nodded thankfully before looking to Bella. "Will you sing something at the end?"
"What would you like to hear?" Bella asked.
"Mother liked a blues singer named Ida Fox," Adeline said thoughtfully. "Tiffy? Can you take Bella to the music room please so that she can hear Graveyard Blues?"
"Yes, miss," Tiffy led Bella and Rudolphus away.
"Have the stones been set up?" Walburga asked.
"Yes, and they're already resting on it," Adeline nodded as there was a knock on the door. "That'll be the flowers."
Adeline and Walburga made their way to the door, the blues music flowing through the house behind them. Adeline opened the door wide and let Walburga show half of the florist around the manor as Adeline led the rest to the cemetery. Once the flowers were done, Adeline tipped the workers a few galleons each before they left before going to the drawing room and waiting for guest to arrive, Sirius by her side as Walburga and Orion waited by the front door. Remus, Sissy and Lucy stayed in the drawing room with Adeline, Bella and Rudolphus joining them a while later, the blues songs still playing in the background.
Regulus, Barty, and Evan arrived first, Severus not far behind them. They each hugged her before finding a corner in the drawing room nearby. As more people began to arrive, Adeline only recognizing them thanks to Walburga and her notes from other gatherings, Adeline felt a bit suffocated. As the clock ticked closer to eleven, Tom arrived, shaking Sirius' hand before turning to Adeline and giving her a polite smile.
They bowed slightly to each other and Tom handed her a black rose. Adeline gave him a small smile as she held it in her free hand. He joined the cousins on the couches, both men turning to him and giving him all of their attention. Adeline frowned for a moment before the floo brought her back.
Once everyone arrived, she and Sirius led everyone to the graveyard. There were black chairs with dark flowers in rows where everyone began to sit. The ministry official moved to the front and began to speak. Adeline zoned him out, knowing Sirius would tell her when she needed to stand. Instead, she stared down at the flower in her lap, refusing to stare at the bodies in front of her.
Sirius squeezed her hand and she looked up, knowing it was her turn to speak. She took a deep breath before standing, taking the place the ministry official had been moments ago. She faced the crowd and nerves began to set in. Regulus shifted in his seat, drawing Adeline's eye. He gave her a nod and she let out a breath before pretending that the crowd was just Regulus, her best friend and brother staring back at her.
"Miranda and Adrian Shafiq met when they were young. Father liked to tell me that he loved her the moment he met her, a gentle women who was raised well and laughed at his jokes. Mother told it a bit differently. She told me that he took one look at her and fell down a flight of stairs, which was why she laughed."
The crowd laughed slightly and Adeline gave them a small smile before continuing.
"My father used to hold me during storms when I was young. He hated being alone in the dark, so I think it was more for his comfort than my own. Miranda used to read to me before bed. She also taught me how to play chess, which most of my classmates are rather putout about."
Another small laugh.
"When I started school, father sent me a letter every other day, which seemed a bit excessive. You would think he'd run out of new things to write, but he always found something. I'm sure mother rolled her eyes every time she saw him pick up parchment and a quill."
Adeline looked to the bodies of Adrian and Miranda, staring where she knew Adrian lay.
"I'm going to miss you both. So much. We'll see each other again someday. Blessed Be."
Orion went up next. Adeline zoned him out as well, not really caring as much about Adrian's businesses or Miranda's grace at social events. Bella stood as the ministry official took his position beside the stone. Bella gave Adeline a small nod before she began.
"Blues on my mind, blues all around my bed,
Blues on my mind, blues all around my bed,
Had a dream last night, the man I love was dead."
The ministry official lit the stones.
"I went to the graveyard, fell down on my knees,
I went to the graveyard, fell down on my knees,
I asked the gravedigger to give me back my good man, please."
The ashes mixed together before being lowered into the stone casing, some of the ashes floating into a smaller container for Adeline to keep.
"The gravedigger looked me in my eye,
The gravedigger looked me in my eye,
Said "Sorry for you lady, your man said his last goodbye."
The stones were lowered and everyone stood. Adeline moved first, grabbing a handful of dirt and dropping it onto the stone. Sirius followed directly behind her before the rest of the guests followed. Adeline led the line back into the manor where the food was waiting. Adeline and Sirius stood by the door, thanking everyone as they went inside to eat or leave. Walburga and Adeline were the last two in, Walburga pulling Adeline into a tight hug before moving into the room.
The ministry official came in a few minutes later, giving Adeline the box of stone before leaving. Once everyone had eaten and condolences had been said, the manor began to empty out. Adeline sighed once she was able to sit, her shoes sliding off of her feet as she tucked her legs under herself on the couch. Sirius and Regulus sat beside her, each taking one of her hands as Remus sat in front of her, his head leaning back against her knee. As the only three kids remaining, none were exactly eager to head back to the school.
"Did you bring our homework?" Adeline asked instead.
"The professors excused you both from your assignments for the week," Sirius explained. "Reggie and Lily took notes for the two of you, though. James has done well with the potion. Remus and I checked it while we were there. James was rather surprised by what you were brewing."
"What are you brewing?' Reggie asked curiously.
"I'm experimenting with a few seventh-year potions," Adeline shrugged. "They needed to be stirred while I was gone though."
"Ah," Reggie nodded, letting it go.
"You should all be heading out," Walburga announced, appearing in the room with Orion.
"I understand that tomorrow is Sunday, but it would still be best to get to the school before then," Orion said.
"I'll go back tomorrow," Adeline told him. "I'm going to make sure everything is cleaned correctly first. I also need to meet my new elf."
"Why a new elf?" Walburga asked curiously.
"I didn't want Tiffy getting lonely," Adeline shrugged. "I won't be here often so I figured it would be best. Besides, she's getting rather old. She'll need some assistance."
"We could always put her beside the others?" Walburga offered and Adeline held in a shutter as she thought of the wall of elf heads in Black manor.
"She isn't that old," she smirked instead.
Walburga nodded with her own smirk before looking to the boys.
"All of you, move along. Back to the school. Let your headmaster know that Adeline will be along tomorrow."
"Yes, mother," Regulus nodded, standing immediately.
Sirius sighed and followed his lead, helping Remus to his feet a moment later. Adeline uncurled her legs and stood, facing her three closest friends. They each gave her a tight hug, Sirius adding a kiss to her head before they left. Walburga and Orion followed right after, heading to their own home for the night.
"Tiffy?" Adeline called and two elves appeared. "I would like to meet our new elf."
"Hello, young miss," the elf bowed, his voice a bit gravely. "My name is Wobky."
"It is lovely to meet you, Wobky," Adeline smiled.
"Wobky be belonging to Hathor," Tiffy smiled brightly. "Tiffy remembered her orders, miss. Tiffy told Wobky his first orders as well."
"Thank you, Tiffy," Adeline smiled brightly as she kneeled in front of the elves. "Do you understand the orders, Wobky?"
"Yes, mistress," Wobky nodded. "Wobky will protect mistresses secrets."
"Thank you, Wobky," Adeline nodded. "I need the two of you to make sure there is nothing incriminating in Adrian's office. If you find something that seems out of sorts, take it to the vault under the name Hathor for me, please. If it's something that needs my immediate attention, take it to the vault and come find me when I'm not in classes or with anyone. If I'm with just Remus, you can come to me."
"Yes, miss," Tiffy and Wobky nodded immediately.
"Thank you," Adeline nodded. "That can be started tomorrow. Today, we need to clean up from the funeral."
"Already done, miss," Toffy nodded. "We just have this room left. Tiffy dried the flower for miss."
Tiffy handed Adeline the flower from Tom, the black rose dried perfectly.
"Thank you, Tiffy," Adeline smiled widely. "Do we have a single flower vase?"
Tiffy snapped her fingers and one appeared. Adeline place the flower in the vase and placed it on the fireplace. She dismissed the elves for the night, telling them to eat some dinner and get some rest. She also let them know that she would be returning to school the next day. The elves disappeared and Adeline went to Miranda's room.
In Miranda's room, she grabbed a locket from her jewelry box before heading to her own room. She put some of the ashes into the locket and grabbed a pen and parchment. She wrote a letter to Andy before sending the locket and letter off with her owl, sighing as she thought about Andy being blasted from the family tree for being with a muggleborn. Adeline smiled as she remembered sneaking out to their wedding with Sirius. They had been married in a muggle church in the center of London and Sirius and Adeline had been two of the only ones there, a few of their classmates and Ted's family gathered around them.
Adeline leaned against the back of her bed, still sitting on the floor as she closed her eyes and just breathed.