Everything Black

by BrooklynFazenbaker

Adeline Shafiq is proper and well behaved. She has a sharp wit and is a potions prodigy. She is everything that a pureblood princess is supposed to be. Except she's not a pureblood. Follow Adeline, who is willing to kill to protect her friends from the dark lord who is obsessed with her, as she navigates the wizarding world and a marriage contract with the Black family.

6. Chapter 6

I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter Six

Adeline was still being stared at come time for Christmas break. She let out a rough breath as she sat across the compartment seat on the train, propping her feet up in Remus' lap, her head in Sirius'. Reggie rolled his eyes as he sat across from them by the window. James sat beside Reggie, Peter on his other side.

"Why are they here?" Peter asked curiously, pointing to Adeline and Reggie.

"Adie isn't talking to Evan and Barty anymore," Reggie spoke up, flipping through a magazine.

"Oh-kay?" Peter asked, still confused but going to a conversation with James instead of questioning it further.

Sirius ran his fingers through Adeline's hair as she napped on the train, talking to Remus most of the trip. Once Regulus, Sirius, and Adeline were in Black manor, Adeline was planning with Walburga. Regulus and Sirius went with Orion to his office for the day, Regulus deciding that he wanted to know more about their family's businesses. Once everything was prepared for the ball, Adeline and Walburga decorated the family tree together, Walburga placing the star on the top of the tree like the year before.

Kreacher smiled happily at Adeline when she found him in the kitchen later.

"Kreacher," Adeline smiled. "I'm going to go to my manor for a bit. I need to check on my elves. I wanted to check on you first."

"Such a kind miss," Kreacher bowed to her. "Kreacher has been well, miss. Thank you, miss."

"I'll be back soon, Kreacher," Adeline pat his head lightly before leaving.

She flooed over to the Shafiq manor and Tiffy and Wobky both greeted her.

"Hello," Adeline smiled to them. "How are you both?"

"Good, miss," Tiffy smiled as Adeline pat her head. "How is miss?"

"Tired," Adeline admitted. "Lady Black had me running all over the place for the ball tomorrow night. I wanted to be sure to bring your gifts by tonight."

"Miss brought gifts?" Wobky asked, ears raising.

"I did," Adeline smiled. "I wasn't sure what you would like so I brought you these cookies."

"Thank you, miss," Wobky said, eyes filling with tears.

"Hey, no tears," Adeline said softly. "You're my elf. I'm supposed to take care of you as well."

"Thank you, miss," Wobky nodded and Adeline pat his head like she had Tiffy's.

"You two have a good Yule. I have to get back. I'll come back after the beginning of summer ball for a bit to check on you and take care of some of father's businesses."

"Thank you miss," Wobky nodded.

"Miss?"

"Yes, Tiffy?"

"Wobky and Tiffy were wondering if we could get married miss?"

"Married?" Adeline asked confused.

"Yes, miss," Tiffy nodded.

"If you want to, then yes," Adeline nodded. "Can I be there when you do?"

"Yes, miss," Wobky nodded as he took Tiffy's hand. "We'll wait until summer miss."

"Okay," Adeline smiled. "I'll see you both in a few months."

"Adeline," Walburga greeted her as she reentered Black manor. "Where were you off to?"

"I was checking on my elves and the manor," Adeline smiled to her. "I'm happy you're in here actually. I have an early gift for you."

"Do you?" Walburga smiled as Adeline held a box out to her. "How sweet."

Walburga opened the box and gasped softly at the simple silver chain with emeralds and obsidian. She slid it onto her wrist and stared at it. She looked up and smiled, pulling Adeline into her arms for a hug.

"I love it," Walburga whispered. "I shall wear it always."

"I'm so happy you like it," Adeline whispered back. "It has a few protection runes in the stones as well."

Walburga backed up and looked at the stones again. She smiled seeing the runes before looking back to Adeline with eyes shining. Adeline caught the tears automatically, wiping them away. Walburga let out a watery laugh before taking Adeline's hands that were by her face.

"I always wanted a daughter," she whispered. "I'm so happy that it's going to be you."

Adeline smiled brightly and nodded her thanks to Walburga. The two women walked to the kitchen together, still smiling as they took their seats with the Black men. Sirius pressed his knee against hers and they shared a small smile before turning to their meal, Sirius passing Adeline her favorites without even sharing a word.

The next morning, Adeline woke to a knocking on her window. She smirked at Sirius, opening her window.

"What are you doing?"

"Get dressed," he smiled. "Something warm."

Adeline sighed and pulled the drapes closed before changing quickly. She then crawled onto the back of the broom, braver than she had been the first few times that they had done this. They flew over the clouds, Adeline holding his waist and leaning into him. They landed in the garden, very few people wandering around on Christmas Eve, and sat on their bench to watch the snow fall. Adeline laid her head on Sirius' shoulder and he kissed her head in response.

"Are you alright?" she asked, noticing the shaking that wasn't due to the cold.

"Apparently I had a bit of an attitude last night," he explained. "It needed correcting."

"I'm sorry," Adeline frowned, sitting up. "I thought my gift would have her in a better mood."

"It did. It only last for a few minutes this time."

"Siri," Adeline sighed.

"Do you ever think about running away?" he asked, staring into the distance.

"All the time," Adeline admitted and Sirius turned to her. "I always had the means to leave but I never wanted to leave you and Reggie behind. Now I have Remus on that list as well."

"Where would we go?" he asked curiously.

"America," she smiled. "We could go to Georgia and I could show you the food, the art, the magic there. We would have a little house with a muggle air conditioner for the summers and a fireplace for the winter. We'd have a vegetable garden and a peach tree in the backyard."

"A quidditch pitch?" Sirius asked curiously.

"Of course," Adeline smiled.

"Any pets?"

"Regulus," Adeline nodded before they both started laughing.

"We could get married after we've both done our internships," Sirius nodded. "You'd have a potions lab in the house where people could owl order from. I could look into curse breaking. I'm not sure what Reggie wants to do yet."

"He likes arithmancy," Adeline smirked. "Has been studying it for three years now. He's rather excited about getting to take it next year."

"Would we have any pets?"

"A dog," Adeline nodded. "I might be able to convince you to let me get a snake one day."

"No," he shook his head. "You already have snakes."

Adeline smiled, looking down at her ring, her necklace hidden under her sweater.

"What would we name our children?" he asked, his voice soft.

"Well, we would need an 'A' name and something to do with the stars to keep with both of our family traditions," Adeline nodded.

"Aquila," Sirius said immediately and Adeline's brows rose.

"You've already thought about this, haven't you?" she smirked.

"Possibly," he smirked back.

"What about a boy?" Adeline shot back.

"Aries," Sirius nodded. "Fitting considering any child of ours will be fiery."

Adeline smirked at the remark before leaning into Sirius again.

"They'll be beautiful," Sirius continued. "Your eyes and my hair. Pale like the both of us. Knowing you and Reggie, I'm sure they'll be absolute bookworms and I'm sure I can convince them to ask the hat for Ravenclaw. They'll be the life of any party."

"We'll have our hands full," Adeline smirked. "Troublemakers, the both of us."

"You more than me," Sirius joked. "I mean, who gets into a duel the first day of school?"

"Says the one who threw spells at me," Adeline slapped Sirius' arm as she sat up, Sirius laughing as he took her hand to hold. "Besides, I'm sure you'll give them pointers for pranks."

"Oh, definitely," Sirius smirked. "We'll have them whenever Jamie has his kids. That way they can be worse than the two of us."

"Oh, we're going to get so many owls sent home to us," Adeline groaned.

"They'll have detention all the time," Sirius smirked. "You're going to write so many howlers."

"Screw a howler. I'll just show up to the school to yell at them in front of the whole Great Hall. Doubt they'll try getting into anything after that," Adeline stated, giving Sirius a smile.

"We should get back," Sirius smiled. "Before mother wakes up and has our heads."

"Yes," Adeline smirked.

They climbed onto the broom, flying away. Once back at the house, Adeline kissed Sirius' cheek and sent him away. She got ready for breakfast and headed down, Kreacher greeting her with tea and fruit. Adeline thanked him and Sirius joined her a moment later, clothes changed and hair brushed. Their knees pressed close as the others joined them.

Walburga and Adeline checked everything for the ball before getting ready together. They walked down the steps together, the three Black men waiting for them at the bottom. Reggie and Sirius stared up at Adeline in wonder as she descended the steps in her silver dress, tall heels bringing her to Sirius' height with her hair pulled back, eyes sparkling due to her makeup. Sirius offered his arm and Adeline smiled as she took it, taking Reggie's other arm as it was also offered. The three went to the drawing room, greeting people as they flooed in, Walburga and Orion at the front door.

Sirius led Adeline to the sunroom, leading her into the first waltz. Once more dancers joined the floor and drowned the two of them in a sea of people, Sirius pulled Adeline closer, their chests pressing together as they stared into each other's eyes. Sirius lifted her and slowly brought her back down, her body sliding down his as she went back to her feet. They froze, staring at each other before Sirius pulled her out of the crowd and into the hall. They ran up the stairs, going into Sirius' room.

When he shut the door, they turned to each other. Sirius moved forward, pressing himself against her again. Her breath hitched and Sirius leaned in, his lips brushing hers lightly. She pulled him close when he went to back away, pulling him into a clumsy kiss. They held each other tightly for a few minutes before separating for breath. Sirius and Adeline began smiling to each other, laughing lightly as they realized what they had just done.

"We should get back downstairs before Walburga comes looking for us," Adeline whispered.

"Okay," Sirius smiled, not moving as his arms held her tighter.

"In a minute," Adeline smirked and Sirius nodded before connecting their lips again.

Finally, they went back down the stairs, each checking to make sure that the other looked alright beforehand. They separated and Adeline found Reggie with Barty and Evan.

"Boys," Adeline smiled.

"What's got you smiling like a loon?" Reggie smirked.

"I don't know what you mean," Adeline smiled, looking through the crowd to find Sirius staring at her from where he stood with his father.

"What did the two of you do?" Reggie asked, rolling his eyes.

"Nothing," Adeline lied, turning back to Evan and Barty. "How has your holiday been so far?"

"You're speaking to us?" Barty asked, sipping his drink.

"Not if you're going to act like that," Adeline rolled her eyes before walking away.

"Adie," Tom smiled. "Just who I was looking for."

"Hello, Tom," Adeline smiled. "How are you?"

"Fine," Tom nodded. "I was speaking to Lord Black the other day though. I was wondering how you would feel about taking private lessons with me this summer? I could teach you a few new charms and potions."

"That would be lovely," Adeline smiled. "Thank you."

"I'll write in our journal and let you know when our first lesson is," Tom nodded before looking behind her. "Mister Black."

"Lord Voldemort," Sirius greeted, coming to Adeline's side, face unemotional. "How are you enjoying the ball?"

"It's all rather cheerful," Tom smiled.

"We do our best to please," Reggie said, coming to Adeline's other side with a smirk.

"You do well," Tom nodded before looking to Adeline. "Adie."

Tom bowed his head slightly before walking away to speak to a few of the other Lords in the room.

"You don't like him," Adeline smirked as she turned to Sirius.

"Something about him," Sirius shook his head. "I can't put my finger on it but it isn't right. What did he want to speak to you about? More books?"

"He's going to teach me a few new things," Adeline told him.

"Really?" Sirius asked.

"Is someone jealous?" Reggie joked, his smirk aimed at Sirius.

"Of course not," Sirius sniffed, taking Adeline's hand in his. "I was simply curious."

"Charms," Adeline told Sirius. "He knows charms and potions that I do not. He's going to teach me. He spoke of giving me access to his library the last time we spoke as well."

"When did you speak last?" Sirius asked.

"They're pen pals," Reggie spoke up. "They speak a few times a week."

"You are far too entertained by this," Adeline said to Reggie.

"Children," Walburga's voice spoke up, causing all three to turn to her. "I believe it is time for you all to retire for the night."

"Of course, mother," Sirius bowed his head. "Have a wonderful night."

The three left the ball, the other children going through the floo or heading off with a house elf. Sirius walked Adeline to her room, kissing her gently before leaving her. Adeline went into her room and threw herself on her bed, kicking her feet a bit and biting her bottom lip to keep from giggling. She grabbed her notebook to Lily and told her everything; the trip to the garden, the dancing, the sneaking away for stolen kisses.

Lily responded almost immediately, excited for Adeline. Adeline changed her clothes and cleaned her face quickly before writing back and forth to Lily all night. Christmas morning was the same as the one before. The morning after, however, Walburga barged into her room, waking her.

"What were you thinking?!" Walburga demanded.

"What?" Adeline asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "What's happened?"

"You've made the front page," Walburga threw the Prophet onto Adeline's bed.

Adeline grabbed the paper, unfolding it to find what Walburga was upset about. Pictures of Adeline and Sirius stared back at her. Her head on his shoulder in the garden in London, snow falling around them as they laughed together. The two of them dancing too close to be considered appropriate, staring into each other's eyes as if they were the only ones in the room. Sirius and Adeline sneaking away from the ball, their eyes wide and hands interlocked.

'Heirs to the Shafiq and Black Fortune Unchaperoned?' the title read. Adeline read through it, noting that part of their conversation from the garden had made it into the paper as well. She stood as she continued reading, her hand covering her mouth as she began shaking.

"What were you thinking?" Walburga asked, voice low and dangerous. "You snuck out of this manor that we so graciously allowed you to stay in, unchaperoned. You danced too closely and were caught sneaking away."

"We weren't thinking," Adeline whispered.

"I should hope you weren't!" Walburga yelled and Adeline jumped slightly. "You will not leave this room for the remainder of the holiday. Kreacher!"

Kreacher appeared.

"Take her school things and put them downstairs now."

Kreacher snapped his fingers and the book and homework that Adeline had half-finished flew to her bag. The bag went to Kreacher and he disappeared with a 'pop', her bag gone as well. Walburga turned to the window, spelling it so that it couldn't open. She then swept out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Adeline heard her spell the door to remained closed as well.

Adeline sat on her bed, staring down at the paper in her hand, watching the pictures as they moved in front of her. She smiled at the pictures despite herself before she thought of what Sirius' punishment would be. She grabbed her notebook to Remus and asked him to send Sirius some of the pain potion she had made for him, telling him that she couldn't explain why he needed it. Remus responded with an affirmative before asking if she had seen the Prophet that morning. She sighed before continuing to write him.

Kreacher popped in a few hours later with something small to eat. The rest of the holiday was spent locked away with small portions of food, writing to Remus and Lily the entire time. When the day to return to school came, Adeline hid the Prophet article, her notebooks and her pen in her robes and sat at the edge of her bed, waiting. Walburga finally opened the door and tilted her head, telling Adeline to follow her. Adeline followed silently until they reached the drawing room.

Orion nodded to Walburga before leaving the drawing room. Adeline grabbed her bag and Walburga grabbed Adeline's arm roughly before they apparated to the train station. Adeline got onto the platform and walked onto the train, looking back to make sure Walburga wasn't following her anymore. She sighed in relief, sinking against a wall slightly before standing and looking for Sirius. She found him in a compartment with his friends and stepped inside, locking the door and closing the curtain before facing him. He stood and wrapped her in his arms tightly.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, his voice shaky.

"Hungry," she said honestly. "She just locked me in my room and had Kreacher give me an apple every day. Took my school things so I need to finish my homework. Are you okay?"

"Not really," he breathed quietly.

Adeline pushed him into a seat, sitting beside him and taking his hand in hers.

"How bad was it?" she asked, nervously glancing at the others around her as the train began moving.

"Every night," he told her. "I don't know for how long. Remus sent me pain potions."

"I know," Adeline nodded. "I thought you might need them."

"Thank you," Sirius nodded.

Adeline pulled him close, hugging him tightly. He held her back just as tightly. A loud knocking came from the other side of the door and the two jumped apart. James looked out the curtain cautiously before sighing and opened the door to reveal Regulus. He looked panicked before seeing Adeline and Sirius. His shoulders dropped slightly and he rushed to them, forcing them to scoot over so that he could sit on Adeline's other side. The three remained touching for the remainder of the trip, James ordering a bit of everything from the trolley and forcing Sirius and Adeline to eat at least something. Adeline ate a few bites of pumpkin pasty before frowning and passing it to Sirius, who ate it immediately.

Once they reached Hogsmeade, Regulus and Sirius offered their arms and the three walked behind James, Peter, and Remus, heading straight to the empty classroom that Adeline and Remus studied in. Sirius and Adeline pulled out their unfinished assignments, getting everything done with the help of the others. Once they were done, it was past curfew and none of them were willing to leave the room.

"Tiffy? Wobky?" Adeline called and the two elves appeared.

"We could not reach miss for days," Tiffy cried, hugging Adeline's neck.

"I know," Adeline told her. "My room was spelled so only Kreacher could get in. I'm sorry."

"Why was miss's room spelled?" Wobky questioned.

"It doesn't matter," Adeline shook her head. "I'll be sure it doesn't happen again. Can the two of you conjure us a few mattresses, blankets and pillows? Maybe bring enough food for all of us as well?"

"Yes, mistress," Wobky nodded, snapping his fingers as desks and chairs transformed into beds, blankets, and pillows. "We'll be back with food, miss."

"Does miss want her favorite?" Tiffy asked.

"Something light and bland for Sirius and I," Adeline stated. "Something more filling for everyone else."

"Yes, miss," Tiffy bowed before the two elves disappeared.

Remus set up privacy spells on the room as they waited for the elves.

"I could have snuck down to the kitchens," James stated.

"The elves tell the headmaster when someone is out of bed," Peter shook his head. "Remember when I snuck down there after the match against Ravenclaw? I ended up getting detention with Filch."

"Damn," James cursed as the elves reappeared.

After Adeline and Sirius ate their fruit and porridge and everyone else had eaten stew, the elves took the empty dishes with them when they popped away. Adeline crawled onto one of the mattresses then, pulling Sirius and Reggie with her. The two laid on either side of her, all three cuddling into each other with blankets wrapped around them. The other three laid on Sirius' other side, all cuddling into one another as well, James' back pressed to Sirius'.

The following morning, Adeline groaned as her alarm on her wand woke everyone. She cancelled the spell before cuddling into Sirius again, not wanting to move yet. He let out a low chuckle before speaking, his morning voice making his voice deeper.

"It's time to wake up, sweetheart."

"I don't want to," she complained, pouting as she opened her eyes and looked into his eyes.

"I know," he nodded. "We have class though."

Adeline huffed a breath out and Sirius kissed her nose before sitting up. Adeline stretched before sitting up as well, the others starting to move around with them. Adeline waved her wand, fixing her hair and makeup before staring down at her rumpled clothes.

"Tiffy?" After hearing the pop, Adeline continued, "Can you bring a uniform to each of us, please?"

"Yes, miss."

Tiffy popped away and Adeline brought her knees to her chest, waiting for Tiffy to return. Five minutes later, she appeared with uniforms for everyone. She passed Adeline and Remus theirs first and Adeline went into the room's closet to get changed by wand light. Once dressed, she cracked the door open in time to see Sirius pulling his shirt down over his chest. She walked out quickly, grabbing his shirt and lifting it again.

"Hey!" Sirius complained before realizing what Adeline had seen.

Adeline glared at the bruises and cuts that littered his skin. James came over as well, one of his fingers tracing one of the bruises. Sirius took his shirt from Adeline's hands gently before pulling it down to cover his chest and stomach. He took her hands in his and looked to James. They had a silent conversation before James nodded and walked away.

"Adeline?" he asked.

"I need to get away," she said quietly, staring at where she knew the worst of the bruising was.

"After classes," he promised, pulling his tie over his head and wrapping his cloak around himself. "Come. We have potions."

Adeline took his hand, intertwining their fingers before taking Regulus' arm. The group headed to the dungeons, sitting in their normal seats as the rest of the class joined them. Adeline lost herself in her potion, marking her changes in the book and showing it to Slughorn when he came around. She finished her potion first, Sirius and Regulus not far behind her. Once they were dismissed, Sirius took her hand and led her out of the castle, both having a free period before lunch.

He led her to the Quidditch pitch, grabbing a broom from the equipment closet. Adeline climbed on behind him and they rose into the air. They flew around the castle a few times, Adeline resting her head against his back with her arms wrapped around his waist. After flying for an hour and a half, Sirius brought them back to the ground, putting the broom away before leading Adeline back to the school. He walked her to her next class, kissing her head before leaving her.

The week drug on and Adeline was worrying more and more about Sirius, his shaking from being tortured fading slower than normal due to the repeated exposure of it, causing his bruises and cuts to hurt worse. Friday night while in the Great Hall, a boom was heard from by the Gryffindor table and Adeline stood in her seat, staring over to see pink, purple, and red smoke slowly crept through the room. Students ran from the room, recognizing the smoke from when Reggie and Adeline had ended up in the hospital wing last.

The smoke filled the hall quickly before slowly dissipating. Adeline groaned before coughing up a butterfly. Instead of choking though, only a few butterflies came out and Adeline smirked as she realized that James had fixed the spell. The butterflies flew through the room, different colors dancing around each other as they slowly turned into glitter and rained onto their heads. Adeline laughed in disbelief before looking to the Gryffindor table, finding Sirius smiling at her with glitter in his hair.

The students were dismissed from the hall so that the glitter could be cleaned and Sirius grabbed Adeline before she could reach the hall that led to the dungeons. He dragged her to a hidden alcove, their bodies forced to press against each other. Sirius brushed some of her hair from her face, glitter falling between the two of them from the action. He leaned his head down, kissing Adeline gently for a few moments before three knocks sounded on the wall outside.

Adeline looked confused as Sirius pulled her out of the alcove where Peter, James, and Remus stood waiting for them. McGonagall was coming down the hall, seeing them just as Adeline and Sirius came into view.

"You five!" she yelled.

"Scatter!" James yelled. "She can't catch us all!"

The five all took off, Peter and Remus going one way as Adeline, James and Sirius went another. They ran through the halls, all laughing as they went. They could hear footsteps behind them as they ran into the courtyard, jumping over the stone barrier and rushing across the grass to get to a different hall. They ducked behind a painting, finding stairs that took them to the third floor before jumping into an alcove behind a suit of armor.

Adeline put her hand over her mouth to cover her heavy breathing and to hold in her laughter as the footsteps ran past their hiding spot. James and Sirius smiled brightly before James checked the hall, waving them forward. The two boys led Adeline back to the dungeons, dropping her off at the portrait before disappearing under James' cloak and heading to the safety of Gryffindor tower.

In Transfiguration the next day, Adeline was asked to stay after class and she realized that they hadn't thought the plan through at all as she was told of her detention the following night. She smiled brightly though when McGonagall handed her a mandrake leaf to keep in her mouth for the next month.

Adeline skipped to Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, smiling widely along the way. Her detention was spent cleaning the trophy room with Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus, all five exchanging quiet laughter the entire time. The mandrake leaf was disgusting and made all of her food have a rather sour taste. She used a sticking charm to keep the leaf in place so that she wouldn't accidentally swallow it or spit it out, knowing she would have to start the entire process over if she did so.

After the month, Adeline removed the sticking charm and showed the leaf to McGonagall, who smiled and nodded.

"Next, you'll need to use a silver teaspoon to collect dew from a place that neither sunlight no human feet have touched for a full seven days. You'll need to add the chrysalis of a Death's-head Hawk Moth to the crystal phial as well, which I have procured for you. Then put it in a dark, quiet place and leave it alone until the next electrical storm. I have a box that cancels noise and light that you may use," McGonagall explained.

"Where will I get the dew?" Adeline asked curiously. "The Forbidden Forest?"

"Yes," McGonagall nodded. "I will escort you every morning for the next week before the sun rises. After this part of the process, there will be no turning back. Are you completely sure you want to do this?"

"Absolutely," Adeline nodded.

"Meet me outside the dungeons at five in the morning tomorrow," McGonagall told her.

Adeline woke early, grumbling slightly as she got ready. Once her hair was up, her wand holding it in place, she left the dungeons, meeting McGonagall and following her to the forest. After collecting the dew, they headed back to the castle, Adeline yawning slightly as she handed the teaspoon and crystal vial back to McGonagall for safe keeping. Adeline went to the Great Hall, smiling as she sat beside Reggie.

"Where were you this morning?" he asked.

"Researching," she lied. "I'll be up early all week. I don't have time after classes."

"Ah," Reggie nodded. "Do you need help?"

"Not really," she shook her head. "If I end up needing help, I'll let you know."

"Alright," Reggie nodded, giving her a small smile before going back to his breakfast.

At the end of the week, they put the jar in the box and Adeline hid it in her trunk. It took two months before the next electrical storm hit, Tiffy waking her in the middle of the night to tell her about it. Adeline grabbed the vial containing red liquid and ran from the dungeons, not caring that she was just in a silk nightgown with a robe thrown over it. Once outside, in the open grounds, she pulled her wand from her hair and placed the tip over her heart.

"Amato Animo Animato Animagus," she spoke clearly before downing the potion.

She gasped as she fell to all fours, her body beginning to shift. Black feathers with dark purple undertones began to sprout from her body as her nose grew into a beak. Her arms turned to wings as her legs turned skinny, her feet turning into talons. Adeline opened her mouth and a loud cawing came from her. She flapped her wings, her body small and light as she took to the air, her wand safely in her talons. She flew up to Gryffindor tower, finding the room that belonged to Remus and the boys and began peaking the window, cawing until one of them woke up.

"Go away," James demanded, swatting at her.

Adeline flew in instead, flying in a circle before landing on Remus' bed. Remus sighed before looking at the bird and seeing the wand in its caws. His face lit up and he sat up.

"You're kidding?" he asked as the other boys stared at him in confusion. "You're actually kidding?"

"Why is he talking to the bird?" Frank Longbottom asked and the other three shrugged, shaking their heads.

Adeline changed back to human form suddenly, sitting up on Remus' bed with her wand in hand.

"Hi!" she called and the four jumped, Peter yelping in surprise.

Remus laughed before looking to Adeline.

"How? When?"

"McGonagall and that was the first time," she explained. "I didn't want to tell you until I managed it. What kind of bird was I?"

"A raven," Sirius smirked, sitting on Remus' bed. "Amazing!"

Adeline smiled brightly at the complement.

"Um?" Frank asked, staring at the group. "I'm going back to bed. Leave me out of whatever you five are planning, please?"

"Sure Frank," James nodded, smiling at Adeline. "Can you teach us?"

"I can get you the books I had to read," Adeline stated. "You'll have to read all of them first."

Peter groaned as he flopped onto the bed next to them.

"Why is there always reading?" he asked. "Can't we just be told how to do it?"

"You have to understand everything that goes into it," Adeline told him. "The books will explain it better than I can."

"Brilliant," James smiled. "When can we have the books?"

"I'll have Tiffy bring them to you tomorrow after dinner," Adeline promised. "I should be getting back to my room."

Lightening crashed outside and Adeline jumped in fright.

"Maybe wait until morning," Sirius offered.

"Good plan, Siri," Adeline nodded, standing and moving to his bed.

They all laid down, Sirius pulling the curtain around his bed closed and putting up a silencing charm. Adeline smirked as she crawled under the blanket next to him. Sirius pulled her close, kissing her a few times before they cuddled against each other and went to sleep. Adeline woke to James jumping onto the bed on top of them. Adeline let out a groan at the rude awakening, glaring at him.

"It's time for breakfast," he smiled.

"It's Saturday," Sirius argued, pushing the boy off of his bed and onto the floor before pulling Adeline back to him.

"Adie needs to get back to her room before people wake up," James complained.

"I can ask Tiffy for clothes later and fly out the window," Adeline stated, getting comfortable again.

"But breakfast," Peter whined.

"Go without me," Sirius grumbled.

The other boys all sighed before leaving, Frank rushing from the room before any of the others had made it to the door.

"I think I made Frank nervous," Adeline smirked.

"Well, you did fly in during a lightning storm like an omen of death," Sirius smirked.

"Oh, I like that. Omen of death. That should be my code name," she smirked.

"Codename for what?" Sirius smirked.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Anything really."

"I'll figure something out," Sirius smirked before joining their lips.

They kissed for a while before Sirius left for the bathroom.

"Tiffy? Can you bring me a change of clothes, please?"

A spare pair of jeans and a jumper appeared on Sirius' bed, her trainers and socks underneath it. Adeline smirked as she grabbed the clothes and changed quickly, taking her wand to her hair and face before pulling her shoes on and asked Tiffy to put her clothes away for her. Sirius came out as she was leaning back on his bed. He laid next to her, hovering over her slightly as he kissed her a few more times.

"We cannot stay up here snogging all day," she stated.

"Well, why ever not?" he smirked, leaning in to kiss her again.

"Because I have to go tell McGonagall about my Animagus form and fill out the registration sheet for the ministry," Adeline sighed.

"That can wait," he said, kissing along her jaw to her neck.

"We definitely aren't supposed to be doing that," she breathed.

Sirius kissed back to her lips, kissing her deeply before backing away and helping her to her feet.

"Do you want to fly out the window, sit on my shoulder, or face the Gryffindors head-on?" he smirked.

"Open the window," Adeline sighed. "This omen of death has things to do and flying is faster than the stairs."

Sirius rolled his eyes before kissing her once more. He opened the window and watched as Adeline turned into a raven again, picking up her wand with her talons and flying out the window. She flew to McGonagall's office, finding the witch there grading papers. She peeked the window a few times until McGonagall looked up, staring at her in confusion before realization hit her. She pulled the window open quickly and Adeline flew in, changing once she reached the chair across from McGonagall's and landing perfectly.

Adeline smiled brightly as McGonagall stared at her in pride. McGonagall handed her the mostly completed registration form that Adeline had already been working on, filling out the animal she had turned into and the date that it had occurred on. McGonagall smirked as she handed the paper over.

"I should have you fly and deliver it," she joked.

"I'm not sure how far I can fly yet," Adeline joked back before standing.

"Off to breakfast you go," McGonagall shooed her. "We can discuss any questions you have later."

Adeline nodded and left the office, Sirius running towards her from the end of the hall.

"I told you flying was faster," she smirked. "Ready for breakfast?"

"Yeah," Sirius smirked, taking her hand.

They walked together, people staring at them as they passed by, surprised by the closeness that Sirius and Adeline showed. He spun her in a circle, pulling her close by her waist. She smiled brightly as she held onto his sweater, holding herself to him. He kissed her nose and she poked his side, laughing when he jumped slightly. His eyes narrowed and he lifted her into the air, throwing her over his shoulder as he carried her towards the Great Hall, both laughing as he ran with her slightly. He set her back down in the main hall, both still laughing slightly as they walked into the Great Hall.

Sirius kissed her forehead before they separated, Adeline heading towards Reggie and Severus as Sirius went to Peter, Remus, and James. She sat down, still smiling as she began filling her plate. Reggie and Sev just stared at her for a moment before she felt the eyes on her.

"What?" she asked, looking between the two.

"Nothing," Reggie smirked, looking away from her.

"How can you be so friendly with him?" Severus asked. "He's a bully."

Adeline couldn't argue that Sirius, James and Peter bullied Severus often. She stared at him for a moment, deep in thought.

"Do you want me to talk to them?" she asked. "Tell them to back off?"

"Just what I need," Severus grumbled. "A girl sticking up for me."

"You're fine when Lily does it," Adeline pointed out.

"That's different," he sniffed.

"Because you're in love with her?"

"Wha- how?"

"It's obvious," Barty spoke up as he and Evan sat across from them. "Adeline! Make any headlines lately?"

"Apparently, I'm inappropriate and unladylike," Adeline smirked.

"We already knew that," Evan smirked. "It's what we like about you."

"Ha-ha," Adeline rolled her eyes.

"I should get going," Severus stood. "Lily and I are off to Hogsmeade."

"A date?" Adeline asked, intrigued.

"As friends," Severus rolled his eyes. "I'll see you all later."

"Bring back some sugar quills!" Adeline yelled after him, the small group laughing when Severus shot her a finger behind his back as he continued walking.

"What are we doing today?" Evan asked the other three.

"We could go fly for a bit?" Barty offered.

"Reggie needs to practice for Quidditch next year," Adeline nodded.

"Let's go," Evan smiled, standing and grabbing a few grapes to take with him.

They walked to the pitch, Evan sharing his grapes with Adeline as they walked, shooting her small smiles as they walked. Once in the air, the four of them all began chasing a practice snitch around, racing against each other around the pitch. Adeline and Evan collided at one point, both going after the snitch. Barty and Reggie raced ahead of them as the two were distracted, Evan reaching out to steady Adeline before the two of them sat in the stands.

"How have you been?" Evan asked, leaning forward slightly with his hands clasped so he could see Adeline better.

"Good," Adeline smiled, leaning back on the bench behind them with her elbows, staring up at the sky to watch Barty and Evan. "How have you been?"

"Good," he nodded. "Mother and father gave me my heir ring for Christmas."

"Let me see?" Adeline asked, sitting up.

Evan showed his ring to Adeline, smirking as she admired the Rosier family crest. She held out her hands next, showing him her rings in return. Evan poked the brown bird, giving Adeline a confused expression.

"My mother's family ring," Adeline explained. "It's a brown thrasher bird. Her family did a lot of business in the states, especially Georgia, so they adapted part of the area to their crest."

"That's cool," Evan smiled, staring into Adeline's eyes. "The Shafiq ring looks good on you."

"Thanks," Adeline smiled back. "Think I could convince the Blacks to let me continue using it?"

"Doubtful," Evan smirked.

"What a shame," Adeline sighed, looking to the sky again. "I like the Shafiq crest more."

"Me, too," Evan nodded and Adeline turned to him again, seeing him giving her a fond look.

They shared a smile before Adeline turned again, watching the other boys as Evan kept watching her. When the Ravenclaw teamed appeared to practice, they cleared out and headed back to the castle, finding all of the older kids had returned. Adeline groaned when she heard James and Severus' voices down a hall, following the sound with the other three boys directly behind her.

Lights were flashing as the two boys shot a few spells back and forth.

"Enough!" Adeline yelled, catching everyone's attention.

As they all looked to her, Peter shot off one last spell at Severus. She pushed him out of the way, her wand in her hair and out of reach. The spell hit her chest and Adeline gasped before falling to the floor, Evan just barely catching her as she froze due to the 'petrificus totalus' that Peter has sent. Reggie shot a spell at Peter, tying him in dark ropes as Evan removed the spell from Adeline, helping her to her feet and holding her steady for a moment. Adeline glared at Peter for a moment before looking to James.

"What is going on here?" she asked him.

"Snivellus needs to be taught some manners," James shrugged, smirk in place.

"Four against one will teach him manners? Don't act innocent you two!" she snapped at Remus and Sirius as they went to argue. "I've no doubt that you were more than willing to join in."

The two looked chastised as James rolled his eyes.

"Stop being dramatic, Adie," he complained. "It's just Snivellus."

"My name is Adeline," she corrected, glaring as she met James' eyes. "Call him that again and you'll be on your arse."

"What are you going to do? Throw an ornament at me?" he joked before Adeline did just that, the ornament hitting him in the nose. "Hey!"

"Don't make me do it again, Potter," Adeline growled before turning. "Let's go."

The Slytherins followed Adeline without a second thought, the group of boys surrounding her protectively as they walked to the dungeons, entering the common room together. Adeline turned to Severus once the door was safely closed behind them. She checked him over, finding a bit of blood on his arm. She cleaned the area before conjuring a bandage and wrapping the cut that ran up his arm. Adeline looked up into Severus' dark eyes, seeing sadness and shame.

"Are you okay?" she asked him, her voice soft.

"Yes," he answered too quickly and Adeline raised a brow, causing him to sigh. "I wasn't even doing anything. I was just walking towards the kitchens to get some hot chocolate and I guess they were going the same way because I ended up behind them. They thought I was following them though and James threw a stinging hex at me."

"Do you still want hot chocolate?" Adeline asked.

"Kind of," he shrugged.

"Let's go then," Adeline took Severus' hand, dragging him out of the common room.

The other boys stayed behind, Barty and Reggie deciding to play wizard's chest while Evan watched, a bit annoyed by how gentle Adeline had been with Severus. Adeline kept Severus' hand in hers as they headed to the kitchens, taking a different path than the one the Gryffindors had taken before. They reached the painting of fruit and Adeline tickled the pear, causing a doorknob to appear. She opened the door to find hundreds of elves running around the room preparing dinner. She walked over to the cabinet that she knew held the hot chocolate, Severus following closely behind her.

She grabbed two mugs, filled them with milk, which she heated with her wand, and poured the mix into the mugs, tapping them with her wand so it mixed in. She passed a mug to Severus before climbing onto the countertop. They tapped their mugs together in cheers before they sipped slowly, Severus waiting for Adeline to lecture him for fighting with her boyfriends.

"You should throw the first spell next time. It'll catch them off guard," she said instead and Severus almost chocked on his cocoa.

He stared at her in awe.

"I can teach you a few joke spells," she offered. "Really mess with them."

"Why would you help me fight your boyfriend and your fiancé?" he asked.

"Who?" Adeline asked, confused before understanding. "Remus is my friend and Sirius and I aren't engaged. We might as well be since we're being forced to marry one day, but still. And I'd help you because you're my friend. Friends help each other, even if it's against other friends. James and Sirius have been getting away with throwing hexes your way for too long. It's about time that someone other than me held them accountable. Also, Peter's kind of an ass and I'd like for someone to knock him on his."

Severus smirked before nodding. He joined her on the counter, both drinking their cocoa slowly, just enjoying listening to the flurry of movements around them. Adeline bumped his shoulder with her own lightly and he smiled. They set down their mugs and Severus jumped down first, helping Adeline down.

"You should come to the next Christmas ball," Adeline decided. "I'll save you a dance."

"I can't dance," he shook his head.

"I'll teach you that as well," Adeline smiled. "I have a few potions books you can have. They're more advanced than what we'll learn in class. You're better than me at potions. You deserve to be able to explore that passion."

"You don't need to do that," Severus started to argue.

"I want to," Adeline told him, taking his hand. "Friends. Remember?"

"Okay," Severus smiled as he let her lead him back through the castle and to the Slytherin common room.

Adeline and Severus began practicing dueling with Evan, Barty and Reggie a few times a week, hiding in an abandoned classroom between their final class of the day and dinner. On separate days, Adeline taught Severus how to waltz. His coordination was a bit off, which she'd already known from seeing him duel. They danced to practice footwork, Severus not even realizing that he was becoming a better dueler thanks to both lessons.

Towards the end of the year, classes became heavier, teachers piling on assignments as finals got closer and closer. The dueling classes became study sessions, Adeline helping Barty with a few potions problems and Evan helping Adeline with history, the subject boring her to sleep. Or maybe that was due to the teacher, for when Evan went over the chapters with her, she found herself drawn into the subject.

"You should be a storyteller," Adeline smirked. "You're good at this."

"Just want my father wants," Evan joked. "A storyteller for a son."

"I'd be proud," Adeline shrugged, looking down at her notes and missing how Evan stared at her.

Barty and Reggie didn't miss it though, sharing a look with one another before going back to their own studying. Adeline gave Severus a few of her advance potions books, one with the least amount of writing in it. The next time she saw it, he had written many of his own notes in it, barely any room left between the margins. She smirked, thinking of her own books and wondering what Severus could create if given the time and money to do so.

Finals week was long and drawn out, Adeline ready to pass out where she stood as she finally got done with her transfiguration class. She went into an empty room, turned into a bird, and flew out the window and over to the lake. Once there she landed in a tree, fluffing her feathers a bit before staring at the water.

"Can you believe how disgraceful it is?" Avery scoffed to Mulciber. "I mean, the heir to the Black fortune in Gryffindor? Cozying up to mudbloods and blood-traitors? I'm surprised Shafiq hasn't been sold off to Regulus at this point."

"She probably will be," Mulciber laughed. "Have you seen the way Rosier stares at her? Like a dog wanting to hump her leg?"

"He'd do it given the chance," Avery laughed.

"Should we do something about her?" Mulciber asked. "She walks around as if she's untouchable."

"She's just a girl," Avery shook his head. "We can deal with Black first. He'll be how we get to her. We'll do it tomorrow."

"She said the Blacks and Lupin are off limits," Mulciber stated, confused.

"Who cares what she said?" Avery huffed, annoyed. "She may be the boss of her lot but she's not the boss of us."

"Right," Mulciber nodded. "Let's get to the Great Hall. I'm starving after this week."

"Alright then," Avery nodded and the two walked away.

Adeline flew back to the room she'd flown out of, transforming back quickly and putting her wand in her hair. She made her way to the dungeons, anger evident on her face. She found Reggie, Barty, and Evan as they left the common room. They saw her face and followed her back into the common room, the four of them taking up a dark corner of the common room and throwing up privacy spells. Adeline repeated what she had heard Mulciber and Avery saying, leaving out the part about Evan. Reggie looked furious as Adeline finished, the idea of Sirius being attacked causing his magic to pulse a bit.

"Breathe, Reggie," Adeline told him. "Obviously we aren't going to let that happen."

"What should we do?" Evan asked.

"I have a plan," Adeline said.

The four bent their heads together, whispering back and forth. At the end of the conversation, Adeline went to moaning Mrytle's bathroom to brew a potion while Reggie and Barty practiced a spell together. Evan went to spy on Mulciber and Avery in the Great Hall, hoping to overhear more of the conversation.

Adeline smirked as she walked out of the castle and walked to the greenhouses. She snuck around the windows of the seventh-year greenhouse until she found the red and green leaves. Using a handkerchief, she pulled two leaves off, wrapping them carefully as she held her breath. She shut the window back and snuck back around the greenhouses, walking up the path to the school with the leaves securely hidden in the inside pocket of her robes. Once in moaning Mrytle's domain, she pulled out the leaves and performed the bubblehead charm on herself. She cut the leaves finely before bringing water to a simmer in her extra cauldron and slipping the leaves in. After fifteen minutes, she strained the leaves out, flushing them down a toilet before ladling two portions into separate vials.

She hid the vials before portioning the rest of the potion out for a later use, hiding them behind the toilet before leaving. Once in the common room, Reggie and Barty smirked, signaling that they were ready. The three left, heading to the Great Hall where dinner was in full swing, students talking and laughing loudly with one another, all rather animated now that finals had finished. Adeline passed a vial to Barty and the other to Reggie once they were sat by Evan, just a few seats down and across from Mulciber and Avery.

Barty and Evan uncorked the vials and waved their wands. The vials slowly moved under the table, dodging legs carefully. Evan waved his wand and fireworks erupted above the table, everyone looking skyward to watch the show. The vials snuck out from under the table, pouring into Mulciber' and Avery's goblets of pumpkin juice. The vials flew back to them under the table and Adeline took them both in her hand. She waved her wand, vanishing the vials before sending more fireworks into the air.

"A toast!" Reggie called as the fireworks settled. "To Slytherin winning the house cup!"

The Slytherin table erupted in cheers, all lifting their goblets and drinking deeply. It started light, a few giggles or random bursts of laughter escaping Mulciber and Avery. No one really took notice, rolling their eyes at the obnoxious behavior. As the laughing continued, the more eyes were drawn, tears rolling down the cheeks of both boys. Suddenly, the two were doubled over in laughter, Mulciber falling backwards off the bench in the process as Avery leaned against the table. Slughorn and McGonagall were the first to arrive at the table, confused expressions on their faces as the two boys laughed, panic clear on their faces.

"Laughing potion," Slughorn said confidently. "We need to get them to the infirmary before they crack ribs or can't breathe."

The two professors worked quickly, putting both boys on magical stretchers. Avery looked around the table as he was moved. Adeline smirked when he caught her eye, raising her goblet slightly before sipping from it, the gesture causing his eyes to widen in realization. He was carried away, unable to say anything as his laughter continued to flow through him.

Dumbledore came over then and Adeline's face went neutral, not giving anything away. He stared at both goblets before looking around the table, watching all the students. Adeline stared towards the entrance of the Great Hall, pretending to look sympathetic so he wouldn't see her face. He picked up the goblets and walked away, presumably to have Slughorn test the goblets for traces of the potion. Adeline smirked before finishing her dinner. Her boys stood with her, following her out of the Great Hall, all four smirking in satisfaction.

"It was them," Sirius whispered to James, tilting his head to the group of four.

"Oh, definitely," James nodded. "But, why?"

"It's Mulciber and Avery. Who cares? They probably deserved it," Peter stated, continuing to eat his food.

"Adeline and Reggie wouldn't have pranked them unless they did something to piss them both off," Sirius shook his head.

"Well, we should keep our heads down so no one thinks it was us," Remus said, standing. "I'm heading to the common room."

"Let's grab something from the kitchen for later and all go up," James nodded.

After dinner, there were parties happening in every common room, older students beyond happy that NEWTS and OWLS were complete and celebrating for their seventh year or for their upcoming graduation. Evan and Adeline snuck a few snacks from the table as Reggie and Barty grabbed a few butterbeers with shots of Firewhiskey in them. They ran up to the boys room, sitting in a circle by the fire stove. They traded chocolate frog cards back and forth before Adeline took her first sip of the butterbeer. She made a face as the firewhiskey burnt her throat, causing the boys to double over laughing.

"Oh, shush," Adeline rolled her eyes, taking another sip and humming slightly now that she knew what she was expecting.

They stayed up most of the night, laughing and playing card games. When their dorm mates came into the room, they told Adeline to leave and she rolled her eyes before standing. She gave each of her boys a kiss on the head before wobbling out of the room. She sighed, not wanting to go back to her room. Smirking, she left the common room, everyone too drunk to notice her in the shadows.

She turned into a bird, flying close to the ceiling. She made it to the main hall, finding the door closed. She turned human again, slipping out of the castle before turning into a bird again and flying up, up, up, to the Gryffindor tower. She landed on the windowsill, pecking at the window until James opened it. She flew in and transformed, landing on Peter's bed and leaning against him.

"Why are you sleeping?" she asked him.

"Why do you smell like alcohol?" he responded with a small smile.

"Do you lot not get drinks at the end of year party?" she asked, looking at the boys in the room.

"They don't let us have any," Remus frowned.

"Why did they let you have any?" Sirius asked, eyes narrowed.

"Oh, Merlin," Adeline rolled her eyes. "I thought you lot were good at sneaking around. Come along, Potter. Time to teach you a few tricks."

James followed Adeline out of the dorm, sneaking down the steps with her. They stayed against the wall, sticking to the shadows as they made their way to the drink table. Once there, Adeline and James grabbed six bottles each of the spiked butterbeer before heading back to the dorm. Once there, they held up their winnings, the other boys cheering, Longbottom included. She passed him a bottle first before giving one to Peter as he sat up in his bed. James passed a bottle to Sirius and Remus before he and Adeline placed the extras by the window. They all sat around the fire stove as Adeline had in the Slytherin common room, trading jokes back and forth as they all became tipsy.

"Truth or dare?" Peter asked Sirius.

"Dare," Sirius smirked.

"I dare you to kiss James," Peter smirked.

Sirius rolled his eyes before grabbing James' face and kissing him hard. James rolled his eyes before looking to Adeline as she wolf whistled.

"Hot," Adeline smirked, taking a sip of her drink.

"Truth or dare?" James asked Adeline.

"Truth," she smirked.

"What's your deepest, darkest secret?" James wiggled his brows.

"Boring," Adeline rolled her eyes.

"Fine," James smirked. "Why did you put Avery and Mulciber in the hospital wing?"

"Oh!" Adeline yelled, turning to Sirius. "Stay away from them. I overheard them planning to do something to you."

"Do what?" he asked, confused.

"They didn't say," she shrugged. "They know it was me though."

"How?" Remus asked.

"I made sure they did," she smirked, sipping her drink again, emptying the bottle in the process.

She frowned before standing, taking a moment so the room would stop spinning.

"How drunk are you?" James asked.

"You already asked your question," she smirked, grabbing another bottle before sitting back between Peter and Sirius. "Truth or dare, Remy?"

"Truth," he said immediately.

"Boring," James copied Adeline's tone from earlier.

"Fine. Dare," he rolled his eyes.

"I dare you to streak through your common room," she smirked.

"Adie, if you wanted to get me naked, all you had to do was ask," he smirked.

"Remus John Lupin!" she gasped. "Are you flirting with me? One would think you want to join our marriage in the future."

"It's for the money," he shrugged.

"And the free laughing potions," Adeline sighed.

"And my amazing kissing," Sirius puffed his chest out.

"You were okay," James shrugged, watching as Remus stood on uneasy feet.

James reached out, catching Remus as he tipped slightly. They all laughed as Remus struggled to pull his shirt over his head.

"Need a hand?" Adeline smirked.

"So unladylike," Sirius rolled his eyes.

"I'd be boring otherwise," she shrugged, standing to help Remus as he was completely trapped now.

Remus smirked at her before continuing to undress. Sirius whistled this time as he pulled Adeline into him lap. Remus dropped his boxers to the floor, doing a turn for everyone as Adeline covered her face with her hands, laughing loudly. Remus ran out of the dorm, James, Peter, and Frank following after him, yelling and laughing.

"Let's put you in bed," Sirius smirked, standing with Adeline.

"Don't wanna," she smiled. "Having fun."

"You Slytherins and your fun," he rolled him eyes.

"The hat wanted me in Gryffindor," Adeline sighed. "Just think, I could have been pulling pranks with all of you this whole time."

"The hat wanted you in Gryffindor?" he asked as the boys ran back into the room.

"Mhm," she hummed as she sat on Sirius' bed. "I remembered what you said though. I knew Reggie needed one of us. So, I told the hat to put me in Slytherin for him."

"Wait, what?" James asked, all the boys staring in confusion, Remus half-dressed already.

"I'm supposed to be a Gryffindor," Adeline stage whispered as Sirius removed her trainers from her feet.

"Huh," James breathed out, looking thoughtful. "That would have been more fun."

"Indeed," Adeline nodded as she laid on the bed.

Sirius pulled the blankets over her, sitting beside her on the bed. She smiled softly at him, holding his hand as she laid on her side, facing the room.

"You told her not to come to Gryffindor?" Peter asked, confused. "Why?"

"Walburga would have had a fit," Adeline sighed. "Maybe she would have keeled over. The world would be a much brighter place if she had."

"Adeline," Remus said in shock.

"I don't like her," Adeline defended before closing her eyes. "She's an awful woman and a dreadful mother. My boys deserve better."

"Quiet now, Adie," Sirius whispered, running his fingers through her hair. "Go to sleep."

"But you Gryffindors are so much more fun," she pouted, eyes opening with tears in her eyes. "My room mates are mean and the others don't actually like me. They say mean things about me and Reggie."

"What do they say?" Sirius asked.

"They say that, when you get disinherited, I'm going to be sold off to Reggie," she whispered. "They say that I'm a gold-digging whore and the Reggie is too stupid and naïve to see it. They say awful things when they think we can't hear them."

Sirius stared at Adeline in sadness, not realizing what she'd been dealing with.

"How long has this been happening?" James asked, voice soft.

"The whole time," she shrugged as a tear escaped. "They didn't say as much when Sissy was in school, but now that she's gone, they don't care as much. One of them tried to hex me just yesterday."

"They what?" Sirius asked, voice low and dangerous. "Who?"

"It doesn't matter," she sighed, wiping her face and rolling over. "Goodnight, my lions."

Sirius let out a shaky breath as Adeline fell asleep. He felt anger at himself for not having noticed what was happening. He should have known his Adeline was hiding her hurt. She'd always been so good about hiding it, but he'd always been able to break down her walls. He knew she'd been sneaking off more lately, keeping her distance from those in her own house, but he thought it had been because she didn't agree with their views. He knew it was more than that now though and he desperately wished he hadn't told her to go to Slytherin house.

He looked to Remus, who had the same shocked and guilty expression on his face. Remus and Adeline were close, closer than Remus was with any of the Marauders truth be told. They were in constant contact. If he hadn't even known, Sirius knew there was no way he would have. They shared a look before they all headed to bed. Sirius curled around Adeline, the blanket wrapped around both of them with the curtain closed. He stayed awake for hours, thinking of different ways to try to protect her from the Slytherins but knowing there wasn't much he could do from his tower.

When sleep finally pulled him under, the sun was close to rising and his nightmares were full of different ways that he had let Reggie and Adie down. He woke a few hours later as Adeline shifted, her eyes fluttering open. She rolled in his arms, facing him. They stared at each other for a moment before Sirius moved forward, giving her a light kiss. She smiled into the kiss, cuddling into his chest once he pulled away. They stayed that way for a while, both dozing off for a few minutes before waking up again.

Eventually, the others began moving around the room. Adeline sighed before sitting up and stretching. She waved her wand over herself, fixing her hair and makeup before looking to Sirius. He gave her a soft smile as he sat up. She kissed his cheek, leaving a pink lipstick mark on his cheek.

"Everyone decent?" Sirius asked, pulling the curtain back slightly.

"Are you?" James joked. "We're all clothed if you want to sneak your girlfriend out."

Sirius smirked before opening the curtain, revealing Adeline looking as perfect as ever.

"Does she just wake up like that?" Peter asked, staring at her.

"Yup," she nodded before jumping up.

Remus groaned from his bed.

"Take this," she rolled her eyes, passing him a bottle. "Hangover potion."

"Hangover potion?" Frank asked hopefully.

"One for everyone," she smiled, passing one to Frank as well. "Take it even if you feel fine."

"When did you take one?" Sirius asked.

"While you were talking to James," she shrugged. "Let's go, Loverboy. I have my own common room to get to."

Sirius rolled his eyes, downing the potion as Adeline turned into a black bird. She sat on his shoulder, chirping slightly as he left the dorm room. He opened the portrait for her and she flew off, heading down, down, down towards the dungeons. Once she reached the common room portrait, she turned human again, giving the password to the portrait and stepping inside. She made her way to the boys dorm rooms, smirking as she found her boys all in various stages of waking.

"Where have you been?" Reggie asked, rubbing his head.

"Drink," she rolled her eyes, passing out potions, even to the ones who didn't like her.

They all drank the potion, giving Adeline thankful looks.

"You didn't answer my question," Reggie pointed out.

"My room," Adeline shrugged.

"One of your dormmates came looking for you," Barty stated.

"Oh," Adeline said. "Why were they looking for me?"

"Slughorn wants to see us," Reggie said, standing. "Come on."

Adeline groaned as she followed Reggie out of the dorm and followed him through the dungeon to Slughorn's office. They knocked twice before being called inside. Adeline froze up slightly as Slughorn and Dumbledore sat behind Slughorn's desk.

"Professor, headmaster," she greeted, gathering herself quickly as she entered the room, Reggie behind her. "How can we help you?"

"Miss Shafiq, Mister Black. Last night, two of your classmates were given laughing potions. One of them insists that it was the two of you," Dumbledore explained.

"I told the headmaster that it couldn't have been the two of you," Slughorn spoke up. "Told him none of my Slug Club would ever do such a thing. He insisted upon speaking to you himself, though."

"Thank you, Horace," Dumbledore cut him off. "Miss Shafiq? Mister Black? Why would they think it was you who had slipped them the potion?"

"Well, Avery and Mulciber aren't my biggest fans," Adeline shrugged. "Think very badly of Regulus and I both, actually. Their families aren't as pure as ours and they're jealous of ours. Ask anyone in Slytherin and they'll tell you so. Maybe they thought pinning this on us would get us in trouble."

"I wouldn't be surprised if they did it to themselves in an attempt to blame us honestly," Regulus stated.

"Those two, Albus," Slughorn sighed. "I told you, they're always up to no good."

"Miss Shafiq, you are rather gifted with potions. Could you have made the laughing potion?" he asked.

"I've never seen the potion before but I'm sure I could," she shrugged. "Can't be too hard. What's in it?"

"It is Alihotsy and water," Dumbledore explained.

"Alihotsy?" Regulus asked curiously.

"Also known as the Hyena tree," Slughorn explained. "The leaves are chopped finely and added to a boiling cauldron and left to steep."

"Like tea?" Adeline asked.

"Yes," Slughorn smiled at the curious minds in front of him. "One has to be careful with the leaves themselves and while brewing though. If one were to breath in the scent of the leaves for too long, they would end up having their own laughing fits."

"The house elves found a handkerchief on the Slytherin table that had residue from the leaves on them," Dumbledore explained.

"Okay?" Adeline asked, forcing her face to look confused.

"Where would we have even gotten these leaves?' Regulus asked, standing straight at the accusation Dumbledore was trying to throw at them.

"They are grown in the greenhouses," Dumbledore explained.

"Professor Sprout hasn't taught us about the leaves yet in that case," Adeline asked, acting as if she hadn't caught on yet.

"It's taught to seventh years," Slughorn huffed at Dumbledore's attitude.

"So, it was probably a seventh year," Regulus stated and Adeline turned to him.

"Why are the two of you upset?" she asked Regulus and Slughorn before turning to Dumbledore. "And why are you asking us these questions instead of the seventh years if they're the ones who had access to the greenhouse? You don't think it was truly us, do you?"

"I believe it may be an option," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Why would we have attacked two fourth years?" Adeline questioned him.

"That is what I am trying to figure out," Dumbledore explained.

"Are you accusing two second years of somehow being smart enough to know about a potion that I'm assuming we won't hear about until seventh year, somehow knowing that the plant is grown here and sneaking into the greenhouse to steal the leaves, finding a private place to brew said potion, which we somehow brewed without touching the leaves or smelling them at any point, and sneaking them into a couple of fourth year students' drinks?" Adeline asked carefully. "I know Reggie and I are rather smart, but I didn't realize we were quite so diabolical."

"No one is accusing anyone of anything," Slughorn spoke up. "Especially not something as preposterous as that exact scenario."

"I apologize for how I came across," Dumbledore spoke up. "I just needed to be sure. I will begin questioning seventh years next. You are both free to enjoy the rest of your day."

"Professor," Adeline nodded to Slughorn before turning on her heel and leaving the office, not even glancing at Dumbledore again.

Reggie followed Adeline, taking her hand the moment that they were out the door and dragging her into a hidden alcove. The two of them began laughing, slowly collecting themselves before heading to the Great Hall for breakfast. Once there, they sat with Barty and Evan, both still smiling widely.

"What happened?" Evan asked.

"They found the handkerchief," Adeline smirked. "Dumbledore is going to question the seventh years next."

"How did you know the plant was in the seventh-year greenhouse?" Reggie asked.

"A witch never tells her secrets," Adeline smirked as she remembered Lucius complaining about the plant the year before. "Did we miss anything?"

"No," Barty sighed. "Nothing fun ever happens when the two of you aren't around."

"Did you hear that, Reggie?" Adeline smirked. "It's almost like he enjoys our company."

"How touching," Reggie smirked. "We'll have to entertain them more often."

"That we will," Adeline nodded as the post arrived.

Adeline took the Daily Prophet from her owl. She feed her owl a few slices of bacon as she read through the articles, noting that more people seemed to have gone missing. She frowned at the news before showing it to Reggie. He sighed, looking a bit concerned before being dragged into a conversation with Barty and Evan. Adeline chewed her lip as she continued reading before dismissing her owl, telling it to meet her at the Black Manor before folding the prophet and tossing it towards Evan so he could read it as well.

They went back to the common room a bit later, packing their things at the foot of their beds to be delivered to the train in the next hour. Adeline snuck to the second-floor bathroom to pack her potions equipment. As she packed everything away, she let out a sigh and turned from her position on the floor to see Dumbledore a few feet away from her, smiling at her gently.

"So, this is where you've been brewing your potions for young Remus?" he asked, his voice sage and soft.

"Yes, sir," Adeline nodded before continuing.

"You made the laughing potion," he stated.

"If I did?" she questioned, continuing her movements slowly.

"Students pull pranks on each other all the time. Technically speaking, the last day of school was yesterday, so finding information today means next to nothing. I would like to know why one would prank someone in their own house though."

"They were going to hurt Sirius," Adeline sighed, standing and facing the headmaster. "I made sure they didn't get the chance. The laughing potion was a bit stronger than expected. I didn't really have time to test it unfortunately or I wouldn't have given them quite so much."

"Hmm," Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, nodding to Adeline. "You would do much to protect the ones you love."

"I would do anything for the ones that I love," she corrected him. "The list of people just happens to be rather small."

"I may have noticed. You love with all of your heart though. It's a rather two-sided trait to have."

"Two-sided?" Adeline questioned with a raised brow.

"Two-sided as in it could go rather well or rather terribly," he explained. "Either you will protect them with your own life or you will protect them with another's life."

Adeline nodded, thinking his words over.

"I do hope neither situation ever occurs," he said before turning and heading to the door. "Have a lovely Summer, Miss Shafiq."

"You as well, headmaster," Adeline nodded.

"And Miss Shafiq?" Dumbledore paused at the door to face her.

"Yes, headmaster?" she asked.

"I have a room you may use for brewing next year. I ask that you do not brew anything that would get one in trouble while there."

"Yes, sir," Adeline nodded. "Would you like a laughing potion, sir? I seem to have found a few. You could share them with your friends?"

"That would be lovely," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Do keep a few for yourself though. They can be rather fun in the correct portions."

"Absolutely, sir," Adeline smiled as she passed three vials to the headmaster. "Goodbye, sir."

Adeline left the second floor and went down to the dungeons again, walking pass the other Slytherins discretely as she headed to her room. Once her trunk was completely packed, she met Reggie, Evan and Barty in the common room. The four walked together, a group of third- and fourth-year girls snickering behind them as they went, as if the four couldn't hear what they were loudly whispering back and forth. Adeline and Reggie locked eyes before pointing their wands at the ground at their feet, freezing the ground as they passed it. The girls shrieked as they slipped on the ice, knocking each other into mud as they fell.

Once on the train, the four laughed, sitting in their own compartment. Adeline smiled brightly as Severus and Lily joined them. The six began talking excitedly about their summer plans, Lily and Adeline exchanging book lists. Towards the end of the train ride, Sirius and Remus appeared in the doorway.

"We hear the two of you caused a bit of an accident on the way to the train?" Sirius smirked, leaning against the frame of the compartment with ease and causing Adeline's breath to catch.

"People should watch where they step," Reggie smirked back to his brother. "Terrible when there are ice patches on the ground so close to summer."

"That it is," Sirius stated, looking to Adeline.

Adeline looked back to Lily, pulling her into a conversation about books and trying to cover the blush on her face. Lily smirked but spoke to her anyways, trying to help save her from the embarrassment.

"Oh! Adeline?" Reggie asked, pulling her attention back to him.

"Hmm?" she questioned, turning to face Reggie and hoping her face was back to normal.

"When do you start your lessons with Lord Voldemort?" he asked and Barty and Evan sat straighter in their seats.

"You're getting private lessons with the Dark Lord?" Evan asked curiously.

"Dark Lord?" Remus asked, concern in his voice.

"Wait, they're private lessons? I thought he was just giving you access to his library?" Sirius questioned.

"I will be meeting with him once a week for lessons and he has opened his library to me," Adeline said to Sirius, who stood stiffly at the door before she turned to Evan. "Dark Lord?"

"It's what everyone has started calling him," Evan explained.

"Who is he?" Lily asked curiously.

"A pureblood wizard who has been rallying for pureblood traditions," Severus explained to her.

"Pureblood traditions don't need rallying though," Lily said, sounding confused.

"In this day, they do," Barty argued. "With more impure witches and wizards popping up, the pureblood traditions are disappearing. I can't believe how lucky you are to get to learn under him."

"I don't believe in all the pureblood traditions," Adeline reminded him. "It's not luck, either. We're friends."

"The Dark Lord doesn't have friends," Barty shook his head. "I wonder what he really wants with you."

"Laughing potions," Adeline joked, trying to lighten the mood that had filled the compartment suddenly. "We should get ready. We're nearly there."

Sirius grabbed Adeline's truck as Regulus grabbed his own. Adeline, Sirius, Regulus and Remus left the compartment then and headed to meet James and Peter in their compartment. Adeline let out a low breath now that they had escaped Barty and Evan, hoping Severus and Lily would be alright without the two there as a buffer.

"How is Snivellus?" James questioned with a smirk.

"I will hex you," Adeline warned him. "Let Severus be."

James just sighed and rolled his eyes.

"So, private lessons?" Remus asked gently.

"Yeah," Adeline nodded. "I'll send you anything that I can find."

"What do you plan on finding?" Regulus asked.

"None of your business," Adeline smirked before turning to Sirius. "Do you think we're still in trouble?"

"I doubt it," he sighed. "If so, I'll send word to your elves."

"Thank you," she nodded gratefully.

The train came to a stop and Adeline peered out of the window, finding Orion waiting for them. The three shared a look before leaving the train, Sirius carrying Adeline's trunk for her and heading to Orion. He smiled at the three of them, taking Adeline's trunk and leading them out of the station. They went to the apparition point and Orion called for Kreacher. Kreacher took Adeline and Regulus as Orion took Sirius. They landed in the sitting room where Walburga greeted them with a nod.

After taking her trunk from Orion, the three headed up the stairs to their rooms, dropping off their belongings before heading back down the stairs, Adeline taking an extra moment to pull out her special notebooks and a few pens and hiding them under her pillow. She found Walburga waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, smiling slightly.

"We need to get you dress robes," Walburga explained. "Come along."

Adeline followed Walburga through the floo to Diagon. They stepped into the fabric shop, smiling as Catherine greeted them.

"Is it ready?" Walburga asked Catherine with a smile.

"It is," Catherine smiled.

"Wonderful," Walburga turned to Adeline. "I had one of my old dresses remade by Catherine for you. We plan to announce yours and Sirius' engagement at the ball in three days. Sirius and Orion are in the family vault now finding a ring for you."

"Oh," Adeline's brows rose before she began to smile brightly. "How exciting."

"That it is," Walburga smiled. "We figured with your third year coming up, dates to Hogsmeade would follow. You're all growing so quickly. Soon you'll be getting married and having children of your own."

Adeline's smile was real as she tried on the dress that Catherine had fixed for her. It was sleeveless, tying in a bow behind her neck. The sweetheart bodice showed the small bit of cleavage she now had as the corset tightened around her waist before the skirt flared, ending just under her knee. The silver dress glittered a bit as Adeline swayed back and forth slightly in front of the mirror. Catherine gave her a small smile at the action before rechecking the measurements, finding everything to be perfect.

Kreacher took the dresses home and Adeline and Walburga went to the tea shop, sitting together as Walburga gossiped about the other pureblood families. Adeline listened intently, knowing Walburga would expect her to remember the information later. They discussed the details of the ball for a while, enjoying the breeze that swept through the alley as they sat outside, both smiling and content.

As they finished their tea and small lunch, Sirius and Orion found them. Sirius went to Adeline's side immediately, Orion going to Walburga's. They went to the Leaky and went through the floo, Sirius and Adeline watching as the two older Blacks disappeared in green flames one after the other.

"You didn't pick anything extravagant, did you?" Adeline smirked.

"Everything in there was extravagant," he sighed with a small smile. "I found you the least gawdy one. One day, I'll buy you a new one."

"Is that so?" Adeline asked with raised brow.

"Yes," he smiled. "It'll truly be from me then."

Adeline kissed Sirius' cheek before walking through the floo, smiling as she stepped into Black manor. She and Walburga spent the next two days planning the ball, getting everything perfect for their guests. The night before the ball, Sirius knocked on her door three times. Adeline smiled as she opened the door, finding Sirius leaning against the threshold and causing her breath to catch again.

"What?" he asked with a small smile.

"What?" she asked, a small blush on her cheeks.

"You're staring at me strangely," he pointed out.

"I'm doing no such thing," she rolled her eyes. "Do you need something?"

"I felt I should give you your ring before tomorrow," he smiled.

"We should make sure there are no curses on it," Adeline sighed.

"Already checked," Sirius shook his head. "I told father that I wanted to give you a ring that was pure so that I could add my own protection charms to it. It's why I've waited until now to give it to you. I finished it."

"You charmed it yourself?" Adeline asked, her heart fluttering slightly. "That's so sweet."

"Well, we are engaged," Sirius smiled, a small blush on his own face. "I should do sweet things for you."

"I don't remember your proposing," Adeline joked.

"You don't?" Sirius joked back.

"How'd you do it? Was it romantic?"

Sirius smiled before taking Adeline's hand and pulling her out of her room. Adeline rolled her eyes, allowing him to pull her out before gasping as she stared around the hall. Candles lit the area, vanilla petals lining the floor and stopping just by her door, filling the hall with the sweet smell. She stared for a moment before turning to find Sirius on one knee.

"Adeline Shafiq," he began. "I have loved you for years now. I began falling for you after you took care of me your first summer staying with us. You are brave, strong, loyal, and quite frankly, terrifying. You challenge me to do better and protect me from others before they even have the chance to come after me. You are more than I can ever deserve and I look forward to trying to prove my worth to you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Adeline smiled, tears in her eyes.

Sirius pulled a ring from his pocket, taking Adeline's hand and sliding it onto her finger. She didn't even look at the ring as she pulled Sirius to his feet and kissed him. He held her tightly, leaning her into the wall as he kissed her back, holding her face between his hands. When he pulled away, he wiped a stray tear from her face, both smiling widely.

"You didn't look at the ring," he told her.

"I can admire your good taste later," she told him with a smirk. "That was beautiful."

"It was all true," he told her. "I love you."

"I love you," she whispered back before pecking his lips.

"I should head to bed," he sighed. "I need to clean this up before mother sees it."

"I've got it," Adeline rolled her eyes before pulling her wand from her hair, allowing the curls to come loose.

She waved her wand, muttering a cleaning spell as Sirius stared at her in awe. He took one of her curls in his hand, pulling it straight before releasing it and watching as it bounced back into place. She turned to face him again, giving him a small smile. He smiled back as the candles floated over to them.

"Where do these go?" she asked him.

He pulled a small bag from his pocket and the candles floated into the bag. He pulled a flower from his pocket then, already preserved for her. She smiled as she took it, the other petals dancing over the top of them. Sirius held the bag open and the petals fell into the bag as well.

"Goodnight, fiancé," Sirius smirked, kissing Adeline's head before heading off.

Adeline watched him go, him turning slightly when he reached the end of the hall. They smiled at each other brightly before he left the hall. Adeline went into her room, shutting the door before letting out an excited shriek and jumping onto her bed. She just sat for a bit, staring at her canopy before sitting up. She set the flower on her desk before finally looking at her ring, gasping.

Of course, it was beautiful and larger than Adeline had expected. A gold ban with intricate designs engraved into it that Adeline recognized as protection runes. There was a large, oval diamond glittered as she moved her hand back and forth in the light, three smaller diamonds on each side of the large one. She grabbed the journal she shared with Lily, sketching the ring out.

'Why are you drawing a ring?' Lily questioned once Adeline finished her work.

'Sirius and I have to announce our engagement tomorrow so he proposed a few minutes ago. That's the ring he chose for me,' Adeline explained.

'Oh, it looks beautiful!' Lily gushed and the two girls wrote back and forth for a few hours, Adeline giving Lily all of the details.

'Do you feel strange being engaged so young?' Lily asked.

'No. I've been betrothed to a Black since before I was born and betrothed to Sirius since I was seven.'

'So, you have to marry him.'

'It's more than that. He's…' Adeline took a moment, trying to gather her thoughts before she began writing again. 'Sirius made himself seem arrogant when I met him in hopes that I would be put with Reggie. Reggie was sweet and nervous, practically tripping over himself when we met. Sirius had this smirk on his face that I hate. It was a mask though. I can't explain it, as it isn't my story to tell, but trust me when I say that Walburga is a terrible mother.'

'Okay?' Adeline knew Lily was confused so Adeline continued.

'I didn't fall for Sirius because we have to get married one day. I fell for him for who he is when he isn't wearing his mask. Yes, he can be arrogant, but that comes with being raised a certain way. He lets me see who he truly is, though. He's sweet, caring, and gentle. He can make you feel like the most important person in the room with just a look and he makes me laugh when no one else can.'

'The Sirius you describe is different from the one that I know.'

'He is. The Sirius you know is a disguise that he wears from fear of Walburga's anger.'

'It sounds like fate.'

Adeline smiled before responding.

'I think it is.'

They changed the subject to the classes that Adeline planned to pick up for her third year. Adeline fell asleep with her journal still open, waking as she heard a soft knocking on her door. She slid the journal and pen away before standing, pulling her robe over her nightgown and opening the door. She smiled as Sissy stood on the other side of the bed.

"I came to help you get ready," Sissy explained. "Aunt Walburga had some last-minute emergency to take care of."

"Is everything alright?" Adeline asked, stepping aside so Sissy could walk in.

"It will be," Sissy nodded. "She'll be back in time to get ready for the ball."

"Okay," Adeline nodded as Sissy hung her dress bag in Adeline's wardrobe.

"Get bathed and changed so we can head down to breakfast," Sissy told her before her eyes latched onto Adeline's hand. "What is that?"

Adeline smirked before walking towards the bathroom.

"Would you look at the time," she sighed. "I should bathe."

"Is that an engagement ring?" Sissy demanded, grabbing Adeline's hand and staring at the ring. "It's beautiful. Go, Siri."

"It is beautiful," Adeline smiled softly.

"Tell me everything."

So, Adeline did. Sissy sat in the bathroom as Adeline showered, listening as Adeline spoke. She passed Adeline a change of clothes once she stepped out of the shower, the younger girl dressing quickly before combing out her hair. Sissy smiled once Adeline had finished speaking.

"I am so happy that you and Sirius love each other as Lucius and I love each other. It makes everything so much sweeter in situations like ours," Sissy said as they headed for the stairs.

"Is Bella still not fond of Rudolphus?" Adeline questioned, voice soft.

"Not particularly," Sissy sighed. "She's been a bit strange lately. I'm worried for her."

"Should we go see her before getting ready?" Adeline asked.

"No," Sissy shook her head. "I'm sure it'll be fine. She'd come to me if something was wrong."

"Good," Adeline nodded as they entered the dining room, finding Sirius, Regulus, and Orion already there.

Sirius stood, pulling Adeline's chair out for her. Sissy smirked before sitting across from her. Sirius already had fruit with cream in a bowl ready for her, a bit of brown sugar sprinkled over the top of it. She smiled to him as she pressed their knees together under the table. Sirius smiled back brightly before going back to his conversation with his father, his left arm thrown over the back of Adeline's chair.

"What is that?" Regulus asked, his voice excited as he stared at Adeline's hand. "Are you finally engaged?"

"It's being announced tonight at the ball," Adeline told him. "I've been busy planning with your mother and hadn't had the chance to tell you yet."

"You didn't have that yet, either," Regulus pointed out, smiling.

"He offered it to me last night," she explained as Sirius pressed his knee against hers slightly.

"So, when do you finally become my sister?" Reggie asked, eyes shining slightly.

"Not until after school," Adeline told him. "Hopefully I'll get to do a study before hand as well."

"Shouldn't be a problem," Orion spoke up. "I've already told Walburga that you are to finish whatever schooling you wish before you are to be wed."

"Thank you," Adeline said gratefully to him, truly thankful that she would be able to study under a potions master before having to get married and have children.

"Your first lessons with the Dark Lord are day after tomorrow, correct?" Orion asked.

"Yes, sir," Adeline nodded.

"You're having lessons with the Dark Lord?" Sissy asked curiously.

"I am," Adeline smiled. "He also told me I could visit his library at any time."

"One of your elves will need to chaperone the lessons and any trips to said library," Orion stated.

"Agreed," Sirius said before Adeline could speak up.

"What?" she asked him, confused.

"We're engaged. It would seem inappropriate for you to go to private lessons with an older man without a chaperone," Sirius explained, his voice soft. "I would go myself but Regulus and I are helping father in his office this summer. I won't have much time."

"Okay," Adeline nodded, agreeing with his train of thought.

She knew he was more worried about what Tom would be teaching her than anything inappropriate happening. He didn't trust Tom as the other purebloods did, having told Adeline as much a few weeks back. Something about him was a bit off to Adeline as well and she had shared her discomfort with Remus, promising to tell him anything strange that she found out about the man. Remus had begun doing his own research into Tom on his own, searching through pureblood family trees and registries for the names 'Tom', 'Thomas', and 'Voldemort' and finding nothing.

Adeline planned on looking through the library for clues. Maybe she would overhear something while there as well. She wasn't sure why but something told her that he was lying just as she was about blood status and she wanted to know why. Remus had told her repeatedly to be careful and she had promised she would be. She knew he would remind her again before her lesson and she'd already decided to take the journal with her, taking notes directly into the journal if she got the chance just so Remus would get everything directly as she did.

"Time to get ready," Sissy announced as Adeline finished her breakfast.

Adeline followed Sissy from the dining room, kissing Sirius' cheek before leaving the room. Sirius stared after her fondly and Orion smirked, happy that Adeline had been chosen for him and hoping that she would be able to keep him in line as his Gryffindor friends tried to keep him in trouble.

Sissy did Adeline's hair and makeup by hand, locking everything in with magic once she finished. Adeline slid into her dress and heels before turning and watching as Sissy got ready. She smiled as she thought of her real mother getting ready for work in the mornings, Sissy looking a bit like her mother had.

"What?" Sissy asked Adeline with a smile. "You're staring."

"You're beautiful," Adeline shrugged.

"As are you," Sissy smiled. "Sirius won't know what hit him."

"Sirius has seen me in dresses and makeup plenty of times," Adeline rolled her eyes.

"He's seen Adeline Shafiq in dresses and makeup," Sissy corrected. "You are the future Adeline Black now. His fiancé. He's never seen his fiancé in a dress and makeup before."

"If you say so," Adeline smirked.

"I know so," Sissy stated. "He stares at you the way Lucy stares at me. Like you hung the moon and all the stars in the sky."

"He does not," Adeline shook her head, blushing slightly.

"He does and you are a fool if you don't see it," Sissy stood and sat beside Adeline. "You're going to be very happy together. I just know it."

"I hope so," Adeline smiled softly. "He makes me happy."

"That's all I ever wanted for you," Sissy stroked Adeline's hair softly before standing and getting dressed.

The two sat quietly, reading for the rest of the afternoon before Kreacher popped in to tell them guest would be arriving soon, Lucius having just arrived through the floo. Adeline and Sissy walked down the stairs, Lucius and Sirius staring up at them in awe and Adeline just knew that Sissy would give her an 'I-told-you-so' look if their eyes met in that moment. Instead, she stared forward, smiling brightly at Sirius as she reached him.

"You look beautiful," Sirius whispered to her as Lucius greeted Sissy the same way.

"You clean up well yourself," Adeline smiled, straightening his collar a bit.

Sirius offered his arm and Adeline took it, smiling as he led her towards the floo where they waited to greet the guest. Walburga checked on them a few minutes later, staring down at the ring approvingly before heading to the front door to join Orion.

"Is it good if she likes the ring?" Sirius whispered to Adeline.

"Who cares?" Adeline whispered back. "I love it."

"I'm happy that I chose it," he smiled to her.

"As am I," she smiled back before the floo roared to life.

The two greeted the guest as they entered, Barty and Evan among some of the first to arrive. Tom arrived not long after, confirming his and Adeline's lessons before moving to Lucius across the room. Adeline squeezed Sirius' arm gently to calm him once Tom moved on, reminding him that she would be alright. Rudolphus and Bella joined them soon after that, Bella giving both teens a tight smile before moving along. Sirius and Adeline locked eyes for a moment, confused by the coldness before another guest arrived, demanding their attention.

Once everyone had arrived, Walburga and Orion swept into the room, leading everyone into the sunroom.

"Before the first dance, I would like to make a toast," Orion spoke up. "Today, we would like to announce the engagement of our eldest son, Sirius, to the lady Adeline Shafiq. May they make each other as happy as they make Walburga and I. To the future of the Blacks!"

"To the future!" everyone toasted.

"Please tell me we'll make each other happier than that," Sirius joked and Adeline had to turn away to hide her laughter from the crowd.

"And now, a dance!" Walburga announced as waltz music began playing.

Adeline and Sirius placed their glasses down before Sirius led her to the dance flood. He led her around the room, the two of them dancing with each other perfectly, Sirius lifting her when he was supposed to and dipping slightly as the song came to an end. There was applause around them as the next song began, other couples joining them as they began dancing again. Sirius danced with her for the next hour until she told him her feet were beginning to hurt. He led her off of the floor and to a chair, sitting her down before heading to get them refreshments.

"So, you're engaged," Evan's voice stated and Adeline turned her head, finding Evan standing beside her.

"We are," Adeline smiled.

"Congratulations," Evan said, his voice flat.

"What's wrong?" she asked him. "You seem upset."

"No," Evan shook his head. "Of course, not. I mean it."

"Thank you," Adeline gave him a soft smile as Barty rushed over, Regulus close behind him.

"Adie," Barty smirked. "May I have a dance?"

"She promised me the next one," Regulus spoke up, stepping around the two and taking Adeline's hand.

She went to her feet, wincing slightly as Regulus led her through the crowd, dancing with her as he led her towards where Sirius was with Orion and a few other lords, being held up as his father talked business. The two walked over, Adeline's hand on his arm as they stood slightly away from the small group.

"Lady Shafiq," Tom greeted, noticing her and Regulus. "Young Black."

"Hello, Dark Lord," Regulus bowed his head slightly and Adeline followed, knowing better than to let Orion look bad in front of the other lords.

"Ah, yes," Orion smiled at the pair. "My future daughter and my youngest. We have yet to find anyone suitable for Regulus here. Pity, really."

"I'm sure the right girl will come along," one of the other men stated and Regulus' arm tightened around Adeline's hand slightly before relaxing.

Adeline glanced at him, noting the nervousness that he was trying to hide on his face before looking to Sirius as he caught it as well. The two decided to save Regulus from the awkwardness then.

"Regulus and I were actually going to dance for a bit," Adeline stated. "I was just making sure Sirius was occupied while we did so."

"I'll keep him busy until you come searching for him again," Orion promised.

"Thank you, sir," Adeline bowed her head to Orion before bowing to the other men. "Gentlemen."

"She thinks we're gentlemen," one of the men mumbled to another, unaware that Adeline had heard him.

"Have a pleasant evening," Adeline smiled before Regulus led her back into the crowd, Sirius giving her a nod as they wandered away.

"Too bad there's only one of her," Crabbe stated. "You need another for Regulus there."

"Both of my boys are rather fond of our dear Adie," Orion smiled softly. "She's rather protective of them as well."

"It's one of the things I admire about her," Sirius smiled. "We should all be so lucky as to have a fiery and strong witch willing to protect us."

"That we should," the Dark Lord nodded as he stared after the pair before turning his eyes to Orion and beginning to discuss more business.

Sirius listened on, bored as Adeline and Regulus began dancing somewhere in the crowd.

"Why did you want to get away from Evan?' she asked him, voice low so no one would overhear.

"I wanted to get you away from both of them," Reggie corrected her. "They're both acting rather dodgy and I think they're planning something. I'm not sure what it is but I know it involves you."

"Did you hear something?" she asked.

"No," he shook his head. "Just a feeling."

"Well, I'll steer clear of them for now. Have the hyenas been seen since they arrived?" she asked.

"They're sitting at a table in a corner, hiding away from their own betrothals," Reggie explained. "Just stay away from the west corner and you won't have to deal with them."

"Thank you," Adeline sighed before Reggie lifted her into the air before setting her back on her feet. "Heels bothering you?"

"Yes," she said through her teeth. "Whoever invented heels should be hanged."

"Keep dancing," Reggie told her as his wand slipped into his hand.

He waved his wand, whispering a spell and pointing the wand at her feet. Instantly her feet were soothed and it felt as if she was dancing in fuzzy slippers instead. She looked down just in case, finding her heels still on her feet.

"What was that?" Adeline asked, smiling brightly.

"I'll teach you later," he smirked. "I figured you would need it for tonight since you'll be expected to dance with Sirius more tonight than normal."

"You're an angel," Adeline sighed, kissing his cheek discreetly.

"Anything for my sister," Reggie smiled back brightly.

Adeline smiled back softly as the song ended. Regulus bowed to her as she curtsied before being led back to Sirius. He smiled as he met them part way, excusing himself from the conversation. Adeline took his arm and the trio walked away, finding an empty table to sit at, eating something small before Sirius and Adeline went to dance again, Regulus smiling as he watched them from his seat.

Walburga sat beside him a few moments later.

"Hello, mother," he greeted her as she took his hand.

"Hello, my child," she smiled back fondly before turning to watch as Adeline laughed at some joke Sirius had told her. "They look perfect."

"They do," Regulus agreed.

"Would you like for me to find you a wife?" Walburga asked and Regulus' smile dropped slightly. "It is not required, as you are not the eldest. You can say no. Find someone on your own one day."

"I think I'll find someone on my own," Regulus nodded.

"Okay," Walburga smiled before standing.

She kissed Regulus's head before speaking again.

"Let them have one more dance and then it's time for all of you to head to bed. The other children have all already left."

"Yes, mother," Regulus nodded. "I'll gather them soon."

"Good boy," Walburga smiled before walking away.

Regulus watched as Adeline and Sirius danced, finishing the song with an exaggerated dip. Sirius pulled Adeline back up, holding her in his arms. Regulus rolled his eyes with a smirk before standing.

"Come on, love birds," Regulus stated. "Time to retire for the night."

"Should we sneak drinks and snacks up to the room?" Adeline asked the boys in a low voice.

"Not tonight," Regulus shook his head. "Mother seems watchful tonight. Probably worried about the two of you sneaking off like you did on Christmas."

"Fair," Adeline sighed as they left the sunroom.

Sirius escorted Adeline to her room, pressing her against the wall and kissing her deeply. When they separated for air, they were both smiling widely.

"Good night, my love," Sirius whispered to her.

"Good night," Adeline smiled back, stealing another kiss before Sirius let her go.

She went into her room and shut her door, leaning against it and biting her lip before getting ready for bed. Once her makeup was removed and her nightgown was on, she laid in bed, falling asleep easily.

Adeline had robes on, jeans and a plain shirt underneath with her wand in her hair as she stepped out of the floo and into Tom's home. She smiled as he stood to greet her as Tiffy followed her through the floo.

"Adie," he smiled brightly, his handsome face lighting up. "I figured we could start with a potion today."

"Perfect," Adeline smiled as she followed him out of the main room. "What kind of potion?"

"One I'm trying to create, actually," he smiled. "I was hoping you could assist me."

"I would love to," Adeline smiled. "What are you trying to create?"

"I got an idea in my head for a potion that works a bit like the 'Imperio' curse. When I get ideas in my head, it's rather hard to rattle them loose without at least attempting the idea, no matter how dark said thought may be. That doesn't bother you, does it? We can do something else today if you wish."

"Can I see what you've done so far and then decide?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Absolutely," he nodded, opening a door.

Adeline breathed in the smell of dried herbs and potion fumes, smiling as she stared around the lab. Tom smiled as he watched her for a moment before leading her to a cauldron, his notes sitting to the side. Adeline stared at the thick, green potion before going through his notes. It took her half an hour of reading to really see what he was attempting.

"This is quite complex," she stated, walking back over to the cauldron.

She grabbed a ladle, scooping a bit of the potion and watching as it plopped back into the cauldron, the consistency causing her nose to wrinkle.

"I think the slugs are what ruined it," she stated as Tom watched her begin writing beside his notes. "If you use a sprinkle of fairy wings with them, it'll keep it from spoiling. The foxglove will have the desired affect with the fairy wings as well, however it will cause the drinker a bit of their sanity with every dose."

"Fairy wings are a rather difficult ingredient to come by," Tom stated, giving her a blank look.

"I'll gift you some," Adeline smiled. "I'm given potion ingredients as a gift all the time. Fairy wings happen to be one of those gifts. I have a few vials of it."

"That's rather generous of you," Tom stated.

"You're giving me lessons," Adeline shrugged. "It's the least I can do. I'm not sure how to stop the insanity though. The use of the rose thorns may cause an infatuation to appear as well, though I know it's to counteract the gurdyroot, so I'm not sure how to fix that either."

"If I think of a way to fix it, I'll tell you," Tom promised.

"May I copy your notes?" Adeline asked. "I can research as well."

"Absolutely," Tom nodded before grabbing the cauldron to dump.

Adeline copied the notes into her notebook that she shared with Remus, a divider in the notebook marked for potions. It took her another half hour to copy the notes with her own changes added in, the concept of the potion written at the beginning of the recipe. She knew Remus would have a few choice things to say about the potion, but Adeline understood the feeling that Tom had described, having felt it herself quite a few times.

"Should we move to the library?" Tom asked.

Adeline smiled brightly and Tom laughed, leading her to the largest room in the house. She gasped at the sheer number of shelves, all filled with books. The library was larger than the one at Shafiq manor, and she knew the Shafiq's had a larger library than most. It was nothing compared to the rows upon rows of books she stared at now, rolling ladders in each aisle.

"It's organized by subject matter and type of magic needed to create whatever is in the book. Light books on the bottom shelves, grey magic in the middle, and dark magic at the top. The first two shelves are all potions, the next three are charms, and the following two are transfiguration, and the largest four over there are dark arts. History books are on the back shelf, organized by year. I'm a bit of a collector."

"You don't say," Adeline joked, smiling up at Tom.

"The books you've sent me are over there on the shelf by the fireplace," Tom pointed to the coziest looking area in the library. "I keep them close."

Adeline smiled fondly, walking over to the shelf and finding the notebook that they wrote to each other in on the shelf beside a black journal labeled with the name 'Tom Marvolo Riddle'. She pulled the journal from the shelf curiously before turning to find Tom staring at her.

"Is this you?" she asked curiously, walking over to him.

"It is," he nodded.

"Marvolo is a bit of a strange name," she smirked.

"I'm aware," he smirked. "Why do you think I changed my name?"

"Fair," she smiled. "Riddle, Riddle, Riddle. Do I know that name?"

"Probably not," he shook his head, taking the journal from her gently before placing it back on the shelf. "My mother's maiden name was 'Gaunt,' though."

"Gaunt?" Adeline questioned, eyes growing wide. "As in Salazar Slytherin? Those Gaunts?"

"The exact ones," Tom smiled as he face Adeline.

"Tom, that's amazing," Adeline gasped, rushing towards him. "You're related to a Hogwarts founder."

"I am," he nodded. "Not much left of the family though. I have a run-down shack in Little Hangleton and that's it."

"I'm so sorry," Adeline frowned.

"No need for any pity," Tom gave her a sad smile.

"No pity," Adeline shook her head. "Never. I'm sorry that such a great house has left you wanting."

"Thank you," Tom nodded with a small smile. "You are very kind."

"Only when I want to be," she shrugged before turning to the books behind her. "Where do you want to begin?"

"Dark arts," Tom stated, leading Adeline down an aisle. "I have a book I want you to read from. Here it is."

He pulled a book from a higher shelf and Adeline wondered if he was testing her by wanting to show her darker magic. He passed her the book and the look on his face told her that was exactly what he was doing. She smiled as she took the book, not minding the darker subject one bit. She knew studying dark magic had its benefits. She also felt that no magic was dark or light and it all depended on how one used the magic itself.

"Which spell specifically?" she asked as she opened to the first chapter.

"I'll let you decide," he smiled. "Look through the book and decide which ones you want to learn first. Take it home with you and take the week to decide. Next lesson, bring the book back and give me a list of the ones you found most interesting and we'll start on those. We'll move on to some charms work after that before going back to the potion. Keep circling around throughout the summer."

"Okay," Adeline smiled.

"Is there anything you wish to learn today?" he asked curiously.

"Can the Gaunts speak Parseltongue?" she asked him curiously.

Tom hissed at her and her eyes lit up.

"Is there a way to learn it?" she asked curiously.

"I'm afraid not," he shook his head and Adeline frowned, looking down. Tom reached his hand out, lifting her face by her chin. "If I find a way, I'll teach you."

"Thank you," she smiled softly.

"Anything else?" he asked, voice low.

"I have a list," she smirked.

"Of course, you do," Tom smiled, releasing her chin. "Show it to me."

Adeline pulled the list from her pocket and passed it to him. He smiled as he read the five items she had written down before meeting her eye.

"I expected more honestly," he smirked.

"I didn't want to ask too much," she explained.

"Never be afraid to ask for more. There is no good and evil in magic. Only power and those too weak to seek it," he stated sagely.

Adeline nodded, agreeing with him to an extent. She believed power meant knowing when to stop and ask yourself if what you were doing, if what you were learning, if what you were seeking was something that could cause you to lose yourself. Adeline never wanted to lose herself. She wanted to be the best parts of herself but knew the darkest parts needed to be there in case someone tried to harm the ones she loved. She wondered if Tom felt the same and opened her mouth to ask him as much when Tiffy cleared her throat.

"It is time, mistress," Tiffy stated.

"Curfew," Tom joked.

"Actually, I have a wedding to attend," Adeline smirked. "Two dear friends of mine are eloping and I asked to be there."

"Sounds scandalous," Tom smirked.

"Haven't you heard?" Adeline asked. "I cause headlines."

"So I saw," he nodded. "I'll lead you out."

"Thank you," Adeline smiled, holding the book to her chest.

Tom led Adeline and Tiffy to the floo and Adeline flooed to the Black manor before turning and heading to her own manor, not trusting Tom enough yet to connect him directly to her floo. She entered her home and smiled as Tiffy popped in.

"Where to?" Adeline asked as she kneeled in front of Tiffy.

"The garden," Tiffy smiled.

"We have to fix your dress first," Adeline stated, looking at the dress that was a rainbow of colors and torn slightly.

Adeline lifted her wand, fixing the dress before cleaning it and turning it white. Adeline cleaned Tiffy next and Tiffy's ears flapped excitedly as she stared at herself in a mirror.

"Beautiful," Adeline smiled.

"Will mistress walk Tiffy down the aisle?" Tiffy asked.

"Whatever you want," Adeline agreed. "Should I change?"

"Mistress looks perfect," Tiffy smiled. "We must be going."

"Come along then. We don't want to keep Wobky waiting now, do we?"

"No, no," Tiffy shook her head before taking Adeline's hand.

Adeline and Tiffy walked to the garden, finding Wobky waiting for them among the roses. He smiled brightly, ears flapping when he saw them approach him, Tiffy dressed in white. Adeline pulled a few vanilla flowers from bushes as they walked, passing them to Tiffy halfway to Wobky so they acted as a bouquet, deciding then that she would have vanilla flowers be hers and Sirius' wedding flower.

They reached Wobky and Adeline released Tiffy's hand, passing her over to Wobky before taking the bouquet and stepping back to watch as the two exchanged vows, their hands glowing as they each spoke. At the end, the kissed and their hands stopped glowing. Adeline smiled as they turned to her, both smiling brightly.

"Congratulations," Adeline told them, kneeling down and pulling them into a hug. "What would you like for dinner?"

"We can cook for mistress," Tiffy argued.

"Nonsense," Adeline shook her head and pulled away. "It's your wedding night. I can go out and get us a meal. What would you like?"

"Does miss remember the boxed food she and young Remus ate last time that they were here?" Tiffy asked.

"Indian food," Adeline nodded. "I can do that. Do you want what Remus had?"

"Yes, please," Tiffy nodded. "Wobky doesn't like spicy food though."

"I know just the thing," Adeline smiled. "I'll be back within the hour. Remus will be here before I get back. He and I have some business to attend while you two are out this week."

"Is miss sure that Wobky and Tiffy should have time off?" Wobky questioned. "We like to work, mistress."

"You should have time together and I can always call for you if I need you," Adeline argued. "I'll be back with food."

She stood and walked back to the main room, tossing her cloak onto the couch before walking to the front door. She grabbed the muggle wallet that she kept there and headed out of the manor and down the street to the Indian restaurant. She ordered enough for everyone and waited for fifteen minutes before her order number was called. She carried the two bags home, Remus meeting her at the door and taking the bags for her.

After everyone had ate samosa, biryani, butter chicken, or garam masala, along with garlic naan bread, Adeline pulled out two orders of gulab jamun, passing one of the orders to the elves before telling them they were dismissed and to have a lovely honeymoon. She shared the other order with Remus as they sat on the floor by the fireplace, leaning their backs against the couch.

"Thank you for this," he stated.

"You don't need to thank me," Adeline shook her head. "It's why I became an animagus in the first place. Your potion will be done day after tomorrow and I had Wobky put a barrier around the woods. You won't be able to leave and no one else will be able to get in."

"What if I hurt you?" Remus asked. "You won't be able to leave either."

"Remy, you told me yourself that the potion gives you control. Even if I was in human form, I doubt you would hurt me," Adeline held up a hand to stop Remus' argument. "I will stay in my animagus form the whole time as I promised. I'm just making a point. However, if you try to snap at me, I will fly above the trees and stay away from you until sunrise. I'll have my wand hidden away as well just in case I need it. I'll be safe."

"It'll be my first time running free as a wolf," Remus whispered. "I wonder what it will be like."

"You can tell me how fun it was afterwards," Adeline smirked.

"What does it feel like to fly?" Remus asked curiously.

"It's like being on a broom but so much better. It's so freeing. It makes me feel light."

"You aren't heavy," Remus rolled his eye, popping one of the donuts into his mouth.

"Not like weight," Adeline bumped his shoulder. "I mean, it feels as if all the pressure that's on me to be this perfect person just disappears. I'm free."

Remus stared at her as she picked at one of her nails. He reached out and took her hand into his, giving her a small smile.

"You are perfect just the way you are. I don't mean the Slytherin, pureblood persona that you put on for everyone. I mean the real you. The you that is protective and scary and loving. You are the best friend I've ever had. Thank you, Adie."

"Anything for you, Remy," Adeline smiled.

Remus pulled Adeline close, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into his side, just enjoying the feeling of being close to her friend. They stayed that way for a while, staying warm by the fire and eating the fried dough that was soaked in rose water syrup quietly. Remus lifted her to her feet and they headed off to bed, claiming the rooms next to each other and leaving their doors open in case one of them needed the other, Adeline knowing the nightmares Remus still had about his father's death.

Adeline changed into her nightgown and crawled into bed, blowing out the candle by her bed and hiding under her blankets. She fell asleep rather quickly just to be woken a few hours later by Remus crying out. She jumped out of her bed, finding Remus tangled in sheet and sweating as he thrashed from a nightmare. She ran over and climbed into the bed beside him, pulling him close and holding him as he calmed a bit, tears still streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. It was the wolf. I'm sorry. Dad, please. Wake up. Dad."

"Shh," Adeline whispered, running her fingers through his hair.

Remus calmed completely after a few minutes, still whispering how sorry he was every so often. Adeline held in her own tears, refusing to break in case Remus woke. She stayed with him all night, falling asleep while still holding him to her chest. They woke the next morning, legs tangled and Remus' arms wrapped around Adeline's waist with his head on her chest, her arms around his shoulders and one hand in his hair.

Remus blushed when he realized he was cuddling into Adeline and tried to move, only for her to hold him tighter.

"Not ready to get up yet," she told him.

"Adie," Remus tried to argue.

"It's still dark, Remy," Adeline stated. "Go back to sleep."

Remus nodded before cuddling into Adeline and falling back asleep. Adeline smirked before falling asleep again. They woke as the sun glared in through the window, rays of light hitting both of their faces. Adeline wanted to glare at the sun but sighed as she released Remus, sitting up and stretching.

"What happened?" Remus asked.

"You had a nightmare so I came in to calm you," she explained before standing. "I'm going to get dressed and check the potion before making some breakfast."

"I'll make it," Remus stated, standing. "Meet you in the dining room in a bit."

"Okay," Adeline yawned slightly before going to her room.

She changed into jeans and a shirt with a muggle band on it, tossing a cardigan over the shirt with a smirk, imagining Remus in much the same outfit and knowing he'd roll his eyes at her copying him. After pulling on a pair of fuzzy socks, she walked down to the potions lab in the manor to check the potion that helped with Remus' furry little problem. She added a few ingredients before stirring it and turning the heat down, knowing it would be ready within the next twelve hours.

As she headed towards the dining room, she wondered when Remus' mood swings would begin. She'd never known exactly when they started and didn't want him to feel like an experiment by asking questions. She figured she'd figure it out in the next few months since Remus was going to be spending the weeks of the full moons with her in the Shafiq manor now that his mother had admitted to being afraid of him.

Adeline was angry when Remus had told her the conversation he had had with his mother. Adeline understood the dangers of Remus being a werewolf, but it wasn't his fault. His father had been the one to piss off a werewolf in the first place. Adeline didn't truly blame Remus' father, she blamed the wolf that bit a four-year-old just for the thrill of it. She was angrier that his mother had treated him so terribly, knowing how guilty and angry at himself Remus was for what had happened.

She entered the dining room that connected to the kitchen, smiling at the scene before her. Remus was dressed exactly how Adeline thought he would be as he flipped a pancake in the air, catching it in the pan before going back to the sausages that were sizzling in the griddle, rotating them so that all the edges were burned the way that he and Adeline both liked. He moved to the cutting board, continuing to slice a few tomatoes and set a few slices onto two plates before checking the pancake. Adeline hoped onto the kitchen counter, watching as he move around the kitchen easily. He turned and smiled at her before seeing her outfit and rolling her eyes.

"You don't like my sweater?" she asked.

"Is there a reason that you're dressed like me?" Remus asked.

"I wanted to be comfortable and match my best friend," Adeline shrugged. "Is that so wrong?"

"It is if you're making fun of me," he deadpanned.

"I would never make fun of the person making me pancakes," Adeline said seriously.

"Smart," Remus nodded, putting the pancake onto a stack of pancakes on a serving tray before removing the sausages from the griddle and separating them onto the plates. "Breakfast is done."

"You're my favorite," Adeline smirked as she hoped off the counter.

"Don't let your fiancé hear you say that," he joked as they headed to the table, plates floating behind them when Adeline waved her wand.

"He already knows," Adeline shrugged, taking her seat.

Remus sat beside her and the two made jokes as they ate breakfast, Adeline groaning in delight when she took the first bite of her food. Remus had rolled his eyes at her dramatics before digging into his own breakfast. Once they were done, Adeline waved her wand again, sending the dishes to the sink to begin washing themselves. They headed to the library then, Adeline opening the book Tom had told her to go through as Remus found a runes book to look over.

Adeline got lost in the spells she read, making notes in her journal with Remus as she read. Remus would pick up the journal, reading through what she had written before staring at her after a few of the spells, unsure if he liked the book Adeline had been given as an assignment from someone called the Dark Lord. Adeline just kept reading though taking notes before deciding if she wanted to learn the spell, the notes detailing different ways that she would find the spell useful in the future.

A few hours passed before both Adeline and Remus decided it was much too nice outside to spend the whole day in the library. Adeline stretched before leading Remus to the gardens. They wandered a bit before going into the forest to explore the area that would seal them in the next night. It was beautiful, tall trees, a pond, and a clearing with wildflowers. Adeline walked through the clearing, her hands brushing against the tall flowers as she passed. She stood in the center of the field and held her head to the sky, soaking up the warmth of the sun as if she herself were one of the flowers. Remus just watched, smiling at his best friend.

He picked a few flowers, using his wand to bind them together with a thicker piece of prairie grass. Adeline took a deep breath before turning and opening her eyes, smiling at Remus as he set the makeshift bouquet down. She held out a hand and flicked her wand, causing music to begin playing. Remus rolled his eyes before making his way to her. He took her hand and her waist, swaying with her slowly in the field as the soft music filled the air. Adeline rested her head on his shoulder, the two leaning into each other as they swayed in a small circle.

"A house right inside the woods with a path through this field would be lovely," Adeline said softly.

"We'll have to make sure that you have wildflowers everywhere when you're older," Remus chuckled.

"If there aren't wildflowers, then I don't want it," Adeline joked.

"Deal breaker," Remus nodded along before spinning her.

She let out a light laugh as she spun and Remus lifted her, holding her around her waist tightly as he spun her repeatedly. Adeline laughed louder as the song ended. Remus set her back down carefully before pulling her into a hug. Adeline held him, her head resting on his chest as the two just breathed the fresh air.

"Countryside," Remus stated. "A scattering of trees behind the house with a field of wildflowers. I believe Sirius would love that."

"Well, there needs to be room for all of us," Adeline stated. "I feel as if you four would live together forever if you got the chance."

"Probably," Remus nodded with a smirk. "Peter would demand blanket forts in the living room and we'd need tall stairs for your mattress game. James would probably enjoy that."

Adeline pulled away suddenly, eyes bright and glittering as an idea came to her.

"We should mattress surf the grand staircase at the school."

Remus' eyes lit up at the idea.

"We can get different houses in on it," he added.

"School wide. We'll have to study how the stairs move to get a day and time figured out," Adeline added on.

"Let's go!"

Remus took Adeline's hand and they began running towards the manor, Remus grabbing the flowers on their way to the trees. They rushed inside and towards the floo, Remus presenting the flowers to Adeline before stepping through the floo to head to the Potter's. Adeline called for Kreacher, asking him to grab Sirius whenever he was free. Kreacher popped away and Remus came back into the manor, James and Peter following behind him. Sirius and Kreacher appeared a moment later, everyone looking at Adeline and Remus in confusion.

"Thank you, Kreacher. That'll be all," Adeline told him, patting his head.

Kreacher popped away again and Adeline turned to Remus.

"It was your idea," Remus smirked.

"We had an idea," Adeline smiled.

"Adeline had an idea," Remus rolled his eyes.

"Shush," she waved her hand at him before looking to Sirius. "Mattress surfing on the grand staircases."

Sirius' eyes grew wide and a smile overtook his face.

"Mattress surfing on the grand staircases!" he yelled. "Why have I never thought of that?"

"What's mattress surfing?" Peter asked James.

"No clue," James shook his head.

"It's when you ride a mattress down a set of stairs," Remus explained. "Adeline and I were exploring the grounds and she came up with the idea. We'd have to watch the stairs to figure out a schedule for how they move so we could figure out an exact day and time to do it. We thought we could get a lot of people involved in it, send the whole school into an uproar."

"Why would someone ride a mattress down a set of stairs?" James asked curiously.

"Because it's fun," Sirius and Adeline said together before Adeline spoke again. "Come along! We can show you!"

The boys followed Adeline up the stairs, Remus and Sirius running into one of the rooms to grab a mattress before Adeline rolled her eyes and waved her wand. Mattresses came out of four different rooms, landing beside the stairs as Remus and Sirius pulled the one mattress out.

"That's cheating," Sirius grumbled as he prepared the first mattress. "Who's first?"

"I'll take Peter," Adeline smiled to the nervous boy. "I won't let anything happen to you. I'll sit in front of you and you hold onto me."

"Hold on to you?" he questioned, panic in his voice.

"Breath, Pete," Remus smirked. "Get on the mattress."

Adeline plopped onto the mattress and held her hand out for Peter. He took her hand carefully, sitting behind her. Adeline grabbed one of his legs and pulled it so it was on her side before doing the same with his other leg. She grabbed his hands and wrapped them around her waist, holding his hands tightly in an attempt to calm his nerves.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

"Is this safe?" he asked, his voice low and a bit wobbly.

"Probably not," Adeline admitted just as Sirius and Remus pushed the mattress.

Adeline laughed as she leaned back into Peter. Peter closed his eyes and Adeline leaned to the left slightly, Peter being forced to turn with her. They slid down the stairs, hair flying back as they picked up speed. At the bottom of the stairs, the mattress slid halfway towards the other room before stopping. Adeline turned her head slightly to look at Peter's closed eyes.

"Done," she told him and his eyes opened.

He smiled brightly before looking to Adeline.

"That was amazing," he admitted with a laugh.

"Next time you can leave your eyes open," Adeline told him before standing. "Come on."

Peter took her offered hand and she helped him go to his feet, she waved her wand and the mattress flew over the railing, landing by the other mattresses.

"You're up, Jamie," Sirius announced as the other two made their way up the other side of the stairs. "Do I need to hold you or do you think you can handle it?"

"I'd prefer your fiancé hold me. She's much prettier," James joked and Adeline laughed when she saw Remus hit James with a stinging jinx.

James glared at Remus slightly before sitting on a mattress. Sirius and Remus pushed the mattress and sent James flying. He let out a 'whoop' as he descended.

"He isn't going to make it," Adeline shook her head.

"What do you mean?" Peter asked.

Just then, James hit the bottom of the steps. The mattress hit the landing at an odd angle and James slid off the mattress, rolling across the floor slightly. The other four laughed as he stood quickly, trying to straighten himself.

"Well, let's see one of you do better!" he called as Adeline brought the mattress up.

"Adie?" Remus smirked.

"Is it time?" Adeline smiled.

"I believe it is," Sirius nodded. "Show them how to do it properly."

A mattress was placed and Adeline stood on the mattress, standing sideways and planting her feet. She nodded to Sirius and Remus and the two pushed the mattress. She waved her arms a bit, trying to keep her balance as she slid down the stairs, picking up speed as she leaned into the turn. The mattress hit the landing wrong again but she simply walked forward, stepping off of the mattress with messy steps, thankful when James' hand shot out to help steady her. She laughed and sent the mattress away.

They ran up the stairs as Sirius and Peter pushed Remus's mattress, Remus trying to stand. He flew down the stairs, keeping his balance much easier than Adeline had and sliding across the landing on the mattress. He held his hands up in victory.

"No fair!" Adeline called. "You have werewolf stamina!"

"For the last time, Adie, being a werewolf doesn't give me superpowers!" he called back with a laugh.

"I just don't believe you," Adeline shrugged before turning to watch as James and Peter tried to push Sirius' mattress.

James slipped and landed on the mattress with him. Sirius feet came out from under him and he toppled on top of James. The two screamed as they flew down the stairs, both bouncing onto the landing. Adeline and Peter laughed from the top of the stairs. The three raced up the stairs and the group continued for the remainder of the day, taking turns together or trying different tricks alone. They set the mattresses up in the main room, blankets and pillows finding their way down the stairs as well.

"Can we make a fort?" Peter asked excitedly and Remus raised a brow at Adeline as if to say I told you so.

"Of course, Pete," James smiled as he began helping to set the blankets up.

The group of five began working on the fort when Adeline got another idea.

"What if we made a huge fort in the great hall?" she asked.

"Why has she never hung out with us before?" James demanded of Sirius. "She's brilliant!"

"He's been trying to hide her from us," Peter accused.

"Him and Remus," James corrected. "Those two are thick as thieves."

"Funny," Adeline smirked. "That's how I describe you and Sirius."

"That's so sweet," James smiled brightly. "Help me with this blanket."

The five finished the large fort, creating rooms throughout it. Adeline put a cooling charm in each area, the blankets causing the area to warm up considerably. They placed mattresses in four of the rooms and one in the largest room, just enough blankets and pillows left over for each mattress.

"Have you thought of redecorating the manor?" Sirius asked Adeline as they walked to the kitchen for snacks.

"Absolutely," Adeline stated. "I actually spoke to Remus about it when mother and father died. Told him I hated this house."

"You and Remus speak often," Sirius said.

"Is that jealousy I hear?" Adeline questioned.

"No," Sirius answered too quickly and Adeline grabbed his arm, keeping him in place.

He faced her with red cheeks and Adeline gave him a gentle smile. She leaned up on her toes, kissing Sirius gently. He leaned into the kiss, pulling her close. They pulled away after a few moments, needing air.

"I don't do that with Remus," she told him before pulling him to the kitchen.

"I would sure hope not," Sirius practically growled.

"He's my best friend," Adeline shrugged. "Even more than Reggie lately."

"What is going on with you and Reggie?" Sirius asked.

"He's been leaning into pureblood politics more than before," Adeline sighed. "It's a bit disheartening to be honest. I suspect Barty and Evan have something to do with it."

"I don't like Evan," Sirius spoke up.

"I don't like most people," Adeline stated. "Evan is one of them now."

"He likes you," Sirius stated, refusing to meet her eye.

"Well, he knows that we're engaged," Adeline stated, squeezing Sirius' hand gently. "He won't do anything about his little crush."

"He better not," Sirius wrapped his arms around Adeline's waist, pulling her close and kissing her again.

"Are the two of you going to keep snogging or are you going to help us gather snacks?" James asked as he, Peter and Remus appeared in the doorway.

"I think we need some real food," Adeline stated.

"I don't think any of us feel like cooking," Remus pointed out.

"We could always get takeout," Adeline shrugged. "I have muggle money."

"You go into the muggle world?" James asked.

"We could go see a movie," Adeline smiled widely to Remus.

"Oh, they're going to have a fit," Remus smirked.

Adeline waved her wand over James and Sirius, causing their clothes to look more muggle. She pulled her sweater off and passed it to Peter. He slipped it on without question and she nodded her approval as the grey sweater covered the magical band on his shirt. The five headed out of the house, eating at a muggle Italian restaurant before Adeline led them to the cinema, her and Remus pointing out different bits of muggle technology quietly as they walked.

"In the theater, you have to be quiet during the movie. Just watch it. You can ask any questions you have when we get back to the manor," Adeline told the three boys who hadn't seen a movie before.

Once they agreed, Adeline bought five tickets to 'The Black Windmill' before buying everyone a small popcorn and a drink. Peter's eyes grew wide as he tried his soda for the first time. James made a drink mixed with everything, causing Adeline and Remus to roll their eyes, completely unsurprised by his action. Sirius took his time deciding what he wanted before choosing an orange flavored soda like Adeline had. She smirked before taking his hand and leading him to their theater.

They sat through the movie and Adeline could feel James, Peter and Sirius twitching in their seats, wanting to ask questions but remembering that they were supposed to stay quiet. After leaving the theater, they hurried back to the manor, the three boys asking Adeline and Remus questions rapidly the moment they were inside. Adeline laughed as she and Remus explained the best that they could about muggle culture and technology. Adeline had to tell them seven times that the events in the movie hadn't truly happened and were just actors like at a live theatre.

The five fell onto the mattress in the main part of the fort, Adeline readding the cooling charms that had worn off in the hours that they had been gone. The five fell asleep together rather than in their own rooms, Adeline pressed between Sirius and Peter, who had grown a bit fond of Adeline as the day had worn on. The boys woke in the morning to the smell of breakfast, Remus being the first to find Adeline in the kitchen. She passed him his favorite tea, noting the bags under his eyes and the bit of annoyance on his face.

"Your potion will be done in an hour," she told him softly before passing him his favorite breakfast foods.

He grunted at her as the others joined them.

"Is he moody yet?" James questioned.

"Moony?" Peter asked.

"No, moody," Sirius corrected.

"Moony would be a good nickname though," James joked.

"Leave me alone," Moony grunted at the three boys before turning to Adeline. "Can I have more tea, please?"

"Of course," Adeline nodded, bringing the teapot over as plates flew to the table for the other boys.

"Why's he nice to her?" Peter questioned.

"Because she babies him," Sirius stated.

"Not as much as she babies you," Remus stated with a growl.

Adeline placed a gentle hand on Remus' shoulder, causing him to flinch at his own words before looking up to Adeline with an apologetic look.

"No. What's that mean?" Sirius demanded and Remus glared at him.

"It means you get your feelings hurt every time you see her walking with any other boy. Did you think we didn't hear you yesterday? Jealous of mine and Adeline's friendship? Seriously?" Remus questioned. "You don't even actually know her."

"Remus," Adeline hissed out.

"No, what does he mean?" Sirius demanded again, eyes on Adeline.

"It means Remus is cranky and maybe picking on him on the day of the full moon isn't the best idea," Adeline said with a raised brow.

"Adeline," Sirius stated her name as if it would be the thing to cause her to tell him every little secret she held.

"Sirius," she said back, voice just as strong. "Calm down."

"Yeah, Sirius. Calm down like a good boy," Remus smirked.

"Remus," Adeline turned to him. "Stop."

Remus rolled his eyes, sipping his tea but staying quiet.

"Good dog," Sirius stated with an arrogant smirk.

"Oh, Merlin," Adeline sighed as Remus growled. "Enough! Both of you!"

The two boys flinched and closed their mouths. Peter and James just watched on, not sure what to say. Adeline sighed before grabbing her tea and leaving the room. She walked to her potion lab, checking over the potion before sitting on a stool and just staring at the cauldron as if that would cause it to steep faster. James came into the room a few minutes later, causing her to turn to him.

"They apologized to each other," he told her, passing her a few pieces of toast. "Sirius said you don't eat much when you're upset but I wanted to make sure you had something."

"Thank you," Adeline nodded.

"What did Remus mean?" James asked suddenly. "I know it's nowhere near my business but he seemed as if he knew something that Sirius didn't."

"Remus and I know secrets about each other just like you know secrets about Sirius that I don't know," Adeline defended.

"Fair," James nodded, dropping the subject. "How did you know how to brew this?"

"I didn't," Adeline shrugged. "When I figured out what Remus was, I went looking for it and special ordered the ingredients. I made two batches the first time around just to be sure I had a backup."

"How long did it take you to figure it out?" James asked.

"A month," Adeline shrugged. "I wanted him to tell me but, come the next full moon, he blew up on me a bit. Yelled at me actually. I sent him the potion the next day once it was done and he took it without question. Very trusting. Could have been poison."

"That's our Moony," James joked.

"He's never getting rid of that nickname, is he?" Adeline smirked.

"Nope," James smiled.

"We'll have to come up with nicknames for all of you once you become animagus. Make it a running theme," Adeline smirked as she chewed on her toast.

"You'll have to teach us how to make this one day as well so that we can give you a break," James nodded to the potion.

"I'll get you a journal," Adeline nodded.

"A journal?" James asked. "Like you and Remus have?"

"Yeah. I have one with Lily as well. Gotta keep in contact with all my lions somehow," Adeline smirked.

"Deal," James smiled before shifting nervously. "Lily has one?"

Adeline's smile turned to a frown.

"Is that why you go after Severus so much?" she asked curiously.

"I don't know what you mean," James said, looking around the lab.

"You love her, too," Adeline smirked. "Explains a lot. Would you like some free advice?"

"This should be good," James mumbled before looking to Adeline.

"Stop picking on her best friend and ask her on a date," Adeline stated.

"Will she say yes?" he asked, brightening a bit.

"Oh, no. She'll turn you down instantly," Adeline shook her head, smirking slightly when James deflated a bit. "If you stop being such a prat towards her and her best friend though, she'll see that you're becoming a better person and you may actually have a chance one day. I can tell you now that she doesn't see Severus that way."

"Why is she friends with him?" James asked curiously.

"He told her she was a witch," Adeline shrugged. "He saw her doing magic at the park when they were little and told her what she was. They've been friends ever since. Picking on her childhood best friend is probably the worst idea you've had thus far."

"I'll ease up," James sighed.

"Good because I taught Severus how to duel and I'd hate to have to see him embarrass you in front of the pretty redhead," Adeline smirked before standing and ladling the potion into a vial. "Let's take this to Remy so he can stop PMSing."

"Good idea," James snorted. "Hopefully they haven't torn each other apart while we were gone."

"I'll make them clean the entire house by hand if they made even a small mess," Adeline threatened as they walked towards the main room where they could hear voices. "Boys!"

The three turned to Adeline and James immediately and James smirked at the instant reaction. Adeline passed the vial to Remus, which he took gratefully before staring at the vial and looking back to Adeline.

"I may have made one small change," she admitted. "It's why I agreed to be in my animagus form all night. It shouldn't affect the potion at all but I know it smelt horrid so I figured it probably tastes just as bad."

Remus simply nodded, handing her the empty vial back.

"We should all get going," Sirius sighed. "Let Remus and Adeline get ready for the moon."

Sirius kissed Adeline's head before backing away, James giving her a wave as Peter awkwardly stared at her for a moment before hugging her. Adeline smiled, hugging him back before he shuffled away from her and into the floo. James, Remus, and Sirius watched him leave in shock as Adeline felt confused by their shock.

"Does that not happen often?" she asked them.

"Peter doesn't like being touched that often," James said softly. "He can handle us now but it's still a shock to see him willingly touch someone else."

"He laid beside her last night, too," Sirius stated. "Typically, he's on the end in case he needs to get away."

"I guess he trusts me," Adeline shrugged.

"Guess so," Sirius smiled slightly before leaving, the floo flashing green as he headed to Black Manor.

"I'll keep a look out for that journal," James smirked before leaving.

Adeline rolled her eyes with a smile before waving her wand. The blankets, pillows, and mattresses flew away instantly. Remus watched as Adeline performed the magic without a second thought.

"Can we duel for a bit?" Remus asked curiously.

"Sure," Adeline nodded. "Come on."

Remus followed Adeline to the dueling room. They each took a place opposite the other, wands raised. Adeline shot a spell off first, the simple hexing spell bouncing off his shield as if it was nothing. Adeline smirked as she shot another spell before filling the air with a thick fog. Remus shot a spell out and Adeline quietly sidestepped it, walking around the room carefully. A spell shot off towards her and she jumped out of the way, wondering how Remus had even heard her.

She shot a spell in the area he had been in before feeling arms wrap around her waist and felt a wand pointing at her neck.

"I really hope that's you, Remy, or else someone broke in," she said, unsure.

She heard Remus chuckle and knew it was him.

"How did you find me?" she asked, waving her wand and muttering the counter-curse to the fog.

"I listened to your steps," he shrugged.

"I was quiet though."

"Not as quiet as you think."

"Superpowers," Adeline rolled her eyes. "Let's go again."

They dueled back and forth for a few hours, both doing rather well against each other. Adeline's wand went off with an alarm when it was time for them to head towards the forest. She summoned a few blankets and pillows, the two of them carrying the items with them. Once they reached the field again, Adeline and Remus laid out the blankets and pillows to make a bed under the dusk sky. They laid side-by-side for a while, both quiet as they waited for the moon to rise. Adeline held Remus' hand as the sky grew darker and darker. She heard him grunt in pain and squeezed his hand harder as she turned her head to watch him.

"Go," he told her.

Adeline stuck her wand in her hair and transformed into a bird, flying to the closest tree to watch as Remus shifted. His bones broke over and over, causing him to scream out in pain. After an hour and a half, a wolf sat panting on the ground. Adeline whistled in raven form. He lifted his head and nodded to her so she flew over, landing beside him. Remus nudged her with his nose and Adeline fell over, cawing at him angrily as he literally barked in laughter.

She hopped onto his shoulder and Remus took off, running through the forest. Adeline jumped off of his shoulder and flapped her wings, flying beside him as he ran. After a few hours, Adeline's wings were tired so she flew back to the field. She turned human again and placed a heating charm on the area, rubbing her arms as she warmed herself back up. She turned when she felt something leaning into her back.

Adeline smirked as she turned her head, finding Remus pressing his head against her back. She turned the remainder of the way, hugging the wolf close. They laid down and Remus curled around her, using his body heat to help keep her warm as she threw a blanket over the both of them. They fell asleep a few minutes later, the wolf content with its pack member.