I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter Two
Adeline swept through the school, Lucius directly behind her as they headed towards the infirmary. Adeline stared at the hospital beds, staring down at Harry and Aster as Lucius looked to Draco in the other bed. Dumbledore and Severus entered the wing then.
"What the hell happened?" Adeline demanded.
"Aster will be fine," Dumbledore answered.
"I know they'll be fine," Adeline hissed out. "Poppy, I trust. It's you I have issues with. What the hell happened?"
"I would like to know that as well," Lucius spoke up, coming to Adeline's side. "Why are our children magically exhausted?"
"Someone was trying to steal something from the school. It was being protected by multiple teachers through a maze of challenges. The children figured out that someone was trying to steal it and went after them. They fought valiantly and protected the item well," Dumbledore explained.
"What item?" Lucius demanded.
"I am not at liberty to discuss…"
"If you think they aren't going to tell us what happened then you're wrong," Sissy spoke up, walking in with Remus then.
"Mr. Lupin," Dumbledore seemed confused. "I assume you are also here about Aster."
"Dad?" Aster's weak voice spoke up and Remus moved towards him without hesitation.
Dumbledore's eyes widened slightly at the name before his face softened. Adeline moved over to Harry, brushing his hair from his face as she watched over him.
"What happened?" Remus asked Aster.
"Someone was going to steal the sorcerer's stone," Aster explained. "Ron, Hermione, Draco, Harry and I went to go protect it. Is everyone else okay?"
"Mister Weasley and Miss Granger are both alright," Dumbledore explained. "I am surprised that you're awake."
Harry groaned and Adeline sat on the edge of his bed. His green eyes blinked open and Adeline let out a relieved sigh. Harry gave her a weak smile before his eyes widened and he sat up.
"The stone! Ms. Adie, Professor Quirrell tried to steal it!"
"Breath darling," Adeline told Harry, helping him to lay back down. "Everything's alright now."
"Are the others okay?" Harry asked.
"You're all fine. Draco is still resting though," Adeline explained. "Deep breaths, darling."
"How are they awake?" Poppy whispered to Severus.
"I'm not sure," Severus replied honestly.
"What do you mean?" Adeline asked, turning to Severus and ignoring the look Dumbledore was giving her.
"They should have been asleep for at least the next day," Severus explained.
"Magical cores," Dumbledore mumbled but Remus heard.
"What about their magical cores?" he questioned.
Dumbledore simply shook his head.
"What about their magical cores?" Adeline repeated the question through her teeth, stepping towards Dumbledore.
Remus was in front of her in a second, blocking her path with a raised brow. She rolled her eyes and looked to Dumbledore. Remus turned, eyes also on the old man.
"The book that you lent me when you were still in school about soul magic," Dumbledore explained. "It speaks about how two people with matching magical cores that have developed a strong emotional attachment to one another can help each other to heal faster and make them stronger."
"Where is that book?" Adeline questioned.
Dumbledore snapped his fingers and the book appeared in his hand. He held it out and Remus took it from him gently before passing it to Adeline. She looked through the book, remembering that there was a spell to show magical cores somewhere in the pages as Ron and Hermione came into the hospital wing to visit their friends. Lucius stood over Adeline's shoulder, watching as she finally found the spell.
"That's interesting," Lucius nodded.
Adeline pulled her wand from her hair and began practicing the wand movements. She mumbled the spell until she had it right and passed the book to Lucius to look through. She raised her wand, speaking clearly.
"Revelare animarum, revelare par, revelare vinculum. Revelare animarum, revelare par, revelare vinculum. Revelare animarum, revelare par, revelare vinculum."
Everyone in the room began to glow, their magical cores and bonds showing brightly to everyone in the room. Adeline stared in wonder at the magic around them before looking to Harry and Aster, finding that their magical cores matched. Sissy gasped and Adeline turned to see Draco and Hermione staring at one another in wonder, Draco having woken at some point when Adeline hadn't been paying attention.
"Oh," Adeline gasped, looking to Lucius, who's eyes were wide.
"What does that mean?" Remus asked, seeing the same glowing teether between Lucius and Sissy that was between Draco and Hermione.
"Soul mates," Adeline whispered out.
"Their cores match as well," Severus whispered.
"Fascinating," Dumbledore whispered. "It's very rare for people to match magic and soul."
Adeline took the book gently from Lucius hands, causing him to jump. He looked at Adeline and then to Remus.
"Your cores match," he told her.
"Explains a lot, doesn't it?" Adeline smirked. "You and Sissy are soul mates."
"We already knew that," Sissy smirked.
Adeline canceled the spell and looked around the room.
"Well, this has been enlightening. The kids are alright. Sev, I'll see you for lunch on Friday. Poppy, always a pleasure. I trust you to watch over them. Dumbledore, if I never see you again, it'll be too soon. Have a wonderful day all."
Remus laughed as he followed Adeline out of the hospital wing, Lucius and Sissy walking behind the pair. Lucius passed the book back to Adeline and she sighed as she began flipping through it.
"Ms. Black!" Dumbledore called after her.
"Well, would you look at that. It's already too soon," she mumbled to the others before turning to face the headmaster.
"Ms. Black, I was wondering how you knew Mister Potter so well," Dumbledore stated.
"That sounds like there should be a question in there," Adeline tilted her head towards Remus before looking to Dumbledore. "I started Aster at a muggle school when he was seven. Became best friends with a boy named Harry. I had no clue that Harry was, well, Harry until a year ago. Didn't you place protection on him? Someone was supposed to be watching him?"
"I did yes," Dumbledore nodded.
"I'm guessing they weren't looking very hard and your magic was only checking for death eaters," Adeline stated. "Harry lives with the Dursley's two weeks a year and stays with me the remainder of the time. Petunia Dursley gave him to me without even a care in the world. You can ask her yourself if you wish."
"Harry needs to be with blood relatives," Dumbledore began.
"Harry is with people who love him, people who care about if he has eaten or has a bed or clothes of his own. Harry is with his godmother, as he should have been when James and Lily were killed. I already did everything the legal way. If you wish to go against me in front of the Wizengamot then so be it but I will have you removed from your post at this school and stripped of your titles by the time I am through with you. If you're lucky they won't give you the cell beside Sirius Black in Azkaban. I am Lady Black and Lady Shafiq. I carry more power in my pinky finger than you ever have in your entire life. Do not cross me again, Albus Dumbledore."
Adeline turned on her heel and swept out of the castle, the others following her with their heads held high. Adeline could feel anger pouring out of her and Remus took her hand, helping her rein in her magic with his presence. She let out a harsh breath once they were out of the castle and heading towards the edge of the grounds. Remus gave her hand a gentle squeeze and the two apparated away, landing in front of Malfoy manor with Sissy and Lucius behind them.
"Do I need to call in a few favors?" Lucius questioned.
"No," Adeline shook her head.
"I forgot how bloody terrifying you can be," Remus sighed.
"How could you ever forget?" Adeline smirked.
"No clue," he let out a small laugh.
"Should we do something about Dumbledore?" Sissy asked.
"No," Adeline sighed. "I think he got the point."
"If it doesn't sink in, be sure to tell me so I can help," Lucius stated. "I know you can handle yourself, Adie, but we're family. We look out for each other."
"Of course," Adeline nodded. "Thank you."
"Nothing to thank us for," Sissy smiled, pulling Adeline into a hug.
Lucius and Remus shook hands before Adeline and Remus apparated to the cottage, deciding to spend the next week there in case they had to get to the school again before classes ended. At the end of the week, Adeline and Remus went to the train station in London, waiting for the train to pull in from beside Lucius and Sissy. Molly approached them after staring for a few minutes.
"Remus," Molly smiled before looking to the other three. "Adeline. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. How are all of you?"
"We're good," Adeline smiled to her. "How are you?"
"Good," she nodded. "Did the boys like their sweaters?"
"Draco didn't take his off for the rest of Christmas break," Sissy smiled. "Thank you for your kindness."
"It was nothing," Molly smiled, looking to Adeline. "Thank you for letting the boys stay with you over Christmas. I know the twins enjoyed their time with you."
"I may have given them a prank book," Adeline admitted. "Sorry if that backfires on you a bit."
"Oh, nothing to worry about. Those two are always up to something anyways. I expect nothing less at this point," she smiled.
"There you are Molly dear," Arthur appeared beside Molly with a little girl, smiling until his eyes fell on Lucius. "Lucius."
"Arthur," Lucius said back, looking just as displeased as Arthur did.
Molly and Sissy both whispered something to their husbands and Adeline smirked as they both sighed and held out their hands to shake. A whistle blew in the distance and Adeline watched as the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station. Adeline stood on her toes, wishing she'd worn heels so she could see over the crowd. Remus smirked and lifted Adeline, causing her to shriek before laughing. Remus spun her in a circle and set her back down.
"I'll tell you when I see them," he promised.
"So that was just for fun?" Adeline asked, brows raised.
"You were too tense," Remus shrugged, taking Adeline's hand.
Adeline rolled her eyes but squeezed Remus' hand anyways, still going on her toes and trying to spot the kids. She saw red hair before anything else and knew the boys would be along. The sea of red reached them quickly, two heads of black and a stroke of blond thrown into the mix.
"Ginny!" the twins yelled together, lifting Ginny into the air and tossing her between the two of them.
Adeline watched, eyes shining slightly. Remus noticed and kissed her head before Aster threw himself at Remus, hugging him tightly. Harry approached Adeline and she opened her arms, letting him chose what he wanted to do. Harry slowly hugged Adeline's waist, letting out a breath once he was settled against her. She carefully placed her arms around his shoulders, hugging him as long as he let her. Remus smiled and Sissy took a picture with the camera she had hidden in her robes.
"Ready?" Adeline asked Harry, pushing the hair from his face.
"No," Harry sighed. "I don't want to go back to them."
"It's just for two weeks and I spoke with your aunt and uncle just yesterday. Your cousin isn't even home from school for a few more weeks, so you don't have to deal with him at all," Adeline spoke softly.
Harry deflated in relief at not having to see Dudley. He released Adeline and turned to Ron, hugging the boy without abandon as Aster hugged Adeline. Hermione was speaking quietly to Draco but Adeline knew Sissy was listening in discreetly.
"Adeline, I was wondering if the boys would be able to visit each other over the summer," Molly spoke up.
"Of course," Adeline nodded.
"And you, Narcissa? Would Draco be able to visit?" Molly asked.
"Oh," Sissy's brows rose in surprise. "Of course. I'm sure Draco would love to spend some time with his friends this summer."
"I'll write you both about it," Molly promised before turning to her kids. "Come on. Let's get going."
"We should be going as well," Lucius told Draco as Hermione's parents approached. "Oh."
"Mum, dad, this is Draco," Hermione introduced the boy.
"Hello sir, miss," Draco bowed his head slightly and Adeline had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the look on Lucius' face. "How do you do? These are my parents."
"Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy," Sissy introduced the two of them, bumping Lucius' arm.
"Emma and Dan," Hermione's mom smiled, shaking Sissy's hand. "Lovely to meet you. Hermione has told us so much about Draco."
"Let's get out of here," Remus whispered to Adeline.
"I'm enjoying this," Adeline whispered back.
"Unfortunately, we have to be going," Emma stated and Adeline sighed, looking put out at not being able to watch Lucius interact with muggles more. "It was lovely to meet you both."
"You as well," Lucius spoke up, voice cracking slightly.
Adeline and Remus both turned away, trying to hide their laughter. The Weasley's watched on in amusement as Hermione and her parents walked out of the platform.
"Shut it," Lucius grumbled to Adeline but all it succeeded in doing was making her laugh more.
"Your face," she choked out, wiping tears from her eyes. "Oh, I would pay to see that again. I may just purchase a pensieve so I can do so."
"Come along, Draco," Lucius said, leading Draco away.
Sissy let out a quiet laugh before shaking her head and following after her husband and son. Adeline calmed and looked back to the Weasley's.
"Anyways, summer plans. Harry will be with his aunt and uncle for the first two weeks of break and then Draco will be with us for two weeks. We can come pick up the kids any time in our car."
"You have a car?" Arthur asked. "A muggle one?"
"Yes," Adeline nodded. "Remus here is a terrible driver."
"You're the one who had to pay a speeding fine," Remus countered.
"Technicalities," Adeline waved him off.
"I have a motorbike that flies," Arthus explained and Adeline and Remus both froze a bit. "Hagrid gave it to me years ago."
"Did he?" Adeline asked, memories rushing through her mind. "Did he say who he got it from?"
"No," Arthur shook his head. "Do you know who it belonged to?"
"No," Adeline and Remus said together and Molly cleared her throat.
"We should be going dear," Molly reminded Arthur before looking to Adeline. "I'll send you an owl."
"Sounds good," Adeline nodded before taking Harry's hand and apparating away with him.
They landed in the backyard, Aster and Remus appearing a moment later. Aster hugged Adeline before he and Harry ran into the house with their trunks. Adeline sighed before following them in, Remus behind her.
"I'll order dinner," Remus offered and Adeline nodded, not really feeling like cooking.
After dinner, Adeline and Harry walked a few neighborhoods over and stopped in front of the Dursley's house. Adeline let out a sigh before turning to Harry.
"If anything happens, if they hurt you or try not to feed you, if they try to take any of your things or anything at all, you press three times on this bracelet and I will come straight here to protect you," Adeline told him, placing a gold chain on his wrist that looked just like the one he had given her. "I connected this one to the one you gave me. If you are ever in any danger, I'll be able to find you using this."
"So we're connected?" Harry asked, voice small and eyes wide.
"We are," Adeline nodded, giving Harry a small smile. "I solemnly swore to protect you and I meant it. You can always count on me, Harry. Always. I know it'll take time for you to realize that truly but I can wait."
"Thank you," Harry nodded, tears in his eyes.
"None of that," Adeline smiled, wiping the tears away. "Show no weaknesses to them. Shoulders back, chin up, face blank. Nothing to see here."
Harry let out a small laugh before following Adeline's instructions. She stood straight and held her hand out, letting Harry take it before walking him up the steps. Adeline knocked three times and Petunia answered, glaring at Adeline. Adeline raised an unamused brow, staring the woman down.
"Inside, boy," Petunia told Harry, stepping aside.
"His name is Harry," Adeline reminded Petunia. "Use it."
Petunia's eyes narrowed more as Harry hugged Adeline before stepping into the house. Adeline gave him a smile before stepping back so that Petunia could slam the door in her face. Adeline glared at the door for a moment before walking home. She sighed once inside, leaning against the front door with her eyes closed. Remus' arms pulled her into a hug and she leaned into his warmth, hating herself a little for having to leave Harry there.
The two weeks drug on for everyone. Harry debated contacting Adeline multiple times as bars were put on his window and he was fed through a cat flap that had been added to Dudley's second bedroom. Dudley not being there and Harry not having to do any sort of housework was the only reason he didn't. He actually finished all of his school assignments in the two weeks, which made him feel rather proud of himself before pulling out an adventure book that Adeline had given him to read if he got bored. The two weeks were up just as he'd finished reading about the pirate king saving his crew from the Kraken.
Aster finished his homework as well, not that he was happy about it. He grumbled and complained for two weeks straight about any and everything. Adeline and Remus were ready to pull their hair out but knew it would ease up when Harry returned. Adeline had cried herself to sleep on the third night, guilt eating up at her at the thought of her being the reason Harry was mistreated again. Remus simply held her, whispering to her that it wasn't her fault as she fell asleep on his chest.
A full moon came and went and Aster complained about Adeline and Remus going away for the night as he was left with Uncle Sev. Severus seemed unamused by the complaining and told Aster to stand in the corner. If he wanted to act like a toddler throwing a tantrum, that's exactly what he would be treated as. Aster's complaining became much more quiet.
Adeline had to keep herself from running to the Dursley's on the final day. She had flew by as a bird every day, seeing the bars on the windows and promising herself that she would find a way to hex the two muggle relatives. She knocked on the door three times and Petunia answered, face sour.
"Boy!" she yelled before gasping and grabbing her arm.
"Oops," Adeline shrugged as Harry came down the stairs with his bag.
"Hello," Harry smiled brightly, going straight to her.
"Hello, darling," Adeline smiled, pulling Harry to her gently. "How was your visit?"
"It was fine," Harry shrugged. "Can we go now?"
"Absolutely," Adeline nodded and the two turned away, not even saying goodbye to Petunia as they began walking down the street.
Adeline took Harry's bag, putting it over her shoulder before taking Harry's hand. Harry held her hand with a smile, willingly letting her take his hand without flinching. Adeline knew that alone was progress and appreciated every small touch she received from the child.
Once they reached home, Aster ran out of the house and practically tackled Harry in a hug, a smile so large spread across his face that Adeline just knew his cheeks would hurt later. Harry laughed, hugging Aster back with his own smile before the two boys ran inside, pass Remus who only received a wave from Harry as they passed. Adeline put her arm around Remus' waist at his disappointed face and shut the door as they went inside.
Two weeks later, Harry and Aster returned from the Malfoys. The next day, Remus left to pick up the Weasley's as Adeline sent Tiffy to pick up Draco. Harry and Aster had fallen asleep on Adeline on the couch after she'd been reading to them after lunch and she refused to leave the cuddles she was receiving. Draco walked through the back door and smiled before grabbing a book from the shelf and sitting in an armchair to read quietly to himself.
When the boys woke, they ran to the backyard with Draco, the three playing tag as Adeline cleaned the house a bit before starting dinner. Remus returned with Ron, Fred, and George just as she was setting the table.
"Hello, Ms. Black!" the three greeted her before running out the back door.
Adeline laughed before she looked to Remus.
"Please tell me we weren't that bad when we were kids?" Remus asked, eyes full of mirth as he stared after the kids.
"No, you Gryffindors were much worse. I was the most well behaved child to have ever walked through that school," Adeline joked.
"Lies," Remus smirked, walking over to her. "Need help?"
"Nah, it's done now. I was about to call the boys in but I'll let them all play a bit before that," Adeline shrugged.
Remus hummed and pulled Adeline close, arms around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his waist in response and looked up at him. He kissed her forehead before pulling her into a hug and Adeline smiled at the gesture.
The week with the Weasley's in the house was chaotic to say the least. Adeline never did want a quiet house though and much preferred the noise that surrounded her and filled the house. She told Remus as much one night as they were settling into bed.
"One more couldn't hurt, right?" she asked him with a smirk.
"I'm not helping you with that," Remus rolled his eyes, smiling at her.
"But Remy," Adeline whined but was interrupted by Harry running into the room, loud footsteps following him.
"Hide me!" he yelled, climbing onto the bed and under the covers.
Remus stared with wide eyes and Adeline kept the shock from her face as she covered Harry with the blanket. Aster and Ron ran in and went under the bed without saying anything and Adeline had to keep from laughing as Remus finally understood what was happening. Draco and Fred ran in next, one running to the closet while the other ran to the bathroom.
Adeline turned off her bedside lamp, casting the room in darkness just as George came in.
"Hilarius," George smirked, flipping the main light switch. "Have the two of you seen any second year kids or someone who looks almost like me, just less handsome?"
"Afraid not," Remus smirked, still sitting up and blocking the Harry sized lump with his body.
Giggling could be heard from under the bed and Adeline had to stop herself from laughing as Ron shushed Aster. Remus and Adeline exchanged amused glances, knowing Aster was terrible at hiding. George smirked and walked slowly around the room before dropping beside the bed and finding Ron and Aster.
"You gave us away," Ron complained to Aster.
"I learned long ago not to hide with Aster," Adeline told Ron. "He giggles too much. Use him as a distraction next time."
"Mum has sold me out to dad so many times," Aster nodded.
"I didn't do anything. You sold yourself out," Adeline defended and a snicker could be heard from the closet.
George's brows rose and he approached the closet. He threw the doors open and Fred just stared at him with an amused look. George rolled his eyes before looking around the room again before noticing that the shower curtain in the bathroom was moving. He smirked and moved to the bathroom, opening the curtain and not finding anyone there. Draco slid out from behind the bathroom door and tiptoed out of the bathroom.
Goerge backed out of the bathroom and Adeline had to hold in a laugh, knowing the boy had been caught. George turned quickly, grabbing Draco and tickling him. Draco laughed loudly, reaching for Aster to save him. Aster rushed forward, pulling Draco from George and being grabbed himself. Aster yelled for help and Harry shot out from under the blanket and towards the laughter.
"Release my brother, Kraken!" Harry yelled and started hitting George's leg.
Adeline did laugh then, falling back on her bed as the other children began tackling one another and talking like pirates. Remus just watched on in amusement. When the boys left the room, George turning off the light as they went, Remus laid next to Adeline and pulled her to his chest.
"Okay, maybe one," he smirked.
"He released a snake," Adeline breathed out and Remus nodded.
"He released a very large snake," Remus countered.
"He spoke to and released a very large snake and trapped Dudley in the enclosure," Adeline added.
Adeline and Remus looked to one another and burst out laughing. They had taken the kids to the zoo and run into the Dursleys, along with one of Dudley's friends, while there. Harry had hidden behind Adeline when he'd seen them and the Weasleys, Aster, and Draco had all glared at Dudley and his friend. Petunia and Adeline had a glaring contest as Vernon and Remus had bickered back and forth a bit when Vernon had said that they needed to leave so his family could enjoy the zoo in peace.
Adeline had felt Harry release her and had watched from the corner of her eye as he'd approached the snake. She had seen his lips moving but had been unable to hear the hissing. Dudley, seeing the snake moving, ran over and pushed Harry over. The glass disappeared and Dudley fell in. The snake slithered over Dudley and left the zoo, hissing at anyone who tried to step on it. When Dudley had stood up, the glass was back in place.
They had left quickly, deciding that the Dursley's could absolutely have the zoo to themselves. The car ride had been quiet and awkward and the kids had run into the house as soon as the car had been put in park. Adeline and Remus were still in the car, both now close to tears from laughing so hard. After calming down, they headed inside, finding Harry sitting in the living room while the others were outside. He had tears on his cheeks and Adeline immediately worried that he'd been hurt when Dudley had pushed him.
"Harry?" she asked, sitting beside him. "Are you hurt?"
Harry shook his head.
"Why are you crying?" she asked.
"What's my punishment?" he asked, his voice a whisper.
"What?" Adeline asked, confused.
"What's my punishment?" Harry asked, green looking up at her in fear.
"Harry, you aren't in trouble," Remus explained as Adeline stared at Harry in shock.
"I'm a freak," Harry whispered, still looking at Adeline in fear, shrinking away from her when she tried to reach for him. "Freaks get punished when they do freakish things."
"You aren't a freak, Harry," Remus said, kneeling in front of him.
Adeline blinked a few times before finally speaking.
"Harry, you aren't in trouble. It was accidental magic and you aren't in trouble for that. Aster almost burnt the house down when he was little and he wasn't in trouble," Adeline explained, keeping her hands away from the small child. "You aren't a freak. You're a wizard, a very brave one at that. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't talk about my godson that way."
The fear slowly drained from Harry's face as Adeline had spoken. A small smile appeared on his face at the last bit and he nodded, wiping away his tears and sniffling a bit.
"Go wash your face and play with the others. We'll order take out tonight," Adeline told Harry.
"Can we get Indian?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Anything you want," Adeline promised. "Go on."
Harry ran from the living room and Adeline and Remus both deflated a bit.
"I'll kill them," Adeline ground out.
Remus simply sighed and took the spot beside Adeline, pulling her close.
"I mean it Remy. I'll kill them. I'll smile in the headshot as they drag me to Azkaban," Adeline continued.
"Like you would get caught," Remus smirked.
Adeline thought back to smothering Walburga with a pillow, a secret even Remus didn't know.
"I'm poisoning Petunia," Adeline nodded. "Something slow and painful. I'll watch her die with a smile on my face."
"And her husband?" Remus asked, knowing it was almost therapeutic for Adeline to get her homicidal thoughts out in the air.
"I'll use magic to hold him down and Crucio him until he's felt Harry's pain threefold before I kill him with my bare hands," Adeline said, voice losing its anger as she spoke.
"And their son?"
"What's another orphan?" Adeline shrugged.
"Feel better?" Remus asked.
"No," she grumbled, reminding Remus of Aster before Harry had returned and causing him to chuckle.
Remus held Adeline close, sighing as they listened to Harry run through the house and out the backdoor to join the others. They both listened to the laughter coming from outside, just enjoying the sound.
"So one more, yeah?" Adeline smirked, causing Remus to laugh.