I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter Six
The day of the first task, Adeline sat beside Severus in the stands, Remus being in the tent with Harry before joining the judges table. A canon went off and Adeline jumped a bit before Severus put his hand on her knee, getting her to stop bouncing her leg. Adeline watched as Cedric Diggory walked onto the pitch, giving the dragon an uneasy look before slowly moving forward, hands up in a peaceful gesture. He reached down, grabbed the golden egg, and slowly backed away. Once in the tent, everyone cheered as most of the judges stared in confusion. Charlie Weasley watched on in awe, ready to recruit the seventh year before Fleur Delacour came out.
When Fleur and Krum both retrieved their eggs with no problems, everyone began whispering, confusion breaking out amongst the crowd. Harry came out last, smiling brightly as he approached the Hungarian Horntail. Harry walked over to the dragon, scratching its chin for a moment before grabbing his egg, bowing his head to the dragon and going back to the tent.
Adeline let out a breath of relief, thankful that the dragons were in their cages and away from her children again. She raced towards the tent, blending in with the judges as she went to Remus' side. He gripped her hand as they watched the judges and Fudge try to figure out what had happened. Charlie Weasley ran in then, seeming confused as he stared at the four. Harry looked to Adeline, asking permission with his eyes to talk to Charlie.
Once Adeline nodded, Harry moved to Charlie, whispering to him quietly. Adeline leaned against Remus, smiling as he wrapped his arm around her. Adeline noticed a beetle on his sweater and swatted at it, sending it flying away as Harry went to her side.
"Well, we don't really have a way to score you, so you all receive no marks," Fudge told the champions. "The next task will be held February tenth."
Adeline fell into bed that night beside Remus, both laughing as they remembered the look on Fudge's face when he realized he wouldn't be getting a show out of the champions this round. Padfoot laid at their feet, letting out a bark of laughter with them. The next day, Harry ran to Adeline's classroom, panic clear on his face.
"What's wrong?" she asked him.
"This thing is horrid," he told her, passing her the egg. "It sounds like a banshee."
"I'm going to regret this," Adeline sighed, opening the egg and closing it again quickly. "I was right. Instant regret. Not a banshee."
"What was that? I can't hear you over the ringing?" Harry said, rubbing at his ears.
"Sorry, sweetheart," Adeline flinched. "It sounds familiar. I just can't place it."
"How does that sound familiar?" Harry asked, seeming horrified. "You hear distorted screaming often?"
"Well," Adeline shrugged.
"Right," Harry sighed, taking the egg back.
"If I remember, I'll let you know. None of the headmasters know what the next task is yet. We've all been talking," Adeline offered.
"All of you?" Harry smirked.
"Okay, most of us have been talking," Adeline smirked back. "We don't include Dumbledore in our tea parties."
"And now I'm imagining him in a frilly pink dress sipping tea," Harry sighed.
"Remember that when you face a boggart during OWLs," Adeline nodded.
"Oh, I'll make sure to tell everyone," Harry laughed. "See you later."
Adeline watched as Harry left, leaning against her desk with a smile. She frowned as she thought of the egg. She knew it somehow. She shrugged, deciding to ask the others later. It was when Severus forced Adeline to go to the Slytherin common room to help him with the Slytherin students, making sure they all knew how to waltz, that Adeline remembered. She stared at the glass wall, staring out into the black lake before turning to Severus with wide eyes.
"You're kidding," he whispered to her.
"They're sending them into the lake in February," Adeline hissed under her breath. "They'll all freeze to death."
"We'll have to teach Harry the warming charm," Severus sighed, staring at the lake in thought. "I might be able to help with the breathing if they have to go under. Gillyweed."
Adeline nodded and they turned to the gathered students. Severus told the students about the ball, most of them already aware thanks to their parents. He asked for volunteers and multiple girls raised their hands, the boys all looking rather put out. Severus sighed before turning to Adeline. She smirked stepping forward.
"I guess I'll just have to dance with you, Sev," Adeline sighed and suddenly the boys were raising their hands. "No, no. Hands down."
Adeline waved her wand and music began playing. Severus gave Adeline a small bow and she curtsied. Severus took her waist and they began dancing, both smiling as they remembered their younger years of Adeline dragging him to Grimmauld for balls that she didn't want to attend. Students began joining them and Adeline was free to go, heading to help Minerva with the Gryffindors next.
"Any volunteers?" Minerva asked as Adeline walked in.
"I'll dance with you, Minnie!" Adeline yelled, rushing forward.
"Cheeky," Minerva gave Adeline a soft glare.
"I thought you liked that about me?" Adeline faked offence.
"Hmm," Minerva smirked before looking to see multiple students willing to volunteer now. "Mr. Weasley."
"Which one?" Fred, George, and Ron asked, causing Adeline to hold in a laugh.
"Adeline's pick. She'll be the one demonstrating as she's had the most practice," Minerva nodded to Adeline.
"Come on, Fred," Adeline smirked, waving him over.
Fred jogged over, tossing his cloak to George in the process.
"So, first the man will bow and the lady will curtsy," Adeline explained, holding in a laugh as Fred bowed as low as possible. "Not that dramatic."
"I'm always dramatic," Fred shrugged.
"I'm aware," Adeline rolled her eyes before continuing. "Boys, you will then take your dates waist and hand."
Fred stepped up to Adeline, seeming a bit nervous now as music began playing. He placed his hand on Adeline's waist before taking her hand. Adeline's hand went to his shoulder.
"The waltz is very simple," she told everyone, giving Fred's hand a gentle squeeze. "Just three steps and a bit of swaying."
Adeline's voice dropped to a whisper so only Fred could hear her.
"I'll lead. Just follow me."
Fred gave her a nod and Adeline slowly pulled Fred around the floor, making it seem as if he was the one leading in the process. She counted "one, two, three. One, two, three," out loud for everyone to hear. Fred smiled brightly before spinning Adeline, causing her to let out a small laugh. Minerva called for the other students to join the two and Adeline passed Fred over to Angelina before stepping aside. Draco went straight to Hermione, bowing without thought, already knowing how to waltz thanks to Sissy's teachings. Hermione smiled as she was swept across the room, Draco making sure she didn't trip in the process. Aster went to Hilary, sending a glare Ron's way and causing Adeline to frown in confusion before Aster gave her a soft smile and a bow.
Harry stared around in a bit of a panic, not knowing what to do as everyone began finding people to dance with. Adeline took Ginny's hand, pointing towards Harry. The girl gave Adeline a soft smile and rushed forward, slowing once she got close enough. Harry gave her a soft smile, tilting his head and whispering before Ginny nodded. Harry gave Ginny a bow before leading her out to dance. Adeline smirked before Lily and James flashed before her eyes, causing her to have to take a step back. Minerva was by her side in a moment, asking quietly what was wrong before seeing the two students and gasping.
Adeline left the room, hand over her mouth as she held in a sob. She made it to her living quarters before she fell to her knees, crying loudly and thankful that Remus and Sirius were gone for the day and wouldn't be there to witness the break down. Adeline ended up in bed, blankets pulled over her head as she blocked out the rest of the world for a while. She wondered about going to see a mind healer before hearing Remus and Sirius return. She curled up under the blankets, making herself as small as possible as she heard footsteps approaching the room, knowing it was Remus based on the way he walked.
Remus walked into the room and froze in the doorway, staring at the lump under the sheets. He sighed before shutting the door and kicking his boots off. He climbed into the bed and went under the covers, pulling Adeline close.
"What happened?" he asked, voice soft.
"Harry danced with Ginny," Adeline shrugged.
"And that upset you because?"
"Because, for a moment, it was James and Lily."
Remus let out a slow breath before holding Adeline a bit tighter.
"I figured out what the egg sounds like," she whispered.
"What is it?"
"Mermaids. The Slytherin common room has a large window that shows into the lake. We used to talk to the mermaids every so often. First years were dared to try talking above the lake but all we heard was screaming. He needs to listen to the egg under water," Adeline explained.
Remus sent a patronus to Sirius, asking him to let Harry know, refusing to leave Adeline's side while she was so upset. A few hours later, Sirius returned, walking into the room and climbing onto the bed on Adeline's other side. He pulled the sheet down, revealing Adeline's and Remus' heads. They both gave him sad looks and he wrapped his arms around both of them.
"He has an hour to retrieve something from the bottom of the lake. Something important to him, apparently. He said he isn't missing anything, so they must not have taken it yet," Sirius explained. "He sent word to the other champions as well. Told them what his egg said and how to listen to their own."
"He's a good boy," Adeline whispered.
"He is," Sirius nodded. "Not sure where he got it from. All of us were absolute nightmares."
"Lily," Remus smirked. "Definitely got it from Lily."
"He's more Lily than James," Sirius nodded. "Looks like James but everything else is her."
Adeline smiled softly.
"Aster is the same. Looks like Reggie, acts like Adie," Remus added.
"Merlin help us," Sirius grumbled and all three let out quiet laughs.
"He's still upset that I won't teach him all of the traditions that we were taught," she admitted. "He found a book in the library that listed them all apparently. Wants to know why I didn't teach him Fiendfyre before anything else."
"That spell is terrifying," Sirius admitted, having only seen Adeline cast it the once.
"It is if you don't know what you're doing," Remus shrugged. "Adie taught Reggie and I when we were younger."
"Well now I feel left out," Sirius joked.
"What other traditions didn't you teach him?" Remus asked curiously.
"Crucioing your children as punishment?" Sirius offered.
"Withholding food and locking them in a bedroom for a week?" Adeline added.
"Blasting them off of family tapestries," Sirius nodded.
"How to use shadows for dark magic," Adeline nodded along.
"That one's actually useful," Sirius argued.
"I remember you using that on me and Severus in a practice duel," Remus groaned.
"You used it in a practice duel?" Sirius asked, brows raised.
"They knew how to do it, too," Adeline shrugged. "It was fair game."
"It was a practice duel," Remus stared down at Adeline with wide eyes.
"And I told you to treat every practice duel like a real one," Adeline smirked. "Not my fault that you boys never listen."
Adeline gave Sirius a wink as Remus began sputtering, trying to come up with a defense. The two ended up laughing, giving away the joke and causing him to glare. Remus began tickling Adeline, causing her to scream and try to get away, but Sirius had her blocked in.
"Okay! Okay! You win!" she yelled, breathing heavily as Remus finally stopped. "Merlin."
"Let's get some food in you," Remus sighed, dragging Adeline to her feet as she groaned, wanting to stay in bed with the two.
After eating, Adeline laid back in bed, Sirius and Remus each laying beside her and holding her close. She smiled as she fell asleep in their arms, feeling safer than she had in a long time.
Adeline laughed as Fred and George argued loudly in the hall over which one of them would be going to the dance with Minerva. Minerva simply sighed, shaking her head as the two boys pulled out their wands, deciding that they would duel for the opportunity. Minerva glared as Adeline continued laughing. Minerva got to laugh back as a seventh year Slytherin bowed to Adeline, asking if he could escort her. Remus had been at her side in a moment, giving the seventh year a look until he walked away.
The night of the Yule Ball had finally came and Adeline watched as Harry walked in with Ginny, the two smiling as they led everyone into the first dance. Sirius gave Adeline a smirk before bowing to her. Adeline rolled her eyes before taking his hand and allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor. The two began dancing with the students and other professors. A few whispers broke out as the two danced as if no one else was in the room, but they didn't notice, eyes on each other as they were both lost in memories of Christmases past.
Fred and George both tried stealing her for a dance and she shook her head, telling them to go back to their dates. Remus and Sirius thought it would be a wonderful idea to dance with each other for a bit, causing people to move out of the way as they spun around everyone, both laughing once they reached Adeline again. Once the rock band began playing, Adeline was, thankfully, released from the dance floor. She and Severus began checking outside for students sneaking away when Igor approached them.
"We need to talk," he told the two of them.
Severus seemed annoyed and Adeline was confused, wondering what happening.
"You haven't told her?" Igor asked, voice dropping to a hiss.
"Come, Adie," Severus grabbed Adeline's arm, pulling her away from Igor.
"You know what it means, Severus," Igor followed after them.
"I have nothing to fear, Igor. Can you say the same?" Severus asked, glaring as he opened a carriage. "Ten points from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff."
Two students ran back inside and Severus moved to another carriage.
"Let me see your arm," Igor said, reaching to grab Severus.
Severus jumped back, holding his arm away from Igor. Adeline's eyes widened. She stepped closer to Severus, giving him a look. Severus sighed, holding his arm out to her. Adeline stared in horror as the mark had begun to darken again.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, voice soft.
"I didn't want you to worry," Severus whispered to her before looking to Igor. "Happy? Now go."
Igor scoffed before leaving the two.
"What does it mean?" Adeline asked, voice shaking.
"It means he's gaining power again."
"Harry. His name was put in and now the mark."
"I fear it was his doing," Severus nodded.
"Which means that someone here is one of his," she nodded.
"Let's go inside. We can discuss it more tomorrow."
Adeline nodded, allowing Severus to lead her inside, neither having seen Harry and Aster behind a pilar and listening to the conversation. The two boys went back to their group of friends, pretending as if they both weren't suddenly full of dread. Fred saw the frown Aster was hiding and grabbed him, dragging him to the dance floor and spinning him around, causing the younger boy to laugh loudly.
The next morning, Adeline, Remus, and Severus were in Adeline's lab, privacy spells up so Sirius wouldn't hear them.
"Igor was too worried for it to be him," Adeline shook her head. "He wasn't high in the ranks anyhow. He claimed imperious almost immediately."
"I don't know who else it could be," Severus sighed.
"Someone may have snuck into the castle with the other schools," Adeline shrugged.
"They would want to be nearby to watch and make sure everything was going the way they wanted it to if that were the case," Remus nodded.
"So, we'll looking for someone who is going to every task," Adeline sighed. "That narrows it down."
"It may be someone who's trying to seem helpful," Remus shrugged.
"The professors and headmasters," Severus whispered, as if the thought wasn't fully formed yet.
"No, that's good," Adeline nodded, pointing to him.
"We'll have to look into every professor and headmaster," Remus supplied.
"I vote Dumbledore," Adeline said, pretending to seem thoughtful.
"Just because you can't stand him, doesn't mean he's evil," Remus sighed.
"It absolutely does," Adeline grumbled.
"We'll look into everyone," Severus spoke up, giving Adeline a pointed look when she rolled her eyes. "Has anyone been acting strangely to any of you?"
"Well, I wasn't really paying attention," Adeline sighed. "I was a bit preoccupied with Harry."
"I haven't really been around anyone outside of Sirius and the kids," Remus offered.
"I haven't been watching either," Severus nodded.
"We are now, though," Adeline offered. "We can do this. It's us and it's always been us. Three of the smartest people in the school."
"Do we need more?" Remus asked, seeming concerned.
"I can try," Severus shrugged.
"No," Adeline shook her head, an idea coming to her mind. "I have the perfect backup."
"Who?" Severus asked as Remus stared at her.
Adeline smirked as she watched the twins walk away, having agreed to report anyone sneaking around or acting strangely. Adeline opened the map, Harry having let her borrow it for a bit without argument, watching as students milled about, the first week back after Christmas holidays always seeming to make everyone drag their feet a bit. She handed the map off to Remus when the bell rang and her seventh years began piling into the room.
"Anything?" she asked as she walked into her office.
"No," Remus shook his head. "I have a session with Harry in twenty minutes."
"Go," Adeline nodded. "I can keep watch for a bit."
Remus nodded, heading into her classroom to prepare the room for practice duels. Adeline sighed as she stared at the map, her eyes growing tired after having stared at it for twenty minutes. With no one acting noticeably strange and not catching anything on the ridiculously large map, the three concentrated on Harry, giving him the map back a few days before the second task.
"What do you think they're going to take?' Harry asked as they sat on the front steps of the school together.
"Your Firebolt?" Adeline smirked, laughing when she saw Harry's look of horror. "I'm sure it'll be something more meaningful than that. We can always get you a new broom."
"So, maybe my cloak?" Harry asked. "It's irreplaceable."
"True," Adeline nodded before seeing Harry shiver a bit. "Here."
Adeline cast the warming charm and Harry sighed at the warmth before leaning onto Adeline.
"I learned that one the other day but I didn't realize I would need it today."
"I've got you," Adeline smiled, laying her head on his.
"Thanks, mum," Harry whispered and Adeline couldn't keep the smile off of her face if she tried.
The night before the tasks, Adeline walked towards Albus' office, sighing as she rubbed the back of her neck. She would have to ask Remus to rub her shoulders later.
"Lemon drop," she said and the gargoyle hoped aside, letting Adeline through.
Adeline frowned when she walked into Albus' office and found it empty. She sat in the chair in front of his desk, deciding to wait a few minutes before sending a patronus. Suddenly, everything went dark. Next thing Adeline knew, she woke up in the lake, a little girl coughing beside her.
"Come here," Adeline pulled the girl close, looking around and finding stands full of students.
Remus and Severus were calling for her so she had the small girl climb onto her back as she swam over, passing the little girl to Severus before looking to Remus.
"Where's Harry?" she questioned.
"He hasn't come up yet."
Adeline growled before putting a bubblehead charm on and diving back into the water. She swam hard until she found Harry fighting Grindylows. She swan to him, kicking one in the head and pulling Harry to her. Harry pointed his wand up and they flew to the top of the lake.
They both took deep breaths of the fresh air before Adeline began pulling Harry along to the stands. Once there, Adeline pushed Harry to the ladder, making him climb up first before she went. Sirius wrapped Adeline in a warm towel, pulling her to his chest.
Adeline glared at Albus as he looked her over. He caught her glare and looked away quickly.
"You saved her! My sister!" Fleur yelled, kissing Harry's checks and causing him to blush. "You helped!"
Adeline returned Fleur's hug before moving to Harry. Harry threw his arms around Adeline and the two breathed out a sigh of relief. The scores were announced, putting Harry in second place. Albus approached Adeline as she continued holding Harry to her.
"Adeline," he started.
Albus sputtered as his head broke the surface of the lake. He glared at Adeline as he climbed the ladder, Minerva trying to lecture Adeline for her childish actions as Adeline turned and walked away, all of her boys following after her. Alastor was trying to hold in a laugh as Adeline passed him, to which she gave him a smirk and a wink.
"He found Crouch's dead body," Adeline nodded, brows raised.
"He did," Remus nodded along.
"Why am I not surprised?" Adeline asked.
"Honestly, had someone else found it, that would be the surprise," Remus agreed.
"Anything bad happens and it's always him," Adeline groaned, rubbing her face.
"He's going to need a mind healer by the summer time," Remus sighed.
"I know a good one," Sirius spoke up, causing everyone to laugh.
"Well, at least he didn't cause the dead body," Severus supplied.
"Thank Merlin they don't take after us in that regard," Adeline smirked.
They didn't hear Harry and Aster sneaking away from them under the cloak. The next morning, Adeline began helping to train Harry, Aster and the twins deciding to come along as well.
"I thought you weren't allowed to help?" Harry smirked.
"I've never been a stickler for rules," Adeline shrugged, a smirk on her face.
"Mum?" Aster seemed nervous as he whispered to her.
"Yes, love?" she whispered back.
"Can we learn something else?" he asked.
"Like what?"
"Well, I know you said that we weren't allowed to learn dark magic, but if someone's using the tournament to try and kill Harry, shouldn't we learn some of it?" Aster asked.
Adeline chewed her lip as she thought it over. She turned to Remus, waving him over. She whispered to Remus, telling him what Aster had asked. Remus sighed, thinking it over as well. They locked eyes and nodded to one another.
"Alright. Tell you what, love. We'll teach you a bit over the summer. We don't have permission to teach the others stuff like that," Adeline told him.
"Okay," Aster nodded in understanding before going to practice duel Fred a bit more.
"What's going on with him?" Remus asked, eyes on Aster.
"I'm not sure," she sighed. "I think I've been too focused on Harry this year. I missed something."
"No one can blame you for that," Remus told her, taking her hand gently. "Harry was thrown into danger. Paying more attention to him right now makes sense."
"Not if it means that something is going on with Aster and I'm missing it," Adeline sighed before leaving Remus' side to watch Aster and Fred for a bit.
Remus went back to Harry and George, correcting pronunciation and fighting stances as Adeline did the same for Aster and Fred. As the bell for breakfast rang, Adeline pulled Aster close, hugging him tightly and kissing his head. Aster smiled brightly at the attention, hugging Adeline just as tightly before running off to join the others. Adeline watched them go with a smile.
"Have you seen the Prophet yet?" Severus swept into Adeline's classroom as she was setting it back to normal after the dueling sessions.
"I don't really read it anymore," Adeline shrugged. "Why? What's happened?"
"You're not going to like it," Severus sighed, passing her the paper.
Adeline held the paper out a ways so that Remus and Sirius could see as well. Adeline stared down at the multiple headlines and pictures on display, hands shaking in anger.
'Adeline Black in Love Triangle with Harry Potter and Sirius Black!'
'Inappropriate Teacher/Student Relationships in Hogwarts?'
'Adeline Black Throwing Albus Dumbledore Into the Black Lake!'
The last one was the only one with even a little bit of truth to it. Adeline glared at the authors name before the paper caught fire, ashes flying into the air as the threw the paper. She flooed to Albus' office, finding the man staring down at the paper with anger clear on his own face.
"I'm going to kill her," Adeline announced.
"I'll help hide the body," Albus sighed, standing. "I'll apparate us to the ministry."
Adeline and Albus appeared in the ministry, walking straight to Fudge's office. He stared at them with wide eyes as his pink assistant stepped aside, looking a bit terrified after the last time that Adeline had shown up. Fudge opened his office door wide, allowing Adeline and Albus in without question. After two hours of yelling, an emergency Prophet was printed, an apology to Adeline, Sirius and Harry for false information and a retraction of the previous articles.
Albus and Adeline agreed that the article about sending him into the lake was fair considering it was actually true. Albus actually asked for an extra photo of him going into the lake be framed and sent to him. Once they left the ministry, they reappeared in his office, both falling into chairs with sighs of relief.
"Well, that was an eventful morning," Adeline sighed, rubbing her face.
"Always a pleasure to see you yell at someone else," Albus smirked.
"Well, if you would stop upsetting me, I wouldn't yell at you," Adeline offered.
"I know," Albus nodded, looking regretful. "I apologize for not protecting Harry better and for attacking you for the second task. I didn't think you would be on board with it and the other option was Aster. Figured you would be the option that kept me from getting murdered in my sleep."
"Oh, you would have drowned in that lake had I not been able to find my children," Adeline smirked.
"That's what I figured," Albus let out a small chuckle.
The two stared at each other for a moment before Adeline spoke again.
"He's gaining power. Severus' mark is getting color again. I think the tournament has everything to do with it."
"Severus told me that you were watching all of the staff and people coming in and out because of it," Albus nodded.
"I'm terrified, Albus," Adeline admitted, voice just above a whisper. "If Harry and Aster weren't in the picture, I'd be ready to fight. But I have two boys and I want nothing more than to grab them and run away to protect them. If another war comes, I know that Severus and I will be thrown back into the thick of it. I don't want my children to see us like that."
"I understand," Albus nodded.
"I'll do it to protect them," she continued. "I'd kill and die for them. I just don't want my children to hate me."
"When you were in school, you were fine with those you loved hating you because it meant protecting them and keeping them alive," Albus stated. "I know that, with it being your children that you're protecting now, that this life will be harder for you to keep. If it comes down to it, I don't want you going back. I know you're the best chance that we have at ending this but I also know that you almost didn't survive last time."
"I'm still broken," she admitted, forcing tears back down. "I see the people I lost everywhere. I see James and Lily in Harry, Reggie in Aster, Mattheo in Thomas. Hell, the twins are James and Sirius and I know Sirius is alive but he isn't the same. He's careful and tired when he used to be full of laughter and life. We all lost a part of ourselves in the war and I'm not sure we can get it back."
"Maybe you don't need to get it back. Maybe you need to embrace who you've become without it."
Adeline brought Harry, Aster, Draco, Hermione and the four youngest Weasley's into a spare classroom. Severus, Remus, and Sirius stared around the room, remembering the dueling clubs that they'd all been a part of in the past.
"I've brought you all here because we need to discuss a few things," Adeline explained. "Whoever put Harry's name in the Goblet is working for Voldemort."
"Oh, they're finally going to tell us," Aster spoke up, looking to Harry.
"We overheard you and Uncle Sev at the Yule Ball," Harry explained.
"Someone want to explain it to me?" Sirius asked, annoyed at being left out again.
"I left you out," Adeline told him softly. "I wanted you to be a bit better before involving you."
Sirius sighed before nodding in understanding. Adeline turned to the kids again.
"I'm sorry that we didn't tell you," she said to her boys. "We were trying to figure out who it was first. We've had no luck though. We think the first two tasks were just a test to see how strong Harry was, figure out how he reacts in dangerous situations. The third task is going to be where something happens."
"Something like what?" Draco questioned.
"Like someone trying to kill him," Remus spoke up. "It's why we've been training him so hard and stuck to his side so much. If they changed their mind and tried to go after Harry before the third task, we wanted to make it more difficult to get to him."
"Oh," Aster's eyes widened a bit. "That's why."
"I'm so sorry that we haven't spent as much time with you this year, Aster. We should have found a way to make sure you were alright as well. I never meant for you to feel left out or abandoned," Adeline explained, voice soft.
"I understand," Aster nodded. "I'm sorry. I should have realized."
"No," Adeline shook her head. "You don't need to apologize and you shouldn't have had to realize anything. This was completely our fault and we'll do better in the future."
Aster just nodded, his throat feeling a bit tight. Adeline nodded back before addressing all of the kids again.
"We've decided that Harry isn't the only one who needs training and that teaching only light spells isn't going to keep you protected in the long run," she said. "Aster made a good point the other day. If others are going to use dark magic against you, you need to know how to protect yourselves properly. If you have any problems with what we're going to teach you, you can leave and we won't hold it against you. We'll all understand."
When no one moved, Adeline nodded.
"Let's get to work."
Adeline began training the kids like she had trained the Slytherins once Slughorn had stopped showing up. She taught them the runes to make spells stronger and shields that caused curses to rebounded directly at the caster. She taught them how to use shadows to makes vines of darkness lash out at whoever they pointed at and how to expel some one's insides and melt their brain. She showed them how to perform wandless and nonverbal magic, training them after classes everyday and during the weekends, each of them putting their all into the lessons.
"No wonder we had such a hard time fighting Death Eaters," Sirius joked during one session. "Adie trained them like she was trained by her parents."
The day of the final task, Adeline, Remus, and Sirius stood in a room with the other champions parents, Sissy and Molly joining their group as they waited. Harry ran to them when he saw them, smiling as he wrapped Sissy and then Molly into a hug before going to Adeline's side. Adeline ignored the glare she received from the Diggory's, telling her that they had read the Prophet back in February.
"What are you all doing here?" Harry asked, smiling brightly.
"Family comes to visit and cheer you on for the final task," Adeline explained.
"Oh," Harry nodded. "That's cool."
"Very," Severus rolled his eyes, joining the group.
"Don't be so sour, Sev," Adeline rolled her eyes. "You know you're happy to be here."
"For him, always," Severus smiled, pulling Harry into a hug.
Harry laughed as he hugged him back. Harry led them all to the Great Hall, everyone sitting at the Gryffindor table for lunch together, Aster and the other kids joining them as Ginny stole the seat beside her mum. As the day wore on, dread continued to fill Adeline, thinking of all the ways Harry could be hurt in the maze. Harry gripped her hand tightly under the table, fearful as he thought of the maze as well and knowing someone was going to try killing him in just a few hours.
Harry was in his uniform, fiddling with his bracelet a bit as Remus stood beside him. Remus pulled Harry close, whispering in his ear that they would come running if Harry pressed the bracelet. Harry nodded, letting out a deep breath before pulling away and giving Remus a weak smile.
"You've got this," Remus told him. "We've taught you well. You may even just win this thing. Your mother put money on it, actually."
"No, she didn't," Harry rolled his eyes before gasping. "Did she really?"
"She did," Remus laughed. "The moment she realized there was no way to get you out of this, she placed a bet with the twins. They think you're going to win, as well."
Harry looked to the crowd, smiling as he caught Adeline's eye. She gave him a reassuring smile as a canon fired and Cedric entered the maze. Once Harry entered the maze, Remus took his seat beside Adeline, the two gripping each other's hands like a lifeline. An hour later, Fleur was pulled from the maze. Forty minutes later, Krum was rubbing his head as he sat by Igor. Twenty minutes later, Adeline's bracelet vibrated violently.