I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter Eleven
It took three weeks and two more articles by Rita Skeeter for Umbridge to be removed. Fudge gave her a week to gather her belongings, wrap up whatever lesson she was on, and leave the school. The students and staff decided to rage a bit of a war on her until she was gone. Well, Adeline, Fred, and George decided to anyways, which was an army all of its own.
Six days before she was to leave, Fred and George set off fireworks throughout the school that were spelled to get louder and bigger any time someone tried to use vanishing spells on them. As the teachers weren't allowed to do anything that didn't have anything to do with their subject, Adeline stood outside Minerva's class with her, watching as Umbridge chased after a firework.
Fred and George set off a portable swamp the very next day, a feat that Filius was beyond proud of. Adeline passed Fred and George the modified dungbombs that she'd created, holding back a laugh as they went off in Umbridge's classroom during the fifth year classes, getting the kids out of the class for the day as Umbridge searched for a different classroom to use.
Slinkys were released on the stairs in mass the day after that, people placing bets on which one would travel the longest distance. Adeline may or may not have behind that one, having bought different colored slinkys and multiplying them before delivering them to the common rooms with instructions. Peeves tried unscrewing a chandelier before Minerva was heard telling him it unscrewed the other way as she passed.
A biting tea cup ended up in front of Umbridge on Wednesday and on Thursday a nosebleed nougat, right before Adeline's new pet niffler escaped in Umbridge's office. Umbridge was screeching in anger, trying to pinpoint exactly who was behind everything. She wanted so hard to blame Fred and George, but they had alibies in Aster, Harry, Lee, and even Draco at one point.
The last two days were filled with fanged frisbees, fireworks, dungbombs, decoy detonators, and trick wands. Adeline threw a party in her classroom Saturday night for the staff. Remus showed up with firewhiskey, elf made wine, and spiked butterbeer. Adeline had never been more upset about being pregnant before.
The Slytherins were learning from Harry, joining Dumbledore's Army and signing the previously spelled sheet. The dueling club continued using the room of requirement, not that it was a secret anymore, minus that the small group of Slytherins had joined. The room gave them a separate entrance and exit so they wouldn't be discovered by their classmates.
Harry, Fred, George, and Aster were beyond thrilled to be on the Quidditch team again, the four flying for a few hours before and after practice. Adeline began tutoring the twins in defense so they could take their NEWTs with their classmates at the end of the year. She was also no longer hiding her stomach, not bothering with the charms that made her skin feel too tight anymore as her classes resumed, assuring the students that end of the year exams were canceled due to the lack of classes.
Sirius and Adeline had been on a few dates in the meantime, Remus simply smiling when Sirius had told him and congratulating them. At eight and a half months pregnant, Remus was helping Adeline with her seventh years, her feet too swollen to walk around too much. He had also taken over the defense position for the remainder of the year, giving Adeline an idea.
"Hi, Alby," Adeline smirked as she stepped through her floo.
"Adie," Albus gave her a glare at the nickname. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I had an idea about the jinx on the defense position. A work around, actually," Adeline smirked, waddling over to a chair and sitting down slowly. "Why is sitting difficult?"
"Probably because you're ready to give birth at this point?" Albus offered.
"Yeah, that's fair," she nodded. "Anyways. So, no one can hold the position for a full school term. What if you have a someone for the first half and someone for the second half every year. They can trade off halfway through every year."
"I… never thought of that," Albus said, leaning back in his seat. "That may work. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Sirius and Remus," Adeline smirked. "They're a good team, Remus has already proved to be an amazing teacher and Sirius was an auror. They both received O's all through school in defense and on their OWLs and NEWTs."
"Have you spoken to them about it, yet?" Albus asked curiously.
"I figured I'd come to you first," Adeline shrugged. "You're the headmaster after all."
"Oh, you care about my title now?" Albus smirked, twinkle in his eye.
"Not really," Adeline sighed before smiling to him. "Did you destroy the ring yet?"
"Yes," he nodded. "Have you spoken to the Ravenclaw ghost?"
"Do I look like I'm about to go up three flights of stairs right now?" Adeline questioned. "Severus said he'd take care of it. I don't think she's going to like him much, though."
"She does tend to shy away from men," Albus sighed.
"We could ask Luna and Ginny," Adeline shrugged.
"No. No need to involve more children," Albus shook his head.
"Luna is in Ravenclaw and more likely to get the ghost to speak freely in front of her. She's comfortable around Ginny. Just ask them to ask her about it," Adeline sighed before slowly standing again, sighing once she was on her feet. "Don't get pregnant, Albus. It's too much work."
"I'll be sure to take my potions," Albus smirked. "Good night, Adeline."
"Good night, Albus," Adeline smirked, walking through the floo and into her quarters, smiling when she saw the boys there. "Well, hello all."
"Hi, mum," Harry and Aster called, continuing their chess game against Ron, the red head winning even against two opponents.
"Well, I need to head to the alley for a few things," she sighed, hands going to her lower back. "Think you can all behave without me for a few hours?"
"What do you need?" Sirius asked, standing. "I can go get it for you."
"No," Adeline shook her head. "It's some womanly products. I can get it. Shouldn't take long. Spend time with the boys."
"You sure?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," Adeline smiled, kissing Sirius' cheek before summoning her wallet.
She stepped back through the floo, ending up in Hathor cottage. She walked through the forest, apparating once she was able to and landing in Diagon. She put the charm over her stomach, groaning at how uncomfortable it felt before stepping out of the shadows. Adeline stopped in to see Catherine, dropping the charm so Catherine could coo over Adeline's stomach. Wobky took the shopping bags full of baby clothes to the cottage for Adeline as she replaced the charm and started walking through the alley again. It was four hours later that Adeline was heading towards the apparition point again before remembering that she forgot something at Catherine's. Adeline cursed to herself, turning and heading back to the shop.
"I found this," Catherine smirked, passing a bag to Adeline.
"I was almost out of here when I remembered it," Adeline smirked before a sharp pain rocked through her body.
"What's wrong?" Catherine asked, going to Adeline's side.
"My water just broke," Adeline gasped. "Shit."
Adeline waved her wand, causing the liquid to disappear before she called for Wobky. Wobky took her straight to St. Mungos, snapping his fingers and causing the charm to disappear the moment they landed. Adeline was rushed to the back, her bracelet going off and telling her that Harry needed her. Adeline cursed again before being forced into a bed. Adeline drank the potions offered to her that would make the birth go quicker, pushing when she was told to, Wobky staying by her and holding her hand tightly. It was four more hours before Adeline screamed, pushing one last time before her daughter took her first breath.
Adeline leaned back, remembering her bracelet then. She held her daughter for a moment before handing her to the healers and sitting up.
"I have to go," she stated, struggling to stand.
"No," the main healer argued, trying to push her back down.
"My son is in danger," Adeline growled out. "I need to go. Wobky, clothes, please."
Jeans, a green, long sleeve shirt, and boots appeared on Adeline, her hair going up into a bun in the process. The healers tried arguing with her but Adeline kissed her daughter's head before taking Wobky's hand. They appeared in the Leaky cauldron and Adeline held the bracelet, turning on the spot and appearing outside of the ministry. After performing a point-me charm, Adeline rushed inside, flushing herself into the building quickly.
Adeline rushed through the ministry, following her wand as it pointed her in the right direction. She found Sirius dueling Lucius, Harry slightly behind him. She turned into a raven, flying to join them as fast as she could. Green light flew towards Sirius.
Adeline reached them just in time, turning human again and knocking them both out of the way. She landed on top of Sirius, lifting her head and glaring at Bellatrix Lestrange as she slowly stood. Remus and Aster rushed forward as Sirius and Harry stood beside Adeline.
"Mum?" Harry asked, looking her over.
"Adie, what happened?" Remus asked, staring down at Adeline's now deflated stomach.
There was no time to answer him as Bella, Rodolphus Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, and Lucius began throwing spells their way. Adeline waved her hand, pushing Harry and Aster back quickly as she, Remus, and Sirius began dueling them back. Adeline knocked Lucius out quickly, sending him flying back as black ropes appeared around him. Rodolphus and Rabastan went down next, Remus being blasted backwards in the process. Green light flew towards Adeline and Sirius pulled her out of the way, tripping and starting to fall. Adeline reached out, grabbing Sirius and starting to pull on him as he landed halfway through a strange frame, the mist trying to swallow him. Remus was beside Adeline in a moment, helping her as she pulled on Sirius, his body having gone limp. Harry and Aster were there as well, the four pulling as hard as they could before Sirius was suddenly thrown back through, landing on Adeline.
Adeline rolled them, staring down at Sirius' closed eyes.
"Siri?" she asked, tapping his face.
When she received no response, she grabbed his wrist checking for a pulse and finding none.
"No," Adeline growled out, starting chest compressions. "You are not allowed to leave me again. Do you hear me Sirius Black? You are not doing this to me again. I waited years for you to come back to me. You are not allowed to leave me."
Adeline didn't notice when Aster and Harry ran after Bellatrix immediately until Remus was yelling in her ear, telling her Sirius was gone and they needed to get to the boys.
"Wobky! Take him to St. Mungos now!" Adeline screamed, standing and running, Remus directly behind her as Wobky disappeared with Sirius.
"I killed Sirius Black!"
Adeline's blood boiled as she exited the lift with Remus and heard those words.
"Crucio!" Harry's voice echoed through the room and Adeline let out a sob as she turned a corner, finding Harry and Aster holding their wands and glaring down at Bellatrix from where she was on the ground, glaring up at them.
"Do it," Voldemort's voice echoed through the room. "You have to mean it Harry."
Voldemort appeared behind Harry and Aster and Adeline and Remus rushed forward, standing in front of their children with arms stretched out in front of them.
"Step aside, Adeline," Voldemort hissed.
"It's Hathor, actually," Adeline offered before she began throwing spells at Voldemort.
Remus dragged the boys behind the large statue in the center of the room while Adeline distracted Voldemort, dueling him with everything she had. She was thrown across the room and Albus stepped around her, standing in front of her protectively.
"Albus Dumbledore," Voldemort hissed.
"It was foolish to come here tonight, Tom. The aurors are on their way," Albus stated as Adeline slowly stood, Albus still being sure to stand in front of her.
"By which time I shall be gone, and you dead!" Voldemort screamed, shooting a killing curse that hit a desk as Adeline summoned it to them, causing it to burst into flames.
Albus waved his wand and Voldemort created a shield, the sound of a gong reverberating through the room.
"You do not wish to kill me, Dumbledore?" Voldemort questioned. "Do you think yourself above such brutality?"
"There are more ways to destroy a man than death," Albus began.
"Nothing is worse than death!" Voldemort screamed before throwing a few more spells.
Adeline turned, blocking the spell that Bellatrix had tried throwing at them. Albus and Adeline were back to back, fighting their opponents together. Bella was wrapped in chains, dark shadows digging into her skin as Adeline summoned her wand.
"Pestis incendium!" Voldemort yelled in anger, a fire in the shape of a large snake appearing and flying towards Albus.
Adeline forced Albus to spin around so she was in front of him, her hand raised high as she hissed out the counter-curse, the fire moving around the two before diminishing completely.
"You think you can use my familiar magic against me?" Adeline questioned him before waving her wand. "Pestis incendium!"
Three fire ravens flew through the air, the same size the snake had been before each descended on Tom from different directions before he suddenly disappeared. Adeline countered her ravens as she and Albus looked around in a panic, searching for him. Harry yelled in pain and they rushed forward, finding Remus holding Harry to his chest.
"Harry!" Adeline yelled, falling to her knees beside him.
"Kill me now, Dumbledore," Harry's distorted voice demanded, a hiss undertone to his words. "If death is nothing, kill the boy."
"You give my son back to me," Adeline demanded, forcing Harry to look at her as tears fell down her cheeks. "Give him to me, Tom."
Adeline leaned forward, kissing Harry's scar gently and causing him to scream in pain. Voldemort was expelled from Harry and Harry fainted in Remus' arms. Aster was crying beside Adeline, staring down at Harry in horror. Adeline turned, searching the room as it filled with people. Voldemort grabbed Bella and disappeared with a large pop, the aurors and Fudge staring in astonishment.
"Mum?" Harry groaned out, pulling her attention.
"Harry?" Adeline asked, looking down into his bright green eyes. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"That sucked," he groaned, causing Adeline, Aster, and Remus to all let out small laughs.
Albus began telling the aurors that Death Eaters were down below, along with Order members and children. Adeline sent Tiffy and Kreacher to get the kids to St. Mungos and take the Order members to Grimmauld. Tonks ran up the stairs, going straight to Adeline as she began to stumble when she stood.
"I thought I was accident prone," Tonks pointed out.
"Well, I did give birth and then immediately get into a wand fight or two," Adeline shrugged. "Think I'm entitled to a bit of stumbling."
"Let's get you to St. Mungos," Tonks nodded, walking Adeline through a floo.
Healers rushed to Adeline, forcing her back into her bed. She asked after Sirius, annoyed when no one would give her answers, giving her dreamless sleep instead. Adeline woke the next morning to the sound of a baby crying gently. She opened her eyes slowly, finding Remus bouncing a baby in a pink blanket beside her.
"How is she?" Adeline asked, voice cracking slightly.
"She's good," Remus smiled brightly, sitting on the edge of Adeline's bed. "Here."
Adeline took the baby carefully, supporting her head and looking down at her tiny face.
"We never picked a name," Remus reminded her.
"How about Carolyn?" Adeline asked.
"Your birth mother?" Remus confirmed before smiling brightly. "She looks like a Carolyn."
"Carolyn Hope?" Adeline threw out, brow raised and a smirk on her face.
"I love it," Remus' smile grew even brighter somehow. "Carolyn Hope Boudreaux."
"You don't want her to have your last name?" Adeline asked curiously.
"The kids should all have the same last name," Remus shrugged, summoning the birth certificate to himself to fill out, having already put their names. "Harry wants his changed this summer."
"I know. We already discussed it," Adeline nodded. "He's very excited."
The two sat in silence for a few moments before Adeline spoke up again.
"Is Sirius…?" Adeline couldn't finish the question.
"He's in a magical coma," Remus said softly. "Too stubborn to die."
Adeline snorted a laugh before letting out a relieved sigh. She bounced Carolyn gently, smiling down at the small baby. Carolyn yawned and fell asleep a moment later, Remus taking her from Adeline's arms and placing her in her bed beside Adeline.
"Get some rest. I've got everything," Remus promised, kissing Adeline's head.
Adeline smiled softly before closing her eyes. It only took a few seconds for her to fall asleep, waking again a few hours later as Harry and Aster were arguing over who got to hold Carolyn first.
"I'm older," Aster reminded him.
"I'm less clumsy," Harry argued.
"Mum birthed me."
"That just means she's stuck with you. She chose me."
Adeline couldn't help the laugh that came out, ignoring the look Remus gave her for it. Aster stared at Harry, his mouth open in shock as Harry stared at him with a proud smirk.
"I think Harry won," Adeline laughed. "Aster's out of comebacks."
"Fine," Aster grumbled, flopping into a chair.
Harry sat in his chair and Remus handed him Carolyn. Harry smiled down at his newest sibling, whispering to her quietly so that no one could hear him. Well, Remus pretended to not be able to hear him, his hearing better than normal so close to the full moon. A few minutes later, Harry passed Carolyn over to Aster, Aster holding her carefully and just staring at her, his eyes wide in wonder as she cooed at him. Eventually, Remus took Carolyn back, placing her back in her bed so he could put her in a clean diaper. Adeline pretended to not have seen the camera sticking out of Remus' pocket, knowing he'd snuck pictures of the boys' faces while holding the baby for the first time.
Remus took the boys back to school a few hours later, the two resuming classes since they had no injuries. Adeline grabbed the Prophet from beside her bed, the headline flashing in big, bold letters, telling everyone that 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named' had returned. She rolled her eyes, annoyed with how afraid everyone was just to say his name. Remus returned a few hours later, telling Adeline that Sirius' condition had no change yet.
Adeline was released from St. Mungos two days later, Carolyn being released the next day. Adeline went to see Sirius, tears forming in her eyes when she saw him in the hospital bed, unmoving and looking as if he was in a deep sleep. She wondered if this had been how Mattheo had felt when she'd been in her coma before remembering that Dumbledore hadn't even allowed Mattheo to see her. Adeline let out a rough breath, leaning against a wall for a minute before leaving the room to go hold Carolyn.
Adeline stepped through the floo of Hathor Cottage, holding Carolyn carefully in her arms as Remus stepped out behind her. Adeline was about to head up the stairs when a phoenix patronus appeared in front of Adeline and Remus, telling them about an emergency Order meeting. Adeline and Remus stepped through the floo, Carolyn still asleep in Adeline's arms. Remus led her into the dining room and Adeline froze when she saw Avery tied to a chair, Alastor and Kingsley glaring down at him.
"Adie," Avery breathed when he saw her, looking relieved.
"Why's he here?" Adeline asked, looking to Albus in confusion.
"He's on our side," Albus told her.
"No. He's on Adeline's side," Alastor corrected as Severus walked into the room.
"He's always been on Adeline's side," Severus remarked. "No one who saw them in school could ever believe otherwise. It's why the Dark Lord allowed him to climb the ranks so quickly. Anyone Adeline was personally involved with was immediately inner circle."
"Because he's in love with her," Avery nodded.
"He isn't capable of love," Adeline growled out as Remus took the baby. "Not anymore, at least."
"I came to help you," Avery said, looking directly at Adeline. "Fenrir Greyback wants to assist you in any way that he can as well. Said to thank you for the pain potions."
"Pain potions?" Remus asked, brows raised.
"I gave him the pain potions that I made for you," Adeline shrugged. "Sent quite a few of them when he let us live."
"You did what?" Tonks demanded.
"It's good to have people owe favors when you're spying," Severus explained. "Adeline has quite a few favors tallied up with multiple people; Avery here included."
"Avery doesn't owe me anything," Adeline shook her head. "He's just loyal."
"I brought him back because I thought it was what you wanted," Avery said, voice soft. "I'm sorry, Adie."
"I understand, Nicholas," Adeline nodded. "Peter turned on the light because he wanted to help me. You aren't the first person to be loyal to me rather than Voldemort."
"He's trying to find a way to make his name taboo," Avery warned.
"Voldyshorts it is," Adeline shrugged before looking to Severus.
The two stared at one another for a long moment before looking to Remus. He simply shrugged before Carolyn began whining, having woken up hungry. Adeline smiled, taking the baby from his arms and bouncing her slightly.
"Whose baby is that?" Tonks asked, confused.
"Mine," Remus and Adeline answered at the same time before giving each other a playful look.
"I'm going to go feed her. Wobky, Veritaserum?" Adeline heard a pop and saw the potion appear on the table. "Thank you, Wobky."
Adeline left, heading up the stairs to her old bedroom. She glared at the black décor before sitting on the chair by the fire place. With a wave of her wand, the fire started up, cutting the chill in the room. Another wave of her wand and the dust disappeared before Adeline sat down, unbuttoning her shirt so that she could feed Carolyn.
After burping the baby, cleaning her diaper with magic, and bouncing her for a bit, Adeline headed back down the stairs, baby still in her arms. She entered the room again, sitting in the chair across from Avery.
"What's the verdict?" Adeline asked Albus, head tilted towards Avery.
"He truly is here for you," Albus nodded. "We checked him for other potions or spells as well. His hand was cursed so Alastor performed a bit of magic so it isn't anymore."
"Good," Adeline nodded before smiling as Andy approached her, hands outstretched towards Carolyn.
Adeline passed the baby over, telling Andy her name and watching as Andy smiled down at Carolyn, speaking to her softly. Adeline put her hands on her hips, still tired from having given birth just three days ago and from the wand fight with the Lestrange's and Voldemort. She sat in the chair across from Avery, letting out a slow breath with her head tilted back and her eyes closed.
"Are you alright?" Avery asked her and Adeline opened her eyes to look at him, noticing he was still tied to the chair.
"Tired," she admitted truthfully.
Avery just nodded, looking her over for a moment before looking behind her as the door opened, Remus and Tonks reentering the room.
"When did you come down?" Remus questioned.
"Snuck down the stairs," Adeline shrugged.
"You should be resting," Remus reminded her before walking over to Andy and taking Carolyn, smiling down at her as he bounced her a bit.
He took the seat beside Adeline, Tonks going to his other side.
"The Dark Lord has a beast in the castle," Avery stated, looking directly at Adeline as he willingly gave the information. "He plans to find a way to unleash it this year."
"What beast?" Adeline asked, leaning forward in her seat.
"He said it's something only the heir of Slytherin could gain access to," Avery told her. "He began hissing to Nagini after that."
"Well, he's the heir of Slytherin, so there's that," Adeline rolled her eyes.
"He said he knows a way in that others don't," Avery continued.
"A way none of us know?" Remus asked, smirking for a moment. "I doubt it."
"I wouldn't," Adeline told him. "He's evil but he's brilliant. He probably knows plenty that we don't, including about secret passages through the school."
"Adeline is correct," Albus spoke up. "Does he mean to open the Chamber of Secrets?"
"The what?" Remus asked, seeming confused.
"I keep forgetting you weren't in Slytherin," Adeline sighed.
"Yes," Avery nodded.
"I'm sorry. Are you telling me that isn't just a myth?" Andy questioned, eyes wide.
"It was opened over fifty years ago," Dumbledore admitted. "A student died and another was expelled."
"What happened to the student?" Adeline questioned.
"It wasn't him. I always thought it was Voldemort but had no way to prove it. I was just a professor at the time," Albus explained.
"And the student who died?"
"Haunts the school."
"Where in the school?"
"Miss Myrtle in the second floor girls lavatory."
"Moaning Mrytle?" Remus asked, seeming shocked.
"Oh, Merlin. No wonder she's so upset," Adeline groaned. "She was probably one of his first murders. Please tell me this wasn't when he was awarded with services to the school?"
"How do you know about that?" Albus questioned. "I removed that."
"Guess," Adeline gave Albus a dead expression.
"What else has he told you?" Albus asked, seeming a bit angry.
"You don't get to demand answers from me," Adeline hissed out.
"Maybe we should all take a breath," Remus offered, free hand going to Adeline's leg.
"Fine," Adeline crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back again.
"You need rest," Severus spoke up. "You just had a baby, were in a wand fight, and you've been with Sirius for the past few hours. Come."
Remus passed Carolyn to Andy again after he stood, promising to be right back. Adeline, Severus, and Remus moved up the stairs, finding Harry, Aster, and Draco cuddled together on Harry's bed. Adeline sat on the edge of the bed, just staring at the three boys, a sad smile on her face.
"He knows," Severus said, voice gravelly.
"Who knows what?" Adeline asked as she brushed hair from Harry's sleeping face.
"He knows that Harry is in your care," Severus clarified and Remus stiffened slightly at the news.
Adeline sighed, standing from Harry's bed and checking on Draco before moving on the Aster. She smiled down at the dark curls that sat on top of Aster's head and the sharp angles of his cheekbones, reminding her of his father every time she looked at him. She turned to Severus, taking a deep breath before speaking.
"Does he know of your involvement?" she asked.
"No," Severus shook his head. "He believes that we stopped being friends when I figured out that you were a traitor."
"Well, he was already coming for me before. He'll just continue his efforts now," Adeline told him.
"Adie, he's going to actually come for you. He wants you dead now," Severus said, taking Adeline's hands in his own.
"As I want him to be," Adeline's voice was fierce. "If he wants to kill my children, he will have to go through me."
"That's what we're afraid of, Adie," Remus said, voice soft and full of worry. "We would do anything for the boys, as well. We've been here with you through everything and will continue to be. What will they have left when this is over? Dead parents all around?"
"You just said that all of us are going to protect them but want me to run and hide when the danger comes? No offense to the two of you, but I'm more powerful than the both of you. He's afraid of me and the information that I have. He knows that I know more about him than any other and he wants me dead simply for that. He may come harder at me now that he knows that Harry is, for all intents and purposes, my child, but he will be met with my wand if he ever tries to hurt my children ever again. I will burn him to nothing but ash and blow those ashes into the faces of his followers. When their eyes clear, they will be met with my smile before I cut their throats and spill their 'pure' blood on the streets."
"Need I remind you that you are on the side of the light?" Severus asked with a bored look.
"I'm on whatever side keeps my children alive," Adeline defended.
"I think we should take this conversation to a different room?" Remus offered. "We don't want to wake the boys."
Adeline, Severus, and Remus left the room, Remus staring in at the three boys for a moment before closing the door behind himself. After throwing up Severus' privacy spell, Remus turned to Adeline.
"I know that you're upset about what happened but being out for blood won't change anything," Remus said, voice soft.
"You're right. It won't change what they did to Sirius. It sure as hell will make me feel better though."
"Adie," Severus tried next. "Just think things through. Talk plans over with us. We can't lose you because you let your anger guide you. We need you here, with us and the boys. We rely on you just as you rely on us. We're family."
"We can't lose another person that we love," Remus continued. "We can't survive without you. I can't survive without you."
Adeline stared at Remus, her resolve failing at the tears forming in his eyes. She walked forward, pulling him into her arms. He held her tightly, burying his head in her neck as a few small sobs escaped. Severus watched on, always unsure of what to do when Remus and Adeline got like this.
"I'll be careful," she promised. "No going out on my own. No running into danger. No forming plans without the two of you."
"Good," Remus mumbled against her. "I can't lose you, Adie. I can't. I wouldn't be able to survive it."
"I'm not going anywhere," she promised, pulling away to look into his eyes. "I love you and I'm not leaving you."
"Mum?"
Adeline turned, finding Aster staring in confusion.
"Where's Carolyn?"
"Aunt Andy has her downstairs. Dad was about to go get her," Adeline gave Remus a pointed look before looking back to her eldest. "What are you doing awake?"
"When is Sirius coming home?"
Adeline took a sharp intake of breath at the question, more anger wrapping around her as she thought of Sirius, the man she'd loved since she was a child, in a hospital bed.
"As soon as he's strong enough," Severus answered, Adeline and Remus both too caught up in their emotions to respond in the moment. "You mom needs rest, as do you."
"Okay," Aster nodded. "Can I lay with you?"
Adeline just nodded, unable to speak. Aster smiled before poking his head into the bedroom and whispering something. Harry and Draco were at the door next, both looking exhausted and carrying a blanket each.
"Are you all coming with me?" Adeline smirked.
"Yes," Aster stated as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "Where else would we go?"
Adeling sighed, waving the boys back into the bedroom. She followed them in, Remus and Severus watching them go. Adeline made the bed bigger before adding more cushioning charms and summoning more blankets and pillows. Adeline climbed into the center of the bed and the boys piled in after her, pulling their blankets with them. Once everyone was cuddled against one another and huddled under a mountain of blankets, eyes closed and a soft breathing followed. Adeline stayed awake the longest, Aster finally giving up and cuddling further into her side before his exhaustion got to him, the worry draining from his face in his sleep. Adeline ran her fingers through his hair soothingly before falling asleep herself, wrapped in the warmth that was her boys.