Last one for now. It's longer than the other two were, I promise!

Chapter Sixteen

"The wards are down," Sirius said, stepping back and whipping the sweat from his brow, the sun only have just come up a few minutes before.

"Point me," Remus demanded of his wand watching as it spun for a moment before running forward.

The others followed close behind, all running as quickly as possible. They passed the pack, all naked and still sleeping, a few waking as they rushed pass. The few that woke, decided to run with them when they figured out the wards were down, joining them in the search for Adeline.

"Avada…"

"No!" Remus yelled, running into Greyback and knocking him to the ground.

"Remy!" Adeline yelled, rushing forward and pulling Remus off of Greyback, the two men growling. "Remy, stop! Wait, how are you here?"

"We got the wards down," Sirius explained, wand trained on Greyback.

The pack immediately stepped in front of their alpha, growling at the wizards and witch that had challenged him. Remus tore his eyes from Greyback as he stood, finally looking at Adeline. His eyes searched over her, finding her in torn, dirty clothes, her hair limp from lack of a real shower. She was skinnier than normal, probably unable to eat or drink anything proper in the past four weeks. She was alive and uninjured though and that was more than he could ever ask for.

"Adie," he finally breathed out, his arms wrapping around her and hugging her close.

"I'm okay," she promised him.

"You need to go," Greyback told her. "We all do. If he finds out that we got out of here without killing you…"

"Do you have somewhere safe to go?" Adeline questioned, turning in Remus' arms and continuing to lean into him.

"We do," he nodded.

"My things," she nodded.

Greyback went to the tree, pulling out Adeline's jewelry and handing it back to her. He grabbed her wand from the ground, passing that to her as well. Remus began pulling her away, towards the tree line and the apparition point. Adeline stood her ground though, staring at Greyback.

"Fenrir?" she asked.

"Adeline," he nodded.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Fenrir took a deep breath before nodding. He grabbed the parchment and turned to his pack, all of them having joined the group at that point. The pack went towards the apparition point at the front of the house as Remus pulled Adeline with him towards where they'd come from. They rushed through the woods, Remus holding Adeline the entire time, not even letting go as they apparated to the apparition point behind the cottage.

Adeline sighed at the trees that she recognized, leaning more into Remus as she almost collapsed from exhaustion. She knew Remus' anger would win out once the relief wore off and she just wanted to enjoy the time before it happened. Sirius, Severus, and Bella just watched as Remus turned Adeline around, hugging her close and breathing her in. His nose scrunched up a bit and he began rubbing his face in her hair and then on her neck.

"Do I smell like Greyback?" she laughed out.

"You do," he growled, continuing to scent mark her, his wolf pushing forward quite a bit now that Adeline was back. "Wolf is unhappy."

"Take your time," Adeline nodded, just leaning into him and enjoying the attention.

After a few minutes of Remus holding her and rubbing his face in her hair a bit more, he took a deep breathe. His wolf calmed significantly and Adeline waited. Remus' body tensed up and she flinched.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Remus growled out, stepping away and gripping her arms tightly.

"There it is," she sighed.

"What were you thinking?!" Remus bellowed, glaring down at her, his arms tightening.

"I was thinking I wanted Sirius back," she offered, refusing to flinch at the pain in her arms, knowing bruises would be left behind.

"You are the stupidest, most reckless witch I have ever met! You could have been killed! Greyback was going to kill you! You were just standing there!"

"Greyback and I made a deal," she tried.

"You made a deal with the werewolf who attacked me when I was a child?!" Remus demanded, pushing her away and causing her to tumble backwards.

"Remus!" Sirius yelled, stepping between them as Severus helped Adeline stand.

"It's fine," Adeline sighed as she accepted the help. "I deserve to be yelled at."

"Yelled at, yes. Thrown around in the middle of the forest, no," Bella spoke up, pulling Adeline into a tight hug and whispering in her ear. "I'm just happy that you're alright."

"It's good to have you back," Adeline whispered back, holding Bella just as tightly.

"What about the kids?!" Remus yelled, pulling Adeline's attention. "Harry has barely spoken in a month! Aster's so angry that he's having problems with his magic! Carolyn has been crying non-stop! Did you even think about them?! All you left them with was a recorded message on Harry's bracelet!"

"Remy," Adeline tried, stepping around Sirius.

"No! You promised! You said you wouldn't do anything stupid or reckless! You promised Severus and I that we would work together to come up with plans that way we could protect each other!" Remus' eyes were blood shot and his pupils were dilated, his wolf close to the surface again, wizard and wolf both pissed at her. "We swore to protect each other years ago! I can't protect you if you do stupid shit, Adeline!"

"Remy," Adeline tried again, hands raised as she approached him.

"I wouldn't live if I lost you, Adeline! I don't know how to live in a world where you aren't in it! Do you understand that?! I need you to breath, Adeline! I can't take care of the kids or myself if you're gone! What the hell am I supposed to do if you go a get yourself killed?! Is that what you want?! To die?!"

"No," she shook her head, finally reaching him and laying a hand on his chest, directly over his heart. "I don't want to die."

"Then what?! Why go where you may not make it out alive?! Why continuously throw yourself into danger or harm's way?! I need you to live! The kids need you to live! I can't…"

Remus grabbed Adeline, holding her close and breathing her in again. He had tears streaming down his face. He was still angry, of that Adeline had no doubt, but he just needed to be with her for a bit. Severus, sensing the change, pulled Bella away. He tried telling Sirius to come along, but he shook his head, refusing to look away from Adeline now that she was back. Adeline pulled away far enough to wipe Remus' tears before he leaned in, kissing her gently.

When he pulled away, he glanced behind Adeline to Sirius before looking back to Adeline again. Sirius moved forward, wrapping his arms around the both of them and hiding his face in her neck. Adeline sighed, leaning into him as Remus leaned into her. She turned her face and Sirius pulled her into a kiss. Remus just hid his face in her neck again, growling slightly. Sirius and Adeline broke apart to stare at him.

"Sorry," he whispered, knowing they were looking at him. "Wolf."

"It's okay," Sirius told him. "I get it."

"You do?" Remus questioned, staring at Sirius in confusion.

"I read up on magical cores after seeing yours. I talked about it with Andy, as well. I get it," he nodded. "Just no more kids together. Not sure how I'd feel about that one."

Remus growled, pulling Adeline against him.

"Easy," Adeline whispered to him, feeling bruises forming on her hips as well.

"Wolf likes smell when your carrying our pup," Remus growled out, more wolf than man.

"Noted," Adeline smirked before leaning back into Sirius a bit. "It's good to see you up and walking again."

"Thank you," he whispered into her ear.

"Are the kids awake yet?" Adeline asked Remus.

Remus listened out for a few moments before shaking his head no.

"Good," Sirius nodded, grabbing Adeline's chin and turning her to him, kissing her again.

Adeline leaned into the kiss. Sirius ran his tongue along her lip and she opened her mouth, allowing him access. He kissed her with so much passion and love that Adeline had to let out a soft moan. Remus began kissing and nibbling her neck, pushing his hips into hers and causing her hips to push into Sirius', both men groaning at the feeling. Sirius bunched Adeline's tattered dress up to her hips, pushing his hand into her underwear and rubbing circles against her sensitive spot as Remus reached between the two of them, unzipping the dress before pushing it down her shoulders before unclipping her bra and tossing it aside to reveal her chest.

Remus' mouth found one of her nipples and Adeline's breathing became uneven. She arched her back, giving Remus more room to work with as Sirius caused breathy moans to escape her. Sirius moved his hand down a bit, sliding a finger inside of her and causing her head to fall back, relishing in the attention she was receiving. Remus' mouth moved to her shoulder, growls coming out more often as his teeth scrapped gently against her skin, his wolf trying to push him to bite into her. It wouldn't turn her, but it would cause other wolves to smell him on her at all times, claiming her.

"Fuck," Adeline whined out, arching more as Sirius added another finger, his thumb still working circles on her clit.

Remus couldn't hold himself back anymore. His teeth sank into her, just enough to pierce her skin. Adeline threw a hand over her mouth, holding in her scream as she came. Sirius just watched her face in awe as Remus slowly released her shoulder, licking at the wound carefully. His wolf purred before he looked to Sirius, feeling the urge take over him again. Remus moved behind Sirius, pulling his jacket off of his shoulders.

"Remy?" Sirius asked, confused before Adeline distracted him by turning in his arms.

The two kissed roughly before Adeline dropped to her knees in front of him. Remus pulled Sirius' shirt off of him as Adeline undid his belt. She pushed his jeans and boxers down, pulling him free as Remus began kissing from Sirius' neck to his shoulder.

"What is that?" Sirius asked, going to touch the bite when Adeline took him into her mouth, causing his head to fall backwards against Remus' shoulder.

Remus continued nibbling and licking his shoulder as Adeline stayed in front of Sirius, causing a course of curses to leave his mouth. His hand was tangled in her hair and he glanced down at her just as Remus bit into his shoulder.

"Fuck!" Sirius was not as quiet as Adeline had been as he came.

Adeline swallowed every bit of it, though. Remus waved his wand as he continued the bite, conjuring a mattress on the forest floor. Sirius pulled Adeline to her feet, kicking off his boots and pants before taking her to the mattress. Remus stripped as he joined them, Sirius pulling the rest of Adeline's dress off before Remus reached forward and ripped Adeline's knickers to shreds.

Privacy and notice-me-not charms were around them, allowing them to be as loud as they wished. It was a few hours later that they were all dressed again and Remus carried Adeline into the cottage and up the stairs to their room, Sirius following behind them. Remus walked straight to their bathroom, setting Adeline on the toilet and starting the bath water, making sure it was hot before adding in soap.

Sirius stood at the door way, watching as Remus stripped Adeline back down. He picked her up, placing her in the hot water carefully. Adeline moaned at how good the water felt, leaning her head back and sinking a little bit further into the water. Remus grabbed a wash cloth, lathering it up as he slowly began washing her. Sirius moved forward, grabbing Adeline's shampoo.

After wetting her hair, he began working the shampoo through her hair, scratching her scalp gently. After Adeline was completely clean, Remus lifted her out of the water. Sirius waved his wand, drying her completely before waving his wand again and causing Adeline's favorite pajamas to appear on her body. Remus laid Adeline in the center of the bed before he and Sirius changed their own clothes and laid with her on the bed, both lying beside her. Remus pulled her to his chest and Sirius pressed against her back before pulling a blanket over all of them.

It was an hour later that Harry and Aster found the three adults sleeping in the bed. The two crawled into the bed, waking Sirius and Remus in the process, Adeline so exhausted that the movement didn't cause her to stir. Remus waved his wand, making the bed a bit bigger so that Harry and Aster could comfortably fit on the bed. Harry cuddled against Sirius' back, reaching over the man so that he could rest his hand on Adeline, Aster doing the same on Remus' side of the bed.

An hour later, Harry and Aster were tired of laying down, so they left the room. Tiffy was rocking Carolyn by the fire when the boys came down. Harry smiled as he stared down at his sister.

"You're going to have, like, a hundred kids," Aster joked.

"Well, one of us needs to," Harry joked. "Last I checked, boys can't have babies."

"Do you think Fred will want kids someday?" Aster asked, voice soft.

"You're asking me want your not-boyfriend wants in the future?"

"Fair point."

"Why aren't the two of you together?" Harry asked curiously.

"I don't know," Aster sighed, rubbing his face roughly. "He's been really patient. I just never really saw myself with a guy before, ya'know? Or with anyone for that matter."

"I get it," Harry nodded. "Just take your time. Get to know one another as more than just someone to bounce ideas off of. Maybe go on that date he asked you on?"

"I'll think about it," Aster smirked, rolling his eyes before moving into the kitchen to help Wobky with lunch, every one having missed breakfast.

Adeline woke as Remus rose from the bed, Sirius already missing from the room.

"What time is it?" she asked, stretching a bit.

"One," Remus told her softly, leaning down and kissing her head. "Come. Up you get."

"I'm still sleepy," she sighed, pulling the blanket further up her body.

"You need to eat something," Remus smirked.

"Fine," she sighed, accepting his offered hand so he could help her out of bed. "Only because I want to see the kids though."

Remus just chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist and staying behind her as she headed out of the room. They made their way down the stairs, following the sounds of Harry, Aster, and Sirius laughing in the kitchen. Harry and Aster ran to her the moment they saw her, Remus releasing her so that she could hug them without him being in the way. She didn't release them for a few minutes, Remus having to remind her that she needed to eat to get her to let them go. He led her to a chair, practically forcing her to sit before taking his own seat beside her.

A light lunch appeared in front of Adeline thanks to Wobky, which she was extremely thankful for after having lived off of the meager options in the woods outside of Lestrange Manor for the past month. She ate slowly, forcing herself to not over indulge out of fear that she'd make herself sick. Remus kept a close eye on her while talking with the other three men in the room, Adeline remaining silent and only half listening due to how tired she still was. Once she'd eaten half her food, she pushed the plate away, already full. Remus sighed before standing, leading her to the couch and covering her with a quilt from the back of the couch.

Adeline fell asleep almost instantly and Remus held in his soft chuckle before going back to the kitchen and speaking softly with the others. Sirius already knew that Adeline needed more rest, but Harry and Aster seemed confused by how tired she was.

"She was trapped in the woods with Fenrir Greyback's pack for a month," Remus said quietly. "She hasn't had proper rest in that entire time, nor has she had actual food. She'll have to slowly get her appetite back again."

"She's so skinny," Harry whispered, staring over at the couch and thinking of how small he used to be when he was living full time with the Dursleys. "Is she going to be okay?"

"In time," Remus nodded. "We don't know exactly what happened but we know that she came to some sort of agreement with Greyback while she was there. We just have to be patient with her."

Aster and Harry nodded their agreeance. Sirius just sat there, staring at Adeline with a look of concern on his face. He couldn't get the image of Adeline standing in front of Greyback, the man holding her wand and ready to perform the killing curse at her request from his mind. He could guess what she'd bargained for from him as he thought of Greyback's tendencies to go after children, Remus being a prime example. He was more worried about what Adeline may have traded to protect her children this time.

It was time for supper when Adeline woke again. She groaned as she sat up, rubbing her temples. Sirius was in front of her immediately, handing her three different potions, which Adeline took without complaint. Remus handed Adeline a small plate of food next, giving her a pointed look when she frowned at the food. She sighed, rolled her eyes, and took small, tentative bites of food as Sirius fed Carolyn, Tiffy having passed the baby over before looking over Adeline herself. Adeline stared at Carolyn longingly as the boys came down the stairs, smiling excitedly when they saw Adeline sitting up.

"How are you feeling?" Remus asked softly after Harry and Aster had hugged her and gone to the table to eat.

"Still exhausted," she admitted. "I haven't slept properly in weeks but I didn't realize it would be this bad."

"We'll get you back up to strength soon," Remus smirked, kissing her head and taking her empty plate. "Do you want more?"

"Yes, please," she whispered.

Remus held in his bright smile, moving to the kitchen and putting a little bit more food on Adeline's plate, happy that the nutrient potion was working. He grabbed his own plate and sat on the table in front of Adeline. He ate as he watched her slowly eat her second plate of food. Once they were both done, he waved his wand, sending the plates to the sink to wash themselves. Tiffy brought Carolyn over to Adeline and Adeline felt a few tears running down her face as she took Carolyn into her arms.

"Hello, my littlest love," Adeline whispered to the baby.

Carolyn began babbling happily, her small hand reaching up and touching Adeline's face. Adeline smiled brightly, leaning down and kissing Carolyn's head. Remus reached forward, gently wiping the tears from her face and causing her to look up at him. He leaned forward, kissing her gently before pulling away and kissing Carolyn's head. Sirius walked over and Remus stood, going over to the boys and talking quietly to them about their summer assignments, school starting back up in a few weeks.

Sirius smiled down at Carolyn before looking to Adeline, seeing her trying to not cry as she sniffled while staring down at her daughter.

"Albus told us about the plan for the defense position," Sirius told her, voice soft. "Remus is going to teach the first half of the year and I'll teach the second. When you're both working, I'll watch the baby and then Remus and I will switch after that."

"Okay," Adeline nodded, smiling to Sirius.

"When can we go get my name changed?" Harry asked, sitting beside Adeline on the couch.

"As soon as I'm feeling better," Adeline promised. "Give me a couple of days and I'll be back up to speed."

"Your mum needs more rest," Remus spoke up, giving the boys a soft smile.

"Fine," Harry sighed, stealing Carolyn from Adeline's arms. "I guess I'll take Care for a bit."

"You seem so broken up about it," Adeline rolled her eyes, accepting Sirius' hand as he helped her to her feet. "Alright. I love you."

Adeline kissed Harry's head before going over to Aster, pulling him into a tight hug and whispering her love into his ear before kissing his head and moving towards the stairs. Sirius picked her up suddenly, carrying her up the stairs and causing her to laugh.

Two days later, Adeline received a letter from Silverblade, telling her that he had found no ways to remove a horcrux from whatever object it had been forced into without damaging the object beyond repair. Adeline had sighed, passing the letter to Remus, Sirius reading the letter over his shoulder. The next day, Adeline, Harry, Aster, Remus, and Sirius walked into the ministry. Lorna smiled as she checked in their wands and told them which floor to go to.

Harry smiled as Adeline passed him the form, immediately beginning to fill it out. He frowned when he turned it in though.

"What's wrong, darling?" Adeline asked softly, pushing some of his hair off of his face and reminding herself to take both boys for a haircut soon.

"Well, I kind of wish we all had the same last name," he admitted, voice soft as he wrung his hands nervously.

Adeline chewed her lip for all of two seconds before requesting a form for herself, Sirius and Remus following her lead without a second thought. By the end of the hour, Adeline, Harry, Sirius, Remus, Aster, and Carolyn all had the last name, a form with a note being sent off to Severus as well. Adeline wrapped her arms around her sons, smiling as she led them back to the floo, Sirius and Remus behind them and smiling brightly.

"Can we go into muggle London for a bit?" Aster asked curiously.

"Sure," Adeline smiled. "I needed to do a bit of shopping anyhow. What were you thinking?"

"Hermione wrote me about these notebooks that she found. Some Lisa lady made them? I don't know," Aster sighed.

"Okay," Adeline laughed. "Come on."

Adeline led the group through the doors instead, finding themselves in the middle of muggle London rather than walking through the floo. They found a stationary store and Adeline grabbed a large pack of pens and multiple composition notebooks, deciding to start a project for her students. Harry, Aster, and Sirius were standing in front of a large rack full of rainbow notebooks, pens, and stickers with colorful animals on them. Remus showed Adeline a few playing cards as he joined her by the composition notebooks.

"What in the world?" Adeline smirked, taking the card package and looking it over.

"Pokémon. Trading cards, I think," Remus shrugged.

"Grab a bunch. Fred and George are going to love it," Adeline smirked. "They want muggle items for the shop and something to build up on. This would be a good start."

"Opening day is tomorrow," Remus smiled.

"I know," Adeline nodded. "We all received a special invitation to go in before everyone else."

"Fantastic," Remus laughed lightly.

"Mum!" Harry yelled, rushing over to her. "Look at this!"

"Inside voice," Adeline reminded him, smirking as he showed her a stuffed animal with a red tag in the shape of a heart on it.

"Can I have it?" Harry asked curiously, cuddling the stuffed animal close to his chest. "I've never had a stuffed animal before."

"You can have as many as you want," Adeline breathed.

"Push over," Remus coughed.

"Is there a wolf one? I think your dad needs it," Adeline stated, walking over to where all of the stuffed animals were on display. "Oh, look! There is a wolf!"

"No," Remus tried, but Adeline had already grabbed the small beanie baby and was smirking as she looked back at him.

"You're lucky I love you," he rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I am," Adeline agreed before turning back to Harry as he grabbed three more stuffed animals.

Harry now had a unicorn, dog, bear with a peace sign, and a moose. Adeline placed the wolf in his arms as well, smirking as Harry smiled at the stuffed animals happily. He walked over to the counter, setting them down as Aster and Sirius placed a few of the colorful notebooks and pens on the counter as well. Remus sighed, setting down the cards he'd grabbed as Adeline added the supplies for her classes. After paying, everyone carried a couple of bags and they found an apparition point, calling for Wobky to take the boys while the adults went on their own.

Adeline, Remus, and Sirius walked through the forest and into the house, smiling as Harry gave Carolyn the unicorn, telling her the unicorn's name was Mystic, pulling the tag off so that she couldn't choke on it. Harry smiled down at the other ones for a moment before picking them all up and running them up the stairs, presumably to put them in his room. Adeline sent Wobky to Fred and George with the cards that Remus had found, telling him to stay if the twins needed help with anything in the shop for opening day.

The Boudreaux's stood outside of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes with the other Weasley's and Hermione, waiting for Fred and George to allow them in. Molly was already stressing from the signs that she could see. Adeline had laughed loudly when she'd seen the one about 'U-No-Poo,' more than prepared to tell the twins how brilliant they were from just that alone. Finally, a pretty young witch by the name of Verity allowed the group in, letting them in to see the products.

"Wow," Adeline gasped, looking around the shop.

There were boxes piled to the ceiling full of merchandise. Skiving Snack Boxes, Nosebleed Nougats, trick wands, Patented Daydream Charms, and Pygmy Puffs filled the space the moment you walked in. There was a screeching toy that looked an awful lot like Umbridge with clown makeup on a tightrope cycling above their heads, along with a few display fireworks. There were Muggle magic tricks on a wall, which Arthur Weasley immediately wondered towards.

"What do you think?" Fred and George asked together, smiling brightly at the group.

"Brilliant," Adeline breathed, completely caught up in looking around at everything. "Absolutely brilliant."

"Imagine if they'd been around when we were in school," Sirius breathed out, smiling brightly.

"Way better than Zonko's," Remus agreed with a chuckle.

"Adie, this way, please," George smirked, offering his arm.

Adeline smiled, taking his arm and allowing him to lead her towards a back room as Fred moved to Aster's side, speaking softly with him.

"Back here are our more serious items," George explained. "You can have anything you want. Fred and I agreed that you and Harry don't pay here."

"I will be paying you," Adeline insisted.

"You and Harry funded our start up and you helped us with so many inventions. Your name is on a few of the inventions as a contributing inventor. This is our way of paying you back. We also agreed that we wanted to pay you royalties," George explained.

"Tell you what. If the items I helped with sell well, then I'll accept three percent," Adeline offered.

"Twenty."

"Five."

"Eighteen."

"Ten."

"Deal."

Adeline and George shook hands and she smirked before looking around the back room. She grabbed a few items, thinking about how the items would help keep herself and the kids safe in the future. George let her be, going back to the front. Adeline picked a few boxes of 'Jinx-Off' which included a hat, cloak, and gloves that helped protect the wearer from unfriendly spells. She moved back to the front of the store, smiling as she showed the boxes to George. He gave her a bright smile and a nod, waving his wand and causing the items to fly to the counter, wrapping themselves and having them wait behind the counter for her.

A line had formed out the door, students looking forward to buying items for the return to school with their curious parents waiting for Fred and George to allow them in. Fred kissed Aster's hand before moving to George's side, the two smiling brightly to one another before opening the doors. Adeline smiled brightly, watching as the store filled, people gasping before rushing to the shelves. Soon, the store was filled, Adeline unable to get close to most of the shelves now.

After grabbing a few fireworks and darkness powder, Adeline and Remus stepped out of the store, reminding Harry and Aster to stay with Sirius while they did the rest of their school shopping. Adeline and Remus laughed as they left the store, bright smiles staying on their faces as they did the kids' shopping for them. They made it back to the store, gathering Sirius, Harry, Aster and Hermione, having gotten her supplies as well as she was staying with them for the next two weeks before school would begin.

That night, Adeline pulled Harry aside, taking him on a walk outside among the grounds of the cottage.

"I told you I would tell you when I figured out why you can see through Tom's and Nagini's eyes at times," Adeline breathed, trying to figure out how to explain everything to Harry. "I figure it out while I was pregnant with your sister, but I was trying to figure out how to deal with it. It's not fair to hide it from you though, as much as others don't want me to tell you."

"Is this another thing that I can't tell dad about?" Harry asked.

"It is, unfortunately," Adeline sighed. "I don't think he'd ever speak to me again if he or Sirius found out that I told you. They want to protect you and let you be a kid for a bit longer. As much as I would love that for you, you've never truly been a kid before. Not with your aunt and uncle and not at school, either, considering everything that you've been through."

"You never got to be a kid, either," Harry whispered.

"No, I didn't."

"What is it?" Harry asked, stopping so that he could face Adeline as she spoke.

"Have you ever heard of a horcrux?" Adeline asked him before continuing when he shook his head. "A horcrux is created when someone splits their soul by committing murder. There's a ritual and other things that go into it, but it basically tears your soul in half and places it in another item or living being so that, even if your physical body is killed, a part of you lives on so that you may survive at a later time. Tom made seven, one of which was by accident. He had done everything he needed to do in order to make a horcrux, but then Lily performed a ritual to protect you when you were a baby and the killing curse rebounded on him. I destroyed two horcruxes by accident when I burned Shafiq manor to the ground when I had just gotten out of Hogwarts."

"Okay. So, we need to find the other ones and destroy them," Harry nodded.

"There are only three remaining," Adeline shook her head. "Nagini is one and Luna is going to help us find another one. Albus destroyed two others."

"So, what's the seventh one?" Harry asked, seeming confused.

Adeline just stared at Harry before a look of understanding overcame his features.

"I'm the one he made on accident," he whispered.

"You are," she nodded.

"What do we do?" he asked, standing tall, brave.

"Silverblade doesn't know a way to remove the horcrux from you. I'm still researching though. We're going to find a way to remove it and place it into something else. The only way we've found to destroy a horcrux is to destroy the host object completely. As I'm sure you can guess, that's not an option for you."

"Yeah, I think blood adopting me means you're not allowed to kill me," Harry was trying to joke but the grimace on his face kept the humor out of it.

"I'll figure it out," Adeline told him, taking his hand. "I refuse to let anything happen to you."

Harry did smile then.

"Thanks, mum," he whispered before hugging Adeline tightly. "Can I tell Aster and Ron?"

"Make sure that they won't tell your dad and yes," Adeline nodded, holding Harry tightly.

"Hermione will begin researching the moment she knows. I might just tell them about the horcruxes but leave myself out of it," Harry sighed.

"Smart," Adeline nodded. "It'll keep them from panicking."

Harry pulled away slowly, giving Adeline a sad smile.

"Thank you for telling me," he whispered.

"I would never hide something like that from you," Adeline explained. "It isn't fair to you. I'll tell your dad that I told you eventually. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission with him."

"You're both ridiculously stubborn," Harry smirked.

"Cheeky brat," Adeline grumbled, taking Harry's hand and leading him back towards the cottage. "Come on. Hermione wanted to talk to me about something as well."

Hermione chewed her lip nervously as they stood in front of her parent's house. Adeline let out a breath before turning to Hermione.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked. "We have safe houses."

"They refused that already," Hermione informed her. "I tried that already."

"You understand that I won't be able to return their memories to them later? It isn't like with Lucius where it was only a bit of altering here and there. You'll be erasing their entire lives and only leaving the base knowledge behind while adding fake memories of false identities," Adeline reminded her one last time.

"Do it," Hermione nodded. "I already said my goodbyes."

Adeline sighed and nodded, disillusioning herself and walking into the Granger household. Adeline waved her wand, slowly removing Hermione from most of the photos, the others turning invisible before flying into Adeline's bag so that Hermione could have them for later. Dan noticed the pictures first and Adeline obliviated him before Emma could come into the room. She put new memories into his mind, removing Hermione and the last sixteen years of his life completely. She went into the kitchen, doing the same to Emma the moment she saw her.

Adeline moved up the stairs, calling for Wobky and Kreacher, commanding them to remove all of Hermione's things, placing them into Hermione's room at the cottage for her. Adeline waved her wand once everything was removed, making the room look like a guest room before she walked through the rest of the house, going through all of it and removing any and everything that held reminders of Hermione in it. She moved back down the stairs, reviving the Grangers, well, reviving the Wilkins, before she snuck out of the house, shutting the door behind herself. Adeline apparated with Hermione, landing in the woods behind the cottage and leading the other witch inside where Draco was visiting with Harry and Aster.

Draco saw the look on Hermione's face and immediately followed her to her room upstairs. Adeline sighed as she leaned into Remus, staring at the stairs where Hermione had disappeared to.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"You'll have to ask Hermione, darling," Adeline told him. "Give her some time though. Don't push her too hard, either. Just be there for her, okay?"

Harry and Aster nodded, deciding to go up to their own rooms for a bit. Adeline told Remus and Sirius what had happened in a low voice before a patronus appeared in the room, telling them about an order meeting. Remus went upstairs, telling the kids where they were heading as Adeline asked Tiffy to watch after Carolyn for a bit. Harry and Aster followed Remus back down the stairs, deciding that they wanted to tag along. Once in Grimmauld, the five walked into the dining room, Adeline standing against the wall with the boys as Remus and Sirius sat on either side of Severus. Turned out the meeting was only for them anyhow, the Malfoys, Tonks', and Bella being the only other ones to join them.

"Should the kids be here?" Albus asked, eyes on Adeline.

"Yes," Adeline answered immediately.

"It's about certain objects," Albus tried again.

"Horcruxes?" Harry asked, looking unamused.

"How do you know about horcruxes?" Remus questioned, eyes wide.

"When did you tell him?" Severus sighed the question, eyes on Adeline.

"Yesterday," Adeline shrugged.

"You told him about the horcruxes?" Sirius demanded.

"I told him that Tom made multiple horcruxes so that he could attempt to become immortal, yes," Adeline nodded, leaving out the part where she told Harry that he, himself, was a horcrux as she looked back to Albus. "Continue."

"Well, I destroyed the ring last night with the sword of Gryffindor," Albus explained. "I was studying it to see if there was a way to remove the horcrux without destroying the ring but found none."

"That's annoying," Adeline sighed, rubbing her face.

"So, how many did he make?" Bella questioned.

"Seven," Adeline told her, eyes not leaving Albus.

"Yes. We have destroyed all but three now," Albus nodded. "Tom gave Adeline two himself, told her where to find another, and I discovered the cave where the necklace was."

"Repeat that," Adeline said, staring at Albus in confusion.

Albus' eyes widened for a half a second, realizing what he'd said before clearing his features again.

"Yes. I discovered the cave," Albus told her.

Adeline just stared at Albus, multiple questions rushing through her head that she didn't think she was going to like the answers to. Her wand fell into her hand suddenly and Albus sidestepped the spell that flew at him, a strong shield appearing in front of him as another sailed his way.

"You let him go by himself?!" Adeline demanded, throwing more curses at the shield.

"Adeline, please," Albus tried, but Adeline was too full of righteous fury to listen.

Albus had to jump out of the way as the blue curse broke through his shields, causing the wall behind where he had just been standing to warp. Albus threw his own curse, but Remus blocked it, standing tall beside Adeline, his own fury marring his features, having figured out what Adeline had.

"Stop!" Sissy yelled, waving her wand and causing a wall to form between Albus and Remus and Adeline.

Remus growled as Adeline glared at Sissy.

"Someone want to explain what the hell is going on?" Andy demanded, glaring at Adeline and Remus as if they were children.

"He as good as killed him," Aster breathed, tears running down his face, Harry gripping his hand hard as they stood behind Tonks.

"Remove the wall," Severus growled out, wand raised as well.

A large crack was heard and Adeline blew up the wall, finding Albus missing.

"I'm going to kill him," Adeline growled out.

"Why?" Sirius asked, moving so that he was in front of Adeline and Remus, confusion and concern on his face.

"Reggie," Adeline choked out, tears escaping her now. "The cave had inferi. He went alone to collect the horcrux. I never knew why he didn't take someone along. Kreacher!"

Kreacher appeared, seeming confused.

"The truth about how Reggie died! Now!"

Kreacher began shaking his head urgently, hands over his mouth.

"I command you!" Adeline screeched, hate in her eyes as she stood over the elf. "Tell me or I'll give you clothes!"

Kreacher screeched loudly before he began to speak.

"Kreacher told master not to go alone! Kreacher told Master Regulus not to trust the Dumbledore! Master did not listen to Kreacher! Dumbledore told Master to go alone so Master did! Master ordered Kreacher to lie to Mistress but Master is gone and Mistress demands the truth! The Dumbledore knew Master Regulus would die if he went alone! Kreacher is sorry Mistress!"

Kreacher threw himself to the ground, crying and banging his head on the floor. Adeline stumbled backwards, Severus catching her. Adeline had so much anger and sorrow running through her that she didn't know if she wanted to blow something up or scream in pain. Her brother, her best friend, her husband was dead because of Albus Dumbledore. He needed to pay.