The Rise of House Boudreaux

by BrooklynFazenbaker

It's been years since Voldemort disappeared and it's time for the next generation to start Hogwarts. What happens when Harry has overprotective guardians willing to die and kill for him and how does everything change when Sirius returns? Follow along as Adeline and Remus do their best to protect their children and each other from the Dark Lord once more.(Part 2 of Everything Black)

19. Chapter 19

I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter Nineteen

Adeline walked around the forest, checking her wards and strengthening them as she went. She moved back to the cottage once she finished a few hours later, nodding to Remus as she passed him and flooing to Grimmauld. Sissy had been buried in the backyard two days ago, a week after her death. Albus' funeral had been the day before hers and Adeline had stood in the back, saying nothing as she stared forward, making sure to set the memory aside to be taken to Severus when he was alone so he could watch it if he wished. She did the same with Sissy's funeral, not sure if he'd heard about her death or not.

Draco and Hermione moved into Grimmauld, Remus keeping the boys and Carolyn at the cottage, neither of the boys wishing to speak with her at the moment, Albus' death too fresh on their minds, and Remus refusing to let Adeline near Carolyn. Adeline understood why the boys didn't want to speak to her and she understood why Remus was protecting Carolyn from her, but it didn't mean it didn't hurt worse than when he'd left her when they were in their last years of Hogwarts, the separation causing her chest to ache.

She rubbed at the pain as she took a breath, moving into the dining room to meet with Alastor and Minerva.

"Bill and Fleur are getting married on August first," Minerva informed her.

"I'm sure it will be beautiful," Alastor rolled his real eye.

"Empathy, Alastor," Adeline sighed the reminder.

Alastor just cut his eye at her before looking to Kingsley as he entered.

"Any news?" he questioned the tall, dark wizard.

"More safe houses have been attached. I'm thinking wards need to be updated."

"I'll go to the Weasley's once we're done," Adeline nodded. "Where else?"

"Is this place protected?" Kingsley asked.

"This manor, the grounds where Shafiq manor once stood, and my cottage are all protected. I was going to move on to my safe houses next, but I'll send word to Molly first," Adeline explained. "I can give emergency portkeys to Order members so they can use them in case of emergency."

"You know how to make a portkey?" Kingsley questioned.

"Of course, she does," Minerva smirked, looking up as the door behind Adeline opened, Bella and Sirius joining them.

Sirius went to Adeline's side as Bella took a seat.

"What are we discussing?" Sirius questioned.

"Warding safe houses and illegal portkeys," Adeline shrugged.

"Sounds fun," Sirius nodded.

"Sounds like a lot of work," Adeline responded. "Want to help?"

"When?"

"In an hour?"

"I was going to go see the kids," Sirius explained.

"Okay," Adeline nodded. "I'll ask Hermione. She wanted to learn wards anyhow. I'll teach her the ones Mia taught me and Reggie made. I can show you some other time."

"Okay," Sirius nodded.

"I'm also going to set up a few traps," Adeline told the room at large. "Spread a rumor of moving Harry on his seventeenth birthday since Lily's blood wards will end then. Let word slip by accident where we're taking him, but it'll be an empty house with defenses on it."

"Need help?" Alastor smirked.

"Sure," Adeline nodded, more than happy to pick Alastor's brain. "May ask Tonks to come as well. Teach her a few things. As long as she doesn't trip as we're setting something up, it'll be fine. Might be able to put her metamorphous skills to work as well."

"Sure Andy'll be up for that?" Bella asked, voice rough.

"I'll ask Andy first, make sure she's alright with it. Then I'll ask Tonks to be sure she's alright," Adie assured her.

"So, do we need to worry about the blood wards on Harry's birthday?" Kingsley questioned.

"No," Adeline shook her head. "The cottage is warded to high heaven. If someone figures out how to get through them, I'll know long before they fall and be able to get everyone out with plenty of time. I have one safe house large enough for everyone if need be and I also happen to know of a few muggle residences under pseudonym names."

"Do you think he isn't obsessed with you enough to rearrange the letters of your name?" Sirius asked, brows raised.

"It's not my name. It's Mattheo's," Adeline explained.

"What's Mattheo's?" Clary asked, walking into the room.

"The name used on muggle safe houses," Adeline explained. "We'll have to shut down the floo soon. The ministry runs it and I trust Scrimgeour but I don't think he's going to last much longer. Remember the bridge?"

Everyone sat in silence for a moment, remembering the bridge in London where multiple muggles had drowned when it had been attacked. An attack due to Scrimgeour refusing to give up the ministry a year ago. Alastor broke the silence.

"Where is that safe house?" he questioned.

"It's a last resort," Adeline told him, shaking her head. "If we need it, I'll explain it."

"What would you need to explain?" Sirius questioned.

"A lot," Adeline sighed.

"It isn't some historic site or illegal, is it?" Clary questioned.

"No," Adeline shook her head. "Just a bit unconventional."

Clary seemed to accept the answer but Sirius scrunched his face in curiosity for a moment before shaking himself out of it and looking to the others instead.

"So, I should go floo Molly and make portkeys," Adeline sighed, rubbing her face. "Figure out which house to use and then let you know when we can go. I'll need to talk to Andy and then, hopefully, Tonks. After that I can sit around and not see three of my five children. Wonderful."

"Five?" Clary asked.

"Severus and I blood adopted Hermione and Draco is in my care now that Sissy is gone and he's declared himself for house Black," Adeline explained. "Makes him mine. I helped raise him, so it only seems right."

"I never thought you'd have enough kids to rival the Weasley's," Bella shrugged.

"I did," Sirius gave his first smirk in a week and a half. "She's always hated quiet houses."

"He does have a point," Adie sighed. "Do we have anything else to discuss at this moment? We can figure out the cover story after I choose a property."

"Nothing else," Alastor shook his head. "We can start apparating to the front step from now on."

"I'll let Remus know and close the floo at the cottage," Sirius nodded.

"I wanted to speak with you before you leave," Adeline stopped Sirius.

"What about?"

"Secret keepers," Adeline shrugged. "A fidelius charm couldn't hurt on the houses and a few of the properties."

"I think you should ask someone less obvious," Sirius sighed.

"How'd that work out last time?" Adeline asked, closing her eyes as soon as the sentence was out. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

"It's fine," Sirius rubbed her arms until she opened her eyes. "You have a point."

"Want to do it now so you can tell us all the address?" Bella asked.

"Sure," Sirius nodded, leading everyone out of Grimmauld, Adeline calling for Draco and Hermione as they passed the library.

Adeline walked him through the spell for a few minutes before he performed it, causing the house to disappear from sight.

"The address to the safe house is number twelve Grimmauld place," Sirius told the group quietly, causing the house to reappear. "I'll go tell Remus and the other kids."

"Thank you," Adeline nodded. "Will you do the same at the cottage, please?"

"Sure," Sirius nodded, kissing her head gently before apparating away.

Adeline sighed before heading inside, Alastor, Kingsley, and Clary popping away while the rest headed inside. Draco and Hermione went back to the library, both burying themselves in research. Bella flooed to Andy's, telling Adeline she'd talk to her for her. Adeline stuck her head in the floo, calling for Molly and nodding when Fred told her to come through.

Adeline had a wand pointed at her the moment she stepped through.

"The spells used to make the fizzing ball work?" Fred asked.

"Lumos and locomotive," Adeline answered, head tilted.

"She didn't smirk," George pointed out.

"Haven't really had a reason to crack a smile in just over a week now," Adeline informed them. "Where's your mum?"

"Upstairs, readying the rooms," Fred rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to go speak with her and then ward the burrow a bit more. Do you have wards around the shop and your apartment?" Adeline questioned.

"We put up the ones you sent us," Fred nodded. "Did you create them?"

"No," Adeline shook her head. "Some are Potter spells and some were created by Reggie."

"Aster's father made wards?" Fred asked curiously.

"Have you spoken to him lately?" Adeline asked curiously as she was led up the narrow stairs.

"Not since the funerals," Fred shook his head. "Harry broke up with Ginny after Dumbledore's funeral."

"Why?" Adeline questioned.

"Said it was to protect her," George answered.

"Idiot," Adeline sighed. "Lucius already knows that they're soulmates. She's already in danger."

"Which she reminded him," Fred nodded.

"But he wouldn't hear it," George sighed.

"I'd offer to knock a bit of sense into him, but he isn't exactly speaking to me at the moment," Adeline sighed.

"Because he was there when it happened?"

George's question didn't really feel like a question, but Adeline nodded anyways. They stopped on the third floor, hearing Molly bossing Ginny and Ron around a bit. Adeline knocked on the open door, leaning against the door frame as she watched on. Molly gave her a sad smile before wrapping her in a tight hug.

"How are you, dear?" Molly whispered the question.

"Tired," she admitted before pulling away. "I have a few wards that I wanted to place around the area. I wanted to discuss them with you first. Might have to wait until after the wedding to put them up due to all the guest you'll be having, though."

"Probably," Molly sighed. "Let's go down to the kitchen, dear. I'll make us some tea."

"That sounds lovely," Adeline nodded, meaning it.

Adeline nodded to Ron and Ginny before being led away, Fred and George going to the next floor up to clean the bathroom and a spare room on that floor before Molly could even tell them to. Molly forced Adeline into a seat before starting the tea, a cup floating over to her, along with a bowl of sugar and a small pitcher of cream. Adeline added the tiniest amount of sugar to her tea before taking a sip and humming.

"So, tell me about these wards," Molly nodded, sipping her own tea.

Adeline went into explaining the wards, going into depth about how they worked and what they would do in the simplest terms that she could. There was quite a bit of arithmancy and runes involved, so Adeline glossed over that bit, knowing most people would rather poke their eyes out than listen to that bit. At the end, Molly was nodding.

"After the wedding," Molly nodded. "You'll be there, yes?"

"I'm allowed?" Adeline asked, brows raising.

"Of course, dear," Molly nodded, patting her hand. "Kingsley explained what happened, told us that Albus was in pain and you did it to spare him more pain and to spare Severus as well."

"Bless him," Adeline sighed.

"So, you'll be there?" Molly repeated the question, giving Adeline a look that screamed mother of all of her rambunctious children.

"Sure," Adeline nodded.

"Good," Molly gave Adeline a soft smile before her smile dropped again. "He also told us about Sissy. I'm sorry, Adeline."

Adeline let out a rough breath, forcing tears back as she always did when she thought of Sissy.

"It's been hard," Adeline admitted. "She was my sister more than my cousin-in-law. She was always there, ever since I was introduced to the Black's. I met her maybe three days after meeting Sirius and Reggie. She used to help me get ready for balls and she dressed me for my wedding. I really thought she would outlive all of the Blacks, to be honest."

"I'm sorry," Molly whispered. "How are Andy and Bella taking it?"

"Not well," Adeline sighed, able to control her emotions when it was someone else being discussed. "Andy is a bit of a shell at the moment, keeping Ted and Tonks as close as possible. Bella is angry, Sirius as well."

"And Remus? Aster and Harry?"

"None of them are speaking to me," Adeline admitted, feeling uncomfortable.

"They'll come around," Molly promised, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Thank you," Adeline nodded. "For the tea. I have wards to place on a few other properties that I need to complete before nightfall."

"Of course," Molly nodded.

"I'll be sending you an emergency portkey in case something happens. Probably won't be done before the wedding. It has to stay in the safe house for a full month before it can be taken somewhere else if it isn't being used immediately. Plus, I'll have to pick an item to use for each person. So, think of something that's in plain sight but doesn't get touched often. I also have to brew a potion that'll protect the item after. Make sure it's large enough to take all of you," Adeline explained. "I'll give instructions on how to use it when I send it to you."

"Thank you," Molly nodded. "I'll be closing my floo after the wedding."

"The one in both my homes is being closed today. Sirius is secret keeper and will send word later with both addresses."

Molly just nodded before watching Adeline walk through the yard until she was far enough away to apparate to Grimmauld, sighing as she stepped through the door. She rubbed her face roughly before flooing to another safe house, taking three hours to place wards around it before closing down the floo and leaving the anti-apparation wards and appearing outside of the next safe house. She placed the same wards, closing the floo before taking a deep breath and apparating to the final location.

Reggie had the mansion built for her as a late wedding gift, the construction having been paid for in advance and not completed until after his death. Adeline hadn't even known about it until she's gone to Gringotts the day before and gotten a list of her properties, taking the list to the ministry and destroying their copies as Scrimgeour pulled them out for her, knowing she planned to make most of them safe houses for anyone who needed them in the future.

Scrimgeour and Adeline had come to a strange agreement at the end of it, both willing to die to protect everyone from Voldemort and his followers. He'd even told her when the reading of Albus' will would be; August first. Only four people had been mentioned in the will, one of which was her. She told him to let her know where to be and she'd meet him there.

Adeline had seen a mansion on the Shafiq manor on the Gringotts list and had frowned in confusion, deciding to check it out some other time, which was now. Where Shafiq manor had once stood, was a new manor. Large and made of red brick. There were large windows throughout the four story manor, a basement with a dueling room and large brewing room lying in the ground and out of sight, along with a special ward stone that was keyed to Adeline specifically, which thrummed with magic when she landed on the property.

A wrap around porch on every floor and white shutters stood out against the red brick. Three chimneys were in view, two on the left side of the house and the last on the right. Ivy climbed along parts of the railing, magic keeping the ivy from spreading further. Magic kept all of the plants alive as she looked around at the flowers and trees that were not indigenous to the UK, the weeping willows in the backyard being the biggest example.

The house looked so familiar before it hit her. It was a Georgian style house, something that was specific to Adeline's first self. Her hand went to her mouth and a sob escaped her, falling to her knees as she stared up at it. She began crying roughly, almost unable to breath as she stared at the house, feeling so much love and longing towards Reggie in that moment, wishing that her brother, her best friend was there in that moment to show her the house himself.

He must have done his research into houses and vegetation, knowing she'd never mentioned the trees to him before. Or maybe Sirius had mentioned it to James at some point and James had told Reggie. Had James and Lily helped? Had Mattheo? Did Severus or Remus know about the manor? Severus would have mentioned it by now. He would have gone with her to see it for the first time so at least one of them was there, she just knew it. Remus would have taken her as a surprise, ready to hold her if she began to cry.

Once Adeline started, she couldn't stop. She was screaming in pain. Sissy's death, Lucius' betrayal, Albus' downfall, the boys and Remus not speaking to her, Remus keeping Carolyn away from her, her own guilt about having to kill Albus and the boys having witnessed it. It all came out of her and she pushed her magic backwards, refusing to let the fire that came out of her touch the house. She was reliving Reggie's death, then Mattheo's and Dorcas', then James' and Lily's. She was feeling all of her anger from Pete and Lucy, her loathing towards Voldemort and everyone else that followed him. The abandonment from Remy and deathly worry for Sev yet again.

It took Adeline two hours to pick herself up off the ground, emotions still rushing through her as she failed to occlude, deciding to use the magic that was sparking through her towards the wards. She felt her chest aching more than normal, knowing Remus could feel her through the bond, and decided to use that pain as well. The four points around the manor and then the four other points that surrounded the entirety of the property, giving multiple layers of protection, connected to the rune stone.

Adeline ignored everything inside the house for the time being, following her magic to below the basement, finding a tunnel that led to the heart of the property. She fed her magic into the house, giving it every protection that she knew and keying the stone to her and only her for apparation, making it so that only people she wanted to be apparated into the house could be as long as she had them. She made it so that anyone who tried to surprise side-along apparate was sent miles away into the middle of the Irish Sea.

The rune stone was glowing with her magic and Adeline felt her magic calming in its presence, knowing that was probably something Reggie probably added it when creating it for her. Her emotions were slowly coming down as well and, when Adeline finally made it back to the first floor, the sun was completely set and the half-moon was visible through the window.

She decided to apparate to Grimmauld, deciding to come look through the house tomorrow when it was full light and she could see more clearly, bleary eyes gone after a night of dreamless sleep. (See image for a kinda picture, not enough floors and wrong plants, closest image I could find to what I wanted.)

Adeline landed in front of Grimmauld, wiping at her face and tapping her head to fix her appearance before stepping inside. She found a flurry of movement when she walked inside, only then realizing that her bracelet had been vibrating.

"Where's Harry?" she immediately asked, causing Remus and Sirius to turn to her, eyes wide.

"Mum!" Harry yelled, rushing her from a side room and wrapping his arms around her.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" she asked, pulling away to look him over.

"No. We're fine. Dad said something was wrong but his patronus couldn't get to you and neither could Tiffy or Wobky."

"I didn't feel the bracelet go off until now," Adeline sighed. "I'll have to fix that tomorrow. Sorry, love. New ward. Still testing it a bit. I didn't mean to make everyone worry."

"Where were you?" Remus questioned.

"Visiting where Shafiq manor used to stand," Adeline told him, watching his reaction.

"Why?" Remus asked, seeming confused.

"Just testing new wards," Adeline shrugged. "Got a bit caught up in memories while there."

"I felt you," Remus shook his head. "Something was wrong. You were in so much pain. Where were you really?"

"So, I had a break down while there. Happy?" Adeline asked, brow raised challengingly.

Remus let out a soft growl and Adeline narrowed her eyes before being distracted by Aster throwing his arms around her, having just gotten down the stairs. She held him tightly, pulling Harry in with them. She sighed in relief, holding the boys tightly. Well, she couldn't keep calling them boys. Aster was seventeen now and Harry was almost there. In fact, the only one not almost of age was Carolyn, who she did not see in the sea of people that were now approaching her. Hermione got to her next, wrapping her arms around Adeline's waist and sinking into her.

"I thought they'd gotten to you," she whispered.

"I can take care of a few death eaters, no problem," Adeline smirked against the top of her head.

"Still," Hermione whispered.

"I wouldn't leave you," Adeline promised. "I just got you. Still have to convince you to let me help pay for your wedding once this is all over."

"You don't need to do that."

"As my daughter," Adeline pulled Hermione away, hands resting on her shoulders and looking into Hermione's eyes, "yes. Yes, I absolutely do."

Hermione gave a shy smile and a small blush before stepping aside, letting Draco hug her next.

"I'm fine," she promised him. "I'll fix the wards tomorrow so everyone can reach me."

Draco simply nodded, holding her a bit tighter for a few moments before releasing her. Sirius pulled her close, kissing the top of her head and making her feel safe as he held her. Remus just stared at them, feeling a longing in his chest. Alastor had approached him, told him he was being an idiot after Sissy's funeral at the cottage. He'd told Remus the truth, but he still couldn't bring himself to wrap his head around it. He didn't know that Adeline had been occluding certain emotions from him for almost twenty years. He was feeling it now, her mental walls down and everything on display through their bond for him to feel.

Remus had collapsed under the pain originally, thinking that he'd been hit with a curse somehow as Harry had yelled his name. He was able to tell almost immediately that it was Adeline though and had immediately feared the worse, trying to send a patronus just for it to not be able to reach her. Harry had pressed the bracelet multiple times, unable to reach Adeline for almost seven hours straight. Safe houses had been checked with nothing to show for it, Remus wearing a trail into the hallway rug at Grimmauld as he paced, waiting to hear from her.

The pain had slowly began to stop but the emotions had shown through, only slightly muted until she apparated outside of Grimmauld. Remus had called for Sirius immediately, both just staring at the front door before Adeline had walked through, eyes only slightly red as her emotions came back full force, including the panic when she felt her bracelet finally working again.

The anger, the guilt, the depression, the anxiety, the feeling of abandonment. It was so strong that Remus had almost collapsed again. Instead of collapsing, he demanded to know where she'd been, watching as she stared at him, as if waiting for him to give something away and confusing him further. Why would she go to the old Shafiq property? The house had been completely destroyed and she'd refused to return ever again, rendering the magic that resided there less potent without the presence of someone with Shafiq blood.

How long had she been sneaking away there? Had she been there the whole time? And what was there now that needed so much protection that she hadn't been able to receive any of their messages? He knew he had no right demanding answers from her, but he wanted to understand why she'd hidden all of this from him. Why had she hidden the Shafiq property visits and her emotions? He'd always been so open with her.

He understood then. He had been so open about his pain in the past that she didn't want to bury him in hers. She was broken and everything in Remus wanted to piece her back together in the way she had him during and after the first war. She'd always been the one taking care of him, but he hadn't been able to care for her in his state and by the time he was well enough to heal her, she was probably terrified she would set him back. Again, Adeline had pushed her own feelings aside in order to protect him, only letting him feel a bit of her emotions the morning after Voldemort had been brought back for just a few minutes, the crippling fear covering any other emotions that she'd felt in that moment.

Remus moved forward the moment Sirius released Adeline. His hands went to her face, kissing her roughly until her back hit the wall. He'd never handled her like this before and she gasped, giving him access to the inside of her mouth. Sirius shooed the children upstairs for the night, telling Wobky to give them dreamless sleep, other Order members leaving the house quickly.

"Hathor cottage is located on the outskirts of Glenbrittle," Sirius announced for Adeline.

Remus picked Adeline up, her legs wrapping around his waist in the process, carrying her through the still active floo. His mouth was on her the moment they stepped out of the floo, Sirius not following behind them, knowing they needed the time together.

*Sex scene… like actually. Asterisk at end of sex scene. *

Remus pressed Adeline into the wall beside the fireplace, mouth moving to her neck, sucking and nibbling roughly and causing her back to arch. A growl left his throat, reverberating through his chest and causing her to shiver and bare her neck. Remus pulled out his wand, causing Adeline's clothes to land on the floor. He pressed his hips into her, continuing to give her neck attention as one hand held her up and the other moved between their bodies. His thumb began working her clit and Adeline gasped.

"Remy," she moaned needily, one hand holding his shoulder as the other moved to his hair, not pulling, but holding him closer.

Remus could feel all of her emotions for the first time ever, their bond not having been strong enough when they had both been in school yet before she learned how to occlude. He felt her need, her want, her love. He wondered if his infatuation with her during his second and third year had truly been one sided for a moment before she moaned his name again, causing him to growl again.

His teeth sank into the permanent mark on her shoulder and Adeline gasped. Remus immediately moved his hand away from her clit and removed his teeth, causing her to whine as the moment passed, both breathing heavily. He began kissing her again, carrying her over halfway up the stairs before he tripped, catching them before thinking 'fuck it' and leaning her into the stairs. After a quick cushioning charm, Remus went back to kissing her, pressing his body into hers. With the half-moon moving towards the full moon cycle, his wolf was a bit restless, especially after having been away from Adeline for so long, his true mate.

"Remus," Adeline begged, pushing her hips into his.

Remus pushed her hips back down, holding her down as he moved against her, his jeans pressing into her. He waved his wand and his clothes disappeared. He continued rubbing against her, refusing to give her what she was asking of him for a bit longer. Adeline was getting close again, so Remus got her as close as possible before stopping again, going to his knees and looking down at her as she whined, reaching down her body.

Remus snatched her hands, watching as she pouted and her eyes gave him a pathetic glare. He moved her hands over his shoulders and lifted her again, her legs wrapping around his waist as he crawled them the last two steps to the hallway floor. Remus then kissed and licked down her body, paying special attention to her breast, knowing they were sensitive. She had one hand on his shoulder, nails digging into his skin, as the other went to his head, just holding his hair.

Remus smirked as he moved further down her body, kissing the inside of her thigh before breathing over her center and kissing her other thigh.

"Remy," Adeline begged. "Please."

"What do you want, love?" Remus asked before blowing on her clit and causing her hips to try to buck as his arm held her down.

"I want to come," she begged.

Remus leaned his face down, letting out a chuckle against her center, causing her to whine. Remus licked up her slit to her clit, causing her body to jump slightly. Remus repeated the action a few times, his tongue slowly dipping in further and further each time until Adeline had begun shaking.

"Remus," she begged and Remus stuck his tongue inside of her, thumb going to her clit. "Fuck!"

Remus fucked her with his tongue, eyes turned up as he watched her, thumb moving in fast circles. Her back kept arching, causing her breast to bounce in the process and give Remus a very nice memory to reflect on later. Her head fell back as she screamed his name and Remus could feel her throbbing around his tongue, the pace getting faster as he moved his tongue, able to feel her getting closer and closer. He stopped suddenly, a tear leaking out of her eye from the lost sensation.

His wolf was growling, wanting to continue tasting her for hours at a time. Remus knew he would do just that as soon as he was done fucking her.

Remus pulled her legs over his shoulder, bending her possibly a little too far before slamming into her harder than he normally would. Adeline yelled out a 'Yes!' before Remus began moving, continuing to move his hips quickly. Adeline continued moaning and screaming, looking up at Remus as she got close again, more tears escaping her from the over stimulation and fear of him stopping again.

Remus didn't stop though, just snapping his hips forward even harder. He reached a hand out, touching the bite and causing Adeline to cry out, head thrown back as she came harder than she ever had before, legs shaking violently as Remus slowed, riding out her orgasm, picking his pace up again when it had stopped.

Adeline was pretty sure that the only words she knew anymore were 'Remus' and 'please' and she didn't mind in the slightest. The over stimulation of Remus continuing to let his wolf come closer to the surface as he fucked her into the floor causing her body to shake. Her eyes rolled back, tears still leaving her eyes in the process with his hand around her throat. Remus wiped the tears away before his hand moved back to her mark, causing her to gasp again, another orgasm hitting her like a train.

Remus pulled out once it had stopped, carrying her bridal style to their room. He laid her on the bed, climbing over her and sliding right back inside of her as he rutted his hips against hers, continuing the fast pace but being a bit more gentle than he had been previously, having seen bruises from where he'd been holding her and where his hips had been hitting her. Adeline scratched her nails down his back so hard that he thought she may draw blood, but Moony howled in pleasure at the feeling, making Remus move faster.

As Remus finally drew a third orgasm out of Adeline, he couldn't hold back anymore, spilling into her with a loud grunt, head going to her shoulder and pressing against her bite. Adeline held Remus tightly against her, rocking her hips up a bit to keep the sensation going for a moment longer as she finished, not even noticing what her body was doing.

Slowly, they both came back down, Remus rolling so she was laying on top of him, leaving him inside of her. His wolf purred at the sensation, wanting more pups with his mate, but Remus reminded him that she took potions every month to prevent just that, causing Remus to growl by accident. Adeline raised her head, sleep clear in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" she asked, voice soft.

"Moony," Remus said, voice rough. "It's alright. Sleep."

Adeline didn't even have it in her to argue as she laid her head down, falling asleep almost instantly. She woke up what could have only been a few hours later to Remus holding her hips up slightly and slowly sliding in and out of her. She moaned loudly at the feeling, knowing Remus never let her on top, Moony much too dominate to allow anything else. She blinked before looking to Remus, seeing his eyes on her already.

She sank down on him and slowly sat up, feeling him somehow deeper than ever before and having to lift herself off of him a bit before slowly moving down him, slowly taking every inch of him. Remus just watched, one hand one her waist and the other playing with one of her nipples. She whimpered at the feeling, wondering if he thought she sounded as pathetic as she did. His eyes dilated at the sound and Adeline knew either Remus or Moony was more than alright with the sound.

Once she was completely full, having to have gone extra slow on the last two inches, Adeline slowly began moving her hips. Remus just continued watching, fighting with his wolf as it demanded to roll them over, his eyes travelling over her body before landing at their hips, watching as Adeline slowly moved against him, unused to this position and how it felt with him. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath through his nose and groaning as he lifted his hips slightly, pushing further into her and causing her to gasp in pain and pleasure.

Remus opened his eyes, slowly lowering his hips as she rocked back, raising them again as she rocked forward.

"Fuck," Adeline gasped out. "So fucking full."

"Describe it," Remus demanded, breathes rough as he spoke and a growl in his voice that caused her to whimper and shiver, the feeling moving straight down to his dick and causing it to twitch and Adeline to gasp again.

"Oh, fuck. Do that again, please," she begged and Remus did as he moved his hips up. "Oh. Remus."

"Describe it," he repeated.

"Never been so deep before," she got out between pants. "So full. Hurts but feels so good."

"Do you like that it hurts?" he questioned, sounding much more calm than he felt.

"Yes," she admitted, both feeling each other's surprise through the bond at her answer. "Only from you. Trust you. Fuck. So good."

"What about Sirius?" Remus asked, his control slowly slipping away as he grasped at the last tether of it, telling Moony to wait as he tightened the leash around him.

"Sirius isn't this big," she said, something Remus already knew from having been with him with her and on his own. "Doesn't go this deep. Scared… to hurt me… after… after… oh, fuck!"

Adeline was coming before she could finish her sentence, Remus releasing the leash and letting Moony help him bounce Adeline up and down on his dick, causing her to scream his name as she came even harder, squirting all over of him. Moony growled deep in his chest, flipping them over and moving so the mess landed on her. He slammed his hips against hers a few times, the only thoughts going through his brain before coming again being 'mate,' 'pups,' and 'mine.'

Remus waited a few moments before he began kissing down her body, licking up her mess before moving to her clit. He began sucking the sensitive nub, Adeline's legs over his shoulders as he settled between her thighs, holding her hips down. Adeline gasped, trying to move away from his mouth as it was too much attention. Remus continued though, making her come all over again within thirty seconds of her last. He fucked her with his tongue again, tasting everything and growling at how good she tasted.

Adeline almost passed out from the sensation a few times, Remus continuing to eat her out for the next few hours, Moony right at the surface as he claimed her. Adeline couldn't get away from him and she didn't really know if she wanted to. She couldn't even mumble his name anymore, just moaning incoherently as he continued.

Eventually, Remus began rutting his hips against the mattress, fucking the bed as he grew needy again but not wanting to stop tasting Adeline. Remus and Moony finally agreed that he wanted to be in her and he moved up her body quickly, sliding into her and groaning in relief, Adeline's name tumbling passed his lips before he began moving again. Adeline couldn't even lift her legs to wrap around his hips at that point, too weak and exhausted as Remus wrapped his fingers around hers, holding her hands down as if she would be able to lift her arms to stop him, or maybe he just needed to feel more connected to her.

Remus slid his tongue across Adeline's, making her taste herself on the process. Adeline moaned, body rocking with each of his thrusts. Remus kissed down her neck, breathing across the bite before biting into it, causing Adeline to come again as he came inside of her. Remus slowly rolled off of her, wrapping himself around her and pulling the sheet over them before they both immediately fell asleep.

Sirius showed up in the morning, staring at the two, a thin sheet not leaving much up to the imagination. Neither did the smell of sex in the air. He breathed deeply, drinking in the sight of the two of them. Remus woke slowly, blinking blearily and Moony growling until he was awake enough to recognize Sirius in the doorway.

"I came to wake you, but it seems like you both need more rest," Sirius whispered, not wanting to wake Adeline. "Go back to sleep. I'll keep the kids busy for the day. We'll see you both tomorrow."

Remus nodded slightly, smiling softly as Sirius walked forward, giving Remus a soft kiss before kissing Adeline's head and leaving, pulling the door closed behind him. Remus took a deep breath as he laid his head back down, smelling Adeline's and his own juices in the air, his dick twitching weakly. Moony wanted to growl at his human body for not being able to take care of Adeline again yet, but Remus just reminded Moony that Adeline needed more rest before anything else, along with food once she woke up, not sure when she'd eaten last.

Moony settled, making a circle in Remus' brain before laying down for a nap. Remus closed his eyes, falling back asleep within a few minutes, still holding Adeline tightly in his arms. He didn't wake again until Adeline began moving, trying to untangle from him. Moony whined and Adeline turned to look at him.

"I need to use the loo," she whispered, as if afraid that if she spoke louder, the bubble around the two that had led to this moment would be popped.

"Can you walk?" Remus asked curiously.

"Can't tell if you don't let me up," Adeline gave a smirk and Remus smirked back, slowly moving his hands from her body.

Adeline slowly sat up, her legs already shaking from that small movement. Remus stood up, going to her side and helping her to her feet, catching her when her legs gave out. He carried her to the lavatory, setting her on the toilet and giving her a bit of privacy as he opened the bedroom window a crack, needing the room to air out so that Moony would calm, the fresh air blowing in.

He heard Adeline finishing in the bathroom and went back to her, carrying her back to bed.

"What do you want for breakfast," he asked her, voice still a whisper.

"I don't know," she frowned.

"When did you eat last?" he asked instead.

"Will you be upset if I said I also don't know the answer to that question?" she asked, not making eye contact as she spoke.

"No. I'll understand. I know it's been rough and you get nauseous when upset," he told her, brushing a strand of hair from her face and causing her to meet his eyes. "How about some toast, fruit, juice, and a potion to help?"

"Might need a potion to walk as well," she smirked.

"Don't need one. You aren't leaving this bed for the rest of the day. Sirius has the kids until tomorrow. I have you to myself until then," Remus explained, a smug smile on his face as he thought about everything he could do to her, all the sounds he could make her repeat, in all that time.

"You are way too happy about that idea," she whispered, rolling her eyes.

"Absolutely," Remus agreed, slowly leaning down and kissing her gently.

Remus out argued Moony in that moment, reminding him that their mate needed food and potions before anything else. Moony had grumbled a bit in his head before settling. Remus covered them with a thicker blanket before calling for Tiffy and asking her to make them the small breakfast and bring the potions. Tiffy made the food and potions appear in the room five minutes later as Remus and Adeline were making out, Remus half on top of her as she ground her hips against his strong thigh, causing him to have to fight Moony again.

After feeding each other a bit of fruit and toast, drinking water rather than juice (Tiffy knowing they needed to hydrate correctly), and Adeline had drank her potions, Remus grabbed a strawberry. He ran it down her body, circling her nipples a bit and causing a bit of juice to be left behind before making a small trail go down to her clit. He just ran it over her a bit before lifting the strawberry to his mouth and biting into it. He fed the last bit to Adeline before tossing the stem to the plate and tossing the blanket completely away.

Remus licked all of the strawberry off of Adeline slowly, reaching her clit and sucking gently, his finger sliding inside of her. One of Adeline's hands was resting on his shoulder, the other above her head, holding the headboard for dear life. Once Remus had made her come twice, her legs shaking all over again, he climbed up her body, kissing the bruises he'd made the night before gently, finding fingerprint sized bruises in multiple places, including three on her throat that he'd originally thought were just hickey's, not even remembering when he'd done that but thinking he remembered it happening at the top of the stairs.

Adeline would have preened under the attention if she wasn't begging him to fuck her again. Remus smiled into her neck, moving to the other side and biting her mark gently as he slowly slid inside of her. She moaned at the feeling, her hips moving up to try meeting his.

"Let me take care of you," he whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver before he nibbled her ear. "I want to make love to you first. Do you want that?"

"Yes," Adeline begged. "Please."

"Anything you want," he promised. "Forever."

Adeline turned her head, the two kissing gently as Remus continued moving slowly. It took longer after the night they'd had, but Remus had Adeline falling apart beneath him again, watching as she kept eye contact as she came.

"So beautiful," he whispered, kissing her forehead.

"Perfect."

A kiss landed on her left cheek.

"So brave."

Her left eye lid.

"Strong."

Her nose.

"Powerful."

Her right eye lid.

"Such a good girl."

Her right cheek as she let out a small whimper.

"Mine," Remus growled out kissing her lips gently.

"Remy," Adeline whispered out against his lips as he began moving again.

"Say it," he whispered back, lips ghosting against hers.

"Yours," she agreed in a gasp. "Yours."

"Yes," Remus groaned as he began moving faster, harder.

Adeline began moaning louder, finally breaking the sound barrier that she'd made from them whispering. Soon she was yelling his name, scratching into his back and causing Moony to purr in pleasure. Remus just held Adeline as he moved, staring down at her as her eyes rolled back again, eyes closing as her head fell back, coming hard around him. He didn't stop though, continuing even after she'd come and causing her to continue screaming his name.

"Mine," Remus growled out and Moony spoke up. "Mate."

"Yes," Adeline agreed readily.

"Marry me," Remus demanded, the words leaving him without thought.

"Gods, yes," Adeline agreed, leaning her head forward and biting his shoulder hard.

Remus bit into her shoulder, making her mark bleed in the process. He used his added strength to slam into her harder, faster, making Adeline scream into his shoulder as she came again. Remus came with her, growling at the metallic taste in his mouth before licking the wound clean and rolling them so that Adeline was laying on top of him, still inside of her.

Adeline was breathing heavily, spent again already. Remus rubbed her back with his finger tips, causing her to shiver before falling asleep again. Remus wrapped his arms around her, falling asleep as well.

The rest of the day was filled with much of the same, Moony in far too much control but neither Remus nor Adeline really minding. More food had appeared on the try at some point and Remus had refilled their cups from the bathroom tap, making sure Adeline ate and drank a bit more with each meal. They fell asleep around midnight, Remus spooning Adeline from behind, still inside of her and both feeling content and safe.

Sirius walked into the room the next morning, stopping at the view in front of him. Adeline was on her stomach, Remus behind her as he slowly moved his hips against her, thrusting in and out of her. Adeline was whining, begging Remus not to stop, the sound traveling straight down to the bulge in Sirius' trousers. He shut the door and summoned the chair from across the room, sitting in it and watching the two.

Remus grabbed his wand, making Sirius' clothes disappear. Sirius gripped his own member, rubbing himself as he watched them, listened to Remus' grunts and Adeline's whimpers and begging. Adeline and Remus were both watching him as Remus continued fucking Adeline from behind, his hands leaving bruises on her hip as his eyes grew darker, Moony demanding to be in control.

Adeline's eyes closed and she bit into the pillow beneath her, moaning Remus' name loudly as she came. Remus grunted a few more times before coming inside of her, Sirius finishing in his hand in the process. Sirius pulled his own wand out next, cleaning himself and causing his clothes to reappear on him. Remus slowly pulled out of Adeline, kissing between her shoulder blades gently in the process.

*End of all that*

After covering Adeline with a blanket and kissing her head, Remus told her to get a bit of rest before waving his wand and causing his clothes to appear. He and Sirius left the room, walking down to the dining room so that Remus could make breakfast for the three of them.

"The kids still at Grimmauld?" Remus asked as he pulled a few pans out.

"Yes. They're a bit antsy from not having seen either of you for a day. Carolyn just seems a bit confused but otherwise fine," Sirius told him. "Did you figure out where Adeline was hiding out the other day or…?"

"Let's go with or," Remus smirked, keeping his back to Sirius so he couldn't see.

"Hmm," Sirius hummed, also smirking. "Still can't believe it took the two of you over twenty years to finally get together."

"I mean, we were always together. Everyone else could see it," Remus shrugged, passing a cup of tea to Sirius as he sipped his own, waving his wand so breakfast would continue cooking without his aid. "It just took us a bit longer to figure it out."

"Somehow, James owes me money," Sirius let out a small laugh.

"He said something to me once…" Remus began before shaking his head. "It's stupid."

"No," Sirius disagreed. "What did he say?"

Remus sighed before setting his cup down and looking to Sirius.

"Back during out sixth year, Adeline used to fly to our dorm every night and sleep in my bed. It was a rather hard time for her. James saw her coming and going from the room a few times and finally confronted me about it. I told him that she and I weren't together and that we just had a connection. He told me that, if I couldn't think of a name for it, then it was because I didn't want to admit what it really was," Remus paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm man enough now to admit to you that I was in love with her during her first two years at Hogwarts. After that, I just pushed the feelings down and tried to ignore them. I dated Marlene when Adeline and I weren't really speaking for a while and I thought the feelings were gone. Then she was with Mattheo and then he died and we were raising Aster and then Harry. The feelings just resurfaced as time went on."

"Did she ever show signs of feeling the same way?" Sirius asked curiously, not at all surprised by the news of Remus having been in love with Adeline the entire time that he'd known her.

"Well, after our first kiss, I think we both felt something, but we never talked about it. There were a few other times as well but nothing concrete," Remus shrugged.

"First kiss was right before she married Reggie?" Sirius questioned.

"Yeah."

"And that was the first sign?"

"Yeah."

"You're an idiot."

"What?"

"Remus John Boudreaux, you are the biggest idiot that I know," Sirius smirked. "It took James, Peter and I almost a full year to figure out what you were and we shared a room with you. Adeline knew you for a month and figured it out, setting aside time, resources, money, and sleep so that she could make a highly complex potion that would allow you to keep control during the full moons before she became an animagus so you wouldn't have to be alone during the full moons. The sign couldn't be bigger if it was in neon above your head."

"It wasn't like that," Remus shook his head.

"Shall we ask her and find out?" Sirius smirked. "She may not have realized it back then, but I guarantee if we pointed it out now, she'd call you both idiots for not realizing it."

"Probably," Remus admitted, letting out a low chuckle.

"James always said it was ridiculous watching the two of you. I think he was upset for me once he realized what she meant to me," Sirius told him. "If he could see us now."

"He'd probably make a joke about the Blacks needing more than one lover to be happy," Remus joked.

"Oh, please stop reminding me that my baby brother and my best friend were together," Sirius groaned, hitting his head on the table a few times.

"And Lily," Remus smirked, watching as Sirius groaned louder and hit his head harder. "All three. Harry's old room here and in Godric's Hallow."

"No!" Sirius wailed, falling to the floor.

"What is happening down here?" Adeline questioned, walking slowly down the stairs in a little black dress. "Why is Sirius on the floor? Is he being dramatic?"

"Always," Remus smirked, pulling Adeline into his lap once she was close enough, food starting to fly to the table as it finished cooking.

"My baby brother and my best friend," Sirius groaned, rolling on the floor.

"And Lily," Adeline shrugged.

"No!" Sirius yelled again as the floo roared to life, Harry and Aster walking through, Carolyn in Harry's arms.

"Why is Sirius on the floor yelling?" Harry asked, taking the chair Sirius had ditched and bouncing Carolyn a bit.

"He's being dramatic about your parents," Adeline shrugged, grabbing a piece of toast. "Why isn't the floo down yet?"

"It's only connected to Grimmauld," Remus explained.

"My parents? Which ones?" Harry asked, causing Sirius to groan again.

"Most of them," Remus smirked.

"Speaking of parents, how are the two of you?" Aster asked.

"We're good. I actually have a bit more to do today so I will be back in a few hours," Adeline sighed.

"You never said where you were the other day," Remus pointed out.

"You didn't ask," Adeline smirked, giving a shrug before standing. "Love you."

Adeline gave Remus a soft kiss before kissing Harry's, Aster's, and Carolyn's head. She stared down at Sirius, arms crossed before she rolled her eyes and walked out the back door. Adeline apparated to the Georgian house, smiling up at the house. She moved inside, looking around slowly at the architecture that reminded her of her first life, the life she would have lived had it not been for the Shafiqs.

She frowned at the thought, thinking of how sad that would have been. She wouldn't have her children or Remus and Sirius or Severus. She wondered if Sissy and Mattheo would be alive and what would have happened to Reggie and Harry in her absence. Adeline shook her head, looking around at the molding at the top of the ceiling, tall windows that curved at the top, the white marbled floors, and the dark green furniture with golden accents, because even if it was a Georgian home, Reggie was still a pureblood Slytherin. Adeline had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at how nice the furniture was before frowning, wondering how everything was so clean.

Adeline moved down to the bottom floor, touching the rune stone gently. She pressed her bracelet to it, letting the stone become familiar with the magic. She felt the charm bracelet from Remus heat up and looked down at it, letting out a laugh before pressing that to the stone as well. Of course Remus had put some form of magic on the bracelet. She wasn't sure how she hadn't realized it before then. She opened her mind to the stone, letting it see what she wanted from the house, allowing Harry to reach her through the bracelet when necessary. She allowed patronuses through as well, smiling as the magic resonated within her.

Adeline stopped by the Weasley's, picking up the family clock and taking it to Boudreaux manor and turning it into a portkey, leaving it resting in the front room. She got items from multiple order members and their families, even receiving an item from Alastor.

"An old book," he grumbled, passing it to her. "Father gave it to me. Never read it myself."

"Can I read it?" she asked curiously.

"Whatever suits you," Alastor shrugged and Adeline smirked before leaving.

At the end of the day, Adeline fell onto the couch at Hathor cottage, letting out a rough breath.

"You alright?" Sirius asked, arm wrapping around her as she leaned against him.

"Busy day," she sighed, smiling as Hermione passed Carolyn over to her. "Hello my sweet girls."

"Hi," Hermione smiled, sitting on the floor in front of Adeline.

Adeline began running her fingers through Hermione's hair, Carolyn leaning against Adeline's chest and blinking sleepily up at her. Hermione leaned her head back, sighing at the feeling as Draco laid on the floor, his head going to Hermione's lap as he stretched across the floor. Harry and Aster rolled their eyes before taking the chairs by the fire, each holding a book in their hands. Remus went to Adeline's other side, sitting down and giving her a smile.

"Do we get to know where you went?" Sirius asked.

"Well, I had to go by Order houses and get belongings from everyone that I could turn into emergency portkeys. I placed them all in different safe houses and discussed setting a trap with Alastor. I also fixed the runestone at Boudreaux manor so I can get messages from Harry's bracelet. Why didn't you tell me there was magic on my bracelet?" Adeline asked Remus the last bit, trying to distract everyone from what she said.

"I'm sorry. What manor?" Remus asked, giving her a strange look.

"Apparently Reggie had a new manor built where Shafiq manor was," Adeline explained.

"The Shafiqs had a manor?" Aster asked.

"I burnt it down," Adeline shrugged. "Destroyed two horcruxes by accident in the process. Same day you were born actually."

"Was this the day you killed some werewolves and then fell into a coma?" Harry asked.

"The very one," Adeline nodded.

"Nice."

"How many people have you killed?" Aster asked, sitting up straighter.

"This does not feel like an appropriate conversation," Remus rubbed his face.

"Well, there were the three that broke into Voldyshorts' manor, the ones that broke into Shafiq manor during that one full moon, those werewolves. Twenty-three before I was out of school?" Adeline asked Sirius.

"I think that's right," Sirius nodded.

"What about after that?" Aster continued asking.

"Can we change the subject?" Remus begged.

"Now who's being dramatic?" Sirius smirked.

"How did moldy Voldy get so many followers?" Harry asked curiously.

"He preached about power to the purebloods until he began making sense," Remus shrugged.

"Has he always looked like a snake?" Harry continued his line of questioning.

"I might actually have a picture of him from before," Adeline said, looking deep in thought.

"Why would you have a photo of a dark lord?" Aster asked, brows furrowed.

"Tiffy, can you bring me the photo album with my wedding photos in it please?" Adeline asked, smiling when the album appeared on the table.

Hermione reached forward, passing the book to Adeline. Adeline flipped through it, finding the pages that held the few photos from that day that she'd actually wanted to keep. Most of the photos were of Adie and Reggie laughing or dancing. There was a photo of her dancing with Remus, Sev, and Avery before she found a picture of Remus and Reggie staring towards the dance floor, both just staring as Adeline danced with someone else. Adeline smiled at their faces before seeing the final photo.

"Here it is," she said, pulling the photo out.

She froze the picture and passed it to Hermione. Adeline pointed out Tom to her and Hermione looked annoyed before passing the photo to Draco, who then passed it to Aster as Harry stood up, going to Aster's side.

"Well, that explains it," Harry grumbled.

"I have a new question. Why is the bad guy hot?" Aster asked, eyes turning to Adeline.

"How old is he in this picture?" Harry asked. "I thought he was like seventy?"

"He was in his fifties or sixties," Adeline shrugged. "I can't remember."

"That's not fair," Aster complained before Harry spoke over him, snatching the picture away to stare at it closer.

"What in the good genes?" Harry glared at the photo.

"Both of those reactions are exactly what I said to Albus when he told me," Adeline nodded.

"You said the dark lord was hot?" Remus asked, giving Adeline a look.

"Oh, shut it. He was," Adeline rolled her eyes before standing and bouncing Carolyn.

Tiffy appeared, reaching for the baby. Adeline smiled, passing Carolyn over so Tiffy could put the baby in bed for the night.

"Back to the manor," Remus spoke up, pulling Adeline back onto the couch.

"It's gorgeous," Adeline smiled. "You'll all love it. I'll take you eventually. I need to finish going through it first."

"Need help?" Sirius asked.

"Sure," Adeline nodded. "Want to help Alastor, Tonks and I with the traps tomorrow?"

"Sure," Sirius nodded. "You aren't planning on covering people in Christmas ornaments, are you?"

"I wasn't, but now I am," Adeline smirked. "Maybe a few more prank spells. I'll have to ask Fred and George if they've come up with anything new lately."

Fred smirked as he passed Adeline a new device.

"This lets out a high pitched ringing that can make ears bleed. You can't hear it though," he shrugged.

"Like a dog whistle," Adeline nodded.

"But a bit more damaging," George nodded.

"Damages the ear drums, you said?" Alastor questioned, looking over the device.

"Pull this little trigger off and it goes off. Lasts for an hour before wearing off," Fred nodded.

"I'm sure you went through a lot of healing potions for your ears while making this?" Adeline asked, giving the boys pointed looks.

"Not really," George shook his head.

"It was actually really simple," Fred nodded.

"How do you know it works?" Adeline questioned.

"Well, that part did hurt," George sighed.

"How many do you need?" Fred changed the subject.

"Can I have six of them?" Adeline asked, smiling when Fred immediately passed her a small box. "Thanks boys. Sirius, tell Fred where he can find Aster."

Sirius laughed before whispering where the cottage and Grimmauld were to the twins in a low voice. Both twins smiled before watching as Alastor, Tonks, Sirius, and Adeline left, walking to the edge of the Weasley property line and apparating away. Adeline stared up at the house that she'd chosen, a two-story house with a yard and a swing on the front porch. It would be a cute house if Adeline wasn't about to turn it into a trap for Death Eaters.

Severus had sent word to Adeline just that morning, telling her they needed to come up with something to secure his place further. Adeline had spoken to Alastor about it and the two had come up with a plan to use Mundungus as a decoy to lure the Death Eaters to the house a week before the wedding. Adeline left a note on the table in the kitchen marked for Tom, telling him nice try before apparating outside of the house and setting up wards that would seem difficult but would actually be quite easy to remove.

Adeline smiled and nodded before taking Sirius' hand and letting him apparate her away to the cottage. Adeline stopped by Sissy's grave, telling Sirius to go ahead of her. Adeline leaned against Reggie's gravestone, staring at Sissy's where it was behind him, Kreacher's empty grave beside her. She let out a low breath before turning, hearing footsteps approaching her. She gave Draco a weak smile, arm wrapping around him once he reached her.

"How are you holding up?" she asked, voice soft.

"Not great," he admitted. "How did you deal with it when your parents died?"

"Well, I had Remus, Sirius, Sev, and the others at the time," Adeline shrugged. "I leaned on them."

"Hermione told me to lean on her," Draco nodded.

"You can lean on all of us," Adeline promised, holding his close.

"Thank you, Aunt Adie," Draco whispered, hugging her waist.

"I love you, little dragon," Adeline whispered to him. "Let's get inside. I feel a nap is in order."

"Are you going to show us Boudreaux manor?" Draco asked curiously as they headed away from the graveyard. "Also, why is it called Boudreaux manor? Where did the name Boudreaux come from?"

"That is a story for everyone," Adeline told him.

Once in the house, Adeline whispered to Remus and he nodded, going up the stairs to call down Harry, Aster, and Hermione. Sirius gave her a questioning look and Adeline simply smiled, telling Draco to have a seat at the table. She started tea, passing a cup to Draco. Remus returned, the kids behind him and going to the table as well.

"Okay, what's happening?" Sirius demanded, joining them in the dining room.

"Well, Draco asked where the name Boudreaux came from," Adeline shrugged.

"I thought dad came up with it when he had me in hiding?" Aster asked.

"Where did you hear that?" Remus asked, seeming confused.

"Nowhere. It was just a guess," Aster shrugged.

"He called you John in hiding," Sirius shook his head. "Said he and a muggle had a fling and she decided she didn't want a kid."

"John's your middle name," Harry pointed out, eyes on Remus.

"It's his dad's name," Adeline explained.

"So how did you get Boudreaux?" Aster asked and Adeline gave him a pointed look, quieting him so she could explain.

"So, back in 1967, Adeline Shafiq died in a fire set by a radical group of squibs in America," Adeline began, just for Aster to speak up again.

"But you're right here," he shook his head.

"Sirius," Remus tried.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"Not you," Adeline sighed.

"Who?" Sirius asked.

"Me," Aster smirked.

"Anyways!" Adeline clapped her hands, stopping the conversation. "As I was saying, Adeline Shafiq died in a fire. A few months later, Adrian and Miranda Shafiq found me in an orphanage and blood adopted me to pass me as Adeline so that the contract between the Blacks and the Shafiqs could be completed so that their magical cores wouldn't be destroyed."

"Wait, what?" Aster asked, staring at Adeline in confusion.

"It sounds like…" Harry started.

"No, no," Draco interrupted, staring at Adeline. "More details, please."

"So, in 1965 my parents died in a car accident," Adeline continued. "My last name was Boudreaux."

"Did my mum know?" Draco asked, voice small.

"No," Adeline shook her head.

"Did my father?" Aster asked.

"He had to of. The charm after the wedding would have told them," Draco spoke up.

"How do you know about the charm?" Sirius and Adeline asked together.

"Mum," Draco shrugged.

"What charm?" Hermione asked.

"There's a charm that purebloods do that tells each other what their blood status is," Sirius rolled his eyes.

"That's how Reggie found out, actually," Adeline flinched slightly at the memory.

"He didn't speak to you for a while," Remus nodded.

"Because she's not a pureblood?" Aster asked before turning to Adeline. "I'm guessing you're not a pureblood."

"Muggleborn," Adeline smirked.

"Oh, what did you used to call us?" Remus asked, rubbing his eyes in thought.

"The mudblood and the werewolf," Adeline nodded, laughing slightly.

"That's it!" Remus nodded.

"How long has dad known?" Harry asked curiously.

"Oh, almost the entire time," Adeline shrugged. "We figured each other out a month into being friends."

"And you wonder why people thought the two of you were together," Sirius sighed. "Beats me."

"Shut it," Adeline elbowed him, causing him to smirk at her.

"So, you're telling me that the dark lord's right hand was a muggleborn spy?" Hermione asked, fighting a smirk.

"That is exactly what I'm telling you," Adeline smiled widely.

"Oh, Merlin. This is amazing," Hermione gasped, standing and starting to pace. "I mean, you definitely didn't tell Sirius' parents. They would have killed you. That means you had them completely fooled. You tricked a dark lord and all of his followers, some of which turned on other people for you."

"She is far too impressed with you," Remus sighed.

"I kind of love it," Adeline smirked.

"Of course you do," Remus sighed, staring up at the ceiling as if asking for help from above.

"So, you're muggleborn?" Aster confirmed. "Which makes me a half blood?"

"Does it matter?" Adeline asked curiously.

"Not really," Aster shrugged. "Am I still the Shafiq heir?"

"Legally," Adeline nodded. "It was a magical blood adoption so it's all the same things as if you were born a Shafiq without actually being one."

"Really?" Aster asked, his shoulders dropping a bit as his eyes grew slightly, seeming as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Adeline remembered Aster's boggart then and moved around the table, going behind him. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him to her. Aster let out a rush of breath, clinging to Adeline's arms.

"I'm sorry for not telling you sooner," she whispered to him. "I didn't know just how much it mattered to you."

After a few quiet moments, Aster wiped at his face and sat up again. Adeline kissed his head and moved back to her spot between Sirius and Remus, leaning against the kitchen counter again. Hermione took Aster's hand, giving a gentle squeeze.

"So, Regulus knew," Harry nodded. "Was he mad that you were muggleborn?"

"He was mad that I never told him," Adeline explained. "He didn't care what my blood status was. I mean, how mad would you be if you found out your best friend kept some huge secret from you?"

Adeline regretted her choice of words but hid it well. Harry flinched, but no one noticed as the two locked eyes for a moment before moving on.

"How did dad react?" Aster asked.

"Well, it was the day before a full moon and he'd never taken wolfsbane before," Adeline offered.

"So, really well," Aster offered, causing everyone to laugh a bit.

"How did he find out?" Sirius asked curiously.

"Walburga sent me cursed jewelry. It was cursed against muggleborns and, obviously, I couldn't touch that. I was studying curses to try to figure out how to deal with it and Remus mentioned liking runes and offered to help. I showed him the jewelry and we started spending more time together. Give it a month, had each other figured out. Give it another month and we finally spoke up about it," Adeline shrugged.

"We basically yelled each other's secrets at one another," Remus nodded to Adeline.

"The next day, I sent you your first round of potion and then we ended up telling each other everything," Adeline nodded back, a soft smile on her face.

"And they say they weren't in love," Sirius smirked to the kids.

Adeline elbowed Sirius again, still being gentle in the process. Sirius smirked before pulling her close and kissing her head.

"So, when did Sirius find out?" Draco asked.

"When I was pregnant with Carolyn?" Adeline asked Sirius for confirmation.

"You waited that long to tell him?" Hermione questioned.

"Well, he didn't know I was a spy until right before he went to Azkaban," Adeline shrugged. "The less others knew, the better."

"Did James and Lily know?" Harry asked curiously.

"They found out almost right after Reggie did. I punched Barty in the hall for calling Lily a mudblood and Remus had to drag me away. Had a break down behind a tapestry, James and Lily witnessed it, had a whole lot of questions," Adeline offered.

"And Uncle Sev?" Draco asked.

"Him I told," Adeline nodded. "Told him when he moved in with us. He figured out the werewolf thing and I figured out that he knew about the werewolf thing and then I told him my thing."

"Everyone following along?" Sirius joked.

"So funny," Adeline rolled her eyes. "Severus came up with the spying idea because I was going to be receiving private lessons with Tom."

"Tom?" Hermione asked.

"Tom Riddle is Voldy's real name. Not too many people know or remember," Adeline shrugged. "I was the only one with permission to keep calling him that. Anyone else would have… someone just apparated into the forest."

"What?" Remus asked as Adeline walked to the back door, peeking out and staring into the darkness outside.

"I felt it through the wards," Adeline explained. "The only other people who can get here are the twins and Sev. They're the only other ones that Sirius has given the address to."

"Maybe it's the twins," Sirius provided, going to Adeline's side.

"Kids, through the floo," Remus demanded.

"Stop," Adeline told them, seeing a silver doe wandering out of the forest and towards the house. "It's Severus."

Adeline tried sending a patronus back but cursed when barely a wisp escaped her wand.

"Having troubles?" Sirius questioned.

"I've got it," Remus said, sending a patronus out.

The raven and doe did a small dance before the doe disappeared and the raven went into the trees. Severus stepped out of the trees a few minutes later and Adeline swung open the back door, rushing forward. She jumped into Severus' arms, hugging him tightly.

"You should be making sure that I am who I say I am," Severus reminded her.

"Who was your first kiss?" Adeline asked against his shoulder.

"You but anyone who was around during a drinking game in school knows that," Severus let out a small laugh. "What's our promise?"

"Always," Adeline whispered, remembering the pact that they had made about always protecting each other and their friends back when they were still in school.

"Always," Severus whispered back, setting Adeline gently on her feet. "Let's get inside. Much to discuss."

Adeline practically dragged Severus into the house, Remus wrapping him into a hug before passing him to Sirius. Hermione rushed Severus, hugging him tightly around his middle. Severus sighed, holding her just as tightly and digging his nose into her hair before breathing deeply.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, pulling back to look Severus over.

"I'm fine," he promised before looking to Adeline, an arm going around Hermione's shoulder so he could keep her close. "We need to talk, though."

"Are you breaking up with me, Sev?" Adeline tried joking.

"You have far too many boyfriends for my taste," Severus joked back with a ghost of a smile.

"How long do you have?" Adeline asked.

"Two days," he shrugged.

"Perfect," Adeline nodded. "That means you can go to your room and take some dreamless sleep. We can talk in the morning."

"Yes, mother," Severus rolled his eyes, causing Adeline to roll her eyes.

"Wobky has put the potion in sirs room," Wobky announced, appearing beside Tiffy and grabbing her hand.

"Thank you, Wobky, for everything. Both of you go get some rest. Take tomorrow off," Adeline told them.

Severus kissed Hermione's head, whispering something to her quietly before heading to his room. Adeline sent the kids to bed, climbing up the stairs herself to check on Carolyn before joining Remus and Sirius in their room. Padfoot was curled up at the end of the bed as Remus sat up, reading a book in his pajama pants, ankles crossed.

"Hi," Adeline smiled, going over to the dresser and pulling out one of Remus' sweaters.

"Hey," Remus said, voice soft.

Adeline changed into just the sweater and her underwear before taking her hair out of the messy bun and rubbing the back of her neck for a moment. She climbed onto the bed, taking the spot beside Remus and smiling when he lifted his arm, allowing her access to lean on his bare chest. Adeline sighed, leaning into him before sitting up again.

"What's wrong?" Remus asked as Tiffy appeared, passing two potions to Adeline.

Adeline thanked her, drinking both of the potions and letting out a soft sigh.

"Back?" Remus asked, watching her.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I'll be alright. Just need a day to actually rest."

"When do you ever take a day off?" Remus questioned.

"I remember taking a whole day off with you the other day," Adeline smirked.

"That doesn't count," Remus told her, setting his book aside and grabbing her waist, pulling them down the bed a bit so that they were laying down. "I mean an actual day off where you don't do anything too physically exhausting or over think everything."

"Well, that will have to wait until after the war," Adeline smirked. "Afraid I can't stop over thinking everything until Tommy boy is gone."

"How many nicknames do you have for him?" Remus smirked.

"Oh, so many. 'No Nose Nancy,' 'Moldy Voldy,' 'Moldyshorts,' 'U-No-Poo.' That one is Fred and George's creation. If I called him 'Tim Riddle' do you think he would trip over himself to correct me?"

"Please, don't," Remus groaned.

"Are you begging? That's cute," Adeline joked.

Remus growled before rolling so that he was laying half on top of Adeline. Adeline gave him a soft smile, causing him to roll his eyes before giving her a gentle kiss.

"Tomorrow, you're taking a day off," Remus informed her.

"We have to talk to Severus tomorrow," Adeline reminded him. "He'll probably need an audience with Alastor, as well, and I'm the only one who knows where Alastor has holed up at."

"Fine. After that then."

"We'll see," Adeline told him. "I promise that I'll spend a day relaxing as soon as I get the chance."

"No, you won't," he shook his head.

"No, I won't," she agreed. "I had some free time before finding out I was pregnant and I hated every moment of it."

Remus let out a low chuckle before giving Adeline a sweet kiss and rolling over, turning off the lantern beside the bed. He pulled Adeline close and she melted into his arms, Sirius crawling up the bed and turning human again, arm wrapping around Adeline immediately.

"Did you know that, as the head of two houses, you can have two spouses?' Sirius asked her.

"Wait, what?" she asked, confused.

"It was a law made for purebloods five hundred years ago. Back when women couldn't hold the title of heads of houses," Sirius explained. "Law isn't worded for only men and didn't get amended once women gained the right of heads."

"Really?" Adeline smirked. "Think Fleur would be opposed to a double wedding? Or would it be triple?"

"How do you know that?" Remus asked curiously.

"Bella told me," Sirius shrugged. "Seemed rather pleased with herself in the process."

"Hmm," Adeline hummed, settling between the two men. "Wonder if Reggie knew."

"Not many people do," Sirius shrugged. "Bella only knew because Rudolphus was head of two houses as well. Only the Lestrange name was part of the sacred twenty-eight though, so it was the only one he claimed."

"Of course it was," Adeline rolled her eyes.

"I think Sirius is trying to convince you to propose to us," Remus smirked, staring at Sirius.

"Technically, I was going to propose to Adeline for the both of us," Sirius shrugged, waving his wand and causing a jewelry box to float over to the bed.

"I proposed the other day," Remus shrugged.

"How inconsiderate of you," Sirius gasped, mock offended.

"Well, the boys already planned our wedding," Remus argued.

"We were engaged first," Sirius argued back.

"Because of a bloody contract," Remus defended, laughing a bit.

"You're both ridiculous," Adeline laughed.

"Turn this way," Sirius smirked, pulling on Adeline's shoulder until she was laying on her back. "Adeline Boudreaux, I will not be repeating the same proposal to you from all those years ago because so much has happened since then that it has made me love you even more than I did back then, which I didn't even realize was possible. I have loved you since the day I met you, even though I was terrible at showing it when we were younger. As adults, you have saved me multiple times in so many ways. You take care of me, you make sure that I'm alright, and you are always willing to talk me out of my panic attacks. You even yelled at Remus and the other Order members for keeping me in a house that held very painful memories. You protected me in the dark for years and believed in me when no one else did. It would be my honor to become one of your husbands. Would you please marry us?"

"You really are proposing for both of us," Remus smirked.

"I figured your speech would outdo mine so I skipped over it," Sirius shrugged, looking down at Adeline, who had tears in her eyes.

"Yes," she whispered to him.

Sirius immediately kissed Adeline, causing her to smile into the kiss and hold his face between her hands. When they separated, Remus kissed Sirius before kissing Adeline. Sirius pulled the ring from the box while the two were kissing, sliding it onto Adeline's finger as Remus pulled away from her.

"Oh," Adeline gasped.

The ring was rose gold with three main diamonds, rows of diamonds weaving around to look like a braid on each side. More small diamonds made a design on the sides of the ring, another diamond between each small design. Adeline looked to Sirius with wide eyes.

"Where did you even get this?" she questioned.

"Muggle shop," Sirius shrugged. "Very nice looking. Quite a few designers. Verragio designed this one, I think? It's on the inside of the ring."

"I do not know the names of ring designers," Adeline told him.

"I figured since you rarely wear jewelry that isn't spelled," Sirius smirked.

"Merlin, you do not play when it comes to rings," Remus said, looking at the ring while carefully holding Adeline's hand. "How many karats is this?"

"Twenty," Sirius shrugged like it was nothing.

"Twenty?" Adeline asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah," Sirius smirked. "Is that acceptable."

"He's so dramatic," Remus sighed, a small smile on his face.

"Well, the first ring wasn't as big as I wanted it to be because I knew Adie wouldn't accept anything too big. Two husbands means you get a big ring."

"Your ability to bullshit your way through any conversation is honestly impressive," Adeline stated.

"Thank you?" Sirius tilted his head in confusion.

"I don't think it's a compliment," Remus shook his head.

"Take it how you want," Adeline smirked.

"Hmm," Sirius hummed before leaning down and kissing Adeline again.

Adeline smiled into the kiss, rolling a bit more so that she could wrap her arms around Sirius better. Sirius leaned into her, pressing his body into hers and causing her to moan quietly. Adeline heard Remus setting up privacy spells around the room before his hands were on the both of them.

The next morning, Adeline was pouring tea for Sirius and Remus as Severus joined them, taking his normal seat back. Adeline poured his tea as well, giving him a kiss on the head before going back over to the stove top and stirring the leak and potato soup that she'd been craving for a few days now and had decided to make for lunch. Breakfast was already made and sitting on the table, waiting for everyone else to wake up and grab a plate.

The adults stayed quiet as the kids slowly began moving around, eating quietly. Hermione sat beside Severus immediately, leaning into him as she ate. Severus gave her a soft smile, kissing the top of her head before going back to his own breakfast. Adeline couldn't help but to smile at the soft gesture, a sweetness to Severus any time he was in Hermione's presence. He caught her staring and gave her a confused look.

"What?" he asked.

"Being a father looks good on you," Adeline shrugged, sipping her tea and turning away from the group.

The kids went outside to fly for a bit, Hermione just laying outside and getting a bit of sun on her skin as she watched the boys. Carolyn was playing with her blocks, making one fly every so often and catching Severus off guard.

"How long has she been doing that?" he asked in amazement.

"Not too long," Adeline shrugged. "You wanted to talk."

"Yes," Severus sighed. "He's going to make a move against the ministry soon. I know the details but if anything goes wrong, he'll know it was me."

"Okay," Adeline nodded.

"What do you have planned for the blood wards?" Severus questioned. "He still won't be able to find you but he knows the blood wards exist and thinks you'll move Harry once they fall."

"We're going to have Mundungus feed a fake story in a bar about Harry being moved to a safe house in Glasgow," Adeline explained. "I'm sure you'll hear about it soon. Alastor has already set it in motion. We need to find a way to leave a trail so that he thinks that the information is true though. Mundungus will say that Harry is being moved on his birthday, but I want you to feed information that he's being moved the week before. Can you figure out a way you would have gotten the information?"

"I'll think of something," Severus nodded. "There's something else, though."

"What is it?" she asked.

"The Dark Lord knows that you helped kill Albus," Severus explained. "He believes that, if he allows Harry and Aster to live, that you'll come back to him. He wants Lucius to ask Sissy to broker a deal with you but Lucius has been acting strangely."

"Wait, what?" Adeline asked, brows furrowing.

"I don't think you should trust Lucius, Adie," Severus told her.

"You don't know," Remus whispered and Adeline felt her heart drop.

"Don't know what?" Severus questioned, looking at Remus, Sirius, and Adeline in confusion.

"Sissy," Adeline whispered, her throat closing a bit and making it impossible to get the words out.

"She's gone. Lucius killed her in front of Draco," Sirius spoke up, voice shaking. "She's buried with the others."

"What?" Severus asked, voice breaking slightly before he looked to Adeline. "Oh, Adie."

Severus had Adeline wrapped in his arms almost instantly. Adeline held him back tightly, keeping herself together if only for him. She could feel Severus' body stiffening as he occluded, holding himself together for her. Adeline just held him tighter, letting him know without words that she wasn't alright but that she wasn't going to break. Severus pulled away a few moments later, staring down at Adeline.

"The Dark Lord doesn't know," Severus shook his head. "No one does. It would have been the only thing anyone was able to talk about otherwise. The Dark Lord wouldn't be demanding an audience with Sissy if he knew."

"So, do we leak the information?" Remus asked.

"He'll know soon enough," Adeline shook her head. "I left a note on the table for him at the house in Glasgow."

"Why do you taunt him?" Remus groaned the question.

"It's fun," Adeline shrugged.

"Children, the both of you," Severus sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"So, he wants me back?" Adeline questioned.

"He never wanted you to leave in the first place," Severus shrugged. "He only left Greyback and some of his pack alive after you escaped because he knows he needs Greyback's ruthlessness. He believes you somehow found a way through the wards since they were destroyed."

"Well, not completely wrong," Adeline shrugged. "Just wasn't me who figured it out. He's giving me too much credit there."

"Yes well we won't tell him that," Severus sighed. "He still has a no kill order on you. We're to capture you and bring you in. There will be a taboo on his name soon as well."

"His real name?"

"Voldemort," Severus clarified.

"Well, we've been calling him other things but I'll make sure to warn the others," Adeline nodded.

"What have you been calling him?" Severus' brows furrowed.

"Probably best if you don't know," Adeline smirked, chewing her lip slightly.

"Probably right," Severus sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Has he written to you in the journal?" Remus asked suddenly, thinking it over.

"I don't open that part of the journal," Adeline shrugged. "I can check though."

Adeline waved her wand and her journal flew over to her. Adeline opened the journal, finding that Tom had in fact written her a few times. She groaned in annoyance before sitting on the couch and beginning to read.

'You got away, sweet Adie.'

'I should be disappointed that you got away. I know I should. Something in me won't let me be.'

'How did you heal Sirius Black? Was it in the book that you took?'

'I hear you have a daughter…'

'Do you remember when we met? You were just a girl looking for a way to communicate with her friends privately in classes. I had no idea who you were or how important you would be.'

'I'm unsure who to trust anymore. I know I don't trust you, but as you've probably burned your journal by now, this feels more like unanswered letters to you. I worry that quite a few of my followers are actually yours. I don't mind as much as I should. I wanted them loyal to you.'

'You were the one who killed Albus Dumbledore. Are you truly against me?'

'Is it because of your sons? I will never harm them again if that is the case. Your children will be protected even more than you. They can be my soldiers, as you were. Your daughter can be a lady and raised in whatever way you want. No harm will ever come to her.'

'I fear Lucius has done something to your Narcissa. I'll write if I find out what.'

Adeline's brows furrowed as she read the messages, passing the notebook to Severus to read.

"Well, he knows something isn't right. When did he send the last message?" Severus questioned.

"It couldn't have been too long ago. She's only been gone for two weeks," Adeline explained.

"That's how long he's been asking after her," Severus nodded. "Ever since the night with Albus… well, he's been a bit desperate to speak with you and try to come to some sort of agreement."

Adeline chewed her lip, wishing Albus was there to give her advice on what to do next. She sighed, taking the journal back and just rereading the messages a few times before snapping the journal closed, tired of staring at it.

"Anyways," Adeline rubbed her face.

"Where did that ring come from?' Severus demanded, staring at the large ring on her finger.

"How did he notice before the kids?" Remus laughed.

"Sirius and Remus proposed last night," Adeline smirked to Severus.

"Both of them?" Severus seemed confused.

"As head of two houses, I can have two spouses," Adeline nodded before smirking. "Hey, that rhymed!"

"The Dark Lord will be so disappointed that you didn't even consider him," Severus rolled his eyes.

"The poor thing," Adeline rolled her eyes back.

"So, when is the big day?" Severus asked. "I'll need to find an excuse to get away."

"Aw, you'd come to our wedding?" Sirius smirked.

"Well, someone has to keep you in check during it," Severus rolled his eyes again but Adeline could see the slight sparkle in his eye.

Now that the two weren't at each other's throats all the time, they tended to bounce off of each other quite well. Severus had a dry humor that Sirius appreciated and Sirius made Severus crack a smile more often than Adeline had ever been able to. It was quite nice to see.

"As if anyone could," Sirius joked.

"I feel it may actually be more Remus' job," Severus shrugged and Adeline had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

"Was that a dirty joke?" Sirius asked, shocked as he stared at Severus. "I don't know if I should be offended or proud? Give me a moment. Proud. Proud it is!"

Adeline and Remus exchanged an amused look before turning as the kids came inside. Adeline took Severus to Boudreaux manor an hour later, him being the first one to know about it. He stared up at the mansion in wonder, eyes wide.

"So, you didn't know, either?" Adeline asked.

"I had no clue," he shook his head.

"I haven't been able to go through it yet. I've walked straight to the lower levels to the rune stone more than anything else. I know it's beautiful, but that's all I've been able to bring myself to gather about it."

"Let's go," Severus nodded, taking Adeline's hand and leading her inside. "He must have set it up while you were in the coma."

"He may have been planning on having the house built somewhere else until I burnt Shafiq manor down. It was all paid for the Summer we got married. He was probably having it built to raise Aster in instead of the cottage," Adeline stated, having tried to come up with Reggie's thought process.

"I miss him," Severus whispered.

"Me, too," she whispered back. "The wards and stone will recognize you now. If you're ever in danger, come straight here. You can apparate directly into the house now."

"Rune stone," Severus nodded. "I'm not actually sure how those work."

"Well, it's keyed to me, so my magic fuels it. I can key it to someone else, that way it'll continue working after I'm gone. I plan to key in all of the kids eventually. They have to be seventeen to do it," Adeline explained. "I'm sure there's a book somewhere but I have no clue where the library is."

"Or if there even is one," Severus pointed out.

"I'm sorry. Did we know the same Reggie? Of course there's a library. I just have to find it. I also think Kreacher was taking care of the house. It was rather clean when I first got here but dust is starting to settle now," Adeline said.

"Wait, what happened to Kreacher?" Severus asked.

"He died rescuing Sissy's body and Draco from Malfoy manor. Nagini ate him. I'm surprised that Tom doesn't know," she sighed.

"Well, she does tend to eat anything small enough," Severus shivered slightly.

"Let's get you to Alastor," Adeline sighed, taking Severus' hand and apparating away.

Once a plan was formed, Adeline and Severus landed outside of the cottage wards. Adeline led him through the woods and to the graveyard, not needing to add new flowers to the graves after having placed so many there so recently. Severus spoke softly to Sissy's grave before walking back to the cottage with Adeline. The next day, Remus told Adeline and Severus that they were taking the day off.

Adeline was carried down the stairs and onto the couch by Remus, Severus holding in a laugh as he sat in his own chair. A book was handed to her and Adeline rolled her eyes before she began to read the muggle romance novel before glancing up when Severus threw a book at Sirius, causing her to laugh when she saw the shirtless man on the cover and realized that Sirius had tried giving Severus a trashy novel to read.

Adeline was done with the day off by the end of lunch.

"Remy," she complained, voice whiney. "I wanna do stuff."

"You can sit there and enjoy not having anything to do," Remus told her, not looking up as he sipped his tea and continued reading his own book.

"I did that already. I'm bored with it," she glared at him.

"You are behaving like a child."

"Because you put me in time out."

"You aren't in time out."

"So, I can go?"

"No."

Adeline groaned, hanging off the side of the couch dramatically and trying to slink away. Sirius grabbed her and forced her back onto the couch, giving her an amused smirk before sitting down again.

"Did you take your potions this morning?" Remus asked her.

"Yes, mum," she rolled her eyes.

"Don't sass your mother," Remus joked, still looking at his book.

"Don't sass your mother," Adeline mocked, rolling her eyes and standing.

"Where are you going?" Remus asked her.

"To use the loo," Adeline rolled her eyes, going up the stairs.

"There are two down here," Sirius said more to Remus than to Adeline.

Adeline heard Remus let out a groan and stand. She got to their room, used the loo, and then threw herself on the bed, Remus standing in the bedroom doorway.

"Are you going to relax up here?" Remus asked her, giving her a pointed look.

"I think I'll take a nice little nap," Adeline sighed.

"Why do I not believe you?" Remus asked.

"Because you're very untrusting. You should look into fixing that," Adeline told him.

"You're going to turn into a bird and fly out the window, aren't you?" Remus asked.

"I would never," Adeline gasped, hand going to her chest. "How dare you."

Remus chuckled, walking over to the bed and lying beside her.

"So, you won't mind if I join your nap?" Remus questioned.

"I am always on board with you joining me in bed," Adeline smirked, scooting closer to Remus.

"I'm aware," he smirked back.

Adeline and Remus walked back down to the first floor a couple of hours later, Adeline stretching her arms over her head in the process.

"Sirius went to get takeout for dinner," Severus announced, stretched across the couch and arm thrown over his eyes to block out the light. "Took Carolyn with him and the other kids are out back or in the library. Told me I had to stay here."

"We aren't even allowed to go for walks?" Adeline asked Remus with a gasp. "Dogs are treated better than this."

"For the last time, Adie. You aren't a prisoner. You are relaxing for a day because your back has been hurting more than usual due to all of the tasks that you have taken on," Remus told her, pushing her into a squishy armchair.

"Fine," she groaned, rubbing her face before pulling her feet into the chair and getting comfortable.

"You never did tell me what day you're getting married," Severus pointed out.

"We haven't picked a date," Adeline shrugged. "We'll discuss it tonight and get back to you before you have to leave tomorrow."

Sirius returned not long after, Carolyn babbling in his arms.

"She said her first word," Sirius announced, placing the food down with a beaming smile on his face.

"What?" Adeline asked, jumping up and rushing to his side. "What did she say?"

"Say it, Care. Say 'Dada' for me," Sirius whispered gently.

"Dada," Carolyn babbled.

Remus and Severus were immediately beside them, all four adults cooing at Carolyn as she reached for Remus. Remus took Carolyn, placing her on his hip and smiling brightly.

"Dada. Dada," she continued before putting her hand in her mouth to chew on.

Adeline removed Carolyn's hand from her mouth, causing her to giggle loudly as the kids came back into the house.

"What's going on?" Harry asked.

"Dada," Carolyn's sweet voice filled the room and Harry and Aster rushed forward in awe, smiling at the small girl.

Carolyn laid her head on Remus, smiling at the attention.

"Merlin, she is too pretty," Adeline breathed, brushing a curl from Carolyn's face.

"It's a good thing we're all teachers," Remus nodded. "We'll be able to keep an eye on her in school."

"Yes because we've been able to keep an eye on the boys just fine," Severus snorted.

"He has a point," Adeline whispered to Remus.

"No dating until you thirty," Remus whispered to Carolyn.

"Fifteen," Adeline whispered to her.

Remus let out a small growl and Carolyn giggled again. Adeline simply smirked as Sirius and Severus tried to hold their laughs in.