Chapter Twenty-Two

It had started after having seen all of his messages when Severus had shown up a few months back. She found herself just staring at the notebook at first, not sure what she wanted to do with it. She could have just spelled his pages out and burned them, but she couldn't bring herself to. One night, when Remus and Sirius had been asleep, Adeline stood at the end of the bed just staring at them. She'd woken before them by a few hours, Harry having had a nightmare and Adeline having had to hold him until he fell back asleep. His nightmares were coming more often and Adeline was giving him dreamless sleep once a week, wanting his to get a good nights rest but not wanting him to rely on the potions.

So, she stood at the end of their bed, silent tears running down her face as she remembered Harry telling her about his nightmare. In it, Sirius had gone through the veil and Remus, Severus, Bella, Tonks, Ted, Aster, and Fred had died at some fight in Hogwarts. Adeline hadn't been there to protect them at all, having disappeared before the fighting had begun. She had assured him that Sirius was just in the other room and that she would never leave him again, that she would protect him with everything she had.

Adeline tried imagining her life without her children or fiancés and her heart had felt as if it were breaking into a million little pieces. So, she'd stared at the notebook for an hour before picking up a pen.

'Hello, Tom.'

'Adeline.'

She could practically hear his breath of relief in her head.

'Narcissa is dead.'

'How?'

'Lucius killed her. I used familiar magic to declare war against his and your house. I thought you'd ordered the kill since Nagini ate one of my house elves.'

'You declared war against me?'

'I did.'

'I did not order her death. I know how important she was to you. What would you like me to do with Lucius?'

'Nothing. I'll handle him. Me or Draco.'

'Ah. I should have known he was with you.'

'I refused to let another Black be killed, especially that night.'

'Why are you writing me?'

'I'm not sure…'

Neither wrote again that night, Adeline placing the journal in her potions lab and respelling it so only she could read it. Remus didn't need to know she'd written Tom. It was a week later that she picked the notebook up again.

'How is Nagini?'

'She is well. Why?'

'Harry has a snake. Her name is Onyx; a small, black adder. He carries her around on his shoulders at all times. Gave other students quite the scare a few times. I thought of Nagini the other day though when I found Onyx in one of my plants in the kitchen. She was sunbathing.'

'Nagini likes to bathe in the sun as well. She hasn't had the chance as of late.'

'You should let her get some sun. Snakes need the warmth after all.'

'I shall endeavor to do so.'

Aster broke his arm when he fell off his broom in the backyard of the cottage and was complaining about the taste of Skele-Gro as he always did when he had to take it.

'I should try to flavor my potions.'

'Won't that affect the potency?'

'It could… I'll have to look into different ways to offset it.'

'Where did this come from?'

'Aster broke his arm while playing Quidditch with Harry, Draco, and Sirius. He hates the taste of Skele-Gro. I can't blame him though. It's rather vile.'

'Is he alright?'

'Do you care?'

'If you do, then I do.'

'…. He is fine. Arm is almost completely healed already. He is rather upset that he can't fly for another week though. They've been cooped up for far too long.'

'I hear sunshine helps.'

'I wonder what genius told you that.'

'She is rather genius.'

Adeline did not smile as she put her notebook away, going to her experiment potions again before Sirius came down to check on her.

'Really, Adeline? The letter was a bit childish, don't you think?'

'I wrote it right after burying Sissy.'

'In that case, write as many as you wish.'

Adeline sat in front of the graves. Her family was in Boudreaux Manor, Remus and Sirius tutoring the children on dueling practices and having them fight their matches before having them team up against one another to strengthen their bonds. She stared at Reggie's name before her eyes fell onto Sissy's. She clicked her pen.

'Did I ever tell you about my cottage?'

'No.'

'It's beautiful. Wildflowers everywhere.'

'I never did like wildflowers. I preferred roses.'

'I'm aware. I remember you had a rose garden behind your manor.'

'You weren't a fan. Told me I needed to broaden my horizons.'

'As your student, I had the right to be a bit mouthy at times.'

'I don't think you did.'

Adeline put the notebook in her pocket and headed back to the manor. Now she sat in her office, staring down at the page in front of her. She finally began writing.

'You do know they give an allotted time to interrupt a wedding, yes? Your followers were a bit late to that bit.'

'You were there?!'

'I was. One of your men saw me.'

'Which one?'

'The one in the mask.'

'Helpful.'

'Just ask which one hit me with a Crucio before I got out of the Weasley house. That may clear it up a bit.'

There was no answer and Adeline knew that Tom was calling a meeting, anger probably filling him. Adeline hid the notebook in the 'Shafiq' pile before standing. She let out a rough breath, stretching until she heard a few pops in her back before heading up the stairs. Harry was whimpering in his sleep and Adeline cursed, entering his room to find him sweating, legs tangled in his blanket. He hadn't had a nightmare since she'd started writing to Tom again, knowing she kept the lunatic at least a little calm; calm enough for Harry to get some rest without feeling his anger leaking through their bond.

"Harry," Adeline spoke softly, pulling him into her arms and holding him to her chest. "Shh, sweetheart. I've got you. Wake up, love. Wake up."

Harry gasped as he woke, nails digging into Adeline's arms hard enough to draw blood. He looked around in a panic before seeing Adeline and calming against her.

"He's so angry," Harry sobbed. "He found out that someone hurt you and he called a meeting. He was torturing people."

"Breath, darling. I'm here. I've got you. Don't think on it. I've got you," Adeline ran her fingers through his sweaty hair.

They both jumped when light entered the room, Ginny walking into the room and seeming confused but determined. Adeline sighed thankfully, knowing having his soulmate close by would calm Harry better than she could.

"I'm going to leave you with Ginny for a moment. I'm going to grab a few things for you. Is that alright or do you want me to call for Tiffy?"

"That's okay," Harry whispered out and Adeline slowly removed herself from Harry, winching slightly when his nails scratched across her arm, blood dripping onto his comforter.

Ginny moved forward, arms wrapping securely around Harry and rocking him back and forth. Harry held Ginny around her waist, crying softly against her chest. Adeline hurried to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and a small towel before remembering she was a witch. She waved her wand and the bowl filled with cold water and a calming draught flew to her from the lab.

Adeline got back up the stairs, sighing as she handed the potion to Ginny. Ginny opened it, convincing Harry to drink the potion before she held him close again, passing the empty vial to Adeline. Adeline wrung out the cloth, folding it slightly before passing it to Ginny, who laid it across Harry's forehead. Adeline sighed, kissing both of their heads.

She raised her brow at Ginny and Ginny nodded, letting Adeline know that she had Harry. Adeline nodded and left the room, leaving the door cracked before looking down at her bleeding arms. She waved her wand and dittany flew to her. She waited until she was in her bathroom before slowly applying the potion to her arms. Remus was at her side at the first hiss of pain, staring at her arms in shock.

"Harry had a nightmare," Adeline explained as he took over applying the potion. "Panicked a bit when I woke him from it. I gave him a calming draught."

"He hasn't had one in a while," Remus sighed.

"Apparently Voldy figured out that someone hurt me. He was rather angry."

"As am I," Remus grumbled.

"At me?"

"No," Remus shook his head, hands going to Adeline's face and pulling her close. "I'm sorry about earlier. You've been reckless lately and I'm worried for you."

"I'm worried for me, too," Adeline admitted. "I'm not sure why I'm not using my head as much. Everything is just piling on top of me and I'm not sure why."

"Maybe you need another potion?" Remus offered. "I'm sure I can find it in the library. Sissy said you may need another dose eventually."

"I'll ask Bella if she knows the potion," Adeline nodded. "She should be arriving with Andy tomorrow. Tonks is going to bring them so I can walk them through the wards."

"The manor got a bit full rather quickly," Remus joked.

"We aren't even using half of the manor," Adeline laughed, sniffling slightly.

"I think that, after the war, we should fill it with more children," Remus smirked.

"Oh, so we're all on the same page?" Adeline smirked. "Makes things easier."

"Really?" Remus asked, eyes shining.

"Sirius and I thought we'd have to convince you. We saw the nurseries, and both got to thinking it over. Am I too old to be having babies?"

"You're thirty-four," Remus rolled his eyes. "People have had babies at older ages than that."

"But how old will I be once this is all over?" Adeline asked, eyes downcast as she chewed her lip nervously.

"There are two horcruxes left. We'll figure out how to get the one in Harry out of him and then we'll go after the snake. He's staying in pureblood manors. Severus is going to tell us which one when the time comes."

"What if we can't find answers?" Adeline asked. "What if we can't get it out of Harry? Will Tom be alive forever? How will it affect Harry's life in the future?"

"We are some of the brightest minds in all of Great Britian," Remus reminded her. "We will figure it out."

Adeline let out a sigh, still chewing her lip.

"Would you like me to do that instead?" Remus smirked, using his thumb to pull Adeline's lip out from between her teeth.

"I can think of a few places I would like your mouth to be," Adeline smirked.

"I think this is a good time to join you," Sirius' voice sounded amused as he showed up behind Remus. "Are we calming Adie? I think a bed would be a better option and there happens to be a quite large one just over there."

Remus lifted Adeline into his arms, causing her to giggle as her legs wrapped around his waist. The two men spent the next few hours worshipping Adeline. She had no complaints as she finally drifted to sleep, all three spent as they held onto one another.

'Have you ever heard of a horcrux?'

Adeline blinked at the message that waited for her. She wasn't sure how to respond but she decided fanning ignorance would be the best option.

'No. What is it?'

'It's an object created to keep one from dying. It harbors a piece of the soul.'

'Is that what you've done?'

'It is. I have six.'

'How much of your soul goes into a horcrux? Is it an object created out of thin air or any household item?'

'You can make it out of anything. Half of your soul each time.'

'So, the first one takes half of your soul, leaving you with half. Then a fourth, eighth, and so on?'

'Yes.'

'So, you only have 1/64th of a soul? That's almost none at all, Tom.'

'There is a way to get the pieces back.'

'Are you thinking of doing it? How do you do it?'

'I've debated it multiple times since meeting you.'

Adeline was shocked at that. She knew he was obsessed with her, but she didn't think she had that much of an impact. She knew there was actually less than the 64th due to Harry being a horcrux, leaving Tom with only 128th of a soul. How was that 128th the piece that still wanted her? It made her wonder more about soul magic and she knew she would be borrowing the book back from Hermione.

'Why am I so important?'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean, you have such a small portion of your soul remaining. Why is it that the bit that's left finds me so important?'

'You are brilliant and fierce. People listen to you and do as you order. It appeals to me.'

'To you or to your thirst for power?'

'Both. As a man, I found it attractive to the point of infatuation. As a wizard, the power you hold over so many… I want that on my side, by my side.'

"What are you doing?" Remus's voice was shaking as he stared at Adeline writing in the back of her journal.

He couldn't see the words, but he knew who that section was for. It was color-coded after all. Adeline jumped when she heard Remus's voice, almost dropping the journal and pen in her hands at the sound.

"Merlin, Remy," she sighed out, rubbing her eyes. "You scared me."

"What are you doing?" Remus repeated the question.

"I'm getting information," Adeline sighed, going back to the journal and beginning to write again.

'How do you get your soul back?'

'I have to feel remorse for everything I have done.'

'Do you have enough left in you to do that?'

'I believe I may… But I don't think I can do it alone.'

The journal was ripped from Adeline's hands. Adeline watched in horror as Remus tossed the journal into the fire. She stared at the burning pages, eyes wide before she met Remus' eyes, finding anger there. Adeline felt her own anger then, standing from her chair and glaring at Remus.

"What did you do?" she demanded.

"Me?" Remus shot back. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that you just ruined our chances of getting the horcrux out of Harry. The only way to remove it from Harry is for Tom to feel remorse for everything he has done."

"And you think you can convince him to feel that?"

"I already have," Adeline growled out. "I was in the process of convincing him to do so when you tossed our chances into the fire."

Remus growled, deep and low in his throat.

"Okay," Sirius' voice sighed as he walked into the room with potions, freezing when he saw Remus and Adeline ready to go for each other's throats. "What did I miss?"

"Adeline had been writing to Voldy," Remus spat out.

"And Remus tossed my journal into the fire," Adeline spat back before her eyes widened. "You tossed the whole journal in… No."

Adeline dove for the fire, ready to reach into the fire with her bare hands. Remus grabbed her waist pulling her back.

"Let go!" she screamed, fighting against Remus' hold. "Let go!"

"You don't need it!" Remus yelled.

"Lily's letters," Adeline had tears streaming down her face. "Lily's letters were in the journal."

"What?" Remus asked in confusion.

Sirius rushed forward waving his wand and putting the fire out. He pulled the remnants of the journal out of the fire. He waved his wand, trying every repairing charm he knew but it was too late. Everything was gone. Adeline got out of Remus' grip, falling to her knees and sobbing.

"No, no, no, no, no," Adeline kept whimpering, staring at the burnt bits. "No, no, no, no, no."

"Adie. I'm sorry," Remus breathed, staring down at her. "I wasn't thinking. I just got so angry. I'm so sorry."

Remus tried reaching for Adeline and she pushed away from him, her back ramming into the desk and causing her to yelp in pain. Sirius tried next and Adeline shook her head, causing Sirius to stop and just stare at her. Adeline felt pain in her chest, a panic attack taking over as she tried to get her breathing under control. Remus collapsed to his knees, gasping as her emotions ran through him. Sirius stared in horror, not sure what to do.

"Mistress," Tiffy demanded Adeline's attention, holding out a few potions. "Mistress must drink."

Sirius waved his wand, causing Adeline to magically ingest the potions. The calming draught worked quickly, causing Adeline to gasp as she was able to breathe again. Remus let out a relieved breath as Adeline calmed, the pain in their chests rapidly declining. Remus grabbed his potions, drinking them quickly to calm the effects of the full moon.

"What in the bloody hell?" Severus' voice questioned as he walked into the office, going straight to Adeline. "What has happened? Oh, no."

Severus pulled Adeline into his arms, holding her as she occluded, forcing herself to drift a bit. Remus crawled over to them slowly, taking Adeline from Severus and holding her to his chest. He breathed another sigh of relief as he held her. Sirius and Severus just stared at the two, neither knowing what to do or willing to do anything. They just watched as Adeline slowly came back to herself. She let out a sigh as her shields locked back into place, sorting everything in her mind to hide away for later.

"You ass, Remus Lupin," she finally breathed out.

"It's Boudreaux," he reminded her.

"Explains the shit attitude," Adeline grumbled.

"It's your last name," Remus tried defending before looking into Adeline's eyes and trying to get her to let him in.

He gained a headache, immediately hitting her walls and being thrown from her head.

"Ow," he complained.

"Maybe stay out of my head if you don't want a headache," Adeline shrugged, sounding rather monotone about it all, the way Severus always sounded when first joining them and just before leaving them.

"Please, let me in," Remus sighed. "We're supposed to let each other in."

Adeline's whole face fell and Remus sank into her mind. By the time he came back out, it was a few hours later. Sirius and Severus had left them, deciding to distract the kids as Adeline finally let someone in wholly and completely. Remus gasped when he came out, feeling as if he were going to be sick from seeing every moment of Adeline's life. Adeline groaned in pain, her head hurting from letting someone riffle through it for so long.

Remus helped Adeline to the lounger before grabbing a bin and losing his breakfast. Adeline held her head in her hands, tears running down her face from the pain. Tiffy appeared again, snapping her fingers and forcing potions into their systems. Remus took a few gulps of air as Adeline's head slowly stopped throbbing.

"Fuck," Remus breathed, slowly standing straight again and turning to Adeline.

Adeline was still laying rather still, hands covering her face. Remus kneeled down in front of her, slowly moving her hands from her face. He held her hands in his, pulling them to his face and pressing light kisses against her skin. Adeline let out a soft sigh at the feeling of his lips brushing against her knuckles, opening her eyes and staring into his, deep blue and warm caramel meeting. Remus leaned forward, kissing Adeline's head gently before pulling away again.

"Moony is more moody than normal," Adeline whispered, voice sounding a bit broken compared to how she usually kept herself calm and collected.

"He just wants you safe," Remus shrugged. "As do I."

"I wasn't going to go to him or anything," Adeline promised. "I wouldn't do that again."

"And if something happens to Sirius again? Or Harry? Aster? Draco? Hermione? Me?"

"I'm smart enough to figure something out. I just knew which book I needed from his collection that time," Adeline shrugged. "I have a library larger than Hogwarts' now."

"Speaking of Hogwarts, the Prophet announced the new Headmaster today," Remus sighed.

"I have a feeling," Adeline sighed.

"It's Severus," Remus nodded. "There's more, though."

"What is it?"

"The new Defense and Muggle Studies teachers are the Carrow twins."

"Why do I feel like you're still hiding something from me?"

"You are wanted for questioning about Albus' death," Remus sighed.

"It's a good tactic," Adeline nodded. "Almost no one knows what happened but many know I was there."

Remus nodded, looking down at their joined hands.

"What else, love?" Adeline asked and Remus looked into her eyes.

"Slughorn is the Potions teacher again…"

"Let the Slug Club rein," Adeline joked.

"Lucius is taking over your class."

Adeline blinked a few times before she was on her feet, face twisting in anger.

"The hell he is!"

"Breathe, Adie," Remus had his arms around her waist, forcing her to stay still as she seemed ready to storm the castle. "We are working on a plan. Severus will still be here tomorrow to discuss things."

Adeline let out a rough breath, leaning into Remus and trying to calm herself.

"You are much more emotional than I realized," Remus stated, distracting Adeline completely.

"Excuse you?" she questioned.

"You had your shields up most of the time that I've known you," Remus reminded her. "We can feel each other through the bond and your feelings have always been muted. I didn't realize it until your shields fell. You aren't nearly as cool and composed as you let on to be."

"You shush," Adeline grumbled.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Remus whispered the question.

"About?" Adeline asked, truly not sure which part he was asking about.

"Everything? About how much Miranda and Walburga were truly hurting you? About everything you'd done to keep your cover? Don't get me wrong, I am beyond angry that you told Harry about the horcrux, but I understand why you did it. He deserved to know about it, and the prophecy. But still. We're his parents. We should have discussed it at least."

"Easier to ask forgiveness than permission," Adeline shrugged.

"I guess that's true," Remus sighed, kissing her neck gently.

Adeline tipped her head to the side, giving Remus better access to her neck. He nipped and sucked her skin, causing Adeline's breath to start coming out unevenly. He reached the permanent mark on her shoulder and ran his nose over the top of it, causing her to let out a breathy moan at the feeling, body arching against his.

Privacy charms went up and the two barely remembered the moon in time to get Remus outside in the field. She flew around with him for a while, Sirius joining them not long after. Adeline wondered what the kids' Animagus's would be, knowing that they had just taken the leaves out of their mouths two weeks prior, their potions hidden away in their rooms and waiting for a lightning storm.

The next day, Severus found them in the field, looking more tired than normal. Adeline led him to the dining room, forcing him to eat before leading him to his bedroom. She turned to leave and Severus reached out, grabbing her arm.

"Stay?" he asked and Adeline was reminded of when they were just children, Severus moving into Shafiq Manor after finally escaping his father.

"Always," Adeline promised.

The two laid in Severus' bed, Adeline holding Severus against her as he slept, clinging to her like a lifeline. Sirius joined them some time later, laying on Severus' other side and cuddling into his back. Hermione came in after that, going to Adeline's other side and laying with them, her arm reached over so she could reach Severus as well.

Adeline stayed awake, watching over the three of them as they all finally got some rest. Hermione had been seeking Adeline out more often, making sure that Severus was still alive through their bond. Adeline had made them notebooks so that they could contact one another before reminding herself to make a new one for Severus and herself now that her original had been destroyed as she debated making a new one for Tom as well before Remus walked into the room.

"Hey," he whispered, smiling when he saw her.

"Hi," she whispered back.

"You could sleep as well, you know," Remus smirked.

"No," Adeline shook her head. "I always stay awake in case he has a nightmare."

"I know," Remus nodded and Adeline realized that he did know.

He knew everything now. He knew what her biological parents looked like, how they acted with one another. He knew about the orphanage and how Adeline had been an outsider. He had watched as Adeline fell in love with Sirius, loved Reggie like a little brother, how she'd seen Remus as more than a friend for a few years while reminding herself over and over again that she was meant to marry Sirius. He saw how Sirius had treated Adeline through her eyes, how the two had snuck around for so long.

He had to watch as Sirius hit her with curses and threw insults her way, had felt how it had made Adeline feel and how Remus had mended the broken pieces of her that he hadn't even broken by just being there for her. Remus watched as Adeline fell in love with him before learning how to occlude and push those feelings down. She had fallen first, and she had fallen so easily that it had terrified her beyond belief.

He saw how she loved Severus like a brother. How they'd protected one another in ways that Remus hadn't known or been able to do. Adeline and Severus had covered for one another so many times with the Dark Lord that Remus wasn't sure how they were even alive.

And that was another thing. Adeline had never told Remus everything about Tom. He saw just how deep the obsession went now. It may have been infatuation at one point, but now it had been twisted and perverted into something different, something darker. Adeline had been disgusted by it the entire time, had hated every moment of it and felt as if she were betraying herself and him somehow. She hated herself for it.

The memories of Mattheo had hurt to watch, the feelings of grief and guilt layered over the memories so heavily. The love she'd felt for Mattheo had been so pure, so hopeful. He was like a light at the end of a tunnel for her, the sunshine in the middle of a war. He hoped Mattheo knew just how much she had truly cared for him. Watching his death had broken Remus a bit, especially having to feel Adeline try to hold herself together long enough to get herself and Mattheo's body out of there.

His own memory of that day had been burned into his mind. Adeline had been screaming when Severus had dragged him through the floo, holding herself together with her arms around her chest. She had tried lashing out when Remus grabbed her but their cores didn't allow her to truly harm him, protecting him from what would have likely been him being thrown across the room and out of a window. It had taken hours to calm her and she hadn't truly been the same ever since, her light having been diminished.

Well, it had been until Harry came back into their lives. She loved all of her children with everything in her. Seeing Harry having been abused by the Dursley's had made her think of her own childhood though, making her even more protective than she already was. She saw herself in him, as did Remus. Adie had always been his light, his hope, as Harry was for everyone around him.

The two of them just had a way about themselves. They both have had every opportunity to decide that they were done and turn to the side of the dark, to make themselves so powerful that no one could ever harm them again. Instead they used their darkness to shine a light brighter over the ones around them, refusing to let anyone ever feel as alone as they once had. They were both far too good for this world.

"What are you thinking about?" Adeline asked, breaking Remus from his thoughts.

"How alike you and Harry are," Remus gave her a gentle smile, conjuring a chair beside the bed and sitting. "You both went through so much and, instead of becoming villains, you're both good. You care for so many and take care of the ones around you before thinking of yourselves. Lily would be so proud of the two of you…"

Adeline had a tear roll down her cheek and Remus reached forward, wiping it away quickly so it wouldn't land in Hermione's hair.

"I'm proud of you," Remus whispered. "I'll keep an eye out. Get some rest, my love."

Adeline gave Remus a soft smile, burying her nose in Hermione's hair and closing her eyes. She was asleep in a few minutes, Remus staying true to his word and remaining awake to watch over all of them. He woke them just after lunch, forcing the four to get up and eat something before he had to drag them to a dueling room where they could plan their next moves.

"I could always turn myself in," Adeline joked and Remus glared at her. "Too soon?"

"I will tie you to the bed," Remus threatened.

"Kinky," Sirius joked.

"Anyways," Severus groaned, rubbing his eyes and trying to not imagine his sister figure, his brother figure, and the man he shared a magical core with in bed together. "Minerva would like access to your home so she can join us."

"Send her a patronus and I'll apparate to wherever she is and bring her," Adeline nodded.

"Why can't you send one?" Severus asked, wand already out.

"Mine isn't quite working right now," Adeline shrugged and Severus stopped mid-spell to stare at her in confusion. "Sissy."

Adeline had whispered the name but everyone had heard. Severus let out a low breath before nodding. He sent the patronus to Minerva and she sent one back, Sirius and Adeline leaving together to gather her. Minerva had her wand on them the moment they appeared.

"Your real name."

"Voldyshorts already knows that," Adeline told her and Minerva immediately lowered her wand. "Not going to ask a different question?"

"I don't think any of his followers would have the audacity to call him 'Voldyshorts' to be honest," Minerva smirked before hugging Adeline.

Adeline leaned into the hug for a moment before stepping away and looking around.

"Is this your home?" Adeline smiled as Sirius smiled at the pictures on a mantle.

"It is," Minerva smiled. "I keep forgetting that you've never been here."

"You've been to the cottage so often that I never thought about it," Adeline shook her head. "Are you ready? You can stay at the manor if you wish as well. There is plenty of room. I will have to warn you that having two Marauders and the Weasley twins under one roof has been a bit of… well… I'm not sure the word I want use so I'll call them a handful."

"Two Marauders?" Sirius questioned. "There are three of us, thank you."

"Did I make the map?" Adeline questioned.

"You helped without knowing," Sirius shrugged and Adeline thought it over before remembering having found a few advanced charms for Remus a few times.

"You sneaky little…" Adeline began.

"Children," Minerva smirked.

"Sorry, Minnie," they both smiled brightly at her.

Minerva just rolled her eyes and sighed.

"I have an emergency bag that I'll grab. I can come back for more later if needed," Minerva stated, waving her wand and summoning the bag.

"Do you want your pictures?" Sirius asked. "Adeline carries hers everywhere with her. She's sentimental like that."

"Stop telling people my secrets," Adeline growled at him.

"Oh, I know she's sentimental," Minerva smirked. "I have been to the cottage plenty of times to know."

"Place truly was covered in photographs," Adeline's hands went to her hips.

"I believe Remus mentioned something about Shafiq Manor being the same way for some time when you were younger," Minerva smiled as Sirius shrank the pictures and put them in his pocket.

"Ready?" Adeline asked Minerva.

"Yes," she nodded. "We'll need to move out of the wards though."

"Let's hurry," Sirius nodded, opening the front door and leading them out.

Adeline didn't notice the shadow staring at them from just outside the wards but she definitely noticed it turning human once they were. He grabbed ahold of Adeline, causing her to gasp as she was forcefully apparated away from Sirius and Minerva. Adeline punched Peter across the face when they landed, causing him to fall to the ground. Arms wrapped around Adeline and her wand was yanked from her hand.

She fought against the one holding her, kicking a Death Eater in the stomach when he rushed in front of her, all of their faces covered. He punched across her face and she used wandless magic to send him flying backwards. Adeline kicked her legs out again, using her momentum to flip the one holding her over her shoulder. She stomped her foot down on his face, breaking his nose and knocking him out in one swift motion. Adeline turned, finding no less than five wands pointed at her. Adeline smiled before spitting blood from her mouth, facing the challenge head on. Spells began flying at her and Adeline ducked, moving to her left as spells ricocheted above her, taking out two of the Death Eaters for her. Adeline grabbed a wand from the ground, fire burning from the tip of it and engulfing three people immediately.

Adeline put a shield charm up behind herself, moving around the field rather than tossing spells around. She rolled and dodged the spells, dazzling green flying towards the Death Eaters closest to her and causing them to fall to the ground.

"Enough!" a voice she'd know anywhere cried out above the crowd.

Adeline turned, breathing heavily as she stared at Tom where he'd just appeared in the field, glaring at everyone around him. The Death Eaters kneeled immediately, afraid to look up as Tom moved forward slowly, eyes focused on Adeline. Her hands went to her hips as her breathing slowly went back to normal. He finally reached her, looking her over and accessing her injuries.

"What the hell?" she asked, giving him a confused look.

"You never responded," he shrugged.

"There was an accident," she shrugged back. "Journal got destroyed. I was going to send word tomorrow. You sent Pettigrew to get me? You're lucky Sirius and I didn't kill him the moment we saw him."

"Your bracelet is glowing."

"I have to go," she told him. "The bracelet has a twin. Tells me if the kids are in trouble."

"You only just arrived," he reminded her.

"I only just got kidnapped," Adeline corrected. "Here."

Adeline grabbed her wand from the ground, tossing the other one aside like it was nothing. She transfigured two blades of grass into quills, telling him to hold one while she held the other. She waved her wand over the quills, whispering the spell that would connect the quills to one another quietly before smirking.

"Write on any piece of parchment and my quill will write the message down and vice versus. Don't lose it."

"You are the one who lost your journal," he reminded her.

"I placed protection spells on the quill," Adeling shrugged. "Can I apparate?"

"In the tree line," he nodded in the direction she needed to go. "Write when you arrive."

"Will do," Adeline smirked. "Might want to train your followers a bit better. That was all far too easy."

Tom gave her an amused smirk before kissing her head. Adeline leaned into it for a moment before confusion washed over her and she stepped away. Tom kept his eyes on her, watching her go. Once he heard the sound of her disappearing he turned to his followers, his anger getting to him now. Adeline landed outside the wards, letting out a breath as she found Minerva pacing the ward line, relief taking over when she saw Adeline before concern took over her features.

"In we go," Adeline sighed, taking Minerva's hand and leading her into the wards.

Once in the wards, they walked into the house, finding a flurry of movements as people seemed a bit panicked.

"We need to find her! It was Pettigrew!" Sirius bellowed from the front sitting room.

Order members quieted as Adeline moved forward, limping slightly as her face and head were bleeding. Sirius was yanking on his hair, seeming as if he was losing his mind a bit as Adeline moved towards him quickly, pressing against her bracelet a few times to calm Harry, who was not in the room.

Adeline pulled Sirius' hands from his face, forcing him to look at her. He sagged in relief, almost completely falling against her as his arms wrapped around her. She held him tightly, whispering soothingly as she rubbed his back. Once Sirius had calmed a bit, Adeline pulled away enough to see his face. He saw the blood and his eyes widened, brushing a bit of hair from her face before he waved his wand, clearing away the blood and healing the cut on her forehead and her busted lip. The swelling and bruising were still there, but she wasn't bleeding anymore, so that was a relief.

"She needs to be looked over," Minerva announced, moving forward and gently taking Adeline's arm, leading her to the couch to sit. "We need bruise cream."

"Here," Fred was beside them quickly, passing the salve over without thought. "George and I made this one. Should heal it in seconds."

"Is it safe?" Minerva asked and Sirius took the salve from her, immediately getting to work on Adeline's face.

He dabbed a bit of the salve on her head, lip, and eye, the bruising and swelling immediately going down before Adeline looked completely normal again. Adeline pulled her pant leg up a bit, staring down at her swollen ankle before her bracelet lit up again. Adeline stood, put her hand over the bracelet and turned on the spot, finding Harry, Aster, and Remus in Harry's room, Harry on the floor and clutching his scar. Adeline rushed forward, flinching slightly as she fell to the floor in front of Harry and pulled him close.

"I've got you," she promised. "Occlude, Harry. You can do it, sweetheart."

Harry took a few gasps of air before his breathing went back to normal again, his eyes clearing as he returned to his own mind. He stared up at Adeline, eyes wide and full of tears. Adeline just continued holding him, rocking him back and forth as he hid his face in her neck, crying quietly. Remus and Aster just stared at the two in confusion, neither sure what was going on as Sirius rushed into the room with Fred and George.

Adeline's injured ankle was bent at an odd angle, telling Adeline that it was actually broken, but she refused to think about it as she held Harry. Sirius kneeled beside her, waving his wand over her ankle and confirming her suspicion. Remus moved forward, using a few healing spells before realizing that the ankle needed to be rebroken again and cursing to himself.

"Do it," Adeline told him, still holding Harry to her chest.

"Sorry," Remus apologized quickly before performing the spell.

Adeline grunted in pain, biting her lip until she tasted blood as Remus fixed her ankle. Tiffy appeared with three potions, passing two of them to Adeline before holding one out to Harry. Harry drank the calming draught slowly, passing the empty vial back to Tiffy once done. Adeline took the pain potion and Skele-Gro once Harry had finished his potion, sighing as the pain potion immediately worked, causing her bones to feel a bit like jelly.

Remus picked Adeline up, placing her on Harry's bed as Aster and George helped Harry to his feet, placing him on the bed beside Adeline. Harry immediately moved closer to her, Adeline's arms going around him without thought and holding him to her. Adeline closed her eyes once Harry was in her arms, feeling something wrap around her ankle, but far too tired to open her eyes to figure out what it was. Her brain was fuzzy as she fell asleep, Harry snoring softly in her arms and reminding her of when he was just a baby in the process.

Adeline woke in a dark basement, confusion clear on her face as she sat up. Her ankle throbbed and her bracelet was gone, bars keeping her in a tiny cell. Adeline tried using wandless magic but the door wouldn't budge.

"I've tried," a voice croaked and Adeline turned, finding Ollivander in the cell with her. "We can't use our magic here."

"Tiffy?" Adeline tried, just to feel disappointment when the elf didn't appear. "How did I get here?"

"Pettigrew and Greyback brought you down not too long ago. You look like you put up quite the fight," Ollivander explained.

"I got home though?" Adeline's statement was more of a question. "I don't understand."

"Confundus curse," Ollivander explained. "Greyback was complaining that Pettigrew hit you with one far too hard. They were only supposed to capture you, not hurt you."

"My ankle is broken," Adeline told Ollivander, leaning against the wall beside him.

"I can wrap it with my sweater," Ollivander nodded, pulling his jumper off and carefully wrapping Adeline's foot with it.

"How'd you get here?" she asked him.

"He came to me, asking me about the Elder Wand," Ollivander explained.

"The what?" Adeline asked.

"The Elder Wand," Ollivander sighed before telling her the fairy tale from a children's book that Dumbledore had left Hermione.

Adeline listened intently, knowing that a death stick sounded exactly like the type of weapon that Voldemort would want and go looking for. She thought of Harry's cloak, how most invisibility cloaks only lasted a few years under the best care, but Harry's had been James' at one point, and Fleamont's before that.

"I told him it's just a rumor," Ollivander stated and Adeline nodded, not wanting to give anything away as she tried to unravel the mystery.

She also wondered when Tom would be making an appearance, if he would make one at all. Did he even know that she was down here? And where was here?

"Do you know where we are, Mr. Ollivander?" Adeline asked.

"Malfoy dungeon," Ollivander explained and Adeline had to bite her lip to keep the curses from falling from her lips.

"And you said Greyback and Pettigrew brought me down?"

"Yes."

"Does the Dark Lord come here often?"

"I've seen him twice since arriving. He came down and told me I would have an important cell mate soon. Guess that meant you. After that, he tortured me for a bit, demanding answers."

"Well, that doesn't bode well," Adeline sighed. "Are you alright?"

"Not really," Ollivander answered honestly.

"Don't worry. I'll get you out of here," Adeline promised.

"Don't say things that may not come true."

Adeline fell asleep on the dungeon floor, her arms folding under her head and shivering. Ollivander was laying in a corner, out of sight and out of mind as Tom descended the steps of the dungeons. Neither woke as he stepped up to the bars of the cage, staring in at Adeline and watching her sleep. He felt something trying to stir inside of himself; worry, concern, longing. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the emotions that plagued him any time that he thought of her. It was no use though, the feelings remaining and growing stronger any time he was in her presence.

It didn't use to feel like this. He didn't have feelings for anything outside of her. He felt the thirst for power at all times, a drive and need to be above everyone else, a purpose that kept him going. The moment he thought of her though, the other feelings disappeared. All that mattered was her and her alone. He knew his obsession was also his weakness, but he didn't mind it too much, thinking he could bring her back to his side with enough time. First things first, he needed her out of this cell and in a proper room. Her ankle was wrapped in a jumper and her face had blood on it, telling him that his followers hadn't been as gentle as he had told them to be. He was aware of the fight she'd put up, feeling rather proud at how ruthless she was as he opened the cell and stepped inside.

Ollivander woke when the cell opened, whimpering in fear as Voldemort stepped forward. He ignored the man though, kneeling down and brushing a bit of hair from Adeline's face instead. He waved his wand, staring at the results of the diagnostic spell and letting out a hiss of anger before looking down at her and calming again.

Tom reached down, lifting Adeline into his arms carefully and carrying her out of the cell. It creaked shut behind him and Adeline's eyes fluttered open at the sound, seeming rather dazed still. Tom carried her up the stairs and through the drawing room, ignoring Severus and Lucius as he went towards a guest room.

"Tommy?" Adeline whispered the name, head resting on his shoulder. "What happened? Where am I?"

"You have a concussion," Tom answered her, trying to make his voice soft but it came out more as a hiss than anything else. "There's also a broken ankle and a few superficial injuries to deal with, but nothing too serious."

"My ankle hurts," she admitted, voice sounding a bit like a whine.

"I'll take care of it," Tom promised. "Nothing to worry about. I've got you now. I'll take care of you."

Adeline's eyes closed again and Tom worried about the concussion as he carefully laid her on the bed. He pulled the covers back before waving his wand and causing a sleeping gown to appear on her instead of her dirtied clothes. Slowly, he began to heal her wounds, working over each one carefully. Her lip and cheekbone were the easiest wounds to deal with. After that it was the head wound, which would help with the concussion. The ankle would need to be rebroken and he let out a rough breath before doing just that.

Adeline's eyes opened and she gasped from the pain, biting her lip and grunting as her bone moved back into its correct place.

"Merlin, that hurt," she breathed out, voice rough and sounding more like herself, causing Tom to feel a bit of relief.

"Sorry," he whispered to her. "Had to rebreak it to heal it. I can ask Severus for Skele-Gro."

Adeline nodded, staring up at the ceiling as she tried to breath through the pain. Tom waved his wand over her head, checking the severity of the concussion. He cursed under his breath as he waved his wand a few more times. Adeline stared at him the entire time, just watching as he worked over her. He doubted she would even remember this when he was done, but he continued to be gentle, trying his hardest to stay focused as he worked.

Adeline fell asleep as the concussion healed, Tom able to breath easier without her blue eyes on him. He sat in the armchair beside her bed, just staring at her as she slept. Even in sleep, she seemed tense, but that could simply be because she knew she'd been kidnapped out of nowhere. He hadn't been able to stop himself though. When she hadn't written back, he'd assumed the worse and had gone searching for her. Severus informed him that Adeline had a new home that was severely protected and that they were slowly moving all of the Order members into the manor, causing Voldemort to place spies near all of the Order members houses in case she showed up.

Pettigrew showed up with Adeline not long after, sending word that he'd seen her and would be bringing her along the moment he'd confirmed it was her that he'd found. Lucius and Severus had been antsy for the next hour, waiting for word. Voldemort hadn't trusted them to pick Adeline up, worried Severus would let her get away and that Lucius would torture or kill her on the spot. Pettigrew hadn't been the best choice, but he'd hoped that Adeline would feel a little bit of fondness for the rat and remember their childhood together, remember that Pettigrew had turned for her, even if she was on the side of the light now.

Greyback had been the one to send word to his following Adeline's capture, telling him that Adeline had been injured. He'd shown up immediately, yelling that it had been enough. Pettigrew always did need to throw one last spell though, the Confundus that he was far too good at hitting Adeline in the back of the head and knocking her out. Greyback had growled, ready to rip Pettigrew's throat out, showing him that Greyback was Adeline's, not his.

It made him want to question his other followers as well. He knew Severus was Adeline's already, that much plainly obvious. The followers who had been in Slytherin in the years below Adeline were hers as well considering she'd trained all of them for so long. He'd recruited them because of their training, knowing Adeline would have taught them to be as ruthless as she'd been, and she had. Hell, he even had a healer now.

Voldemort stood, leaving the room and telling Lucius to send word to the healer, wanting someone to properly look over Adeline. Lucius had given his agreement and left the room, leaving Voldemort with Severus.

"Severus. Do you believe Adeline would take her position at the school back if I offered it to her?"

"I'm sure she'd consider it, My Lord," Severus told him. "You may have to give her something in return, though."

"I already plan on sparing her children," Voldemort hissed out.

"Does she know that you truly plan to do so?" Severus asked curiously, knowing Adeline had to have considered trying to make a deal a few times.

"We've spoken of it a few times," Voldemort nodded, not giving away anything else.

"I believe, My Lord, that Adeline would do anything to keep the ones that she loves safe. If you can guarantee the safety of those she cares for, she'll bend to your will with little resistance."

"What would I need to do for no resistance?"

"It's Adeline. She will always show resistance. It is who she is."

"She's always been a challenge," Voldemort nodded.

"And are you, My Lord, not a challenge yourself? You're drawn to one another for that reason," Severus stated and Voldemort looked to him, digging into Severus' mind and finding conversations from when Severus and Adeline were young where Adeline spoke highly of the Dark Lord, seeming quite fond with the small smile on her face.

Voldemort nodded as he retreated from Severus' mind, unaware that the conversation had been completely false, Adeline having helped Severus implant false memories when needed. Severus had learned to do it himself and he hoped Adeline would forgive him one day for the false memories he had created just months ago. Voldemort turned as Thomas walked into the manor.

"My Lord," Thomas kneeled.

"Reynolds. I have someone I wish for you to look over. She has injuries that I do not know how to treat properly," Voldemort spoke.

"Of course, My Lord," Thomas agreed readily.

"You must tell no one who she is," Voldemort continued. "You must not harm her in any way. If I discover that you've done something to harm her, your family will pay the price."

"Yes, My Lord," Thomas agreed.

"Come," Voldemort demanded, leading Thomas out of the room, not noticing the looks that Severus and Thomas exchanged in the process.

Once they'd left the room, Lucius entered, eyes locked on Severus as Peter walked behind him.

"What do we do?" Lucius questioned.

"I'll get word to Sirius and Remus," Severus promised.

"Will they be able to wait us out?" Peter questioned, eyes abnormally soft and causing Severus to shiver slightly.

"They will if I tell them to. Draco and Hermione are in place. They should be here in two days' time," Severus stated.

"I don't like the children being involved," Peter whispered and Lucius put his arm around Peter, expression sad.

"It was the only way," Lucius promised.

"Do you think she'll ever forgive us?" Peter asked.

"I think Bella is the one we'll need to worry about," Severus scoffed. "Her and Andy."

"No," Lucius shook his head. "Andy and Bella will be angry but Adeline will be furious. She'll never let us hear the end of it."

"She hasn't been able to conjure a patronus since…."

Peter sighed, skin bubbling as his features changed to that of Narcissa Malfoy.

Adeline groaned as she slowly sat up, head still throbbing a bit. She looked around the room slowly, finding herself alone in the room before standing from the bed. The door was locked and Adeline tried using wandless magic to unlock the door but she was better with defensive spells when it came to wandless magic, using her adrenaline to protect herself in tense situations. She moved to the on-suite instead, the lanterns lighting when she entered. She stared at herself in the mirror, seeing dried blood and fading bruises on her skin. Her hair was a birds nest on top of her head and her clothes had dirt and blood as well.

Adeline turned on the hot water, pouring bubble bath into the water and watching as it filled. Once full enough, she turned the water off and stripped down. Stepping into the hot water, Adeline sighed, her muscles relaxing a bit in the process. Adeline was submerged in the water, head back and enjoying the water when she heard the door to her bedroom open. She turned her head, rolling her eyes when she spotted Voldemort looking around her room in confusion. His eyes landed on her and he moved to the lavatory, sitting on the closed loo and watching her.

"Hi," she spoke up, the silence starting to bother her.

"It's good to see you awake," he stated.

"How long have I been out?" she sighed the question.

"A day," he shrugged. "Your bruises should be gone in an hour."

"Mmm," Adeline hummed, dunking her hair into the water a bit.

"Let me," Voldemort demanded, standing and moving to the backside of the tub.

Adeline froze up when his hands got to her hair before she forced herself to relax. He ran his fingers through her hair, washing it for her and getting the dried blood and dirt out of her hair from the wand fight she'd been in. Adeline knew he couldn't see through all of the bubbles, but she still felt exposed, naked in the tub.

She dunked her hair into the water, Voldemort rinsing her hair a bit before she sat up a bit again, keeping her shoulders under the water. She grabbed a wash rag, getting dirt off of her arms before glancing behind herself as Voldemort stayed in his spot.

"Do you know what privacy is?" she asked him.

"I'm familiar with the term," he nodded, still not moving.

"May I have some?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I've missed you," he shrugged.

"You don't have to watch me bathe," Adeline grumbled.

"Oh. Is your werewolf boyfriend going to come after me if I see something I'm not supposed to?" Voldemort taunted.

"My werewolf fiancé isn't the one you should worry about. It's the Black fiancé that gets jealous," Adeline shrugged.

"Two fiancés?" Voldemort questioned.

"I'm the head of two houses. I can marry for each house," Adeline shrugged.

"And you chose the wolf and Black?" Voldemort questioned.

"Who else would I have considered?" Adeline questioned, aware the she shouldn't have as much attitude when speaking with a Dark Lord, but not really finding it in herself to care.

"I figured you would have at least considered Severus. He seems more your speed," Voldemort stated and Adeline looked to him in shock. "What? Did you think I would say myself? I think we both know better than that."

"Do you?" Adeline asked.

"I do," he whispered. "Just because you are speaking to me again, doesn't mean that you care for me in the way I had once wished you would."

"Good," Adeline nodded, lifting one of her legs and washing that next. "Then you understand why I may want some privacy from you as I bathe."

"You and your privacy," Tom rolled his eyes, standing and looking into the room.

Adeline sighed, knowing that was as good as it was going to get. She washed herself quickly before rinsing herself off and unplugging the tub. She stood, wrapping a towel around herself quickly but Tom didn't turn around, just stood in the doorway, looking away from her. Once she was dry outside of her hair, she wrapped a robe around her body and began using the towel to dry herself.

"I have a robe on," she announced and Tom turned, watching as she stared in the mirror to dry her hair, scrunching it so that her curls would hold.

"I have a gift for you," he told her.

"Do you?" Adeline asked, still not looking to him. "Please tell me it isn't another traitor to kill."

"So you don't want me to hand over Wormtail and Lucius?" Tom asked. "Shame."

"I can find them on my own," Adeline shrugged, placing the towel on the drying rack before turning to face Tom again.

"The name Hathor is Egyptian. Stands for the Goddess of love, childbirth, and music leading to the afterlife. Also, she provided dance and drinks to those passing over, welcoming them to death. She was the mother of the sky god, Horus, and the sun god, Ra. There were two sides to her though. She stood for motherhood, beauty, joy, but she was also vengeful and the ultimate protector. I think that fits you quite well."

"She sounds as any mother would," Hathor shrugged.

"Which of your sons is Horus and which is Ra?" Tom asked.

"Well, Aster and I have the same initials," Hathor shrugged.

"So, Aster is the sky god and Harry is the sun god?" Tom questioned.

"In their own ways, yes," Hathor nodded.

"Another interesting fact about her was she was most commonly seen with a cow head. However, she was often described as having the head of a lioness and a cobra at times as well. Very Gryffindor and Slytherin."

"Well, the hat did stall between the two houses," Hathor shrugged.

"She had many titles. The Primeval Goddess, Lady of the West, Lady of Stars which I think is quite fitting. She was also called the Hand of God and Mistress of Heaven."

"She was also Mother of Mothers," Hathor nodded.

"So you do know a bit of your history?" Tom questioned.

"Remus looked up what my name meant years ago," she admitted.

"What of Boudreaux?" Tom asked and Hathor froze up a bit. "Ah. Yes, I know of your name. It is in ministry records, after all. Imagine my surprise when I saw that Severus also has the same last name. At first, I was angry, but then I remembered that it was you who pushed for Severus to move up in my ranks. Do you know what Boudreaux means?"

"It's French," she shrugged.

"It's Cajun as well. It means messenger and army when broken into two parts. It also means leader and farmer. Your birth name is rather… telling. It shows a great strength of character. The last name is very common in America, specifically in Louisiana."

"I'm not from Louisiana," Hathor shrugged.

"No. You're from Georgia. Did you ever go back as an adult? Go looking for answers?"

"I had planned to," she nodded.

"Never had the time?"

"No."

"Do you know the meaning behind ravens?" Tom asked her of her animagus form now.

"They mean death," Hathor nodded. "I was called an omen of death."

"They stand for death, loss, war, and bad luck. They also stand for rebirth. It's an animal that can reconcile the darkness and light within one's mind. In Norse there is a raven god known for his wisdom. In Greek mythology, raven's are seen as warning's of Apollo's anger. In Celtic cultures though, a woman is mentioned. She could turn in a raven and would help warriors defeat their enemies. She stood for war, fate, and victory."

"So, you plan to keep me around so that I can provide you with a victory in the upcoming war?" Hathor questioned, annoyance on her face. "I look forward to Horas and Ra defeating you. I'll make sure they play something fun in the afterlife for you to dance to and spike the punch in your cup with laughing potion."

"It is also a symbol of arrogance," Tom hissed out, seeming frustrated.

"Is it arrogance if I tend to back my words up?" she questioned with a smirk, no longer afraid of him, not even a bit surprised when he tried breaking into her mind.

She saw through him now, her protective wards hiding her memories completely as a few thoughts rose to the surface for him to hear.

'You need me. Something in you will not allow you to kill me and I will find a way back to my children. I will protect them no matter what. If a messenger of war and death is what you want, you will face it yourself.'

Tom let out an angry roar and everything went black.