I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter Nine
Everything was definitely not okay. Remus was too pissed to speak as he stared at Harry's hand. He'd already been annoyed when Adeline had told him that she'd blown her own cover. He'd grown angry when she'd mentioned the blood quill. He was beyond furious and his wolf wanted blood for the damage that had been done to one of his pups. Adeline's hand rested on his shoulder, Sirius' on the other, both calming him and grounding him so he wouldn't do what Adeline had almost done when she'd found out.
He thought of the baby in Adeline's stomach and forced his wolf into submission. The next issue was the Prophet that morning, showing a break out from Azkaban. Bellatrix Lestrange was in the wind, along with multiple other Death Eaters. Adeline's journal was glowing and none of them cared to check it any time soon, not wanting to see what Voldemort had written to her as it sat on the sitting room table beside Harry's outstretched hand.
Remus poured a few drops of dittany on the hand, watching as it became less irritated but the words didn't fade. Another scar that had been left on his son that he had no way of preventing. Adeline hadn't even known about it until she'd grabbed Harry's hand one day. They would be having a long talk with Harry about communicating with them and what he did and didn't deserve as punishments.
Adeline had received all of the information she'd needed about Umbridge. She'd taken a photo of Harry's hand and written a quote about how Umbridge had not received permission from her, Harry's legal guardian and blood adoptive mother, to receive any form of corporal punishment while attending Hogwarts. She was just waiting for the right time to send everything in to Rita Skeeter and the minister.
McGonagall had gone toe-to-toe with Umbridge while Adeline had been absent. Harry didn't have any scheduled detentions but with all the new decrees, Adeline knew it wouldn't be long before she tried to drag Harry back into her office for more lines.
Neville had found the come and go room for the secret dueling club to use in early October. Harry began teaching the classes, Adeline and Remus giving him a few pointers the day before he started teaching from their own experiences, causing him to smile and nod along as he listened to them tell him two entirely different methods for teaching.
Just before Christmas break, Harry awoke to a nightmare about Arthur Weasley being attacked by Nagini in the Department of Mysteries. They'd all flooed to the cottage, waiting for word from Dumbledore on whether Arthur would live or not. Remus and Sirius had been shocked to find the kids and Adeline camped out in the living room of Hathor cottage that morning, but had started breakfast quietly, passing Adeline her tea once she'd joined them. She explained quietly what had happened and told them about Harry admitting to have been having dreams where he could see into Voldemort's mind on several occasions, Remus and Sirius shocked by the news, neither having been told about said dreams in the past.
As the kids began rising, waking slowly and seeming exhausted and stressed, Adeline passed them hot chocolates, hoping the chocolate would raise their spirits a bit. Remus passed Adeline a potion and she took it without question, knowing it was for her morning sickness. Aster stared at the empty vial for a moment in confusion before shaking his head and letting it go, electing to look after Harry instead, making sure he ate enough. Hermione was looking after Ron while the twins looked after Ginny, leaving Adeline to look after the twins, knowing they'd ignore their own needs to watch their sister instead.
Remus and Sirius looked over Adeline, forcing her to eat a bit of toast while she waited for her potion to take effect so she could eat some bacon. Adeline sent Tiffy to Molly, asking her to help the woman and keep her company while she waited for news of her husband. Kreacher remained at Grimmauld, taking care of house and any order members who turned up. Wobky stayed near Adeline, still weary of her condition after her last pregnancy had ended so poorly.
The kids went to the hospital to visit Arthur once he woke up, slowly healing. Aster decided to stay behind with Adeline and Remus, Sirius going with the kids for added protection.
"Mum?" Aster asked as he sat beside her on the couch.
"Yes, my little love?" she asked, brushing his curly hair from his face and making a note to trim it soon.
"Why does Harry have dreams of Voldemort?" Aster questioned.
"I'm not sure. When I figure it out though, I'll tell you both immediately," she promised. "I wouldn't keep something like that from the two of you."
Aster nodded, chewing his lip a bit.
"What are you going to do about Umbridge?" Aster asked.
"I have a plan," Adeline stated. "You'll know when you see it. For now, the two of you just keep sticking together and teaching others how to defend themselves. Keep telling the truth to anyone who will listen and keep your heads down around her."
"She doesn't know Harry is my brother, does she?" Aster asked, eyes wide.
"She does not," Adeline smirked. "She'll be in for a bit of a shock when she finds out. I am very excited to see her reaction."
"Oh, can I sell tickets? I bet everyone in Hogwarts will pay me galleons upon galleons for the blow back," Aster smiled widely. "Think of all the inventions the twins could come up with on that money."
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" Adeline asked.
"You could stan to tell me more often," Aster joked, leaning into Adeline's side and feeling comforted by her arms around him.
The two stayed that way for a while until the others returned. Harry went to Adeline's other side and she wrapped her other arm around him, sighing as she pulled him close as well. Sirius smirked at the action, sitting in the chair beside them.
"Where's Remus?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Dealing with one of the rooms. Decided to redecorate," Adeline informed him, letting him know discreetly that Remus was starting on the nursery.
"I'll go help him," Sirius nodded, standing and leaving Adeline with the somber kids.
"How's your dad doing?" Adeline asked Ron.
"Better," Ron sighed. "We saw Neville while we were there. He was visiting his parents."
"You met Alice and Frank?" Adeline's brows rose.
"Did you know them?" Ron asked curiously.
"When we were in school," she nodded. "They were very sweet. I think I scared Frank for life a few times. I had a bit of help with that considering who his dormmates were."
"Wait, I thought Neville's parents were dead?" Aster asked.
"No," Adeline shook her head. "They were tortured after Voldemort fell during the war. They reside in the mental ward of St. Mungos now."
"Oh," Aster said, eyes widening before a look of concern crossed his face. "You make potions to help with the effects of the Cruciartis, don't you?"
"The initial effects, yes. I haven't quite figured out how to heal a mind, though. I've been working on it since I found out what happened to them. It'll take another few years to start reversing the effects. Neville's grandmother has been funding the project for years," Adeline explained.
"We met her, too," Harry said, not seeming thrilled about it.
"She's a bit much at times," Adeline smirked. "She's fierce and loyal and protective. Much like everyone else in this room. Her way of showing it is just a bit… unorthodox."
"That's a word for it," Ginny snorted from her spot on the floor leaning against Harry's legs.
"It's the nice word for it," Adeline smirked before looking to the twins as they sat together by the fire, quieter than normal. "Are you both alright?"
"We over heard that dad was guarding something in the department of mysteries for Dumbledore," George admitted.
"A prophecy," Adeline sighed, putting the pieces together. "He didn't want to tell me what the guard rotations were for while I was spying. It makes sense though."
"What prophecy?" Fred questioned.
"I completely forgot about it," Adeline groaned, rubbing her face before leaning forward and turning her body towards Harry. "Don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell all of you. Not even your dad. Do you understand me?"
The kids all agreed immediately, ready to finally have some answers.
"The reason that Voldemort went after you that Halloween night was because there was a prophecy made about a child born at the end of the seventh month having the power to defeat him. He was told part of the prophecy by Uncle Sev. Albus and Severus didn't think he would act on the prophecy considering it is a highly questionable form of magic. Prophecies that never come true are made all the time. The chances of the prophecy coming true if left alone is slim to none.
"Voldemort acted on the prophecy though. He knew of two children born at the time on the side of the light; you and Neville. He chose to go after you, though. He saw you as the bigger threat and made you the one the prophecy was about. That's why you have your scar. The scar may have something to do with why you have your dreams as well. Dreams you should have told me about."
Harry shrank slightly under Adeline's pointed look.
"Never mind that. What's done is done. I need to know if you've had any other dreams though. I'm supposed to take care of you and help you. I can't do that if you hide things from me," Adeline said softly.
Harry just nodded, chewing his lip for a few moments before sitting up with a sigh.
"I keep having a dream of a door. It's to the department of mysteries. I know that now because of the dream of the snake attacking Mr. Weasley," Harry explained.
"It's where the prophecy is," Adeline nodded. "He may know about the connection and is using it against you, trying to convince you to go retrieve it. See, only people who the prophecy is made about, can retrieve the prophecy. He can't walk into the Ministry and get it himself without everyone discovering that he truly is back."
"So, he knows," Harry whispered.
"He knows," Adeline nodded. "I need to start teaching you occlumency. Severus would be the better option but he needs to keep his cover. We'll start after break."
"But you aren't allowed to teach me anything outside of magical theory," Harry smirked.
"Cheeky brat," Adeline rolled her eyes before standing. "Who needs a snack?"
Christmas day, the Weasley's returned home for the day, Mr. Weasley being released from the hospital. Harry, Hermione, and Aster would go visit later that night after dinner at the cottage. Adeline handed Harry and Aster a gift box each, smiling as she sat on the arm of Remus' chair, both watching as the boys opened the boxes.
"Wait," Aster smirked, staring down at the items inside.
"We're going to have a baby brother?" Harry asked, eyes wide.
"Or baby sister," Adeline shrugged.
"We don't know that bit just yet," Remus added.
Harry and Aster ran to Adeline and Remus, wrapping them in a tight hug. The two began talking quickly, excitement causing their voices to raise. Hermione gave Adeline a much more gentle hug in congratulations. Sirius just smirked as Adeline sat beside him on the couch, all the adults smiling as Harry and Aster began talking about all the tricks and pranks they were going to teach the baby about. Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes at their actions as she sat in her chair, reading the newest book Adeline had given her.
The kids flooed to the Burrow after dinner, deciding to stay with the Weasley's for the remainder of the break, Harry carrying a book on occluding in his arms as he stepped into the green flames. Adeline laid on the couch, snoozing a bit while Remus and Sirius finished the nursery. The morning that she was set to return to the school, the nursery was completed. The two wizards dragged her up the stairs to show her the room. Adeline had to stop herself from crying as she stared at the room that once belonged to Adeline and Mattheo having been turned into a nursery, bright streaks of red, gold, emerald green, and white decorating the room. Aster's old crib had been reassembled and placed by the window, a rocking chair beside it with a new quilt across the back of it.
Pictures of the kids and Adeline and the boys were on the walls, along with the small sonogram picture that Adeline had received from Poppy, which sat in the center of the photos, it being the only one that didn't move. She ran her finger over the photo of James and Lily on their wedding day before she saw her own wedding photo beside it, Reggie and Adeline laughing at something while leaning into each other.
"We were so young," she whispered, staring at the photo. "Much too young to be getting married."
"It's hard to believe that he's gone sometimes," Sirius nodded, staring at his brother's picture. "If anyone would have made it through this, I thought it would be him. Well, him and you. You were both so resilient."
"He was brave," Adeline nodded. "Brave to go after the horcrux. I just wish he would have taken someone with him or ordered Kreacher to bring him back."
Adeline's brain stopped for a moment when she stopped speaking, eyes widening.
"Adie?" Sirius asked, looking concerned.
"Horcrux," Adeline breathed out. "Oh, my Gods. He's a horcrux."
"Who's a horcrux?" Remus asked, looking confused.
"Harry. His scar. The visions. Oh, Gods," Adeline sank into the rocking chair, tears running down her face.
"No," Remus shook his head as Sirius knelt in front of Adeline.
"Breath, Adie. You don't know that. And even if he is, we'll figure it out. We'll get it out of him," Sirius told her softly.
"No," Remus breathed, sinking to the floor while leaning against the wall. "It makes so much sense."
"You have to destroy the host to destroy the horcrux," Adeline whispered, looking around the room as her mind raced. "You can't remove it. The host has to die. Harry…"
Adeline stood abruptly, anger on her face. Sirius raced after Adeline, leaving Remus behind as he stared at the ground, unblinking. Adeline and Sirius stepped into Dumbledore's office, finding Severus and Minerva present.
"Get out," Adeline growled at them.
"Adeline," Minerva gasped.
"Now," Sirius added, realizing why Adeline was angry.
There was no way in Hell that Albus didn't know.
"Go on," Albus nodded to the other two, sending them away.
Severus gave Adeline a confused look before exiting, Minerva having left the moment Albus had told them to. Adeline leaned against Albus' desk, hands resting on the edges of it and knuckles turning white from how hard she gripped it.
"Sirius," one of the portraits spoke up, causing Sirius to stare at his great-grandfather. "What is the meaning of this? Can the Black men not control their beloveds anymore?"
"I will set your portraits on fire," Sirius growled out before looking to Albus, standing tall beside Adeline.
"How long have you know?" Adeline asked, voice low and dangerous.
"I will need you to clarify," Albus said, eyes locked on Adeline's.
"Harry is a horcrux. How long have you known?" Sirius asked, sneer on his face.
"How?" Albus asked, eyes widening.
"How long?!" Sirius bellowed the question, causing Albus and all of the portraits to jump.
"Since he told me about the dream of him seeing the graveyard that Voldemort was resurrected in," Dumbledore sighed.
"That was over a year ago," Adeline growled out. "You've know all this time and failed to inform any of the adults whose care he was in?"
"I was trying to find another way," Albus said softly.
"Have you? Found another way that is," Adeline questioned.
"No," Albus whispered. "Young Harry will have to die."
Adeline's wand was in her hand, spell on her lips and wand pointed at Albus when Remus stepped through the floo and stopped her. She glared at him next, tears pouring down her cheeks and anger clear in her eyes.
"We need him," Remus reminded her.
"I think he wore out his usefulness a long time ago," Adeline growled out, staring into Remus' eyes.
"Voldemort is afraid of him for a reason," Remus reminded her. "You can't just kill Albus Dumbledore and not deal with the fallout of it. He'll see it as an opening into the school."
"This world can burn," Adeline growled out. "If Harry has to die, then I will burn it all to the ground myself."
"We will find a way," Remus told her. "We always find a way. I don't care what he has to say about it. You became a spy as a child and blood adopted Harry as an adult in order to keep everyone safe. Severus is still a spy, you and I are brilliant together, Sirius is the most resourceful person to ever exist. We. Will. Find. A. Way."
Adeline deflated a bit, lowering her wand from where it was pointed at Remus' chest. She looked over Remus' shoulder, glaring at Albus with so much hate.
"Have you found the other horcruxes? Do you know where they could be?" she asked.
"I found the ring at his ancestorial home. I have it locked in a box. We're still missing the other founder's object and I'm sure the snake is another one," Albus spoke softly.
"What founder's object?" Adeline asked through gritted teeth.
"Ravenclaw's diadem," Albus explained.
"Have you tried asked the Ravenclaw ghost?" Sirius demanded.
"I have not," Albus shook his head.
"Why not?" Remus asked, turning slightly so he could see Albus.
"I didn't think to."
"This is why you are supposed to tell us what is happening. If it wasn't for Adeline, you wouldn't even know that there were multiple horcruxes," Remus reminded him. "At the very least, you should have been telling her."
"She was in too precarious of a position…"
"I'm about to put you in a precarious position," Adeline stated, brows raised and tears gone now, leaving just the anger behind, simmering under the surface.
"She hasn't been a spy in over two months," Sirius spoke over Adeline. "Try a different excuse."
"I don't fully trust her," Albus admitted, eyes missing any sort of shine that they usually held as he stared at her.
"Excuse the fuck out of you?" Adeline asked, taken aback.
"You are on the side of the light, but you have killed people in the past just for upsetting you," Albus spoke up.
"Upsetting me? The person who had Sirius' wife and unborn child killed and the woman who used to torture the two of us when she was bored caused a bit more than an upset," Adeline was trying to control her anger but it was hard. "I told you everything about Tom, including about his infatuation, which I told you about before I even told Remus. I told you where to find the horcrux, sent the one Reggie found straight to you, and destroyed two of them myself. He caused the death of my husband and tried to kill both of my children. How in the hell does that put me in the untrustworthy category?"
Albus just sighed, leaning back in his chair and not meeting anyone's eyes. Adeline threw her hands up in frustration.
"It doesn't even matter. I trust you even less than you trust me. Don't tell me anything from now on and I'll do the same. Have fun surviving this war without my assistance."
Adeline walked through the floo, coming out in her living quarters and rubbing her face harshly. Severus was sitting on one of the couches, sipping a glass of firewhiskey as he waited. Remus and Sirius came out behind her as she plopped down onto the couch, lowering the charms she had on her body that made her feel a bit itchy as she laid across the couch, head going into Severus' lap.
"You have a little belly," Severus smirked, free hand going to her slightly swollen stomach.
"I know," she smirked before frowning again.
"What happened?" Severus asked, voice soft.
"Harry's a horcrux," Adeline whispered, staring up at Severus as his body froze up, eyes growing wide. "We're going to try to find a way to transfer it to something else. I'm going to write to Silverblade and ask if he knows a way."
Severus let out a slow breath, nodding slightly before looking to Adeline's stomach again. Remus and Sirius sat on the table in front of them, all remaining silent as they thought of ways to try and save Harry. Two months later, Umbridge was trying to kick Trelawney out of the school. Albus rushed through the crowd, reminding Umbridge that she didn't have the power to dismiss professors from the grounds before introducing a centaur, Firenze, as the new divination teacher and Adeline had to leave the area to keep from laughing at Umbridge's outraged face. She found Fred and George around a corner, laughing loudly and smiling as she joined them.
"Detention for your insubordination!" Umbridge yelled at the twins as she came around the corner. "Lady Black?"
"What insubordination?" Adeline questioned, hands going to her hips.
"They are laughing at me!" Umbridge yelled.
"Why would we be laughing at you, Dolores?" Adeline questioned. "We've been over here discussing magical theory."
"Then what are you laughing at?" she demanded.
"We were debating on what the frog-rabbit would truly look like," Fred stated.
"The discussion dissolved a bit as we discussed what other animals would look like together if people tried to conjure them," George added.
Adeline had never felt more proud of how quick witted the twins were. She held in her smirk as Umbridge seemed a bit surprised before frowning again.
"I see," she said, voice sounding strained. "Never mind then."
Umbridge wondered away. They waited until she turned the corner and waited a few more moments before breaking out into laughter again. The younger kids came around the corner, staring in confusion as Adeline and the twins got themselves under control again. She led them all to her classroom, through her office, and into her living quarters, all smiling when they saw Remus and Sirius sitting on opposite couches and reading. The kids all fell onto the couches or onto the floor, spreading out so that they could touch each other as much as possible. Adeline sat on the arm of the couch that Sirius was on, smiling down at the kids.
"Harry, you have occlumency tonight," Adeline reminded him.
"I know," Harry nodded, giving her a soft smile.
The kids all began talking excitedly, describing Umbridge's face to Sirus and Remus. A knock at Adeline's door caused her to look around in concern. She looked around the room, seeing everyone else looking confused as well. She did a quick head count, finding every one present, Draco included, having snuck away from the Slytherins so he could be with them. The kids quieted down and Sirius, Remus, George, and Fred began doing disillusionment charms on everyone, leaving Adeline, Remus and Sirius as the only ones visible.
Adeline opened the door, finding Umbridge on the other side.
"Dolores," Adeline said, staring at her in confusion. "How can I help you?"
"I was told that a group of students came this way with you," Umbridge said. "I believe we've had a conversation about this before, Lady Black."
"I had a few students walk along side me until I turned towards my classroom," Adeline shrugged. "The only people in here right now are Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and myself."
"May I check?" Umbridge questioned.
"Excuse you?" Adeline questioned, feeling annoyance rising inside of her.
She could see Remus performing Severus' privacy charm as Sirius tossed floo powder into the floo, casting a charm so that the floo didn't turn green as well.
"As High Inquisitor, I have the right to interview all of the professors, especially ones that may have inappropriate relationships with the students," Umbridge smiled, teeth showing.
Adeline stared at her for a moment before smiling, seeing Remus lower the privacy charm and alerting her that the kids were all gone out of the corner of her eye. Adeline opened her door wide, stepping aside and allowing Umbridge in. She walked in, immediately raising her wand and performing a few charms, trying to detect other people in the room. Sirius and Remus stared at Umbridge, both openly glaring at her in disdain. After performing her charms, she stared at the men for a moment, eyes lingering longer on Remus as her smirk turned into a slight sneer before turning back to Adeline.
"I will be implementing a new decree that excludes visitors from entering the school without permission. Safety concerns that I'm sure you can understand," Umbridge told her.
"Of course," Adeline nodded. "After all the years of defense teachers trying to attack students, minus Remus' year, I completely understand."
Umbridge's smirk fell, her eyes widening for a moment before a fake smile took over her face. Umbridge nodded before exiting the room, walking out of Adeline's office and through her classroom. Adeline locked her classroom and office doors before walking back into her quarters and locking that door as well. She leaned against the door, taking a few deep breathes before looking to Sirius and Remus.
"Well, she's pleasant," Sirius grumbled.
"Umbitch," Adeline said clearly before waving her wand, checking for any privacy or eavesdropping charms.
She found three in place and set about removing them before calling for Wobky, asking him to check as well. Wobky dismantled a more discreet one and Adeline drafted another letter to Skeeter, telling her about the eavesdropping charms that had been placed on her private quarters and wondering in the letter if the charms had been placed in ministry officials offices to be used to further Umbridge's career. Tired of waiting, Adeline called for Tiffy, asking her to deliver the letters and folders she'd collected with information and interviews with other professors.
Adeline sighed, laying across one of the couches and placing her head in Sirius' lap, smiling and closing her eyes when Sirius began running his fingers through her hair. Remus smiled at the pair before going back to his book, and the three spent the rest of the night quietly just enjoying one another's company.
The next morning, Adeline read the decree that stated no visitors, outside of spouses, were allowed in the school without a special permit from the ministry. Adeline rolled her eyes at it before smiling down at the black dog by her side. She and Padfoot walked into the Great Hall, Harry, Aster, Hermione, and the Weasley's smiling brightly as Umbridge stared at the large dog in horror, not even realizing that Adeline was breaking one of her decrees.
"What is that?" Umbridge asked Adeline.
"Well, since you've closed down the floo network out of the school as of this morning, I've had to bring my dog from home so that I can care for him. He'll be staying at the school for the remainder of the year with me," Adeline explained, hand brushing Padfoot's ears gently as she spoke.
"Oh, well, I, um," Umbridge puttered off, not finding any words before Padfoot let out a soft growl at her.
"Padfoot," Adeline warned before looking to Umbridge again. "Sorry. He's typically a rather good judge of character. Only growls at those who are truly deplorable."
Umbridge grew a bit red and Adeline simply walked pass her, Padfoot following along.
"Hello, Snuffles," Severus sighed, reading an upside down magazine.
"What in Merlin's name are you reading?" Adeline questioned at the sight of the Quibbler.
"Harry's interview with Rita Skeeter last weekend," Severus smirked, passing the magazine to Adeline, an excited smile growing on her face.
She read the magazine out loud quietly to Padfoot and Minerva, careful so Umbridge wouldn't hear her. By lunch time, a new decree had been put in place, forbidding the Quibbler from being delivered to the school. Adeline simply made hundreds upon hundreds of copies, having the school elves deliver them to random places in the school for the next week. Umbridge was fuming but unable to figure out how the paper was still making its rounds.
Aster, Harry, George and Fred being banned from quidditch for life wasn't exactly what she expected to end up happening. Honestly, she was more shocked about Harry jumping on Draco and attaching him. Harry assured her the fight had been planned to help solidify Draco's place among the Slytherins, causing Adeline to groan and rub her face harshly.
The morning sickness had passed and Adeline had Tiffy deliver her and Padfoot to Hathor cottage every Saturday so that Remus could see the progression of the pregnancy. She and Remus hadn't spoken about having slept together or about their escape from Greyback. Adeline was ignoring the glowing journal that sat in the cabinet in her potions lab at the school. Severus had passed word on that the Dark Lord wanted her found, unharmed, and brought before him, which was a bit terrifying because it either meant he wanted to do the damage to her himself or he was still obsessed with making her his.
Adeline received word from Skeeter and smirked, having Albus add Adeline's name to Harry's records in time for the fallout the next day. Rita sent Adeline an early version of the Daily Prophet that night before it was being sent out and Adeline smirked as she sipped her tea, Harry and Aster sitting at the table with her in her quarters after having dinner together. Sirius remained as Padfoot under Adeline's chair, all four just waiting, Adeline reading through the article a few times.
