I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter Twelve

The next two weeks were hard on Adeline, her postpartum getting to her more than it had with Aster considering she'd been in a coma through that time. The weight of the world was crushing her, suffocating her and keeping her from getting out of bed. Severus brewed her potions and she was slowly able to breathe again, sitting up enough to breast feed Carolyn before passing her back to Remus. On the third week, she was slowly trying to stand from bed when Severus came in, looking as if he had planned on yelling at her before realizing how much effort she was putting into getting up from her bed. He was at her side immediately, thoughts of tough love flying from his head as he saw how weak she felt.

"Is this normal?" he asked her, voice soft.

"No clue," Adeline admitted, trying to push back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. "I just feel so done. I'm useless."

"You are not useless," Severus insisted. "Now, come on. You need a bath and I need Harry and Aster to stop pestering me about you."

"You'll take care of them if something happens to me?" Adeline asked, a tear escaping. "You and Remus are all they'll have."

"Nothing is going to happen to you," Severus insisted. "You'll outlive all of us. Now, come. Don't make me act like Reggie and yell at you."

"I failed him," Adeline whispered. "I failed all of them."

Severus didn't respond, just staring at Adeline in shock.

"It's all my fault. Clary was right. It's all my fault."

"Adie?" Remus' voice spoke up from the doorway.

"I couldn't save them. Any of them."

"Adie!" Remus yelled in her face, causing her to jump.

"What?!" she yelled back, anger coursing through her suddenly as she glared at him.

Remus stepped back from her as she stood, her magic sparking out and causing the windows to blow out.

"Adie," Sissy's soft voice broke through the haze, causing her to blink a few times before turning to her.

"What happened?" Adeline asked in confusion.

"Here," Sissy passed her a potion vial. "This will help."

Adeline stared at the potion for a moment before taking it. She passed the empty vial back to Sissy with shaking hands.

"It's okay," Sissy told her, leading her towards the bathroom where Andy was already waiting, a bath drawn behind her. "We've got you."

"I don't understand," Adeline shook her head as Molly moved into the room, telling Remus and Severus to leave them.

Andy waved her wand and Adeline's clothes disappeared as Sissy slowly helped Adeline get into the bath. Adeline sighed once she had sunk into the hot water. Molly hustled around Adeline's room, finding her a black dress that wouldn't be too tight on her. Andy and Sissy helped Adeline bathe as the potion worked through her, something stronger than Adeline had been given before. Once she was clean, Andy waved her wand, causing a bathrobe to appear on Adeline.

Once back in her room, Molly had her sit in a conjured chair and began to slowly brush her hair, working through the knots slowly and carefully. Andy was speaking softly to her but Adeline couldn't tell what she was saying. Her soft voice was helping her stay afloat as her emotions worked through her, helping her to think straight for the first time in almost a month. Sissy was kneeling beside Adeline, just holding her hand as a way to ground her back to the Earth.

Sissy helped Adeline dress as Andy used her wand to dry Adeline's hair, pulling it up into a loose bun so she wouldn't end up with a headache later. Molly fixed the windows in Adeline's room before turning back and giving Adeline a soft smile.

"How are you feeling now?" Molly asked her.

"Better," Adeline breathed out. "What was that?"

"Lucius found a stronger potion to help me after Draco was born. I had to find the recipe and then brew it," Sissy answered. "It took a week and a half to brew."

"Thank you," Adeline told her, squeezing her hand gently.

"Anything for you, Adie," Sissy promised, pulling her into a gentle hug. "It should keep the darkness and anger out. If you start feeling bad again, let me know and I'll make you another dose. I only needed one but it depends on the witch."

"Should we go see the children?" Andy asked, voice soft.

"Yes, please," Adeline practically begged.

Molly let out a soft laugh before heading out of the room. Adeline, Sissy, and Andy followed after her, Adeline wanting to run ahead so she could hug her boys and hold Carolyn but containing herself.

"Just go," Sissy laughed, bumping Adeline.

"Oh, thank Merlin," Adeline sighed before taking off running.

She raced down the stairs, smiling when she saw Harry in the hall with Ginny.

"Mum!" Harry yelled rushing to her.

Adeline wrapped her arms around Harry as soon as she reached him, holding his to her tightly.

"I missed you," Harry whispered, sounding close to tears.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered back. "I'm better now."

"Mum!" Aster's voice yelled and she felt Aster throw himself into the hug from behind her.

Harry and Adeline laughed, having to take a step to ground themselves so Aster didn't knock them all to the ground.

"I missed you," Aster said, not bothering to whisper as he began asking her as many questions as he could get out. "Are you okay? What happened? Why did Molly tell us we couldn't go see you?"

"Breath, darling," Adeline laughed, turning slightly so she could wrap one of her arms around his waist. "I'm better now. Sometimes, after someone gives birth, they have some problems. Molly told you to stay away so that she, Sissy, and Andy could help me."

"So, you're okay now?" Aster asked, voice cracking slightly.

"Yes," Adeline assured him.

The three stayed holding one another for a few more moments before Harry and Aster stepped away, looking her over just in case.

"How did you get so much taller?" Adeline asked herself more than anything as she ruffled Aster's hair. "So rude."

"Maybe you're just short," Aster smirked.

"Cheeky brat," Adeline grumbled, a fond smile on her face before she looked over Harry, seeing the stress clear on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Just stress," Harry shook his head.

"You can talk to me," Adeline reminded him.

"I know," Harry nodded. "I will if I need to."

"Okay," Adeline gave him a soft smile before looking back and forth between her sons. "Where's your sister?"

Both boys brightened immediately as they began talking about Carolyn, pulling her towards the kitchen. Adeline smirked when she saw Remus bouncing Carolyn as he cooked. Tonks was sitting on the counter, smiling as she watched Remus. Adeline hummed happily as she walked forward, reaching for Carolyn the moment she was close enough. Remus smiled brightly, passing the baby over easily.

"Hello, my sweet girl," Adeline smiled, bouncing Carolyn gently as she leaned on the counter beside Tonks. "Oh, you're so beautiful."

"She's so sweet," Tonks smiled, reaching out and running a finger down Carolyn's cheek. "Barely cried."

"Maybe it wasn't the Black blood," Remus joked, causing everyone else in the room to look confused as Adeline rolled her eyes.

"So funny," she grumbled at him, still smiling.

"Well, if they're back to having secret conversations then Adeline must be feeling better," Severus sighed.

"Where's Nathanial?" Adeline asked, suddenly remembering him.

"Avery?" Severus asked and Adeline nodded. "Albus put him in a safe house. The wards on Hogwarts are being updated and the castle is being searched, starting on the second floor."

"Do you think only someone who speaks Parseltongue will be able to get into the chamber?" Adeline questioned.

"Definitely feeling better," Remus smirked before he realized what she said. "Harry speaks Parseltongue."

"Yes," Adeline nodded. "Maybe he should be helping search the grounds in case he needs to do something."

"No," Remus immediately argued.

"It's actually a good plan," Severus nodded. "I'll send word to Albus."

Severus sent a patronus off before Remus could even argue.

"What?" he asked, looking shocked.

"That's for making that comment," Adeline smirked, passing Carolyn to Andy when she reached for her.

"Kids, out," Severus said, voice firm and raising a brow when Aster went to argue. "Now."

Aster groaned, frustrated as he left the room. Andy smirked, rolling her eyes as she continued bouncing Carolyn.

"If kids have to go then I'm taking Carolyn!" Harry announced, stealing his baby sister from Andy and walking out of the room with a satisfied smile.

Andy put her hands on her hips, looking annoyed, but everyone could see the smile trying to break out across her face. Adeline just smiled fondly before looking to Severus.

"What did I miss?" she questioned.

"Sissy found something," Severus shrugged, putting up the privacy ward, causing Adeline to turn to her.

"I found this," Narcissa showed the potion to Adeline. "The Dark Lord was feeding it to Bella during the first war, which is why she was missing for so long. He's making her take it again. I don't know what it is."

Adeline took a few steps back, feeling herself becoming sick. Remus stared at her, recognizing the potion as well from when she had described it when they were younger.

"Do you know it?" Sissy asked and Adeline ran from the room, hearing Remus whispering to the room as she went.

Severus chased Adeline, holding her hair back as she dry heaved into the first bathroom that she reached, the one she'd already gotten sick in far too many times in her life. Severus waited patiently, rubbing her back gently and waiting for it to pass. Adeline leaned back, the toilet empty as there wasn't anything in her stomach to get rid of. Severus placed a cold towel on her head and Adeline leaned into his touch for a moment before a growl escaped her.

Severus moved out of the way immediately, already knowing Adeline was angry. Adeline stood, marching out of the bathroom and back into the kitchen. She waved her wand, her journal shooting to her hand and still glowing. Severus put the privacy charms back into place as Adeline conjured a self-inking quill.

"What are you doing?" Remus demanded, eyes wide.

Adeline didn't answer, opening the book to Tom's section and ignoring the messages he'd been writing her.

'You've been poisoning Bella.'

Only after writing the message did she begin reading what he'd written her.

'Where are you?'

'Are you alright?'

'I will go to that school and kill Albus Dumbledore with my bare hands right now if something has happened to you!'

'Tell me it isn't true.'

'Adeline.'

'YOU ADOPTED HARRY POTTER?!'

'ADELINE IF YOU DO NOT WRITE ME BACK I WILL HAVE GREYBACK HUNT YOU DOWN!'

'How DARE you fight against me! I will kill your children, your precious werewolf, and those blood traitors that cling to you! I will make you watch as I torture the boy to insanity, slitting his throat and smile as you watch him choke on his own blood before feeding him to Nagini.'

'Where is Avery? Did you take him from me?'

'If you do not give up Avery, I will break into St. Mungos and kill Sirius Black. I will leave pieces of him throughout the world so he may never rest!'

"We need to move Sirius to the Hogwarts infirmary," Adeline announced, waiting for Tom to write back.

"His threats are as colorful as yours," Severus stated, staring at the journal as he sent another patronus out.

Adeline just rolled her eyes, staring down at the page. Finally, words began to appear.

'With the potion we created. There is a cure. I created one. Give me the boy, and I'll give you the cure.'

'One would think a man as smart as you would know better than to go after my child. I thought you learned that lesson the first time but it seems that I'll have to keep besting you for you to figure it out.'

Severus groaned, rubbing his face.

"Don't riled him up," Severus begged.

"What's she saying?" Remus sighed out the question, looking over her shoulder. "Adeline!"

"He started it," she shrugged.

"Children," Severus threw his hands up. "Both of them are petty children."

'I could just kill her.'

'I wanted to do that myself.'

'Hmm…'

'What do you want for the cure?'

'How did you know about the potion?'

"Has Lucius been broken out of prison?" Adeline questioned.

"Yes," Sissy nodded.

"Kreacher, bring me Lucius."

Kreacher popped away, reappearing a moment later with an irate Lucius.

"Hello, husband," Sissy smirked, grabbing his arm and dragging him to Adeline's office where she kept his memories as Adeline continued writing.

'Did you think you were the only one with spies?'

'The Malfoys… I'll kill them.'

'You'd have to be able to find them first. I will not be returning Nathanial. I'm having fun trying to torture your secrets out of him. He's annoyingly loyal to you.'

'Does Dumbledore know how dark you are? If so, I fear he may be planning to kill you right alongside me. Unlike you, I am harder to kill.'

'Oh, darling, I'm unkillable.'

'Are you?'

"Darling?" Tonks' nose wrinkled.

'Are you?'

Adeline smirked as Voldemort stopped writing, probably to yell at whatever follower went to Malfoy Manor to try and collect the Malfoys.

"Kreacher? Bring me Bellatrix. Tie her down with magic in the basement. I have a potion to brew."

"You're bringing Bella here?" Remus demanded.

"And I'm sending Harry and Aster to Hogwarts to help Dumbledore find the chamber. The Malfoys can go to the safe house in France for the remainder of the summer once Lucy's memories have been returned to him, which is what Sissy is doing now."

"His memories?" Andy questioned.

"I placed false memories in his mind so Voldy wouldn't find his memories of Harry or any of us from recent years. Replaced them with false ones. I need to speak with Albus."

Kreacher popped back into existence.

"Mistress Bella is in the basement. Wobky knocked her out and said he will keep her so until mistress needs her awake," Kreacher explained.

"Thank you, Kreacher," Adeline told him softly, running her fingers over his head gently. "Will you tell Albus Dumbledore that I need to speak with him, please?"

"Yes, mistress," Kreacher bowed before disappearing.

Adeline sighed, shutting the journal and looking around at everyone. Adeline froze, eyes stopping as she stared at the woman only a few years younger than her. The woman had black, lightly curled hair and tan skin. Her warm eyes seemed to stare right into Adeline's very soul as she glared at her.

"Is this how all these meetings go?" the woman questioned.

"They're not typically this eventful," Andy offered before seeing how the woman and Adeline were staring at each other. "Oh?"

"Clarissa," Adeline breathed the name so quietly that everyone almost missed it. "When did you get here?"

"I've been here for half an hour," she shrugged, glare not leaving Adeline.

Adeline reached for her necklace, hand wrapping around her rings without thought.

"When did you get back to London?" Adeline clarified.

"My brother told me he'd met you and I returned immediately. Just didn't make myself known to you," she shrugged. "Didn't realize you would be here."

"Well, it's my house," Adeline offered, seeming to start coming out of her shock. "When did you join the order?"

"Three weeks ago."

"That explains it," Adeline sighed.

The room stayed quiet, staring between the two witches. Most were confused, but Remus and Severus were both ready to step in if Clarissa decided to throw a spell Adeline's way. Instead, Clarissa let out a breath and rolled her eyes.

"So, you need help with a potion?" Clarissa questioned.

"You're willing to help me?" Adeline asked, brows raising.

Clarissa just shrugged.

"Okay," Adeline nodded. "My brewing room is down the hall. I'll take you to it."

Adeline grabbed the abandoned vial from the table, leaving the room. Clarissa followed after her, Severus following the both of them. Adeline set her journal in the middle of the table, open to the page with her notes from the old potion so that Clary and Severus could see it. She set the potion beside it, knowing Severus would want to test the bit they already had.

Adeline began moving around the room, waving her wand so that cauldrons and burners went to empty stations. Ingredients also flew around the room, landing at different stations. Adeline left the ingredient pantry open so they could go in and out of it as often as they needed. Severus rewrote the notes before making copies for all three of them, sending them to each of them.

It was two hours later when Albus entered the room with Lucius, who seemed to have been crying not too long ago. Albus stood beside Adeline, holding her journal and reading the messages between herself and Voldemort, sighing when he saw how Adeline had been getting a rise out of the monster.

"Why do you always make people focus their anger on you?" he questioned.

"I do not," Adeline argued, continuing the potion.

"I have an example standing in this very room that would prove otherwise," Albus rolled his eyes.

"Clary has every right to hate me," Adeline shrugged, causing the witch in question to snort.

"Clarissa Reynolds," Lucius nodded. "Mattheo's sister, correct?"

"Yes," Adeline and Clary answered together.

"Shame you weren't around when Adeline needed you," Lucius offered, brow raised.

"Excuse you?" Clary questioned, turning to glare at him.

Adeline stared at him in shock.

"Yes. Adeline and you could have leaned on one another. I know Adeline needed someone who loved him around when she lost him and the baby," Lucius nodded.

"Lucius!" Adeline hissed, dropping her stirring rod onto the floor as she glared at him.

"The baby?" Clary questioned, staring at Adeline.

"It doesn't matter," Adeline shook her head, refusing to look at Clary.

"And considering I was the one who sent Mattheo on his mission, shouldn't I be the one who is blamed?" Albus asked.

"Stop," Adeline told him.

"I mean, Adeline wanted to rip my throat out when he died. It was rather shocking that his own family didn't have the same reaction," Albus nodded.

Adeline left the brewing room, unable to listen any longer. She found Harry and Aster in the sitting room, Carolyn on the floor between them and laughing. Adeline sighed, leaning against the door frame and watching them. Albus joined her a moment later, staring at the kids.

"So, Harry, my boy. How would you feel about helping me explore the castle this summer? Aster, you as well?" Albus questioned.

"I'll be going with you," Remus spoke up.

Adeline gave him a soft smile and he raised his brow, silently asking her what was wrong. Adeline shook her head, not wanting to tell him what had happened in the lab. He just nodded, knowing Adeline would tell him later.

"We'll be staying in our family quarters for the summer. Tiffy packed your bags already. We'll have a few trips around the country as well."

"Will sissy and mum come with?" Harry asked.

"When we can," Adeline nodded. "I have to help a cousin first. She's been being poisoned and I can create a cure."

"Oh," Harry nodded. "Is that the real reason we're leaving?"

"One of them," Adeline nodded. "Dad will explain more once you get to the school."

"Okay," Harry shrugged, standing and lifting Carolyn.

Adeline took Carolyn into her arms, smiling brightly.

"You going to be okay?" Remus smirked.

"I have handled babies before," Adeline reminded him.

Remus just shrugged, smirking at her.

"I'll send word if I need help," she promised, hiding the embarrassed flush that tinted her cheeks. "Now, go away."

Harry, Aster and Remus all laughed before hugging Adeline and giving Carolyn a kiss goodbye. Once they were gone, Adeline sighed, staring at the floo as the green flames died down. Albus gave her a soft smile as he approached the floo.

"Come visit Sirius whenever you wish," he told her before leaving.

Adeline sighed, looking down at the baby in her arms, smiling as she realized Carolyn had fallen asleep. Adeline turned, planning to go set Carolyn down for her nap when she found Clary standing behind her.

"So, you and Remus?" Clary asked.

"Not quite," Adeline shrugged. "Me and Sirius, actually."

"He's in a magical coma," Clary nodded.

"He is," Adeline whispered, looking down at Carolyn so she wouldn't have to show the pain in her eyes at the thought of Sirius almost dying.

"That was one of my brother's rings," Clary said, staring at Adeline's necklace.

"He gave it to me before leaving for his mission," Adeline admitted.

"And your wedding ring?" Clary asked, pointing at the other ring.

"Yes."

"So, you and Sirius have a baby but the kids call Remus dad?"

"Actually, Remus and I had a baby. We were together for a few months before he went on a mission. Turns out I was pregnant," Adeline explained. "Harry and Aster call him dad because he raised them."

"I always thought you would end up with Remus after Theo…"

"A lot of people did," Adeline nodded. "It took me years to be able to move on from him."

"Albus told me that you retrieved Theo's body," Clary stated.

"I did," she nodded. "I can take you to see his grave if you wish?"

"I would like that," Clary nodded.

"Tomorrow? Around two? Floo to Hathor Cottage. I have pictures for you as well," Adeline told her.

"I'll be there," Clary nodded. "I'm heading out. Just wanted to say bye."

"Bye," Adeline nodded, voice soft.

She watched as Clary left the house through the front door. Adeline sighed before heading through the floo with Carolyn. She placed Carolyn in her cradle gently, smiling softly at the little girl before making herself some tea. Clary stepped through the floo at exactly two the next day. Adeline gave her a soft smile as she placed Carolyn in her cradle, whispering to Tiffy for a moment before leading Clary out to the backyard.

"Your bluebells are getting out of hand," Clary commented as they walked through the yard.

"They are," Adeline sighed. "I plan on pulling about half of them at some point this weekend and taking them into the village."

"You're giving flowers away to the muggles?" Clary questioned. "Aren't you above that? Being the lady of two pure houses and all."

"The houses aren't as pure as one may think," Adeline sighed, grabbing flowers as they went, weaving them into small wreaths.

Clary copied her movements, weaving a few small wreaths herself.

"How many are we making?" she asked curiously.

"Eight," Adeline told her.

"You're putting eight wreaths on his grave?" Clary asked, confused.

"I have eight graves in my backyard," Adeline corrected. "First it was Dorcas Black, Sirius' wife, and her unborn child. After that came Reggie, then Mattheo, James and Lily. I lost the baby the day after they died. I gave Peter a grave before I found out he was the traitor. I debated removing it, but now I just remember him as he was before."

"James and Lily are buried here?" Clary questioned.

"They knew that Severus, Reggie, and I were spying for the light since we were still in school. Lily because of Severus and James because Remus told him. Lily, James, and Reggie were all together, so it ended up being both of them for him," Adeline smirked before it fell from her face. "I made sure they were next to one another. Remus dug Mattheo's grave by hand."

Adeline led Clary through the forest and to the clearing. They reached the graves and Adeline placed wreaths on the graves, Clary holding the last one in her hand as she stared at Mattheo's well-kept grave, eyes wide and unmoving. After a few silent minutes, Clary placed the wreath on his grave before kissing her finger tips and placing them on top of the grave.

Adeline led the way back to the cottage, telling Clary she could come back any time she wanted and if she couldn't remember the way, one of the elves could take her. Clary nodded before walking through the floo. Every day Adeline worked on the potion, Clary joining her more often than not and slowly opening up a bit. When she wasn't working on the potion, she was visiting Hogwarts.

Voldemort never wrote her back and she found herself missing who he used to be before she realized who he truly was. She felt the same about Evan and Barty more often than not, missing who they'd been when they were younger and would actually listen to her, listen when she told them that muggles and muggleborns were no different from them. As they grew older, more insistent on pleasing their fathers, they'd slowly turned into people she couldn't associate with in her free time. It was always calculated, her thoughts never shared, her real opinions never voiced so that she could manipulate them and keep herself safe.

Adeline handed Carolyn over to Remus before walking into the hospital wing. She sat beside Sirius, whispering softly to him and telling him he needed to wake up. He didn't though, his breathing still coming in evenly. Poppy would give her an update every day before Adeline would sit, beginning her vigil over him. Sometimes others would join her or already be there. Severus sat with her more often than not, rubbing his chest gently before touching Sirius' hand and getting a bit of relief. It made Adeline wonder if he'd ever felt the connection before without realizing it.

Albus rushed in one day as Adeline and Severus were both sitting, each holding one of Sirius' hands.

"We have found it," Albus announced. "Entrance is on the second floor."

"Myrtle's bathroom?" Adeline asked.

Albus nodded and Adeline stood, following Albus from the hospital wing, Severus not far behind her. Remus was standing at the entrance of the bathroom with Carolyn in his arms.

"Do you want to go?" Adeline asked him.

"You'd let me go over you?" Remus asked with a smirk.

"I will watch the baby," Severus rolled his eyes. "Both of you go before the boys end up having two Christmases."

"Mum and dad aren't allowed to get divorced," Aster smirked.

"We aren't married," Remus reminded them.

"We have a piece of paper that would disagree," Harry smirked.

"What paper?" Adeline's eyes narrowed.

"The one we drew up with colored ink," Aster smirked.

"Cheeky," Adeline sighed before being led into the bathroom by a few aurors, Kingsley and Tonks with them and smirking as Adeline and Remus dealt with their sons.

The girls bathroom seemed like an ordinary bathroom minus the fact that the sinks in the center of the bathroom had sunk into the floor to reveal a large pit.

"How do we get down?" Remus asked curiously.

"I have an idea," Adeline smirked.

"I don't like that look," Remus sighed.

"What look?"

"That look."

"This isn't a look."

"It's a look that you have an idea."

"My ideas aren't all bad!"

Albus cleared his throat and Adeline and Remus both bit their lips to keep from laughing.

"Alright," Adeline waved her wand, conjuring a few mattresses. "This should be fun."

"I'll take Harry," Remus shook his head.

"I get Aster," Adeline nodded.

"Are we mattress surfing?" Tonks asked excitedly.

"Oh, thank Merlin you were raised correctly," Adeline laughed, climbing onto a mattress.

"May I go first?" Albus asked, eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Absolutely," Adeline nodded, thinking to herself privately that she would much rather Albus be killed by Slytherins monster than anyone else in the room.

Albus slid down the tunnel on his mattress, seeming perfectly at ease. A minute later, they could hear Albus' voice telling them to come on down. Adeline and Aster went first, Aster holding Adeline's waist from behind as they sat down, going down the tunnel at top speeds. They slid across the bottom of the pit, bones pushed to the sides so that they wouldn't hit them when they landed.

Albus offered his hand, helping Adeline stand before Aster vanished the mattress, looking down at the bones curiously. Tonks arrived next, followed by Remus and Harry, then Kingsley and the other auror, who had not been introduced to Adeline. She simply shrugged before following behind him and Albus, Harry and Aster tucked between Remus and Adeline as Tonks and Kingsley brought up the rear.

They reached a large door with snakes decorating the edges of it. Adeline approached the door, touching the snakes gently and realizing they were holding the door closed. She tried a few spells but none worked so she nodded to Harry. He hissed lightly and the snakes began moving, a larger one going around the edge of the door in a full circle.

The door opened and they moved forward, having to climb down a ladder before they were fully in the chamber. There were stone pillars of snakes with fire in their mouths to offer light. At the end of the chamber was a giant statue of a wizard that Adeline just knew was Salazar Slytherin, his eyes seeming to bare down on them. They walked slowly through the chamber, eyes peeled as they slowly walked through the water. They all stopped in front of the statue, multiple tunnels open around them.

"What now?" Aster asked.

"Now, the two of you go back," Adeline sighed.

"What if you need me again?" Harry questioned.

"Try speaking Parseltongue now," Remus suggested. "Let's see if anything opens up.

"Is that smart?" Tonks asked, but Harry didn't need to be told twice.

The moment Harry stopped hissing, Salazar's feet slid to the side, creating another tunnel. Harry stared into the tunnel, eyes widening.

"We should run," he told them.

Adeline heard something large moving in the tunnel, heading towards them. She and Remus immediately stepped in front of Harry and Aster, wands raised. Kingsley and Tonks stepped in front of them, the other auror stepping in front of Dumbledore. Adeline's mind was racing as she thought of all of the creatures it could be, looking around the chamber for clues. Aster's eyes locked on a snake pillar and his eyes narrowed in confusion for a moment before widening in realization.

"A basilisk," he whispered before raising his voice. "It's a basilisk! Don't look in its eyes!"

A large serpent slithered out of the tunnel, hissing and baring its fangs.

"Run!" Adeline yelled to the boys, pushing them away.

The two ran towards the entrance as the adults began firing curses at it, distracting it from them. The adults spread out, trying to be careful to not look at its eyes while also keeping an eye on its fangs. Suddenly, Fawkes, Albus' phoenix, flew into the chamber. The sorting hat dropped between Adeline and Remus before Fawkes flew higher and higher, diving and attacking the basilisk's eyes. Adeline grabbed the hat in confusion before sticking it in her pocket to keep it safe before she grabbed Tonks' hand and pulled her down a random tunnel. Every one split apart, running as quickly as they could.

"I hate rats," Adeline growled before freezing, hearing the snake following them.

Tonks grabbed Adeline's hand this time, pulling her against a grate and picking up a rock. As the snake approached them, Tonks threw the rock, causing it to echo down a different tunnel. Once it was out of sight the two witches put silencing spells on their feet and headed back to the main area, finding Albus and Kingsley having returned already. Remus came out of a tunnel a moment later, taking his place between Adeline and Tonks, clinging to Adeline's hand.

"Where's the other one?" Adeline asked just as the snake broke through a tunnel, hissing so loud it almost sounded like a roar. "Fuck!"

Adeline pushed Remus and Tonks out of the way as the snake dived towards them. Adeline felt her pocket become heavier all of a sudden, so she reached into her pocket, pulling out whatever the hat had hidden away and hoping it was some sort of weapon as she reacted completely on instinct and waved it at the beast. The king serpent reared backwards, hissing in pain. Adeline laughed slightly when she saw a sword in her hand before putting her wand in her hair and holding the sword more firmly before attacking the snake again.

Albus and Kingsley rushed to Tonks and Remus, pulling them away as Adeline swiped at the snake again before levitating into the air so she could try to reach its head. The beast tried attacking her again, biting into the concrete floor where she had previously been before its head turned to the others.

"Hey!" Adeline yelled, hitting it with the blunt part of the sword on the side of its face and forcing it to try attacking her instead.

She continued yelling at the beast, slashing at it the best she could but finding it's skin impenetrable as she went. She needed to find the weak spot in its skin, but even the under belly seemed like a rough shield protecting it from harm. It's mouth opened and an idea struck Adeline, causing her to smile widely. She flew straight towards its open mouth, stabbing it through the top of its mouth, going straight into its brain. She removed the sword, flying out of range as it collapsed, landing half in the water, unmoving.

Adeline flew down to the others, staring down at the dead beast just as Severus and Andy ran into the chamber, Aster and Harry behind them as the auror finally joined them, a small bit of blood on his head.

"You missed all the excitement!" Remus called to them as they froze at the bottom of the ladder, staring at the dead animal.

"A basilisk," Severus breathed out, staring at the creature. "How did we not know?"

"Magic, if I had to guess," Adeline smirked, leaning against the sword and feeling exhausted suddenly.

Severus glared at her before looking her over and gasping. She looked down to her arm as Severus rushed to her side.

"Oh," she breathed out. "That explains it."

Adeline collapsed, Severus catching her easily and going to the floor with her.

"Ow," she whined as Remus pulled the fang from her arm.

"What do we do?" Tonks asked, tears in her eyes.

"Fawkes!" Albus called and the bird flew straight to Adeline.

Fawkes landed on Adeline's leg, leaning over and crying on the wound. Adeline let out a relieved breath the wound healed over, the venom being neutralized in her veins. Fawkes cooed at her and she reached up with her now heeled arm, scratching the top of his head.

"Thank you," she breathed out to the colorful bird.

Fawkes bowed his head before flying away, presumably going back to Albus' office.

"Well, I'll be damned," Kingsley gasped, looking at the sword carefully.

"What?" Adeline asked as Severus helped her stand.

"It's the sword of Gryffindor," Kingsley told her, showing her the inscription on the side that clearly showed 'Godric Gryffindor'.

"Only a true Gryffindor could pull the sword from the hat," Albus told them, staring at Adeline with a look that looked close to pride. "Interesting, wouldn't you agree?"

"Well, the dingy old thing did try putting me in Gryffindor," Adeline shrugged, pulling the hat from her pocket and passing it to Albus.

"Did it really?" Andy asked.

"Tried putting me in Slytherin," Remus nodded.

"We're both far too stubborn for our own good," Adeline smirked before being pulled into a tight hug.

"No more almost dying to basilisk venom," Remus growled into her ear.

"I promise not to fight that giant snake ever again," Adeline laughed before backing away. "Can we get out of here now? It smells like sewage."

"Well, this is the heart of Hogwarts plumbing," Albus shrugged before leading the way out.

"Think we can take it apart and use it for potions?" Severus asked the room at large curiously.

"Well, it's Adeline's trophy," Albus shrugged.

"That's a yes then," Adeline smirked to Severus.

"Wonderful," Severus' eyes widened.

"Should we announce in the paper that we killed the beast?" Adeline questioned before turning to the auror. "Are you alright?"

"Thing knocked me into a wall," the auror grunted out.

"Want Poppy to look you over?" Remus asked him.

The auror just shrugged, looking a bit put out at having missed the big fight. Adeline made a note to get his name later and send him a potion for the headache she was sure he'd end up having. Once they were out of the chamber, the use of feather light charms and levitation spells coming in handy, they all headed to the hospital wing. Adeline cast refreshment charms on all of them before they walked through the doors, knowing Poppy would have some choice words if they made her hospital wing reek, before falling in her chair beside Sirius again, smiling softly when she saw Poppy rushing over to them with Carolyn in her arms.

Remus took the baby, telling Poppy of the auror's head injury before telling her that Adeline had actually been injured as well. Adeline rolled her eyes as Poppy gasped, hearing about the fang.

"In a bed!" she yelled at Adeline.

"But Fawkes…"

"I don't care that the bird cried on you!" Poppy continued. "In a bed, now!"

Adeline groaned before kicking off her shoes and taking off her outer robes. She sat on the bed beside Sirius', arms folded over her chest and a pout on her face as Poppy began mothering her, Thomas smirking as he fixed up the auror. Once Poppy had run three different diagnostic spells, Thomas joined them, still smirking slightly.

"Madam," Thomas finally spoke up as she started a fourth. "She's alright."

"We don't know how the venom works," Poppy defended.

"But we do know how phoenix tears work," Thomas reminded her, voice so soft it made Adeline's heart twist.

"Where is she?!" Clary demanded, rushing into the hospital wing and looking terrified before her eyes landed on Adeline. "Oh, thank Merlin."

"Why are you here?" Adeline asked in confusion.

"Thomas sent word that you'd been injured," Clary told her, rushing to Adeline's side and looking her over. "You look alright though."

"Fawkes healed me," Adeline stated, giving Poppy a pointed look.

"You were bit by a basilisk!" Poppy yelled out.

"You keep yelling that and Sirius will definitely wake up," Adeline joked.

"I'm sorry. Did she say a basilisk?" Clary's eyes widened.

"It was in the Chamber of Secrets," Adeline shrugged like it was nothing.

"The what?" Clary's eyes widened more somehow.

"I'll take you later," Adeline promised, smirking at the idea of being able to actually explore the place.

"You will be resting for the remainder of the day!" Poppy told her firmly.

"You have someone with an actual injury over there. Did you know?" Adeline asked pointing to the auror who looked good as new.

"Thomas fixed him up already," Poppy reminded her as the doors to the infirmary opened again, Scrimgeour rushing into the room with two aurors with him.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"Hello, minister," Adeline groaned, sinking into the hospital bed. "Lovely to see you."

"I will explain everything, minister," Albus promised, seeing Adeline's discomfort. "We are disturbing Poppy's patients. Let's go to my office and I'll show you in my pensieve and you may take a copy of the memories with you for your files."

"Yes. Thank you, Albus. Wait. Is that the Sword of Gryffindor?" Scrimgeour questioned, eyes wide as he stared at the sword that still had blood on it.

"Oh, yes," Albus nodded sagely. "Our dear Lady Adeline pulled it from the sorting hat to defeat Salazar Slytherin's monster below the school. Very brave, indeed. Come."

Scrimgeour sputtered a bit, eyes wide as he stared at Adeline in shock before following Albus out of the hospital wing. Adeline sighed, relaxing with the minister gone.

"I don't like that man. He's better than Crouch, though," Adeline admitted.

"You pulled the Sword of Gryffindor from the sorting hat?" Clary asked, smiling widely.

"You killed a basilisk?" Thomas asked with a laugh. "Oh, this is the best job ever. I'm never leaving."

Adeline laughed lightly at him before Carolyn began crying.

"Oh. She's hungry," Adeline sighed, reaching for her daughter.

Poppy shooed every one back as Remus pulled a privacy wall between Adeline and the others. Once Adeline finished feeding Carolyn, she fixed herself and waved her hand, causing the privacy walls to go back to the wall they typically rested against. She burped Carolyn before placing her on the bed in front of Adeline, speaking to her softly and smiling down at her. Harry joined her almost immediately, more than happy to make his sister laugh at his silly faces.

Albus returned a few hours later, giving everyone a soft smile before conjuring a chair for himself and sitting beside Adeline's bed.

"The chamber has been looked over. No other dangers are inside. There is a team of researchers and creature wranglers who wish to speak with you about the basilisk," he told her.

"Once Severus and I take what we want, they can have the rest. Tell them to give us a few months, please?" Adeline asked him.

Albus sent a patronus off without even batting his eyes. She gave him a soft smile before passing Carolyn to Remus.

"I should get back," she sighed. "I have a potion to work on."

"I collected some venom for you," Albus told her, passing her six vials. "Maybe it'll be useful."

"We'll see," Adeline nodded.

"Do you need any phoenix tears?" he asked.

"I have a stock of them," she shook her head. "Thank you though. Do you want anything off of the creature?"

"I'll think it over," Albus nodded.

"Let me know soon so we have time to harvest it," Adeline nodded, standing from the hospital bed.

Adeline ignored Poppy's complaints before she walked over to Sirius' bed, kissing him gently on the head before taking Carolyn again and walking through the floo. She walked through Grimmauld, Clary and Severus following behind her as they headed to the lab. Carolyn had fallen asleep at that point and Adeline placed her in the cradle she'd brought down before placing a protective bubble around it in case of potions accidents.

It took an entire month to make any sort of progress with the cure for Bella. Once she and Severus had finished running tests on the venom, they finally started using it in potions, phoenix tears close by just in case. Remus and the boys were back at the cottage, Remus having taken Carolyn while Adeline worked.

"So, how do we test it?" Clary asked.

"Well, we have the original potion still. There are spells we can do to see how it fights against the potion. We have to be careful though so we don't use all of it in case it doesn't work," Adeline explained.

After a few tests, Adeline, Severus, and Clary were all smiling brightly.

"Wait," Adeline said, grabbing a potion from her top shelf. "Test it on this."

Severus stared at the potion for a moment before nodding. After testing the cure on it, Adeline felt a few tears escape her eyes.

"Holy shit," she whispered.

"What is that?" Clary asked.

"It's a test potion that resembles the effects of the Cruciartis," Adeline explained, voice soft. "I created a potion to combat the immediate after effects while in school, but I've been trying to reverse the long term effects of someone being held under for so long that it drives them to insanity or into a fugue state."

"Write the patent," Severus said, grabbing a crate to load the cure into. "I'll take this to St. Mungos to test."

"He didn't have a cure," Adeline whispered, catching Severus' attention. "He just wanted me to show up to try and make a trade or a deal."

"Did you expect anything else?" Severus raised his brow.

Adeline simply shrugged and Severus sighed before continuing to pack away the potions. Tiffy helped Clary as she began cleaning the work stations as Adeline began scribbling away at the patent papers.

"What should we call it?" Adeline wondered aloud.

"Do you name things spot on or obscurely?" Clary questioned.

"Spot on and in Latin. Makes it seem more official," Adeline shrugged.

"Amentia rescedo?" Clary offered. "Madness receding in Latin."

"I like it," Adeline smirked. "Thank you."

Adeline wrote the title at the top before sending it to the ministry with a few vials. She smiled as she helped clean cauldrons, getting elbow deep into the cauldrons. Harry, Aster, and Draco ran in as Adeline was on the last cauldron, Clary sitting on the counter and swinging her legs back and forth a bit. The three boys were talking excitedly about a quidditch match that they'd played in the backyard, how the three of them had beat Ron, Ginny, and Neville before Neville had been called away by his grandmother.

"His grandmother called him away?" Adeline asked, brows raised.

"Yeah, why?" Aster asked curiously.

"No reason," Adeline shrugged, not making eye contact with anyone in the process.

Clary gave her a suspicious look before hoping off the counter.

"I'll see you all later," Clary announced, leaving the room. "Bye."

"Bye, Miss Clary!" the boys called together.

"Bye," Adeline laughed before placing the cauldron aside to dry. "Where's dad?"

"Cottage," Aster shrugged.

"Well, let's go," Adeline smiled, waving the boys out of the work room.

Once at the cottage, Adeline spoke in a hushed tone to Remus for a moment before leaving to head to St. Mungos. She hurried to the mind ward, smiling brightly when she saw healers bustling about with vials of her potions in hand. Families were lined around the waiting room, half hopeful, half hopeless. Adeline moved to Lady Longbottom immediately, the older woman looking close to tears.

"How'd you do it?" she asked, voice a whisper that only Neville could over hear, causing his eyes to widen.

"Got ahold of a very rare ingredient," Adeline whispered back. "I can only make so many batches but it holds for a very long time."

"What ingredient?"

"I'd rather not say. Mostly because I don't want to explain how I got it," Adeline admitted before looking towards the head healer as she cleared her throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure you're all very confused why you've been called here. Recently, a new potion has been created and tested to treat mind maladies caused by exposure to potions and spells. We've been running our own test for the past two hours and all of the tests have been successful. As this is a brand new potion, we were hoping that we could have someone volunteer to be the first patient it was tested on. I know this is a difficult decision and we completely understand if you refuse."

"You can test it on my son," Lady Longbottom announced, stepping forward and not looking the least bit worried. "I have complete faith in the staff and potioneer. I trust you."

The healer nodded her thanks and left the room. It seemed every one held their breath as they waited. Adeline wrapped an arm around Neville's shoulders, giving him as much comfort as she could provide. Neville leaned into her, his breathing uneven. Twenty minutes passed and the healer returned, a bright smile on her face as she stepped aside, reveling Frank Longbottom. Frank took one look at his mother and rushed forward, pulling her into a tight hug. Though she looked old, Lady Longbottom was stronger than she appeared, gripping to her son as if her life depended on it.

Families began speaking excitedly, demanding the potion be used on their family member next. Adeline had tears streaming down her face as she watched Frank and then Alice reunite with their son. She flooed to Grimmauld, summoning a potion and sending multiple patronuses out. She entered the basement, waiting as her family arrived. Adeline was gripping her sword necklace like a lifeline as she stared at Bellatrix's unconscious form, everyone slowly trickling in, Aster included.

Once they all arrived, Adeline stepped forward, wand in hand. She woke Bellatrix, waiting for the woman's eyes to flutter open before forcing the potion down her throat, Lucius and Ted holding her down as she began fighting against Adeline. She held Bella's nose and mouth shut, forcing her to swallow the potion before releasing her and backing away. Bella continued fighting for ten more minutes before she slowly calmed, her eyes beginning to clear.

Her eyes landed on the sword necklace before her eyes met Adeline's, tears running down her face.

"Adie?"