Hello everybody! I hope you are liking the story so far, and there is lot more to come. Please comment your reviews down below.
Now, I regret to inform you that... no, this fic is not on hiatus, nor is it being abandoned.
I am going on a vacation for a few days, so this fic will not be updated till November 20th or so. After returning, I am going to upload 20 days worth of chapters in one go.
Thank you and have a bloody good time today!
- 00themidnightscribe00 (Signing Off)
A week after the return from Hogwarts-
The house at 12 Grimmauld Place had a way of keeping secrets. Its walls were lined with shadows, and the very air seemed to hum with the remnants of past whispers. But today, the dark corners were filled with the light of laughter and conversation, the heavy atmosphere lifted by the presence of two figures who had found a peculiar comfort in one another's company.
Hadrian sat in a cozy armchair in one of the dimly lit sitting rooms, a book lying open on his lap. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, its flickering light casting playful shadows across the room. Sirius Black, his godfather and the closest thing Hadrian had to a father figure, lounged on the worn sofa opposite him. His demeanor was relaxed, but his eyes held a mischievous glint, as though he were plotting his next line of banter.
"So, Hadrian," Sirius began, his voice light and teasing, "how's Hogwarts treating you? Still the top student, or have you been too busy with other... extracurricular activities?"
Hadrian glanced up from his book, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had grown accustomed to Sirius's playful interrogations, but there was something about this one that made him feel more exposed.
"Hogwarts is fine. Busy, as usual. And as for extracurriculars, well, let's just say I've been keeping myself occupied."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin. "Occupied, you say? And does this 'occupation' involve any interesting girls? Or perhaps... girlfriends?"
Hadrian's smile faltered slightly, and a faint flush crept up his neck. He wasn't used to discussing such matters openly, especially not with Sirius, who had a knack for making even the most mundane conversation feel like a grand revelation. "I wouldn't say I have a girlfriend, but there are people I spend time with."
Sirius's eyes sparkled with amusement. "People, huh? Last I checked, 'people' was usually code for someone special. Come on, spill the beans. Who's caught your eye?"
Hadrian hesitated, his mind flashing to several moments over the past year. His interactions with Daphne Greengrass, the quiet, intense connection he felt with her, the subtle tension that lay just beneath the surface of their conversations. But he wasn't ready to share that just yet, especially with Sirius's eagle-eyed attention. "No one in particular," he finally said, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Sirius wasn't convinced. He leaned back, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Is that so? Because I've noticed something interesting lately. Every time Tonks is around, you seem to get a bit... flustered."
Hadrian's eyes widened in surprise, and the blush that had been creeping up his neck spread to his cheeks. "Tonks? What are you talking about?"
Sirius's grin widened. "Oh, don't play coy with me, Hadrian. You know exactly what I'm talking about. She walks into a room, and suddenly you can't seem to string a sentence together. Not to mention the way you've been sneaking glances at her when you think no one's watching."Hadrian's throat went dry. He had always been careful to keep his feelings under wraps, but Sirius's words struck too close to home. "It's not like that," he protested weakly, his voice betraying him with a slight tremor.
Sirius's expression softened, though the teasing glint in his eyes remained. "Look, Hadrian, it's perfectly normal. Tonks is... well, she's Tonks. And if you're feeling something, you shouldn't be ashamed of it. She's not related to you, not in the way that matters."
Hadrian blinked, the implication of Sirius's words slowly sinking in. "What do you mean?"Sirius took a deep breath, his playful demeanor giving way to something more serious.
"Our family's history is complicated, to say the least. You see, my mother—a bitch—had ties to an ancient house that's no longer around. House Ashborne. It was one of those old pure-blood lines that disappeared long ago. As it turns out, she had children by someone from that house, and those bloodlines have been diluted over generations. So, whatever connection you think you have with Tonks through the Blacks, it's so distant it doesn't really count."
Hadrian absorbed this information in silence, his mind racing. It was a revelation he hadn't expected, but it explained a lot. The unease he had felt whenever he was around Tonks, the way his pulse quickened when she smiled at him, the way he couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in her appearance as she had grown older. It all made sense now.
Sirius watched Hadrian closely, his expression thoughtful. "You don't have to say anything, Hadrian. Just... think about it. And remember, it's your choice. Whatever happens between you and Tonks is entirely up to you."
Before Hadrian could respond, the door creaked open, and Tonks stepped into the room, her presence like a breath of fresh air cutting through the heavy atmosphere. She wore a fitted leather jacket over a tight black shirt that hugged her curves, and dark jeans that accentuated her long, slender legs. Her signature bubblegum-pink hair was short and slightly tousled, giving her a rebellious, carefree look. She was taller than Hadrian by a few inches, her figure lean but undeniably feminine. The way she moved, with a kind of effortless confidence, made it hard for Hadrian to look anywhere else.
Tonks's eyes lit up when she saw them, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "What are you two up to? Plotting something dastardly, I hope?"
Sirius grinned back at her. "Always," he replied with a wink. "But tonight, it's all about our young Hadrian here. Seems he's been... preoccupied."
Tonks raised an eyebrow, glancing at Hadrian with a playful smirk. "Oh? Preoccupied, you say? Now this I've got to hear."
Sirius shot Hadrian a knowing look before turning his attention to Tonks. "We were just discussing how our dear Hadrian here has been keeping himself occupied at Hogwarts. Care to join the conversation?"
Tonks raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between Hadrian and Sirius with a hint of amusement. "Is that so? I'd love to hear all about it."
She crossed the room and sat down beside Hadrian, her shoulder brushing against his. The contact was light, but it sent a jolt of electricity through him. He swallowed hard, trying to focus on anything other than the warmth radiating from her.
As they talked, Hadrian found it increasingly difficult to keep his thoughts in check. Every time Tonks laughed, the sound seemed to resonate deep within him. Every time she leaned closer, the scent of lavender filled his senses, making it impossible to think of anything else. It was as though she had cast a spell on him, one that he couldn't break even if he wanted to.
At some point, Sirius excused himself, leaving Hadrian and Tonks alone. The conversation lulled, and Hadrian became acutely aware of the silence between them. He glanced at her, his heart racing, and found her watching him with an unreadable expression.
Hadrian felt his heart race, a mix of nerves and excitement surging through him. Tonks had always had that effect on him, ever since they had first met. She was different from anyone he had ever known—bold, confident, and unafraid to speak her mind. And as he sat there, watching her, he couldn't help but notice the way her clothes clung to her body, highlighting her small waist and the generous curve of her hips. Her breasts were full, straining slightly against the fabric of her shirt, and her thighs... Merlin, her thighs were mesmerizing.
Hadrian shifted uncomfortably in his seat, acutely aware of the growing tension in his body. He tried to focus on the conversation, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the way Tonks moved, the way her lips curved into a smirk when she teased him, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. And despite his best efforts, he couldn't stop the arousal that coursed through him, his body reacting instinctively to her presence.
Tonks seemed oblivious to the effect she was having on him—or perhaps she wasn't. She sat down on the arm of his chair, her leg brushing against his arm in a way that sent a jolt of electricity through him.
"Hadrian," she began, her voice soft and almost hesitant, "you've been quiet. Is everything alright?"
He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he found himself leaning closer, drawn to her in a way he couldn't explain. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she met him halfway, their lips brushing in a tentative, uncertain kiss.
The moment their lips touched, a spark ignited between them. The kiss deepened, growing more urgent as they both gave in to the feelings they had been suppressing for so long. Hadrian's hand found its way to the back of Tonks's neck, pulling her closer as he lost himself in the sensation of her soft lips against his. Her hands slid up his chest, her touch sending tingles up his spine.
They kissed for what felt like an eternity, the world around them fading into nothingness. When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.
"Tonks..." Hadrian whispered, his voice hoarse with smiled softly, her eyes shining with something that made his heart swell. "I know, Hadrian. I know."
Without another word, they lay down on the couch together, their bodies entwined in a comforting embrace. The warmth of her body against his was soothing, and before long, they both drifted off into a peaceful sleep, their fingers still intertwined.
The next morning, Hadrian was the first to wake. He blinked groggily, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. But then he felt the soft weight of Tonks against him, and everything came rushing back. He looked down at her, still sleeping peacefully, her head resting on his chest, and felt a rush of affection so strong it left him breathless.
He was about to gently extricate himself when a soft chuckle drew his attention to the doorway. Sirius and Andromeda stood there, grinning like Cheshire cats. Sirius looked positively gleeful, while Andromeda's expression was one of fond amusement.
"Good morning, lovebirds," Sirius quipped, his eyes twinkling with felt his face heat up, but he couldn't help but smile back. "Morning, Sirius. Andi."Tonks stirred at the sound of their voices, her eyes fluttering open.
She blinked sleepily, looking up at Hadrian with a dazed expression before realizing their position. Her face turned a delightful shade of pink, but she made no move to pull away.
"Morning, Mum. Sirius," she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.
Andromeda raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Sleep well?"Hadrian and Tonks exchanged a glance, and then Hadrian nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, actually. It was... nice."
Sirius couldn't resist adding, "You know, I always thought you two would make a good pair. Just took you long enough to figure it out."
Tonks rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. "Well, better late than never, right?"
They all shared a laugh, the mood light and easy. But as they sat down for breakfast, the atmosphere shifted slightly. There was a sense of unspoken understanding between them, a recognition that things had changed, and that they were all okay with it.
Sirius, of course, couldn't resist poking fun. "So, Hadrian, what's the plan? Are you going to keep sneaking around, or are you going to be honest about what's going on?"Hadrian gave him a look of mock annoyance. "I think we'll figure it out as we go. No need to rush things."
Tonks nodded in agreement, her hand finding Hadrian's under the table. "Yeah, we've got time."But the lighthearted moment was interrupted by the arrival of an owl, a regal and imposing owl, sleek and mysterious. It swooped into the room with the grace of a well-trained predator, delivering a letter before taking off into the morning sky.
Hadrian picked up the letter, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the seal. It was from the Greengrass family.
He exchanged a glance with Tonks, who looked just as curious as he felt. Whatever these letters contained, they were bound to change everything.
In case you didn't read this at the beginning of the chapter:
Hello everybody! I hope you are liking the story so far, and there is lot more to come. Please comment your reviews down below.
Now, I regret to inform you that... no, this fic is not on hiatus, nor is it being abandoned.
I am going on a vacation for a few days, so this fic will not be updated till November 20th or so. After returning, I am going to upload 20 days worth of chapters in one go.
Thank you and have a bloody good time today!
- 00themidnightscribe00 (Signing Off)
