Chapter 19
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MOLLY WEASLEY PLACES COASTERS IN FRONT OF BOTH MEN AS REMUS POURED THEM ALL A CUP OF TEA. Sirius dragged the pad of his finger over the edge of the cup, lost in thought.

It was late, around one in the morning. Adhara and he returned from the party only a few minutes, and the man shooed her off to bed the second they stepped into the house. His niece had rolled his eyes at him, keeping up her sour facade, though the action only made Sirius smile. He could see that she was warming up to him, in her own way.

But the smile didn't remain for too long, as Sirius remembered the happenings of the evening. He slowly trudged towards the kitchen, ditching his overcoat on the floor - he wished they had those magicked hands - his shoes coming along the way. He found Remus and Molly in front of the stove, conversing. They turned towards Sirius when he pulled out a chair.

"Sirius, your shoes-"

Sirius waved his hand over his head, the coat and the shoes disappearing. He slumped into the chair, head resting on the back and eyes closing instantly.

They needed to keep an eye on Rosier, that was for sure. He may stop pestering Sirius about Aleyne, but who knew what the man would be after now. And as amusing as he found Adhara's behaviour during the party, she alluded to knowing about the changeling situation. Rosier was obviously not happy about that. Hopefully, he won't get the chance to retaliate. Everyone knew that an angry man was a dangerous one.

Sirius heard the sound of two other chairs against the wooden floor. The clatter of cups, the soft sound of coasters being placed, and then tea was being poured.

Sirius opened his eyes. He leaned forward, resting on one arm, playing with his cup with his other hand.

Remus and Molly were still engaged in a conversation. Though, when Sirius looked up, Remus glanced at him, a questioning look in his eyes.

Sirius shook his head. Rosier was one problem, but Narcissa was another. Her son had followed them around all evening, never once leaving Adhara's side. Genuinely, he looked like a little duckling following her around. In any other situation, Sirius may have even found it cute, but the man has noticed Narcissa's gaze on his niece from across the room all night. Whatever bullshit she has spewed about keeping her son from misbehaving was obviously not true. No. Narcissa Malfoy seemed to have other plans.

Sirius did not like the amount of attention Adhara was getting. It might be unavoidable seeing as she's Heir Black, but still. He did not have to like it.

"Sirius."

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

Sirius dragged his gaze away from the cup once again. Molly was halfing a biscuit, but Remus looked directly towards him.

"It's best to share whatever's on your mind. Lighten the weight and all," said Molly, ever so wisely.

Sirius rubbed his eyes. "Narcissa Malfoy seemed to have taken an interest in Adhara."

The revelation made Remus' brows furrow. "What do you mean?"

"You don't think?" thought Molly out loud. "With her son? I mean, I heard the Greengrass' broke off the engagement with them, but I thought the Malfoy's had already found another suitor."

Sirius shrugged. "I'm not sure. But perhaps it'll be better to keep her away from the Malfoy's for now."

"Good luck telling her that."

Sirius sighed, fully aware of his niece's tendency to do exactly the opposite of what she was told. Spiteful, that one.

"Tell her what?"

Harry walked in, running both his hands through his messy curls, lids half open. Sirius pushed back the chair next to him, and the boy automatically threw himself onto it. Sirius replaced Harry's hands with this own, scratching his scalp which made his nephew instantly lean into him, similar to Padfoot. He shared an amused glance with Remus.

"What are you doing up so late, sweetheart?" asked Molly, worry written in every crease on her face.

The boy shrugged. "Can't sleep."

"Nightmares?" questioned Remus.

He shrugged again. "What are you three doing up so late? And what do you wanna tell Adhara?" He was resting his head on Sirius' shoulder, eyes completely closed yet talking like they weren't.

Sirius continued to massage Harry's head. "That she should probably stay away from Draco Malfoy for a while."

That made Harry frown. "Why?"

"We think Narcissa Malfoy might be after a contract between them," explained Remus.

"Contract?"

"Marriage contract."

"...that's rank." He didn't react more than that, except for smiling widely after a few seconds. "Good luck telling Adhara what to do."

Remus rolled his eyes, as Sirius laughed at the boy. "How difficult would it be?"

"Well, for one, we've been having lunch together as of recently."

Sirius' brows shot up. He peaked at the others and saw them looking just as shocked. The children's animosity with the Malfoy Heir was not new news.

"What? Why? I thought you didn't like him?"

"I don't. But he was being bullied, and I dislike bullies even more."

Sirius paused for a very brief second, then returned to dragging his fingers through Harry's hair. He glanced at Remus, who met his gaze for just as briefly then turned away.

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In the afternoon of Christmas Day, the family and the Weasleys journeyed down to St-Mungo's to pay a visit to Mr. Weasley. Yule had been busy, and only Molly and her kids (which included Roisin at this point) could visit. This time, Harry, Adhara, Hermione, Sirius and Remus tagged along.

And because Adhara hadn't want to leave him in the house alone, Kreacher was also with them. He stuck by Adhara's side, glaring at anyone who so much as looked in her direction.

Harry was happy to say that the elf was growing on him.

━━━

"Tea anyone?"

Ron's parents were fighting. Harry and Adhara shared one glance with their uncles before Harry decided tea sounded like a good idea. Ron, Ginny, Roisin and Hermione followed them. And of course, Kreacher remained with Adhara.

━━━

"Oh, my goodness," said Hermione suddenly, sounding breathless. "Professor Lockhart!"

Adhara and Harry exchanged a look. Adhara didn't look impressed by the state of the man, nor did she look remorseful. Ron, on the other hand, was practically shaking in guilt, but Harry did not share the feeling.

The man has tried to permanently erase their memories. Why should Harry care about him?

Harry supposed that, from an outsider's perspective, what happened to Lockhart was indeed tragic. But considering he purposely did to others what accidentally happened to him, Harry believed he truly did get what he deserved.

And despite having lost his mind, the man was as haughty as ever. How can anyone have ever liked him?

The blond man stumbled over, asking if they wanted an autograph. Ron, Ginny, Roisin and Hermione stepped back, but Harry, Adhara and Kreacher didn't move. Adhara crossed her arms.

"Would you like me to take care of him, Miss Adhara?"

Lockhart tilted his head to one side, looking confused, but his smile never wavered.

Adhara shook her head. "He's quite harmless without a wand, Kreacher."

"Not that he was any more dangerous with one," reminded Harry.

"Stupidity can be dangerous in its own way, dear brother."

"Suppose that's true."

"He was pretty good with one spell."

"And look where that got him."

Lockhart frowned, then blinked, then his eyes glazed over and he smiled again.

Harry rolled his eyes, not feeling an ounce of guilt. In fact, the man's face was starting to annoy him.

A healer came over, blabbing about how sad it was that Lockhart never had visitors.

Good fucking riddance.

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Adhara glared at Ron for being unable to refuse the Healer. They entered the ward, and Harry saw Ron shrug at her.

Her annoyance seeped away when they caught sight of Neville and his parents.

Harry knew who they were right away, having been made aware by Dumbledore beforehand. But the others didn't know.

Neville's grandmother approached, greeted them all. Everyone noticed how her smile fell when her eyes landed on Adhara, and that was when they all turned cold towards the woman.

No one commented on it, for they all knew why the old woman reacted that way.

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"Well, it's nothing to be ashamed of! You should be proud, Neville, proud! They didn't give away their health and their sanity so their only son would be ashamed of them, you know!"

"I'm not ashamed." The boy was avoiding looking at any of them.

"Well, you've got a funny way of showing it!" Mrs. Longbottom turned towards them, introducing Neville's parents. "My son and his wife were tortured into insanity by You-Know-Who's followers."

Harry heard a loud gasp behind him. Adhara's hand slipped into his. Kreacher hid behind them both.

"And now, they've got one of them locked up in this very hospital! The nerve of them!"

Harry felt Adhara squeeze his hand.

"Who?" she asked. But Harry thought she had already guessed.

"Why, Bellatrix Lestrange and Bartemius Crouch Jr.! At least, Lestrange is still where she's supposed to be!"

Kreacher clutched onto Adhara's shirt.

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As they left, Harry saw Neville slip the sweet wrapper into his pocket. Adhara noticed it too, making her go still.

"Adz?"

She didn't answer. Her eyes were locked onto Neville's pocket. Kreacher was hiding his face into Adhara's side, and she was absentmindedly patting his shoulder.

Harry sighed, turning towards Neville.

"Nev!"

The boy looked over. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Roisin turned to him, too.

"Join us for tea?"

Slowly, Neville brightened up. He glance at his grandmother for permission, but the woman stared at Adhara with pursed lips.

"No."

"It's only tea, Gran. I - I'll be back quick -"

"I don't want you associating yourself with the wrong sort!"

Neville winced. He turned to Adhara apologetically, but Harry's sister seemed unfazed by the comment. Their friends looked appalled, however.

Harry, on the other hand, felt heat rise to his throat.

"The least you can do is be nice to my sister. Especially, since you voted against Matron Hallewell's imprisonment."

Everybody turned to him at the comment. Almost every detail about the Aleyne case was publicised. Everyone in the country knew how horribly the kids at Aleyne were treated, what Matron did to them. However, the votes were kept anonymous to the public. But Harry was there at the trial. He saw it happen.

Neville looked at his grandmother with something akin to horror.

"Is that...is that true?

Augusta Longbottom didn't look at her grandson right away, her gaze instead fixed on Harry. She looked angry. But Harry didn't give a rat's arse about it.

Finally, she released a breath, turning to Neville hauntingly.

"There are some things that you are still too young to understand."

Neville's wide eyes slowly narrowed. "What do you mean?"

The woman's mouth thinned into a line.

It was Ron who shed light to the situation. "You have a cousin at Aleyne. I - we've met him, the twins and I. His name's Edward."

There was a furrow between Neville's brows.

If possible, Augusta Longbottom looked even more displeased. She tried to take Neville by his arm, but the boy shook her off.

"Neville -"

"I'm going for tea."

━━━

"My cousin-"

"A squib. His mother left him when she got sick."

"His mother-"

"Dead. She coughed up blood on Matron's floor when she dropped off her son. Matron made me clean it up."

Neville stopped asking questions.

━━━

Once they did find the tearoom, Adhara asked Neville: "Do you know where they're keeping Crouch?"

The boy froze with the paper cup on his lips.

"Adhi," warned Hermione.

Adhara ignored her.

"Why?" asked Harry.

His sister gulped. Her eyes didn't leave Neville. "He was friends with my father. I've got some questions for him."

Neville kept his eyes fixed on her. The implication that the girl who stood in front of him was the daughter of a man who befriended his parents' torturer wasn't lost on him. Or the fact that she was related to the other.

Harry could feel everyone in the room hold their breath, watching Neville and Adhara as they stared at each other. Neville didn't give any indication on whether he was judging her, or if he took offence.

"Ward fifty-one, the Ekrizdis Ward on the fourth floor."

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Harry hurried after Adhara, whisper-yelling.

"Adhara, I don't think you should do this."

"Why are you whispering? The place is empty. No one is here."

Harry seemed to pay no mind to the comment.

"Adz!"

Adhara ignored her brother, marching straight on. She was wearing platform black boots, which made her steps loud, and the noise resonated in the empty corridor. The rooms, which had a metallic door with a small window with bars, were all empty. The ward looked completely unused.

Not surprising since they just threw them all in Azkaban.

In fact, the only reason they even put Crouch in St-Mungo's instead of Azkaban is so that Fudge could claim insanity when he started blabbering about Voldemort being back.

It was all part of a plan.

They left the others in the tearoom. She had to order Kreacher to remain with the others until she returned since the elf refused to leave her side. But she didn't want him to see Crouch, not after how he reacted to Lestrange's name.

Harry decided not to listen and follow her anyway.

"Why do you even want to talk to him about your dad? Can't you just ask Sirius? At least, he didn't torture someone into insanity!"

Adhara stopped, whirling around. Harry stumbled to a stop.

"Sirius and my dad stopped talking to each once they got to Hogwarts." She pointed at the room at the end of the corridor, the one that had light seeping out of. "He spent seven years of his life with him. I wanna know why. And..."

She looked away, swallowing down the ball in her throat. "I wanna know if he knows what happened to him."

Harry didn't respond. Adhara watched his brother close his mouth, and look away. He obviously had no retort to that, but he still didn't look happy about it.

Adhara continued on her way, with Harry still on her trail.

"You would do the same."

"Sirius yaps about my dad enough as it is-"

"About your dad, but what about your mum?"

"I don't have anyone-"

"Snape knew your mum, did you know? Your aunt, too."

Adhara heard the steps behind her stop. She didn't turn back.

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Crouch was already looking out the small window by the time Adhara reached the door. He smiled, not maniacally, but kindly, when he saw her. Weirdly, Adhara felt as though that made things worse.

"I thought I heard your voice."

Adhara fixed the man with a muddled stare. Barty Crouch Jr. was a confusing man. On one hand, this was her father's long time friend, and on another, he tortured one of her classmate's parents to insanity.

However, Adhara supposed that the only reason why Crouch was so confusing was because it was Regulus Black who was the enigmatic one.

Adhara looked at Crouch. He appeared to be much better than the last time she saw him. Less haggard, less thin. But he still had that glom in his eyes, the one that made people be wary of him. No one knew when the man would snap.

Had Regulus Black been alive, would he have turned out this way, too? After all, they were best friends. They believed in the same cause. Was Adhara looking into a mirror of her own father? If so, how was she to connect that man to the one in her letters? The first person to ever love her?

Harry was still there, just further down the hall. He was watching over her.

Adhara had many questions for Crouch, on her way here. Questions that have plagued her since she received her father's letters. But now, none of them came to mind.

Crouch held her gaze, and didn't look away.

Harry joined her.

"Crouch."

The man in question smiled widely. "Harry Potter."

"Harry," he announced. "Just Harry. And my sister has some questions for you."

Crouch blinked confusedly. His eyes switched back to Adhara as the implication of Harry's statement dawned on him.

"Sister, huh? Staying with your uncle, are you?"

"Did you not know?" asked Adhara, finding her voice. "Do you not get newspapers here?"

Crouch scoffed. He walked further into his room, to his singular bed. Adhara and Harry practically pressed their faces to the window to continue to see him.

"I'm lucky they even remember I'm here! Did you know Ekrizdis was the first detainee of Azkaban? Ironic, really. The forgotten ward of St-Mungo's!" There was a glint in his eye, almost like insanity peeking through.

Adhara let the man finish his rant. "I wanted to ask about my father."

Crouch was sitting with his head resting on the wall behind him. At the mention of Adhara's father, he smiled.

"You're very similar to him, you know?"

"You barely know me."

He clicked his tongue. "I had you as a student for one year, did you forget?"

Adhara clenched her fists. "How...how am I like him?"

Crouch was smiling, the previous delirious glint gone. "That glare of yours. It's the same. Sometimes, when I looked at you during class, I'd mistake you for him at first glance. You have similar facial features. And you both have that no-nonsense, straight to the fact attitude." He glances at Harry briefly. "You're loyal. And I'm willing to bet you'd remain loyal even if it costs you your life."

Her nails were digging into her skin. A bit more and it would pierce it.

"Is that how you think he died, then? By being loyal to your cause? To your Lord?"

"How else?"

Adhara turned around and walked away.

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Harry didn't say anything. He didn't tell her off, didn't shove it in his face that talking to Crouch was indeed a bad idea, and Adhara was grateful for it.

And it was a bad idea, wasn't it? Her conversation with Crouch only confirmed a fact that Adhara had been in denial about for years.

Regulus Black was a Death Eater by choice. He was loyal to his cause and proud of what he had done. That the man Adhara has been hearing about all her life and the man in her letters were the same person.

And, apparently, she was exactly like him.

Adhara resolutely walked back, Harry beside her this time. She wasn't looking where she was going, her head filled with thoughts of Regulus Black.

They walked into a person when they rounded the corner.

"Adhara! Harry!"

"Remus!" exclaimed Harry. "What - what are you doing here?"

The man crossed his arms, looking stern. "I should be asking you that. Do you know which ward this is?"

Adhara could feel blood on her palms.

"I went to the fifth floor to find you kids. Imagine my surprise when Hermione informed me who you went to visit!"

"I - uh."

Adhara still hadn't looked up. She had her gaze stubbornly fixed on Remus' shoes.

"Adz? Anything you have to say for yourself?"

Adhara gritted her teeth. She clenched her fingers more tightly.

"It isn't any of your concern."

"Excuse me?"

She whipped her head up. "It's none of your concern! Who are you to tell me what to do?"

Remus' mouth parted in shock. Adhara didn't shout, not usually. She was never good with authority figures, hated being given orders. Her talk with Crouch had already driven her to the edge, and Remus' questions only worked to tip her over.

"Adz..." tried Harry. He went to hold Adhara's hand, but she brushed him away.

"Don't!"

They lapsed into silence. Harry and Remus exchanged concerned glances. After a while, when Remus recovered from Adhara's comment, he tried again.

"I suppose I'm no one. But Adhara, did you think it was a good idea to meet him? Without any other adult present? What if something happened?"

Adhara groaned. "Nothing fucking happened."

"Adz-"

"Stop it!"

She pushed past the man and walked away.

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Even with his jaw clenched tightly, Draco shivered as the python slithered back and forth on the table. He tried to breathe quietly, holding his breath whenever the snake neared close to him.

His mother was placed on the seat opposite to him, and she had her eyes fixed on him the entire meeting.

She gave him clear instructions, one Draco was intending on following to the word.

Make yourself small. Do not bring attention to yourself. Make him forget you are even here.

And for some reason it felt as though she was repeating herself.

The Rosier Residence wasn't as magnificent as Malfoy Manor, but with how closely the Ministry was currently keeping an eye on Draco's family, the Dark Lord decided it wouldn't be prudent to hold meetings at their house, yet.

Hence, why they were here.

Lord Voldemort was at the head of the table, his gaze washing over his followers. Not everyone could be here. Some were still imprisoned, others conducting missions assigned by the Dark Lord himself.

His familiar had joined him, and the man slowly caressed the animal's head with his knuckles.

"I don't ask for much from you, do I?"

A clamour of rebuttals followed. Viktor Rosier and his wife were the loudest. With Draco's father's imprisonment, it seemed as though the man was convinced that he could take Lucius' spot within the ranks of Death Eaters.

Who was to inform him that Lord Voldemort's opinions on his father were not that esteemed to begin with?

"I need the prophecy. Only the boy can retrieve it for me, yet he remains elusive. I have summoned you once again to devise a plan to retrieve him for me."

He released the snake, allowing her to roam freely on the table once more.

"And I do emphasise that once again. It seems to me that none of you have managed to come up with one."

Nagini slithered in the shape of an 'S'. She did so slowly, observing intently each and every one of the persons seated at the table before. Draco inhaled a sharp breath.

"I remember mentions of an elf. The one who served the Ancient House of Black..."

The snake stopped right in front of Narcissa Malfoy. And this time, it wasn't moving on to the next person. Draco forgot how to breathe.

"...wasn't it you?"

Narcissa Malfoy froze. She looked away from the snake, who lingered near the woman's head, her fangs out in the open.

"...I thought the elf would have remained loyal to me. But he - he seemed ta - taken by Sirius Black, my Lord-"

The Dark Lord didn't seem to care for excuses. "Pity. But that does not aid my case." With his every word, Nagini inched closer to Draco's mother, slowly opening her mouth wide open. "I am still without-"

"We can lure him out!"

Voldemort slowly looked at Draco, mouth still open from where he was cut off. Though, the corners lifted upwards.

Draco was terrified when the man's attention dawned on him. It has garnered the python attention as well, who stopped inching closer to his mother

Narcissa looked at him with wide eyes. Draco swallowed down whatever hesitation he had, and turned to the Dark Lord.

His mother was afraid that Draco would have to take the mark. But at this point, the matter seemed inevitable. And perhaps, it always was.

Nagini turned to him, yet Draco kept his eyes on the Dark Lord.

"We can plant a bait. At the Ministry. To lure Potter..."

Voldemort's intrigue was piqued. He smiled down on Draco. "Go on. Continue."

Draco licked his lips. He spared a glance at his mother, who kept watching him, terrified.

"Potter...he is loyal to his friends...to a fault. We could...we could use one of them as bait."

Lord Voldemort looked satisfied. He raised one hand, gesturing to his familiar to rejoin him. The snake obeyed.

"Who?"

Draco hesitated to speak. Potter would be willing to sacrifice himself for any of his friends, but there was only one name that made sense in this situation. Draco swallowed down any guilt that grew in his chest. But it was his mother's life that was on the line.

The Dark Lord was petting his familiar, long skeletal fingers brushing over the snake's almost glittering skin. His gaze followed along the movement of his own hand, but snapped up when Draco took too long to answer.

Draco's breath got stuck in his throat. He could feel his eyes water, but he withheld it. "Adhara Black, my Lord. He considers her his sister."

The Dark Lord paused at the name, his eyes returning to the python. "And how are we to...retrieve this bait?"

"I can bring her," announced none other than Viktor Rosier.

The room's attention turned to him, including the Dark Lord's and the snake's.

"I have gained favour with the Minister. Since his previous employee disappeared, he is looking for someone new to appoint a position at Hogwarts."

"Are you implying that you will be that person?"

"Yes, my Lord."

Lord Voldemort's eyes gleamed as his mouth quirked into a smirk. "Very well. Prepare everything. For this, and our other plan. And..."

Quicker than what Draco had hoped for, his master's attention was back on him.

"...tell me more about this Adhara Black."

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A/N Hi guys, sorry there was no update last week, I was busy with midterms :/