acclimation and relocation
summer, 1976.
If there was anything Adeline had learned in the sudden events that had flipped her entire world view on its side, it was that life goes on. That pain and suffering, grief and anger, it all eventually came to an end. Of course somedays were better than others, though more often than not the bad days were far more frequent than the good ones. Pain ends, life goes on, it's logical— pattern frequenting, and held accountable in relativity to it's surroundings. It could be predicted, expected. Perhaps, it was the logistics that everything would end eventually that calmed her more than the actual healing of her still festering wounds.
Adeline had acquainted herself with the seven stages of grieving and mourning, both of her home, her mother, and her house elf. She had been granted closure when putting her mother to rest a week after the horrible, horrible event, and even deciding on a more permanent residence the following days after. Adeline had been given the time to process the changes, to allow her emotions to run it's due course and then act with a stable and mostly-well mind space.
Her choices had been limited of course, with only her Aunt's Druella and Walburga offering their homes to her. She knew that her Uncle Alphard would have if he hadn't been declining in health. It also didn't help matters that he wasn't exactly fit to raise a heiress in their families eyes. He was too reckless and rebellious to their more traditional mind sets, she would have only been painting a target on both of their backs had she agreed to be placed there.
There was also her eccentric Aunt Lucretia, but the woman had laughed at the suggestion saying she would not ever settle down to raise a child, even a wonderful child like Adeline. It hurt of course, being tossed and juggled around like a ball from one person to the next but Adeline ignored it mostly. To be frank, Adeline knew her Aunt wasn't the parental sort even before they had approached her about the possible living situation. Aunt Lucretia thrived on her own, free to do as she pleased, when she pleased. She had no wish or interest in ever settling down with a stable home, or a stable job. She much rather her non-stop travelling and odd-end jobs all across the United Kingdom.
Of course, Adeline would have liked to ignore that slight issue and do as she wished, to say hell with it all and place herself in a semi-loving and manipulation free household but that wasn't in the cards offered to her. As much as she disliked it, Adeline Black was once again another girl, with the weight of the world on her shoulders— a girl always placed in a unique position. Adeline Black was still in that position, that place being the only stable thing she could find to cross entire timelines. The position to change time, to make an effort towards good and save the world unknowingly from a mad man.
The was one of the reasons she ignored her estranged Uncle's offers, simply nodded in agreement to Aunt Lucretia's refusal, and it was likewise one of the reasons she accepted her Aunt Druella's hospitality. As vain and transparently manipulative her pale haired Aunt was, at least she was semi-predictable on her manoeuvres and actions. Aunt Walburga was a loose canon, completely and utterly infested with the Black family mania—devolving and declining rapidly into a terrifying and cruel woman.
Adeline had only been with her for a few moments at the funeral and it had been a few minutes too many. It made her fear for her cousin's and what they were trapped with over the holidays. Regulus didn't flinch at loud noises and sudden movements for no reason, after all. Sirius, though acting untouchable and his typical pig-headed self, hadn't been able to quell the shakes from his hands the entire service. Adeline knew the after affects of the Cruciatus curse when she saw it.
So she agreed to stay at Black Manor until she was of age, and likewise accepted the agreement of becoming their ward. The signing of her new guardianship was much more gruelling than expected, with many hours spent in interviews and law offices. The amount of pages she had signed, though only after scanning the documents for hidden clauses, had left her quill nub dull and her hand aching. When it was all said and done Adeline was officially a member of Black Manor, and likewise a properly recognized heiress to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black.
Her lady lessons had not been forced to resume, with the sudden loss of her mother but Adeline hadn't expected them to either. According to her Aunt she was the most proper pureblood of all three of her daughters—a slight even Narcissa couldn't hide her annoyance about. Her pale haired cousin had taken it as a personal attack and was out for blood for ruining their so-called perfect family dynamic. This of course only happened once all three daughter's returned from Hogwarts school.
At first Adeline had thought they had moved past their differences with one another, with Narcissa helping in plait her hair or offering kind words in darkened mornings before breakfast was served. Soon Adeline realized it not to be the case at all, when her older cousin blamed her loudly and clear to her mother about a missing family heirloom. Adeline hasn't even realized the clip in hair had been a heirloom of the Rosier family until it came to such a tailspin that morning. Though instead of being scolded from her Aunt, or even given some sort of punishment, Adeline had been rewarded. Well, as rewarded as a Black ever was in the traditional home.
"You look lovely, darling. The clip looks marvellous in your curled hair," she had said with a sickeningly sweet smile, that had Adeline wanting to melt into a puddle in her claimed seat at the large dining room table. Especially when her Aunt added with nothing more than a flutter of her lashes while slipping a piece of peach between the spikes of her silver pronged fork. "—though please ask next time before going through my ancestral jewelry. Many hold some archaic enchantments."
Adeline could only nod in agreement, while Narcissa seethed in quiet rage across from her. The blonde haired girl never bothered to offer her assurance again or her kind words. Adeline likewise would have refused if she had.
Bellatrix on the other hand was an entirely different issue altogether, though Adeline would never speak out about it. The curly haired witch had a mean streak miles wide and didn't care who or what she caused harm too. Where Narcissa seemed polite and cordial, like a rose hiding it's many thorns and seeming nothing more than an innocent and beautiful flower, Bellatrix was a dagger. A Black family dagger, imbedded with dark curses and holding no seen disinterest in wielding it.
It was almost ironic how much they clashed— especially seeing as Adeline knew her past interactions with her. They looked similar enough with the plain as day Black aristocratic features but where Adeline's were soft and kind, Bellatrix's were harsh and sharp. They even had the same modicum of power, both powerful witches with volatile magic, despite Adeline working for hours to keep her own under control and in thick restraints. Bellatrix on the other hand, let hers explode and build up— the mania she so often exhibited didn't seem to help matters all too much either.
Perhaps, they could have gotten along better if their first interaction hadn't been so terribly rude to the both of them. With Bellatrix getting annoyed with her claim to the Black fortune despite her unknowing blood status, and Adeline not holding her tongue before spilling her quick wit and silver tongue. It likely would have helped matters much more if Bellatrix hadn't then taunted her so openly at her mother's funeral while in mourning. Adeline hadn't apologized no matter how many times her Aunt had tried to persuade her too.
As far as she was concerned, Bellatrix deserved what she had got— besides a cursed tongue was the least of her worries. It wasn't Adeline's issue if the woman had no idea what the counter curse was, nor did their extensive libraries. She was quite thankful for those three days of complete silence from the nasty witch, at least until Sirius had to go blabbing about the counter-curse incidentally, though she couldn't really hold it against him. Walburga had likely threatened him to do so.
Andromeda was truly the only cousin in the house that didn't seem to have anything outrightly against her. Though she was suspiciously secretive and always awake at the oddest of hours. At first Adeline had thought the witch was up to something, at least until she had accidentally opened a letter addressed to her oldest cousin. Andromeda had been seconds from obliviating her of ever reading it until Adeline had managed to talk her down.
It had taken close to an hour until the witch lowered her wand and instead they made a secrecy vow to never repeat the incident. Adeline had of course assured the witch that she didn't care about her muggleborn boyfriend and even went as far as to congratulate her on the engagement and gush over the ring hidden on a chain under her silk robes. The ring was in fact gorgeous if quaint for the usual Black family designated jewels. Andromeda had warmed up to Adeline slowly after that, though she was still stuck with a secrecy charm attached to her person.
It was nearly a month into living at Black Manor when Adeline noticed Andromeda stepping farther into the shadows and spending more time secluded into her bedroom. Adeline assumed she would pull something like this soon, mainly by the few trunks pulled from her closet that were slowly filled with the witch's belongings. Andromeda had, of course, tried to get her to make another secrecy vow until Adeline had pointed out that she had nothing to gain from telling and frankly she was already an uninvited guest in their home with limited allies.
It was in those few secluded hours that Adeline helped her pack her things and plan her escape—properly after that. Adeline had found the dates when the manor would be nearly empty— with Narcissa at Malfoy Manor to have tea with Lucius' mother, Bellatrix and their parents off to the Lestrange's for a contract to be formed. Adeline had politely declined the invitations while Andromeda faked ill to make her escape. It wasn't like Adeline had wanted to go to either venue anyway.
Adeline had watched her eldest cousin burn her name from the family tapestry and floo to the Leaky Cauldron where she would meet with her fiancée. They had spent hours on conversing with the muggleborn boy before deciding on a place for them to hide. Adeline had offered up one of her few French properties in her mother's name, in the end to which they accepted.
She knew her Aunt would never think to search it and the wards could easily be overridden and reworked with a proper Fidelius to keep them safe. Andromeda had wanted nothing with it at first, thinking of it as charity, until Adeline proposed it as a wedding gift of sorts. Ted had been on board quickly and singing his praises that not all Black's were horrible people. Adeline had simply rolled her eyes at the boy at his words who had cheekily grinned. She soon realized why her cousin was so infatuated with the Hufflepuff.
Andromeda had begrudgingly accepted after that, though she wouldn't budge on owing her cousin a debt to her later in life that she could cash in. Adeline had tried both bartering and bribing her way out of the debt though Andromeda wouldn't budge. She stayed absolute in her decision saying in conclusion that Adeline would need more family members on her side than ever before if there plan actually worked. In the end Adeline caved, after all if she needed a place to hide in the future she knew that Ted and Andromeda wouldn't shy away from opening her into their makeshift home.
Though with Andromeda departing suddenly, and Adeline alone in the manor for the first time in her life she finally felt a semblance of relief fall from her shoulders. She could finally breathe. The witch spent most of the day hidden in the library or within her room, perusing through stories and novels of Wizarding culture and already missing her many Muggle novels. The Wizarding World lacked in many ways but most obviously so in literature and music—though she never dared to utter such words in present company.
The house elves who had been dismissed to the kitchens when Andromeda had made her escape kept checking in on her, always offering to make her a meal or fix her some tea. She had accepted twice and soon found herself home sick at that thought of Mipsy. Adeline truly did miss her own house elf, and the Black Manor elves simply didn't hold a candle to her own.
They were too disciplined, too set in their ways as slaves than to be their own being. They were the perfect example of a proper Pureblood's elf and Adeline was slowly coming to despise it. Especially when they looked seconds from fainting when she showed a sliver of kindness or politeness towards them. Adeline half-debated on throwing a series of curses at them to get them to stop from outright sobbing when she thanked one for making her tea.
Blubbering house elves were the least of her problems however, when her Aunt finally came home. She had been screaming and crying when seeing the burnt tapestry. Uncle Cygnus has been stone cold once reading the farewell letter from his oldest daughter before flooding to Grandfather Arcturus to explain the sudden turn of events. Both of the Black sister's had different approaches to the mourning of their sisterhood. Narcissa through self-induced seclusion in her bedroom with the doors locked and sealed and Bellatrix through a fiery rage that she took out on the house elves.
Adeline made sure to keep her distance throughout the affairs, especially when her Aunt with still puffed and reddened eyes came to ask her about whether she knew of such things. Adeline had of course lied, even if the secrecy vow wouldn't have taken she would have. Her Aunt Druella had wept even more so before locking herself into her own bedroom for the night. Uncle Cygnus had come to the manor late the night, inebriated and smelling strongly of whiskey before following his wife to their shared chambers.
Andromeda Black, the eldest and now disowned daughter of Cygnus and Druella, was never spoken of again in the Black Manor.
The biggest downfall to Andromeda's escape from the Noble House of Black was Adeline's sudden inclusion to their family name. Not even a day had passed since Andromeda had been disowned before Adeline had been called into her Grandfather Arcturus' study. She hadn't expected to be singled out, at least not for a few months and even more so after the disownment of his eldest granddaughter. The entire affair had been unpleasant, mostly because Adeline had nothing to speak of with the claimed Head of their Noble House. Though he had many things to speak with her about.
"Grandfather," She greeted politely after stepping foot into the study. It, like most of the Black Manors and Homes, was elaborately furnished, with velvet clothed chairs and a rich coloured, mahogany desk. Bookshelves lined the one wall, opposite to a large display of windows that looked out over the grounds of his home. "—you asked to speak with me?"
"Sit, if you please." Her Grandfather remarked coolly, barely looking up from his writing with a white feathered quill. He had barely set the writing instrument down in it's ink bowl before adding bluntly, "An elf is on its way with tea."
With nothing more to say, Adeline sat in the offered chair, smoothing the backs of her emerald skirts to not wrinkle. Her Grandfather offered nothing more in the ways of conversation, as he then began to proofread all that he had written on his current piece of parchment. Adeline pulled her eyes swiftly away from the greying haired man, to inspect that of her nails in the hopes that the house elf would arrive soon and she could be done with such a meeting.
It seemed as though her prayers were soon answered, when an elf appeared in the study, laden down with a silver tray and setting it on a side table in front of her. The elf quickly made her tea to her likening, offering her the cup with shaking hands and a queasy looking expression. The elf had more likely than not been one of the many creatures left at the end of Bellatrix's wand in her tantrum over Andromeda. It was easily recognized in the fear that filled the creatures big blood shot eyes, and shaking bat-like ears. Her grandfather paid it no mind, as he was then offered his own saucer and tea cup of fine China. Adeline took her tea with a spot of cream and three sugars, while her Grandfather took his plain.
With the elf quickly bowing before disappearing with a loud crack, Adeline wandless-ly charmed her tea to a cooler temperature. She had no wishes to be left with a burnt tongue and mouth for being impatient. Her Grandfather it seemed had no such reserves, as he took a long drag of the still steaming liquid and didn't so much as sputter or wince at the heat. She half wondered if it was an intimidation tactic that all Lords learned, or if her Grandfather simply held no nerve endings left within his mouth.
After taking a small sup from her cup, and swallowing delicately, Adeline spoke for the second time within the study. "Might I inquire what the purpose of our meeting is for?"
"Your Uncle," Her Grandfather started with an obvious grimace along his weathered cheeks, "—has brought up some concerns of your future in regards to our Noble House."
Adeline felt her mouth dry and her interest piqued at his words. Unable to help herself, she asked with a raised brow and a slight curl from her lips, "Concerns?"
Her Grandfather sighed exasperatedly.
"It seems with the loss of Andromeda to our House he sees it fit to start inquiring for betrothal contracts with other Noble and Ancient Houses." He spoke the last four words sourly and with clear disgust. It was obvious to Adeline that there was more to be said about such contracts and to who exactly her Uncle was hoping to match her with. "Mainly, in the hopes of finding a promising match that will benefit us all in terms of alliances and favours."
Adeline let herself digest the little information she had been given. Truly, she hadn't given it much thought— the prospects of marriage. Her mother had never been keen on the idea of arranged marriages and it seemed such a silly thing to think about, all things considering. The fact that her Grandfather was even bothering to speak with her on the matter also reflected that he wasn't pleased with his nephew's meddling either. It was more than likely that her Grandfather already had a prospect for her future husband in mind, one that her Uncle did not agree with. It was curious really— though her curiosity was little in compared to her anxiety on who exactly her many family members were thinking to match her with.
Seeing as how the Lestrange's and Malfoy's were currently under negotiations Adeline was left little options in the way of heirs that would tick all the boxes that her Uncle would see to fill. Most of them were nearly ten years her senior, or two years at the least below her. All of them likely aligned in dark houses— not that was an issue outside of their political associations. Adeline had no wishes to be mixed into the wrong side of the war because of an idiotic husband, but she wasn't about to share that sort of information.
What was potentially more terrifying was the way her Grandfather surveyed her as she thought of his words, the way he analyzed everything from her second sip of tea, to the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her right ear. Adeline knew from her studies of the Black Family Tree that there were not at all opposed to marrying first, or even second cousins, to keep the bloodlines pure—her Aunt Walburga and Uncle Sirius II for instance. There were many things Adeline could potentially handle as a heiress of a Noble House, but marrying a close cousin was not one of them. The thought alone made her feel sick to her stomach.
Knowing better than to state such grievances out loud however, Adeline instead inquired with her usual air of indifference and neutrality.
"I see. Will I be promised shortly or given a proper year to court my future husband?" Her Grandfather continued to survey her facial expressions most closely as he took a sip from his still steaming tea. "After all, I am only in my fifth year and will need to focus for my OWLs."
"Perhaps," Her Grandfather replied offering no way for her dissect whether it was truly a yes or no to her question. "There are other's of Noble Houses who were betrothed in the cradle— it is not uncommon in Britain, though I'm not entirely sure of it's usual proceedings in France."
Adeline already didn't like how his response was panning out. Especially, when he added almost in a disgruntled sort of pride, "Your mother, of course, was infamous for finding her way out of such contracts. I would be unsurprised to find her knowledge of such manoeuvres passed down onto to you."
Unable to help herself, Adeline grinned wickedly at his backhanded praise. He was correct of course, her mother had instilled many interesting methods and ways out of unwanted contracts and debts. Methods she was almost positive her Grandfather had incidentally helped create many years prior. Mainly when her mother had taken both Lady and Lordship lessons with him in the very same office, as she had always done better with more information rather than less. Not that Adeline would clue him in on such methods and teachings.
"If I may speak my thoughts on the matter," Adeline stated in segue, as her Grandfather acknowledged her with a simple nod. The dark haired girl took a deep breath, and steeled her nerves before continuing forwards in her ideas and wishes for the matters at hand.
"I have no wishes to be betrothed nor promised to any respectable house without my choosing." Her Grandfather didn't so much as raise a brow at her words, though she could feel the annoyance radiating from him with a surreal sense of potency. She didn't hesitate in adding, "I have just underwent a great loss, both of my mother and my cousin. That is without including my sudden relocation from my childhood home in France. I would wish for more time to become acclimated to my new surroundings and life in Britain."
Her Grandfather opened his mouth to interject, however, Adeline quickly and astutely finished her train of thought, "Though I'm sure my duties and responsibilities as a heiress of our Noble House will be expected much earlier on, I would first and fore-mostly like to find my place within it before such contracts are finalized or my hand is offered to any suitors that do come knocking."
The silence that fell after was tense and eerily silent.
Adeline met her Grandfather's eyes without a flinch or flicker of anxiety to be found. She was strong in her decisions and wise with her words, much a lady of a Noble House should be. If her Grandfather decided, despite her thoughts on the matter, to offer up her hand anyway at the quickest of his convenience she would have no choice in the matter.
As he was the Lord of the House, the Paterfamilias—he was the one that handled all it's major decisions. That however, didn't mean that she would meet his demands quietly or without push back. It was for this reason that she held his dead-eyed stare without a flicker of submission to be found. If he wanted to force her hand, he could—but it would be a decision he would soon regret by her following actions.
Eventually he adverted his gaze with a heavy sigh and wry smirk that pulled at his weathered cheeks. A glimmer of light flickered in his cool-coloured eyes, showing just a sliver of amusement at her display. Adeline felt her chest loosen ever so slightly at his following statements.
"As I expected, hence our discussion." He set his teacup down on the desk as he clasped his hands over the top of his crossed knee in a look of ease and looseness. Adeline had never seen the man to exhibit such informality. "Cygnus, of course, brings up many issues with waiting. Most of which is that the more time given, the less chances of finding a suitable husband. Your thoughts?"
Adeline bit at the inside of her cheek, as it was a fair issue to contend with. The longer she pushed off making a match the less desirable the match could be. It is equally likely however, that if she rushed into a match a better one could easily come available. One where the heir wasn't ten years her senior with dark alliances already forged. It was a gamble really, to wait or to just jump into the deep end and hope for the best. It was for these reasons she made sure to answer in a similar style of indifference.
"Perhaps," Adeline slowly supplied, forcing herself not to shrug at his words as it was most un-ladylike. "—but that is my choice is it not? From my understanding my guardianship papers only included housing arrangements and necessities to live. None of which include marriage proposals or acceptances."
Adeline nearly fell out of her seat when her Grandfather chuckled lowly and offered her a rare, second long smile. It disappeared into his usual mask of indifference seconds after, but it still left her unsure on how to react. Had she perhaps, impressed her stoic and hard faced Grandfather? Her mother would be beyond pleased at such a thing, as she had never been able to form a bond of any form with the man besides annoyance and disapproval. Though he easily enjoyed her company far more than the rest of his sons and daughters, nieces and nephews.
"Indeed." He replied after a moments pause. "You are a well educated witch. I'm pleased to hear that you did in fact read your contracts and didn't simply sign your rights and life away."
Adeline was the one to smile this time, feeling a blossoming sort of pride warm her chest all the way down her bones. It was a lovely feeling to fill her at such a time.
"I learned from the best."
"That you did, your mother was also quick as silver and far too clever." Her Grandfather spoke in pride, though soon it tampered off into something almost sorrow filled, as if he too was still grieving over the loss of her mother. It was although the flickering match that had ignited in his old and weathered body had been snuffed out just as quickly and quietly as it had been lit. "It's unfortunate her brilliant mind lead to her demise."
Unsure how to comment on such a phrase, Adeline sombrely replied, feeling the sudden pain of her mother's absence more thoroughly than before. "No one misses her as much as I, I can assure you of that."
"Of course," he replied in kind, before his posture became stiff and businesslike once more, and their previous heart-to heart was all but forgotten in the walls of his private study.
"Well, then the matter is closed. I can hold off Cygnus until next summer at the most, if only by using the position I hold and a few too many bottles of whiskey in my cellars."
Adeline had to use all her self-control not to laugh at his words. The young witch knew quite well how much her Uncle favoured a good whiskey as a nightcap before bed or even early on in the afternoon while the rest of the family had tea. Adeline had thought at first that he had been grieving his eldest daughter, until she looked closer into the home to find most of the liquor stores thoroughly picked through and empty each night before refilling by morning. The house elves most definitely knew how to keep their Master happy and at bay from exhibiting not exactly proper Lord behaviour.
"You kindness and patience is most appreciated towards my peculiar situation." She spoke with an air of finality before adding most properly, "Is there anything else to be discussed, Grandfather?"
"No, that will be."
Adeline nodded in thanks, carefully standing from her seat and smoothing out her skirts once more. Before turning to leave she added politely with a small smile, knowing the man likely had many things to finish. "Then I will see myself out, have a pleasant afternoon."
She had just turned from him, her hand reaching for the silver knob of the door, when her Grandfather spoke once more, far more informal than she had expected him to ever address her.
"Adeline..."
Her hand still grasped around the handle, she paused in her movements and let her head turn to the side. He didn't wait a second longer, his eyes dutifully trained on a piece of parchment as if to distance himself from what he was about to say. It was peculiar, then again the entire meeting had been nothing short of odd and strange to Adeline. Still, she did not move so much as an inch until he spoke of what had suddenly popped into his head.
"Your mother was undoubtedly proud of you, her letters spoke of nothing but your achievements." Adeline felt her throat bob at the praise, her eyes becoming irritated by held back tears. As if a handful of sand had just been blown into her irises and rubbed all the wrong ways.
"I am most pleased that you are where you rightfully belong—though with the rising tensions of our world I must ask you to move forward with caution." Her eyes fell to her feet at the man's carefully chosen words.
For a moment she was thankful to not be the only one to know of the dark rising in power, having heard of many rumours and whispers back at Beauxbatons. This was, of course, excluding her previous knowledge and life of Hermione Granger, trapped in the middle of two boys fighting desperately on the Light side.
What bothered her most about his words however, was that her Grandfather thought to caution her—almost as if he knew she would never align her beliefs with their families or quite possibly her husbands. Which was impossible, as she would have noticed if he had breached her occlumency wards, or even attempted to clean her thoughts. The Black's had notoriously been aligned with Voldemort in the first war, she wasn't foolish enough to think her mere presence could change that fact.
"If my mind is as sharp as I believe it to be we are headed into dark times, my dear." Her Grandfather said with a hard edge to it, as if he truly was fearful to what would become of their House and family with the rising powers in the shadows. Especially when he ended in reiteration, "Very, dark times indeed."
Unsure of what else to say, or even what else to think of her Grandfather's parting words and warning, Adeline nodded her understanding and uttered out much closer to that of whisper, "Thank you Grandfather."
She closed the study door tightly on her way out.