𝕮𝖗𝖚𝖈𝖎𝖔 | 𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖚𝖘 𝕷𝖚𝖕𝖎𝖓

Chapter 30

"Holy shit." 

Regulus stared with his jaw open at the huge pile of letters on Adelecia's desk. "They're going to murder you." 

Adelecia had come down into the Great Hall that morning and was greeted by what seemed to be at least a dozen owls waiting for her, all bearing the Black family insignia. Adelecia had collected each letter with terrifying haste (before Sirius himself came down into the Hall) and had immediately signaled to Regulus to find her in an empty classroom. 

Adelecia threw up her hands in despair. "Well, how did they find out? We haven't played a single match yet - mind you - we don't even start playing until next week." 

Regulus' head snapped up. He smacked his sister on the shoulder and gestured to his own Quidditch sweater. "...You mean the Griffindor vs Slytherin game next week? That game?" Adelecia blinked. "I'm so stupid." "Yeah, well." "Regulus!"

"It's not my fault you forgot about the most important match of the year. Maybe we'll win this time." Adelecia raised an eyebrow. "Don't even try, baby brother. We're going to beat you down." 

Regulus shrugged. "We'll see. Now, the letters. What are you going to do?" 

"Burn them."

Regulus recoiled. "That's the worst idea you've ever had. Give them to me." He gathered the letters into a pile and accepted them from his sister. "All yours."

Curiosity got the better of Regulus, and he opened the first letter in the massive pile. His face drained of color. "What?" Adelecia pressed.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Don't worry about it." But Adelecia wasn't convinced. "Regulus," she said sternly.

"'Lecia, don't worry about it. I'll handle it." Regulus's tone was oddly cryptic.

"Somehow, I don't believe you," Adelecia replied, her eyes narrowing.

"Then don't," Regulus retorted. "I have to go. Evan and Severus are waiting for me. I'll see you." With that, he hurried out of the room, clutching the letters tightly.

Adelecia watched him go, her mind racing. She sighed, then followed suit. Whatever was in those letters, it was clear that Regulus was hiding something from her. 

She was absolutely going to find out what it was. 

***

"Hey, Remus." Adelecia dropped down at a desk in the Griffindor common room next to Remus, heaving a loud sigh. 

Remus looked up from his book, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Hi. Are you okay?" "Absolutely spiffing." He tilted his head, his expression softening with a smile. "Spiffing, huh? That doesn't sound entirely convincing."

Adelecia grinned. "Maybe not as nice as it could be. It's just... this Potions paper Slughorn assigned us. What is going on?" 

Remus closed put his head in his hands and groaned. "I genuinely have no idea. It's like trying to decipher James' behavior switch." 

They both turned around to see James diligently working on some homework on the couch. 

Adelecia blinked. "James Potter doing homework. Willingly. What-"

"-I don't know. Me and Sirius have been trying to figure it out for WEEKS." 

"We should document it for the future generations." "It's like witnessing a hippogriff in the wild."

Adelecia jumped as Lily tapped her shoulder. "Oh my GOD, Evans. Where did you come from?" 

Lily didn't even pay attention to her question.