Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 67

Chapter 67: A Return to England

Adhara stood with her colleagues, gripping the Portkey tightly in her hand. They were about to return to England, and a whirlwind of emotions surged through her—anticipation, excitement, and a lingering dread. It had been a while since she had set foot in London. The last time she had been here, she had worked at the Wizengamot, navigating the complex legal battles and political webs of her former life. Now, she was a part of the Tribunal des Sortilèges in France, far from the past she had tried to leave behind.

As the Portkey activated, Adhara felt the familiar tug of magic pulling her through the fabric of space. She closed her eyes, steeling herself for the sensation, and a moment later, she stumbled onto solid ground. The sudden shift was jarring, and before she could fully steady herself, the bustling sounds of the Ministry enveloped her. The distinctive scent of parchment and magic, the hurried footsteps echoing down the stone corridors—it was all so familiar, yet so distant.

"Welcome back to England, Adhara!" one of her ex-colleagues, Emma, said with a grin. "Are you excited to be back here?"

Adhara glanced around, her heart racing as she took in the familiar sights of the Ministry of Magic. It felt like stepping into a dream, as though she had never left. The grand architecture, the gleaming floors—everything was just as she remembered. Yet, there was a sharpness to it now, an undeniable weight to the memories that had once defined her time here.

She forced a smile, trying to mask the unease that curled in her chest. "It's... good to be back," she said softly. Her voice didn't quite match the words, and she could feel Emma's gaze linger on her for just a moment too long.

Before she could say more, they were ushered toward a lift, the same lift she had taken countless times during her time at the Wizengamot. Adhara couldn't help but feel a strange mix of nostalgia and dread. This was where everything had begun, where so many of her choices had led her to where she was now. And yet, as the lift doors closed with a soft clang, she couldn't shake the feeling that the past she had tried to bury was waiting just around the corner, ready to confront her once again.

Walking through the corridors, memories flooded back—her first days in the office, the late nights working on cases, and the friendships she had formed.

"Adhara! It's so good to see you!" a familiar voice called out. It was Thomas, one of her old colleagues. They embraced warmly, and soon a small group formed around her.

"How has it been?" another colleague, Lily, asked. "We've missed you around here!"

Adhara shared stories about her experiences in France, recounting her work with the Tribunal des Sortilèges and the complex cases she had handled there. "It was different, but I learned a lot," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she spoke. "The political landscape, the intricacies of magical law—it was all such a fascinating challenge." She paused, her expression softening. "But I'm truly thrilled to be back, especially with the Wizengamot. There's something about the work here that always felt like home."

Her voice carried a warmth that spoke of both anticipation and a deeper sense of belonging, even if the memories of her time in London stirred an undercurrent of unease. Still, she couldn't deny the rush of excitement that came with returning to the familiar halls where she had once made a name for herself. The past might have been complicated, but the future felt full of possibilities.

They laughed and reminisced, and for a moment, the weight of her past lifted. She felt accepted, cherished, and reminded of why she loved the magical world.

"Well, should we start our work now?" Adhara initiated, her tone both professional and eager. "We're only here for a few months to help you clear out your remaining cases." She adjusted her papers, a spark of excitement flickering in her eyes. Despite the years that had passed since she'd left the Wizengamot, the familiar sense of purpose settled over her like an old cloak. The weight of the past was still there, lingering at the edges of her thoughts, but there was a focus in her now that could not be ignored.

Her colleagues, equally eager to dive into the workload, nodded in agreement. They had been briefed on the backlog of cases awaiting attention—complicated magical disputes, ongoing trials, and a few unresolved issues dating back several years. The Wizengamot had always been a high-stakes environment, and while Adhara had settled into a different role in France, returning here felt like stepping back into the heart of a world she had known so well.

As her colleagues busied themselves with sorting through case files, Adhara focused on the task at hand, her mind sharp and clear. She buried herself in the details of each case, from minor enchantment violations to the more serious breaches of magical contracts. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was important. And there was a quiet satisfaction in seeing it through, one file at a time.

The hours flew by. As the day wore on, Adhara could feel herself slipping back into the old rhythm—the familiar rush of preparing arguments, the thrill of dissecting a legal loophole, the satisfying weight of completing something important. It felt good to be back in the trenches, even if it was just for a few months.

The cases piled up, one after the other. She worked alongside her colleagues, exchanging ideas and solutions, debating the finer points of magical law with a fervor she hadn't realized she missed. Every task, every decision, felt like a puzzle she was determined to solve.

As the workday neared its end, Adhara stood up from her desk, stretching her stiff muscles. She glanced around the office, the late afternoon light casting long shadows on the floor. They were almost done for the day, but not quite. There was still more to handle, more to read, more to discuss. The feeling of accomplishment was growing, but so too was a quiet fatigue. The work had been relentless, and even though they had made great strides, she could feel the weight of the hours settling on her shoulders.

"Let's wrap this up for the day," she suggested, finally breaking the silence. "We've made good progress, but I think we've all earned a break." Her voice carried the calm authority that had always been part of her, but there was an undertone of something else—a reminder that, while the day's work was coming to an end, the bigger picture remained unfinished.

Her colleagues nodded in agreement, some rubbing their eyes and others stretching their arms. "You're right," Emma said with a small smile. "We've earned it. Tomorrow's another day."

Adhara felt a small smile tug at her lips. She could see the exhaustion on everyone's faces, but it wasn't just weariness—it was a sense of accomplishment, of having chipped away at something that had been looming over them for far too long. She felt it too, but as she gathered her things, she couldn't ignore the small knot in her chest.

The work might have been done for the day, but the past lingered like a shadow, reminding her that there was still something left unsettled. She glanced at the case files they had finished, but her mind wandered back to her time in France, to the life she had tried to leave behind. The cases might be wrapped up, but that? That was still waiting for her.

"Shall we go grab a drink?" Emma asked, oblivious to the weight on Adhara's mind.

Adhara nodded. "I think I could use one," she said, but as she followed her colleagues out of the office, she knew she wasn't quite done. Not yet. The work was finished for now, but the lingering questions, the quiet doubts, and the unresolved threads of her past—they were still there. And somehow, she knew she would have to face them soon.