Heart Scars

Thirty Three

November brought a change to Adhara and Remus. They were done fighting against what was so clearly fated to be. She was meant for him, and him her.

She spent most of her time in the Gryffindor boys dorm room. Her and the boys and Lily would lounge about and talk. Sometimes her and Remus would kiss, and sometimes they would just talk. He was giving her hope; hope that someday things could be different.

Everyone noticed the change in Adhara. Her cheeks were full of color, her ribs no longer jutted out abnormally, and her grey eyes seemed to shine with life like they hadn't in a while.

"And why are you so perky this morning?" Alecto asks as they get ready. Adhara was smiling and twirling about the room, getting ready for her day.

"Am I not allowed to be cheery? It is my birthday after all." Adhara sighs happily. Alecto scowls.

"You hate your birthday. You just complain about getting older and your parents marrying you off." Alecto deadpans. Adhara shrugs, not letting the ginger girl put a dapper on her mood.

"I'm happy, Al. And you need to be happy for me." She begins to braid Alecto's hair, and the girl sighs.

"Whatever."

Evan met her at the bottom of the stairs. He places a friendly kiss on her nose and hands her a present bag. Inside was a silver bracelet with a heart charm. She places a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Ev."

Gifts were given before breakfast, and Adhara said cheery thank you's and grinned the whole time. Alecto and Amycus seemed to be the only two people who weren't influenced by her mood. Even Regulus and Severus cracked a few smiles.

"I like this side of you." Regulus whispers as she leans on him while they walk to breakfast. He was smiling, something that had become strange to her.

"And I like this side of you." She laughs, and he does too.

"Well, me and you will have to find more things to be dopey about." Regulus wraps an arm around her, and she leans into the familiarness of her little brother.

"I guess we will." She whispers quietly.

They served french toast and bacon at breakfast. Regulus topped hers with plenty of whipped cream and syrup, and she happily ate three pieces. She laughed with Evan all through breakfast. She also drank some juice that was offered by Alecto.

On her way to class, she leaned on Severus. Her belly was full and her mind fuzzy. She was happy, so happy that she seemed to float. She felt airy.

"I love you, Sev. You're my best friend." She laughs. Severus lets out a snort of laughter.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you've been drinking." Severus mutters.

"I haven't been. I just wanted you to know how happy I am and that you're my best friend. I want everyone to know it. Severus Snape is my best friend and I love him!" She shouts merrily as she walks into charms. Severus claps a hand over her mouth as he eyes the room wearily.

The marauders were present, as well as Lily, Alecto, and Amycus. No one who Adhara really minded knowing that she loved her best friend.

"So we've heard." He mumbles as he drags her to her seat. She laughs.

"Merlin how miserable I was. I'm so happy Rem-" This time it was Adhara who clapped her hands over her mouth. How dumb was she? Talking about Remus in public.

"Are you alright?" Severus asks.

"I'm not sure. I feel great. I actually feel better than great. Everything in my life is looking up." She says automatically, as though she's not the one in control of the words spilling out of her mouth.