The Marauder's heiress returns

The start of a busy summer

The week of detention turned out to be surprisingly calm, leading the pack to realise just how much of a gossip Minnie truly was. Unsurprisingly, it was Blaise who had provided all the gossip and blackmail material, as he always seemed to be lurking in the background whenever people were talking or events were unfolding.

It was time for the students to leave for summer break, and Adelaide, unusually quiet that morning, was reflecting on her plans. Not only did she need to purchase a store in Diagon Alley for P&B INC, but she also had to hire magical contractors through the goblins and recruit staff to work alongside Lord Weasley and Cecilia Warren. She knew her papa and uncles were conversing with Mister Stewart Yan, who created the original contact mirrors and were working alongside him to create the more enhanced communication devices. There were a few more plans she wanted to run by her family, especially with the Lords as they influenced the wizengamot.

Adelaide was currently in the kitchens with the house elves, baking some cookies for her pack members for the train journey home in a few hours. Chocolate chip was an all-time favourite amongst her group but the twins enjoyed peanut butter while Luna enjoyed raisins. She was moving around the kitchen with precision, her time at the Dursleys giving her enough skill to bake without the need for instructions.

"Mistress, This batch is ready" Roco, a younger house-elf called out as he levitated the tray of hot baked cookies out of the oven.

"Perfect-" Adelaide smiled brightly and quickly placed the three other trays into the oven before walking over to Roco and Milly. "These are for the twins, let's add some chocolate drizzle on top" Adelaide dipped her spoon into the melted chocolate and lightly drizzled it over the cookies in a zig-zag motion. She did so to each of them before leaving them to the side to cool down.

Adelaide sat upon one of the many tables in the large kitchen, smiling appreciatively as a house elf handed her a cup of dark hot chocolate. She was so focused on drawing that she didn't hear the door opening, nor the footsteps approaching until the chair beside her scraped against the floorboards, making her jump.

"Holy shit! Ron, you scared me!" She hissed, her hand pressed over her thumping heart. Ron smiled apologetically, grabbed the edge of her seat and pulled her towards him, making her yelp slightly from the sudden action.

"Hi pretty girl" He greeted her with a tone that made her heart melt and warmed her cheeks. When he noticed her flushed face, his smile turned into a smirk. He raised his hand and gently stroked her warm cheek. This action was incredibly affectionate, leaving her feeling both nervous and excited.

"Hi, Ronnie" She breathed out shyly, lowering her head to hide the effect he had on her. The red-haired wizard softly grabbed her chin and lifted it, ensuring Adelaide made direct eye contact.

"I like it when you blush" He mumbled, his eyes flicking between her emerald eyes and her plumped lips.

During moments like these, Adelaide fully recognized how different her current life was from her previous one. Ron, who had once been a jealous, self-conscious, and angry person, had transformed into someone confident, empathetic, and independent. The most significant change, however, was his openness in expressing affection; he never hesitated or felt embarrassed when he spoke loving words to her and never did she think she'd feel butterflies and get flustered whenever he acted that way. He had always been her best friend, both in this life and the last. However, even she had to admit that something had shifted between them; a deeper connection had developed. She wasn't sure whether to feel nervous or excited about what might come of it—if anything at all. The truth was, it wasn't just Ron who stirred these feelings in her. Theo, Blaise, Enzo, and even Mortem all evoked emotions in her that she had never experienced before at this level. But... they also made her feel different to how the other does.