Heart Scars

Forty One

Adhara woke up tangled in him and completely flooded with his smell. Her head was buried in the crook of his neck, and his arms were wrapped around her tightly. This was it. She could stay here forever and never ever get sick of it. She sighs.

"Morning, love." His voice is raspy, and she pulls away slightly to look at him. His eyes were narrowed from the sun that was leaking in through the window, and a smile had taken over his face.

"Good morning." She mutters as she runs a hand through his hair.

"Good morning to you as well. Mum made breakfast!" Both Remus and Adhara jump apart, and she pulls the sheet up to cover her body. James sat in a chair next to the bed, a wide grin on his face.

"James!" Adhara screeches. She grabs a book from the side table and throws it at him. James jumps from his chair and goes to hide behind the door.

"I'm telling Sirius!" James yells on a singsong voice.

Adhara jumps from the bed, as does Remus. Adhara throws on the pants she had wore the night before, and one of Remus's sweaters. Remus wears his jeans and a Gryffindor sweater.

"Mum! Look who decided to pop in last night." James yells merrily as he bolts down the stairs, Remus and Adhara hot on his tail. She was sure her hair was ruffled, and her face red. The only comfort she got was that Remus didn't look much better.

"Oh! Hello Adhara. Make yourself comfortable, I'll fetch you a plate." The woman grins, and Adhara slwoly sits in between Regulus and Remus. Sirius gawks at her from across the table.

"Did you stay with him last night?" Sirius hisses, his eyes narrowing at the two of them. Adhara watches as Remus's face turns red.

"Yes I did Sirius." She responds calmly, her arms crossed across her chest. She would not back down from this. She loved Remus, and she would never let her brother come between them. Sirius's eyes narrow, and his face somehow turns redder than hers.

"Sirius, love, eat your eggs. Regulus, would you like me to cut your sausage? Adhara, help yourself." Euphemia smiles fondly at each of the Black children as she bustles around the kitchen, easily diffusing the tension. Adhara couldn't help but compare her to her own mother–and come to the conclusion that the Potter woman was far superior.

Adhara had never been overwhelmed by the feeling of love in a room before, but watching Fleamont and Euphemia Potter dote on each and every one of them, she was. In her home, love had to be earned. Love came with marrying a pureblood and following the orders of her parents. Here, Euphemia gave it out free.

The Potter house would be a nice place for Regulus to stay. He'd be loved, taken care of, protected. It's everything that their home didn't offer. Maybe she could fake his death. Pretend Regulus had some tragic accident at school. She knew transfiguration could make him look dead long enough for a funeral. Then she could hide him here.

He'd never go for it, though. Regulus didn't back down from a fight, and he would never leave Adhara behind.

"How did it go last night?" James's voice was quiet, and Adhara just noticed the absence of Lily Evans. She freezes slightly, and Remus grabs onto her hand.

"Fine. Where's Evans?" She hums, her eyes avoiding his. No matter how much he hated the Carrow twins, Adhara knew he would not approve of the torturing they had received.