Loquacious\\ Harry Potter Marauders

Twenty Nine\\ Every Small Snowflake

Uncle Albert was more than Adelaide expected. Much more, in fact. He was kind and funny and interesting, with a fascination for Muggle artefacts. That was where he worked in fact, in the Ministry of Magic, with a high position in the Department of Misuse of Muggle Artefacts. He was a wealthy man as well, as Adelaide's father had been before.. she preferred not to think of it. She was also glad that Albert mentioned it rarely and tactfully, and for the entirety of the Christmas break, herself and Albert became close friends.

Her picked her up at Platform Nine and Three Quarters with a potted plant and a packet of sweets. He looked sheepish, but swept her into a hug when she appeared next to him.
"I wasn't sure how to welcome you.." he said uncomfortably, holding out the plant and the sweets. Adelaide laughed and took them from him, promising to share them with him.

"Right, we'd best be off then, bes'nt we?"
He asked with a smile, taking her trunk. Her final glance behind her showed Adelaide the whole of the platform, screeching owls, reunited families, friends and parents, and.. Sirius. He stood next to James, glancing anxiously around. Then his eyes found Adelaide's through the throng of people, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't approach her. He didn't call to her. And she didn't expect him to. She wanted him to, desperately, but for now, a silent agreement passed between them, and the long, steady look they gave each other as she left was enough of a goodbye. Adelaide smiled as she exited with her uncle, and Sirius turned to find the Potters waiting for him, ready to welcome him home again.

The holidays began peacefully. Adelaide was given a large and comfortable room in Albert's house, was introduced to the house elves who worked there and shown around. The house was huge- there was a large sitting room with a Christmas tree, a grand piano and a magnificent cosy fireplace. There was a spacious hallway and a wonderful kitchen, endless rooms to explore and a library that fascinated Adelaide. The house elves Ebby and Doe helped Adelaide unpack her things, and set up her room for her. It dawned on Adelaide as she unpacked this would be not only her house for this holiday, but all holidays to come, and whenever she needed it after that.

The first evening was awkward, to say the least, and found Adelaide lying in bed that night thinking about how she liked her uncle, but couldn't help wishing he was a little less awkward. On the second day, however, a tour of the house and a trip to a muggle restaurant brought them closer. On the third day, Albert promised to teach Adelaide to play the piano, and by the end of the week both were talking and laughing and living as if Adelaide had always lived there.

When Albert was working, Adelaide remained at home with the houselves. She relished in long lie ins and spent hours reading and exploring the house. Come evening time, Albert would sit down to dinner with her, and afterwards pour them both a glass of fire whiskey. Often times they stayed up long into the night, sitting by the fire while Albert talked oh his days in Hogwarts, when he played on the Slytherin Quidditch team. Albert was full of life and stories, and was truly a man of the world, and of many talents.

And happily for Adelaide, he was lenient on many things- food, bedtime, what time to wake up. There was no part of the house that did not belong to Adelaide now too. The only thing Albert seemed strict on, that Adelaide could see, was visitors. Adelaide, nor the house elves, were allowed open the door to anyone when Albert was not home. She was not allowed have friends over during the day, and was not allowed leave the house until Albert returned from work. Albert had laid down these rules respectfully and in the nicest way he could, and Adelaide understood. In light of the death of her father and Aunts, Albert's siblings, he had become much more wary and alert. Adelaide didn't mind though. She had everything she wanted inside. Except one thing.

Hey gorgeous,
It's Sirius.
(Adelaide rolled her eyes. Of course it was Sirius. Who else would greet her that way?)
How are you? I hope everything's alright at your Uncle's. James pointed out the house to me when we went for a walk, it's a heck of a house. Right up your street.
(Adelaide could see the smirk on Sirius' face as he wrote that.)
Incidentally, right up your street- the street where you live now, that is- is James' house. So about that rondez vous we were going to have, I'm still around Christmas Eve Eve if you are? I can walk down to you.
(Adelaide couldn't help the smile that slipped onto her face. She reached for her quill immediately.)
So.. yeah, hopefully you can. I'll see you soon
Sirius.