The Friends We Keep
The mooncalves on the clock had fallen asleep in the center and had now been replaced by three young phoenix who looped in the same pattern around the clock face. As the clock ticked over to 6 AM the hour phoenix gave a loud trilling call.
This was a morning that Addie did not want to face. She stared at the ceiling and let her mind brush over the events of the previous day without fully acknowledging them. This was her first full day back in London and typically her routine dictated that she have breakfast with Nattie to catch up, followed by a trip to the prophet to turn her work into her editor and receive any extra work they had for her, followed by lunch with Ominis and Annabelle before Ominis had to go to work. The thought of her routine was soothing and she found she was looking forward to the familiar faces. Maybe she would even try to see Poppy again given that their time the previous day had been cut short. Addie only had a few minutes to spare picking up Pip from Poppy's care before rushing off to pick up Annabelle. Her goddaughter usually had a sitter, but the witch who typically watched her had reportedly contracted the vanishing sickness.
While Annabelle was a well behaved child she could also be quite precocious. Her questions were like the heads of a hydra. Every time one was answered, two more would spring up to replace it and on and on until you were out of breath. Addie thought her curiosity was an admirable trait, but most who showed up to the Charmed Chalice when she was around could only suffer it for the first twenty or thirty questions at max.
All that to say that Ominis did his best to not have to bring his daughter with him to work, especially given the type of establishment it was. Not that it was anything too untoward, just that-...
There was a loud squawk and a weight on Adelaide's chest. Pip was staring down at her expectantly.
"Alright you spoiled boy, time for your breakfast," she chuckled, running a hand through soft feathers. Pip squawked again and hopped off the bed with a heavy thump and she followed him down to the kitchen to feed him before immediately returning upstairs to get ready.
When Addie had first moved out on her own she had briefly considered one of the hamlets near Hogwarts. She had come to love the countryside and there was something very nice in the idea of calling a cozy cottage home, but she also liked being close to work and several of her old friends. Not to mention that while a little place like Feldcroft might have been peaceful, her flat in London had plumbing.
Adelaide enjoyed her self care routine, especially since it had taken so long to find one. Nattie had been one to suggest it. She said that after a particularly hard day it helped make her feel human again. Coming from someone who could turn into a gazelle, it seemed wise to give it a try.
Clean and dry, Addie dressed in a layered red top with pattern back trousers and a mauve tailcoat with a matching feathered witch's hat. She considered for a moment putting a bit of makeup over the scar on her cheek before catching that thought and tossing it away. She never had before and everyone already knew she had it, so what would the purpose even be? Not bothering to answer why she had even thought of it in the first place, the witch grabbed her plain brown courier bag from her sitting room and apparated herself to Diagon Alley.
It was still early so there wasn't many out at this time yet, but with the school season right around the corner it was only a matter of time before the walkways were bustling with eager students and their harrowed parents.
With a little time to burn, Addie popped into the quill shop. As much as she bought ink, it always seemed to be running out and she had been talking with the owner there about finding a way to enchant a quill to be easier to write on the go, without the need to carry the ink with her. This, of course, was not appreciated by the man who made his living selling ink. It had taken months to get him to unban her from his shop and she had suspected it may have had something to do with that fact that Tressers Tailors next door had gone under after Addie had written on their business's dealings with illegal acromantula breeding. Now the shop remained empty and needed to be fumigated every few weeks when new little spiders the size of cats cropped up inside. When would people understand that acromantula were too clever, too dangerous, and too quick to multiply to be kept in cellars?
--
Stepping out of Amanuensis Quills and back onto the streets Addie was met with a very familiar figure... and this time one she was glad to see.
"Nattie!" she smiled widely and opened her arms to wrap the taller witch into a tight hug.
"It is good to see you Addie, I'm sorry I missed you before you left," Nattie replied warmly.
"And get in the way of your work? Never. You'd just drag me into it," Addie waved her off with a chuckle and hooked arms with her friend as they headed to a small cafe on the corner with the words "The Knackered Kneazle" hanging on a sign with a carved kneazle wrapped around the letters, tail twitching as it slept. It was a cozy little place with several of the felines lounging from the rafters and on cushioned pillows in front of the fireplace. Belladonna Sidh was a lover of kneazles and even claimed that the man she was destined to marry would have to love them just as much, which often led to the tittering of many a busybody to proclaim that it was no wonder she was still single.
She did make some of the most marvelous dishes though that transported Addie right back to Hogwarts in the Great Hall. Belladona said it was because she had been taught by a Hogwarts House Elf during her time in school. The Knackered Kneazle had become the go-to place for Nattie and Addie to meet whenever they had time to catch up with one another.
Taking a seat by the window Addie looked over the breakfast menu, though she knew she would get what she always ordered.
"Actually, mentioning work..." Natsai started, "I had to go handle a niffler problem in Keenbridge."
"A niffler problem? That doesn't seem like your area of work," the other witch pointed out.
"No, but a witch was using them to rob the surrounding Hamlets."
"That makes more sense," Addie set the menu down and leaned her head onto her hand, "I suppose that would have been Poppy if she had used her skills with animals for evil."
Natsai laughed, "Yes, I suppose so. They did end up being a student though, so I turned them into the headmaster. I saw my mother while I was there, she says to send you her regards."
Something about that prickled at the back of Addie's neck and she straightened a little to look at Natty, who was watching her in return.
"Just her regards?" she pressed.
Nattie shrugged, "And to see if you were not getting into your old trouble again."
At that moment Belladonna Sidh bustled over to take their orders and Addie used the distraction to collect her thoughts. When they were alone once again Nattie said softly, "You can tell me anything Addie. You know that."
"You're right..." she started, still trying to catch up on what she had learned and had been trying to ignore all morning, "I wasn't planning to hide it from you. I was actually going to speak to you about it myself, I just haven't quite wrapped my head around it yet."
"Well, if it's thoughts you need unknotting perhaps new hands can help."
She smiled again, Nattie had always been the friend to rely on, even when she was making mistakes herself. "You sound like your mum."
"I will take that as a compliment."
"As you should," Addie sighed in defeat. She couldn't put this off any longer. As soon as their drinks arrived Adelaide began to explain to Natty everything that had happened the previous night down the the last detail. She even pulled the papers from her bag to show the auror. Even without being ability to use ancient magic, Nattie could tell there was something different about the pages. Now that she was allowing herself to really consider them, Addie too saw a soft white glow to the page similar to the sparks of ancient magic she had seen in her time at Hogwarts.
When all was said Natty was leaning back in her chair and even Belladonna had found her way over and was wiping down a table that had yet to even be used.
"Sebastian Sallow has returned..." the auror mused in partial disbelief, "I thought he had finally found himself in some trouble he couldn't get himself out of."
"He does sounds like trouble, love, you best be careful of a man that shows up on your doorstep like that. Not marriage material at all," Belladonna said from where she had given up all pretense of working. Both witches looked at her and realizing she had spoken out loud she quickly added, "Oh, best go check on the food!" and hurried back off.
"I can't believe I've been reading his books and not even realizing it was him..." Adelaide sighed, leaning back in her chair.
"From what you've told me of this author, he didn't sound anything like Sallow. I'm not sure I would believe it without seeing it, but perhaps he's changed for the better?" Natsai offered.
Addie shook her head, "The Sebastian I talked to last night hadn't changed at all. He begged me for help and when I told him I wanted nothing to do with this got angry at me. He's just like he was in school."
"He may have a point."
"What?"
"Well, do you remember in school when we tried to get Officer SInger to help us with Harlow and Rookwood?" Natty started, "She told us that the process was slow and she was right. To be able to act on this officially I would need much more to go on and if Sallow is the only one with information or to find where to get more information I would need to talk to him in an official manner. I would need to know what he does and where he has been to prove him as a credible source. Revealing his alias as Basille Sawston would not be good for him with how many times he has admitted to using dark magic in his books. He would be incriminating himself."
Adelaide frowned and noticed Belladonna's eyebrows raise as she approached with their breakfast. She looked at Addie and whispered, "Definitely not worth a marriage, love."
Waiting once more for the hostess to depart, Addie said, "What about unofficially?"
"I do not have the resources to deal with something like this. This magic isn't anything I understand. We don't even know if this goblin can be stopped by normal magical means," Natty pointed out, "Sebastian came to you for a reason when he could have handled this himself."
Addie groaned and rubbed at her temples, "You're right.... but I'm none too pleased about it. I'll think on it some more. This isn't a fight I want any part of, but you make your point far better than Sebastian did."
The auror grinned mischievously, "Your mind is losing it's edge Ravenclaw, a bit of trouble might do well to sharpen it."
"You are contracted to work for the ministry, I don't think you should be pushing me to partake in vigilante justice," Addie shot back teasingly.
The witches laughed and turned their attention to more pleasant conversation as they ate. A particularly large Kneazle came to sleep on Natty's feet and Belladonna chatted with them for some time before more customers rolled in. Both women had impressed upon her that what she had overheard was not to be repeated in gossip, but she took that as not spreading that Adelaide was shacking up with a man over revealing the secret identity of Basille A. Sawston. At least they could take comfort in her priorities giving her selective hearing on this occasion.
"Natty, there was one other thing," Adelaide said as they were both pulling on their coats to leave, "In my teacup last night... maybe I was just tired, but I could have sworn I saw a skull."
Natsai looked at her seriously, "That is not good."
"I didn't think so, but I couldn't recall exactly what it meant."
"I suppose without seeing it I can't say for certain and my mother would be best to answer this, but a skull in tessomancy usually means there is danger coming for you. Addie, I would be very careful. This may not be something you can avoid. ...speaking of which, is that Sallow?"
They had stepped back out onto the cobbled street. Following Natty's gaze, Addie caught sight of Sebastian standing on the opposite side. He had been watching them.
"He looks terrible," Natsai noted before shouting over to him, "Sallow, you look terrible!"
"Natty!"
The other woman was laughing at how awkward and on the spot Sebastian looked now as he started to walk over to them. She turned back to her friend, "Please be careful Addie. Keep me updated on what happens and if I can help, I will."
"Wait, you're going? But-"
"I will see you later," and with that Natty was gone, leaving Addie alone with Sebastian.
"That was Onai, wasn't it?" he asked and she felt it was more to break the ice than an actual question.
"Have you been stalking me?"
"No, of course not!" Sebastian put up his hands, "I'm staying nearby and I saw you through the window with Onai and rather than interrupt, I thought I would wait until you were finished. Did you get to talk to her about the Grimmoire?"
Adelaide huffed and started walking. When he continued to match her step for step she said, "I did and Natsai said that unless you were willing to out yourself as having used the dark arts, she can't help you."
"I thought so... did you think any more on it?"
"No, I still don't think this is my fight."
"Addie, I'm sorry-"
"Are you Sebastian?" she turned to look at him, having to lift her head to see him fully beneath her hat. He had gotten taller... and broader. Ominis may beat him in height, but Sebastian had wider set shoulders and in the light she saw he had muscle beneath his clothes.
No, stop, she didn't need to go any further with that thought. It was just an innocent observation.
"I won't be played with Sebastian. When I say no, I mean no. I don't want you to try to convince me anymore. You've lost my trust," she said bluntly, inwardly beseeching him to really listen for once.
The errant wizard nodded slowly, "Alright... I understand. My track record doesn't paint a good picture of me. Can we just... start again? No talk of the Grimmoire?"
She had started to walk again and looked at him out of the corner of her eye suspiciously. "Then talk about what?"
"Well... I never took you for fan of frills, let alone pink ones." Sebastian's eyes dragged slowly over her form.
She did her best to ignore it and stepped ahead of him with a curt, "It's mauve. And for your information, I quite like this outfit."
"I think I might grow to like it as well," she caught his eye as he lengthened his stride to keep up with her and shot him an unimpressed look. "I just mean you've always been a practical sort. It's about time you understood some modicum of fashion."
"I dont want to hear it from someone with a beard that looks like a kneazle's hairball."
"Does it really?" Addie saw him reach up to rub at his scruff with earnest concern and smothered her own smirk with her hand. When she didn't answer he asked, "Where are you taking us?"
"I am taking myself to work. I have an article to turn into the Prophet and a meeting with my editor."
"You work at the Daily Prophet? I'm afraid I haven't kept up with the news. It's been a while since I've been in the area," Sebastian admitted.
"I'm an investigative journalist," Addie explained, "I prefer helping from the sidelines these days."
"You really have changed then," he seemed a little let down by that and for the rest of the journey they walked in silence.
Upon approaching the doors to the Daily Prophet's main office Sebastian hung back. She wondered if his acceptance meant he would be going on his own way again.
"I suppose this is goodbye Sebastian," she gave him a polite nod and stepped inside, leaving the wizard behind to watch her go.
Adelaide was thankful when she was finally free to step outside. The prophet was more than enough to make anyone feel like they were going insane. Just the sound of the printers and pops of magic as it zoomed from station to station could give one a headache and it was made worse when you had the smarmiest of men dictating what projects you were expected to work on. In return for her virtual freedom to report on what she felt was important, Adelaide also had to complete smaller projects like feel good articles and product reviews. She had to balance out her real work with fluff pieces and every time someone spoke out about her serious articles it seemed another unserious one was added to the list.
Oh well, whatever allowed her to get the truth out there...
Her childhood had taught her that corruption was rife across the magical community and as Natty had reminded her that morning, the legal process could be slow. Addie wanted to make sure there was never another Mrs. Bickle out there who felt unseen when threatened by the Harlows of the world, even if she wasn't taking it upon herself to get directly involved. The more visible something was, the more pressure there was on the ministry to do something about it. That made her someone who wasn't popular with the people in power in the area.
The Prophet had it's own politics though that bogged down her work. For as many articles as she had published, plenty were left on the cutting room floor. She had threatened to go elsewhere and had made good on that threat in the past, so they tried their best not to censor her too much and instead had switched to loading her up with less confrontational work.
"Was it a poor meeting then?"
Addie looked up to see Sebastian leaning against a pillar. She blinked for a moment as her brain processed that he was different. "Did you go to a barber?"
"Well, I couldn't continue to look like something a kneazle coughed up, could I?" without the beard she could more easily see the sly smirk that crossed his lips, "Onai was right, I do feel much better."
He looked much better. He looked like the Sebastian she used to know, just older. Addie found she couldn't look away and she wasn't sure why she couldn't bring herself to move.
Sebastian raised a brow and his smirk turned more self-satisfied, "Did they miss something? You're staring."
Like a countercharm, she was able to move again and quickly turned away to hide the heat that rushed to her cheeks. What was wrong with her? He had been easier to brush off when he didn't look like himself. Now with a simple trim he was all confidence and charm, and it threatened to unearth unspoken emotions she had been determined to forget.
"So, where to now?" he asked.
Adelaide was still caught off guard and she cast around for the nearest clock. She didn't have as much time to spare as she would have liked, but too much than was comfortable at the moment, "I'm going to visit Poppy at her shop."
"Then I'll join you, I've been looking to get a pet," he said simply. Sebastian clasped his hands behind his back and started to follow after her again, looking lazy and at ease... and, she noted, he was watching her out of the corner of his eye.
"You don't seem like the pet type," Addie commented.
He shrugged with a smile, "I just haven't found the right one I think, and like you said, it's time to grow up. Perhaps put my rogue curse-breaker days behind me and go legitimate."
"Such a sudden change," she mused with an air of sarcasm. Before he could respond Adelaide turned to enter the door of Kindred Companions and Creature Conservation. The inside was much larger than the outside and from the center there were several doors that opened up into larger themed pens reminiscent of the vivariums Addie had accessed in the Room of Requirement. Poppy dealt mostly in ethically sourced beast products, but she also rehabilitated and rehomed beasts who had been victims to poachers. Poppy's husband, a kindly man named Adam, was very large, dwarfing even Sebastian and there was many rumors that he had giant's blood in him.
Currently, Adam was sat at a desk in the center, feeding a baby hippogriff on one side and rocking a cradle with his foot on the other.
"Good morning Adam," Addie greeted with a smile, clasping her hands together, "Is Poppy around?"
"Ah, mornin' Addie. She's around here somewhere," the big man answered, calling over his shoulder, "Darlin' Adelaide's here!"
The baby immediately started to fuss and with a start, Adam turned to try and soothe it.
"Darling," Sebastian sounded out the word curiously, as if trying to get a feel for it. When Addie shot him an odd look he asked, "Poppy Sweeting is married to him?"
"It's Poppy Prince now," Poppy's wide, infectious smile was on full display as she came out of one of the vivarium doors, "Hello Sebastian, long time no see."
"Hello," Sebastian returned, dipping his head in greeting.
"I had meant to get here earlier," Addie said, "We never got to catch up yesterday, but it's been quite the morning. Still, I wanted to stop in and say hi."
While she had wanted to see Poppy if she had been able to find enough time, Adelaide's real reasoning for returning anyways was so that she wouldn't have to be alone with Sebastian for the little time she could spare.
"Oh, think nothing of it. You had plenty reason to run off and it isn't like you live that far away," Poppy assured, "We just took in a pair of baby graphorns so I've been quite busy. We'll have to go out for tea, or maybe to the Knackered Kneazle, I do love Belladonna's cauldron cakes."
Poppy leaned in conspiratorially with a quick glance to Sebastian, "And I see we have plenty of catching up to do."
Although Addie was sure he hadn't heard, she still saw the self-satisfied smirk return to his face.
"I'm sure I couldn't possibly know what you mean," she replied, "But whenever you can find the time, I'd love to share a cauldron cake with you. Tomorrow, perhaps?"
"Possibly. Let me see what tomorrow looks like and I'll send you an owl," Poppy agreed.
As the noon bell sung, the two friends embraced each other and Addie waved as she headed back out the door, Sebastian at her heels.
"Seems that not everyone from school has changed all that much," he mused as the door swung shut behind them.
Adelaide suspected that was bait and chose to ignore it. She felt like this was just Sebastian trying to pretend like nothing had happened so he could get in her head again and convince her to help him.
"Addie, I was wondering if you'd like to go to lunch with me?"
"I'm afraid I can't, I'm already meeting Ominis," she realized too late that she probably shouldn't have mentioned that particular name, as Sebastian stopped in his tracks to stare at her.
"Ominis is here? Truly?"
Addie turned to face him, taking in the open shock on his face and how he looked like a stray breeze might knock him off his feet. She had assumed that since he known where to find her, then he would know about Ominis.
"I looked for him... but I could never find him," Sebastian breathed.
Realization struck her. It was so obvious. Of course Sebastian wouldn't have been able to find Ominis or know that he was around.
"Sebastian, Ominis doesn't go by the Gaunt name anymore. He cut all connection with them. He changed it when-... when he left with Anne," she spoke slowly, like she was breaking news to a child.
"Anne?" he leaned heavily against the nearest shop, looking properly winded. If he hadn't been able to find Ominis, then he wouldn't have been able to find Anne. Of course that was the case, because that was how they had intended it.
"After you left, Ominis wanted to take care of Anne, but they knew his family wouldn't allow it, so they ran away and changed their names. It's Ominis Gallows now."
"And Anne?" his eyes were desperately searching her's and she swallowed thickly against the warring emotions that look brought out in her. On one hand it reminded her of how he had used that look on her in the past, but on the other she really did feel sorry for him.
"Anne Gallows died five years ago," Addie confirmed, watching Sebastian slide to the ground.
He shook his head and took a while to control what Addie suspected was a wave of emotions. When he spoke again his voice broke and he gave a dry chuckle, "I suspect Anne chose the name. She would... She probably thought it was hilarious. Her sense of humor was always a little off. I'm sure Ominis groaned about it... In a way I knew, but it's hard to hear the truth of it."
Adelaide wanted to reach out to him, to fill in the gaps of everything he had missed out on, and hold him as he mourned for every missed moment. She nearly did, her resolve to not let her guard down wavering as she took a step forward. "If it helps... she was really happy in her final years according to Ominis. He was with her when it happened."
Sebastian dropped his head and he nodded, "I'd like to speak to him."
She took a step back again. Sebastian had already been a grenade in her life. Ominis was at his wits end already with things at the moment, he didn't need to be watching out for Sebastian to rock his world again. Then there was Annabelle. Ominis had never told her about her uncle. They had agreed to wait until she was of age to go to school, as a sort of cautionary tale. Annabelle was still struggling with stability at home, was Sebastian really the sort of person to introduce her to now? What if he left? What if he stayed?
Adelaide shook her head, "No, I don't think it's a good idea that you saw each other. He's still quite angry with you Sebastian, over what you did to Anne."
"I bought her more time. I-" he gave her a strangled look before shutting his eyes and letting his shoulders slump, "I know... I messed up. I'm sorry..."
"If you care for Ominis, Sebastian, you should give him more time," she looked around, feeling guilt in her stomach before adding, "I'll find a time to talk to him about it. Not now... but if you really have changed for the better, then just be patient. I'll let you know when he's ready to talk."
"I suppose that's all I can ask for in fairness," he nodded, still sat on the ground.
"You should eat something and take a walk, think things over," suggested Addie softly, "But I have to go Sebastian, I'm already late. We'll-... We'll talk again later."
He raised those sad eyes up at her again and she had to force herself to turn away to stop the dam from breaking within her. Walking away from Sebastian was hard, but in her heart she knew it had to be done. He still hadn't earned her trust and until then she couldn't in good faith let herself get so close again, even if some part of her wanted to.
The walk to the Leaky Cauldron was the hardest it had ever been. Adelaide felt like she had a string attached to her ankle that tugged back towards Sebastian with every step she took, and it was a trial to not turn around and go back to him. Yet, as soon as she saw Annabelle's face break out into a beaming smile, it felt like the string had snapped and she was free of it.
"Aunt Addie!" she greeted, standing up in her chair.
She swept in to wrap her god daughter into a squeeze. The little girl pulled off her pointed hat and put it on her own head. Adelaide chuckled and readjusted it so it settled on her ears, "You have a bit more growing to go before it fits."
"Does it feel good to be back in London?" Ominis asked, he was already dressed for work in a pinstripe vest and red trousers.
The witch sat the little girl back down in her chair before taking a seat herself. "It always feels good to be home. I'm sorry I'm late."
"It's alright, I may not have time to eat with you both, but I can get something on the way or at the Chalice."
"I'm sorry," she apologized again, "It seems like I'm off time with everyone lately. I missed Natty before I left and I've had to run out on Poppy twice now."
"We have more control of our time than when we were students and yet it seems we have no time to be in control of," Ominis mused.
"Too true," Adelaide agreed, "I've made a tidy sum with my last article, perhaps you would do well with a vacation. You've been working far too much lately."
"You know even when it was a pain, part of me always took a pleasure from being able to use my money to help others, and yet the idea of taking it from someone else is a hard pill to swallow," the former Slytherin admitted.
"Then think of it as a gift to Annabelle. Our little snidget needs some quality time with her daddy," she offered. Annabelle was wriggling in her chair, looking between the adults.
"Perhaps," he conceded, "I'll consider it."
"Maybe to Feldcroft," Addie didn't know why she had suggested it really, and from the way Ominis's chin lifted towards her she could tell he was surprised at the suggestion too.
"Feldcroft? Why there?"
"Just... feeling nostalgic I suppose. I feel like Anne might appreciate it," Addie tried.
He gave it some thought and nodded, "Maybe you're right. You do have a good sense about these things. Ah- but I have to be going now. Annabelle, you behave for Aunt Adelaide."
Ominis leaned down to kiss his daughter on the top of the head before grabbing his coat and heading towards the secret entrance.
"Bye daddy, I love you! Work hard!" Addie smiled at the sweet girl, letting her wave goodbye to her dad until he was out of sight.
Adelaide did enjoy her time watching Annabelle. She found her curiosity to be delightful and didn't mind the endless questions on most occasions. Today, Annabelle was asking about birds and how they flew, and then she went down the list of how other things flew that weren't birds. From dragons to brooms, she listened patiently as Adelaide explained it to her as best she could. By the time they had exhausted that conversation their lunch had long since arrived, but thankfully before Annabelle could think of another series of questions, a delighted voice called over to them.
"Adelaide Pearl! I knew that was you," green eyes lifted from a lukewarm meal to spy another familiar face.
"Hello Samantha, fancy seeing your here, would you like to join us?" Adelaide motioned to Ominis's vacated seat.
"Just for a few minutes I'm afraid, I'm to be meeting someone in Diagon Alley today and I only have an hour before I have to return to work," Samantha Dale sat down across from Adelaide, still full of enthusiasm.
"Right, you're working at St. Mungos now, aren't you? How are you finding it?"
"Oh! So much better than work at the ministry! It's really very rewarding to be able to help people like I do now. My family was very disappointed at first of course that I couldn't make it as an auror, but I've cultivated such a lovely garden of dittany and other herbs that the hospital relies on that you would think I was the second coming of Marmaduke Dale. Grandmum says I'm keeping the famed Dale knack for herbology alive." the brunette witch gushed.
"I'm glad to hear you're doing so well then. Who are you meeting?" Addie was grateful that Samantha's talking rivalled Annabelle's, because without much time to talk, the little girl was actually able to focus on her food.
"Oh! You'll never guess. Imelda Reyes, you remember her, right? You two had quite the rivalry in school when it came to your brooms, remember?"
"Of course I remember Imelda," Adelaide nodded. She certainly remembered with a good bit of pride, beating Imelda's time on every track. In spite of the fierce rivalry though, both had a respect for one another. Imelda could be harsh, but she was just as equally harsh on herself.
"Well, she's a chaser for the Hollyhead Harpies, you know? But last year she injured herself and ended up taking over at Hogwarts while Kagowa was on sabbatical. Last week I saw her at St. Mungos and she was just given the clear to play again. We agreed to go celebrate."
"Tell her I said congratulations, I'll have to find time to make it out to a game..." Addie grinned and added, "Perhaps the Prophet will let me cover her first match back. I'm sure that will light a fire under her broom."
Samantha laughed, "I do think you're right on that. I really should be off though. It was nice seeing you Adelaide."
The two old school friends waved at one another and Addie passively mused that today had certainly been a day for quick meetings with familiar faces. She tucked into her now cold food, eating most of it by the time Annabelle had finished her own plate.
"Want to pick up some candy before we go?" Addie offered, deciding she would much rather some candy herself than another bite of cold fish.
Annabelle's eyes went wide and she nodded excitedly. The older witch sat some coins on the table and waved goodbye to the barmaid before heading back into Diagon Alley with her goddaughter in tow.
They hadn't made it very far when Addie heard a scream that could give a mandrake a run for it's money. A crowd was forming around one of the shops. Adelaide pulled Annabelle close and pushed forward to get a better look. She immediately shoved the little girl behind her the moment she saw what had so enraptured the crowd. A witch was collapsed on the ground, white as a ghost with someone over her shouting for the crowd to back away. That wasn't what had everyone staring in horror though. Bloody footsteps led into a nearby shop, the door still hanging open from where the witch must have crashed out of it. On the floor was a pool of red and a slender fingered hand reaching out, attached to what could only be considered a mutilated corpse across the countertop.
All at once the spell on the crowd broke and the crowd turned into an undulating mass of shoving and pushing. Some were screaming and making for the nearest getaway, others were still trying to see what was going on.
"Addie!" Annabelle whimpered. Their hands had nearby been torn away from each other, but Adelaide turned to scoop the child up and force herself into the nearest uncrowded space. She found a small alleyway and continued until the screams were dull with distance.
She set Annabelle down and looked her over, "Are you okay?"
The young girl nodded, but she looked quite unsettled by the whole ordeal. "Okay, let's just take a moment to calm down and we'll go home."
"No candy?"
"There's a lovely muggle candy shop not far we can go to," Addie assured.
"I smell it... I smell it on you!" a mad cackle filled the alley. At one end stood a short, spindly figure. Red dripped thickly from a golden knife and sharp claws and Adelaide once more pulled Annabelle behind her, reaching for her wand. Her mind went back to the story Sebastian had told her--but this looked as much like a goblin as a thestral did to a horse. He was twisted and bent, boney and thin with sunken eyes and a mad, sharp toothed grin.
"Annabelle..." Addie whispered as her fingers found her wand in her pocket and began to slowly lift it out. She mentally mapped their location from where they had entered the alleyway, "Do you remember Poppy? The lady with the animals?"
"Yes..." the child whimpered.
"When I say run, I want you to run away and go to the building with the big cauldron out front. From there look for the shop with the hippogriff on the sign, okay?"
"But-"
"And if you can't find it, I need you to go into the nearest shop and tell them to take you there or to your dad, okay?"
"But what about you?"
"I'll be okay," Addie assured, her wand now free of her pocket, but still hidden at her side, "but I can't fight and keep you safe. So run."
"No, I-"
"RUN!" she shouted.
The little girl looked terrified and for a moment her feet ran in place anxiously, before she turned on her heel and scrambled as fast as she could out of the alley. At the same time Adelaide had brought up her wand, "Expelliarmus!"
The creature easily dodged to the side with a wild, unfaltering grin. He was quicker than he looked like he should have been able to be and as the witch shouted out a "Stupify!" he jumped and found purchase on the wall. With another mad laugh he ran at her, still attached to the wall, jumping from place to place like a spider with every attack she sent his way. His eyes were a pale, milky white but they shone with a light deep, deep within. Instinctively, she took a step back, her foot catching on the pavement and sending her crashing backwards.
"Yes, yes, yes. You're mine! I won't go back! Not until I get my child!" he leapt, knife in the air and aimed towards her.
Then, suddenly, her whole world was a flash of fire.