A month had passed since Adelaide reunited with her Uncle, and her birthday approached quickly. Truth be told, she wasn't expecting anything for her birthday because despite turning eleven, it wasn't that much of a big deal for her. In her last life, she hadn't celebrated her birthday until her third year at Hogwarts, where her god-brother, Neville had decided to organise a surprise party in the Gryffindor common room. It wasn't the craziest she has had at the school but it somehow meant the most to her, especially because both Neville and Ron had put so much thought into it, going as far as asking the elves to bake her a Quidditch cake.
The dynamic between herself and her Uncle was great, she did end up explaining mostly everything to him and much to her shock, he made a magical oath not to reveal anything unless she gave him direct permission to do so. Of course, she decided to leave out his relationship with Tonks and the fact that they had a child together, though the most shocking information he heard was the fact that Voldemort was officially dead, unlike her last life. It made him feel so much relief that he spent a whole hour hugging her for dear life, especially after she explained all the stuff she went through before.
On the morning of July 31st, Adelaide wandered down to the kitchen half asleep and was met by the mouthwatering scent of pancakes, Bacon and eggs. Her stomach growled loudly as she stared at the table full of food, not noticing the amused and fond smile on her uncle's face as he placed the pot of tea down.
"Happy birthday, my little cub" He cooed, snapping her out of her daze.
She smiled brightly up at him and ran into his arms, she nuzzled into his chest as though she truly was a wolf cub. Remus noticed she did it quite often, as a way to show affection or spread her scent. He had asked her whether or not she had an animagus form in her previous life and much to his surprise, she revealed that she was indeed a wolf animagus, making him wonder whether she carried over traits of a wolf into this life.
"Thank you, Uncle Moony" She whispered, knowing with his enhanced senses he would be able to hear her perfectly.
"Come, I know your hungry" He teased and nudged her towards the table. She stuck her tongue out, earning a chuckle from the man before they both settled into their seats.
It wasn't until half an hour later that their meal was interrupted by a tapping on the window. Adelaide walked towards it casually, earning an eye roll from her uncle, who wished that she would be more excited like every other magical eleven-year-old. She took her Hogwarts letter from the majestic owl, placing some treats in a little bowl for it by the window before making her way back to the table. She placed the letter on the table and resumed her birthday meal, not noticing her uncle's eyes on her.
"Cub!" She jumped, looking up with wide eyes with pancakes hanging half out of her mouth.
"What?" She mumbled with a full mouth, earning a disapproving look from the man.
"Be more excited!" He whined, pointing at her Hogwarts letter. She swallowed her mouthful of pancakes before taking the letter in her hand.
"Yay," She said feigning her cheerfulness as she waves it in the air dramatically. Remus remained silent, staring at her with a deadpanned expression for a few moments before rolling his eyes, and returning to his meal.
"Honestly Uncle, I am excited to go back to Hogwarts but there's a part of me that doesn't want to go" A concerned look formed on his scarred face as he watched his niece sip her tea as she eyed the letter on the table.
"Why, sweetheart?"
"Because then I'll be away from you" She mumbled under her breath, keeping her focus on her plate where she moved the pancake around.
"Oh cub, I'll miss you too but remember, you came back to live your life the way you always deserved. Hogwarts will be a lot different this time round" Adelaide raised her head slowly, looking up at her uncle with her emerald eyes glistening with unshed tears.
She took a deep breath and nodded her head "You're right, it's just going to be hard" She sent him a small smile, reassuring him that despite feeling low about leaving him, she will be perfectly fine.
After their breakfast together, Remus left Adelaide to do the dishes as he went to collect the presents that he bought. When he returned, a curious frown appeared on his face when he noticed an unfamiliar letter in his cub's hand.
"Cub?" She spun around with a large smile on her face, tears falling from her eyes.
"It's from Madam Bones, she's giving Papa a trial!" Remus quickly placed her presents on the table before wrapping his arms around her, both sobbing in pure happiness.
"The trial is next week, Wednesday-" She announced as she pulled away, wiping away her tears as she looked up at him. "That means we need to get you some robes"
"I already told you-"
"Yes yes, I know. You don't want me to spend money on you, but you're my godfather and you deserve all the best things in life" His eyes softened immensely and he wrapped his arms around her once again.
"I love you, my sweet little cub"
"I love you too, Uncle"
ϟ 9¾
Later that week, Adelaide and Remus made their way to Diagon Alley for her school shopping. Adel was dressed in tight blue jeans, a black off-the-shoulder top, black ankle boots and her leather jacket. Adelaide decided to go through her uncle's closet that morning, wanting to pick out an outfit for him and was utterly disappointed by the lack of style the thirty-year-old had. He ended up dressing in less shabby grey suit trousers with one of his large woolly jumpers.
Diagon Alley was filled with excited children and their parents, running in and out of the stores to collect their things for a brand new year at Hogwarts. Adelaide was relieved that Gringotts wasn't necessary anymore due to the card she had, which allowed her to use her money without having to collect it from the bank.
Their first stop was Madam Malkins to get her school robes and much to her amusement, a familiar blonde was standing getting measured. Remus wandered off as Adelaide suggested he picked out a few robes of his own whilst she approached Madam Malkin.
"Hello, sweetheart, here for your Hogwarts robes?" The kind woman asked with a soft smile.
"Yes, Ma'am" Madam Malkin gestured for Adelaide to step upon the platform beside the blonde, who was observing her silently.
"I'll be right back, young lady," Madam Malkin said before disappearing into the back room.
"First year?" Adelaide turned towards the blonde, who held a look of curiosity in his grey eyes.
"Yes, I assume you are too?"
"Yes. My name is Draco, Draco Malfoy" He introduced himself, holding his hand out for her to shake. She was rather surprised by his lack of etiquette, especially being the heir to one of the sacred 28 pure-blood families.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Adelaide Potter-Black, lady to the most ancient and noble house of Potter, Peverell, Gryffindor, Slytherin and the heir to the most ancient and noble house of Black" Her tone was polite and well-spoken, shaking his hand as he stared at her with his eyes widen.
"My apologies, Lady Potter, Peverell, slytherin, Gryffindor-"
"Please Heir Malfoy, call me Adelaide. We are cousins after all," His shock seemed to increase for a moment before he cooled his features.
"Then you may call me Draco. Um, How are we cousins exactly?" He questioned in curiosity and she knew the moment he returned to his parents, he would inform them of our conversation.
"I was blood adopted by the current Lord Black and my paternal grandmother was originally a Black" His eyebrows shot up in surprise. He wasn't aware that the House of Black currently had a lord nor that Adelaide Potter, also known as the girl who lived, was related to him, whether or not she was blood adopted by Lord Black.
"Adelaide?" Draco and Adelaide turned around, Adel smiling brightly at her Uncle approaching whilst Draco looked between the two with a confused frown.
"Yes, Uncle?"
"Have you been measured yet?" He asked, glancing at Draco for a moment before turning towards his cub. He knew instantly who the child was, he was the spitting image of his father but unlike most parents, he wouldn't stop Adelaide from befriending the boy simply because of his father's past.
"I'm so sorry. Here we go Heir Malfoy, your robes" Madam Malkin spoke in a respectful tone as she approached the two children. Draco nodded his head in thanks before stepping off the platform, he turned towards Adelaide with a small smile.
"It's nice to meet you, Adelaide. Owl me" With a small nod towards his cousin and the scarred man, Draco left the store in search of his parents.
"Well... I see you're making friends already"
ϟ 9¾
The last stop of their shopping trip was Olivanders, and Adelaide was rather curious whether or not she would receive the same Phoenix feathered wand.
"Does it matter? He's gone" Remus spoke quietly from beside her, making Adelaide shrug her shoulders with a small hum.
The two entered the small store, Remus looking around for the old wandmaker whilst Adelaide leaned against the desk. She knew Olivander made the habit of scaring his customers, thinking it adds to his mysterious persona. Adelaide was quite fond of the old wizard, though she felt that he lacked understanding of what personal space truly was.
"3, 2, 1-"
"Ah, Lady Potter, I've been expecting you" Adelaide grinned at her surprised Uncle before turning towards Olivander, who stepped off the ladder.
"Mr Olivander" She greeted with a small nod.
"Mr Lupin. 10 1/4 long, Cypress wood and unicorn hair core. How is your wand treating you?" Olivander asked her godfather, earning a curious look from Adelaide who raised an eyebrow at the older man's question.
"Uh, it's good" Remus mumbled, earning a muffled laugh from his cub though he silenced her with a half-hearted glare.
"Very good. Now Lady Potter, let's find the perfect wand for you"
Adelaide went through ten different unsuccessful wands before her original one was brought forward. Like before, Olivander seemed curious about the wand that shared a core with Voldemort himself and delicately handed it to Adelaide. She took the wand in her hand and waited for the reaction but much to her and Olivanders surprise, it never came.
"Interesting..."
"What's interesting?" Remus asked the older wizard, who was looking between the wand and Adelaide with a confused frown.
"The core to this wand is a Pheonix feather, the same Pheonix that also gave a feather to one other wand. It so happens that this wand's brother was owned by Voldemort" Remus looked at the man with wide eyes before turning towards Adelaide, who was eyeing the wand with a small frown.
A few more wands later, Adelaide was beginning to feel hopeless. Perhaps the elder wand would suit her best? It is one-third of the deathly hallows and being the mistress of death meant that it would work for her perfectly.
"This is elder wood with a dragon heartstring and tail hair of a Thestral, give it a try" The moment the wand was passed into Adelaide's hand, she felt the magic in her core increase and the release only slightly, making the air around her pick up.
"You've found it cub" Remus cheered, making Adelaide laugh at her Uncles excitement.
After paying for the wand and a black dragon hide holster, the pair left the store to return home, leaving Olivander to ponder over the wand he had just sold.
"You'll do great things, Lady Potter"