Harry and Adelaide continue to travel around many of the countries within Europe, exploring what each city or province has to offer.

Well Adelaide explores, Harry has seen it all before, but like a young child discovering new delights every day, Harry is enjoying experiencing it all again through her eyes.

He feels there is something to be said when you can share it with someone else.

He hears that an old friend is currently calling London home and Harry tells Adelaide that he would love for her to meet him.

So, Harry finds himself on a train, knowing he could have very well flown them there a hell of a lot quicker, but Adelaide wants to take it slow and look at the scenery.

And Harry always obliges his love.

He rests his book down on his lap and looks over at Adelaide who currently hunches over her journal, her face frowning with concentration as she busily scribbles down her thoughts, ideas and observations.

Memories she wants to savour, things she wants to remember, places she wants to revisit, people that they've met.

His heart swells as he smiles fondly at her and only then does her frown disappear, only to be replaced by a smile.

"Stop staring," she says without looking up.

"Can't," he replies, "won't."

She sighs dramatically before flipping her journal shut and looking up to meet Harry's gaze along with his playful smirk.

"What?" she asks.

"It's lonely over here," he pats the space next to him invitingly.

Adelaide shoves her journal into her bag and rolls her eyes before standing from her seat and moving to sit next to Harry, cuddling into his side as his arm moves around her.

"Happy?" she asks pointedly.

"Not quite," he replies before leaning down to kiss her briefly, "now I am."

Adelaide swats his arm playfully before resting her head on his chest and gazing out the window.

Harry loves that she can pretend to be overdramatic and playful with him.

When they had first left, there was many a time she would flinch or shy away from him, preparing for a physical or verbal onslaught that she usually experienced with Jonathon.

But with Harry it never came.

Under Harry's care, she has blossomed, become the confident, free-spirited woman that Harry knows was inside her.

She was like a flower seed that was planted in the corner and never given the chance to grow and bloom until Harry came along, like the sun and rain, he gave her the room to grow.

He gave her life.

Hours later they arrive in London, Adelaide's excitement matching the hustle and bustle of the city however Harry decides that they'll stay in a bed and breakfast where it's much quieter.

"You're getting grumpy in your old age," Adelaide jokingly pokes fun at Harry.

He's about to protest when he agrees that she may actually be right.

"Are you excited to be seeing your friend again?" she asks as she unpacks their clothes.

"I actually am," he says, "but I'm also excited for you to meet him too."

Adelaide nods in response and continues to unpack.

"Addie..." Harry walks over to her and takes hold of the clothes in her hands, effectively stopping her from moving, "what is it?"

She sighs before looking up at him.

"Nerves I guess," she replies, "what if he does not like me?"

"How could anyone not like you my love?" he smiles down at her, "you are positively enchanting and an absolute joy to be around," he pauses, "he'll love you."

Adelaide regards him sceptically.

"But-" she starts.

"But nothing," he places a finger over her lips to silence her, "he'll love you," he repeats before removing his finger and replacing them with his own lips, "we should probably start to dress though if we want to be there at a reasonable hour."

Harry's friend is holding a gathering, a masquerade ball and both Harry and Adelaide have been invited to attend.

He finishes adjusting his tie in the mirror when the door to the bathroom opens and Adelaide walks out.

Harry stops what he's doing and stares at her, his gaze starting from her feet before it slowly travels all the way up to her masked face.

"It's not fancy enough is it?" Adelaide blurts out, "we didn't really have room for a large ballgown, so I thought this..." she nervously smooths out the fabric of the dress, "it's terrible isn't it?"

Harry shakes his head as if to shake some sense into himself.

"You look beautiful," he finally breathes out, "absolutely stunning," he moves to walk over to her, "green is certainly your colour..." he smiles.

Adelaide smiles shyly.

"I chose it because it reminds me of your eyes," she replies.

Harry says nothing.

He holds Adelaide gently by both her hands and stares at her with such intensity she has to look away.

"It amazes me how you can say such little things, yet they render me speechless," he says affectionately.

Adelaide smiles and bites her lip as she looks up at Harry, the look in his eyes causes her stomach to flutter.

"We should go," he suddenly says, "otherwise you'll leave me no choice but to remove it from you and have my way with you..."

Adelaide agrees as she knows she would absolutely let him.

The carriage pulls up in front of the large house, the driver opening the door before holding out his hand to assist Adelaide safely down the stairs and onto the ground.

Harry thanks him before paying for his services and the carriage moves off, leaving the two of them standing before the path towards the entry.

Harry holds his arm out for Adelaide to take and he guides her up to the waiting doormen.

They do not ask his name, they are already familiar with the gentleman making his way towards them but not the young woman.

"Pleasure to see you again Mr. Styles," one of the doormen greets Harry, opening the door for them.

"Likewise," he nods his head in kind, "may I introduce Miss. Adelaide," he guides her to enter before him as both men smile politely at her.

They enter the foyer area where they check their coats and Harry takes the opportunity to take in Adelaide's appearance again, how stunning she looks and how lucky he is to call her his.

They head into the main area where all the other guests are gathering, Harry taking two glasses of champagne off a waiter walking by with a tray full of them, offering one to Adelaide.

"Harry!" a voice suddenly calls out which has them both looking to their right, "Harry you made it!"

A young man walks up briskly to Harry, grabbing him in hug as he reaches them, both men greeting each other with wide smiles.

"And who is this divine creature?" he pulls away from Harry and turns his attention to Adelaide, reaching for her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it.

"Alexander, this is Adelaide, Adelaide, this is Alexander, a very dear old friend," Harry introduces the two of them.

"Enchanted to meet you," Alexander says, "she really is a beauty Harry," he smiles at his friend.

"Most definitely," Harry looks at Adelaide, his heart bursting with pride.

Adelaide could stand the attention no longer.

"Goodness me, hush," she takes a sip of her champagne, "what does a girl have to do to get something to eat around here?"

"Solid or liquid?" Alexander asks in a hushed tone.

"Solid for now please," Adelaide smiles in return.

"Allow me," Alexander holds his arm out for Adelaide to take, which she does after seeing Harry nod his head slightly.

"Still turning on the charm for the ladies after all these years?" Harry comments as he follows them both.

"I would not be me if I did not," Alexander replies over his shoulder, "is it working?" he loudly whispers to Adelaide.

"As charming as you are Sir," Adelaide responds, "my heart belongs only to Harry."

Alexander regards them both as they reach the table laden with a vast array of delicacies, Adelaide never having never seen so much food in one sitting.

"She is the one, is she not?" he asks Harry, his face suddenly serious.

"She is," Harry says proudly.

Alexander beams at his friend, happy that he has finally found his equal.

"Wonderful news my friend!" he smiles, "come...feast...dance...enjoy!" he waves his hand with a flourish, "I must mingle, so delighted you could make it!"

Harry and Adelaide watch as he navigates his way through the crowd, stopping to talk to his guests, a joyous smile on his face.

"He's quite the character," Adelaide muses, "seems lovely though."

"I will agree to yes on both observations," Harry replies with a smile, "come love, you were just saying how hungry you were..." he guides Adelaide over to the large buffet table.

Adelaide wanders slowly, taking her time in deciding what she wants to eat when the hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stand on end.

Turning around abruptly, she sees no one staring at her as she looks around.

Frowning, she turns back around and resumes choosing her food.

"He has found you," a woman's voice whispers in her ear.

Adelaide's plate drops onto the table with a thud before she turns around again to find the source of the voice, but again, there is no one near her.

"He has found you," the voice repeats itself and again, there is no one there.

Adelaide's heart begins beating wildly, partly in fear as confusion sets in.

"Love?" she gasps as Harry appears from nowhere and stands by her side, "you look like you've seen a ghost..." he says, taking in her appearance, "what is it?"

"I...I felt someone staring..." she begins, "and then a voice..."

Harry frowns, unsure of what to make of Adelaide's confession.

"Did you see them?" he asks, gazing around the room to see if he can see anything, or anyone.

"No...I just heard her voice..." she says.

"Her?" Harry repeats.

"Yes. She said, he has found you, what does that mean?" Adelaide asks, "who would want to find me?"

Harry stands silently for a moment.

He has no idea who would be after his Adelaide and why.

And as for the woman that she has heard, this leaves him just as confused.

But he knows one thing for certain.

He will not hesitate to kill anyone who tries to come near her or harm her any way.

"I'll not leave you my love," he says, picking up her plate and handing it to her, "let us eat, shall we?"

Adelaide takes her plate from Harry and waits for him to select something for himself before they make their way over to a quiet corner.

They talk quietly amongst themselves, and unbeknownst to them, she watches.

She watches how he gazes at her lovingly, as though she is his whole world.

Pathetic.

She could never mean as much to Harry as she once did.

She could never have the kind of connection that they once shared.

She was merely a toy for him, a dalliance.

She would soon be disposed of and Harry would be free to be by her side again.

Just like it used to be.

Harry finishes telling Adelaide about how he and Alexander met when they become aware of a presence next to them.

Harry is the first to notice the woman, his expression one of shock which soon turns to one of pure anger.

Adelaide thought her another friend of Harry's until she physically feels his reaction to the stranger.

And it scares her.

Not in the way that she feels she should fear Harry.

The fact that he has reacted to this woman in such a way.

Who is she to him?

"Harry," the woman says simply.

Harry says nothing.

He glares at the woman before moving to stand so he shields Adelaide from her.

He is no fool.

He knows exactly what she is capable of.

And he is quite sure she is not here by accident.

"What do you want Sabinè?" he growls lowly, causing Adelaide to jump.

She has never heard him speak in such a way.

"Is that any way to treat a long-lost friend?" she purrs, placing her hand on his arm.

As Harry shrugs her off, not wanting her to touch him, Adelaide steps back, the plate in her hands falling to the floor.

Harry turns his head to see Adelaide staring at Sabine, her eyes wide, her face pale.

"You..." she says in confusion.

Sabine merely rolls her eyes at Adelaide.

"You" she mimics.

"It was you I heard..." she whispers, "you...who has found me? Who?" she asks, louder this time.

Harry grabs Sabinè by the arm, pulling her so her back is against the wall.

"Who is after Adelaide?" he asks, his teeth clenching, "tell me!"

Sabinè laughs before running her tongue over her bottom lip.

"Oh, Harry darling," she pushes her body against his before glancing at Adelaide, "not happy to see me? I remember you used to be so very happy to see me...repeatedly..." she trails off, winking at Adelaide.

Harry pushes her back, his eyes turning red.

"Who is after Adelaide?" he asks again, "and I strongly suggest if you wish to keep breathing you shall tell me."

"All in good time," Sabinè replies, "he shall make himself known and then when Adelaide becomes his, you shall become mine...quite simple really."

"Harry..." Adelaide says, her voice shaking, causing Harry to let go of Sabinè and turn his attention to her, "what does she mean?"

"She means..." Harry turns back but finds Sabinè gone.

Vanished.

"Harry I'm scared," Adelaide whispers.

"Sweetheart," Harry pulls her to him, hugging her tightly, "I swear on my own life, I will not let any harm come to you...I promise."

Adelaide trusts Harry with her life so she decides to go with her instincts and believe he will do the right thing by her and protect her.

Both of them.

"Shall we go and dance?" Harry suggests, hoping it will lighten the sombre mood and that they can at least try to enjoy themselves at this ball.

Adelaide smiles and nods as she lets Harry guide her by the hand.

"He has found you..." Sabine's mocking voice repeats itself, however this time, Harry hears her as well.

His grip on Adelaide tightens as they join the other guests on the dancefloor, his arms ready to lead her around as his mouth moves to her ear.

"I promise," he says as he gazes intently at her before they lose themselves with the other dancers.