Chapter Thirty-Four:
( the adams family )

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             IN THE PAST TIMES, Spencer always started off her days gloomily. Waking up from her bed at an early time and yet not going outside her room until she knew food would be ready. Silence everywhere that for some time she would forget how her own voice sounded like. Her body aching in pain or exhaustion— possibly both at the same time. She left no trace of a smile because the manor only caused her suffering and misguided anger. Though, of course, that was all in the past. Everything became different when it came to finding a home at the Burrow. She does not have her own room, but it is rather splendid that the Ginny Weasley is her roommate. The two girls adore one another and stick together while her troublemaker brothers create a mess to develop some laughters.

             She has been getting used to the daily pranks Fred and George would pull on her (last time they dyed her hair lavender!) although at times it would get exhausting. Spencer has not turned seventeen yet which undeniably is sickening with no spells to get back at them. Still, she has defended herself by using their own equipment against them since all she had to do was trick them. Sometimes it worked, other times it didn't when they notice that she created some sort of pattern (and again, it is their own equipment).

             Ever since Dumbledore's death, Death Eaters have been out in the open and more muggles continue disappearing. The Order members keep coming and going with unfortunate news. Darker times is preparing for all of them and Spencer does not know how to feel about it. Some part of her has gotten used to the fact that every single day something new is occurring. Isn't that horrible? Not even being surprise that their next door neighbor can be dead in a few days?

             Spencer does not dwell much on that with Fleur constantly trying to perfect the wedding. It no longer will take place in France, but instead nearby them so they will not be in immediate danger. Ginny and her had their pleasant dress already which Fleur told them it was no bother buying it for them seeing as they looked beautiful— or so she says. The wedding, Spencer thinks, is the only event that is giving her hope for the world. Love somehow managing to overcome a few difficult obstacles, people finding it in the darkest of places. In fact, her former professor, Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks, a great Auror, will get married. Nothing big, but the fact it is happening in short amount of days makes her happy for them.

             Honestly, Spencer never thought about marriage... maybe part of her believed no one would ever come to love her in such way, or maybe she thought she would not live to see it. Her parents did not know the meaning of love which made her see no point in it, but Fleur and Bill? Remus and Tonks? They allowed her to see a new light on it. Marriage can be beautiful when you're in love. She wonders if Blaise and her— why did her mind just go to Blaise? Her eyes fall to the letters they have sent each other. Not wanting to endanger her friends anymore than they should, the two of them rarely send letters just the same with Ricky and Theodore (despite him living with Blaise). However, in all of theirs she always mentions that they should come to the wedding as her invitees and Daniel would gladly pick them up.

             Maybe that is also the reason she is excited for the wedding. To hang out with them and have fun... they need some of that right now.

             "Daydreaming about your boyfriend again?" Fred slides in next to her with a bright grin. Spencer raises her eyebrow in surprise not having seen him enter the girl's room until now. She ignores the way her cheeks redden at the mention and sticks her tongue out at the redhead knowing all he wants to do is embarrass her. "Truly, I'm heartbroken that you will not marry me like planned," Fred fakes a sniffle and even rubs his eyes dramatically.

             "Marry you? She was suppose to marry me!" George arrives to her free side and places his arm around her. He ruffles her hair lovingly before giving her a toothy smile. "How're you and Zabini, however?"

             Spencer pats her hair down like she had it before while telling him, "Good actually. We haven't communicated much as one would since I don't want to endanger your family." She shrugs acceptably, ignoring the frowns growing on their identical faces. The young Montague finds it fascinating how the twins do not let the evilness clouding around them destroy their enthusiasm and joking matters. It is their trademark and even though they know of how cruel the world is, Fred and George decide to focus on giving hope and smiles. Spencer wishes she were like them and yet the demeaning words in her mind completely thought the opposite. Cruel, cruel world — it somehow reminds her that maybe Thomas Hobbes had a point in his statement about humans. Perhaps not all, but monsters roam around the world with a hidden agenda behind a kind face.

             "You know you're part of our family too, right?" George inquires, his brows furrow cautiously while his lips in a thin line. Spencer stares at the two of them and notices how serious they have gotten like if they want her to make sure she knows. She stays quiet until a small nod escapes her— yeah, that smile of theirs should never part. Slowly, they regain it back and press a kiss by her cheek before running off as they hear Ron grumbling something about 'green-colored robes reminding him of puke'.

             She has read books about how family doesn't necessarily have to be blood. It comes in friendships, lovers, anything that makes you feel like you are home. Most of this take place in books of fiction where the characters get their happy ending despite their actual families being a bit horrendous. Spencer never would have assumed this would be something she'd experience as well. The Weasleys, Daniel (although he is actually her blood brother), Harry, Hermione, Ricky, Theodore, and Blaise have become a great deal to her.

             After doing her usual business of cleaning and helping around the Burrow, Spencer sits outside their small porch with A Tale of Two Cities in her hand. The amount of times she has read this simple book is far too much than she should, but it reminds her of when all she worried about was Umbridge and her stupid toad-face expression with the disgusting pink colors. She did not have anything against pink until that woman came along. And yet, most of all, the book reminds her of her boyfriend. The book that they exchanged a long time ago.

             A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other, Spencer pauses from her reading and glances up having notice a small glimpse of blue glow emitting from Ginny's bedroom. She would not have noticed it if it were not the fact that it seems to hit the words she tries reading next. What was it? Having no slight clue, Spencer begins heading up the stairs and passes through the Weasley children and Daniel fixing themselves up a board that the twins made. Her steps increases in speed until she arrives and bursts open the door.

             A sudden rush of fear and panic passes through her system as she notices what exactly glowed brightly. No, no, she repeats in her own mind, grabbing the horseshoe that emitted the light. When Spencer touches it, her vision wavers for a few seconds before she spots shadow-like figures reminding her of dementors spiraling around. She drops the horseshoe and shakes her head letting out a loud, "No!"

             Almost immediately, many steps tumble through the house and Daniel appears in her view. He has his wand out protectively and heads toward her carefully. "Spencer, what happened?" He questions quietly.

             "R-Ricky's in trouble," she blurts out with a small tremble. Her head is spiraling around trying to find some way that she can help from home. "I gave him t-this so if his house gets attacked it'll be protected for around some time and it'll alert me and—"

             Daniel places his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "I'll get Tonks, Remus, and Bill to go with me, okay? Stay here," he orders softly. Spencer swallows deeply and her lips quiver in abhorrent dread.

             She watches helplessly as her brother quickly gathers the others up and they Apparate out of there. Ginny quietly goes to her side and sends her a comforting smile, wrapping her arms around her while trying to console that everything would be okay.

             But all Spencer can think about is Ricky's safety...

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             RICKY ADAMS, A MUGGLEBORN wizard in a family full of, well, muggles. Being the only child of the Adams, the young boy had always been spoiled by his engineer of a father and lawyer of a mother. When he turned eleven and had been sent an unusual letter that he would be going to a school filled with wizards, Ricky had been absolutely thrilled. However, his parents had a hard time believing that a school like that existed— sure, their only boy seemed to do unusual mishaps every now and then, but to be a wizard? That mentality did not stick for long when a tall elder woman claiming to be a witch went to their house and introduced them to the Wizarding World.

             Nothing changed for them except the fact that their only child was a wizard. Even then, they loved and spoiled him endlessly. And when he came out to them claiming that he did not like girls but boys, they accepted him too. His parents listened while he rambled on about having a girl best friend who has known about that side of the world since she was born, but not much of the muggle side (he taught them muggle meant normal humans). He told them about his crush on the most popular boy at school— except he never mentioned why he was popular until his after his fourth year.

             They did not know about the troubles that laid close in front of them until his fourth year passed. That summer was the time he decided to tell them the full truth because he, along with his best friend, knew that Harry Potter was not lying when he said You-Know-Who returned. And so, Ricky explained to his parents that the boy he had a crush on is famous in the Wizarding World because his own parents died to protect him from an evil wizard and that he miraculously survived. It had pained him to see their eyes widen in fear when he informed them that this evil wizard hunts down muggles and anything alike— and of his revival.

             Although, his parents did not get to meet Spencer, they somehow found ways to adore her. From the way Ricky would always talk about her, to the gifts she would give him at school, his parents found it easy to admire her. That present she gave him for Christmas is something he showed them and then placed in the front of his door locking the magical element immediately.

             For some reason, he never really thought that the horseshoe was something he would use. Then again, he lives in the middle of the muggle and Wizarding world where anything is quite literally possible.

             Ricky sits pleasantly beside his mother while they finish their dinner and somehow end up talking about how he received (or gave) his first kiss. She smiles warmly at the spirited-look on his eyes that clearly say more than he wants to. His father teases him about the joy of love (which he began spluttering on about not being in love).

"His name is Theodore, you say?" Evelyn Adams, his mother, speaks in a gentle tone. She has an accent to her voice which Ricky finds himself loving. French and classy in her vocals while she easily pronounces English words. For a woman who can argue her defenses well, she is also someone Ricky considers the best mother. He hides his face knowing that she is currently trying to get more information about the boy he kissed.

"His boyfriend who constantly mails him letters from owls," Julian Adams, his father, teases with a smirk. His voice is low and he still holds the thick French accent, but he knows his English well. He enjoys developing inventions more than anything, usually providing or advancing anything Ricky has to his best extent.

Ricky clears his throat and shrugs. "It's just," he begins slowly knowing that what happened between him and Theodore before had been complicated. "We did not talk much in school."

His mother raises an eyebrow curiously. "Why is that?"

He gazes up awkwardly trying to find the correct words to use. Well, funny story! He actually joined a club that discriminates against muggleborns and muggles alike, but don't worry! He was actually just forced to join because of his evil father— isn't it funny that my best friend is also surrounded with evil relatives? Ricky grimaces at the thought that crossed his mind. Knowing he is taking a bit long to answer, he clears his throat and tells them, "He was having troubles with his father. It is... complicated with You-Know-Who's return."

His parents instantly quiet up before they nod. "Alright, well, I do hope that he treats you right, Ricky. Heaven knows you are an amazing young man. Our child," Evelyn murmurs, pressing her hand lightly onto his. His father motions to his mother's words in agreement. Ricky grins at the two knowing exactly how blessed he is for having a family that actually cares and loves him. It is one of the reasons why he has always wanted to just kidnap Spencer away from hers and take her under his wing. To be welcomed by his muggle parents and never suffer again. He knows that he would do the same for Theodore. Fortunately, Blaise has done his part in that (have you noticed how he has become Blaise rather than Zabini? He supposed that's what happens when his best friend ends up dating him).

"Now, will you be returning...?" His father begins speaking, but Ricky starts to lose focus when he notices a glowing light beginning to surround his entire house. He furrows his eyebrows in confusion and stands up letting his father's word not reach his ears. When he gets close to the windows, his face pales when he spots exactly why there is a light around them.

             Remember that horseshoe Spencer gave him for Christmas? That is the device emitting blinking light alerting him of the attack on his house; the Adams family are being targeted by Death Eaters. He snaps his back toward his parents and takes out his wand.

             "Mum, Dad, stay behind me," Ricky orders, feeling a lump begin to form on his throat and his eyes watering slightly. His parents stare at him in alarm before following his demands. He knows the protection will last for some time— unless You-Know-Who has come in this mission and figures out a way to get through Spencer's magic. He flinches when he hears spells being thrown onto his house and being diverted back (if he ever sees Spencer he might just never let go in that hug).

             His eyes glance back to his own parents knowing he has to do something to protect them somehow. Fuck, it would be the best time to have Spencer's quick reflexes, he thinks to himself before doing his best to think of a spell. What was the vanishing spell she and Blaise did back in their fifth year? Evanesco? No, that was for objects... oh!

             "Inuisibilite," Ricky points his wand at the two adults and internally pats himself when it actually works. His parents have become in invisible. Even then, it does not comfort him at all... how will he get them out of there alive? He is no Gryffindor or Spencer Montague... sure, he has helped before, but along with many other wizards and his friends. Protecting his family by himself with tons of educated Death Eaters? That is not something he is up for.

             Ricky is not sure for how much it lasts and his parents keep asking what is going on. It hurts him to hear them have a wavering tone in their voice, but he makes them stay quiet. The spells continue coming and at one point, the glowing light stops and Ricky knows this would be it. He clutches into his wand and raises it up defensively. As expected, five Death Eaters barge in his house and he recognizes two right away.

             Spencer's aunt and sister are the first ones to cast a spell and with his body in front of his parent's, he repeals their attack with the Shielding Charm. "Stupefy!" He yells immediately after the shield stops their spell.

             "My niece taught you well, but we're still better, mudblood," the older woman lets out a wicked laugh that sends shivers down his spine.

             Ricky feels the adrenaline surge through his body while his hand moves around like everything is easy. He has one of his arms being held up defensively to push his parents back while the other is moving from one side to the other. Sweat begins to drip down his face and he can feel himself starting to get exhausted. He cannot do it. His hand is appearing like it can handle it all. And yet, he knows it will not end good with five of them surrounding him. Ricky prepares for the worst when he hears the familiar chant of "Avada—"

             Before Mordra can finish the incantation, a few more pops comes in front of Ricky and his parents. Daniel Gray, Nymphadora Tonks, Bill Weasley, and Remus Lupin appears in front of the Death Eaters and quickly attack them on spot. Spencer's evil relatives scowls deeply before Apparating out of there while the other three continue to try and fight the Order members. Ricky reopens his eyes and relief flushes among him when he notices he is not dead. His hand is trembling in fear and there is nothing but a desire to simply leave the Wizarding World and get to safety.

             Daniel shows up in front of him and takes a look around, "Where are your parents?"

             "Invisible," Ricky gasps out. He can feel tears wanting to spill out. Daniel nods in understanding and simply points his wand to where his parents stand and they reappear. "Hold on to me," the young man demands, holding out his arm.

             Ricky urges for his parents to listen and suddenly remembers something that he could not believe he had forgotten. Apparition... he could have apparated out of there. Right? Would the defense have allowed him to? Most likely not since the members took some time to get here until the shield dropped... he does not realize that they are no longer home until three other figures pop in once more appearing tired, but overall okay.

             "Ricky!" He hears a familiar voice cries out in relief. The young boy turns and instantly finds himself wrapped in his best friend's arm. He returns the embrace and tightens his hold while feeling the comfort of her warmth. The hug is familiar and everything of love that he cannot help but let out a sob. He can feel his eyes finally letting themselves release the tears, and he digs his face among Spencer's shoulder. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," he repeats with a sniffle.

             Spencer parts from her hug and stares at him in confusion. "What did I do?" She questions. Her hand goes up to his cheek and she wipes away the tears that fall. Ricky swallows back another sob and simply closes his eyes with his own hands wrapping around her.

             "Y-your charm worked, Spence. That's all," Ricky presses his lips on her hair before turning to his parents. The two of them are wide-eyed and in shock, most likely traumatized about what just occurred. "T-they—"

             "We're safe now... right?" He takes a glance at Spencer and watches her nod. Ricky mimics her movement and begins rubbing his eyes trying to rid himself from crying any further. His eyes wander around to notice everyone else around him. An older redhead woman goes toward his parents and eases them down explaining who she is (Molly Weasley) and what just occurred.

             His mother then continues hugging the light out of him and pressed kisses all over his cheek. No one other than him seems to care and instead takes him in like if he is home. Except, it is not his home because his was attacked. Part of it destroyed. His father sits in a chair almost frozen-like before he asks, "What's a mudblood?"

             The air quickly silences and they stare at Ricky knowing it ka best for the muggleborn to talk about it rather than the purebloods. Ricky frowns at the remembrance at what Mordra called him in front of his parents before explaining, "It's a derogatory term— an insult for being a w-wizard with muggle relatives. A n-nasty way of saying muggleborn."

             His mother gasps loudly and in surprise. "Do they call you that in school?!"

             He gives a slight smile trying to assure her that everything is now fine despite not believing it himself. "No, only the ones who think they're better, but many don't care. Like they don't," Ricky motions to his friends and they smile back assuredly.

             "Well," Mrs. Weasley begins off kindly. "I will get some rooms cleared up for you three and—"

             Ricky cuts her off, "Sorry, Mrs. Weasley, but I think it will be best if we find a different place. Your home is crowded and we have another in my parent's first home."

             Spencer parts her lips in realization and a small frown forms on her face. "The one in France?" She questions in a quiet tone.

             He turns to her carefully. "Just my parents... maybe. I don't know, but I can't have them in harms way. You understand, right? Being friends with you almost got them—" Ricky cuts himself off knowing how rude the last part sounded. Being friends with you almost got them killed, he finishes inside his mind. And as much as he loves Spencer, that statement is more than true. He glances away from her when he notices her hurt expression. "I'm sorry," he apologizes lightly.

             The two of them awkwardly avoid each other's gaze while his parents do the opposite. In fact, they seem to momentarily forget about their near death experience when they realize who the girl he talked to is. "Are you Spencer?" His mother questions excitedly.

             Spencer nods politely and holds out her hand. However, his mother has different plans when she brings his friend into her own arms. Spencer grunts in surprise and her cheeks immediately blossom in the warm red of hers clearly still unfamiliar with an embrace of a mother. "Oh, it is so nice to meet you! My son has told me what a wonderful woman you are— and beautiful too!"

             "Thank you, Mrs. Adams," Spencer responds with a gentle smile, the one he easily loves. Ricky rubs his temple slightly trying to get a sense of all that has just happened while listening as his mother tells his best friend to not be silly and call her Evelyn (which he knew Spencer would not do).

             With his eyes watching over his family and his best friend, he leans back on a chair with a debating look on his face similar to the one he wore back toward the end of his sixth year. What was he going to do... run or stay?

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
hahahaha imagined if i killed ricky!-$/!/
it's like im rlly testing u guys 😳🤚