November arrived with its autumn rain and nobody dared getting out anymore. The seventh years were still caught up with homework and didn't have time to have fun anyway. But that wouldn't stop them from doing so. Adena was happy she had to patrol with Noah at night so the both of them could take a break from all of this work. Of course, the young girl could relax with Regulus, but she was going back to her routine of bringing homework with her whenever they would meet in his dormitory on Saturday afternoons. Because of the bad weather announcing winter, the practice sessions slowed down a bit for every team and so the two teens started meeting in the library to work by the beginning of December.

"Regulus, we should meet during the holidays. I still want you to meet my family," said Adena, taking a break from her Charms essay.

The boy looked up at her, thinking of her words. "When could we meet then?"

"I don't know, I'll ask my parents. You can have a dinner with us. At least I'm sure my parents will be there."

"Hm, it's fine for me. I can just come home with you at the start of the holidays."

Adena just stared at him, a little surprised. "Really? Don't you wanna go home?"

"I don't care. I just said it like that. We could meet at other times anyway."

"I'll send a letter to my parents then, and we'll meet my grandmother on the next day, and I'll also invite my aunt with Arsene you know I told you... Tell your parents too."

"I will. And would you like to go to a party on the 31st? My relatives usually do that. It'll be boring as hell that's why I'm asking," he said with a light chuckle.

"Will he be there?"

Regulus stared at her confused and understood after some seconds. "No, he won't. He actually planned some meetings for the month. I'll know about them later."

"You-know-who sends letters?" she asked curiously.

The boy almost wanted to laugh at her innocence, he hid his grin then lift up his covered left arm.

"That's how we know when he wants a meeting."

"Does it hurt?"

"It burns slightly."

"Wait! Have you ever felt it recently, I mean these past months?" Her tone was a little alarmed, she had never thought of that.

"Yes. Several times."

"Oh, I didn't know..."

"There was no need to tell you, it's nothing really. We get used."

She pouted a little as she said, "It must have hurt."

"It does when we don't come."

"But... you never come..."

"But I got used, don't worry," he said reassuringly. He brought his hand across the table to caress her hair, avoiding the leg of her glasses as he placed some locks behind her ear. "Don't worry," he told her again, his eyes comforting as he looked into hers.

Adena's mother agreed on meeting Regulus on the first night of the holidays and she obviously sounded excited regarding this meeting. When they were in the train returning to London, Adena made sure to warn him about her family.

"My mother... wait, do you remember her name?"

"Juliet. And your father's Marshall and of course I can't forget that brat you have for sister, Candace," sighed the boy making Adena laugh.

"Perfect. So my mother as I told you is really happy about me having a boyfriend, and I know for sure she's completely delighted about meeting you so she might pester you with questions."

"Okay, I'll try my best to answer what could please her."

"Exactly." She laughed again then added in more seriousness, "I'll talk to my sister before. I can't let her mess up everything."

"I'm sure she's not that dumb."

"She's said plenty of shit in front of my parents..." The angriness she had once felt had completely disappeared and she now felt afraid thinking of what her sister could do to ruin this moment.

"It's different and she's kinda acceptive now, right?" he said, hopeful.

"Well yes, you're right."

"It'll be fine, don't be nervous," he told her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, making the girl lie against his side.

"Don't do lovey-dovey shit you two," said Ivanna Flint in front of them. The two glared at her.

"Flint, it's nothing," chuckled Noah.

"They remind me how single I am," grunted the girl.

"Don't you have a guy you'll be engaged to?" asked Regulus, the ghost of a smirk tugged on his lips.

"Please don't mention it! There's no guy good enough for me among our community anyway."

"Try somewhere else then," said Adena.

"You mean you want me to date a Ravenclaw who hangs out with half-bloods like Black? I don't think my parents would be okay."

"My parents don't mind her being a Ravenclaw," said Regulus.

"I don't think they don't mind Winsten being too friendly with Lee right here. No offense though."

The boy by her side tensed up a little at her words.

"She did say some things about that to Regulus, but I make my own choices and it won't stop me from being close to Noah and Millie," replied Adena, a determined glint in her eyes as she looked at Ivanna. She was completely serious. The young Ravenclaw didn't know about it, but her friend felt comforted by her words.

The next minutes were quiet until Adena and Noah had to patrol through the train.

"I'll see you at the station," she said to Regulus before leaving.

When they finished, they joined their Ravenclaw friends in their compartment.

"Finally, you're here. These two can't stop bickering," sighed Isaac while pointing to Jade and Jacob in front of him. Adena grabbed Noah's wrist and lead him to where they were sitting so, they could take a seat between them.

"Here, this should be fine," said the brunette with a satisfied grin. "You really can't handle children guys, Mum and Dad had to come and put some calm in there."

"We aren't children," muttered the blonde boy next to her as he pushed her.

"You do act like one though," she answered.

The ride was much lighter after, filled with jokes and laughter, and lots of chocolate frogs as usual. When the seven of them were reunited, it was never boring. Adena had really got used to them even though she tried to push them away for years, she felt much better by their side.

The train finally came to a stop after some more hours. They said their goodbyes and each of them disappeared one by one. Adena didn't and waited for Arsene to come to her.

"I found Mum. You can come," said a soft voice behind her. The brunette turned around, meeting with her cousin. He took a hold of her hand, leading her as she was carrying her trunk by magic.

"Mum look who I brought!" exclaimed the boy.

Adena was now in front of a woman, not much taller than her, looking like she was in her thirties. Her blonde hair was hold in a high ponytail and she looked surprised when her eyes fell upon the girl in front of her. Age didn't change her that much, thought the brunette, but she looked different from last time they met.

"Adena? Is that you?"

"Yes, Aunt Bethany, it's nice to see you again."

The woman slowly brought Adena in a tight hug which she returned.

"Wow, you've grown up. You're a young woman now. How many years has it been? Five?"

"I don't know but it's been long," answered the brunette as her aunt released her.

"You're all pretty. You have the beautiful features of your mother..." she whispered as she regarded her.

"Candace looks even more like Mum you should see her."

"I'd like to..."

"Come to our place tomorrow."

"What?" she was surprised by her words, not expecting that.

"Please, Mum, Adena told me we'd go."

"Your mother won't be here?"

"No, it'll be me and Candace. And my boyfriend."

"I guess we have some catch up to do... you two have grown up now, just because I don't talk to your mother now doesn't mean I won't talk to my nieces."

"Yeah. Let's do some catch up tomorrow. Come by at four, it should be fine. Arsene, prepare yourself for some flying."

"Great, see you tomorrow then."

"I can't wait!" exclaimed the boy excitedly.

Adena smiled at them before turning around and looking for Regulus. Some people were still there but he shouldn't be too far.

"Finished?" a voice said behind her, surprising her a little.

"Yeah, let's go." She turned around and grabbed his hand so they could Apparate at her house.

author's note: i just wanted to say this story has been ranked 1st on a hashtag for some days before and again after and i just want to say thank you for paying attention to it and for appreciating it