Because Of Them *Complete!*

[PiER]

This story is so different from anything I have ever read. I like the way Albus and Minerva's home life is not as picturesque as portrayed in most fanfiction. However, my heart does go out to Minerva, withering away pining for Albus. Though I find myself longing for more memories from Adara.

Wonderful! ;D

PiER

PS. Just had to add that Kingsley's role in this is great.

[tabby19]

Awww... that's the sadest thing I've ever heard!!

[kissofdeath]

Hey guys! Just realized how long its been since an update. Lol, sorry. My ADMM muse has struck again and I bring you a chunk of an update. Enjoy!


~Memory Two~

Minerva walked into her living room, giving a small smile as she watched her daughter read through her fairy tale book. She stared in awe as she listened to her daughter read through the whole story perfectly without any errors. At the back of her mind she wondered when Adara had gotten so good at reading. In fact, she didn’t even know Adara could read in the first place. She stopped her thoughts when she heard Adara finish the end of one story.

“Alright little one. Time for bed.” Minerva said as she took the book gently from her daughter’s hands.

“Mummy, when’s dad coming home?” asked Adara.

“Soon darling. Very soon.” She answered as usual

Adara rolled her eyes and sighed “You always say that!”

“And its always true! You’re father will be here sooner than you know it.”

Adara scoffed. “That’s what you said three weeks ago.”

“Adara…” The last thing Minerva wanted to do at the moment was to argue with her daughter so she hastily changed the subject. “You know, I’m very proud of you, Adara. You can read so well now. Who taught you how to read?”

“No one taught me. How could they? No one’s ever here. Alberic is always at Hagrid’s hut and it’s just me with the house-elves. I had to learn by myself”

“Well in any case, I’m still very proud of you.” She hugged her daughter but her daughter just shrugged her off.

“You would have been proud of me last year. After all, that’s when I learned how to read.” Said Adara icily.

“Oh…” Minerva said as her face fell.

Adara sighed and stood up, walking away from her mother. “Don’t worry mum. I’m going to bed already, so you can go back to grading your papers. We both know that’s what you’d rather be doing anyway.”

Before Minerva could reply to her daughter’s rather obnoxious statement, Adara was already in her room and locked her door, completely unaware that her mother was reduced to tears from the red- hot blade of her words.

[kissofdeath]

~Memory Three~

Albus laughed with his oldest son who had just finished telling him a joke. Ever since the dark lord Voldemort had come to power, he scarcely saw his children, especially with the school year going on. Although he and Minerva did run Hogwarts, they had decided it would be much safer if Adara and Alberic attended other schools, so Adara studied in Beauxbatons and Alberic in Durmstrang, thus allowing Albus very little, if any, time with his children. Even his youngest child Aiden, who lived with Minerva and him at Hogwarts, rarely saw Albus. All these circumstances made Albus cherish every single minute with his children. His children understood and cherished the time as well. Except one of them, that is.

“Albus! Albus, get up here quickly please!” Minerva’s voice, quivering from rage, called from upstairs.

Albus paused. Assuming it was himself Minerva was angry with, he mentally went through what he did that day and yet could not find anything that would make her this angry. His musings didn’t last long, however, as he saw Minerva dragging a fidgeting figure dressed in black down the stairs. One look at the person’s face and he already had a general idea of what had happened. “Adara,” he sighed. “What has she done now?” he looked towards Minerva.

Minerva looked at her fourteen year-old daughter. “Go on, show your father what you’ve done.”

Adara rolled her eyes and merely plugged her magical ipod into her ears, ignoring her mother.

Albus took the opportunity to look over at her. She had changed so much these past few years. Not just the changes all young adults go through as they go into their teenage years. She had taken to wearing only black clothes, accessorized outrageously, usually metal chains or something similar, giving her the look as though she had just escaped from Azkaban. Her ebony hair was now streaked with purple. Her blue eyes, so like his, were partially hidden by the thickness of the black eyeliner she now wore. It was then at taking a long glance at his daughter’s eyes that he realized a crucial difference between his eyes and her’s. Her eyes lacked the twinkle his eyes were often described as having .In fact; they weren’t even the sparkling blue his were. They were reduced to a dull dark shade of blue. And he knew that it wasn’t just because at the moment she was rather cross with her mother. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen her eyes twinkle. Why, he couldn’t even remember the last time he had heard her laugh or seen her smile! He snapped out of his thoughts as he heard his wife’s sharp voice.

“Take those damn headphones out of your ears!” Minerva exclaimed as she pulled out the headphones, causing Adara to hiss in pain. “Now show your father what you’ve done!”

“Fine” Adara said coolly. She stuck out her tongue at Albus. At first, he assumed it was a rude gesture until he noticed a small circle shaped piece of silver shining on her tongue.

Albus sighed and looked towards his daughter who rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by her mother’s presence.

“It’s not that big of a deal. Mum’s just flipping out over nothing.”

“Over nothing?!?!?! Over nothing?!?!?! You deliberately disobeyed me.”

“Why are you so upset, mum? You didn’t seem to mind when Adara got her navel pierced.”

Minerva gaped and looked between her two oldest children,

Albus turned to his oldest son. “Alberic, I think it’s best if you head over to your room.”

Alberic, who was enjoying watching his mother scold his sister, sighed. “But dad….”

“Now, son.” He said sharply.

Alberic nodded and walked up the stairs to his room, but not before shooting a rather nasty smirk to his sister.

Adara rolled her eyes. “Bloody snitch” she muttered as she turned to walk back up the stairs to her room.

Furious, Minerva grabbed her daughter’s arm roughly, with a bit more force then necessary, sending her crashing onto the ground hard.

“Who the hell do you think you are?!?!?!?” asked Adara as she rubbed her quickly bruising arm.

“Well, let’s see. I carried you for 9 months, and spent 17 excruciating hours of labor giving birth to you. I daresay I’m your mother.” Said Minerva dryly.

“By your definition.” Adara retorted venomously.

“Excuse me?!?!”

“Meaning, there’s more to being a parent that just popping out a kid and seeing them two or three times a year.”

“Oh Merlin, is this what this is all about? Adara, we discussed this. So many times, we’ve discussed this.”

“Yes, yes. I know how this dance goes. You glance at us one day, notice that we’re not the toddlers we were the last time you looked at us, get depressed at how you’ve missed out on so much of our lives, and beg me, Aiden, and Alberic to answer you honestly and tell you if you’re a good mother. We lie through our teeth and tell you that you’re an excellent mother, and that you’re just not around as much as we’d like. You start to tear up and promise to be there for us more. We hug, kiss, and make up, all looking forward to a new happy future. But then the next morning arrives and as usual, you’re both gone, the conversation from the night before is forgotten and soon the cycle begins again. Over and over and over again.” Adara said coldly as she looked her mother straight in the eye.

Minerva stared at her daughter stunned. She took several deep breaths to ensure that she wouldn’t break down in front of her daughter, for that was how much her daughter’s words had affected her. Not because it was said in such a harsh manner, but because more or less, it was true..

Albus also stared at Adara, speechless. For once in his life, he could not think of one single intelligent thing to say. And honestly, he didn’t think he had a right to respond to what Adara had just said. This was the problem with Albus. While Minerva had no problem disciplining the children, even if it meant that the first words out of her mouth after months of not seeing her child were words being used to scold them. He never felt as though he had a right to scold his children and therefore never did.

“So what would you have me do, Adara. Choose between the children at Hogwarts and my own children?” asked Minerva as she blinked back the tears that were threatening to spill down her face.

Adara snorted. “Of course not. Why would I even bother? We both know what your answer would be.” She turned away and began to walk back up to her room.

By then, Minerva didn’t even bother trying to hold back the tears that had recently emerged from her daughter’s recent statement, which also in a sense was true. “You know, your brothers understand the situation your father and I are in. Why can’t you?”

Adara stopped halfway to the second floor and turned towards her mother. “I guess I’m just the screw-up.”

Before Minerva could stop herself, she blurted out the one thing she should have never said. “Yes, I suppose you are.”

Adara winced, which Minerva was painfully aware of. “Well, at least we’ve agreed on something, Mother” she turned around and ran the rest of the way to her room where she locked the door and collapsed onto the floor, succumbing to the tears, which quickly consumed her. Blindly, she raised her sleeve up to her elbow, revealing crimson slashes, all of different age and length. She reached for her razor began adding new cuts to her mutilated arm. Little by little, she felt her grief and depression fade away with each cut she made. She breathed a sigh of relief and welcomed the stinging pain she felt replacing her inner turmoil.

[kissofdeath]

Omg! Another new chapter in less than a week? It's a miracle! Lol, here you go. Enjoys!

~Kissofdeath


~Memory 4~

Aiden glanced at his toy broomstick warily. His father had just given it to him earlier in an effort to try and spark some quidditch interest in him but so far, Aiden was still to scared to even sit on his broomstick and still jumped a few feet whenever the broom would start to move.

Suddenly, the door burst open and a figure thoroughly covered by a long black cloak stepped into the house dragging a large trunk.. Aidan let out a terrified squeal and took cover behind the couch.

The figure removed her cloak, revealing a fifteen-year-old girl dressed in a rather tight black top with matching black pants accessorized with heavy metal chains. Her shoulder length black hair had dark violet streaks and her gorgeous blue eyes hidden by the dark eyeliner. The girl herself would have been enough to terrify anyone but Aiden knew who she was and immediately let out a sigh of relief as the fear subsided, for the girl was his older sister Adara.

Adara rolled her eyes as she observed her brothers rather cowardly behavior. “Fuck, Aiden. You’re so pathetic. You practically had a heart attack when I walked in”

“I did not.” Aiden pouted.

Adara rolled her eyes again. “Whatever. Are mother and father here or is it just us again.”

“Nope! They’re upstairs and they’ll be here all week!” said Aiden brightly.

Adara snorted in disbelief. “I doubt that. They’ll probably be gone later today.”

Aiden glared at his sister. “No they won’t. They promised they’d be here for the whole holiday!”

“I doubt that. Give it a moment or two. They’ll be gone.” Leaned across the back of the couch with her arms over her chest waiting.

Sure enough, about 5 minutes later Albus came running down the stairs with Minerva close behind him. The first and last words out of his mouth being “Move, Adara.” As he grabbed his cloak and stormed out the door.

Aiden was shocked at his parent’s abrupt behavior and grabbed his mother’s hand in an attempt to stop her. “Mummy, where are you going? You promised you’d stay here with us all week!”

Minerva stopped trying to put on her cloak and bent down to Aiden’s level. “I’m sorry dearest. But mummy and daddy have been called away, something important has come up.”

Aiden sniffed and wiped away at a few of the tears that had made its way down his face. “It’s alright, mummy. I understand.”

Minerva smiled tenderly at her son and hugged him tightly, giving him a kiss on the forhead, which Aiden returned whole-heartedly.

Adara, on the other hand, felt quite ignored. Ignored and annoyed, but not quite hurt and not at all surprised.

Just as Minerva was almost out the door, Adara cleared her throat loudly. Minerva turned and just noticed her daughter standing there looking quite annoyed. Hearing her husband call her name and tel her to hurry up, she continued striding out the door. “Look after your brother,” she called over her shoulder.

The door shut itself, leaving the two siblings alone in the house. Aiden continued to stare at the door, more tears making its way down his face. Adara got up from her position and opened her parents liquor cabinet, taking a few minutes to carefully consider her selection.

Aiden stared at his sister, completey bewildered by the fact that she was completely unaffected by their parents abrupt change of plans, while he was crushed with disappointment. “Aren’t you upset that mum and dad changed the plans?” he asked.

Adara picked a bottle of sherry and opened it, pouring herself a generous serving. “Not at all.”

“Why not?” asked Aiden, completely shocked.

Adara swirled the sherry around in her cup before answering. “Aiden, it’s not the first time Mother and Father have backed out on their plans, and I can assure you it won’t be the last.” She lifted her glass towards her brother, toasting to him. “Here’s to you, Aiden. Happy fucking Christmas!” She drained the entire goblet in one swallow, proving that she wasn’t an amateur drinker.

“See you later, midget.” She called as she made her way up the stairs to her room, a few extra bottles of sherry and the goblet in her hand..

Aiden stared at the liquor cabinet his sister had forgotten to close. Still a bit upset and disappointed in the change of events, he decided to follow his sister’s lead. Choosing a green bottle, he opened it without much difficulty and began to drink, delighting in the sweetness of the beverage and the warmness her felt in his chest, eating away at his disappointment.


~The Next Day ~


“Howdy Mummy!” Aiden slurred as he waved enthusiastically to his mother.

Minerva smiled as she reached the top of the staircase and saw her youngest son already awake and waiting for her. The winter holidays had already begun, but she had yet to spend any time with her children.

“Hello sweetheart.” Minerva held her arms open for her son.

Aiden grinned and ran over to his mother. Or, at least her tried to. Minerva noticed right away that something was off and immediately grew concerned.

“Are you alright, darling?” Minerva asked, gently cupping Aiden’s face.

“Fantastic!” Aiden exclaimed.

“If you insist,” said Minerva warily. “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

“No. I’m not hungry. I drank a lot of the magic lemonade.” He slurred as he walked over to the table and took a long sip from his cup.

Minerva’s eyes immediately narrowed in suspician. “What magic lemonade, Aiden?”

Aiden reached for the cup and handed it to Minerva, spilling a few drops in the process.

Minerva sniffed it suspiciously and took a few sips. It was then that everything clicked. “Adara…..” she hissed. Quickly, she waved her hand, summoning a large glass of water.

She bent down to Aiden’s level and handed him the glass. “Here, darling. Stay right here and drink this, alright?”

“Yes, mummy”

“Good boy” she whispered, feeling a surge of affection for her son, as she stroked and laid a kiss on her child’s head.

Minerva stood up and headed down the hall to her other child’s room, one who Minerva wasn’t particularly feeling a surge of affection for, at the moment. She rapped three times on the door loudly.

“ugh, go away” Adara muttered from inside, not making any attempt to open the door.

Minerva waved her wand, blasting Adara’s door open.

Adara groaned, clutching her head in an attempt to try and stop the unbearable throbbing.

“I don’t believe this. Not only do you give your little brother a margarita, but you’re intoxicated as well.” Minerva glanced around the room, noticing all the empty bottles of sherry, firewhiskey, and vodka along with empty packets of cigarettes.

Adara rose from the bed rather clumsily, swaying slightly as she stood. “Ok, first off, I’m not drunk. I’m just exhausted because I spent the night drinking. Second, I didn’t give Aiden anything. The little brat went and got it himself from your liquor cabinet.

Minerva glared at her daughter, arms crossed, clearly disgusted with Adara’s behavior. “I don’t know what to say to you, Adara, All I ask is that you watch over Aiden while your father and I are on Order missions and meetings and Alberic is on an internship at the ministry. And what happens? You end up completely intoxicated and Aiden is on the way to being intoxicated himself. Do you realize what could have happened?”

“What the hell do you mean ‘all I ask’? I come home from Beauxbatons. Dad knocks me over as he ran out the door with you right behind him, and you called over your shoulder, something about Aiden. There was no question involved. Only orders!” said Adara, indignantly as she sat down on her desk. Her mood visibly improved as she noticed that one of the sherry bottles still had about a quarter left. Smiling, she brought the bottle to her lips, anticipating the soothing burn, until Minerva knocked it out of her hand,

“When did you become such a drinker?”

“Started when I was ten. It’s not like you were around to notice though. So it’s really no big deal if Aiden takes a few swigs every now and then. He’s what, nine now?”

“Try seven”

“Close enough” Adara shrugged as she continued looking through the other bottles.

“Just wait until your father hears about this.” Minerva muttered as she walked out of the room.

Adara let out a snort of laughter. “And when will that be, mother? In a year? A year and a half?”

Minerva made a slight grimace, which Adara didn’t notice, and turned around. “You make it seem as though your father and I choose to spend as little time with you all as possible.”

“I call it as I see it.”

Minerva sighed and laid a hand on Adara’s shoulder, not entirely surprised when Adara pulled away. Hurt, she decided to give up and return to Aiden. She was already out the door when Adara’s voice stopped her.

“It’s probably a good thing the family’s a secret. Otherwise dad would have to face a hell of a lot of embarrassment.”

Minerva whirled around. This little spat had turned into something she couldn’t ignore.

“Excuse me?”

“You know, the whole deal about fucking his deputy, getting her pregnant, having to marry her, and then popping out 2 more kids. One a pompous self-centered prat, the other a complete screw up, as she was lovingly called, and the last one a total coward whose afraid of his own shadow. That’s a whole lot of shit on someone most people consider the greatest wizard in the world. Can’t really blame dad for wanting to shush it all up.”

Angry and disgusted beyond belief, Minerva did the one thing she vowed she would never do to any of her children. She raised her left hand and struck Adara hard across the face, leaving a red mark and a rather nasty scratch from (ironically) her wedding ring.

Adara let out a small gasp at the sudden sting she felt at her face and the warm blood dripping down her face. This was the first time her mother had ever really gotten physical with her. Normally she would just reply something equally harsh and cruel before storming off to be with Aiden or Alberic. Adara honestly did not expect to get slapped. Stunned, she stared at her mother with a shocked expression while gingerly touching her face.

Minerva was just as stunned at what she had done and stared at Adara’s face with horror at how it was starting to swell and quite a bit of blood was oozing down her face. “A-Adara I’m so sorry. I don’t know-”

But before she could finish, Adara ran right past her. “Stay the hell away from me.” She whispered as she ran out of the house.

[PiER]

This story is getting angstier (?) and angstier (?), alright, better and better. I do so love the way you portray Minerva at the end of her rag and Albus as the aloof, noncommittal parent. Also, through the memories, you have given Adara's brothers clearer characters. This story is really growing and I look forward to reading more.

*PiER

[kissofdeath]

thank you for the reviews! they are very encouraging and really do help. ive actually already written the ending and am in the midst of writing the rest. i wasn't kidding when i said my ADMM muse returned.

I know I've kept saying I'll update soon and never do but this time I mean it. I've finally figured out the perfect way for this story to go. Probably by the end of this month or October this story will end.

The question is, can you handle the angst?

Mwahahahahaha, lol.

again, thanks for the reviews!

~Kissofdeath

[kissofdeath]

~Memory 5~

Adara crawled into the second floor window cautiously, as to not make any noise. It was around 4 am and the last thing she wanted was another pointless lecture from her mother. Just as she had gotten completely inside, her foot brushed against her mother’s miniature statue of Athena, knocking it on top of her hip. Cursing, she carefully placed the statue back on the table when she heard voices coming from downstairs in the kitchen.

As quietly as she could, and as carefully (her hip was quite painful) she walked as close as she could to the top of the stairs to better hear the conversation taking place.

“I just don’t know what to do with her anymore, Albus.” Minerva sighed.

It only took one sentence for Adara to know what the conversation between her mother and father was regarding. Her mother only used that bitter, exasperated tone when she was speaking to or about Adara. Adara glared at Minerva from her position.

“She never listens, she talks back, and does whatever she wants regardless of the consequences.”

“She’s a teenager, Minerva. That’s what they do.”

Minerva gave an exasperated sigh. “Why do you always defend her, Albus? I swear, every time she pulls some sort of stunt, you just sit there and watch while I do all the reprimanding. Are you just so fed up with her that you’re beyond the point of caring?”

“Minerva, if I say nothing it’s not because I don’t care. Because I do care. More than you can imagine. I remain silent because I don’t feel that I have the right to lecture her.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Minerva, my daughter is sixteen years old. I haven’t spent a whole day with her in over ten years. If I were to count the number of times I’ve seen her since she started school, it would be less than a handful. So who am I to lecture Adara on how she behaves when I scarcely see her?”

“You are her father, Albus. Merlin, do you think I enjoy having the first words out of my mouth to Adara are ones to scold her? I do it because I have to, Albus.” Minerva broke down into tears. “I can’t do it alone anymore, Albus. I’m going to snap soon if this keeps up. If Adara would just behave herself like Alberic and Aiden then everything would be fine, but she’s the complete opposite. She drinks, she does drugs, she sneaks out of the house in the middle of the night to go god knows where. I’m just lost, Albus. Hell, I don’t even know what to feel. Half of me is just furious that she keeps disobeying me, but the other half is relieved. Relieved that I get a moments peace. That I can focus on Aiden and Alberic and not waste my precious time with them scolding a delinquent. That I can laugh and joke around with them and just pretend that my family life is perfect. That even with everything evil going on in this world, there’s still a little peace and harmony waiting for me at home. That’s impossible with Adara in the picture. She trails poison wherever she goes and I’m just so afraid that Aiden will swallow the poison and grow to resent me as well. S-sometimes I just wish she wasn’t my daughter!” Minerva sobbed as Albus wrapped his arms around her, whispering words of comfort.

Adara didn’t even bother to try and listen to what her father replied, She got up and ran to her room, but just as she was about to open the door, she turned around and picked up the statue that had fallen on her earlier.

Using all the strength she had, she threw it as hard as she could, missing her parents by just a few inches. The statue shattered as it hit the ground, the loud noise breaking Minerva and Albus apart. Their eyes darted upstairs, spotting Adara. Adara returned their shocked gaze with an icy cold glare before storming off to her room, slamming the door shut.

[kissofdeath]

Here's a double update, just because I love you guys so much, lol.

mmadness4ever, I promise, you WILL cry, or at least shed a little tear or two by the end of this story.

~Memory 6~

For what must have been the thousandth time in her life, Adara climbed up to the second floor window in an attempt to sneak in. She was a little drunker than usual and completely unaware of the large amount of noise she was creating. She was, however, aware of the other presence in the room and not at all surprised at the sight behind her.

Sitting on the couch was her mother in her tartan dressing gown, practically shaking with rage. Next to her sat her father, also in his nightclothes wearing an expression that Adara couldn’t quite define.

Slowly, her mother stood and made her way towards Adara, her piercing green eyes narrowed in fury. Minerva was about 5’7 while Adara was only 5’3 so Adara couldn’t help feeling as though her mother was towering over her as she stepped closet, invading Adara’s personal space.

Anyone else would have fled from the sight of Minerva McGonagall on the verge of unleashing her largest amount of anger yet, but not Adara. Her fear of her mother had dissolved years ago. The constant anger directed at her had given her a bit of immunity against it so she was certain that tonight wouldn’t be much different than any other night. Little did she know that for once, her mother would have back up.

“I can’t believe you Adara! Is this how it’s going to be every night? Having to wait until 3 in the morning until you come back from god knows where drunk and high?!? What kind of example are you setting for your brother?” Minerva moved closer and closer until Adara felt her back hit the wall and her mother’s face was about 4 inches apart from her’s.

“I would think that even you would have enough sense not to be walking around in the middle of the night while You-Know-Who is at the height of power. I suppose I underestimated your stupidity.”

All the pent up anger and pain in Adara united and unleashed itself with a vengeance as she pushed her mother away from her in an effort to breath and walk to the other side of the room. Opposite of both her mother and father.


“You’re one to talk about setting an example! You two who are never here and practically abandon us! Face it; you’re a failure as a mother!” she bit back

Minerva opened her mouth furiously, but before she had a chance to reply, Albus stepped in, for once. “How dare you! Adara, you have no right to speak to us that way! We are your parents!”

Minerva stared at her husband in shocked, then shot him a small grateful smile. For once, he was actually taking a part in disciplining their children. Adara, on the other hand, felt quite the opposite. She made this obvious by giving him an icy, cold look.

“No you aren’t! All you did was fuck each other and got landed with us. You never gave a shit about us! You cared more about the children in Hogwarts than your own!”

Albus looked taken aback, before he looked over his daughter from head to toe. His eyes swept over her red streaked hair, her thick black eyeliner coating her eyes. His eyes narrowed as he noticed her tight black tube top, leaving nothing to the imagination and her short, tight black skirt, accessorized with boots. By the time his eyes returned to her’s, the anger and disgust in them was extremely noticible.

“I don’t even know you anymore.” He said rather coldly.

“You never knew me to begin with.” She replied with venom dripping in her voice.

Albus shook his head, completely furious. “So not only do you disregard everything we say and treat us with absolutely no respect, but you also make up horrid lies.”

“Lies? Are they lies, father? Prove it. Tell me, what’s my favorite color? My favorite food? My favorite animal? My favorite subject? My best friend? My owl’s name? My birthday? Hell, do you even know my whole name?”

Albus stared at his daughter in shock. For in all honesty, her truly didn’t know the answer to any of the questions. However, rather then admitting that he was a poor father, he chose to fight back, completely unaware that his next few words to her would be his last to her. Ever.

“That’s enough! You will apologize to your mother and me and go to bed!”

“No, that’s it. I’ve had enough with this shit. I’m leaving!” Adara called out as she rushed down the stairs. Albus and Minerva followed right behind her.

“Oh? And where will you go?” asked Minerva, smirking slightly.

“Anywhere! Anywhere is better than this hell hole!” Adara pulled out her wand, summoning her trunk and all her belongings. She walked over to the door and opened it, turning around to say one last thing to her parents.

“One good thing came out of being your daughter. While the rest of the world sees you as a hero and their savior, I know the truth. You’re nothing but a bastard!”

She pointed to her mother.
“And she is your prize.” She glared at them one last time and left, slamming the door shut in their stunned faces.

[kissofdeath]

~Chapter 5~

Harry, Albus, and Kingsley emerged from the pensieve, still shaking from what they had just witnessed. Adara was curled on the couch, shaking a little, but much more composed than she was earlier. Most likely from the effect of the glass of vodka on the coffee table and the bottle next to it that was two thirds empty.

Aiden opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Adara. “Just go. Please, all of you. Leave me be.”

Aiden still tried to say something but Kingsley nudged him to the door along with Harry, earning a small smile of gratitude from Adara. Alberic remained standing, his expression much softer than it had been earlier.

“This might not have been the point, Adara, but I saw both sides of the coin in the pensieve.” Adara opened her mouth in protest, but Alberic stopped her. “I’m denying that you had a rough childhood, Adara. None of us had it perfect. Clearly, you had the worst of it though. That I truly understand now. But I don’t think you noticed that mum and dad went through just as much pain as you did.” He waited for Adara to respond but she didn’t.

Alberic walked over to the door, turning around one last time to his sister whose gaze was now fixed on the bottle of vodka. “I’m not telling you to do anything Adara. Merely begging. I don’t expect you to change your mind about reconciling with Mother but I truly hope you do and if so, you know where to find us. My door is always open.”

He looked at her for a while, before suddenly walking over to her and wrapping his arms tightly around her. At first, Adara stiffened, but then soon relaxed and returned the hug. “I can’t promise that everything will be fine and we’ll all live happily ever after. But I can promise that the moment you walk through the door you’ll find many pairs of arms waiting to welcome you home.” Adara’s teary blue eyes locked with his green eyes. “Just think about it, alright?” he asked softly.

Adara slowly nodded, a few tears making its way down her face as she watched her brother walk out.

Outside, Kingsley stood near the door, waiting for Alberic.

“Where’s Harry and Aiden?” asked Alberic as he looked around for his younger brother and the teenager.

“Aiden apparated Harry back to the Burrow. He thought it was getting quite late and that Mrs.Weasly would be worried.” Kingsley replied in his deep calming voice.

Alberic glanced at his watch, notcing the time. “Yes, it is quite late. I’ve no doubt that Mrs.Weasly will be fawning over Harry the moment he steps through the door. Honestly, the way she treats him, you’d think-” But the words died on his lips as he noticed Kingsley staring longingly at the door.
“You really love her, don’t you?” asked Alberic softly.

Kingsley nodded slowly, his eyes getting a bit moist.

“Mind if I ask what happened between you two?”

Kingsley sighed. “I fought many battles by Adara’s side and won every single one. However, she faced an inner battle deep inside herself everyday. One that I couldn’t help her fight. Each time I tried, she pushed me away. Further and further until I was shut out completely.”

“I-I’m sorry Shacklebolt. I had no idea.”

Kingsley nodded slowly, lost in his thoughts and memories. “Don’t worry about it. It’s the past and what is done is done. Instead, think about what you will do when Adara comes to reconcile with your mother.”

Alberic sighed. “Assuming she’ll come at all.”

“She will, don’t worry. You just can’t keep badgering her about it. You’ve got to let her come on her own. She loathes taking orders from someone else.” Kingsley smiled fondly. “That’s why she makes such a great Captain. While many aurors fight using only their mind and skills, she always remembers to follow her heart as well.”

Alberic nodded, completely blown away at how the taller man knew his sister so much. Probably much more than anyone else knew her. “Would you care to join me for a drink?”

Kingsley shook his head. “Thank you, but I must decline. There’s somewhere I must be.”

Alberic nodded and patted the man on the back. “Take care Kingsley. I suppose I’ll see you around.” In a blink of an eye he was gone.

Kingsley stared at the flat one last time, fighting the urge to rush in there and comfort Adara. Instead, he blew a kiss towards her and apparated away.



Any tears yet?

~kissofdeath

[kissofdeath]

lol, i was just kidding about the tears. I personally don't cry when I read fics. No matter how sad and well written. Now fanvids with certain songs.......... that's another story, lol.

[kissofdeath]

~Chapter 6~

Adara slowly made her way through the forest, lost in her own thoughts. Anyone who saw her would think she was under the Imperius Curse. By the time she reached her destination, her reverie ended and she stared at the object in front of her with pain and anger evident in her cold blue eyes. What was it that attracted so much negative emotion? The white tomb.

“Well you miserable bastard, you got your wish. I made the first move. I came running back to you. But you don’t care, do you? You never did.”

I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery

“You and mother were wrong. I’m not a complete screw up. I really do have a career. I’m an auror. Ironic isn’t it? Me, someone who hated her parents for dedicating themselves to their careers, chose a job that requires complete dedication. But I’m not like you.”

I will not break
The way you did
You fell so hard
I learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

“I know I can’t have both worlds. I know I can’t spend the day chasing dark wizards and still come home every night to spend time with my husband and play with my children. I know I can’t have that life. You knew you couldn’t have that life too. You knew that with your status and your profession, you couldn’t possibly have time for a family. That didn’t stop you though. You were just so selfish. You didn’t care how much emotional and psychological damage you inflicted. Just as long as you had your little outlets for your emotions when the outside world got too tough on you.

I could never put a child through that. That’s why Alberic and Aiden’s homes are bursting with little ones and sounds of laughter while my home is cold and empty with only the sound of ice clinking in my wine glass to break the silence.”

I lose my way
And its not too long
Before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know its weakness
In your eyes

“You can’t say I didn’t try to make it work. You know I did. When I was younger, I tried so hard to understand the situation you an mother were in. I did. I really did. I tried to love you even though you were never there. But I couldn’t. Aiden and Alberic could. You and mother made it a point to constantly remind me of that. That and how much of a screw up I was and how I was such a disappointment.”

I’m forced to fake
A smile a laugh
Everyday of my life
My heart can’t possibly break
When it wasn’t even whole
To start with

“You have no idea how much that affected me. How much everything scarred me. Imagine, your own parents, every child’s safe haven, calling you a screw up. I tried not to let you see what it did to me. Just like I tried to forget, That’s why I drank and smoked so much. Because for a few blissfull moments, I forgot everything. I also cut myself.” She removed the long, black, fingerless dragon skin gloves she normally wore, revealing dark crimson slashes all over, some old scars, others very recent.

“Everyday I’d add new marks. Not just because I liked the pain, but also because I loved the control cutting gave me. For once in my life, I could control some of the pain being inflicted on me. The relief I gained from cutting was just so overwhelming. It was like the pain from the cuts ate away my inner turmoil, turning it into a pain I could handle. Something I grew to love and to this day, still can’t live without. That’s how I vent my emotions! Smoking, drinking, and cutting because it’s the only way I know how to handle everything!” she cried out, tears pouring down her face.

I watched you die
I heard you cry
Every night
In your sleep

“My earliest memories of you are of you always being to busy. That, and of you slowly withering away, collapsing from the pressures of being the world’s greatest wizard. I watched you die slowly inside each time Voldemort killed someone. I watched you become obsessed with finding and stopping him. I heard you cry out at night from nightmares that plagued your mind, collapsing from the weight of the world that rested on your shoulders. I watched as you pushed away Mother, Aiden, and Alberic to wallow in your own self pity and misery only to see them come back and pick up your pieces. But that’s all I did. Stand there and watch.”

I was so young
You should have known
Better than to lean on me
You never thought
Of anyone else
You just saw your pain

“I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy watching you suffer. You deserved it. With all the shit you put me through. God, I was so young and you leaned on me so much. I used to think that if I was there for you, you’d return the favor and be there for me. But I was wrong. You were there for everyone: the wizarding world, Hogwarts, mother, Aiden, Alberic, but not me. That was what really killed me. That you and mother could dedicate yourselves to saving the world from Voldemort and the well-being of other people’s children, but could never seem to spare a minute for your own.”

And now I cry
In the middle of the night
From the same damn thing

“I still have nightmares. Horrible dreams where I’m a little girl again and a dark wizard has captured me. The dark wizard gives you a choice: save a Hogwarts student or me. And each time, you choose to save the student, never looking back. But you know what terrifies me the most? The fact that if the situation had come to pass, you would have chosen the Hogwarts student instead of me.

Because of you
I never strayed too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don’t get hurt

“Even after all these years, everything you put me through still haunts my mind. And I don’t know how to fix it. I can’t ever be in a relationship with someone. Hell, just having friends is a challenge for me.

Because of you
I try my hardest
Just to forget everything
Because of you
I don’t know how to let
Anyone else in

“Everyday I try to forget. I’ve even tried casting memory charms just so I could try and move on. But it didn’t work. It was still there, as fresh as ever. And it’s not like no ones tried to help me, because they have. So many have tried. Beauxbaton’s professors, friends, colleagues, fiancées.” Her voice broke on the last word.

Because of you
I’m ashamed of my life
Because its empty
Because of you
I am afraid……

“But they can’t help me. Especially when I can’t trust them. My whole life is a lie. A written lie that you and mother invented with your imagination to protect yourselves from scandals. My parentage, my home, hell, my name is a lie! And what is true about my life is meaningless because all it shows is that my life is empty! How could I make someone understand or believe that? And even if I could, I don’t think I could manage sharing all that.” She sniffed slightly, succumbing to the fresh wave of tears taking over her.

“For the first time in my life, I wish you weren’t dead. I wish you were still alive, so I could kill you myself.” She raised her wand at the tomb and was about to fire a spell when a tall figure emerged from the bushes and tackled her to the ground.


Love it? Hate it? Did it make you cry? Lol, please review!

~Kissofdeath

[PiER]

Tall figure!? Who is this tall figure!? And why are they tackling her to the ground!? I need to know!!

On a lighter note, this fic is really coming along. So Adara has found her way back to Hogwarts - wohoo ;D I like the way the memories portray both Albus and Minerva's faults and I'm seriously looking forward to the kick-arse confrontation between mother and daughter.

Bring on the drama!!...Or should that be angst?

PiER

[kissofdeath]

Well, dianahawthorne's banner bug bit me so now I'm going banner crazy. This one is the one I made myself. Tell me what you think!

[kissofdeath]

Btw, here's an update:




~Chapter 7~

“No! No, let me go! I have to do it! After all the bastard’s done to me, he deserves to die!” Adara sobbed as she struggled against the unknown person.

“Shh,” the other person said in his deep, soothing voice. “It’s going to be alright, Adara.”

Adara instinctively stiffened as she recognized the voice. She should have known that he’d be here. She shoved the thoughts to the back of her mind as she focused on the real reason she came. “No, Kingsley, you don’t understand! I have to kill him! He has to pay for what he’s done!!”

“Adara, he’s already dead.” Kingsley rubbed her back soothingly as Adara gave up and allowed him to comfort her.

“It’s not fair. After all the hell I went through, I should have been the one to kill him.” She whispered.

“No, you wouldn’t have killed him.” Kingsley replied, relishing the feeling of Adara in his arms.

Adara pulled away harshly and glared at Kingsley. “How the hell would you know?”

“Because I know you, Adara. You could never kill another human being, no matter what they’ve done. And even though you’ll never admit it, deep down inside, you loved your father, just as much as you love your mother.”

Adara sighed in exasperation. “Why are you here, Kingsley?” she asked, genuinely curious.

Kingsley waited a moment before answering. “Do you remember when I asked you to marry me?”

Adara slowly nodded, her expression neutral.

“I told you that I would go to hell and back again just to see you smile. I daresay that reuniting the Dumbledore family with that fiery temper and stubborn genes is in the same rank.”

Adara couldn’t help but give a small smile.

“Kingsley returned her smile, much more widely, with love and adoration evident in his eyes. “That’s not quite the smile I’m looking for, but it’s a start.”

Adara’s face became serious again. “Seriously Kingsley. Why are you here?”

Kingsley carefully reached for her hand. When she didn’t immediately pull away, he covered it with both his hands, holding it securely. He looked into her blue orbs. “When I first laid eyes on you, you took my breath away and as well as my heart. To my amazement, you returned my affection and gave me your heart in return. When you broke off our engagement, you took your heart back. But you still kept mine, just as you always will. All I want is for you to be happy. For you to have the greatest joy possible in your life, even if I’m not apart of it.”

Adara stared into his deep brown eyes, searching for truth and honesty. It was unnecessary since Kingsley’s love for her was evident in every little thing he did. Spotting it, she did the one thing she thought she would never do: she lowered the walls she had constructed long ago, and finally let someone in.

Kingsley immediately noticed the change in her expression. After years of loving this woman, he knew how she hid behind a cold, icy exterior. Now, she gazed at him with a new, softer, almost vulnerable expression, but with her love for him as evident as ever. An expression he had only caught a glimpse of once or twice in all the years he had known her, before it had disappeared behind a mask of sternness.

Adara hesitantly reached her hand out, caressing Kingsley’s cheek. “You’re wrong Kingsley. I never did get my heart back. You’ve kept my heart just as long as I’ve held yours.” She leaned closer and gently kissed him.

Feeling a jolt of shock, quickly replaced with joy, Kingsley responded with just as much if not more emotion and love.

When he kiss ended, Adara rested her head against Kingsley’s shoulder while he held her close, savoring the feeling of her in his arms, vowing to never let her go again. He kissed the top of her head and whispered in her ear. “I meant what I said, Adara. My one desire above all else is to see you happy. I’m not telling you to do anything, I’m only asking. Just try to talk to your mother, Adara.”

Adara sighed. “Kingsley it’s been too long. What the hell do I say to her?”

“Anything. Everything. Tell her all the things you told your father. But perhaps in a calmer manner.”

Adara gave a small smile.

“I can’t promise you that the outcome of a confrontation will be a happy one. For all I know it could make things worse. But whatever the outcome, you’ll regret not talking to your mother even more.”

Adara remained silent, Lost in her thoughts.

Kingsley placed his hand under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “It’s your decision, darling. And I will stand by you no matter what you decide.”

“I want to go home.” Adara answered a few moments later.

Kingsley’s heart sank. He had so hoped that she would choose to speak with her mother, but as he had promised her, he wholeheartedly supported her decision. “Alright darling. Here, I’ve got a port key. We’ll be able to get to your flat from her without any problems-“

“No,” Adara interrupted him. “Not my flat. Home. As in, Dumbledore Manor.”


~kissofdeath

[dianahawthorne]

Great chapter - and I totally love your banner! Much better than the one I made, in my humble opinion! Great job!

[micha]

OK, you're right, of course - I can't just say that I love the banner and not write a review for the story...
The point is, I do read it very eagerly, but I do have my problems with the whole idea...I have three children as old as the ones in the story, whereas you (I checked, but I knew before) are more or less of Adara's age...
Even if I were not as much in love with Minerva, I just don't buy her actions so far. Believe it or not, but one does put the children's well-being first, it comes naturally - even before that of a spouse. There may be exceptions to the rule, but...

But, as I said, I read along, anyway, because I like your style, and I am very curious to see, how you will continue (I love it, that you made Kingsly her fiance)

[tabbyphoenix]

Oct 18, 2008 1:59:14 GMT -5 micha said:

OK, you're right, of course - I can't just say that I love the banner and not write a review for the story...
The point is, I do read it very eagerly, but I do have my problems with the whole idea...I have three children as old as the ones in the story, whereas you (I checked, but I knew before) are more or less of Adara's age...
Even if I were not as much in love with Minerva, I just don't buy her actions so far. Believe it or not, but one does put the children's well-being first, it comes naturally - even before that of a spouse. There may be exceptions to the rule, but...

But, as I said, I read along, anyway, because I like your style, and I am very curious to see, how you will continue (I love it, that you made Kingsly her fiance)

Yes, I do find it a bit weird that Minerva wouldn't care about Adara, but I do feel that MM did care, only Adara was too busy wallowing in self-pity to notice it.

As I am writing a fic about Minerva and Albus' daughter growing up not knowing who her parents are ... I did want their final confrontation to have lots of bitterness, but in my fic, I hope they recouncil in the end.

You have just inspired me to update my fic, btw!

Otherwise, I love the stort, and the emotions are very well portrayed, I saw your banner and went hunting for the story and I found it here ... oh, brilliant banner ...

Cheers! ;D

[PiER]

Ah, a marvelous update ;D I do so love Kingsley. But now I can't wait to hear what Minerva's got to say for herself when they finally come face to face.

The last line was fab but unfortunately all I can think of now is Michael Bublé wailing he wants to go home, hooooome, home.

Cheers!

P.S. Wicked banner by the way!

[kissofdeath]

Here's a mini update. I'm still in the process of making the confrontation between Minerva and Adara as explosive as possible.


~Chapter 8~

Adara took a deep breath as she stared at Dumbledore Manor, anxiously awaiting what was about to come. Kingsley stood beside her, marveling at the similarities between Adara and Dumbledore Manor. Both were breathtakingly beautiful on the outside, but plagued with dark, painful memories inside. Whispering words of comfort, he wrapped his arm around her and led her inside.

Alberic stared into the fireplace intently, deep in thought. His gaze broke immediately when they noticed Adara and Kingsley.

“Where is she?” Adara asked softly.

Alberic stood and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, leading her up the stairs towards her parent’s chambers. Adara gazed around at the familiar house, tears welling in her eyes as she recalled a few more memories. The door to her parent’s chamber opened, and Aiden stepped out.

“Adara!” he gasped as he engulfed her in yet another bone crushing hug. Adara winced. As glad as she was to be back in her brother’s lives, Aiden’s habit of giving out enormous, painful hugs was getting to be really annoying.

After a good three minutes of just standing there hugging, Alberic stepped in, gently prying Adara away from Aiden’s death-grip. “Alright, that’s enough. Aiden. Aiden, for Merlin’s sake get a grip. You won’t be doing anyone a favor if you snap Adara in half.”

Reluctantly, Aiden released Adara, patting her on the back on last time before going downstairs. Alberic stared at Adara a minute, before smiling softly at her and giving her a smaller, more gentle hug, which Adara accepted and returned. “Be sure to knock first. It’s been sixteen years. You might just end up giving her a heart attack.” He cautioned before following their younger brother down the stairs.

Adara took a deep breath in an effort to calm all the emotions running through her, and knocked timidly on the door, precisely three times (an old habit of her’s).

“Come In,” she heard her mother’s familiar voice call out weakly.



~kissofdeath

[tabbyphoenix]

Aww, you meanie! *grins*

I was waiting for the meeting eagerly, but this mini-chappie kept me happy!

Love the line - "snap adara into two", good one!

Update soon, please, please, please!

[kissofdeath]

Chapter 9 is going to be really long so I have to divide it. enjoy!

~Chapter 9~

Part 1:

Adara stepped into the room, glancing around at the familiarity. Her mother was in her tartan dressing gown, staring out the window with her back to the door. “For the last time, I’m not hung-?” She turned around, stunned at the sight before her.

“A-Adara?” she gasped, clutching her chest. She blinked several times to ensure that she wasn’t delirious. When she was sure, she walked across the room, a bit closer to Adara. She swept her eyes over Adara, marveling at what she saw, thoroughly impressed by what she saw. Adara had carried on some of her teenage style into adulthood. She still wore the black eyeliner, all black clothing, and fishnet gloves/stockings, but it was much more mature, and quite becoming on her.

Acting completely on impulse, Minerva glided across the room and engulfed Adara in her arms. Adara instinctively stiffened, but unlike her previous embraces she didn’t relax, something Minerva was painfully aware of. She let go a moment later and lead Adara over to the sofa on the other side of the room.

For a while, Minerva just stared at her daughter, fully taking in her appearance, grasping the concept that this was real, and that this wasn’t just another dream. She noticed Adara begin to fidget and broke the silence with the first thought that came to mind. “So what have you been up to?”

Adara stared at her incredulously. “Y-You’re kidding, right? I haven’t seen you in over sixteen years and that’s all you have to say?!?!”

Minerva sighed. “What do you want me to say Adara? I’m sorry?”

“Well it would help.” Adara replied dryly.

“Would it? Because I’m getting the impression that no matter how many times I say it, it won’t make any difference.”

“So you don’t regret any of it?” asked Adara, her temper rapidly rising.

“Don’t you dare put words in my mouth!” retorted Minerva, the same temper rising to Adara’s level. “Because I regret it more than you’ll ever know. I know what your childhood was like, I-”

“No! No you don’t! You were barely ever there! And when you were, you were alwys to busy nagging me about something or another.”
“Because you were always drunk and high! Sweet Merlin, every time I turned around you were holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand and holding a marijuana pipe in the other! What did you expect me to do?”

“Leave me be! My god, don’t you realize that the reason I do any of those things is because of my depression! You and dad were never home, always on some mission to save the world, Alberic was always on some internship or education program. It was just Aiden and me. And its not like we could ever have friends over. At least, the friends I had.”

Minerva had every intention of listening to what Adara had to say, except one thing Adara had said had caught her attention, blocking out all the rest of the things Adara had spoken. “What do you mean do? Are you saying that even after all these years, you still haven’t stopped drinking or smoking?”

Adara stared at her stunned. Clearly her mother hadn’t listened to a word she had said. “Unbelievable. I come here to try and work things out with you and instead, you ignore every word I say. Fuck this, I’m out of here. I should have known that this wouldn’t have worked out. We’re just too different.” She turned around and headed over to the door, opening it. Minerva came up behind her and slammed the door before Adara had it opened all the way.

“ Listen to me, Adara. I have spent the last sixteen years regretting the day I let you walk out of my life. Not a day has passed without me wondering how you were, what you looked like, if you were happy.”

“Bullshit.” Adara snarled.

“No, it isn’t. Adara, I have waited too long for this moment. You know that your father and I tried to contact you, to make peace with you. All those letters, all those floo calls you ignored, so don’t you dare say that I’m the one ignoring you. I’m trying, Adara. I’m trying to make this work but you’ve got to help me. You’ve got to make an effort.”

Adara rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Minerva cupped Adara’s cheek, forcing her to meet her gaze. “Then help me understand.” She whispered, tears filling her emerald orbs.

Her heart sank as Adara pulled away harshly, but then she noticed Adara shakily removing her fishnet gloves, revealing the crimson slashes, both old and new.

[PiER]

Wicked update but you're cruel, very cruel! Your cliffhangers are killing me!

I think it's great that Min and Adara are not lovely-dovey forgive 'n forget, it just wouldn't work with this story. However, I badly need an update to see how they actually work through their problems.

PiER

PS. Kingsley ROCKS!

[Sparrabether]

I want to read Minerva's reaction! Hope you update soon!

[kissofdeath]

Part 2:

Minerva gasped, her hand flew over her mouth as tears poured down her face. Adara kept her gaze on the ground, unwilling to make eye contact. Minerva’s hand tenderly traced the scars. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?” asked Minerva

Adara scoffed. “What would I have said? ‘Hey mum, how’re things at Hogwarts? That’s good. Oh by the way, I cut myself.’ Yeah, that would’ve been a fun conversation. Besides, you never had any time.”

“I would have made time for this.” She whispered softly.

Adara pulled her arm away, slipping the glove on once more, crossing her arms over her chest in a defensive posture. “No you wouldn’t. Don’t lie to yourself or to me mother. We both know that no matter what, Hogwarts always comes first.”

Minerva’s stared at her, stunned as even more tears slid down her face. “Adara, I love you very much. I never meant to place Hogwarts over you. I understand-”

“Stop saying that!” exclaimed Adara as tears began to make their way down her face. “You don’t understand what it was like because you were never there to see it! When I was a child, all I wanted was for you and father to play with me, to be home with me, to just stay with me. But you were always out on some Order meeting, a school meeting, a Ministry meeting, or some wild goose chase in an effort to locate Voldemort. And in the rare moments you two were home, you’d both be knocked out from exhaustion.”

“ Fine! Fine Adara! I admit it! Hogwarts came first in my life! I’m a horrible mother who neglected her own children in favor of the wizarding world! There! I said it! Are you happy now?” Asked Minerva hysterically.

Adara stared at her mother, stunned. Not quite sure what to say.

“I admit it. I wasn’t the best mother in the world. I don’t know how admitting that helps you in anyway, but I’ll still admit it. I was a horrible mother who ruined your childhood. There, I said it, I admit it. You win. I don’t understand what you go through now or what you went through when you were a child. I never will. There! Are you happy now?”

“No.” Adara said softly.

Minerva let out a sigh of frustration. “What do you want me to do, Adara? I can’t change the past. As much as I’d love to change it all, I can’t. I can’t do anything but try and make up for the future, but you have to help me Adara. I’m not asking you to forgive me, Adara. I know I don’t have that right. All I ask is that you listen to what I have to say, let me explain my actions, and try to understand my perspective. After that, its up to you to decide where our relationship goes from here. Please, Adara.”

Adara stared at her mother for a moment before answering. “It’s not that I don’t want to forgive you. It’s just that I don’t know how.” She replied as tears streamed down her face.

Minerva stepped closer to Adara, slowly wrapping her arms around her. To her surprise, Adara didn’t pull away or stiffen. Instead she relaxed and allowed Minerva to comfort her. “You don’t have to forgive me, my darling. All you have to do is listen.”

She released Adara and extended her hand to her. “Are you willing to do that?”

Shakily, Adara grasped her mother’s hand as Minerva led them both back over to the couch. For hours, they talked about everything. The reasons for their actions, their own interpretations. By the time early morning rays broke through, the relationship between mother and daughter was clarified


~kissofdeath

[kissofdeath]

Alright, here's the final chapter of Because of Them. It's been awesome writing this fic. Thanks so much to everyone who's ever read and reviewed the story! Hope you enjoy!

~Epilogue~

After so many years of being against Harry Potter and wishing he were dead, I did the one thing I never thought I would do: I stood by his side and fought to the death. Almost literally, for when the battle reached the end I was not far from it. Thankfully, for once the Gods were on our side and the dark lord fell. The world was once more in peace and harmony.

But don’t get the wrong impression and assume we all lived happily ever after, for it was quite the opposite. Many lives were lost, friends and family. Even now, seven years later, the pain from those loses is still as fresh as ever. But through the darkness of grief and despair, there is still a candle of hope and love.

Harry Potter has personally proved this, for he and his wife Ginny are now expecting a child, as are Aiden and his wife Agatha. Alberic’s wife Lenora had just given birth a few months ago. I am surrounded by people bringing new lives into this, finally, peaceful world. Unfortunetly, I am not one of them. Nor will I ever be.

I meant what I said to my father that night at the graveyard. However, that isn’t the real reason for not bringing a child into this world. I don’t even really have a choice in the matter.

In the final battle, I fought against Bellatrix. It was a difficult duel for we were both equally matched, but in the end I brought her down. Voldemort immediately took notice and actually showed an emotion as close to love as he could. Enraged, he sent a curse at me. I tried to block it, but I was no match for him. The curse hit me full force in the abdomen.

The healers told me I was lucky to be alive. Any other witch or wizard would have died right on impact. But the spell did have an after effect. Because my abdomen was so severely damaged, it is extremely unlikely I will ever have children.
In a way I’m relieved. I know I would never be able to raise a child and still be an auror. And there was no way I’d give up being an auror. I couldn’t. It’s my life. It’s what is inside me.

All in all, it’s probably for the best. Kingsley feels the same, for he is now Minister of Magic. Coming from a political family in the wizarding society in Africa, Kingsley knows of the pressures and pain political children face and could never put his child through that.

Still, there are days when I wonder. What our child would look like, how amazing a father Kingsley would have been. But I quickly shove these thoughts away, for I know that they will cause me nothing but heartache.

As for my mother, she’s learning to stand on her own. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t crave my father’s presence and long for him, but she has gotten stronger. It’s a struggle for her to go day after without him, just as it’s a struggle for me to put the past behind me. But we’re not naïve enough to assume that we’ll be perfectly fine sooner or later. Mother knows that she’ll spend the rest of her life yearning for my father’s presence, just as much as she and I know that I will never truly forgive her. Deep down, the feelings will still linger. However, we won’t let those feelings stand in our way.

The past few years have done wonders for our relationship. After our encounter, it was very fragile and stood on rocky ground where we barely trusted each other, but we took it step by step and slowly our bond began to strengthen. Now we are much closer and constantly owling and flooing each other. The dark memories, which once plagued Dumbledore Manor, are now replaced with happier ones, the result of our family gatherings with Aiden and Alberic’s families.

In regards to my original question whether or not a few memories of love and joy can make up for a childhood of pain and loneliness, the answer is no. Nothing can compensate for what was lost. However, that’s no excuse for not trying to make up for the future.

Looking back now I truly wish I hadn’t let my pride get in the way and had made peace with my parents long ago. But I refuse to dwell on the dark past. Instead, I look forward to a brighter happier future, no, make that a brighter, happier present., for I am now surrounded by the love and support of my family. I, Adara McGowan, have finally stopped running from who I am and embrace my identity as Adara Dumbledore.

The End!

~kissofdeath

[dianahawthorne]

Such a good ending, my dear - I absolutely loved it!

[Sparrabether]

Fantastic ending, I loved it! I liked the little hint of voldiexbella as well

[mmadforever]

This story was fantastic! I read it all last night in one-shot, i couldn't leave it! (and no, i'm not crazy) But it was really good and i'm sad to see it end...

[kissofdeath]

Thanks for the reviews guys they are much appreciated and I'm glad you liked the ending!

I was a little nervous about the ending since I didn't want a happily ever after ending but I definately didn't want a death ending so i had to try and come up with something in between. Very glad you liked it though!