All That I’m Living For ((Adrina))

[Ariane Chan]

“Oh my gosh, you so have to see this thing Leo and I saw the other day!” Aurora exclaimed brightly, tugging incessantly at Ariane’s sleeve with twinkling eyes. Ariane tried not to sigh in reply as Harmony smiled with interest at their cousin from Ariane’s other side, whilst Leo plodded along beside Aurora, hands stuffed in pockets.
“Do I really want to know, Aurora?” Ariane spoke as she refrained from sending her eyes to the ceiling of the shopping centre they were roaming aimlessly in. “We’ve been at it for hours now.” To prove her point, she glared down at the numerous shopping bags not only she was carrying, but the other three were too. “Isn’t this a bit ridiculous? And my feet are kind of hurting me.” Okay, now that was a lie. But Ariane knew Harmony couldn’t say the same. She was well aware that Harmony was rather tired compared to her, but on the other hand, Harmony wanted to carry on this shopping spree. Ariane couldn’t find the heart to agree.
“Don’t tell me,” Leo piped up, turning his gaze on his not much taller sister. “That thing.”
“Yep!” Aurora’s grin doubled, their eye contact almost suspicious to Ariane. “That thing.”
“Aaaah.” Leo nodded in mysterious understanding. “That thing.”

“What’s ‘that thing’?” Ariane demanded in annoyance, shifting one bag to the other hand and flexing her fingers. They had been to so many muggle shops, she should’ve collapsed by now. Aurora had never been one for shopping either, because half the time she would complain about how tired she was, but in her excitement, having arrived back into the midst of the muggle world, her happiness had gripped her like a drug and was driving her onwards like some sort of machine. According to Ariane, Leo should be complaining by now too, but he hadn’t spoken a word yet, and she wondered if Aurora had perhaps said something to him. It seemed, to Ariane, that Aurora was trying her absolute hardest to drag Ariane into the outside world, to take several gulps of fresh air and have some fun. ”Loosen up!” Aurora had grinned at the beginning of the trip that morning. ”It’ll be fun!”

And it had been fun. Running from shop to shop, sometimes peering like idiots into the windows and ooh-ing and aah-ing; grabbing an ice cream to eat from a little shop in the corner; trying on shoes and then realising none of them fit. It had all been quite fun and entertaining, and Ariane had, for most of the time, forgotten most of her worries. She could see Harmony had too, having laughed more than she had in ages. Since coming to live with Aurora and Leo, life had been different, of course, but considerably okay. It would never be the way it had been before, and Harmony had often gotten homesick, but it was enough. It was more than enough, really. Ariane knew she should be ultimately grateful to Aurora, really. It had been ages since she had been to a muggle shopping mall.

“It is amazing.” Aurora continued to enthuse in Ariane’s ear, forgetting to answer her question in the process and beginning to tug her cousin along in the opposite direction they had been walking in. “Come on, you have to see it.”
“Hold on—“ Ariane protested helplessly as she tried not to let Aurora pull her away, face showing her lack of enthusiasm for the “thing”. “I’m not sure I—“
“I am.” Aurora nodded as she ignored Ariane’s squeals with a mischievous grin aligning her face.
“Harmony--!” Ariane started, peering over her shoulder to see her sister and Leo following them unquestioningly.
“Harmony, you want to see this ‘thing’, right?” Aurora glanced over at her younger cousin and winked conspiratorially, earning a smile which was trying hard not to erupt into laughter.
“Yeah.” Harmony’s shoulders were completely giving away her true feelings. “Absolutely.” She looked at Ariane’s distraught face, and gave in, peals of laughter ringing from her mouth. “I’m sorry, Ari, you just look… so funny!”
“Really now?” Ariane folded her arms together, wrenching it away from Aurora’s vice like grip. “Thanks a lot, sis!”

Another hour later, Ariane really was exhausted, and with a relieved sigh, sank down onto a bench in the shopping centre, gazing around tiredly at the surrounding shops with very little interest left. Seeing her cousin in such a state, Aurora also flopped beside Ariane, whilst Harmony and Leo copied her actions too. Bags slipped to the marble floor, and backs leaned against each other in unison. “I’m… shattered.” Ariane finally broke the silence uncharacteristically, shaking her head.

“Same.”
“Same.”
“Same.”

“Oh damnit!” Harmony suddenly exclaimed, bolting upwards with wide eyes. “All this time and I totally forgot to buy a swimsuit for our holiday in Spain!” Jenny and George had declared a few days ago that they planned on taking the whole family abroad for this summer holiday, this time to sunny Spain for a week. Everyone had agreed that they needed to bring swimsuits, but since Harmony’s didn’t fit anymore, one of the things on today’s shopping list was to buy one. “Oh god…” Harmony hit her head in disbelief, grimacing. “I’m so sorry!”
“No problem.” Aurora grinned, standing up again despite how tired her legs were. “Let’s go now. Leo, Ari, coming?” She turned to the two Gryffindors in question. “One last thing, and then we’ll go.”

“I’ll stay with the bags.” Ariane shook her head, looking at Harmony for agreement, “If that’s okay with you.” The younger girl nodded with a smile, knowing how tired her sister was, whilst Leo was dragged into the fray when Aurora demanded he give his advice on female swimsuits, and the three had disappeared off before Ariane could blink. Sighing to herself, Ariane sat back and thanked the fact there were seats available here. It had been a good trip, despite everything, and secretly, Ariane smiled to herself. This was what life was worth living for. However, to distract her, somebody sat down beside her a few minutes later, and looking up, Ariane was surprised to recognise a familiar face of a student from Hogwarts. Adrina De Luca, a girl from her house and year, didn’t really notice her as she sat down with a young baby in a pushchair, and blinking in surprise, Ariane spoke before she knew it. “Adrina?” Adrina wasn’t a friend of Ariane’s, but they knew of each other, and Ariane had always regarded her in politeness. Actually, hadn’t Adrina missed a lot of her fifth year…? Ariane had found that rather strange, but she wasn’t one to question or hear rumours.

[Adrina De Luca]

The sun shone brightly threw the windows of the De Luca cottage. Usually, Adrina hated the morning, but for some reason this particular morning didn’t bother her too much. Well, actually the reason was quite clear. Adrina had to go to the mall for some clothes. She had found over the past few months that muggle baby clothes were much cuter than the ones that she had gotten made at wizard dress shops. Plus, the fact that Adrina liked to shop. Naturally, she hadn’t been doing much of that lately. Since Gia’s birth, Adrina’s fun life took a back seat. That’s what happens when you have a baby. Adrina’s situation wasn’t any different. Yes, Adrina missed her friends at school and she missed hanging out with them throughout the summer. Some of Adrina’s old friends were sadly her friends no longer. They couldn’t bare hang out with a girl with a baby. It was unthinkable to some of them. The only remarks Adrina had for these people was, “Your loss.” Adrina didn’t feel the need to be friends with people who didn’t like the fact that she had a baby daughter. She didn’t want friends who gossiped about her and Gia behind her back. Adrina was much too busy to deal with people like that. So, over the past few months, Adrina had learned that friends, weren’t always necessary.

Adrina brushed out her wavy dark brown hair that fell past her shoulders. She then easily pulled on an orange tank and a green cardigan along with kaki skirt. All of Adrina’s clothes, she could basically tug on and off. She didn’t really put much thought into anything. Well, besides her favorite necklace. Adrina draped her dragonfly pendent necklace along her neck and smiled at the emerald gleaming pendent. It was the only thing that she had from her mothers and Adrina would never give it up. She didn’t think of her real parents much. Her philosophy is: why miss something that you never had? But, when Adrina did take the time to think about them, she couldn’t help but feel like she had missed out on knowing some great people. And that was a feeling that she didn’t like. Thinking of her parents made Adrina feel weak which was feeling she didn’t like was also. Actually, feeling weak wasn’t an option. Not to Adrina. Adrina admired herself in the mirror for a brief moment before she left the room to go get Gia ready for the shopping day.

It was amazing how fast Adrina could get Gia dressed and ready to go out. Gia was only six months old and yet she was the happiest baby that Adrina had ever seen in her life. A shoe in for Hufflepuff, Adrina thought, but there was years for that to be determined. Adrina smiled as she pushed Gia in her stroller only about half an hour after she had woken her baby up. She looked around the mall starry-eyed. It wasn’t that common that Adrina got to go shopping in muggle places. After all, she wouldn’t even know what a t.v. was if it weren’t for muggle studies. Gia just laughed in response to all the people and lights. Adrina liked taking Gia places where people didn’t stare much. Like in muggle places, people just thought that Gia was Adrina’s sister or something. But, in Hogsmeade, everyone knew about Gia and Danny. But the worst place was Hogwarts. Even though none of the Hogwarts students besides the ones that lived in Hogsmeade, they all gossiped. Most of them didn’t even know the truth on whether she had a child or not. When Adrina had left Hogwarts before she had Gia, it was rather hard to tell if she was pregnant because she wasn’t showing too much and she was wearing baggy robes all of the time. But, the rumors still came. People still didn’t know the truth since Adrina didn’t come back to school until right before the OWL’s. Even then, she hadn’t spent too much time in the halls or anything. Still, Adrina knew that when school started, the rumors would truly return. She just had to get ready to face them.

“Ah Gia, think we have enough?” Adrina asked Gia laughing. With one hand, she was strolling Gia and the other she was holding three bags stuffed full of baby clothes in different styles and colors. Adrina shook her head. Yep, she still had the shopping touch. She wasn’t much on clothes shopping, but shopping in general, Adrina was rather gifted at. She sighed getting quite tired from all the walking and strolling. She started looking for an open bench, but there didn’t seem to be one. Finally, she took a seat in one that another girl around Adrina’s age was sitting at. Adrina didn’t look at the girl; she was too busy giving Gia her pacifier. But, as she heard someone say her name, she turned to the girl on the bench. Adrina knew her. Ariane Chan was in her house and year, they shared a dorm. Adrina didn’t know her terribly well, but she did have some classes with her. She nodded and smiled a tad. “Yes.” She said in reply to her name. “It’s me. Hey Ariane.” She offered trying to muster up some friendly behavior. Adrina looked to Gia as she started to laugh. “Umm, this is Gia.” She said pointing to the giggling baby. “My daughter.” She added. Adrina wasn’t sure if Ariane knew or not, but she wanted to be clear. “So, since I missed a deal of the school year, I’m hoping our dorm mates aren’t completely annoying still. All I need next term is an annoying bunch of giggling dorm mates who won’t stop gossiping.” She sighing a bit knowing that Ariane wasn’t one of these girls. Adrina eyed Ariane waiting for her to respond.

[Ariane Chan]

“Hi.” Ariane gave an awkward smile in answer to Adrina’s greeting. Quickly she stooped to push her multiple bags closer to her, to make room for Adrina’s. Sitting up straight again, Ariane was introduced to the baby on Adrina’s lap as Gia. Ariane was thinking that their meeting was all quite a coincidence, until her classmate announced that Gia was her daughter. Eyes widening, she turned to stare at Adrina for a moment or so, before absorbing the information and quickly looking away again in disgrace. “Sorry… So… Your daughter…” Ariane stared at the floor, deaf to the goings on around in the shopping mall. “That explains last year then, huh?” She looked up and gave Adrina a small smile. Ariane didn’t pity her classmate, but she certainly sympathised with her. Adrina was a decent girl, and the rumours Ariane had been aware of circling the school was not something she deserved, especially during such times. If Ariane had been her friend, she wouldn’t have stood for such gossip. It made her mad to just think about what other people talked about behind each other’s backs. Ariane had to admit, she was somewhat surprised Adrina was now a mother, but letting it sink in now, she accepted it without a problem. So what if she had a child at such a young age? It didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter. Ariane wondered how much Adrina’s life had changed since Gia’s birth, if she was holding up okay. But Adrina had always appeared quite strong, and she certainly seemed to be holding up just fine. Ariane had to say she was glad to see that.

Ariane’s head turned back to look at Adrina upon hearing her words, and knew her suspicions were correct. Adrina was aware of rumours and such then. Ariane noted her rather sad expression with sympathy, and leaned back against the wall, folding her arms across her chest. “They’re as annoying as ever.” Ariane spoke quietly, a small smirk adorning her face. “And they gossip as much as ever too. You won’t hear anything from me though. You should probably know that already, after six years.” That was somewhat a light joke from Ariane. Perhaps it was because of the day she had just experienced, or maybe because Adrina had a baby daughter sitting happily on her lap. There was something about knowing that Adrina was a mother that made Ariane’s insides melt. Seeing a mother and daughter together only reminded her more of her deceased mum. “… Don’t worry.” Ariane spoke after a moment of silence, her eyes travelling to Gia’s baby face. “If I hear anything from them… I’ll shut them up for you.” She offered the slightest of a smile again. She couldn’t stand the thought of her dorm mates gossiping about Adrina, especially not about something like this. That was downright bitchy. And did they not realise how painful it was for the victim? Ariane had had rumours spread about her before, but she was strong, and she didn't care. But that didn't mean it didn't hurt either. She shook her head in disapproval, a thin line crossing her mouth. “Even if you don’t want me to. I just find it sickening.”

Her eyes fixed on Gia, Ariane allowed herself a brighter smile, friendlier, more carefree. Something about babies did that… The thought that they were so free and naïve from the world’s pressures. “Hello.” Ariane extended a hand forward to gently take hold of Gia’s much smaller one. “Nice to meet you, Gia.” Ariane didn’t want to act too friendly yet around Adrina, in case she scared her classmate a little. Ariane wasn’t herself often around her fellow students, and probably seeing her like this would come as a surprise. “Can I…?” Ariane bravely motioned towards Gia, indicating she wanted to pick her up. She didn’t know if Adrina would let her, but it had been a long time since she had held a child. Ariane wanted to know what it felt like again. “Gia’s a lucky kid.” Ariane went on to say in a sad tone of voice, waiting for Adrina’s answer. Ariane could remember her mother’s touch, her mother’s words, her mother’s love. “She has a loving mummy. I’m sure you’re a fantastic mother.” Ariane turned her eyes away as she nodded with conviction, slightly embarrassed. These words sounded so foreign coming from her mouth. But Gia’s smile caught her eye again, and Ariane returned the expression. Purity, naivety, innocence… Ariane had lost that a long time ago.

[Adrina De Luca]

Adrina smiled awkwardly as she watched Ariane respond to her announcement. It was a common way to respond and it didn’t really bother Adrina much. When Adrina told people, they were almost always surprised. After all, who would have guessed? Adrina De Luca a mom? No one really would have guessed that the out-going, trouble-making, good grades getting Adrina would have a kid. Actually, no one really did guess. That was why it didn’t surprise Adrina that Ariane didn’t know even though Adrina was pretty sure that Ariane was the only girl in her dorm that didn’t know. Oh well, the other girls were gossipers and annoying. Well, some of them were anyways. Adrina shifted a bit, looking down to Gia. It was weird to think that a great deal of Hogwarts students still didn’t know about Adrina’s daughter. It wasn’t as if Adrina wanted the attention. Because she didn’t want it at all. No, Adrina had other things to worry about like the remainder of her school days. But, it was weird to think that most of the school had heard the gossip and had helped spread it around, but most of them didn’t even know the truth. Adrina sighed. She was gossip prone now. It didn’t really bother her, but she hated to think of what people would say to Gia when she got older.

Adrina nodded. “Yep my daughter.” She said smiling to Gia. “It seems that gossip doesn’t get to your ears.” Adrina said smiling lightly. “Which is more than I can say for the rest of the school.” She said thinking back to Hogwarts. “Well, I know they will be disappointed when I come back to school and nothing they say fazes me.” She laughed for a moment seeing the faces of some of the older gossiping girls from various houses. Yes, Adrina had been back at the end of the year, but not for very long. In fact, the OWLS were basically at the end of the year, so Adrina had returned solely for them. As she thought about it, Adrina hadn’t even said a word to anyone. Not her dorm mates, not anyone. She had basically walked around with her face in her books. The glances she kept getting from people were annoying and distracting. Adrina wished that this was all in the past, but she knew that when school started that she would be put back in the insane, annoying spotlight yet again. Did it bother her? A bit. Would she let it affect her life? Not at all.

Adrina nodded slightly as Ariane talked about her dorm mates. “Great.” She responded as Ariane said that they were annoying as ever. Adrina nodded as Ariane said that she wouldn’t gossip. “Yea, I know. It’s kind of pointless isn’t it?” She asked referring to the gossiping. Adrina wouldn’t let it hurt her, but she did wonder why people took joy in such things. It didn’t really make any sense to her. Adrina nodded a bit as Ariane said that she would shut the gossiping girls up. “Thanks.” She said simply. “It doesn’t bother me that much though.” She said shrugging and looking down to Gia. “I mean most of what they’re saying is true. I do have a daughter and I did have her at the age of fifteen. I’m not going to let them telling the truth hurt me.” She smirked, thinking back to the girls for a moment. Adrina smiled at Gia for a moment. “I don’t have a problem with you shutting them up.” Adrina said offering a weird looking smile. “Besides, if they say anything hurtful, they’ll regret it.” She said smirking again then smiling thinking about it.

Adrina smiled as Ariane said hello to Gia. It was a bit odd to see Ariane like this, the girl always had seemed a bit dark. But, Adrina wasn’t one to judge people or their personalities. She couldn’t say that Ariane was a dark person or that she hadn’t changed any because Adrina didn’t know her well enough to say such things. Adrina nodded as Ariane sort of asked if she could pick Gia up. “Feel free.” She said smiling a bit. “I’m not exactly one of those possessive mothers quite yet. You know, I’m still getting used to everything still.” She said smiling at Gia for a moment. It would take awhile for Adrina to get used to being a mother. Adrina eyed Ariane in near shock. She was acting differently. Well, differently than she acted at school. It was a bit weird, but sweet really. Things happened to people to make them act different. Adrina was a more caring person since she had Gia. She didn’t used to sympathize at all, but that went away with time. Adrina eyed Ariane as she spoke. “Yea, she is. She has a great deal of people who love her. Not really a conventional, family, but she will learn to love them.” Adrina said thinking to her family. Gia wouldn’t have a father as Danny was long gone. Adrina’s real parents had died at the age of two. However, Adrina’s Aunt Kat and Uncle Gino had been her parent figures for as long as Adrina could remember. Gia would have her uncle Leo and her cousin Aria. Adrina looked back to Ariane. “Loving I guess. A fantastic mother, well that will come with time.” She said thinking for a moment. Adrina then looked at Ariane waiting for her to pick Gia up.

[Ariane Chan]

Ariane nodded in agreement to Adrina stating that gossip was pointless. In a way, Ariane supposed she understand the compulsion to talk about other people though. It was probably fascinating for the students that someone in their fifth year had had a child already. And someone like Adrina too. Ariane had to admit, if she had to pick a person from her year to fall pregnant, she would definitely not have chosen Adrina. Ariane wondered if Aurora had heard anything; her cousin probably had, but had kept it to herself. Ariane knew that Aurora didn’t inform her of anything until she was one hundred percent sure of the fact. Aurora wasn’t one to gossip, but she did at times talk badly about some people to Ariane, as an outlet. As time went by, Ariane realised Aurora had to do it. Because when someone annoyed her, Aurora tried to bottle her feelings up so much because she couldn’t say to that person’s face to shut up, she’d just end up bursting. So Ariane let her friend tell her how much she couldn’t stand someone, and then the storm would be over. Ariane felt happy she was able to sometimes help Aurora out in the way her cousin helped her. Even Ariane could be a listener like Aurora. And even Aurora needed somebody sometimes.

Ariane let herself smile a little at Adrina’s words. She wasn’t surprised, but she admired her classmate for her determination anyway. She had her head screwed on properly, unlike most people, which was a breath of fresh air. Ariane told herself she shouldn’t be surprised at Adrina’s personality though; she was a Gryffindor after all, strong, resolute. That was why Ariane was a Gryffindor too, and not a Slytherin. Blinking in surprise that Adrina was going to let her pick Gia up, she sent a grateful small smile, before extending her hands and gently lifting the baby up. Ariane was rather fearful that she would drop Gia, or hurt her in some way, and she wondered if she were in Adrina’s position, would she be able to cope with a kid this early? Wasn’t Adrina scared, frightened out of her wits? Was Adrina alone? Ariane was far from ready to mother a child… Not when she was still feeling the pain of losing her own mother. Ariane was sure she didn’t even know how to be a good mother… Smiling at Gia, she placed her carefully on her lap, tilting her head a little and looking down at the smiling baby. “She has your nose.” Ariane suddenly declared, frowning a little. Maybe it was just the light, she wasn’t sure. Not wanting to bore poor Gia, Ariane gently bounced her on her knee, trying to calm her nerves. She could overcome anything… anything including a child.

Ariane nodded, not surprised that Adrina was still getting the grips of motherhood. “That’s good.” Ariane then spoke quietly when Adrina said Gia had loving people. “To be happy at the end of the day… all you need are people to love you.” Ariane wondered what had made her say this, but knew it was because of her mother’s death. Ariane didn’t need anything materialistic. She didn’t need gossip, clothes, make up, jewellery, or anything like that, to make her feel beautiful, needed, and loved. It was people like her mother, Harmony and Aurora that made her happy, and Ariane didn’t need anyone else. “It doesn’t have to be family… Just… people who love and appreciate and support you. I’m grateful to say I have those people.” Ariane thought of her uncle and aunt, how they had so willingly and kindly accepted her and Harmony into the family as though they belonged there. Leo, who was fast becoming a rather amusing companion; Ariane did look out for him at school, what with them both being Gryffindors, but they had never socialised as much as they did now; he acted his age a lot, but at times he could be surprisingly mature with his words. Aurora, who Ariane knew she could never have survived the aftermath of the ordeal without her. Aurora was like her rock… and Ariane wondered if she’d ever be able to pay her best friend back.

And of course, there was Harmony. Harmony may think she was not useful, unhelpful, not able to do anything, but on the contrary, just by being there she was a comfort to Ariane. She loved her sister more than anything, and she never wanted to let her go. Ariane nodded her head to Adrina’s words, supporting Gia’s back with her right hand as she playfully tweaked her nose with a slight grin. “You will be. Because you love her… and if you love her, you’ll be fantastic. I believe that.” Ariane looked up and smiled mildly at Adrina, perhaps slight encouragement hidden in the depths of her dark eyes. “My mother loved us. She was not perfect, but she loved us, and because of that, she was a fantastic mother.” Ariane looked down again at Gia, thinking how she had come into this world, whilst her mother had left it. The pain had lessened slightly over time, but it still panged deep in her heart when she thought about it. Acceptance had been difficult, but time heals the heart little by little, if not completely. And love and friendship from Aurora and Harmony helped to do that too. “Oh, I’m sure you don’t know… No one does. People don’t tend to gossip about me, plus this is such a boring subject to gossip about. No where near as interesting as yours.” Ariane joked lightly, looking up at the ceiling for a while, the lights of the mall flickering. “My mother died just after my OWLs. She was murdered.” Ariane smiled sadly, purposefully not looking at Adrina. She didn’t mind if her classmate pitied her… she didn’t need it, but she could do it nevertheless. Ariane found herself grateful nowadays rather than pushing people’s love away. Accepting this, and accepting her mother’s absence, had been a tremendous hurdle, but… she had overcome it.

[Adrina De Luca]

Adrina smiled a bit as Ariane picked up Gia. She seemed a bit fearful at first, but Adrina could understand that. Picking up Gia had scared Adrina out of her mind at first. After all, Gia was an adorable, tiny baby. She looked a bit like Adrina, but Gia’s hair was darker. Aria agreed that Gia looked for like Danny then like Adrina. This used to bother Adrina, but it didn’t anymore. Even though Adrina could never trust Danny again, she couldn’t deny that he was a good guy at heart. It took awhile for Adrina to admit this, but it became more true and clear with time. Adrina sighed smiling to Gia. At those moments when Adrina looked at Gia and thought of Danny, she only saw the good times that she had with him. She also imagined the day that she would tell Gia about her father. What would she say? That she looks just like him? That he was a good guy at heart? Gia wouldn’t fall for that. Adrina sighed. She did have a few good years before she had to tell Gia anything after all. So maybe it was best not to think about it. Adrina shook her head lightly. No one ever said that this would be easy because life wasn’t. But, she did have to wonder if it would be easier with Danny around. Would it be?

Adrina nodded as Ariane said that Gia had her nose. “Yep, but that is about the only thing.” She said nodding. “She’s pretty much a splitting image of her father, she is.” Adrina smiled a bit brushing her fingertips through Gia’s hair before looking to Ariane. Adrina was a bit surprised at Araine’s comment even thought it was true. Adrina just had never heard Ariane say anything like that. She nodded. For a moment, Adrina thought whether or not she should say anything. Finally, she decided to. “You know, I’ve never really been lucky, but I’m lucky to have people like the ones you described.” She said thinking to her unconventional family. True, the loving people that Adrina had in her life weren’t exactly the epiphany of a normal family, but they were family all the same. So maybe the people Adrina thought of as parents weren’t really her parents and maybe her sister like figure was really her cousin, but Adrina loved them all the same and vice versa. Adrina smiled at Gia again looking at her little nightmare as she had been called before. Well, no one was perfect. Adrina’s ‘family’ wasn’t perfect, but it was a family all the same.

Adrina smiled at Ariane’s words. “Thanks.” She said simply. “Well, I’m trying. No one can be the perfect mother, but I figure that if I strive to be, I can’t miss horribly low below the mark.” She chuckled thinking of her theory that she had thought up before Gia was even born. Maybe not the mot practical one ever, but Adrina did believe it to be true. Adrina sensed the sadness in Ariane’s words, especially as she went on. She was surprised when Ariane said that her mother was murdered only a few months before. Adrina really had no idea. Was Ariane good at hiding things or had Adrina never really paid any attention? She wasn’t really sure of the answer to that. Adrina looked over to Ariane. She wasn’t going to say she was sorry. Was she, yes, but she couldn’t let herself say it. Adrina could be a rock about her true feeling sometimes, but she knew that Ariane probably didn’t want her sympathy. Most people in situations like those didn’t. “It’s a hard thing to deal with, I’m sure..” Adrina said pausing. “I don’t exactly know how you feel though. Umm, technically I’m an orphan, but you know, I don’t really remember when my parents died; I was too young to feel the loss.” She stopped for a moment. “But now that I’m older, it hurts like hell. I’m sure you know that it just takes time. But, sadly time didn’t fix everything.” She said thinking to her parents. Adrina looked to Ariane. She never would have guessed that the girl would tell her this. Adrina decided to ask a tough question. She didn’t care if Ariane would answer or not. “Umm, do you know who did it?” She asked. “Because if my parent’s deaths hadn’t been an accident, then I would want to track the killer down. You know, I’m so hard headed that I’m pretty sure that I want to kill them even if I die in the process.” She said knowing that it was the truth. Yes, maybe things were different since Gia’s birth, but Adrina was still the same person. She looked to Ariane waiting for her to say something.

((Sorry it too awhile and Adrina’s responses are a bit weird. My stupid cold made me loose any good Adrina inspiration. ))

[Ariane Chan]

Father… Ariane wondered who indeed was the father of Gia. After all, she had never known Adrina to have a boyfriend from Hogwarts… Or maybe she did. But somehow, Ariane doubted it, because if they had had a kid together, that boy would certainly have been involved in the rumours too. In fact, she was sure that the rumours would’ve been even wackier. Did she dare ask who the father was…? Or maybe it was a touchy subject, Ariane didn’t know. Maybe Adrina was a single mother. Ariane didn’t want to think what it was like, being a single mum at this age. Her mother had just about coped, and that was with Aunt Vanessa’s help, and then with her two girls at boarding school, grown up and pretty much independent enough, she hadn’t had to do much. It wasn’t like she had a baby that needed attention and care constantly, through the day and the night. Did Adrina have to work for their living too? Ariane also found herself sympathising with Gia… It was sad when a child couldn’t know both their parents. But maybe it was better sometimes… Maybe Ariane’s childhood would’ve been better without Henry there. “… I hope you don’t mind me asking…” Ariane began calmly, taking Gia’s finger with a soft smile at the baby, “… But who’s the father?” Ariane didn’t know what she was trying to achieve by asking this sensitive question, but Adrina could refuse to answer if she wanted to, she didn’t mind.

Ariane nodded when Adrina admitted that she had people who loved her, which was good. Everyone needed that, even Ariane could admit that much despite her never wanting to get to know others. She just believed a few were enough. The more bonds you made, the more they could be broken, and the more hurt you could get. Her father’s betrayal in personality, her mother and aunt dead… Once they were gone, you were left all alone to bear the pain. So Ariane wanted to avoid making more bonds at all costs, because despite how strong she was… she wasn’t that strong. “Here you go. Back to mummy.” Ariane smiled kindly, giving Gia one last bounce before gingerly handing her back to Adrina. “Thanks. She’s a good baby… doesn’t cry when held by strangers.” Ariane commented wistfully, recalling a bad memory from a while ago.

Ariane gave a small, quiet laugh at the expression on Adrina’s face as she told her about her mother, and crossed her arms across her chest again. “You look surprised. I don’t tell anyone anything, so… That’s not surprising, you not knowing. I like to keep to myself, to avoid rumours.” She gave a grimace, thinking of the amount people gossiped in school, before listening to Adrina’s reply intently. “It is hard.” Ariane finally spoke, tilting her head with a sad, faraway look in her eyes. “I can admit that. Because you know you won’t be able to talk to them again, touch them again… Etc. And that’s… that’s hard.” Ariane’s voice trailed off momentarily, trying not to imagine her mother’s face in her mind, because all that did was bring tears along with it. And she refused to cry in his open shopping mall, in front of a classmate, nonetheless. Ariane was sure Adrina wouldn’t tell anyone, but it was her pride that prevented her the most. Stupid pride. “I think my situation is… or will be, the opposite of yours.” Ariane started again, inclining her head over again to stare at Gia’s face. “Because as time goes on, I can forget about it… Let go, or something. Time doesn’t heal, don’t get me wrong… It just helps me move on a little more. It’s hard to explain.” Ariane admitted honestly with a sigh. “Yeah, time doesn’t fix things. Even if you want it too. Life isn’t fair, is it?” Ariane’s question was a rhetorical one, referring to Adrina’s orphan past. She had never known about her classmate’s history, and it came as somewhat of a surprise. Ariane wasn’t about to say something hurtful about it though. She sympathised with Adrina, even though she had never experienced it before, because even though they were different, they both had suffered pain… And although they were varying types of pain, it was pain nonetheless.

Adrina’s next question didn’t surprise Ariane much. They were both Gryffindors at the end of the day, and Adrina had probably asked her that question using the same logic as to why Ariane had asked Adrina about Gia’s father. Ariane remained silent for a moment or so, taking in the surrounding sounds of the shopping centre, before replying quietly. She trusted in the fact that Adrina wouldn’t spread any rumours, even though she didn’t completely trust her classmate; Ariane just felt the need to tell her story, because if she didn’t, that meant she wasn’t getting over it. She was sure, by being able to retell the events, she was slowly overcoming the sadness and grief. “My father.” Ariane finally breathed outwards, a long, remorseful sigh in her reply, and started again before Adrina could look startled. “Not exactly, but it was he who hired the man who did it. He didn’t want to kill my mum, but because of him…” She gave a light, casual shrug, “She’s dead. And he knows it. I’m not too sure of the details myself, but that’s all I really need to know. Knowing my usual self… Yeah, I’d probably take revenge or something too.” Ariane gave a short, bitter laugh. “We Gryffindors don’t give up, do we? Aurora and my sister are always berating me about forgiveness, and I normally don’t listen to all that, but this time round…” Ariane gave a soft sigh, entwining her fingers together. “There’s not need to track anyone down. My father killed the man who killed my mother and aunt… And I can’t find it in myself to hate him, never mind kill him myself. I thought I wanted to, all these years, but it turns out I’m just weak. Hard-headed, but weak.” Ariane stated bluntly.

((No problem. I always have more inspiration for Ari than India, so... You might have to wait for the other reply. ))