Harry Potter and the Story Without Delphi

Chapter Sixteen: Adao Comes Bearing Chocolate

A/N There is a mix of some slangy Portuguese and proper Portuguese. It will be in italics. The translation will be in brackets. I googled some of it, so if you actually speak Portuguese, let me know if people actually talk like this.

Nova seemed shocked. Albus gave the man some more attention.

He didn't really look too much like Nova, but he had the same dark complexion, which made a very blunt contrast with his blond hair, and the same easygoing and energetic air. He seemed to have a permanent grin on his face. Despite this, he was still intimidating as he was well over six feet.

"Mana. Beleza? Surprised to see me?"

(Slang for Sister. Wassup.)

Nova rolled her eyes.

"Por que você está falando mau português? Just speak English."

(Why are you speaking bad Portuguese?)

Albus and Scorpius barely understood what they were talking about. Nova's brother seemed to just notice them. 

"Already have a gato? You work fast, eh. Which one though?"

(Gato is slang for handsome boy)

Nova blushed.

"Shut up. What are you doing here anyways? Don't you have work?"

"I told the boss my darling little sister needed a ride home from her very first boarding school. I promised to work a double tomorrow."

Nova's brother stared at Albus and Scorpius.

"Whose house did she stay at for Christmas?"

Feeling slightly intimidated, Albus put his hand up meekly. Nova chuckled.

"Are you scared of him or something?"

The man grinned and pulled something out of his pocket. A small box of chocolates. He handed it to Albus.

"Consider it a really late gift. Thanks for dealing with her. I know she can be a pain."

Nova slapped his arm lightly.

"Um...it wasn't any issue."

The man winked. He looked at Scorpius.

"Sorry, I didn't get you one. My sister tells me absolutely nothing about her friends."

"There isn't any cell service!"

"Excuses, Excuses. And don't be scared of me. Call me Adao."

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When Albus reached his father, he shot Albus a look. Everyone was already waiting.

"What took you so long? Who were you talking too?"

"Nova's brother came to pick her up."

James elbowed him.

"Already meeting the family."

Albus punched him in the stomach. Dad pulled him back.

"Relax Albus it was a joke. James knows perfectly well that Nova is your friend."

James glared at Albus. Albus stuck out his tongue.

Harry sighed.

"Let's go home. Teddy, please don't lose Rose on route to the Burrow."

"You lose one child..."

Dad apperated with Albus and James back to their home. When he landed in the living room, mum and Lily were waiting on the couch.

"Welcome back boys." 

Albus gave his mum a hug. He could feel Lily clinging to his leg. 

"Why don't you ever grab James?" Albus said.

"I like you better."

James fell dramatically to the floor and clasped both hands to his chest.

"I am hurt beyond repair. I can't believe you, Lily!"

Lily giggled but didn't take back her insult.

"I tried to make some food for you," started Ginny, "Because of the end of Albus's first school year. Mind you it probably turned out terrible. Your dad is a much better cook, but I wanted to try."

"I'm sure it will be lovely," said dad. Albus knew he just was saying it to make mum feel good.

Ginny glared at him. Albus knew mum disliked being coddled.

The food wasn't as bad as Albus might have thought, but his dad definitely was a better cook.

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After the novelty of being at home had faded, Albus realized he was quite bored at home without his friends.

James, now almost in fourth year, wouldn't be caught dead with a lowly second year to be. He spent most of his time with his seemingly endless amount of friends, all miraculously close to their home. However, it wasn't like he was dying to join mini quidditch matches or gossip circles or whatever teenagers did these days.

Lily, while always eager to play, began to become a drain. There was only so much Albus could take of fairies versus goblins.

When he thought of the possibility of visiting Nova or Scorpius, he knew it wouldn't work. For one thing, Dad and Scorpius's dad had tons of bad blood, making it less than likely dad would greenlight a trip to their family home. When he looked at the address given by Nova, he didn't even recognize where it was. She had only written a street name and apartment number.

He had written to them, though. Scorpius had replied back right away, seeming to immolate his feeling of boredom. He was the only child to boot, meaning there really wasn't much to do.

However, Nova had taken awhile to respond, and it seemed very lazily done. She was never much of a writer for assignments, so Albus guessed she wasn't too hot with letter writing either.

Before he could go completely insane, his dad announced the hosting of a family gathering at their home. James was approved to have a friend over,  Albus jumped at the chance.

"Can I have one over too dad? It's only fair!"

Dad looked sceptical.

"Who do you have in mind?"

Albus took a deep breath.

"Scorpius. I know you and his dad have some history, but he's a really nice person! He's almost the top of our year too! He's constantly neck-and-neck with Rose!"

Dad seemed to consider it. James however, had to put his input in.

"Nothing against the kid, but are you really sure it's wise to bring a Malfoy in the vicinity of our family?"

"Why should he be blamed for what his father did?"

That seemed to strike a chord with dad.

"You know what? Let's give him a chance. Send him an owl with the date."