professor | r. lupin

❘༻The Hans༺❘

At exactly six o'clock in the morning, a soft knock was heard. Roseanne struggled to open her eyes. Remembering that she had just five minutes to make her bed, get ready and get to the living room made her get out of the bed as fast as possible. Coco lazily looked up at her owner, then went back to sleep. Maybe for the best. Dottie and Vernon never really liked animals anyway.

Being out of the school uniform felt odd. Somehow her clothes at home were more uncomfortable than school clothes. She was forced to wear dresses that were so tight around her waist, tops that were so heavy and skirts so long she almost fell while walking down the stairs. If Pipsy hadn't reacted in time, both of them could soon expect an angry Vernon storming in and sending them both to their rooms without food for a day. It didn't take long for him to get angry. He looked like he almost enjoyed being like that and unleashing his anger on others.

Roseanne stepped inside the living room. Everything stayed the same each year. Not a single thing was out of place. Vernon Periculum sat in his armchair, looking at his pocket watch. The Daily Prophet sat on the table, already read. Dottie had just finished her cup of green tea. She refused to have breakfast. Once the girl got close to her parents, Vernon let out a disappointed huff.

"Good morning, father."

"You're late."

Even though she knew she was only three minutes late, she kept her mouth shut. She then stepped towards the space near her mother, ready to sit and drink her own tea.

"There's no sitting today, Roseanne. Let's go back to your room and fix that horrible outfit."

"What do you mean no sitting?" She asked with confusion.

"Listen to your mother."

Ollie was already moving the cups from the table, Pipsy following him with the plates and the Daily Prophet. Once they were both back in the room, Dottie made her daughter sit in front of a tall mirror. Soon her bed was covered with dresses she had only seen in her mother's closet. They were all colorful, long, shiny and seemed quite expensive.

"Since you gained weight, this one is the only dress that can hide that stomach and big legs of yours."

The woman picked a purple dress, the one that was so tight in her waist area. Roseanne wondered why her mother was more in a rush and frustrated than usual. Questioning wasn't an option, especially not now, so she put on the dress and waited for her mother to explain. Her face was soon full of make-up. Even Pipsy didn't recognise her when she came inside the room.

"What is it?" The woman spat at the poor house elf while pulling at her daughters hair, trying to hide that white part of it and make a braid.

"Your guests are here."

"All of them?"

"All of them, Mrs Periculum."

A single nod was enough to make the elf leave the room. Needless to say, Roseanne was now very confused.

"As you heard Pipsy say, we are having guests. I need you to be on your best behaviour."

"Yes, mother."

Guests often came over, it wasn't anything new. But Dottie not locking her daughter up while people were in the house was new. So much makeup and extra hairpins were also new. Her head had never felt so heavy. Inside, she wished Remus could see her. She felt pretty. Her mother knew how to make a person look good, that's why she worked in a famous clothing shop. Her designs were unique and so wanted that the shop had a line waiting for them each morning before opening. She never denied that her mother was talented.