maple syrup | remus lupin [1]

106. new year's eve

IT WAS NEW YEAR'S EVE. Claudia found herself staring at her reflection in the mirror, taking a few deep breaths before she would head down and attend the small little New Year's ball that the Potters were holding.

However, after discussing it plenty with a very concerned James, it seemed that the "ball" was more of a formal dinner than a ball.

The Potters had only invited their closest friends this year, and to get that to happen James was forced to tell his parents that Claudia's dad didn't know that she was there, and that she wanted to keep it that way.

Though, that wasn't exactly something that fazed the two at all considering they had for many years been practically smuggling Sirius inside the house so that his parents wouldn't find out.

But, Euphemia and Fleamont did know more about Claudia's home life than James thought they did. There was no denying on that.

The guests that night consisted of the Potters' closest and most loyal friends, as well as Betty, Inez, Pandora, Marlene and Lily. They were all invited mainly for the sake of Claudia, except for Lily of course.

"Are you ready, sweetie?" The brunette girl heard Hope ask from where she and Lyall appeared by the door.

"Yeah, I think so," Claudia replied, straightening out her green dress, which was the very dress Euphemia had bought from that store in London for her.

"You look beautiful," said Hope, nearing her and placing her arms around her almost protectingly. "Absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you," Claudia said with a weak smile.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Lyall concernedly, keeping his distance.

"M'fine, thank you," Claudia said quietly, smiling thankfully at him for asking, but also for helping so much for the past few days.

Ever since the visit in the village life had been strange for the entire household. Everyone knew that someone Claudia knew had killed Alvin - the man who owned a bookstore - but only the Marauders knew that that person was her father.

Claudia didn't take it well. Which wasn't strange, of course. She had watched another life end in front of her and her father was a murderer.

So, the girl had spent most of her time alone in her bed alongside River, eating the meals by the table with the families but not saying much as her thoughts took over.

They really did have a tendency of doing so.

And Remus had spent his past few days looking after her, even if doing so from afar. Giving her chocolate, getting her River and holding her the previous night when she actually came to him after having a nightmare of the same thing happening to him.

The boy was worried out of his mind. And so was everyone else.

Including Lyall and Hope, who had done everything in their power to convince Claudia to come down the stairs that night, both to take her mind off of things and to make Remus smile.