𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲 , marlene mckinnon

𝐢. smoker or a drinker?

" high expectations for a small man "

Standing in the back of the room, teenaged Charlotte Adler has her arms folded with her posture lazily adjusted as the meeting occurs in front of her emerald eyes. The smooth air was quiet as it enters the Potter's mansion, wreckingly too formal and acquired to be part of the Order of the Phoenix's discreet meetings. The only thing curing her boredom was Gideon's voice of reinstating what occured when he spied on a Death Eater Charlotte did not know who.

For a year has passed after her graduation from Hogwarts, Charlotte finds it hard to believe that it's only been eight years since she got thrown into a world she desired but now resented. It was funny how she wanted to be important in a story and now she's the antagonist's unwanted daughter.

Life could be cruel sometimes.

"Was the meeting boring you too much, Charlotte?"

"Sometimes." Charlotte answers honestly, tipping her chin up to see Dumbledore look down on her as he always did because of their height. Though it did get better when she reached the prime of her years, reaching an average height but not as tall as Albus or Rubeus, as she liked to call them.

"How so? Isn't it a good thing for an important meeting like this to be uneventful." Alice joins them with a sort of comforting smile that made Charlotte recall she'll never have a mother who could resemble Alice Longbottom. Who always wanted to be a mother.

"Indeed it is." Dumbledore adds, appoints to Charlotte who discreetly rolls her eyes and fixes her posture. "Perhaps Miss Longbottom here can try and persuade you to join James and Lily's wedding this weekend." He concludes before excusing himself to leave.

"Charlotte—"

"— I'm busy this weekend." Charlotte interrupts and moves along as well, bringing her wrist up and checks what time it is. It was too late for a young witch like her to be out. If ever she has normal parents, she'd no doubt get scolded right off the bat of getting home.

When Alice first met Charlotte, she was a fifth year student with a stoic expression. As if she was not fifteen years old, Charlotte was overwhelmed with knowledge of her biological father being the cause of many deaths and upbringings in Britain. For the many deaths of innocent muggles, a girl like her was struck by guilt she shouldn't have but did.

It was surprising that Charlotte was more determined than any of the Order to put a stop to Lord Voldemort. Her dedication was no doubt contagious but it did not mean that when Albus Dumbledore first introduced her as Riddle's daughter, the Order trusted her right off the bat. As much as Charlotte hated to admit it, she had to prove herself.

What more could she lose if not her own dignity?

Stepping to leave the mansion, Charlotte flicked open the metal lighter and brings it up to the tip of the cigarette in between her pink lips. Acting like an adult with rights to her own decisions, Charlotte always did treat herself as one ever since she was eight. Though the only thing she can't tolerate was alcohol and how it did not fit right in her tongue. It made her want to barf and thus decided to avoid it at all costs.

Despite breathing in nicotine, she found Firewhiskey much more repulsive.

Regulus Black pointed it out first once in a Slytherin party in the common room. They were the only one's not drinking, Regulus stepping aside for fresh air and stumbled onto Charlotte who seemed deep in thought, smoking a cigarette and seemed unafraid if she'd get caught.