a sheep in wolf's clothing// remus

the other side of the door

Adeline sat down at the end of the table between Peter and Fleamont. Remus and James followed her at a distance and sat down at the opposite side of the table. No one dared to speak about the obvious tension floating in the room. No one dared to speak at all. They just waited for Euphemia to send out the food. Their prayers were finally answered and food started levitating from the kitchen to the table. Euphemia joined the silent table after the last of the food was sat on the table.

Adeline did not like feeling like the problem. She was right to be mad at Remus for not only telling them that she was injured, but also that she was all alone at Hogwarts. She predicted he told them about her home life as well based on the sad looks Euphemia gave her. She hasn't told a soul about him being a werewolf, she even covered for him about it being Snape that hexed her because she trusted that he had a reason for lying.

There's that word.

Trust.

That's where it all went wrong.

Adeline trusted him.

Adeline told him about her family, something only Dorcas and Marlene knew. She didn't mean for it to be a deep dark secret, but it was personal enough she didn't want it spread about a group of boys she hated. Well not hated. Adeline hated Snape. She hated an older boy named Lucius Malfoy. She hated the Hufflepuff girl who called her a mudblood on the first day of 6th year. But she couldn't say she hated the Marauders. Disliked is perfectly adequate though.

Her gut had told her to dislike these boys who would play pranks on unsuspecting students. Who had kids she didn't even know looking around the corner before turning it. Their pranks and jokes brought joy to many students and she was adult enough to acknowledge that, but it also kept everyone on edge and Adeline didn't know if the occasional laughter was worth it.

But right now there was no laughter. Only silence around the table. Adeline felt like it was all her fault. Even if she didn't like the way Euphemia found out about her life, she still appreciated that she invited her in and treated her with warmth. She appreciated how Fleamont didn't look at her with sadness and instead laughed when she shared a small traumatic part of her childhood. They don't deserve to have their family dinners ruined by Adeline's presence. So Adeline decided to speak up and break the silence that was plaguing them all

"So Mr. Potter," Adeline started and all eyes immediately darted to her but she ignored them and carried on, "I had an idea for a sequel product for Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, that was you correct?"

"Yes, that was me," Fleamont was grateful for someone to break the tension that he could sense but he had no idea the cause of it.

"Well you should make a one time-use hair dye that will fill in your roots when they grow in." Adeline began, "I don't dye my hair, but my mom does and she hates having to get it touched up all the time. And I know wizards with the same problem. Always having to brew a fresh potion to stay blonde."

"Hmmm interesting," Fleamont thought to himself, "There's definitely a market for it, but it is not very profitable."

"I don't think you would have to worry about profits," Adeline joked, then realized that was rude, "I mean yes true you have a business and need to pay employees so it does need to turn a profit."

"Unless we also made it so there was only one way to get the dye out. And sold the remedy separately." Fleamont ignored her rambles knowing it would embarrass her more to acknowledge them.

"Fixes the profit problem."

"Now we just need to make said potion." Fleamont smiled at the girl.

"Yeah we do" Adeline responded taking note of the fact he said 'we'.