The next morning Addie woke up with a pounding headache. Damn hangovers, she thought, groggily sitting up. She casually looked around, noticing the dirtiness of her room. With a sigh, Addie got up on her feet and changed into a pair of tight gray jeans and slipped on a blue tank top that matched her eyes. She went into her bathroom and took of the makeup from the following night.
With a groan, the memories of last night flooded into her mind, memories about Fabian, the bartender. Addie shook them out of her mind, thinking about the one she truly loved. That man was the Marauder James Godric Potter, who occupied every thought and desire. This Potter had captured Adelicia's heart in their third year with his charming words and admirable looks. Really and truly, Addie wasn't like most of his fan girls who were just in lust, or liked him because it was the trend. She had started all of that way before them, and it wasn't his looks that stole her heart away, but his personality. Of course, Addie knew she probably would have never noticed him without the looks, but now, he could be ugly and she wouldn't care.
Adelicia walked down the flights of stairs to the ground floor where she greeted Tom with a nod, feeling slightly awkward after what he had witnessed last night. She took a seat at the bar, grabbing a copy of the Daily Prophet to read as she waited for service. Addie scanned the pages, looking for anything of interest. In all honesty, it was just the usual garbage, half of it rumors made up by that Skeeter woman.
Voldemort was gaining power, and all that, but those kinds of things didn't really affect Addie, well personally that is. Of course, she was all for the good to prevail and such, but she didn't want to fight for either of them. Anyways, she was safe for now, being a pureblood. Really, at this point, Adelicia probably could be swung to the Death Eaters just to spite her father.
The door opened to the pub and Addie glanced over to see if she knew the arrivals. Several witches and wizards greeted Tom and took a table near the back. They were wearing their hoods up and looked a bit sketchy to Addie, but it wasn't any of her business. The brunette quietly gobbled down her breakfast, leaving a small tip on the counter, as she stood to walk away.
Addie thought back to last night, how she saw the overworked waitress. She needed money, and she was almost certain she would be able to get the job. Sighing because of her desperation, Addie shuffled through the crowds to Tres Amores and opened the door, sliding in.
The young witch glanced over to the bar, only to find Fabian staring at her. Her stomach was soon a jumbled mess, butterflies flittering around. Fabian was gorgeous, and seemed to show an interest in her despite his previous claims. Addie was in a desperate time, and she would be glad to fill his interests although James was who she truly wanted. Sighing due to her situation, she walked past Fabian without a word towards the back where the manager's office was.
"Hello?" she said aloud, slowly pushing the door open and peeking her head around the corner. Addie, to be quite honest, was a nervous bunch. She needed the job, and she feared that she would be rejected for it.
"Come on in, dearie," an older man with crooked teeth said. The room stank of alcohol and smoke. Obviously, the guy wasn't one with his priorities in order. He set the cigar down and waved his hand for her to take a seat on one of the stools. "What do ya need?" he asked, taking in the curves of her body.
"Well, I was in here last night…," she started nervously. "I was h-hoping that I could get a job as a waitress," her words wavered. Addie was rarely a nervous girl, very outspoken and blunt.
"Ah, of course. You've certainly got the appearance for it… would you perhaps be interested as being a stripper? I'm sure everyone would enjoy that a lot more, especially me," the man, Peter, said with a dirty grin on his face.
"Yes sir, I'm quite sure I'll be alright as a waitress. Do you need any other information…?" Addie said, slightly angered at his overbearing flirtation. If he wouldn't be her new boss, Adelicia probably would have cursed Peter.
"Naw, love. We'll get all that rubbish after your shift tonight. Ya start at ten tonight, a'ight?" Peter declared, throwing her a black tank top with Tres Amores written in pink curly writing across the breasts.
"Yes sir, I'll be there," Addie declared, standing up and walking out of the smoky room. She was beleaguered by a certain bartender as soon as she made her exit.
"What in the bloody hell do you think you're doing, Addie?" Fabian growled, backing her into a wall. He didn't appear to be a man to mess with.
"Getting a job so I don't end up on the streets," Addie said. She glared at him. Who was he to tell her what she can or can't do? He wouldn't even shag her for Merlin's sake.
"For fuck's sakes, you're the bloody Minister's daughter! This is no place you should really even be at, letting alone working," Fabian whispered harshly.
"I'll do whatever the bloody hell I want, and you aren't one to tell me I can't. I need money, and this is the damn good way to make it. I can't rely on my bloody family's money anymore, now that I've been disowned. Now if you don't mind, I have places to be," the brunette said angrily, pushing past him in a determined fashion.
"Bloody hell," he whispered, sighing as he shook his head and walked back to the bar. He had a job to do, and Fabian wasn't to be distracted by a girl. Even if the girl could very well be the only one to capture his attention for more than a shag, which they didn't even get too. No, he wasn't that weak.
Two weeks later, August was rolling around. Adelicia had gotten into the routine of having whacky nocturnal hours at the club, and the girl was racking in the Galleons as one of the club's most popular waitresses. At first, the somewhat sheltered girl felt violated as she was forced to give lap dances to her customers to get her money, but Addie soon grew to have no feelings about it.
Everything was going swell, and the brunette was making money for her own. Fabian still wouldn't talk to her, but Addie would turn around to see him staring at her quite often. Peter knew she'd be leaving on the last week of August and he protested, but there was nothing to be done. Addie had to go back for her final year of schooling at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Her shift was almost over, to be done at four that morning, when things changed. Addie always had customers who would be enthusiastic in the lap dances, but nothing before had happened like this. The man at table fourteen looked sketchy from afar, but she went to go do her job as usual.
"Can I do anything for ya, boys?" she asked, a sly smile on her face as she leaned on one leg, sticking out her hip.
"I'll take a Wily Witch on the rocks," a handsome man said gruffly, "if you even know what that is." The rest of the blokes just shook their head, mesmerized by the dancers in front of them.
"I can assure you I do know what that is, sir. I may be pretty new to working here, but have no fears, I'm not new to drinking," she retorted. She snatched his glass from the table and meandered her way back to the bar, back to Fabian. "Man wants a refill of a Wily Witch," she said over the crowd, keeping her eyes averted. Ever since she took the job, he wouldn't even speak to her. He grunted in response and filled it up, pushing it into her hand. "Thanks," she whispered, making her way back to table fourteen.
"Here you go, sir," Addie said, a bright smile on her face as she handed him back his glass. She began to walk away to the next table when he roughly grabbed her wrist.
"Where the bloody hell do you think you're going? I believe we," he nodded to his companions, "paid for more than just a drink."
Fuck it, she thought, swinging her leg over him. Lapdance each drink. This guy must be really horny and needs a good shag, which you'd think he would have plenty of with his good looks.
She put her hands on his shoulders as she sensually moved herself over him, rubbing herself against a male's most sensitive spots. She felt the bulge in his pants grow as the song continued. Half way through the song, the man's hands flew up and gripped her arse, pushing her against him as hard as possible, yearning to get more friction.
"Bloody hell," Adelicia yelled, using her strength to push herself away from him as far as she could. The man did not appreciate such futile efforts and strengthened his hold, wrapping one arm around her waist while another went up to her breasts. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" she shrieked, "You pay for a lapdance, which I gave, not for dry sex. I'm not your little whore." With some effort, she got off of him and went to table seven, a scowl on her face.
She gazed over to the table, shocked to see the Marauders. Today certainly was filled with surprises. "What the frick are you four doing here?" Addie asked, surprise clear in her voice. Suddenly, she was self-conscious in her attire.
"We could ask the same," Sirius sneered. He was always so rude to her, despite how his mates were quite friendly with her. "Daddy's little princess shouldn't be here, let alone working here. What would he think? His little girl turning out to be a slut."
Grief and hurt flashed through her eyes before it was replaced with rage. "Do not talk about my family, you son of a bitch. What the fuck did I ever do to you? Back off , Black, before I have to send you home crying to your mother," Addie snarled.
Sirius threw his chair back, jumping to his feet with his wand threateningly pointing at her neck. "Don't you ever associate me with those pureblood fanatics ever again."
James and Remus started at the two; James amused and Remus truly concerned for the well being of Addie while Peter continued munching away on his food.
"Fuck off, Black. You hate your family so you run away. Poor wittle Siri. Boo-hoo. You weren't kicked out with nothing left to your name."
All three Marauders were truly shocked when hearing this. Nobody at Hogwarts knew of her family issues, scratch that, nobody knew about her family issues except her family. Sirius dropped his wand slowly to his side and fiercely gazed at Adelicia to see if she was lying.
"Addie, we had no idea," Remus murmured. He was always so sweet.
"We really didn't," James said softly. "Come sit with us for a minute," he continued, glaring at Sirius to make sure there wasn't going to be any objections.
Adelicia tentatively sat down. "Thanks James," she said gratefully, slightly gawking at him. Perfection that boy was.
"Oh, hi Addie!" Peter piped up. "When did you get here?"
"Uhh…just a minute ago," she answered, face etched in questioning. That boy really needed help. "So James, have you made any progress with Evans?" Addie asked, making sure that her voice didn't betray her thoughts.
James hung his head in defeat. "I'm so close to giving up, Ads. I've given up so much for her, changed who I am, but she still hates me. She doesn't even have an excuse anymore."
"Some things just aren't meant to be. There are other people in the world. Maybe you should take a break going after a girl who will constantly reject you and go for one of your many admirers," she commented idly.
"May-maybe you're right, Addie. And not to pry, but where are you staying?"
"I dunno James, I don't know," she replied with a shrug. "I managed to take some Galleons from the family account, but not enough to keep staying at the Leaky Cauldron."
"I'm sure you could, you know, come stay at my place," James offered nonchalantly. More insight was offered in his eyes, which showed hope. Maybe, just maybe, Lily wasn't his top priority anymore.
"Are you sure, James? This really is too nice of you. Would your parents mind?"
"I would," Sirius snarled. "Why are you asking her to stay with us? What the hell, James?"
"Because it's the right thing to do, Padfoot. And I'm sure my parent's wouldn't mind. The more the merrier," James responded kindly, smiling at Adelicia. She felt her knees go weak, and if she hadn't been sitting down already, she probably would have fallen.
"Blimey, Prongsie! What happened to you?" Sirius demanded, a mask of anger plastered on his face.
"Don't you think you are overreacting a bit, Paddy?" Remus asked, trying to make peace between everyone. Always the voice of reason.
"Excuse me for not wanting to slutty bitch staying where I am, Moony," Sirius retorted.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea, James. Thanks for the offer though, it was really sweet of you," Addie murmured, getting to her feet. "I better get back to work, call me over if you need anything to drink."
"Addie, wait! I can't let you work here, or waste all your money staying at the Leaky Cauldron. You are going to quit, get your belongings, and meet me back here," James ordered.
"James, I need the money. I can't quit…"
"If you won't quit, you are definitely staying with me, Miss Fleren. No objections. Come on, I'll go with you to your room to get your stuff."
Addie glowered at James who wouldn't back down, despite Black's protests in the background. "Fine, Mister Potter. My shift is over in an hour, you'll have to wait until then," she retorted. James flashed a winning smile. "Now I really have to get back to work."
The hour passed quickly, and fortunately for Addie, there were no more incidents like what happened at table fourteen. She went to the back room to change out of her uniform, if you could call it that, and into a tight-fitting maroon v-neck shirt and walked back to the Marauder's table. "Alright, James. You still wanna come with?" she asked.
"'Course, Ads. It's not safe for you out there alone," he responded protectively, which earned him a laugh.
The walked out of the club together, closer than Addie could handle without her heart beating frantically. She glanced up at him and whispered softly, "Thanks for doing all this, James."
He looked down at her, even though she was quite tall for a girl, he still towered above her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, "Snot a problem, Addie. You're a good friend, and you don't deserve this."
Her cheeks flared red, but the night masked this from James. "Still, you didn't have to offer this, but you did anyway. That's really sweet. Most people don't get to see that side of you, 'cept for your mates and Evans and me. But Evans doesn't appreciate it, or acknowledge it."
He shrugged, pulling her even closer. "Like you said, it's time to move on. Some things aren't meant to be, and I guess my Lilyflower and I are one of those things," he murmured, opening the door of the Leaky Cauldron for her.
She smiled sadly, she didn't like to see him hurt. "Yeah. My rooms on the second floor, come on. This shouldn't take long, cause I never really unpacked all my stuff anyway and I learned some handy packing charms." She grabbed his wrist and pulled him up, not completely believing all of this was happening to her. She unlocked the door with the keys, after fumbling for it her jeans, and pushed it open. James moved back and forth on his feet, not knowing if he should come in or not.
"Uh, James. My room is in here, you don't need to stand in the hallway," she said, snickering. He shook his head, laughing, and walked in, taking a seat on her bed. Addie, opened her trunk and magicked all her belongings in, before shrinking the trunk and adding another charm to make it weightless.
James stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets. He looked down on her, a soft look in his face as he watched her finish packing. Addie quickly turned around, bumping into him. She looked up with a sheepish smile, their eyes locking. James slowly leaned down, his breath on her face, and brushed his lips across hers.