I came.

I saw.

I made it awkward.


For the first time since having her first kiss with Fabian Prewitt, Adhara Black felt indifferent. Fabian kissed the same—dominant and open-mouthed with little tenderness. Her hands did not tremor as usual with nervousness. Her skin barely had any goosebumps and instead of her mind going into a trance, she was thinking about her Transfiguration homework and Blowin' in the Wind song that easily became her favorite song. In her defense, Adhara was just gushing about Bob Dylan to Fabian, who is not a fan, before he decided to shut her up with snogging.

Adhara did not mind the kissing since they are on a 'date' in the kitchens but when she felt one of his hands move from her neck to her arm and then to her waist, she tensed up. He paused for a moment before his hands danced around the hem of her blouse. Adhara felt a bit guilty about shoving the redhead away when she felt his hands go under her shirt. Fabian didn't make it far but still.

"Addie," he whined. Adhara felt a bit guilty when she saw the frown he was pointing at her. She noticed that he's been doing this lately. Kissing and talking were not enough. Merlin, Adhara still felt weird about snogging. She's only fourteen but maybe having someone's tongue shoved down her throat is not as appealing as her romance novels make it out to be. Isn't holding hands and talking about quidditch enough?

"We haven't been talking in a while so I just thought—

"—thought what?" he said impatiently. His hand now on her upper thigh.

Adhara shrugged, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She wondered if he was becoming fed up with their situation. She knew she was being a coward but she's fourteen. She can't do anything about her romantic life until she is seventeen. Her thoughts went back to Andromeda and Teddy. She recalled the anger her mother felt when suddenly Edward Tonks appeared on the Black Family's tapestry showing that he married Andromeda. Of course, he was burned off along with her cousin but her mother made it known how much she loathed them both.

Adhara studied the boy in front of her who was now pouting. Big brown eyes staring at her with his eyebrows furrowed. Pale skin with freckles over his nose from spending hours in the sun playing quidditch.

"Thought we could talk," she finally said which earned her a sigh from Fabian. Fabian may talk a lot with the blokes but with Adhara all he wanted to do was kiss her. They haven't spoken much in the last couple of days and she thought she could relay what's been going on with each other. Fabian had other ideas.

"We did," Fabian said. "I told you about how I got detention and how awesome our team is this year and you gone on about Bob Dylan and that Remus bloke." Her cheeks reddened at the way he said as if she was ranting on about Remus. Adhara was just expressing her like of this new type of music and his lyrics along with how brilliant Remus is for suggesting it to her. She decided to listen to all of Bob Dylan's albums before going to another artist he suggested for her. "How would you feel if I rambled on about a bird?"

"I don't feel that way for Remus, though," she said quickly but for some reason, it felt like a lie. Maybe because she knows she sees Remus differently than James or Peter. Adhara views him as a friend but there was something about how he stared at her. His eyes were too intense for her (playful yet felt as if he was staring right into her soul—she hated how sappy it sounded) and now thinking about it her ears felt warm.

"You know what," Fabian stood. "I'll talk to you later? I have something to do." And with that, he squeezed her hand one last time before leaving her in the kitchens.


Jasper Halifax became a regular fixture in Adhara's daily life. She's not so much as annoyed by it like she is perplexed. He said he wanted her to help him gain the love[s] of his life but he only mentions one of them. It came to no surprise when Jasper revealed one of them to be Marlene McKinnon. The Ravenclaw is ninety percent of the wizards crush between the years of one to five. Adhara was a bit confused to why Jasper would need her help in hooking him up with Marlene. She's not shallow and Jaspers a nice bloke who's quite funny.

"Are you listening to me, frizzle?" he whines when noticing that Adhara has yet to look up from her History of Magic notes. They have a quiz coming up and Jasper has yet to open his book to study. This is what they're supposed to be doing but instead he rambled on about how pretty Marlene's blonde hair is and how their children would be locked away since they would have their fit mother's genes.

"Frizzle?" she repeated. Jasper has been gifting Adhara with an array of nicknames that she has yet to approve of. He refused to call her Addie since he wants to be different and original.

"Yeah, because your hair is frizzy," he points at said hair. Adhara touched her mane of curls self-consciously. "I didn't say I didn't like it, birdie," he grabs her wrist stopping her from touching her hair. "I am in love with your mass of curls. Everyone can't have straight hair. That's why I love Zuri's beautiful mass of thick curls." Adhara noticed how he smiled when he talked about Zuri.

"Zuri's the other one, isn't she?" she guessed. Jasper's shrug was all the answer that she needed. "Why would you fancy both best friends?"

"The heart wants what it wants," he declared. "Their beauty and brains are the ultimate weapons. Curse those beautiful Ravenclaws."

"You sound just like Sirius." Both Hufflepuffs yelped at the unexpected voice. Both turned around (Jasper did so quicker and more dramatically with a hand to his chest and wide eyes) to see Remus. "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop."

"Well, it's kind of hard not to since Jasper does not know how to whisper," Adhara said. Jasper narrowed his brown eyes at Adhara. She went from amused and tired from his ramblings and trying to study to alert and grinning at the Gryffindor. Remus smiled bashfully at her before noticing that Jasper was eyeing them both.

"Not fair, fluffy, you don't smile at like that," Jasper pouted, not caring that he embarrassed Adhara and Remus.

"Fluffy?" Remus questioned.

"I was lucky enough to gain nicknames from Jasper," she said with pink cheeks. "And I'm just glad to see Remus since I know I might get some studying done with him here."

"We're supposed to be studying?" Jasper asked. He clapped both his cheeks looking at the textbook in front of him. "This is why we're in the library? I was wondering why we had notes and books surrounding us."

Adhara rolled her eyes at the boy. "Would you like to join us, Remus?" she asked.

"If you don't mind?" his hazel blue eyes (Adhara ignored why she noticed the details of her friend's eyes) he asked Jasper.

Jasper winked at him with a smirk. "I would never turn you down," he said. Remus decided his best choice would to sit across from the pair of badgers. "

"So, Remmy, I heard you are quite the music buff," Jasper teased. "Adhara can not stop talking about your suggestions."

Both flushed at his comment. Adhara was quick to answer. "All Olivia and Emily listens to is horrid wizard rock with horrid lyrics."

"I think you made her fall in love with Bob Dylan," Jasper said. "I don't blame her. He's a fit fellow."

"I like his hair," Adhara said softly. "But his lyrics reminds me of poetry—dontcha' think, Remus?"

He agreed. "It's a good think I like reading it," he admits.

"You read poetry?" both Hufflepuffs asked. Both had a different reaction to the news. While Jasper seemed as if he expected it, Adhara looked at Remus as if he was a different person. Remus ducked his head, looking at his notes. "What kind?" Adhara asked.

Remus shrugged. "Mostly narrative and lyrical," he replied. "All types of genres," he added.

Jasper chuckled at the starry-eyed expression Adhara wore. "I think you just made Freckles fall in love with you," he said causing them both to become flustered.

"I bet Zuri would give you a shot if you read poetry or listen to muggle music," Adhara said, changing the subject. She then realized she outed Jasper's crush but he didn't seem to mind.

"You fancy Zuri?" Remus asked. "You do know that Sirius is after her, too?"

"Doesn't mean I'm a quitter," Jasper said. "Who wouldn't go after that beautiful man—I would." Remus raised an eyebrow but Adhara seemed un-phased. She was used to him joking around so she thought he was just teasing hoping for a reaction.

"Never heard Sirius being called beautiful," Adhara said as she flipped a page in her textbook. "Fit and handsome but never beautiful," she added.

"Aw, I think you're adorable and cute," Jasper wraps an arm around her, pulling her to his side. His grin widened when Remus tensed at their position. "You're quite the catch, too, Remmy." The boy rolled his eyes at Jasper. He was done yet until he at least gets a flustered reaction out of the Gryffindor.

Jasper turned to Adhara. "Dontcha' think so, birdie?" he asked her. "Smart and a bad boy—he's always in detention with his group of misfits. Nice bright blue eyes—aw, he's blushing, how cute! I can't believe our housemates think he gets into fights. He probably got mauled by a cat."

Remus stilled at Jasper's last statement. "What was that?" he asked.

"A few weak rumors going around about the scratches and scars on ya," Jasper said. Adhara realized how uncomfortable the boy got when his scars were mentioned. To be honest, she never really noticed them. It was always something that was part of the quiet Gryffindor. He had two faint scars on his profile and others on his neck and forearms. One was over his eyebrow while another was on his jawbone.

Jasper, who does not know when to shut up, had to keep talking. "Don't worry, Mussy. The ladies adore it. You're quite high on their lists. Tied with James, I might add."

"You have a list?" Remus asked Adhara.

"I don't," she quickly said. "Others do. They like to make a list of cute guys during their sleepovers." Adhara could see the cogs working in Remus mind and she knew what the boy's next question would be. She shoved the boy off her, ignoring his 'hurt' expression and faced Remus. "Do you have any advice on how Jasper can get the love of his life?"

"Yeah, lover boy, how do you reel in the birds?" Jasper wiggled his eyebrows with a grin.

"I don't have any experience in that department," Remus admitted. "You should probably ask Sirius."

"He doesn't count," Adhara snorted. "He snogged two girls and flirting shamelessly with Zuri and Marlene. Does he not realize that their friends?"

"Did you forget the crucial part?" Jasper asked her. "He snogged two girls easily in one month. More than any fourth year has gotten. All he needs to do is wink at a bird and they'll turn into a puddle. Merlin, I turned into a puddle when he glared at me last week in potions. I quickly regained myself before anyone noticed, of course."

"I don't know Zuri well enough to give you advice on," Remus said, ignoring the boy's rants on his best mate. "But I she reminds me a bit of Marlene. They seem like the type to like clever blokes—

"—hey, I can be clever," Jasper whined. "It's just boring being clever all the time. The Ravenclaw blokes are all in the same, thinking they're the smartest in the room and never want to have fun. That's why they are running to you lions but I'll show them how brilliant us badgers are and—

"Mister Halifax," Madame Creed, the librarian, cut the boy off as he got louder when defending his house. "One more time and I'll suspend you again for a week."

"Yeah, because that would be a bummer," he mumbles earning him a glare from the older woman. "I mean, I humbly apologize." His attention went back to Remus. "So? Any tips?"

Remus shrugged. "Just be yourself," he said, knowing it was possibly bullshit. He's been himself for the past four years and he does not see anyone running to snog him like with Sirius—even James. "Opposites attract, don't they?"

Jasper scoffed. "Would you like someone who's the opposite of you? Do you like anyone?" he asked. Remus' reaction was answer enough for the Hufflepuff when he detected his ears gone red and eyes widened.

"U-uh, some do," he sputtered. "I-I-I don't fancy anyone right now."

"Oh really?" Jasper cocked an eyebrow. "Your type seems like the bashful type. A girl who is shy and cute who you would protect with your 'Gryffindor courage'." His grin widened when he sees Remus face become pink and how Adhara frowned. "Dontcha' think so, love?"

Adhara realized why she both enjoy and despise Jasper's company. He was similar to an annoying brother. Exactly like Sirius. Refusing to play along with his games, she ignored the warmth in her cheeks and asked Remus, "Seems like forward girls would be your thing, Remus. Someone who is a Gryffindor?"

"Oh?" was all Remus said. His face less was pink as he wore troubled expression.

"Yeah," her voice squeaked. "I think Mary fancies you. I noticed how she acted during Astronomy class last week." Remus scowled. He knew something might be up with Mary MacDonald. He wondered over the last couple of days why the girl suddenly desired to befriend him all the sudden. It was becoming a bit annoying when she would giggle (he knows he's not that funny) all the time and how she would touch his arm. But Remus was raised to be a gentleman, so he couldn't just tell her to sod off and stop touching him all the time. He would suffer silently. But now that Adhara noticed, maybe he should confront Mary about how he doesn't see her that way so he didn't ruin whatever (slim) chance he has with the Hufflepuff. They are friends (he thinks) and he knows how loyal a mate Adhara is.

"Well, I don't fancy her," he replied. "And why would she like me? She could like James or Sirius and trying to get to them by being friends with me."

Not appreciating his low self-esteem, Adhara thought it would be best to show him why girls would like Remus. He brought up her spirits when she felt down, so why couldn't she do the same? That's what friends are for, right?

"Are you mental?" she asked him. Before he could answer she continued, "Any girl would be lucky to have you fancy them. I mean, you're the total package. You are thoughtful, clever, and witty. You listen to my problems and give amazing advice. You have brilliant taste in music and books," she paused when she realized that she only listed off his inner traits, "and y-y-you're not bad to look at." Please kill me now, she prayed to whatever deity there is.

"I'm not bad to look at?" he repeated. Remus ignored how warm his face was becoming and smiled at the blushing Hufflepuff in front of him.

"Wow, it seems like Adhara thinks you're quite the catch," Jasper cackled.

Adhara stood abruptly. She gathered her notes and textbook and shoved it into her leather bag. "I'm studying in my room. Good night!"

After Adhara scurried a good twenty feet away, Jasper finally asked with a sly grin, "So…you fancy Adhara, huh?"


"That was quick," Peter said when Remus walked into their shared room. Remus only left their room about twenty minutes ago to study since they were becoming a distraction. The werewolf walked in with an exasperated look yet with pink cheeks. Something happened, he thought.

"What happened to you?" James asked. "Why do you look happy yet annoyed?"

"Um," Remus didn't know how to start this without being teased by his mates. It seemed as if his love life was the main topic over the last ten days. He dropped his bag by his bed and crashed into his bed. He didn't have time to revel in the compliments Adhara gave him before he was hounded with teases from Jasper.

It didn't take long for one his mates to try to pull the truth out of him. He felt a body crawl on top of him. He sat on his back as he shook his shoulders. Remus had a wild guess, who it could be.

"Get off me, Sirius," Remus mumbled into his bed. The boy didn't relent. Sirius kept shaking his shoulder while hopping on his back.

"Tellmetellmetellmetellme," he begged.

Remus growled, annoyed and laughing at his friend's behavior. Without warning, Remus rolled over and shoved the boy off him. Sirius grabbed on Remus, taking him with him as they toppled to the ground. Peter and James laughed as they watched the two roll around. Remus may be taller but Sirius was the one with two years' experience as a beater for the quidditch team. It did not take long for Rems to be pinned down by the Pureblood.

"Do you expect defeat, Monsieur Remus Lupin, comrade of Gryffindor?" Sirius proclaimed.

"I, Monsieur Remus Lupin, accept defeat from Gryffindor's champion, Monsieur Sirius Black," Remus recited. Sirius released his hold on Remus' arms but remained seated on top of him. "I will not get up until you tell us what happened."

Remus looked at his other two mates who has yet to try to help him. "Really?"

"It's the rules," they said.

"Fine," Remus muttered. "I ran into Adhara—

"—oh? Why didn't you just say so?" Sirius finally rolled off Remus. "Did something happen. You didn't stay in the library long."

"She was with Jasper," Remus added. Both boys scowled at the mention of his name. He knew what was coming so he quickly finished the story, "I don't think he fancies Adhara."

"What happened?"

Remus sighed. "He's as bad as you two," he pointed at James and Sirius. "He figured out I like Adhara in all of five minutes." Remus retold the story of how Adhara brought up Mary and why anyone would pick Remus over Sirius and James (both boys took offense but then agreed and started teasing him) and how after she left the library Jasper berated him with questions and teased him. "I thought you two would be the problem but instead, a total stranger came out of nowhere."

"We might have to recruit him," James said as he rubbed his chin.

"He's as subtle as a brick through a window," Remus cried out. "He didn't even bother being delicate. He's too—ugh—it's like he loves seeing us embarrassed."

"Oooh, I think I'm starting to like Halifax now if Remus is getting irritated," Sirius said.

"I agree, he could join G.R.A.T," James agreed. Peter nodded along.

Remus frowned. "I hate you all. I'm getting new friends."

"Aw, don't say that. You love us," James said as he wrapped an arm around him.

"You adore us." Sirius did the same.

"You're nuts about us," Peter added and as he tried to wrap his arms around them, ended up tripping over his own feet and landing on them. All four boys toppled over.

"You guys are idiots."


Dear Addie,

So you have a boyfriend, huh? Andy mentioned to me when you sent her a letter asking for advice on loving a 'blood-traitor'. Aww, my little badger is growing up! Your fourteen! You need to wait at least two more years until you even hold hands with a boy! I thought I heard through the grapevine that you were betrothed. Are you having a secret love affair? I'm very disappointed AND amused by these developments.

Since you haven't sent me a letter since May, I thought I should send a howler to show you how hurt I am but Andy talked me out of it. You should send her your thanks. I also have some great news! As you know Andy's was with child. Last week, she went into labor two weeks early!

Nymphadora Adhara Tonks was born September 24th with bright green hair! Imagine the shock I had when seeing my little daughter come out with green hair! As of now, her hair is a dark pink. I included the picture and please don't cry. It seemed fitting to name her after my wittle cousin.

You better write to me more or I will send a howler.

Love,

A new proud father, Teddy Tonks.

Dear Adhara,

It seems that you're in more of a tough situation than I was at your age. You are quite young. I hate to sound as if I'm some old witch with tons of wisdom but you may be too young to be in love with Fabian. I know that you didn't say so but I can read between the lines and understand that you're quite confused about your feelings for the redhead. This is your first boyfriend. Lots of girls realize that boys are not like they seem afterward. Some put on a show to get the girl and drop the act once they have them. I've seen it plenty of times among the Slytherins. The only advice I have for you it takes some time for yourself and reflect on what made you like Fabian in the beginning and what do you like about him now. Did what you feel about him the beginning compare to how you feel now? Sorry I'm not much helpful. It's not like I have much experience. I kept to myself before Teddy came along.

Please write more.

Love,

Andromeda Tonks

Adhara was too focused on the letter and her thoughts she did not realize that someone was reading the letter over her shoulder. And it was the last person she wanted it to be.

"Fabian?" Jasper said a bit too loud. He leaned in more, his chest against her back as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "You're in love with-," she clapped her hand over the boy's mouth. A few people over their side of the table stared at them before continuing eating their breakfast.

"I'm going to take my hand away," she told him, her voice low and dangerous. "If you continue speaking—yelling I will never talk to you again and tell Zuri and Marlene that you…um, have the worst manners." She cursed herself for not thinking of anything clever to use against him.

"What's going on with them?" Sirius asked, pointing his fork to the Hufflepuff table. James and Sirius looked over to see Adhara glaring at Jasper as her hand covered his mouth. Remus guessed the bloke licked her hand since she snatched it away from him and wiped it with a napkin.

Then the inevitable happened. It was as if fate wanted to punish Remus.

Jasper looked over at the Gryffindor table and locked eyes with the werewolf. A grin spread across his face before he looked back at Adhara.

"What about Remus," Jasper yelled at Adhara as he pointed to him. "He's kind," he continued. Adhara must have had enough and with the attention all on them, she couldn't sit there and let herself be embarrassed by Jasper. She gathered her things and scurried away. But that didn't stop the boy. He followed after her yelling, "He's clever. He's witty. And he's not bad to look at!"

Remus' friend didn't even bother to stifle their laughs like the rest of the table.

"We totally gotta' hang with Halifax," James commented.

A/N: Hope you like this chapter! Please, tell me your thoughts. More to come in the upcoming weeks.