Ophelia had managed two hours of sleep before a night terror had snuck in. Almost always she forgot what what they were about when her eyes opened; it was one of the most frustrating things about them.
It was now 4am, she first woke up at 3am but tried to force herself back to sleep, Ophelia knew that she wouldn't manage to fall back to sleep so she quietly climbed out of the bed. Placing on her soft fluffy slippers, she tiptoed out of the dorm and headed down to the common room. No one else was in the room so Ophelia headed to the armchair closest to the fireplace before pointing her wand at the logs. "Incendio."
Taking a seat in the armchair, Ophelia sat and watched the dancing glow in front of her. With each crackle and pop Ophelia felt herself relax more. There was something about the fire place that was so welcoming and calming, she didn't even realise an hour had passed until she heard a voice.
"There you are!" Ophelia turned to see Lily in her pyjamas and hair up in a messy bun.
"Sorry Lils, I'm an early riser but didn't want to wake you all!" Ophelia spoke with a whisper, conscious she may wake others up.
"That's ok, Marlene and Dorcas are horrendous morning people." Lily leaned against the wall whilst she spoke.
"What time is it now?" Ophelia asked.
"5:30."
"Shit, I need to have a shower before I get ready. Will it be too loud for the girls?" Ophelia jumped up from her seat and began to walk towards the stairs.
"No, but I can cast a silencing charm if you'd like?" Lily offered.
"That would be amazing!"
After her shower Ophelia began on her hair, she pulled her hair back into a loose lower bun, letting some of her curls fall naturally beside her face. Ophelia only put some basic makeup on before pulling on her uniform that was now emblazoned with deep red and the Gryffindor crest. When she returned to her room she saw Alice now sat up and Lily reading on her bed.
"Morning Alice!" Ophelia spoke first.
"Morning Ophelia." Alice replied with a smile.
"Is it too early to head down for breakfast?" Ophelia asked.
"Not all it, they start serving from 6am, its 6:15 now." Lily explained. "Did you want to head down now?"
"If that's ok, I just know I will get lost otherwise."
"That's ok, I normally head down not much later anyway." Lily began to pack away her book. "Alice are you coming?"
"No, not yet, got to make sure these two aren't late to their first day." Alice shot a glance over to where Marlene and Dorcas' beds were.
"See you later then!"
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The great hall was almost empty, only a few people sat on each table. Minnie was up at the staff table and she gave a Ophelia a small smile before returning to her food. Ophelia settled on having a smoothie for breakfast, she had never been much of a breakfast person and smoothies were both delicious and a perfect breakfast alternative.
Ophelia and Lily bonded more over the breakfast, talking about their love for reading alongside other things. Around 7am Alice arrived without Marlene and Dorcas explaining that Marlene was still snoring but Dorcas was now awake. At 7:30 the hall was filling up quickly and soon after that the Marauders could be heard entering before sitting down beside the three girls, with James dramatically wrapping an arm around Lily which was soon shrugged off.
"Morning Lily flower, have you missed me this summer."
"Not one bit." Lily turned away from James and back to Ophelia. "So what classes did you decide to take as electives?"
"Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures."
"Same as me then! I'm glad you're taking three as well, then this lot can stop tormenting me for taking an extra!"
"Choosing two would be too hard so I had to take three!"
"We should get our timetables soon actually."
"You will indeed Miss Evans." Ophelia turned around to see Minnie behind them, how this lady managed to appear so quietly astounded Ophelia.
"Good morning Professor McGonagall." Lily politely answered.
"Here are your timetables." She flicked her wand and everyone sat on the table had a piece of paper in front of them. "Miss Evans I assume I can count on you to give Miss Meadows and Miss McKinnon their timetables seeing as they have decided not to grace us with their presence this morning."
"Of course Professor."
"Thank you, Ophelia how was your first night?"
"Crazy, amazing, tiring, I could go on." Ophelia chuckled.
"Glad to hear it. I hope you all enjoy your first day back." She turned her attention to the boys. "What time will I be seeing you today then? Do you think you could try making it past lunchtime before you visit?"
"Can't promise you anything." James replied.
"Anyone would think you didn't want to see us Minnie." Sirius replied with a pout on his face.
"Goodbye boys." She turned on her small heels and walked out of the hall.
"What lesson have you got first Ophelia?"
"Herbology, then double Charms and last I have ancient runes."
"Same as me, shall we head off and grab our books then?" Lily asked.
"Sounds good, Alice?"
"Coming!" The three linked arms as they left the hall.
"Remus you're daydreaming again." Sirius poked Remus' cheek.
"I was not."
"If you say so."
"I'm heading off now, catch you boys later." Remus stood and left the hall.
"OK boys we have a mission, if you choose to accept it." Sirius leant into the centre of the table to get closer to Peter and James.
"Is it dangerous?" Peter whispered sheepishly.
"Possibly." Sirius smirked. "We, boys, need to discover the person in Remus' daydreams and help our boy out."
"Oh its easy, its that McGonagall girl." James answered.
"How'd you know that?" Peter replied.
"Well both times he was staring at our Gryffindor girls, today there was only three of them here. It can't be my Lily flower as he would never do that to me, can't be Alice as he has never shown interest in her so that leaves McGonagall."
"So do you accept the mission boys?" Sirius put his hand in the middle of the table.
"Accepted." James slapped his hand on top.
"Only if it makes Remus happy." Peter said as he placed his on top. Then they dramatically lifted their hands up in the air before getting up to head off for their day.
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The day went really well, it was definitely different to a muggle school day, but it was good change. Herbology was shared with Ravenclaw, Ophelia shared a workstation with Lily and two girls from Ravenclaw. They were beginning their studies of a bubotuber and today the task was simply to sketch and annotate the plant. The following class was Charms, this was shared with Slytherin and it became clear on the divide between the two houses when both sat on opposite sides of the room. The final class was Ancient Runes, this classroom only had singular desks and the class was rather small in numbers; it was hard work but this did make the class by fast. Ophelia headed back to the Common Room with Lily after, Lily wanted to head up to the dorm so Ophelia stayed downstairs to read through some notes from today.
"No wonder Lilypad likes you, its the first day and you're already reading as if you're some sort of brainiac." Ophelia looked up from the chair to see James Potter.
"Lovely to meet again, what was your name again? Jimmy? Jack? Toerag?" Ophelia smirked back, not sure where this confidence was coming from but deciding that she wouldn't stand for this act of patriarchy from the boys.
"Ha. Very funny. It's James Potter."
"What brings you over here then Potter?"
"He, well we, want to apologise for the train journey yesterday." Sirius had now appeared beside James.
"Wait, I didn't agree on apologising, I thought we were just introducing ourselves."
"What, bloody hell James."
"Well, the apology is accepted from Sirius. But Potter, no. Even if you did choose to apologise I can't agree with how rude you were when we first meet."
"Rude? You were in our compartment! If anyone one was rude it was you!" James scoffed.
"I didn't know it was yours and I am sorry for that! But you didn't have to speak to me like that. Also no one owns a compartment." Ophelia kept her cool, replying almost like this was just a casual conversation.
"We do!"
"James, mate, stop." Sirius grabbed James' shoulder
"No, she needs to know that she can't just waltz in here."
"I am going to leave you boys, thank you for the apology Sirius."
Ophelia left the room and headed up to the dormitory, she could still hear James' moaning when she reached the door. She sat herself on the edge of her bed and rested her head on her hands. How did I manage to have a confrontation on my first day? I've never argued with someone before?
"You ok babe?" Marlene sat down beside Ophelia.
"Yes sorry! Just been called rude by Potter but otherwise fine. How was your day?"
"He's such a dick honestly, you're hardly an ounce of rude. Just ignore him. Today was good, only managed to be 10 minutes late to the first lesson."
Ophelia chuckled and they continued chatting. Meanwhile downstairs Sirius was having a stern conversation with James.
"Why did you go off on her like that? She seriously did nothing mate!"
"I don't know, it just came out."
"You're an idiot you really are."
"What are you guys looking so serious about?" Remus and Peter had walked in and took the sofa opposite James and Sirius.
"James is being a jerk."
"Nothing new there then." Peter muttered quietly, he was scared of making the joke but both Remus and Sirius laughed which relaxed him.
"What did you do?" Remus asked.
"I may have had a go at young McGonagall again."
"Why?" Both Peter and Remus answered together.
"That's the problem, he had no reason to whatsoever." Sirius moaned.
"You don't even know the girl James." Remus looked over at James, who's face was pointing to the ground. Remus could tell he was angry at himself but didn't want to admit it.
"Well the damage is done, she hates me already."
"Fix it then." Remus stood up in a huff, and headed towards the painting. "I'm going to the library, see you at dinner."
"Well that proves you were right James with the girl theory. Now you have to sort it." Sirius pointed out before standing up and tapping hois shoulder. "I'm going for a cigarette, see you in the dorm."
With just Peter and James left, James finally lifted his head.
"What do I do Pete?"
"No idea, I'm hungry wanna go to the kitchens?"
"Yeh sounds good Pete."
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The first week had passed by relatively smoothly after the first day; Ophelia had managed to get lost a few times but otherwise there were no issues. Most of the lessons were introducing them to what was upcoming in the year with only a couple actually being practical. Transfiguration was the last lesson of the week and Minnie had asked Ophelia to stay behind for a bit.
"Cup of tea dear?"
"Yes please Minnie."
Minnie transfigured two of the mice that were used in the lesson into tea cups before brewing their usual chamomile tea.
"Does that hurt the mice?" Ophelia asked.
"As long as the transfiguration has been successfully then it doesn't hurt them at all." Minnie smiled at the girl before passing over her mug, the empathy Ophelia conveyed always amazed the lady; for someone who spent a childhood filled with trauma it seemed almost impossible to be this kind. "How has your first week been?"
"Not to bad at all really, the girls have been amazing. Lessons are hard and I can't stop feeling like I am already behind everyone else."
"I can assure you you are not, but if you need some more help you know where I am. How about sleeping?"
"Uh, well, the first night was pretty rubbish but" Ophelia eyed the stacks of paperwork already piled on the Professor's desk, "it has gotten much better, only had two night terrors." This was a lie, each night Ophelia was having night terrors and only managing two to three hours of solid sleep. But she couldn't bring herself to tell this to Minnie, other people needed the Professor now she was back at Hogwarts and it was clear she already had a lot of work to do.
"I'm glad to hear it," the white lie seemed to have satisfied the ladies concerns much to Ophelia's relief, "now I am sorry but I am going to have to make this catch up short. I have Mr Potter and Mr Black joining me for a detention approximately three minutes ago, I say it will be about four more minutes before they decide to appear."
"What did they do this time?"
"Just some dung bombs, indeed it was a poor example of their mischief which makes me worry they have something much bigger planned and this was purely a distraction. Those boys will be the death of me I'm sure."
"Me too."
"Why?" Minnie looked at the girl with concern etching on her face.
"It is nothing too bad don't worry, I just had a confrontation with Potter on Monday, he wasn't too happy that I had originally sat in his usual compartment on the train ride."
"Silly boy, he is a good boy at heart, just give him a chance."
"I'll try."
CRASH
The classroom door swung open.
"Good evening Minnie!" Potter walked in with his arms swinging beside him dramatically.
"Might I say you are looking extremely beautiful tonight Minnie." Sirius followed in, throwing a cheeky wink to the Professor. This warranting an eye roll from Ophelia.
"Boys, flattery will get you no where as much as I appreciate the compliment."
Ophelia chuckled, gaining a piercing look from Potter.
"I'll see you soon Minnie, hope they don't cause you too much hassle. Bye Sirius." Ophelia walked out without giving a glance to Potter.
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The weekend was amazing, Ophelia spent time with all the girls. Marlene and Ophelia often spent most of their time outside near the Black Lake where Marlene would smoke and Ophelia would just keep her company. With Marlene there would be bouts of no conversation, yet this silence was oddly comfortable and Ophelia felt able to be herself always with her. Lily was the other girl of the four Ophelia found herself closest too, Lily loved Ophelia's different hairstyles each day so this weekend Ophelia was showing her how to do a Dutch braid which Lily was struggling with immensely!
"It's funny seeing Lily struggle with something for once." Dorcas chuckled from the other side of their dorm.
"Dor you make out like I am good at everything." Lily sighed.
"Well you are, apart from braids clearly."
"Lily don't worry, it took me ages to get this, but after a long time of people doing hair for you you kinda just learn it."
"People did your hair for you?" Lily asked.
"Family yes." Ophelia hadn't even realised her slip up until Lily questioned this. Ophelia had actually learnt how to do hair from the hair stylists she had from a young age, Mrs Montgomery would never have done something 'bonding' like plaiting her daughters hair.
"That's sweet."
"Hmm, yeh I guess." It was hard lying but she just wasn't ready for the stares and questions yet.
"Ok Lily budge over my turn." Dorcas was now shoving Lily aside.
This was exactly how the weekend was like, purely bonding time. Ophelia really felt like she was finally able to make true friends. Friends who didn't know her as 'Ophelia Montgomery' or friends she was forced to have for the sake of 'it looks good for the press'.
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As soon as the weekend started, it had ended and it was back to classes. Tuesday morning when the students entered the dungeons for their double potions they were greeted with Professor Slughorn looking extra cheery.
"Good morning students! Now all take your seats apart from Miss Evans, Miss McGonagall, Mr Potter and Mr Lupin. You four come to the front please."
Lily shrugged at Ophelia and they both walked up to the front.
"Is everything ok Professor?"
"Oh Miss Evans you have done nothing wrong, unsurprisingly. However I need you to use that good influence on someone else." Professor Slughorn let out a smirk before continuing. "Mr Potter you have been here less than a week and even though I have separated you from Mr Black you are still managing to pass foolish notes and distract my class. Worse than that you are disrupting Mr Lupin, your friends, studies. I will not tolerate this this year."
"Ugh Professor, I'm not following. Are you kicking me out of potions?" James replied. Looking kind of hopeful yet worried at the same time.
"Nonsense Mr Potter, what a silly idea. No you are simply moving seats. I'd like you to sit next to Miss Evans."
"WHAT?" Lily and James answered simultaneously, both voices laced in different types of shock. Lily looked annoyed and disgusted by the idea whereas James looked like it was the best news he had ever received.
"Now Miss Evans, it may seem a downside to you but it isn't. You will be helping another student with their studies and morals, I know you will excel in this task. I wouldn't want Mr Potter next to anyone else."
"Fine Professor, I guess it makes sense." Lily looked down at her feet, but a small smile appeared on her face. Whether it was from the compliment Slughorn had given her or for the fact she was secretly excited to be with James for the year, we will never know.
"So this therefore means Mr Lupin you will be joining Miss McGonagall as your partner for the year. Now Mr Lupin you are a very bright student and Miss McGonagall from what Professor McGonagall tells me and what I have seen in the last week I think you will excel in my class too. Therefore I actually think this pairing, though unexpected, will be very beneficial for you both. Now go take your seats I have a class to start."
Ophelia smiled at Lily before she headed off to her new table and mouthed "Are you ok?"
"I think so." Lily mouthed back before taking a seat next to James. Ophelia couldn't help but worry slightly for Lily, she hated the thought of anyone being uncomfortable and that feeling was worse when it was caused by a person rather than a thing.
"He's not that bad you know, I promise." A deep velvety voice came from beside Ophelia, or rather above.
"Sorry, I must look so judgemental." Ophelia looked up to the place where the voice came from. "Where were you sat?"
"Just over here." Remus took Ophelia to the back of the room. "You didn't look judgemental at all, more worried for Lily."
"Yeh, I just didn't want her to be uncomfortable. I would have even sat there if it made her feel better."
"That's really good of you." Remus watched as the girl took a seat beside him, she moved with delicacy and poise like every movement was part of a ballet performance.
"Not really, I would do it for basically anyone."
"I think we should start from scratch." Remus suddenly blurted out, looking like he had been holding in this sentence for a while.
"What do you mean?" Ophelia looked up to him and more specifically found herself drawn to his eyes. They were a rich brown like milk chocolate, so warm and soft.
"Well we didn't really get off on the best foot." It was Remus' turn to look at Ophelia. This was the closest they had been and he couldn't help but watch how her ocean blue eyes widened when she seemed interested.
"That wasn't your fault at all. In fact I thought you were the only decent one of the four at first meeting."
"Oh, ok well thank you I guess." Remus scratched the back of his neck. "Anyway let's start afresh. I'm Remus John Lupin, 16 years old, Gryffindor and I'm friends with a bunch of pillocks."
Ophelia couldn't help but chuckle at the last statement. A chuckle that instantly made Remus smile, it was so bubbly and hearty.
"It's nice to meet you Remus." Ophelia extended her hand ready for a handshake. "I'm Ophelia McGonagall, I don't have a middle name that I know of. I'm 16 years old, Gryffindor and friends with the coolest girls in our year."
"Pleasure to meet you." Remus grasped Ophelia's hand before a little shock sprang through his hands. "Ouch."
"Bloody electric shocks."
"What?"
"Oh, it's like a thing we say when you get a shock like that. It's to do with static energy." Ophelia shrugged as if this was common knowledge.
"I've never heard of any of that." Remus looked rather confused.
"Oh, well it's science."
"Muggle science?"
"Yeh. Anyway we should probably get started on this potion. Slughorn seems to expect great things from us. I will go grab the ingredients."
Ophelia stood and left their table feeling rather happy with how easy to get along with Remus it seemed. Remus on the other hand couldn't help but be angry at James for being a dick to the girl when she clearly was lovely. However what stood in his mind more was 'why wouldn't she know if she had a middle name and how did she know so much about muggles?'
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QOTC - How are you all doing?