Cherubs floated around the halls and corridors on this day. Those tiny wings creating a melody when they fluttered that no one could describe, other than the feeling of warmth. The Great Hall too was decorated in fallen rose petals and smelt strongly of scents that differed to each person - not that they realised though.
It was Valentine's Day. Prior to her time at Hogwarts, Ophelia only noted this day as a day of capitalism and superficiality. The only tradition seemingly kept each year in the muggle world was purchasing commodities to give as gifts. It was a battle to show who could have the most money spent on them. For that reason, Ophelia couldn't really stand the falseness of the day. It seemed things weren't much different here, only that decoration was extremely flamboyant and effeminate rather than low-key.
Breakfast was being served in the theme of Valentine's Day too, every piece of food that could be shaped into hearts was, from toast to butter cubes to pancakes and even fruit. Thankfully Ophelia's usual smoothies were untouched by the Valentine's 'sparkle', so at least the day would start off relatively normal for her. Or so she thought.
Like clockwork, the owls swooped in from the opened windows and began to deliver Mail to their owners. Virginia always stood out from the parliament of owls, her distinctive colours and large size allowing her true beauty to be spotted from a distance. However, today something else was drawing attention to the bird rather than her looks - clutched in her large clawed feet was a sack. Still with grace, the bird hovered above where Ophelia sat until Ophelia unclipped the package.
"What the fuck is that?" Marlene almost yelled the question, if people hadn't noticed the unusually large parcel before they had now.
"I don't know Marls." Ophelia rubbed her cheek against Virginia's head, who had just moved from the table to her shoulder for a perch.
"Open it then!" Alice looked excited by the prospect of a surprise, placing her chin on her hands in interest.
Ophelia pulled open the edge of the brown paper and noticed the corners of envelopes poking out. That is when she realised what they were, her heart skipped a beat before suddenly raising in pace.
"Girls, I know what these are. They're to do with Lia." Ophelia whispered. Each of the four girls faces turned to realisation that this was something meant to remain private.
"Oh my sweet Merlin, FiFi has a Valentine's Day gift!" James had just entered the Great Hall, the second he noticed the parcel on Ophelia's table place he yelled his discovery.
"It's not James." Ophelia attempted to divert James attentions from the parcel, but found herself too concentrated on who was beside him. Remus. "Are you ok Rem?"
"Yeh." Remus answered rather shortly, taking a slow walk, almost flinching in pain each time he placed a foot to the ground. Ophelia was about to offer some sort of support to Remus when an arm reaching in front of her face alerted her to something unexpected. Before there was a chance to process what was happening, everyone around the table watched as James tipped the package on to the table. Stacks of envelopes wrapped in a string flooded the wooden surface, with one note falling loose. Suddenly, Ophelia's brain kicked back into motion and she lurched forward to grab that note before James could take a hold of it.
"WOAHHHH!" James stood with his mouth open in shock of the collection he had just revealed to the entire Gryffindor table. "Are you secretly famous or something?"
There was a vast range of reactions from James' jest question. Ophelia, most importantly, remained stunned and rather silent which maybe James would have noticed if he hadn't have made the comment. Dorcas too remained silent, Alice let out an almost inaudible gasp whereas Marlene did the opposite and snorted in laughter. Lily, was the only one able to remain entirely calm in the situation and think of a quick answer.
"If you must insist on being so prying Potter, they're from her friend Damian."
"Wait he sent ALLLLL of these?" James exaggerated the 'all' as he spoke to a rather distracted Ophelia. Ophelia was currently trying to keep track on three things - her breath, James and Lily's conversation but more importantly Remus' ever so paling face. It was like with every second passing, he was slowly withdrawing from the room and Ophelia couldn't stop herself from watching him. "FI!" James patted Ophelia on the head for attention.
"Oh, yeh he always does this." Ophelia managed to return to James' conversation, rather unwillingly though.
"I can't believe you didn't have a boyfriend and didn't tell us." James crossed his arms in front of his chest and pouted like a toddler who had lost their dummy. "You can't keep secrets from your big brother."
"For fucks sake." A fist hitting the table caused an unexpected silence, all eyes turning to the source. "My head hurts, I've got to get out of here." Remus hurriedly, yet painfully, shoved himself upright.
"Do you need to go see Madam Pomfrey?" Ophelia quickly found herself feeling the need to help Remus but also feeling his desperation to leave.
"No. Just, no. I need sleep." Remus answered quite sharply and with a quick shake of his head, he turned and began to leave the hall.
"Moony, wait!" Remus ignored James' calls. "No? I know you can hear me you arsehole." Remus, who to Ophelia's surprise could still hear James even though he was almost at the other end of the hall, replied by raising his middle finger whilst continuing to walk away. "So pleasant."
"Is he ok James?" Ophelia asked.
"He will be." James knew better than to follow and attempt to reason with a heightened state Remus, so took a spare gap on the table bench next to Ophelia as his own. "So Fi, tell me about this boyfriend."
"Damian isn't my boyfriend James."
"Oh, so why would he send all of these?"
"As a practical joke, he knows how much I hate Valentine's Day." This was true, Ophelia hated Valentine's Day and these were kind of sent as a joke. "So he sent as many cards as he could just to piss me off."
"Ok I need to meet this Damian guy, he sounds like an evil joker."
"Yeh, I do miss him."
"How did you meet him if you were home schooled?"
"Oh, I-"
"Ah Mr Potter, how pleasant it is to see you looking so clean this early in the morning." James and Ophelia turned in their seats to see Professor Flitwick sporting a lot of red paint.
"Good to see you're ready to support the right team this weekend Professor."
"Detention Potter."
"Yeh yeh, I'll see you tonight at 5:30pm." James dismissed the small man and turned around to face the group again, until a hand gripped onto his shoulder.
"No Mr Potter, detention is now and will be this early in the morning for a week. You will help me prepare my first lesson. Now up you get."
James groaned in response, but soon got up and followed Professor Flitwick out of the hall. Sirius and Peter had just begun to enter the hall but were spotted by Flitwick too, they ended up following the Professor as well; leaving the five girls alone.
"Thank you Lils." Ophelia would never stop being grateful for how truly amazing Lily was as a friend.
"No problem, you'd do the same for me."
"So, can you explain what they are?" Dorcas questioned.
"Just open one for yourself." Ophelia handed each of the girls a random envelope. All of the envelopes revealed a Valentine's Day card inside of them, from standard 'Happy Valentine's Day', to crude ones, to handmade ones and some rather creepy ones too.
"Ew, this one says they want to marry you and father your children." Dorcas stuck her tongue out in a fake gag style.
"It's normal." Ophelia shrugged as she began to read Damian's note, she laughed from simply the first sentence. "Girls, listen to this: Hello you gorgeous girl, thought you'd love to see how many people want to fuck you as always on Valentine's Day. Miss you, Damian xxxx"
"Well he is honest, I think the majority of these do just want to shag you." Marlene was on at least her tenth envelope.
"Oh you know what, put them all in the middle of the table." Ophelia began pushing them into the centre, and the girls all followed but Lily who seemed to be apprehensive.
"What are you doing Fi?"
"This. Incedio." All of the letters burst into flames, a series of gasps from around the hall accompanied the crackling of the letters.
"OPHELIA MCGONAGALL." The sharp Scottish accent silenced the entire hall, even the flames seemed to quieten.
"Shit."
"Honestly Fi you're so hotheaded at times, why did you do that." Lily scolded Ophelia in a whisper across the table, whilst Professor McGonagall's heels could be heard getting closer and closer.
"I just wanted it gon-"
"What on earth was going through that incredibly crazy mind of yours to do something so downright foolish." Without any words, the flame was extinguished.
"Sorry Minnie." Ophelia turned to face Minnie.
"10 points from Gryffindor."
"What!"
"I'm not finished Ophelia. Detention, tonight, for being so reckless. Honestly Ophelia, I thought I had taught you better." The Professor and maternal figure didn't give Ophelia a second chance to question the decision, instead she turned abruptly on her heels and walked back to the staff table.
"Could this day get any worse, honestly Valentine's Day is a curse." Ophelia grumbled to herself, earning a chuckle from three of the girls. Lily was the only one not to laugh, instead reprimanding Ophelia once more.
"I mean, you did that last bit to yourself."
"Thanks Lils, thanks a lot."
"No problem." Lily winked in response and then all five girls laughed together. If there was one thing that would help Ophelia through such a crazy day, it would be these girls.
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Charms was rather boring, they were studying the Vermillious charm; a charm that would send a red jet of light from the wand tip. It seemed a rather meaningless spell but if Professor Flitwick deemed it important enough to cover over a week, then it must have been. Needless to say, the students disagreed.
A knock on the classroom door brought some much needed excitement to the lesson. However Professor Flitwick seemed to know what was on the other side of the door; and from the look on his face, he was definitely not thrilled by the fact interruption.
"Enter." The door flew open after these words from the Professor.
Floating flutes entered the room first, playing a tune without the aid of a musician. Following the flutes were baby Cherub's carrying wicker baskets, large smiles plastered across their faces.
"We are here to deliver your hearts." One of the smaller Cherub's spoke.
"Our hearts? What are they on about?" Ophelia whispered to Lily who always sat next to her in charms.
"They started this last year, supposedly they know how many people are interested in you, so you get a heart per person."
"Gosh that's a bit cruel."
"Cruel, why? It literally shows you how many people think you're hot!" Marlene chimed into the conversation, popping her feet up on the table ready for the Cupid's interruption.
"Exactly that, there is absolutely no thought for those who might not receive a heart." Ophelia was beginning to talk passionately, something easily noticed by how exaggerated hand movements.
"Miss Ophelia McGonagall." A sweet young Cherub girl stood in front of Ophelia's bench, curly brown hair framing her tiny face.
"Yes?" Ophelia began to feel sick, eyes were turned on her like people were waiting for the results.
"Your hearts." A smile formed on the girls face as her beautiful pink wings fluttered to take her higher into the air. The Cherub tipped the basket in her arms upwards to empty the hearts, at least a dozen fell to the desk.
"These aren't all levels for me are they?" Ophelia looked at each one, not daring to touch them in fear of wanting to run away from the affection.
"Yes ma'am, all for you." The cherub reached once more into the basket and pulled out one final deep red heart. "This one however, seems afraid to join the others but it beats harder than any other." The young girl grabbed Ophelia's hand and placed the heart inside of it. "Take care of this one." With one final smile, the cherub spun in the air and fluttered out of the room.
Ophelia sat in shock, in no way had she thought this would happen. In her head, everything she had done whilst at Hogwarts was enough to keep her still hidden in the shadows. Yet somehow this showed the opposite.
"I bet if you wore you hair down you'd have triple the amount." Marlene continued to joke, ignoring Ophelia's paling face.
"Marls, stop for a second. Not everyone enjoys being ogled by boys." Lily stopped Marlene's joking as quick as she could. "Are you ok Fi?"
"God I feel like that's all you ever ask me, I'm sorry for being such a wimp." Ophelia tried to chuckle the feeling off but it didn't work.
"I think you're the opposite, I know I couldn't have survived as long as you. Plus you didn't answer my question."
"I'm ok, just shocked. I really thought I was blending into the crowd here, I didn't want any attention on me."
"I don't know why you didn't expect this, you hang out with the Marauders for fucks sake." Marlene was plaiting a small section of her hair into a tiny braid as they spoke; looking up once she realised neither of the girls had responded. "What, they're like royalty aren't they. You don't see them accepting people into their group every day do you, it was big news for them to have a new friend let alone allow them to join in on pranks." Marlene shrugged before returning to the plait.
"I hadn't even thought of that, shit." Ophelia placed her head in her hands with a sigh. "This is all just meaningless, none of these people actually know me; they see what they want to see."
Whilst the girls continued to discuss, the Marauders who sat on the other side of the classroom continued to observe.
"I'm not shocked you know, if I didn't see her like a sister I'm sure I'd fancy the pants off of her." James aired his opinion rather loudly, a few other students listening in. "Oi, mind your own business and stop listening to mine."
"She is very pretty." Peter smiled at the thought of the girl.
"Moony wonder if one of those hearts is yours." Sirius poked Remus in the ribs, causing the boy to gasp from the sharp pain. "Sorry."
"Just stop, I'm so done with today guys." Remus muttered, trying to ignore the pounding in his head and the overwhelming mix of smells filling the room. From overpowering perfumes, to someone's sneaky bag of Bertie Botts, to Flitwick's coffee and even people's need to shower; Remus could smell everything.
"Moony, you should probably go rest or something." James asked, looking concerned.
"I don't need rest, I do this every month. I'm used to it."
"I wish you'd let us help you." James spoke weakly, knowing the response that was to come out of Remus' mouth.
"No one can help me." Normally Remus would end his thoughts there, but then a smell that had been lost in his overwhelming senses came to a front. Ophelia's chamomile tea, the one they shared together, the one that helped him through the Christmas full moon, the one that would just bring him a smile. James and Sirius had noticed the sudden change in attitude from Remus; deep down they both knew why but they both knew better than bring it up on a full moon. A clap of a pair of hands signalled to the room all conversations must stop.
"Right, now let's return to Charms."
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Quite simply put, Ophelia was utterly fed up with the day. From the very start it had been madness fuelled by an incessant need for people to try and prove they were worth her 'love'. Some may have seen this as a dream, but to Ophelia it was just wrong. If love was out there and it did exist, this was not how she hoped to find it.
Love would be like the sun; warm, bright and healing. Love would be like an open door; it would make you feel warm, welcomed and safe. Love would be like a medicine, it would heal you and nurture you. Love, is the Panacea. That was what Ophelia wanted to find.
For now though Ophelia would settle with her love for books and studying, which brought her to the Library on her free period. An essay on Erkling's and defence against them was due the following week, so Ophelia had decided to start this now as an escape from madness.
Already sat in the Library was Remus, Sirius and Marlene.
"Fi!" Marlene yelled, only to get that harsh 'shush' from Madam Pince that made everybody roll their eyes in annoyance. Rather than risk being scolded again, Marlene waved her arms around in attempt to say sit with us, but it definitely didn't look that. Ophelia could work out what the real meaning was though, so headed over to their table.
"How was Arthimancy?" Marlene whispered.
"Ridiculously hard." Ophelia responded whilst pulling out her work. "Now it's time to face these Erkling's."
"Why on earth are you doing it a week early?" Sirius chimes in now.
"One, so I don't have to stress. But two, it's been bugging me I can't decide which spell is best against them - the Orbis Jinx, a silencing charm or Pullus. The last one seems entirely ridiculous to turn them into a chicken, I just don't get why it's one of the top defences."
"Don't even bother asking me." Marlene turned her attention away from Ophelia and back to her doodles. Ophelia turned to face Sirius this time.
"I'm rubbish at putting it into writing, I could fight them but don't bloody ask me to write an essay on how."
"Rem, what do you think?" Ophelia asked the one person she knew would have a response beautifully worded.
"What." Remus looked up from his hunched over position, answering rather sharply.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you." Ophelia could almost taste the frustration fuelling from him.
"You've done it now, might as well carry on."
"Oh, well we were just on about the Erkling's and what would be the best spells."
"Have you not read the set books?" Remus huffed slightly, but loud enough for Sirius to hear who shot him a side glare.
"Yeh, I was just hoping to write a more in depth analysis on them that's all." Ophelia could sense this conversation was not going the way she had planned, but she couldn't help but worry why this had happened in the first place.
"Why don't you just go ask one of your boyfriends?" Remus wasn't looking at Ophelia as he spoke, his eyes remained concentrated on the book he had on the desk, his fists clenching and unclenching beneath the desk.
"Boyfriends?" Marlene and Sirius answered for Ophelia, who was currently just sat unsure on how to answer.
"Come on guys, don't play dumb, you can see how she has all the boys at her feet. She should just go ask one of them."
"I don't have a boyfriend Rem, but if you don't want me here then say it."
"I don't want you here, you're giving me a headache."
"Fine. Goodbye Remus." Ophelia stood up and shoved all her items into a bag; not even caring for an order like she would usually.
"Fi, wait." Sirius tried to grab on to Ophelia's arm but the girl pulled it from his grip.
"Don't grab me Sirius."
"Fi, I'm sorry - I don't know what came over me." Remus stood now, trying to stop the thing he had just caused.
"It's fine, don't worry. I'm going Remus." Ophelia gave a small smile to Remus, evidently a struggle. Whilst Remus struggled too, struggled to hold in a shudder at the second use of his full name from Ophelia's mouth.
"I'll come with you." Marlene crumpled up the parchment she had been doodling on and stood, sending a glare back at Remus. The two girls left, Marlene gripping Ophelia's hand to reassure the girl that it wasn't her fault with no words.
"Moony, I get it's the day before but that was unnecessary. I'm going to check on her as well." Sirius shook his head at Remus, then left too. Leaving Remus alone with his own thoughts.
Remus had fucked up. And he knew it.
Always his own worst enemy, Remus' irrational mind told him that this was all his fault. Even if he wanted to blame the lycanthropy, his brain wouldn't allow that.
No, this was all his own fault. If he hadn't have let Ophelia in, if he hadn't have had any feelings appear, this wouldn't have ever happened. Knowing this was his fault just made him angrier. His usually very rational mind couldn't overpower the anger that had been building up today; the day before a full moon.
Everything made him angry.
Angry at his lycanthropy.
Angry at the world.
Angry at his friends.
Angry at Fenrir Greyback.
Angry at his demons.
Angry at his doomed life.
But most of all, he was angry at himself, because he never wanted to hurt Ophelia. There was only one option left, he had to close that door.
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