The rest of March and April blurred into one, and soon everyone was prepping for end of year exams. Things had been much brighter for Ophelia over these two months, even with the looming prospect of having to face the Montgomery's hanging over her. But with the presence of her Hogwarts family, life was made easier.
It was a warm day in the month of May, very little breeze filled the air that seemed occupied only by the sun. Minerva McGonagall had her arched window open ajar, enjoying the sounds of young birds singing as they passed by.
With the exams fast approaching, workload had increased for the lady but she enjoyed the challenge. To Minerva these extra hours of work she put in were important but also natural. Albus Dumbledore once described her as a candle; the lady would consume herself like the wax of candle in order to light the way for her students. All Minerva ever desires is for her students to succeed and reach the point where they no longer needed her; that would be her greatest triumph.
At some point that morning, her work was disturbed. Three gentle knocks on the wooden door were enough for her to know who the caller was.
"Come in Ophelia." The door creaked open.
"How do you know it's me each time?" Ophelia spoke happily, every time she was with the older lady she felt relaxed.
"Simply because you always knock the same." Minerva turned away from the desk she sat and pulled her glasses from the bridge of her nose. "How are you, dear?"
"If you're referring to my little blip back in January, that was three months ago, I'm doing amazing." Ophelia walked over to the biscuit jar, that always sat on the Professor's desk, and helped herself to a few before sitting down in an armchair near the fireplace. The raised eyebrow look from Minnie though told Ophelia this was no joking matter. "I'm doing ok Minnie, honestly. I sleep really well for starters, I have the odd bad night but its not every night."
"And what about the court case."
"I-I think I'm going to be ok. It is partly why I am here though. I need your advice."
"I'm listening."
"Yesterday I received a letter from Miss Mills."
"And what did she need this time, hm?" Over time, Minnie had made it clear that she disliked the woman very much.
"She wanted to see if I would return to work over the summer. There is an opportunity for me to work on a live, televised adaption of Heathers." Ophelia explained. Over the past few months Ophelia had noticed as well that often the only times she heard from Miss Mills would be when the lady needed something. However, this time Ophelia truly was interested. "I would like to do it."
"You would?" Minnie wasn't entirely sure how to feel about the decision. On one side she was proud; it showed Ophelia's Gryffindor traits of determination and bravery. But then on the other side, Minerva was worried that she could also loose the girl.
"Yes. I'm ready and there is no better way back than to do something I love. This," Ophelia swallowed, "this, is on my own terms and I'd like to do it. If you'd let me, that is."
"Of course I'll let you, you have to remember you are you're own person. I trust your decisions."
"Really? Well the thing is it will be six weeks long and it will probably be best for me if I live near the studios temporarily, I can come visit you and everything but it might be too much to travel around even with magic." Ophelia explained. "There is a secure estate not far from the studios, I could rent one of the houses there for the summer, then you'll know I'm safe too. But I'll stay with you for the first two weeks of the holidays anyway, I promise! And -"
"Ophelia, I trust you. You do what must be done and come to me if you need any help." Minerva interrupted Ophelia, she could see the girl was causing herself to get into a panic.
"Thank you, I will owl Miss Mills today. Are you su-"
BOOM
An explosion from the hallway outside the office stopped Ophelia's question of doubt.
"Good heavens, what have those four done this time." Minnie briskly stood from her chair, causing that awful screeching sound to follow. Ophelia tried to suppress a laugh caused by Minnie's comment, but was unsuccessful. So she found herself already laughing at the prospect of what could be behind the door before it had even opened.
Unsurprisingly, the hall was a chaotic mess. To the right of Minnie's office was a group of Slytherin's drenched in a slime-like substance and red glitter. To the left were untouched students, with four stood at the back trying to refrain laughter terribly.
"One day you four will pay for this." A slime covered Slytherin spoke.
"Come on Snivellus, you'll never be able to outwit us." James called from behind the growing crowd on the left.
"I wouldn't be too sure of that, it only takes one secret to be spilled and your reputation will be ruined." Severus spat back.
"Oh no, and what's that? That you have an embarrassing love for a girl you'll never get because of how slimy you are?" James retorted. Raucous laughter followed until a high pitched whistle silenced everybody and the attention was turned to the source.
With the appearance of the renowned strict Professor, the hallway almost emptied immediately. Only two groups remained, both facing each other like a battle was about to commence.
"Care to explain what has occurred here?" Minnie walked into the centre of the two groups, no fear for what spells could be thrown at each other; she knew the authority she held over all the students.
"It appears Snivellus and his Slytherin family almost look as greasy as his hair." Sirius answered, looking extremely proud with his comment.
"You're going to regret this." Severus spoke almost in a whisper, but one boy heard it perfectly.
"You four, my office, now." Minnie flicked her wrist and the door to the office swung open harshly. "Mr Snape and anyone else who was a victim of this prank, please go see Professor Slughorn."
"Yes ma'am." James saluted to Minnie, a smirk still plastered on his face. The three other boys followed in - Sirius winked at Minnie as he passed, Peter smiled sheepishly and Remus just shook his head in embarrassment but a smile remained evident on his face. Ophelia was unsure whether she could actually follow, decided to follow them, and leant against the door frame rather excited to see how the moment would pan out.
"So you're telling me you all had nothing to do with that prank, that you just happened to be passing by at the time? Am I correct?" Minnie asked, her lips pursed tightly together after each word.
"Oui." Sirius answered in a mocking French accent, receiving a stomp to his own feet from Remus.
"Be mature for once." Remus grumbled under his breath.
"Past incidents lead me to believe that you are not being truthful. Are you lying to me?" Minnie was sure another wrinkle was forming on her forehead from the permanent scowl she had to wear when dealing with yet another Marauder prank.
"Depends what you define as lying as." James bit his lower lip, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Oh dear god." Remus shook his head for what felt like hundredth time in the past hour.
"Well, I define lying as to say something that is not true in order to to deceive the other." The Professor knew she was walking into a trap by responding, but it didn't seem to stop her.
"Ah, see that's where we are very different my dear Minnie." James began. "I see lying as reclining your body into a horizontal position."
James giggled like a child at his own joke, Sirius erupted into laughter, Peter attempted to stifle his laugh causing his cheeks to swell until he couldn't hold it any longer and Remus shook his head but a deep chuckle still left his mouth
"Please remove yourselves from my office." Minnie placed a hand to her head and shook her head disapprovingly.
"Certainly." James was the only who appeared to be able to form a full word.
"Wait!" Everyone's attention turned to Ophelia, who seemed to have disappeared into the background during the past few minutes. "Minnie, can I ask them one thing before you completely kick them out."
"Of course." Minnie responded.
"Um, Minnie can you cover your ears?" Ophelia fumbled with her fingers trying not to gain eye contact with the maternal figure.
"Why would I need to -"
"Why the fuck do you continue to torment Severus Snape. Yes Severus, not fucking 'Snivellus', his name is Severus." Ophelia didn't need to yell, the disappointment and anger was clear from the tone in voice.
"Ophelia." Minerva tried to stop the outburst, but failed.
"No. I am sorry Minnie but this is ridiculous. Abso-fucking-lutely ridiculous."
"Shit, she's scary when she's mad." Sirius muttered to James, who stood there looking between Ophelia and then Minnie; almost pleading for help from the Professor.
"Oh I am mad Sirius. Why do you feel the need to do this, please just tell me that?" Ophelia looked between all four boys, each of them remaining silent. "Nobody? Rem? Come on, please tell me you have some decency in you Rem."
"I - uh." Remus looked for some sort of help from his pals, all of whom didn't seem to be able to help. "He's just not a very nice person."
"And even if that's true, all four of you look ten thousand times worse than him. I didn't take you four as bullies, but that's exactly what you are acting like." Ophelia crossed her arms in front of her chest, almost as a gesture to show just how crestfallen she was.
"We're not bullies are we?" Peter questioned quietly.
"No we're not." James seemed to shoot a glare at Ophelia, almost trying to prevent her from continuing.
"You're close to becoming one Peter and I don't think you realise it." Ophelia looked at each one of the boys in the eyes before concluding her decision. "I take that back, Remus and James know. So sort it out." Deciding not to continue this conversation any further, Ophelia stepped aside to allow them to leave.
"I think Ophelia put that better than I could have. I shall see you four at detention tonight, 10 points from Gryffindor each as well." Minnie shook her head as she spoke. All four boys left without a word more, leaving the two females inside. "Feeling better?" Minnie returned to her desk seat, digging her hand into the biscuit tin.
"Much." Ophelia let out a sigh. "Merlin, they frustrate me sometimes."
"Gosh, you truly are becoming a Gryffindor and a witch." Minnie pulled out a biscuit as she spoke, turning to face Ophelia once more with a smile tugging on her lips.
"Pardon?" Ophelia questioned.
"You're stubborn and passionate about how you feel. But more importantly, I just heard you use a wizarding colloquialism for the first time."
"Oh my gosh, I did!" Ophelia grinned.
"Now come calm down and have a biscuit."
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Remus waited anxiously in the library, drumming his fingers against the table to an imaginary beat. It had been fifteen minutes since the time Ophelia and Remus scheduled to meet for their weekly study session, but Ophelia was yet to appear. A perturbed feeling stirred in his stomach, a concern that Ophelia may no have forgiven him for the prank on Slytherin's earlier that day.
With every creak of a floorboard and squeak of the oak door hinges, Remus' head would instantly fly up in hope of seeing the girl. But with each passing sound, his hope of Ophelia showing decreased. Just as Remus was close to forgetting the session he heard the Library door open delicately, like someone was trying their hardest not to disturb anybody, and there was only one person who would do that.
Ophelia walked towards Remus' table at a brisk pace, her hair pulled back into a loose messy bun with baby curls falling out of place spontaneously. A smile grew on her face the moment she locked eyes with Remus, a smile that was mirrored on his face too.
"I'm so so so sorry that I am late, I completely lost track of time and," Ophelia slumped into the chair and dropped her bag to the floor whilst she spluttered out her reasons for being late, "then I had to go back to the common room to grab my work. Sometimes I forget just how humongous this school is."
Remus rubbed his sweaty hands against his nylon trousers, like wiping away all the nerves that had vanished the moment he had seen Ophelia.
"It's ok." Remus acknowledged, but then he felt his eyes fix on something in Ophelia's hair. 'You have a twig in your hair."
"Do I? Oh my gosh." Ophelia patted her head a few times, consistently missing the spot where the twig was causing Remus to let out a hearty chuckle. "Can you get it?"
"Um, yeh." Remus had touched a girls hair before, there was no denying that in light of his popularity it came with 'girl' attention. But touching Ophelia's hair seemed much different, more intimate, more real. Tentatively he reached his hand forward and felt Ophelia's hair tickle against his scarred hands; his hands a reminder of how dangerous he was in comparison to the delicate nature of Ophelia. "There."
"Bloody Buckbeak, he keeps bringing me twigs to build a nest for him I think." Ophelia fumbled with the twig between her fingers.
"Buckbeak?" Remus was intrigued by the mention of this, not just because it was something new to his ears but because he saw Ophelia's eyes brighten whilst she spoke.
"A hippogriff, he's still young and quite cheeky hence the twig. I go visit him and his mum Stormy quite a bit."
"You really like creatures don't you?"
"I love them, I don't think I have ever met an animal I disliked. Each creature is so unique and can teach us their own way on how to live and love our lives." Ophelia gushed, not realising herself how happy being around creatures made her.
A screeching of a chair against the old wooden floor prevented Remus from answering normally; instead a shooting pain darted across his forehead due to the heightened sound. Remus squinted his eyes shut, hoping that the moment he opened them the pain would be gone. It was. But he was also faced with a concerned Ophelia.
"Are you poorly, you're starting to worry me slightly, you seem to be poorly an awful lot." Ophelia felt her eyes dart across every feature of Remus' face, trying to spot what could be wrong.
"No, it's just a migraine coming on. They get worse when I'm stressed and I'm stressed about the end of year exams that's all." One part of this statement was true, the more stressed he was the worse he became; the more harsh the full moon would be on his body.
"We can stop working if you want? Leave it for another day?" Ophelia softly questioned, unintentionally quieting her voice in an attempt to not causes Remus pain.
"No, I'd rather stay. I need the distraction."
"Ok, but we are going to do something that less brain work then."
"Wait, could I ask you something first?" Remus paused Ophelia before they had the chance to continue work.
"Of course?" Ophelia answered, a slight hint of questioning in her answer.
"Earlier, with the Slytherin's you said how I knew I was becoming a bully. How did you know?"
"Because, Remus John Lupin, you are the kindest person on this planet. But you sometimes get lost in the moment and forget that. You would never intentionally hurt someone's feelings, I'm sure of it."
"So you're not mad at me then?" Remus doubted this though as he asked.
"Oh I'm mad, but I just don't like to hold grudges. You never know what tomorrow will bring."
Ophelia was right on that, she would never know what tomorrow would bring for Remus Lupin. Remus hoped it would stay that way forever.
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One week remained until the exam fortnight began, most lessons now consisted only of revision. In fact, almost all of the hours of the day were revision for Ophelia. The Great Hall had transformed into a second study area for students, almost like a casual library where we they could chat and have some kind of fun.
The tables that were usually reserved only for people from their houses were mixed together, Ravenclaws sat with Gryffindors, Gryffindors with Hufflepuffs and even some Slytherins had braved to leave their table to sit elsewhere; no one from other houses had sat on the Slytherin table though.
Ophelia had chosen to sit in the Great Hall with Alice after discovering that Lily was more stressful to be around than the actual exams themselves. The pair were currently looking at Arithmancy, the subject that Alice seemed to struggle with most but Ophelia found came naturally to her; deep down Ophelia thinks this was purely due to its similarities to Maths.
"So how do I work out my Vibrational number again?" Alice questioned.
"You add each number up of your birth day. So for me my birthday is January 17th 2002. So if we add that up." Ophelia moved closer to Alice on the bench with a piece of paper and pencil. "Zero + One + One + Seven + Two + Zero + Zero + Two, that equals Twelve." Ophelia drew a circle around the number 12 then drew an arrow to continue. "We then need to reduce that number until it makes a single digit, which is easy for me. One plus two equals Three. Meaning my vibrational number is three."
"Which is Mars right?" Alice bit her lip, nervous that she could have got it wrong.
"Yes!" Ophelia hugged Alice tightly from the side. "See you do understand it!"
"Only because of you."
"No, this was all your work. I just guided you."
"Um, Fi." Ophelia felt a gentle tap on her shoulder so turned to face the person.
"Hey Pete, are you ok?" Ophelia noticed the boy looked a little more anxious than usual, he held a pile of papers in one hand that were struggling to stay in place.
"Um, well Moony promised me he would study with me but he's not here, so can I study with you." Peter trembled the words out, almost like he was expecting to be told no or be laughed at.
"Of course! What work have you got with you?" Ophelia moved up the bench to allow a gap between herself and Alice that Peter could take a seat in.
"Muggle Studies." Peter climbed onto the bench, accidentally dropping all his paperwork across the table. "Oh no."
"Hey, it's ok. Bene Servetur." The papers all slipped back into a neat pile in front of Peter. "Alice is probably fed up of Arithmancy, she probably wants to move on to something else like muggle studies. I'm sure she will help you!"
"Yes definitely Peter, Fi has given me a headache with all the Arithmancy work." Alice laughed whilst she spoke, in an effort to relieve Peter's nerves.
"Ok, as long as you're sure." Peter smiled, relaxing from the news that he wasn't being a burden.
"Pete, I'll always make time for you. You're one of my best friends." Ophelia reassured him.
"Am I?"
"100%."
"Actually, where are the rest of the Marauder's? It's almost too quiet without them." Alice questioned Peter.
"James and Sirius are pranking Professor Kettleburn, Remus um went home."
"Wait he went home? I was with him only yesterday, he didn't mention that." Ophelia mused, feeling a little conflicted on whether she wanted to be upset with Remus for not telling her or upset that their relationship didn't warrant such conversations.
"Um, his mum was poorly. It was super last minute." Peter clarified, but still rather tentatively.
"Oh. I hope she's ok though." Ophelia masked her minds conflicting thoughts with a smile to Peter. "Right, I should look at these Potions notes."
"Ah, Potions. I was hoping to discuss that with you." Ophelia looked up from her parchment to see Severus stood on the opposite side.
"Severus?" Ophelia spoke with a little hesitance in her voice. One thing she had discovered from their rather peculiar relationship was that Severus rarely spoke first unless it was to be sarcastic.
"Oh for goodness sake Snivellus we said to leave her alone." James came strutting down the Great Hall towards their table, clearly expecting his presence to be enough to shoo the Slytherin away.
"Now now Potter, I'd be careful if I was you." A shock for everybody though was that Severus did stay grounded to his spot.
"And what's that meant to mean?" Sirius was beside James now, his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"Just remember what I told you." Severus spoke with venom lacing each word. Ignoring the two boys swears and wants, the Slytherin turned to walk back to his table.
"Severus, wait." Ophelia demanded rather than asked. "I'll come with you."
A chorus of "what's" from almost everybody nearby followed. Ophelia ignored these though and summoned her work into a pile, like she had with Peter's earlier, and stood to follow Severus.
"Fi, what are you doing?" James attempted to grab Ophelia's arm as she passed him, only to have his pulled away.
"I'm going to study with Severus." Ophelia enunciated the contraction, to prove a point to James that she wasn't going to listen to him.
"Your funeral then." Sirius scoffed bitterly at Ophelia.
"For goodness sake, I'm not going to argue with you both over this. I'm going to study potions with Severus, we were going to talk about it before you both so rudely interrupted us. Now please just leave me alone, I do not need protecting." Ophelia exasperated whilst sighing. "Please, it's ok."
Rather than wait for them to plead for her to stay again, Ophelia took herself over to the Slytherin table where Severus was already sat.
"So you managed to shake off your bodyguards then?" Severus muttered the words under his breath, slightly thrown off though by Ophelia's guts to come over. Then again, she was a Gryffindor.
"Please don't make me regret my decision. Just tell me what you wanted to discuss." Ophelia could feel the eyes glaring into her, that's when she realised no other 'rival' house was sat on the Slytherin table other than herself.
"I just wanted to discuss what you feel is the best way to dispense the Belladonna plant for potions." Severus began to lean into his black satchel, paper rustling and bottles clashing with each movement. "I have some notes on the benefits of each of these, let me just find them. Ah, here we go."
The Slytherin placed a pile of papers on the table in front of Ophelia before spreading them out like a fan. Handwritten notes and sketches for almost every potion and ingredient was there. However placed on the side closest to Ophelia was something that didn't fit the Potions revision.
"Werewolves?" Ophelia placed a hand on the piece of parchment filled with Severus' notes.
"Oh dear, that must have slipped in there by accident." Maybe if Ophelia wasn't too concentrated on the in-depth sketches that showed the pain a human would endure during transformation she would have noticed the mordacity in his phrasing.
"It's so horrid isn't it." Ophelia lamented.
"Yes they're ghastly beasts." Severus sneered, again Ophelia didn't seem to be aware of the tone of voice; more so just the statement.
"No, they're not. The pain they must endure, I can't even imagine it."
"Oh yes it must be remorsefully gruelling. Imagine having to hide away each month."
"They shouldn't feel like they have to hide." Ophelia shook her head at the thought.
"Imagine becoming so weak before a transformation."
When a full moon approaches, a Werewolf loses strength and endurance - Ophelia remembered reading this during her revision.
"Imagine not being able to control your emotions." Severus continued to list the negatives of a lycanthrope, whilst Ophelia's brain seemed to click into gear.
Close to a full moon, a werewolf may become more frustrated and angry.
"So many unexplained scars."
Scars, why was someone coming to Ophelia's mind.
"They disappear each month."
Someone Ophelia knows disappears each month.
"They look terribly ill near a full moon."
Maybe Ophelia would have noticed the lack of the word 'imagine' but her head was beginning to spin.
"There was a full moon last night." Severus' tone of voice seemed to grow harsher at the mention of this.
Last night was a full moon and yesterday someone looked really poorly.
"Maybe we have one of these beasts in school."
"I've got to go Severus. I just remembered something." Ophelia almost spat the words out they were so rushed. But she just needed to get out, she just needed an answer.
"That's a shame." Severus smirked whilst he spoke, but it remained unnoticed by Ophelia who had forgotten the charms she had used twice earlier and instead tried to pick up all the papers.
Ophelia's mind was only on one person though.
Remus Lupin.
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