The smells of Leòmhann Cridhe told so many stories, almost as though the air within was written by authors. A comforting musky book scent, covered in the smell of burning logs and laced with the settled aroma of dried apples was the epitome of home; for Ophelia at least.
A week had passed since Minnie, or rather a tabby cat, had hissed disappointedly at Ophelia and escorted her out of the building; whiskers brushing against her ankles that felt surprisingly intimidating and forceful. Once the unusual looking pair had made it outside, into a car and back to Ophelia's temporary home where the Potter's waited, did the animagus return to her usual form. Even though it had been a week, Ophelia could still hear, visualise and feel the disappointment that came from the older witch.
"Has nothing I've done for you this past year proven how much I care about you?"
Maybe it was because Minnie had said it almost in a whisper. Maybe it was because Ophelia swore there was a red twinge around the rim of her eyes. Maybe it was due to the fact neither the Potter's or Sirius cracked a joke at the statement. Or maybe, just maybe, it was because Ophelia understood.
Despite Minnie speaking normally with Ophelia since their return to Scotland, Ophelia just couldn't shake the memory from her mind. Yet it wasn't just due to the fact she was angry with herself for disappointing the most important lady in her life; it was that realisation. The realisation that Minnie was the most important lady in her life. The recognition that Minnie was the closest she had came to having a mother.
"A knut for your thoughts?" Minerva had been watching Ophelia closely since their return. One reason being because she had simply missed the girl, but the main reason being because she was ashamed at herself for reacting so harshly to the situation.
"Uh, it's nothing." Ophelia shook her head, an action she would do often if she wanted to shake thoughts away, even if it wasn't proven to work.
"Do I need to send a patronus to Albus?" Minnie questioned, taking a seat in the armchair opposite where Ophelia was sat.
"What?"
"Well he is the most skilled Legilimens I know."
"Wow, really witty Minnie." Ophelia couldn't hide a smile though, even if the joke was poor. It meant a lot to her to have such normal interactions with the older lady when her mind was telling her the irrational.
"Here." Minnie, wandless, summoned the floral metal tin that held something that had become another part of 'home' for her. "Have a biscuit."
"I love you."
"I love you too dear."
"No, I love you." Ophelia stated this as a fact rather than a proclamation. "That is what I was thinking about."
"And that effectuated you to lose your concentration?"
"Yes." Ophelia answered, before realising how secretive she was sounding. "I mean, no."
"Care to explain?"
"I, you know what you said last week?" Ophelia questioned.
"I certainly do remember. It seems to be bothering you I see."
"It is. But I'm glad you said it."
"How so?"
"You're honest with me." Ophelia watched Minnie before continuing, deeming the silence to mean she could. "It's like this." Ophelia now stood up from her chair, growing fidgety the closer she came to spilling her feelings. "You never hesitate to point out when I need a little attitude adjustment, you never allow me be negative about myself for long and instead you offered me support even when you hardly knew me."
"It's what anybody would do."
"No it isn't Minnie, I can swear on Merlin's life to you that not many people would do this. And if they do, they do it most for a person they care about." Ophelia was now walking around in a semi-circle, her thumbs nervous fiddling with one another. "Minnie, one of my favorite things about you is that you say what's on your mind, even if it's rather blunt. And although like last week, it kind of hurt my feelings, your honesty was something that I needed."
"I did not aspire to come across so brusque."
"I know you didn't, and what I'm trying to say is that even if you did it wouldn't have mattered. Nobody will succeed in life if they are mollycoddled but they also need to have someone who is on their side, like you are for me." Ophelia turned to face Minnie now, trying her hardest to keep her gaze fixated on the older lady so that what she was saying proved meaningful. "You are sympathetic, empathetic and selfless. In a year you've changed my life for the better and nurtured me to become the Ophelia I have always dreamed of being. You've loved me like I am your own and that's what I'm trying to say."
"You do not need to thank me if that's what you are about to do, dear."
"No, I mean I will thank you and continue to thank you every day." Ophelia smiled at the thought of how selfless this lady continued to be. "What I'm trying to say is you're the mother I always dreamed of having. You're my mum."
A hug. That was the response Minnie gave to Fi. Nothing more was needed in that moment. Whenever in the older lady's embrace, Ophelia could feel her world come to a halt. Time no longer existed, day and night disappeared, bad weather was something unheard of; instead there was just peace.
Ophelia felt her body loosen and she fell gently further into the soft and warm embrace. This was the love she'd waited for, dreamed of at night and even prayed for. A love like this was to be cherished for life. Finally, she had a mother to call her very own.
"Being your mother is the greatest honour of my life." Minnie placed a gentle kiss on Ophelia's cheek. "And as your mother, I will ask you to go pack your bags ready for Hogwarts."
"What, now? There's a week left before we go." Ophelia questioned whilst pulling away from the hug; glad that the topic hadn't remained so heart-fully deep for much longer.
"That is true, but Albus has asked me to return early like I would usually."
"Usually?"
"Yes, last year was an exception as I had taking in a daughter." Minnie winked as she used the new found noun. "So we shall leave tomorrow morning, together."
"And I'm guessing I'm not allowed to stay home alone until school returns?"
"Absolutely not!" Minnie pursed her lips tightly in a mock chastise. "And as your mother, I have made the decision that you will never be home alone until you're at least 50."
"Yes mum." Ophelia winked, before leaving the room to pack her bags ready for the new year of Hogwarts.
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Remus' gaze had become attached to the rolling hills and moving trees outside the window. The scenery from the moving steam train was a burst of colours amplified underneath the golden sun rays; so beautiful that they looked like they were written by authors.
Laid on his lap was an open book, his fingers gripping on to the page's edge so he wouldn't lose his place. He could barely hear the soft squeal of the machinery propelling him to his home away from home; partly because of his strong focus on anything but the sound, but mainly because the raucous sounds his friends were making.
"Name one other person who would put reading and gazing out a window before their friends." Sirius jokingly posed the question, not expecting an answer.
"Fi!" Peter excitedly answered.
"Actually he's right you know Sirius." James chuckled. "I thought of the beautiful Lily Evans, but actually Fi is right."
"Bloody made for each other those two." Sirius exclaimed.
"Moony and Fi sitting in the owlery." James began.
"K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Peter finished.
"I can hear you, you know?" Remus had returned his gaze to his book, in an attempt to act uninterested by his friend's rather childish behaviour. It hadn't worked though, it took him that long to hold the faux focus the second he had heard the mention of a certain person.
"Why didn't you join in then?" Peter questioned, genuinely too.
"Because I chose not to engage with you toddlers."
"Ah, so you don't deny the kiss-"
Sirius' banter was suddenly shortened by something sticking in his throat. With a slight croak to try and dislodge the strange, slimy feeling, nothing changed.
"You alright there Sirius?" James turned to his mate with concern; worried he was choking on a piece of treacle he had not long shovelled into his mouth.
"Looks like he has a frog in his throat." Remus tried to stifle a laugh, that was until he flicked his wand and a small frog shot out of Sirius' shocked mouth.
"That was ribbiting to watch." James spat the words out before closing his mouth quickly, trying hard not to laugh at Sirius just yet.
"Yeh. Toad-ally funny." Peter had forgotten to laugh, more excited by his quick thinking.
"Moony, now look who's acting like a toadler." Sirius joined in on the puns, before all four of the boys couldn't hold in their laughter anymore. "I'll give you that one Moony, that was brilliant."
"We will definitely be using that on the Slytherin's this year." James agreed.
"Shush." Peter attempted to silence James and Sirius. "You can't say those things in front of Moony anymore."
"Huh?" The other three replied together, all unsure of what Peter meant.
"He's a prefect now remember? He could get us in trouble." Peter explained.
"Oh of course, I sometimes forget we have such a goodie two-shoes in our group." Sirius joked.
"It could work in our advantage though." James added.
"Right I'm not listening to this any longer." Remus sighed and returned to his book. "What I don't hear, I don't know."
"Whatcha reading?" Peter leant over to see the book in Remus' hands.
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."
"What's it about?" Peter asked.
"Wizards obviously." Sirius scoffed, in which James laughed at too.
"Actually it's not Sirius." Remus replied and turned to face Peter more. "It's about a girl named Dorothy, her house gets stuck in a cyclone and it transports her to this magical world. Whilst she's there she meets three other people who desire something, like courage. Dorothy helps them and they have like an adventure together. It's a really lovely story, I think you'd like it Peter."
"That girl sounds like Fi."
"How so?"
"Well, even in hard times Dorothy puts helping others first. That's like Fi."
"I guess it is." Remus agreed, starting to see the similarities of the pair. "In fact, where is Fi? I haven't seen her yet."
"She's already at Hogwarts." James answered. "Minnie needed to go back early so she joined her."
"Oh. That makes sense."
"More sense than a lot of things." Sirius huffed under his breath; forgetting though that Remus had more alert hearing than the average wizard.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Sirius answered rather shortly.
"PREFECTS PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT OF THE CARRIAGE. STUDENTS WE WILL BE ARRIVING AT HOGWARTS IN LESS THAN AN HOUR."
"That's me then." Remus stood up and placed the book back into the seat. "Have a read of it if you want Pete. I'll see you all at the Carriages."
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"Excited to see every one again are ya?" Hagrid chuckled, loudly still, at Ophelia who was fidgeting from foot to foot in suspense.
"How'd you guess?" Ophelia laughed. "I've missed them so much."
"Looks like ya won't 'ave to miss them for much longer, 'ere comes the train."
The red train began to slow as it reached Hogsmeade station. A final few blows of steam were heard over the brakes working hard to halt such a heavy vehicle. Almost as soon as the train had fully stopped, the doors opened and a rush of students began to pile out onto the train platform.
"FIRST YEARS TO ME PLEASE. FIRST YEARS THIS WAY." Hagrid roared, reminding Ophelia of the amazing memories those first years were to soon make on their boat ride. "You ok to use the carriages aren't yer?" Hagrid asked Ophelia.
"Yes of course. I'll go find the girls. See you at the feast Hagrid, thanks for the trip down."
"Yer welcome kiddo." Hagrid nodded as he replied. "FIRST YEARS TO ME."
Ophelia had to cover her ears, as slyly as possible to not offend Hagrid, due to his bellowing voice. But almost as soon as she had covered them, she spotted some flaming red hair above the growing crowd.
"LILS!" Ophelia removed her hands to yell, still not as loudly as Hagrid.
"Fi?" Lily's face wasn't to be seen just yet, but every so often the head of her hair bopped into view.
"OI MOVE OUT THE WAY." Marlene's voice was now heard, along with a bleach blonde hair bun now beside Lily's hair.
"Excuse me, sorry, excuse me." Alice's voice was heard following Marlene, due to her small height she couldn't be seen.
"There she is!" Dorcas had suddenly appeared on the back of Marlene, at least that's who Ophelia presumed was carrying her.
Just like at Christmas, Ophelia was beyond glad to see the girls again. Their friendship was indescribable, it was unbreakable and unbeatable. They were all so different and maybe that is what made them fit together like a puzzle, a puzzle that would be incomplete if one was missing. Thankfully, nothing would cause that puzzle to be partial for many years to come; at least until they were elderly witches with their cats.
"Merlin I've missed you all." Ophelia wasn't even sure when they had actually reached her, or when they'd smothered her in a group. But she was in the centre of a Gryffindor sandwich and it was the most incredible feeling in the world.
"Girls, we will miss the carriages if we're not quick." Lily spoke into the huddle.
"Yes, mum." Dorcas joked, causing them all to laugh as they began to walk to the carriages.
The journey from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts was full of general chit-chat and laughter. Ophelia filled them in on the events of her summer; even though most of it had been broadcasted to the country where Lily had already seen. It was fair to say that a few profanities were shared in regards to the intruder. But then a lot of love was also given to Ophelia for her performance.
Each carriage came to a gradual halt, then like a conveyor belt they would move forward slightly. Once the girls carriage had become parallel with the steps to the castle, their doors swung open. One by one they left the carriage and began to walk up the steps.
"This place never fails to amaze me with it's beauty." Alice sighed in happiness.
"It truly is beautiful." Ophelia agreed.
"Well then bitches, who's ready for another year?" Marlene chimed.
"Not me, it's OWLs year and I don't think I'm even slightly prepared." Lily spoke her worries aloud.
"Lils we've been here for less than an hour and you're already worrying. Let's save those worries for at least a month." Dorcas joked, but warily knowing that Lily would genuinely be anxious about the exam year ahead.
"You'll smash them Lils. I know you will." Ophelia reached forward to squeeze her friends hand, earning a tighter squeeze back.
"Thank you."
"LILY FLOWER!"
"Already?" Marlene snorted.
"Yes Potter." Lily stopped walking and turned to face her admirer.
"There it is." James pointed towards Lily, completely unbothered how he was now causing traffic in the hallway.
"What?" Lily ran her hands through her hair and then her face, worried that she had something on her.
"The shiny prefect badge of course!"
"Oh bugger off Potter." Lily huffed and turned away, walking at a brisk pace to reach the Great Hall sooner.
"Wait! I just wanted to congratulate you!" James called after, picking up a jog-like pace in hope to catch Lily.
"That's not how you go about it JamJam." Ophelia laughed as she shouted after James.
"Hey FiFi, bye FiFi!" James called back, not bothering to turn around.
"I don't think he'll ever change." A smooth, rich voice startled Ophelia causing her to turn and face the person. Staring right into her own eyes were beautiful, chocolate ones that belonged to a certain Gryffindor she had missed immeasurably.
"Rem!" Ophelia wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, not giving Remus the chance to realise what was happening. But before he could realise himself, he was relaxing into that hug too, a hug that felt so safe and natural.
"Hi Fi." Remus managed to utter the words whilst thoughts ran through his head of how at home he felt when with Fi.
"Did you have a good summer?" Fi pulled out of the hug. "I mean I know we owled throughout but it's just not the same."
"It was good, thank you. I saw the guys a few times, got a lot of reading done, did some gardening with my dad."
"Gardening? I didn't realise you were into that." Ophelia's heart swelled at the mention of this. Knowing that someone who feared he was a monster could do something as delicate as gardening was beautiful. "I mean, it's not a bad thing I just didn't realise you enjoyed it!"
"Oh, yeh I don't mention it much. James and Sirius would have way too much fun with that information." Remus replied hurriedly, realising he had spilled what he deemed a rather embarrassing secret to Fi. "I just find it, well, relaxing."
"So that's how you knew they were pasqueflowers by your spot."
"Our spot." Remus corrected Ophelia. "But yes, I have tried to grow them but like I said then, they're hard to keep in the UK."
"That's amazing though."
"How was your summer?" Remus quickly changed the conversation from himself back to Ophelia.
"Oh, mine was, different." Ophelia struggled to choose a word to describe her summer, trying hard not to create an even bigger web of lies. "Busy! I'm kind of glad to be back here though, it's a bit calmer."
"Even with OWLS this year?"
"Even with OWLS. Although they're quite nerve-racking too."
"Let's not talk about them yet." Remus decided for the pair. "We've only just got back."
"I'm glad you said that! Although, are you for up for studying together like once a week. I think we bounce well off of each other."
"Yeh that sounds good actually." Remus was glad Ophelia had asked, it was something he had thought about but wasn't sure how to pose the question correctly. "Oh I read The Alchemist, the one you leant me?"
"Did you! Did you like it?"
"Yes, I learnt a lot from it too. Like how you will never be able to escape from your heart."
"So you should just listen to it instead." Ophelia finished. "It's a pretty amazing book, you can see -"
"Oi Fi!" Marlene skidded into view. "Oh hi Remus."
"Marlene." Remus nodded back politely.
"Fi, Dumbledore is about to start his speak and Minnie keeps staring at us."
"Oh, shoot ok! We're coming." Ophelia replied and began to walk.
Clearly, the reunited pair hadn't noticed the hallways had emptied and that they were the alone. They say time stops when with someone who means something so deeply to you; the same had just happened for Ophelia and Remus.
For some ridiculous reason, they were the only two people who hadn't realised this.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!"
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AH I HAVE MISSED WRITING! I'VE MISSED FI AND I HAVE MISSED YOU ALL!
Thank you everyone who has stuck with me even through this hiatus! I'm hoping to be back to updates once a week! In the mean time, I hope you're well!
Thank you as well LionWitch22 & ardently_dreaming for keeping me in check the last few weeks! Love you both!
For the fun of it, here's a QOTC!
What would you like to see in the future of Panacea?🥰