'You're going where?' Ron asked, mouth agape, as Ophelia sat across from him at the round table in the common room; finishing up some Charms homework she needed to complete before her departure tomorrow morning.
'For the third time Ron, I'm going home for a couple days. It's a family thing, okay?' Ophelia replied, as she pushed a strand of her thick curly black hair out of her face. She continued writing on her parchment, dipping her quill in the ink every so often, not even meeting Ron's gaze; who looked completley taken aback at the prospect of her leaving, even if just for a couple days.
Harry was also at the table, but noteably silent; likely thinkng about Snape again. It was all he thought about latley, he seemed to have something to prove, and while Ophelia agreed something suspicious was definitely going on in the castle, she wasn't taking it nearly as seriously as he was. Ophelia didn't appreciate Snape much either, but if she was being honest she wasn't completley convinced this had anything to do with him. Like Percy had said, Snape's had the same position for over seven years, the idea of Snape being the imposter, if there even was one, seemed unlikely to her.
Hermione on the other hand, was sitting with Pavarti, Lavender and a girl named Katie Bell across the common room. Despite being somewhat friendly with the three of them again, she didn't go out of her way to sit with them or talk to them and if they were being honest, they weren't totally upset about it.
'I couldn't imagine going home. To the Dursley's. Though, it never was home there anyway.' Harry said thoughtfully, though still clearly not entirely in the conversation either. The other half of his mind was clearly elsewhere.
Ophelia didn't know how to respond. Her heart broke for everything Harry had went through, yet she couldn't find the words to describe it. The silence somehow said enough.
'I'll have nobody to play chess with.' Ron frowned.
Ophelia chuckled. 'Oh honestly, Ron. It's a few days. And by now, I'm sure Harry's got the hang of it. Try it out with him.' She offered, and Harry shrugged, nodding.
'Yeah well, don't do anything too fun without us.' Ron shot back, sarcastically.
If only he knew what she was really going home to do.
'I'll try.' Ophelia managed to joke back. 'Now, one last round?' She asked, pulling out the box of Wizard's Chess.
Ron's face lit up. 'You're on.'
...
When Ophelia entered Dumbledore's office the next morning, at 8 o'clock as requested; with a small bag carrying some of her belongings, it was to find Professor McGonagall waiting for her instead. She was sitting at the grand blakc mahogany desk, scribbling on some parchment with a fancy red quill she kept continually dipping in ink.
'Sorry...I...Professor Dumbledore said-' Ophelia started when Professor McGonagall had looked up; looking at her with her dark green eyes.
'I was asked to escort you instead, Miss. Lupin. I am aware of the situaiton.' She nodded, as she waved her wand to clean the parchment, ink bottles and textbooks sprawled across the desk, stacking them in neat piles.
Ophelia just nodded, straightening out her forest green jumper she wore.
'I am going to presume you have used the floo network before?' Professor McGonagall asked, as she strode out from behind the desk, her hair tied into the tight grey bun like always, and her small glasses on the edge of her nose.
She nodded. 'Yes, but we can't get into my house that way. We have it blocked off, most of the time, because well, we never got much visitors or...any really.' Ophelia said, scratching the back of her neck.
Professor McGonagall nodded. 'I see. Apparation it is, then.' She nodded.
'Erm, I've never actually done that and aren't I too young?' Ophelia questioned. To her knowledge, you had to be seventeen to apparate legally.
'If escorted by a qualified, of age, witch or wizard it is perfectly alright and legal.' Professor McGonagall nodded, as she walked over to stand next to Ophelia, and she linked their arms together.
'Do I have to...do anything?' Ophelia asked nervously.
'Hold on tight, firm grip, and try to concentrate. Risk of splinching is increased when you are not focused.'
Ophelia nodded, gulping.
'Now, are we ready?'
'Ready.' She nodded, and suddenly they were gone--or in the middle of apparating, really--it was a strange feeling. It felt like you were being twisted, and stretched in all the wrong places, and Ophelia felt nauseous already. She decided it was best to keep her eyes closed, fearing that if she opened them she might begin to vomit. She squinted them closed, holding onto Professor McGonagall's arm so tight with one hand it was sure to be hurting her but she was too scared to let go in fear of getting lost, or being splinched. And in the other, she held onto her bag tightly; not wanting to lose it as it carried her wand.
After what felt like a long time, when in reality it was a matter of seconds, Ophelia felt the feeling of ground beneath her feet. A feeling she, apparently, had been taking for granted for eleven years. She felt the brisk October air again, and though she hadn't opened her eyes yet, she wanted to kiss the ground in triumph.
'Alright, Miss. Lupin?' Professor McGonagall asked, and Ophelia; realizing she was yet to let go of her arm, let go and just blushed.
Ophelia finally opened her eyes and was faced with their cottage. Home. They were on the doorstep, in front of the front door. She smiled immediatley, feeling like it had been years since she had been here when it had really only been not even two months. She smiled even more thinking about the fact her Dad was sitting inside this very moment, and Ginger was likely cooking something amazing for their breakfast.
'It was an odd feeling.' Ophelia admitted. 'But I'm fine.'
'It is. Though you were rather successful. No vomitting just yet I see. The nauseous feeling will subside soon.'
Ophelia nodded, thankful for that. 'Shall we?' McGonagall asked, and Ophelia just nodded as she raised her fist to the door and knocked three times; before they retreated back a couple steps to give them some space.
The door opened moments later, and they were faced with an exhausted looking Remus Lupin. He wore an oversized burnt orange jumper, and brown muggle jeans; but the way he stood, slightly hunched over, and how his sandy brown hair was messy and out of place; and how his honey eyes were only half-open, told Ophelia he was exhausted, and likely hurting as the full moon was tonight. It took him a second for his brain to even register to two people he was standing in front of, his former Professor and his daughter, and when he did his eyes widened in recognition.
It took an enormous amount of self-control for Opehlia to not launch herself at him in a giant hug, but she knew he was too weak for that.
Before Ophelia or McGonagall even had the chance to open their mouths, he spoke. 'Oh no...are you in trouble? Is she in trouble?' He asked, glancing from Ophelia to Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off entirely. 'Are you hurt? You don't look hurt. Do you have a concussion? You can't usually see those...' His voice trailed off, as he continued to mumble inaudible things to himself.
'Dad.' Ophelia said firmly after a couple seconds. She couldn't help but smile a bit as his rambling. Her voice, her soothing voice he recognized and loved, brought him back to reality and his honey eyes snapped back to look at her. 'I'm not in trouble. I'm not hurt.' She started with. Remus looked at Professor McGonagall to seek clarification, and she nodded in agreement; so he looked back to her.
'O-Okay. You're not hurt...you're not in trouble...not expelled. So...why are you here?' Remus asked, stammering.
'Got to give it to you, Lupin, I was expecting a better reaction than this.' Ophelia said, as she smirked at her Dad's uneasiness. Remus Lupin's face softened when he realized he was yet to give his daughter a hug, or anything really; and that's when he launched forward and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug that Ophelia was more than happy to return. In fact, she needed it.
'Missed you.' He murmured into her curly black hair, his chin resting on her head.
'Missed you more.' She whispered back, her head pulled into his soft jumper. She could smell him again, and it was comforting. The smell of coffee, and chocolate; mixed with honey, and the smell of fresh parchment and books. She didn't realize you could miss a smell so much. It smelt like home.
'Not possible.' He retorted, and she just smiled into his jumper.
They pulled away after what felt like hours, and merely seconds all at once. Professor McGonagall looked near to tears at their embrace. Remus finally let them both into their house. It was warm, and Ophelia could smell pancakes. Ginger's pancakes. 'You know, I think there's somebody else you might like to see.' Remus told Ophelia. 'Why don't I talk to Professor McGonagall while you go find Ging?' He asked.
Ophelia nodded eagerly, and she dashed away from the two of them to find Ginger. Remus smiled softly as he watched her run away, and then he turned to Professor McGonagall. 'Tea? Coffee? Pumpkin Juice? Water? Anything at all I can get you?' Remus asked kindly, and she merely shook her head.
'Let's just sit. I can see how tired you are, Remus.' She said softly, as she walked into their living room and sat down on a crimson armchair. Remus followed suit, sitting down on an orange armchair opposite her.
'I'm fine, really.' Remus retorted.
'I know better than that.' She smiled, and Remus just smiled back, he couldn't argue with that. She probably knew more about him than he knew of himself. She had been there when he had nobody to turn to. She sat by his bed when he was in the hospital wing after full moons, just watching him because nobody else could. She would always be gone by mornings, as if she didn't want him to know deep down she was a right softie, but Remus spent most of those nights pretending to be asleep; the pain too great to even imagine sleeping, and he would glance over every so often to make sure she was still there. Her presence always made him feel safer.
'OPHELIA! OPHELIA IS HERE! OPHELIA!' The both of them flinched as they heard Ginger's screams of delight, and they both chuckled, only imagining the pure joy the two of them were experiencing right now. Evidently, Ophelia had found Ginger.
'Minnie...' Remus started after a moment or two. 'I couldn't be happier to see the both of you right now, but...why am I seeing the both of you right now?'
Her face softened. 'She didn't want you to be alone tomorrow.' Remus' heart sank and swelled with affection at the same time at her words. 'She called it a 'proposition', asking to come home for a couple days to spend tomorrow with you. It was her idea, all her idea.' She said softly.
Remus desperatley tried not to cry. But it was a difficult task, that was for sure. He would like to say he was surprised, but this was exactly the type of self-less, loveable thing Ophelia Lily Lupin would do. She was perfect. She was everything. He could hardly believe somebody loved him as much as she loved him.
'She's wonderful, Remus. Brilliant, and loving and kind--and mature for her age.' She smiled.
'Having a werewolf as a Dad does mean you have to mature a bit earlier than most, I woud think.' Remus said softly.
'Regardless, she's brilliant, Remus. She reminds me so much of-'
'I know.' Remus nodded.
'You did a wonderful job raising her Remus. She adores you. I've never seen a student be so openly fond of their parent. And her skill, oh she's going to do great things.' She smiled and chuckled slightly.
'She is, isn't she?' Remus smiled fondly. 'I always knew she would. She's always been so intelligent, more than me when I was her age even.' He added.
'I'm proud of you, my boy.'
Remus couldn't find the words, so he just smiled, and somehow that said everything it needed to. Ophelia came rushing into the room not even a split second later, with Ginger wrapped around her neck tightly, who was not looking keen on the idea of letting her go.
'LOOK MASTER REMUS IT'S OPHELIA!' Ginger shouted excitedly.
Remus chuckled. 'Who do you think let her in, Ging?'
Ginger frowned, clearly having not thought of that, and they all, even Minnie, just laughed.
'Come on! You have to be starving, let's all go eat pancakes!' Ginger smiled, as she wriggled out of Ophelia's grasp and dropped to her feet on the floor. She began tugging on McGonagall's robes to come with them as well.
'Oh, thank you for the offer. I really should be getting back though, classes to teach you see.' Professor McGonagall smiled. 'I'll be back on the first to bring you back, Miss. Lupin.' She said, and Ophelia nodded.
'Thank you.' She smiled, and Professor McGonagall nodded.
'You go start eating with Ging, I'm going to see Minnie out.' Remus smiled, and Ophelia nodded and led Ginger to the kitchen; as Remus and Minnie made their way to the front door.
She just stared at him fondly for a moment, into those warm honey eyes that made anybody feel comforted and loved. 'Sometimes I forget you're not a small boy anymore. Marauding about, or reading in the library for hours on end. Things were so much simpler then.' She said sadly, and appeared to be on the verge of tears once more.
'They were.' Remus nodded. 'But what's life without a little risk?' He smiled.
'He always used to say that.' She said softly. She didn't have to say the name for him to know she was refering to Sirius. He always said that, it was true.
'He did.' Remus nodded.
'You don't deserve what happened to you, Remus.' She said sadly.
'Maybe not-'
'Definitley not.' She corrected him, and he just weakly smiled.
'But look what I have now. A daughter, a perfect daughter who I'd do anything for and Ginger, who might as well be my daughter also. I don't have much...but what I have, it's everything I could have asked for and more.'
She looked up to meet his gaze.
'A twisted and broken part of me still loves him.' Remus admitted. 'Despite what he did, I still love him...somewhere deep inside of me.' He said quietly.
'You're in love with how he made you feel. How much he cared for you. You don't have to feel guitly about that. What he did is unforgiveable, but it all happened to fast, Remus. You're life was turned upside down in a split second, and it's okay to mourn and to love what he did for you...what he once was. One day you'll find someone that makes you feel like that all the time.'
'Hm.' He hummed -- it was a nice thought.
They were both silent for a moment. Somehow she knew just what to say, she knew exactly how he felt and she said it as if it wasn't completley twisted for him to love the husband that had betrayed all of them; Ophelia included. It was true though. Sirius did everything for Remus. He became an animagus for him, stayed up with him when he was in pain, and was the one person he truly trusted with his life.
Sirius was the reason his life was so great, and the reason his life was so bad all at once; and that killed Remus inside.
'You have to visit more often. Write more often.' Remus just smiled, as he pulled her in for a hug.
'I could say the same for you.' She chuckled.
'I will.' He smiled.
'Goodbye, Remus.'
'Bye, Minnie. I'll see you Saturday.'
And with that, she was gone in a second. Remus smiled as he composed himself, and closed the door behind him to go and talk to his daughter. His Ophelia.