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"ALRIGHT, LOVE. LET'S GET YOU COMFORTABLE." James said as he sat Ophelia on the bed, he pauses as he saw the panicked look that has been embedded in her face since she fell into the state she's in. "Hey, now. Don't panic, baby, we're gonna help you get out of it."

Ophelia's thoughts were mixed up, she knew something was going on, but it felt like she was asleep. Her eyes avert to the doorway to see Lily leaning against it, "hi, pretty girl. Remus said the bath is done, wanna come with me and we'll get you comfortable?"

Nodding Ophelia tries to get up off the bed and back onto her shaky legs, James holds her by the waist and helps her over to the redhead who immediately grabbed her and lead passed Sirius and Peter who stare at them in concern and into the bathroom where Remus was checking the water.

She sat the younger girl on the toilet seat and got white fluffy towels and sat them on the sink. "It's ready for her," Remus said as he stares at the Slytherin who looks at him with big doe eyes, "we'll get you and the cub outside when you're done."

"Thanks, Remus." Lily said, he gave a nod before shutting the door behind him. She turns to Ophelia who was staring at the bath and then back to the chuckling redhead who shook her head. "May I?" She said gesturing to Ophelia's clothes, the doe eyed girl nods her head and begins to help Lily.

Once all of her clothes were laying on the floor, Ophelia stood bare, she looks to Lily who kept her eyes focused on the water, she then turned to the Slytherin, who started to get in. The warm water made her sigh, the temperature was just right, she kept her knees to her chest and her head down as her eyes began to shut.

Lily bent down on the side of the tub and grabbed some shampoo, she handed the other girl in the tub some soap, so that she didn't feel uncomfortable with Lily doing it. Ophelia began to wash herself while the redhead applied the shampoo onto the Slytherin's dark locks. She scrunched her fingers as she pulled on the brown locks, she then began to scratch Ophelia's scalp causing the girl to let out a satisfied whine.

"That feel good?" Lily asks, her smile was full of adoration. The girl in the tub nods at her words, she was unable to find words as they could only come out as whines and whimpers. "Close your eyes." Lily said as she grabs the shower-head that was attached to the bath and let the warm water rinse the soap off of Ophelia's hair.

Lily grabs the small towel and gently wipes the Slytherin's face, causing the said girl to open her eyes again. She wraps the smaller girls hair up, "time to come out now, baby." Lily says helping Ophelia stand up.

Ophelia shivers as the cold air wafted onto her bare – wet skin. The redhead had began to wrap the towel around her, and even helped with drying all her areas. Ophelia's cheeks became a flushed colour, but a part of her – the part of her that she couldn't snap out of didn't care.

"Let's see what we have here," the Gryffindor mumbles as she pulls out her own maroon – coloured jumper and a pair of Ophelia's black frilly – pyjama shorts. "You look so cute, Ophie." Lily commented before helping her change into her undergarments and the clothes she had picked out. She then brushes Ophelia's wet hair and left it down to dry, "feeling okay?"

"Cozy." Ophelia whimpers as she took a handful of her jumper, she brought her sleeve up to her nose, she smells Lily's familiar smell of pumpkin spice, she sighs and then looks up at Lily.

"I'm glad it is, now, let's go see the boys." Lily says as she took the smaller hand in hers, she lead the girl back out into the head girl and boy common room.

James was sitting on the couch watching Sirius and Peter play exploding snap, and Remus seemed to have been listening in, but he was reading a book. The wolf in the room looks up to see both girls walking back into the room, he gently nudged the other boy who snapped his head up and smiled seeing the sight of his girlfriend and their little fawn.

"There's my girls." He says hitting his hands on his thighs. "Y'feeling better, sweetheart."

Ophelia stares at him and gave a small whine, Lily smiles as she sat the Slytherin down next to James. "She wasn't as bad as she was, but she's still definitely not herself."

"Prongs," Remus calls out. James turns his head to the taller boy, "give her this." He says handing his friend half of a chocolate bar.

"Thanks, Moony." He chuckles, he watches as Lily began to make everyone some tea, he turns his head to the small girl next to him. "Look, baby, Moony got you some chocolate." He says showing it to her.

James breaks some of the bar and handed her a piece, "you'll feel better, promise." He encourages after he saw that she was hesitant, he put a piece up to her plump lips and smiles when she let him plop it into her mouth.

Ophelia turns her gaze to Sirius and Peter who were playfully talking trash to each other. Her eyes trail towards Remus who was already looking towards her with a gentle smile. She felt James try to put another piece of chocolate into her mouth, she turns and allows him access. There was a clang as Lily set down everyone's teacups, Ophelia's eyes averted to the coffee table to see cups sitting on saucers waiting for someone to pick them up.

James reached forward and grabbed two teacups, he handed one to Ophelia and smiled as she took small sips. He started to take gulps and hums, Lily made her famous tea recipe; honey–lemon. It was good if you had a cold or whatever, but it seemed to be good for subspace too, James could see Ophelia becoming herself again.

Lily eventually sat on the other side of the Slytherin with her teacup in her hand, she watches as everyone decided to give them some space by doing their own things, but she turns to James who's motioning to Ophelia who seemed to be coming back to her senses.

"Y'feelin' better, hun?" Lily asks, placing a damp curl behind the brunette's ear. It earned her a nod, the redhead could see that her eyes were back with life, they didn't look lost anymore. "James, carry her to the bedroom, she may want some privacy."

James picks the smaller girl up and takes her back into the bedroom placing her down on the soft bed. Lily brought the girl's tea over to the bedside table and lays down on one side. Ophelia still hadn't in the slightest have any control of her actions, but she lays down on the middle of the two Gryffindor's.

A couple of minutes felt like hours, but Ophelia soon came out of her little daze and was in control with her movements, the floaty feeling was long gone. She snapped back to reality once James had asked, "Ophelia, you back with us?"

"W-What happened?" She whispers, "did I space out?"

"Not exactly. You fell into a headspace, or you could call it subspace." Lily explains. Ophelia turns red, she knew what subspace was, but she wasn't into any of that, so....how did it happen?

"I'm sorry for teasing you in the shops, you said you didn't like it and I kept going...I went too far and it caused you to slip." Lily says looking upset, "can you forgive me?"

"I-It was an accident." Ophelia simply said.

James sighs, "we know. Remember when we talked about communication? Well, you tell us what you like and don't like, and we'll fix that."

The slytherin sighs, "I'm not exactly sure about being teased. I-I've never really been jokingly – teased before. I've only ever been mocked or bullied, so, it's kinda new to me." The couple look at her with sympathy, they knew they should've asked.

"Well, are you feeling better?" Ophelia nods and sits up, she feels her heart beat against her chest, she felt as if she were a hummingbird. What was this feeling? She turns to the couple.

"Thank you for taking care of me."

James and Lily smile, "we'll always take care of you," James continues after Lily, "we look out for one of our own."

For the first time ever, Ophelia Snape felt special. Loved. A strong emotion she's never felt before, and denies it; she is too stubborn to admit that she's starting to care for them too.

For a moment there was silence. Nobody said anything until James spoke up. "Are you up to having something to eat?"

"– a tummy filled with warm food may help you get back onto your feet." Lily said running a comforting hand up and down her back.

"Yeah, sounds great." She replies back fidgeting with the bedsheets, "um, thanks again...for taking care of me."

"We've told you that it's fine, Angel face." James said giving her a head pat.

"I feel like I have to give you something in return." She looks down, "I'm not used to someone looking after me, c-could I give you something in return?"

The two Gryffindor's looked at the girl in sympathy, she didn't need to give them anything. They wanted to take care of her, truth be told, they've been watching her since sixth year. She'd caught their attention before the soul bond, they'd seen her arguing with Bellatrix and then being sent to Madam Pomfrey after being cursed by the said girl.

"No, Ophelia, sweetie." Lily starts, "you don't have to repay us."

"Yeah, Angel, you don't have to do anything." James says turning her head to him. "We care for you, start getting used to us and the gang taking care of you, we'll always be doing it from now on."

"I feel guilty if I don't...." Ophelia trails off. But Lily grabbed the girl's small hands and held them, she gave her a firm stare while James gave her one of those looks.

"Ophelia, no. Our love comes free." She said gently shaking her with a grin, "you don't need to worry about payment, or owing us back. Just be you, that's the best gift to all of us."

Be herself? How can she be herself when she didn't know herself.

"Now, let's go get some food." Lily changes the topic, she didn't want Ophelia to keep thinking about owing them something big all for taking care of her, it made her even more disappointed in Severus; he was supposed to be there for her and he wasn't.

Her sharp – Jaded eyes catch James' periwinkle ones as he was already off the bed passing them and back into their common room where the boys were. Ophelia could hear soft murmurs of people talking in the next room, it made her slightly nervous, they had witnessed her not being herself, it made her slightly embarrassed. Her black–obsidians caught the sight of Lily standing up, the flame–haired girl offered her a hand causing her to smile and each out for it.

As both girls walked out of the bedroom, Ophelia saw that the other boys were gone. James was speaking to a different house-elf, who cleared everything away, but had put a tray of food down.

The boy turns around and give Ophelia a soft smile, "I sent them away, I wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable with them around or not."

"Um, thank you." She mumbles with a smile. It's true, she wasn't sure if she was ready for their stares after coming out of her hazed form, it was still embarrassing for her, but she will thank them later for staying with her throughout the experience.

"So, Lils, what classes do we have on Monday?" James asks as the three of them sit at the table.

Lily's eyes widen, as if she's just remembered something. "We have duelling class with Professor McCormack."

"Cool!" His eyes brighten, but then his eyebrows furrow, "is it the one with the future Deatheaters?"

"Yes." Lily trails off looking towards Ophelia, "I know that you're in almost every class with us, and you'll probably be in this one, but be careful."

Ophelia smiles, "trust me, I know a few spells that will knock anyone off their feet."

Both Gryffindor's look at her in awe. Both of them had only ever seen her throw spells at her brother that time he called Lily a mudblood. They remember seeing her shock fade into anger, they've never seen her so angry, but the spell she hit him with seemed to have knocked his ego down a few pegs that day.

"If you got to duel a few people in your house, who would you pick?" James asks as he took a bite of his food.

"Severus," she replies without a thought. "Rosier, Avery and have a friendly competition with Regulus." She looks at the two of them and decides to be honest. "Regulus has taught me a lot, he's been teacher me physical and defensive spells. He wanted me to protect myself if I ever get into trouble."

"I'd pay thousands of gallons to see you destroy, Snivellus." James says laughing. Lily gave a smile, she didn't want to make Ophelia uncomfortable because this boy was still her brother, but the Slytherin looked like she couldn't care less.

Lily could see for herself that Severus was loosing his sister. She didn't even think Ophelia herself could see that she was drifting from her twin, she remembers Severus always looking over his shoulder to make sure she was there and recently he hasn't been doing that, but Ophelia has and it just breaks her heart.

There was always a saying that you could never break twins up, but it seems you can. Severus' friends have been pulling him away leaving Ophelia in the dust, but she was glad that the girl knew better. Lily wanted nothing more than to go back into time and talk to the girl instead of ignoring her. But she couldn't if she wanted to because no matter what she was always joined to the hip with him. If she wanted to talk to her, Severus would start embarrassing them by begging on his knees.

She glances as the Slytherin who was listening to James talk, her dull eyes held no spark, but one of her eyebrows were up meaning she was interested. She held a tight – lipped smile, a small one at that, but it was still visible.

The three of them sat there for ages talking about things like their families. Ophelia avoided the questions the boy asked, she never once talked about her family. James noticed this, but Lily knew why, she wasn't going to say anything, this was something Ophelia needed to say by herself.

The Slytherin glanced out the window into the starry night, she sucks on her bottom lip before turning to the two Gryffindor's. "Well, I'm going to head in for the night." She gets up and gives a small smile, "thanks again for today."

Lily smiles, "goodnight, Ophie." She mutters before giving her a hug. James soon joins the hug, taking note of how she tenses up whenever he hugs her. He whispers a soft goodnight into her hair, he and Lily let her go and began to sit on the burgundy couch next to the fire. They began talking about the Slytherin and how she's coming out of her shell.

The night had came pretty quickly for the girl, she'd been anxious since she seemed to have spaced out. In fact, she felt embarrassed on her part and felt almost humiliated at the fact they'd all seen her when she wasn't herself.

Ophelia stares at the brick wall, she analysed ever crack. She smiles to herself, she was thankful to Lily and James for taking care of her. She felt safe with them, well, all of them. She just hasn't gotten to know Sirius, Remus or Peter properly. She bit her lip, she hated trusting people, but she felt like she could....just for a split second.

It was unusual for her to admit something, she felt slightly confident around them. They made her feel human, something she has never once felt. Lily's soft words made her stomach flutter, James' praises and hugs made her feel free....even if she did tense under his touch...something she wasn't able to control. But both of them together; it made her feel something she hasn't gotten – love.

A small blush appears on her cheeks, she puts her right arm under her pillow and pulls the sheets up to her chin, she let out a comfortable sigh. She shuts her eyes and waits for herself to come out of this unwanted feeling.

She could hear shuffling around the room, she knew they were staring at her. She could hear them whisper quietly as they got into bed, their hushed voices were like a soft lullaby, she let herself give in to the dark knowing exactly what she had to do. She was going on a mission, she was going to thank them for their hospitality.

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all book chapters are being edited!
I just added a few more words to chapters,
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sorry for taking so long! i caught covid and it was horrible. im still positive...but it's my 8th day, wish me luck!

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