THIS TIME, WHEN OPHELIA TOOK the train back to Hogwarts, there was a saddened expression on her face.

She had nothing to look forward to back at school, since Colin had decided to lie to her face, and blame it on her.

She would have stayed at home, but there was nothing at home. If Lucius and Narcissa couldn't make time for Ophelia during the Christmas holidays, what would they do if she were at home for a little longer?

Nothing.

As the Hogwarts Express pulled over at the platform, Ophelia lifted her things by herself, got off the train by herself, and boarded a carriage by herself.

She entered through the tall gates, and heads up to her dormitory.

By herself.

Classes resumed the very next day. As usual, Ophelia had gotten full marks on all the holiday homework she'd handed in, and all her professors were very impressed, and proud of her.

Professor Binns said she was the best student he'd ever had, and even made a speech about her during the next class.

Unfortunately, nobody heard, as the rest of the class was sleeping.

Professor Binns was a ghost, and all he did, was sit at his desk and give lectures, droning on, and on about the history of the Wizarding World.

Even Professor Snape had given her a rare smile. If you could call it a smile. The edges of his lips had barely turned upwards. 

Still, Ophelia would take what she could get.

During Charms, Ophelia had managed to be the first fourth year who actually got the aguamenti charm correct, which was a spell used to produce a jet of water.

But Professor McGonagall was the most impressed. Transfiguration was her best subject by far. When she had successfully transfigured her porcupine into a pincushion on the first try, Professor McGonagall had called her aside and told her to stay back after class.

Ophelia packed her things slowly at the end of class, and once the rest of her classmates had left the class, she approached Professor McGonagall.

"Er— Professor, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Miss Malfoy," Professor McGonagall said with a suppressed smile, gesturing for Ophelia to take the seat opposite her.

She sat.

"Miss Malfoy, you're a model student," Professor McGonagall started. "Do you know what that means?"

"That... I'm good at transfiguration?" Ophelia asked, raising a brow.

"You're one of the best students I've had in a long time. You're exceptionally good, Miss Malfoy."

"Erm— thank you Professor," Ophelia stuttered, feeling rather confused. 

"After what happened last year, with your health, I wasn't able to offer you any extra credit classes as per your father's request, but this year, are you still interested?"

Ophelia suddenly smiled. A real smile. It was a small smile, but still enough for one to tell that she was smiling.

This was exactly what she needed. She enjoyed transfiguration. And she needed a distraction, and this... this was perfect. It was like the perfect distraction had been served to her on a golden platter.

"Yes, I'm still interested!"

"Excellent, we will start training on Friday, in the evening, after dinner."

"Thanks Professor.

She left the class in a better mood.

Much to her administering shock, she found Colin waiting for her outside transfiguration class. 

"Ophelia," he called her.

But she pretended not to hear, as she walked right past him, entering a wider corridor.

"Ophelia. Ophelia, please, listen!"

But the blonde did not want to. 

Colin ran after her, grabbing her arm, willing her to stop and turn around. 

She turned around, her eyes blazing as she whipped her hand away from his grasp. "Don't. Touch me," she hissed, turning her back on him and walking away, wiping her eyes.

No, she still hadn't forgiven Colin for lying to her, or what he'd said.

She skipped dinner that night, in no mood to eat.

Instead, she found solace in curling up in her favorite armchair in the little corridor behind the library's restricted section, poring over her favorite book, Antony and Cleopatra. 

Even though she almost knew the dialogue by heart, every time she read the book, chills traveled down her spine, as if she was reading it for the first time. 

Fridays were Ophelia's favorite day of the week, as she had double Potions, Transfiguration, double Charms, and Ancient Runes.

No Defense Against the Dark Arts.

And that meant no Professor Umbridge.

After the day's classes, she finished all her homework in her dormitory, and somehow ended up falling asleep for a couple of hours. When she woke up, it was already dinner time.

Tidying up her appearance a little bit, she entered the Great Hall, and sat at the edge of the Gryffindor table, away from everyone, and finished eating quietly. 

When she was done, she waited for Professor McGonagall outside her office.

"Ah, Miss Malfoy, you're early," Professor McGonagall smiled.

To which the blonde nodded, and shrugged.

"Do come in."

Professor McGonagall first tested her transfiguration skills, giving her larger, and larger objects to transfigure. Ophelia managed to correctly transfigure everything, except turning the chair into a dog.

So they began there.

An hour later, Ophelia had done it perfectly. 

She was feeling rather proud of herself, seeing as Professor McGonagall had praised her, and had told her that even the fifth years found it difficult.

But Ophelia had a question. "Professor, how did you turn into a cat the other day?"

"I'm an Animagus, Miss Malfoy."

"A what?"

"An Animagus. It means I am able to transform into an animal at will," Professor McGonagall explained. "Have you heard of a Patronus?"

She shook her head.

"Of course, since Professor Umbridge is your Defense teacher," Professor McGonagall shook her head. "A Patronus is a defensive spell that takes the form of one's spirit animal, to protect a with, or wizard from dementors. An Animagus allows you to transform into your spirit animal."

"So your spirit animal is a cat?" Ophelia asked curiously.

"Yes, in that sense," she nodded. "For example, Professor Dumbledore's Patronus is a phoenix."

"So how do you become an Animagus?" the blonde asked, resting her head on her hand, leaning closer to Professor McGonagall, eyes sparkling with interest.

"It's a long process, and very complicated," Professor McGonagall warned. 

"Please?" Ophelia asked desperately. "I can do it."

"Miss Malfoy, I'm sure your parents—"

"They don't have to know," she interjected. "Pleeeeeeaaase?" she stretched her plea out, jutting her bottom lip out and widening her eyes; the way she always did when she really, really wanted something. 

Lucius could never resist the face. And apparently, it seemed like Professor McGonagall couldn't too, as she sighed and nodded. "Very well."

"Yay! Thank youuu!" the blonde exclaimed, standing up and strangling poor unsuspecting Professor McGonagall into a hug.

"Miss Malfoy, this is not appropriate behavior for a student to be exploiting—" began Professor McGonagall, shocked, and very stern. But then, it dawned on her that this was Ophelia Malfoy; the girl incapable of emotions. This was the first positive emotion she had seen from the Malfoy girl, and so, she said nothing, and gently patted Ophelia's back.

"Miss Malfoy, do let go of me now," Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.

Ophelia, who was flushing with embarrassment, wrenched her hands away instantly. "Er— sorry Professor," she mumbled.

"Very well, off to bed now," Professor McGonagall chided. "I do hope you are not skipping meals and sleep any more. You need to be in good health to learn the Animagus process."

"Yes Professor."

"And should you find the need to speak to anyone, about anything, know that my door is always open."

"Thank you, Professor."

And Ophelia slowly collected her bag, wand, and books, and was at the door, when Professor McGonagall spoke again. "Oh, and an old acquaintance of mine, has informed me that you helped him a great deal. Mr. William Harper."

Ophelia's jaw dropped. "You know Mr. Harper?"

"Yes, I used to visit the bookstore when I was a student here at Hogwarts. At that time, it had just opened. Wonderful place back then. But over time, things changed after the first Wizarding War. It was forgotten. I'm glad you found peace there."

The blonde smiled. "It's now H&M Establishments," she added. "Harper and Malfoy. Mr. Harper said he'll hand over the bookstore to me once I'm of age."

"I couldn't imagine anyone better, Miss Malfoy. And I am sure you will take very good care of it."

"Thank you, Professor," Ophelia smiled brightly. 

"Goodnight, Miss Malfoy."

"Goodnight, Professor."

Colin was still chasing Ophelia around wherever she went, and she was doing her best to ignore him, and avoid him. 

He would wait outside her classes, and always take a seat next to her during class. He would try owling her too, and Ophelia would merely send his letters back.

Ophelia finally broke from his constant pestering; he was like that annoying fly that would not leave. 

Three weeks later, as the month of January ebbed away, Colin was waiting for Ophelia right outside her Ancient Runes class, and had gently grabbed her arm, in hopes that she would speak to him.

"What do you want, Creevey?" she yelled in frustration, throwing her arms up, exasperated, as all her books and bag toppled to the floor.

"Just to talk," Colin replied, bending down and helping her collect her books.

"Well, you made it clear you don't want to talk to me. And neither do I want to talk to you," she said coldly.

"Ophelia, please," Colin begged. "Just listen. Just this once. Then I'll leave you alone."

The blonde had no choice but to listen. But first, he had to answer her question.

"Fine. But answer me this. Where were you, the night before the holidays?" Ophelia demanded, her intense gray eyes boring into his.

"I... See.. I was with Harry, and his friends. He... needed my help on something, and I'm refused to tell anyone. I can't tell, because I've signed a parchment, that I'm pretty sure Hermione has jinxed."

Ophelia pursed her lips. She looked into the warm, brown eyes of her best friend, and decided she believed him. "Fine."

"Ophelia, I'm really, really sorry for lying to you. It was never my intention to hurt you, and I'm even sorrier for what I said afterwards. You're my best friend, and I'd never be able to live without you," Colin continued.

"It's okay," Ophelia finally sighed. She was being too easy. But it was understandable. "I forgive you."

 Because she needed Colin more than he needed her. He was the only one she had. And he cared for her. He was her life jacket in the stormy sea.

"But hurt me again, and I'll never forgive you again," Ophelia warned. "I mean it."

"I promise I'll never hurt you again," Colin said quietly, and before Ophelia could comprehend anything, he'd pulled her into a hug. "I missed you," he whispered.

"Missed you too," she replied with a small smile.

Because it was true. She had tried looking tough, and acting indifferent from the outside, but she couldn't deny it; she had missed him. 

She had realized how much she had missed him when she had him back; he was in her arms. His sweet mahogany scent, his tender arms around her, his chin resting on her head. That was enough to make her smile.

"Oh, I forgot," Colin reached into his pocket, and took out a small box. "I'd forgotten to give you this over Christmas."

Ophelia looked up sharply. "You got me something for Christmas?"

"How could I ever forget you?" Colin winked with a cheeky smile.

Ophelia flushed, and mumbled a thanks, taking the box from his hands. When she opened it, her eyes were unprepared for what she saw.

A handmade necklace; the chain made of a thin string of black leather, strong, and smoothly cut. The pendant was a while lily flower, carved from mother of pearl. In the center of the flower, was a roughly sketched 'O', in cursive. 

It was obviously handmade. 

Her lips parted as she stared at the imperfections, and intricate details, so perfectly done.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, her gray eyes fixated on them, as she marveled at the art.

"So you like it?" Colin asked unsurely, shifting from foot to foot nervously.

"I love it," Ophelia let out a nervous breath of laughter. 

Colin took the necklace from her hand. "Here—" he stood behind her. "Let me tie it for you."

He stood behind her, tying both ends of the leather string into a strong knot.

Ophelia looked at how prettily it rested against her pale skin. "Thank you so much," she breathed, and lifted her arms up and around his neck, hugging him tightly.

And then, it was clear that nothing but friendship remained between the two.

Things were back to normal.

{ hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. colin and ophelia finally made up! please comment, vote, and follow. 
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stay safe, stay cool.
study hard, work hard, and play hard. updates will be a little slow this month since it's my last month at uni. so i have exams. at most, i will update at least once in a week, or once, in two weeks. so please bear with me until then.
love you guys so, so much. also, can we get this chapter to 70 votes before i update again? please don't be a silent reader, it's so hard trying to write... bug me with votes and comments :)
love, jasmine }

{MAY 06. 2023}