15. Fudge Spills The Tea

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"That's my badass cinnamon roll".

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The school was back to the usual noise and bustle like a typical Monday.

Ophelia had to stop herself from not murdering that blonde princess. She reminded herself that she was only 15, and her dad won't be at Azkaban to keep her company.

Reaching the entrance of the DADA classroom, she stopped at the door, not going in.

George peered inside and let out a happy sigh, "Professor Lupin's back!"

"Oh thank goodness," Dorcas beamed.

At that, the three went inside and took their seats at the back.

Professor Lupin certainly looked ill, nevertheless, he smiled at them as they all sat down and all complained loudly about Snape's behaviour in his absence.

"It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework-"

"-two rolls of parchment! He's mental".

"He wouldn't listen at all Professor".

Lupin smiled at the look of indignation on every face and said, "I've spoken to him, you won't have to do the homework".

Ophelia didn't even know that Snape had set them homework, she felt even more pleased with her leaving the class early.

"Okay so today will be another practical lesson," addressed Lupin, and the class listened with rapt attention and pin-drop silence.

"The spell we'll be learning is called the shield charm, the incantation is 'Protego'. When cast, an invisible shield is conjured in front of us, almost like a barrier. Protego can block several spells, including jinxes, hexes and some minor curses. But you must remember this shield charm isn't completely impenetrable, it will not protect you from the Unforgivable Curses," Lupin continued, walking around the class. "Mr Weasley, will you join me for a small demonstration?"

It was Fred who went up to him, Lupin gave him a pillow and said, "At my signal, throw this pillow as hard as you can at me okay?"

Fred looked at him nervously and nodded.

"Poor boy look at his face," Marlene cackled.

"Everyone watch carefully as I perform the shield charm," instructed Lupin. He looked at Fred and said, "Now".

Ophelia watched as he threw the pillow hard at Professor Lupin, who said, "Protego," in a firm and loud voice. Just as it went near, the pillow stopped as though it had hit something and fell.

"You see that?" he asked as they nodded. "It's your turn now, though I will recommend not using any objects until you've mastered the spell, the wand movement is straight downwards, you can start practising," he announced.

Ophelia took a corner at the back of the classroom, she said the incantation a few times in her head and tried it with her wand. "Protego!" she yelled, and there was a small invisible sheet conjured in front of her.

She smiled at her good head-start and continued to practice. It was her ninth time casting the spell when she has successfully conjured a strong barrier in front of her, she whooped and did a happy twirl.

Regulus watched her with a fond smile full of pride.

When it was the last fifteen minutes, Lupin stopped everyone and asked them to form a line. He looked at them and informed, "I see that some of you have managed to cast a strong shield charm, and for those who haven't, please don't feel disheartened, I know for a fact that many ministry workers still can't do it".

"He's the best," declared a smiling Lily.

The students who had only managed a small barrier felt reassured by the Professor's words.

"Now each one of you will come up and perform the charm individually for me. I'll be throwing a pillow at you, let's see if you can protect yourself," he smiled challengingly. "Miss Bell, you first," he said calling Katie.

Ophelia was in the mid-section of the line, everyone was performing the spell pretty well, but they didn't manage to stop the pillow for more than a few seconds. After Angelina, who was the first to protect herself for a good five seconds, it was Ophelia's turn.

She happily made her way towards the front and took her stance, "Throw it as hard as possible sir," she said with confidence.

"You sure Miss Black?" he asked, to which she gave a bold nod.

Remus threw the pillow at her with tremendous force and just as it came close, Ophelia bellowed, "Protego!"

The class watched in amazement as the pillow didn't just stop, but was thrown backwards by her powerful shield charm. Ophelia herself looked surprised, she hadn't thought it would be this strong.

"Yeah badass bitch!" bellowed Dorcas.

Professor Lupin, who was looking at her with awe commented, "That was the strongest shield charm yet! You'll have no problem blocking opponents in duelling Miss Black".

She smiled beaming up at him, thankful for the praise and also feeling a little shy, retreated to the back of the class as the rest took their turns.

"That's my badass cinnamon roll," George complimented squishing her cheeks with his hands.

"That's so accurate,' snorted Lily.

"Hey I'm not a cinnamon roll," she objected with a raised eyebrow.

Fred simply looked calm and replied, "You hug us whenever we have even the slightest frown, you jump like a kid when it starts to snow, you randomly put flowers in our hair, especially Harry's, you apologize to objects for bumping into them-"

"-you play and cuddle with Crookshanks as though she's your child, you excitedly dance when we walk into Honeydukes, and we can't skip that your eyes are literally like a puppy's," added George.

Ophelia just stared at both of them while they smirked at her. She just shook her head, still denying that she's a 'cinnamon roll'.

"Deny all you want star, but it's the truth," said Fred with a cheery face.

The bell rang and they started gathering their things when "Ophelia? Will you wait a moment? I'd like a word," said Professor Lupin.

"You go ahead, will be back in a jiffy," she said to the twins.

"Be quick though, don't want to get another detention from Purrfessor McGonagall," sang Fred, being proud of his pun.

Ophelia and George put their hands over their mouths to stop the laughter, and with a wink, the twins left.

"Oh merlin!!" roared James with the biggest grin ever.

"Purrfessor McGonagall," laughed Marlene holding his stomach.

"Their puns are way better than yours," commented Regulus as he looked at a pouting James.

"I heard about the match, and am really sorry about your broomstick. Isn't there any chance of fixing it," Lupin asked with a sympathetic face.

"No," Ophelia mumbled, "The tree smashed it to bits".

"They planted the Whomping Willow the year that I arrived at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk, but it ended in gruesome injuries," he said, pulling a face at the thought.

"Ooh remember when Sirius literally got slapped in the face," asked James and Regulus, getting flashbacks of the memory cackled loudly.

"Did you um... Hear about the dementors too?" she questioned, embarrassed.

"Yes, yes I did. They've been growing restless for some time, furious at Professor Dumbledore's refusal to let them inside I think. I assume that they were the reason you fell?"

She nodded, looking down ashamed of herself. "Why? Why do they affect me so much? Am I so weak that-"

"It has nothing to do with weakness Ophelia," he assured sharply. "I had this conversation with Harry and he thought the same thing as you. The dementors affect you so much, is because there are horrors in your past, the others probably don't have them. They glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air. Every happy feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you".

"I feel miserable when they get near me," she confessed with a weak voice. "I- I hear everything that happened that night when- when Voldemort tried to kill me and Harry. I have to relive that again, but I don't want to! It gets depressing, horribly depressing," she whispered shakily.

"I want to give her a hug so bad," whined Regulus with a miserable look.

Remus looked at her with a sad smile, wanting to hug her, hold her till she won't feel sad, but he just looked at her and comforted, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry that you have to go through that, I know it's hard, believe me, I do, but you're strong, you'll get past it".

"Uh, Ophelia?" He queried, looking a little nervous. "Yesterday Harry asked me to teach him the Patronus Charm, to fight the dementors. If you are interested, and haven't learnt the spell yet, you can join him".

She brightened up at the suggestion, "Of course, I'll join, I've been practising on my own but all I could produce was a silver vapour".

"Good! I'll tell you when to come," he answered and she nodded saying, "Thank You," and left the room, being seven minutes late for transfiguration.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Ophelia's spirits had lifted greatly after the promise of the lessons for the dementors, and also the news that Ravenclaw flattened Hufflepuff in the match at the end of November. Gryffindor were not out of the league and Oliver, gaining his confidence, worked the team so hard in the practice sessions that all of them would be out of energy after each one. She also needed a new broom, the Shooting Star was worse than her Cleansweep.

Ophelia had her day full, with the endless homework from the teachers, their intense Quidditch practices, her Prefect rounds and worst of all, Snape's detentions, fifth-year was starting to take a heavy toll on her. Her sleep schedule was a mess, her head ached permanently and she didn't even have time to visit Sirius.

It was a relief when Christmas was approaching and they would have holidays. She was in no way going back to The Fawleys and Fred and George weren't going home either. There was also going to be another Hogsmeade trip and she had a feeling that Harry would be miserable and had an idea in her head to make him happy.

"Say, Fred, how about we give the map to Harry?" asked Ophelia.

"Why?" he questioned, looking up from the notes he was copying.

"For getting into Hogsmeade, that bloke's completely down, let's give him an early Christmas present.

"Yeah let's do that, he'll be happy," George smiled.

On Saturday morning, Ophelia got dressed in a red hoodie, black jeans, a black leather jacket and her Gryffindor scarf.

"Padfoot 2.0," nodded James.

"OPHELIA BLACK!!!" yelled a voice from downstairs.

"HOW MUCH LONGER WILL YOU TAKE?? IT'S JUST A HOGSMEADE TRIP-"

"-NOT WITCH WEEKLY'S FASHION SHOW!"

She just rolled her eyes and went down to silence their loud throats, "Just because it's Hogsmeade it doesn't mean I can't be fashionable".

"Yeah fashionable, hurry now we've got to find Harry," demanded George.

"Yeah yeah, let's go".

They found him heading towards the Gryffindor Tower and Fred whispered, "Pssst Harry!"

Harry turned to see the three hiding behind the statue of a one-eyed witch. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously. "Not going to Hogsmeade?"

"Oh we've come to give you an early Christmas present," chirped Ophelia. She pulled the map from her pocket and Harry just stared at it.

"Yes yes yes finally!" said James rubbing his palms eagerly, but unfortunately his happy mood didn't last long.

"What's this rubbish?" He asked holding the old parchment.

"R- Rubbish?!?? Lily, you hear that?? My own son!" frowned James.

"How dare you Harold?!" Ophelia glared at him as though he had disrespected her.

"What's this rubbish he says, that there is the secret to our success, it's a wrench giving it you believe me-" Fred smiled.

"-But we decided your need is greater than ours," completed George.

"What do I need an old parchment for?" Harry asked.

"This boy!!! Listen first then speak Potter!" growled James looking annoyed.

Fred sighed and pointing at the map he said, "Lia if you will".

Ophelia took her wand and placing it on the map, she whispered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good".

At once, thin lines began to spread on the wand's tip. The lines joined, crossed every inch of the parchment, and then words appeared in curly writing.

"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present, 'The Marauders Map'," Harry read. "Hang on, this is Hogwarts! And no- is that really-"

"-Dumbledore-"

"-Pacing-"

"-In his study," the trio replied.

"So you mean this map shows everyone?" Harry queried looking at them.

"Everyone," confirmed Fred.

"Where they are-"

"What they're doing-"

"Every minute-"

"Of every day!"

"Brilliant!" beamed Harry. "Where'd you get it?"

"Nicked it from Filch's office, of course, first year," replied George with a smug face.

"Now Harry, there are seven secret passages out of the castle, we'd recommend-"

"This one," they said in unison pointing at a particular passageway.

"It leads straight to Honeydukes' cellar," grinned Ophelia.

"Ah Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs," sighed George patting the map. "We owe them so much".

"Prongs loves you too," James grinned.

"Noblemen, working tirelessly to help a new generation of law-breakers," said Fred solemnly.

"Oh how it's my biggest wish to meet at least one of them," Ophelia breathed dreamily. hehe

"You've met two already," laughed Lily.

"Oh, Harry and when you're done, don't forget to tap it and say-"

"Mischief Managed," echoed the trio.

"Otherwise anyone can read it," warned Ophelia.

"So young Harry, see you in Honeydukes," winked George leaving the green-eyed boy to his excitement.

Ophelia cast the disillusionment charm on her as Fred and George submitted their Hogsmeade forms to Filch.

"He looked overjoyed," said an invisible Ophelia.

"Mhh he deserves it," replied George and together they walked towards Hogsmeade.

"Let's go into Honeydukes first," Ophelia said while she was examining the shops.

"Of course ma'am," George rolled his eyes.

"Where the hell are you?" Fred asked.

"Right beside you dumbass," whispered Ophelia. It was hard being invisible.

"Fucking shit!" They heard her swear as she bumped into someone.

In Honeydukes, there were shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets, hundreds of different kinds of chocolate were lined in neat rows.

"Get me some Fizzing Whizzbees, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Cauldon Cakes and Licorice Wands," Ophelia whispered in George's ear and handed him the money.

"Don't eat all of them in a day, Lia, you'll get sugar high," chuckled Fred.

"Course I won't, but no promises". She had bought so many sweets to give to Sirius for their next visit.

As they made their way towards Zonko's, Ophelia spotted a notice posted on the door. She read it and rolled her eyes at the useless ministry, It would've been way better to give Sirius a trial.

Zonko's joke shop was filled with people, and Ophelia had no chance to wiggle through without anyone being suspicious.

"I'll get a drink in Three Broomsticks," she whispered, shivering.

"You aren't too cold are you?" George asked, trying his best to sense where she was.

"I don't know who to ship her with anymore!" Dorcas exclaimed with a chuckle.

"What ship?!? He just asked if she's cold or not, what's so fabulous about that?" Regulus asked raising his eyebrows.

"Nah I'm feeling just fine, fine, fine," she sang and waved them goodbye, though they couldn't see her.

Entering the tiny Inn, she spotted Ron, Hermione and Harry. "Hey, you lot!" She yelled hoping they'd recognize her voice.

"Did anyone of you hear Lia's voice?" Ron asked looking around.

"I'm here Ronniekins," Ophelia said tugging on his arm.

"Merlin's pants Lia!" Ron jumped, white in the face. "Are you invisible?"

"Yeah, how else would I have come here then?"

"Where exactly are you?" Harry questioned, extending his arm.

"Here Harold," she said grabbing his hand and he nodded. "Ron, mind getting me a Butterbeer too?"

"Sure!" he said.

"Hey take this," exclaimed Ophelia, giving him some Galleons that were more than the actual price.

"No- it's okay, I'll get it," Ron muttered looking embarrassed.

"Take it Ronniekins, consider it my treat for Gryffindor winning the cup," she grinned.

They made their way to the back of the room, where there was a small, vacant table. Ron came back five minutes later, carrying four foaming tankards of hot Butterbeer.

"Merry Christmas!" He said happily, raising his glass.

Ophelia took a sip and as always it seemed to heat every bit of her. She felt warm and comfortable just drinking it.

"Enjoying it, Bambi?"

Harry frowned a little at the nickname but nodded nevertheless.

The door of the Three Broomsticks opened again, Ophelia saw Harry choking on his drink and she turned around to see Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, followed by Hagrid and Cornelius Fudge.

In an instant, Ron and Hermione both placed their hands on the top of Harry and Ophelia's heads, forcing them under the table.

"Spoilsports," huffed Dorcas.

"Ronald! I'm invisible if you didn't notice," she whisper-yelled.

"Sorry Lia, reflexes," he mumbled.

She heard Hermione whisper, "Mobiliarbus," and the Christmas tree that was beside them, rose a few inches and drifted sideways, hiding their table from view.

"Love you, Hermione," Ophelia muttered quietly.

From under the table, she saw another pair of feet wearing turquoise heels and recognised her as Rosmerta.

"A small Gillywater-"

"Mine," she heard Minnie say.

"Four pints of mulled mead-"

"Ta, Rosmerta," boomed Hagrid.

"A cherry syrup and soda with ice-"

"Mhmm!" squeaked Flitwick.

"So you're the redcurrant rum Minister".

"Thank you, dear," spoke Fudge.

Ophelia saw Harry's grim face and felt guilty for giving him the map on this particular day. "Hey Harry!" she whispered gaining his attention.

He raised his head as though saying, "What?"

She pulled out her wand and pointed it at his head. Harry had the expression of a deer in headlights, she had to laugh because the name 'Bambi' was perfect for him.

"Look at him," snorted Marlene.

"He really looks like the smaller version of James," Lily laughed.

"I'm not going to hex you," she assured him.

She cast the spell and Harry had the sensation of an egg being broken on his head, he looked down at himself and saw that he'd just become a human chameleon. He smiled and gave Ophelia a perfect high-five even though they both were invisible.

They stopped their banter after hearing Fudge say, "The dementors are here to protect you all from him, we all know what Black's capable of..."

Ophelia scoffed at that, Sirius had almost cried the last time they'd met when she had accidentally scraped her knee on the wood.

"I still have trouble believing it," said Rosmerta thoughtfully. "Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Sirius Black was the last I'd have thought... I mean, I remember him when he was here".

"You don't know the half of it Rosmerta," Fudge grumbled. "The worst he did isn't widely known".

Ophelia decided then and there that she hated that man with a passion.

"You say you remember him at Hogwarts, Rosmerta," McGonagall murmured. "Do you remember who his best friend was?"

"ME!!!!" James yelled standing up.

"Naturally," Rosmerta answered with a laugh. "Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times they used to make me laugh with their jokes. Quite a double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!"

Harry had dropped his tankard with a loud clunk and had received a kick from Ron, and a smack from Ophelia.

"Precisely," said Minnie and Ophelia was sure she had a fond smile on her face. "Black and Potter. Ringleaders of their gang, both very bright. But I don't think we've ever had such a pair of troublemakers-"

"Oh I dunno," chuckled Hagrid. "Their own children could give 'em a run fer their money".

"That's fair," Regulus nodded, smirking while James crossed his arms with a frown.

"You would have thought Black and Potter were brothers," Flitwick chirped. "Inseparable they were! Much like Miss Ophelia and Mr Harry".

"They were brothers," muttered McGonagall with a huff.

"Black was best man when James married Lily, they named him godfather to Harry Potter, he has no idea of course," said Fudge.

The conversation was everything that Ophelia had dreaded. Fudge talked about how Voldemort was after the Potters and how they went into hiding with the help of the Fidelius Charm. Flitwick explained that the charm involved the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. As long as the person refused to speak, they would never be found.

"Bloody bastard," muttered James.

"So Black was the Potter's secret keeper?" whispered Rosmerta.

"NO!" screamed Lily, looking murderous.

"Yes," sighed Fudge and Ophelia had a sudden urge to punch him. "Then barely after a week of the Fidelius Charm, Black betrayed them".

"I met him!" Hagrid growled in a loud voice. "It was me who rescued Harry and Ophelia from the house and later Sirius Black turns up with that motorbike asking for children. He says, 'Give them to me Hagrid, she's my daughter and Harry's my godson, I'll look after them'".

"But what if I'd given the kids to him eh? I bet he'd have pitched them off the bike".

"The ministry did catch him, but it was Peter Pettigrew who cornered him first," said Fudge bitterly.

"Hero-worshipped Black and Potter, never quite in their league talent-wise," said McGonagall with a firm tone.

Does Minnie think Dad's innocent? Ophelia thought. Because of the way she was speaking, it sounded like just for the sake of everyone else, she believed Sirius to be the criminal.

"Only a finger was left... a finger after Black killed Pettigrew along with those Muggles," Fudge shivered. "He was taken away by twenty ministry members, was thrashing and screaming about his daughter. Yelling, "I'm sorry Ophelia!! I didn't mean for this to happen!!".

"Poor girl she is, haven't seen her here, nobody to sign her form," Rosmerta sighed sadly.

"She is safer at the castle," said Hagrid.

"Is it true that he's mad, Minister?"

"I don't know, I met Black on my last inspection of Azkaban, most people there sit muttering to themselves.. But I was shocked at how normal Black seemed, spoke casually to me, you'd have thought he was merely bored. Then asked me if I'd finished reading the newspaper, cool as you please, said he missed doing the crosswords," said Fudge who still looked shaken at the memory.

"That's my brother!" said Regulus, his lips curving upwards.

Ophelia smirked at that, her dad managed to look cool as fuck after spending twelve years in fucking Azkaban.

"Cornelius, if you're dining with the headmaster, we'd better head back to the castle," advised McGonagall and one by one each of them went their way.

Ophelia had lifted the charm off both of them and as she saw Harry's gaunt face, her heart twisted with guilt, she wanted to tell him the truth... But she couldn't... Sirius had warned her to not tell anyone.

"Harry?"

Ron and Hermione's faces appeared under the table, both were staring at the two, lost for words.

"H- Harry, let's get back before we get caught come on," called Ophelia. Harry got himself out and walked back to Honeydukes with Ophelia fast after him.

"Hey! Wait for me".

He slowed down his pace but didn't say anything and kept walking, Ophelia knew he must be thinking many things at once.

"Harry... y- you aren't angry with me are you?" she gulped.

"No, he's not, he's just upset," breathed Lily, looking at her son.

He stopped in his tracks and looked at her, his emerald eyes scanning her silver ones, in his, she saw sadness, revenge, and an urge to kill. In her eyes, Harry saw grief, sympathy and something else he couldn't understand.

"No. I'm n- not angry with y- you,' he croaked, his voice shaking heavily. "Not your fault that your father betrayed my parents. Just- Just leave me alone for sometime Lia, I- I don't want to lash out at you".

She nodded and with a lump in her throat, watched as he hurried his way back.

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'Three-Thousand'

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Holy shit this is 4000 words long, I don't have much to say, oh and yes I changed the name of the story again. Do vote and comment and we crossed 200 reads!!!!

Love xxx

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