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OPHELIA STARES AT THE CEILING OF THE GRYFFINDOR prefect dormitory. She had already found James and Lily on the other bed, her thoughts were a mess. She couldn't believe she actually talked to them, felt comfortable around them, and even felt at home. It made her frustrated, she had no idea how to handle these new emotions she began to feel around everyone.

She sat up noticing her school clothes were neatly folded at the bottom of her bed. She glanced down at what she was wearing and her cheeks dusted with a pink tint. She carefully got up from the bed and grabbed her clothes, she glanced over towards the sleeping couple before entering the bathroom.

Why did they let me sleep here? Why are they being so nice to a snake like me? She wonders as she put her uniform on, she buckled her broques and spelled her hair into light waves. She looked at herself slightly in the mirror, she looked a little better than yesterday, she didn't exactly have dark circles underneath her eyes anymore.

She pushed the door open quietly and walked out into the bedroom to see a worried looking James who was standing in his uniform, she was looking around for Lily who seemed to have been missing. "Okay, Lily told me she was probably still here looking around– Ophelia!" He shouts as he just sees her standing there nervously at the bathroom door, he scrambles over to her, wrapping his muscular – firm arms around her frame. She tensed up not used to feeling this way, he places her down and kisses the crown of her head.

"Lily's away grabbing breakfast, and then we can go to some classes." He says staring down at her with a smile, "do you wanna hang with me and the boys today, Poppet?"

"Um, sure." She smiles nervously as he guided her back over to the bed. His thump draws circles on the back of her hand.

She glances down and sees how his huge hand fitted her small one, it seemed perfect. She shifted onto the edge of the bed as James sat on it, he was telling her about quidditch, "maybe you could wear one of my jersey's." He mused.

"James, stop with the flirting." Lily said coming into the room with a tray of food and tea.

"You're just jealous that you're not as awesome as me, Lils." He jokingly scoffs with a laugh, Lily sets the plate down on a stool and held her hands on her hips, they began to bicker.

Ophelia sat there staring at what was on the tray, there was bacon, eggs, sausages, toast and different kinds of spread; one of them must like avocado. She blurred out the rest of their conversation as her mouth watered and as her stomach begged for food. Her senses came back when she heard Lily mention her name.

"James, you shouldn't be worried about me doing that, you should be worried about Ophie, she almost died!" Lily rolled her eyes as James turned to the Slytherin who seemed out of what was going on right now. Both of them were talking about the duelling class they have with the Death Eaters today, and knowing that the teacher was going to pair the Gryffindor's with the snakes made him worried.

Ophelia silently turned around when she realised they were quiet. James looked like he was catching flies and Lily was making everyone's plates with the shake of her head. She made eye contact with James, her emotionless demeanour failed slightly as she saw the look of protectiveness flash his concerned looking eyes.

"You almost died?" His voice was firm, "tell me about it? Did someone hurt you? Do I have to kill them?"

She looked over at Lily who was putting tea pretending not to listen. "Er...it happened in second year."

"Second year!?"

"Yes, James, second year. Um, it was a cursed Grimoire, so you don't have to kill anyone." She gave him a small smile.

"No more Grimoire's for you." Ophelia stares at him in disbelief.

"N-Not fair!"

"It is when your life is put at risk-"

"I've been reading them for years now....I-I know a spell on how to release them from their dark magic." She says proudly, Lily glances up.

"Just be careful, poppet." There was that nickname again, what was she doing? She keeps forgetting her place....but they make her feel normal.

"Lily-" "James, she's fine, Ophie is a big girl."

"She doesn't have to be all that time.." He says to himself quietly, Ophelia didn't hear it as Lily handed her breakfast and a nice cup of tea.

"I know, Jamie, but she needs to know she can trust us first." She hisses quietly, James could only hear it due to his animagi hearing.

Lily and James both grabbed their plates and started a light chatter with the small Slytherin girl who was more than happy but a little hesitant to answer a few of their questions.

"Not to be intrusive or anything, but how did you not go insane without having anyone there for you?" James asked as he stacked the empty plates back on the stool.

"Easy, I hung out with Hagrid and his magical creatures." She bit her lip, "I'm not much of a people person, but I found comfort in animals....they don't treat me differently, they treat me like I'm one of them." She smiles sipping her tea.

"W-What about your brother?" Lily's eyes teared up slightly thinking the worst.

"He...He abandoned me when I needed him most. He told me he didn't want me around anymore because I was an embarrassment to the house, I s-stuck up for him and was always there for him, b-but he turned his back on his own flesh and blood..." She spoke softly, her eyes turns hard slightly. "He lets them treat me like dirt just to fit in and I get it. We're half-bloods in a house full of Purebloods."

"I'm sorry I left you after he called me a Mudblood, Ophelia." Lily said, reaching over and putting her warm hands around Ophelia's cold ones.

"It's fine, honest." She shrugged her shoulders.

James sat there, he was deathly silent, but he summons a house elf to take away the plates and cups. He stares at his girlfriend and the smaller girl who were now standing up and still holding hands, he still wonders, how did she survive through all of this?

"Shall we head to class, girls?" He questions putting Ophelia in between the both of them.

"We shall." Lily says and they all head to their first class of the day; Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid.

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The Marauders and the other girls met up with the trio on their way to their first class that was outdoors. Everyone stood gathered around as Hagrid made such a big deal about a Hippogrif. "Everyone gather around, this is Fleetwing and he is going to be our demonstration today, so place take out your books."

Everyone did as he asked, Ophelia smiles brightly at her winged friend as it looked towards her, she could hear the Slytherin's in the class comment horribly about him, it made a bubble of anger rise up within her. "First things first, you do not want to insult a Hippogriff. It may just be the last thing you do." He says firmly causing some students to snort and roll their eyes. "Now, who'd like to come say hello?"

Nobody moved. But Ophelia had already made eye contact with Hagrid who nodded towards her, "Ophelia, you already know him, would you like to give everyone a demonstration?"

The half-blood nodded and made her way over to them, she could hear the groups protesting, but she ignored them, Fleetwing would never hurt her.

"Remember what to do? Bow to him to see if he bows back?" Ophelia nods and smiles brightly, but before she could do anything the Hippogriff was already bowing down to her, he walked towards her slightly and bopped his head to her. Ophelia chuckles and bows her head to respect her friend.

"Now, Ophelia, you may as well ride him now." He says picking the girl up and placing her about the animal's back. The Gryffindor's who had became fond with her started protesting again, they were protective of her and didn't want anything to happen to her, but their voices were ignored as soon as Hagrid hit the Hippogriff that took off with Ophelia.

A few people ducked down as Fleetwing flew over them and into the sky. The students all ran out to see them, even the Slytherin's watched with wonder.

Ophelia felt like she was free as they flew around the castle and over to the river, as they bent down towards the water, she looked at her reflection in the sparkling water, for the first time in a while she let out a laugh and happy cries as the bird went back into the clouds up above.

She felt everything disappear for a split second, she didn't feel trapped in her small cage that she put herself in, she didn't feel scared or unhappy, for the first time, she felt like she could finally be herself. She knew she was still here for a reason, but she hadn't figured that part out yet.

Fleetwing flew back down towards the forest and let out a screech, Ophelia had sworn she had heard someone yell, "she's still alive." She snorted and opened her eyes as he came to land where the class was, she put her mask back on as he landed and gave a bit of a run to a stop.

"See everyone! This is what happens when you treat Hippogriff's with respect!" Hagrid bellowed laughing away to himself. "Well done, Ophelia and well done, Fleetwing!" He said giving the animal a large rat. Hagrid helped Ophelia down and her knees wobbled slightly, but she held her ground.

She lifted her hand and gave the Hippogriff a gentle pat as it nuzzled into her. She made her way back to the group who looked at her in disbelief and concern, "was it fun?" Peter was the one to break the silence.

"Mmhmm." She gave a small nod to the boy. Lily, James, Remus, Sirius and the girls all hugged the Slytherin tightly.

"Ten points to Slytherin!" Hagrid said, "class dismissed!"

"Good job." Remus praises her, giving her a head pat as they all walked to potions. Ophelia had to stop herself from whining and begging for another head pat or some sort of touch. She shook her head when she thought no one was watching, she had to stop this, this definitely wasn't her. She can't trust them, they'll end up leaving her soon enough.

She didn't catch the look Sirius gave her, instead she glanced down when Lily took ahold of her hand. Leading her towards the castle, Ophelia felt a small shiver run throughout her body and looked behind her and saw her brother glaring viciously at the entwined hands. She turns away and lets the group drag her into the castle grounds.

As they were walking into the castle, she tried to ignore all the stares she still got. She was pushed in the middle of the group incase she was hexed. Her left hand was taken by James as they walked past her housemates, they walked down towards the dungeons and headed towards Slughorn's class.

Everyone took their respective seats, but Ophelia was working with Peter this time, since both of them had no partners. She stood by him tensed as she was being stared down by her brother, Peter nudged her slightly giving her smile before he glared heatedly at Snape.

"Today we are making the draught of living death. Does anyone want to explain what it does?" Slughorn asks as he stands around his desk.

Lily raised her hand, "Yes, Miss Evans?"

"The draught of living death brings upon its drinker a very powerful sleep that can last indefinitely. This draught is very dangerous if not used with caution. This is an extremely dangerous potion." She explains.

Professor Slughorn claps his hands, "excellent, Miss Evans, ten points to Gryffindor!"

"I want everyone to grab a potions book and grab your ingredients and start brewing, I'll be watching over you." He says as he marks his other classes papers.

Peter grabs the books while Ophelia grabs the ingredients. They worked together like a team, she told Peter to add the infusion of wormwood into the steaming pot. Then asked him to add the powdered root of Asphodel, she then stirred it twice clockwise. She added the sloth brain and then  she crushed Sopophorous bean's into the cauldron and then stirred it anti-clockwise seven times. She left it to settle for five minutes until it resembled a blackcurrant – coloured liquid. She stirred it again to make sure there was no fragments of root still pondering the potion, she was dead settled ignoring everyone and everything around her. The group stare at her as she didn't sweat it like they did, they asked Peter what colour should it turn and Peter told them the colour of their own. They groaned as they realised it was wrong.

Ophelia stares at her potion as she added a few more ingredients and stirred it clockwise at least two more times as it turned the shade of light pink.

Professor Slughorn checked everyone's until he looked over Severus', "well done, Mr Snape and Mr Rosier, fifteen points to Slytherin!"

He then checks over Ophelia and Peter's, he glances at the girl knowing full well she did it all, she was just like her brother, he grinned brightly. "Ah, Miss Snape you sure are the brightest witch of your age!" He exclaims causing everyone to glance over, she did not dare look over to her brother who was still glaring daggers into her head. "Ten points to Slytherin and five points to Gryffindor, well done, Miss Snape and Mr Pettigrew!"

An explosion was soon heard from the back row, "Mr Potter and Mr Black! What have you done this time? Ten points from Gryffindor!"

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When the class ended James decided it was time for Ophelia to know what it was like to become a marauder. Lily was shouting at him that he couldn't skip, but he waved her off with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, which caused her to roll her eyes and grab the girls who went to Divination.

"Y'ready to see what we do for fun, bunny?" The nickname made her want to curl up inside and runaway.

"Yeah, this is gonna be great!" Sirius cheers excitedly, grabbing onto Peter and pulling him along.

Remus wraps his arm around Ophelia's shoulder and gives her a reassuring smile. "Call it a simple payback, marauders style." He chuckles softly as he guided her to the others.

Payback?

"See this potion?" James holds it up making Ophelia nod her head. "This is going to be in all of the Slytherin's food." He smirks.

Oh, shit.

"Don't worry, Luna, I'll be with you in the common room, let them have their fun." Remus whispers.

"It's gonna be brilliant, can't want to see their faces!" Peter sniggers, drinking from his flask that held fire whiskey, that he and Sirius snuck out earlier last night.

Ophelia looks up when Remus put his hand on her head and gave her another gentle pat, he was holding one of her hands as he guided her along with the rest of them. They boys and the girl were inside the kitchens by now, they had snuck past the elves using the invisibility cloak, which Ophelia was very surprised with, she was fascinated with it. She knew it was one of the Deathly Hallows.

"So, w-whats the potion gonna do?" She asks as the boys sprinkled it all over the Slytherin's food. She saw three more tables with food full of it.

"It's gonna give them different hexes such as boils, make them grow toadstools on their skin, make some loose their magic and make it look like their powerless for a day, and the list goes on." Sirius explain with a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

"Then, we'll let off big explosive fireworks and have a banner saying 'you suck' or something I don't know." James chuckles, "we'll think of something."

Ophelia smiles slightly, these boys were silly, but she still kept the promise to herself that she would not trust so easily, because once again, she knew once they got bored, they would get her hopes up and leave.

"Don't hurt, Regulus." This turned the marauders heads, "he kinda tags along on my adventures...."

"He's nice to you?" Questions Sirius.

"Yeah, he's quiet, but he treats me fairly." She looks towards Sirius, "he gets them to stop hurting me."

"Regulus won't get hurt, I promise." Sirius said with a small smile. His little brother protected her from them all this time, well, he guessed Regulus wasn't as bad as he thought.

"Thanks...." She says before she was led away by Remus who was taking her to DADA.

Ophelia kept glancing back to the three boys who were up to no good, but Remus was guiding her away. He didn't want her to know what they were going to do to her brother, so, he turned her away and headed to class. "Don't worry, James will turn up late, but he'll be there."

"Also, Lily wouldn't let him miss this class." He chuckles as he took her left hand dragging her along to the class. The group had switched her seat from being lonely in the back to sitting in the middle of Lily and James, the teacher allowed this since he watched the triad bonds tie around the two Gryffindor's and the small Slytherin.

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words: 3086
longer chapter!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS!

I hope you enjoy! It's going to get more and more exciting! If you hadn't guessed already Ophelia has a praise kink, James and Lily might have a daddy/mommy kink.

Also, what is you're Patronus, I just realised mine is a thestral!

This book will kinda be smutty, but then it kinda won't, so if you're not comfortable, don't read!

thanks for reading!
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