"My life
You electrify my life
Let's conspire to ignite
All the souls that would die just to feel alive"
-"Starlight", Muse

Black Holes and Revelations
Chapter One

Ophelia Pomfrey cursed under her breath as she shifted her trolley backwards in an attempt to get a better running start at Platform 9 3/4, when she realized that she'd run over someone's foot. She let out a squeak and immediately pulled it back.

"I'm so sorry," she fumbled over her words. However, when she looked up at the victim of her carelessness, her mouth popped open in surprise.

"Pr-professor. I'm sorry I didn't see-,"

Professor Severus Snape stood before her, arms crossed in annoyance.

"You didn't see anything," he finished, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

"My mother thought I could use a couple days out of Hogwarts. I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron," Ophelia avoided his eyes at first, but then gazed back up at him, wondering what he meant by that question.

Her mother was Poppy Pomfrey, the Hogwarts nurse, and Ophelia was currently interning with her. Snape knew this well enough. It would be her first year at Hogwarts as a nurse in training.

"Well Miss Pomfrey, try to bite your lip a little harder," Snape stared pointedly at her nervous habit, "maybe you'll miss and bite your tongue. Then you'd learn your lesson," he smirked, admiring his own wit.

"Right sir."

There was a sound of someone clearing their throat and they both unlocked their intense staring contest to see Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy, who Ophelia had seen very few times at the train station. Behind her was her son Draco who was doing his best to pretend he wasn't there.

"Goodbye then," Ophelia muttered to no one in particular and went through the wall, just in time to see Narcissa whisper something to Professor Snape.

When Ophelia reached the other side, she felt relieved. She was well mannered and the Hogwarts professors all adored her, but Professor Snape was different. She hoped to Merlin that he didn't hate her like he did most of his students, but she supposed it was a lost cause. He was a miserable man, that was clear to see.

Ophelia boarded the train and perused the corridors, trying to locate the nearest bathroom. She noticed a compartment where Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter, and Neville Longbottom were all seated.

Luna Lovegood was a strange girl. She was three years younger than Ophelia, but had been a good companion when Ophelia had shared Ravenclaw tower with her. Though Ophelia wouldn't consider her a close friend, she thought a friendly hello was in order.

Ophelia tapped lightly on the glass of the compartment door, the corner of her mouth turned up slightly in a smile. Luna gestured for her to join them.

Once inside, Ophelia was offered a copy of Luna's father's magazine. When Ophelia declined, Luna shrugged and pulled on a pair of odd paper glasses and tilted her head as though they were whispering unheard words to her.

Conversation was scarce. Ophelia knew about the events that had occurred before last term had ended. Harry and a collection of his friends had traveled to the Ministry of Magic to save Harry's godfather, only to confront He Who Must Not Be Named, ending in the death of the man they'd attempted to save.

Ophelia had never been particularly close with this group. She'd only gotten to know them when she'd joined the group Harry had started: Dumbledore's Army. She'd been friendly with the Weasley twins, who were her age, but she wasn't entirely comfortable with Harry or the others.

Neville, who could also no longer take the tension, spoke up.

"They're staring at us," Neville gestured outside the compartment door, where a selection of students were lurking, "because we're with you!"

Harry shook his head slightly, offering them a small smile. "They're staring at you because you were at the Ministry too. Our little adventure there was all over the Daily Prophet, you must've seen it."

"Yes, I thought Gran would be angry about all the publicity, but she was really pleased. Says I'm starting to live up to my dad at long last."

"Are we still doing DA meetings this year, Harry?" Luna asked, suddenly turning away from her magazine.

"No point now we've got rid of Umbridge, is there?" Harry shrugged.

"I liked the DA! I learned loads with you!" Neville said.

"I enjoyed the meetings too, it was like having friends," Luna added.

Suddenly, a gaggle of girls were outside the compartment, and one was opening the door.

"You ask him!" Giggled one girl.

"No you!"

"I'll do it," a brave girl, who Ophelia thought was from Gryffindor, stepped forward. She flung her large mass of black curls behind her back and smiled flirtatiously at Harry.

"Hi, Harry, I'm Romilda. Romilda Vane. Why don't you join us in our compartment? You don't have to sit with them," she rolled her eyes in the others' direction.

"They're friends of mine," he corrected her cooly.

"Oh," the girl pretended to look surprised, and gave each of them a glare, but gave Harry a sweet smile, dripping with insincerity.

"Oh, okay," and she left with her posse, who looked rather disappointed.

Luna sighed.

"People expect you to have cooler friends than us," she explained, as if it wasn't already clear and an uncomfortable subject.

"You are cool. None of them were at the Ministry. They didn't fight with me."

It seemed that Neville, however, did not want to quit the previous topic of conversation.

"We didn't face him though. You did. You should hear my gran talk about you: 'That Harry Potter's got more backbone than the whole Ministry of Magic put together!' She'd give anything to have you as a grandson."

It was clear that Harry was in the most uncomfortable position possible. He laughed nervously, gulping a bit.

Ophelia felt out of place, and wondered if she ought to leave. Clearly there was enough friction without her being there. But before she could stand up, the door opened again.

Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger entered, looking rather frustrated themselves.

"Wish the lunch trolley would hurry up, I'm starving," were the first words that left Ron's lips. There was a groan of stomachs that followed, agreeing viciously.

"Hi Neville, hi Luna, hi...," Ron closed his eyes in hard thought.

"Ophelia," Hermione snapped incredulously. She rolled her eyes and took a seat next to Ophelia.

"Right, sorry," Ron muttered, not seeming too sorry. He moved on to something more interesting.

"Guess what Harry! Malfoy's not doing prefect duty, he's just sitting in his compartment with the other Slytherins, we saw him when we passed."

Ron began to tell his story of some sort of injustice to Harry, but Ophelia ignored it. She thought that she really ought to be leaving if she wanted to change before they reached Hogwarts.

"Hey," Hermione smiled in her direction, "how was your summer?"

Ophelia was initially shocked. Hermione Granger had never spoken to her, let alone shown any indication that she knew who Ophelia was. Ophelia opened her mouth to respond, when she was again faced with an interruption.

The door slid open once more and a third-year Gryffindor entered and presented Harry, Neville, and Ophelia each with a scroll of parchment.

"I'm supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, and Ophelia Pomfrey," she girl stuttered.

"What is it?" Ron demanded.

"An invitation," Harry realized.

Ophelia picked up her roll and untied it.

Ophelia Pomfrey,

I don't believe we've met before, but I know your mother and I will be the new Potions teacher this year. As we will be working together soon, I think it would be proper for us to get acquainted. I would be delighted if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C.
Sincerly, Professor H.E.F Slughorn.

"Who's Professor Slughorn?" Neville wondered.

"New teacher," Harry shrugged, "Well, I suppose we'll have to go won't we?"

"But what does he want me for?" Neville looked terrified.

"No idea" Harry muttered and he, Neville, and Ophelia reluctantly left the compartment.

When they arrived, Slughorn greeted Harry first with a booming, "Harry, m'boy!"

"Good to see you, good to see you! And you must be Mr. Longbottom!" Neville, pale as paper, gave him an uneasy nod, eyes wide and alert.

"Ah, Miss Pomfrey, a pleasure of course, I was just talking to your mother."

Ophelia twisted her mouth in recognition and mumbled something of a greeting.

They sat down around a round table with a pale green tablecloth, Neville tight to Harry's side, and Ophelia on his other.

"Now, do you know everyone?" Slughorn asked them, and began to introduce them to the rest of the group.

"Blaise Zabini is in your year, of course..."

Blaise was a tall black boy from Slytherin, who stared past them, a discreet look of disgust on his face. He was handsome, if a little intimidating.

"This is Cormac McLaggen, perhaps you've come across each other? No?"

Cormac was a tall, burly boy with curly blonde hair. Ophelia saw that his robes were Gryffindor ones, and she noted to herself that she ought to change into her own soon.

"And this is Marcus Belby, I don't know whether-?"

Neville and Harry barely looked at him twice, and gave some small shrugs. Ophelia decided to be polite and nod at him. He was a fellow Ravenclaw and Ophelia had sat with him at meals before.

"-and this charming young lady tells me she knows you, Harry!" Slughorn arrived at the last student joining them, a tall and wiry girl with dark red hair; Ginny Weasley. Harry nodded slightly, though she didn't seem to make him look any more comfortable.

"Well now, this is most pleasant. A chance to get to know you all a little better. Here, take a napkin. I've packed my own lunch. The trolley, as I remember, is heavy on Liquorice Wands, and a poor old man's digestive system isn't quite up to such things...pheasant, Belby?"

Belby, looking as nervous as Neville, declined shakily.

"I was just telling young Marcus here that I had the pleasure of teaching his Uncle Damocles. Outstanding wizard, and his Order of Merlin is most deserved. Do you see much of your uncle, Marcus?"

This question seemed to surprise the boy, and he began to choke.

"Anapneo!" Ophelia was glad to have something to do. She looked satisfied at her work as the boy's throat cleared up and so he could now speak.

"Not... much of him no."

"And this is of course Miss Pomfrey," Slughorn grinned, pointing at her, "who you must thank for clearing your airway Belby," he scolded. The boy looked horrified.

"She's an excellent healer," the old man identified why he'd called her here.

Blaise snorted, "Only 'cos her mum is one."

Ophelia squirmed in her seat. She hated it when someone suggested that her talent was nothing merely because her mother was the school matron. It was as if saying that all the work she put in to training was all for nothing, and no recognition!

"Oh and is Victor Krum only an okay seeker because his mother was?"

Blaise rolled his eyes.

The conversation progressed to the subject of Cormac, to Blaise, to Neville, and finally to Harry.

"And now... Harry Potter! Where to begin? I feel I barely scratched the surface when we met over the summer!"

Ophelia distanced herself from this part of the conversation, feeling pity for Harry as Slughorn began to tell the story that everyone already knew: the tragic tale of his parents' death. It must be dreadful to have everyone constantly retelling the story of his parents' death, something he couldn't even remember, especially in such a patronizing manner.

Ophelia pursed her lips and looked around the room at the selection of students. It was curious that Slughorn had summoned some students and not others. It didn't take Ophelia wrong to realize what connected the group. Was she correct in assuming that Slughorn had formed this party to get together a bunch of talented or famous students? Very peculiar...

Slughorn looked at his wrist watch.

"Good gracious, it's getting dark already! I didn't notice that they'd lit the lamps! You'd better head back to your compartments! McLaggen, you must drop by and borrow that book on Nogtails. Harry, Blaise, Gredrick, Belby, - any time you're passing. Same goes for you Miss Weasley. Well, off you go, off you go!"

Just as Ophelia was about to exit with the others, Slughorn stopped her.

"Miss Pomfrey? Ophelia, may I call you? Yes! What a spectacular little get-together that was! We must have more in the future. I hear the kids calling them the 'Slug Club'," he chuckled at the notion, "and they really are just excellent. But I don't seem to have as many members as I used to, so many years back."

Ophelia nodded impatiently, "Yes, sir, that's too bad- but I'm sure you'll find more when you start teaching. Professor- I've really got to be going, I haven't changed into my robes yet and-"

"I'd really appreciate it if you could maybe suggest some of the students that I could ask to join us next time. You are a smart girl, you know who I'd be interested in," his eyes twinkled.

He was actually asking Ophelia if she knew anyone he could add to his collection of favourites.

"Erm...Well, there's Hermione Granger, she's considered the brightest witch in her year. She's in Gryffindor, a friend of Harry's," Ophelia contributed hastily.

"Brilliant, brilliant!" the Professor exclaimed.

She said goodbye to him and rushed out of the compartment. If she was going to put on her robes before the train arrived, she'd better hurry. She couldn't show up to the great hall, like a tardy student. She had to make a good, professional first impression.

Unfortunately for her, the bathroom in which to change in was halfway across the train and she was starting to feel the floor lurch.

"Oh bloody hell!" she cried in frustration. If she tried to change now, she'd be sent back to London!

Ophelia was sprinting at top speed down the corridors.

She had to shove open a door to the Slytherin carriage, but she didn't care. It appeared to be empty, until she heard:

"You didn't hear anything I care about, Potter. But while I've got you here..."

Just as Ophelia had opened the door, she caught Draco Malfoy stomping violently on Harry's face.

She let out a terrible squeak and Draco lifted his face to give her a menacing look.

She tried to back away, but he grabbed her arm and held tight to it.

"Sod off Malfoy! What are you doing?"

He kicked high at her legs, close to her knees and she buckled down. Then he punched her in the stomach and she screamed.

"Shut it Pomfrey- you've had your day of punishment, haven't you? Almost cried when Snape told you to bite your lip a little harder didn't you? I see the way you look at him like a little puppy dog! Well guess what, not every teacher is going to fall for your act. Snape's got better things to do. And as for this punishment", he gave her stomach a gentle shove with his foot, knocking even more wind out of her, "mind that you stay out of other people's business!"

"Petrificus Totalus!" She was fully immobile now- not that she would've had the strength to get up before.

Draco gave Harry another stomp on the nose.

"That's from my father. Now let's see...," he shoved Harry and Ophelia close together so that they were touching, picked up a shimmering silver cloak and draped it across them. Ophelia had no idea what effect this had on them, but she suspected it was an invisibility cloak or a cloak with a disillusionment charm on it, so that no one could find them.

"I don't reckon they'll find you till the train's back in London. See you around Potter, Pomfrey, or not..."

The next five minutes were pure agony. All Ophelia could feel was the intense bruising on her stomach and all she could hear was her own deep breathing and heart beating, although maybe it was Harry's too.

There was a swooshing sound and the cloak flew off of them.

"Hello Harry, hello Ophelia!" Luna Lovegood was standing in front of them, smiling.

Whatever spell she had used, they were both now able to move, but the pain was still there.

Harry's face was a waterfall of blood, and Ophelia could only barely ease herself up on her elbows.

"Luna, how did you know where we were?" Harry asked, holding out a hand for Ophelia to take. She gladly took it, but once standing felt extremely nauseous.

"Wrackspurts- your head's full of them," Luna grinned.

The three of them made there way to the large black gates, where no one but Snape was waiting for them. This couldn't be good.

"Quick, Luna- can you fix my nose and Ophelia's legs and stomach? I mean, have you ever fixed a nose before?" Harry asked hurriedly.

"No, but I've done several toes, and how different are they really?"

"Um. Okay, yeah, give it a go."

Luna turned to Ophelia. "You're the healer, would Episky work for this?"

Ophelia let out a hiss of pain, "Yes...but Harry, it's going to straighten your nose so that the blood can flow freely, so you'll need to clean that up. Try using a tissue of some sort to slow the flood."

Harry nodded firmly.

Luna fixed Harry's nose, and the skin on Ophelia's thighs, though her bruised stomach would have to wait, for it required different care.

Snape approached them.

"Well, well, well. Nice of you to turn up Potter, Pomfrey, Lovegood, although you have evidently decided that the wearing of school robes would detract from your appearances."

"I couldn't change, I didn't have my-" Harry began. But Snape interrupted him.

"And Miss Pomfrey, our resident nurse. Tsk tsk. What will your mother think, I wonder?"

"Professor, I'm really sorry," Ophelia took a more sincere and polite route, "but I saw Harry in trouble and-," Harry was giving her a mortified look, shaking his head and widening his eyes.

Snape chuckled bitterly. "Mr. Potter doesn't need your help, girl. I can assure you that. He is his own hero."

Harry looked enraged, but before he could open his mouth and blurt out something he'd soon regret, Snape's face curled into a smirk.

"Perfect. That's two detentions on the first day, I believe."

They began to make their way to the castle, walking up the steep winding hill that the carriages normally took, sinking their feet in mud.

Ophelia glanced up at Snape as he lead the way. Her face was flushed from the walk, but also due to embarassment. She certainly hadn't started the day off with a good impression. At least there was no way Ophelia could get a detention. She wasn't a student anymore. But then why did she feel like bashful first year?

"Fifty points from each person, I believe, for lateness, twenty for your Muggle attire. So that's seventy from Gryffindor, and fifty from Ravenclaw..."

"And Miss Pomfrey...I will leave it to Dumbledore to punish you as he sees fit...," Snape gave Ophelia a dark look and she felt her stomach churn.

When they'd arrived, Snape hissed, "now off with you. Ah look, there's the staff table- just the right place to talk to your Head of houses."

Ophelia gulped and rushed to the head table, where she seated herself next to Professor Vector.

"Welcome back Ophelia," Ophelia muttered bitterly to herself, prodding a few vegetables with her fork.