"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 Seven

A/N: By the way, Ophelia, in my mind, looks like Sophie Lowe.

Snape sat with his head in his hands, continuously rubbing his eyes, as if avoiding Ophelia's eyes would make the kiss go away.

"Sir...," Ophelia breathed. She was still in shock.

"I'll...I'll go," she decided, grabbing her cloak and bag and turning toward the door. But she stopped and stood still. Subconsciously, she hoped he might stop her and tell her something. She wanted him to give her some sort of guidance or reassurance, because she suddenly felt lost and confused.

But Snape remained silent, and so Ophelia simply left the room.


"What's wrong?" Hermione grabbed hold of Ophelia's arm as she walked by, "you look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine," Ophelia argued, but her shaking hands and wide eyes betrayed her.

"Are you sure?" Hermione crossed her arms.

"Yes, really. How are you? What's up?"

Hermione gave her friend another uncertain look, but answered her question.

"I was just about to go to sleep. Where have you been all week?"

"Oh...Professor Snape hasn't been well and my mother and I have been tending to him," Ophelia tried not to blush.

"That would explain his absence from class," Hermione nodded, "Harry figured it was something more serious. But he always suspects Snape is up to something."

"Yeah..." Ophelia attempted a smile, but it came across as uncomfortable and awkward.

"So, are you ready for the party tomorrow?"

"Party? Oh, right. Well, to be honest, Hermione-"

"Oh don't tell me you're bailing on me too!"

"Too?"

"Well, Ron's with Lavender now," Hermione almost spat the girl's name, "so I'm going with Cormac."

"Cormac- as in McLaggen?"

"Well yes. I thought it would make Ron jealous."

"I'm sure it will."

"So, what's your plan then?"

"Oh..." Ophelia could feel beads of sweat pooling on the back of her neck.

"No ideas on who to bring?"

"Well I..."

"It's alright, there's still lots of time. I should probably be heading to bed. I'll see you tomorrow," Hermione waved goodbye.

Ophelia made her way to her own common room, getting more anxious by the minute. This was too much. A kiss with Snape, and now Hermione expected her to bring a date to the party.

Ophelia arrived at her bed and threw herself on it, exhausted and emotionally strained. But she felt something hard underneath her. She reached out and grabbed a small parchment-wrapped parcel.

"Oh...right," she sighed.

She sat still for a few minutes, wondering what to do next.

She came to a conclusion, and set off to Snape's room.


Not concerned with knocking anymore, Ophelia entered without warning.

Snape had changed back into his regular robes and was pacing across the room. He was limping slightly, but it appeared that his leg had made a healthy recovery.

"Pomfrey, you're supposed to be smart. Why on earth would you come here after what just happened?"

"Well, I don't think avoiding the topic is a bright idea either," Ophelia advised. She still had the parcel in her hand, but was concealing it behind her back.

"I really don't know what to say. Do you want me to go to Dumbledore?"

"Sir?"

"Well I did just kiss you. I'm asking if you wish me to turn myself in and resign."

"Don't be ridiculous. It was just as much my fault as yours. I'm not a student anymore, anyway. I really don't think there is anything to talk about."

"But you just said-"

"Yes, sir. But I didn't mean like that. I'm not upset or hurt. But a kiss...usually means something, does it not?"

Snape's face went blank, and he seemed lost for words.

"What it means, Pomfrey, is that you've been giving me too much sleeping potion. It's got me drowsy and making stupid decisions."

"We both know that's a lie," Ophelia said coldly.

"I...I have a lot going on right now, I can't deal with your little crush-"

"Little crush," Ophelia snapped, "How very demeaning! If this is the way you're going to treat me, then never mind what the kiss meant!"

Snape crossed his arms.

"And here," Ophelia threw the parcel onto his bed, "I got you this while I was out getting supplies for healing your leg. I realize it's a little unorthodox, but so is this whole situation. So I do hope you'll forgive me and my silly little crush."

Snape narrowed his eyes, but moved to unwrap the parcel.

The present was a vintage leather-bound copy of Pride and Prejudice.

"I have no idea what it's about, but you mentioned it earlier and I just thought- well never mind. I'll go."

Snape stood, eyes down, still staring at the book.

"Happy Christmas," Ophelia muttered.


The next day, an hour before the party, Ophelia was wearing a pine-green dress with an angular neckline and black velvet detailing, which she paired with black heels.

She didn't know much about fashion, but Hermione had helped her order the dress a while ago.

Now that she was in it, and looking into a mirror, it didn't feel special like she'd expected it to. She thought she looked foolish, like an awkward pine tree. She cursed her height, and the dusting of freckles on her cheeks.

Luna walked up behind her.

"You look lovely, Ophelia," she cooed, "like a a pine tree."

Ophelia sighed, "that's what I was worried about."

"No, it's perfect- just in time for Christmas! Besides, pine trees are so grand and beautiful."

"Thanks Luna. You look great."

Luna was wearing a spangled silver dress, which suited her quite fittingly.

"Who's your date?"

Ophelia took a deep breath.

"Well I've actually I haven't asked anyone," she admitted.

"Oh, well I'm sure you'll still have a great time!"


"Hey Harry," Ophelia greeted weakly as she ran into him and Luna, about a half hour into the party.

"Hey"

"Where's Hermione?"

"Over by the punch, she's trying to avoid her date."

"Well, I don't blame her," Ophelia rolled her eyes, setting off after her.

"Hermione?"

"Oh, Ophelia, thank goodness. I'm starting to think this whole thing was a dreadful idea. Cormac is horrible."

Ophelia opened her mouth to respond, but Hermione interrupted her.

"Oh no, here comes Slughorn. I'm going to leave before he starts asking me questions about Muggles," Hermione scurried off.

"Miss Pomfrey!" Slughorn boomed.

"Professor," Ophelia nodded.

She saw Snape approaching them and prayed to Merlin that he wouldn't try to talk to her.

"How are you enjoying the party?"

"Well, it's- it's great, sir."

"Excellent. And I see you've come alone. Pity! Such a beautiful girl!"

"Uh...thank you, sir," Ophelia blushed, wondering how much Slughorn had drunk so far.

Snape, who was looking through the assortment of drinks in distaste, looked up at this exchange.

"No date?" He snorted.

"Yes, is that a problem for you?" Ophelia snapped.

Slughorn chuckled.

"You'll find someone soon, my dear."

Ophelia looked down at her feet.

"And how is your mother?"

"She's fine, in the Hospital Wing as always."

"Lovely. Do you two have any plans for the holidays?"

"No, I suppose we'll be staying here for another quiet Christmas," Ophelia didn't do a very good job and masking her bitterness.

"Well, best of luck to you two then. Enjoy the party! Ah, I think I see Miss Ganger," Slughorn left.

"For someone who doesn't want to talk, you sure are going out of your way to discuss things about my personal life," Ophelia commented, not taking her eyes off of the party.

Snape stood with his arms crossed next to her, also not making eye contact.

"I'm merely finding ways to amuse myself."

"Why are you here, then?"

"I've been asked to supervise."

"Hmm."

"Seriously? No date?"

"Who else was I supposed to ask? You?"

"Shhh," Snape hissed.

Ophelia threw her arms up in surrender.

"I'm going to bed. I've always hated parties."

Ophelia walked out into the hallway, and perched herself at one of the windows.

She felt horrible.

Not only had she spent a generous amount of galleons on a dress for a party she didn't want to go to, but now Snape was making her life even more difficult.

"You are speaking like a child. I quite understand that your father's capture and imprisonment has upset you, but-"

Ophelia overheard Snape's voice, stood up, and craned her neck to see him standing outside the party with Draco.

Draco gave Snape a terrible glare and stormed off.

He stopped when he saw Ophelia and gave her the same treatment.

"What are you looking at, teacher's pet?" He snarled and walked down the hallway.

Snape was standing just behind Ophelia.

"Teacher's Pet? Does he know?-"

"No, he's just being immature right now," Snape shook his head.

"Right. Well, I've got to go now-"

"Thank you...for the gift, by the way," Snape struggled, "I mean, you're right that it's unorthodox and, not necessarily my first choice in literature...but thank you. I didn't mean to make you feel-"

"Foolish?" Ophelia suggested.

"Right. It's just that this is a very difficult position that I'm in."

"What kind of position are you in?"

"I'm not quite sure yet..."

"Well maybe we should talk about this again...after break."


"Ophelia, what are you doing?" Harry asked, Saturday morning at breakfast.

Ophelia shook her head and looked around.

"What's going on?"

"You have your face in a bowl of cornflakes."

Ophelia reached up to wipe of her face.

"Oh...I guess I'm just really tired."

"What are you doing for the holidays? Ron and I are heading to his place in a few hours."

"I'm just staying here," Ophelia shrugged.

"That's a shame," Hermione piped up, "because I'll be leaving and that will leave you all alone."

Ophelia laughed, "Well I'm used to that, don't worry."

Harry nudged Ron in the side.

"Right...well, Ophelia...we were thinking that maybe you'd like to stay with us for the holidays?"

Ophelia's eyes lit up, "really!?"

"Yeah, you could share with Ginny. And..."

"And we're ready to tell you everything," Harry concluded.