As someone had once said; Nothing bad ever happens in Hogwarts. Oliver had a feeling that this whole Sirius Black thing was going to blow up in the face of every Hogwarts student. Already the Dementors were causing trouble. Oliver wondered, not for the first time who's bright idea it had been to put those creatures around the castle. Already Harry had had issues with them. He needed his Seeker to be on form at all times. He wasn't the only one who was susceptible to the creatures. Some of the bounce had been missing from Aquila's step. She rarely had a smile for anyone else. He was bloody furious. She had said Dementors were the natural enemy of her kind. He wasn't sure what she had meant by that at all, but he comforted her as best he could. But nothing seemed to chase the drawn look from her face. When he met her eyes across the classroom as he made it just on time to Defence Against the Dark Arts, she gave him a tiny smile, but she looked exhausted, and sad. Nothing he did cheered her. He felt helpless. He sat at the back of the class next to Percy, who already had quill poised over paper. Professor Lupin came in exactly on time. He had a tired smile. The man was shabby, and rough looking. In Oliver's opinion this was how a Defence teacher ought to look. A big improvement over Lockhart. He saw Aquila listening intently to the ragged man, and was happy to see that at least the Dementors couldn't take that from her.
"The third years, earlier today, gave a good showing against this boggart. Due to unforseen circumstances, we couldn't quite finish it off. I think my final year students will be more than equipped to handle this. It will make good practice of your wandwork. Alright make a line." Oliver lumbered to his feet, noting that Aquila was towards the top of the line. He wondered what her worst fear could possibly be. Oliver knew what his was.
"Can anyone recall the boggart banishing spell?" Aquila gently raised her hand. "Miss Valentine?" Of course Professor Lupin would recognise her. There had always been Valentines in Hogwarts.
"Riddikulus, sir." She said, quietly.
"Excellent. Five points to Gryffindor." The ragged man smiled at the students, and continued on with the lesson.
"She doesn't look well… Trouble with her Durmstrang boyfriend, perhaps?" Percy was staring up Aquila, a despicable glint to his eye. Percy the Head Boy was worse than Percy the Prefect, Oliver had decided. He was more insufferable.
"I'm sure she's perfectly happy with her Durmstrang boyfriend." Oliver said waspishly.
"Oliver, you shouldn't sound so jealous. You're making yourself a bit obvious. "A proper lady like Aquila wouldn't look twice at the likes of you, Oliver. I'm sorry if that offends you, but she's an intellectual." Oliver ground his teeth.
"Thanks, Percy." Not only had he insulted Oliver's appearance, most likely, he had insulted his intelligence to his face. One day, Oliver was sure it would come out that Oliver and Aquila were together. He only wished he could be there to see the look on Percy's face.
"Thought you had a girlfriend all of your own already Percy. What are you even thinking about Valentine for?" Percy averted his gaze.
"Penelope is a lovely girl. Absolutely. Quite right." Oliver shook his head in disbelief.
"Percy… Honestly. You're a disgrace." That girl deserved better by default. Professor Lupin had released the boggart. Professor Snape appeared several times, being transformed into a ballerina, a clown, Genie from that muggle show. Oliver chuckled as he looked on.
Then Aquila stepped up, looking unwell. A tall, aged man stepped out of the cabinet. He wore the clothes of an auror, and an evil smile.
"Little sis. Manipulative little bitch." Oliver recognised the man. He had seen him briefly at the Valentine gathering. This was Aquila's brother. He looked older beyond his years. Aquila stared up at him. "It's all your fault." the boggart was saying, as it encroached on her. Aquila stared up at the creature, unblinking.
"Miss Valentine, strike now!" Lupin said. Oliver was moving his way up the line slowly. Aquila stared up at her exceptionally tall brother. Oliver stood beside her now. She couldn't see anything else. He pushed her out of the way gently. The Boggart turned to him, and seemed to immediately turn into his father, lying on the floor, a corpse.
"Riddikulus." Oliver said, quietly. His father stood up and started to dance a funny reel, and the other students laughed raucously. Aquila was staring into space.
"Professor, I think Valentine is unwell, sir. I think I should bring her to the Hospital Wing." Professor Lupin came to look at Aquila, who appeared to be unresponsive, except to shrink away from the Professor's touch. The older man nodded.
"Of course. Excellent work on the Boggart Wood. Five points to Gryffindor. Make sure she gets to Madam Pomfrey safely." Oliver took Aquila's arm gently.
"Come on Valentine. Madam Pomfrey will fix you right up."
They left the classroom together, Aquila walking slowly, seemingly dazed.
"He never loved me. He always hated me." she said quietly, as they were just outside the Hospital Wing. Oliver wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and comfort her, but by the way she was shying away from hi touch, he knew better. What he wanted, wasn't what she needed. And what she needed right now was much more important. Madam Pomfrey fluttered around them when they came in.
"What's happened?"
"I'm not sure…" Madam Pomfrey pulled Aquila over to a bed and sat her down. She took one look at her face.
"Melancholy," the matron muttered, as she headed back toward her office.
"I could have taken him if the Dementors weren't here." she muttered, swaying on the bed. Oliver sat beside her, but didn't touch her. He wanted to make sure she didn't fall over. Madam Pomfrey came hurrying back.
"Bloody Dementors might be the death of her." The matron broke of a large square of chocolate and handed it to the girl. "She has the fairy blood. They are her natural enemy. She might die if left untreated." Aquila ate the chocolate very slowly. Madam Pomfrey waved her wand and a steaming mug of hot chocolate appeared on the bedside cabinet.
"She needs to eat more chocolate and drink warm drinks, preferably drinking chocolate. The poor dear. Well done for bringing her in Wood." Pomfrey fussed over Aquila some more, before she made to leave. "I will have words with Dumbledore about this." There was a threat in the woman's walk.
"Oliver…" she said quietly. He snapped his attention back to her.
"What do you need?" he asked gently.
"Talk to me about Quidditch." she said, in her saddest, most distant voice. Oliver's heart leapt. She was leaning in towards her. He chanced putting an arm around her, and discussed tactics with her about the upcoming Slytherin match. Surely this woman was the love of his life, when she asked him to talk about Quidditch. She ate more chocolate, and drank in long drafts from the steaming mug.
"That was my brother." She said after a silence. Oliver exhaled heavily.
"I know. You never told me about him."
"Emotionally abusive. Undermines everything I do. Tells me my parents distance themselves from him because of me. He hates me, Olly. He always has. Since I was born he was horrible to me. Hurting me, and ruining my things. Telling lies about me. Saying horrible things to me. I'm scared of him. He's so… violent." Oliver took to stroking her hair, and kissing her temple.
"Aquila Virgo Valentine. You are one of the greatest witches I have ever met. I firmly believe that you could handle anything. Even your older brother. You're a rare witch. Very few are as talented as you. He will never physically harm you. And when he hurts you with his words, I will be here for you to vent. I promise." She nodded, appreciating his words.
"I am better than him at magic. And I have better friends…" She smiled a bit more widely.
