"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 Ten

February rolled in and Ophelia rolled out of bed- Severus Snape's bed.

"Oof," she shook her head in embarrassment as she sat herself up, hoping Severus hadn't noticed her tumble.

"You are absolutely ridiculous," a voice mumbled from behind a pile of sheets.

Ophelia blushed furiously and stood up.

"Tell me something I don't know," she smiled softly and went to make herself some tea.

She let out an unnecessarily long yawn, and tried to fix her hair. The sun was just rising, and Ophelia hoped she'd be able to snake back into bed without being noticed. She was getting used to this sneaking around habit, but it all seemed rather foolish.

"Tea?"

Severus let out an incoherent mumble of agreement, a pillow over his head. He was the grumpiest morning person Ophelia had yet to meet. Unsurprising, she noted to herself with an amused smile.

The last month had been amazing. Granted, it was very unfamiliar territory for Ophelia, and quite an unnerving situation, considering who she was with. But it had been amazing, nonetheless.

Ophelia had managed to balance spending time with her friends, trying to find more information on horcruxes, spending time with Severus in his quarters, and helping out in the infirmary- something she'd been doing a lot less lately.

If anyone was suspicious of Severus and Ophelia, they didn't indicate it or take any action, which reassured Ophelia that she shouldn't worry so much about it.

They were both consenting adults, and that was all that mattered.

Ophelia placed Severus' tea mug on his side table and shoved the pillow off his head.

"You have classes to teach today, you know?"

"I know," Severus mumbled into the mattress.

"Oh get up, you big grump."

Severus sat up, ran a hand through his black hair, which really wasn't greasy at all, despite what it could appear.

He pulled Ophelia to his side and kissed her.

"You better head off," he said. He said it in a level tone, as he always did. But she knew he would miss her while she was gone.

"Mmm," Ophelia snuggled her head against his chest, "you're right. Hermione will be expecting me at the library before classes."

Severus frowned. Ophelia's head was against his chest, so she couldn't see him frown. But she was used to how his body tensed up when he was upset about something.

"What is it?" She pushed herself away and put a hand on her hip, "don't go lecturing me about who I spend my time with. I get enough of that from my mother."

"Alright," Severus shrugged and took a sip of his tea, which was still scalding hot, the way he liked it, and simmering in a deep ceramic mug with the Slytherin insignia on it.

"But you know what I think of those kids, and I-,"

"-And you what?" Ophelia raised an eyebrow, watching him sip slowly, wondering how he could handle the heat.

"Just be careful. They have a habit of getting into trouble."

"Ophelia Pomfrey in trouble," Ophelia mock-gasped, raising a hand to her mouth, "now that would be a scandal."

"What about that time you were late on the first day of school?"

"A big misunderstanding. That Malfoy boy-," Ophelia began, but cut herself off. She'd promised Harry not to bring that incident up. Besides, Severus seemed to think that Draco Malfoy was simply troubled, and might begin to defend him. She didn't want to provoke anything.

"Anyway, I'll see you...when will I see you next?"

"I think I have you booked for helping me make potions tonight."

"Booked," Ophelia scoffed, buttoning her shirt up, "what am I- a library?"

"I just mean," Severus said softly, "that you're a very busy woman."

"I'm sorry," Ophelia put flatly. She really did mean it, but she was irritated. Irritated that she couldn't just commit to one thing only. Work, love life, friends, mother, saving the future of the wizarding world...

"Hmm," she nodded slowly, "yeah I better get to Hermione. See you tonight."

She gave him one last kiss and headed off.

"Merlin's Beard, you look awful," Hermione shook her head at her friend as they met up.

Ophelia blushed again. Hermione meant well, she always did, she was just rather abrupt.

Dammit, Ophelia thought, changing didn't help, I really ought to have showered...

"Work's been intense," she defended herself.

"I'm really starting to worry about this," Hermione sighed, gesturing dramatically to the pile of books in front of her, "I'm getting nowhere."

"Neither am I," Ophelia rested her chin on her knees, scrunched up in an arm chair.

"And we've read every relevant book in the library at this point! Even the restricted section is useless!"

Hermione crossed her arms tightly in frustration.

Ophelia took a deep breath. She was just as fed up. It seemed like they'd just been going in circles for a month. Every minute that they failed to figure out what horcruxes were, was a minute that muggles were murdered, and death eaters attempted to get through the castle walls.

It gave Ophelia a heavy feeling of guilt that rested in her chest; unsettling.

"I feel like we're failing Harry," Ophelia muttered, staring at the ugly carpet under the chair. A wretched pattern.

Hermione gave her a tight smile.

"We're doing our best, and Harry is too. He asked Slughorn today."

Ophelia sat up, widening her eyes.

"And?!"

"Nothing yet. Slughorn didn't respond too well...he's going to try again. Don't worry, we'll think of something."

Ophelia nodded slowly, taking in the information. Don't worry...now that was something she couldn't promise.

"It's March already?" Ophelia gasped as she saw the tattered calendar on Severus' desk.

Severus was having a shower and, bored, Ophelia figured she might do some organizing. He really did need to keep better track of his stock.

She was searching for some papers and a quill, and trying not to look at any of the papers that were lying around his desk top.

It's none of your business, she reprimanded herself, as her eyes wandered.

She spotted the tail of a quill and tugged it from under a stack of papers.

One small piece of parchment fluttered out from under the others and onto the floor.

Ophelia picked it up, and glanced at it. She was an inherently curious person, but she knew better than to snoop.

But she couldn't help notice that it was a letter addressed to Severus in a narrow and harsh writing.

She skimmed it briefly.

Be careful, whatever you do

my son

lives at stake

Narcissa

new girl you've got?

the old man won't know a thing.

From her quick glance, Ophelia couldn't quite make sense of it, but frowned, slightly.

New girl you've got? She was tempted to read more, at least in that section. But she knew better and put it back where she'd found it.

She abandoned the quill and paper and curled herself up by the fireplace.

The letter had been signed by Lucius Malfoy.

She remembered Severus telling her, when they'd first decided to be together, that there was a lot that she didn't know about him.

That hadn't bothered her at the time, but now she bit her lip, her usual nervous habit, and thought a while.

She shook her head dismissively. It couldn't be anything important. Just old school friends catching up.

Ophelia was in the hospital wing when her mother came shuffling in, carrying a stretcher.

This was nothing unusual to Ophelia, especially at this time of year. Some kids would do anything to get out of classes or exams. No thanks to the Weasley twins, Ophelia chuckled silently.

"What do we have?" She called to her mother, readying a hospital bed.

Her mother didn't respond, and Ophelia noticed a mop of red hair, and realized that it was Ron Weasley who was injured.

Her heart beat sped up and she moved out of the way, letting her mother slip him into the bed.

"Ron? What have you done now?" Ophelia muttered, searching the barley conscious boy's face.

"Get me some sleeping potion," the matron snapped her fingers at her daughter.

Ophelia tried not to trip over her own legs as she ran to grab a vial of the purple drought she'd made only that morning.

Ophelia's mother fed Ron some, allowing him to have an undisturbed sleep.

"Harry did a pretty good job with the bezoar, but if want to expel the poison completely, we're going to need essence of rue- can you grab me some?"

Harry?! Ophelia thought, and frowned to herself. What exactly happened to Ron?

She grabbed her mother some poison antidote and went to get warmer blankets for Ron's bed.

Poor Ron- it was his 17th birthday today, Ophelia shook her head. Harry Potter had some explaining to do.

Luckily, a mere hour later, Ophelia's mother had called in Harry, Slughorn, Severus, and Dumbledore for questioning.

Meanwhile, a company of Weasleys, and Hermione, were at Ron's bed. There was a pile of unopened presents, solemnly resting on the table next to his bed.

They were discussing the reasons as to why Ron had drunk poisonous wine, when Slughorn had admitted it had been meant as a gift for Dumbledore.

Hermione, Harry, and Ophelia all met each other's gaze. Just like the necklace.

Ophelia glanced briefly at Severus. His expression didn't change, but they read each other's minds, as always. Something big was at play here.

The professors shuffled off to have their own conversation, and Severus gave her one last glimpse before leaving with the other two.

Ophelia pulled up a chair to sit with Hermione, Harry, and the Weasleys.

"Oh, Harry, what can we say? You saved Ginny...you saved Arthur...now you've saved Ron," Mrs. Weasley was sobbing.

Harry was obviously uncomfortable shifting in his seat.

"Don't be...I didn't...," he muttered, avoiding eye contact.

"And you!" Mrs. Weasley grabbed Ophelia and squeezed her into a tight hug, "you've been healing him this whole time! What a girl!"

"Oh, I...," Ophelia met Harry's eyes, and gave him a weak smile, which he returned. Dammit, Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley let Ophelia go and sat back down.

They discussed what could have happened, but didn't get far. Besides, Ophelia knew very well that Harry suspected Snape was involved, and didn't want to be around to hear it.

"Well you know what this means, don't you?" Hermione said, when all the adults had left.

Harry nodded, looking at Ron, sleeping away.

"It means that Harry has to get that memory from Slughorn right away," Ophelia bit her lip.

"Er...My...Nee...," Ron muttered.

"Harry, I don't want to hear it," Ophelia shook her head, walking furiously away from her friend.

"Look, even Hermione agrees with me. Snape isn't innocent, and Malfoy's definitely involved," Harry was trying to keep his voice down.

Ophelia knew he'd rather go into an empty classroom to discuss this, but she didn't want to be a part of it.

"Get some solid proof, would you?" Ophelia hissed. She wasn't an aggressive person, but this was ridiculous.

"You can't go around making empty accusations, Harry! Especially toward people whose jobs are at stake!"

"You're really defending Snape?"

"Yes, I am. Because I think you need to stop being so damn paranoid."

Harry gave Ophelia long, suspicious look, and shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I'm just looking for answers."

"I know. We all are."

It wasn't until May that Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ophelia came up with the brilliant idea. Felix Felicis of course!

Harry was to take his lucky potion, and immediately go question Slughorn. There was no way Slughorn could avoid giving him the memory now.

Ophelia had promised to spend some time with Severus, so she came up with an excuse, telling her friends she'd be there at breakfast tomorrow to talk about the results.

She wished Harry good luck, then laughed, realizing what a stupid phrase she'd chosen.

He smiled and took a swig of the potion.

Ophelia knocked softly on Severus' door. It was unlocked. Whenever it was unlocked, it meant he was busy, but she was allowed to come in. She quietly turned the doorknob, sliding herself in and closing the door. No one had seen her.

It seemed as if Severus was at a meeting- possibly with Dumbledore, Ophelia suspected.

He left his bed unmade, so she went to make it for him, when she noticed something underneath a pillow. A piece of parchment.

Ophelia tried her best not to read the parchment, but couldn't help herself when she saw it had been signed by Lucius Malfoy again.

She scanned it.

The time is getting closer. We just need the opportune moment.

I'd advise you to - there was an ink blot there...intentional?

If you really care about her... the note was crumpled and hard to read. Ophelia gave up. She wasn't going to get anything that made sense out of these letters.

However, she couldn't help but feel an odd sense of dread in her stomach that had nothing to do with Harry and Slughorn.

Secrets...too many of them. What did any of this mean?

Ophelia sighed and put the letter back where she'd found it.

The next morning, Harry fervently retold the story of everything that had happened. He explained what horcruxes were and what Dumbledore's thoughts on them were.

"So...if you and Dumbledore destroy these...horcruxes, then you destroy you know who?"

Harry nodded slowly, his fists clenched tightly to his wand.

"We just have to find them first."