Author's note : This chapter was not what I had originally intended it to be, but after the last chapter I felt I needed to give Remus a moment to try make sense of Ophelia and Draco's relationship.
I also realize Dumbledore is coming across as a bit of an ass, but this is from Remus's point of view. In Dumbledore's defense, it's a pretty idea.
This chapter is to highlight Umbridge's hatred for halfbreeds because in the book she deals with the Centaurs and as of yet their are none mentioned here so I'm having her take if out on Ophelia.
I'm thinking soon enough things are going to get more ''heated'' between Draco and Ophelia.
So I'm hoping Chapter 15 will be up soon. It's going to be a long one because a lot is going to be relieved about Ophelia, her mother and Remus's past.
Review's genuinely make my day guys, there truly is no greater satisfaction for me then getting feedback. Especially from some of the wonderfully kind ones I've been getting!
Enjoy!
FallenEpiphany

Chapter 14 : When You Hit Me, Hit Me Hard.

"So?"

It was Sirius that broke the awkward silence in Grimauld Place after Albus Dumbledore had departed.

Remus didn't answer him, he stood, immobile, staring into the fire with a fierce intensity.

"Moony?"
"What?" Remus shook his head, and turned to face Sirius, an unfamiliar, panicked look on his prematurely aged face.

"What do you think?" Sirius cocked an eyebrow and folded his arms.
"I think Albus Dumbledore is -" Remus began, but Sirius waved a dismissive had.

"Not that! I know what you think about that Moony, but what about Ophelia and Draco. You've not said much about that." Sirius rolled his eyes, then stepped forward, eager for Remus to tell all.

In truth, Remus didn't know how he felt.
How was he supposed to feel?

Ophelia, his Ophelia.
And a Malfoy?
Draco Malfoy!
Son of Lucius Malfoy.

It was all a bit too much for poor Remus. Who, once more, lifted a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.
He was silent for sometime, and then with a great gush of air, began to speak.

"I don't know Padfoot, how am I supposed to feel? It's Draco Malfoy! I taught the boy myself. Not the most pleasant student in the world either. I'm flabbergasted as to what she sees in him." Remus exclaimed, shaking his head, "And I'm mad at her for sneaking out after hours, and I'm mad at her for lying and not telling me!"
Then he paused, and grew quiet, "But who am I to judge, Ophelia, for all her quirks is far more mature then most her age. Maybe she sees something in him? Past all the bravado, and talk of blood-status, maybe she sees the boy beneath it all? This could be one of few chances Ophelia has at a relationship. Who am I to tell her otherwise?"

Sirius nodded.
"Narcissa wasn't all that bad you know. She was just brought up wrong. Then she was married off to old Lucius and that was that." he shrugged and patted Remus on the shoulder.
"Maybe, just maybe Moony. Ophelia can see the bit of Draco that hasn't been warped by Lucius."

Remus nodded once.
Sirius was right, all her life, Remus had always thought Ophelia had a different perspective on things. She wasn't very easily influenced, or persuaded.
Ophelia was stubborn, she liked to make up her own mind, and once it was made up, it was damn hard to change.

He turned to Sirius then, the panicked look returning.
"Padfoot..." he whispered, "How am I going to tell her?"

Sirius blinked.

He stood quiet for a moment then sighed, squeezing Remus's shoulder.
"Moony, maybe you should just tell her the truth. You were never going to be able to keep it from her forever. Yes she will be upset, but, you're her father, and she loves you. She'll come round in time. We all have to make sacrifices if we're going to defeat Voldemort." there was a sadness in his voice that made Remus look up.

For a second the Marauder's stared at each other, remembering simpler times when such issues were not their concern, and for a second the lamented their past lives. When their biggest fears were O.W.L's.

Remus sucked in a breath, and exhaled loudly, "I'll just have to wake the sleeping dragon and tell her." he ran a hand through his hair.
"I still don't agree with Albus's methods though." he added sullenly.

Sirius shrugged, "Desperate times old friend."

"Miss Lupin, what on earth are you doing?"

Ophelia spun on her heels. She was standing in the Owlery with Harry, Artie sat contently on her arm, a piece of parchment in his claws, ready to fly to Averdale.

Dolores Umbridge, in all her matching pink glory, clipboard included, was standing, glaring at her.
Ophelia frowned, she had managed to avoid Umbridge since the inkpot incident, but now she guessed, Umbridge was going to make her pay.

"I asked you a question Miss Lupin. What exactly do you think you're doing?" she demanded.
Ophelia's frown deepened.
"Sending a letter home Professor, or has that become an offence too?" she knew better then to be cheeky, but couldn't help it. The woman frustrated her beyond belief.

Umbridge blinked, and cleared her throat.
The irritating sound made Ophelia tense her jaw muscle.
"Sending a letter? I can see that! Do you have permission?" she asked in her horrid sing-song voice.

"Permission?" Harry repeated, "For what? She's sending a letter to her father, what does she need permission for?" he asked, stepping between Ophelia and Umbridge.

"Mr Potter. You already have a detention session under your belt, unless you want another I suggest you let me speak to Miss Lupin. It is, by decree of the Minister For Magic that any letters to and from Hogwarts are now subject to the scrutiny of The Undersecretary." she waved a ring clad hand in Harry's direction, shooing him out of the way.

Ophelia reached forward and squeezed his hand.
"Leave it Harry." she murmured, her eyes soft as she spoke to him, but he saw them turn cold as she stepped forward to face Umbridge.

"Your letter Miss Lupin." Umbridge extended her hand.
Ophelia frowned.

"I beg your pardon?"
"You letter. Give it to me." Umbridge snapped.

"Why?" Ophelia stepped back, Artie shuffled along her arm and onto her shoulder, staring ominously at Umbridge.

Umbridge hissed, "Because I need to check it."
"You mean read it." Ophelia tilted her head to one side.

There was nothing in the letter that Ophelia needed to hide. But it was the principal of the matter. The letter was her private conversation with her father.

"Miss Lupin. Give me the letter. Now." Umbridge's cheeks were growing red as she grew angrier.
"No." Ophelia said simply.

Umbridge huffed, and made to say something but Ophelia turned towards the window and dropped her shoulder.
Artie spread his wings and leaped from her shoulder, soaring out the window and into the evening sky.

Umbridge's eyes widened at Ophelia blatant disobedience.
"Why you-" she lunged forward and caught Ophelia roughly by the arm.

"Hey! Let her go!" Harry exclaimed, making to dislodge Umbridge before catching Ophelia's eye.
She shook her head and glared at Umbridge.
"Let. Me. Go." she snarled.

For the second time in the four months Harry had known Ophelia, he saw something in her expression, particularly her eyes, that was most definitely not human.
He saw Umbridge swallow.

Slowly, she dropped her hand.
"My office, 7pm sharp Miss Lupin." she piped up, before hurriedly stalking off down the steps.

"Son of a banshee!" Ophelia growled when Umbridge was out of earshot.
Harry scratched the back of his head.
"You alright?" he asked, placing a hand on her arm.

She nodded, glancing down at his hand.
It felt wrong.
It felt wrong to have Harry's hands on her.

Her body cried out that this was not the hand she wanted to feel.

"I'm fine." she said quickly, forcing a smile.
She checked her watch.
"Come on, let's eat before I go to detention."

"We'll be in the common room." Ginny caught Ophelia's hand as she rose from the table.
All the Gryffindors were watching. They all knew Umbridge's harsh punishments.

It was almost like a silent guard of honor as Ophelia walked silently down through the aisle and out the door of the Great Hall.

Her heart beat rapidly as she forced herself to stride out through the empty corridors of the castle, towards Umbridge's office.

"Ophelia!"

She jumped to hard she almost fell over.
She heard his snicker before Draco Malfoy emerged from a darkened alcove.

"Draco!" Ophelia exclaimed, breathless.
Reaching out, his pale hand ensnared hers and he towed her into the alcove, and into his arms.

"You fool! What did you go get detention for?" he whispered into her ear and he held her close.
Ophelia shrugged against him.
His hand caressed her face and she sighed contently at his touch.

"She's been waiting for you to slip up for so long." Draco continued, kissing her neck.
"Well I'll give her what she's waiting for then." Ophelia murmured, tilting her head back.
She felt Draco frown against her skin.

"Ssh." she whispered, "I'm not afraid of her."
Draco leaned back, his head resting against the cold wall as he surveyed her.
"I know you aren't." a small smile crept across his face, "You're still wearing it." he fingered the crescent shaped necklace.
"Of course." Ophelia answered simply, she glanced into the corridor.
Turning back to Draco she slammed her lips against his in an almost violent manner, only to be met by the same force from Draco.

One hand twisted in her hair and the other dropped to glide across her lower back, down to grasp her thigh tightly.
Ophelia bit Draco's lower lip and delighted in the sound of him moan.

Then she was gone.
She tore herself from his arms, amused by the bewildered look of disappointment on his face.
She tipped his Inquisitorial Squad badge.

"You wouldn't want me late." she winked, and scurried down the corridor leaving Draco, and his suddenly too-tight pants to stare after her.

Her right arm shuddered as the letters etched themselves into her skin.
It was excruciating.
It was humiliating.

Tears stung her eyes when Umbridge finally declared she could leave.
She didn't speak as she rose silently. Not trusting her voice.

Ophelia even closed the office door quietly after her.
She shook from head to toe as she slowly made her way back to the common room.

The physical pain had been bearable, but the mental scars from the brand she now wore on her arm would take a long time to heal.

When she entered the common room, Ginny, Fred, George, Ron, Harry and Hermione were waiting.
"Ophelia!" Ron stood up, and Ginny and Hermione rushed forward.
Ophelia clenched her fist and frowned at them.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, gingerly moving closer.
Ophelia shook her head silently and held her arm up.

HALFBREED

The blood red work was engraved into her forearm, it started at her knuckles, and in huge, capitol letters, it was scrawled as far as Ophelia's elbow.
Umbridge had branded Ophelia.