An : Sorry sorry sorry! I know it's been ages but the amount of crap in my life was just unreal!
This Chapter is far from my favourite, but it needed to be written to get through the nitty gritty. Not to mention when I finally went to post this chapter the fricken site wouldn't let me! _
But we're back on track and I've some brilliant plans. :')
So...
Reviews?
In answer to a point made by a reviewer, no I didn't say how Ophelia was already in Gryffindor, but I had always because she's so like Remus, Albus would have placed her into Gryffindor? It'd be a little odd to sort a fifth year no?
Anywho, here we go, I will update soon, I promise! xx

Chapter 25 :
For every promise,
There is a price to pay

"Mate!" Ron caught up with Harry halfway through the castle.
His friend had taken off at such a pace that Ron and Hermione had all but been left standing.

Harry didn't reply, or so much as look up until Ron placed a hand on his shoulder and hauled him to a stop.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, his brow furrowing as Harry's expression came into light.
His best friends face was rife with emotion, on one hand he looked like he was about to cry, and on the other, he looked like he wanted to punch somebody.

Ron didn't have to guess twice to know who Harry would want to punch.

Ron's expression softened.
"Harry, are you alright?"

"Fine." Harry scoffed, trying his best to sound non-chalant.

Ron cocked an eyebrow, and waited.

Harry glared at two first year Hufflepuffs as they scurried past, then turned to Ron.
"Look, I know she said to drop it, but I can't! Ron she's all I think about, and the thought of her with him, and his slimy hands on her. It's killing me Ron."
Harry's green eyes were pained as he spoke and Ron nodded.

He understood, he really did.
Though his attachment to Ophelia was far from romantic, he was very fond of the young Lupin, and he was most certainly not fond of Draco.
The thought of Draco and Ophelia did make him uncomfortable, but he knew that like her father, Ophelia was wise beyond her fifteen years.
If she thought it was safe, then so would Ron.

But he could see where Harry was coming from, Ophelia had fallen neatly into their group, making the trio become four, something Ron had never thought possible.

"Just think of it Harry, what if she can help bring down Him? The sooner all this is over, the sooner everything can go back to the way it should be!" Ron reasoned.
Harry shook his head, "I don't know, there's something in the way they look at each other, she thinks I don't see them in Potions, but I do. I think she's falling for him Ron!"

Ron blinked, "What? Don't be daft mate! She's just a good actress, I'm sure of it." he patted Harry's shoulder, "She's a werewolf, and he's a Malfoy, they're polar opposites!"

Harry nodded begrudginly, and turned towards the Gryffindor Tower, with Ron in tow.
It wasn't until he reached the Common Room, and cast a baleful glance out the window, at a couple making their way from the Quidditch Pitch. One with dark blonde hair, and one with almost white hair, that a thought crossed Harry's mind.

Opposites attract.

They walked in what Ophelia was sure was the most comfortable silence she had ever endured. The rain had failed to ease of even remotely.
But though the downpour assaulted them.

Neither Draco's nor Ophelia's steps were hurried. Their hands entwined cautiously in the rain.
His thumb worked ever soothing circles on the back of her hand.

Every so often she stole a glance at him.

If only you knew. She thought.
It only he knew how happy he made her feel, how deep down, the betrayal she was committing was killing her.

She wondered if he would ever know?
Or would her quick thoughts manipulate her words to make him believe she had done nothing wrong?
It frightened her how good a liar she had become.

Before she came to Hogwarts she had only lied to cover her illness. Something she had been doing since birth and which she hadn't really thought of as lying. Now she was lying to everyone.

To her friends, to Draco.
In quiet moments she felt as though one more lie would surely tear her apart.
But for now she would have to hold it together.

Draco left her at the entrance to Hogsmeade.
"You can head back. I'll probably be a while." Ophelia offered as he tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear.
Draco considered his options.
"I probably should shower." he cocked an eyebrow.
Ophelia laughed and nodded, "Sounds like an idea. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get away this evening, I've got so much homework." she added, frowning slightly.

But Draco shook his head, "Don't worry about it, I have a Potions essay as long as my arm and it's so overdue it isn't funny." he admitted.

When the door of the Hog's Head squealed open, Aberforth Dumbledore glanced up.
A heavy frown masking his aged face.

The meek student that had walked in was terribly familiar.
Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were wide and round.
She looked rather nervous.

It took him no time to realize why she appeared so familiar.
Aberforth stole a glance to the man in the corner.
Whose eyes were the precise tired shade of the young girls.

Ahh...
Aberforth mused as the girl snapped the door shut.
When she stepped away, he drew his wand and locked the door.

"Ophelia!" Remus croaked in surprise at half three.
He had been losing faith that she would in fact turn up.

But there she was, drenched and pale in the doorway of the Hog's Head.

Ophelia regarded her father from her position for a long moment.
Taking in everything about him.

He looked older, as though the few weeks in which they hadn't spoken had aged him.
She felt guilty as she spied more grey flecks in his hair.

Every cell in her body screamed at her to run into his arms.
But she couldn't.

Remus sprung clumsily to his feet, almost knocking the two Butterbeer's he had ordered.
Ophelia motioned with her hand for him to sit and he did so, falling rather dramatically into his chair by the dying fire.

She moved silently through the tables and chairs, making her way to the seat opposite him.
"Hi." she murmured softly as she sat, folding her hands neatly on her lap.
Remus blinked twice, "Hello darling." he beamed.

Ophelia sighed rather loudly and her father frowned.
"Is it alright to talk here?" Ophelia inquired gently after a long moment.
Remus glanced over her shoulder to Aberforth.
"Yes, Aberforth is Professor Dumbledore's brother." he explained.

"Oh." Ophelia's mouth formed the word.
"So." Remus went on.
"I hoped you'd come." he tilted his head to one side, and slid a Butterbeer towards her.

"Well here I am." Ophelia held as much venom as she could back.
She took the glass, but left it sitting on the dusty table. Remus chewed his lower lip anxiously.
"So." he offered, opening and closing his hands nervously.

Ophelia leaned back in her chair, folding her arms, "So?" she repeated.
"I've been speaking to Dumbledore." Remus placed his elbow's on the table and leaned in.
"He told me you want something in exchange for what you're about to do." he continued, folding, then unfolding his arms.

Ophelia could sense the wave of nerves washing over him, and guilt assuaged her.
They had never been so distant before. They had never fought like this, and though she forced herself to appear angry, all she wanted to do was cry, and throw her arms around her dad.

"He told you what I want?" Ophelia cocked an eyebrow.
Remus nodded, "I promise you I'll help you-"
"No." - Ophelia cut him off.
"I need you to do more then promise. I want you to make the Unbreakable Vow with me. If anything happens to me. Or anything goes wrong, you'll help him as best you can."

Remus's jaw dropped.
"Ophelia?" he gasped.
The Unbreakable Vow was a severe commitment for either of them to make.
It was then Remus realized that Ophelia truly cared for Draco.

"Are you sure?" he all but exclaimed.
Ophelia nodded woodenly, "If you want to make up for landing me in all this crap, make the Vow."

Remus leaned back in his chair, surveying Ophelia through thoughtful, tired eyes.
"This is what you want?" he asked quietly.

Ophelia nodded, "I'm sure."
Remus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, Remus lifted his hand, "Aberforth." he motioned for the old barkeep to come to their side.
When Remus made to speak, Aberforth held up a hand, "No need to explain, I heard." he muttered impatiently.

Ophelia got to her feet, and her father followed her example.
She wiped her hands on her jeans awkwardly, unsure of how to proceed.

Remus extended his arm, and Ophelia frowned, then grasping the idea, she reached out her own.
As their skin touched, Ophelia felt at home, she had missed him.

Aberforth drew his wand and cleared his throat.
"Do you, Remus John Lupin, hereby swear, that you will aid Draco Malfoy in every way you can, should something happen your daughter?" he asked sullenly.

Remus's eyes were tracing the somewhat faded lettering on Ophelia's arm.
He had done his best all her life to keep her safe from harm, away from the discrimination their kind were partial to, but now, in the dingy tavern, he saw his little girl was grown up.
She was facing and dealing with discrimination. She was bold and brave, and fighting so hard to make the best of an awful situation.

He glanced up, her eyes were on him.
Pleading.

Inhaling deeply, Remus nodded.
"I do so swear."

Wisps of thread-like magic flowed from Aberforth's wand. It circled their clasped arms like a muticoloured vine. Ophelia winced as it licked her skin, the sensation like static along her arm.
When it faded, their arms remained clasped.
Aberforth meekly excused himself.

Ophelia blinked at her father. The magnitude of what he had just agreed to hit her like a slap to the face.
"Moony." she half whispered, half whimpered.
Her hand trembled in his grasp.

In an instant that was almost to short for them both to comprehend, Ophelia threw herself at him. The tears she had held back broke free as she threw her arms around his neck.
Remus, had never felt so happy as that moment he held his daughter again.
It was though the balance had been restored in his world.
He hugged her fiercely, exhaling loudly.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Ophelia." he assured her.
Ophelia shook her head rapidly, "N-no, I shouldn't have gotten so mad." she wept.
Remus stepped back, holding her pale, tear-stained face in his hands, he wiped away a stray tear with his thumb and kissed her forehead.
"Can we just go back to the way we were?" he pleaded, and Ophelia nodded in a quick jerky bob.
"Please." she whispered.

"My pup." he smiled, and drew her back to him. Holding his little girl close once more.
He stroked her hair and held her tightly.
"I'll never lie to you again." he promised her, tears threatening to stain his own cheeks.

When their weepy reunion was over, they returned to their table.
Ophelia took the seat next to her father.
After downing their Butterbeer's Ophelia turned to her father. "H-how's Tonks?" she asked over the lip of her mug.

Remus regarded her for a long moment, his brow furrowed, "We don't have to talk about that." he shook his head.
Ophelia shrugged.

"I just asked, I mean I know you like her. So I should get used the idea right?"

"I er..." Remus frowned.
"Moony it's okay." Ophelia assured him, her fingers tracing the lettering on her arm.
Remus blinked, leaning his cheek against his fist, "She's fine. I mean, we had a bit of a tiff after she came down here. But we're okay. She asked me to apologize." he cocked his head to one side.
Ophelia nodded once, chewing her lip.

Remus watched her closely.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked softly, placing a hand on his.
Ophelia blinked, "I have to be. I can't expect you not to live Moony." she almost laughed. Almost.

Remus made to speak but Ophelia went on, "Just because I don't like Tonks, it doesn't mean you can't. I mean, I'm sure Draco Malfoy was hardly your first pick for me."
Remus snickered, "No, I can't say he was." he smirked, then added, "But I trust you. I trust your judgement Ophelia. You've obviously seen something in him, something good. I just hope you're right."

"He's a really good person dad. He really is. He just needs to believe in himself." she assured him.
Glancing at her watch, then to the fading light outside the the pub.
"You better go back." Remus sighed.

Ophelia nodded, reluctantly, they rose and headed towards the door.
"I'll walk you to the top of the street." Remus wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
Together the Lupin's smiled gratefully at Aberforth and slipped out of the Hog's Head.
Both more bound then they had ever been before.

The walk back to the top of the road was painfully short.
Thankfully the rain had stopped, though the cobbled street was array with puddles.

Remus turned to Ophelia as they reached the end.
"I'm glad we had a chance to talk Ophelia." he assured her, smiling affectionately.
Ophelia nodded, "Me too. I want to thank you Moony. It means everything to know that if something happens, somebody's going to fight his corner."

Remus frowned, "Ophelia? Why are you so sure something is going to happen?"
Ophelia cast her tired eyes to the castle, "I'm not. But I feel like something is going to happen."

Remus nodded once.

"You're coming home for Easter?"
"Of course."

Remus smiled, then wrapped his arms around her. "Until then."