CHAPTER ELEVEN Letters Exchanged
About an hour later, once they had returned to their dormitories, Ophelia took out a scrap of parchment and quill and began a letter to Noah.
She had not spoken to him since she and Remus had left.
Dear Noah, 30 November 1975
As you know, the Hogwarts Winter Ball is just around the corner. I will be attending, accompanied by Sirius Black.
Could you please send my new dress robes that I bought over the summer?
Also, please do not tell Helena just yet, I will do so in good time.
I doubt you have contacted Remus since term began, so I will do you a favor by letting you he is escorting Lily Evans.
That will be all for now.
-Ophelia
She called for Gwahir and stroked his soft, grey feathers. "Please take this to Noah, and if you see Helena reading it over his shoulder, don't hesitate to give her hands a little nip."
Gwahir hooted, affectionately bowing his head.
"And take your time; it'll be a long journey and the message isn't urgent."
During the third week of December, Gwahir returned with a letter from Noah.
Ophelia, 9 December 1975
I was overjoyed to receive word from you, as well as news of the Hogwarts Ball.
Although his family is less than honorable at the moment, Sirius Black is a very nice young wizard and I wholly approve of your choice.
Your mother has her own methods of finding things out, including the news of yours and your brothers escorts. I tried to dissuade her but she persisted. Be on the alert during the Ball.
You will find your robes in your trunk. I did not want to burden Gwahir with such a great package, and Helena did not want to risk losing another house elf during Christmas holidae.
What is the count now? Eight freed elves?
Please write soon.
-Noah
Ophelia opened the heavy lid and took out her new silk robes and ran her fingers over the delicate purple pattern, the tiny golden Swavorski crystals that were sewn onto the corset.
Lily came into the room, her jaw dropping when she saw her new dress. "Phe, you're going to look beautiful in that."
She hung it up next to her bed. "Thanks Lil. I don't know, I guess I'm looking forward to it more than I expected to."
"That wouldn't have anything to do with Sirius, would it?"
"What are you talking about?" frowned Ophelia.
Lily sat down on the edge of her desk and started picking at her nails. "Well you have been spending a lot of time together lately--"
"Because he's one of my best mates!"
"And he is extremely handsome." she continued. "You can't deny that."
She shrugged. "I suppose he is attractive... in an odd, dark kinda way."
"No. Sirius is the normal type of handsome."
Ophelia squinted her eyes up. "Tell me... why are we discussing this again?"
"No reason." Lily shook her head. "While we're on the subject, do you know who Potter's taking, would you?"
She laughed loudly, heading down to the common room. "That was nice, Lil. Real subtle." They collapsed onto the worn, leather couch. "Well he would be going with you if you hadn't paired off with Remus so quickly."
"Yeah, but we're just going as friends." she answered.
"Just like Sirius and I."
"Right.. is Potter taking a... friend as well?"
"James is escorting Tal."
Color returned to Lily's face. "Oh, well that's nice."
A few moments later the Marauders returned from whatever newly created prank and joined them in front of the fireplace.
Ophelia pushed the letter into Remus's hand.
He quickly scanned it and sighed dramatically. "Does this mean..?"
Ophelia sighed. "I believe so. She would claim she is just doing her motherly duty." she turned to Sirius. "I would guess our plan of leaving your mother in the lurch is effectively ruined. Sorry."
"Nah, don't think on it."
Lily retrieved a quill and book from her bag.
Ophelia elbowed her in the ribs. "What are you doing?"
"It's our first night of real holiday and you're going to do homework?" asked James.
"Just what do you suppose we do then?"
James smirked and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Remus clamped a hand down over his face.
"Not a good idea, Prongs."
Sirius leaned in confidently, motioning for the others to do the same. "We could do a little celebrating now that classes are suspended. What do you say to an impromptu visit to Hogsmeade?" he suggested.
"I'm in." said James and Ophelia together.
"Ophelia!" cried Remus. "No, it's too much of a risk, we might get caught."
She shrugged it off. "Thanks big brother, but I think I can manage on my own."
Lily frantically shook her head. "I can't, I'm a Prefect. Same with Remus."
"You could borrow my cloak." James offered. "Come on Evans, it wouldn't be the same without you."
"He's right Lil." Ophelia agreed.
Her brow furrowed. "Fine. I'll go. But only with your cloak, Potter."
A few minutes later, after they had gone upstairs the cloak and some Galleons, they were lurking down the familiar tunnel .
