CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Sticks and Stones
"Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Ophelia recognised that voice, though she wasn't sure who it belonged to.
Their was a shooting pain in her temples and the at back of her neck.
She struggled to open her eyes and peered around at her surroundings. She was in the infirmary.
'Remus must be hurt.' she thought to herself.
A moment later Ophelia realised that she was the one beneath the white linens.
"Phe?"
She looked up to see Sirius sitting next to the bed, in the worn chintz chair that she had sat in all those mornings after the full moon.
"Sirius? What am I doing here?"
"You blacked out."
The cacophony of voices came rushing back to her, making her feel lightheaded once again.
"So you know then?"
He nodded. "Remus told me."
Ophelia sighed. "Well if you're going to make fun of me I'd rather you do it quickly."
"I wasn't going to. I think it's--"
"A gift, right? Save it. Like being a Seer isn't a joke. Or bloody embarrassing."
"I was actually going to say that it was cool."
"You think it's cool?"
"Yeah. I mean, you get to hear what people are thinking."
"Exactly! They don't say those thoughts aloud for a reason, they're private."
Sirius frowned. "Have you ever..."
"Heard your thoughts? Besides tonight, I heard you say something about off limits on the train."
He moved closer to the bedside. "But, you've been here all day."
"What? What day is it?"
A breeze blew in from the open window, carrying with it the sounds of cheering.
"Saturday."
"I missing the Final? Wait, what are you doing here?"
"You know I'm not much of a Quidditch fan, Phe." smirked Sirius.
"Remus and James are going to kill you."
"This is more important."
Ophelia smiled. "Thank you. You... have no idea what that means to me."
"Ah, don't think on it." he said, putting his arms behind his head.
"Why.. did I pass out?"
"Madam Pomfrey said that in a short period of time you heard every voice in the castle. And your brain kind of gave up."
"Ophelia Lupin doesn't give up." she chuckled.
"I don't think she can help it in that kind of situation."
She cocked her head to the side. "You're blocking me. Why?"
"Are you trying to read me?"
"Not intentionally, no."
"Aurelius was always really adamant when it came to protection. You've been to the house, he had every charm placed on it." Sirius explained. "He was the same when it came to me and Regulus; he taught us to protect our minds from a really young age. It just comes second nature to me now."
"Then how could I hear you before?"
He shrugged. "I guess I wasn't thinking about it as much, I had my guard down."
What trace of a smile that was left on her face slipped away. "That's what I was afraid of. You're going to be alert all the time now."
Sirius got up from his chair and knelt beside her. "No I won't. I mean.. I will. But not because I'm worried about you getting in there. I have nothing to hide from you, Phe."
"Nothing to hide?" she repeated, her heart sinking. "Well that's... good to know."
Sirius reached behind him, ignoring another round of cheers that erupted from the Quidditch pitch. He placed a shiny wooden box down on the table in front of her.
"You brought me chessboard?"
"Lily brought it to me." he said, setting up the pieces. "I tried getting it myself but the stairs gave way under me."
"You didn't know boys weren't allowed in the dormitories?"
He rubbed his forehead, where a small bruise was forming. "I know now obviously!"
An hour later, Sirius left the Infirmary and headed back to the dormitory before his careers lesson with Professor McGonagall.
James and Remus were jumping around with the other players, singing a random victory song.
"Sirius!" grinned James, slapping his best friend on the back. "What a game, huh?"
"And Gryffindor takes back what's rightfully ours!" cried Remus.
Sirius kicked the ground with his shoe. "Actually... I didn't go."
"What? Why not?"
"I was with Phe. She woke up."
"There was never any question that she wouldn't." said Remus. "You missed the Final for that? This was my first season, Padfoot."
"I missed most of the other games too, but I didn't see you raising such a big deal about those."
"You missed other games?" James hollered.
"I knew you were going to win so I didn't really see the point."
"Didn't see the point?"
"Stop repeating everything I say!"
Remus took a deep breath, as the common room was beginning to stare. "Let's not ruin the celebration. He was looking after Phe, I guess it's not a big deal."
"You're right Moony." he nodded, handing Sirius a mug of Butterbeer.
"I can't actually." he replied quietly. "I have a meeting with McGonagall."
"We'll see you later then?"
"Yeah of course. I'll be back in a bit."
Sirius left the common room and made his way to the Transfiguration classroom.
As usual, Professor McGonagall was sitting at the meticulously polished desk-- which on several occasions had served as punishment for Sirius -- her hair pulled back into a shiny bun.
"Ah, Mr Black." she said, glancing at her wristwatch. "You are three minutes late."
"I'm sorry. I was with Ophelia in the Infirmary."
"Friendship is no excuse to be tardy, Mr Black. How is Miss Lupin doing?"
"She's awake now."
Professor McGonagall shuffled some papers. "Yes, well, I was going to pay her a visit later in the night, so we may discuss it then. But right now we are here to evaluate your life decisions, Mr Black."
"Yes, Professor."
"Well? Have you read over the information that was given to you?"
"Er, yes."
"Do not lie to me, Mr Black. Did you or didn't you?"
"I didn't need to read anything because I've known what I've wanted to do since First Year."
"Well then enlighten me."
"I want to be an Auror."
McGonagall stared back at him, as if challenging him to break. "You want to be an Auror, Mr Black? Do you know what an Auror is?"
"Yes," he said slowly.
"Well then you know that it is another three years of schooling once you have graduated from Hogwarts."
"Yes, Professor."
"And you also know that even after the three years of training, the Ministry may still not accept you."
"Yes, Professor."
"And furthermore, that they only admit students with the top marks into the training programs."
"Yes, Professor." repeated Sirius.
McGonagall took off her glasses and studied the student in front of her. "Mr Black, I have been teaching you for the past five years, and I feel that I have come to know you're strengths and abilities rather well. You are an incredibly bright young wizard, and I have no doubt that if you really applied yourself over the next two years, you would be accepted into one of the top schools."
"Thank you Professor."
"Now this means calling an end to those silly little pranks."
Sirius glanced at her reproachfully.
"Or at least putting your studies first. This is your career we are talking about, Mr Black, it is not something to be taken so lightly!"
"What are the requirements for the OWLs?"
She looked taken aback by this question. "You will need to achieve a minimum of Outstanding on your Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms OWLS, and an Exceeds Expectations in Potions and Transfiguration. You must take five or more classes next year, four of course will be the aforementioned. It would look good on your records if you took six; any more and you will fall behind in your work."
Sirius only nodded. He had wanted to become an Auror for so long that he had researched it thoroughly, and although he was putting on a show for McGonagall, he already knew what was expected of him.
"You will need one spare work period, as those heading for a career as an Auror are required to take several Character and Aptitude tests, and they are administered during the free period. Are you prepared for this, Mr Black?"
"Yes I am."
Professor McGonagall smiled. "Then I would suggest you leave and catch up on over five years of classwork."
Sirius got to his feet. "Thank you Professor."
"And Mr Black?" she called, as his hand grabbed for the doorknob. "I assume you have not written one word of notes during your time here? I would recommend you ask your friend Miss Lupin for help."
He left the class and headed instead back to the Infirmary.
Ophelia was sitting up in bed, her notes in her lap. When she looked up and saw him walking towards him, a wide grin broke across her face.
"Back already?"
He pulled up the same chair. "My meeting was over and I don't think I'd be to welcome in the common room right now. They were pretty upset." Sirius shrugged at seeing her frown. "I don't regret staying, Phe."
"I'm glad you were here. It made it a lot easier waking up in a hospital bed."
"McGonagall reckons that I could be an Auror."
"I knew it!" Ophelia cried triumphantly.
"Knew what?"
"I knew you wanted to be an Auror."
"Did you hear me think it?"
"No. But it gives you legal power and authority."
Sirius howled with laughter. "That about sums it up. What about James? He's acting like it's some great secret."
"Same. But for reasons different than your own. He wants to be a hero, he always has, ever since we were kids." she explained. "This way he can do it on a grander scale."
"What about you? What are you going to do?"
Ophelia looked down at her nails. "I don't know. I would love to be a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts." She reached under her pillow and pulled out a dog-eared envelope. "This came a few days ago. It's from Dolph."
"What did he say?"
She handed the letter to him. "Basically that he thinks I should be an Auror, just like him."
Sirius read the letter over. "He makes a good case."
"I trust his opinion more than anything." she said. "And in the end, if he says this is best for me, than it's best for me."
Sirius wrung his hands nervously. "This may not be the best time to ask you, but do you..."
Ophelia's heart leapt into her throat. Was Sirius going to ask her out?
"Or will you, rather, help me study for the OWLs?"
She smiled. "Yes, I'll be studying for them anyway, you can tag along like you always have."
Remus, James and Peter came bounding into the room.
"Phe, have you heard the news?" grinned James, holding the Quidditch Cup over his head. "We-- Sirius. What are you doing here? I thought you had your careers appointment."
"It just finished."
Remus eyed him suspiciously. "Then why didn't you come back? We're having a party all night long."
"First you miss the Quidditch Final and then you ditch our party?" said James coldly.
Sirius threw his hands up in the air. "I do have a life outside the three of you, if you haven't noticed!"
James looked a bit hurt. "Er.. we know that Padfoot."
"And Moony; did you know that Ophelia has been unconscious for the past twenty-one hours? Or were you to preoccupied with your game? Because I seem to remember her sitting with you the morning after every full moon."
Madam Pomfery rushed into the room, her hair aflutter. "This is the Infirmary. Must I remind you to keep your voices down?"
Remus shuffled his feet grumpily. "We weren't the ones who were screaming."
"Mr Black has been here for the better part of last evening and today, without the slightest disturbance. Now all of you, out! Not you Sirius, sit back down." Madam Pomfrey instructed as she ushered the other Marauders from the room.
"But I'm her brother." Remus protested, as she shut the door on them.
Sirius looked like a dog waiting to be chastised. "Sorry about that. I can leave if you want."
Ophelia furiously shook her head. "No. Please stay."
"I'd be happy to." he replied. "Want to play another round of Wizards Chess?"
"I don't know. Want me to let you win again?"
"Oh, it's a war now." he chuckled, resetting the pieces.
A dark purple colored box fell out of his robes. Sirius clumsily made to pick it up.
"What is that?" she asked.
Sirius frowned. "I.. er.. got this for you. After you passed out last night, I went to Hogsmeade and, well.. here."
She gently took it, afraid that she might break whatever was inside. "Should I open it?"
"Er, yes. It's silly, really.."
Her hands shaking, she took off the green ribbon that held it in place and removed the top. Lying on a bed of white paper was a large, jet black stone, with a thin silver chain running through the peak.
"It's the Turma--"
"Kellian." finished Ophelia, holding it up to her face. "You got me the stone?"
"Yeah well, it seemed to mean something to you." said Sirius awkwardly.
"This is the protection stone we saw in Hogsmeade?"
"Yes."
"Why.. how did you possibly remember?"
He shrugged. "I remember a lot of things you tell me."
"Thank you Sirius." she smiled, diving across the bed and wrapping her arms around his neck.
If their hug lasted longer than it usually did, neither of them said anything.
"Can you help me with it?" Ophelia asked, holding out the necklace to him.
She lifted her hair and twisted around.
Sirius draped the chain over her head and closed the clasp. "There you are."
"I'm never taking it off." she promised, making him turn slightly red. "And don't think that this means I'm going to take it easy on you."
