CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The Second Exchange

Sirius left the infirmary at the eleven o'clock curfew after promising to return the following day, and headed back to the dormitory.

James, Remus and Pete were gathered in the common room, squished together on the couch.

"Hey Padfoot." James yawned.

Sirius collapsed into an overstuffed chair and rubbed his temples. "What have you been up to?"

Remus snorted. "What? Since you got us kicked out--"

"Nothing much. Just thinking about how to cap off the year." said James, elbowing Remus in the ribs. "I'm leaning more towards something with Evans, a love potion, perhaps?"

"See I was under the impression that guys didn't do love potions." howled Sirius.

"Oh really?" James chuckled. "Well maybe I could save you some--"

Sirius dove across the room and clamped a hand down over his mouth. "Let's go upstairs, shall we Prongs?"

The two wizards ran up to their dorm and Sirius slammed the door behind them.

James fell back onto his bed. "Whatever seems to be the matter?" he asked innocently.

"You know what's the matter. You almost let it out in front of Remus!"

"Let what out, exactly?"

"Ah, I see what you're doing. Good try, though. You get an E for effort."

"I'm not doing anything."

Sirius sat down on the edge of his own bed, cracking his knuckles as he usually did when he was thinking. "What would happen, in a completely hypothetical situation of course, if I.. did.. like Ophelia?"

"Yes!" James hollered, jumping to his feet. "I knew it!"

"Would you mind keeping it down a bit?"

"How long has this been going on?"

"Nothing has been going on, Prongs. Maybe this was a mistake.."

"No, no. What I meant was.. how long have you liked Ophelia more than usual?"

Sirius thought for a moment. "I don't know."

"Well, did you like her at the Ball?"

"Before the Ball."

James whistled. "Alright then. Forgive me if I start packing my trunk, because.. you know, it's not like I'm getting out if the castle or anything..."

"Remus won't be that upset."

"Do you know him at all, Padfoot?"

"Well, it's not going to be a problem, because I'm not telling him."

James dove onto the bed next to Sirius. "But you have to tell him."

"No I don't, because I'm not going to tell Phe either."

"Why not?"

"Because.. it would mess everything up."

"Well it's up to you what you do." shrugged James. "But I think you'd be daft to not say anything."

"You just want me to tell her, so you and Lily would have a better chance of getting together."

His eyes lit up. "I didn't even think of that. But now you have to tell Phe."

A knock at the door startled them out of their conversation.

"Why is the door locked?" said Remus, trying the handle again. "Alohamora."

He and Pete entered the dorm, casting suspicious looks around the room.

"What's going on?"

James shrugged. "Just, you know, girl talk."

The following morning, Lily was sure to head off to visit Ophelia before the others.

Her friend was already awake, sitting up and reading from a leathery pamphlet.

"Good morning." smiled Lily, sitting down next to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Great actually."

"Are you leaving then?"

She shook her head sadly. "Not for a few more days. Dumbledore wants to monitor me, whatever that means."

"That's probably best." said Lily. She took out an official looking envelope from within her robes. "This came for me today."

"Who is it from?"

"The Ministry of Magic."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing," Lily chuckled. "It's just.. well, read it."

Ophelia took the letter from her.

Dear Miss Lily Evans

We have been monitoring your progress at Hogwarts over the past five years and have been most pleased.

Your Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, has informed us that your careers session is next week.

The Ministry of Magic would like to recruit you into our Department of Mysteries.

Without your knowledge we have administered several aptitude tests and your results were of the highest scored category.

We know you will accept our proposal.

Looking forward to having you in our staff.

John Hubbard,

The Ministry of Magic

Department of Mysteries

"Lily... that's incredible. Congratulations!" she said, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Thank you, it is. But it sounds kind of final. Like the part about 'knowing I will accept their proposal'. How do they know?" frowned Lily.

"They have their ways, I'm sure."

"Before I got this I wanted to do something within the Ministry, so I guess it's sort of fitting, right?"

"You'll be an Unspeakable."

"A what?"

"An Unspeakable." repeated Ophelia. "It's what the workers in the Department of Mysteries are called."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Never asked."

Lily shoved the letter back into her robes. "So it's decided then. I'll be an Unspeakable. What about you?"

"My meeting with McGonagall is today. She's coming after breakfast."

"And?"

"Dolph says I should be an Auror."

"That answers it." she smiled. "You'll make an excellent Auror."

"Thanks Lil."

"And what about this business with Sirius?"

"There is no business with Sirius." said Ophelia quietly.

"And how about your plan to stop liking him? How's that working out for you?"

"Not very well. Especially after yesterday."

"I heard the yelling. I was trying to study and the celebration made it hard enough before Sirius showed up."

"Sorry about that."

"So I have decided that you have to tell him that you don't want to be friends anymore."

"Oh, you've decided?" Ophelia giggled.

"Yes, I've taken the prerogative in this situation, since you both seem to have lost your brains in the recently." said Lily matter-of-fatly.

"Or I can just wait it out."

"Er..no. I told you, I've taken all control away from you both. You don't deserve it anymore."

Lily talked about her plan to get Ophelia and Sirius together until Professor McGonagall arrived in her weekend robes.

She brought a straight back chair over to her bedside.

"Miss Lupin, I trust you are feeling well?" she asked.

Ophelia nodded. "Yes, thank you professor."

"Alright. This meeting is to discuss the career options open to you, as you prepare to take your OWLs. Have you given any thought to what paths you would like to pursue? I have spoken to Adolphus Lupin recently and he mentioned his thoughts of you following in his path."

"Yes, I received his letter a few days ago."

"And are you taking his advice?"

"I don't know what I want to do right now. But if Uncle Adolphus says that I should be an Auror, than I will be an Auror. He has my best interests st heart."

"Alright. You will need top marks on your OWLs, Outstanding on your Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms, and Exceeds Expectations in Potions and Transfigurations. I would say you are managing a strong Outstanding in your Transfiguration studies, and would suggest some extra review before the OWL."

"Yes Professor." she replied softly.

"Well, I can see you need rest so we can talk more when you return to class. Is that alright, Miss Lupin?"

"Yes, thank you."

Professor McGonagall left and Ophelia soon fell asleep.