Again, I'm sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. It feels like I'm always saying that. But anyways, I'm going to try and have twice-weekly postings. Probably Mondays and Thursdays, but we'll see how it goes. As always, thanks for the wonderful reviews. Keep them coming!!
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Owls Times Two
Once Sirius and Ophelia had returned to the hospital to find Talia soundly asleep, Ophelia headed to Diagon Alley to follow through with the promise she had made to her sister.
As she walked down the streets, black clouds hung ominously overhead, threatening to rain down on the shoppers.
Only a few wizards dared to venture outdoors, and those who did looked as though they had strayed from Knockturn Alley.
Ophelia reached Eeylops Owl Emporium and went inside the brightly lit building. Inside, hundreds of owls fluttered around, in all shapes and colours. A tall, pleasant-looking woman was moving about the store, muttering things to the birds. A few moments later she noticed Ophelia standing awkwardly across from her.
"Come in, dear." the woman beckoned. "Has it begun to rain yet?"
She glanced out if the shining windows, where as if on cue, torrents of rain washed down upon those still milling about. "I guess it has."
"The name's Britty Prewett." said the witch, offering her hand.
She took it. "Ophelia Lupin."
Britty blinked and glanced quickly about the store. "I take it you've come looking for an owl? Or else are illiterate." her voice dropped. "Are you illiterate, my dear?"
"Er.. no?" frowned Ophelia. "I need an owl."
"Ah, a young witch's first owl is quite an important event, why I rem--"
"It's not for me, I've had an owl for years." she replied. "It's for my sister. She's in Mungo's, you see, and I told her I would get her one."
The shopkeeper glided around the floor, running her hand over various golden cages. "Do you know what kind she would like? What colour?"
Ophelia scrunched her nose. "Well, she likes to wear... black. Is that... a species of owl?"
"No, but it's a colour."
Britty wandered over to a row of birds behind the counter and brought one out of it's gilded bars. "How about this one? I know he's a bit on the runty side, but his mother was a superb long distance flight owl for the Post Office."
She stroked the soft raven feathers as the small owl looked up at her with large, honey-coloured eyes. "He's perfect. Talia will love him."
Once Ophelia had paid the woman, she left and headed back to the hospital. Emerging in the golden lobby, she boarded the lift and swiflty headed to Talia's room.
The door was ajar, and Remus, Lily, James, Sirius, Pete and Mai were gathered around her bed, laughing at something she had missed.
Talia glanced up, her eyes shining, as Ophelia entered the room. "Hey Phe. Sorry for all the trouble I caused this morning."
"Thanks, you really were quite a nuissance." she smirked, holding up the cage for all to see. "Just as I promised."
"An owl!" Talia exclaimed, waving her forward. "My own owl. What's her name?"
"Well, he's a male, and doesn't have a name."
She thought for a moment. "Eomer. He looks like an Eomer."
Ophelia pulled a chair over to her bedside. "I'm glad you like him.So has the Healer returned? Did he say what was the matter?"
"Only that he was waiting for you to return so that you could tell him what you discovered." she answered. "Discovered about what, Phe?"
She and Sirius exchanged a look. "Nothing interesting. I'll tell you once you get out of here, alright?"
"Fine. He said I could leave once I was feeling better."
"And?" Remus questioned. "How are you feeling?"
"Perfectly normal. I don't like being in hospitals, I want to leave."
"Then let's go." he continued. "We'll get your things and meet you in the hall."
Talia nodded and swung her legs over the bed as they all got to their feet and left the room.
As she was the last one to leave, Ophelia shut the door behind herself just as Healer Abrahm sauntered towards them.
"Miss Lupin," he sneered, "Could your parents enlighten you as to Talia's origin?"
"I'm afraid we weren't able to find them. They're vacationing somewhere in the East, I b-believe." she quaked.
The Healer studied her face, as if deciding whether or not to believe the young witch. he nodded abruptly. "Pity. Good day." he said, stalking off down the hall and entering a room a few doors down.
Talia emerged from her room, dressed in clothes that Lily had thought to bring. "Are we ready to go?"
They returned home to the Manor and quickly went about making a late supper, as it was now half-past seven.
James conjured Talia a plate of bacon which she deftly polished off.
"What does everyone want to do now?" asked Pete.
A racket sounded round the dining room as a large barn owl swooped inside and circled the table, dropping a sealed envelope into each of their laps before soaring out back out.
"The results of our OWLs!" shrieked Lily, tearing the wrapping off hers. Her wide eyes shone satisfactorily as she scanned the paper.
Talia leaned back in chair, a confidant smile plastered across her face.
Ophelia carefully slid a finger beneath the envelope and took a deep breath as she glanced at her scores. She had managed an Exceeds Expectations in Potions, Muggle Studies, Arithmancy and Transfiguration; with Outstandings in Astronomy, Charms, History of Magic and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Ironically, her only Acceptable was in Divination.
The dining room table let out a collective sigh.
Sirius leapt onto the table, knocking down a jug of banana juice. "I am the King!" he cried, waving the letter above his head. "I am the King!"
"You couldn't possibly have beaten me." said James indignantly.
"And why not?" he replied, dancing around. "I had the greatest coach bringing me along the way."
Ophelia grinned. "What did you get?"
"Straight E's." he beamed.
"Congratulations." she replied, swallowing her pride. "You deserve it."
"You only tied me." said Lily and Remus in unison.
"You only beat me by one mark, Padfoot." said Talia.
Ophelia swallowed the lump in her throat. 'Had all of her friends gotten better marks than her?' she thought to herself, staring at the napkin in her lap.
Sirius grabbed her hand, "Come on, let's go celebrate."
She remained seated, "Y-You want to go celebrate?"
"Of course. I just got straight E's on my OWLs and I no longer live with those demon Blacks. I am definitely in need of some celebrating."
She reluctantly allowed herself to be led outside. As they walked down the cobblestone path to the lake, Sirius was still smiling like mad. He suddenly picked her up by the waist and spun her round.
Ophelia giggled despite herself and clasped onto his hand. "Congratulations... again."
"What did you get?" he asked.
"Er, not as good as you, I'm afraid."
"Sorry..." he muttered, his bright eyes clouding over.
She kissed him on the cheek, feeling suddenly foolish for her behavior. "Don't ever be sorry for being bright, Sir. I can take my NEWT classes, that's good enough. So what are we doing?"
"I'm not exactly sure." he shrugged, stopping mid-stride. Sirius glanced around at their surroundings. "The hill above the lake. Come on."
Ophelia planted her feet firmly on the ground. "No."
"Wh--" he chuckled, "You're not still afraid of the--"
"No. No... I'm not scared of anything, Sir. You know that." she answered, striding to the edge of the water. "I would just rather do something else."
Sirius smirked. "Oh yeah? Like what?"
She smacked his shoulder. "You're such a tosser."
"That's not a bad thing."
"No, it's not..."
"Sirius!" hollered James, from the balcony. "Ophelia! Get back here! We're celebrating here. Together."
She heaved her shoulders and turned back to the house. "I guess that'll be alright."
"And we've found alcohol!" added James, before ducking back inside.
"That settles it."
They made their way back to the house, as the lights throughout were extinguished. Talia went around the sitting room and lit the old-fashioned oil lamps, casting an eerie glow against the walls.
Once inside, Mai handed them both a glass of iced Cinnarum. Ophelia collapsed inside Sirius' outstretched arm and took a swig from her glass.
"That's the spirit, Phe." he grinned, matching her drink.
Lily was sitting rather closely beside James, scanning her letter for the sixth time that evening. Her brow furrowed in a rather lovely way. "Does anyone realise that we go back to school in two weeks?"
A heavy silence fell over the room. Ophelia took another long sip from her glass.
"S-Sixth year won't be as b-bad as fifth." stuttered Pete. "R-Right?"
"Of course it will." Sirius said, "Probably worse. These classes are meant to--"
"Prepare us for the rest of our lives." finished James gravely.
Ophelia gulped down the remainder of her drink. "More please."
Sirius took the glass from her. "Easy now, you'll--"
But she had taken the bottle from James' unsuspecting grasp and began to down it.
"Hey! Shouldn't I be the one doing that?" laughed Talia.
"Accio bottle." muttered Remus.
Ophelia slumped back against Sirius' chest as her sight began to blur. She looked up at him and ran her hand down his face. "God... you're so cute."
"Er... Phe?" he blushed, "Do you think you should maybe go to bed?"
She giggled, "Only if you come with me."
Everyone, with the obvious exception of Remus, burst into a loud fit of laughter.
"Go to bed!" he hollered.
She grabbed the collar of Sirius' shirt. "'Kay, whatever you say, big brother."
A wave of silver flashed before her eyes, causing her to fall back to the couch. She rubbed her forehead, as a second burst hit her.
Sirius took her hand and dodged a glare from her brother. "Come on. I'll help you to bed."
She allowed herself to be led upstairs, as she had done for him at the start of their break.
He opened the door and gently laid her down upon the canopied bed, propping a pillow behind her head.
She felt herself being pulled down that familiar but terrifying path, as she was shown a series of stills.
Lily dressed all in white smiling like mad.
Remus standing over a pretty golden-haired girl, tears streaming down his face.
A Quidditch match at Hogwarts with James hanging from his broom.
A grey-hued street with vagrants gathered out front of abandoned houses.
Severus hovering over her limp body.
And as always, it ended with a vision of a the black void.
Ophelia gasped for breath and clutched Sirius close to her.
"Sshh," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "It's alright."
"Why can't I ever see happy things? Like rainbows and birthdays.."
"What did you see?"
She shook her head. "Lily at her... wedding?"
"To James?"
"We can only hope. Remus cradling some girl... I think she was dead. Er, Severus standing over me."
"What did he do?" demanded Sirius through clenched teeth.
"I don't know. I never know, really."
They sat there in silence for what felt like hours.
Sirius made to get to his feet.
Ophelia grabbed his wrist. "Stay? Please? I don't want to be alone... not after that."
He smiled and sat down next to her, pulling her into his arms.
They soon fell asleep and, whether it was because he was there or that the moment had passed, Ophelia slept more soundly than she ever had.
It's kind of a filler chapter, I know, and I'm sending them back to Hogwarts in two chapters. Hah, let the good times begin. Sixteen and seventeen year olds can get into so much more trouble. I'll post a new chapter Thursday fingers crossed
