Chapter 10- Valentines day
February 14th 1992
Slytherin had won their last match against Hufflepuff putting them through to play Gryffindor in the final next Saturday. Flint had them training constantly through the week, before classes and after classes.
Today was a Saturday and Flint had given the Slytherin team a day off. Rayna had spent the morning in the library trying to find what OoP meant. She searched through books and documents and a couple old newspapers. But she came up unsuccessful. There was no mention of OoP in anything.
Frustrated and annoyed, Rayna decided to leave the library. She hadn't seen Adrian or Flint all day and suspected they would be at Hogsemead like the large majority of students. It was valentines day after all. Hogwarts was a buzz in the morning at breakfast, just like it is every time there is a special occasion.
Although Rayna didn't think Valentines day was that special, she didn't see the big fuss. She had sat at breakfast alone watching various couples stuck together, talking and laughing. She just ate her heart shaped toast in silence before she had enough and left to the library.
Maybe she would wander down to Honeydukes and treat herself to a chocolate frog she thought and then maybe she could go to a book store and ask if they knew anything about OoP. Rayna decided that it was a good idea and started to make her way out of the castle, crossing the court yard and walking down the path to Hogsmede. She was determined to find out more, she had a bad feeling that people around her had been lying to her the whole of her life.
It was still cold out, Rayna was wrapped in her winter coat and boots, thankful that she had decided to bring her gloves and scarf too but resentful as she left her wool hat in her dorm room. But at least the snow had cleared up which meant that Quidditch would be slightly easier next week.
Rayna had made her way to Hogsmede quicker than expected, she must have walked faster having been lost in her own thoughts. Luckily Hogsmede hadn't re decorated to fit in with the valentines theme like Hogwards had. There was only so much love she could handle having to see. Unfortunately, Hogsmede was full with couples everywhere she looked, but she decided it would be easy to pretend that they didn't exist.
She made her way to the only book shop that she knew of that was in Hogsmede. The bell chimed as she walked in causing a few wizards and witches to glance her way before going back to scanning book shelves for what they were looking for.
She didn't know where to start. Magical artefacts? - It didn''t sound like that section would be helpful. Potions, magical creatures, Muggle books, defence against the dark arts, History, Maps. Nothing stood out to her.
"can I help you Miss?" a middle aged man approached her seeing the lost look on her face.
"I- I don't fully know what I'm actually looking for" she stuttered, embarrassed slightly.
"do you know what topic?" he asked trying to pry more information so he could help.
"I was reading a- um a old newspaper article and I came across the Acronym of OoP" she said. "I don't know what it stands for and can't find anyway of knowing."
"OoP" he repeated thinking but nothing came to mind. "OoP" he repeated again.
Rayna waited, looking at the man as he thought, she hoped he would recognize it but his face looked fairly blank so she knew the answer before he spoke again.
"It doesn't ring any bells and I wouldn't know where to start looking." he spoke sympathetically. "you could- you could try the shop on the bottom corner of the street. Mr Portendorfer is a very knowledgeable man, there's a possibility he would know. He collects papers and documents, old ministry policies, he lets some 7th year students borrow them for essays as long as they return them."
"thank you" Rayna said, her eyes lighting up with hope. She left the shop, thanking the man again. He smiled politely back at her before going to ask another customer if hey needed any assistance.
Rayna walked to the end of Hogsmede, to the shop that was on the corner. She had never walked this far before and barely knew some of these shopps that existed.
MR Portendorfer's papers and Policies. There was a small hanging sign, barely readable and rusted, swinging slighting in the cold wind.
The bell clanged once when she stepped inside the doorway. It was dark but surprisingly clean. She expected it to be dusty and smell like old papers. There was no one on the shop floor except herself and an elderly man who was sat hunched over the front desk sifting through papers. He looked up as soon as he heard the bell.
She wondered why she had never heard of this place before and why there wasn't anyone else inside.
She approached the front desk smiling slightly hoping the man would show some kind of expression.
"Hi, i'm looking for Mr Portendorfer" she spoke steadily, even though she was nervous.
"that would be me" He spoke, smiling kindly. "what can I do for you today"
Rayna breathed a sigh of relief.
"I don't really know where to start looking, I've already searched the library and in bookstore but I can't find anything." Raynas frustration was becoming apparent to the elderly man.
"I can assure you that you have come to the right place, Miss Carrow" He said. Rayna at his eyes shocked at how he knew she was a Carrow. Mr Portendorfer chuckled before standing up straight and moving his papers to the side. "you look like your mother" he spoke kindly.
"how did you know her?" Rayna asked interested. She was always wanting to know about he mother and would always take the opportunity to find out more about her.
"she used to come here a lot. Do you know why you've never hear of this shop before?" he spoke "It's because students only come here when they can't find what they need in the library, or if they want to learn about specific policies that allowed certain events to happen. The ministry got rid of a lot of policies they were embarrassed of, but I have them, every single one. Your mother was interested in them, she wanted to learn them to make sure that she never made those mistakes. You see, she aspired to be a part of the ministry. She protested for equal opportunities for all wizards no matter what their status. A lot of people didn't like it." Rayna took all this information in.
"My Father must have hated that" she spoke frowning.
"Oh dear, I don't think Carrow was aware" he spoke. "anyway, what can I help you with today?" he asked curiously.
"I was reading an old newspaper article and the letters OoP stood out. I've been trying to find out what they stand for but it's proving to be difficult." she said
"OoP" he spoke nodding "yes, yes." he shuffled to the corner of a case tapping his wand against a draw. He moved to the side as it extended out at least four meters. He seemed to know exactly what he was looking for, grabbing a thin title page of the daily prophet and handing it to her.
"It's only ever mentioned once in the entirety of the daily prophet. A mistake made by ministry. It was supposed to be secretive" he handed her the paper.
Rayna skimmed her eyes over it seeing the letters OoP. But the article never expanded on what it stood for.
"It doesn't say what it stands for" she spoke. Mr Portendorfer looked down at his desk.
"yes. That is correct. I in fact do not fully know what it stands for my dear. I too have been wondering for years. I have a feeling we are not meant to know, my guess is a ministry organisation an army. Something that they do not want the wizarding people to know."
"an organisation?" Rayna pondered over it.
"I wish I could help you further" He sighed sounding defeated. It was as if the topic that had been frustarting Rayna the past weeks had also been a topic that Mr Portendorfer had been trying to figure out."
"thank you for all your help" Rayna spoke to the man.
"it was no problem, I only wish I knew more." he spoke sadly.
"if I ever find out, I will make sure I tell you" Rayna spoke, this made Mr Portendorfer smile, he wasn't sure he had much longer to find out. He knew things were changing in the Wizarding world. He knew the dark were on the rise again.
"Goodbye Rayna" he smiled as she left the shop.
Walking quickly back to the center of Hogsmede Rayna though about the elder mans words about her mother. She couldn't help the feeling of pride swelling in her chest. It made her extremely happy. Her Father and Aunt were snobbish purebloods who hated those of lower blood status. It was nice to know someone else in her family cared about all statuses.
Rayna came to a stop when her eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Adrian was standing a meter away from a short Hufflepuff girl who had tears in her eyes. Adrian looked furious and was shouting. Rayna watched to see if she should step in at any point.
"what did you think this was?" he laughed coldly. Rayna had never seen him like this, angry and red in the face, his posture aggressive and threatening towards the smaller hufflepuff girl who looked like she was cowering away.
"but its valentines day" the girl said timidly, taking a small step away from him.
"just becuase i asked you here doesn't mean i want to date you " he scoffed looking at her with disgust.
"then why?" she cried, tears now falling down her face rapidly. Rayna was frowning at his behaviour. This wasn't him, he was normally a lovely person.
"you were a good shag thought we could do it again, but apparently bloody not because you're incapable and want something more from me" he said disgusted at the thought.
"you're a pig" the girl looked angry now. She had finally found some ounce of courage to stand up to him.
"aw how cute" he mocked her laughing loudly.
"stay away from me" she spat, her fists clenching by her sides.
"gladly, wouldn't want to be near someone whose that easy anyway" he called after her.
She looked hurt at that comment giving him a dissapointed look before leaving.
"Pucey" Rayna said angrily walking over to him "what the hell was that!"
"Rayna please don't start" he sighed.
"why did you treat that girl like shit?" She demanded "no one deserves that"
"it's just easier that way" he spoke his whole aggressive persona fading away as quickly as the sun melted the snow a couple days ago.
"easier how?" she spoke
"to avoid disappointment"
"you're ridiculous" sh shook her head at him.
They walked around in silence, Rayna didn't want to interrupt his thoughts, she could see how distant he looked.
Rayna eventually got bored and decided to lead them to the three broomsticks for butterbeers as she was getting colder and colder. She saw Flint and Higgs sitting at a table in the middle of the room and ordred two butterbeers before leading Pucey over to sit with them.
"what's up" Higgs spoke as they sat down.
"there's so many couples around" Rayna spoke.
"tell me about it, makes me feel sick" Flint spoke.
"only because you can't get a girl" Higgs joked making everyone laugh, even Adrian.
They spoke for a while, making joke before turning to talk about Quidditch. They were all excitedly talking about what they would do if they beat Gryffindor next week.
The bell to the door chimed, not many people noticed but Rayna looked up to see who had walked in.
She was about to look away until she saw who it was.
Oliver Wood confidently looked around to find a seat. It was then that she noticed he wasn't alone. He was holding the hand of the familiar Gryffindor chaser, Alicia Spinnet. Rayna's eyes followed them until they sat down closely next to each other, laughing and whispering between them.
Rayna watched them interact, her heart racing, she felt panicky and she couldn't understand. She tore her eyes away from them not wanting to be caught staring.
She frowned before taking a sip of her drink. She couldn't help but occasionally glance their way, she wasn't sure why but her eyes just kept landing on them. She was analyzing how Oliver was acting. He was relaxed and smiling, laughing loud enough that she could hear him from where she sat. She couldn't help but feel a little jealous. The only time shes ever spoken to him he's been the opposite. All angsty and stressed, frustrated and picking fights.
It was hard for her to tell who the real Oliver was. It seemed he had fronts put up in place for certain people. It made Rayna even more curious about the boy.