Adventures At Hogwarts

Picking Up The Pieces

It had been a whole month since Ophelia found out that her parents had passed away. She had been trying her best to go back to the way things were. It was difficult. She still had bad days. Days when she could barely find the courage to crawl out of bed in the mornings because it felt like her heart was going to burst and her lungs felt like they were going to collapse. But even on her worst days her friends were there for her. Hermione helped her get out of bed when she felt like she couldn't and brushed her hair for her. Ron brought her snacks throughout the day to make sure she was eating. The twins invited her along on their pranks as often as they could and made her laugh every chance they got. Harry helped her carry her things to class whenever he could and helped her catch up on her homework. And Draco spent almost all of his free time by her side. They had been spending almost every night in the astronomy tower together.

Ophelia was walking back to the common room after class one afternoon. She was passing by a group of girls that were giggling and whispering to themselves.

"Did you hear," One of the girls whispered, "She's the one who's parents passed away!"

"No," Another girl whispered, "So she's an orphan now?"

The girls continued whispering. Passing her as she froze in her tracks. She had been trying so hard to push those feelings down. Those feelings that threatened to pull her down and drown her. She ran back to her common room and threw the door open breathing heavily. Hermione, Harry, and Ron were sitting there. Hermione jumped up instantly when she saw Ophelia's face.

"Ophelia, are you ok," Hermione asked concerned.

She quickly ran over and brought her to where they had been sitting. Ophelia could barely catch her breath. Her chest felt tight.

"What's wrong," Ron asked concerned.

She couldn't respond. Their voices faded away. She couldn't stop the emotions that were swirling around in her head or the flood of tears that were spilling over. She didn't know when she hit the floor but she found herself curled up in a ball struggling to breathe.

**********************************************

Draco was hanging out in the yard with his friends when Hermione came running up to him.

"Draco! It's Ophelia," Hermione said.

That's all it took for him to follow Hermione. Practically flying back to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione flung the door open and the boys looked surprise when Draco entered right behind her. They were standing over Ophelia helplessly. Without hesitation Draco rushed over to her. He scooped her up into his arms and held her against his chest.

"Shhhhhh it's ok Darling I'm here," He murmured soothingly.

She clung to him sobbing, "I-I can't b-breathe."

"I know, I know. It'll be alright. Try and take a deep breath for me. Can you do that for me," He whispered, "You can do that for me can't you sweet girl?"

She took a shaky breath as he stroked her hair.

"Good girl! Good job," Draco praised her, "One more?"

He kept murmuring to her and stroking her hair until her breathing became a little more even. Whispering to her and kissing her head softly. Harry, Ron, and Hermione just stood there watching dumbfounded.

Ophelia sniffled, burying her head in his neck. He rubbed up and down her back comfortingly. Soon her sobs slowed down to a sniffle.

"I'm so sorry," Ophelia whispered, "I keep ruining your shirts."

Draco laughed and grabbed her face in his hands, tilting it up gently so that she was looking up at him, "Don't you dare apologize. You can ruin as many shirts as you need to."

"If they kiss," Ron said suddenly, "I'm going to be sick."

They looked up. Her friends were watching her with concern. All except Ron who had a disgusted look on his face. She had momentarily forgotten that anyone else was in the room. She blushed as she rested her head on Draco's shoulder and laughed awkwardly.

"I'm so sorry you guys had to witness that. Thank you for everything. You guys truly are amazing friends. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Harry smiled at her, "That's what we're for."

"We'll always be here for you El," Hermione said.

"You guys are so much more then my friends," Ophelia said looking at them all one by one, "You're my family."

Draco helped her get to her feet and cleared his throat, "Are you alright now?"

She nodded, "Yes. I'll be alright. Thank you."

"You're sure?"

She nodded again reassuring him. Draco stood there for a moment awkwardly.

"Right well um. I'd better be going. My friends are going to be wondering where I disappeared to."

She watched him affectionately as he walked away. Hermione grinned.

"Ophelia Kingsley! Don't tell me you like him!"

"W-what! No! We're just friends Hermione!"

"Mhm, right. Whatever you say Ophelia."

She laughed and hugged Hermione suddenly.

"What's this for," Hermione said returning the hug.

"For being the best friend a girl could ever ask for!"

"Hey," Ron said a little offended, "What are we then? Chopped liver?"

She laughed and walked over to Ron and Harry throwing her arms around the two of them.

"No of course not! You are two of the most precious boys I know and I'm lucky to have you both in my life!"

She planted a kiss on each of there cheeks. Harry and Ron both turned a bright shade of red.

"Bloody hell," Ron said in surprise.

"T-that was brilliant Ophelia," Harry said smiling, "T-thanks!"

Hermione' and Ophelia giggled. And soon the four of them were chatting as if nothing had ever happened. She truly was thankful for them. She wasn't sure if she could have survived this incident without them. In the time that she had come to know the three of them they had shown her what the meaning of true friendship was. And for that she she was eternally grateful. More then they ever could have realized.