MEMENTO MORI | DRACO MALFOY

FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

     Hogsmeade weekend finally arrived, and although she was going with Cassius, Ophelia hadn't told anyone she was giving him another chance. She readied herself in front of the bathroom mirror while everyone else got ready in the dormitory. Daphne was curious about what Cassius had to say to her, but she merely told her that he just begged her to take him back and she told him she'd think about it. She wasn't sure why she lied, she didn't care what anyone thought, but she didn't want to appear weak. With what Cassius had done at the Yule Ball, most people would agree that he didn't deserve to be taken back.

"Are you joining us in the carriage?." Daphne pried from the bathroom door, trying to get anything out of her friend.

Ophelia turned slightly. "I'm going with Cassius, Daph."

"I knew it!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Why couldn't you tell me?"

Ophelia remained silent.

"OK, I get it." She continued. "If things go awry, Tracey and I will probably be at The Three Broomsticks."

Giving Daphne a thankful smile, Ophelia left the dormitory, hoping to avoid anyone else until meeting up with Cassius. Unfortunately, that was the complete opposite of what happened, because Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise were all waiting at the bottom of the stairs to the girls' dormitories. Draco's face broke into a smile when he saw her descending the stairs.

"Hey, Eff, you coming in our carriage or are you going with Greengrass?" He asked, his demeanour relaxed and content.

"Ophelia had never felt awkward before, but she imagined that this was it. "Er—" she began, while now staring at her hands. "I'm going with, erm, Warrington."

She looked up just in time to see Draco's expression fall and his demeanour tensed. He quickly shifted his stance and shrugged. "Alright then."

"Warrington earned himself a second chance, did he?" Blaise smirked while poking Ophelia's bicep. "Didn't think you had the heart, Eff."

"You're mental." She snapped back at her friend. "We're just going as friends."

"Friends with benefits, or what?" Blaise continued pushing her buttons, and he knew it.

"Shut it, Zabini."

Ophelia looked to Draco, whose expression showed that he probably hadn't meant to say that aloud. Blaise's lips quirked up into a knowing smirk, but he listened to Draco and he did indeed shut it.

"I'm going to go before this becomes even more awkward." Ophelia muttered, stepping backwards away from the group of boys. "Bye!"

She turned on her heel, climbing through the portrait hole, hearing Blaise snickering at Draco as she exited.

Cassius was waiting in the Entrance Hall, just as they had planned. It was their plan to remain as low-key as possible in order to try to rekindle things without everyone gossiping about it around them, but so far it wasn't going so well. They were luckily able to get a carriage just the two of them, and Cassius spent the ride to Hogsmeade describing where they would go and in which order. She truly didn't care where they went first, she was just content to be spending the day with him.

They arrived at Honeydukes first, and Cassius stocked up on treats and bought Ophelia some treats as well, no matter how much she refused and was willing to pay herself, he insisted. They went to Zonko's which was more Cassius' taste, and then suggested they go to Madam Puddifoot's which Ophelia bluntly refused. No matter how smitten she was with Cassius, she wouldn't be caught dead at Madam Puddifoot's, so they settled on the Three Broomsticks instead.