𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐥𝐞 | h. granger

xli | the stray dog

CHAPTER FOURTY-ONE
the stray dog

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐃, and Hadley Weasley had just about driven Ophelia Longbottom to her breaking point. The redhead had been following her around – being annoying like always – ever since they left Hogwarts.

Hadley was going on about a prank that she, Fred, and George had planned as they shopped for sweets in Honeydukes with Neville, Aliyah, and Lyra. Ophelia was making sure she paid attention to every detail so that she could rat her out to McGonagall later.

"And then we're gonna trick Peeves into being at the scene of the crime so that Filch thinks it was him," Hadley finished, grinning at Ophelia. "Pretty cool, right?"

"Hadley, aren't you a prefect?" Aliyah frowned.

"Yep." Hadley nodded with a bright smile. "Lia and I both are."

"Uh, that's Ophelia to you, Weasley," Ophelia corrected as she gave Neville and Aliyah some galleons to pay for their sweets. "Only my friends get to call me Lia."

Hadley frowned softly. "But I thought we were friends?"

Ophelia smirked teasingly. "Exactly. You thought."

The three younger teens exchanged a look. Aliyah raised a brow at Neville, who just shook his head with a sigh. His sister and Hadley had a very. . .odd relationship. One minute they'd be seeing who could irritate the other more, and the next Ophelia would be all flirty to get Hadley worked up.

Ophelia knew exactly what she was doing, and she had a feeling that Hadley did too. No matter how much she tried to ice her out, she was always going to follow her around because she craved the attention as much as Ophelia craved the thrill of making her all flustered.

As they were leaving Honeydukes, Hadley gasped and grabbed onto Ophelia's arm.

"What is it now, fire-starter?" the tall brunette asked, pushing Hadley's hand off of her.

"There's a dog!" Hadley exclaimed.

Ophelia sighed. "Merlin, you are such a child." She stuffed her hands into her pockets and followed her as her brother and his friends went to get butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.

Hadley kneeled down in front of the shaggy black dog, a huge grin on her face. "Hi there, cutie," she cooed, scratching him behind his ears. She rubbed down his neck, pouting softly when she didn't feel a collar. "Are you a stray? You must be starving and dehydrated."

"Hadley—"

"Ophelia, come on, help me sneak him into the castle," Hadley said as she stood up.

Ophelia's brows pulled together, and her lips tugged downward in a deep frown. "You want me to help you smuggle a dog into Hogwarts? You've actually gone and lost your fucking mind, haven't you?"

"Lia, I'm serious."

"Oh, please, when have you ever been serious about anything in your life?" Ophelia crossed her arms and raised a brow. "Go ahead. Enlighten me."

Hadley exhaled sharply through her nose, glaring up at Ophelia when she smirked. "If you don't want to help, then fine, I'll do it myself." She whistled at the dog as she started walking the path up to the school. To Ophelia's surprise, the dog followed.

She sighed, rolling her eyes as she gave in and followed the redhead. Hadley smiled at Ophelia when she walked up next to her, which the brunette returned sarcastically.

When they made it back to Hogwarts, Ophelia went in first to make sure that the coast was clear before motioning for Hadley and the dog to follow. She led them downstairs to the kitchen and quickly ushered them inside.

The house elves seemed excited about the visitor the two 5th years had brought with them and were more than happy to get him water and food. The dog was grateful, his tail wagging happily as he gobbled down some chicken.

The smallest trace of a smile – a real smile – appeared on Ophelia's lips. She ran her hand through his shaggy fur. It was times like these that sometimes made her want a dog of her own.

"Admit it." Hadley poked Ophelia's leg, grinning cheekily. "I have good ideas at times."

"You know what. . ." Ophelia sighed, chuckling softly with a shake of her head. "You kinda do. Just don't let it go to your head."

Hadley smiled. She looked back to the dog, only to find that he was gone.

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Sirius Black had broken into the castle, and the students of Hogwarts were required to spend the night in the Great Hall for their own safety. Hadley and Neville had both laid their sleeping bags down next to Ophelia and Lyra's, Aliyah joining them a few minutes later, exclaiming that this was like a huge sleepover.

Lyra played with her fingers uncomfortably as she avoided the eyes of her peers, who were no doubt whispering about her. What were the odds that they thought she had something to do with this? Did they think she found him and let him into the castle?

As if sensing what she was thinking, Ophelia placed her hand on top of hers, squeezing it reassuringly. "This is not your fault, okay? Those twats can all bugger off."

"Who do I need to light on fire?" Hadley asked, pulling out her wand. Ophelia quickly snatched it.

"No. No fire."

"Merlin's beard, Hadley." Neville frowned softly. "Why is it always your first instinct to light someone on fire?"

Hadley grinned and wiggled her brows mischievously. "Why isn't it yours?"

Ophelia smacked her with her wand, causing Hadley to laugh and snatch it back. She stuck her tongue out at the Hufflepuff girl, twirling her wand between her fingers. "Try not to burn the place down while we're all asleep," Ophelia said, rolling over onto her side so that her back was facing her.

"Sleep with one eye open tonight," Hadley teased, giggling when Ophelia held up her arm and flipped her the bird.