autumn | severus snape

twenty two

Ophelia had just closed her bag when Cory knocked on her open window.

"Didn't think you could leave without saying goodbye, did you?" Cory had a wide grin on his face.

Ophelia smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She walked over to the window, opening it wider to let him in. "Course not, I was just about to come find you."

Cory climbed inside, landing lightly on the floor. He took in the packed bag and the room that felt much emptier.

"So," Cory sighed, "you're really leaving, huh? Off to that fancy boarding school of yours?"

Ophelia nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. She wished she didn't have to go, she wished she could leave the wizarding world behind, maybe her father's actions wouldn't weigh so heavily on her shoulders then.

"Yeah, the summer moved fast," Ophelia said softly.

Cory's grin faded slightly, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes. He stepped closer, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I'm gonna miss you, Ophelia, it's not going to be the same without you around here."

Ophelia felt a lump form in her throat. She wanted to tell him how much she wished she could stay, but the words got caught in her throat.

"I'm going to miss you too, Cory. More than you know."

Cory looked down, kicking at an imaginary spot on the floor, and then a light smile appeared on his face again. "You better write, you know, keep me updated on all the thrilling adventures of boarding school life."

Ophelia chuckled, a small, bittersweet sound. "I will," she smirked, "I promise."

Cory looked up, his eyes locking onto hers. "Just... be safe, okay?" He said softly, "and don't forget about me, yeah?"

Ophelia stepped closer, pulling him into a tight hug. She felt his arms wrap around her, holding her as if he might never let go.

"I could never forget about you, Cory," she whispered.

They held each other for a moment longer, both unwilling to let go. When they finally pulled apart, Cory's eyes were misty. Ophelia knew she would see him again at Christmas, but her heart still ached with the weight of the goodbye.

"Well, you better be off before they leave without you," Cory said, trying to lighten the mood.

Ophelia nodded, feeling the bittersweet pull of leaving one world behind as she stepped into another.

"Goodbye, Cory."

He smiled. "Goodbye, Ophelia. See you soon."

There was a finality in their words that Ophelia couldn't put her finger on. A lot could change in four months, a lot of damage her father could do.

With one last glance back, Cory climbed out the window.

𖠇

"I have something for you, before you go to Kings Cross," Ophelia's mother said.

"How thoughtful," Ophelia rolled her eyes, careful not to let her mother see.

Her mother disappeared from the room, still acting like nothing had happened since their fight. She hadn't seen her father in a month, avoiding him like the plague. Her mother returned with a cage. Ophelia sneezed.

"A.. cat?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Every student at Hogwarts requires an animal, I already gave Ana an owl," her mother was excited, that much showed.