𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 | 𝐡. 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝟓 - 𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬

Finally the first trip to the local village of Hogsmeade was here, it was nearing Halloween, autumn leaves falling down around the school. Ophelia was ecstatic, she was finally allowed to go out, stretch her legs, she would have gone with her Dad, but he wasn't feeling 100% so she opted to go with Ron and Hermione.

Once she figured out Harry couldn't go, she felt absolutely awful.

"Do you want me to bring anything back from Honeydukes? Or Zonko's?" she asked him before she set off, he shook his head, obviously disappointed but she gave him a hug, apologising once more in his ear, the sensation made his skin tingle with goosebumps.

It was a good feeling, and he definitely liked it.

Ophelia on the other hand was preoccupied with her guilt, as she swore to herself that she'll bring him back something from Hogsmeade.

She lets him go, a little flustered but thankfully her cheeks were already red from the cold weather, she gave Harry a little wave before running to catch up with Hermione and Ron. Harry watched as her figure got smaller until it disappeared completely out of view along with his friends. Deciding to go for a wander, Harry stumbled on Professor Lupin on the bridge, leaning against one of the windows, he approached him with a little caution, and Lupin turned to look at Harry, giving him a small smile.

Harry noticed the scars across his face, not particularly gnarly looking but noticeable.

"Professor, can I ask you something?" Harry asks

"You want to know why I stopped you facing that boggart, yes? I thought it'd be obvious. I assumed it would take the shape of Lord Voldemort," explains Lupin.

"My loving daughter gave me quite the earful after that particular lesson, I'm sorry if I had offended you at all, it was not my intention." he continues, Harry smiling to himself to find out that Ophelia was defending him.

"It's alright, I did think of Voldemort at first. But then I remembered that night on the train... and the dementor." Harry explained.

"I'm very impressed. That suggests what you fear the most is fear itself. This is very wise." encourages Lupin, allowing Harry some pride in his own fears.

"Before I fainted... I heard something. A woman... screaming." Harry says, his voice faltering slightly, noticing this Remus goes to explain further about the horrid dementor creature.

"Dementors force us to relive our very worst memories. Our pain becomes their power."

"I think it was my mother... the night she was murdered." Harry continues, Lupin takes a good look at the young man, deciding to reveal something that may comfort him.

"The very first time I saw you, Harry, I recognized you immediately. Not by your scar, by your eyes. They're your mother, Lily's." Harry's eyes widen at this information,

Did he know my mum?

Lupin walks to the opposite side of the bridge, reliving memories in his past that brought him a sense of joy but undeniable sadness.

"Yes. Oh, yes. I knew her. Your mother was there for me at a time when no one else was. Not only was she a singularly gifted witch... but she was also an uncommonly kind woman. She had a way of seeing the beauty in others... even, and most especially when that person could not see it in themselves. She was best friends with my wife, Guinevere, Ophelia's mother during their time at Hogwarts and up until they died. The pair of them were two inseparable and unstoppable forces of good."

Harry smiled at the thought of his mum, how kind she was, he imagined how life would be if she had survived. But the news that Ophelia's mum was best mates with his mum was news to him, did Ophelia know?