Ophelia || Harry Potter

006 [REWRITTEN]

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CHAPTER SIX
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Halloween was due in seven days, causing a low rumble of spooky spirit to roll its way into the school. Not only was it living in people such as the Weasley twins or Peeves the poltergeist. The festivity was was decorating itself across the school

Dotted in certain areas were carved pumpkins which illuminated at night one the candle inside was burnt. Not only did they sit in corners of a corridor or on ledges, you could find them floating around

Time resided as Ophelia yet again wondered around the school. This time however her walk remained outside as she took in the bitter autumn air. Leaves danced in the breeze and twirled around her figure before being casted to the floor. Under her, the grass became its usual off colour which matched the browning leaves

Her eyes suddenly flickered towards the whomping willow which they were always warmed not to cross paths with. However her curious mind froze when she thought she saw something lurking by the roots, only to disappear a second later when she blinked. She hasn't been able to make out what it was but it clearly seemed to be directing at her. Hesitantly she made a risk of approaching the tree yet kept a well enough distance

"What is it with this school" She muttered under her breath when seeing a large enough gap in the roots. It seemed as if it was designed for someone or something to go through. Pursing her lips she stupidly approached the tree

Now being a Ravenclaw meant being wise. However I guess the title never gave a description on how a person was wise. Proving the point when Ophelia slid into the gap, narrowly being missed by the branch

She dusted off her jeans when she finished coming rolling down. Her eyes squinted as she looked down the dark tunnel. Instantly her eyebrows raise

"Can't this school have something normal for once" She huffed, taking one last glance at the entrance before following the tunnel. Darkness seemed to evade the tunnel more, forcing her to pull out her wand "Lumos"

The way became much more clearer as she then approached a flight of stairs. She hesitated climbed up the staircase and towards the door at the top. Gently her hand gripped onto the handle, carefully twisting it before pushing the door open

Falteringly she stepped inside the first room. It was geriatric and the floorboards creaked with each step. The walls, which somehow kept the walls up, were clawed and slowly ageing. Her eyes wandered around every nook and cranny of the place before taking in another staircase

As she ascended up the steps, her hand glided against the peeling wallpaper, seeing the layer underneath

"The shrieking shack" She guessed to herself, recollecting the stories she had heard from the older students. It was all tales of the building apparently being haunted but the girl simply would roll her eyes and call it bullshit

She made it to the top of the stairs where she headed into a, what she first assumed to be, vacant bedroom. There was dust lingering on every surface with all fabrics having lost their rich, natural colour. A once, what seemed to be, beige rug was now an ashy grey. Towards the side wall was a dead fireplace which seemed to have been out of use for a very long time. Battered armchairs sat opposite echo their, facing the fireplace as they were coated in thick layers of dust. Her eyes moved further around the room, falling onto a large canopy bed with velvet-like duvet, a raw burgundy

A sudden gasp escaped from Ophelia's lips as she noticed a shaggy, black dog standing not too far away. She gulped as it was in a defensive position, it's teeth clashing together as stared intensely as her

"I mean no harm" She reassuringly spoke, holding her hands up in surrender "I was just curious"

The dogs posture seemed to soften slightly as if also recognising the girls appearance. With it finally coming to a conclusion, an elated bark sounded from the animal. It began orbiting around her, causing the girl to go slightly dizzy from the blur whizzing past her eyes

"I'm Ophelia" She laughed, watching the dogs excited behaviour whilst cautiously lowering to the ground. It stopped running as instantly sought for scratches making her league once again "What's your name?"

A wave of stupidness fell over the girl as she internally face palmed her face. Half her mind was questioning the other half on why she thought she could begin a conversation with a random dog. Especially a dog she's found in an abandoned, so called haunted, shack

"Do you have a name?" She wondered as the dog let out a bark. Her eyebrows raised as she couldn't decipher the either agreeing or disagreeing intention of the dog "How about I give you a name huh?"

She watched as the dog cocked his head to the side, it's some what familiar grey eyes looking at her. Both lips were pursued as she wracked her mind for some inspiration

"How about padfoot?" She questioned after several moments of silence "I've heard it somewhere but can't put my finger on where"

Instantly the dog let out a confirming bark, starting to run around her cheerfully. A laugh escaped her lips as she watched him admirably. Eventually the four legged animal returned back, slumping into her lap as her hand ran through his fur

"Your eyes" She softly whispered to herself, as if talking her thoughts aloud "They remind me of my mothers"

Slowly the dog turned its head to look into her chocolate eyes. Their two colours clashing as it was grey watching brown

"It feels nice to see eyes like my mothers" She quietly admits, her voice just about audible for the dog to attentively listen "I mean to see grey eyes filled with excitement has been delightful...especially with my last sight being one of goodbye"

A sad whimper left the dog as they both had thoughts of the last pair of grey eyes they had seen. They sat in a comfortable silence. Only the sound of their light breathing floating through the shack whilst her hand continuously ran over the scruffy fur

Ophelia shivered as she suddenly felt cold on both the inside and outside. Her eyes went to the window where she saw the sun slowly making its way down to rest. A sigh escaped her lips

"I've got to go Padfoot" She told the dog, carefully nudging him off and standing up. A soft smile was sent towards the animal before the girl left the room

Padfoot stayed in his place firmly, listening to make sure she had left the shack before shifting back to his human form

So then there was Sirius Black, dressed in his filthy prison clothes as he looked around the shack. But only one thing had stayed on his mind

How much his niece had grown