Fatal Attraction | D.M. (Soft Rewrite)

Chapter Twenty-Six - The Closet

Ophelia had showered and hidden behind the curtains of her bed for the rest of the day. As much as she wanted to see Draco, she couldn't bring herself to move. In the safety of her four posts, she wept for hours. When she was too exhausted to cry, she'd fallen into a hazy sort of sleep that did nothing to alleviate her tiredness. Eventually welcoming her nightmares, to distract her from who sat downstairs.

By the early hours of the morning, she felt restless. It was Monday. The weeks kept passing and nothing was improving. Her body felt numb as she let the shower clean her tear-streaked skin. Turning the dial to boiling, just so she could feel something. She jolted suddenly before turning it down – stop it! Don't let yourself spiral Phi. This isn't normal.

At least it's out in the open now...

~

Sheepishly walking into the Great Hall she immediately headed for the Gryffindor table. She didn't care what message that sent. Ron and Ginny can't find out by overhearing the news, it should...it should come from me.

But even as she walked closer, she felt no thrum of gossip. No obvious indication that word had spread. She surveyed the room; every conversation is about the Quidditch match... Maybe nobodies talked. Holding her breath, she found a spot beside Ron.

Ginny sat opposite, peering up from her plate, 'oh! Long time, no see!'

Ophelia's face flushed slightly, 'I'm sorry, I've just been –'

Cut off by Ron's laughter, 'she's only teasing Phi,' nudging her shoulder slightly, 'but it has been awhile, how've you been?'

'Um...I'm not sure where to start...' 

Ron's face darkened, 'don't tell me Blaise is causing more trouble?'

'Not again? Ron told me about Hogsmeade and...I saw him try talk with you at the ball?'

Ron's fists clenched slightly, 'the idiot.'

'Yeah that's over...he's been fine.'

It's a half-truth, but Ophelia hadn't known what to say – I definitely don't want to worry them. Plus, he didn't make any horrible digs during Pansy's outburst... Maybe he's over it...  I bloody hope so.

She continued, eager to change the subject, 'so, how have you two been?' Starting to load her plate with blueberry pancakes that she lathered in maple syrup, 'I heard about the Quidditch match, are you two playing?'

'He is - but I refuse.'

Ron rolled his eyes, 'girls...'

'Pardon?'

Ginny glared at her brother before answering Ophelia, 'well, Harry won't let me be seeker!'

'C'mon Gin, you normally play Chaser, plus he's captain – he gets final say.'

'Selfish bastard –' she harshly retorted, folding her arms.

'What was that?' Three heads spun to see Harry.

'You heard!'

Ron loosed a breath, chuckling slightly, as his best friend took the seat next to his sister. 'Rather him, than me,' he whispered over to Phi. She couldn't hold in a smile just watching the pair. So fiery.

Harry slunk an arm around Ginny, leaning closer, 'keep that trash talk for the Slytherins.'

Ginny's body remained stiff, but her face perceptibly softened. 'Except you, Phi – you're the exception,' Harry added.