Tension filled the Potter household after Ophelia's Christmas feast incident. She tried to avoid her family whenever she could, whether it be giving them the cold shoulder or just locking herself in her room altogether. 

On one of the last days of winter break, Ophelia spent the better part of her day in her room reading plays by William Shakespeare with Dusty as her only company. 

Interrupting the silence and the room's isolated mood, there was a knock at the bedroom door. Ophelia was hesitant to acknowledge it, but she decided to speak. 

"Who is it?" She called out.

"It's Sirius." A voice replied politely. 

Since Sirius was the person she was the least upset with, she was reluctant, but still invited him in. 

"I figured you needed some company since you've been isolating yourself for days." He told Ophelia. 

"I don't need any company." She mumbled. 

"You don't want any company, but trust me, you need it."

Once Ophelia realised he wasnt just here for a doorway check up, she put her book down face down beside her. She sat up, and watched Sirius walk into her room, closer to her. 

He sat down on the edge of her bed, beside a stack of old books and a small pile of Ophelia's clothes. Once they were both comfortable, he looked her in the eyes to achieve a more meaningful conversation. 

"So, how are things with you?" Sirius asked her. 

"Just wonderful." Ophelia responded sarcastically. "I'm just waiting up here until the break is over, and I can go to school again to be with all my friends."

She realised that Sirius knew she was still friends with Regulus, and knew that it may be a sensitive subject to him. 

"Sorry." She said quietly. 

"I don't care if you're still friends with him." Sirius admitted. "He seems like an alright friend to you, and you're old enough to make your own decisions."

"Thank you." Ophelia said. "James doesn't think so."

"Well, he's wrong. But you know he's graduating this year, right?"

"How could I forget? It's all my parents talk about. I'm just glad that he'll finally be gone."

"I know you're glad that he's leaving, but I don't think you'll feel this way forever." Sirius told her. 

Ophelia let out a scoff-like sigh, but held back the urge to roll her eyes.

"I'm pretty sure I will." She told him.

"That's what you think now. But—"

Ophelia interrupted him. "But what? But after he leaves we'll just want to become best friends? But I'll miss him?"

"I do implore you to reconsider this and try to make amends before the year ends." Sirius advised. 

"Why should I have to be the one to fix this?" She asked.

Sirius sighed, and looked down at the blanket.

"Because your brother is preoccupied right now, and he's not going to realise everything until it's too late."

"Sounds like his problem." Ophelia muttered. 

"Oh my Merlin, I always forget how bloody stubborn you Potters are." 

Sirius stood up to leave, disappointed with how the conversation went. His malcontent caused Ophelia to think about the advice over again, and she spoke up before he could reach her bedroom door. 

"Fine." She sighed. "I'll go try and fix this."

Sirius turned around, and the corners of his mouth formed a faint smile. 

"It's what's best for the both of you." Sirius told her. "I'm proud of you for taking this initiative."

----------

Ophelia prepared an apology in her room alone for ten minutes or so before going to find James. Once she felt comfortable, or comfortable enough, she got up and headed over to James' room. 

The door was ajar, so Ophelia knocked. It was partially to announce her presence, and partially to ask permission to be near James as she knew he was likely still mad. She knocked with a polite, two-rap knock and waited until James confirmed she could enter.

"Come in." James called out from his bed, not even bothering to look who it was. 

She pushed the door open slowly, and James looked up at her, his neutral expression morphing into a disappointed look.

"I deserve that a little bit." Ophelia told him. "But, I'm just here to apologise and then have a little talk, if you'll let me."

"Go ahead."

James gestured towards his bed, instructing his sister to come in and sit down, to which she complied. She sat beside him, against his headboard and took a deep breath before telling him everything she had just planned a few minutes ago. 

"I'm sorry for what I said on Christmas. I'm sorry that I was envious of you and Sirius. I'm sorry that I said you were the golden child. I'm sorry for making a scene and I'm sorry for upsetting everyone."

"Thank you, but I'm not the only one you need to apologise to."

"I know, I'll apologise to Mum and Dad in a minute."

"What about Sirius?"

"Already spoke to him."

"So are you done with me?" James asked. 

"I just came here to apologise." Ophelia told him. "And I did, so if you accept it, I'll be on my way."

"I do, but I still want to talk. What made you act that way?"

She fiddled with the emerald ring on her finger and pondered the question. 

"I don't know." 

"We both know you're lying."

"It's not that." Ophelia defended, understanding what James was implying but denying it all like usual. 

"Yes, it is."

"I absolutely refuse to have this conversation again, especially if you won't even take the time to get to know him."

"I do know him. I know him from the Quidditch games he cheats at and the horror stories Sirius tells about that family. I know him and I despise him."

Ophelia hated this conversation. The one absolute constant in her life. This conversation, this argument, that repeated over and over again. She hated it. She hated having to defend Regulus in front of her family and vice versa. Unfortunately, she was forced to choose a side every single time. And her choice was often predictable. 

"Then I take back my apology." Ophelia told James firmly. "You are spoiled rotten. You're so spoiled to the point that you bring down everyone in your path so you can pull them down to your level."

"Ophelia, stop it."

Ophelia stood up in a rage. She wanted to leave, but she couldn't go before telling James her every thought on the matter. 

"No, you stop it. If you say that about him, then I despise this family. I absolutely loathe you for acting the way you do to him." 

Ophelia was completely enraged by James. She couldn't stand anyone who doesn't like Regulus, especially James. Her anger had increased tenfold over the years. Now, after all these years of disrespect towards Regulus, she had decided. She was done with it all.

"You're mad if you would choose him over your own family." James told her, a stern and disheartened look on his face, as well as the tone in his voice.

"Aren't I?" She said, slamming the door behind her.