7.4 - Raincheck

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Most Hogwarts students stayed at home for the winter break. This particular year, parents were concerned and scared for their children, especially when it came to muggle-born or half-blood kids.

That list of children staying home for the winter break included Ophelia, Regulus, Barty, Pandora, and most of their friends.

It wasn't a dreary holiday, though. With over half of the student body not going home, the staff went out of their way to try and cheer up the children. Another reason the holidays were less dreary than usual was Sirius Black.

He was staying at Hogwarts for reasons unknown, and he was making Ophelia and her friends' Christmas much better than it would have been without him. Sirius had been there for a few days, mostly hanging out with Ophelia and some Gryffindors he had known when he attended the school.ย 

When he arrived for his visit, Sirius told Ophelia that he wanted to apologise to Regulus for abandoning him and leaving him in the bleak residence of twelve Grimmauld Place. Almost a week into the holiday break, and Sirius still hadn't apologised to his brother.ย 

Ophelia had been pressuring him gently by reminding him often but politely. Ophelia had planned a picnic for her and her friends. After Regulus' small picnic last year, winter picnics seemed to be a new favourite cold, outdoor activity for Ophelia.ย 

She invited Regulus, Barty, Pandora, and Sirius, but Barty declined the offer as he would rather hang out with a group of other Slytherin friends than attend Ophelia's picnic. It was alright for Ophelia, though, as she wasn't particularly fond of Barty's other friends, and she was slightly afraid that he would say something rude to Sirius if he didn't go.ย 

The picnic was supposed to be at lunch time, so at breakfast after Regulus had left, Ophelia had suggested to Sirius that he apologise to his brother before noon or so. Unlike with Ophelia's other attempts, Sirius didn't just brush it off and say that he would get to it when the time was right. This time, he simply said 'okay' and smiled at her.ย 

"Really? You'll do it?" Ophelia said, trying to hide some of her excitement.ย 

"Yes." He said. "Right before lunch. I'll speak to him and then you can come pick us up for your picnic."

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At precisely twelve in the afternoon, Ophelia started heading over from Pandora's room to pick up the Black brothers who were supposed to be waiting for her in Regulus' dorm room.ย 

While she and Opheila were walking, Pandora realised that she had forgotten her mittens, and had to go back to her dorm to pick them up. So, Pandora turned back, running to her room, and Ophelia kept walking.ย 

She walked into the Slytherin common room, and almost immediately heard loud voices. She recognized them instantly to be Sirius and Regulus, and her mind started filling with concern for them. The voices were muffled through the bedroom door, but Ophelia could still hear them quite clearly.ย 

"Why?" Sirius shouted. "Why would you do this?"

"Maybe because you weren't here! I was alone with Mother and Father for two years!" Regulus shouted back.ย 

Ophelia could sense the pain and raw emotion in their voices, and was contemplating even walking any further towards the dorm rooms. Though she was frightened, she slowly continued walking towards the dorm room.ย 

"You are absolutely mad!" Sirius yelled.ย 

"Oh you're going to call me mad?!"ย 

"Yes! What person who wasn't mad would do this?!"

"Someone who was alone! And scared, and vulnerable! Someone who's brother abandoned him and left him in the care of Orion and Walburga Black!"

"No, I'm not fighting about this. I'm leaving."

Sirius started storming off and opened the door. Ophelia heard and tried to leave before she was spotted, but it was too late.ย 

Sirius barely walked down ten steps before seeing Ophelia walking away from the dorm. He called her name, and she stopped in her tracks as soon as she heard his voice. She turned around and noticed the tears in his eyes.ย 

"Ophelia, please tell meโ€”" Sirius said, but he was cut off by Regulus, who was walking out of his room, fixing his coat.ย 

"Sirius, leave us now." Regulus said firmly, not even glancing at Ophelia.

Sirius turned back to look at the girl, noted Ophelia's concerned and confused expression, and realised that she wasn't a part of what he and Regulus were discussing.ย ย 

Ophelia stood below them both on the stairs, not a clue as to what was going on between the two brothers. They all stood there in silence for a second while tensions only strung tighter between the two brothers.

"Sirius, leave." Regulus repeated, even more assertive than the previous time.ย ย 

"She doesn't know, does she?" Sirius said, facing Regulus at the top of the stairwell by his door.

"Leave us. I don't want to hear another word from your traitorous, judgmental mouth."

Sirius inhaled, then turned to the girl staring at him and his brother with her wide, light brown, slightly horrified eyes.

"Ophelia, darling, it seems I have to leave." Sirius said. He shot a glare over to Regulus and started to embrace Ophelia in a hug that was a tad bit too tight for her taste. "Goodbye, dear."

She muttered a soft 'goodbye' as the young man walked away from the two teenagers.ย 

"Whatโ€” What happened?" Ophelia asked.ย 

"Lia, I'm going to have to take a raincheck on the picnic, alright?"ย 

Regulus feigned a smile and Ophelia nodded, approving his postponement.ย 

"Thanks." He said, rubbing her arm in an affectionate way and walking off. "Another time, I promise."ย 


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