As expected, Miss Mills was immediately sceptical of Ophelia's statement. Blurting out all sorts of reasons this could not be true. Minnie and Ophelia attempted to tell Miss Mills the story from the start, the hospital visit right up until Hogwarts. Yet this got them no where. Frustrated with the fact that Miss Mills wouldn't believe her, Ophelia decided to show her some magic. Pulling out her wand and pointing it towards Miss Mills, Ophelia struggled not to smile; if she was going to show her magic, might as well have some fun with it too.

"Mimblewimble."

Miss Mills went to respond but found herself quite literally tongue-tied.

"Ophelia, we did not agree to this." Minerva attempted to scold Ophelia whilst trying to hold back a look of pride. From meeting Miss Mills there was nothing yet to like about the lady. With a nod of her head the counter-curse had worked.

"Well, I-I. I" Miss Mills began to say.

"You're no longer tongue tied Miss Mills, I can assure you Minnie is one of the best witches in our country maybe even world." Ophelia replied back, laced in sarcasm but also truth.

"You're very lucky I am shocked, otherwise I wouldn't be standing for this cheek."

"Miss Mills, I must reiterate this must stay strictly between us, if it does go any further you yourself will be in a lot of trouble from our Ministry." Minerva explained.

"Yes yes, ok. I couldn't face all the paperwork and media coverage either." This response earned Miss Mills an eye roll from Ophelia.

"It's always about image with you Miss Mills, which as annoying as that is, it's exactly why I am here." Ophelia began. "For starters, I'm guessing we will have to address the Beaumont situation. I have plenty I'd love to say but of course can't be said, so tell the media something like I am dealing well considering. Even if I'm actually ecstatic by it all."

"Very well, could you pass me some pen and paper?"

"Accio Pen, Accio Paper." Ophelia summoned the two items, even though it was only metres away; using this an opportunity to show her skills. "Here."

"Thank you." Miss Mills endeavoured to act unsurprised by the use of magic, but the second blink from her was enough to tell Ophelia she was shocked. Quickly the lady scribbled down some notes. "Next?"

"Next I'd like to speak with you in regards to my Christmas plans. If it is ok with Minnie, I want to return for a day so I can visit the children's hospital like I've done previously." Ophelia turned to Minnie in the last part of the sentence.

"That is fine with me, I can finalise things with Albus." Minerva smiled, noting she would need to speak privately with Ophelia about this.

"Very well, will you be performing at the Christmas ball?" Miss Mills questioned.

"No, I only want to return for the children." Ophelia didn't want to continue with the conversation any longer. "This brings me on to my final part, myself and Minnie have said that I should keep in some sort of contact with you for various reasons. So Minnie has written an address down for you, if you have letters for me delivered to there, they will reach me at school." Ophelia dug into her pockets and to find the piece of parchment, once finding it she walked over to Miss Mills and handed it to her. "I am sorry for not keeping you more updated, but it hasn't been that simple."

"Apology accepted." Just as Miss Mills went to continue a door swung open behind them.

"HELLO WITCH!" A male voice shouted whilst singing. He was greeted with two very startled faces and one who looked a mixture of happy but regretful. "Bad timing?"

"Never bad timing." Ophelia felt the happiness take over as she began to sprint the small distance towards her old friend. She jumped and wrapped her legs around him, the boy quickly responded with wrapping his arms around her waist. "Hello wizard." Ophelia muffled out the words whilst her head was buried in his shoulder. Jumping down from him, Ophelia turned around to introduce them, but could still see a puzzled look on both women's faces. "Oh. Yeh witch is a joke, Miss Mills you know this, we call each other witch and wizard because of our love for Wicked." Ophelia explained, more to Minnie, before remembering that Minnie wouldn't know what that was. "Wicked is a musical Minnie, about a witch."

"I see. Who is this young gentleman may I ask?"

"Ooh gentleman I like you already, my lady." The man mocked a bow. "My name is Damian Gray." Damian walked over to the lady and placed two sloppy kisses on either side of her face. "You must be Minnie."

"I prefer Minerva McGonagall, Mr Gray." Minnie responded, slightly taken aback by the overly friendly introduction.

"It's Minnie." Ophelia stuck out her tongue mockingly to Minnie, before turning back to Damian. "Not to be a pain because I'm so glad I saw you, but how'd you know I was here?"

"Easy, this." Damian reached into his back pocket and pulled out his mobile. "The little'uns are never any good at keeping things quiet."

"Of course it was them." Ophelia rolled her eyes. "I've missed you, I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything."

"Nope, no apologies needed. You're here now."

"Not for long." Miss Mills chimed in, bitterness woven slightly in her voice.

"What?" Damian turned back to Ophelia.

"She's right, I don't plan on coming back yet, I'm happy with where I am now."

"Where is that?"

"Scotland with Minnie." Ophelia hadn't discussed with Minnie the idea of explaining to Damian, or anyone other than Miss Mills, about the truth of her being a witch; so she decided not to mention it now. "I've had a major social media detox and I live literally in the middle of nowhere, it's been amazing." This part was almost entirely true. "I've missed you though.

"Missed you too."

"Ophelia dear, I am sorry to interrupt but we must prepare to leave." Minnie spoke gently, sad to interrupt the reunion.

"Oh gosh, is that the time already? Ok, Miss Mills please share the address with Damian, Damian you can write to me-" Damian scoffed at the word write, "yes Damian write, like the old fashioned way, it's rather nice actually. When you've written it, have it delivered to the address Miss Mills gives you."

"Fine, but only cause I love you."

"Ok, Damian one last hug." Ophelia held on to the boy in a deep hug. "I love you more."

"I love you most." Damian responded before pulling away from the hug. "Tell me one thing before you go, they were hurting you weren't they." Ophelia nodded rather than use words. "You should have told me." As Ophelia went to open her mouth, the boy quickly covered it with his hand. "Ah, no answer needed. You've got to go and I've got a letter to start writing."

"You better write it!" Ophelia sent a playful wink, feeling rather glad Damian didn't press more. "Goodbye Miss Mills, thank you for the chat."

"No problem Li- Ophelia." Miss Mills corrected herself. "Look after yourself." Miss Mills changed her line of sight. "And Minerva, thank you." A nod was given, which was reciprocated by Minnie.

"You're welcome." There seemed to be a mutual understanding between the pair that Ophelia didn't seem to pick up on.

Ophelia and Minnie left the studio room and headed downstairs. They were just about to reach the final door before the lobby when 'T-Rex' stood in front of them.

"You don't want to go out there yet."

"Why? We need to leave now." Ophelia began to explain, but then a cog turned in her head that made her realise what it could be. "Oh no, vultures."

"Vultures?" Minerva questioned, she wasn't aware of vultures in London.

"The paparazzi." Ophelia explained but was still met with a quizzical look from Minnie. "They're people who are paid to take photographs of celebrities in order to create gossip, but they don't just take a photograph and leave. They become a bit obsessive, sometimes aggressive and they turn up in large numbers. Just like vultures." Ophelia turned to T who looked slightly confused by the idea Ophelia had to explain what a paparazzi was. "T can you take Minnie to the back fire exit, she'll be able to get out unseen then because they'll be more interested in me coming through the front door."

"Of course squirt."

"Ophelia I don't feel happy with leaving you."

"I can assure you Miss she is safe with me, I'll escort her." T-Rex explained before moving from his spot to lead Minnie to the back door. Ophelia quickly grabbed Minnie's arm and leaned in to whisper.

"As soon as you get out those doors turn into your animagus, don't be seen as you by the paparazzi. Turn left and then jump a fence, you'll be almost at the front door. Don't try and come over to me as they'll just trample on you, when you get to the corner of the street, turn back if you want."

"Miss are you coming?" T shouted from round a corner.

"Yes." Minerva shouted, then turned back to Ophelia. "Be safe dear."

"Don't worry, they're not killers. Just mad." Ophelia chuckled.

A few minutes passed and Ophelia found herself pacing, nerves brewing inside about the paparazzi outside. This wasn't new to her in the slightest, Ophelia had spent years of her life surrounded by them but it didn't make it easier; it was made worse by the fact she hadn't been near any in so long. But in those few minutes she was able to mentally prepare the event that was about to happen: hood up, head down, do not answer them, keep walking, let T stop them from leaving the street.

"Ready squirt?"

"Ready as I'll ever be. One thing though, just make sure they can't follow me once we are off the street, I need to get away unseen." Ophelia began to walk towards the door, taking a deep breath whilst pulling her hood up.

"No problem. Ok 3, 2, 1."

The sudden flashing lights that pierced through Ophelia's hoodie, the desultory clicking sounds and the screeches of people yelling questions were enough to tell Ophelia the door had opened.

"Move back." T did his usual job and stood forward, one arm back to keep Ophelia grounded and close, the other forward to quite literally swat the paparazzi out of their way. Ophelia meant it when she referred to them as vultures earlier, they act like vultures surrounding an animal carcass - aggressive and determined.

"LIA." Click, click, flash. Two steps forward.

"Are you back?" Shove, click.

"Will you tell us about your relationship with Caspar Beaumont?"

"Where have you been?"

"Is it true you ran away?"

It takes a lot to be able to ignore the paparazzis questions, but that is why they ask such pressuring questions. A slight change of facial expression will allow for big headlines, earning them a big pay check.

Minerva, disguised as her cat animagus, stood on a fence whilst watching the scene unfold. It was chaos. These people rushed forward like they were about to battle over a million Galleons. They shouted questions that Minerva struggled to make out because at least five others were asking some at the same time. The camera flashes were blinding even if not pointed at Minerva herself. Everything about it was suffocating to watch.

"Move back, if you follow Ophelia any further the police will be called. She is no longer with protection once off this street so you mustn't follow her, you know the rules." A few of the paparazzis tried to shove forward once Ophelia had made it to the end of the street but they were no match to T-Rex.

"Thank you T, take care of yourself." Ophelia smiled from under the hood.

"You too squirt."

Ophelia rounded the corner and spotted a tabby cat, her cat. Minnie. With a flash of white the lady was stood in front of her with a concerned face.

"I'm ok, look." Ophelia spun around with a laugh to try and ease the concern but only received a tut in response. "Honestly, I'm used to it."

"They're barbaric. Come here." Ophelia knew this meant a hug so went straight over. "You are an amazing young lady Ophelia."

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The portkey returned them to Minnie's office seconds after they held onto it. Minnie offered for Ophelia to stay and have a cup of tea before she returned to Gryffindor Tower, but Ophelia found herself wanting to be with her friends more than anything right now.

As Ophelia entered the Gryffindor Common Room she found it not to be too overcrowded, most likely due to people enjoying the rare November sunshine. There was still a few students inside though; a pair playing chess, a few first year girls giggling to themselves on one sofa, a seventh year scribbling away on some parchment surrounded by workbooks and finally a person she didn't realise she needed to see. Remus.

Ophelia made her way over to where Remus sat, his head almost entirely submerged in a book. Resting herself on the arm of the chair, she leaned over to peak at what he was reading.

"No wonder you're so bloody good at DADA Rem, this book definitely isn't on the set list!" Ophelia's voice startled Remus out of his reading 'trance' causing him to jump slightly. "Sorry Rem, didn't mean to scare you."

"It's ok, I was just on my own world." Remus smiled and turned his head to look at the girl. He didn't have to look up much, even if Ophelia was sat on the arm of the chair. "Did you have a nice day with Minnie?"

"Hm, it was ok." Ophelia smiled but continued to read over Remus' shoulder. "It was a busy day that's for sure."

"It's about werewolves." Remus noticed how intently Ophelia was reading the page he had opened but decided to close the book.

"Beasts or Beings? What a load of bollocks." Ophelia let out a huff after reading the title aloud. Leaving a rather stunned Remus to return to staring at the girl. "I don't know much about Werewolves, other than what I've studied but for goodness sake they're human beings with feelings, not a beast."

"What about when they become the werewolf though?" Remus let the question slip out his mouth, although unsure if he wanted the answer.

"That's not the person though is it! The werewolf isn't them and it's as simple as that. You can't shun someone for having a disease they cannot control, that's just wrong."

Ophelia continued to debate with herself about how wrong the wizarding world was about werewolves, gesticulating to support her argument. Remus watched the girl in awe over how passionate she was about something that didn't actually affect her personally.

"Rem, you agree don't you?" Ophelia found herself breaking Remus from a second trance in the short time they'd spent together.

"Oh, yes, yeh. 100%." Remus stuttered the words out. "I was just reading this to get both sides of the story I guess."

"Well Remus, this-" Ophelia reached over Remus' shoulder and grabbed the book from his hands. "- isn't beneficial, it's entirely prejudice and you're too good for this." With that final statement Ophelia threw the book over her own shoulder to the floor.

"Madam Pince won't be happy if that book has a crease or tear." Remus raised an eyebrow, a small smirk spreading across his face.

"Madam Pince should be happy a book that disgusting is no longer in her library."

"Fancy a visit to the lake?" Remus questioned, he was planning to go there by himself but decided to offer the trip to Ophelia.

"Your lake?"

"Well it's not my lake, but yeh if you want."

"To me, it's your lake until we give it a name." Ophelia stood and brushed out the invisible crinkles on her clothing.

"I take that as a yes then?" Remus stood after Ophelia.

"Yep, ooh wait one second. Accio Chamomile Bags. Accio Two Mugs."

"What are they for?" Remus questioned.

"Thought we could share a tea again, it was nice a few weeks ago anyway."

"Yeh, that sounds good." Remus spoke, but inside he couldn't help but think how amazing that sounded and how happy he was that Ophelia had returned at a time he didn't realise how much he needed her.

They both needed each other at that time, they just didn't realise how much they helped each other.

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