secrets splashed on the news front page

Sirius had always been attracted to the dysfunction of the family. Perhaps he’d taken solace in knowing that it was a common occurrence, to be torn on what to do with family. It was such a tragic ending; he hoped he wouldn’t meet something similar. Blind and helpless and standing on the edge of a cliff. “It’s quite the tragic end,” Sirius agrees. 

He chuckles and gives a shake of his head. “No, they probably wouldn’t, if I had to take a guess. They like propriety and decorum, my family. Not much glory in Flourish and Blotts – although it does sound like an amazing way to spend your time. I’ve always found benefits to being exceptionally well read.” Sirius wasn’t the biggest reader, often hiding his books away and preferring to play the charming, air-headed fool in the Marauders group. His own passion for reading had developed after he’d grown closer with Remus, often having to do something while the other studied. He found it enlightening and he learned a lot. 

“I don’t think I really knew them seven years ago,” Sirius admits truthfully. “I never allowed myself the chance to get to know these people – my people. I was a believer in stereotypes and what I heard from my housemates.” He shrugs. “There’s more than meets the surface, as every day with my grandfather has been teaching me.” It’s not a complete lie. The more time Sirius spends with these people, the more difficult it has become to see them for only their sins. He offers a rueful smile. “I plan to be better this time.” 

He lets that sit for a moment before clearing his throat and picking up his menu. “Enough of that, I suppose. No reason to bring down the mood with my honesty. So what’s good here?” 

Ophelia was pleasantly surprised that she could talk about literature, especially muggle literature, with Sirius. She had never thought that he was a reader, although she realized that she had never thought much about him generally. But she had been wrong. “I think that most of his works end rather tragically, don’t you think? It’s rather fascinating, muggles obsession with tragedy. They write about it over and over again.”

She was glad, not for the first time, that her father wasn’t like the Black’s. Sure they had to behave like upstanding members of society but her father did know how to let loose when he wanted to, and he let her get away with anything. “Yes, i’ve noticed. They do it well, though,” She said. “Oh, it’s a wonderful place to work. I’m not the best employee, when it’s slow I often take a book and go hide among the stacks,” she laughed. “Just don’t tell anyone I don’t need to get fired.” Ophelia nodded her head. “There is nothing better than getting lost in a good book,” she agreed. Sirius Black liked to read. It was certainly a welcome surprise.

He seemed like a changed man, Ophelia noticed. Of course she hadn’t known him well when they were younger, but she had heard the rumors. “Well, I’m sure some of the stereotypes are probably true,” she said with a light laugh. She could only imagine what they said about people like them. “But yes. You are certainly right. There is always more beneath the surface.” What would people think of this new and improved Sirius Black? She was certainly intrigued about how the next big event went. “Well, I’m sure that you have plenty of people on your side now ready to show you the way.”

She nodded her head and looked down at her menu. “I like your honesty,” she said, not looking at him. “We need more of that around here. But I suggest a burger or a wrap. They tend to be really good here. A bit messy though, I suppose.”

Marlene did as she was told and popped into the seat beside Ophelia.

“Oh really? I haven’t seen Adrian in forever. It would be nice to catch up. Though a gig isn’t really a good place for that sort of thing. Maybe I’ll send him an owl,” she said with a shrug. Maybe she would, maybe she’d forget about it before the night was through. 

“How did you hear about this?”  

Ophelia was glad when Marlene made herself comfortable.

“I’m sure he would be happy to see you.” He usually was when it involved a pretty witch, although he had his sights set on Rowan these days. “I’m sure he would like that,” Ophelia replied with a smile. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it, but knew that Adrian could take care of his own affairs.

“Oh, i’ve been a fan for ages. I usually hear about these things, but I can’t always make it out here, you know? But I happened to not be working and took the chance. What about you?”

No matter how her parents may try, Briar knew she wouldn’t marry Adrian. Not when his head was so turned by another. She wasn’t one to be content playing second fiddle, and, she was sure that she could catch the eye of someone even grander. Let Adrian have Rowan, Briar would bounce back with little effort, she was sure.

“Everything my parents like is uncool.” Briar gave Ophelia a knowing look, accompanied by a smirk. She wasn’t even sure that she could say that her parents had been cool in their prime, she was only able to picture them as the stuffy older generation she had grown up with. At Ophelia’s comment about her brother, Briar raised a brow. “Oh, did he?” Her face didn’t betray anything but curiosity, “How unfortunate, if he did. I’m sure he would have quite a good time here.”

Ophelia was generally trying to stay out of Adrian’s love affairs, so long as he wasn’t making a mess, than she would stay out of it. She didn’t want to get too involved, and she trusted Adrian to make the right choice, whatever that was. And she was sure that if he did something unseemly than their father would step in. 

She laughed and smiled. “Oh, yes. All of our parents are uncool if you ask me,” She said conspiratorially. Ophelia loved her dad, but it was hard to imagine him as anyone but her father and well, he wasn’t a cool person. “We’re going to be much cooler than our parents,” she said. She couldn’t imagine her father in a bar like this, that was for certain. Ophelia watched Briar’s expression when she brought Adrian up, and she was satisfied by the look on her face. “Yeah, but you know Adiran,” she said with a shrug. He was probably with Rowan, truthfully. “He would have, but i’m sure he’s having an even better time wherever he is. But we don’t need him to have fun.”

Cora couldn’t imagine anything better than a flat filled with flowers, honestly. She might have to make that a motto if she ever found her own place to live - flowers everywhere. But there probably could be too much of a bad thing, as unthinkable as it sounded. Nose wrinkling, she nodded emphatically at the question about her parents. She loved them, and they weren’t as awful as some other pureblood parents were, but still. She was glad for a chance to get away for a little bit.

Her curiosity was piqued at the mention of America - she’d never traveled that far, and didn’t really have much interest in doing so, but it was unusual. “That sounds like it must have been fun though! Too much family time aside.” Having no siblings of her own, she couldn’t relate to that but she did think spending an extended amount of time with her parents might be too much. “Oh, it was such a good time! I had almost started to think he was just a legend. I think his estate was the size of a small country.”

Ophelia felt like she was lucky most of the time. Her life could have turned out very differently if her father hadn’t learned of her existence and rescued her. There would have been no trips to America or even to Ireland. She had faint memories of the orphanage even though Adelaide always told her that she couldn’t possibly remember anything. What did she know? That was why she preferred Adrian. He was fun and he doted on her enough, he didn’t question her memories like her elder sister did. It drove her crazy, really.

“Oh, it was wonderful. We went to New York City and got to go and see a lot of the East coast, we didn’t venture too far. But me and Adrian had a blast,” she said. They had gone to bars and gotten drunk and just enjoyed themselves. Adelaide was another story entirely. “Sometimes you just need a big break from your family,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s why I’m glad we all have our own places now. It makes it more fun when we get together. We’re not all on top of each other,” she explained. Ophelia listened to Cora and smiled. “That sounds amazing. I wish I could have come! Maybe he’ll throw another party sometime. It sounded incredible.”

“That sounds like a productive trip,” she said, thinking of the flower market. She had accompanied her mother on multiple trips there in the past. It would be nice to have her own flat to decorate - she would have to find somewhere that would let her bring Ellie, of course, but it was a thought to pursue. “I don’t have any real reason, other than I wanted to get away from my parents.” She laughed, moved closer to the bar and Ophelia’s seat. “May I?” 

She hadn’t come here for a social visit but she wouldn’t be able to flirt with Ophelia here, in case whispers of her inappropriate choices reached her parents. So she would have to find another way to pass the time for now. “Did you come to Flint’s estate for the holiday?”

“It was very productive,” she said. “When I say I got flowers I mean I got flowers. Dozens of them,” she admitted with a laugh. “It was probably a mistake. But I figure I can fill my flat with beautiful flowers and bring them to work with me so they don’t go to waste,” she said. Ophelia nodded her head sympathetically when Cora said she had come to get away from her parents. “They can be such a bore, right?” She said. But Ophelia didn’t have problems with her father for the most part. It was her sister that drove her crazy. “Absolutely,” she said. 

Ophelia shook her head. “I was so sad to miss it but my father had planned a holiday for us to spend some time in America, actually. He was doing some work with some wizards there and brought all of us. It was a nice trip, but a little bit too much family time with my sister especially,” she said with a laugh. “But I heard that it was a blast. Did you go?” She asked curiously. 

Sirius chuckles a bit and tucks some loose hair behind his ear. “Yes, I have. I’ve read my fair share of muggle works; although I wouldn’t dream of telling my grandfather that. I enjoyed reading them immensely. Perhaps I loved them so much because it felt a bit rebellious to read them.” It’s no secret he was a former rebel; Sirius sees no reason to hide it. “I think King Leer was one of my favorites; although, it’s quite the tragedy.” 

“A day off is lovely. Mind if I ask where you put your efforts nowadays? I’ve been looking for something myself; it seems I need a respectable job to occupy my time now that I’ve been taken in again.” Sirius says it with a smile. It was actually his suggestion that he find work. He didn’t want to mooch off his grandfather forever and the sooner he find a place in wizarding London, the better. He needs some space from pureblood society, a place where he can be himself – unwatched. 

He sighs softly and glances away, shifting in his chair to get comfortable. “I’ll admit you’re not the first one to ask that question.” His smile softens a bit into something a bit more somber. “It’s been a difficult adjustment, to be perfectly honest with you. But I’m finding myself more at home the further I get from my old life.” It’d be strange if he was suddenly at home, perfectly adjusted to the world he left. It’s humanizing to show weakness, to show that things aren’t perfect in his world. 

“You don’t have to worry about me telling your grandfather anything, I’m guilty too,” Ophelia said with a laugh. She was grateful that her father let her read whatever she wanted without worrying about what other people would think. “Sometimes it feels good to be a little rebellious, even if it’s just reading a book. Books are power, you know?” She said. “That’s why muggles are constantly banning books. But then it backfires and makes everyone read them anyways.” She smiled. “Ah, yes. That’s a good one. A father and his daughters. I always felt bad for Lear in the end.”

“I’m sure your family wouldn’t want their heir working at Flourish and Blotts. But I love it there. I’m a bit of a book lover, obviously, and there’s something special about being amongst the books, you know?” She offered. She dreaded the day that she was married and had to quit the job and just throw herself to different society events and charities. It all sounded so boring and dreadful. “But it’s a nice place to work, and it keeps me busy.”

Ophelia looked sympathetically at him. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to be in his position. “I figured that I wasn’t,” She said. It was refreshing though, Sirius’s honesty. Most people just pretended that everything was perfect. “It must be different. The same people you knew seven years ago but everyone's a little different, a little older. Things are always the same in our world but a little bit different, like you can’t quite put your finger on what’s different but you know it’s there,” she mused. 

When Sirius receives an owl from Ophelia requesting lunch, he’s not certain of her reasoning for having a get together. They hadn’t spoken to one another at the gala, though he’d spoken with her father. He suspected that the family wanted to get in the good graces with the new Black heir, or that, perhaps, they wished for Ophelia to marry Sirius. Whatever the reason for the meetup, Sirius agreed to it. He’s in no position to deny anyone’s company, nor does he want to. He wants to work his way back into everyone’s good graces, and the only way to do that is through the hard work of socializing with as many people as he can. 

So on their arranged date, he’d headed to Bohemia with his head held high. He was dressed as casually as he could get away with, with a nice blazer, some slacks, and a button up. It was expected that he present himself a bit better now that he’d been adopted into pureblood society again. Gone are the days of muggle jeans and leather jackets and old t-shirts. 

He was on time and surprised to see Ophelia there before him. He approaches with a kind smile on his face, noticing she was engrossed in Shakespeare. “Good choice in novels.” He offers a broader smile when she invites him to sit. He takes a seat across from her and nods. “A long while.” 

“I’m doing great, thanks.” Not entirely true. Nearly two weeks into this whole mess and Sirius is wishing more and more that he hadn’t agreed to this mission from Dumbledore. However, that’s not exactly something he can bring up with Ophelia. “And you?” 

Ophelia knew that she couldn’t hold what had happened with Regulus at school against the older brother. That would be rather crazy, she supposed. And if her father wanted her to marry a Black, she supposed that Sirius was the better option, although Ophelia didn’t approve of it either way. But Adelaide kept telling her that it was time that she married, and while Ophelia still thought that she was way too young for marriage, she was tired of her older sister’s incessant wedding talk. What was with people over the age of thirty demanding that they get married so young? It seemed rather crazy to her. She supposed that perhaps Adelaide was so bored in her own marriage that setting up Ophelia was more entertaining. But Adrian wasn’t married yet either, so she personally thought that that was the better choice. Adrian was much older. And so infatuated with Rowan Fawley that marriage might settle him down and realize that pursuing her was pointless.

But it was hard for her to be hard on her brother. She adored him, had since she was two, and met him for the first time. They had a relationship unlike her relationship with Adelaide and perhaps that was why she was so annoyed with her. 

“Thank you,” Ophelia said with a genuine smile. “Have you read his other works? I know that they’re not...kosher,” she said with a small smirk on her lips. “But I’ve always been drawn to them. Perhaps it’s because Ophelia is my namesake,” she admitted. 

“I’m glad to hear it,” she replied. “I’m well. I have a day off from work, which has been nice.” She paused. “How have you been settling in? I’m sure that you’ve been getting that question a lot,” she admitted with a laugh.

Audrey didn’t care much about being partnered with someone else in the society of purebloods but her mother figured that no one would want her if Rabastan Lestrange didn’t. Audrey could understand where her mother was coming from and perhaps should ask Lestrange to say something positive to hold a better reputation but she would never steep that low. Audrey could present herself in a better way than her mother could. 

She knew that the society wouldn’t shut them out as they were a good family and even if Audrey was full of disappointments, her brother held the torch when she dropped it. Audrey did enjoy shopping and having an afternoon to herself on a weekend undisturbed by work felt more than reassuring. The next gala she attended, Audrey needed to be looking the best in the room. The Flint manor and the Black gala had been exceptional but she knew she could do better. 

It wasn’t her taste to stand out but she wouldn’t mind having someone else in her life, wanting a relationship not for the purpose of her family but for her own. Audrey took a small break and was thrilled to see Ophelia. “If you want me to take them off your hands all you have to do is ask, otherwise I think they will look so pretty. And yes, I have. Mother gave me some money to do some spring cleaning shopping but I might have overworked myself a little. I can keep you company until he comes then!”

Ophelia was rather glad that outside of Adelaide, she had little pressure from her family. Of course, her father had gotten it into his head that they should approach Sirius Black with a marriage proposal, but nothing was in the works, and she highly doubted that anything would be for a long time if it happened at all. Ophelia personally thought that she was too young to get married, even though Adelaide insisted differently. But she usually did. 

She thought that she was lucky that her father let her do as she pleased so long as she showed up when he asked. Perhaps it was a father's guilt for her first two years or he was just tired after Adrian’s dramatics, but it suited her just fine. She loved going to the parties and the teas and she loved buying pretty dresses but she wasn’t so interested in all of the politics and intrigue that seemed to go on all the time. She thought that it was rather exhausting and she would much rather be in Flourish and Blotts helping people find their perfect novel. 

At Audrey’s words, she smiled. “No, please you must take some. I literally bought dozens of bouquets,” she admitted with a laugh. “I went a tad overboard. I tend to do that,” she said sheepishly, but she didn’t regret it. Flowers made her happy and she could always put them around Flourish and Blotts. She smiled at Audrey. “Oh, pretty. Did you shop for a certain occasion or just in general? Next time you go shopping send me an owl, i’m always looking to shop,” she admitted with a laugh. “Perfect. And honestly, knowing Adrian he may not even show.” 

Briar had been getting to know Ophelia little by little, even if the circumstances weren’t her first choice. Her parents had become obsessive with pairing her off, and Briar knew better than to try to argue with them. Still, she knew that Adrian wasn’t it, at least not for her. His sister didn’t need to know that though. At least not yet.

“Well, I for one am thankful that my mother does not,” Briar grinned as she accepted her drink, turning to face the younger woman. Though she didn’t foresee herself being happy as a future Mrs. Greengrass, she could see the potential good a friendship with Ophelia could do. Taking a sip of the drink, she shook her head at the question. “My mother drug me to France, without a care of what I’d be missing here.” She caught the other eying the door, and arched a brow with a mischievous grin. “Ophelia, are you waiting for someone? You shouldn’t have let me take the chair!”

Ophelia wasn’t sure what to think of Briar. She was nice enough of course, and she was very much aware that Briar’s parents were eyeing Adrian. But Adrian was in love with Rowan, and while Ophelia had her own thoughts on that she wanted what made Adrian happy. That was all she had ever wanted for her older brother, and she just...didn’t know if Briar would make him happy, especially when he was so hooked on Rowan.

 She had to laugh and smile. “My father has never been fond of Dublin and i’m kind of glad he isn’t. When your parents like something it makes that thing significantly less cool, don’t you think?” She loved the atmosphere here, even in Dublin. It was just so different from the atmosphere of England. “Oh, that sounds...” she grimaced. “Well, not fun. If it wasn’t your choice to  go.” She was grateful that her father was so easy going, truthfully. Ophelia hadn’t wanted Briar to notice her look to the door and so she took a sip of her drink. “No, no, it’s not like that,” she laughed. “Adrian said he might meet me here, is all,” she said, watching the other woman for her reaction. “But...I’m thinking that he’s not coming. He probably got stuck at work or something.”

Cora didn’t rarely venture far from home; she had learned her lesson and knew she couldn’t risk going out by herself and losing the trust that she had rebuilt with her parents. But it didn’t stop her from doing so occasionally, and taking the risk to go to places that were less approved than the norm, and tonight she had excused herself from her parents and ventured out to enjoy some anonymity - or something close to it, anyway. There was a cute bartender at Augurey and Cora’s focus was on the bar as she stepped in, but it was quickly wrenched away as she recognized Ophelia’s voice.

Turning with a smile even before she had fully recognized the other girl, she let out an answering laugh and shifted directions to walk toward Ophelia. “I wasn’t expecting to see anyone I recognized,” she said cheerfully. “But it’s a pleasant surprise. What brings you out here, Ophelia?”

Ophelia was grateful that her father didn’t try to micromanage her life for the most part. Of course, he was like most Pureblood fathers and he had his expectations, but Ophelia had always gotten away with things. She had always been allowed to be herself, whoever that was at the moment. She loved popping into Ireland when she had a day off from her job  The Augurey was her favorite bar in Ireland, and whenever she was in the area, she made sure to pop in for a drink. It just made it better when the Hobgoblins were supposed to be there. It was her and Adrian’s favorite spot in Ireland whenever they came. It was always worth the trip.

Seeing Coraline was a bit of a surprise. She hadn’t expected to see anybody from England there, but she smiled at the other girl. “Oh, me neither,” she said in agreement, laughing. “Oh, I came to Dublin to get some flowers for my flat. I had the day off and figured I would come and enjoy the beautiful weather. What about you?”

When her father had brought up a potential match with Sirius Black, Ophelia had been rather ambivalent about the idea. Her father had wanted a match between her and Regulus, and it didn’t surprise her that Sirius’s return had changed things. She could remember him from school and from society and the way that he had broken free of it all. She truthfully didn’t know what to think of his return. And when her father had suggested a dinner between the two of them, she had suggested Bohemia instead. It wasn’t as formal, wasn’t as stuffy, and there was plenty of beer should things get awkward. 

If Ophelia was doing this then it would be on her terms, not on the Black’s or even her father’s. She wasn’t so sure she even wanted a marriage right now, she was quite content with her life. 

Sometimes she was so sick of people trying to push her to be someone that she wasn’t. It was what Adelaide did all the time, much to Ophelia’s annoyance. Today she was wearing a sundress and her hair was done up in a tastefully messy braid. She had brought her copy of Hamlet with her and she was engrossed in it when Sirius approached. She had arrived early to get the table that she wanted. It was towards the back, away from prying eyes. She looked up when she sensed someone standing there and put her book down. 

“Hello Sirius,” she greeted him. “Please, sit. It’s been a while. How are you?”

Trying to ingratiate herself with society was not always easy. She had to hold her tongue when talking to her mother’s friends while trying not to do anything that might be embarrassing. She was also juggling several friendships that were not always easy -  including being friends with both Violet and Narcissa. Then there was the little issue of Sirius Black and his return to society. 

She deserved a night off. And what better place than a gig at a pub far away in Dublin?

“Ophelia!” she greeted her friend with a smile and a hug. She hadn’t been expecting to see anyone but that didn’t mean she wasn’t happy to see Ophelia. “I wanted a night away from London. Are you here alone?”

Ophelia smiled when she saw Marlene approaching. She was glad to see her, she was a good friend, one that she felt like she could be more herself around. She sometimes felt like she didn’t fit in with the other Pureblood girls, the ones who were always so prim and proper and perfect, and Ophelia didn’t feel that way. But Marlene was more like her, more...relaxed. It was always good to see her.

“Hi,” She greeted with a smile. She returned the hug. “Sit,” she gestured. “At the moment, yes. Adrian had said that he would come and join me, but I’m not sure that he’s going to come. You know how Adrian is,” she said with a fond smile on her lips. Adrian could be just as flighty as she was. “I’m so glad that you came.”

Briar had had to practically beg her mother to let her out of the house for the evening, the woman still keeping a tight reign on her only child after their return from France. But with enough bats of her lashes, and getting her father on her side, Briar had won. She didn’t care to think about the rigged society functions she was now obligated to as a form of trade, instead, letting herself enjoy the night for the time being. 

She knew a good deal of her friends and acquaintances would find themselves in the pub, and Briar nodded in greeting at a few of them as she entered. She made her way to the bar, slipping between people as she did, before settling next to a face that quickly became familiar. Her family spent enough time with the Greengrasses, and Briar offered a smile at the younger woman. “I hope I’m not some sort of disappointment!” She teased, and placed her drink order before turning back to Ophelia. “I think everyone we know might be here.”

It felt like she had seen a lot of Briar Avery in the last few months. She was very aware that her parents, like many others, were interested in Adrian, but she wasn’t quite sure what to make of the situation. She didn’t actively dislike Briar. She thought that the older woman seemed nice enough and was friendly enough, but she wanted Adrian to be happy. And she knew that his heart was with another woman. Ophelia had her own thoughts on the matter, and she worried about her brother. 

She supposed that this was a good time to perhaps get to know Briar, outside of the stuffy dinners and the like that their parents seemed to host. “No, of course not,” she said. She picked up her drink and took a sip of it, looking at Briar. “I think so as well,” she said. “I thought that this place was supposed to be a secret, but it seems like everybody and their mother knows of it,” she said with a shake of her head. “So, how have you been? I feel like I haven’t seen you around in a while,” she mused. She eyed the door for a moment, wondering what Briar would think if Adrian made an appearance before she focused back on Briar. 

After the Black party or initiation ceremony, Audrey had been told to go find as many spring and summer dresses before the trends were snatched by others. She could care less, but her mother did have a point. If she were going to find an eligible bachelor for the next party then she needed to look her best. There were going to be many galas to attend to and Audrey knew it was better to comply than to work against her parents’ wishes. She didn’t want to waste her time looking for someone to make her life better when she could do it herself. Her work was her passion and barely had time for herself.

There had been a whole afternoon dedicated to going to the many stores and her feet were aching. She went into a pub for a break and perhaps some liquid luck to keep browsing. It was nearing the hours in which stores would be closing soon but she had told a shopkeeper she would come back for a bracelet and necklace set. She put her shopping bags down on the chair next to her before she spotted Ophelia.

Audrey released a happy squeal and went to hug her friend. “That makes both of us! What are you doing here? It is so good to see you. Are you here by yourself as well?”

Ophelia had always loved coming to Dublin, the vibe was just so different from London, the weather was a little bit nicer, the people were nicer. It was good to escape the Pureblood elite and get a bit of a break from them. There was only so much that Ophelia could take of talking about dresses and social events and parties. She loved all of those things of course, loved buying pretty dresses and going to parties, but sometimes it was a little bit exhausting. There was just too much of it going on. 

However, it wasn’t a surprise to see so many familiar faces there, it seemed like everybody had had the same idea, had thought to come to Dublin for the concert. But she was most excited to see Audrey walk in the door. Ophelia often times felt like Audrey was someone who actually understood how she felt, and it was a good feeling. She got so tired of having to pretend to be this perfect girl all the time. She smiled at Audrey and returned her hug, happily. She was always good company. 

“I wanted to go buy some flowers for my flat,” she laughed. “So I bought way too many, but they’ll look beautiful. I see that you were doing some shopping,” she said, gesturing to the bags. “Adrian had said he would meet me but he’s not here yet. I don’t know if he’s really coming,” she said with a shake of her head.

Ophelia loved having the freedom to just pop into Dublin for the day, to go to the flower market to pick up dozens of bouquets for her flat and then a show at Augurey. Adrian was supposed to meet her there, but even if he didn’t show up, it was going to be a good night. She had always been a fan of the Hobgoblins, and when she had heard from a reliable source that they were performing tonight, she knew that she had to go. She knew that she had work in the morning, which was a bit of a downer, but it would be well worth it. 

Sitting at the bar, waiting for her drink, she looked around the pub. She just loved the atmosphere, away from the stuffiness of pureblood society back home. Ophelia knew that she couldn’t complain too much, she enjoyed the luxuries that her father provided, that society provided, but sometimes it was good to let her hair down and have fun. Some of the pureblood girls could use the fun. 

She turned around, looking to see if Adrian had arrived, he hadn’t of course, but she saw a familiar face walk in. “I didn’t expect to see you here!” She exclaimed with a laugh.