ophelia potter was well aware that she was an unconventional choice for a muse. it wasn't that her experiences with love had been particularly unpleasant, but she recognized that everything bore its limits, including the attentions of others.

she was elusive, like a rogue doe in woods that only she knew. a prominent flaw in her character was her inability to take anything with due seriousness. growing up with james as a twin brother meant everything had a joke to it, a comedic twist in perspective.

someone could confess their innermost desires, and present her with a lavish present, and damn her stupid mouth, she'd have something witty to respond with.

so perhaps your admiration for her might well be your gravest misstep. but it couldn't be helped that she was on your mind like a drug. hazel eyes, rosewood lips, the sun pendant perched on her jutting collarbones.

she even smelt like freshly baked cookies with an undertone of black orchid. some would say heaven help the fool who falls in love, but you happened to be the fool.

"oi, snap out of it, mate." ophelia clicked her fingers dangerously close to the tip of your nose, and you were met with a owlish gaze of lazy, unadulterated amusement. you were not sure if she meant to torment you, or if her grandmother was secretly an imp. "mum was asking if you wanted to visit over christmas holidays."

the gryffindor common room was raucous as usual, spirits high as the school term neared its close. the fireplace crackled with contentment, though its warmth was momentarily obstructed by a random fifth year trying to warm his arse after his chair was transfigured into a block of ice.

no, you had not been appraising the slight furrow of her brows as she spoke.

"you know, since you blew me off last year, i thought i ought to ask again." she added, her slender fingers tugging lightly at the woven bracelet encircling your wrist, purely because she could. "i don't know why you thought i was taking the piss, it was a genuine offer."