Life Happens, Coffee Helps ¦ Ophelia

[Alora Veda Astor]

This academic year was a strange one so far. The end of the summer had sauntered in with such a languid pace nobody even really noticed being back at school. But in the last week the place had been hit by a cold snap and now Halloween was over; it had come quite abruptly that there was only another few weeks before the Christmas holidays rolled around. A small frown creased Alora's brow as she pushed open the door to her favourite coffee spot. Ethically she hated herself sometimes, and knew she should support the smaller places around the village, but they never had the same consistency as Spellbucks did; whether she bought in London or Hogsmeade it was always the same.

However, morals weren't what had her frowning.

The thoughts of Christmas unnerved her more than usual this year. Christmas had never been a big deal for her. She'd always spent it alone, even as a child when she had been around family she had always been alone. Last year Amy had returned to the States for the Christmas period with a promise to return for the new year. But this year would be different. Things were still unsettled after their encounter with the guy she now knew as her brother. It hadn't gone well. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she tried to shake it off and stepped up to order. The menu board caused her to frown again; she thought the pumpkin spice drinks were still here but they were gone and in their place were weird concoctions she hadn't heard of before. That had thrown her, she had been in the mood for a PSL. Panicking just slightly, she forced herself to focus as she chewed her lip as her brown eyes scanned the board above the waiting staff members head

"Uhh...I'll try the hazelnut choc swirl please" her tone made it sound more like a tentative question rather than an order, but the staff took her money regardless and Alora detected only a minor eye roll. Stepping back to the other end of the counter, she paused and waited on her drink. It was busy enough for a Wednesday afternoon and she had yet to realise she was actually looking for any familiar face that may be lurking around.

Ophelia Mae Teller

[Ophelia Mae Teller]

Ophelia loved the bustle of the mornings at Spellbucks, especially after the Christmas decorations were put up. On her mornings off, she’d always find a seat before the rush and enjoy a good cup or two of whatever she was having. This particular morning she was about halfway done with her peppermint mocha swirl when a girl walked in, looking a little unnerved. A flicker of familiarity lighting up her eyes, she watched as the girl ordered her coffee after frowning up at the board. Spellbucks had just changed their menu that morning, so she wondered if a fall drink had been her morning goal.

As the woman turned around, Ophelia realized she did know her. Alora Astor - the Herbology professor at MAGIC. Also one year ahead of her at Hogwarts, though admittedly they did not run in the same circles. Ophelia did remember hearing how she went to Oxford, a Muggle university, after graduation and wondered if there was more to her than she originally had thought. “Alora? It’s Ophelia Teller, we went to Hogwarts together? And I work in the Hospital ward now,” she called, waving the other woman over to join her.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

After she clarified that yes she did want cream, she pressed her lips together and looked away. She almost apologised for being some sort of burden, but then a flash of shawn lesley ashcroft came into her mind, and she decided that no, she wouldn't. Taking a breath she stepped aside, out of the way at least and waited for her drink between the end of the counter and the first table there was a patron sitting at. She was steeling herself to question why the person in the line behind her had gotten their drink before she had, but then something distracted her. Someone behind her at that first table was calling her name.

Turning, she spotted a vaguely familiar face watching her with a smile. Hey eyebrow rose and she studied the face in front of her. She had been busy internally trying to work out who it was, but then they actually went on to explain and things made a lot more sense.

Still processing slowly, the staff behind her called her name too and she was momentarily overwhelmed and her brain shut down. She busied herself physically by taking her hot drink with a small smile before turning back to Ophelia. Of course, she had sent enough students to her in the hospital wing at MAGIC. As well as being vaguely familiar of her name from school, the year below her. That was ringing some bells yes. For a moment Alora was reluctant wondering just how much she remembered of her from school. She thought about if Ophelia was aware she had zero friends from her school days, or if she knew how she just put her head down and got on with things despite the relentless bullying. A stab of panic hit Alora in the chest for a second, wondering if this was all some ridiculous ploy to carry on the bullying. But no, Ophelia hadn't been one of her tormentors in school. She seemed fairly safe, maybe even friendly. They were adults now. Swallowing her fear, she washed it down with a sip of her drink and tried to calm her nerves. Her smile was still hesitant as she moved to Ophelia's table though.

"Hey. Oh yeah, I've definitely sent a few students your way I think..." her laugh was quiet, but the sentiment true as she hovered, unsure of whether to sit down or not. "Nice to meet you....again?" even her tone was awkward and most unsure of herself. Usually she was better at covering it up, but there was truly too much going on in her head at the moment to even think of it. What typically came so naturally was now slipping and showing her anxiety just a little.

Ophelia Mae Teller