Why Should I? (Jaq & Lia)

by **Ophelia Zabini** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:25 am

Ophelia yawned in exhaustion as she gave another drink to another customer, taking the money off of them. She was so tired, for she had been working all day and slept terribly the night before, due to continuos nightmares. She was also irritated. Dealing with customers all day was annoying, and she just wanted to sleep.

Often, Ophelia's eyes would drift to the fireplace, where it was most likely cozy and warm. She longed to draw a comfy chair up next to it and sleep peacefully, but alas she must work. "How can I help you?" Ophelia asked a man in his mid-30's in a sour tone. He looked offended, and ordered his firewhisky in a dark tone.

Ophelia didn't care if she'd upset a customer, for she just didn't have it in her to care what anyone thought of her anymore. She poured the firewhisky and handed it to him, taking the money from him. "Have a nice day." She snapped, turning on her heel and storming back into the kitchens. She pointed her wand at a sink full of dishes and watched with satisfaction as they began to clean themselves. Ophelia then stepped back outside and shivered as a gust of cold wind blew in from outside when the door opened.

by **Jacqueline Girard** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:28 am

Jaqui hurried along the streets of Hogsmeade, eyes looking at the rapidly setting sun. An icy gust of wind whipped against her, and she clutched her coat tighter. Bowing her head against the wind, she continued to walk through the snow covered streets, teeth chattering as her breath came out in short rasps.

Muttering about the cold weather, she stepped inside the Three Broomsticks where she knew her old friend Ophelia worked. Don't ask Jaqui how she knew, she may seem like an angel but she was still a Girard after all, and she could snoop without being caught.

Looking to the bar, Jaqui saw Ophelia exit the kitchens and shiver as the wind blew in from outside. Jaqui quickly shut the door behind her and made her way over to the bar. She took a seat on a stool and pulled her beanie off. She bowed her head and waited to be served.

by **Ophelia Zabini** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:32 am

Ophelia had immediately returned to cleaning everything as soon as the door had shut behind whomever had entered. She waved her wand at the bar and watched as a sponge came zooming along and wiped down the bar. A chuckle left Ophelia's lips as people quickly lifted their drinks, cried out in annoyance and shot her icy glares.

Serves them right for annoying her, Ophelia told herself. Of course, she was merely annoyed because she as tired and not because the customers had actually done anything, but to Ophelia that was beside the point. If she was grumpy, everybody had to know about it.

Ophelia sighed as she made her way over to the new customer, ready to serve them with her most sour tone. You can imagine her surprise when she saw those familiar, brown, curly locks of hair and warm eyes. "Jacqueline Girard?" She exclaimed, eyes widening in shock as she pocketed her wand. "Is that you?"

by **Jacqueline Girard** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:36 am

Jaqui looked up when she wasn't served straight away, and she could see the bags under Ophelia's eyes as she made a sponge wipe up the bar just to annoy the customers. Jaqui had a few questions to ask about why Ophelia was here before she asked her the main reason why she had sought out her friend.

Finally, Ophelia bustled over to Jaqui, and Jaqui grinned as her eyes widened in complete and utter shock. The two had not seen each other in about 5-7 years, so it must've come as a real shock to Ophelia. Jaqui nodded when she asked if it was really her and her smile widened considerably. "Nice to see you, Lia. Eet's been to long." Jaqui said sadly, making herself comfortable.

She rested her arms on the bar and tilted her head at her old friend. The two had always been very up-front with one another, not making time for small talk if they had something big to discuss. But, Jaqui decided that today was an exception, so she started off with a simple, "'ow 'ave you been?"

by **Ophelia Zabini** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:40 am

Ophelia smiled back at Jaqui. She was so glad to see her friend after almost 7 years, she had missed her greatly. The two had had such fun on those beautiful, summer days in Australia when Jaqui had visited Australia. She was confused when Jaqui initiated small talk, for she could see that Jaqui had something special to ask her, and Ophelia was not very patient.

"It has been to long, Jaq." Ophelia said in a scolding tone, leaning against the bar as she ignored the other customers who cleared their throats loudly in a vain attempt to catch her attention. "I've been go- no actually, I don't lie. I've been terrible." Ophelia sighed, wanting to tell Jaqui everything but she just wasn't in the mood to talk about him.

Shaking her head, Ophelia raised her eyebrows. "Cut the crap, Jaq. I know you, and you're dying to ask me some questions. Spill." Ophelia demanded, summoning a stool with her wand and taking a seat on it once it whizzed over. She slipped her wand back into her pocket and got ready to answer some questions.

by **Jacqueline Girard** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:44 am

Jaqui could see that Ophelia had missed her, for there was that smile of warmth on her face that showed how much she cared about Jaqui. The two had been best friends over the years, remaining in contact by owl but neither had spoken to the other through owl for an entire year, and Jaqui was dying to know where Ophelia's sweetheart was.

Jaqui giggled at Ophelia's scolding tone whilst she ignored the customers. Jaqui went to ask Ophelia if she should serve them, but decided against it. She really wanted to talk to Ophelia right then and there, and she didn't have the time nor patience to wait for Lia to serve a bunch of annoying people.

"Why have you been terrible?" Jaqui asked, but Ophelia shook her head before raising her eyebrows. Jaqui frowned at the sudden change of topic, but didn't press the issue too much. She waited for Ophelia to seat herself before asking her questions. "What are you doing 'ere, een Britain?"

by **Ophelia Zabini** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:49 am

Ophelia scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. That was the one question she had hoped Jaqui wasn't keen to know, but how could she not be? Of course she wanted to know why Ophelia was in Britain, for Ophelia had always adored her home country to the point where Jaqui had jokingly suggested she marry it.

"Excuse me, I should serve some customers." Ophelia muttered, leaping up and walking up to a little girl. Her mood softened when she looked into the girls chocolate brown eyes, and she smiled a rare smile at the little one. "Hey there sweety, what can I get you?" She asked, before returning a moment later with the girls butterbeer and taking the money.

She then sat down in front of Jaqui again and sighed in depression. "He died, Jaqui. Got hit by a car, died on impact. Nothing I could do, he's an idiot for wandering the muggle city by foot. I told him to drive, but would he listen? Nope. I couldn't stay there, not after that, so I came here." Ophelia explained quickly, containing her tears as she told Jaqui.

by **Jacqueline Girard** Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:55 pm

Jaqui could see the obvious discomfort she had caused her friend in asking the question, but she wasn't going to let it go. She wanted to know, and she knew that Lia would tell her anyway. She waited for her to return from serving a little girl who was quite adorable, with wide, chocolate brown eyes, before Ophelia walked back over to her, sat down and sighed in obvious sadness.

Jaqui sat and waited, when finally Lia explained. Jaqui was horrified right from the first words that left her mouth. It was tragic, for in Ophelia's letters before their 1 year break from writing, she had gushed about her new boyfriend who she loved oh-so-much. To find out that he was dead made Jaqui sad.

Jaqui noticed the tears that threatened to overflow in Ophelia's eyes, and she reached out a comforting hand to Lia. She took Lia's own hand and squeezed it tightly. "Im so sorry, Lia. He truly sounded like a wonderful man." Jaqui said sadly. "I know this will seem abrupt, but I feel that we need a change of topic. I have a proposition for you," Jaqui knew that Lia hated using her powers.

"I 'ave recently met a Centaur, 'is name is Cain. Eet 'as come to my understanding zat 'e might be interested een becoming a 'uman, wizard to be exact. Eef 'e confirms to me zat 'e wants zis, are you in?" Jaqui knew that Lia was going to be hesitant, but she would be able to persuade her.

by **Ophelia Zabini** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:01 pm

Ophelia was grateful that Jaqui could easily realise that she didn't want to talk about it, and so she squeezed Jaqui's hand and nodded in agreement that she did indeed want a change of subject. She was also curious as to why Jaqui had sort her out, obviously it was something important if Jaqui needed her help.

She just hoped it didn't involve her powers, but by the look of hesitance in Jaqui's eyes she could tell it probably did, and her immediate answer was no. She listened as Jaqui talked about a Centaur named Cain who wanted to be turned into a wizard, and she frowned. Did Jaqui not know how hard it was to change the form of another creature? It hurt Ophelia almost as much as it hurt the other creature/person.

Ophelia instantly shook her head at Jaqui's request. "Why should I?" She challenged, frowning. "If this Centaur is not sure, then why should I even consider it? The change hurts, for me and them, drains me of my energy and im permanent. What if he wished to change back? He can't! You don't get it Jaq, I don't do that anymore. I used to change people into what they wanted to be, but I can't do it anymore." Ophelia's eyes became distant.

"When I was a kid, Jaq, it didn't hurt. But one day, I changed my cat into a Wizard, and he cast some weird spell on me that made it hurt to use my powers. Said it served me right for doing that to him, he was quite content as a cat. Do you know how long its been since I shape-shifted? 6 months, Jaq. I only did it because I had hoped it wouldn't hurt anymore, but it hurt so much. Can you imagine the pain of shifting into another creature?" Ophelia tone came out as a snarl as she turned her head away. "My answer is NO."

by **Jacqueline Girard** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:09 pm

Jaqui sighed, she had known that Lia would rant. And rant. And rant. But Jaqui listened with patience. She was a patient, determined and persuasive woman. All she would need to do is plead, and Lia would crumble. It was cruel, but she had to do some drastic things. Ophelia would thank her in the long run, for Jaqui also had a devious plan in mind that had formed only a moment ago.

If it wasn't for this devious plan, she probably would've let it go and told Cain that she can't change him, but this scheme was brilliant. The hurt was there, in Ophelia's eyes. She could see right through Ophelia, see how broken she was. Jaqui had always been able to see right through Ophelia.

"Lia. Lia, Lia, Lia," she murmured, running her thumb across the back of Ophelia's hand in a comforting way. "Why should you? Because eet's what you're meant to do. This ees your special power, Lia. Not many receive special powers, but you are one of ze lucky ones. Lia, eet would be a crime to let zem go to waste. Eet ees selfish of you to put such talents to waste, to deny someone zat is sad what zey truly want," Jaqui felt terrible, but she had to do it.

"If you don't do zis for 'im, eet's not fair. Cain, 'e ees different to the others. 'e longs to know about ze 'uman world, and eef you deny 'im zis, eet ees truly ze most selfish thing you could ever do. Think about eet, you know 'ow to contact me." Jaqui then turned on her heel and began to walk towards the door.

by **Ophelia Zabini** Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:12 pm

Ophelia had completely expected to win this argument, for she had been a tad over-dramatic, but had told only the truth. However, the determination in Jaqui's eyes said otherwise, and Ophelia knew that determination. It was the one that said quite plainly that Jaqui was not about to give up.

She listened with shame as Jaqui scolded her for being so selfish, for thinking of only the pain it would cause her and not what it would cause others. Her head began to droop and she sighed as Jaqui turned and began to walk away. Her mind made up, she kicked the barstool over and sighed.

"Alright!" She called after Jaqui, ignoring the looks of her customers at the stared at her. "I'll do it, tell me if he's sure and i'll do it!" She called, knowing that Jaqui would be smug. She didn't wish to continue talking to Jaqui, so she turned on her heel and stormed back into the kitchens, snarling at her boss who told her what to do.

She was in a sour mood, but she did feel good that she had agreed to use her powers again. She did miss changing form.

- Fin -