LOVE ISN'T EASY (but it sure is hard enough)

JUNE 27TH, 1995

After a bumpy carriage ride, Liv and Juno found themselves standing on the train platform in Hogsmeade. It was a sunny morning, their school robes thick against their skin in the heat. Juno shifted uncomfortably under her collar, nudging Liv slightly as their boys approached.

"You two ready?" Fred asked, poking Juno's side as she whacked him in the chest.

"I am, she's been weepy all morning!"

"Fuck off June." Liv sniffled, looking away from the group so they wouldn't see her crying.

"Are you crying?" Lee asked, voice laced with amusement and concern at the same time.

"It's just that next year is the last time we're ever gonna do this. We've only had one year together, and now we only have one more."

"Hey, we have the rest of our lives!" George chuckled, his hand gently placed on her shoulder. She smiled, wiping her eyes.

"I definitely won't be able to shake you lot, will I?"

"Nope."

"Nah."

"Absolutely not."

"We're here for life."

"Brilliant."

Liv laughed, turning round to face the train. Bright ruby paint shone in the sunlight, steam pouring out of the top. She felt someone move to stand by her side, turning to see Cedric staring at his reflection in the glass just like she was.

"This is it then, I'll never do this ever again."

"Yeah, weird to think that it'll be me in your place next year."

"Hopefully with two arms."

"Hope so." They laughed, Cedric pulling Liv into his side and sighing deeply.

"We'll grab your bags and pop them in your compartment mate." George offered, Lee and Fred nodding alongside him.

"Cheers."

"I'll grab a compartment for us, I wanna glare at the first years that try to take it." Juno said, hugging Cedric quickly before disappearing through the red doors.

And then, Cedric and Olivia were alone.

"I don't really know what to say, if I'm honest." He said, voice quiet as he threw his arm around her shoulder.

"Yeah, me either."

"I don't wanna say goodbye, because this isn't goodbye."
"It's not?"

"Course not! Goodbyes are forever and, even though it'll feel like forever, I'll see you again. It's a... see you later."

He looked down to notice tears falling from Liv's eyes, pulling her back in for another hug.

"God, I feel like I haven't stopped crying recently."

"You do know that I'm not dead, right? No need to mourn my loss!"

"I know, but this year's been mental. You nearly dying, the Fred and Juno situation, the lake! I mean, it's been so different to any other year I've had here because I just used to be so lonely and when George stopped speaking to me I remembered how awful that felt. When I nearly lost you, I thought it was gonna happen all over again! Really, I know I'm not losing you but not having you in the common room to listen to me go on and on is just gonna be so..."

"I get it, I feel the same way. But you said you were gonna visit this summer and I am definitely holding you to it!"

"You're holding very tightly!" Liv breathed out, laughing at the apologetic look that struck his chiselled features when he finally let her go. She saw Cho standing a few feet away from them, smiling at the pair. Liv pulled her into a quick hug, not saying the word that stung so much whenever she had to say it.