black and white ✰ g.w.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

When the Hogwarts students arrived home the next evening, contrary to what George had said while attempting to reassure Olivia, they were far from fine.

The day before they were set to arrive home, Arabella had been tortured ruthlessly by Amycus and Alecto Carrow. She had apparently been rescued before any permanent damage could be done, but the experience had taken damn near all the fire from the young Weasley. What had caused the Carrows to feel she deserved this, Olivia did not know, but whether it warranted being punished by means of the Cruciatus Curse, she doubted very much.

And then, while the students were aboard the Hogwarts Express on their way home for the holidays, Luna Lovegood had been taken from the train by Death Eaters, right in front of all her friends, who had all fought tooth and nail but unfortunately failed to protect her. Of course, they all knew why it had happened: Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood, had been publishing pro-Harry, anti-Voldemort material in his magazine, The Quibbler, since the Ministry had fallen. But knowing the reason why didn't make it hurt any less, in fact, it almost made it worse, because they knew that the Death Eaters had likely taken her to Azkaban, and there was no getting her out of there.

Spending time with her younger cousins in Fraser's bedroom the evening after they arrived home, Olivia realized that these teenagers were suffering just as much, if not more, than her because of this war.

Duncan, the youngest of the four in the room at fourteen years old, usually a fairly happy kid, had no smile on his face despite just having learned that he had a new sister-in-law and that he was going to become an uncle much sooner than he had ever expected. Instead, he had heavy dark circles under his eyes and healing bruises on his face and neck. Olivia knew he probably had more than she could see, but the shirt he was wearing was long-sleeved, which was probably intentional to prevent his overprotective family from making it a big deal.

Evelyn, sixteen years old, didn't have any bruises that Olivia could see, and her under-eye bags were lighter and less intense than Duncan's. However, she seemed much more out of it and depressed than any of her cousins, sitting in complete silence with her eyes glazed over as she picked at the loose strands of yarn on her jumper. Olivia knew Evelyn had cared very much for Luna. In fact, the two girls, along with Ginny, were best friends. So no doubt Luna being recently abducted by the enemy was affecting her a lot, and being temporarily separated from Ginny and the others probably wasn't helping.

Fraser, who would be turning sixteen over the holidays, was a case very similar to his younger brother. His usual mischievous smirk was nowhere to be seen, and he also had terrible eyebags and bruises. However, his bruises were less healed than Duncan's, telling Olivia that he had acquired them more recently than Duncan. He also didn't seem to care much if anyone noticed them, as he had the sleeves of his jumper rolled up as he spoke (he was the only one speaking; the other two didn't look quite up to it yet). This didn't surprise Olivia; while also a troublemaker, Duncan had always been the more level-headed, hesitant, and quiet of the two.

"They just took her," Fraser recounted. "Right in front of us, like they didn't care if we saw. We tried, we tried to make them stop, but they wouldn't, and then they just Disapparated, and she was gone. Neville's all tore up about it - I mean, we all are, but he fancies her. Won't admit it outright, but it's bloody obvious."

The next few days continued on very similar to this, with everyone sort of moping around. The 25th of December didn't feel at all like Christmas, especially with Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Faustus all missing. By mid-afternoon, Fred, George, and Olivia left the Burrow and went to the Village, wearing the knitted sweaters that Molly had made them. However, they quickly found that everyone here was just as down as everyone they had just left behind, and the twins had had enough.

They suggested Quidditch in an attempt to lighten the mood, and of course, everyone perked up immediately, because even if they were in sour moods, the Woods never said no to Quidditch. While they got out their brooms and the trunk of Quidditch balls, Fred and George briefly left to fetch their sisters, and soon enough, a Quidditch match commenced. And then another, and another, until the sun had completely disappeared over the horizon and they could no longer see to be able to play.

Back at the flat an hour later, George and Olivia sat in front of the fireplace, quite content for the first time in a while. Olivia had settled in George's lap as she worked on some mail orders that she planned on sending out the next morning for people who were too afraid to shop in-person at Diagon Alley.

"I've just remembered," George spoke, "do you remember what yesterday was?"

"Christmas Eve?" Olivia said absentmindedly, not looking up from orders.

George chuckled. "Yes, but not what I was going for. Yesterday marks three years since the Yule Ball, and everything that happened afterward, if you recall..."

"Oh, yes, I recall. Lee was throwing a fit, like he'd never seen anyone snog before." Olivia finally looked up at him. "It's been an eventful three years."

"Yeah, you could say that. But, you know, I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else."

"Well, aren't you cute."

She pulled him into a kiss, which continued on even after the sound of footsteps traveled to their ears.

"Oi, lovebirds," Fred called out to them from the doorway of his bedroom. George and Olivia reluctantly pulled away and looked over at him. "I've just gotten an idea."

"Well, spit it out already, Weasley, we don't have all night," Olivia said impatiently.

"'We'?" George repeated, his eyebrows raised and a grin playing on his lips as he looked at her.

"Yes, 'we'." Olivia shot him a wink, causing him to blush a bit before they both turned their attention back to Fred.

"Gross," Fred grumbled. "Anyways, I was thinking, it's been a long while since we've hung out with the old gang. Why don't we invite them over for New Year's and forget about this whole war thing for a night?"

"Will there be firewhisky?"

"Naturally."

"Then I'm in."

"Georgie? Any feedback?" Fred and Olivia looked over to George.

"How could I say no?" George replied. "Should be fun."

[word count: 1145]
[written: 4/14/21]
[published: 4/14/21]