passing paradise │oliver wood

chapter 27

Chapter 27

I came back to Earth 71 with the slightest of hope that I'd find ground now that I had made a decision. Shuri took my leaving quite emotional, her giving me the tightest of hugs almost that we weren't able to leave Wakanda. Harley took me to New Asgard but never descended. I just watched the field, the courtyard, the village, and the people from above. Then we flew to Queens, New York and surprised Peter in his apartment. He's been through enough goodbyes though it'll always hurt. We exchanged our last choreographed handshake before heading back to Bleecker Street. On the rooftop of Strange's house, Harley gave his last goodbye. A hug and the mouthing of 'I love you's' and I went in. Transporting one last time inside the glass with Strange and Wong watching, then the faint outline of my guardian – who I never really figured out if she had a body, maybe she's just a soul floating around.

I went through the light one last time and felt the overwhelming power of the galaxies. The tingles from head to toe, the burning of my flesh, and I dissolving into atoms right before their eyes. Then just as fast as it always had been, I was back in the mouth of the Forbidden Forest, the full moon spilling through the gaps of the tall trees.

I'm home.

Hogwarts stood before me, pale rectangular yellow windows illuminating the grounds aside from Hagrid's cabin, with the smoke from his chimney. I took one last look at the clearing where the beam of white usually appears, feeling myself smile as a tear trickle down my cheek. I made my way back to the castle, tightening the Slytherin robe around me, clutching the jewellery box and headed straight for the Slytherin common room.

It all felt so different with saying the password, pushing through the wall and the double doors then being greeted by the quiet noise of the common room with students playing cards or having quiz games. I gave my friends who were by the fire a small smile before heading to the girls' dormitory. The sound flushed out once I closed the door, and I set down the jewellery box on my nightstand. I quickly changed out of my suit then changed to night pajamas before grabbing my mother's gift given by my father. Looking at the earrings, reality dawned deep in my heart: I closed the door to Earth 616.

I woke up with the greatest feeling inside me the next day. I managed to perform well in all of my classes for the day though History of Magic was still a bore. I was extra cheerful even if Snape sent death glares to everyone in his class. I kept the secret to myself until after classes, when I had pulled Oliver aside before his quidditch practice to visit the Room of Requirement.

"Sweetheart, I can't be late to my own practice," He argued, twisting from my grip though he could never escape as I dragged him towards the 7th floor corridor.

"You're always extra early. Give them the benefit of doubt that they're the ones who came earlier this time," I said back with a grin when the door appeared and I pushed through, pulling Oliver with me.

The incredible wind hit us, the dancing of the trees alive in my ears, and the soft tickle of the grass by my ankles. Oliver's quidditch robes flew for a moment until the wind died down. The door stood still, no wall supporting it which I always thought was cool.

"Come here and sit," I said, moving towards the same bench before. He did so without any more arguments. The sun in here was always about to set, though it stays still for an hour or two, giving us the shine and glow. He faced me with a raised eyebrow, silently telling me to talk. I rolled my eyes, crossing my legs, and looking forward. The grin in my face grew and I burst, "You better find us a pretty house in Scotland because I'm not leaving anytime soon. I'm not going anywhere else anymore, Oliver because I chose Earth 71." I looked at him, his jaw on the floor making the happiness in me 3000 times greater. "I chose you."