passing paradise │oliver wood

chapter 30

Chapter 29

1998

The sun was rising and the fields were quiet. The rays went through the blinds, stamping themselves on the plain cream-coloured walls above the warm bed. It was comforting, having Oliver's arm around me every time I wake up and seeing his face first thing in the morning.

Although, today was different. A ghost-like-echo rang through my head causing an unwanted headache. "Maria Torres, you are badly needed here. Come back this instant!" It was my guardian and her tone wasn't subtle nor kind. It was urgent. But I wasn't going anywhere because I am holding on till the very last drop.

"Maria, you listen to me! The war-."

I forced myself to push that voice out of my head. Instead of feeling comfort first thing in the morning, my headache ruined it. I massaged my temple, muffling a groan of pain because Oliver was still curled up beside me after a long day yesterday of quidditch practice.

I sighed, combing my fingers through his fine hair and just watched his chest rise and fall until my headache subsided. Once I was alright, I got up and started the day as normal as possible after getting another dimension call, starting off with cups of coffee for Oliver and I.

Sunrise turned into sunset in a blink. My wish of a normal day and no more interruptions were granted. We played with Lulu, tried getting her to walk with us through the fields, ate the food Oliver's mum brought around, and curled up on the couch while watching a Muggle movie. And now, as the sun went, Oliver was cooking dinner and I was knitting a little hat for Eve – I was getting good at it.

The radio on the shelf above the kitchen counter filled the silent atmosphere. It was the wizarding community's radio station that we mostly listened to during the end of the day to unwind. However, the news the last few days weren't exactly the best nor provided an 'unwinding' sort of feeling. We listened but we never discussed them with each other. It's like we're pushing these announcements away and only keeping the good ones on the surface to maintain the home atmosphere we've built.

"... yesterday's surprise attack was gloomy with..."

I moved to another separate piece and continued knitting. Oliver continued sautéing the garlic and onions.

"... wizards and witches all around Britain are in grave danger..."

"He-who-must-not-be-name..."

Before Monroe, a witch journalist, could finish her statement about finding tied up witches by an alleyway, the radio gave out a sort of jolt and her voice strained into a static that filled up the room.

"What happened?" I asked, putting down the sticks.

"I've got no idea," Oliver answered. He reached up for the radio and inspected it while static continued to drain my ears. He set the radio in front of me before turning off the gas and heading to the bedroom to grab his wand in order to fix it. He came back and raised his wand, "Reparo."

The static was quickly replaced with a familiar person's voice. A little bit lower but recognisable. "If anybody is listening, please, we are begging you to come and help against the defeat of You-Know-Who," Lee Jordan filled the warm room with cold. His voice used to be filled with joy but it wasn't any longer.

"You should go back to getting dinner done," I quickly said, going back to my knitting. He tentatively stood still until he moved back to the stove but ears still on the radio.

Mercy was heard through Lee Jordan's broadcast. "I repeat, please, Hogwarts and its students are suffering. Without anyone to save us but ourselves, please, come to Hogwarts and fight. Let's end this war once and for all..."