Catch Me, I'm Falling | Fred Weasley

Chapter 7

Malfoy insisted on escorting her to the Ravenclaw dormitories. She tried to get him to leave, but the boy was stubborn. After everything, Olivia was too tired to argue. Her little episode in the broom closet had exhausted her both physically and emotionally, to the point where she was desperate for a nap.

When she'd safely been escorted to the entrance, Malfoy was finally satisfied. He gave her a solemn nod and whisked down the hallway, his robes billowing like a sail in the wind. His hair was ruffled by the slight breeze and flashes of his younger self from her visions came into her mind. He'd always worn his hair like his father, slicked back with a buttload of gel. But now, his hair was freed, floppy. A small act of defiance.

Olivia shook the thoughts out of her foggy mind. She had sleep to focus on. Just in case, she slipped the potion from Madam Pomfrey out of her pocket and put a drop under her tongue. Better safe than sorry, she reasoned. Indeed, her head cleared a bit, but the exhaustion didn't go away.

Cho and Marietta were sitting on the floor in their pyjamas, playing a game of cards. Naomy was sitting on the bed beside them, applying product to her curls. The three they were close, likely had been for a long time. They spent all their time together, telling each other everything. But they were each very different.

Indeed, as close as the three of her dormmates were, their personalities differed greatly. Marietta was always anxious, twisting her hair or twiddling with her necklace. She also didn't know how to keep her mouth shut. Naomy balanced this quality with her easygoing attitude. She, too, however, enjoyed a bit of gossip. Cho always shut them down, saying that it was rude. She was practical about everything. Logical.

Olivia didn't feel like she fit into their little group. After all, those three had known each other since their first day at Hogwarts. How could Olivia compete? All in all, she had mixed feelings about her dormmates. Yes, she was a little bit jealous, perhaps even grateful, but most of all she was scared. Olivia didn't want to let anyone down.

She was sick of people looking at her like a sick puppy. She didn't want to be anyone's responsibility. Not her parents'. Not her professors'. Not her dormmates. And definitely not Jasper's.

Olivia was mad at him. She'd had the whole night to think about what Malfoy had told her. The other day, she'd been too exhausted to realize how angry she was. Why couldn't Jasper just leave her alone and ignore her like everyone else? Surely it wasn't that hard to keep his possessive prick energy to himself. Or could he just not stand the idea of ceasing his incessant prodding. It was her life. Why couldn't he just stay out of it?

And telling the Slytherin boys to keep an eye on her... that was too far. He couldn't just go around ordering everyone around. Olivia didn't need protection. She was fine on her own!

Huffing, she ignored the concerned looks the girls shot her way as she grabbed her towel and headed in the direction of the showers. They were empty, likely due to the fact that the lights turned off at nine, but Olivia didn't mind. There was something nice about showering in the dark. She let the hot water run over her, washing away the day. She wanted peace, solitude, time to deal with her thoughts. Everyone in this damned school seemed to think they could just invade her privacy. There was no way she was letting them in.

-

"Morniiiiing!" Naomy chirped.

Olivia slapped a hand over her face and groaned.

Cho was already up and moving. "I'm heading to breakfast."

"Wait for me!" Marietta called.

"No, you'll slow me down. Besides, I've got a quidditch meeting before class starts and I'd like a head start."

"Aww, come one." Marietta pouted.

"No. Bye." The door shut behind Cho with a soft thud.

Olivia rolled out of bed and began to dress as Marrietta and Naomy chatted.

"Christmas is coming up. You staying at Hogwarts?" Naomy asked.

"No, going home. Same with Cho, I think."

"Me too." A pause settled as Naomy's eyes flicked to Olivia's in the mirror, where she was fixing her tie. "How about you, Sparks?"

"Staying," she answered simply.

"Hmm," Naomy hummed in response, then turned to Marrietta. "You done yet? I still want to catch Cho before class."

"Yeah, yeah. Just a minute," Marietta said breathlessly, hopping around, tugging on her shoes.

"Those are way too small for you."

"They're fine. Excellent, really."

"That's rubbish and you know it," Naomy slipped on her robes, grinning triumphantly.

"Not another word."

Olivia waited a minute after hearing the door close before hurrying down to breakfast herself. There was only one reason she would brave the crowded great hall and its name was Jasper. Olivia was a raging thunderstorm as she stomped down the stairs and towards her goal. Jasper was, as always, surrounded by a gaggle of friends.

He said something with that infuriating smirk and everyone laughed. Olivia clenched her teeth. Prick. She walked right up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Jasper. Elias. Locke. How dare you," she growled through clenched teeth. He looked over his shoulder, then cocked his head and smirked in recognition.

"Hey Livs. Ooh, heard Strix likes you. Care to tell me about that." This only fed Olivia's anger. She grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to the hallway.

"Ow, ow, ow. Careful there, sweetheart."

Cocky bastard. She slapped him." Call me that again and I swear, I will drag your mother here and I promise you will never see the light of day again." His eyes widened, seeing the truth of the threat etched in her eyes.

"Okay, okay. What is it, cousin?"

"You asked them to look out for me?" Olivia hissed, pointing an accusatory finger at his chest.

"Is that a problem?"

"Absobloodylutely. You must be a plonker if you think I'm going to let them spy on me like that."

Jasper crossed his arms. "And for good reason. Malfoy found you crying in a closet..." Jasper began but Olivia interrupted him.

"IRRELEVANT. That's a breach of privacy, J. It's not your job to protect me,"

"Yes, it is."

"No. It. Isn't." And just like that, the cocky grin was back.

"Yes it isssss...."

Olivia summoned all her fire into one look that could have burned down cities and stared into Jasper's eyes. He let his mask of bravado slip away, his face falling into a frown as he leaned closer.

"Look. I know you don't remember this, but once upon a time, you might as well have been my little sister. I lost you once. I'm not going to lose you again. Things have been going on at Hogwarts. Bloody hell, the school is surrounded by dementors searching for a prisoner who escaped from Azkaban. Not even Dumbledore can assure complete protection. I will keep you safe."

"But..."

"No. I'm not letting anyone hurt you, Olivia. If you have to be uncomfortable having some guys watching out for you, fine. If you hate me forever for this, fine. But I will not let you get hurt," he said with such conviction that Olivia was speechless. She stared at him, mouth agape, before blinking and closing her mouth quickly.

"See you around, Liv," he said in a surly tone, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.