Catch Me, I'm Falling | Fred Weasley

Chapter 45

The twins would have kept everything a secret, would have left Olivia out of it, but since Olivia already knew, they took the opportunity. Olivia found herself roped into firework tests and other atrocities, which she secretly enjoyed despite her protests. The twins came up to her out of nowhere, asking her various questions that ranged from, "How long should a nosebleed last?" to "Can we just use paper bags for packaging?". She shook her head every time and helped them out.

Fred even proposed to her, "Come with us. Let's leave this place. You can help us out in the shop and it'll get you away from Umbridge."

But Olivia answered without a shadow of a doubt. "No. This is something you have to do yourselves. You know this. Besides, I have unfinished business here. I know you can do this Fred, you don't need me. Go, go do amazing things." And Fred dropped the idea.

It wasn't long before the day came. Olivia promised Fred she'd keep their secret until the time came, not that she would have told anyone about their upcoming stunt. Olivia was walking through the hallway, walking quietly so as not to disturb the students taking their O.W.L's just a level below. Suddenly, she heard a commotion. People chatting animatedly and a series of crashes. She'd know that sound anywhere. Fireworks.

Olivia ran down the stairs at breakneck speed, nearly twisting her ankle in the process. She knew what was happening... and she had to see it. As soon as she made it into the courtyard, she saw them, Fred and George, tossing around fireworks like they were hot potatoes.

They both looked radiant, her boyfriend and her best friend. The students watching cheered as Umbridge screeched her protests. But the little lady in pink couldn't be heard above the racket. With a final firework display, the performance was over. On their brooms, the twins went to speed off. But before Fred left, he flew down to where Olivia stood and kissed her.

Olivia's grin grew as she saw the sparkle in his eyes and he gave her a wink. Olivia shook her head, but there was no wiping the smile off her face. George yelled down, calling for Fred. With that, the twins zoomed off into the sunset.

-

The twins were gone. Fulfilling their dreams, no less, but gone. Olivia missed Fred terribly, but the separation was for the best. For both of them.

Olivia continued her studies. As her graduation grew closer, the work increased exponentially. And due to Umbridge's reign of terror, so did her work in the hospital wing. Olivia just convinced herself she was lucky that at least Umbridge didn't really know of her existence (or her talents).

Madam Pomfrey was a brutal angel, as always, harsh but loving. She taught Olivia more about magical medicine, and Olivia was grateful for the distraction. It made her feel useful, gave her a purpose. Madam Pomfrey even hinted that she'd like Olivia her successor, but Olivia wasn't sure that would ever happen.

She didn't know what she wanted in her future, hadn't even thought about it. Avoiding the idea felt better than ruminating on the fact that she might not have a future, that she might not survive the horrors to come.

With time, she'd also realized that her gift was also a danger to those she cared about. If anyone with power found out about her ability, they would torture her for information. So far, the timeline Olivia had foreseen was coming true for the most part and she didn't want to jeopardize that.

In the beginning, she had not been nearly cautious enough. Luckily, she'd only told friends that she trusted. Even the all-knowing Dumbledore didn't know. But the Malfoy boy, the poor tortured boy, knew. But what could Olivia do? Hope? So she ran again, dreading what would happen when the world found out about the seer girl with a torn soul.