The Dark Promise// Theodore Nott

CH 48

Bill shook his head fervently. "No, absolutely not. We will still have to proceed with caution." He waved his hand towards Olivia, dismissing her statement to charge in. Olivia furled her brow, angry that he didn't even consider it. "He could be in trouble. This could be his way of telling us he's really hurt! If it was any of us, you would rush in!" She yelled at him, stabbing her pointer finger into his chest. Bill's face grew very red. Even he tips of his ears were hot after hearing her words. "He's not one of us Olivia! What the fuck is wrong with you!? He killed DUMBLEDORE! Did you forget that?! Stop being a silly little girl and think of the rest of us" He gestured his hand over the the anxious group. No one stood up in her defense. No one cared about Malfoy. Tears started to form around her eyes. She knew Bill was right, but that's what hurt the most.

"Malfoy knew what danger he was putting himself in. If he's in trouble, there's not much we can do about it right now. We have to think about everyone else and the mission." Theo said off to the side, speaking what everyone else was thinking. Bill nodded in agreement. It was the first sign of appreciation since Theo had joined their ranks. Olivia's bottom lip quivered, the tears drying up instantly. She knew the two were right. This was bigger than just Malfoy. If they succeeded, then after tonight, everyone would be free. However, she knew that Theo had to be secretly relishing in Malfoy's supposed downfall.

Olivia accepted defeat, knowing that if she pleaded anymore with Bill, that would make her selfish. "Ok. What's the next move then?" She asked before taking a seat on a small rock. Bill stress sighed, taking a second to look through the goggles once more before speaking. "We will still proceed with plan B. This isn't ideal. Malfoy could have succeeded, but this very well might be a trap. Mattheo's group will go first, knocking out any guards around the perimeter and disarming traps. Hogwart's team will be next, finding a path to the painting. Team WW will find a way in from the sides, setting off smoke bombs to confuse the death eaters inside."

"Who's team WW?" Mattheo asked, looking around. Fred and George had identical toothy grins plastered on their faces. "Weasley and Weasley." They both said in unison. Of course, they would be the ones to cause chaos. They wouldn't have it any other way. Bill continued. "The rest of us will come in last, taking out anyone deemed a threat and saving the half-blood staff. I'm going to give you all ten minutes to prepare."

Ten minutes seemed like a lifetime. Olivia had a knot in her stomach, and it felt like all the organs in her body had twisted together. This was the moment she had been waiting for. The moment she had dreamed about since being in the dungeons. The Dark Lord was going to die tonight. She now regrated being on the Hogwarts team. Sure, they could destroy the Horcrux, but that would mean she wouldn't be the one to take Voldemort's life. She wondered who in the crowd would be the one to do it. Bill? Mattheo? They would be the obvious choices. Her thoughts were interrupted by two hands on her shoulders. When she looked up from her shoes, she saw Mattheo's shining smile. "Hey, relax. Everything is going to be fine. I have a good feeling about this."

Olivia shook her head in disagreement. "I can't say the same." Her tone was meek. Her anxiety rising. Mattheo's eyes softened, his expression making her feel abit calmer. "Trust in Bill. He knows what he's doing. This plan is the safest option. I'm going to make a path for you and keep you guys safe, ok?" He pulled her into a warm hug, wrapping his arms around her head so her ear was to his chest. His heart was beating at a steady pace. He wasn't lying to save face. He truly was confident that everything would work out fine. She wrapped her arms around his back, feeling the soft fabric of his worn cardigan. They stood there for a minute. Olivia didn't want to leave his calming embrace. She wished they could stand there forever, just like this.

That couldn't happen though. It was finally time and Olivia walked over to her team. Theo, Hermione, and Neville all had their wands in their hands, watching as Mattheo dropped the invisibility charm around the perimeter. Bill gave the signal, and the disarming team apparated to the front of the castle. The Hogwarts team watched Fred Weasley with bated breath as the boy watched Mattheo's team through his goggles. Theo stood close to her, looking down at her hand. How he yearned to take hold of it. He wanted to comfort her like Mattheo had just done. Now was not the right time to be making romantic gestures. "Stay close to me, ok?" He spoke, just above a whisper. Olivia looked up at him, seeing the worry in his face. "I will." She responded, trusting Theo in that moment. Even if she was no longer his girlfriend, he wanted to protect her.