The Dark Promise// Theodore Nott

Ch 56

One month later

Living in peace was very strange now. It was like they had all gotten used to the fear and chaos and now they didn't know what to do with themselves. After the dead were buried and given proper funerals the trials began. All the death eaters that made it out alive that night were rounded up, interrogated and put into holding cells awaiting trial. Theo was thankfully given immunity for his help with the resistance and had become a regular visitor to the new Ministry of Magic. Mattheo would often join him, telling anyone that would hear of the plans and the downfall of his father. He would talk about implementing muggleborn and half-blood safety laws and just like his great-great uncle before him, he fought to destroy the sacred twenty-eight.

Mattheo had become a big name in the wizarding community in the last month. It was a stark contrast to when he was stuck up in that castle where no one knew who he was. He was loving the attention and was finally feeling like he found his place in the world. Even so, there was always one person who he wanted attention from the most. Olivia. His first friend. The first person to believe in him. He walked into her tent one lazy afternoon, the entrance opened wide for a small breeze to come through. She was standing by the bed, folding clothes, and putting them in a small leather suitcase. "Going on holiday?" He asked with a playful smile.

"Not really. I was finally able to get ahold of my parents. They want to see me as soon as possible. I'm going to stay with them for awhile and clear my head." She said with a small smile back. The truth was she didn't really want to go back to her family home. Sure, she was desperate to see her parents who went into hiding during the war but being home would feel strange now. It would force her to think about her life after this.

Mattheo nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, taking a fluffy grey jumper and folding it neatly before placing it in her suitcase. "Can I come visit you? It would be nice to meet the people who raised the famous Olivia Cornwell." He asked, watching Olivia blush at the thought of bringing a boy home. "It's actually still Riddle now, legally that is." She said in a soft tone. She had checked her documents when she went to the Ministry to speak about her contribution to the war. It was one of the hardest things she had to do. Reliving those painful memories, especially the ones where she was locked up in the dungeons of Hogwarts.

Mattheo laughed at this, a little too hard. "Oh you know we can get that annulled. We probably wouldn't even have to explain why." He leaned back on the bed, propping himself on his forearms. Olivia stopped folding her clothes and looked at him, their eyes meeting. "What if I want to keep it? Would that bother you?" She asked him, keeping her voice low like she was telling him a secret.

His mouth opened slightly, not expecting that kind of answer. "Liv...." He said, slowly sitting up. Olivia didn't like this expression on his face and instantly knew she shouldn't have said that. She released a small chuckle, trying to seem more relaxed. "You're right, it was a silly idea. We were never really married, were we?" She spoke, folding pairs of socks together to make herself seem busy. Mattheo grabbed ahold of her hand, making her drop the socks. She glanced over to him, now seeing a new, softer expression on his face. "In my eyes we were. You were the only person who truly knew me for what I was back then. If you want to share my name, that will make me really happy."

Olivia tried to hold back tears. She had been crying a lot lately, usually for no apparent reason. It seemed the emotional toll had left her feeling vulnerable and more anxious then ever, maybe a stay at her childhood home was what she needed.

If she was deciding to keep Mattheo's last name, did that mean she was also deciding to be with him? Olivia couldn't help but feel detached from Theo after all of this. They had barely spoken in the last month. She wasn't sure if it was just ministry business or he was giving her space, but there was a lingering feeling that maybe he felt the same way. After Draco's death, she was starting to see things for what they were. She had once loved Theo with all her heart, but she also loved Draco. Neither were very good for her. After everything that happened, she wanted an easy life. Being with Mattheo was easy. It made sense. She thought Mattheo deserved to be happy too.