𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑓 | WTM

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆

July 31st 2007. Harry and Olivia's 9th birthday.

Olivia sat by the window in her small, forgotten room at the far end of Potter Manor, staring out at the garden that stretched beyond the glass. She could hear the distant sounds of laughter and music echoing through the grand halls - a party, no doubt for Harry. It was always for Harry. Her fingers traced the cool, foggy patterns she'd made on the glass, her mind swirling with the same thoughts that had plagued her for months. She wanted to leave, to escape the home that never felt like hers, where she was nothing more than a shadow in the corner of a life that wasn't hers to live.

But as much as she dreamed of disappearing, there was one person who made the decision feel impossible  - William Lupin-Black. William, the son of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, was the only person who ever truly saw her. With his kind smile and quiet strength, he was the light in the dim corners of her world. He would often sneak away from the parties to find her, bringing her books, snacks, or simply company. They would sit under the large oak tree by the garden, exchanging whispered conversations and stories of their own. William never treated her like she was invisible; to him, she wasn't just Harry's forgotten twin - she was Olivia, a person with her own thoughts, fears, and dreams.

As she watched the sun dip below the horizon, Olivia clutched a small, worn photograph of the two of them - William's arm slung casually around her shoulders, both of them grinning like they didn't have a care in the world. The thought of leaving him behind made her chest ache, but she knew that staying would only mean more loneliness, more invisibility. She couldn't keep living in the shadow of Harry's fame, but the idea of saying goodbye to William was almost unbearable.

Olivia took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage she'd been searching for. She glanced back at the packed bag under her bed, the one she'd been secretly filling with the few belongings that mattered to her: the books William had given her, the small trinkets they'd collected together, and the notes he'd scribbled to make her laugh. She knew she couldn't take William with her, but she could carry the memories of their friendship as she stepped into the unknown.

With a heavy heart, Olivia rose from her seat and tucked the photograph into her pocket. She knew she was ready to leave Potter Manor, to find a place where she wouldn't be forgotten. But as she turned away from the window, the realization struck her like a jolt - no matter how far she went, she would always miss the one person who had made her feel like she belonged.

She slipped through the back door of Potter Manor , her heart heavy as she glanced back at the house adorned with balloons, bunting, and banners - all for Harry. Inside, the grand hall was filled with laughter, music, and the chatter of guests who had gathered to celebrate the Boy Who Lived. Piles of presents towered around Harry, whose face beamed with delight as he basked in the attention of the people around him. But not a single glance was spared for Olivia, who had been all but forgotten in the shadow of her brother's fame. No one noticed the quiet girl who watched from the corner, nor did they see her slip away, tears stinging her eyes. As Olivia stepped into the cool night, she made a silent vow that she would never return to the place that had never been home, vanishing into the darkness, never to be seen again.