𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐈 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔, n. longbottom

𝔁𝓿𝓲𝓲𝓲. i can't say goodbye, not now

OLIVE SPRINTED WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY, HER heart pounding in her chest as she navigated the winding staircase that led to the top cell of the ominous Dark Tower. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air, causing her to snap her gaze upwards. The sight of Harry and Hermione soaring through the sky on Buckbeak filled her with a wave of relief. "Yes!" She couldn't help but let out a triumphant scream at their arrival.

"Daddy! Take cover!" She hollered, her voice echoing through the tower as she skidded to a halt in front of the dismal cell. Just in time, Harry and Hermione had disembarked from Buckbeak's wide back. With a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, she shouted, "Bombarda!" Her wand pointed unwaveringly at the sturdy metal bars. She grimaced slightly as the spell collided with the bars, causing a loud explosion and freeing Sirius from his confinement.

Before Sirius could utter a word, Olive rushed into the cell, her heart still racing. "I'll explain everything later," she promised as she helped Sirius, who was slightly disoriented, to his feet. "But we need to leave now. Immediately." Without wasting any time, she assisted Sirius onto Buckbeak's large back. "Harry, if something happens to me, I swear I'll come back to haunt you," she threatened in a half-joking tone as she mounted the majestic creature, situating herself between her father and Harry. It was a mystery how four individuals could fit onto Buckbeak, but there was no time to ponder over it.

As they ascended into the night sky, Olive managed a soft smile at the sound of Sirius's laughter, a sound of pure, unadulterated joy. However, her smile was short-lived as the gravity of their situation dawned on her, the realization of the impending goodbye casting a shadow over her momentary happiness.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

With a heavy heart, Olive reluctantly dismounted Buckbeak, trailing behind the group as they walked through the dimly lit corridor. "I'll forever be grateful for this, for the three of you."

Harry, his voice filled with longing, spoke up as Olive rounded the corner. "I want to go with you," he said, his eyes meeting Sirius's as he spoke.

Sirius, the soft-spoken man with a troubled past, nodded gently, acknowledging Harry's words. "One day, perhaps," he said, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "For some time, my life will be too unpredictable. And besides," Sirius stepped closer to the boy, placing his hands on Harry's shoulders. "You're meant to be here."

"But you're innocent," Harry countered, his voice echoing off the stone walls as Olive found a place next to Hermione.

"And you know it." Sirius gave a small push, encouraging Harry to sit. "And for now, that will do. I expect you're tired of hearing this...but you look so like your father. Except for your eyes. You have-"

"My mother's eyes." Harry finished the sentence with a small smile.

"It's cruel that I spent so much time with James and Lily, and you so little. But know this." Sirius paused, locking eyes with Harry. "The ones that love us never really leave us. And you can always find them..." Sirius took his hand and placed it over Harry's heart. "In here." With that, Sirius stood and walked over to Olive, who was standing a short distance away.

"Don't." Olive held her hand out as Sirius approached, her voice choked with emotion.

"Darling-" Sirius began, but Olive cut him off with a small shake of her head.

"No. I don't want to say goodbye. Not now, not ever." Olive took a deep, shaky breath. "So I'm going to give you a hug, and tell you I love you, and then you're going to leave."

Sirius nodded in understanding as Olive walked to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him close. "I'm sorry, Olive," Sirius murmured, his voice barely audible as he felt her tears soaking his shirt.

"I just got you back," Olive cried, her voice filled with sorrow. "And I don't want you to leave again." Her words ended in a sob, causing Sirius to tighten his hold on her. "I need you here, with me and Dad. I can't say goodbye, not now."

"So don't say goodbye." Sirius offered a sad smile, making Olive pull back slightly. "We won't say goodbye." He shook his head, a wave of determination crossing his face. "We'll say, see you later. Because this isn't a goodbye, and we will see each other later."

Olive managed a sad smile as she fully pulled back. "See you later, daddy," Olive whispered, her voice barely audible.

Sirius leaned down and tenderly placed his lips on her forehead before pulling back. "See you later, my sweet Olive." Sirius nodded before walking away and mounting Buckbeak. "You really are the brightest witch of your age." Sirius and Hermione exchanged a fond smile. "Look after Olive, will you?"

"Of course," Hermione nodded, her voice steady as she began to walk backward. The three teenagers watched as Buckbeak sprinted forward, Hermione and Harry running alongside as Sirius and Buckbeak took to the sky. Olive, however, remained rooted to the spot, her tears falling freely as she wrapped her arms around herself.

"Olive?" Hermione approached her slowly, concern etched on her face.

"Minoe," Olive sobbed as she sprinted to Hermione, throwing herself into the girl's arms. "He's gone."

"I know, Liv. I know." Hermione enveloped Olive in a comforting hug, her hand gently stroking Olive's hair. "It's going to be alright, Liv."

"No." Olive shook her head, her tears soaking Hermione's shoulder. "No, it's not going to be okay."

As Olive continued to cry, Harry made his way over to the two girls. He cautiously extended his arms around Olive, ignoring the awkward position. "We're here for you, Liv. I hope you know that." Harry's voice was soft as the midnight bell tolled ominously in the distance.

"Come on, Liv," Hermione spoke up, her voice hushed. "We have to go."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The trio of teenagers, full of adrenaline and youthful vigor, raced through the seemingly endless corridors of the majestic building. Their heartbeats echoed in their ears, matching the rhythm of their pounding feet on the stone floors. Eventually, they skidded to a halt before the imposing, ominous doors of the Infirmary. As if on cue, Dumbledore, emerged through the grand doors, his robes billowing in his wake.

"Well?" Dumbledore inquired, his voice echoing through the silent hallways.

"He's free. We did it," Harry declared to Dumbledore, his voice trembling with a blend of fear and joy.

"Did what?" Dumbledore responded, a soft smirk playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling with secret knowledge. "Goodnight," He waved his hand in a casual dismissal before vanishing down the winding stairs, his silhouette slowly merging with the shadows.

Soon after, the Infirmary doors burst open, startling the three young wizards. "What the fuck..." Olive was taken aback as she watched herself freeze, a mirror image of herself staring back at her.

"Is that really what I look like?" Both Olive's questioned, their voices echoing each other's shock, a surreal symphony that elicited an eye roll from Hermione.

"Olive, you need to go," Hermione spoke, her voice laced with urgency and a hint of fear. "Now."

"Right," Olive responded, her voice barely above a whisper before she bolted off into the darkness.

"That was exceedingly odd," Olive commented with a chuckle as she, Harry, and Hermione pushed the heavy doors open, stepping into the dimly lit Infirmary.

"How did you get there?" Ron questioned, his voice filled with confusion as he pointed at them. "I was talking to you there. And now, you're there."

"What is he talking about?" Hermione queried, her brows furrowing as she turned to Olive and Harry.

"I don't know," Harry shrugged, his eyes reflecting a mock confusion.

"Ron, really, how can someone be in two places at once?" Olive questioned, her voice filled with feigned incredulity before she, Harry, and Hermione burst into peals of laughter. "I believe those pain medications are affecting your cognition." The three teenagers sauntered over to Ron, taking seats around him, their laughter dying down to soft chuckles.

"But on a serious note, how is your leg faring?" Olive questioned, her tone turning serious as Ron continued to stare at them, his confusion still evident.