𝑰𝒏𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 | 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒍𝒇𝒐𝒚 | 𝟐

| EIGHTY ONE |

Chapter 81: The White Tomb

~•~

A soft summer breeze lapped the usually snowy hills of Scotland while the clear blue sky graced the eyes of many that afternoon. The month of July hadn't been welcomed warmly as many in the wizarding world were still filtering in stages of grief.

Olivia watched from a window that overlooked the space where the funeral of Albus Dumbledore was set to take place in less than a half hours time. The last day she spent in the castle would be attending the funeral of an extraordinary man.

Hundreds of chairs were aligned looking onwards to the lake that glistened under the sunlight, ready for many witches and wizards alike to prepare for the send off of Albus Dumbledore. A pristine, white table stood at the top of the set up where the mans body would be laid to rest. A small podium a little to left of the table with a small bouquet of flowers decorating it.

Already guests had arrived, the funeral was planned to start until two o'clock in the afternoon yet Olivia found people filtering around the castle just after twelve. She had spotted her family already present and seemingly waiting for her arrival.

Her mother stood in a long black dress with capped shoulders, much too hot to wear robes. Tonks and Remus stood together, hand in hand where despite the sorrowful nature of the day, Tonks' hair had tuned to the brightest pink one could ever imagine. The Weasley family were also present, Molly and Arthur along with Bill who was being supported by Fleur. Fred and George filled behind wearing jackets of black dragonskin, walking in step with Charlie and Alissa who were most likely lecturing the twins about their choice of attire.

She spotted her friends who had refused to be taken out of school early all stood amongst the students in their best dress robes.

Olivia let out a deep, painful sigh. This wasn't how her sixth year was supposed to end. She shouldn't be readying herself to speak at her headmasters funeral, nor should she be experiencing another death and extreme heartache. Yet here she found herself, staring down on to reality. She had found a sinister pattern that had aligned itself to her life that was actually quite morbid.

In her fourth year she had lost her best friend to a man who turned into a rat. In her fifth year she had lost her father to a psychotic woman she was ashamed to call family. And now, in her sixth year she had lost her headmaster to her Professor and a man who had taught her everything she knew about her abilities.

Her heel cladded feet forced herself away from the window and down the spiral staircase. She walked quietly through the deserted corridors, past the destroyed Great Hall and out into the warmth the day had offered.

Before she stepped outside however she caught sight of a boy she knew sat down on a window seat with his head in his hands. Olivia frowned at the sight, it wasn't usual to see him looking so down. Her course temporarily changed as she walked softly over to the boy and occupied the other side of the window seat onlooking the courtyard, a place Dumbledores body had landed days ago.

She soaked it all in, the sun, the silence and the fresh feeling surrounding them before she spoke, "Your not one to usually sit around like this." She pointed, her voice abnormally quiet, "Is something the matter?"

Neville Longbottom lifted his head from his hands and looked over to the girl sat next to him. She wore a simple black dress, shoulders capped of a pencil length with small black heels. Her hair was left free, curling and twisting down her back and front while her arm still rested in a sling.

Olivia had never looked more approachable in her life, her usual extrovert self tamed for the time being. She sensed Neville's hesitation and arched a brow slightly while a soft smile graced her lips, "You can talk to me Neville, I'm not going hex you to oblivion."