black and white ✰ g.w.

CHAPTER TEN

Olivia woke up the next morning still not in the best mood. The tea and conversation had helped and she had fallen asleep fairly quickly, but she was still worried about what lies ahead.

She sat up and looked to the bed to her right that belonged to Angelina; it was empty. She looked to her left and saw Alicia still fast asleep. She looked up at the clock and saw that it was still fairly early. Breakfast would just be starting. She got dressed and grabbed her bag. She figured she could work on the homework she hadn't gotten done the night before while she ate.

As soon as she sat down at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, she was joined by someone else.

"You're a lifesaver, Liv," George said.

"And why is that?" Olivia asked, filling her plate and ignoring the butterflies.

"See for yourself." He gestured down the table at Fred and Angelina.

Olivia glanced over at them but quickly looked away. She didn't want to lose her appetite. "That explains where she went."

"Hi, Liv!" said a much higher voice from Oliva's empty side.

"Oh, hello, Fraser," Olivia greeted her younger cousin. "I'm surprised you're up so early."

"I could hardly sleep! What with the Triwizard Tournament and all. Can you believe what happened with Harry Potter last night? Hogwarts has two champions! Two!"

"Yes, I know, I was there. But I'm going to have to ask you to not badger Harry too much, okay? I know it's unusual but he's got enough on his plate. Can you do that?"

Fraser sighed. "I guess so."

"Good. Hey, why don't you go talk to your brother? He looks like he needs some cheering up." She looked down the table at Ben, who had his head resting on his palm and was just pushing his food around with his fork.

Fraser perked up again. "Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. Bye, Liv!" He got up and ran around the end of the table to sit on the other side with Ben.

"Bye. Slow down, please! You don't want to hurt yourself."

Fraser did not head her words but thankfully, did not run into anyone or hurt himself before sitting down beside Ben. Fraser said something to him and Ben looked at Olivia with a sour look on his face. Olivia smiled sweetly at him, to which he rolled his eyes and looked away.

"He doesn't seem too happy with you," George chuckled.

"Ben's never happy with anyone, much less me," Olivia replied, shrugging. "He's just disappointed that Hogwarts wound up with two Triwizard champions and neither of them was him."

Just then, they heard the familiar sound of wing beats and looked up. Olivia was surprised to see the Wood family owl, Aegis, flying towards her with a single envelope clutched in her beak. She fluttered down and landed in front of Olivia, dropping the letter onto the table.

"Thanks, Aegis," Olivia said with a smile on her face. Aegis responded with a screech. "Yes, yes. Here, have some toast." Olivia held up the piece of toast she had been planning to eat and the gray owl took it, gave her a thankful, muffled hoot, and flew away.

Olivia now picked up the envelope. Written on it in her mother's handwriting was 'Livi' with a heart for the dot of the I's.

Olivia chuckled to herself. "It's from my mum," she told George. "I know because she's the only one in my family that dots her I's with hearts. Except me."

Olivia opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

My dearest daughter,

I hope you're well and enjoying your classes.

Your grandfather told me all about your letter to him and how he responded. I don't blame you for being suspicious of Moody - in fact, he scared me, too, for a long time. But I assure you that's just how he is, and as long as you're not getting into the Dark Arts, you have nothing to worry about with him.

I also already know all about what happened Thursday night. We're all just as confused as you are. Dumbledore contacted your grandfather immediately and let's just say, you'll be seeing him a lot this year. I'll be surprised if you haven't run into him already.

I understand that you're probably making the same connections we adults are, and I shouldn't have to tell you that it's disturbing, to put it lightly. I won't tell you not to worry about it, because you probably should, but try not to let it consume you. Though, I will advise you to keep your eye out for any suspicious activity and tell Grandpa or me or even Dumbledore if you see any.

Also, be a friend to Harry Potter, if you will. He must be so anxious, the poor boy.

All my love,

Mum

"Just what I thought," Olivia said, setting the letter down. "I'd like to see him call me paranoid now."

"What's happened?" George asked.

"Dumbledore's worried. He's brought in my grandfather to help keep an eye on things."

"I should've known," said Alicia. She was standing with her arms crossed with her eyes flitting between Fred and Angelina and George and Olivia. "When I woke up to an empty dormitory, I should've known."

"Yeah, you should've," Olivia agreed, nonchalantly grabbing a new piece of toast.

"Why is it that you're nice to literally everyone but me?"

"It's not just you."

"Oh, yeah? I have yet to hear you make a nasty comment about Snape."

"Okay, fine. His hair is greasy and I don't like it. Happy?"

George watched the exchange with an amused smile.

[word count: 960]
[written: 5/10/20]
[published: 6/10/20]