black and white ✰ g.w.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The day of Harry's hearing came a week later, the day after Evelyn and Ginny celebrated their fourteenth birthday. Olivia was very anxious for him; she knew the law and because of that, was almost certain that he would be cleared, but she couldn't help but worry that something would go wrong.

She had been lying awake in bed that morning going over all the possible outcomes when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs from the kitchen to the entrance of 12 Grimmauld Place. She also heard Arthur's voice, and it sounded like he was talking to Harry. Immediately, she got out of bed and Apparated downstairs.

The crack that announced her arrival startled both Arthur and Harry.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," she apologized. "I just wanted to wish you good luck before you left. I expect you're tired of hearing this, Harry, but they really cannot expel you. The law specifically states that underage wizards are allowed to use magic to defend themselves in life-threatening situations, and a dementor attack is definitely life-threatening. Once they see that, they'll have nothing against you."

Harry nodded, though he still seemed unsure. "Right," he said.

"See you later, Harry. I expect we'll be celebrating you being cleared as soon as you get back."

After that, he left with Arthur, and Olivia, having nothing else to do, Apparated into Fred and George's room.

Her arrival awoke George and as his tired eyes focused on her, he smiled.

"Morning," he said.

She smiled back at him. "Morning," she replied.

He allowed her to climb into bed with him. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Again," Fred added. He had been woken up as well.

"I'm not sure. I guess I was just worried about Harry," Olivia admitted. "Speaking of which, he just left for his hearing."

"They better let him off," George said.

"They have to. He didn't do anything wrong," Fred said.

"That's what I said," Olivia said. "But seeing as how the Ministry is against him... I don't see how they could ignore their own laws and justify it, but then again, I wouldn't put it past them." She sighed.

Later on that day, while Harry was still gone for his hearing, all of the children were taking a break from cleaning the dining room. Molly had left the room to make lunch and they were taking advantage of it, resting in the chairs around the table.

Olivia looked over at Arabella and for the first time, something registered in her brain. "Your hair is really long," she told the girl. Her red hair nearly reached her thighs while she was standing.

"Yeah," Arabella said slowly, a bit flustered.

"How do you deal with it?"

She shrugged. "I just do."

"Personally, I keep mine short for Quidditch."

"You do? Why?"

"Because I don't want it all flying in my face when I'm trying to win, and I don't like how my hair looks when it's up."

"Will you grow it out once you graduate?"

Olivia shrugged. "Maybe. I'm not sure yet."

"You're just now realizing her hair is absurdly long?" George questioned Olivia.

"I guess so," she told him.

"Not very observant, are you?"

"I guess not."

Before any of them could speak again, they heard the front door open and they all rushed to meet whoever it was. As expected, it was Arthur and Harry coming back from the hearing.

Everyone just stared at the two, awaiting news of how the hearing had went. Arthur and Harry managed to keep straight faces at first, but then exchanged a look and when they turned back to everyone else, their faces split into wide smiles.

"You got off?" Arabella asked excitedly. Harry nodded and the girl practically threw herself at him, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Let him breathe, Bella!" Arthur chuckled.

Next to Olivia, Fred, George, and Ginny were dancing and chanting, "He got off! He got off! He got off!"

Olivia just shook her head and smiled, pleased with the outcome of the situation.

[word count: 691]
[written: 6/21/20]
[published: 7/5/20]