Everlasting ⁂ Harry Potter [1]

Chapter Thirty Seven

Olivia's trip back home for the holidays went almost exactly as she expected it would. Her suspicions about the school sending word to parents, especially those of Muggleborns, about the events transpiring throughout the first semester were confirmed as soon as she had stepped foot off of the train. Her father had a multitude of questions about everything, the Chamber of Secrets, the students that had been Petrified, many that Olivia herself didn't really have answers to.

All the time she had been home was spent trying to ease both her father and Amelia's worries about the situation at hand. However, with some luck and a plethora of promises to be safe, Olivia was happy when her father reassured her she would be allowed to go back to school. According to her, the teachers and headmaster were doing everything they could to ensure the safety of students, and Ted knew holding her back wasn't a smart move for her education. But he did demand she send him letters every day, and obey the rules put in place by the teachers.

And so as soon as she stepped foot through the door of the castle, Olivia let out a small sigh of relief, happy to be back, despite all the trouble going on. However, instead of heading to the feast, she went to fulfil the promises she had made before and during the holidays. Her first stop was the Hospital Wing, knowing it was where she'd find Gwen who this time around was awake.

Olivia couldn't help but note how sad the older Hufflepuff looked, and tired. She tried convincing her to head back to the dorm rooms at the very least, but Gwen was adamant on staying by her brother's side. The red head wondered just how much of her time Gwen truly spent in the Hospital Wing while everyone was away. However, while Olivia was the one that started attempts to convince Gwen, it was the older girl who in the end managed to convince her that she'd be alright and she should go enjoy the rest of her night back.

And after a small argument, Olivia gave in. She had one more promise to keep, and that was the one that took her in the direction of the girl's bathroom on the second floor. Having promised Myrtle that she would come and see her once she was back, and while it wasn't really along her way, Olivia didn't want to upset the ghost if she heard she was back and thought she was ignoring her.

Olivia found it slightly odd walking through the halls while nobody was in them. Not being one for sneaking out after curfew, she was more than used to there always being someone roaming around the castle. However, with it being everyone's first night back, all students and staff had gathered in the Great Hall. Although, it wasn't as if she minded too much. Welcoming the peace and quiet, she moved through the halls on the second floor, wondering in what mood Myrtle would be tonight. She hoped that whatever it was, seeing her would cheer her up.

Walking through the halls, Olivia ignored the sounds of shifting and moving starting up beyond the corner she had just turned, prescribing them to students starting to head to their common rooms after the feast. After all, she had spent quite a bit of time in the Hospital wing. The noises started to grow louder with every step she took, and Olivia soon realized they sounded nothing like human footsteps. She was about to turn around and check on what was happening, when suddenly a hiss echoed through the hallway making her blood run cold.