Everlasting ⁂ Harry Potter [1]

Chapter Thirty Eight

Harry, Ron and Hermione knew that perhaps they should be using their moment of free time to go get some lunch in the Great Hall before their classes continued into the afternoon. However, instead, all three had decided to use it to head down to the Hospital Wing. It was rare to find the space empty, aside from the Hogwarts Mediwitch situated in her office at all times. People frequently came for visits even though none could be sure their Petrified friends were even aware of their presence.

The most frequent visitor to both Oliver and Olivia was, of course, Gwen, but by what they'd heard from George, it seemed that Cedric and Aurora had managed to get the girl to leave the Hospital Wing for at least a little bit and go get something to eat. And so the three Gryffindors now found themselves standing in the space between Liv and Oliver's beds alone.

"Do you think she can hear us?" Ron asked, pulling up a chair so he could sit down next to the bed, his eyes trained on Olivia as if he were expecting to see some kind of sign that would give him an answer to his question. But, of course, she remained completely frozen as she had been all this time ever since their first night back.

"I'm not sure. I tried reading about it, but there's not much information on it in the library." Hermione announced, her own eyes turning towards her friend. A part of her hoped Olivia could hear them, then she'd know they were all there and waiting for her to come back.

"We should act like she does. Then if it's true, she'll know we're here and she won't feel lonely." Harry said, making a small smile appear on both Hermione and Ron's faces as they seemed to like the idea. Turning to Olivia, Hermione was the first to speak.

"Liv, I'm going to put the notes I've been taking for you on the table next to your bed. So you don't have to worry about catching up when Madam Pomfrey makes the cure and you're healed." Hermione announced, pulling a large pile of parchment and paper from her bag, the action earning her a questioning look from Ron.

"Really, Hermione? I doubt her first thought when she's back will be 'I've missed school!'" He commented in a doubtful tone, making Hermione glare his way while all Harry could do was shake his head at the two. At least, if she could hear them, Olivia would know some things never change.

"I'm not saying it'll be her first thought, but she at least won't have to worry about catching up. And I'll help you study if you'll need it too, Liv." Hermione spoke defensively, turning back to Liv as she added the last part.

"Well when you wake up, I'll hold you to that promise of a rematch in chess. And don't think I'll let you win just because you've been in the Hospital Wing." Ron added his own idea of what they could do when Liv got back to them. In their eyes it made it a bit easier, thinking ahead to the time when she'd be up and about again.

But still, surrounded by all the students that had been the victims of the creature released from the Chamber of Secrets, still weighed on Harry, and he couldn't help but think of who had opened it. He found it hard to believe Hagrid could do such a thing, but ever since he'd seen that memory of the last time the chamber had been opened, he couldn't help but worry.

"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione turned to him as she noticed his silence, finding it slightly surprising as he had been the one to suggest coming for another visit in the first place. Her voice brought Harry out of his own thoughts, and after a couple of seconds passed he finally replied.

"We have to find out who opened the chamber, before someone else gets Petrified." Harry announced in a determined voice, unable to wonder whether, if they'd worked harder at it during the first semester, maybe Olivia could have been safe when they returned. Maybe Oliver's Petrification could have been avoided too.

"And we will, Harry, don't worry. It'll all go back to normal soon." Hermione spoke in reassuring words, her eyes turning back to the Hufflepuff, a small frown now replacing the smile that had previously been there. "We promise Liv."

Hermione's words weren't news in any way, all three of them wanted this whole thing to be resolved as soon as possible. Harry and Ron especially. After Olivia had been Petrified, they started worrying a lot more about Hermione too, even though they hadn't admitted it out loud. All three of them wished Olivia had gone with someone to see Myrtle that night, thinking that there could have been a way to prevent this.

But as they looked at their friend, her face etched in a permanent expression of worry and fear, the emotions she was feeling in the moment she was forced to face this awful creature, they felt more determined than ever. They all wanted to do whatever they could to prevent any more students from getting hurt. And with the promise they'd made to Liv, they didn't plan on breaking it unless something stopped them.

Published: 16th July, 2020

So as Liv is now petrified (hehehe) we will have some chapters showing the point of view of other characters who come to visit her and have some situations of their own to cover the time during which Liv is absent.