black and white ✰ g.w.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

While the members of the DA had managed to get out of the Room of Requirement before they were caught by anyone therefore none of them were personally punished, the whole of Hogwarts was punished because of what happened. Umbridge had come into possession of the list of members and therefore knew that they called themselves Dumbledore's Army. She and the Minister of Magic himself used this to fit the narrative that Dumbledore was trying to take over the Ministry. They had tried to arrest him and take him to Azkaban but he managed to flee. Because of this, he could no longer be headmaster, so Umbridge was made the new headmistress.

"You're going to leave now, aren't you?" Olivia asked George one evening as they sat together in a quiet corner of the common room. "Now that Dumbledore's gone."

"Soon, probably, yeah," George admitted. "We're still working on a few things, but the plan is nearly complete."

"You really don't want to graduate?"

"It's not that I don't want to, Liv, it's just that I don't need to. We already have everything we need, we just need to get out of this place so we can get started. And with everything going on now, no, I really don't want to stick around until June. Look... if you really want me to stay, just say the word and I will."

"No, George, I can't do that. I can't make you give up or postpone your dreams just so I can have you around. I'll miss you, of course I will, but just knowing that you're happy and away from all the chaos here, it'll be enough for me."

"You could always come along, you know. Fred wouldn't mind."

Olivia chuckled. "I appreciate the offer, love, I really do, but I need to graduate. You know that. But I'll be out in a few months and then we'll get to spend as much time together as we please."

George began to gently caress her cheek with his thumb. "I can't wait."

As Olivia nuzzled into his palm, George got the sudden urge to say something.

"Liv..."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Olivia's eyes widened slightly but she couldn't prevent the smile from creeping onto her face. "Pardon?"

"I love you," George repeated. He presented himself as calm, collected, and confident, but on the inside, his heart was beating harder than ever at a million miles per hour.

"Really? You mean that?"

"Of course I do."

"I love you too, George."

[word count: 425]
[written: 8/23/20]
[published: 8/23/20]
short and sweet