black and white ✰ g.w.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Life continued to be mildly stressful for Olivia as time passed and fall turned into winter. She remained in correspondence with Faustus, who kept her in the loop with everything happening at Hogwarts. Besides the whole Draco Malfoy supposedly being a Death Eater thing, all seemed relatively normal, except for the fact that some students were being withdrawn.

Instead of going to the Village or Diagon Alley after Oliver's Quidditch practice, Olivia was to spend the night with Delia at her flat.

"Wait, so let me get this straight," said Delia after a few hours of Olivia staying with her, "Fred and George dropped out of school by conjuring a swamp in one of the corridors and letting off fireworks everywhere?"

"Don't forget that they flew off of the grounds on their broomsticks," Olivia reminded her.

"Honestly, I think that's the least crazy thing about that whole story." Delia shook her head. "And I thought I had an insane final year of schooling with the Triwizard Tournament and all."

"Oh, you did. It was just more normal than mine despite, you know, what happened at the end."

"I guess so. Say, speaking of the Triwizard Tournament, my sister dated a boy from Hogwarts during that time, I believe he was in his final year as well, and if I'm remembering correctly, his surname was Wood. Is he of any relation to you?"

"More than likely. Did he seem angry all the time?"

"Oh, yeah. Quite intimidating, I must say."

"Maybe to someone who hadn't grown up with him, I suppose. I believe you're thinking about my cousin Ben. Bit of a prat, he is."

"Yes, well, Adeline isn't very pleasant to be around, either. Perfect match, I guess."

"Apparently. Do you know why they broke up?"

"They didn't feel like doing the whole distance thing I guess."

"And your sister, she still lives in France?"

"No. She works at St. Mungo's. She lives somewhere in London. I'm sure I could find her if I wanted to."

Olivia grinned. "So she and Ben don't really have that much distance between them anymore, do they?"

Delia grinned as well. "What does he do now?"

"He's in Auror training at the Ministry."

"Hm, interesting... I'm totally not going to tell Adeline."

"Yeah, I don't think I'll be telling Ben either."

The two women were silent for a moment.

"So tell me more about the demented things going on at your school," said Delia.

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The next evening, after leaving Delia's flat and working a day at the shop, Olivia arrived home. Instead of going to her house like she normally did, however, she went to the one to the left of it, the one belonging to Henry, Amelia, and their children. She entered and the first person she came across was Amelia.

"Oh, hello, Liv," she greeted the younger woman with a smile. "What can I do for you?"

"Oh, nothing, really," said Olivia. "I was just wondering if Ben's here?"

"Yes. He'll be in his room."

"Okay, thank you."

Olivia headed upstairs and to the door she knew was Ben's. Of course, it was closed, so she politely knocked.

"Who is it?" he called, knowing his parents and sister would have just walked in.

"Your favorite cousin," Olivia said sarcastically, knowing this was not a title Ben would give her.

She could hear Ben sigh even through the door. "Come in, I guess."

Olivia opened the door but only stood in the doorway. "I've come with news."

"Give me the news, then."

"You're aware of my job, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, the other mediwitch I work with just so happens to be the older sister of that girl you dated a few years ago. Her name's Adeline, I believe?"

Ben's expression was unreadable. "Yes, her name is Adeline, what about her?"

"Well, she lives in London now. She's a Healer at St. Mungo's."

Now he looked intrigued. "Adeline's in London?"

Olivia nodded. "Mhm."

"I've got to go." He quickly grabbed his wand and Disapparated.

"Someone's eager." Olivia began to leave the house. In passing Amelia, she said, "He left."

"Oh, Benjamin," Amelia muttered.

[word count: 675]
[written: 9/9/20]
[published: 9/9/20]
ben and adeline????