Chapter 9: ── 𝘀𝗶𝘅

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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗

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THE LIVELY CHATTER OF THE students drowned out the thundering rain that echoed around the halls of Hogwarts. Everyone was excited for the first quidditch match of the season.

However, one particular person was not very happy as she glared at the boy beside her, her arms folded over her chest and her lips in a deep frown. "James Potter, you blistering idiot."

The hazel eyed boy didn't seem to mind as he continued eating his breakfast, not at all fazed by the girl burning a hole on the side of his head. "Keep talking, darling. My mind's still not changing."

"You're the one who wanted me to attend in the first place!" She said, frustration evident in her voice.

Some of the Gryffindors nearby glanced at them. A certain redheaded witch watched with confusion, seeing how close the two sat together and wondering since when it started.

James sipped from his pumpkin juice casually. "I'm aware of that, but what I wasn't aware of was how hard it would rain and I don't feel comfortable with you being out at this weather. It'd be better if you stayed in front of the fire and kept warm."

"And since when were you the one who decided what's good for me?"

"Since he knocked you up," Sirius butted in, his mouth still full of half chewed sandwich.

Olivia diverted her glare at him and pointed at her and James. "Excuse me, Black, but this conversation starts and end between the two of us."

Sirius raised his hand as if backing down. "Alright, alright. I get it. I'm not welcome in your domestic life and I'm not part of the domestic argument you're having."

When the two turned to him, both having no idea what he meant, Remus sighed in annoyance and put down the copy of The Daily Prophet he was reading to turn to the boy. "Please, Pads, just eat your bloody breakfast and let them be."

Sirius huffed like a lectured child. "Fine."

James turned back to Olivia. "Look, you have to remember that you're carrying my child—"

"Yes, I'm fully aware I'm carrying your child, Potter, since I'm the one who has to pee every bloody minute and waking up everyday to vomit."

James let out a sigh but continued on. "And if you get sick then my baby might get sick and I really don't want that to happen. I know you don't like hearing it, but as long as my baby is still inside you then I have a say about your health."

Olivia glared as hard as she could, slamming her hand on the table and walking away. James called her name, but she kept walking, sending him another blood curling glare when he tried to follow.

It was not even the fact that she wanted to watch his game. She didn't give a rat's arse about quidditch. It was the fact that she was told what to do, something she hated.

Stupid James Potter and his stupid father instincts with his stupid logical reasonings.

It wasn't ever about how she wanted to watch his stupid game. The problem was how he seem to think he can just boss her around and tell her what to do. Okay, so maybe she did kind of got excited for the game. He just seemed so happy when she told him she'd come and she couldn't get that tiny flutter in her stomach.

She doesn't like him. That's for sure. The problem was that he was being so nice to her, so kind and so gentle and a part of her can't help but adore him for it. She knew she didn't have feelings for him, but she can't stop the butterflies in her stomach whenever he does something incredibly sweet. She knew it was just attraction. He's a good looking boy who's been giving her his undivided attention for weeks now and of course, she won't be able to help but be attracted to him.

But whenever he does something like this, thinking that just because they share a child meant that he had a say in her life instantly makes that attraction go away. Concern was something Olivia is completely foreign with. Even Amara and Samuel whom she knew cared for her was hesitant with showing emotions. Maxwell truly was the only one who made her feel loved, but he's gone now and suddenly Olivia didn't know how to handle concern.

Olivia was heading to the library when someone tapped her on the shoulder, a hufflepuff girl who gave her the smallest smile. "Hey,"

Confused, Olivia raised an eyebrow in question. "Yes?"

"I was sitting with the Gryffindors and I heard your row with Potter," the girl started. She wasn't shy. In fact, she almost seemed hesitant to talk to Olivia. The way she talked was nonchalant, as if she didn't care at all yet her amber eyes showed concern. "And I was wondering if you're okay."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Olivia didn't mean to be rude, but she couldn't help the tone of her voice. You can almost consider it a defense mechanism. "Potter and I fight all the time. It's nothing special."

The girl's eyes went to her flat stomach and Olivia narrowed her eyes, her hand instinctively placing themselves protectively, as if shielding it away from the girl's knowing eyes.

"I'm muggleborn," the girl said. "My dad, he's what the muggles call an obstetrician-gynecologists."

"How is that suppose to concern me?" Olivia asked, not knowing what those words meant.

"He's a type of healer you can say, but he specialize in female reproductive health," the girl tried to explain. She almost looked guilty as the next words tumbled out of her mouth. "And well, I've seen you around and we share a few classes. I was walking behind you after arithmancy and you dropped this."

She then pulled out something from the pocket of her trousers, which Olivia figured was charmed. It was the copy of her sonogram that Madame Pomprey gave her and James. Startled, she snatched it away. She couldn't help but curse herself at how stupid she was for leaving it between her charms textbook. Had the wrong person found it then she wouldn't know what to do.

"It's not—" she tried to explain, folding the photograph and hurriedly squeezing it into her pocket as she eyed their surroundings for potential eavesdroppers. "It's not mine—"

"It's fine," the girl interrupted. "I'm not judging. I'm just here to give this back, and make sure you were okay. You seemed pretty stressed earlier."

There it was again. The certain nonchalant in her voice that would make you think she didn't care, but Olivia grew up reading people and the girl's light amber eyes betrayed her true emotions. "I'll leave you to it now."

The girl turned around, not waiting for a reply. For a split second, Olivia watched her walk away. A debate was going through her mind as she wonders if she's ready enough for friendship. Sighing, she figured might as well.

"He was being an idiot," she said, loud enough so the girl would hear from a few feet away who turned around in confusion. "Potter. He was being an idiot. That's why I walked out. He invited me to his game and now he won't let me come because it's raining. I was mad with the fact that he thought he had any right to tell me what to do."

The girl smirked. "Well then, the game's starting soon. What are you still doing here?"

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REALIZING THAT KAT—the hufflepuff girl—was right, she instantly went to her dormitory for more appropriate clothes then into the quidditch field they went, where the game had already started.

The rain was hard and windy but Olivia kept her rain coat on as the two of them climbed the stands. She looked around and found Remus and Peter sitting by the front.

"I think I'll go over there," Kat said once she saw Olivia heading for the two boys. She pointed at a girl who looked like her—a sibling, Olivia concluded. "I'll see you around."

Olivia nodded, giving a hesitant smile. "Thank you... for earlier."

The girl returned her smile before walking away, leaving Olivia to fight her way to the boys, who both turned to her in shock when she sat down.

"Liv, I thought James—" Remus started.

"I don't care what Potter said," Olivia interrupted, giving the two a pointed look. "I can do whatever I want."

Peter and Remus shared a look, both knowing that James will definitely not be happy to see her there, especially since her coat was dripping with rain water, but what can they do? It's something that Olivia and James will have to talk about later and neither wanted to get in the middle of it and so the two dropped it.

The Gryffindors around her eyed her Slytherin beanie but Olivia ignored them and tried to figure out what was happening in the match. Gryffindor was leading by forty points, but it was obvious that the heavy rain was bothering the players with how they'd stop every few minutes to get a clear look of what was happening around them.

One of the Slytherin chasers had the quaffle and was flying towards the hoop, but Sirius snatched it out of their hands who then zoomed past everyone and threw it to the other chaser whom Olivia remembered to be Frank Longbottom. Frank however, didn't get to hold the ball for long as a beater missed him by a few tiny inches, causing him to lose grip of the quaffle.

The gryffindors cheered when James effortless caught it, flying past everyone as he avoided the bludgers aimed at him. Olivia didn't want to admit it, but he was a great flyer. It was as if the rain didn't bother him at all as he tried to get closer to the hoops.

That didn't happen because as his eyes accidentally landed on the bleachers, they met Olivia's and he instantly stopped, his eyes narrowing at her. The Slytherins noticed this and quickly grabbed the quaffle from him and scoring. The Slytherins roared, but James was just looking at her with Olivia matching his gaze.

"And that 90-60 in favor of Gryffindor," the commentator said. "Gryffindor captain James Potter seems to be calling for a time out."

His time out was granted and James wasted no time with flying to the bleachers till he was in front of her. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here? I thought we already had this conversation!"

He was obviously frustrated and the Gryffindors surrounding them all watched curiously, wondering what it was that made their captain lose focus.

"I'm not your pet, Potter." She spat out. "I won't just roll over because you told me to."

"I was trying to keep you healthy!" James ran a frustrated hand through his wet hair, looking a lot like he wanted to rip it off.

"And I told you that I can do that by myself."

"30 seconds, Potter." The quidjudge called out.

James ignored it. "And what happens when you get sick? I can't play a game and worry about you at the same time."

"Then I get sick," she said. "I go to the Hospital wing and drink some potion."

James spent a moment just glaring at her. Everyone could see that he was undeniably pissed, but he said nothing else. He had a lot more to say, but he's very aware that everyone around them was listening to their conversation so he bit his tongue.

"Potter!" The quidjudge called again. "10 seconds."

James sigh and rolled his eyes, unwrapping the scarf around his neck that was charmed to stay dry and keep him warm and placed it around her. "You stubborn girl."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "You know it."

"Potter!"

"Moony, watch her!" James called before quickly turning around and flying towards his team.

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THE GAME ENDED WITH GRYFFINDOR winning by a hundred and thirty points. She found herself in the Gryffindor common room drinking cool aide while everyone downed firewhiskey. James was still not very happy with her and left her in the care of Sirius and Remus.

"You're telling me," Sirius slurred. "That you've never heard of Queen."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I was raised in a strict pureblood family, Sirius."

"So was I, but I'm not uncultured," said the drama queen.

"Not knowing a muggle band does not make me uncultured, Black."

"Uh, yeah, it does." He then turned to the guy with his hair colored with a bright blue who had been playing a mix of muggle and wizard songs. "Hey, Smurf, play Radio Ga Ga, won't you?"

The beat of a drum replaced the jazz that had been playing. Sirius smirked at her. "It's time to teach you everything I know, young grasshopper. It's time for you to meet the legend named Freddie Mercury."

"Whatever you say, Black." Olivia said, taking a sip from her cool aide.

"I'd sit alone and watch your light," Sirius sang along with a few other. He started swaying a little. "My only friend through teenage nights."

"You're drunk," Olivia said, not helping but crack a smile at his proud expression as he continued singing word by word. She started looking around for Remus or James but found them nowhere.

"You had your time!" His voice was significantly getting louder. "You had the power. You've yet to have your finest hour!"

"Sirius, stop," she said as people gave him more space to dance stupidly.

"Radio! Someonnnneee still loves you!" He was belting out the words now, and Olivia was experiencing secondhand embarrassment as he started dancing crazily. His moves not at all matching the beat.

Thankfully, Remus heard his voice and quickly came over, grabbing the boy's wrist and sitting him on a stool.

"I think he's had enough," Olivia said, watching as Sirius continuously sang the song. She couldn't understand the words anymore but the boy doesn't seem to mind.

"He's definitely had enough," Remus agreed, putting Sirius' arm around his shoulder and hoisting the boy up. He glanced at Olivia apologetically. "I was going to walk you back to your dorm, but I think it's better I put this one to bed first."

"Where's James?" Olivia asked seeing as it's the messy haired boy who always walks her back to her dorm every night.

Remus winced. He had just done to James the exact same thing he was doing to Sirius right now, and the hazel eyed boy was safely tucked in his bed, completely knocked out. "Drunk."

Olivia nodded. "Don't worry about me, Rem. I'm about to leave anyway."

"Are you sure?" Remus asked again.

"Yeah, bring this one to bed already." Olivia reassured.

Remus nodded and started dragging Sirius back to their room. "I'll see you tomorrow, Liv. I'm really sorry."

"It's fine," she said again. "See you tomorrow."

The walk back to her dorm was a short one. Thankfully, she didn't encounter any teacher and she reached her bed safely. Kicking her shoes off, she fell face first to the bed, exhausted from the day. Her mind raced, and she can't help but wonder with how exactly did she get here. She had friends who took care of her now. She wasn't alone anymore and that thought was crazy.

Her hand went to her stomach and she pulled out the sonogram from her pocket. She stared at the tiny oval thing and she can't help but be in awe. Her baby. Oh god, her little treasure. It wasn't even born yet and she already knew she'd give it the world. She knew James would give it the world too if he could. They'd protect this precious little thing from the world's cruelty. She'd protect it with her life if she had to.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when her door opened to reveal James, instantly making Olivia sit up.

"Potter? What are you doing here?" She asked, seeing his tired eyes. "I thought Remus said you've gone to bed."

James just shook his head and walked over to her. He sat on the bed and faced her. For a few moments, he just stared at her.

"Potter? You're freaking me out a little," she admitted.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "It's just that I couldn't sleep."

He started moving closer to her and Olivia couldn't help but yelp when he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her so she'd be sitting on her lap, and buried his face on her neck.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" She asked, trying to push him away but James only pulled her closer to his chest.

"Please stop," he mumbled, his breath tickling her neck. "We can pretend this didn't happen tomorrow if you want, but for now, please just let me hold you. Please, even for just a few minutes."

Olivia stopped pushing, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath before nodding her head. Hesitantly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Okay."

She lost track of how long they sat there. They didn't speak, Olivia didn't ask and James didn't explain, but it was okay. Whatever happened had him clinging to her like she'd disappear any second. Unfortunately, Olivia was familiar with that kind of fear so she let him hold her. She let him breath on her neck and try to pull her closer several times, she let him plant a kiss on the side of her head.

It must have been hours when James opened his mouth, but Olivia didn't mind.

"What are you doing to me, darling?" He asked her.

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞:

Happy Holidays to everyone!

I hope your bellies are full and

your hearts fuller!

Keep an eye on Kat. She might

even get a book of her own hehehe