"You're working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement now?"

Alista's exclaim rose above the music playing in the background by The Bent-Winged Snitches, an American wizarding band. Bethany waved her wand to change the music before replying to the girl, allowing a song by the muggle band Pulp to play instead.

"Yes," Bethany said simply.

"That's the biggest department in the Ministry!"

"It is. And It suits you," said Jessica with a hint of humor as she shoved a couple more of her belongings into a box.

"I'm still in a fairly low sub-department," Bethany reminded them. "I'll be doing mostly administrative work only."

"Oh, please, it's your first job! You can't expect to be in a high position already," Alista said. "This is still a big thing."

"Yeah, you should still be proud of yourself. We are," Jessica nudged the redhead teasingly.

"Oh, alright, alright," Bethany waved them off. Not liking the attention on herself, she asked Alista, "And how about you? Didn't you say you have 'life updates' for us, too, or whatever you called it?"

"Yeah! Well, I took you girls' advice and began looking into apprenticeships to be a potioneer."

"And?" the other two urged expectantly.

"And nothing yet, I just sent out my inquiries a few days ago. Relax," Alista replied, though it looked like she was consoling herself at the same time. "Anyway, in the meantime, I've still been stuck helping out my parents, right? It's not too bad, since it's all about cauldrons, after all. Mum placed me in charge with answering inquiries and requests for collaborations, and guess who owled."

"A supply store?" guessed Jessica.

"No, that's too easy."

"A famous potioneer?" she tried again.

"Nope."

"I have zero guesses, so just spill it already," Bethany interjected.

"Fred Weasley."

"No way. What does he need to know about cauldrons for?" Jessica said, finding the situation both entertaining and interesting. "It's not like he's ever liked potions — or Snape, for that matter."

"Don't take my whole word for it yet, but according to his letter, he and George are looking into making certain... products."

"What products? That doesn't sound suspicious at all," said Bethany sarcastically.

"It's Fred and George. I'm sure it isn't anything too serious — maybe a prank," Jessica reassured them. "They're still in school, anyway. They've got one more year left."

"Meanwhile, we've got only a couple of hours left together," Alista pouted.

Jessica sighed, starting to feel sentimental already.

"Why'd you have to make the mood sad?" Bethany huffed.

"I can't help it! Jess is moving to Egypt for Salazar knows how long."

"It's only a few months... roughly a year," said Jessica. Although, now that she was saying it out loud and it was truly dawning on her that she would be leaving that same day, those months sounded like a lifetime to go. No matter how excited she was to take on this new journey, it still wasn't easy to even think about leaving her best friends and family.

"Speaking of which, I can't believe you didn't wanna throw a going-away party," Alista said. "I was so willing to organize one for you."

"You just want an excuse to dress up for an occasion," Bethany pointed out.

"Very true, too," Alista admitted.

"Come on, it's not like I'll be gone forever," Jessica told them. "And it's just not my thing to throw a party. Besides, who would I even invite? I'm not a social butterfly."

"Us, Charles, Margaux, Yoshi, your Quidditch teammates, Wood —"

Alista stopped talking abruptly, suddenly looking like she wanted to smack herself in the face. Bethany's eyes flitted around the room awkwardly, not knowing what to do or say next, either.

What happened between Jessica and Oliver was no secret to them anymore. Jessica had told them almost immediately what went down — from her thoughts and feelings in the days leading up to the breakup where she wondered about her career and their relationship, the details of their fight and breakup itself, and even the days that followed where she constantly pondered on if she did the right thing or not. Alista and Bethany were there to be shoulders to cry on, and they knew that what Jessica needed at the time was more of support rather than advice. They were aware that it was a tricky situation; Jessica cared deeply about Oliver and it was great that they made up after their small bumps in the road, but she had always been so independent and would be entering an entirely new phase in her life. It was no wonder that she didn't know what to do moving forward.

"It's fine," Jessica broke the silence. "You don't have to walk on eggshells around me. And you can say his name — it's not like he's You-Know-Who."

"Right," Alista cleared her throat. "Have you spoken to him since then?"

"It's been weeks now, hasn't it?" Bethany said.

"Yeah... I wrote to him," Jessica answered with a wave of her wand, allowing the last few boxes to shut close.

"You did?" Alista perked up. "What did you say? What did he say?"

It took Jessica a while to muster up the courage to send that letter. When she found it in her to start writing it, she hesitated. She wanted to pour everything out again to explain her side: that it was because their past year together wasn't easy at all, that she felt awful for keeping him in the dark for so long, that she was sorry that everything was so sudden, that she just wanted to venture into her career on a clean slate. And, deep down, that she was scared about their relationship — that it was already going through a rough patch, that they would only grow apart, and that it could even further damage their relationship, both as friends and as partners. She knew it was cowardly to end things that way, but she couldn't help but feel that it was better to do that than allow things to worsen on their own. Moreover, she was worried she'd just sound like she was making excuses if she tried to put those thoughts into words on paper.

Hence, her letter for Oliver was short. She told him she still cared for him. That she was sorry for everything. And that she would be leaving that last Sunday of August 1995.

And she didn't receive a reply.

"I told him I'd be leaving today," she said shortly.

"And?" Alista prodded.

"He didn't write back."

The room lapsed into silence again, this one thicker than the first.

"He... he didn't reply?" Bethany repeated, dumbfounded.

"Maybe he was busy?" Alista said hopelessly. "When did you write?"

"Middle of August, I think," Jessica said, starting to feel stupid.

"Oh."

"Look, it's fine," she insisted for the nth time. "I'm the one who ended things in the first place."

"I know, but..."

Bethany send Alista a side glance and shook her head, warning her not to touch on the topic anymore.

"Should we bring these down already?" the blonde gave in and changed the subject, motioning to the little pile of boxes.

"Yes, please."

"We'll tell your parents you're almost done packing everything up," said Bethany. She and Alista levitated the boxes out of the room, following behind and exiting Jessica's room quietly.

Before Jessica knew it, it was officially time to say her goodbyes to her best friends and family. The Portkey she booked and requested for from the Ministry of Magic was set for 12:00 noon and was located somewhere in the suburbs, which she still had to Apparate to, so she really only had a short while left.

When Jessica reached the first floor of her home, she was immediately bombarded with hugs and sappy goodbyes from her parents.

"I can't believe you're going to be training for a real job now," Katherine said, her eyes already tearing up.

"Wasn't it just yesterday that we first brought you to the Hogwarts Express?" said Ian dramatically.

As if to join in the conversation, the family beagle, Bucky, barked loudly and ran in circles next to them.

"Send us an owl once you get there and settle down, okay?" Katherine reminded her.

"Study and train hard, but don't forget to have fun," Ian added.

"Don't forget to eat well and stay hydrated."

"Make friends and connections — that'll be important for your career, too."

Jessica's parents gave her a ton of more reminders and a mixture of we love yous and we'll miss yous.

Alista and Bethany were no different. Both of them were glassy-eyed as well, clearly taking their impending separation hard. After all, the three of them grew up together, having spent almost every day of the past seven years with one another, excluding summers — but even then, they'd make an effort to meet up somewhere. Like her parents, the two girls spewed different variations of telling her that they loved her, that they'll miss her, and reminders to take care of herself and do her best.

The clock was ticking, and it was truly time for her to make her departure. She told her parents and friends the same things — that she, too, loved them, will miss them, and hoped that they'd take care of themselves as well. She also didn't forget to give her dog a few more cuddles and pets. Not wanting to draw it out any longer, she said her final goodbyes, levitated her belongings out the door, and got ready to Apparate.

But as she gripped onto her wand outside the door, something inside of her told her to pause. Taking a quick glance at her wristwatch, she noted that she still had a little time left before the Portkey was set to leave...

And then, without properly thinking things through, she pictured the homey, slightly disorganized and yet comfortable flat of a certain Scottish boy.

★ ★ ★

Oliver bounced his knee up and down anxiously as he sat on his kitchen counter. He was supposed to be eating a light lunch before his afternoon training, but he couldn't sit still because today was the day Jessica would be leaving.

Was he wrong for not writing back to her? Perhaps it was petty and immature, but it was easier to ignore her than reply to her. He had to confess that it even sent small pangs through his chest thinking about her, more so having to write back. But still, should he have at least sent a short note back to acknowledge her letter and wish her a safe travel? Then again, she was the one that called things off. Didn't he have a right not to contact her since they didn't have a relationship anymore?

Oliver groaned to himself, dropping his fork back onto his plate. The leftover roast chicken and mashed potatoes were left untouched and now cold. His eyes kept finding themselves drawn to the clock hanging on the wall, counting down the minutes before Jessica would leave.

He couldn't stop thinking about if he was doing the right thing for not contacting her anymore. Isn't that what people usually did after a breakup? Especially if the breakup wasn't exactly the best?

On the other hand, their situation was a bit different. They were friends for a good time before they dated, and she was moving to another country for the meantime. It was a big step in her life, and it didn't feel right to dismiss it, either.

"Damn it," Oliver cursed, guilt filling him up. He was still miffed at Jessica, even perplexed by her choices, but he was sure this wasn't the best move — to simply ignore her before she left.

He had just made up his mind — he ran back to his room and swiped the letter off of his desk and was about to throw on a more decent set of clothes — when his doorbell rang. With a confused frown, he hurried towards the door. Looking through the peephole, he was taken aback to see the very girl he had just been thinking about standing right there. Without wasting another moment, Oliver twisted the knob and swung the door open.

Neither of them spoke for a moment. It was strange to be standing in front of one another like this: weeks after they last saw each other, fresh after their fight and breakup, and with one of them set to move away in a mere few minutes.

"Jess," Oliver began. "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't write back," Jessica replied, voice small. "Not that I blame you, but... yeah."

"Oh, yeah. I, um, I was just about to... well, I was going to see..."

Whether he meant he planned on writing back or showing up at her house that day, it didn't matter. Jessica appreciated that he at least thought of it, a small smile on her face.

"It's okay," she reassured him. "I just wanted to say a proper goodbye before I leave."

Silence. Oliver didn't know what he was doing, just scanning her up and down as if he was trying to memorize her — and maybe he was. Little did he know that Jessica was doing the same, selfishly trying to remember every thing about Oliver. It was counterproductive and didn't make sense on her end. She wanted to end the relationship for the sake of both furthering her career and not worsening their relationship, and yet here she was, acting as if she didn't have a choice but to do so.

"I'll miss you," she said.

"You will?" Oliver said in disbelief, even sounding a bit sour.

Not wanting to spark another fight, she merely nodded.

"I will."

And when Oliver looked into her eyes, he knew she was telling the truth. He almost wavered right then and there, but he knew it wouldn't do them any good.

Instead, Oliver wordlessly pulled her closer and enveloped her in an embrace. Jessica accepted it wholeheartedly, wrapping her arms around him and melting into it. It was familiar and safe, but she knew that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn't have the guts to leave.

Eventually, the two separated and left a space in between them, one bigger and more cautious than it had ever been in years.

"When you come back..." Oliver started, not even sure where he was going with this. "Can we... can we talk again?"

Jessica wasn't sure what exactly he meant — whether he was asking if they could still reach out to one another, or if he was referring to their relationship. Despite the lack of clarity, she found herself nodding without hesitation.

"Of course."

Another pause. Jessica thought that this might be it. She should just say her last goodbye and Apparate right now, or else she'd risk missing her Portkey to Egypt. Oliver was thinking the same, ready to tell her that she should be safe and enjoy her time abroad.

"I'm sorry," they blurted out at the same time instead. Amused grins tugged at the corners of their mouths. Neither of them chose to explain what their apologies meant anymore.

"Good luck, Jess," Oliver said after a beat. "I know you'll do well in your training program, either way, though."

"You say that like it's gonna be easy," Jessica said with a light laugh.

"I don't think it will, but knowing you, you'd find a way to succeed."

Jessica felt her heart swell at that. Even after their fight and her confusing and questionable choices, he was still supporting her.

"Thank you," she said genuinely. "Good luck and be safe in Puddlemere too, okay?"

"When am I not?" Oliver said, causing Jessica to raise an eyebrow. "Kidding. I will."

This was it. Jessica took a step back, signaling that she was really going to leave this time. She fished her wand out of her pocket, holding it tight

"Lassie," Oliver said just as Jessica began to picture her next destination. "I'll miss you, too."

In a mixture of being both caught off guard and in the midst of Apparating, Jessica could only smile before she felt a tug at her navel. And then, she was twisting away and disappearing with a crack.

One day, perhaps Oliver would understand that Jessica needed this break and space to grow in her career. Perhaps Jessica would also learn to stop backing away before even trying to get through an obstacle with the people she cared most about. And maybe, just maybe, the two of them would eventually find their way back to one another.

A/N: It's only the first chapter after their breakup and I already miss Jess x Oliver :') I know their breakup can be frustrating, but I also wanted to show that they can make mistakes and have flaws like regular people. I really don't like sad endings so I guess that's something that can reassure you hehe hope y'all can stick by till the end for that :>

As always, thank you for being patient and supporting this book!