Sinful, sweet andScottish
Chapter 1
By: gossamer Glow
Disclaimer: JKR owns HP. I basically own nothing.
A/N: Hi everyone! This is my first Cho/Oliver fic, so bear with me if the ride gets bumpy. I hope you like it though. Please RR. Looking forward to the feedback. Flames? I'm not sure if i'd like to receive some, just go easy on me please.
Chapter notes: An introduction to Cho Chang's life.
As Cho Chang lay sleepily on her four-poster with her soft wool blanket covering her body up to her chin, she found herself observing the dustmotes flowing from the stream of morning sunlight that peered from the window and spilled across the carpeted floors. It was during those rare idle mornings that she felt most comfortable than any time of day. Faint sounds from birds chirping outside could be heard as tree leaves rustled from the soft breeze that made its presence felt in the dormitory, ruffling her bed hangings.
Nice day, Cho thought.
Mornings for Cho were not always like this. Or maybe she was just not a morning person. It was usually out and about for the 17-year-old chinese girl, who usually overslept and rarely had time to really beautify herself. Despite that, her exotic features made her stand out of the crowd. Her long, raven mane that fell mid-way her back was a stark contrast to the blondes and brunettes that roamed the Hogwarts corridors. Her narrow-rimmed eyes and creamy fair skin reminded people of a China doll. She was exquisite and effortlessly beautiful. She was not, however, limited to this dainty façade. She played the sport that defined the men from the boys. Quidditch had been pretty much her life. To her, flying was second nature to breathing. Years of playing had developed her body's flexibility and structure. Toned arms, complimented soft hands; A curvaceous decolletage flattered a firm abdomen.
It had already been a week since school started but Cho has still yet to become accustomed to waking up early. Dark circles around her eyes were starting to get even shadier as she spent nights laying awake like a sprawled starfish on her bed, desperate for sleep. Cho, still in shock for having qualified for the course, had slaved over a six-meter NEWT-Potions assignments that night. But again, there was something about this morning. Aside from having the luxury of relaxing for a few minutes, there was something that felt right. Something that led her to think that it was going to be ruddy marvelous.
She gave her pillow one last dreamy squeeze before deciding to sit up on her soft cushions. Rubbing her cat-like eyes as she yawned, she glanced on the clock on her nightstand (7:16 a.m.) and reached over to erect her fallen night lamp. It took her five more minutes before she got out of bed, dragging her bare feet toward the bathroom and combing her long, slightly shambled hair with her fingers along the way.
After completing her morning viduals (plus an extra dab of lip gloss just because), Cho went down the staircases to the common room where Marietta Edgecombe was already waiting for her. A stark contrast to Cho's morning disposition, sunny Marietta, her long-time best friend, was always energized, bouncing off the walls even, as soon as the sun rises. This has not always been the case for the curly-haired blonde, but thanks to a little accident last year (involving a little scuffle with a group called the Dumbledore's Army), a little memory-alteration here and there, and the cynic was trasformed into a curiously optimistic individual.
"Morning sunshine," Cho said semi-sarcastically, adjusting the white, leather sling bag across her chest.
"Have you heard? There's going to be a new teacher," Marietta said, handing her a rolled copy of the Hogwarts News, the official student publication of the school.
"Yeah?" Her eyes immediately fell on the article laid out in a yellow box with a sparkly bold headline. It read:
Ex-Gryffindor captain is new Q'ditch prof
By Susan Bones
A FORMER house team captain is joining the esteemed Hogwarts faculty this year.
Oliver Wood, 20, who formerly played Keeper for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, will be instructing Quidditch to students from second to fourth year as per the mandatory Physical Education class decreed by the Ministry of Magic last week. Wood is also the new official Quidditch referee.
"It gives me great pleasure to be back here," Wood said in an interview with the Hogwarts News. "You can be assured that fair officiating will be executed."
Wood was the team captain when the Lions scored their 28th championship in the league. He left his slot as Keeper in the Puddlemere United reserve team to render his services to the institution he considers his second home.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore expressed much joy in the addition of the Hogwarts alumnus in the faculty. He dislodged any criticisms about employing such a young professor, saying that he is more than competent and well-educated about the subject he will teach.
"Wood's intense passion for the game will surely aid him in imparting the knowledge he learned in this institution to the young witches and wizards who wish to learn the fine sport of Quidditch," Dumbledore said.
Meanwhile, Madam Hooch, who according to a credible source is retiring next year, is maintaining her post as flying instructor for first years and the Quidditch statistician when the Inter-house tournament kicks off in November. -end of article-
"Mandatory phys ed class?" Cho read loudly, unwittingly rubbing her chin with her index and thumb. "I suppose that's in order. Some students really need to get off their bums."
Marietta casted a downward glance toward a nearby fifth year who seemed to have mastered the craft of Exploding Snaps. "Yeah, I suppose so. Though I don't really think everybody needs to know how to play the game. I mean, it's good fun just watching from the bleachers."
Cho raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you serious? It's one of the best things the Ministry has done in a couple of years."
Marietta returned a blank expression and Cho shrugged resignedly. She didn't expect Marietta to understand the exhiliration of being on a broom, ascending toward the skies so fast like your neck is going to break, but the view from below makes everything worth while.
"Breakfast?" Cho asked. Marietta nodded.
When they entered the Great Hall, the pair joined their cast of Ravenclaw friends Padma Patil, Su Li, and Eddie Carmichael (the only boy in their group) in their usual dining spot. In that certain area on the middle part of the Ravenclaw table transpired the most juicy, absurd, nonsensical, and sometimes, startingly intelligent conversations that Hogwarts had ever heard. When the five converged, nothing is inexpressible. Their bond was simply tight like that.
The tête-à-tête started almost immediately.
"He really is bloody hot," Su, who was a year lower than Cho, rested her chin greamily on her palm, staring at the professor's table where a new character was situated.
"Enough oggling at Wood, Su, you're going to turn him to dust," Padma poked her friend's elbow admonishingly, although her deep set eyes were transfixed on the same person as she folded her copy of the Hogwarts News.
Intrigued, Cho followed her friends' gaze and found the new faculty member, Oliver Wood, by the end of the table, eating his breakfast silently, while some of the professors chatted away. He effortlessly stood out in basics: dark brown oxfords with collars peeking from over an earthy green sweater, a stark contrast and a welcome change from the other professors wearing aged, ratty robes.
"Yeah," she replied absent-mindedly. As her friends finally moved on to a new topic of discussion over coffee, Cho stole glances at the new professor, altogether intrigued and excited.
She remembered him only faintly from his student days, but she realized that he did not change much. Save for the ash blonde highlights splattered on his short, messy, brown hair that swept slightly to one side, he was still that burly Scottish bloke who always wore a serious face. They met several times at the pitch, but they never really conversed. He was three years her senior, so she barely knew things about him, not even silly, senseless rumours that were usually inescapable from the loquacious bunch.
A typical athlete, he was handsome and well-built, just the type that many female students swoon over. The type she likes.
She sighed, almost too dreamily. Damn, he is gorgeous. It has been quite a while since she last fancied a professor, (she was still ashamed to admit that she was enthralled by the charms of one Gilderoy Lockhart) but the rush of excitement was all too familiar and thrilling.
Suddenly, Oliver looked up and met her eyes. She smiled politely, coolly, locking his stare although her insides were aflame.
He smiled back and mouthed with brows furrowed slightly, 'Cho Chang?'
She nodded, thrilled that he remembered. Her stomach was in knots now.
With a curt nod, he went back to his food and Cho did as well. As she scooped some of the chipolatas on her plate, she felt like a morning person all of a sudden.