A/N: Over twenty-five followers! Whoo! Sorry for the lack of update last week. Things have been crazy for me. So here's a nice long chapter that's Wood centric.
bigblue88112: They are definitely a frustrating pair but it will improve a little bit in the next couple chapters!
Mofit Jr: Thanks I'm glad you like it so far! It's makes me feel really good that it feels 'real' to you guys.
Stellae caligine: Thanks for the compliment! I try to stick to his character as much as possible.
Big shout out and thanks to everyone else who's quietly following along!
Chapter 21: A Merry Quidditch Holiday
No. It wasn't possible. "Professor, this grade can't be right. I actually tried! I stayed up all night long."
McGonagall kept cleaning the blackboard impervious to Oliver's pleas.
"Perhaps next time you will choose not to wait until the last-minute to complete assignments for my class Wood."
"It was th' first match o' th' year! 'N they switched the teams round on us!" Oliver tried desperately to explain, hoping to sway her steely resolve to his side.
"I am aware of the situation, but the essay was assigned the third day of 've had weeks to complete it." McGonagall scolded. "I can't be held responsible for your inability to plan ahead."
"Can't ye just let me revise it for a higher grade? Ye know I'm yer favorite! Just this once?" He begged.
"That simply makes it even more inappropriate for me to give you special treatment. The grade stays. An Acceptable is perfectly fine for one paper." McGonagall said dismissively waving him out of the room.
As Wood emerged from the transfiguration classroom, he was startled by a figure lingering just outside the doorway. Morgan Reid was slumped against the stone, impatiently waiting with her arms folded. He knew she'd be there. The moment the papers had been handed back Morgan had started whispering across the aisle, trying to get his attention, but Oliver had just ignored her. He was dreading facing her.
"Fess up." Reid demanded pushing herself of the wall. "What did you get?"
Even if it had been a last-minute plan, Oliver never imagined that he could actually lose the bet. He'd settled on this idea just because he mistakenly believed it was fool-proof. All he wanted was an excuse to spend time with Morgan; to show her that he was willing to put in the effort because she was just more than a just distraction to him. And after all that effort he'd failed. It was humiliating.
Oliver couldn't even say it aloud so he shoved the paper in Morgan's face for her inspection. She grabbed it skimming to the bottom of the page to read McGonagall's neat scrawl.
"An Acceptable? Really?" Morgan asked surprised.
"I know whit yer going ta say but an acceptable isn't a bad grade." Oliver said defensively.
"No! It's not, actually it's pretty miraculous. I only got an Exceeds Expectations and I put in a ton of effort."
"But it doesn't matter does it? I lost the bet. Ye can go ahead 'n gloat if ye want." Wood said dejectedly feeling defeated as he snatched back the parchment. "Ye get off, ye don't have tae tutor me anymore. Congrats."
He stalked off towards the great hall but she followed closely behind.
"Oh come off it." Morgan urged him. "Nobody likes a sore loser Wood."
She wasn't used to seeing Oliver upset, angry maybe, but never like this. He seemed genuinely down about losing. Seeing his miserable frown, Reid began to feel guilty. Even she had to admit that it was obvious that he worked exceedingly hard on this essay. She hadn't realized the bet had meant so much to him.
"Says th' victor." In the past week there had been a string of important losses for Wood and this one only compounded his frustration at failing at quidditch.
"I mean you did try wicked hard on this right? Shouldn't you be a little bit proud of it? McGonagall is a tough grader." Reid suggested, trying to cheer him up. "I don't think there was a single 'O' in the class."
"Doesn't matter does it?' Oliver said as he began walking faster. He just wanted to be alone
Reid stopped short annoyed with his attitude. "Oliver Wood where do you think you're going?!"
"To the pitch." He responded tersely. "Why?"
"Because Mr. Wood you owe me a vacation."
Oliver could barely get the words out as he surveyed the faces of his team.
"I've lost a bet 'n 'cause o' this th' team is bein' forced tae take a holiday for th' week."
"What was the wager?" Harry asked.
"Was it to a Slytherin? Those rotters!" Fred commented.
"It's nae important whit th' bet was or who t'was with! All ye need tae know is that yer relieved of practice for one week. There will be nae a word spoke on th' sport during that duration." Oliver explained. "Weasley's if ye have ta get detention might as well be this week. Feel free tae get as much trouble as ye like. Mah only requirement is that we all eat dinner together as a team. Talk about things besides quidditch. Bond t'gither. Got it?"
They all eyed him warily.
"Is this some sort of test mate?" Fred asked confused.
"Are you going to boot us from the team if we don't protest?" Katie said seconding his suspicions.
"Nay I am dead serious. Yer free for one week. We're likely oot o' th' cup regardless. So why nae make it count eh?" Oliver told them. "Not git oot o' 'ere afore ah change mah mind."
Wood dismissed them all with a heavy sigh. He should have known better than to bet on quidditch but he needed an excuse to get close to Reid if he was going to help her. Oliver needed a new plan and fast.
That night at dinner as Wood entered the great hall, he surveyed the room until he finally caught a glimpse of Reid pensively sitting next to Melinda Dwyer with a book in one hand and the other shoveling food sloppily into her mouth.
Typical, he thought.
Summing his courage Oliver walked over and purposely sat right next to Morgan. Her eyes lifted from her book to shoot him a confused look as he nonchalantly began piling his plate with food.
"Wood to what do I owe this unexpected lunch visit?" Morgan asked under her breath. In the two months since school started he'd never once shared a meal with her.
"I'm hungry." He shrugged.
"I can see that." Reid said noting as the heap of food on his plate kept growing. "But why are you sitting here?"
"Isn't this the Gryffindor table?" Wood remarked facetiously.
"Yes, but don't you normally sit down wind with the seventh years?"
"Well I'm nae allowed ta do th' things I normally do so I figured why nae enjoy a change o' scenery. Besides if yer going ta properly enjoy mah torment all week ye'll need a front row seat won't ye?"
"You're doing this to torture me aren't you?' She muttered accusingly.
"Seems only right to return th' favor." Oliver responded.
"How is that fair? You lose the bet but I'm the one that has to suffer the consequences?"
"My mum always taught me tae share, "n misery loves company." Wood replied gleefully with a wink and a roguish smirk.
Morgan detested this grin. It was mischievous but strangely charming; so different from Oliver's usual serious expressions. Whenever she saw it, Morgan could feel her own resentment towards him melt. His smile was just infectious; invading and intrusive and she despised the feeling.
"You're just…gah! You make me so angry sometimes!" Morgan stuttered, unable to think of a good comeback.
"Is that th' best ye got Reid?" Wood teased playfully.
"It's late and I just had to listen to Binns drone for an hour. Give me a moment." Morgan grumbled.
"What are ya two on about?" Lucy asked curiously.
Morgan had forgotten everyone else around and looked up embarrassed to see her roommates all observing their exchange interestedly.
"I was just tellin' Reid aboot a letter I got from her granda, he was askin' afta her." Wood lied cheerily to the girls.
"That's so thoughtful of you!" Alice gushed.
"Don't be surprised. Wood's always been a charmer.' Lucy said appreciatively eying the quidditch captain.
"Don't know aboot all that. He just likes ta be kept in th' loop. He's wants tae make sure this one is doin' all right." Wood explained as he ruffled Reid's hair affectionately.
"Cut it out!" Morgan swatted him away with a hasty glare.
Eudora leaned over the table attentively.
"So Oliver, how are you holding up? It must be an extremely difficult week for you." Eudora empathized sweetly.
"What's difficult aboot it?" He asked feigning ignorance.
"The loss. I know you all trained so hard for this season."
Oliver glanced worriedly at Morgan's exasperated eye roll. Lenore was going to ruin this for him. "Nay. I'm fine. It's no big deal." Wood lied shoving an apple into his mouth. Regardless of his personal feelings about the loss to Hufflepuff, this was not the time to dwell on it. If he wanted to help Reid, he had to get on her good side and stick to the bet. He had to prove to her that quidditch wasn't the only thing that mattered.
"You don't have to put on a brave front in front of us." Eudora urged. "We all know how much you love it. I think it's admir-"
"Nae a need ta prattle on aboot it." Wood ordered interrupting. " Really there's more ta mah life than just th' game. I'll get over it."
Eudora Lenore looked dismayed as she struggled for something else to say to Oliver but after being cut off she was feeling a bit embarrassed. So instead, she went back to discussing the latest predictions Altheda had foreseen in Divination.
"Are you feeling ok?" Morgan whispered sarcastically to Oliver. "Are you having withdrawal symptoms? Maybe making you go cold turkey was a dangerous idea."
Oliver didn't answer, he just changed the subject. "So has Binns started you all on charting the immigration patterns of Giant Colonies yet?
"Yes! How did you know? We started last week. It's miserable." Reid whined.
"That assignment is legendary. Just think o' it as a rite of passage. Ye're smart. ye'll be fine. "
Morgan eyed him suspiciously at hearing him compliment her.
"Seriously what is wrong with you today?!" She demanded but Oliver just kept plowing into his meal ignoring her indignation happily.
If he had known all he had to do to throw her off was be nice to her, Wood might have tried it a long time ago.
Since Wood has given the team the week off, the twins had far too much free time to devote to all manner of mischief.
They spent all Tuesday feeding odd candies to younger years that caused them to speak in constant rhymes. Wednesday they somehow managed to transfigure a large majority of prefect badges to read "I'm in love with myself." (Morgan readily enjoyed it because Eudora spent hours trying to switch it back with little success.) Reid even witnessed them filling out dozens of owl subscriptions to Madame Proveaux's Lingerie Boutique in Snape's name.
Friday, as a treat for their friend, they even organized a party just for their older Gryffindor friends. After her lesson with McGonagall, Morgan raced back to the common room to get her cloak before meeting the gang when she noticed Wood looking peeved sitting all alone on by the fireplace.
'Whatcha ya doing? Morgan asked nosily leaning over the back of the armchair.
"Reading." He said shortly.
She peered over his shoulder to see what the book was.
"Do ye mind?" Wood spat irritated. Reid had been busy studying most of the week and he'd barely seen her or made any headway in his plan. He'd sat with her at breakfast everyday but getting to her open up was clearly going to be a painfully slow process. His lack of progress combined with a lack of quidditch was making him feel cross. Why was he torturing himself if he wasn't going to get anywhere?
"Just making sure there was no cheating going on." Morgan told him. "But why are you reading textbooks on a Friday night? This was supposed to be your week to go out and do something crazy. I haven't seen you have fun not once this week."
"Because I've got nothin' better ta do! All mah roommates are off snogging their girlfriends, patrolling the castle, or being total chess nerds in the library." Oliver complained. "Normally I'd be off planning but instead all I've got ta do is schoolwork."
Morgan looked at him pensively before deciding. "Ok you're coming with me then."
"Why?" Wood asked
"I figured I am to blame for your boredom so why not let you tag along?"
"Tag along where?"
"What does it matter? You're bored anyways." Morgan pointed out.
"How do you know?"
"Ye've been reading that same page for the last five minutes. Grab a cloak and let's hit the road. We're going to be late."
"Late for what?" Oliver asked.
"If I told you, you wouldn't come. Now move it before I owl your mother about your social ineptitude."
Wood rolled his eyes, but complied, moving towards his dormitory.
"Oh and Wood?" Morgan called. "Fluff up some pillows under your blanket for effect."
It wouldn't do for him to get caught by Percy the first time Oliver ever dared do anything against the rules.
The pair crept down towards the armory in the dungeons as Wood tried to figured out what was happening.
"What are we about to do?"
"For the last time I don't know! The twins just said to meet them down here."
"'N ye don't find that just the slightest bit suspicious?" He asked.
"I bet to you everything fun is 'suspicious'" Reid shot back.
"I'm sorry if I'm nae keen on gettin' expelled a few months short o' graduation."
Morgan rolled. "Get a grip. Nobodies getting expelled." She chided as they rounded the corner to see Katie, Angelina, Alicia, Fred, George and Lee assembled.
"Where is everyone?" Morgan asked.
"Camilla, Dom, and Sidony had dates and James has detention." Lee explained "And I have no clue where the sixth years are."
"As far as I know Lucy and Alice are still coming." Morgan said.
"Fitz told me that Lucy and Landon called it quits. And from what I hear she's pretty gutted about it. All the sixth year boys decided to skip because they were worried she'd interrogate them all about him." Angelina explained.
"Yikes." Lee replied
"I hope you all don't mind but I brought Wood." Morgan told the group. "He was sulking in the common room."
"I was nae sulking! I was just bored!" Oliver objected.
"Whatever, same difference. I hope it's not a problem." Reid said.
"Problem? We've been trying to get Wood to come out with us for ages but he's always busy with quid-"
Reid abruptly reached over and clamped her hands over Oliver's ears.
The rest of the Gryffindors eyed her strangely and he shook her off frustrated.
'Sorry. Wood lost a bet to me." Morgan said turning a little pink. "He can't talk or listen to anything about …that. Not until Monday anyway."
"Wait? He made the bet with you?" George said astonished. It seemed Reid was the only one that ever seemed to get to him. Wood would never have bet against quidditch with anyone else.
"Thank you for a week off from this nutter!" Fred whispered gratefully.
"Seriously what was the bet? He refused to tell us. We'd love to know what would motivate our fair captain to wager against the game." George asked intensely interested.
Oliver cut Reid off quickly before she could say anything. "Just tell us what we are doin' down here Weasley."
Suddenly Alice and Lucy popped up from around the corner.
"Sorry we're late!" Alice apologized.
"No worries." George said.
"How are you?" Reid asked Lucy.
"Fine why wouldn't I be?" Lucy said feigning like everything was all right. Morgan could see that she'd been crying but Alice just shook her head at Reid, wordlessly telling her to drop the subject.
"Excuse me, but you gels can gossip another time about your boy trouble we need to get going." Fred told them.
"Right, so as you all know we've all had a heck of a term so far." George began.
"There's been ups-" Fred continued
"And downs-" George inserted as they started bouncing parts of their sentences off each other.
"-lots of downs-"
"-especially of late."
"Midterms, exams, murderous escaped prisoners, tragic losses in ….that-which-will-not -be-named.'" Fred said sharing a knowing glance at a grateful Reid.
"So we gathered you all here for one good cheer-up party."
"A midterm rallying if you will."
"In order to ensure we are safe from detentions we've decided-"
"on a moving party."
"Can't find us if they can't catch us!"
"And what's more British than a pub crawl?"
"There's at least thirty dementors outside. There's no way we can do a pub crawl." Alicia remarked dimly.
"Hence our brilliant idea. Hogwarts crawl!" Fred exclaimed.
"We'll hit major landmarks to drink and cheers to remind us of all the good things we love about this place before ending back at the common room. " George explained. "Now this evening we will be combating prefects and professors a like so A). Keep all drunken shrills, laughs, chortles, screams, and hoots to a minimum unless the silence charms are up and running."
Everyone stared pointedly at Lucy.
"What? I'm not that loud." She glared at them all.
Fred continued "B.) Stay with the group. We've got a special system in place that will help us avoid do gooders but it only works if you stick close by. If you wander off you're on your own. Since it's still before curfew we will start in the dungeons, which is farthest away and easiest to get caught in and work our way up. Any questions?"
"Doesn't this seem a bit risky ta any o' ya? Wood asked nervously.
"Oi, but what's fun without a little risk?" Lee told him.
"And you did say that if we were going to get detention to do it this week.' Fred pointed out
"So ye're tryin' tae get one on purpose?"
"Definitely not but you said get into a much trouble as we like."
The twins started handing out thermoses.
"George and I have taken the opportunity to mix a new and fabulous drink we've dubbed a Weasley Wallop."
"Do we even want to know what's in this?" Angelina griped, getting a whiff of the contents suspiciously.
"Who cares as long as it's strong." Lucy answered taking a swig of the water bottle. Alice and Morgan gave each other a wary side eye.
This was going to be an interesting night.
"Everyone got one?"
"Ok we need a good cheer. Who's got something they love about the dungeons?"
There were lots of blanks stares.
"This is tough one mate." Alicia told the boys. "Snape and Slytherin are the only things I associate with this place. None of them bring anything positive to mind."
"Morgan jinxing Pucey was probably the only good thing ta happen down here in ages." Katie commented grimly.
'Then raise our glasses to Reid!"
"-Celestina Warbeck,"
"- and small Gryffindor victories!"
They all clinked their thermoses and drank.
"Bollocks! That's just eighty percent fire whisky." Lee Jordan said coughing.
"Of course! That's the wallop!" the twins said in unison.
After the dungeon they visited the library and then the Great Hall.
They'd almost been caught by a prefect while attempting to take a drink on top of each of the four tables but somehow the twins had anticipated her movements and shoved them into the trophy room off the end of the hall.
"We'll just wait in here a few minutes for the patrols to clear out." Fred explained.
"Don't worry so much Wood. The patrols don't come back 'ere." George advised seeing Oliver's worried look as the rest of the group started looking around.
"How do ye know?"
"Experience. We've hid back here loads of times" George said.
"I mean how do ye know that prefect was coming? You knew she was coming before she was even close by. Have ye lot memorized the patrols or something?"
"Heck no. We've got a secret weapon." George said patting a bulge in the breast pocket of his cloak.
"What is it? Tis not going ta get ye kicked outta… extracurriculars will it?" Oliver said frustratedly, trying to stick to the bet.
"As it happens we're getting rid of it very soon. We've decided it's time to bequeath it to the next generation so don't fret about it." George told him.
Wood nodded distracted as his eyes looked subconsciously around for Morgan.
"She's over there mate." George said pointing to the back left corner of the room.
"Who?"
"Reid."
"What do I care?" Wood asked, trying to ignore the blush that was rising to face. He wasn't used to people noticing his habits.
George grinned knowingly. "I've never seen you like this before. I'm enjoying it immensely."
"Seen me like what?"
"All anxious and nervous over a girl."
"I'm nae anxious!"
"A few weeks ago you were asking me to look after her cause she was 'driving you crazy' but you're still watching over her like a hawk. And you only came here because of her. There are only a few conclusions a guy can come to. "
"Don't make it oot like that. I realized I was being a bit of a git 'n I'm just tryin' ta make it up tae her so we can be friends."
"Riiight." George said. "Let me ask you this. We're your friends, right How many times have you come out like this before?"
Wood was silent. "That's nae a fair question mate. I'm normally always busy –"
"Busy with quidditch exactly."
Oliver quickly elbowed George in the ribs.
"OI! What's that for?"
"I lost that shit bet wit Reid if she hears ye she'll go mental."
"This is what I mean mate. You care an awful lot about what Reid thinks, how Reid feels." George smiled knowingly. 'The evidence is piling up."
"What are we gaining evidence of?" Fred asked wandering curiously over.
"That Wood's secretly in love with Reid."
"Oi speaking of that. What's this bet about?"
"What were you supposed to win?"
Oliver rubbed his neck tensely as he muttered out something unintelligible.
"Didn't catch that." Fred said, "You George?"
"I think he mentioned something about tutoring."
"I made her a bet that I could get at least an E on my Transfiguration essay so she'd start to tutor me again." He spat out quickly avoiding their eyes.
Both twins shook their heads. "You got it bad."
"Say that again 'n again 'n next week I'll murder ye both with back-beat drills."
On the other side of the room the girls were looking bored through the trophy cases trying to distract Lucy.
"Oi Morgan!" Alice cried gesturing her over. Throwing an inebriated arm around her shoulder and leaning on her, Alice pointed into the glass case in front of her excitedly. "Is that your dad?"
Inside was a faded old photograph of seven quidditch players. Beneath it was a golden plaque that read Quidditch Cup - Gryffindor1965. There were seven names but Alice's finger was pointing to the tall middle boy, Keeper- N. A. Reid.
Morgan's blinked once before leaning forward to glance astonished at the photo her smile gone.
Neal Reid was standing with arms folded, with mud covering his uniform. His hair was blown back and his light eyes held his normal self-assured glow. One eyebrow was raised and coupled with a confident smile he looked characteristically smug. As the picture moved the teenage version of her father broke out laughing with the rest of the team, his whole body doubling over, shaking uncontrollably.
"Yeah, I think it is." Morgan said softly.
"What are ya two looking at?" Lucy asked sulking over.
"Morgan's dad."
"Which one?"
"The one in the middle. With his arms folded."
"Dayumm Reid, Ya're da's fit!" Lucy said peering closely at the picture. 'It's too bad ya don't have a brother. I'd probably have dated him already. Maybe he wouldn't have been as much of a twat as Landon turned out ta be."
Morgan didn't respond to Lucy's comments, just continued staring at the picture. Arran had looked exactly like their dad, down to the confident smirk and the tousled brown hair. All the girls in his class had fallen over him. Morgan had gotten sick of fetching letters from all of the owls he got from secret admirers. They'd had a big row about it once. Morgan had wanted to send a quick note to a teammate and she hadn't been able to because Melville was off delivering another letter to Arran's current squeeze. When she tried to yell at him he'd told her it didn't matter –she didn't have any friends. They'd screamed at each other until her father had come home and broke them up.
Alice elbowed Lucy, bringing Morgan out of her memories. "You can't say that about people's families. How would you feel if someone said that about your dad?"
"Gross my da's a goblin. Reid's dad is stud." Lucy defended. "Oi does that say McGonagall?" She said suddenly distracted eyes narrowing as she pointed to a plaque a few cases over before dragging Alice with her to look at it.
Morgan watched the picture change again, transfixed, seeing her father come to life again before her eyes. Reid felt the familiar weariness return. Her compatriots were still merrily drumming around her, but she suddenly felt disinterested in their silly school games.
She spun away from the case as Wood came strolling over.
"What are ye all looking at it?"
"Nothing." Morgan said before flicking open the lid of the thermos. It was in the past and she need to be here. Pushing the memories away she took a long chug of the Weasley's fire whiskey concoction. The harsh liquid burned as it slid down her throat numbing the pain just a bit.
"Blimey, are ye trying to prove yer half-troll by downing th' whole thing at once?" He questioned as he grabbed for the flask.
Morgan moved it out of reach with glare before taking another swig just to spite him. "I know my limits."
"Says th' lass who got knackered 'n dumped an entire container o' red wine on mah head this summer!"
"You deserved it!"
"Ye ruined a limited edition Portree rugby jumper! They only made a hundred. Do ye have any idea how much that bloody cost?"
"You're right arm from the sound of it!"
"Just hand over th' flask, Reid."
"Who are you my dad?." Morgan said in an agitated tone.
"Merlin! What happened? Ye were happy ten minutes ago."
"I am happy I just need you to stop trying to tell me what to do."
"Sorry. Yer right." Oliver said resignedly. He wanted to be on her side, he couldn't do that if she thought he was ordering her around.. "Drink as much as ye like. Cheers even." Wood said clinking his own drink against hers.
Fred suddenly appeared, "Oi, what are we drinking to?"
"To stupid decisions." Wood said pointedly before swallowing.
"Excellent, my specialty." The Weasley twin said as he downed his own.
The group soldiered on back through the great hall and crept through the castle to a various classrooms and favorite haunts but by the time they hit the fifth floor Morgan was starting to feel dizzy. She'd been gulping the whiskey ever since they left the trophy room, feeding the comfortable numbness as she tried to relax and forget the feelings that were threatening to bubble over, determined to kept them hidden from her own consciousness. The more numb Morgan was the more incapable she was of concentrating on anything but the important ability to walk in a straight line.
"We've already partied in the prefect's bathroom this year so nothing to see there." Fred announced as they passed the entrance.
"What?!" Oliver cried. "Ye said ye were goin' to use it to soak yer arm!"
"You're hysterical Wood. Who do you think I am?"
"It was greeeaaatt. Sucks that you missed it." Morgan slurred insincerely.
"What? You were there too?"
"Of course she was there! The party was for her. It was a welcome to." Angelina informed him.
"'N ye all dinnit even bother tae invite me?"
"Would you honestly have come?" George asked.
Oliver looked sheepish. Honestly, he would have said no. He always had other things on his mind.
The expression on his face answered George's question.
"We didn't think so." He said as they stepped through the door to the fifth floor corridor.
As Morgan followed, she turned too suddenly, running square into the stone door frame. She stumbled and Oliver caught her by the elbow before she fell.
"Whoa there lass." Wood cautioned supporting her until she was stable. "Are ye ok?" He asked concerned.
Reid had her hands over her face where it hit and she was shaking uncontrollably as if crying.
"Reid? Let me see! What's wro-" Oliver directed gingerly grabbing her hands only to reveal a giggling Morgan.
"Did you –see that?" Morgan got out between titters. "Oh my god- I'm a freakin' mess right now."
"Reid's totally pissed." Lucy observed, as she herself staggered down the hall.
Morgan stopped laughing for a second to look confused "Luce? Why would you say that?! I'm not angry. I love you guys!" She slurred fondly throwing an arm over Lucy's shoulder.
"Pissed means drunk." Alice translated.
"Well why dinna you just say that? Seriously can't understand a word you say on this continent." Reid mumbled incoherently as she reached for her flask.
Oliver quickly grabbed it and held it out of her grasp. Wood could tell she was getting sloppy. The rest of the group was merry, but Morgan was clearly in a league of her own at this point.
She looked at her hand and then up at Oliver delayed. "Hey! That's mine!" she declared loudly.
A chorus of fearful shhh's came from the group.
Alice said looking at her tottering roommate. "I don't think she'll last much longer. And here I thought Lucy was going to be the problem tonight."
Clearly something had happened in the trophy room. She was laughing now but she was funny that way. From previous experience Oliver knew that at any moment Morgan could flip a switch and break down again. Had she been sober, he knew she'd want him to get her out of there before that happened in front of her friends.
"Why don't I take Reid back to the tower?" Wood suggested.
"Excellent idea!" The twins responded in unison as Fred waggled his eyebrows.
Wood just rolled his eyes and turned back to Reid who was swaying and humming happily under her breath.
Wood grabbed her wrist and pulled her in the opposite direction as the group continued on.
"Wait! But I want to go with them…" She said struggling against his grip angrily.
"Are ye sure?" Oliver asked Reid, treating her sweetly as if she were Abby. "They're aboot tae go talk aboot something ye really hate."
Morgan's eyes opened wide. "What?!"
"I can't … you've forbidden me to say it." Oliver told her.
"QUDDIT-"
Oliver quickly put his finger to her lips. Worried she'd wake a teacher. "That words on holiday remember?"
"If only it was a permanent one." Morgan said with a pout. Wood couldn't help but smile at how adorable she looked at that moment.
"Let's just get back to the common room." Oliver suggested softly, staring at her fondly.
Reid nodded and willing followed his lead, shuffling merrily beside him.
Half-way back to the tower Morgan began the effects of the alcohol began to be too much for her.
"I don't feel so hot." She announced as she rested against the cool wall of the castle. The whole world was turning and she was struggling to walk. Each step felt like a thousand.
"Come on were almost there."
"It's too far." She complained slumping to the floor in a heap.
"Reid. Are ye ruddy serious? Ye can't just sit down in the middle of the corridor like this." Wood hissed.
"Why not? I'm too tired to stand," Morgan stated seriously.
"We need tae get oot of here afore a prefect walks by or worse a staff member." He urged.
Morgan didn't answer instead she closed her eyes and slowly shook her head no.
"Reid get up!"
"It's too hard!" She whined.
"Fine just stay there!" Oliver dictated exasperated. "Don't say I dinnit warn ye."
"Some prince you turned out to be." Morgan murmured in a huff as she watched him begin to walk away.
Wood stopped, softening as remembered their argument that summer day on the lake.
His loyal side won out and turned and bent over Reid.
"Is the princess complaining aboot her prince again?"
"Noooo I'm complaining 'bout you!" She lethargically poked him in the chest with an exaggerated motion.
"Me?" He mocked.
"You!" Morgan slurred. "You're annoying. I want to avoid you but you're always there when I don't neeeed you. Now I want you and where'd you go? I can't find you! Oh that's right …you've deserted me!"
"I thought ye weren't a damsel in distress." Oliver reminded her, referring to her words the night they'd slept in the great hall.
"I'm not distressed!" She moped. "It's just hard to walk when everything is spinning."
"And what can I do aboot that?"
"Isn't it the prince's job to figure out how to rescue the princess. If she knew she wouldn't need him now would she?"
Oliver sighed.
He grabbed her arms and put them around his neck. With a big effort he heaved Reid onto his back, holding her legs securely to his hips.
"All set?"
"Onward valiant steed!" Morgan roared pointing down the hall.
"Keep it down lass afore ye're get us all detention fur a year."
"Why would I care? No more quidditch for anyone!"
Wood rolled his eyes.
As they walked, Reid slowly started to droop. Falling asleep on his shoulder, she snuggled into his warmth, Morgan's head cradled happily into the crook of Oliver's neck.
"I don't know why I dislike you Ollie." She thought aloud suddenly. "You're kinda the best."
Wood smiled broadly as she drifted off on his shoulder as he slowly trudged his way cautiously back to the portrait door. Sir Codogan, the fat lady's replacement didn't even bother admonishing him for coming late, instead giving him a short commendation for his chivalry before permitting Wood and his charge access to the common room.
Slowly he lowered Reid in the arm chairs by the fire. Gingerly. Oliver lifted her arms up and over his head before turning to stare at the drunken Gryffindor.
"Reid, it's time to wake up now. Ye need tae go up ta yer bed." He whispered.
Her eye-lids fluttered open lazily to gaze at Oliver.
Reaching over, Wood tenderly tucked her bangs out of her face so he could see more her eyes more clearly.
They were big and brown, staring innocently up at him, as the fire light highlighted the small gold and green flecks of her irises.
Oliver fought with a sudden foreign desire to kiss her.
Not to silence her but to awaken her.
To awaken all the parts of her that she kept hidden. Awaken the Reid that was playful, honest, and open. The one that smiled at him openly and laughed with her eyes. The girl who pushed him into lakes and let his little sister win at gobstones. Awaken the Reid that he knew was waiting there, right below the surface, for someone to rouse her out of whatever nightmares she was living in. The nightmare she refused to tell anyone about.
Wood's hand dropped reluctantly, breaking the spell, as he sucked in a deep breath and suppressed the urge. He knew it would be wrong to take advantage of her like this.
"Go on, afore ye fall asleep in th' chair." He directed.
Quick. Before I change my mind.
Morgan nodded compliantly, moving like a zombie towards the staircase.
"Night princess." Wood whispered as he watched her disappear before climbing steadily up the tower towards his own bed.
A/N: So I know not a ton happens in this chapter but I think its important for them to start bonding and realizing their feelings slowly. More coming soon!
RR