The Housewarming

Sam grinned as she looked around the flat, teeming with people. It hadn't taken long for the two to settle on a modest, two-bedroom place on a quiet side street in Diagon Alley. It was older and needed fixing up, but they were able to get a lower rent by offering to do the work themselves. Between the two of them and their parents, it hadn't taken long even though they had to completely redo most of the flooring and wallpaper. It had a spacious living room and dining room alongside a kitchen that they opened up by knocking out part of a wall with a balcony big enough for a table and chairs. The second bedroom was too small to convert into a dance studio, so the couple used it as a sort of study/guest room combo, filling it with Sam's large book collection. It was a short walk from Watsworths and Oliver could apparate from there to the field in Puddlemere easily.

All their friends from school had shown up, many of them having found their own flats nearby as they moved on in the world. Even normally straight-laced Percy was in the corner enjoying a bottle of ale. He had been putting overtime since his first day at the Ministry, hinting that there was a rather large project coming up besides the work he was already doing on the upcoming Quidditch World Cup. He seemed a bit ragged, but Sam was still happy to see him enjoying himself. Penelope Clearwater stood at his side, his arm wrapped around her waist.

"This place is brilliant!" Lucy said as she walked up, grinning. "Loads better than what Lauren and I could afford."

"Should have seen what it looked like before. Took me, Oliver and both our parents to get it looking like this. Though… I thought Witch Weekly paid well. Especially in the gossip department," Sam commented as she arranged dishes of food on a table.

"Oh, they do, once you work your way up. Still got a few years until then. I'm just a lowly assistant," she said, rolling her eyes. "Won't even let me write yet. I spend most my days fetching tea or delivering mail."

"Shouldn't take you too long, knowing you," Sam remarked. Lucy smiled, a devilish glint coming into her eyes.

"All I need is one good, juicy tidbit," she replied. Sam chuckled.

"This isn't Hogwarts. No one out here cares about me. Or Oliver," she said. Lucy just shrugged and looked around the flat.

"They will in time… and I am most eager for all the grand after parties you two are sure to have. So many handsome eligible quidditch players this season," Lucy said.

"What happened to Michael?" Sam asked. "Thought you said he could be 'the one.'" Lucy snorted.

"You know me well enough never to believe me when I say that," she said lightly. "It was fun at school, but now he's all about his ministry job and I really should focus on my own career."

"Got bored, did you?" Sam asked. Lucy scowled at her. "Don't give me that look. You always do. I was surprised you stayed with Michael as long as you did." Lucy thought for a moment before chuckling.

"You do know me well. Besides, there are far more handsome lads out in the real world than there were at Hogwarts. Now is most definitely my time to explore," she replied. "Speaking of blokes, where's yours?"

"Over talking with some of his teammates," Sam replied.

"And your dad was okay with this," Lucy said, turning to look at her again as she motioned around the flat with her finger.

"Came around rather quickly, actually," Sam said. "Think he realized there was no way he could fight us on it." Lucy nodded as she looked around the flat again, suddenly frowning

"Blimey… who invited him?" she said. Sam looked up just in time to see Adrian walk in, looking around nervously.

"Oliver and I invited him," Sam said, starting to walk across the room to get a drink.

"But isn't it awkward?" Lucy whispered loudly as she followed Sam.

"Only if you make it that way," Sam said, rolling her eyes as she reached into a cooler and pulled out a bottle. Lucy stopped and looked over at Adrian, who was walking up to a few of the other Puddlemere reserve players.

"So, you two going to be friends with Pucey, now?" Alicia asked, walking up.

"Not you too," Sam groaned. Alicia just rolled her eyes. "We're all out of school. There's no reason for things to continue being awkward. Besides, it's not like he's got a lot of friends at the moment." She took a large drink. "How's things at the Harpies reserves?"

"Good," Alicia said. "But seriously… you and Oliver invited Adrian Pucey to your housewarming party? Your ex-boyfriend that up until November, you were madly in love with?"

"They're teammates. It'd be more awkward if we invited everyone else on the team and not Adrian," Sam countered.

"True," Alicia said.

"And we've put all that behind us," Sam said. "So there's no need to keep bringing it up."

"Seems we're all here! Kinda weird to be hanging out outside of Hogwarts, isn't it?" Aiden said as he walked up with a grin. He looked over at Alicia. "Care to introduce to some of your lovely teammates?" Alicia rolled her eyes and shoved him.

"Come off it, Aiden," she said. "Not sure they'd like you." Aiden frowned.

"I'm a good bloke," he said. "'Sides if you won't, then I'm sure Wood could. Say, any word on those World Cup tickets, Sam?"

"Told you. Oliver's dad and my dad got them for us," Sam replied. "Neither of us can help you."

"I know you two are going for the full two weeks," Aiden said, making puppy dog eyes.

"All we can do is offer you a bunk in our tent, that's all," she replied. "You want tickets, you're on your own."

"What good is it to have a mate in the league and I can't even get tickets to the World Cup," Aiden said with a sigh. Sam chuckled.

"Go tell Oliver that," she said, pointing towards him with her bottle. "Again, his dad works in the league. He's been helping plan the whole damn thing. My dad's just been helping out a bit with security, when he's not working on the Black case."

"Still looking for him, are they?" Alicia asked.

"It would appear so," Sam said with a sigh.

"He find anything on Flint yet?" Lucy asked. Sam shook her head.

"Hasn't had much time between Black and the World Cup. Though he's asked for some help," Sam said. "He and Mum had two aurors over for dinner the other night that are working on it with him."

"Still going back home?" Alicia asked.

"When I can," Sam replied. "But rehearsals are starting to pick up. There are going to be six programs for the upcoming season, and I'm hoping I get the chance to audition for some solo parts."

"Is that common for a first-year dancer?" Lucy asked. Sam shrugged.

"Suppose I'll find out. They did say in their offer that they think I've got potential to be a principal someday, though I'm not sure when. The current principal Maria Rancliff didn't make it until she was 25," she said. "Just need to put in the work and hope I get there sooner rather than later."

"What's your schedule like?" Alicia asked.

"So far I've got three hours of class in the morning and then rehearsal for four hours in the afternoon. We're expected to work out either before class or after rehearsal for a couple hours as well," Sam said.

"Bit more extreme than school," Alicia said, her eyes wide. Sam shrugged.

"I kept a pretty rigorous regime for years so it's not that hard," she replied.

"You'd have to in order to stay as small as you are with what you eat," Lucy replied, appearing slightly miffed.

"All part of the deal," Sam said. "It's not like dancers have the longest shelf life. Alicia's probably got something similar."

"Pretty much. Work out and train in the morning, then afternoons are on the pitch with the rest of the team," Alicia said. "Hoping to make first string as soon as I can, though they won't have any openings for a couple years."

"Sounds about like Oliver. Though he puts in a bit extra time in the gym," Sam replied. Alicia chuckled.

"Not surprised. Sounds like Wood," she said. Sam nodded and looked over just in time to see Oliver walking up, grinning brightly. Across the room, Adrian was looking over at the two.

"Enjoying the party?" she asked, turning her attention to her boyfriend. He nodded.

"Just want to show off the place and your amazing decorating skills," he said, kissing her cheek. Sam snorted.

"You mean our mums' amazing decorating?" she asked. "Once we picked out the place, they did all the work."

"Bought most of the furniture too," he said.

"At least they let us have a say in picking it out," she replied with a sigh.

"Probably a good thing they did the work. Otherwise it'd be decked out in Gryffindor colors," Alicia said with a laugh. Sam looked over at her.

"I let him have the study for that," she said, smiling.

"So now that you two are settled in, when will we hear wedding bells?" Aiden asked with a wink. Oliver's eyes widened as Sam chuckled.

"Not anytime soon," she said.

"And will we get free tickets to shows?" Lucy asked. Sam nodded. "Where's Trevor, by the way?"

"Balcony. Making friends with the other reserves chasers," Oliver replied.

"Adaline Parker?" Aiden asked. Oliver nodded. Immediately, Aiden disappeared from the group. Sam rolled her eyes.

"I worry for your teammate," Sam said, looking up at him.

"She can handle her own," Oliver said with a chuckle.

Sam sighed as she stepped out on the balcony a bit later. She had just made a round to make sure that the snacks were refilled and there were still enough drinks out for the crowd. Honestly, she had been surprised to see between the two of them, they could host a fairly large party. She had invited some of the dancers she had met from the company as well. Even a few friends who had left Hogwarts the last couple of years had shown up, eager to welcome the newest crop into the real wizarding world.

She leaned against the railing and looked out over the quiet street, happy that she and Oliver had put up several noise canceling charms, lest they anger the neighbors. Already the flat was getting noisy.

"Quite the party," a voice said from behind her. Sam turned and looked over her shoulder, seeing Adrian step out. She smiled slightly and turned to face him.

"Suppose we may have forgotten just how many people we know," she said, glancing past him into the crowded living room.

"I'm not surprised," Adrian said, walking towards her. "You two always did have a large group around you."

"Are you settled into a new place or still staying with your aunt?" she asked.

"Moved into a flat with Warrington, actually," he said. "Flint comes by a lot." Sam frowned. "He's, ah, actually considering moving out into his own place as well."

"Seriously?" she asked. Adrian nodded. "Thought he'd have to stay home with father dearest."

"Not so keen on the idea. He managed to get a job at the ministry, though," Adrian said. Sam's eyes widened.

"Thought he'd have to work at his father's business. How did he managed that?" she asked.

"Convinced his father he'd do better if he had a few years of experience working at the ministry before going to the company," Adrian said. "With that success, now he's working on getting a flat." Sam nodded slowly.

"How are you?" she asked. Adrian smiled slightly.

"I'm good. Practice is going well. And I like the new place," he said. "You and Oliver seem to have settled in." Sam nodded.

"It's home," she said with a smile. She looked at him a moment. "Adrian, I just…" Sam stopped, unsure how to continue. He laughed softly.

"It's fine, Sam. I think part of me always kind of knew you'd end up with him," he said, looking back into the flat. Sam followed his gaze, seeing Oliver laughing with Percy and Penelope. "I don't have any hard feelings about it. Wood's a good bloke. And you two are… much better suited than we ever were." Sam looked over at him.

"I really did care for you, you know," she said.

"I know. I did too," he said. "But some things aren't meant to be."

"You know… we can still be friends. I know I would like that. Oliver as well," she said. Adrian gave her a dubious look.

"You sure about that?" he asked.

"Seriously doubt he sees you as a threat," she replied.

"Then, I suppose it's worth a try," he admitted.

"I'm glad to hear it," she said. "So… how long before you make first string? Oliver's already gunning for the keeper spot." Adrian chuckled.

"As soon as I can," he replied. "Should be some spots opening up in the next few years. You looking forward to the season at Watsworths?"

"I am," Sam replied. "Hoping I can get at least one solo this year."

"I've no doubt that you can," he replied. He shifted on his feet a bit before looking at Sam and clearing his throat. He pulled something out of his pocket. "There's actually something I meant to give you… found this over Christmas break and thought you should have it." He held it out to her.

Sam took it and looked down, seeing an old photograph. Her eyes widened as she studied.

"Is that…"

"Yea. Our mums. You, me, Zach. Your dad," he said. Sam looked up at him.

"Where did you find this?" she asked softly.

"In the study. Stuck in one of my father's books," he said. "Thought it should be with you… not him." Sam nodded and looked back down at it, smiling.

"I've seen a lot of photos of her. But still… can't believe how much alike we look," she said. "And I didn't know that our families… they were close."

"It would seem," Adrian said as Sam touched her mother's laughing face. "Guess there's a lot we still don't know…"

"Maybe someday we'll get the full story," she said, looking up at him.

"Maybe… I should get back in. Just… wanted to give you that and thank you for inviting me," Adrian said.

"Thanks for this and you're always welcomed," Sam replied. He then turned and walked back into the flat. Sam looked back down at the photo, walking over to the railing and leaning against it.

"What was that about?" Alicia asked, walking outside. Sam glanced over at her and smiled.

"He, ah, wanted to give me something," she said, holding out the photo. Alicia walked over and took it, her brow furrowed.

"Is that your mum?" she asked. Sam nodded.

"Said he found it in his father's study over the break. Had wanted to give it to me before," Sam said. Alicia nodded and handed it back.

"Is it weird? I mean, really. I know you broke up several months ago. But your ex and your boyfriend playing on the same team? Hanging out?" Alicia asked. Sam chuckled softly.

"Dunno which is stranger. That or the fact that I started dating my best friend," Sam said.

"Surely it's not that strange. We all predicted this would happen, you know," Alicia replied.

"I mean, in one sense, it does make sense. But on the other, I spent my whole life thinking of Oliver in one way. Treating him a certain way. And then when I realized I was falling for him, things were a bit odd. I didn't know how to act around him anymore. Then we confessed and got together. And some things are very much the same as before. But some things are… different," Sam said. Alicia smiled.

"You two did move in together rather quickly," she said.

"We had been talking about it since Christmas, so it wasn't like it came out of the blue," Sam said with a sigh. "Probably wouldn't have hurt to wait a bit after we got together, but suppose with our history, it's not so odd that we've moved rather quickly." Alicia laughed softly.

"Sure your parents would have preferred waiting," Alicia said.

"Dad would have," Sam said with a smile. "And I thought we should have a few times that first week. Had a right good row about cleaning and chores." She rolled her eyes slightly.

"That does not surprise me," Alicia replied. "We both know that Wood's never learned how to clean."

"You'd think after seven years at Hogwarts without his mum there to clean up after him and living in a room with three other people he'd of learned something," Sam replied. "I had to teach him how to properly make a bed AND do laundry."

"Yea, but this is a bit different, isn't it? It's not exactly the same as having a roommate. You two share a bed, not just a room," Alicia said, still laughing. Sam blushed slightly. "What's this? Are you blushing?"

"Shut it, Alicia," Sam said, her cheeks turning pinker.

"Come on, Sam. You forget we all had to stomach the two of you being all lovey-dovey the last few months of school. And I know for a fact that you snuck off to the astronomy tower or Gryffindor locker room every chance you got," Alicia said. "Had to distract the twins a few time lest they catch you in a compromising position."

"Alicia!" Sam shouted, though she was smiling.

"Stop being such a prude. You told me everything about Liam and Adrian," Alicia retorted.

"True, but this is different," Sam replied.

"How?" Alicia asked.

"I mean, this is Oliver!" Sam said.

"Yes, the love of your life. And someday you two are going to get married and have a ton of children," Alicia replied. Sam snorted.

"We don't know that," she said, her cheeks still slightly red. "But maybe…"

"I'm calling dibs on maid of honor," Alicia said. Sam chuckled.

"One step at a time," she replied. "We just moved in together. Merlin, we're only 18."

"I know. I also know our kind tends to marry early," Alicia said, glancing at her. Sam rolled her eyes.

"On this point, I do actually agree with my father. No need to rush things," Sam said. Alicia looked over at her, studying her best friend.

"But you are happy. I can see it," she said. Sam looked over at her.

"I am," Sam replied.

"Then that's all that matters," Alicia said. Sam nodded.

"That it is..."

Later that night after the party, Sam was sitting in bed with a book while Oliver pulled on his pajama pants and then crawled under the covers. His cheeks were still a bit rosy from the party as Sam put the book aside and he pulled her into his arms.

"That was a good party," he said, kissing the top of her head. Sam chuckled.

"Seems you had a good time with the lads," she said looking up at him.

"Just wanted to show off my new place. And my gorgeous girlfriend," he said, grinning down at her. Sam rolled her eyes.

"So that was it," she replied.

"Saw you talking to Pucey," Oliver said, shifting slightly. Sam chuckled softly.

"Just catching up, is all," Sam replied. "He wanted to give me a photo of my mum that he found at his parents' house." Oliver frowned, sitting up slightly.

"He did what?" he asked. Sam sighed and sat up, reaching over to the bedside drawers. She opened the top drawer and pulled it out, then handed to Oliver. He studied it a bit. "I didn't know your families used to be that close."

"Me neither. I mean, I know Dad told me that his dad used to be his best friend. I didn't know that they would come over," Sam said, looking down at the photo. Her eyes fell on her mother and Zach. Oliver looked over at her and then slid his arm around her, pulling Sam close as he kissed the side of her head.

"I still miss them too," he said softly. "I remember thinking your mum was so cool. Showing us all the fun muggle things." Sam laughed softly. "My mum didn't hold on to as much even though she's muggleborn."

"She loved that old record player of hers," Sam said. "Dad still keeps it in his library, though we haven't used it in a long time. I don't even know if it still works."

"That thing was always playing," Oliver said. "Every time we came over, I remember hearing it. And the telescope. She'd keep it out in the garden during the warm months."

"Dad did actually give that to me. It's still in a box in the library. Haven't had the heart to put it together yet," Sam said. Oliver studied her a moment.

"We can put it together tomorrow, if you like," he said. Sam looked up at him and smiled.

"I'd like that," she said before kissing him.

"I don't know about you, but I'm about ready to sleep," Oliver said with a sigh.

"Me too. It's been a long day," Sam replied. He put the photo on the nightstand and then waved his wand, turning the lights out.

"Night, Sam. I love you," he said softly as the two settled into the bed.

"Love you too, Oliver."

Never too much fluff... Just one more to go! Currently going through and editing the first 10 chapters of the next story in the hopes I can start posting that soon after this is done. ^_^

.2018 - So happy you're enjoying it!

Thanks for reading and following!