The crisp, late summer air was literally electric with the excitement of Hogwarts students as they prepared to board the train taking them back to their home away from home. There were so many smiling faces and happy chatter that to someone not use to the farewell scene, it would seem some sort of delirium spell got the best of all the magical youth like some sort of sugar high. Children were squealing and hugging each other as if they'd been separated for years.
"Man," Wood sighed, moving himself out of the way as a pair of young third years came whizzing by, stopping briefly only to giggle as they realized they almost ran over THE Oliver Wood. He gave the girls a crooked smile and a nod, and they began to make high pitch noises the likes he hadn't heard in ages, blush a deep pink, then ran to their friends to gab about the encounter.
Wood dropped his head, afraid to turn around to the taunts he was surely to receive from his three friends.
"Zip it!" Wood half chuckled, " What I was trying to say before was, 'Man, I am not going to miss this part.' Although, it is weird being here and NOT getting on that train."
" I would pay big money to have you back on that train, Oliver!" Angelina said, throwing her arms around his neck and squeezing tight. "Its gonna be close to unbearable without you, ya know."
Oliver tucked his head close to hers , "You don't say ?"
She knew what she had with Wood was special and she was going to miss having someone that cared for her and she could look up to. He was a genuine man, that is something that was rare. Her heart wasn't saddened by having to say goodbye, she wanted to get back to the life she once knew and try to stand on her own without the assistance of a tall, blonde Adonis of a guardian angel.
"I do say, "She continued, giving him one final squeeze before lowering herself out of his arms and taking his face into her hands. "but that doesn't mean I am not up to the challenge. You are better off without me for awhile-a little less danger and a lot more 'you' time." She placed a kiss on his cheek. "Not that I am up for you trying to replace me or whatever."
"Not possible, Johnson." Oliver smiled.
"Oh my gosh, you two! Gag me already!" Tonks jeered.
"Oh no! You have no idea-you didn't have to go through the last part of the school year with them." Alicia joined in, rolling her eyes.
"Can it, you two.."Oliver began, jibbing the other girls for all their comments.
Angelina took this time to look around and try to spot Montague amongst the crowd, a job she thought to probably be impossible since he made it his business to blend into shadow. She was going on the notion that perhaps being the newly appointed Slytherin quidditch captain, he might be out in the open to avoid people looking for him. She couldn't have been further from the conversation around her or pretend to have any interest in the small waves and whispers she was receiving herself. It was hard enough to try to stay in the moment and be happy when her heart was so heavy missing Montague so and her nerves being constantly shot.
"I know what you are doing." She heard a harsh whisper break her concentration.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Angelina replied to Wood, dryly.
"Oh come off it, kid. I know you are gonna go after him as soon as no one's looking. Just don't let it be today. Seriously, I might not like the guy-but he has been through a lot and he doesn't deserve that...not today...This is his first day of Captaincy, officially. Look at Zacharias Smith over there gallivanting around like a peacock and ol' Roger Davies has perched himself on top of his trunk, greeting each Ravenclaw he sees. You have been watched like the last candy in the shoppe since we crossed over the platform. Very last thing Montague needs is this rite-of-passage to be taken from him. Hell, if you didn't have all this on your mind you'd be out with the other Gryffs having a big laugh so please, Please do not do this."
Angelina just chuckled, he was right. She groaned loudly as she started to pay more attention to those whispers she was hearing before. Little boys and girls in Gryffindor colors were standing in small groups with parchment and quills in hand. Older students were giving her head nods just as she heard the familiar voice of Lee Jordan behind them, announcing his presence to all.
"Hellllllllllllllllllo Gryffs!" Lee Jordan greeted throwing down his trunk, and jumping on top of it triumphantly and gyrating like a rock star , as his call was meet with loud applause and whistles, "Wow! That's what I call a greeting !"
The students who had held off their curiosity fanned over in waves, Tonks took that as her exit and disappeared quickly as Lee jumped off his trunk and gave Alicia a huge hug, picking her up and spinning her around as she frantically grabbed the sides of skirt to ensure she stayed covered.
"Hello Champions!" Lee greeted the three, all smiles. "Wood, pleasure to see you, ol' chap. I can officially say 'I knew you when" after you make it big over there in Dorset for United. Couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke."
The summer did Lee well, it seemed that he gained an inch in height and a mile in confidence-as if he needed any more, someone wrapped their arms around Alicia tightly from behind in a bear hug she squealed and before Angelina could laugh she was in the same hold.
"Fred!" Angelina laughed."Looks like we are all here but Katie, late as usual."
Fred Weasely let her go long enough for her to turn around and give him a proper hug, his hair and his smile had grown over the summer. George's as well, as he had momentarily forgotten about the awkwardness over their time a part and just let his natural happiness of seeing Alicia and Angelina take over.
"George, that's enough-you can let go now." Alicia smiled. "It's good to see you."
George's smile faded a bit as he got a little serious, "God, I've missed you, Ali." He ran his hand over her long hair in big curls and let it rest on her shoulder.
Alicia nodded, removing his hand. "Yeah, I can say the same. You look good."
"You look amazing." George said sincerely,connecting with her eyes. Alicia shrugged the comment off.
George nodded, getting the message. He happily took her hand and kissed the back of it, honoring her by letting things be, then extended his hand to Wood. "Congrats on Puddlemere, I heard that you were a big draft for them along with that putz, Marcus Flint."
Wood took his hand, "Thank you, George. It's been a very humbling experience working with their team. I actually aggravated an old shoulder injury in practice this week so I won't be starting-I am a reserve keeper right now."
"Oh I hate to hear that." Fred said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Angelina nudged him with her elbow with such force to his ribs it made all of them wince in pain.
"Agggggh! What the hell?"
"Fred Weasely, I swear you are the worse. I do not want to ever hear you speak badly or wish anything ill of Oliver, period. I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT."
"Amen. Make mine a double!" Alicia rooted.
"Hahaha, you got in trouble!" Lee teased, rustling Fred's hair.
"Angelina!" Fred whined, embarrassed.
Wood just rubbed his hand over his forehead, and tried to stop the smile from spreading across his face as both the girls defended him to their closest friends. Just as Wood was about to say something on his own behalf, he was interrupted by a young boy.
"Excuse me, Mister Wood. Can I have yer autograph?" The child asked, eyes wide as he held out the news article announcing the roster for Puddlemere's upcoming season.
" No problem!" Wood chuckled,getting down on one knee and taking the time to personalize the message.
That was all the crowd needed to start their flocking, soon anyone with any scrap of paper on them was asking Wood to sign it or trying to get their parents to take a picture of them with Wood. Angelina was bombarded with questions about her captaincy, and the boys began to eat up the attention from the ladies who wanted to congratulate them on winning the cup-and to find out if the rumors that they were single were true. It was chaos, but a lot of fun.
"Ooh ooh! Angelina! " A curious third year Gryffindor chimed up, her golden pigtails bouncing. "Whatta ya going to be when you leave Hogwarts? Are ya going to join Puddlemere to play with yer boyfriend?"
This question caused many of the gathering teens and pre-teens to grow quieter waiting for an answer, as Wood's jaw just dropped and he stuttered out a response for Angelina.
"Angelina is smart. She can be whatever she wants and could be the first pick for any team in the league, that's for sure. She's an amazing mate, a terrific flyer, and she is going to be a great captain, not to mention keep the cup in the Gryddindor house!"
Wood knew how to spin a crowd and they all ate it up, forgetting to make a big deal of the 'boyfriend' question completely. Angelina gave him a thankful wink and posed with a first year who's brother was a fan of the team.
"I couldn't agree more." A voice commented from behind, Angelina knew the voice immediately and looked up.
"Mum?" She exclaimed surprised.
Sarin Johnson appeared in her St. Mungo's whites and the golden brown bangs to her short stylish bob swept to one side. Her hazel-green eyes were warm and inviting with the gentle presence of crow's feet being the only showing of her age. She was a tall, slender woman who's brown skin was a few shades lighter than Angelina's and athletic build could be directly related to her hectic schedule. Her pink lips parted to reveal a beautiful white smile. Angelina matched her grin, and all but jumped into her arms.
"Whoa...it seems hot is hereditary." George leaned over and mummered to Lee and Wood, Fred nodded slack jawed.
"Just..keep...hugging...her." Fred wished quietly but loud enough for the other boys to hear and snicker at.
"Wow! I do not think I've gotten a hug like that since one of the first years we sent you off to Hogwarts." Sarin said, letting her daughter go and staring at her face. "I've missed you, darling!"
"Mum! You have no idea how much I missed you." Angelina said sincerely, wishing she could tell her every detail of that summer. Wanting her mother to know about her feelings for Montague, how amazing her first real job had been,and how navigating her way around the city had been. She had forgotten to think about Dorgan at all that day and suddenly she was cursing him for denying her the opportunity to confide in her mother.
"I know. You obviously didn't miss me enough to come home though. Angelina, you have to come home. I know I haven't made it easy on you since...Amos' passing..but I refuse to lose you, too. You are my daughter. No matter what issues I might be going though you will always be my heart. If you think a mother can survive on letters alone, you are sorely mistaken. Don't you ever EVER do that to me again, you hear me?"
"Yes, ma'm." Angelina said, still smiling. "I just...I just can't believe you are here. I love you so much!" With that, Sarin and Angelina continued to build on a damaged relationship to start something new.
Across Platform 9 3/4, another pair were saying goodbye. Montague sighed heavily glancing at his watch and rolling his eyes.
"I just can't wait to get this year over with." Montague groaned.
"Buck up, man, this is your year to rule it all. C'mon, get that Cup from those bleedin' heart Gryffindorks and enjoy your last year, its the best one." Flint defended, leaning back in the shadows of the brick column underneath a malfunctioning light that sometimes flickered on, but mostly let him remain unseen. Their fight at 12 Grimmuald Place was light years away and there was no way he was going to miss sending Montague off.
"Yeah, your last year was great! You had me for entertainment. What do I got,huh?" Montague complained.
"Me for entertainment!" Flint chuckled shaking his head,"Hogsmeade, man, Hogsmeade. We have Hogsmeade. I'm so meeting you on your days there. Owls. We got that too."
"And Order business." Montague chimed in, "You will have to keep me informed on what's happening on the outside and I will tell you what's happening with the school bound members."
"Yeah," Flint smirked. "It seems like we are dividing the group a bit, yeah? Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hagrid, Snape, Alicia, and you all gone in one swoop."
"Seriously, anything of any importance that you pick up when you are not training or traveling. Report to me."
"Yeah, no worries man. Since when are you so uptight about this thing? This time last week you were ready to bury the idea. What changed? "Flint began to dig into Mongtague's insight a little.
"I don't know, but something did." Montague answered quickly.
"Heads up!" Flint said, signaling for Montague to turn around. About two or three columns down, stood Lucius Malfoy in all his self proclaimed glory and beside him his wife Narcissa whom happened to be chatting up none other than the Montagues.
"Shit!" Montague exclaimed.
"Oh come now, Alex. Did you think your father was going to give up the chance to see you off in front of the Malfoys when you outrank their son? I am surprised we haven't had to deal with them earlier to be quite honest."
"Shit." Montague mumbled again, running his hands through his hair and just shaking his head.
"Just go and say your piece. Take your sexy little ass over there and make that suit look look good. Be snide, arrogant and a twinge of charming. They'll eat it up and won't need another dose til the holidays. For god's sake hurry up and go before they come looking for you." Flint advised, all but pushing his friend away.
This did not go unnoticed, Montague raised an eyebrow curiously. "What's the hurry to get rid of me, eh?"
Montague did not receive an answer. Flint just pulled his hood further over his face and kept pointed directly ahead. Montague turned to see what was in his sight line and sighed knowledgeably. Alicia Spinett.
"Ah ,it all makes sense now. I'm not the only goodbye you have to make. For the love of all, man,I've said it 1,000 times just tell her. " Montague chuckled.
"I know, I know. I hear ya."
"Just do it, trust me you won't regret it its worth..."Montague slowed down and furrowed his brow before shaking his head as if he lost his train of thought." Just do it, grow a pair."
"I will! " Flint defended leaning, further onto the column.
"With words, man. Use your words." Montague encouraged, as he turned to walk away to play the role of good solider for his parents in front of the other Slytherin parents. "and body parts..but mostly words!"
Alicia was laughing, which in turn made Flint smile. She was wearing a light pink cardigan and had a small string of pearls close to her neck. She had straighten her hair from its naturally tighter curls and opted to wear them in bigger, looser curls. He rubbed the hairs on his chin and just remained in the shadow.
"Oh ,gosh!" Alicia rolled her eyes and laughed as she overheard the boys make comments as they ogled Angelina's mother. Even Wood seemed to have become lovesick over the doctor.
The crowd by then had thankfully began to subside as the time to stop socializing and to start saying goodbyes to love ones had come. She looked around, pleased that Angelina had a chance to have a heart-to-heart with her own mother and wishing that her parents could have closed the bakery to send her on her way, she completely understood why that couldn't happen-but as she glanced up all those feelings melted away and she was happy no supervision would be around for what she felt coming on next. She bite her bottom lip to stop the smile from spreading further across her face and quickly slipped away from the group. She used everyone's diverted attention to make a beeline toward the shady character in the holey jeans, deep V-necked green henley, and white hoodie that covered half his face. He was leaning inconspicuously under a darken column. She quickly approached, her focus never leaving him, his body tensed a bit and he too tried to conceal his smile-his light stubble couldn't hide his dimples which gave away any plan to stay neutral and play it cool. He just anticipated her arrival, keeping his air of mystery as the majority of his face stayed covered. She couldn't help but speed up.
"Fancy seeing you here." Alicia said once she was a mere feet from him.
Flint glanced around, then grabbed her elbow a bit to pull her under the slight cover of shadow.
"If I were better at what I do, you wouldn't have had to." He said quietly. "I wasn't gonna let Mont go off without a proper send off...I won't be running back into him til the first school trip to Hogsmeade and.."
"You really think you are going to be spending all your time with him when you go to Hogsmeade? I'm sure you are going to be a little distracted. . ." Alicia said leaning in closer to him.
Flint chuckled, "What have I told you about trying to steal my virtue,woman?"
"Too late." Alicia shrugged, "There's no going back now."
Alicia then took either side of his hood and pulled him down to her level. Pausing only for a second, before taking him off guard and kissing him deeply. Flint froze under her lips, then quickly twisted her around so her back was against the bricks he had once been leaning, shielding her body from view with his own. Alicia gasped at the swiftness and finesse he used doing this, once again his main concern was to protect her.
"Flint!" Alicia groaned.
"It must be done." Flint answered in return, "I cannot risk anything happening to you. This place is crawling with Death Eaters and loyalists. Someone could see you here with me and try to use you to get to me or...I dunno, but I can't..."
"Marcus, I am yours already." Alicia proclaimed, smiling. "My gosh, I thought I was going to go mad without seeing you-then when I finally do its all Order business. You've had no idea how hard I was kicking myself for letting you leave me in your flat …."
"You were kicking yourself? Are you crazy? I had a beautiful woman half naked in my bed and couldn't lay a hand on her." Flint laughed, leaning in closer to her.
" Well I am here now...so let's do something about it." She said grabbing the sides of his jacket and standing on her toes to reach his lips again, he pulled away.
"You are too smart for this." He said through gritted teeth, shaking his head from side to side. " Wise angels don't fall for foolish devils."
" You are no devil. Marcus,the sexy bad boy fell for the ordinary bookworm. I'm smart enough not to let my Romeo go again." Alicia said, forcefully.
"No!" Flint objected quickly, glancing over his shoulder toward Montague. "No. I am not your Romeo, and you are not my Juliet. I would never let what happen to them, happen to us. I can't be your tragedy."
Alicia furrowed her brow until she followed his eyes to Montague. She sighed understanding what all his hesitation was about.
"We are not Angelina and Alex." She said quietly.
"But if this happens, we could be."
"It's done! It is already happening, Marcus." She said confidently, running her hands up and down his sides-feeling the results a week worth of Qudditch training had brought on. "Please, don't make this harder than it already is."
Flint felt himself drifting down to her face and he took her by the neck and lead her to his lips,relaxing into the kiss and wanting nothing more than to believe that it could work between them as we rested both hands on the top of her bottom. Alicia's knees buckle a bit at the intense butterflies she felt rumbling in her very warm core. Flint was the first to pull away, exhaling deeply and sweeping the hair he had mussed in the process behind her ear.
"Can you wait for me?" Alicia asked breathlessly, resting her hands on his chest.
"I've been waitin' three and a half years, I don't see how a month til Hogsmeade will make that much of a difference but for merlin's sake, don't play with me." Flint seriously said, making his face as stern as possible. "You're smart, if you know this isn't gonna work, say it now. I want you, I've wanted you for a long time-before Mont even seriously considered Angelina, so my judgment is always gonna be off when it comes to you."
"NOT GONNA WORK? Marcus,I am the one that came over and started snogging you in public, I just need to know you aren't going to realize that you could do so much better."
"Are you freakin' kidding me, did you hear what I just said? I've watched you for three years and a half years-I've always known you would end up with someone like Wood and live your perfect little life and..."
"Okay so we were both wrong, but why didn't you say anything to me in all that time? You've been in SO many relationships over the years."
"What?" Flint shook his head,"Those were not relationships...those...that...that was a lot like what Alex was going through last week replacing Angelina with any warm body."
"Well, that's what I am talking about then. I need to know that you can be in a relationship now."
Flint smiled, he enjoyed seeing her so nervous at the idea of him not wanting to be with her. "Babe, you can be with me any time, any place, any where... commitment or no. I guarantee you'll never leave my bedroom disappointed again."
Alicia grunted a protest and shoved him lightly, " I absolutely need a commitment. I need to hear it..."
Flint interrupted her before she could get into one of tirades, "Agh, okay. Geez, woman, fine. Listen, the past few months have been bearable because I had you to focus on, it goes against every thing 'Marcus Flint' stands for but there is nothing that would mean more to me than to be able to start something real with you. You...you make me want to..end this war so that you never have to hurt again. The idea of me being the one to make you feel like you are in danger is ridiculous. I am not gonna even respond to that shit, just know I wouldn't be standing here if I wasn't already...completely…" Flint struggled with the words,despite the fact he just told Montague less than ten minutes ago he'd tell her.
"You know what, Marcus." Alicia held up her hands and chuckled, sensing the moment getting heavier than it needed to be. She heard all that she needed and tucked her arm around his waist and pulled him in, kissing him lightly. "I get it. We are officially official. I have fifteen minutes until I have to meet my friends in the train car..and...I ...intend to make the most of our time. No talkin'! Words are what parchment and owls are for. "
Flint had no complaints.
"Was that final call, already?" Lee asked, sighing.
"I would say so, c'mon, we have to go get our seats." George answered, pushing Lee toward the train and grabbing Angelina by the hand.
"We can't! The girls aren't here yet." Fred protested, "Their your ex girlfriends, you'd think you'd realize they aren't here!"
"Shuddup, Fred! I'm not forgetting anyone—we need the best car on the train this year. Its our last trip to Hogwarts, well Katie's second to last trip…Either way we gotta ride in style. They'd appreciate it!"
"Agreed!" Someone approved as they approached the four.
The face of the person was covered by a huge red hood over a white, one strapped tank top and matching tight shorts. The person might be trying to conceal their identity but the group could recognize those legs from anywhere.
"KATIE!" Angelina squealed, letting go of George's hand and embracing her friend.
"ANGIE! I can't believe it, you're happy to see me!" Katie returned her friend's excitement. "Does that mean we are all friends again? No sour feelings?"
"Just...keep...hugging...her." Fred mummered to the guys for the second time that day, Lee just shook his head in agreeance and George rolled his eyes.
"Katie! What's done is done, I am not looking to lose anyone else I love." Angelina assured.
"What's with that headgear, Little Red Riding Hood?" Fred asked, tugging at her jacket a bit.
"New year, new me. I had to make a change I didn't want to look in the mirror and see the bad friend I had turned in to…so…." Katie answered, slowly removing her hood to reveal her new image. What was once her long bright, golden hair was replaced with shorter, thick black layers.
"Oh my gosh, you look beautiful!" Angelina gasped, shocked as well as the others.
"WHOA! No more blonde bombshell." Lee smiled, "Make way for the Dark Goddess. Damn, Bell, you look good."
"Not bad at all." Fred agreed.
"Thanks! Where's Alicia? " Katie asked, her bright blue eyes searching the crowd for her makeover's inspiration.
"Dunno, I do know that she can find us after WE GET ON THIS TRAIN!" George urged, his friends soon complied and the five of them made themselves very comfortable in the cabin closest to where the treat trolley made its first stop. Alicia was literally seconds behind them, with no excuse for her absence but seemed very happy. Angelina waited til everyone was distracted getting situated then slyly made her way close to Alicia.
"You little trollop."
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Alicia whispered innocently.
"Next time you decide to dress down for Flint, make sure to dress back up." Angelina said pointing at Alicia's shirt which had been buttoned incorrectly." He almost left a mark on your neck, move your hair around to cover yourself up."
"Oh geez, "Alicia said,fixing herself after her friend's urging she didn't realize she was such a mess."No one else noticed, yeah?"
"I don't think so."Angelina reassured, as she scanned the area and Katie was directing George how she wanted her things set above her seat and Fred and Lee had already made themselves comfortable tinkering with one of Fred's new joke gadgets.
"How'd you know I was with Flint?" Alicia asked, still slightly mortified.
" 'Cause he is the only man that you would let yourself go for. The way the he looks at you, AMAZING. I am just happy you guys are...something now."
"I know, I am just so...I think I might be falling in love with him, Ange. Can you imagine? You know I am not usually like this. He makes me impulsive, he keeps me sane with all this secret life stuff, I have someone. Who'd thought all those years a Slytherin would..." Alicia automatically winced as she realized she didn't stop herself from putting her foot in her mouth." Angelina, I am sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"It's fine. You guys are going to be great together." Angelina lied,focusing on keeping the smile on her face. " I am fine."
"You're not. I'm going to choose to let that go because...I am still embarrassed that I said something in front of mixed company and that you caught me with my shirt undone. Are you sure you are the only one to notice?"
"Pretty Sure. If you were so worried about it, you should have kept those things in your shirt."
"Don't even! You stuck your tongue down Oliver Wood's throat." Alicia fought back, truly offended. "Hey, he's hot and all but so is your ridiculously gorgeous boyfriend! Going through withdrawals already, are we?"
"ALICIA ANNE!" Katie belted, making her way to the girls. Angelina and Alicia just froze.
"I hate to break this thing up over here but we have a lot to catch up on. You and Angelina lived together all summer, please sit by me so we can spend the whole trip to Hogwarts falling back in friend-love with each other." Katie requested taking a seat and patting the one next to her for Alicia to join her. Angelina sighed with relief that they hadn't been overheard and made her way across the car to the window seat to give the girls their privacy. Alicia agreed to Katie's request and the two began a conversation months in the making and soon made it more than obvious that as far as they were concerned, they were the only two in the car.
George made his way closer to Angelina, who took her regular spot next to the window and leaned on her shoulder whispering, "Should I be nervous?"
"What, of those two? Nah. "
"You sure? I know its gotta be hard to have all their dreams of becoming Mrs. George Weasley crushed."
"I am sure it is devastating, I myself have spent many sleepless hours wondering what more I could have done to become a Weasley woman-somehow, I think they'll survive. I've had to " Angelina joked.
"Ah, so Angelina Johnson as finally wised up and moved on from that shallow bloke I call 'twin', yeah?" George inquired, quietly.
"Oh yeah." Angelina said, shaking her head. Those days seemed so long ago.
"Good, he didn't deserve you. Nor does Lee-although he does plan on asking you out again soon. Fair warning,my love."
"Look at George, always looking out for me. Be careful with all that, your two exes are right there...you aren't careful they might think you are up to make me the third."
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful." George yawned, making it clear he didn't plan on staying awake any longer." If you're lucky, maybe you can catch a nap and dream about us."
Within seconds, he was sleeping. Angelina looked down at her friend, he looked so tired. She knew that sometimes sleep was hard to come by at the Black Manor yet she could do nothing to comfort him.