Email: parsleynsage@hotmail.com


Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Summary: Oliver Wood. Who the hell is Oliver Wood? No one in the wizarding community hasn't heard of this man since his surprising graduation from Hogwarts in 1996, much to the dismay of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. He needs to be found, but why? and who can handle the task?

AN: brisk, but to the point

chapter four

when rose coloured glasses were enough

            Oliver clutched the phone, trying to make his breathing normal.  He knew that voice.

            "Penelope?" he hesitantly whispered.

            There was a brief pause, and Oliver began to think he'd been fooled, "Could it be anyone else?"

            "I don't care what he's doing here, he's not to set one damn hairy paw into this flat," Ron said loudly, hoping the man on the other side of the closed door could hear him.

            Hermione tried to quiet him once more, not wanting to hurt feelings, no matter how furry they were, "There has to be a reason for him to show up today.  We haven't heard from him in months, he might want to tell us something."

            "Like he's ever wanted to help us! Why would he suddenly change his mind?" Ron roared.

            "He did the best he could, under the circumstances.  Should he want to tell us something, it will happen today.  You can't tell me that I've been waiting all this time for pity and a pat on the back!"

            Ron rolled his eyes, "We both know this isn't your best day, I think you'd best let me handle this."

            "I will think for myself for once, Ronald Weasley!"

            There was knock at the door and they both shouted for it to cease.

            "And, what if he hasn't come here with good intentions?"

            "Do you think he would come all this way to do something other than help us?"

            Ron raised an eyebrow and shrugged, "It's possible."

            "You're unbelievable," Hermione said as she swung open the door. 

            "It's about time, your neighbors must be starting to wonder why a large black dog is sitting outside your door."

            "You're lucky we're letting you in," Ron said sneering at the black form as it began to morph.

            Hermione pushed Ron against the wall with her hip and made enough room for the man to enter the apartment, "It's so nice to see you again, Mr. Black."

            "I'm sure it is," Sirius Black said as he dropped off his case and dark umbrella at the front door and entered the flat as if he were very familiar with it.

            "What did I tell you."

            "Not another word," Hermione said as she shut the door and followed Sirius into the den.

            "How did you find me out?" Oliver asked, still amazed that he was speaking to Penelope Clearwater.  He wondered how Percy was doing, the lucky bastard.

            "No one leaves such an obvious magical paper trail as you do, Mr. Wood.  Being subtle has always alluded you," Penelope replied with a lit to her otherwise professional voice.

            "I'm assuming this can't be a personal call then," he said, dashing all of his hopes and memories from his mind's eye, "I'm not one to accept phone solicitations.  Can we make this quick?"

            "I see that you've also yet to learn how to read between the proverbial lines."

            "One doesn't have a chance to learn much of anything when you live the life I have," Oliver sighed, hoping she'd accept that at face value.

            "That's exactly the reason as to why I've called," she began," And don't tell anyone but for me it might as well be a personal interest."

            "If you're trying to insinuate that any of you have missed me, that's bullshit, and I know it," he spat, the grocery list in front of him suddenly became interesting.

            "We have. And not just the whole department."

            "I'm sure the rest of the wizarding world is wondering where I've gone off to."

            She sighed, "The have, and so have I."

            "You have?" he asked, not wanting to hear the answer.  He drummed his fingers on the edge of the counter waiting for her to respond. 

            "I've thought about you every day since you left," she slowly admitted, "You've broken more hearts than you will ever know, Oliver Wood.  But that isn't the matter at hand."

            Oliver smiled, there was the Penny he'd known for eleven years, if there was ever business to attend to she'd never shy away from striking through to it's core.  The skin on the back of his left hand itched, and as he scratched it he found it funny that that had been the last place Penelope had touched him.  Begging him not to leave, pleading for him to stay.  But she hadn't belonged to then, and she didn't now, so it was no matter.

            "It isn't?" he snorted, bored with the line of conversation.

            "We need you, Oliver."

Author's Note

            HA! how did you like that one for an ending? of course you'll have questions but just wait a day or so and I'll have five up to clear those away. sniff, not as many reviews as I would want, but it's okay. 

as always, review, review.  you must. it 'tis the law.

                                                                                                annie