Disclaimer- I own nothing to do with the HP series. It all belongs to J.K Rowling. eg) Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy ect... The Michele near the end of the ch. is anohter friends character. I own Ebony Shadow, her family(including pets), Sean and the rest of the Wood's family(besides Oliver) and the plot.
AN- Plz everyone else R&R!!!!
Chapter 2: The Woods
The red SUV meant only one thing, The Woods! And the Woods brought Oliver! How could she have forgotten?! Ebony was suddenly filled with excitement and started to run to her house, the dogs picking up speed too thinking that their owner wanted to race. The red vehicle belong the the to the Wood family. They were some of her parents closets friends, they had been coming to her house every summer and Christmas for as long as she could remember. The Wood's lived in England where her mum, dad and she had been born.
Their eldest son, Oliver was but a year older then Ebony. She had always looked forward to the two weeks they spent with her family every summer. Ebony and Oliver, over the years, had become very close friends. He told her everything from stuff about school to matters of the heart. And she told him almost everything. Even though they lived on opposite sides of the world, they had regularly managed to keep in touch, by owling one another. They were as almost as tight as tight could be. But although they had always just been friends, Ebony had begun to see Oliver in a whole new light over the last couple few years. She cared for him more than just a friend--he was one of the most important things in her life. Course you would never catch her admitting it and she had never let her heart fully accept the the concept.
As she reached the door, she pulled herself together. *Relax, breath. It's JUST Oliver. You've seen him a billion and one times, this is no different.* She told herself these words repeatedly before going in. She knew the words were all lies...but she wasn't ready to put her heart out there just so it could get stomped on. After all that had happened the last year...she just wasn't quite ready.
Ebony entered the house, took off her sandals and listened. She heard voices and laughter coming from the kitchen, so she headed down the hall. As she went she made sure to stop and check herself in the mirror. Then she was overcome with momentary fear *But Oliver is in there...Oh come off it, you've faced much worse than this.* And with that she entered the kitchen to find her mum, sitting at the table drinking iced tea and laughing with Mrs. Marie Wood and her two sons; Sean and Oliver.
"Hey mum! Sorry I'm late. I fell asleep. Hey Mrs. Wood, Sean, Oliver" She waved at the two guests, and held her gaze on Oliver a moment to long. Marie quickly corrected, "Now dear how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Marie!" Ebony was about to apologize when Sean, who was tall, blond and gorgeous to all girls, jumped from him seat and pulled her into a huge bear hug. This didn't surprise Ebony at all for Sean was outgoing, playful and always in trouble for his openness. He was smart, athletic and blunt. And had an 'interesting' sense of humor, to which he can use and make anyone and everyone laugh. Though if you got on his bad side, he could have quite the temper. He was almost the complete opposite of Oliver. Ebony and he were very close aswell, she often told Sean things she would never dare tell Oliver. But Ebony thought of him as a brother and nothing more.
Then her mum, Alanna, who was still rather puzzled by her daughters words spoke, "Are you late?" She checked her watch, "Oh sorry dear I hadn't noticed, time just flies when you're enjoying yourself and spending time with old friends..." But she was interrupted by her daughters voice. " ya I guess. So anyways..." Ebony went to the fridge and took out a Pepsi. "What were you all talking about before I came in?"
"Marie and Oliver were just telling me about the disaster Oliver's seventeenth Birthday turned into last week. it was so funny.." But before Alanna could continue both Ebony and Oliver were saying that Oliver had owled Ebony immediately after all the guests had left. There was an awkward silence that Ebony broke, "Where is dad and Mr. Wood?" Again Marie was quick to correct Ebony by telling her to call both her and her husband by there first names. Ebony was about to say something, but was cut off by her mother, so all she could do was nod at Marie. "Your Father and Jonathan are..." but she too was interrupted by two grown men falling over one another into the kitchen.
As usual, when you put Jonathan Wood and Deacon Shadow together you get two adults reduced to young school boys. As they entered the room, Ebony couldn't help but notice how much Oliver looked like his dad. They were both quite tall, with short brown hair and honey brown eyes. Though with out a doubt Oliver was younger, full of ambition and enthusiasm. He was extremely well built, had great stamina, and was sexy as hell in her eyes. Their father's were so happy, they brought smiles and conversation back into the room. It was hours before they all had calmed down enough to notice their hunger. But it was too late for Alanna to create a suitable dinner for seven, even with magic. So she called a muggle pizza place and ordered three large pizzas, which arrived within thirty minutes. But the seven were up talking and indulging themselves long after the pizzas had been devoured into their stomachs. Alanna finallydecided it was time for the children children to go to bed. But she wasn't talking about Ebony, Sean or Oliver. No, she was referring to her gidish husband, Deacon, and Jonathan. They all headed upstairs to their own respectful rooms.
As the parents disappeared, Oliver, Sean and Ebony continued down the corridor. Sean headed into his and Oliver's room, but when Oliver quickly grab Ebony's arm before she could go into her own room Sean turned around, "Now boys and girls no kissing in the hall!" He began to laugh, Ebony flushed, Oliver just shut the door, and said to Ebony in a light hearted tone, "I had fun tonight, but you seemed kind of distracted?"
"I'm fine." Was all she managed to spit out. The touch of his hand made her knees buckle and her breath go short. She tried her best to hide her joy, as he continued. "Okay. well I just wanted to tell you that i'm so glad to be back here again, with you. I've missed you. and you look great!" His eyes washed over her as he commented on her perfectly tanned body and trim features.
The sound of his voice was just as intoxicating as his touch. She couldn't help but feel blissfully happy as she felt his eyes roam. The fact that he noticed all the hard work she had put into getting fit sent her reeling into the clouds. Not that it was for his pleasure, it had been her goal to get into shape and obtain her best tan yet. *He actually noticed!!! He said it, i look good* Since she had done nothing but take in the beautiful site that was him all night. so what she said next was easiest thing she had done all day, "Your not looking bad at all yourself, you know."
But what came out of his mouth next forced her to come smashing back down to earth. "Thanx. Look, I know your life has been kinda rough the last few months. I want you to know I'm hear for you, if you want to talk or whatever" She didn't want to talk about it, she wanted to forget it. She then went rather cold and barely spat out a "goodnight." She quickly retreated to her room and slightly slammed the door. Leaving him standing in the hall with a shut door in his face.
"Ohh...kay. Was it something I said?". Since he had no choice now, he went into his own bed to get some sleep. However neither of them fell asleep till nearly dawn, since it was already very early in the morning.
*********************
As she shut the door behind her, she leaned back against it and slid silently to the floor. Then many words flooded her mind. *Why can't everyone just leave me alone? That's all they've done over the last three months, tell me again and again to talk about it, to let it all out. But I don't want to! I'm perfectly fine with keeping it to myself. It's safer this way. No one knows what really happened, and NO one will! I want to forget it, and that's what I'm going to do. With or without their help. Oh Oliver! I thought once you got here you would make everything okay. That we would take long walks or just chill and talk about absolutely nothing at all, just like old times. I thought you could fix...or find and bring back whatever it is that I've lost inside. That I would be happy. Regain my innocence. But I still feel empty. I wish...what DO I wish? I used to know, but I'm not so sure anymore. It used to be so simple. Everything was black and white, everyone had some good in them, and everyone deserved a chance and trusting was easy. But not anymore, all because of him. Why did you do it Balthazar? You were always so kinda and gentle, I had so much respect for you. You always comforted and supported me, all the students. Augh! I just don't get it!!! I can't stand feeling like this. I'm all alone. I thought if anyone was on my side, it would be you Oliver.*
Then she thought of something else...*Draco*...she had told herself that she would owl him, but all that thinking had made her quite tired. She got off the floor, went to the closet, took out some paper and walked across the room to lay the paper on her desk. She would write him first thing in the morning. Ebony then got into her p.j's and slid into bed. Suddenly something pounced on her legs, she sat up to find it was just her family's siamese cat, Ling. "Ling, what are you doing lurking around in my bedroom? Or are you like me? Just wanting a place where you are free from people and their frustrating questions. Well don't worry you won't get any hassle from me." Ebony and Ling curled up with one another and fell asleep as a very dim light was coming up in the east.
*******************
As soon as Oliver entered, he was greeted with Sean laying on his side on his bed, "So how did it go?! Were there any smooches?! Come on what did you guys say?" Oliver just looked at him irritated, "How did what go?! It was just Eb. Why the fuck are you talking about kissing Ebony?! I would never do that! She a friend that is all. Besides, I just broke up with Alley, if I wanted a rebound, I wouldn't do that to Eb!" Oliver snapped. Sean looked unconvinced, "Ya right, you two would be SO cute. And I know you've had to have thought about it, what it would be like. You'd have to be gay not to have! So what did she say, you say? The whole convo, bit by bit, I want it. Come on tell me!!!" He said eagerly. Oliver shook his head no. "There is nothing to tell you. I said i missed her, she said the same, i told her I would be there for her if she wanted to talk bout Balinor and she shut the door in my face! Happy?! Now go to bed." He said in the bossy, frustrated I'm-the-older-brother-so-u-have-to-obey voice he got sometimes. "Oh, I see. Ok" was all Sean said in response.
The two boys got into bed, then Oliver realized it was too easy to get Sean off his back, sat up and turned on the light, "What do you mean ok?!" He demanded. Sean propped his head up onto his hand and laid on his side, "You asked about Balinor! Your SO INCREDIBLY DUMB!!! She doesn't want to talk! She wants to forget it! Let her do it in peace for gods sake! If I had been through such an ordeal, I'd want to forget it too! You're so clueless sometimes!" Sean explained, turned off the bed and rolled over.
Oliver lay back down confused and unable to sleep. He began to talk to himself in his brain; *Women!!? I'll never get them! One minute they are hitting on you, the next they're as cold as ice and practically yelling at you! At least I think she was hitting on me? Or does she think the two of us together is nonsense? I mean we have been friends for like forever. Or was I imagining her flirting? Grrr! Why is she acting so...wacko! She's never been this distant. What is she hiding? What really happened at Balinor? She never talks about it, and flips out if I bring it up. I'd hoped that once I got here she'd fill me in. Since all she had said in her owl, was that her school had been blown to smithereens. I want to know what happened. I want to make all her problems go away. She hasn't been the same since her school was destroyed. All the fire in her eyes is gone. I thought I saw it come back briefly in the hall, guess I was wrong. I wish she'd tell me. I need her to tell me! It would be nice to think about her problems instead of mine. Breaking up with Alley was hard. But I won't have to worry about running into her next year, cause she graduated. That's a relief and kinda scary, I haven't been without a girlfriend in so long. Though Michele is kinda cute and we were become good friends. Wonder if she got together with that old friend of hers? She was always talking about him...what was his name? De...Drog...Drake? I don't remember. I'll have to get to really know her once I go back to school. Hogwarts has gotten better every year since I've been there, but I don't know if it can get any better. He finally stopped pacing the room and decided his brain had had enough for one day. He quickly got changed and got into his bed, shut off his light and began drifting of into the land of dreams. His last thoughts before surrendering to the darkness of sleep were of Ebony. *What is up with her? What is really going on in that creative head of hers? Why is she avoiding the accident at Balinor. Why won't she let me in? Was I or wasn't I imagining her flirting? Women!!* Then that was it. He was out, asleep like a little baby.
AN- Plz everyone else R&R!!!!
Chapter 2: The Woods
The red SUV meant only one thing, The Woods! And the Woods brought Oliver! How could she have forgotten?! Ebony was suddenly filled with excitement and started to run to her house, the dogs picking up speed too thinking that their owner wanted to race. The red vehicle belong the the to the Wood family. They were some of her parents closets friends, they had been coming to her house every summer and Christmas for as long as she could remember. The Wood's lived in England where her mum, dad and she had been born.
Their eldest son, Oliver was but a year older then Ebony. She had always looked forward to the two weeks they spent with her family every summer. Ebony and Oliver, over the years, had become very close friends. He told her everything from stuff about school to matters of the heart. And she told him almost everything. Even though they lived on opposite sides of the world, they had regularly managed to keep in touch, by owling one another. They were as almost as tight as tight could be. But although they had always just been friends, Ebony had begun to see Oliver in a whole new light over the last couple few years. She cared for him more than just a friend--he was one of the most important things in her life. Course you would never catch her admitting it and she had never let her heart fully accept the the concept.
As she reached the door, she pulled herself together. *Relax, breath. It's JUST Oliver. You've seen him a billion and one times, this is no different.* She told herself these words repeatedly before going in. She knew the words were all lies...but she wasn't ready to put her heart out there just so it could get stomped on. After all that had happened the last year...she just wasn't quite ready.
Ebony entered the house, took off her sandals and listened. She heard voices and laughter coming from the kitchen, so she headed down the hall. As she went she made sure to stop and check herself in the mirror. Then she was overcome with momentary fear *But Oliver is in there...Oh come off it, you've faced much worse than this.* And with that she entered the kitchen to find her mum, sitting at the table drinking iced tea and laughing with Mrs. Marie Wood and her two sons; Sean and Oliver.
"Hey mum! Sorry I'm late. I fell asleep. Hey Mrs. Wood, Sean, Oliver" She waved at the two guests, and held her gaze on Oliver a moment to long. Marie quickly corrected, "Now dear how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Marie!" Ebony was about to apologize when Sean, who was tall, blond and gorgeous to all girls, jumped from him seat and pulled her into a huge bear hug. This didn't surprise Ebony at all for Sean was outgoing, playful and always in trouble for his openness. He was smart, athletic and blunt. And had an 'interesting' sense of humor, to which he can use and make anyone and everyone laugh. Though if you got on his bad side, he could have quite the temper. He was almost the complete opposite of Oliver. Ebony and he were very close aswell, she often told Sean things she would never dare tell Oliver. But Ebony thought of him as a brother and nothing more.
Then her mum, Alanna, who was still rather puzzled by her daughters words spoke, "Are you late?" She checked her watch, "Oh sorry dear I hadn't noticed, time just flies when you're enjoying yourself and spending time with old friends..." But she was interrupted by her daughters voice. " ya I guess. So anyways..." Ebony went to the fridge and took out a Pepsi. "What were you all talking about before I came in?"
"Marie and Oliver were just telling me about the disaster Oliver's seventeenth Birthday turned into last week. it was so funny.." But before Alanna could continue both Ebony and Oliver were saying that Oliver had owled Ebony immediately after all the guests had left. There was an awkward silence that Ebony broke, "Where is dad and Mr. Wood?" Again Marie was quick to correct Ebony by telling her to call both her and her husband by there first names. Ebony was about to say something, but was cut off by her mother, so all she could do was nod at Marie. "Your Father and Jonathan are..." but she too was interrupted by two grown men falling over one another into the kitchen.
As usual, when you put Jonathan Wood and Deacon Shadow together you get two adults reduced to young school boys. As they entered the room, Ebony couldn't help but notice how much Oliver looked like his dad. They were both quite tall, with short brown hair and honey brown eyes. Though with out a doubt Oliver was younger, full of ambition and enthusiasm. He was extremely well built, had great stamina, and was sexy as hell in her eyes. Their father's were so happy, they brought smiles and conversation back into the room. It was hours before they all had calmed down enough to notice their hunger. But it was too late for Alanna to create a suitable dinner for seven, even with magic. So she called a muggle pizza place and ordered three large pizzas, which arrived within thirty minutes. But the seven were up talking and indulging themselves long after the pizzas had been devoured into their stomachs. Alanna finallydecided it was time for the children children to go to bed. But she wasn't talking about Ebony, Sean or Oliver. No, she was referring to her gidish husband, Deacon, and Jonathan. They all headed upstairs to their own respectful rooms.
As the parents disappeared, Oliver, Sean and Ebony continued down the corridor. Sean headed into his and Oliver's room, but when Oliver quickly grab Ebony's arm before she could go into her own room Sean turned around, "Now boys and girls no kissing in the hall!" He began to laugh, Ebony flushed, Oliver just shut the door, and said to Ebony in a light hearted tone, "I had fun tonight, but you seemed kind of distracted?"
"I'm fine." Was all she managed to spit out. The touch of his hand made her knees buckle and her breath go short. She tried her best to hide her joy, as he continued. "Okay. well I just wanted to tell you that i'm so glad to be back here again, with you. I've missed you. and you look great!" His eyes washed over her as he commented on her perfectly tanned body and trim features.
The sound of his voice was just as intoxicating as his touch. She couldn't help but feel blissfully happy as she felt his eyes roam. The fact that he noticed all the hard work she had put into getting fit sent her reeling into the clouds. Not that it was for his pleasure, it had been her goal to get into shape and obtain her best tan yet. *He actually noticed!!! He said it, i look good* Since she had done nothing but take in the beautiful site that was him all night. so what she said next was easiest thing she had done all day, "Your not looking bad at all yourself, you know."
But what came out of his mouth next forced her to come smashing back down to earth. "Thanx. Look, I know your life has been kinda rough the last few months. I want you to know I'm hear for you, if you want to talk or whatever" She didn't want to talk about it, she wanted to forget it. She then went rather cold and barely spat out a "goodnight." She quickly retreated to her room and slightly slammed the door. Leaving him standing in the hall with a shut door in his face.
"Ohh...kay. Was it something I said?". Since he had no choice now, he went into his own bed to get some sleep. However neither of them fell asleep till nearly dawn, since it was already very early in the morning.
*********************
As she shut the door behind her, she leaned back against it and slid silently to the floor. Then many words flooded her mind. *Why can't everyone just leave me alone? That's all they've done over the last three months, tell me again and again to talk about it, to let it all out. But I don't want to! I'm perfectly fine with keeping it to myself. It's safer this way. No one knows what really happened, and NO one will! I want to forget it, and that's what I'm going to do. With or without their help. Oh Oliver! I thought once you got here you would make everything okay. That we would take long walks or just chill and talk about absolutely nothing at all, just like old times. I thought you could fix...or find and bring back whatever it is that I've lost inside. That I would be happy. Regain my innocence. But I still feel empty. I wish...what DO I wish? I used to know, but I'm not so sure anymore. It used to be so simple. Everything was black and white, everyone had some good in them, and everyone deserved a chance and trusting was easy. But not anymore, all because of him. Why did you do it Balthazar? You were always so kinda and gentle, I had so much respect for you. You always comforted and supported me, all the students. Augh! I just don't get it!!! I can't stand feeling like this. I'm all alone. I thought if anyone was on my side, it would be you Oliver.*
Then she thought of something else...*Draco*...she had told herself that she would owl him, but all that thinking had made her quite tired. She got off the floor, went to the closet, took out some paper and walked across the room to lay the paper on her desk. She would write him first thing in the morning. Ebony then got into her p.j's and slid into bed. Suddenly something pounced on her legs, she sat up to find it was just her family's siamese cat, Ling. "Ling, what are you doing lurking around in my bedroom? Or are you like me? Just wanting a place where you are free from people and their frustrating questions. Well don't worry you won't get any hassle from me." Ebony and Ling curled up with one another and fell asleep as a very dim light was coming up in the east.
*******************
As soon as Oliver entered, he was greeted with Sean laying on his side on his bed, "So how did it go?! Were there any smooches?! Come on what did you guys say?" Oliver just looked at him irritated, "How did what go?! It was just Eb. Why the fuck are you talking about kissing Ebony?! I would never do that! She a friend that is all. Besides, I just broke up with Alley, if I wanted a rebound, I wouldn't do that to Eb!" Oliver snapped. Sean looked unconvinced, "Ya right, you two would be SO cute. And I know you've had to have thought about it, what it would be like. You'd have to be gay not to have! So what did she say, you say? The whole convo, bit by bit, I want it. Come on tell me!!!" He said eagerly. Oliver shook his head no. "There is nothing to tell you. I said i missed her, she said the same, i told her I would be there for her if she wanted to talk bout Balinor and she shut the door in my face! Happy?! Now go to bed." He said in the bossy, frustrated I'm-the-older-brother-so-u-have-to-obey voice he got sometimes. "Oh, I see. Ok" was all Sean said in response.
The two boys got into bed, then Oliver realized it was too easy to get Sean off his back, sat up and turned on the light, "What do you mean ok?!" He demanded. Sean propped his head up onto his hand and laid on his side, "You asked about Balinor! Your SO INCREDIBLY DUMB!!! She doesn't want to talk! She wants to forget it! Let her do it in peace for gods sake! If I had been through such an ordeal, I'd want to forget it too! You're so clueless sometimes!" Sean explained, turned off the bed and rolled over.
Oliver lay back down confused and unable to sleep. He began to talk to himself in his brain; *Women!!? I'll never get them! One minute they are hitting on you, the next they're as cold as ice and practically yelling at you! At least I think she was hitting on me? Or does she think the two of us together is nonsense? I mean we have been friends for like forever. Or was I imagining her flirting? Grrr! Why is she acting so...wacko! She's never been this distant. What is she hiding? What really happened at Balinor? She never talks about it, and flips out if I bring it up. I'd hoped that once I got here she'd fill me in. Since all she had said in her owl, was that her school had been blown to smithereens. I want to know what happened. I want to make all her problems go away. She hasn't been the same since her school was destroyed. All the fire in her eyes is gone. I thought I saw it come back briefly in the hall, guess I was wrong. I wish she'd tell me. I need her to tell me! It would be nice to think about her problems instead of mine. Breaking up with Alley was hard. But I won't have to worry about running into her next year, cause she graduated. That's a relief and kinda scary, I haven't been without a girlfriend in so long. Though Michele is kinda cute and we were become good friends. Wonder if she got together with that old friend of hers? She was always talking about him...what was his name? De...Drog...Drake? I don't remember. I'll have to get to really know her once I go back to school. Hogwarts has gotten better every year since I've been there, but I don't know if it can get any better. He finally stopped pacing the room and decided his brain had had enough for one day. He quickly got changed and got into his bed, shut off his light and began drifting of into the land of dreams. His last thoughts before surrendering to the darkness of sleep were of Ebony. *What is up with her? What is really going on in that creative head of hers? Why is she avoiding the accident at Balinor. Why won't she let me in? Was I or wasn't I imagining her flirting? Women!!* Then that was it. He was out, asleep like a little baby.