Okay, so it's the start of the year now. This seriously is a bad year if you ask me. I mean, Oliver and Alex are away from each other. You think their relationship will hold strong? Who knows… Anyways, this chapter is partly about Oliver and how he's doing. So enjoy!
Conflicts Arise
When Oliver arrived at Swansea, Wales, he took a cab to the place where the way to the magical world was. Oliver ended up in an alley corner, and didn't know what to do. He suddenly tried feeling the walls. He felt that one side felt a little soft and the other didn't. So he decided to try and go through. He got his bags and walked straight into the wall. Suddenly he was in a city for witches and wizards.
"Wow, this place is a lot different." Oliver looked around. Suddenly he spotted a flying cart with a dark-skinned man waiting by it. Most likely a half African, half British. "Excuse me sir, but is this some sort of transportation?"
"Oh hello fellow. Never seen that face here before. Anyways, that explains the curiosity. Yes this is a mode of transportation. It costs 5 sickles and 10 knuts to ride. Going anywhere in particular?" The man asked.
"Um yes I believe I do. Could you take me to the Puddlemere Reserve Center?" Oliver asked.
"Of course! A Quidditch player are you?" the man asked. Oliver nodded. "Ah, very well then. Let me get those bags for you sir." He snapped his fingers and the bags were all on the cart. Oliver sat on the seat.
"Comfy." Oliver commented.
"Sir are you well seated and secured?" the man asked.
"Yes." He said as he closed the door.
"Of we go then!" The man said as they rose above the ground. The cart started to fly above the city.
"What a great city. Very big too." Oliver said.
"Ah yes sir. It's a very large city. There are 3 cities in Wales that are kept away from Muggles. This city is Harborfod. Then there's Kingrud, Greenholv, and Tevinstam. Harborfod is the largest one." The man said.
"Wow, impressive." Oliver commented.
"Ah we're here sir. That will be 5 sickles and 10 knuts." The man stopped.
"Here you go. Oh by the way, can I have your name?" Oliver asked as he gave the money.
"Ah, Connor. I'm originally from London, but I work here in Wales. And you are sir?" he asked.
"Oh I'm Oliver Wood. I come from London too. I graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry two years ago." He said.
"Hogwarts?! Fantastic! That school is the best, better than the schools here I believe. My nephews and nieces go to that school. I think one of them is in their 6th year. He always wanted to play Quidditch my nephew, but he never got a chance. He said the spot as keeper was taken. So he could never be in his house team." Connor said.
"Oh really, what house is he in?" Oliver asked.
"I think it was Gryffindor. Yes, that's it, Gryffindor." He replied.
Oliver was surprised. "Gryff..Gryffindor?" Connor nodded. "I was in Gryffindor. And I was the keeper in the Quidditch team."
"Oh, so we meet. He tells me that this year may be his last chance since last year there wasn't a Quidditch Season. Well, boy you best be going now. See you around!" Connor left on his cart.
"See you…" Oliver thought about it. Oliver saw the building. He decided to shrink his bags and put it in his backpack. After he shrank them, he entered the building. Inside, there was a secretary on her desk doing some paperwork. Some people were waiting. He saw doors that said Locker Rooms/Field, President's Office, Lounge, Bathrooms etc. He approached the secretary.
"Um excuse me…" Oliver called her attention.
"Yes young man?" the woman with glasses and short curly hair answered.
"Um, I was transferred here from London." Oliver answered.
"Ah yes, name please?" she asked as she got out a list.
"Oliver Wood." He said.
"Wood….oh there's your name. Here, knock on the president's office twice and he'll speak with you. Thank you for coming." She said politely as she handed him a certificate with his name on it.
"President Richard Orvilldon, sounds professional." He read as he walked to the door of the office. He wasn't looking and was about to knock until the door opened. Oliver looked up and saw a girl. There was something about her, she was pretty and everything, but something reminded him. She looked like Alex.
"Oh um you'll have to knock twice even if the door is opened." She said.
"Um, uh I got that. Thanks." Oliver smiled.
"Your welcome." She returned a smile and she entered the door that said, Locker Rooms/Field.
Oliver thought in his mind. Whoa, she looks like Alex, her hair, her height, her face, almost everything. No, she's not like Alex. Alex is a lot better than any girl I see. Oliver knocked twice and then he entered the office. He saw a man sitting behind a desk fixing some papers in some drawers.
"Um excuse me sir…" Oliver said after he knocked.
"Yes may I help you?" he asked.
"Um, I came here from London?" Oliver showed the certificate that was given to him.
"Oh I see. Welcome Oliver Wood, have a seat please." Oliver sat down. "Okay, welcome to Wales. I know this place is new to you. So, everything is not all different. Anyways, if you need something, just tell us and we'll do something about it. So you will have your own room, and you'll have to wear this badge all the time in order for you to get in your room. It is protected by everyone else except me and other Staff members here. But I assure you, we will respect your privacy. You got that all?"
"Yes sir." Oliver said.
"Okay, your schedule is posted up in your room wall. You must not be late for practice so remember your schedule! You will not use magic here unless it's necessary. We know when you do magic when it isn't needed, so don't try to pull anything. Anyways, in your schedule it also shows your break times. You will have a map in your room too in case you can't find your way. I think that's about it, do you have any questions?"
"Um yes sir. Can I make phone calls to my relatives?" Oliver asked.
"Oh thank you for reminding me. We don't use telephones here. You have to say a certain charm with your wand to communicate. All you have to do is say, Communicatus, and then say the full name of the person you want to contact. Their wand will flicker light, and then they'll have to wave it. Eventually those who don't know this, wave their wands. So after they wave it, your face will appear in front of them, and the same with you. Of course you can only communicate out of practice. And that's all. You may go to your room now. Just go through the door that says Locker Rooms/Field. Then once you're in, take the stairs to your left. Then you'll notice boys going out of the walls. Keep going until you see a door that says "Oliver Wood". Then just open the door, and there's your room!"
"Thank you sir." Oliver said.
"Ah, no problem. Go on now." He said.
Oliver went inside the Locker Rooms/Field door. He saw guys and girls walking through the halls. He took the left stairs and saw guys appearing out of walls walking normally. Oliver kept walking, looking for his room. He finally reached a door that said his name and he went in. His room had a bed, entertainment system, cabinets, a bathroom, a little cooler, a mirror and other cool things. He immediately enlarged his baggage and unpacked.
At Hogwarts, the first day was of course a nervous day. Everyone kept talking about who will be the Quidditch Captain and how the teachers will be. A lot of Gryffindors have been turning in ballots and papers in the box in the common room.
"It's going really fast. Hopefully we'll know who's trying out and who's captain by Friday night." Said Fred.
"Whoa." Angelina said as she stared.
"What?" Cristen asked. Angelina pointed where the box was. Everyone looked back. There was a tall, black, boy who had braided hair that covered some part of his forehead and around his head. He turned in 2 papers in the box.
"He's tall." Angelina said.
"Oh him. That's Vince Esteva. Yup, he's the tallest 6th year." Melanie said.
"I think he's part African-American, part British, and part Asian. He's pretty cool." Cristen added.
Alex looked at him. She thought, Hmmm…he's pretty cute. He looks fit. And he's a lot taller than Oliver. Wait, what am I saying?! Oliver is mine! I shouldn't care about him. He was taller than Oliver. Oliver and Alex were almost the same height, just by a centimeter. Vince was a lot taller, and indeed he was pretty good looking.
Suddenly he had a glance at Alex but Alex turned away. He then headed down for breakfast. Everyone was going down for breakfast, so they followed.
"There must be a lot of people who will be trying out to be the keeper." Kris said.
"Most probably. The box has gotten heavier over night." Harry said as he and Kris were holding hands going to the entrance hall. Alex was already used to walking down to meals alone now. She had no one to hold. She was a little bit gloomy.
"Hey Alex, what's wrong?" Angelina asked.
"Oh nothing." Alex said.
"Hey, if it's because you're alone, just remember that Oliver still loves you." Angelina told her.
"What do you do when you really miss Cedric?" Alex asked.
Angelina sighed. "Well, I know he's watching me right now. I know he's here. I can feel him. I know he's watching over me and caring for me now that I'm alone." Angelina smiled.
"Thanks." Alex said.
"Anytime." Said Angelina.
When they got to the Great Hall, most of the students were there already. Alex spotted Vince, but she didn't want to look at him. After all, he was with his friends and some girls were giggling as they talked to him. Alex knew he wasn't that popular, but she knew that if he was, all girls would be all over him. As they sat down, they waited for the food to appear in front of them. After a few minutes of talking, the food appeared. Breakfast wasn't much food, but at least it tasted good.
After 7 minutes, the owls came flying in. Alex looked up and was checking if Hestle was there.
"Did you see Hestle?" Winnie asked.
"Nope." She was still looking. "There she is! And she's carrying an Howler. From who?" Alex was confused. Hestle dropped off a copy of the Daily Prophet and the Howler. Alex immediately opened it.
"A Howler from Oliver!" Hermione said. Everyone looked at Alex.
Alex,
Hi! I'm here in Wales and it's pretty interesting here! It's a beautiful place and I'm starting work tomorrow. I really miss you now that we're so far away. So anyways, how's Hogwarts? Anything new? Oh which reminds me, hello everyone! I know you're all listening, so hello! So who's going to be this year's captain? And have you found a keeper yet? Tell me all about school! And update me with the latest news while I do the same! I've got to go now, bye! Love ya!
Oliver
The Howler wasn't that loud. Only the students sitting with Alex can hear it. Then Alex saw a note that said:
Before I forget, this is how we communicate. You just say Communicatus and you'll have contact with me. But I'll contact you first. When you feel your wand flickering, just wave it in front of you, and you'll see me and I could see you. I'll call you tonight after dinner. Oliver
"Cool! You better write him back!" Kris suggested. Alex nodded.
Suddenly, a copy of the Daily Prophet and some envelopes dropped on Alex's head.
"Ouch! What was that?" Alex looked up as Winnie did too. Suddenly someone took the envelopes and the Daily Prophet on the floor.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that Alex. My owl is mad at me, my apologies." The nice voice said.
Alex turned back. It was Vince. He looked a lot taller when he was closer. Alex was shocked. "Um, uh, it's okay. You're Vince right?" she said.
"Um, yeah." He replied.
"Just don't let your owl do that again." Alex rubbed her head.
"Yeah sure. Sorry about that." Vince said as he went back to his seat. Alex saw that the girls were giggling even more and his friends were laughing at him. Alex shook her head and ignored them.
"Hey what's our first class?" Alex asked.
"Um, Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins. And Transfigurations after that." Hermione answered.
"Yeah! We have Professor Lupin first!" Ron said excitedly.
"You guys are cheap!" said Fred. Harry and Ron smirked.
