Temporary Truce

Oliver glanced at his watch and then looked around the busy pub, getting a bit more irritated as more time passed. He had been waiting at least 20 minutes already. It was George's bloody idea to get drinks tonight, so the very least he could do was be on time.

Sighing, Oliver took another drink of his pint, wondering if he could just leave now and send George an owl later about missing him. He was sore from practice and needed to ice down his knee after twisting it slightly trying out a new maneuver. While he and Flint had managed to stay civil at practice, every so often the chaser would pull out a move that had Oliver scrambling. The keeper was fairly sure that he was doing it on purpose.

In fact, he was fairly sure the chaser had been hard on him today. Was this about Lottie? Flint had to have known that they went out over the weekend, just as Oliver was sure that he had gone out with her. That explained the glares and refusal to speak to him directly.

Just as Oliver was contemplating downing the rest of his drink and leaving, he saw a ginger head pop into the pub just over the crowd, followed by dreadlocks. Of course, he'd bring Lee Jordan with him.

"Hiya, Wood," George said as he walked up and sat down, still wearing his loud and garish suit from the shop that clashed with his hair. Lee walked over to the bar to order drinks.

"George," he said, nodding to him.

"Good practice?" George asked.

"About the usual," Oliver said with a sigh. "Shop doing well?"

"Course it is," George replied with a grin before looking over to check on Lee. The man in question walked over and put down the two glasses before taking a seat and smiling at Oliver.

"So, what's this about?" Oliver asked, already suspicious. They were far too happy about something for this to be a casual meeting.

"Does a man need a reason to have a few drinks with his mate?" George asked loudly. Oliver just stared at him. "Right, well, did want to share a bit of news with you." And there it was. "As you may or may not know, Lottie went on a date with Flint this weekend."

"I wasn't aware, but not surprised," Oliver said evenly. He didn't see how this was news.

"Well, Jordan and I took it upon ourselves to… observe," George continued. Before he said another word, Oliver groaned.

"What did you do?" he asked. This must be why Flint was sore with him all day. Probably thought he had sicced George on him. Now he would have to apologize for something that wasn't his fault.

"What makes you think we did something?" Lee asked. "Maybe we just wanted to fill you in on the date." Oliver looked from Lee to George, his expression clearly reading that he thought the statement sheer bollocks.

Didn't help that George was nearly bouncing in his chair out of excitement.

"Slipped him a new prototype. Broke out in boils and stinging. Extreme flatulence is also a side effect," he burst out, obviously proud of himself.

"Get this, if you try and give a cure-all antidote, it just makes the effects twice as worse," Lee added. Oliver dropped his head into his hands.

"The both of them ran out of there and likely spent the night at St. Mungo's trying to undo it," George said gleefully. Oliver looked up at him through his fingers.

"How old are you?" he asked.

"23. Why's that matter?" George replied. Oliver just groaned again. Flint was certainly going to make him pay for this if he didn't explain that he hadn't told them to do it. If Flint would even believe that to begin with.

"Fucking gits, why would you do that?! I want to do this fair and square," Oliver nearly shouted, though part of him couldn't help but find it slightly ingenious. However, he was not going to admit that to George and Lee. It would only egg them on. He was likely already looking at some sort of payback on his next date with Lottie as it was.

"Knew that you would try to take the high road and needed us to help you out. Because you know those Slytherins are not going to play fair," George stated, still smiling. "You can thank me later when you get over yourself."

Oliver was about to tell them off more, but stopped, realizing George had a point. He had seen Pucey at the match on Saturday. And he had been trying to screw with his date, in the process, injuring Lottie. At least George and Lee were careful enough that they wouldn't put Lottie in harm's way.

"There it is. He's just realized that we're brilliant," George said, looking over at Lee.

"As much as I don't want to admit it, you're right," Oliver said with a sigh. "Pucey was at the match Saturday spying on us. Then jinxed a bludger to try and hit me, but Lottie jumped in front of it and took it in the face. Broke her nose. We were at St. Mungo's a bit."

Both George and Lee's faces turned stormy.

"He hurt Lottie?" Lee asked.

"The bastard!" George shouted. Oliver sighed. While he was angry with Pucey, he also knew it was an accident. But part of him wanted to hex him. However, that would only further fan the flames and he definitely did not want things getting out of control between the two sides.

Lottie would definitely find out about everything then.

"Aye, but it was obvious that he wasn't trying to hurt her. And Adam got her nose fixed up. Though… now that I think about it… he must of treated Flint the night before," Oliver said, now slightly distracted by thinking back to how Adam had acted at the hospital. Some of the things he had said and Lottie's reactions now made better sense.

Lee looked around the pub and then turned back to Oliver, smiling slightly.

"If you want your chance at revenge, guess who's on the other side of the pub?" he said. Oliver frowned and sat up, looking around until he saw Adrian Pucey seated at another table with Higgs and Warrington.

He wasn't about to start a fight, but he certainly was going to give the tosser a piece of his mind. He stood and started across the crowded space as George and Lee grinned at each other and clinked their glasses, then turned to watch Oliver.

"Wait… Weasley did what?" Higgs asked, obviously struggling to keep from laughing. Marcus glared at him as Warrington held no such qualms and was laughing loudly.

"How long did it last?" he asked, barely able to speak. Pucey was smiling, though looked a bit sick, which Marcus found odd. In fact, he had been off since they all arrived at the pub.

"Few hours," he replied. "Whatever the healer gave me made me a bit loopy all night… probably did it on purpose… it was Lottie's older brother, Adam." Warrington stopped laughing a moment as he and Higgs stared at Marcus, then burst out into even louder laughter.

"Shit, that's how you met her older brother? Merlin!" Higgs shouted.

Marcus just sat there, calmly sipping his pint, letting the lads get it out of their system.

"But it backfired," he said calmly. They stopped laughing and gaped at him.

"How'd you mean?" Warrington asked.

"She helped me home and ended up staying over," he said, smirking. Of course, nothing had happened. And she was up and gone rather quickly the next morning, saying something about an appointment that afternoon. But they didn't have to know that.

"Flint…" Higgs said, slightly in awe. "You're definitely going to win." Marcus just shrugged and sat back in his chair.

"Waiting to hear back from her, but suspect we'll be going out again soon," he said with a grin.

"About that… if she doesn't…"

The three men looked over at Pucey, confused.

"Why wouldn't she?" Marcus asked, sitting up.

"Well… I may have done something… complete accident, I swear," Pucey said. Marcus frowned, suddenly suspicious.

"What. Did. You. Do?" he asked slowly, narrowing his eyes. Pucey was staring down at the table, not wanting to look at Marcus. He started fiddling with his pint glass.

"I knew she was meeting Wood on Saturday. He took her to his nephew's quidditch match. And well, she's known his sister awhile. I only went to watch," Pucey rambled. "So I could report back if there was anything useful."

"Again. Tell me what you did," Marcus repeated, leaning even closer.

"JinxedabludgertohitWoodbutithitLottieinstead," Pucey said in one breath. Marcus froze a moment and then scowled at him, standing and starting to pull his arm back to punch Pucey. Adrian winced, already waiting for it.

"Now, Flint. Let's not get kicked out," Higgs said, already on his feet and moving to grab Marcus' arm.

"You hit her with a bludger?!" Marcus roared, ignoring Higgs.

"She didn't pass out or anything! But maybe broke her nose," Pucey whimpered. Marcus' nostrils flared.

"YOU BROKE HER NOSE?!"

"Calm down!" Higgs shouted.

"It was an accident, I swear! I didn't think she'd jump in front of it!"

Marcus froze, his arm still pulled back while Pucey was cowered over, his arms thrown over his head.

She jumped in front of it? A bludger that was headed for Wood. She had jumped in front of a bludger heading for Wood. His arm fell to his side as he dropped down in the chair, thinking over it. Would Lottie jump in front of bludger for him? Did this mean she cared for Wood more than him? Part of him thought perhaps she was just the sort who would do that for anyone, but there was already enough insecurity there that Marcus wondered if the act meant more.

"Looks like you're not the only one who wants to throttle Pucey," Warrington said with a sigh. Marcus looked over, seeing an irate Wood moving through the crowd towards them. He sighed heavily and then stood from the table.

He needed to head him off before there really was a brawl. While Pucey had acted like an idiot, he would take care of him, not Wood.

Marcus started pushing his way through people, wondering just why it was so crowded on a Monday night. He managed to break through to a pocket just in front of the bar but realized he had lost Wood. He stopped and looked around.

"Yea, so I just started at the Ministry… Auror department…"

Marcus glanced to his right, trying to find who was speaking. He wasn't sure why he cared, but he recognized an American accent. And well, Lottie was an auror. Who had just moved back from America.

"You're from MACUSA? Why'd you move here?"

"Got a bit of unfinished business with my ex. She's an auror. From around here."

"Yea? I'm mates with several. Maybe I know her."

"Name's Lottie Bell."

Marcus froze, zeroing in on where the voice was coming from. He saw a tall, lean blonde bloke leaning against the bar, downing a shot of firewhiskey. Ex? Lottie?

"Ah, Bell. Take it you also met her brother, then?"

"The blockhead? Yea, I met him. I'm not worried."

"Should be."

"Please, I just need to get Lottie alone. She can't resist me."

What the fucking hell?

"Flint."

Oliver stopped when he saw Flint standing in front of the bar, staring at something, an odd look on his face. He was going to give Pucey a piece of his mind, but he figured he should address the issue with Flint directly, seeing as he probably told Pucey to be there anyway.

He walked up to him, pushing through the last few people standing in front of him.

"Flint," he said roughly. Flint turned to look at him and then grabbed his arm, pulling him towards him. "What the hell?"

"Shh! Listen," Flint said and then jerked his head to his side. Oliver frowned and looked towards the bar.

"God, I mean, don't get me wrong, she's a great auror, but completely clueless when it comes to guys. It's so easy to play her," a blonde guy said. Oliver frowned and looked at Flint. Why did he care what the man was talking about?

"He's talking about Lottie," Flint said, still staring at the back of the man's head. Oliver's eyes widened and then he whipped his head over, stepping a bit closer so he could hear more.

"But… you followed her here," another man asked. The first snorted.

"Like I said, not done with her yet," he replied, grinning. There was something in the tone of his voice that didn't set right with Oliver. Just who was this prick?

Oliver met Flint's gaze, the two of them clearly thinking the same thing. Someone needed to teach this bloke a lesson. And that was that no one got away with messing with Lottie.

"Temporary truce?" Flint asked. Oliver nodded.

"Let's go introduce ourselves," he replied. Flint's lips curled up into a wicked grin, the Slytherin coming out. Oliver couldn't help but think that this was the perfect moment for it. Flint turned and started towards the man at the bar, Oliver following. The two easily pushed the two people on either side of him out of the way, both of them towering over the auror, whatever his name was.

"'Scuse you," he said, frowning up Flint and then over at Oliver.

"Hello," Flint said casually flagging down the barkeep. "Three firewhiskies, please. New mate needs a proper welcome to London." The barkeep raised an eyebrow, looking at Flint and then Oliver. He then sighed and shook his head, moving to pour the glasses.

"Just moved here, then?" Oliver asked, pulling up to his full height. The auror looked over at him, confused as to what was going on.

"Yea," he said.

"American, is it?" Flint asked.

"From New York. Look, do I know you?" the auror asked. The barkeep slid the glasses across the bar. Flint took his and then passed one on to Oliver. The old man chuckled at the question.

"You must not know your quidditch," he replied. "This here's Oliver Wood, keeper, and Marcus Flint, chaser, for Puddlemere United." He walked off, still chuckling.

"Quidditch players?" the auror asked.

"Some of the best in the league," the man he had been speaking to before said, popping his head around Oliver. The keeper gave him a dark look and the man jumped and moved away, sensing he wasn't welcomed.

"Well, thanks for the drink," the auror said, picking up his glass. "Aiden Crestwater. New team leader in the auror department at the Ministry of Magic."

"So, we heard," Oliver said, lifting his glass to his lips. Merlin, this bloke seemed full of himself. How could Lottie ever be interested in someone like him?

"Also heard you say a few things about Lottie Bell," Flint said casually. "What's your business with her?" Aiden looked back and forth between the two.

"Why do you care?" he asked before starting to chuckle. "Let me guess, you friends with her brothers or something? They send you?"

"Or something," Oliver said. "And no. We're here of our own accord."

"What's this about not finished with her yet?" Flint asked, turning to face the auror, his dark eyes holding a sinister glint to them. The auror stared at him a moment and Oliver swore he saw him gulp slightly. Flint glanced over at Oliver, the corners of his mouth twitching. The keeper took another drink, feeling it was better than laughing at the poor bloke.

He had a feeling the chaser was just getting warmed up.

"Not sure what you think you heard," Aiden said, frowning up at Marcus. The chaser chuckled looking over at Wood.

"You hear this, Wood? He thinks we must be deaf. Or maybe he thinks us a pair of blockheads," he said.

"Oh, that'd be making a mistake," Wood said, his brogue getting a bit heavier. The auror turned to look at him, though sized him up.

Marcus had to admit that they made an imposing pair. Both were taller and much broader than the auror. If it came down to a physical fight, there was no doubt who would win. And while Aiden was an auror and skilled at dueling - had to be if he were to make it out of the training academy - Marcus and Wood had fought at the battle of Hogwarts and could likely take him on, should it come to that.

"These two are war heroes too," the barkeep said in passing. "Fought in the Battle of Hogwarts." Aiden looked at him and then glanced at Wood first then Marcus. The chaser couldn't help but roll his shoulders and scowl down at him. The flicker of fear came back into his eyes. Marcus couldn't help but feel a bit smug. But then the fear was gone and a smooth smile came over Aiden's face.

"If you think you can get me to stay away from her, you're in for a surprise," Aiden said, the cocky tone coming back into his voice as he faced the bar, taking a drink. "Lottie can't resist me." Marcus met Wood's eyes, raising an eyebrow at him.

"That so?" he asked. "You hear that, Wood?"

"I did, Flint," Wood replied. "I beg to differ."

"Same," Marcus said. "You see, the Lottie we know would never go back to a wanker like yourself."

"Absolutely not," Wood added. "Got a higher class of taste."

"And she is very, very well loved in these parts," Marcus said, looking back down at the auror as he took a step closer to him. Wood did the same on the other side.

"Look around the bar, mate," Wood said, getting into his face. "You're on Lottie's turf." The auror glanced around. Marcus wasn't sure how or why, but their friends had walked up, probably to see what was going on. Weasley, Jordan, Warrington, Higgs and Pucey stood just behind them, looks of concern on their faces. The auror turned back to the bar, where the barkeep stood, his arms crossed with his sleeves rolled up, revealing several large magical tattoos. He had a cold glare on his face.

"We take care of our own," Marcus said.

"You so much as think of approaching Lottie, we'll hear about it. And trust me, if you think her brothers are bad, you don't want to mess with us," Wood said, his voice low and menacing. Marcus was a bit impressed. Wood could be intimidating off the pitch, it seemed. Aiden looked around again, then downed his firewhiskey.

"Thanks for the drink," he muttered before turning and pushing his way through the crowd towards the door of the pub.

Marcus looked over, meeting Wood's eyes. The keeper's mouth twitched before he grinned.

"Nice work, Wood," Marcus said. "Didn't know you could be frightening like that when you're not in the air."

"Not bad yourself, Flint," Wood replied. "Though suppose that's just normal for you." He held his glass up and Marcus clinked his against it before they both drank.

"You know the truce ends now," he couldn't help but say.

"I know. But nice working with you," Wood replied with a small smile before turning and walking back to his table, a confused Weasley and Jordan following him.

"What was that?" Higgs asked, walking up to him. Marcus sipped his drink and turned to his friends.

"Just looking out for Lottie," he said. He looked at Pucey.

"Swear, I won't do a damn thing unless you ask me to," he said immediately, his hands up.

"Good," Marcus grunted before finishing his firewhiskey. "I'm off."

I'm not sure why, but I really wanted to include a moment of Wood and Flint working together. I mean, they're still at odds, but at the same time, they do both care for Lottie. So made sense in my mind. But… might come back to bite them in the ass later…

And decided to gift you guys with another double post day. Eager to get to posting the ending...

Thanks for reading and following!