CHAPTER 24: REUNIONS AND DEPARTURES
LOCATION: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland.
TIME FRAME: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
Grace. That was the word that came to Jimmy O'Bannon's mind as he watched Mireet skate toward the net. She kept her strides measured. Her torso swayed rhythmically from side-to-side. She took the pass from Angelina Johnson easily. Instead of rearing back her stick, she pushed the blade forward, lifting the puck off the ice. Lee Jordan swept up his arm and deflected it . . . barely.
A long breath escaped O'Bannon's lips as the French witch glided around the net and skated back to the little group of students.
Man, she's a natural. Her stick handling needed some work, but her skating . . . he could tell she'd been on the ice before.
"Okay. Um . . . Goldstein, Thomas. You're up."
The Ravenclaw and Gryffindor headed toward the net, passing the puck back and forth. O'Bannon tried to keep an eye on them, ready to offer advice. Instead his gaze wandered back to Mireet. He studied her smooth, angular face and the curve of her neck, fully visible with her blond hair tied in a bun.
She was beyond beautiful.
He chuckled inwardly, thinking of all the Muggle stories dealing with witches. With the exception of shows like Bewitched and Sabrina The Teenage Witch, witches were universally depicted as stooped, withered hags with hairy warts and evil, ear-piercing cackles.
If only those storytellers could get a look at Mireet.
"Oy! Jimmy Boy!" Someone slapped him on the shoulder.
He whipped around to find a smiling Fred Weasley next to him. The lanky redhead leaned into him and whispered, "It's your turn, mate. Or would you rather keep ogling that French bird?"
O'Bannon felt his face flush. Fred shot him a huge-ass grin.
Coughing loudly, O'Bannon turned away from his jackass friend and swallowed, willing any red on his face to disappear.
"Um, Justin. Let's go."
He took a quick glance at Mireet before heading toward the net, Justin Finch-Fletchley to his right. He imagined Mireet staring at him. What was going through her mind? Did she think he was good looking? Did she see him as a manly-man? Did she like that type? She had to. She didn't look like the sort of girl who dated wimpy guys.
Puck!
He had to pull up to receive Justin's pass. Lee crouched in front of the net. O'Bannon drew back his stick and lifted one leg in the air. He hoped Mireet thought that looked cool.
The stick slashed through the air. The puck streaked over Lee's shoulder and into the net top shelf.
"Yeah!" O'Bannon pumped a fist and skated around the net, exchanging a high-five with Justin. His eyes sought out Mireet in the little crowd standing at the other end of the frozen pond. She smiled and clapped.
His heart skipped a beat.
They wrapped up the first meeting of the Hogwarts Hockey Club a half-hour later. He stood near the bank, seeing everyone off the ice.
"That was a blast, Jimmy," said an elated Dean Thomas.
"This is almost as fun as Quidditch," Seamus Finnigan told him.
"This was enjoyable," declared the Durmstrang student Harkorth. "I much like to come again."
He was receiving compliments on the hockey club's first meeting from Fred and George when Mireet skated up to him.
"Pardon. I hope I am not interrupting."
He tensed, admiring her beautiful smile.
"I just wanted to thank you for this opportunity. It was very enjoyable."
"Uh, sure. Thanks. Glad you had fun." He shook Mireet's hand, an airy feeling in his chest as he felt the skin of her palm. "You, um, you did good out there. You're, like, a natural."
"Merci." Her smile grew brighter. "I have skated before, but I never had to do it holding a stick and trying to hit a, what do you call it again, a pook?"
O'Bannon's knees buckled. He never thought the word "puck" could sound so sexy. But with that silky French accent, every word out of Mireet's mouth sounded sexy.
"Well, um, I think if you stick with this, you'll be one heck of a player."
"That is very kind of you to say."
O'Bannon nodded, then glimpsed Fred and George still standing nearby. He gave them a slight tilt of the head, hoping they got the message.
Beat it.
Fred furrowed his brow, then glanced to his left as Mireet skated up to them. His eyes lit up in understanding.
"Oh. Sorry to be rude, but we'd best be off. We've got that, um, thing to take care of, right, George?"
"Huh?" George followed his twin's gaze to Mireet, then stared back at O'Bannon. "Oh right. That thing. Yes, sorry all. Must dash."
"Pleasure meeting you, Mireet. See you at supper, Jimmy Boy."
Their backs to Mireet, Fred and George winked and grinned at O'Bannon as they stepped off the pond and walked away. He turned to Mireet, mesmerized by her beautiful face. His mind went blank as he tried to come up with something to say.
Thankfully, she spared him the agony.
"So you have played this game for a long time?"
"Uh, yeah. Since I was about four. We also have a league back at my school, the Salem Witches Institute."
"They actually play a Muggle game at your school? That is very rare in the Wizarding World."
"I know. Thankfully, back in the fifties, a couple of Muggle-borns introduced it at Salem, and they've been playing it ever since."
"That is wonderful. I think the Wizarding World needs to be more appreciative of the accomplishments of Muggles, and most especially of Muggle-borns."
"Thank you." O'Bannon did nothing to hide the elation in his voice. "It's nice to hear someone say that every once in a while."
"You are welcome." Mireet smiled and bowed her head slightly.
O'Bannon drew a deep breath, his nervousness fading. "I'm really glad you decided to give this a try."
"Well, hockey is a Muggle activity I have not tried yet."
"You've done other Muggle stuff before?"
"Oui. My mother works for our Ministry's Office of Muggle Relations. During the summer when I am not in school she arranges for me to participate in Muggle games and activities. She says it is a good way for me to learn and appreciate how Muggles do things without magic. I have tried gymnastics, ballet, football, tennis."
"Wow." O'Bannon stared at her impressively. "No wonder you did so well here your first time out. You're a natural athlete."
"Merci. But you are a very good instructor, too. You were patient with us and did not talk to us like we were imbeciles, unlike the captain of my Quidditch team back at Beauxbatons. She believes the only way to teach and motivate players is by yelling at them. I do not enjoy such a method at all."
"Most people would probably quit rather than put up with that."
"I do not quit." Mireet's face stiffened. "I would never give someone like our captain the satisfaction of knowing she can affect me like that."
O'Bannon's eyes widened, admiring this witch's spirit. After so many years of being friends with Rosa, he'd grown very fond of strong women.
"Cool." Inwardly he winced. He should have come up with something better, deeper, than a simple "cool."
"So, um, what position do you play? In Quidditch."
"Oh. I am a Beater."
O'Bannon's eyebrows went up in surprise. Very few women played Beater. But Mireet had a good build for that position. She was buff, but in a distinctly feminine way.
"I was hoping I could try out for one of the house teams here," she continued. "But then they announced they would not have Quidditch this year because of the Tri-Wizard Tournament." She crinkled her nose in annoyance. Moments later her features brightened again. "But I hope you will continue with this hockey club."
"Oh heck yeah, I will. This is actually turning out to be the best chance I've had to make friends around here."
"Yes, I imagine that would be hard for someone coming from very far away."
O'Bannon frowned slightly. "Yeah, that and, well, I didn't really start out endearing myself to the Brits."
"Why not?"
"Run of bad luck. It seemed like every time I turned around, I did something to cost Gryffindor points. They take the whole points thing here very seriously, and the Gryffindors weren't too happy with me for costing them so many points."
"I am sorry to hear that. I hope things are getting better for you."
"Oh, they are. Fred and George really helped smooth things over between me and the other Gryffindors. A couple months ago, I didn't want to have anything to do with this place. Now I'm likin' it here."
"I am hoping to have an enjoyable time at Hogwarts as well. I want to meet as many people as possible, unlike some of my classmates. Many of my classmates prefer to associate with each other and stay in our carriage. Some, though, do that because they do not speak English well."
"You speak it very well."
"Merci. My parents worked abroad quite a bit for our Ministry of Magic when I was little. They insisted I learn the language of whatever country we lived in. Besides English, I can also speak Spanish, Russian and passable Greek."
O'Bannon drew his head back in awe. Damn, she can speak five languages. And here I got enough trouble with English.
"Unfortunately," Mireet continued. "The language barrier is not the only reason some of my classmates choose to insulate themselves from the Hogwarts and Durmstrang students. They simply feel it is a waste of time getting to know them. That there is nothing worthwhile they can offer us. But I believe that friendship is something worthwhile. How else can we learn that people are people no matter what country they come from?"
O'Bannon couldn't move. He simply stared unblinking at Mireet. His insides soared. His mind nearly railed against the reality before him. Could there really be a girl walking the face of the Earth with such a combination of beauty, athleticism, kindness, strength and intelligence?
Mireet Miradeaux, will you marry me?
"Jimmy!"
O'Bannon blinked. His memories of the first day he met Mireet vanished. The frozen pond and late afternoon from a year-and-a-half ago was replaced by the beach and the darkness of the present. Shock still gripped him as Mireet flung her arms around him and kissed him on both cheeks. Electric tingles raced up and down his spine. He reveled in the sensation of holding her firm body and the feeling her thick, soft hair pressed against his cheek.
"I can't believe it is really you." She looked at him with a huge smile.
His mouth opened and closed silently. It took a couple attempts before he rediscovered his voice. "Mi-Mireet? Oh my God, Mireet! What . . . what are you doing here?"
"I am one of your contacts from Force d'Vigilant."
"Actually, I was supposed to be your only contact here." The other French witch strode over to them. "But my little sister refused to stop her incessant whining unless she accompanied me."
"I will not gain practical experience sitting in my room back at Beauxbatons. Besides, I am of age now, and this is not a very dangerous mission."
"All missions for Force d'Vigilant are dangerous," the other girl said sternly.
Mireet narrowed her eyes at her.
"Um, so this is your sister?" O'Bannon nodded to the other French witch.
"Oui," Mireet replied. "This is Monique. Monique, this is Jimmy O'Bannon."
Monique gave him a rather appraising stare. "So this is the American wizard you always talk about."
An airy feeling formed in O'Bannon's chest. Mireet always talks about me?
"It's, ah, nice to meet you, Monique." He stuck out his hand. After staring at it for a couple seconds, an unsmiling Monique shook it.
"Oh, and these are my friends. Jared Diaz, Rosa Infante and Artimus Rand."
"I feel like I know you already." Mireet walked over to them and shook their hands. "Jimmy spoke of you all so much when we were at Hogwarts."
"Only good things, I hope," Rosa said with a wry grin.
"But of course."
Rosa shifted her eyes to O'Bannon and nodded slightly, her sign for, "I like this girl." Jared and Artimus, meanwhile, gawked at Mireet . . . and her older sister as well. He expected drool to spill from their mouths.
Well, I probably looked the same way when I first saw Mireet.
"This is where I part ways, I'm afraid," said Lieutenant Commander Nathan Tonks. He gave O'Bannon and his friends hearty handshakes. "It was a pleasure meeting you all. Take care."
With a slight bow, Nathan turned on his heel and marched back to the speedboat. A couple minutes later it sliced through the darkened waters back to England.
"Come." Monique waved at them. "The port key is this way. Everyone have your wands out. I want us to be prepared if we encounter trouble."
Monique led them up the beach. Before long the sand was replaced by a rocky path.
"I did not realize you and your friends would be the ones we would be taking to the port key," Mireet said to O'Bannon as they walked side-by-side. "What were you doing in England?"
He gave her a quick summary of their battles with the aurors, hiding in Hogwarts and warning the Order of the Phoenix about the Longathian Tunnel and Voldemort's reinforcements. He made sure to leave out the part with him and Tonks sleeping together.
"Jimmy, that is amazing." Mireet's eyes widened.
"To be honest, I think we were more lucky than amazing."
"Nonetheless, that was incredibly brave." She lowered her head for a moment and bit her lower lip. "I only hope, if I am ever in that kind of situation, I can be half as brave as you."
"What?" O'Bannon whipped his head toward her, his face crinkled in bewilderment. "Mireet, you're with a group that's opposing one of the most powerful dark wizards in history. That alone makes you brave."
"Merci." She gave him a warm smile.
The path curved and grew a bit steep.
"So," O'Bannon said. "How are things with you?"
"I am well. I have been helping my sister with some tasks for Force d'Vigilant since I turned seventeen. Nothing of major importance, though. I will not be a full-fledged member until after I graduate from Beauxbatons."
"So you know what you wanna do after graduation? I mean, along with joining Force d'Vigilant?"
"I am hoping to work for our Ministry of Magic. Perhaps something that involves traveling abroad. Maybe if I am lucky, I can come to America and visit you."
O'Bannon sucked in a quick breath. He shivered with excitement. "That would be cool. I could take you to a Bruins game."
"I think that would be fun." Mireet smiled again. "What about you? What will you do after graduation?"
"Me? Well, I'll be joining the Guild of the Light. You know, our version of Force d'Vigilant. Job-wise, well . . . a, um, good friend of mine told me I'd make a good auror."
"Really?"
"Yup. I've done some thinking on it and . . . I think I'm gonna go for it."
"That is wonderful, Jimmy. I think you will make an excellent auror."
"Thanks. I just gotta get my grades up. Well, I'm fine with Defense Against The Dark Arts and Charms. Transfiguration needs a bit of work. And Potions? Heh! Let's not even go there. Rosa and Jared told me the U.S. Aurors Bureau does the same as the British when it comes to recruiting. They want Exceeds Expectations or higher in all those classes before they even look at you. Acceptable is the best I've ever done at Potions."
"I am confident you will succeed."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Here we are." Monique pointed her lighted wand at a rock outcropping. Sitting atop it was an old bicycle tire. Or rather, it resembled a bicycle tire. O'Bannon knew wizards disguised port keys as discarded Muggle objects.
He turned to face Mireet, whose lovely face sagged.
"This was much too short of a reunion," she said.
"Yeah, it was."
Mireet drew a slow breath. "Please be careful, Jimmy. These are dangerous times we live in."
He reached out and gently grasped her arm. "You be careful too."
They kissed each other on both cheeks and hugged.
"Au revoir, Jimmy."
"Au revoir, Mireet."
He forced himself to take a step back from her. Moments later he took another. He kept walking backwards, not wanting to take his eyes off Mireet, not wanting to leave her, the same way he didn't want to leave Tonks.
Someone slapped him on the shoulder. He turned to find Rosa next to him, and Jared and Artimus behind her. He'd been so captivated by Mireet he hadn't even heard them approach.
Rosa gave him a sympathetic smile and nodded to the port key. O'Bannon's shoulders slumped. He sighed and frowned.
With one final wave to Mireet, he turned and followed his friends to the port key.
"Well, gang," Jared said. "Next stop, the Good Ol' U.S. of A."
The quartet reached out and put a hand on the tire. O'Bannon took one more glance at Mireet. She smiled at him, though her chin trembled a bit. Monique folded her arms and shot him a penetrating stare.
He just started wondering about Monique's attitude when the world blurred. An invisible force pulled him forward. Wind screamed in his ears. He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth. The skin on his face rippled as he flew faster and faster.
Suddenly he stopped. His feet slammed on the ground. He opened his eyes and glanced around. Rosa, Jared and Artimus stood around him. The port key lay on the ground.
"Are we there yet?" Jared shook his head and blinked hard.
O'Bannon swung his head in all directions. He noticed darkened woods to his left. To his right was a grassy expanse leading to a small rise.
"C'mon." He waved his friends to follow him to the rise.
"You sure we're back in Massachusetts?" Artimus scanned the area around them.
"We better be," Jared groused. "Though watch. With our luck, the French messed up that port key and landed us in, like, Arizona or something."
O'Bannon released a slow breath. That would be their luck, to have a malfunction with the port key.
Please. Just let this one thing go our way.
They reached the top of the rise. O'Bannon held his breath. The silhouette of a little town lay before him. Several windows were lit up. His heart beat faster as he recognized several buildings. The pointy roof of Willoughby's Wonderful World of Robes. The gothic towers of Mowane's Manor of Magical Merchants. The colonial-style structure housing The Warlock's Watering Hole tavern.
A smile spread over O'Bannon's face. He was staring at the little wizarding town of Ovenderburg, located right next to the Salem Witches Institute.
They were home.
The quartet jumped and cheered and exchanged back slaps and hugs and high fives.
"I swear," a beaming Artimus said. "There were times I thought I'd never see this place again."
"Dude, join the club." O'Bannon squeezed his friend's shoulder.
"C'mon." Rosa nodded in the direction of the school. "We'd better check in with Headmistress Esmeralda. She'll probably be happy to know we're back."
"Hell, I'm happy we're back." Jared bounced on the balls of his feet.
The quartet jogged down the crest and set off at a brisk pace toward Salem.
O'Bannon looked over his shoulder, his mind projecting him to the spot where the port key landed them, and beyond it to Europe. Images flashed through his head. Him hugging Mireet. Him making love to Tonks. A collage of memories involving both girls exploded in his mind.
How can I feel this way about two women at the same time?
He chewed on the inside of his cheek. Yes, he liked Tonks, cared about her a lot. But even he had to admit, had it not been for the dire situation they faced at Hogwarts, they probably never would have wound up in bed together.
He would always have a place in his heart for Tonks, and their night together would always be special. But he wasn't sure he could go as far as saying he loved her.
Mireet, on the other hand . . .
"You're still thinking about them, aren't you?"
Rosa's voice snapped him out of his reverie. He turned to her, noticing that very familiar look of concern on her face.
O'Bannon sighed. Even after seven years, it still amazed him how Rosa could read him so well. Him and Jared and Artimus.
"Yeah, well, you know me. When I fall for a girl, I fall hard."
"And you know me. I'm always there to pick up the pieces." Rosa gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
He smiled as an arm wrapped around his shoulder. It belonged to Jared.
"Man, we have got to set you up with a hot, sexy gorgeous red-blooded All-American witch. You know, someone who doesn't live on another continent."
O'Bannon couldn't help but chuckle.
"Before we do that," Rosa said, "we have work to do."
"What are you talking about?" Jared's brow furrowed.
"We have to help get Jimmy's Potions grades up." She gave him a knowing stare. "I mean, that is if you want to be an auror."
"What?" Artimus gaped at him. "You want to be an auror?"
"Whoa, no way!" Jared blurted. "Wicked pissah!"
O'Bannon canted his head at Rosa. "How did you know that?"
Rosa smiled and shrugged. "I overheard you and Mireet talking. Sorry, but as an auror, you have to be observant of your surroundings."
"Bullcrap!" Jared made a face at his cousin. "You're just nosy."
"Yeah, that too." Rosa nudged O'Bannon. "So?"
He walked in silence for several seconds, eyes locked on Rosa. Finally, he grinned. "Looks like I'm gonna be crackin' the books big time between now and graduation."
TO BE CONTINUED