Gwen was lounging on the patio when suddenly water rained over her from a big splash in the pool, splattering her black bikini. A red-haired head popped up onto the surface.
"Sorry, Gwen!" Fred called.
"Don't worry about it," she laughed. "It's hot and I needed something to cool me down." Gwen looked through her sunglasses at the people in and around the pool. Oliver wanted a slightly larger party than hers, so in addition to the Gryffindor Quidditch team, there were several other people from school. Well, the team minus Harry Potter, who did not reply to the invitation.
Katie Bell hung all over her boyfriend, but Gwen kept an eye on her. She got the feeling that Katie was not quite satisfied with the way things worked out. Not that it mattered; Oliver only invited her because she was on the team. He had been indifferent to her, and practically avoided her at the party.
Looking around, Gwen spotted Oliver preparing to dive into the pool. He smiled and waved before doing a cannonball, splashing more water on her. Maybe I should move farther from the water... Nah. However, she did decide to go in and get something to drink.
In the kitchen, her mother helped Mrs. Wood put the finishing touches on the cake.
"How's the party?" Mrs. Pennington asked.
"It's great," Gwen replied. "Oliver's having a lot of fun, but it's a little too loud for me. I think I'm going to take a little break in the library."
When she reached the library, Gwen found a book about herbal teas lying on the coffee table. Having nothing better to do, she sat in the chaise lounge and flipped through the pages about teas for energy, relaxation, sleeping, sickness, poison, and numerous other things. Hmm, this one could come in handy...
"What are you doing in here?" Oliver asked from the door.
"Oh, sorry, I just wanted a break from the noise," she explained.
"Well, c'mon, the party's no fun without you. Hey, what are you reading?"
"Oh, nothing, just a book I found on the coffee table." Gwen closed the book, making a mental note of the tea she read about, and replaced it on a shelf. "Let's go." Oliver felt puzzled, but he followed her out.
"You might want to watch out for Lee and the twins," Oliver warned before they stepped outside. "They've been sneaking up behind girls and setting off stink bombs."
"Ugh, thanks for the tip." Gwen grimaced and Oliver stepped out first. "Oh, I'll be out in a second; I just need to talk to Pinkie." He frowned slightly so she kissed his cheek.
Gwen found Pinkie in her small room under the stairs, taking a break. She hopped up from her bed when Gwen entered. "Can Pinkie help you, Mistress?"
"I hate to interrupt your break time, but I need a favor. I'd do it myself, but Oliver's party and all..." Pinkie watched her expectantly. "Anyway, I need you to find me some smartweed. If there's none in the house, could you run to the nearest herb market? You don't have to do it right now, just some time this afternoon."
"Certainly, Mistress. Pinkie will go right away."
"Thank you. Oh, uh, if you could just put that in my room instead of the kitchen, it would be much appreciated."
"Of course." The house elf smiled knowingly, and Gwen felt her cheeks go hot. She couldn't know what it's for, could she?
Finally, Gwen returned to the patio where Oliver awaited her. He sat at a table talking to a couple of guys; Gwen had seen them around, but had not really gotten to know them. She walked up behind Oliver's chair and wrapped her arms around him, sliding her arms down his bare chest, and kissed his cheek.
"Ah, there you are," Oliver said with a smile. "Gwen, this is Nathan," he gestured to a black-haired boy, "and Alex." The latter was blond; she had not been comfortable around blonds since Michael, so she moved a chair close to Oliver and held his hand in her lap.
"I'm sure we've had classes together, I'm just bad with names. You both look familiar, though."
"They're on the Quidditch team," Oliver added. "You've probably seen them at practice." Ah, yes, the second string Beaters.
"Gwen, you used to date Michael Havelock, right? Too bad he moved to America; he was a cool guy." Alex obviously did not know him very well. Gwen's grip on Oliver's hand tightened and she felt him tense. She could not see his face, but his expression must have changed. "Did I say something wrong?" Alex asked.
Gwen leaned closer to Oliver and rested her head on his shoulder, hiding her face. Oliver was starting to become angry, and he spoke with a tight voice. "He... hurt her."
Gwen stood up, still holding his hand, wanting to get away. She looked around and no one seemed to notice how things were progressing at the table. She tried to pull Oliver away, but he did not move. Nathan sat quietly in his chair, looking uncomfortable.
"What did he do?" Alex persisted, not heeding Oliver's tone.
Nathan hit Alex's arm. "Bloody hell! It's called tact, you git."
"Oliver, please..." Gwen pulled his hand again with the same desperation found in her voice. Oliver finally looked up to see tears welling in her eyes as horrific memories came flooding back and hopped out of his chair.
"Are you all right? C'mon, let's go."
Instead of going inside, Gwen led him around to the side of the house where a hammock had been strung up between two trees. It had been charmed so no one would fall out of it, and it automatically swayed gently once its occupants were situated. They climbed into the hammock together with Gwen's head resting on Oliver's naked chest. His left hand stroked her hair while the other rubbed her back.
"I'm so sorry," he said softly.
She inhaled deeply. "It's all right, they didn't know. Though Alex was being a bit of a git," she laughed. She cuddled up to him further, soothed by his steady heartbeat. "So you really don't want any birthday presents?"
"Yes, I'm sure. The party is enough."
"Well, I'm going to give you something anyway." Her fingers traced circles and figure eights on his chest.
"What is it?" he asked curiously.
"I can't tell you, it'll ruin the surprise." Gwen lifted her head to grin at him, and then swung her left knee to the other side of his body. His brows raised at the way she laid on top of him, her chest pressed against his.
"You know I don't like surprises," Oliver said quietly, watching her intently.
"Oh, I think you'll like this one." She brought her hands up to the sides of his face and leaned in to kiss him, tugging slightly on his bottom lip. His tongue slipped into her mouth as his hands slid down to her ass. She gasped when he squeezed gently, involuntarily grinding her hips against his. Now he gasped, and she knew her kisses had the desired effect. Gwen sprung from the hammock, walking away backward. "Uh-uh, you'll have to wait until later to open your present."
Oliver sat up in protest and reached for her. "Can't I just... shake the box a little more?" Gwen turned around, giggling as she retreated, and adjusted her bathing suit. A very frustrated Oliver stumbled along behind.
"There you two are, we've been looking for you. It's time for cake." George eyed them both suspiciously. "Hey, Wood, you're looking a little... flushed." The twins' faces wore matching grins and Oliver's face went blank as he caught up.
"George did you say it was time for cake?" Gwen asked sweetly. She could see her mom bringing the cake out.
The hours passed, and the partygoers slowly trickled away. Only Gwen, Oliver, and the twins were left in the house, and they were staying overnight.
"I'm gonna go put my pajamas on," Gwen said. In her room, she found a leather pouch of smartweed on the nightstand. "Thanks, Pinkie," she whispered. She changed into her pajamas, shorts and a tank top, and then went back down to the kitchen. Finding the kettle ready, she lit the flame to boil the water.
Oliver walked in the kitchen, scaring Gwen a little since she wasn't paying attention. "What are you doing?"
"Huh? Oh, I just wanted a cup of tea before bed." She pulled down a pale blue teacup and put a few smartweed leaves in it. She heard the water boiling so she carefully poured it into the cup, then left the tea to brew.
"About the hammock..." he began. "Did you mean what I think you meant?" Gwen grinned.
"What do you think I meant?" She stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his chest. Oliver licked his lips and looked to the door, obviously wondering if the twins were going to barge in on them. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, fumbling for words and blushing. "You'll just have to find out later," Gwen responded with a sly smile. He swallowed.
"Right. Well. I'm just going to... go back out there... tell the guys... time for bed..." Gwen stifled a laugh as he stumbled out of the kitchen, looking bewildered.
"I'll be up in a minute; I just need to drink this first."
The first sip of tea almost made her gag at the bitterness, but she couldn't risk not drinking. She gulped the rest quickly, thinking there must be a better method for the future.
Oliver seemed to have calmed down, no longer so jittery, so she headed upstairs to his room where he waited. Gwen pushed the door open, peering through the darkness at Oliver on the bed. She smiled at him and closed the door behind her.
Morning found Gwen lying prostrate, her right knee drawn up, and the sheets at her waist. Oliver's head rested on her back, his right arm draped over her and his hand on her breast. A thin beam of light peeked through where the curtains met. One of Oliver's legs was hooked over hers, and in his sleep, he moved his body closer.
When the sunlight persisted, Gwen opened her eyes. Oliver mumbled something and clutched her breast before his eyes fluttered open. He took a few moments to wake up and realize that she was awake, too.
"Sorry," he said, releasing his hold on her breast. "I was dreaming about you."
"Really? I couldn't tell," she laughed, recalling the images that came through the bond.
"So how are you this morning?" he asked with a kiss on her shoulder. Gwen sighed and smiled.
"Sore in places I didn't think possible, but I'll be all right." She rolled onto her back and he propped himself on one elbow, resting a hand on her belly.
"That's just because you don't use those muscles enough. The more you use them, the less they'll get sore," he grinned.
"Oh, and I suppose you're suggesting that I use them now?" Gwen asked slyly, taking note of his mood and its physical effects, though they were both still sleepy.
"I'm just trying to help you work out the tension."
"What kind of tension?" she chuckled.
"In your muscles... and whatnot..." Gwen loved to tease him, but it soon got old. His weight moved onto her, his sleep-ridden movements slow and lazy.
Fred and George had been sitting in the living room for quite some time, wondering about the house's silence. Pinkie served them breakfast, but they started to get curious about their hosts. And so they stood on the other side of Oliver's bedroom door.
"Do you think they're still asleep?" George asked his twin.
"It's possible, I suppose," Fred replied. "Gwen likes to sleep late."
"But Wood's usually up early. It's eleven o' clock."
"Should we wake them up then?" They stood quietly in the hall, listening for any sign of life on the other side. "I don't hear anything. They must be asleep."
George tried the door. "It's locked."
"Locked?" Fred said with disbelief. "It's never locked. Wait, you don't think they...?" He trailed off uncertainly.
"Think they what? Oh. Well. Now? But I don't hear anything. Should we knock?"
"Knock if you want, but I wouldn't risk it," Fred said, crossing his arms.
Oliver's head rested on Gwen's belly and her fingers ran through his short hair. It was too early to be as sweaty as you were.
"So how often do we get to do that?" he asked.
"Typical guy," she laughed. "Have I spoiled you already?" He looked up at her and grinned.
"I can't help it. Do you have any idea how hot you are, especially naked?" He kissed her belly, and she giggled at the tickling sensation left by his lips.
"You're not too bad yourself. But that's not why..."
"I know." He moved up to put his head next to hers. When Oliver looked at her, Gwen could almost see a golden light shining around him. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You can't understand how much I love you." The golden light brightened, but not blindingly so.
"I think I can," she said, smiling. "I love you, too." She stretched her neck to kiss him.
"Maybe it's the sun coming in, but I swear you're glowing," he said softly. Gwen smirked at him and rolled over to look at the clock.
"Eleven. I suppose we should get up before Fred and George get curious." She pulled the curtain open further and looked for her pajamas, but Oliver grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.
"Do we have to get out of bed?" He had the most pitiful look in his eyes she had ever seen.
"Yes." Gwen stuck her tongue out at him. "Besides, we'll have to get back in bed tonight." His eyebrows rose. "I'm not making any promises." She laughed when his face fell, and then hopped out of bed so he couldn't pull her back again.
Once she dressed, he reluctantly got out of bed. She handed him his boxers and he slowly put them back on. "Your hair looks like hell," he commented.
"And you've got the worst case of bed head I've ever seen," she responded. He grinned.
"Fair enough."
Gwen picked her wand up off the floor to deactivate the charms, only to hear knocking on the door. She tried to comb her hair with her fingers as Oliver opened the door to Fred and George. They took one look at his hair and her frantic movements. "Good morning, sleepyheads," they said with matching devilish smirks. Gwen did her best to put on a sophisticated air.
"What we do behind closed doors is none of your business," Oliver firmly stated.
"Behind locked doors," Fred corrected.
"Really, Fred, their nocturnal activities don't concern us." George grinned toothily and pulled his twin away.
"Well, I think I need a shower after all that." Gwen headed to her room for clothes, wondering why she didn't just put them in Oliver's room.
"Can I come with?" Oliver called after her.
"I think you've had enough for now," she answered over her shoulder. He pouted disappointedly when she closed the bathroom door on him.
"Oh, hello, Mrs. Weasley," Oliver said upon entering the living room.
"Hello, Oliver, dear," she replied brightly. "I know the boys were supposed to stay for a few days, but I've recently discovered a few of their little experiments. If I've told them once, I've told them a thousand times: No enchanted objects! What with their father working in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department at the Ministry and all." She continued on like this for a few minutes, stopping periodically to yell at the twins. "Oh, and I brought you some fudge. Happy birthday." She smiled cheerfully.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
"Tell your mother I said hello." Oliver hardly had time to say he would before she shuffled the boys into the floo and Apparated home.
Oliver lay down on the couch and stretched out on his back, his hands behind his head. He was still disappointed that Gwen closed the door on him. He also realized that Mrs. Weasley just saw him in nothing but his boxers. He considered going to get dressed when his mother appeared, followed closely by Gwen's. He sat up quickly.
"Oliver, why is your hair so messed up?" Maura asked her son. "I mean, bed head is one thing, but..."
"Oh, it was hot last night, and I got really sweaty. I shouldn't have kept the curtains closed." He tried to remain calm, but Gwen could feel his nervousness while she washed her hair.
"Where's Gwen?" her mother asked.
"She's in the shower."
"All right, we're just checking up on you guys."
"Hey, I thought Fred and George were supposed to be here," Maura said.
"Mrs. Weasley came and got them about 10 minutes ago," Oliver told her. "She says hello."
"Oh, well, why don't you go get dressed?" The words were more of a command than a suggestion, and he quickly complied, eager to get away from them. They went into the kitchen as he headed upstairs.
Gwen had just stepped out of the shower when he opened the door, and she didn't even have a towel wrapped around herself yet. "Hey, what are you doing in here?" she asked, moving no faster than normal to dry off and cover herself.
"Besides enjoying the view?" He sat on the edge of the tub to watch her dress. "Our mothers are here, and I need a shower."
"Ah, so that's what you were nervous about." She pulled on her last item of clothing and bent over to towel dry her hair. "Good thing I've had my shower then." She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he turned on the water. "Maybe you should make that a cold shower, eh?"
After combing her hair, Gwen left the bathroom so Oliver could take his shower. She got half way to the stairs before she heard a yell. "Gwenneth Arwyn Pennington! Get your butt down here now!" When her mother used that tone, it was best to move quickly. She thundered down the stairs and into the kitchen, wondering what could make her so upset. Oh. Shite.
"Smartweed, Gwen?" She never put it away. "What are you doing with an herbal contraceptive? Did you use it? How did you find out about it?" Her eyes bored into Gwen as the questions flew, leaving her speechless. The leather pouch in her hand flapped uncontrollably with her wild hand gestures.
"A-a book... i-in the li-library." Gwen stammered, answering the last question first. Her mother could be like a human lie detector, and had probably figured out the other answer.
"Oliver James Wood!" Maura called and Gwen quietly told her that he was in the shower.
"Gwen, did you use it?" her mother asked again dangerously, drawing her daughter's eyes up from the floor. Gwen brought her head up slowly and nodded once before dropping it again. She lowered her voice to a false calm. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you. Go sit in the living room while we talk this over."
Gwen walked out of the kitchen in a daze and plopped down on a couch. She put her elbows on her knees and dug the heels of her hands into her eyes. She sat there silently until Oliver came down.
"What's the matter?" he inquired.
"They know." Those two words were enough to convey the gravity of the situation. Oliver fell onto the couch next to Gwen, and not a word was spoken between them while they awaited their judgment.
A/N: I'll be on vacation from July 2-11, and I won't have access to a computer at all. I won't be able to post the next chapter until after I get back, so please bear with me. Thanks!