"So, how were try outs, then?" Rosaline asked casually, biting into her roll.
"Eh, you know. The usual," I started.
However, Fiona felt that she should cut me off, "Wood and some of the Gryffindors hung around to ward off the Slytherins, can you believe it?"
Carolina's eyes widened, "You don't say? Did Frauline Captain approve of this?"
"Actually, I did. Because I'd rather judge the qualities of potential players than worry about some Slytherin hexing my arse."
"Interesting development," Rose commented. Fi and Carrie nodded in agreement.
"Oh, honestly, you three. I gained from it, and that's the only reason I agreed to it in the first place. 'Sides, he'll probably ask the same of me sometime. He said," I lowered my voice for effect, "I owe him."
'Ooos' and 'aaaahs' came from my mates.
"What d'you figure that means, eh?" Fiona asked. I rolled my eyes.
"I think it means he fancies a snog."
"A snog and some fondling."
"Actually, I believe he intended to shag me in the Gryffindor changing rooms, however we have yet to settle on a time that is mutually acceptable," I interjected.
"Oh, yeah, course," Rose snorted sarcastically.
I smirked, "Hey, it was going there."
Carolina huffed, "Why do you always spoil our fun, Rue?"
The rest of the day I spent with the Weasley twins, lounging in the courtyard. We passed the time casually discussing various ways to get some potentially banned items onto campus and flicking small stones at little firsties passing by. All was well and good until they felt the need to ask me about the next trip to Hogsmeade. I rolled my eyes, something I found myself doing an awful lot that day.
"Why are you already asking me about Hogsmeade? It's, what, a month away? I don't plan that far ahead unless it's some madly brilliant scheme to sabotage your Quidditch practices or something."
"Right, right," Fred said. "Like that one time you forked the Quidditch pitch? Wood was furious."
"Yeah, back when he couldn't stand me," I sighed. "Good times, my dears, good times."
"Last I checked, times are still good. Why are you so hung up on Oliver's change in mood?"
"Hmm, shall I count the ways?" I laughed. My knowledge of muggle poetry references astounds me sometimes.
"Rue, maybe he's seen the light!" George cried dramatically, holding his hand over his heart. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes," Fred continued. "He's realized just how bloody gorgeous and devious you are and finds he absolutely cannot resist you any longer!"
I threw my arms around their shoulders. "Merlin knows the only men I need in my life are you two!" And I then proceeded to mussy their hair.
"And you, Rue dearest, are the only woman we need in our lives!" Fred cried happily as George squirmed away.
"Well, 'cept your mum. I think you'd need her."
"Sorta."
"Kinda."
"Not really," I finished for them, chuckling.
"So, Rue, sorry that we let Oliver waltz off with you," George started, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes, yes, quite sorry," Fred continued.
I shrugged, "Yeah, yeah, I know."
"But we were hoping maybe you'd get a nice snog out of it or something, you know?"
"We only had your best interests at heart, y'see."
"Right," I huffed.
"Listen, Rue, what's really so bad about him?"
"You two really are quite similar."
"The only thing that you don't have in common-"
"Is that you hate him while he-"
"That's quite enough," I stood, brushing off my trousers. "I've got to go do some Ancient Runes work, so I'll see you around, yeah?"
I turned before they could say anything more.
The next morning I awoke to a loud muggle song being blasted from some damned radio contraption that Rose had bewitched last night.
"What the hell is this?" I groaned.
"Whaddya mean?" Rose called, poking her head out from the loo.
"I think she wants to know why we aren't playing her favorite muggle music!"
"No, actually, Fi, I wanted to know why I'm not still asleep," I glanced at my watch, "at six in the morning!"
"Oh, er, that too." Fiona continued to rummage through her trunk.
I sat up, my blankets pooling in my lap. I sighed and ran my fingers through my tangled auburn waves. Carolina was buried under her sheets, still asleep I assumed, and I found myself completely jealous of her.
I groaned and flopped back into my pillows, pulling my plush owl into my chest. I sniffed and attempted to tune out whatever was on the radio. I let my mind wander back to the dream I had been so rudely awakened from. Images flashed. Quidditch. I smiled to myself. Oh, how I loved Quidditch.
No, I hadn't dreamt about Quidditch. I'd dreamt of flying. But not on my own Nimbus 2001. I had my arms around a very solid someone's waist, and I was pressing my cheek against their shoulder. It had been... pleasant. And then I remembered, much to my horror who I had been riding the broomstick with.
I dismounted when we landed on the lush green grass and turned to find myself face-to-chest with a sickeningly familiar torso. My eyes slid up to confirm who I had thought it was: Oliver Wood. My stomach dropped, however, my dream self seemed quite pleased to be looking up into the Scot's face. And then... Then we...
"RUE!"
"What?!" I sat up, suddenly coming face-to-face with Fiona.
"C'mon, class starts in fifteen minutes!"
"What?!" I cried, rolling out of bed and pushing past her, snatching my uniform and running into the loo. "I missed breakfast?" I called to her.
"Yeah, sadly. I grabbed a piece of toast for you, though."
I buttoned my skirt and hurried back to my bed, pulling my shoes out from under it and onto my feet. I snatched my wand from my nightstand, pulled my bag over my shoulder, and followed Fiona out of the dormitory.
We barely made it into Transfiguration. Fiona and I looked for Carrie and Rose and found them looking back at us apologetically. They had been unable to save us spots and, from the looks of it, there were two seats left: one by Wood, and one by some Hufflepuff who I remembered Fiona having a thing for in third year.
I turned to Fiona, about to ask if she'd mind sitting by Wood, only to see that she was making a beeline for the Hufflepuff. I groaned and slid into the seat next to Wood. Bloody Macduff.
I was earnestly trying to pay attention and take some decent notes, which was somewhat out of the norm for me. However, my attention to whatever McGonagall faltered when a bit of parchment was slid onto my notebook.
About that favour you now owe me...
I groaned inwardly before dipping my quill into ink and scratching a quick reply.
What of it?
Well, I was wondering if you'd go with me to Hogsmeade next month.
Bloody hell, Wood, that's a sodding month away.
I figured I'd call it in early before you had a chance to back out of it. Rather brilliant of myself, I must say.
Rather full of yourself, aren't you? Well, I was thinking of going with the Weasley twins, actually. They asked me yesterday, you see.
They told me that you had turned down their invitation, as it were.
Those buggers... Well... Er.
That's not a word. ... Unless it's German for something. Translation?
Oh, for Merlin's sake, Wood! Can't you call in the favour at some other time, for some other thing? Say I was planning something utterly brilliant and embarrassing for your first match- you could use it to ensure I don't do such a thing!
I think I can manage. Please?
Honestly, Wood!
Is that a 'yes', then?
Ach du lieber!
Excellent. It's a date, then!
No, it most certainly is not!
Then it's a favour.
I glared at Wood's hand as his slid the parchment just out of my reach. I huffed and then turned my attention back to McGonagall.
What had I gotten myself in to?
Ladeeda. And there's an update! I'm proud of myself. I am going to try to update this more frequently. The creative juices are flowing, and I really need a distraction from the impending doom date of April 1st (aka the day I hear back from all my prospective colleges). So, yea. Obviously, the Harry Potter Universe belongs to the fabulous J.K. Rowling, and that which you do not recognize belongs to me. Shout out a friend who beta'd this for me, as my usual beta couldn't at the time. Anyway, please, oh, please, oh, PLEASE review! You know you want to. Humbly yours.