Chapter Three

The next day Lauren was sitting in Dumbledore's office with her father. Lauren displayed her report cards, all containing high results. Charles Wood beamed at his daughter's success and Dumbledore, too was very impressed. "We would love to have you in Hogwarts, Lauren. Members from the Wood family have succeeded in academics and athletics over the years and have represented Hogwarts well. We do request however that you come to Hogwarts a day early in order to be sorted into your house", Dumbledore explained.

"Of course", said Lauren. "Would my brother be able to take me on a tour around the school?"

"He most certainly can" Dumbledore replied, pleased at Lauren's enthusiasm.

Lauren and her father exited the office of Dumbledore. "I was accepted!" Lauren exclaimed, to her brother's satisfaction. Oliver showed Lauren the Quidditch field, the lake, the Gryffindor common room, the Great Hall and various classrooms. "I hope I get sorted into your house, Oliver!"

"Of course you will! You're a Wood!"

The next day Oliver took Lauren to Diagon Alley to buy her books and robes. "Mother and Father were fighting all night you know?"

"I expected that to happen", Lauren replied, "She gave in though, didn't she?"

"Thankfully", Oliver smiled.

"I was just a novelty, I guess she liked the idea of having a daughter but never could be a proper mother", Lauren sighed.

"Don't worry, Lauren!" Oliver said putting his arm around his sister, "I'm here for you now and you have father now. He adores you, you know? After your interview he kept going on about how intelligent you were—he was really proud of you".

"OLIVER! MY MAN!" a voice called from far away.

Sebastian Smith and Gerald Hastings came up to Oliver. "How have you guys been?" Oliver asked with a big grin on his face.

"You know me—all the ladies couldn't keep their hands off me in France—and being the generous guy I was—I didn't stop them! I'm too soft I keep telling myself!" Sebastian smirked. Sebastian was tall and lanky with short blonde hair and a great smile.

"You dog!" Oliver laughed.

"You can't talk Oliver!" Gerald laughed even louder.

"Oliver, is that true?" Lauren laughed with a look of amusement on her face.

"Oliver! How dare you not introduce this beautiful creature to us?" Sebastian said, taking Lauren's hand.

"No need for introductions!" Oliver shot back. Sebastian let go of Lauren's hand and Lauren laughed.

"You look even more exquisite since the last time I saw you", Sebastian said. Oliver groaned and Lauren blushed. "How's your ex-boyfriend, Randolph doing?"

"He's still my boyfriend!" Lauren laughed again.

"You have to excuse Sebastian, he never gives up", Gerald laughed.

"He better give up!" Oliver exclaimed. "What are you guys doing in Diagon Alley anyway?"

"We're buying some things from the Weasley brothers! They're geniuses I tell you!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"Real comedians those ones", Oliver said sarcastically. "We'd better be going, so we'll see you around".

"I certainly hope so", Sebastian said, winking at Lauren before he turned around and walked off with Gerald.

"I like your friends", Lauren said. "I never really talked to them in Paris".

"I've been friends with those two before we all went to Hogwarts. Nice guys but if they touch you, I'll kill them in second".

Lauren entered Madame Malkins' store to be measured for Hogwarts robes. "I'll be back in fifteen minutes, I'm just going to check out a Quidditch store", Oliver said.

Lauren was measured for robes and grew bored waiting for Oliver to return. She entered a bookstore next door and began browsing through books. She picked up a book on the Dark Arts, always curious about black magic and began flipping through the book, looking at the medieval pictures inside the ancient manuscript. "A good book, that one, not as detailed as I would've liked but still interesting", a deep voice said from behind her.

Lauren turned around to see a boy over six feet tall with an athletic built. He had short light brown hair, hazel eyes and fine features. His smile made Lauren blush. "Oh, I'm not into this sort of stuff—I was just bored", Lauren said nervously. Lauren didn't know what was wrong with her, normally she was cool, calm and collected around attractive boys but this one was different.

"I thought it was odd for someone like you to be looking at something like that" he said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lauren asked annoyed at female stereotypes.

"I just thought it was strange for someone as pretty as you to be looking at stuff as dark as that. And I'm just surprised that a girl as pretty as you would be out alone".

"So you think girls shouldn't have the freedom to do what they like?" she asked.

"No! It's just that—well, I'm surprised that any guy who knew you wouldn't want to be with you wherever you go".

Lauren blushed and he grinned. "I'm Marcus—Marcus Flint".

"I'm Lauren. I'll be going to Hogwarts in July. I'm a transfer student from Beauxbatons".

"I go to Hogwarts and I'm the Quidditch Captain for my team. I'm in seventh year, you?"

"I'm in sixth year, my brother's in seventh year".

"Maybe I should show you around London—and we can get better acquainted?"

"I don't know…"

"I'm a gentleman…I assure you!" Marcus mock bowed, with a goofy grin on his face.

Lauren laughed "I'm sorry—but I have a boyfriend".

"I should have known…someone as stunning as you", Marcus sighed, looking genuinely upset.

"Well we're on a break now but I still wouldn't feel right".

"You have class, Lauren, and I respect that", he said, taking her hand. He got on his knee and Lauren laughed again. "Would you do me the honor of going out with me—as friends?"

"Well…I guess if…"

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SISTER, FLINT, OR I'LL KILL YOU!" Oliver threatened, entering the store. Marcus looked at Oliver and then at Lauren.

Marcus got up and smirked. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Oliver Wood! Prepare for defeat this year, Wood".

"Stay away from my sister, Flint!"

"I wasn't doing anything wrong, Wood! Your sister can speak for herself!"

"Let's just go, Oliver…really…I want to go now", Lauren pleaded. Oliver looked at his sister and opened the door of the bookstore, letting her out and following her. Lauren went out the door without a second glance at Marcus.

"I'm telling you, Lauren…that guy…he's trouble. We've been enemies for years"

"Oliver I think you're overreacting! He seemed like such a sweet guy! And it doesn't matter—I have a boyfriend, okay?"

"What was he doing? Proposing to you?!"

Lauren laughed and clung onto her brother's arm. "Don't worry about me, Oliver".