Chapter Four
"How was shopping today, Lauren?" her father asked at the dining table.
"Fantastic, I bought all my new books and met some of Oliver's friends".
"School starts in two weeks, are you feeling nervous?"
"Well now that you mention it, yes, but I'm glad Oliver will be there".
"I'm pleased—oh and Lauren, your mother says you aren't replying to any of her letters?"
"Father, I'll speak to her when she's decided to become a real mother".
"Well, I can't force you to do anything Lauren, but please send her at least one letter to let her know how you are, she was very much against you moving to Hogwarts".
"I guess I could write her one letter".
"That's my girl", Charles Wood beamed proudly.
"Were your friends nice to your sister, Oliver?"
"Yes, father, a little too nice for my liking".
"That's good—that's good", Charles Wood stated, distracted by a document he was reading.
Lauren stifled a giggle while Oliver rolled his eyes. "I've got to meet this Katie Bell!" Lauren whispered.
Oliver blushed. "Sure, I'll introduce you sometime—she's a chaser on my Quidditch team".
"Girls play Quidditch at Hogwarts?"
"You're starting to sound like mother—all prim and proper and ladylike you know?"
"I am nothing like her! Take that back!" Lauren retorted.
"I cannot tell a lie!"
"Take it back or I'll date Sebastian!"
"I take it back! You're nothing like her!" Oliver replied immediately. "By the way, a friend of mine is having a party in a week just before school starts, so I was wondering if you wanted to come to get to know some people from Hogwarts?"
"I'd love that, Oliver!" Lauren beamed.
Later that night, Lauren heard a knock on her door. "Come in!" Oliver entered.
"I have to talk to you, Lauren—about Marcus".
"There's nothing to talk about, I have a boyfriend".
"I know, but I just want you to know, he's from the House of Slytherin. Members of this house have a really bad reputation—they dabble in the dark arts, many of their relatives have been Death Eaters and—"
"Oliver, I get it".
"The Flint family has been known to be active in the Dark Arts and Marcus is a bit of a ladies' man and I don't want you getting hurt".
"Don't worry about me Oliver; really, I'm not interested in him at all".
Oliver smiled but Lauren knew he didn't believe her. "Goodnight, Lauren".
"Goodnight, Marcus".