Chapter Five

A week had passed since Lauren's first visit to Diagon Alley and she decided to return alone to buy a dress for the party Oliver invited her to. She walked past the Quidditch store and looked at a screen in the glass window displaying a Quidditch game. Lauren shook her head, not understanding wizards' fascination with the game. "Lauren!" She turned around to see Marcus Flint standing behind her right next to the Quidditch store. "You walked right passed me without even a hello!" he said with a mock look of hurt on his face. He smiled at her and again she blushed. The way he looked at her—it was different to how other boys looked at her—she couldn't explain it.

"How are you, Marcus?" she said.

"Much better now that you're here", he said, making her blush.

"Look Marcus—it's not that I don't like you but my brother—"

"Oliver and I have never seen eye-to-eye. But yesterday, when I asked you to go out with me…you were about to say yes".

Lauren bit her lip. "I don't know Marcus—I've heard a bit about you".

He held her hand, "How about you judge for yourself—just one drink at the Hillford?"

"Where?" Lauren asked confused.

He laughed and took her hand gently, "I'll show you".

Marcus and Lauren sat at a table in the Hillford. The posh pub was empty and Lauren was secretly relieved at that. Marcus was courteous, pulling out a chair for her and being very attentive to her. "So how're things with your boyfriend?"

"I haven't spoken to him in a while".

"Really?!" Marcus asked enthusiastically, "I mean, really?" Marcus asked trying to sound concerned.

"Marcus, I feel wrong being here with you".

Marcus took her hand, "I don't", he said looking into her eyes.

Lauren looked at the floor. "Marcus, all we can ever be is friends, and I doubt we can even be that—I don't want to hurt your feelings!"

"I—"

"Marcus Flint, fancy seeing you hear!" said a boy approaching their table.

"Lauren, this is John Warrington, Johnny, this is Lauren—Lauren Wood", Marcus said, obviously annoyed with the interruption.

"Nice to meet you!" Lauren smiled, shaking his hand. He sat down with them and Marcus rolled his eyes.

"So you're Oliver Wood's sister I presume? Marcus hasn't stopped talking about you", Johnny said.

"Really? And what has Marcus been saying about me?" Lauren said, amused. Marcus looked down at the floor, for once he was the one blushing.

"Many things! Forbidden love! How sweet!" Johnny said mockingly. "I'll tell you one thing, can't stand your brother, but you, I'd like to do a lot of things—"

"JOHN!" Marcus yelled, looking embarrassed after seeing Lauren's disgusted expression.

"He's a good guy, Oliver, really", said Lauren, looking annoyed. "I'm sorry Marcus, but I really shouldn't be spending time with you".

"Wait!" Marcus called out, but Lauren had walked out that door without looking back. Marcus got up but Johnny pushed him back in his chair. "Don't look desperate, man!"

"Great!" Marcus said sarcastically, "Did you have to be an ass again, Johnny?"

"I'm just calling it as it is, Marcus! You're obsessed with this girl"

"She has a boyfriend", Marcus sighed.

"That's never gotten in your way before with other girls, Marcus", Johnny grinned.

"She's different, I'm telling you"

"And since when are you the type of guy to stay with one girl?"

Marcus sighed, "With this girl, it'll be different."

Johnny groaned, "Maybe you want her so bad because she's Oliver's sister? Wait is this some strategic plan to distract Oliver from Quidditch, because if it is—that's brilliant!"

"No and no. I fancied her before I knew she was Wood's sister. Why does she have to be Oliver Wood's sister?"