Chapter Seven

Lauren put on her short black dress and applied dark make-up with a wave of her wand. She fashioned her hair in long soft waves, and looked in the mirror. Though she would never admit it aloud, she looked stunning. Oliver walked into her room.

"You look great, Lauren".

"You don't look so bad, yourself", she smiled, "Please don't tell me we're getting there by broom".

"We could still use the carriage", Oliver laughed.

"Good, I can't apparate yet, you know".

Oliver and Lauren walked down the staircase together. "Goodbye, Father" Lauren called.

"Take care of your sister, Oliver!" Charles said, descending the stairs.

"I will father", Oliver groaned.

"Stay away from boys, Lauren", Charles laughed.

Lauren rolled her eyes and laughed.

Oliver and Lauren entered the carriage. "Nervous?" asked Oliver.

"I'm from Beauxbatons, trust me, I have nothing to worry about".

Oliver and Lauren entered the Diggory Manor. "Thanks for coming!" Cedric said, ignoring Oliver and shaking Lauren's hand. Oliver introduced Lauren to many of his friends.

"And this is Katie Bell", Oliver said introducing her to a pretty brunette.

Lauren shook Katie's hand. "Oliver's told me so much about you", Katie said, "I'll show you the ropes at Hogwarts!" Katie smiled. "She's very pretty", Katie said turning to Oliver.

"She's a Wood" Oliver said. Katie rolled her eyes and laughed.

Lauren spotted Johnny Warrington in a corner talking to some other boys. They made eye-contact and Johnny smirked. Lauren looked away—she knew Warrington was the only one who saw her with Flint that day.

Lauren lost Oliver in the crowd and somebody tapped her shoulder from behind. "Flint?"

"You're starting to sound like your brother" he laughed, "You look stunning tonight—well every time I see you really", he said, looking down at the floor.

He was dressed in a pinstriped suit emphasizing his broad shoulders, with an emerald green tie bearing little Slytherin crests, reminding her again of how different they were.

"You don't quit do you?" Lauren sighed, "We can't talk Marcus—my brother—"

"Let's go outside?" he asked, with a look of determination on his face.

She nodded, giving in. She followed him out to the courtyard which was empty. "So…how have you been?"

"Since when? Since your friend insulted my brother in front of me?"

"I'm sorry about that".

"No—you're not! You hate my brother, Marcus!"

"I can't deny that".

"Then why do you keep trying to talk to me?"

"I'm not a bad guy!" Marcus pleaded, ignoring her question.

"It's hard for me to believe that when I know so much about you!"

"MARCUS!" a voice called from behind them. "I've been looking for you everywhere!" said a pretty-looking girl with bright red hair, wearing a green dress. "Why haven't you called me all summer? I know you were seeing someone else but you said you'd stop! You've stopped seeing her right? You said we'd be together forever!"

"I…" Marcus started, looking at Lauren, embarrassed.

"Leave me alone, Flint", Lauren said, walking off.

"Lauren—wait!" Marcus called. Marcus saw Lauren walk into the house and up to a Gryffindor named Sebastian who put his arm around her. Marcus saw Lauren look up at him and smile which angered Marcus further.

"Marcus? Hello?! Are you listening to me?" the redhead yelled.

"AMBER! We're just not compatible—you and I. It's over", he said, walking off, leaving the girl standing alone in the courtyard. Marcus entered the house and approached Warrington and his other Slytherin crew, trying, but failing to forget what had just happened.

"Lauren!" Oliver called, "Where were you?!"

"Just outside getting some fresh air", Lauren smiled.

"Flint is here, so stay away from the bastard", Oliver slurred.

"Thanks for the advice—I will", Lauren said glaring at Marcus's back, "Oliver, are you okay? You don't look so good!"

"Don't look now Flint but Wood's sister is glaring at you", Warrington said.

"Good, that means she's thinking about me at least", said Marcus.

"Hey, Princess!" Warrington yelled at Lauren across the room.

"Are you talking to my sister?" Oliver slurred, approaching Johnny.

"So what if I am?" Johnny asked.

"Stay away from her!"

"Tell her to stay away from Flint—she couldn't keep her arms off him yesterday!" Johnny retorted.

"What?" Oliver asked.

"Let's go!" Marcus demanded to Johnny.

"Not so fast! Stay away from her!" Oliver, who had a bit too much alcohol, exclaimed, punching Marcus in the face.

"STOP IT!" Lauren yelled. Marcus was about to punch Oliver back when Lauren yelled again, "Don't do anything, Marcus, please!" Lauren begged. Marcus stopped, hearing his name called by Lauren. He looked at her and nodded. But Warrington wasn't going to let Oliver win. Warrington punched Oliver in the jaw leading people to pull Oliver and Johnny away from each other. Sebastian and Gerald took Oliver upstairs while two Slytherins pulled Warrington into the kitchen.

Marcus and Lauren were left staring at each other. "I'm sorry about my brother", Lauren said, embarrassed. She walked into the kitchen, opened the freezer and eyed an ice pack. She grabbed it out and walked up to Marcus, handing it to him, awkwardly.

"Thanks", he said, with a grin, wincing as he applied the ice to his face.

"I have to check on my brother". Lauren walked upstairs to see her brother lying on a bed in a room. Sebastian was next to him and laughing hysterically. "I can't believe you punched—oh hey, Lauren!"

"Do you think you could carry my brother to the carriage? I don't think I can".

"Sure, whatever you wish", he said, lifting Oliver over his shoulder. Lauren followed him outside to the carriage, thanking Cedric Diggory and apologizing for her brother's behavior. They landed safely and Oliver managed to stumble out of the carriage and into the house. Lauren sighed and managed to hold her brother's arm while they walked up the staircase. He fell asleep as soon as he lay down in his bed, but Lauren couldn't go to sleep, still feeling awkward about the events that took place that night.