Summer vacation between first and second year wasn't much different from all the other summers before. It hadn't been a week after saying goodbye to her friends when the letters showed up. Probably her favorite was the one from Charlotte.
'Rinni,
I hope your exams went well. I know mine didn't. So, about Brianne, we should have a sleepover at my place! It would be great having someone else to spend summers with, what with all my school friends in France. Would you believe me if I said I actually missed you spouting off about Quidditch? Write me when you want to get together. Can't wait to see you again!
XOXO, Char'
"Well somebody's popular." her dad teased as he walked in from the backyard. There were bags under his eyes and he looked tired.
"No, I just have loyal friends. You alright, dad?"
Wearily, he nodded, "Just coming down with a cold."
Pulling her shirt collar up over her nose, Ryn picked up her letters, "Oh. Well, I'm going to go read these in my room then. Let me know when you feel better."
Her dad just laughed and nodded.
Brianne's letter was next:
'I'm writing like you told me to, even though I'd have written anyways. To be completely honest, my house is so boring after having been to a MAGICAL school for the majority of a year. I was wondering, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you teach me how to play Quidditch? If it's going to mess up your practices, don't worry about it. Looking forward to seeing your dad's greenhouse.
-Bri'
Stretching out on her bed, her cat sleeping on her stomach, she reached for the last letter. It spanned several pages and wasn't so much a letter as a practice schedule.
"Geez Ollie...really?"
'Well, the sooner the better, right? I've taken the liberty of devising a training schedule to prepare us for the upcoming season. And before you can argue that we have to make the team first, let me say that I know we will. Or, at least, you will. If I don't get a letter of disapproval by this afternoon, I'll see you tomorrow morning. If you need motivation to get up by 8, you will find I have included that also.'
And there was a picture of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, a heart drawn around the face of Charlie Weasley.
"Oh you're dead, Wood. That's a promise." she grumbled; face pink from anger and embarrassment.
The following morning, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" she called, knowing full well who it was.
Oliver stepped in, broom in hand.
"I invited Bri. She wanted to learn how to play. Should be here any minute." she said, stretching her hamstrings on the stairs.
He couldn't help but stare as she stretched. Muscular legs flexed in tight shorts, a black tank top peeking out of a neon orange running jacket that hugged the curves she had started developing. Quidditch had been good to her.
"Alright." he said, for fear of saying anything that could be used against him later.
At that moment a burst of flame and coughing came from the den. "And there she is." Ryn went to help the other witch who was dusting off her clothes.
"I cleaned up an extra broom for you. I'll go grab it and mine. Be right back." and Bri watched the other girl dart up the stairs, coming back down seconds later with two polished brooms.
"Ready?" Oliver asked.
Nodding, the group went outside, mounted their brooms, and took off to the usual empty field where Aderyn and Oliver had spent so many previous summers.
"I'm so uncoordinated. How is anybody supposed to manage a broom, catch a ball, and dodge other players all AT THE SAME TIME?" Brianne whined after about two hours of practices. She lay on her back in the grass, broom discarded beside her.
"It takes lots of practice. You're going to be sore tomorrow." Ryn assured, a smile on her face.
"Yeah, I think I'll stick to watching the game, thanks..." the brunette witch grumbled.
"Look on the bright side; you're better on a broom than when we started."
"Yeah, Ryn...Thanks."
"There's still daylight left." Wood interjected.
Shaking her head, the blonde laughed, "Alright, well, better get back to practice."
It was sunset before the two Quidditch fiends called it a day. The girls had to get going, Charlotte was coming over and Ryn didn't want to miss what she was sure was going to be a spectacular entrance.
"Sorry to have to cut out so soon, but you know how Char gets when she's kept waiting."
Bri smiled, "I'm finally going to meet Charlotte? This is so exciting!"
"Keep this for a few days, would you?" Ryn asked, handing the now familiar blue ball to Oliver, "And make sure you get home safe, alright?"
The girls left, leaving him shaking his head. "Why do I hang out with girls?"
Charlotte and Brianne had hit it off from 'Hello'. All three of them were sprawled across the bed, surprisingly quiet. Charlotte had found the picture of the Quidditch team and had assaulted Aderyn with who the circled hottie was and how she got the picture. They all got a kick out of the story.
"So you and Oliver still aren't together? Geez...I wouldn't be surprised if your guys' parents had a bet on how long it'll take for you two to get married." Char sighed.
Bri turned a slight pink, "Why's that? I mean, they just seem like good friends to me..."
"OH! You've got a thing for him, don't you?" Ryn chirped.
"Well, I mean...he's nice and cute." the brunette's blush darkened.
A knock on the bedroom door made all three of the girls jump.
"Hey, Aderyn, honey? Can I talk to you for a sec?" her mom asked, peeking her head into the room.
With an eyebrow raised questioningly, she nodded, stepping out into the hall with her mother.
"Your dad's not looking too good. I'm taking him to St. Mungo's, and I'd prefer your friends went home. I've asked your grandfather to come and watch you." she explained in that trained Healer tone, but she couldn't hide the concern in her eyes.
"Uh, okay mom." Ryn frowned, deeply concerned.
Stepping back into her bedroom, her friends looked at her expectantly, "Hey um, you guys should go home. My dad's going to the hospital, and my mom doesn't want to overload my grandfather."
Their jaws dropped, and both the girls scrambled to embrace her, telling her things like 'it's going to be okay' and 'he'll be alright'. Grabbing their things, Char and Bri made their way into the den downstairs, Ryn following behind.
"I'll write you guys and let you know what's going on." she assured, the girls leaving in turn.
In the morning, Ryn sat alone at the dining table, watching the sun rise in spectacular oranges and pinks, absentmindedly stirring her tea.
"Ah, morning. Mind if I join you?" her grandfather asked, coming into the kitchen. His dark blue eyes were still cloudy with sleep, silver-white hair reflecting in the colors of the sunrise.
Pouring himself a cup of tea, he took a seat beside his granddaughter.
"Your mother tells me you've been playing Quidditch with one of your friends. She also asked me not to let you go." he took a sip of tea, watching the dejected look on the girl's face; "However, what she doesn't know won't hurt her."
Her face lit up, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cried, hugging the old wizard before racing upstairs to get ready for practice.
When she went to practice with Oliver, her mind was definitely elsewhere. It was when she dropped the third pass that day that he became concerned.
"Is everything alright, Rinni? You never drop passes." he asked, genuine concern in his voice.
She looked up with a start, like she had just been pulled back to reality. He never called her Rinni...
"Yeah...well, no. My dad's in hospital right now."
"Then why are you here?"
"I figured it would take my mind off of things, but it isn't working. Sorry..."
"If you want to go, I understand..."
"No, I'd much rather be here right now. I'm going to get chewed out when I get home anyways, might as well make the most of it." She said, giving him a small smile.
"How could you?! Even after I specifically told you not to let her go!" her mother's shrill yell could be heard from outside the front door.
"Aderyn is doing something that she enjoys, and friends she wants to spend time with. The only thing you're doing by trying to keep her locked up here is teaching her how to resent you." her grandfather's steady voice reasoned.
"She is my daughter and I will raise her how I want!"
"Yes, but she is also Dorian's daughter, and he will want her to play Quidditch when she goes back to school, and to spend her summers doing what makes her happy. Perhaps if you were home more..."
Ryn couldn't listen anymore. She walked off to the stand of trees several yards from the house. Taking a seat and drawing her knees to her chest, she fell into an exhausted slumber. It was dark when someone shook her awake. Blinking tiredly, she met her grandfather's eyes.
"It's alright, she went back to Mungo's." he reassured.
After that night, Ryn didn't practice with Oliver much, maybe a handful of days throughout the rest of the summer, saying she didn't want to aggravate her mom, but that she was still planning on trying out for the Quidditch team when school started up.
It was a relief when school started. Her Quidditch gear was added to the rest of her luggage. For the first time in months, it felt like she could breathe. Finally finding the compartment her friends were in, Ryn ducked inside, a smile on her face as they greeted her.
"How's your dad?" Bri asked.
"He's home now, Healers come check up on him once in a while," she shrugged, "But they don't know exactly what's wrong, so they're just treating his symptoms."
After a few minutes of awkward silence, the train started moving and Oliver broke the ice.
"So, you ready for tryouts?"
For the first few days Ryn kept to herself and her friends had a hard time cheering her up. It was the Friday before the first Hogsmeade weekend, and Brianne and Oliver were brainstorming ideas between classes.
"You know her better than anyone, what would cheer her up?"
It took him a minute, but finally it came to him, "I have an idea, but I'm going to need your help. How comfortable are you going through her things?"
"Uh...what do you need me to get?"
"Her broom, and probably a jacket."
"I can do that, I guess." she said tentatively.
"Okay, so here's the plan..."
He would sneak her into the Gryffindor Common Room at the start of dinner, she would get the objects, and Oliver would take it from there as she went on with her night. His plan was to get Aderyn out to the Pitch on Saturday while everyone else was in Hogsmeade.
When he showed up late for dinner, Ryn barely lifted her head. 'I really hope this works...' he thought.
Saturday rolled around, and everyone but first years and a few others who decided to hang back for various reasons were the only people left at the school. Ryn was sitting in an armchair, potions text open in her lap but she wasn't reading it.
"Hey, Ryn." Oliver smiled a little when she jumped.
"Oh, hey Ollie. Why aren't you in Hogsmeade with everyone else?"
He took her hand, "Come on. I want to show you something."
Without protest, she allowed herself to be lead out of the Common Room, through the castle, and out onto the Quidditch Pitch. Two brooms, her blue Quaffle, and what looked like a pile of clothes were laid out.
"What is this?" she asked, voice monotone.
'Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for.' He picked up what looked like a worn Quidditch robe. It was. 'Rivers 19' was on the back in gold lettering.
"Where did you get that?" she seemed surprised.
Tossing it to her he said, "I wrote your dad and had him send it to me. He also wanted me to tell you to cheer up and enjoy your year. And that you had better make the team, make him, proud."
Tears welled up in her eyes. He'd done this to cheer her up.
"Thank you." Ryn hugged her friend, "I have been pretty pathetic lately."
"No, you're worried about your family, that's understandable. But your performance on a broom might be, considering you haven't practiced much all summer."
She let him go and smirked, "Is that a challenge?"
"I can make it one."
Taking to the sky, they spent the rest of the day on the pitch, and it felt good having the old Aderyn back.
Bri hopped up the stairs to the Great Hall that night, glad Ryn was back to normal. "So, you two ready for tryouts tomorrow?"
The Gryffindors exchanged nervous glances, "As ready as we're going to get." they said together.
Their nerves got the better of them, and when Oliver went down into the Common Room in the very early morning, Ryn was already there. She smiled at him and turned her attention back to the fire burning low in the fireplace.
"Didn't sleep well either?" he asked as he took a seat beside her on the sofa.
She shook her head," I figured coming down here would give me something else to think about."
"How long have you been up?" he asked, glancing at the clock.
"About an hour. You?"
"About the same. Nobody's gonna be up until six at the earliest and breakfast isn't until seven."
When his stomach growled Ryn snickered, "Boys, always thinking with their stomachs. Come on, I know how we can kill some time."
On the first floor of the castle, in a hallway adjacent to the Great Hall, there is an expansive painting of a bowl of fruit. Ryn reached up and tickled the pear. It gave a giggle and the painting swung out revealing a large kitchen with house elves bustling about with food and various pots and pans.
A house elf approached them, her ears large and drooping, eyes watery and too large for her head, "Miss Rivers, the usual?"
"Hello Twill, yes, but make it two, please." she smiled at the elf whose face lit up at the small gesture.
Twill must've bowed thirty times as she disappeared farther into the kitchens. She returned a few minutes later with two mugs of steaming coffee and a bag. Ryn took one of the mugs and the bag, leading the way back to the common room and they enjoyed a breakfast of blueberry muffins and Asian pears.
"Since when do you know where the entrance to the kitchens are?"
The blonde witch smiled, "I can't divulge all my secrets."
Before they knew it, Gryffindor tower was awake and bustling with activity. The two friends still sat on the sofa talking excitedly about tryouts, all earlier nerves forgotten. They skipped breakfast with everyone else, instead choosing to go down to the pitch early and warm-up.
"Ah, early and motivated. That's what I like to see!" someone called while they were practicing. Distinctly red hair identified the person as Charlie Weasely.
"Why don't you two come down and we'll wait for everyone else." he called up to them, and they landed.
The current team and only a handful of new hopefuls showed up. Charlie looked a little disappointed, but just shrugged." Okay, let's get started then. First off, I'd like all those trying out for the Chaser position to get airborne and we'll go from there."
Aderyn was the first one up, breathing even as she focused on her plan of attack.
"You guys, and girls, are going to take turns trying to score a goal on me. Start with one, and depending on how many of you make that, we might go for more." he tossed the only other girl out of the three the Quaffle.
She almost dropped it and Ryn rolled her eyes. The poor girl almost fell off of her broom and didn't get the goal. Charlie retrieved the ball and tossed it to contestant number two, a dark-haired third year, who was shaking so bad that when he reached the goal hoops his shot went wide.
"You're it little lady." Charlie threw her the ball.
She caught it easily with one hand, letting the weight roll her over. As she righted herself, she smiled as the Captain nodded. Tucking her body close to the broom, she gained speed, and as she neared the goal hoops, feinted to the left, waiting until he moved to guard before reaching back and tossing the Quaffle and swatting it through the far right hoop with the tail end of her broom.
"Nice feint!" Oliver told her when she touched down.
"Well Rivers, welcome to the team." Charlie clapped a hand on her shoulder.
There was only one other boy trying out for Keeper, and as she watched her good friend take to the air, she whispered "Good luck."
Oliver took a deep breath, letting the rest of the world fall away. Right now, it was just him and Weasley. What did Ryn see in him, anyways? His thoughts began to wander and he almost missed the shot, the Quaffle sailing over his shoulder. In the nick of time he brought his left arm up, catching it, but being thrown into a roll. A momentary panic settled in before he remembered what Ryn had always said about rolls...
"Squeeze your knees together and relax, ride the momentum, don't try to fight it and you'll right yourself." and that's what happened.
"Way to go Wood. I take it you and Rivers practice together often?"
He threw the ball back to the seventh year, "Yeah, since we were little."
Aderyn's whoops and hollers of excitement echoed around the Pitch and Oliver smiled a little. If he didn't know any better he'd say she was more excited than he was. Before his feet touched ground she was making her way to him, and her arms flung around his neck briefly.
"This is going to be an awesome season." she laughed, and he couldn't help but agree.
Brianne was waiting for them outside the Common Room looking expectant. She cheered when they told her both of them had made it.
"I need to write my dad. He's going to be thrilled. Why don't you come in, nobody's going to care."
The girls went up to the dorms and Ryn quickly changed her clothes and scribbled out a note with one sentence, 'I made the team.'
Oliver had just barely put his broomstick away when the girls came barging into his dorm. "Come on slowpoke. We're headed to the Owlery."
"What are you girls doing in here?" someone demanded. Percy Weasley stood at the door, staring at Bri, "And you, you're not even a Gryffindor!"
"Chill out Percy. They were just leaving, right Ryn?" Wood said flatly, glaring at the blonde witch.
"So this is the infamous sock thief. I figured you were a little more...homely." Percy sneered.
"What was that?" Ryn demanded, and Oliver was leading the girls out of the room and down the stairs as she continued to shout at the Weasley.
"You two go on without me. I'll see you later." he told them as he went back upstairs.
"Well we'd better go. I don't want to get in trouble for being here." Bri said nervously.
Proudly holding up a maroon and gold sock, Ryn agreed, "Yeah, let's go before he realizes this is missing."
Quidditch practices and classes became all that Ryn and Oliver could think about right up until the first game. Evenings and days spent nursing sore muscles only to have to do it again the next day were going to pay off.
It was cold that Saturday, the wind was fierce and pierced their robes. Tough flying weather.
"Okay everyone, let's get out there and show Slytherin how it's done." Charlie said in a voice that sounded braver than everyone felt.
As they stepped onto the Pitch the roar of the crowd assaulted their ears, and the wind nipped at their faces.
"Let's do this." Ryn said to herself, mounting her broom and taking her place in the air.
Marcus Flint stared her down on the opposite side, and she could tell he would be a real thorn in her side.
"I want a good, clean game!" Hooch yelled, lifting her whistle to her lips.
As it sounded, she tossed the Quaffle and one of the Slytherin chasers got it. At about 2 minutes in, they were tied 10-10, Gryffindor in possession. Flint swooped in trying to knock Ryn off her broom but she dodged him with ease. "It'll take more than that to throw me!" she goaded.
"Wood!" she heard Charlie yell.
The game now forgotten, Aderyn turned and watched her friend plummet to the ground, hurt.
After the inevitable defeat by Slytherin, Aderyn made her way immediately to the hospital wing, not bothering to change out of her Quidditch gear. Brianne was there, a look of deep concern on her face.
"How bad?" she breathed, slightly winded from her hurry to get there.
"Pretty bad. Madame Pomfrey doesn't know when he'll wake up. She's done what she can but the Bludger hit him hard." the brunette explained.
"It was a BLUDGER?" Ryn seethed.
She lay her broom on the empty bed closest to her and shed her outer Quidditch robe, laying it down with the broom. Hot tears burned in her eyes as she stormed down the halls. Someone was going to pay. Apparently karma thought some justice was due because none other than Flint and his friends were coming down the hall towards her.
"Hey Rivers, how's your boyfriend?" He sneered, faking a hit and falling backwards, his buddies catching him.
Her mouth twitched in anger, "Shut it Flint!" she spat.
"Oh? Or what? I personally hope he doesn't wake up. Goody two shoes Gryffindor anyways."
That was her breaking point. Drawing her wand, she snapped and yelled, "Vicisstudo Roditore!"
And in Flint's place was a large black rat.
"MISS RIVERS!" McGonagall's shrill voice yelled.
She turned the Slytherin back and he and his friends ran off scared of both the Professor and the blonde witch.
"Come with me."
Aderyn followed the Professor begrudgingly. Just how much trouble was she going to be in?
They entered McGonagall's office. "Sit." she ordered.
Ryn did.
"I'm very disappointed that you would lose your temper, but, given the condition of your friend, it is understandable. Regardless, I am going to have to take 50 points from Gryffindor."
Opening her mouth to protest, Ryn shut it again thinking better of it.
"We both know I could have taken more. However, I am impressed that you executed a fifth year level Transfiguration spell with such accuracy." the older witch leaned forward across the desk, "Have you ever given any thought to becoming an Animagus?"
Shaking her head, Ryn answered the best way she knew how, "I always thought it took years of training and skill."
"You obviously possess the skill. Since you will be serving your detentions with me, if you change your mind and wish to take on some additional work simply let me know. You are excused Aderyn."
On Monday she was looking forward to classes and detention with McGonagall. It was breakfast time and she was sitting with the Quidditch team but not contributing to the conversation. When the post came and she saw her mother's owl, Ryn's mood darkened even more. The whole table went quiet as she picked up the bright red envelope.
She opened it and let it begin its tirade, "How dare you join the Quidditch team! I told you it was dangerous! Are you happy now, with your friend in hospital? I am under so much stress and I don't need you..."
"Incendio." Ryn muttered, reducing the Howler to ashes.
Silently, she stood and walked out of the Great Hall. All eyes were trained on her and she felt about 5 inches tall not that she let it show, holding her head up high as she left. Brianne's hurried footsteps followed her out.
"Ryn!" the other girl called.
She watched the blonde's shoulders shake and she thought she was crying, until Bri walked around her and saw her trying so hard to stifle laughter.
"Bri, relax. My mom has a knack for being over-dramatic. Thank you though, for coming to make sure I was alright. I'm going to go grab my things. See you in Herbology?" Aderyn said, interspersed with the occasional giggle.
Smiling, she nodded, "Yeah, alright."
That night after dinner Aderyn went to the Transfiguration classroom for detention.
"Miss Rivers. Tonight you'll be helping me undo the spells from my third year classes."
Ryn looked at a tangle of fur and limbs, "What spell were they using?"
Professor McGonagall looked at her over her glasses, "Why?"
"Well, because reversal spells are different for changing something animate back to inanimate, inanimate to animate, or animate to animate."
Her Professor smiled, "They were turning them into tea kettles."
"Imbarazzato Confuto." Ryn flicked her wand at the tangle of fur, and a marmoset took form.
This wasn't so bad.
On the following Saturday Ryn sat at Oliver's bedside in the hospital wing. Brianne had been asked to Madame Puddifoot's in Hogsmeade by a third year in her house and Ryn had encouraged her to go and have fun, that she would let her know if their friend woke up.
At the moment she was writing out a letter to her dad telling him all about her private lessons with Professor McGonagall. She had just scrawled her signature on the bottom of the page when the sound of someone saying her name made her jump.
"Ryn." it was Oliver.
"Hey, how're you feeling?" she smiled, relief thick in her voice.
He sat up a bit, "Sore. How long have I been out?"
Ryn poured a cup of water and handed it to him, "You've been out cold for a week. Charlie cancelled practices until you're better."
She watched him sip at the water.
"Where's Bri?" he asked taking a glance around the room.
"A third year asked her out. You should've seen how excited she was."
When they walked into the Great Hall for dinner that night the Gryffindor team was there to greet them. Ryn stepped back and smiled at Bri, letting her know everything was alright. She mouthed 'later' to let her know she wanted the dish on how the date went. She would find out later that the third year boy's name was Joshua Berdeu and that he was a quiet but sweet guy, and that he had asked to see Brianne the Saturday after Christmas holidays instead of going to the Quidditch game. Bri explained how she respectfully turned him down saying that she had to support her friends, but the following Saturday would work. Much to the excitement of both girls, he had agreed.
Christmas holidays rolled around the following week, giving most everyone a chance to finally relax. Aderyn was an exception. With her regular coursework already, and Quidditch practice she had extra Transfiguration work. She and McGonagall had agreed on a Tuesday and Thursday private lesson after dinner. Brianne had left that morning for home and so the Gryffindors remained in their common room. Oliver was to leave the next day. He felt bad about leaving her alone, but as he watched her transfigure her coffee mug into different items, and eventually a turtle, he knew she would be alright. She might not even realize that he had left.
"So you really turned Flint into a rat?" he asked, trying to get her attention off the mug turtle now lumbering across the table.
Ryn smiled, "Yes, and I'd do it again in your defense."
"Any idea what your Animagus form is going to be?"
"None. McGonagall says that's all the fun of training new Animagi, finding out what they turn into. Something about the animal choosing the witch or wizard."
She picked the turtle up, muttered "Abeoforma Verso' and set the mug down."I think I'll go to bed. It's been a long day."
"Alright, goodnight."
He watched her disappear up the staircase with her cat right behind her. Vaguely he caught himself wondering what animal Ryn would be. Definitely something with wings.
A deep freeze settled over the campus during the break. While everyone else wanted to stay inside where it was warm, Aderyn found herself yearning to be outside pelting people with snowballs. She'd have to start a snowball fight when classes resumed. Her parents sent her gifts, mostly things like clothes and a booklet of sheet music from her mother, but the letter that accompanied them was what she liked the most.
"Snidget,
I am happy to inform you that I have received a clean bill of health and no longer under the care of a Healer. Negotiations with your mother concerning the age of your broomstick have not been going well but I am determined to get you a new one considering yours saw me through school.
With love,
Dad"
The day after, Ryn was in a chair with Shadow curled on her lap. Resting between her leg and the chair was the blue Quaffle. As soon as Oliver stepped a foot into the Common Room she picked it up and tossed it, calling out "Wood!" as she did.
He laughed when he caught it, "Is this going to become tradition?"
"They have to start somewhere."
Three weeks later in the game against Hufflepuff, Ryn's broom didn't seem to want to fly straight. He would note the minute adjustments she had to make to get it to do what she needed it to. The fog that had settled in over the pitch didn't make conditions any better and Gryffindor lost by 90 points. Cold and disappointed, the team trudged into the changing rooms for warm clothes.
"Your broom seemed a little squirrely out there today." he'd said to her in passing.
She shrugged a shoulder, "It's getting old. Probably has one good summer left in it."
"It's supposed to snow the latter half of next week, think it's got a game of snowball Quidditch in it?"
Ryn perked up, "You know it does."
Unfortunately they didn't get the snow they had hoped for. With Gryffindor out of the running for the Quidditch Cup, practices had been cut back to minimal at best.
"You two are more than welcome to come with me and Josh to Madame Puddifoots?" Bri had ventured.
"That place that's so..." Ryn trailed off, looking for the right word.
"Romantic?" Bri finished.
"Uh...yeah. Besides, we're not a couple so it would be too weird." the blonde finished.
The other girl's expression fell, but Oliver's following suggestion seemed to cheer her up.
"Well we could always go to the Three Broomsticks and get Butterbeer."
Joshua seemed like a nice enough guy, his smile was genuine and he made Bri happy. The way the Hufflepuffs looked at each other made the Gryffindors uncomfortable, and they looked at one another as if asking for an excuse to leave.
"Hey, um...Bri, I think I've got an essay I need to finish. See you this evening?" Ryn said, standing slowly.
The brunette frowned slightly, "Oh, okay, sure I guess." and she looked at Oliver as if asking what his excuse was going to be.
Ryn tugged at his sleeve, "Ollie was going to help me. Bye!"
When they were outside, they sighed.
"Well he makes Bri happy."
"Yeah, but I just hope she doesn't ask us to double-date with them again."
The end of the year saw Slytherin winning the House Cup. Many of the Gryffindors called it a night early, quickly eating and then retiring to the Common Room. Aderyn had left earlier than most and she seemed to have something on her mind. What it was, Oliver hadn't had the opportunity to ask. Well, at least, not until he found her sitting by herself in the Common Room, staring blankly into the fire.
"Hey, Ryn. Something wrong?"
She looked up and gave him a sad smile as he sat beside her.
"It's nothing really. Just worried about my dad."
"I thought your dad was better? Is he back in hospital?"
Ryn shook her head, "No, I just wonder how he's going to handle the divorce while I'm here so much of the year."
His brows knit together, "How are you taking it?"
"I guess it hasn't really hit me yet. My mom and I have never really been all that close. And with all the plans Charlotte and I have made for the summer, I doubt I'll have much time to dwell on it."
With that he let the subject drop. She wasn't going to talk, and there was nothing he could say or do to make her change her mind.
Summer had started slow, despite everyone's promises to write, no letters arrived in that first week. Oliver sighed, putting the newspaper down. Ireland had lost another game. Ryn had predicted their bad season, arguing that they had too many new players as starters.
A tapping at the window made him look up. The large brown owl had a letter, the blue wax seal on it glaringly familiar. He opened the window, took the letter and tore it open.
In Aderyn's neat, legible writing it said:
"Ollie,
I'm staying the weekend at Charlotte's (about 10 minutes due east). Unfortunately, she doesn't care much for flying and her brothers have been trying to impress me with their gross misunderstanding of our game. I've never known you to turn down a match, so, now the question is...are you going to help me school these two or what?
Ryn"
Shaking his head he gathered up his gear. No summer was complete without Ryn and a game of Quidditch.